A/N: Hi, sorry for uploading late. My Sunday's been very chaotic and I sort of forgot I was meant to upload. Sorry...

Anyway welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I only own the storyline.

Chapter Four

Lily got the impression that Marlene wanted to go and watch the Gryffindor team practice Quidditch; it was part of Hogwarts culture that when one fancied a member of a Quidditch team, it was custom to watch them practice. Knowing also that Marlene would never want to go alone for such an activity, nor would she ever ask anyone to go with her, Lily decided to take action herself. When she suggested the idea to Marlene, her friend said nothing, which Lily chose to interpret as a yes, and a few days later the two girls found themselves walking in the direction of the Quidditch pitch.

'And remember,' Lily said as they neared the stands. 'Dorcas is on the team too so we could just be supporting her. No one will suspect anything.'

Marlene looked at her.

'Well, fine.' she relented, smiling sheepishly. 'There's no way anyone's going to think that but who's honestly going to care. I'm sure there's millions of girls watching. We'll blend in nicely.'

It didn't take long for Lily to realise her prediction was entirely wrong. The day had been grey all round and so even the most dedicated of the good-looking Quidditch players fan club had decided against venturing outside. The two girls chose seats right at the back of the stands, as if this would distract from the fact that they were the only spectators, and waved at Dorcas, who rolled her eyes when she spotted them.

'Sorry, Marlie.' Lily apologised as the Gryffindor team began a simple passing exercise, throwing the Quaffle to random teammates whilst flying. 'This was a stupid idea. But I really didn't think we'd be the only ones watching.'

Marlene didn't say anything. She pulled out a copy of Witch Weekly and hid her face behind her magazine. Lily smiled slightly, turning her attention to the pitch.

She saw James throw the Quaffle to Sirius and for some reason this reminded her of her confrontations with both Severus and Mulciber. She glanced at Marlene, wondering whether to say anything or not.

'Marlie…' she started uncertainly, watching the magazine lower itself slightly to reveal Marlene's eyebrows. Taking this as a good sign, she continued.

Lily relayed all that the two boys had said to her, watching Marlene lower her magazine more and more until her full face was revealed. Her expression was unreadable, but she watched Lily unblinkingly, giving her undivided attention.

'And – well – I don't know if he was serious or not.' she concluded, biting her lip. 'I mean when he said Mudbloods like me he could've just meant people who talk back to him. Or maybe he was just trying to scare me. He's still in school. It's not like he'd attack students – he could get expelled for that. I'm just worried if he goes after younger students; they won't be able to defend themselves…'

She sighed.

'I'm sure he wasn't being serious.' Lily decided, running her hands into her hair, resting her elbows on her knees. Marlene rustled her magazine. 'Well, okay, I think he's being serious, but I could be being over dramatic. What do you think?'

Marlene looked out onto the pitch, her mouth a thin line.

'You think I'm right?' Lily echoed her expression. 'I'm kind of scared, Marlie… Not of Mulciber but of everything… Last year I could still ignore things were happening, but after that thing with the train… Everything's going tits up…'

On the pitch, the Gryffindor team were starting to play. The Chasers swerved about the pitch while the Beaters hit Bludgers in their direction. The Seeker scanned the pitch for the Snitch and the Keeper circled the goal posts. They were skilled, even to the untrained eye, and James glanced over to the stands, winking at the two girls sat there. They didn't pay him any heed; Lily was staring at her knees, still talking to Marlene, and Marlene was watching her silently.

'What do you think Voldemort looks like?' she mused, tracing a circle on her left knee. 'I know the Prophet said he's got red eyes.'

Marlene shifted in her seat.

'I suppose it doesn't really matter,' Lily stated, nodding at her friend. 'If you're up against him you'll be dead soon enough anyway.'

She fell silent, looking back up at the pitch just as James scored. Sirius flew in to thump him on the back before tearing off after a Bludger.

'I just wish I could do something!' Lily burst out suddenly, and Marlene blinked. 'God, I feel useless sitting around here, going to lessons and all that.'

Lily scuffed her left foot on the floor.

'I could be an Auror when I graduate…' Lily sighed. 'I really don't want to be an Auror. I couldn't stand it. Even if I'm taking the required subjects… Sorry, Marlie. I've just been talking about myself. Anything you want to complain about?'

Marlene shook her head and Lily laughed.

'Let's watch this Quidditch practice then, shall we?' she suggested, resting her head on Marlene's shoulder. 'Black might quiz you later, you never know…'

…

'Your shirt's untucked.'

James started, knocking over the stack of books on his desk in the library, looking around for who had spoken, instantly recognising the voice. Lily limped into view from behind a bookshelf, smirking mischievously.

'Having your shirt untucked is against the school uniform regulations, did you know that?' Lily asked, taking the seat next to him.

'And who are you to tell me that?' James demanded jokingly. 'You're not even a prefect.'

'Of course not.' Lily scoffed, shuddering a little at the idea. 'But I am part of the fashion police.'

'Police?'

'Like Magical Law Enforcement.' she amended, chuckling. 'Now for your fine.'

'What? I'm getting fined?'

'And a prison sentence.' Lily informed him solemnly. 'This is a serious offence, Mr Potter.'

'So, what's my fine?'

'You have to help me with my Transfiguration essay.' Lily said, producing her school things and placed them on the desk. 'If you're not busy that is…'

'Nah.' James grinned, leaning back in his chair and stretching. 'I was doing some extracurricular research.'

'Should I be worried?'

James shoved her lightly and she laughed, hastily covering her hand with her mouth as Madame Pince glared in their direction.

'Now, Transfiguration expert, should we get some books for the essay?'

'Evans, if I'm an expert, I don't need books; it's all up here.' He tapped the side of his head jovially and she raised her eyebrows.

'Well, Mr Expert, I'd prefer to have some books to reference as well if you don't mind. I can't just quote you all the time.'

'Sure you can.' James said, grinning as she stood up, shaking her head at his antics. 'Fine, if you don't trust me…'

With a snort, Lily limped over to the Transfiguration section of the library, passing little Daisy with some of her peers at a nearby table. She smiled at the girl as she passed, chuckling; as she had predicted, James was quick to follow her and when she smirked at him, he shrugged defiantly.

'I just thought you might need some help carrying your books.' he said, accepting the books Lily thrust at him. 'I don't need them myself.'

'Of course not.' Lily agreed absently, scanning the shelves for any more books that might prove vaguely useful. They returned to the table and placed the books down upon it.

'So,' James began, rubbing his hands together. 'What don't you understand about Gaunt's Law of Activation Magic?'

'Would it be bad if I said everything?'

'Everything.' James nodded, smiling at her reassuringly. 'I can work with everything.'

…

At four o'clock, Lily almost sprung out of her chair in realisation of the time. Hurriedly, she packed her things together, much to the amusement of James, who watched her laughing. Seizing a stack of books, Lily returned them to the correct shelf and then limped back over to her back, slinging it over her shoulder.

'I'm sorry, but I've got to go get my bandage changed.' she explained hastily to James, not wanting to seem rude.

'Oh, I thought you were off for a snog with someone.' he said, smirking at how she rolled her eyes.

'How ever did you guess?'

'If you're going to see Poppy, I'll come with you. Just give me a sec to pack up my stuff.'

'Do you actually call Madame Pomfrey Poppy to her face?' Lily asked, curiously and James nodded, putting away his parchment and quill. 'That is so weird…'

'And why's that?' James probed, amused.

'Because she's a member of staff.' Lily said as they headed to the library door. 'It's like if you called Filch Argus.'

'No, it's not.' James dismissed, shuddering dramatically and holding the door open for her. 'I'm in the hospital wing often enough from Quidditch.'

'You're also in detention every other day.' Lily pointed out, laughing at his indignant gasp.

'I am not in detention every other day!' he defended, nudging her. 'You make me sound like some kind of demon student – which I'm not.'

'If the only person who can verify that is you, it doesn't bode well for it being true.' she told him wisely, grinning up at him.

'Take that back or I'll tickle an apology out of you.' James threatened, advancing on her. Lily backed into the wall, watching the mischievous look in his eye warily.

'You wouldn't dare…'

James was quick to disprove her, and Lily squirmed about, giggling like a mad man. She tried to retaliate but he curved his body out of the way. Diving forwards in an attempt to catch him, Lily lost her footing, wobbling about as she tried to steady herself. James grabbed a hold of her shoulders, helping her regain balance.

'Bloody hell, Evans…' he murmured once Lily was fine to stand on her own again. 'You should've said your leg was still that bad. Are you sure you should already be off crutches?'

'Yes, I'm sure.' Lily replied, laughing a little at his concern. 'My right leg can just be a little weak at times. As long as no one kicks it, I'm fine.'

'And has someone kicked it?' James inquired, peering shrewdly into her eyes.

'I've knocked it into a table leg enough times to know.' Lily said, bumping his shoulder lightly with her fist. 'Calm down; you're starting to sound like my mum if she knew.'

'She doesn't know?' James gaped at her. 'Why wouldn't you tell her? She's your mum.'

'If I told my parents about half the things going on here, I'd never be allowed back.' she told him casually and then tugged on his arm. 'Now come on, Mrs Evans, or I'll be late for getting my bandages changed.'

They didn't speak again until they reached the hospital wing. James held the door open for Lily and she thanked him before being chivvied over to the furthest bed by Madame Pomfrey. She pulled a curtain around the bed so that Lily was to remove her tights in private and then pulled them back once Lily was done.

James shuffled awkwardly over, hovering next to Lily, not entirely sure what to do as Madame Pomfrey bustled off to get a new bandage and a tray of assorted potions. She returned with her arms full and deposited them on a little table at the end of the bed Lily lay on.

'Professor Slughorn finished brewing your new prescription.' she said, indicating the potions. 'One teaspoon of each before bed every night.'

'Okay.'

'And if they start running out, let me know so I can order some more.' Madame Pomfrey looked grim. 'Merlin knows it'll take long enough to heal with those potions – I don't want to think about how long you'd be in bandages if you didn't take them – so mind you keep up with them.'

'Yes, of course.' Lily nodded earnestly.

'Right, let's change these bandages!' As the matron rolled up her sleeves and undid the knot on the bandage, Lily turned to James.

'It looks disgusting,' she warned. 'I won't be offended if you throw up or something.'

'I'm not going to throw up.' he assured her, puffing up his chest; Lily shook her head but smiled slightly.

Madame Pomfrey finished unwrapping the bandage and James had to clamp a hand over his mouth to stop himself visibly retching. No acrid smell wafted up from the wound, but it didn't need a stench to turn anyone's stomach. Lily was right; it did look disgusting, concerningly so. The skin around the long gash was blackened with some secret magic so that it appeared oddly dust-like in texture. However, what made the wound so much worse was the streaks of acid green glowing like embers beneath the ash-toned skin. Their light seemed to burn a permanent image into James' eyes as he stared, endeavouring to string a few words together.

Seeing the look on James' face, Lily snorted but then stopped as Madame Pomfrey dabbed a hissing, smoking substance onto her leg. It stung for the briefest moment when applied, and, while Lily had gone through this procedure plenty of times, there was something about the smoke rising from her leg that always stressed her.

'Thanks for coming with me today, Potter.' Lily said quietly, when they returned to the common room a while later.

'No problem, Evans.' He smiled, putting his hands in his pockets.

'You know,' Lily began, cocking her head to one side as she looked at him, smiling, 'you're not so bad, Potter.'

'Finally realised that, eh, Evans?'

'See you later, Potter.' she said, laughing and rolling her eyes. With a small wave, she headed up the girls' staircase, ready to deposit her things on her bed and perhaps have a quick nap before dinner.

Look at Lily and James starting to become friends. It makes my heart melt happily. They'll be bosom buddies before we know it - well maybe not 'bosom' buddies. Is it Anne of Green Gables who really wanted a bosom buddy? I think so. Anyway, that's not relevant at all. I'm just rambling.

Make my day and leave a review! And I'll see you in the next chapter!