AN: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Lily walked back to her dorm, smiling despite being tired. The Marauder's had unleashed their own brand of fireworks in the castle today. The fireworks were little fireflies that would explode on touching an individual, taking the shape of something that defines that individual. Lily's firework took the shape of a beautiful golden doe which followed her around all day, fizzing and cracking. The corridors were full of students walking around with their inner sparkling selves in tow. It was a surprise for students to see Professor McGonagall smile proudly at her silver cat that kept nuzzling its head on her legs, not burning her robes in the process.

By dinner Professor Dumbledore announced that he would like to congratulate the Marauders for this brilliant bit of magic and requested an owl from them, containing instructions for casting the spell as his red and gold phoenix floated over him, shimmering majestically. Lily felt proud, Prongs had not written to her since Christmas but it felt like she had known him as a dear friend all her life. Whoever these Marauders were, they were brilliant wizards. The doe followed Lily to her bed, nuzzling its head against Lily's shoulder before vanishing off with a soft pop. Lily sighed, missing the doe. Her thoughts went back to the different animals she had observed today. Potter and Black had blasted off their fireflies refusing to let anyone see who they really were. Remus was beyond livid that his inner animal was a wolf. Alice was an eagle, Marlene was a golden retriever and Mary was a peacock. Severus was a huge emerald cobra, which slithered threateningly behind him, but somehow he looked pleased with his inner animal.

Lily flopped on her bed, looking at the clock she had some time before going for patrol. She might get some rest before that. There was a strange tapping on her window; Lily looked around curiously to find Athena, tapping at the window.

"Hey, I wasn't hoping to see you back this soon. Have you got a letter for me?" Lily asked softly as Athena fluttered in and landed on her desk, sticking her leg out. Lily fished some owl treat from her bag before taking the letter from Athena, who nipped Lily's finger affectionately and flew off. Lily looked down at the two letters, she recognised her mother's handwriting and with a jolt realised that the other was Petunia's handwriting.

Dear Lily,

Your father and I have some great news for you. Petunia is engaged! She is getting married to Vernon! I am so excited! Oh! You girls are growing up so fast. I have talked to Petunia; you will be the maid of honour. You have to be. That's what sisters do for each other.

I know Petunia and you don't get along very well. But this is your sister's big day. And you have to be a part of the celebrations. I have asked Petunia to write you a letter too. I think this wedding would bring the two of you together. I know it will. Don't worry about your dress or anything else. We will shop for it before hand. Luckily she decided on having a spring wedding. You will be home for your Easter holidays. I know the wedding is taking place in a very short time but Vernon and Petunia don't want to wait. Can you believe it, Petunia is pregnant! I will be a grandmother soon and you will be an aunt! I am so excited, Lily!

I have to go now; we have to meet the caterer and the florist today. See you soon.

Much love

Mum.

P.S.- Don't worry if we don't write to you as often as we do, we might be caught up with the wedding preparations. Love you.

Lily frowned, why would Petunia agree to make her the maid of honour when Petunia hated her with a passion? Lily was sure their mum forced her to make that decision. And she was pregnant with Vermin's child? Lily grimaced, trying to take the image of Vermin and Petunia having sex out of her mind. What was wrong with Petunia Evans? Lily picked up Petunia's letter smiling slightly; she was going to be an aunt. The father of the child was a disappointment but the child would be half Evans and she had always dreamed about being the cool aunt to Petunia's children. Maybe children would be able to help mend her relationship with her sister, she thought as she opened the letter.

Freak,

Mum asked me to write a letter and ask you to become my maid of honour. You know what; I am not going to do it. You ruin everything. I most definitely do not want you to attend my wedding let alone ask you to be my maid of honour. Forget it, I am not doing it.

I am writing this to you to ask you to not come to the wedding at all. I don't want you there; freaks like you shouldn't be anywhere near a gathering of civilised people. You would only embarrass me. Now write a letter to mum and tell her that you are not coming. Tell her you have some work at your freak school, you have to go fight a dragon and would probably die in the process (I know it won't happen but one could dream, right?) Do what you have to do but you are not going to ruin my wedding. I won't allow it. Do you know why we are hurrying with this wedding, because I am pregnant and I don't want my child to know that he/she is related to someone like you.

I want to start a happy life away from you. So, if you ever loved me as a sister, grant me this. Don't show your face in my wedding. I don't want your shadow to fall on my baby. You will curse it, you will curse my happiness. I don't want something bad to happen to my baby. Stay away from us.

I won't even bother signing it.

Lily crumpled the letter angrily, trying to force down her tears. The clock chimed, pocketing the letter Lily stormed out of her dormitory just as Marlene and Alice entered chattering happily about some inconsequential thing. She didn't even acknowledge them as she ran down the stairs and collided with Potter, losing her balance and almost falling down before Potter steadied her.

"Easy there Evans." He said before noticing the unshed tears in Lily's eyes. "Hey, are you alright?" Lily nodded mutely. "So, are you ready to go for the patrol?" Lily looked at him curiously. Potter blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a full moon night. Remus tried looking for replacements but couldn't find one. So, he took permission from Professor McGonagall to let me accompany you. I swear I won't do anything funny, that's why he didn't ask Sirius for the patrol."

"Hey! I resent that! I am a perfectly responsible person." Black said, joining Potter near the' stairs to the girls' dormitories. "So responsible that you are leaving me to take care of Peter over there." He said jerking his head towards Pettigrew who was sitting on an armchair, reading his charms textbook. James grinned before looking at Lily again. His brows furrowed, she looked depressed, her lower lip was quivering and it looked like she was preventing herself from crying. He looked up at Sirius who was watching Lily too, their eyes met and Sirius nodded his head towards the portrait hole. Potter cleared his throat. "So, Evans are you ready to go?"

Lily shrugged clambering out of the portrait hole with Potter at her heels. They walked silently for the hour as they were returning to the tower; Potter tugged at her arm and asked her to follow him. Lily was about to protest but he had already pulled her into a secret passage. Curiosity took the better of Lily and she followed Potter down the passage and gasped audibly when it opened near the portrait of the fruit bowl near the Hufflepuff common room. Potter directed her towards the portrait and tickled the banana, Lily was amazed when the banana giggled and turned into a handle. Potter wrenched the door open, before standing back and letting Lily enter. It was a dark room lit by a few candles. Lily saw the most curious little creatures with tiny bodies, large eyes, long fingers and huge bat like ears wearing clean white tea cosies with the Hogwarts crest.

"What can we get you miss?" One squeaked in a high pitched voice, as the others arrived with plates laden with biscuits, cakes, fruits, chocolates and other food. "Mister Potter! You is back again? Where is Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew? You must tell them I have made their favourite desserts and they must visit again." The same creature squeaked again.

"Hello Jinxie. Sirius, Remus and Peter would be visiting you soon and how many times do we have to tell you, that you must call us by our names." Potter said, hugging the little creature, who squealed her delight as James laughed and put her down. Potter smirked at Lily as he came to stand beside her.

"Are these…." Lily stopped biting her lip doubtfully. "Are these house elves?"

Potter nodded. "Yes." Lily nodded, following Potter to the nearest table as the house eves bustled around busily. "Don't they ever sleep?" Lily asked, "What are all of them doing up this late at night?"

"They work in shifts and in rotation so that all of them get to do the night and day jobs. The night shift entails cleaning the castle, preparing for breakfast- there are hundreds of elves at Hogwarts. What you are seeing is less than one third of them." He replied helping himself to a treacle tart. Lily looked around amazed at the sight. A tiny house elf, much smaller than the rest of them tottered towards her, holding a plate of chocolate cake, and almost fell over but Lily caught the plate. He looked around fearfully; when no one reprimanded him he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Lily in gratitude.

"You know I brought you here to get you some chocolate milk. My mum says it cures all ailments of the heart. Would you like to try some? They have put in extra marshmallows too." Potter said diverting her attention from the little house elf. Lily smiled gratefully before accepting the cup. They sat in silence, finishing off their hot chocolate. As they walked back to the tower, Lily had to admit, James Potter probably wasn't as bad as she thought.

"Well, Patrolling with you wasn't so bad." Lily admitted as they neared the portrait hole.

"I am glad to hear it." Potter said with a smile.

"You do know that going down to the kitchens for hot chocolate doesn't count as a date?"

Potter laughed. "Evans, please. I know you think I am lame but I am not lame enough to take someone to the kitchens for the first date. Anyway, have I asked you out at all since the start of the term?"

They stopped in front of the portrait hole. Lily realised with a shock that he was right. He had not asked her out for three weeks now! She looked at him curiously. He blushed, his hand flying up to crumpling his hair.

"I just figured you don't want to go out with me, so I won't push you. There are other fishes in the sea, right?"

Lily nodded stiffly, but something inside her roared like a wounded beast. She gave the password and clambered in the portrait hole hastily, the portrait hole shut behind her. Lily turned curiously, why had Potter not followed her in? She peeked out of the portrait hole again but Potter was nowhere. Lily shrugged before walking back to the common room, she shoved her hand inside the pocket of her robes and found the crumpled letter from Petunia. Her good mood evaporated, as did her sleep. She sat down on a couch, reading the letter again and finally giving in to the tears she had been holding back.

Lily felt like the earth itself was moving, shaking her entire body. Was the castle under attack, she jerked up before opening her eyes, hitting her head on something hard. "Ow! Lily!" Black protested. She opened her eyes at his protest and realised she was on the couch in the common room. She looked around wildly to see Black kneeling on the floor, holding his nose. "Black! What are you doing?" She hissed.

"I was only trying to wake you up. It looks like you slept on the couch."

"What time is it?" Lily asked stretching herself.

"It's 4:00 in the morning. By the way, I accept your apology for hurting my nose."

Lily smirked. "You shouldn't have startled me like that. But what are you doing up so late?"

"Nothing. Couldn't sleep so I thought I would come down here, that's when I saw you sleeping here."

Lily looked closely at Black, his clothes looked dirty and torn, there was a cut visible through the torn sleeve of his shirt, it looked like he had just battled with the whomping willow and survived. She narrowed her eyes.

"Don't lie to me. You don't look like you were in bed at all. Where were you and where is Potter?"

"Okay, fine. James and I had a bet to settle, so we settled it like men do. He is in our dorms now, sleeping. And before you lecture me on that, take this back." He shoved Petunia's letter in Lily's hand.

Her eyes widened. "Where did you find this?"

"On the floor, next to the couch. You might want to be a little more careful about where you leave your personal belongings."

Lily nodded before getting up, "Thank you. I guess I will see you around." She said awkwardly before turning around to leave. Black's hand shot up and caught her wrist, pulling her down on the couch again as he pulled himself up to sit beside her.

"If you want to talk about it. I am here." He said seriously.

"You- you read it?" Lily asked horrified.

He shrugged. "Not all of it. I just wanted to check the name of the person it was addressed to, so that I could return it. But it started with freak and there was no signature in the end. I took a wild guess in returning it to you. But now that I know… You can come talk to me. I know exactly what it feels like when your family is horrible to you."

"Don't say the things you don't mean, Black." Lily said sharply, "You don't look like someone whose family would mistreat you."

Black's expression became darker, he laughed humourlessly. "I am a Gryffindor, flower. A Gryffindor in a household of Slytherins." He looked at her, his grey eyes intense. "How do you think they would treat me? I am an outcast. Always was. My family hates me for being who I am." He said flatly.

Lily stared at him; Black's face betrayed no emotion. For a moment she thought he was pranking her but then he looked at her and Lily saw the pain in his eyes. They kept on staring at each other. Lily wanted to say something to him, maybe hug him, cry with him, share his pain but she sat rooted to her spot.

"Sirius?" Black broke contact, looking towards the direction of the voice. James Potter walked down the steps from boys dormitory and walked towards Black, who was staring at the fire. "Sirius?" Potter called again, touching his shoulder softly. When Black didn't reply Potter looked quizzically at Lily who shrugged. Potter looked at Black again; they exchanged a look before Black got up and stalked off to his dormitory. Potter sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. "I guess I should get going too. Good night Evans." He said, making to follow Black up the stairs.

"Wait." Lily called. He turned facing Lily tiredly. "Where were you? Why were you out of bounds so late? That too on the grounds! What if- What if- What if Remus had found you and done something to you?" She hissed angrily.

Potter looked taken aback before he smirked, "Well, looks like someone finally realized that she is in love with a certain dark haired Quidditch star with hazel eyes."

"Shut it Potter. I can't believe I thought you had finally grown up. It's dangerous and I didn't want Remus to live his life feeling guilty about mauling his friends."

Potter smiled cheekily, "Well, if you insist. I should get going- need to sleep. Got girls to hunt, things to do. See around Evans."

Lily huffed, what was it about Potter that always, always got under her skin. Shaking her head she went off to her dormitory but couldn't sleep. She threw her blanket off and pulled a scrap of parchment to herself.

AN: It has been so long! I hope no one lost faith. I just moved to a new city, new job, long working hours. I don't even get the weekends free. But enough of my complaining. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Read and Review please. Happy reading.
Spoiler alert: This kind of, sort of is part of the reason why Lily couldn't forgive Severus when he did hurt her. I have said a lot. Read and Review. :D