Hello, children

Hello, children. Sorry this has taken so long, but what with holidays, homework, food and so forth, I haven't been writing as frequently as I do usually. All right, now, let me just straighten this out. Lily and James are not in love, and they do not like each other in that way. Yet. They are just friends. Like Harry and Hermione (except that H/H don't talk about their upcoming wedding and secret rendezvousing). And they don't realise until year – no wait, you'll just have to wait and see. Ha! And another thing. If this text is scaring you, then: 1) You need help. Now. 2) I can do this in html now, so you better get used to it. 3) It should make the story easier to read. If not, complain to me and I'll take absolutely no notice whatsoever. Read on, peeps …

There was instant uproar. Dumbledore conjured a stretcher immediately and lifted Lily onto it. He looked around at the students.

'James,' he said quietly. 'Go to the Hospital Wing. Inform Madam Pomfrey that Miss Evans is critically injured.' James mind had gone completely blank. His feet were carrying him off in the direction of the Hospital Wing, but all he could see in his mind was Lily's blank, expressionless face looking back at him as she fell onto the cold floor of the Great Hall. He shook himself mentally. This was serious – he had to get help, fast. He ran to the Hospital Wing, and found himself face to face with an angry looking Madam Pomfrey.

'What is it, Potter?' she said, eyeing him suspiciously. 'Shouldn't you be at the feast?'

'Lily – drank juice – poisoned – fainted,' James gasped quickly.

'Speak slowly, Potter,' said Madam Pomfrey, raising her eyebrows.

'It's Lily,' said James quietly, though he knew Madam Pomfrey could hear. 'She's been – she's been poisoned. Dumbledore's bringing her up.' Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth, and surveyed him quickly.

'Right, Potter. Go and fetch Professor Turner. He may be able to help.' James nodded, and left the hospital wing. How? That was what was bothering him. How was the food and drink being contaminated? The faint whistling coming from Dumbledore – it must have been his dark magic sensor. James' insides shuddered as he realised that this meant the drinks had been poisoned beyond Stunning level.

He was just walking down the corridor to the dungeons when Professor Turner bolted around the corner.

'James,' he said, panting. 'Who's hurt? Dumbledore told me to check the kitchens.'

'Lily,' said James quickly. 'She's been poisoned. Madam Pomfrey wanted to know if you have a antidote.'

'I'm on it,' he said, before rushing off in the direction of his office. James turned and started running back towards the Hospital Wing. When he passed the Great Hall, he noticed the Ravenclaws standing around, looking confused. Somebody called his name.

'James?' It was Jason Mak. 'Is she all right?'

'Dunno. Come with me, Jas. We'll go and see.' Jason nodded, and the two boys left in silence in the direction of the hospital wing.

When they entered, they saw that Lily had been placed on one of the beds next to Madam Pomfrey's office. Dumbledore was standing over her, tapping her with his wand. He was surveying her condition.

'How is she, sir?' James asked, coming up to the bed. Dumbledore sighed heavily. His blue eyes were bright, and his aura was the very sense of power.

'I do not know. The curse was powerful –' his voice shook slightly, '– she may not live.' James closed his eyes, and felt Jason shudder next to him. Dumbledore withdrew his wand.

'Sir?' James asked, just about managing to keep his voice steady. 'How – how did this happen?' Dumbledore gave him a swift, piercing look.

'The same as last time, James, except that the curse was much stronger. You probably heard my sensor going off. The curse placed on this food was more than just a warning. There is someone close by – a supporter of Voldemort … Let us just hope he has not succeeded today.' James nodded, and suddenly felt anger coursing through him. These … people, if they could be considered that, were doing this as a threat. A mindless threat. It really was incredible, James thought, that people could be capable of doing such terrible things. He sat up on the bed next to Lily. Her skin was deadly pale, and the light from her usually bright green eyes seemed to have gone out. She looked peaceful … as though she was in enchanted sleep. James was only vaguely aware of a single silver tear running down his cheek.

Dumbledore lifted his head, sighing. He once again put his wand to Lily's wrist. He tapped it twice, and sighed again. The aura of power surrounding him had gone; instead, he was looking tired and weary.

'No pulse,' he murmured softly to Madam Pomfrey, who shook her head.

'Is she –?' Jason said softly to Dumbledore, '– will she –?'

'No,' said James softly. 'She can't – surely not –?'

He didn't seem able to complete his sentences. Dumbledore nodded gravely. James let out a horrible moan; a sound he wouldn't have thought himself capable of producing Even Jason, who didn't really know Lily, looked close to tears. James felt as though a cold hand had wrapped itself around his heart. He brain seemed unable to take it in; it was all so sudden. It seemed only minutes ago that he and Lily had been playing Gobstones, smiling and laughing. He glanced down at her again, and a prickling, burning sensation appeared in the corner of his eyes. There was a wrenched feeling in his stomach, which had contracted completely. His glasses were misty, and he could hardly see a thing,

'Sir?' he said weakly to Dumbledore, hardly able to find his voice. 'What ki –' he swallowed, '– what killed her?' He was vaguely aware of tears streaming down his cheeks. He removed his glasses, completely grief-stricken.

'That remains to be seen,' said Dumbledore heavily, wiping his eyes.

'Albus,' said an urgent voice from the door. It was Professor Turner. 'Where is she?' Dumbledore motioned to the bed. Turner approached, and began to touch Lily softly with his wand, as Dumbledore had. He sat for a few minutes in silence; his breathing coming in harsh, ragged gasps. It was familiar, somehow. Turner lifted his head after a few minutes, looking relieved.

'She's not dead, Albus,' he said calmly. Relief – warm, sweeping relief – flooded James at these words.

'Not – not, dead?' James repeated. Turner nodded, and James suddenly smiled. He found it quite difficult. 'What happened, sir?' he asked, feeling much, much happier than he had a few seconds ago. Turner left the bedside and began to pace the room slowly.

'She has been poisoned with a lethal contaminant, known as Interitus Solution, but her strong immune system has prevented death. She will be ill for some time, unless I can make an antidote.'

'How long will it take to prepare?' Dumbledore asked.

'Not long. I shall start immediately.' He nodded to Dumbledore, and swept out of the room. James let out a relieved sigh and turned to Dumbledore. Dumbledore seemed to read his thoughts, but James spoke first.

'Was it Voldemort, sir?' he asked calmly. Jason shuddered at the name.

'Most probably not,' Dumbledore replied, looking at Lily. 'There is a Death Eater nearby.' James swallowed.

'In – in the castle?'

'Possibly, although unlikely.' He sighed suddenly. 'Boys, I will leave you with Lily. I shall tell Madam Pomfrey you are allowed to stay. I must talk to Professor Turner.' He took one last look at Lily and strode out of the ward.

After Dumbledore left, Jason picked up two chairs and placed them next to Lily's bed. He sat down in one and motioned for James to do the same. He looked a little shaken.

'Jas? Are you OK?'

'Er, I think so. My head just sort of – shivered. Probably just the cold.' There were a few minutes silence as both boys sat lost in thought.

'She's a good friend of yours, isn't she?' Jason asked, after some time. James nodded.

'Yeah. Lily's not what – well, she's not what Sirius would define a "girl". She's far more interested in stealing food from the kitchens than talking about boys and makeup.'

'She will be in a few years,' said Jason, grinning. 'You can hold me to that.'

'Yes, I rather think Sirius would prefer it if she were more into boys,' James smiled. 'She's a funny person.'

'She's a pretty gorgeous person and all.' James laughed.

'Yes, that seems to be unanimous. But I just don't see Lily in that way, as much as we joke about it.'

'Yet,' said Jason simply.

'Well, I'll inform you if and when that "yet" occurs.' Jason laughed. 'I'm hungry,' James added. 'Fancy coming down to the kitchens?'

'Ooh, much obliged,' said Jason, grinning. 'But how do we get there without being seen?'

'Ahhh! That is the secret of my success. Behold!' He pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his pocket and put it on. Jason chuckled, shaking his head.

'An Invisibility Cloak,' he murmured. 'I should've known.' James removed the Cloak and materialised.

'Coming?' he said, lifting the Cloak for Jason to get under. Jason grinned widely and got under the Cloak.

'This is weird,' he said fervently, looking into the mirror next to Lily's bed.

'Indeed,' replied James, as the two boys exited the Hospital Wing.

'I can't believe, that in two years here, I never thought to look for the kitchens,' said Jason, laughing. The two boys had visited the kitchens and were making their way back up the stone steps towards the hospital wing, talking and eating. 'How long did it take you again? A month?'

'A week,' said James, grinning. 'Sirius and I found them whilst, er, escaping from a rampaging teacher.' Jason stopped, laughing.

'That'll be a record. And how many secret passages did you say you knew?'

'Let's see … there's the one by the trophy room that brings you out next to Charms; there's one by the Great Hall that takes you to Dumbledore's office … but the best is the one that takes you to Honeydukes.'

'Honeydukes?' repeated Jason, amazed, dropping the apple he was eating. 'You know how to get to Honeydukes?'

'Yep. Nice, it is.'

'But I thought –'

'– that second years aren't allowed in Hogsmeade? No, they're not. But I wanted to have a look around. And Lily enjoyed her shopping.' He grinned, but the thought of Lily lying half-dead in the hospital wing wiped the smile off his face. 'Come on,' he muttered, 'we'd better get back.'

'Where is the secret tunnel?' Jason asked, as they resumed their pace.

'That's a trade secret,' replied James. 'Hmmm. Maybe one day Sirius and I will write a book entitled Secret passages of Hogwarts.'

'For such a clever person, or so McGonagall always tells us, you're not very well-behaved.'

'Says that, does she? No, Sirius and I are hardly the most rule-abiding of people.' Jason snorted.

'More like the least.' They both laughed as they entered the hospital wing.

When they entered, they realised that Professors Dumbledore and Turner were back. Dumbledore was muttering to Madam Pomfrey, and Turner was bending over Lily with a small glass phial in his hand. He sighed as he pulled away, and spoke clearly to Dumbledore.

'I think she'll be OK,' he said. 'She'll wake up soon, though she'll have very little energy. She will need a long rest.'

'Good,' said Dumbledore sombrely. 'Thank you, Duncan.' Turner, whom Dumbledore was obviously addressing, nodded silently and slid out of the hospital wing. Dumbledore turned to James and Jason.

'You are both welcome to stay with Lily until she comes to,' he said quietly. 'I must contact the Ministry; I have something to discuss with them. I will see you both later.' He smiled slightly, glanced back at Lily, and then made his way out of the infirmary, closing the door behind him. James pulled up a chair to sit next to Lily, but Jason hung back, clutching his head.

'What's wrong?' James asked.

'I – I don't know. It's my head. It just – shivered, again.'

'What? Do you want me to get Madam Pomfrey?'

'No, I – it's gone now, anyway. I'll be OK; I think I'll go back to the common room. I'll see you later.' He looked completely rattled.

'Jas, are you sure you're all right?'

'Yeah, I'll be fine. I see you later, OK?'

'Yeah, sure. Oh, and Jas?'

'Yes?' Jason asked, his hand on the door.

'Thanks, for helping – you know – for helping Lily.' Jason smiled and walked out through the door, leaving James alone next to an unconscious Lily.

James didn't know how long he was in the hospital wing for. His watch was back in Gryffindor Tower and he had no wish to retrieve it. Lily was still unconscious after what seemed to James like about two hours. On several occasions, her chest had hitched slightly as though she was about to wake up, but she had merely continued her straight, even breathing. James was still slightly dizzy due to the day's events, though he managed to keep his head clear. He could still see Lily's vacant green eyes when she had fallen to the floor of the Great Hall. He could still remember the ripping, wrenching sensation in his stomach when Dumbledore had proclaimed her death. He shuddered suddenly; picturing what could have happened if Lily had died. His last words to her would have been "My God, I'm hungry". This may well have sufficed for Sirius, but James felt that if he had have known he would have been able to think of something slightly more imaginative.

But there was no point in thinking like that. The fact of the matter was that Lily was alive, and that he should be relieved instead of picturing her as a corpse. He smiled again as he looked down at her face. There was no denying it; Lily was exceptionally pretty. Then again, James reminded himself, that wasn't why he liked her. James had often alluded to the fact that Lily was far more like a boy than a girl. He saw her almost as a female version of Sirius. She was kind, and a good friend, and yet she had a fiery temper, and was inclined to take out her rage on her friends just as much as on the few enemies she had.

James got up and glanced into Madam Pomfrey's office to check the clock. He had been in the hospital wing nearly three hours, and yet it didn't seem like that much. He returned to his chair, and his mind suddenly returned to Christmas lunch. Who could possibly have poisoned the pumpkin juice? Why should they want to anyway? James realised that he knew the answer to this. Voldemort. Whoever it was who had cast the spell didn't matter; it all came back to Voldemort. James suddenly felt an incredible hatred towards Voldemort and his followers. He was just about to get up when a voice interrupted him.

'Lost down Memory Lane?' Lily asked, softly. James turned and saw that her eyes were slightly open, and she was squinting at him. Because he had been lost in thought, he hadn't noticed her regain consciousness.

'Oh, Lil', thank God you're OK,' he said, hugging her. 'I was so worried.'

'Jesus! You sound like someone out of one of those cheesy Hollywood romantics,' she replied, laughing. James grinned. He knew Lily was back.

'Well, I thought it was very convincing,' he said. 'And if this is a Hollywood romantic, we have to close the curtains and indulge in certain passionate romanticisms.'

'Romanticisms, eh? That sounds like fun. Oh, but wait, I can't. It's Wednesday.'

'That is a tragedy. You know, we thought you were dead.'

'How cheerful.'

'Ah, so you didn't have a near death experience, and see the Light?' said James fervently. Lily laughed.

'No, I was having an interesting dream about you and two people I didn't recognise.'

'Oh, so you're dreaming about me now? I had no idea your infatuation was this bad.'

'Well, maybe you can tell me about your associates. One – a boy – had flaming red hair, and the other was very pretty, so I was very upset.'

'I hope you're referring to a girl.'

'Duh. She had brown hair, and you were saying something to her.'

'I'm afraid I know of no beautiful girls with brown hair. Although I can think of one with red …'

'You're too kind. What about your friend with the red hair and lots of freckles?'

'Sorry, can't say I've met him either.'

'Maybe they're future associates, 'cause you looked about sixteen.'

'Did I look very handsome?'

'Oh, naturally. You had that geeky charm that comes from the glasses and messy hair.'

'I'll take that as a "Yes James, there were girls swooning at your feet".'

'There were, but that was because you needed to change your socks.' Lily laughed as James threw a pillow at her. 'Ah, you can't hurt me. I've just survived a near-death experience.'

'Touché,' said James, laying another pillow down on the bed.

'Typical, really, for something like this to happen on Christmas.'

''Tis the season to be jolly,' replied James bitterly.

'Did Dumbledore work out who charmed the juice?'

'No. His sensor went of just before you fainted. Someone in the kitchens must have poisoned it just before it was sent up.'

'I shudder to think – ow!' Lily suddenly clutched her chest.

'Are you OK?' James asked urgently. Lily shook her head. 'I'll get Madam Pomfrey. Wait a sec.' He stood up and knocked on the door of Madam Pomfrey's office. As soon as she opened it, she saw Lily, doubled up in pain.

'Hold on, Potter,' she said, 'I'll get her a painkiller.' She stepped back into her office and emerged with a small bottle of incandescent red liquid. She approached Lily, and tipped the contents of the bottle down her throat. Lily shuddered, and then her head fell back against the pillow.

'She'll be unconscious for about half an hour,' said Madam Pomfrey, screwing the lid back onto the empty bottle. 'Her condition is very weak. I must inform Dumbledore that she is awake.' She turned and walked back into her office.

Dumbledore came into the ward about twenty minutes later. James explained quickly that Lily had woken up, but then she had had a slight relapse and Madam Pomfrey had put her back to sleep. Dumbledore surveyed her again.

'I think,' he said slowly, 'that Lily will be hungry when she awakes. James, do you think you could walk down to the kitchens and fetch her something.' James nodded before he realised what Dumbledore had said. He turned back, and was amazed to see Dumbledore smiling. 'I do not require an Invisibility Cloak to become invisible,' he said, whilst James grinned guiltily.

'Oh, that,' he said. 'A present – last year – from my dad.'

'I'm sure you will enjoy it,' said Dumbledore. 'Anyway, I suggest you go. I will remain with Lily until she regains consciousness. I must explain something to her, but then I have business to attend to.' He sighed. 'I'm sure I can rely on you to keep her company while she is in here,' he added, eyes twinkling. James grinned.

'No problemo,' he said, before striding out of the hospital wing.

The house elves were ecstatic to see James back again after such a short time. He picked up some things for Lily, and left. He was just on the way back to the infirmary when he remembered something he had picked up in Hogsmeade a few days before. He ran up to Gryffindor Tower at high speed, found the still hot bottles of Butterbeer, and clambered back out through the portrait hole.

When James reached the infirmary again, he found that Dumbledore had left, and Lily was sitting up in her bed, looking very weary.

'Hi,' she said croakily. 'Where have you been?'

'Where else –' said James, grinning, '– but to run errands for her ladyship?' Lily laughed weakly.

'What did you get?'

'Let's see … some chocolat, pour la mademoiselle, et some Butterbeer, also pour le, er, you.'

'You see; I'm not deserving of your friendship – even if French isn't exactly your forte.'

'Well, tough,' said James, giving her a quick hug. 'You're stuck with me.' He grinned. 'Butterbeer?' Lily nodded, and he pulled the cork out of one of the heat-retaining bottles.

'Mmm,' said Lily, taking a swig of her drink. 'Lovely. Guess what? I saw you again. You were playing Quidditch this time.'

'Oh yeah?' said James. 'And was I flying superbly and brilliantly?'

'Much as I hate to admit it, yes, you were.'

'Ooh, goody. How old was I this time?'

'Younger. About fourteen. You were just flying around, showing off as usual.' James put on an expression of mock horror.

'Showing off?' he repeated faintly. 'Moi? I would never do such a thing.'

'You're right again. Damn. Isn't there anything bad about you?'

'Let's see. Well, you have to define "bad". Would you consider putting certain members of a certain rat-house in torment all the time "bad"?'

'As the only alternative is that you're perfect … yes.'

'Perfect? Me?' James laughed. 'Good one. In terms of being a friendly person, perhaps, but I wouldn't call myself perfect.' He cackled suddenly.

'What?'

'Just wondering how I could attach a hose of water to your bed without anyone noticing.'

'Ha! You can't fool me, Potter. You're using that as an excuse to stare at me.'

'Rats,' said James, grinning. 'You've foiled my evil plan. Oh well.' He continued to stare at her, trying not to laugh.

'Is there something comical about my appearance?' she said, in an uncanny impersonation of Professor McGonagall, pulling her face closer to James, for whom this was too much, and he fell about laughing.

'Oi! What the hell are you doing? Wake up!' James jerked his eyes open. He was somewhere that he didn't recognise. Then he realised that he was right next to the lake, not far from the entrance to the Whomping Willow. He turned to see who had woken him. It was Remus.

'Remus, what the –?' He began, but his words were suddenly cut off. Remus was becoming larger, his whole profile was shaking, and hair was sprouting all over his body. James tried to scream, but no sound emerged. The werewolf bared its fangs, but suddenly there was a flash of light, and it fell, motionless, to the floor. It morphed slowly into Professor Turner, who hissed, and said 'Good comes in many forms. Evil comes in many more. Don't let it get you, James!' before he disappeared. James looked up to see who had saved him. It was, inexplicably, Lily, her wand held out in front. James called to her, but she slipped from view. James followed, and saw that she was talking to someone else – hugging him, kissing him – it was Jason Mak. He meant to say that he was happy for them, but instead let out a howl like a wounded dog. He watched as Lily and Jason slowly disappeared from view, and were instantaneously replaced by two Dementors. They were closing in on him – their slow, rattling breath becoming louder. James felt the air turn cold and turned away, but suddenly, a bright, dazzling object charged at the Dementors, making them retreat. James turned around to see himself, holding a wand – but he had green eyes, and a curious scar on his forehead. He saw this person, whoever it was (It couldn't be him) staring at the silver, dazzling figure. His replica muttered 'Prongs,' softly, before he slipped from view, and everything went black.

'James! James! Are you all right? James, what's wrong?' James looked up and the hospital wing slid into focus. He realised that his vision was blurred – he wasn't wearing his glasses. He reached out for them, and found them being thrust into his hands by who could only be Lily. He put them on again, and was able to see Lily's face clearly.

'James?' she said. 'Are you OK? You were shouting something.' She looked remarkably pale, although, James reminded himself, that that was because she'd just recovered from taking Interitus Solution. 'What's wrong?' said Lily again.

'I'm OK, Lil',' he said weakly. 'I was just having a friendly nightmare. Not immensely dissimilar from your own dreams, I perceive.' Lily looked at him, clearly shaken.

'What –' she said, breathing hard, '– did you see in the dream.' James squinted his eyes, trying to remember the dream. He could only vaguely remember.

'Er – well, you were in it ('Seems I'm not the only one with an infatuation,' Lily interjected), yeah,' he added, grinning. 'Er, I don't really remember, I just remember seeing myself, but with green eyes. The same colour as yours. I was talking to a large silver thing. It was a Patronus, because I – or whoever that person was, he looked a lot like me, except for the eyes and a funny scar – got rid of a group of Dementors with it.'

'But why should your eyes be green?' James shrugged, when Madam Pomfrey suddenly emerged from her office, looking amiable.

'Ah, you're awake again,' she said cheerfully, looking to Lily. She was holding a goblet of what in James' mind looked like some form of foul medicine. Lily appeared to be thinking along the same lines, as she had pulled her face into a grimace.

'Lucky me,' she muttered derisively, causing James to laugh. Madam Pomfrey smiled in a way that suggested that she was a lot happier that Lily was taking this potion and not her.

'Here you are,' she said, passing Lily the goblet. Lily looked at the goblet as though it was about to explode, tipped her head back, and swallowed the medicine. She rounded this off with a minor fit of coughing and spluttering, and only stopped when James clapped her heavily on the back.

'Ow!' she said, as soon as James had withdrawn his hand. James grinned.

'Better to be living with a broken spine than die coughing.'

'I wouldn't be so sure of that, Potter,' said Madam Pomfrey, smiling. She turned to Lily. 'That's your last dose for today–' Lily cheered, '– but the drowsiness effects should kick in soon. Potter, you can stay with her.' She nodded to them and walked back to her office.

James stayed with Lily for about an hour before she suddenly fell asleep, pouring half of her bottle of Butterbeer onto James' lap. After a quick cleaning charm, James grinned at Lily's peaceful figure, bade goodnight to Madam Pomfrey, and left for Gryffindor Tower.

The Fat Lady was asleep when James arrived, but he managed to wake her with a few well-chosen comments. She woke up, muttering something about the youth of today, before swinging open to provide James access to the common room. James was just pondering whether to go to the kitchens for some food, when a voice behind him made him jump out of his skin.

'There you are,' a loud voice said from behind him. James turned and saw Remus, grinning at him. He looked incredibly pale. 'Merry Christmas to you too,' he said, looking at James' amazed face.'

'Two things,' said James, whilst his heart rate returned to normal. 'Never do that again, and why the hell are you here. I thought you were with your folks for Christmas. Remus then did the last thing James would have expected. He burst into tears.

'Remus?' said James urgently. 'What's wrong?'

'I – I don't know,' he began, through ragged gasps. 'One minute they were there, and when I got back – there was nothing.' James understood very little of this. He summoned some of the chocolate from his room – a chocolate frog – and passed it to Remus.

'Here you are,' he said soothingly, sitting Remus in one of the large armchairs. 'Tell me what happened.'

'Well,' Remus began. 'It was my transformation yesterday. I was lucky that it wasn't Christmas – anyway, a long time ago, my parents and I decided that it was cruel to lock me up in the basement – they can't stand the howling. Instead, they take me to a forest nearby.' He paused, looking at James' horrified look. 'Yes, they do let me go free, but that forest is literally crawling with dark creatures. Nobody ever goes near it, so it isn't really that bad to let me go. Anyway, I don't think my transfiguration was too bad. I woke up very early this morning with thick bloodstains on my hands. At first I was horrified that I had killed someone, but I came across several dismembered rabbits not far from where I woke – that alleviated my fears slightly, so I headed home.' He dabbed his eyebrows.

'The only thing was, that when I got back, the house was completely empty. No mum, no dad. After the initial shock – I'm sure you can imagine –' James nodded, '– I checked their room. Most of the stuff was still there, but a few clothes were missing, which calmed me slightly. If they went on purpose, it was probably unavoidable. I also noticed something else. My mum's engagement ring had gone too. That ring is seriously powerful; it's something like a Philosopher's stone locator, or something similar, if treated with the right charm. My mum can fit it over her finger, but doesn't like to. She's really paranoid about having it stolen. So, she keeps it hidden in a secret place, and I only know about it because I came across it once whilst searching for my teddy bear. Long story,' he added, as James grinned.

'Anyway, I decided not to bother hanging around. If mum and dad left on purpose, it's highly likely they'll send me a letter. I contacted one of my dad's close friends and he arranged for a Portkey to bring me here. I arrived about an hour ago, and I was waiting for you and Lily. Hey, where is she?'

James sighed and began to explain to Remus everything that had transpired since Christmas lunch. He explained how the pumpkin juice had come up, how Dumbledore's sensor had gone off, how Professor Turner recognised the symptoms of Interitus Solution, and how Lily had finally recovered. When he finally finished, with only a couple of interruptions (Mostly Remus' gasps) he relaxed, and sat back in his armchair. There were a few minutes silence. Remus was still taking the whole thing in.

'Incredible,' he said, after a few minutes. 'Absolutely incredible. I can't believe it.' He sighed. 'All right, you've explained about Lily. Fair enough. So, what did you do before these exciting events?' James suddenly grinned.

'Oh, Lily and I had a little day out.'

'A day out? Where?'

'Hogsmeade.'

'Hogsmeade?'

'The very same. We had some good fun, Lil' and me.' Remus raised his eyebrows.

'Oh, it's "Lil'" now, is it?' he said, grinning. 'Have you two been cuddling up to each other in this –' he glanced out of the window, '– awful weather?'

'Oh yes, we've been unable to keep our hands of each other,' said James, smiling. 'And we've found some very, very secret cupboards …'

'All right, I don't want to hear any more. You know, you're supposed to flush purple and deny everything.'

'Supposed being the operative word.' Remus laughed.

'Oh dear, Jay, where would we be without you?'

'I'unno. Australia?' Remus laughed harder. 'What?' James asked, innocently. 'What?' Remus laughed again and stood up.

'Oh,' he said. 'It's good to be back. So, what did you get for Christmas?'

'Oh, how could I have forgotten to tell you? Accio Jet Force! ' James fought hard to keep his face straight as he watched Remus' expression when his broom entered.

'Wow,' was all Remus said, as James passed him the Jet Force and he studied it carefully. 'Wow,' he repeated. 'Who sent you this?' James grin faded a little, and Remus noticed.

'No, wait, let me guess,' he said. 'It was our little leafy friend, wasn't it?' James nodded. 'Hmm … who'd spend this much on you?'

'Maybe it's my long-lost brother, or something.'

'Or not,' replied Remus simply.

'I really don't care who sent it,' said James indifferently. 'I'd just like to know why.' Remus nodded, and suddenly yawned. 'You sound tired. Do you want to go down to the hospital wing?'

'Nah. I'll just go to bed. It's not that early. You coming?'

'Yeah.' As he got up, James noticed the Famous Witches and Wizards card on the floor. He glanced at it, and saw that it was describing someone called "King Midas". Knowing nothing about this person, James threw the card into the fire, and followed Remus over to the door that led to the dormitories.

James woke very late on Boxing Day. After slipping his glasses on, he saw that Remus was already up, and had left the dormitory. Not having the energy to get dressed, he simply slipped on his dressing gown and walked down to the dormitory.

Remus was in the corner, reading a book.

'Morning,' he said amiably. 'Fancy going to see Lily?'

'Sure,' said James. 'Let's go now, I have neither the time nor effort to get dressed.'

'I like your attitude, Mr. Lazy-Git. Come one then. They set off down the castle, a few of the portraits giving James odd looks. James was describing to Remus the day that he and Lily had spent in Hogsmeade. Remus struggled to keep a straight face.

'Ooh, you'll have to bring Sirius, Peter and me along next time,' said Remus, laughing.

'I'll have to,' said James, mimicking Remus' tone, and laughing, they entered the hospital wing.

Lily looked a lot more cheerful than she had on Christmas day. She was still deadly pale, but she smiled when she saw James. When Remus entered, she started.

'Remus! What are you doing here?'

'Long story,' said Remus, with a sidelong glance at James. 'We'll tell you later.'

'Ah, what is this, James?' she asked, grinning. 'Trying to entice me with your pyjamas?'

'I don't need pyjamas for that,' he replied, laughing. Remus raised his eyebrows.

'Is this some James-Lily flirting thing that I should know about?' he asked.

'Hmmm. Yep.'

'We're magnetically attracted,' said Lily, chuckling. 'Or so Lover-boy thinks.'

'How interesting,' said Remus. 'So when the flirting stops, you'll actually like each other?'

'Nope. It'll never stop.'

'So you'll never like each other?'

'I doubt it,' they said at the same time, and burst out laughing. Remus was about to say 'Barking', when an owl suddenly swooped in through the window. James noticed it too. It had caught his attention, because it was bright black.

'What the hell?' Lily said, spotting the owl. 'What've you been feeding Mercury, James?'

'It's not Mercury,' said James. 'Hey, Remus, there's a letter. Read it.' Fingers shaking slightly, Remus took a small envelope and opened it. He stared at the letter, and fainted immediately. Lily screamed, and leapt out of bed to help him. James grabbed the letter, and felt as though a large weight had just hit him in the stomach. He read aloud.

'Mr Lupin,

You must realise that I hold no personal vendetta against you, my boy, but I have an important matter to discuss. I have your parents with me here. Your mother sends her love. Love is a foreign emotion to me, so I'm sure you'll appreciate it if I don't send mine. To business. I want to know where the Jade Ring is. Your mother claims not to have it, and I crave its whereabouts. Please feel free to reply, and if you deliver the stone, I will release your parents. Consider it carefully. If I have no reply, I will be forced to harm your beloved mother and father. And werewolves are very rarely trusted by our kind; an orphan werewolf would be even more so.

Lord Voldemort.'

Right, so now we finish. This is getting rather sinister, wouldn't you say? Speaking of which, check out the two stories by Cassandra Claire. Superb fics. I apologise again for the delay. I've been helping my sister with her fic, Harry Potter – Big Brother, which is submitted under her pseudonym, Rainbow Kitty. Thanks again to all the loyal reviewing crew:

The ever-pedantic Starlight (I bet you would make/are a great beta-reader, Kim. I'll rely on you to highlight all the lovely mistakes *Cackles*. I love you really. And you're right about "Enervate" - I can't read …), my fellow Brit, the illustrious Ana:), my most loyal and best reader, Twilight and Silence (Love ya, TS), the heroic gumdrop (stories definitely worth checking out. Rainbow says ta for the reviews. The food bit is just an issue with me), another loyal reviewer, Naomi (Tell me if you discover that Butterbeer recipe), Good old Mladybug3 (If you and your friend are like Lily and James, you should beware. Heart-breaking revelations next year), Turkey (You made me all big-headed after your comment. Cheers), fairyfly, (I read WEREWOLF, I can't remember if I reviewed it or not. If not, it's great!), ClayZebra (No, I never liked the L/J hate fic idea. I figured they'd be somewhat similar to Harry and Hermione in terms of friendship. Thanks), MLI (Somewhat original comment, but I appreciate it all the same)

I love you all, children. I also have yet another excuse for the lateness of this chapter. I've been planning quite a bit of year three. I've got a SH song written, and a basic plot outline. It'll probably be called – no wait, you'll have to wait and see. No complaints about the boringness and tedium of this chapter. I'm told and I'll most likely ignore you.

Ciao