Chapter 10: The Message

Lily came to classes like usual, but she wasn't really participating or talking. But only Kit noticed because Lucille was still angry that Lily had kept secrets from her. Lucille had always felt that Lily had told her everything and because of that she had told her everything. To suddenly realize that Lily had kept secrets from her came as a terrible shock to her and Lucille was not good at dealing with shocks or surprises of any kind.

Finally, during the last few minutes of their last class before dinner, Kit turned to Lucille who was scribbling in her notebook, her long black hair falling into her face. "Lucille, you're being dreadfully unfair to Lily. She didn't tell me either," Kit said in a whisper.

Lucille looked up at Kit her almond shaped eyes filled with surprise. "But... you knew," she said, her statement more of a question.

Kit smiled. "She didn't tell me either Lucille," she repeated. "I pay more attention to the little things then you think I do," she said with a wry smile.

Lucille looked confused. "What?"

"Lucille, the two of you are my best friends. I know almost everything there is to know about you. For instance, I knew how you felt about Sirius long before you finally did something about it," she stopped and smiled mischievously as a pink tinge invaded Lucille's normally pale cheeks. Kit suppressed a giggle and then became serious again. "Look, give her a chance to explain ok? You know this isn't serious enough to end your friendship. So don't let it. Talon needs us right now," Kit said with a sidelong glance at the silent Lily. "I don't know why yet but I will figure it out. Or maybe, she'll tell me. You never know bout her," Kit said as she left for Lily's side.

Lucille looked after her for a moment feeling the same astonishment that Lily had felt when Kit had revealed her serious nature to her. "Perhaps it's Remus' influence," Lucille thought to herself. She smiled then filed that information away to tease Kit with later.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

After Charms was over, the group, minus James who was still not back yet, went down to dinner. During the meal, Lucille decided that Kit was right. It wasn't that important really. Their friendship was much more important than that.

So she deliberately sat next to Lily who looked surprised but pleased by the company. They talked about nothing in particular for a while before Lily finally turned to her friend. "I'm really sorry Lucille. It was just... something special to me. There was no particular reason that I didn't tell you about it. And I DO trust you Lucille," Lily said earnestly.

"Yeah, I know you do. And honestly, it should be me who apologizes. I'm sorry I overreacted. I'm not entirely sure why it bothered me so much," Lucille looked puzzled as she thought about it then she shook it off and held her hand out to Lily. "Friends?"

Lily took the offered hand and shook it warmly smiling at her friend. "Always Lucille," she replied solemnly. Just then Sirius swooped down next to Lucille and kissed her on the cheek, an unusual move for the suave ladies man, Sirius Black.

"Hello, Lucy," he said brightly as she smiled at him.

Lily smiled at the spectacle but there was a pang in her heart that she couldn't quite describe. She sighed softly and turned back to her homework unaware that a pair of silvery gray eyes were watching her intently.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The night passed rather uneventfully, unless you count the poor first year who got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and was hit by a world class prank, otherwise known as a mediocre Marauder prank.

The next day, the group sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, talking softly if they talked at all. Most of them were just trying to wake up.

By the time the mail arrived, the half-dead ones had revived over strips of bacon and bowls of cereal. The only owl that approached them was Lily's owl snowy owl, Meana. Meana landed on Lily's forearm and cooed affectionately. Lily smiled at her and patted her head then removed the letter tied to her foot. Lily picked up a strip of bacon and offered it to Meana who took it and gracefully took off. Lily smiled after her dainty little owl for a moment then turned her attention to the letter.

She ripped it open and read it quickly, for it was a short letter. She sighed and before she could do anything the letter was snatched out of her hands by Rose.

Written in a shaky hand, what looked like total lack of care was this letter.

Lily,
I made it in time. I got to talk to her before she died. Thank you for that. I'm having trouble writing this. I just can't believe it. The funeral is tomorrow. Will you come? Either way please tell everyone what happened and tell them I hope they'll come too.
Thank you.
James

Rose read the letter before Lily could even react. When Lily snatched the letter back out of Rose's hand, seething with anger, Rose had already read it.

"What's going on Lily?" Rose asked, her voice and face hard. "And why did he tell you of all people and not the rest of us?"

Lily sighed and handed the letter to Sirius. After the whole group had read the letter Remus turned to Lily. "Talon, who died?"

"His sister Tiana had leukemia. Remember the letter that he got at breakfast yesterday? That was his parents writing to him. Ti is… was in critical condition. She wasn't expected to live through the night. He made it in time to talk to her. I'm glad he did," she said her voice mournful.

A few of the group looked upset but the rest looked confused.

"But, a charm could heal her," Remus said, relaying the thoughts of most of the group.

Lily sighed. "He never told us why she doesn't go to Hogwarts. The reason is… she's a squib. So the spell would either have no effect or make it worse. Would have had," she amended sadly.

The Marauders had looks on their faces that showed that they felt the same as Lily. Lucille, Kit, Tina, and Carla had similar looks, but Rose looked furious.

"Why didn't he tell me?! I'm his girlfriend! And why did he tell you?!" Rose said, her voice angry and upset.

"I'd popped in the room on Christmas Eve to say hi to Remus but James was the only one there. He was sobbing and that caught my attention. I guess he told me because I asked," she said with a shrug, looking at Rose incredulously. "What does it matter? The point is he needs us tomorrow. I don't know about the rest of you but I'M going," Lily said a determined quality to her voice.

"I would never not be there for my friend during something this traumatic," Sirius said vehemently, the others nodding.

"As his girlfriend, I should be there. So I'll go," Rose said, but she still seemed angry. A few minutes later, Rose and her two friends walked off to class. The others soon got up and followed them.

Lily took a few more moments at the table to clean up her stuff and when she got up, she saw Remus waiting for her.

As she began walking out of the Great Hall, Remus fell in line beside her. "James told us that he hadn't seen you that day," Remus said, trying not to sound too curious.

Lily's long hair was flowing free today and she was glad of that. "Oh?" she replied, trying to keep the blush that her hair concealed out of her voice.

Remus looked over at her and a small smile formed on his lips. "Yeah."

"Wonder why he did that," Lily replied, more to herself that to him.

Remus bit his lip to keep from laughing as they walked from the Hall.