"Mr. Potter nice to see you." said Dumbledore when James trudged slowly into his office.

"Hullo." James said while rubbing his eyes. It was the crack of dawn and Dumbledore had summoned James to his office, for serious news. James wasn't sure what it was all about, but he was soon to find out.

"James I would like you to take over a responsibility. It has to do with Ms. Evens. I'm sure you're familiar with her." he said whilst winking. James gave a little nod and glared at Dumbledore's wink.

"Yes Professor I'll do anything, just let me go to bed." James replied in a groan

"Alright James I need you to keep an eye on Lily for me. She's been dealing with rough troubles lately and needs support. It's none of my business to tell you myself, but I'm sure you two will get along quite nicely and she'll tell you when she's comfortable. I have also noticed that Peter hasn't arrived at school. I take he will not be joining us this year."

"No sir Remus has informed me and Sirius that he will not be coming to school this year." Said James yawning

"That is what I suspected." Dumbledore said this with his usual twinkling eyes

"So I have arranged for Lily to stay with you in your dormitory. If you do not feel comfortable with this I can organize a diff---"No no Professor I'll take care of her don't worry, she'll be fine. I don't mind her in my room." said James hurriedly

"Thank you James. I will send her up to your dormitory later tonight. She is still recovering from her incident." Dumbledore said tapping his fingers placidly on his desk

"You're very welcome Professor." James said standing up. He turned around to face the door and slowly walked out of the office.

"I trust I will be aware about how she is doing Potter." called out Dumbledore as James disappeared through the door.

            James sat at the Gryffindor table concentrating on Lily. How was he going to get through this? He knew he liked her a lot, and the embarrassment would be unbearable for the both of them. He wasn't sure how he would introduce her to Sirius and Remus. He wasn't sure if they knew about her suicidal background, and was hoping he wouldn't have to tell them. Maybe he would just surprise them. Yes he was sure he would surprise them. At that last thought James arose from his seat and left the Great Hall. As he was climbing the staircases to his charms class he remembered that he had it with the Slytherins, and all his worries were banished. He was hoping he wouldn't run into any one of the Slytherins, but just then he saw Severus Snape with his best friend Raiden atop the stairs already and decided he would turn back and take a different way. He had no clue where Remus and Sirius were, and Caleb another 7th year Gryffindor who stayed in the same dormitory was nowhere to be seen. James decided that he wouldn't spend time looking for them. Instead he would just get to class without them. He hurriedly started running towards charms class. There were no other short cuts to class, now that he couldn't use the stairs. Then the thought came to him, he would have to return to the haunting corridor where he had found the lifeless body of Lily. When he turned the corner and was forced to look at the faint blood on the stone floor, his eyes carried towards a small crumpled piece of parchment on the floor. James stepped closer to it clutching the stitch in his side, and picked it up. He unfolded the piece of paper, and tried to read it. It was covered in dust and the edges were torn. The writing was written in a forest green with a different style. James tried to read it, but could only make it to the seventh line. His eyes widened as he read.

Evil will soon prevail

A chosen one will bring what one needs, will not fail

This strength, this power

The weakness will end, and the world will turn bitter

Cruelness will be brought, blood will be shed

The followers that have left will soon be dead, others will be led

Darkness will conquest

James stared at the paper. It was ripped at the end and he couldn't make out what the other words were. He wanted to know more, but was even later for class and there was nothing more he could do with the piece of parchment. James stuffed the tattered scroll into his pocket and ran for class. When he arrived the class was already sitting in their spots practising the new spell. When Professor Flitwick noticed James standing in the doorway he took five points from Gryffindor. James blushed as several students looked at him, and few shouted out rude things about him being head boy. When everyone went back to work James went and sat beside Sirius.

"Hi James." he said without looking up from his work

"Hi Sirius." said James

"Where's Remus?"

"Oh it's a full moon tonight and ya know what that means." said Sirius winking"

"Yeah I know."

"You look sad. What's wrong?" said Sirius

"It's nothing don't worry about it. I'll tell you later. Right now I would like to know what we are supposed to be doing."

"We are learning some sort of charm, but I wasn't paying attention, so I really don't know which one." Sirius said. James rolled his eyes, and expected as much. He knew Sirius was very intelligent, but he lacked motivation. Thinking it would take his mind off what he just found, and how he was going to explain the Lily scenario to both Sirius and Remus he decided to put Sirius's brain to work with something else. They both sat the entire class chatting about Quidditch, and homework.

            That night James walked up to the Gryffindor common room with little anticipation. He wasn't looking forward to introducing Lily to Sirius, Caleb, and Remus. All of whom knew he saw Lily naked, but didn't know he rescued her before she had made the most regrettable move in her life. James wasn't sure of how he was going to do it. He had practised several lines in his head, but none seemed right. All he hoped for now is that Lily would come when James was all alone. When he stepped through the portrait guarding the common room, he noticed that most people were at dinner. James felt his heart get considerably lighter. His luck was incredible. Now he had a chance to get things organized for Lily. He was prepared to impress. The dormitory was not an easy job to clean up though. James walked in thinking that it would take seconds. To his surprise, he had a great deal more trouble then he thought he would. He finally finished the room, after sweeping werewolf hair out of the corners of the room and tucking away his stuffed purple Niffler toy. Which he was quite found of. He had only realized the time when a faint knocking on the door told him that Dumbledore was here with Lily. He opened the door with hesitation, only to see the faces of Sirius and Remus who were looking quite dumbfounded.

"What the hell are you doing James?" said Sirius almost yelling

"What do you mean?" said James looking at his friend in bewilderment

"Have you gone mad? Can you not even control yourself now? You put a charm on the door. I swear your loosing your head." said Sirius. James stared at them for quite some time until he let them in. He was expecting someone far different, but wasn't about to tell them that.

"So why exactly did you charm the door?" piped Remus

"Umm be—because" James stammered

"I think you're hiding something." said Sirius in a serious voice. "Lately you have been keeping secrets from us James. What's up?" said Remus

"Nothing, everything is just fine guys, but you have Quidditch practise in a few minutes so you better go get ready." 

"What, aren't you coming?" they said in chorus

"No I'm not feeling very well." James said trying to look as though he was sick to make the lie more convincing.

"Alright whatever." said Sirius

"Let's go Remus." Remus followed Sirius out of the dormitory shaking his head at James. James closed the door, and went to sit on his bed. He did feel sort of sick now, and wasn't sure if he had really lied.

            The castle was calm, and the rustle of leaves could be heard outside of James open window. He stared out into the oblivion, absently listening to the Quidditch practice beneath the castles glowing lights. He sat in contemplative thought waiting for Lily. The sun was setting near the forest and darkness was soon to wrap its nightly blanket upon the usual scene. It was getting late and James was starting to give up hope on Lily coming. He was sure she would have come by now. The thought had only left his mind when a faint knock came once again on the dormitory door. James was sure it was Lily this time; it had to be. James apprehensively walked towards the door. Slowly he turned the door handle and opened it; he stared into Lily's exceedingly beautiful face. James stood there for a minute unsure of what to do.

"May I come in." asked Lily. James then noticed he was just standing there with the door open. He ushered Lily into the immaculate room. Lily followed James in an almost mechanical movement. She glanced once or twice at the room's structure. James knew that she was probably getting used to the change. Although with her you never knew. James stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face Lily.

"Well here you are, this is your new room." James said with a quiver in his voice. Lily must have noticed this because what she said next shocked James.

"James I'm just a girl, there's nothing to be afraid of." she said this with utmost confidence.

"What makes you think I'm afraid?" James replied trying to match her confidence. Lily giggled and turned towards the window that James had been looking through earlier. She rested her head against the side of the window, and took a deep breath.

"Thank you James." she said, although this time the confidence seemed to be slipping away, like water in cupped hands. James knew what she was thanking him for, but wasn't sure if it was a good time to bring up the subject. So he simply said your welcome and left it at that.

"It took a lot of courage for you to save me James. I'm sorry you had to see me like that." Lily said this staring hard out the window, not taking her eyes away from what she hoped looked interesting. Although James knew she didn't want to show him her tears.

"Lily...I only did was right. Seeing you like that was something I had never hoped to see, but I did. There's no need to apologize. People will do stupid things, you're not alone." Lily turned around, and James saw that she had been crying silently. Her face was blotted with red, and her eyes were dropping iridescent tears. He knew that maybe this wasn't the time to talk about it, but there was a sudden urge that he couldn't control, he wanted to know why. Why had she tried to kill herself?

"Lily why—there was a slight pause. Why did you"

"Why did I, there's another question I must ask myself also. Just like all the other ones. Why was I born? Why am I Head Girl? Why am I everything that I am? Or the one that has yet to be answered. Why does everyone know that you have seen me naked? I wouldn't be surprised if the school knew I'm suicidal." James felt his stomach drop. The sick feeling had just entered his body again, and the precious figure of Lily Evens standing before him, made his insides turn. He knew that his mistake of intruding her privacy was what made her endure the pain. Although he had never told anybody about the incident, it was still something he regretted. Lily stared at James with her shining green eyes, making it obvious that it was his time to share his answer.

"I never told anyone Lily. I kept it to myself." James said. He felt even worse saying that. Now she would think it was all her fault, but he didn't want that.

"Well then I'll accept the consequences for my own mistakes. Obviously I was stupid and told the whole school myself." she said with a shaky voice. James couldn't believe she had taken it so easily. More or less he was quite stunned. He felt by the unsteadiness in her voice though, that it was time to change the subject. He was sure that he was satisfied now. He knew as much as he could learn in a short twenty minutes. James stood in silence for a few moments, when Lily suggested that they go get something to eat. James agreed and they both headed towards the Great Hall. James listed intently to the Quidditch practice before they left the room, making sure he wasn't going to run into Remus or Sirius. When they arrived in the Entrance Hall they walked side by side in the direction of the Great Hall. James pulled on the brass door handle, but it seemed to be locked. He looked at Lily, and then an idea struck him.

"Lily, have you ever been to the kitchens?"

"Umm no." she said this looking confused

"Hmmm well I can fix that." He picked Lily up and put her over his shoulder. She giggled excitedly, and watched the corridors go by in racing colours. James ran faster and faster down the dark corridors towards the kitchens. He was having so much fun until he ran into Mrs. Norris. He stopped dead in his tracks, and Lily noticed something was wrong. She leapt down from his shoulder and snuggled up close to James.

"What's wrong." she whispered. James being extremely happy now, and thought that nothing could wreck his mood. He had a burst of sudden excitement, and shouted…

"RUN!" 

Lily laughed hysterically trying to catch up to James. They both ran down the corridors making incredible racket. James turned a corner into a small room and Lily followed. They started at each other and giggled, when they noticed a second problem.

"PEEVES!" shouted Lily

Thinking this was the most fun ever they ran through the corridors giggling and trying to get to the kitchens without being caught, although that seemed quite impossible seeing as they had already been spotted by Peeves and Mrs. Norris. Not noticing where they were going, they ended up right back in the entrance hall, where this time their giggling stopped quite abruptly. James beckoned Lily behind a statue and pointed towards what the problem was. Ms. Periwinkle the potions teacher was being held up by the Cruciatus curse on the marble stairs.

"Who's doing that?" asked Lily who sounded disgusted. James poked his head from behind the statue and tried to get a better look. Lily pulled him back behind the statue.

"Are you mad?" Lily hissed in a whisper "Whoever is doing that curse is going to be strong. Do you want to experience incredible pain." She hissed again. James realized this and sat still behind the statue once again.

"What are we going to do." he asked her

"Well let's just go get the food, and try not to be seen. I think we lost Peeves anyways and as for Mrs. Norris, we must be very careful." James approved of this decision and they both backed away from the scene.

            "That was close." said James through a mouthful of trifle

"Yeah I know, but I wonder who was casting that curse. It's a forbidden curse, and too advanced of a spell for students. It's also a dark art spell. Is there anyone who fits? Who would be doing that to a potions teacher? It seems odd." said Lily looking worried.

"Well Lily I think we should just finish this food and go get your things. It's awfully late to be thinking about this."

"Yes that's true." They both got off the dormitory floor and headed towards Lily's room. Lily hesitated to open the door. James noticed that she seemed worried, and opened it himself. There was a loud crash and all four heads arose from their pillows.

"Excuse me ladies, I just need to get something." James magically illuminated the room and headed towards Lily's bed. Lily stood in the doorway giggling. Aydin shrieked as James pulled Lily's trunk from behind her bed.

"Sorry bout that Aydin, just need to get by ya." said James trying to fight his giggles. Aydin looked mortified as James pulled the trunk out exposing a lacy pink bra.

"Cute, I should get me one of those." said James jokingly, although Aydin looked as if she was about to cry. Arianna then realized it wasn't Aydin's and ran towards it. James taunted her as he held it up so she couldn't get it. Lily burst into hysterics at the sight and had to excuse her self. When James finally left the room after his fun he hauled Lily's trunk into his own room.

"Alright now that that's over." he said holding a stitch in his side from laughing so hard.

"Let's arrange where you'll be sleeping." He said just as Remus and Sirius walked in the room.