A WALK TO REMEMBER

Summary – The summer before his fifth year, Harry Potter stumbles across his father's old journal from his seventh year at Hogwarts and he reads about the continuous adventures of him, the Marauders, and his mother, Lily Evans; how they met, how they fell in love, and what brought them to their horrendous deaths. This story is based on the movie and book called A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks.

Disclaimer – Unfortunately, I own absolutely nothing. All of the characters and their names belong to author JK Rowling and the plot and character traits belong to Warner Brother's and author Nicholas Sparks.

Chapter 7 – Lily's Secret:

It was finally another Hogsmeade weekend and James was so excited to take Lily on another date. The last time they had gone to the wizarding village, he had taken her out on a fancy dinner date. This time it would be more casual. He was determined to stock up her dormitory with Honeydukes' best candies and chocolates, a starting prank kit from Zonko's and a trip to the classic Shrieking Shack.

That Saturday, James and Lily walked hand in hand down the streets, just enjoying each other's presence. After he had spoiled her rotten at Honeydukes and bought her a starting joke kit at Zonko's, they headed towards the Shrieking Shack, as Lily admitted that she had never been there before and always wanted to.

As they walked, they saw Achelle and Fiona outside of the Three Broomsticks drinking some butterbeer with some heavy alcohol in it. It was obvious that they had too much and were drunk. When they saw the couple walking down the street, they openly glared and snarled at Lily, who just looked at the ground under their hateful stare. James dangerously narrowed his eyes at them, as though daring them to say something to Lily. But, since Sirius, Remus, or Peter were not around to help fight their battle, they just stalked (more like stumbled) away. James continued to glare at their backs until they were out of sight.

"Are you alright?" asked James his girlfriend in concern, using his forefinger to lift Lily's head away from the ground.

"I'm fine," she said meekly, not meeting his eye. James knew that there was something wrong but decided not to push the subject. He knew that Lily would tell him when he was ready. So instead, he nodded in understand and took her hand in his again as they walked towards the Shrieking Shack.

When they approached the Shack, James continued to ponder Lily's behavior. It was not just today; she had been very withdrawn and quiet throughout the entire week. He took in her slightly pale appearance and glassy eyes. Maybe it was Achelle and Fiona's looks that bothered her so much? Maybe they and the other Marauders had been harassing her all week? Had her uncle been pressuring her about spending less time with him? Or maybe it was what that meeting she had with her uncle and Dumbledore? James had to know. He had to know what was bothering Lily so that he could help her through it or fix it.

"Is there something wrong, Lily?" asked James, stopping them from walking any further to the Shack, but still away from prying ears. Lily stopped, but did not say anything. "Lily? What's bothering you? Is someone bothering you or giving you a hard time? Like the Marauders? Achelle? Fiona? The Slytherins? Did they do anything to you?"

"No, it's not anything like that," she whispered, and her voice sounded hard and honest so James believed her.

"Did something happen during your meeting with Dumbledore today?" James asked. Lily looked at him startled.

"No," she said in her mouse like voice. "Why?" James knew by her reaction that he had hit a nerve and that her behavior had something to do with that.

"You just don't seem like yourself," James said, taking his free hand and brushing her cheek with it.

"I don't know. I suppose I just didn't sleep well last night," was all she said. James knew that was not it because she did not look him in the eye when she said that. Lily always looked people in the eye when she talked and he could not shake how startled she had looked when he had brought up the meeting with Dumbledore and her uncle.

"Alright…" James said slowly, trying to tip toe delicately around the issue. "Was the meeting about what you're going to do after your graduate? Did you get accepted into a program at the Ministry or something?"

"No," Lily said quietly, "I'm didn't send an application to the Ministry."

"Oh!" James said uncertainly, not understanding why Lily did not send an application to the Ministry. After all, she wanted to be the first woman Minister, or Mistress of Magic. It was on her life to-do list after all. "Are you going to try and do that Muggle Peace Corps thing instead?"

"No," she said, and once again, her voice was hard and honest. James was thoroughly confused now, but once again, did not push the matter. Instead, he and Lily continued walking until they reached the Shrieking Shack until they found a private, little spot just outside the Shack.

"So what's going on? Are you planning to do anything after you graduate?" James asked gently, letting go of her hand and staring at her straight in the eyes. He was startled to notice that tears were starting to well up inside them.

"Yes."

"What are you going to do?"

"James," Lily said, taking a deep breath. "I'm cursed."

"Cursed?" James nearly yelled, once again, startled. "Did Snape hex you or anything because if he did, I'll take him and I'll rip him to-"

"James!" snapped Lily angrily and impatiently. James stopped mid-sentence and looked at his girlfriend completely astonished. Lily may have had a fiery temper, but she was very good at controlling it and she hardly ever angry with anyone and she certainly never, ever got angry with James.

"Lily?"

"I'm cursed, James" she repeated. James just stared at her, not understanding. "You don't understand, do you?"

"Not really…"

"James…" Lily's voice trailed off again and she looked away, biting her lip nervously. "Ever since I was born…Voldemort…has been after me. He…he wants me dead…"

James suddenly felt like someone let a rogue Bludger right into his gut. He felt nauseous; like snakes were crawling in his stomach and coming out of his throat and he found it hard to breathe. When he finally caught a hold of his breath, he grabbed Lily's hands tightly in his own, as though clutching on to them for dear life.

"W-what are you saying, Lily?" James, croaked, trying to hold back his vomit. "V-Voldemort is after you?" Lily nodded regrettably.

Suddenly a panic came over James, as though his entire world was spinning and there was no way to stop it. "But…but…but…why..?" He could no longer seem to form words. "You're only seventeen! Why in the bloody hell would he want you dead? There shouldn't be any reason for him being after you! You're only a seventeen year old girl! This doesn't make any sense, Lily!"

"It does make sense, James," she whispered, tears now streaming down her face. James felt sick to his stomach. "It'd make more sense if you…if you knew the reason…"

"What bloody reason could there be, Lily?" asked James incredulously, his feelings slowly turning from shock, bewilderment, panic, and into anger. How could this happen to anyone; much less someone like Lily? "What threat could you possibly impose upon that bugger?

"I-" she paused and took a deep, shaking breath, obviously trying to regain her composure. "James, I…I'm the Heir of Gryffindor…"

A note from the Jitterbelle. Yeah, you weren't excepting that were you? Like I said, there were going to be changes from the original book and movie. So, I drastically changed Lily's condition; she's not sick. She just has the darkest wizard of all time wanting her dead. I know you'll probably think that that Lily being the Heir of Gryffindor doesn't make any sense, but the next chapter will answer all your questions, I promise. Thanks to my reviewers and please continue enjoying the story and please don't forget to review!