Disclaimer: None of the characters in this fan fiction belongs to me. They're owned by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. The only ones that belong to me are those that you don't recognize.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. I love you all!

To MegHarts: I checked out your story. I can see the similarities between this one and it. I'm so sorry. I seriously had no intention for it to. Please understand.

To Brittny: I O U A Name. = )

To mammothboardergal (a.k.a. Audrey): I would be glad to help you if you decide to make and James/Lily fic. I'm not very good, myself, but I'm always willing to help.

Chapter 22

After Sirius' detentions were over, things were very peaceful at Hogwarts, except for some occasional, harmless pranks by the Marauders. Snape was avoiding them as much as possible. And after that prank on Jenny Johnston, she'd been really quiet. No more flirting. So basically, everything was peaceful and nice. That is, until one day…

The Marauders, Lily, and Bella were sitting at the Gryffindors' table in the Great Hall, when two owls dropped two letters in front of Lily. Lily picked up one of them and read:

Freak,

I HATE YOU!! I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOU AND YOUR FREAKY FACE EVER AGAIN!! DON'T COME NEAR ME!! DON'T COME HOME!! YOU'RE NOT WANTED ANYMORE!! I HATE YOU!!

Petunia

*Weird* thought Lily. She knew that Petunia dislike her, but never could imagine that Petunia would bother to write her just to tell her that. Lily picked up her second letter and immediately figured out why Petunia sent the letter.

Dear Ms. Lily Evans,

It is with our deepest sorrow to say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had attacked your house.

Your parents, most unfortunately, had passed away. However, your sister, Petunia Evans, had been out at Mr. Vernon Dursley at the time, and is perfectly safe. We are truly sorry for your lost.

Lucy Kraighen,

Secretary of Mister Cornelius Fudge (a/n: I don't know if they have these, but oh well)

Lily dropped the letter, stunned, slowly got up from her seat, and ran out of the Great Hall.

"Lily!" called James. "Lily!"

"What's wrong with her?" asked Bella.

"I don't know. She got some letters, read 'em, dropped 'em, and ran," answered Peter, puzzled.

Remus picked up one of them and read it out loud. "'Dear Ms. Lily Evans," he began. "'It is with our deepest sorrow to say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had attacked your house…. Your parents, most unfortunately, had passed away… However, your sister, Petunia Evans, had been out at Mr. Vernon Dursley at the time, and is perfectly safe. We are truly sorry for your lost…. Lucy Kraighen, Secretary of Mister Cornelius Fudge.'"

"Oh my gosh…" said Bella. "Poor Lily…"

"What does the other letter say, Remus?" asked Sirius.

"I don't know…Let me see…" he picked up Petunia's letter and read, "'Freak, I hate you…I don't ever want to see you and your freaky face again…. Don't come near me…. Don't come home…. You're not wanted anymore…. I hate you…."

"Oh my…poor Lily," said Bella. "Her parents…I can't believe it…they're…gone…. I don't know what I'll do without mine…"

"What I can't believe," began James angrily. "Is that Lily's parents are dead, and all her sister did were throwing insults and telling Lily not to come home!"

"You should go check to see if she's all right, James," said Remus. "She needs you right now, more than ever. To help her cope trough all of this."

"You're right," James said. He got up and was about to go after Lily, when Peter said, "Wait! Use the Marauders Map. It'll be faster that way."

"Don't worry," James reassured him. "I perfectly well know where Lily is." He ran out of the Great Hall and straight down to the school grounds. Sure enough, he saw Lily sitting at "their spot" by the lake. As he got closer and closer to Lily, he can hear quiet sniffing.

"Lily?" James asked, sitting down next to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah…yeah, I'm fine," she replied, wiping the tears from the eyes. "Erm, I just want to be alone right now, okay?"

"Okay. But you know, you should let your feelings out. Cry if you need to. Holding it back is more painful. And you know I'm always here for you, no matter what."

"Oh James!" Lily cried, leaning on James' shoulder. She flung her arms around his neck and cried. Just cried. James sat there, stroking her back gently and letting her cry into his shoulder.

"James," Lily said miserably. "Why? Why, James? My parents did nothing wrong! Why did Voldemort have to do this to them? To me…"

"Lily, you did nothing wrong. Nor did your parents. Voldemort…he just like killing, I guess. And unfortunately, your parents were his victims. And sadly, nobody could change that. But I'll always be here for you. I'm here. I promise to let nothing happen to you. I love you, Lily. I love you."

"I love you too, James. I just…I just wish that I could have been there for them…"

James smiled sadly at her. Then he just pulled her into a kiss, and they walked back up to the castle.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

James and Lily entered the Heads' dorm together. They found Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Bella sitting on the couches, with worried expressions plastered across their faces. When they saw James and Lily entered, Bella leaped up from her seat and ran to Lily, giving her and gigantic hug, almost breaking Lily's rib.

"Oh my gosh, Lily!! We saw the letters about your parents. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" She said all this, still holding on to her friend.

"I will be okay if you let me go, Bella. I can't breathe."

"Oh, sorry," Bella said, letting go of Lily. "So? Are you okay? I mean, with your parents."

"Yeah, I'm fine…. I just wish that Petunia is so mad at me. I mean, she never liked me, but she loathed me now. She…she even said she doesn't want to see me again…"

"Speaking at that, where are you going to live now?" ask Sirius. "I mean, what with your sister not wanting you home and all…and graduation is just around the corner…"

"Oh…gee…I haven't thought of that…"

"Well," James began. "You--"

"You can stay with me!" Bella cried. "I'm sure my parents won't mind. They love you!"

"Oh that would be great! Thanks Bella."

"No problem! Let's go write to them now." And they disappeared into their room.

James looked a bit down but nobody noticed.

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A/N: Not a very original chapter, I know…. Not too long either, but I'm too tired to write more. Please review.