Title: Goodnight, Stars
Chapter: Reign of Fear
Author: Cinnamon Sunrise
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, I don't own anything in here, except my sorry excuse for a plot.
A/N!: I'm putting this up quick, as not to leave you hanging in the middle of the nothing I've created. Honestly, every suggestion, criticism, and comment is taken to heart, and they really help me. Thanks!
__________________
Muggles had been slaughtered, killed, for no reason whatsoever. Just for being muggles, truly unbelievable. Headmaster Dumbledore had told James during the dance. Wizards were turning over, evil was uprising. Most everyone was in shock. Especially James' family. His aunt and uncle, both wizards from the purest blood families, had both been killed in this new revolution of evil. Not that purebloods were the target for these new attacks, no, not at all. Muggles and muggle born wizards seemed to be the basis for the attacks, and Mr. and Mrs. Grant, James' relatives, had been the only wizards killed yet. Although nobody was quite sure why they had been killed, Av--an unforgivable curse had been used, and most assumed it was because they would not change their ways. Most purebloods have an air of superiority over others, but James made Kenneth and Aladora Grant out to be quite the opposite. They were none other than average wizards, middle-aged, although Kenneth was employed by the ministry. They were very friendly to muggles. If you ask me, Voldemort, the name of the wizard involved with these deaths, wanted into the ministry with Mr. Grant, for the ministry holds many mysteries. Dumbledore had approached James at the ball to let him know of his family matters, but he also led him into the other stories as well. You see, The Daily Prophet, our newspaper, refused to publish any of these muggle deaths as being wizard related, there was no proof, they claimed. But the information of the Grant deaths, it seemed like they would have to shine some light onto the issue for other wizards. I was very confused. It was shocking, you know, to see this perfect world, this world that made me so happy, crumble. James visited his family, took a leave from school for a week. When he came back, we were in the position to explain to the students what was going on. Dumbledore, of course, prompted the other students on the situation, and it seemed matters were only getting worse. More and more deaths were occurring, it was all so fast, so unexpected. I remember one evening, late in November, after assuring a bunch of 2nd year students that Hogwarts was completely safe, I ran down to the lake and wept. There I was, in charge of keeping the younger students happy and optimistic, and I couldn't even swallow the news of another death. James, being my boyfriend and fellow Head Student, came down to comfort me.
*~*~*
Lily Evans was sitting near the lake, slouched over beside a large willow tree. Her eyes were pink and puffy from crying. The icy cool water of the lake twinkled under the moonlight. James approached her from behind, taking her into his arms without saying a word. She feel limp, he held her hands. Softly, the young woman began to cry, a single tear running down her cheek as the boy ran his fingers through her hair. "You know this isn't over." She said plainly, looking up at James. "You know this is just the beginning."
"I do know that, Lily." His voice was forced, but had a certain soothing tone to it. His hazel eyes were focused on the cold water of the lake, almost frozen. "Another thing I know," He paused. The world was so much colder now. The cheerful Lily, the joyful, outgoing girl was gone. She was just a shadow now, a shell. "You have to stay strong, Lily. The aim of evil is to make men crumble, you have to stay strong. Merlin, you're Head Girl at Hogwarts, you're one of the best wizards here, Lily, if not the best. Everyone looks up to you. I look up to you. Hell, if you show you're scared, what will the first years be like." It wasn't really a question, at least not one to be answered. More clouds rolled across the evening sky, leaving the world as dark as it felt. James hugged Lily for what seemed like a lifetime.
*~*~*
And he did. I became strong through James. I leaned on him, he leaned on me. Our relationship changed, developed, from a physical lust and attraction to something that kept both of us going. I don't know what I would have done without him. James and I were the examples for the younger students, and Merlin knows how awful hundreds of frightened students would be. The attacks varied, sometimes heavy and sometimes fully absent, for the next few months. However, reported attacks were beginning to hit closer to home for some students. Cousins, uncles, even immediate family members had been tortured or killed. Of course, James and I talked frequently about the matter with Dumbledore. He never hesitated on telling us what was going on, he never judged us because we were younger. He knew right out that James and I supported any action against the terror, we would do anything Dumbledore said. Between rounds, keeping the students' moral high, and our N.E.W.T. preparations, James and I had hardly any time to just be alone. But we both knew how the other felt, we both needed each other. Not in a dependency way, it was more of an emotional support, filled in with mutual trust and admiration. I was so proud of James that year; no longer the arrogant prankster but a man. A man who I realized would risk everything, his entire life, for a good reason. A man who I wanted to love forever.
*~*~*
"--Until next week." Lily said, rubbing her forehead as the prefects left. The bottled up stress of daily life became unbearable sometimes, and this was one of those days. Her head throbbed with pain; she wished she could remember a spell to cure headaches. James walked over, his fingers entwining themselves with hers. She smiled, swinging her bag over her other arm. They chatted about the meeting on their way to the lake; sitting beneath the trees at the edge of the water had become their favorite free time spot. The sun could still be seen, but just by a sliver. The moon hung, half full, in the still starless sky. James and Lily flopped down under the tree, leaning on each other. For a few minutes, they just sat, silent, thinking. James wrapped his arm around Lily, bringing her closer. "Lily, I love you so much." He whispered into her ear, stroking her long red tresses. Lily didn't smile nor frown, instead turning to look back into James' eyes. Her emerald eyes sparkled.
"I love you too." She said, moving in closer for a kiss.
*~*~*
We had grown older fast. Our lives became an intertwined group of feelings and emotions, duties and desires. There was nobody I'd rather be with, nobody who could make me feel good like James could. He supported me, he trusted me. And he loved me back.
__________________
cinnamonsunrise@hotmail.com