Hey….i know this chapter's kinda confusing….but everything will be cleared up in future chapters…..thanks so much for waiting so patiently for me to update….i've been totally swamped with school, and almost breaking my knee….lol…yeah, I've been to the doctor's SOO much lately…lol…alright…this is my update and I'll try to update next weekend too, to make up for the lateness….THANKS!!! Enjoy!!!

Lily and James' Troubled Lives

~by: lilypad~

"James!  Where are we going?" Lily asked in a murderous tone.

"Why are you so angry?" James asked innocently.

"I've been asking nicely for the past ten minutes!  I've been getting impatient!" Lily answered simply.

"Oh!  Well, you'll see!" James exclaimed happily.

"That's not really answering my question!" Lily growled.

"Touchy, touchy!  We're almost there!" James said, wrinkling his nose.

"Fine!" Lily sighed.

James led her along an old corridor on the left side of Hogwarts and it seemed, to Lily at least, that it would never end.  The pair of them came out on a sunny balcony decorated with red and gold tapestries.

"Why would anyone go to all the trouble of hanging tapestries outside?" Lily asked, amazed.

"This place is very special!" James said softly.

"Why?  What is this place?" Lily inquired curiously.

"Wouldn't you like to know!" James said mischievously.

"James!  Tell me!" Lily wailed.

"Aren't you the whiner!"

"Jaaaammmmeeeessss!"  Lily yelled.

"Yes Liiiiilllllyyyyyy!" James mimicked.

"Stop it 'cause I resent that!" Lily pouted.

"Fine!"

"So, are you gonna tell me where we are?" Lily asked hopefully.

"No!  Stop trying to pry it out of me!  It won't work!" James snapped.

"Fine!  If you're not gonna tell me where we are, I'll leave!  For all I know, we could be somewhere totally dangerous and out of bounds!" And with that, she stomped off to the corridor.

"Lily!  WAIT!  Do you know how to get back?" James asked.

"Of course I do!  What do you take me for!  An idiot?" Lily snapped.

"Well…" James said slowly.

"Oh shut up!  You can come get me if you ever feel like telling me what this place is!" Lily said and then she disappeared in the dark corridor,

"So, are you still talking to me?" James asked after about two minutes.  His only response was Lily shouting, "Figure it out!" before hurrying off again.

"I really messed that one up didn't I?" James asked no one in particular.

"Definitely my friend!" came another voice.

James jumped a foot in the air before turning around and realizing that it was Remus.

"You think so too, huh?" James asked, running a hand through his messy black hair.

"Yeah!  You should probably give her time to cool off before you go talk to her again!  So, what is this place anyways?" Remus asked, genuinely curious.

"It's called- Wait!  You're not a spy for Lily are you?" James suspiciously questioned.

"No!  Besides, I think I know what this place is!"

"What is it then, smarty pants?"

"It's the Gryffindor Balcony if I'm not mistaken!" Remus answered, looking smug.

"You're not mistaken!  How did you know?" James choked out.

"I found this place in our second year!  I didn't tell you guys 'cause I thought it would be best to leave it alone.  I did some research on it and this is the very balcony that Godric Gryffindor proposed to Melody Anaste.  The weird thing was that Melody looked almost exactly like Lily.  The resemblance is uncanny.  Wanna see?" James nodded and the two of them left to go to the library.

Madam Pince regarded them suspiciously over her square spectacles. After all, how often do Marauders come in to the library to do anything but cause mischief? About one in a thousand visits. So, therrefore, she had reason to suspect that something was up. James and Remus noticed her strange behaviour and escaped to the back of the library as soon as possible. Remus then turned around and glared at James.

"The books on the ancestors of Hogwarts are at the front of the library! Why'd you pull us all the way back here?" Remus asked in a loud voice that made people around him glare at the pair of them.

"Shhh! 'Cause Pince was watching us like a bald-eyed eagle and a hawk combined! It felt very eerie." James shuddered.

"Fine! I'll go and get the book! You stay here and try to resist any urges to pull pranks!" Remus whispered harshly.

"Oh, ye of little faith! Do you not think I can go a whole day without pulling a prank?" James asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Well, considering that it's you, NO!" Remus shot back at him.

"You're probably right!" James admitted.

"I probably am!" Remus agreed. "Stay here okay? And try to stay out of trouble!"

As soon as Remus' back was turned, James got his old manic glint in his eyes. He turned around and saw a bunch of first years studying. He walked up to them.

"You're not supposed to be studying, you know!" James said to them.

"Yeah right!" One of them retorted.

"No, seriously! If you get caught, you can get detention!" James exclaimed.

"Suuurrree!" Another replied, but James could see that they were looking worried.

"It's true! I almost got expelled once for not listening to McGonagall when she told me to stop studying! She had to call the Headmaster to make me stop!" James lied.

"Really?" They all asked, fear rising into their eyes. "Well, we gotta go! Promise you won't tell McGonagall that we were studying?"

"I promise! After all, I don't want you thrown out do I? Who would I trick?" James asked innocently.

"Gee, thanks mister!" They all said.

James stuck out his chest arrogantly. "That's what older students are for! To guide you firsties on the road of life! Now go on! Scram before you're caught!"

James ushered them all away. Remus came back a moment later carrying two large books under his arm.

"I just saw about seven first years running out of the library like the devil was on their heels! You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you James?" Remus asked slyly.

"No! Me? I would never trick a bunch of firsties." James said with his most innocent face on, which wasn't saying much.

"James! What did you do!" Remus demanded.

"Nothing! I'll tell you when you're older!" James said as Remus laid the books down on the table.

"Fine!" Remus sighed, defeated. "Okay, you look Melody Anaste up in this one and I'll look Godric Gryffindor up in this one."

"Great!" James began flipping through the book to find the Index. He found her name easily as it was the third one in the Index. She was on pages 37, 38, 88, 89, 346, 347, 497, 498, and 567. James flipped to pages 37 and 38 first. There was a bunch of information on her, where she was born, when she was born and so on. He flipped to the next set of pages. What he saw made him drop the book . It landed with a big BANG and Remus jumped a foot in the air. He stared at James' shocked face. At least, he thought it was shock.

No way!  This can't be happening!  Then how come it is?  I don't know!  It's too weird!  How can it be?  It just is James!  Accept it!  B-b-but it can't be!  It's not possible!  Why?  Why isn't it possible?  Tell me that, smart guy!  Stop fighting with me!  You're me!  Remember.  Actually, I'm your inner most thoughts.  You could say that I'm your common sense.  Shut up!  Just shut up!  I gotta get outta here!  I'm going crazy!

James picked up the book and jogged off to put it back.  He was trembling slightly and dropped it again as he was going to put it back.  Madam Pince jumped and started telling him off.

"Young man!  Watch what you're doing!  You must be careful with these library books…" But James never heard the rest because at that moment he sprinted out of the library.  He was walking back to Gryffindor Tower in a daze when he bumped into Bella and Sirius.  Sirius had his arm around Bella's shoulder and he looked quite happy.  Bella, on the other hand, was looking very strange.  She looked like she was enjoying it against her better judgment.

"What exactly did you two do after Lily and I left?" James asked suspiciously.

"We walked back to the castle exactly as you see us now-"

"And this idiot won't remove his arm.  No matter how hard I try to push it off!  It's like he's super glued to me!" Bella interrupted.  Sirius had a guilty grin on his face. "We're not super glued are we?"

"When you say super glued, what exactly do you mean?" Sirius asked, stalling.

"Are you stuck to me?" Bella asked clearly so that only a completely dense idiot wouldn't be able to understand her.

"Yes.  To put it shortly." Sirius replied, in the same tone.

"Why?" She asked dangerously.

"Because I had a bet going with Peter." Sirius replied, holding his other hand up as if Bella was about to strike him.

"You glued us together because you had a bet going with PETER?!" She yelled, amazed. "If you're gonna make a bet, at least do it with someone worthwhile."

"Hey-" But stopped when he was elbowed in the ribs by James. "You mean, you're not mad?"

"Not really!  I'll be forever teased by Lily but I can live it down.  Besides, no one else has ever been GLUED to Sirius Black before!  I'll be to envy of most girls!" Bella replied happily.

"G-wh-h-di-ar-never mind!" Sirius was at a loss for words.

"I thought so!" Bella replied and they continued back down the corridor.

This left James to his thoughts again.  That picture in the book must have been a hallucination.  There was no way that it could be true!  Yes, that was what it was, a hallucination.  He decided to go back to the library and make sure it wasn't real.  He doubled back and arrived back at the library to be given the evil eye by Madam Pince.  James slowly made his way to the shelf and glimpsed the book's spine.  He gently eased the book out before carrying it to a table.  The book dropped open near the respective page.  James flipped through a few pages before arriving to the page before his destination.  Closing his eyes and breathing deep, he slowly turned the page.  He opened his eyes and felt his stomach drop lower than China.  It couldn't be!

Was Lily a muggle-born?  Or was she just saying that.  Maybe she didn't know.  How could she not know?  There was no way!  Lily and Melody Anaste were practically the same person!  Remus had told him that though.  How could he, James Potter though, be like another Godric Gryffindor?  He hadn't the foggiest.  The man in the picture was said to be Godric Gryffindor but he looked like an older James Potter.  James sat down because he found his legs unable to support him any longer.  He pulled the book towards him and began reading.

'Godric Gryffindor is shown here with wife Melody Anaste Gryffindor.  Melody was one of the first sponsors Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  As soon as she heard about the four founders' idea, she rushed over and announced her support.  The founders, of course, accepted willingly and from then on, she was known as a fifth founder.  Melody was nineteen when she became betrothed to Godric Gryffindor.  It is said that he built a special place for his engagement.  This place is known now as the Gryffindor Balcony.  Prophecies predict that there will be others such as Godric and Melody to lead the world through hard and dark times.  Most of the Prophecy holders will resemble Godric and Melody because it is said that Godric and Melody preferred to have their powers scattered intensely on a few Chosen people that they predicted will be of help to the magical community all over the world someday.  Many wizards, such as Merlin himself, have predicted that the Prophecies predicted by Godric and Melody will come true but that the magical community must be patient and wait until the right pair arrives.  The right pair will, of course, carry a bond that has been passed down from generation to generation in their families until it has reached them, the Chosen Ones.  It has also been foretold that the Chosen Ones have amazing abilities.  Those abilities will be the magical community's savior.  Those powers consist of –'

It was supposed to be continued on the next page but there was no next page.  James looked throughout the whole book but no trace of page 90 remained.  James picked up the book and decided to take it out for further research.  Madam Pince was rather reluctant on letting James borrow the book but gave in after James stated that everyone had the right to take books out.

"Be careful Potter.  If I see any torn pages or edges, you will never be allowed to take a book out again!" Madam Pince threatened.

James trudged up to the Gryffindor passageway where he was greeted by the Fat Lady.

"Password?" She inquired.

"Bit and bridle!" James almost shouted.

"Enter!  There's no need to get snappy!" She snapped.

"Who's getting snappy?" James retorted.

He entered the common room to find it in an uproar.  The Headmaster himself was fighting his way over to James.  As he reached him, Dumbledore laid a hand on his shoulder and looked down at him out of very concerned eyes.

"You've found out, haven't you?" Dumbledore questioned.

"Found what out?" James was confused.

"About Godric Gryffindor and Melody Anaste Gryffindor!" Dumbledore said expectantly.

"Oh them!  Yeah, I've found out!" James replied bitterly.

"Oh no!  It's starting!" Dumbledore suddenly looked centuries older.

"Excuse me?  I don't mean to be rude but, what exactly are you doing in Gryffindor Common Room?" James asked, still confused.

"Miss Evans is very ill, James!" Dumbledore said and silence engulfed the Common Room. "It's a half and half chance that she'll survive and be the same person that you all knew!"

James just stared up at Dumbledore, who looked sincerely back.

"I know that this is hardest on those people who were friends with her but all we can do is hope for the best.  James, can I speak to you in my office please?"  Dumbledore turned to James. "We have to be strong, especially you James!  We're all counting on you!"

James still felt like he was dreaming.  The one girl that he had ever cared for, apart from his mother and female relatives, might not live.  Before he knew it, James was in Dumbledore's office with Fawkes perched on one of his knees.  Lily was the only girl that had ever stood up to him, that had ever left his stomach feeling empty when she insulted him, that had ever mattered.  She was the only one who didn't fall at his feet, who didn't want him for his title, the only one who cared for him back.  And now he wasn't sure if he would ever get to tell her all of this.  Why did he have to keep the truth about the Gryffindor Balcony from her?  If he hadn't, she would probably be with him right now, playing chess or flying around.  He looked up as Dumbledore entered the office.  He paused at the door and said softly to James, "Are you alright?" When James shook his head, Dumbledore proceeded to his chair.  Before Dumbledore was settled properly, James began to talk.

"Why did I have to lie to her about the Gryffindor Balcony?  Why couldn't have I told her?  If I had, she probably wouldn't be in the state she's in now!  I love her!  I have for a long time but never realized it!  I love her and I might never get to tell her that!  I might never get to look into her emerald eyes again!  I might never get to fight with her and compete with her while flying again!  I'll miss out on the real her and her awesome qualities that I've been too fool-headed to notice until now!  Why?  Why does it have to be like this?" James ranted.  Dumbledore listened patiently and when he saw that James had let some out, he spoke gently to him.

"James, everything happens for a reason-"

"The reason that Lily might die is me!  I was the one who didn't tell her about the Balcony and caused her to be mad at me!"

"James, it's not your fault!  Now, onto the present matter.  What exactly have you found out about Godric and Melody?"

"I found out that he proposed to her on the Gryffindor Balcony.  That she was the 'fifth founder of Hogwarts'.  That there were Prophecies that predicted that two people with a strong resemblance to Godric and Melody would save the magical world someday.  That several legacies of this bond would carry on.  That's about it." James explained.

"Thank goodness!  Then James, I beg of you not to go looking for any more information!  I cannot give you a reason but I hope you will understand.  Lily is in critical condition and I daresay that she'll want you by her side, no matter what happens!"

As James was standing up to leave, Dumbledore called to him. "James, I'll need that book you borrowed from the library back!  I do not want you researching behind my back and I hope you'll listen out of loyalty to Lily!" And with that, Dumbledore sent James on his way.

James was making his way back up to Gryffindor Common Room when he bumped into someone unexpected in this part of the castle.  James stopped to stare, well actually, more like glare, at the person.  The person snapped his head up and saw James standing there with an icy expression on his face.

"What're you doing here?" James spat.

"Going back to Slytherin Common Room, Potty!" Snape returned, just as coldly.

"Why were you up here in the first place?" James asked in a disgusted tone.

"I was up to see Lily.  She was my friend!" Snape said, hurt rising in his eyes. "It's your fault she's gonna die Potter!  You and your secrets!  If you didn't make her mad at you, you two wouldn't be separated and she would be all right!"

James hung his head.  Snape's words had pierced him.  The only reason he had paid attention to them was because they were true!  Lily was sick because of him!  Because he was such a meddlesome fool and hid things from her!  He looked up, directly into Snape's eyes and saw that they were red, almost as if he was trying very hard to hide that he had been crying.

"I know Snape!  It IS all my fault!  I shouldn't have hid it from her!  I shouldn't have meddled in this type of thing!  If I had been upfront and honest with her and not have teased her, she would be with me right now and we would probably be competing!  I'm such an idiot!" James choked out.

"You-you admit it?" Snape asked, amazed. "Well, at least you're not fool enough to deny it!  I miss her Potter!  She was one of my only close friends!" Snape's eyes were tinged with pink again.

"Are you crying?" James cautiously asked.

"What's it to you Potter?  It's not like you'd care!  You'll probably spread it all around the school!  I don't care anymore though!  Lily was almost my closest friend and she sort of made my life worth living!  And now, she might die thanks to you!" Snape walked off, now almost completely in tears.

James hung back for a minute, trying to blink back tears, but not succeeding.  As he entered the Common Room, he saw that practically the whole Common Room was in tears and it was completely silent.  In a corner were Remus, Bella, Sirius, Cindy and Allison.  All of them were crying heavily, even though the boys were blinking furiously, trying to get rid of their tears.  James walked over and sat down with them.  Bella sat up and walked over to him.  Before he knew what was what, she hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear, "It's gonna be okay!  I can feel it!"  That's all he had to go by!  Hope!  What if I-

In a split second, he had made up his mind to spend every waking moment by Lily's side.  Heck, he might even sleep by her bed.  He felt like he needed to help her through this and if all he had was hope, he could hope by her side.  He stood up abruptly and walked up to the sixth year girls' dormitory and gently pushed the door open.  He went over to her and kneeled down by her bed.  She looked so peaceful and so much like an angel.  He stroked her hair and began to whisper to her through the darkness.

"Why'd you have to get sick?  I know that it's all my fault and I'm gonna try to make up for what I've done!"

"You haven't done anything James!  Don't beat yourself up for what happened." Said a soft voice behind him.  James jumped and turned around!  What he saw nearly made him pass out.

"Lily!" He breathed.

"No. Not Lily. My name is Melody Anaste Gryffindor. You may have heard of me. I was Godric Gryffindor's wife. My senses tell me that you and this girl are the Chosen Ones. Am I right?" She asked in her soft voice.

"Oh, um, yeah." James answered, head hung low.

"James, it wasn't your fault! The same thing happened with me and Godric. I found out about the Prophecies and Godric got seriously sick."

"What happened to him?" James questioned, his eyes seemed troubled.

"He stayed sick for about two years and then he eventually started to get better. But as soon as I started to gather information on these 'Prophecies', the sickness came back full force and then some!" Melody answered.

"And after that?"

"Godric died about a year after the sickness returned. He was forty four when he died. He even had to retire from teaching at Hogwarts because of his illness. Of course, as the 'Prophecy' says, 'If one shall perish, the other will soon follow," so fell sick about a month after Godric died and after three painful months, I joined Godric as a spirit."

"So, if Lily dies, I'll also die?" James asked quietly.

"That's right James. But don't be a fool like me and go looking for more information on the 'Prophecies' and me and Godric because if you do, history will repeat itself and you'll both join me and Godric." Melody warned.

"That's what Professor Dumbledore said and I have no idea why I can't find out more! If there was some way I could help Lily, I should be at least allowed to try and find it!" James said bitterly.

"The only way you can help Lily is by listening to the advice so many have given you and stay by her side. Goodness knows that if I'd done that, Godric and I may have lived a better and more fulfilling life. James, take my advice and stay by her side. Maybe she'll wake up soon. I am almost positive that you two are destined to save the magical community someday!" Melody said and James had no doubt that she meant it.

"Alright. I'll stay by her side and I son't go looking for more information! But only because I want to see if there's any change in her!" James concluded.

"Alas, I must leave you to work the rest out on your own! I have only come to warn you and give you advice. It is your own choice whether or not you listen to it or not! But I should think that if you really love Lily, you will listen to me! I must leave you now. Don't forget my words James and I guarantee that Lily will be okay!" And with that, Melody was gone. James turned back to Lily's motionless, limp frame and sat down beside her bed. Her white face and red-auburn hair made her look like an angel. But ehn again, she always looked like an angel in James' opinion. He took her hand and stayed like that for well into the night. But he had to leave as the girls came piling in. Bella came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder. She swung him around and looked straight into his eyes.

"I'll stay with her James. Go get some rest! I'll stay with her as much as you want and you can come back in the morning. Go get some rest! Now!" She pulled him into standing position and pushed him out the door.

"Thanks Ara!  I'll be back tomorrow morning at seven! Night!" He hugged Bella tightly and headed down the stairs and up to his dormitory.