Howdy, readers! I just love your reviews! You're all so nice to me, haha! I really appreciate it, and I want you all to know that I just get so excited when I see how great my reviews are. So thank you all so much—you've made my week!! I sincerely hope that you enjoy the rest of my story (there's only about two more postings-worth left and then it's on to the sequel!) and I hope that you keep reading and reviewing! You're all fabulous! Enough blabbering, on with the story……
Chapter 16
Seemingly Deceiving
The next morning, Lily rolled out of bed and went down to the common room. There, she found Belle sitting in a chair with her homework on her lap.
"Hey, Lily. What's up?" She replied, not looking away from her paper.
"Nothing really. What are you up to?" Lily said.
"Homework, what else?" Belle snorted. "What was Remus on about yesterday? Why wouldn't you tell us?"
"It's kind of private." Lily said. She had not told anyone about Remus' being a werewolf.
"Well, obviously." Belle snapped. "Why can't you tell me? Please? I'll be your best friend…"
"You already are." Lily laughed. As she said this, the Marauders came down the boys' steps chuckling.
"Morning." James said.
"Lily, please…" Belle continued to beg. "I promise I won't tell."
"Tell what?" Remus asked. "Lily, you didn't tell her, did you?"
"No! Of course not!" Lily said, scandalized.
"Does this have to do with Remus and his-" Belle began, as a look of comprehension dawned on her.
"You did tell her!" Sirius said. Remus stared at Lily, shocked. "How could you, Lily?"
"I didn't! I swear!" Lily defended. "I would never…"
"But you did…"
"No…"
"I can't believe you, Lily. We trusted you!" James replied sadly. "We thought you were smart enough to keep it a secret."
Belle looked from the Marauders to Lily. "I don't understand… it's just gossip…"
"Just gossip?" Peter hollered. "Just gossip?!"
"I didn't tell her…" Lily stammered. "I wouldn't!"
"Don't blame Lily." Belle said. "I figured it out for myself and I won't tell anyone. I promise, Remus."
"I didn't want anyone else to know!" Remus moaned. "God, this is embarrassing…"
"He trusted you, Evans." Peter smirked. "How could you?"
"Why are you all making such a big deal about this?" Belle asked innocently. "Dating at Hogwarts has nothing to do with anything later in life. Especially not now."
"Dating?" Remus repeated, looking up from the floor. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, aren't you going to break up with your girlfriend?" Belle asked. She looked as though this were obvious to anyone. "That's what we've all been talking about!"
"Dumping my girlfriend?" Remus repeated again, a grin brightening his solemn face. "Dumping my girlfriend! Of course!" He lied.
"You mean to say, you didn't guess…"
"Of course she guessed!" Remus said happily, knowing his secret was still safe. "How could she not? It was obvious!"
"Remus…" Peter began desperately. "It was Lily… she told Belle that you're-"
"-dumping Penelope!" James leaped in. "She just, um, isn't good enough for our dear Remus."
Belle looked at him firmly. "Now, James. That's really not a very nice thing to say. Penelope's perfectly… well, actually, she's a bit of a bitch…"
So after that conversation, Remus was practically forced to break up with Penelope. He looked a little disappointed about it, but it was apparent to Lily that he would do anything and everything to keep his werewolf secret safe. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he would find a replacement come Valentine's Day later that week.
Peter looked very disappointed.
"Lily!" Snape called after her after History of Magic on Tuesday.
"Yes, Siverus?" Lily replied, agitated. "I really need to get going…"
"Where? Classes are over for the day…"
"Homework." She said quickly.
"Oh… well…" He began nervously. "Seeing as Valentine's Day is coming up on Friday… I was, er…"
"Wondering?" Lily prompted, preparing herself for what was coming.
"Er, yeah… wondering… if you would, er…"
"LILY!" Someone shouted down the hall. Relief flooded though her as she graciously turned to see who called for her.
"Lily, there's an emergency Prefect meeting." James said.
"Oh!" Lily replied, trying to contain her joy.
"Oh, God! I'm sorry Siverus… was I interrupting something?" James replied. He didn't look sorry at all.
"Er, no. I'll talk to you later, Lily?" Snape said, looking hopeful.
"Um, yeah. Maybe." Lily said, rushing down the corridor with James, "Thank you." She whispered.
"Er… you're welcome…" James ventured.
"Oh, it's just, he was about to ask me out, and you saved me. That's all…" Lily explained.
"Right." James said. "I pity you, that's all I'm going to say."
"Pity me?" Lily said. "Why?"
"Because Snape is a greasy-git. I dunno why you waist your time trying to be nice to him." James shook his head.
"It's never a waist of time to be nice to someone, James." Lily replied. "Although, I'm sure it is in your mind…"
"Whatever. I don't like to bother with people like Snape… well, unless he's prank-worthy." James chuckled.
"And what makes someone prank-worthy?"
"Lots of things. Funny hair… funny face… funny attitude…"
"So someone funny?" Lily grinned. She walked quickly down the marble stairs of the Entrance Hall.
"Or funny looking." James corrected. "But those aren't the only reasons. Like if they make us mad…"
"So you played a prank on me because…"
"You seemed like you could use a laugh." James suggested.
"Good answer."
"Hurry, you two!" McGonagall yelled up at them.
"Okay, okay!" James replied. "Keep your shirt on!"
"For all our sakes." Lily added, remembering their detention at the Quidditch field.
James snorted with laughter. "Yeah, really."
"All right, Hogwarts Prefects." McGonagall replied when they were all seated around the table. "I think that since your Masquerade Ball was such a success, you all should plan our annual Departing Feast for the end of school. You still have a while to plan it and what not, I just thought I'd give you a 'heads up'."
"Sounds fabulous, Professor!" Haley squealed. "I can't wait!"
"I thought you all would jump at the chance to help out. And don't forget that two of you will be announced as Head Boy and Head Girl that night, so you might want to make it a special night. As you know, being a Head Person is the highest honor you can receive at Hogwarts. Only the peoples with the best exam scores, most recommendations form your teachers and Heads of House will acquire this honor." McGonagall reminded.
The highest honor at Hogwarts… Suddenly, Lily realized that if she became Head Girl, her parents would have no choice but to applaud her. The highest honor! Lily couldn't be any better than that.
Around the table, the Prefects were nodding their heads dully. Most peoples' eyes were out of focus, as though they were daydreaming about getting the Head Boy or Girl badge and standing before the whole school in all their glory…
Chapter 17
Strip Snap and Such
Later that evening, after everyone had gone to bed, the Marauders, Lily and Belle were in the common room. Remus had challenged Lily to a wizards' chess match. Lily was winning.
Belle, James, and Peter were discussing Quidditch by the friendly crackling fire. And Sirius was sitting in the chair absentmindedly banging two wands together… trying to do who-knows-what.
Suddenly, Sirius shouted, "MUSIC! Look! They made music! Lily, our wands made music! We can make beautiful music together!"
Lily shot him a look that clearly said, "You're a dork."
Sirius began to lip sync to the song the wands were 'playing'. He danced around the common room to Aretha Franklin using the wands as a microphone.
"Just ignore him." Remus advised Lily. "He might go away."
"Oh common, Remus! Just get us some butterbeer and get a game of strip snap goin' on… and this could be a rockin' party!" Sirius cheered.
"Er, Sirius… you can do that by yourself." James sighed.
Sirius paused, and then shouted, "OKAY then! I think I will!"
He dashed over the corner with a deck of exploding snap cards and began to play.
"He's a strange one, all right." Remus sighed, moving a chess piece to E-7. "I'm taking it upon myself to make sure you don't end up like Sirius."
"What's wrong with ending up like Sirius? He's cheerful guy…" Lily replied.
Remus didn't answer but looked over to the corner. Lily followed his gaze and watched as Sirius dance around.
"Oh yeah! Lost again!" Sirius shouted. He pulled his shirt off and twirled it around his head like a helicopter.
"Remus," Lily said. "I think I'll take you up on that offer."
"That's what I thought." Remus chuckled as Sirius unbuckled his belt and flung it at James.
"Ow! Sirius!" James catcalled. "Too hot to handle!"
"No one can resist the Black Magic!" Sirius said slyly as he chucked off his shoes and socks.
Unfortunately for all in the room, this continued until Sirius was dancing in his boxers.
"He's not very modest is he?" Belle smirked.
"Only one more hand to go, baby!" Sirius screamed gleefully. Everyone quickly shielded his or her eyes.
Just as Sirius shouted, "Snap! Oh darn. Lost again!" the portrait hole burst open to reveal McGonagall.
"What are you all doing? I can hear you all the way down- oh GOD!" McGongall shrieked as she noticed Sirius.
"That's right… I'm dead sexy. I'm a GOD! McGonagall even said so!" Sirius said dancing in a circle.
"Do you have any clue how many detentions you're facing?!" McGongall said, disgusted.
"Ha ha, Jamie-boy! Bet you wish you played now! I've got, like 50 detentions in one go!" Sirius cried, sticking his tongue out.
"I didn't want to play, Sirius." James moaned, unconvincingly. "I can get detentions without your help!"
"Sure you can, Jamie. I believe you." Sirius chuckled.
"Don't call me that!" James whimpered.
"Sirius Black! Come with me now!" McGonagall said shrewdly.
"Good-bye all!" Sirius cried as McGonagall grabbed his ear and tried to pull him out of the common room. "I love you all! James, take care of Lily for me!"
"I won't let her out of my sight!" James sobbed. He leaped to the floor and tried to grab Sirius' ankle. "I won't let you go!"
"It's all right James." Sirius sighed, through fake tears. "Be strong! I'll come back for you some day!"
And just before the portrait hole closed, James reluctantly let go of Sirius' feet.
"Oh come on, Minerva. I know you want a piece of this." Lily heard Sirius say to McGonagall. "I know you can't resist the Black Magic! No one can! You just want me all for yourself, don't you? Admit it, you fox!"
"Do you realize how disgusting you are?" McGonagall said angrily.
"Yeah, disgustingly gorgeous!" Sirius laughed happily. "Will I get to visit Dumbledore? Please!"
"Come on." McGonagall said, ignoring this request.
"He is frightening, isn't he?" Lily giggled. "I'm off to bed." She replied as she stood up. James stood up too. Lily eyed him suspiciously, as she took a step towards her dormitory. James followed.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked fervently.
"I promised Sirius I wouldn't let you out of my sight, and I keep my promises." He replied proudly.
"So you're going to follow her?" Remus asked smartly.
"That's right." James nodded innocently.
"Even upstairs?" Lily asked. "I do have to change, you know."
"Whatever it takes!" James chuckled.
"I should slap you for that." Lily smiled.
"Oh! Let me!" Belle said, reaching over and whacking the back of his head. "Run, Lily!" So Lily turned and dashed up the steps with James at her heels.
"You're a psycho…" Lily muttered over her shoulder.
"So are you… and I promised." James said.
"He didn't mean it!"
"Shows how much you know." He laughed. Lily threw open the common room door and was about to lock it shut, when James stuck his foot in the door.
"Ha!" James grinned. "I promised him… and until he comes back, I'm not letting you out of my sight!"
"'Ha' yourself." Lily grumbled. She began to jam the door on James' foot.
"Ow! Shit!" He moaned, hopping on his uninjured foot.
"Quiet, you'll wake my room mates!" Lily scolded.
"James, leave Lily alone." Remus replied appearing at the top of the staircase.
"She crushed my foot!" James replied angrily.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Lily exclaimed sarcastically. He stuck his tongue at her.
"Watch it, or I'll slam the door on that too." She joked.
"Remus!" James moaned. "Make her stop!"
"This is way beyond me." Remus laughed as he turned to walk back down the stairs. "But I suggest you leave Lily alone… I wouldn't put slamming the door on your tongue past her."
"Meanie." James murmured so only Lily could hear him.
"Dumbie." Lily retaliated, as she closed the door behind her.
Chapter 18
Mourning Marshmallows and Lily's Locket
A week later, the weather had taken a dramatic turn. Instead of the icy winds the Hogwarts students were getting used to, they were faced with whippy, stale winds. With no rain clouds in sight, summer was looking within their grasp.
One evening when Lily was finished with her homework, she sat by the fire, looking into it, lost in its flames. As she sat in thought, her mind drifted to her life at home.
Why didn't her parents care? She worked so hard to get their attention… and they didn't even notice.
They wouldn't even look at her Prefect badge. She knew this. And when Petunia came home with a rock on her bony finger- when she waved it in their faces- they only said "Congratulations, Petunia… I need to finish this write up, can we talk later?"
They never did.
Her parents never even met Vernon. She didn't think that they even would mind if he were some motorcycle gang member… not that Petunia would ever like someone like that.
It wasn't fair. James' parents cared. They cared a lot. If they would refuse to let James be with his friends, when he got married, she was sure they would have the same attitude. "Who is she?" "How do you know her?" "When did you meet?" "How long were you dating?"
Why was James creeping into her brain? Lily didn't even know his family…
But Madison's parents… those were good examples. They loved Madison so much. Even though she didn't seem to, she loved them back. They took her places… helped her with her homework… they cared.
And Belle's parents. They loved Belle.
What was wrong with Lily? Why couldn't her parents love her? Had she done something to disappoint them?
"Knut for your thoughts?" Someone asked, causing Lily to jump about a foot.
"Oh, God, Remus!" Lily choked. "Don't do that. I didn't even see you sit down."
"What's that thing you're holding…"
"Oh… my locket." Lily replied. "I hadn't even realized I was holding it… it's just something my parents gave me."
"When? Why do you always wear it?" Remus asked.
"They gave it to me a really long time ago… back in our first year. It's just important to me." Lily answered quickly.
"Are you okay, Lily?" Remus replied cautiously. "You seem very preoccupied…"
"I was just doing some thinking."
"About what?"
"Just my parents and my family." Lily shrugged. "I've been thinking about them a lot this year."
"Why? Is something the matter with them?" Remus asked her, his fair face hardening slightly.
"I'm starting to think something's the matter with me, actually." Lily sighed, looking back into the fire.
"What makes you say something as far-fetched as that?" Remus replied. Lily could feel his coal-gray eyes boring into her.
"They've never loved me, that's all." Lily spat.
"Never loved you?" Remus repeated. "That's crazy…"
"No, Remus. It's not that crazy, as you would see if you came to my house. They're never home, they're always drunk, and they forgot Petunia's birthday last January. Do you really think they care that much?"
"I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't know." Remus said solemnly. "But they must have loved you. They wouldn't have given you this if they didn't…" He said, indicating her locket.
"You'd be surprised. They were only happy to have a witch in the family… they weren't necessarily proud that it was me." Lily snapped. "I'm sorry…" Lily sighed.
"No, don't be sorry." Remus said. "I guess that locket means a lot to you then…"
"It's the most precious thing I own." Lily agreed.
"Then never let it go, Lily." Remus smiled.
"I don't mean to." Lily said. "I don't mean to."
"And they did love you." Remus said in a final sort of tone.
"How do you know?"
"Because it would be pretty hard not to love our Lily." He grinned, putting his hand on her cheek.
"Oh, God, Remus…" Lily said, tears tumbling down her cheeks. She buried her head in his shoulder and cried. She didn't care who saw her. Remus said nothing, but let her cry. She was almost certain that a silent tear dripped off his chin, but she couldn't be sure.
When she straightened up, Remus sniffed.
"It always helps to have someone to cry on." He said.
"But when they cry with you," Lily said, wiping her eyes. "It means so much more."
"Hey beautiful, what's shakin'?" Sirius said suddenly, appearing by the fireplace. But his face fell slightly when he saw Remus and Lily wiping their eyes quickly. "What's wrong? Did I miss something in detention?"
"No nothing…" Lily said, glancing at Remus. "What's that?"
"A marshmallow, silly!" Sirius chuckled, as he stuck it on a poker. "And into the fire it goes…" He replied, more to himself, as he began to roast the marshmallow.
"Yo! Si!" James shouted from across the room. "When did you get back from detention?"
"A few minutes ago." Sirius replied, turning from the flames.
"Sirius… your marshmallow…" Lily reminded him.
"Oh God! The injustice!" He screamed, as his white snack caught on fire. "It's been charred for life!"
"I'm sorry, Si." Lily smiled.
"I can't eat it, now!" Sirius sobbed. "It's totally ruined! And it's all your fault James!"
"Aw, I'm sorry, buddy." James replied, sitting next to Sirius on the floor. "I'll still eat it…" He offered, making a grab for it.
"NO!" Sirius shouted. "You monster! We have to go back to the kitchens, and apologize to its friends!"
"I suppose that's the only thing we can do." James shrugged. "But perhaps we should toss it to the flames in respect."
"Of course…" Sirius said, bowing low to the now black marshmallow, and then he tossed it to the fire.
"You both are stupid prats." Lily sighed. "Mourning the death of a marshmallow…"
"This was no ordinary marshmallow!" Sirius cried in all seriousness. "It was special. Made of only organic sugars and fluffed to flawless perfection."
"Of course. How could I be so foolish?" Lily replied.
"Yes, good question." James said. "Come Sirius. Let's go to the kitchens."
"Right behind you."
"Race?"
"You're on. Ready? Set? GO!" Sirius shouted, as he and James flew out the portrait hole.
"Two Sickles says they're caught before they reach the third floor." Lily said to Remus.
"I think that's what they're hoping will happen." Remus said. "But I'll bet they're caught before they reach the fifth floor."
"You have so little faith in them!" Lily scolded.
Chapter 19
Amos Diggory
Before Lily knew it, March was upon her, which meant that Hogwarts Exams were coming up sooner than anyone would like to think. Although three months seemed like a long time, everyone knew that exams were more than a test. They basically decided your entire future at Hogwarts and after.
One morning, mid-March on a Sunday, Lily decided to go for a walk. She didn't realize she was being followed until she had reached the lake.
"Amos? Is that you?" She asked. "I haven't seen you in the longest time!"
"Yes, I know." Amos replied. He was a year above Lily, and would be graduating in June. He was tall, and muscular. His strong jaw gave the impression he was not someone to mess with. His brown hair was cut short, and he ran his fingers through it nervously as he approached her. "How have you been?"
"Pretty good… and yourself?"
"No need to act so prim and proper with me, Lily. We've known each other for about 4 years now. But I'm fine." Amos said airily.
"You're acting very proper yourself." Lily joked. "But I haven't seen you at all this year. Although that could be because you've been avoiding me…"
"Avoid you? Never!" Amos said dryly. "I think it's impossible to ignore someone such as yourself."
"'Such as myself'? I'll pretend you didn't say that…" Lily chuckled.
"I didn't mean it disrespectfully, Lily." Amos said.
"Of course not." Lily said.
"What did you think of that Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, hm? I'd say we played well against you, didn't we?" Amos bragged.
"Yes, Hufflepuff played very well. It's just too bad that our Seeker is a tad better than yours." Lily smiled. "And, not to be rude, but I think your house is out of the running for the Cup."
"Hufflepuff is in no way out of the running. We take our time, unlike some teams." Amos hinted.
"In most cases, Amos, faster is better." Lily stated.
"I suppose." Amos replied. "But I must say I will miss Quidditch at Hogwarts."
"Only Quidditch?"
"Oh, no. There's much to miss at Hogwarts… such as the stairs, portraits, and corridors." Amos said, taking bigger strides as they walked around the lake.
"What about the teachers?" Lily prompted. "And all your friends? You might not see them again."
"I have faith that if they are meant to be my life-long friends, then they will be with out Hogwarts." Amos replied.
"So, you won't pursue friendships that you've made in your 7 years at Hogwarts?" Lily asked in amazement.
"Most likely not. This is only one chapter of my life. I must make room for others."
"I see." Lily replied. "But I'm surprised that you would walk away without looking back once."
"Oh, Lily! Don't get me wrong. I dearly cherish the people I have met. If they pursue me, I shall oblige them." Amos said.
"But you won't go after them?"
"Only a select few." Amos said. Lily felt him glance at her, but she didn't look at him. "But what about you? What do you hope to do when you leave Hogwarts?"
"I'm going to travel the world." Lily said happily.
"You're still on about that, are you?" Amos laughed.
"I'm going to, Amos! Don't laugh!" Lily said, chuckling herself.
"If it was what you truly wanted, I'd pay for the trip myself, Lily." Amos said, grinning as a drop of sunlight peeked from behind a cloud.
"Then you'd better start saving up." Lily joked.
"Perhaps I should." Amos said. For a mere moment, she thought he was serious, but then he continued. "And after you've seen the world? Then what?"
"I don't know. I suppose I'll settle down somewhere…"
"With someone?"
"I… don't know." Lily said, beginning to feel uncomfortable for the first time. "I guess it depends."
"Depends on what, exactly?"
"I really don't feel like discussing my future right now, Amos." Lily sighed. "Anything but my future."
"All right then. I'll do anything for you, Lily, my dear." Amos replied. My dear? "What do you want to talk about?"
"Look! Baby ducks!" Lily exclaimed, pointing to a group of ducklings swimming in the lake. Sadly, they took to the sky when the Lake's monster shook its tentacles at them.
"Ducks?" Amos asked, surprised.
"Yeah… there were ducks." Lily shrugged happily.
"Isn't that a little immature to be pointing out ducklings?" Amos asked. But then he broke into a rumbling laugh. It wasn't a crude laugh, and it made Lily smile at her own stupidity.
"Anyone up for a walk?" James asked, later that week. "Common… anyone?"
"I'll go." Lily volunteered. "Belle?"
"I'll… er, pass. Thanks." Belle said, glancing from James to Lily.
"Guess it's just us then?" James said.
"Guess so." Lily said, making a fist at Belle as they turned to leave the common room. Stupid Belle… she did that on purpose.
James and Lily didn't talk much on their way down to the grounds.
"Where to, my lady? The lake, or the Quidditch field?" James asked.
"How about the lake, good sir?" Lily replied, playing along. "It's pretty outside now that the rain stopped, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess. But I like the rain." James said. "It's my favorite weather."
"I like the sun." Lily said in disagreement. "It's so much more friendly. If only it weren't so cold out still."
"Are you cold?" James asked quickly. "We could go back inside…"
"Er, no." Lily replied. "I'm fine. Unless you want…"
"No. It's fine." James said uncomfortably.
"Right." Lily said.
"Hey, Check that out!" James said, crouching down by the lake water.
"At what?"
"Those ducklings… they're pretty cool…" James laughed.
"Ducks?"
"Yeah… ducks. What? Ducks are cool…" James said, grinning.
"Of course they are." Lily said. Amos didn't think so… "No, really. I'm serious."
"No you're not." James said, laughing again.
"Are you making fun of me?" Lily asked, smiling.
"No…" James said unconvincingly.
"Sure you're not." Lily said. "Meanie."
"I'm no meanie!" James cried. "I'm about as sweet and innocent as you could ever get!"
"You?!" Lily exclaimed. "I doubt you've ever been innocent."
"Okay, so maybe not innocent…"
"That's what I thought." Lily chuckled.
"But you don't know that for a fact…" James said slyly.
"Yes I do." Lily replied.
"How?"
"Because I know you. And I know you're type. You're not innocent." Lily said. "You're always plotting some prank or revenge."
"Not always."
"Give one example of when you weren't." Lily prompted.
"Right now."
"So you're not thinking up some joke to play on the Slytherins at this very moment?" Lily asked, a little astonished.
"Nope." James said, shaking his head.
"Then what are you thinking?"
"I'm not thinking. Just living." James said. "You should know by now, all the Marauders have a hard time thinking."
At that moment, something in Lily clicked. James was just enjoying her company… not plotting against someone. He was having fun with Lily Evans. And, believe it or not, Lily was having fun with him. Talk about crazy…
Chapter 20
Wormtail's Joke
In the very beginning of April, Peter started to look at Lily in strange ways. She didn't know what exactly he was up to, but he seemed to find something terribly interesting about her, for he rarely took his eyes off of her. His smirks and glares followed her constantly around the common room, and gave her a very unwelcome feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Lily went to bed one night with an incredibly uneasy feeling. Peter had been watching her every move, much more than the other days.
She slept comfortably in her calm dormitory, but awoke suddenly very late at night. It had felt as though someone was touching her neck…she had felt someone's breath- hot and bated. She sat up nervously. Her bed hangings were open…
"Hello? Is someone there?" She whispered into the silent darkness. Madison grunted in her sleep. No one was there except for three sleeping girls.
Suddenly, her crimson bed curtains swished although there was no wind, and the door clicked shut.
Lily gulped, and returned to an uneasy slumber.
Lily woke up the next morning, still feeling a little jumpy from the night before. She approached the mirror to brush her hair before class, like she did every morning. But she noticed something was different about her reflection.
Her locket was gone.
The one possession she cared about… the only thing that proved to her that her parents had loved her at one point or another… was gone. Gone.
"JAMES!" She screamed as she bolted down the steps. "James, what did you DO this time?!"
"What are you talking about?" James asked. "You look fine… you're hair isn't green or anything…"
"Not my hair!" Lily shouted. "My locket! Where is it? What did you do with it!"
"Calm down, Lily." James warned. "We'll help you find it."
"You took it! I know you did!" Lily yelled. A few Gryffindors looked at her nervously. "Now give it back!"
"Look, Lily, I don't know what locket you're talking about." James replied. "But we'll help you find it."
"That won't do any good, James." Peter hissed suddenly from the boys' dormitory steps.
"What do you mean 'it won't to any good'?" Lily repeated tensely. "Lupin took it, didn't he?! I'll kill him!"
"No, my dear Lily." Peter said coolly. "Remus didn't touch your necklace."
"Tell me where it is, Petigrew!" Lily demanded.
"I won't tell you who did it or where it is, but you might want to try the forest." Peter said softly.
Lily didn't stop to think, but just ran. She bolted down the corridor as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn't have her wand, or anything that might protect her from the dangers within the Forbidden Forest on grounds, but she didn't care. She had to get that locket back.
When she had reached the edge of the forest she thought she could hear people shouting after her to stop, to come back. But she didn't oblige them. Lily dove straight into the forest.
Even though it was early morning, the huge trees shielded all sunlight from touching the needle-covered floor. Rocks and roots were sprinkled all over, and in Lily's reckless rush, she nearly tripped over them. Lily could hear far away screeches of animals and magical creatures, but she ignored them as best she could.
Her eyes frantically combed the dirt ground, but there was no sign of her necklace. Again, she heard someone calling her name. She sped up. She would not leave until her locket was safely hanging around her neck.
Then, out of nowhere, Lily heard a huge, blood-curdling shriek. She stopped dead in her tracks. She had no idea where it had come from, but it had sounded so close… she began to search the tiny clearing she was in.
Again, it screamed. Lily's insides squirmed. She had to hurry and find it before that… thing got closer.
But she had spoken too soon. A gigantic cat-like creature pounced into the clearing, claws bared. Its inky-black hide glistened in the shadows, and it's pearly white teeth- no, jaws were at least two inches long. Its yellow eyes glimmered as it watched Lily hold her breath and debate running away.
Was it Lily's imagination, or did the horse-sized cat just grin evilly? Was the cat actually licking its horrible lips and deciding how to attack?
Lily took a fearful step back, and the cat prowled closer. Closer… Then, like a bolt of lighting, the thing pounced. Lily dove away from it quickly, but it only made the cat creature angrier. It hissed menacingly, and pounced again.
This time, its aim was true, and Lily was pinned against a tree. The cat's breathing was slow and steady. Its teeth were centimeters from Lily's face.
She kicked the thing as hard as she could, and it sunk to all fours. It screamed again, and Lily tried to run.
Unfortunately, the cat was quicker, and snatched her leg with its long claws. Instant pain flooded through Lily as she fell to the floor and the cat bit her ceremoniously. It felt as though the cat were jabbing white-hot knifes into her leg… acid rushing though her cut…
It was head-splitting pain such as Lily had never felt. The cat bit again… more pain… Lily did her best to crawl away… but got no farther than a few inches.
As Lily's eyes began to fog over, she could hear fast crunching on the leaves, and the cat's scream. Lily struggled to breath… tried to get up, but found it impossible. She gave up to the poison and passed out as cold as death itself.