Aloha, peoples! OMG! I just got back from Outback Steakhouse and let me tell ya, that place is the BOMB! I also saw "Shrek 2" today after driving class, and it was soooo great! Like, go see it right now! (After you read my story, obviously. LOL!) Puss in Boots is the BEST! "That's not mine, I swear!" and "Pray for mercy from… PUSS—in boots!" LOL! YAY! Donkey's still cool, but I don't want to ruin anything.

So anywho, now that I'm done advertising for Shrek, READ AND REVIEW!

"Immortality will be MINE!" –Scar, Lion King (don't ask)

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Chapter 27

James's Grave News

Easter Break was nothing short of fantastic. Now that Lily was speaking to the Marauders again, she discovered that she never wanted to fight with them again. James and Sirius were on the prowl again, and letting off dung bombs in the corridors, and then sprinting away from Filch the caretaker.

Lily even joined in this sport more than once, as Filch could never catch them-- James knew every secret passage in the castle.

But when the castle slowly started to fill up with students again, everyone went back to the homework that they had put off all week.

But on the first day back, Lily found that she was ready to get back to the daily routine of studying.

On Thursday, Lily entered the Potions classroom, already expecting to be bored. She slid into a seat next to Sirius, and leaned back in her chair.

"Settle down, settle down." Professor Walter replied, as he walked grumpily into the room. Students scooted into their desks and tried to look prepared. "Today we'll be discussing Vetriserium which is the most powerful Truth Potion known to wizard-kind…" He said tonelessly.

Lily straightened up, expecting to hear an exciting lesson. But she was quickly very disappointed.

"Now then!" Walter cleared his throat. "Now, in 1762, the first Truth Potion was invented, as I hope you all knew…" He droned. Lily's eyes threatened to droop closed, but she scribbled down a few notes, and doodled in the margins.

But suddenly, there was an urgent pounding on the door that made all the students jump awake.

"Come in!" Walter called in agitation. Professor McGonagall entered the room looking solemn. "Yes?!"

"I'm looking for Mr. Potter…" She ventured. "Ah, there he is. If I could borrow him for a moment?" McGonagall said, waving James toward her.

"I suppose." Walter said, scowling. "But I expect him back in my classroom as soon as you are through."

"I, er, am not sure that that will be doable, professor." McGonagall said, motioning James toward her again.

"Very well!" Walter grumbled. "Get the notes from a friend, then, Potter. I'll be sure to test you on them Monday."

"Come on then, Potter." McGonagall replied, as she held open the door for him. He grabbed his things, winked at Lily, and then followed the professor out the door.

"Whaddya think she wanted?" Sirius asked Lily in an undertone.

"I'm not sure…"

"As fascinating as James's life is, this is Potions class-- so pay attention, Black!" Walter shouted. "20 points from Gryffindor House."

"Jackass." Sirius muttered.

"What was that?!" Walter's yell echoed throughout the dungeon.

"Nothing, sir." Sirius said innocently, as he blinked up at the teacher.

"10 more points." Walter replied, as he turned back to his lesson.

Later that evening, James wasn't at the dinner table. Nor could Lily and Sirius find him in the common room. Lily hoped that nothing had gone wrong, but somehow she knew that something was not right.

James came stumbling through the portrait hole around eight o'clock, and he looked disheveled.

"James?" Lily pressed. "Is everything okay?"

"No." He muttered shortly. "Have a look." James said, chucking a crumpled letter at Remus's feet. Remus exchanged a nervous glance with Sirius and Lily, who quickly moved to his side to read over his shoulder.

Dearest James,

I have some terrible news for you, sweet.

Late last night, Death Eaters broke into our house. There were at least seven of them and it was so frightening. I didn't know what to do!

Your dad tried to get us out of the house, but the intruders were brutal. I don't know how to say this, but… well, I just got away. Your father wasn't so lucky, baby. They killed him.

Although, I got to thinking, and I realized that that's what those men came to our house to do. I'm sure that this is a terrible shock to you, dear; it's a shock to me too. But please, don't let it ruin your last few months at school. Maybe the teachers will let you come visit this weekend so we can talk face-to-face, darling. I'm so sorry.

Take care of yourself, and keep your eyes open for those men. They could be after you, too.

I love you, and don't worry about me.

Mum

"James… Oh my God." Lily murmured. She tore her eyes away from the tear spotted page, and saw that James was sitting in a chair with his head in his hands.

He didn't say anything.

"He's dead?" Sirius said blankly. Lily hit his arm and gave him a "shut up and be sensitive" look.

"Yeah." James replied looking up. His eyes were red.

"But your mum's right, you know." Lily said. "You really need to keep your eyes open. Those Death Eaters will be after you next."

"Lily!"

"It's true." She retorted. "And you all know it." She paused for a moment. "I really am sorry, James."

"I don't want you to be sorry for me." James snapped.

"Not this again, James." Lily replied. "I'm just sorry for what happened!"

"Well, good for you. But I really don't want--"

"James! Lily!" Remus silenced them. "Please!"

Lily glared at James for a moment, but then realized how rude it was, and looked away. James just stared at the floor.

"Now, I think that the thing to do is to get to bed." Remus replied, sounding very adult-like. "Especially you, James; you've been through a lot today."

"You're right, Moony." James said. Lily, Sirius, and Remus watched him stand, and head up the dormitory steps.

"I don't believe it." Sirius said softly. "Mr. Potter was so great…"

"I know." Remus sighed. Lily looked at the both of them. Never having met Mr. Potter, Lily really didn't know what to say.

"He was always so… fatherly." Sirius stuttered.

"His mum too." Remus added, looking into the fire. "James must be devastated." He replied, snapping his gaze to Lily with a look of encouragement.

"What?" Lily asked in confusion.

Sirius's lips curled into a mischievous grin as he caught on. "Don't you think he should be comforted?"

"By me?" Lily said, scandalized. "Why me? He doesn't want to talk to me…"

"How can you be so sure?" Remus asked her.

"Because…" Lily began roughly. "Because, well, you saw what just happened, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah. But come on, Lily." Sirius urged. "Help a brotha out!"

"He's not my brother, and you're not a gangster."

"I'm not?"

"Lily, just go." Remus said. "He'll really appreciate it. I know he will."

Lily looked at him frantically. "Remus, why can't one of you talk to him?"

"Just go." Sirius said, grabbing her forearm, and yanking her to her feet, and shoving her toward the boys' steps.

"Okay." Lily said meekly.

She started toward the stairs cautiously. When she was up a few steps, she distinctly heard Sirius say, "Remus, you matchmaking dog! How do you do it?!"

Lily chuckled to herself, and knocked on the door with James, Remus, Sirius, and Peter's names on it. She creaked the door open, and saw James sitting on his bed, gaping at the crimson wall.

"James?" She replied delicately.

He looked up at her, and shook his head with a tiny smile. "What are you doing up here, Evans?"

"Came to check on you." She said. "Can I have a seat?"

"Sure." James said, and Lily moved to sit next to him on the bed.

"Are you doing okay?" She asked warmly.

"I guess." James sighed. "It was just so sudden, you know?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I mean, just totally out of the blue." He replied. "I guess I knew that Voldemort was after him, but it never computed that he wanted my dad dead. My dad and I were close, too."

"I really am sorry." Lily said, putting a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah. Me too." He said. Lily was slightly taken aback that he didn't demand for her to take back her sympathy.

"You wanna talk about it?" Lily offered.

"I've been talking about it all day with McGonagall and Dumbledore." James said quietly. "They say Voldemort's after me, now, too." 

"James, you really do have to be careful." Lily said. "I mean, just look what he's done to me-- and I'm not even related to a Hogwarts founder."

James turned away from the wall, and looked at Lily. "Those things shouldn't have happened to you." He replied.

"But they did." She shrugged. "And I'm fine, now."

"But those nights that the Death Eaters came…"

"We're fine, James. You don't have to worry about me." She said, squeezing his shoulder.

"I guess." He sighed. "I just hope that nothing else happens this year."

"Are you kidding?" Lily joked. "This year has been so much fun!"

"Yeah. A ball."

"Well, I'll just leave so you can get some sleep." Lily smiled. "Night."

"G'night. And thanks, Lily." James said, as he removed his glasses.

"No problem." Lily grinned, as she pulled the door shut.