Back again! Wow, okay, getting really close to being finished. Then I'll be done with fanficiton for a while, until I can come up with a story good enough for you guys. Too bad you all have expectations for my writing by now! LOL! I hope I don't let you down with whatever I choose to write about. Hehe!

You know what kind of gum is absolutely delicious? Koolerz from Carefree. Yum! It's sooo juicy! I especially like the lemonade kind. But the flavor wears off really fast, but it's still tasty.

School is almost over!—HEY!—School is almost over! (I'm doing a victory dance right now, but you just can't tell.)

Oh! I getta go see "Hairspray" tomorrow with my school! YEE!

Anyway! Only 8 more chapters plus epilogue! I wonder if I'll post the epilogue in one chunk? I dunno, tell me what you think!

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Chapter 31

The Night Begins

For the next few days, the only thing on Lily's mind was the previous night. Of course, she told James about what she and Belle had come upon. He was angry that they hadn't brought him along, but excited to hear the news.

"So, he says he'll be breaking in soon? Are you sure he didn't say when?" James repeated again and again.

"As I've said, he said sometime next week—but no certain day." Lily replied.

But poor Belle just couldn't get over the fact that their supposed friend was a Death Eater. She seemed to think that it was her fault for not watching her more carefully. But Lily tried to convince her that maybe Madison was just destined to serve the Dark Lord.

But, at the moment, the more pressing problem was in the full moon on Friday. Remus would be off to the Shrieking Shack—but what about Joe? Would he become a werewolf? Or would he return to the castle as a little boy?

Early on Friday morning, Remus and Joe left the common room together, and headed to the hospital wing. Lily and James stayed sitting rigidly in chairs, waiting anxiously to see if Joe would return, or for classes-- whichever came first.

But he didn't return before nine o'clock. Lily's insides were squirming as they made their way through the halls to Transfiguration. Surely Madam Pomfry could tell if he would be a werewolf by now…

But even as lunch rolled around, Joe wasn't back. So Lily's uneasy stomach remained. It was so unnerving, that she started to wonder if she was really worried about Joe. Could it be that her safety felt totally violated knowing what was lurking in the forest, waiting for the right moment to strike? Maybe it was just knowing that the end could possibly be near. But all that Lily knew for sure was that she didn't like this feeling of anticipation—whether for a friend, or a serious foe.

Finally though, as the afternoon came near to a close, Joe came strolling into the common room with a visible spring in his step. Lily could have kissed him. A huge wave of relief had flooded through her: Remus wouldn't be in trouble—there would be no unanswerable questions—and most importantly, Remus could stay at Hogwarts.

Now there was only one thing to worry about, and nothing to keep her mind away from it. Danger was on its way. And she, Belle, and James were the only ones who knew it.

The days passed slowly. Half of the time, Lily expected a teacher to come screaming through the halls that Voldemort had arrived. But no teachers came. Honestly, Lily wasn't sure if this was good or bad.

Just waiting for news was terrible. Lily couldn't sleep soundly anymore. Tossing and turning occurred every night. The other girls in her dormitory seemed to notice her discomfort, but didn't say much about it. Any day now… Kept lurking in her mind.

But Monday passed… and Tuesday… and soon, it was Friday, and Lily knew that it was nearly time. Only two days left in the week…

But dinner skidded by with no word of a break in, or of any sightings of the Dark Lord.

Saturday… Surely he'll come Saturday.

But he didn't. But this time, Lily was truly getting scared. The waiting was murder! When would he come? When would it be over?

"Okay, when he comes go to Moody's office. Remember that, Lily. Moody's office." James kept on repeating at the most random times.

Lily would just reply, "Right. Moody's office. Okay."

It was moments like this that made Lily feel like her fears weren't just hers—and James was feeling the same way. He'll come Sunday… Definitely Sunday…

On Sunday morning, Lily got a letter from Amos. She nervously opened it, almost fearing what he would write back, after her near answer last time.

My Dearest Lily,

            You might just be saying that only to keep me off of your back. And really, I don't care if you are. I'm glad that you'll at least consider my offers of affection, for all of them are still intact and just as sincere as ever before.

It's funny, you know. Just when I think I've lost you, you come back-- well, almost. I think that's what I like the best about you. You keep me on my toes, and it's always interesting to see what you'll pull out of your sleeve next!

Every time I see your letters, Lily, I can't help but smile. It's good to talk to you. You say that you hardly know me-- but I feel like I've known you forever. And I want to give you the chance to know me the same way.

I think about you constantly. I just wonder if you ever think of me.

Well, no matter. I won't scare you with my foolish love talk. How about this: tell me about Hogwarts?

I remember my days as a Prefect, and you're better: Head Girl, Lily! And soon you'll be graduating. Have you given any thought to what you'll do after school? I'm sure that you want to move out of your house, seeing as few people will ever be there. You know, you could always scratch that! Ha! I'd rather ask you in person.

Anyway, I hope to see you soon. Maybe after graduation day!

But until next time,

 I'm yours,

Amos Diggory         

Amos! Lily felt like screaming. Although, his letter did intrigue her. What was he planning to ask her? Maybe Monday…

"Lemme get this straight—we go to Moody's? Then the owlery?" Belle asked Lily for the hundredth time.

"Yes. Moody's." Lily nodded. This question was getting old. Tuesday, for sure… it's been two weeks…

Remus and Sirius approached Lily on Tuesday, confronting her about everything she knew about Voldemort. So James had spilled. Apparently, late at night, he couldn't stand the pressure, and he had to tell someone—just as Lily had with Belle. So Wednesday… He'll come Wednesday.

Lily's fingernails were now reduced to nubs from biting them in worry and expectancy. Having shorter nails certainly helped when playing her flute in Muggle Music that day. Playing helped calm Lily's nerves and gave her a sense of security. If she had to feel jumpy outside, at least music could soothe her insides.

"You're sounding very good, Lily." The Professor commented, as Lily played her song passionately. "You really have a talent for music, you know."

Her eyes skimmed the notes, and they jumped and danced across the page. It was almost like a magical spell within itself. Sure, it may not produce a charm, but it enchanted and relieved Lily's soul… and that's what she needed right now. Maybe Thursday…

Lily awoke on Thursday with a strange sense of self-assurance. After all, it had been almost three weeks since that night in the forest. Perhaps this whole break in was just a false alarm, and Voldemort really had no intention of coming to Hogwarts while there were students present.

So she happily went to History of Magic that afternoon, feeling quite good. She sat down in her desk, and tried to get comfortable in the scrawny wooden desk. She pulled out some random notes, but really wasn't planning on taking any new ones. And as Professor Binns floated eerily into the room, Lily and the other students around her assumed their bored and sleepy faces that they saved especially for his lectures.

"Now then, the Goblin Rebellion of 1891 proved to be a success for the Ministry." Binns droned tonelessly.

"Another rebellion?" Sirius audibly whispered. "How many can they have?"

"Goblins are rambunctious!" Binns shouted at him. Lily snorted with laughter into her hand. "There is nothing to be said about it!"

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir." Sirius replied, mimicking a private in the army and dramatically saluting the teacher.

"I'll have none of your shenanigans today, Mr. Black! Detention!" Binns yelled. James laughed, and so Binns turned on him. "One for you as well, Mr. Potter!" Now that the two troublemakers were with detentions, Binns felt satisfied enough to continue with his speech.

But, very suddenly, a loud, donging bell sounded throughout the classroom. Lily sat up straight. Had she fallen asleep? She thought that class had just started.

"Oh, honestly!" Binns groaned. "Stay seated! Class is not finished!" He directed his class as he whooshed through a wall and out of the room. James caught Lily's eye, and motioned her over. She hurried to his side.

"Yeah?" She said softly. She didn't need to worry about anyone hearing her, though, for everyone was chattering amongst themselves.

"You don't think…?"

"Don't think what?" Lily asked him quickly, knowing full well what he was about to suggest.

"Voldemort… you know." James muttered, glancing behind him.

"No, he couldn't… it's a false alarm, I'm sure of it. It's been over two weeks." But the tone of Lily's voice gave her away.

Binns came floating back into the room, beckoning everyone to follow him down to the Grand Hall. James hurried ahead to talk to the ghost of a Professor, but Lily grabbed his elbow.

"Should we go to Moody's?" She asked him. "We should get a head start, don't you think?"

"No, let's find out what's going on first. You might be right—it could be a false alarm or something." Said James encouragingly.

"Okay. If you say so."

"Yeah. Okay." He replied. But he just stared at his arm. "You can let go of me now, Lily."

"Oh!" She said, realizing that she was still clinging to his upper-arm. She quickly released her grasp. "Sorry."

"Let's catch up with the others." He suggested, as the rest of their class turned a corner.

When the group of students reached the marble stairs, they found that everyone at Hogwarts was congregated at the school's entrance.

"Look—there's Dumbledore!" Sirius said, nudging Lily in the ribs. And so he was. Many pupils were rushing up to the Headmaster, trying to find out what exactly was going on. Lily, Belle, and the Marauders dashed down the steps, trying to catch up with Professor Dumbledore. But they were too late. He had opened the doors, and his voice became magically thunderous. He shouted for everyone to make his or her way into the Grand Hall.

The stampede of students was huge. Lily and her friends were pushed and shoved into the Hall. Everyone seemed to know that something serious was going on, but what?

"Hey, Evans!" Someone shouted. Lily spun around.

"Yes?" She shouted over the heads of a group of confused looking fourth year Ravenclaws, who skirted around her and the marauders, who had created a sort of rock in the river of students. She saw that Lucius and Siverus were trying to make their way over to Lily and James.

"They're coming." Lucius whispered in her ear as they passed.

"What the hell does that mean?" Lily said to him. He only smirked, and motioned for Snape to follow him.

"Be careful, Lily…" Snape muttered as he passed. "Don't do anything stupid…"

"Can you believe the two of them?" She steamed.

"I know," James said gravely, putting a hand on her back, and shoving her forward. "But for now, let's get in the Grand Hall."

When everyone was inside, the doors were slammed closed. The Hall grew silent, and the echo of the doors rang in everyone's ears. Dumbledore stood up from the head table and looked out at his students. There was something different about him… he looked sad, and for the first time, almost old.

"Students." He began. His voice was heavy and stern. The Hall was dead silent, waiting for what the Headmaster would say next. "I have been informed by the Ministry of Magic that the Dark Lord Voldemort has been seen in the Forbidden Forest on grounds." He paused, while everyone excepting Lily, James, Remus, Sirius, Peter and Belle looked around nervously.

Whispers of disbelief and worries surrounded Lily. Suddenly, it felt like there was something strong pressing down on her chest. It was happening… he was coming… She looked up at the enchanted ceiling—almost trying to find something solid to hold on to. The sky above her was turning as deep red as fire as the sun began to set behind the mountains far away.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, and everyone grew quiet again. "Rumors say that he will be coming here. I want no one to panic. The Ministry Aurors are on their way, and we will do everything in our power to assure your safety. Dinner will be served in your common rooms, and I must expressly forbid anyone to leave their dormitories until told otherwise by your Heads of House. Please follow your Prefects to your Houses."

It was a mad rush for the door. Lily and her friends tried to hang back, so as not to be caught in the current of scurrying students. Lily glanced up at the head table before closing the door behind them, and Moody was staring at her with both of his terrifying eyes. She knew what they had to do, but she was just afraid to do it.