Chapter 8- the after math
As the Hogwarts began to pull to a halt James kissed Lily sweetly on the
lips.
"Honey, were here." He whispered. "You must have been tired, you slept the whole journey." He smiled at her as her eyelashes fluttered and then moved
apart revealing her beautiful emerald eyes.
"James, I don't want to go back." She stuttered nervously.
"It'll be ok, I'll be beside you all the way." As they both got up, James gave Lily a hug comforting her and making her feel braver. But being brave
wasn't a good quality of hers; she'd prefer to hide away.
"Come on Lil's we'll protect you." Sirius stated from where he had been sitting watching them. He got up and linked his arm in hers, James doing the same on the other side of her. They led her to a carriage, which took them up to Hogwarts. But even Lily couldn't ignore all the students getting
off the train who were staring at her.
"Guys, why is everyone looking at us?" She whispered her voice small and quivering. James and Sirius exchanged nervous glances.
"Well, it. err seems that a lot of people may have read about. erm what has happened to you from. erm the err daily prophet." James said. "And they made you out to be very powerful and hinting that all the stuff which happened since my mother died was all connected between us. And well they kinda reported the news of the dark lord, his rising to power." He finished lamely. Lily looked up into his eyes, stopping herself James and Sirius in their tracks.
"So. so... Everyone knows?" Her voice was shaky and full of fright.
"Well, most people. who. who get the daily prophet. It was front page."
Lily started crying. She already had to handle her parent's deaths; all she needed now was the whole school staring at her, seeing how she was and saying sorry for her loss. She didn't want any extra attention especially for such a delicate matter. She couldn't face the school, not yet. James sensed this. "Lily would you like to go up to the heads common room with Sirius. I'll go in to the great hall and have a quiet word with Dumbledore and get him to send a house elf up with some food."
"Ok. That sounds good. Thanks, but I'm not hungry." James frowned at her. She was deathly pale and had lost quite a bit of weight in just one week. The sparkle in her eyes was faint and her hair was less vibrant.
"You're eating something even if I have to force you." He stated firmly. Sirius led her up to the heads common room slowly, as she felt very fragile to him like a porcelain figurine, which could break at any moment.
"Sirius, what happened to your mother?" Lily questioned when they were seated on the opposing sofas in the heads common room. Sirius looked at her cautiously. He thought James would have told her.
"You don't know?" She shook her head. "Well, she, she died a few years back. During child birth."
"Ow, I'm sorry." She replied guiltily, regretting having asked now.
"Don't be."
"Do you ever get scared? Like scared you'll forget her?" She choked out.
"I was at first. But I know I'll never forget her. And she'll always be with me in here." Sirius paused pointing to his heat. "And you will never forget your parents, you loved them dearly they will always be a part of you. Instead of mourning their deaths you should celebrate what a life they had. They would want you to go on with your life and do well for yourself. That's why they had you so you could have those opportunities, so you could live your life and be successful. And you are Lily; James saw it from the moment he met you. He knew you were a powerful witch and he proved that to me he proved that to you he proved that to the teachers and the ministry. But he would never have been able to do so without you believing in yourself. I know it won't be easy but you have to move on." Lily looked at him sceptically. "When I say move on, it's not that final because you an always take the memories you shared with your parents and love with you." Sirius smiled and sat next to lily placing his arm around her shoulders. "I'll always be here to talk to. You know that. I've lost a parent; James never had a proper parent. We're both here for you." Lily gave him a watery smile and sighed.
"Thanks Sirius, you know you're right. They would want me to move on and get good NEWTs and be the best in the field I choose to go into."
Mean while James had entered the great hall, and like at the welcoming feast at the beginning of the year the hall fell quiet. He walked down the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. He smiled nervously at Remus and Peter, and made his way to Dumbledore. Every person's eyes followed him. Where was Lily they thought? It had been well known that they were dating and that they normally entered the hall together.
"Mr Potter?" Dumbledore questioned, yet he seemed far from curious as to why James was there.
"Sir I've come to ask your permission for Lily, Sirius and myself to have our dinner in the head students lounge? As Lily doesn't feel quite up to facing the school tonight." Dumbledore gave him a small smile.
"I'll notify the house elves to bring you some food. It is best that Miss Evans only has to emerge when she feels comfortable to. Although I would prefer you to coax her into it sooner rather then later as it only gets harder the longer it's left."
"Yes sir. And don't worry about the house elves I'll get them sorted. Thank you." James turned and started making his way back out of the still silent great hall. He glared around and every one turned and began talking swiftly.
"JAMES!" Crystal called from the Ravenclaw table. James headed towards her. "James how's Lily? Poor thing. Is there any way we can help?" James gave her a warm smile.
"She's as can be expected having just had both parents murdered." He said grimly. Then thinking about what Dumbledore had just said, carried on. "Yeah, can you come to the Head common room tonight and see Lil's for me? I want her to get settled in and that might help a bit?" Crystal smiled widely.
"Course we will." And James gave her swift instructions on how to get there and the password; he did the same with Remus and Peter, then left to get the house elves. 15 minutes later he came through the Head common room door, arms full of butter beers and 5 house elves with plenty of food following him.
"You raided our secret stash mate?" Sirius questioned.
"All in good cause my mate." James replied. "Now Lily I know you didn't really want to face anyone, but your friend were worried about you, so I told them to come up later to see you. Is that ok?" Lily got up and kissed her boyfriend passionately on the lips.
"I love you, you know. Always thinking of me." She hugged him and he looked at Sirius, surprised- who just winked at him and finally he hugged her back.
"I love you too." He said happily, his Lily was returning to him. Later on that evening Crystal, Haley, Andi, Remus and Peter entered the heads common cautiously. Lily stood up and the all exchanged nervous glances. Then suddenly all 3 girls jumped on Lily embracing her in a tight group hug, all crying and commiserating her loss. The boys all looked at each other dazed. They'd never really seen girl's affections for each other before. It took them back a bit. For them it would be brotherly hug or a manly slap on the back. Not a big heap of touchy feely cryey stuff. James Remus and peter just looked at each other stunned. But Sirius seemed amused.
"And me, I'm sorry too!" He exclaimed jumping in the middle. The girls all laughed at him and Andi slapped him upside the head. He grinned at her as if to say do that again!
"What next? We all going to put night dresses on and have a pillow fight?" He asked more hopefully then jokingly.
"Sirius, I don't think you'd look too good in a nighty." Lily replied smirking. James was glad to see her coming into herself.
"Well I think it would show off my gorgeous legs a treat. But honestly all I can say is, I wouldn't have to see me and I would get to see you in one."
*COUGH* James coughed loudly and Sirius grinned at him sheepishly. "Do you mind keeping your pervy mind off my girl friend." He grinned Sirius stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I would... But she's such a pretty lass it's hard not to!" James jumped on him and they rolled around having a play fight causing the others to laugh. Then James sat next to Lily pretending to be the injured soldier and she fussed ruefully over him. Sirius tried the same with Andi but instead got another slap. So he resorted to Remus. Later that night, after they had all had a general chat, everyone left, except Lily and James. As Lily had fallen asleep again on James' lap and he was unable to move. But he didn't mind. He laid his head back and hugged Lily closer to him protecting her from all the troubles their world had come into. The next morning when James woke up, it took him a minute to realise where he was and when he did he noticed Lily was missing. On a further inspection he saw his school robes hanging over the opposite sofa. He looked at his watch and found he only had 20 minutes till lessons began He jumped up quickly, throwing on his school robes. Not pausing until he heard a small giggling behind him. He turned and met a pair of emerald eyes, sparkling into his own- their old sparkle, the one he fell in love with.
"Where's the fire?" Lily asked sarcastically.
"I overslept." He grinned sheepishly.
"Just as well I had the common sense to get your uniform for you then. And..." She held up 2 plates of food. "I've been to the kitchen!" He smiled at her.
"What would I do with out you?" he said.
"I don't know." She giggled, "But you have your shirt on inside out!" He looked down at his half-done up shirt and blushed. Which only made her giggle more.
"So you're going to lessons?" He asked.
"Yep. That's why I have my uniform on." She joked.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." He smiled a small unsure smile at her. And Lily's eyes began to fill with water.
"Well I don't... but, well they wouldn't want me to mope around. They'd want me to be happy and do well in my NEWT's- I'm gonna them proud." She began to pull herself together, "Plus, someone's gotta keep you in check, don't they." She gave him a watery grin and he hugged her.
What we got first?" James asked.
"Well, I've got transfiguration and you my man have potions with the Slytherins." He groaned whilst doing up his tie loosely. They had quick breakfast and set off for their lessons. Lily met up with her fellow Ravenclaw mates- they were all pleased to see her getting on with her life and not moping around. Allot of people were giving Lily stares, suprised she was back so soon. Professor Mcgonagal was one of these. She gave Lily a quick glance and a look of mild admiration and then went on with her role call. Her classmates were also all craning their necks to get a better look at her- probably to see if she was crying or something. But she summoned the strength inside herself to ignore it. She put 110% into her lesson and managed to be the first to transfigure all of the animals in front of her to water goblets. And at the end of the class she was sat proudly admiring her 7 water goblets in front of her. She had also received 5 points to Ravenclaw for answering a couple of questions correctly. As everyone was leaving Mcgonagall called her to stay behind, beaming at her. Seeing Mcgonagall smile was rare- let alone this.
"Miss Evans, I am so proud of you. That has to have been the best performance I have seen from you."
"Well in light o0f recent events I wanted to prove myself that I can do anything... I want to think my parents would be proud of me and that they did not die in vein."
"Well keep it up and you will easily over ride my top students. I dare say they are more mischief then their worth... Ah Mr Potter. What can I do for you?" James was standing against the doorframe, arms crossed and grinning smugly.
"Talking about me again professor? Ah well it can't be helped." Lily smiled at him.
"Yeah says the boy who can't even put his shirt on the right way..."
"I actually came to escort Miss Evans to her next lesson." He cut in.
Mcgonagal looked at him sternly. "I believe you just had potions? Did you not? May I ask how you managed to make it up here in time for the bell?" James put on an Innocent smile (Or the best one he could achieve!)
"Well, Mr dear old Professor dismissed me early."
"Is that so?" James grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her out the door.
"Ow by the way she may be talking with you about a detention or something?" He yelled behind them. Lily looked at him crossly.
"You got sent out?"
"But for you." James said, giving her big puppy dog eyes. She weakened and smiled kissing him on the cheek.
"I'm still cross." She said grinning at his expression and ran off, James chasing her. But as she rounded the corner she bumped into some very unwelcome people. Severus Snape was talking to a group of his fellow Slytherins Snape looked down at his feet to see the cause of the sudden disruption to his little conversation.
"Ow lookey it's the head mudblood." Lily scowled at him, getting up and dusting herself off at the same time. "I'd be careful where you walk these day's Mudblood. Filth like you isn't welcome these days and you'll be going the same way as you pathetic Muggle parents. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Ow look, the blood traitor is here to protect his girlfriend." The group of Slytherins laughed again.
"Lily..." James said out of breath after having chased her so far. James saw Lily, then Snape and furrowed his eyebrows. Snape saw him looking at Lily then purposely stood in front of her, his friends circling around her also. There was now no way of James reaching her easily.
"Potter." Snape spat. "Can we help you?"
"Yeah move, now." James said stepping forward.
"Ow but I would. It's just we quite fancied a little. lets say, chat. With your little mudblood of a girlfriend. Don't worry, we won't hurt her. We were merely telling her how happy we were for her." Snape continued taunting James, egging him on so he got really angry. "How she must be so pleased to finally get rid of the scum, some people would have called her parents." Lily who was being held back by Avery (who happened to be 10 times the size she was) broke free and jumped at Snape. Who was laughing silkily. Avery grabbed her again and James started for him. Snape was brushing his robs where Lily had touched them. "Ugh I'm going to have to send these to be washed now." He said cruelly, a malicious grin playing across his face. "Did that comment hurt? Ow I'm awfully sorry for stating the truth." He turned to James whilst Lily struggled against Avery. "Now you, your dad was a top man. I enjoyed talking to him. Always had his morals in the right place. How he managed to raise a blood traitor is beyond me." James was seething, then Avery pushed Lily who was struggling against him and she fell to the floor with a loud thump and an "Ow" that did it. James lunged forward his fists in front of him, hitting every thing in reaching distance, which happened to mainly be Snapes, face. The male Slytherins all bundled on top of James who was loosing the battle badly- He had always been the one to come off better in a fight but this was at least 5 on one. Lily was on the floor and the 3 Slytherin girls were shouting egging Snape and his cronies on. Lily needed to help her boyfriend quickly; he'd be unconscious if it continued. She grabbed her wand and bellowed a spell.
"Restrictium!" instead of just one of the boys falling to the ground, bound in rope, they all did. Including James. The 3 girls looked at Lily as though she was some sort of freak and ran off scared she would hex them.
She muttered the counter curse pointing her wand at James who got up slowly looking worse for wear. He was squinting through one eye, which was all puffy and red, his nose and lip were both bleeding and he seemed to have a limp when he walked towards her. Lily supported James and as they left Lily looked back at the Slytherins.
"I hope you're happy with yourselves. You may have just held me back Insulted the hell out of me and Beat my boyfriend up. But at the end of the day who won the battle? I'm not sure but where I'm standing, your all laying on your backs tied up, awaiting Professor Mcgonagal who will be here to sort you out with detentions, once I tell her of what just happened. Your the ones who have just had 10 points taken off Slytherin for you actions EACH by the head girl. And at the end of the day you're the ones who will get their come uppance for being foul minded in thinking you are superior in this world against Muggle borns. You are not superior- no one is. And one day those who believe they are will have to come crashing down to earth with a big thud. I will personally make sure of it EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!" Lily looked at them again triumphantly this time. And helped her injured boyfriend to the hospital wing which he insisted he didn't need to go to.
She then went and found the deputy head who was disgusted by the actions of her pupils and rushed off to find the head of Slytherin to discus their punishment. So at the end of the day Lily had only managed to attend the first and last lesson. She had spent the morning waiting for James to be sorted out. Luckily Madame Pomfrey was able to fix him up real good; he was only left with his limp and the remains of his black eye, which would heal by the next morning. . But nobody failed to notice their disappearance. And at lunch when James came limping into the great hall being helped by Lily, no one knew what to think. Every one had looked up to James, thinking he could win any battle. He was smart, funny and until now indestructible. Of course rumours went flying round, but James thought that they could all believe what they wanted- he was used to this by now. Lily went to join the Griffindor table to sit next to her injured soldier, who this time really was injured. And he looked after his little flower, because of course this was their first meal in the great hall since before their dreaded Christmas holiday. Together they had accumulated an awful lot of attention. So Sirius brought it upon himself to draw it away from them and to him instead. He climbed up on to the Griffindor table and muttered a careful spell. His wand was now a microphone and he began to sing a sappy love song.
"When I was young, I never needed anyone. And making love was just for fun. But now it's gone." (Authors note this song I decided was perfect but I don't really know the lyrics so bear with me!) He looked over to the Ravenclaw table and pointed his wand there saying a charm and pretty sparkly confetti began to fall over Andi, who was scowling. "All by my seeeelf, do wana be all by myself anymore." He jumped off his table onto the Ravenclaw table standing before Andi, still singing. The crowd was all staring their way, clapping along, cheering and wolf whistling. Sirius, who had an absolutely awful singing voice (But didn't care), loved every second. Andi however was less than impressed. Just as suddenly as Sirius had started he stopped, put his wand away, knelt in front of Andi and whispered something in her ear. She stood up outraged, slapped him shouting,
"NO I WILL NOT. AND DON'T CALL ME ANDROMEDA!!!!!" and she stormed out of the hall. Crystal stood up to.
"What did you say to her?" She asked.
"I asked her out." Sirius stated dreamily touching his red raw face where she had hit him, sighing. "Women." He was heard saying as he jumped off the table and re took his seat opposite James. He and Lily were laughing at him.
"You shouldn't wind her up like that, you know Sirius. If she had thought you were, well, serious, then she could've been really hurt." Lily stated through her smile. Sirius got back up heading out of the hall.
"But I was Serious!" He muttered to himself disappointedly. Then he grinned and said. "But hard to get is more fun." Over the next few weeks Lily came out of her shell allot more. She seemed dependant on James who looked after her like a gentleman. He never once complained. She would be attending her parents funeral in the Easter holidays, James wanted to go with her but she insisted on going by herself, that she had already bee a burden to him and that she needed to be alone to be able to say goodbye properly to them. But that was in a couple of weeks time. Meanwhile James had his own worries- or more like reliefs. He had been sent an official Ministry letter in forming him that his father Robert Potter had passed away in Azkaban. James was truly glad; he no longer had to worry about him. Peter and Crystal were always in each other's pockets and Haley had become a permanent member at the Slytherin table. She had clearly changed. She no longer hung around with her Ravenclaw friends using one-word answers if they dared talk to her. Rabastan Lestrange had taken her under his wing and corrupted her sweet ways. Finally Sirius had taken to stalking Andi. He would wait for her after class as James would for Lily (They usually got sent out together anyway) then he would follow her around asking her out, trying to take her hand- anything. But she always blew him off, often retreating to the library as she knew how he had vowed not to step foot in their. It was like claiming "Sanctuary" In a church! She was untouchable. Sirius had even gonna as far as charming both his own and Andromeda's robes red on valentines day- having his and hers robes! He also sent her a dozen roses and cast a spell on a suit of armour to follow her round the corridors sprinkling her with pink heart shaped confetti. Andi wasn't impressed nor was filch for that matter. Later that night she stormed into the great hall and in front of everyone she gave him a what for.
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ANNOY ME SOOOOOO MUCH?" She bellowed. Everyone in the hall stopped talking to see what was going on.
"I would have thought it would be quite nice being chased by one of Hogwarts finest bachelors." Sirius smirked.
"YOU THINK YOU ONE OF HOGWARTS FINEST BACHELORS? THAT'S A GOOD ONE! MORE LIKE HOGWARTS FINEST BIGHEADED BAFOON WHO ONLY KNOWS HOW TO PARADE AROUND LIKE HE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL, WHEN HE CLEARLY IS NOT!!!" Sirius looked at her a little hurt.
"I just wanted to go out with you." He stated.
"Well, I said no... And I meant it." Sirius frowned.
"You are just so scared because your parents don't love each other any more and you don't want to feel like that! You're afraid if you go out with someone they will break your heart." Sirius said that in a whisper so nobody else heard. It seemed to hit a nerve as well.
"That's not true." She replied in a deadly whisper.
"Really- then how many boyfriends have you had?" Andi looked at him hurt clear in her eyes; she turned and left the great hall. Sirius watched her until she left then hit his head against the table and left it there.
Later on that night he had Lily attacking him seeing what he had said, because Andi had been in her room crying ever since. Sirius just looked straight through her not really acknolaging her presence. She looked at James for help.
"He's been like that ever since it happened. I think he really, really likes her. Even when he was after Claire he never acted like this. In fact he's never really showed any emotion when it comes to girls."
"Yeah he's acting like prongs did when he first liked Lily and she told him she liked Sirius." Remus added. Lily blushed at the embarrassing thought of her past.
But what ever they felt for each other, from that point on, both Andi and Sirius blanked the other whenever they saw each other. They had hurt themselves deep and the wounds would be hard to heal. The next few months passed so quickly for the seventh years. They had been piled with so much homework and revision; even the Marauders were struggling with it. Instead of using the headroom to make out, Lily and James were now using it to study peacefully and to avoid getting caught up in the Andi Vs Sirius rivalry. This was their space where they could be alone and even though they were busy concentrating, they were still together.
But unlike James and unlike Peter, Remus didn't have a girlfriend to escape to and had to endure Sirius going on about how much he hated Andi 24/7. Then he would escape and bump into Andi who would go on about how much she hated Sirius 24/7. He felt like just locking them in a room together and refusing to let them out until they admitted they like one another. An intriguing thought. How else could they have hurt each other so much with those petty words?
It was now the Easter holidays and James was holding Lily round the waist hugging her good bye. He had a foreboding feeling and didn't want to let go. But she had to; she needed to say good bye to her parents. James wasn't going but had insisted that she stayed with Claire who was more than happy to look after her. Lily gave him a last kiss.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She smiled.
"Owl me when you get there?" He asked like a mother worrying about her daughter.
"Course." She replied. And as the whistle blew, she stepped onto the train. James watched as it left. He had a weird feeling of her departing on her own; it felt like a sign of what was to come. But he wiped that thought out of his mind and set off back up to the castle him and Sirius had allot of planning to do and it was the perfect opportunity with out Lily there. That week James was restless with out Lily there to talk to. So he and Sirius ended up in Hogsmeade every day. On the Monday James and Sirius were chilling in the 3 broomsticks, chatting to Madame Rosemerta and helping James write his graduation speech.
On the Tuesday Sirius went with James to choose the smartest dress robes they could find. He wanted to look the best he could.
On the Wednesday they ordered some floral decorations for James to decorate the lake area with. They would arrive graduation morning.
On Thursday James and Sirius went ring shopping. James had managed to measure Lily's ring finger one night when she had fallen asleep on his lap after having studied so hard. It was actually quite convenient. They searched every shop in Hogsmeade for the perfect ring and just as lick would have it, in the only shop left, they found it. The dusty, shabby old shop had not looked much to the naked eye but when entered, it had a wide variety of rare metals and precious stones. On just briefly scanning the shelves, James had found what he wanted. It was 24 carrot gold finished with a square cut emerald which was such a deep, intense green, it could only match one thing in James' mind. Lily's eyes. When he looked at the ring he could see Lily wearing it. He could see her saying yes. He bought it. And it found itself being locked in his trunk.
On the Friday James and Sirius found themselves back in the 3 broomsticks this time working on James' proposal.
Remus and Peter had began to wonder about their mates sudden disappearances and that night questioned them about it.
"Guys, where have you been going so much recently?" Remus said to them.
"Yeah, we've had a whole week off and not one prank has been done." Peter added. James and Sirius exchanged a shifty grin and James nodded. Sirius stood before them all in a noble manor.
"Gentlemen, we are good friends. No. The best of friends. We have grown up together. Played juvenile pranks with each other and caused this school mayhem, beyond all expectations. Now I am not saying any of this will stop. However there comes a time where a boy turns into a man and he has to act more Sirius. I mean Serious. And it seems that our own James is now coming of age as he is readying himself to take the next step in his life. He is attaching the old ball and chain, as one may say." James thumped Sirius in the shoulder. "Ouch!"
"Somewhere in all that rubbish, Sirius basically said it. I'm going to ask Lily to marry me." He grinned. Remus and Peter's mouths dropped in shock.
"But you're only 18?" Remus whispered.
"And I can't imagine a day in my life I would want to spend with out her." James replied without any room for argument.
Mean while Lily was sitting next to he parents newly put up graves, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She had put a single white Lily on top of each and was just sitting drowning in her own thoughts. It was a couple of hours ago that she had been watching their coffins being placed delicately down the newly dug holes. And now it seemed final. She would never see her parents again. Never hear their voice or feel their touch. It was all a little unbearable. She buried her head in her hands, not noticing the small cloaked woman standing behind her watching her, greedily.
"Terrible to lose someone you loved. Isn't it?" She said quietly taking a place next to Lily. "My great grandmother left this world a year ago today, wonderful woman she was, standing up in the ministry for what is best for our kind." Lily looked up, her eyes meeting the beautiful heavy lidded ones of the woman who stood before her. Was Lily talking about what she thought she was? "Our world". "You're Lily Evans aren't you? Your parents, they were murdered weren't they?" Bellatrix Black said straight to the point. She had no time, nor patience for heirs and graces for this common mudblood. She was here on her master's orders and she would get on with it.
Lily nodded. Bellatrix smiled in a sympathetic manor.
"That must be awful. Your going out with Robert Potters son aswell aren't you?"
"Yes, James." Lily stated not knowing who this was and slightly bothered about how much she seemed to know.
"Well, if I were you I'd be rather worried." Bellatrix said in an off hand manor.
"Why?" Lily asked curiously.
"Well, if my parents had been murdered because of me, and I knew there was some kind of evil dark lord after me. I'd be scared he'd go after the people I loved." Lily took this in, this lady, who ever she was, was right. James was in danger- and because of her. She turned around to ask the lay more, but she had gone.
Bellatrix had apperated away to safety laughing to herself how people could trust their friends let alone the "Kindness" of strangers.
As the Hogwarts began to pull to a halt James kissed Lily sweetly on the
lips.
"Honey, were here." He whispered. "You must have been tired, you slept the whole journey." He smiled at her as her eyelashes fluttered and then moved
apart revealing her beautiful emerald eyes.
"James, I don't want to go back." She stuttered nervously.
"It'll be ok, I'll be beside you all the way." As they both got up, James gave Lily a hug comforting her and making her feel braver. But being brave
wasn't a good quality of hers; she'd prefer to hide away.
"Come on Lil's we'll protect you." Sirius stated from where he had been sitting watching them. He got up and linked his arm in hers, James doing the same on the other side of her. They led her to a carriage, which took them up to Hogwarts. But even Lily couldn't ignore all the students getting
off the train who were staring at her.
"Guys, why is everyone looking at us?" She whispered her voice small and quivering. James and Sirius exchanged nervous glances.
"Well, it. err seems that a lot of people may have read about. erm what has happened to you from. erm the err daily prophet." James said. "And they made you out to be very powerful and hinting that all the stuff which happened since my mother died was all connected between us. And well they kinda reported the news of the dark lord, his rising to power." He finished lamely. Lily looked up into his eyes, stopping herself James and Sirius in their tracks.
"So. so... Everyone knows?" Her voice was shaky and full of fright.
"Well, most people. who. who get the daily prophet. It was front page."
Lily started crying. She already had to handle her parent's deaths; all she needed now was the whole school staring at her, seeing how she was and saying sorry for her loss. She didn't want any extra attention especially for such a delicate matter. She couldn't face the school, not yet. James sensed this. "Lily would you like to go up to the heads common room with Sirius. I'll go in to the great hall and have a quiet word with Dumbledore and get him to send a house elf up with some food."
"Ok. That sounds good. Thanks, but I'm not hungry." James frowned at her. She was deathly pale and had lost quite a bit of weight in just one week. The sparkle in her eyes was faint and her hair was less vibrant.
"You're eating something even if I have to force you." He stated firmly. Sirius led her up to the heads common room slowly, as she felt very fragile to him like a porcelain figurine, which could break at any moment.
"Sirius, what happened to your mother?" Lily questioned when they were seated on the opposing sofas in the heads common room. Sirius looked at her cautiously. He thought James would have told her.
"You don't know?" She shook her head. "Well, she, she died a few years back. During child birth."
"Ow, I'm sorry." She replied guiltily, regretting having asked now.
"Don't be."
"Do you ever get scared? Like scared you'll forget her?" She choked out.
"I was at first. But I know I'll never forget her. And she'll always be with me in here." Sirius paused pointing to his heat. "And you will never forget your parents, you loved them dearly they will always be a part of you. Instead of mourning their deaths you should celebrate what a life they had. They would want you to go on with your life and do well for yourself. That's why they had you so you could have those opportunities, so you could live your life and be successful. And you are Lily; James saw it from the moment he met you. He knew you were a powerful witch and he proved that to me he proved that to you he proved that to the teachers and the ministry. But he would never have been able to do so without you believing in yourself. I know it won't be easy but you have to move on." Lily looked at him sceptically. "When I say move on, it's not that final because you an always take the memories you shared with your parents and love with you." Sirius smiled and sat next to lily placing his arm around her shoulders. "I'll always be here to talk to. You know that. I've lost a parent; James never had a proper parent. We're both here for you." Lily gave him a watery smile and sighed.
"Thanks Sirius, you know you're right. They would want me to move on and get good NEWTs and be the best in the field I choose to go into."
Mean while James had entered the great hall, and like at the welcoming feast at the beginning of the year the hall fell quiet. He walked down the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. He smiled nervously at Remus and Peter, and made his way to Dumbledore. Every person's eyes followed him. Where was Lily they thought? It had been well known that they were dating and that they normally entered the hall together.
"Mr Potter?" Dumbledore questioned, yet he seemed far from curious as to why James was there.
"Sir I've come to ask your permission for Lily, Sirius and myself to have our dinner in the head students lounge? As Lily doesn't feel quite up to facing the school tonight." Dumbledore gave him a small smile.
"I'll notify the house elves to bring you some food. It is best that Miss Evans only has to emerge when she feels comfortable to. Although I would prefer you to coax her into it sooner rather then later as it only gets harder the longer it's left."
"Yes sir. And don't worry about the house elves I'll get them sorted. Thank you." James turned and started making his way back out of the still silent great hall. He glared around and every one turned and began talking swiftly.
"JAMES!" Crystal called from the Ravenclaw table. James headed towards her. "James how's Lily? Poor thing. Is there any way we can help?" James gave her a warm smile.
"She's as can be expected having just had both parents murdered." He said grimly. Then thinking about what Dumbledore had just said, carried on. "Yeah, can you come to the Head common room tonight and see Lil's for me? I want her to get settled in and that might help a bit?" Crystal smiled widely.
"Course we will." And James gave her swift instructions on how to get there and the password; he did the same with Remus and Peter, then left to get the house elves. 15 minutes later he came through the Head common room door, arms full of butter beers and 5 house elves with plenty of food following him.
"You raided our secret stash mate?" Sirius questioned.
"All in good cause my mate." James replied. "Now Lily I know you didn't really want to face anyone, but your friend were worried about you, so I told them to come up later to see you. Is that ok?" Lily got up and kissed her boyfriend passionately on the lips.
"I love you, you know. Always thinking of me." She hugged him and he looked at Sirius, surprised- who just winked at him and finally he hugged her back.
"I love you too." He said happily, his Lily was returning to him. Later on that evening Crystal, Haley, Andi, Remus and Peter entered the heads common cautiously. Lily stood up and the all exchanged nervous glances. Then suddenly all 3 girls jumped on Lily embracing her in a tight group hug, all crying and commiserating her loss. The boys all looked at each other dazed. They'd never really seen girl's affections for each other before. It took them back a bit. For them it would be brotherly hug or a manly slap on the back. Not a big heap of touchy feely cryey stuff. James Remus and peter just looked at each other stunned. But Sirius seemed amused.
"And me, I'm sorry too!" He exclaimed jumping in the middle. The girls all laughed at him and Andi slapped him upside the head. He grinned at her as if to say do that again!
"What next? We all going to put night dresses on and have a pillow fight?" He asked more hopefully then jokingly.
"Sirius, I don't think you'd look too good in a nighty." Lily replied smirking. James was glad to see her coming into herself.
"Well I think it would show off my gorgeous legs a treat. But honestly all I can say is, I wouldn't have to see me and I would get to see you in one."
*COUGH* James coughed loudly and Sirius grinned at him sheepishly. "Do you mind keeping your pervy mind off my girl friend." He grinned Sirius stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I would... But she's such a pretty lass it's hard not to!" James jumped on him and they rolled around having a play fight causing the others to laugh. Then James sat next to Lily pretending to be the injured soldier and she fussed ruefully over him. Sirius tried the same with Andi but instead got another slap. So he resorted to Remus. Later that night, after they had all had a general chat, everyone left, except Lily and James. As Lily had fallen asleep again on James' lap and he was unable to move. But he didn't mind. He laid his head back and hugged Lily closer to him protecting her from all the troubles their world had come into. The next morning when James woke up, it took him a minute to realise where he was and when he did he noticed Lily was missing. On a further inspection he saw his school robes hanging over the opposite sofa. He looked at his watch and found he only had 20 minutes till lessons began He jumped up quickly, throwing on his school robes. Not pausing until he heard a small giggling behind him. He turned and met a pair of emerald eyes, sparkling into his own- their old sparkle, the one he fell in love with.
"Where's the fire?" Lily asked sarcastically.
"I overslept." He grinned sheepishly.
"Just as well I had the common sense to get your uniform for you then. And..." She held up 2 plates of food. "I've been to the kitchen!" He smiled at her.
"What would I do with out you?" he said.
"I don't know." She giggled, "But you have your shirt on inside out!" He looked down at his half-done up shirt and blushed. Which only made her giggle more.
"So you're going to lessons?" He asked.
"Yep. That's why I have my uniform on." She joked.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." He smiled a small unsure smile at her. And Lily's eyes began to fill with water.
"Well I don't... but, well they wouldn't want me to mope around. They'd want me to be happy and do well in my NEWT's- I'm gonna them proud." She began to pull herself together, "Plus, someone's gotta keep you in check, don't they." She gave him a watery grin and he hugged her.
What we got first?" James asked.
"Well, I've got transfiguration and you my man have potions with the Slytherins." He groaned whilst doing up his tie loosely. They had quick breakfast and set off for their lessons. Lily met up with her fellow Ravenclaw mates- they were all pleased to see her getting on with her life and not moping around. Allot of people were giving Lily stares, suprised she was back so soon. Professor Mcgonagal was one of these. She gave Lily a quick glance and a look of mild admiration and then went on with her role call. Her classmates were also all craning their necks to get a better look at her- probably to see if she was crying or something. But she summoned the strength inside herself to ignore it. She put 110% into her lesson and managed to be the first to transfigure all of the animals in front of her to water goblets. And at the end of the class she was sat proudly admiring her 7 water goblets in front of her. She had also received 5 points to Ravenclaw for answering a couple of questions correctly. As everyone was leaving Mcgonagall called her to stay behind, beaming at her. Seeing Mcgonagall smile was rare- let alone this.
"Miss Evans, I am so proud of you. That has to have been the best performance I have seen from you."
"Well in light o0f recent events I wanted to prove myself that I can do anything... I want to think my parents would be proud of me and that they did not die in vein."
"Well keep it up and you will easily over ride my top students. I dare say they are more mischief then their worth... Ah Mr Potter. What can I do for you?" James was standing against the doorframe, arms crossed and grinning smugly.
"Talking about me again professor? Ah well it can't be helped." Lily smiled at him.
"Yeah says the boy who can't even put his shirt on the right way..."
"I actually came to escort Miss Evans to her next lesson." He cut in.
Mcgonagal looked at him sternly. "I believe you just had potions? Did you not? May I ask how you managed to make it up here in time for the bell?" James put on an Innocent smile (Or the best one he could achieve!)
"Well, Mr dear old Professor dismissed me early."
"Is that so?" James grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her out the door.
"Ow by the way she may be talking with you about a detention or something?" He yelled behind them. Lily looked at him crossly.
"You got sent out?"
"But for you." James said, giving her big puppy dog eyes. She weakened and smiled kissing him on the cheek.
"I'm still cross." She said grinning at his expression and ran off, James chasing her. But as she rounded the corner she bumped into some very unwelcome people. Severus Snape was talking to a group of his fellow Slytherins Snape looked down at his feet to see the cause of the sudden disruption to his little conversation.
"Ow lookey it's the head mudblood." Lily scowled at him, getting up and dusting herself off at the same time. "I'd be careful where you walk these day's Mudblood. Filth like you isn't welcome these days and you'll be going the same way as you pathetic Muggle parents. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Ow look, the blood traitor is here to protect his girlfriend." The group of Slytherins laughed again.
"Lily..." James said out of breath after having chased her so far. James saw Lily, then Snape and furrowed his eyebrows. Snape saw him looking at Lily then purposely stood in front of her, his friends circling around her also. There was now no way of James reaching her easily.
"Potter." Snape spat. "Can we help you?"
"Yeah move, now." James said stepping forward.
"Ow but I would. It's just we quite fancied a little. lets say, chat. With your little mudblood of a girlfriend. Don't worry, we won't hurt her. We were merely telling her how happy we were for her." Snape continued taunting James, egging him on so he got really angry. "How she must be so pleased to finally get rid of the scum, some people would have called her parents." Lily who was being held back by Avery (who happened to be 10 times the size she was) broke free and jumped at Snape. Who was laughing silkily. Avery grabbed her again and James started for him. Snape was brushing his robs where Lily had touched them. "Ugh I'm going to have to send these to be washed now." He said cruelly, a malicious grin playing across his face. "Did that comment hurt? Ow I'm awfully sorry for stating the truth." He turned to James whilst Lily struggled against Avery. "Now you, your dad was a top man. I enjoyed talking to him. Always had his morals in the right place. How he managed to raise a blood traitor is beyond me." James was seething, then Avery pushed Lily who was struggling against him and she fell to the floor with a loud thump and an "Ow" that did it. James lunged forward his fists in front of him, hitting every thing in reaching distance, which happened to mainly be Snapes, face. The male Slytherins all bundled on top of James who was loosing the battle badly- He had always been the one to come off better in a fight but this was at least 5 on one. Lily was on the floor and the 3 Slytherin girls were shouting egging Snape and his cronies on. Lily needed to help her boyfriend quickly; he'd be unconscious if it continued. She grabbed her wand and bellowed a spell.
"Restrictium!" instead of just one of the boys falling to the ground, bound in rope, they all did. Including James. The 3 girls looked at Lily as though she was some sort of freak and ran off scared she would hex them.
She muttered the counter curse pointing her wand at James who got up slowly looking worse for wear. He was squinting through one eye, which was all puffy and red, his nose and lip were both bleeding and he seemed to have a limp when he walked towards her. Lily supported James and as they left Lily looked back at the Slytherins.
"I hope you're happy with yourselves. You may have just held me back Insulted the hell out of me and Beat my boyfriend up. But at the end of the day who won the battle? I'm not sure but where I'm standing, your all laying on your backs tied up, awaiting Professor Mcgonagal who will be here to sort you out with detentions, once I tell her of what just happened. Your the ones who have just had 10 points taken off Slytherin for you actions EACH by the head girl. And at the end of the day you're the ones who will get their come uppance for being foul minded in thinking you are superior in this world against Muggle borns. You are not superior- no one is. And one day those who believe they are will have to come crashing down to earth with a big thud. I will personally make sure of it EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!" Lily looked at them again triumphantly this time. And helped her injured boyfriend to the hospital wing which he insisted he didn't need to go to.
She then went and found the deputy head who was disgusted by the actions of her pupils and rushed off to find the head of Slytherin to discus their punishment. So at the end of the day Lily had only managed to attend the first and last lesson. She had spent the morning waiting for James to be sorted out. Luckily Madame Pomfrey was able to fix him up real good; he was only left with his limp and the remains of his black eye, which would heal by the next morning. . But nobody failed to notice their disappearance. And at lunch when James came limping into the great hall being helped by Lily, no one knew what to think. Every one had looked up to James, thinking he could win any battle. He was smart, funny and until now indestructible. Of course rumours went flying round, but James thought that they could all believe what they wanted- he was used to this by now. Lily went to join the Griffindor table to sit next to her injured soldier, who this time really was injured. And he looked after his little flower, because of course this was their first meal in the great hall since before their dreaded Christmas holiday. Together they had accumulated an awful lot of attention. So Sirius brought it upon himself to draw it away from them and to him instead. He climbed up on to the Griffindor table and muttered a careful spell. His wand was now a microphone and he began to sing a sappy love song.
"When I was young, I never needed anyone. And making love was just for fun. But now it's gone." (Authors note this song I decided was perfect but I don't really know the lyrics so bear with me!) He looked over to the Ravenclaw table and pointed his wand there saying a charm and pretty sparkly confetti began to fall over Andi, who was scowling. "All by my seeeelf, do wana be all by myself anymore." He jumped off his table onto the Ravenclaw table standing before Andi, still singing. The crowd was all staring their way, clapping along, cheering and wolf whistling. Sirius, who had an absolutely awful singing voice (But didn't care), loved every second. Andi however was less than impressed. Just as suddenly as Sirius had started he stopped, put his wand away, knelt in front of Andi and whispered something in her ear. She stood up outraged, slapped him shouting,
"NO I WILL NOT. AND DON'T CALL ME ANDROMEDA!!!!!" and she stormed out of the hall. Crystal stood up to.
"What did you say to her?" She asked.
"I asked her out." Sirius stated dreamily touching his red raw face where she had hit him, sighing. "Women." He was heard saying as he jumped off the table and re took his seat opposite James. He and Lily were laughing at him.
"You shouldn't wind her up like that, you know Sirius. If she had thought you were, well, serious, then she could've been really hurt." Lily stated through her smile. Sirius got back up heading out of the hall.
"But I was Serious!" He muttered to himself disappointedly. Then he grinned and said. "But hard to get is more fun." Over the next few weeks Lily came out of her shell allot more. She seemed dependant on James who looked after her like a gentleman. He never once complained. She would be attending her parents funeral in the Easter holidays, James wanted to go with her but she insisted on going by herself, that she had already bee a burden to him and that she needed to be alone to be able to say goodbye properly to them. But that was in a couple of weeks time. Meanwhile James had his own worries- or more like reliefs. He had been sent an official Ministry letter in forming him that his father Robert Potter had passed away in Azkaban. James was truly glad; he no longer had to worry about him. Peter and Crystal were always in each other's pockets and Haley had become a permanent member at the Slytherin table. She had clearly changed. She no longer hung around with her Ravenclaw friends using one-word answers if they dared talk to her. Rabastan Lestrange had taken her under his wing and corrupted her sweet ways. Finally Sirius had taken to stalking Andi. He would wait for her after class as James would for Lily (They usually got sent out together anyway) then he would follow her around asking her out, trying to take her hand- anything. But she always blew him off, often retreating to the library as she knew how he had vowed not to step foot in their. It was like claiming "Sanctuary" In a church! She was untouchable. Sirius had even gonna as far as charming both his own and Andromeda's robes red on valentines day- having his and hers robes! He also sent her a dozen roses and cast a spell on a suit of armour to follow her round the corridors sprinkling her with pink heart shaped confetti. Andi wasn't impressed nor was filch for that matter. Later that night she stormed into the great hall and in front of everyone she gave him a what for.
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ANNOY ME SOOOOOO MUCH?" She bellowed. Everyone in the hall stopped talking to see what was going on.
"I would have thought it would be quite nice being chased by one of Hogwarts finest bachelors." Sirius smirked.
"YOU THINK YOU ONE OF HOGWARTS FINEST BACHELORS? THAT'S A GOOD ONE! MORE LIKE HOGWARTS FINEST BIGHEADED BAFOON WHO ONLY KNOWS HOW TO PARADE AROUND LIKE HE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL, WHEN HE CLEARLY IS NOT!!!" Sirius looked at her a little hurt.
"I just wanted to go out with you." He stated.
"Well, I said no... And I meant it." Sirius frowned.
"You are just so scared because your parents don't love each other any more and you don't want to feel like that! You're afraid if you go out with someone they will break your heart." Sirius said that in a whisper so nobody else heard. It seemed to hit a nerve as well.
"That's not true." She replied in a deadly whisper.
"Really- then how many boyfriends have you had?" Andi looked at him hurt clear in her eyes; she turned and left the great hall. Sirius watched her until she left then hit his head against the table and left it there.
Later on that night he had Lily attacking him seeing what he had said, because Andi had been in her room crying ever since. Sirius just looked straight through her not really acknolaging her presence. She looked at James for help.
"He's been like that ever since it happened. I think he really, really likes her. Even when he was after Claire he never acted like this. In fact he's never really showed any emotion when it comes to girls."
"Yeah he's acting like prongs did when he first liked Lily and she told him she liked Sirius." Remus added. Lily blushed at the embarrassing thought of her past.
But what ever they felt for each other, from that point on, both Andi and Sirius blanked the other whenever they saw each other. They had hurt themselves deep and the wounds would be hard to heal. The next few months passed so quickly for the seventh years. They had been piled with so much homework and revision; even the Marauders were struggling with it. Instead of using the headroom to make out, Lily and James were now using it to study peacefully and to avoid getting caught up in the Andi Vs Sirius rivalry. This was their space where they could be alone and even though they were busy concentrating, they were still together.
But unlike James and unlike Peter, Remus didn't have a girlfriend to escape to and had to endure Sirius going on about how much he hated Andi 24/7. Then he would escape and bump into Andi who would go on about how much she hated Sirius 24/7. He felt like just locking them in a room together and refusing to let them out until they admitted they like one another. An intriguing thought. How else could they have hurt each other so much with those petty words?
It was now the Easter holidays and James was holding Lily round the waist hugging her good bye. He had a foreboding feeling and didn't want to let go. But she had to; she needed to say good bye to her parents. James wasn't going but had insisted that she stayed with Claire who was more than happy to look after her. Lily gave him a last kiss.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She smiled.
"Owl me when you get there?" He asked like a mother worrying about her daughter.
"Course." She replied. And as the whistle blew, she stepped onto the train. James watched as it left. He had a weird feeling of her departing on her own; it felt like a sign of what was to come. But he wiped that thought out of his mind and set off back up to the castle him and Sirius had allot of planning to do and it was the perfect opportunity with out Lily there. That week James was restless with out Lily there to talk to. So he and Sirius ended up in Hogsmeade every day. On the Monday James and Sirius were chilling in the 3 broomsticks, chatting to Madame Rosemerta and helping James write his graduation speech.
On the Tuesday Sirius went with James to choose the smartest dress robes they could find. He wanted to look the best he could.
On the Wednesday they ordered some floral decorations for James to decorate the lake area with. They would arrive graduation morning.
On Thursday James and Sirius went ring shopping. James had managed to measure Lily's ring finger one night when she had fallen asleep on his lap after having studied so hard. It was actually quite convenient. They searched every shop in Hogsmeade for the perfect ring and just as lick would have it, in the only shop left, they found it. The dusty, shabby old shop had not looked much to the naked eye but when entered, it had a wide variety of rare metals and precious stones. On just briefly scanning the shelves, James had found what he wanted. It was 24 carrot gold finished with a square cut emerald which was such a deep, intense green, it could only match one thing in James' mind. Lily's eyes. When he looked at the ring he could see Lily wearing it. He could see her saying yes. He bought it. And it found itself being locked in his trunk.
On the Friday James and Sirius found themselves back in the 3 broomsticks this time working on James' proposal.
Remus and Peter had began to wonder about their mates sudden disappearances and that night questioned them about it.
"Guys, where have you been going so much recently?" Remus said to them.
"Yeah, we've had a whole week off and not one prank has been done." Peter added. James and Sirius exchanged a shifty grin and James nodded. Sirius stood before them all in a noble manor.
"Gentlemen, we are good friends. No. The best of friends. We have grown up together. Played juvenile pranks with each other and caused this school mayhem, beyond all expectations. Now I am not saying any of this will stop. However there comes a time where a boy turns into a man and he has to act more Sirius. I mean Serious. And it seems that our own James is now coming of age as he is readying himself to take the next step in his life. He is attaching the old ball and chain, as one may say." James thumped Sirius in the shoulder. "Ouch!"
"Somewhere in all that rubbish, Sirius basically said it. I'm going to ask Lily to marry me." He grinned. Remus and Peter's mouths dropped in shock.
"But you're only 18?" Remus whispered.
"And I can't imagine a day in my life I would want to spend with out her." James replied without any room for argument.
Mean while Lily was sitting next to he parents newly put up graves, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She had put a single white Lily on top of each and was just sitting drowning in her own thoughts. It was a couple of hours ago that she had been watching their coffins being placed delicately down the newly dug holes. And now it seemed final. She would never see her parents again. Never hear their voice or feel their touch. It was all a little unbearable. She buried her head in her hands, not noticing the small cloaked woman standing behind her watching her, greedily.
"Terrible to lose someone you loved. Isn't it?" She said quietly taking a place next to Lily. "My great grandmother left this world a year ago today, wonderful woman she was, standing up in the ministry for what is best for our kind." Lily looked up, her eyes meeting the beautiful heavy lidded ones of the woman who stood before her. Was Lily talking about what she thought she was? "Our world". "You're Lily Evans aren't you? Your parents, they were murdered weren't they?" Bellatrix Black said straight to the point. She had no time, nor patience for heirs and graces for this common mudblood. She was here on her master's orders and she would get on with it.
Lily nodded. Bellatrix smiled in a sympathetic manor.
"That must be awful. Your going out with Robert Potters son aswell aren't you?"
"Yes, James." Lily stated not knowing who this was and slightly bothered about how much she seemed to know.
"Well, if I were you I'd be rather worried." Bellatrix said in an off hand manor.
"Why?" Lily asked curiously.
"Well, if my parents had been murdered because of me, and I knew there was some kind of evil dark lord after me. I'd be scared he'd go after the people I loved." Lily took this in, this lady, who ever she was, was right. James was in danger- and because of her. She turned around to ask the lay more, but she had gone.
Bellatrix had apperated away to safety laughing to herself how people could trust their friends let alone the "Kindness" of strangers.