A/N: I'm so, so sorry that I didn't update. I've been extremely busy lately. Please review. It's my only payment.

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DEAD: MR. AND MRS. DAVID EVANS

James Potter strode through the halls of Hogwarts to Dumbledore's office. He wondered what he had done wrong this time. Could it be because Dumbledore had found out about the party?

He reached the gargoyle.

"Fizzing Whizbees."

The gargoyle hopped aside and James reached Dumbledore's door. He knocked and entered.

Dumbledore and McGonagall were sitting there, looking grave.

"You called me, Headmaster?"

"Yes, James," Dumbledore said, "Please sit down."

He sat, still wondering what this was about.

"As Head Boy, we would like you to tell a certain student some horrifying news. Did you hear about the Muggle attacks this morning?"

James nodded. His parents had owled him straight away.

"I'm very sorry to say that one of the students of this school no longer has parents."

James's eyes widened. "Who, sir?" he whispered.

Dumbledore sighed. "Mr. and Mrs. David Evans are dead."

James sat frozen. Lily's parents were dead. Dead.

"I thought that Miss Evans would feel more comfortable with someone her age informing her. As Head Boy, we have given the job to you."

"M-me, sir?"

"Yes, James." Dumbledore stood and gripped his shoulder for a moment. "Run along, then."

James stood still for another moment, then fled.

He arrived in the Gryffindor common room breathless. Lily and Katie were sitting in one corner, laughing over some girly magazine. His friends were in another corner. James bit his lip, then walked over to the two girls.

"Er, Evans? Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Lily looked up. Her eyes were sparkling with laughter, and for a minute, James wanted to tell her to forget it, that he didn't have anything to tell her. He didn't want to extinguish that light.

"Alright, Potter. What is it?"

"Um, not here."

She shrugged and stood up. "Lead the way. See you later, Katie."

They walked out of the room and James led her to the seventh floor, opposite a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. He walked back and forth three times, and when he finished, a door appeared. He opened it and motioned for Lily to go in. He followed her and closed the door behind. The room was bright and airy, with couches and a pile of Honeyduke's Deluxe chocolate on a table.

"What is this place?" Lily asked, looking around.

"Room of Requirement," James said shortly, seating himself on a couch. "It adapts itself to your needs. Sit down."

Lily sat, staring at him. He had never spoken like this to her before. He noticed.

"Sorry. I just don't know how to say this." He took a deep breath. "This morning, there were attacks on three Muggle families." James looked at the floor for a moment, then gazed straight into her eyes. "Lily-" he choked, "Your family was one of them. Your parents are dead."

Lily stared at him for a second, her eyes wide with terror.

"MUM!" she screamed, "DAD! NO!" Tears began gushing from her eyes and she buried her head in the pillows. She sat there, crying for some time. James felt horrible. He'd just gone and ruined a girl's life. Damn Dumbledore! Why couldn't he have told her? He certainly wouldn't be sitting there awkwardly while Lily cried her heart out.

He tentatively reached over and put his hand on her shoulder, feeling wretched. Surprisingly enough, he felt her relax under his hand, though she still was sobbing.

After a while, she picked up her head and looked over at him. He realized that she saw the miserable expression on his face, but he was too miserable to change it. Her eyes were red and there were tear streaks on her face, but James, looking at her, felt that she had never seemed prettier.

"James?"

"Huh? What'd you just call me?" James tore his gaze away from her hair.

She didn't answer, but continued, "I'm glad that you told me instead of Dumbledore. I wouldn't be able to stand it, he'd just be so calm."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

Lily sat up. "Thank you," she said softly.

"It's alright." James made to stand up, but before he could, Lily took his hand.

"Don't go. I have something I need to say to you."

He fell back into the cushions and looked at her, a little puzzled.

She moved a little closer to him and looked straight into his eyes. "I've been unfair to you."

He started to say something, but Lily cut him off.

"Wait until I'm done." She took a deep breath. "I thought that you were just an arrogant berk who had no values other than pranks. I was wrong."

She stopped for a moment, biting her lip, and then went on.

"You saved Snape's life last year, didn't you." It wasn't a question.

He nodded dumbly.

"Why?"

"Because as much as I hate Snape, I would never be able to stand by and know that someone's dying and that I can do something about it and not do it. I was able to do something about it, so I did."

"Katie also told me that – you almost – died – is she right?" she asked in a choked voice.

He looked down and nodded again.

Lily simply took his hand again and held it gently. "Good for you," she whispered, "I don't know if I'd have done the same."

He looked back up and tried to smile. "Oh, yes you would. We're Gryffindors, right?"

Lily nodded, and then with a strangled sob, she rested her head on his hand. "Oh, God, it hurts so much. They thought – that there were just good wizards – I didn't tell them – that there were ones that went bad – Petunia's going to hate me – they had no clue – no warning," she choked out.

James leaned over and pulled her next to him, putting his arms around her. "I know," he murmured, "It's horrible. But it's not your fault."

She curled into a ball and sighed.

"James…"

"Yes?"

Lily looked up at him. He could see something different than usual gleaming in her eyes.

"James, I trust you. And I know it must be terribly wicked to be talking about this when Mum and Dad are just dead, but you deserve a little happiness now. I'll go out with you."

James gasped. He stared at her for a split second, then flung his arms tight around her and closed his eyes, tears spilling down his cheeks.

LILY

September 20

Dear Diary,

Mum and Dad are dead. They died on the 15th. I went to the funeral the next day. Petunia was glaring at me so hard that if looks could kill, I'd be buried next to them now. I'm never going to see them again. Ever. Dad will never tuck me into bed despite my protests that I'm too old. Mum will never bake me my favorite chocolate cake as a 'welcome back from school' treat. They'll never tell me that they love me again.

Why didn't I appreciate them when I could? Why did I yell at Mum so much? Why didn't I tell them that I loved them lately?

Oh, Merlin, life is terrible. The only bright spot is: James Potter.

I cannot believe that I'd be writing these words, but it's true. He was the one that Dumbledore told to tell me about Mum and Dad. And then I told him I would go out with him. Afterwards he told me that I should think about it more when I'm not so sad. He wants it to be honest! Ever since then, he's been incredibly understanding. He only bothers me with the masquerade when he needs to. Otherwise he leaves me alone. But I don't want him to. He thinks that I still don't like him. I do.

And I really don't mind going out with him. He's showing a side of himself that I've never seen before. A caring side. I never knew he had it in him.

Oh, what am I saying? I just can't believe that Mum and Dad are dead. I've never really imagined them gone. And where will I go? This is my last year at Hogwarts. I have no home.

It hurts too much to write.

Love,

Lily

JAMES

September 18

Dear Diary,

It's horrible. Lily Evans' parent's died. There were three attacks on Muggle families by Voldemort.

I've been trying not to bother her with too much of the work for the party. Anyone can tell that she's never felt less like partying.

Oh, right, and she said that she'd go out with me. This doesn't make me as happy as it used to – it just seems kind of trivial compared to what's going on.

But don't get me wrong, I'm glad anyway. This was my dream, right?

I really feel terrible. Can't the dumb Aurors do something about this whole situation? That's unfair of me. I'm sure they're working hard. Maybe I'll join the Aurors when I graduate so that something constructive will be done. One of my other dreams was that I'd be a professional Quidditch player. I think that's also kind of insignificant now. There are more important things to be done now. I've never felt so – adult. We've all been forced to grow up too soon, I think.

Wow, so much philosophy in one entry? I don't think my brain would be able to take it. Bye, then.

James