Um... It's almost like I'm scared that someone will shoot me for finally posting a chapter... ducks under the computer desk and whips out a gun in self defense Okay, so I don't have that many excuses... but you should still hear them. So there was Christmas. And there was going back to school and starting the semester on a good foot. And all of our concepts in classes are all new no more review like the first semester, so I have to work extra hard. And I got a boyfriend at the end of January (my friend for 2 months before that), so all my freetime has been spent talking to him. I'm so sorry for any anxiety or any mental breakdowns I have caused, and I do hope you will forgive me for not writing for two months. (God, that sounds awful just saying it... TWO MONTHS!) Here goes...

(Lily's POV)

I lay alone in bed around midnight two days later, December 27th. James was out with his friends.

It was so cold, and I was used to having someone to hold onto for warmth. No matter how many blankets I put on the bed, or how many more shirts I put on, I was still freezing.

So I carried a couple covers and a pillow and walked out to the common area. The fire still roared in the fireplace, so I made a spot to sleep right next to it on the rug and settled down.

It wasn't long before I was drifting off...

I dreamt that the heat of the fire was James' passion... I could feel his arms around me in a loving embrace, his lips on mine...

When all of a sudden the flames went out so quickly that I stirred awake.

"Lily, what a pleasant surprise..." said a chilling voice. I had never heard it before. It pierced deep into the bone, a cold, mocking voice. It was mocking when it hadn't even said anything evil yet.

Part of me knew who it was before I looked up.

I heard a cloak shake off some soot and some footsteps out of the fireplace.

"I mean, technically, it wasn't a surprise," the voice continued. "Of course you'd be here, but I didn't think so close to the fire."

I finally mustered up the courage to glance up and confirm my fear. I inhaled sharply at the sight- Voldemort was a sickly-looking man (was man the word?) with pale skin, long fingers, blood red eyes, and slits like a snake's for nostrils.

I bit my lip to keep from screaming. I couldn't run. He'd probably blast me to pieces. I couldn't look away, yet I couldn't keep looking either. Blood pounded through my head. Time seemed to have stopped as our eyes met and he smiled.

Smiled is actually too nice of a word. Voldemort, no he didn't smile. He grinned. Maybe grinned maliciously.

I whimpered and pushed myself back a few more feet, huddled in my blanket. He stood about ten feet away, almost a shadow against the mantle. I wanted to cry. It was odd how I was doing absolutely nothing though.

"Well, come on! Where are your manners? Aren't you going to say hello?"

I just kept staring in horror.

"Oh, never mind. You mudbloods don't show hospitality like that."

"I'm not a mudblood," I said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, but you are," he argued. "Maybe you don't think it's the best way to put it, but quite blatantly and harshly, you are a mudblood, no doubt about it."

I was silent.

"So, where's Potter?"

"Out."

"Oh," said Voldemort. "I see. Well I only wanted to see you anyway."

"What do you want?" I asked viciously.

"I'm going to tell you some things," he said, putting the tips of his spidery fingers together. "You will listen. However, it doesn't really matter if you listen or not because you will be dead soon anyway."

My mouth hung open as a struggled to comprehend this.

"D- dead?" I stammered hesitantly.

"To be sure," he confirmed casually. "I definitely cannot have any Potter heirs. I'm trying to eradicate the whole family."

"You can't kill the baby," I begged, starting to realize that he was definitely serious. Voldemort was here, in the Head Dorm, threatening to kill me. Not just threatening, but determinedly set on doing it as well.

"And why can't I?"

"Because! That's just... inhumane..."

"I don't worry about inhumanity. I am not human anyway. I'm much more."

"You bastard," I whispered.

He smiled. "That I may be, but at least I'm not a mudblood."

I was trembling with fury now.

"You sadistic, twisted, son of a bitch!" I screamed.

"Now, now... Calm down, Lily. I haven't done anything yet!"

"Bull shit!" I shrieked. "Haven't done anything my ass. Calling me a mudblood. Threatening to kill my baby and me. Just plain showing up here where you're not wanted!"

I kept backing up until I was sitting on one of the sofas.

"Now Lily, just hear me out," he said. "I can't have the Potters exist. Period. They all have to be gone."

I realized that he meant James, too. After all, he was the only living Potter besides my unborn one.

"But why?" I cried.

"It's complicated," he said. "You wouldn't understand. But they would stop me from my world dominance."

"You are such a conceited asshole!" I spluttered. "World dominance?"

"Sure, it's my plan for the future. And it's not too far into the future either. Can I sit down?"

He didn't even wait for me to say anything before he sat down merely a couple feet away from me on the sofa.

I sucked in my breath and cringed, waiting for a consequence to his being so close to me.

When nothing happened for a few seconds, he laughed in that cold, chilling way again.

"You are so scared of me."

"No shit, sherlock," I replied bitterly.

"I have power over you," he emphasized.

"Someone's pretty observant today," I said sarcastically.

"No need for the tone," he said.

It was quiet for a few more seconds as I mastered the impulse to scream at him.

"So," I said, my voice shaking. "What else were you going to tell me?"

At that moment, the door creaked open and James walked in.

"Hey, Lils, how come you're still up? It's too late for-"

"Good evening, James," said Voldemort. "We were just having a lovely discussion about you."

"You," said James menacingly, anger put before fear in his eyes. "Get the fuck away from her."

"No need for language, Mr. Potter," said Voldemort so calmly. "It was just a civilized conversation."

"What do you want?" James barked harshly.

"Your life, and that baby's," said Voldemort simply.

"Take me," offered James without even thinking. "Please not the baby, not her. Please."

"No!" I pleaded. "James, you can't leave me!"

"Ah, what drama... James, you and her will have to go so I'll leave it up to you who dies first."

"Neither of us will die," he said so bravely, pulling out his wand.

"Would you care to duel about this?" Voldemort offered. "Fair and square. I always win."

"Then how is that fair?" I asked.

"Me winning is fair," laughed Voldemort. "I'm always right."

There was a silence as we all contemplated what to do next.

"So, James? Do you want to die first or Lily?"

James was concentrating, thinking about what to do next.

"Lily's waiting to see when she will be murdered..."

Voldemort lifted a finger to press against my cheek.

But as soon as he did, he cursed in pain.

Apparently, touching me hurt him.

"Lily, touch him!" shouted James.

I put my whole hand against his face.

He screamed in agony, red marks appearing where my hand had been.

So I kept doing the same thing, until he had fled through the fireplace.

"Oh my god, Lily, are you okay?" James ran over and took me into his arms.

SO THAT WAS THAT CHAPTER! WHAT DO YOU THINK!

Please review, for me! I know I've been a naughty writer but you can forgive me and review, and now I know what I'm actually doing with the story so an update won't take that long. So please review! Thanks for reading!

Marina (iluvdraco4eva)