"Wow, it seems like only yesterday we graduated," said a 19-year-old Alex.
"Yeah, I can't believe it's been two years," said Alice. She sat on her apartment bed. She lived with Alex and Lily. "So, Lily, what are you doing tonight?" She already knew the answer, but she wanted to ask just for kicks.
Lily walked out of the bathroom. "Going out with James."
"Of course," said Alex and Alice at the same time.
"You're going out with Frank today too," said Lily.
"I know, but you see him like everyday," said Alice. Lily rolled her eyes. "What are you doing tonight Alex."
"Staying home," said Alex. "Remus is hanging out with Sirius and Peter. He's still kinda weak."
"Oh," said Lily.
"But Lily, you went out with James last Saturday," said Alex. "We don't get to spend any time with each other."
"Ok, how about next Saturday?" asked Lily. "Just us girls. An all girls night. No boys whatsoever."
"Deal," said Alex. "Where is James taking you?"
"Out to a muggle restaurant," said Lily. "Then we're going to a muggle bar."
Alex walked over to her closet. She pulled out her little black dress. "It's nice enough for a restaurant and sexy enough for a bar."
"Oh! Thank you Alex!" said Lily.
Beep beep! Lily walked over to her window and waved to James. He waved back in his car. (He had taken driving lessons so he can go around and no one would suspect anything.)
"I'll see you later girls," Lily said as she left.
"So, how's Alex and Alice?" asked James when they sat down at the restaurant.
"Fine," said Lily. "But next Saturday, we're having an all girls night."
"Alright. I need to spend time with Sirius, Remus, and Peter anyway," said James.
Lily nodded. "It seems like only yesterday we graduated huh?"
"Yeah, I know," said James.
"So, how's Remus and his you-know-what? Yesterday was you-also-know-what," said Lily.
"Well, the shack, the one in his backyard you know, it kinda collapsed around three," said James.
"What did you do?" asked Lily.
"We had to steer him into the house," said James, shaking his head. "His living room is a mess. He also kinda had an outbreak and bit me." Lily's eyes grew wide and filled with worry. "No worries though. I was still a stag." He took her quietly. "Nothing happens when he bites animals as you know."
"Where did he bite you at?" asked Lily.
"My knee," said James. "Not so bad though. Just a nip."
They talked for about another 30 minutes before heading to the bar. Lily had told him it was very popular. There was TVs everywhere that played a football game.
"What are they doing?" whispered James. He pointed to one of the TVs.
"Football. Muggle sport," whispered Lily. They danced for about an hour, stopping every now and then for a drink.
All the TVs went black. Then white letters appeared across it, reading "Important Message!" A local news reporter came on. There was lots of "Shhs". "A mysterious green light shone out of this apartment building." It showed a picture of Lily's apartment. "There was one dead as the scene. She looked like she was scared to death. There was one other witness." It went on with the story. James and Lily ran out the door when her apartment picture came on.
"You know this has something to do with Voldemort," said Lily before they apparated to her apartment.
Police and ambulances surrounded the apartment. Everyone was outside. Lily looked around for her friends. Alice ran up to Lily, crying hard, and hugged her friend. "Where?s Alex?" Alice looked up at her friend. Her eyes told her she wasn't with them anymore. "No, please tell me she's here." Lily started to cry. They fell to their knees and cried. James bent down and hugged them. Remus will be crushed when he hears.
"Come on," said James. "Let's go over to Remus'. That's where everyone is." With the rush of people around, no one noticed that three people vanished into thin air. That's muggles for you.
"Remus! Sirius! Peter!" James yelled through the house. Remus emerged from the living room.
:Come on, we're in the- what's wrong?" asked Remus when he saw Alice and Lily crying. "Where's Alex?"
They walked into the living room. "Sit down," James advised Remus. Remus sat, totally confused. Everyone looked at James. He gulped. "Voldemort...he attacked Lily's, Alice's, and Alex's apartment...and he...he killed...A-Alex"?
The next thing James knew was that Remus threw him against the wall, rather forcefully. Which was surprising because last night was the full moon, which made him weak. "What do you mean? She's? He couldn?t bring himself to say that she was dead.
"Remus," whispered James calmly.
Remus let go of James and sank into a chair. He buried his head in his hands. "I'm sorry James."
"It's ok, mate," said James.
Remus stood up. "This is all my fault." He punched the wall, leaving a small dent.
"It's not your fault!" said Sirius. "Don't beat yourself up over it."
"If I had been with her, she'd still be here!" shouted Remus.
"Remus! Stop! If you were with her, you'd probably be dead too!" said James. "It wasn't your fault! Voldemort is to blame!"
The sound of breaking glass came from the kitchen. Remus, James, and Sirius carefully walked into the kitchen. No one was there. Remus muttered something and the flour that was on the counter blew up. The whole kitchen was a white powdery mess. Someone threw off a now powder white invisibility cloak.
"Who are you and want do you want?" growled Sirius.
"It doesn't matter who I am," hissed the man behind the mask. "I am here to take Lily and James. My Lord told us they were strong and would be valuable to have. That's what we need." By this time, Lily and Alice came behind the guys.
"We will never join forces with Voldemort," growled James.
"He said you'd say that," hissed the man. "But he also gave me permission to use this. Imperio!" Within seconds, James broke the spell.
"I don't think so," said James. "Stupefy!" But he wasn't the only one; Remus, Sirius, Lily, and Alice yelled it too. Five stunners will do some damage. They wrapped him in invisible ropes ad apparated to the Ministry of Magic and turned him in, but not before unmasking him. It was Lucius Malfoy.
A/N: Well, here's chapter 14!
