A.N./ Hello everyone! I'm back again! Woo hoo! Chapter 43 is here and ready for all you guys to read. Thanks to all of my loyal reviewers and since you guys are so nice and good to me with the reviews, here's your next chapter!
Chapter 43
Weeks went by and finally Sarah was finally released from the Hospital Wing, but Lily couldn't get Sarah's screams out of her head. She'd been wondering what it had all been about and how James was doing.
James felt himself wanting to fall asleep at every meeting, Lily and himself had to be present at.
Even though James was best in Transfiguration, he fell asleep in today's class. They were reviewing for a major test that was coming up. Lily rolled her eyes as she saw that James was napping, again. Sirius of course was joining James in dream land. Cassidy was too busy to notice the guys asleep, as she was copying down the notes Lily had already written down.
"Our exam," Professor McGonagall said from the front of the room. "Will be…"
"Ring! Ring!" The bell went off and everyone began to scatter out of the room before McGonagall could say that the exam would be their next day in class.
"Potter! Evans! A word please!"
James groaned and Lily nodded her head respectively.
The two of you need to pull a meeting tomorrow morning."
"But…but tomorrow is Saturday!" James whined.
"Well if we are going to have a Christmas Ball, the two of you need to start making preparations." McGonagall said rolling her eyes at James.
Lily nodded, "We'll tell all the prefects tonight at dinner to be at outside of our Common Room at seven o'clock."
"In the morning?!" James grumbled.
"We'll be in the Common Room when they knock on the portrait."
"Good idea Evans, you two are dismissed."
"Seven in the morning!" James grumbled outside of Lily's bedroom door. "Are you bloody mad?!"
"Lily!" He yelled beating at her door.
So she was ignoring him, fine! He walked into the bathroom and undressed, but then he spotted something in the tub…Lily. She had her Wizarding Radio on loud and listening to a song by the hottest band, 'Three Blind Mice.' James threw his towel around his waist and watched her.
True, he couldn't see anything. Lily had bubbles right above her chest.
To see Lily's bare shoulders, her milky white complexion, with her light freckles made James have to take a cold shower. James snuck out and then came back in whistling.
"Potter!" Lily yelled in outrage and she sunk down until he couldn't even see her neck. "Do you not know how to knock?!"
James smiled, "Sorry. Thought you were in your room. Don't mind me, just going to take a shower." Lily rolled her eyes and turned away from him. Yes, James would need a shower, a very cold shower.
James was cleaning his face when Lily had finally got out of the bath. When her towel slipped a little bit and James's eyes lit up. "Lily's bum!" Lily's eyes popped open and she readjusted her towel and James noticed that her face was not the same color as her hair. She walked out of the bathroom and headed to her room, but James could see spots of water around her collarbone and he knew he would need another cold shower soon living in the same area with the prettiest girl at Hogwarts.
"See you at dinner, James." Lily said standing in the doorway and James knew he had to get that cold shower as soon as possible.
All of the prefects looked as mad about a meeting on Saturday morning as James had been earlier that day.
James was finishing his Potions essay when Lily sat down beside him.
"We need to figure out what we're going to say tomorrow at the meeting."
"Like what?" James asked not looking up from his essay.
"Like the theme, who should get the decorations, who should give the house-elves the menu, who should go collect butterbeer from Hogsmede, and who should put up the fliers."
James sighed putting his essay a ways. "You and I will set the theme, decorations will be Ravenclaw prefects, butterbeer will Slytherin prefects, menu will be Hufflepuff, and fliers will be Gryffindor. We're done now, right?"
"Still haven't figured out the theme."
"White Wonderland. Everyone dresses formal, real formal. Girls in evening gowns and guys in tuxedos. We'll have everything in a winter theme. What do you think?"
Lily smiled, "Perfect." Lily began to get up, but James grabbed her wrist and there was something in his eyes.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Lily sat and nodded.
"Lily, will you be my date to the ball?"
Lily smiled, "Of course." And placed a kiss on his cheek before she left their Common Room.
"EVANS!" Came a voice behind her, it was none other than the resident bitch, Bellatrix Black.
"What Black?"
"When are you ever going to learn to leave Potter alone? He's a Pureblood and you're a dirty Mudblood. Leave him alone!"
Lily eyes widened, "Potter likes me! He's the one that follows me and asks me out!"
"You probably put a love spell on him," Paris Waters said stepping through the shadows.
"You're just jealous." Lily said rolling her eyes at him, "Waters you've been wanting to date me for as long as Potter. Besides why would I put a love spell on Potter?"
Parkinson shrugged, "Everyone knows the Potters are loaded."
"I don't need his money!" Lily yelled at Black and Waters. "I have a trust fund in my name that I get as soon as I graduate! Waters why are you agreeing with a Black?!" Lily felt tight arms holding down as Paris Waters and Bellatrix Black began to beat Lily up. Throwing many hexes and jinxes at Lily.
Narcissa Black walked up to Lily, "You filthy Mudblood."
"W…what are you doing here?!" Lily yelled, "You've already graduated!"
"My husband, Lucius and I have come to visit my baby sister, Bellatrix." Narcissa turned to Lucius giving him a knowing smile, "I'm going talk to Dumbledore."
When Lily was black and blue, Lucius who'd been holding her back, dragged her to a hidden corridor behind a mirror. Lily tried to scream to where someone could hear her, but she'd had a silencing charm put on her. Lucius had succeeded in what Amos had attempted last year.
After Lucius had down what he'd achieved, he'd left Lily there to grieve on her own. Clothes torn, more bruises were upon her body then from before. There was blood everywhere, she'd remembered him bashing her in the head with something. He'd left and she curled up with her ripped up clothing and she began to black out.
The mirror reopened and the light blinded Lily, she couldn't remember how long she'd been there. She had to have passed out and came around more than once. She began to cry and whimper again, thinking it was Malfoy again.
"Lily?!" A friendly voice asked in horror. James threw his Quidditch robes over her and he closed the mirror passageway behind him. "Lumos," he whispered and he saw how terrified she looked. He took his shirt off and gave it to Lily to put over her bra and he wrapped his cloak around her. "Merlin, Lily! Who did this to you?"
James hugged her and kissed her forehead. She even looked scared of him, "Shh! Lily I promised I wouldn't do what he did to you. Whoever did this to you." She nodded knowing that he wouldn't and she began to sob into his bare chest. James pulled her into his lap and rocked back and forth. He wouldn't ask anything until she was ready.
It was obvious to James what had happened and he just held her.
The mirror opened and it was Sirius, "Oh! Sorry Prongs! Didn't mean to interrupt!"
"You didn't Padfoot, don't you see her crying?! Tell Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey to wait for Lily and me in the Hospital Wing." Sirius nodded and he left. "I've got my cloak Lily, we'll be down at the Hospital Wing and no one will see you.
"Don't…don't tell him."
"Shh! I promise you I won't." He had her head to his chest and she pulled back to look into his saddened, concerned hazel eyes.
"You really do love me, don't you?"
James blinked twice and he felt tears welling up in his eyes and he held her closer. He had to take the pain away from her, and he head her muffle into his chest. "I love you too James."
James sat outside with Sirius and James looked a total wreck. Sirius just sat there watching his best friend.
It had been three weeks since their talk with Alastor and James could still vividly remember it.
"It was a bad one," Moody said shaking his head. "Worst Death Eater attack I've ever been witnessed to or even heard about. Even Lord Voldemort was there. I'd given Harold and Tyler the day off and so I felt horrible when I had to call them back in that evening."
"All you could hear was screams of innocents, Aurors, and Death Eaters screaming before their lives were taken from them. All you could see jinxes and curses being thrown back and forth. Harold turned to me and told me we needed to pray, so of course we did."
"Harold and Tyler were a great team, they killed about a dozen Death Eaters together that night."
"McNair threw the killing curse at your father," Moody said looking sadly at James and Lily with pity. "Tyler got hit by Lestrange."
Lily had helped James go through the toughest time in his life. She stayed by James's side, helped him quit cutting himself, saved his life, and Lily was his shoulder to cry on when he was upset about Sarah.
Lily's worst fear had finally happened and James was on the verge of murder. Sirius could see the hatred burning in his best friend's eyes.
"Prongs, what exactly happened?"
James shook his head, "I promised her I wouldn't say anything. She hasn't really even told me…I just put the pieces together."
"You don't think it was Diggory again do you?"
James shook his head, "No. But I swear on my father's grave that the person that did this to Lily will pay."
"Lily?" Professor Dumbledore was beside her bed. "Can you tell me who did this?"
She shook her head, "James."
Dumbledore looked shocked, "You mean Mr. Potter did this to you?"
"No," she sniffled. "I want James."
Madam Pomfrey nodded and went to get James from the hallway. James made Sirius promise not to go anywhere or say anything.
Dumbledore stood up and let James sit next to Lily. She got off the bed and curled up into his lap. Madam Pomfrey would have objected as Lily was still swore all over, and many bruises. But as soon as James began to soothe her and calm her down, both adults were amazed.
"Lily?" Dumbledore asked as he pulled a chair close to Lily/James's chair and Lily took her face from James's shoulder. "Now, can you tell me what happened?"
Lily turned to James and he nodded for her to go on. She held on to him for dear life and James swore to himself, he'd never let her go."
Lily's voice was light and she still sounded scared, "I left our Common Room after James and I had all the plans done for the dance. James had asked me to be his date and I agreed, I was so thrilled. I was heading to Gryffindor Common Room to tell my friends. But on my way there I ran into Bellatrix Black, Paris Waters, and Narcissa Black…I mean Malfoy."
"They were angry that James liked me and started telling me that since I'm a Mudblood and James is a Pureblood, I don't deserve him."
"They said I only wanted the Potter money."
"But you're trust fund!" James interrupted.
"I know, then they said I put you under my spell. Then…then…." She said something but no sound came out.
"Sorry dear, I didn't hear you." Dumbledore said looking truly sorry.
Lily nodded, "Two big arms held me back and that's when Narcissa came out of the shadows. She said she was going to see you and that's when…"Lily was now crying as she had been in the secret passage way and James wanted this to stop now. "…Narcissa, Paris, and Bellatrix began to beat me."
"T…then…once they were through, Lucius M…Malfoy dragged me to this s…secret corridor. And he…he…" She couldn't finish because she was crying to hard. James began to rock her again, and his bare chest was soaked with Lily's tears. James never complained.
"Lily, know this is hard, but I need you to tell me what happened. For us to press charges on Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy I need you to finish. For Paris Waters and Bellatrix Black to get in trouble with us and the authorities I need you to finish. I need to know what Mr. Malfoy did."
"Merlin, Professor!" James asked outraged, "Isn't it obvious?! He bloody raped Lily!"
Lily looked Professor Dumbledore in the eyes and she nodded, "James is right…L…Lucius…M…Malfoy….raped me."
Madam Pomfrey gasped and Dumbledore left, taking Madam Pomfrey with him. Leaving Lily with James.
"Poppy," Dumbledore said to Madam Pomfrey. "This is serious. I need you to get the DNA and semen that was found with Lily. If it matches call me in. Do you have all the ingredients for the potion, Poppy?"
She nodded, "I do need to get a sample from Mr. Malfoy."
"He'll be in my office soon for a proposition, I'll get the DNA sample."
Lily couldn't quit crying and James didn't blame her. They sat there for what seemed hours. Lily just kept crying and James sat there rocking back and forth trying to get her to calm down.
Madam Pomfrey waked by and James had an idea, "I need to ask her something Lily."
"No!" She gasped, "Don't leave me!"
"I'm not, but I need to ask her something. I'll be right back, I swear."
Lily nodded and let go, but she still didn't look so sure.
"Madam Pomfrey, can I have a word?" She nodded to James's question, "I want to take Lily back to her room."
"I can't let you."
"She hates to cry in public and right now all she can do is cry. Tell me what potions she needs and I'll make sure she takes them. Just please let me get her back to her familiar surroundings."
To James's surprised Madam Pomfrey looked on the verge of tears, she caved and agreed. "Under one condition."
"Anything!" James said happily.
"Every night after dinner she comes in for me to check up on her."
"Deal!" James said with a smile.
Lily was happy when James told her that they were going back to their Common Room. Lily changed in her room and walked into James's room when he'd pulled his pajama pants over his boxers.
"Hey," he said softly.
She didn't say a word but just leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her.
"You going to bed?" She nodded, "In your own bed?" She shook her head no, "In my bed with me?" She nodded and he kissed her forehead. "Come on then."
He opened up the curtains and allowed her to crawl in first. He crawled in after Lily.
"Do you mind if I close the draping?" She shook her head no and with a flick of his wrist they were shut.
James laid on his back and Lily curled up to him laying her head on his chest and putting an arm around his stomach. James smiled and he put his arm around her protectively.
She yawned when he was almost asleep, "I love you James."
He kissed her forehead, "And I love you Lily."
The next day at breakfast Dumbledore mad an announcement.
"My dear pupils, I have a grave and important announcement to make." Everyone got quite, "Seventh year Gryffindor Paris Waters and Seventh year Slytherin Bellatrix Black will be suspended from school for two weeks and will not attend the Christmas Ball. If either girl steps one toe out of line they will be expelled."
Later that day Dumbledore had called Lily and James into his office and was surprised when only James showed up. "Where is Miss Evans."
"She had trouble sleeping last night, I let her stay in bed. What's going on Professor?"
"Well you heard my announcement at breakfast, correct?" James nodded, "Mr. Malfoy will be put in Azkaban for a years sentence and Mrs. Malfoy will be there for three months."
"That's all?!" James asked outraged.
"That's all the Minister would allow."
That morning after James's meeting with Dumbledore, James handled the Prefect meeting on his own and he let Lily get all the sleep she needed. More than once that night James had to wake her up because she was screaming in her sleep.
Cassidy, Gabriella, and Alice wondered why Lily wasn't at lunch and once James had left they all turned to Sirius.
"What?!" He asked, "I'm as clueless as the rest of you!"
Lily ended up taking a nap on the couch and James was going to go bound Lucius in before he left. But as soon as James stepped out of the Common Room, he was met by Lily's friends.
"What's up with Lily?" Alice asked.
"I can't say."
"Tell us how she got all bruised and banged up." Gabriella said.
"I can't."
"Why not, Potter?" Cassidy growled.
"Because she made me swear not to say a word. Where is Sirius?"
"By the lake."
James ran off and the girls were disappointed, they wanted to know what James did.
"Padfoot!" Sirius turned around to see James.
"What's up Prongs?"
"We're going to Malfoy's arse."
"Lucius? Narcissa's husband…why?" Padfoot's eyes saddened, "Him?! How?!"
"Your cousin and husband were here yesterday. You know how to get to their house?"
Sirius nodded, "But we don't have any Floo powder."
"We're sneaking into Hogsmede now. They leave for Azkaban tonight. Let's go."
Once they'd gotten back to Hogwarts James and Sirius were happy. Sirius only had a broken nose and James had a busted lip, but Malfoy most likely had every bone in his body broken.
When James got back to the Common Room, he saw Lily finishing up her Charms essay.
"Where have you been?" She gasped at his busted lip.
"Beating Malfoy's arse."
"Why?"
"He deserved to be punished."
"But Professor Dumbledore came by earlier and said he was getting a year in Azkaban."
"Not good enough."
Lily sniffled, "I woke up frightened and you weren't there."
He pulled her close, "Shh. You'll never have to worry about that again."
At dinner Lily was quiet and would only take to James in a whisper.
Classes began for midterms and Lily would only sit by or talk to James. It was as if she only trusted him and no one else…in which it was true.
Another Hogsmede trip came and this was when all fourth years and above bought their formal attire for the 'Winter Wonderland' Ball.
Lily and James entered 'Lady Goldstein's Formal Gallery' and Lady Goldstein told them that she'd get James's measurements in a few minutes.
While James was being fit for his tux lady looked around for the perfect dress. Lily was surprised to find it almost immediately.
It was a hunter green, velvet gown that was off the shoulder and reached her ankles. Lily knew she had to try it on. Surprisingly it felt perfectly!
The bodice was fit tight like a corset at her hips it began to flare out.
Lily loved it! This was the dress. Lily stepped out to look at the three way mirror two arms she knew very well came around her stomach and she looked into James's eyes through the mirror.
"You're gorgeous doll."
She blushed, "You're just saying that because I'm your date."
"No," he whispered into her ear which sent chills all over her body. "I'm saying because I love you."
She turned around to snuggle into him but he stepped back to say jokingly, "Hey watch the tux."
Lily playfully pushed James, "Shut it. Now lets get you a matching vest and tie, so you can match my dress."
Lily got some black heels to go with her dress and after paying a hefty sum each, they left happily, hand in hand.
The ball would be held on the twenty-third. Students not attending the ball would leave the morning of the twenty-second and the students going to the ball would leave the morning of the twenty-fourth.
Because Bellatrix Black and Paris Waters suspension, they weren't able to attend. A very nice treat for Lily.
Since the night of Lily's rape, she slept every night with James. Of course he didn't object. The closer he got to Lily, the better for him. James knew he loved Lily with all of his heart and knew he'd never feel this way for any other woman…question was…did she feel the same? Would she be able to love him for the rest of her life and only love him?
