MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus- First reviewer for this chapter!  And thank you!  You really do stand up for Lils, don't ya?  ^_~

uNoeWho- I know I'm evil.  *grins* But someone has to get hurt in order for Lils and Jamesie to get together… mwah!

Lanette- Didn't I tell you who Sylvia Snape was?!?!  Oh yeah, it must have been in the deleted chapter 8 of this story… oops!  Well, let me make it clear.  I think it was Snape's older sister, I believe, but she's nice and humane, unlike Snape.  And Percy probably did go back to his own dormitory, but I changed my ficcy because… well, Lily and James must get together, right?

BlackLupin- That song was by Good Charlotte, in case you wanted to know.  One of my favorite groups- don't diss 'em!  Lily won't die till Harry's a year old; I know that… it was just a freaky little twist I threw in.  About that prank, any suggestions?  Of course, once James and Lily get together they won't do it… unless Sirius and Caitlin decide to pull the prank… hmm.  We'll see.  ^_~ And I have a vague, slight idea how long this will be… no, I don't.  Just kidding.  It'll last a satisfactory amount of time, though.

moonlightgirl*ChoChang- I just get this feeling that you're starting to hate me more and more… but you can e-mail me, you know- that's what I mean by winter break being over… and she's not dead, but that was the ironic prediction.

Nilu- Hehe yeah, good job again.  No, it's not deadly.  Why would I kill Lils off?!?!

cherri ookami- Um, I'd like to request something of you.  Thanks for being a faithful reviewer, but… could I have a little more feedback on my chapters, please?  Thank you.

A/N: I apologize a thousand times to all of you for the long wait.  I've been so busy with school, and everything's really hectic right now.  Lots of tests, projects… you know the deal.  I'm trying my very hardest but some people just expect more and more and guess who MUST meet those standards?  Oh, and now that spring break's here, I'll be writing every spare moment I get. Thanks all!

            Also, I might not be able to give individual review responses for awhile. I apologize, but my computer has been back up and running for a while, but my dad and I haven't gotten around to fixing my e-mail address up yet. It will be changed, but I will make modifications to my profile thing so you guys can see it. Thanks again!

To Be Young Again

Chapter 23: Feeling Obligated

James tentatively touched the girl's cheek.  His hand drew back quickly, surprised at the icy feeling.  He had hesitated to follow Dumbledore to the Hospital Wing, but somehow he felt it was his duty to watch over her.

It was now midnight, the entire school asleep, save for James in the Hospital Wing in his Invisibility Cloak.

Footsteps sounded in the hall.  James ducked quickly behind the bed, his cloak still concealing him.  A tall blonde figure walked in.  James' fists clenched angrily in recognition.

Luke bent over the girl and kissed her forehead lightly.  He slipped something into her hand and left.  James got up and opened her hand gently.

Lily,

Meet me at the Slytherin Common Room.  I've told the portrait to permit you.  There's something very important I must say.

Luke

James crumpled up the note angrily and threw it across the room.  I bet she would go when he asked her to, he thought heatedly.  After his anger and jealousy had receded, he fingered the girl's hand lovingly.  A whisper escaped his mouth.

            "Lily…"

*

Come get me… someone…

Lily wanted to answer for reasons unbeknownst to her, but her mouth would not open.  She screamed.  No sound escaped.  She screamed Luke's name, Caitlin's name, Arabella, Jane…

Nothing.

*

"Why, hello, young men," the nurse said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Madam Pomfrey," Luke Walker replied.  "Is Lily…?"

"I'm sorry," Madam Pomfrey's face darkened.  "Miss Evans has not yet awoken.  She cannot hear you either, so don't bother talking to the girl."

Luke noticed the piece of parchment missing from Lily's open hand.

            "Madam Pomfrey, are you sure…?"

            "Nothing, Mr. Walker.  Nothing."

            "Was there a piece of parchment…?"

            "Nothing," she repeated.

Luke nodded, somewhat puzzled.

*

Yet another night, James stayed at the Hospital Wing under his Invisibility Cloak, his legs tucked and curled into a ball. He sat there, huddled, not knowing what to do, and yet not caring. He looked upon Lily's face, peaceful and at rest, her lips curved into a faint smile. She was obviously dreaming, and it was a better dream than the nightmare she had had the night before.  James sat there for hours, all through the night, not caring what the rest of the school—or world—was doing.

Warm October nights

            You came and cuddled next to me, baby yeah yeah yeah

            Our noses brushed so close

            I wished it was our souls

            Drifting off to sleep

I could hear the little snores you made

Watching eyes shut tight

Like doors to something sweeter where you rest

Tear me off a piece of blanket

Keep me warm and we can make it

Here's my heart, I'll let you break it

Touched your skin and I can't take it

Light will creep in soon

And I still haven't slept a wink, baby yeah yeah yeah

I wish the sun would hide its head

So I could watch you dream some more

Wished the sun would hide its head

So I could watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you dream some more girl

I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you

I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you dream some more girl

 I wanna watch you dream some more

I wanna watch you

Tear me off a piece of blanket

Keep me warm and we can make it

Here's my heart, I'll let you break it

Touched your skin

            "James?"

James' head whipped up. Sirius stood in the doorway.

            "What are you doing here?" James asked.

            "I might ask you the same question." As James opened his mouth to protest, Sirius said, "Actually, I noticed you haven't been in the dorms for two nights straight and went looking for you. I thought I might find you here."

            "Oh." James didn't know what to say. "Thanks."

            "Sure." There was a pause.  "James, you know you can't stay here all night, every night. What about…friends? Pranks? Even homework?"

            "Oh, you know I can get the work done," James said dismissively. "I always find a way. As for friends and pranking, we do that all day. Come on, Padfoot."

            "Well, then what about sleep, Prongs?"

            "Sirius, I've got it all figured out. I made a potion that'll keep me awake in class. Don't worry about me."

            "I'll try not to." Sirius turned to leave.  He turned around again. "James, you know she doesn't deserve someone as good as you. You've been faithful but you know she doesn't care.  She has a boyfriend now.  I know you're in love with her, but… she just won't have you, Prongs.  You're so good to her but she won't repay you. I'm sorry." He left.

James' face was downcast, knowing that what he had known was out in the open now.

*

            "Madam Pomfrey, may I speak to you?" Professor Albus Dumbledore stuck his head through the doorway to Poppy Pomfrey's office.

            "Of course, Albus, what is it?"

            "It's about Miss Evans."

            "No offense, Professor Dumbledore, but shouldn't Armando be coming in? After all, he is headmaster."

            "Yes, well, Armando is busy right now. I've come to ask you- have you diagnosed the potion yet?"

            "Well, I think I'm right in believing that it was a powerful sleeping potion, though it was not the Draught of the Living Dead. I'm not exactly sure what it is, however. Why did you ask?"

            "A student who is very attached to Miss Evans is… at a loss."

Madam Pomfrey nodded.  "Alright, Albus. Whatever you say."

            "Good day, Poppy."

A/N: Hey people! Sorry about the long wait. That song was by Yellowcard ("October Nights"). One of my favorite songs.  Sorry if I got the lyrics wrong- I got 'em off a website.  If you wanna let me know in a review the right lyrics if I got them wrong, feel free to.  It's open to suggestion.

The chapter was kinda pointless, I know, but Lily will be waking up soon.  Coming up next chapter:

- Possibly Lily's revival

- A surprising fact about Luke we have not yet discovered

- Maybe a couple other things. Don't know right now.

And if you see a typo (i.e., a spelling error or grammatical error or whatever else), please notify me in a review so I can fix it.  Thanks!

Don't have much to say. Review!

~*OutofAzkaban*~