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The Wind Through My Hair

Lily had done it, she had left the Marauders. It wasn't as if she was emotionally attached to it or anything. It was just...Lily had really, really wanted to try being wild. She hadn't been anywhere close to it. She had had one taste of it, and she had been hungry for more. Now, however? Now, Lily wished she could've just seen her parents one last time. Maybe have said goodbye, or hugged them. Be the sweet little girl they had raised. Why had she wanted to change herself?

All week, people had come up to her and coddled her, asked her if she was okay. If Lily heard the words, "Are you okay?" one more time, she thought she might just strangle that person. Lily was so exhausted. The workload had been getting heavier and heavier, and exams were drawing near. She had prefect duties, people had been pestering her, thinking it would make her feel better if they were constantly by her side, and her parents' funeral was in two days. Lily would have to miss a few days of school for that. She was leaving tomorrow morning.

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Lily looked around. People she had known all her life, and people she had never seen even once were all there, in that vast green field, where other gray headstones were. The coffins were there, side by side with bouquets of white roses on top of their dark wood. Some people were crying, while others were reminiscing. It was dark and gloomy outside, and she could already feel drops of rain here and there.

Lily walked up to the coffins and looked at them. She was glad they were closed. She didn't think she could handle looking at them while they were like that. She put her hand on her mother's coffin.

"Hello, Mum," she said, hardly audible. Her throat was dry.

"I don't know if you know this..." she stopped though, as she felt a shadow over her. Lily turned around and found Petunia there, eyes brimming with tears, as well as hate, and folded arms. Her black dress was blowing around her, and with her arms folded like that, Petunia looked cold. Silence passed between them.

"You know, this is your fault," said Petunia. Lily opened her mouth slightly, in shock. How was any of this her fault?

"You know, if you weren't....if you weren't unnatural, then none of this would've happened. Mum and Dad...they were murdered by your kind, I know it," she said. Petunia's voice cut like knives, and Lily could feel her eyes watering. She had tried not to cry the entire funeral, but Petunia had always managed to make her cry.

"It's not...it's not my fault," Lily croaked.

Petunia made a noise of disbelief. "Right. You're always wonder child, aren't you? Little Lily could never do anything wrong. Mum and Dad had you all wrong. Now they're gone. Thanks a lot, Lily. I don't want to talk to you ever again. Good bye." Petunia walked off, to her boyfriend. They interlaced their hands, and Lily could just hear from Vernon Dursley, as they walked off, "Did you cut it off with her?"

Lily could feel tears streaming down her face as she watched her sister and her boyfriend walk off to talk to other people Petunia had probably never met in her life either. Lily turned back to the coffin, and put her hand on it again. The wind blew all around her, calming her nerves. She breathed in the damp air and exhaled. She felt a few more drops of rain splash into her.

"I said...I don't know if you know this...but I love you."

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Petunia's words weighed heavily on Lily's mind. Was she really the cause of their death? If Lily had not been a Witch, then maybe they would've survived. She didn't know. Ever since their death, Lily had not gotten a full night's rest. She hadn't properly groomed herself, or really cared. Her eyes looked more dead than usual.

James was afraid to talk to Lily. He avoided sitting next to her or communicating with her at all costs. Lily didn't notice, as she was often found daydreaming in class, hardly paying attention at all. James usually sat as far away from her as possible, but ended up staring at her all through class. He couldn't get his mind off of her. She seemed so...solemn. He had never seen her that way. Sure, Lily was serious before, but not in the same way. Lily now had a sad aura about her that showed in her eyes. He didn't know if he should talk to her. He was afraid if he did, she might just burst out into tears or something. How was he supposed to handle something like that?

While all of this was happening, James also had to think about the 7th years' feast. All 7th years had a large, private feast with the Headmaster, and got their last words of wisdom from their Professors. It was sort of like a ball, graduation, and goodbye dinner rolled into one. Only 7th years were invited, but they could invite a younger year as a date. James, no doubt, was getting many offers from some of his older girl mates.

So far, he had said no to all of them.

One day, James was sitting in the Great Hall, a few seats down, diagonally from Lily. She was sitting their idly while Amos Diggory talked to her. He didn't seem to realize she wasn't paying one bit of attention. Her friends, Sarah and Diana seemed to be encouraging his conversation with her, and really trying to get Lily to participate.

"Ahem...excuse me...James?" It was Victoria Schmidt, pretty 7th year Gryffindor with long flowing brown hair and clear blue eyes. She was rich and sophisticated, and her face was layered with makeup. She toyed with the pearl necklace she was wearing while attempting to talk to him.

"Huh? Oh, Hello Vicky..." he said, dazed.

"I was just wondering...would you want to go to the 7th years' ball with me this Saturday night? I mean, it'll be really nice, and I haven't got a date yet. So, what do you say?" she asked.

James was not really paying attention. Half of his mind was on Vicky, and half of his mind was paying attention to what Amos was saying to Lily. He could just hear him, because they were close enough. James was on the verge of saying no to Vicky, but stopped when he heard Diggory asking, smoothly, "So, Lily, would you like to go to the 7th years' feast with me?"

Lily shrugged, but Sarah nodded enthusiastically. "Of COURSE Lily wants to go! She'll meet you in front of the Great Hall doors at...6:30!"

Diana grinned and nodded too, then nudged Lily lightly. "Right, Lily?"

Lily didn't look very interested but nodded anyways. "Alright, I suppose."

"Er...James, hello? Are you there?" asked Victoria.

"Huh? Oh yeah...sure I'll go with you. Meet you in front of the Great Hall doors at...say 6:30?"

"Perfect! See you there," she said, winking at him before waking off to her group of friends.

James smiled slightly and shrugged.

A/N: ooh...what'll happen now?! please read and review. =D