Disclaimer: Listen people, if I owned Harry Potter, do you think I'd be writing it here? I DON'T! So please don't sue me, I have nothing! Zero, Zip, Zilch, Nada, Cero!

P. S. I own characters you don't recognize, but the rest are the work of the goddess of fantasy, J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 2: Not Just An Arrogant Bully

"Well that was just about the easiest test I've ever taken." James hollered as he strode toward the rest of the Marauders.

"That was easy?" whined Peter, his eyes widening in fear. "I'd rather deal with McGonagall!"

James rolled his eyes. Typical Peter. He thought.

"Ditto." chimed in Sirius, pulling off his cloak as they headed back to the common room. "Damn, it's bloody hot out. Who turned up the heat?"

Remus looked out the window at the sky. "It'll be cooler tonight. Bring warm clothes with you guys, ok?"

"No problem Moony." Said James. They reached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"How was the exams, boys?" she inquired.

"Hard." said Peter, as James answered "Easy."

She looked confused.

"It was Transfiguration." explained Remus.

"Oh. Password?"

"Expediency." said James. They all climbed in. As they walked into the room James stopped dead and threw an arm out to stop the others. Lily was sitting in the Marauders favourite spot, the corner table, her arms folded as if she was waiting and a very sad look on her face.

"Lily are you sick or something?" asked Remus brushing past James and sitting in front of her. The others followed.

She looked up at him, her green eyes wide and tears glistening in each. Her face was red. She had definitely been crying. She shook her head and pushed a piece of parchment toward them.

James took it and read:

Dear Miss Evans,

We are sorry to inform you that Followers of the Dark Wizard You- Know- Who attacked your parents home last night. Your father was killed and your mother was severely injured. The attackers were apprehended and sentenced to life in Azkaban.

Please accept our condolences and if there is anything we can do to be of service to your family at this time, please feel free to contact the Ministry of Magic.

Sincerely,

Mathilda J. Hammonton

Department of Magical Defence

James passed the letter to Remus in shock. He knew exactly how Lily felt. His mother had died after he was born, and he only knew what she was like from pictures and stories from his dad.

"Lily, I don't know what to say." Remus was saying. "I'm sorry." He looked at James, who still hadn't said anything.

Sirius was looking at the table and Peter was chewing a fingernail. He did that when he was nervous.

James looked at Remus and nodded his head toward the door to the boys dorms as if to say "Go. I'll talk to her." Remus nodded to the others and the three boys went upstairs.

James ran a hand through his already messy hair and sighed. "I'm really sorry, Lily. Were you close?"

She started at him through her tears. "That's the worst part. My dad was a workaholic. I barely knew him." She wiped the tears form her eyes ferociously, as though they angered her. "And now I'll never know him."

"I know the feeling. My mum, she died when I was born."

Lily looked up at him, eyes widening with shock. "You never said that. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I don't know her except for pictures and stuff. And stories. You could get to know your dad by talking to people who knew him. That's how I know my mom."

"It won't be the same." She sniffled and James handed her a tissue from the box on the end of the table. "Thanks."

"No, maybe it won't. But at least you got memories. I got diddly-squat." he grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

She smiled slightly. "I suppose."

"Do your friends know?"

"Not yet."

"You should tell them. Talking to friends helps. My dad... He's a Unspeakable... He can't talk about much... But he says talking helps. Don't know how he knows that. Must be a parent thing." he started to leave.

"James?"

She called me James! He turned back to her. "Yeah?"

She smiled. "Thanks. I guess you're not just a arrogant bully."

He grinned back. "I try my best." She rose as well. "And Lily?"

"Yes?"

"I'll listen if they won't, or can't, ok?"

"Thanks again James."

"Don't mention it. Really." He grinned sarcastically. "It's bad for my image."

"You'd better run, Potter."

He ran up the stairs to the boy's dorms thinking, Great I'm back to being Potter. Smooth Move Prongs.

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. This was definitely a more serious chapter. I'll try to update as much as possible.

Justanormalgirl357: Thanks for the support. I'm glad you liked it. I tried to change it to accept anonymous reviews. Thanks for the advice.

Phantom radio: I'm glad you liked the Remus/ Cara thing. What do you mean by "Or maybe a-wait wait, never mind"?

P. S. Has Anyone Caught My subtle Hints about A SECRET?