Chapter 11 Secrets Revealed
Lily stood where James had left her, lost in indecision. Should she do what he had asked her to and return to the castle, or should she stay and see if she could be of any help? If whatever was in this tunnel was as dangerous as Potter had said, she hardly felt comfortable with leaving Potter and Snape here to face it.
James' footsteps had died away by this time. Feeling apprehensive standing in this dank tunnel with danger lurking round the next corner, as far as she knew, Lily lit her wand and peered into the gloom in the direction James had gone.
She was so engrossed in trying to see James and Snape that she didn't notice the running footsteps behind her until they were almost upon her.
Lily jumped as someone touched her shoulder and whirled around to face Sirius Black.
* * *
James' legs sped along the tunnel as fast as they would go. Please, please, he thought over and over again, let me get there in time.
Finally he saw the figure in black up ahead. The figure had removed his hood and was now recognizable as Snape. He turned around as he heard James approach but did not stop when James called out to him. Instead, he picked up his pace until he was running flat-out.
Not to be deterred, James gave chase, his desperation giving him extra speed. They were close, too close, to the Shrieking Shack now, and if James didn't get to Snape in time -
Speeding up even more, James caught up to Snape and dove at him, tackling him to the floor of the tunnel. Snape gave a loud "Ooof!" when the breath was knocked from him as they hit the ground. Cursing and struggling, Snape managed to shove a wheezing James off of him.
"What in the bloody hell are you about, Potter?" Snape demanded, his habitual cool reserve disappearing as it often did when he encountered James.
"Snape," James gasped, still trying to catch his breath. "You have to listen to me. What's waiting at the end of this tunnel is dangerous, deadly even. You can't go any further; it isn't safe even here. We have to make our way back to the Whomping Willow as quickly as possible."
"Nice try, Potter," Snape sneered. "But I happen to know that your friend Lupin is at the end of this tunnel and that you're just protecting his pathetic little secret, whatever it may be. But I'll tell you this: when I catch him in whatever illegal activity he's engaged in I'll have him expelled, and you as well for covering up for him."
James tried to hide his disgust at the gleeful expression in Snape's eyes at the thought of his expulsion. "That letter was a set up, Snape," he said quietly. "The person who sent it to you wanted to get back at you for - certain things - because that person knew what was in this tunnel and wanted to scare you."
Snape snorted, his eyes contemptuous, but James could detect a hint of surprise in them as well. "I won't even inquire as to how you found out about the letter, but I think I can determine what's dangerous and what isn't for myself, thanks. Now if you'll just step aside, Potter, you might be in less trouble when this whole thing is brought before Dumbledore."
Snape made to push past James, who stood his ground determinedly. The two circled each other ferociously, like two tigers about to compete for territory. Finally Snape threw the first punch, his right fist landing on James' jaw. James returned with his left, sending Snape staggering back. The two continued to eye each other warily, both waiting for the other to make his move.
Snape knew he couldn't win this fight, they might be somewhat well matched when it came to wizardry, but physically James had the clear advantage. Years of Quidditch training had sharpened his reflexes and strengthened his muscles, whereas Snape was not a physical person at all with little strength and clumsy reflexes.
So Snape did the only thing he could do. He drew his wand and shot a Conjunctivitis Curse into James' eye, blinding him momentarily. Snape wasted no time in dashing past him, knowing that his aim had been poor and the spell had not hit James fully in the eye.
Recovering quickly, eyes stinging, James once again pursued Snape down the tunnel, cursing him under his breath. Snape was going to end up as Moony's midnight snack despite his best efforts to prevent it.
Rounding a corner, James collided with something solid, nearly toppling them both over. Realizing it was Snape, James was about to open his mouth to ask him what in the bloody hell he was doing when a low growl echoing from a ways down the tunnel answered his question.
Snape was about to meet Moony.
* * *
"Evans?" Sirius exclaimed. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here? Where's Pr - I mean James?"
"He went chasing after Snape after telling me to go back to the castle," Lily reported, feeling like a messenger service.
"Well he's right you know," Sirius snapped. "Get out of here before something happens to you. I'm going after James and Snivellus."
"For your information, you arrogant, bossy little twit, I was just about to go and find Dumbledore," Lily snapped, frustrated and sick of being ordered around and left in the dark. "But if I do that, who's going to help you?"
"I'll be fine," Sirius retorted a bit cockily. "And Peter should be along any time."
"Yes, you're quite right, you and Peter should be fine," Lily said innocently, twirling a lock of crimson hair idly round her finger. "Tell me, how IS his nose? Did Madam Pomfrey manage to reverse that Engorgement Charm all right?"
"That was an accident, " Sirius defended his friend. "Could've happened to anyone."
Lily snorted in disbelief. "Anyone, eh? I'm a Muggle born and I know not to cast spells in front of mirrors."
Sirius opened his mouth to reply but just then Peter came up to them looking thoroughly put out. "I can't believe you lot left without me! Seven o'clock, you said, but then you just take off early without saying a word. I'm just as much a part of these full moons as you are, and I'd like to know how you lot would even get to Remus without me to freeze the tree - "
Peter broke off as he realized who was standing next to Sirius, his face going pale. "Ev - Evans? Wh - What - ?" Peter looked to Sirius, completely at a loss.
"Peter, go back to the castle and fetch Professor Dumbledore," Lily said firmly. "Potter and Snape are down here and their lives may be in danger. Black and I will stay here and try to help them. Hurry! Go!"
"She's right, Pete, go and get Dumbledore," Sirius said grudgingly. "But Evans is going with you."
"But what if you need help?" Lily repeated stubbornly.
Sirius sighed. "Go on Pete, this might take a bit." Peter hurried off, looking confused and apprehensive and rather guilty.
"Look, Evans, it's very sweet and all that you want to be James' knight in shining armor, but this is dangerous shite. You're in way over your head here and you need to leave."
"Will you shut -" Lily began, but Sirius cut her off.
"Shhh! Listen."
Lily and Sirius stood motionless, listening. They could hear running footsteps in the distance, and low, vicious growls. Sirius looked at Lily in horror.
"Run!" he said urgently, giving Lily a little shove. "Don't stop till you get to the castle. Go! Now! Before it's too late!"
"What about -" Lily stuttered, her face pale.
"Don't worry about them or me. We can handle this. We've done it before. Just go!"
Lily didn't need any more encouragement. She raced back through the tunnel faster than she had known she was capable of going. Unfortunately, she hadn't considered one factor:
The Whomping Willow.
* * *
James tore down the tunnel, Snape at his heels, and considered whether or not he should risk transforming in front of Snape. In stag form, he could handle Moony and wouldn't be in any danger of joining him.
But if Snape came through this alive, James had little doubt that he would ensure that James received a life sentence in Azkaban for becoming an unregistered Animagus and on the whole James would prefer lycanthropy to a lifetime of imprisonment and Snape's gloating.
James rounded another bend. They didn't have much of a head start on Moony, he was sure of that, but he stopped anyway when he came face to face with Sirius. Snape stopped too, his fear evident on his face.
"Go!" Sirius ordered them. "Peter's gone to fetch Dumbledore. You and Snape go join Evans by the Willow. I'll take care of our friend back there."
Understanding that Sirius would transform and herd Moony back to the Shrieking Shack, James continued forward, Snape following his lead.
* * *
The tree got in only a few good hits before Lily managed to roll out of its reach. Panting, she wiped a trickle of blood from her face and tried to make out what was going on in the tunnel. But she was too far away now. The grounds were silent.
Lily swiped at more blood from the cut in her forehead and moved away from the still-thrashing Whomping Willow. Vicious thing, really.
To her utter surprise, the tree stopped moving mid-whomp and hung as limply and harmlessly as it had done earlier.
There was some brief rustling, then two sweaty, panting figures became visible through the tree.
Potter and Snape were alive after all.
* * *
Lily stood quietly to one side as the three boys stared each other down. In all of the years Lily had known Potter and Black, she had never seen them show any enmity towards each other.
Until tonight, anyway.
A few minutes after Snape and Potter had appeared, exhausted, from the tunnel, Sirius had emerged, nearly as sweaty, dirty, and tired as they were.
Still trying to catch his breath, James had strode over to Sirius and swung at him, hitting him dead in the eye.
"You bloody git!" James shouted, catching his breath at last. "You could have gotten the lot of us killed, you stupid prick!"
James hadn't hit Sirius again but had continued to hurl insults at Sirius who, to Lily's surprise, hadn't argued with him or retaliated in any way. By this time Snape had caught his own breath and looked ready to do someone a serious injury.
"I knew that the pair of you were capable of a great deal," Snape hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "But this little escapade qualifies as attempted murder. I'll have you both expelled, Lupin too if he had any role in tonight's proceedings, though he'll doubtless be expelled anyway for hiding this little secret. And you Black," Snape turned to face Sirius, his tone even more deadly. "If you did write that letter, which Potter as much as admitted to me, I will have you thrown in Azkaban. For. Life," Snape enunciated the last two words emphatically, savoring them.
Sirius moved toward Snape, fists clenched. "I'm not the only one capable of violence, Snivellus," Sirius gritted out through clenched teeth. "James and I SAW you Stun Evans so Bellatrix could use the Cruciatus Curse on her!"
"I - I did not know that Bellatrix was going to do that," Snape defended himself, but Lily could see that he was at a loss.
"That's shite and you know it!" Sirius exclaimed. "You knew Bellatrix wanted to hurt her and you helped her to do it!"
"Mr. Black! Mr. Snape!" That's quite enough!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed before Snape could reply. She, Professor Dumbledore, and Peter had come up behind them.
"All of you will follow me to my office, please," Dumbledore announced in his usual calm tone, but it was plain to see that he was upset. "We can discuss this matter more fully there."
* * *
James stood in the corner of Dumbledore's office, arms folded, listening to Sirius tell his story. Surprisingly enough, Sirius had admitted not only to writing the letter but also that it had been wrong of him. Even still, James didn't trust himself to look at his best friend, and Sirius hadn't tried to catch his eye again either.
After Snape, Lily, and James had given their versions of the events, Dumbledore faced the assembled students.
"Everyone, with the exceptions of Mr. Black and Mr. Snape, may return to their dormitories. Sirius, you will wait outside. Professor McGonagall and I will wish to speak with you regarding your punishment. Severus, I would like to speak with you privately before you return to your dormitory. If you would wait outside with Professor McGonagall, Sirius."
Everyone, including Professor McGonagall, filed out of the office. As they went, Sirius caught up to James.
"I'm really sorry, Prongs," Sirius began in a low, earnest voice. "I cocked it up good and proper, didn't I? But I never meant for any of this to happen. You have to believe me." Sirius' voice rose with that last sentence.
"I know, Padfoot. I do," James said softly, still not meeting Sirius' eye. "It's just - I'll talk to you later, all right?"
Sirius looked down, not saying anything more. James waited there with Sirius for Dumbledore to call him, not knowing what else to do. Peter and McGonagall stayed, as expected, but to James' surprise Lily waited about too, talking to Professor McGonagall.
Finally Snape came down the stairs, his eyes bitter and resentful. He didn't say a word to the others as he passed them on the way to his dormitory. James could only hope that Dumbledore had somehow managed to convince him to keep Remus' secret.
Sirius started up the steps, but McGonagall lingered for another moment. "Potter," she said suddenly. "A word?" James motioned to Peter to go on and moved toward McGonagall, slightly surprised.
"You are, as I'm sure you are aware, one of the only people that Sirius Black listens to," McGonagall said in a low tone. James just stared at her, not sure where this was going.
"As one of those people," McGonagall continued, "I would strongly suggest that you use that influence for positive purposes. Your friend could be in serious trouble after tonight's misadventure." James was still silent, processing this information.
"Just something you might think about," McGonagall said after a short pause, then turned to make her way up the stairs.
"Professor?" James called after her. McGonagall turned.
"I will think about it. And you're right." McGonagall nodded curtly and continued up the stairs but James was fairly sure that he had seen a look of relief in her eyes.
* * *
James turned to go, suddenly exhausted beyond belief. As he rounded the corner and headed toward the stairs, he stopped short at the unexpected sight of Lily Evans leaning against the wall and apparently waiting for him.
"I thought you'd've gone back to the dormitory," James blurted, going red in the face and feeling the obligatory flip-flop in his stomach.
"I - er - I wanted to talk to you," Lily stammered, twirling a lock of hair round her finger. James' impulse to touch it was stronger than ever. He continued down the corridor so he wouldn't, Lily falling into step beside him.
After a few extremely awkward seconds, Lily spoke up.
"I wanted to apologize to you for what I said to you when Bellatrix - well - I mean - for what I said to you about being no better than they were," Lily's face was nearly as red as her hair. "I was upset when I said it and it isn't true. It was wrong of me to say it. What you did tonight proves that you aren't like them."
James felt his heart hammering against his ribcage. He simply could not believe his ears. Evans apologizing to him?
"I admire what you did for Snape," Lily continued hurriedly after taking a deep breath. "It must have been very difficult for you but you did it because it was the right thing. It was very brave of you."
Lily stopped, glancing at him, but for once in his life James was incapable of saying anything, even the wrong thing.
"And you needn't worry," Lily added softly. "Remus' secret is safe with me." With that Lily hurried ahead, her embarrassment apparently getting the best of her.
James watched her go bemusedly, aware that he very probably had a completely moronic grin on his face. He couldn't ever remember feeling so elated. Lily Evans had apologized and complimented him all in one night. The world suddenly seemed to be full of exciting possibilities.
James, wanting to allow Lily plenty of time to return to Gryffindor Tower and get to bed, stopped altogether in the corridor to repeat Lily's words to him over and over in his head.
And during that entire walk back to Gryffindor Tower, James never once felt the floor beneath his feet.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry this took me so long, I've been busier than usual lately. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, especially maggie, Blue Eyes 7, Willow23, James Potter09, Ronald's Girl, and MarryMeJames. Also, for everyone who is interested, Priori Incantatem is being translated into French. Thank you to Morty for doing the translation. Next chapter will be up faster than this one was, don't forget to review!
Lily stood where James had left her, lost in indecision. Should she do what he had asked her to and return to the castle, or should she stay and see if she could be of any help? If whatever was in this tunnel was as dangerous as Potter had said, she hardly felt comfortable with leaving Potter and Snape here to face it.
James' footsteps had died away by this time. Feeling apprehensive standing in this dank tunnel with danger lurking round the next corner, as far as she knew, Lily lit her wand and peered into the gloom in the direction James had gone.
She was so engrossed in trying to see James and Snape that she didn't notice the running footsteps behind her until they were almost upon her.
Lily jumped as someone touched her shoulder and whirled around to face Sirius Black.
* * *
James' legs sped along the tunnel as fast as they would go. Please, please, he thought over and over again, let me get there in time.
Finally he saw the figure in black up ahead. The figure had removed his hood and was now recognizable as Snape. He turned around as he heard James approach but did not stop when James called out to him. Instead, he picked up his pace until he was running flat-out.
Not to be deterred, James gave chase, his desperation giving him extra speed. They were close, too close, to the Shrieking Shack now, and if James didn't get to Snape in time -
Speeding up even more, James caught up to Snape and dove at him, tackling him to the floor of the tunnel. Snape gave a loud "Ooof!" when the breath was knocked from him as they hit the ground. Cursing and struggling, Snape managed to shove a wheezing James off of him.
"What in the bloody hell are you about, Potter?" Snape demanded, his habitual cool reserve disappearing as it often did when he encountered James.
"Snape," James gasped, still trying to catch his breath. "You have to listen to me. What's waiting at the end of this tunnel is dangerous, deadly even. You can't go any further; it isn't safe even here. We have to make our way back to the Whomping Willow as quickly as possible."
"Nice try, Potter," Snape sneered. "But I happen to know that your friend Lupin is at the end of this tunnel and that you're just protecting his pathetic little secret, whatever it may be. But I'll tell you this: when I catch him in whatever illegal activity he's engaged in I'll have him expelled, and you as well for covering up for him."
James tried to hide his disgust at the gleeful expression in Snape's eyes at the thought of his expulsion. "That letter was a set up, Snape," he said quietly. "The person who sent it to you wanted to get back at you for - certain things - because that person knew what was in this tunnel and wanted to scare you."
Snape snorted, his eyes contemptuous, but James could detect a hint of surprise in them as well. "I won't even inquire as to how you found out about the letter, but I think I can determine what's dangerous and what isn't for myself, thanks. Now if you'll just step aside, Potter, you might be in less trouble when this whole thing is brought before Dumbledore."
Snape made to push past James, who stood his ground determinedly. The two circled each other ferociously, like two tigers about to compete for territory. Finally Snape threw the first punch, his right fist landing on James' jaw. James returned with his left, sending Snape staggering back. The two continued to eye each other warily, both waiting for the other to make his move.
Snape knew he couldn't win this fight, they might be somewhat well matched when it came to wizardry, but physically James had the clear advantage. Years of Quidditch training had sharpened his reflexes and strengthened his muscles, whereas Snape was not a physical person at all with little strength and clumsy reflexes.
So Snape did the only thing he could do. He drew his wand and shot a Conjunctivitis Curse into James' eye, blinding him momentarily. Snape wasted no time in dashing past him, knowing that his aim had been poor and the spell had not hit James fully in the eye.
Recovering quickly, eyes stinging, James once again pursued Snape down the tunnel, cursing him under his breath. Snape was going to end up as Moony's midnight snack despite his best efforts to prevent it.
Rounding a corner, James collided with something solid, nearly toppling them both over. Realizing it was Snape, James was about to open his mouth to ask him what in the bloody hell he was doing when a low growl echoing from a ways down the tunnel answered his question.
Snape was about to meet Moony.
* * *
"Evans?" Sirius exclaimed. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here? Where's Pr - I mean James?"
"He went chasing after Snape after telling me to go back to the castle," Lily reported, feeling like a messenger service.
"Well he's right you know," Sirius snapped. "Get out of here before something happens to you. I'm going after James and Snivellus."
"For your information, you arrogant, bossy little twit, I was just about to go and find Dumbledore," Lily snapped, frustrated and sick of being ordered around and left in the dark. "But if I do that, who's going to help you?"
"I'll be fine," Sirius retorted a bit cockily. "And Peter should be along any time."
"Yes, you're quite right, you and Peter should be fine," Lily said innocently, twirling a lock of crimson hair idly round her finger. "Tell me, how IS his nose? Did Madam Pomfrey manage to reverse that Engorgement Charm all right?"
"That was an accident, " Sirius defended his friend. "Could've happened to anyone."
Lily snorted in disbelief. "Anyone, eh? I'm a Muggle born and I know not to cast spells in front of mirrors."
Sirius opened his mouth to reply but just then Peter came up to them looking thoroughly put out. "I can't believe you lot left without me! Seven o'clock, you said, but then you just take off early without saying a word. I'm just as much a part of these full moons as you are, and I'd like to know how you lot would even get to Remus without me to freeze the tree - "
Peter broke off as he realized who was standing next to Sirius, his face going pale. "Ev - Evans? Wh - What - ?" Peter looked to Sirius, completely at a loss.
"Peter, go back to the castle and fetch Professor Dumbledore," Lily said firmly. "Potter and Snape are down here and their lives may be in danger. Black and I will stay here and try to help them. Hurry! Go!"
"She's right, Pete, go and get Dumbledore," Sirius said grudgingly. "But Evans is going with you."
"But what if you need help?" Lily repeated stubbornly.
Sirius sighed. "Go on Pete, this might take a bit." Peter hurried off, looking confused and apprehensive and rather guilty.
"Look, Evans, it's very sweet and all that you want to be James' knight in shining armor, but this is dangerous shite. You're in way over your head here and you need to leave."
"Will you shut -" Lily began, but Sirius cut her off.
"Shhh! Listen."
Lily and Sirius stood motionless, listening. They could hear running footsteps in the distance, and low, vicious growls. Sirius looked at Lily in horror.
"Run!" he said urgently, giving Lily a little shove. "Don't stop till you get to the castle. Go! Now! Before it's too late!"
"What about -" Lily stuttered, her face pale.
"Don't worry about them or me. We can handle this. We've done it before. Just go!"
Lily didn't need any more encouragement. She raced back through the tunnel faster than she had known she was capable of going. Unfortunately, she hadn't considered one factor:
The Whomping Willow.
* * *
James tore down the tunnel, Snape at his heels, and considered whether or not he should risk transforming in front of Snape. In stag form, he could handle Moony and wouldn't be in any danger of joining him.
But if Snape came through this alive, James had little doubt that he would ensure that James received a life sentence in Azkaban for becoming an unregistered Animagus and on the whole James would prefer lycanthropy to a lifetime of imprisonment and Snape's gloating.
James rounded another bend. They didn't have much of a head start on Moony, he was sure of that, but he stopped anyway when he came face to face with Sirius. Snape stopped too, his fear evident on his face.
"Go!" Sirius ordered them. "Peter's gone to fetch Dumbledore. You and Snape go join Evans by the Willow. I'll take care of our friend back there."
Understanding that Sirius would transform and herd Moony back to the Shrieking Shack, James continued forward, Snape following his lead.
* * *
The tree got in only a few good hits before Lily managed to roll out of its reach. Panting, she wiped a trickle of blood from her face and tried to make out what was going on in the tunnel. But she was too far away now. The grounds were silent.
Lily swiped at more blood from the cut in her forehead and moved away from the still-thrashing Whomping Willow. Vicious thing, really.
To her utter surprise, the tree stopped moving mid-whomp and hung as limply and harmlessly as it had done earlier.
There was some brief rustling, then two sweaty, panting figures became visible through the tree.
Potter and Snape were alive after all.
* * *
Lily stood quietly to one side as the three boys stared each other down. In all of the years Lily had known Potter and Black, she had never seen them show any enmity towards each other.
Until tonight, anyway.
A few minutes after Snape and Potter had appeared, exhausted, from the tunnel, Sirius had emerged, nearly as sweaty, dirty, and tired as they were.
Still trying to catch his breath, James had strode over to Sirius and swung at him, hitting him dead in the eye.
"You bloody git!" James shouted, catching his breath at last. "You could have gotten the lot of us killed, you stupid prick!"
James hadn't hit Sirius again but had continued to hurl insults at Sirius who, to Lily's surprise, hadn't argued with him or retaliated in any way. By this time Snape had caught his own breath and looked ready to do someone a serious injury.
"I knew that the pair of you were capable of a great deal," Snape hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "But this little escapade qualifies as attempted murder. I'll have you both expelled, Lupin too if he had any role in tonight's proceedings, though he'll doubtless be expelled anyway for hiding this little secret. And you Black," Snape turned to face Sirius, his tone even more deadly. "If you did write that letter, which Potter as much as admitted to me, I will have you thrown in Azkaban. For. Life," Snape enunciated the last two words emphatically, savoring them.
Sirius moved toward Snape, fists clenched. "I'm not the only one capable of violence, Snivellus," Sirius gritted out through clenched teeth. "James and I SAW you Stun Evans so Bellatrix could use the Cruciatus Curse on her!"
"I - I did not know that Bellatrix was going to do that," Snape defended himself, but Lily could see that he was at a loss.
"That's shite and you know it!" Sirius exclaimed. "You knew Bellatrix wanted to hurt her and you helped her to do it!"
"Mr. Black! Mr. Snape!" That's quite enough!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed before Snape could reply. She, Professor Dumbledore, and Peter had come up behind them.
"All of you will follow me to my office, please," Dumbledore announced in his usual calm tone, but it was plain to see that he was upset. "We can discuss this matter more fully there."
* * *
James stood in the corner of Dumbledore's office, arms folded, listening to Sirius tell his story. Surprisingly enough, Sirius had admitted not only to writing the letter but also that it had been wrong of him. Even still, James didn't trust himself to look at his best friend, and Sirius hadn't tried to catch his eye again either.
After Snape, Lily, and James had given their versions of the events, Dumbledore faced the assembled students.
"Everyone, with the exceptions of Mr. Black and Mr. Snape, may return to their dormitories. Sirius, you will wait outside. Professor McGonagall and I will wish to speak with you regarding your punishment. Severus, I would like to speak with you privately before you return to your dormitory. If you would wait outside with Professor McGonagall, Sirius."
Everyone, including Professor McGonagall, filed out of the office. As they went, Sirius caught up to James.
"I'm really sorry, Prongs," Sirius began in a low, earnest voice. "I cocked it up good and proper, didn't I? But I never meant for any of this to happen. You have to believe me." Sirius' voice rose with that last sentence.
"I know, Padfoot. I do," James said softly, still not meeting Sirius' eye. "It's just - I'll talk to you later, all right?"
Sirius looked down, not saying anything more. James waited there with Sirius for Dumbledore to call him, not knowing what else to do. Peter and McGonagall stayed, as expected, but to James' surprise Lily waited about too, talking to Professor McGonagall.
Finally Snape came down the stairs, his eyes bitter and resentful. He didn't say a word to the others as he passed them on the way to his dormitory. James could only hope that Dumbledore had somehow managed to convince him to keep Remus' secret.
Sirius started up the steps, but McGonagall lingered for another moment. "Potter," she said suddenly. "A word?" James motioned to Peter to go on and moved toward McGonagall, slightly surprised.
"You are, as I'm sure you are aware, one of the only people that Sirius Black listens to," McGonagall said in a low tone. James just stared at her, not sure where this was going.
"As one of those people," McGonagall continued, "I would strongly suggest that you use that influence for positive purposes. Your friend could be in serious trouble after tonight's misadventure." James was still silent, processing this information.
"Just something you might think about," McGonagall said after a short pause, then turned to make her way up the stairs.
"Professor?" James called after her. McGonagall turned.
"I will think about it. And you're right." McGonagall nodded curtly and continued up the stairs but James was fairly sure that he had seen a look of relief in her eyes.
* * *
James turned to go, suddenly exhausted beyond belief. As he rounded the corner and headed toward the stairs, he stopped short at the unexpected sight of Lily Evans leaning against the wall and apparently waiting for him.
"I thought you'd've gone back to the dormitory," James blurted, going red in the face and feeling the obligatory flip-flop in his stomach.
"I - er - I wanted to talk to you," Lily stammered, twirling a lock of hair round her finger. James' impulse to touch it was stronger than ever. He continued down the corridor so he wouldn't, Lily falling into step beside him.
After a few extremely awkward seconds, Lily spoke up.
"I wanted to apologize to you for what I said to you when Bellatrix - well - I mean - for what I said to you about being no better than they were," Lily's face was nearly as red as her hair. "I was upset when I said it and it isn't true. It was wrong of me to say it. What you did tonight proves that you aren't like them."
James felt his heart hammering against his ribcage. He simply could not believe his ears. Evans apologizing to him?
"I admire what you did for Snape," Lily continued hurriedly after taking a deep breath. "It must have been very difficult for you but you did it because it was the right thing. It was very brave of you."
Lily stopped, glancing at him, but for once in his life James was incapable of saying anything, even the wrong thing.
"And you needn't worry," Lily added softly. "Remus' secret is safe with me." With that Lily hurried ahead, her embarrassment apparently getting the best of her.
James watched her go bemusedly, aware that he very probably had a completely moronic grin on his face. He couldn't ever remember feeling so elated. Lily Evans had apologized and complimented him all in one night. The world suddenly seemed to be full of exciting possibilities.
James, wanting to allow Lily plenty of time to return to Gryffindor Tower and get to bed, stopped altogether in the corridor to repeat Lily's words to him over and over in his head.
And during that entire walk back to Gryffindor Tower, James never once felt the floor beneath his feet.
* * *
Author's Note: Sorry this took me so long, I've been busier than usual lately. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, especially maggie, Blue Eyes 7, Willow23, James Potter09, Ronald's Girl, and MarryMeJames. Also, for everyone who is interested, Priori Incantatem is being translated into French. Thank you to Morty for doing the translation. Next chapter will be up faster than this one was, don't forget to review!