Four nights later, also known as Halloween, Lily made her way down to the Great Hall for dinner. As she entered it, she couldn't help but to gasp. It looked magnificent; gigantic pumpkins crowded the walls, live bats flew around, and orange and black banners where draped tastefully around the room. She sat at he designated table and began to talk when Dumbledore stood up.
"You do not know how lovely it is for me to see the joy that a holiday such as this has created. Unfortunately, I must remind you all that exams will be near the end of February, so it is vastly important that you begin to study now. Also, in just a few months, Christmas will be here. Please remember that there are two options for the holidays; you may spend your vacation time either here at the castle, or at home, with your family. Hogwarts will always be delighted to have you. Now that all is said, dig in. There has been a delicious feast prepared for you all."
As people began to reach for the food, a huge barn owl swooped into the Hall and landed gracefully in front of Lily. She looked around awkwardly, noticing the stares. Fumbling, she reached for the letter and the owl left. She read it, crumpled it up, and fell off of her chair, looking petrified.
James rushed to her side. "Lily, Lily, are you okay? Let me see the note… hand it over." She did as he instructed and his eyes grew wide as he scanned the parchment. "Come on, let's get out of here. I'm taking you to the Hospital Wing."
He picked her up and pushed through the on looking crowd, not making eye contact with anyone as they stood up from their tables, trying to see what was wrong.
"Oh, James, you don't have to do this," she cried as they left the feast. "After everything I've done to you… Kissing Tyler in front of you, oh I was so horrible… Let me go; I don't deserve your support."
"Shh, Lily. Don't worry about that, it's all in the past. It's all going to be okay; everything will be fine… It'll be okay, Lily."
••••
The next morning, Lily awoke to see James sitting next to her, stroking her hair. "Morning. You have a crowd outside waiting, but Madam Lalyik wouldn't let them in while you were asleep. Would you like to see everyone?"
"Sure," she said groggily.
James went to the door and opened it. A large wave of students stood there, from kids who she'd tutored to some of her dearest friends. She searched the crowd expectantly, but was disappointed to see Tyler missing.
Lina looked at her as if she knew whom Lily was searching for, but she didn't say anything.
Lily smiled automatically, hiding her emotions. "Hey everyone."
"Oh, Lily, we're finally so glad you're awake!" Mary cried, hugging her friend gently.
"How long have I been out?"
"A few days," Lina replied. "Madam Pomfery even tried to ban James from the Hospital Wing; of course he didn't listen. The only times he left your side was when he got some food and used the bathroom."
James blushed. Just then, the class bell rang. Everyone hugged Lily, gave her presents, and left to go to class. The only two people remaining were James and Lina.
"Is that true?" Lily asked softly.
He turned red. "Yeah, I suppose."
Lily grinned inwardly, then changed the subject. "Why was I in here for so long? I thought I was here for just a night."
"Madam Pomfery said you'd gone into a state of shock," Lina said. "She said you couldn't cope with what happened."
"So you know, then?"
"No. James wouldn't let anyone see the note, not even Professor Dumbledore; he said you had a right to your privacy and no one should break that with out your knowledge. Then he put a bunch of hexes and spells around it so no one could read it; I mean, yeah, Dumbledore could've gotten around it, but I swear that no one else in the grades here could've. Will you tell me what happened?"
Throughout Lina's monologue, Lily was watching James with surprise and shock. "I… I really appreciate that, James. Yeah, I suppose you can read the note, if James will let you."
As James went to set off the hexes, Lily asked Lina a question that'd been bugging her at the back of her mind. "Tyler?"
"Well, er… Lily… I've… we've got to tell you something… and James almost killed him when her find out… Tyler's been cheating on you."