James and Sirius walked around together in Hogsmeade the next day. Peter had gotten himself detention and wasn't allowed to go. Remus was feeling ill, as he always did when the full moon began to approach. The two boys spent the afternoon checking out some of the new items in Zonko's. James was also keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of Lily.

The mood of the town was very somber. Wizards walked together in huddled groups. Usually when a group of Hogwarts had come down for the day, the streets were nosy and busy. Today, everyone was very subdued. The evening approached, and as twilight came James and Sirius made their way slowly back to where the school's carriages waited to take students back to Hogwarts.

A scream tore through the relative quiet of the streets. Everyone stopped and looked around. Other people began to scream as well. By this time everyone had seen the trouble: the Dark Mark was hanging above Hogsmeade, the sickly green skeleton looming over the town. All of a sudden, people began to run. Witches and wizards began to come out of the shops and taverns to see what the commotion was. As soon as people recognized the mark, they began to run towards their homes. The streets of Hogsmeade quickly became mass confusion. People began pushing and shoving, trying to get away from the mark. James and Sirius became separated in the panic.

Quickly James looked around. He was being pushed along by the crowd when he spotted Lily standing to the side of the street alone. He pushed his way over to her. "Lily, are you all right?"

Lily shook her head. "Someone pushed me over. My leg really hurts." She tried to take a step and winced.

"Come with me." James put his arm around her and helped her hobble to the side of the walkway. It was almost impossible to hear anything above the din of screaming and panic. James took Lily around the side of a building and into the back alley. "Where are we?" he wondered out loud.

"Look," Lily said, and pointed to a door. On it hung a sign: "Deliveries for Honeyduke's only. Customers, please use the front door." James reached out and pushed the door open, helping Lily inside. "Are you able to walk?" James asked her. Lily nodded. The back room of the shop was dark and silent. They felt their way towards the front of the store, when they heard raised voices. Lily and James crouched behind the door to the main store.

"There's no use in refusing. The Dark Lord wishes your service. You will give it to him," said a deeply chilling voice.

"No! Leave my store, now!" yelled another voice.

James opened the door slightly. They could see the shop owner crouching in the corner, while two darkly robed figures stood above him. They had their wands out and pointed at the man. "You've left us no choice," said the first voice. "The Dark Lord gets what he wants."

James turned and looked at Lily. She was staring at him with wide, frightened eyes. They both knew that the two figures were Death Eaters, and that they had to act quickly if they were going to help. "Petrificus, on three," James whispered to her. Lily nodded silently, took out her wand and held it tightly. He counted to three, and both of them burst through the door. "Petrificus totalus!" they yelled at the same instant. Streaks of light flew from their wands and struck the two men. They were both knocked backwards and to the floor, completely immobilized.

James rushed over to the store owner, who appeared to have fainted. Lily followed, breathing heavily. "James, what are we going to do?" she asked. He turned towards her, but suddenly stopped and stared at something over her shoulder. Slowly Lily turned around. Standing there was a tall figure wearing robes black as night. The hood covered his face completely. Lily walked backwards until she bumped into James.

"Very well done," said the figure. His voice sent shivers down Lily's spine. He seemed to almost hiss at them, but the voice was also very cold, and very cruel.

James grabbed Lily and pulled her behind him. "Leave us alone," he said quietly.

Voldemort laughed. "The two of you would make fine Death Eaters for my army."

James raised his wand. "Never," he said coldly.

"There are ways to change your mind," said Voldemort. He raised his wand and pointed it at them. Lily clutched James' arm, too terrified to speak.

The front door opened, and someone walked into the shop. "Lumos," said a deep voice, and light filled the room. James and Lily turned and saw Dumbledore approaching them, his eyes on Voldemort.

"Why, Professor," sneered Voldemort, "always there to defend those without the power to protect themselves? I wonder, will you ever be tired of trying to save the world?"

"I make it a point to know where my students are," Dumbledore responded evenly. "James, take Lily and leave. Now."

"No need," said Voldemort. He disapparated from the store with a loud crack. Dumbledore seemed to let go of a deep breath and turned to the two students. "Are you both all right?"

James took a step forward. "I think so, Professor." He looked back at Lily. "Are you all right?" he asked her, concern coming over his face. But Lily was still staring wide-eyed where Voldemort had stood. She was trembling very badly. James held her arm, afraid that she would fall.

"Take her back to Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, "and deliver her to Madame Pomfrey. She may be going into shock." With that, he called out the door and a group of wizards came inside. They began to check on the wizards who remained in the store.

James led Lily out into the street, which was nearly deserted besides wizards from the Ministry. They walked together to where the last of the carriages were awaiting Hogwarts students. James helped her inside and they rode in silence back to the castle. He still held her arm, but Lily didn't seem to even know he was there. She just stared out into the evening, never saying a word. When they arrived back at school, he walked her inside and towards the infirmary. "Lily," he whispered. "Say something." No response came.

When they arrived at the infirmary, Madame Pomfrey immediately put Lily to bed while James filled her in on the events in Hogsmeade. "The poor thing," she said. "What a terrible fright." She shooed James out, promising that Lily would be all right with rest. James walked alone back to the Gryffindor wing. He could not forget the look in Lily's eyes.