His Final Year

Chapter Eleven: I Don't Plan To

It had been roughly a week since the Death Eater attack, and life still wasn't completely back to normal at Hogwarts. Every student had questions, most of which didn't have answers. Dumbledore had been too busy trying to figure out what was going on to answer any questions anyways. Classes had been cancelled for a week, so it was everyone's first 'back-to-normal' day. The Gryffindors had Transfiguration with the Slytherins, and everyone was hoping that Professor McGonagall would give them some questions.

Lily and her friends walked toward the second row on the right, which were their usual seats in the Transfiguration room. As she passed James and the Marauders, sitting two rows away on the opposite side, she noticed James was leaning back on his chair with a grin on his face. He didn't see her glance at him, just kept talking to Sirius. She quickly smiled and joined her friends as Professor McGonagall entered the room.

"Alright class today isn't going to be a normal lesson. You won't be needing your wands or books, so you may put everything away." The students all exchanged glances, but no one said a word. "As you all know, Death Eaters attacked the school a week ago. There are certain things that no one knows yet, such as how they got in the school. Professor Dumbledore feels that you should all be warned and be told about You-Know-Who. So, this is what we know. You-Know-Who is…"

About a forty-five minutes later, every sat, completely stunned. A few people had their mouths open, some were still trying to understand everything, and a few girls in the back were near tears. Lily and her friends sat shocked; none of them had really known exactly who Voldemort was and what he had done. Lily looked over at James, noticing he didn't have any real change. He wasn't smiling, but he looked as though he knew exactly what she was saying; Lily figured he had heard everything McGonagall had just said from his parents more than once. He was looking at Lily, as though watching to make sure she was ok, not turning away when they're eyes met. Lily finally turned away when she heard Mel's voice.

"Professor, how does Professor Dumbledore think they got in here?"

"He doesn't know. He's got many guesses but doubts each of them. It'll be shocking if we ever figure it out."

"Oh please. It's obvious isn't it?" Everyone turned and looked at none other than Lucius Malfoy. "Death Eaters are under The Dark Lord's power. He must have easily found a way to get them in here with how evil his power is."

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "Hogwarts is the safest location in the wizarding world, Mr. Malfoy. I highly doubt he could have an easy way in."

Lucius grinned slightly so most didn't notice. "Yes, but no one knows the extent of his power. The Dark Lord has a great amount of power, to which can't be matched…"

"Bullshit." Everyone flew around and stared hard at James. He was still tilted back his chair, staring intently at Lucius, who was staring right back.

He stood up and walked over to James, putting his hands on James's desk. "You got something to say to me Potter?"

James didn't budge. "Yeah, actually I do. His powers can't be matched huh? If he's so almighty and powerful, why didn't he attack the school personally?" Everyone was looking back and forth, watching both of the guys, including Professor McGonagall. "Why does he need Death Eaters to do it? Why does he need Death Eaters at all?"

Lucius just stared at James, unsure of the answer. "How should I know? It's not like I know him personally or something."

James scoffed, clearly unconvinced. Lucius turned and glared at James. "I would watch it if I were you Potter. You never know when suddenly something might happen to you. I personally wouldn't bet on you making it to the end of the year, the way you parade yourself around."

James grinned. "Try and think logically Lucius about what you're saying, if you can think at all. You don't want to come off…evil, do you?"

Lucius got right up in James's face. "You're as good as dead Potter. As is everyone you come in to contact with." He made a slight nod to the Marauders. "The Dark Lord won't take people like you in his way. He values power, and you don't have it. Hanging out with traitors," he glanced at Sirius, before turning his glance at Lily and smirking, "hoping to one day to get laid by a Mudblood…"

Before anyone had any time to react, James punched Malfoy harder than he had ever hit anyone in his life. Lucius was thrown to the floor with a severely bloody lip. James stood up and walked over to him and grabbed him by his shirt. "I swear, if I ever hear another word about her come out of your goddamn mouth Malfoy, and I will hurt you more than I've ever thought about hurting anyone. You ever come after her, and I will make it my job to come after you. If I ever hear that you said anything about her, I promise I will take great pleasure in making sure it's the last thing you say." He threw him back on the ground and stood up. Professor McGonagall walked over to them.

"Everyone out of this room now! Mr. Malfoy, detention for the rest of the week. Mr. Potter, you stay where you are. Now go." Everyone rushed out of class, including Malfoy. Sirius, Remus, and Lily stayed where they were. "You three as well. He'll be out shortly." Lily glanced at James again, and he was staring right back at her. He turned and looked at Sirius and Remus, who weren't budging.

"Go on you guys. I'll meet you outside." He nodded at them, looking at Lily once more. Remus led the way, Sirius surprisingly holding Lily's arm to pull her away. She and James kept eye contact until the door shut. Everyone was still outside, with the exception of a few Slytherins, obviously not wanting to miss what happened. Sirius, Remus, and Lily meet Mel and Alex outside, and they all waited for James to come out.

James had continued to stare at the door, even after she had exited it. Professor McGonagall watched him and smiled. "You really do love her don't you?"

James, being suddenly brought back to reality, turned and looked at her. "What?"

She continued to smile and sat him down at the desk. "Potter, I'm not blind. I watch each of my students grow up in front of my eyes each year. Everyone changes from being first years to seventh years. Most date different people throughout the years, going on to fall in love with someone they never knew at Hogwarts. But you…you meet Ms. Evans first year and have loved her ever since am I wrong?"

He shook his head. He would never forget the moment he meet Lily, accidentally knocking her down in front of the train. The way her eyes gleamed at him as he helped her up.

"I know how much you care about her. Though you may have annoyed the poor girl for six years, she always came before you did. You were always there to protect her, even though she could fend for herself. You always gleamed from the back of the class when she answered a question right. Your eyes would always wonder over and find her." She put her hands on his shoulders and stared deep into his eyes. "I know it may be hard at times, but stay with her. She cares about you too James." His eyes snapped at the sound of his name. He had never been anything but Potter to her before. "Lily and you are destined. It's easy to see…make her happy James." She smiled.

After a while, he smiled back. "I hope I always can."

She stood and walked toward the door. "Alright Potter, I'm not going to punish you today. Frankly, detentions don't seem to work with you, and Gryffindor is in the lead so no points will be taken. But no more fights ok?"

James smiled and hugged her. "Ok, I'll try." He let go, but looked at her again before leaving. "Thank-you."

She smiled and nodded. He exited the class, meeting the rest of the students there. Everyone was anxious to know what punishment he got.

"Did you get expelled…detentions for the rest of the year…kicked off the Quidditch team…?

"Hey!" Sirius turned and hollered at everyone. "Why don't you guys shut up so he can answer huh? Sound good to anyone else?" He turned anxiously at James, worried about his best friend's punishment. Alex noticed and surprising held his hand. "Well?"

James just looked at Lily. "She told me not to let Lily go." He seemed to almost stare harder at her. "And I don't plan to." With that, he walked through the crowd, stopping to tell Sirius and Remus he'd see them at dinner, leaving everyone standing there. Slowly people filed away, until it was just the Marauders, Lily, Alex, and Mel. Lily just stood there, staring the place James had just been. Mel and Alex walked over, and they all walked away together.

Remus and Sirius smiled at each other. They just turned and walked off, knowing they'd find James eventually, staring at Lily during dinner.