Wow... I didn't expect so many reviews... I opened my e-mail box and it told me I had 13 messages that all just came overnight. Shocked me a bit...

Thanks to (yes, I will list you all;) CarbonMonoxide, PsychoLeopard, blvd, Lady Jade, lillypotter55, silencekillsme, rustedfantasy (cool name by the way), Emmelz, id2, londsay, cheer4cheesecake, BrittanyRose, and filthylittlemudblood

I hope I didn't miss anyone.. If I did it's because I was ready to post when you made a review. -nods-

Chapter 5

James strolled quickly over to the kitchen table, in this sudden chaotic mind frame forgetting that he could simply have magiced the paper to him. He had seen the look on Lily's face. And now, as he picked it up, flipping it open so it didn't flop over he looked round the kitchen for her.

"Where's Lily?"

Remus looked round too, but Sirius was already grabbing the paper from his best friends hands.

"I don't see anything about an attack." His eyes quickly scanned the front page before Remus turned and began flipping through the pages for him, he stopped nearly at the back, pointing out a small article.

"The ministry didn't want them posting it on the front page, bad for business." The werewolf explained with a wry smile.

James quickly stepped behind Sirius so he could peer around him at the article. (He was a bit too short to see over the tall boy's shoulder). "Two families in Shirmel Hills..." He furrowed his brows. "Where is that?"

Sirius shrugged. "An old Muggle couple and a young family." He sighed sadly. "Honestly, what threat are they?"

James sighed as well, stepping away from Sirius and turning to the kitchen door again. "I'm going to check on Lily."

When he stepped into the hallway, he found her sitting on the steps, staring aimlessly at the front door, hunched over and holding her knees.

"Lily?" He stepped up carefully, but she jumped at the sound of his voice, turning wildly to look at him.

She was silent for a moment before speaking, her voice sounding strained. "Who is it?"

He shrugged, feeling bad doing so. "A few families in Shirmel Hills."

Lily let out a breath that it was obvious she had been holding, and she stood up. To his surprise, she was shaking slightly and rubbing her arms.

"Are you still cold?"

She shook her head, a small blush coming to her cheeks. "No, I'm fine." Her voice was painfully quiet and James had a sudden urge to swoop her into his arms... tell her everything would be all right.

"Your worried for you family." It was a statement, and by her sudden tensing up he knew it to be true.

She nodded slowly, looking down at the welcome mat at the front door. "All the time."

He nodded slightly in understanding, then held out his hand to her, wondering briefly if she would find the gesture weird. But to his utter surprise, a pale hand was removed from her upper arm and her fingers met with his as he pulled his hand closed around hers.

"There's some cookies left over." He offered with a smile, leading her away into the kitchen, ignoring the warmth that her hand offered and the other feelings it was bringing.

She laughed slightly and he felt her grip tighten around his. "Thank you."

He wasn't sure if she was thanking him for the offer or thanking him for making him feel better but he still felt happy as she said it.

"Prongs, Zonko's is closed down!" As soon as James entered the kitchen, pulling Lily along with him, Sirius was flapping the paper wildly in his direction. "All the windows are boarded up and everything."

James opened the cupboard and brought down the cookie jar; passing it to Lily before speaking. "He's not missing is he?"

"No." There was pure bitterness in Sirius' voice. "Worried about the death eaters coming for him or something like that." He turned to Remus as if looking for support. "What the hell would the death eaters want with a wizard who sells dungbombs?"

Remus' eyes flashed and he sat down the glass of milk he had been drinking. "Maybe you both will stop pranking so much this year now? I mean, it is N.E.W.T. year and-"

Sirius snorted. "Your mad, Moony, absolutely mad."

"He's right though."

Everyone turned in shock to James, especially Lily who found her mouth was hanging open and closed it immediately. He was taking a cookie absentmindedly out of the jar she was holding.

But Sirius didn't reply to James. Instead he pointed first a finger at Lily, then one at Remus. "You both are corrupting my Jamesie, I will have none of it." He stood and walked over to an annoyed looking James. Slinging one arm over the shorter boys shoulder he addressed the room at large. "Bad influences, all of you."

Remus shrugged, fully used to Sirius' antics, but Lily was glaring at him.

"Your the bad influence Black. James should be studying if he wants to be an Auror. And you should be too as it happens." She added hastily, her brows furrowed.

"We don't need to study." He told her simply. "We're naturally smart."

Lily did not answer to this... because she could not retort. It was true, the two boys did seem to have a natural talent for pulling off everything without ever picking up a book. She was simply glaring at him, looking much like she'd want to hit Sirius over the head.

"I guess that's why all your teachers always asking you two for extra homework. Though I suppose they're just jealous of your natural abilities, right?" Remus spoke up, still reading the newspaper and lifting the milk up to his lips, a small smirk on his face.

And that was exactly why Remus Lupin was Lily's favourite Marauder.

----------------------------------------

Lily went to bed early that night, which is why James was positive she wasn't quite over the shock she received earlier that day.

She had been quiet and withdrawn since Remus' arrival. And when she normally would have chatted happily with Remus, she only smiled and listened to his conversations with his friends when they were around her.

When Mr. and Mrs. Potter arrived back from work she had smiled when Mrs. Potter asked her how her day went. And come supper, she had said she wasn't very hungry and retreated to the guest room.

When James, several hours later, went up to bed himself, he found her door closed and heard nothing beyond to indicate she was still awake.

So, slightly put out, having been wanting to maybe talk to her before bed, he went to his room to sleep. He would talk to her in the morning.

------------------------------------------------

AN: I know.. not very long. And I'm sorry. Next chapter... or the one after that... they'll go to Hogsmeade.

Reviews please!