Chapter 5-

It was Monday morning. Three months after the freeze out had ended. Three months after Lily had joined the quidditch team. Three months of full out pranking even throughout the holidays.

James had finally set up his prank. In the holidays he had researched what he needed and it was all set up. It had been three months since Lily had confronted him and he was ready.

The three months had been filled with unmerciful pranking on both parts. People were no longer ignoring Lily and Slytherins were standing up to James. Most girls were hissing and jeering at Lily but she shrugged it off. She didn't bat an eyelash. A few people came to her and told her they thought she was brave, she was glad to have some people think so. The Quidditch practices often helped her relieve stress, even if she always ended up yelling at James anyway. The team was glad Lily had joined because they all thought she was excellent. James wouldn't admit it but deep down he knew it was true.

Lily and James could often be heard yelling at each other through the halls, and screaming at each other in the common room. He had pranked her, she had retaliated, and it had continued to get worse from there. Nothing too big but James was planning something that he thought would win it for him.

Abby was glad someone was standing up to James and beating him, as were the teachers. The Marauders, however, were scared that James would take it too far. He was getting a little obsessed. It was as they had said, it had continued and they knew something bad was going to happen.

It was an ordinary Monday. There had been a few overnights pranks, nothing big on James' part, for he had to be prepared. Now, however, they were sitting eating breakfast normally. The students and teachers had come in to see an enormous blank sheet tacked to the wall of the great hall. The teachers had tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge so they continued to eat breakfast. The hall was full of students eating normally with a few occasional glances at the sheet to see if anything had happened yet. Mostly everyone was acting normal, except James Potter, who was waiting for the right time, which would be soon.

"Why did you put a huge, blank sheet up Prongs?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Oh…I was in the library and I found a little spell that will transfer a memory onto the sheet."

"And why would you do that?"

"Well…let's just say Evans and I share a little moment that I want everyone to see." He smiled.

"Explain." Remus commanded firmly, hoping it wasn't going to be too embarrassing for her.

"Watch…" He grinned. "Firmus memoria."He pointed his wand at his temples then at the sheet.

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"Lily, is that you?" Abby nudged her pointing to the sheet which was playing what seemed like a movie.

Lily turned around. It was her. She recognised that. It was during the summer. She saw Petunia chase her around. Her parents were laughing. Her parents…Her eyes went wide. This was the day her mum died. She was seeing it from James' eyes. He saw. He watched. He just stood back and watched the whole thing. It made her sick to her stomach.

She saw herself kicking her feet in the water. The whole school was watching. The teachers were waiting to see what happened. Dumbledore looked unhappy. Lily saw herself push Petunia in the lake. Petunia screamed her name. There were a few chuckles around the hall but most watched in silence. She remembered that day well. The last time Petunia was happy around her. The last time they were all together.

Lily wanted to leave but she couldn't get up. She couldn't move. She could feel James watching her. Everyone was shooting glances at her. She couldn't move. She wanted to run. To get away. She couldn't.

She saw herself talking to her mother then she saw the sky darken. It's soon. There was a noise, a crack. There was Voldemort. The entire hall gasped. Lily felt sick. James was watching…he watched her mother die…he watched and he didn't even TRY to help. She heard herself scream at Voldemort. She saw herself walk in front of her mother.

"GO AWAY!" She heard Voldemort laugh-more like cackle at her frivolous attempts. NO! She screamed inwardly. I don't want anyone to know. I didn't tell anyone about it! They can't find out! They can't!

"Get lost you disgusting piece of filth." That was her yelling at Voldemort. It's soon. Voldemort pulled out his wand. Again everyone gasped. Mostly they realised what was going to happen.

She heard herself scream… "NO! YOU CAN'T" He did. He did.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" That was it. He killed her mother. She was dead. Now Lily had to relive it all.

She knew all eyes were on her. Every single pair. It wasn't finished though. She saw Petunia and her father come over. Petunia slapped her. Again and again. Lily touched her cheeks she could still feel it. The slaps. She deserved it. Petunia kicked her. She was on the ground. She kicked her. Her father was…watching.

"STOP!" She heard a boy shout. That was James. James…he had been watching. The memory stopped rolling. Lily fell overcome with a strange feeling. For the first time since she was seven Lily wanted to cry.

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James smiled. He had got her. He waited for Lily to explode. For her to get angry and yell at him. He waited but it didn't come. She just turned to look at him. He saw something he hadn't seen before, fear and sadness. He had never seen her like that. She looked away. Silently, she picked up her things and walked out.

Abby watched her. Abby then turned to look at James and he could tell she was angry. She stormed over and punched him in the face.

"You sick, sick person. That was low…really low. How could you do that? Making her relive something like that, Potter." She spat at him disgustedly. "And to think I tried to convince her you were an okay guy. You belong in Slytherin. I hope you rot." Then she turned and ran after Lily.

James looked around. The entire school was watching. The Quidditch team glared at him. They hoped she wouldn't do anything that would get one of them out of the game. He looked at the Marauders. Remus and Sirius weren't looking at him, they were eyeing their food and Peter was glancing at him every few seconds. It was then he knew he had been stupid. He knew that was too far. Why did he think that would be funny?

Damn it. What have I done?

There was still no noise. The teachers looked at him with something in their eyes….disappointment. He saw Dumbledore was gone and every one watching him. They hadn't expected him to sink that low. He admitted it to himself. That was low. Too low. I do belong in Slytherin. Even a few Slytherins wouldn't do that. The Marauders still wouldn't look at him. He knew what they were thinking. He had emotionally destroyed someone, for fun. They had warned him. He hadn't listened. He deserved whatever he got.

scene change-

Lily was now blinded by anger. She did not let a tear fall. She marched up to Professor Dumbledore's office and decided she would wait for him there. She had made a decision as soon as she had left the hall. She walked quickly angrily all the time chanting in her head. I hate you James Potter. She vowed to hate James Potter always and forever. That was a vow she knew she would never break.

To her surprise, when she arrived Dumbledore was outside waiting for her.

"Miss Evans, I had a feeling you wanted to talk to me, come in. Sugar Quill." He spoke the password. When they entered the large office Lily decided to cut straight to the chase.

"Professor Dumbledore. I wish to leave Hogwarts." She said firmly.

"Miss Evans…I had a feeling this would be coming. I assume this has to do with this evening's event?"

"Yes." This was what she wanted. She was sure of it. It was best.

"I must beg you to reconsider. Your presence has a great impact on this school."

Lily snorted. "No it doesn't."

"Of course it does."

"No…people didn't even notice me until Potter started pranking me. It will just be the same as it was before. It is better I leave then everyone will be happier."

"Surely you do not believe that." He asked. How could someone think like that?

"I do. The school will function as normal."

"I'm afraid that is not true."

"Prove it." Lily grumbled. Dumbledore appeared to be in thought for a few minutes and the office was filled with silence.

"I have an idea Miss Evans."

"Yes?"

"It seems you believe that the school will be the same if you leave. Am I correct?"

"Yes." She nodded not seeing his point.

"Well, what if I am able to prove you wrong? You see I cannot stop you from leaving but I hope to attempt to sway your decision."

"Go on."

"There is this potion I have and it causes the person to be invisible. They person in question will be unseen, they cannot be heard and it will be as though they are not there. They can walk through things and people cannot touch them." He watched her closely.

"I'm sorry but what does this have to do with me?"

"Well, I hope to postpone your decision until the end of the week. Tomorrow I will announce your decision to leave and I wish for you to take the potion for the rest of the week and measure the students' reaction."

Lily thought about it. What harm can it do? It's only 4 days.

"Ok, I'll try it." She agreed.

"Excellent. However I must warn you, should you choose to return you mustn't mention the potion to anyone for the potion could be very dangerous if in the wrong hands."

"Of course Professor."

"Also, you must take the potion every 4 hours or you will be seen again. I will be the only one able to see you because the mixer of the potion will see you. We will move your things to a separate room for you to sleep in and you are excused from classes but you may attend if you wish."

"Is that all?"

"No…I hope you are present tomorrow when I give the news, I wish for you to see the reaction."

"I'm not sure there will be one."

"We will soon see. I trust you will not use this irresponsibly."

"No, of course not."

"Alright that will be all. Your new location is on the 4th floor, second corridor from the statue of Alexandra, sixth doors to the left of Gertie Guggle's portrait. Your things are already there. I will see you tomorrow Miss Evans."

"Thank you." She timidly walked out and to her new location.

"I guess we will see if the saying is true…you don't know what you've got till it's gone, ay Fawkes?" He smiled at the phoenix.

scene change-

The morning brought a new beginning for Lily. She woke up and took her potion before reluctantly hurrying to the Great hall. She felt a tingly feeling from the potion and felt almost weightless. Today was the day she would be free. She really just wanted to leave but if she was to go through this first so be it. She didn't want to be there when Dumbledore announced it, she didn't think there would be a reaction and it would depress her. She realised she could walk through doors, it felt strangely invigorating. She walked through the door to see the great hall full. Dumbledore seemed to note her presence for he stood up silencing the hall of all chatter. Lily moved and stood behind the Marauders, for she could see almost everyone in the great hall from that point. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Students," He began, "I regret to inform you that our very own Lily Evans had decided to leave Hogwarts, it was her decision and she asked that I tell you." He then sat down.

This was what Lily was waiting here for. The reactions. She was sure there would be hardly any except perhaps a shock for Abby and a cheer from Potter. Maybe the entire school would cheer. To her surprise she was wrong. She stood in silence and watched the scene unfold. Abby was the first to react, she paled then she burst into tears and ran out. Then Lily watched as the great hall erupted into whispers and unusually quite a number of people shot death glares and disgusted looks at James. The Gryffindor Quidditch team looked furious. Andrew Jenkins looked as though he wanted to stab James with his fork repeatedly. She turned her attention to James. His reaction was far beyond what she had thought. First he sat in silence staring at his plate then he slowly put his head in his hands and started muttering. The marauders were watching him closely and Remus patted his back. James suddenly sprung up and shouted.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He drew everyone's attention. Well, that's unexpected.

"Calm down, Mate." She heard Sirius say. He made to stand up but Remus pulled him down shaking his head.

"I'm a horrible person! HORRIBLE!" James said shakily and he stormed out. Sirius went to follow but Remus kept him there.

"He needs to handle this on his own, for once." Lily looked after James quizzically and looked around again. The entire hall was silent everyone looking at the doors where James had exited. Except Professor Dumbledore, who was looking straight at her.

Lily shrugged it off as a guilty conscience. He'll be over it by the time classes start.

scene change-

However, Lily was seemingly wrong, for James did not turn up in class. He did not turn up all day. Neither did Abby. She wondered where the two were and she decided to find out. Dumbledore had given her permission not to go to class as long as she did not wreak havoc so she decided to walk around the grounds.

It was the last class of the day and Lily had noticed something when she was sitting in class. She had been bored so she decided to sit in class in listen. She noted that Abby and James were both absent and the class was unusually quiet. She wondered why, as she hardly talked, so it couldn't really matter that much. In every class the marauders seemed to be worried for their friend as they were whispering constantly. Lily didn't understand why they were worried for him because he had no reason to be in danger. Possibly he had been attacked by Snape. Maybe Dumbledore had suspended him. Perhaps he had been eaten by one of Hagrid's pets.

Lily pondered these thoughts as she walked towards the lake. She jumped when she heard a sound. She thought it was coming from behind an old tree at the lake shore. She curiously wandered over to investigate. People were supposed to be in classes. She walked closer and saw Abby. She was walking quietly when she realised she couldn't see or hear her anyway. She walked over and sat next to her. She saw she was crying silently. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was staring out to the lake. She had started to talk to herself. Lily strained to hear her but she could make out a few words.

"Why Lily? Why did you leave?" Lily furrowed her brow. She hadn't thought about how Abby would react. She had been caught up in the heat of the moment. She suddenly felt bad, but she couldn't go back. She couldn't.

"Lily…Lily…why did you leave? We could have fixed it." She had now started to sob. Lily wanted to help her friend. She was feeling extremely guilty. Why hadn't she thought about this, she would have been like this if Abby had gone.

"Ouch!" Abby cried holding her head. "Bloody headaches. I hate the damn headaches! They said they would stop!" Lily was confused for a moment but stopped thinking when she saw Abby had stopped muttering and was staring off towards a figure coming towards them. Lily squinted to see who it was but she couldn't. She saw Abby stand up; apparently she could see who it was. The figure was appearing to drag his feet. She was sure it was a male; he seemed their age and looked as though he was unhappy. Suddenly he came close enough and Lily realised who it was…it was the approaching figure of James Potter.

She could see his face was deep in thought and he looked quite sick. Perhaps that's why his friends are worried. He must be sick. Lily heard Abby growl as James came closer still. James was close enough to hear Abby and his face shot up. Guilt and sadness covered his face and he silently walked closer.

"I'm sorry." He said when he was only feet away.

"SORRY? SORRY? You think that'll bring her back!" Abby spat.

"I…I…I didn't think." He stuttered looking away from her gaze.

"THAT'S DAMN RIGHT YOU DIDN'T THINK! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO SOME ONE!" Abby winced and clutched her head.

Lily clicked as to what they were talking about. They were arguing about her. She was shocked to see sincerity in James' eyes. They even looked a little glazed with tears. It was unlike him to show any sort of emotion like that.

"I'm a horrible person. I acted on the spur of the moment and I really regret it." He looked towards the lake. He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"You are a horrible person. Why do you even care…I mean you must be happy now she's gone. No competition." She appeared to be searching his face for answers.

"It would seem that way, wouldn't it?" He stepped towards the lake.

"What do you mean?" She asked seemingly reading Lily's mind.

"I mean what I said. One would think I would be happy, I mean no competition, no people pranking me, no one in my way, no annoying red heads…" he laughed a cold icy laugh, "but I feel strangely…empty." He looked up at her and smiled.

She stepped forward silently.

"It's odd isn't it, you loose your worst enemy and you suddenly feel as though you can't live without them?" He asked no one in particular before turning to her, "You miss her don't you? It's only been a day but you keep thinking of life without her and you miss her, right?" He kept his eyes locked with hers.

Lily took in a breath she didn't know she had been holding. What is he talking about? Did he loose some one? Did some one in his family die?

"Yes…how do you know?" She asked quietly.

"I…I don't know." He took his eyes off Abby and looked behind her. Lily saw his brow furrow. He appeared to be looking right at her.

"Lily?" James was looking right at her. She stood like a deer frozen in headlights. How can he see me? I'm invisible. I took the potion. How can he see me? Damn I must need to take more potion.

"Where?" Abby whirled around and was looking in the general direction. "Where?" She repeated.

"There." James pointed but Abby couldn't see. Lily was confused to no end. Why can HE see me? How come Abby can't?

"James, are you mental? There's no one there. Don't get my hopes up like that."

"Yes there is. Lily's there. Why can't you see her?" He was looking just as confused.

"No, she's not."

"She is." He walked up to Lily. "I thought you were gone."

Lily stared at him in shock. Then she turned on her heel and ran.

"Wait!" She heard him call.

"Who were you talking to?" Abby asked as James watched her run.

"Huh?" He turned to her.

"Who were you talking to?" She repeated.

"Lily. Didn't you see her?"

"No. There was no one there."

"Really?" He asked confused.

"Yes. You need to get some sleep." She walked off.

Maybe she's right.