It was the end of the day and Lily walked to Professor Dumbledore's office to discuss career options with him. She walked in and he smiled upon noticing her. He beckoned her to sit in the chair opposite his desk and she happily sat down. His office was full of gadgets and knickknacks and little things so oddly shaped that you'd think they served no purpose.

"Ah Miss Evans, I trust you know why I called you here?" Dumbledore asked, peering at her through his half-moon spectacles.

"Yes I do, professor. To talk about career options," she answered with a nod.

"Right you are Lily, and do you have any in mind?" he asked with a faint smile.

"Erm…not really professor…I was hoping you could help me," Lily said sheepishly.

"Why yes, that is why I am here. So let's begin. What are your favourite classes?" Dumbledore asked with his hands clasped together.

"Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Care of Magical Creatures," Lily listed in one breath.

"Ah…" Dumbledore said, "Tell me, have you ever thought of becoming an auror?" he asked, waiting patiently for Lily's response.

"Actually I have professor…but I don't know if I have the—er—qualities of an auror," she answered glumly.

Dumbledore shook his head and his long grey beard swayed as he spoke, "I think you do have the qualities that an auror should have. Determination, wit, perseverance and intelligence. Plus you could use all of your talents and specialize in your auror studies. You could train creatures alongside yourself, and you would know useful potions in case of emergencies,' he finished.

Lily tilted her head to the side, "I suppose…I hadn't thought of it that way…I'll think about it," she said, genuinely sparked by this suggestion.

"Think about it and let me know what you decide Miss Evans," Dumbledore said warmly.

"I will, thank you professor," Lily said smiling.

Dumbledore did a little bow, "It was my pleasure," he said as Lily smiled and left. She walked down the corridor and past the fifth floor classrooms. She was rounding a corner when she heard a noise coming from beyond, in an alcove that was slightly out of view. It sounded like someone was in trouble. She scurried around the bend just as a black robe flashed out of sight. Lily stared in horror at the person who lay on the marble floor in front of the alcove; James Potter. He was laying motionless on the floor, covered in blood, his glasses broken beside him. It felt like someone had grasped Lily's heart. Her heart beat rapidly as she dropped beside James. She turned over his face and saw nothing, and then her eyes lowered to his chest. There were long gashes along his chest and blood was pouring out, soaking his robes. Tears immediately started flowing out of Lily's green eyes, dripping onto James.

"Oh god…James," she sobbed, "wake up, please don't be dead…" she pleaded, cradling his head and looking into his eyes fearfully. He slightly opened his eyes and Lily gasped.

"Oh thank heavens…you're alive," she whispered, sniffling back tears.

"Lily…" James whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Yes…James…it's me, love, don't worry…you're safe now," she said as a small first year student came around the corner, "Get help! Immediately!" she told the girl loudly. She held on to James tightly, as his eyes closed again. Every second seemed like an hour as Lily waited for help. Crimson blood saturated his white shirt and Lily cried, hoping with all of her power that he was going to be okay. The girl reappeared with the school nurse and a bunch of professors. Lily sighed heavily as the nurse lifted James into the air with a wave of her wand. She performed some sort of spell that caused the gashes in James' chest to sew up. She thenran down to the hospital wing, James floating lifelessly behind her. Lily grabbed the broken glasses and ran after them.She was told to stay outside of the hospital wing.

"No!" she protested, "I need to stay with him!" she cried, as the nurse, Madam Florentine, shooed her out.

"I'm sorry love, but he needs complete rest and healing in a quiet environment," she said sweetly.

Lily choked on her words, "So he's going to be okay? How long till I can see him?" she asked, her face red.

Madam Florentine exhaled sharply, "yes, he's going to be perfectly fine, and I suppose you could come back tomorrow…he'll still be feeling ill, but you can come see him, alright?" she looked at Lily's facial expression. Lily said nothing but nodded slightly. She walked back to her dorm and lay silently on her pillow, tears still trickling down her cheeks. It took her a while to finally fall asleep and as she did, she could think of nothing but seeing James tomorrow.