A/N: Heya guys. It's been a while since I've updated, I know. I've been struggling through writers block. I had a vague idea (much to vague) of the ending to my story. The only problem is, I had no idea how it was going to work and in what stages. So, during a quiet moment at work (which is a rare event in itself), I jotted down some notes, scanned some sites and analysed the characters and relations. I found a loophole that I had created at the beginning of my story and wrote out in point form the finish. Of that, I will say no more.

Also, I've been a bit ill so I've been spending most of my free time writing. I've got my imagination back, now, and (as you can see) I have stocked up on chapters.

Again, if you seen any mistakes, let me know. I'm still writing in a coma-like state so the amount of screwups I make and fix before I stick all of this up for you kiddies to read is phenomenal. I know I missed some.

I know I'm rambling on a bit and most of you have scanned this before shrugging and heading straight for the real stuff down there… yeah, down there…but I have to mention these guys. Shelly, for your adoration, you're my muse. Sean, love ya, my bwuvva! Bianca, who threatened me with descriptive ideas of torture if I didn't pump out the next chapter within ten minutes. Slave driver. And Cat, who hasn't read this but I still loves her anyway.

Thanks, kiddies! Ok, I'll shut up now. Read on!

Sirius and I stood shoulder to shoulder and stared at her maliciously, but Remus (traitor) pushed between us and starting walking up the train, wand out, watching the lights flicker. I sighed and followed, pulling my wand out, shaking off a few droplets of pink water. As we walked, I barked out to the kids sticking their heads out of their compartments to get back inside and keep their wands in reach. Sirius was muttering behind me, Peter snuffling along behind.

'Ok, someone want to tell me what the hell is going on here?' Sirius grumbled. Lily glanced over her shoulder, face white, almost as though she knew what was going on and didn't like it. A face appeared in the flickering light before us. It was one of the prefects. He looked up and down the corridor then stepped out, followed by about five others.

'Hey, you want us to go calm the first years? They seem a bit… nervous.'

That was understated, what with the sobs echoing down the corridor. I felt a pang of guilt. They were young and some knew no one, just being thrust onto a train and sent into a strange place with stranger people… I nodded.

'Francis, isn't it?' He smiled weakly. 'Ok, can you go round up the other prefects? Get one in each carriage at least, get the younger ones together and if the lights go out, teach them Lumos.'

Lily's voice floated down towards us. 'Give them some chocolate and crack some jokes. Keep the atmosphere light, make a game out of it or something. We're going to go speak to the driver.'

We headed off and Sirius hissed in my ear. 'Merlin, I like a girl who takes control…'

'Dominatrix and a half.'

Peter snickered behind us, scuttling along. I looked behind us in time to see the white pinched faces staring at our backs as we walked along, wands high, eyes wide. Just in case. It wasn't safe anywhere anymore. In front of me, Remus slipped inside a compartment, speaking in lowered tones to a couple of terrified looking kids. Sirius turned to peer through the glass into one opposite.

I shaded my eyes suddenly as the lights brightened for a long moment then… bang!

Darkness.

I frowned, trying to focus my eyes in the pitch darkness. There were a few scared yelps around us… and then I heard the scream.

'Lily!' Remus' voice bellowed out, followed fast by a shakey 'Lumos!'

We all said it at the same time, all but Peter. I looked around, eyes wide. She'd gone. There was no sign of her. Sirius stepped close and hissed in my ear. 'Death Eaters..?'

I shook my head, eyes darting around, lifting my wand high and peering beyond the dome of light we had created. Then…

'No!'

I took off. Sirius was hot on my heels and Remus was hastily following, whispering to the fearful faces peering out of the doors. All around us, prefects were darting into dark compartments and lighting them up with their wands, comforting the first years. Me? I was looking for Lily.

Finally, we skidded to a halt in front of a dark compartment. Voices were hissing behind the door and I pressed my ear against it, hearing the odd word filter through. I grabbed the handle and heaved, but the door refused to budge. Remus, Sirius and I leaned into it, Peter standing back, wand trembling as it staryed trained on the door. Another scream ripped through the door and I gave a huge shove. The door gave with a screech of protest and Sirius tripped, landing on Remus.

'Get offa me you great oaf!'

I stumbled inside the compartment. Lily was there, sitting on a seat, staring wide eyed out the window. I stepped over to her, reverting to her surname just in time. 'Evans?'

She turned to slowly look at me. Her eyes were… blank. Wiped. It was scary just looking at those lifeless eyes. I sat beside her and gently shook her shoulder, watching her slowly warming up from the inside out. Seriously, her skin was like ice. She was like… well, you know the Venus De Milo? Like that, only more limbs, more clothes and less height. White. Cold. Frozen. Then…

'Get off me!'

'Oh, but I luuuurve you!' Sirius was waltzing Remus into the room. Lily blinked hard and I could swear a tear slipped out. Shaking her head, she stood and swayed, brushing away my hand as I offered to help her steady herself. I shrugged. 'Come on, you twits, we have to speak to the driver.'

'No need.' Remus had managed to escape his aficionado and was brushing his hair back from his forehead. 'He was in the other compartment with the kids. Apparently they had seen someone on a broom flying along the train and landing on the tracks.'

He walked over to the window and peered out. It had been open when we'd walked in. 'They ran in screaming and told him to stop. So he stopped but it turns out, we have a guard.'

I followed him and stuck my head out, lungs screaming as I breathed in the icy night air. They were hard to spot but the six or so Aurors on the brooms surrounding the train were clear once your eyes settled. How did I know they were Aurors?

My dad waved at me and zoomed back up into the air. I sighed as the lights flickered back on.

'Is that all? What about the lights?'

Remus shrugged, flopping into the seat opposite Lily. 'Maybe because we stopped so fast. But… Lily, how did you end up in here?'

She shrugged and looked away. Peter blinked and Sirius shook his head. 'Yeah, Lilikins, we ain't gonna falll for that. Give us details, you know.' He pranced around. 'The goss, girlfriend, the goss!'

Lily blinked up at him and tilted her head to the side.

'Ok, that's two of you who had acted gay today.'

I grinned. 'Yeah, we learn from-' I stopped short and cleared my throat, standing. It had almost felt normal… Tricky wench. 'We should get back.' I carefully looked anywhere but at her. I felt her stand up beside me and sensed her take a deep breath as though she was about to speak. But Sirius butt in.

'Lily, really. Don't.'

Her eyes widened and she turned to look at him as I slipped out of the door. Walking down the carriage I could still hear him saying, even though his voice was lowered.

'You screwed with my best mate. You proud of yourself? Take a hit, Lilikins. Just stay professional and keep your sneaky little tricks away from him. He's dealing with more than you realize.'