"What I am about to tell you is in strict confidence. I believe you all to be trustworthy, but if I am proven wrong, then you will have to duel Ginny and myself at the same time for three hours."

The class gulped. Ginny gave them a sweet smile. Harry grinned at her, but the smile vanished as he looked around the class, making eye contact with each and every student. A few broke the gaze, but the Marauders and Lily and her friends stared back. The Professor started speaking, his voice low and intense.

"When I was one year old, Voldemort came to my home with the intention of killing me, for reasons I am unable to share with you. He murdered my father as he tried to protect me and my mother. He died bravely, trying to hold him off. He then proceeded into my nursery, where my mother stood to protect me. He ordered her to stand aside, and she defied him. She was my shield, and he murdered her."

His voice cracked slightly on the word 'murdered', and he paused, and passing a hand briefly over his eyes. Ginny stood up, and placed one hand on his shoulder. He took a deep breath, and continued.

"The shield that saved me from his killing curse was wrought of a mother's love. This is the most ancient kind of magic possible, where she laid down her life to…to protect me. I was unaffected by the curse, save this scar."

He pushed back his fringe to reveal the bolt on his forehead.

Sirius knew that this time he wasn't imagining it, his teachers eyes were definately lingering on Lily Evans, as they had on Frank and Alice when he'd spoke about the Cruciatus curse.

"Because of that curse, I retained some of Voldemort's powers, such as my ability to speak Parseltongue."

The few who had not heard of this already gasped, and Harry gave a faint smile.

"Oh yes, meet my companion, Ciad."

The emerald snake slithered up from inside the sleeve of his robes and gave a soft hiss. Harry seemed to find this funny, and hissed in agreement, earning a few more gasps. Alice raised a trembling hand.

"What did he say, sir?"

"She. She said that you where all gawping like a bunch of gormless idiots, and I was inclined to agree with her. Close your mouth please, Mr Black."

The class gave a nervous titter, and Harry frowned.

"For Gods Sake, don't start acting all nervous around me. If you all do your homework on time I promise I won't set Ciad on you."

A more confident laugh followed his last statement, and he sat back on his desk looking considerably more relaxed than he had. He allowed them to murmur amongst themselves for a few moments, then asked "Any questions?"

Lily put up her hand tentatively.

"Miss Evans?"

Lily chewed her lip, looking nervous.

"Sir, what happened to You-Know-Who?"

Professor Potter held her gaze steadily.

"No, Miss Evans, I do not know who. I will know who if you refer to him by his true name, or better yet, the name he was born with. Tom Riddle." he gave a slightly bitter smile, "It really bugs him when you use it."

The class found it somewhat strange that anyone would intentionally bug Voldemort. Lily bit her lip again.

"What happened to…Tom?"

James looked at her sharply, knowing that she'd never even been able to bring herself to even say his name before, let alone the name he hated.

Professor Potter's eyes grew distant.

"He was injured, and he fled. He lay low for a while, gave himself time to heal. But as you can see now, he is very much here now."

His shoulders slumped, and he realised that Ginny's hand was still on them.

"That concludes our lesson. Research ancient magic protection shields and notes on all three Unforgivables. Scram."

The class burst into motion, seemingly desperate to leave, not so much in fear of their teacher, but just needing to think about what had happened. Lily hastily shoved her equipment in her bag, not bothering to zip it properly. She made it out into the corridor, but then her bag split. Overwhelmed by the lesson, and confused by the looks given her by her teacher, found tears running down her face. James came out into the corridor, and crouched beside her, helping her to pick up the books, ink bottles and quills that she was making no real effort to pick up.

"Lily? Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just dropped my stuff."

James looked at her sceptically.

"Who're you kidding, Lily? What's up?"

He reached out and brushed away a tear running down her face. She hardly seemed to notice.

"It's just, I keep imagining his mother. I'd never be able to do that. I can't believe that anyone could really love anyone that much."

Her arms filled with ink stained books, and her fiery hair tumbling down from its barrette, she stood up abruptly and left.

"Can't you?" James muttered, looking at her retreating back with an odd expression in her eyes.

§

"Are you OK?"

Ginny wrapped her arms round Harry's waist and laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Harry found himself strangely relaxed, and turned, putting his arms around her, her long hair tickling his ear. He sighed.

"It's God awful, to be honest. Telling them their fates. Frank and Alice, James, and oh god, my mum. She was crying, did you see? She thought I was talking about someone she'd never met and she was crying."

He looked into Ginny's deep brown eyes and felt a lump in his throat.

"Three years, Ginny. That's all. Three years and shit, they look so young."

He let go of Ginny and pressed his palms to his forehead, messy black head bowed.

Ginny pulled him down next to her on his desk and forced him to look at her.

"They were young Harry, sure. But just look at James looking at Lily. He loves her, and when she stops being afraid she'll open her eyes and see. They loved you Harry, and I know sure as hell that they'd die for you a thousand times over."

Harry lifted his head from his hands.

"Thanks, Gin. You're a friend."

I'm so sorry I haven't updated for ages! I had exams all last week and I needed to swot. Hope all you guys like it, I can't believe 79 reviews!Special thanks to Honey P!

Thamks to all you guys who suggested titles, I particularly liked the suggestion from 'IamSiriusGirl', keep those suggestions coming!

Ta!