Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognize.
A/N: Thanks to all of my reviewers. Please let me know if you like it or not and why. I can take criticism; I'm a college student with a big ego.
"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer." – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002 film version)
James' worst fears were confirmed. Ever since Count Morano had returned to the bathroom with Lily, he knew that the evil man was going to do something to her in order to get to him. The man had been trying to get to the Potter family for years, but he had never been successful, until now.
His face red with rage, James began struggling against his bindings with reckless abandon.
"Now, now," the Count said, "we all have choices to make in life. You can continue to struggle like that, and not only lover-girl will die, but the Marauders as well." James' face went from red to white instantly. The nickname James and his friends had given themselves was not common knowledge. It had been a few mere hours since he had finally let Lily in on that knowledge. . . .
"Remus is a werewolf, isn't he?" James tried to ignore what Lily had just asked, attempting to change the subject to Quidditch, Charms, McGonnagal, anything but Remus. "I guess I don't even need to ask. It all makes sense. His absences, his boggart, anyone paying attention could figure it out easily." At the look of panic on his face, Lily had smiled softly. "Don't worry, I won't say anything to anyone. It's his secret, not mine." James' countenance relaxed considerably at this, until Lily added, "Though you and your friends might try to be a little more careful about using his nickname around other people. With a name like Moony, people might figure it out more quickly."
James' face reddened a little at this. He knew they were reckless at times. Nobody was supposed to know about those nicknames. "So, what's your nickname?" she asked.
Knowing he could trust her, he told her, "Prongs."
She repeated the name, adding, "It suits you."
He grinned, "Thanks." Then he told her the story the boys had concocted to tell people if they ever were able to find out about their nicknames, how they had given Remus his nickname because of his condition and then decided they should all have animal-like nicknames, so Remus would not stick out.
"That's nice of you guys. I'm glad you all have such great friends."
"Yeah, they are all great. I'd die for them without even giving it a second thought."
Lily's eyes shimmered with emotion, "Yeah, I know what you mean." She paused. "You wanted to talk to me about something, you know, before I confronted you?"
Lost in thought, James nodded and took a deep breath. "Lily, I still like you a lot. Would you go to Hogmeade with me sometime?"
Lily sighed, "I don't know, James. It's only recently that we've been able to have real conversations, you know, ones that don't involve yelling and throwing curses. I – I need to think about it, okay?"
James nodded, "Okay. Well, I guess I'm going to turn in. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
He had lain awake for a while after that, thinking. The next day would be Halloween. He had always liked Halloween; significant events in his life always happened on that day. . . .
James looked at the clock hanging in the bathroom. 1:13. So, it was Halloween already. Another significant event in his life.
"How do you know about the Marauders?" James whispered, for the Silencing Charm had begun to wear off.
"Silencio!" Count Morano cried, renewing the spell on James. "I know a lot more than you think I do. I know all about your relationship with your Head Girl here, I know all about your family, your friends, your strengths, your weaknesses . . ." he paused, "your fears."
James stared at the man, eyes wide with fear. The man had obviously done his research. "Now that I have your attention, let us return to this lovely young lady holding your knife."
Amazingly, James had briefly forgotten she was there, but as he turned and saw her sitting there in the bathtub, tears of fear and frustration flooding down her face, helplessness and fear consumed him immensely.
"I believe I told you to cut your wrists, Lily." Morano sneered.
"Why should I?"
"Because if you don't, I kill Potter with your wand, then your friends. Everyone knows how much you hate Potter and that you have a horridly short temper, so no one would question that you had finally cracked and killed him and then, in desperation, killed your friends, too. Then, of course, I would have to slit your wrists for you, so it looks like the guilt of attacking Potter and your friends induced you to commit suicide."
Lily shuddered and slowly brought the blade of the knife to her wrist, shoulders wracking with sobs. "Don't hurt anyone else, okay? I – I'll do it." And without looking at James, she gently slid the blade of the knife against her left wrist.
The Count laughed coldly at the girl as a thin trickle of blood dripped down her wrist into the hot water. "You're pathetic, you know that? I see you want to prolong this. Oh, well, I guess this is good-bye to Potter."
"No, no" she cried weakly. "Here, I'll do it. Please, just don't hurt anybody." As she cut into her wrist once more, this time more deeply, she saw James out of the corner of her eye once more. He was struggling with more vehemence than she knew possible, trying to get her to stop, silent tears streaming down his face, his eyes begging her to understand.
"I can live with many things, James, but not with the deaths of friends on my conscience," she said through her tears. "If there's a chance I can save them, then I will." Blood was now pouring from her wrist. At this repulsive sight, James felt bile rise in his throat and was unable to prevent himself from vomiting.
Morano chuckled maniacally. "I knew your Gryffindor pride and courage would get to you. Now I will have the Potter family in the palm of my hands. Their son will be insane from watching the love of his life die slowly and painfully, and they will have no choice but to convince the Aurors to call off the search for me." He laughed demonically.
Lily felt her skin start to clam up. Her head felt light. Her feet and hands had lost feeling. She broke into a cold sweat. Brightly coloured spots floated in front of her eyes. She began to see images from her life flash before her eyes. Picnics in the park with her family as a child. Squealing with delight at the new puppy she got for Christmas when she was ten. Getting into Hogwarts and seeing it for the first time. Her mother dying in the hospital following a car wreck. Making friends with Alice and Serena. Fighting with James. Hearing Count Morano say, "Everyone knows how much you hate Potter . . ."
As she felt consciousness leave her, she struggled to say a few last words to the boy standing nearby, tears streaming down both of their faces, "James, I never hated you," she whispered. Then her eyes closed, and she began to slide down into the water.