Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.
Sins of Angels: I know I left you in a bit of a suspense there, and it may have been kind of harsh, but it all works out towards the end. I just hope you'll keep reading and enjoy! And thanks a million to all my reviewers, you guys are awesome! I get really happy when I get a positive one, and really happy at one that points out mistakes, so if you happen to have nothing better to do, feel free to review and tell me your opinions on the whole thing! Greatly appreciated! Anyway, I hope you like this one!
Chapter 13 – Protection"Wormtail!" James called as, at the end of the hallway, a small figure that was unmistakably Peter's came into view. "Wormtail!" he screamed yet again. Snape stopped to exchange looks with Bellatrix, who looked annoyed.
"Was that Pettigrew?" she asked her husband, who nodded. "Damn!" she said and looked around the corner. A moment later, a scream was heard.
"Put your damn clothes back on!" Snape growled at Lily, who obliged. He took the curse off of her and smiled as she lay disoriented. Snape took out his wand and stood right in front of James. "Potter, I've been waiting for this for a long time. And I don't think magic will satisfy it!"
Regulus and Rodolphus lifted James up. Snape's fist hit James in the stomach, leaving him to double over with pain as his restrainers released him.
"James!" Lily yelled and, holding her dress barely together, crawled over to him. "James?"
James grunted in pain as a black dog bounded over both of them, growling when Bellatrix came too close. The others were limping.
"What is this?" Bellatrix yelled, pointing angrily at the dog. Her companions stared at it as well, filled with dislike.
"Go away, Lesterange!" Lily yelled.
"Well, Lily-kins, I guess we'll finish this another time," Bellatrix said sweetly. She smiled at Lily and at a wincing James, and her smile vanished as she eyed the growling dog.
"Bye, Evans," Snape said, mouthing a kiss. James went to get up but groaned again and clutched his stomach. Bellatrix's laugher rang out down the hall as they left. Behind them, the dog became Sirius.
"James, mate, are you okay?" Sirius asked, bending over his friend's face.
"I'll be fine," James said and looked up at Lily. "Are you…are you okay?"
Lily looked at him, confused. "Why? Did something happen? My dress got ripped but that's just because I sidled against the wall. Can't expect very much from muggle clothing, can you?"
James looked at her, carefully deciding what he'll say next. "No, nothing happened. They just talked a lot, that's all."
"Good. Because the way that Snape was behaving, I thought…something did happen."
James shook his head. "No. Nothing happened."
"Uh, Prongs, can I talk to you for a moment?" Sirius asked, scratching behind his ear. James got up and carefully limped to his friend as Lily tried to piece her dress together.
"Look, mate, I may have arrived a bit late because I was looking all over the school and all, but what was happening did not, in any way, sound like nothing," Sirius said, keeping his voice low so Lily wouldn't hear.
"Look, if I told her what happened…she'll crumble. I know it. She's carrying way too much to pile this on top of her too. I can't…I can't give her memories of that. I just can't."
"So I guess I don't mention it?"
"Not under any circumstances, Sirius!"
"Right," Sirius said, and turning around and, running his hand through his hair, wheeled back around to James. "You sure?"
James nodded firmly.
"She'll probably want to know."
James shuddered. "She's better off this way."
"Potter?" Lily said, getting up. "Can we go to bed now? I'm really tired."
"Yeah, Evans, sure."
"And…Black?"
"What?" Sirius said, turning around.
"Thanks for coming."
"Welcome," he answered, smiling. Lily gave him a small smile as well and rounded the corner. "Go with her, James. I know you want to."
"Thanks, Padfoot. It means a lot," James said, beaming at his friend and running after Lily.
"Um, what happened to your date?" James asked as he fell into step next to her. She gave him a puzzled look.
"Date? What date?"
"The one who went down to the kitchen for more food."
"Potter, I didn't have a date. I…overreacted a bit when I saw you and Amber…"
"So you understand what happened?" he asked, his heart rejoicing.
Lily gave him a sideways glance. "I suppose. Amber is a bit…ambitious."
"Hah. She's a lying wrench, that's what she is."
"Well, I suppose you're right. But I think you've seen the last of her."
"Really? What makes you say that?"
"Oh, just a little hunch," Lily said and hummed happily. She entered the dorm, smiling widely. "Well, goodnight. Tomorrow's Saturday, as you reminded me earlier. I get to sleep in!"
"Great, Evans! Goodnight," James said, smiled, and went up to his room. Lily went up as well and fell asleep for the first time, actually without a care in the world.
"Did you see his face?" Bellatrix said, laughing madly. "He was about to puke, he was so sick!"
"Next time you decide to pull something like that," Snape started irritably. "Don't make me the one who has to fuck the mudblood."
"Aww, is little Severus upset we didn't finish?" Bellatrix mocked as they turned the corner. Snape glared at her.
"I'm upset Potter didn't break. I though for sure we had him." Snape shuddered. "If I never have to go near Evans again, it'll be a blessing."
"We did have him," Malfoy replied, an evil smile on his face. "He'll be tormented, trust me. And he won't tell anyone either, if I know him enough, and I think I do."
"What makes you say that?" Bellatrix said, frowning.
"Little Evans has no idea what happened. Surely he'd want to protect her at all costs."
"So you're saying we could still break him?" Rodolphus asked, smiling.
"I'm saying that if we surface the memories, Evans will never forgive him."
Bellatrix's laughter rang out in the empty hall.
Just as Lily had gone to sleep, the insane laughter of the five soon-to-be Death Eaters dying down several floors below him, James thrashed in bed. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Snape…and Lily. He fell asleep only twice, waking up panting and sweating because he saw them and he couldn't stop it. He heard Bellatrix's laughter in his ears. At about two in the morning, he sat up in his bed and finished his Potions essay. After that came Transfiguration, then Defense Against the Dark Arts, then Charms. After he had done all his work, he glanced at the clock. It was six in the morning as he sighed, getting up and grabbing his broom, heading for the Quiddich pitch.