Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or names in this story created by J.K Rowling (who is a very talented lady.) I only own the plot, and new characters you won't recognise.

Chapter Eight: Hogsmeade

Lily felt freer than ever as she entered Hogsmeade with Alice and Wyona. Before her was an entire afternoon…not to mention all the interesting-looking shops she hadn't explored yet…

It was snowing, and thin flakes of ice settling on their exposed cheeks. Wyona motioned towards Honeydukes, and they gratefully entered the warm shop, smelling strongly of chocolate.

Chocolate…Lily thought lovingly. She looked at the display of magical chocolate bars, and inhaled the intoxicating aroma deeply.

Wait…it's chocolate...Lily tore herself from the smell and walked quickly out of the shop. It wouldn't do to give into sweets now…

Outside once more in the chill weather, Lily tightened her crimson scarf around her neck. The wind stabbed at her face like little daggers, and Lily walked a few yards to keep up her ciculation.

She gave a small gasp of surprise as something tugged at her robes from behind. Lily turned around.

It was an old, old woman. Her white hair, accentuated by the snow surrounding them, was clasped back messily, and her large eyes gazed at Lily.

"Lily – Lily Evans?" she said in a hoarse croak.

Lily was taken by surprise, but noticed the scanty rags the woman was wearing and took pity on the stranger. "Look, you're ill, you need food – let's go to The Three Broomsticks –"

The old lady shook her head wildly. "No, my dear, I would be more grateful if you spared me a few minutes of your time…the leaves said that you would be here –"

She began to cough violently – Lily placed a tentative hand on her arm until the racking noises subsided.

"You are kind," said the old woman. She sneezed. Lily took off her coat and wrapped it snugly around her.

This gesture seemed to wake the woman more than anything else. She suddenly gripped Lily, whispering, "It is not safe for you – He is after you…"

"Who?" said Lily, puzzled.

"The Dark Lord – he shall be famous for a name, a name too evil to mention – the darkest wizard of all." She gazed into Lily's eyes fearfully. "There was a prophecy I made – I only just heard it – you, child, are destined to bear the one that will destroy him!"

Lily was confused. Very confused. She said, "There are some nice clean places to sleep in Hogsmeade, hot baths and soap too, and – "

The old woman closed her eyes and tightened her grip. "I taught him, my dear, I taught him – "There were tears running through the crevices of her face."Such a bright lad – listen carefully, child. He has an army of Death Eaters. They are trying to find you, to kill you –"

Footsteps sounded behind Lily. The woman gave a start, whispered, "Farewell," to Lily, and Disapparated.

Lily stared at the place the woman had occupied just a second before. How did she know my name?

The footsteps behind her became louder, and an all-too-familiar voice said, "Fancy seeing you here…Evans! Where's your coat?"

Lily suddenly realised that she was freezing. Her coat had Disapparated along with the woman. Before she could even finish this thought, something warm enveloped her and she gave a sigh of relief, before flinging herself around and coming face to face with her worst enemy.

James Potter appeared in front of her, coatless. Struck with the fact that she was wearing his coat, she normally would have flung it off – but it was far too cold, Lily had to admit.

"What say you to a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks?" he said cheerfully, and his tone annoyed Lily even more. But the Butterbeer sounded tempting, and she grudgingly trudged up to the pub with him, saying nothing through the bitter wind. Once they were inside, she immediately took off his coat and thrust it at him. She sat herself down at a corner table, and he joined her two minutes later with two overflowing tankards of warm, frothy liquid. She drank deeply, not noticing that his eyes never left her face.

"So, Evans, pray tell me what you were doing in the middle of Hogsmeade without a coat, talking to yourself."

"I was not talking to myself, Potter, and I wouldn't tell you about it, anyway."

"Why not?"

This question took her a little by surprise, but she quickly regained her composure and snapped, "Because it's none of your business."

He looked at her very intently, and Lily, who couldn't bear showing any signs of weakness, stared right back. His eyes, she reflected, were hazel – chestnut brown, with green and amber flecks…and his fringe kept falling into them…his untidy, jet-black hair, which always looked windswept…

She kicked herself, not for the first time that year.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"

Lily paused. "Why are you so interested?"

James gave up. He knew there was no persuading Lily. Instead, he tried to change the subject to a lighter topic.

"I saw your Aguamenti Charm the other day. It was really good."

"Yeah, well – I like Charms."

There was an awkward silence.

"Evans, will you – "

"No."

James suddenly laughed, throwing his head back.

"You're hard to get, Lily Evans," he pondered out loud, "but one day I will succeed."