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 Twelve: Unexpected Events

"Miss Evans," Slughorn said as soon as she had knocked and entered, "Funny things have been happening."

Lily couldn't agree more.

"Little things, all over the castle – were you aware that a Tracing Charm was detected today?"

Tracing Charms were against the school rules – the nature of the spell monitored the victim's every move.

"About two weeks ago, a secret passageway leading into Hogsmeade was used." He paused. "Not to mention the strangers the Fat Lady has been letting into your Common Room."

Lily couldn't believe her ears. "Why would she let strangers into the Common Room?" she asked.

"The Guardians must allow all who give the correct password to enter," said Slughorn. "I have reason to believe," he continued, "that these – misdemeanours – were performed by a Gryffindor."

"But sir –"

He interrupted her. "Miss Evans, who else could know the passwords? And – rumours – have reached my ear." He looked at her sternly. "Make sure there is no misbehaviour in your House."

"Thank you, sir." She turned to leave.

"And, Miss Evans – you might find yourself in a spot of danger. I'd be careful if I were you," he said grimly.

She still had her back to him, which was fortunate, as her face had turned pale. Did he mean what she thought he meant?

As she walked back to the Common Room, she pondered this sudden, frightening thought. Could – could he know anything of the Prophecy? Was he possibly…what was the term the old lady used? A Death Eater?

She greeted Alice and Wyona. They looked so elated over Gryffindors victory that she couldn't bear burdening them with her problems. She talked and studied with them, then took up her bag to do her nightly patrol.

It was only when she was on the sixth floor when she heard a whispered "Diffindo!" from a few metres behind her and her book-bag split open – her vial of potion on which she'd laboured for hours that afternoon shattered and spilled the previous silvery liquid all over the floor. Ink bottles smashed, drenching her parchment. Lily could only stare at the damage. She whirled around, but the caster of the spell was long-gone. Stupid pranksters, she thought bitterly. Footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned around. It was Potter, doing his own patrol. I hate my life, she thought bitterly, but by now this thought was almost routine to her – she felt a sudden, unexpected burst of happiness that had nothing to do with the mess at her feet.

"Woah – what happened here?" he asked in surprise. He bent down to help.

"I can do this myself, Potter," she snapped, pushing his hand away. Goosebumps sprang all the way down her arm, and she shuddered. What is happening to me? She wondered.

He tossed his head lightly. "I won't be surprised if you had a little hoax group," he said casually. "I've got one too – only this morning I woke up, only to discover that I was glued to my four-poster. Not a very pleasant way to start the day, but the little brats don't mean much harm –"

Lily put her face in her hands. She had never felt worse in her life. Atop of all her problems, was a strange feeling that was the worst to experience. It had nothing to do with the Prophecy, or the tricks, or Slughorn, and everything to do with the person in front of her. A little bubble of frustration swelled up inside her, and it burst out.

"Do you think I like being tormented by a bunch of kids?" Lily shrieked. "Do you think I actually like my position? Oh yes, very well for other people to say, my, Lily Evans, Head of the school? But they've no idea, no idea at all –"

James just looked at her as she kept up the flow, unrelenting, "- and the pressure, oh, I just can't stand the pressure! Lily Evans must do well in school, she's got brains, she has, but I bet none of them know how many hours I study into the night, they think it's just so easy – and in the daytime, the reputation to keep up with, I never touch a single calorie just to keep my stupid figure, I try to be so nice to everyone, because everyone treats everyone else so badly - how many times have I listened to my friends pour out their hearts while I keep it all inside me!"

James raised an eyebrow, but let her continue.

"And now the whole ridiculous untold prophecy business, with that dodgy Slughorn skulking about, who may even be a Death Eater, and I still haven't figured out how to open my closet to get rid of that stupid Boggart!"

And on this enigmatic note, she burst into tears.

James just looked at her, while she sobbed with heaving shoulders. He carefully drew her up from the floor.

"Lily," he said quietly," are you ok?"

Lily couldn't answer, but the feeling of his hands on her shoulders sent little bolts of electricity through her body, despite the thick robe between their skin. Everything looked blurry.

He put his hand under her chin and turned her tear-stained face up to look at him. Lily found it very hard to look at him.

"I can help you," he whispered. "It won't be much, but I can help."

She finally brought her eyes up to his. Her heart burned and leapt in a very uncomfortable manner.

He lowered his face closer and kissed her.