A/N - Glad you liked it! Sorry it took so long, but here it is!
For the next, and final, few weeks of summer Lily Evans hardly had time to breathe by herself. It became a daily event for James or Sirius, often with Remus and even Peter, to stop by and check on her. And that did not include Gideon and Marlene spending more time at her house than at their own, or when she went out with any one of them. And today was it, the final day. No, she corrected herself, we're leaving today. Back to Hogwarts. She snapped out of her reverie as Gideon appeared before her, lifting her bad and saying, "Come on Lily. Marlene's on her way, and Potter's pacing downstairs. They're going to drive me insane."
Lily laughed and walked downstairs with Gideon, wondering what life would be like without her best friends. Surprised to see not James, but all four Marauders in her sitting room, Lily grinned sheepishly at her father. From the corner she heard Andrew Potter's deep chuckle and she turned to see both him and Elizabeth Potter sitting together quietly. "Don't look so surprised to see us; it makes us feel unwanted," Sirius teased lightly as Marlene burst in, her father following with her trunk.
With a laugh, Lily shook her head, "Oh, it's not that too much. I'm more surprised that Petunia hasn't thrown a fit about it yet. Dad?"
Harry Evans laughed and winked at his daughter, "No worries Lil. She's still upstairs. And there are six eighteen year olds in my sitting room with my daughter. And five of them are male. Why on earth did I ever agree to sending you here instead of some nice girl's school?"
Grinning cheekily, James replied, "Because you knew I'd be here to watch over her."
"My daughter's safety is in your hands?" Mr. Evans asked with a raised eyebrow. Throwing his hands in the air, he exclaimed, "That's it Lily! You're not going back!"
Understanding the blatant insult instantly, the room erupted in laughter, James included. Gideon smiled and said, "You let her go because you knew Marlene would castrate anyone who came within fifty feet of her, and Lily sticks with her out of habit."
Marlene shot Gideon a dirty glare and he reached out and ruffled her shoulder-length brown hair. At this moment Marlene's father eyed the young man warily and Harry Evans burst out laughing, "That's it! Now, Rose, instead of rolling your eyes at me, you could always get me a cup of tea."
With a laugh, Rose shook her head and looked at Elizabeth, "Does yours do this too?"
As Elizabeth Potter nodded with a smile, the three fathers looked at each other and asked simultaneously, "Does your wife do that too?"
The kids all looked at each other and laughed. James winked at Lily and grinned, "Don't worry Lily-flower, I won't ever do that to you."
Lily gave one of her trademark shriek/moans and Marlene laughed, saying, "James, don't bother her so much. And if we want to make the train, we'd better get going."
"Grumble, grumble, grumble. Can you ever not tell us what to do?" Gideon muttered darkly, still rubbing the back of his head from where she had smacked him earlier.
Edward McKinnon shook his head quickly at Gideon and said, "Bad idea. Really bad idea Gideon boy. Especially today, when she's obviously not in the mood to deal with you."
Gideon paled slightly, but he smiled charmingly at the stunning Marlene. Laughing, Sirius threw an arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek, "Now, Marlenie darling, be nice to Gideon. It's not his fault that he knows nothing about how to treat people."
Laughing, Marlene shoved him lightly and asked, "And you do? Now, be serious Sirius."
"That," the young man said with a smile, completely oblivious to Gideon's crushed expression, "is something I can do. Especially for the beautiful miss McKinnon."
Lily couldn't help but laugh, but she felt guilt writhing in her gut when she saw the flash of pain in Gideon's eyes as Marlene squeezed Sirius' hand affectionately. Her voice was brisk and every bit the Head Girl she now was, "Alright, enough fooling around. We're going to miss the train if we don't leave now. Let's go. Bye Mum, bye Dad, I'll write you once we get there."
Rose Evans kissed her daughter on the cheeks as her husband hugged his daughter fiercely. "All right," he said gruffly. "And I expect a visit for Christmas. Have fun. I love you Lily bird."
Smiling at the childhood nickname, Lily said softly before apparating away, "I love you too. See you soon."
The group, the seven seventh-year wizards, ran onto the Hogwarts Express and shoved themselves into the only empty compartment they could find, pleased to see that there were any left empty at all. The four Marauders shoved themselves onto one side of the seats as Gideon sat squarely between Lily and Marlene. Before too long candy and chocolate was bouncing between the teens, and laughter and jokes abounded. For the first time that anyone could remember, Lily Evans was not only sitting with the Marauders, but enjoying their company. Lily watched with a wary eye as Sirius flirted openly with Marlene, who responded to his advances carelessly with light smiles. The strong smile of Gideon's that Lily loved so dearly flickered, though nobody but Lily saw it. To the others it was completely out of nowhere when Lily said quickly, "Gideon? Will you come outside with me for a moment? I want to talk to you about something."
Gideon's eyes locked on hers and he stood, his voice gentle, "Of course Lily. Anything for my flower."
As the two walked out James glared at the door and let his head snap towards Marlene, "What's going on between them? Is there anything going on between them?"
Marlene, eyes wide, shook her head in confused response, "They never mentioned anything. But, then again, they've been having all these little unspoken conversations lately and I have no idea what it's about. Lily would have said something if–"
Eyes shining with sadness for a moment, Marlene cut herself off. Remus, ever the practical one, said reproachfully, "You have no right to get jealous now when you've been sitting next to Gideon and ignoring him to flirt with Sirius for almost an hour. Had you been like James, who focussed all his attention on Lily, I could understand it. But not when you blatantly turned away from him."
Anger flashing in her eyes to hide the sadness, Marlene snapped, "He's one of my best friends! And I never said I was jealous! I'd just be surprised if there was anything going on there. They've always acted like brother and sister, but they've been a lot closer this summer than before. I just didn't think to see it coming."
James sat silent, his eyes rivetted on the door. Remus looked between him and Marlene and wondered if there really was something going on between Lily and Gideon. If there was, they would both have to answer to a very upset pair of friends.
"Gideon, look at me," Lily said softly.
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"Merlin, Lily, does she not get it?" Gideon's voice was hoarse, raw and pure in a way that he only ever allowed it to be with Lily. "Can she really not see anything? I thought I was being obvious, or at least that she knew. And why Black? Of all the people to flirt with, why Black? Merlin, it would've been easier if it was Potter or Remus. Why the one guy who'll flirt back and take her up on every flirt?"
Lily's face softened and she wrapped her arms around him, saying gently, "She's just playing. She doesn't mean it, I promise. There will never be anything but friendship between Marlene and Sirius. I'm sure of it. Don't worry Gideon, it'll be okay."
Gideon buried his face in her hair and wrapped his arms around her for comfort. "Merlin, I hate him Lily. I tease her and she slaps me; he teases her and she laughs and holds his hand. Am I doing something wrong? I know she doesn't mean it, but Merlin, I hate him for it. I hate him for it more than I can even begin to explain. But I can't hate him Lily, it's not his fault for Merlin's sake! Merlin, he's always been like this, and he always will be, I think. That's part of the reason everyone likes him, dammit, that's part of the reason I like him. He's been my friend for almost seven years, even if we were never close, and now I keep on hating him because she keeps on showering him. Lily, we've been best friends for seven years, seven years, and she doesn't even realize it. Why doesn't she see it already?"
At that moment Lily's heart went out to her best friend. "Oh Gideon, I know. Believe me, I know. Hold on, I'm going to go get my wand from the compartment."
The handsome boy stood tall and strong and Lily felt a burst of pride as she thought he looked like a warrior king. She entered the compartment not to the jokes and laughter she had left, but a tense silence. Marlene spoke first, "Where's Gideon?"
Unable to look her best friend in the eyes, and cursing her for not seeing how much Gideon liked her, Lily rummaged through her bag, "Outside. I'm getting my wand and going with him to check on some of the younger kids."
The silence reigned again before James said, his voice pained, "Is there anything going on between you and Gideon, Lily?"
Now Lily turned and her face softened as she looked at the young man who had managed to win his way into her good graces after a mere month. "I know you care James; I don't doubt that anymore. And you know perfectly well what I told you two weeks ago, and it still stands. But as far as Gideon is concerned, would anyone here care if he was with someone?"
Though Remus and James both caught the crude hint, Marlene paled slightly and said, "He's outside, right? Just outside the door, by himself?"
Lily said nothing, but Gideon stepped in and said, "Having trouble Lily? Don't worry about it, I have my wand with me just in case. Let's go, I want to stop and talk to someone about Hogsmeade before we get back. Merlin, why's it so quiet in here? You'd think someone died."
Holding up her wand, Lily shook her head, "No, nobody died. But a couple of people decided they had an interest in places they don't belong. Potter, will you meet me in the prefect compartment in about twenty minutes? We need to talk before all the prefects get there."
Gideon saw instantly that Lily was tense and he bent and kissed her on the forehead easily before tugging lightly on Marlene's hair and saying, "Don't look so upset Marlene. I'll be back in a couple of minutes. I'm just going to help Lily with her rounds."
He noticed instantly that Marlene looked up at him and nodded, her face still bland. He was half out the door when James spoke, "Wait a minute Prewett. You go ahead and stay, I'll go with Lily."
Shrugging, Gideon replied, "You come too; there's plenty of room. But I need to talk to her about something for a little sometime during the rounds. Come on Potter."
Instantly realizing that Gideon was telling him that he could come and see for himself there was nothing between Gideon and Lily, James nodded and stood. "And I'll be on my way when you do. Let's go Lily flower."
The three left and after a long silent pause Marlene stood up, "I'm going to find him. He hasn't talked to me properly in at least a month. I'm going to find out what's wrong."
She left the compartment and ran, knowing Gideon and Lily would have headed towards the front of the train. Without realizing where she was going she felt herself slam into a tall, hard figure. She fell back and felt a large, strong hand catch her and she looked up into the coldly handsome face of Rodolphus Lestrange. "Well, well, well. Getting prettier every year McKinnon. I think you could do quite nicely with some nice, pureblood wizard instead of that mudblood and muggle-loving riffraff you associate with. In fact, I might just take myself up on that."
Pulling herself away and cringing inwardly with disgust, Marlene retorted icily, "Lestrange. I would rather do anything than associate with people like you. You can kindly get away from me now. I was looking for someone."
Lestrange took a step towards her and spoke in a throaty voice laced with desire, "No can do McKinnon. You see, I decided I liked you. You're certainly pretty enough, and a pureblood at that. And, you see, if I decide I want something, I get it."
His hands grasped her arms and pulled her taunt against him. She fought violently, resisting the urge not to retch in revulsion. "Let me go! Let me go, dammit!"
Cold and cruel was his laugh as she felt his breath, hard, on her face. Before she had time to slap the face she hated so much, his lips were on hers and he was taking though she refused to give. She pulled away and fought madly, knowing exactly what this man was planning to do as his hands drew her hard against him.
She could feel his breath on her neck when she heard a voice that seemed to her heaven-sent, "Get your filthy hands off of her."
Lestrange froze at the sound of the strong, powerful, dangerous voice of Gideon Prewett. He was no fool, and only a fool would mess with a man like Prewett. "Well, well. Nice to see you Prewett. Have fun with the mudblood? Or do you prefer this whore? Let's make a deal, I get one, you get the other. Take your pick."
Tall and menacing, Gideon stepped towards the Slytherin, his grey eyes glowing with anger, "I'll take that one, if you will. And she's not one of your strumpets, no matter how much you'd like her to be. Just try to take Lily, just try. I'm sure James Potter, as Head Boy, will have a couple of complaints about it though."
Then Lestrange saw where Lily stood with James, his hand resting lightly on her waist. Swearing softly, he said coldly before walking off, "Hogwarts has gone to the dogs. A muggle-
lover and a mudblood as Heads. Next we'll be admitting werewolves, vampires, and giants."
Gideon turned to Marlene and said gently, "Are you okay? Did he touch you?"
She nodded before tears began to leak from her eyes. Instantly Gideon had reached out for her, and she recoiled, saying frantically, "Don't touch me! Don't touch–"
With lightening speed, Gideon wrapped his arms around her anyways and held her to him firmly as he whispered tenderly, "Hush, hush Marlene. I've got you. You're safe now. Nothing's going to happen to you; nobody can get you now."
"Oh Merlin, I was terrified. He was so close."
She could feel Gideon's arms tighten around her and she knew without seeing that his strong, sharp jaw had tightened as he said firmly, "You're safe. Nothing's going to happen now. He can't get you anymore. I won't let him near you again."
For some reason this struck a core through the girl and she buried herself into his arms, sobbing silently. She could feel him pressing light, gentle kisses to her hair as she trembled violently. Yet she knew she was safe, she knew that Gideon had spoken honestly, and he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
James looked at Lily, neither of them realizing his hand still rested on her waist. "How serious is he about her Lily?"
With a sideways glance at her two best friends, Lily turned to face James, "He's in love with her. He'll marry her, if she lets him. That's why he's never been able to have a girlfriend after more than one date, because Marlene won't approve of the girl unless it's me or her, and he won't approve unless she approves. I would say that he'd die for her, but he wouldn't. He'd kill for her without batting an eyelash."
Seeing how the tall, handsome man held the shaken girl to him despite the murder gleaming in his eyes, James nodded. He had known Gideon most of his life, and had lived with him for seven years; he knew the man well enough to see the truth in Lily's words. But he turned to where she stood, caught between watching and being unable to. "Do you mind? That it's Marlene, I mean."
He stopped, unable to finish, and Lily turned to him. She smiled softly, "It's what I always wanted. For them to be together. Marlene and Gideon are meant for each; they're each two pieces of a single puzzle. They've always been. I just never realized how awkward it would be if they ever actually got together. The three of us were always fine; there was never a third wheel. But, if they dated, the way they should, there would be. I still want them to be together, it's just an unpleasant slap by reality."
All he did was lay a light hand on her arm, but she froze. Ignoring the alarms that told him not to do anything, James pulled her into his arms for a gentle hug, saying gently, "You'll never be a third wheel Lily Evans. Nobody will ever be able to push you aside. And if they want to go out, you know where I am. If worst comes to worst, we'll chaperone."
Laughing and nodding, Lily squeezed his hand and walked over to where Gideon stood with Marlene. She touched Marlene lightly on the shoulder and said gently, "I'm going to go down to the Head's compartment. You stay with Gideon; it'll be okay."
Gideon released Marlene and held Lily's face in his hands. James and Marlene both tightened as they watched him bend and kiss Lily's forehead, whispering so that only he and Lily could hear, "Everyone eventually gives into Potter. He has his mother's charm. And he has his father's fierce loyalty. You're safe with him. You're safer with him than you'll ever be with me. Remember that. And love him Lily, because he needs it more than you know."
Smiling, Lily kissed his cheek and said, "Watch her. And good luck."
Giving Marlene a last reassuring smile and gentle hug, Lily ran off with James, standing by his side as though it was perfectly natural. Marlene watched Gideon as he watched Lily, and he began to speak even before he turned back to her, "He's going to marry her. And she's going to fall head over heels in love with him. Lucky bastard. They're going to be happy until the day they die. And they'll die together too, just watch."
Eyes rivetted on his face, she said softly, "Why do I have the feeling that you're really jealous of him?"
"Because I am," Gideon said softly, turning away from her again, only because he couldn't bear to watch the woman he loved when she looked so uncertain and pale, "because he's going to get the girl he already loves when I'm not so sure."
"Is it Lily? Are you jealous that he has Lily?"
Gideon whirled around as Marlene finished, eyes wide with shock, "Where on earth would you get an idea like that? Lily's like my sister. You're my best friend! I'd have told you if it was Lily! You know that!"
Taken aback by his vehement surprise, she snapped defensively, "I know. But you haven't even talked to me lately Gideon! How would I know when you haven't even sat down to have a decent conversation without jumping up to go talk to James or check on Lily! How on earth do you expect me to know anything when you don't even look at me when you talk to me anymore!"
There were tears glistening in her eyes now, and Gideon froze at her words. He cursed himself as the worst man in the world before he stepped closer. Taking her face in his hands, there was no doubt he was looking at her as he said, "I'm looking at you now. And the thought of going to talk to Lily Evans or James Potter is not on my mind. It's all you now Marlene. My only interest now is you."
She swallowed and stepped back, ready to rage at him for unnerving her merely by his closeness, "Merlin, Gideon, for nearly a month the only thing I've heard out of your mouth is either making fun of me or about Lily. What else am I supposed to think, when you go and hold Lily like she's your angel and shove me around like when we were six! I've been at your house everyday with my mum or dad, and I've hardly even seen you. Why? Because you were always off with Lily or James or Sirius or Lupin or somebody! You've hardly even looked straight at me in weeks! And when you have it's been to tease me about something!"
Dragging his hands through his hair, Gideon looked at her appraisingly. "How can you even think that Marlene? When I say one thing to you and you slap me and then when Black goes and says the same thing you laugh and hold his hand? I can't look at you, not when every other time I see you it's with Black hanging all over you, and you enjoying it! Is it any wonder I've been with Lily? For the love of Merlin, Marlene, I've been teasing you since we were you six, and it never bothered you until now!"
"You never worshipped someone else while you were teasing me," Marlene's voice was soft, pained. She knew he was right, Sirius Black had been all over her, and she had let him.
"I can't tease Lily now," Gideon replied, his steely grey eyes brimming with emotions that Marlene had never seen before, "not when she's the only one who listens and understands. And not when I'm watching her fall head over heels in love with a man who's been in love with her for years. And not when Fabian comes home every night and tells me about another muggle-born who's been attacked or whose family has been killed. Not when I'm terrified it'll be her next. That's why I've been talking to Potter, because he knows just as much about it as I do, and he'll die fighting for her. And that's why I've been with Lily whenever Potter can't, because he's the only person I trust with her life. I don't want to see anyone I care about die before I do."
Suddenly indignant that he wouldn't trust Lily with her, she demanded, "Why not me? Lily's my best friend too, and I'd do anything not to see her get hurt!"
She jumped when Gideon's hand clamped like steel on her arms. His eyes were hard as he said, "No. Oh Merlin, do you not get it? For all that I love Lily, I'd rather watch her die than see you get hurt. How do you not understand?"
He let her go sharply and turned away, shuddering at himself. Marlene touched his arm and asked softly, "Gideon?" She understood now, and she wondered how she had missed it before. It seemed painfully obvious, but she had been painfully oblivious.
"Don't touch me," his voice was harsh, but it lacked conviction. "I'm not sure if I can trust myself with you. Not now."
Here she hardened, refusing to take his self-refusal, and she snapped, "If I can't trust you, then I can't trust anyone. Don't be an idiot. Look at me."
He turned to her, and she smiled at him. Shaking his head, he came and grasped her arms, looking down at her, "You're so dense. You're so unbelievably clueless. And you thought I liked Lily. When, in fact, I'm in love with her best friend."
Throwing her arms around his neck, Marlene reached up and did something she had wanted to do more than half of her life. She kissed Gideon Prewett. And he responded. He most certainly did. His hands tightened on her arms and even when he broke away he drew her closer, "Marlene McKinnon, you are the most oblivious woman I have ever met. And, Merlin, I love you for it. Kiss me again, and it let's make it official."
Looking up at him, and smiling at the storm brewing in his sharp grey eyes, she whispered, "Gideon, I may be oblivious, but you're a fool. It was always official, you just never caught on. Dear Merlin, Lily was right, I fell in love with my best friend without ever realizing it. I'll kiss you, but only if you kiss me back Gid."
A small chuckle on his lips, he closed the gap between them and kissed her again. His thoughts were simple, but oh so good, this year is going to work out quite nicely. Especially if I get more of this. As the two walked down the hall he reached out and ruffled Marlene's silky hair, laughing as she punched him playfully in the arm. Oh yes, he thought, this year is going to work out perfectly. He reached out and tickled her, laughing as she jumped and laughed, fighting him off. Only a moment it lasted before he gathered her in his arms and pressed an idle kiss to her forehead, the way he had always done. But this time his lips lingered a little longer, and it wasn't the hand of a brother that squeezed her waist gently.
He followed her into the compartment and kissed her quickly as he sat, winking at Remus and grinning at Sirius' stunned expression. As Lily stepped back into the compartment, her words were so swift nobody has time to comment on the fact that James' arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, "Well then? Is it settled? Have you two gotten over your stupid denials and gotten together? Good, it was about to drive me mad. Peter, will you go sit with them, I like teasing them and it's easier if I can see what they're doing."
Peter laughed and obliged, winking at Lily as she sat between James and Sirius. Leaning back, she watched her best friends with a wary eye and warned, "Just so you know, I'm not going to go easy on you just because you're my best friends. I catch you two snogging, and you'll suffer the same consequences as everyone else."
Gideon laughed and stretched, leaning back comfortably as he said with an ease his four roommates had never noticed, "You say that now. When you're off snogging the pants off of Potter you'll think twice. It's a beautiful thing Lily, it really and truly is. And I don't think Potter has any objections to it. So it's up to you Lily, right Potter?"
Not replying to Gideon's question, James leaned forward and asked in a stage whisper, "It sounds good, doesn't it? Lily, right Potter. Right, Lily Potter. It really sounds right."
Lily shoved James over so he landed squarely in Remus' lap. Recoiling and nearly throwing his best friend onto the floor, Remus cried, "God's sake man! Go sit on someone else's lap and leave me be! It is not on my list of things to do to have you lying on my lap! Lily's right there Prongs!"
Shaking with laughter, James straightened, sat back, and stretched, his arm falling idly over Lily's shoulder. Peter and Sirius eyes the arm warily, before exchanging uncertain glances. Neither were too fond of the idea of sharing James, or letting Lily into the group. Wasn't it enough that they were friends with Lily, Marlene, and Gideon now? Did they have to deal with a relationship too? Still, they watched as neither James nor Lily noticed the presence of his arm around her shoulders. But even they didn't notice the longing in James' eyes as they left to let the girls change, nor did the notice the wistful eyes of Lily Evans as she watched him leave.
It was Lily's wistful eyes that would go unnoticed. And by the time they were noticed, it would be what some would call too late. But they, they who called it too late did not know James Potter. Nor did they know of the schemes running through the minds of Remus Lupin and Gideon Prewett. But they would. Oh, believe me, they would.
Stepping into the carriages that were to take them to Hogwarts, the seven teenagers talked and laughed. As Lily and James sat to the side, discussing Head duties and the new prefects, Remus nudged them and whispered, "Remember. You two have to make time for learning the Patronus charm. Prongs, you're going to have to work around quidditch practices and your rounds. Lily, help him figure it out, will you?"
James groaned and looked at Lily, saying, "Do we have to do this? Can't we just figure it out before we go to bed?"
Lily looked at him with a raised eyebrow and said, "We'll pull it off, don't worry. We can do rounds after your practices, or right around the sessions. It's only once a week Potter, and that's not that bad."
"Back to Potter are we Lily?" James asked. "If you like the sound of my last name that much, you can have it. I have no problem with you being Lily Potter."
Rolling her eyes, Lily asked softly, "Will you ever grow up? Come on, we're here."
She stepped out after everyone, but right before James. She strayed back a little, looking thoughtful, and James reached out and placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. He held her still as he bent forward and whispered gently, "I was kidding you know. I have no problem with figuring out how to manage lessons with Moony. I didn't mean to bother you by teasing you about it. And don't worry, you're going to be a wonderful Head Girl."
Turning, Lily looked up at James and said, "I know James, about you joking. I've known you long enough to be able to tell the difference, most of the time at least. But thanks anyway. You weren't supposed to listen to me, you know. When I told you to grow up."
Squeezing her shoulders lightly, he released her and fell into step beside her, "I didn't grow up because you told me to, Lily. I grew up because I realized you'd be the one who would have to deal with the consequences. See the difference. I didn't grow up because of you, but for you. And it's only the first of many things I'll be doing for you, I promise."
It was then that Lily did what many considered the unthinkable. Though it was known that Lily didn't hate James, their rocky and rather bad relationship was widely known. Throwing her arms around him, she kissed him on the cheek and said, "I wasn't sure what Dumbledore was thinking when he made you Head Boy. Now I don't think he could have made a better choice."
Crimson, James mumbled, "Come on, they might get worried."
"Who?" Lily asked curiously. "Your friends will sit and contemplate what we might be doing, and waiting to blackmail us about something we didn't do. And mine will be completely oblivious to anything but each other."
Grabbing her arm, James pulled her into the Great Hall and moaned, "So? Do you always have to be right Evans?"
Raising an eyebrow at him as she sat, she teased, "What, back to Evans now are we Potter? I thought you were the one stuck on changing my name."
Growling at her as he shoved himself into the seat between her and Peter, he snapped, "Shove it Lily. Oh, look, little first years."
Seeing the devious glint shining in the eyes of all four Marauders, Lily groaned and smacked her head on the table. When she lifted her head at last, she turned to Gideon beseechingly, "Please, dear God, help me."
Quickly alleviating the mischief from James' eyes, Remus said coolly, "First lesson is on Wednesday, or so Dumbledore said. Just thought you two might want to now."
Leaning over, James whispered in the ear of the girl whose life he had already saved once, "Back to the Patronus. It sounds more like a disease that a saviour right now."
Shoving him lightly, Lily looked at him incredulously. "James Potter! You won't be saying it when it saves your life."
Face tightening, James murmured darkly, "I don't give a damn about my life anymore. But I'll praise this charm, and Moony, if it saves yours. Do you understand me Lily?"
Reaching under the table as the sorting took place, Lily squeezed James' hand gently. Doing what he had wanted to do for over two years, James linked his fingers in hers as he sat, more at ease than he had been in weeks. Sirius noticed, and it was Remus he exchanged glances with this time. Remus' words were unspoken, but Sirius heard them clearly, he's still your best friend Padfoot. You're not losing him, you're gaining Lily.
James looked at Lily, at her face features lightly sprinkled with freckles and her wide, sea-goddess green eyes. Feeling his heart pound in his chest, he smiled and vowed that he would win her this year, no matter what.
The patronus, he thought in satisfaction, will win me Lily. And if it saves her life, I will get down on my knees and praise the patronus, whatever shape it may be.
The patronus, Lily thought as she forgot about her hand in James', that's what I'll do. No, I won't be a third wheel, James was right. When they go out I'll be with James and Remus. I think I could get used to this. And I'll see James.
A/N - I hope you liked it! Review, please!
