A/N: Hello! Hello! I'm going on a trip with my Chorus to New York tomorrow, so you won't get another chapter until Sunday, at best. But I'll try to update as soon as I can!

Denaliyasha: Yay! You get a cookie for knowing your literature! It is very much a take-off of Anne, because I love the book so much, and I always thought of Lilly as incredibly reminiscent of our Anne-girl.

Ericana: Thanks! I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Outside Contact and Alien Comfort

The next morning, a sudden explosion made everyone look up from their breakfasts.

The Slytherin's breakfast had exploded on them, covering them in slimy, sticky substances. Their hair turned bright red, and their faces morphed to a gorgeous golden colour. The shrieks of the table turned to roars and tails soon swung from the benches. Flames wrote words into the sky, and a wind blew smoke into the Slytherin's eyes.

'You were warned.

You didn't listen,

Justice be done.

The Furies'

"At least theFuries like you guys" muttered Sirius.

"Oh, come on! How do we know it's for me?" Alice said, smiling fondly.

"What else has happened?"

Owls swooped in, and an envelope dropped into Lilly's eggs. She opened it, and scanned the letter quickly. As tears pricked Lilly's eyes, Gretchen grabbed it and read the perfect script, with Alice and Tabby over her shoulder.

After they'd finished, a look of anger in their eyes, Lilly took the letter and stood quickly.

"Lilly . . ." Alice began

"No. I need to be alone."

With that, Lilly ran out of the Hall, leaving three melancholy girls and four stunned and confused boys.

"What was that?" Remus asked.

"Let's just say Sirius isn't the only one with a bad home life." Gretchen said, smiling sadly at Sirius. She was surprised when he smiled in return, before blushing lightly into his toast.

"Hey! Where's James?" Peter asked.

Remus caught Tabby's eye and she softly jerked her head toward the door. He looked just in time to see a dark, messy head disappear under the doors of the Great Hall. He turned and they slowly began to smile, unaware that Dumbledore was smiling in the exact same manner.

James walked into the biting November chill in search of Lilly. He heard a small sob, and looked up to see Lilly perched in an alcove.

"Come here, Lilly." He said gently.

He led her to their rooms, sat her on the couch, and handed her her cat.

"Now. Tell me what's going on."

She wordlessly handed him the now crumbled letter.

'Lilly-

Mum is forcing me to write to you. She says I must because you are family. Well, let me tell you right now, you haven't been family to me since you got that freak letter from that freak school. I'm marrying Vernon. You must come to keep up appearances. You mustn't do any of your freakiness, though. Remember, you are a fat, ugly, freak who can't even get a bloke at a freak school like yours

Petunia'

He looked at her speechless in shock and anger. Silent, resigned tears fell down her cheeks like rain. He hugged her close to him, smoothing her hair until the tears subsided. He held her at arms length.

"Listen to me. You are a beautiful, smart, and talented witch. Boys would kill to date you, including me. Don't listen to a word she says. You'll never be a freak, Lilly. Never. At least not to me."

He conjured a handkerchief, and held it to her nose.

"now blow"

She obediently blew her nose, like she had with her father at five years old.

"Good girl"

Lilly and James sat in silence, his arm around her, until she fell asleep. Gazing down at her, he saw a serene calm and beauty that he was sure no boy had ever seen before. He gently picked her up, and carried her to her room. He laid her gently on her bed, taking off her shoes and outer robe. Pulling back the covers, he tucked her up into bed. James, giving into his temptations, stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead. She turned her head, and murmured softly in her sleep, not waking. He jumped back, and moved softly toward the door.

Turning back for a second, he watched her sleep peacefully. He turned and closed the door. Hours later, staring into the fire, he allowed his mind to whisper a forbidden and unspoken thought.

'I love you, Lilly'