Chapter 6: The Rough Two Weeks

James was out cold for a week. While unconscious, he had many visitors. Mainly, Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Also, the Quidditch team came to congratulate him for making the last goal. Even the Maraudettes joined in on the stream of visitors. Lily, Peeler noticed, more than any of them.

"C'mon Potter." She said during one of her many nightly alone trips as she "did her rounds". "You don't need anymore brain damage."

"Are you alright Miss. Evans?" Peeler asked coming out of his cloak.

"Professor. I was just…" she tried to find an excuse.

"Even though you don't want to admit it," He told her, "you care for him. Even just as a friend."

"Perhaps. But I wouldn't tell him." She said glaring at the unconscious boy.

Her face suddenly soften as a tear ran down her cheek. "Professor? You don't think he'd be the first to…"

Peeler grabbed her into a hug feeling that she needed it. "He'll be fine eventually." He told her.

Just then, James stirred.

"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey." Peeler told his student as he left to get the head nurse.

"James?" Lily asked.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her confused.

"Where am I?" he asked.

"You're in the Hospital Wing. You took a bludger to the head last week during the Quidditch match."

To Lily's horror, he still looked confused.

"Who…who are you?" he asked her as Peeler and Pomfrey entered.

She looked at the head nurse and defense teacher in horror.

(A/N: I could stop here, but I won't so you can see what happens)

0000

The next morning in the Great Hall,

"Ok you idiots!" Spica yelled at Sirius, Remus, and Peter. "Where's Lily?"

"How would we know?" Sirius yelled back. "Apparently you can't keep up with your friends."

Ever since the Quidditch incident, Gryffindors were extremely edgy. Especially the Marauders. And the fact that last night was the Full Moon didn't help either.

Just as Spica was about to make a rude comeback,

"That's enough." McGonagall interrupted.

"Ah. There you guys are." Peeler said trying to sound cheerful.

"Where's Lily?" Sara demanded.

"Miss Jenkins!" McGonagall scolded.

"It's alright Professor." Peeler told McGonagall before turning to Spica "She's with Mr. Potter in the Hospital Wing."

"James' awake?" Sirius asked excitedly.

Peeler frowned. "Before you go running to see him, I need to talk to you first."

"So it's true?" McGonagall asked turning pale. "Madame Pomfrey told Dumbledore who told the Heads."

"Yes." He told her. "Madame Pomfrey doesn't want him leaving until he is completely healed. And who knows how long that could take?"

"What's wrong?" Remus asked.

"Miss. Evans was doing her rounds last night and decided to check in on Mr. Potter. Luckily, I was there already and I saw her. When Mr. Potter stirred, I went to go get Madam Pomfrey. We came into the room just as he asked for Miss. Evans' name." Peeler told him.

The boys starred in horror, not saying or doing anything.

Finally, Sirius sat down on the bench of the table.

"For how long will he…?" Melissa managed to ask.

"No one can be sure." Peeler told her.

0000

Hospital wing,

"Do you think you can at least repeat what I told you?" Lily asked James who head was beginning to hurt him.

"We're at a magical school called Hogwarts. You're name is Lily Evans and mine is James Potter. I have three best friends: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. We are well known for our pranks. I've been trying to ask you out to the village for ages, but you always refuse. Ugh." James repeated until his head started to throb.

"It's ok." She told him gently. "Does any of it ring a bell?"

"More like a gong." He said.

She smiled.

"But I don't remember any of it." He added.

Her face fell.

"Prongs!" a black haired sixteen year old boy came into the room followed by two others the same age one was sandy-colored haired and a brown haired (what color is Pettigrew's hair). They were followed closely by a brown haired and two blond girls. The 18 year old from the night before was close behind.

"Who?" James asked

"You idiot." The sandy-colored haired boy whacked the black haired boy upside the head. "He wouldn't remember that."

The brown haired girl rolled her eyes.

"I'm Remus Lupin." The sandy-colored haired boy introduced himself. "These are Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew."

"Oh yeah. Lily was telling me about you." James said. "You're supposed to be my best friends or something like that."

"Do you remember anything?" Peter asked.

James shook his head.

"Lily has been filling me in on things, but nothing sounds familiar." James told them.

0000

Three days later,

"Can I get out of here?" a bored James asked the head nurse while the others were in class.

"Absolutely not." She said. "While in your condition, you are very prone to severe headaches. You'd never be able to concentrate. Besides, you wouldn't remember what you've learned when your memories do return."

He laid his head back on the pillow.

"But I remember." He tried.

"What is your sister's name?" she asked him.

"I have a sister?"

Wrong answer.

"Nice try." She grinned at him. "If you're worried about classes, the Professors will help get you caught up. And the next Quidditch match isn't for another two months."

"I still don't get it." James said trying to understand the game.

"Hey Prongs. How are you feeling?" Sirius asked as the Marauders and Lily came in from class.

"Why do you keep calling me Prongs?" James asked.

"We can't say." Remus said. "It's our question to know when…you know."

"When I get my memory back?" James asked.

"Yes." Peter piped up.

"James!" a female voice called from the entrance.

A redheaded woman stood in the doorway followed by a black haired man, Professor Peeler, and an old man. The woman looked ready to cry.

"Who's the old guy?" James whispered to Lily.

"That "old guy" is our headmaster: Albus Dumbledore."

Dumbledore, who heard that whispering conversation, seemed to have enjoyed it.

Just then, the woman went running to James and hugged him gently.

"Besides the obvious, are you alright?" she asked.

"I guess, if you mean by my not having my memory the obvious." James told her. "Who are you?"

The woman was actually crying now.

"Please tell me that the person who did this has been punished, Professor." The black haired man said to the headmaster.

"Let me assure you that Bellatrix Black has been kicked off the team and is serving detention until Mr. Potter regains in memory." Albus Dumbledore told him.

"That's not long enough in my opinion." Professor Peeler said.

"What is the punishment?" the man asked.

"She is to work along side the house-elves. Without magic." Peeler told him.

"Sirius is one of the only decent Blacks I know. Him and Andromeda." The man said. "All the other…don't get me started."

"I know the feeling sir." Peeler told him.

"Who are they?" James asked Lily as he tried to comfort the sobbing women.

She shrugged.

"Your parents." Sirius answered.

Lily winced.

"I guess I won't be playing again huh?" James asked Elizabeth Potter.

"At least until you get your memory back." She said looking at her son. "I can't stop you from doing something you love. You'll just be wearing a helmet from now on."

"I can't even leave the room until I get it back." James told her. "How am I supposed to get on a mop?"

"Broom." Peeler and James' father corrected.

"Whatever." James sighed as he laid back down and closed his eyes.

0000

"He's extremely prone to severe headaches." Madam Pomfrey explained to Mrs. Potter as James slept.

"He has a hard time when I try to explain everything." Lily told Mrs. Potter.

"And you are?" Elizabeth asked noticing Lily for the first time.

"Lily Evans." Lily introduced herself.

"Ah. The infamous Lily Evans." Charles Potter said recognizing the name. "James has told us much about you."

"Really?" Lily asked interested.

"Yes." Elizabeth "he told us that there was an attractive muggleborn witch in his class named Lily Evans. You are very intelligent from what he's told us."

"He said that?" Lily asked.

"Yes. He's very fond of you." Charles said.

Lily blushed.

"The Potters will be staying until Mr. Potter regains his memory." Dumbledore told the students.

"That's good." Remus said. "Stories from his childhood might help."

"I have an idea." Peeler said. "It could take a while, but I think I might have a way to help."

"How?" Elizabeth asked.

"Trust me." He told her as he left for his office

0000

Four days later,

"No." Peeler said throwing another book into a LARGE pile of books before grabbing another one.

"I have too many books." He said to himself before pausing. "I'd never thought I'd hear myself say that."

He flipped through the next one until,

"Finally!" Peeler yelled in his office going through the last of his books.

0000

In the Hospital wing,

"Lily, I don't think I'll ever remember." James told her.

"Yes you will." She said. "Even though I've tried Quidditch, the pranks you've pulled, your trying for me, your parents tried your past from before Hogwarts and even brought in the House-elf, You WILL get your memory back.…James, I need you to keep a secret."

"What is it?" he asked her gently.

"I'm not sure if you'll remember this if, WHEN, you get your memory back, so I'm just going to tell you. I've had a crush on you since third year."

"Really? But I thought…?"

"Yeah." Lily admitted.

"So, even if I ever do get my memory back, there's hope?"

"Possibly." Lily told him. "You kinda turned into an arrogant, big-headed jerk."

"Sorry." James said.

Just then, Professor Peeler walked in.

"Good afternoon Mr. Potter. Anything?"

"Nothing sir." James said.

"Miss. Evans." Peeler said turning to the redheaded witch. "May I have a word with you in private?"

"Of course Professor." She said curiously.

0000

In the DADA office,

"Miss. Evans," Peeler asked. "How badly do you want Mr. Potter's memory back?"

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"You might be the only person who will be able to bring back Mr. Potter's memory." He told her.

"You mean I DO have to kiss him?" she asked in horror.

Flashback

"I've tried everything." Lily told her friends after about 6 hours of storytelling.

"Have you tried kissing him yet?" Melissa asked.

"ADOLPHA!" Lily yelled.

"Just a suggestion." Melissa told her.

End Flashback

"No, no." he said with a laugh before turning serious again "There is a spell known to few. It's very similar to the counter-charm of a normal memory charm. However, it works for people who lost their memories by other means."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"It has to be performed by someone who cares for the victim. And the victim has to trust the caster. Mr. Potter has been relying on you this past week. I think you've built enough trust in him. I heard what you told Mr. Potter about your crush."

Lily blushed.

"I won't tell." He continued. "And he won't remember this past week."

Lily thought for a moment.

"What's the spell?" she finally asked.

0000

A few minutes later,

"James?" Lily asked walking into the Hospital Wing.

"Yes Lily?" James answered.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

She whipped out her wand.

"Remuneratiomemoria!"

A gold light hit James in the head. He grabbed his head like he was having a severe migraine.

When James lifted his head out of his hands, he looked around.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" he asked. "Did we win?"

"Yes" Lily told him.

He noticed that Lily still had her wand pointed at him. He raised his hands as in surrender.

"What did I do this time?" he asked.

"Oh." Lily said putting down her wand. "Bellatrix Black aimed a bludger at your head." She explain. "You where out cold for a week and had amnesia for another."

"Amnesia?" James asked.

"You heard me. I've spent the past week trying to help you. Apparently it finally worked."

"Really?" James asked raising an eyebrow at Lily. "Geez Evans, I didn't know you cared so much."

"I don't." she lied. "I was merely helping you because you weren't in your right mind."

She left after that, as she passed his parents.

"Mum? Dad? What are you doing here?" James asked noticing his parents. "Any news from Jenny?"

"JAMES!" Elizabeth screamed when she realized her son was back. She ran and hugged him tight. Charles went to his son's side and awaited his turn for the hug.

Peeler, Pomfrey, and Dumbledore watched from the doorways with smiles on their faces.

0000

A few hours later,

"Evans looks upset." Sirius observed.

"I wonder what happened." Remus stated.

"Hi guys." A familiar voice said from behind them.

The Marauders turned to see James Potter grinning at them.

"So, Moony? Since I missed so much class time, can I copy your homework?" James asked cheekily.

Remus starred at James instead of giving the usual glare.

"What did you call me?" Remus asked James.

"Moony." James repeated. "You know. Like the Moon."

"Why do we call you Prong?" he asked James suddenly.

Peter and Sirius looked at James as he looked to see if the coast was clear.

He leaned in and whispered, "Because during our fifth year, the three of us" he motioned to Sirius, Peter, and himself, "became unregistered animagi to help you with your "furry problem." Sirius is a dog, Peter is a rat, and I am a stag."

The Marauders starred at him. Finally,

"PRONGS!" Sirius cried out as he hugged his best friend. "YOU'RE BACK!"

TBC