Disclaimer I do not own these characters, they belong to JKR
November passed with few incidents, including James and Elena fighting. At the beginning of December, Lily received a letter from her parents. This wasn't unusual, no they had sent a letter that looked formal, cardstock print. It was a wedding invitation for her sister Petunia. There was a smaller note in the invitation. It read:
Lily,
Mum is making me invite you because it's 'rude' not to. Vernon and I are getting married on the 23rd. If you show up, bring a date. Do not bring one of your freak friends. I'm serious Lily. I don't want you ruining my wedding with your freak self.
Petunia Evans.
Charming. What a bi- we mustn't speak ill of our sister. What about her walrus of a fiance? Yeah no, he's free game. He's so very boring. 10/10 one of the men who are rude to waiters. Lily sighed, shit-talking Vernon wasn't getting her anywhere. James wandered into the common room just as she set the letter down on the coffee table. "Hey Lily, are you staying here for Christmas Hols?" It panged just a little that he didn't call her any nickname, not since Elena.
"No, my sister is getting married and I have been ordered to attend," Lily told him, sinking into the couch.
"Sounds fun, hey do you mind starting patrols without me? I told Elena I'd tell her goodnight."
"Sure, see you later," Lily agreed. No, I bloody well don't want to do that so that you can go off and have a nighty night shag. She really is taking over his life, isn't she? Lily started her rounds at the usual snogging spots. She slowly made her way up to the more unused corridor.
"Lily!" Snape called from down a dark corridor. That's not creepy at all.
"You shouldn't be out past curfew," Lily sneered. He rolled his eyes at her.
"You do it all the time with your man-whore Potter."
"Excuse me?" Lily gasped. The AUDACITY of this arsehole.
"Come off it Lily, everyone knows you two are fucking. Even his slut of a girlfriend thinks so," Snape informed her cruelly.
"Snape I want you to piss off and get over yourself," Lily said. She glared at him.
"Oh ho ho. What do we have here? A lovers spat?" Mulciber drawled from the shadows. Lily glared at him.
"You can piss off too," Lily spat. Bellatrix laughed madly behind her. Fuck where is my wand, where the shit is my wand? Not good, very not good.
"Oh I'm sure the mudblood slut goes down on her knees for everyone," Avery added, his wand held loosely in his grip. Lily was beginning to feel trapped.
"I'm sure Snape, she wouldn't even get down for you," Regulus Black chimed in. Oh fuck, oh fuckity fuck fuck. Her chances of escaping safely had dwindled down and she still hadn't found her wand.
"Make her," Bellatrix commanded, looking directly at Snape. Lily glared.
"Fuck off you twats. Leave me the bloody hell alone," Lily growled. She tried to wandlessly cast a shield charm when she saw Snape raising his wand. He conjured ropes to wrap around her and force her on her knees. Bellatrix clapped like an insane child.
"Slice her mudblood veins open, show your loyalty to the Dark Lord," Avery commanded. Lily looked at Regulus, he was her best shot at getting out of here. He didn't meet her eyes but his hands were slightly shaky. Lily moved her gaze to Snape. Something in his eyes hardened and he cried out "Sectumsempra!"
Lily screamed as a pain like no other she had ever felt sliced all over her skin, she felt weak and lightheaded. The Slytherins were laughing, in such a terrifying way. Lily could feel her thoughts drain out it was like her brain had slowly decided to quit. She heard a scream and then she heard nothing. She saw nothing, it was a complete abyss. Completely devoid of life, color, and sound. She hated it with all her soul.
Time passed slowly in her abyss. She didn't even have her thoughts to keep her company. Suddenly, a warm light shone into her abyss. It warmed her skin, she reached towards it. Hoping it would lead her out of this place. It jerked away from her. She mourned its loss for an indescribable amount of time before it reappeared. This time, it let her move up into it. All at once she felt pain explode behind her eyelids. An odd sort of pressure was pushing down on random spots of her body. A groan resonated from inside her.
"Fuck, Lily?" That voice sounded familiar but who was it? Lily tried opening her eyes. It hurt so much that she immediately shut them again. She must have lost consciousness because the next time she came back into her body there was a quiet voice singing to her.
"Oh Lily-Loo, oh my sweet flower," Lily knew that voice better than she knew her own name. Her mum was there. Open your eyes darling. It won't hurt this time. Lily blinked her eyes open, wincing at the sudden brightness assaulting her. You lying bitch it does too hurt. At least we are thinking again. Yay, cause we are so interesting. Fuck off. She turned her head as much as she could.
"Mummy?" she croaked. What are we five? Yes, now shush and let us get our hug. Jane looked at her with tears gathering at the corners.
"Here flower, drink," Jane held a straw to Lily's lips. Lily gratefully sipped the water.
"What happened?"
"You were attacked in a corridor, two of your young friends found you and brought you here. It was. It was," Jane choked a little. "It was touch and go for a couple of days. They brought us here two days ago. Your friends have been here in shifts of two every couple of hours. James, one of the boys who found you, thought you woke up yesterday. I'm-I'm j-ju-just so happy you are a-ali-ali-alive," Jane sobbed out clutching Lily's hand tighter.
"I'm fine Mummy. See? I'm going to be okay, Madam Pomfrey is the best healer," Lily informed her, tears beginning to stream down her face at her mother's distress.
"I'm glad you think so Miss Evans, for I'm going to give you a potion, you must drink it all," Madam Pomfrey smiled sternly. Lily groaned. Madam Pomfrey held the glass to her lips.
"Best get it over with, love," Jane said wiping her eyes. Lily swallowed it in one go, gagging as it went down. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall appeared at the edge of her curtain. Jane looked up and smiled. "I'm going to find your father and tell him you are awake, excuse me."
"Miss Evans, how are you feeling?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.
"Alright, a bit hungry," Lily replied, smiling slightly. McGonagall's lips twitched. Madam Pomfrey held another glass to her mouth. She drank it reluctantly.
"You don't have enough strength for solid foods quite yet. Perhaps tomorrow at breakfast you will."
"Miss Evans, we have decided to extend all of your homework deadlines until the end of the Christmas Holidays. We will also give you extra assignments so that you are on the same level as your classmates," McGonagall informed her.
"Thank you, Professor. Thank you, Headmaster," Lily smiled. The two nodded at her and made their exit.
"Lilykins, my little flower. Don't you pull that again. I have sprouted six, SIX, new gray hairs," her dad, Henry, lectured.
"I'm sorry Dad, won't happen again," she promised with a sheepish smile. He squeezed her hand. Lily had her parents tell her what she had missed back at home. Petunia has been real bratty about her wedding surprising no one. When Lily fell asleep again it was in the comfort of being with her parents.
The next morning Madam Pomfrey started on mostly solid foods, things that would fill her up but wouldn't take much effort to eat. Her parents had left a little bit earlier, explaining that they wanted to explore the castle a bit. The doors to the hospital wing opened with a bang. She smiled a little in anticipation. Sure enough, Sirius Black pulled her curtains back. "At least you are dressed this time," he drawled dramatically. Lily huffed out a laugh, it hurt to do even that.
"I rather thought you'd prefer me undressed, Si. I am a little hurt," she bantered. Sirius laughed and sat on the end of her bed.
"Well of course, but that isn't very proper is it?" Lily smiled indulgently at him. She was saved from having to reply by another loud voice entering the hall.
"Black, if you saw her awake before I did, I'm going to hex your balls off," Marlene threatened. Her light green eyes lit up when they saw Lily awake and sitting up. "Lily Jane Evans! Just what were you thinking taking all those Slytherins on by yourself?"
"I did not take them on," Lily protested. "They cornered me and I couldn't get to my wand." Marlene hummed and sat next to Lily on the bed. Lily leaned her head against Marlene's shoulder.
"Well, here's what you missed. Sirius got in a fistfight with his brother," Marlene gossiped, threading her fingers through Lily's hair, "Elena and James screamed at each other for an hour outside of the Great Hall and broke up. It was beautiful."
"What were they yelling about?" Lily asked. Marlene hummed noncommittally and Sirius just winked at her.
"You should ask him yourself, I'm sure he'll be round. He was here almost every minute you were asleep," Sirius said with a smirk. The trio chatted for a bit about random things. Sirius stood up after about two hours. He kissed the top of her head, "I'm happy you are okay, Red. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sorry Lily, it's time to say goodbye. The next shift is about to start," Marlene informed her, sliding off the bed,
"don't scare me like that again, I mean it, Lily. I thought you died. I love you Lils, you are my very best friend and I would be lost without you."
"Marls, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I love you too," Lily frowned. Marlene sniffled a little.
"I know, Lils. I'll see you later." With that, she and Sirius left with small waves. Mary and Remus shuffled in next. Mary, upon seeing her, burst into tears.
"Oh, Mary. Please don't cry," Lily pleaded, feeling her tears well up as well. She couldn't help it, when others cried she did too.
"I'm sorry Lily," Mary sniffled, "I was just so scared for you." Mary curled on the bed with Lily holding her hand as tight as she could. The two girls cried a bit together. Lily laughed a little when she looked up at Remus. He smiled softly at her.
"How do you feel?" He sat in the abandoned chair next to her bedside.
"Better, everything stings a bit, and I don't have much energy," Lily said reaching out her other hand to him. He grabbed it gently and settled with his fingers over her pulse. She brushed a hand over his bruised knuckles. She raised an eyebrow but he ignored it.
"I brought a book to read, it was in case you weren't awake. I can read to you if you'd like?" Remus offered.
"Please, that would be nice," Lily smiled. Remus read for the whole two hours, Lily felt at peace, Mary still tucked against her side. When their shift was up they each kissed Lily's cheek and said goodbye.
"Lily! Oh, Lily! I'm so happy you are alright!" Alice bubbled coming and sitting at the end of the bed. Frank shuffled in and sat on the other side.
"See, Lily. This is why you should have told the others about that first attack," he told her patting her ankle.
"Exactly, thank you, Frank," Alice continued, "if you ever get hurt again I want to know about it. Immediately. Promise?"
"Yes, Alice. I promise. And you were both right I'm sorry," Lily apologized. Frank waved it off.
"You are safe now and we know better for next time," Alice said. She had brought her homework and tried to help Lily catch up. Frank was being mostly helpful with a few sarcastic suggestions thrown in here and there. They left bumping into Emmeline and Dorcas on their way out.
"I'll beat them all up for you," Dorcas declared, scanning her body.
"Awe Dee, you know the way to my heart, what happened to them anyway?" Dorcas smirked at the question.
"James and Sirius had a go at them after getting you here. McGonagall either hasn't figured out the counterspell or refuses to fix Snape's nose. It goes to his knees. Regulus is two feet shorter, he looks like a six-year-old. Bellatrix is bald, Avery can only quack like a duck, and Mulciber has green hair," Emmeline told her.
"That's only the spells, that's not counting the other damage," Dorcas interjected, "Snape's enormously large nose is slightly crooked from when James went at him. Regulus has a black eye and some scratches. Bellatrix got slapped by Mary. Alice decked Avery, which was very impressive. Remus broke Mulciber's nose and gave him a split lip. We let the little fierce ones out to play. I hexed Bellatrix, anytime she tries to do her makeup she'll end up looking like a muggle clown." Lily laughed imagining Bellatrix in her head.
"Marlene came up with the really clever idea to curse their arses, anytime they sit down it's like sitting on needles, which of course made Dorcas swoon." Dorcas shoved Emmeline off the bed.
"Anyway, Emmeline jinxed them to cry at every animal they see, it was really funny to see Snape sob at the sight of Mrs. Norris," Dorcas continued ignoring Emmeline pouting on the floor. Lily laughed a little harder. She let out a pained breath.
"What did Dumbledore do to everyone?"
"The Slytherins have two months detention and they can't go home for Christmas. We got detention for a week but we are almost out of it now. Oh! I almost forgot Sirius hexed Elena, anytime she says something rude about you or our group she starts acting like a chicken. I'm pretty sure he invented the spell himself," Emmeline said, brushing herself off as she stood.
"Peter and James are next, are you excited?" Dorcas asked. Lily looked at her sharply. "To see James." Of course, we are excited, HAVE YOU SEEN THAT SPECIMEN? Stop being horny for five minutes. Lily blushed.
"I may be," Lily mumbled. Emmeline cooed at her. When it was time for them to leave Emmeline kissed her hand.
"I will beat up anyone for you Lily, stop getting hurt," Dorcas said, kissing her forehead. Lily laughed and waved them off.
"Lily," Peter started shakily. His beady eyes pierced her. "I'm glad you are okay, we were all worried."
"I'm okay, Pete. Are you?"
"I'm sorry I know I should stay but I really have some homework to do and the books I need are in the library," Peter explained, looking nervous. Lily smiled at him gently, she wasn't actually all that close to Peter, but he had always been kind to her and she tried to do the same.
"It's okay, I'll be fine on my own. I was going to take a nap anyway. Go do your work," Lily laughed shooing him away. He smiled at her and hurried away. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
"Merlin, I didn't know I was that boring Evans," James teased. Lily opened an eye at him.
"You are late to your hanging out with me shift," Lily informed him, closing her eyes again. He sat in the chair next to her and propped his feet on the bed. He poked her with his shoe until she looked at him.
"I was showing your mum and dad around, they are quite charmed by me," he explained. Lily rolled her eyes. "It's true, Lily-flower. You are just jealous cause they like me more now."
"I highly doubt that," Lily sassed. They were quiet for a minute.
"Lily?" She hummed a reply. "I'm sorry. For sending you out alone, for not spending any time with you recently, for not being a good friend."
"You are a good friend James," Lily said sincerely. He smiled wryly. "I mean it, James. You always make me laugh and you cheer me up." I have an idea actually, oh? Invite him to the wedding. Do it. "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you?"
"Anything you want my deer," James smirked.
"Can you come with me to my sister's wedding? We don't get along and it's going to be stuffy and boring," Lily asked.
"'Course I will, any chance to see you all dressed up," he teased.
"Ah, James. I thought I'd find you here," Henry commented. James smiled at him. "Has she asked you to go to the wedding?" At Lily's scandalized look, James and Henry laughed at her. James nodded. "Oh good, do you think your parents would be okay with you staying a few days? It's just, Jane and I are headed off to the beach for our anniversary after the wedding. I don't want Lily to be all alone at the house."
"Excuse you, I do perfectly well on my own," Lily fumed. James raised his eyebrows.
"Actually do you think it'd be okay if Lily stayed at my house for the rest of the break? My parents throw a big New Years' party and everyone else is going," James asked.
"Oh, that works much better actually. Sounds like a plan," Henry said shaking James's hand.
"Does anyone care about my opinion on this?" Lily interjected.
"You don't want to hang out with me?" James pouted. Lily sighed.
"Oh stop it you big baby, you know I'm going to."
Two chapters in a single day? Yeah because I am running on no sleep and a shit ton of iced coffee right now. Do I have any reason for not sleeping? No, but sometimes you just have to pull an all-nighter. It's so sad the snow is melting outside, but I got to walk around my yard and play with my dogs before it's gone. Shoutout to my best friend for reading this story and giving me feedback, love you B. Happy February!
Love
M