Chapter 4.

This encounter in the dungeon left Lily furious for the rest of the day. Most of her friends knew this temper quite well, particularly James, but they had not seen her this riled up in a while. Lessons mostly consisted of the same lecture being given by every Professor, about the importance of their N.E.W.T exams in furthering their futures. Luckily, Lily had managed to avoid Snape for the rest of the day, so she decided she would not be furious for their Prefects meeting.

When she arrived, to her surprise James was waiting for her already.

"Remus told me he's just coming, thought I'd get here early" he smiled, leaning back on his chair and ruffling his hair.

"Well I suppose that's a good thing, we just need to sort out patrol schedules and refresh the rules" she replied.

"We patrol together, right?" he asked. "Every evening?" he did not want Lily to know this but he was rather excited at the prospect of spending every evening with Lily.

"Not every evening no. One of us should be on patrol, but we really don't need to do it together. Or if both of us are busy we could always ask the Prefects to cover. Probably best to ask the sixth and seventh years".

At that moment, the door opened and the Hogwarts Prefects began to file in. Once everyone was sat down, lightly discussing their summers, Lily stood up and cleared her throat.

"Hi everyone, most of you know me, but I'm Lily Evans, Head Girl this year" James let out a small whoop, but Lily ignored him and carried on. "We just need to discuss a few scheduling details etc and generally get to know each other. James, do you want to introduce yourself?" she asked, turning towards him.

"Er, alright" he said. "I'm James, James Potter, the new Head Boy, nice to meet you all" he trailed off, feeling slightly awkward.

"Is it true you set Filch's office on fire once?" asked a blonde sixth year girl.

James laughed, cautious that Lily was sitting right next to him. "Perhaps, but those days are behind me know" he winked at Remus.

"What about the tattoo?" asked the girl again.

James looked a little shocked. "Er, what tattoo?" he asked.

The girl blushed. "Oh sorry I heard you had a tattoo of a golden snitch or something" she smiled at him.

Whilst, like Lily, the other Prefects appeared to be somewhat annoyed by this girl, they were clearly trying to hide looks of interest at her questions.

"Well, er …"

"Nina Prewett" the girl said.

"Well, Nina, it's not true. Anyway – back to Evans" James smiled awkwardly, gesturing towards the redhead.

Lily was surprised James had not revelled in Nina Prewett's obvious wonder at James, but nevertheless continued the meeting. Once everyone had left and Lily thought she was alone, she began to pack up her things, muttering things about Nina Prewett under her breath. James couldn't hear what she was saying, only catching the words "tattoo" and "inappropriate"

"Kind of annoying wasn't she?" he asked her.

"Very" corrected Lily, turning round to see James sitting on a desk. "Potter what are you still doing here?" she asked him.

"I thought we could patrol together tonight?" he asked.

"I said it only needs to be one of us, we have a schedule" she reminded him.

Looking slightly crestfallen for a second, James interjected "well I've never patrolled before and I thought I could come on yours, for tonight, so you can show me the ropes".

Lily sighed. "Alright. It's quite simple really, we just cover all floors and check classrooms to make sure no one is out of bed after hours – shouldn't take too long".

They began their tour of the castle, which James knew now like the back of his hand. He had to admit to himself, it was a tiny bit awkward in the beginning. He and Lily had spent plenty of time alone in the past, but it had not usually been voluntarily and they had always had a pressing matter to discuss. They mildly covered small talk about N.E.W.T exams, then Quidditch, then the weather, but James noticed that Lily seemed to be giving very curt, generic answers to his questions, which was unlike her.

"Evans can I ask you -"

"No" she said immediately as though exasperated; she knew this moment had been coming. "No we are Heads students now James, I won't go out -"

But James interrupted her. "I actually wanted to ask you whether you're alright".

Lily stopped and looked up at him, blushing slightly. She hadn't fully noticed their height difference until now, but he looked down at her with somewhat concerned eyes.

"I'm sorry" she said, searching for words "I just thought that …."

"What – I was going to ask you out, again?" he asked, smiling.

She nodded and began walking again. James looked at her for a second, admiring the way her red hair caught the light. But then he realised she was already a foot away from him.

"Evans, I told you those days are behind us now. It's just you don't seem quite yourself and I wanted to know why" he said, catching up with her brisk pace.

"Well, if you must know, it's Snape" she replied.

"Snape?" his eyes narrowed momentarily "oh, the thing earlier" he said, remembering their encounter in the Dungeons.

"Yes. It's difficult for me you know. Severus was my best friend before I came to Hogwarts, he was the one who told me I was a witch, he was my only connection to home" she trailed off, wiping the tears forming in her eyes. She couldn't believe she was telling James Potter this. But to her surprise, he just pulled her into a hug, to let her cry a little bit, pretending not to notice. After he felt she had been comforted, he let her go despite the internal struggle he was facing. If she had allowed him, he would have stayed there much longer, taking in the smell of her hair.

"What about your sister?" he asked, continuing their walk. "I remember you said she's a muggle?"

"Yeah, Petunia hates me now" she replied. "She thinks I'm a freak, but Severus always thought she just said that because she's jealous" said Lily.

"Yeah he's probably right" James remarked.

Lily looked at him in shock. "What have you done with James Potter? Admitting that his enemy is right?" she asked, amazed.

"You're right – he is my enemy. Sort of. I just hate his fascination with the Dark Arts" James began "but that doesn't mean everything he says is wrong".

"Wow, that is something. James Potter admitting someone else is right. Wow" said Lily.

James laughed. "Oh shut up Evans" he said, lightly pushing her. "Tell me more about your sister" he said, gesturing towards a corridor, letting Lily walk ahead of him.

"Well, there isn't much to tell. We were always quite close as children, then from the moment I got my Hogwarts letter she changed. When I'm home for the holidays she doesn't bother talking to me, and refers to me as - the freak" Lily said calmly, but she felt something swell up inside her chest.

"I'm sorry that can't be nice" said James.

"It's not much fun, no" agreed Lily. "And what with Severus – I just don't belong in Cokeworth anymore" she sighed.

"Well you are more than welcome in Godric's Hollow" said James. "We have plenty of room, and my mum is always saying how she wants to meet more of my friends" he smiled.

"Do you have any siblings?" she asked him.

"Well, technically no. My parents were Aurors – they're retired now – but they didn't think they could have children until one day my mum got pregnant. They are a little older than most parents, but they are both great – just ask Sirius" he beamed.

"Why does he know them well?" inquired Lily.

"Ever since they took him in he's like their second son" he was still beaming.

"Really?" she asked him.

"Yep. His family are a nightmare. The kind of pureblood Slytherins I know someone like Snape worships".

"I didn't realise. Sirius seems so -"

"Gryffindor?" James chucked. "His family thought so too, they kicked him out in sixth year" he said.

"And he's been living with you ever since?" asked Lily, amazed that she did not know this.

"Yes" said James proudly.

"That's really good of you James" Lily replied, smiling widely.

James shrugged. "He's like my brother. I'm sure you would do the same".

They had reached the portrait hole again.

"Well Evans, this has been my absolute pleasure, thank you for showing me the ropes" he smiled.

To his surprise, she returned the smile.

"You know Potter, this wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Strange how quiet the castle was tonight. After you?" she gestured towards the painting.

"Ah, sorry, I can't - I've got special Marauder business" he winked at her.

"Alright alright I'll see you tomorrow" she replied. She would normally inquire what he was doing so late after curfew, but knew better than to ask.

Once back in the dormitory, Marlene and Alice treated her with surprised glances.

"How are you?" asked Marlene innocently.

"I'm alright, I was patrolling with Potter" Lily replied.

"We thought you might be. How are things?" asked Alice.

Lily stared at them both in confusion. "Fine?" she replied, unsure why they were asking.

"Well, you haven't complained about him. Or bitten off his head" said Marlene tentatively, looking sideways at Alice.

"No, you're right. He was perfectly decent tonight. I hope it continues! Night you two" and like that, Lily drew her four poster hangings.

"Night Lils" said Alice, now giggling with Marlene and handing her a Sickle. They had a bet running on whether Lily would last with Potter as being friends. Alice had bet that they would remain rivals, whereas Marlene thought they might end up together by the end of term.

It seemed as though Marlene might be winning.