Chapter 5

The term progressed onwards and the halls were suddenly full of chatter about an upcoming ball to celebrate the anniversary of Rowena Ravenclaw. All the teachers seemed to express concern at an event being close to exams, but apparently this year Professor Dumbledore had insisted. Lily found herself staying up later and later on Prefect duty, as the head boy and girl had them working twice as hard, so they could study for N.E.W.T's.

One particularly late evening, Lily found herself almost falling asleep as she patrolled the 4th floor with Remus.

"Lily are you alright" he asked.

She chuckled. "I'm alright thanks Remus, just very tired."

He smiled. "I have an essay to finish for Professor Sprout so I can't really be tired".

"Oh Remus, you should go and finish the essay!" said Lily.

"Lily are you sure?"

"Yes! Go!" she smiled at him, watching him scurry towards the library. Remus had always been a good friend to her.

Yawning, Lily decided to check the kitchens, before heading up to bed. As she was walking down the stairs, she heard some whispers round the corner.

Sighing, she turned the corner "you know it's past curfew" but stopped when she saw the sight in front of her.

Several Slytherin 6th and 7th years were surrounding a very scared looking girl – who Lily remembered as being a 5th year Ravenclaw. She quickly scanned the others, recognising Mulciber, Avery, McNair and –

"Severus". Her eyes no longer filled with tears whenever she said his name, but still she felt a twang in her stomach.

He didn't say anything in return, he didn't even meet her eyes, choosing instead to lurk in the shadows.

"Get lost" snarled Mulciber, raising his wand.

"Are you threatening me Mulciber?" asked Lily.

"If you don't get lost, then yes".

"Return to your dorms – all of you. And let her go" Lily replied coolly. "Felicity is it?" she asked the girl.

She nodded. "Fe – Felicity Bones" she stuttered.

Lily pointed her wand at the Slytherins. "Leave" she told them. "Leave now and I won't report you to Professor Slughorn".

"We don't care what that buffoon thinks. Or what you think, mudblood" said Avery.

"Careful Avery, I mean it" snarled Lily.

"I would listen to her Avery, she's tougher than she looks" said a man's voice behind her.

Mulciber growled and shot a hex in the direction of the voice, before it was blocked.

"Potter." His voice had such malice in it.

James stepped into the light. "Let the girl go, Mulciber. Lily might not hex you but I will" he said. "Ah, McNair, good to see you – do you want a repeat of what happened in Knockturn Alley?" asked James, his wand pointing at all of them.

Nobody spoke. James shot a hex at the carpet.

"I mean it. Leave" he said.

Snape stepped forward. "Didn't realise you'd sunk so low Evans" he said to Lily, "getting Potter to help you out" he spat at her.

"There's no point Snape. Leave" she replied.

Snape scowled at her, before turning around like a bat and heading in the other direction. His fellow Slytherins looked most displeased at this but nevertheless let the girl go, pushing her towards James, before leaving.

Lily immediately turned to her, giving her a hug. "Felicity, are you alright?" she asked.

Felicity nodded. "I'm ok thanks – they just wanted to know who my mum is".

"Why? Who is your mum?" asked James.

"Mildred Bones. She works at the Ministry" replied Felicity.

"James, we need to tell Dumbledore" Lily said to him.

He nodded and the three of them set off towards his office. Once they had entered, he sat them down and listened quietly to what had happened. He only spoke when Lily had finished recounting what had happened.

"Thank you Miss Evans" he spoke with kindness in his voice. "Miss Bones, would you excuse us for a moment? I think perhaps it is time you got back to Ravenclaw tower. If anyone asks where you have been at this hour, you may tell them you have been having remedial charms lessons with Miss Evans".

Felicity nodded and left the room.

"Dumble -, er, Sir, why were the Death Eaters asking about Mildred Bones?" asked James.

"We must be cautious to use the term 'Death Eaters' Mr Potter. As for Madam Bones, I have my theories" he replied.

"But Professor – they are Death Eaters!" replied James angrily.

"It seems, Mr Potter, that the ideas of Lord Voldemort have sadly corrupted a few in this castle, however whilst they are here with myself as Headmaster, they shall not be referred to by that term". Dumbledore spoke calmly.

James sank back in his seat, admitting defeat. He looked tired and frustrated.

"Miss Evans, why don't you escort Mr Potter back to Gryffindor Tower. It seems the both of you could do with some sleep" Dumbledore said to Lily. "I would appreciate it if we could keep the events of tonight between us for now. It seems that ignorance is the best policy for the moment. Goodnight and thank you, Lily, for being an example to the rest of us".

Lily nodded, smiled at Dumbledore and headed towards the door with James following closely.

Once back in the Common Room, James collapsed into a sofa by the dying fire, rubbing his eyes.

"James I think you should go to bed –"

"Why doesn't he understand?" James interrupted her, angrily.

"Who Dumbledore?" she asked.

"Yes! Those Slytherins – Mulciber, Avery, McNair … Snape" he looked almost pained to say Snape's name, "they're all Death Eaters! Why doesn't Dumbledore see that!" he was almost shouting now.

"James – we've only heard rumours about Death Eaters! We can't always assume the worst!" cried Lily.

"Are you so blind?" James cried. "You're prepared to let them go on like this!" shouted James. "If I hadn't found you who knows what they would've done to you!".

"I don't need you to save me, James! I am quite capable of handling myself!" she cried back.

James sat back in against the sofa and took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Of course I know you're capable of handling yourself Lily! I was there in Knockturn Alley! I've seen what you can do. I would trust you with my own life" he said slowly.

Lily turned and stared at him. That was quite a statement. She opened her mouth and spoke in a quiet, yet strong voice. "I am well aware of the dangers of Death Eaters, James. Don't forget its muggle – mudbloods he hates the most".

"Don't use that word" said James softly, but Lily ignored him.

"You don't think I am scared too? Of course I know that those Slytherins have the potential to be Death Eaters. But James, we have Dumbledore on our side. As long as we have him – from my perspective we've won. Don't you trust Dumbledore?" she inquired.

James sighed. "Of course, you're right. I'm sorry I didn't see it from the bigger picture".

Lily sat down next to him on the sofa. "I think, unfortunately, dark times are inevitable. But the most important thing is to have hope. Faith in each other, in Dumbledore, in the force of good".

James looked into her eyes. Their faces were very close. He searched her face, knowingly.

"Listen, Lily, I'm sorry for being a pain to you all these years" he said.

Her eyes widened. "An apology?" she almost laughed. "Well, thank you James. I forgive you".

He smiled at her. "I knew you would. Friends?" he asked, holding out a hand.

"A handshake? Really?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes. Isn't that what friends do? In honour of our truce" he said warmly.

"Alright, a truce it is" replied Lily. She smiled, but was a little puzzled. Nevertheless, she shook his hand. It was warm and strong but somehow familiar. She looked into his eyes until –

"Well I best be off to bed then" he said, rising from the sofa. She stood up too.

"Goodnight then – er – get some sleep I'll see you in the morning" said Lily, noticing the height difference between them.

James smiled, ruffled her hair a bit and gave her a hug.

"Till tomorrow Evans!" he bowed, which made her laugh, then headed up the stairs to his dormitory.

"Oh, and James" she said, calling after him.

"Yes?" asked James.

"I would trust you with my life too. Night!"