A/N: None of the characters settings etc. belong to me (bar Sasha and Evangeline) all to J K Rowling, lucky woman. Also, I made some stupid info mistakes which Mrs Clair Potter pointed out - so sorry for those, they were pretty basic mistakes. Anyway, I know this is a short chapter but alot happens. Thanks for reading! And my reviewers - I love you!

It was dusk, night falling silently, icily, enveloping the flat plains. Despite the chilly weather the sun was glowing warmly on the horizon. It seemed that the mass of fire was resigned to its fate, for the radiance was fading rapidly. All the ear could hear was the haunting song of an owl. All the eye could see was a flat expanse of land, and a lone figure, hunched over. Lily was crying fiercely, bent over a slip of paper. Suddenly she started running as fast as she could, quicker, sprinting past the pain threshold, further and further. Unexpectedly the land comes to an abrupt halt, but Lily pushed on, not noticing. Then she's falling, falling. . .

Lily Evans landed and opened her eyes. She was in her dormitory, and the only things she could hear was the gentle, rhythmic snoring of her two room mates, and the hoots of owls far away. She shook her head, trying to rid the dream from her head. The room was filled with a gentle light, so she calculated it must be nearing sunrise. She flipped her pillow, and plumped it, primed to float back to dreamland, but sleep was not forthcoming. After an hour of tossing, plumping and sighing she was resigned to the fact that she was not going to sleep. The dream was still buzzing 'round her head, like a swarm of angry bees.

For God's sake Lily, it was a dream! She chided herself. All the same, that ball of anxiety in her stomach tightened. Finally she sat up and pulled off her duvet. She slipped on one of her owl slippers and investigated the whereabouts of its twin. Finally after a few minutes of near silent searching, she discovered the slipper stuffed behind her bookcase. She grabbed a book and headed downstairs to read.

Walking into the common room she discovered Remus Lupin sitting alone by a window, reading a thick novel.

"I didn't know anyone else got up this early." She smiled as she drew nearer. He started. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. Is it OK if I sit?" She gestured.

"Sure. No one usually is up this early. Are you OK? You look shaken." His voice was filled with concern and it warmed her heart.

"Fine, just a nightmare." She smiled reassuringly, to herself more than Remus. He smiled back and turned to his book, as did she.

Once the rest of their friends had risen, (which took a while and some Levicorpus action on James) they descended to the great hall for breakfast. Suddenly the post owls appeared and everyone gratefully received their post. Remus as always had the Daily Prophet delivered and was pushing a Knut into its pouch when Lily received her letter. She rose and walked out of the hall. Everyone heard the strangled sob she emitted before turning the corner to the common room.

Sasha and Evangeline exchanged looks and also rose, walking briskly to catch up with Lily. They found her sitting on her bed, staring straight ahead, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. In her hand was a slip of paper, crumpled and twisted in her hand.

"Lily baby, what's wrong?" Evangeline's voice was filled with concern and worry for her friend. Lily gasped, choking back a sob and thrust the paper blindly at them, before turning face down into her pillow.

It read:

Lily,

It has come upon me to deliver news that you do not want to hear. Last night our father was killed in a car crash, near our home. He was thrown through the windscreen and died instantly. I understand this is upsetting, but please, do not contact me. I do not want Vernon to know that I have a sister who is a "witch". His funeral will be held next weekend.

Your sister,

Petunia

"Oh Lily, I'm so sorry." Sasha spoke first after a long silence.

"Just leave. Please. I need to be on my own." None of the tears were falling, despite her eyes being filled. That ball of anxiety was bouncing around her stomach, twisting and tightening. But it wasn't anxiety anymore, it was mourning and loss.

Lily did not attend any lessons that day. Sasha and Evangeline discreetly told the Marauders about what had happened. They were shocked and the mood that day was subdued. At around eight, the group of them were sitting, doing an essay for DADA about unforgivable curses, when Lily descended the staircase that lead to the girls' dormitory. Her hair was tousled but, her eyes were normal. It was assumed within the groups that she had cast a spell to make them look less puffy.

"We have a meeting, James, with the prefects." Her voice shook slightly, but she stood straight.

"Lily, don't be silly, you shouldn't come after…" James's voice died. "After what happened. I can handle them on my own."

Lily shook her head. "I just want things to return to normal."

"Are you sure?" James's voice was filled with worry, and warmth, which enveloped Lily like a hug.

"Definitely." James rose, and they left the common room in silence. The prefects meeting was non eventful, they simply chose the dates of the Hogsmeade weekend and announced the theme of the ball, so prefects could tell their houses. James directed the meeting, Lily sat quietly, not wishing to say much. Finally it was over and all the prefects filed out.

James and Lily stood back to back in the centre of the room and raised their wands. They waved them slowly in a circle, packing away tables and chairs. Lily was very aware of James's warmth, his back pressing against her, his muscles taut and toned. He suddenly tensed and a shiver ran down her spin. He placed his wand in his pocket and turned around.

"We should go." They walked in silence and reached the foot of a staircase when James stopped. He looked at her with such affection that Lily's eyes suddenly welled up.

"Lily, are you OK? Your eyes are filled with tears…"

"I'm fine. I won't cry. I've never been able to." Her voice was brisk, and was trying to hide her fragile state, with an unsettling bravado. "Not since my grandfather died… I can cry at movies and stuff, but never –" She took a steadying breath. "Never at death." Her voice was now barely a whisper. She turned and began climbing the stairs when suddenly they lurched, changing direction. Lily, already slightly unsteady, staggered and lost her footing. She was falling, and a scream died on her parted lips. Suddenly she was grabbed, her arm clasped, and James pulled her up towards him, into his arms. He held her close, his breath tickling her ears, his arms wrapped around her, warm and protective. She felt tears escape and suddenly, finally, she was crying into his chest, his comforting embrace soothing her raw emotions. He felt her chest heave and shudder and pulled her closer, tighter, wanting to protect her from the world. They stood like that for a long time, until all the tears had gone, and her breathing had slowed. She looked up and his brown eyes were filled with such care, such tenderness, that her heart was pacified just a little. They walked back to the common room and she collapsed into an armchair by the fire.

"Lily. I'm just…" James didn't know what words to say. "I'm just so sorry. This didn't deserve to happen to you." His voice was hurried, obviously he was nervous.

Lily managed a shaky half smile. "I'll be OK. You saved my life. I can't thank you enough" Her voice sounded strange, almost formal, and forced. She got up to go to bed.

"Goodnight Lily."

"Goodnight James"

James sat in silence. Lily Evans had just called him James. Not Potter. Not an insult. She had called him James. He rose and headed off to bed, feeling happier than he had all day.

Lily also sat in silence on the end of her bed. She was confused. It had felt so right, standing there in his arms, but it wasn't right. It was James Potter. The boy who she'd hated for six years. Just remembering their embrace she shivered and a warm feeling enveloped her. Maybe it was time to give James a chance.