Chapter 12

"I'm lost Padfoot, Moony. I feel so alone…I don't know what to do" The 3 Marauders were seated in the deserted Gryffindor Common Room as James told them his miseries. Peter had to apparently go to some important meeting and went scurrying off right after dinner.

This was quite strange as all Peter could think of doing was eating and sleeping…and maybe occasionally laughing at a joke. Peter was disappearing more and more often, and wouldn't disclose anything about his whereabouts. At first, it had been nothing of interest, but then there would be periods of time where Peter would miss classes, and return to the Dormorities looking very beat up and disheveled.

When he was questioned though, he would pretend that nothing had happened and waved off a pathetic excuse. Either that or he would remain deaf until something else was said in the conversation. He had been protective and even a touch angry at his friends' prying…the Marauders had dropped it after a particularly heated argument, and decided it was better for everyone to have their own little secrets.

"It was obvious Voldemort would go for you sooner or later. No worries Prongs…we'll always be here for you. You know how it is." Moony had a dazed look on his face after hearing what James had told them about his meeting with Dumbledore.

"Moony's right. I had a real nasty shock after those Death Eaters appeared in Hogsmeade. I was going to find Brittany, but she'd already left back for Hogwarts with Neil. Unlike you, I didn't have a chance to show my Knight in Shining Armour skill." Sirius' mood still hadn't improved that much and he was constantly glum and speaking sarcastically.

"Oh drop it Padfoot. I really have a problem here! What if Voldemort kidnaps you and threatens me?" James pounded his fist into the ground and sighed in defeat. "I wish things were easier…like they were before. The Marauders going around the school and pranking everyone they see. I had not a care in the world…I was so young and carefree…"

"We've all grown up James" Moony simply said.

And it was true. From insolent young first years, they'd matured into the Gryffindor seventh years. They were facing dangers that none of them would've imagined in their wildest dreams.

Remus and Sirius exchanged glances, before laughing coldly at James.

"We're not scared if he kidnaps us Prongs…were more concerned of your sanity. It's as if you're slowly going mad! We're in this together…you're not alone, you'll never be alone!" Sirius walked up and gripped James hard on the shoulder, showing his support and determination.

"Thanks you guys. You're right. I can't break down now…we haven't even started battling" James laughed hollowly "We need to build up, not fall apart! I can't let Voldemort have any chance of success!" James stood up, and all the doubt and depression left his face. Sheer determination and energy replaced them.

But then, suddenly as it came, the liveliness vanished, and James slumped once again onto the floor.

"But what about Lily? I can't bear to be cold to her…but nobody must know that I'm in love with her. Otherwise, she'll be in peril!"

"Prongs! You know Lily's not that kind of person. She's strong minded, and independent. She doesn't like people thinking she needs some sort of protector!" Remus burst out.

James knew his friend was right. Lily hated when others stuck up for her, especially him. James knew this was an honorable action, and one of the reasons he'd fallen in love with her, but sometimes he thought it was quite silly.

Her boyfriend had deserted her when she had needed him the most, and if he hadn't been there, she would've been killed…and probably died pretty ugly. This thought made James fume all over again. How dare Amos Diggory betray Lily like that! He was a worthless piece of waste who didn't deserve Lily one bit!

James' mood improved as he saw his friends' caring gazes. His respect for Dumbledore grew mightily as his words sank deep into his mind. True friendship was really priceless and in times of despair, it was as dearer than anything else.

"Oh crap! I'm late for my patrolling duty with Lily. I'll have to run. Thank you." Nothing more had to be said between the friends, as they had just…knew what was happening with each other.

James had been dreading his patrolling duties. He didn't know how to face Lily. Lost in his own world, he rounded a corner…and was met with Lily and Amos, apparently having a conversation that was quickly turning into an argument.

James quickly hid again amongst the shadows and cursed himself because of his bad luck. He'd already stumbled onto them once, and it had certainly been one of the most grueling experiences in his life.

"Amos…you left me when I needed you the most. We're through!" Lily was fuming, and she crossed her arms possessively over her chest.

"Please Lily! You have to understand…I had never faced Death Eaters in my life! I was scared for my life…I didn't have a choice but to escape! I didn't want to leave you behind!"

"There are some things that are worth more than your life." Lily mumbled.

"Coward" James muttered with distaste. His back was aching from crouching so low, nodded in agreement with Lily and congratulated her on standing up to Amos.

"Anybody in my case would've done what I did! You ought to know I have potential…I could become a professional Qudditch player, a healer…" Amos continued ticking off possibilities for his future, but Lily was shaking her head, with pity.

"If you thought of those things in a real life crisis, I'm sorry to say that I really feel sorry for you." Lily snorted.

Suddenly Amos' pleading expression became hard.

"Any respectable man like me needs to think of the future, rather than risking his life for…for a girl!" He spat. He was now advancing on Lily, who withdrew quite a few steps.

"Do you know how I managed to escape the Death Eaters…do you want to know how I fended after you escaped with your worthless little life?" By this time, Lily's anger had reached breaking point. Her face was pale white, and every word was coated with malice. Although her face gave little away, James knew her well enough that this Lily Evans wasn't to be meddled with.

Amos grunted…but seemed to pipe an interest in what Lily was saying. Amos was also very flustered and he kept on fumbling with his hands or twitching.

"So, what did you do? Made moves on them…used your feminine charms. I mean, even if you do have a temper problem, I have to admit you're one fine piece to look at." Amos leant against the wall in a very self assured way.

James shook his head in pity for the guy. One look at Lily's face and posture and he knew Amos was going to get it bad. By now, Lily was quivering with uncontrollable anger, and she was threatening to burst.

Indeed, Amos was met with 2 sharp slaps on his face. Even from where James was standing, he could see the imprints Lily had left on his face were starting to turn red. James smiled slightly as he remembered the countless times he'd been slapped like that by her.

Amos seemed in paralyzed shock and not registering anything, and he stood like a stricken cat. Lily's voice was barely above a quiver.

"James Potter saved me, Diggory. He may have an overly inflated head, and an uncontrollable ego, but he was there for me! He risked his own life for me Amos…and that is more than you could ever do…for anybody! Without him, I wouldn't be here talking to you." Lily's eyes seemed to be clouded with memories as she relived what happened that night in Hogsmeade.

Amos seemed to have recovered from his initial shock, and sneered quite unattractively.

"S-So…the truth is revealed! It was Potter. Not much of a surprise…it's always him isn't it, Evans? Everyone knows how much he's in love with you. I thought you were different from other girls. Looks like you've proved me wrong. Fell for perfect, irresistible James Potter in the end, huh?" Amos bared his teeth, and seemed very confident after delivering his little accusation.

James dug his fingernails into his flesh from anger. He was trying hard not to burst out in protestation. Amos Diggory wasn't even willing to risk his life for her…how dare he accuse Lily!

Lily was also in a state of horror. Amos Diggory was now accusing her? It was outrageous…he'd left her there to die, and now he was blaming James and her!

"H-how dare you!" she spat.

"Been cheating on me with him haven't you…for all this time! Don't think I don't know. All the girls I've dated have dreams to date the great and almighty James Potter. You little bitch! And you accuse me of deserting you?" He laughed coldly, then twisted Lily's arm hard. Amos' eyes were wild with anger and fury. "WELL…you lived didn't you. JAMES POTTER SAVED YOU DIDN'T HE?"

"Amos…please, let me go. You're hurting me" Lily struggled as Amos continued to twist her arm.

"We've dated for more than a week now…and the most I've done is kiss your cheek. It's time I get something that I deserve" With that, Amos pushed her against the wall, and kissed her coarsely on the lips.

Lily's screams brought James back to reality.

He'd been so engulfed by disbelief and fury that he hadn't realize what Amos was doing! James' heart was ripping him apart…it was worse than torture! When realization dawned on him, James drew out his wand and was about to rush over and rip Amos Diggory apart limb by limb, when another drooling voice interrupted.

"Well, what do we have here, Diggory and Evans. Seems an inappropriate place to be at this time isn't it? And Head Girl too…" Severus Snape clicked his tongue as he continued to stroll over to them.

James' eyes widened as he saw Snivellus approach them. Why would Snape care if Lily was harassed by Amos Diggory. It seemed too strange…James smelled a rat. Snape had to have some hidden, evil intention at helping Lily like this.

Amos seemed to have realised there was another presence, and let go of Lily, who was practically faint with relief. Diggory was still breathing quite rapidly, and his eyes narrowed at Snape.

"Watch it, Snape. You don't want to mess with things that you can't handle" Diggory drawled, before sneering at him and stalking away.

When he was halfway down the corridor, he shouted back. "Don't think this is over, Evans. You and James Potter will be paying for what you did." And with that, he disappeared.

His words sent shivers down James' spine. There were too many people out for his blood…and Lily was yet again threatened because of him. He mentally kicked himself for being so daft. He couldn't even protect her!

"Thank you, Severus" Lily had now peeled herself off the wall, and flexed her arm which was in a very odd position.

Snape merely nodded and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. It was as if Lily wasn't worth him even looking at fully! But then, his whole attitude changed, and his cold sneer somewhat lessened. He slicked a greasy strand of hair behind his ear.

"Don't mention it, Evans" and with that, he too, sauntered off the same direction as Amos Diggory.

James was still scared to go up and comfort her. He didn't know if he was the person she wanted to see. What if he made her even more furious?

Lily stood there for what seemed like a century before finally, she collapsed on the floor in a bundle and started crying. So much had happened this year, and she wasn't prepared for any of it. She was pressured…it was as if a large boulder had collapsed on her, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't lift it up.

James found he finally couldn't bear it any longer, and walked gently up to her.

"Lily…" He sat down beside her.

She sniffed, and didn't even look up to see who it was that had 'blessed' her with his presence. She didn't feel anything right now. All she wanted was somebody to share her pain and confusion.

"Oh James…I'm scared. I want it all to end. The pain, hurt and hate!" She collapsed into a fresh batch of tears.

James gently placed his hand around her sobbing shoulders and kissed her forehead. She rested her head on his shoulder and they both sat on the cold wooden floor, with Lily's endless flow of tears and James' silent words of comfort into the wee hours of the morning.

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A/N: Argh! I'm not really happy with this chapter…and I think a lot of my readers won't be too happy either…it was depressing and I felt disheartened writing it.

I made Amos pretty evil, and I apologize to Amos fans because it had to kind of be done. Alright, so now, we have the Slytherins (Bellatrix, Regulus, Missy, Snape) and Amos Diggory plotting against Lily and James.

Oh, one last thing…if any of you are confused, James didn't want to show himself when Lily and Amos were having their argument because Remus told him she hated people saving her and stuff.

Also, in the last part, Lily hasn't realised her love for James or anything (although that will come later) but is so overcome with grief she just wants to release it all out, so she disregards the fact she dislikes James for the moment.

THANX TO ALL MY REVIERS!

Just one response to Lizzi, Elizabeth: I thought the same to Chapter 11 when I wrote it. I know the whole 'I can't love her because she'll be hurt' thing is totally cliché, but I didn't get any good ideas. Sorry if it was boring to read. Thx heaps for all your support for the story so far! REVIEW PLZ!

Many thanks to everyone and expecting many many reviews (hint hint),

Purebliss90