A/N: hey, this is the second chapter of my first fic…yeah I know you're all thinking "why didn't she have this at the beginning of her first chapter?" just so you know I'm computerly inept. Sorry. I got confused…which happens a lot…about everything. Anyway, I hope you like this. Reviews are encouraged. I like constructive criticism too…just don't be too harsh, please (0)(0). Enjoy.

Chapter 2: Something to Think About

Lily woke up in the hospital wing to the very concerned faces of Adielle, Alantra, and Sophilia. Madam Pomfrey bustled about sourly.

"It's about time." She said, giving Lily a spoonful of some violet liquid that tasted oddly like petrol. Lily almost gagged on it but swallowed forcefully.

"You've been asleep for almost six hours. That poor Potter boy had to levitate you here. He's been waiting outside because I wouldn't let him in. Now that you've had that you can go now. Just in time for dinner too."

She pushed Lily out the door, right into James.

"Hi," she muttered awkwardly. She felt her cheeks get hot, much to her dismay.

James looked awkwardly at his shoes. "Well, you're okay now. So I'll just…um…I'll just go. Bye."

He began walking very fast toward the Great Hall; his head down.

"Thanks for getting me that thing off of me and everything." Lily called after him. He looked back and smiled then hurried away. Lily and her friends followed more slowly.

"He was really pissed when Madame Pomfrey wouldn't let him in.," said Sophilia matter of factly.

"He thought the whole thing was his fault and was practically tearing his hair out with anguish. Honestly, you're lucky you have someone who cares so much about your well being even despite how you treat him." Said Alantra wistfully. It was obvious she was thinking of Sirius.

"Well, it kind of was his fault," retorted Adielle for Lily. "If he hadn't been annoying her, she wouldn't have taken out her anger on that idiotic plant."

Lily said nothing. She wasn't so sure how she felt about what had happened. All it seemed to prove was that James genuinely liked her and wasn't really out to make her life miserable. She entered the Great Hall feeling thoroughly confused. Sophilia joined the Ravenclaw table and the rest of them headed for the Gryffindor table. Lily plunked down next to James and said, "Pass the potatoes; I'm bloody starving." This was true, having missed lunch.

James passed them to her, avoiding her eyes. She slammed her fork down glaring at him.

"Look," she said almost meanly "I don't blame you for what happened. Besides, if you hadn't been there I'd still have that blasted thing hanging on my hand. So stop looking like a dog that got left in the rain and get on with life!"

He looked up brightly, "So will you go out with me?"

Lily stuck a piece of scalding potato down the back of his robes and said, "No."

Remus quickly did a vanishing spell on the potato and James shrugged, "Thanks Moony. Well, it was worth a shot."

"At least I know you're back to normal." Lily said and turned to Adielle to talk about the classes she missed.

James happily gave Lily all the homework she missed that day. She had a mountain of Defense Against the Dark Arts work, and a Potions essay.

"Blimey, they really aren't lazing about this year." She grumbled and began writing.

The Common Room slowly began to empty and the hour got later and later. Lily struggled with her work and soon she was the only one left. She finished her Potions work and began reading for History of Magic. Her eyes began to droop and the dull words merged blurrily. She dozed in front of the fire.

A soft swish woke her. The fire had died; the only light came from the full moon shinning through the window. She looked around blearily.

"Who's there?" she couldn't see anything but the feeling of a presence was overwhelming. Silence answered her. Perhaps she'd imagined it. It was awfully late; maybe she'd dreamt it.

Then the Fat Lady opened and she heard footsteps leave. She jumped up and followed silently. She followed the footsteps down the corridors and through the Great Hall. She still couldn't see anyone. Who would have the ability to do that? Potter! He had an Invisibily Cloak. Why was he sneaking out?

"Potter?" she whispered. The footsteps stopped. She heard an invisible voice hiss, "You go on. I'll deal with her."

And out of nowhere James appeared.

"Must you ruin everything?" he hissed at her. Lily heard the steps continue on.

"What are you doing? You could get in so much trouble being out here."

He looked annoyed. "Hence the cloak. Let's go." He grabbed her arm and began dragging her back to Gryffindor Tower.

"You had no right to follow us." He hissed. She'd never seen him so angry.

She snapped back, "Well, wouldn't you've been curious if you heard footsteps but no bodies?"

"I'd know better than to go sticking my nose into other peoples business." He retorted.

They were at the Fat Lady now. She blinked sleepily at them.

"Awfully late for an excursion don't you think?" she asked.

"We had stuff to do." Said James with a forced smile.

The Fat Lady smiled knowingly, "Ah yes, young love. How sweet. Password." She yawned. Lily started indignantly but James said, "Rice pudding." And practically threw her into the hole.

She rounded on him, "What were you doing down there? No doubt Sirius and the rest of your minions were with you."

"That doesn't concern you." He said furiously.

"Fine, I'm going to bed." She began up the girl's staircase but he grabbed her and pulled her away.

"You can't tell anyone!" he hissed at her. His eyes implored her, but she snapped back,

"Don't touch me! How dare you give me orders? As far as I'm concerned I no reason to keep this a secret. In fact, I should tell the entire school that you and your posse sneak out."

He blanched, "You wouldn't!"

"Give me one good reason not to."

He fumbled helplessly for a minute than whispered, "Remus…"

She put a hand on her hip and frowned at him, "What does Remus have to do with anything?" She demanded.

"Sit down, I might as well tell you."

Lily flung herself into an armchair. He sat across from her.

"You have to promise not to tell anyone this." He held up a hand as she began to protest, "This is for Remus's sake not mine. He'll never forgive me if he knew I was the cause for his secret getting out. Please, Lily. You'll understand soon enough."

Lily bit her lip and nodded, "I swear."

James looked into her eyes for a moment then told her.

"…So there you have it. Remus is a werewolf and the rest of us are Animagi. I hope you're happy." He stood up moodily.

Lily held a hand up to her mouth and breathed, "I had no idea James, I'm sorry."

"Well, that's obvious." He snarled, then his face softened, "You called me by my first name. I don't think you've ever done that before."

Lily was glad it was dark, so he couldn't see her blushing. It had just sort of slipped out. She headed for the stairs.

"You're a very loyal friend Potter. They're lucky to have you. I suppose they'll be back at dawn?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry you had to miss out on tonight."

"It's fine. Goodnight Lily."

"Goodnight." She climbed the stairs and added softly "James."

The next morning Lily could hardly get out of bed. Not only was she exhausted from staying up so late, but she was nervous to encounter James and Remus, especially after what had taken place last night. She didn't know if James would tell Remus that she knew his secret. She hauled herself out of bed. Adielle glanced at her.

"How late did you stay up last night?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I heard her come in at two." Alantra piped up.

"Something like that." Grumbled Lily, "And I still didn't finish my History of Magic homework."

Adielle checked her schedule as they walked down to breakfast. "We don't have that class 'til after break so you can read it then."

They met up with Sophilia and entered the Great Hall. Sophilia only sat at the Ravenclaw table at dinner, so she joined her friends at the Gryffindor table.

"Is it just me or does James look remarkably tired today also?" she asked with an evil grin. Lily rolled her eyes.

"I hadn't noticed." She said serenely. The others snickered.

"What?" she demanded.

"Well," drawled Alantra "You have been acting a lot nicer toward him."

"What are you implying?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." She said absentmindedly. The others snickered again. Lily decided not to talk to any of them for the rest of the meal.

James did look very tired, but not as tired as Remus, Sirius or Peter. They looked thoroughly exhausted, but no less animated. James was somewhat subdued.

"See, you're looking at him again!" said Sophilia.

"He doesn't seem himself today." Lily replied.

Adielle laughed "Well, certainly not after last night." The others snorted into their toast.

"Oh shut up." She snapped. She got up angrily and left the Great Hall early.

She had double Potions first. She cringed. Adielle had already informed her that they had it with Slytherines. Lily was hardly looking forward to it. She had no desire to get there early so she wandered around the school for a while. She got to Potions with but moments to spare. The classroom was already filled. She looked around for Adielle but found that there were no open seats around her. Adielle gave her an apologetic look. Lily searched for another open seat. There was only one seat left at the table in the farthest corner. James, Sirius and (bloody hell) Severous Snape were sitting there.

"Sit down, Miss Evans." Said professor Wimsay snidely.

She sat, muttering profanities, next to Snape. He glared at her under his greasy mane. "Get away from me, Mudblood." He snarled.

"With pleasure." She moved to the very edge of her seat. Snape had this awful smell, like fermenting porridge. James was looking at Snape with the utmost hatred in his eyes.

"Don't call her that again if you value your ability to reproduce." He hissed across the table. Lily gave him a grateful look and proceeded to chop up her roots for the potion they were supposed to be making.

"I'll call her whatever I please, Potter."

"I'd like to see you try." Sirius spat, his eyes narrowed.

Snape snorted, "Her being Potter's whore gives me no reason to respect her in the least. It doesn't change the fact that she's a vile Mudblood."

Lily felt angry tears prick her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. This wouldn't be the first time Snape had blatantly insulted her. James was seething with rage.

"You'll pay for that Snape," he threatened.

"I'm not afraid of you Potter, you're a coward. You and your minions think you're so great. AGGHHH!"

James had taken his cauldron and dumped the partially completed potion over Snape's head. He fell off his chair, as his skin turned a ghastly shade of orange. A million tiny boiled erupted on his face and arms. His face began to swell until it resembled a Quaffle. Professor Wimsay screeched,

"Dermont, take him to the hospital wing, Potter go to the Headmaster's office. And a hundred and fifty points from Gryffindor."

Lily gave an involuntary sob. Professor Wimsay glared at her, "Get a hold of yourself, Evans. I know you were the perpetrator of this incident. An additional twenty points from Gryffindor."

Sirius shouted at the professor, "Snape called her a Mudblood, sir!"

The Gryffindors gasped but the Slytherines looked indifferent. A couple of them snickered cruelly. Professor Wimsay regarded Sirius with disgust.

"I do not tolerate language in my classroom, Mr. Black. Another ten points from Gryffindor."

Sirius looked outraged, but Lily muttered to him, "Give it a rest. It's obvious he doesn't care. We can't afford to loose any more points."

She too, was out raged by the injustice of what had happened. The Gryffindors surrounded her after class to inquire as to what happened. She didn't feel like talking about it. Adielle put an arm around her shoulders and helped her escape the throng of people.

"I guess he really loves you." She said when they were safely inside the Ancient Runes room. They took a seat in the back of the room. Remus and Sirius sat beside them. Sirius appeared to have just finished telling Remus what had happened.

"He'll be lucky if he's not expelled." Said Remus troubled. "That potion could have killed Snape."

"I almost wish it had." Seethed Sirius.

"No," said Lily darkly "I wouldn't want James put in Azkaban at my expense."

Remus gave her a half grin "I don't think he'd mind as much if you'd agree to go out with him."

"Probably," Lily said.

"Yeah," Adielle said dreamily "I wish someone liked me as much as he likes you. He'd do bloody anything for you."

"Except leave me alone. Of course I owe him big now, after what he did.

I can't believe he did something that stupid."

"Some how I can." Said Sirius, "I mean he bloody worships you."

Lily blushed.

James wasn't in any classes that day or at lunch. Lily found herself searching for him in the hallways. The Common Room was unusually quiet that evening as everyone waited anxiously for James. Eventually the Fat Lady swung open and a sour looking James came in. Gryffindors surrounded him, asking questions. He didn't answer them but just ran up to his dormitory. Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Lily followed him. Lily knew she wasn't allowed up there but she hardly cared.

"So, were you expelled?" asked Peter bluntly.

James shrugged as he began packing his trunk.

"They're waiting for Snape to get out of the hospital wing before they give me my sentence. Dumbledore wants to hear his side of the story.

"Doesn't seem good, does it?" Remus commented sitting on his bed.

"That's why I'm packing." He looked at Lily "Doesn't seem like I'll be bothering you anymore. You can go celebrate." He looked bitterly out the window.

Lily bolted from the room. She left the Common Room and sprinted down the hallways. She ran all the way to Dumbledore's office. Then she realized she didn't know the password. She beat the gargoyles face in frustration. Much to her surprise it leapt out of the way. She jumped onto the staircase and went up to Dumbledore's office.

"Enter." Said a calm voice before she could even knock. Lily went into the familiar circular office.

"Ah, Miss Evans, I thought you might be coming. This is about Mr. Potter is it not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Sit, please." The old man said mildly.

She sat, "Sir, I wanted to tell you what happened, if it will help at all, that is." She said hesitantly.

Dumbledore leaned forward placing his long fingertips together.

"Yes, I believe it would." He said lightly.

She told him what happened.

"So, even though he acted rather violently, it was in my defense. This isn't the first time that Snape has called me such things. And the potion wasn't life threatening, he's all right isn't he?" she concluded, hopefully.

Dumbledore looked thoughtful, "Yes, but had Mr. Potter gone on to the next step before dumping the potion, it would have killed him. I doubt Mr. Snape's parents will be happy once they've been notified. Thank you for coming here, and giving me your side of this story. It was very helpful. That is all, I presume?"

"Yes, sir." Said Lily unhappily.

"Don't look so dejected, Miss Evans. He hasn't been expelled yet. Now, go back to your room. It's awfully late."

Lily left, not sure if she had really accomplished anything. She ran into James on the third floor.

"Hi, Lily." He said softly.

"Hey. What're you doing out here?" she asked.

"Just thought I'd have one last nighttime excursion before I leave. I'm gonna miss this place."

She stood beside him and said reassuringly, "You haven't been expelled yet."

He gave a wry laugh, "What are the chances?"

"I don't know," Lily sighed, "Dumbledore wouldn't tell me."

"You talked to Dumbledore?" he asked surprised.

"Yeah, just now. Thought he'd like to hear my version of it. I don't know if it helped you or not."

"Why are you suddenly trying to help me?"

"Because," she said coolly "Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without you. Good night James." She began walking away.

"Hey, Lily!" she turned. He was smiling at her and for a moment she thought he was going to ask her out again. Instead he simply said "Thanks."

She nodded and left.