A/N Harry Potter is JK Rowlings. All I can claim is my imagination.

Chapter 13

The rest of the summer went about like that. I would wake up and go to headquarters in the morning. Work for a little bit. Investigate the charms that could potentially work on the vanishing cabinet in Hogwarts. Then usually go over a couple potions that have popped up on attack scenes and high security thefts. Just the normal day on the job I guess.

Sirius had decided to stay for the rest of the summer as well. I had mixed feelings on it. I was just learning to handle Remus and Mum...Oh it's so nice to be able to say that. Though they're quiet in their hovering and caring. Sirius was rather in my face about it. "Lily you need to eat everything on that plate", "The sun has laid his head down, you need to lie down yours too", "Lets go take a walk in the sunshine. You won't get much of that in the library", "Don't go over exerting yourself young lady, too much sunshine can be bad for you" and so on. I didn't know what to do with him. I mean it's nice that I know that he'll stand by me still. But does he have to be so noisy about it? I thought as I watched him fuss over making sure that my lunch had all of the basic food groups in it.

However, the fears of Moody and Dumbledore had been well placed. Enough proof came out in those days that the reason behind the attack was because someone had leaked who I was to the wrong person. The fact that I was still alive made me a live target, and everyone close to me one as well. I knew I had to do something about that. I had grown to love the Lupins, and Sirius in his own ways. I knew I would have to end this. Leave this new home, that I had for so little a time, and break any connections with it to protect it. I smiled as I watched Remus and Sirius argue over whether or not a tomato was a fruit. Then giggled at the eye roll Mum threw at me. Once school starts I'm back to my old relationship with them. Polite acquaintances with Remus. Strictly business because I don't approve of his friendships. Annoyance and anger towards Sirius, back to calling him Black and only Black. And never having met any of Remus' family. Just knows that his mother is sick often. Voldemort can't take away something I don't have.

I was jerked from my thoughts from a direct question. "Sorry. What was that?"

"Off in your own world Lils?" I rolled my eyes at Sirius' renewal of that nickname.

"You could say that."

"I was just wondering if you had finished packing. Alastor will be here soon. He's taking you to the platform tomorrow correct?"

"Yes. To both. He was going to take me directly to the school. But I'm a prefect. I need to be on the train. People will notice if I'm not there."

"Will you be able to handle all the people though?" Remus looked at me worriedly.

"I need to figure out how sooner or later. School's going to be worse than the train throughout the year. I can't hide the whole time. People will know what's up."

"I suppose that's true. But we'll be there for you at the school too you know."

Ok Lily. Now's the time. "About that. Um...I really don't want people to know what happened."

"We know that Lily. We won't say a thing. We promised." Sirius' face looked so eager and trusting.

"But if we're suddenly acting like we're friends at school. People will start to wonder. Some might start to pry." Sirius started to look confused. Remus however was starting to understand what I was saying. I didn't dare look at Mum. I knew she would understand as soon as this came up, I couldn't stand to see the hurt on her face.

"Lily..."

Deep breath. Keep going. Don't stop now or else you'll never get this done. "No. I think it would be best, if at school. We go back to how we've been in the past. I'm Evans. You're Black. I'm Lily. You're Remus. You're an annoyance. You're the fellow prefect. Nothing more."

"But what about nights? What'll you do? And eating. You'll need to eat, you still won't do it unless we make sure you do."

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. I was before you guys found out."

"Taking care of yourself! You were slowly killing yourself. If we hadn't found out. You would've died this summer."

"I would've been fine. There are plenty of people who need me alive. You just happened upon me first."

"Lily..." This was the first time Mum had said anything. I still didn't look at her. I knew if I did I would start to cry. Take all of this back. Beg them to let me just stay in this home. Only to go out to work. Because this place had become my world this summer. Another thing that I have no right to know. I was born to a muggle family. But I'm not a muggle. And since I was born to a muggle family. I'm not a true witch. I'm stuck in the middle. I can't stay in either world. But I will make it so that there will be a world for others like me.

"No. It's true. Multiple others would have. This was nothing. Just a place for the summer. Completely unnecessary."

"Lily. What the bloody hell are you saying?" Sirius had figured it out. I couldn't look at Remus. His look had changed to pitying.

"The truth. Well Black?" I turned to glare at him. He stared at me. I turned from him. Only to see Mum...The mix of pity, heartbreak, and twinge of anger and confusion, ripped my mending heart from my chest. Don't back down now Lily. You're doing this for them. "So long."

I quickly left the room. Feeling the tears well up. Though pausing in the doorway to murmur. "I'm sorry. But I have to do this." I walked right out the door into Moody's arms.

"Why'd you have to do this that way huh girlie?"

"Moody..."

"I know why. But it doesn't make it any easier. Lets go get your stuff. They'll be coming out soon. Don't think you want to face them again now."

"Yes please. Quickly."

I gathered my things and apparated with Moody to the headquarters. I quickly went to the room that I'd used when my work had gone a little long in the past, only to collapse on the bed crying. He's taking everything from me. I will do what I will to take Voldemort down. Though all I will give him to take from me is my life. And how much is that worth anyways. A life stuck in perpetual limbo.

A/N I know I know. I'm a slacker. But I did ask you all to get after me...no excuse I know...