Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Tanya. We love you Jo! Thanks for creating these lovely characters, Mrs. Rowling.

Chapter 3: Bustin' Out
It was the night of the year-end dance and James was still locked in his tower.

"Lily, dear. Please be my date for the dance?" a slick-haired, greasy Slytherin boy asked Lily.

"I'm sorry Severus, but I'm already going with someone," she said and he moped off. Then she gathered up Sirius, Peter and Lupin and they dashed up the stairs to get James. With Sirius, a bobby pin and three minutes later, James was free.

"There you go Repunzel. You are free to get ready for the dance."

"Hardy har. That's a funny one Padfoot. Hello, Lilybell," James greeted her with a kiss. James and Lily danced the night away and avoided all professors at any cost. Lily became exhausted and went for a drink. When she came back, a yellow rose sat where James was. She smiled to herself and then asked Sirius to dance.

When the night was over, James lay one his bed, trying to sleep but all that happened was he would replay his nightmare over and over again. It was his nightmare where Voldemort had killed himself, Lily and his son. On his last three nights of detention, he almost couldn't sleep at all, like an insomniac because he was scared to see the dead corpses his imaginary family. Soon enough, Filch was there to unlock him from his prison. He ran straight to Lily. He pulled her into a kiss. Her lips like warm silk on his, cold and stone like. He was happy to be back. Sirius stood up and backed away.

"Whoa! I'm happy you back and all but," he pointed to James, then Lily, "none of that!" James laughed and hugged his best friend. The he ran over to Ravenclaw table to greet Remus. The rest of the joyous Saturday was spent eating things "borrowed," from the kitchen, in the broom closet without Peter who seemed to have disappeared at the time. They went around telling stories or jokes or when they had first met. Peter went missing for days, not even showing up for classes. They went to Headmaster Dumbledore, but he thought nothing of it. He'd show up for Defense Against the Dark Arts Class but otherwise he was totally isolated from everyone else. Lily barely worried about Peter. She used to when it first started but she learned to ignore it.

Finally, she had to come to the conclusion of telling her mother about James.

"Dear Mother,

This letter is for the soul purpose of telling you one thing. I have found love at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I love him and he loves me. What more could a girl ask for? Enclosed is a picture of my friends and I.

Love,

Lily"

She looked over the letter once more and then sent it off with Winnie, her owl. Her mother was quite quick to reply when Lily received a letter two nights later.

"Dear Lily,

I'm glad you think your in love but you've told me nothing about this boy. What is family like? Is he in the picture you sent me? What is his name? Lily, I just don't want you to get hurt. Please don't let your love be known to him. Men tire of a prize too easily won. Really, Lily, do you feel that you can be committed? You haven't even kissed the boy and you already know you love him?

Love,

Mum"

These words were like a thousand knives of fire being plunged into her chest. As her sprits began to wilt, she felt anger flood through her.

"Dearest mother,

His family is the Potters. They are a well-respected family of Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, first class. He has black hair and glasses. His name is James Potter. As for you remark about "the prize too easily won," I am not his prize but his orange blossom, his queen. I feel that I can be very committed. I love him with all my heart.

Sincerely,

Your daughter

P.S. I have kissed him.

P.P.S. You may not find a reply to your next letter."

She sent her letter off with out regrets or second thoughts. That night, she surprisingly met James and Sirius in the common room at midnight. She had salty tears that were still streaming down her face and a crumpled piece of parchment in her hand. That all looked unsuspicious. James would have let her pass through the common room had he not seen the bulging backpack on her back and the fact that she was fully dressed at midnight. He got up to see what she was up to. She ran but he caught her cloak just as she stepped out of the portrait.

"Lily, where are you going?"

"Let me go!" she screamed. She struggled to free from his grip but he held tight.

"Lily, what are doing with a backpack full of clothes in the middle of the night.""None of your business!" she growled as more tears stained her red cheeks.

"Yes, it is. Accico parchment!" He said pointing to the parchment in Lily's shaking hand.

"You snoop! That's mine!"

"Lily! Calm down. Last time something like this happened someone got hurt."

"Like who?" she asked in a know-it-all way.

"Well, it all started with a couple of foolish first-year boys. Anyway, the point of the matter is one got mad at the others and now he lives a horrible life of having to crawl in a hole under a tree every month. Now, this letter…" James froze up. His eyes became wide with horror.

Who knows what the letter says or what made Lily cry... find out in Chapter 4: A Frigid Return Home

P.S. The letter is from her mom. Lily didn't reply to it. Just to make sure no one gets confused.

To clear a few things up:
1. I wrote this story a few years ago, so yes, it's a little bit off the facts but please try a cope.
2. James said "Filthy Mudbloods" in the first chapter because he was talking with his friends and they were talking about muggleborns.
3. And the girls were saying, "James is taken!" and what not because Lily and James were going out and they were tragicly disappointed that they couldn't go out with him.

To comedy gal - Thanks for the encouragement! I had a beta reader read this one. Hope it's a little more self-explaintory.

To catwoman13 - I hope the above clears everything up for you. Thanks for reading.

To Demetrius - I, also, hope #1 clears up your questions and comments. Thanks for reading, once again.

You guys rock! I promise to update not so soon. I'm gonna give some time for reviews. Aka, the story is on HIATUS for a week or two. Love you guys!

Anna