A/N: I'm SO sorry about the mix up I uploaded the wrong chapter! Ah ... ok enjoy!

Chapter 15

Devastating News

When they reached the end of the stairs the sound of music could be heard, they smiled eagerly at each other and hurried down the stairs. James was standing at the door ushering people in with his parents. Remus and Sirius were waiting for Mallory and Amanda at the end of the steps. The girls gave each other quick hugs and went off with their boyfriends.

Lily took a deep breath and walked over to James who was shaking a middle aged man's hand. His parents saw her first. Mr. Potter who was wearing a traditional black tux, winked at Lily and nodded towards James.

" You'll have to tell him to keep his hands off you. The dress is lovely, and the jewelry is delightful."

She smiled and thanked him.

Mrs. Potter was wearing a dark green gown that hugged her curves and made her seem fifteen years younger.

" You look beautiful Lily," she leaned in, " you look the best here so far. And I love the ring!"

Lily laughed and smiled, " Thank you, you look very nice too."

When she had finished speaking with his parents she turned and found him gazing at her open mouthed. She took his hand and drug him off to the side.

For a while he didn't say anything, and she began to worry if it all was too much, but that thought vanished when he took her in his arms and kissed her like he had never kissed her before. When she pulled away she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, she didn't know why she found herself blushing but she was.

" You look amazing, love." he said quietly, admiring everything about her.

James especially loved her hair and how a single lock fell down across her cheek. The jewelry look fantastic on her as well, everything was wonderful. The white dress fit her like a second skin and the neckline made her very snog worthy. James had to keep looking away from her to keep his self control.

Lily grinned cheekily, " You look pretty good yourself,"

James looked much better than good, his hair was jelled and thankfully it wasn't pulled off to the side, she hated it when guys did that.

He slipped his arm around her waist and headed towards the Ballroom.

The Ballroom was fantastic, the normal lights were dimmed and the strings of lights Lily had hung were glistening above them. Soft, soothing music was playing and there was a slight hum of discussion echoing throughout the room. The mood in the room was unbelievably calm and laid back and it took the stress off of Lily's shoulders. She was especially nervous around all of the high class rich witches and Wizards, Lily had never been exactly well off, she was more middle class.

James rubbed her back affectionately and smiled down at her, " You did a fantastic job."

She leaned her head onto his shoulder and grinned to herself.

" Did you have to welcome everyone?" Lily asked suddenly, lifting her head from his shoulder.

" Well, not everyone, when I saw you I quit welcoming, I was only doing it to satisfy my parents."

" I think its great that you will do just about anything for your family. It's a shame they have to leave so soon though."

He sighed, " Yeah, I think they're leaving tomorrow, or maybe Sunday. I'm not absolutely sure."

They continued to walk around the room together in silence for a few minutes until Lily spoke again.

" I feel like a martini why don't we make our way over to the bar?"

James nodded, " Sounds good to me. I almost forgot we had a bar in here,"

" One of my better ideas."

" Definitely."

Upon reaching the bar many woman stopped them to say hello to James, all of them tried to either get him to dance with them or go out on a date with them. But each and every time he proudly introduced Lily to them and they all left with obvious looks of jealousy plastered to their faces.

James leaned on the edge of the bar and smiled at the young brunette bar tender.

" What'll it be honey?"

James smirked cockily and flashed her another smile, " Two martinis please."

She waved her wand and winked as she handed them to him.

He sent her one last smile and turned to face a very angry Lily.

She stood there with her arms crossed and a very disappointed look on her face. James smiled and started laughing, he had done that on purpose just to see what she would do.

" Love, don't look at me like that. I did that on purpose."

" Well, it damn well was not funny." Lily snatched her martini from his hands and gave him another dirty look.

" I just wanted to see what you would do, I won't do it anymore."

She rolled her eyes, " Whatever... you know, it's hard being your girlfriend. Every girl wants to be in my shoes and they don't care to keep it to themselves."

He put his arm around her again and started walking towards the garden.

" Oh come on, is it really all that bad being my girlfriend?"

" No, not until you start flirting with other girls and vise versa."

He led her over to the fountain and sat down next to her. A slight mist fell on them and the water was more refreshing than annoying.

He took a sip of his drink and kissed her on the nose. " I promise I'll save all of my urges to flirt for you and you only, alright?"

Lily tried to stay angry but the look on his face, the look of complete innocence ( ha ) and truth won, she smiled and shoved him.

" Oh, alright."

" It's hard to not love me isn't it?"

" No, actually it's not." Lily replied smirking at his confused look. " Yes, of course it is you idiot."

" Sexy idiot," he corrected with another smile.

She couldn't help but to agree with that, his hair did make him just about irresistible. Not to mention his hazel eyes that seemed to draw her in and never let her free, and his smile that no girl, especially herself, could ever resist. Her insides seemed to melt every time she was with him, and all of her worries floated away like nothing but the two of them mattered.

They finished their drinks and sat together for a few more minutes before they got up and made their way back into the Ballroom.

James let go of her waist and took hold of her hand, " Dance with me?" he asked.

Lily giggled girlishly and smiled, " Of course."

He led her to the middle of the dance floor before placing his arms on her waist and whisking her off to an entirely different world, where once again, everything other than themselves seemed to melt away.

She put her arms around his neck and followed him to the slow rhythmic beat of the jazzy music, and when the song sped up so did they, he began to spin her in and out of his arms and dip her low. Each time taking the advantage to kiss her or mutter something romantic into her ear. Lily loved it when he did that and she could help but blush.

" You're some dancer you know." Lily said after the song slowed back down again.

He chuckled quietly as he rested his head on hers, " My parents made me take lessons when I was younger."

She pulled her head off his shoulder and looked at him, " Really?"

He nodded and grinned, " Yup."

" Hmm, that's weird," she said as she laid her head back down onto his shoulder.

When the song stopped they just stood there and waited for the next one to start, then they would dance again, and when that song stopped they would wait again. They did this for about five songs before taking a seat off to the side. Just as things were beginning to become uninteresting Mallory and Sirius showed up.

" Hey guys, why aren't you dancing?" Mallory asked as she took a seat next to Lily.

" Yeah, James, you should be out there getting it on!"

James laughed, " Okay first of all, Sirius, never say that again... that was just... weird. And we just got finished dancing to like five million songs."

" Oh, I see, have you guys seen Remus and Amanda at all tonight?"

Lily shook her head, "No, I haven't have you James?"

James shook his head as well, " Nope, I haven't either, why?"

" I was just wondering, because they seem to have virtually vanished."

Sirius laughed, " Let's just hope Amanda doesn't come back with the nick name Preggy."

Mallory slapped him, " Sirius!" she hissed.

Lily and James laughed, " You two already act like you're married."

" Hey you lot want some butterbeers?" Sirius asked randomly.

They all nodded and Sirius left to go to the bar. They all sat in silence for a few minutes before Mallory started talking again.

" Hey, what's that?"

" What's what?" Asked Lily, looking at Mallory searchingly.

Mallory pointed towards the ceiling, " There, that red thing... is it moving?"

Lily squinted up at the ceiling and sure enough there was something red floating... no flying, above them. Suddenly it swooped down towards Lily and began to slow. It was Fawx, Dumbledore's Phoenix.

" It's Fawx," Lily said as she stood up and held her arm out for the bird.

He landed gently on her arm and opened his beak letting out a small piece of parchment. Then, without even giving her time to open it, Fawx flew away.

" Hmm, wonder what this is about," She said giving her friends a confused smile as she sat back in between her boyfriend and Mallory.

Lily opened it and began to read, by the time she was done she was more than upset.

Dear Miss Evans,

I am very sorry to say that a horrible accident dealing with Voldemort has occurred. And you may be wondering why this has anything to do with you, believe me it has more than enough to do with you.

A few hours ago, Voldemort decided to go on a killing spree in the middle of a small muggle village just off London, not to far from where you are right now. He seemed to target a select three houses. The first home was the Anderson's, the second was the Ricardo's and the third was sadly your own home.

It is very hard for me to tell you this but it is something you must know immediately. Voldemort has killed your father, although this is very upsetting I am relieved to say that your mother and sister have lived through the accident considering they were both away at the time. I have suspicions that he did not go to that village only to kill for fun, I think he is targeting a specific person... you.

I need you to have someone apparate you to my office this Tuesday at one o'clock to discuss the situation you are currently in, and the funeral details. I am very sorry this has happened and I wish I could've done something, but sometimes things happen that cannot be fixed or controlled. If you need anything please come to my office immediately, you are welcome here always.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore

Hogwarts Headmaster

The thin piece of parchment floated out of her hands and fell to the floor, she stood up and ran towards the garden, tears brimmed her eyes and threatened to fall but she wouldn't cry until she was alone.. far away from everyone else.

XxxxX

James got up, " Lily? What are you doing?"

He turned around to find Mallory with her hand covering her mouth and the letter firmly grasped in her hand. She held it out to him and began to shake her head slowly over and over.

James brought the parchment into his view and read it slowly.. once... twice... three times before it all kicked in. Mr. Potter, was dead. Lily's one and only father, the man who had raised her from a baby, was gone.

Without saying one word he shoved the paper back at Mallory and ran off in the direction of where Lily had headed moments before.

XxxxX

Lily never wanted to stop running, she thought that maybe, just maybe, if she kept running she might run away from the thought of her father being gone forever. She ran past the fountain, and down one of the brick paths. When the path ended she continued to run up a hill far away from the Mansion. Soon her tears began to cloud her vision so she was forced to slow down, after reaching the top of the hill a large weeping willow came into view.

She collapsed at the trunk of the willow and pulled her knees to her chest, she sobbed until her eyes began to burn. Lily could hear the sound of James' voice echoing through the distance. It didn't even cross her mind for a second that she might just look like she had climbed out of a dumpster, the only thing that mattered to her right then was her father. She kept remembering everything that had ever happened between the two of them. From the time when she lost her first tooth to the time when she left for the first day at Hogwarts. Her dad was always there for her, kissing her scrapes to make them feel better and holding her close after a bad nightmare. No matter what he had always succeeded in comforting her.

Lily could hear the sound of footsteps and panting coming from behind her, she lifted her head to see James jogging towards her. In the process of coming to find her his hair had been wind blown and his tie had came loose, but she had never been happier to see him than just then.

" Oh, Lily, I'm so sorry."

He sat down next to her and took her in his arms. Just as she thought she would run out of tears another wave of them came and she found herself sobbing into his shoulder. James stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, telling her that everything would be alright, that it would all turn out okay, but in the back of his mind he wanted nothing more than to kill Voldemort right then and there. Seeing Lily like this tore his heart in two.

He could never imagine losing his parents, it would be too hard to even think about something as horrible as that happening. It would be like loosing a part of himself, he couldn't even pretend to understand how she felt.

James could feel the tears seeping through his shirt and onto his chest, he hugged her closer to himself and kissed her forehead again.

" Don't cry, love, he wouldn't want to see you upset like this." James attempted.

Lily raised her head and looked up at him with red blotchy eyes, her hair falling down into her face and tear stains painted heavily on her peachy skin. She squinted her eyes at him and shook her head.

" My father... has just been... murdered by Voldemort, and you're ... telling me not to cry!" she managed to spit out in between gulps for air.

Lily knew he was only trying to calm her down, and she understood that he didn't want to see her upset, but asking her not to cry was something she just couldn't do.

James reached out with both hands and gently wiped her tears away, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and lifted her chin up slightly.

" I'm sorry... you cry as much as you want." He whispered.

She collapsed back into his arms and laid there for awhile, but she found that she couldn't cry anymore. Her eyes burned from it all and her chest was soaked, Lily still felt the need to cry but she just couldn't do it.

Lily put her hand on his chest and moved it back and forth slowly before looking up at him and sighing.

" What am I going to do... he's gone... and this time he's not going to come back." she said in almost an incoherent whisper.

" I don't know, Lily, I really don't know."

Thunder sounded in the distance and the wind began to blow in short gusts. They sat there for a few minutes trying to enjoy the peacefulness of the willow and its calm surroundings, but nothing would calm either of them. Lily was too upset from the devastating news she had received and James was too high strung from worrying about Lily.

Without any warning it began to rain, first in a mist but soon it increased to a downpour.

Lily shivered and was pulled up from the ground by James.

He took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders, " Here take this, we better get back before it starts lightening."

And as if it were a signal of some sort lightening flashed very close to them and only seconds after thunder roared so loud it shook the ground below their very feet.

She nodded and felt him slip his arm around her waist.

" We're going to have to run aren't we?"

James shook his head.

" No, not you," he lifted her into his arms without any difficulty and began to walk to the edge of the tree. " Just me."

After another loud boom of thunder he began to run. It was no trouble carrying her because she didn't weigh too much, and truthfully Quidditch had done him well. Not only had it toned his muscles, but it had strengthened him greatly as well.

A few minutes later James busted through the garden gates and made his way through this twisty paths to the door that led into the Mansion. But to his misfortune the doors had been firmly shut and were locked. James had left his wand inside so any unlocking spell was completely useless at that time. He tried banging on the door and seeing through a gap in the curtains, but it seemed that the lights were turned off and as far as he could see no one was in there. Either the guests had left, which was very unlikely, or they were in the game room on the second floor.

James sighed and looked up into the sky where there seemed to be only a dark pit, no stars, only thunder, rain and thick black clouds. Lightening cracked behind them again as he thought quickest way to get in, and that would be the main door.

" What do we do now?" Lily asked, as she tightened her grip around his neck and looked around frightfully.

He bit his lip and paused for a moment.

" Well, I think we have to go through the front."

Lily looked at him for a second with a blank expression before closing her eyes and shaking her head.

" Why don't you apparate us in there."

James opened and shut his mouth repeatedly before he nodded and did so. They landed in the middle of the front room which was completely vacant except for various coats, purses and hats scattered about the floor.

He let her down carefully in a nearby chair.

" Wait here I'll be right back." he said before running up the stairs behind them.

Lily didn't respond she just pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on the back of the chair as she waited for him to come back. While he was gone she rethought everything that had just happened to her. And anger flooded over her body, she expected tears, sadness or at least a feeling of emptiness. But this time it was none of those.. just plain, simple, anger. At her sister and mother for not being there with him, at herself for not giving her father a proper goodbye and leaving to stay with James all summer long... lightening flashed outside of the nearby window..., and most of all...

"Voldemort" she hissed as thunder rumbled again making the chandelier handing above her vibrate and clink together.

Oh, how she wanted to waltz up to him and Avada Kedavra him right then and there. Over and over... to put him through pain her father had gone through, and the kind of pain she was going through right now.

The monstrous storm outside seemed to mock the anger and sadness that had built up inside of her for the last two hours. She couldn't stop her mind from traveling back to the letter 'Voldemort has killed your father'. It kept playing itself over and over. Lily wanted to forget about it, she wished a bomb would explode in her head and some how erase the horrible memories she had just recently developed. But no matter how hard she tried the thought wouldn't leave her.

Without warning her anger faded, it was as if she was on a roller coaster... sadness first, then anger and now fear. Everything seemed to remind her of death now, or war, anything relating to killing or fighting. The chair she sat in was red- reminding her of blood. The lightening was the threatening flash of bright like just after the killing curse had been cast. And random sharp objects were knives, things that could kill. None of these things had ever meant anything special to her, until now.

Lily cringed and shrunk back into her chair and realized that nothing would ever be the same from this time on. Anger rushed over her as the emotional roller coaster did another loop-dee-loop she thought she would scream out in frustration, and just as she was going to a hand connected with her shoulder. Lily jumped and gasped sharply, but it was only James... nothing to be afraid of.

A faint sympathetic smile flickered across his face as he noticed her look of confusion and complete mix of emotions . James knew she was having an inner battle, half of her wanting to cry and the other to kill.

" Hey," he said quietly " I set up a bubble bath for you in your bathroom. Why don't you head up there and take a break, maybe a nice hot bath and some sleep with help a little with all of this..."

Lily smiled slightly, not her normal smile, not a real smile, but a forced one. She tucked a loose curl of her dripping wet hair behind her ear as she stood and began to walk towards the stairs.

" Thank you," she muttered as she started to climb them, not even turning back to look at him.

James didn't like this sudden change in her, the spark she had was gone, but he understood why. He knew that sooner or later she would be back to normal, but it had all happened so fast; like a slap in the face. Maybe, hopefully not, she would never come out of this stage, it might be permanent. Whether the out come was good or bad, James had decided to comfort her through it all. There would be times for her to do this for him of course, but it was his turn now.

He heaved a sigh and started up the opposite set of stairs.

" Oh," he said as he stopped briefly, " I'm going to dismiss the guests and then I'll be going to bed. If you need anything at all, come and get me... no you don't even have to do that, just yell for me I'll come in a heart beat." he looked at his watch and began again, " I'll be back in my room probably around ten or so, that's only a half hour."

Lily nodded again and they both started down the hallway in opposing directions, him to the game room where the guests where probably already drunk, and Lily to her room.

She walked into her room and smiled faintly again as she glanced around her room. Flowers were everywhere and bright white and red swirled candles were charmed to float around above her. It gave the whole room the wonderful aroma of Cinnamon and a warm glow was cast onto the walls. Her white flowing curtains were drown, most likely to keep the view of the storm out, and her bed was pulled back to make it easier for her to slip into bed and dream her problems away.

Her smile vanished as she was reminded of her own home's scent and bright heavenly blow, this only sent her into another few moment of deep depression before she forced herself to shove it in the back of her mind and proceed to the bathroom.

The huge tub was filled with steaming water and pink bubbles, and once again there were candles floating near the ceiling. But there was also a special touch that James had done just for her. Lily's favorite muggle CD was playing quietly in the back ground.

Lily let down her hair and slipped out of her dress, she set the clothes on the toilet and stepped down into the tub. She rested her back on the corner of the bathtub and tried to relax and enjoy it all, but she kept finding herself focusing on sad thoughts and more often crying without realizing it. Lily pretended it was just a joke, or a nightmare of some kind, but she knew it wasn't in the back of her mind. There was something that could only be comforted by a father, and because he was gone she felt empty and completely lost.

Frustrated with herself and with crying, and with the world she washed herself quickly and got out. Keeping herself busy was the key to keeping her mind busy, if she was doing something it kept her mind thinking about that and off the subject of her father's death. Lily slipped on a robe and headed to her closet the whole time rubbing her forehead to try and make the horrible headache she had, disappear.

She picked out a flowing blue silk nightie that fell just below her knees, it had a lace trim and felt soft on her skin, it was one of her favorites. As she mad her way to where her hair brush was.. on top of her dresser.. she avoided all of the mirrors as to keep from seeing her blotchy eyes and being reminded of it all again.

Lily examined the creamy colored carpet as she ran her brush through her tangled locks. After finishing, she set her brush back where it had been moments before and slipped into bed. She sighed deeply and inhaled the fresh scent of her recently washed quilt and crisp sheets. It meant so much to her to know that James would be there for her no matter what, just as he was doing now. For the first time after getting that letter a true grin crossed her face and a tingling feeling slithered its way all down her back. No sooner had it came, it was gone though, replaced by the feeling emptiness once more.

XxxxX

Lily watched the clock turn over for an hour and a half without once closing her eyes, she had been laying there crying for all that time. Silent tears continuously ran down her cheeks, she just couldn't take it anymore. She wanted her father to come waltzing into her room and pick her up to dance with her like he had done when she was very young.

Her eyes floated from the clock to the door as she contemplated about going to James' room. Lily knew that being near him would calm her, and all she wanted and needed was to be held, at a time like this that's all that anyone could do.

Without turning on the lights she pealed the covers off of her and stepped out of bed. She wiped her tears and hugged her arms around herself as she made her way through her door and across the hall. Just like James had promised his door was opening, so Lily peaked in and saw him asleep in his bed.

Lily slipped in and shut the door quietly behind her she didn't want to wake him she just wanted to be near him. So she ran over to the bed on her toes and slid under the covers without making the bed move at all or making the floor creak.

James stirred and turned over to face her.

" You couldn't sleep..."

Completely confused at how she could have possibly woke him, she just nodded and stared back at him through the darkness.

He yawned and scooted over closer to her.

" Don't worry I wasn't asleep, I was thinking about coming into your room just as you came in."

Lily didn't say anything she just rested her head on his chest and took his hand in hers, as if it was a reaction he put his other arm around her waist and kissed her head.

" Let's get some sleep, tomorrow we can apparate over to your mother's house to check up on them if you'd like." James picked his words carefully and waited for her reply.

" That would be nice... thank you," she mumbled into his chest.

He lifted her face to meet his and kissed her softy on each cheek and then on the lips.

" I love you," James whispered, " and I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I'll do whatever it takes to see your beautiful face light up, so there is no need for thanks."

She kissed him back and nuzzled her face into his neck.

" I love you too, James, more than I ever thought possible."

XxxxX

James knew that the following day would be hard on Lily, but he felt it was important to reunite a mother and daughter at a time like this. So with this on his mind.. and surely on hers as well he drifted off to sleep with Lily in his arms, desperately trying not to cry.

A/N: And the drama has now come into play. I know this was a repetitive chapter but I hope you liked it. Now I need you to review! Tell me if you liked it! Okay... thanks!

Review! Please and Thank you! )