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"Potter?" James' head snapped at the sound of his last name. He looked towards the doorway of his bedroom to see Lily standing there, with her arms crossed, looking uncomfortable and unsure of whether or not to remain in the hall or enter the bedroom. "Why are you staring at the wall?" She asked. James furrowed his eyebrows at her question and turned back to look at the blank wall he had been absently staring at. He shook his head.

"No reason. Just thinking."

"About Dani?" James turned back to look at Lily to see that she had moved from the doorway and was standing a few feet from his bed. It had been days since Dani's big confession and since then she had locked herself in her room, only leaving for meals and leaving more than half the food on her plate when she was done. She had even blocked off the fireplace in her room and bolted her window stopping anyone from flooing or climbing in. While both of these entrances could easily have been opened by magic, no one, not even Sirius, wanted to do anything that might have upset her. Her parents could sense that there was something wrong with their daughter but being unable to tell what, they had questioned all five of her friends and they had been given the same answer, in five different ways:

"No, I don't know what's wrong with her."

"I think she's just stressed."

"She misses being able to use magic all the time."

"It's her time of the month. I'm sure that's what it is."

"There's something wrong with Dani?"

Although her parents didn't believe anything they said, (especially Sirius' answer of it being her time of the month) they had nothing else to go on and out of fear of making the situation worse and having her not leave her room at all, they dropped it, hoping she'd come to them or to one of her friends.

"I've been thinking about her a lot lately too." Lily said bringing James' attention away from his thoughts and back to the present. James nodded and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes before putting them back on.

"Yeah, it's just…unbelievable, ya know? It's not unbelievable that it happened, but it's-"

"The fact that she kept it all to herself for this long?" Lily finished. James nodded. "I know. Usually she's known for not being able to keep quiet for more than six minutes and she kept this a secret for six years? It's…completely mind-blowing." James scoffed and crossed his arms.

"You're telling me." Lily smiled at his comment and rocked back and forth as she stared at the seated brunette boy.

"She's really something isn't she?" Lily asked lightheartedly. James laughed for the first time in hours and stood from his bed, moving until he was standing in front of the red-head girl.

"Oh she's…she's something alright. I'm not always sure it's a good something though." Lily chuckled and nodded.

"I know what you mean. One time in First Year, I woke up in the middle of the night to see her kneeling beside my bed with a lit candle. She said she was trying to see whether fire or my hair was a brighter shade of red." James rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"That's not as bad as when she tried to light Sirius on fire." Lily's eyes widened in shock and she snorted humorously.

"When was this?"

"May of First Year. It was her retaliation for when he dyed her hair green."

"Her response to him dying her hair was to burn him? Isn't that a little extreme?" James arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"Isn't everything Dani does extreme?" He asked. "She's not exactly subtle. About anything. Ever. Don't you remember Third Year?"

"With Jay Crenshaw from Hufflepuff?" Lily asked. James nodded and Lily threw her head back and laughed deeply at the memory, her laugh effectively warming the taller boy from his head down to his toes. "Yes! How could I forget? She made him dump his girlfriend Sarah so he could date her, just to end up dumping him ten minutes later to get back at him for cheating on-"

"Sandra with Sarah." James finished with her. Both smiled widely as they thought about all the adventures that their mutual best friend had put them through and all of the memories and experiences they had acquired over the years. Lily looked at the ground as she thought and James kept his eyes on her.

"She really is one of a kind." Lily said. James nodded, uncrossing his arms and moved them to place his hands in his back pockets.

"The six of us are. I think that's why we work well together." Lily bit her lip as she thought this over. James watched as a small smirk worked its way onto her face and it made him smile.

"What?" James asked. Lily looked up at his question.

"Huh?" She asked. James hit her playfully on her shoulder and stepped closer.

"What are you smirking at?" He asked. Lily shook her head.

"I just realized something."

"Okay. And that something is what?"

"This is the first civilized conversation we've had-just the two of us-since that incident Second Year. I mean we've talked calmly before, but Dani or the guys or a professor or someone else has always been with us. It hasn't been just you and me for…four years." James' eyes widened realizing that her statement was true.

"Is that a bad thing?" He asked. Lily furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head.

"No, it's not a bad thing. I just noticed is all. This was actually kinda…nice." James grinned and nodded.

"It was. We should do it more often."

"I'd really like that, James." James blushed at the use of his first name and ran a hand through his hair. "You know, you're not that bad when you're not hitting on me. Maybe you should do that more often." James chuckled and nodded.

"Duly noted. So, uh was there something you wanted? Or did you just come over for a chat?" Lily gasped as if remembering something important.

"Oh yeah. I came up here to tell you that everyone's ready to go. Well everyone except Dani. I still have to get her." James nodded remembering the date. It was the morning of the day they were scheduled to return to Hogwarts, with school restarting the following morning.

"Okay. I'll be downstairs in about five minutes." Lily nodded and moved to exit the room. "Lily?" James called. Lily stopped at his door and turned back to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"I meant what I said. We should talk more." Lily smiled at his comment.

"And I meant what I said." She replied back. "I'd really like that." Without another word Lily left, effectively missing the ginormous grin that appeared on James' face. He moved to his closet and pulled out his trunk, quickly throwing the clothes that had been strewn around the room into it. His thoughts were so preoccupied with Lily and the events that had just transpired (plus the fact that she had just been in his room! Come on now. He was a nice guy and all but he was still an overly hormonal teenage boy with a very active and vivid imagination) that he hadn't noticed the girl watching from across the tree who was smiling the whole time.

"I'm so selfish. You just lost your parents and I'm the one who's been moping around."

"That's not fair! You lost someone too."

"Yeah, six years ago, Lily! I'm a horrible friend!" Lily rolled her eyes at her friend's exclamation. The six of them were currently on the train headed back towards Hogwarts, except this time instead of being alone on the train; they were on board with all the other returning Hogwarts students as well. After pulling out of the station, Dani had grown less tense and was loosening up and becoming her old self. By the time they were halfway back to school she had seemed completely normal. Both she and Lily were currently standing in the bathroom checking their faces in the giant mirrors.

"Dani, you're not a horrible friend. You're the best friend I've ever had and I completely understand your pain and I don't blame you for your attitude. Besides, I was talking to James about it and all of your craziness over the past couple of years has been a great source of amusement for the rest of us." Dani stuck her tongue out at the redhead but smiled all the same.

"So you aren't mad at me?"

"No, I'm not. Besides you're practically my sister now and you can't hate family. Regardless of what Petunia says." She added when she saw Dani about to argue. Dani grinned and hugged Lily eagerly, the other Gryffindor hugging just as enthusiastically back. When they broke apart, they once again turned back to their reflections.

"So," Dani started. "You were talking to James?" She said with slight amusement in her voice. "This coming from the person who has been hell-bent on the fact that he's a horrible person since second year?" Lily didn't meet her eyes.

"I'm only being civil to him because of that stupid treaty you made me sign." She said with a straight face. Dani shook her head.

"You're a horrid liar, Lily." Lily rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation.

"Fine. He's not that bad. Talking to him today, brought back memories how nice he used to be. You know. Before his life revolved around girls and sex." Dani smiled as she looked at the girl beside her.

"I've told you over and over again that there's more than to him than that."

"I know. And I think I might be starting to believe it."

"Psst! James! Psst!" James glanced behind him to see Dani pointing at his feet. He looked down to see a slip of folded parchment lying directly in front of his right shoe. It was the day after they had returned and the gang was sitting in charms, "deliberately" taking notes, meaning only Remus and Lily were actually writing things down while the other four did not. James discretely bent down and picked up the paper, taking precaution to open it out of the view of professor Binns.

Prongs! All systems are a go on our plan! –D.C.

What are you talking about? –J.P.

Don't play dumb! I saw the talk you had with you know who. –D.C.

It was only a talk. –J.P.

Which is more than you had before! –D.C.

…This is very true… –J.P

...Besides. I talked to them myself and they seem to warming up. -D.C.

-Are you kidding me? Dani, you better not be lying to me or I swear to god, I will tell Slughorn it was you who broke his hand painted ceramic turtle! – J.P.

You'd tell Slughorn about the turtle incident? That's a pretty big threat, James. What are you guys talking about? –S.B.

Sirius! This is a private conversation between James and me! Leave! –D.C.

But I wanna know what's going on! Prongs, who did you talk to? And what plan are you two discussing? –S.B.

Why don't you do your work? –J.P.

You guys aren't working so why should I? –S.B.

Because we're discussing something important. –D.C.

And we're not gonna tell you, because you don't need to know. –J.P.

…But I WANT to know… -S.B.

-I wanna know too! –P.P.

No! We are not telling either of you so stop asking! –D.C.

Best friends aren't supposed to keep secrets from other best friends... –S.B.

They are when certain best friends aren't aware how to keep a secret. –J.P.

Fine. Peter and I will just have our own secret then! –S.B.

Yeah! And we won't tell you guys what it is!-P.P.

Fine. Do it. See if we care. :p –D.C.

Are you guys completely unable of paying attention during this class? –R.L.

…Yes. –S.B.

…I pay attention sometimes… -P.P.

Honestly? I hate this class with the passion and heat of a thousand burning suns. –D.C.

Eeh. It could be worse. –J.P.

Aww, lay off them Remus. Besides, Binns already taught us all this before break and I know he did because I have all the notes. He's repeating his lessons and I don't even think he's aware. –L.E.

Are you…Lily Evans…actually saying that the fact that they aren't paying attention in class is a good thing? –R.L.

No, that is not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that since we have already learned exactly what he is teaching, and there's no point in hearing something you already know. –L.E.

Evans, I don't think I have ever been more attracted to you than I am right now. –S.B.

Um…ew? –L.E.

Wait a minute! This note was previously mine and James'! Who invited the rest of you? –D.C.

You can't pass a note to James and expect me not to read it! –S.B.

This is true. That should have been completely expected, Dani. –P.P.

-_-…I am not amused….-D.C.

Yeah, well McGonagall's not gonna be amused either if she walks in and sees us not paying attention…again. –R.L.

Don't you mean as usual? -L.E.

Don't even try that Evans because your name is written all over this one. If we go down, we're taking you with us. –J.P.

:P –L.E.

Grow up, you two. And Remus is right. Besides, bell's gonna ring soon and we should start packing up. –S.B.

You're right. –L.E.

I guess. –P.P.

Killjoy. –D.C.

…ouch… -R.L.

Whatever. –J.P.

That doesn't however mean that the original conversation is over, Prongs and Fireyes. I still wanna know this big secret… -S.B.

Well that's too bad because you'll never know. –J.P.

We shall see, mate. We…shall...see... -S.B.

"Lily we are so sorry!" Lily rolled her eyes for what must have been the eightieth time that day. It had been five days since school had started again and she had heard what she was certain were all the possible variations of "sorry" from more than half of the school. Even a few Slytherins had sent her a sympathetic look before following it up with their usual sneer. She appreciated the kind words and understood that they all meant well, but the constant reminder of her unfortunate situation only succeeded in heightening her sensitivity to it. After enduring almost a week of numerous stares, the redhead finally couldn't take it anymore. She angrily got up from her seat on a Gryffindor Common Room couch and shut her Transfiguration book before walking towards the portrait hole. Dani, who had been sitting on the floor in front of her, looked up as her friend moved to leave.

"Where are you going?" She called after her. Lily shrugged as an answer. "Do you want me-"

"No, I don't want you to come with me. I'm a big girl, Dani. I can handle myself."

"Okay." Dani said, a little let down. "I'll be here when you get back." Lily nodded and waved before the Fat Lady shut behind her. When she was out in the corridor, she leaned against the wall and sighed deeply. As much as she loved Dani, her best friend had gotten overly clingy and protective of her since their return to Hogwarts, not letting the girl out of her sight for more than two hours time. Lily appreciated that Dani didn't want her to be alone in her time of need, but she was suffocating her and Lily just needed her space.

She hadn't given much thought to what she was going to do after she left, having only been interested in being alone. Lily tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and sighed before she started walking, clutching her book transfiguration book to her chest. The halls were mostly empty due to the majority of the student body being at dinner, and she reveled in the sound of her footsteps on the tile floor. She continued walking without a real sense of where she was going. After mindless wandering, she looked up to realize that she had strayed to the stairs that lead to the Owlery. She smiled and quickly went up the stairs; looking forward to what would be a completely deserted area, save for the calm and gentle creatures that the school relied on for post transportation.

When she finally reached the Owlery, she breathed a sigh of relief at being greeted with the familiar and soft cooing of the multicolored birds. She walked along the rows of owls, looking for one in particular and her face lit up when she found it. Over the years, she had grown fond of a tawny owl with deep set black eyes that she had held numerous contests with, herself usually losing to the creature. The owl was tiny enough to fit in the palms of both of her hands, even when she was one of the smallest first years. She had affectionately named the bird August, the color's of his feathers reminding her of fall.

She gingerly approached the bird, holding out both of her hands. August flew down from his shelf and landed gracefully into her hands and she let out a small laugh as he looked up at her expectantly. She slowly sat down on a clean spot of the Owlery and stared at the bird. He continued to stare at her as if waiting for her to say something and after she was silent for a little while, he angrily pecked at her wrist. Lily sighed before placing the bird on the floor in front of her and gently stroking its feathers. August continued to stare at her as she reveled in absence of her classmates.

"I'm assuming you've heard the news?" She finally asked the small bird. He cooed in response. "Well if you haven't, my parents are dead. That's right, August. I'm an orphan." Lily laughed without humor as she watched the sun set over the Hogwarts Grounds as she continued petting the tawny owl. "Well not completely. I mean, Dani and her folks have always been like a second family to me and they've been overly generous to take me in and I really do appreciate everything they've done for me but…it's just not the same, ya know? They will now and forever be Waken and Miranda. They will never be mum and dad."

Lily sighed at her own realization, saying for the first time what she had been feeling for a while. "But you wanna know the worst part?" She asked, looking back down at the bird. He tilted his head to the side and hooted, as if telling her to continue, which caused her to smile. "It's the fact that there are things that I never got to ask them and now I'll never know the answers to like, how did they pick Lily as my name and how they met and…and…just so many other things that'll I've never get to know." She was silent as she thought over her next words. "I've lost the two people who I am bits and pieces of and now I feel like I'll never know which pieces and influences came from them and which pieces and influences are completely my own. It's as if I don't know who I am anymore." Lily ended her speech and stared at the bird, who appeared to be giving her what she interpreted was a sympathetic look. She was going to say something else, when the sound of a twig snapping behind her had her quickly turning around into a defense stance and whipping out her wand without a second thought.

"Don't attack! It's just me!" Lily rolled her eyes in relief and embarrassment at the realization that the intruder was none other than James Potter. She tucked her wand back into her robes and gasped at the hard peck on her ankle. She glanced down to see August giving her what she assumed was his version of a glare. She noticed that in her haste to protect herself, she had kicked the owl without realizing it. She muttered a quick apology to it before resuming her old position on the floor. Both Lily and James were silent, the only sounds in the Owlery being the creatures themselves.

"How long were you standing there?" Lily finally asked, not looking at the brunette boy.

"I came up to deliver a letter to my parents." James admitted. "I didn't realize you were here and I was on my way out when you started talking and…well…after that I couldn't bring myself to leave." Even though her back was facing him, Lily could tell that he was blushing and running his hand through the back of his hair. "I'm sorry, Evans." Lily sighed and nodded, once again starting to stroke August, he bird twittering in appreciation.

"Well don't just stand there awkwardly. You might as well sit down." Lily said, patting the spot beside her. There was a moment of hesitation before she heard James' footsteps growing closer until they stopped beside her, and the tall teen dropped onto the ground. The two Gryffindors were quiet as they watched the sky darken as night grew close.

"Well, look on the bright side." James finally said. Lily turned her attention to him and arched an eyebrow.

"And what would that be."

"This time last week, you could barely think about your parents without becoming overwhelmed by your emotions. And look at you now. You were able to say all that without even shedding a single tear." Lily's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"So what does that mean? I'm slowly becoming unable to feel?" James smiled and shook his head as he held his hand out to August, who quickly fluttered into it. The male Gryffindor grinned and gently scratched the bird's head.

"No. It means you're healing and getting better, which is completely natural and a good thing." Lily nodded but didn't say anything, choosing to turn her attention back to August who was looking back and forth between James and Lily. "Plus the way I see it, just because you know about your parents doesn't mean anything. Look at Sirius for example. He knows way more about his parents than he ever wants to, and he hates them for it. In order to know yourself, you have to find yourself. Your parents have nothing to do with it." Lily pondered this for a moment, as she watched James interact with the tiny bird. She fought back a smile as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"That actually…makes a lot of sense." She said. "When did goofball James Potter become so smart?" James blushed before shrugging nonchalantly.

"It comes and goes in waves." Lily giggled at the comment before she glanced down at her watch and gasped in shock. She had been in the Owlery for almost two hours and she mentioned this to James who nodded and stood up.

"Well dinner's almost over, and I say we should head down before it's all gone and we're forced to sneak into the kitchens." Lily scoffed.

"You say that like you weren't planning on doing it anyway." James grinned and held out his hand. Lily gratefully took it and he helped her to her feet. When they were both standing, James slowly released her hand before walking over to one of the shelves and carefully setting the bird on it. When he was done, he turned back to face the redhead. He sent her a small smile that she returned before beginning to walk towards the exit, stopping a few feet shy of it.

"James?" She asked turning around to face the boy behind her. "Thanks for talking to me." James blinked in surprise but shrugged all the same.

"Seems like we've been doing a lot of that lately." James said. Lily nodded an agreement before playfully crossing her arms and arching an eyebrow.

"Should I be expecting this to continue?" James grinned and laughed.

"Just as much as you expect Dani to cheat off of you in Potions."

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