Sorry it took so long for me to update. I was in Jamaica on a mission trip!

Disclaimer: I have never and will never own Harry, Lily, or James Potter.

Previously on Hidden:

"I'm sure Ms. Popular gorgeous Lillian is getting along fine here. The one good thing about you leaving is that we have a shot at the boys, now," said one, giggling.

James had never seen Lily look so happy. Her face seemed to light up whenever she would speak. And she was popular? The quiet Evans popular at her old school?

"Lily, how did you escape your fathers?" the quiet brunette asked.

"Dumbledore, the headmaster here, helped me. I stole a wand from one of the dumber Death Eaters. When they were out on a raid I transfigured myself into a bird and flew through the bars to a place where I met him. I am never going back there again."

"Damn, Lily. And now he knows you are here."

James was on the edge of his seat trying to catch every word. So she wasn't a Death Eater- he father was. But wasn't she muggleborn? She had transfigured herself into a bird to escape- and he thought his parents didn't give him any freedom. Suddenly he felt a pang of guilt. They had teased her, pranked her.

AVAVAVAVAVAV

Chapter Seven: HIDDEN

The doctors had given Charlotte Evans a month to live. It had now been two. Lily wanted, no NEEDED to return home. It would be impossible for her mother to live until Lily returned home for the summer, or even Easter break. Why couldn't her damn father wait until her mother passed to injure her?

"Madame, please. I am fine! Look, I can sit up and walk and everything-" Lily said, hoping the nurse wouldn't see how much sitting up and walking hurt her.

"And argue, apparently," Madame Pomfrey said, disapprovingly.

"Please, I'm begging you."

"You will need an escort. You can't handle Kings Cross let along the city of London by yourself."

"I have thrived all of my life off of being independent."

"Thrived? You were obviously abused and didn't tell anyone."

James walked into the hall, and pretended not to hear. Both women turned to look at him.

"I still stand by my previous decision. Without an escort you are not allowed to leave this corridor!" Madame Pomfrey said, turning back to Lily and then huffing away into the back room. James walked towards Lily's bed, looking at the floor. One hand was in his pocket while the other was ruffling his hair. Overall, Lily thought he looked embarrassed, even ashamed.

"Lily-"

"What are you doing here Potter?" Lily said in a small voice, almost a whisper.

He looked up at her. "I wanted to apologize for all of the times we pranked you or teased you or turned your hair colors." He said in a rush. "And if there was anyway I could make it up to you, I mean, I didn't realize"

"I'm not a Death Eater," Lily said forcefully.

"I figured. I just wanted to, well, are you alright?"

"Quite fine. Really"

"Okay, I just-"

Shit this boy was confused, she thought. He couldn't form a sentence.

"- I just wanted to say goodbye- I'm leaving tomorrow for London. Have a happy Christmas." He turned to leave, his hand still ruffling his hair.

"Wait. James! Do you really want to make it up to me?"

He turned, looking apprehensive.

"According to Pomfrey if I want to leave I have to have an escort. Just on the train, and at the station. If you are going anyway…"

His face relaxed and he smiled. Madame Pomfrey, who had undoubtedly been listening, came out and scowled at James.

"Poppy, I would be delighted to Escort Miss Evans to London tomorrow," James said, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "The train leaves at 11:00 at Hogsmede Station. I'll meet you in the entrance hall at 10:30 so I can escort you out of the castle."

AVAVAVAVAVA

"JAMES!!" Lily yelling, laughing to herself.

James turned to look at her. He had been wondering just how awkward this trip was going to be. Madame Pomfrey was wheeling her in, and Lily was playing with her hair.

"She's on painkillers. They placed a spell on her that would expand her bones whenever the muscles constricted, which, of course, means a lot of bone on bone pain. I have reversed it I think, but her legs are still sore."

"Hence the drugs," James said, torn between laughter at seeing Lily this way and sadness at why she had to be on the pills.

"She's all yours. I told her it would be easier for her to stay here, but did she listen to me? No."

"Um, Thanks- have a nice Christmas," he muttered as she walked away.

AVAVAVAVAVAVA

"This train isn't as nice as the Beauxbattons train. No no. Not at all. There they gave us free food! Meals- no trolley" Lily said twenty minutes later when they were bording the train.

"You know if you weren't such an arse you would be really cute" she said matter of factly as they sat down in a compartment.

James didn't know how to respond, so he instead changed the subject. Knowing that she was on drugs and wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow, he chanced asked about something he had overheard the previous day. "Why are you so closed up at Hogwarts? I mean, you were Miss Popular at your old school, right?"

Lily looked at him like the answer was odvious. "Nope, can't get close to anyone. I don't want to trust and then get hurt. "

"I would never hurt you Lily."

Her eyes looked up at him apprehensively- as if he had said something to offend her.

"That's what dad said."

AVAVAVAVAV

The rest of the trip passed quickly. Lily slept for most of the journey, and James pondered. It seemed like everytime he touched her or looked at her, he felt a surge of want and strange admiration. Maybe this side of Lily is what made her so popular at Beauxbattons.

When they reached King's Cross, it was dark outside. As they walked onto the street, James could feel the openness and freedom of the city he loved consuming him. He had been born and raised in the city, and missed the crowds and noises while he was at Hogwarts in the countryside. Besides, people-watching was one of his most favorite activities.

James motioned for a cab, and within a minute he had secured them one.

"Lily, where is your house?"

"Mmm… It's on Broad Street- the tan colored Brownhouse on the left end.."

Lily fell asleep again on the ride to the house, or so James thought. When he wasn't looking, she peered over at him, taking in his image of concern and worry. She had never seen him look anxious over anything, but the look was almost… cute. He looked older, much older than when he was pranking with the Marauders.

When they arrived at the house, Lily swayed as she exited the vehicle. The house was brightly lit, with beams of light creeping onto the sidewalk from the windows. James took their luggage out of the cab and paid the driver, deciding to make sure that Lily was safely inside before finding another cab.

Lily ran to the front door and pulled it open, sprinting inside. Awkwardly and unsurely, James followed with her luggage. The house was different shades of brown and taupe, with wood floors, molding, and framing. There were a few people in the corner of the first room, chatting quietly. He found Lily in the second room, hugging a middle-aged looking woman tightly. She had no hair and looked pale, though her green eyes radiated a warm, joyous feeling. Her daughter was home.

Pulling apart, Lily glanced over at James, who was standing timidly in the corner.

"Mum, this is James Potter. He's my escort home. The nurse thought that I was still too sick to do it alone," she said in a quiet voice, all traces of the pain killers gone.

"OH! This is the one that- well- hello James, I'm Ella, Lily's mother" she said, extending her hand. It looked odd- this plainly illed woman in a hospital dress offering to shake hands as if they were doing business.

"It's nice to meet you," James said, shaking her hand. He had heard about the muggle disease cancer before, and this woman looked like she had all of the symptoms. He could even see her IV port when she motioned to extend her hand. God, he thought. She has an abusive-death-eater father and a mother with cancer? No wonder she doesn't talk.

"The nurse at the school said that Lily needed to take a regular dose of these pills when she is in pain at all. Madame Pomfrey healed Lily, but her legs will still be sore."

"Thank you, James. I'll make sure she follows through," Ella said.

"If I can be of any help whatsoever, owl me, or apperate to my house. Really, I mean it. Even if you want to talk, or anything" James said to Lily firmly, looking her straight in the eye. He grabbed her shoulder before turning to leave; ignoring the sensation running up his arm.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Evans" he said meaningfully before he disappeared from their sight. He walked out of the house, picked up his luggage (which he had left at the door,) and walked down the street. He could catch a cab on the busy next street over and spend the night at Sirius's.

Ahhh! My longest chapter ever! Seven pages on Word. It would be very kind of you to review… Expect me to finish this story before Deathly Hallows.