Disclaimer: I own nothing but this minute plot. I do this to retain what little sanity I have managed to salvage since July 15.

The next day, I saw James walking alone down the Charms corridor, his hands deep in his pockets, and brow deeply furrowed, weaving in and out of other students.

Smiling in spite of myself, I caught up to him, bumping him gently with my shoulder.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" I asked him when he saw it was me.

His face immediately lit up, his eyes brightening and a wide smile splitting across his face.

"Lily!" he cried happily.

"Well hello to you too, James," I said with a chuckle. "Now that hello's are out of the way, are you going to answer my question?"

The frown was back.

"Well, actually, it was about you," he admitted, a flush creeping up his face.

"And it's making you blush?" I asked with a giggle. Merlin's beard, was I flirting with James Potter? "It must be bad, then."

"No, no!" he cried. "I was just going to ask you if you wanted to spend a few days at my house during the Christmas holiday."

"Oh!" I said, completely taken aback. "Oh, I don't know James." Now it was my turn to frown. "It sounds lovely, but we haven't even made it to Hogsmeade yet."

"But it's this weekend!" James cried.

"I know, but can I give you an answer after the trip?" I asked. Even to my own ears, I sounded like I was pleading with him.

Did I want to spend a few whole days at James Potter's house? Honestly? I didn't know. I still wasn't sure how I felt about him and I didn't want to get his hopes up if this turned into nothing. But even I had to admit, it felt like something.

"Sure," James replied. "I mean, you don't have to tell me right away. I just wanted to ask, get it out there, you know?"

Something occurred to me.

"Doesn't Sirius live with you?" I asked suspiciously.

"Well, yeah," he said uncomfortably.

"And you want me to spend a few days with you…and Sirius?" I lifted and eyebrow and put my hands on my hips. It was only then that I realized we had stopped walking entirely, which was causing us to be stared at by every single person passing back.

"Go find something better to do than stare, you prats!" I snapped at a group of third year Hufflepuffs.

They scurried off, looking frightened and I sighed, annoyed.

"On the edge today, Evans?" Sirius asked from behind James' shoulder. I hadn't even seen him walk up.

"Not now, Black," I shot back.

"Sirius, I'll meet you out there," James muttered.

Sirius shrugged then shot me a winning smile, his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels.

"See you later, Evans," he said, barking with laughter.

I glared at his retreating back and muttered, "Stupid idiot."

"Easy, Lily," James cautioned. "That's my best mate."

"Oh, har, har," I said sarcastically. "I think the whole world knows that, Potter."

"Oh, so now we're back to surnames, eh?" he asked, smiling.

I cracked a smile.

"Sorry, I just got irritated," I admitted.

"I know," he said with sympathy. "Being stared at does tend to get annoying."

"Then why does it look like you enjoy it so much?" I asked curiously.

"Because if it looks like your happy, then they won't hate you," James said honestly. "That, and I'm James Potter. Apparently, I can't look anything but happy and cocky."

He said this last bit with venom and he was back to frowning. No, it was more like glowering now.

"So you don't like being the center of attention?" I asked, not really believing him.

He shook his head, shrugging. "No, not really. But by the time I started to get annoyed with it, it was too late. No one would take me seriously. They still don't," he added somewhat glumly.

"Then why don't you do something that will make them take you seriously," I suggested.

His face lit up and he grabbed my arm, pulling me closer.

"James, what-?"

"Shh!" he whispered. Then he lowered his lips to my ear and said, "I've heard a rumor that Dumbledore has a secret group for people who want to fight Voldemort."

I flinched at the sound of the name, as was habit, but I was staring at him in disbelief. I pulled away.

"Okay, even if this were true, how would you even know about it?" I asked him, my arms crossed. "It's supposed to be a secret."

"Well, I heard Flitwick and McGonagall talking the other day in the teachers' lounge," he admitted sheepishly. "I couldn't really hear what they were saying, but I got the idea. It was something to do with 'order' and 'retaliating' and stuff like that. But then they stopped talking because someone else walked into the room and they shut up really quick."

"How did you not noticed?" I asked curiously.

He smiled impishly. "That's for me to know…and you to find out."

"James," I said warningly, but he merely waved me off.

"I got to go meet Sirius," he said with a smile. "I'll see you later, Lily!"

I waved and he left, leaving me feel more confused than ever before.

"Okay, so he's clearly gone mental," I muttered to myself.

"So have you, if you're talking to yourself," Alice said, making me jump.

"Alice!" I reprimanded. "You scared the life out of me! Don't do that again!"

Alice chuckled and then said, "So, have I told you and Marlene about this weekend?"

"About how it's Hogsmeade?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Well, yeah, that too, but no! Guess what, Lily!"

"What, Alice?" I asked.

"No, guess!" she demanded.

I sighed. "Okay, fine. Um…you're planning on spending all your money on useless things like always?"

"No!" she said, underterred my agitated tone.

"You're going to force Marlene into Madam Puddifoots?" Despite myself, I giggled.

Alice giggled with me, but said, "No."

"Alice, I give up."

"Okay, fine!" she said. she looked like she was bursting at the seams, dying to tell me her news. "Frank…asked me to go with him!"

I stared at her a moment and then cried, "Oh, Alice! You'll have a lovely time!"

"I know!" she said, practically floating in the air from happiness. "And I was thinking, maybe us and you and James could meet up for a bit at the Three Broomsticks or something."

"You mean, like a double-date?" I asked, not amused.

She nodded.

"It could be fun," she said, now sounding unsure of her rash suggestion.

"Alice, no offense, but I seriously doubt that James would actually agree to a double date," I said honestly. "And besides, I think you're first date with Frank should be just you and him."

"Merlin's beard!" she cried, clapping her hands to her mouth.

"What?" I cried, immediately looking around for any signs of danger. When I saw none, I looked back at Alice, feeling more annoyed than ever. "Don't do that!"

"No, Lily!" she said, looking more worried by the minute. "It's mine and Frank's first date!"

"Yeah," I said, nodding slowly.

"I have to go tell Marlene!" she cried, running off.

"She'll already know!" I called uselessly after her. I sighed again and looked around. A tiny first year girl stood in front of me, looking slightly terrified. "Okay, I'm not usually this crazy," I assured her.

She let out a nervous giggle, then held out a tiny roll of tightly furled parchment.

"I was told to give this to you," she said, her tiny voice squeaking.

"Thank you," I said kindly, taking the scroll from her.

After one terrified look, she ran off, leaving me behind.

Guess I'm just scaring everyone today, I thought as I undid the parchment and saw emerald green ink and curly letters on it.

Dear Miss Evans,

If I could please have you and Mr. Potter come to my office this evening after dinner, I have something I wish to discuss with the pair of you.

Professor Dumbledore

I stared at the letter in shock. Dumbledore had personally written me a letter. Must be serious, I thought as I rolled it back it up and slipped it into my pocket.

After deciding I would find James later, I headed back up to Gryffindor Tower. I wanted to write to Mum and I had been slacking these past few weeks with only having written her a few times since I got back to school.

Taking a seat near the fire, I took out a fresh piece of parchment and then stared at the blank page, trying to think of something I could tell her.

Dear Mum,

I paused and thought hard.

I hope you and Dad are well. And Petunia as well, I suppose. I hope the Death Eaters haven't gotten too close. I heard about that family down the road. Please don't do anything rash, Mum. You know they'll kill you at first sight. And remember what I told you: if it gets too dangerous, leave. I can't bare the idea of losing you and Dad.

I paused again, worried that I might somehow worry her with the talk of Death Eaters and murder, but then, I reasoned, she had the right to be informed, even if it scared her.

School's going well. I've only seen Severus a few times and he seems surly as ever. He's been hanging around his little Death Eaters pals even more so this year. I'm not going lie, I'm getting worried about him. what if he becomes a Death Eater too? But I don't control him, so I can't tell him how to live his life. Maybe You-Know-Who will kill him before he has a chance to even torture and innocent Muggle family.

I don't think I told you, but I've got a date for this weekend's Hogsmeade trip. Remember James Potter, the arrogant toe-rag I told you about? Well, I'm giving him a chance and we'll see how this trip goes. With any luck, he'll act like a normal human being and treat people nice. But I don't think that's really in his nature.

Send Dad my love! And tell Tuney I love her too. Let me know what's she doing, I never hear anything about her anymore. anyways, I love you Mum! Stay safe!

Love always,
Lily

I sighed and, after letting the ink dry, I rolled up the parchment and sealed it shut so that no one other than Mum could open it.

I set off at a quick pace to the Owlery, deciding that I was in serious need of an owl, when I ran into Peter, who seemed to nervously be talking to air.

"Er, Peter?" I asked cautiously. "Are you alright?"

He jumped about a foot in the air and turned to face me, his left eye twitching.

"I-I'm fine, Lily," he said, not sounding convincing. But I didn't feel like asking him questions.

"Okay, well, see you later then, I reckon," I said and he nodded. I hurried off, leaving him alone in the corridor where he started talking to himself again. I made a mental note to tell James the first chance I saw him.

As I strode out onto the grounds, I looked out at the Quidditch pitch and saw the Gryffindor team practicing.

So that's why James had to meet Sirius. It was Quidditch practice.

I watched for a few minutes before I went into the Owlery and coaxed a barn owl down.

After tying the letter to its leg, I watched it fly off before heading back down to watch the team practice for a bit.

I had just taken a seat when Sirius popped up beside me.

"Merlin's beard, Sirius, don't do that!" I cried, slapping him. that was the second time today I was snuck up on.

"Sorry, Evans," he chuckled. He leaned back, his hands behind his head and his feet propped up on the bench in front of him. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I was sending a letter and then I decided I would watch the practice," I said defensively.

"You do know practices are a closed affair, yes?" he asked, grinning.

"I'm going to assume everyone knows I'm a Gryffindor and would sincerely love to see Slytherin crushed in the match next month," I said coldly.

Sirius barked out a laugh and I edged away from him.

"Isn't your brother the Seeker?" I asked him.

The grin slipped from his face to be replaced by a scowl.

"Yes," he answered through gritted teeth.

"Ah, sore subject," I said, backing off. "Sorry, I didn't really know."

He shrugged. "Regulus is the golden child. Almost every year, I had to hear my mother talk about how something went wrong with me and how Regulus was the perfect, Pureblood little boy. I'm glad I got out of there."

"I understand," I said sympathetically.

"Oh really?" Sirius asked skeptically.

"Mmm-hmm," I said truthfully. "I have an older sister who completely loathes me all because I'm a witch and she isn't. we've hardly spoken two words to each other since I was accepted to Hogwarts."

Sirius let out a low whistle. "I'm guessing you two don't get along."

"Not at all," I said bitterly. "We used to be close, but then I found out I was a witch, Petunia called me a freak, and it all went downhill from there."

"Does she still live at home?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I don't hear much about her, honestly. I know she's got a secretary job at some firm, but I don't know what it's called or even where it's at. My mum won't tell me anything and my dad never writes. I don't even write Petunia because I know she'd just toss the letter away without even reading it. she hates everything to do with wizards."

"Sounds depressing."

"Dead depressing."

We both laughed and I realized I was actually having a civil conversation with Sirius Black. Who knew?

"So tell me about your brother," I said.

"Well, he's the world's biggest prat and I can't stand the sight of him," Sirius said coldly. "He likes to rub it in my face that he's the child our mother loves. My mother hates me and my father does too, but only because he doesn't like arguing with my mother much."

"So Regulus is the golden child where nothing can go wrong," he added after a moment of silence.

"Hey, Padfoot!" James called from the goalpost. "Quit hitting on Evans!"

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Prongs," Sirius shouted back, laughing. "My face is handsome, I don't want you to ruin that!"

I was blushing, but neither James nor Sirius took notice.

"Want to race, Padfoot?" James asked.

Sirius jumped to his feet, excited.

"See you later, Evans," he said.

"You too, Black!" I called after him, chuckling.

Maybe Sirius wasn't too bad either, I thought as I stayed to watch the two friends race.

Okay, new chapter. I hope you like it! Please review and give me thoughts! :) Have a lovely weekend!

~TheTragedyIs13~