Author's Note: Don't forget to review!


For a brief moment in time, there was silence throughout the Great Hall. Soon panic arose and people were scrambling to either get away, or get a closer look at the unconscious, or dead, as some people thought, Head Boy. Lily's emerald eyes grew wide with shock. 'Oh my god, what have I done?' Tears swelled up in her eyes as she rushed over to James, along side the three marauders and her two best friends.

"Step back." Dumbledore said calmly as the crowd swarmed like vultures.

He flicked his wand and soon, James was floating upon an invisible stretcher. He glanced at Lily, with a searching look in his eyes. Lily felt deep shame and couldn't bear to look at the headmaster. James had told them not to separate. 'I didn't think there would be attacks here.' Dumbledore nodded slowly to Sirius, who asked if they could come. Lily, although not asked, followed anyways. The group quickly reached the hospital wing.

"Poppy, I need you to care for Mr. Potter, while I return to address the students. I will return once the feast has started." Dumbledore bowed slightly, causing the witch to blush slightly.

Madame Pomfrey scowled as she noticed the crowd of people standing around. "Only two of you can stay, there's too many."

The group glanced among each other. Kat and Melody both slipped out, followed by Peter. Remus nodded to Lily and departed as well.

"Oh Sirius, " Lily cried leaning on him, "I feel horrible."

"Not as bad as Prongsie, I bet." He said with a wink. "Don't worry, he'll be fine. It would take Voldemort himself to take this guy down."

Lily winced slightly at hearing the 'forbidden' name mentioned, but shrugged it off as she sat in a chair beside James. He looked so pitiful lying there dripping with blood. Several minutes passed, and finally, James' eyes fluttered. Groggily, the bloodied boy awoke. 'The room is fuzzy.' He rolled painfully onto his side, as the two visitors came more clearly into focus. 'Lily?' His head was pounding and aching terribly, and he was having trouble remembering why he was in the hospital. Madame Pomfrey was hovering over him busy fussing over his wounds and mending them with her wand.

"What the bloody hell, happened?" He groaned softly.

"You were in a fight, mate." Sirius offered.

"Did I win?" A confused James questioned.

Lily cracked a weak smile, as Sirius rolled his eyes laughing. "Well, you're alive, so I think that could count as winning." A warm voice answered.

Dumbledore had returned, a gentle smile buried beneath his silver beard. Pulling up a chair, magically, the headmaster took a seat beside the two students. "Now, Mr. Potter, do you think you remember the events which just occurred?"

"Uh…well…" James thought hard. "I was leaving the train…"

"Alone?" Dumbledore questioned.

An ashamed Lily stared at her feet, colour rising to her cheeks. "It's my fault." She murmured.

"No it's not." James added quickly, glancing at Dumbledore. "I told her to leave because I thought it was pointless to have two of us check the entire train."

Dumbledore chuckled slightly a twinkle in his eye, "Don't worry about blame. No one in this room is at fault. The only culprit is the attacker. Please continue your story; I just want to know the details."

"Righto." James grinned, feeling a little more awake. "Anyways, I was walking towards the horseless carriages, when someone used a rope-binding spell. I was too busy thinking about…er…" He glanced at Lily, "other things, that I didn't notice them. Then they, well the three of 'em, started attacking me. The train conductor spotted what was happening, but being a squib, he didn't want to intervene. He bluffed and called out to the death eaters, telling them the aurors were on the way. As soon as they heard this they fled. I don't really remember much else."

"What spells did they use, if you can remember?"

James hesitated slightly, "Sectumsempra and also the Cruciatus Curse."

Lily gasped slightly, although she had never heard of Sectumsempra, she of course knew about the unforgivable curses. Sirius growled while Dumbledore shook his head.

"Alas, I must apologize to you, James. I never thought something like this would happen." Spotting Lily's confused stare, "Sectumsempra is the cutting curse. Newly developed, and being tested around through the death eaters' wands. Not a pleasant spell, not at all. Now if you please Miss Evans, I'd like to have a word."

"But, she didn't do anything wrong!" James burst.

Dumbledore smiled, "Relax Mr. Potter, or Madame Pomfrey will have me thrown out. I merely wanted to discuss the perks and responsibilities of being Head Girl. Since you are to be detained here, I imagine Miss Evans can fill you in on the details at a later date."

Lily gulped nervously, but followed behind the headmaster as he exited from the bedside. James sighed and ruffled his hair weakly.

"Nice entrance, by the way, Prongs." Sirius joked as he stood to leave. "You're a joker even near death. Anyways, I have some girls to console. You'd be surprised how many started crying."

"Console away, my friend. Though, I think it was the fear of death eaters rather than my pain." James grinned.

"Who cares what the reason?" Sirius joked. "Anyways, mate, get some sleep."

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Light filtered through the hospital wing windows, easing a sleeping James into consciousness. 'Pain', his thoughts immediately registered. He rolled awkwardly onto his side. James groaned; his joints felt stiff, like they had never been used.

"Oh good, you're awake." Madam Pomfrey bristled happily.

"I'm not awake yet." James mumbled, not wanting to leave the warm blankets.

The nurse smiled, but was still forceful. "Dumbledore has excused you from classes this morning. Eat some breakfast, and do something with your presents. They are taking up too much room."

'Presents?' For the first time that morning, James noticed the colourful packages adorning his bedside. 'Presents!' He eagerly grabbed the package nearest. 'From Chloe?' He read, 'Well, Chloe, let's see what you got me. Hmmm, Bertie bots beans…. Boring!' He tossed the package aside, and proceeded with the next gift. He received an assortment of candies and many cards wishing him a 'get well soon'. It wasn't until he read 'From Lily Evans', that he stopped with senseless paper ripping. His heart thudded, nervously as he opened the envelope of the card.

James,

I feel horrible about what happened. I'm sorry I left.
I'm sorry for the nasty things I said, too. Dumbledore
showed me this amazing study area we get to use, as a
privilege of being Head Boy and Girl. That's not all!
When you get out of the hospital wing, I can show you
what other things we get to use. Though, you probably
already know…Since you have a map of the school…
I'd really like to see it sometime! Get well soon,

Lily

James re-read the letter several times, and laughed, "She's more excited about a dumb study area than anything else!" Grinning, he opened the small package that was attached to the note. Inside, was his badge. 'My badge?' the black-haired teen had not even realized it was missing. 'It's so like Lily to be so school-oriented. No sweets, just a reminder of my duties.'

The morning rolled by, and James, soon found himself wanting to get out of bed. He gathered all his presents into a pile and started making his way to Gryffindor tower. It was empty in the hallways, as well as the common room, for the last class before lunch had not yet ended. He shuffled his way up the steps to the boys' dormitory. Finding the marauders usual area, he dropped his junk on his bed, and sat down on the edge. James buried his head in his hands. The shock of what had happened, finally bouncing clearly through his mind. 'It's not random anymore…They are going after my family. But why?' He blinked backed his emotions as he heard a familiar voice coming up the stairs.

"I wonder if he's back yet?" Peter inquired.

The bedroom door burst open, with three teenaged boys. Spotting his injured friend, Sirius broke out into a big grin. James nodded happily as he was handed a time-table.

"Hmmm, I missed charms and potions. Too bad," he said sarcastically.

"Oh it was amazing James!" Remus joked, "Anyways, how you feeling?"

"I'm feeling sick of that question and you're the first person to ask it."

Sirius laughed and jumped onto James' bed. "What is this interesting pile of goodness?" He asked picking up a chocolate frog.

"Presents from my admirers; I noticed you didn't give me anything, Padfoot."

"My friendship to you is gift enough." Sirius grabbed Lily's letter.

James smiled and shrugged, changing the subject. "I think I'm going to go for a run."

"Oooh I'll come!" Sirius said eagerly.

Peter jabbed his elbow sharply into Sirius's side as Remus shook hi head. "No, you can't both skip classes. Besides…" He gave his friend a look that said 'James wants to go alone'. Sirius realized his mistake and laughed it off.

"I know when I'm not wanted. I'm going to lunch."

Peter trotted after Sirius, but Remus hesitated to leave.

"Be careful James. Take a look at the map before you go. It's in my trunk." James nodded and rolled his eyes.

--------------

His thoughts were free, running beside him like the wind on his back; His long elegant legs, picking up speed with every step. He bounded over a fallen log, happiness flooding through his being. As a stag, his senses peaked. Every sound was picked up, magnified by his large ears. Though hues of colour were not quite the same, he could sense small motions, which he might not notice as a human. He slowed his pace, trotting quietly through the forest. Birds chirped loudly, and tiny creatures roamed about. James was finally able to release the tension that had been building in his body and mind. His muscles were sore from the sudden run, but the pain that racked his body was dissipating. He came to a stop near the greenhouses, where familiar voices laughed loudly from within. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were in the middle of a herbology lesson, and James could not resist.

It was hard to clearly see the individuals inside, but he could easily recognize the bright flaming hair of Lily Evans. He trotted slowly over to her window, peering inside. Melody nudged her two friends suddenly and pointed out at him. All three girls smiled happily at the site of a wandering stag. James' heart swelled seeing her smile, not glare, at him for once.

Sirius soon appeared beside the girls, laughing. "I think it fancies you, Miss Evans."

Lily pushed him away, rolling her eyes at his would-be lame joke. Peter laughed and wandered over. He waved a friendly greeting to the stag.

"Hey there J–", Remus slapped a hand across Peter's mouth at the exact same time Sirius bonked him on the head with a fist.

The professor, a gangly man known as Professor Bean, wandered over, not looking pleased. He demanded they get back to work, and James felt that it was time he left.