Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a dreamy, milky glow over the staff room which, despite the hour, was still occupied. Hermione Granger looked around nervously, too hesitant to sit down on one of the sofas and anxious in the practical darkness, but James Potter strode in and plonked his backside down on one of them.
"So Poppy said what? It'd take another couple of hours?"
"Yes, I think so…" Hermione yawned, hiding her mouth with her hand.
"Your friend, Arthur's kid, Ron, wasn't it? Did he go to bed?"
"Mhm, at least that's what he said."
"You could go to bed? When Harry wakes up, Lily'll come and get you or something, if you want."
"I'm really not…tired…" Hermione yawned again, and James raised his eyebrows knowingly.
"Not tired, nah?"
"Well…a bit…"
"Go to bed, love."
Hermione smiled wearily at him and left.

James yawned, folding his hands behind his head and lounging back on the sofa. He was still trying to compute the events of the day: Lily had a calculating, logical brain, but James didn't. His mind was wild and all over the place, fluttering from thought to thought like a butterfly flutters from flower to flower. He was worried about Lily, who was struggling to hide her distress and confusion. He was worried about Harry, because he didn't know when he was going to wake up and how he was going to react when he did. He was worried about Remus because his scars had tripled and he looked exhausted. He was worried about Sirius because there was something empty and dead behind his eyes.

The door opened and Severus Snape walked in, then froze at the sight of James on the sofa.
"Potter."
"Snivellus," James said easily, matching the other's hateful tone. "What's this I hear about you bullying my son?"
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, I think you do," James stood, and they stared at each other with utter loathing.
Severus laughed, but it wasn't an amused sound. "I'm not scared of you, Potter."
"It's not me you need to be scared of." James smirked, eyes dangerous. "It's Lily."
Severus' eyes flashed in what looked like fear in the low light. "You told her-"
"She doesn't know yet. Not about you bullying Harry, because he was my son. Not about you bullying Longbottom, because he could've been the Chosen One and died instead. Not about bullying Hermione, because she's Muggleborn. I think Lily will love that one the most."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you don't." James strode confidently past him, head held arrogantly high. "But I can still tell her."
"Don't-"
"Then leave us alone."

James Potter smiled winningly, but there was steel behind it, and left the staff room. Severus sank down into one of the chairs, face contorted with rage.
Unbeknownst to both of them, Lily Potter emerged from the shadows outside the staff room, eyes determined.

The hospital wing was quiet, and practically empty, with Madam Pomfrey in her office. Only Padfoot laid next to the bed, head on his paws, whining, jumping up with a shocked yelp as the door slammed open and Lily stormed in. "Where is my husband?"
Madam Pomfrey came out, looking disgruntled. "Can you keep it down? Harry is trying to sleep."
"I'll keep it down when James stops threatening people. Sirius! Where is James?!"
Padfoot tried to motion towards Madam Pomfrey, explaining why he couldn't transform, and Remus entered the Hospital Wing. Lily span around, hair flying.
"Remus! Where's James?"
"What's all the yelling about?" James slipped through the door behind Remus, and Lily stalked towards him, eyes wild.

"James Potter!"
"Yes dear?"
Lily snarled, and James hid behind Remus. Padfoot let out a bark-like laugh, and Remus shook his head pointedly, urging him not to push it.
"Why did I just hear you threatening Severus Snape?"
"Snivellus?"
"James I swear to God-"
"Don't swear to God, he doesn't like it-"
Lily snatched Harry's wand from the bedside table, and James squeaked and ducked behind Remus again.
"Why on earth were you threatening him?"
"He was bullying Harry! And…um…what's his name, Longbottom-"
"Neville," Remus added helpfully.
"Yeah, Neville, and Hermione!"
"Alice's son?" Lily's face softened.
"Yeah! He's bullying Harry because he's my son, and he's bullying Neville because he could have died instead, and he's bullying Hermione because she's Muggleborn!"
An uneasy silence fell on the hospital wing, with everyone watching Lily.
She looked at Remus, eerily calm. "Is this true?"
"Erm…yes. Unfortunately it is."
Lily took one, deep, shuddering breath, and passed Harry's wand into her left hand, before walking very slowly towards the door. Remus moved out of instinct, knowing what would happen if he didn't, and James did too. Padfoot followed Lily quietly, paws making a soft skittering noise on the stone floor as she walked down the corridor towards the staff room.

Severus Snape looked up as Lily walked in, and he recognised her posture.
"Lily-"
"No. I'm talking."
She placed the wand on the floor, and Padfoot picked it up in his mouth, knowing it was what she wanted.
"Let's start with Neville. Alice's son. Alice was my best friend. You bully him, why? Because he had the gall to survive, to not be targeted by Voldemort like my family. Well, sorry! How dare you! His parents are in St Mungos, tortured into insanity! So don't you dare!"
"Lily-"
"Shut up! Next. Harry. My son. Firstly, I don't care how you feel about James, Harry is my son too! And you're mad that he survived and we didn't? Part of this was your fault! You are partly responsible for our deaths, so don't you dare!"
Lily was breathing heavily, and her eyes were misted over with angry tears.
"And lastly, Hermione Granger. I owe her my life. You bullied her. Why?"
The hurt and disbelief in her voice ripped through Severus.
"Because she's Muggleborn." Lily turned away from him, moving her hair so it covered her face and the tears welling there. "I thought you would have grown up a bit since fifth year, Severus. At least James has. What's next? You call her a Mudblood?"
Lily took the wand from Sirius' jaws, wiped it on her jumper and left, shutting the door behind her. As soon as her footsteps faded down the corridor, Sirius transformed and glared daggers at Severus.
"I don't care what anyone says, Snivellus, make her cry again and I'll rip your head off."
"It's none of your business, Black." Severus snarled, and Sirius laughed bitterly.
"She's my sister and she was dead for fourteen years. It is my business."
"Why do you care? Everyone knows it's Potter you worship, not her."
"Lily is sometimes closer to me than James will ever be. Not that'll I expect you to understand. Not everyone is in unreciprocated love with Lily, Snivellus. That's just you."
Sirius transformed, nosed the door open and ran off down the corridor.

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