A Different Reality

She felt eyes boring holes in her back as she left. She could imagine the whispers… 'Evans and Potter??' they'd say. It'd be all over school by tomorrow she knew, but something in her didn't mind. And that something was overtaking the part of her head that told her to flee.

Outside the hall, she hesitated, not knowing exactly where she was going. James took over. Grasping her hand tighter he led her to the main doors. The snow blinded them as they left, the sunlight breaking through the clouds onto the white expanse that was the grounds.

James led her to the lake, a small secluded spot of trees near where she always saw them. Had always avoided. He pulled off his cloak and laid it on the floor, motioning her to sit.

She did. And after a moments hesitation, wrapped her arms around him. If he was surprised, he didn't show it and responded, his body enveloping her, protecting her against the winter weather.

Movement in the trees caught her eyes. Shabby robes and brown curly hair flashed from between the trees. She smiled and felt James grinning too. If Allie could be happy, then why couldn't she.

But had he changed? Sitting there in his arms she could believe he had. But it was just a few days ago she had hated him, run from him in the corridor and common room. Made Allie and Cat be early for lessons just to avoid him.

He was saying something. She knew she should be listening, but there was a battle going on in her head, didn't he under stand that. Now he was staring at her. What?

"Um-. What?" She knew that admitting she hadn't been listening was the best way to go, or she'd just end up sounding like an idiot.

He smiled at her and shook his head, as if he understood. "Are you going home for Christmas?"

"No. I do usually, but 'Tuney gets a bit funny when mum and dad fuss over the magic stuff. I don't want to have to deal with that before the OWLs."

"Tuney is…?"

"My sister."

Snow started to fall around them, landing on them. James brushed some flakes from her hair and Lily felt her scalp tingle.

"Yeah, I'd guess that would be difficult." She knew he really didn't know what to say, but he was trying at last.

"I remember getting into Hogwarts, getting the letter." Lily wasn't sure why she was telling him this; it wasn't just making conversation any more. "She was jealous at first I think. Now it's a freak's school. And I'm a freak." She tried to make it sound like it didn't matter, joking, but more feelings came into it than she meant.

She hadn't even told Allie this; Cat thought she was staying to get work done. Nobody knew that her parents had told her to stay to avoid upsetting Petunia again. What about Lily, had nobody thought of that? Tuney got to see her parents every night. Lily got a few times a year, and now she didn't even get that.

James didn't know what to say, she could see she'd stumped him.

"I guess I don't mind." It wasn't a complete lie. "I'll get to see the castle at Christmas for once. Are you staying?"

"Yeah," his face broke into a grin. "I love the castle at Christmas, the decorations are great, and the food's even better. Remus and Sirius are staying too."

"So is Allie." Lily knew they'd been thinking the same thing.

She looked out towards the lake. "It's beautiful out here."

"So are you." He spoke so softly that Lily thought she'd misheard him. She looked up at him, their eyes met, and she knew she hadn't.

It was bright. Too bright. The grounds were unrecognisable, yet Lily felt at home. And he was there, his arms around her, his body close to hers. She kissed him again and again, knowing that she never wanted it to end.

"I love you Lily." The words surprised her, though she had heard them a thousand times before in her sleep. "I love you too James."