A/N: I hate school. I hate finals. I just wanted to say that...Anyway, here's chapter 9...Please Review!!!

Chapter 9

Now It's Our Turn

As the next few weeks past, Lily and James kept their affair a secret. They generally saw each other two or three times a week – out side of Order meetings, anyway. The always met at Lily's apartment. They had not told anyone, including Sirius, so they couldn't meet at James's place.

Lily loved the time she spent with James. Their secret meetings were the highlights of her week. There was no way to deny their chemistry, so neither tried. Usually, they would stay up all night, wrapped in each others arms...and, of course, making passionate love until the early hours of the morning.

She was just reflecting on the most recent of these nights – two nights ago, in fact – as she stifled a yawn. It was her first break she had all day and she was sitting behind the Healer's station, a cup of coffee in her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blonde approaching the desk. Lily was about to ask 'may I help you?', when she realized it was Ashley, who had a nervous, yet excited look on her face.

"Oh, Ashley," Lily said, slightly surprised. "I didn't know that you were suppose to be here today."

"I'm not here to work...I'm here as a patient."

Lily nearly dropped her coffee as she gaped at Ashley like a fish out of water. Finally, she managed to stutter, "You–you're–"

"I don't know for sure," Ashley cut in, "but I think I am."

Mechanically, Lily stood and said, "Well, Ashley, I believe that two–thirteen is open. Just let me get everything and I'll meet you in there."

Ashley gave her a grateful smile and headed to the room. Without really knowing what she was doing, Lily gathered the necessary paperwork before she headed to the supply room.

Once she was there, away from the noisy Healer's station, it hit her. She tried to steady her breathing, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. If Ashley was pregnant, James would surely be the father. The thought made her nauseous.

Pulling herself together, she gathered the various potion ingredients and headed to room two–thirteen.

000

After Lily had set up the potion, she waved her wand over Ashley's finger, were a spot of blood appeared there. The drop of blood fell into the small cauldron that was filled with a clear potion. Both women watched, holding their breath, as the potion bubbled for a moment before it stilled, though it still remained clear.

Lily nearly danced in relief. "You know what this means as much as I do." she said kindly.

Ashley looked close to tears. "I guess I just..." she sighed. "James has been acting different since he came back from New York. He's always working and – and I think he may be cheating on me."

Lily stayed silent for a moment before she said, "Maybe this is for the best. I mean, even if you were pregnant, that's no guarantee that he would have stayed with you."

Wiping her eyes, Ashley said, "Maybe you're right, Lily...and thanks. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

000

That evening, Lily was in her kitchen when she heard the unmistakable sound of someone Apparating. Soon, she heard foot step behind her as she pulled the curtains closed – there was no mistaking those footsteps.

He put his hands on her hips and kissed her neck.

"Hey," she said distractedly.

"You alright?" James asked.

Lily turned around so they were facing. "I've just had a rough day."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Well, that's the problem," she said as she went into the living room, with James right behind her. "I can't tell you because it would completely violate Healer/patient confidentiality."

"What if you just don't tell me names?" he suggested as they sat on the couch.

"I guess I could." Lily took a deep breath and continued, "a young woman that I know came in today, thinking that she was pregnant. But after taking the test and proving that she wasn't pregnant, she got pretty upset – which surprised me because she wasn't married. Then she basically told me that she was hoping that she was pregnant because she thought that her boyfriend was cheating on her and a baby might fix their relationship."

Looking slightly confused, James asked, "But why would this upset you?"

"Because..." Lily sighed. "Do you promise me that you won't tell anyone? I really meant it, James, I could get fired over this."

"I promise, Lil."

"It was Ashley."

"What?"

"It was your girlfriend, Ashley."

James got off the couch and began pacing.

"Now do you see why I was so upset?" Lily said, but James didn't see to be listening.

He continued to pace, muttering to himself before he looked at Lily and said, "This has to end."

Lily's heart seemed to stop. She looked up at him and said, "What are talking about?"

"I have to end it with Ashley. I've only stayed with her to cover up our affair." he said as Lily stood up. He continued, "I love you. And I don't give a damn what the Death Eaters do." He kissed her and whispered, "I'll protect you."

000

True to his word, James ended it with Ashley that night. The next day, they told Rachel, Sirius, and Remus that they were together, none of whom seemed surprised.

Lily couldn't help but notice that Ashley was rather distracted at work for the next few days, and she knew why. But she found it hard to feel sorry for Ashley when she herself was so happy. Just the other day, she and James had their first "public outing". It was a simple date; they went shopping in Hogsmeade. But it was fact that they were together, holding hands, stealing kisses when they thought no one was watching.

But someone was watching...

000

The next day, Lily came home from her latest twelve hour shift just like she always did – completely and utterly exhausted. It took all fo her will power to pass up the couch and go to her bedroom to change into her pajamas. She was so tired that she considered not waiting up for James and heading straight to bed. To keep herself awake more than anything else, she turned on the radio. But when the next slow song came on, Lily could no longer fighter her heavy eyelids.

Moments later, the sound of her door opening startled Lily out of her nap. "I'm on the couch, James," she called sleepily.

She heard footsteps until they ceased right behind her, followed by a cold voice saying, "I thought we warned him–" Lily whipped around and saw, with a thrill of pure terror, a man in black robes and a Death Eaters mask, "–what would happen to you."

Lily stared at him for a moment before she tried to run to her room to get her wand, but she never made it.

000

James walked down the hall to Lily's apartment, but froze when he saw the door slightly ajar. He withdrew his wand and quietly opened the door.

At first glance, nothing seemed out of place. "Lily!" he called through the flat. There was no answer. He went to the loving room, his wand still out.

And then he saw it...a picture lying on the floor. James's eyes widened as he picked it up. It was Lily, lying unconscious on what appeared to be her own living room floor, her thick dark red hair spread around her.

James flipped over the picture, thinking that they had left another message. He could feel his stomach bottom out as he read: You've had your fun with her. Now it's our turn.