Chapter 23: Courage is More Than a Virtue

"Yes they can," Lily Evans growled back at Tom Riddle, "they can protect me and I will protect them."

A loud laugh escaped his mouth as he choked back.

"Oh Lily Lily Lily," he smirked. His sharp teeth peeking out as he circled her, "you sure are more of a spit fire than I thought but you got it from your mother."

Lily froze.

"You didn't expect me to say that now did you? Especially after all the sweet times you were just having with the Potter's. What a quaint family with a very handsome son." Lily scowled and blushed at his words causing him to burst into more laughter.

"What do you want? Why are you here? Just to tease me? I thought you were better than that."

"I. Am," he spat out, "I am better than any other person you will meet in this world you despicable mud blood. Especially your sorry parents who begged and pleaded me to leave you be."

She watched his movements, graceful yet full of torment and anger. He was this changing person and it scared her of what he could become. From what she knew, the Potter's and her friends were safe back in the house and enjoying their time. She wanted to keep it that way.

"Fine, take me where you please," she put her chin up with as much courage as she could. He smirked at her remark and attempt at confidence in his presence and fiddled with his wand.

He suddenly lunged, throwing her into the wall of the house causing the wind to come screaming out of her lungs. She gasped for air as his hand clasped around her slender neck stifling her air supply.

"Now that strong and confidant Lily Evans is gone I see," he seethed, "Crucio!"

The pain was immense and unending yet Lily had no breath in her body to scream out in agony. This was her death and she accepted it. Maybe that's what he had meant by saying that she already knew?"

Suddenly a bright light flashed and the pain stopped. Tom Riddle went flying away and Lily gasped, air returning to her lungs. The bright lights continued to flash all around her yet her vision was still a little blurred as she stumbled around. She was then quickly lifted up and the bright lights went away.

James ran as fast as he could. Dumbledore had showed up moments before warning everyone that something was wrong before running outside. James had followed him when he saw Lily under Tom Riddle's hand and dying before his eyes.

He ran directly to her picking up her unsteady body and left the scene as Dumbledore dealt with Tom Riddle.

He threw the door open and set her on the couch, "Lily! Look at me, are you ok?" Everyone was completely shocked. Heather and Daniel had left to join Dumbledore and the rest of the group sat in silence.

"Lily!"

She took in a deep breath, "I'm fine. I'm just fine." Back in the time and place she caught her gaze with those worried amber eyes.

"All of you, let's go," Heather burst back into the room, her forehead bleeding, "you'll floo back to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall will be waiting for you." James grabbed Lily's arm, keeping her close.

"Don't lose sight of her," Heather warned before she ran back out, "Now go, quick!"

James pulled Lily with him into the fireplace after their hurried friends.

James and Lily entered a very different Hogwarts as the fire quelled down. The lights were almost completely out and it was silent besides Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey fretting over their group.

"Oh, Miss Evans!" Madame Pomfrey left a fine Alice and ran over to Lily.

"I am fine," Lily tried to wave her off but fell into James' shoulder as she lost her balance.

"You do not look fine to me at all," she scolded, "all of you come with us to the hospital wing. And you will not be walking."

"You heard her," James went to pick her up.

"No! I can walk myself," Lily argued.

James sighed at her and picked her up anyways.

"Does anything besides your neck hurt?" Madam Pomfrey asked, concerned.

"No," Lily looked around. Her friends were all there even after everything that had happened. Sirius and Natalie were in deep conversation in one corner while Remus, Alice, and Peter were sitting by them. But, lastly, her eyes met James. He shadowed Madame Pomfrey with everything she did. After tonight, and everything that has happened up to this point Lily was so grateful that he hadn't left her. He used to be such an annoying prat but he has really come a long way.

"Alright Miss Evans, rest is what you need. Drink this," she handed Lily an orange tinted liquid which she choked down; "I will be in my office if you or anyone else needs anything. You all should stay here though."

As she stepped away James came forward and took her place, "What happened out there?" He watched her face to gauge her reaction.

She looked up at him, "I…don't know."

"Lily, one moment you were smiling and having fun with my family and the next you were stumbling and gasping for air,"

"When we were in the living room, I could hear his voice. He told me to come," she whispered back.

"I'm just glad you are ok," he moved closer, "but don't do that again unless I'm with you or we all are with you. You may be the smartest girl at Hogwarts but you can't do everything by yourself, especially if it involves Tom Riddle. Promise me."

"I promise," she answered defeated, the exhaustion setting in. He leaned in and kissed her forehead sweetly; trying to reassure her. None of them knew what was going on at the Potter's or outside of those walls, but they were all happy just to be together and safe…at least for the time being.

A/N: The story is starting to take a dangerous turn, I hope you all are with me for the ride! I appreciate all of your reviews and comments they really help. Thank you for reading!