Chapter 27: These Dangerous Times

Lily tossed and turned despite the pain that ran through her body. She had been having terrible dreams for nights and Lord Voldemort was the star of each of them. This time in the hospital wing she was put in her own separate room because the fiasco in Hogsmeade had caused a giant uproar. Parents had heard and were storming the school requesting their kids go home. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had been handling everything with care but they were definitely not ready for this kind of response.

Lily's friends had dealt another larger blow. People all over were approaching them on their experience and wondering what is wrong with Lily. James had been an emotional wreck and felt like a failure. He barely left his room and even Sirius was worried about his best mate.

The world had been thrown into chaos. This was one of the first times where death eaters had openly attacked someone in public with many people around. Everyone was worried.

Dumbledore seemed to be the only wizard who wasn't.

Lily woke up and looked around her room. The room was white and small but still in Hogwarts as far as she could tell. The window drapes were partially open to reveal a very dark sky. Lily could hear the rain hitting the window softly and she smiled. She loved rain.

Turning, she noticed some flowers next to her bed. They were her favorite; white lilies and she knew exactly whom they were from.

"Oh good you are awake my dear," Madame Pomfry entered her room with lunch, a steaming bowl of soup.

Lily nodded and tried to sit up but noticed many cords around her and a needle in her arm.

"Aren't these muggle hospital techniques?" Lily was confused.

"Yes, we decided it would be the easiest way to get you hydrated again. Sorry if it is uncomfortable," she smiled while placing the tray on Lily's lap, "You've had many visitors but none have been allowed in on strict orders from Professor Dumbledore."

"Why?"

"He is protecting you and extremely worried about your safety. He also left me this and told you to put it on right away," Madame Pomfry held up Lily's emerald Lookit pendant which was clean and back to normal. She put it over her head; it was cold to the touch and the hum seemed to be stronger this time.

"Who's been here?"

"Well Mr. Potter, many times. He left you these flowers and he keeps coming back. All of his friends as well as half the school at least came too. Also many reporters somehow got inside the school, those rats!" She got up flustered and left.

"Miss Evans!" Dumbledore practically floated into the room. Lily could hear cheers and voices outside which sounded like a ton of people.

"Hi," she answered weakly, sipping her soup.

"You are very lucky to be alive with how much blood you lost," he looked down at her with his hands clasped, "I'm not going to trouble you with recounting your story now because I can see you are still very weak but I just want you to know that I will be back when you are feeling up to it. I do have one guest for you that just won't leave." He smiled and motioned.

James Potter slowly walked in and put his hands in his pockets shyly.

"I'll leave you two alone," Dumbledore smiled and exited the room.

Silence engulfed the two of them as James stood near the now closed door running his hands through his hair nervously. He looked bad and almost as bad as Lily. His robes were disheveled and he was as white and a ghost. Lily could tell that he hadn't gotten any sleep the past few nights she had been unconscious because he had large bags under his eyes. She motioned for him to come over.

He swiftly agreed, sat, and wrapped her in the softest embrace. She could feel him shaking and suddenly she broke down. Her salty tears dampened his already stained shirt as they embraced. This moment lasted for a long time since neither of them knew really what to say.

"Don't cry Lily," he whispered looking down at her, as his tears brimmed too, "please don't be sad."

"Why? I keep getting attacked and almost dying! What if he actually succeeds one time?" Lily said loudly.

"He never will," James held her face in his hands while he wiped her tears, "don't think like that at all. You are very talent witch and nothing will ever happen I promise. But why did you take the necklace off?"

"It burned me, James! Then Bellatrix led me away by an invisible thread before I could grab it!" she answered back angrily.

"Ok calm down," he grabbed her hand, "I just wanted to see you to make sure you are ok."

"I'm getting there I guess," she frowned.

"I think you need to get out of this gross and stuffy room. Keep eating too," he motioned to the tray of food she barely touched.

"I'm not hungry," Lily whispered and turned away. James dropped his hand a little hurt by her comments and body language.

"I'm sorry, Lily. I hope you like the flowers," he whispered kissing her head, and left the room quickly. Lily cried herself back into a restless sleep.

It was hard for Lily to get back into the groove of classes. It's not that people had suddenly placed her on a pedestal for surviving again; they were now avoiding her like the plague. There were rumors swirling that she was bad luck or that she was doing it on purpose to get the attention of the wanton James Potter. But why would she do that? He already was at her side at every moment shoving onlookers away and pulling her through the crowded halls quickly. It was like the boy just couldn't leave her be. She remembered a time when they hated each other and all Potter would do is ask her out every time she saw him and she would respond with a roll of her eyes.

But many things had changed.

Including Lily's heart.

James knew her feelings and so did their closest friends but she didn't want to become the gossip of the school and James next lady to throw away.

She secretly was guarding her heart to him and any boy who wanted a piece.

"Hello? Lily?" Alice waved a hand in front of Lily's face while they worked in potions. She had been zoning and day dreaming about a peaceful world.

"Sorry what?"

"We need the cat's whisker that you have," Natalie was irritated. It seemed like her friend was completely gone the past week. Had the evil Lord sucked her soul away too with dementors?

"Oh, right. I'm just so tired," She rested her cheek on her hand and handed over the ingredient.

"I think you've lost your soul," Natalie answered.

"Oh she's never had one! Look at that mop of hair!" Sirius appeared at their table carrying a potions rental book.

"Very funny, Sirius, but I've heard that one before and it's not mean," Lily smirked at him.

"You are as gloomy as the day outside. What's eating you?" He peered at her.

"I don't know, I just feel…lost," she sighed.

"Lost? But you are right here and I have found you," he returned standing a little straighter.

The Marauders had stopped their pranks for a couple weeks after the last few ordeals and even the next Quidditch match had been cancelled on behalf of the increased security at the castle. This had left James and especially Lily upset since flying was their escape from reality.

"Let's go to the kitchen tonight and have some butterbeer in the common room together," Sirius put a hand on Lily's shoulder, "I bet that will warm and cheer you up?"

"That actually sounds lovely, and…normal," she offered a weak smile, "that's all that I want."

"Eight o' clock it is!" Sirius hooted returning to his table.

The rest of Lily's classes went by uneventfully and James always waited outside the room to walk her to the next one. They walked in silence and he often ran his hand through his hair because he was nervous. Their last encounter in the hospital hadn't been ideal and neither of them really knew how to react. When they got to each room James would walk her to her table and then retreat to the opposite end of the room. Natalie and Alice were both clueless as to why he was acting so strange but Lily knew.

He was hurt but was afraid to leave her side.

And she was thankful for him.

It was late and most of the students were studying or relaxing around the school. Dumbledore had set a curfew that stated no students were allowed outside the school after dinner and must be in their houses at nine. It was strict but everyone obliged because of the impending danger. Their parents had taken from many students home but they were much safer in Hogwarts then outside its walls. The teachers have placed new wards around the palace hoping they will defend them from death eaters and Lord Voldemort himself.

"Ah the crackling fire, the snow outside, and the laughter of the beautiful ladies!" Sirius raised his glass and they laughed with him.

Lily had just put on her pajamas which were very soft and a nice shade of green to match her eyes when she made her way down the stairs.

The fire playing cards and sitting in a circle when she entered the room seated the group. James looked up and immediately caught her eyes. He nervously ran his hand through his hair but then gave her a solid smile.

"Lily paddy!" Sirius belched, "come to the circle of love!"

"You must be drinking more than butterbeer, Sirius," Lily chuckled as she sat down and accepted a mug from Natalie.

"Of course my lady of red! Would you care for a sip?" He bowed slightly.

"No your knightly-ness," she mocked. She took a sip of her drink and caught James eyes again. They had not moved from her face as she had gracefully sat down.

"Let's play a game before Frank and Alice slip away and snog!" Sirius noted elbowing Frank next to him and winking.

"You shouldn't be talking, Mr. Black, you have a pretty lady on your lap and mead in your tummy," Alice snooted acting just like him. This caused everyone to laugh and a blush to appear on her cheeks.

"I would love a game of cards," Remus piped up, his cheeks jolly and red too.

"You're cheating!" Natalie screeched hitting Sirius in the shoulder.

"I am not!" he answered back.

"Yes you are you have now played the same card twice because you picked it back up!" The two threw their cards in the air and began to wrestle. Laughter sprung up from around the group as Lily finished off her third butterbeer. It had been a wonderful evening and now it was very late.

"Alright alright that's enough," Remus inferred and broke the two up, "why don't you take this up somewhere else?" They both smirked and ran off.

"I think Peter and I should be going to bed," both Remus and Peter got up and headed to the boys dormitory.

"We're…going to go off somewhere," Alice squeaked out and Frank pulled her away. This left Lily and James by the roaring flames. Silence engulfed the two of them but they still sat there content.

"Lily…I,"

"No, James, let me go first…"

"Please, listen," he held up a hand and she sat back, "It is my fault. I wasn't there for you, I couldn't help and then I didn't know how to tell you that I was so worried…"

"James," she whispered moving closer to him, "It's all right, I understand. I know that it is hard for you too." Her eyes welled up.

"Don't cry," he smiled putting a hand on her cheek, "you are safe here and I'm so sorry I've been so quiet this past week I just thought you were gone." She smiled and rested on his hand.

"James! Are you there!" A raspy voice entered the room causing them both to jump.

"James!"

"Dad?" He asked looking around.

"In the fire," he answered, "Is there anyone there?"

"No just Lily and I," they moved closer to see an image of James' father talking to them.

"How are you there? Has anything happened?"

"Well last week Lily was captured by death eaters but she luckily outwitted them. I'm sure you saw Hogsmeade in the papers. They kept her name secret."

"Oh that was you! My god what is happening? Has Dumbledore changed anything?"

"Yes, he has added curfew hours and more security from the ministry. He also put more shields up," James added then looking to Lily. Her face was serious and she was intently watching.

"James, things have gone sour here. I wanted to update you because we are very worried. We have been located to a new home because of the increased problems and we are in a random location with many shields. You won't be able to come home anytime soon. People have been vanishing day and night and it is safest at Hogwarts where you are. Please keep your friends close they may be all you have to fight."

"Dad…don't,"

"Let me finish James," he frowned, "These are troubled times and Lily I know you have gone through many troubles with your family and at school. I want both of you to always be on guard and carry your wands with you at all times. This is a war we are in and I want you to be safe since you will be leaving school soon. But I have to go now you mother is scolding me. We love you son."

"Bye Dad, love you as well." James answered somberly.

He turned to Lily whose face had gone pale and her breathing had increased. He pulled her over and kissed her forehead.

"Do not worry Lily, your friends are here."

A/N: Please comments are welcome!