Chapter 28: Silence Consumes

Hogwarts had grown strangely quiet over the past few weeks. Both students and teachers were on edge and always jumping at even the smallest sound. The school was on lockdown and even McGonagall seemed to be nervous to the point of shaking as she wrote.

The halls were dead silent.

Student's footsteps rang like gongs as they changed classrooms. The talked in whispers to each other and were always in groups and never alone. Many students had been taken home by their parents but in Dumbledore's eyes no place was safer than Hogwarts.

"This is ridiculous!" Sirius declared a little loudly. Remus, James, Peter, Natalie, Alice, and Lily were all sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room near the fire alone. Everyone else was either in his or her rooms, the library, or somewhere else.

"What is?" Remus popped up.

"The fact that this school has become a morgue! Everyone is quiet and little scaredy cats," he frowned looking around.

"I think there's more to it than that…" Alice almost whispered, glancing at Lily who was staring into the fire.

"Well I don't think we should just live sad and quiet lives because of what's happening, cheer up!" he leaned over and kissed Natalie's cheek causing her to blush a bright shade of pink.

"I have an idea," he then announced getting up to leave. He bounded up the stairs and came back moments later with a few games.

"Let's do something fun together tonight," he began to unpack them. James nodded but found his eyes meeting Lily's across the circle. She gave him a weak smile and it tore at his insides. Maybe something like this would help cheer her up.

They played until it was very late. The moon peeked through the windows and casted shadows in the empty room. The fire still roared and the group of friends felt at home together for once in a long time.

The next day rain battered down on the castle. Lily hadn't slept well that night with haunting dreams of those slitted eyes and the killing curse. She woke up very early drenched in sweat. The other girls in the dormitory were still soundly asleep as the rain hit the window and the casual crack of lightening sparked. Lily got up, got dressed and headed downstairs. The common room was like a ghost town and even the fire had smothered out during the night. She tip toed out into the hall and enjoyed the silence for once.

These weeks had been like torture for her; reminding her everyday of the target on her back. People always avoided her glance and even moved out of her way. No one spoke to her and it seemed like she had the plague. This was the worst thing for Lily because distractions would have helped ease her mind.

Lily knew the perfect place to enjoy the morning.

"Hey…" Sirius greeted, still sleepy.

"What happened to the chirpy go-getter from last night?" Remus chuckled as they ate breakfast.

"He's still asleep. This weather isn't helping me," he yawned and began to eat.

James had just joined them too and took his seat across from Sirius chuckling at his best mate.

This Saturday was already turning into a lazy one. There were hardly any students up and about. It didn't surprise James since the weather was so terrible today.

"Has anyone seen Lily yet?" Natalie piped up looking directly at James. He frowned and immediately scanned the room.

"No, I haven't," Remus, commented.

"She wasn't in the dormitory this morning when we got up," Alice piped in before turning back to Frank.

"She wasn't?" James asked, his voice growing tense.

Alice shook her head and gave a nervous look to Natalie who tried to smile.

James finished his breakfast quickly and then got up, "I think I know where she is."

Lily was soothed as she leaned her head on the cold, stone, and wall.

The astronomy tower had the perfect little hideaway that no one really knew about. It was on the same level as the classroom but in a little notch down the hall. Someone could just slip in, turn the corner and then you were completely concealed from the hall. The little nook had a small window with bars and no pane that Lily curled up next to. The rain was falling straight so she wasn't getting wet but the cool air was very refreshing. The view this little spot offered of the grounds and beyond was incredible. She would steal away and do homework here sometimes.

This was a peaceful place, Lily's place. She sighed and smiled thinking about how this kind of silence was really nice and relaxing. There was no one there to judge her or whisper or stare, just Lily and the rain. She closed her eyes and rested her head again in sweet bliss.

"I hope your not hiding from the world,"

Lily turned and saw James Potter in her nook smiling down at her.

"No," she sighed, "just taking a break from it."

"May I join you?"

"Sure," she smiled weakly.

He squeezed in and sat down right next to her causing their shoulders to touch. An electric current went through Lily and she smirked looking down. She could smell his cologne and it was so sweet. She often thought he only wore it to bring in the ladies but now there wasn't a smell that was more sweeter or recognizable to her than this one.

She turned to him and was immediately lost in his hazel eyes. He had been watching her and his face was showing a look of concern. She melted and suddenly she had a lot to say.

"I'm scared James,"

"I know,"

"I'm scared that this life isn't going to be what I want it to be," he listened quietly and placed a reassuring hand on her arm. This sent shivers up her spine and she had to take a deep breath while closing her eyes before continuing.

"What if I die soon? What if I never get married or have a family? What if…" tears began to well up in her eyes and she looked down, ashamed of her weakness.

"Shh," he whispered leaning his head against hers, "everything is going to be just fine."

"But, how do you know that?" she wiped a tear looking back up at him.

"Well I don't, but I know that every time I'm with you I feel safe and content," he offered a small nervous smile, "I know that I have the most loyal and best friends anyone can ask for who would do anything for both of us. That to me is something strong and secure." She nodded waiting for him to continue.

"I also know that I have you," he caressed her cheek, wiping one of the stray tears, "I know that you are the brightest witch of our age and fiercely loyal. I know that you are strong and independent and will protect anyone you love. And Lily, when you love, you love deeply."

She smiled. He knew he better than she thought.

"I also know that fighting by your side and being next to you is a place that I will always be even if you don't want me there.

"You sound so certain and so confidant. The world is crumbling and they are after me and I'm just so frightened that I won't live…" she looked up and his face was right there. And suddenly his lips brushed hers. Lily trembled but she didn't fight it. His hands became tangled in her long red mane as he pulled her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around him and they kissed deeply.

At this moment, Lily felt the safest ever. She didn't want move and face the outside world again.

When they broke apart, James was smiling and it caused her to blush a deep red. She tucked her head under his chin and he enveloped his arms around her. She could hear his steady heartbeat and sighed contently.

"I wonder where James is," Remus commented noticing that his friend had been gone for a while.

"With his lady of course," Sirius winked and then kissed Natalie on the cheek.

"But aren't you a little worried?"

"Moony," Sirius scolded, "My best mate can handle himself in any situation. Especially when girls are fawning over him. He's a pro."

Remus rolled his eyes and dove back into his book.

"I just hope nothing bad happened," Alice commented.

Lily's bell like laughter echoed in their nook. James had lain down and she was lying opposite of him with her head on his chest.

"That prank was evil but so funny!" she giggled again causing James to laugh as well.

"Yeah it definitely was one of our best," he looked down at their hands locked together and smiled.

"I still can't believe the ever defiant Lily Evans let me kiss her," he joked looking up to gauge her reaction.

"Who says you didn't take advantage of me in a weak moment?" she shot back with a smirk.

"Well you could have stopped me," he sat up pulling her with him.

"Let's stay here forever," she whispered only inches from him, "it's so peaceful, quiet, and there's no evil ever."

He smiled and pulled her on his lap, "I'm guessing you are feeling better?"

"Yes, who would have thought that the usual prick of a boy James Potter could make me feel so loved and safe."

"I've been waiting for you to notice," he looked away.

"Hey!" she scolded playfully, "don't go all pouty on me! We were just laughing a moment before."

When he turned back to look at her she was shocked how sad he looked.

"You have no idea how much this moment means to me," he whispered, pulling her heart strings again, "I never ever want it to end." They fell silent and James brought his hand up to touch the soft skin on her neck. Lily shivered but didn't stop him. His other hand put a strand of her hair behind her ear and she smiled.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered and pulled her to him for another sweet kiss.

Lily was beyond content. She hoped that nothing could ever destroy this moment.

A/N: I think we were all ready for some romance ;) Hope you liked it!