Chapter Forty Four: Holding Her

Time sped past, asif it sprouted wings and flew, making the date of Mum's funeral arrive sooner rather than later. Cassie, Belle, Sirius, Remus and James were all invited, as they knew and liked my mother.

I also needed the support.

Petunia was not making anything easy for me. She sent me a scrap of paper holding the date, time and place of the funeral and a small photograph of her and I, with my face scribbled out so furiously, the nib of her pen had forced itself through to the back.

I cried so many tears over the first letters from her, yet this one held no pain for me. I simply opened it, read it, surveyed the photograph with mounting disgust and threw it on the fire in the common room.

The morning of the 9th of September arrived swiftly. I slipped silently out of bed and slipped downstairs to the common room.

It was still before daybreak a few hours later and my eyelids began to droop.

Dream

Trapped. Alone in the darkness with nothing and no one for comfort.

Screams echoed in the air, then footsteps, growing ever closer.

Closer…

Closer…

Closer…

End Dream

I woke with tears staining my cheeks and my breathing rate was accelerated.

I knew who'd help me.

Jumping up, I almost ran up the boy's staircase and into the 6th year's dormitory. Wrinkling my nose as I stepped over random clothes and books, I padded over to his bed and peeped through the open curtains.

The moonlight shone on his handsome features and highlighted his defined chest and stomach muscles. I realized he was only wearing boxers and blushed alittle. I felt a funny jolt in the pit of my stomach, but shrugged it off and pulled back the duvet on his bed.

I slid between the sheets and snuggled into the crook of his body, laying my head on his chest. I fell asleep listening to his deep, even breathing.

James' POV

I woke up and delighted in the soft rays of sun on my skin for a few minutes, before I realized what day it was. My thoughts went immediately to Lily, and I instantly felt a weight drop on my chest.

What the hell?!

There was a weight on my chest!!

Grabbing my glasses, I pushed them on.

I looked down and there she was, the only girl I had ever and would ever love with all my soul.

Her soft red curls were splayed out across my chest and her porcelain skin was pale in contrast to my own tanned body. Her eyelids were closed, yet I knew what beauty lay there, waiting for someone to open them up.

She stirred and lifted her head a fraction.

"Hey." I said softly in greeting.

She smiled sleepily and nodded as she rubbed her eyes.

"Hi." She whispered hoarsely.

I grinned and shoved my glasses up my nose. "We have to get up, you know."

"Don't wanna." She replied, burying her head into my shoulder. Her breath was cool against the skin covering my collar bone.

I closed my eyes and savored the bliss, before pulling myself together and wriggling away from her.

A strangled noise escaped from her throat and I looked over my shoulder at her.

She was sitting upright, her knees pulled up to her chest, sobbing quietly.

"Shh sweetie. Come on now baby, shh. I'm here." I kissed her hair as I pulled her into my arms.

She wrapped herself around me, her tears wetting my skin. "Don't leave me, please. Don't leave me."

I let her cry.

Holding her in my arms felt… right.

What you think?

Good?

Bad?

Tell me!!!!!!

Next chapter will be the funeral.

Lol

M

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx