CHAPTER 24 -Punch in the wall-

Handsome. Wait. No. Lily, James Potter is not handsome. She shook her head.

"Hi," he said, he seemed kind of breathless.

"Need something?" sassy Lily wasn't going anywhere.

"I got what I needed," he said.

"Which is what exactly?"

"To get a look at you," he said calmly and looked at her intensely. Lily looked sideways to break the uncomfortable eye contact.

"And what use does that have?" Lily asked annoyed.

"It's just that I've just realized something," he hadn't let go of her arm.

"I don't think I need to know," Lily rolled her eyes.

"I think you do," he said and smiled.

"Fine, what is it then?"

"You're beautiful," he said. Lily's stomach clenched. She swallowed. Extreme nervousness came over her, she decided not to believe him.

"Oh, shut it Potter," she said and pulled her arm out of his grip. "Stop playing with me." She turned around and started walking away.

"Come on, Evans," he followed. "Why won't you believe me?"

"I don't know, maybe because you're always picking on me about everything!"

"James!" it was Sirius. "What are you doing?"

"Confessing my feelings," he said casually.

"Really?" Sirius stopped and looked at Lily's angry face. "Finally figured that out?"

"Yes, it was pretty ..."

"Well, the timing is inconvenient," he said.

"Why?" James asked and blinked curiously.

"You have no idea what we've just heard," Sirius said and beckoned him to meet the other boys. Curious Lily followed.

"What did they say?" asked James looking at Remus who had a worried expression.

"He who must not be named..." he started.

"Voldemort," James corrected.

"Yes him, is planning an attack," Remus paused to swallow.

"It seems they're going to attack the only department they haven't infiltrated," Peter said.

"Aurors would be the hardest to imperious, or convince to go on the dark side," Sirius said. "So, we suppose it's them."

"Probably," James said. "What is it that they're going to do?"

"Wait," Lily said. The boys froze, they just realized she was there. "What you're saying is that the whole Ministry of Magic is infiltrated, except for one department?"

"What are you doing here, Lily?" Remus was the only one who was on first name basis with her.

"She's my girlfriend," smiled James. Sirius laughed.

"I... am... not... your... girlfriend!" Lily said as she shoved James between each word. He laughed. "This is serious Potter."

"Yes, Lily, it's infiltrated," Remus said. "Why do you think we have such a useless Minister?"

"Haven't you read the Daily Prophet?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, but one thing is infiltrating the local news, another thing is to have the whole Ministry of Magic!" Lily paused so her heart would slow down. "How reliable is you're source?"

"I snuck under the table to listen to Malfoy, Yaxley and two others," Sirius said. "They were actually enjoying the conversation."

"So, they are a bunch of former students?" Lily asked with scepticism.

"Yaxley is the former student, the other two were much older. But young enough to be boasting out loud plans," Sirius said.

"We should keep an ear on them," James said. "They might say something else. Why did you leave them alone?"

"They saw Peter and had a fit," Sirius said.

"Sorry, I got to close, and they blew me off," Peter said looking at his toes.

"Did... You know... Show up?" James asked looking sideways to Lily.

"No, we didn't see him," Remus said.

"Who?" Lily asked.

"Never you mind, Missy," James said and patted her hair. She slapped his hand before it landed.

"We need to tell someone," Remus said.

"You should tell Dumbledore," Lily cut in. The boys were silent at that. "What do you guys think you could do about it?"

"We haven't thought about it," James said.

"I'll make it easy: Nothing. You can do absolutely nothing about it," Lily said. "If you don't tell Dumbledore, I will."

With that last sentence Lily left with a knot in her stomach. Whatever the boy's thought about this situation, wasn't nothing compared to what she was feeling. Lily was afraid. This potential attack made everything a bit more real. The victims of this war were people like her, the muggle born. The boys would never understand how that feels. She knew they loved adventure, and that's mostly why they got into trouble all the time and is why all this excites them. But Lily, Lily was afraid. She was definitely not enjoying this party anymore.

"Phyllida, I think I want to leave now," Lily said when she finally found her friend. Phyllida was wearing a beautiful old fashion emerald-green dress that made the color of her skin glow. She was talking to an old lady, whom Lily had no clue who it was.

"Sure, Lily," Phyllida turned to the lady and said her farewells.

"Who is that?" Lily asked.

"Robertta Bagshot," she said. "She's a famous painter."

"Bagshot? I know that name," Lily said.

"Yes, she's Bathilda Bagshot's sister," Phyllida said.

"Oh, the writer of A History of Magic!" Lily was surprised. "I thought those people were dead."

"They sure are close to be," Phyllida joked, she usually didn't. "What happened? You look nervous."

"I'll tell you back in the dormitory," Lily said looking for the way out.

"My dear Lily, are you leaving already?" The party's host intercepted her escape.

"Yes, Professor, I'm not feeling to well," she said trying to look ill.

"Hope my new guests aren't the reason you're leaving," Professor knew all about the animosity between Potter and herself.

"No, really. I think it was something I eat," she rubbed her belly.

"What new guests?" Phyllida asked looking at Lily.

"Well, Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin decided finally to accept my invitation," he smiled proudly. "And I'm glad to say they are actually enjoying it here."

"Potter is here?" Phyllida said. Lily nodded slightly. "Let's go then. Good bye Professor. Thank you for everything. Enjoyed my talk with Robertta."

"Wonderful," he chuckled. "Good night, girls. See you in class."

They finally were able to escape. Lily closed the office door behind her and sighed.

"So, it's all Potters fault?" Phyllida asked.

"Yes and no," she said, and they started walking back to their common room.

"What made them show up this time?" wondered Phyllida.

"I don't know the specifics, but it looks like they were investigating some Slytherins," Lily said. "Hey, Sev! What are you doing here?"

Her friend had turned around a corner and appeared in front of them. They hadn't seen each other since they had quarreled.

"Lily, Hi," he said. "Curio," he greeted.

"Snape," nodded Phyllida.

"Thought you'd be at the party," he said looking down the hall.

"Just left, didn't feel very well," she stuck to the same story. "What are you up too?"

"I was going to meet some people," he said vaguely.

"Who?" Lily insisted.

"Nobody you'd know," he looked sideways.

"Mmm..." she mumbled. "Fine, don't tell me. Please, don't get into weird stuff."

"You know I won't, Lily."

"Do I really?" she said remembering her last conversation. He didn't say anything. "Well, I'll leave you to your secrets."

"Bye, Lily," he said, and she didn't say it back.

"Come on Phylli," she said and grabbed her and pulled her away. She didn't look back, at least not until she was about to turn around the corner herself. Before Severus was out of sight, she looked back. She saw as her friend, who completely denied wanting to go to the party, enter Professor Slughorns office.

"That's weird," Phyllida said looking at the same thing.

"Yes," Lily thought. "It's the first time many of our classmates have ever assisted to this party they claimed to hate."

"What do you mean there's going to be an attack?" Meredith was always reactive to these kinds of situations. She was never again the same after their first year.

"It seems like it, or at least that's what the guys heard. I didn't stay for the details," Lily explained what had happened. She consciously skipped the part were Potter, well, whatever Potter had done.

"We need to let someone know," Mary said. "I mean, if we could help avoid another tragedy, I wouldn't doubt telling Dumbledore, even if it's wrong or a lie."

"Your right, Mary, we need to talk to the headmaster tomorrow," Lily said. "The other thing is about the Ministry being infiltrated. Scares me to death."

"I can't believe that's true, and if it was, I sure Dumbledore knows about it," Mary said.

"If the Ministry is infiltrated, who is fighting you know who?" Meredith trembled.

"I really don't know," Lily could feel some tears forming in her eyes.

"Lily," Phyllida said. "What are the odds, in which the Marauders show up at a party where their talking about you know who, and then, Snape shows up?"

"Oh, my goodness you're right!" Lily said. "He's getting into these dark things again." She bit her lip, while her three friends looked at each other knowingly. "What?"

"Lily, he's not getting into dark things. He's already in it. You are the only one who can't see it," Mary confronted.

Lily took a big sigh before saying, "Like I've said before. You don't know him like I do. He is not bad; he just has a hard family situation, so, he sometimes doesn't make very good decisions." The girls didn't insist with the subject, they knew Lily wouldn't be convinced. "I will ask him tomorrow."

"Good idea," Meredith said. "And then you can go to Dumbledor."

"It's been hours, and they haven't said anything else," James pouted.

"They've learned their lesson," Remus said.

"I'm sorry, if they hadn't seen me, we might have had more information," Peter said.

"Relax, we're lucky we heard as much as we did," Sirius said and drank out a paper cup he had in his hand.

"What are we going to do with this information? Evans is right, we can't do anything," James said.

"We should talk to Dumbledore," Remus said. "At least let him know who the potential Death Eaters are in school."

"And were specifically chosen by him to be prefects!" Sirius exclaimed annoyed.

"Look over there!" Peter said louder than he usually spoke. Remus, James and Severus looked directly towards where Peter was pointing at. Right in front of them was no other than Severus Snape.

"I KNEW IT. THAT FILTHY PRAT," James yelled.

"He's here, that means..." Remus analyzed.

"He wants to be a bloody death eater," Sirius said knowingly.

"I brought my invisibility cloak," James said pulling something silver from his robes.

"And you're just bringing this up?" Sirius looked at him annoyed.

"Sorry, I was distracted," he smiled. Sirius slapped him on the head and James barely dodged it.

"I'll be right back," and he slid under the cloak as fast as he could as his friends made cover.

He walked slowly up to the Slytherins, trying to avoid the other guests. When he was as close enough to hear but be undetected, he stood still with his wand ready in his hand.

"This is Severus Snape, he is interested in our cause," Malfoy introduced proudly. "Snape this is Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange."

"Nice to meet you," Snape greeted with politeness that didn't suit him.

"Snape," the man named Rabastan said with scorn. "I've never heard that surname."

"Then you must know the name Prince," Snape said unmoved.

"As in Arlo Prince?" Rudolphus asked interested.

"Exactly, he was my grandfather," Snape said.

"I didn't know he had children," Rabastan was skeptical.

"Do you work in genealogy?" Snape asked pretending innocence.

"No, but..."

"Shut it Rab," his brother interrupted. "It's enough for me. Leave the rest to the Lord."

Snape smiled at this, and James shivered under his cloak.

"We'll be checking up on you," Rudolphus spoke to Snape again. "It would be to your advantage to show your loyalty in any way."

"Rudolphus!" Professor Slughorn appeared. "How nice of you to come. And you brought your brother, too," his smile faltered a little as he looked at the second brother.

"Always a pleasure to come back to this school. An such an honor to see you again," he smiled. James could feel the falseness in his bones.

"Mr. Snape! An honor to have you back, it's been years since you've delighted us with your presence," Professor Slughorn slapped Severus's shoulder. "I'm happy to see you getting acquainted. You know it's really important to know people."

James was over this, he walked back towards his friends. Without any precaution he took the cloak off, startling Remus a bit.

"This idiot is joining them," James said between his teeth. "I have the need to curse him to bits."

"Let's follow him then," smiled Sirius liking the idea. Peter looked anxiously at Remus. Remus shrugged in response. The four of them walked out of the party, into the hallway.

"I'm not sure about this," Peter said.

"Then leave," James said.

"Come on, Peter, leave it to them," Remus said. He pulled Peter to follow him. Before they turned de corner he said: "Don't get Gryffindor in trouble."

"Can't make promises," James said. He pulled his invisibility cloak out again and hid Sirius and himself under it.

"What do you want to do to him?" Sirius asked exited.

"I want to break some bones," he answered and clenched his fist. They only waited a couple minutes before Snape opened the office door and left the party. As always, he was alone, perfect. James and Sirius silently followed him until they reached an area, they knew was less likely someone would show up. James hid the cloak in his pocket, and silently walked close up to the boy and said:

"Are you going to tell her?" he said in a loud voice. It startled Snape to jump slightly, and it gave James a little bit pleasure.

"What do you want, ponce?" Snape asked between his teeth.

"Are you going to tell her?" James asked again.

"You know what he's talking about, nosy git," Sirius said.

"Hypocrite calling me nosy," Snape turned around to look at the two Gryffindors.

"Na, you have the biggest nose in school," Sirius smiled.

"I'm asking for the last time," James said pointing his wand at Snapes chest. "Are you going to tell Evans you're on your way to be the ugliest and dirtiest Death Eater?"

Once again Snape ignored the question. Severus was actually really fast with his wand. The curse went straight towards James, but James was ready.

"Stupefy!" yelled Snape.

"Protego!" James blocked and immediately yelled: "Tarantallegra!" Snapes legs went into a frenzie of movement. Sirius burst out laughing.

"Levicorpus!" yelled Snape between his rapid and shallow breath.

James didn't know that spell, it was the first time he'd ever heard it. He felt the magic tug his legs and pull him upside down in the air.

"Woooow," James said in surprise, dropping his wand. Sirius looked up at his friend then pointed his wand, but he was late. He was shot with the same jinx.

"Impedimenta," yelled Sirius on his way up, but beardly brushed his shoulder with the spell. Snape was only pushed a couple steps back, even though his legs were still moving, he lifted his wand and pointed at Sirius:

"Expelliarmus! Finite incantatum," Snape said pointing at his legs, his legs stopped moving. He paused to catch his breath.

"Let us down, you nasty Snivellus!" Sirius said.

"Do not mess with things that don't concern you," Snape said. "Lily will always be my best friend, and while she's my friend, there is no way in hell she will have anything to do with you."

James laughed at that.

"Evans is not an idiot, you know that. You'll see, she'll figure you out sooner or later," James smiled proudly but looked ridiculous upside down. "Mark my words."

Snape wasn't the type of person that considered wasting words on worthless people. He gave James and Sirius is most condescending look he could muster and walked away.

Lily was still thinking about what Potter had said. Although they were talking about the whole war situation, she couldn't stop thinking about those words. The last thing she would do would be to talk about it with the girls, she knew they would make a big fuss about the whole thing.

The portrait of the fat lady opened someone was entering. Lily's belly took a turn as she waited to see who it was. She relaxed when she saw it was only Remus and Peter.

"Where are your stooges?" Mary asked what Lily didn't dare voice out loud.

"Mmm..." Remus though before he answered. "Thay had a small project, less you know, the better."

"Hopefully they went straight to Dumbledore," Lily threatened.

"Oh, no. They didn't do that," Peter looked down ashamed. "It's more Slytherin related."

"Oh, my goodness it's Severus," Lily stood up eager, it had been obvious once Peter said that. Peter opened his eyes in Suprise and covered his mouth.

"Lily, you're too smart for your own good," Remus said, awkward. Lily grabbed her wand in her fist and stomped out the common room.

"Lily, wait," Mary followed.

Lily didn't know where to find them, but she just walked.

"Lily, wait! What do you think you can do?" Mary trotted behind her friend's brisk pace.

"Jinx the hell out of Potter," she said.

"You'll get in trouble," Mary was a little shorter than Lily so she had to skip a little to catch up.

"I don't care," her hands were in fists and were turning white.

"Where are we going?"

"They have to be close to the Slytherins common room," she walked even faster. "I'm sure they left the party and waited to ambush Sev, two to one."
The rest of the way all you could only hear were their steps. Mary was secretly hoping they wouldn't find anyone. What were the chances for Lily to find then in this humongous castle? Lily on the other hand only thought of the hundred ways she would make Potter fly across the hallway. They beardly finished walking down a pair of stairs, that led them to the Slytherins common room, when Lily stopped startled. A couple of meters ahead, were two bodies hanging from the ceiling. No, they were hanging upside down in the air.

"What?" Mary asked and looking ahead. Lily walked slowly closer, only when she got close enough, did she recognize the two heads.

"Black? Potter?" Lily couldn't believe what she was looking at.

"Evans! Please, help us down," Potter said trying to turn around without success. Only then did Lily realize that there was a pair of wands on the floor. They were stuck. She started giggling slowly.

"Come on, Evans. Get it out of your system and help us get down," James said.

"Hahaha," Lily's giggle developed in a full-blown laugh.

"Evans, it's no really that funny," Sirius said. "My head is going to explode!"

"You... haha... are lucky... haha... I don't have a camara. Hahahaha," with one hand she covered her mouth and with the other she placed it on her stomach that was starting to hurt.

"Lily, calm down," Mary couldn't stop herself from laughing too. Mary, being a little more in reason, picked up the boy's wands and gave them back to their owners. "What do you guys think will bring you down?"

"Finite Incantatum," James said, nothing happened. Lily had calmed down to watch the boys drop, when they didn't, she cracked all up again.

"Stop, Evans!" James was getting on his nerves.

"Do you know the spell?" Mary asked.

"I had never heard of it before, he said Levicorpus," Sirius said.

"Levi, Levitate. Corpus, Body." James thought out loud. "Then the counter curse has to be," he pointed his wand at himself and said: "Liberacorpus." He immediately fell down to the floor and lift himself into sitting position holding his head with his hands to stop feeling dizzy. Mary repeated the spell on Sirius and helped him stand.

"You finally shut up," James said annoyed at Lily.

"What? Did you expect me to feel sorry for you?" Lily crossed her arms. "I know exactly why your here, and who did this."

"And did you know he was at the party?" James raised his voice and stood in front of Lily, looking straight into her eyes.

"Yes, I saw him," she said and looked at him back.

"Do you know what he was doing there?" he asked.

"Nothing that would be any of your business, I'm sure," she said, not feeling intimidated at all.

"But it is your business!" he said. "He's joining the Death Eaters."

"No, he's not," Lily said. "He would never do that."

"Are you sure? Because I'm pretty sure of what I've seen and heard," James said.

"You don't know him," Lily said.

"I don't need to."

Mary and Sirius looked at each other, none knew of they should intervene. "I think you should hear him out," Mary dared to say.

"No, Mary. I will not," she answered. "Everyone is against him. Everyone is blinded by his fiscal appearance and his different ways. That doesn't make him evil. I'm leaving. I came here to jinx's you into leaving him alone. I'm happy and proud I wasn't needed. Good night." She left alone, leaving Mary behind.

"She was extra touchy today," Mary said when her friend was out of sight.

"Maybe because Potter declared himself today," Sirius said casually.

"HE DID WHAT?" Mary looked at Sirius. James hissed and out of the blue punched the hallway wall. Silently he left behind Lily.

"Oh dear," Mary sighed. "What are we going to do with these two?"

"Wait until they implode?" Sirius smiled.

"Hope I'm not there when it happens," Mary laughed. "Now, let me in on that confession. The one Lily decided specifically not to talk about."

A/N: I think this is the fastest I've written a long chapter. This was so fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Porfis, comenten!

Love,

DB