So, for some reason the website wouldn't let me read my last few reviews at all so I have no idea what anyone said, Sorry. If you suggested a better named for the story please try again, otherwise just enjoy this next chapter.
A Hogsmead weekend for Hogwarts meant the need for more security in the village which meant extra guard duty for the marauders. The likelihood of anything happening was low but worry was high and caution was definitely called for. James was reminded of how his mother used to tell him that it was better to be safe than sorry. It was a cliche but it was also something to think about.
James wound his way down the lane from the school and through the streets of the cozy, all wizarding village. He was once again surprised at the changes that had taken place since his own school days. Far fewer people stopped to talk on the street and the overall feeling was one of hurried commutes and anxiousness. No one smiled at him as he passed, kindness to strangers was something that had long since lapsed in a time when you couldn't even trust your oldest friend, Only a few of the older students could be seen behind large windows and the sounds of laughter that carried through the streets was often cut short as if it wasn't to be allowed. An icy chill hung in the air, fighting a losing battle against the sun that beat down through the clouds, but ensuring that the people below had their cloaks pulled tightly around themselves as they went about their business.
He followed the familiar road that wound away from the shops and beyond the neighborhoods. He could just make out the old house as he rounded a bend and made his way along the well beaten track. Years of tourists and students had tread the grass down to nothing, the ground packed down so hard that nothing would ever grow there again.
Half a dozen students lingered on the edge of the property, looking with only mild interest at the old shack that stood above them, the novelty having worn off, separated from them by a long fence that stretched wide around the shreaking shack, doing it's best to keep the curious away. He picked out his friend standing some distance from the younger people, leaning on the old fence, eyes on the house.
Moony didn't notice his approach until he stood right beside him. His eyes were glazed over and he seemed shocked to find James there, or perhaps even to find himself there.
"Remembering old times?" James asked casually, pulling on the wooden beam against which they leaned. The fence creaked and swayed for a moment before settling back into place. Moony grimaced but didn't answer the question. "How's Lily?"
James shook his head, unsure. Lily had seemed surprising well since they had heard the prophecy, as if it had never happened at all. She hadn't mentioned it once and when he had attempted to bring it up with her she had brushed him off and changed the subject. " I think she might be in denial" he said honestly. " She refuses to talk about it She seems fine."
Moony raised his eyebrows. "Lucky her. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."
James could tell. His friend had dark circles under his eyes and looked as bad as James felt himself. He hadn't had a good night sleep in over a week. He couldn't sleep and when he did he had nightmares about Lily and the baby and woke up thinking they were dead. It was a horrible thing. "Me neither" he said.
"Where are Padfoot and Wormtail?" Moony asked.
"I saw them a little while ago across town. Their as well as can be expected." He shook his head again. "Why do we have to grow up like this?"
"I don't know." Moony replied softly, sadly. "It seems like just yesterday that we were getting detentions and running away from Filch. I wouldn't mind going back to that."
"Ya."
" You should try to get Lily to talk to you. She has to be feeling this. Let her know were all right here, that someday everything will be fine. We'll figure this out."
"Let's hope so."
"I wonder which death eater it was that overheard them?"
"I don't know, but if Dumbledore had told us, someone would be dead right now."
"And you wonder why he didn't?"
****
"Hi" Lily greeted him cheerfully as he came through the door. She kissed him and he followed her through the living room. As they reached the kitchen the sent of something burnt reached him. Lily pushed the door in and he caught sight of a plate of something that he thought might have been meat at some point.
"You were cooking?" he asked, amused. He picked up a fork and poked the mystery meat. Flakes of charred skin fell off as smoke continued to waft from the would be food.
Lily caught his eye. "Apparently your not the only one who can burn things." He stopped smiling.
How was Hogsmead? You guys have fun?" the tone of her voice as if he had gone to a party and left her behind.
James raised his eyebrows. "Fun? We were on duty" he told her, earning a shrug. "You okay?" he asked. He had never been particularly good at reading peoples faces or emotions but he could sense something in her and he knew it had nothing to do with a burnt meal.
She just shrugged. "Ya, I'm fine."
"Lils, we should really talk about the proph-"
" So what do you want to eat?" she asked, cutting him off, eyes on the fork that he still had in his hand.
"Dumbledore is going to fix this. We'll be safe" he said, ignoring her question and turning to face her. He reached out a hand but Lily took a step back, eyes narrowed and blazing.
"I don't want to talk about this" she said sharply.
"You can't just pretend this isn't happening! You need to-..."
"I don't need to talk about this!" she declared angrily, arms crossed against her chest. Next thing he knew she would be out the door again. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He had always found Lily's stubborness endearing, but now he just wanted to shake her. Another deep breath. He didn't say anything until he was sure his voice and temper had returned to normal.
"But maybe I do. Maybe I need someone to talk to about this. I'm killing myself here, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't think about anything else. God Lily, I need you!"
He hadn't realized what he was thinking until it came out and hung between them, and he felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders.
Lily's eyes went wide, full of concern, and it was her turn to reach out for him. He closed his eyes as he felt her small warm hand against his chest, the other cupping his face. He folded his arms around her and felt her give in, leaning into him.
"I'm sorry about everything" she said, her voice muffled against his collarbone where she had buried her face. James opened his eyes and looked down at the soft red hair.
"Ya. Me too."
