A/N: This wasn't originally meant to be posted until next chapter, but I just couldn't help myself! Also, there was a scene in here inspired by fanart. Kudos to you if you catch it. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

(James)

The rest of September passed quickly. James made sure that he was not late to any more of his meetings with Lily. His marks in potions seemed to be improving, and what was even better was that his friendship with Lily had begun to do the same. Sure her temper was still as fiery as her hair—James doubted that would ever change—but she seemed to take a more positive attitude towards him every day.

James sat in the library with Sirius that Saturday, planning their newest escapade.

"Padfoot, you're overthinking this," James said. "The Slytherins aren't going to be anywhere else. They're always there."

"Yes, but what if they're not?" Sirius said, like a child being told he couldn't have a cookie. "Things can change, you—"

He was cut off by the sound of a book slamming onto their table. A very vexed-looking Lily Evans stood above them, her brows furrowed in irritation.

"Potter," she said shortly, "I need your help with something."

"Always lovely to see you, too, Evans," Sirius goaded.

James elbowed his friend in the ribs and said, "Sure. What is it?"

She leaned over the table, pointing to a section in her Transfiguration book. She let out a loud huff of exasperation.

"I just don't understand the steps to this stupid spell," Lily said. "On paper, it seems logical, but in practice, it's like my wand just doesn't want to cooperate."

Sirius let out a gasp of mock surprise.

"Lily Evans...lost?"

"Bugger off, Black," she said lazily, rolling her eyes. "I'm talking to your boyfriend."

James snickered. Not many girls could put Sirius in his place, but Lily Evans never seemed to have a problem doing it. He peered at the spell in front of him.

"How are you moving your wand?" he asked.

She reached into her robes and pulled out her wand. She gave it a quick wave, ending with a slight jerk.

"Ah," he said, "I see it."

He stood up and wrapped his hand around hers, trying to ignore the quickening of his heart rate.

"You're giving somewhat of a jolt at the end. It needs to be more of a flick, like this," he said, guiding her hand in the correct movement. "Feel the difference?"

She nodded.

"Yeah, that's...brilliant. Thanks, James."

He nodded as she turned to leave.

"Making progress, I see," Sirius said with a smirk.

"Oh, sod off," James replied. On the outside, he wore an irritated expression. On the inside, he couldn't have had a bigger smile.

She called me James, he thought. It's about bloody time.

A few weeks later, James hurried around his dormitory collecting his books. It was nearing six thirty, which was when he agreed to meet Lily. He glanced towards his window. It was still light outside, but the sun was hanging low in the sky, and James knew it would be setting quickly. The full moon was tonight. He'd have to cut the studying short; he'd think of an excuse later.

Laughter met his ears as footsteps pounded the staircase outside his door.

"...the look on his face!" he heard Wormtail cackle as he entered the room.

Sirius and Peter howled in laughter at the joke.

"What are you two going on about now?" James asked, shoving his quill in his bag.

"Well, Wormy and I were in the corridor a few minutes ago," Sirius explained through waves of chortling, "and who do we see? Dear old Snivellus. So as we pass him, I turn to Wormtail and whisper—quite loudly, 'Wormy, did you hear that there's a werewolf that lives in the Shrieking Shack?' Oi, Prongs, you should have seen the look on his face!"

James' eyes widened as he absorbed what his friend had just told him.

"PADFOOT, YOU MORON!" he roared. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?"

Sirius' face crinkled in confusion.

"Wha—"

"BLOODY HELL, ARE YOU REALLY THAT THICK? NOW HE'S GOING TO GO TRY AND FIND THE WEREWOLF YOU TOLD HIM ABOUT! YOU KNOW MOONY CAN'T CONTROL HIMSELF IN THAT STATE! SNAPES'S GOING TO GET HIMSELF KILLED! AND THEN MOONY WILL BE SENT TO AZKABAN FOR MURDER!"

The color drained from his friend's face as he realized what he'd done.

"Shit. Shit! Prongs, we have to—"

"No," James snapped coldly. "You've done enough."

He turned, sprinting to the grounds as fast as he could. He caught sight of the sun setting below the horizon through a window as he ran. The moon was coming much faster than he had originally expected. He gave no thought to the redhead that sat waiting for him in the library; he only prayed that he made it to the Whomping Willow before it was too late.

(Lily)

Lily glanced at the clock for what felt like the millionth time. James was supposed to be there over ten minutes ago; she was not very happy where he was concerned. She had already warned him that she wouldn't tolerate a lack of punctuality...and yet here he was, late for a second time.

She was leaning back, stretching her back when something caught her eye through the window. Dusk was just settling in, the sky casting a blue tone to the surroundings. A boy with long, greasy hair was walking across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow. It could only be Severus. He paused at a root, and then vanished through the base of the tree. Lily blinked hard to make sure she had really seen what she thought she had. Surely he couldn't have just disappeared?

When she opened her eyes, another boy was moving—rather quickly—across the grounds in the same direction. He stopped as the boy before him had, and then vanished just the same.

Damn it, she thought. You have got to be kidding me. He stands me up just to go torment Severus.

Lily stormed out of the library towards the grounds with every intention of giving James Potter a piece of her mind.

(James)

James glanced at the sky as he hit the knot on the tree. The moon was just appearing from the clouds. Moony was turning. Now. He slid into the tunnel that had just appeared before him. He heard a howl from a way down the tunnel.

"SNAPE!" he yelled, hoping to warn the Slytherin.

He sprinted towards the shack, paying no mind to the tree roots that cut his face from above. He reached Snape just as he was reaching to open the door above to the Shrieking Shack.

"Ah, Potter," Snape sneered. "Here to stop me from uncovering your friend's precious secret? That's right. Don't think I haven't noticed you and your little followers sneaking in here every month."

"Snape, you don't want to open that door," James hissed through clenched teeth.

The hook-nosed boy did not listen; he merely gave an ugly smile and shoved up on the trapdoor, causing it to open with a loud bang. He poked his greasy head through the opening.

The next events were a blur to James, and seemed to all blend together. He was suddenly aware of Snape at his side, darting in the other direction. There was a loud growl as Remus, in werewolf form, descended into the tunnel.

James did the only thing he knew to do. He transformed to his Animagus form, his bones wrenching in pain as they morphed into the stag. The werewolf did not react as he normally did. He did not pause. Recognition did not dawn in his eyes at the sight of the familiar animal in front of him. No, the wolf was only aware of the human hurtling down the passageway. He wanted blood, and he was willing to maul any Remus launched himself in Snape's direction, but was slammed into the wall as James hit him with his antlers.

The werewolf was dazed, but James knew this would only last for a few moments; when he was fully responsive, he would only be angrier. He galloped down the shaft, changing form as he caught up to Snape.

"How did you get here so quickly?" Snape asked suspiciously.

"Honestly, does it matter? Just MOVE!"

They shuffled out of the hole onto the grass. When James looked up, the sight made his stomach sink.

"Evans, what the hell are you doing here?"

(Lily)

"I could ask you the same question," she replied coldly.

"Lily," James exclaimed frantically. "I'll explain later, but now you have to run! Just go—"

He was interrupted by a loud snarl. Lily gasped as she saw a very large, wolf-like creature emerge from the same hole as Potter and Snape. She recognized the beast immediately.

"Is that a werewolf?" she breathed, trying not to panic.

"RUN!" James commanded.

They did not get far. The werewolf no longer seemed to be interested in Snape. His attention was now focused on the redhead that had appeared. The wolf cut them off as they ran, leaping in front of their path. It was fast; he lunged for her before she had even realized what had happened. Her breath caught, waiting for the impact...but it never came.

She heard a thud, and James' yell in pain as the werewolf's claws tore through his shoulder. He had charged the creature to protect her. Lily knew she could not sit there and simply watch the scene unfold.

"Severus!" she yelled. "Help me!"

He gazed at her with large eyes, and then suddenly turned and sprinted towards the castle. He did not reply; he merely left without another word. Lily Evans learned a lot about Severus Snape in that moment.

"LILY, RUN!" James shouted to her.

Lily could not dwell on Snape. There were more pressing issues at hand. The werewolf had pinned James on his back, and was inches away from tearing into him. Lily grabbed her wand from her robes.

"Stupefy!"

The spell was strong enough to knock the beast off of James, but werewolves are not easily stunned. The beast was back on its feet in seconds, this time lunging for her again. She dodged it quickly, but stumbled over a tree root in the process. She tried to regain her footing, but she was not fast enough; the werewolf dived towards her once more.

Lily screamed in agony as she felt his razor-sharp talons rip into her upper thigh. She was no longer aware of the wolf; the only thoughts on her mind were of James and the pain that coursed through her leg. Lily was suddenly aware of the large pool of blood that had formed around her in just a few seconds. She knew in that moment that the wolf had hit a large artery. She would bleed to death before she would ever get back to the castle on her own.

Just get out, James, she thought, her lucidity rapidly fading. You can't save me, just save yourself.

Her vision fuzzed as she tried to remain conscious. She was vaguely aware of the werewolf being guided back into the Whomping Willow—by what she was not sure. She caught a glimpse of a white stag for a few seconds, and she wondered where it had come from. Then there was suddenly a messy-haired boy leaning over her, yelling words at her she that would not register.

"James," she felt herself whisper.

And then, everything went black.

(James)

James struggled against the werewolf, attempting to ignore the shooting pangs in his shoulder. Remus had pinned James on his back, and his panting breaths were hot on his face. He knew that he would not make it out of this situation, but there was still hope for Lily.

He heard her call to Snape, but there was no reply. She could not stay there. She'd be killed, and for what? She could not save James.

"LILY!" he cried desperately. "RUN!"

The wolf snarled above him.

"Stupefy!"

The creature's weight was suddenly lifted, and James gasped for his breath. The werewolf was quick to recover, and once again lunged for Lily.

"NO!" he shrieked, as Remus attacked her. He heard her scream in pain as his claws caught her. He did not think, but merely reacted.

He changed into his stag form again, and slammed his antlers into the wolf. The beast yelped as he hit the ground, but rallied quickly once again with the intent of attacking. James hit his hooves hard on the ground, grabbing his friend's attention.

The wolf's notice finally landed on the familiar animal that stood firmly in front of him. James nudged him towards the entrance to the tree, and this time Remus obliged. He slunk back into the hole, and allowed his friend to guide him back to the Shrieking Shack.

James returned to the entrance quickly and shifted back into his human form to fit through the gap. He gulped in air, attempting to catch his breath...until he caught sight of Lily once again. He darted to her quickly, cradling her head in his arms, ignoring the agony that came from putting weight on his shredded arm.

"Lily," he gasped. He took in the sight of her. Her face had visibly lost its color. His eyes traveled to the gash in her leg. Though, James didn't attend muggle school, he knew basic anatomy. An artery had severed, and she was losing blood quickly.

"Lily, you have to stay with me, do you hear me?" he yelled. She did not respond. No. No. Nothing could happen to Lily. He wouldn't let it. "LILY! Stay awake!"

As her eyelids fluttered shut, he heard a whisper escape her lips.

"James."

"No, Lily! Don't leave me. You can't leave me!"

He scooped her into his arms, gasping as pain shot through his shoulder. He had to get to the hospital wing, now. He sprinted as fast as he possibly could, adrenaline fueling his strength. James found himself in a race against time for the second time that night, though this time, though his best friend was no longer at risk, he felt the stakes were much higher.

He shoved the heavy wooden doors to the Hospital Wing open with a loud smack, and Madame Pomfrey rushed over to him. Her face paled as she caught sight of the girl in his arms.

"Oh dear," she breathed grimly.

"Please," James begged desperately, "please, you have to help her."

Madame Pomfrey immediately shifted into a more composed mode.

"Set her down on that bed," she barked, pointing to a vacant cot to her right.

James complied, placing her gently on the sheets.

"What happened?"

"Remus."

The slight color that was left in Madame Pomfrey's face drained instantly as she looked at the placement of the claw marks.

"She'll be okay, won't she?" James pressed. "It's just a scratch, surely you can fix that?"

"She's lost a lot of blood."

"But she'll be fine, right?" James was nearing hysterics now. Lily had to be okay. She just had to be. There couldn't be a world without a Lily Evans.

"I'll do everything I can, but I can't promise anything," Madame Pomfrey said formidably. Her eyes moved to the wound on James' shoulder. "Merlin's beard, Mr. Potter. Go over to a volunteer and allow them to treat that.

"No," he growled. "I'm not leaving her."

The Healer stared at him, understanding finally dawning in her eyes.

"Very well. Cattermole!" she called to a young boy. "Clean up Mr. Potter here, please."

She turned back to James.

"You may stay as long as you stay out of the way. It's going to take a lot to heal her, but it may be possible."

He nodded fiercely, and sat next to Lily. He took her hand and gave it a firm squeeze.

"It's alright Lily," he assured her. He felt tears well up in his eyes, and one slid slowly down his cheek. "Everything's going to be alright."

A/N: Think of this chapter as a little Christmas gift to you all. Hope yours is wonderful! Please review!