A/N: I hope everyone is prepared for this chapter. Please read and review!

Y6: When the Enemy Strikes P. 1

"Ringwald, Molly," Lily called out to the third year Gryffindors.

"I'm right here," a mousy looking girl waved.

Lily nodded her aside and read the next name on the attendance, "Riggot, Amber."

A hefty blonde moved to the side by Ringwald.

Lily looked at the last name on the list, "Wolsey, Philip."

There was no answer and Lily glared at the third years.

"I don't think he is coming, miss," Ringwald said simply.

"Why, not?" Lily asked impatiently.

"I don't know," the girl shrugged, "I don't think he has anyone to go with."

"And none of you asked him?" Lily glared at them all but held eyes with the third year boys.

"Well, we're not really friends with him," one boy shrugged.

Lily rolled her eyes an annoyance, "You can all go now."

The third years raced out the Common Room portrait hole and set off to Hogsmeade in excitement. Lily went to sit by the fire when she heard her dormitory door open. She watched as the sixth years girls traipsed out none of them looking at her as they walked down the staircase. If Lily was going to be childish and hold a grunge, then they would be too! Lily sneered at each one but stopped when she made eye contact with Mary.

Mary wasn't ignoring her like the others, she was staring at Lily with sad eyes. Lily's angry eyebrows lightened up as she watched Mary traipse behind the other three. And when they all went out the portrait, her eyes watered ever so slightly.

She glared into the fire and didn't bother to watch as the sixth year boys raced past her. Well, they started to race, but both James and Remus slowed as they caught sight of her.

"Evans," James said when Pete and Sirius had run out of the Common Room, "you can come with us if you want. I mean, we'd like you to be with us."

Lily ignored him turning her head the opposite direction of him.

"I just didn't want you to be alone today is all," James sighed and walked out.

Remus followed without a word.

And Lily sat there for a few more minutes before crying out, "Well, I'm not staying here all day."

She stood up and ran to her room for her coat. She chose her bright red one so when she walked Hogsmeade, the others would definitely see her. And they would see that she absolutely does not need friends to have a good time in Hogsmeade.

She raced out of the Common Room and out the doors of Hogwarts. She trailed behind a group of Ravenclaws bundling inwards to avoid the ice cold air.

When she took her fest step onto the streets of Hogsmeade, she raced to get herself a butterbeer. She thought the others would be in here but she was mistaken. So she downed her drink and went to Zonko's. She had been so sure that the boys would be in there, alas it was not so. So she bought a random toy just so when she did find them, they would see the bag and thought she was having soooo much fun. When she checked the Quidditch shop and couldn't find anyone, Lily gave up.

It turned out trying to prove she was having fun was not that much fun actually. So Lily went into the nearest book store and sighed heavily as she searched the aisles for a good read.

She took out a book titled, Enchanted Encounters by Fifi LaFolle. Lily decided to buy the book and took a seat by the windows to start reading it.

…

Beatrice leaped on to a jagged rock. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the evil Alexander.

"I do not fear you," she yelled to him though her voice shook.

He smiled twisting his mustache and responds, "Then fight me, young witch!"

She began to throw out spells. And countered all of his.

"Is that all, you silly girl?" he teased.

"Is it a good book?" a voice snapped Lily out of her story.

She looked up and glared as she met Mary's eyes.

"Still mad?" she sighed.

Lily flicked her hair over her shoulder and went back to reading.

"Listen, Lily," Mary sighed, "I kno- I understand why you won't talk to me. I get that I hurt you because I let you wander around like, well, you know like that all week. But I did tell you and that should count for something. The girls were upset that I ratted them out but Lily I knew you needed to know. But even they forgave me, I just don't see why you can't."

Lily didn't answer so Mary stood.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you," Mary looked at Lily hardly, "but I think you're being overdramatic."

Lily looked at her sharply, "How can you—"

She held up a hand, "I'm not finished. That night when it all happened, I told you I would always be there for you, but you're pushing me away. I'm sorry and that's all I can say. And I hope you can forgive me soon."

Lily watched as Mary walked out feeling nothing but guilt. The anger and pain had fallen from Lily and all she wanted was to have a friend again. As pathetic as it was, Lily couldn't stand being on her own. She had never felt more alone than in this last week. And yes, she was still upset but couldn't that be something that she got over with the help of her friends.

Lily ran to the door that Mary had just walked out of, "Wait!" she yelled.

Mary was already across the street and turned smiling hopefully.

It was when Lily took the first step that it all happened. The skies darkened as black smoke raced across like clouds. Lily watched in fear as the wind picked up blowing her to the ground. Every single person in the street watched the sky. Then the fire came. Out of nowhere, the book shop behind Lily burst into flames forcing Lily forward onto the sidewalk. Lily looked back at the sky and watched as the black smoke raced straight to her.

She was still in shock when she felt her body being jostled by another person. Lily was being dragged behind a street corner and was flung against a wall hard. The pain in her arm snapped her out of her fear. She looked at James Potter who breathed heavily peering out from their hiding place.

"P-Potter," Lily breathed and James looked at her.

He saw the blood dripping from her arm, "Are you alright?"

Lily nodded, "What's happening?"

James jaw clenched as he looked at her nervously, "We're being attacked."

Lily shuddered and her eyes began to water as the fear crept up her throat.

"Lily, Lily, I need you to gain control of yourself," James whispered to her, "We need to get out of here, okay?"

"M-Mary," Lily said looking around, "where is she?"

"I don't know. I didn't see her."

"We have to get her," Lily cried as she stood to run into the street.

James grabbed her arm, "You need to take off your coat. You stand out to much."

Lily looked at him confused but did as he said. He handed her his own and she pushed her arms through them.

"Follow me," he grabbed her face stopping her from moving about anxiously, "Do you hear me? Follow. Me."

"Fine," she pushed his hand off her face.

He turned peering out into the street, Lily stood right behind him. He grabbed her wrist and they raced through the street. That's when the spells were being thrown at them. James pulled Lily closer as he dodged the curses. Lily couldn't hear the words being said to her as her eyes searched the street for Mary. No sign of her.

They raced behind another building and James forced Lily down.

"Focus!" he screamed at her and Lily looked up frightened by his tone, he didn't apologize though, "I get that you're scared! I am too! But dammit, Evans, when I tell you to throw a spell, you do it. We could've been killed."

Lily nodded whispering, "I'm sorry."

James didn't have time to worry about Lily's emotions right now, he had to get her out of there safe. He pulled her back up to her feet and started for the street again. Lily ran after him and he could hear her screaming spells at the people who were trying to kill them. James made a turn towards Zonko's and that's when he found the other Marauders.

Sirius, Remus, and Peter formed a triangle shooting spells at the Death Eaters around them. James grabbed Lily dragging her down the street. He took down three Death Eaters before hiding behind a garbage can.

"Do you promise to stay here?" James said to her, "Just until I get back. I'll only be a minute."

Lily looked at him startled but nodded.

"I just have to get Sirius, Peter, and Remus, okay. I'm coming right back," he promised.

He set off in a sprint towards his friends. He didn't know what spells he yelled out but he watched as the Death Eaters fell away.

"James," Sirius yelled as James joined the three of them.

Back to back, the four of them fought of the Death Eaters together.

"Where are the girls?" James yelled to them.

"Immobulus!" Remus yelled, "We got Emmeline and Marlene back to the gates of Hogwarts."

"And you came back?" James yelled annoyed with them, "Are you mad?"

"Well, we weren't going to leave you behind!" Remus smiled.

"Besides, I love a good fight!" Sirius cheered.

James laughed but stopped as he noticed a group of third years huddled by the doors of the Quidditch shop. He raced over to them.

"Follow me," he yelled, "Wands out."

Sirius, Remus, and Peter ran over to help James.

"We need to get them to the gates," Sirius said, "it's this way."

"Wait," James yelled, "I need to get Evans!"

The trash can was the opposite way.

"Shit," Sirius swore, "we can cover you."

"No, no," James faced Sirius, "You need to get them out of here, do you hear me? I'll grab Lily and we'll find a different way out, okay? But you get these kids out."

Sirius sighed but nodded and James gave him a pat on the shoulder before racing back out into the dangers of the street.

Lily was still waiting for him, her eyes terrified.

"Let's go," he ordered and she stood following him.

They made their way back from where they came. There were less Death Eaters; however, there were even less people making them an easy target for anyone who saw them. James and Lily were running down a back alley that would take them back towards the book store. As they came closer to the street, James slowed down in fear.

He could see bodies covering the ground motionless. Lily ran into him not noticing that he'd slowed. She stopped when she saw the bodies though. Side by side they looked out seeing the pale faces of wizards down on the ground. James grabbed Lily's arm and crept along the walls with her.

"We make a run on three," James said and Lily nodded, "1, 2, THREEEE!"

They began running out into the street as spells raced past them. The gates of Hogwarts could be seen in the distance. But James felt Lily slipping away.

"C'mon, Evans!" he yelled to her tugging her hard.

But her hand slipped from his grasp, he spun around watching as she fell to the ground next to a group of bodies. Perhaps, she was hit. He went to grab her but watched as Lily's hands rolled one of the bodies over.

On the ground was a small girl with light brown hair and freckles. Her blue eyes were glossed over and she wasn't breathing. She was dead. James had known her. He had spent six years sitting in the same classroom as this freckled girl. They had been sorted together. They sometimes ate breakfast together. They were assigned partners for eight projects over the years. He had met her parents three years ago. They were muggles. And they were nice. But she was nicer. When she laughed, it brought a smile to everyone. And he had only seen her mad once. It was only a few weeks ago. They barely talked the last few weeks because they blamed each other for what happened with Lily. He had already missed her. He missed her laugh. And he missed her smile. He missed those blue eyes. She was lifeless now and James had lost a friend. And Lily, well, Lily lost what felt like a sister.

She was Mary.