Disclaimer: All mentioned characters are property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 6. Ugly mornings

The next morning, James was determined to set things right. He still didn't understand what in merlin's name was going on. But she had told him that she loved him, and he was not just going to let that go. There was no bloody way in hell that he would just let her walk away now. After she had ran off last night, he had pounded on her door to talk to her. When she didn't answer he had seriously contemplated blasting the door off its hinges, but thought better of it at the last second. As he went back to sit in his own room, glancing at the Marauders Map, he realized that she had already left her room and was currently with Dorcas and Marlene in the seventh year girls' dorm.

Making his way into the great hall, his eyes zoomed in on her as if drawn by some magnetic force. And so, without noticing the tense atmosphere in the great hall, nor who else was around, James hastily made his way to her, dead set on figuring this out. Now.

"Lily" Came James' voice from behind her "we need to talk." When she didn't react, he tried again. "Please, Lily."

"I'm kind of busy right now James." She replied, eyes still fixed on the Prophet open before her but sill clearly avoiding him.

"It's important."

"So is a balanced and healthy breakfast, or so I've heard."

"Damn it Lily! You can't just tell me you love me and then expect me to disappear!" He was yelling now, growing impatient despite promising himself he would stay calm.

Suddenly, losing interest in their own discussions, the seventh year Gryffindor's heads all snapped up, as well as all students that were in earshot. Snape, that had been walking nearby, faltered in his step, quickly glaring in their direction, before balling his fists and continuing to his table. Really, the whole situation would have been quite comical, if it weren't that Lily wanted to bury herself six feet under.

"What!?" Exclaimed Dorcas, Marlene, Sirius and Peter in unison. Both Lily and James ignored them, although Lily grew bright red.

"It doesn't matter James, it doesn't change anything." She whispered her eyes trained on his feet.

"Seriously Lily!? I don't get this! One second we're getting close, and I'm thinking 'finally I get my chance with the amazing Lily Evans', then the next second you're completely avoiding me, giving me the silent treatment - and merlin knows what for! And then you're yelling at me and then telling me you love me! And now! What? We're back to you ignoring me!?"

"James, please. Just leave it alone"

While still bobbing his head between Lily and James as if in the middle of a particularly dizzying quidditch match, Sirius leaned towards Remus whispering loud enough for the others to hear. "I wonder how that would go? You know, the yelling then the 'I love you!'?"

"Shut up Sirius." Remus answered, clearly unamused.

Understanding dawning upon his face, Sirius turned fully towards his friend "You know something about this, don't you?" His attention was rapidly called back to the arguing couple though, when James continued.

"No Lily! I can't just - let this go!"

"James just... argh! Just forget it ok? It was stupid!" And with that she pushed up and stormed out. As James turned to follow her though, Remus' voice turned him back around.

"Mate, just give her some time."

"What the bloody hell Remus? I've given her time! Seven damn years of time! What more does she want? What more can I do!?"

"Well to be fair, you only started asking her out - what was it?" Sirius says looking toward Peter "Middle of fourth year?"

"Nah, I'd go pretty much since the beginning of fourth year." He answered, chuckling.

"Ok. So you can hardly say it's been seve - "

"SHUT UP GUYS!" James and Remus cut them off.

Turning back to James, Remus continued. "I don't think this is about what you can do James" and then looking down at the paper in front of them "I think it's about what she can do."

"What? That doesn't make any sense Moony!" Sirius cried out looking back to James. Following James' gaze though, his eyes finally fell upon the paper Lily had abandoned at the table, the paper Remus, had been trying to make them notice:

'NO ONE IS SAFE!

The massacre of renowned author Miranda Goshawk, best known for her work on the Standard Book of Spells collection, and her soon to be muggle-born husband, was discovered late last night. Until recently, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named rarely killed Pure-Bloods, such as Mrs. Goshawk, stating that it would be a shame to waist such blood. It is believed however, that her death was to serve as a warning for Pure-Bloods choosing to ally themselves with those of muggle descent. The recent increase in deaths of Pure-Bloods...'

"Well this can't be good..."

"Shut up Sirius."

Miranda Goshawk: Born in 1921. She was the author of many charms spellbooks. Many were to be used as Hogwarts textbooks, such as The Standard Book of Spells collection. She also wrote Goshawk's Guide to Herbology and a the third volume of the collection Which Owl?

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