Chapter 3:

Over the next week, the sixth year students were completing their end of year exams. Rumors of what had happened to Lily had spread around, going to the extremes of even saying that Lily had been the one to start a fight. Yet only a few actually knew the truth. When Lily's roommates had first seen her they were shocked. But they were all grateful that James Potter had been with her when it happened. None of them blamed him, especially since they knew that Lily wouldn't have wanted to talk to Snape, and that James had helped her avoid this seeing as they weren't there. But what worried them was the fact that Lily had gone silent and had thrown herself into studying for exams. This wasn't unusual but it was different to other years.

James too had become distracted. He was still the same person, but Remus noticed something was off. Especially when they were planning their end of year prank to perform at the last night in the great hall. He hadn't told his friends what exactly happened, just what they needed to know, keeping the conversations between him and Lily to himself.

"Prongs, everything okay?" Remus had asked him a few days after that day.

"What? Yeah I'm fine. Let's get this prank planning started" he had replied. James didn't know why he was do distracted, but he studied, flew through his exams and helped plan the prank as he usually would, hoping that others wouldn't notice anything different.

It was the day after their exams an exactly a week since Snape had hit Lily and James was spending some time by the lake with Marlene. They were both lying on their backs in silence, relaxing, being relieved that their exams were over.

"So how much time am I spending with you and Sirius these holidays?" Marlene asked breaking the silence.

James laughed, "As much time as you want. You know you are welcome whenever. My parents consider you as their daughter, so you would be expected to come visit."

"Aww! I love your parents. Plus you still owe me a Quidditch match from last holidays. I'm gonna kick your arse!"

"Sure you are" James said rolling his eyes, "What else you going to be doing?"

"Umm well Lily, Alice an I will probably meet up a fair bit. Do sleepovers, go shopping, the usual girl stuff."

"How is she?"

Marlene knew he was asking about Lily. When she had told her friends what had happened she included everything, including her conversations with James. Marlene knew she wanted to bring it up, especially with her, because they had a different view of James. She then remembered the conversation she had had with Alice, when Lily wasn't around.

"Do you think she'll begin to see how good he actually is?" Marlene had asked Alice.

"I'm not sure Mar. I hope so. She's been acting differently. I mean she always throws herself into studies around this time, but this year is different."

"yeah I've noticed that. It's clear she's not coping with the whole Snape thing. As much as we all hated it, he had been close with him. But I just figured that things between her and James would change," Marlene sighed. She had hope that two of her best friends could finally start getting along. Alice noticed this and put her arm around her friends shoulder, "I'm sure something is bound to happen. She just need time. And honestly, if she would stop being so stubborn, she would realise how perfect they actually are for each other."

When Marlene answered James, she kept it simple, "Yeah she's fine. It's been hard though, I mean she and the git had been close. So him punching her and acting like a jackass doesn't help."

"Am I ever going to find out what happened to start everything?" James asked. He was still curious to why Lily had had puffy eyes that night at dinner.

"Nope. There's nothing to tell. My question for you is have you even tried to speak to her since last week?"

"What do you think Mar? Of course I have! But she just keeps ignoring me! I thought things would be okay. We spoke that day, and got along. I made sure I wasn't an arse or make a fool out of myself and yet nothing! What the hell am I supposed to do? At the moment space is all I can think of!

"Wow, just let it all out there James" Marlene said with a smile.

"Sorry" he said sheepishly, "I haven't spoken to the guys about it. They don't know about the conversations we had. I reckon Sirius would just make it a bigger joke. He's my best friend, but he knows nothing about girls,"

"I was kidding. I get it and you know you can always talk to me. But seriously James, you're smart. You'll figure out how to get through to her. You know how complicated that girl can be."

"Thanks Mar, but it took me six years for any progress at all"

"The first stage is the hardest. After that it gets easier."

"Sure I will be... Ohhh shit! What's the time?" he exclaimed. Upon seeing the time he quickly rose, "Sorry, gotta go Mar. Meeting the guys!"

Marlene laughed, "Let me guess. Prank for the final feast?" she called out after him.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" he called behind him, as he ran towards the castle.

Lily sat in the transfiguration classroom by herself. It was where in the past week she had come to be alone in the past week. Professor McGonagall understood and let her be. She sat in the corner by the window just thinking. She knew that her friends were worried about her since the previously week but Lily honestly wasn't sure what was bothering her so much. She thought it could have been the realisation of the downfall with Sev. Having to go through it all again, but that had happened so long ago she honestly hadn't thought too much about it. Sure she would remember the times that they were younger and that would make her smile. But she was contempt with how things had become since their fall out. Then there was how Potter had acted on that day. She had been really confused and just didn't want to face him once she had finished talking to Professor McGonagall and had purposely ignored him when she had heard him call after her. Was she that wrong about James Potter? But one day shouldn't change anything. She knew she should talk to her friends, but really didn't feel up to it. But these weren't the only things. Outside Hogwarts, things weren't great in the wizarding world. Muggleborns especially were having a hard time, and honestly she was scared so leave the safety of the walls that surrounded her.

Lily was brought out of her thoughts when she heard from outside her door someone say, "Let's go in here, Minnie won't mind at all." lily rose as the door opened finding herself facing the marauders with Sirius black in the lead.

"Lily-flower!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw her, "Whatcha doing in here?"

Lily rolled her eyes at the use of the name Lily-flower, "Oh nothing. Just sitting in here. I'll go now if you want," she said moving towards the door.

"You don't have to. We'll just go somewhere else," James said looking her in the eyes.

Tap,tap,tap.

Lily looked away from James towards where she had heard the noise. Sitting on the windowsill was a small brown owl.

"Peggie!" Lily exclaimed. She moved across and removed the letter attached to the owl's foot. There were actually two there. Patting her owl's head she opened the first letter.

Dear Lily,

I would just like to inform you that I have been going out with a boy for quite a while now and it is very serious. If Mum and Dad have not yet mentioned him to you I would be surprised. They think he is quite good for me. His name is Vernon Dursley. I am telling you this because I know you'll be home from that school of freaks that you attend and that you'll be meeting him. When you do I want nothing about you to be brought up. I assume I'll see you in a few days,

Petunia

Lily could not believe what she just read! She scrunched up the letter and said, "Don't worry stay here, I'm going," and she rushed away from the boys. She continued running until she turned down the corridor and stopped. She was out of breath and did not want to keep going. Instead she moved to the window ledge near her and sat her self in it. Tucking away from the edge, closer to the window. She pulled out the other letter, knowing it would be from her parents.

Dearest Lily,

We are so glad that you think you did a really good job on your exams. Though we no of course you wouldn't! You are so talented an we are so very proud of you.

Everything at home has been good, your father and I have been going to the club a bit more. It's lots of fun and we've met a few new people.

As to your question, The girls of course are welcome to stay here for as long as they want. They are both most welcome whenever they please.

I know Petunia has written you a separate letter and she has insisted it be attached and sent at the same time. I'm sorry for what ever she has written but I assume it is about Vernon Dursley. He is still as bad as what I told you from when we first met him and no matter how many subtle hints your father and I drop, your sister does not seem to understand. You'll meet him when you come home.

Your father sends his love and as do I. We miss you very much and cannot wait to see you.

Lots of love,

Mum.

Lily sat on the ledge with tears in her eyes and a small smile on her face. She loved her family so much, even her sister who thought she was a freak just for being who she was. She also missed them so much when she is at Hogwarts and writes to her parents constantly.

The Marauders watched as Lily ran out if the transfiguration classroom.

"What's wrong with Lily-flower?" Sirius asked staring at the door.

Peter shrugged, "Oh who cares, she's a girl, they are always moody. Let's get ready for tomorrow night!"

"I like your thinking Wormtail! Let's do this!" Sirius exclaimed. He and Peter moved towards one of the desks pulling out the parchments that their planning is on. Remus went to move towards them but he realised James wasn't moving.

"James? You okay? You going to help?"

"Huh? What?" James asked confused.

"Are. You. Okay?" Remus asked again.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Let's do this" James said before moving towards Sirius and Peter, however not before looking at the door, which did not go unnoticed by Remus.

For about 30 minutes, the gang sat there continuing their plans for the next night. Everything was pretty much in order and they were confident they could pull it off. Throughout the entire time, however, James had been distracted. All of his friends were starting to get worried. They knew thy since the previous week something had been distracting James, but they decided to leave him be, hoping that he would talk to them when he was ready. However they had not yet and Sirius was extremely impatient, "Okay! That's it!" he exclaimed after they had finish their last minute organization. They all looked at him in shock at the outburst, James and Peter with complete confusion and Remus with a look of warning on his face.

"Padfoot, just leave it" Remus warned him.

"No way, he is my best friend and it's about time he spoke!"

James realised it was about him they were talking about, "Uh guys, I'm sitting right here,"

"Ohhh" Peter said under his breath, realizing what was going on.

"Prongs, look we're worried about you. Since last week you have been acting weirdly. So has Lily-flower. So what the fuck happened last week?"

"Honestly, I have no idea! So I told you some of what happened last week. So obviously, you know I spent some time in the library with her. Thing was we were actually able to converse, just like normal people. It felt really good. Then you, Padfoot, came in and ruined it. I stayed back after potions to try and talk an to explain to her that I wasn't trying to get information out of her, but then Snivellus went up to her. That's when I intervened. As you guys know, I had to go get her from the hospital wing. While we were in there and on our way to see McGonagall we were able to talk more. She even smiled a few times. She had asked me what why I was being so nice and I answered her honestly and I thought she liked what I said. She even tried to make sure the blame wasn't put on me! But since then I haven't been able to talk to her! She won't even stay near me! And I don't know what I actually did this time!"

When James stopped his explanation, Sirius let out a low whistle. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't know mate, just figured it would be better to keep to my self. I thought that after that day, things were going to be okay between me and her."

Peter wasn't good at giving advice or saying the right stuff in these situations, so he just patted his friend on the arm.

Remus however said, "James. She's probably just confused and going with through a rough time. Plus she's having to face Snape again after all this time. It would be hard for her. Just give her time..."

"Yeah so everyone keeps telling me," James said glumly.

"Cheer up Prongs!" Sirius said, slapping his friend on the back, "Lily-flower will come around"

Lily eventually went searching for her friends. She knew they would be starting to get worried. She found them sitting in the common room waiting for her. "Lily!" Marlene exclaimed at the same time Alice said, "Hi Lils."

"Hey guys what's up?"

"Oh nothing much. We were just waiting for you... Wait…What's wrong?" Marlene asked noticing something was up.

"Letters from home. Got one from Petunia."

"Oh god Lils. What did it say?" Alice asked gently.

"The usual. Calling me a freak. Oh and I have to be careful because that stupid boyfriend of hers will be there a lot. But you guys are welcome to come over whenever. I had a letter from my parents too."

"Damn! We have to meet him?"

"If you want to come over to mine, then you probably will."

"Ehh we'll put up with him. Just to see our Lily," Alice told her friend.

"Thanks guys. I don't think I could cope the entire break. By the way, I'm sorry"

"What for?" her friends asked.

"You know, the whole being weird thing this past week. I honestly don't even know what's going on. I think a whole bunch of different things just bundled together and I just wasn't in a talking mood. So yeah, I'm sorry."

"It's okay Lils, we figured you would talk to us when you were ready," Alice told her friend getting up to give her a hug.

"WOO! YEAH FRIENDS FOREVER!" Marlene yelled as she tackled both Alice and Lily into a hug, causing them all to squeal and fall to the floor. Lily was unfortunately at the bottom of the pile, laughing she said. "Oi! Get off me!" she pushed Alice off her, and positioned herself to get up. But right in front of her face was a hand.

"Here let me help you."

Looking up Lily saw James Potter standing over her with his hand stretched out and a smile on his face. She looked across and saw that Sirius and Marlene were laughing having their own play fight pushing each other to the ground, while Remus had just helped Alice up.

"Thanks," Lily said to James grabbing onto his hand allowing him to pull her up. When she stood, she realised how close she was actually standing to him. Their bodies were touching and their hands were still intertwined. Lily stopped for a moment, her mind wasn't processing anything, she could feel James' body move from his breathing and her heart pumping in her chest. Realising she was still holding onto James, she quickly took a few steps back, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. She kept her eyes to the floor but from the corner of her eyes she saw James run a hand through his messy hair, with a small smile on his face.

"Uhh so what was the reason you guys were playing stacks on in the common room?" Remus asked once Marlene and Sirius had calmed down.

"We were hugging! Duh!" Marlene exclaimed.

"On the floor?" James asked skeptically.

"James, have you not learnt? Never question these girls," a voice said from behind the group.

"Oh hey there Frank. Didn't see you there. Nah, I never learn, but if you had seen them you would've asked too" James told the boy who had just joined them.

Frank Longbottom was another sixth year who shared a dorm room with the Marauders. He was a bright and genuine guy who was friends with everyone, except of course the Slytherins. Frank was also Alice's three month boyfriend.

"Hey, are you questioning what we do?" Alice asked Frank. She pretended to be offended and had her arms folded across her.

"No, no, of course not!" frank protested moving closer to Alice.

"That's what I thought," se said giving him a kiss on the cheek while Sirius coughed, "Whipped."

The guys all laughed while the girls just rolled their eyes at Sirius.

"Just because you can't get a girlfriend," Marlene said poking Sirius in the stomach. She had planted herself on the arm of the chair he was sitting on.

" Marlene. How many times do I need to tell people, I do not need a girlfriend! There are things called library stacks and broom closets. So I'm all set."

"You are such a pig Sirius," Lily said to him, shaking her head, though she was laughing at him.

"Lily-flower you just have to experience this," indicating to himself, "and you'll completely understand," Sirius said.

"Ew gross! I'll take my chances with the giant squid thanks!" Lily exclaimed. While the group all laughed at her comment, Sirius faked hurt, " I have been rejected by Lily-flower, and for the giant squid too! Whatever will I do?"

"Oh shut up Padfoot!" James told his friend shoving him in the shoulder.

From this, they began to have a mock fight. Some of the first and second years who were in the common room became silent very quickly. They saw the two most popular guys in school, who were best friends, having a fight. That was until they saw all the other sixth year students around the two laughing. When they calmed down, the sixth years remained around the common room fireplace talking about their plans for the holidays and about what their final year would be like. For tomorrow was their last full day at Hogwarts as sixth year students.