Chapter 17

"How does she not know?" Sirius asked incredulously, "You've been prefects since fifth year! Plus you were the only marauder that she liked until last year!"

He, Remus, James and Peter were sitting in the boy's dormitory, discussing the approaching full moon. Remus was already beginning to look pale, dreading his transformation.

"You know, he has a point," Peter said, "This is Lily Evans we're talking about. She must have figured it out."

"Plus she was friends with Snivellus," Sirius added, "he must have said something."

"Well she didn't seem to know last month and she was okay with me missing out on patrol," James told them.

"But she's not dumb, she'll figure it out and she'll hate me!" Remus hung his head looking at his bed covers, avoiding eye contact with the others.

"Like Peter said, this is Lily we are talking about! She won't hate you!" James exclaimed.

"Yes she will. I'm a monster."

"Moony, don't you dare say that!" Sirius, who was close to yelling at Remus, exclaimed.

"You aren't a monster," Peter added.

"Well what are we going to do?" James asked, wanting to move away from arguing whether or not Remus was a monster.

"There's two choices," Sirius said "we could just tell her or just let Prongs say he has another guys out with us. Technically you aren't lying," he quickly added before James could interrupt.

"Moony, Padfoot is right. I can tell her we have a guys night out, but she's going to figure it out. But she won't hate you or be scared of you or anything when she finds out."

"How do you know?" Remus snapped, then withdrew guiltily.

"Because I know Lily, and so do you. She's one of the kindest people we know. And you know that."

"She couldn't hate anyone," Sirius added.

"No," Remus said firmly, "we aren't telling her. Please just tell her that we have our usual night out. It's so much better than the truth."

~~~/~~~

The hallways were silent except for the footsteps that echoed through the corridor. It was dark, and the pair walked guided by the few torches, that were lined along the walls, and by the moonlight which shown through the large windows.

They held each other's hands and tonight had luckily found no one else to send back to their dorms, not even Sirius. It meant they could probably head back to their common room soon.

"Hey Lily?" James said breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay if I were to hang out with the guys tomorrow night? It's our usual guys night only."

"Sure, no problem at all. Is it similar to what you guys did last month?" she asked.

"Yeah pretty much," he told her, "you'll find it's a once a month occurrence. The guys are particularly demanding it now I have you."

Lily laughed at that.

"Of course they are," she said, "well I'm just better than them."

"That you are," he said as his voice changed, becoming rough.

He stopped pulling her around to face him. Their bodies touching, he brought his lips down to hers. She welcomed the kiss, but didn't let it deepen. Instead she moved her hands to his chest and pulled away.

"Later," she told him.

"Later?"

"Later."

With that, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips before turning and walking away.

James stood, stunned for a brief second, before he followed after her.

They continued to walk around for about half an hour more before, in James' opinion, they finally made it back to their dorm. They walked through the portrait hole and closed the door behind them. Hearing the door click, Lily took James' hand and led him down the hallway.

They only made it a couple of steps before James stopped and pulled her back so that their bodies were right up against one another. Their hearts beat fast and the heat radiated off one another.

"Is it later yet?" James asked, his voice husky obvious he was trying to keep it in control.

"Oh I believe it is," she responded as she took both his hands within hers and began to walk backwards. Grinning up at him, she led him towards the couch.

It wasn't before long they made it to the couch, and Lily fell back, pulling James with her.

His lips found hers almost immediately, and together, they slid down onto the couch completely to make themselves more comfortable. Their lips moved in sync with one another while their hands roamed the other.

Lily had her hands beneath James' shirt, on his defined body. His muscles felt amazing, for she could feel the curve of each of his abs. At the same time, James' hand was sliding down her leg lifting it up so it would around him as he moved closer to her. She gasped, but did not complain. Her gasp allowed James' tongue to slide into her mouth, deepening the kiss. His tongue massaged hers and she let out a moan of pleasure. Her arms moved up, wrapping them around his neck, pulling him closer. It didn't matter how close they already were, it wouldn't be enough. She needed him.

James' hands tugged at the bottom of Lily's shirt and she lifted her arms up allowing him to lift it over her head. In no time at all, the shirt was unceremoniously thrown to the floor next to the couch. Lily now lay beneath James in her skirt and a black lace bra. James moved away to look at her properly.

"God, Evans. You're going to be the death of me," he groaned, before moving back towards her. His lips moved down her body and his hand cupping her breast, massaging it. Lily's hands were in his messy hair.

He was at her stomach, his kisses leaving a trail of tingling sensations from every touch, when Lily muttered, "we should stop."

"Mmhmm," James agreed before his lips were back on hers.

She kissed him back, unable to stop her self from the immediate response. However, she was able to stop and pull away before letting it go too far.

"James," she said, her voice soft but clear.

"Mmm?" He looked at her directly in the eyes and knew she was right, knew they needed to stop before they went too far.

"Right stop," he continued to say as he burrowed his head into her neck, "God you're beautiful."

He then squeezed himself down the side of the couch, lying on his side. Lily before turning to face James reached across and retrieved her wand. Conjuring a blanket, she placed it on both of them and made her self comfortable. When Lily was no longer wriggling to find a comfortable position, James wrapped his arm protectively around her. She was his, and he was hers. Nothing was going to change that. Lying where they were, the two fell asleep in front of the dying embers of the fire.

~~~/~~~

TWO DEAD AND THREE MISSING

Auror's were called in to investigate the Douglas case. Mitchell Douglas, Ministry worker, age 40, was found dead in his living room along side the oldest of his three children, Marie, age 15. His wife Therese and other two children, Max and Louise, are currently missing. From what the auror's have revealed, more than one unforgiveable curse was used on both Mirchell and Marie…

Lily placed the Daily Prophet down on the table, unable to read any more of the article. It was the third similar report of that week, and it was clear that there were many more to come.

She tried not to think about it, but it was hard not to. A war was brewing and she knew she had to protect herself and those she loved. It was times like these she wished she could simply contact her family to make sure they were all okay. It was hard to imagine receiving a letter one day with dreadful news.

Shaking her head, Lily attempted to remove any of those sorts of thoughts from her mind but it was hard. It was at that moment two people sat down either side of her.

"Perfect timing," Lily said, giving her companions a smile each.

"And why is that?" Marlene asked, but was able to answer her question by simply looking at the paper in front of Lily.

"Oh," she said.

"Hunnie, no. No thinking about that stuff today," Alice said as she wrapped her arm around Lily's shoulders.

"Yeah," Marlene agreed, "this is our girl's day!" She exclaimed as she high fived Alice.

Lily couldn't help the smile that came to her face, "girl's day?" she asked curiously.

"Yup. We overheard James tell the others that guy's night is set, so we told him that we're kidnapping you for the day. And technically I'm also kidnapping Alice too."

"Wait, how are you kidnapping me too?" Alice asked incredulous, "I came up with this idea with you!"

"Well technically you need to be kidnapped away from Frank."

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do!"

"No!"

"Yes! You're as bad as Lily and James!"

Lily who had been shaking her head at her friends cut in, "Hey! What does that mean?"

"Nothing, nothing," Marlene said grinning.

Sighing, Lily asked instead, "so what's the plan today?"

"Well we hadn't really decided," Alice said.

"Just as long as no boyfriends join," Marlene added looking pointedly at both of her friends.

"Okay, okay we get the point," Alice said.

"Well its cold outside so I would prefer to stay inside," Lily said.

"Well you're no fun. But yes I agree," Marlene said.

"Take over the heads common room?" Alice suggested, "that way we have the fire, exploding snap and unfortunately we have homework to do."

"Why did you have to say that!" Marlene complained.

"Well it's true."

"Doesn't mean you need to remind me."

"Well too late."

"Okay, okay. Alice is right Marlene. But I like the idea. We can do our homework and talk. All we have to do is ensure that none of the guys come in," Lily interrupted.

"Oh that's easy," Alice said quickly.

Both Lily and Marlene looked at her, confused.

Alice nodded her head down the table. Walking into the Great Hall at exactly at that time was the marauders and Frank. The three girls watched as they all walked towards them.

They sat down opposite the girls, immediately piling food on their plates.

"Do you guys ever not eat?" Lily asked.

"Nope," Sirius replied right before stuffing food into his mouth.

"Well on that note, we're off," Marlene told the boys before dragging Lily to stand up with her, "We're taking over the heads' dorm so you aren't allowed in. Girls only today."

"Well you aren't fun," Sirius complained.

"Sure, sure," she responded dismissively.

The three girls were now standing and had turned to leave.

"Lily, wait," James said from behind them. He too now was standing.

She walked back to stand opposite James. At the same time they leant across, allowing their lips to meet.

"Have a good day," he murmured against her lips.

"I will," she responded quickly, kissing him one more time before turning to leave.

Marlene linked her arms between both Alice's and Lily's, dragging them towards the entrance.

"And this is why we need a girls day," Marlene grumbled.

Before leaving the hall, Lily looked over her shoulder. James was staring down after them. She winked and he grinned.

Unbeknown by the two, someone else caught the gesture between the two and wasn't happy at all.

~~~/~~~

The first stop was the Gryffindor tower to allow Marlene and Alice to grab some books and food from the stashes in their dorm. Then it was onto Lily's dorm where they immediately threw their stuff to the floor and made themselves comfortable in front of the blazing fire.

"So Evans," Marlene began.

Lily laughed, she knew exactly where Marlene was going.

"Yeah McKinnon?"

"Some juicy details if you will. Have you shagged him yet?" Marlene asked as she winked.

"Marlene! No!"

"Well you're no fun. Details then missy!"

"Just some really good snogging sessions. You know I'm not just going to shag him!"

"Yeah, well I still had to ask!"

As the two went back and forth between one another, Alice watched Lily closely.

"You really like him don't you?" she interrupted.

"Yeah. I really do. I mean he was a prat and arrogant, but I guess you guys were right and I was just trying to convince myself that's all he was."

"Wait what?" Marlene asked, "Are you saying that you did see the good that we told you was always there?"

"Well, uh yeah. Of course I could. Everyone could. He's loyal and really intelligent. I spent most of the time convincing he was only that arrogant toe rag. I mean in a way he was, always asking me out and hexing people in halls. But you guys were always right. There was another side which I kept ignoring."

Lily said all this quickly. It was something she had thought about a lot since she had been going out with James and it was a relief to get it off her chest.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Marlene asked as a rhetorical question slamming her head against the couch.

While at the same time Alice asked, "Snape was a reason, wasn't he?"

Shrugging Lily responded, "Well a bit, yeah. But he was my friend. You can't blame me for that. Wait, you can but not the point right now."

"We don't have to talk about him, Alice said softly.

"No it's okay. I actually havent told any of you guys, not even James."

"Haven't told us what?"

"After our last potions class, when I told you guys to leave. He, uh, came up and spoke to me."

"And said what," Marlene's eyes narrowed.

"Uh, well he wanted me to break up with James."

"Are you serious?" Marlene asked disbelief clear in her voice.

"Yeah. Well apparently I'm dirtying the Potter line just by dating him."

"Eurgh stupid purebloods!"

"Marlene, I'm a pureblood," Alice pointed out, "and so is James and Sirius."

"You know what I mean! Just them, the Slytherins. Those who think they're better than us."

"What'd you say to him," Alice asked.

"I told him to leave me alone and then I left."

"Good. He has no right to talk to you," Marlene claimed, "not after fifth year and punching you last year."

"Yeah, uh, new topic..." Lily trailed off feeling uncomfortable. She didn't mind talking about James, but she couldn't handle Snape. It was still hard to think about the person who used to be her best friend.

The conversation moved on. Alice was the next to be interrogated by Marlene about how every with Frank was going, followed by Alice and Lily ganging up to question Marlene about her and Sirius.

"There's nothing happening. He's like my brother," she would claim to the disbelieving Alice and Frank.

For the next couple of hours, intense games of exploding snap and gobstones took place and as much as the girls didn't want to, their homework soon followed.

At dinner, the girls were joined by the marauders. James sat down next to Lily and Frank next to Alice. As soon as James had sat down next to Lily he wrapped his arms around her waist. She welcomed the embrace and leant into him.

~~~/~~~

Lily walked alone. It was odd for her to be doing the late rounds alone. She could have, and probably should have asked Alice to join her, but she figured nothing bad could actually happen. The worst she would have to deal with was a few people sneaking out to either meet with one another or to go get food.

Her mind was reeling with the news of the dead and missing people. The war was brewing and everyone knew it. She was sure that not everything was being put in the papers, but only enough to let everyone know what was happening. She had once been told that no one would care that she was a muggleborn. To the most part this was true, all her friends accepted her, but there were those who did. It was mainly the 'pure blood' Slytherins who would put her down. But the bullying inside Hogwarts was nothing compared to what was happening outside the walls. The half bloods, muggleborns and even the 'blood traitors' had to be on alert, because it was them in danger.

As she continued to walk around, she hadn't seen anyone. She walked down the corridors, making sure no one was out or in any of the classrooms.

It wasn't until she reached a corner in an area that was no where near any of the teacher's offices or where anyone would usually be that she heard foot steps.

"Hello? Who's there?" she called out.

Laughter ensured from both in front and behind her and it was not a moment later that figures began to emerge from the shadows.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," a husky voice said from within the shadows.

As they stepped closer, Lily could make out who they were. Standing in a semicircle around her was Bellatrix Black, Lochlan Avery, Chris Mulciber, Regulus Black, Evan Rossier, Emma Nott and Severus Snape.

It was Avery who had spoken, him standing a step in front of the others.

"Shouldn't itty bitty mudbloods know not to walk alone at night," Bellatrix added from behind, taking a step forward.

Without hesitation, Lily retrieved her wand from her pocket and held it up. She was in a bad spot, stuck in a corner but at least none of them were behind her.

"You aren't allowed to be out of bed, you know," Lily told them, trying to keep her voice stable, but knowing her voice quaked a small amount.

"Who's going to stop us? You?" Avery sneered.

"We just want to talk you know," a girlish voice added, it was Emma.

"Talk about what?" Lily's eyes narrowed. She looked across to Severus. She didn't know what to expect, it wasn't like he had ever stood up for her in front of his 'friends' before. When she looked at him, she received nothing in return. He wouldn't even look at her, his eyes were locked on the ground.

"Your blood of course. The Potter's may be blood traitors, but you being with him, you're dirtying a good pure bloodline."

"And because that's your concern? Who I'm going out with? I'm pretty sure that's none of your business."

"Oh but it is," Bellatrix responded, "you see, all purebloods are connected, and we can't afford for any line to be dirtied."

"You guys are sick. You know that right?" Lily taunted.

"Say that again, mudblood," Bellatrix said raising her wand moving even closer to Lily.

Lily in response lifted her wand even higher, now pointing it directly at Bellatrix. The others all raised their wands in response pointing them directly at Lily.

"Calm down, Bella," Snape's voiced drawled from behind.

"Stop protecting the mudblood," Bellatrix snapped.

"This is ridiculous," Avery said, "we came here for one reason and one reason only."

Turning to Lily he continued, "Break up with Potter if you want to know what's good for you and good for him."

"Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"Yeah it is."

Lily went to take a step and out of the corner of her eye she saw movement of a wand being raised, quickly casting protego a shield protected her from the spell that had been cast.

"What the he-" Lily started to exclaim. But before she could finish her sentence, another voice sounded from one of the Slytherins.

"Crucio."

She had no time to react, and instead fell to the floor writhing in pain. It was too much for her to handle. The pain was so intense, she didn't know where she was anymore or those who were around her, all she cared about was wanting the piercing pain covering her skin to stop. She held her lips close together, refusing to give them the victory of screaming aloud. But it was too much, and the scream escaped.

~~~/~~~

"Is it time yet?" Peter asked eagerly.

"Nearly," James said back, "he's probably being led out there at the moment. We'll get going in a few minutes."

"Great!"

Sirius pulled out a piece of parchment tapping his wand against it saying, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." As he said those words, ink appeared magically, spreading away from the point which his wand touched.

"Okay, well looks like he's already there. Madame Pomfrey is back in the hospital wing."

"Let's go then!" Peter said enthusiastically.

"Okay, okay, we're going," James said as he lifted up a cloak from his bed.

The moment those words came out of James' mouth, Peter transformed into a rat. Sirius, picked up Peter and together with James walked out and down the stairs into the common room. Right before they exited, James threw his invisibility cloak over himself and Sirius, and with that they walked out.

As per usual, they met no trouble as they walked to the Whomping Willow. Before getting too close to the tree, Sirius placed Peter on the group, who scampered until he his the knot on the trunk. With that the moving branches, froze in place allowing the two teenagers to move into the passageway beneath the tree. As soon as they entered, the two also transformed into animals. James into a stag and Sirius into a black dog. The three then made their way further into the tunnels. Through the tunnels, crying noises echoed around them. Remus' transformation had already begun and he was already partially a wolf.

They hurried down, knowing that when the others were there, they could help control him. Once he was fully a wolf, James and Sirius would guide Remus to the forbidden forest where they could run around freely. Sometimes it was hard to keep the werewolf in line but together, as larger animals, James and Sirius could do what was needed.

The night was no different to any other full moon. When Remus' transformation was complete, the others led him away from the Shrieking Shack. Reaching the forest was Sirius' favourite part about the full moons. He loved being able to run free. Sure, there would be the injuries every so often, but to him they were worth it. It was worth the risk to help his friend. Yet at the same time, his animagus, the dog, really did suit him and his playful manner.

At one stage during the night, Remus became extremely irritated. He clawed at himself and the ground. When either James or Sirius had moved closed to try and stop him, he would bare his teeth warning them to stay away. They weren't sure what to do. They knew if they moved closer a fight would break out, but they couldn't allow their friend to hurt himself like that.

It was James who took the risk to move forward to stop Remus, as he was the bigger animal he could do more to help. He dipped his head down nudging the werewolf with his antlers. The wolf growled at the stag, angry to be interrupted. He slashed out, his claws scratching against the side of the stag. Blood began seeping out of the wound, but luckily for James it wasn't bleeding too much.

The black dog barking loudly, moved towards the wolf to protect the stag. Together the stag and the dog nudged and worked on either side of the wolf to control him and get him to calm down. It took a bit, but they managed to.

The hours ticked by, and it was getting close to the time to move the wolf back to the shrieking shack. The two larger animals, with the rat on the wolf led him back down the tunnel. The transformation back to being Remus started and the others left him to it. As soon as they were human again, James grabbed his side.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed as he looked down at the scratches on his side. It was still bleeding, but only a small amount. The rest of the blood had dried up around the wound. He tried to move but every step he took, pain shook through his body. Noticing the pain in their friend, both Sirius and Peter moved to their friend's side helping him to walk. Covered by the invisibility cloak, they slowly made their way back to the boy's dormitory in the Gryffindor tower.

When they got there, the two carefully placed James on his old bed, making sure the wound wasn't touching any surface.

The pain was clear on James' face but it was something he had, unfortunately, been through before.

Peter went straight to the Sirius' trunk where he found the Dittany. He hurried back, and applied some to the scratches. The pain subsided, and it wasn't before long the other two collapsed on their own beds and drifted to sleep.

~~~/~~~

All Lily could hear was the cackling sound of Bellatrix and a deep husky laugh of males.

"Heed our warning, Evans," a voice told her before all that was left to hear was the echo of footsteps walking away from her.

On the floor, curled in a ball, Lily didn't want to move. She was in too much pain for that. When she had fallen to the floor, she had landed on her wrist. Pain shot through both her wrist and arm every time she tried to move it.

While she remained on the ground, Lily wondered what would be better. Waking up Madame Pomfrey or going in the morning and just say she hurt her wrist while falling over. The second idea seemed better. That way she wouldn't break down or have to explain anything else to anyone. She knew it wouldn't be wise to tell anyone what had happened. If this was just a warning, who knew what they would do if anyone found out the truth.

Using her good hand, she managed to push herself up off the ground. It took a lot of effort and she had already been weak. Spotting her ward a distance away, she carefully retrieved it.

Looking at her wrist and the wand in her hand, Lily deliberated. Perhaps she could heal it by herself. But she didn't want to take the chance of doing something wrong. She had never performed the magic on herself before.

Using the wall to remain standing, Lily slowly made her way back to her room. Passing through portrait of the owl, she went straight to her room and landed on her bed. Only removing her shoes before climbing underneath her blankets.

Putting her wrist in a position that she wouldn't hurt it, Lily tried to sleep. But sleep never came. At least not for a long time. She wanted to toss and turn to make herself more comfortable, but it was impossible without hurting her wrist.

When she eventually fell asleep, she dreamed of being trapped in a corner, surrounded by masked people. She screamed aloud and her eyes shot open.

It's just a dream, she thought to herself.

No it wasn't. It happened, the threat is real, a tiny voice said back.

Bellatrix's and Avery's words echoed through her min.

"You're dirtying a good pure bloodline… Heed our warning, Evans."

She would have said that it was just an empty threat. But she knew it wasn't. They had already proved that... proved they would use the unforgivable's to get what they wanted.

Lily didn't want to break up with James, it would hurt her too much to do so. Since they had been together, she was the happiest she had been in a while. She didn't want to, no couldn't tell him what had happened. He would do something to retaliate and she didn't want to think of what they would do back to him.

There was only one thing she could think of for now. She would ignore him, and try and avoid him as much as possible. She knew it was going to be hard. But Lily figured she had no other option.

Hello :)

Here is my chapter finally! I am so very sorry that it has taken me so long!

I hope you all enjoyed it. I don't usually ask, but I would love some opinions, things you like, don't like would likt to see, etc :)

Black-lightningrunes xxx