Love and Other Tragedies

Previously: Callum was the bad guy all along. He was tasked with murdering her at the beginning of the year and had finally come to Lily with the intention of fulfilling his long procrastinated mission. He planned to make it look like an accident and really beat her up so it looked like she'd fallen down the stairs. Evie left Hogwarts at Christmas to become Evie Lovegood and never returned. Before the Christmas Ball Snape caught Lily topless in a broom cupboard, and when he cursed Callum a week later, she assumed it was jealousy of thinking it had been Callum he caught her with, not James.

Bill Hensley gave Lily Baker's(Harland Simmons) Ring of Honor after his funeral. He had been Baker's White Cloak partner, and he also came to Hogwarts to do a special lecture on Polyjuice Potion in DADA. After Professor Crouch was arrested by Aurors for hiding the fugitive (and her lover), Matis MacMillan, Hensley took over DADA for the remaining term. For Christmas, Baker acquired a bracelet that would fill Lily with a happy/cry sensation whenever he thought of her while he was wearing it.

Chapter Twenty

Lovely

NOW

It felt very strange that seventh year was over. 365 days had passed since Lily had last claimed her spot on the floor in the center of the Great Hall as a confused sixth year. It felt like a lifetime ago…

And yet-

It felt like yesterday. How could it feel like both at the same time?

The pristinely blue sky saluted her accomplishments spanning hard earned years, but she wouldn't have paid it any mind even if the word 'pathetic' had been spelled out in fluffy white clouds above her. There was too much to reflect on. She hoped that the magic she'd sought out year after year that cleared her thoughts and invigorated her spirit would not wear off now- not when she needed it the most.

Stretching her arms above head, she enjoyed the gentle pull from the extension of her shoulder. As beaten up as she'd been, she was all better now. Just in time to leave Hogwarts forever.

THEN

A violent rattle filled the Headmaster's Office, and Lily nervously scanned the room for the source of the disturbance.

She was alone now. Headmaster Dumbledore had made a brisk exit after her rushed, disjointed explanation of Callum Palmer's true loyalties.

Click. Click. Click. Click. The sound was a quick, sharp call against the silence.

Could he have found her here? She didn't believe that the Headmaster would leave her anywhere unsafe, but a lot of things had happened in the last hour that she didn't think were possible.

Callum had written the list:

Viola, Joshua, Camille, Kat

Click. Click. Click. Lily looked down surprised to find that it was her own hand making the noise as it trembled, bumping with spastic precision into the arm of the chair. Her other arm- the one that had been pulled from its socket- was cradled against her body like a silent infant.

The door flew open with a bang as it bounced off the wall and rebounded back at the figure who had just rushed in.

Lily tried to scream- she really did. Her mouth opened in a horrified 'O,' but no sound managed to escape. She'd passed fear ages ago.

"Lily?" It was James. He closed the door behind him searching her face. "What's going on? Dumbledore saw us coming back to the castle and sent me up here straightaway. He said not to leave until he came back. What's going on? I heard one of the other professors saying that it looked like a student had fled to the Forbidden Forest."

"It was Callum." It was all she could say. It was the only thing she could think too. Her voice was lifelessly dull. "It was me. It was always supposed to be me."

The next thing she knew she was wrapped in his arms and ugly hiccupping sobs hit her chest like tidal waves on a shoreline. She looked a fright. She knew she must, but he didn't ask. He just held her letting her shed her tears like a snakeskin. He'd pulled her into his lap, sharing the same chair she'd previously occupied alone.

When her cries quieted he nudged her forehead with his chin, encouraging her to look at him. He started to speak, but she wasn't ready yet. She pressed her lips to his in firm line. As if he could sense that's what she needed, he remained perfectly still in the unmoving kiss.

Their lips were mashed together, but they remained still with mouths closed. She fought the world off clenching her eyes shut. Maybe if they remained exactly like that forever nothing bad would ever touch them again.

"Lily." His lips spoke against hers.

A short inexplicable nod was the only reply she gave. She remained paralyzed, unrelenting from the odd kiss that grazed their lips together.

"Lily." He pleaded with her.

He wanted something she could not give him.

He didn't just want an explanation. He was asking for truth. More than the truth of what had taken place to leave her in such a state, and more than the truth of what had plagued her since Kat's death. He wanted her essential truth. He wanted to know her- all of her.

He would devour her.

Tight balls of liquid escaped the prisons of her eyelids and she choked back the defeat with a broken howl.

How could he still want this? Didn't he know what happened to people who got too close to her? They left whether by choice, death, or betrayal… They always left.

She twisted the chain that held Baker's Ring of Honor tightly around her finger, enjoying the sting of pain.

They always left.

NOW

Lying under the charmed ceiling, she still held onto the Ring of Honor like a lifeline.

Bill Hensley, Baker's Auror partner and now the interim DADA Professor, had told her that the White Cloaks believed an Auror couldn't truly rest in peace until their Ring of Honor had been given a resting place as well. Baker had been dead for six months, and still the ring hung around her neck.

It was a crutch- a physical reminder that she could touch to remind her of how far she'd come. Somehow it made it more real. There were times when Baker seemed like nothing more than fantastical figment of her imagination that she'd dreamed up. When she touched the ring it was like he was with her, always urging her forward with his little pushes.

Would he be proud of the woman she was today?

He taught her that she could be loved for the person she truly was- faults and all. He had showed her how to be brave. He'd forced her to accept just as much love as she was happy to give away. He'd taken the pathetic girl who stumbled into his life and turned her into someone who loved herself.

She'd already lost a piece of her heart. It rested with Baker in a grave she'd never see again.

And still James asked for more.

"Is it working?" The deep voice rumpled the otherwise stoic environment.

She turned her face to gaze at him, her cheek resting naked on the cold stone of the floor. A grin tilted her lips as she took in his serious and careful expression. His position mirrored hers, lying side by side so their eyes were even.

"It isn't something obvious like that." She told James with a patient smile while she ignored her somersaulting stomach. How could he still do that to her? It wasn't fair. "I didn't mean to make you think it was something so serious. I just wanted you to understand that this is something important to me…and I wanted you to come with me this time."

He sighed with content nostalgia glancing away from her and up to the illusions of the heavens.

"The very last time."

The very last time

It didn't seem real yet. The night before they'd had their very last End-of-Term Feast. Weeks ago they'd attended their very last classes. There had even been a very last Slug Club party for them to try and avoid. And later that very day they would be leaving Hogwarts for the very last time.

"I've already said far too many goodbyes. I can't think of it like it's the last. To me it's the chance to have a whole new batch of firsts." Her candid statement was a testament to the openness that had followed Callum's betrayal.

She'd told him everything, not just the things she'd been keeping from him for Remus' sake, but also the horrors that waited to ridicule her own conscious. She'd been the one to unwittingly point Callum in Kat's direction. She'd learned a lot from Remus though. Taking on the blame for things beyond your control was a fruitless mission, one that only achieved more heartache. Kat wouldn't have wanted that for either one of them.

"You'll get a lot of firsts right off the train; first time meeting your rakishly handsome lover's parents, first long term stay at casa Potter, first chance to start your life away from Lovely Lily." The smile tugging at his smug lips told her just how much all those things pleased him.

"Temporary stay, Potter." She corrected him sullenly. "It's just till I figure out…"

There were too many things she had to figure out to list. Her frown was superficial though. Deep down she was comforted by a content hum that promised everything was going to be okay.

"Do you regret it?" He checked her expression carefully, searching for signs of second thoughts.

She didn't need to ask to know exactly what he was talking about.

"No."

THEN

Lily strode confidently away from the interview she'd just completed. Yesterday she'd finished her education with the all consuming NEWTs, and now she'd endured her first real job interview. It all felt very adult.

The June sun beamed down hot on the fabric of her nicest robes, and she didn't look back at the magical tent that had been erected for the interview. It was done. There was nothing she could do to change her answers, even if she had regretted them.

"Evans, hey!" Someone called at her back. "Blimey, you're fast."

She turned back to Professor Hensley, surprised to see him so soon after facing him in the panel of Aurors assigned to select possible trainees. He'd been a big help explaining the circumstances of Callum's attack and how she'd escaped. His colleagues had seemed impressed she'd managed to evade harm without a wand.

She thought it would have been more impressive if Callum had actually been apprehended afterwards, but no one seemed overly concerned by the fact that a seventeen year without a completed education was still on the run. If Callum was as smart as he thought he was he'd be long gone, far away from the troubles of Europe where he was hunted by both sides of the war.

"I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon." She offered a half smile to the man that had finished her DADA education over the final month before NEWTs. He was a good teacher, and it was easy to see him and Baker being friends when they were White Cloaks together.

"Well, we're a pretty decisive bunch. When we know, we know." He caught up to her with a firm grin, and didn't seem winded in the least by chasing her.

"But my NEWT results won't be back for another a week."

"And that's why we can't officially offer you a spot into the exclusive Auror training program." His grin broke over his teeth into a real smile. "However, unofficially we can't wait to have you. Despite real hardships your marks remain top notch, and you've got that grit that we look for in potential trainees. After all the other interviews we've conducted today, you can safely assume you'll be the only Hogwarts graduate receiving an invitation."

Lily's mind flashed to Kat's face, and without a doubt she knew she would do whatever she could to stop Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As an Auror she could really contribute to the war. Her work would mean something. She would make a real difference.

"No." Her voice shook at the enormity of her decision. It was hard to choke out. Getting a chance to be an Auror was one of the highest honors given in the wizarding world.

She would have been good at it just as Baker had been, and she would have been just as miserable. Being an Auror was about sacrifice. It was about repressing your true self to fit into the mold of a soldier, someone to act without question and follow without looking. Baker had just about been destroyed by it, and it was her final gift to him that she didn't do the same.

"I'm sorry, what?" Hensley looked startled, completely perplexed by my denial. She couldn't imagine the last time the offer had been refused.

"I mean, I'm honored…but no thank you." She walked away from the Auror feeling lightheaded from the heaviness of her choice. The war was fought on many fronts. Just because she wasn't going to be the public's interpretation of the first line of defense didn't mean that she was going to sit idly by while monsters terrorized innocent people. There would be another way for her to help, and it would be the right way for her.

Her head was held high, and she had every intention of leaving him standing there when suddenly the errant strings of a long forgotten question pulled at her subconscious.

Spinning around, she made no move back towards him, instead speaking across the distance that stood between them.

"Did Baker ev- I'm sorry, I mean, did Harland ever tell you how he got that scar on his face?"

Hensley shook his head, not in denial, but as if trying to clear his mind from strangeness of their entire conversation.

"I believe it was from a nasty spill he took off his parents' roof as a child. Not surprising really, considering how much he loved heights. He was always trying to get me up on a broomstick, but I can't stand the things." He smiled at the memory, remembering the friend he'd lost just like Lily had.

She nodded once, leaving him standing there again without a word. She knew what it was like when there wasn't a thing in the world someone could say to make it better.

NOW

"What's that?" James asked of the unnoticed parchment sticking out of the pocket of her robe. It was folded and still sealed from its long journey by Owl to reach her.

"I finally heard from Evie. It came last night, but with strict instructions to wait for today to read it." She broke the seal without hesitation, giving it a quick glance before looking back up at him. "Would you like to hear?"

"Have you heard some of the things that come out of that girl's mouth?" He asked jovially. "She's more entertaining than a game of Exploding Snap. We used to take bets on who would crack first at one of her comments."

Lily rolled her eyes, but began reading aloud anyways.

"Dear, Lovely.

The hunt for the ever evasive Crooked Finger Monkey continues-"

"It does not say that!" James cut in roaring with laughter.

She hushed him before continuing.

"It's a thankless mission, but one that could save many lives if the Crooked Finger Monkey will agree to take us back to its hive… The distance has been good for me. Sometimes it doesn't even feel like our Kitty Kat is gone at all. I'm always thinking of things I want to tell her later, and it's sad to remember that I can't.

"I hope you don't hate me for not coming back. I'm being a bad friend all over again, even though I'll know you'll never tell me so…I'm so happy with Xeno. The places we visit are never bogged down by the sadness that floods home.

"I wish I could be with you today. It doesn't seem fair that you have to go through it alone. I suppose you've grown so used to unfairness that you don't even realize it anymore. You've lost so much, but yet somehow you remain so strong. You deserve all the fairness in the world.

I love you, Lily. Congratulations, and I will cherish our kiss forever."

Her blush at the last sentence didn't go unnoticed by James, who lifted a curious eyebrow in her direction.

"It's almost time for breakfast. We should go." Ignoring his stare she began gathering her robe, placing the refolded letter back in her pocket.

Once they were both standing, he placed a hand on her arm, slowing her process. His handsome features bowed in concern.

"Are you okay? I know you were hoping she'd come back for today."

Her false cheerfulness deflated from her chest, and she relaxed in the comfort that she didn't have to fake with James. She could be exactly who she was and he'd only ever love her more for it.

"I'm a bit sad, but at the same time I guess I'm a little…relieved as well." Her hair was gaining its previous bounce again, and the muggle dye had faded almost completely. "She's missed so much. It's kind of like we left her behind, and I've gone through too much to move backwards."

He nodded like he understood even if she really didn't fully comprehend it herself. They linked hands, and Lily left the Great Hall for the very last time.

"I am glad to run into you." Piper said in way of a greeting when they nearly barreled over her just outside the doors. She didn't seem at all curious as to why they'd been in the Great Hall so early.

Her perfectly smooth robe put Lily's to shame, and she'd even taken the time to charm out the wrinkles trying to look nice for the special occasion.

James' approving chuckle was exaggerated by the nostalgia of the day. Everything seemed a little more unique and amusing today.

Piper didn't have time to gather herself before the Head Boy had pulled her into a friendly hug. Piper's posture remained as stiff as ever, but for the first time Lily caught of glimpse of real horror on the Hufflepuff's face. It was the most awkward exchange she'd ever seen.

James stepped away nonplussed by her reaction (or lack thereof), and Lily bit her lip to keep from giggling.

Piper stared pointedly at her with dread.

"We don't need to do that, do we?"

She let her laughter go, shaking her head and freeing Piper from any more displays of affection.

"I'm really glad we got to be friends, Prescott." Lily told her feeling the same nostalgia that infected James pour sincerity into her words.

"I feel the same as well." Piper replied clinically. "I did not know if we'd see one another before leaving so I had already prepared an Owl to notify you of my new location. I will be pursuing a Muggle medical degree in Psychiatry. I hope we will keep in touch."

Suddenly Lily was rethinking her decision not to hug her friend when she had the chance. Before this year she could have never imagined the ache she'd feel at the thought of no longer having Piper Prescott in her life.

The beautiful blonde seemed to sense Lily's oncoming emotional outburst as she looked nervously towards the doors offering her an escape.

"I'll write you as soon as I get settled, and I expect to hear all the little details of your new Muggle life. I am a Muggleborn, you know." Lily handcuffed her hands together behind her back to restrain her from grabbing Piper. Her eyes burned dangerously at their goodbye.

"Good. I am glad that we agree to uphold correspondence." Piper nodded once sharply before darting towards the door, only stopping to make one last remark. "It was very nice knowing you, Muggleborn."

James didn't say a word as he recaptured her hand and pulled her in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.

She'd said so many goodbyes lately, some far more permanent than others…

THEN

James and Lily were bookends to the final prefect meeting. He sat at one end of the long table, and she mirrored him at the other. The discussion, the rules, the decisions were all the same. It was only the location that was different.

When some of the prefects had approached her about holding the last meeting in Professor Slughorn's office, the same magically enhanced space that held Slug Club parties, she'd been reluctant but put it to a vote anyways. She'd been shocked when the overwhelming results had been in favor of the change in venue.

James had merely shrugged as unaffected as always, and the meeting had been moved much to Slughorn's delight.

"..Your duty for the year isn't complete until you step off the train which means badges are still mandatory for the duration of the day." The Head Boy commanded the room with ease as the meeting began to wind down.

Lily watched her peers' faces as they listened intently. Being the Head Girl had been her dream for as long as she'd been at Hogwarts. She'd craved the leadership, the importance of it with all her being. And then life had changed and things that had been so vital before began to fade.

When she'd accepted the position she'd made it something that she wanted to excel at all over again, but as she looked around it was impossible to tell if she'd made any kind of lasting impression at all. Had she been any more memorable than Camille Collins or any of the other nameless girls that had come before her?

James finished, but remained standing as she pushed out of her chair. He gave her a firm nod, concluding that everything that had needed to be said was finished.

"Thank you all for an-…unforgettable year." She gave them a dry smile that a few sheepishly managed to return. "Be safe over holiday. I expect you all to uphold the standards of a Hogwarts' Prefect throughout every part of your life, whether you're returning in September or you're moving forward with your life as an adult… With that I officially call to a close the 1978 term."

It was silent for a moment. Everyone staring at one another not knowing how to proceed, and then Astrid brought her hands together sharply. Her clap was joined by many, and she and James weren't the only ones standing anymore.

A smile lit her face as she looked towards the Head Boy. They'd received a standing ovation! But then she noticed that James was staring at her like all the rest of them and his claps moved right along with the noise. No, she was receiving a standing ovation…

The sound grew into a loud roar as other students poured into Slughorn's office, and it looked like all of the seventh years had joined the prefects. Now everyone's insistent on changing rooms made sense, and of course Professor Slughorn would agree. It was a Slug Club party that no one would skive off.

For once she let herself enjoy the festivities, managing to get through the night without getting drunk, having a panic attack, falling asleep, or bursting into tears.

Three hours later the party showed no signs of slowing down, and Lily had to excuse herself from the dance floor for a breather. Spotting Sirius and Peter on a couch in the corner, she joined them.

"You're just going to leave poor Prongs to slow dance all by himself?" Sirius narrowed his eyes at her, scandalized.

Every day it seemed the situation with the Marauders got a little bit better. It wasn't immediate acceptance, but they were definitely moving in the right direction.

"Why don't you go join him?" She smirked. "We all know you're a better dancer than I am anyways."

She should've known that Sirius Black would never back down from a challenge, and before her very eyes she watched him detour James back out onto the dance floor. They unveiled a surprisingly polished routine without breaking their concentration once. Most of the other seventh years dancing around them didn't bat an eyelash at their behavior as if it was common place.

"Why do I get the feeling this isn't their first waltzed together?" She questioned Peter as she settled beside him on the couch where the seat was still warm from Sirius.

His boyish face blushed horribly from some Marauder tale that she didn't know, but she no longer felt the same envy that had haunted her for so long. She'd learned the hard way that some of their stories were better left unheard, sometimes for purely legal reasons and sometimes because they created mental images she would never be able to forget.

"I didn't see Remus sneak out." She observed after looking over the crowd twice and not finding the fourth Marauder. "I guess we should just be thankful he came at all. He seems like he's doing a bit better lately."

Peter was silent again, nodding at her statement while chewing at his bottom lip nervously.

"Is something wrong, Peter?"

"I'm really glad you're alright." Expelling a gusty breath, his rounded face remained tight with things unsaid.

Grimacing, her hand went to her now healed arm as if calling attention to the events that had transpired marred them with pain all over again.

"I'm glad no one else was hurt…It's hard not to feel guilty though. Callum was my friend. I should have seen it, but now it's like I never really knew him at all."

"Why do you think he did it?" He blurted the question out like it was burning his insides.

She contemplated a long time before answering.

"Callum did what was best for him." It was the simplest truth of all.

The jittery movement that fluttered constantly through Peter halted as his brows creased together with seriousness.

"Do you think he's evil?"

"He was most certainly capable of evil, but then again, I think almost everyone is." She reasoned calmly. "What he was trying to do was evil, but it's hard to view him as soulless when he was trying so hard to protect his family. He made a decision to become a Death Eater out of selfish reasons, not because he was monster."

The uncharacteristic calm still ruled over Peter as she watched his face contort with deep thought.

A sweeping black movement at the corner of her eye distracted her though, and she turned to watch the back of Snape's inky black hair disappear out the door across the room. Thoughts of Callum and Snape swirled together in her mind. They were completely different men who had taken such similar paths.

"I'm feeling kind of knackered. You don't mind telling James I left, do you?" She was already easing away from Peter's strange reverie, her full attention had already moved on to the realization that had just walked out of the room.

"S-ss-sure." Peter agreed instantly snapping back into the usual nerves that ran up and down his body as swiftly as a current.

Once she was free of curious eyes in the hallway she raced in the direction leading to the Slytherin Common Room. It didn't take her long to catch a glimpse of his billowing robe, and she called out to his back loudly.

"You knew all along, didn't you?"

His forward motion ceased instantly at the sound of her voice, but he didn't turn around to face her. The orange ambience cast by the torches swelled around them in the quiet.

"That's why you cursed Callum before the Christmas Ball. You weren't being jealous. You were warning him away from me because you knew he'd been assigned to murder me." There was no appreciation in her words, only accusation.

Still facing away from her, she could only see the rapid huff of his shoulders as his breathing increased in an emotion she no longer knew him well enough to detect.

"Look at me!" Ugly rage consumed her at the sight of his uncaring back and she unleashed another shout. "Fucking look at me."

Finally he gave in, turning with controlled disinterest. An indifferent mask fitted tightly over his features. She barely recognized him anymore.

"Quit protecting me, Severus." Her anger had been shoved back in line, creating a deadly calm that echoed through her soundly. "I'm just like every other filthy Mudblood that you hate so much. My mother and father were as muggle as you can be. They watched the telly, and loved taking car rides, and my Da was silly over football. They were MUGGLES and my father died trying to save my mum's life, which is far braver than anything most wizards will ever do.

"Those muggles you and your friends are so quick to belittle have managed to not only survive without magic, but thrive! They live, and love, and die just like all those who boast about their supposedly pure blood."

Something dawned on her as she continued, her eyes widening with realization.

"The real truth is that you fear them, isn't it? You're just a bully on the playground doing whatever you can to feel superior to someone, anyone, so you pick on those you think are weak.

"Those people that you're so quick to condemn are my family. I'm a MUDBLOOD, the daughter of muggles and the granddaughter of muggles without a single drop of magical blood to be found for centuries, and I'm the Head Girl. I'm the one who got invited to Auror training. I'm the one who received more OWLS and better NEWTs than any other student in our year.

"So quit pretending I'm somehow different than all the rest of them, or that I deserve to be saved. I am one of them, and I wouldn't change it for all the pure blood in the world."

His dark eyes were hard, letting the truth she poured out bounce off his armor without touching him. It was too late for him. He was lost to the hate. She didn't understand why he kept trying to save her.

"Just let me go, Sev." She pleaded for the both of them, and for a second life sparked in his unfeeling gaze. "I'm not the one who needs saving."

NOW

Hand in hand James and Lily arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room. After a quick argument over who got to say the password (which James won), they entered the rowdiness of every Gryffindor ages twelve to eighteen trying to collect all of their lost belongings that had scattered over the last eight months.

"Doesn't look like they've finished yet." He said after they'd fought their way through the swarm to stand at the mouth of the dormitory stairs.

The Marauders were absent from the rambunctious throng, and James stared up the boy's stairs longingly.

"Please go make sure they're not booby trapping the dorm for next term. Those poor first years might never recover." She gave his sturdy shoulder a nudge up the stairs. "I'm going to go make sure all of Kat and Evie's things were moved out."

She hadn't been back to her old room since Kat's death, and she didn't exactly know what to expect as she pushed open the familiar door. She knew that Marley had stopped using the dorm after the loss of her last roommate, but Lily still wasn't quite prepared for the emptiness that greeted her as she stepped inside.

That one step she took was as far as she got. There was nothing left for her there. Without Evie, Kat, and Marley it was just a room. Next term it would be someone else's.

Back down in the Common Room she waited for the Marauders as her peers slowly drained out. Her trunk and Snitch's crate were already on the Hogwarts' Express waiting to greet her in London.

"Took you lot long enough." She griped at them when they finally made their way down. "Did you have to have one last pillow fight for old time's sake?"

"Don't play coy, Lovely." Sirius shot back with a sly smirk. "We all know the real fun happens up in the girl's dorm."

James barked with laughter at the innuendo of the kiss they'd interrupted with Kat. "Merlin, Lily, I'd forgotten about that. Have you snogged everyone in our year?"

Sirius was the only one to join in James' humor as Lily, Peter, and Remus all flushed scarlet. James had taken to teasing her at every opportunity about her wandering lips ever since she'd filled him in on the accidental Peter kiss.

"Oh bugger off." She declared grabbing him by the shirt sleeve and dragging him out of the common room knowing the others would follow.

The good natured joking didn't stop until they exited the castle, and made their way over to the lake. Seventh years were scattered in small groups up and down the rounded shore, and Lily and the Marauders made their own spot to themselves.

"How long until the ceremony starts?" She quietly asked Remus as James, Sirius, and Peter took turns cursing one another to see who could withstand whatever pain they concocted the longest.

His hair had a reddish tint in the afternoon sun, and though the warmth brought rosiness to his cheeks, his skin was still sickly pale.

"The Headmaster's speech will start any minute, but the boats probably want leave for a half an hour." His eyes never left his friends.

Could it really be over? She took in the majestic sight of Hogwarts greedily, storing each detail in memory.

Her gaze lingered over the tallest tower, and her hand clenched around the Ring of Honor.

"Where are you going?" James called after her after she'd suddenly fled her spot with Remus and headed back towards the castle.

"I forgot something." She said truthfully over her shoulder. There was no time to stop and explain. "I'll be back before the boats leave."

Sprinting around corners, racing through short cuts, and running up what seemed like a million flights of stairs, she finally arrived at her destination gasping for breath. The open turrets that surrounded her in the tallest tower created a wind tunnel blowing her hair and clothes wildly around her. A small ledge opened up under one of the openings, and without time to rethink her decision she crawled out of the safety of the castle.

On her hands and knees she followed the small ledge which slanted upwards until it peaked in the tallest point in all of Hogwarts. Taking deep calming breaths, she kept her eyes glued to the sturdy roof underneath her hands and far away from the endless drop to the ground.

Situated at the peak, she pulled the necklace off and held up the Ring of Honor until it was even with her eyes as it glittered prettily in the sun.

She absolutely positive that Baker would've been laughing his arse off if he could've seen her right then. She wouldn't have put it passed him to come up with this elaborate ruse about a love of tall places just to give her a good fright.

"I'm leaving Hogwarts today, and I think-…" She trailed off. Her words were spoken to the ring, but they were meant for Baker. She started over. "I miss you every day… But I think- I think it's time for me to let you rest. You can stay here in your favorite spot at the tallest spot in all of Hogwarts."

She looped the chain she'd worn for so long around the peak with the ring dangling flat against the tower. She cast every spell and charm she could think of until she was positive that the ring would never be disturbed.

Pulling back she looked at it one last time, and a sensation so strong it nearly knocked her over exploded in her chest. It welled up violently, lodging in her throat. It was the same unnatural feeling she'd gotten on Christmas when Baker had worn his charmed bracelet and thought of her at the exact same moment she thought of him.

Somewhere out there, beyond this world, Baker was watching her, and she knew without a doubt that he was proud.

There was no time to enjoy the knowledge. With less concern for her safety she slid back down the ledge and was tearing through Hogwarts in no time at all. She charged out the front doors onto the lawn towards the Dark Lake with a burst of speed.

Dumbledore's speech was over, and boats already speckled the lake filled with seventh years making the same journey they'd made as first years but in reverse. They'd come full circle. Tiny and scared, they'd once been welcomed by the same boats that now came to wish them farewell.

Only two or three remained pushed on the shore and Lily launched herself into the one occupied by the four Marauders before it could leave her.

"Cutting it a bit close there." Remus told her with an old half smile. He and Peter faced forwards on the first or two rows, while Lily squeezed between Sirius and James on the second.

"I made it." It was easy to return his smile, and as the boat magically pushed into the open water with all the others, she could fully appreciate the meaning behind the words for the first time.

She repeated the sentiment with pride.

"We all made it."

Lilythought of all those who had made this journey before her. The world that had waited for them beyond the lake had not been shrouded with darkness and mystery. She envied them. They would never appreciate the bright optimism that left their futures unblemished and clear.

Not her generation though. No, they would only be known for their tragedies.

In the boats around her students all looked back at the home they left and the memories that would soon fade. Some turned around fully to gape at the distance that grew between them and Hogwarts, while others held off as long as they could before casting a glance over their shoulder as if they were just checking to make sure that it was still there- still real.

Everyone eventually looked… but not Lily.

She didn't need to look one last time. She had an entire future ahead of her, waiting at the end of the short boat ride across the Dark Lake. It wasn't like she was really leaving anyways. Hogwarts would always be a part of her, living inside of her just like Baker, Harvey, and Kat. It was part of who she was now.

She laid her head on James' shoulder, wrapping their hands together in his lap.

The class of 1978 would always be known for the things that they lost.

Looking up at James, her eyes studied his face and a gentle smile tugged at her lips.

She could only hope that love would find its way into their legacy as well.

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Author's Note: Well that's the last non-epilogue chapter of LAOT. I can't believe it's over. I really truly couldn't have done it without you guys. Seriously, if I had this kind of support for my original fiction then I'd have actually completed something by now.

I know there's only an epilogue left and there's not much incentive to review, but it would mean a lot to me to hear from all of you that have made this long journey with me. Thank you for your support.

If you can't think of anything to review about I'd love to get feedback on:

The different format of the chapter with the "Then" and "Now"- Did it kill the flow? Was it confusing? (I've never done a chapter like this before)

Lily's last goodbyes to Baker; turning down the Auror position, the scar, and the Ring of Honor's final resting place on the tallest tower of Hogwarts.

Lily and Snape's last showdown

Don't forget about the new Behind-the-scenes!