Author's note: I'm uploading so many chapters in about one day, but I've always enjoyed writing (whether I'm good or not I kind of want to keep going) so please do read…I want to know what people think! Also, I'm not going to hate too much on Peter or make out the others didn't like him…I think the worst part about his betrayal was how much they trusted him. Plenty of dialogue in this, because I like writing it and when I read fanfics, I like lots of dialogue. (Sorry for the long note).

Disclaimer: JK Rowling invented every name you've seen so far, anything that may seem to be off her work is just because I felt it fit better with my own story

The first week at Hogwarts went quite quickly. Lily was so busy with her classes she sometimes forgot to be sad, which absolutely devastated her. One of the days, she found herself properly laughing at something Alice has said. It almost felt like a betrayal to her dad. She knew he wouldn't want her to be miserable, but to be happy? She couldn't be happy.

Her life had taken a strange turn, she had listened to James's advice and tried harder with her friends. Especially Remus, who she knew needed him as much as he needed her. He would always need someone to support him, and she hadn't been of much help since he found out she knew he was a werewolf. Therefore, she had resolved to at least spend more time in his presence. This of course meant Mary and Alice getting to know Remus a little better, and also getting to know the other Marauders a little better. Lily herself already knew them all of course because of their pranks on her over the years, but found herself getting to know them all a little better.

Lily thought that Sirius was the clown of the group, but thought deep down he had a good heart. Peter was shy, but well-meaning…he could be very sweet. He also absolutely idolised James, Sirius and Remus. Remus, of course, was the same as he ever was. Quietly funny and clever. James, on the other hand, was a different story. Lily always sure he had very surface based emotions, but often found him talking passionately about the war and how Muggleborns were not at fault. How most were better than pureblood wizards. She also didn't miss that he often glanced at her when he said things like that.

However, despite trying very hard to include herself in her friendships groups, and still doing well in her classes. Lily still found herself staring into space, having no idea that people were talking to her. She found she would be having a conversation with Alice or Mary or one of the Marauders, and she'd zone out altogether. Her friends didn't miss this either. They knew she was trying hard, but sometimes she'd look so sad it would break their hearts. They didn't miss the tears that sometimes snuck out of her eyes. Or the moments where she'd jump because someone made a noise and she was so overwhelmed by her own sadness, that it terrified her to be shocked back to reality. They honestly didn't know what to do.

Lily had gone downstairs early for breakfast on Saturday morning, and was a little surprised to see Sirius in the common room.

'Ah Evans, is James on his way?' Sirius asked.

'Didn't see him…I think he's still sleeping.'

'Not surprised I guess, it's basically midnight.' Sirius said, gloomily.

Lily couldn't help but laugh at that, and Sirius looked slightly surprised.

'If it's so early, why are you up?' Lily asked.

'Don't really know to be honest, just couldn't get back to sleep. Peter snores.' Sirius replied, by way of explanation.

'Oh. Well…I guess; you could join me if you'd like? For breakfast?' Lily clarified.

'Erm, okay. Yeah. Okay.' Sirius said.

'Oh please. Do try and curb your enthusiasm.' Lily replied, dryly.

'No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just, you've never really liked me. I'm surprised you want to willingly spend time with me.' Sirius said, looking confused at his own honesty.

'Never liked you?! You dyed my hair green in second year.' Lily exclaimed.

'I thought it would go well with your eyes.' Sirius replied, innocently.

'And then in third year, you tried to spike my drink with Firewhiskey.' Lily said.

'Well, I thought you looked a little sober.'

'I was thirteen.' Lily said, laughing a little.

'Ah, but it's never too early. I seem to remember however, someone tying my laces together the next day in charms class. I fell straight onto Pansy Olson and grabbed her boob, and she still glares at me whenever I see her.' Sirius claimed.

'You couldn't honestly expect me to not fight back a little.' Lily said, smiling.

They walked down the corridors together, discussing pranks of the past. Both agreeing that Sirius had matured a little more this year, then disagreeing when Lily said not enough. Lily found it strange that she could talk to Sirius so easily.

'Evans, I like you.' Sirius said.

'Well, that has been said before. Though Sirius, I just don't see you in that way. I'm sure one day, someone will.' Lily said, smirking.

'Oh very funny. Excuse me for trying to pay a girl a compliment.'

Lily properly laughed this time and again, Sirius looked shocked at the sound. Lily wondered if she hadn't been trying hard enough this past week.

Sirius and Lily continued with their conversation for quite some time. Not realising that more and more people were coming down to breakfast, and staring at the two of them together.

'I want to say something, but I fear it'll bring the mood down.' Sirius said.

'Go on…', Lily said, expectantly.

'I wanted to say…I'm sorry about your father. I haven't said it and I should have. I can't compare myself to your situation, because neither of my parents have died but I can assure you, they believe me to be dead to them so I have in a way, also lost my parents. So I'm sorry and I'm sorry I never said it before.' Sirius finished.

'Er. That's…nice of you to say.' Lily replied, quietly.

'I know you don't like it being bought up. I know you like people to pretend it hasn't happened, and to treat you like normal. Trust me, I'd rather not be mentioning it now. But I felt you should know, though I may not be the most likely of friends. I know what it's to lose family, I lost my family when I was put in Gryffindor. So I'm here if you need me.' Sirius said.

'Thank you.' Lily replied, a little surer of herself now. 'I struggle with his death every day, every day I question whether I should even be here or whether I should be at home with my mum and sister. Not that Tuney really wants me around anyway.'

'I think there are people here who are glad you came back to Hogwarts.' Sirius said, thoughtfully. Lily smiled at him and thanked him again for being kind.

Just then, Alice burst into the hall and looked astounded to see Lily sitting with Sirius. She ran over and sat next to Lily and then stared at Sirius.

'It's a shock to see you with him', she said.

'And it's a pleasure to see you too, Alice.' Sirius said, sounding rather amused.

'I didn't mean it like that', Alice replied quickly, whilst blushing. 'I just meant that…it was nice to see you getting on for once.'

'Yes', Sirius said, nodding his head gravely. 'Lily and I were just about to get it on.'

'Oh shut up, Sirius.' Lily said. 'He's kidding Alice, we were both just up early and thought we may as well get breakfast together seeing as it was just the two of us'.

'Ah Alice, do you see what she's trying to do? Pretend like she isn't in love with me.' Sirius mocked.

'Though it may wound you to know, Black, but the whole of Hogwarts isn't in love with you.' Lily said, half-teasing, half-exasperated.

'That's what you think.' Sirius responded with a wink.

Over Sirius's shoulder, James appeared looking enormously unhappy.

'Lily. We have a Head of house meeting with McGonagall in ten minutes.'

'Oh yeah. Let me just get my things.' Lily replied.

They walked in silence to McGonagall's office and she couldn't help herself wondering why he was suddenly being so off with her? Was there a particular reason? She knew people had mostly been walking around on eggshells around her, but to ignore her completely was like being confronted with the old James again.

'I don't have long.' McGonagall said, upon entering the room. 'Fill me in on this past week as fast as you can.'

Lily and James quickly went over the week's events, and spoke briefly about the upcoming Hogsmeade visit in October. They mentioned that they'd sorted the corridor patrols with the Prefects and would be distributing the lists to her and everyone else that evening, when they've been finalised.

McGonagall seemed to only one issue.

'It seems you two will not be patrolling together?' She questioned.

'No.' Lily said, 'we thought it best to split the Head Girl and Head Boy up.'

'Hm. Well usually we have them patrolling together, and if you wouldn't mind I'd like to keep it like that.' McGonagall said.

'Whatever you'd like.' Lily answered, easily.

'In that case, you're first patrol is tonight with James. The others can look at the lists and be able to carry out their own patrols for the rest of the days from then. Do let me know if any issues arise.' McGonagall finished, getting up and walking out.

'That was quick.' Lily said.

James just made a grunting noise.

'Well, erm, I think I'm going to go for a walk.' Lily said, thoroughly confused as to why James wouldn't talk to her.

'Aren't you meeting Alice or Mary?' James said suddenly.

'I don't think so, no. I'd like a little time alone.' Lily replied.

James just grunted again in response.

Back in the Gryffindor Common Room

'Prongs mate, why aren't you answering me?' Sirius whined.

'What?' James snapped, causing Remus and Peter to look up in surprise. James rarely lost his temper, especially with any of them.

'Woah. I'm sorry. Am I meant to have done something?' Sirius snapped back.

'No, Padfoot. You…do something wrong? Heaven forbid. Not Sirius Black, the only one who can make Lily laugh these days.' James said, bitterly.

Peter made a little 'ah' sound looked back down at his Herbology essay, his eyebrows pinching together in concentration. Remus also nodded slightly and looked back to his book.

'Oh I see.' Sirius said.

'See what?' James snapped, again.

'You've been trying so hard this past week to try and get Lily interested in anything and to join in on the conversation, and you've decided that because we had one okay conversation…it's like I'm trying to steal that from you?' Sirius said.

'Mate, I was watching you. She looked happy to be there. Content in the conversation and people were talking about how you actually got her to laugh several times.' James said.

'Don't take this the wrong wa-', Sirius started.

'Don't say anything then.' James interrupted.

'Sorry, Prongs. This has to be said at least once. Have you ever considered, for just one moment, that someone can't just get over the death of their father? Did you watch the whole conversation, or walk in just behind Alice and see her laughing? Hear rumors from other people? Because let me tell you one thing. Lily was hardly in the conversation. I admit, she was more present than she has been this past week, but whenever the conversation died out a little her face immediately fell. She is struggling to be happy, to find happiness in a world in which her father isn't in. And did you consider for one second that just maybe, I know how she feels?' Sirius was saying.

James looked like her wanted to interrupt, but Remus told him to let him continue.

'Thank you, Moony. My family may not be dead, James. But they consider me to be dead. Do you know how that feels? Have you ever really asked? I know we talk about it, and I say I'm happy to not be like them but that's not always true. I consider you family, mate. I consider your family my family, but that doesn't stop a little bit of me from missing mine. I don't even get to acknowledge my own brother when I see him in the corridors. So maybe Lily saw just a tiny bit of the sadness she was feeling, inside of me. Maybe she realised she wasn't completely alone in her grief. I don't know, all I do know is that for one hour…she looked a little happier. It felt nice to be the one who made her look that way, seeing as I have often been the one to make her sad or angry these past years.' Sirius finished.

'I didn't realise you felt like that.' James replied, sadly. 'You could have told me.'

'It's not something I enjoy discussing, I prefer to joke around and have a good time. It's not always easy though.' Sirius said, seriously.

'I just want to be the one to help make her happy.' James said.

'Mate, you will be. I got her to be happy for a little while. Another day, Alice will make her happy. Or Remus. Or Mary. Or Peter. Or you. And eventually the period of time in which she's unhappy will get shorter, until it's only for a fleeting moment. Sometimes she'll go days without thinking about it. For now, she's too wrapped up in her own grief and guilt.'

'Guilt?' James asked. 'Why on earth would she feel guilty?'

'You know the answer to that yourself. She's magic. If she had what her father had, she's be cured. Also, she's here and her mum's at home. She misses her.' Sirius answered.

'Guess you know her better than I do. I'm sorry, Pads.' James said, once again sad.

'I could never know her better than you.' Sirius said, laughing. 'I just know a little about losing a family.'

From that moment on, James and Sirius never argued about Lily again.

Extra note: Please, please review It would mean a lot for you to, and to follow this story as well! I hoped you liked this chapter! The next one will focus on the first Lily and James night patrol.