Heya Everyone...

Thanks to ebonbon for the review. Really glad you liked the last chapter...

Chapter 71:

James woke up early the next morning and as usual he decided to go to the pitch for his normal. He didn't bother waking Holly as she probably hadn't gotten much sleep the night before what with the party and everything. Besides it's been ages since they threatened my life…

He made his way through the corridors. Everywhere was quiet – no one else was awake. James sighed, he couldn't believe how fast the year had gone. Instead of running circuits of the pitch, James decided to fly over the grounds. He flew happily over the lake and over the waterfall that he knew Lily was so fond of. The sun was beginning to rise – he could feel it's heat, his back was to it – when he heard a rustling noise coming from the edge of the forest. He flew slightly lower so that he could see it. He looked down into the trees and saw a small group of Slytherins gathered together in a clearing. He grabbed hold of one of the trees and decided to sit on a branch high up, out of the sight of the Slytherins.

"Is everything ready?" Malfoy asked.

There was a murmur of agreement, "we think so."

"We think so isn't good enough – I want that bitch dead," Malfoy shouted.

"I still don't understand why we have to kill Evans. She's irrelevant…" Snape was wimpering.

"It's proof – you need proof if you want to join him. Snape we all know about your weird association witht the mud-blood but it's over… the Dark Lord has asked for her head."

Snape looked close to tears.

"Do you want your mark or not, Severus?" Narcissa asked.

"Yes," Snape whispered.

"Then you have to give him the girl," she replied almost kindly.

"Right – so Snape you are going to bring her up to the astronomy tower?" Malfoy asked.

Snape nodded.

"Good."

The Slytherins dispersed. James sat in absolute shock at the top of his tree. Why would they need to… the dark lord… he wants her dead…

James flew down to the ground as quickly as he could and ran up to the castle, bloody hell I need to warn her. The Gryffindors were sat in the Great Hall eating breakfast. Lily had just stood up to leave when James ran up to her, "Can I talk to you?"

"Why?" Lily frowned; I hope he doesn't ask me out AGAIN.

"It's important, please…" There was something in his eyes that made her nod. Perhaps it was the clear panic.

"Be quick," she told him. "I'm going to the library – you can walk me."

James fell into step with her as they left the Great Hall. "What's this about Potter?"

"I overheard a conversation this morning in the forbidden forest," he began.

"What the hell were you doing in the forest!"

"I wasn't – I was just flying over the top of it," James tried to explain, "Look never mind. That doesn't matter."

"Well I'm listening," Lily was impatient.

"It was a group of Slytherins…"

"So… Look this better be good Potter!"

"They were formalising a few details on their plans for tonight. They are going to… they are going to hurt you." He couldn't say the word kill. "I need you to stay away from all the Slytherins tonight… even Severus… please?"

"Severus is my friend! Why don't you understand that! He would never hurt me!" Lily practically screamed. "What so you just want me to stay in the common room all night?"

"Yeah – look I know it sounds ridiculous but I… I'm serious. Please believe me?"

"James – I'm a big girl. I can look after myself…" she replied before walking into the library, leaving James to his worrying. Shit!

James and the marauders were in their dorm room. James was pacing the room, "what the hell are we going to do?"

"I don't know man!" Sirius frowned.

"Maybe we should tell Holly," Remus suggested.

"We can't – after what happened last time she'll put my safety first. We have to save Lily." James sighed.

The other boys nodded. "Where are they going to be?" Peter asked.

"Astronomy tower," James replied.

"Ok well we've got the map – that's an automatic advantage…" Peter smiled.

The other boys nodded. James stopped pacing and looked out the window, "Ok I've got a plan."

The marauders looked at him expectantly. "We get the others to watch Lily – try and keep her away from Snape… we don't need to tell them much. We should probably tell Alice. Then we wait it out in the astronomy tower under the cloak, "he pointed to himself and Sirius, "and you two wait in one of the empty classrooms over in that part of the castle with the map. Depending on how many of them come – you either come help or go get help."

The boys nodded. "Good job we know non-verbal spells," Remus said, "it will help against the older students."

James smiled, but it lacked any true emotion. His eyes told the truth – he was terrorfied, "What if we can't save her?"

"We will," Sirius replied, "failing isn't even an option."

James ran down the stairs to find Alice. She was sat with Frank in the common room. "Al can we talk – alone?" James asked, "Sorry Frank."

"Sure thing," Alice smiled, "My dorm or yours?"

"Yours. The marauders are in mine."

She nodded, before leading the way up the stairs.

James smiled, "I need a favour."

"Anything – you know that…"

"It's about Evans. I think the Slytherins are up to something. Tonight can you try and keep her in the tower? Even if Snape comes for her – keep her here?"

"I'll try… You're really worried aren't you?"

"Yeah…" James replied honestly.

"I'll do what I can," Alice smiled. "Knowing you – something I pride myself that I do quite well – you're going to do something wreckless to try and save her aren't you?"

"Hopefully I won't need to," James replied.

Next Chapter...

1. SAVING LILY'S LIFE!

2. SAVING LILY'S LIFE!

3. SAVING LILY'S LIFE!