Thanks to Bookwurm1612 for the amazing review...
Chapter 72:
The rest of the day went ridiculously slowly. The marauders sat at dinner with Holly and the other Gryffindors. James frowned as he watched Lily, looking for a sign that she wouldn't risk her life to prove him wrong. He never saw a sign – if anything her expression looked resolved on proving him wrong. James stood, "Come on guys – I want to go to bed early tonight and we've still got to do our charms homework."
The other marauders stood up as well. Lily watched as the four marauders and Holly exited the Great Hall. "Holly I think we'll be staying in the common room tonight – so you've pretty much got the night off," James smiled.
"Ok – if you need me," She began.
"I know where you are," James finished.
The boys quickly made their way up to their dorm to collect the map and cloak. "Right so everyone knows what they're doing?" James asked.
"Yep boss," Sirius saluted him.
James didn't even smile at Sirius' joke, "good." He then covered Sirius and himself in the cloak, "Let's go." They climbed out of the common room through the portrait hole and began the trek to the astronomy tower.
"What are we going to do when we get there?" Sirius asked.
"We'll sit and wait for them to arrive," James replied.
"Yes but what will we do to pass the time?" Sirius asked.
"I don't know – I'm sure you'll come up with someway to entertain yourself."
"You really are worried about her aren't you?"
"Why won't I be? James asked.
"Because she hates you," Sirius answered.
"She doesn't…"
"Yes she does James. There's no point denying it. She can't stand you."
"Well, just because she doesn't like me very much isn't a reason for me to hate her," James explained.
"She'll never like you James," Sirius told her.
"Don't you think I know that," James frowned.
"You actually like her… Alice and Kate… and Emmie… they were all right weren't they?"
"I don't know what you mean," James lied.
"Don't lie to me, James. I'm your best friend… You like her?"
"I don't know… I guess… maybe… when she's not cutting my head off," James whispered.
"She's hot, I get it," Sirius nodded.
"I don't think it's that. I mean she is… but… I don't know why I like her."
Sirius nodded once more. They were now sat in a hidden corner of the astronomy tower.
"I didn't know… not until erm… her birthday," he ran a hand through his hair. They were still under the cloak. "You remember the roses. I realised just before she got the black one…"
"Great timing Jim boy."
"Thanks man – now she thinks I… even if I somehow became her friend… and believe me I know it would be a bloody miracle," he said before Sirius could open his mouth, "She'd never date me."
Both boys sighed, "auck well just think soon there will be new first years to date and kiss and…"
"Shh…" James cut across him.
"James I wasn't going to say what you…"
"Just shut up! I can hear voices," James whispered.
"Oh," Sirius frowned.
Remus and Peter were sat in the empty classroom staring at the map. "The Slytherins are moving," Peter pointed at a group of dots.
"How many of them are there?" Remus asked, looking at the large group of dots.
"Not sure; Malfoy, Black… there has got to be at least seven… maybe even ten."
"Heck," Remus frowned, "I think we need to get Dumbledore."
"But… come on their just students like us. We can do this… Just think we can use the non-verbal spells."
Remus sighed, "I don't know Pete…"
"Come on Rem."
"What are we going to do tonight girls?" Alice asked.
"I was going to go make out with that Hufflepuff third year I was telling you about," Marlene replied.
"Not tonight Marlene," Alice laughed, "tonight's girls' night."
"Ah shame… he's pretty awesome… oh and he kisses like…"
The girls giggled at Marlene's inability to finish her sentence.
"Come on Lily, are you in?" Alice asked.
"Don't have anything better to do," Lily sighed.
A couple of girls walked into the common room, "Evans – Severus Snape is outside!"
"Oh," Lily smiled, "I better go see what he wants. I'll be right back."
"Lily – please don't go," Alice frowned.
"Why?" Lily raised her eyebrow expectantly.
"I – please I…"
"You spoke to Potter?" Lily glared at her friend.
"Well yeah," Alice began, "but he's really worried Lils."
"I don't care. Sev is my best friend. I trust him… a hell of a lot more than I trust Potter."
Lily stormed out of the common room. Severus was waiting there for her. "Sev, what do you want?"
"I was wondering if you want to hang out," Severus asked.
Lily briefly thought about what James had said but pushed the thought away, "sure. Give me two seconds."
Lily poked her head round the portrait hole, "Guys – I'll see you later. I'm going to go spend time with Sev."
"But Lily," Alice began but Lily was already gone.
"Bloody hell," Alice said jumping to her feet.
"What's going on Alice?" Kate asked.
"Lily – she's in danger," Alice began.
"What?" Mary almost screamed.
"James told me that the Slytherins are going to hurt her tonight. I was supposed to keep her away from the Slytherins… even Snape."
"Lily knows this?" Marlene asked.
"Yes – he told her but she refused to believe him."
"Always the fool when it comes to Snape," Mary whispered.
"We better follow them," Marlene said standing out and taking out her wand, "We have to save her."
"Where do you think they went?" Mary asked.
"Don't know," Alice replied.
"We should try the waterfall – she's always there," Marlene suggested.
Alice nodded. They quickly made their way out of the common room and down the corridor. They practically ran when they heard Filch's voice from down the corridor somewhere. They finally made it into the grounds. They could see two figures walking in the distance, "is that them?" Mary asked.
"I think so," Marlene replied.
"What are we going to do when we catch up with them?" Alice frowned.
"I don't know," Kate laughed bitterly. "We'll have to just think on the spot."
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