A/N: Hello! I hope whatever you've been doing, it was great and if you're having a bad day then I promise eventually things will get better. Strong people carry on! Anyway, as you know, J K Rowling owns the Harry Potter franchise and I thank you for reviewing, favourite-ing and following. It is super-mega-foxy-awesome! I digress, enjoy!

JAMES' P.O.V

I cannot believe it, it hasn't even been 48 hours and she's already back in the Hospital Wing. Worst of all, besides the fact that she's lost almost all of her blood, is that Madam Pomfrey has no idea what caused the wound to bleed so much. There is only one conclusion: a spell. I'll bet Snivellus made a spell and used it on her.

Madam Pomfrey listened to my story where I found Lily in Snivellus' arms. She raised her eyebrows but didn't question what I'd seen. After a short while, Moony enters the Hospital Wing. When he sees Lily, he pales.

"What happened to her, Prong?" he manages to stutter.

"I don't know, I saw her in Snivellus' arm a while ago. She was drenched in her own blood and fading fast…"

"Merlin…" Moony breathes, watching Lily's chest go up and down with shallow, raspy breaths.

"Madam Pomfrey's been doing her best but she's lost so much blood. We… We weren't sure if she'd pull through. We're still not sure."

"Professor Dumbledore…?" he asks, hopeful.

"Away on business."

I try not to break down, but I don't succeed.

"Prongs, I'm sure… I'm sure there's a way. Madam Pomfrey's never failed before and there've been loads of people much worse off and they're fine now. Lily… Lily will be okay. She's tough. She won't… She won't…" he can't choke out the words.

He doesn't have the heart to accept the possibility that she might not make it.

"This is all Snivellus' fault," I say bitterly.

"I don't know Prongs," Moony says uneasily. "I hate to say it, but Snivellus loved… loves Lily as much as you do. He wouldn't do this out of spite."

I scowl. "He could never love her as much as I do. Never. Have you forgotten the Epiphany of the Soul? That happened to me not him. He doesn't love her like I do. If he did, he wouldn't have let me take her here, he would have done it himself. He wouldn't have cursed her with whatever that was. He wouldn't have caused her so much pain."

"There are different kinds of pain, Prongs."

"I know… But nobody can cause a human being so much pain. It isn't possible."

"What I'm trying to say, Prongs, is that there's physical pain like cuts and bruises but when the people you love or loved are causing the pain, it hurts a million times more."

"So you're saying… Lily loves Snivellus."

"Not in the way you love her," he says hastily, "but yes, I think it's safe to say that she loved him in some sort of way. But… that's Lily. She loves everyone. Even the people she's never met. She just loves people and animals alike. She'd do anything to save a life, I know she would. That's just the way she is, she loves too much. You can't help liking her."

I feel a bond between Moony and I. He understands. I wrack my brain to think about what he's gone through, beside the whole werewolf thing, I couldn't think of anything. Then I remember… When Moony had transformed once, on a full moon, he had escaped into the forest. Lyall – his father- had barely recognised him and had called Moony as he was a werewolf, "soulless, evil, deserving nothing but death".

Moony told me that that's exactly what his father had said to Fenrir Greyback – the werewolf which had bitten Moony. I think Lyall thought Moony was Greyback, so he shouted the insult back at him but… Moony never really forgave his father for comparing all of his kind. It scarred him. He thought he was a monster, it didn't matter how much Hope (his mother) told him otherwise, he thought he was soulless, evil and deserving nothing but death. Though Lyall apparently told him that he wasn't like that, I don't think it was whole-hearted. Nevertheless, Lyall loves Moony. It's just… Having a werewolf son can't be easy.

The fact that Lyall said that reminds me of Snivellus calling Lily a Mudblood. They both meant it, sort of, it was energy and anger towards a situation which they had no control over. Lyall because it wasn't fair that he had to move from town to town every time somebody noticed their son's strange behaviour and Snivellus because he can't be with Lily and be accepted because of her blood heritage and there's nothing he can do to stop society working the way it does. They both share that, I suppose, they both are frustrated with the society we live in which doesn't accept the people they love. So they let the anger and frustration build up inside them and one day… It just snaps. They take it out on the wrong people and those people find it very hard to forgive them because Lyall and Snivellus meant what they said, sort of.

I imagine that Lyall is angry with his son, even if it is illogical to be. Maybe he thinks that if Moony didn't do something weird every time they moved, then he could have a normal life. Maybe Snivellus thinks that if Lily didn't care so much about people and didn't over think everything then he could run away with her and there would be fewer problems. Both are equally selfish but that's just the way some people are. Most people. I think like that sometimes. As for Moony and Lily, the words hurt them because they feel guilty. They think the words are true just because someone they love said them. Perhaps this is why Moony and Lily are friends. What if the reason Lily goes is because she doesn't feel she'll do any good on Earth? No, she knows there are people who love her. Moony should know that, too.

"Moony… You know, one day, you'll find someone. I know you will because you're an amazing person."

"Thanks Prongs, but I wouldn't inflict that pain on anybody. My parents… They had to put up with it because I'm their son but… It would be easier and kinder if I remained alone. It's bad enough you guys are in on it. Not that I'm not grateful, because I am."

"Look, Moony, you're not a monster and if there are girls who care about that, then they're not worth it."

"Cheers, Prongs," he smiles but I can tell he doesn't completely believe it.

At that moment I can't help feeling at peace with the world. I feel like I finally understand and I think that Lily will live. In fact, I am certain.

SEVERUS' P.O.V

I can't carry on with this. I can't but I must. The Dark Lord said that if, when the time does come, I personally take care of one of his 'souls' and hide it at the end of the battle, then he will grant Lily temporary immunity. I did some research, as it turns out, the Dark Lord has delved into Dark Magic more than I thought. He's been creating horcruxes, last time I checked, there were five. Now, perhaps there are six but I know what the Dark Lord longs for. Seven horcruxes, seven being a magic number. But the evil required to do such a thing is unimaginable, I suppose the Dark Lord has been heavily watered down by others. We were all under the impression that the Dark Lord was simply twisted, willing to lead the fight and was on our side. I see it's much more than that, he is the most talented wizard I've ever seen.

I'm relatively certain that Nagini, his snake is a horcrux. But what else? As powerful as the Dark Lord is, and he's getting stronger, I know he has a weakness. I don't want to fight this war but I must. I may not agree with his motives, but he must not doubt my loyalty. If he does, Lily and my mother are in danger. I must do this to protect them.

"Severus?" it's Narcissa, she's wearing her dressing gown as its quite late.

"I couldn't sleep so I came down here…"

"It's okay, I couldn't sleep either," she sits beside me.

We have a new-found understanding of one another. I can see why she does what she does and I think she sees why I hold back. Neither of us wants this war but we have to fight it anyway. I notice she has a bruise on her cheek. I scowl at it. Narcissa puts her hand to it tentatively.

"It's nothing," she says.

"Lucius?" I ask her.

"Maybe," she purses her lips. She doesn't like to talk about him.

"I don't understand why you're with that creep," I mumble.

"I love him," she says, quietly.

"How? He hurts you… and he's cruel."

She laughs a little. "Everybody can be cruel."

"Yes, but not everybody is."

"True, but we all hurt people. Sometimes without knowing," she says sadly, as if she's been thinking about it a lot.

"How's Bellatrix?" I ask.

"I wouldn't know," she replies, tightly.

"Did you two have an argument or something?"

"Believe it or not, but yes. Over the same thing we argued about."

"Lucius?"

"Yes, Bella thinks his family are a load of cowards," she sighs. "If only she could just accept him. He's loving and kind, really. He's a Pureblood, distantly related, yes but he has a good heart."

"I don't know who you're talking about because that sounds nothing like him."

"I think this war is turning people cold. I miss the times when everything was so easy. Before Bella became…" she can hardly choke out the words.

Narcissa rarely talks about before. Before her sister Andromeda was disowned because she had a Muggle boyfriend and before Bellatrix pledged her allegiance to the Dark Side. I guess Narcissa's playful childhood ended pretty much when Bellatrix turned 12 and Bella became devoted to all things evil.

"I suppose all that matters is that you're happy," I say after a while.

"Really?" she asks.

"Yeah, if you're happy with Lucius even though you could do way better, then that's your choice."

"I can't remember the last time I did something for myself."

"Sadly, I can remember the last time I did. But this is different, Narcissa. This is something good. When the war is over, it would be nice to have a person to go back to, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, it would," she says wistfully. "You know, when I'm older I want a family. It could be dangerous to have kids but… if we win. Then I could have a family of my own. My own house. Just imagine it. I could have a boy and a girl, I always imagined that. A boy called Draco and a girl called Cassiopeia. After my Great Aunt Cassie, you know. She was kind."

"Wasn't she Potter's Aunt?"

"Probably, you know how it is with Pureblood families. Yes, her sister was Dorea, Potter's mother. But Great Aunt Cassie was not a Blood-Traitor or anything. She was always lovely to me and Bella, 'Dromeda too. Merlin, I miss 'Dromeda. Despite what Bella says and my mother, 'Dromeda was nothing but lovely. She always took care of me, before Bella could be bothered to do so."

I look away, Narcissa's tears seem private. That's the thing with Narcissa; she loves her family, no matter their blood status. So why is she fighting against blood status if blood doesn't matter? I have no idea. But if she loves her family, then she must love Potter and Sirius. Which makes me slightly angry but Sirius has been disowned- him and Andromeda both.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I didn't mean to break down like that. I shouldn't care anymore, Bella says, I'll only get hurt. I try not to care so much but… it just doesn't feelright. Nothing feels right anymore…"

"Narcissa…" I try to comfort her but I don't know how.

"Snape," Lucius himself appears on the stairs.

"Malfoy," I acknowledge.

"Not making my lady cry, are you?"

"Not at all, Lucius. I'm fine now," Narcissa says but her voice betrays her.

Lucius comes down the stairs and sits beside Narcissa.

"Scram," he hisses at me and I oblige.

I get up and leave, looking back to see Lucius wrapping his arms around Narcissa. She leans into him and sobs into his shoulder. Lucius doesn't even bother to ask what's upsetting her. Recently, you don't need a particular reason to break down, the pressure is enough. I scowl at them, both jealous and angry. Lucius better not mess her around because Narcissa is a good person and the only person who's been nice to me as of late. I'm jealous because I wish I had someone who'd be there after the war. Instead, I'm alone. Watching my one true love slip away from me.

JAMES' P.O.V

Moony and I have been beside her for at least three hours. Padfoot has dropped by from time to time but he's been sleeping mostly. Lazy git. Right now, all of us Marauders and Marlene and Alice are crowded around her bedside. Padfoot has kicked his feet up onto the bed. So casually, it's almost rude. He says Lily would want him to be comfy, so I let it slide.

"What's going on between you two?" says Marlene after a long silence.

"Nothing," I say uncomfortably.

"Don't give me that crap, something's happening. Lily's happier than she has been in ages, almost giddy. And when she's around you, Merlin, she can hardly get her words out."

"Are you joking? She still hates me."

"Are you serious?"

"Nope, I'm Sirius."

"Merlin, that's getting old, Padfoot," Moony groans.

"Sorry, just lightening the mood," Padfoot grumbles.

"Anyway, you're so called 'arguments' is otherwise known as flirting. It's horrible to watch. I just wish the two of you would jump on the Knight Bus and go out."

"'Jump on the Knight Bus'?" I ask.

"Yes, like 'jump in the deep end', be risky and go for it."

"You and your words Mar," Padfoot shakes his head.

"Oh, you love it really," Mar grins.

"Of course I do."

The two laugh together as if sharing some kind of private joke. The rest of us exchange looks.

"What?" Mar demands, seeing us.

"Nothing," Alice says. "It just seems that James and Lily aren't the only ones who should, how did you put it, 'jump on the Knight Bus'."

"Sirius and…" she stutters.

"For Merlin's sake, just kiss," we turn around to see Lily smiling at us.

"Lily!"

We all marvel at her conscious state and ask her how she is, which isn't too great but still. Madam Pomfrey is so amazed she doesn't even bother to chuck us all out which is a miracle in itself. It feels good to have her back, we all missed her.

"Can you remember anything?" Moony asks.

She frowns. "Unfortunately, yes."

Then she tells us everything, about Snivellus and his spells (just as I suspected) and Bellatrix and Malfoy. I can't help feelings lightly responsible, if I hadn't got on her nerves she wouldn't have walked away and she wouldn't have encountered Snivellus. I could have protected her. As for this blood loss spell and Bellatrix, I just don't know what to do. This just turned serious.

Madam Pomfrey ushers us out insisting that Lily needs rest. Once we're out of the Hospital Wing Moony turns to us.

"Making her body hair grow uncontrollably sounds too tame, now," he says.

"Yeah, it does. It sounds very lame to do something like that when they did that to Lily," Padfoot says.

"What should we do then?"

For once, the Marauders have no idea. But one thing is quite clear. The war is very quickly approaching and when it does, we'll all be ready to fight.

A/N: Seventh year will come soon, I solemnly swear.