James didn't turned up for the first lesson of the day, Herbology and neither in Charms, all six of them were a little worried now.
"I am sure he will not miss Potions," said Remus grinning and Peter and Sirius agreed laughing.
"Really mature, Remus," said Mary angrily as she left for the common room and Remus got sad and two boys began talking to him.
Marlene and Lily however were concerned as they made their way to Potions class.
"Surely Minnie doesn't gives detention during classes, right?" asked Marls.
"Right, and I don't think she will punish him for today's act as she had no proof of James doing that," said Lily.
"Maybe they are talking about the incident that took place on the last day of the holidays," suggested Marls.
"It is possible," said Lily but not too convinced, both of them entered the class and Sirius entered 5 minutes after them. Only a minute was left but James didn't showed up. Lily sat alone in front of her table, feeling more nervous and saw Sirius and Marls being nervous too and looking at the door for James to enter but he didn't.
Today's potion was easy so Lily started brewing it alone, when she moved to back to get ingredients she found Marls and Sirius talking about James.
"He is not even on the map," said Sirius in a low whisper to both of them.
"Where is James then?" said Marls.
"Tsk, tsk, they don't know about it yet," said a voice and they all turned to see Avery there, Snape and Synde behind him.
"Don't know what?" asked Sirius, and Avery snorted and was about to speak when Synde whispered in Avery's ear and Avery nodded.
"You will find out and understand what being a blood traitor means," Synde said and all three of them left.
"Is James okay? It doesn't sounds good by what they said," said Lily worriedly.
"He was with Minnie, he will be okay and those Slytherins are just pissed about morning," said Sirius.
James didn't turned up for lunch and all 6 of them were now worried. They all sat in the common room, talking about James' disappearance.
"He is out of the castle, that's sure as he is not on the map," said Remus.
"Forbidden Forest?" asked Peter.
"Maybe," said Sirius.
"Hey, guys I think this might answer your question," said Hestia Jones giving Mary a copy of the Evening edition of Daily Prophet. Mary read the paper with wide eyes and then gasped. Sirius snatched the paper from Mary and the three boys began reading with wide eyes and they gasped too.
"Holy shit," said Peter.
"What?" asked Lily and Marls worriedly.
"His uncle. . . . . Ben Potter was killed tonight along with 2 other Aurors," replied Remus sadly.
Marlene put her head in her hands, she was closest to him among the group, and Sirius was sad too.
"Oh! poor James," said Marls her eyes watery, "James was very close to him, really close."
"He used to worship him," said Mary her face sad as she rubbed Marls back.
Lily just sat there, she had last seen Ben when he had come to pick up James from her house, he was friendly and funny, he had provided protection to her house but now he was dead. And James who loves him so much would be so devasted, but where is he?
"Do you think James has gone home?" asked Lily. Remus and Peter stood up and left to inquire about this to Minnie but they returned with more worried faces.
"She says he decided to stay here, when we informed her that we searched every possible corner without mentioning the map she said Hogwarts has more secrets that no one could knows and that James will be fine," said Peter.
Hogwarts has more secrets, this rang a bell in Lily's mind, and James sure wants to be alone now, but she has to go to him. She stood up and took the map from Sirius who was still looking for James in it.
"Where's the cloak? I want it," asked Lily, Sirius and Remus looked confused at her but Peter ran to the dorm and gave her the cloak.
"If I don't return in 20 minutes then it means James is fine," she said and rushed out of the portrait and disappeared under the cloak
She moved to the kitchens where she took the food from the elves and then moved back to the common room slowly so as not to make any noise and moved to the painting in the Trophy room and tapped the fire five times the portrait opened and closed as Lily reached the balcony, there sitting in a corner was James his eyes all red and puffy as he gazes in the scene in front of him, the Forbidden Forest, the sun still in the sky.
Lily removed the cloak and placed the food down, before sitting next to James, then she put her arms around his shoulder and James leaned into it. Lily didn't know what to say or do when she saw James crying, so she just stayed and patted him. She has never seen James cry before and she has never seen someone so broken and in pain before James. She had seen people mourning but James crying and in this much pain just broke her heart, the always smiling, the funny boy looked as though he has never smiled before. Lily hugged him harder, she was relieved that James has allowed her to stay and had let out all his feelings in front of her just as she had done, but she wasn't in such pain as James was now.
"James you should eat something," she said slowly when his sobbing slowed. James took a minute before nodding and sitting straight still not speaking anything.
Lily reached for bread and slices of bacon and treacle tart for James who ate silently and then drank Pumpkin juice, Lily cleared the things and saw the sadness and pain in his eyes as he saw the grounds. Lily again placed her hand around his shoulder to comfort him as she has no idea what to say, and James just rested there.
They both remained there until the night has fallen then Lily persuaded James to go back to the common room which was empty as everyone was at dinner.
"Are you hungry?" she asked and James shook his head. So, Lily took him to his dorm so he doesn't have to face the crowd, she had found bravery in her from inside.
"You should go and eat, you must be hungry," James spoke in a fragile voice.
"I am not hungry," she said slowly. James didn't spoke as he just sat on his bed, Lily beside him. After 30 minutes people started returning to the common room, and cheerful and loud noises reached the room, soon Remus and Peter entered the room and saw James sitting and looking lost and Lily sitting beside him arms around James, Remus pointed something to Peter who nodded and left and returned with other three. They all sat in the room in silence, no one knowing what to do, Marls sat on another side of James and rubbed his back.
Lily noticed that Sirius has some injuries on his face and an angry look but she didn't asked him, knowing it has do with Avery talking in Potions class.
The next day James entered the Great Hall with the Marauders, he hasn't spoken anything at all, a few students had presented their consoles to him and James has just nodded. He was still not in his full senses to know what to say and do, he ate silently as his friends all watched him with worry.
Sirius wanted to cheer him up but the look on James' face just hurt him so deeply that he couldn't think of anything cheerful, it has always been the other way around with James cheering them in their difficult time, whether be it him, Wormy or Moony. Wormy and Monny both were in the same situation as him. He has no idea how Lily has found James but he was grateful that she did. The previous day he had punched Avery when he has laughed while reading the article.
They were moving out of the great hall when Lucy ran up to James and hugged him, James just stood there.
"Oh! James, I am so sorry for your loss, I hope you are okay, Ben was such a great man I met him a few times, he didn't deserve to die and now I am sad about how hard it must be for you, I can always help you, you just have to say," said Lucy breaking the hug and then she kissed his cheeks. "Just tell me," she said and looked at him for his response.
Marlene saw the anger in James' eyes as he looked in front at nothing, Lucy moved closer to James and then gave another hug and left. James didn't said anything and continued walking again. Marls also noticed the anger in Lily's eyes as she saw Lucy leaving.
James and Marls were to attend the funeral. Marls thinking wisely persuaded the headmaster to allow Lily to come with her so she can have support, though the real reason was so Lily could support James.
The three of them left for the place of the funeral through a portkey, a place near Potter's Manor. James' parents were both sad and devasted, everyone was sad but not as much as the boy standing next to Marls, he didn't spoke anything throughout the funeral.
When the funeral was over the three of them stood in front of two tombstones alongside each other the one on right was old and the one on left was new.
BEN POTTER -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- MAY PARKER
BORN 20th MARCH- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BORN 14 JULY 1937
DIED 3 November 1976 - |=-==-=-==-=-=-=-=_|- DIED 1 DECEMBER 1969
Living is to be Happy and make others Happy-| =-==-=-=|- Love as long as you live and beyond
James kneeled in between the graves and then placed a wreath of white roses on each of their graves. For half an hour he just sat there remembering the lives of his uncle and aunt. He bid goodbye to his uncle and let him go.
When he stood up there was a smile on his face and a new determination on his face. He moved towards his parents both of whose eyes were watery as they sat on a bench, he moved to them and hugged them as hard as he could.
"Being sad would be the last thing uncle Ben would have wanted anyone to be, I forgot but you shouldn't have forgotten dad of all people," he smiled at his father. "Mum is forgetful and I'm an idiot but you should have remembered." His father smiled and chuckled and so does his mother.
"You wanna stay at home dear?" asked his mom.
"I would like to spend time with you but I can't go to home yet, I will come at Christmas though, I promise and I want you both to promise that you both will be happy too," said James.
"We promise," said both of them together and James hugged them again.
James reunited with Lily and Marls after spending an hour with his parents, they were to return through the portkey. He turned to Lily and hugged her.
"Thank you for being there with me," he whispered to her and she smiled seeing his smile.
"That's what best friends are for," she whispered back though she wanted to say another thing.
James turned and hugged Marls, "Thanks for today, it means so much." he knows that she would understand what he meant.
"This is the least I could do to help you," she whispered. "Though Sirius wanted to come but he himself was clueless and I made him understand that some people knows you better than him."
He pulled out of the hug and asked grinning "Was he mad?"
"Very much, he has even gone to Minnie but she allowed only one and made him understood," Marls said and James laughed, Lily looked at them curiously.
"What?" she asked.
"Just Sirius being Sirius," replied Marls and Lily smiled and understood how mad he was in the morning.
They took hold of an empty can and turned at the spot and appeared in Headmaster's office who greeted them.
The next week everything went back to normal for the seven friends except for the fight between the two most calm and shy people. James was sitting in the common room along with Lily, Marls, Peter and Sirius. Peter was telling them about how Sirius kept disrupting him in his snogging sessions.
"So, I was with Sarah in a secret passageway and we were just doing our stuff when I smelled. . . um I mean heard something near me and after few minutes I realized that someone was watching me, and I had a pretty good idea of who, so I asked Sarah to leave and once she left I flicked my wand and the victim was hung in the air through his ankle. Any guess who he was?" asked Peter. Lily and Marls shook their head while Sirius tried to look out of the window while suppressing his laugh.
"Padfoot?" said James and they all turned to Sirius.
"Yes, that bloody git waws there under the cloak," said Peter trying to sound angry but failing.
"Oh, that's why you were always pushing and interrupting him whenever he was snogging that Ravenclaw?" asked Marls laughing.
"Yes, and I might have let it slip that Sirius has chlamydia," laughed Peter and others laughed while Sirius jumped towards Peter and started wrestling with him.
"That's why she slapped me and when I approached other chicks she ran away?" he shouted.
"Maybe," laughed Peter.
They were enjoying the wrestling match when two people fighting with each other entered through the portrait hole and they all stopped to look at the pair.
"You act like you don't even care, I am tired of you, you always behave as though you want to get away from me. YOU ARE IGNORING ME," said Mary angrily.
"Maybe I want that," snapped Remus.
"Fine, then you will get what you want. It's over then, does whatever you want," said Mary angrily as she sat between Marls and Lily and Remus stormed off to the dorm and shut the door.
"Should we go to him?" asked Sirius looking at James and Peter both of them as clueless as him and then to Marls who shook her head.
"Give him some space for now," said Marls before turning to Mary.
"What happened between you two?" asked Lily.
"He is ignoring me whenever I try to talk to him he ignores me," said Mary angrily. "It feels he doesn't want to be in this anymore."
"Does he have someone else then?" asked Sirius and received a glare from James and Peter.
"Well that can be possible, do you guys know about it?" asked Marls and the three boys shook their heads.
"Though that could be possible as we don't have all lessons together and he sometimes doesn't remains with us," said Sirius.
"I think that too, otherwise he wouldn't do that or maybe there's someone he met over the summer," suggested Peter and others didn't speak but agreed with him.
"Well he can do whatever he wants, it's over now and I am not going to make effort this time," said Mary. "If he's got someone very well I don't care. I am off to bed" And she left.
"I don't think he has one and if he does have one other girl then he is hiding his relationship," said James shrugging.
"It's Remus's fault, don't understand why he would ignore that, he is a good person, and he wouldn't cheat on her," said Marls.
"He is an idiot," muttered Sirius.
"No, he is not, he is a kind person and a good friend too, he is the most mature among you all, Sirius. He has always acted wisely on the patrols and is intelligent with feelings and emotions. Unlike Sirius, who just doesn't think or care about relationships at all," said Lily. "We will talk to him and see what's the matter." The others nodded.
"I can't see Remus cheating with anyone though, but it seems only reasonable, as it's clear that Remus' werewolf thing wasn't a problem as Mary already knows about it maybe he has so that's why he is slowly trying to end the relationship with Mary so he could be open about the other one and doesn't have to directly say that to Mary," said James.
"That's what I think too, but as Lily said we have to talk to him, but not now afterwards," said Marls. "I don't want to worry about all that I am looking forward to the Hogsmeade next week."
"And?" asked three of them.
"Well, I have got a date with Benjy Fenwick," said Marls happily. "What about you lot?"
"I will spend half the day with Sarah before joining the marauders," said Peter sheepishly.
"Thanks to Wormy I don't have a date so hanging all day with Prongs and probably Moony," said Sirius.
"Same here," said James.
"And you Lils?" asked Marls.
"Well I was thinking of hanging with you and Mary but you are busy and I don't know about Mary, so no idea," said Lily.
"You can come with me Lils," said James at once, and then realized what he has spoken as everyone looked at him, Sirius and Peter snickered, while Marls noticed the use of 'Lils' and smiled when Lily didn't said anything. "I mean with me and the guys, the marauders."
"I would love that," said Lily. Marls, Peter and Sirius were a little shocked but didn't showed it.
Lily was waiting for the first Hogsmeade which was later than usual. She was also excited about the surprise that Slughorn has said he will show them soon. D.A.D.A. classes were not her favourite now though Murphy has improved her teachings a lot and that was due to Remus asking her questions and giving her tips on what to do next, she has taken help for nonverbal spells from James. James was back to normal but she could tell by his looks that he looked more tired and that there was determination in his eyes, but for what she wasn't able to ask him, James she noticed was really good at hiding things.
She didn't know why but she checked herself thrice more than usual before leaving for Hogsmeade. She saw Mary getting ready too as though she had a date.
"Do you have a date?" she asked Mary.
"Yes, with Jae Kim, but just to make Remus jealous," she replied.
"Does Kim knows that?" asked Lily
"Yes, he agreed because he owes me a favour for setting him up with Penny, and they both agreed to help me," winked Mary.
"You really like Remus then?" asked Lily
"Of course and I have told Remus the same but he ignores it," said Mary and then she left and Lily followed her. Lily was now getting the idea of what was going on.
They reached the castle door where James, Sirius and Remus were waiting for Lily and a few feets away from them was Jae Kim. Mary walked up to him and kissed his cheek and they walked out hand in hand.
"Hi Lily, you look beau- . . good," said James as Lily approached the three, Lily's cheek turned pink.
"Thanks, you look good too," she said quietly. Sirius cleared his throat and all of them began walking towards Hogsmeade. The weather was rough and cold, and all four of them tightened their clothes and caps.
"It's very cold," said James rubbing his hand together.
"I agree," said Lily wrapping her hands around herself, James moved closer to her and put his hand around her to make her and himself warm, "Thanks," she said, then noticed some people looking at them. James saw that too and was about to remove his hand when Remus put his hand around her shoulder too.
"Thanks, Remus," said Lily now relaxing.
"Thanks, buddy," said James as he now doesn't have to remove his hand, he tightened the grip slightly and noticed her leaning in him too.
"Take me in too, or I will freeze to death," said Sirius as he placed his hand over James' shoulder, and Lily laughed at this. Now no one was looking at them anymore.
"So, where should we go?" asked James.
"Let's walk around a bit then we can go to Zonko's and finally have a drink at three broomsticks," suggested Sirius.
"That's a great idea," said Lily.
"Let's go to Shrieking Shack then, it's always fun to watch from outside," said James and Remus rolled his eyes.
"Remus I understand but how often do you go in there?" asked Lily and noticed James hesitating.
"Well just to see off Moony before he turns," said James.
"And to give the baby chocolate or else he gets angry," sniggered Sirius.
"Hey! I am not a baby," protested Remus.
"But trust me Moony you act like a baby each time, no offence," chuckled James.
"None taken, but at least I don't weep like you, Prongs," said Remus and Sirius laughed.
"What I don't get it?" asked Lily.
"It's nothing," said James throwing an angry look at Remus.
"Don't lie, Prongs, you see, Evans whenever you reject him he gots all weepy and used to cry to us about 'why she doesn't goes out with me?' " said Sirus, Lily smiled though her heart melted.
"Padfoot is lying Lils, it's not like that," said James hitting Sirius in the head. Lily decided to change the topic.
"What's up with the nicknames, Moony I understand with the moon, but Prongs and Padfoot?" asked Lily.
"Just we made up it for fun no real logic," James stuttered.
"Named on our favourite animals and to whom we relate," said Sirius.
"Like Padfoot, what does it relate to?" asked Lily chuckling.
"A Dog, foot, pad," said Sirius defensively.
"And Prongs?" asked Lily.
"I. . . I like antlers of stags, so from there," said James.
"And Peter like worms?" asked Lily screwing her face at Peter's likes, the three boys laughed.
"No, more like a rat's tail," said Remus.
Lily enjoyed the day very much hanging out with Marauders was way much more fun than she had thought, in Zonko's they brought many things for future pranks and Lily was forced to buy some too. In the Three Broomsticks, they had butterbeer while shipping their teachers and laughing at their ships.
" Well madam Pince and Filtch do make a perfect couple," said James.
"I agree with James, both are after students watching movements and exploding whenever a single rule is broken," laughed Lily imagining them together, others were imagining the same as they all laughed too.
They were going back to the castle, in the same way as they came to fight the cold. They all were halfway through the castle when someone shouted towards them from the sidewalk.
"Look the mudblood whore is now dating the three traitors at once after she was not satisfied with Snape," all four of them turned to see Liz, standing along with Merula, Mulciber and Avery, Parkinson, they all laughed and behind them was Snape who was looking at James with disgust.
Lily's eyes watered and she felt as James' grip tightened around her. Sirius moved forward but Remus acted instantly and held him. James however just stood with Lily holding her.
"Watch your tongue, not everyone is like you," shouted Sirius.
"Leave them, Sirius, they are not worth it," said Lily but Sirius ignored her, and had his hands in his pocket to take out his wand but Remus muttered something in his ear and Sirius turned and started walking towards the castle, Remus caught up with him, and they both began talking.
"Don't mind their words Lily, they are always like that, they wouldn't be on the dark side if they had any sense," said James as they followed Sirius and Remus to the castle.
Lily nodded, "It's just . . . I have heard many people saying that, they and others gossip and talk shit so I ignore it but it's hard. Besides, Snape standing with them and not saying anything made me more angry and sad."
"I am sorry you had to face that, Lily," said James.
"Each day it looks as if he is changing more and more, he is no longer the boy I once knew," said Lily. " It makes it hard for me to be near people, Tuney gets all angry with me when I am about to leave, recently she had improved otherwise initially she was more harsh towards me, so you can think that first she and then Snape, the only two people I was so closed to when I was a child they both hurt me, so it makes difficult for me to get near any new people. Do you understand James?"
"I . . I understand it was hard for you, I hope that I had the power to prevent you from all that," said James slightly confused at what she meant.
"No, I mean do you understand why I am holding back from dating. . . . . . I don't like when I have to leave people or people have to leave me. I want to be nice to everyone," she said, she wanted to say from 'dating you' but failed.
James looked at her, the green eyes were filled with emotions, he looked around and took her to the side so no one can see them and the weather helped with that.
"Look Lily, you shouldn't let all the past things affect you, not everyone is like them, and it was just that you were unlucky that they behaved like that and hurt you. But Lily, I want you to believe that I will never ever hurt you, I promise you. I would promise that I would prevent anyone or anything from hurting you but that will be a false promise as that's not under my control. But I promise you, Lily, that I will do my best to prevent anyone from hurting you," he said looking directly at her eyes, one tear fell from her eyes and she hugged him so tightly as though she never want to leave him ever and he hugged her the same way.
"I know James, I believe you, you are the best person I have ever met, I am sorry that I hurt you in past, you are my. . . . best best the best friend, you have always helped me so much, " she said in his chest, she wanted to say anything but couldn't bring it to say.
"That's what best best the best friends are for," said James chuckling and Lily laughed, he really knows how to make her laugh. "Now, will you let the things that happened in past interfere with your present? And besides, you see Petunia matured too."
Lily nodded, "Yeah, just like you, eh?" she chuckled.
"I haven't met her but maybe," smiled James. "Happiness and love are what should be our priority and nothing else."
Lily nodded again and held his arm, "Now, let's go back or Filch will give us detention if we are let."
And they both went to the castle, both feeling happier than ever.
Please review! HEY! IF YOU'RE READING PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND REVIEW IT. JUST WRITE ANYTHING.
Am trying to improve my grammar and writing.