Lily has been going mad, locked in her home, and not receiving proper replies from James, she has thought that he might be up to something or was just sad and worried about his parents. She was now cursing herself for not talking about it properly to him, his letters has been short and rare, it was very unlike James because he used to write to her every two days or mostly four days.

She has talked with Sirius, Remus, and Marls about it too, and they all agreed that James was indeed acting odd and so was Peter. Once or twice Lily has thought that James might have found some villa but has ignored the thought, she trusted James.

Lily hasn't left the house except for a few days, because she has seen from her window that Snape was lurking around her house and when she has left last week, she has seen him following her, so she walked fast and returned home earlier than she has planned.

Her bad mood was not hidden from her parents and sister too, though they hadn't pushed the topic, as Lily herself has talked enough about James that they hadn't had to push it.

"Young love," her father says each time she began talking about James and she would turn red but nevertheless continued talking.

She has therefore written to Dumbledore explaining him everything and requesting him to check on James.

Today, after taking bath, she sat in her backyard reading the daily prophet, she was following the news about Thanatos and has admired him for his talent and daring, though she like the prophet wasn't sure if it was an Auror or a death eater who has betrayed Voldemort or a mythical figure, though her money was on Auror, but this recent news about him was quite different.

THANATOS SAVES THE MUGGLEBORN FAMILIES

The mysterious figure, who goes by the name of Thanatos, captured seven death eaters last night, who were all there to attack the small wizarding community there, which is inhabited by muggle-born wizards for over a century.
It was at night when they heard the noise warning them about death eaters in the area, and then they heard the voice of Thanatos assuring them that he was there to save them.

Mr. Anderson, who is a resident there has seen the entire fighting, "There were explosions all around and then everything went black, we could see the mongoose in the air though, and could hear the cries of death eaters and laugh of Thanatos, there was the sound of the cry of Banshee and thunder sounds. When the smoke cleared five of the death eaters were already on the ground, then Thanatos began fighting with the remaining two death eaters and then, a lot of crows surrounded Thanatos, and when they flew away, Thanatos was gone from there, and he appeared behind the death eaters, not fully, only his head appeared there, then he attacked a death eater from nowhere, it was an attack made by his body, He could separate his head and body. Then we talked with him, he really was Thanatos, and then Dumbledore appeared and he too addressed him as the son of night and carrier of souls, and before they walked away Thanatos asked his force to return to Heaven, the forces were invisible but we all could sense them. I thank him for saving us, without him, we all would have died."
The entire family in the area thanked Thanatos for saving them.
The Ministry has no clue as to who this mysterious figure is and Dumbledore has kept quiet on the matter and just says he believes Thanatos is here to take the souls to the afterlife.

Lily was about to read more when the bell rang, she continued sitting, looking at the photo of Thanatos standing over a roof and his mongoose symbol, hoping someone else would open the door, as it might be either Vernon or some mailman.
The bell rang again, groaning Lily stood up and walked to the door opening it lazily, but when she looked at the person standing there, she squeaked happily and jumped and hugged him.

"James!" she said excitedly hugging him tightly.

"Well, hello to you too," James laughed lifting her in the air.

When he has put her down and Lily looked at him properly, it was then that she noticed, he has become thin, his cheeks and eyes had sunken, he has purple eye bags under his eyes and his natural scent was not there, neither has he used his cologne.

"You look thin and weak, and you smell a bit different too," she commented.

James looked down at himself, bloody transfiguration doesn't cover up health. Lily was looking at him with a confused and worried look.

"Lily dear, who is at the door?" came her mother's voice.

"It's James, mum," she shouted.

"Then bring him in or are your gonna stay at the door all day?"

"Come in," said Lily smiling and taking his hand.

James entered the sitting room where the three Evans were watching TV.

Rose got up and hugged James, "You have got thin dear, this is what happens when mothers aren't around," she said shaking her head.

"Hello James," said Richard.

"Hello," he replied.

"Come watch, there's a football match going on, it's about to end, England is in lead," said Richard.

"So, how was France?" Lily asked, when the match was over and her mum has went to cook food and Richard talked to his friend about the match.

"Um... nice it was good," replied James.

"Why are you in this state?"

"Long journey,"

"Liar,"

"I was tired,"

"Why are you thin then, the food isn't great in France?"

"I was on a diet,"

"Liar, you never went to France, I wrote to Dumbledore and he wrote me back asking to confirm if I was sure that you were in France and he had written that you haven't gone to France at all," she snarled at him. "I went to your house, Pardie was there but he himself doesn't know where you were, your room had signs that you had packed, and you had notes about transfiguration and about training owls and other stuff."

"You broke into my room without my permission," muttered James.

"I am so wanting to kill you now," said Lily. "Where were you?"

"In Leaky Cauldron," James replied.

"Okay, okay, okay, now, Why?"

"I can't live alone in that house, so I wasn't living there, and besides I had some work to do,"

"Were you by any chance, Thanatos?" she asked with narrowed eyes. James shifted uncomfortably in his seat and shook his head. Lily pointed her wand at his face, "Don't you dare to lie to me, Potter."

"How did you know?" he managed to ask.

"Really? All the books you brought and, took home, Thanatos using the smoke, you learn how to make that symbol, yes I read your books too, and you acting odd before the end of term, it was all pretty clear but I was foolish not to notice, but I after reading about this Thanatos I had my doubts, and then him meeting Dumbledore yesterday and then you turning up here looking all weak, and tired, I was connecting all them here while you watched the match," she was practically shouting at him and so he did the only thing he knows, he gave her a quick kiss on lips.

"Better?" he asked.

"Better," she replied. "You could have told me at least, I was scared."

"Sorry," he replied. "So, you angry at me for becoming Thanatos?"

"I am angry about not telling me and going there alone," said Lily and James smiled.

"I was not alone, Peter was there to give me cover," he replied and she relaxed. "You know you are the best girlfriend."

"I wanted to be angry for you being Thanatos but then it was the right thing to do, though foolish, and I know you were sad by all the recent events, so I can think why you did that."

"Lily, food is ready," came her mother's voice.

Lily wasted no time in complaining about James to her parents, though she said only half the truth and others were lying, the story being James coming back from France within a week and staying alone at his home.

"That's why you have become so thin dear," said Rose shaking her head.

"Mum, can he stay here till school for the rest of the holidays, please?" asked Lily.

"Of course, he can stay here," said Rose, "I am not letting the son of my friend living alone and getting all weak, Euphemia won't like it, when she will see you dear."

"Thanks, so much," said James.

"It's nothing James," smiled Richard.

James fell asleep instantly in the guest room, getting to sleep in a bed and away from all those stingy walls and noises, he woke up to find Lily setting his things in the proper place while she hummed, she then found a frame of four people sitting in the pub, she looked at the photo confusedly.

"They were my friends, Ryan, Adam, and Tracey," he told her.

"And who is he?"

"That's me, I transfigured my face,"

"All of you looked in old and dirty clothes, why?"

"They were small workers there, cleaning places, collecting garbage, I was a sweeper in Leaky Cauldron,"

"Why were you working?"

"To stay undercover and connect with them," he replied, "all three of them helped me, they would bring news to me about attacks and then I and Peter would go there and set traps."

"You know Alice wrote in her letters she met you, told us you were strange,"

"I had used a different personality to cover myself," said James and Lily chuckled.

"Come it's time for dinner, you slept for five hours," said Lily pulling him up.

"You know I didn't get out of the house this year too," she said as both of them sat in the backyard.

"I can understand why, but I got to travel a lot, to many places," said James.

"Lily, I am going to meet Ms Taylor," said Rose.

"Okay mum," replied Lily.

"Who is Ms Taylor?"

"A friend of my mum, she is a teacher too," said Lily.

"Your mum's a teacher?"

"Yeah, she teaches English and she taught me too and also the novels were brought by mum, she gifted them to me,"

"That makes sense of your affection for reading,"

"And you know what, we are alone now,"

"Where's Petunia?"

"She went out each day to meet her friends and spends time there, so I used to be alone at home practising new spells or reading books or T.V."

"And what's in your mind now?"

"You tell me," smiled Lily pulling James into the house.

They both began kissing the moment they entered the house, she started removing his t-shirt and he helped her with that, it was when Lily pulled away from the kiss that she noticed the cuts and bruises on James' body, and she gasped.

"You have dozens of cuts and injuries all over you," she said and then looked at his back, it has even more injuries. "Merlin's Pants! you haven't treated them well, come I will help you with them."

"Well, it's kind of hard to reach the back,"

"Wasn't Peter there?"

"He has to remain as a rat mostly as we didn't have much privacy in that room, and he is bad at healing,"

"You should have taken me with you,"

"Trust me Lils, it was a tough call, and only Peter was the best for the job, he is very good at sneaking without anyone noticing,"

"Okay, yeah, he is good at that, being a rat, so what he is just an animagus, I can be good at sneaking too,"

"Is Lily jealous?" smirked James.

Lily smacked him on the arm, "No, it's just you got action while I just sat idly in my home doing nothing."

"We can go out now," suggested James.

"Wanna play badminton?" asked Lily.

"What's that?"

"A sport, come I will teach you."

Both of them decided to play in the park, as the backyard was not so open and the front yard was small. James felt embarrassed when he found out that many small children were far better than him, but he enjoyed it, Lily was a little impatient but a good and funny teacher. The entire time in the park was filled with fun and laughter, and occasional scolding from Lily whenever James tried to charm the shuttlecock.

Severus Snape was a person who has been travelling to Knockturn Alley a lot this summer, from where he would go and meet The Dark Lord, who has been impressed by his potion work. Snape was returning from Knockturn Alley and was walking by the park when he spotted her, sitting alone beneath a tree, her eyes closed, enjoying the breeze and two rackets laying on the ground by her side. The park was quite empty, those foolish kids were not around and those who were there were engaged in themself, doing Merlin knows what.

He worked up the courage and started walking towards her, he was just ten feet away from her, she must have heard him coming because he was walking on the dry leaves, a smile appeared on her face, Snape felt a familiar feeling inside of him.

"You took ages to come, I missed you," she spoke her eyes still closed. "Come sit and enjoy the air and sound of the birds and leaves."

Snape froze on his spot, his heart rate has increased, this is what he was waiting for his whole life, he now has the opportunity, to get her, he just stood three feet away from her, his heart beating fast, and he suddenly didn't know what to do, the breeze was mild and cold in this hot temperature, her yellow knee length dress was making her more beautiful, Lily sighed and leaned on the tree.

He wasn't sure what to do now, he continued looking at her. She hasn't sat like this with him since the summer after the third year, he wanted to get her all to himself now. This fire inside him has been increasing daily, she was the only person who make him feel worthy when his father used to ignore him, she was the only person who was kind and nice to him, the only person who makes him feel better. He has fantasized about her, she was perfect, with no fault, she was a quiet person, not breaking any rules and staying in line, will stay under him, and he would have control just like he did when she wasn't aware of the wizarding world and would rely on him for everything, he has liked that experience and was craving for it. With The Dark Lord winning and him being in the inner circle, she will rely on him. She is an idle person to him.

"You know when I was small, I used to sit here alone or sometimes with Tuney, and would read books, here is where I finished Frankenstein, my mum said not to read it, it's horror, but I secretly read it here," Lily chuckled.

Snape didn't like those stupid muggle books, he has seen her read them and thought that these books were all worthless, he has heard Lily talk about it sometimes when they were friends and he had to ask her to stop talking about those foolish fantasies, he even said to her how foolish these books are and has laughed at it when she has shown him one book. Snape has always preferred knowledgeable books on magic and nothing else. He also didn't like her odd music taste, he wasn't much of a fan of music but liked the wizarding instrumental music.

He just looked down at her not knowing what to say, so he just stood silently trying to think what to say.

"The book tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss student of natural science who creates an artificial man from pieces of corpses and brings his creature to life and. . ." Lily continued talking about the book, the look on her face told that she was imagining them in front of her, was looking at them through her closed eyes.

Snape didn't like the things she was talking about, who would be interested in a foolish monster's life and his creator? But he didn't say anything but prayed she would stop talking about it, he meanwhile was thinking about what to talk to her about, perhaps about the money has recently received as an award from The Dark Lord or how he has become well-known among them.

Then Lily stopped suddenly and opened her eyes and the next moment her wand was pointed at him.

"What are you doing," he asked stepping back.

"Why are you here?" she asked looking around. "Where is James?"

"I . . why would he. . . you were sitting here and then you said to me to sit," he replied.

"I didn't ask you, I thought it was James, and you should stay away from me," she said.

Snape was about to speak when he heard another voice that he hated the most in the world.

"Lils, I stupidly had taken wizarding money with me and had to go and get the muggle money, and that ice cream seller is very talkative. . . " James stopped when he saw Snape there, he immediately dropped the two ice cream cups he was holding and took out his wand, and pointed it at Snape. "Stay away from her."

Snape's wand was out too and pointed at James, seeing him here has made him angry, he again has spoilt his interaction with Lily, "This is my area, and Lily asked me to sit with her."

"I thought it was James," Lily said angrily, "my eyes were closed, but I understood that it wasn't James the moment I continued talking about the story of the book and he didn't stop me."

"I never like the story to get spoiled, I like reading it myself," added James.

"What are you doing here?" asked Snape asked looking at James with pure loathing.

"He is my boyfriend and staying with me," replied Lily.

Snape's anger rose, though when he spoke his lips were twitched up, "I see, no one to look after him, uncle dead, and parents in hospital, no one to look after the little boy, who doesn't know how to comb hair."

"At least he is better than the person who doesn't know how to wash hair," snorted James and Lily had to suppress her laugh.

"Watch yourself, Potter, you may be following your uncle soon," snarled Snape.

"I think it's you who should watch yourself," pointed out Lily. "With that mark on your hand and Thanatos roaming around you should be careful."

Snape froze for a moment, he heard the death eaters talking about him and has met Parkinson himself, who has not left his house since that incident, Snape was a little afraid and worried about Thanatos too, like other death eaters.

"He is just some wizard, and I am not afraid of him," replied Snape.

"Or a witch," added James shaking his head.

"Then you should be afraid of him," said Lily.

"Now, you should leave, and don't forget to wash your hair," smirked James.

Snape looked at him disgusted and then left.

"Use a shampoo too," shouted James.

"The ice creams are destroyed," said Lily sadly looking at the two cups lying on the ground.

"I can reverse it," offered James.

"Ew! I don't think I can eat it now that I know it was on the floor, and am no longer in the mood for ice cream,"

"Okay, then let's. . . um. . . sit here and do . . . debate about something," James suggested as he pulled her closer to him.

"Debate?" she narrowed her eyes at him.

"We love debating, don't we?" Lily couldn't help but laugh. "How about we talk about the adventures of Thanatos?" This time it was James' turn to laugh.

"So, we saw the King guy, he was so fast on that broom, it blew my mind," Richard was telling the children about the quidditch match he and Rose went on with the Potters when their children were away.

"You both went to a quidditch match with Fleamont and Euphemia, and didn't tell me, even I haven't been to any quidditch league match besides Hogwarts,"

"I still can't believe you went with them, I thought we had a plan that I will be the one to take you to a quidditch match," complained James to Richard.

"Don't worry we all can go next time," he smiled at James.

Lily sat there eating dinner, she was enjoying this moment, away from all worries with her family, and James, who has now become part of the family, she looked as both James and his father were talking happily about quidditch and other stuff, her mother was talking with Tuney about if she and Vernon have decided about the date of the wedding. Petunia wasn't giving Lily a cold shoulder and was not making any comment at James too, this Lily thought was due to her excitement about getting married soon and planning about it.

"You know we will be getting our letters tomorrow," James informed her, they both had volunteered to clean the kitchen and dishes.

"They are really late to send the letters this year," said Lily.

"So, they can provide extra protection at Diagon Alley," whispered James and Lily let out an 'Oh'.

They were silent as they began cleaning, Lily was cleaning the stove and surface, while James was cleaning dishes, she saw James has no idea how to use a scrub, he was looking at it confused, Lily laughed as he took the soap and started rubbing it on the dish, as though using it for a bath.

"What?" he asked.

"Use that scrub, apply soap on it and then clean the dishes, here like this," Lily showed him how it was done. "Really James you know how to cook but not how to clean dishes."

"I have cleaned dishes by magic, not like this," he pointed out.

After five minutes when Lily cleaned the kitchen, she saw James was halfway through the dishes, his face has soap bubbles in many spots as he tried to wipe out the sweat. He was looking cute, but she has another mischievous idea, she took the bubbles from the bowl and put it and put it over him, and then broke into laughter.

"Oh! you are so going to pay Evans," said James putting down the dish, taking the bubbles from the bowl, and putting them on her, as she was busy laughing.

"Bring it, Potter!" Lily said and then they both started bubble war, water war, and mess war in the kitchen, laughing as they threw things at each other.

They didn't notice her parents standing at the entrance and watching the two, a smile on their faces, they watch the love between the two, bickering with each other while putting soap water on other.

"Now, dears though we are enjoying the show, it's getting late and you both have to clean the mess too," said Rose finally.

James and Lily stopped and turned red, trying to suppress their laughter. The two bickered the whole time while they cleared the kitchen for real this time.

Minnie sat in the headmaster's office looking at the old man with a worried expression, his right hand has completely turned black and was looking as though decaying. Slughorn and Professor Garter White, the new DADA teacher had treated him two nights ago, and now he was still persistent about his decision.

"Are you serious about it Albus?" she asked.

"As sure as the chance of Montrose Magpies qualifying for finals this time," said Dumbledore looking at the birds travelling and singing early in the morning.

"The owls are about to be sent,"

"I thought you liked the boy, Minerva,"

"I do, and he is talented too and skilled, but his past hasn't been that good, and it's a big responsibility,"

"And he has stood up to the responsibilities too, proved his worth. You gave him the responsibility of a captain he brought home the cup, there was the attack at Hogsmeade he worked wisely and sent the message immediately to me that's why I was able to send Order members and Aurors here, he has leadership quality, he has matured Minerva. Tell me how many detentions he has got the previous year?"

"Not many, he has improved on that basis, and few of them were really great too, but I don't understand. . "

"I am looking for a leader Minerva, and this position will give him experience, I want him to get more prepared for the future."

"Are you thinking to invite him and lead the Order?" Minerva asked Shocked. "He is just a child a child Albus."

"I am not directly making him the leader, I am still here and there's Moody, I just see the potential leader in him."

"James, our letters are here," said Lily excitedly.

James rushed into the living room, where Lily was standing by the table, two owls there. Rose was reading a magazine, and Petunia was sitting lazily in a corner making list about things she wanted to do for the wedding, she has stopped writing and was looking at the owls with a screwed face.

"Great," James said untying his letter from the owl.

Lily opened her letter first with shaky hands, she was hoping to become the Head Girl for a long time, this is something that will prove that she belongs to the Wizarding world and will help her in the future, which she was worried about as people were hesitant to recruit muggle-borns due to fear, so having the extra credentials will improve her chance of being selected for Auror programs.

She took out the letter and then felt a mass in the envelope, a metal, she took it out and there it was the brand new silver badge, the letter HEAD GIRL written on it. She then started reading the letter about the beginning of the term, books, and materials required and informing her about being selected as the head girl.

"Mum, I become the Head Girl," she jumped.

"Congratulations dear," her mum congratulated her as she came up to her and hugged her. Petunia acted as though she hasn't heard anything, Lily ignored her, she knew Petunia used to get jealous at these things.

Lily turned to James, but he still hasn't opened his letter and was looking at her with a wide grin, she flashed the badge in front of him happily.

"Congrats, Lils," he said hugging her.

"Thanks, I am so happy to get this," she said.

"I think Moony would be the Head Boy," James said looking at her badge.

Lily consider it and her face fell, she was thinking the worst scenarios, what if Snape become the Head Boy, it will be very difficult then as she will have to work with him which she didn't want, it was hurtful to have your friend join a group that wanted to kill her and then if she will have to spend time with him it will remind her of it more.

"What?" James asked as he looked at her.

"I am just thinking . . . that no Slytherin gets it," said Lily. "I would like it if you will be the one, to open your letter."

"Me?" James snorted. "Nice joke."

"Just open it," she said pointing at the letter.

James opened it and took out the letter and then a badge, "Look, I became the captain again," he said putting down the envelope and heard a clunk, he looked at it confused, he had thought that the envelope was empty now, but there was something else. He looked at Lily who had her fingers crossed as she was looking at his letter. James picked up the envelope and took out another badge from it, this one was similar to Lily's. He read the words on it, "You got to be kidding me!"

"Yes!" shouted Lily happily, jumping and hugging him.

"Congratulations James, your parents would be so proud of you," said Rose.

"Thanks, I still can't believe this," James said looking at the badge.

"I can believe," said Lily, "you have proven your worth, James."

"This is what Dumbledore meant when he said he was going to give me a responsibility," James said mostly to himself, and felt quite disappointed, he was hoping for some responsibility regarding the war, but he was happy with this, he would now get to spend more time with Lily.

"I am going to inform Richard about this, we are going to celebrate this," said Rose happily, as she went out of the room to call Richard.

"I am so proud of you," said Lily.

"I am so proud too," said James grinning "of myself." Lily hit his harm playfully. "and of you." I am going to write to mum and dad, they can't reply but they can read my letter at least."

That night Rose cooked many delicious foods for dinner and they all enjoyed that, celebrating and talking happily.
It felt like a second home to James here, he missed his parents and uncle, but here the Evans family didn't let him miss them, they included him as he was their own son.

"Thank you so much Rose and Richard for letting me stay here and for everything else," he said to them.

"James, you are a part of the family now and family members don't thank you for this, you are always welcome here," said Rose.

"And you are like our son, we had thought of having a son but two girls were enough for us, so you are our son," said Richard.

"It means a lot to me," said James, his heart melting at this.

"So, we both are not enough for you?" pouted Lily crossing her arms and for the first time since James' arrival, Petunia supported Lily as she too mirrored Lily's action.

"You two are more than enough, and troublesome too," chuckled Richard.

"Very funny," said Lily sarcastically though she was smiling.

After finishing the food Lily turned to James, "When are we going to Diagon Alley?"

"I was thinking about the last day, it will be crowded and the security will be tight, or a day before that, your call," said James.

"We will go on the last day, just the both of us," said Lily.

James saw the look on her face, a worried look, she was worried about her parents. The wizarding community won't be much supportive of Muggles in Diagon Alley. He has been reading the news here and the situation was getting worse each day.

"I will go alone, you can stay here for your parents," suggested James.

Lily just looked at him, how easily he could understand her worries, her fears, she felt that what would she do if he will leave her, the thought itself shook her to the core, this moment she looked into his eyes, this was wrong, she was just seventeen and she was a strong independent girl, but she this feeling which she was feeling made her weak . . . no it didn't made her weak, it made her stronger, at this moment she felt powerful that she would do anything to be with James, to protect to him, it doesn't matter if she was just seventeen, love doesn't sees age, at this moment she felt how deeply she was in love with him, she moved forward and hugged him tightly.

"I love you," she whispered into his ears.

"I love you too, Lily," replied James.

"I will come with you, my house is protected, it will keep my parents safe," said Lily p.

"Really Lily, I will get all the stuff, you know I know a little about Diagon Alley after spending a month there."

Lily smiled at him, "I want to have some adventure too, so I am coming with you and I will tell you more about Diagon Alley."

The rest of the time went fast for Lily, having James at home was the best thing for her, they weren't able to kiss or snog, but that didn't bother either her nor did it bother to James, they both liked each other's company.

"How about we prank Tuney?" asked Lily excitedly.

"I dunno what if she gets angry?" asked James.

"Well then let's pull it on mum," said Lily.

And then in the evening the tea was salty instead of sweet, and Petunia spent the full twenty minutes lecturing her mum to take proper care of herself and to get her eyes checked this weekend, it was then that both Rose and Tuney noticed Lily laughing hard while James was suppressing a smile.

James noticed Petunia crack a smile when she understood what has happened and the next moment all four of them were laughing.

"Though Tuney is right, mum, you should get a health check-up," said Lily.

The next morning when Petunia opened her door a waterfilled balloon landed on her head soaking her from head to toe. She shrieked and then stayed at the spot not giving any reaction but then she acted normal for the rest of the day and in the afternoon she even made lemonades for everyone but. . . Lily's lemonade had a small plastic spider in it and she saw it in there only when Lily has nearly finished the drink, Lily shrieked and put down the cup instantly and put clapped her mouth she behaved as though she would puke any moment.

"What happened dear?" asked Rose concerned.

"There's a spider in my drink and I drank from it," Lily replied as she began rinsing her mouth.

James looked at the spider in the drink and had to suppress his laughter "Umm. . . Lily, the spider is fake."

"WHAT?!" Lily asked rushing to him and examining the glass, the spider indeed was fake and the next moment Petunia was down on the floor clutching her stomach as she laughed hard.

"You should have looked at your face," she said in between her laughter.

They both decided to apparate to Diagon Alley together, the place was very crowdy, and James held Lily's hand tightly all the while looking for signs of danger.

"You buy our things, I am right behind you," he told her.

"I was hoping to meet the girls or the guys," said Lily as they left the bookshop.

"We might be able to see Remus because the others have already got their stuff," said James.

The hurriedness in the people and the worried looks in their eyes were evidence that they were all afraid, afraid of being attacked. Despite being crowded, despite having everything to brighten up people, Diagon Alley was not happy, people weren't happy. There were Aurors around, walking around and looking out for danger.

James spotted Adam in Diagon Alley sitting outside a small juice shop. He took out the cloak and immediately put it on, Lily.

"Stay under it," he whispered to her. "And stay close to me."

He then walked up to Adam and sat beside him, Lily stood close to him.

"Hey Adam, how is work going on?" asked James.

"Fine, it's boring, irritating but fine. You know, I saw an old witch who was irritating me very much about not doing cleaning properly, so I cleaned the floor in front of her and made it really slippery and when she started walking she slipped straight to Ben and knocked both of them on the floor and they began kissing there," laughed Adam.

"Not a nice one, but good try," said James shaking his head.

"Umm . . . do I know you?" asked Adam.

"No, but you know Jack, and he is the god," said James. "Not to mention his rat and owl."

"Code?"

"No code."

"Name of the club?"

"We have no name."

"You must be kidding me, how can a group has no name?"

"Because it prevents from getting known, No kidding."

"So, you know Jack, huh?"

"No, I know Thana and then I know Tos, and I know who Jack sweeps for."

"You know him then, his full job," whispered Adam.

"I solemnly swear I do."

"I solemnly swear that I will clean the floor."

"Good, any message?"

"He is not here."

"Plan the theft, Adam, and he asked for it, if anything is going to be wrong today, he wants to know."

"Not that I or others I have talked to are aware of, but there are murmurs about an attack though the source was drunk, so probably was boasting around, faking it."

James stood up, "Thanks for the information man."

"Say 'hi' to my buddy," said Adam.

"I will, and say 'hi' to Ryan and Tracey," said James.

"So, where next?" James asked removing the cloak from over her.

Lily was looking at him with narrowed eyes and was looking as though she was pissed at him, her hands were crossed over her chest. "What was that?"

"I was talking to Adam about any threats," said James.

Lily moved closer to him and hissed, "You should not do that here, what if someone finds out that you are the one."

"Don't worry about that, I have got it covered," he said cupping her face.

"Don't try to use touching to soften me," she said trying to keep a straight face.

"But it worked, didn't it?" he grinned, Lily hit his arm playfully.

"Come we still have to get half of our thing," she said taking his hand and hiding her smile.

After another hour of roaming around going from shop to shop, bickering around, and eating ice creams and burritos they were nearly done but Lily pulled James to the cauldron shop.

"What now?" groaned James.

"Potter, we still have to get cauldrons," she said.

"But I have my cauldron and so do you," he argued.

"They will not last long, trust me," she reasoned.

They reached the cauldron shop, and James just stood by her side as she examined the cauldrons for ten minutes before selecting two cauldrons, she paid the shopkeeper and was waiting for the change when there was a loud bang and then people started shouting and running around, a shop started burning in flames.

Lily turned around and saw the panic situation around, there were five death eaters in clear sight of her and by the looks of it there were many other death eaters around, before she could think of anything James took hold of her hand and the next moment she was apparating, and then they were standing in woods, then before she could say anything they apparated again and this time she was standing in front of her house.

"Let's go inside," said James looking around and pulling Lily inside the house.

"That was horrible," Lily managed to say once she was inside.

"Yeah . . . give me a sec," said James and he rushed up to the guest room where his things were and returned within a minute. "Lils I will just go and check on St. Mungo's they might have heard the news, so I will just make sure they know I am fine."

"Okay, let's go," said Lily.

"No, you can't only I and Eugemia can see them, so stay here I will return soon," he said kissing her forehead, and before she could protest he ran out of the house and disapparated.

Lily went into the living room to see Petunia sitting with Rose, they were talking happily something about marriage, and her father who looks like he has just returned was sitting on the couch looking tired and drinking tea while watching the news.

"Oh, you are back. So, you got all your stuff?" asked Rose.

"Yeah. . . James has gone out to get some more stuff. Umm. . . I am going to my room," said Lily.

Lily thought of not disturbing them and went upstairs, she was quite shaken by the scene at Diagon Alley, and she was thinking to go into her room but ended up in the guest's room, where James' stuff was there, she sat on the bed and could feel his scent there. She was thinking about how many people might have gotten injured, what about the muggle families there, not everyone would have disapparated from the scene as quickly as James did with her.
She herself hasn't thought of apparating at that moment, her immediate instinct was to take her wand ready for defense and run, if James hasn't thought of disapparating then they might be still there. This instinct of James, she thought, was due to his experience with these circumstances.

Her thoughts were focused on James and his parents, she felt worried about it, she has read about Dragon Pox but had never seen it, it isn't that lethal for young people but for old people it can be life-threatening.

And James, she was quite confused at his sudden departure to the hospital without talking to her much, she sighed and just sat there waiting for him.

She found it completely stupid that Death Eaters attacked a location which is the soul of the wizarding world, where for the first time a muggle-born goes to a wizarding location, where all magical stuff is available, where people of all kind go, of all ages go, these Death Eaters really have no brain at all.

James returned after an hour looking tired, he went straight to the bathroom to clean himself up and returned after half an hour-long bath.

"Are you okay?" she asked him sitting beside him as they sat watching TV.

"Yeah Lils, I am okay," said James.