He glanced at Marlene, who was walking beside him, her face etched with worry.
"James, what do you think is wrong?" Marlene whispered, her eyes darting around the corridor.
"I don't know," James replied, his voice trembling slightly. "But we need to get her help, fast."
They reached the Hospital Wing, and James banged on the door with urgency. Madam Pomfrey opened it, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight before her.
"What happened?" she asked, ushering them inside.
"He won't wake up," James said, his voice cracking. "Please, help him."
Madam Pomfrey quickly assessed the situation, her expression growing more serious by the second. She directed them to place Lily in James's body on a nearby bed and began her examination, casting diagnostic charm after diagnostic charm.
James stood by, feeling helpless and scared. He glanced at Marlene, who was biting her lip, trying to hold back tears.
"Do you think it's because of the body swap?" Marlene asked in a hushed tone.
James shook his head, his mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know, but we need to find out."
Madam Pomfrey finished her initial examination and turned to them, her face grave. "I need to run some more tests, but it seems she's suffering from severe magical exhaustion and the remnants of a cold. But first, an explanation would be nice. How is it that our Head Boy and Head Girl are seemingly occupying each other's bodies?"
James felt like a deer caught in the headlight. How did she find out? Not he didn't want to reveal the truth, he was just about to do that.
"No need to look so surprised advanced diagnostic charms can detect magical core signatures. I happen to be very familiar with Ms Evans's since I taught her the spell, demonstrating it on her first hand."
James let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "We swapped bodies because of an enchanted clock in the prefects' office. As far as we could find out it lasts 72 hours. The jinx activated when we had a huge disagreement, Lily heatedly said I should try walking in her shoes and the next day we woke up like this ."
Madam Pomfrey frowned deeply. "A body-swap or more accurately soul-swap is highly complex and dangerous magic though on its own shouldn't cause what we have going on here. When did this happen exactly?"
"Friday, midnight," James quickly recalled.
"And she—or by that time Mr Potter—was hospitalized on Saturday morning for the cold, which by any calculation would have been well on its way since Friday morning, early afternoon at the latest. Should have realized the symptoms were too severe, it was caught early enough," the matron contemplated. "Was she feeling poorly last night? Did you by any chance give her potions from the bag I gave her on Saturday?"
"Yes, she was feeling a little dizzy, and I used the anti-contagion and cold remedy potions," he nodded.
"That explains it," she tutted. "I wish you had brought her down yesterday evening. Silly, stupid, stubborn girl."
"You know why this is happening then?" Marlene asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes," the matron replied curtly before sighing. "The simplest explanation is that when magical folk are battling any kind of illness, their magic helps speed up the healing process, further supported by the potions that are given. The drawback is that those too create an even greater pull on the core, hence the speed up of the healing process. This effect is usually the strongest in the first 12 or so hours of the illness, when it first manifests significantly and when those potions are taken."
James's eyes widened with realization. "So, her magical core was already being taxed by her initial cold, then the swap, then catching the cold again and then the potions on top of that..."
"Exactly," Madam Pomfrey confirmed, her expression grave. "Her core has been under tremendous strain, with no respite anywhere in between to recover. The soul-swap, coupled with the illnesses and the potions, pushed her past her limit."
James felt a wave of guilt wash over him. "I should have noticed, should have made her here sooner, no matter her protests."
"Don't blame yourself," Marlene said, placing a comforting hand on James's shoulder. "We're here now, and Madam Pomfrey will help her."
James nodded, his worry still evident. "What can be done?"
Madam Pomfrey sighed softly. "It will sound strange, but the best thing for her is nothing, no more magical intervention unless something unexpected happens. We have to let her core recuperate naturally. Rest is the key."
James looked at Lily, his heart heavy with guilt and concern. "So, we just wait?" he asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Yes, just wait. Keep her comfortable and let her body heal itself. It will take time, but it's the safest way."
"Do you know how long it will take?" James's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes never leaving Lily's pale face.
"She has an exceptionally strong core. I'd imagine she would start waking up sometime midafternoon, maybe," Madam Pomfrey replied, her tone reassuring yet firm.
"Can I stay here with her?" James asked, a note of desperation creeping into his voice.
"I'll write a note to excuse both of you from classes," Madam Pomfrey said, her tone softening. "The last thing we need is you collapsing in the middle of classes."
James frowned, confusion evident in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Madam Pomfrey looked at him like he was daft. "You've gone through the body swap and the tail end of the cold with a potions regimen as well. If you start practising magic for classwork, it might get too much for you."
"Oh, right," James said, realization dawning on his face. "I didn't think about that."
Madam Pomfrey sighed with a mix of exasperation and concern. "Both of you need to rest and let your magical cores recover. No magic, just rest."
James nodded, his determination solidifying. "Alright, we'll do as you say."
Marlene offered a reassuring smile, her hand resting gently on James's shoulder. "I'll let the others know a sanitized version of what's going on. They'll understand."
"Tell Remus the whole thing, he already knows," James amended. "For Sirius and Peter let's just go with the story that James caught Lily's cold, we don't need them breaking down the door and they definitely would if they thought it was anything more serious than that."
"Sure," Marlene nodded, leaving the ward with a tight-lipped but encouraging smile. "Hang in there."
As the morning wore on, James stayed by Lily's side, watching over her and ensuring she was comfortable. The waiting was agonizing, but he knew it was necessary.
By midafternoon, as Madam Pomfrey had predicted, Lily began to stir. James leaned forward, hope surging through him. "Lily? Can you hear me?" he asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.
Lily's eyes fluttered open, her gaze slowly focusing on James. "James? What happened?" she asked weakly, her voice barely a whisper.
James smiled, relief washing over him like a warm tide. "You were suffering from severe magical exhaustion. Madam Pomfrey says you need to rest," he explained gently, his eyes full of concern.
Lily nodded weakly, her eyelids drooping. "I feel so tired," she murmured, her voice fading.
"Just rest," James said softly, his hand gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "I'll be right here."
Madam Pomfrey approached, her expression gentle but authoritative. "You're going to be alright, Miss Evans. Just let your magic replenish. No more exertion for now," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Lily wasn't going to protest, she was already under.
Lily woke up again closer to evening, just in time to witness Remus arrive to indicate to Madam Pomfrey that he was heading down to the Whomping Willow. Moony didn't say the last part out loud, but James knew it was soon nearing the full moon.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?" the matron fussed.
Remus gave her a reassuring smile, though his eyes betrayed his exhaustion. "I'll be fine, Madam Pomfrey. I'm not twelve anymore."
Madam Pomfrey sighed, her worry lines deepening. "Oh alright, but do be careful, Mr. Lupin. Are you sure you are not feeling poorly?"
"Absolutely," he replied, his voice steady.
As Remus turned to leave, he caught James's eye and gave him a small nod. James, still in Lily's body, felt a pang of guilt. He should be there with Remus, but he knew he shouldn't leave Lily alone in her current state. He also didn't know if he could complete the Animagus transformation in this body. But what if? He knew just the place where he could test this theory, and he still had about two hours before the actual moonrise. Moony was always very big on not cutting it too close, allowing himself ample time to make his way through the castle and grounds, not to mention the long tunnel leading all the way to the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade.
"James?" Lily's voice was weak but clear, pulling him back to the present. She was awake, her green eyes slowly focusing on him.
James squeezed her hand gently. "Hey, how are you feeling?"
Lily managed a small smile. "Better, I think. What's going on with Remus?"
James hesitated, glancing at Madam Pomfrey to see if she was listening. Strictly speaking, no one was supposed to know, so he kept his voice low. "It's the full moon tonight. Remus... well, you know."
Lily's eyes widened with realization. "Oh, right. I forgot what day it was. He's going to be alright, isn't he?"
James nodded. "Yeah, he's tough."
Madam Pomfrey came over and checked Lily's vital signs once more, nodding in satisfaction. "You've made good progress, Miss Evans. But remember, no magic and plenty of rest. I'll have some dinner brought up for both of you."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey," Lily said, her voice still soft but stronger than before.
As the matron left, James turned back to Lily, his expression serious. "You really scared me, Lily."
Lily squeezed his hand back. "I'm sorry, James. I didn't realize how much strain my body was under. But thank you for staying with me."
"Any time," he said. After a few seconds, he continued. "Hey, Lily, I have to go do something real quick. Will you be alright here for a bit?"
Lily nodded weakly. "I'm in good hands, you should go rest in the dorms. Hopefully, I'll be out of here by morning."
James gave her hand one last squeeze before standing up. He turned to Madam Pomfrey. "I'm going to check on something. I'll be back soon."
"Take your time," she said, her voice reassuring. "Miss Evans will be well looked after."
James slipped out of the Hospital Wing and made his way to the room Lily had described on the seventh-floor corridor. Pacing three times in front of the blank wall, he concentrated on needing a place to test his Animagus transformation. The door to the Room of Requirement appeared, and James quickly stepped inside.
The room was spacious and empty, with high ceilings and enough room for him to move around freely. He took a deep breath and focused, concentrating on the transformation. To his relief, he felt the familiar change ripple through him, and soon he stood as a small, lean stag. Exactly the same as his regular form. Satisfied that he could still transform, he reversed the change and stood there, catching his breath.
Alright, that's that, but he couldn't very well waltz down there looking like Lily. A most cunning plan came to his mind: He would go down under the Cloak of Invisibility and only reveal himself as a stag at the last possible minute.
With the plan set, James hurried back to Gryffindor Tower, retrieving his Invisibility Cloak from his trunk. Throwing it over himself, he slipped through the castle corridors, careful to avoid any patrolling prefects or professors.
Reaching the Whomping Willow, he was grateful that he caught the small window where the tree was still unmoving after Wormtail had hit the knot at the base of the tree. He made his way to the Shrieking Shack undetected, thankful for once for Sirius's daredevil persona as he was still not transformed, chatting away jovially with Remus as they waited for the full moon to rise. He wouldn't have made it past Padfoot in dog form as he slipped into the adjacent room and hid in the corner.
Just as the transformation began, James threw off the cloak and quickly shifted into his Animagus form. The stag appeared out of nowhere, standing tall and proud. Sirius, in his dog form, barked in recognition, while Peter, as a rat, scurried around excitedly. Remus, now fully transformed into a werewolf, growled but seemed calmer in the presence of his friends.
So far so good.
Unfortunately, he didn't realise the terrible mistake he had made. The clock was ticking away towards midnight without any of them realising the implications.
Just as the transformation began, James threw off the cloak and quickly shifted into his Animagus form. The stag appeared out of nowhere, standing tall and proud. Sirius, in his dog form, barked in recognition, while Peter, as a rat, scurried around excitedly. Remus, now fully transformed into a werewolf, growled but seemed calmer in the presence of his friends. So far so good.
Unfortunately, James didn't realize the terrible mistake he had made. The clock was ticking away towards midnight without any of them realizing the implications.
At least they had the good sense not to go wandering the Forbidden Forest tonight and tried to entertain the werewolf in the confines of the Shack.
The night progressed, and the full moon's light bathed the Shrieking Shack in an eerie glow. James, in his stag form, kept a watchful eye on Remus, occasionally glancing at Sirius and Peter to ensure they were all in sync. The werewolf paced and growled but seemed less agitated with his friends around him, their presence providing a semblance of control.
As the hours ticked by, the midnight hour approached. None of them noticed the subtle shift in the air, the faint tingling of magic that heralded the end of the body swap spell. Just as the clock struck twelve, James felt a sudden jolt, a disorienting pull as if his very essence was being yanked back into place.
In an instant, James and Lily were thrown back into their respective bodies.
James was suddenly lying in a Hospital Wing bed, feeling a mix of confusion and apprehension wash over him. He sat up quickly, his heart pounding as he realized the spell had finally ended.
Lily, on the other hand, found herself in a far more precarious situation. She was suddenly very naked and face-to-face with a very hungry-looking werewolf. The shock of the sudden change hit her like a freight train, and she froze, her mind racing to comprehend what had just happened.
Remus, now fully transformed, growled low in his throat, his yellow eyes locking onto Lily. For a split second, it felt as if the world stood still.
Sirius, who had been by Remus's side as Padfoot, quickly tackled the other canine, drawing his attention away from the sudden appearance of a very appetizing snack.
Peter, still in his Animagus form, just darted around in a panic.
Lily's survival instincts kicked in. She scrambled to her feet, backing away slowly while keeping her eyes on the wrestling bunch that was Remus and Sirius. Her mind raced, trying to come up with a plan to get out of this alive.
She darted behind the door on her left and shut it tightly, praying that it was sturdy enough to withstand a werewolf attack. The door shook violently as Remus threw himself against it, snarling and clawing. Lily's heart pounded in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of fear and desperation.
Knowing she had only moments, she scanned the room for anything she could use. Her eyes fell on a piece of broken glass. With trembling hands, she picked it up and made a shallow cut across her palm, wincing at the pain. Blood welled up, and she pressed her hand against the door, drawing a runic array she had designed herself—a powerful bloodward meant to protect against harm.
She worked as quickly as she could, the door continuing to shake under Remus's relentless assault. The array glowed faintly as she completed it, a barrier of magic springing up and holding firm. Remus's attacks slowed, then stopped, as he found himself unable to breach the ward.
Lily's strength was nearly gone. She slumped against the door, bleeding and shivering from the cold. Her vision blurred, but she spotted a glint of silver fabric—the Invisibility Cloak. She crawled over to it, pulling it around herself for warmth and concealment.
Her last conscious thought was a prayer that the cloak would hide her well enough until help arrived. Then, everything went black.
Back at the castle, James burst out of the Hospital Wing, startling Madam Pomfrey who was already in a nightgown.
"What is the meaning of this, Ms Evans?" she called after him.
"It's me, we switched back, gotta run!" he hollered back from the end of the hallway, not daring to slow down.
He made a mad dash through the castle and across the grounds. The Whomping Willow slowed him down momentarily as he tried to dodge its aggressive branches to reach the knot that would still it. Finally, he managed to freeze the tree and sprinted through the tunnel, transforming into his stag form as he reached the end.
As he burst into the Shrieking Shack, he found Sirius still trying to distract Remus, the werewolf making various attempts at one specific door in the shack which seemed to hold strong despite the onslaught. He didn't need to be a genius to guess that's where Lily had hidden herself. He also didn't have an opportunity to check on her. If he were to transform back now, that would definitely send the werewolf into a blood frenzy. The best he could do was guard the door and make sure Moony couldn't break through.
Prongs, in his stag form, positioned himself between the werewolf and the door, lowering his antlers in a defensive stance. Padfoot barked and lunged at Moony, biting his leg and pulling him back, trying to divert his attention.
The werewolf snarled, eyes glowing with fury, but the reappearance of the stag seemed to confuse him, momentarily halting his attacks on the door. James braced himself, ready to use his antlers to fend off any attempt to get past him.
The hours slowly but surely ticked by as they held their ground. Finally, as the moon began to sink lower in the sky, the first light of dawn started to filter through the windows. The transformation began to reverse, and Remus slowly turned back into his human form, collapsing on the floor, exhausted and disoriented.
Sirius transformed back into his human form, panting heavily. "What the fucking hell happened, Prongs? You were here, then suddenly it was Evans, then you reappeared again…" he said, looking at James in bewilderment.
James, still catching his breath, replied urgently, "I'll explain, but we need to check on Lily first."
He rushed to the door that Lily had hidden behind, knocking gently. "Lily? It's me, James. It's safe now. Can you hear me?"
There was no response. James's heart pounded as he pushed the door open. Inside, he found Lily, unconscious, covered in the Invisibility Cloak, fortunately not fully closed and hooded so she wasn't completely invisible. More worryingly her hand, resting outside of the cloak on the ground was covered in blood and he couldn't ascertain immediately what had caused it.
"Padfoot…" James's broken voice carried out from the room.
"Peter, check on Moony, will you? I think I bit his ankle pretty hard when I yanked him back." Sirius instructed before going to see what James wanted. He was seriously pissed off. All day yesterday it was Sirius don't do this, don't do that, please tone down the pranks and the drama. Only for James to perform the biggest fuck up of the century. He had no idea what was going on, but one thing was absolutely fucking certain. James Potter had fucked up big time. He never wanted to hear another word about the incident with Snape in this very same tunnel.
The dog-animagus marched over and assessed the scene.
"She wasn't bitten, I made sure of that," Padfoot reassured his mate, quickly realizing that was his immediate worry. He noticed the drops of blood leading to the door and quickly closed it, revealing a complicated array drawn in blood on the door. He whistled congratulatorily.
James looked up in confusion and then noticed the back side of the door as well. "Are those runes?"
"Miss Lily Flower here performed some serious blood magic," Sirius replied, his tone a mix of awe and concern. "Highly illegal in Britain, but might just be what saved her life until you arrived. Moony was hell-bent on breaking down this door."
James's eyes widened, and he gently lifted Lily off the grimy floorboards, trying to avoid disturbing her injured hand. "We need to get her back to Madam Pomfrey. She needs medical attention right away."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "And how are you going to explain what happened to the naked, bleeding and unconscious Head Girl? Carried in by the Head Boy no less. The Head Boy who had been obsessed with said Head Girl for years. How do you think that's going to look?"
James paused, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He hadn't thought of that. "We can't just leave her here, Sirius."
"Moony's going to be alright," Peter said, peaking in and looking up at James and Sirius. "He's got a bad bite, but it's nothing Madam Pomfrey can't fix. He can always just say he bit himself."
"Not now, Peter," the both of them said simultaneously.
"Didn't say leave her here, quite the opposite. Madame Pomfrey will be here in the next 10-20 minutes probably. We need to remove evidence of what happened here because it's not just you who could get into a heap of trouble but her as well if anyone catches a glimpse of that door," Sirius explained further. "Also, Episkey."
The cut on Lily's hand instantly healed over.
"Thanks," James swallowed uneasily at the thought of why Sirius knew healing spells. At home, no one would have treated his injuries since they would have been inflicted by those very same people. He had to learn the hard way, patching himself up after each encounter.
James glanced at the now healed cut on Lily's hand and then at Sirius, who was already moving to tidy up the scene, casting Scourgify at any spot that caught his attention. The urgency of the situation left no room for hesitation.
"Is there anywhere you can think of where we can take her to get cleaned up, and clothed without anyone noticing before we bring her to Pomfrey?" Sirius asked, his eyes scanning the room for any remaining evidence.
James thought for a moment, then it hit him. The Room of Requirement. "I know just the place," he said, determination setting in.
"Good," Sirius nodded. "Take her under the cloak, make sure there is nothing suspicious left on her," he instructed. "I'll clean up here and hide with Peter in our Animagus forms until Madam Pomfrey retrieves Remus and the coast is clear."
"I'm so sorry, Moony," Prongs relayed to his friend as he walked past. Remus, barely conscious, managed a weak nod, understanding the gravity of the situation.
James quickly shifted Lily in his arms and wrapped both of them in the Invisibility Cloak again, ensuring she was completely covered. The cloak shimmered, hiding them from sight as they made their way back through the tunnel and grounds all the way to the castle.
The hallways were still dim, the first light of dawn casting long shadows. James moved swiftly but cautiously, avoiding any early risers. The castle, usually bustling with activity, felt eerie in its silence. He could hear his own heartbeat, the sound of his footsteps though as careful as he could manage amplified by the quiet.
Once they reached the seventh-floor corridor, James paced three times in front of the blank wall, concentrating on needing a place to clean Lily up and get her clothed. The door to the Room of Requirement appeared, materializing as if from thin air. He quickly stepped inside, the room transforming into a cosy, private bathroom with all the necessary supplies.
James gently set Lily down on a cushioned bench. He worked quickly, cleaning her up with warm water and a soft washcloth, trying to be as respectful and quick as possible. His hands trembled slightly, a mixture of adrenaline and fear coursing through him.
He had found some clothes in a wardrobe that the room had provided. They were simple, comfortable garments, perfect for Lily's recovery. He helped dress her, the quiet task grounding him momentarily amid the chaos.
After a few minutes, Lily was clean, clothed, and looked much more presentable. James carefully wrapped her in a warm blanket, ensuring she was comfortable. Her face, though still pale, seemed more peaceful now.
They left the Room of Requirement and made their way back to the Hospital Wing, the early morning light growing stronger.
James and Lily made their way back to the Hospital Wing, the early morning light growing stronger. The castle was beginning to stir with the sounds of students waking up and preparing for the day. They slipped into the Hospital Wing quietly, James carrying Lily gently and cautiously.
As they entered, Madam Pomfrey was already busy preparing for the day's patients. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw James with Lily.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I found her collapsed in the prefects' office," James lied, his ears burning with the falsehood. "I don't know what she might have been doing there. She must have gone there after we switched back."
Madam Pomfrey's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she quickly moved to examine Lily, her hands gentle but efficient. "Lay her down here," she instructed, pointing to a nearby bed.
James gently placed Lily on the bed, stepping back as Madam Pomfrey began her work. He could feel Remus's eyes on him from the other bed, where he was already lying, looking pale and exhausted but otherwise stable. Remus's gaze was intense, filled with a mix of worry and anger.
As Madam Pomfrey cast diagnostic spells and prepared potions, James tried to avoid Remus's eyes. The weight of the night's events pressed heavily on him, and he knew he owed his friend an explanation.
Remus, sensing the tension, kept his mouth shut, though his eyes never left James. He knew that any slip-up could have dire consequences for all of them, but especially for him as a werewolf. The fact that James had taken such a risk infuriated him, whether out of negligence or just sheer stupidity, but he also understood the desperation and loyalty that had driven his friend's actions.
Madam Pomfrey worked swiftly, her hands moving with practised ease as she tended to Lily. The room was filled with the soft sounds of her ministrations, a stark contrast to the chaos they had just endured.
"She's had a severe relapse in her magical exhaustion," Madam Pomfrey said, her voice calm but firm. "Though not out of the realm of possibility that the switch back would cause this kind of reaction, it seems like an awfully extreme and out of proportionate reaction. At the moment I cannot even guess when she will be awake. If her condition doesn't improve in a maximum of three days we will have to move her to St. Mungos."
James felt his heart drop at Madam Pomfrey's words. He looked at Lily's pale face, her breathing shallow and unsteady, and the guilt and fear he felt intensified. He nodded numbly, not trusting himself to speak.
"Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey touched his arm to get his attention, apparently trying to get his attention not for the first time.
"I'm sorry, what?" James blinked, trying to focus.
"I said, Mr. Potter, I'd like to conduct a thorough examination of you as well, just as a precaution. You went through the same transformation as well," she repeated, her tone gentle but firm.
"Sure," James agreed, feeling too drained to argue.
Madam Pomfrey ran her diagnostic spells over him, her brow furrowing with concern. "Just as I thought, you are about a hair's breadth away from magical exhaustion as well. I cannot let you go to classes in this condition. Take that cot next to Mr. Lupin while I finish up with him."
James nodded, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over him. He reluctantly sat down on the cot, glancing over at Remus, who was watching him with a mix of concern and frustration.
Madam Pomfrey turned her attention to Remus, giving him a thorough check-up despite his protests that he was fine.
"I'd like to keep you for the day, dear," she tutted, examining the bite on his ankle with a critical eye. "That's a nasty bite."
"I'd rather rest up in my own room, Madam Pomfrey," Remus insisted, his voice gentle but firm. "I promise to keep off my feet for the day."
She sighed, clearly not thrilled with the idea but understanding his need for some semblance of normalcy. "How about until lunchtime?" she pleaded, her eyes softening with concern.
"Deal," Remus agreed, giving her a small smile. "Thank you."
She nodded, wrapping his ankle with a fresh bandage and handing him a vial of potion. "Take this for the pain and no strenuous activity. I mean it, Remus."
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, his tone sincere.
The room fell into a tense silence once she returned to her office, though they could still hear her muttering loudly about the Headmaster neglecting to sweep the castle for dangerous magics and questioning who in their right mind would place such a powerful jinx that could affect students. James finally mustered the courage to turn toward Remus's bed, his mind weighed down by the events of the night.
Remus's eyes bore into him, a mix of anger and concern evident in his gaze. "James, what were you thinking?" he hissed, his voice low to avoid drawing Madam Pomfrey's attention. "You put her in danger, you put all of us in danger."
James swallowed hard, feeling the full brunt of Remus's disappointment. "I know, Moony. I wasn't thinking, I just wanted to be there with you and the fact that the switch would reverse at midnight last night completely slipped my mind."
Remus's eyes narrowed, frustration clear as he sat up. "Sirius said I didn't hurt her. Why is she like this, then?"
James looked down, his hands clenched into fists. "It's not your fault, Remus. She used some kind of powerful blood magic to protect herself. It saved her life, but it drained her. Madam Pomfrey said she's suffering from severe magical exhaustion."
Remus let out a long breath, his anger turning inward. "She did that to protect herself from me. Even though she knew she was not to use magic in her condition. I... I can't believe I put her in that position."
James shook his head. "No, Moony, it's not on you. This was my fault. I should've thought it through. She's going to be okay. Madam Pomfrey is the best there is."
Remus's eyes softened a fraction, but the worry was still there. "She better be. We can't lose her because of a mistake like this. You can't make decisions like this without thinking, James. You're responsible for more than just yourself."
James nodded, the weight of Remus's words settling on him like a heavy cloak. "I know. I will make sure nothing like this happens to her ever again."
The tone with which he said that raised Moony's hackles. "What do you mean?"
"I'll take myself out of the equation and keep my distance from now on. I have caused her nothing but pain and sorrow. She doesn't just deserve someone better; it's best if I don't even graze her world anymore," James replied, his voice heavy with resignation.
Remus's eyes widened in surprise and anger. "That's not the solution, James. Running away won't fix anything. She needs you, we all need each other. Don't you see that?"
James looked down, unable to meet Remus's gaze. "I just don't want to be the reason she gets hurt again."
Remus reached out, gripping James's arm firmly. "You're not the only one who makes mistakes, Prongs. We all do. But we face them together. Abandoning her isn't going to protect her. It'll only hurt her more."
James took a deep breath, his resolve wavering under Remus's steady grip. "I just... I don't know what to do anymore."
Remus's grip tightened slightly. "First of all, how about not making decisions for her about who she wants to associate with, and let her decide?"
James sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Oh, she will be so angry when she wakes up she will hex me into next Sunday. I have no doubts about what her decision would be if given a choice. Just look at what happened with Snape. I'm pretty sure nearly getting her killed is a worse offence than petty insults."
Remus shook his head, his expression softening. "James, you need to stop assuming the worst. Lily is smart and strong. She's capable of making her own choices. Don't take that away from her."
James hesitated, the guilt gnawing at him. "But what if she blames me? Why wouldn't she blame me? She would be completely justified. What if she never wants to see me again?"
"Deal with that eventuality if it actually comes to pass," Remus replied firmly. "But you owe her the chance to make that decision herself. Don't run away from this, James. Face it, and trust that your friendship is strong enough to handle the truth."
James looked at Remus, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "You really think she'll forgive me?"
"I think Lily values honesty and loyalty more than anything," Remus said. "Be honest with her, and show her that you're willing to stand by her, no matter what. That's all anyone can ask for."
James nodded slowly, the weight of his guilt lifting slightly. "You are right, Moony, you are always right. But I'm still scared."
"That's normal," Remus said with a small smile. "But you're not alone in this. We're all here for you. And for Lily."