Chapter 1: Lily and James: The Seventh Year

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I really love the idea of Lily and James and a doomed love.....I would like to remind
my readers, nothing is my own, except what is unfamiliar. Remember R and R.

Chapter One: Another Year

The morning sun was blazing through the window of the Gryffindor common room.
Lily Evans sat next to the fireplace and sighed. She was waiting for her dorm mates
to meet her down stairs so they could proceed to the Great Hall for breakfast.
It was their first full day at Hogwarts. Lily and her two mates were entering starting
their seventh and final year. Lily was the brains of the group. She was easily one of
the smartest student of her year. She had also been named Head
Girl, and she often smirked when she saw the sparkling badge on her chest.
She was the serious type, and didn’t feel there was time for unnecessary foolishness.

“About time,” she muttered as her two dorm mates came giggling down the stairs.
December O’Riley was a tall slender girl with long black hair that fell down her back.
She had the most charming smile you could possible imagine and occasionally she
could even charm Lily. Only December thought her teeth were a tad bit too large, so
she often refrained from smiling and preferred to wear a serious expression on her
face. Lily’s other dorm mate was short giggly Beth Simmons. Beth’s cheeks often
flushed and her nose was set in a pinch. She wasn’t the serious type, and she would
much rather talk about boys than transfiguration or potions.

Their fourth dorm mate was aloof and rarely seen. Dreamy Johnston, she often
tagged along with her dorm mates, but she wasn’t always welcome. She came down
quickly after December and Beth. She hardly said a word, and seemed to enjoy
being the unknown Gryffindor.

“Well come on, Lils, were going to miss breakfast,” Demember said quickly as if
it was Lily’s fault they were running late.

“Like I’m the one who’s putting London into a water shortage with my two hour
showers,” Lily shot back.

The three girls chatted happily down the stairwell into the great hall, Dreamy
followed silently and disappeared before they reached their destination. Her
disappearance went unnoticed. They were running late as usual, and the hall was
already clearing out.

“Oh no, it’s that foul James Potter,” Lily said suddenly.

James Potter and the Marauders, they were the pranksters, the class clowns, the
troublemakers. If something happened that was outrageous and against the rules,
chances are the Marauders were behind it. They had driven Lily crazy the past two
years. She had been named prefect her fifth year, and keeping her fellow
Gyffindor’s out of trouble had been quite a challenge. While December and Beth
thought the Marauder’s pranks were harmless and cute, Lily found them arrogant
and wrong. Her fellow Gryffindor prefect the past two years had belonged to this
elite group. Remus Lupin, some help he had been. It was easier to turn his head
and ignore his mates than do what was expected of him as a prefect.

To add to Lily’s headaches, James Potter, the most arrogant boy in school, had
been named Head Boy. It was the first time in 50 years two students from the same
house
had been named Head Boy and Head Girl.

“Hello Evans,” James shouted out happily. “Isn’t it tradition that the head boy
and girl are suppose to date?”

“Yea, can see that happening,” December laughed.

“December, didn’t see you, you look excellent this year,” James said with a
flirty wink.

December let a smile slip, and replied, “Right back at you.”

She had more confidence than most girl twice her age. Beth gave a giggle, and
shot December a longing look, she envied December’s ability to keep her cool in
the presences of the opposite sex.

Lily rolled her eyes, she wished her friends would not egg Potter on, she wanted
nothing more than for him to keep moving and leave her alone. She had lost count
of the number of times Potter had attempted to ask her out, if you could call it
that. The first time she had been thrown off guard and she had told him she’d
rather date the giant squid in the lake. He hadn’t taken the hint. He was
arrogant, and that was one quality Lily couldn’t stand in a guy.

Suddenly she felt an arm around her shoulder and heard that annoying voice say,
“So what about it, me and you, the hottest couple of the year?”

While James charm worked on most girls, it never worked on Lily.

She curled her lip and said, “Get your hands off me.”

She jerked out from underneath his arm. “I’m going to class, you guys coming,” she
motioned to her friends, and they were out the door.

“He’s just flirting with you,” December said coolly as they made their way into
the charms classroom.

“I don’t want him to flirt with me,” Lily said quickly.

“Lils, he’s one of the coolest guys in school, I mean you’ve never seen him at
Quidditch practice…” Beth trailed off, her eyes staring happily into space.

“For some reason nasty sweaty James Potter doesn’t sound like a turn on,” Lily
said rolling her eyes.

“Your just making it worse for yourself, he’s a guy, your rejecting him, your
turning yourself into a challenge, guys like James love a challenge,” December
said like she knew exactly what James was thinking,

“Hello ladies,” Sirius Black said as he bowed and walked passed them toward the
back of the room. While Lily rolled her eyes again, Beth started to giggle.

“How was your holiday?” December asked politely and unaffected.

“Lonely, without you love,” Black replied back.

“Not as lonely as mine,” December replied back sarcastically.

Sirius was followed by the rest of the Marauders, they always sat in the back of
the classroom, and none of them presented themselves with an entrance like
Sirius’s. James however did wink at Lily as he walked by, she snarled her nose
at him and turned her head towards the window.

Lily was talking nine N.E.W.T classes and to her disapproval, James was in all of
them but one.

“Does he like to torture me?” Lily said hatefully to herself as James walked by
her and winked for the third class that day.

“Just go out with him, then he’ll leave you alone,” December urged, overhearing
her complaint.

“Like I would ever stoop to that level,” she muttered back.

“I’d date him, couldn’t hurt to have the reputation of being James Potter’s
girlfriend,” December said with an evil grin.

Lily glanced sharply over at her friend and stared at her in disbelief for a
moment, “December, you really have no shame do you?”

“Like him?” December said, “Though so, explains the defensiveness.”

Lily huffed, and rolled her eyes, “Me like James Potter, I’d rather go out with
Severus Snape.”

December looked up from her book and gave her friend a look. Lily cocked her chin
up towards the ceiling in a defiant pose.

Lily kept busy, as did her dorm mates over the next month. Lily had Head Girl
duties, nine N.E.W.T classes, she was captain of the school chess team and was
in charge of planning all school events.

She was always an overachiever and liked too much on her plate. The Gryffindor
common room was quite this particular afternoon, she sighed in relief, she had
so much to do. Beth was at Quidditch practice and December had not yet returned
from her last class. Lily pulled out her planner. Prefect meeting at seven,
chess practice at eight thirty, and meeting with Potter at nine twenty-five. The
last thing on her list of things to do cause her shake her head in distaste. It
was the responsibility of the Head boy and girl to plan all school outings and
events. Normally it consisted on a few Hogmeade visits and couple school feasts.
But, James Potter wanted to leave his memory of being head boy at Hogwarts. He
wanted to do something different, something exciting. Therefore he had insisted
that him and Lily meet to discuss some options. When she had ignored his attempt
to talk about this subject, he went over her head to their head of house,
Professor McGonagall. McGonagall had arranged the time for the two to meet, much
against Lily’s approval.

“Hello Lily,” said a weary looking Remus Lupin as he came through the portrait.

Although Rumus had always been very polite to Lily, she still hadn’t forgiven
him for all those times he had turned the other cheek and ignored the Maunders
disregard for the school rules.

“Busy?” he asked with a pleasant smile.

She nodded her head and gave a grin. Remus came over and took a seat on the
couch next to Lily.

“Gosh, I don’t think I’ve every been so overloaded, I don’t know how your
keeping everything straight with nine N.E.W.T. classes,” he said casually.

“Good time management skills,” she joked.

“I can’t believe the first Quidditch match of the year is tomorrow,” he said
trying to keep the conversation rolling.

“I didn’t even remember, I’ve never been much of a Quidditch fan, that is Beth’s
department,” she replied.

“You are going to the game,” he asked worriedly.

“I guess, I mean, Beth would kill me if I didn’t,” she responded puzzled.

“Good,” he left it at that, leaving Lily without a answer to her curiosity.

“What time is the chess meeting tonight?”

His question caught Lily off guard, she was staring at Lupin with a puzzled
expression.

“What? Oh, eight-thirty in Professor McGonagalls class room,” she finally

replied.

Just then December burst through the door, giggling loudly and bouncing up and
down. Her normal serious expression hidden behind a contagious smile.

“Who won the Lottery,” Lily asked.

“Oh my gosh, got the best news!” she said gleefully, it didn’t even appeared
Lupin’s presences could keep her from sharing her news.

“What’s the news?” Lily asked anxiously.

“You know Rodney Smith? Well, he finally asked Beth out! She’s only had a crush
on him for like two years. I’m so happy for her, she just told me a second ago,
she was heading in to take a shower after Quidditch practice, I’ve never seen her
so happy.”

“That’s great,” Lily forced out.

Rodney Smith was a Slytherin and Lily just didn’t trust him. He was the kind of
guy that had a different girl on his arm every week, but Beth was so shy around
guys. Beth had goggled over Rodney for two whole years.

“I don’t care if he is a Slytherin, he so cute,” she would mutter.

“I hope he doesn’t, you know,” Lily said with concern.

“Oh Lily don’t ruin the celebration, once she dates him, she’ll see what a prat
he is and be over him. It’s the best thing that could happen to her and us, we
won’t have to endure her goggling any longer,” December said with a heavy sigh.

Lupin let out a small chuckle and mutter something that sounded like, ‘women’ under
his
breath.

“Your willing to see our friend suffer, so we won’t have to hear her goggle
anymore?” Lily replied shocked.

“They’ll never last, Beth’s to smart to stay with him after one date. It’s just
a crush, a phase,” December replied her grin finally fading.

“I hope your right, or we might have to hex a Slytherin,” Lily said

in a lighter mood.

“James and Sirius have lots of experience to help you there,” Lupin interjected
in. “See you during Chess Club tonight.”

He got up and headed up toward his dorm.

Just as he left the portrait entrance opened and a ecstatic Beth came running
in, her hair still wet from her shower.

“He asked me to the Halloween Dance, he asked me out!” Beth yelled happily.

She was glowing from head to toe and it appeared nothing could bring her down
from cloud nine.

“I know, December here just told me,” Lily said with a forced smile.

“The guys are pissed, they’re calling me a traitor. There is nothing wrong with
me dating someone in a different house,” she said confidently. “Sirius, he tried to
pelt me with a bludger at practice today.”

Lily cracked a grin then something hit her. “What Halloween dance?”
Beth looked at her puzzled, and pointed at the announcement board.
Lily looked up toward the board.

ANNOUNCEMENT…….
Hogwarts Head Boy and Head Girl are happy to announce the
Hogwarts Halloween Dance, (Third years and above only) It will take place
October 31st at seven shape, Great Hall.

“I can’t believe him!” Lily shrieked.

“Lils calm down, it’s not that big of a deal. It just took some of the pressure off
you,” December said calmly.

Lily felt the heat rising off her face as James Potter and Sirius Black came through
the
portrait a moment later.
“Well, who are you going to ask?” Sirius was saying.

“YOU!” Lily shrilled.

James smiled and said, “Something wrong Evans?” His innocent smile normally got
him out of most fixes, but not this one.

“WHY IN THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU GO OVER MY HEAD AND FORCE PROFESSOR
MCGONGALL TO MAKE ME MEET WITH YOU IFYOU ALREADY KNEW WHAT YOU WERE
PLANNING TO DO!” she
yelled angrily.

“I don’t know, I just wanted to spend time with you I guess,” James grinned
calmly.

Wrong thing to say.

“I DON’T WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU CAN
PLAN THE REST OF THE EVENTS YOURSELF, SINCE YOUR SO GOOD AT IT…..TAKE A
HINT POTTER, LEAVE ME ALONE!” she cried as she turned to dash up the stairs.

“I take it were not still on for tonight then?” he asked hopeful. The girls dorm
room door slammed and everyone in the common room flinched.

“Those red head, they’ve got a temper Prongs,” Sirius said as he patted his
friend on the back.

Chapter 2: The Lion and the Snake

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AN: I would like to remind all my readers that nothing is my own. This chapter is
going to seem slow, and I apologize for the method to my madness....enjoy.
 Chapter 2: The Lion and the Snake

Lily awoke the next morning to a frustrated Beth.

"I can't find my qudditch robes," she whined.

"Damn it Beth, your match isn't until noon, can't you let us sleep for crying out
loud," moaned a grouchy December.

"No, James wants us all at the field by eight sharp, meaning I've got fifteen minutes
to find my robes, eat breakfast and get down to the field," Beth said with distress.

Lily and her dorm mates were use to this type from Beth behavior during Quidditch
season. They often told her she'd lose her head if it wasn't attached.

Lily really couldn’t blame Beth for her dramatics. James was the Quidditch tyrant.
Since he had been appointed Quidditch captain in his sixth year, he had made it a
point to make everyone on the team miserable on game day; it was the only thing
he took seriously in Lily's opinion.

"If I'm late again.....they're already pissed at me because of the whole Rodney
thing," Beth cried.

"Beth, calm down, check under your bed and I'll check in your trunk," Lily said with a
calm voice.

"Here it is, thank you so much Lily," Beth gave Lily a huge hug and ran out the door.

"I wish I could kill her sometimes," December said bitterly as she smashed her pillow
over her head, determined not to wake up.

Lily however knew it was useless trying to get back to sleep so she decided to get up
and start her day. Her anger had blown over from the previous night, she still hated
James Potter, but she didn't feel like ripping his head off anymore. It was a beautiful
Saturday and Lily decided she might go for a walk outside and enjoy the nice fall
weather.

She made her way down to the Great Hall for a bit of breakfast, she was almost the
only student up at this early hour, almost. Lily let out a frustrated sigh as she saw
the Slytherin Quidditch team, lead by the jerk of Quiddith Captains Anthony Points.

"Look, it's one of the loser," he jeered. "Come to eat while you still have the stomach
to do so?"

"I’d watch it Points," Lily warned.

"I don't care if you are Head Girl, your still a mudblood. A filthy piece of scum that
doesn't deserve to be in this school," he shot back coldly.

"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall would like to hear your opinions of
me," she said bravely although her heart was racing. The Slytherins outnumbered
her and she doubted they would take her handing out detentions lightly.

"That's all you mudbloods can do. Run to professors, you'll get yours just wait," he
sneered as he pushed by her as he and his team made their exit from the Great Hall.

Lily stood there motionless. She couldn't believe she hadn't done something
anything. She looked over at the Slytherin table and she saw a greasy Severus
Snape smirking at her.

"What are you smiling at!" she shot at him.

"Apparently, nothing," he said coldly, it was almost as if he had read her mind.

She shot him a glare and walked over the Gryffindor table to eat her breakfast.
There were a few second years and one fourth year looking at her. She was Head
Girl and she had let the Slytherins talk to her like she wasn't anything but mud. She
smiled at them, but their looks of shock (or maybe her encounter with the
Slytherins) had caused her to lose her appetite.

She finally made it to the front doors, and the crisp fall air stung her face as she
opened them.

‘Just a short walk, and I\'ll forget all about Potter, Points , Snape and all of them,’
she thought to herself.

She walked around the lake, by Hagrid's hut and finally down by the Quidditch field.
She was curious to see how Beth was flying. Beth had been knock off her broom 25
feet in the air at the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw last year. She had been in
the hospital wing for almost a week, and she had developed a slight fear of flying
thanks to the incident. Lily caught a glimpse of Beth spiraling down toward the
ground with a Quaffle.

"Looks like she fine," Lily said happily to herself.

"Caught ya."

She felt a pair of strong-arms grab her from behind, and a eerie voice in her ear. She
let out a horrified scream.
The arms suddenly released and she spun around to a smiling James Potter.

"You wanker, you almost gave me a heart attack!" she shrilled.

"That's not very lady-like Evans," he smiled back. "Where were you last night? I
waited."

A hurt expression suddenly developed on his face.

"I told you I wasn't meeting with you about anymore outings or events, you seem
perfectly capable of planning them without me," she said coldly.

She was still breathing hard, and holding her hands against her chest. They stood
there in an awkward silence.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to upset you," he said sincerely. "Sirius said
he saw someone over here spying, and I came to check it out."

Lily felt her face flush, and she began to yell, then suddenly stopped herself and
shook her head.

"That's okay. I came to see how Beth was flying, you know, after what happened last
year," she said, although she didn't feel she owed him an explanation.

"Yea, that was a nasty fall. Stupid prat Gobler, pelting that bludger at her when she
had her head turned and all," he said staring over towards the Quidditch field.

"Isn't that the point of the game?" Lily asked.

"No, that was a cheap shot, she didn't even have the Quaffle," James argued. "At
least we beat the bloody hell out of them."

He smirked.

Lily smiled, "I honestly can't believe she got back on a broom after that."

"She's tough, I never had any doubts," James said confidently.

Lily stared over at him, she had never really talked to him before. He wasn't as bad
as she had imagined. She could see what Beth was talking about, he did look
different in him Quidditch robes, the small beads of sweat forming at his forehead,
and that proud look in his eyes.

"What are you staring at Evans?" he smirked.

Lily blushed, why did he have to ruin this moment. "Oh, don't be so arrogant," she
spat.
She turned on her heels and stormed away, she glanced once over her shoulder and
saw a smiling James watching her. She shot him back a smile and headed back
towards the castle.

"What was that God awful noise? It sounded like you were being killed," Sirius yelled
as he flew up behind James.

"Nothing," James said turning his head from Lily.

"Ah, Evans, finally tell her you love her mate?" Sirius said sarcastically.

"Shut-up you stupid prat," James replied as he punched Sirius in the arm. Sirius let
out a bark like laugh as shook his head at his friend.

"Well, you better get with her soon, I'm getting tired of copying homework with L.E.
doodled all over the edges," Sirius joked.

"Padfoot, if you learned to do your own work, we wouldn't have this problem," James
said. "We'd better get back to practice. We've got a tough game this afternoon."
Later that afternoon the entire school began to crowd into the Quidditch stadium. It
was the most anticipated match of the year, Gyrffindor and Slytherin.

"Come on Lily, let's sit up near the top, it\'s the best seats," December bellowed over
the crowd as she grabbed Lily's arms.

Lily let her friend drag her up to the top rafter, in front of them sat Remus Lupin and
Peter Pettigrew. They were the two Marauders not on the house team.

"Hey guys, save us a seat?" December asked pleasantly.

Peter blushed and gave a mousy smile, while Lupin just replied, "Of course."

Dreamy Johnston wasn't far behind Lily and December. She gazed at them politely
and took a seat next to December.

"Cheers," December smirked slyly.

December knew that Dreamy rarely said a word, and when she did it was because
she absolutely had to. To everyone’s surprise Dreamy smiled and said, "Thinking
about asking Peter here to the dance."

"What? Me ask Pettigrew?" December gasped.

"Me, I was thinking of asking Peter Pettigrew to the Halloween dance."

It seemed time had stopped for a split second. The Quidditch teams entered the
stadium, but the world was silent to everyone on the top rafter in the Gryffindor box.

"Me?" Peter choked out.

"Yes, you," Dreamy replied aridly.

December cracked a wicked grin, "Well this is the gossip of the month. Beth is going
to be so upset she missed it."

Peter looked desperately over towards Lupin, as if he needed help, or advice, or

anything.
Lupin simply smiled, "I think the lady asked you a question Wormtail."

Peter gave Lupin a hateful glare, as if to say, ‘thanks a lot.’

Dreamy seemed to be getting impatient and finally spat out, "Well?"

Peter still looking completely lost and confused nodded in her direction. Dreamy
smiled and gave her normal indication she preferred to remain silent the rest of the
match.
The rest of the group finally started paying attention to the Qudditch match.
Gryffindor was killing Slytherin by 40 points. Suddenly Slytherin's team captain and
seeker Anthony Points made a dive toward the tiny golden snitch. James Potter as
suddenly right on his tail.

"Is that legal?" December asked Lupin.

He just shrugged.

James inched closer and closer until finally he finally was beside Points. He veered
his boom violently into him.

"FOUL! ILLEGAL PLAYER POSITION" Points screamed. As he was voicing his objection
the Gyrffindor seeker Kathy Bell grabbed the snitch.

Suddenly the stands erupted in protest. Half the group was screaming foul the other
half screaming fair play. Mr. Dafney (Quidditch offical and flying instructor) shouted
out,
"FAIR PLAY, GRYFFINDOR WINS.\"

James Potter, Gryffindor team captain and chaser had just knocked Pointes away
from the snitch and won the game. Everybody, but the Slytherins, was on their feet
in celebration. Even Lily Evans found herself cheering and screaming in excitement.
James Potter soared on his broom over the stands, and as he came close to Lily, he
shot her a wink. Instead of turning her head in protest she blushed, and James felt
his heart skip a beat.

The crowd slowly began to calm down, and the victorious Gryffindors waved to their
fans as they departed from the stadium. December and Lily screamed out to Beth
who was glowing from head to toe, they saw Sirius throw his arm around her in a
victory hug as they disappeared from sight.

"She better not get any ideas," December said coyly.

Lily looked at her puzzled, but December never faltered. Finally she decided she was
just going to have to ask. "What ideas?"

"About stealing my date to the dance," December said as she cracked a grin.

Lily's raised her eyebrow in suspicion. "You and Sirius Black?"

"Yeah, he asked me after your tantrum last night," December said casually.

"I didn't know you fancied him like that?" Lily replied.

"I'm not sure I do," she winked back. "Now we have to find you a date Lils."

"Oh no, I can do that perfectly fine by myself," Lily warned.

December shot her a playful grin and shrugged. "I'm sure you can."

The two girls walked silently back to the common room. When they arrived, the
party had already broken out. Lily started to protest, but December shot her a ‘give
it a rest Evans’ look, and Lily decided to let the celebration slide. Somehow someone
had found a way to bring butterbeer, sweets from Honeydukes and all kinds of
goodies from Hogmeade into the Gryffindor common room. Somehow, someone
always did.

"I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall that the celebration is under control," Lily
said forcefully.

She hated having to tell Professor McGonagall that a party had erupted in her house
common room, she felt McGonagall was disappointed in her every time. She
disappeared through the portrait.

When she finally returned half and hour later she walked into chaos. The entire
house was celebrating like Voldemort had just fallen from power.

"What in the world," she muttered.

December was in the corner with Beth giggling about something.

"I thought I could trust you guys to keep it under control." Lily said to her friends.

"Sorry it was out of our hands. Our team captain just created a new rule to
Quidditch, it's being added to the books as we speak, the Potter exception is what
their calling it," December informed her.

"A player can change position if necessary, when attempting to dislodge a bludger or
keep the seeker from catching the snitch," Beth quoted with a smile. Lily rolled her
eyes as if their excuse didn't satisfy her.

Lily was about to break up the party when December yelled, "Don't be an old maid,
live for once in your life Evans!"

Lily glared at December but decided to let the insanity continue for a while longer.

"So Evans, hear who I'm taking to the Halloween dance and feast?" asked a cocky
voice from behind her.

Lily spun around to see a confident Sirius Black gloating.

"Yeah, heard you got lucky this time," she retorted.

December looked seriously at Beth who was giving her an envious smile.

"The sun shines on a pig’s bottom every once and a while, doesn't it Sirius?"
December said sarcastically.

"Don't play games with my heart, love. You know your the luckiest girl in school right
now," Sirius smirked back.

"No, you’re just the fastest guy in school. You just happened to be the first person to
ask me," she responded coolly.

"I hear your fast in other ways too," she added with a grin.

"December O'Riley, are you planning on having your naughty way with me?" Sirius
said with a smug grin.

"Mr. Black, what kind of girl do you think I am?" she replied casually.
Sirius turned his attention away from December and Beth and looked straight at Lily.

"So who are you going to the dance with?"

Lily blushed.

Sirius seemed to like her response. "James is still available," he added.

"But I'm not," she replied.

December and Beth both shot her a look of curiosity, but she shook her head and
motioned she tell them later.

Chapter 3: Disappointment
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AN: Standard Disclaimer :P

Chapter 3: Disappointment

The party finally died down, and Lily managed to usher a bunch of complaining
second year students off to sleep. As she was forcing a group of second year girls up
the stairs she caught James Potter smiling pleasantly at her.

“Always the responsible one?” he asked mock casual.

“Always,” she replied.

“Hey Evans, listen, I’m sorry about going over your head about the dance. I
brought it up to Professor McGonagall and I presented the idea as ours,” James
started. “She loved it, and went to Dumbledore. Next thing I know these
announcements were posted.” He trailed off, expecting the worst reaction from
Lily, for bringing up the subject.

Lily didn’t have much of a reaction, she just stared at him in disbelief, was
James Potter apologizing to her for the second time that day.

“We could always cancel the dance and plan something together,” he suggested
when she didn’t respond.

She finally smiled and said, “No James, I think it’s a good idea. Next time,
just tell me about our ideas before I read them on an announcement board.”

He felt his palms getting sweaty and his stomach turning knots. Soon she would turn

away and walking up the steps to her dorm. He knew if he didn’t ask her soon,
somebody else would. She was almost out of sight. He had to do it, now or never.

“HEY EVANS! I mean, Lily.”

She paused, came back down a few steps, and looked at him in amusement, “Yes.”
“I know you think you hate me and all, but would you go to the dance with me,
seriously,” he spoke quickly.

“Potter, don’t be silly,” she said lightly. “ I don’t hate you. Strongly dislike you
maybe but I don’t hate you.”

James held his breath, and felt his face going white. If she didn’t answer soon
he felt he might die right there on the spot. “So does that mean you will?”

Lily bowed her head and finally said, “I’m sorry James, but I’m going with
someone else.”
She turned quickly and disappeared out of sight.

He felt his heart fall into his stomach. Had he just heard her correctly? She
was going to the dance with someone else? For the first time since he had laid
eyes on her, she was pleasant to him. He had asked her out and she didn’t say
no. If he had asked sooner, she could have been his. He walked over to the
couch and collapsed. He stared into the fire in disbelief.

“Prongs, you okay mate?” asked Sirius from behind.

James didn’t move, he didn’t react, he wasn’t really sure if he was okay.

Sirius sat down next to him and waved his hand in front of James face, “Mate,
are you there?”

“She going with somebody else,” James said emotionless.

Sirius patted his friend on the back, “Yeah, I know.”

Sirius stood up, glanced at his friend and said, “It will be okay, Prongs, there
are plenty of available girls at Hogwarts.”

Sirius knew it didn’t matter how many available girls there were, none of there were
Lily Evans.

Upstairs Lily was crawling into bed feeling completely worn out.

“Oh no you don’t, you can’t get off the hook that easy,” December said suddenly.

“December, I’m so tired, can’t I just tell you guys tomorrow?” Lily asked pitifully.

“Doubtful, you promised you’d tell us tonight!” Beth argued.

“I did no such thing,” Lily said as she turned her head into her pillow.

“It’s simple, either tell us and get some sleep, or we keep you up all night,”
December said with an evil grin. “Your choice of course.”

Lily knew it was hopeless, she rolled her eyes and sat up and started her story,

“Remember when I went to go tell Professor McGonagall about the party?” Beth
giggled as December who nodded. “Well, when I got outside the portrait, Roy
Lockheart was waiting. He asked if he could walk me to wherever it was I was
going.”

December and Beth were both staring intensely at Lily, and she could tell
Dreamy was paying attention also. “Anyway, when we reached Professor
McGonagall’s
office, he asked if I’d go the dance with him. End of story.”

“No, what did you say, did you kiss him?” Beth insisted.

“Not everyone kisses every guy that talks to them,” December joked.

“I don’t kiss every guy that talks to me,” Beth said defensively.

Lily giggled at her friends, and said, “No, I didn’t kiss him. But, I did say
I’d go to the dance with him.” She smiled buried her head in her pillow.

Gilderoy Lockheart was a Hufflepuff sixth year. He was athletic, handsome and had a
terrific smile. He was also a Hufflepuff prefect.

December smiled for a second and suddenly said, “What about James? Potter will kill
Lockheart if he tried to date you.”

“I dare him to try it,” Lily sneered.

The girls stayed up a while longer, talking about the dance, boys and
everything else seventeen-year old girls talk about.

The next week went by quickly. The entire school was buzzing about the dance.
The older students were busy getting dates. The younger students were excited
about the pre-dance feast.

Also, the entire school was telling the heroic story about James’ snitch
capturing victory. It was turning into a school legend.

Lily and December were sitting in their normal Charm seats, talking about the
previous night’s chess meeting. James, Sirius and Remus came running in, almost
late. Sirius rubbed December’s neck flirtatiously as he passed.

“Hear who James is going to the dance with,” December said noticing Lily
expression as James passed her without so much as a wink.

“No, who?” she asked suddenly. Her response caught her off guard, what did she
care?

“Rebecca Blair, miss perfect herself,” December spat.

Rebecca Blair was miss popular; she was rich girl from a well-known family. She was
a Ravenclaw and a member of practically every important club or organization at
Hogwarts.
“Good for him,” Lily said flatly.
That night was the dance, and Lily was nervous. “Where are you meeting Glideroy?”
December asked.

“He likes to be called Roy. I’m just meeting up with him in the Great Hall after the
feast,” Lily responded distantly.

Lily was going to the dance Gilderoy Lockheart. She should have been thrilled, but
she wasn’t. As the four girls departed their dormitory they also parted ways.
December and Dreamy met up with Sirius and Peter in the common room while Lily
and Beth continued on to the Great Hall. Lily caught a glimpse of James before he
disappeared into the crowd to find his date. The pre-feast meeting was pleasant.
Everyone who had a date from a different house met up with their partners to
discuss where they would meet after the feast.

The feast finally began. Lily and Beth chatted together as December and Dreamy,
(well December anyway) talked with their dates. Finally, Professor Dumbledore
stood up and dismissed all second and first years to their common rooms and
announced the dance could begin.

The Great Hall’s ceiling turned into the night sky and the candles suddenly
dimmed. Couples slowly started penetrating the dance floor. Lily was lead out
onto the floor by Roy. She saw Rodney and Beth quickly following.

“You really don’t like Beth’s date, do you?” Gilderoy asked Lily as he watched Lily
giving Rodney a cold glare.

“No, I don’t,” Lily responded. She felt Gilderoy pull her closer, and she smiled at
him. He was so charming, not at all like arrogant James Potter.

“Lily, is something wrong?” he asked her concerned.

“No, nothing at all,” she lied as he felt her eyes betray her and search the dance
floor.

James was sitting next to Remus, who didn’t have a date.

“James, aren’t you going to ask me to dance?” Rebecca asked flirtatiously.

James smiled forcefully, “Sure, in a minute though. I’m talking to Remus about
something important.”

She pouted and walked over towards the refreshments.

“You really don’t want to be here with her, do you?” Rumus asked

“Oh course I do. I mean, she’s great,” James lied.

“Sirius set you up?” Remus smirked.

James smiled as he ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah.”

“He tried to set-me up to, but I’ve learned from my past mistakes,” Remus joked.
The two boys laughed, suddenly James caught the image of Lily and Gilderoy
dancing
out of the corner of his eye. He sat there, his stomach turning somersaults, his
head feeling heavy and his wand itching to hex something.

“You know what the solution is,” Remus said watching James. “Ask her to dance.”

James stared blankly back at Remus, he looked helpless and pitiful.

“Come on Jameys, sweep me off my feet!” exclaimed a smiling Rebecca as she

suddenly reappeared and pulled James to his feet.

Rebecca pulled James close to her, placed her head on his shoulder, and began
to dance. James stomach gave an uncomfortable lunge, he sighed and rolled his eyes
at his good fortune.

When he looked up, and saw the beautiful green eyes of Lily Potter staring
at him. He couldn’t turn away.

The song suddenly ended, and the eye contact between them was broken. James
saw
Lily smile, whisper something in Gilderoy’s ear, and walk away. This was his chance
to talk to her and ask her to dance.

“Rebecca, I need to ask Sirius something, I’ll be back in a second,” he lied.

He acted like he was going to talk to Sirius. It was just the blessing of fortune that
Lily was in the same place talking to December. He approached as he felt a jolt of
pain
shoot through his chest.

“Hey guys, how is it going,” he choked out.

Sirius gave him a puzzled expression, he looked over towards Rebecca direction
and back at James.

“Where is your date Prongs?” Sirius asked.

“I think she went to take a break,” he lied.

December and Lily were chatting to themselves, ignoring the guys. James stared at
her wanting to say something that would make her smile. She looked up and grinned
coyly at James and he felt his heart stop in his chest. Before he could recover she
was gone. Again, he had missed his opportunity.

“Bad luck Prongs,” Sirius muttered watching his friend’s reaction.

“What were you two chatting about?” James asked December casually.

December looked confused. “Nothing, James.”

She was desperate to avoid the conversation, the normally calm collected
December seemed rattled.
“What is it, tell me,” he pushed.

“Roy Lockheart just asked Lily to be his steady,” December replied without
looking James in the eyes.

“BLOODY HELL!” Sirius cried out.

James felt the room spin, and his chest erupt in a surge of pain. Lily had
boyfriends in the past, and James had made it a personal mission to torture each
and every one of them. He’d hex them in the hallways, or curse them on the
Quidditch field. Very careful never to lead the tracks back to himself.

“James, you okay,” December asked concerned. He looked like he was on the verge
of tears, and his face was contoured in an uncomfortable smug.

“Fine,” James finally answered.

He walked towards the doors of the Great Hall. He didn’t say goodnight to
anyone, not even his date. He just disappeared into the night. He felt he had
lost his reason for living. Lily Evans was out of reach, she could never be
his. This was their seventh year. If he didn’t win her heart now he’s never get
another chance.

Lily was on the dance floor once again with Roy. He was smiling at her,
holding her close and whispering sweet nothings in her ear, “You look wonderful
tonight, I’m so lucky to be here with you.”

Lily smiled weakly at him as a monster fought to control her feelings. Her mind kept
wandering back to James Potter. Had December told him? Is that why he had run
off? She saw him leave December and Sirius and head for the Great Hall doors. He
looked hurt and upset. Surely December didn’t tell him what Roy had just asked her.

“So, will you be my one and only Lily,” Gilderoy asked again flashing his pearly
smile.

Lily smiled and replied, “ I really like you Roy. I’m just too busy for a
serious relationship. Maybe can we just take it slow?”

He frowned for a second then pulled her close, “Of course we can. As slow as you
need me to go, I just want to make you happy.”

She looked up at him with a sign of relief on her face, he bend down and kissed
her gently. Lily was taken off guard and pulled away and gasped.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said as she looked at him.

Lily realized how silly she was being and smiled, “No it’s fine. I’m just acting
off tonight. I have a lot on my mind. I’m sorry.”

He smiled, “Beautiful Lily Evans, you never need to apologize to me about

anything.The two of us together on this dance floor is perfection.”

He twirled her around the dance floor, and she fought to keep her mind off the Great
Hall’s doors and James Potter.

The night was coming to a close. The Great Hall was thinning out. Lily saw Beth
being led away by Rodney and she felt a twinge of fear creep into her throat.
She hated the thought of any of her friends getting hurt. Dreamy was smiling at
Peter, who was napping in his chair. She apparently was deciding whether wake
him or not. Sirius and December had already left, and Rebecca was still looking
for James.

“Can I escort you back to your common room?” Gilderoy asked Lily politely. She
smiled and took his arm. They didn’t talk as they walked up the stairwell. He just
stared at her, and she stared at her feet.

James was coming back from the astronomy tower. He had went up there to calm
himself and sort things out. He had decided he was going to confess him love to Lily.
He had to have her know how he felt. He had watched for seven long years.
Stunning Lily
Evans, she had barely noticed him at first. No matter how hard he had tried to win
her
attention she had always turned her head and ignored him. Finally, in their
fifth year, when he had almost given up hope, she finally took notice. She
hadn’t been very friendly to him, but she did know who he was. He tried to get
her attention even more, getting into trouble, letting her fuss at him about
being arrogant. Now they were in their last year, if he didn’t win her affection
now, he might lose his chance forever. Next year there would be no Hogwarts. He
had spent hours doodling her name on his assignments and daydreaming about
them together. There was no girl as wonderful as Lily in James’ opinion.
He walked down the corridor toward the Fat Lady’s portrait when he heard
voices and he stopped.

“Lily, I had a wonderful evening,” Gilderoy was saying.

“So did I,” she whispered.

“I was wondering if you would come to Hogmeade with me next weekend?” Roy
asked.

“Oh, I don’t know, I promised December I’d help her find an owl for her birthday,”
Lily said sadly.

“I’ll get back to you after I talk to her, okay.”

Gilderoy smiled and nodded. He bend down and gave her a deep goodnight kiss.
In the shadows James felt his pulse race and his anger rise. He was jealous and
wanted to
nothing more than to hex that scum Lockheart all the way back to the Hufflepuff’s
common room.

Lily said the password and retreated inside waving lightly as she disappeared as
Gilderoy stood there watching. James felt heat on his face as he took out
his wand and softly muttered, “pimpluls,”. Him and Sirius had created this hex and it
suddenly seemed a perfect time to test it out.
The spell hit Gilderoy so softly that he didn’t even flinch. James gave and evil
grin and watched him disappear into the darkness.

“That wasn’t very nice,” comment the Fat Lady when she saw James. She apparently
had witness the entire hexing. James smiled at whispered the password.

Inside Lily had already disappeared. He made his way up to his dorm where he found
Moony and Wormtail already asleep. He pulled back his sheets and trying to go to
sleep. The image of Lily and Gilderoy kissing was playing over and over again in his
mind, and knew he wasn’t getting much sleep that night.

Chapter 4: The Hero

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Chapter Four: The Hero

Lily should have been glowing from head to toe, but she wasn’t. Gilderoy Lockheart
was charming, good looking, and nearly everything she could possibly want in a
boyfriend.

Yet, she wasn’t excited he had asked her out again. In fact she had lied to him. She
didn’t promise December to go owl shopping. She didn’t have any reasons not to
want a relationship, she just didn’t. Not with Gilderoy anyway.

Beth stumbled in about 12:30 or so and Lily gave her a forced smile. “So how
was your date?”

“Good, I think,” she replied with a frown.

Lily smiled and gave an urging look for her friend to continue. “He didn’t even
kiss me goodnight,” Beth said concerned. “He shook my hand.”

Lily gave Beth a worried look, “It’s okay, he’s a Slytherin. They aren’t the most
affectionate students at Hogwarts.”

Beth suddenly busted into a fit of giggles, “I’m only kidding! I think I’m in love!”

Lily almost fell off the bed as Beth let out another shrill.

“I’m glad you and Rodney had a good time,” she forced out. Beth proceeded to
tell her all the details. Lily glanced at the clock and then back at Beth who was still
giggling. Where was December she was so much better at dealing with this kind of
thing. Finally she discovered she wasn’t the only one wondering this. Dreamy had
wandered in during the middle of Beth’s story and Lily knew final signal that the
Ball was over. She assumed Dreamy had watched Peter sleep until the professors
ran her out of the Great Hall.

“Where is the world is December? I want to tell her about Rodney,” Beth suddenly
said off subject.

“Just wondering that myself,” Lily replied.

Lily and Beth decided that it would best to check the common room before getting
worried. Most likely that is where they’d find their missing dorm mate. They pulled
on
their night robes and creped down stairs. To their surprise the fire was still
burning and there displayed in front of it for everybody to witness was December.
She was cuddled on the couch snogging Sirius Black. Beth let out an excited gasp
and Lily
yelled “Break it up!”

December looked up innocently, and Sirius just shot them a pleasant wave.

“I was just seeing if he was a good of a kisser as he was claiming to be,”

December defended.

“I’m Head Girl, this is unacceptable! Detention for both of you!” Lily shirked.

Sirius let out a slight snicker, “That’s going to damage my reputation,

detention for snogging.”

December gave Sirius a sly look, and then said to Lily, “Lils, why do you always
have to be such a uptight prat?”

Lily was fuming. She loved December, but this time she had gone too far.

“There are rules in this school, and it’s time you learn how to follow them,” she said
coldly, “I’ll be reporting this incident to Professor McGonagall in the morning. You
two are both seventh year students and should be setting an example.”

“But we were,” Sirius laughed as December stood up and brushed some wrinkles out
of her dress.

Lily didn’t wait for an excuse or reply she just stormed up the stairs and went
to bed. The next morning came quickly for Lily; she had fallen asleep almost the
instant she hit her bed. Her anger had passed. She sat up and saw December
sitting on the foot of her bed.

“Morning,” Lily said carefully.

“Lils, I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have said that last night in front of
Sirius, it’s just, I wish you’d have a little fun once and awhile,” December
recited.

It wasn’t easy for December to apologize. It wasn’t in her nature.

“If this is to keep me from telling Professor McGonagall about you and Sirius
last night, you better forget it,” Lily warned.

“I don’t care if you tell Professor McGonagall, I didn’t do anything wrong,”

December shot back.

“You were snogging in the common room!” Lily accused.

“I didn’t realize there was a rule that said no snogging in the common room,”
December said coldly.

“So what, are you and Sirius Black going out now?” Lily asked hatefully.

“Why do you care,” December responded.

“Guys, stop. This is silly,” Beth begged. She was so pitiful sometimes, her
blond hair was matted down to her head, and her large eyes were filling with
tears.

Lily and December stared at each other and finally Lily broke down.

“I’m not going to say anything to Professor McGonagall,” she said forcefully.

December gave her an excepting look, and turned her attention towards another
subject, “So are you going steady with Lockheart.”

“I don’t know,” Lily said honestly.

“How can you not know?” Beth asked suddenly.

The look on December’s face wasn’t that of surprise, she already knew why Lily
wasn’t excited about Gilderoy Lockheart.

“I didn’t think you and Lockheart would hit it off,” December simply offered.

“So what about you and Sirius?” Lily said, trying to take the heat off her.

“Just friends, random accident last night,” December said seriously.

Beth look at her, “What did your lips accidentally run into his?”

December hit Beth with a pillow and they all laughed.

When the three of them descended from their dorms they found the Marauders
chatting around the fire downstairs. Sirius gave December a weary glare, but she
winked at him to let him know everything had blown over.

“How are you ladies this morning?” Sirius asked confidently.

“Wonderful,” December replied.

“December, love, I was just telling the guys here what a wonderful kisser you
said I was,” Sirius grinned.

“Did I, must have been hallucinating,” December said with a smile. “You think I
would have mentioned how Remus was a much better kisser than you.”

Sirius’s face when into mock shock, and Remus blushed. Remus and December had
dated once in their fourth year, he was her first kiss and they had remained
friends ever since.

The girls giggled and Sirius grabbed December trying to pull her into his lap,
she just slapped him playful and forced herself up. “Your such a pitiful flirt,”
she badgered.

Lily glanced down at her watch and realized she needed to get going. She had so
much transfiguration homework to do. She waved goodbye to her fellow housemates
and headed towards the library.

James watched her disappear, and lowered his head back to the fire. Except for
this motion it was hard to tell if he was even alive. “Everything okay Potter?”
Beth asked quietly.

He didn’t answer her, he just stood up and left, without so much as muttering a
goodbye.

“He’s in a foul mood,” December said under her breath as he disappeared out the
door.

Lily was almost to the library when she ran into Roy.

“Oh my goodness, what happened to your….” she treaded carefully.

Gilderoy lowered his head in shame. His smile had vanished. “I don’t know, I just
woke up this morning and this is what I saw.”

Gilderoy Lockheart’s face was covered in disgusting yellow pimples. His

eyes that were normally so distinctive were hidden by his swelling legions.

“Madame Pomfrey gave me some cream, and she said it should be cleared up in a
day or so. It might have been an allergic reaction or something,” he said quietly.

Lily looked at him nervously. She had a strange urge to hug him and run from him at
the same time.
“I guess you don’t want to go to Hogmeade with me looking like this,” he said
sadly.

“No, of course I want to go with you. How shallow do you think I am?” she
replied.

He smiled, and bent down to give her a chaste kiss. She forced herself not to cringe.

“I’ll see you later then,” he said as he gave her a weak smile before he disappeared
around the corner.

Lily heard snickering from behind her, and spun around to find a smiling James
Potter.

“What’s so funny?” she asked him defensively.

“Your boyfriend’s really attractive,” he said shortly.

Lily shot James a cold look, “What did you do?”

“What do you mean Evans?” James said with a guilty face.

“You hexed him, didn’t you!” she accused.

“Lily, why would I waste a perfectly good hex on wanker like him?” James replied
snobbishly.

Lily gave him a terrible glare. “James Potter, I can’t believe you’d do
something like this. You’re so arrogant and immature!”

“YOU ARE THE MOST INSENSITIVE PRAT I’VE EVER MET!” she screamed. She turned
and ran from him, as fast as her legs would carry her. She didn’t know where she
was going and she didn’t care.

How could he upset her so easily, one minute she couldn’t get him off her mind the
next minute she was ready to kill him. She was found herself outside before the
tears finally came.

“Stumpy,” said a voice from behind her. Lily felt herself fall to the ground,
she had bit her lip and tasted the salty blood in her mouth.

“I warned you that you’d get yours,” said a cold voice. “ARIIAS!”
Lily was suddenly ten feet in the air.

She finally got her eyes to focus, and she saw a group of Slytherins laughing
below her.

“I hate a mudblood,” said Anthony Points, “ They always seem so dirty.”

She tried to scream but he shot a muting spell at her, her tears were blurring
her vision, where was everyone, why wasn’t anyone rushing to her aid. Suddenly
Anthony Points muttered the counter curse, and Lily smacked the ground.
Bellatrix Black sent another stunting spell and Lily felt her body give out,
as she tried to pick herself up.

Severus Snape was over her. “This is pointless, Points. She’s the Head Girl. This isn’t
the purpose of today.”

“Give her the slow poison Severus. We’re going to eradicate these mudbloods one at
a time,” he said coldly.

The mute spell had begun to wear off and she looked at Snape coldly, “Just wait
until I tell…..” she passed out.

Next thing she remembered was a soft voice urging her to wake up, “Lily wake up,
come on, stop playing, wake up.”

Lily opened her eyes and let out a soft cry. The pain inside her chest was
surging and she felt like her insides were on fire. She threw her arms around
her unknown hero and began to cry.

“Lily, it’s okay, you’re safe now,” he said as he tried to comfort her.

She couldn’t speak as she felt a strong pair of arms lift her off the ground and
carry her back to the castle. Her tears were falling so forcefully she couldn’t make
out who was was saving her. He carried her up to the hospital wing, and set her
down on one of the beds. She turned her head into her pillow and continued her
sobs. She heard whispering, and Madame Pomfrey ran over to Lily.

“Are you okay dear?” she asked sincerely.

Lily nodded, and muttered out the word poison.

“It’s okay, you haven’t been poisoned. I’m going to give you a powerful sedative.
You’ll be fine. You just get some rest,” Madame Pomfrey said kindly.

“Will she be okay,” James asked with much concern.

“She’ll be fine dear. She is just in shock, where did you say the other student are?”
she asked suddenly.

“Snape and Points are stunned by the lake, but they might not be there anymore.
I hit Bellatrix with a vomiting spell, she’ll need medical help,” he said quickly.

Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall came bursting into the hospital wing when
they received news of the incident. “Oh my goodness, is everyone alright?”
McGonagall asked.

“Everyone’s fine,” said Madame Pomfrey, “ No permanent damage.”

“Potter, what happened?” McGonagall asked with her hands over her mouth.

“I had a falling out with Evans so I followed her to apologize. When I finally
found her, a group of Slytherins were torturing her, so I cursed or stunned as
many of them as I could and got her out of there,” Potter replied emotionless. He
was so angry, he wanted to kill those Slytherins. They had hurt Lily. He couldn’t
imagine Dumbledore letting them stay in this school after what they did.

“Do you remember which students were participating in this event,” Dumbledore
asked.

James listed the students and he felt his temper started to flare. Dumbledore
excused him and smiled politely while saying, “You did a brave thing today, Mr.
Potter.”

James entered the Gryffindor common room. The professors and insisted everyone
return to their common rooms after the attack on Lily.
The Marauders and Lily’s dorm mates were sitting on the couch. Another professor
had informed them that Lily had been involved in an incident and James was with
her.

“Is she okay?” December asked when James came through the door.

“What happened,” Beth asked tears falling from her eyes.

“Some Slytherins decided to have a little fun with her,” he said coldly.
“No Blacks were involved, were they?” Sirius asked suddenly

James just gave Sirius a regretful look.

“Damn it, I hate all of them. My brother?” Sirius continued.

“I didn’t see him,” James replied.

Sirius had a wildly strange look. He had the look of someone who wanted revenge.
December suddenly stood up and gave James a hug. “Thank you James, for helping
her,” she muttered.

It took a few hours but Lily finally awoke. Her head was pounding, but she was alive.
She looked over and saw Gilderoy sitting by her bed.

“Welcome back,” he said pleasantly.

Lily cracked a smile. “Did you save me?” she whispered.

He seemed taken back for a second then he smiled and nodded.

“Thank you,” she mumbled before closing her eyes in exhaustion again.

He slowly stroked her hair. How could she have been so blind. She was a jerk,
thinking about James Potter when her hero had been holding her in his arms. She
swore to herself, she was never going to think about James Potter again.

Chapter 5: Dirty Liar

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Chapter Five: Dirty Liar
Lily was still in the hospital wing the next week. Gilderoy stayed with Lily almost
non-stop. He had cried to Professor McGonagall and told her that they were in love
and it was in her best interest if he stay with her. It did little to persuade McGonagall
but did grant him permission to company Lily when nobody else was allowed to visit.
She needed peace and rest. James had argued he had a right to see Lily since he
had rescued her, but McGonagall was strict and wouldn't budge on the matter. “Tell
me how you saved me again," she asked. Everything she wasn't sure of the week
ago made complete sense to her now. Gilderoy Lockheart was her guardian angle,
and she couldn't imagine him not being with her. "I saw you being tortured by those
scum Slytherins. So, I approached and said, release her or I'll be forced to cause you
physical harm," he began. "They attacked me, all of them, but with one powerful
summoning charm, I snatched all their wands. The cowards fled and I brought you
back to the castle to get help," he finished. She giggled and she thought about how
he didn't seem to fit the heroic profile, but he had saved her. She had taken to often
referred to him as her knight in shinning armor or her hero. He suddenly drew down
upon her and kissed her deeply. Luckily his acne problem had started to clear up,
and she was beginning to notice the legions less and less. "Lily Evans, will you by my
one and only," he asked her seriously. She started to glow, "Well, you did save me."
"Madame Pomfrey said I could leave the hospital today if I was ready," she said as
they broke away from another kiss. "I don't think that's wise, you’re still so weak,"
he said with deep concerned. He seemed so worried about her. She smiled slightly
then replied, "Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow." He kissed her again and stood to make
his departure. She found it odd how she didn't want him to go. "Can't you stay a
while longer?" "Regretfuly no. I have to do my prefect duties," he said with a frown.
"I'll return to you soon." Gilderoy left the hospital wing quickly careful not to look
back. Fear was building in his stomach. He had led her to believe he had saved her
when in truth James Potter had saved her. She looked so helpless when she had
awoken the first time. He didn't know what made him say he had saved her. He had
just found it simple to nodded because it felt like the right thing to do. "I'll confess
everything tomorrow, and she'll forgive me. She loves me," he told himself. Lily sat
in the lonely hospital room thinking about Gilderoy and his worry about her leaving
the hospital wing too soon. The longer she lingered on the thought the more
ridiculous it seemed. "This is silly," Lily muttered to herself. "I'm fine, I don't need to
stay here another night." She pulled herself out of bed and went to find Madame
Pomfrey. She searched around the wing, but Madame Pomfrey was no where in
sight. Lily sighed with defeat. She would just have to wait until morning. She crawled
back into bed, pulling the sheets close around her neck. She keep wondering what
everyone was doing. She hadn't seen anyone but Roy since the incident. Slowly, she
felt her eyes getting heavy and she was soon fast asleep. "It's been almost a week!"
James exclaimed loudly in his dorm. "She'll be back soon, Prongs, calm down," Sirius
said with a smirk. "I can't take it anymore. I need to see her just to make sure she's
all right." James was now pacing. "Well, why don't you just let Prongs visit her
tonight," Peter suggested. James stopped dead, and looked at the ratty looking boy
who had started to cower at his suggestion. "What did you say?" "Nothing it was a
stupid suggestion," Peter asked nervously. "Seriously, what did you say," James
exclaimed. Sirius laughed, “Did you hear him, Prongs? He said it was a stupid
suggestion and I agree with him.” "I said let Prongs visit her," Peter repeated. This
time his response was greeted by a stern "NO" from both Remus and Sirius. "We
can't just use our secret whenever we want. It wouldn't stay a secret very long,"
Remus argued. He knew it was too late, James had that look in his eyes and there
was no stopping him now. “Right,” James nodded, “That was pretty dumb,
Wormtail.” Around midnight James quietly slipped out of bed, and opened his trunk.
He removed a silvery cloak from it. Suddenly he felt someone grab his arm. "James,
don't do it mate," Sirius warned. "Don't try to stop me. I've made up my mind,"
James said in a serious tone. Sirius shook his head, "This has got to be the most
idiotic in the history of stupid ideas. Be careful, Prongs. Don't get caught, and if you
do run like hell," He grinned and walked back to his bed. James walked down the
stairs and put on his cloak in the common room. He muttered the password, and the
Fat Lady opened the entrance looking for the source of the voice. He slipped out in
her confusion. He knew where he was going, the place they always transformed. He
had done the transformation nearly a hundred times but never by himself. He knew
he had to keep collected, he had to stay focused. He reached the astronomy tower
and peeled off his cloak. His heart was pounding, but he was ready. Suddenly
without a second thought he transformed into a great white stag. Prongs reared onto
his two back legs and headed for the stairs. He had just over an hour to get to the
hospital wing see Lily and return to his dorm. He reached the hospital wing without
any trouble. He poked his head into the bed ward and look around. Empty, except
for one bed. In that bed was the most magical sight he could ever imagine. He
approached, and stared down at her with his stag eyes. He had done what he had
come to do and now it was time to leave. He turned to exit when he heard a soft cry
from behind him. He stopped cold in his tracks. If she screamed somebody would
surely be awakened and he would be caught. He turned around slowly and saw an
astonished Lily Evans staring at him. "Hello there," she whispered. She slowly pulled
herself out of bed and approached the pearly white stag. She outstretched her hand
and began to caress his soft neck. Prongs shuddered under her touch. He had longed
for it so long. She worked her hands along his coat and cradled her face into his soft
fur. He didn't want to move, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay in this room
forever. She slowly backed away and their eyes met. The sun was starting to rise
and Prongs has waited too long. He reared up on his hind legs and took off as
mysteriously as he had appeared. "Goodbye," Lily whispered. James was sure he was
caught, he ran at top speed all the way back to the astronomy tower only barely
missing Professor McGonagall as she was heading down to the Great Hall for her
morning coffee. When he finally made it he transformed without thinking. He
grabbed his cloak threw it over his head and headed back to Gryffindor common
room. It had been a week since she had walked down the school hallways, and she
noticed her hand remained dangerously close to her wand. She was almost at the
Gryffindor common room entrance when she heard a voice scream from behind her.
With a moments hesitation she drew out her wand and spun around. "Good Merlin,
Lily, are you going to hex me?" December said sharply. Beth had her hands over her
mouth trying to muffle her excitement. She grabbed Lily into a huge hug. "We were
so worried! James told us what happened." "I'm fine. I just needed some time to
recover," Lily replied. "Oh Lily, everyone's going to be so happy your back." Beth had
large tears streaming down her face. "Beth I'm fine. Please stop crying," Lily pulled
Beth into another hug. "I'm sorry-- I was just so worried about you after what those
fools did to you." "They got away with it to," December hissed acidly. "What?" Lily
asked amazed. "Yeah, just two months detention and house probation," December
spat. "I dumped Rodney Smith. I couldn't date a Slytherin after what they did to
you," Beth cried. The three girls braced each other in a group hug, and Lily
muttered, "Thanks guys." Inside the common room sat a sleeping Sirius Black, a
reading Remus Lupin and a dazed looking James Potter. James was twirling his wand
between his fingers and Peter Pettigrew was watching him in amazement. James
kept watching the fire. It had become his favorite thing to do since Lily's attack. He
had been so mad at McGonagall for not letting him check on her and Dumbledore for
not expelling the Syltherin. The portrait opened and James felt his heart gave a
might leap right out of his chest and land on the hearth rug in front of him. It was
Lily Evans. He lost his train of thought for a moment and without realizing what he
was doing he ran towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Get off me
Potter," she said quickly as she wiggled out of his arms. "Give him a break Evans.
He's been worried sick!" Sirius snapped rubbed his eyes awake. "Anyway, you should
be thanking James for saving your neck." "He didn't save my neck," Lily said
indignantly. The entire group turned and looked at Lily with a confused expression
"He most certainly did," Sirius argued. "Boy, can we say ungrateful." James had a
look a hurt and surprise on his face. "Lily, don't you remember what happened?"
James asked breathing heavily. He had pinned every hope of being with Lily on this
rescue. December and Beth telling there was no way she'd pick Lockheart over the
guy who saved her. "Yes, Roy saved me from that evil group," Lily replied
confidently. "Lily, who told you that load of dung?" December asked. Lily felt her
anger rising. Roy had saved her. He hadn’t lied to her. It couldn't have been James.
"Why are you guys trying to do this to me! You actually believe this jerk," she
screamed pointing at James. James flinched hard. "IF YOU'D RATHER BELIEVE A
LIAR LIKE JAMES POTTER OVER ME FINE, I DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND ANY OF
YOU!" Lily roared. "Lily, you don't know what your saying? We weren’t accusing you
of being a liar," Remus interjected. "SOD OFF LUPIN!" she shouted coldly. She
turned and ran out of the portrait. She had to find Gilderoy. She needed to talk to
him and to find out what was going on. This was just another James Potter trick. It
was another one of his lies. She trusted Roy. She tore down the hallways realizing
she didn't have the first clue where to find her boyfriend. "Where in the world is he,"
Lily said to herself. A voice from behind answered. "Lily, what are you doing?"
Gilderoy asked with a worried expression on his face. "I just left the hospital wing
and Madame Pomfrey said you'd already left." Lily smiled there was nothing about
Roy that she didn't trust. "I went back to my common room this morning. I was
going to find you to tell you later," Lily said with a smile. "Did you talk to anyone?"
Mikel asked worriedly. "Why do you ask?" Lily replied, her smile fading. Could it be
true, James saved her not Gilderoy? Roy shook his head. "James Potter is spreading
a horrible lie. He's telling everyone he saved you instead of me. I've tried to tell
everyone that it wasn't true, but he's the most popular guy in school. Nobody will
believe me." Lily's heart suddenly felt lighter, she put her arms around Gilderoy and
whispered, "I believe you." He grabbed her and held her tightly, "Thank you." They
kissed and although Lily though she should feel happy she wasn’t. Gilderoy walked
her back to her house common room. "I'll see you at dinner," he whispered into her
ear. Lily entered the common room to find her worst fear confronting her. "Lily, can
we talk," James said desperately. "We don't need to talk. Roy just told me
everything," she said icily. "He did?" \"Yes, he told me how you've been spreading
your terrible lies all over school, and how nobody will believe the truth! You should
be ashamed of yourself. First you curse him then to try to make him out to be a liar,"
she spat. Lily could feel her anger rising, her face was almost the same color as her
hair. She was defending Gilderoy’s honor. She knew it was the right thing to do. "Is
that what he told you," he chuckled sarcastically. "Don't laugh." "If you want to
believe that deceitful git-- that lying no good bastard," James started ranting.
"SHUTUP! You have no right to talk about him like that!" Lily cried. "WHY DO YOU
HAVE TO BE SUCH A STUPID GIRL!" he yelled. "I'm not stupid. I’m smart enough to
see through you." Tears were now streaming down her face. James wanted to hold
her but he knew he couldn't. This made his anger seem even more painful. “You’re
blind, Evans. You’re just a stupid blind girl.” He was staring straight at Lily with their
eyes connected. Suddenly Lily's let out a gasp. James felt his anger leave him and he
walked over to her, scooped her up in his arms and kissed her. He kissed her like his
life depended on it. He put every ounce of his soul into that kiss. She didn't resist, at
first, but then she pulled away. It was too much for James to handle and he dashed
up to his dorm room leaving Lily breathless.
Chapter 6: The Betrayal
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AN: I would like to remind you guys, nothing is my own......Thank-you for the
reviews, please continue!

Chapter Six: The Betrayal

Three week had went by since James had kissed Lily, and neither of them were
ready to face each other. James was angry. He couldn't believe that Lily trusted that
prat Lockheart. Lily had turned against not just James, but her dorm mates. Every
time James caught a glimpse of Lily and Gilderoy together he had to fight back his
urge to hex him.

James had more self control than some. Sirius and December had made it a personal
goal to make Gilderoy Lockheart suffer. December preferred to embarrass him with a
occasional foolishness charms or mind slip hex. Sirius preferred stripping his pants
down in the hallways or hexing him with jelly legs in between classes

Lily stayed true, she wouldn't listen to reason from anyone. She wasn't on speaking
terms with December, and the only reason she talked to Beth was because she had
promised not to ever bring up James and Gilderoy in the same sentence. Dreamy
had even started shaking her finger at Lily or rolling her eyes when she entered the
room.

As far as the Marauders-- Lily pretended they didn't even exist. She would flash cold
glares at Peter, Remus and Sirius and just ignored James. While several people had
witnessed the now legendary Potter/Evans kiss she was quite content pretending it
never happened.

"So, hear of any new kisses today?" December asked Beth sarcastically.

"December," Beth warned.

Lily flashed December the coldest look she could muster. She then rolled her eyes
and looked back down at her transfiguration homework.

"I heard Lockheart forgot his own name in herbology today," December teased.

Dreamy gave a slight laugh.

"Just shut-up," Lily spat.

"Why, am I offending you?" she asked sternly.

"Your mere presence offends me," Lily responded.

She was usually pretty good at ignoring December\'s taunt, but today she just didn't
have the fortitude.
"Well, I can't help you with that problem," she said carelessly. She sat next to Beth
on the couch.

Lily wished she would leave. Three weeks ago December O’Riley was one of her best
friends in the world now she couldn't stand her.

"So, Beth did you hear about the new hex you know who put on the liar?" December
teased. Beth gave December a pathetic look. She hated being in the middle of this.

"He fell flat on his face, and his ink splattered all over his homework," December
laughed.

"That's it! One more word and I'll…" Lily started.

"What give me detention?" December finished. "For what, exercising my right to say
whatever the bloody hell I want?"

Lily snatched her books up and stormed out of the Gryffindor common room. It was
apparent she wasn't going to get any studying done in there.

Lily headed to the Library where she was anxious to find a quite corner so she could
get some work done. She had reached her favorite spot when her boyfriend suddenly
appeared at the library entrance.

"I was hoping to find you here," he said. He had a depressed look on his face, which
was still covered in acne. Lily had a feeling Sirius was responsible for it not healing
properly.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked with concern.

Lily felt her face fluster, "I'll get even with Sirius and December," she spat.

Gilderoy gave her a friendly smile. "Now, now, my little redhead, that's not very
Head Girlish."

"I don't understand why they won't leave you alone!" Lily sighed.

"It's all that prat Potter's fault," he accused. "He's egging them on"

Lily stroked his hair carefully as he slowly bent down and gave her a kiss.
They heard the librarian clear her throat causing them to break apart and blush.

"I've really got to get some of this homework done," she said sincerely.

"I understand. I'll see you soon," he kissed her on the top of the forehead and
disappeared.

She was in the library almost all day, and when she felt she had completed a
successful amount of work, she gathered her things and got ready to leave. That's
when she heard a greasy voice over her shoulder.

"Feeling better Evans," Snape sneered.

"Don't talk to me," Lily said quickly. “You were supposed to be my friend. What have
I ever done to you, Severus?”

“It was out of my control. You need to avoid that crowd in Slytherin. They aren’t a
group you want to mess with. If Potter hadn’t shown up I don’t know what would
have happened,” Severus revealed.

She felt her head beginning to swim. "Potter didn't save me. What the hell are you
playing at!"

"Shhh..." motioned the librarian.

“Why would I lie about that, Evans? You have to watch yourself. In a few months
there won’t be any Dumbledore and there won’t be any Potter. I don’t want to see a
Dark Mark flying above your house someday.”

He shot her a nervous look before rushing past her and disappearing into the library.
Snape was lying, he had to be lying. He was the master at mind games. He had
heard the rumors and now was playing with her mind. There had been several
occasions that Lily could have swore Snape had read her mind. Still, for the first time
since her kiss with James, she felt something she didn't want to feel, doubt.

Lily didn't know what to believe. Part of her wanted to trust Gilderoy. The other part
of her knew he wasn't telling her the truth. She walked back to the common room in
silence. She didn't even realize where her feet were leading her.
The majority of the students were in the Great Hall eating dinner, but Lily wasn't
hungry. She muttered the password, and entered a now foreign house common
room. She found a seat by the fire, and sat down to reflect on what was going
through her mind.

She wasn't sure how long Remus Lupin had been sitting next to her, but she
suddenly jumped when he asked what was wrong.

"Nothing" she muttered. For some reason she didn't have the drive to be cold to him
anymore.

"I know you don't trust us, but if you ever need anybody to talk to…” Lupin said
seriously.

He patted her leg and left. She stared up at him as he left. She had so many
questions. He disappeared and Lily found herself staring into the fire once again. The
flames burned her eyes, but she was enchanted by the dancing flames.

December, Beth and Dreamy came through the portrait some time later.

"Leave her alone," Beth begged in a whisper.

December just grinned, and shouted, "No snogging tonight with the pimple, Evans?"

Lily looked up at her. She wanted to say something, anything. Suddenly her eyes
welled up with tears and she broke down completely.

Beth ran over to her and tried to offer some comfort. “Lily, are you okay? Did
something happen?"

Lily finally got a hold of herself, she looked over at December and whispered, "I'm so
sorry, can you ever forgive me?"

December now had tears in her eyes, it was the first time any of them could ever
remember December crying. "Oh Lils, what took you so long, I hated being mean to
you!"

"How could I be such and idiot?" Lily cried.

"Lily, he's deceptive. It wasn't your fault," Beth offered.

"What made you finally come to your senses?" December asked, now joining Beth in
comforting Lily.

"I listened to my heart," she replied. "I guess I always knew I shouldn't trust him. I
just didn't want to believe he'd lie to me."

Lily was sobbing uncontrollably; she felt like someone had just reached into her
chest and ripped her heart out.

"What did he have to say for himself?" December asked.

Lily wiped her eyes, "I haven't confronted him yet."

"Lils, can I do it for you?" December asked hopefully.

Lily considered it for a second then said, "No, this is something I need to do myself."

December gave a frown but nodded.

So many questions were racing through her mind, and she didn't have a clue what
she was going to say to him.

"Come on, lets get you upstairs and into bed," Beth said in a motherly voice.

Lily felt Dreamy and Beth helping her off the couch. Dreamy didn't say a word, she
just gave a sympatric smile. She was at the base of the stairs leading up to her dorm
when she turned around to see where December was. Her eyes met with those of
James Potter.
She wanted to run, but she felt like she was frozen. She hadn't even thought about
what she was going to say to James. If she owed anybody an apology it was him.
Beth tugged gently at Lily's robe and she obediently responded by starting up the
stairs. She felt James eyes upon her until she disappeared behind her dormitory
door.

Lily cried herself to sleep that night. December, Beth and Dreamy took turns stroking
her back and trying to comfort her sobs.

"Is she asleep?" Beth whispered over towards Dreamy.

Dreamy just nodded.

"I'll kill that bloody bastard," December swore.

"She really cared about him," Beth said as she stared at Lily's sleeping form.

December sneered, "She can only blame herself. We tried to tell her."

"How can you be so insensitive?" Beth spat at December.

December however had a smug grin on her face, "Trust me. I'm going to be a hero
tomorrow after I get done with Lockheart."

Beth gave her a worried look, but December just winked and crawled into her own
bed.

The next morning Lily felt a pain twigging in her chest. She was an early riser, but
this morning she didn't want to get up. Her face was burning and her puffy eyes
were throbbing in protest of her tears. She couldn't remember her head ever hurting
so much.

"Morning sunshine," December said brightly. "I got up early to go get you some
coffee, McGonagall's special."

Lily smiled because it wasn't characteristic for December to wake up any earlier than
she had to. It was a terrible Monday morning, Lily didn't want to leave the sanctuary
of her dorm room, but a higher caused forced her to face the day.

"I don't even want to see him," she sniffled.

"My offer to dump him for you still stands," December offered.

"What if I can't dump him?" Lily asked, worry filling her voice.

"Then I will," December said instantly.

Lily cracked a smile, she was glad December was being friendly to her again.

The four dorm mates slowly got ready and prepared to face what appeared to be an
eventful day.

Lily wasn't four steps out the portrait when a voice she was dreading to hear said,
"Lily, where in the world have you been, I've been so worried. Billy Irvin said
Severus Snape was talking to you yesterday after I left you in the library."

He tried to pull her into a hug, but she backed away swiftly.

"Keep away from me," she warned. She felt the tears building, but she was
determined to fight them back.

Gilderoy’s expression suddenly became anxious and worried. "Lily, what's wrong?"

"You know damn well what's wrong!" she spat. “You’re not worried about Snape
talking to me. You’re worried he told me the truth.”

She was glaring at him with such anger, he had betrayed her.

"Did I do something to make you mad?" he asked stupidly.

"Idiot," December muttered.

"How could you lie to me?" Lily asked him frigidly.

"I didn't lie. It was James Potter that lied. Severus Snape must be on his side now,"
he argued.

"Stop playing games! I know the truth," Lily cried.

“I don't want to lose you over this."

"I was never really yours to lose, was I?" Lily asked him shaking her head.

Lily turned and started to walk away. She was done; she had nothing more to say.

"So are you dumping me," Gilderoy called after her.

"Good observation," December retorted.

"Lily wait. Lily we can work this out?" he yelled after her. "WHAT THE HELL?"
Lily stopped and looked behind her to see what he was cursing about. She almost fell
over at what she saw.

December had done the masterful hexes on Gilderoy. His hair was glowing bright
green, and not just the hair on his head. The bright green hair was growing at an
alarming rate. Suddenly the ends of the hairs sprouted heads and thousands of
Venus fly traps were snapping their jaws. She turned right after she saw Sirius lifting
his wand and joining December. Lily almost felt sorry for him, almost.

Chapter 7: Confessions
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Chapter Seven: Confessions
Christmas break was quickly approaching, and the fifth and seventh year students
were becoming anxious about the upcoming N.E.W.T.S and O.W.L.S. "So Lils, what
are you going over the holidays?" December asked as she read a copy of Witch
Weekly. "I guess going home and putting up with Petunia. I hear she has a new
boyfriend," Lily replied. "What about you?" "I'm staying at Hogwarts, mum and dad
are going to the States for business," December answered. The school year was
flying by. "Why are we sitting up here in the crampy dorm? Why don't we go down to
the common room?" December asked anxiously. Lily shot her an anxious look. Lily
practically never left the safety of her dorm these days. After the whole ordeal with
Gilderoy she just didn't have the nerve to face anybody. December and Beth had
tried to be understanding, but they quickly realized that they would have to become
recluses themselves to hang out with Lily on what they considered the usual level.
Lily dumping Gilderoy was the talk of the school. December's fly trap hex had been
retold so many times, it now was said that Gilderoy was eaten by a man-eating
plant, and rescued by Madame Pomfrey in barely the nick of time. Gilderoy himself
had written a booklet on his whole trying ordeal. How I Survived the Man-eating
Plant, by: Gilderoy Lockhart He was pretty much over Lily. He was too busy
impressing the younger girls with the tales of his daring escapes. While December
had gotten her fill of torturing Lockheart the Marauders had not. Other than Severus
Snape, he was their favorite victim. "Lily, you can't hide up here forever," December
argued with her friend. "I can try," she appealed. "What? Are you afraid your going
to run into Potter?" December asked. Lily glanced at her and attempted to ignore the
question. James Potter was possibly one of the main reasons Lily didn't want to leave
her dorm room. She hated how she had behaved. He had rescued her from the
Slytherins and she hadn't even muttered a thank you to him. In fact she hadn't even
so much as seen him since the night she decided to end it with Gilderoy. She was
intentionally coming to class late and making sure she was the first one out the door.
She hadn't even tried to break up the last Quidditch party when Gryffindor beat
Hufflepuff. "Come on, I'm not going to let you rot away in this dormitory," December
now said on her feet. She reached down and grabbed Lily by the arms. "Come on,
get up." "No! I'm perfectly content right here," Lily spat. "Have it your way. I'm
going to go enjoy my life," December said sarcastically. December left, and Lily knew
she would not be returning until late. She pulled out her Ancient Runes and
Astronomy text books and began to study. She was on the verge of dozing off when
she heard a strange noise near the door. She jumped, and stared in the direction of
the intrusion. There on the floor was an envelope that someone or something had
slid it under the door. She got up and walked over to the open the door. She peered
outside, nothing there. She looked down at the envelope and saw her name written
in bright red letters. "What in the world," she muttered. She bent down picked up
the envelope and walked over to her bed. Lily, Meet me in the astronomy tower
tonight around nine. It is really important that we talk. Lily looked over at the clock
on Beth's night stand, it was just turning eight. "Who is would need to talk to me?"
Lily asked herself. She was reluctant on going, but the more she stared at the letter
the more her curiosity got the better of her. "What if it's a trap? What if the
Slytherins were trying to get even with her?" Lily asked to herself. "What if it's
Gilderoy and he wants to corner me and win me back," she suddenly felt a bit ill. She
glanced at the clock again. It was now closer to eight forty-five. She let out a sigh,
and grabbed her robe. She wasn't sure she should, but she was going to find out
who this mystery penman was. She walked quietly down the stairs, careful not to
bring any attention to herself. She spotted December sitting on Sirius's lap near the
fire. Beth was on the floor next to them working on her broom. Peter was watching
Beth patiently. Lily walked by the group silently as she made her way over to the
portrait and disappeared into the darkness of the hallway. Her heart was racing, and
her hand was holding her wand through her robes. She practically ran to the
astronomy tower. She was almost ready to turn back until she saw a shadowy figure
enter into the tower just before her. "Come on Lily, you can do this," she encouraged
herself. She climbed the tower stairs and looked around when she reached the top.
Nobody was there. She walked over to the edge of the tower wall and took a seat.
Where was the person she had just seen come up before her. Suddenly fear was
creeping into to courage. She began to nervously look around. "I didn't think you'd
come," said a voice from behind her. She turned around, and found herself face to
face with James Potter. James dark hair was blowing in the night wind, making it
even messier than it normally was. His rimed glasses reflected the light from the
night sky and caused a glare that hide his soulful eyes. He looked different, older.
"James," Lily said softly. They stared at each other, looking deep into the other
familiar eyes. Lily felt lost, scared. She had never been so excited and frightened in
all her life. James couldn't believe she had come. He wasn't sure what had made him
slip that note under her door. An hour ago he was prepared to confess everything to
her. He wanted to tell her how he had wanted her since their first year; how he felt
he would die if one more day went by without her in his life. But now, standing face
to face with her, he was frozen. Lily looked as if she was about to say something
then suddenly turned and started to run off, James reached for her hand. "Please
don't go." She looked at him, he did look handsome in the eerie moonlight. “You
forgot to sign the note,” she said in a voice she didn’t even recognize as her own. "I
have something to confess to you Lily Evans," he started, ignoring her comment. His
chest was racing and he felt his heart was going to explode. She didn't say a word,
she just looked at him. "I can’t get over you. You're the first thought I have in the
morning, and the last thought I have before I go to sleep. I don’t want to get over
you. I don’t care if you hate me.” James stood there breathless, "I've never looked at
a girl the way I look at you. I never will." Lily was in shock. She felt her heart sinking
down into her stomach and her eyes drowning in an ocean of salty tears. She wasn't
sure if she was happy or upset. She didn't really know how she felt about James
Potter. "I realize," he continued, "that you don\'t feel the same way about me. I
swear I'll never stop waiting for you. Lily, if you want me to back away, I will,"
James finished. She didn't respond. He bowed down towards Lily and gave her a soft
peck on her cheek, "Good-bye Lily." Lily was now about to drown in her own tears.
She had never seen this side of James Potter. She didn't want him to leave, she
wanted him to stay. "James, I never told you thank you," she cried out. He stopped,
but didn't turn around. Lily felt her legs lift her weight and she found herself running
towards him. She threw her arms around his neck kissed him. She tackled his so
passionately his glasses fell off his face. He couldn't move. His leg, his arms every
single part of him was numb. His mind was swimming so fiercely that he couldn't
even focus on the beautiful red head he was holding. He had never expected this,
hoped for yes, but never expected. All those years of waiting and all those years
hoping she'd give him a second glance it was all worth it at this moment. This was
right, and for that single moment in time, they both realized they were destined for
each other. James wasn't sure how long he was out there with Lily. Perhaps he
would have stayed forever, but a faint wolf cry pierced the perfect night. He looked
down at her curtain of red hair and ran his fingers through it. He knew she had to
go. The others would be here soon. "Lily, it's getting late, you better get back," he
whispered. She looked at him and nodded. She didn't want to leave, but she knew
she couldn't stay. "Aren't you coming?" she asked. "No, I have to stay. I have some
maraudering to do." He kissed her and then ran his thumb across her cheek. "I'll
explain everything soon," he promised. She was confused, but didn't feel like asking
questions for the first time in her life. "Here take this." He threw a silvery cloak over
her shoulders. She noticed her body disappear beneath it. "I'll see you in the
morning," he smiled and gave a quick kiss and a nudge down the stairs. "Be careful."
She smiled back at him. Her insides were burning, and the warm thoughts of James
Potter carried her all the way back to the common room. When she entered the
common room it was close to midnight. She forgot to remove the cloak from around
her shoulders as she started scanning the common room for December or Beth. She
was glowing from head to toe. She barely comprehended what just happened.
Everything seemed so unreal. She smiled at the sight of December and Beth chatting
by the fire. "HEY GUYS," Lily shouted. She grabbed Beth's shoulder. Beth let out a
terrified scream; December just looked around the room puzzled. It finally dawned
on Lily, she still had on James cloak. She removed the silky material from her head.
Beth looked like she was about to pass out. The sight of Lily's floating head, was
enough to make anyone a little light. "Oh my god, are you dead?" Beth asked frantic.
"No," Lily replied instantly. "Than where in the hell is your body?" December swore.
Lily smiled and slipped the clock off her body and onto the floor. "It's James'," Lily
confessed. "Did you steal it from him," Beth still not completely collected. "I thought
you were up in the room?" December added. "No, he gave it to me to borrow," Lily
said sharply. December's lip slipped into an evil grin. "You tramp!" she joked. Lily felt
her face go red. She knew December had caught the gist of what was going on, but
Beth looked so clueless. "James slipped me a letter under the door to come meet
him tonight," Lily explained. "Oh," Beth said still confused. "I didn't know it was him
until I got there," Lily finished. "Snogging take place?" December asked coolly. "No,"
Lily said insulted, but her red face was telling a different story. Beth let out a fit of
giggles. December pushed her slightly and barked for her to grow up. "So, where is
the famous Potter?" December asked. Lily's face suddenly turned into a frown, "I
don't know." "That's a little odd. A happy couple is formed, and you don't know
where the other participating member is?" December replied. "I wasn\'t quite in
reality December, he just told me he had to stay," Lily said with confusion. "And you
didn't ask why?" Beth interjected. "Stay where?" December added. "We were in the
astronomy tower," Lily confessed. "I knew it, snogging!!" December joked. Lily shot
her a serious look, then blushed. December suddenly got a look in her eyes, she was
piecing something together. "Sirius and Peter, just left right before you got back,"
December muttered. "I wonder?" December ran up the stairs toward the seventh
years boys’ dorm. She didn't even knock she just peeked her head right on in. Before
Lily could object to her behavior she was back on the couch announcing happily that
Remus was also missing. Which wasn’t unusual, he typically disappeared once a
month. "What are you hinting at?" Lily asked confused. "Their off planning a
Marauder prank," December said like it should have been obvious.
Chapter 8: That Night
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AN: Standard Disclaimer

Chapter Seven: That Night

James watched Lily disappear under his cloak and hoped she’d return safely to the
common room. He looked up at the stars and stared reflecting on what just
happened.

Was it real? Was Lily Evans finally within his grasp?

‘Maybe Sirius was right, and the only reason he liked Lily Evans so much was
because of the challenge she put up,’ he thought to himself. For the first time, the
thought of Lily brought with it a new emotion, fear.

The faint cries of a wolf once again pierced the still night.

"Will be there soon Moony," James whispered.

He stared down at the Whomping Willow. He knew on the other side of the tree was
a horrible sight to behold. One of his closest friends, Remus Lupin, had been bitten
by a werewolf as a child. Now, once a month when the full moon lit up the night sky
Remus would transform into a werewolf himself. He would transform into Moony.

James smiled as he saw Sirius and Peter coming up the Astronomy Tower stairs. It
had started as a place to practice. This is the place where the three boys had learned
to become Animagi when their dorm room had become too small. James had learned
the fastest of the three. He was always very good at transfiguration. It was actually
James who had suggested this plan to begin with.

During their first year at Hogwarts, the boys were inseparable except when one of
their numbers went to visit his sick mother once a month. James had noticed how
sick Remus always was right before he left and right after he returned. Sirius had
badgered Remus about where he went many times. None of them, not even the
gullible Peter, believed Remus went to visit his mother during his absence.

It was actually Sirius who figured out Remus secret. Out of the blue, one night in
their second year Sirius looked over a Remus and asked if he was a werewolf. Sirius
claimed he figured out the mystery because he noticed Remus always disappeared
during the full moon.

A terrified Remus tried to pull away from the Marauder, but they wouldn't let him. It
didn't bother them he was a werewolf. They actually thought it was cool.

Remus was the first real Marauder, he was instantly nicknamed Moony, and plan was
beginning to unlatch. For month the boys thought long and hard about how they
could help their werewolf friend. Remus described the transformations as terrible,
even painful. The boys felt pity for him, and it was James who decided they should
try to be Animagus. He remembered reading about them in Professor McGonagall's
class. It took them until their fifth year to be able to complete the spell correctly.

It was difficult magic. Any magic that didn't require a wand was considered very
advanced. There were many nights that they didn't think they could pull it off.

Sirius was responsible for the idea of the Marauder map. They had enchanted the
map to show the locations of every person in the halls of Hogwarts. They friendship
sealed the pact, and the legend was born.

Each of the young Marauder had to discover which animal he would transform into.
Peter Pettigrew discovered his form was a rat, he was the smallest of the group, and
they needed a small animal to hit the freezing knot on the Whomping Willows base.
He became Wormtail. Sirius Black discovered his form was a big black dog. He
became Padfoot. James Potter had a difficult time understanding his form. He hoped
it would a larger animal so he could help Padfoot keep Moony under control.

Sirius had suggested it might be a lion, which was quickly casted off by Remus,

"What do you guys want to kill me?"

When it was finally discovered that the strange animal that James had been
envisioning had been a stag, James became Prongs.

It took the boys the better part of three years to successfully complete the
transformation.
There were times when they knew they were caught. One time Peter managed to
change his head into a rat's head, but the rest of him was still a boy. It took almost
four hours for James and Sirius to figure out a way to fix him. Another time, Sirius
transformed into Padfoot, but couldn't transform back into Sirius. He wandered
around the grounds of Hogwarts as a dog for an entire weekend.

They knew what they were doing was wrong. Unregistered Animagi transformations
were illegal in magical world.

"Their going to throw us into Azkaban," Sirius would joke.

It had brought the boys closer then they would ever know. When they finally all
mastered the Animagi spell during their fifth year they began to expand on Sirius’
magical map. They called the map the Marauder Map, and they all put a piece of
themselves into it.

During that terrible time of the month, Sirius, James and Peter would slip out of their
dorm and change into their animal forms and join Moony in the Shrieking Shack. At
first they thought it was going to be impossible to ever leave and explore beyond the
Shrieking Shake. But slowly Moony was able to control his werewolf side. The boys
discovered more about Hogwarts and Hogmeade than any students in the history of
the school. And nobody knew about it.

"Ready, Prongs? Sounds like Moony is waiting," Sirius said with excitement.

This was his favorite time of the month. There were times that James thought Sirius
like being Padfoot a little bit too much.

James smiled a nodded, and without a second thought, transformed into a great
stag. He was joined by Wormtail and Padfoot, and the three unlikely animal friends
made their way down to the Whomping Willow. Another Marauder adventure was
about to begin.

They didn't always have to go looking for trouble. That night they all silently agreed
to stay in the Forbidden Forest. There were all kinds of strange magical creatures in
the forest, and plenty of places to explore.

They started heading deep into the forest. James normally objected to going in too
deep because he was worried they'd lose their way. He could just imagine Professor
Dumbledore's reaction if all four of the Marauders turned up missing one morning.
He was a smart man, and James had no doubt he'd figure out what they had been
doing.

This night was different. Prongs thoughts were someplace else. He was thinking
about Lily Evans. He could still smell her on his fur. His lips still tingled from her kiss.
He was worse off than when she wouldn't talk to him. Now that he had a taste of Lily
he knew he would never be satisfied.

Padfoot must have noticed Prong's dazed expression, because he knocked him over
with a gigantic jump. Prongs gave Padfoot a serious glare, and shook himself off the
ground.

Moony let out a cry and tackled Padfoot. The three of them wrestled as Wormtail
watched from a distance. Padfoot gave a signal to go deeper into the forest. They
wandered into the night, pouching at each other and just enjoying the night.

Eventually it was time for them the head back. The full moon was fading into the
horizon, and Moony gave a shake. He would be transforming soon. They reached the
Whomping Willow with out incident. Wormtail ran under the trunk and hit the knot
that froze the tree. Moony, let out a final cry and disappeared into the hidden tunnel.
Satisfied that their mission had once again been successful, the three remaining
Marauders returned to the castle. They were nearing the Gyrffindor common room
before they once again became human forms.

"So Prongs, what where you daydreaming about tonight," Sirius asked.

James gave him a glance then muttered the password, "Gillyweed."

"I'm so tired..." yawned Peter.

"You’re such a wimp," Sirius teased.

Peter just yawed again and ignored Sirius taunts.

"I hope Remus got back before he transformed," James said with concern.

"Doesn't he always," Sirius smirked.

"So what happened between you and Lily?" Peter asked casually.

James gave him a smile. Sirius slapped his friend on the back and gave a hearty
laugh.

"What's so funny," Peter asked.

"Isn't it obvious where Prongs has been all night?" Sirius asked.

Peter frowned. “With us?”

"He's been dreaming of getting Lily...” Sirius started mocking.

James shot him a serious look, "I'd stop now before you say something offensive
Padfoot."

Sirius let out another laugh, "James, always the gentleman."

James just gave a nod and opened the seventh year boys dorm room door.

"I think I"ll sleep though the weekend." Peter collapsed on his bed.

James looked over at Peter, who was already asleep. Sirius soon joined Peter and
soon both of them were fast asleep. James crawled into his bed, but he knew he
wasn't going to get any sleep. He had thoughts of Lily running through his head.

Lily was still lying awake as the sun started rising. She had dozed in and out of
sleep. She couldn't remember if her meeting was James last night was a dream or if
actually happened. She looked over at Beth and let out a chuckle. Beth was on her
back hanging half off her bed. She always had the most unusual sleeping positions.
Lily knew it was pointless lying in bed any longer. She pulled herself out of her bed
and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

She let the steamy water stream over her body. She was so light headed. Her
thoughts were dancing around the images of James floating in her mind. She was
smiling so largely she was sure she was going to be unable to ever frown again.
After a long shower she turned off the water and wrapped the towel around her
body. Her hair was dripping onto the cold castle floor, but she felt so warm. The
mirrors were completely steamed up so she decided to finish getting ready in her
dorm. She ran back to the seventh year girls’ dorm, and quietly tried to get ready.
She was careful not to wake Beth, Dreamy and December. All of them had stayed up
really late talking about Lily's encounter with James and their speculations of the
Marauder's latest prank.

Lily walked down the stairs towards the common room. She didn't figure anybody
would be up yet. After all, it was a Saturday. She was almost at the portrait when
she felt a pair of eyes staring at her. She turned around and smiled.

"Hello."

"Did you have good night sleep?" James asked. He wanted to slap himself. That had
sounded so stupid.

"Honestly, no," Lily confessed.

James wondered if he should be worried. It was possible she was having second
thoughts. What if she was about to tell him that she had made a mistake?

Lily slowly approached him, and he felt his heart start racing.
"I'm glad we talked last night," she revealed.

"Are you?" he asked in a strained voice.

She took away his anxiety with a swift kiss on his lips.

"I'm going to go grab a bit to eat. Care to join me?" she asked.

He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"We need to plan the Christmas feast," he said confidently.

"You never needed my ideas to help you plan things before," she joked.

They both laughed.

"I told you Evans. We're going to be the most admired couple of the year.”

Chapter 9: Happy Holidays

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Chapter Eight: Happy Holidays

There was only three days left until the Christmas holiday was set to begin. Lily was
so happy with her new relationship with James that she had almost forgotten about
her terrible sister Petunia.

Petunia was three years older than Lily. She hadn’t always been a terrible prat.
Petunia was actually the first witch in the family. Lily still remembered when
Petunia's letter had arrived telling her she was a witch. Petunia would come home on
holidays and tell Lily about all the wonders of the magical world. She couldn't show
Lily any spells, but she was always bragging about how much stuff she knew.

Lily had hoped and wished for a letter with her name on it. When it finally came the
summer after she turned 11 she was ecstatic. Until she became a Hogwarts student
herself she and Petunia got along great.

Petunia was a Hufflepuff and not the brightest student in school. She was usually
messing up spells and required to get a tutor for certain subjects. Lily was sorted
into Gyrffindor her first year. She never struggled with anything. She was a top
students in her year. Everyone was always telling Lily how talented and pretty she
was. Petunia hated her for it too. At first she was quite cordial to Lily, but when
Professor Slughorn had recommended Lily tutor Petunia over potions basics at the
end of Lily's first year. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Petunia also did not have Lily's natural beauty. She was a sharp looking girl, and not
in a good way. Her nose was too pointy, and her face was too long. She also didn't
have Lily's remarkable eyes. Her eyes were plain and gray.
She told Lily she didn't need help in Potions, and to leave her alone. The two sisters
barely spoke until the summer after Petunia's fifth year. Petunia had only received
two O.W.L.S. That was only the beginnings of Lily's issues with Petunia. Petunia had
begged her parents to let her drop out of Hogwarts and attend a regular Muggle
school.

Although her parents didn't think that was the best for their daughter, they agreed.
Petunia started attending a "normal school" as Petunia called it. She also insisted Lily
to drop out and join her in a new found reality. Lily refused and from that moment
on Petunia had tried to make Lily's life a living hell.

She'd taunt her with foul words, and call her terrible names. Their parents were
never big on punishing their daughters, so Petunia got away with. When Lily received
nine O.W.L.S after her fifth year. Petunia's taunts and teases got worse. Lily actually
hated her sister. She was the one person in her family she’d actually disown if she
could.

Lily and James sat in the common room doing their homework. Occasionally Sirius or
December would shout a comment in their direction, but for the most part it was a
pretty quite evening. James slid his arm around Lily, and she gave him a smile.

"I've got something I wanted to ask you?" James said timidly.

Lily urged him to ask his questions with an accepting look.

"I was wondering if you\'d like to come visit me during Christmas?" James asked.

"Oh, I don't know if my parents will let me?" Lily explained.

He dropped his head in disappointment.

"I can ask them when I get home, and I'll owl you an answer," she offered.

He smiled, "Promise?"

She nudged him in the stomach, "Of course."

He pulled her into a tight squeeze.

"I'm going to miss you," he confessed.

Lily felt her face go red. They had only started this thing between them a few days
ago, but they were the happiest few days she could remember.

"Will you write me?" she asked him.

"I might be tempted to just floo my way right over to your house everyday," James
joked.

Lily laughed.

"James, we’ve got to go," Sirius reminded him.

James stood up and winked at Lily, "You'll love this."

She gave him a troubled look. She knew the Marauders always played a major prank
on the Slytherins right before the Christmas break.

"Will you guys ever grow up?" she asked.

"Probably not," Sirius confessed.

She saw James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sneak out the portrait hall.
Although she didn't support their rule breaking she didn't feel like trying to stopping
them.

It wasn't like she could if she wanted to.

The next morning, Dreamy, Lily and Beth all drug their bags down into the common
room. December was staying at Hogwarts over the holiday. The girls left them in a
pile for the house elves to get to the train.

"Aren't you going to be lonely over the holiday?" Beth asked December.

"Nah, Sirius is staying too," December said composedly.

"December, you’re so naughty," Beth teased with a snigger.

"I didn't say I was doing anything with him," December said mockingly.

Beth gave December a longing look. She envied her for being able to flirt with Sirius
without turning red. Most girls couldn't handle Sirius aggressive flirting style, but
December never seemed to get rattled, no matter how blunt some of his comments
were.

Sirius appeared on cue. "Hello ladies.”

"This common room is going to be a lot less exciting without you, Red," Sirius joked
towards Lily,

Lily shot Sirius a bitter look, since her and James had started hanging out she had
been the butt of his jokes. James and Lily would sometimes laugh, but most of the
time James would pull Sirius aside and exchange a few words.

"So are you planning on staying out of trouble?" Lily questioned.

Sirius gave her an evil grin, "I'm sure December will keep me out of trouble."

Lily let out a sigh. At least she wouldn't have to witness their disregard for the rules.

Sirius saw Remus, Peter and James come down the boys’ dormitory. "Well, I need to
get going," Sirius said suddenly.

James came up behind Lily and slipped his arms around her waist. "It’s probably not
a good idea to show up with me for breakfast,” he warned.
Lily gave him a desperate look. "What did you guys do?"

James gave her a cheeky grin. "You'll see."

He kissed her cheek and joined his fellow Marauders. Before Lily could lecture him,
they had disappeared through the portraits.

"Lily, are you feeling okay?" December asked.

"Why?" Lily responded.

"You normally throw a fit when the Marauders play a prank," December informed
her.

"Well, their seventh year. It wouldn't be right for them not to continue their pranking
tradition," Lily said lightly.

December grabbed her chest in mock shock. "What has James done to you?" she
questioned dramatically.

"Maybe it wasn't James. Maybe it was you," Lily said fiercely with a grin.

"Me?"

"Aren't you the one always telling me to live a little?" Lily responded.

The four girls laughed and headed down towards the Great Hall.

They were all wondering what the Marauders were planning. Their fourth year they
had slipped sleeping potion into all the Slytherins’ pumpkin juice. They all passed out
right into their plates. Their sixth year they put a sticky charm on a bunch of jingle
bells and then charmed them to stick to the Slytherin Quidditch team’s bottom. This
was the final year, the final prank.

The girls didn't have to wait long to see what the Marauders had done. The entire
Great Hall had erupted into laughter. The entire Slytherin table was preforming the
Muggle song "Run Run Rudolf.". Severus Snape was acting the part of a greasy
looking Santa Clause figure and, against his apparent will, was dancing on his house
table. Bellatrix Black nose was glowing bright red, and she was shaking her hips next
to Severus.

It took an impressive amount of potions, charms and transfiguration magic to pull

this stunt off. When the Slytherins finished their song, they all bowed forcefully. The
teachers looked like they were in a state of total shock. They had never witnesses
such a sight.
Professor McGonagall suddenly looked over towards the Gryffindor table. She was
staring straight at the Marauders and a smile suddenly appeared on her face. She
looked away. This was one time she was proud of her students, but she would never
admit that.
The Slytherins’ Head of House Professor Slughorn muttered a few counter curses.

"It's the Marauders, they did this," Bellatrix raged.

She was furious as Professor Slughorn tried to repair her read nose. Professor
McGonagall approached the Marauders and was about to drag them out of the Great
Hall to be punished, when Lily spoke up.

"Professor, they didn't do. They were in the common room all night, and I saw them
leave this morning."

"Miss Evans, are you willing to be an alibi for these young men?" Professor
McGonagall asked.

"Yes," Lily said confidently. “James is Head Boy. I know he wouldn’t do anything to
jeopardize that.”

Normally a single student wouldn't be enough to convince McGonagall the Marauders

were innocent. But Lily Evans alibi was better than a normal student. She had the
reputation for not tolerating foolishness. She was also Head Girl and a rule follower.
She was responsible for stopping several Marauder's pranks in the past.

"Very well, I guess you gentlemen are off the hook," Professor McGonagall said
skeptically.

The Marauders were in shock. Sirius was staring at Lily, his jaw almost touching the
table.

Remus was staring in disbelief, he knew Lily and this wasn't something he'd ever
imagine her doing.

Peter had a smug smile on his face, the one thing he loved more than a Marauder
prank was getting away with a Marauder prank without getting punished. James
smiled at Lily and gave her a grateful wink.

After McGonagall walked away from the table he leaned over and whispered into her
ear, "I think I\'m a bad influence on you."

You would have thought Christmas had come early. Although they had gotten away
with their pranks, everybody in school knew it was a Marauder behind it. December
was so proud of Lily. She was smiling so wildly that Lily though her jaw was going to
be stuck in a smile.

"I take back all those times I called you an old maid," December wailed. "That was
brilliant! Did you see McGonagall’s face?"

Lily knew what had made her do it. She was starting to like James as Head Boy. She
knew he would be in great risk of losing his badge if he was caught doing a prank of
this magnitude.

"So Evans, was this good girl thing just an act all these years?" Sirius asked.

"I can still turn you in if you like," she threatened back.

He scooped her up into a huge hug, and twirled her around in a circle. She started
laughing so hard her sides were beginning to hurt.

"That's how I say thank you," Sirius said haughtily.

Lily smirked back at him, "Your welcome."

James was probably the happiest of the Marauders that day. He couldn't believe Lily
had save him and his friends from a month of detention, which was most likely going
to their punishment.

He snuck up behind her and asked her, "Why did you do it?"

She gave a small nervous laugh, turned around and put her arms around his waist.
"Because I owed you one."

He was smiling so broadly, his hazel eyes glowing from behind his glasses. Lily
reached up and ruffled his messy hair.

"Don't you own a brush?" she teased.

He gritted his teeth and seized her sides in a tickle attack. She fell to the floor, and
James wrestled her into a fit of laughter.

The ride home was an eventful one. Some of the Slytherins were so mad the
Marauders had gotten away with their prank that they took to hexing every
Gyrffindor they saw. Because of this problem, all the prefects plus Lily and James
had to patrol the train's corridors to keep the peace.

When they arrived at King's Cross James reminded Lily to ask her parents if she
could visit.

He gave her a quick hug and kiss. She disappeared with her mother into the crowd.

"Who was that boy?" Lily\'s mother asked worriedly.

"Just a friend from school," Lily confessed.

Her mother gave her a weary look. "Goodness, I hope you don't kiss all your male
friends goodbye like that."

Lily blushed and loaded her things into the trunk of her mother's car.

"Petunia will be coming home for Christmas tonight. You two haven't seen each other
for so long," her mother said casually.

"Can't wait," Lily lied.

Lily's childhood home looked just like it always did. She smiled as she sat on her old
bed.
It amazed Lily how much she missed sleeping in her own bed when she was a
school. No sooner had she sat on her bed, when a beautiful tawny owl pecked on her
window.

She walked over to her window to let the bird in.

"Who are you?" The owl hooted playfully and Lily untied the letter from his leg.
Lily,

This is my owl Bludger. Don't worry, he's usually pretty behaved. He has strict
orders not to return until you reply to my letter. Of course, if you scratch him behind
his head he'll probably never return. That was a joke. Have you asked your parents
about visiting yet? Let me know soon. My parents are fine with it. They said it was
too quite without Sirius around here anyway. I can't wait to hear from you.

James

Lily smiled as she read the letter. She knew her parents weren't going to be happy
when she asked if she could visit a friend from school over the holidays, especially a
male friend.

She knew it was better to ask now, before Petunia got there.
Lily went down stairs and into the kitchen.

"Mum, you know that boy from King\'s Cross?" Lily started without hesitation. If she
didn’t get it out then she might never get it out.

Lily mothers eyes suddenly became enlarged, "Oh my God Lily, please tell me your
not getting married."

Lily shook her head in a confused no.

Lily's mum let out a sigh and fell into a nearby chair. "Thank goodness. What about
him dear?”

"He invited me to come visit him at his parents for a few days over the holiday," Lily
said quickly.
"Oh, do you want to go?" Lily mum asked nonchalantly.

Lily lowered her head, "I would.”

Lily's mum stood back up and dusted off her apron. "I don\'t think your father will
like the idea of you spending the night at some strange boy's house."

Lily knew her mother wouldn't like the idea. "He's not a strange boy," Lily argued.

"We don't know him or his parents, that makes him a stranger as far as I'm
concerned," her mother said sternly.

Lily knew it was useless arguing with her. "What if I invite him to come visit us
here?" Lily asked.

"Is he well behaved?" her mother asked.

"Of course mum," Lily said irritated.

"I guess that isn’t too much harm in that, but you'll have to clear it with your father,"
her mother said quickly.

Lily gave her mum a swift kiss on the cheek, "Thanks mum."

She knew getting her father's permission would be a breeze. He had never been able
to tell her no. She dashed back upstairs and wrote James a letter.

James,

My mum said I can't come visit, but you’re welcome to come visit me if you still want
to. I'll warn you my sisters a pain. Let me know if you can, and when you want to
come.

Lily

"Here Bludger, you know where to take this letter to," she tied the letter to the owl's
leg and scratched him behind the head. He gave a soft hoot, and dashed out the
open window. Lily crawled up on her bed and found herself dozing off. She decided
to take a quick nap. She'd need the extra strength to deal with her sister that
evening.

Lily woke up around eight that evening when someone came through the front door
loudly.

"Where is that wonderful sister of mine?" Petunia said sarcastically.

Lily rolled her eyes, she knew if she didn't go down stairs and greet her sister, her
mother would lecture her later.

"Hello Petunia," she gritted.

Her mother joined them in the living room with a warm batch of cookies.

"Did mum tell you the good news," Petunia snooted.

"No," Lily replied flatly.

"I'm getting married," Petunia said happily, she had shoved her petite ring under
Lily's nose.

"It's a real diamond," Petunia said proudly.

Lily wanted to laugh, she wanted to ask Petunia who in the world would marry her
but kept herself composed.

"I am so happy for you," Lily sneered.

It made sense why Lily's mother was on pin and needles all afternoon. Her mother
hated watching her girls grow up, and now Lily was finishing her last year of
schooling and Petunia was getting married. Her mother was obviously suffering from
an empty nest complex.
"Who's the lucky man?\" Lily asked acerbically.

"Vernon Dursley," Petunia said like Lily should envy her.

"He's coming over for Christmas dinner tomorrow, you can be jealous of me then, "
Petunia said snobbishly.

Lily rolled her eyes in annoyance. The family chatted around the warm fire until
finally Lily couldn't take Petunia's irritating voice any longer. She was about to
excuse herself for the evening when her mother said something that caught her
attention.
"Lily wanted one of her male friends to come visit her over the holidays," her mother
said casually.

"Really," her father inquired.

Lily glanced at her father, she shot him to sweet little girl eyes and dropped her lip
slightly.

"I don't see why that would be a problem," he said with a smile.
Her mother frowned, but didn't offer any objections.

Lily excused herself and went up to her bedroom to get some sleep. She knew
Petunia wouldn't be near as civil tomorrow when her parents weren't around.

When she reached her bedroom she saw James’owl, Bludger, sitting happily on Lily's
bed.

"Back so soon," she teased at him.

She slipped the letter off his leg.

Lily,

I'll see you the day after tomorrow.

James

"That's fast," Lily thought.

She was going to write James back, but she felt sorry for Bludger. She knew James
would send him out again as soon as he got home.

"You can stay here and rest tonight," she said to the owl.

He hooted loudly in response and flew up to a comfortable position on Lily's Chester

draws.

Lily curled up in bed, and tried to think about James as she fell asleep.

The next day went as usual. That morning the girls woke up and opened their
presents. Petunia would whisper words like freak and loser under her breath as she
passed Lily’s gifts from her Hogwart friends. Mrs. Evans never left the kitchen. She
looked like she was cooking a meal for one hundred people. Mr Evans sat in front of
the telly reading his magazines. Lily was bored most of the day. She wrote a letter to
James and then one to December. She hoped Bludger wouldn't mind a detour. She
also did some charms homework, and tried her best to avoid her annoying sister
Petunia. However, she couldn't avoid her all day.

"So, do you have a freak boyfriend now?" Petunia asked her impersonally.

"What is to you," Lily shot back.

"I bet he's aa strange and abnormal as you," Petunia taunted.

"At least he's not a dropout like somebody else I know. How many O.W.L.S. did you
get again," Lily retorted.

"Like I even care what freaks like you think," Petunia spat.

Lily hoped Petunia soon to be husband wasn't as horrible as Petunia, but she was
disappointed. Vernon Dursley was an overweight ball of annoyance.
Even Lily's father, who normally liked everybody, seemed to have little patients with
the boy.

Vernon was definitely a kiss butt.

"This was the most wonderful meal I've ever had.

Mr. Evans I think your losing weight, have you been working out?"

Lily was looking forward to seeing him leave.

"The guest room is quite comfortable," Lily's mother said to Vernon politely.

"He's staying the night," Lily bawled before she could catch herself.

Petunia rolled her eyes and Lily's mum flashed her dangerous look. Lily was sure this
terrible night was never going to end.

The next morning Lily was awaken by a terrified scream from downstairs. Lily dashed
out of bed to see an apologizing James Potter dusting himself off. Petunia was
staring angrily at James, and from the look on her face, was about to say something
hateful.

"You must be the freak boyfriend," Petunia spat.

"I see Lily has been talking highly of me," James joked.

Petunia rolled her eyes and walked up to Lily. "You better stay out of my way," she
warned.

"She's a friendly one," James laughed.

"I wasn't expecting you so early," Lily confessed.

"Well, I missed you," he said sweetly. "WOW! this place is amazing."

James had never been in a Muggle house before. He was staring around the room in
total awe. "What in the world," he said staring at the television.

"It’s a telly," Lily laughed.

He looked at her puzzled, "What does it do?"

Lily turned the knob, James almost jumped out of skin at the sight he saw.
"Amazing, Muggle entertainment."

She showed him the rest of the house, and he normally muttered words like
amazing, or wow. When she showed him the room he'd be staying in, he smiled as
asked, "You mean I won’t be stay in your room?"

She loved his charming sense of humor. When James finally met Lily's parents he
swept them of their feet. He had all the right answers, and didn't come off as being
phony, like Vernon did. Lily was even under the impression that her mother liked
James, and that was something, but trust Petunia to ruin anything good for Lily.

Perhaps it was the fact Lily's dad had invited James to chop wood with him and not
Vernon, or maybe it was the fact that Lily's mum had excitedly explained Muggle
cooking to James when she was cooking dinner. Whatever it was, Petunia had
enough.
As they all sat down for dinner, Petunia unleashed her fury.

"So, don't you hang out with that rowdy crowd at Hogwarts?" Petunia gave a cat like
grin. "Always, causing trouble if I remember correctly."

James smiled, and handled the situation coolly. "Actually, I do hang out with a
couple of pranksters, but I myself was named Head Boy this year," he informed her.

"Are you still sending those rival house members to the hospital wing?" Petunia
continued.

James look over at Lily, he was starting to lose his cool. Lily saw anxiety building on
her mothers face.

"Only during Quidditch season," James confessed.

Vernon Dursley looked clueless, he apparently had no idea what Hogwarts was or
what Quidditch was for that matter.

"You know, it is so hard to trust the intentions of those Quidditch boys, always trying
to do improper things with the girls," Petunia said casually.

Lily saw her mother choke on her glass of wine a bit.

"I assure you, my intentions are where they should be," he smiled politely.

"Petunia, I think that's enough," Lily warned.

She looked confused. "I'm just looking out for the best interest of my only sister."
"I appreciate your concern," Lily said flatly.

"So, have you got her into bed yet?" Petunia asked James.

"PETUNIA!" Mr. Evans spat.

"Father, I know what these boys at Hogwarts are like. In fact I'm seriously
questioning Lily's judge of character," Petunia defended.

James was enraged. He tried to keep his cool. Lily grabbed his hand under the table
and gave it an understanding squeeze.

"I'm so sorry," she mouthed at him.

He smiled back at her, just looking into her eyes made his anger fade away.

He quickly recovered and the confident James Potter finally resurfaced. "Petunia, if I
remember correctly didn't you date a Quidditch player?"

"That was different," she snapped.

"Yeah, sure it was, so Mr. Evans....follow Quidditch any?" James asked trying to
change the subject.

"What's Quidditch?" Vernon whispered over towards Petunia.

"Just some stupid American sport fools play," Petunia lied to him.

Chapter 10: Hogwart's reaction

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Chapter nine: Hogwart's Reaction

James stayed at Lily's for only a few days. After he left to return to his parents for
the rest of the Christmas holiday Petunia was even more horrible.

Lily came dangerously close to hexing Petunia when she over heard her telling their
mum how ugly she thought James was. Luckily, Petunia left about six days after
Christmas, and Lily got to enjoy the rest of her holiday in peace.
The Christmas holiday ended as quickly as it had arrived, and before Lily knew it she
was back a King’s Cross boarding the train back to Hogwarts.

"Lily, how was your holiday?" Beth asked embracing Lily into a hug.

"Good, how was yours?" Lily asked.

"Brilliant. I got a new broom," Beth revealed.

Lily smiled, she knew that Beth had been wanting a new broom for awhile.
Beth suddenly lowered her head, and went into her normal giggling fit.

"I also have a date with," she paused and blushed. "Ludo Bagman. He's playing for a
professional Quidditch team."

Ludo Bagman was the one guy at Hogwarts that Lily had thought was more arrogant
than James. He was about two years older than them, and was the previous
Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.

"Ludo Bagman?" Lily exclaimed before she could stop herself.

"I met up with him at a Christmas party over the holiday. His parents are good
friends with mine.” Beth blushed deeply as she continued.

Lily looked apprehensive. “When is your date?"

"Next Hogmeade trip. I promised I'd sent him an owl and let him know when it was,"
she said instantly.

"Sometimes I do believe you have the worst taste in guys," Lily muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Beth said defensively.

The conversation took them to their train compartment; Beth was telling her story
about how Ludo asked her out. Lily nodded pleasantly pretending to listen. She
thought she heard something said about a bet, but she wasn’t sure.

"Lily, are you listening to me?" Beth said out of frustration when she noticed Lily
slipping off into space.

"Of course I was," Lily lied.

Lily wanted to listen to Beth's story, but her mind was just someplace else at the
moment. She was staring out the window hoping to catch a glimpse of a tall black
haired boy with glasses.

She had been in contact with James almost every day since he went home, but she
hadn't actually seen him. And to her surprise, she missed him.

"Did you see James over the break?" Beth asked almost reading her mind.

"He came and visited me for a few days after Christmas," Lily replied with a blush.
She was hoping Beth hadn't noticed her searching out the window.

Beth was smiling from ear to ear then fell she went into another fit of giggles. "I told
you he was yummy."

Lily shot her a look and found herself going into a giggle fit herself.

"Mind if I interrupt?" It was Remus Lupin peeking into their compartment door.

Lily smiled, she knew if Remus had arrived James was sure to follow soon.
"Where are your friends?" Lily inquired.

Remus shot her a smile, "Peter is getting a ride back to school with his parents, and
I have no idea where James is."

Lily glanced up at the clock in their compartment. The train would be leaving in
exactly three minutes. She looked desperately out the window, where was James?
She felt anxiety building in her chest. Terrible thought starting filling her head. What
if something happened to him? She hadn't heard from him since yesterday.

Sometimes living in the Muggle world Lily forgot how dark the wizarding world had
become. It was easy to worry about silly things in the safety of Hogwarts. Outside
those magical wall many wizards and witches were being killed or worse. The evil
lord Voldemort was growing stronger, and the wizard government was becoming less
and less stable. Many students at Hogwarts were losing family members to the
uprising. It was so easy to forget that the world wasn't as safe as they sometimes
wanted it to be.
"I'm sure he's fine?" Remus said comforting Lily.

Lily felt her heart drop when the train began to move, and James had not joined
them. She had never felt so panicked in her life. She normally would patrol the train
and make sure all the students were behaving themselves. However during this train
ride she didn’t even seem to notice when three second year Ravenclaws walked by
their compartment with feathers growing out of their skin.

Beth and Remus would occasionally throw a comment in her direction, but she didn't
speak. In fact, her face was pale white and her eyes were empty. She couldn't get
that terrible feeling out of the pit of her stomach.

"Lily it's time to go," Beth said quietly.

"Huh?" Lily muttered, still in her trance.

Beth tugged on her arm lightly "We're back at Hogwarts, I'm sure James is inside."

Lily reluctantly let Beth help her up. She still didn't speak. She was silently trying to
convince herself not to panic. Surely James would be inside smiling at her when she
walked into the Great Hall.

She felt herself walking at a slightly faster pace than usual to the Great Hall. When
she entered it she saw lots of students but no smiling James. She stormed out of the
Great Hall and made a dash for the Gryffindor common room. James would certainly
be in there, ready to offer her an apology for making her worry. She felt like she was
ready to scream. Panic was now controlling every move she made. She burst into the
common room, and startled a few timid first year students.

Lily was now desperate. She checked the astronomy tower, the Quidditch field and
even the Great Hall a second time. It was approaching the Eight O’clock hour and
Lily was walking daze like back to the Gryffindor common room. Any hope of James
being inside had vanished; she had passed the point of worry hours ago.

"We’ve been looking for you," December greeted quickly when Lily appeared in the
portrait entrance.

Lily must have looked like the living dead. Her face was lifeless, and her normally
brilliant eyes seemed dull.

"I can't find James," Lily managed to choke out.

December cracked a grin and pulled Lily into a hug. "He's fine."

Lily pulled away and looked a December.

"His neighborhood was attacked by Death Eaters this morning, but his house wasn't
attacked," December explained.

"Professor Dumbledore explained where the missing students were during dinner
tonight."

Lily felt a burden lift off her chest and she broke down into a shower of tears. She
wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't.

“Turn off the waterworks," December tried.

"I'm sorry, I've just been so worried all day," Lily croaked.

December embraced Lily into a warm hug and stroked her back.

"Where is everyone?" Lily asked looking around the almost empty common room.

"Professor Dumbledore is throwing a celebration in the Great Hall, to lift everybody's

spirits," December told her.

Lily looked at December again.

"I was waiting for you," December said before she could ask.

Lily wiped the tears off her face, which was starting to regain a little bit of its color.

"Is James here yet?" Lily asked.

"Dumbledore said they won't be here till late," December answered.

Lily wasn't in the mood to celebrate anything so she urged December to go to the
Great Hall without her. After arguing with Lily for about twenty minuets she finally
left alone.
Lily found a spot on the couch in front of the fire. She felt her anxiety melt slowly
away. She was determined to wait up for James, even if she had to wait up all night.
Her best efforts faded quickly and soon she was in a deep well deserved sleep.

The bright morning sun was dancing on Lily's eyelids. She gave a small yawn and
cracked her eyes. She was in the Gryffindor common room. The fire had died out.
Around her shoulder was one of Beth's blankets. Lily felt a surge of panic erupt
within her chest. She had fallen asleep. She felt a strong urge to run up the boys’
dormitory steps to see with her own eyes a sleeping, safe James Potter. Just when
she about to do what she had yelled at December for doing so many times, she saw
a figure sleeping in the chair next to her.

Her heart melted and she had never felt so happy to see someone in her life. James
Potter was sleeping in an uncomfortable looking position in the chair next to the
couch. His black hair messier than usual and his glasses sliding dangerously close to
the end of his nose. He gave a quite grunt as he shift uncomfortably in the chair.

Lily fought the urge to engulf James into a gigantic hug. She slowly walked over to
James, and placed the blanket around him. She gave him kiss on the cheek and
crawled into his lap. He didn't wake up but he pulled her close into a bear like
snuggle. She finally felt safe again. She finally felt that worry lift. It didn't take long
for her other functions to finally return. She hadn't been sitting on James lap ten
minutes when her stomach gave an angry grumble.

She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast the day before, and she had only had a
piece of buttered toast then. She tried to decide whether get something to eat or
stay in James’ lap. Another violent grunt from her stomach made her slip out from
under James' warm arms. She decided she'd go grab and bit to eat, and perhaps
bring him back something too.

It was a quite Monday morning. The school was still asleep, but a few ambitious
students were rustling around trying to get an early start. Lily passed by several
snoozing portraits and finally made it into the Great Hall. She started to load up on
some wonderful looking pastries. She did the most pig like thing she had ever done
in her life. She shoved an entire strawberry tart into her demanding mouth.

"So, how long have you been dating? James, inquiring minds want to know," a
skinny Ravenclaw girl with pointy glasses was staring at Lily, quill in hand.

"Excuse me, who are you?" Lily asked as she attempted to choke down her tart.

"Rita Skeeter, The Hogwart’s Daily star reporter," she beamed.

"The what?" Lily asked confused.

Rita Skeeter propped out a copy of a poorly formatted student newspapers.

"Approved by Dumbledore himself," she bragged.

"So, you and Potter? What's the story?" Rita badgered.

"None of your business," Lily laughed.

"It's the presses right to know. James Potter was one of the most eligible boys in
school. My readers are going to want to know why he's off the market," Rita argued.

Lily rolled her eyes as she grabbed her mound of pastries off the table.

"I'm sorry what did you say your name was again?" Lily asked hurriedly.

"Rita Skeeter," she said looking slightly insulted.

"I'm sorry Rita. I really don't have time for this right now," Lily tired to force a smile
and disappeared. Rita was scribbling quickly with her quill like Lily had just given her
a huge lead.

When Lily finally made it back to the common room, the house was once again
coming to life. Lily noticed James had disappeared from the chair.

"Thanks Lil," Sirius said quickly grabbing a chocolate éclair.

She tried to slap his hand, but he was too quick.

"Those are not for you," she informed him.

He smiled broadly. "I missed you to, Red."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving a chocolate lip print on her cheek.
She shoved him hard in the stomach, and gave him a stern look.

"You better not be trying to steal my girl Padfoot," James joked as he appeared at
the base of the stairs.

"I’m insulted. I only steal the girlfriends of blokes who aren’t my best mates," Sirius
said innocently.

Lily tried to hide her happiness to see James, but it was too obvious on her face. She
was trying to fight the largest smile of her life. He seemed just as pleased to see her.
Next thing Lily knew, James was twirling her around in the air. She was laughing.

"I've been thinking about you," he confessed.

Lily blushed and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I brought you some breakfast."

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

Sirius was snarling his nose in their direction.

"YUCK!" Sirius exclaimed so loudly it caught the attention of everyone in the

common room. "Why don't you two get a room."

James tackled Sirius on the couch and the boys wrestled around on the floor for a
few minutes.

Finally James pinned Sirius arms behind his back. “Alright, you win," Sirius cried.

"Those two will never grow up," Remus said from behind Lily.

James and Sirius look up at his comment and pulled Remus into their wrestling
match. And Beth and December joined Lily in watching the free entertainment.

The rest of day went by fairly normal. James had convinced December to trade seats
with him in most of their classes, and Lily found classes went by much faster when
she was flirting with James. They couldn't have been much happier. They were on
their way to lunch, hand in hand, when Rita Skeeter stopped Lily in the hallway and
handed her a copy of the Hogwarts Daily.
"What is that?" James asked curiously.

"Some school newspaper that girl writes," Lily answered motioning over towards
Rita.

Most Charming Guy Under a Spell

Brilliant report Rita Skeeter had just received this exclusive report. Lily Evans and
James Potter are exclusive! Yep, that's right girls, James Potter is off the market. We
all know James for his charming wit, and uncanny sense of humor. Could this thief of
girls’ hearts be under a love spell?

Plain Jane Lily Evans refused to comment of the status of the Potter/Evans
relationship. But this reporter has some witnesses’ statements saying they know for
a fact that Head Girl Lily Evans is an expert at performing love spells and brewing
love potions.

Ex-boyfriend of Lily Evans, Gilderoy Lockheart, described many of the symptoms

love spell victims complain of having. He is also positive that he had seen Lily Evans
slip a liquid into his pumpkin juice during dinner.

Slytherin Prefect and Quidditch captain Anthony Points claims Evans tried to perform
a love incantation on him on the day he allegedly attacked her. He says he was only
defending himself when Potter attacked him. Perhaps our own James Potter caught
the brunt of Evans’ spell.

We here at the Hogwarts Daily feel confident that these allegations will be
investigated promptly, and we all hope that James will be back to his normal single
self soon.

Lily stood there frozen. Was she misreading the article?

"Your not using a love spell on me are you?" James snorted.

"This isn't funny," Lily scolded.

"Lily, it's not like anybody reads this paper," James assured her.

He squeezed Lily's hand and gave her a quick kiss.

Lily nodded and told herself James was right, nobody read the Hogwarts Daily.

Chapter 11: The Ravenclaw's Victory

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Chapter Ten: The Ravenclaw’s Victory
Lily was starting to get use to the constant snickering and unkind remarks that had
followed Rita Skeeter story. December had tried to confront Rita on several different
occasions, but she was a very fast runner. Apparently she had heard what December
had done to Lockheart. Beth on the other hand was driving her dorm mates crazy. It
was Ludo this and Ludo that. December had placed a muting charm on Beth one
evening in the common room. She didn’t even notice. She just keep mouthing on
about how cute Ludo was and who talented he was. Lily however wasn’t paying
much attention to Beth’s obsession. She had been too busy avoiding hexes and
pranks. A couple Slytherins had tried to trick her into eating a hamburger charmed
to make her blow up like a cream puff. A handful of fifth year Hufflepuffs had started
a petition to have her removed from the position of Head Girl because of her alleged
charges of love potion manufacturing. It appeared that although her friends assured
her nobody cared what Rita Skeeter had to say they were wrong. James was
especially troubled by his new fan club. Since the report had been released random
girls were begging him to break up with Lily, and even one fourth year Ravenclaw
had kissed James in the hallway trying to break Lily’s love spell. To top everything
else off N.E.W.Ts were right around the corner. Although the majority of Hogwart’s
Seventh year students were worried about the upcoming test, the Gryffindor and
Ravenclaw Quidditch teams seemed equally concerned with the upcoming match. It
was down to these two teams. If Ravenclaw could beat Gryffindor by 150 points,
then they would be the new Quidditch champions. James incidentally was spending
less and less time with Lily, and it was just adding to the speculations that Lily’s love
charm was starting to break. What the majority of the student body didn’t know was
at night the two of them still found plenty of time to get cozy on the couch in front of
the fire. December had even mock threaten to give them detention when she found
them snogging. “You two should be ashamed!” December cried laughing as Dreamy
and Beth stood behind her snickering on the stair. James had held a late Quidditch
practice for his team that particular evening. The new couple had spend so little time
together the past few weeks they had decided to hang out a little later that usual in
the common room What had been an innocent study session had quickly gotten out
of control. Before either of them realized what they were doing in a very public place
they were all over each other. James glasses were lying careless on the floor, and
Lily’s normally perfect hair was a spoiled. Lily felt her cheeks flush pink when she
saw a grinning December standing with her hands on her hips. “We were just
discussing the next Hogmeade trip,” Lily tried. “I’d say!” December jeered. James
fumbled carelessly trying to find his glasses on the floor, and ruffled his hair
innocently. “Shouldn’t you guys be asleep by now,” he asked in a very parental
voice. “And miss this?” December asked him. Beth and Dreamy were now rolling in
laughter behind December, and she was motioning for them to get a grip. “I’ll be up
in a minute!” Lily snapped at her friends. They seem to find it very amusing to catch
Lily making out with James. “Fine, come on. Let’s leave these lovebirds alone,”
December laughed. Beth and Dreamy reluctantly followed December back up the
stairs. When they disappeared Lily felt was James tackling her back onto the couch.
It took her a second to get back to her senses. The last thing she needed was the
Marauders to come down stairs and catch them next. “James,” Lily said pulling away,
“We need to get to bed.” He gave her a puppy dog pout and shook his head in a
playful no. He attempted to reinstate the snogging session., but she was too quick
for him and dodge out of his way. “James Potter, will you stopping,” she laughed.
“Never!” he dared. He was now pulling her arm back towards him on the couch.
“Listen, I don’t want Sirius catching us next,” she said semi serious. James suddenly
stopped and realized that she was right, they were Head Boy and Head Girl, and they
were definitely not setting a good example at this moment. Lily sat back next to
James, and smiled. “Maybe we can continue this tomorrow night?” she teased.
James felt a lump develop in his throat, “Tomorrow? I don’t think I can make it.” Lily
thought he was just joking again, and poked him in the side as she giggled. “No,
seriously, I have something I need to do,” he continued. He still hadn’t told her
about Lupin. He had wanted to, but not many people were willing to accept him
when they found out he was a werewolf. “What?” Lily asked starting to get the gist
that James was being serious. “I can’t tell you,” he prayed she wouldn’t try to push
him. “Why not?” she asked offended. James was now on his feet. “I just can’t.” Lily
felt heat rising to her face, “Not another prank! I’m not digging you out of this one,”
she warned. James was now feeling a slight bit angry. “I didn’t ask you to dig me out
of the last one,” he informed her. “Sorry I even bothered!” Lily shot back. She was
also now on her feet and storming off towards the girls dormitory stairs. James
suddenly felt very stupid. He ran after her, “Lily, please I don’t want to fight.” She
felt his eyes pouring deep into her soul. She felt all that anger lift from her heart,
and she wanted to do nothing but forgive him. “I don’t want to fight either,” her eyes
were now starting to burn. He pulled her into a hug, and suddenly everything was
forgotten. He kissed her lightly on her forehead, “Goodnight Lily.” She felt him nudge
her towards the dorm room steps. She sometimes hated being responsible. The next
morning was a typical Quidditch day for Beth. This time she had lost her gloves, and
she was once again in a panic mode. Lily again helped her find her equipment and
just like that she was out the door. This time however, Dreamy was also unable to
get back to sleep. Dreamy and Lily walked down to the Great Hall, grabbed a bit of
breakfast, and headed back to the Gryffindor common room to wake up December.
When Lily arrived back at the common room she stopped on the Gryffindor Prefects
and told them the Hogmeade day her and James had decided on. It would be the
weekend after next, and it would also be the last Hogmeade trip of the year. When
the girls finally got December awake they all went down to the Quidditch field to get
a good seat. This was the biggest turn out of the year. It seemed almost everyone
was betting against Gryffindor since they had won the Quidditch cup for eight years
straight. Even the Hufflepuffs were holding a ‘GO RAVENCLAW” sign. Lily smiled as
she saw James and the Gryffindor team enter the Quidditch stadium. She didn’t
know what is was about his Quidditch robes, but she liked them. The Ravenclaw
team captain Sandy Wade met James at the midfield line, and the two shook hands.
The players swiftly were all in the air, and in their ready position. The whistle was
blown and the game was on. Lily always had so much trouble keeping up with what
was going on. Every time December, Remus or Peter made a motion like something
important had happened Lily would do the same. Lily tried to keep her eyes on
James, but he was moving so quickly. She felt herself getting dizzy trying to follow
him. Suddenly everybody around her was on their feet in panic. The Gryffindor
seeker had just been pelted with a bludger and was laying motionless on the field.
The game didn’t stop. The chasers were scoring left and right from both teams.
Sirius tried to hit the Ravenclaw seeker with a bludger in retaliation but missed.
Thing just weren’t going well for Gryffindor. When Lily looked up at the score board
she saw that they were 50 points down. She heard the announcer say, “Oh no, if the
Ravenclaw seeker catches the snitch now, it’s all over.” Gryffindor was now 60 points
down. Beth now had the quaffle, suddenly she went into a spiral dive towards the
ground. She didn’t have time to pull her broom off its course and she hit the ground
hard. James caught the quaffle that flew out of Beth’s hands but didn’t waste time to
check on his fallen chaser. He was flying hard for the goals. He did a backwards
somersault in midair and scored. Lily was looking anxiously towards Beth on the
field. She was walking away but her new broom was destroyed. When Lily finally
managed to catch a glimpse of James he once again had the Quaffle. Sirius was
flying closely behind him, determined to keep him from getting pelted. Just then the
announcer screamed, “Penny Johnson has spotted the snitch!” Lily could almost feel
the panic from James. He was racing towards the goals at full speed leaving Sirius
behind in the dust. A Bludger came flying towards James’ head, and he made a
narrow miss. He had to score before Penny caught the snitch. He hurled the Quaffle
moments before young Penny Johnson closed her hands around the golden ball.
“Ravenclaw wins the match but Gryffindor wins the cup!” was echoed all throughout
the stadium. Lily almost fell out of her seat as her fellow Gryffindor erupted into
celebration. Lily saw Sirius fly straight into James, jump off his broom in mid-air and
engulf his best friend in a victory hug 20 feet off the ground. Lily made mental note
to yell at Sirius for the stunt later. December was hooting and hollering next to her.
Peter and Remus had already made a motion to seize the field. Lily just smiled, she
didn’t understand exactly what had happened, but she knew it was good. The
celebration was unbelievable back in the Gryffindor Common room. Again sweets
from Honeydukes were littering the table along with other Hogmeade goodies. Sirius
had managed to charm some music, and everyone was out of control. Lily briefly
thought about breaking up the party, but quickly decided against when she saw the
Quidditch team make their way through the portrait. She even decided against going
to tell Professor McGongall it was under control, afterall she hated lying. James ran
straight towards Lily and spun her around the room. “WE WON,” he screamed! The
entire house erupted into applause. It took nearly three hours before everyone finally
started to calm down. Lily felt bad for allowing such a celebration to happen on her
watch, but she didn’t try to stop it. James approached her with a boyish grin. “Can I
have this dance?” he bowed to her. “James, nobody else is dancing,” she informed
him. He scooped her up into his arms and disregarded her comment. “I never got to
ask during the Halloween dance” He twirled her around the room, dipped her a few
times, until finally her head was nuzzled securely into his chest. The music stopped
but they didn’t. December, Beth, Dreamy and the Marauders watched their friends
dance. Sirius slipped his arm around December’s shoulder, and she rested her head
against him. Dreamy gave Peter a flirty look, and he blushed. Beth was daydreaming
again, looking like she was about ready to cry. However, Remus Lupin simply stared
at December and Sirius, then back to Lily and James. He perhaps had the loneliest
expression in the world on his face. He silently disappeared up to the empty
dormitory room he shared with the Marauders. He gathered his things. It was still
early, but he was already getting seriously weak. He disappeared out the portrait. He
saw the sun starting to fade into the horizon. He didn’t have much time left.
Chapter 12: Problems in Paradise
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Chapter Eleven: Problems in Paradise

Lily felt like she was a million miles away. The sun had completely faded into the
darkening sky. She wanted to stay lost in James’ arms forever. She didn’t notice all
the stares coming from her fellow house members. She didn’t notice the kissing
motions Sirius was making from over near the couch. The only thing she knew was
she was in James’ arms and that was all the mattered.

James was also floating somewhere between Heaven and Earth. He had almost
forgotten the full moon was shining right outside the window. He and Lily had been
dancing for almost two whole hours, sometimes with the music, sometimes without
the music.

James felt a tap on his shoulders.

“May I cut in?” Sirius joked.

James was about to accuse him of trying to steal Lily when he caught Sirius’s eyes
and he knew why he was interrupting. James pulled Lily’s head up towards his as she
appeared to prepare herself for a kiss, but that isn’t what she got.

“I’ve got to go,” James whispered.

Lily shot him a dangerous look and stepped back.

“I guess a Marauder prank is still more important than I am.”

“Lily, it’s not a Marauder prank,” James confessed.

“Than what is it?” she demanded.

James lowered his head. “I can’t tell you.”

Lily mimicked his motion. “I thought you could tell me anything.”

“It’s not my choice,” he tried.

“Oh James Potter, don’t you give me that load of rubbish.”

“Lily it’s the truth, it’s not my call!” James argued.

“Then whose call is it? Your precious Marauders?”

“YES.”

Lily flared out her arms in front of her. “Fine!’ she spat.

“If you can’t tell me something as silly as what you and the Marauders are planning
on doing, how can I trust you?” Lily was now fighting back tears.

James now was gripping Lily around her shoulders, “Lily, I promise you it’s not
something stupid, and I’d tell you if it was my choice.”

Lily mouthed a small “just go” and then turned and walked away. James wanted to
follow her and explain why he had to go, but he knew he couldn’t tell her. It wouldn’t
be fair to Moony. It was his secret. He had no choice but to watch her walk away.

“Come on, Prongs, it’s time to go,” Peter urged watching his friend.

Sirius, James and Peter quietly exiting the Gryffindor common room as Lily watched
the portrait close behind them. She knew she was being jealous, but she wanted to
know what James was keeping from her. She had never kept anything from him. He
knew everything about her. He even knew about her horrid sister Petunia. What was
so important he’d place it above their relationship?

The night went by quickly for everybody but James. This time the three animagi and
Werewolf wandered the streets of Hogmeade. It was a typical Marauder adventure
with Padfoot doing his normal bouncing routine, but James couldn’t get Lily off his
mind. He hated leaving her so angry.

Padfoot gave a cautioned bark, and motioned James to come have a look. James felt
his blood surge at the sight. A group of dark hooded individuals was blasting the
streets of Hogmeade apart. Padfoot suddenly made a dash to make sure Moony
hadn’t smelled the human’s blood. Prongs stared in disbelief for a moment then
followed Padfoot.

When they finally reached Moony, he had a wild look in his eyes. Remus Lupin was
no longer in control of this beast. Prongs tried to push Moony towards the road that
lead up to the Shrieking Shack. They had to get Moony out of here. Yes, he was a
Werewolf, but he still was able to be hit by unfriendly charms and spells. Prongs kept
battling and Padfoot was trying to distract the hooded figures away from the area
Prongs was fighting Moony. The hooded figures tried to blast Padfoot with a few
spells. They obviously didn’t like the attention he was causing.

Prongs had barely managed to get Moony into the tree line when lights started
popping on all over Hogmeade. Padfoot scooped Wormtail up in his mouth and made
a mad dash for. Moony was still fighting Prongs fiercely trying to get back to the
blood he was smelling.
It took almost the rest of the evening for Moony to regain his sense of self. And
Prongs and Padfoot were exhausted from fighting him. Wormtail had the least
amount of excitement that night, yet he was still dragging behind Prongs and
Padfoot back to the astronomy tower.

“Who were they?” Peter asked as he transformed.

“I don’t know, but they almost were Werewolf kibble,” Sirius barked.

James didn’t like the encounter one bit. He knew who those cloaked figures were. He
had seen them the night they attack his neighborhood. Those hooded figures were
Death Eaters. James stood there motionless thinking about the night events.

“I know who those people were,” James suddenly said, “Death Eaters.”

Peter and Sirius both gave James a shocked look. Peter almost questioned how
James knew, but caught himself before he did. The boys decided to get back to the
dormitory, the excitement of Hogmeade would certainly cause alarm being so close
to Hogwarts. They knew the professors would be up soon.

The next morning was a hard one for the Marauders to face. Lupin was still in the
Shrieking Shack and it would be later in the morning before he returned. James had
insisted they get up early so they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves. If they all
slept the day away, it would be obvious they were up last night. Although it was a
long shot for somebody to put two and two together, he wasn’t sure who if anybody
saw them last night. He felt sure Dumbledore would put two and two together if they
gave him a chance to.

“Prongs, I refuse to get up,” Sirius croaked as James gave him a violent push out of
bed.

“I don’t care. We’ve got to act like we weren’t up all last night fighting a Werewolf.
Plus I want to see if there is any news about what happened last night,” James told
him.

“You mean about the Death Eaters?” Peter interjected. His enthusiasm made James
shudderer. Sometimes Peter was too naive about things.

Although it was the main thing on his mind when he had entered into his adventure
last night, James hadn’t even thought about Lily that morning. He usually waited for
her in the common room, but today he forgot. He was too concerned about the
previous nights encounter with the Death Eaters. He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was
because they had killed some of his neighbors, or maybe because he had watched
them walk up and down his street. He had watched the fear in his mother’s eyes as
they attempted to terrorize anything they saw in there way. It was miracle James
house hadn’t been attacked that night before he came back to Hogwarts. He had
never told anybody how worried he was. It was something he wanted to forget or to
never experience again.
James was desperate for any shred of news, anything to let him know what had
happened last night. He asked a fifth year girl for her copy of the Daily Prophet and
his fears were confirmed.

Raid at Hogmeade

A local stray notified the people of Hogmeade of a brutal attack last night. A group of
unidentified Death Eaters, followers of you know who, were apparently sent to
terrorize the people of Hogmeade in a surprise late night attack. A Muggle born,
name not yet released, was killed in the attack. Locals say a barking dog woke them
last night before anymore damage was done. Ministry officials will not comment on
their suspicions on what prompted the attack but assures all citizen that the
situation is under control.

James threw down the paper without reading the rest of the article. Why had Sirius
caused such a scene last night?

“Damn it Sirius,” James swore when they got out of ear shot of the fifth year girl who
had handed James the paper.

“James, I had to do something, Moony was going to attack!” Sirius defended himself
in a whisper.

“Do you think they’ll figure out it was us?” Peter asked nervously

“I wouldn’t put it past Dumbledore to figure it out,” James said with concern.

“Don’t be a prat, James, there is no evidence leading back to us!” Sirius barked.
“Stop trying to cause a panic!”

James looked at Sirus. “Just because you don’t take anything seriously doesn’t mean
we all need to follow your stupid example!”

“If we had ever listened to you we’d already have been caught by now,” James
fussed.
“I’m not the one who visited a certain red head and risked exposing myself!” Sirius
shot back

James felt heat rising in his face, “That’s none of your business!”

“It’s my business! You’re so concerned with Lily, you don’t give a damn about the
Marauders anymore!” Sirius yelled.

“Guys,” Peter tried.

“Stay out of this Wormtail,” James warned.

James was now inches away from Sirius. “How dare you accuse me of putting Lily
ahead of you guys.”

“It’s the truth. I wouldn’t be surprised if she already knows about us,” Sirius
accused.

James was resisting the urge to hit him. “I’d never betray you guys like that. I
haven’t told her a thing.”

“We all know you have different priorities right now, Prongs,” Sirius said with a cruel
edge.

“You bloody bastard,” James swore as he rammed Sirius in the stomach with his
shoulder.

The two friends were on the floor fighting each other with all their rage. Peter ran for
help. There was no way he was going to try to break this up on his own. A crowd
started gathering around James and Sirius. The two boys felt a powerful pull from
behind their navel and Professor McGonagall was staring at them in disbelief.

“I’d had never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes,” she said in
disbelief.

The two were still trying to fight her curse and get at each other again. A frighten
Peter looked over McGonagall shoulder.

“I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF THIS PETTIGREW!” James raged.

“Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, I’m taking you straight to Professor Dumbledore,” McGonagall
said sternly.

She quickly muttered the counter curse and the two boys were released of their
unseen restraints.

“This way,” she instructed them.

Lily stood in shock. What had caused James to fight Sirius? They were the best of
mates, the closest of the four Marauders. She caught a glimpse of them as they
passed her. They didn’t even notice her. She had never seen James’ eyes look so
cold. Lily ran up to Peter.
“What happened?” she demanded.

“I don’t’ know. They just attacked each other,” Peter lied.

“You don’t know, why they attacked each other,” Lily asked skeptically.
Peter gave her a desperate look. He was a terrible liar.

“It’s not my place to tell you,” he finally said.

He gave Lily a friendly grin, and tried to escape. Lily was getting sick of all these
Marauder secrets.

Later that day Lily found James sitting by the fire in the common room. She finally
had him alone.

“Hey,” she smiled.

“Hey,” he responded. It wasn’t his normal warm greeting, and it caught Lily off
guard.

“What was that all about this morning,” she tried.

“Why are you always so meddlesome?” he spat at her angrily.

Lily was stunned. James had never said a harsh word to her. Even when she would
say hateful thing to him he was always civil to her.

“Pardon?” she said when she had recomposed herself

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I’m just having a really bad day.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lily offered.

James looked at her feeling slight uncomfortable. “If I wanted you to know what was
bothering me I’d tell you all right. There are just something I can’t!”

Lily’s patience were running thin. “I was just offering a friendly ear.”

“Women,” he muttered.

“James, I don’t know what your problem is, but you don’t have to take it out on me,”
she spat and stormed away.

James felt his stomach give an uncomfortable lunge. He hated being so mean to her,
but she was the reason he and Sirius had gotten into a fight today. She was the
reason he had detention all week. Why did she have to pry into the Marauder’s affair.

He threw a piece of crumpled paper into the fire.

“Something on your mind, Prongs.”

James gave Remus a warning look.

“I heard you and Sirius put on quite a show this morning,” Remus continued. He was
still very weak looking from the previous night. “And now it looks like you have taken
the fight up with Lily.”

“So, what was it about?” Remus pressed.

“What do you want me to say? Sirius is a git,” James spat.

Remus gave James a grin. “What did you guys get into it about?”

“Lily,” James said flatly. “He said I was putting her ahead of the Marauders.”

Remus gave a small laugh, “Well, you’re suppose to.”

James gave Remus a confused look.

“Well, you love her don’t you?” Remus asked.

This caught James completely off guard, he had never really thought about the
notion. Yes, he had sought after Lily ever since he had first seen her. Yes, he loved
spending time with her, but love her?

“Lily will understand,” Remus said supportively.

James looked at Remus puzzled. “I can’t tell Lily about you or about us”

Remus smiled. “If you don’t I will.”

“It isn’t just about you being a, well, you know, it’s about the Marauders. It’s about
our animagi secret,” James argued in a low voice.

“No, it’s about me. You guys only did what you felt you had to do as my friends, and
I’m going to do what I feel like I have to do as yours,” Remus told him.

“NO!” James shouted.

James felt the anger rising up in this throat, “My personal life and my life as a
Marauder are separate.”

He had decided long ago that he wanted to keep Lily and his Marauders in different
areas of his life. There were just some things he didn’t want her to know.

Remus shook his head and gave a silent laugh, “She’s too clever. She’ll figure it out
eventually.”
James gave him a desperate look. He knew he was right.

Beth suddenly appeared at the portrait opening holding a copy of the Daily Prophet.

“No, no, no, no…” she kept muttering. She looked at Remus and James and cried
out, “Do you think their going to cancel the Hogmeade trip?”

James gave her a bitter shrug.

Beth turned away from the boys and began her muttering again

Remus smiled down at James, patted him on the back and left. James went back to
staring at the fire. Remus words slowly started sinking in.

Lily was so angry and confused. Why was James being so ill with her, why was he
being so cold?

“You know he has a lot on his mind right now?” Remus said from behind Lily.

“Yeah, apparently there is a lot he can’t tell me,” she said bitterly.

Remus sat down next to her and sighed, “That’s my fault.”

Lily looked at him confused. What was he talking about? “Don’t be silly, Remus.
James’ problem has nothing to do with you.”

“James doesn’t want me to tell you,” he started. “He says it is something, a pact
between us if you will, that cannot be broken.”

Remus smiled at Lily, “But I think I owe it to him to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Lily asked.

Remus took a deep breath and looked Lily straight in the eyes. “I’m a Werewolf. I
was bitten as a small child.”

Lily looked at Remus in disbelief.

He continued, “The guys discovered my secret during our second year. They, well,
decided to break a few school rules to help me control my transformations.”

Remus wished Lily would say something, anything. “They became Animagi,
unregistered Animagi.”

“That’s the big secret,” she said flatly.

“Yes, James can transform into a stag, Sirius a dog and Peter a rat. Last night they
were with me to help me control myself during my transformations.”
Remus whispered as he glanced around to make sure nobody was around. He threw
a copy of the Daily Prophet at Lily who glanced as the cover story.

“Sirius,” she muttered.

Remus nodded.

“That is so dangerous,” she warned.

“Believe me I know. James was really upset by the Death Eaters’ attack last night,
and Sirius accused him of betraying us and telling you our secret.” Remus explained.

“You see, it is a lot of things piled on his shoulders at once. He’s stressing out.”
Remus tried, “Lily, I know he really cares about you.”
She didn’t know what to say. It was all too much.

“You’re a…a.. Werewolf,” she stuttered.

“I’m sorry,” she lowered her head.

Remus Lupin smiled, “Don’t be. It’s nothing you did. Of course I’ll understand if you
don’t want to be around me anymore.”

“What?” Lily said startled.

Remus smirked, “I know what people say about Werewolves, we can’t be trusted.”

Chapter 13: The Black Brother

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Chapter twelve: The Black Brother
James sat in the Gryffindor common room thinking about his day. His terrible day.
First Sirius, then Lily, and now he felt like Peter was mad at him too. He had just
called James a prat and stormed out. He really hadn’t done anything to James. Peter
Pettigrew enjoyed watching James showoff, he always had. James usually enjoyed
the attention, but today it just annoyed him. James had been playing with his Snitch
trying to figure out a way of approaching Sirius without getting another week’s
detention. Peter was awing from the opposite side of the room, and when he
applauded one of James more difficult catched, James had snapped. “Why don’t you
get a life, Peter!” Peter apparently didn’t like comment. He had called James a stupid
prat and stormed out of the common room. It wasn’t like it mattered to James all
that much. It was going to be much more difficult to make up with Sirius than either
Lily or Peter. Sirius Black had been James best mate for as long as he could
remember. He knew Sirius before the Marauder and even before Hogwarts. They
shared a similar history, and a similar goal. While Sirius’ parents were slightly
obsessed with their sons only hanging around pureblood families, James’ family was
always supportive of Sirius difference of opinions. What the Black didn’t realize was
while they were encouraging Sirius to befriend the pure blood Potter clan. The
Potters eventually stole him away from them. The problem really began Sirius and
James first year. Sirius’s family had always been Slytherins or Ravenclaws. They
were proud of their pureblood history, and thought themselves somewhat better
than the rest of their peers. Sirius was branded a disappointment when he became
the first Black to be sorted into Gryffindor. Even his disowned family members were
Ravenclaws. Sirius mother had been the worst. She called him a shame on her
blood. Hearing such comments from his mother at such a young age drove him even
further away. He began to hate them, and he swore he’d never become them. It
took Sirius 16 years before he finally left. James wasn’t sure what had pushed Sirius
over the edge, and he never asked. He just remembered one day Sirius showed up
on Potter’s front door. If Sirius hadn’t been a brother before that moment, he
definitely was now. He even almost disowned his family name and changed his to
Potter, but he didn’t. Sirius’ only regret was leaving his younger brother Regulus who
was now a fifth year. He always referred to him as the better Black. Regulus was
weaker than Sirius, and always afraid of disappointing his parents. He had been
sorted into Slytherin, but he wasn’t one deep in his heart. He really hadn’t turned
against Sirius until Sirius left. Regulus wouldn’t even acknowledge Sirius now. He
actually tried to make things right with his brother, but it was hopeless. When
Regulus turned his back on Sirius, Sirius started making Regulus the target of all his
Slytherin pranks. Sirius swore he didn’t care. He said that Regulus was no better
than the rest of them, but James knew better. Sirius had been very upset the day he
saw Regulus hanging out with Bellatrix and Snape. Sirius had been so upset he had
punched a wall until his hand had bled. James wasn’t sure how long he had been
staring into the fire, but a soft tap shoulder on his shoulder made him look up. “How
is it going, Prongs,” Lily smiled. James was startled at first, but then asked, “What
did you call me?” “It isn’t like you guys are secret with your nicknames and such. It’s
just nice to know where they came from now,” she said softly. James wanted to get
mad, but it was such a relief. Lily knew, and he didn’t have to betray the Marauders.
“So it was you who visited me in the hospital wing. I always wondered what a stag
was doing in the school.” James scooped Lily into his arms and pulled her down
beside him. “I wanted to tell you.” “I know,” she said sympathetically. “Don’t worry
your secrets safe with me.” James felt part of him that was missing come crashing
back into him. He knew Remus was right, he loved Lily. Lily stroked James hair
carefully. She was glad he was being kind to her again. James suddenly turned
ridged. Sirius flashed James and Lily a cold look as he walked past them. He was
obviously upset to see James so cuddly with Lily. James wanted to talk to him, but
he knew it was pointless talking to him until he had calmed down. One of Sirius
biggest faults was his temper. The night was ending on a much better note than
James had expected. He was on his way up to his bed, when Peter slapped him on
the back and gave his an understanding nod. Now he had only one person left to
make things right with, and he knew that wasn’t going to be nearly as easy. The last
fight that James and Sirius had was because of a Quidditch practice Sirius has
missed because of a detention. It had caused them to ignore each other close to a
month. It took a full moon to get them to make up. That fight hadn’t been nearly as
serious. James didn’t see Sirius go to bed, and the next morning he didn’t see Sirius
leave. In fact he didn’t even see Sirius until their first class, and Sirius was obviously
giving him a very cold shoulder. It seemed hopeless. James started wondering if he
should just break down and apologize, although he felt he didn’t do anything wrong.
The Marauders weren’t sitting together at lunch for the first time that school year.
Sirius actually was sitting with a group of Ravenclaw girls. James was barely noticing
the girls chatter, he was staring a Sirius, trying to contemplate his next move. He
hated these games Sirius enjoyed playing. “I wonder who’s getting an owl? It’s a bit
late for post isn’t it? ” Beth’s voice suddenly registering with James. James was on
his feet. “That’s the Black family owl.” James watched the owl fly over to Sirius, who
was in full flirt mode. Sirius’s face dropped when his parents’ owl landed on his
shoulder. James wondered if Sirius would even read the letter or acknowledge the
owl. James felt the world had stopped. Sirius took the letter, and James saw Sirius
thinking about ignoring the letter. James jumped when he saw Sirius slam his fist on
the table, he locked eyes with James. There was so much pain in Sirius’s eyes, and
for the first time he saw tears. Sirius looked like he was about to kill somebody,
anybody, and James made a dash towards him before he could unleash his fury.
James barely made it to him in time. Sirius already had his wand drawn and he was
eyeing the Slytherin table. James grabbed Sirius by the wrist, and to James’s
surprise, Sirius didn’t pull away. "Come on lets get out of here," James urged Sirius
out of the Great Hall. He saw Lily with a worried expression on her face. He motioned
that everything was all right although he knew Sirius was only moments away from
completely losing it. The two boys were barely out of the Great Hall when Sirius
finally lost it, “He’s run off. He’s joined them!” Sirius punched the wall with all his
might, and fell onto the cold castle floor in tears. James tried to comfort Sirius, he
had never seen him like this. “Regulus?" James asked quietly. Sirius finally caught a
slight grip, “He was my brother James.” Sirius’s worst fear had come true, Regulus
Black was a Death Eater. James felt his heart drop into his stomach. James wanted
to ask what the letter had said but he didn’t. He sat with Sirius on the floor, offering
his silent comfort. Sirius seemed immobile. He stared blankly at the wall with his
head tucked into his hands. He was angry, he was hurt and he wanted revenge. The
silence was too much and Sirius finally made his move. An unlucky Slytherin second
year was coming out the Great Hall when Sirius threw some of the worst curses and
jinxes at him he knew. James reacted quick by casting a disarming charm at Sirius.
He flew back awkwardly about three feet. The Unlucky Slytherin was on the floor
covered in painful looking boils. James glanced to make sure Sirius was okay. Sirius
was unconscious and bleeding a bit where his head had cracked against the floor.
James felt his mind swirl with confusion. He didn’t know what to say or what to do.
“Oh my God,” Beth screamed as the girls and the remaining Marauders made their
appearance. Remus ran over to the Slytherin and attempted to pick him up. It was
obvious he was going to need medical attention. James was over by Sirius trying to
revive him. December was the first one to come out of it. She rushed over to Remus
and helped carry the injured second year to hospital ward. "Come on let's get him to
Madame Pomfrey," she told Remus. Lily rushed over to James and tried to comfort
him. “What happened?” she asked with a concerned tone. James didn’t have time to
answer because Sirius started to wake up. Sirius looked up and James with a very
hurt expression. “Oh, my head,” Sirius moaned. “We need to get you to Madame
Pomfrey,” James tried. Sirius shook his head, “I just need to be alone.” “I’m not
leaving you,” James informed him. James pulled Sirius off the floor. “You still have
one brother left.” Sirius tried to smile, but failed. “Come on, lets go talk,” James
urged. Lily looked worriedly at James, but she took the hint from James and rushed
over to Beth. Peter walked over to James and Sirius, and Lily lead Beth back into the
Great Hall. Peter looked speechless. He wasn’t sure what to say or do. One thing
Peter was very good at was the basic healing charms. He softly muttered one in the
Sirius directions and the bleeding subsided. Sirius gave Peter an appreciative nod.
The three Marauders made there way to the Astronomy tower. “He was only fifteen
years old,” Sirius repeated over and over again. Peter placed his hand on Sirius
shoulder. Neither him nor James knew what to say or do. This was one of those
times they really needed Remus. He was better at dealing with these kinds of tragic
situations. Why Remus had not joined them was a mystery. He surely knew that he
was needed in this delicate time. Remus Lupin and December O’Riley left the hospital
wing after explaining to Madame Pomfrey what had happened. It had been
December’s idea to perform a memory charm on the second year to spare Sirius the
fate of certain suspension. Madame Pomfrey said it would be several days before the
second year would be able to be released. Remus knew where the Marauders were.
He was almost positive they would be comforting Sirius in the astronomy tower. He
wasn’t sure why Sirius was so upset, but he had a good guess. Remus looked over at
a concerned looking December. "He'll be okay," Remus comforted. He knew that she
was very close to Sirius, but he didn’t want to know how close. Seeing Sirius flirt
with other girls, then make out with December crawled under Remus’s skin. Although
he cared sincerely for Sirius he was angry with him. December was someone very
special to him, and he didn't want to see her done wrong. Instead of going to the
Astronomy tower he had went back to the Gryffindor common room. In the Great
Hall, Professor Dumbledore announced that three students had been found missing
from their beds this morning and were thought to have joined the Dark Lord, two
Slytherins and one Ravenclaw. In respect for the mislead students, Dumbledore
cancelled classes for the rest of the day. It finally dawned on Lily why Sirius had
been so upset. His brother was one of the students who had run off and joined the
other side. Lily, Beth, December and Remus waited up in the common room for the
other three Marauders to return. They all ended up skipping dinner that evening. It
was close to ten that evening before Peter, James and Sirius finally returned. Lily
rushed up to them and threw her arms around Sirius, “I’m so sorry.” He loosely
returned her hug. December slowly stood up. Remus looked up at her with a look in
his eyes begging her not to. She walked over to Sirius and wrapped her arms around
his waist. “It’s okay.” She seemed to know exactly what to say. He wrapped his arms
around her, and buried his head into her shoulder as she led him over to the couch.
The rest of the group left them alone and went up their dormitory to turn in for the
evening.
Chapter 14: Out of Reach
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Chapter Thirteen: Out of Reach

Something was different with Remus Lupin. Everybody knew that something was
different, but nobody could put their finger on what the change was. He rarely hung
out with the Marauders any more. He was always in the library alone, and if anybody
attempted to join him he’d disappear. The other Marauders depended on him for
moral support and without him they were falling apart.
Sirius had also drifting away. He was spending less and less time with James and
Peter and more and more time with December. Although December swore to Lily that
she wasn’t dating Sirius, the two were rarely apart. They were even planned on
going to Hogmeade together.

James was feeling lost. What should have brought him closer to Lily was pulling him
further away. Lily and Beth were spending more time in the library preparing for
their N.E.W.Ts. James knew that he should study, but his mind wasn’t in it. He
couldn’t get the Death Eater attacks on his neighborhood and Hogmeade out of his
mind. He also was feeling the results of the betrayal of Regulus Black. He had known
Regulus almost as long as he had known Sirius. He always believed that Regulus
would see what was right and wrong in the end.

“James, what is worm wood used for?” Lily asked staring at her potions book.

“Huh?” James responded.

“Do you want to fail your N.E.W.T.s!” Lily snapped though she only looked half
serious.

“I’m sorry, it’s just this whole thing with Sirius’s brother and Remus ignoring the
group….,” James trailed off. He didn’t want Lily to know about the anxiety he had
been feeling since he had seen the Death Eaters’ attack or what he thought about
doing after they got out of Hogwarts to fight against them.

Lily looked at James with concern. “What’s actually wrong? You can trust me.”

James looked deep into Lily’s eyes, and he felt instantly better. He pulled her close
and kissed her forehead.

“HOLY HARPYS!” Beth exclaimed. She looked around the quite library and turned red
from her outburst, “I didn’t mean to yell. Did you know that batwing mixed with sand
silt makes your skin perfect?”
Lily and James both giggled at Beth’s excitement. She had been so worried about the
trip to Hogmeade and her date with Ludo Bagman that she had broken out in pick
blemished. She was trying everything to clear up her complexion.

Lily only wished that she only had bad skin to worry about. The trip to Hogmeade
had almost been cancelled, but Dumbledore had instead implemented a strategy to
make sure all the students would be safe. The students would not be able to go as
individuals but as a group. The students had to be in the presences of a Prefect or
the Head boy or Head girl.

Lily had wanted to spend her final Hogmeade trip with James, but she knew she
wouldn’t be able to. The one time she really wanted to enjoy Hogmeade, and she
was going to have to chaperone. James smiled over at Lily. She could tell he was
upset about not being together at Hogmeade also. He placed his arms around her
waist and pulled her closer to him. She loved his touch, his smell and everything
else.

The weekend was fast approaching, when Lily, James and Beth finally made there
way back to the Gryffindor common room late Friday night. Inside the common room
was a typical sight. Sirius and December were sitting in there normal spot. Peter was
reading next to them, but they were ignoring him. To nobody’s surprise Remus was
nowhere to be seen.

“Hey guys,” James said lightly as he sat on the couch next to Sirius.

“So, what’s the game plan tomorrow?” Sirius asked.

James looked like he didn’t want to talk about the conversation, but he responded, “
I think me and Lily are meeting the Prefects in the library at seven, then were going
to divide all the students who are going into equal groups.”

Sirius nodded like he was paying attention to James every word, but everyone in the
room knew that he wasn’t.

“You guys seen Remus lately?” James asked.

Sirius gave a weak ‘no’, and turned his attention towards December.

The next morning Lily and James woke up and headed to the Great Hall to meet up
with the Prefects. They divided the students into Prefect groups. There was a total of
25 students per group. Because they were a few Prefects short, a couple of seventh
year students volunteered, including Remus Lupin.

“Hello, Remus.” Lily smile pleasantly. “Thank you for volunteering.”

Remus smiled back. He was staring at his list of students. She could see something
was bothering him. Lily, James and Remus walked to the Hogmeade carriages. Lily
would have to baby-sit a group of third years and a few fifth years. James had a
better draw, he would be spending his day with Beth Simmons and a few other
seventh year students. He also had a group of flirty Ravenclaw girls which included
Rebecca Blair. Remus perhaps had the best draw. He would be spending the day with
Sirius, December and Peter.
The students were already waiting at the carriages with the chaperones arrived. It
didn’t take long for the Prefects, James and Lily to divide the students. This was no
typical Hogmeade trip. Lily saw Beth talking excitedly with James. She was obviously
talking about Ludo. She glanced over towards Remus group, Sirius had his arm
around December and Peter was attempting to talk to Remus. Lily looked over at her
group. She grinned at her misfortune. This was her last trip to Hogmeade as a
Hogwarts students. She wanted to be with her friends not with a bunch of kids.

She motioned for her group to follow her as she told them the rules and they headed
towards their marked carriages. The rest of the day went by slowly. She barely
noticed the mindless chatter of the younger students in her care. Her highlight so far
was a wave from December and Sirius. The group had spent the majority of the time
in Zonkos and Honeydukes. They were finally making their way to the Three
Broomsticks where Lily was hoping to run into some of her fellow seventh years.

They had no sooner entered the bar when Lily felt her wish was granted. She saw
Beth sitting a private table with Ludo Bagman. She knew that meant James group
was here. She scanned the room in search of a certain dark haired boy. She was just
about to give up when she felt a pair of warm arms wrapping around her waist.

“Having a good day?” James whispered.

“I wish,” Lily sighed. “How has Beth’s date been going?” Lily asked looking in that
direction.

“I might be wrong, but I’ve heard Ludo complain about seventy times today. He
even tried to bribe me into letting them slip off by themselves,” James laughed.

Lily was happy to see her group scatter around the bar, “Meet at the door in one
hour,” she shouted.

“Have you seen Remus’s group?” Lily asked James.

James motioned his head towards the opposite end of the bar. Remus was sitting
with Peter at the end of the bar. His eyes lead Lily in the direction of Sirius and
December’s table. Lily sighed, she was finally starting to understand what was wrong
with Remus Lupin. Lily poked James lightly in the side, and nodded towards Remus.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with old Moony,” James smiled.

“I think I’m starting to understand,” Lily informed him.

Lily leaned up on her toes and kissed James lightly. “ I’ll be back.”

She walked over towards the Remus and Peter.

“Err, Peter, James wanted a word with you,” Lily lied.

Peter smiled and walked over towards a puzzled looking James.

“Hi Remus, how’s it going?” Lily tried.

Remus shrugged.

Lily looked over at December and Sirius, “You know, they’re not going out.”
Remus looked sharply at Lily and smiled. “You’re too clever for your own good.”

“Do you still fancy her?”Lily pushed.

“It’s not like that,” Remus lowered his head.

“She’s too smart to fall for Sirius’s old tricks if your worried about her getting hurt,”
Lily tried.

Remus looked up allowing his cold misty eyes meeting Lily’s. For the first time, she
felt like she was truly seeing Remus Lupin, “I’m a werewolf,” he said in a low solid
voice. “Do you honestly think December could ever love something like me?”

Lily felt her breath fall short. “It’s not your fault.”

Remus shook his head. “There are just somethings I can never have.”

“I never really got over her,” he confessed.

“Does Sirius know this?” Lily asked.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter,” Remus resigned.

“It does matter,” Lily declared.

Remus motioned over toward December. “A girl like December would never
understand a creature like me. She deserves more and she deserves better. She
comes from a strong family, and they would never accept a half breed into their
home. I never had any false hope. That is why our relationship didn’t develop. I just
never wanted to see her with one of my best friends,” Remus finished.

Lily gave Remus a sympatric hug. “You have to tell her.”

Remus shook his head. “She’s with Sirius now. She’s out of my reach.”

Lily knew that Remus was right. Sirius was very prideful and would take great
offense to Remus trying to steal his girl.

Lily finally asked the one question Remus never wanted to answer. “Do you love
her?”

Remus turned to Lily. “She is and will always be the love of my life. However, I’ll
never let her know that.”

Lily wanted to weep. She had never heard something so sincere in her entire life.
December was now staring over at Lily. She wasn’t sure how to read Lily’s reactions.
She knew Remus was confessing something to Lily, but she could never imagine
what it was. She looked back over to Sirius and smiled at his dazed looking face. She
had always cared deeply for Remus Lupin. He had been the only boy she had really
every cared about, but as the days passed by Sirius Black was getting to her.
December felt Sirius grab her hand and kiss it gently making her smiled sweetly at
him.

“What are we doing?” Sirius asked.

“What do you mean?” December teased.

“Well, we’ve been seeing each other almost all year,” he started.

“We’ve seen lots of people all year.”

Sirius raised his eyebrows and grinned. “That isn’t what I meant.”

‘Sirius Black, are you asking me to be your girlfriend,” she joked.

“Actual, I am,” he confessed.

December’s eyes opened wide as her jaw dropped slightly. Sirius grabbed her
unexpectedly and kissed her. He concluded her response was a good sign.

Remus finally turned his heads, and Lily saw moisture building in his eyes. Lily knew
the Marauders would never be the same. James had entertained Peter as long as he
could and the two signaled an end to Lily’s and Remus’s conversation.

“What are you two over her chatting about,” James joked.

“Nothing,” Remus said swiftly, giving Lily a pleading look.

“I don’t think Beth’s date is going very well,” Peter interjected.

They looked over at Beth and Ludo. He was now throwing his arms madly in the air,
obviously telling about one of his exciting Quidditch adventures. The yawn on Beth’s
face told them that see wasn’t too impressed.

“He was never very good at conversation,” James joked.

The group forced a laugh.

Lily caught sight of a young Ravenclaw with a sadistic smile spread across her face.

“Something funny Rita?” Lily said grimly. She still hadn’t forgiven her for that article
in the Hogwarts Daily.

“Actually, my new scoop that will be in my paper tomorrow,” Rita Skeeter smirked.

Lily felt chills run down her spine. She didn't like the sound of that.

Chapter 15: NEWTs

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Chapter Fifteen: NEWTs
A week had went by since the Hogmeade trip. James and Lily both were feeling the
pressure of the consequences that had followed. The N.E.W.T.s were around the
corner, Rita Skeeter had overheard Lily and Remus conversations, and Beth had not
shut-up about Bagman. The biggest problem James and Lily were facing was the
Skeeter scoop. Lily didn’t actually see the copy of the Sunday edition Hogwarts Daily
until the Monday. Severus Snape had happily thrown a copy of it in James’ lap during
breakfast. Werewolf Among Us By: Rita Skeeter Brilliant report Rita Skeeter has
done it again. The latest gossip had been the removal of Sirius Black off the singles’
market. It isn’t big news that Black and fellow Gryffindor December O’Riley have
barely been see separated the past few months. BUT this star reporter has recently
discovered the Black isn’t the only Marauder taken by O’Riley. Sensible member of
this elite group, Remus Lupin, was overheard telling an unnamed source that
December O’Riley, “Is and will always be the love of his life.” The bigger story is that
Sirius Black appears clueless about Lupin’s feelings for his girlfriend. Why would an
eligible bachelor like Remus Lupin choose such a lonely path? Maybe it’s because he
has a secret? Many of us have noticed his monthly disappearance from our halls.
This reporter had just discovered that Remus Lupin might be a werewolf. There is
strong evidence suggesting this. Seventh year student, Severus Snape, mentioned
to this reporter that there is a coincidence that Remus Lupin always disappears
during the full moon. The school administration would not comment whether Lupin
was in fact a werewolf. Watch out for those love bites ladies. Lily had once again
been sickened by this Skeeter’s story. The student body was now snickering behind
Lupin’s back even more violently than Lily’s. Several parents had also written
Professor Dumbledore with concern for there children’s safety due to the article.
Remus was strong, and in a normal situation, the Marauders would have stood
behind him. While Peter and James tried to support Remus, Sirius had taken
Skeeter’s article exactly as predicted. Remus tried to apologize to Sirius, but his
confession of his feelings for December had registered as betrayal in Sirius’s mind.
The two once closes friends, wouldn’t even look at each other now. The person who
had is worse than the Marauders was December. Remus Lupin had always been a
person she truly cared for. When it came out that he still had feeling for her, she was
thrown into an emotional turmoil. She wanted to talk to him, but she knew doing so
would jeopardize her new defined relationship with Sirius. Lily felt terrible, if she
hadn’t confronted Remus, this would have never happened. James, Peter and Beth
tried their best to stay neutral, but Sirius was also mad at Lily. He blamed her for
this entire situation. This caused a strain between James and Sirius. Beth was finding
sanctuary in her letters to Ludo, but Peter seemed lost without his friendships. Lily
sometimes would catch something building behind his eyes, and it scared her. The
NEWT’s were less than a week away, and it was the last weekend to study for the
demanding test. Lily placed her hands on her straining head, she shook it violently.
“You’ll give yourself a brain bruise,” Beth informed her. Lily shot her a frustrated
look. The two girls had been in the library for nearly six hours. “I don’t think there is
any room left up here,” Lily said pointing to her head. Beth shut her Magical History
book. “I think it’s time for a study break.” Lily reluctantly followed suite, she wasn’t
sure if she was even capable of studying anymore at that moment. Beth smirked,
“So, what’s up with you and James?” Lily sighed, “What do you mean?” “You know,
what are you two going to do after the school years is over?” Lily seemed caught off
guard, like she hadn’t really thought about it. Beth was turning bright red, and Lily
knew it was a sign she was about to reveal something. “Ludo and I are thinking
about moving in together,” Beth informed her. “What!” Lily said a bit too loudly. An
annoyed fifth year student sitting near them looked at her bitterly. Lily placed her
hand over her mouth. “I didn’t know you two were that serious?” Beth started her
normal silly laugh. “We’re not.” December entered the library, without Sirius. She
had a sad expression on her face. “December,” Lily welcomed. “You two getting
anything accomplished, or is Beth still raving about Ludo Bagman?” December
jeered. Beth shot her a dramatic hurt look. “Just because your love life is more
exciting than mine,” she retaliated. “Speaking of, where is Sirius,” Lily tried. “He’s in
detention,” December said quietly. Lily felt a bad feeling wash over her. “What
happened?” December lowered her head and pursed her lips. “I wanted to say
something to Remus, so I did. When Sirius saw me talking to him, he…” she paused,
“he hexed him.” Lily felt the bottom of her stomach drop, but before she could
respond Beth was already firing questions away. “Bloody hell, what did he hex him
with? What did you do? Are you two still together?” December put up her hand to
calm Beth. “Remus is fine, it was a minor stinging hex, and yes, Sirius and I are still
together,” December said flatly. Lily felt like this was all her fault. She had known
Rita Skeeter was out to get her again, and she had brought up a very personal
conversation in a very public place. Beth was shaking her head, “I’d never thought
I’d see the day when the Marauders would be hexing their own in the hallways.”
December suddenly got offensive. “The Marauders aren’t broken apart. Sirius will get
over this, you’ll see.” Lily prayed she was right. The rest of the weekend went by in a
blaze of books and notes. Lily didn’t remember talking to anyone or anyone talking
to her. She and James had fallen asleep in the Gryffindor common room reading
their Ancient Runes text Sunday night. The sunlight danced on Lily’s eyelids the next
morning, which was becoming a familiar feeling. She knew she was still in the
common room, and the dreaded morning of the N.E.W.T.s had finally arrived. She
look over at James who had his glasses resting ungracefully on his chest. He had a
cute manner about him when he was sleeping. Beth also was asleep. She was
sprawled out on the hearthrug snoring loudly. As Lily’s eyes came more into focus,
she saw that many fifth and seventh year students were keeping them company.
She apparently was the first one waken by the morning. With a yawn, she walked
over to James and gave him a light tap. “Come on, mum, five more minutes,” he
muttered. Lily gave a quite laugh, and he cracked his eyes. He smiled at her. “Please
tell me it’s not Monday.” “Sorry, we have about two hours until the first test,” Lily
replied. It took nearly thirty minutes to wake everyone in the common room up, the
hardest being Beth, who usually tried to attack the person who tried to wake her.
Breakfast went by silently. James, Lily, Peter, Beth and Remus all sat staring at their
plates. It was apparent none of them were hungry. Suddenly December sat down
next to Beth. You could almost cut the tension with a knife. Sirius looked like
December had just ripped his heart out of his chest. “Morning, Padfoot,” Peter tried.
“Don’t call me that,” Sirius barked at him. December slammed her fists down onto
the table. Lily knew that this time Sirius had pushed to far. “Why, because that your
secret group name?” she said coldly. Sirius stared at her in amazement. December
didn’t know about their animagi secret but any casual observer knew the Marauders
had pet names for each other. Lily couldn’t take it anymore. “Lets get going.” she
motioned to the group. The Marauders were truly divided. James and Remus sat
towards the front of the class with Lily and Beth, while Sirius and Peter sat with
December in the back. The first N.E.W.T. was terrible. And the eight that followed
were not any better. Lily had always heard how much worse the N.E.W.T.s were
compared to the O.W.L.S. The written part had questions that she had never even
thought of. She even wondered for a few times, if she was even taking the right test.
But by far, the practical portion was the worst. In her transfiguration practical she
actual had to transform a chair into a decoy of herself. This was a spell that nobody
in her class had even attempted. To make things worse it would be July before the
results would be back and their future after Hogwarts determined. It was Friday
before the tests were completely over, and for the first time since Christmas, it
looked like everybody was enjoying their time. Lily saw James walk across the
courtyard when he spotted her. “Hey you,” he smiled. She collapsed into his
embrace. “How’d your Muggle Studies practical go?” Lily asked. “Thank God it’s over.
I’m just ready for some food. They’ve starved me to death while was I waiting,”
James joked. “I wonder if Sirius and Remus will both be in the Great Hall,” Lily said
with worry. “Don’t worry, I know my mates. This will all blow over,” James said
confidently. “Plus, we have one more full moon left.”
Chapter 16: The Last Play Saying Goodbye
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Chapter Sixteen: The Last Play Saying Goodbye

Now that the N.E.W.T.s were finally over the end of Hogwarts was setting in with the
Seventh year students. This was the biggest step any of them had ever taken in their
lives.
Lily sat on the courtyard bench watching a few first year students talking about their
summer holiday. Lily still remembered her first year. She had been so excited to go
home back then. She was looking forward to her and Petunia and their late night
conversations. She couldn’t wait to tell her parents all about her magical education.
Now, she had nothing to look forward to. What if she never saw December, Beth and
Dreamy again? What if she drifted away from James. It was a very frightening time
in the wizarding world, and nothing was certain.

Her last memories at Hogwarts weren’t exactly picture perfect. December had finally
set her foot down. She told Sirius to either get over the Skeeter article or get over
her. While Sirius and Remus weren’t friends, they were starting to be civil to one
another again.
Lily knew that tonight was the last full moon the Marauders would ever experience at
Hogwarts. This was the ending of an era. She prayed that all those difficulties
building between the Marauders could be resolved tonight.

“Hey Lils, what you doing out here?” December yelled as she ran up to Lily.

“Just thinking,” Lily confessed.

December smiled, “I’m going to miss this place to.”

Lily pulled he legs into her chest. “I can’t believe it’s over.”

“I can, I mean now we get to be real adults,” December said sarcastically.

Lily felt a shudder cross her. “It’s so dark out there right now, I’m frightened.”

She felt the friendly arm of December around her shoulders and whisper a soft, “Me
too.”

The two girls walked arm in arm to the Great Hall.

“I can’t believe tomorrow is the End of the Year feast,” December sighed.

The Great Hall was bustling with happy students all excited about the holiday.

“I was wondering where you two were,” James welcomed.

Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

“Nervous about tonight?” she whispered.

“You have no idea,” he confessed.

It had taken James best negotiation skills to convince Sirius to transform tonight.
Sirius and Remus were sitting together, but there was still a lot of repair needed in
there friendship. December was also learning to tread softly. She and Sirius had an
understanding, and he knew that December was the kind of girl that would make
good on her threats.

The group divided into their normal conversation patterns, with the exception of
Beth. Normally she would talk and giggle with December and Lily, but tonight she
was having a perfectly happy conversation with Peter.

Peter was normally the odd man out. He lacked the confidence and grace of the
other Marauders. Since the tension between Sirius and Remus, Peter had suddenly
developed a staggering self confidence. He was almost an entirely different person,
and Beth was eating it up. She was in full flirt mode, laughing and batting her eyes.

“I thought she was serious with Bagman?” Sirius asked, noticing Beth talking to
Peter.

December gave him a sly smile. “You know us women are never satisfied.”

Sirius looked quickly at Remus and turned his head back to his plate.

Severus Snape and Anthony Points were standing confidently in direct line of the
Marauders.

“What do you prats want?” warned James.

Just the sign of the Slytherins had united the Marauders. Sirius had his hand on his
wand, and Remus already had his drawn and at his side.

“Just thought we’d remind you guys there are no rules after Hogwarts. Watch your
back,” Points jeered.

Lily thought she saw him grin at Peter, but quickly dismissed the idea. The Slytherins
walked away without incidence.

“I hate those prats,” Remus muttered.

Sirius acted like he was going to join Remus in dicing the Slytherins verbally, but
changed his mind before he did. He apparently wasn’t ready to make complete peace
with him yet.

That night the common room was more active than usual. Remus had gone straight
to the Shrieking Shack right after dinner. As it approached the nine o’clock hour
James tapped Sirius on the knee and motioned towards the clock. He reluctantly
nodded. Peter was still chatting with Beth. James couldn’t remember Peter every
being so talkative. He smiled and looked over at Lily who was playing a game of
wizard’s chess with December.

He bent down and gave Lily a quick kiss.

“I’ve got to go,” he whispered.

She grabbed him behind his head and kissed him deeply. “Be careful.”

Sirius winked at December, “Don’t wait up for me love.”

December waved her hand to motion him to leave.

Sirius and James walked over to Peter and collected him from Beth, and the three
lifelong friends snuck out the portrait door.

Beth walked over to Lily and December as the boys disappeared with a strange look
in her eyes.

“What you guys think of Peter?” she inquired.

December looked up from the intense game of chess with humor in her eyes. “What
about Bagman?”

“Oh, it doesn’t hurt to have a spare,” Beth joked.

Lily let out a laugh, “I think December is rubbing off on you.”

“It only took seven years,” December added.

Beth giggled and laid back on the couch, “I think Peter is a cutie.”

Lily rolled her eyes. Dreamy Johnston walked over and sat next to Beth.

“Peter is a very good kisser,” she informed her.

Lily almost fell over when December let out a choke.

Dreamy apparently like the response she had generated, and she returned to her
silent stare into the fire.

“You kissed Peter?” Beth asked excitedly.

Dreamy grinned but didn’t respond.

“Bloody Hell!” Beth went into a giggle fit.

The Marauders were already enjoying there last great Marauder adventure. It was
easier for Sirius to be civil to Remus when they were Padfoot and Moony. Prongs was
happy that things were seeming normal. They decided not to go into Hogmeade due
to their last encounter. They played in the Forbidden Forest.

The night passed quickly. Before any of them realized, the morning was creeping
upon them. The thing that had held the Marauders together, what defined them as a
group, was now over. It hit them hard on the way back from the Astronomy tower.
“It’s over,” Sirius muttered.

“Yeah, I know,” James agreed.

Peter gave a wicked grin, “I don’t know what you guys are so depressed about?”

James stopped at looked at Peter, “What’s brought on this surge of courage?”

Peter dropped his eyes to the floor, “I’m just excited, that’s all.”

They three boys finally made it to their dormitory, where they all crashed into a deep
sleep. It was close to lunch time before they finally resurfaced. James was still
attempting to wake up with Lily attacked him in the common room.

She kissed him passionately. “I just realized how much I’m going to miss you.”

James smiled and gave her a gentle squeeze. They walked down to the Great Hall
hand in hand. December and Sirius were already at the table, and Sirius was talking
about what he was planning on doing when he finally got his N.E.W.T results.

Lily felt her heart pounding in his chest as she accepted the realization of leaving
Hogwarts forever.

“December, I’m suppose to go talk to Professor McGonagall about my

recommendations for Head Girl next year. Would you like to come with me?” Lily
asked.

“I could use a walk,” December agreed. She kissed Sirius on the cheek and left the
Great Hall with Lily.

Remus entered the Great Hall a moment later. “Hello,” he said weakly.

“Hey Moony,” Sirius responded.

James jerked his head up towards Sirius. Remus smiled and said, “So I’m Moony
again?”

“I was thinking about that,” Sirius began. “I mean, I’m Sirius Black…”

James almost coughed up his pumpkin juice.

“Don’t laugh, Prongs,” Sirius barked playfully, “the Marauders are more important
than a silly article or a girl.”

Remus smiled lightly. “I’m sorry Padfoot, friends?”

Sirius laughed and pulled Remus into a bear like hug, “As long as your okay with me
dating December.”

“Just don’t marry her,” Remus joked.

They three boys laughed like old times. Suddenly James looked around the Great
Hall, “Where is Peter?”

Sirius shrugged, but Remus had a worried expression on his face.

“He’s been acting, strange, lately,” Remus said with concern.

Sirius looked over at the cups holding the jewels for the House Cup.

“Looks like Gryffindor wins again,” Sirius said proudly.

“Did you expect any less?” James said arrogantly.

Sirius smiled, “Well, it’s our last night.” He lowered his voice “I think it’s time to plan
the finally Marauder prank.”

The night came quickly. The End of The Year Feast was a celebration to end all
celebrations. Dumbledore had just announced the winners of the House Cup. They
Gryffindor table let out a loud cheer. Sirius gave Remus and James a sly wink, and
the final Marauder prank was about to begin.

Lily caught the look intended for James and she quickly snapped her head over to
the Slytherin table. The Slytherins human head had all been replaced by Lion heads.
They were roaring loudly. To top off the prank, a gigantic green banner flashing
green letters spelling “Slytherins Stinks.”

The great hall busted into applause, and the final Marauder prank received a
standing ovation. The four Marauders stood up and took a bow, while the Slytherins
were being counter cursed by the professors. McGonagall rose from her seat and
lead the Marauders out of the Great Hall to receive the final punishment.

When the boys finally joined the girls in the Gryffindor common room late that
evening they were jeering about the memory of all their Hogwart memories. The
Gryffindor seventh years stayed up all night, remembering all the goodtime, all the
bad times and everything in between.

“You know guys, we need a picture so we’ll never forget this moment,” Beth said
happily. She ran up the dorm room stairs and grabbed her magical camera.

She asked a second year student to take a picture.

The entire group gathered around the fire. Sirius, Remus, Peter, James, Lily,
December, Beth and Dreamy. It was such a happy time.

"Smile," said the second year.

James pulled Lily close and Sirius gave December a pair of bunny ears. Beth was
sitting on Peter's lap and Remus and Dreamy took the two couch ends. They all
smiled, and said goodbye the happiest times of their lives.

The second year handed the camera back to Beth. "I'll make sure you guys all get a
copy."
Lily smiled at James and gave him a quick kiss before joining December in another
game of chess.
James leaned over towards Sirius and Remus. "You know what guys, I think I'm
going to marry that girl."

Chapter 17: December Remembers

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Chapter 17: December Remembers

An unseen figure stands behind the happy group of seventh years and watches the
camera snap the picture. She turns and slowly disappears.

December Noel O’Riley pulls herself out of the silvery liquid of the pensive. She saw
so many memories floating around her. She again was in a dark cold room, alone.
Tears began streaming down her face, as she tried to douse her aching heart.

On her desk was the picture taken the last night of her seventh year at Hogwarts. A
smiling group of friends, looking forward to and dreading the future, waved
ignorantly at her. It had been 20 years since that picture was taken.

Next to the picture was a tear stained letter written in familiar handwriting.

Dearest December,

I didn’t want you hear the news from a stranger. It is tearing me apart to write this,
but another one of our numbers has fallen. Sirius has joined Lily, James, Dreamy
and Beth in the great unknown. I know we haven’t spoken to one another since the
tragedy that occurred at Godric’s Hollow, but you have to know the truth. Sirius was
innocent. I cannot disclose any more in this letter in case it falls into the wrong
hands. Just know, I spoke with him about you before his death, he loved you, and he
wanted you to know that. I hope we can reunite soon. We have much to discuss.

Forever Yours,

Remus Lupin

The letter had caught December O’Riley completely off guard. She glanced at her
reflection in the mirror. Her tear stained face was so unfamiliar. Her once classic
appearance had faded, her once radiant hair now was short a dull, and her beautiful
smile hidden by a deep longing sadness.

A few more tears fell onto the paper, and December held her breath. She looked
around her office in amusement. She had hidden from her past for sixteen years.
That terrible October night when three of the people she had loved most in the world
had been stripped away from her.

Lily and James had trusted her with their pensive. Because of the dark times, Lily felt
that the pensive would be the only way for her son to know who his parents were.
She was right. The night Voldemort killed them Professor Dumbledore had delivered
the Pensive to December’s door. He told her she would know when to let Harry met
his parents.

She hid in the office inside the Minstery most of the time. She was destined to
become a famous Auror, but because of her pain she had settled for a teaching
position and eventually the Head of Auror training at the Academy. She instructed
would be Auror because it kept her busy and helped her forget.

December began sobbing uncontrollably as the picture continued smiling back at her.
All of them were now dead or worse, all of them but two. She wanted to forget about
them. She wanted to move on with her life. She had tried so many times to become
someone different. Yet, she still remained unmarried, reclusive and completely alone.
Her only comforts were the pensive and a few old memories that still lingered in her
mind. Those memories reminded her of a happier time.

She picked up a letter from Hogwarts addressed to her. Professor Dumbledore had
asked her to take on the Defense of Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. He had asked
her every year for the past four years. She close her eyes, maybe it was time to take
Dumbledore up on his offer. Going to Hogwarts meant she would have to confront
her past. She had heard how much Harry looked like James and how he had Lily’s
eyes. It would be like seeing a ghost.

She thought back to Sirius. What had Remus meant? He couldn’t be innocent. Sirius
was one of the loves of December life. She had passed him for dead when he was
thrown in Azakaban, and he might as well have been. She never believed that he
was a Death Eater. She couldn’t believe that he would kill James and Lily. But
everything she knew told her that he did.

When Sirius escaped from Azkaban, December had felt more alive that she had in
years. She always thought he’d burst through her door, and sweep her off her feet.
Guilty or not, she would have run off with him. It was a happy thought that entered
her mind of a daily basis. Now, this letter had killed her hope again. Sirius Black was
dead, and it pained her to know that she’d never see him again.

December knew that the time was coming when she’d have to face Remus Lupin
again. His life was difficult, and people hated him because of something he couldn’t
help. She loved Remus, but it was different than Sirius. She had almost torn the two
friends apart on more than one occasion.

December wiped the back of her hand across her eyes. She felt so empty. For a brief
moment she thought about responding to Remus letter, but she knew she wouldn’t.
It wasn’t the right time.

She received the letter almost three weeks earlier. Since then, the rumors had been
confirmed. What she dreaded was becoming truth. Voldemort was back, and she
couldn’t hide any longer.

It was time to face her past, it was time to see Lupin again and it was time to
introduce Harry to his parents in the only way he every could. She stared at the
pensive with desperation. She had viewed her Hogwarts memories may times, but
always stopped before it went any further. Past those memories were just things she
never wanted to see again. Yet, she knew the day would come where she would
have to face them. She had to know what memories were in that small bowl before
she could let Harry in.

She dipped her fingers into the silvery liquid, and felt herself fall again.