As Told By Lily Evans

As Told By Lily Evans

Chapter 1

I sat tensely on the shaking seat of the Hogwarts Express, watching the grey British countryside fly past through the rainy windows. 'This is it, Lily,' I said. 'Your final year at Hogwarts.' Smiling to myself at the thought, I fingered my Head Girl badge, which was pinned to my sweater. I had missed the castle so much! The hidden passageways, the Quidditch matches, even the lessons! I have my N.E.W.T tests this year as well, I reminded myself. There would be less time for fun and more for studying. 'At least all the extra work will wipe the smirks off that foursome!' I thought, smiling amusedly to myself. I definitely wasn't going to take any rubbish from them this year.

Just as I stood up to grab my robes so I could change, I heard an explosion of laughter. Dropping my robes onto the leather seat, I slid the compartment door open to see the source of the noise. Sirius Black was standing near the driver's compartment, stifling giggles. Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin and James Potter were standing behind him, all with the air of one who had just pulled a hilarious prank. James immediately stopped laughing and ran a hand through his black, windswept hair when he spotted me. I snorted. It was so typical of him.

'Hi, there Evans,' he said, standing straight so I couldn't miss the Head Boy badge pinned to his chest. He had grown a few inches taller in the summer and seemed to have become less scruffy. I tossed my red hair out of my face and raised an eyebrow as I spotted these new features.

'Go and show-off to someone else Potter, because you're wasting time here.'

Sirius clapped a hand on James's back.

'Leave her, Prongs,' he said, looking over at me. I rolled my eyes. For two years I hadn't figured out why they had their stupid nicknames. James was 'Prongs', Sirius was 'Padfoot', Remus was 'Moony', and Peter was 'Wormtail'. James had always tried to impress me, trying to ask me out. I never accepted of course, I'd never go out with him until he stops being so self-centered. As far as I knew, girls were still beneath his broomstick on his list of most beloved things. Right on cue, James took his Snitch out of his pocket and practiced catching it, trying to look like he couldn't care less about me. I clenched my hands into fists.

'Ooh, she's going to put us on detention now!' said Sirius, putting on a mock face of horror and shielding himself against my badge.

'She could if you don't watch your step!' said a voice from behind me. Alice Longbottom had emerged from the compartment opposite mine, her plump face in a frown. Sirius tossed his dark hair out of his face. This action would have caused a few girls in my class to faint but it didn't have much effect on Alice. He looked at her as if to say 'I'm supposed to be scared now?' I felt heat rising up in my neck.

'You just shut up, Black!'

'Calm down Evans, I'm going,' he answered, grinning in an apology and bumping his head on the luggage rack while walking away. He fell back onto Peter, causing him to bump into Remus. James, who I noticed had been absentmindedly gazing at me, fell backwards in surprise as the four of them landed in a tangled mess in front of my door.

I slapped a hand on my forehead, trying not to burst out laughing at the scene. Instead I recovered fast. 'If you guys are done messing around, I'd like to change please.' James stood up fast, looking slightly comical, his glasses askew.

'I'm not moving until you except my date Lily,' he said, blocking the doorway. I sighed at his pathetic excuse and tried to push past him but he wouldn't budge.

'Potter, is the purpose of your existence to annoy me? Move!'

James moved, pulling a hurt look at me.

'Why don't you at least call me James, Lily? I call you by your first name. I mean, we're classmates and all that,' he added, gaining back some of his old swagger.

'I'll think about it,' I said, sliding the door shut in his face. Their laughter continued all the way down the corridor. 'Idiots!' I muttered to myself, starting to change. The train was slowing down by the time I had finished. As the noise of the pistons died away, the sound of the gale pounded the windows louder than before. I joined the crowd of students stepping out onto Hogsmede station. The soft drizzle had turned into a downpour and forks of lightning were flashing across the sky. Illuminating the many towers and turrets of Hogwarts castle, it threw the grotesque shadows of the stone gargoyles into plain view. The deafening wind blew even more ferociously, making the horseless coaches bend sideways. I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders and headed towards the oak front doors while the black clouds swirled and clashed in the dark blue sky.

Chapter 2

As all the Gryffindors headed for their table in the Great hall, me among them, the teachers took their seats at the high table. A voice called my name from the crowd.

'Lily, Lily!' I saw my friend Narcissa Black rushing towards me from the Slytherin table. She was Sirius's cousin but unlike him, she had very pale skin and white-blonde hair and looked out of breath by the time she reached me. 'Lily! You won't believe what just happened!' she brushed her hair out of her grey-green eyes impatiently. Everyone has green eyes in my family, but mine are a vivid, emerald green which I don't like at all because my hair is very bright as well. I looked back at her. 'What happened Narcissa?' I asked in an uninterested manner. Most likely she had met a cute guy or she had heard some new gossip.

'Lucius Malfoy just asked me out!' she said excitedly. I made a disgusted face at her. That was like the last thing I was expecting.

'How on earth can you even fancy him? The guy's as stiff and cold as a stone column!'

'So? He's still cute! I just love the way his blonde hair falls over his eyes, don't you think?' she asked, gazing dreamily across the hall. I shook my head and smiled. 'Whatever you say.' Narcissa was in love with a different guy every other week.

'See you later then!' she added, practically skipping back to the Slytherin table.

A few of my other friends greeted me as the Welcoming Feast began. Narcissa had gone and sat with the worst people imaginable. Her sister Bellatrix Black (whom she hated), Severus Snape and Igor Karkaroff were surrounding her and Malfoy. Bellatrix couldn't be any more different than Narcissa. She had long black hair and dark eyes, and was a lot more brooding and silent rather than bouncy. Snape had a hooked nose and greasy dark hair, and he was forever talking and studying about the Dark Arts, whom he knew more about than anyone else in the school. James and Snape had a grudge against each other for as long as I could remember. The only person Karkaroff ever thought was right was himself, and Lucius had such ambition that I was worried for Narcissa.

She seemed happy though, so I didn't point this out to her.

At the end of the feast Alice, Molly and I climbed the many revolving and disappearing staircases up to Gryffindor Tower. The portrait which covered the door to the common room was of a beautiful Veela on a silver horse, whose fur blended with the Veela's silver hair perfectly. She stared down haughtily as we approached and asked for the password in an impassive voice.

'Fairy Lights'

The Portrait swung open to admit us into the common room and the sight which met our eyes was only too familiar. Sirius had dropped a dozen Dungbombs into the fireplace to see the result. Flaming pieces of the bomb were popping out of the fire, and James and Remus were spraying water at each spark with their wands while Peter cheered them on. 'You guys go upstairs,' I muttered to Molly, still watching them from the corner of my eye. 'I'll be up in a minute.'

As I walked up to them Peter recoiled at my glare. Remus put his wand down and James's hand immediately went up to his hair again. Sirius, however, strode forward without a worry in the world. 'Hey Lily!' he called. 'Come join us, I've got more Dungbombs-'

I cut him short. 'Do you have to create havoc everywhere you go Black? Why don't you find yourself another hobby?' Even he quieted down then. 'Oh, and by the way Potter,' I added, looking over at James who smiled and looked like he was waiting for a compliment. 'I thought that maybe being chosen Head Boy would knock some sense into you.' I sighed as these words made James smile even more. I should have remembered insults merely bounced off him.

'Sure Evans, I'll be more sensible to you,' he said, straightening his glasses in front of his dark, hazel eyes.

I turned and headed for the girls dormitories, collapsing onto my bed when I reached it. He was so frustrating! No matter how much I gave him quick, smart answers, that twinkle in his eyes never died when he looked at me. He had pretty eyes too, I thought sleepily, smiling into my pillow.

Chapter 3

The months passed without any events, and the workload was already reaching a record. Seriously, I don't think I remember a time at Hogwarts in which we seventh years were given so much homework. James and Sirius always managed high marks even though they fooled around so much, and Remus had always been the studious type anyway. Peter was always hanging around James, trying to keep up with them.

Sighing, I bent down and started my Charms essay ('Explain the many uses of the Levitation charm'). Dipping my quill into ink, I began writing, occasionally pausing to check the time, since I had a Prefects meeting that afternoon. Usually I was very fast at Charms, since it was my best subject, but I had been gazing blankly at my mirror for around 10 minutes. Giving it up for tonight, I rolled my parchment and placed the lid on my ink bottle. Walking through the portrait hole and out of the Gryffindor common room, I headed for the Transfiguration classroom, where the meeting was to be held. When I arrived, it was already full of prefects and James, who was in the center of it all, was telling a joke loudly and energetically. He kept looking at me throughout the whole meeting, but I ignored him while we all discussed the final plans for the upcoming Christmas Ball. Around half an hour later, I rushed out and headed for the dormitories, keen not to talk to James. My feelings about him were really mixed up at the moment. However, he caught me at the top of the stairs, looking out of breath. 'Will you stop following me, Potter!' I shot at him, looking anywhere but those gorgeous eyes.

'Look Lily, I just wanted to ask if you want to come outside with me on a walk,' he mumbled, looking uncharacteristically serious. I widened my eyes in astonishment. 'Well...uh...ok,' I answered uncertainly. He nodded in thanks and headed down the stairs. I stood still nonplussed, staring after him, but then started walking down to the grounds.

As I turned a corner, I heard a noise. It sounded like sobbing. Someone was standing near the window, her face cupped in her hands, shoulders shaking. 'Narcissa!' I said in surprise, recognizing the pale blonde hair. 'What's the matter?'

She jumped and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Her eyes were red and swollen.

'I'm fine Lily, nothing's the matter,' she mumbled, reaching for her books clumsily and walking away. I ran after her.

'Yes it is,' I insisted, pulling her to face me. 'Come on, tell me.'

'It - it's just Lucius, he's...' her voice broke and she started crying again.

'What did he do? Tell me Narcissa! Did he hurt you? I'll kill him if he did!' I said angrily.

'N-no,' she said over her constant hiccoughs. 'He was really nice to me! But I just asked him if he wanted to go to the Christmas ball with me and he - he said he didn't want to and that I was a - a girl who would go out with anyone that crossed her path! He said he already had a d-date!' she wailed, breaking into a fresh wave of tears.

I patted her back comfortingly. 'He's such an idiot, don't even listen to him. You wouldn't go out with anyone that you meet! He's just a filthy, worthless, piece of trash.'

She looked up at me when her sobs had subsided. 'I know Lily. But it's difficult to ignore'

'Yeah, I know what you mean. Don't worry though, you'll not care eventually. There are many boys out there who would go to the ball with you!' I smiled. 'Are you ok alone? Because I have to go somewhere.'

'Sure I'm fine! You go on,' she answered, waving and turning away. I walked down the main staircase, not entirely convinced. In fact, that was the first time I had ever seen Narcissa cry.

The starry sky above me seemed to give the grass a dewy effect as I walked out into the grounds. There was no wind at all, every single leaf was stationary. The lake was like glass, not a single wave or ripple. I spotted James standing near it, lost in thought. As I walked up to him he looked at me and smiled, but didn't say a word. We sat down on the cold grass, gazing into the depths of the water without talking, as if we could communicate by being silent. An owl hooted above us, and spread it wings as it soared like a small ghost over the lake, before disappearing into the night.

'I thought you weren't coming,' James whispered, looking up ate me.

'I was just talking to Narcissa, she was terribly upset,' I answered, gazing at the huge yellow moon between the branches and leaves of the Whomping Willow. James let out a small laugh. 'I've always found the fact that your best friend is a Slytherin a bit miraculous.'

'Not all the Slytherins are like Snape, you know.'

'I know, I know,' he said impatiently. 'Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to talk about,' he added, looking uneasy.

'What was it?' I whispered. A sharp breeze suddenly blew the trees, lifting leaves into the air, as if asking him along with me.

'I know I haven't been that great to you in the past few years, but I'm willing to change Lily,' he said slowly, as if thinking it all through.

'For me?' I asked in revelation, gazing at him.

'Yes,' he answered. 'I would really hate it if you thought I was just a guy who liked messing around and not really caring about you. Because I do care. I- I would love it if you came to the ball with me, Lily,' he said, gazing desperately into my eyes. I looked at them. I looked carefully. They told me all I needed to know.

'I will, James,' I answered, leaning next to him as the breeze died away and everything was motionless once more. Our lips interlocked in an all-consuming kiss, pouring our emotions inside each other with it.

Chapter 4

'I would go for something a bit sexier,' said Narcissa, throwing a sparkly black dress robes onto my bed.

'Narcissa, I can't even look sexy,' I said in disgruntled voice, looking at the robes with distaste. The Christmas Ball was to take place that night, and I had done the same mistake as last year; left the issue of what I was going to wear until the last minute.

'You know, maybe we can go shopping in Hogsmede,' said Narcissa as she scratched her head distractedly, looking from all my clothes strewn on the floor to the empty cupboard.

'Yes, maybe we should, seeing as I haven't got anything you approve of,' I said to her, starting to fold up my clothes.

'We could get a hair potion while we're there as well,' she added, pacing around the room and thinking to herself. 'And maybe some shoes to match, mine are so last-season. Yours?'

'Yeah,' I said, losing track of the conversation as I looked at the time.

'We should really get going Narcissa, if we are going to prepare the hair potions.'

We set off out of the main gates of Hogwarts and towards the wizarding village of Hogsmede. It was a sunny day with a clear blue sky, but also a sharp wind. We spent a long time looking around the robe shops, finally spotting an interesting, small one, which had a display of beautiful robes and hats. A soft, tinkling bell chimed somewhere in the depths of the shop as we entered. A curvy witch came up to meet us.

'A Ball dears?' she asked, smiling. 'Come into our brand-new section. We got these in today.'

I wandered the shelves, fingering the green satin and stroking the blue velvet. Narcissa strolled towards the eye-catching ones, unable to make up her mind between a short, silver-grey, figure-hugging one and a lacy black one with elaborate designs. She decided on the silver-grey one with a little disappointment after I assured her she would be showing her breasts every time she bent down in the black one.

Around half an hour later, we trudged back up to the castle, shopping bags heavy and money bags considerably lighter. Narcissa screwed up her face in confusion as she read the instructions on 'Top Hair Potion for Special Occasions.'

'This is really complicated,' she moaned, tossing it aside.

'Let's forget it then,' I shrugged.

'No way! We have to look our best. Come on, let's use my cauldron.'

An hour later, both of us sweating near the heat of the bubbling potion in the hot cauldron, Narcissa announced that it was done.

'Finally!' I exclaimed, wiping my brow with the back of my hand. 'I need to go take a bath now, see you there.'

As Narcissa left for the Slytherin dormitories, I started to get ready. I pulled the dress robes on, relieved at the fact that they fitted snugly. They were a soft lilac colour, with translucent material on the edge of the skirts, which looked quite stylish. I shook a few drops of the potion onto my hair and it shaped itself up into an elegant bun, with bits of red hair falling from it in a sophisticated way. Slipping on my shoes, which were black with thin straps which zigzagged their way up my leg, I headed down to the common room. It looked more crowded than usual, with everyone wearing a different colour instead of the usual mass of black. James was waiting for me near the portrait hole, wearing dark green robes and an impatient grin.

'Hey,' he said, slightly red. 'You - err - look nice,'

I eyed his robes, which were already looking scruffy, then suppressed a giggle. 'You too,' I said, giving him a quick kiss. The whistles which emitted around the common room made us both blush.

We both headed down the stairs to the Entrance Hall, where people who had partners from different houses were finding each other. Remus went over to a girl with turquoise robes from Hufflepuff; Sirius was tossing his hair over his eyes and eyeing a group of pretty girls in Ravenclaw while Molly stood irritated next to him, and Peter was standing alone awkwardly. The door leading down to the kitchens and the dungeons opened, as a group of Slytherins came up to the Entrance hall to join them. Lucius was at the front of the group, accompanied by a tall girl who was looking down at everyone as if she were a queen. Narcissa followed them, with a crowd of boys in pursuit. Despite her date, the best-looking boy in Slytherin, she was still eyeing the girl with Lucius resentfully.

Finally, the doors of the Great Hall opened and the ball began. An all-witches band called 'Lost in Time' was performing slow songs. James and I were dancing a few feet away from Alice and her date Frank, who was a Gryffindor as well. Sirius and Molly were dancing so exuberantly that people around them were backing away in fear of injury.

After the band struck their last tune, everyone sat down at one out of the millions of small tables set for two, eating and talking. After dinner, couples were either dancing again, or taking a walk outside, where rose bushes and fountains had been conjured overnight.

'Do you want to go outside?' James asked, nodding his head towards the fountains and bushes.

'Alright,' I said, following him past a large bush with blue roses on it, and sitting down on a bench with him. Small dots of light were chasing each other over a statue of Venus; they looked like real, fluttering fairies. It was extremely peaceful sitting there, listening to the soft swish of the water, the faint sounds of music coming from the bright castle windows. Suddenly, there were rustles from the clump of bushes next to us. Molly's head poked out, blushing scarlet.

'Oh...um...hi,' she mumbled, rushing towards the castle doors. Arthur, a Gryffindor 6th year, came out of the bushes, and looking awkward, hurriedly ran after her.

'Looks like Sirius left Molly,' sighing as I watched them go.

'Yeah,' said James, leaning back. 'Sirius can never be with a girl for too long.'

A thought suddenly drifted into my head. 'James?' I began, biting my lip. 'Why do you guys have those weird nicknames for each other?'

His eyes widened in surprise at my question, but then looked down as if in defeat. Then he laughed to himself. 'I knew you'd figure it out somehow,' he said more to himself than to me. 'Please don't tell anybody Lily,' he began, looking nervous. 'But Sirius, Peter, Remus and I are Animagi.' My mouth dropped in shock.

'Animagi?' I whispered in awe. I knew Animagi were really rare, and were carefully monitored by the Ministry of Magic. They were wizards or witches who could turn into a specific animal at will. They had to have distinguishing marks, and were kept registered each century...

'Have you four been registered?' I asked, feeling worried at the answer I thought was coming.

'No,' said James quietly, proving me right.

I just stared at him, my mouth still half open, completely careless of the green fairy that had just settled into my bun, thinking it a flowering shrub. 'But...why?' I asked desperately.

'Well,' he began slowly. 'I guess it was because of Remus. He's a werewolf. He was bitten by one when he was young.'

My brain struggled to absorb yet another piece of shocking information. I merely opened and closed my mouth without a sound.

'He used to make excuses to get away from us every month,' James continued. 'But we found out eventually. That's when we decided to become Animagi, since a werewolf is only dangerous to humans. Every full moon we used to go and roam Hogsmede, have all sorts of fun.' I slight nostalgic look came upon him. 'But lately we've stopped doing it, since Remus takes Wolfsbane potions every month now.'

'Oh,' was all I managed to say. A long silence followed this explanation as we both stared at the tiny trickles of water flowing down the grey, stone fountain, shaped in a cupid. Looking for a reason to break the uneasy silence, I said, 'What kind of animal do you all turn into?'

'I turn into a stag. Sirius is a dog, and Peter is a mouse,' replied James.

'Mmm,' I said. I seemed to be talking in initials; O and M.

James smiled. Hey, it's not as bad as all that. We never do that anymore anyway.'

I nodded. Why was I fussing so much anyway? It's not like it was the end of the world. He was no different. 'You're right,' I added, leaning back and smiling as we watched Sirius chasing after the group of Ravenclaw girls, who were screaming and laughing, making the fairies in the grass scatter angrily.

The Ball was over at midnight, but everyone stayed until 1 o'clock. I sat down laughing, unable to dance a second longer. James helped me up and we both climbed the staircase, occasionally tripping over our feet, which was the result of half a glass of Firewhisky. Sirius was at the top of the stairs, singing loudly with unfocused eyes, with his arm around one of the Ravenclaw girls.

James took me up to his dormitory so I could wash my face and come to myself away from Alice and Molly's curious eyes.

'Are you ok now?' asked James, handing me a towel. I scrubbed my face with it and his face came into focus. 'Yes, I'm fine now,' I replied, giving him a kiss. He returned it, putting his arms around me. I swayed.

'Do you want to sit down for a while?' James asked, helping me towards his bed. He sat alongside me. There was an awkward pause in which the only sound was the cracking of the wood in the fireplace and the snowstorm pounding against the windows. 'James, I...' I started, but in one swift moment he had silenced me with his lips. I sank into his warm arms as he rested my head on the pillow and drew the hangings around his bed. I no longer noticed the gale pounding the windows. I no longer felt my head spinning with the drink. All I felt was desire and unending love burning for James.

Chapter 5

As the Quidditch season began, I saw James less and less which led to a few arguments between us. It wasn't much different tonight. I was sitting in the common room, listening to James talking about how he had caught the Snitch ten minutes into the game. Sighing to myself as he demonstrated how he had dodged two Bludgers at once, I stomped up angrily to the girls dormitories. I slammed the door behind me, making Alice jump.

'Lily? What's the matter?' she asked in a worried voice as she spotted the tears on my face.

'It's James!' I wailed, throwing myself on my four-poster bed. 'He doesn't pay me any attention anymore! All he does is talk about Quidditch or his adventures with Sirius or...or...' I covered my face and burst into frustrated tears again. Alice came and put an arm around me.

'You have to understand how he's feeling at the moment. It's his last year at Hogwarts; he wants to win the Quidditch Cup before graduating, He's captain of his team, and he's Head Boy... he must be having a very hectic time.'

I wiped my face and sniffed. 'I-I know, but I find time for him'

Alice sighed. 'Yes, I suppose it changes for boys,' she said shrugging.

'Hey are you coming to his match? It's the first one of the season, you can't miss it! And Frank is playing too,' she added, a dazed look coming across her face.

I nodded and stood up, opening the dormitory door and crashing into James.

'Hey,' he said, looking surprised. 'Where did you run off?' His expression changed abruptly as he spotted my red and puffy eyes. 'What happened Lily? Are you ok?'

'Yeah, yeah,' I said quickly, not wanting to go over the matter again. James was already wearing his Quidditch robes, his 'Cleansweep 5' broom in one hand.

'Come on, let's go down,' he said excitedly.

'We're playing against Hufflepuff, there's no way they can win!'

I rolled my eyes, giggling. He looked just like a little boy on Christmas day; hair ruffled, looking a mess, an eager grin on his face.

The cold January afternoon made all our cheeks and noses red, the cool air cruelly nipping at our fingers as we walked down to the Quidditch pitch.

There was a hint of snow in the air, hopefully not tonight, I thought.

'See you,' said James, squeezing my hand before he disappeared in the direction of the captains office. Alice and I continued to climb the stands, picking seats at the very top, almost at eye level with the three large hoops on either end. The Hufflepuff team, who were wearing canary-yellow robes, came out onto the stadium, followed by the scarlet Gryffindor team. With tumultuous applause from the stands, the game began. The fourteen players rose into the air and everyone took their positions. James, with a confident look on his face, spotted the Snitch after only two minutes and chased after it. The crowd watched, holding their breath, as the two Seekers went into a sharp dive towards the miniscule winged ball...

Chapter 6

'I can't believe you didn't see the Snitch turn, Prongs!' moaned Sirius, rolling his eyes.

'What can I do, I couldn't tell which direction it was going to go next!' said James angrily as I held ice to the bump on his head. The late rays of the sun made long shadows on the rippling grass as we headed back up to the castle; the boys arguing over whose fault it was that Gryffindor had lost the match. As we reached the Gryffindor common room, a mass of students where pushing and shoving to read something that had been pinned up on the notice board, and judging from their faces, it was bad news. James and I exchanged worried looks as we pushed through the crowd.

'Excuse me, Excuse me... I'm Head Girl, now will you please move?'

'Yeah me too... I mean Head Boy,' added James, walking through a group of anxious second-years. When we finally reached it, it said in bold letters:

Death Eaters Strike Again

Yesterday, three Death Eaters were responsible for five more deaths in the Wizarding community. Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon, Mr. and Mrs. Prewett and their son George were found gruesomely murdered in their houses. Ministry officials were called into the scene after a muggle noticed the Dark Mark hovering above their houses. 'These Death Eaters will all receive life sentences in Azkaban as soon as we've caught them,' said a wizard in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. 'We give our deepest condolence to the families of these fine people.' Their funerals will be held on the 10th and 14th.

I turned to face Remus, Sirius and Peter, who had gotten the chance to read it since the crowd had thinned. Their expressions grew steadily more tragic as they finished. I felt older then I ever had as I saw everyone looking somber and frightened; some who knew the families were sobbing into their arms. It was a horrid jerk back to reality for everyone.

Chapter 7

Our N.E.W.T tests were going to be held next week, but not many people were found studying. The Death Eaters still hadn't been caught, and everyday there was news of more murders in the Daily Prophet. There were also rumors in it which stated that Voldemort had gained immortality, which was his aim so he could be all-powerful. This news had caused quite an uproar, but later on proved to be just a rumor. It was certain that he was trying to gain immortality though. Everywhere we went, the castle showed signs of tighter security. All the passages that the caretaker knew about where boarded up and sealed; doors had been taught to refuse anyone to gain entry unless they tickled them in the correct place; and all Quidditch matches were carefully supervised. I felt really trapped and bored, being inside the castle day and night since we weren't allowed to go out into the grounds except an emergency. The beautiful sunshine and the warm summer weather were not encouraging us to heed this rule either.

That night, sitting at my desk in my dormitory, I started studying for our Transfiguration exam which would be the following morning. Sighing, I stood up and opened the window, gazing idly at the huge moon reflecting its light onto the treetops of the Forbidden Forest, the stars twinkling lazily near it. The warm breeze blew against my face, making me feel drowsy. I shook my head to wake myself and sat back down onto my desk, opening my ink bottle. I wrote for a few minutes, the peaceful silence only disturbed by the scratching of my quill on the parchment. Suddenly, a sharp wind whooshed into the room, blowing out the candle on my table and the room plunged into semi-darkness. I took a sharp intake of breath and looked up. Then I laughed to myself. It was only the wind. 'Although there was absolutely none just a few seconds ago,' I thought. Unexpectedly, the wind got stronger, blowing my papers onto the floor with a rustle. A long and eerie silence followed the sudden swish of air. I bent down to pick them, and then hurriedly stood up. Something didn't feel right. Apprehensively, I reached for my wand and held it in front of me as I inched slowly over to the window. The sight that met my eyes as I stared out onto the grounds made my heart leap. At least fifty, tall, hooded Dementors were approaching the Hogwarts gates slowly, as if floating. I started shivering violently in my thin nightgown as the air became unnaturally cold.

For a split second I stood terrified. It was the screams and shouts from the common room downstairs that made me spring into action. Without stopping to think, I ran down the stairs, taking them three at a time. Once in the common room, I went over to the corner where I spotted James, Remus and Sirius. Pushing through the crowd, we headed down to the Entrance Hall. A few teachers where there, trying to calm everyone down. More teachers were staring out the windows, conversing in panicked tones.

'What's happening?' I asked Sirius, who I hadn't seen this serious before. He just gave a low grunt. The teachers were waving a hand for silence.

'Students, please stay calm and stay together! No one should leave the Entrance Hall!

'What's going on?' asked a small first year with a whimper.

'We do not know, Dementors are trying to break in. You must keep-

But their next words weren't heard as the main doors burst open and everyone started screaming and running out onto the dark grounds. I followed the crowd, holding onto James so we weren't separated. The cold air hit our faces with a blast that made my teeth chatter. Hooded Dementors were everywhere, making sucking and rattling noises as if trying to inhale more than just air. I began shivering again as sad feelings washed over me which was the effect the Dementors had on humans. 'Come on!' said James, pulling on my arm and leading the four of us near the forest.

'Oh God what are we going to do?' I asked as we watched the terrifying scene from the edges of the trees.

'We have to stay here,' said Remus who was looking ill. He stared around looking worried. 'Where's Peter?'

'He didn't come out,' said James, holding me close. 'Maybe he's still in the dormitory.'

It was a confusing mixture of bodies; people pushing, sobbing, running. A grey mist was low over it all which made it difficult to see.

Suddenly the dark clouds in the sky swirled and the light of the full moon shone from a gap in between them. A tall shadow fell across our shivering faces. The Dementor was sucking the air towards us more persistently than before, as if in anticipation. I gave one last shiver, and then felt consciousness escaping me. James held me and shook me urgently as I moaned and collapsed onto him. His lips brushed mine as we stood up, both of us breathing heavily. 'Run Lily!' he gasped, pulling his wand out. 'Run up to the castle!' with that, he changed into a magnificent stag and galloped towards Remus. Sirius had turned into a huge, black dog, and was running after him. I ran as fast as I could away from them. I ran into the intense mist without looking where I was going. All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain on my side, as if someone had poked a knife between my ribs. With a strangled cry, I fell down on the cold grass. Gritting my teeth, I tried to stand but my arms shook violently; my legs not moving at all. Gasping for breath, I tried to call out, but I couldn't. I clutched at my side, trying to stay conscious at the very least, but with every breath the pain seemed to be getting worse. Tears started pouring down my face silently, as I felt more helpless then I had ever before. Something warm was soaking my robes, I could feel it, and more of it was coming from my side. A hand suddenly grabbed me and turned me around. I looked up to see James, his face wet with sweat and tears. I clutched onto him and gave a choked sob as everything faded to black...

Chapter 8

The bed was so soft. So soft, that I felt like I wanted to lie there forever. My eyelids felt as heavy as rocks as I forced them open. As I opened my eyes, I saw a pair of hazel eyes staring down at me worriedly. 'Lily? Lily?' I smiled up at James's anxious face, which smiled back as he saw I had woken up. I rested myself on my elbows and tried to lift my self, but my legs shook and I collapsed again. James stroked my hair, which had lost some of its vibrancy.

'You have to rest. Or Madam Pomfrey will murder me.'

I giggled sleepily and fell back into the pillows. 'James?' I asked quietly.

'Yeah?' he whispered, still stroking my hair.

'What will we do when school ends? You in the Ministry? Me at home? How will w-will see each other? Perhap-ps we... ahh,' I closed my eyes, giving a huge yawn. James looked expectantly into my eyes. 'Yes, yes?' he asked holding my hand. My exhaustion carried me off to sleep again.

~*~

I got out of the Hospital Wing three days before the last day of term. Many students were supporting small injuries, but none seemed as serious as mine. I could walk well, but bending over was difficult. It turned out that a bad Severing Charm had caught me on the ribs. I was happy though, because of the most amazing reason! The day before I left the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey had been spending ages with the bandages, fussing as always. I had bent down to pick up my bag, when she screamed out loud. 'No Lily! I've told you not to do any movement that may affect your wound! And you've got the baby to worry about too!'

James and I had just stared blankly for 10 minutes until it sank in. Once it did, I was happier than I had been in days! We have decided to name our boy Harry. Our wedding was after Harry's birth so I could fit into my wedding gown, which was a good idea since I could hardly walk after the 7th month. We have moved to a house in Godric's Hollow, which was James's preference. It was wonderful for a whole year, especially at Christmas, when Sirius, Peter and Remus all came. But after that everything started going wrong. We learned from Dumbledore that Voldemort was becoming even more powerful, and that he was after Harry. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. Dumbledore explained that it was because of a prophecy. The men held meetings all the time, going over the plans for our protection, casting the Fidelius Charm and naming Sirius our secret-keeper. Sirius persuaded James to change our secret-keeper to Peter instead of himself. I should have sensed something wrong then. It all happened that night. Voldemort came to our house and we understood that Peter had betrayed us, giving away our location to Voldemort. James ran, locking all the doors. 'Run and get Harry, Lily! Get out of the house! I'll hold him! He said to me. Everything felt unreal as I ran and snatched Harry, clutching onto him as I heard the door burst open in front of me. James was lying on the floor, completely still.

Dead.

Numb disbelief washed over me as I stared into his face, my knuckles white from gripping Harry's blanket. James was dead! It was ringing in my head over and over again. My heart felt like it was going to burst with the pain I felt as I looked into his lifeless face, still damp with sweat. Tears were pouring down my face, every drop loaded with agony. I was only half aware of Voldemort standing in front of me, wand pointing at my face. 'Stand aside!' he said to me, scarlet eyes boring into mine. 'Stand aside you silly girl!'

I looked back into those eyes. I showed every trace of hatred I could in my gaze. He had killed my beloved James. But he will not kill my son. I clutched Harry to my chest and held him tight for the last time. 'I love you,' I whispered into his ear. Then I turned to face that merciless face without a single piece of fear inside me.

He raised his wand.

I closed my eyes.