Chapter 27

The next day, Lily avoided all the marauders. She was in the common room, working on homework late at night. Lily was off of patrols for the night, so was taking advantage of no James in the common room doing whatever late night shenanigans he got up to.

"I'm done. My brain is fried," Marlene yawned and stretched. Lily barely registered, she had hit a roll with her Potions essay. "Don't work too late, Lils," Marlene gave Lily's shoulder a squeeze.

"Yeah, you too," she mumbled and Marlene smiled. She disappeared up the stairs, leaving Lily working on her essay. The fire was sinking lower and lower until Lily had to squint to see the words she was writing. She smiled at her work, proudly. Lily looked up and saw her owl, tapping on the window. She had sent her parents a letter almost a week ago. Lily opened the window and took the letter before her owl flew off to the owlry.

Dearest Lily,

We're so glad to hear things are going well. Not much is new here. A man your father works with has gone missing, we're praying for a safe return. We miss you so much and cannot wait you see you. We're so proud of you.

Love,Mum and dad

Lily felt bad for lying to her parents. Things were not going as well as she made them out to be. Now someone is going missing that's close to them. It's a little too close for comfort for Lily. Lily noticed a second piece of paper that had fallen out of the letter. She unwrapped it and saw her sisters familiar handwriting.

Lily,Mum made me write this letter to let you know that Vernon proposed. I'm getting married next summer. Don't think this is an invitation. Vernon and I don't want any freaks there. Petunia

Lily didn't know how to react. She had moved in front of the fire to read her letters, her bag and work were still out in the back corner. She no longer had any motivation to go get it. She knew Petunia and her were having problems, but to be not invited to her own sisters wedding? Their relationship had reached a new low. Lily tossed her parents letter into the fire, but couldn't stop reading the one from Petunia. Her eyes had glazed over by the fifth or sixth time and tears had welled in her eyes. Seventh year was turning out to not at all be the year she thought it would be.

Lily clenched the letter in her hand and shut her eyes. A couple tears rolled down her cheek. She was too lost in thought to hear James Potter enter the common room after finishing his patrols. James almost walked straight past Lily. He froze when he saw her red hair out of the corner of his eye. Why is she still awake? He thought to himself and approached closer. Lily made no movement which meant she hadn't heard him. James looked from her tear stained cheeks to the letter crumpled in his hand. He stood, hesitating on whether to announce his presence or slip upstairs. Before he had the chance to decide, Lily leaned back on the sofa and opened her eyes. She jumped when she saw a figure standing next to her.

"Merlin, Potter. You almost gave me a heart attack," she quickly wiped under her eyes. Lily attempted to stuff the letter under her legs. "How were patrols?"

"Fine. Make sure you check the broom cupboard on the sixth floor, east side. We've been missing it," James continued to stand awkwardly next to Lily while she watched the fire. It was one of the only ways she knew to calm herself down now. James pointed his wand at the flames at muttered a spell that brought them roaring back to life. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Totally fine."

"You realize I could see you crying? What was in the letter?"

"None of your business," Lily said. James figured she already hated him enough as it was, what did he have to lose?

"Accio," James pointed his wand towards her leg and the letter soared into his open hand.

"Potter!" Lily jumped up and tried to grab the letter, but James held it easily out of reach. He mumbled under his breath while he read as Lily attempted to jump to grab it. When she finally got a hold of it, James had finished. She tossed it in the fire. Lily glared at James. "James Potter, you had no right!" She exclaimed.

"Lily, I'm so sorry," James's voice had softened. He wasn't apologizing for taking the letter. She sighed and sat down. She left enough room for James to sit next to her so he took the opportunity and sat next to her.

"I can't believe she doesn't even want me at her wedding," Lily said miserably. "We used to talk when we were little about getting married one day and being each other's maid of honor. She doesn't want me there now," Lily looked at James. Her eyes were big and sad, swimming with tears. "Am I a bad person?"

"No," James shook his head. His heart broke for her. "Of course you're not a bad person."

"Why doesn't she want me there?" Lily asked quietly and James pulled her into a hug. Lily forgot how warm and strong his embrace was. She closed her eyes and let a couple more tears fall. James was running his fingers through her hair, gently. It all felt so natural.

"It's her problem she doesn't want you there. Not yours," James spoke softly. Lily nodded and felt herself start to relax. She shifted a little so she was laying on James's chest. James kicked his legs up so they were both resting towards the same direction of the couch.

"Remember when we were happy?" She asked softly. The fire crackled in the silence and James put his hand on her back.

"Yeah, I do," he looked down at the top of her head. It felt like a million years ago they had that fight in The Three Broomsticks.

"What's your favorite memory of our relationship?" Lily looked up at him. James forced himself to look into the fire so he wouldn't lose himself in her eyes.

"Dating or...?" James asked. Lily shrugged to say either and James sighed. "I don't know if you remember, but back in fourth year at Christmas you got a gift of a sweater from Hogsmeade you had been eyeing. I got it for you. I didn't want to tell you because you hated me but when I saw you at breakfast wearing it, you were gushing to everyone about how you loved it. You didn't glare at me or make a snarky comment that day. To be fair I didn't antagonize you either," James smiled and played with his hands. Lily sat up a little to look at him.

"That was you? Why did you never tell me?" Lily asked with a surprised tone.

"I didn't want you to feel like you owe me anything," James pushed a piece of hair behind Lily's ear. She laid back down so James wouldn't see her blush.

"I cried for almost a week when that sweater ripped. I cry too much," Lily laughed a little and James smiled.

"No, you're just in touch with your emotions. You don't feel the need to hide them all the time and keep people guessing how you're feeling. You let them know," James smiled softly at her and she nodded.

"I never hated you, James," Lily looked up at James. He didn't respond and instead looked into the fire. "I', sorry if I ever made you feel that way."

"Alright, enough sad past. Tell me you favorite," James yawned.

"Well now mine sounds lame," Lily sighed. She squirmed when James poked her sides. "Stop it, you know I hate that," She laughed and managed to bat his hand away.

"Come on, tell me," James grinned and Lily groaned.

"I was just going to say nights like these. I miss when it was just us, not going at each other's throats. Late night talks, you know?" Lily asked and James nodded. He had fallen into her eyes. She looked so beautiful. He couldn't help himself, he started leaning in. "Wait," Lily stopped him. "Katie."

"I don't think we're dating anymore," James said and put his hand on her neck. She didn't argue and met him halfway, pressing their lips together. It was just as magical as Lily remembered it to be. James snaked his other hand around her to pull her completely on top of them. He still wasn't totally sure how they had gotten to laying on the couch, but he wasn't complaining now. He tried his best not to look disappointed when Lily pulled away.

"You think you aren't dating, or she does?" Lily asked. When James hesitated, she nodded. She moved down to rest her head on his chest and closed her eyes. "Make sure we don't stay here all night," she said softly. James nodded and found himself rubbing her back, just like he used to do on nights she couldn't sleep and would sneak up into the boys dormitory. His mind wandered thinking how maybe this was fixing everything could go back to normal. Her breath got heavier and soon she was snoring softly. James smiled, but didn't dare stop rubbing her back. His arm ached, but he loved how peaceful she looked and wouldn't trade her feeling safe in his arms for resting his ache.

"I don't want to take you to bed," James sighed and gently picked her up. He had figured out how to get to the girls dormitory in fourth year, when he wanted to put her sweater on her bed. He smiled as he put her down and she curled into the blankets James put over her. "Goodnight Evans," James kissed her temple softly. He glanced back when at the door, smiling at her drooling onto her pillows before leaving.