Chapter 36- Anytime
James and Lily walked to the Gryffindor Common Room, James still a little weak, discussing Venus once more. This woman seemed to have brought frustration the moment she had entered Hogwarts. Why would Dumbledore hire her?
They heard footsteps behind them and they turned, hoping it wasn't Venus, back for another round. They thought they had taken care of her. To their relief, Katy and Remus were running towards them, Katy clutching a piece of newspaper, her blonde hair bobbing.
"James! We found her! We know who she is," Katy said.
"You did? That's great," James said.
He gave the password 'Strength' to the Fat Lady and the four of them proceeded into the Common Room. Halle and Sirius were still nowhere to be seen.
"They're not here?" Lily asked, frowning, seeing the empty Common Room.
"Guess not," James said disappointed.
He always shared things with Sirius. Peter was probably asleep too, he went to bed early on weeknights.
"Well, anyways, she was convicted of being a Death Eater," Katy said. Lily gasped but James seems unsurprised.
"It's not a real big shocker. She's cruel enough to be one. Yet, I don't know if that's it. She seems too independent to be on Voldemort's orders," James said.
"What the hell do you mean?" Lily asked angrily. "Too independent? She just tortured you!"
"Exactly. A Death Eater needs permission to do anything of the sort. They have to have specific orders. Venus seems to be improvising at her will. She said I sparked the idea for detention," James said.
"What detention? What'd she do?" Remus asked.
"Oh it was horrible. I only saw parts of it," Lily said. James grasped at her shoulder to comfort her.
"She put the Cruciatus Curse on me and Sybll Trelawney," James said quietly.
"Oh my god," Katy whispered, her hands to her mouth.
"You're lucky not to be harmed," Remus said. He knew they were all thinking of Halle.
"I know. I had to fight though. I was not going to let her get sick pleasure from hurting me. So I fought back. I knocked her out with my own two fists," James said.
His face was contorted in anger and his fists were clenched in fury as though reliving the damage they had done.
"I am going to find her out. Every last detail. She will not get away with this. We need to go to Dumbledore," Katy said.
"No!" Lily and James both shouted.
"Dumbledore was not there for us the last two times we fought something. He hasn't been alongside us, seeing the horrors we have. We can fight ourselves. I am of age," James said.
"No you're not," Katy and Lily both said.
"Yes he is," Remus said, checking his watch. "It's past midnight. Happy birthday Prongs."
"Thanks Moony," James muttered, that was not the point he was trying to make.
"Oh my god, James, I forgot. Happy birthday baby," Lily said, she kissed him tenderly on the lips. He grinned.
"Happy birthday," Katy said.
"Ok, that's nice of all you, but I am trying to be serious. This woman is out to get me and I want to know why," James said.
"I am going to find her out. I'll ask questions, ask all the teachers. I'll ask for outside help. Maybe Hagrid would know," Katy said.
"Good thinking," Remus said.
"You guys, this is my fight, not yours. She wants to hurt me. Whatever. It may be because she didn't like my parents or she just thinks I'm a jerk. This is my battle not yours and I don't want any of you hurt in the process," James said.
"Oh shut up James. We're a team; us and Halle and Sirius. We can battle anything," Katy said.
"She's right. We're here for you, anytime you may need us," Remus said.
"Anytime you need me James, I'll be there. I love you so much and I won't let anything happen to you," Lily said.
"We're a team," she said, picking up his hand and grasping it in hers.
"I'm supposed to tell you that," James laughed.
"I'm the girlfriend of James Potter, am I expected to follow the rules?" Lily joked. They all laughed.
"I suppose not. You all are the best," James said.
"James, you don't happen to know what belongings are left at your parents house, do you?" Katy asked.
"Well, not off the top of my head. Why? You need to go there for something?" James asked her.
"I told you, I am going to look everywhere and I think that there is a key to this puzzle. Venus and your parents just seem too much of a coincidence. I think there's something that happened. One-I think they accused her of being a Death Eater," Katy said.
"Well, we can ask Dumbledore to go. I am sure he would allow it one weekend. I can tell him I need to check up on things," James said.
"That would be great," she answered.
"Well, I think I'm going to go off to bed," Remus said, stifling a yawn. He bent down to give Katy a kiss and went up the steps. Katy got up and stretched.
"Me too, it's been a long day. I suggest you two get some rest. Goodnight," Katy said. They saw her head up the girls dorm.
James and Lily smiled. They could last through anything. James was so thankful Lily had come to his aid. He loved her even more, if possible, for it.
"I love you so much," James said.
"I love you too," Lily said. "We're in this together."
"Together," he repeated.
A/N: Sorry, not a very informative chapter, also not very long. It just brought general info as to how the gang was going in figuring out this mystery teacher. Also, it was showing companionship. Hope you liked it anyways. Please review!