Chapter 8: Things That Never Die
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Whenever dawn turns to night
And all the dreams sing their song
In the daylight forever
To You I Belong.
- To You I Belong by B*Witched
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James apparated to the apparation spot just outside of Hogsmeade, his destination in sight. He walked up High Street towards the Hogwarts castle. When he reached the doors, he flung them open and proceeded to walk the familiar hallways to the library. His head bent down, gaze on the floor, he didn't see that he was about to run headlong into someone until the collision happened. He began to say sorry, but the apology never came out, for when he saw who it was, his eyes narrowed into a glare, which was returned by the other person.
"You should watch where you're going, Potter."
"So should you, Snivellus." The loathsome glare from Snape, if possible, got deadlier.
"What are you doing here, Potter?"
"Why should I tell you why I am here?"
"Because there are dark wizards about, and you never know who they might be."
"You would know better than I would, being in Voldemort's inner circle." James glanced Snape's right arm, where he knew the Dark Mark was burned into his skin. Snape put his arm behind his back bringing James' gaze back up to his face and said,
"You will tell me what your purpose for coming back to this castle, for I am a teacher, and have authority in it now." James flashed an arrogant grin and said,
"Yeah, but Aurors have higher authority over teachers. We're the ones keeping your butts safe outside of these walls. And why Dumbledore made a Death Eater a teacher is beyond me. I thought he was out of his mind when he appointed you."
"Former Death Eater, and you know of my role in meetings, so you shouldn't concern yourself with why Dumbledore appointed me Potions Master."
"I still think there are some things you just don't get away from, that you never stop being. That there are some doings that just can't be erased. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go to the library." He stepped around Snape, and as James was walking away, Snape laughed and said,
"The library? I'm surprised you even know where that is, I doubt you've picked up a book let alone set foot in there." James kept walking, until Snape said,
"Of course, you probably know where it is, with the playing pranks on the studious ones, or spending time with that Mudblood whore you used to go out with." James froze, his foot on the first step. Quick as a flash, he had his wand out and had it pointed at Snape, anger and hatred for the former classmate in his eyes. Following suite, Snape pulled out his wand too, and pointed it at his adversary. James took slow steps towards his enemy, keeping his wand steady.
"I could kill you right now for what you just said." James said, his tone low and cold.
"You don't have the guts to do it. Even if you did, you'd be put into Azkaban for using an Unforgivable on a wizard." Snape said, his tone equal to James'.
"I was given the instruction, or rather authorization to kill any Death Eater on the spot. And I won't hesitate to do it." Before either one of them could say anything else, they heard a stern, sharp voice said,
"What is going on here?" They both turned to see Professor McGonagall standing on the stairs, looking just as strict and severe as ever. Both wizards slowly lowered their wands.
"What are you doing here, Potter?"
"I came to use the library," James said, giving a quick glare to Snape.
"And doing that requires that you hex Professor Snape?"
"If possible, yes." McGonagall came down the stairs and said,
"I would expect such behavior from two second years, not two fully grown wizards, both of which are in professions that they should be setting an example. Now, Potter, go do what you came to do in the library." With one last glare at each other, Snape and James went their separate ways.
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James finally reached the library, after having running into Peeves, Nearly Headless Nick, and Filch. Peeves insisted on throwing things at him, Nick insisted on talking forever, and Filch was positive that James had come back to cause trouble. James assured him that he couldn't cause trouble alone, that Filch should only worry when all four of the Marauders were back in the school. But James had reached the library, much later than he had planned, and hoped that Lily was still there. He pulled the door open, and sure enough, there she was, sitting at a table, a novel in her hands. James came and sat beside her. Without looking up, Lily said,
"What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you."
"How did you find me?"
"Lucky guess. When looking for you, the first place to go is the library. And since this is where you usually went as a teenager, I figured you might be here tonight."
"Well, I've got nothing to say to you, Potter."
"Well, whether or not you have something to say, Evans, I've got things to say to you." Lily's eyes narrowed at her book, as James had called her by her last name.
"I don't want to hear it. There's nothing to say."
"Yes there is." Lily closed her book and got up quickly. She put the book back on the shelf and left the library without a word or a glance at James. He followed her, not knowing where she was intending on going.
"Lily, will you stop walking away from me?" She went for the nearest door, opened it, and went through, locking it behind her. She turned and looked at where she was. She was in a corridor, though she had no idea where it went. She walked down it, and came to some stairs that led up to a second level, and a third. She climbed them, still not sure where she was going, though the corridor seemed somewhat familiar to her, but she couldn't remember when she had been in it. Finally, she came to a trap door, and it open. She climbed up a small ladder, and realization came to her, as she saw she was up on the Astronomy Tower. The corridor was a secret passage that couples always used to sneak up there to be consummate their relationships. She had used it a few times when she went out with James. She leaned against the wall, looking out over the grounds. It was a peaceful night, a slight breeze blowing in the clear night.
"Did you really think that you could get away from me, Lils?" Lily jumped, recognizing the voice. She turned to see James on the other side of the tower.
"How do you know where I was going?"
"I am a Marauder, I know every secret passage and room in this castle and on the grounds. I knew where you would end up when I saw what door you went through. You and made a few trips up that corridor when we were in school, didn't we?" Lily sighed.
"What did you want to tell me?"
"I lied."
"About what?"
"Earlier, when you asked me if I still loved you, I lied. The truth is, I never stopped loving you. I love you now just as much as I did two years ago."
"Why did you lie to me?"
"I was afraid of what you'd say."
"How did you know what I was going to say?"
"I didn't, I assumed. And nothing good ever comes out of assuming." Lily smiled a feeble smile.
"What would you have done if I said I did?"
"I would've told you the same thing. I felt myself falling back in love with you these past few days. I guess I'm like you; I never really fell out of love with you, I just told myself that I didn't love you anymore, and the more I told myself that, the more I believed it." James came closer until he was standing right in front of Lily.
"I wish I hadn't left. I wish I had stayed, became an Auror like I had planned, and married you." Tears started coming down Lily's face. James placed his hands on both sides of her face, and wiped away two tears with his thumbs. She looked into his eyes, her tears reflecting the moonlight. Two more tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, leaving trails behind them. James kissed them away. Lily leaned her head forward so their foreheads were touching. She sniffled and pulled her head back to look at James again. James whispered,
"Don't leave me again, please."
"It'll never happen." James' mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss; Lily could taste the salt from her tears on his lips. It was the kind of kisses that lead to other things, where the Astronomy Tower was always put to use. And that's just what happened.
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The next morning Lily and James came back to Remus' house. They were surprised to find Remus and Sirius in the kitchen, drinking coffee and reading the paper. Both wizards looked up when they heard their friends come in. Remus, looking over his paper said,
"Late night last night you two?"
"No, not really." Lily answered innocently.
"Somebody got some, and I'm not just talking about me." Sirius said, not bringing his eyes from the Prophet.
"What makes you think that, Padfoot?"
"The looks on your faces. You look as though you're fighting a loosing battle with trying to keep from grinning. You look like two people who've just had sex."
"How would you know?"
"Please, Lily, he probably sees that look on his own face when he looks in the mirror three times a week."
"Also, your hair…" Lily's hand went instantly up to her hair, going to smooth it out.
"What about it?"
"No, not yours. His. It's messier than usual." James ran a hand through his messy black locks and grinned, unable to hold it in any longer. Sirius pointed at him and laughed.
"There it is! There's the grin!" Lily looked at James and laughed, having a grin identical to James'.
"Oh, she has one too," Sirius bounced in his chair, "They hooked up." James and Lily both blushed.
"Oh, and blushing too, wow, must've had fun last night," Remus said.
"Well, it's about time too," Sirius stated. Lily sighed, yet still smiling, said,
"When you're done making fun of us." Sirius asked James,
"So, where was she?"
"Hogwarts." Sirius turned to Lily and said,
"What were you doing there?"
"I was at the library."
"All this happened in the library? Did Madam Pince die or something, and the whole security in that place go to hell?"
"No. We were up in the Astronomy Tower."
"Ah, the Astronomy Tower, so many memories." Everyone but Sirius rolled their eyes. A thought suddenly came to Lily.
"Before Sirius goes into his dating reminisces, what day is it?" The Marauders all looked at each other thinking.
"I think it's the first, why?"
"My parents come home yesterday from their cruise."
"You going to go see them?"
"I don't know, should I?"
"Yes, you should."
"They are the only parents you have Lily, and if you put it off, soon it'll be too late." Lily smiled at James and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I don't know what I'd say to them."
"Oh come on Lils, they're your parents."
"Yeah, but I never had the best relationship with them. They never really understood the kind of person I am."
"Be that as it may Lily, Prongs is right, they are your parents, and you should see them, because you never know when you don't have the opportunity to see them again." Lily nodded at Remus' words.
"You want me to go with you?" James asked.
"Thanks, James, but I think I need to see them by myself first."
"Maybe next time Prongs, maybe the next time you see them you'll be telling them you want to marry their little girl."
"Don't hold your breath just yet, Padfoot. We just got back together, don't rush us." Lily smiled as she left the room with her cell phone in hand going outside for a better signal. She dialed her parents' line and waited for someone to pick up. After three rings, a female voice Lily recognized as her mother answered the phone.
"Hello, Evans's?"
"Hey Mum."
"Oh my God, Lily? Oh it's so good to hear your voice again."
"Yeah, it's good to talk to you again too."
"How is everything going with you, how is living in America?"
"It's not really the greatest. It could be better. Listen, are you and Dad going to home this morning?"
"Yeah, we are."
"Can I come see you then?"
"Of course, sweetie."
"I'll be over in a few minutes then."
"Where are you?"
"Remus Lupin's house. Remember, he was one of my friends in school. One of James' best friends."
"Oh yes, I remember. But, what are you doing there?"
"I'll tell you when I get there. See in you in a little bit."
"Alright." Mother and daughter both hung up, and she went back inside. The Marauders had moved to the living room, waiting for Lily to come back inside. They looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to say something. James said,
"Well?"
"I'm going to be gone for most of the day. I'm going to Mum and Dad's."
"Good."
"We'll see ya, Lils."
"Bye, wish me luck."
"Good luck," The Marauders said in unison. With a flick of her wand, she was in different clothes from last night, and disappeared with a `pop'.
A/n: Here's another chapter for you, hope you enjoy. Thanks for your reviews; I love to hear what y'all have to say. Keep it up!! Anyways…please review!!!!
Husker-fan-2006
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