James and Lily Potter : Sixth year

Chapter 7: sixth year

"Evans? What's wrong?" James peered at Lily's tear-stained face closely.

"I had a dream," she whispered. "And...you were captured by Death Eaters and almost killed! Oh, James, it was awful!"

They were both sitting in the Gryffindor common room. It was approximately around four o'clock in the morning, and both sixteen-year-olds were feeling particularly tired and cross.

"I had a dream as well," said James quietly. "You and Harry were attacked by Death Eaters at some place called Godric's Hollow."

"Godric's Hollow?" repeated Lily. "That's where Godric Gryffindor used to live. It was named after him after he died."

"It's a good hiding spot as well," he said.

"Hiding spot?"

"You know, if you're in danger and need to go into hiding. It saved millions of lives during Grindelwald's rise in power."

"And I thought you hated History of Magic," said Lily dryly.

"Oh, I do," affirmed James. "But I find that Godric's Hollow is a very interesting place, even though it holds bad memories of the past."

"That was more sentimental than I give credit to you for, Potter."

James grinned wickedly. "I can be a hopeless romantic if I want, Evans."

"Oh, I'm sure."

"You'd better be." Then he frowned. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, James," sighed Lily impatiently.

"Oh, you must be, then, since you called me by my birth name."

"Then you shall have to return the favour, Potter. After all, I do have a given name besides 'Evans'."

"But I like 'Evans'!" insisted James. "It's cool!" Lily merely rolled her eyes in response.

"James? Lily?"

They both turned around and saw Frank Longbottom at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Frank?" asked James curiously.

"Couldn't sleep," he replied thickly. "Been thinking too much..."

"About Alice?" said Lily softly.

He sighed. "Yes. I dumped Trish. She didn't take it too well, mind you, but it had to be done. Alice claims that she loves Sturges, though. May as well wish her good luck."

"What?" said James incredulously. "You mean, you're not going to tell her that you're sorry you dumped her, and that you love her?"

Frank shook his head. "James, it's not that simple. She's with Sturges, and I don't want her to break his heart. Sturges has been one of my mates since first year, besides Juan"—Lily winced at the name—"and he deserves the best. And the best is Alice."

"No, Frank. You have to tell Alice, or else you'll never live through your life, knowing that you never took the chance and asked her for a second chance. If Alice marries Diggle, she won't be happy either. You two are destined for each other, mate. If you don't take action and act like a true Gryffindor, you will really regret it later on."

Lily and Frank both stared at him. James had never talked so rhetorically before, much less even talked sense at all. But here he was, in broad daylight, lecturing one of the most intelligent students at Hogwarts and the Head Boy.

"Thanks, James," said Frank, his mouth curving into a smile. "I'm glad you've told me that. You're right. If I don't tell Alice, who knows what'll happen. And I know that she's not happy with Sturges, either."