Potter And Evans

James

Two days after the funeral:

Lily and I apparate to the hotel after breakfast. The sign says they have a breakfast buffet but Lily knows some really good restaurants around here that we've gone to every morning since we came. We entered our room that we shared (we had separate beds) and Lily burst out laughing. "James, didn't I ask you to pack before we went to breakfast?" She asks me, I frown.

"I did," She laughs again and pointed at my bed. There were clothes strewn all over the place and the bed was unmade. My suitcase was neatly placed on top of the bed with one shirt in it. I laughed with her because it looked so ridiculous compared to Lily's bed. Hers was neatly made and her suitcase was placed at the foot of the bed all pack and ready to go. "Will you help me Lils?" I ask when she stops laughing to take a breath. She nods and laughs some more and pulls out her wand. She waves her wand and the clothes neatly fold themselves, then they fly into the suitcase. I walk over to pick up the suitcase and I place it on the ground. She waves her wand again and the bed makes itself.

"James, we have to go now. Grab your stuff from the bathroom so we can go." I nod and a few minutes later we're at Kings Cross Station. We race through the gateway and board the train. We find the Marauders' compartment, we know it's ours because the sign on the door that says~ Marauders' Compartment and Lily, Marlene, Alice, and Frank too.

Lily laughs at the ridiculous sign and I smile. We added Marlene, Lily, and Alice last summer when Marlene and Sirius began dating. Then when we all found out that Alice and Frank started dating over winter break, we added him. I open the door and Lily walks in, I follow her and we sit. Her on one side and me on the other.

The train begins moving and Lily gives a big yawn. I smile, "Lily, get some sleep. We have a long trip and I have to do homework. Which, knowing you, you've already finished." She laughs, "Lily, get some sleep." She shakes her head frantically, I frown. "Lily why not?"

"They'll be back, I can't avoid them if I sleep," she whispers.

"What are you talking about?" I ask her, she hides her face in her hands.

"The nightmares. I can't sleep anymore because they're so awful." She mumbles I frown.

"Lily, when was the last time you slept?" I ask, scared for the answer. She mumbles something I can't distinguish. "One more time?"

"Since the night after I got the letter." She whispers my eyes widen in fear and I gasp. "I know it's not good for me but that night I had the worst nightmares. I'm too afraid of them now to sleep. So I've drank coffee every morning since and I've been fine. Free periods I rest on the couch, not daring to actually sleep." I frown and take her hands away from her face.

She blinks her emerald orbs and I have to close my eyes so I don't get lost in them. "Lily," I say, my eyes still closed. "Try to sleep, I'll be here if you need me okay?" I open my eyes and she nods, her eyes shining with fear. She lays down on the seat and I sit back and begin my homework. I hear her breathing begin to steady and I smile. I get lost in my transfiguration homework until I hear her voice filled with terror.

"James!" I look over at her quickly, thinking something was wrong. I gasp at the sight, she's thrashing around in fear and still fast asleep. Tears are streaming down her face. I slowly walk over to her, I pick her up and sit down. I place her head in my lap and stroke her hair. Almost instinctively she places her arms around my waist.

"Shhhh...." I say soothingly, "Lily, I'm okay. Calm down. I'm right here." I continue saying soothing words and slowly she stops thrashing. The tears stop falling and she sleeps peacefully. I attempt to stand but she wraps her arms around me tighter. I take this as a sign and stay. I continue stroking her hair and I begin to think. Slowly, my eyes get heavy and I fall asleep too.