The Love of Patronus | JILY

Evans

          Tonight was the night. It was the night of the full moon, and Lily was ready. All of her homework for the day and the next completed and turned in because she knew that she would take care of Remus the next day. As the sun began to set, Lily could hear James rummaging around in his room, muttering to himself. 

          She left her room and peeked her head into his. James was by his bed, what seemed to be a map laying open on his bed while he stuffed his rucksack with a silvery cloak, some butterbeer, and what seemed to be a lot of food. She crossed the threshold and leaned against the doorframe, smiling a little as she watched him ruffle his hair in concentration.

          Eventually, he looked up and, upon noticing her, hopped up knocking the bag sideways on his bed, and dropping a couple croissants onto the mattress.

          "Lily, hi." His voice was soft as he took her in, and she felt her face burn just a little bit at the way he was looking at her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his lips on the side of her neck, kissing her softly.

          "Hi," Her voice was softer than his as her stomach flipped. His mouth grazed over her neck as he brought his face level with hers.

          "Hey," he said again, before kissing her gently. He rotated her so that she was pressed up against the door frame.

          When he pulled away, his eyes were troubled. "You don't have to come tonight."

          Lily rolled her eyes and pushed him gently away. "James, I can take care of myself, and I want to help."

          "I know you can!" His voice was twisted and strangled as he pushed a hand into his hair again. "But Lily this is so dangerous! I don't care if you can do it, there's a chance that you could die! I won't let you-"

          Lily felt anger fly through every vein in her body. "Oh, you won't let me!" He seemed to realize his mistake as his eyes widened and he took a step backward, knocking himself against the other side of the doorframe.

          Lily took a step towards him, her right hand on his collar.

          "You have no right to tell me what I am allowed to do, James Potter, you don't own me. You sound exactly like Severus used to! Your precious Marauders are my friends too, don't you forget!" She stepped back and spun away stalking into her room.

          She grabbed her wand off her dresser and stuffed it into her robes pocket, before sitting down on her bed. She sat and glared at the wall in front of her. He thinks that he owns me just because I'm his girlfriend? Is he really that much of a pig?

          With a deep breath, she closed her eyes. She was overreacting, of course, he wasn't a pig, he was just looking out for her.

          She felt her bed shift, and an arm slip around her waist. She opened her eyes and turned to face James Potter.

          "I'm sorry." He said simply, his eyes searching hers. "I didn't mean it like that, I meant that if something happened to you I would only blame myself."

          She smiled softly. "I know." She kissed his cheek. "Now come on, it's almost nightfall, and we have to "patrol". She put finger quotes around the last word and winked at him.

          He grinned back at her, but she couldn't miss the twinge of fear in his gaze.

---

          The five of them were sitting on the floor of the shrieking shack, eating all of the food that James brought as the night fell. It was 10 minutes to moonrise.

          "... and you'll stay with me again, Remus." Lily finished. Remus smiled weakly at her. 

          "You really don't have to, Lily, I'll be fine." But she looked at him with so much intensity that he stopped immediately, and ended up nodding wordlessly.

          "She's got a way with people doesn't she." Lily heard Sirius mutter to James as he let out his usual bark-like laugh.

          She turned and raised an eyebrow at him, and he raised his hands in the air in mock surrender.

          Remus let out a moan, and immediately they all leaped to their feet and Lily waved her wand, making the food and butterbeer on the floor disappear. 

          She saw the four boys change shape out of the corner of her eyes, and she herself crouched slightly, readying her wand and taking her place in front of the entrance.

---

The following morning, James carried a completely unconscious Remus Lupin up to the Head dormitory.

          "I got him," Lily said as James set him down on his bed.

          "You sure?"

          "Of course." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. He turned to leave but Lily stopped him. He had a gash over his right eyebrow and a black eye.

          She raised her wand and with a flick of her wand, the cut closed leaving a pale but noticeable scar.

          "I left you a scar, to help your image." Her tone was mocking, but she knew that James recognized the gesture as he smiled down at her. He grabbed her face and pressed his mouth to hers, slipping his tongue into her mouth.

          She moaned slightly before pushing him away. "Get to class." He winked before he left, and she watched the empty doorway for a few moments before Lupin stirred behind her.

          "Errrr." He groaned as he attempted to move.

          "Shhh, no." She whispered soothingly, leaning over him, and raising her wand over his freshly battered face.