Prongs {Book One}

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Amendments

JAMES.

When I got out of the hospital wing, I was surprised to find that the first person waiting for me was Lily.

"Why did you do it?"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Um, do what?"

"Save him."

I looked at her quizzically for a few seconds before replying. "You think I'd want anyone killed by a werewolf -  or turned into one? Let alone by my best friend?"

"I thought you hated him." She looked down at her feet.

"I do. But I still wouldn't want him dead. And can you imagine how Remus would feel if he had killed or turned someone?"

"I... he'd never forgive himself, would he?"

"No, he wouldn't," I agreed, looking at her. She was avoiding my eyes.

"I was wrong," she said eventually.

"About what?"

"You're not as bad as him. As Sev, I mean. He would have let you die."

I paused for a second. "Well, I don't think-"

"He told me. He said, 'if I had had the chance that Potter had, I would have let him die'."

Lily looked up at me, a tear welling in her eye, and said almost desperately, "I'm sorry. I still convinced myself he was better than you, even when I was fighting with him. Even when he was with Mulciber and Avery and all them, I still told myself, oh, James is worse. I'm really sorry- I-"

I didn't let her finish, but pulled her into a hug. She sobbed on my shoulder, and I breathed in her hair, and closed my eyes. 

A few people were staring - we were standing in the entrance hall - but I didn't care.

"I don't blame you for hating me," I told her when the hug broke apart, "I was a total asshole."

"Can't argue with that," she said, and laughed, wiping her tears away.

"C'mon, let's go to the common room," I said, gently pulling her arm. She nodded, and we walked up the stairs together.

I found it surprisingly easy to talk to her, even after an emotional conversation. We talked about our classes, friends, not friends, family, and packed in so much chatter on the way to the common room that it felt like I'd known her double the time I really had.

When we got into the common room, I turned to Lily.

"I want to show you something."

"What?"

"Come with me."

I led her up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. Remus, Peter and Sirius were already there, all three of whom had a double take when they saw Lily.

"Um, Prongs? Did you use an unforgivable curse," Sirius asked, mock concern on his face.

"You'll get put in Azkaban for that," Remus said, putting his book away.

"Not to mention expelled," Peter added helpfully.

"Twats," I muttered, and rummaged in my trunk for a second before pulling out a cloak and a piece of parchment.

I could feel the other three hold their breath.

"First of all," I said, and swung my invisibility cloak over myself.

Lily's eyes widened, and she put a hand over her mouth. "Oh my god. Oh my- that's an invisibility cloak," she whispered.

I pulled it off, grinning.