Always and Forever

chapter 5

James' pov-
She was revived at 21:16 September 1st 1977. It's safe to say that they were the worst three minutes of my life. Snape had finally given the counter curse to Dumbledore and had been sent to the Ministry of Magic for a more severe punishment. Now, I sat at the bottom of her bed, staring at her rising and falling chest. It was comforting to know that she was still there. Still fighting. Marlene was sat on a chair at the side of Lily, clutching her hand as tears rolled silently down her cheeks. It had been almost a week since the incident and Lily had not yet woken up. I had spent every second of everyday by her side. Only leaving to go to the toilet and change clothes occasionally. Remus brought both mine and Lilys work up to the hospital wing and Sirius brought up food at every mealtime.

To my surprise, Madam Pomfrey didn't object to me staying with Lily, she just allowed it to happen. Not that it would have made a difference. I was staying whether she liked it or not. It was Thursday again when she woke up. I had left for thirty minutes to change my clothes and shower. I walked up to gryffindor tower, in search of the marauders. I found them, along with the two girls, sat round the fire in the common room. Marlene was missing and I assumed she was with Lily.

"I'm going up to see Lily, anyone coming?" I said as I climbed through the portrait hole. I heard a few murmers and a couple of nods and then we all set off towards the hospital wing. Marlenes face lit up when we got there and she called us over excitedly.

"She's awake!" she called and I practically sprinted to her side, "Honestly James, the first time you leave in days and she wakes up, what are the odds?" she laughed heartily as I shoved past the curtain to see Lily. She looked tired and frail but she was awake and she was smiling. I stood at the end of her bed, not catching her eyes, but carefully studying her face. She sat up, wincing slightly but covering it for our sake, as she hugged everyone one by one. Finally, I was the only one left. She caught my eye and beckoned me closer. I moved towards her sheepishly and she held her arms out. I sat on the side of her bed and wrapped her into my grip. She relaxed against my chest, we sat like this for another minute before she squeezed my shoulders and whispered "Thank you James, for everything". I didn't know how much she remembered so I just laid her back down gently and shrugged.

"Anytime Evans". She smiled at me again before turning her attention to something Mary was telling her.

A few hours passed and everyone had gradually dispersed. I was left with Lily and Alice.

"I better go Lils, I've got to go find Frank," her eyes sparkled and Lily grinned at her.

"Don't have too much fun" she called after Alice as she practically sprinted towards the door. I looked over at Lily and was met with her emerald green eyes staring at me. I jumped, slightly taken aback and she giggled softly.

"Come here" she said patting a bit of the bed next to her body. I went over and sat down obediently. I ran my hands through my hair nervously and searched for a way to break the silence.

"So when are you getting out of here?" I asked her.

"As soon as possible hopefully, I think Pomfrey said something about me leaving today but i'm not sure" she replied, her eyes were sunk into her face and she looked exhausted. She grabbed my hand suddenly, intertwining our fingers. "Is it true that you're the one who saved me?" she whispered, it was barely audible but I heard it. I gulped and nodded slowly. She squeezed my hand gently and I felt my body relax, "You saved me James, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come. I probably would have been dead for a lot longer that three minutes" she sighed and used her other hand to cover mine completely.

"Don't say that Lils" I couldn't bear the idea of her not making it out of this alive, she deserved more. So much more. She sighed again and leant back against her pillow, her hair cascading down her back. She didn't let go of my hand and I looked down to face her.

"You wanna go to the common room?" I asked her quietly.

"I wanna be out of this place" she said removing one of her hands to gesture around, "it smells like death in here" she crinkled her nose and breathed in sharply. I chuckled as she slid her hand back over mine.

"I'll go ask Pomfrey when you can leave" I offered and she squeezed my hand in reply before untangling our fingers and dropping her hands onto her lap. I stood carefully and went to find Madam Pomfrey.
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Twenty minutes later we stood outside the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had given Lily the all clear and we were making our way down to the common room. I was stood close to her, close enough to feel her whole body tense as we turned onto the corridor where it happened.  I grabbed her hand and laced my fingers through hers.

"You're safe now. I've got you" I felt her relax at my words and she moved closer to me. "I've got you Lils" I repeated and she nodded and stepped forwards cautiously. She looked as if she thought the floor would swallow her whole if she took another step. She dropped my hand and took a small step forwards. I let her walk further, allowing her space to comprehend what happened. As we passed the broom cupboard, I felt her tense up again and she took a small step into my side. I hooked my arm around her shoulder, the movement coming naturally. She tensed up further and before I could apologise or remove my arm, her small arm slid around my waist. I pulled her into my body, engulfing her in my warmth. She relaxed into my side and we continued to walk to the dorms.

I said the password and the portrait swung open. She climbed in first and I followed her quickly, shutting the door behind me. She breathed out at the familiarity of the room. I looked down at her, trying to gage her mood. Before I could say anything, she sunk down on to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably. Her body racked with sobs as I sat down on the floor and pulled her into me. She was sat on my lap as she cried into my chest. I rocked her and whispered soothing words to her and she calmed down gradually. I held her for a little longer before i picked her up and walked to her dorm. She looped her arms around my neck and nestled her face into my shoulder. I took off her shoes and laid her gently in her bed. I looked down at her before turning to leave.
I was almost at the door when her fragile voice spoke

"Stay with me James"