ALWAYS

Tears and Roses

"Oh come on Poppy, let me in. You know we love you ". James heard Sirius and couldn't help laugh before drifting into a slumber.
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"James, can you hear me ?". Lily. Was James dreaming ? .
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"How is he poppy? ". Dumbledore.
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"He's a brave Gryffindor. Potter will be up in no time. I am sure". McGonagall.
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He opened his eyes, to see the ceiling of the Hospital Wing, as Sirius, Lupin and Peter sat at the foot of his bed, talking.

He let out a groan and the next second, Sirius was beside him. "Looks like even the Crucatious curse won't get you off my back, huh Prongs?" Sirius asked helping him up.

"I am a tough one to get rid of" James agreed as he smiled. He felt energy pulsing through him.

Probably the affect of laying down for so many hours.

"I really was scared mate. After I saw you. I mean you wouldn't wake up for days" Lupin said .

"It's been a week already" agreed Peter (to James's shock) .

"Lily's been worried sick about you. Merlin's beard, who knew she liked you so much." said Lupin, as James looked up at the mention of Lily's name.

"Lily was here? Lily Evans?" He asked.

"Yeah!" Sirius said as if it was obvious.

"She sat by your bed for hours. She would cry and whisper stuff into your ear. You don't remember do you Prongs?" Sirius asked, eyeing his facial expressions. "

James shook his head.

"Oh Potter! I was hoping you'd get up by now. Here have this" she said thrusting a glass filled with yellow liquid. "It will give you strength" she said as she noticed James's disgusted expression.

He drank it in one gulp and let out a disgusted groan as Madam Pomfrey took the glass from him.

"Thanks Poppy" said Sirius as she threw him an affectionate glance.

The Marauders were always loved by Pomfrey.

"Oh and Potter I think it would be fine if you want to leave. Your strength seems to be back to normal" said Pomfrey as she turned around from the far end of the hall.

"Well mate, looks like we can leave. I was tired having to look at your stupid face all day. " said Sirius as he helped James up.

"Thanks Poppy" said James gratefully, as he smiled at her. "Always a pleasure Potter" she said.

She came closer and puller him down to meet her height, " Now, I think you ought to go to Miss.Evens. She was quite shaken after the incident. Often cried at your condition" she said, with admiration towards Lily in her eyes.

James nodded and left. He filled the guys in as they left the Hospital wing.
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"Well you cant say Poppy was wrong you know? She begged Voldemort to stop. Cried a lot since then. Saw her crying after Potions in the dungeons once." he said.

James was about to ask Sirius how he could let Lily suffer aline and why he wouldn't console her when she was crying but Sirius beat him to it.

"Don't worry I consoled her. She needed someone and I know a friend isn't enough" added Sirius.

James couldn't believe his ears. Were people telling him that Lily Evans liked him? He could't help but smile.

"A lot happened since I fell asleep" he wondered out loud.

"Oh yeah !" agreed Lupin.

"Why did he stop? Voldemort." he asked them.

They looked at each other and Sirius finally spoke up. "Dumbledore. Someone notified him and he came. My darling sister warned Voldemort and he fled the scene." he explained.