James and Lily Potter: Fifth Year

Chapter 6: fifth year

"I swear this was Voldemort," said James furiously. "That damn git—"

"James!" whispered Peter fearfully. "Don't insult him...what if he hears you?"

"SO, LET HIM HEAR ME!" he roared. "HELLO VOLDEMORT! THIS IS YOUR FAVOURITE ENEMY SPEAKING, JAMES POTTER! YOU KNOW ME, RIGHT? THE ONE YOU TRIED TO KILL AT THE ASTRONOMY TOWER THE OTHER DAY!"

"Prongs, shut up," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. "You aren't helping the situation."

"Yes, Potter, yelling for Voldemort can only increase our problems," added Lily dryly.

"Look at it this way, James," said Remus quietly. "We are in the Forbidden Forest, which is forbidden to all students, as you can tell by the name. We've just narrowly escaped a pack of mad centaurs that claim we disturbed the planet rotations, and now we have no idea where we are in this forest. Now you're starting to curse at an invisible Voldemort. Maybe you can think of a better solution than that, Prongs."

Some people might have thought Remus said this sarcastically, but they all knew him too long, and knew that he was dead serious.

"You're right, Moony. But what can we do?"

"What about—IT," suggested Sirius.

The girls looked at them with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"Nah, I don't have it," said James, shaking his head. "Besides, the girls are here, we can't risk them knowing..."

"Knowing what?" demanded Jennifer. "Really, we're your friends, we won't tell."

Sirius sighed. "Look, Jen, it doesn't matter—"

"It does if it'll help us out of this stupid mess!" she shot back.

"Well, it won't!"

"Does everyone have their wand with them?" asked Lily tiredly.

There was a chorus of "Yes" among the group.

"Good. We'll light our wands and be on our way. There's no point of arguing. We should just go with the flow and see if we can find our way back to the castle."

"Why didn't we think of that?" muttered Sirius. "Lumos."

The others did the same, and they all looked for the lightest path. When they found it, they started to follow it, hoping that it would lead them back to the castle and to safety. From then, they would go to Dumbledore and tell him what had happened.

"This light isn't working," said James, squinting at the path. "No, wait...blimey! I think I see Hogwarts!"

They all rushed through the path, and sure enough, the castle was in view, with many students looking at them with surprise and interest.

"What were you doing in the forest?" asked Alex Opalisk, a fourth-year Gryffindor. She fluttered her eyelashes at James and Sirius.

"Ditz," muttered Arabella under her breath.

"Er—Hagrid sent us there to do something for him," stammered Remus.

Alex smiled at him seductively. "So—Remus," she said slowly. "The next Hogsmeade trip is on Halloween. Care to go?"

Remus stared at his friends, silently pleading for help.

"He already has a girlfriend," said Lily coolly.

"Who? You?" She sneered.

"No, actually..." Lily looked at Jennifer.

"What about you, Jamie?" she cooed. "You are going with someone?"

James gulped. He liked Alex very much, since she was very pretty, but he felt intimidated by her all the time. His hazel eyes locked in with Lily's green ones, they begged her for help.

"James is already going with me," said Lily swiftly.

Everyone stared at her, especially Arabella, who's eyes widened in surprise and delight. Lily shot her friends a look that said, "Yeah, well, this is only one favour for Potter in my lifetime".

"Oh." Alex looked severely disappointed and walked off.

James let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Lily."

"Just don't expect any more favours from me again, Potter," was her brief reply.

"Never again will I have the pleasure," he agreed readily.

They all quickly headed into the castle and to Dumbledore's office. When they told him their story, the professor quickly stood up and sighed, his blue eyes tired and feeble looking.

"I'm afraid you all—especially you five—are in grave danger, now that Voldemort knows of the prophecy and how Harry James Potter will thwart him in his reign of power." Dumbledore looked at Lily and the Marauders.

"But—Professor—" began Lily, but she could say no more.

"Why did it have to be us?" said James, sighing. "Why us?"

Dumbledore looked at the black-haired boy sympathetically. "It's just fate, Mr. Potter. It's just fate."

When they left his office, James let out a loud groan, causing everyone look his way.

"What's up, Prongs?" asked Sirius.

"It's just—I don't get it," he said quietly. "Why us? Why Lily and I?"

No one had an answer for his questions, and they all slipped into Gryffindor Tower, except for Lily. She lingered, waiting for James.

"It's just fate, Potter," she whispered, smiling slightly. "Fate's bringing us together, and fate's killing us together. But we'll stick by...together."

James grinned at her. "I thought you hated me."

"Oh, I do. In fact, I believe I loathe you very much. But you see, Potter, we still have to work together, no matter how difficult it is for the both of us."

"It won't be difficult for me, Evans. I don't hate you; I just don't like you too well. But I'm sure it'll change by the years. We were meant to be together, unfortunately."

"You know, Potter, you're not half bad sometimes. I mean, you do have your moments, like now. Yet other times, you're completely unbearable. I suppose, however, that we were made for each other and nothing can change that."

"You're absolutely right, Evans. So—how about that Hogsmeade weekend?"

"In your dreams, Potter."

"Oh, I know something that'll change your mind." James started to tickle her.

Lily shrieked with laughter and chased James around in circles in front of a very disapproving Fat Lady. But the portrait smiled as she saw true love right in front of her eyes. Only the lovers did not see it—but will soon, after all they will go through together.

It was like what Dumbledore had said: it's just fate. Lily and James were two very wonderful and powerful wizards, and they did not deserve to have such a sad and horrifying fate. But that was just it. No one chose who they would marry, or what job they would get. It was all up to fate. Sometimes fate would be very nice and give you a devoted husband and lovable children. But sometimes, like their situation, it wasn't so nice. Lily and James would have a short life together, for less than three years, but it would be one of warmth and tenderness, for both themselves and their future son. And nothing could change that...except for fate. All they could do is wait and let it all happen.