James and Lily washed the teapot and china cups quietly after Petunia and Vernon stormed out. It was silent until the sound of Lily's parents were heard making their way downstairs. Lily dried the pot hastily before refilling the kettle and setting it to boil on the stove. There was some shuffling on the staircase and James, his brow furrowed, stuck his head out of the kitchen to investigate.

"Oh no, Mrs. Evans! You'll hurt yourself. Let me help!" James exclaimed as he hastened up the stairwell.

Confused, Lily followed James out of the kitchen to see her mother, arms wrapped around her father's middle, in the process of helping him walk down the stairs. The set up look precarious as her father wobbled forwards, and her mother grimaced as she tightly pulled Harold backwards.

"Oh, no thank you, James. We're fine." Evelyn Evans puffed, as her husband swayed again.

"Mum!" Lily exclaimed. "Let James help! He's completely right you are going to hurt not only yourself, but dad as well if you're not careful, these stairs are very steep!"

With a flush of chagrin on her cheeks, Evelyn nodded. James moved forwards and took hold of Mr. Evans, holding him firmly around his waist. As the pair made their way slowly down the stairs, Lily regarded her mother. Evelyn looked relieved, yet wary and exhausted. As James walked a shaky Harold into the Evans' lounge room, Lily took her mother aside.

"What is going on?" Lily exclaimed in a hushed whisper.

"Oh Lily, you know that your fathers health is declining." Her mother brushed off without actually explaining anything.

"Don't act like that mum!" Lily huffed. "All I know is that dad has been too sick to write me letters, and that everyone in this household seems to be tip toeing around the subject of his health."

Evelyn stared at her daughter in pity.

"And now, here I am, watching you having to physically carry him downstairs, and help him walk, shower, sit, stand. I knew he was quite unwell, but… I thought…"

Evelyn sighed and led her daughter towards a seat at the dining table. Lily sat down as her mother bustled around the kitchen, making tea. When she eventually returned with a cup for both Lily and herself she settled down beside her daughter with a heavy sigh.

"Lily. When you left at the end of your winter break, you knew that your father was quite sick. And I'm sure you've been coming to terms with it whilst away at school, but being here with him, and seeing the deterioration is a completely different aspect of his illness to wrap your head around." She said softly, holding Lily's trembling hand. "Your father is so very happy that you came to visit, but, it might have been best if you didn't. I have hoped I could shield you from all of this by not updating you often, because we both want you to remember your dad as the strong loving man he once was."

"You're wrong!" Lily said looking up from her cup and saucer. "All the secrecy has only made me more anxious. I understand he's dying mum! It's on my mind constantly. I want to be here to say a final goodbye to dad. Even if that means seeing him on his death bed."

Evelyn sighed and pursed her lips before looking her daughter straight in the eyes. "Ok," she said finally with a heavy voice. "I promise to keep you updated, and I will do my best to make sure you're around at the end."

"Even if it means pulling me out of school?" Lily probed.

"Yes, I can do that for you," she said with a soft smile, touching her daughter's hair lightly. "You're an adult now Lily. You can make these decisions for yourself. And I will do my very best to respect that."

…

With a 'pop' James and Lily apparated right in front of Potter manor. They both quickly glanced at the watch on Lily's wrist, then hastened into the property and up towards the front doors.

They were meters away when the elegant double doors swung open, revealing an unimpressed Charlus Potter in the entrance way.

With a frustrated glare pointed towards his son, Mr. Potter grumbled a displeased, "where exactly have you been?"

"Ah! Father!" James opened his arms wide in a greeting. "We've just been out for a stroll! Sniffing the spring flowers, enjoying the sunrise, visiting dying family. Just your average Saturday!" James continued with a smile in place for his unimpressed father.

"Lily was supposed to be back at school almost an hour ago James. But instead, you've been dragging her out of the safety of this house? Away from the protection of the wards? You are more than aware that your friends were only able to come to this …event… because I promised Professor Dumbledore that they would all remain in the safety of our home, and would return bright and early to school this morning!"

James' smile drooped as his father ranted, yet he took the opportunity to bite back the moment Charlus paused for breath. "My friends that were guests here for this funeral are all safe and accounted for dad, unless Sirius blew up the kitchen again this morning. Also, not that you offered any sympathy towards Lily, but her father is very Ill and I wanted to make sure she got the opportunity to say goodbye." Lily flinched at the word 'goodbye' and James put a comforting arm around her shoulders as his voice grew harsh. "Thanks to you, I understand what it's like to not be allowed the simplest necessity of closure. Mum's been dead for a week now dad and I still don't understand why you didn't send for me earlier!"

Charlus stared at his son, mouth agape. "I-I…" he stuttered, looking shattered at his son's dressing down.

Lily pulled away from James and regarded the pair with worry and sympathy. "well, I'm already running late, I should get back to school before professor McGonagall sends out a search party for me." she spoke with forced levity in her voice, attempting a laugh at the end of her goodbye that sounded more like a huff of air.

James drew her into a tight hug. "I'll be back Monday morning." He whispered in her ear before pulling back and giving her a tight smile.

She turned to Mr. Potter and gave him a nod. "Thank you for your hospitality, I'm sorry for any inconvenience I might have been." As she walked off, she felt the heavy eyes of both men on her. At the bottom of the stairwell she faced them once more. "I'm very sorry for your loss," she muttered before heading upstairs to grab her belongings.

Lily flooed back to Hogwarts, landing in professor McGonagall's office only to be greeted by a displeased "Miss Evans!"

"Hello professor," Lily spoke warily.

"Would you care to inform me as to why you are more than an hour late in returning back to school?" when Lily remained silent, she continued. "Or perhaps why Peter Pettigrew told me some cock and bull story upon his arrival not long ago, saying - and I quote, 'Lily got carried away playing backyard Quidditch, and will arrive once she's showered!'" Lily groaned internally, grimaced yet made to nod and agree with the half-assed story when Mcgonagall continued. "Or perhaps you'd like to explain to me why I was notified by the ministry that underage magic, dissaparation even, was performed in Cokeworth twice this morning?" Lily went as still as a statue, hardly breathing. "Cokeworth… that's where your family lives, am I right Evans?" Mcgonagall leveled her with a stare that made it quite clear that refusing to answer wasn't an option.

"That's correct Professor, my parents do live there." She replied politely.

"Hmm, interesting. Would you have any idea why underage, illegal appartion would have occurred nearby your family home Evans?"

"No Professor, no clue whatsoever."

Her lips pursed. "Well, since you are late returning to school, without a viable reason as to why that is, you'll be sitting a week's detention Evans. Starting Monday, I could use your help grading some essays."

Lily swallowed back her groan of displeasure. "Ma'am, I tutor on Tuesday and Thursdays."

"Well I supposed you'd better find other times to help your students out Evans. I'll see you 6pm on Monday. Off you go!"

…

"Lily! I'm sorry, I know I said I'd help you out with your tutoring this week," a pale Remus apologized in transfiguration on Tuesday afternoon. "But I'm really not feeling well! I thought I'd be alright for tonight at least, but I feel quite Ill."

Lily rubbed her left temple firmly as Remus with his bloodshot, tired eyes begged her for understanding and forgiveness. "Remus… I was really counting on you."

"I'm sorry Lily, I just don't think it'll be best for me to be hanging around in the library all night helping kids with their homework. I wouldn't want to… infect… them or anything!"

Lily sighed. "I'm sorry. Of course not - you should really try and get some rest… You look exhausted."

Remus turned away from Lily to copy McGonagall's notes off the chalkboard. "I'll be fine in a few days." He muttered.

Lily looked at her friend thoughtfully, the bitter sound of his voice made her think otherwise.

When Lily arrived at Arithmancy, James was already seated at their usual table. Greeting him with a smile and a quick hello, she pulled out her supplies all the while thinking of which prefect she could beg to help out with her tutoring. Surely one of them would help her if she offered to cover one of their late night rounds of the castle.

As Lily was quickly becoming accustomed to a note appeared on her half of the desk only minutes after class started.

What's gone and gotten a bee in your bonnet?

Bee: Remus Lupin's Illness, Bonnet: My tutoring responsibilities. Connect the dots.

Ah… was that tonight?

Tutoring? Yes – tonight and Thursday!

Ah yep… he won't be able to do either

Then why did he tell me yes on Saturday when I asked!

… he can't plan when he gets sick Lily!

Right… well… ok good point, but I wish he'd given me more warning! He gets sick often enough that surely he knew more than 6 hours in advance that he wasn't feeling well.

Somedays he's worse than others… it probably just creeped up on him.

I can help you out if you need?

Uh, thanks but no thanks

Excuse me?

It's a nice offer Potter, but what experience do you have at anything that resembles responsibility.

Ouch – low blow Lily! But my experience would be that I'm smart! And I help you out all the time with Arithmancy, what's the difference?

You do not! I'm perfectly fine at Arithmancy. And yes, whilst you are smart don't you think you've got enough on your plate at the moment what with Quiddich and the sick friend and…

And the dead mother thing?

Sorry…

I'm free tonight until about 8pm. Let me help.

Fine

Great – I'll get the details from you after class!

Lily rolled her eyes before returning her attention to Professor Vector.

Lily had spent the entirety of her very short dinner break filling James in on the details of the students she was helping out. She made it very clear he was to help them with any spells they were struggling with, answer any questions they have pertaining to their coursework and help proofread their essays. He acted very blasé about the whole process which worried Lily as her students were only struggling little first and second years that really needed some support.

"Do you have this?" Lily asked him pointedly before she left for her detention.

"Yep," James grinned before shoveling a large mouthful of steak and kidney pie into his mouth.

"James, this is important to me. Do. You. Have. This?" she gritted out between her teeth.

He swallowed and turned to look at her seriously. "Yes Lily, I understand." James said softly, his hand landing on her knee. "I will do my very best to help them," He promised before giving her thigh a light squeeze. "Now go. You don't want to be late for detention – trust me!"

Lily walked up to her detention, slightly dazed at the intensity of their encounter. However, Professor Mcgonagall had her cleaning out all the animal cages in the classroom for the evening. Without magic. Going through the many cages of birds, ferrets, mice, beetles and spiders definitely forced her to concentrate on the task at hand.

When Lily was finally finished it was almost 10 o'clock. As she walked back to the common room she was shocked to hear the sounds of people walking up behind her. Thankfully they weren't exactly being quiet. Lily jumped into the first alcove she could find to hide. She was more likely to run into foe as opposed to friends at this time of night. Especially with the current climate of the wizarding world.

"It was good to stretch my legs before tomorrow!" a familiar voice carried down the hall.

"Yeah, it's always nice to have a warmup before Moony joins the party." Said another.

Lily gasped in relief. James and Sirius, they wouldn't hurt her.

"Do you think it's going to be a rough night? He seemed worse than normal today."

Lily paused just as she was about to make her presence known to the boys. What on earth were they talking about? A party? Rough night? Warmup? Lily hoped for Merlin's sake that they were not planning on throwing another one of their famous common room parties. Especially midweek! She would have to report them if they did. Even if they were becoming friends!

The pair continued, "well statistics from the past have shown that his condition-" James was cut off abruptly but a hiss from Sirius. Lily stepped back further into her alcove.

"What?" she heard James mutter quietly as he crouched down behind a suit of armor with Sirius.

"Something on the map moved, there's someone nearby… Lumos." Sirius whispered in the darkness.

"Lily?" the pair said in unison with identical tones of shock and curiosity.

Lily swore to herself moments before their wary, innocent faces popped into her once amazing hiding spot.

"Heyyyyyyy," Sirius smiled. "Fancy seeing you here!"

James extended his hand to her and pulled her out into the corridor with them as Lily glared at Sirius. "What are you two doing!" she hissed as they made their way up to Gryffindor tower. "Do you know what time it is? It is so past curfew, if you were wondering."

"Well that's not stopped you from lurking about the halls at night, Evans." Sirius replied as James stuffed something into his pocket.

"I had a detention that only just finished. Plus I'm a prefect. I'm well within my rights to be here… you two on the other hand are definitely up to something." Lily whispered fiercely, glaring at the boys. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't give you a detention for being out past curfew!"

"We can't," Sirius said rolling his eyes. "Besides it's not like THAT'S really going to happen!"

"Oh really?" Lily fumed. "Why don't you think I won't give you a detention for tomorrow night after what I just heard? It'd make so much sense to just separate you all for the evening!"

They both paled. "Lily, what did you hear?" James asked with wide eyes.

"I'm not 100% sure but it sounds like you're throwing a party tomorrow, and I'm sure you understand why I can't let that just happen. And here I was thinking the two of you were starting to grow up."

The pair visibly relaxed.

"We're not throwing a party tomorrow," Sirius grinned, "we're just... Why did you think we were having a party" He looked at Lily in confusion.

"You literally said the word party, Sirius. Also the whole 'rough night' thing kind of implied that there would be alcohol involved."

Sirius looked at James with wide eyes that Lily found suspicious.

"We are… um, planning to take Peter out for a jog, which you know could be a bit of a struggle because he doesn't really exercise a whole lot… " James supplied as the fat Lady swung forward without even asking for a password, merely rolling her eyes at the sight of James and Sirius.

Lily turned to face them in the middle of the common room. "Am I really supposed to believe that?" She eventually asked.

"Well we're certainly not having a party tomorrow if that's what you're worried about!" Sirius admitted.

Lily turned to James.

"Please, don't give us detention Lily." He pleaded with a smile just for her.

After a few seconds of hesitation she nodded and uttered, "Fine!" both boys grinned at each other in relief before coming to hug her. "You're the best Lily!" Sirius said loudly as he spun her around before high fiving a confused 5th year and bounding up the stairs to the boys dormitories.

"Thanks Lily," James whispered pulling her tight against his chest. She wound her arms around his back tentatively and didn't let go until they both heard Sirius call loudly down the stairs for James to come up.

They parted with shy smiles as James promised that a party was the last thing on their mind.

heyyyyy... so I know it's been a super long time since I've updated, In my defense I went on an overseas trip for 5 months but i'm really hoping to get back into this story! I know this chapter might have seemed a little shaky as I'm getting back into it after so long, but if you want me to continue, please leave me a review or something so that I know this story still has some semi-interested readers! Thanks!