finally, lily and james

needs some company

Effie Potter was inconsolable.

"Euphemia," Minerva McGonagall tried, a tad startled by the crying woman in her office. Once James was in the hands of Madame Pomfrey, it was Professor McGonagall's job to collect the guardians of the boy, and only Mrs. Potter was available, who came as soon as she heard. Now, they were waiting in her office until further notice, or at least when Mrs. Potter could see her son. "I--'Mia, he's going to be alright," She looked awkwardly around, until she just snatched a hanker chief from her desk and handed it to Mrs.Potter. She didn't want to show her own worry for James Potter, for she'd never admit it, but she was possibly her favorite student. It was inevitable with the boy, and Minerva felt an inexplicable motherly feeling over James.

"How did it happen?" Effie cried, her eyes red and teary as she clutched onto the hanker chief. She looked terribly worried, and Minerva felt her heart ache as she looked upon the woman, she knew of Fleamont Potter's situation, hell, Minerva had grown up with Effie and Monty, and she worried deeply as well for Mr. Potter.

"Er," Minerva paused awkwardly, not really sure on how to tell the mother of an injured child that she in fact, did not know what, when or how he was injured. "I don't know at the mo', Effie."

"Can I see him?" The woman looked desperate, and Minerva flushed as she knew what she had to answer.

"Effie, he needs his rest, and Poppy's requested that he have no visitors until tomorrow, at the least."

"Tomorrow?" Mrs. Potter cried, tears pouring down her face once again as she worried for her only son. She could not lose all her family at once - well, not all her family. She still had Sirius. That poor boy, he must be so worried! She thought, hugging herself.

"Actually," The door opened, and Madame Pomfrey walked in, her fingertips stained a bit with blood. Euphemia noticed, and paled a considerable amount in contrast to her dark brown skin, "I think it'll be alright for Mrs. Potter to visit her son, though, don't tell Mr. Black, he was rather determined to get into the Wing."

Mrs. Potter smiled a bit at the words, and she took a deep breath as she stood up, and kindly, Minerva set a comforting arm on her shoulder. "Thank you, Poppy,"

"Of course," She replied, adjusting her nurse's hat, and she noticed the tears and hanker chief, and worried for the state of Mrs. Potter, she smiled nervously, "How's Fleamont d--?"

"Severus Snape!" The door flew open again and a flushed and tired Marlene McKinnon fell through the door and she scrambled up from where she'd landed on the floor. "It was Severus Snape!" She put a hand on her hip, panting. "I swear it!"

"What--?" Mrs. Potter started, her eyes confused.

Marlene cut her off, "It was Snape, he was the one who hurt James. He cursed him, an spell he invented himself! I've seen him use it before."

Mrs. Potter's, McGonagall's and Madame Pomfrey's eyes all widened and Mrs. Potter looked rather faint from all that was going on in such a short span of time. "Are you sure?" Mrs. Potter asked, though she knew of Snape. Every time that James and Sirius came back from the break, she and Mr. Potter would hear at least one complaint about the 'evil' boy.

"Miss. McKinnon," McGonagall said gravely, "That is a very serious accusation to make!"

"I'm not lying!" She cried, putting a hand to her chest to slow her breathing. She had run all the way from the Hospital Wing, after all, "Lily Evans told me, she'd talked to Snape!" She paused for a moment, took in the scene, flushed and turned to Mrs. Potter, "Marlene McKinnon, by the way," She stuck out her hand, and Mrs. Potter took it, a bit confused, but shook it nonetheless, "I'm a friend of James and Sirius, handful of children you got there, Mrs. Potter."

Mrs. Potter smiled, and Marlene suddenly got very serious, and she turned to McGonagall. "You've got to believe me, Professor,"

"I don't doubt you, Miss McKinnon," Minnie replied, "Now, please go with Mrs. Potter to direct her to the Hospital Wing, Poppy and I need to speak."

"I—!" Marlene started, but cut herself off at a sharp look from Professor McGonagall.

"Of course, Professor." Marlene said hurriedly, and took the shaking hand of Effie's and speed walked out of the room.

"Now," McGonagall sighed, "To deal with Mr. Snape."

"What are you going to do with the boy?" Poppy worried, twisting her hands.

"I'm not doing anything," McGonagall sighed, waving her wand so a patronus flew gracefully out. A cat. "Tell Albus to come immediately."

"Oh my," Madame Pomfrey gasped, "Its that serious?"

"Mr. Snape attacked a student, and I'm not doubting it was him - Mr. Potter and Mr. Snape have had a rivalry since the minute they stepped onto the train in their first year."

Madame Pomfrey looked distraught.

"Severus Snape's fate lies in Albus's hands now."

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Euphemia didn't really need Marlene to lead her to the Hospital Wing, she still remembered the way from when she went to Hogwarts, even though it was quite some time ago. She spent a lot of time in there, she and Poppy became quite close as apprentices to the Hogwarts nurse at the time. Euphemia was studying to be a healer, along with Poppy, and in different ways, they both got what they wanted.

"Mrs. Potter," Marlene started, "I don't want to be rude, but you might find Sirius Black in the Wing already,"

"Let me guess," Mrs. Potter smiled, walking up the steps of the long staircase leading to the Hospital Wing, "He broke in?"

"Yes?" Marlene laughed, and then once they made it to the Wing doors, she swung it open, expecting Sirius in James's bed or maybe just James still asleep and bandaged.

What she didn't expect to see was Lily Evans in the arms of James Potter, both peacefully asleep in each others arms. Lily was laying carefully on her side with her face turned into his neck as his wrapped around her waist. Mrs. Potter gasped, and Marlene flushed for Lily, for she knew that if Lily knew, she'd definitely be very embarrassed.

"I—er, Mrs. Potter, I can wake up Lily for you," Marlene offered, but Mrs. Potter held up her hand, making a 'shh' sign.

"Are they together?" She whispered, smiling a bit as she stared upon the scene fondly. She's heard the name Lily Evans many times over the years, mostly in a defeated or frustrated or lovesick manner, and to see this made her feel comforted, in a way. Lily and James. To her, it sounded perfect.

"Yes," Marlene giggled, "As of recent, and I think it's about time, after six years."

"I agree," Mrs. Potter said, and now she felt better, she felt more at peace knowing that her little boy was really alright, and he had someone else to watch over and love him while she wasn't there. It comforted her in a way that she didn't know how to explain. "I say we let them rest, I can visit James tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Marlene hesitated, closing the door to the Hospital Wing as they walked out, "I can get Lily right now, so you can see your son."

"It's alright," Mrs. Potter sighed, her smile teetering between a sad and happy smile, "I have another son to attend to, I think he needs some company."

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A/N: sorry for the small chapter, my mother has covid-19 and i'm trying to take care of her the best i can, being home for the weekend.

thank you all so much for the support!