Lily had enjoyed herself all evening, in spite of her initial worries about attending a Malfoy gala. She even enjoyed going to a club with James, something she very seldom did. She loved stumbling home with him early in the morning, carrying her shoes in one hand, and singing the lyrics to as many Irish drinking songs as she could remember, until James picked her up like a large sack of potatoes.
It was amazing how quickly things could change. Suddenly, it was like she was like she was back in the war, with casualties appearing on her doorstep. The mirth evaporated like being hit with cold water as James stopped. She stood next to James and straightened out her dress, staring down in horror at the unconscious girl. "Get her inside." She said, after a moment, her brain already trying to figure out what had done this and what she could do to help.