The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

'Till the very end.'

James Potter
Lord Prongs

The rain bedrenched cobblestones gleamed

under his feet, the water soaking his socks

and making his toes curl.

Hair fell into hazel eyes glassy with steamed

frames, hiding the wide-eyed first-kiss shock

pumping his rabbiting heart.

It was fourth year, and he was in love.

It was fourth year, and she was a dove.

You're sure James? he'd asked that night in the quiet, and James couldn't say a word. Fifth year was meant to be hard, whispered James, quiet as a mouse. Sirius shuffled in the silence, the rustle of sheets roaring in his ears. OWL's and first kisses, snorted Sirius. Child's play. Not like the real world. James wanted to tell him, tell him right then that it wasn't that easy, that this was hard, but Sirius had bigger problems and deeper pains than just unrequited love and Quidditch losses (his first ever Quidditch loss as Captain and it was slowly crushing him) so James kept silent. Talk to me James. About what Padfoot? There's nothing to say.

Dance with me come sundown,

Hold me in the rain;

Sing with me into the silence,

Let me share your pain.

We're sixteen and young,

We're sixteen and old;

I've asked a million times for you,

You've said no tenfold.

Let me love you Lily Evans,

If not then hate will do;

It's hard to not adore you,

When your heart is broken too.

James sighed and stared at her from across the room. She was writing an essay, biting her lips and muttering to herself. Twelve times this week, and he wasn't a quitter, but being rejected hurt.

The sun is shining Evans,

And I've given up on you.

James wasn't like other boys; he was confident for one.

James picked on other boys; he always liked having fun.

But Lily didn't like this, and to please his mistress best,

James stopped hexing firsties and dressed to impress.

Sirius sighed in the corner, wishing for his best mate,

Remus shrugged his shoulders and told him to wait.

Peter watched with wary eyes as Sixth year passed by.

But James, once as confident as the sun, closed the year with a cry.

I know she didn't love me you know, said James to his friends as the train trundled to King's Cross Station. Sirius and Remus exchanged knowing looks and shrugged at him. I didn't, he insisted. Peter stood up for him. You knew you had to try though, or the what-if would haunt you. Sirius snorted derisively. Bloody hell Peter, you sound like a faggot. Remus gently chided him, but James didn't care. I mean, she never even pretended to like me you know? Peter patted him consolingly and James pretended he wasn't going to cry.

It was the dead of night and James watched the shadows chase each other on his ceiling. Was he not good enough?

Seventh year, Seventh year, the beginning of the end.

Head Boy and Head Girl, let the trumpets play.

She hid behind her red veil and he shone in the sun.

The broken year had passed; the new year had begun.

And if I fade away, will you remember me Evans?

I don't remember what it's like not to be in pain around you anymore.