James Pottern chuckled nervously shifting his glasses on his nose. Lily felt herself blushing as she took in his sharp cheekbones, and familiar face. "It's been so- so long." she said nervously stuttering and she swallowed. James blinked a few times still in shock and said "Well, how are you? Come here." and he awkwardly moved his long arms around her for a hug. Lily smiled and returned the hug. He smelled wonderful, like home, laundry and Christmas. She softly came out of his grasp and looked into his sharp focused smiling green eyes. "I've been good. Just taking some classes up here at the University. It's been a lot of work. How about you?" she said, silently wondering what he was doing on the muggle university campus and wishing at the same time she'd washed her hair this morning. James couldn't take his eyes off her. She was a striking vision of beauty as she had been at Hogwarts, her lovely face was so full of vibrancy and strength and that Gryffindor courage. He'd missed her like crazy and there hadn't been a day that went by that he didn't think of her.

"Ah, I'm good. Just passing by for some Ministry work. Auror business and all. But you know things are pretty good. Visited Godric's Hollow for the holidays with Mum and Dad, Sirius and Remus stopped by as well. They're doing fine as well. Remus is still studying to be a professor in the Dark Arts, and Sirius? Oh well, he's also doing well-same ol' Sirius you know?..." he said rambling nervously. "Can't get the women off him though. But we're both Aurors as you might have noticed. Daily News mentions these things and all...so yeah." James laughed and looked to the side knowing he was coming off as a bumbling fool. He couldn't believe he was in the presence of the girl who had broken his heart so badly two years ago...his first love...the girl he would've married if he'd had his way. "James!" Lily said laughing. "I see you still get nervous around me" she said hooking her arm through his, as they both strolled through the park. James' heart raced at her gesture, and looked to the side into her eyes. "Can I help it? You're beautiful, Lily. I can't believe you're here. I can't-" Lily blushed heavily his flattery clearly affecting her as much as it used to and smiled. "I know." They walked a bit further in silence, the history of what happened between them two years ago passing in their mind's eye and left unspoken between them.

James wondered if she'd gotten to know anyone as well as they'd known each other since they'd split. Maybe she had met someone during her studies. He refused to let these thoughts generate the fiery jealousy he used to feel thinking about this a few years ago. She was here. He was grateful that they were friends. "Lily, Sirius is hosting a party at Grimmauld Place with some Hogwarts friends the day after tomorrow. Please come. They would love to see you, especially Remus. What do you think? His family is out and he's breaking in there but it's all in good fun" he added the mischeivous look she was familiar with from her school days reappearing in his eyes.

"Oh that's Sirius for you." she said smiling a bit. In actuality, her heart had lept at the idea. She had missed her friends a lot but after her health had suffered and she had fell behind academically her pride had not allowed her to contact them. "Yeah maybe I'll come by." she said looking at him. Suddenly she remembered a meeting she had in her professor's office in 20 minutes. "James I have to leave. I have a meeting." James panicked wondering what he could say to make her stay a while longer, make her feel the meeting was worth skipping."Meeting huh? So important these days" grasping for straws, a laugh a smile, something to say that would make her want to see him again. What if he never saw her again. His heart hurt. James' jaw clenched. "But you'll come won't you? I mean...you know...they're dying to see you. We haven't been in touch with you forever and we...I...miss you. Please." Lily took in a breath shocked at the sincerity in his eyes, and his vulnerability. "Yeah. I'll be there." she said squeezing his hand. James stopped in front of her. He was about to kiss her, his eyes hooded focused on her pink lips. Lily's lips. "James..." she said. "I-I have to go." and left his hand and ran back through the streets the lampost shining down, as her shadow bounced made its way behind her.