AN: Yeah, I'm sort of sorry for leaving it there but watching people freak out was kinda fun. Thanks to GreekPrincess3 for reviewing, it really means alot. So here it is, the final chapter. Maybe. I kind of want to do a bonus chapter of the marauders reaction/booze-up, tell me if you want that?...

Lily Evans' freefalling heart connected with the ground at an alarming rate. Every sinew of her being stung and ached. She felt her eyes prickle. She had kissed James, James fucking Potter, and it had been perfect and wonderful and her brain had left her body. And it had been a mistake.

"What?" Was all she could choke out, all she could trust herself to say. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the wizard in front of her. The look he was giving her was unreadable.

"Lily," James began "I love you..."

"Then why?..." her heart had picked itself off the floor and was beating in her throat.

"I love you." He repeated, he took her hand and stared at it intently as of studying it. "But I can't do this. Not like this. I can't.."

"James" She cupped his face with her other hand, pulled it up so she could look in his eyes

"Lily." Her name was laden with pain but tainted with hope "I've waited for you, I always will but..." her eyes caught his "if you are just doing this because of your boyfriend, or because you feel you have to or because..." He was lost for words, she was scrabbling to find some "It just has to be real."

It was silent for a moment, lightning flashed and thunder uproariously applauded dangerously close by.

"It is real." Lily began, finally finding the nerve to say the words that had been on the tip of her tongue "It always has been. For over a year, it's the reason none of my boyfriends worked out." She corrected herself "You're the reason!" to this James smiled slightly "I'm not doing this because of my boyfriend because I wrote him a letter this morning telling him I was sorry. And about having to do it..." James' eyes were filled with awe, his lips slightly parted. "I do have to do it..." She kissed him softly "And I have to do this..." She kissed him again, longer this time, his hands snaked around her waist and one rested on her lower back.

They broke apart again minutes later, lips mere centimeters apart, neither could quite believe this was happening. James suddenly remembered the photograph that had previously scorched his insides. With one hand still on Lily, for he could never let go of her again, he extracted the picture from his back pocket. The final one of three. Where their smiles matched, as they did now. He held it up in front of Lily's face.

Her eyes widened as she took the small scrap of paper in both hands and moved just slightly away from him to lean back on the cold wall of the alcove. She felt the loss of warmth and the tug at the base of her ribcage as she took in the picture. It was perfect. This was perfect. The crescendo of thunder outside brought her back.

"Oh James." Those two small words held a multitude of meanings.

James Potter smiled at the girl he had been in love with for as long as he remembered, in that moment he decided he would never love like this again. He cocked his head slightly as she asked him "What are we going to tell the others?..."

"We'll figure something out." He answered talking her hand and helping her up. Hand in hand they walked off towards the Common room and the inevitable reactions that would ensue. And with that Lily Evans looked at wizard she had been desperately trying not to love and decided she could never pretend not to again.

"I'm pretty sure Sirius had a bet going..." She noted and her companion laughed.

"I think he had insider information."

"Where would he get that now?"

"Beats me..."

"Maybe from someone with ulterior motives?.."

They had almost reached the portrait of the fat lady before James pulled her into another alcove and the smirk was kissed off her face. They did not emerge for a good few minutes. Just before they did he looked down at the witch in his arms, she stood on tiptoes and was almost at his eye height.

"I love you" Lily Evans offered almost bashfully, her hands were on his chest. James Potter smiled, brushed a stray strand out of her eyes.

"I know..."

AN: I'm sorry I really couldn't resist the Star Wars reference, anyways, that's it I guess so please do tell me what you think...