AN: so this took ridiculously long to complete, but uni's been a bitch and I haven't had time or inspiration. However, finally, COMPLETE! It only took 2 years... EEK!

Anyway, enjoy the conclusion. I did.


It was almost dusk when Katie and Jeremy arrived back at Katies house. And they arrived to find a silent house.

'Lily?' Katie called out. When there was no reply, she paused, then 'James?'

They walked into the living room, where they'd been watching movies earlier. James was huddled, with his face still buried in his hands.

'James?' Katie said softly 'What happened?'

There was no answer.

'James?' She tried again.

Still no response.

Katie turned to Jeremy. 'Keep an eye on him, I'm going to find Lily.'

Jeremy nodded.

Katie searched the house, until finally, 15 minutes later, she discovered that the bathroom door was locked, with the sound of muffled sobs escaping.

'Lily, it's Katie. What's the matter sugarplum?' she asked softly through the door.

There was no response from Lily either, except an increase in sobbing.

'Bollocks' Katie muttered.

She leaned her head momentarily against the door, before heading back to the living room.

'Anything?' She asked Jeremy when she arrived.

He shook his head.

She started chewing her lip, nervously. 'What can we do?'

A sound of a crack startled the couple.

'Merlin! It's as quiet in a grave here!' Sirius' voice boomed from the kitchen.

Remus' quiet voice responded. 'I know what you mean, where is everyone?'

'We're in here!' Katie yelled.

Sirius and Remus promptly walked into the room, followed by Peter.

Sirius immediately noticed James' frozen position. He strode over. 'What the Merlin has happened? Prongs?'

At the sound of his nickname, James lifted his face from his hands, and gazed at Sirius with an expressionless face. 'I messed up Padfoot. I messed up. I don't know what to do now.' His eyes lowered. 'She hates me.'

Sirius grabbed hold of James' shoulders and shook him. 'Don't say that! Tell us what happened. We can fix this.'

A single tear slid down James' expressionless face. 'I had the chance. THE chance. I didn't take it. She hates me. She's been in there since 10. 10 Padfoot! She won't talk to me.'

Katie marched over. 'THE chance?' She demanded.

'To kiss her.' James replied, eyes downcast.

Her eyes widened. 'Why didn't you?'

He didn't respond.

Remus walked up beside Katie. 'I think I know that.'

She looked at him questioningly.

'He wouldn't want to destroy the friendship.' He shrugged.

Katie rolled her eyes, and threw up her hands. 'Boys! I give up on you all.'

Jeremy smirked. 'All of us?'

Her expression softened. 'Ok, not all, but...' her expression turned hard again. 'I'm going to fix this.'

She marched to the bathroom, pausing only briefly to mutter 'Alohomora' with her wand pointed at the door, before striding through the bathroom door.

Lily was sitting on the ground, huddled in a ball sobbing, but she glanced up when the door swung open.

'Leave me alone' she whined softly.

Katie shook her head furiously. 'I'm afraid I can't do that Lil's. Talk to me' she responded in a business-like manner.

'He doesn't want me.' Lily sobbed. 'And that shouldn't matter, but for some reason it does. It hurts... It hurts SO much.' Her face was scrunched up as if in pain, her eyes red from crying, and tears still leaking out. 'I don't think I've ever cried this much! Not even when Tuney disowned me, or Sev betrayed me.' She sobbed uncontrollably for a moment. 'Why does it hurt so much?'

Katie took her into her arms. 'Because you love him, Lily. And, before you wallow in despair, he loves you.' She pulled back for a moment to look Lily in the eyes. 'He always has, sillybilly, so why don't you dry your eyes, go find him, tell him how you feel and live happily ever after.'

Lily shook her head. 'He doesn't. Why would he have rejected me if he did?'

Katie gave a soft sigh and leaned her forehead against Lily's. 'Because he was worried about you rejecting him.' She shook her head and stood up. 'Honestly, the two of you are hopeless. Lovestruck fools.' She gave a small smile. 'Not that I'm one to talk.' She reached her hand out to Lily. 'Come on, lets get you cleaned up.'

Lily took her hand, and gave a soft chuckle. 'I must look like a mess.'

Katie smiled. 'I'm sure James would still think you look beautiful.'

Lily managed a smile.

They took a few moments to clean Lily up before walking back to the living room, Katie ahead of Lily.

They walked into the living room, to be greeted with a sight of all the Marauders in a circle expanded slightly to include Jeremy. The circle dispersed at their entrance.

Remus came to greet Lily.

She smiled at him. 'Remus.' He gave her a hug long enough to allow him to whisper in her ear. 'Go for it, Lily.' She blushed slightly

Peter came forward next for a hug 'Good luck. Not that you'll need it.' Her blush deepened.

Sirius bounded over. 'My dear Lily, make me proud!' He said, loud enough for the whole room to hear.

She was blushing as red as her hair now.

The three boys, plus Jeremy and Katie waltzed from the room.

James was blushing as well, his head lowered to hide it. 'Damn meddlesome...' he muttered.

She took a step forward. 'It's alright, James.' She tried to meet his eyes. When she failed, she settled for looking at his collar. 'I'm sorry for overreacting.'

He started, and strode forward to grip her shoulders. 'Lily. You didn't overreact.'

She resolutely stared at his collar, now refusing to meet his eyes. 'No?' she asked, her voice suddenly devoid of hope.

His mouth twitched painfully. 'I imagine I would have done the same actually.'

Her eyes flicked up to his. 'What?'

His gaze flicked between hers and her mouth. 'I imagine if you rejected a kiss from me, I'd be devastated.'

Her breath caught. She found herself breathing heavily, feeling her whole body quivering in anticipation for a kiss. 'James' she murmered.

He fixed his gaze on her eyes, as if trying to read something in them. 'You won't reject me, will you?'

She felt a word escape her lips, but even at the time couldn't be sure if it was 'No' or 'James' or perhaps both.

The next thing she knew was the feeling of his soft lips covering hers so gently it was if she was imagining it. Her hands jumped up, one to his chest, one wrapped around his waist, gripping his jumper tightly in her fists. He pulled her closer with his arms, hugging her against his body. The kiss deepened, lips moving against lips in a desperate passion that left them both breathless. 'Lily' he murmered into the kiss. She groaned, trying to pull him closer.

He pulled away with difficulty, breathing heavily. His forehead leant against hers.

'I love you, Lily.' He said, voice thick with emotion. 'Never leave me.' His eyes burned.

'Never' she responded, her voice breathless and just as filled with emotion. 'I love you too.'

Immediately, they heard cheering from the door. They turned instinctively around to see Sirius leaning through the door and Remus and Peter trying to pull him back.

The couple laughed.

ff

Two days later.

The group were sitting in the kitchen watching Jeremy cook. Katie was chatting to Sirius about a Quidditch game that had happened the day before, Lily and James were sitting next to each other on bar stools with James' arms around Lily and Remus and Peter were playing Exploding Snap on a small table in the corner. The sound of some of Remus' cards exploding covered the sound of a crack.

The next moment, Susan, Mary and Alice were standing in the kitchen. They looked around the room in confusion.

Alice was the first to speak. 'What the Merlin has happened in the last week?'

The room broke out into laughter.


So there it is. Finished at last. Wow...

All my love out to the people who stuck with me, to the people who reviewed, especially those who reviewed more than once. I love you guys.

Noideagirl.