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A few weeks passed. James was spending more and more time on the pitch, practicing with his team for the upcoming match against Ravenclaw. Lily was immersed in heading the Slug Club meetings. They were both however, able to spend time together during prefect meetings, rounds, and of course while still tutoring each other for the upcoming NEWTs.

Lily was currently running towards the Heads common room. She was very late. She had agreed to meet James back at the common room around 7 for their study session. It was currently ten before 8. The Slug Club meeting had lasted a lot longer than she had expected, and even afterwards Slughorn had pulled her aside to compliment her on the last Babbling Beverage she had brewed during class. Lily had hastily thanked the professor, dancing on her toes, in a bit of anxiety. Clearly Slughorn had sensed her desperation to leave, and with a brief nod, let her do so.

Lily had practically flown out of the classroom. She honestly didn't know why she was in just an eager state to begin lessons. A voice in the back of her head however kept trying to convince her that it wasn't the tutoring session but the tutor she was anxious to see.

As soon as the tapestry opened, Lily went in and had just plopped onto the couch, when the tapestry opened yet again, and James walked in looking quite flustered.

"Sorry I kept you waiting…I tried to get here as fast as I could…" James was breathing heavily, as he sat down next to Lily.

Lily just nodded, knowing that if she opened her mouth, he would realize she was breathing just as heavily as he was.

"Lily?"

"Hmm?"

"You just got here too, didn't you?"

Damn, the boy could figure out anything.

"Um, what makes you think that?"

"Oh, I don't know. Your cheeks are flushed, your hair's coming undone, and you're breathing quite heavily."

Lily blushed, realizing she hadn't been very successful in hiding the truth.

"Well then, that makes two of us," she said curtly, crossing her hands over her chest and eyeing James from the corner of her eyes.

"Let's get started shall we?"

Lily nodded and went to retrieve her books, "Can we work on Defense Against the Darks Arts tonight. I have absolutely no idea how to cast a patronus."

James nodded as he too gathered his things. They automatically headed out to the balcony, which had now become the place where they would always study together.

Lily pulled out her wand and waited, looking at James expectantly. He too pulled out his wand. A few seconds later he clearly stated, "Expecto Partronum."

They both watched as a silver shimmer emerged from the tip of James's wand. The form grew to take the shape of a stag. Lily watched, mesmerized as the beautiful creature ran around them once, twice, before vanishing into thin air.

A few moments of silence passed before, Lily finally looked at James. "I…I don't even know what form my patronus takes."

James smiled, "Well, that's what we're here to find out."

Lily nodded, straightening out her shoulders and sitting up straighter. "I'm ready."

"Close you eyes," Lily did as she was told. "Now, I want you to think of the happiest moments of your life. The days you felt like you could do anything, conquer everything that came your way. The days when you laughed uncontrollably. The places and things you love…the people you're happiest with."

James waited awhile, knowing Lily was ready when he saw the small smile appear on her lips. "Now raise your wand, and with those things in mind, say 'expecto patronum'."

"Expecto Patronum," Lily repeated. At first it seemed as if nothing was happening. Then slowly, a few sparks emitted out of her wand, and the same silvery shimmer emerged.

Lily held her breath, excited to see what form it would take. James too watched, just an intrigued. They both looked up to see a perfectly flawless doe standing amidst them.

They both stood there, unable to form words. And a few seconds later the patronus vanished.

"It was a…"

"A doe," James breathed.

Their eyes moved away from where the patronus had just been and towards each other. Hazel met emerald and at that moment Lily knew. All her unanswered questions had been answered. There was no more denying it. Fate had given her enough hints and enough clues. Her patronus, and James's patronus…even they seemed to speak the undeniable.

"Lily, I…"

Lily didn't let him finish, as she swiftly moved closer and placed her lips upon his. She was shocked, and she could tell James was shocked just as much, if not more. Yet she knew this was right. And she was firmly reassured as she felt James press himself further into the kiss.

Lily's hands found her way around his neck, and she realized James was now holding her around the waist. He pulled her closer, and the two deepened the kiss.

The snog lasted merely a few moments, but when they both parted, the smiles on their faces could have lit up the night.

Lily held her breath as James tucked a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. He leaned towards her again but stopped midway, suddenly the color draining from his face.

Lily felt a tight knot form in her stomach at the look on James's face. The peacefulness on his face had vanished and was now replaced by worry and fear.

"James, is everything alright?" Lily whispered, knowing that she probably wouldn't want to hear the answer.

James shook his head, but removed his hands from around Lily. He took a few steps away from her. The wind hit Lily just where he had been standing, and suddenly she felt really, really cold.

She watched, biting her lip, as James ran a hand through his hair, still looking completely lost. "Lily, I have to…I have to go."

"Now?" she whimpered.

James nodded, and Lily felt the wind hit her once again. Her hair flew behind her and she tried to hold back the tears that she could feel slowly forming.

"I'm sorry James! I shouldn't have done what I did. I'm sorry it was really sudden….but, please don't…"

"Lily," James took a step closer and held her by the shoulders, forcing her to look straight into his eyes. "This has nothing to do with what just happened. This has nothing to do with you. But I have to leave, and you have to trust me. Alright? Do you trust me Lily?"

Lily nodded numbly, quite unsure what exactly she was agreeing to. James's tight grip on her shoulders was hindering her thinking, and her thoughts weren't forming correctly.

James let go of her shoulders and without a further moment's hesitation, walked out of the balcony, leaving Lily standing right where she was.

Lily stayed still, hearing James's footsteps as he walked down the stairs, through the common room, and then finally through the tapestry. She didn't know what to think; what to do. He had asked her to trust him, so she would.

With a slight sigh escaping her lips, Lily turned around and saw a full moon floating between the clouds.

The next day, Lily headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. Her eyes scanned the entire Gryffindor table, looking for one set of eyes in particular, but was met with nothing but disappointment.

The entire day, during lessons and in even in the corridors, Lily had her eyes scanning the crowds, searching for James. By the time lunch came around, she realized that not only James, but also the other three Marauders were missing. Lily prayed they hadn't gone and done something stupid and gotten themselves in trouble, or even worse, in danger.

When even after dinner, James hadn't shown up to the common room, Lily became extremely worried. She walked over to the Gryffindor common room, hoping someone would know something about his whereabouts.

As she climbed through the portrait hole, she saw Alice and Frank sitting at the far end of the room. Immediately, she walked over to them.

"Hey Lily!" Alice smiled pleasantly as she saw her approach.

Frank turned around to smile at her too, but it quickly vanished as he saw the worried look on her face. "Lily, is everything alright?"

Lily sat down on the chair across from them, placing her hands in her lap and wringing them nervously. "You guys haven't seen James today have you?"

Frank shook his head, but Alice nodded, "I just saw him a few minutes ago. He was walking down to the Quiddtich pitch with Sirius. You know, they've got a big game tomorrow. James probably just wanted a bit of last minute practice."

Lily nodded, her shoulders sagging in relief. So he was okay. But then…"Why wasn't he at lessons? And at breakfast, or lunch, or even dinner? I've been looking for him all day. "

Alice and Frank exchanged looks, but didn't say anything. Finally, Frank shrugged, "I don't know, Lily. The Marauders do things like that though. They don't come to lessons and they skip meals to make time to plot their pranks. You know how it is with them."

Lily nodded again, feeling a bit foolish. Frank had a point. The Marauders did do things like that. Just because James hadn't done something like this all year, didn't mean he had stopped. Suddenly a mix of emotions hit Lily. She didn't know if she was relieved at the knowledge that he was alright, or angry for leaving her on the balcony last night simply for a prank.

"Thanks," Lily managed to force a smile, and got up to leave.

"Lily, wait!"

She turned around at Alice's voice.

"If you really want to see him, come to the match tomorrow morning. James can skip lessons and meals, but he won't ever skip Quidditch. Not if he can help it."

Lily smiled, this time genuinely, since she knew Alice's words were true.

"I think I will."