"You love me?" James repeatedly gently, his heart pounding ruthlessly.

Lily sighed, tears trickling down her cheeks.

"From the moment I laid eyes on your face, I knew I loved you. I always have! But you acted so arrogant and selfish that I couldn't bring myself to believe that I loved you. Then I realised that my love of you hurt so much that I had to do something about it. I couldn't just walk away from you."

James eyes clouded up with tears.

"I thought…I thought that if you stopped being big-headed…if I could convince you to stop…then you'd be exactly the way I wanted you to be…"

Lily breathed deeply for a moment, regaining her breath.

"And then I thought I'd lost you…when you began ignoring me. And that was the moment I realised that my love for you was unconditional."

James scratched his head, looking up to the castle bewildered.

"James, I love you no matter what…"

James looked into Lily's bright green eyes that were flooded with tears. His hatred of her fell away, and he felt nothing but pure love.

"I love you too." James replied. "And I will try to be a better person…for you."

Lily smiled weakly.

"O ye, and thanks for saving me. I was too stunned to protect myself. Luckily you were here." Lily laughed nervously, changing the subject due to embarrassment.

"It was no problem." James continued to gaze into her eyes.

"Your face…does it hurt?"

"My what? Oh…erm…just a little." James didn't want to sound weak. Lily drew nearer his face.

She touched the wound, and then peered up into James's eyes. They gazed at each other for a moment.

James stroked her hair, edging her face nearer, until their lips touched.

This was the start of something new…something special beyond the imaginable.

As they kissed beneath the moonlight, a bond more powerful than magic was created…a bond of love.

As several of you have asked for a longer story, I have began writing more chapters that will be updated soon.