Recap of the end of chapter 10:

Lily buries her face into James' chest and sobs, whilst James holds her close, sat on the floor.

I love him, I LOVE HIM!

Lily lifts her head up, and looks deep into James' eyes.

"James, this may come as a surprise, and awful timing but… it's what it took for me to realise it….. James – I LOVE YOU," she says, whispering the last bit.

Did she just say that?

James leans down, Lily leans up and they meet at the lips for the sweetest kiss of all time: Lily and James' first (allowed – by her) kiss in history… the first of many!

Chapter 11:

Well the happy couple are (almost) together now, but yet the story continues thank you to everybody who has reviewed the last chapter – it means a lot to me!

"I apologise for the length of time that took me to deal with those Death Eaters – they ran off into the Forest and I attempted to track them down with the assistance of the Order and the Aurors but we could find no trace," Professor Dumbledore explains to the new couple – although he isn't aware of this situation yet. Lily is sat in the chair next to James, barely restraining herself from holding his hand – this seems so silly for wanting to show how much I love him when only the other day I was professing hate for him, but it's like something has flipped inside of me – a switch that reveals all my love for him.

"Miss Evans?" Professor Dumbledore says as she looks blank for a moment whilst she thinks through her irrationality.

"Sorry sir, I was just thinking about the Death Eaters," she covers and he nods, but knows privately that she wasn't thinking about the Death Eaters at all.

"Ok then. Well first of all I must say this, so I apologise in advance," Professor Dumbledore begins gravely, causing James and Lily to exchange looks of alarm.

"Alastor Moody gave you specific instructions to find the Death Eaters, and then to contact him. He also said to advance closer BUT NOT TO GET TOO CLOSE!" (the last section is stressed)

"You completely disobeyed orders by attacking the Death Eaters and I ought to punish you for that," he continues and Lily's heart pounds – what have I done?

Then Dumbledore smiles and says:

"I told you I had a legal obligation to say that to you as your Headmaster. However, I think you two are the best students to have passed through this school in generations and the way you stood up for yourselves, and your fellow students by attacking in the forest shows this in a higher definition. Therefore, I have a proposition for you."

"What kind of proposition sir?" James inquires, wondering what this could be – maybe it's an invite to join something, or to fight, or something awesome! –

"You two are the most courageous people I have ever met: not only did you go into the forest, knowing full well there may be danger in there, other than the norm, but you wanted information for us. That we could use, so you decided to get as close as possible and I understand you heard something? (nods from the duo) not only that, when you heard their plans to leave, you couldn't let that happen –you wanted to try and bring down the Death Eaters especially when they were trying to recruit. So you went against what you were told to do, and attacked. You kept stronger, more experienced fighters at bay for an extremely long time – especially brilliant considering your inexperience – and Alastor informed me that you two could have taken them on and won if it wasn't for the arrival of the Order."

"Excuse me sir," James butts in politely when Dumbledore takes a pause for breath, "You keep mentioning an Order – I presume that is the Order of the Phoenix?"

"Quite right James, it is. Lily, you may not be aware of this organization so I will explain, but all in due course," Dumbledore explains to a confused Lily – yet more things that James Potter knows that I don't: this is getting embarrassing!

"However, back to my proposition. Bearing in mind your brilliance, your courage and confidence, and complete lack of sympathy or willingness to join Voldemort, I would like to extend an invitation to join the Order of the Phoenix – an organization which I formed 17 years ago to fight against Voldemort." Dumbledore finishes, and James' jaw actually drops wide open at the invite – you have to be kidding me! This is the best proposition I have ever heard!

"Sir, I still don't really understand the basis of the Order," Lily questions, and Dumbledore realises that he hasn't explained what the Order is.

"Lily, the Order of the Phoenix is a group of witches and wizards, untied against Voldemort. We range in jobs, ages and experience but we only take on the strongest fighters, the most courageous people and the people we know are entirely against Voldemort. For instance, every single person on patrol in Hogsmeade is in the Order – Voldemort has infiltrated the Ministry so deeply that to protect my students I will only have Order members around. However, given that every Auror in the Ministry is in the Order, it shouldn't make a difference, but moving back to the point. The Order, we are fighting the Death Eaters unnoticed by the Ministry. We have successes, nonetheless, we also have suffered heavy losses over the years. I believe you would fit in well – you are both against Voldemort and, as I said, the strongest people I know. So what do you say?"

James instantly replies with: "HELL YEAH! Not a chance would I be declining an invite to the most prestigious Order in the world against Voldemort, with the best wizard in the world at it's helm!"

Professor Dumbledore chuckles at the response, before turning his attention back to Lily.

"I don't know how to answer this – I think James has already answered for me, with his appropriate choice of language!" Lily says, before confirming with a "Yes, I would love to join!"

"Thank you both for accepting this chance: you are the only school goers currently in the Order. However, I need to ask you both about possible other choices?"

They both chorus together without a moments hesitation:

"Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew."

"Are you sure that they are against Voldemort entirely? Not just because they are you friends?" Dumbledore presses, just to confirm that it's not a friendship thing – even though they were on the list to ask.

"Absolutely sir – I never really got on with Sirius before James because Head Boy but I have always seen his complete lack of empathy or want for the Dark Arts, and entirely for you and good – he is great in class as well, as much as it pains me to say!" Lily steps in with, before continuing:

"Remus is a great boy – he is clever, conscientious and, again, against Voldemort. The same for Peter. I say, sir, - I apologise if this sounds rude – but if you don't ask them to join… well, you've lost out on the best choices you have to advance the Order and help beat Voldemort." She takes a breath at the end, wondering if she has gone too far.

Professor Dumbledore looks solicitous for a moment, before answering:

"I will invite them to join tomorrow morning after breakfast – James, please ask them to be here – as well as yourselves please - for 10:30am – the password is "Chocolate" for those civilized enough to use the door," he jokes, a little twinkle in his eye, before motioning to them that they can leave.

James picks up his broom and follows Lily out of the door, before closing it. She turns around, and he drops the broom, and his wand, before wrapping his arms around her so tightly it's as if they have been welded together. Their lips meet with a crash, and explosion of chemistry and love. They break apart and place their foreheads on one anothers, breathing heavily.

"Shall we go tell the world then?" Lily asks lightly, and James nods, and says:

"Oh, this is the best day of my life!"

Just a little chapter for you (sorry, I haven't updated in so long again) tonight about them joining the Order: expect more tomorrow, HOPEFULLY!

Please review, as ever

Vicky xx