AN:  Here it is the last and final chapter.  It's a bit lengthy but it is completed.  Review when you're done, please.

            Disclaimer:  I don't own J.K. Rowling's characters, I own only the plot.

Chapter 14   Memories are Golden but Love is Forever

A smooth hand brushed Lily's cheek and her bright green eyes fluttered open. As she looked up her eyes caught the morning sunshine and sparkled like crystals as she gave a loving smile to James who was hovering over her. 

"Hey angel it's time to wake up," whispered James. 

Lily nodded her head but was still drowsy from sleep.  She pushed back the covers of her bed and sat up.  James handed Lily her robes and kissed her on her rosy cheeks.  She gave him another grateful smile and went into the bathroom to change.  A few minutes later she came out and sat down beside James on the bed. 

"Are you ready for today?" asked James. 

"Yes, I'm ready."

Lily stood up and walked to the door with James following behind.  They walked downstairs and out of the common room.  Lily's spirit was high today and she felt refreshed as she walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast.  When they sat down at the Gryfindor table Lily ate until her stomach was satisfied and then she waited patiently for James to finish.  He was just about done when a sudden rush of air flowed into the Great Hall.  Lily looked up in time to see the mail owls swoop over the tables.  There were so many of them today that the ceiling was a mass of fluffy white moving feathers.  Suddenly a small envelope fell into Lily's lap.  She stared at it confusingly, because she had not been expecting anything.  She examined the front of the envelope and was surprised to see that it was from her parents. 

"Wonder what they have sent me?" said Lily. 

"Why don't you open it and find out instead of staring at the front," replied James. 

"Stop being a wise mouth." 

Lily ripped open the top of the envelope.  When she reached inside she found an ornate pin, but no letter.  The pin was formed in the shape of a blooming lily flower.  The petals were a bright luminescent white with golden trim, and behind the flower were two shiny green leaves.  Lily looked closely at these leaves and surprisingly enough, saw that they had the words 'Good Luck' written on them with shiny blue ink. 

"My parents!  Sometimes they really surprise me," said Lily with a bright smile.

"That's a very nice present," said James solemnly.

Lily looked at James and saw his distressed face and she became puzzled.

"James what's the matter?"

"Oh umm… nothing."

"Don't lie to me.  What's wrong?"

James looked up at Lily like a child that has been scolded by his mother.

"Lily I didn't get you any good luck present.  I'm really sorry."

Lily starred at him with an open mouth and suddenly the ends of her mouth began to twitch.  She looked at him sympathetically for a moment and then burst out laughing.  She was in tears in seconds while James looked at her with mixed emotions.  Finally Lily calmed herself and sat up.

"James!  Are you seriously feeling bad about not getting me a good luck gift?"

James timidly nodded.

Lily was itching to laugh some more but she contained herself.

"You should know by now that I don't need any present except you yourself.  You're more good luck than any small charm."

James remained silent and then his face turned red from embarrassment.  Lily's will broke and she began to laugh lovingly again at his innocence.  Yet even though she was laughing she saw that he really did care about the small things and this made her love him even more at that moment. 

"It's okay James, I understand."

"Man, I really feel like such an idiot," said James.

"Hey just be glad none of your friends were watching," said Lily with a humorous smile.

James grinned back at her so that she was aware of the fact that he was finally waking up from the morning and becoming his usual smart mouthed self. 

"C'mon we have got to get to our classes before they start the finals without us, and there is no way I'm going to miss any of the finals after all that studying."

"Alright yet me just grab some more muffins," said James reaching for the bowl.

Lily quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him up out of his seat. 

"I don't think so, we are going right now," said Lily sternly and she began to pull James away from the table.  But before she managed to get to the door James gave her a quick wink and pulled his hand out of her grasp and rushed over to the table grabbed a couple of muffins and ran back to her. 

Lily tapped her foot impatiently, "Always did let the food do the talking."

James grinned mischievously back at her and stuffed a muffin in his mouth.  Lily walked out of the Great Hall and down the corridor with James following closely behind while munching on his food.  When she reached the classroom James stopped in front of the door. 

"Okay well good luck sweets.  You're going to need it," said James playfully.

"I should say the same to you.  I practically had to beg you to study," replied Lily with distaste.

"Oh well, it's done and over with so let's go take the final."

"Your right, Okay I'm ready," said Lily.

"Shall we?" said James extending his arm to Lily.  She nodded, took his arm then walked confidently into the classroom.

At the end of the day Lily walked out of her last class.  She yawned sleepily and waited patiently for James.  Finally he walked out of the class just as tired as she was. 

"Geez… that was a lot of tests.  But you know what Lily, I think all that studying really helped."

"Well I'm glad that I managed to make some impact on something," replied Lily with a small smile.

"So how do you think you did on the tests?" asked James hopefully.

Lily didn't respond right away instead she looked up at nothing and then frowned slightly.

"You know I thought I was really prepared for those tests and then when I went to take them I just couldn't concentrate.  There was just so much information that I was overwhelmed by all of it.  I managed to call myself down some and I think I did fairly well after that but I really hope I don't get a horrible grade." 

Lily turned her back on James and became lost in her own thoughts.  James was troubled by her lack of enthusiasm and tried to think of something to cheer her up, but he was unable to come up with anything worth saying. 

"Lily, don't stress over this I'm sure you did wonderful and I faith in you.  Now c'mon let's see a smile on that pretty face."

Lily turned towards him and gave him weak smile, but James was not satisfied.

"That wasn't a smile at all.  I know, you just need some inspiration."

He leaned forward and gave her a small sweet kiss.  When he looked at her again she was looking happier then before. 

"Ahh much better.  How about now we go to the Great Hall for dinner?  I'm starving and then I'm going to bed because I think my brain has had it for today.  So what do you say?"

"That's a good idea," said Lily contentedly. 

The two walked to the Great hall and sat down at the long table.  A few minutes later Sirius, Remus, and Peter joined. 

"So how do you think you did James?" asked Sirius.

"Oh well I'm pretty sure I did ten times better then you," replied James smugly.

"Is that so?  Well I'll just have to stop by your house when the grades get mailed out and see if that's a fact Mr. Potter," grinned Sirius.

"I guess you will have to stop by, and while you're there you can help me pick out a suit."

"A suit?  A suit for what?" asked Sirius.

Remus scoffed.  "You idiot.  It's for his wedding!  Seriously Sirius sometimes I wonder where your head really is."

"No need to get rude about it!  It just slipped my mind for a second.  Sheesh! We have one heck of an agitated person," said Sirius scornfully.

"I'm just tired as I assume most of us are," replied Remus.

"Oh enough chatter people let's eat some food," said Peter.

Surprisingly enough Lily nodded in agreement.

"Yes, let's eat.  I don't need to start worrying about my wedding arrangements until we leave here.  So don't go giving me an anxiety attack already."

"Okay fair enough," replied Sirius and he then began to shovel food onto his plate.

The rest of the night was pretty quiet and after eating dinner the five friends left the Great Hall and headed towards their dormitories.  Inside the common room Sirius, Peter, and Remus said goodnight to Lily and James and went upstairs to bed.  Lily sat down on the couch by the fire and starred into the hearth.  James walked over to her and sat beside her.  They both were quiet for a while and then Lily broke the silence.

"I can't believe it's over.  I mean I wanted this year to last forever.  I just can't imagine going home and knowing that I will never return to this school that I have attended for seven years.  We have all grown so much, and this was a huge part of our lives.  James what are we going to do when we leave here?  Things are going to be very different and I'm truly scared of what's going to happen when we leave here." 

Lily turned and looked at James.  He looked back at her with understanding and compassion.

  "I understand how you feel Lily.  But you know with all the things that we have done over those seven years.  I would never take a single thing back.  I don't regret anything, and I'm exceedingly glad to know that I will be going out into the world to do something with my life with you beside me, because in truth you mean more to me then anything else."

Lily smiled up at him and gave him a hug.  Then she stood up from the couch and stretched.

"That's very good to know James, because I love you more then words can describe.  Now how about enough of the mushy stuff.  I seriously think we are turning into an old couples soap opera," said Lily gleefully.

James laughed and stood up as well.  He hugged her and then kissed her goodnight and watched as she went up the stairs to her bedroom.  Then he turned and strolled up to his own bedroom and finally put an end to the long day.

     The next morning James woke up full of energy.  There were to be no classes that day and the winner of the house cup would be announced at dinner that night.  He quickly dressed and then sauntered down the stairs to the common room.  He found his friends sitting at one of the tables playing wizards chess.  He walked up to them and took a seat beside Remus who was also watching the game between Sirius and Peter.  Remus moved over so that James could see the board.  Sirius looked up quickly from the game and nodded at James.

"Well good morning sunshine!  It's nice of you to join us.  You really snoozed today.  Normally you don't sleep this late," said Sirius with a grin.

"Yeah well yesterday really exhausted me and besides it's not that late, is it?" asked James curiously.

"No it isn't late but you are usually one of the first one's up."

"The princess needed his beauty sleep," smirked Peter

"Princess!" gasped Remus, "James!  I never knew!  Geez that fairy sure got you messed up.  So if you're the princess then where's prince charming?"

Sirius and Peter laughed and Remus grinned at his newfound humor.

"Hey c'mon guy's.  Cut it out," pleaded James.

"Okay, okay. We'll be nice," said Remus and then as an after thought added, "for Lily's sake."

James glared at him and then with the thought of Lily in his mind he began to scan the room.  Sirius spotted James scanning and nodded his head in understanding. 

"James, Lily went outside earlier.  She looked distressed so you might want to check the by the lake."

James thanked him and then took his leave of the room.  Sure enough he found Lily sitting under the tree near the lake where he had proposed to her.  He walked slowly up to her and sat down.  She was starring out at the undisturbed water and when James looked at her, he saw that Sirius was right.  She did look stressed. 

"Lily?  You okay?"

"Hmm…"

"What's the matter?"

Lily turned and looked at him.

"Nothing," she said calmly.

"You sure?  You look kind of stressed."

"Well now that you mention it, I'm very stressed out.  Today is the last day I'll ever be here.  And I can't accept the fact that I won't ever be able to sit under this tree and talk with you again.  Everything just went by so quickly.  Where did the time go James?" she asked grimly.

"Your right it did go by fast, but you have to take into account that you spent those years wonderfully.  You have to look at it this way.  You may be leaving Hogwarts, but you are trading your exciting life here for another new life outside somewhere else."

"Yes, I understand that James.  But you don't get it still.  The memories that we have shared here can never be replaced.  We are going to be replaced by new students, and then forgotten.  Maybe our name will remain on some small trophies, but nobody is going to know who we were in years to come.  Our life here will be a book that becomes old and dusty and finally thrown away," said Lily with a sigh.

James smiled at her. 

"Lily you're wrong about being forgotten.  We will never be forgotten because are the one and the only, beautiful Lily Evans and illustrious James Potter."

"Why are you so sure of yourself?" asked Lily.

"Because we ourselves are unforgettable.  I'll also show you something else that makes me so sure."

James stood up and helped Lily off the ground.  He walked closer to the large tree they were sitting under and pulled out his wand.  Lily watched him questioningly.  A shower of sparks began to glow from the end of his wand and he touched it to the tree.  The sparks grew brighter and then finally died away and James pulled his wand away from the tree.  Lily looked at the tree with amusement.  Engraved in the tree were the words:                 

Lily E. &  James P.

Memories are Golden

But

Love is Forever

"See Lily, now we won't be forgotten here."

"That's wonderful James, except for the fact that trees don't live forever," said Lily mockingly.

"Maybe not, but it will still be standing here at Hogwarts longer then we will."

Lily hugged him tight.

"Thank you James."

"For what?"

"For everything.  For coming into my life and for helping me through it all."

"You don't need to say thank you for that, because you already gave me the best present ever."

"And what is that?" she asked curiously.

"Your love."

Lily smiled at him and they sat together by the water a little longer until they became hungry and left the tree once and for all as they made their way back into the castle for their last morning breakfast. 

*              *             *

Lily looked sadly out the train window and she took her last glance of Hogwarts.  The train began to rumble and soon it was moving away quickly.  She stuck her head out the window and waved goodbye to Hagrid.  He waved back to her and when he was finally out of sight she sat back in her seat and sighed.  She was already missing Hagrid and his animals.  She wished that she could step one more time into his hut and listen to his stories, but now that was a thing of the past and she had much more important things to do.  Her wedding plans. 

"Can you believe it?  School is actually over," said James who was seated across from Lily looking out the window.

"Yes I can believe it," replied Lily.

"I wonder who is going to take my place as seeker next year?  Maybe that kid Jake.  He was pretty good at Quidditch."

"Oh stop it," said Lily.  "You just hope that whomever gets to be seeker goes and looks in the trophy case and sees your name on the medallion, saying that you were one of the best seekers ever.  James, don't be so full of yourself!"

            "Oh come on!  Can't I have a little fun?" smirked James.

            Lily rolled her eyes at him.

            "Oh I'm going to be so happy to see my mum again, although I'm going to be burnt out by the time next month comes, with all the planning and everything."

            "Lily, don't get started on those plans just yet.  We haven't even gotten off the train.  Try to relax for once."

            "I guess your right."

            Lily stood up and sat down next to James.  She looked out the window for a while and then became sleepy, so she laid down and put her head upon James's lap.  He stroked her soft red hair away from her face and in minutes she was fast asleep.

            When she awoke it was to the sound of the train whistle as it pulled into the station platform 9 ¾.  James was still awake and startlingly enough she saw that Sirius and Remus were sitting opposite her.

            "Hello Lily," said Sirius.  "Nice of you to wake up and join us."

            She sat up quickly and gave James a semi-annoyed look.

            "What?  You were sleeping so I didn't think you'd mind it if they sat here," said James innocently.

            "It doesn't matter now.  We are getting off here anyways," responded Lily.

            She stood up as the train came to a complete stop and walked out of the sitting area with James, Remus, and Sirius following closely behind.  When Lily stepped off the train she searched the crowd of parents for her mother.  Finally her eyes landed upon her mom and she hurried towards her. 

            "Lily!" yelled her mother as she raced towards her daughter.

            "Hi mum!"

            "Oh it's great to have you back, sweet heart."

            Lily gave her mom a big hug and then the two of them walked over to the train to get Lily's luggage.  After retrieving her luggage, Lily walked with her mother out of the other people's way and waited for James.

            "Lily here he comes," said her mother.

            Lily looked up and saw James heading there way with Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

            "Hey Lily.  The guys wanted to say goodbye before we left, since they aren't going to see us again until the wedding," said James.

            Lily nodded.

            "Well take care Lily," said Sirius.

            Lily walked over to him and gave him a hug.

            "I'm really going to miss you Sirius."

            "Hey don't worry.  If you ever need help with anything give me a call."

            Lily smiled and then said her goodbyes to Remus and Peter.

            The three marauders turned and left leaving their fourth marauder with Lily.

            "All ready everyone?" asked Lily's mom.

            James and Lily both nodded in agreement and walked off the platform 9 ¾ and headed for home.

The Wedding:

After returning home, Lily and James settled into Lily's house awaiting the arrival of the wedding.  After a few days of relaxing Lily brought the plans for the wedding to her mom's attention. 

"My gosh mum I have so much to do.  It's going to take forever to plan this wedding"

"Sweetie, if you don't mind me and your father would like to plan the wedding for you,"

Lily gave her mom a shocked expression.

"Um… I don't know."

"Please honey we have something very special planned for you," pleaded her mother.

"It's not that I'm ungrateful for your help, but I think I should plan it."

"I know that you want everything to be perfect and who else would know want you want better than your own mother?  Please let me do this.  Consider it my last request from my daughter before she becomes a beautiful Mrs. Potter."

Lily smiled gladly at her mother.

"If this is what you want to do mum, then I'll leave it to you."

Her mother rushed over to her and gave her a huge hug.

"Umm…mum, I can't breath."

Her mother laughed and released her daughter.

"There is just one thing that I need to tell you," said Lily.

"Okay, what is it?"

"Well, we do things a little differently with magic weddings, and I know that you are used to the normal kinds.  So if you don't mind I would like you to call our best man, Sirius Black.  I'm sure he would be more then happy to help you with the magic part."

"All right dear if that's what you want.  You know I'm finding it very hard to be a mother to a witch sometimes.   Being a…what do you call them…oh right muggle.  Being a muggle mother is hard work."

Lily laughed, "Don't worry mum, you are doing a great job."

"Oh thank you dear," smiled her mother.  "Now there is something that I need your cooperation in Lily."

"What?" asked Lily.

"I need you to come with me to a special store I know where they have wedding dresses.  They custom design the dresses for the bride, and I want you to have exactly want you want for your dress."

"Sounds great mum!  And by the way you don't have to worry about my cooperation, I'm practically dyeing to get a dress soon."

"Good, then we will go tomorrow," said her mother happily.

                        *                   *                  *               

The weeks went by quickly and after having successful made the perfect wedding dress, Lily was set and ready for the celebration.  But before she knew it the day finally arrived and Lily found herself scared beyond anything she had imagined. 

She looked into her bedroom mirror, and saw her reflection.  She had just finished putting on her wedding dress and she stood there staring at herself.  Her dress was a stunning gown.  It was a dazzling white with embroidered crystal gems flowing down her gown like a silk river.  The sleeves of the dress rested off her shoulders a little bit and they were covered with sparkling silk white flowers.  The train of her dress was semi long and undecorated, but it had been enchanted to sparkle slightly in the light.  Her lush red hair was curled and pulled back out of her face with ruby pins, and she wore a diamond tiara on top of her head like a princess.  Her emerald green eyes gleamed brightly as she scrutinized herself in the mirror.  From downstairs she heard her mother call up to her that it was time to go.  Lily turned her back to the mirror and walked cautiously out of her bedroom and down the stairs into the kitchen.  Her mom stood there waiting patiently and at the sight of her daughter she began to cry.

"Mum, don't cry.  C'mon, I haven't even gotten to the reception yet."

"I know hunny.  But now I see that you are really grown up and getting married, and I wish that you could be my little baby girl again."

"Mum I will always be your little girl, except now I will have a husband to watch over me," said Lily, who was somewhat amused at this thought.

"Your right.  Ok let's go outside your father is waiting to help you into the carriage," said her mom while wiping away her tears.

"Well let's not keeping him waiting mum."

Lily turned and walked out the front door towards the small horse drawn carriage that was waiting for her.  She walked up to her father and he smiled at her and then opened the carriage door.  He helped her inside and then helped Lily's mom in, before he himself sat down.  In seconds the carriage was moving speedily away from the house and out onto a wooded path through the forest. 

"Lily," said her mother.  "It's not going to take very long to get there so I have a blind fold for you to wear."

Lily looked at her suspiciously.

"Isn't that a little too much mum.  I mean I already don't know where we are going."

"I know but I think it would be fun to torture you a little more," laughed her mother.

            Lily grinned and then sat forward and let her mom tie the white scarf around her eyes.

            A short while later the carriage came to a halt and Lily heard the door open.

Her parents pulled her out of the Carriage.  The blindfold securely tied over her eyes, Lily cautiously got out with help from her parents.  Her heart was thumping frantically in her chest with anticipation. 

"Honey let go of me for a second so I can close the door," said her mother.

Lily let her grasp on mother go and stood still as she heard the door of the carriage close behind her.  Then once again she felt her mother's hand slip into her own.  Her mother pulled her along and they both started walking towards Lily's wedding destination.  As Lily walked she could feel springy grass tickling her ankles and the sweet scent of flowers and trees rose to her nose.  She took a few more steps and then her mother stopped her.  Lily listened to the sounds around her.  She could hear the sweet singing of birds as well as the cool wind flowing through the trees so it seemed as though the entire earth was sighing in the breeze. 

"Okay dear, we are here."

Suddenly the blindfold was taken away from her eyes.  At first Lily saw nothing, yet in an instant everything came into focus. Lily gasped loudly. She found herself in a large forest.  A long path was cut straight through the great woods, but the end was not visible to Lily.  On each side of the wide path were hundreds of small bright white flowers, which were weaved into the very branches of every tree and bush around.  Here and there were bursts of colored flowers, resembling the iridescent colors of the rainbow.  As Lily inspected the trees a bit more she saw that there were snow-white doves sitting on the branches.  A few fluttered their wings lightly while others flew from one tree branch to another.  Welcoming sunlight sprinkled in through the tops of the trees like waterfalls of light and illuminated the path with a bright glow.  Lily looked up above her and saw that she was standing under a great arch of flowers.  Her mother and father stood on either side of her and together they began to walk down the path.  As Lily walked on, she got the feeling that the path was one that had no end, but as soon as this thought occurred to her she saw the trees fall away from the path and an open area of grass lay before her.  Her parents continued walking with her until they came to the clearing and then they left Lily so that they could take their seats near the alter.  Lily stayed out of sight where no one could see her, and she observed all the people that sat waiting for the ceremony to start.  She watched as her parents walked over to their seats and nodded their heads at the priest who was waiting patiently for them.  Lily's eyes wandered over to a handsome figure standing next to the alter in a black tux, and then she realized it was James.  She smiled as he stood there looking out towards the woods for her, but the trees concealed Lily, making her nearly invisible to anyone's sight.  She observed the other people standing near James and she spotted Sirius.  She was startled for a moment because he appeared to be looking straight at her. 

'Oh Lily don't be silly.  He can't see you, just like nobody else can,' she thought to herself. 

Unexpectedly the wedding music began to play.  This was her cue to begin her walk down the aisle.  All the guests stood up from their seats awaiting the bride.  Lily took a deep breath and made a movement to walk, but she found her feet to be frozen.  A wave of fear enveloped Lily, and she stood paralyzed while the music continued to play.  After a few minutes, some of the guests began to whisper concerns to each other.  Lily remained where she was and finally the music stopped playing.  People were sending worried looks towards James, and then looking back at the empty aisle.  James stood still looking at the empty aisle as well and then finally he turned and looked at Sirius with a troubled expression.  James walked away from the alter and began to move towards the woods.  Lily spotted him coming towards her direction and in an instant she fled in fear.  Sirius spotted her run with his keen eyesight, which came from being an animagus.  So he walked over to James quickly and told him he would find her.  James nodded gravely.

"Please help her, Sirius.  I don't understand what's the matter."

"Don't worry.  I'll talk to her."

With that he walked off into the woods, while the guests continued their whispering amongst themselves, and James walked solemnly back towards the alter. 

Sirius found Lily sitting on a rock by a small stream.  She was starring at the water as it made its way over the silky rocks that glittered in the sunlight.  Her face was sullen and filled with anguish.  Yet regardless of these features she continued to look like an angel in white.  The sun seemed to be drawn to her features and showered upon her figure like a waterfall of gold.   Sirius was suddenly reminded of a picture he had seen long ago.  He remembered seeing it in his mother's bedroom over her dressing table, a young woman with white-feathered wings sitting by a glistening creek.  His mother had told him that she was the angel from heaven and she would protect the innocents from harm.  Of course Sirius had been too young to understand this, yet the memory remained with him through the course of his life.  Sirius shook his head free from the memories and sighed.  He walked quietly over to Lily and sat down beside her.  She did not look at him, instead she seemed lost in a world that no one but she could reach.  Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks and then she began to speak. 

"Have I made a huge mistake Sirius?" she asked turning to look at him with her bright green eyes. 

"What do you mean a mistake?  Do you mean in marrying James?" asked Sirius.

Lily nodded slowly and more tears slid down her face.

"Lily, you haven't made a mistake.  James is a good man and he loves you very much.  He would never let anything happen to you."

"That's not what I'm talking about, I know he loves me.  But what I mean is that am I going to ruin his life if we get married today?  I'm so unsure about these what will happen to us after this.  I don't want to drag him down because of my doubt.  It's just that…I'm so scared Sirius!  Everything is happening at once.  With the growing number of…death eaters, and all the families being killed, and Voldermort!  I don't see why I should be celebrating when others are grieving for their lost loved ones.  Maybe if we don't get married we will in a way be immune to those tragedies."  She broke off and began to sob.  "I…I don't want that to happen to us.  I can't lose him.  I don't know what I would do if I lost him."

"Lily listen to me.  James is still here and he's not going anywhere.  You underestimate how much he really loves you.  Even if you decided to break off this wedding right now, James would never leave you.  He would rather die a thousand times then spend his life without you.  Ask him yourself and he will tell you the exact same thing.  This wedding in truth means very little to him, he respects it in some ways because it is signifying that your two lives will be intertwined forever with the greatest love, and also he respects it because he knows that it will make you happy.  And for that happiness he is willing to do just about anything.   I wish you could have heard the things he said when he first laid on you.  I seriously think that if you had come over to him that first day and said go to the ends of the earth and get me a flower, he would have done it in an instant.  That's how spell bound he was." 

Lily gave a small halfhearted laugh and then began to wipe the tears from her face. 

"So I guess your saying that no matter how far I travel away he will always be right behind me."

"That's pretty much the gist of it," said Sirius thoughtfully. 

He suddenly became aware of the growing sound of crickets, signifying that the night was approaching quickly and there would be little sunshine left for the ceremony.

"Lily, do you want you want to marry him?  If so we have to hurry, we are running out of time.  It will be dark soon, but then again nobody said we can't have the ceremony at night." 

Sirius looked at Lily and waited for patiently for a reply.  Lily looked deep inside herself for the answer, and yet no matter how hard she tried to find something wrong, she found only love and comfort.  She looked out over the stream and sighed.  Then she turned back to Sirius and looked at him calmly. 

"I'm ready," she said with new confidence.

Sirius smiled and then took her arm and helped her stand up.  Lily brushed newly fallen green leaves from her dress and began to walk back to the clearing in long strides, with the train of her dress trailing behind her on the soft lush grass. 

When they approached the clearing everyone was in their seat waiting for the bride to come.  Some were whispering nervously, wondering where Lily had run off to; but worst of all was James he was standing at the alter and he looked like he was going to fall apart in an instant. 

"Lily," whispered Sirius, "stay here behind the tree and I'll talk to James really quick and then start the ceremony, ok?"

"Ok, there is no turning back now," she said somewhat uneasily.  She was beginning to get the chills from just looking at all the people who would be starring at her in a few moments.

"Hey don't back out now," said Sirius seeing Lily's nervous glance, "You can do this. Take a deep breath and relax."

Lily inhaled the fresh air and tried her best to be calm.  When she was ready she nodded at Sirius.  He walked out from under the trees and walked towards James.  Everyone's eyes were glued to him as they waited for some announcement on the missing bride.  Sirius whispered something quickly into James's ear, and James suddenly pulled himself together.  Once again the music started to play, and with this signal the group of people stood up with relief and looked down the aisle for Lily. 

Meanwhile Lily was becoming hysterical.  Thoughts flooded her mind and she couldn't think clearly.  She was trembling all over with fear.  When the music started it flooded her ears and she began to take those first few steps towards getting wed.  She felt mechanically as she walked down the long aisle, putting one foot in front of the other, completely oblivious to the stares of the crowd.  She kept her head forward and her eyes were kept on her destination.  Finally she made it to the alter and walked up the two small steps and stood shaking beside James.  He looked at her with comfort but was surprised to see how very scared she was.  He suddenly had the urge to pull her close to him and hug her until she calmed completely, but of course that would be out of the question at the moment.  So instead he slipped his hand into hers and gave it a soft comforting squeeze.  Immediately Lily's hand clamped onto his tightly and he knew that he wasn't going to be getting out of her grasp anytime soon.  He looked at her and was surprised to see that she was starring at him with an expression of agony and love mixed together.  James become conscious that this was really tearing her apart and for a moment this thought saddened him.  He gave her a sweet confident smile and looked back the priest as he began to say the vows.

'My god, he is so calm and sure of himself.  I don't know how he does it,' thought Lily. 

'I hope this goes quickly.  I can't stand here very much longer.  I can't lose strength, not yet at least.  Not while Lily's a nervous wreck.  She needs me to be calm and composed,' thought James.

' None of this wedding matters right now.  I love him," thought Lily with new strength.

'With all of magic as my witness, I love her more then anything else in the world,' thought James.  The love seeped into his soul and all his scared thoughts vanished.

Finally they both began to here the priest clearly. 

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of all everyone here today to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony.  If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."

Lily held her breath, but nobody spoke.  The sound of the breeze blowing through the trees was the only sound.  Lily let out her breath as the priest continued on.  He then turned towards James and Lily.

"James, Do you take Lily to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part."

"I do," said James.

"And Lily, Do you take James to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part."

"I do," said Lily and with theses words a chill ran up her back and she quickly glanced at the people behind here and saw Peter starring at her intently with a startiling smile.  She looked back at the priest and tried to relax.

The priest smiled and then a little boy with dark brown hair brought out the rings. 

"I, James, take you, Lily to be lawfully wedded wife, knowing in my heart that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.  On this special and holy day, I give to you in the presence of God and these witnesses my sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful husband in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.  I further promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs as best I can, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.  And now with this ring I wed."

Heart racing James took one of the gold rings and placed it on Lily's finger.  Lily tried quickly to absorb all this and she was only comforted when she looked at James and saw the love in every inch of his face radiating out towards her.  The priest nodded at Lily and she picked up the remaining ring and began her own vow.

"I, Lily, take you, James, to be my lawfully wedded husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.  On this special day, I affirm to you in the presence of God and these witnesses my sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.  I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve higher goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.  And now with this ring I wed."

Lily took a deep breath and the slowly put the ring on James's finger and smiled brightly up at him.  The priest then began the final part of the ceremony.

"For as much as James and Lily have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I now pronounce them Husband and Wife.  You may now kiss the bride."

Happiness flowing through every vein in his body, James leaned forward and kissed Lily, and at that very moment the last ray of light from the setting sun settled upon the two of them.  Lily's dress sparkled and shimmered and she suddenly felt herself being wrapped in a cloud magic. The crowd of relatives and friends cheer and applaud.  Lily and James broke away from each other and Lily watched entranced as orange sparks of light flashed and encircled them and then flew high above everyone's head.  The cloud grew bigger and bigger and then finally, after covering the entire open area, it exploded with the sound of a thousand musical chimes and then the sparks changed into a billion different colors which dazzled the eyes.  The colors showered everyone in a glittering light and fell upon the ground making paths of rainbows through the grass.  Lily quickly leaned over to Sirius who was standing beside James and whispered into his ear.

"Thank you so much for everything."

Sirius nodded in return and gave her a big hug, and before she could realize what was happening she was walking quickly down the aisle, shaking everyone's hand and thanking them all for attending the wedding. 

A while later after Lily thought she could no longer utter the words thank you one more time, she found herself sitting in a huge chair decorated with flowers of white, in front of a long table.  James sat beside her in an equally large chair and the rest of the people were happily chatting away in their own seats.  Large floating lanterns had been lit and placed overhead to light up the field.  Lily was contently listening to the music in the background when suddenly Remus stood up. 

"Can I have your attention everyone.  I would like to make a toast to the bride and groom."

Remus waited patiently for quiet and then continued on.

"These past seven years have certainly gone by fast.  One day I meet the illustrious and very young James Potter and the next he's all grown up and getting married.  I have no regrets in becoming friends with James or Lily.  They have been there for me through the thick and thin.  Not once have either of them not offered their assistance in any problem.  The first day that James and Lily got together I knew for a fact that it was a match made in heaven.  No two people could be better for each other then these two sitting there now.  So I just want to say thanks.  Thank you for the best times of my life and for all the support you could give.  I hope you two have a very happy life and I bless you in your journeys in the future."

Everyone applauded and both Lily and James smiled graciously at him.  Remus sat down and then unexpectedly enough Peter stood up. 

"James, Lily, you both have been great.  It's a wonderful thing you have taken part in today and I wish the best in your future.  I hope you both live long and happy lives."

More applauding and then Peter sat down quickly. 

"Okay people who wants cake?" asked Sirius standing up.  Delighted by this proposition of dessert people began to cheer Sirius on. 

"Well sorry folks you have to wait a few more minutes because first off I need to give a speech."

Sirius turned and looked at the two newly weds.

"My feelings for you both are beyond words.  Sometimes I wish I could wake up in the morning and not find myself in my house, but instead at Hogwarts.  We have shared so many memories there and it is a great distress to me to know that it is over completely.  Before I always had that next year to look forward to, that next year in which to explore with James and listen to Lily's words of wisdom.  Yet with each passing year I saw your love for each other blossom and knew that one day there would be no school.  There would be no sneaking through the halls or getting in trouble.  It would be over.  But even though that day has finally arrived, I'm relieved to know that you both well on your way to being a great family.  I hope that your children and your children's children have the same wonderful personalities as you both possess, because you two are unique and special and no love could possibly be stronger then yours.  I hope that you enjoy your lives to the fullest and that you always remember your childhood memories because those are the most precious of all.  Good Luck to you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

Everyone stood up and clapped then Sirius lifted his glass of wine into the air, and the others followed in suit.

"To Lily and James Potter.  May you enjoy and cherish your life together," said Sirius joyfully.

The procession of people cheered, "To Lily and James!"

Everyone drank from their glass and then began to sit down.

"Wait!" said Sirius.  "Cake!"

Sirius waved his wand and a six-layered cake appeared in front of the Potters.  The cake was covered in white icing and orange frosted flowers.  James and Lily stood up, and James picked up a knife and held it over the cake.

"Ready Lily?" he asked.

"Yep," she replied and placed her hand on top of James and then they cut the first piece of cake.  After they had finished eating the piece, caterers came over and began to cut slices for the guests.

Later on after everyone had had his or her share of cake Sirius stood up once more.

"As is tradition it is time for the bride and the groom to have their dance together."

Lily looked worriedly at Sirius and then at James.  She did not like to dance in front of large amounts of people, but James pulled her from her seat and they walked over to an open area of grass.  Sparkling lanterns of light floated overhead to illuminate the grounds, and people began to make a large circle around Lily and James.  Lily glanced at her mother quickly and saw that she was crying with joy.  Lily's dad was trying to comfort her mother and he looked proudly back at Lily.  A flash of purple lace and Lily spotted her sister Petunia and her husband Vernon.  Petunia had been fairly grumpy through the whole wedding.  Neither she nor Vernon approved of the magic that was being used, but Lily thought little of this and was soon swept into the arms of James.  A small band began to play music and the words filled Lily's ears with magical notes.  Her earlier embarrassment of dancing was wiped from cleanly away and she felt her body sway in time to the beat.  Listening closely tears filled Lily's eyes as she heard the lyrics.

We were strangers

Starting out on a journey

Never dreaming

What we'd have to go through

Now here we are

And I'm suddenly standing

At the beginning with you

No one told me

I was going to find you

Unexpected

What you did to my heart

When I lost hope

You were there to remind me

This is the start

Life is a road

And I wanna keep going

Love is a river

I wanna keep flowing

Life is a road now and forever

Wonderful journey

I'll be there

When the world stops turning

I'll be there

When the storm is through

In the end I wannabe standing

At the beginning with you

I knew there was somebody somewhere

Like me alone in the dark

Now I know my dreams will live on

I've been waiting so long

Nothing's gonna tear us apart

Life is a road

And I wanna keep going

Love is a river

And I wanna keep flowing

Life is a road now and forever

Wonderful journey

I'll be there

When the world stops turning

I'll be there

When the storm is through

In the end I wannabe standing

At the beginning with you

Life is a road and I wanna keep going

Love is a river I wanna keep going on

Starting out on a journey

Life is a road and I wanna keep going

Love is a river I wanna keep flowing

In the end I wanna be standing

at the beginning with you

The music stopped and Lily was in a wonderland.  James looked at her inquiringly and then looked up at everyone else as they began to whistle and cheer.  Shortly after new music began and people began to dance in the open area.  James and Lily walked away from the others and stood on the side watching their friends and family as they enjoyed themselves.  A photographer came over to Lily and James and asked if they would pose for their wedding picture now.  James nodded and called over his best man, Sirius to stand in the picture with them for one of the pictures.  Sirius walked quickly over and after having taken the picture he went back over to where all the people were dancing.  Lily wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and opened her mouth to say something to James, when before them, with a flash, apparated headmaster Dumbledore.  Lily gasped but then quickly recovered while James stood there calm and composed.

"Hello Professor!" said James brightly, "So glad you could come here."

"Ahh… Did you really think I wouldn't come to the wedding of the most talented young people Hogwarts has seen in many years?" asked Dumbledore with a smile.

Lily laughed with mild amusement.

"Talented?  We are hardly more talented then any others at that school," responded Lily.

"On the contrary, Mrs. Potter!" Dumbledore smiled at her.  "Every year the teachers revised their own class rules so as to make sure that you two wouldn't be making any new trouble, but every year you managed to get around them."  He starred mostly at James as he said this and James laughed in response.

"Yes I guess some of us haven't been the ideal perfect students, but that's what made Hogwarts interesting," said James.

"Although I would love to stay and chat with the two of you, I'm afraid I'm needed else where," said Dumbledore sadly.  "But I have a proposition for you two.  I have no doubt that you two are the most qualified for this, but it is your choice and your choice alone."

"What is it," asked Lily eagerly.

"I know that you two have no jobs as of yet, and it was brought to my attention that we need more Aurors."

Both Lily and James looked apprehensively at Dumbledore.

"I know that this is a very dangerous job at times, but I believe you have the strength and the conviction for this.  I have seen the way you have defended yourselves against things while at Hogwarts.  It was most visible in the way you two handled yourselves in the accident at school with that wild wolf."

Lily shuddered slightly as the memory came back to her with surprising swiftness. 

"You must understand that being an Auror is a rare job that won't be offered to you again.  It is not always dangerous but when certain jobs need to be done it can be extremely hazardous.  So I warn you with that note.  Now I know that I have sprung this upon you quickly but unfortunately I have been given little time myself to notify you of this job offer, and I need to know your answer now.  Do you wish to take this job or decline it?"

James and Lily looked at each other and although they both showed their nervousness they saw the confidence and determination in each other.  Lily nodded and then James spoke.

"We accept the job."

Abruptly thunder began to grumble in the dark sky above them and lighting flashed like a knife slicing through the air.

Dumbledore nodded his head.

"I will inform the ministry of magic at once and you will hear from me shortly to talk about your specific training.  Good bye for now and enjoy your wedding."

Lily and James said goodbye and just as quickly as he appeared, Dumbledore vanished.

"Do you think we have made the right choice James?" asked Lily.

"I hope so Lil'."

Thunder growled again and Lily felt the first drop of rain fell upon her face.  Within seconds the droplets turned into buckets.  The band's music came to an abrupt halt and people ran left and right trying to get out of the rain.  Although the rain was washing away flowers and other decorations, Lily was fascinated by it and stood entranced as it fell with fierceness upon the grass.  Suddenly Lily put her hand inside a pocket that she had sown onto her wedding dress.  Lily pulled out of her crystal ball and starred at it.  Her mother had disapproved of putting a pocket on a wedding dress but Lily had refused to leave her crystal ball at the house, afraid that someone might steal it.  She held up thee ball and starred at it.  It remained its clear color as she inspected it, and she looked through it and saw the raindrops magnified in the ball.  Lily began to think of her new job that she had just accepted and unexpectedly the crystal clearness of the ball began to turn red.  The swirls of red were bright at first and then it became darker and darker until it reminded her of the color of blood.  In the next moment the whole ball was a dark throbbing red.  Lily became frightened and dropped the ball onto the grass.  Instantly it returned to its clear color.  Lily went to pick it up, but when she bent down she saw that her hands were covered in the bloody red color that was slowly making its way down her arms.  She screamed and fell to the ground with panic.  James who was talking to his father a little ways away from Lily spun around and ran towards her.  He knelt down beside Lily who was still screaming and crying at the same time. 

"Lily!  Lily what's the matter?" he yelled.

She ignored him in her panic and tried to crawl away.  James grabbed her and pulled her back.  He immediately saw her hands and the bloody liquid that was running down her arms and over her white dress.

"My God!" he whispered.

He stood up holding Lily and dragged her through the torrent of rain towards the nearest chair.  Lily's parents came racing over to their daughter.  James sat Lily down in a chair near him.  Although she was still crying, her screaming had subsided into sobs and she held out her hands away from her hoping the rain would wash away the red.  Her hair was plastered to her head and her dress was now soaking wet and swirled with red like a tie dye t-shirt.  Lily's mother came over to her and gasped when she saw the blood color all over.

"My baby!  Lily, speak to me!  Are you okay?" asked her mother in a panicky voice.

Lily only continued to cry as James helped Lily hold her hands in the rain.  He picked up a napkin from the table next to him and began to wipe away the bloody liquid.  When he saw that Lily's hands weren't bleeding and that it was just the liquid he relaxed a little. 

"Mrs. Evans!  Don't scream at her, you'll only make her more scared.  She isn't bleeding.  Her hands are covered in some sort of red stuff.  It only looks like blood," said James in a comforting voice.

Lily's mom contained her fear and then huddled into her husband's arms.  Her husband happened to be standing behind her and glancing fearfully at his daughter.  Sirius raced over to James with Remus and Peter jogging behind. 

"James what is going on?" asked Sirius.

"I don't know.  She is covered in this stuff." 

James showed Sirius Lily's hands.  Sirius looked at them gravely and then suddenly became infuriated by the rain falling from his hair into his face. 

"Oh I can't stand this rain.  It's ruining everything!" said Sirius.

He whisked out his wand and pointed it up into the sky.

"Covarlatium!"

In seconds a huge clear shaped dome covered the entire open field.  Everyone looked up and saw the rain pouring down the sides of the dome so that it gave the impression that they were all suddenly under water.  Sirius heard sighs of relief coming from many of the people.  He heard a banging sound and he looked quickly around.  Finally he spotted two people still outside the dome in the drenching rain.  Sirius pointed his wand at the area where the two people were standing and a little part of dome disappeared allowing them to walk in.  The dome closed behind them silently as they entered the dry area.  Petunia and Vernon looked at the other people in pure hatred. 

"Idiotic magic!  Leaving us out in the rain!" screamed Petunia at her husband.

Vernon was so angry that the rain seemed to be steaming off him.  Sirius laughed quietly to himself at the sight of Lily's annoying sister so furious.  It was still a mystery to him as to how Petunia could even be remotely related to Lily.  His laughter faded away quickly as he turned his attention back to James and Lily.  Remus was helping James wipe the blood-like liquid off of Lily.  When they finished Lily starred petrified at her hands. 

"It's okay Lily.  Nothing is wrong with them," said James. 

Believing James to be right, Lily squeezed the rain from her hair.  She felt soggy and uncomfortable and deeply embarrassed. 

"James," she sobbed, " I'm cold and my dress is drenched with red stains in it.  What was that horrible stuff?"

"I don't know Hun.  What did you touch?"

"I was looking at the crystal ball you gave me for my engagement present.  And…it turned red, oh that awful red color.  I dropped it and when I went to pick it up I saw my hands were the covered in that same terrible color.  I thought I was bleeding and I panicked."

"Okay, well we will check out the crystal.  Where did you leave it?" asked James.

"Umm… I think I dropped over their by that tree."

Lily pointed towards a large twisted oak tree with branches that stretched out like long deadly arms.

"Hold on a second.  I'll go get it."

James stood up and began to walk towards the tree when suddenly Peter stepped in front of him. 

"You stay here with Lily, James.  I'll go get the crystal for you," Peter.

"Thanks Peter.  It's right over there by the that tree."

"Okay.  I'll be right back."

Peter began to jog towards the tree and James turned his back to him and sat down next to Lily.

In a matter of seconds Peter reached the dark discolored tree.  His eyes scanned the floor of uprooted tree roots until his sight landed upon the small gleaming crystal.  He bent down and picked it up. 

"Hello again," said Peter while tossing the crystal back in forth in his hands.

The crystal was clean and not a speck of red was upon it.  From the look of it, it appeared to be brand new, free of blemishes, with not a single scratch or chip.

"I guess you aren't as good an engagement present as James had hoped," laughed Peter.

"Well that's what he gets for trusting merpeople.  Can never tell what they'll do."

Smiling happily to himself Peter walked back to the others.  When he arrived Remus was standing by Lily, holding up his wand. 

"Now stay calm Lily.  I'm just going to get rid of those stains in your dress," said Remus confidently.

"Don't do anything stupid," said Sirius humorously.

"Be quiet!  I need to concentrate."

Remus raised his wand and shouted "chageredil!"

Lily's dress turned a bright red, and she let out a moan. 

"Oh no!  I'm really starting to hate this color," cried Lily.

Sirius looked angrily at Remus.

"You idiot!  You used the wrong spell!  It is suppose to be white not red!"

"Sorry!" said Remus sheepishly.  "It was a common mistake.  It's your fault anyways.  I said I needed concentration!"

Sirius looked at him disgustingly.

"And to think you graduated from the best wizardry school there is!" yelled Sirius.

"Hey cut it out!" growled Remus with an acid tone.

James looked worriedly at Remus.  It was only one day before a full moon and if Remus got over angered he could change at any minute into his werewolf form.

"Enough!" shouted James.  "Remus calm down this instant!"

 "And Sirius," whispered James, " you watch it.  There is only one day left in the cycle and nobody here needs to be in danger of a werewolf."

Sirius immediately calmed down and looked at James with an ashamed expression.

"I'm sorry, I forgot about that."

"Ok, now that everyone is settled down lets try and be reasonable," said James.

He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Lily.

"Chagewhitil!"

Lily sighed with relief as her dress turned back into it's beautiful and sparkling white.

"There, now that's much better."

Peter stepped towards James cautiously.

"Here is the crystal, James."

James let out the breath he was holding and took the crystal from Peter.

"Thanks."

James sat back down and looked at Lily.

"Hey sweet heart?  Nothing appears to be wrong with this.  It doesn't even have any of that liquid stuff on it.  Are you sure this is where that stuff came from?"

Lily nodded, "Yep, positive."

"Well hunny there is nothing here."

Lily looked at him devastated.

"This is the worst wedding day ever."

"Lily, don't say that.  It hasn't been that bad," said James.

"Yes it has.  My guests are soaked to the bone and cold, and the rain washed away a lot of the decorations.  I had a panic attack and now my treasured engagement present is somehow oozing red stuff.  I've had it.  I'm cutting the wedding short, and let's get these people back home where they can be dry."

Lily turned her face away from James, but he could still see the tears running down her face.

"Lily cut it out," said James with anger.  "I'm not going to let a bunch of small stupid things ruin this wedding.  I don't care if we have to play a damn board game to have fun, just as long as we today that's all that matters, understand me?"

Lily looked up at him with astonishment.  Never had he been like this through all the years she had known him, and it both frightened and intrigued her. 

"James…are you feeling all right?" she asked cautiously.

"What?  Of course I'm all right." 

He got down on his knees and looked helplessly at Lily. 

"It's just that I wanted everything to go perfect tonight.  I wanted you to remember this day as something wonderful, instead of it turning into a day of nightmares like so many others have been."

Now it was James turn to cry and the tears shown from his eyes like diamonds.

"James the only thing to make me happy is you," said Lily.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.  James felt her tremble from the cold rain, which had soaked through her clothes.

"Your freezing Lily!  C'mon lets get you some new clothes."

"No, I'm fine.  Help the others first.  Since everyone has eaten and there's not much of the cake left lets go back to my parent's house.  Everyone can get new warm clothes and we can relax a bit."

"Okay if that's what you want," said James smiling.

James stood up and went over to Sirius.

"Hey could you possibly apparate back to the house and call someone and tell them we need…umm…fifteen carriages to take people back to Lily's house," asked James.

"Sure, no problem.  So we are leaving here?"

"Yes, the rain doesn't show any sign of stopping and Lily's is going to get sick if she doesn't change into warm clothes."

"All right.  Be back in a few minutes," said Sirius and in an instant he was gone.

James looked up towards the sky.  It remained dark and cloudy and the rain drummed on top of the clear magic dome.

"Why today?  Of all days, why today?" asked James. 

He frowned and then turned around to face the guests.

"Excuse me can I have your attention please!" yelled James.

Everyone quieted down and there was silence.

"Due to this disturbing weather we are all going back to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evans.  There you can go home quickly and get new clothes and then please return to the house for the end of the wedding party.   For those of you whom are non-magical folk, we will supply you will new clothing.  Carriages will be arriving soon to bring you to the house; so don't worry about transportation.  Any questions?" asked James.

Nobody said anything so James continued on.

"Ok, well please be patient.  Transportation will be here shortly.  We would greatly appreciate it if all of you could help clean up this area so that we can leave this field uncluttered."

James sat down again and the guests began to move around throwing out garbage, cleaning up the tables, and stacking chairs.

"Thanks James," said Lily lovingly.

"If it's what you want.  Then nothing else matters," replied James.

Ten minutes later a row of covered carriages arrived in front of the dome, and Sirius appeared in front of James. 

"Okay, here they are James.  All fifteen."

"Thanks Sirius.  Before we get the people in though we have to load the decorations and other things."

"Oh that's an easy one.  Here watch this," said Sirius.

He pointed his wand at the pile of decorations and chairs and they all disappeared.

Vernon let out a yell.  He had been sitting on one of the chairs when suddenly it disappeared and he fell with a thump on the wet grass.

"Okay all done.  The stuff is in the last carriage so don't let anyone get in that one."

            James nodded.

"Oh and also tell the people I'm taking the dome away so they are going to get wet again."

James nodded again.

"Excuse me people!  They carriages are here and you will be loading them shortly, but first I have a warning to you.  The dome has to be taken away so be prepared to get wet again."

A few guests moaned with disapproval but grudgingly nodded in agreement.  Sirius lifted his wand and muttered something under his breath and the dome vanished.  Rain came like any icy storm upon the people's heads, and everyone ran quickly to the carriages.  James walked speedily with Lily, but she kept tripping in her long gown.  He stopped a moment and then with a swift gesture picked her up into his arms and hurried into the first carriage.  He sat her down next to him on the cushioned velvet seats and then pulled the door closed.  Lily shivered and huddled against James for warmth.

"It's okay Lily.  Now we will be at your house in no time at all," comforted James.

Lily only shivered some more in acknowledgement.  James looked worriedly at her.  He wrapped his arm around her and lay back in the now moving carriage.  Before long he and Lily were sound asleep and warm air enveloped them like a welcoming blanket. 

When the carriage finally came to stop Lily and James remained sleeping.  Sirius walked up to the first carriage and knocked on the door.  When nobody answered he opened the door and saw them sleeping contently.  Remus walked over to Sirius and looked in. 

"Seems a shame to wake them up," said Sirius.

"I'm sure they needed the little nap.  It would be okay to wake them now," replied Remus. 

Sirius stepped inside and nudged James awake.

"Hey pal, time to wake up."

James opened his weary eyes and looked at his friend.

            "We're here already!  But I just went to sleep," said James exasperatedly.

            "Sorry, but you have been asleep for a hour.  The storm slowed us down and we had to take a long way back to the house because the rain flooded one of the roads."

            "An hour!"

            James popped up from his seat.

            "Lily wake up!"

            He shook her but she refused to wake so he lifted her up and carried her out of the carriage and into the house.  All the guests had assembled downstairs and many of them disappeared as they apparated to their own homes.  Those that were left were given clothes by Mrs. Evans.  James trudged up the stairs out of sight of the guests with Lily still in his arms.  He wearily walked into Lily's bedroom and laid her down upon the bed.  He sat down next to her and looked at her sleeping face.  She appeared to be in a peaceful sleep, and suddenly James began to feel sleepy again.  He took of his shirt and rummaged in Lily's closet for some spare clothes he had left here.  He found them and went into the bathroom to change.  After a while he came out with fresh comfortable clothing on.  Lily still lay soundlessly on the bed, and he went and shook her.  This time she opened her eyes and looked at him drowsily. 

            "What's the matter?" she asked.

            "Lil' you are still in that wet dress.  You need to change."

            "Ok, one second."  She sat up and made the gesture to get off the bed but then she yawned and fell back into blankets.

            "I'm too tired, James."

            "Lily, you're going to get sick."

            She rolled over onto her side with her back to him and ignored him.

            "Lily!"

            She remained quiet.  With a saddened sigh James got off the bed and went to the closet once more.  He pulled out a nightgown and sat back down next to Lily.

            "Here put this on."

            Lily didn't move.

            "Okay have it your way," he said.

            He leaned forward and began to take the clips from her hair.  Then he pulled off her soaked jacket.  He tossed these things on the floor and then began to unzip the back of her dress.  Lily rolled over like lightning and grabbed his hands.  She eyed him curiously.

            "What do you think you are doing?" she asked.

            "Putting dry clothes on you," James replied modestly, "I'm not going to watch you catch a cold."

            "I can get dressed myself, thank you!" she replied.

            "Have it your way, Mrs. Potter."

            Hearing that name from him for the first time put Lily in a state of shock.  She finally realized that she was now and forever going to be Lily Potter.  She released his hands and starred at him with mixed emotions. 

            "Hey, you okay?" asked James.

            "Yes, I…oh never mind."

            "Well are you going to get dressed, or do I have to dress you like I would a baby?"

            Lily sat up her dress already falling off her shoulders.  She held the dress on and then took the nightgown from James.

            "Why am I wearing this?  We have guests don't we?"

            "Yes, but once everyone gets back I'll ask your mum if they can kind of have a sleepover and we will do whatever you want tomorrow.  I'm really tired and I imagine everyone else is as well."

            "A sleepover wedding party?"

            Lily laughed and then kissed James. 

            "Always coming up with new ideas.  Your definitely my husband."

            James smiled and then stood up. 

"You get dressed and I'll go downstairs and tell your mother what we have planned.  I hope she doesn't mind."

            "Don't worry, my mum loves company.  The more the better, as she always says."

            "Ok then.  I'll be right back."

            James left the room and Lily stood up and undressed.  She put on the dry clothes and sighed with relief.  Lily walked over to the bed and striped the bed of the covers, which were now just as wet as her dress.  Lily went to her closet and pulled out a large soft comforter and threw it on the bed.  A few minutes later James came into the room and closed the door behind him. 

            "You were right your mum says it's ok."

            "See, no worries."

            "Ahh…I see you have changed.  Feel better?" asked James.

            "Yep, tons!" 

            "Okay well I'm really tired, I'm going to bed," said James.

            "Same here."

            James walked over to the bed as Lily got under the covers.  He sat down and when he tried to lay back he couldn't.

            "Hey! C'mon I would like to lay down also," said James.

            "Oh… don't you have enough room there?"

            "Fine, I'll just lay down on top of you," said James.

            He laid back on top of Lily and she wriggled under him.

            "Hey you're squishing me!"

            "You're the one taking up the bed, and by the way you make a great pillow."

            "James! Get off of me!"

            "Make me," said James teasingly.

            Lily squirmed underneath him but him remained securely in place.

            "Having trouble," he asked.

            "No, I wouldn't be if you would just get off of me," said Lily.

            "Here let me help you, Lil'"

            James leaned over her and began to tickle Lily. 

            "James!" Lily laughed, "Stop it…that tickles."

            "Oh poor girl," said James humorously.

            James began to laugh as well and eventually stopped the tickling.  Lily took big deep breaths and held her stomach, which was hurting from her laughter.

            "You're mean, James Potter!" yelled Lily.

            "I doubt that," he replied, "Here I'll prove it too you."

            He kissed her and she responded by throwing the covers over their heads.

            "Goodnight Lil'"

            "Goodnight," said Lily, "I love you, James Potter. "

                               *                                *                                 *

The next day Lily woke to morning sunlight.  She turned over and James was sleeping soundlessly.  She smiled and then pushed off the covers that were on her.  Silently she got out of bed and went to the bathroom.  She turned the shower water on and brushed hair while waiting for the shower to get hot.  Meanwhile James woke up and heard the shower running.  He was a little disappointed that Lily had gotten up without his knowledge, but then he understood that she was too sweet to wake him.  He yawned and got out of bed.  Pulling on a t-shirt, James walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the kitchen.  Many of the guests were still sleeping.  Some of them were on the couches and others were in sleeping bags on the floor.  James tiptoed towards the fridge, but immediately froze in his tracks when Sirius jumped in front him out of nowhere.

            "Geez, Sirius!  What are you trying to do give me a heart attack?"

            "Of course not!  I was just wondering how your night was," replied Sirius with a mischievous smile.

            "Well we were both really tired so we went to bed," said James.

            Sirius frowned, "Sounds great.  I myself had a little fun with the rain outside.  Remus and I, kept freezing the droplets in mid-air, and they were in these really odd shapes."

            James looked unimpressed.

            "Well you always were easily amused," said James with a smirk.

            "Hey, is that suppose to be an insult?" asked Sirius.

            "What, an insult? Of course."

            "So what are we doing today?" asked Sirius.

            "How does a huge picnic, a bunch of board games and swimming sound to you?" asked James.

            "I'd say it sounds like one extremely strange wedding party, so in other words Great!"

            "Shhhhh… keep it down.  People are still sleeping," whispered James.

            "Oh right, sorry."

            James laughed and then after getting a glass of water, returned to Lily's bedroom upstairs.

            When he opened the door he found Lily laying down on the bed, dressed and refreshed.

            "Hey good morning sunshine.  Are you done with the bathroom?"

            "Good morning to you too, and yes the bathroom is all yours," said Lily brightly."

            "Ok, thanks.  I'll be out in a little bit."

            James walked into the bathroom and shut the door.  When he finally came out of the bathroom the bedroom was empty.  James went downstairs and found Lily and her mother making breakfast for the awakened guests.  The smell of bacon and eggs rose to his nose, and his stomach grumbled with hunger.  He walked speedily into the kitchen and sat down at the kitchen table.  Lily served some scrambled eggs to a person sitting at the same table and then she sat down next to James. 

            "Hungry?" she asked.

            "Yep, Can you whip a bunch of bacon and some toast?" asked James.

            "Sure, be right back."

            Lily got up and walked over to the kitchen.  A few minutes later she returned with bacon and toasted bread.

            "Here you go, James."

            "Mmm… looks yummy."

            Lily sat down again and watched the guests as they moved back and forth through the kitchen.

            "So what are we planning on doing today?" she asked.

            "A picnic and swimming, and also if you don't think it's too childish, board games," said James.

            "Board games?  James, are you serious?"

            "Yes, why you don't think the family will like it?"

            "No it's not that.  It's just that most of us are adults.  Do you really think they are going to want to play games?"

            "Sure, why not?  Everyone needs to forget they are serious grown-ups once in a while," said James.

            "You've got a point there.  Lets round everyone up after they have all eaten," said Lily.

"Ok, sounds good."

Twenty minutes later everyone was relaxing and watching t.v. on the couches when James announced the plans for the day.  Lily, her mother, and few other women helped pack food for the picnic, while James and his friends picked out the board games.  When everything was packed, the guests left the house and everyone strolled through the wet grass towards a small lake that was near Lily's home.  When they arrived there Remus and Sirius helped lay out the picnic blankets.  James raced over to Lily after putting down all of the board games.

"Hey sweety, let's go swimming.  It's a beautiful day today and I'm already exhausted."

"James, I don't think swimming is such a good idea."

"Why not?" asked James.

"I don't know, it's just that the water isn't to clear and…"

"You're scared of the water here, Lil'?"

"Maybe a little."

"Don't worry, I'll be right next to you," said James.

"How about I just sit by the water?"

"Okay, if that's what you want."

James and Lily walked down to the shore of the lake and Lily sat down by the edge.  James hurried forward and jumped in with a splash.

"Hey it' not cold.  You sure you don't want to come in Lil'."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Ok then."

James went under the water and swam around the lake.  After a while he got bored and came back to the shore and got out.  Then suddenly he stopped, and he shouted to Lily as he looked in the water.

"Lily, come here quick.  Come see this."

Lily curiously got up and walked over to James. 

"Look right there Lily," said James.

Lily leaned over the waters edge and looked in, but she saw nothing.

"James I don't see anything."

"Here give me your hand," said James.

Absent-mindedly Lily gave James her hand.  Suddenly she realized what was about to happen and she tried to pull her hand back, but was not quick enough, and before she knew it she was being picked up thrown into the water.  James jumped in after her and brought her to the surface.

"JAMES POTTER!" she screamed at him, "You get me out of this water right now!"

"Oh Lily calm down."

Lily thrashed wildly in his arms, but he held on to her tightly.  Finally she gave up and held onto James for dear life.

            "Lily you are going to choke me."

            "I'm sorry, but I told you I was afraid of this water area."

"Why?" asked James curiously.

"Because when I was a little girl I swear I saw a monster in this water with huge fins."

"Have there been any other sightings?" asked James.

"Well, no…but I'm telling you I saw something."

"Today's your lucky day then Lily, because you are staying here with me in this water."

"James, I don't want to."

"Please Lily."

She made a saddened look and then grudgingly nodded that she would stay.

"Thank you," said James.

Surprisingly enough the rest of the day went well, and Lily had no encounter with an underwater being.  The adults played the board games with great enthusiasm and laughter filled the air.  When the sun finally began to set the guests left the lake area and went back to Lily's house where they eventually all went home to their own houses before darkness fell. 

Lily and James were exhausted as well and went upstairs to their bedroom after having said goodnight to everyone.  Lily laid down in the bed and James climbed in beside her.

"We had a good day today, yes?" asked James.

"Hmmm…well besides the fact that you threw me in the water, yes, I would say we had a good time."

James grinned and then sighed as he hugged Lily close to him.

The two fell quickly asleep and their thoughts drifted away as their dreams overcame their minds.

            In the morning James woke up early.  He looked at Lily who was still sleeping peacefully and then got out of bed and got dressed.  He returned to the bed and woke Lily up.  She starred at him with sleepy eyes for a moment and then tried to roll over and pull the blankets over her.  Unfortunately James quickly pulled the covers away and picked her up out of bed.

            "Sorry Lily, but I have to bring you somewhere.  We are going to drive there so if you want you can sleep in the car."

            "James where are we going?"

            "It's a surprise," he responded.

            "You know what?  I'm beginning to hate surprises!"

            Lily yawned and struggled to get free from James's arms.

            "Put me down so I can get dressed."

            "Lily, I know how you get in the morning, and as soon as I put you down you are going to climb back into bed.  So my answer to you is no.  I won't put you down."

            "Stop being an grouch and let me get dressed!" shouted Lily.

            James reluctantly put Lily down.  She began to walk towards the bathroom and then in seconds she turned around and ran towards the bed.  James intercepted her leap into the comforts of the blankets and hauled her out of the room.  She wriggled wildly in his arms, but he kept a firm hold on her.  He began to find her behavior quite amusing, and he started to laugh as he walked out the front door and around the side of the house to their dark blue car. 

            "Oh you find this amusing do you?" asked Lily maliciously.

            "Now who is being the grouch?  All I wanted you to do was get in the car."

            James opened the passenger door and sat Lily in the seat.  He closed the door quickly and then ran over to the driver's side.  He got in the car, started the engine and was driving quickly away from Lily's parent's house. 

            "All right since you have me in the car now, may I ask as to why we are driving when we can just apparate.  And how long is it going to take to get where we are going?" asked Lily.

            "Lil' it wont take more the twenty minutes to get there, and we aren't apparating because I'm telling you right now.  You will enjoy this much more if we drive there."

            "Hey wait a second," said Lily curiously.  "I know this whole area for miles around, and there is nothing of interest near here that takes twenty minutes to get too.  So where are we going?"

            "You haven't been to your parent's house in a year.  Maybe some things have changed."

            "I doubt it.  For the past eighteen years nothing new has come anywhere near here.  This place is all cottages and forests," said Lily smugly.

            "Well like I said it's a surprise," replied James.  "Now go back to sleep.  Or else I'm going to have to start calling you Mrs. Cranky Potter."

            Lily stuck her tongue out at James and looked out the window towards the passing trees.  Eventually she drifted off into a dreamless sleep and slumped back away from the window. 

            James drove on through the quiet countryside until he noticed that he was coming close to their destination.  Cautiously he nudged Lily awake. 

            "Lily?  Lily wake up."

            Her eyes fluttered open and she hissed at him angrily.

            "What do you want?" she asked grumpily.

            "We are almost there and I need you to do me a favor.  I need you to close your eyes, and that means no peaking."

            "I'm not a two year old James.  I know how to keep my eyes closed."

            James mumbled something incoherently and Lily glared at him.

            "What did you say?" she asked.

            "hmm… nothing."

            "Yes, you said something.  What was it?"

            James sighed.

            "I said that when you are tired you act like a cranky two-year old."

            "Oh fine! You want to be mean, go ahead.  I don't care at all."

            "That's good, considering I was only joking," laughed James.  "Now close your eyes."

            "Okay," replied Lily mildly amused.

            James continued driving while Lily squeezed shut her eyes.  Finally James slowed the car down and Lily felt the car rock as James drove onto the gravel of some sort of road.  He parked the car and got out.  Lily remained still and waited with her eyes closed for James.  He walked over to the side of the car and opened the door.

            "Okay Lily give me your hands and I'll lead you out."

            Lily got out of the car carefully with the help of James and he guided her in a specific direction onto he finally came to a stop. 

            "Okay Lily, you can open your eyes now."

            She blinked her eyes open and stood there excitedly as she looked in front of her.  A few feet away stood a cozy two-story house. 

            "James is this our house?" she asked.

            "Yes.  Do you like it?"

            "I love it.  It's beautiful."

James smiled and walked with her up the front porch steps. As she looked around she saw that there was potted flowers on top of the railing of the porch.  Also there was a swing chair on the left side of the front door.  James walked up to the front door and searched in his pockets for something.  A moment later he pulled out a silver key and handed it to Lily. 

            "Here is the key to your house Lily.  Go inside."

Lily took the key hesitantly and the put it in the lock and turned it.  The door clicked and she pushed it open.  She stepped inside with James behind her and began to walk around the house curiously.  The first thing she saw was a wide-open area. 

            "This is the entrance hall, Lily," said James.

            "It's so big!"

            "I know, but it gets nicer."

            Lily looked up at the ceiling and saw a huge ornate chandelier hanging down.  As her eyes traveled down the walls, she saw framed pictures of herself and James together.  There where also pictures of both Lily's and James's friends from school, as well as some family portraits.  At the end of the hall was a large open staircase.  The railing was deep golden wood and it gleamed in the sunlight that filtered in through the many house windows. 

            "James?  Is this house already furnished?" asked Lily.

            "Yes.  I had furniture brought in after this house was built.  Come with me and I will show you the rest of downstairs." 

Lily followed James as he walked forward.  Lily noticed before they went into another room that there was a large stone fireplace in the hall with a couch and a couple of chairs surrounding it.  James guided her into the next room, which turned out to be the kitchen.  The kitchen was a nice little one.  It had an island in the middle and a small glass kitchen table in one corner where they could eat.  The stove and the sink where along the left wall, and there was a few windows above the sink where sunlight shone through.  There was a good amount of cabinets along the walls.  Lily opened the pantry door and found that food had also been put in there recently.

"We've got everything all ready for you Lily.  So there isn't any hassle with grocery's or moving furniture around."

"Wow! This is really great," replied Lily.  "But don't expect me to be making dinner for you tonight!"

James smiled and then walked out of the room through a swinging door on the right side of the kitchen.  Lily followed closely behind and she came to the dinning room.  It was a cozy little area and Lily felt the urge to have a party right then and there, just so she could show everyone her new home.  James walked out of this room and continued to show Lily every room.  They went through the study room, and then to the guest bedroom downstairs and then to the living room and then the den.  After that they went upstairs and James showed her the bathrooms, and the three bedrooms, and the open area where there was a large TV, and couches for them to relax on.  Lily went into the master bedroom and walked into their large walk-in closet.  This was the only place in the house where nothing had been put in.

"There is nothing in here Lily because all of your clothes are still at your parents house."

"I understand," she replied.

Lily walked away from James and out onto the balcony that was outside the bedroom windows.  She stood there awhile taking in the scenery of the gardens in the back of the house and then she looked out farther, towards the lush green woods.  James came out and stood beside her.

"So what do you think?  You have seen the whole house.  Did I do a good job?" asked James.

Lily looked at him seriously for a few moments and then responded.

"No, you didn't do a good job…"

James's face looked stricken with sadness, and Lily immediately finished her sentence.

"James, you did an outstanding job.  It's like my dream of a wonderful house to live in has finally come true.  It's perfect.  We can raise a family easily here."

"Kids?  Already your thinking about kids?  Lily, you really surprise me sometimes," laughed James.

She beamed back at him and wrapped herself in his arms. 

"I couldn't be more happier then I am right now, standing here with you," said Lily. 

James bent down and kissed her and they stood there and watched as the sun fell behind the horizon, and the remaining light lit the sky with sparks of orange and red.

Epilogue:  Death to the Innocents

            Eight years later…     

James and Lily ran frantically through the dark woods.  The sun had long ago set and they ran blindly, dodging trees branches and bushes as they went.  James was in the lead and running as fast as his legs could carry him, his clothes were torn and shredded and he was bleeding from several large cuts.  Lily was right behind him and her heart was pounding loudly in her ears.  She was in no better shape then James, but she courageously ignored the sharp sting of pain that came from her bleeding wounds.  Abruptly a ball of fire came flying within inches of her.  She jumped away from the fire and immediately tripped and fell to the ground.  Branches scratched her legs as she tried frantically to get up.  She screamed and called out to James.  James stopped and turned around he looked madly around for Lily, but he couldn't see anything.

            "Lily, where are you?" he yelled on the edge of hysterics.  "LILY!"

            "JAMES!  OVER HERE! HELP!" screamed Lily.

            James listened closely for the origin of her voice and walked slowly in that direction.  He kept walking until he heard Lily right beside him.  He bent down and pushed the branches away from her as she scurried off the ground.  She hugged him tightly and then they began to run again.

            "Hurry James!  He is getting closer!"

            "Don't look back Lily!  Keep running!"

            Lily did as she was told and continued to run but her energy was waning away quickly.  A second later James pushed Lily to the ground as another ball of fire flew overhead.  A blast of light filled the area and a monstrous creature tore threw the trees.  Lily gave a shrill cry as James pulled her up from the ground.  He pushed her behind him as a protective shield just as the trees around them erupted into burning flames.  The creature stepped forward, and smiled maliciously at the two of them. 

            "You aurors are all the same.  Thinking you can save the world with your courage and bravery," it hissed.  "Well I'm here to tell you that I won't let you interfere with my plans.  You may have destroyed many faithful death eaters today, but tonight you can join them in death."

            Lily looked over James's shoulder at the thing, but when it starred back at her she cringed away.  She shielded her eyes from him and tried to erase the image of Voldermort from her mind.  James stood unwaveringly in front of her and then he spoke clearly at the dark Lord. 

            "You cannot take our lives because we having something that you will never have and in even in death it will protect us from you.  So go be the foolish one and you will find that it will not be us whom you defeat, but yourself."

            Voldermort looked amusingly at James.

"And what is this power that you say will protect you?" he asked.

"Love," responded James.

Voldermort laughed and the sound filled the air with a screeching noise.

"Love?  Love is something that you foolish people make up.  It's what makes you weak and pitiful.  It will not protect, it will destroy you!  I'll show you what love can do."

Voldermort raised his wand at James.

"NO!" yelled Lily terrified.

Light shot from Voldermort's wand and James was thrown to the ground.  Lily stood paralyzed as she watched James try to get up.  Voldermort laughed again and aimed his wand at Lily. 

"Crucio!"

Lily fell to her knees with pain so powerful she began to feel her life slipping away from her.  Tears streamed down her face, and she tried desperately to keep from screaming.

"STOP IT!  PLEASE LEAVE HER ALONE!" shouted James.

Voldermort smiled wickedly.

"See I told you.  It makes you plead like a weakling.  I should kill both of you now for what you have done today, but I've suddenly changed my mind.  Let's play a little game, shall we?  Cat and mouse?  I'll let you go now.  I want to see how hard you try to protect yourselves with your 'love' shield."

Lily was losing consciousness and she began to scream.  James crawled over to Lily and pulled her into his arms.  Her screaming filled his ears as wriggled in agony.  Voldermort raised his wand once again and light flew from it.  Lily fell silent as the darkness of her mind enveloped her in a painless dream.

"James Potter.  I shall meet you again, and next time I won't be so nice!"

In a gust of red flames Voldermort disappeared, leaving James alone with his unconscious wife in the middle of the blazing woods.