I am dreadfully sorry about it taking over a year to post a new chapter. It's been… an interesting year. I hope the wait was worth it!

Dedicated to: Laura Kearney, for being the best friend I could ever ask for and helping me through the last 8 months even if she didn't know what she was helping with.

The weeks slowly crept by, leaving Hogwarts drafty and cold. There were only nine days left until the first task, and Lily was terrified for Miranda. She and the others had spent every spare moment in the Library, researching a wide variety of spells, charms, and jinxes they hoped would help 'Randa out. Miranda, after running out to the loo to empty her breakfast/lunch/supper multiple times, had decided to quit coming after a week of these sessions. The other girls would just make lists of things they thought might help.

Lily stared down the index of Where There's A Wand, There's A Way, desperate to help her friend. She was so engrossed in the book, in fact, that she didn't notice the messy-haired, hazel-eyed someone who came up to the two tables the five had pulled together to accommodate the six towers of books until Alex's pointed cough forced Lily to glance up. A grin instinctively twisted itself on her lips.

"James! Hi," she beamed up at him, her exhausted emerald eyes struggling to focus on his appealing features.

"Hey Lily," he replied. "What are you reading?"

"Oh, just some stupid fucking spellbook. It's worthless, if you ask me; there's nothing in here." James was in shock. He never though he'd hear Lily Evans describe a book as 'fucking stupid' and 'worthless.' "Anyway, what's up? You hardly ever make an appearance in the Library."

"Oh, nothing. Just wondering where you'd been for the last week. You know, we have to oversee a Prefect's meeting later. Maybe I could help you look for spells for Miranda? You know, spend a romantic evening listening to bitching fifth years and wasting our eyes over books?" Lily smiled at the nervousness in his voice. It was rather fitting and expected, she thought. It was the closest he'd gotten to asking her out all year. But instead of the response he was expecting…

"Sure. Shall we get started on our bewitching evening?" she asked, picking up one of the mounds of books surrounding the five.

"Sure. Come on." He took more than half of the books out of her arms and took her hand, guiding her out of the Library. If they'd been any other students, Madam Pince would've had their heads for not bothering to check out books before leaving with them. As it was, they were the Heads, and she'd taken a rather liking to Lily because she'd spent most of her first, second, and third year in the Library. But before the door had fully closed, she saw Alex shoot the others a smirk. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "So, how's Miranda holding up?"

"As well as expected. Poor girl, she's petrified of making a fool of herself. You know how important image is to her." Lily Michelle! You are a babbling idiot! Stop it; James isn't interested in your rant. "How are the Marauders?"

James shrugged a little. "I don't know, I haven't actually talked to them as much as usual. I kind of miss them. But Padfoot's still convinced he can get Alex to fall for him, and Remus is all excited because May's coming. Her arrival was delayed because Salem Institute refused to release her school papers until Dumbledore himself showed up to assure them she had been accepted into Hogwarts."

"May's going to be at Hogwarts?" Lily asked, her face flushed with excitement. James laughed and nodded.

It was strange; the more Lily looked at James, the rosier her cheeks became. For the first time, she allowed herself to examine his strong, athletic build without the blinded she's always reserved just for him for six years. He really was astoundingly gorgeous, his messy black hair falling loosely all over his head, his hazel eyes inviting and twinkling, his hand wrapped over hers with their fingers intertwined as though nature had always intended them to be that way. She blushed as bright as her hair at that thought. Only a few short months ago she wouldn't have even thought anything remotely like that. Now, however, she found the Head Boy creeping into her daydreams more and more.

"Are you all right?" James asked, much to her horror. "You're flushed and shaking."

"Oh! Erm, yes, I'm just a bit… tired. You know, helping Miranda with the Tournament, my duties, trying to help Remus with his situation-" She knows?! "- with Anne-" Oh, phew. "-school work, and job stuff…" James looked at her with pitying eyes. She squirmed under his gaze, terrified he would see the real reason.

"Sorry to hear that Lil," he smiled down at her. "D'you want to just stay in tonight? I can reschedule the Prefects' meeting for later this week…"

"Would you?" she asked, trying to sound offhand. All she really wanted was time alone with James. "Thank you. You're so sweet. Will you still help me with these books? It's tedious and boring by myself."

"Of course, my fairest. What exactly are we looking for?"

"Anything that will help. The problem is, nobody knows what the task is except for the teachers, and they're not talking. It's so frustrating. But just pick ones that look interesting, or seem like they might help with a deadly, dangerous Triwizard Tournament task. Thanks, again, so much."

"No problem."

Somehow, during this little study session, both managed to sneak glances at each other without being detected. Every time she looked back down at her book and parchment list, her emerald eyes sparkled brighter and happier than before. It was like he was a drug she couldn't get enough of. She couldn't focus, not that she minded. But it was very distracting having James Potter sitting right across from her. Suddenly, she glanced up and caught James staring at her.

"Caught in the act, Mr Potter," she teased, then silently shook herself. Was she really flirting with James Potter?

"Indeed I was Your eyes are so beautiful, I couldn't help myself. I'm very sorry."

"No, don't be." Lily blushed as the words tumbled out of her mouth. James got a curious look in his eyes. However, what next came out of his mouth was the exact opposite of what she'd been expecting.

"You know, I can tell something happened between you and Diggory. Something bad. It's ok, you can tell me." She tensed up, about to protest and run up to the sanctuary of her room, when he walked over to her couch and sat next to her, taking her hand again and squeezing it lightly in comfort. That's when she caved.

He... He's James Potter! A Marauder; their ringleader in fact! But… I actually believe I can trust him. "Well, um, I told you he was my first boyfriend, or serious one anyway, in fourth year? Well, he cheated on me in fifth year. So we broke up for a week and got back together after he swore he loved only me, and always would. So we were snogging in the Room of Requirement last year and he started to move his hand up my skirt and I tried to pull back but he wouldn't let me, so next thing I knew I was on the bed and Amos was on top of me…"

For a minute, one horrible, sinking minute, she waited for him to laugh. She closed her eyes, anticipating the burst of mirth. Waiting to be humiliated.

It never came.

Instead of laughing, James took her in his arms and held her tightly. She buried her face into his chest and cried. Just cried. Even when she'd told Alex, she'd forced herself to remain stony-faced and cold, as though it wasn't gnawing at her, making her feel dirty and contaminated and used. But with James, she allowed the hot salty tears to fall freely down her cheeks, wishing that she hadn't pushed him away for so long.

Because, in James's arms, she felt safe and protected and secure. She felt everything that she knew had been lacking with Will and Diggory, but had resolutely pushed it out of her mind for the time being.

Because now, she knew why she had caved when James told her she could trust him. Why she was always ecstatic when he stared at her or talked to her or complimented her. She was in love with James Anthony Potter.

This realization came in huge waves, overtaking her body and threatening to pull her out to insanity. For the first time, she allowed herself to breathe in his scent, a mixture of earth and pumpkin and the forest, and felt her muscles instantly relax. It was as though this one simple stimulant comforted her and made her calm. She looked up into his hazel eyes and was shocked to see the flame of fury behind them.

"That bastard," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "I'll fucking kill him for what he did to you. You deserved better than that Lily, I'm so sorry. He needs to die."

"No James," Lily said firmly, startling him out of his rage. "Let the bastard rot with guilt. I won't have you become a murderer for me. Besides…" she paused for a moment, unsure. The confusion and hope shining in his eyes where a moment ago shown with wrath, pushed her to go on. "How would we ever make it if you were in Azkaban for the murder of Diggory?"

(James' Point Of View)

"How would we ever make it if you were in Azkaban for the murder of Diggory?"

At these words, the anger and resentment towards Lily flowing through my veins, intoxicating my brain with the idea of revenge, ceased to exist. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in my brain: what was before rage was now hope and longing.

I had waited for her to say something like this since fourth year, when I had really fallen in love with her. I was terrified to take it wrong, petrified that I had not heard her correctly. Could it really be that Lily Evans, the girl I had pined after and loved for so many years, really mean that she wanted to be with me?

"Lily," I whispered, hardly daring to interpret her words the way I had dreamed of for so long. "Lily, are you saying…"

"I…" she stopped, fear flitting across her beautiful features.

"Lily, please, I nee-" But she placed a finger gently to my mouth, taking away all of my breath and words. Who knew a finger, just one creamy, soft finger, would rob me of all senses?

"James, listen," she said softly, the tone of horror plainly underlined in her voice. I strained my ears for a moment, cursing Padfoot for his sharp dog-like hearing. Then, horror-struck, I heard it.

The low whistling of the alarm bells Dumbledore had set in place for warning. That could only mean one thing.

"Voldemort!" I breathed, surprised to feel a rush of energy now coursing through my veins. I believed that my body must be thoroughly confused by now at all the emotions running through it. "Lily, get upstairs-"

"Don't be daft," she said simply, looking at me with scorn. "I'm going to fight him."

"We need to talk."

"I know. We'll talk after this, I promise." And with that, she kissed my cheek and ran out to warn her House and her friends. I could only hope with all of my heart that we both made it out alive.

Well. Was it worth the wait? Everything between Lily and Diggory is clear now. Poor James, so close to hearing what he'd been dying to hear. Haha.

Review, let me know how it is. Message me with any complaints you have.

Love,

A very satisfied irishphoenix615

Thanks to my reviewers from over a year ago [I have not forgotten you:

Moony's Warebabe: I have a reason for everything I put in my story. Thanks for the review.

Flying Fawkes815: neither can I. It'll be a pleasure to write them. Thanks for the continued support, and the review.

crazylily: sorry it took so long. Thanks for the review.