Chapter 25

A/N: Hello! Bye. Kidding. Uhhmm.. I'm just going to apologize now, because I'm going to the cabin, which means no INTERNET for THREE WEEKS.. unless I steal my mom's computer (which I will). The point is, I won't update more than one chapter a week because of that.. so I'll be writing it all on paper (just for you) and writing it in on the computer later, but at least I'll update, yeah?(: And I'm commiting theft for you (even though I'll be giving the pc back), so review!!! Pretty please?:)

Disclaimer: Don't want it. Don't own it. Kidding. I want it, I just don't own it.

"Lily?" James asked. They were sitting in the couch by the fire, in the Head Dorm. She was reading a book. "What book are you reading?"

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard"

"But those are children's tales!"

"Yes, but I always thought it was interesting to see how it must have been for those who grew up in the Magical world"

"Trust me" James joked "We didn't do the thing's they do in the stories when we grew up"

Lily smiled. "I know, I just want to know all about everything. What you read, how you live.."

"You said you" James smirked "As in me; James"

"I did not!" Lily exclaimed "it was a general you" wasn't it?

"Whatever you say" James laughed "Point is you want to know about me"

"Not you, everyone" Lily blushed

James chuckled. "I can tell you about that if you want"

"I guess" Lily nodded uncertainly.

James complied and started telling Lily just about everything from the first couple of years in a wizards life.. but after a while Lily started dozing off.

"James?" Lily asked, as she lay herself down on the couch "Can I lay my head here?"

She was, of course, referring to his lap, and James smiled gently. "Of course, Lily". She lay her head down, and smiled back as he stroked her hair softly away form her face.

Just then they heard a knock. Lily sighed and got up. She'd really much rather be lying in James lap with him stroking her hair but oh well… Wait! What!? No, never mind. She was tired, that's all, so it wasn't weird she wanted to lie down.

"Who could it be this late?"

"What do you mean late?" James inquired.

"Curfew's in 5 minutes" Lily explained "Whoever's out there should have been in their own dormitory by now.."

"Somebody's scared of the stranger behind the portrait" James laughed.

"Shut up, potter"

James mock-gasped. "Ouch Lily. You haven't called me that in months"

Lily laughed and opened the portrait.

"Lily!" Margaret exclaimed, eyes shining with joy. Really, she actually just wanted to be alone, to sit in the dark and think of Remus kissing her, but she felt like she had to make sure it was real. That he really was her boyfriend. And even though telling people wouldn't necessary mean that it was real, she just felt like it would.

"What's up?" Lily asked, rubbing her eyes.

But Margaret paid her no mind except for walking past her and up to James. Then she hugged him tight and whispered in his ear "Thank you". James laughed with delight. "You got together didn't you?". Margaret nodded. "Took him long enough" James grinned.

Lily was staring perplexed at the two of them. "What's going on?" she asked, ignoring the sting of jealousy she felt when Margaret hugged James. She was just very possessive of her friends and that was all, she told herself stubbornly.

"James! Tell her" Margaret smiled "I have to go, or I won't make it back before curfew"

"Trust me, you won't make it back that quick" James mumbled, but let her run.

She hugged Lily on her way out and told her she was the best friend ever. Lily laughed and told her to hurry back.

Afterwards James explained about Margaret's feelings towards Remus, and told her the key events, as Lily lay down again.

"I can't believe I never noticed" Lily said.

"To tell you the truth, Lily, you're not the most observant one when it comes to things like that" James said, expression unreadable, as he stared into the fire.

Lily looked away, and couldn't help but agree. "All the same" She said "I'm happy for her"

"Me too" James agreed.

"Tell me more about the kitchen stuff in the magical world" Lily said.

"You don't want to know more about Remus and Margaret?" James asked.

"I want her to tell me" Lily said softly.

James smiled, and told her about "kitchen stuff".

Soon after, however, James head shot up. He had thought of the most wonderful idea. "Lily?" James asked uncertainly. His stomach was full of butterflies.

"hmm?" She answered, having almost fallen asleep.

"Well, I was thinking since Margaret's dating Remus, you want to see more of normal wizarding life, and Marlene obviously has a thing for Sirius.." he added the last one jokingly, although he thought it was probably true. "That maybe.." his heart was hammering reasonably fast now.

"Marlene has a thing for Sirius?" Lily muttered,

"I was kidding" James smiled.

Lily smiled tiredly back.

"Well, I was thinking that maybe you'd want to come over to my house during Christmas break?" James asked, having never felt so nervous in his entire life. Still, he tried to keep cool, despite the fact that he had the girl he loved lying on his lap, just about to answer a sincere proposal from him.

Suddenly it was Lily's heart that sped up. He wanted her to come over, probably just as a friend, which was exactly what they were so it was great. But still.. he wanted her over in vacation.. that was so sweet,

"Oh James, I'd love to, but I'm going home for Christmas"

I'd love to. She'd love to. If she did, then he'd make it work.

"What if you come over the second week? After you've spent some time with your family?" James asked. "We're not going until then anyways and I'll apparate over and get you (since I'm seventeen and all you know)" he rambled.

Lily couldn't help but smile at the thought. "I'd like that James"

I'd like that James. Did he feel good now. He felt so good he just wanted to lean down and kiss her. Of course he didn't, but he wanted to.

"I'm glad" he smiled. "I'll ask Margaret and Marlene too"

"The marauders are all coming, right?" Lily mumbled.

"Right" James grinned, ruffling his messy hair.

"Lily smiled sweetly back at him, before falling asleep. James, hardly believing his nerve, kissed her forehead and carried her to her room (using her palm to open the door).

Dorcas was taken aback. Margaret had been the reason that she and Remus broke up. She'd been the one that did it. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she thought about it, but she didn't make a sound where she sat. She knew she was out after curfew after all. She'd thought Margaret was her friend. A real friend even, but all this times she'd just been pretending. Suddenly she just couldn't keep it in anymore, and sobbed loudly. So what if the Prefects found her. What more could she possibly loose? Friends and boyfriends, they were all intent on hurting her. But she wouldn't be messed with anymore. Everyone thought it was okay to hurt her, but she'd show them. She'd get Margaret back for it, and make sure everyone knew what her fake friend had done.

After a while her tears started to slow, until they finally melted away. The sadness she felt was still there, but some of it had been replaced by hate and a longing for revenge. No, not revenge! Justice.

It was Thursday and lunchtime when Sirius decided it would be a good time to break up with Sylvie. For once he was actually feeling bad about it (thank you very much Marlene) because he knew he'd deceived her. Usually the girls understood that it was all about the looks, but this time he'd actually cared for the girl. That was new.

"Hey Sylvie" Sirius said, when he arrived at the Ravenclaw table.

"Hi" she smiled.

"Want to go for a walk?" he asked, and barely refrained from rolling his eyes as the girls behind him "awwed" and told Sylvie that she was lucky. Some of the girls just glared. He recognized a couple form his fan group.

"Sure" She replied, leaving whatever food she had left behind.

When they got outside the door Sirius stopped, figuring this was as good a place as any.

"What's up?" Sylvie asked, when she noticed.

"We've got to break up"

"Why?" Sylvie asked, sounding insulted by the mere proposal.

"Because we're both using each other, and if I'm going to use someone then I'll at least let it be someone that know she's being used" he explained. He didn't bother telling her about the plan. It would only hurt her.

Sylvie opened her mouth to speak, but realized he was right.

"Fine" She said, and walked past him in to the Great Hall. She wouldn't let him see it had hurt her. No matter how many times she'd insisted the relationship was mostly physical she guessed she'd cared for him after all.

Sirius stared after her. That wasn't hard at all, he realized. She wasn't even hurt. And he didn't have to feel guilty. Because he'd been right.

"Good for me" he grinned. Then walked away, looking for the next good snog. Still; no more relationships. They were too complicated.

The next week everyone were eagerly awaiting the last Hogsmeade visit before vacation. It was going to be on Saturday and most could hardly wait.

Lily, having escaped doing a dare last week, was nervously awaiting this week's one. Margaret had told her she was too happy to be evil (having just gotten together with Remus) when Lily asked her why, but Lily knew it was because she didn't want to put more strain on her after what had just happened with Benjy.

As it was she was sitting in Transfiguration with Margaret, who'd told her she'd get to know the dare tomorrow in the morning.

She noticed Marlene sitting in the back with Sirius, who had actually (along with Remus) come down and given her a hug when he heard what happened with Benjy. Marlene was sitting there, biting her lip (as she usually did when she was nervous) and Lily wondered idly if what James had said about her having a thing for Sirius was true.

"I broke up with Sylvie last week" Sirius told Marlene.

"I heard" She said in a distant voice.

"So" Sirius said, changing subjects and grinning "what's up?"

"Wondering whether I should go with Elias to Hogsmeade" she mumbled.

"The one that took you to prom?" Sirius asked, suddenly feeling very possessive.

"Mhm"

"You can't" he said "everyone 'cept Margaret and Moony are going to be meet up at Madam Rosemerta's together, you know, the crew"

"Oh" Marlene smirked "okay, of course, the crew" she rolled her eyes.

"Besides" Sirius went on, winking at her "Why go with that prat when you could be snogging me in a broom closet?"

"No thanks" Marlene laughed, feeling the warmth rush to her cheeks. Yep, definitely blushing, but it was okay.

"No thanks!?" Sirius mock-gasped "No girl has ever said no to me"

Marlene giggled "I'm sure Lily and Margaret would say the same to you"

"Stop wounding my male ego" Sirius pouted.

"Fine" She laughed as the class ended. "And I guess I'll say no to Elias too, if that's any comfort"

"Yes, lots" Sirius grinned. Marlene stuck her tongue out at him and walked off, hardly believing how outspoken she'd become. Yet, she could still feel the blush on her cheeks as he told her. That hadn't changed.

"Okay" Margaret said, as she and James met up after the last class. "Here's the deal"

"I'm waiting eagerly" James teased.

"You should" Margaret said.

"Okay, so what is it?"

"Well, all those crazy things Lily's been doing?"

"Yeah?" James asked. They both knew what she meant. IT was kind of hard to miss.

"Well, they were all dares from me" Margaret smiled.

"What?" James asked. "Seriously?"

"Yeah"

James burst out laughing. "You know how you kept saying I was evil for black mailing you? You're way worse"

"Well of course" Margaret rolled her eyes. "I'm just so much more accomplished than you" she teased.

"Hey"

"Anyways.." Margaret continued "I'm going to dare her to kiss you as the final dare"

James gaped at her. "what?" he spluttered. "You can't be serious.."

"No.. then I'd have to be a very immature boy" Margaret said.

James groaned. "That one is getting so old"

"I know" Margaret laughed.

"But.. about Lily. Do you think she's ready for that?" James asked "I don't want to ruin our friendship"

"Knowing Lily, she'll find a way to tell you she's been dared.. even though that's out of the rules" Margaret smiled.

"Okay" James smiled. "As long as Lily isn't hurt, I guess I can't deny you that"

"It's a favor to a friend" Margaret winked.

"You know what? I think you might not be as evil as I thought you were"

Margaret laughed lightly. "By the way, it wasn't a favor to you, you know" she said softly.

"It wasn't?"

"No, it's for Lily" Margaret smiled gently. Then she walked away.

James stared after her perplexed.

Was that a compliment?

The next morning Lily went up to the girl's dorm to meet Margaret and Marlene. They were to lazy to go down to the head dorm for once, and so Lily had to come up. After having put the muffliato charm around them (making sure that no one heard, seeing as girls gossip too much for their own good), Margaret and Marlene told her.

"Okay" Margaret said, as she'd done the other day with James "so here's the deal"

"And you're going to love it" Marlene said, blinking innocently.

"Yeah right.." muttered Lily. "Just tell me?" She pleaded.

"You'll be happy to know there's no public humiliation this time"

"Really?" Lily asked.

"Yes"

"I'm not sure if that's supposed to make me feel happy or worried"

"Happy, dear" Marlene giggled, patting her head.

Lily scowled.

"Okay.. so you are going to.."

"I'm going to what?" Lily asked "Will you stop dragging it out!" she scolded.

"Fine, fine"

"All you have to do is kiss James" Marlene said "No biggy"

It took a few moments for Lily too register what she'd said. And it wasn't even because Margaret hit her with a pillow for telling, when she was supposed to do it.

"No biggy?" Lily answered faintly.

"Yes, exactly" Margaret smiled.

Lily sat down. "You don't understand.. this could ruin our friendship, and you know we're like the biggest opposites in the world, so it was kind of hard to attain it in the first place" Lily knew she was lying. She was nervous for a whole other reason; she just couldn't put her finger on what that reason was.

"Oh stop it Lily" Marlene said "You're just nervous"

Jackpot.

"I hate you both" she glared at them, her fingers trembling. Could she rally do this? Kiss James? James of all people?

"You keep saying that" Marlene whined.

"But we know you don't" Margaret smiled.

The next day Lily caught up with James. She figured it would be best to do it as quickly as possible, and just get it over with. He'd just been at Quidditch practice (last one before break) and his hair was slightly damp after having showered. It was 9 o'clock in the evening, and it was dark outside. She caught up with him just outside a window, and couldn't help but think it would have been romantic, if it wasn't for the fact that the boy was a friend, the circumstances were forced, and the nerves were horrible. The stars were shining brightly between the clouds, and once again the snow had started falling.

"James" Lily called, and he stopped. "Okay, so I just wanted to say, that well we're great friends, and well I appreciate your friendship, so no matter what I might do, don't forget that, okay?" She asked. "We're friends" She added, making sure he'd understand.

"Yeah, yeah" He grinned. "We're friends Lily. I know that" He ruffled his hair again. She let him.

"Okay, so if.." Lily didn't finish.. "Oh what the hell" she said, swearing.

Then she walked nervously over to him. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She couldn't wait any longer now. If she was supposed to do this, this was her last chance. She knew she'd back out if she didn't do it now.

She took his hand, trailing her fingers along it, and then she just went for it. She kissed him. She kissed James Potter. Lily Evans. Never in her life had she imagined that. She'd never imagined that her heart would be hammering wildly, and that she'd be swelling with happiness as she stood there either.

She meant for it to be a quick kiss, but when she was about to pull away, he kissed her back. They stood like that for a while, savoring each other, until Lily realized what she was doing, and pulled away. She blushed profusely, hardly meeting his eyes, then she ran away.

Friends, Lily. You ought to remember that yourself, she said to herself as she sat down against a wall, her head spinning, her lips still feeling the sweet taste of him. But it was too late.. Lily had finally realized it. It took her all that time, but now she knew what her head had been denying for so long… she was in love with James Potter.

Just when he'd stopped asking her out she fell for him.

Oh, the irony.

A/N: YAY!! L/J kissed:D Woohoo.. And Lily's not stupid anymore:) WOHOO!

Oh, and clearing something up, although I'll add this to a later chapter. Lily never understood that James really ment it when he was asking her out. She thought it was just a game (but now she thinks.. well, at least he asked me out, right? So she thinks she's more powerless now than she was when he asked her out. And now she's in love with him) Did I confuse you more now? Probably.

REVIEW!!! PLEAASE?:) I always smile when I read your reviews. They make me happy!

~AddictedToPotterAndProudOfIt

PS! Thank you so much for all your reviews! They were great and inspiring.