A/N: Thanks too tigerlilystar, indescribablyBee, Greekchic, siriusbrillantbrunette, AnIrishLily, Sami, and EastCoastHPgrl! On with the story…

Chapter 25

Lily's blood ran cold, her mind went blank, her face paled and she could have sworn her heart stopped beating.

Oh my god. James…he can't die. No, we're supposed to be together forever. Grow old, buy a dog, have 12 children. And our wedding night! (Smirk)

"Dumbledore, I don't have all night here. It's either Potter, or this" Malfoy reached inside his robes and pulled out a tiny key. Dumbledore's face paled and he looked frightened.

"Now Lucius, you don't want to-,"

"Save it old man. Choose now, Potter, or the key."

Lily couldn't believe this was so hard for him to choose. She was about to yell when he heard James's voice, firm and understanding, not full of fear.

"It's okay Professor."

Everyone looked at him in shock.

"No…" Lily breathed. Silent tears were making their way to her eyes. Sirius was shaking his head in disbelief.

"Prongs don't."

"Professor Dumbledore, do it." James said. He looked to the old wizard and they both seemed to have an understanding; the key, not James.

"James, no!" She went to move forward when James said angrily,

"Lily, stay where you are."

She froze in confusion. "Why are you doing this?" She asked desperately, her tears falling.

James looked at her with sad eyes, "Lily, don't…"

Lily looked to Dumbledore with a pleading look and heart, "Professor, do something!"

"I'm sorry Miss Evans."

"What!" Lily shrieked.

"Mr. Black, you-," Dumbledore tried.

"James! Please!" Lily said.

James tried to ignore her; he couldn't look at her, not now. "Remus, take everybody upstairs."

"Prongs we-,"

"Now!" James shouted. He didn't want everybody to have to watch this.

Lily was frantic, why wasn't anybody listening to her? They had to do something!

Sirius, Melissa, Peter and Remus walked to the stairs reluctantly, terrified, thinking they were looking at James for the last time. But they gave up, except for Lily who didn't move from where she was standing. She ran over to him, kneeled in front of him, grabbed his had and kiss him passionately for the last time. She pulled away and stood up.

"Goodbye Lily," James said painfully, "I love you so much."

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes as Sirius and Remus each held her hands, guiding her upstairs. She was too distraught to say it back to him.

Once they were gone, Dumbledore looked at Malfoy.

"What's it going to be Dumbledore?"

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"Lily, he'll-," Remus tried but Lily collapsed on the couch, crying. Melissa had tears rolling down her cheeks, Remus was shaking and Sirius was sitting on the armchair with his head in his hands.

A silence passed between them when Sirius felt a tap. He looked up to see a puffy-bloodshot-eyed Lily in front of him. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face into his chest and cried her hearts out. Sirius was trying to blink back tears, whispering soothing words into Lily's ear.

Remus was hugging Melissa on the couch as they sat in silence and Peter was in tears, sitting on the floor.

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"James, you shouldn't be doing this." Dumbledore's voice wavered.

For the first time in James's life, he saw tears in the old man's eyes.

"You have one minute, Dumbledore, my patience is running thin. Decide."

James nodded and Dumbledore bowed his head.

"Yes Lucius, you'll have a pardon, signed by the Minister of Magic, for the- the murder."

"Very well Dumbledore." Malfoy smirked, satisfied. He tossed him the key, which Dumbledore caught. "Goodbye Potter."

"Yeah, I'll see you in hell." James growled.

"Not afraid?" Narcissa taunted.

James looked at Dumbledore with a sad smile, "There are worse things. Professor, It's been a pleasure."

A tear rolled down Dumbledore's cheek.

"Avada Kedavra…"

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A/N: UH-OH! (…I was going to write more…but…I decided to let you squirm. Yes, that's why it's incredibly short. REVIEW!

Read my New story "The Spray of the Sea"…it's James and Lily of course!

Btw -- don't hate me.