"Ice, ice melt your heart
Baby girl, let down your guard
Rush, rush for that touch
Just one taste can't get enough"

-Take It Home by The White Tie Affair

Dear Lily,

I hate being home for the summer holidays. All I ever hear bout is John's funeral, and I'm sure it's beginning to take a toll on my sanity. It's awfully depressing. I can hardly wait to see everyone on the twenty-second and have this all over with.

I'll be leaving the funeral with James, Remus, and Sirius to stay with James' family for a while. You should ask to visit for a bit. I'm sure James' parents are dying to meet you. Besides, it'll be nice to have another girl around, and I'm sure Petunia is becoming unbearable by now.

Owl me your ideas and whatnot soon!

Love,
Sophie

I help Sophie's letter tightly in my hand. I could only imagine how chaotic and somber her house was. I pulled out a piece of parchment, dipped my quill, and began my response.

Sophie,

Please, please, please let your family know how sorry I am for your loss. John was like a brother to me as well. I can't wait to see everyone again (although I do wish the circumstances were a bit more cheery). It's a bit late right now, so I can't ask. I'll let you know at the funeral. James will have to ask his parents as well. See you soon!

Love,
Lily

I sighed. This funeral was going to be a nasty mix of emotions.

I'd let you know how the entire thing went down, but unfortunately Petunia made us late. Wizards had such an odd way of doing funerals. The wake and funeral happened back-to-back, something I had never experienced. We made it just in time for the burial.

My heart almost broken when I caught sight of Sophie. She was dressed in all black, sobbing into Sirius' chest. His eyes were bloodshot as well, and he held her tightly, as if he would never let go. Remus, who was standing next to them, stood still as a rock. Mary clutched his hand tightly and stared numbly at where John was to be buried.

I felt an arm snake around my waist and lead me to them. I knew, without a doubt, that it was James. Neither of us spoke. I stole a glance and discovered that his nose was a dark shade of red and his eyes were puffy. I felt my own eyes tear up.

"How long has this been going on," I whispered, almost afraid to break the silence.

"Since before any of us met up. Sophie and her family were already in tears by the time we saw them," James answered.

The tears in my own eyes began fall down my cheeks and the sniffling started. As soon as I saw Sophie looked up in concern, I was done for. I ran over to her and snatched her away from Sirius. We held each other tightly and sobbed.

"I miss him so much," Sophie said through her tears.

"I hate this war. Everything about it is stupid and prejudice. Someone has to end it. Someone has to stand up to Voldemort," I managed to sniffle.

We stood there, crying for a good ten minutes, before Sirius and James grabbed us away. The ceremony was beginning. As if on cue, it began raining. I stared at the casket with no emotion. The whole situation felt like a scene from a movie. None of this could be real. There's no way this shamble I called my life actually existed.

People began to speak about John and how he affected their lives. Someone asked Sophie to talk, but she only mutely shook her head. They then said y name expectantly.

My eyes widened and I found myself barely able to speak. But I saw Sophie's tear-filled eyes, and I knew I had to do what I had to do. No matter how hard it was for me.

"I've known John since I was eleven. He knew me as Sophie's annoying best friend who liked to call him Johnny all of the time. I always had an inkling that he never liked me until second or third year. Even though he couldn't stand me, I knew he cared about me. John was a caring type of person. He put others before himself constantly and always stood for what he believed in. There's not much I can say about him that hasn't already been said, or will be repeated. I never knew John as closely as some of did, but I do know that I loved him as if he were my own family, and I'm going to miss him dearly. He died valiantly. He fought those who were wrong, and I'm proud of him. I always will be, and I know that his murderer will get what they deserve one day."

I looked at the ground and allowed the tears to fall freely. I didn't care if I cried anymore. It never completely hit me until the moment after I made that speech that John was, in fact, dead. I'd never see him again.

James held my hand tightly, and I knew that both of our knuckles were white from the amount of pressure being applied on them. I indirectly promised that I would make John's murderer pay. I only hoped that I could semi-keep the promise.

I buried my face in James' shoulder when they buried him. I couldn't watch. Immediately after, James pulled me aside.

"Lily, I love you," he said bluntly, "And I never want to lose you. Ever."

He pulled me close against him.

"I don't want to lose you either," I said softly, looking at the ground.

James held my face in his hands and kissed me forcefully. My eyes widened with surprise. I was usually the one to initiate the passionate kisses. He usually only kissed me lightly. He'd never kissed me like this before.

This kiss was hungry and desperate. No one had every kissed me like this before. The way he kissed me reminded me of the way Sirius had held Sophie when I arrived. He was frightened about losing me; he never wanted to leave me. Oddly enough, I found myself responding with the same amount of passion. I wondered absentmindedly if I had come to fall in love with James Potter.

When we separated, I spoke breathlessly, "My parents will let me stay at your house. They said yes. I want to leave with you as soon as I can."

James smiled lightly, "We'll aparate to your house and collect your things. Then, you can stay at my house as long as you like. You'll never have to leave if you don't want to."

I smiled gingerly, "Thank you for the offer."

"Let's go back. Sophie looks like she could use the type of comfort only you and Mary can provide," James said, nodding back to our friends.

I nodded in agreement. I had a feeling that we were all going to need a friend to comfort us in the near future.

Is that foreshadowing? It just might be… I want to know who you think is going to die. Tell me in reviews. If I've already told you (you all know who you are), you're not allowed to guess. I already know whose getting killed off, so your guesses won't sway me. I'll just find them and your reasonings amusing.

I'm not going to lie; I cried while writing this. It's sad. You don't have to tell me if you cried. I don't mind discussing anything I've written so far with any of you, so feel free to ask questions. There's a reason for everything I do. The lyrics are for the ending mostly.