"Hurry up. We'll miss him."

"You're telling me to hurry up? I'm ahead of you."

"No, you're not!"

"Yes, I am, and it's rude to contradict a lady."

"Well, actually..."

"You shut your mouth right now and hurry up!" Lily really wanted to give that note back to Dumbledore because knowing that she had it made her feel guilty for taking it. Plus, it reminded her of Voldemort's growing power, a reminder she did not want or need. They were walking down the stairs just as Dumbledore came into view. He was standing in front of the statue of a gargoyle.

"Headmaster!" Lily called. James stuffed the Maurader's Map up his shirt as the older man turned to face the two Heads. He smiled warmly, putting Lily at ease; Dumbledore was just that kind of man.

"Hello. How are you today?" he asked as the two teenagers approached.

"Fine, and you?" James asked. Dumbledore looked about the hall casually.

"Well enough," he replied.

"Actually, I had something to give to you," Lily told him. At the headmaster's silence, she continued. "I took this from the Great Hall yesterday..." Lily pulled out the note and handed it to Dumbledore, who read it over.

"Ah, yes. We have two more to send out tonight," he told her.

"Headmaster, is-is this really getting this bad?' James asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid it is," Dumbledore sighed. "And it most likely will not get better."

"Headmaster, why do these people hate us so much?" Lily wanted to know. "What did we do to make them want to kill us? We've never done a thing to them, and yet they hate us like we were murderers. You never hear us doing things like many purebloods do."

"Miss Evans, some people just do not understand what really matters in a human being," Dumbledore said. "They don't understand that birth is not what makes a person whoever he or she is. They don't understand because they are blinded by pride and malice, and most will never change. Unfortunately, they often have to be dealt with in the same way they deal with muggleborns."

"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," James summarized.

"It's not right and it's not good," Dumbledore told them. "But sometimes it is the only option a person has. Sometimes there is no other way around the issue. I can assure you both, however, that in Hogwarts you will be safe." Lily believed that; there was no way that Hogwarts would ever be breakable. Even if giants and an entire army of Death Eaters were to attack, they would never be able to take Hogwarts.

"On a more positive note, I hear that Mr. Longbottom and Miss Thomas are engaged," Dumbledore remarked.

"Does news spread that fast around here?" James asked. Dumbledore smiled wryly.

"After six and a half years here, Mr. Potter, I would expect you to know," he said. Lily grinned at this.

"Well, I suppose you two should be off now. I'm sure Mr. Potter here has some more unique mischief to brew with Mr. Black," Dumbledore commented. Lily knew a dismissal when she heard one, and turned to go upstairs along with James.

"Speaking of mischief," James said as they head upstairs. "Sirius and I have some special business to take care of soon." Lily rolled her eyes.

"You know I will beat you if you do anything stupid again," she warned him. He grinned down at her.

"I know. With a shoe, most likely," he replied.

"Or my wand," she added.

"When you could be using your wand to hex me instead," he remarked. They turned a corner, and head up the next flight of stairs.

"Lily?"

"James?"

"Will you go out with me?" Lily turned to look up at him.

"We're going to Hogsmeade next weekend, remember?" she reminded.

"But you're only doing that because you have to," he protested. "If you had a choice you wouldn't be doing this."

"You don't know that," Lily snapped defensively as they reached the next floor. The second the sentence was finished she regretted it because James had just stopped to turn and face her.

"What does that mean?" he asked, his tone too innocent as a smile began to form on his lips. What have I done to myself? Lily thought.

"It-it means that you simply don't know," she answered, stepping backwards as James stepped closer to her. "You could be right."

"I could also be wrong," he told her, undaunted. "So tell me, am I wrong?" Lily was about to say no, but no words left her mouth. Why couldn't she say no? It was a one-syllable word, simple enough for most. Why can't I say it? she wondered. Why can't I just spit it out? Suddenly, she felt her back press against the stone wall as James placed his hands on the wall on either side of her waist. There was no escaping, unless she decided to kick him where the sun didn't shine. Only she didn't want to escape. she didn't feel a need to do so. Lily now realized that James's face was only inches away from her own. He leaned in even closer than he already was, letting his mouth brush against her nose. Her heart was racing faster by the second as she wondered whether or not he was going to kiss her. Was her breath alright?

"What are you doing, Potter?" Both Lily and James jumped to see McGonagall standing at the top of the steps looking absolutely aghast. James pulled away quickly, and it was then Lily realized that her hands had been resting on his arms.

"Nothing Professor," James answered sheepishly, stuffing his hands down his pockets. "It's a wonderful day out today, isn't it?"

"Five points from Gryffindor for harassing your fellow Head. Now get yourself out of here!" With that, McGonagall walked away. Lily knew she was blushing as she stared down at her shoes, standing with James in awkward silence. To her surprise, she was disappointed that the woman had interrupted.

"We probably should get back upstairs," James commented.

"Sure." They walked back up to the common room, the awkward silence never lifting.

XXXXXXXX

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! I can't believe this!" Lily sighed and exchanged glances with Dorcas and Marlene. Alice had just received and owl from Jacobson with his schedule, and a note stating that he was only free twice next year; once on the fifth of January, and another time on the eight of December. Not surprisingly, Alice was furious.

"This is my wedding! We've known Jacobson for ten years!" she exclaimed. "I want a spring wedding, not a winter one!"

"Well, you know, the kind of purple you want is a winter color," Marlene commented. "And I don't see what's wrong with a winter wedding."

"There's nothing wrong with winter. I just wanted spring," Alice explained. "What should I do?"

"What does Frank say?" Lily wanted to know. Alice opened her mouth, then closed it.

"Oh, I should go tell him now." With that, Alice rushed out of their dorm. Lily shook her head, looking down at her Transfiguration homework. She was having trouble with the last two questions. She had no idea how to answer. James would know, a voice in the back of her head remarked. He and Sirius are the only ones better at Transfiguration than you. Lily then shook her head, and pulled out her textbook for the class. No, she told herself. I always feel so embarrassed whenever I ask him for help. Speaking of James, I have a date with him in two days. What should I wear? It's cold, but I really want to wear a dress. Oh well, I'll decide on that when the time comes.