Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

~Lily~ Howling about Hogsmeade to the Headmaster

The first week came and past after they resolved their fight. Lily and James returned into the normal groove of their friendship. James acted as though they had never even so much as held hands. He busied himself with the Gryffindor Quidditch team anyways. They held trials and found a new Chaser. Hestia Jones made the team as a Reserve (she told Lily all about it when Lily tutored her for Charms). Lily just hoped that being Team Captain and Head Boy were too much. Mary had made a quick recovery from the Hospital Wing. Her classes were very demanding, but very informative. She especially loved Professor Fawley. Not because he was hot, like other girls thought, but because he was an incredible teacher. She could tell he loved to teach and connect with his students. Next week he said he had a very exciting lesson planned for them. And now it was the second Friday of the school year. The day of their meeting with Dumbledore!

"James!" Lily called out that morning. She knocked over and over on his door. "C'mon get up."

"Coming," he groaned. Some five minutes later, James pushed his door open.

"You look horrible," Lily exclaimed as he came into the light. Beneath his eyes were home to large purple bags. His clothes were wrinkled and looked suspiciously like the ones he wore the night before. And he seemed to need to hold his head up as he walked.

"Thanks Lily," James said dryly, "Just what I wanted to hear."

"I would say sorry for insulting you, but I think I'll settle for: I told you so," Lily said. She smirked at him. "You really shouldn't have gone out to Hogsmeade."

"Yeah, yeah I get it. You were right again, Miss Infallible Evans," James grinned back at her, although it resembled a grimace. James and the rest of the Marauders went for a trip to Hogsmeade and evidently had gotten quite drunk.

"Infallible my arse," Lily muttered. James grinned even more.

"Would you prefer Perfect Prefect, Lovely Lily, or Heavenly Head Girl?" James went on.

"Shut up and let's get to breakfast. This whole rooming with you thing has slowed my mornings down considerably," Lily told him.

"Alright I'm coming, but I don't recall asking you to wait for me," James said. And together they headed off to breakfast in the Great Hall.

All day the chosen 7th years bombarded her with questions. Apparently they couldn't wait until 3 o'clock for more information. Sirius tried to charm information out of her, Marlene tried to guilt her into telling ("I thought best friends tell each other things?"), Remus tried kissing up to her by offering to do her homework etc, and Mary tried to play the injury card. Surprisingly enough, Peter was the only one not trying to squeeze information from her. Lily was incredibly grateful. And she had noticed that he looked paler this year and jumpier too.

"Will you all stop!" Lily exclaimed. Marlene, Remus, Sirius, and Mary all jumped back in surprise. They had been pestering her on the walk to Dumbledore's office and Lily had had enough.

"Sorry Lily," Remus mumbled.

"Sorry," Mary said after.

"Sorry Lils," Marlene said. They turned expectantly towards Sirius, who hadn't yet spoken. He sighed quite loudly.

"Fine, sorry Tigerlily," he said, as he rolled his eyes. Lily let out a sound of amusement and Sirius grinned at her, obviously trying to charm her once more.

"So about this meeting..." he began.

"Shove off. I honestly wish you all let me walk here alone," Lily said. She shook her head and they approached the gargoyle statues that marked Dumbledore's office.

"Ice Mice," Lily said and the door spun open. She looked back towards her friends and motioned for them to enter. Remus and Sirius must've been having a silent argument behind her back, because Sirius shot Remus a dirty look as he crossed his arms and powered by him. Lily raised an eyebrow surprised.

"Sorry about him Lily, he doesn't know when to quit. Sorry about us all really. I suppose we're all a bit nervous about being summoned by the Headmaster. It's never happened before unless we did something wrong," he explained.

"It's fine, really," Lily told him. And they followed everyone else inside. James was already there, and standing beside him were Peter, Dorcas, Emmeline, Cardoroc Dearborn, Benjy Fenwick, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Alice and Frank Longbottom, and a man she didn't recognise. More people than she expected to see.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on?" Marlene whispered to Lily.

"You'll see," she replied quickly.

"Welcome, please come in," Dumbledore said. "You all are of age. Some are you have already graduated and some are in their last year of schooling. All of you I consider trustworthy, but nevertheless I still require your word."

"About what?" Sirius asked.

"I need your word before I say anything. Promise me that you'll speak nothing of anything I tell you today," Dumbledore insisted. Everyone looked around to each other. Lily found James' eyes and nodded.

"I promise Professor," they both said. Dumbledore' eyes twinkled as he smiled.

"I promise," some others said a few moments after.

"I won't say a word," Fabian and Gideon promised.

"Same here," someone else said. After a few minutes everyone promised that they wouldn't say anything to anyone else regarding the upcoming conversation. Lily was surprised that Dumbledore hadn't made them sign a jinxed parchment or some sort of binding oath. But perhaps he had done something to ensure their loyalties without them knowing. It was Dumbledore after all.

"Thank you all. Now before I begin I should just remind you that this agreement isn't mandatory. It is strictly volunteer only and no one will think any less of you should you choose to turn it down," Dumbledore said. His half-moon glasses sat upon his crooked nose. Lily wondered who broke his nose, because Snape's nose turned out the very same way.

"The reason I summoned you all here today is because I have an offer to make you. And forgive me, because I know it asks a lot of you, but I still am asking no less. I am asking you all to join the Order of the Phoenix," he said. And as if it was planned out, Fawlkes cried out a beautiful song of wonder and hope.

"The what?" "What's a phoenix?" "Is it dangerous?"

"Quiet please, as I finish explaining," he asked. Everyone stopped talking. Sirius' mouth hung wide open and his eyes bugged out considerably. "Thank you. Now the Order of the Phoenix is an organisation that is resisting the group known as Death Eaters. That very same group that is headed by Lord Voldemort himself." Again gasped and whispers of surprise filled the room.

"You mean it's true then, sir, what the Prophet is saying. About how a secret group is out there working behind the scenes?" Alice Longbottom called out. She looked worried. She held her husband's hand as she awaited Dumbledore's response.

"It's true," he spoke. "And I'd like to give you all a place in our ranks."

"In exchange for what?" a voice asked. Lily turned and saw Peter. He looked nervous speaking up in front of the whole group, but still he spoke again. "You said it was an agreement."

"Well spotted, Mr Pettigrew, I did say that. In exchange for a place in the Order I'd like your loyalty. Complete and unchanging loyalty at all times," Dumbledore said looking dead serious. "I did say that it wasn't a good deal, but Voldemort must be stopped and the Ministry isn't doing very much about it. The Order is the only way he can be slowed."

"What do you mean? The Ministry is working us day and night trying to hunt down Dark Wizards. And we catch 'em too. We're doing plenty," Frank Longbottom called out, obviously furious and proud of his job.

"You misunderstand me, Frank. I am not putting the Aurors down, not at all, I am simply saying that a handful of powerful wizards and witches under strict regulations are no match for hundreds of equally powerful wizards and witches using Dark Magic," Dumbledore explained. Frank and Alice calmed down a bit after his words, but Frank still had a firm look on his face.

"Sir?" Remus asked. "What did you mean by slowing Him down? I thought we are trying to stop him." The room fell quiet and all heads turned to Dumbledore, who looked like someone does when a child confronts them about the truth of Santa Claus.

"All of you are old enough to handle this, but I apologise for my bluntness. The truth is: no one alive can defeat Voldemort," he said. There were no gasps of shock, no whispers relaying fears. Just deafening silence.

"So that's it then? He wins?" Benjy said, breaking the silence.

"No. I don't pride myself on being a Seer, but I know that all tyrants fall. May it be weeks, months, or even years during their reign, but they always fall," Dumbledore said.

"Why can't you fight him? You defeated Grindlewald, didn't you? And no one thought it to be possible," Mary asked. Dumbledore's face tightened and his jaw clenched.

"Lightning never strikes the same tree twice," Dumbledore spoke calmly.

"They say you are the only person that You-Know-Who fears. And that you are the most powerful wizard of all time. Surely you could take him down," Mary continued.

"Grindlewald and Voldemort are two very different cases. Voldemort delved into realms of magic that Grindlewald wouldn't have dreamt of. And I am fighting and resisting and protecting. But fate has chosen it's path and I have no right to interfere," Dumbledore said. He spoke fiercely, like he had something to prove.

"So by joining we would go out and fight Death Eaters?" Marlene said.

"Yes. All anonymously and inconspicuously. And once again, none of you are forced to join. If you are a current 7th year than officially joining will have to wait until you graduate," Dumbledore said. Again everyone looked around at each other. This time it was Sirius who spoke first.

"Where do I sign up?" he asked, holding his head high. Dumbledore smiled at him.

"A verbal agreement shall suffice, Mr. Bl- Sirius. Are there any others willing to join our cause?" Dumbledore asked. Sirius looked rather pleased with himself after being the first to join and Dumbledore correcting himself.

"I'd like to join," Lily said.

"Me too," James piped up.

"Me three," Marlene said.

"Same with me. I'm in," Remus added.

"Me as well," Dorcas said.

"I'd love to join," the man Lily didn't recognise said. He was tall with a square, hard set jaw and straw coloured hair. His eyes seemed unforgiving and tough.

"I'm in," Benjy Fenwick said.

"Hear hear," Fabian and Gideon said cheerfully.

"I'd love to join," Emmeline added in.

"So am I, sir," Cardoroc Dearborn told the group. After Cardaroc spoke, no one else did for a bit.

"Thank you all, I truly cannot express how much this means to me. As for the rest of you, I thank you for coming," Dumbledore said to the remaining few who hadn't spoken.

"Wait, wait I'm going to join," Alice Longbottom said. She turned to her husband, hoping he'd follow her.

"Yes alright, I'm in as well. But our jobs as Aurors comes first," he told Dumbledore, who simply nodded expectantly. Peter turned to survey the room, the room full of brave people he didn't understand. He looked nervous as he stood there.

"I need to join too!" he burst out. Everyone looked at him, unsure of what his words meant. His nervousness now seemed misplaced, as if he was waiting for them to call him out.

"Alright then is that all?" Dumbledore said. Everyone turned expectantly towards Mary MacDonald, the only person who hadn't spoken. She seemed to shrink under their gaze. "Thank you for coming and 7th years I'll hold another meeting just after graduation for you. Graduates will be sent more information about our next meeting." A chorus of 'Thank you's and 'Goodbye Headmaster's were a plenty as the group exited his office.

"Lily. James. Will you stay behind a moment?" he asked.

"What is it, sir?" James asked when the room emptied.

"You both remember the attack in Hogsmeade a year and a half ago?" Dumbledore spoke carefully. James remembered it very well. He remembered his father's empty glazed over stare and hollow voice when he decided to speak every other week, "I have been thinking about how attacks in recent days, have become constant and more deadly than before." Dumbledore looked down at the open Daily Prophet on his desk. The page had a picture of a burning building, Muggles dead and mutilated on the streets beside it. Lily gulped and returned her eyes to look at Dumbledore's brilliant blue eyes.

"I think it would be prudent to stop student trips to Hogsmeade Village," he said. James' eyes bulged and Lily's jaw dropped a bit.

"Hogsmeade, sir? But- well- it's Hogsmeade!" James said, having trouble articulating in his shock. Lily, somehow, regained her composure with a bit more grace than James had.

"It makes sense," she said. James turned to her, looking mutinous, "If they wanted to stage an attack on the school, they'd be forced to enter through Hogsmeade."

"Why would they want to take the school?" James asked.

"Loads of reasons, I suppose. To prove they can, to control the children, as a scare tactic, or even to get back at Dumbledore," Lily said. She looked at her Headmaster, seeing a mixture of emotions on his face.

"Well sure, but what about Remus!? Where will he go to transform?" James said, coming to a shout. Dumbledore looked between James and Lily with a careful demeanor.

"She knows?" he asked simply. James nodded.

"Remus told her, well she figured it out herself back in 5th year, and Remus confirmed it with her. Obviously she wouldn't say anything, but you didn't answer my question."

"We could arrange special circumstances for Mr. Lupin. Guards even, if necessary," Dumbledore said. James frowned. "The safety of the students are of upmost importance."

"Nowhere is safer than Hogwarts!" James reminded him.

"Correct, as of now, but it isn't impossible to overpower. A place is only as strong as those fighting to keep it," Dumbledore said.

"Okay, so say we stop Hogsmeade trips, what does that do for anyone? The students won't be ambushed in an attack, sure, but the Death Eaters can still easily enter the village and trek up to Hogwarts," James pointed out.

"We have multiple precautionary guards placed throughout the village and I have alerted the shop owners of the possibility of another attack." Dumbledore stood up from his chair and paced back and forth. "I told you both that a lot would be expected of you and that remains the same."

"We know sir, but stopping Hogsmeade trips just seems wrong. I get your point and all, but couldn't you just place anti-Apparation spells around the village? Or do something else, anything else, because stopping visits won't do a thing!" James argued. Lily didn't know why James was getting so upset over it, maybe something to do with his father's near death? She didn't know.

"Hogsmeade is a village, it wouldn't be my place, as Headmaster of this school, to charm a village, despite any good intentions I might have," Dumbledore explained. "My power resides in Hogwarts. And my job is to educate and protect all students of the school."

"You mus be joking! You've got more titles than I can remember! Chief Warlock of Wizenmigot and loads of others. You probably got more power than the Minister himself! You could've been the Minister yourself actually, but you decided to take up being a school teacher. We ought to be fighting, not cancelling silly trips. It's cowardly!" James yelled.

"James calm down," Lily said. She tugged on his arm.

"It's alright, Lily. But no James, it wouldn't be my place to interfere with the Minister or with Hogsmeade. As for my decision to turn down Minister of Magic on several occasions, I like to think that it was my finest and lest cowardly moment yet. Teaching is my passion and I agree with you. We ought to be fighting and we are fighting. The Order lives and breathes to resist and protect, but for now I have made my decision. Hogsmeade trips have been cancelled, I just thought I'd let the two of you know," Dumbledore said.

"Right well, thanks sir. James and I, well we'd best be going," Lily said with a nervous smile.

"Until next time, Lily," her Headmaster said with a smile. James and Lily left the room without another word. James was obviously brooding about something and Lily didn't know how to talk to him about it without getting into a huge row. So they walked back in dead silence.

"Treacle Tart," Lily said to the tapestry. She never had changed the password, she really ought to get on that.

"Aren't you going to berate me, or something?" James asked. Lily looked up at him, pursing her lip.

"No," she replied.

"Oh." He took his glasses off and wiped them on his shirt, "Well are you mad at me?"

"No," she repeated. A bit confused and annoyed, she thought, but not mad. He put his glasses back onto his face.

"Why not?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why aren't you mad at me? I've just told off Dumbledore of all people. Merlin I'm a mess. I called him a coward," James said, looking a bit deranged. He ran a hand threw his hair.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why'd you tell him off like that? And we both know it isn't because you'll miss Hogsmeade so much," Lily asked.

"Well I dunno, I just got a lot pent up. Boring stuff really, you wouldn't want to hear," James assured her. Lily raised an eyebrow at him, urging him to keep talking. "Alright fine. It's just the world is so dark right now. Killings and attacks and tortures. You can't walk down the corridor without hearing a new story. A new tragedy really. And then Dumbledore says that he's cancelling Hogsmeade, a fun upbeat trip. A break from it all, you know. Even though cancelling the trip will only be helpful in an direct attack were to occur when students were there, but they wouldn't do that. Not when the number of purebloods are already dwindling. So it seems kind of pointless, wouldn't you say?"

"No it seems like a good precautionary measure to me-"

"But what about dates," James blurted out.

"What?"

"I shouldn't have said anything." James shook his head.

"But you did, so now you're going to tell me," Lily urged him.

"Haven't you ever wondered what it'd be like if we were together for real? Actually dating. As in with true dates to Hogsmeade and all?" James asked. The true answer was yes, but Lily didn't say a word. "Well I do, because you were right. I can't just pretend we didn't kiss. I can't forget that you fancy me. And I'm giving you your time, but if we ever are something real... something more... then I want it to go perfectly." And Lily, at that moment, felt her heart melt a bit. She felt like throwing her arms around this boy and staying there forever. But she couldn't do that, but she felt tears slipping from the corners of her eyes, falling down her cheeks.

"Oh Lily, I'm sorry. Please don't cry. I didn't mean- Merlin I'm sorry," James rambled. He brushed he tears from her cheeks and left his hand resting there.

"No, it isn't you... well it was. You- you're just so stupidly sweet and now I'm crying like a nutter," Lily said, choking out a laugh as she cried. James brought her in for a hug.

"You're no nutter. I'm a nutter really," he said. He made her smile with his simple reassurings and use of 'nutter'.

"We're both nutters. I made everything more complicated than it had to be. We fancy each other and two people who fancy each other should be together, but I'm so scared. Scared if we date than we'll break up or you'll die," Lily said.

"I get it, I don't know what I'd do if you died either. I'd- I just can't imagine life without you anymore. And I royally screwed up. I wouldn't take your feelings and fears into account and I was angry."

"You don't need to apologise for that again, James-"

"No I do. You accepted my apology, but you haven't forgiven me-"

"I forgive you," she said with a smile.

"You do?" he replied with a grin, "I just- I love you y'know."

"I know. And I'm ready," Lily told him, "For real this time."

And he kissed her. She could feel the smile on his lips and the heat and passion. His hands cupped her cheeks, her hands in his hair. Gentleness forgotten and an incessant need for each other was all that remained. Heat, love, neediness, and unspoken words were conveyed through their lips and hands. They were together and their sudden euphoria blocked out everything else for a few moments. And moments later, but it might as well have been years, they broke apart. Once again silly giggles were brought upon them. Lily didn't know how to describe her feelings, sure the fear was still there, lurking, but her pure joy were shining and taking over.

"I can't believe my luck sometimes," James said quietly. They sat together on the couch in their sitting room, Lily leaning her head on James' shoulder and James playing with her hair.

"Me either," she whispered back. Slowly with a few more kisses, the new couple fell asleep on that couch.

~James~ Living and Loving

He woke up, in the same clothes as the night before, with a smile still etched on his lips and Lily still leaning on his shoulder. And if it was possible, he got even happier. He watched her sleep on his shoulder for a few moments, beautiful in her peace. He planted a soft kiss on top of her head, not wanting to have to wake her. Minutes later, she stirred.

"James," she said. And it took him back to that Slug Club party where she said his name the same way for the first time. Now, it seemed, she'd say it that way for forever.

"Lily." He smiled at her, his crooked smile, the smile she used to despise. Now that same smile was the one she adored.

"Good morning," she said sleepily, leaning into him and curling up.

"A fantastic morning to you too, my love," James said cheerily.

"Fancy getting breakfast?"

"With you? Of course, although I'd love to stay here with you all day," he said.

"We could, it is a Saturday after all, but I'm half starved. We forgot about dinner last night," she reminded him. Right, he thought, but last night dinner was the furthest thing on his mind. And if Sirius had been there, James knew a crude joke would've come into play.

"Then let's go get some breakfast, yeah?"

"Yeah," she said, "but we'd better get changed. We don't want people getting the wrong ideas."

"I could give a damn about what other people think. Not when I'm so happy," James said.

"That's what I love about you, but I'm still getting changed," said Lily. She said love, not that she was in love with him, but she loves parts of him, and to James that was more than enough.

"Yeah," he said breathlessly. He knew she fancied him and was dating him (finally), but she truly cares for him (officially). He should've known seeing as she was one who cared about everyone. But this was different.

"Look! They're holding hands!" a Ravenclaw boy whispered as they passed.

"I told you they were together, I swore they were on the train!" his friend replied.

"Bloody hell! Lily and James, look at that!" a young Gryffindor said to no one in particular.

"James and Lily dating? It's about time, wouldn't you say?" a Hufflepuff relayed to a Slytherin.

"I suppose. I always thought they'd be good together. That is when they became friends. 'member they used to hate each other," the Slytherin replied with a smile.

Lily and James walked in between the tables in the Great Hall, to reach the spot where their friends sat. The same spot James and Marauders had sat every day since First Year. The spot where James had joined Peter, Marlene, Mary, Remus, Lily, and Sirius after he was sorted.

"What're you playing at?" Marlene demanded. "Holding hands, grinning like that. What're you doing?"

"Dating that's what," Lily said with a large grin.

"And when did this happen? And why haven't you told me already!?" Marlene said louder this time.

"Just last night and I would've told you right away-" Lily began. She caught James' glance.

"There's no excuse-"

"-but we were a bit preoccupied," Lily finished. Suddenly Marlene's scowl disappeared into a smirk.

"Well it's about time," Marlene conceded.

"Good deal," Sirius said, grinning at them.

"Not really for you though," Peter said. "You owe me ten Galleons."

"Bollocks, I forgot about that. Dammit, Wormy," Sirius said reaching into his pockets. He threw the wizarding coins onto the table and Peter grinned victoriously.

"What're you on about?" James asked.

"Well Prongs, don't be mad, but we might've had a bit of a ongoing bet about the pair of you..." Sirius explained. "We've had them for years. So we have a few questions about how it all played out."

"I did not participate," Remus said. Everyone turned to him. "Well one of us needed to have a bit of respect."

"Who initiated the first kiss?" Sirius asked.

"I'm not answering these questions. You all are blighters, besides you Moony," James said looking cross.

"I kissed him first," Lily said. James gave her a surprised look. He didn't think she would've liked a bunch of questions about their relationship, but here she was.

"What!?" Marlene exclaimed, "We are going to have a long conversation later. Blast this stupid Head dormitory thing." Marlene stabbed at her eggs a bit more viciously. She, obviously, didn't like being out of the loop.

"That's 3 Galleons, Meadows," Sirius said in a singsongy voice.

"Merlin's beard, who'd've thought?" Dorcas shook her head. She handed the coins over to Sirius, who was still out 7 Galleons.

"Tell us, was last night your first kiss together?" Sirius went on.

"No," Lily answered.

"Cough up Mary. That'll be four Galleons. And Sirius that's a Galleon and 6 Sickles," Dorcas said with a smile. Mary and Sirius groaned and handed over the coins.

"No!? Well when was it then!?" Marlene shouted, earning a very stern look from McGonagoll. "Sorry, Professor."

"September 1st, was the first one," she continued.

"This September..."

"Yes, for God's sake. Last September we were hardly friends," Lily exclaimed.

"Ha! I told you they both came in looking a bit too flustered when they came into the compartment!" Marlene said, "That's two Galleons and 3 Sickles from you Pettigrew!"

"But I don't got any Sickles on me," he said.

"Shame, I suppose 3 Galleons will be fine until you get me my Sickles," Marlene said with a grin. Peter frowned and handed her the Three Galleons reluctantly.

"Exactly how preoccupied did you two get?" Sirius asked with a smirk. James felt a blush on his cheeks. This was a completely inappropriate conversation to be having.

"That, my friend, is between Lily and I," James interrupted. They hadn't done anything more than snog for awhile, but James wanted to keep that part of the night for him and her only.

"Any more bets that need settling?" Lily asked amused.

"None at the moment, but I'm sure we'll think of plenty more..." Sirius said with a wink. Lily winked back at him, much to the displeasure of James who unknowingly had a scowl on his face.

"Prongs I think your girlfriend may have a thing for more than one Marauder," Sirius said with a grin.

"Well I can't help that Remus is so bleeding handsome." Lily threw another wink out, except this time to Remus, "And Peter has to be the most charming in the lot of you. What can I say, my heart is torn." Everyone roared in laughter, besides James and Sirius.

"How about I patch that heart up for you then?" James said. Lily opened her mouth to respond, probably to say something incredibly witty, but James cut her off with his lips. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was enough to steal the breath of Lily Evans.

"A room," Sirius said, "Go get one." James heard laughter around them, but James only had eyes on Lily, and she had eyes for only him. He'd never get used to her looking into his eyes with such a longing. Then a pain embodied him. A stinging right in his back. He released an involuntary sound of pain and Lily's concerned eyes followed his.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Stinging Jinx to the back," he told her. He turned around, trying to locate the culprit.

"Looks like someone didn't like the display of affection too much, did they?" Sirius said. James looked to where Sirius had his eyes trained and saw Severus Snape bustling out of the Great Hall, stuffing something into his robes, with a scowl present on his face.

"He isn't going to like the hex I get him back with much either," James said, standing up. Lily reached and grabbed his arm.

"No James. He isn't worth it," Lily told him, but James' anger wasn't flattened yet, "You're Head Boy now. You can't just go off duelling in the corridors."

"Right right," James muttered, sitting back down. But James wasn't going to let Snape get away with it. James placed his arm around Lily's shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

"You're okay, right?" Lily asked, her eyes still showing her concern. He loved that she was concerned, not the actual concerned part, but it showed the extent to which she cared.

"Better than okay. I have you next to me, don't I?" he said with a reassuring smile.

"You'll have to quit saying such sweet things to me or I'll be crying all the time," Lily said with a smile.

"And I'll be puking all the time," Marlene said under her breath. James sent her a playful glare, before returning his attention to his lovely girlfriend.

"You bring it out in me, love," he replied, smiling even wider. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"What happened to the room you were getting?" Sirius dragged out.

"Oh shove off," James said with a grin.

"I promised you all we'd be doing something fun this week, did I not?" Professor Fawley announced to the class. James grinned at him, they were friends one might say. Neighbors, friends, but now he was the teacher and James the student. James didn't mind though, quite the opposite, he enjoyed Maverick's classes. Especially seeing as none of the 7th Year Slytherins, except Snape were in their class this year. So they were entertaining to say the least, but usually entertaining classes don't have Flitwick as a surprise guest. And James told Lily so.

"Just because you didn't get an Outstanding on your Charms OWL doesn't mean Professor Flitwick himself is boring," Lily replied.

"Still what are we doing that requires two Professors?" he asked and Maverick answered for him.

"This week we will be learning the Patronus Charm. Have any of you heard of this Charm?" Maverick asked the class. A few girls were giggling as he spoke, something about Mav being a good looking bloke.

"It's the charm that wards off Dementors, sir," Remus answered.

"Very good. That'll be 5 points for Gryffindor," Maverick said. "Anyways I've asked Professor Flitwick to assist me in the teaching of this particular charm, seeing as it is one of the most difficult charms, which very few witches and wizards can boast of accomplishing."

"Bet I can do it," Sirius said to James with a grin.

"Wanna bet who can master it quicker?" James asked, "5 Galleons for whoever masters it first. 10 if the other person fails."

"You're on Prongs," Sirius said.

"Now before I teach you the incantation I should tell you something: this charm is peculiar. In order to master it you must feel it. And many spells work in the same way. As I taught you the other day, the only people who can master Unforgivable Curses are those who feel enough anger and hatred to use them. But the peculiar thing isn't the feeling, but the fact you must think of your most powerful happy memory. The happiest you've ever been and use that happiness to create your defence," Maverick said. He spoke with such glee as if he was reminiscing his own happiest memory. "As for the incantation, I thought Professor Flitwick would be kind enough to tell you all." He motioned to Flitwick who stood in front of the class.

"Wands away everyone, for a moment please," Flitwick said, "Thank you, now repeat after me: Expecto Patronum." There was a chorus of 'Expecto Patronum's and a few saying it wrong as well. "Let's try that again except think of that happy memory. Let it consume you, think of nothing else. Again."

"Expecto Patronum," James said. He let his memories fill him up. He couldn't think of just one good memory. He supposed he was lucky in that respect. He thought of meeting Sirius on the Hogwarts Express for the first time, of the day he became friends with Lily, the day the Marauders finally became Animagi, the moment Lance Stillsap caught hold of the Snitch winning the Quidditch Cup, the day Lily kissed him, and a million others. His felt a smile come to his face and he glanced to Lily on his left and saw the same giddiness on her face.

"Can we try with our wands now?" James asked.

"I don't see why not. But remember to use your happiest memory and let it fill you up. Block any bad thought, any fear or insecurity," Maverick said with a light smile.

"Expecto Patronum," James said. He focused on the day he was made it onto the Quidditch team. A small white wisp exited his wand, curling and brightening the room. James was disappointed it didn't work, but he looked around and no one had got any further than he had. Most people didn't even reach the white wisp that James had procured.

"Hold up everyone. I think a demonstration is in order. We ought to give you an idea on what it should look like," Maverick said. Him and Flitwick stepped forward, both brandishing their wands.

"Expecto Patronum!" they both said loudly. A horse emerged from the tip of Maverick's wand and a sleek seal emerged from Flitwick's. Both animal's emitted a whitish glow and lit up the room.

"Wow," said Marlene. And that was the general consensus. They were amazing, Patronuses were.

"Now keep trying. Concentrate on that memory," Maverick told them all.

"Expecto Patronum!" Lily said, after her third try a large white animal burst out of the tip of her wand, the same way it had for Maverick and Flitwick. James watched the animal, it was a doe. He watched as it gracefully pranced about the room. He saw the excitement play out on her face. He watched their teachers congratulate her. James was elated for Lily. She had been the first of the class to accomplish the Charm.

Everyone kept praticing, some had the wispy white smoke that James had got and others had nothing at all. Snape, however, was the second one to accomplish the Charm. And his result, made James' blood boil. It was a doe, same as Lily's. Same elegant prance and beautiful grace. He even saw Lily smile for a moment when she saw Snape's Patronus. James hated it. He hated how Flitwick muttered 'Interesting...' after watching the two student's Patronuses. He hated the pleased look on Snape's face. He hated how James couldn't do it himself.

"Expecto Patronum!" James said with the same excitement as Maverick had. He chose the day he met Sirius. The white was more than a wisp now, it formed a sort of shield type thing. It earned him a clap on the back and some cheering, but it wasn't enough for James. Sirius had reached the same stage as him, both with white glowing non-corporeal Patronuses. Maverick told him not to worry, that most people never get it, and that was great for his first day. James wanted more.

Between classes he snuck off to bathrooms and his dormitory to practice the Charm. He felt so inexplicably happy each time his charm got better, stronger, clearer. Never corporeal though. After classes ended for the day, James rushed off to Maverick's classroom.

"Mav!" he said as he pounded on the door.

"One moment!" Maverick shouted back. The door swung open. Maverick stood there, out of his work robes, wearing a black shirt with The Beatles written across the front and Muggle jeans. James paid it no mind though, he had come for a reason.

"Alright there James?" Maverick asked.

"Me? Yeah I'm fine, I- I just need some help," James rambled.

"With your Patronus?" his friend asked him. "Why don't we just wait until next class to continue that-"

"No, not that. I need to ask you about the meaning of Patronuses," James said quickly.

"Alright come on in then." Maverick ushered him inside. When James had taken a seat, Maverick went on, "What do you want to know?"

"Well everything you could tell me would be useful," James said.

"Alright, any particular reason you are so interested?" James didn't respond. "It wouldn't have anything to do with lovely Miss Evans, would it?" Maverick asked.

"Could you just tell me? Please," James said.

"Sure thing. So all Patronuses are said to reflect the owner's soul. My Patronus is a Bay Mare, which basically represents intelligence, courage, and loyalty. And the information I'm telling you is based off of Harlock's Patronus Theory. A captivating read if you are so interested. Miss Evans and Mr. Snape's Patronus would suggest that they are both fiercely protective of their loved ones, sensitive, graceful, and vigilant-"

"He isn't," James interjected, "Lily is all of those things and more, but not Snape. Snape is cruel and hateful and callous." Maverick looked taken aback at James' outburst.

"I don't know Mr. Snape nearly well enough to determine his character, but Harlock's theory suggests that-"

"Well then Harlock's theory is wrong! Because Snape isn't like Lily at all. Not in the slightest!" James said loudly. Maverick didn't say anything for a moment, he waited for James to calm down.

"What I was going to say was that Harlock's theory suggests that not everyone's Patronus reflects their soul. Sometimes, when a subject has an emotional upheaval, typically falling in love or mourning the loss of a loved one, their Patronus will take shape of an animal that compliments their loved one. I'm not indicating that Mr. Snape is in love with Miss Evans, but-"

"He is. He's in love with her, I'm pretty sure. So that's why their Patronuses match?" James asked.

"It could be. Or it could be the other way around. This is all speculation of course, but why are you so interested in the two of them? Are they dating?" Maverick wondered.

"What!? No! Lily, well she's my girlfriend," James began nervously.

"You sure?" Maverick said. James looked at him, bewildered, "I only mean you didn't say it with your usual confidence."

"Yeah, I'm sure. It's just new and all, I'm sort of in awe about it. Anyways, Snape is a conniving bastard who has been hellbent on ruining our lives. He hates me and believe me, the feeling is mutual, but him and Lily used to be best friends until he called her a you-know-what. And when they were best friends, she didn't like me very much, but I fancied her. Then a while back, Lily punched him in the face, because he was insulting me and my mates. But now me and her are dating and he hexed me the other day when we were snogging. He's bitter I suppose, but I don't really care." James' words came out rapidly as he spoke. Except he did care. He cared so much that Snape liked Lily. Liked her possibly as much as James did.

"Forget that I asked," Maverick said with a chuckle. A question popped into James' mind.

"Wait, so if I'm in love with Lily, does that mean my Patronus would be a doe also?" James asked.

"It is hard to say for sure, but I don't think so. Why don't I give you Harlock's book so you can read all up on it yourself. I'm sure you'll find every answer you need in there," Maverick said.

"Right thanks Mav, sorry to bother you," James said.

"Not an issue." Maverick handed him the book, "See you around James and give your mother my love."

"Yeah, bye Mav," James said, and he rushed out the door. He ran through the corridors, up all the stairs, and straight up towards the secret Head Dorm entrance.

"Treacle Tart," James said. They really ought to change the password. He swung the door handle and rushed inside where he slammed into the only other inhabitant of the dormitory. She laughed as they collided.

"James!" she said in surprise. She pulled his face down for a chaste kiss, melting James' worries down. Then she continued talking, "Where have you been all afternoon?"

"Oh just around," he said as casually as possible.

"You've always been a horrible liar. What's this anyways?" she said, taking Maverick's book from his hands. "'Arnold Harlock's Theory on Patronuses and Souls'. Interesting, but what's more interesting is why you're reading it when you don't have to." She cocked an eyebrow at him in a quizzical way and James knew he'd have to tell her.

"Alright well I've been to talk to Maverick-"

"Professor Fawley," Lily corrected.

"Right, so I've been to talk to him about the meaning of Patronuses and he gave me this book to answer all my questions," James said, earning another quizzical look, "and I know it was a bit irrational, but I was wondering why Snape's Patronus matched yours and what that meant."

"What- what does it mean?" Lily stuttered. Clearly that wasn't what she had been expecting.

"Well it means the bleeding berk is obsessed with you," James said.

"James-"

"Well it's either that or it means Snape is just as sensitive, graceful, and protective as you," James said defencively.

"Why d'you even care if his Patronus matches mine? It's you I'm dating, not him. Not anyone else," Lily established, "It's you and me. No one is getting in our way again." James let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in.

"You and me," he repeated with a smile, "I'm sorry about that all. I just hate any connection he could have with you."

"You really are a bit irrational sometimes," she told him.

"Only about you."

"Is that a good thing?" she said with a laugh.

"You're a good thing," he whispered, pulling her into a hug. The best thing that's ever happened to me, he added silently. They swayed back in forth in a silent dance.

"We're a good thing," she whispered back.

"Of course we are. I've been trying to tell you for years," James said. He spun her around as they danced, bringing an even larger smile to her face.

"I forgot how good of a dancer you are," Lily said.

"Mum made me take private lessons as a kid," James told her, "I hated it, but I suppose it paid off if you love to dance so much." James remembered the dance lessons vividly. He despised them, but his mother always told him that they would come in handy one day and he reckoned that she was right. He ought to thank his mother the next time he sees her.

"Your Mum's the best," Lily said. "Sweetest woman ever."

"Don't you remember the time she sent me a Howler in Third Year? All of that just for flooding the Charms corridor," James said in a joking tone.

"Oh I remember. I was so mad at you, because Charms was cancelled that day," Lily said, laughing as she remembered the simplicity of their old problems.

"Sirius and I hadn't even been caught yet and my mum ratted us out to the whole school. We had a few detentions that we could've got out of back then," James continued.

"How horrible," Lily said sarcastically, "Detentions for the Marauders. It's practically unheard of!"

"Very funny, I just thought my girlfriend would want to hear my emotional upheaval-"

"From four years ago," Lily added.

"-that is really quite devastating and mentally scarring."

"Says the boy who told me his favourite spot for detentions was the Trophy Room," Lily said with a smirk. She watched James faking his pout. "But if it really means so much to you, I know what'll help erase those mental scars."

"Oh yeah?" he said, humouring her. Lily leant in and quickly kissed his lips, before pulling away to see his reaction.

"That was exactly what my Healer told me. A snog from your girlfriend will fix it all," James said grinning.

"Charming, truly," Lily said.

"I thought Peter was the charming one?" James replied.

"I thought you wanted a snog?" Lily asked.

"You're right. I do," James said. He leant down to her, pressing his lips onto hers. Feeling her sigh into his mouth. Their lips moving together and their arms wrapped around one another, gripped tightly. He revelled in the feeling. The euphoria in it all. Living and loving Lily Evans was all he needed.

AN: Romance... yuck. Hoped you liked it. Reviews are appreciated or feel free to PM me.