AN: Thank you for reading. And thanks to my best friend for getting me through this shitty Christmas where I had to work. I want to take this time to say to my best friend that I love you and I think you are amazing.

To my husband you are the centre of my universe and without your support this Lily would've wilted a long time ago.

Please continue to water me :) So I can continue to grow.

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing all belong to JKR apart from characters like Erin :) Who actually belongs to one of my very first reviewers…..

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Chapter 3: Responsible

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'Miss me much?' Sirius said collapsing back down in his seat pulling his pint closer James, rolling his eyes, responded. 'Always'

Sirius smiled. 'You still love Lily' ashamed James groaned lowering his face into his hands.

'Am I that obvious?'

'Care to retrace your steps in York?' smirked Sirius. James groaned. 'James, you've never been the type for one night witches'

'No just the one' admitted James sipping his drink. 'But I know I shouldn't see her again.'

Sirius sighed staring sorrowfully at his friend he said. 'That shouldn't be too hard given the fact I will lock you in Azkaban myself if you do'

'You'd really put me there, would you?' said James glancing over the rim of his glass as he placed it down on the table.

Sirius nodded. 'To save you from what the fuck is out there' said Sirius glancing toward pub door. 'Yes, with no fucking hesitation. And Lily Evans puts you in more danger than I want to even think about James. We are all trying to protect you, if I didn't know any better I would say you knew Lily would be in York. And that is why you took such a mundane mission.' Narrowing his eyes at James and waiting for an answer Sirius scoffed as his friend's cheeks bruised bright red.

'I wasn't following her if that's what you are suggesting' grumbled James humbly shrinking against the back of his seat.

'Observing you and Evans dancing around one another long enough James it wouldn't surprise me' Sirius said with a gentle teasing in his voice.

'Well it was just coincidence.'

Sirius raised an eyebrow. 'Coincidence that you happened to just snog the witch.' James cast a glance at his empty drink painfully wishing Sirius would drop the merciless teenage teasing.

'Sirius' James lowered his gaze, his glasses slipping down his nose he glowered at Sirius.

'James I will imprison you in Azkaban myself. I swear'

'For what?'

Sirius sighed. 'You asked for my advice. I'm telling you, whatever happened in York- that's where it has to stay.'

'I'm not likely to see her again, am I?' shrugging his shoulder James sighed 'I just wanted to know I did the right thing.'

'Oh Arthurs Merlin!' cried Sirius 'what part' he threw an accusing look at James 'of "You will die" don't you get Prongs? There is no point trying to. Turn. Back. Time'

'Didn't say that did I? I am not trying to change anything that happened. I don't regret it.' snapping at Sirius he ruefully regretted it when Sirius carefully placed his wand on the table fixing James with a hard stare. James eyed the wand warily.

'I mean it Prongs. You are not going to die as long as breath fills my lungs.' Sirius curled his long slender fingers around his wand.

'The past is the past.' James agreed humbly as Sirius replaced his wand back

However his loyal heart was not listening and the fire once thought to be extinguished was as unpredictable and as bright as ever.

James loves Lily.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

When Lily arrived home she was not surprised to be greeted by her 15-year-old brother Harry Evans sitting on the doorstep outside their house. His thin school blazer was wrapped around his shoulders, he never dressed appropriately for the weather any time of year. And he never remembered to take his house keys.

'Again?' Lily surmised stepping over him she pushed her key into the lock. Harry stood up immediately shivering.

'Don't chastise me Lil. I'm flipping freezing.' Harry shivered.

'Isn't it still my job,' said Lily smirking her brother rushed into the house. Lily closed the door gently behind them.

'Oh my god warmth, helloooo heating,' he said running to the radiator in the hallway. He flung his sodden shoes off to the floor. Lily pushed the door closed and began removing her coat when Harry noticed she had been crying.

'Lils did Tuney make you try on horrid frilly dresses all afternoon.' Then sniffing his sisters breath he withdrew aghast. 'Was there a free bar in the bridal shop or somet.'

'I haven't seen her since she stormed off Harry.' Lily sniffed trying to hold back her tears, ignoring Harrys' remark. 'And- I just got fed up with her' she lied.

'Lily you know lying to your brother is pretty shitty right' said Harry.

'Harry shut up, ' Lily rolled her eyes. She stepped forwards moving into the cosiness of their front room observing Harry flop uncaringly onto the small orange two seat sofa. Where the painted pale lilac walls ended they met a hard wood floor which was covered with a large Persian rug which was complete with dark stains of liquid which had faded from when Lily was much younger and had been far less delicate on her feet.

'Where did her high and mightiness go by the way' he said.

Lily shrugged. 'She didn't exactly inform me of her future whereabouts'

'Why do you smell by the way... like...Lily were you on a date?' gazing suspiciously at his sister. Lily pulled herself down into the yellow high backed chair, untying her dark curly hair she threw her head back and laughed, eve she caught the feint scent of rum on her breath.

'No' said Lily quickly snapping her hairband to her wrist 'Harry it wasn't anything like you're thinking you know before you have a go at me. Lets remember who the adult is in the room.'

'Ohhh, right. Adult. Sure Lils...' he spoke slowly before tearing at his shirt he flung it over the back of the sofa. He rummaged in the drawers by the sofa pulling out one of their fathers large thick woollen cardigans. He buttoned it up and crossing the room sniffed at his sister again. 'You smell like him.'

'So what if I do?' she said flustered colour rising in her cheeks fast, the hollows beneath her eyes vanishing in the radiant glow of her drunken embarrassment. Harry tutted loudly and bending over to switch on the fireplace Lily withdrew her wand and beat him to it.

'Loremi'

Harry looked at her disgruntled.

'Cheers sis but I can use a switch you know. How much you drink? If Dad finds out-'

'I'm 19 Harry. And it wasn't like I was planning on it.' Lily protested unzipping her boots she threw them under the chair. 'If I wanna spend time with James-'

'Thought you would've wised up to the fact he's a giant fucking douchebag prick by now!' shouted Harry who was moving back to the sofa when Lily threw one of her boots at him narrowly missing his head it landed on the sofa with a light thud.

'LANGUAGE HARRY!' she scolded.

'No Lils' he is a right arse-wipe. You haven't seen him in like over a year. It's weird sis.'

'HARRY!' Lily said scolding him, her tone softening as memories of the afternoon swum into her conscious thoughts. 'It wasn't like that this time.'

'Well you know what sis it aint my business but- don't get dragged into his lies again.'

When Lily had informed her family about James she had left out the more specific details, not wanting to worry any of them she told them that despite what they thought James was not the loyal man he purported to be. Lily thought low of herself for sinking to the depths of Dumbledore, a little white lie here or there to protect peoples feelings? She hated the lies. But the truth would only have upset her parents further and that was the last thing her family needed.

'If Horsey aint joining us' said Harry with a satisfied grin revelling in the peaceful absence of their eldest sister. 'You gonna cook us somet with that or?' he said nodding at her wand.

'Magic can't create food' Lily scolded 'but' she said conceding. 'I know how to switch on the toastie machine'

'No Branston!' Harry called making Lily smile.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

'This is madness,' Sirius implored 'you are putting all your faith in me James?'

James said seriously. 'The Secret Keeper Ritual is not only doable Padfoot but it could solve all the problems between me and Lily. We could both be protected'

The dim light from the standing lamp next to James was flickering, he poked the burgundy shade and it stopped. A warm glow was illuminating the apartment and Sirius was poking his head in his liquor cabinet given to him by his Uncle Alphard when he moved to Holland Park. The early evening was opening up and Sirius picked out a white coloured bottle and was pouring copious amounts into his brandy glass when there was a knock on the door, he put the glass and bottled down quietly on the table. James moved quickly grabbing his wand instantly he moved towards the door. Sirius swiftly joined him on the opposite side of the door, aiming his wand at the door casting 'revelio' the tension in Sirius body eased when he saw it was EJ Jackson holding a bottle of Firewhisky. And Sirius nodded at James mouthing "EJ", called out to her through the door.

'Where did I rip your Bay City Rollers Skirt?'

James looked at Sirius incredulously

'Really Black? You can't half be a fucking dickwad-'

'Yeah but you know. Just answer the question' Sirius said unperturbed.

'In the boys' dorm room,' she called impatiently her wand raised at the door she was trying to break through the enchantments protecting the doorway, Sirius smiled at her vein failed attempts.

'Don't try it' laughed Sirius 'EJ-'

'How'd you rip it.'

Looking through the door James and Sirius saw her blush. It was now becoming more amusing to Sirius.

'Sirius…I know James is in there with you… do I have to answer this?'

'Security purposes EJ,' he smirked, knowing full well it was indefinitely his on/off girlfriend standing behind the door now and not an imposter.

'I was 15 and when I tried to kiss you I tripped and ripped the seam,' she said closing her eyes. Sirius was loving every second, a little light relief from James' sullen mood wasn't hurting him.

'EJ…' Sirius said slowly

'It wasn't your lips I was aiming for, now let me in Black!'

Sirius flew his wand across the door way and witch several clicks the door swung open and EJ Jackson strolled across the threshold. Thrusting the bottle of Firewhisky roughly into Sirius chest she said.

'You don't deserve that you know,'

'So you don't want some of it then?' Sirius playfully wrangled the bottle in her face. EJ pushed her body down on their coach flinging her purple uniform coat on the back of the couch.

'Obvious question, Black,' EJ said her eyes narrowing at him as she flopped down on the sofa waiting for Sirius to pour her a drink. James returned to the plush gold embroidered chair picked up his book placing out the bookmark carefully he restarted where he left off.

'Not that I'm not pleased to see you EJ but it is nearly past your curfew right or has Fabien agreed to let you live a little?' Sirius smirked

'My roommate does not control me, he's got about as much control over me as you think you have Sirius Black,'

'Oh your little pet has let you off the leash' Sirius cooed pouring out the Firewhisky into a glass he passed it to her.

'Hmm,' she said licking her lips as she drank. Sirius sat down next to her resting his arm along the length of the sofa his fingers brushing the top of Erin's shoulder till she leant forward, pushing away from Sirius. 'How did the mission go James?' she added turning to him. Sirius threw him a slight warning look not to tell EJ anything about his intimate meeting with Lily.

EJ was a member of the Order but was sent on a missions due to her Irish heritage Albus had placed her within the depths of the muggle British government. Her ability to maintain peace and diffuse arguments had often come in handy when she played quidditch in school. And through to her adult life she had carried these skills masterfully.

'Nothing to report, it was a dead end. I think Albus knew all along there was little or no movement from that side of the Pennines,'

'Shame we could've done with it you know; the ministry is chaos. They think by the end of the year there will be a female Prime Minister,' EJ scoffed into her drink 'love to see that one day, maybe the problems back home would be resolved quicker if a woman WAS in charge,'

Not wanting to get into a conversation with EJ about her views on the carnage happening in and around Ireland James informed Sirius he would be going to bed.

'Prongs, think about what I said. Magic can't always solve everything, sometimes it can make things worse,'

'Oh have I missed something?' EJ said curiously her dark brown eyes flashing from James to Sirius 'not planning on some more midnight raids of Hogwarts Kitchens are you?'

'Think we're past the days of raiding the house elf's.. .er… alcoholic stores, don't you Jackson?' Sirius smirked casting is eyes down at the bottle of Firewhisky on the coffee table.

'Sirius is being a prat' commented James. 'It doesn't matter. Leave it be' he said threateningly to Sirius 'I don't need anyone else involved'.

'It involves us all James. That is what you can't comprehend. This involves all of us'

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

FLASHBACK

'Do you really think this is a good idea?'

'Heavens like I bloody well know. But he is insistent if nothing else' shrugged Sirius.

'Don't you think we should intervene before he makes an absolute disastrous humiliation of himself?'

'Oh Moony, where would be the fun in that?' whispered Sirius.

They were crouched behind bushes watching James pace up and down next to the lake. He was wearing his best quidditch robes - he had even cleaned his boots- his broom was hovering a few feet above his head and he was distractedly muttering to himself.

'You think she will turn him down. AGAIN' said Peter worriedly.

'Lily is sensible.' said Remus. 'She knows James, I am sure she will let him down gently...this time'

'She could always say yes this time' Sirius smirked.

'I hope you're right Padfoot. I don't think I could stand another weekend of proposal planning'

James was startled when Lily arrived. Unlike James it was quite clear Lily was not as prepared as he was. She was scrubbing black soot from the end of her nose and rinsing her hands with a cloth, her dark green skirt was smeared in dirt and her auburn hair was fluffy and frazzled as she approached JAmes a wide smile spread across her face.

'See she looks happy at least this time' Peter said hopefully.

'This is Evans, she probably just finished hexing a Slytherin' tutted Sirius eyeing Lily's haggard appearance from the bushes. 'Which to give her some credit never thought she'd do in a million years till last year o' course'

'Sirius!' chastised Remus 'how could you possibly know that-'

'I've seen her in action Moony, you forget yourself. Sending Roxy those poisoned roses on Valentines Day after the nasty shit they played on James, come on Moony. The witch has got form'

'Whatever' mumbled Remus edging around Sirius to get a better view. 'What is he doing now?'

'James what is it this time.' she said using her wand to cast a cleaning charm on her robes and skirt. She eyed his appearance and then noticed his Comet 260 floating behind him. 'Oh no, no. No. You and I have had words about that thing! I am not. Repeat not getting on it again!'

'Sweetest Lily-'

'Oh no you don't. DOn't you Sweetest Lily me Pothead-'

James blanched smiling incredulously at his girlfriend. 'What in Merlins name did you just call me?'

'Sorry ' she muttered' its what Harry calls you- I was just on a fire call with him and Tuney.'

'Your brothers cute yet abhorrently untrue assumption on my character aside' said James slowly casting a glance ack at his broomstick 'you might be right. You m ight be wrong'

'James you know how much your riddles annoy me.' she said glaring at him. 'James I do love you, but don't ever ask me to get on another broom as long as I live. Promise me you'll let me stay away from those things...'

'Alright. Why are you so messy, not that you don't look gorgeous even covered in...soot?' he said wiping the smudge she had missed off her nose. Sweeping her into a long kiss both Sirius and Remus looked away. Peter eyed the couple like some hopeful voyeur, which to be blunt they all were being right now whether they were actually looking or not. 'There we go,' James said smiling satisfyingly at her. 'All pretty again'

'Charming James, charming' she laughed. He pulled her closer.

'Lily. Do you trust me?'

'Ohhhh shit' losing his footing Sirius tumbled out of the bush and landed promptly at the feet of the vivacious and now very angry redhead.

'She did...' commented Sirius pulling himself up 'evening Evans. Fine time for a stroll wouldn't you agree?'

'James. What is he doing here?'

'Erm… honestly...I have a few theories all as more intriguing as the last. Padfoot?'

'Hey- don't just stand by and let me get the Prongs-kicking Moony- get your arse out here too'

Less dishevelled looking than he usually did Remus emerged from the bushes an red rosy apple blush appearing along the creases of his strong jawline when he glanced at Sirius he looked positively murderous.

'Can you not go anywhere without them' groaned Lily shaking her head, clearly disappointed in James she turned her back on him glaring at Sirius she said 'and didn't your mother teach you it was rude to spy on lovers'

High colour began to rise in James' face as Lily grabbed his hand tying her fingers around his wrist tightly still glaring at Sirius.

'Ohhhh' he said in a teasing tone. 'When were you going to tell us that one Prongs-'

'Its just a saying' Lily countered quickly beginning to realise how Sirius had interpreted her comments. ' A muggle one.'

'Come on Lily. Accio' he called aiming his wand at his broom, it glided into his free outstretched hand. 'Care to join me Lily?'

'What did I say about pulling me on that thing!'

'Never to do it' grinned James.

'You're insufferable. You know that!' she said to him eyeing the broom carefully.

'James I wouldn't -' said Remus.

'Lily get on the broom or marry me' James watched the colour drain from her face and mouth drop open. Her eyes shot to James' hand where he was holding a small copper coloured cauldron shaped box. Her eyes were drawn to the little copper pot and it opened slowly to reveal a bright white gold band with a dark red stone bevelled in a twisted clasp.

Remus and Sirius exchanged nervous glances.

'Bribery. That's how you're playing it this time?' Lily sighed her lips twitching into a momentary smile. 'James how many more times are you going to ask me?'

'Every chance I get till you say yes'

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Authors Note: I am sorry this chapter is so short. I have family stuff to get done today.

Thanks for reading though. Apologies for errors.