The next day, Ashleigh's parents came in and asked Lily to write up something for Ashleigh's funeral. Lily reluctantly agreed. This is what she wrote:
Ashleigh Madison was the most loveable person I have ever met. She was loyal, caring, funny, carefree, and above all, a friend.
Ashleigh was the only person that I have ever really trusted. I poured my soul into her and she poured hers into me.
But now she is gone, an era ended. She gave her life for me. Voldemort threw an unforgiveable curse at me, and she jumped in front. I will never forget looking down and seeing her lying there...all of her vigor and life gone.
A part of me is gone, and is never going to return. A hole in my heart that nothing can fill.
Ashleigh, if you can hear me, I wanted to say that I will never forget you and that I will remember everything we did together, I will cherish your memory forever. You were special, and I won't let anyone forget that. I love you Ashleigh. Please come back!
The paper that Lily wrote this on was so blotched with tears, that Lily had to write it over.
For the next few months, Lily felt empty. She felt that she could never laugh again. Crying had become a routine thing. Her dreams were filled with images of Ashleigh lying at her feet.
Lily decided to write a journal and fill it with everything she had ever done and said with Ashleigh. She started from day one when they had first met, and she filled up 6 notebooks with everything. She put all of her pictures of Ashleigh in an album and stored it with the notebooks.
Looking at the pictures was hard, because the pictures moved and...Ashleigh never would again. The picture Ashleigh looked so ALIVE and carefree and wild and...Ashleigh would never do, look, or say things like that again.
Lily just couldn't accept it. Sirius was having just as hard of a time as Lily...he seemed lost without Ashleigh. James went around with this hangdog look on his face, and he hardly talked to anyone.
Dumbledore saw them moping around school and decided it was time to talk to them.
When they were all seated in his office, he said:
"We all miss Ashleigh. Hogwarts just isn't the same without her life restoring vitality and humour. She was a special person, whose memory I will always cherish. When things get hard, think of Ashleigh, when you need a laugh, think of Ashleigh, and most of all, when you need a friend, think of Ashleigh." He paused and cleared his throat. "When people die, you need to move on. Don't ever forget them, but don't wallow in your grief. Do you think Ashleigh would want that? Don't you think that the fun-loving, carefree, wild and crazy Ashleigh that we remember would want you to go on playing pranks and make her laugh in heaven? She is watching over you right now and everything you do, everything you say, and everything that you FEEL, she knows it. I don't think Ashleigh would want you to mope around and miss her all day. I brought you in here to help you close a chapter in your life, store it, and put it away for safe keeping. Always remember her, and think of how she would feel if she knew you were missing her so. Move on, live, she would want that." Dumbledore said with a slight break in his voice now and then.
He then shooed them out of his office, and they headed back to their dormitories thinking about what he had said.
From then on, they tried to go on with their lives. The played pranks with Remus, and thought of how Ashleigh would have loved the jokes. They thought about her a lot...but they were good thoughts....special memories...special jokes...special sayings.
Every night, before she went to bed, Lily felt a pang, and knew that it was for Ashleigh. She missed her so much. She looked at the pictures, and the read the notebooks almost every night. She cried a lot. But she soon got caught up in life again...and remembered the good things.
"James?!" Lily yelled about 5 months after Ashleigh's death.
"Yeah?" James said as his head popped out of the door.
"Do you want to head down to Hogsmeade with me? I have an odd craving for a Butterbeer." She said with a grin.
"Sure, I would love to. Hang on lemme get my invisibility cloak." James replied.
They walked down to Hogsmeade hand in hand underneath the invisibility cloak.
"James?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for being there for me...you know."
"No problem. Thats what boyfriends are for right?" He said flashing her a smile.
"Yep, thats what boyfriends are for." she agreed standing on tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.
They sat down at their favorite booth once they got to the Three Broomsticks. Imagine their surprise when they saw Remus and Sirius talking and laughing at a booth.
Sirius and Remus waved and came over to sit with them. They talked and laughed while they drank their Butterbeer.
"I can't believe that we are almost done with our third year!" Lily exclaimed.
"The dance is coming up...last day of school...which is TOMORROW." Remus stated innocently.
"I don't really feel like going to the dance." Sirius said "the person that I want to go with...isn't here anymore and I wouldn't feel right taking someone else."
"I don't feel like going either...it won't be the same without her there inventing crazy new dances." Lily sighed.
"I don't wanna go because, she won't be there putting spells on all the food." James said with a sad note in his voice.
"I don't want to go because she won't be there making me laugh." said Remus.
"So, I take it that we are all not going then?" James put in, making everyone chuckle.
They all walked back to Hogwarts when they had finished. When they got back, Lucius and Snape were waiting for them.
"What were you doing at HOGSMEADE today? Its not a Hogsmeade day today! Should I go have a little talk with Professor McGonagall?!" Snape sneered, a malicious smile on his face.
"Me, in Hogsmeade illegally? Snape, really...you need to get a hobby. Why would I, the girl who NEVER breaks the rules, go to Hogsmeade illegally? Really, Severus, I am ashamed of you. You used to make up such convincing stories. What happened?!" Lily asked with apparent innocence.
With that, they all turned and walked back up to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Hey, Lil, thanks for saving our butts....again." Sirius said sheepishly.
"No problem. I still owe you for saving MY butt when I accidently set off dung bombs in Snape's cauldron yesterday." Lily replied with a giggle.
"Lil, do you want to sit by us in Potions?" James asked.
"Who else would I sit by?" Lily asked with a sad sort of smile.
"Good point...who could put up with you?!" Sirius asked while trying to keep a straight face.
"Oh, you!" Lily laughed as she lightly punched him in the shoulder.
"Hey James, you better watch out...looks like your best friend is flirting with your girlfriend!" Remus said with a laugh.
James looked at Lily and Sirius with suspicion, then said "Nah, she knows she's got it good with me."
They all laughed and Lily pretended to gag.
The bell rang and they all headed towards their 3rd class of the day. James had his arm around Lily, much to the shagrin of Severus. (They all knew that Snape had a crush on Lily).
"James...promise me you won't be so careless on your broom tomorrow at the Quidditch Match!!!" Lily pleaded with him for the thousandth time.
"But Lil! Thats the whole fun of Quidditch! Riding at breakneck speed, the wind in your hair, trying not to get knocked of your broom." He said with a faraway look in his eyes.
"James, sometimes its hard to tell whether you like Quidditch or me more." Lily smirked.
James snapped back to reality once she had said that. "w-well you of course Lil. Never doubt me." He said with a grin that made her weak at the knees.
"I don't know what you love so much about flying." she paused, "teach me."
"Teach you t-to fly?!" James asked with astonishment.
"Yeah...don't you think I could do it?" Lily asked with a somewhat hurt look on her face.
"Of course I do...its just," he paused when he saw her face, "how about tonight at the Quidditch field? You can use my broom."
Lily grinned at stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek.
Then they turned and saw Sirius and Remus making kissy noises and mocking them.
"Oh James, can we share a broom?!" Sirius mocked in a high girly voice and then he pretended to swoon.
Remus was practically rolling on the floor laughing, while Sirius continued to make fun of Lily and James.
He finally shut up when James threatened to set of dung bombs in Sirius' bed that night.
That night, Lily walked out to the Quidditch field with James.
"Ok, you kick off like this." he explained.
He demonstrated twice and then told her to try. She took the broom nervously.
"Ok, here goes!" She said nervously.
She kicked off perfectly and James marveled at how good she was at flying.
When she landed, she was grinning.
"WOW Lily! You were awesome! I bet I could get you a spot on the Quidditch team!! We need a new keeper anyways." He said excitedly.
Lily grinned, "Well, if you could get me a spot, I would love to."
They turned and went back to the tower to go to bed.
The next morning, Professor McGonagall came up to Lily and looked her up and down.
"So, you want to be on the Quidditch team?" she asked, as though she doubted Lily's ability.
Lily lifted her chin high. "Yes, I do."
James winked at her and nodded approvingly.
"Ok, well come outside and we will see if you are a strong enough flyer." she said sternly.
"James, can I borrow your broom?" Lily asked.
"Sure."
When they got out to the Quidditch field, Lily climbed onto the broom and kicked off perfectly, almost as if she had been doing it all her life. She flew around, did a couple of sharp turns, and some loop-de-loops before landing.
Professor McGonagall looked astonished.
"Our last game of the year is today, and I expect you to show up fully clothed in your uniform. And here...take this broom." she said as she conjured up a top of the line Nimbus 1999.9 from thin air.
"Wow! Thanks Professor!" Lily exclaimed. "Where do I get the robes?"
"Well, what number do you want to be?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Hm...13." Lily replied, as that was her favorite number.
McGonagall conjured up her #13 robes out of thin air also.
"Here, take these...I will see you all in the locker room in 15 minutes for the pre-game strategy talk."
Then she apparated back to her office.
"Wow, you did awesome!" James exclaimed, admiration on his face.
Lily shrugged, and they walked to the Gryffindor locker room together.
20 minutes later, Lily had been introduced as the new keeper, and they were heading out to the field.
The whole crowd (From the Gryffindor side anyway) cheered their lungs hoarse when Lily was introduced to the spectators.
Lily grinned, then took her position.
She played superbly, and she didn't allow any goals by. James caught the snitch in half an hour.
Gryffindor lifted Lily and James up in the air and carried them down to the locker rooms.
"WE WON THE CUP!!! WE WON THE CUP!!! The crowd was cheering wildly and the whole team was grinning so wide their faces hurt.
After the game, Lily and James changed back into their wizard robes.
"Wow, what a rush! I had no idea I would do that well!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes still shining and her cheeks rosy from the wind.
"Well, you did awesome. We make a great team." James replied shyly.
Lily smiled at him, her eyes soft.
"I can't believe we are already done with our 3rd year!" Lily exclaimed, a note of sadness in her voice.
"It's weird," Lily said, her voice breaking, "that Ashleigh only lived through her third year. She would have loved to play Quidditch. She would have loved to sneak into Hogsmeade. It's weird to be leaving here without her. This will be the first train ride that I have not sat by her."
"I know. Sometimes I still expect her to walk around the corner and crack some corny joke, or spray me with shaving cream." James replied.
"Well, like Dumbledore said, no use worrying about the past. We can't change it. We have to live our lives to the fullest. And Ashleigh knows we love her and miss her." Lily replied in a voice that clearly ended the conversation.
They walked the rest of the way to the great hall in silence.
When they got there, they joined Sirius and Remus, and Sirius congratulated her again on her awesome performance. Sirius was a beater on the Gryffindor team, so he was all riled up.
They ate at the feast, and promised each other that they would hang out this summer.
The next morning, after packing, Lily walked down to the train with everyone else.
She sat in between James and Sirius, Remus sat on the other side of James.
They talked the whole way home. James was the first stop, and he stooped down and kissed Lily. She blushed as the whole compartment made wolf whistles and cat calls.
Sirius and Remus grinned at her. James gave on final wave before the train lurched forward again.
Next stop, Remus.
"Goodbye Remus." Lily said tearfully, kissing him softly on the cheek.
"I promise I will write you!" Remus said, a look of sadness on his face.
Lily turned to Sirius as they moved onward. They had a while intil the train reached their stops.
"I can hardly believe the school year is already over." Lily said.
"Me neither...who can I play pranks on this summer?! Its just me, Serena, my mum, and my dad." Sirius said with a twinkle in his eye.
Lily laughed and all too soon, the train stopped. It was Lily's turn to get off.
She leaned over and hugged Sirius.
"Goodbye Padfoot." (by this time, the boys were animagus and they knew all about remus.)
"Goodbye Lil." Sirius waved as the train disappeared.
The next day, Lily was mourning for the guys, school, ANYTHING from the magic community.
Just then, Ellie swooped in and dropped a letter in Lily's lap, and allowed Lily to pet her while she ate.
Lily opened the letter. It read:
Lily-
I miss you already! Sirius is going to stay at my house for the summer. He just sent me an owl telling me. Remus still hasn't replied. My mum and da said that if we promise to behave like gentleman, we can have you over too. Would you like to come and stay at my house? Send Ellie with your reply. Love you.
Prongs
Lily smiled and wrote back.
James-
Of course I will come! My parents said that it will be fine. When should I come? I miss you too. More than you would think! And to think, I just saw you yesterday! Love you!
Lily
The next morning, Ellie swooped in and dropped three letters. One from Remus, Sirius, and of course, James.
First she read the one from remus. It said:
Lily-
Hi! I heard that you are staying at James' too. I can't wait. Sorry it took me so long to write. I forgot my owl at Hogwarts and I had to wait for her to fly home on her own. I will see you soon!
Moony
Then she opened the one from Sirius:
Lily-
Hi. How are you? Are you going to stay at James'? Also, I wanted to know if you have a picture of Ashleigh that I could have. I don't have one. Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon!
Padfoot
And last but not least, from James:
Lily-
Thanks for writing back so quick. I can't wait to see you. You can come tomorrow if you want. I am guessing rhat you already know my address. I can't wait to see you. Love you.
Prongs
Lily smiled and wrote back to all of them. Then she went upstairs to pack. She didn't know how long she was supposed to stay, so she packed practically all of her summer wardrobe into one suitcase.
Then she traveled by floo powder to James' house.
There appeared to be no one there, so she cautiously walked up the stairs. She saw a room with a Quidditch poster on it, and she knocked softly.
James threw open the door, saw her, and wrapped her in a bear hug.
"It's so good to see you!" he exclaimed.
"My how you've grown." Lily exclaimed sarcastically to James.
They both burst out laughing, and he showed her to the room where she would be staying.
It turned out, that Lily was the first one to arrive, and she had James all to herself for a week!
The first day she was there, they talked, thought up pranks to play, and started a Marauders Map. They designed it to show every room on Hogwarts even when the rooms shifted, and it showed where everyone was in the castle at all times. It even showed people when they were under an invisibility cloak!
They were quite involved with the map for the rest of the week before Remus and Sirius got there.
Misters
Moony
Wormtail
Padfoot and
Prongs
Who wish to aid young mischief makers for years to come, Proudly Present to you:
The Marauders Map
that was what the boys put at the top of their map. Lily was a bit peeved that they didn't put her name on the map, but they explained to her that she needed a nickname in order to be on it. She finally gave up and let them leave her name off of it.
They had had to send the map to Peter to have him sign it because he wasn't able to come to James' that summer.
The rest of the summer went by fast, as did their fourth and fifth year. An endless number of pranks, Lily and James being the stars of the Quidditch team, and countless hours in Hogsmeade.
So on the Hogwarts Express on the way to begin their 6th year, they talked about how fast the years at Hogwarts had gone by.
"Only two years left...can you believe it?" Lily asked the guys.
They all shook their heads.
The rest of the train ride went by quickly, and when they got to Hogwarts, they all went up to the Gryffindor Tower and put their things away.
That night, after the feast, they all went to bed right away, as they were exhausted from the 9 hour train ride.
The next morning (Lily's Birthday *September 2*) SIX owls swooped into her room and dropped packages on her, waking her up.
She looked at the pile with astonishment...she had never gotten this many presents before!
She opened the first package, the one she recognized had James handwriting on it.
The card read:
Lily-
Happy birthday! I hope you like what I got you...Sirius helped me pick it out. How about dinner tonight in Hogsmeade? I love you.
James
and in the package that James had sent her...was a beautiful REAL SILVER necklace with a lily hanging from it. The petals on the lily were sapphires! The center was a yellow diamond.
Lily gasped and put it on with shaking hands. She loved it, and she would wear it always.
She bent down and picked up the next package. It was from Remus.
The card read:
Lily-
Happy 16 birthday! You probably have plans with James for tonight, so I thought I should send you your gift now. I hope you like it!
Remus
And in HIS package was a statue of a wolf. Not just ANY wolf, but of a werewolf. Not a mean werewolf...but one with a content, gentle expression. It was the model that Lily had seen in the window of a shop in Diagon Alley...the one that she had LOVED. How had he known that she had wanted it? It was a most appropriate present from Remus, as he was a werewolf himself.
She smiled, set this down on her nightstand, and moved on to the next present. It was from Sirius.
The card said:
Lily-
Happy Birthday! Don't worry...there isn't a dung bomb in the box. Its an actual present (for once). I hope you enjoy the gift. Luv Ya Lil!
Sirius
In the box was a..a birdcage! Inside of it was a parakeet named Loopy. Lily just loved her. She was a pale pinkish bird with baby blue eyes, and a sweet expression. She seemed to love Lily as much as Lily loved her!
Lily set Loopy's birdcage down on the table next to Ellie's cage.
She opened the card from her mother:
Lily-
Happy birthday! I can't believe you are already 16! I wish I could be with you on your big day, but I hope the present makes up for it. Have a wonderful time at Hogwarts. I can't wait to see you on Christmas Vacation!
Love,
Mum
And in that box, was a pair of earrings, simpled but elegant dangly earrings with diamonds on the ends.
Lily sighed contentedly and thought of what great friends she had.
She then slipped on the earrings, got dressed in her newer everyday robes (it WAS her birthday after all), and she ran to the boy's dormitory and opened the door without knocking.
She ran to James' bed, where he was sitting, reading a Quidditch book.
He saw her, jumped out of bed and wrapped her in a hug.
"Happy Birthday Lil." He murmured into her hair.
She smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
"Did you get my gift?" he asked nervously.
"Yes! I LOVE it! It must have cost you a fortune!" Lily exclaimed.
"It did," James replied ruefully, "but you're worth it." He grinned down at her.
He then saw that she was wearing the necklace and he sighed with satisfaction.
Then Lily un wrapped herself from James' arms and ran over to Sirius and gave him such a hug, that he fell back onto his bed.
"Oh Sirius I love you!!! Thank you SO much! I love her!" Lily exclaimed.
Sirius grinned and blushed at being the center of attention.
James was looking on enviously, as his girlfriend continued to hug Sirius.
"Sirius, you are the best friend a girl could ask for!" Lily said.
Sirius laughed and said, "I love you too Lil. Well, you might want to get off me...your boyfriend looks as though I am going to be his next meal!"
Lily laughed and went over to kiss James. He put his arm around her shoulders possessively and smiled at Sirius.
"No matter what you give her buddy, she always comes back to me." He said.
Then he looked down at her, "Do you really love Sirius?" He asked.
"As a FRIEND you git! I love YOU!!!" Lily exclaimed.
They all laughed, and then Remus woke up.
"WHATS ALL THAT RACKET?!" Remus shouted. (He wasn't a morning person)
"Oh! I am so sorry Re! I came in to thank everyone for the gifts they gave me." Lily said quietly.
With that, Remus jumped out of bed.
"Is it my turn to be thanked yet?!"
"Of course it is." Lily laughed as she hugged Remus. She whispered in his ear, "I love it, Re! How could you know that that's what I wanted most from Diagon Alley? I put it on my nightstand so I can see it when I fall asleep and first thing when I wake up."
Remus grinned and James looked at the pair suspiciously while Lily whispered in Remus' ear.
Lily finally let go and went over to a disgruntled James.
"Oh, James, why do I hang around you? You're so possesive! But I love you anyway." Lily said in an audible whisper.
Remus and Sirius howled with laughter as James turned beet red (in a good way) and Lily giggled at his discomfort.
Remus, Sirius, Lily, and a very red James walked down the corridor to the Breakfast Hall.
James had his arm around Lily and was getting many envious looks from the rest of the 6th year boys.
"James, I can't thank you enough for the necklace. I will wear it always." Lily whispered.
"No problem Lil, I'll be here to watch and make SURE you wear it always." James replied with a mischievious look on his face.
Lily pulled away.
"And just WHAT are you planning James Harold Potter?" Lily asked, hands on her hips.
"Am I really that transparent?" James asked with a worried frown.
"No, I just know you too well." Lily replied matter-of-factly.
"Yes, you do love." James replied softly, gently pulling Lily into an empty hallway, "and thats why I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Lily's breath caught in her throat.
"James..."
"No, Lily, don't try and stop me. I know we are sixth years, but I need to know...will you marry me?"
"I can't!" Lily cried, pulling away and running down the corridor.
She left James very disappointed and embarassed. That WASN'T how he had imagined this.
Well, if she wasn't serious about the relationship, neither was he!
He walked down to the breakfast hall and sat down with a plop next to Sirius.
"So, did you ask her?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Yeah." He replied glumly.
"No way! She said...no?!" Remus asked disbelievingly.
James nodded his head.
"Let change the subject guys." James said with a quick glance over at Lily, who was picking at her food next to Laurie.
3 days later, James couldn't stand the silence between him and Lily anymore. he walked up to her and gently pulled her aside.
"What is it James?" Lily asked, not looking up.
"I want to know whats going on...I miss you." James told her honestly.
Lily looked up, and whispered, "I miss you too, love."
"Then whats going on?" James asked, relieved to know that she still liked him.
"James, you are a pure-blooded wizard, am I right?" Lily asked him.
"Yeah..." James replied, not knowing where she was going with this.
"James I come from a family of Squibs...and i know that you wouldn't want Squib children...and Squib blood is as bad as muggle blood in the eyes of Snape and the other Slytherins. I didn't think you would want to be with me if you knew." She told him.
"Lil, that doesn't matter to me." James told her honestly.
"Really?!" Lily looked up at him hopefully.
"Really."
Lily squealed and threw her arms around James and kissed him.
"I've missed you so much, you could never imagine." James murmured between kisses.
"Yes I can imagine, because I missed you just as much." Lily grinned and kissed him again.
They walked into the lunch room, litterally entwined in each others arms, and Sirius and Remus saw them and starting whooping and clapping.
"Re, you owe me $20 galleons. I TOLD you they would be back together before Friday." Sirius said gleefully, holding out his hand.
Remus frowned and grudgingly handed over 20 galleons.
Lily and James hardly ate at all that lunch period. They were talking in low voices, and sitting as close as the seats would allow.
"James, would you like to ask me the question again?" Lily asked him quietly.
James' eyes lit up and he did.
"Lily Jessica Rineson, will you be my wife?"
Lily smiled at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.
"Of course I will."
James reached over and pulled her into his arms. Lily put her arms around his neck and they kissed.
They broke apart with a start when they heard cat calls and wolf whistling coming from Remus and Sirius.
"Do you two ALWAYS have to ruin everything good?" James asked, trying his best to look angry.
"Yep, thats what we're here for Prongs old pal." Sirius replied with a grin.
Lily groaned.
All of the girls in the hallway stopped to examine Lily's engagement ring. It was a large diamond set in a gold band with smaller diamonds surrounding it.
"You are so lucky!" Most of them told her, enviously looking at James.
That night, Lily sat in front of the fire, snuggled up against James.
"Never again will I stay away from you for 3 days."She murmured in his ear.
"Never again will I LET you stay away from me for 3 days." He replied with a soft smile.
They both laughed and Lily snuggled deeper into his arms.
Lily fell asleep in his arms, a contented smile on her face.
James quietly lifted her up (jeeze she was light) and he brought her into the girls dorms, got a stern look from Professor McGonagall, and put Lily in her bed, covered her up, and kissed her on the cheek.
As he left her room, Professor McGonagall said, "You two will make a great pair." and she winked at him.
James blushed and went to his dorm and got ready for bed.
The next morning, Lily snuck into James' room, and just watched him sleep. She heard him murmuring.
"Lily, lets have lots and lots of kids. I like kids. And lets get a big bed."
Lily smirked and pushed him awake.
"James Harold Potter, you keep your dirty thoughts to yourself." Lily said indignantly.
"WHAT?!!! What did I say?" James asked with a horrified look.
Lily mimicked him, "Lily, lets have lots and lots of kids. I like kids. And lets get a big bed."
James looked horrified and embarassed. "Well, why were you listening anyways?"
Sirius came out of no where grinning like a lunatic, "You were only YELLING in your dreams. The whole dorm heard you."
James looked around frantically and saw that, indeed the whole room had heard.
Not knowing what to do, he started laughing, and once he started, he couldn't stop.
Soon the whole dorm including Lily were laughing hysterically.
Lily pulled him up off the bed and ordered him to get dressed, then meet her in the common room.
Then she left.
When James was ready and he went to meet her in the Common Room, he was very surprised to see her talking and laughing with a girl named Laurie.
Lily hadn't laughed with another girl since....since...well it was about time.
James grinned at her and she grinned back.
"Laurie, this is my fiancee' James Potter." Lily told her, looking proud.
"You're ENGAGED?!! But we are only 6th years!" Laurie exclaimed.
"It's never too early to start thinking about it, right Lil?" James replied.
"Right." Lily said as she gave him a quick kiss.
James walked hand in hand with Lily down to the Breakfast Hall, and Laurie was talking with Lily the WHOLE WAY. James could hardly get in two words edge wise!
I almost wish she would have just stuck to being friends with me and the guys. but then he shook his head, no I can't think that...she deserves to get out there. I am being selfish.
As Laurie was in Ravenclaw, Lily and she couldn't sit together at Breakfast.
"Hey Re, Hey Siri, whats up?" Lily asked the boys sitting across from her.
"Oh Lil, uh, can I see your engagement ring?" Sirius asked innocently.
"NO!!! What would you do to it? Normally I would let you...but this ring is too special!" Lily exclaimed indignantly.
"Lily, Lily, Lily," Sirius started patiently, "would I lie?"
"Yes." Lily grinned without hesitation.
Sirius gave an exasperated sigh. "Remus, she knows me too well."
Ashleigh Madison was the most loveable person I have ever met. She was loyal, caring, funny, carefree, and above all, a friend.
Ashleigh was the only person that I have ever really trusted. I poured my soul into her and she poured hers into me.
But now she is gone, an era ended. She gave her life for me. Voldemort threw an unforgiveable curse at me, and she jumped in front. I will never forget looking down and seeing her lying there...all of her vigor and life gone.
A part of me is gone, and is never going to return. A hole in my heart that nothing can fill.
Ashleigh, if you can hear me, I wanted to say that I will never forget you and that I will remember everything we did together, I will cherish your memory forever. You were special, and I won't let anyone forget that. I love you Ashleigh. Please come back!
The paper that Lily wrote this on was so blotched with tears, that Lily had to write it over.
For the next few months, Lily felt empty. She felt that she could never laugh again. Crying had become a routine thing. Her dreams were filled with images of Ashleigh lying at her feet.
Lily decided to write a journal and fill it with everything she had ever done and said with Ashleigh. She started from day one when they had first met, and she filled up 6 notebooks with everything. She put all of her pictures of Ashleigh in an album and stored it with the notebooks.
Looking at the pictures was hard, because the pictures moved and...Ashleigh never would again. The picture Ashleigh looked so ALIVE and carefree and wild and...Ashleigh would never do, look, or say things like that again.
Lily just couldn't accept it. Sirius was having just as hard of a time as Lily...he seemed lost without Ashleigh. James went around with this hangdog look on his face, and he hardly talked to anyone.
Dumbledore saw them moping around school and decided it was time to talk to them.
When they were all seated in his office, he said:
"We all miss Ashleigh. Hogwarts just isn't the same without her life restoring vitality and humour. She was a special person, whose memory I will always cherish. When things get hard, think of Ashleigh, when you need a laugh, think of Ashleigh, and most of all, when you need a friend, think of Ashleigh." He paused and cleared his throat. "When people die, you need to move on. Don't ever forget them, but don't wallow in your grief. Do you think Ashleigh would want that? Don't you think that the fun-loving, carefree, wild and crazy Ashleigh that we remember would want you to go on playing pranks and make her laugh in heaven? She is watching over you right now and everything you do, everything you say, and everything that you FEEL, she knows it. I don't think Ashleigh would want you to mope around and miss her all day. I brought you in here to help you close a chapter in your life, store it, and put it away for safe keeping. Always remember her, and think of how she would feel if she knew you were missing her so. Move on, live, she would want that." Dumbledore said with a slight break in his voice now and then.
He then shooed them out of his office, and they headed back to their dormitories thinking about what he had said.
From then on, they tried to go on with their lives. The played pranks with Remus, and thought of how Ashleigh would have loved the jokes. They thought about her a lot...but they were good thoughts....special memories...special jokes...special sayings.
Every night, before she went to bed, Lily felt a pang, and knew that it was for Ashleigh. She missed her so much. She looked at the pictures, and the read the notebooks almost every night. She cried a lot. But she soon got caught up in life again...and remembered the good things.
"James?!" Lily yelled about 5 months after Ashleigh's death.
"Yeah?" James said as his head popped out of the door.
"Do you want to head down to Hogsmeade with me? I have an odd craving for a Butterbeer." She said with a grin.
"Sure, I would love to. Hang on lemme get my invisibility cloak." James replied.
They walked down to Hogsmeade hand in hand underneath the invisibility cloak.
"James?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for being there for me...you know."
"No problem. Thats what boyfriends are for right?" He said flashing her a smile.
"Yep, thats what boyfriends are for." she agreed standing on tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.
They sat down at their favorite booth once they got to the Three Broomsticks. Imagine their surprise when they saw Remus and Sirius talking and laughing at a booth.
Sirius and Remus waved and came over to sit with them. They talked and laughed while they drank their Butterbeer.
"I can't believe that we are almost done with our third year!" Lily exclaimed.
"The dance is coming up...last day of school...which is TOMORROW." Remus stated innocently.
"I don't really feel like going to the dance." Sirius said "the person that I want to go with...isn't here anymore and I wouldn't feel right taking someone else."
"I don't feel like going either...it won't be the same without her there inventing crazy new dances." Lily sighed.
"I don't wanna go because, she won't be there putting spells on all the food." James said with a sad note in his voice.
"I don't want to go because she won't be there making me laugh." said Remus.
"So, I take it that we are all not going then?" James put in, making everyone chuckle.
They all walked back to Hogwarts when they had finished. When they got back, Lucius and Snape were waiting for them.
"What were you doing at HOGSMEADE today? Its not a Hogsmeade day today! Should I go have a little talk with Professor McGonagall?!" Snape sneered, a malicious smile on his face.
"Me, in Hogsmeade illegally? Snape, really...you need to get a hobby. Why would I, the girl who NEVER breaks the rules, go to Hogsmeade illegally? Really, Severus, I am ashamed of you. You used to make up such convincing stories. What happened?!" Lily asked with apparent innocence.
With that, they all turned and walked back up to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Hey, Lil, thanks for saving our butts....again." Sirius said sheepishly.
"No problem. I still owe you for saving MY butt when I accidently set off dung bombs in Snape's cauldron yesterday." Lily replied with a giggle.
"Lil, do you want to sit by us in Potions?" James asked.
"Who else would I sit by?" Lily asked with a sad sort of smile.
"Good point...who could put up with you?!" Sirius asked while trying to keep a straight face.
"Oh, you!" Lily laughed as she lightly punched him in the shoulder.
"Hey James, you better watch out...looks like your best friend is flirting with your girlfriend!" Remus said with a laugh.
James looked at Lily and Sirius with suspicion, then said "Nah, she knows she's got it good with me."
They all laughed and Lily pretended to gag.
The bell rang and they all headed towards their 3rd class of the day. James had his arm around Lily, much to the shagrin of Severus. (They all knew that Snape had a crush on Lily).
"James...promise me you won't be so careless on your broom tomorrow at the Quidditch Match!!!" Lily pleaded with him for the thousandth time.
"But Lil! Thats the whole fun of Quidditch! Riding at breakneck speed, the wind in your hair, trying not to get knocked of your broom." He said with a faraway look in his eyes.
"James, sometimes its hard to tell whether you like Quidditch or me more." Lily smirked.
James snapped back to reality once she had said that. "w-well you of course Lil. Never doubt me." He said with a grin that made her weak at the knees.
"I don't know what you love so much about flying." she paused, "teach me."
"Teach you t-to fly?!" James asked with astonishment.
"Yeah...don't you think I could do it?" Lily asked with a somewhat hurt look on her face.
"Of course I do...its just," he paused when he saw her face, "how about tonight at the Quidditch field? You can use my broom."
Lily grinned at stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek.
Then they turned and saw Sirius and Remus making kissy noises and mocking them.
"Oh James, can we share a broom?!" Sirius mocked in a high girly voice and then he pretended to swoon.
Remus was practically rolling on the floor laughing, while Sirius continued to make fun of Lily and James.
He finally shut up when James threatened to set of dung bombs in Sirius' bed that night.
That night, Lily walked out to the Quidditch field with James.
"Ok, you kick off like this." he explained.
He demonstrated twice and then told her to try. She took the broom nervously.
"Ok, here goes!" She said nervously.
She kicked off perfectly and James marveled at how good she was at flying.
When she landed, she was grinning.
"WOW Lily! You were awesome! I bet I could get you a spot on the Quidditch team!! We need a new keeper anyways." He said excitedly.
Lily grinned, "Well, if you could get me a spot, I would love to."
They turned and went back to the tower to go to bed.
The next morning, Professor McGonagall came up to Lily and looked her up and down.
"So, you want to be on the Quidditch team?" she asked, as though she doubted Lily's ability.
Lily lifted her chin high. "Yes, I do."
James winked at her and nodded approvingly.
"Ok, well come outside and we will see if you are a strong enough flyer." she said sternly.
"James, can I borrow your broom?" Lily asked.
"Sure."
When they got out to the Quidditch field, Lily climbed onto the broom and kicked off perfectly, almost as if she had been doing it all her life. She flew around, did a couple of sharp turns, and some loop-de-loops before landing.
Professor McGonagall looked astonished.
"Our last game of the year is today, and I expect you to show up fully clothed in your uniform. And here...take this broom." she said as she conjured up a top of the line Nimbus 1999.9 from thin air.
"Wow! Thanks Professor!" Lily exclaimed. "Where do I get the robes?"
"Well, what number do you want to be?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Hm...13." Lily replied, as that was her favorite number.
McGonagall conjured up her #13 robes out of thin air also.
"Here, take these...I will see you all in the locker room in 15 minutes for the pre-game strategy talk."
Then she apparated back to her office.
"Wow, you did awesome!" James exclaimed, admiration on his face.
Lily shrugged, and they walked to the Gryffindor locker room together.
20 minutes later, Lily had been introduced as the new keeper, and they were heading out to the field.
The whole crowd (From the Gryffindor side anyway) cheered their lungs hoarse when Lily was introduced to the spectators.
Lily grinned, then took her position.
She played superbly, and she didn't allow any goals by. James caught the snitch in half an hour.
Gryffindor lifted Lily and James up in the air and carried them down to the locker rooms.
"WE WON THE CUP!!! WE WON THE CUP!!! The crowd was cheering wildly and the whole team was grinning so wide their faces hurt.
After the game, Lily and James changed back into their wizard robes.
"Wow, what a rush! I had no idea I would do that well!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes still shining and her cheeks rosy from the wind.
"Well, you did awesome. We make a great team." James replied shyly.
Lily smiled at him, her eyes soft.
"I can't believe we are already done with our 3rd year!" Lily exclaimed, a note of sadness in her voice.
"It's weird," Lily said, her voice breaking, "that Ashleigh only lived through her third year. She would have loved to play Quidditch. She would have loved to sneak into Hogsmeade. It's weird to be leaving here without her. This will be the first train ride that I have not sat by her."
"I know. Sometimes I still expect her to walk around the corner and crack some corny joke, or spray me with shaving cream." James replied.
"Well, like Dumbledore said, no use worrying about the past. We can't change it. We have to live our lives to the fullest. And Ashleigh knows we love her and miss her." Lily replied in a voice that clearly ended the conversation.
They walked the rest of the way to the great hall in silence.
When they got there, they joined Sirius and Remus, and Sirius congratulated her again on her awesome performance. Sirius was a beater on the Gryffindor team, so he was all riled up.
They ate at the feast, and promised each other that they would hang out this summer.
The next morning, after packing, Lily walked down to the train with everyone else.
She sat in between James and Sirius, Remus sat on the other side of James.
They talked the whole way home. James was the first stop, and he stooped down and kissed Lily. She blushed as the whole compartment made wolf whistles and cat calls.
Sirius and Remus grinned at her. James gave on final wave before the train lurched forward again.
Next stop, Remus.
"Goodbye Remus." Lily said tearfully, kissing him softly on the cheek.
"I promise I will write you!" Remus said, a look of sadness on his face.
Lily turned to Sirius as they moved onward. They had a while intil the train reached their stops.
"I can hardly believe the school year is already over." Lily said.
"Me neither...who can I play pranks on this summer?! Its just me, Serena, my mum, and my dad." Sirius said with a twinkle in his eye.
Lily laughed and all too soon, the train stopped. It was Lily's turn to get off.
She leaned over and hugged Sirius.
"Goodbye Padfoot." (by this time, the boys were animagus and they knew all about remus.)
"Goodbye Lil." Sirius waved as the train disappeared.
The next day, Lily was mourning for the guys, school, ANYTHING from the magic community.
Just then, Ellie swooped in and dropped a letter in Lily's lap, and allowed Lily to pet her while she ate.
Lily opened the letter. It read:
Lily-
I miss you already! Sirius is going to stay at my house for the summer. He just sent me an owl telling me. Remus still hasn't replied. My mum and da said that if we promise to behave like gentleman, we can have you over too. Would you like to come and stay at my house? Send Ellie with your reply. Love you.
Prongs
Lily smiled and wrote back.
James-
Of course I will come! My parents said that it will be fine. When should I come? I miss you too. More than you would think! And to think, I just saw you yesterday! Love you!
Lily
The next morning, Ellie swooped in and dropped three letters. One from Remus, Sirius, and of course, James.
First she read the one from remus. It said:
Lily-
Hi! I heard that you are staying at James' too. I can't wait. Sorry it took me so long to write. I forgot my owl at Hogwarts and I had to wait for her to fly home on her own. I will see you soon!
Moony
Then she opened the one from Sirius:
Lily-
Hi. How are you? Are you going to stay at James'? Also, I wanted to know if you have a picture of Ashleigh that I could have. I don't have one. Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon!
Padfoot
And last but not least, from James:
Lily-
Thanks for writing back so quick. I can't wait to see you. You can come tomorrow if you want. I am guessing rhat you already know my address. I can't wait to see you. Love you.
Prongs
Lily smiled and wrote back to all of them. Then she went upstairs to pack. She didn't know how long she was supposed to stay, so she packed practically all of her summer wardrobe into one suitcase.
Then she traveled by floo powder to James' house.
There appeared to be no one there, so she cautiously walked up the stairs. She saw a room with a Quidditch poster on it, and she knocked softly.
James threw open the door, saw her, and wrapped her in a bear hug.
"It's so good to see you!" he exclaimed.
"My how you've grown." Lily exclaimed sarcastically to James.
They both burst out laughing, and he showed her to the room where she would be staying.
It turned out, that Lily was the first one to arrive, and she had James all to herself for a week!
The first day she was there, they talked, thought up pranks to play, and started a Marauders Map. They designed it to show every room on Hogwarts even when the rooms shifted, and it showed where everyone was in the castle at all times. It even showed people when they were under an invisibility cloak!
They were quite involved with the map for the rest of the week before Remus and Sirius got there.
Misters
Moony
Wormtail
Padfoot and
Prongs
Who wish to aid young mischief makers for years to come, Proudly Present to you:
The Marauders Map
that was what the boys put at the top of their map. Lily was a bit peeved that they didn't put her name on the map, but they explained to her that she needed a nickname in order to be on it. She finally gave up and let them leave her name off of it.
They had had to send the map to Peter to have him sign it because he wasn't able to come to James' that summer.
The rest of the summer went by fast, as did their fourth and fifth year. An endless number of pranks, Lily and James being the stars of the Quidditch team, and countless hours in Hogsmeade.
So on the Hogwarts Express on the way to begin their 6th year, they talked about how fast the years at Hogwarts had gone by.
"Only two years left...can you believe it?" Lily asked the guys.
They all shook their heads.
The rest of the train ride went by quickly, and when they got to Hogwarts, they all went up to the Gryffindor Tower and put their things away.
That night, after the feast, they all went to bed right away, as they were exhausted from the 9 hour train ride.
The next morning (Lily's Birthday *September 2*) SIX owls swooped into her room and dropped packages on her, waking her up.
She looked at the pile with astonishment...she had never gotten this many presents before!
She opened the first package, the one she recognized had James handwriting on it.
The card read:
Lily-
Happy birthday! I hope you like what I got you...Sirius helped me pick it out. How about dinner tonight in Hogsmeade? I love you.
James
and in the package that James had sent her...was a beautiful REAL SILVER necklace with a lily hanging from it. The petals on the lily were sapphires! The center was a yellow diamond.
Lily gasped and put it on with shaking hands. She loved it, and she would wear it always.
She bent down and picked up the next package. It was from Remus.
The card read:
Lily-
Happy 16 birthday! You probably have plans with James for tonight, so I thought I should send you your gift now. I hope you like it!
Remus
And in HIS package was a statue of a wolf. Not just ANY wolf, but of a werewolf. Not a mean werewolf...but one with a content, gentle expression. It was the model that Lily had seen in the window of a shop in Diagon Alley...the one that she had LOVED. How had he known that she had wanted it? It was a most appropriate present from Remus, as he was a werewolf himself.
She smiled, set this down on her nightstand, and moved on to the next present. It was from Sirius.
The card said:
Lily-
Happy Birthday! Don't worry...there isn't a dung bomb in the box. Its an actual present (for once). I hope you enjoy the gift. Luv Ya Lil!
Sirius
In the box was a..a birdcage! Inside of it was a parakeet named Loopy. Lily just loved her. She was a pale pinkish bird with baby blue eyes, and a sweet expression. She seemed to love Lily as much as Lily loved her!
Lily set Loopy's birdcage down on the table next to Ellie's cage.
She opened the card from her mother:
Lily-
Happy birthday! I can't believe you are already 16! I wish I could be with you on your big day, but I hope the present makes up for it. Have a wonderful time at Hogwarts. I can't wait to see you on Christmas Vacation!
Love,
Mum
And in that box, was a pair of earrings, simpled but elegant dangly earrings with diamonds on the ends.
Lily sighed contentedly and thought of what great friends she had.
She then slipped on the earrings, got dressed in her newer everyday robes (it WAS her birthday after all), and she ran to the boy's dormitory and opened the door without knocking.
She ran to James' bed, where he was sitting, reading a Quidditch book.
He saw her, jumped out of bed and wrapped her in a hug.
"Happy Birthday Lil." He murmured into her hair.
She smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
"Did you get my gift?" he asked nervously.
"Yes! I LOVE it! It must have cost you a fortune!" Lily exclaimed.
"It did," James replied ruefully, "but you're worth it." He grinned down at her.
He then saw that she was wearing the necklace and he sighed with satisfaction.
Then Lily un wrapped herself from James' arms and ran over to Sirius and gave him such a hug, that he fell back onto his bed.
"Oh Sirius I love you!!! Thank you SO much! I love her!" Lily exclaimed.
Sirius grinned and blushed at being the center of attention.
James was looking on enviously, as his girlfriend continued to hug Sirius.
"Sirius, you are the best friend a girl could ask for!" Lily said.
Sirius laughed and said, "I love you too Lil. Well, you might want to get off me...your boyfriend looks as though I am going to be his next meal!"
Lily laughed and went over to kiss James. He put his arm around her shoulders possessively and smiled at Sirius.
"No matter what you give her buddy, she always comes back to me." He said.
Then he looked down at her, "Do you really love Sirius?" He asked.
"As a FRIEND you git! I love YOU!!!" Lily exclaimed.
They all laughed, and then Remus woke up.
"WHATS ALL THAT RACKET?!" Remus shouted. (He wasn't a morning person)
"Oh! I am so sorry Re! I came in to thank everyone for the gifts they gave me." Lily said quietly.
With that, Remus jumped out of bed.
"Is it my turn to be thanked yet?!"
"Of course it is." Lily laughed as she hugged Remus. She whispered in his ear, "I love it, Re! How could you know that that's what I wanted most from Diagon Alley? I put it on my nightstand so I can see it when I fall asleep and first thing when I wake up."
Remus grinned and James looked at the pair suspiciously while Lily whispered in Remus' ear.
Lily finally let go and went over to a disgruntled James.
"Oh, James, why do I hang around you? You're so possesive! But I love you anyway." Lily said in an audible whisper.
Remus and Sirius howled with laughter as James turned beet red (in a good way) and Lily giggled at his discomfort.
Remus, Sirius, Lily, and a very red James walked down the corridor to the Breakfast Hall.
James had his arm around Lily and was getting many envious looks from the rest of the 6th year boys.
"James, I can't thank you enough for the necklace. I will wear it always." Lily whispered.
"No problem Lil, I'll be here to watch and make SURE you wear it always." James replied with a mischievious look on his face.
Lily pulled away.
"And just WHAT are you planning James Harold Potter?" Lily asked, hands on her hips.
"Am I really that transparent?" James asked with a worried frown.
"No, I just know you too well." Lily replied matter-of-factly.
"Yes, you do love." James replied softly, gently pulling Lily into an empty hallway, "and thats why I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Lily's breath caught in her throat.
"James..."
"No, Lily, don't try and stop me. I know we are sixth years, but I need to know...will you marry me?"
"I can't!" Lily cried, pulling away and running down the corridor.
She left James very disappointed and embarassed. That WASN'T how he had imagined this.
Well, if she wasn't serious about the relationship, neither was he!
He walked down to the breakfast hall and sat down with a plop next to Sirius.
"So, did you ask her?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Yeah." He replied glumly.
"No way! She said...no?!" Remus asked disbelievingly.
James nodded his head.
"Let change the subject guys." James said with a quick glance over at Lily, who was picking at her food next to Laurie.
3 days later, James couldn't stand the silence between him and Lily anymore. he walked up to her and gently pulled her aside.
"What is it James?" Lily asked, not looking up.
"I want to know whats going on...I miss you." James told her honestly.
Lily looked up, and whispered, "I miss you too, love."
"Then whats going on?" James asked, relieved to know that she still liked him.
"James, you are a pure-blooded wizard, am I right?" Lily asked him.
"Yeah..." James replied, not knowing where she was going with this.
"James I come from a family of Squibs...and i know that you wouldn't want Squib children...and Squib blood is as bad as muggle blood in the eyes of Snape and the other Slytherins. I didn't think you would want to be with me if you knew." She told him.
"Lil, that doesn't matter to me." James told her honestly.
"Really?!" Lily looked up at him hopefully.
"Really."
Lily squealed and threw her arms around James and kissed him.
"I've missed you so much, you could never imagine." James murmured between kisses.
"Yes I can imagine, because I missed you just as much." Lily grinned and kissed him again.
They walked into the lunch room, litterally entwined in each others arms, and Sirius and Remus saw them and starting whooping and clapping.
"Re, you owe me $20 galleons. I TOLD you they would be back together before Friday." Sirius said gleefully, holding out his hand.
Remus frowned and grudgingly handed over 20 galleons.
Lily and James hardly ate at all that lunch period. They were talking in low voices, and sitting as close as the seats would allow.
"James, would you like to ask me the question again?" Lily asked him quietly.
James' eyes lit up and he did.
"Lily Jessica Rineson, will you be my wife?"
Lily smiled at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.
"Of course I will."
James reached over and pulled her into his arms. Lily put her arms around his neck and they kissed.
They broke apart with a start when they heard cat calls and wolf whistling coming from Remus and Sirius.
"Do you two ALWAYS have to ruin everything good?" James asked, trying his best to look angry.
"Yep, thats what we're here for Prongs old pal." Sirius replied with a grin.
Lily groaned.
All of the girls in the hallway stopped to examine Lily's engagement ring. It was a large diamond set in a gold band with smaller diamonds surrounding it.
"You are so lucky!" Most of them told her, enviously looking at James.
That night, Lily sat in front of the fire, snuggled up against James.
"Never again will I stay away from you for 3 days."She murmured in his ear.
"Never again will I LET you stay away from me for 3 days." He replied with a soft smile.
They both laughed and Lily snuggled deeper into his arms.
Lily fell asleep in his arms, a contented smile on her face.
James quietly lifted her up (jeeze she was light) and he brought her into the girls dorms, got a stern look from Professor McGonagall, and put Lily in her bed, covered her up, and kissed her on the cheek.
As he left her room, Professor McGonagall said, "You two will make a great pair." and she winked at him.
James blushed and went to his dorm and got ready for bed.
The next morning, Lily snuck into James' room, and just watched him sleep. She heard him murmuring.
"Lily, lets have lots and lots of kids. I like kids. And lets get a big bed."
Lily smirked and pushed him awake.
"James Harold Potter, you keep your dirty thoughts to yourself." Lily said indignantly.
"WHAT?!!! What did I say?" James asked with a horrified look.
Lily mimicked him, "Lily, lets have lots and lots of kids. I like kids. And lets get a big bed."
James looked horrified and embarassed. "Well, why were you listening anyways?"
Sirius came out of no where grinning like a lunatic, "You were only YELLING in your dreams. The whole dorm heard you."
James looked around frantically and saw that, indeed the whole room had heard.
Not knowing what to do, he started laughing, and once he started, he couldn't stop.
Soon the whole dorm including Lily were laughing hysterically.
Lily pulled him up off the bed and ordered him to get dressed, then meet her in the common room.
Then she left.
When James was ready and he went to meet her in the Common Room, he was very surprised to see her talking and laughing with a girl named Laurie.
Lily hadn't laughed with another girl since....since...well it was about time.
James grinned at her and she grinned back.
"Laurie, this is my fiancee' James Potter." Lily told her, looking proud.
"You're ENGAGED?!! But we are only 6th years!" Laurie exclaimed.
"It's never too early to start thinking about it, right Lil?" James replied.
"Right." Lily said as she gave him a quick kiss.
James walked hand in hand with Lily down to the Breakfast Hall, and Laurie was talking with Lily the WHOLE WAY. James could hardly get in two words edge wise!
I almost wish she would have just stuck to being friends with me and the guys. but then he shook his head, no I can't think that...she deserves to get out there. I am being selfish.
As Laurie was in Ravenclaw, Lily and she couldn't sit together at Breakfast.
"Hey Re, Hey Siri, whats up?" Lily asked the boys sitting across from her.
"Oh Lil, uh, can I see your engagement ring?" Sirius asked innocently.
"NO!!! What would you do to it? Normally I would let you...but this ring is too special!" Lily exclaimed indignantly.
"Lily, Lily, Lily," Sirius started patiently, "would I lie?"
"Yes." Lily grinned without hesitation.
Sirius gave an exasperated sigh. "Remus, she knows me too well."