We're Gonna Die
Chapter Ten of 'The Ladies' Man'
more insanity by Marie McKinnon

A/N: So now they're going to die. Fun, hunh? However, this is when I believe I must
say goodbye. Yes, this is the last chapter. I will thank you all before I sign off. I was completely
shocked to find that I actually had 50 reviews for this story, but I can't claim any credit at all.
Thank you all so much. I wouldn't be at this point now if it weren't for you. Heck, there would
only be one chapter if it weren't for you! In the immortal words of one of the originals, Y'all
Rock (Amarria, you know who you are)! Without further ado...

*

"Ouch," James muttered, landing hard on his posterior on the high table. "That smarts."

"Don't sit there whinging. We've got to see Professor Dumbledore and find out if there's
any way we can change our future. I know this may sound clichéd, but I don't want to die!" The
genuinely terrified note in Lily's voice moved him to get up *off* his posterior and almost out
the door before a rumbling voice commented.

"If you need to see me, might I suggest that you turn around?" They did so, and almost
jumped a foot in the air. Professor Dumbledore was sitting leisurely on one of the round tables,
which was now cleared of plates and flowers. His silvery beard reached all the way to the floor.

"Oh, Professor, we didn't see you," he commented.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I know you didn't see me. If you had, you wouldn't have
been surprised when I spoke to you."

"Of--of course, Professor. Could we--"

Again elbowing him in the ribs, Lily interrupted. "We had an--um--interesting-- time
while we were gone, and there are some extraordinary points about it which we would like to
discuss with you."

"By all means, continue."

James and Lily launched into their story, describing everything in great detail, but
focusing mostly on the sounds of their future. The Headmaster listened, his aging face crinkled
in deep thought.

"May I ask a question?" James blurted.

"You've just done so," Dumbledore replied. "You may ask another, however."

"Is there any way for us to change our future?"

He was given a very, very inquisitive look. "Now I would ask a question. Do you want
to?"

Lily stared, shocked. "Of course we want to! We're going to die, get our only son
killed--"

"Voldemort'll be even stronger after we're dead! If we fight him and then die, it's that
many people fewer fighting to stop him! I can't do that!"

"--and-- wait a second," she breathed. Her eyes widened to an extent that her companions
hadn't thought possible. A look of revelation spread across her cheeks. "Remember the end of
the music? It ended in triumph, not in defeat. Which means that our son will live, and defeat
Voldemort."

"Technically, you will defeat him, but I shouldn't explain that."

The two teenagers looked at him inquisitively, unable to fathom that they would end up
saving the world from evil. Though they didn't know it, they looked like the perfect couple. She
leaned against his shoulder while he absent-mindedly stroked her hair. Contented, Lily sighed,
wanting to put off the whole ordeal of deciding what to do. She knew she had to decide and
knew that they would defeat Voldemort in the end, but just the thought of leaving a baby alone in
the world, not to mention *her* baby, was tragic.

James, however, was struggling to comprehend the 'you will defeat him' phrase
Dumbledore had used. "When you say we'll defeat him, d'you mean just me or both of us?"

"I don't mean both of you, I--"

"Then how am I going to defeat him? In the music he killed me and went on to Lily,
which means I *didn't* defeat him! He defeated me!"

"As I was attempting to say," the professor said, "you, James, will not triumph over evil.
It will be Lily whose death will destroy the Dark Lord."

All the colour swiftly left her face. "M-m-me? But--I'm only a kid--what if I can't do it?
What if, when the time comes, I let him have the baby? What if I fail?"

James hugged her. "Don't worry. I'm sure you can do it, you just have to remember that
you'd be a hero."

"I'd be a *dead* hero," she muttered rebelliously.

"Better to die a hero than to live your life as a coward," Dumbledore said.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" Lily asked tearfully. "If I don't, Voldemort'll take over the
world, and I can't let that happen. I love this world too much to give it to him."

With that, Lily Evans sealed a deal that would change the world forever. Knowing their
fate made their deed even greater, more even than the deed of one who would run up to evil with
brandished sword and lop of its head in one swipe. No, it takes much to die for someone, but
even more to know you must die for someone and still live your life. Lily did both of these, and,
in dying, became more victorious than ever thought possible.

Here ends the tale of the Ladies' Man and his Lady. Though their lives have been
extinguished, the service they did the world will live on forever.

*

Disclaimer: They aren't mine. None of them are, so don't get mad at me, please. They
belong to the almighty JK Rowling. When *isn't* she almighty?

Finally, the Roll of Honour:

Molly_Hai l(maybe not soon, but it's out), Lee (it never does, does it?), Julia (cool as in
icy, or just okay? Thanks!), Princess of Mordor (how're you related to Sauron? You'd think he's
the King of Mordor, wouldn't you?), Alyssa (yep!), ME (I did, as you can probably tell), Mrw
(catlike, yes?), Wren (James thinks so much of himself that I'm surprised he hasn't turned into
Narcissus), Bon (I love to laugh, and it's healthy, too), Madam Rose (longer now, as you can
tell), Quack Quack 88 (thanks), Bluemeanies (I love the Beatles, and their movie Yellow
Submarine is so cool. In the meantime, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...), Pampered Tigeress
(sorry I didn't email you, I've got a bad memory), NAPPA (yep, polka dots. Fun, hunh?),
Foxy77( so do I), Potterschik (goodness, I had no idea my writing was so likeable), BabBlGrl (
as you see, shapter five has been out for a while), Taz (don't worry, it's done), Kit*Kat (cool!
Mazel Tov!), Astri (sorry it took me so long), Sineadluv ( as you can see, I did), Angeredfairy (
Happy days to you too! I'm not nearly the best, but thanks for the compliment), Pixie Girl
(reminiscing is so much fun), Daphne Black ( Thanks so much, I appreciate it), Parselmouth
Majere (yeah, all fluff and no plot makes Ladies' Man a dull story), Mahree Avocado (I hereby
conquer this story in the name of Kelika, the Dark Mother!), O'Haragal (wow! So now I'm so
good it's 'eek' worthy?), Ginny (yep, it's related to the moose), Jackie (we're all hopeless
romantics at heart. I'm the last person anyone in my school would expect to write romance, but,
as you can see, I have, and I continue to do so), Skyiela (thanks), Christina (ditto), Kendra (glad
you like it), Korinna Myorin (this is getting tiring, but I must thank you for the bugging I've been
getting at school to 'get on with it, for Pete's sake!'), Anna Ambler/Aliness (put something up, I
want to read 'em), Hot Ice (Lord, my fingers hurt, but thanks anyway).

Whew. That sure took a while, but it was worth it. It's always worth it to make someone
feel special. Well, I'd best go soak my fingers in water before they swell up. Thank you all so
much!