Everyone was back at Hogwarts for another year of learning. For Lily, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter, it was their sixth year, a year without any major exams at the end.

It was around a month into that particular year, and James was getting ready for a date that Lily had set him up for.

"Black robes? Blue robes?" James cocked his head to one side, studying himself in the mirror.

"Blue, definitely. They bring out your eyes, and Mary is sure to like that." Lily stood in the doorframe of the boy's room. James grinned.

"Cheers. Your opinion means a lot." James said sarcastically.

"I know. That's why I make it my duty to tell you things like this." Lily played along. "So, where are you going tonight, Lover Boy?"

James scowled. "Some restaurant in Hogsmeade."

"That should be fun." She smiled. "Tell me how it went when you get back. I'll be in my room."

She walked out the door, and was about to close it behind her when she added:

"Lover Boy." She laughed and ran out the door.

"Lily!" James threw a pillow at the door, but she had already left.

~*~

James returned from his date, completely exhausted. He remembered he was supposed to go tell Lily what happened, and tiredly made his way up the stairs.

He knocked on the door, but heard no response. He carefully opened the door, and found that Lily was asleep. Instead of leaving and telling her in the morning, he closed the door behind him and woke up Lily.

"It was absolutely awful. She talks way to much about her hair, her clothes, what she should order…blah, blah, blah." James sat on the edge of her bed, and put his head in his hands. A very tired Lily rubbed her eyes.

"That's too bad. I guess you'll want me to find you another?"

"I don't know. I think I've had it with your choice of girls for now. Thanks anyway. What did you do tonight?"

She shook her head in disgust. "I received an invitation to Petunia's wedding. Can you believe that?"

"She's getting married to Verny?" James made a face. "Yuck."

She nodded. "I really don't want to go alone. It'll be really awkward. I know Petunia hates me, and Vernon is just awful."

James shrugged. "I'll go with you, if you want."

Lily was shocked, but managed, "You'd do that?"

He grinned. "Sure. You're doing me a favor, so I'll do you one. Plus, I really would like to see Dear Old Verny again."

She slapped him playfully on the arm. "No more magic, especially in front of so many muggles. I mean, it is their wedding."

"Fine. Be that way." He pouted but grinned after, and she laughed.

~*~

"The wedding starts in 2 hours, but we should leave in around 45 minutes, alright? I'm going to go get changed, I'll be right back." Lily took off towards her dorm, leaving James in the Common Room.

"I had better get dressed as well." He went up to his dorm, quickly got dressed into his tux and ran a hand through his hair nervously. To be perfectly honest, he didn't like formal occasions all that much, which wasn't too good when one was a Prince. Half an hour later, he heard Lily at the dormitory door.

"You look great! Wait, I've got to fix your tie." Lily rushed towards him, leaving the door open behind her. Her hair was up half up, half down, and her emerald green dress matched her eyes perfectly.

She tightened his tie around his neck, and tied it correctly. "There, absolutely brilliant."

He sighed. This was so typical of Lily, but he didn't mind much, as he sure as hell didn't know how to tie his tie. "Are we ready to go? Are we going by Floo Powder?"

Lily smiled. "Yes, let's go. Thanks for coming with me, James, I couldn't possibly go by myself."

"No problem. I think Vernon and I get along well, don't you?" He grinned. "We've got to go."

She giggled. "Yes. Hurry up!"

They rushed into the Common Room and used the Floo Powder that Professor Dumbledore had supplied them with.

"Westminster Cathedral!" They shouted at the same time, and in an instant, Lily and James felt as if they were being turned upside down, until at last they landed with a large thump.

~*~

"Ouch. That smarts." Lily rubbed her elbow. She was sitting on the floor of the Cathedral, very uncomfortably.

"You'll get used to it." James said simply as he helped her up.

"Cheers. Remember that you aren't allowed to use magic. This cathedral is full with muggles, and I don't want you doing anything to make them think else wise. And don't create a scene having to do with us. Petunia doesn't know that we're here, I wasn't even supposed to be invited."

"But you're her sister!" James said, appalled.

"I know that. Erm…it's Petunia, what can I say?" Lily shrugged.

The wedding theme started, and Lily and James quietly stood at the back of the cathedral, hidden in the shadows. "Be quiet. If Petunia ever saw me here…"

"I know, Lily." James hissed. "You're making more noise than I am."

Petunia arrogantly made her way down the aisle, her nose in the air. Her stringy blonde hair was curled, but left down, and she had on a yellow tight wedding dress.

James whispered, "Her dress makes her resemble a banana."

Lily muffled a laugh. "Yes, it kind of does. She looks absolutely horrid in it."

They ceased their talking and watched Petunia carry herself down the aisle to stand beside a red faced Vernon.

The Priest started, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to honor the union of Vernon –"

Just then Petunia snapped her head to look at the back of the cathedral, as if she had sensed that something wasn't right. The audience started to whisper, wondering what was going on. James heard Lily whisper a barely audible "Uh oh…"

Petunia stamped her foot, interrupting the wedding ceremony. "Mother! She's ruining my wedding!"

"Shit!" Lily said loudly. Everyone in the church turned to look at her, and Petunia had started to sob.

"She wasn't invited! I want nothing to do with her kind!" Petunia choked out between sobs.

Lily made an attempt to apologize, with the entire audience looking at either Lily or Petunia. "Petunia, I'm sorry, I honestly had no intentions of –"

"GET OUT!" Petunia screamed, pointing her index finger to the large mahogany doors.

Lily hung her head in shame, and James saw a few tears roll down her face. He followed her outside, with Petunia's sobs still echoing in his mind.

~*~

After James and Lily used the fireplace to get to The Three Broomsticks, James bought Lily a butterbeer, and tried to sooth her. He was used to girls sobbing loudly and making a commotion, and attracting everyone's attention.

Lily just sipped her butterbeer and spoke in short sentences.

James crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back in his chair, studying Lily. "If you don't mind me saying, your sister is a complete brat."

"I don't mind you saying that at all. It's nothing to worry about, she's always like that."

"It is like that during the holidays as well?"

Lily nodded in response. The door to the restaurant rang, and they looked up. In a laid back manner, Severus Snape strolled over to their table.

"How convenient, to find the both of you at once." Severus snarled. "Potter, I would watch out, if I were you."

James quickly rose to his feet. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, Snape?"

Severus backed up, intimidated by James. "I have connections, Potter, and I wouldn't go around threatening someone with as much information as I have."

This time it was Lily who spoke up. "Severus, I don't need this. What the hell is going on?"

"Ah, Lily Evans…the Mudblood." Snape whispered, almost making Lily cry. "You and Potter, eh? Not a good combination."

James had had enough, and punched Severus squarely in the jaw. Snape staggered back and a hand flew to his quickly bruising jaw.

"I think you'll regret that, Potter. And you too, Evans. Keep an eye out, the both of you…you have no idea of what's coming to you."

James stood in front of Lily, as if protecting her from Snape's insults. "Oh? And what exactly is coming to us?"

Snape grinned an awful grin, full of hate. "We are doing everything we can to put a stop to that prophecy." And with a wave of his hand, he left.

James gulped; he didn't like where that conversation went. That prophecy wasn't supposed to be knowledgeable to the general public, even he didn't remember all that went with it.

Lily was looking especially frightened and stepped out from behind James. "What the hell?"

James shook his head, still looking at the doors where Snape had just left. "I don't know, but I do know that we had better get back to Hogwarts. You doing alright?"

Lily nodded. "I just want to go to bed."

~*~

Christmas was rapidly approaching, but nothing significant had happened since the Snape incident. Lily was staying over the Christmas holidays, as she felt ashamed to even think of going home. Remus was staying, Peter and Sirius were leaving and James was undecided.

James had been doing a lot of thinking over the past months, something was connecting him, Lily and Snape, but he didn't know what. James was thinking about staying these holidays, just to be with Lily. She hadn't been the same since Petunia's wedding and their little chat with Snape after that.

James would catch Snape in the halls giving Lily grins that would signify he knew something that Lily didn't. And it frustrated Lily to no end, she was always figuring things out, but she was completely lost on this one.

In the end, James did decide to stay with Lily and Remus, and everyone that was going home for the holidays was leaving that day.

"See you after the holidays, Sirius." Lily gave him a large hug.

"Later, Padfoot." Remus shook his hand and clapped him on the back, as did James. Right before Sirius was supposed to leave, James took him aside, to talk to him privately.

"Sirius, I'm worried about Lily and this whole Snape situation. I need your help when you come back. We need to find out about the prophecy he was talking about. I know its bothering Lily, she just can't seem to figure it out."

Sirius nodded. "Right, man. I'll try to find something out. Obviously Snape is up to something."

"Thanks, buddy."

Sirius nodded again, and boarded the train; he could see his friends waving to him from out on the platform. James had a glint in his eyes that made Sirius truly believe he was worried, one that Sirius wouldn't tease him about.

~*~

A day before Christmas, Sirius was back at Hogwarts. Lily, James and Remus were extremely surprised to see him standing in the common room, trunk at his feet.

"Sirius!" Lily exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

He sighed. "Voldemort, he got my parents and sister."

James shook his head, unbelieving. "Oh my God…"

Lily ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. She sobbed into his shoulder, "I'm so sorry."

He hugged her tightly back, and whispered, "It's okay. Thanks."

James walked over to him and gave him a hug, clapping him on the back, while Sirius blinked back tears. Remus did the same.

Sirius choked out, "It was just…Christmas time, you know? Why now? It was supposed to be the happiest time of the year…"

Lily gave him another hug. "I know, Sirius, I know."

Remus and James took his trunk. "Let's go upstairs. Lily, you can stay in our dorm tonight, if you want."

She glanced at Sirius, heartbroken and blinking back tears. "Definitely."

~*~

"You can take my bed. I'll sleep in Peter's." James said softly.

"Cheers." Lily said, just as softly. The entire Christmas spirit had been dampened ever since Sirius came back.

They were still trying to cheer him up, but to no avail. It was nearing midnight, and the group of four decided they had better get to bed. Lily hugged Sirius goodnight, and then Remus and then James.

She climbed into James' bed. It smelled like him, and it was very comfortable. She was drowning in his presence, and was feeling giddy, despite the misery around her.

But that soon passed, and as she pulled the covers close to her, she was again overwhelmed with the feeling of sympathy. She put her hands behind her head. The others were all in their beds, too.

She sighed, and said thoughtfully, "Merry Christmas, guys."

There was no answer except for a couple of sobs from Sirius' bed.

~*~

The next morning, Lily woke up, still aware of being in James' bed. Unfortunately, without James, she thought to herself. What the hell am I thinking?

Someone threw the curtains of her bed back, streaming in the sunlight. James stood there, still in his pajamas. Lily moaned.

"I'm still tired, James."

James came closer to her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I know it's early, Lily, but Sirius wants to open presents now. Please? For Sirius?"

She looked into James' eyes, and nodded.

Lily threw the covers off of her and looked at the pile of presents at the foot of her bed. It was the largest pile that she had ever received.

There were packages from Sirius, Remus, Peter and James, another from her parents, one from Vernon and Petunia, and one unsigned.

Lily had given Sirius, Remus, Peter and James presents, too. She had given Sirius more pranking supplies to use on Snape, and he smiled when he opened them. She had given Remus a set of Muggle books, most of which were her favorites. Peter had received a large amount of magical candies and some Muggle ones, and he sent Lily a thank you note. She had given James a marble magical chess set, and he was thrilled about it.

She had received a load of presents, from Sirius a thick green cloak, from Remus a crystal ball, just like in Divination, and from Peter a set of magical pencils. You could make them paint with all different mediums just by saying different incantations.

She moved on to James' present, and was aware that the three boys were looking at her open it. James was leaning against the wall; his arms folded over his chest, and Remus and Sirius were sitting on their beds, amongst numerous shreds of wrapping paper.

His present was small, but it seemed delicate, so Lily carefully unwrapped it. After that, she took of the lid of the box and gasped.

On a silver chain there was glass lily, but the glass was misted over, with white swirls in it.

"If you hold it in your hand, the colors change." James said.

Lily threw her arms around his neck. "Thanks, James."

He helped her put it around her neck. "It looks good on you."

"Thank you, I absolutely adore it."

~*~

Lily opened all of her other presents, but left the unsigned one unopened. The wrapping was dark green, silver and purple stripes, and she left it on James' bedside table. Lily stayed in their dorm for the rest of the Christmas holidays, and tomorrow Peter and the other students would be returning.

She looked forward to the nights these days, because Lily was sleeping in James' bed, and loved being there. She would have a hard time returning to her own dorm tomorrow.

Everyone was well asleep, or so she thought, until she heard someone come over to her bed and throw back the curtains.

"Lily?" She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes.

"James? What do you want?"

"Scoot over." She did so and James lay down beside her. "I'm really worried about what Severus said."

"James, I think he just says those things to seem important. I wouldn't take him seriously."

"Yes, but you know just as well as I do that Snape is involved with Voldemort and those kind of people. I don't think we should take him too lightly."

"You know more about Snape than I do." Lily looked over at him.

"Just be careful, that's all. Severus is up to something, I know it."

"I will. You don't have to worry so much!" She smiled and tapped his nose. "Good night."

She rolled over and fell asleep, as she listened to James rhythmic breathing beside her.

~*~

Severus watched James, Remus, Lily, Sirius and Peter walk down the hallway, laughing and joking with each other. Lily was smiling that radiant smile of hers, and ruffled James' hair, or tried to, since she was fairly short. James laughed and the others laughed with him.

"Oh, please, Severus. Still pining for that Mudblood?" Lucius Malfoy strolled up behind him, causing Snape to jump.

He shook his head. "Of course not, Lucius. Why would I want a pathetic Mudblood?"

"I don't know. But, then again, I'm not the one that is drooling over her, am I?" Lucius said coolly, tossing his pale blonde hair to the side.

Severus snorted. "I am not drooling, Lucius!"

Silence followed this comment as the two of them watched Lily smile and laugh.

Lucius smiled his twisted smile, and said, "She shouldn't smile like that."

Shocked, Severus turned to his companion and asked, "Why not?"

"She doesn't know who is falling in love with it."

~*~

Lily sat alone in the Gryffindor Common Room. The boys were out with Remus; it was a full moon. She sat on the floor, pouring over a thick map. It was actually a chart that she had kept for Remus, she marked when he was gone for how long. She also marked when his transformation started, at what time of the day and such.

At the sound of someone coming in through the portrait, Lily quickly rolled up the map and stuffed it in her bag, which was on the table beside her.

"Lily…I need to talk to you."

Lily stood up abruptly. "Severus, you shouldn't be here. You really shouldn't."

He held out his hand. "I know…I just have to say a few things."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't have a lot of time."

"Fine. Just hear me out."

Lily looked expectantly at him.

He continued, "I'm sorry for what I said a while back."

Her eyes narrowed at him as Lily said, "What are you playing at, Severus?"

"Nothing. Honestly." He paused before continuing. "You see, Lily, I just wanted to warn you as to what could be happening in the future. I really care about you and I want nothing more than your safety. You would be so much better off with me…"

"Better off with you than…who?" She asked, quite shocked at his confession.

"Lily, do you think I'm blind? Potter can't take care of you, he'll just end up hurting you – "

"What the hell? Severus, James and I are friends. We aren't involved…" She trailed off, fighting the urge to say that they were, because she wanted to be.

"Friends, my ass, Lily! I know that you like him, more than just friends, as you claim!" Severus exploded, coming nearer to her.

Lily was at a loss of words for a moment. "No, absolutely not. I think you are sadly mistaken. Whatever you are going on about - James can't take care of me and he'll end up hurting me – is complete rubbish. We aren't even like that!"

Severus looked at her straight in the eye, longing for her. "All I'm saying is that you would be so much better off with me…you don't know what you're missing…"

Lily's gaze hardened at the pathetic Slytherin in front of her. "I think I do."

He shook his head with a sad smile. "You don't Lily, you don't."

He turned and left, looking absolutely heartbroken.

~*~

Disclaimer: You all know how this goes. I don't own it, as much as I wish I did.

A/N: Awwww! Poor Snapey. Just joking. Umm…so, how did you like this chapter? I am thinking each chapter will be at least this long. Do you like it? Love it? Absolutely hate it? Eh, whatever. I'll get the next part out as soon as possible.