Author's Note: Wow! I'm really flying. I can't believe I came this far! Ten chapters seems longer than I expected. Hopefully I wasn't too long-winded. Well anyway, here's another one for you guys! (who've been so supportive and I really appreciate that!) Because it's the tenth chapter, this is longer than usual (it's a special chapter you know), so I hope you don't mind. In the last chapter, we saw that no couple can be really perfect (even with two people as delish as James and as striking as Lily, who are so absolutely together) but in this chapter, regrets and laments rule the day! James and Lily finally realize what's important to them, and like any other couple, they can't wait to make it up with each other. (OK, wait, I don't want to give too much away) I'm sorry if things get extremely corny here. I was just feeling kind of...sentimental... (though at some REALLY mushy parts I was cringing) ^_^ ....Oh, that was an EXTREMELY long A/N. *sorry...*

Disclaimer: Okay, can we skip this part? I wish I could, but then Scholastic and Bloomsbury will come after me if I don't say that J.K. Rowling owns all of the Harry Potter characters. (*sniff...sniff* Can't I even own James, who's soooo gorgeous?) Okay, I've said it. I only own the punch bowl, the grad dance, Melody the *censored* *censored* (sorry, didn't mean to get nasty) and the dress robe Lily wears. Oh yeah, and James' outfit too.

CHAPTER TEN

*Seen through the eyes of Lily*

Lily sighed over her huge mountain of dress robes. She didn't know what was bothering her, since none of her outfits seemed to look good on her on the day that mattered.

"I'm so fat!" Lily wailed.

"Lily, if you're fat then I'm enormous, and then you'd be insulting me," replied Dawn over Lily's wall of clothes.

"Everything sucks!" screamed Lily.

"What's wrong?" Dawn asked concernedly. She tiptoed on her toes and tried to look at Lily over the huge pile of dress robes.

"Nothing!" Lily shot back.

"You'd make me look like an idiot," Dawn said. "Or anyone else, for that matter, if they believed you. Come on, Lily. You can tell me."

For a moment Lily considered telling Lily about James, but decided against it. Even Dawn wasn't supposed to know. Especially Dawn, since she had a mouth the size of Grand Canyon.

"I told you, there's nothing wrong! All these outfits are just outdated!" Lily retorted, burying her true feelings in her own heart. What kind of person was she now? She was even lying to her best friend. Was James right about her character?

Shut up, do NOT think about that...idiot for one minute.

Even as Lily thought about James that way, her own words hurt her for whatever reason. Did that mean she still loved him?

You don't. That...that kind of guy, who doesn't care about what you think, doesn't deserve your love.

"Lily?" Dawn was asking again.

"What?" Lily said wearily.

"Do you think Sirius likes me...?" Dawn said dreamily.

Sirius...James...I mean, SHUT UP.

Dawn was just asking about Sirius. You do not need to make that...particular connection to his...best friend.

"I always thought he was a disgusting flirt just like Ja - Potter," Lily said monotonously. "And anyway he's a Gryffindor. Don't you even care that people are gonna talk?"

"No," Dawn said simply. "I don't even think they will, since they couldn't care less about pathetic me. I'm not as popular as you are. Only if you...went out with a popular Gryffindor, well, yeah there'll be talk."

"But doesn't Sirius care? I mean, this is going to ruin his popular image," Lily argued.

"Lily." Dawn said soothingly. "Not everyone is as crazy over reputation as you are. And sometimes you're so crazy about the whole reputation thing, you just imagine people talking. But they really don't. That's why it doesn't bother Sirius."

"Maybe you're right," Lily said wisely.

And maybe that's where I went wrong with James...

Hey! she argued mentally. I thought I was over him already?

...Looks like you're still not, the other voice said, the one that usually stood up for James.

Yeah well, maybe I was a little petty.

Good that you realize it, the James-defender said. Aren't you gonna apologize?

Hey I have my pride, Lily said. If someone needs to apologize...

Let it be James.

*

When figure-conscious Lily had stopped grumbling about her body, she picked out a rather decent dress robe which was white and sparkly. This reflected on her inner innocence and virtue, and it rather emphasized her brilliant green eyes and flaming red hair. Lily thought she looked okay, merely better than usual, but Dawn had said she looked like a goddess.

So maybe that was why Avery's eyes practically popped out of his head and he never recovered after that, always tailing and practically drooling after Lily. Heads turned as she descended the steps, all the guys worshipping the ground she walked on.

But Lily didn't care. Her sub-conscious mind was too busy looking out for James, the one who mattered. The one she should have been trying to impress. The one she loved.

The one who was going with her worst rival of her entire life.

"Oh, Lily you are beautiful," Avery gushed.

"Mmm-hmm," said Lily vaguely, not returning the compliment. She was too busy looking over the sea of heads filling up the Great Hall. But, it was rather hard to spot a black-haired head.

Yes, Lily had finally admitted it to herself. The fight had been silly, and it had been her own fault for not cherishing every moment she spent with James. The dance she and James worked so hard on hadn't even started, and already she was aching to make it up with him.

Please let him be here. Please.

"Oh Lily I am honoured to go to this wonderful dance with you. May I have the pleasure of having the first dance?" Avery said. He was really trying so hard. Too hard.

"Hold on," Lily said impatiently. Avery was crushed.

"Evans!" someone called out sweetly amidst the mob of Hogwarts students.

Lily's head whipped around. A hush fell over the hall.

Melody Jones was smirking at her, with James at her arm. He looked so perfect Lily's eyes burned with tears of jealousy. No wonder everyone fell silent.

As for that Melody...even Lily had to admit she looked good in robes of pink.

Like a couple...a perfect couple...

Lily was boiling inside.

That's MY James...mine...

GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM! she screamed in her brain.

Lily glanced desperately at James, but he looked away.

"See you around, Evans," Melody chirped, laughing smugly - a soft, fake, gentle tinkle that informed Lily of how careful she had to be around Melody. She was almost sure Melody was laughing at her for snagging only a Slytherin, while she had the guy of her dreams, that talented Gryffindor James Potter.

As Melody walked past Lily irresistibly stepped on her foot.

"Ouch!" Melody yelped and flushed.

Very immature, Lily thought, flashing a nonchalant smile at Melody.

"Have a problem with your foot, Melody?" she said innocently.

James looked like he was about to laugh, but he quickly hid it.

Melody glared at Lily for a minute, before forcibly dragging James away from Lily's sight. Lily sighed. She still hadn't said sorry to him. She still hadn't said she loved him and hoped he hadn't taken her words too seriously. She still hadn't said that she wanted him back and hopefully, he wanted her back too.

And now Avery was taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

Lily had to give some credit for his enthusiasm, considering he was trying so hard even as she ignored him. Plus she had to show the whole school she wasn't a spoilsport. Giving in to her partner, she allowed Avery to gently swing her around in time to the music, earning jealous looks from every guy present on the dance floor.

She only wished James was one of them, looking her way.

*Seen through the eyes of James*

James thought that Lily looked like a queen in her own right. Quarrelling with her had been a mistake, and if James ever thought he was ready to see Avery and Lily together, he was wrong. As his gut delivered some sort of sick, burning feeling to his heart, he knew he would never be ready to see them together. He was...jealous. He tried not to look at Lily and Avery, so that he wouldn't fulfil his desire to punch Avery on the nose, thus upsetting Lily.

"You haven't spoken a word to me since that Evans arrived," Melody pouted. "You're not blinded by her too, are you?" she whined.

"No," said James quickly, trying to reassure Melody and also himself.

"Oh, okay," Melody said. But she didn't seem convinced.

"Don't worry," James began, and he gritted his teeth as he said, "You're still the most beautiful girl in this Hall." He hoped he needn't ever lie like that again. That definitely wasn't true. But it worked for thick-skinned Melody.

"Really?" Melody said, obviously flattered.

James merely said "Mmm." He couldn't believe he once had the most attractive girl in Hogwarts and had lost her just in a moment. Looking back, he could have slapped himself momentarily for forcing Lily to be someone she didn't want to be, in the first place. It had worked out very well for James, but Lily had a different point of view.

James groaned inwardly. Whenever he was with Melody, he couldn't help comparing her to Lily. With Lily he didn't have to try to please her or anything. Everything he said came from the heart, like they were meant to be together. Score a point for Lily.

And that just made James miss Lily even more. He would just do anything to get back that smile that refreshed him every morning, making him feel like he was a boat rocking on the tempestuous sea, the waves lapping against him, whilst Lily was a fairy goddess who arose and stopped the rough sea, then spraying cool water against him, dissolving his fears. All his tension flew away. Lily's smile was like a magic potion that seeped through his body chest high, then it went on to fill up the rest of his veins, travelling around his body to exude its warmth in his lonely heart.

"And you're so dashing," Melody cut through his thoughts as she made a comment, blushing.

"Awww. That's too sweet of you. Thanks," replied James.

Uh-oh. Lily had overheard. And she didn't look too happy.

But, she moved in closer to him, with Avery still at her side.

James passed by her as Melody led the dance.

Lily was staring into his eyes even as she was dancing with Avery. He saw something that looked remotely like hurt, confusion, bewilderment, and...

Love.

Of all the things they had gone through, she still loved him.

And he knew, very well, that deep down inside, that he loved her too.

*Seen through Lily's eyes*

I can't believe I'm doing this to myself. And James.

Here I am, letting the whole school believe I like Avery, and deceiving James time and again.

Lily looked at her shoes, ashamed.

And he still loves me after all that.

She gathered up her courage to look into James' eyes once more, the guilt crushing her like an overloaded burden.

"What's wrong, Lily? You're not moving in sync with me," Avery said.

Only then was Lily aware that she was tripping over her own feet, staggering, wanting to stay in place with wherever James was.

"You must be tired, then," Avery said. "Let's have a seat."

Lily was grateful for this, and took up the offer instantaneously.

She and Avery sat in quiet for a moment.

"You're not the same, Lily," Avery commented.

Lily's breath caught in her throat. Had he noticed anything going on between she and James?

"You're not that quiet," he said simply.

Lily breathed freely again. With everyone else except James, she always felt she was under a microscope, closely judged by everyone. And if she made a mistake, her whole life would be ruined.

"Me? Oh no, I'm just..." Lily faltered. "thinking about how great you look tonight," she added flirtatiously, a twang of guilt playing again merrily in her heart.

Avery smirked and puffed his chest out proudly. "Of course. And did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?"

Lily had to work up every ounce of her self-control not to roll her eyes at him. Avery's vocabulary of complimenting girls only stretched to about, two words. He couldn't get any more innovative than that. Instead, she just forced a smile and flipped her hair over her shoulder, then went back to her own private thoughts.

Avery inched closer to her, and took her hand in his. "So, tell me. This dance. It's been cool. You planned it?"

Lily was too distracted by James to notice that Avery was starting to flirt with her. "Not only me. With James Potter too." Did she just say that out loud?

But Avery didn't notice. He was far too busy screwing up his courage to place his arm around her shoulders. "Oh. That stupid wimp, huh?"

Lily was now staring at Avery, astounded by his gall, that he dared to hold her hand and hold her shoulders. The normal Lily Evans would have punched him and tell him to piss off, but the new Lily Evans was too cropped up with James to bother. After all, Avery wasn't too close anyway.

"You know, Lily," Avery began again, when Lily didn't respond. "I'd really like to thank you for giving me this opportunity. You know, out of all the guys in school, you picked me."

"Uh-huh," murmured Lily distractedly, shifting her gaze now at Melody and James. Melody was too close to James. Way too close.

"I guess, what I want to say is, I...I've liked you for years, and I really wish -"

"All right...whatever," Lily said, cutting him short. "Do you mind if I walk around by myself?"

"Yes, I mind," said Avery fiercely. "Sit down, shut up and listen to me. I...I can't let you go off not knowing...I mean, it's our last year and everything..."

"Okay, so hurry up..." Lily urged. Melody now had her head on James' shoulder, and it gave her a sick feeling as she watched. But James wasn't watching Melody, he was watching something else, something near Lily. Lily willed him to look her way, but he didn't.

"I...I really hope we can be together, Lily," Avery said, his words coming out in a rush. "I...I think I love you. I want to go out with you. I want to...to sweep you off your feet. I know...you don't think much of me...or could dump me in a second...but...please say you'll be mine," Avery pleaded.

His words rang incessantly in Lily's ears. She whirled around to face him. "What?" she asked. "Could you repeat that? Did you just say...that you..."

"I love you, Lily. I can make you happy," Avery said.

Oh my god...

What about James, now?

"I'm sorry, Avery, I..." As Lily fumbled around in her mind for an excuse, Avery had already leaned in close to her and kissed her.

Lily struggled and pushed him away roughly. She didn't care if she hurt Avery's feelings, she just wanted James to love her.

Please...don't let James see that...

"What are you doing?" she spat, her eyes cold. She reached out to slap him, but someone, a guy, had already gotten there faster than she did, and was already pinning Avery down to the ground, and scuffling around with him.

A throng of students had immediately gathered around the two wrestling boys.

"Fight, fight, fight!" The crowd roared.

"No!" screamed Lily. She didn't need to see the assaulter to know who it was. It would definitely be James.

"Don't...please, stop!" Lily yelled. Not only was her reputation at stake, (for if anyone found out it was James, they would definitely suspect something was going on between them) but also the health of her beloved one.

Meanwhile the crowd loved the excitement. As James and Avery fought about, they toppled the drinks table and a few girls screamed.

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" the Headmistress boomed as she parted the crowd and came nearer to the two boys.

Lily prayed she wouldn't pry them apart. For if she did, everyone would know at once that it was James.

She's coming...she's going to...oh no...

But the fighting was so intense that even the Headmistress couldn't stop them, and was knocked sideways as she tried to pull the two boys away from each other. If the two didn't stop soon, they would sustain serious injuries.

"Please STOP!" Lily cried, seriously anxious by now.

It appeared that some other girls were equally as worried as well as they started screeching for them to stop, but James and Avery were oblivious to the screams.

... James must really hate Avery! I never seen him like that before! Usually so quiet, so docile...with the exception of his prankster years of course.

Isn't there any way to stop them before both of them end up dead? Lily thought.

Suddenly, Minerva, who had been one of the girls wringing their hands in worry for the fighting boys, spoke up, and her voice boomed over the crowd.

"James Potter is going out with Lily Evans," was the simple statement she made, but made a huge impact.

Everyone, the entire student body plus the teachers, the Headmistress and Headmaster (Dumbledore) in the entire Hogwarts Great Hall, gasped.