Chapter Four
Lily


Lily, James noted, was even more stunningly pretty than she was in school. However, he wasn't allowed to dwell on that for more than a second, seeing as how she lunged at the young man milliseconds after seeing him, wand out. She got him to the floor, and pointed her wand at him.

Potter, you disgust me. Completely and utterly. I can't believe you tried to talk to Sirius— Sirius tried to lightly pat Lily on the arm.

Uh, Lil—

Not now, Sirius.. Now, Potter, you're going to be sorry you ever were—



Sirius, not NOW. As I was saying, you're going to be sorry you ever were friends with them. Avada—

She narrowed her eyes and looked away from James, who looked stunned and scared wet-your-robes silly.

Sirius pointed at James, who did his best to look innocent.

Look at his robes, Lily. Look at his hair. Look at his arms. Lily's green eyes flicked back to James, with hatred, as she looked once more with disgust. However, that melted slightly when she saw the getup James was wearing.

Sirius.. That is not James Potter.

Course it is. Maybe not the James Potter we knew, but he's still James.

But, Sirius.. he doesn't... he doesn't..

I don't have the Dark Mark? James supplied. Begrudgingly, Lily looked into James' eyes.

Yes, Potter. But that doesn't make sense. Because if you're really James Potter, and James Potter was found with the Mark on his arm... Sirius slowly helped Lily drop her wand from James' throat.

Lil, this is James Potter, age eighteen. Not twenty-one. Eighteen. Lily blinked in surprise.

B-But that-that isn't possible! He'd need a Time Turner, or some sort of travel device.. James looked at Lily.

Um, Lily? Lily glared over.

Potter, let me make this crystal. You may be younger, but you still killed Remus, no matter your age. Sirius sighed.

Lily, did McGonnagal ever talk about Timekeys? Lily nodded.

Yeah, she said they worked similarly to a Portkey, except they were used to alter the future. But they were banned, weren't they? James nodded.

Yeah, they were. I had that class two days— Lily glared at James.

Shut up. Sirius looked from Lily to James, and back to Lily.

Lily, James stumbled upon a Timekey in Peter's trunk. James raised his eyebrows.

I did? Sirius elbowed him. Ow--Oh, yeah, I did. It was some sort of spray for hair, I was hoping to flatten it out. Lily nodded slightly.

Well, that certainly worked.

Yeah, well it also brought me here. Sirius turned to Lily.

Evans, the Timekey brought him three years into the future. Exactly three years into the future. Lily's eyebrows shot up.

You mean... But that would mean.. Sirius nodded. Lily looked back and forth, and suddenly narrowed her eyes.

What did you do to him? Brainwashed him, Potter? Is that what you murderers like to do? Well, I'm through. James, stared into those green eyes again as she brought her want to his chest. He bore his blue eyes into her green ones, and she blinked several times.

Lily, look. I didn't kill Remus. He was like a brother to me, why would I? Look at my eyes. You tell me what happened. Lily looked, and for a second, her expression softened. However, her face was back in seconds.

I don't believe you. However, her hands were much shakier, and her eyes did not look quite as cold.

James smiled slightly.

Lily glared.

Potter, don't take the words out of my mouth.

You can't do it, can you?

I can, and I will. But her face said otherwise. James lifted his hand and took her right wrist in which she held her wand, pushing it back so that it dropped to her side, useless.

Lily, I didn't do it, I swear. Lily shut her eyes, on the verge of tears.

I-I don't believe... He took his calloused left hand and touched her cheek.

Lily, you know I wouldn't.. Lily's voice was beginning to shake a lot, her expression hurt.

James leaned in, noticing that even though she was now older than him, he still was a few inches taller. In one swift movement, Lily dropped her wand, and embraced him.

James, oh, James, I didn't want to believe it.. But there were no other suspects, James, and... and... He held Lily, and smiled slightly. She looked up into his eyes, and smiled.

James, forgive me... it's just.. I thought it was yo— But he didn't let her finish, swooping her into a kiss. Sirius looked away, politely, but at the same time, there was a great sadness in his friend's eyes.

James pulled away after awhile, to find that Lily was crying. James helped her to a rafter and sat down next to her.

Lily, Lil, what's wrong? She hugged James, tears falling down her face.

James, I'm... I really don't know how to tell you this. James smiled slightly.

Hey, it's alright, you can tell me anything, Lily.. Lily snuffled and wiped the tears from her eyes.

James, I'm engaged.


A/N: Fairly short chapter, for the main reason that I spent so much time on HP and the Mother's Curse. However, I am keeping to my deadline, so haha! ^_^

Fireblaze - There, I put in a tiny bit o' fluff fer you.. :p
Ramz - You're confused? : Don't worry, you're meant to be at first..
Snowdiamond - But they're so fun to write.. :