James groaned and rolled over, hearing voices outside the door. His ribs gave an angry jolt, reminding him of the previous day's events. He gazed over at Lily's sleeping form, listening to Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey arguing.

'I assure you, Poppy, I will not tire him.'

'That's all very well, Headmaster, but they have both had an awful experience, and if you wake Lily, she may never get over it.'

'I am fully aware of the situation, Poppy.'

Dumbledore sighed.

'I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist.'

James heard Madame Pomfrey click her tongue.

'Oh, very well. But if this sets him back . . .'

She left that hanging, as Dumbledore quietly opened the door. James pulled himself up, smiling at the Headmaster.

'Good evening, James.'

Dumbledore sat on the bed, glancing over at Lily. James felt a surge of worry.

'She will be alright, won't she?'

The older man smiled gently at him.

'Of course she will, James. She's a strong girl. All Lily needs now is sleep to regain that strength.'

James sighed in relief, feeling a great weight lift from him. Dumbledore settled himself more comfortably on the bed.

'What I want from you,' he said, 'is an explanation. I believe I told you not to oppose Voldemort.'

James smiled sheepishly.

'I couldn't stand aside and let him beat Lily!'

'What happened?'

James told him. Dumbledore sat in silence, taking it all in. He nodded.

'I understand, James. You did well, all things considered. Unfortunately we lost the lives of sixteen students.'

He saw the import of that sink into the boy sat before him. James felt so guilty all of a sudden. He'd never stopped to think about the others, being concerned only for Lily. Dumbledore grasped his hand.

'You mustn't blame yourself, James. They did what they believed to be right, and not from any order you might have given, consciously or not.'

Beside them, Lily stirred and rolled over, snuggling closer under her blankets. She muttered something in her sleep. Dumbledore looked confused.

'Why would she want the sunlight turned off?'

James laughed suddenly, remembering Christmas morning. At the merry sound, Madame Pomfrey appeared in the doorway, a scowl on her plump features. Dumbledore jumped up, nodding his farewell to James before being ushered out.



*



James woke suddenly, his eyes snapping open. With a mixture of intense relief and worry, his gaze came to rest on Lily. She was sat beside his bed, wrapped up in a blanket, looking extremely tired. Her hand slipped into his.

James sat up, coming face to face with her. For a long moment, neither moved, nor spoke. Then Lily leant forward, and sobbed into his shoulder, feeling the terror and pain of that night overwhelm her again. His arms came up to enfold her, rocking her slight form gently, whispering meaningless words of comfort. Slowly her sobs became gasps, and she pulled back a little, still within the protective circle of his arms. James kissed her gently, wanting her to know that he was there for her.

Lily smiled, resting her head against his chest as he leant back. They lay together for a long while, not a word spoken between them. Finally James broke the silence.

'Are you alright?'

Lily sighed.

'I'll live. I feel so guilty, though.'

'What for?'

'All those people who died because of me,' she said, feeling the tears well up again.

James frowned, knowing instinctively he had to get her off this train of thought.

'Why do you say that?'

'They'd never have gotten involved in the fight if you hadn't started it, and you wouldn't have fought if He hadn't attacked me. The only reason he attacked is because I insulted him. So their deaths are all my fault.'

'No! If anyone is to blame, it's Seare!' James cried desperately. 'You are not at fault at all. Stop it!'

He lifted her chin, so they were nose to nose. Tears were rolling down Lily's cheeks.

'I know that nothing I say will take the pain away,' he said, in a softer tone, 'but you have to stop blaming yourself. It was our decision to fight. And the ones who died, died for what they believed in. Don't take that away from them.'

Silence fell in the darkened room once more. James realised that if he didn't say what he wanted now, he never would. But Lily beat him to it.

'I love you, James,' she whispered, inching closer to him. A sense of deep calm settled over him. With a deep breath, he took the jump.

'Marry me, Lily.'

'What?'

'Marry me? Please?'

Lily sat up, gazing down into his eyes, an unreadable expression on her face. James looked up at her, his own eyes openly pleading for a yes. She swallowed, and looked away, her mind reeling. Feeling his heart begin to sink, James pushed himself up, stroking her cheek with a hand that shook ever so slightly. Just as he lost hope, Lily turned back. She kissed him, forcing him to relax into the intimate touch before breaking it. She gazed deep into his eyes, an amused smile on her lips.

'Yes,' she whispered.



*



The news spread through the school like wildfire. James Potter and Lily Evans were engaged! Maria and Kate had gone very girlie on Lily, trying to force her into dresses, and put ribbons in her hair. Likewise, the boys had decided that James shouldn't be put in any more danger from now on, excluding him from raiding parties on Slytherin House. James himself was still trying to get over the fact that she had said yes.

He was hurrying through the corridors to the Great Hall when a hand tapped him on the shoulder. Lucius Malfoy stood behind him, looking decidedly uneasy. He gave James an uncertain smile.

'I just wanted to say, Potter, that you're a very lucky man. Congratulations.'

He stuck out his hand. James took it, pumping it up and down.

'Same to you, too, Malfoy.'

He nodded towards the Slytherin table, where Lily and Narcissa were chatting before the meal began. Lucius grinned suddenly, obviously proud that she had accepted him. The two boys stood together for a moment in perfect harmony. Then they realised what they were doing. Eyeing each other warily, they nodded perfunctorily, and wandered off to their tables.

Lily came over, slipping under James' arm as he sat down.

'Well done,' she said softly. 'You didn't scowl once.'

The room fell silent as Dumbledore stood, raising his hands.

'I'm sure that by now you have all heard the happy news that we have, not one, but two happy couples in our midst. Congratulations to the soon-to- be Potters and Malfoys!'

A cheer erupted throughout the Hall, punctuated with laughter as Hagrid gasped. Lily and James had told him they had a surprise, but not what it was. He grinned down at them from his seat.

'However,' Dumbledore continued, his blue eyes sparkling, 'this does not mean they are exempt from taking their N.E.W.T's.'

A groan rippled around the seventh-year. The Headmaster smiled.

'I will be taking the Defence Against The Dark Arts class until the end of the year. Exams begin in two month's time, after the Easter break. Now, enjoy.'

The food appeared on the table, and the school tucked in. James bent his head to Lily.

'Are your parents alright with me coming to stay this Easter?'

She grinned at him.

'They're over the moon. Petunia's coming, too,' she added. 'Don't worry about her and Vernon, though. They don't like wizards at all. They prefer to be normal.'

She rolled her eyes comically, before her face settled into a slightly worried look.

'How about yours?'

James kissed her hair.

'They can't wait to meet you,' he told her. 'They didn't even seem very surprised when I told them.'

She kissed him, giggling as Sirius leant over.

'Please,' he said, 'not at the dinner table.'

They laughed. Lily nudged James hard in the ribs, gesturing at Sirius.

'What, now?' he asked.

'Yes, now. You'll never do it otherwise.'

James gave her a look, which was returned with infinitely more success. He turned to Sirius who was looking from one to the other with suspicion.

'I - that is, we - were wondering, Padfoot, er, . . .'

His voice trailed off. Lily groaned.

'Shall I do it?' she asked sarcastically.

'No! It's my place,' James said defensively.

He turned back to Sirius, who looked really confused.

'Would you be my best man, Si?'

'Course!' Sirius hurriedly put his fork down, reaching across the table for James' hand. 'I'd be honoured!'

An owl flew in, dropping a message by Dumbledore's plate. He read it, his face clouding over. With a word to McGonagall, he rose and left the Hall. Those students who noticed were confused, and more than a little worried at this action. But since most didn't, no mention was made of it.