A WALK TO REMEMBER

Summary – The summer before his fifth year, Harry Potter stumbles across his father's old journal from his seventh year at Hogwarts and he reads about the continuous adventures of him, the Marauders, and his mother, Lily Evans; how they met, how they fell in love, and what brought them to their horrendous deaths. This story is based on the movie and book called A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks.

Disclaimer – Unfortunately, I own absolutely nothing. All of the characters and their names belong to author JK Rowling and the plot and character traits belong to Warner Brother's and author Nicholas Sparks.

Chapter 11 – A Definition of Love:

"Lily?"

"Hm?"

"Do you love me?"

Lily and turned to James and smiled.

"Of course," she whispered. James faced her and took her hand in his.

"Will you do something for me then?"

"Anything," said Lily without hesitation. James smiled brightly and got off of the ledge, turning Lily so that she was facing inside of the Astronomy rather than outside on the grounds. When she was situated, James got down on one knee in front of Lily before taking out a small velvet box. Lily stared at it wide-eyed as he opened it and revealed a small and simple, but beautiful diamond ring.

"Will you marry me?"

Lily stared openly at the engagement ring as her eyes welled up with tears of pure joy. A smile slowly worked its way across her face as she leaned in and kissed James very lightly on the lips. James hesitantly kissed her back, still waiting for an answer.

"Yes," she whispered, when she pulled away from the kiss. She had whispered it so quietly that James was surprised that he had even heard it. He beamed as he took the ring and slipped it on to Lily's finger before pulling her into a tight, warm embrace and kissed her lovingly and passionately.

"Sirius, Remus, Peter?" James called when he got into the Gryffindor Common Room. The three Marauders, who were having a three man duel, looked up at James. Sirius smiled knowingly, as his best friend had told him of his plans all along. Remus and Peter on the other hand, looked at their friend curiously. "I need to tell you guys something."

"Go ahead Prongs," said Remus, "we're listening."

"Not here," he said, indicating the crowded Common Room. "Follow me." Using his head, he gestured towards the Portrait Hole. Remus and Peter just looked at each other and shrugged, but followed James. Sirius chuckled to himself and still kept the knowing smile on his face as he followed his friends through the corridors.

The Marauders all headed down to Parker Starkson's office. To their surprise, when they approached it, James did not even knock, he just opened the door like he and Professor Starkson were best friends. Sirius,

Remus, and Peter noticed that Lily, Anna Potter, Reginald Potter, Parker Starkson, and Professor Dumbledore were all inside, waiting patiently. Lily was smiling brightly; simply glowing. She saw James and walked over to him. James wrapped his arm around and the two turned to face everybody.

"Lily and I have something to tell you all," said James slowly, "it's something important."

"What is it?" Anna asked curiously.

"We're engaged," said Lily as she held out her hand to show everyone her stunning, but simple ring. Sirius's grinned widened. Starkson smiled, but he had tears in his eyes. He knew this had been coming since James had personally come to his office to ask his permission for Lily's hand in marriage. Reginald just smiled at his son, clearly proud of his choice. Anna squealed with delight and beamed. Remus and Peter's eyes widened but they smiled. The only one who did not seem happy about this up and coming union; he looked tired and grave.

"Congratulations!" Anna shouted as she pulled the two teenagers into a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you two!"

"If I may interrupt," said Dumbledore sternly, "I would like to see the James, Parker, Lily, Anna, and Reginald in my office immediately please." The five nodded and left Sirius, Remus, and Peter inside Starkson's office as they quickly began arguing over who would be James's best man.

Once they were safe in the confines of Dumbledore's office, he sat down at his desk and looked directly at James, ignoring everyone else in the room. "James, let me start off by saying that I hope you understand what you're getting yourself and your family into," said Dumbledore, looking somber. Lily, realizing what the Headmaster was saying, looked down at the floor, as though she were ashamed of the topic that Dumbledore brought up. And strictly speaking, she was ashamed. She did not want to put James into danger any more than Dumbledore did but she loved him. What else was she supposed to do? James, on the other hand, felt rather annoyed at his Headmaster for bringing this up.

"I understand, Professor," said James angrily, though trying to sound as respectful as possible. To prove his point, he put his arm firmly around Lily. "I understand and I don't care! I love Lily and that's all that matters!" Lily looked from the floor and up at James with gratitude in her eyes.

"You are aware that she has to go into hiding right after Hogwarts?" asked Dumbledore, still remaining somber. Once again, Lily looked down at the floor and gave a dry sob.

"Yes I am," said James, "and I'm going into hiding with her!"

"You are?" everyone in the room asked in unison.

"Of course I am," said James, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I've got enough money from dad to stay comfortable for the rest of our lives, so I don't really need a big job. I also understand that if I marry Lily, Voldemort will most likely be after me and want me dead too! But, I don't really care. I'd rather die with Lily than spend a thousand lives without her."

Lily had some tears in her eyes and she threw her arms around James and hugged him tightly, silently thanking him for his words and what he was sacrificing for her. James closed his eyes and rocked her back and forth in his arms, silently telling her that she was worth every word and sacrifice.

"What about Anna and your parents?" Dumbledore asked, still sounding grave. In fact, the Headmaster's words and attitude were starting to annoy everyone else in the room as well. Anna and Starkson were both glaring at the elder man and Reginald was shaking his head. "If James marries Lily, he'll not only want James dead; he'll be after all of the Potters."

"With all due respect, Professor Dumbledore, I can take care of myself," said Anna, stepping up and staring hard at the Headmaster. "So can my parents."

"Besides, James's mother and I want our son to be happy," said Reginald, his eyes twinkling as he looked at his son and his future daughter-in-law.

"Very well," Dumbledore sighed, rubbing his temples. "I sense disaster but as long as you all know what you're putting yourselves into…"

James looked to his older sister, then at his father, then at Professor Starkson. They all nodded their encouragement and James turned back to his Headmaster.

"We understand, and I still am going to marry Lily…"

"Sirius Black!"

Sirius jumped out of his seat and ran towards Professor Dumbledore, who was standing at the podium in his most extravagant robes, and he handed Sirius his diploma. He waved at the audience and bowed before taking his seat. Several of the students laughed heartedly at Sirius's actions before he returned to his seat.

A few more names were called…

"Lily Evans!"

Lily slowly and proudly walked up to Professor Dumbledore where he had her diploma waiting for her. He handed it to her and shook her hand proudly. Lily smiled and returned to her seat. Parker Starkson had tears in his eyes and was applauding the loudest. As Lily walked by she felt James reach out from his seat, grab her hand, and squeezed it quickly and reassuringly.

Quite a few more names were called…

"Remus Lupin!"

Remus beamed proudly and accepted his diploma. He saw his mother in the audience and she was sobbing, especially since Remus's father had walked out on them after Remus got bitten by the werewolf. They did not think that this day would ever come for Remus and they were happy that Dumbledore had given him this opportunity.

Even more names were called…

"Peter Pettigrew!"

Peter stumbled forward and graciously accepted his award. He too, like Sirius, waved to the audience but did nearly get the same reaction that Sirius had gotten. Probably because Sirius had done it first and had much more charisma than Peter did.

"James Potter!"

James slowly stood up and dashed up towards Professor Dumbledore and accepted his diploma. He threw his fist into the air and sprinted back to his seat, beaming proudly. He saw Anna, his mum, and his dad all smiling up at him. But, this moment was not for them; this was a moment he only wanted to share with one person and James smiled as he looked right over at Lily; his fiancé.

After the Hogwarts graduation ceremony, James searched the Great Hall, where the ceremony had been held, all over for Lily. But, to his distress, she did not seem to be anywhere in sight. Even Professor Starkson or Anna had not seen her at all and James was beginning to get worried. He thought long and hard on where Lily could possibly be.

Finally, it hit him.

James looked up at the ceiling and noticed it was a clear night. Excusing himself from his friends and family, he calmly ran out of the Great Hall and ran straight to the Great Lake. Sure enough, there she was: sitting under one of the larger trees reading a book. James chuckled and walked over to her and sat down beside her.

"Hey," he said quietly. Lily looked at him and smiled back.

"Hey there," she said kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"You shouldn't be out here by yourself you know," said James, obviously referring to the threat of Voldemort. "It's too dangerous for you." Lily smiled and shook her head good naturedly as she closed the book and set it aside.

"I'm fine, James" said Lily said simply, smiling up at him, showing how she was grateful for his feeble attempt at protection.

"I don't want to smother you, Lily, but just…just don't…you shouldn't go anywhere by yourself alright?" suggested James, a certain kind of sincerity taking over his voice. It was something that Lily had never heard before. She looked at him curiously.

"James?"

"I just…I just can't bear to lose you like that again…" whispered James, his voice suddenly shaking. "Please?" Lily nodded and held up her pinky.

"I pinky promise," she said smiling. James laughed and crossed her pinky with his. They kissed lightly before Lily rested her head on James's shoulder, grabbing her book again, opening it, and continuing to read. James raised a curious eyebrow.

"What are you reading?"

"It's a book my mother left me. It has all kinds of quotes and passages that she liked or that inspired her," explained Lily, as she handed him the book. James took it and began to read it out loud.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…" James finished reading and looked at Lily, to see her smiling up at him. James leaned in and kissed her deeply.

"You know what I figured out today?" said Lily when she and James had pulled away from kissing.

"What?"

"Maybe I was destined to have a bigger plan; much bigger than I could have ever expected of myself…" Lily started off quietly, looking at towards the Great Lake.

"What do you mean?" James asked curiously, yet sincerely.

"I'm starting to believe that maybe you were sent to me for a reason," said Lily slowly, trying to choose her words carefully. "Maybe you were sent to me to help me through all of this…or maybe you also have a big plan in this too! I don't know. All I know is…" Lily slowly turned her gaze from the Great Lake and into James's eyes.

"…you're my angel…" she whispered. James smiled slightly, her words creating the pleasant feeling of butterflies in his stomach. He hugged Lily close to him.

"I love you," he whispered, nuzzling his nose against hers. Lily smiled back.

"I love you too..."

A note from the Jitterbelle. I hope you're enjoying the story along with the new and improved, updated revisions. Please keep reading and enjoying the story! And please don't forget to review as they encouraging and inspiring to all writers. Thank you again to those who have reviewed!