Disclaimer: I dunna own 'em.

AN: I am sorry this has taken five months to upload. This will be either the last or second last chapter.

Little Eagle

James stared morosely at his potions desk. The other seventh years were confused, obviously wondering why James wasn't sitting with his friends, or why the said friends were scowling whenever they saw him.

The month and a half James had been back at Hogwarts had been hellish. His friends all hated him, including Peter who had had the whole thing explained to him at the start of the term. James didn't talk to anyone apart from teachers and even then it was in a monotone and the answers were as short as possible.

Being forced to work with Lily in their respective positions of head boy and girl was the worst. The way Lily avoided talking to him, looking at him, or spending any more time with him than was absolutely necessary really hurt. James had tried and tried to explain to her what had happened, what Cluadia had done, but Lily wouldn't listen. James had to make Lily believe him.

"Veritaserum is a truth potion…" Blah Blah. The Professor droned on and on. "Anyone under the effects of a properly made dose can be relied on to tell the absolute truth… they are incapable of lies…"

Incapable of lies? James's head snapped up. That was it. That was they way to make Lily and the others believe him. He'd take some Veritaserum.

Where to get Veritaserum, though?

He needed help. And for help, he needed Sirius.

"Sirius, please listen to me." James pleaded.

"Why should I?" Sirius said coldly, moving towards the dormitory door.

"Because I'm telling the truth." James said, and seeing the disbelieving look on Sirius's face, he moaned. "Just listen. You don't have to believe me, but please listen. For old times sake."

"This had better be impressive, James." Sirius said ominously, sitting on his bed.

"You know Claudia's always had this thing about me," James said, and Sirius was forced to nod. He did know. James went on to explain what had been going on all summer.

"Just suppose this is the truth." Sirius said, "how are you going to prove it?"

"Veritaserum." James said simply. Sirius's jaw dropped.

"You have got to be joking. We'd never in a thousand years get hold of Veritaserum. Never."

"But I need some!" James wailed. "It's the only way to make Lily believe me!"

"You're really serious about this?"

"Yes." James nodded, and belief finally came into Sirius's eyes.

"We'd better plan out how we're going to steal it from the Professor." Sirius said, and James knew it was as much of an apology that he'd ever get.

"Okay, you have the fake bottle?"

"Check." Sirius answered.

"You curse me, and I make the distraction a little way away from his office. Hopefully he'll come running and allow you to slip in and switch the bottles. I'll keep him distracted for as long as possible. Good luck, Si."

"Same to you, Prongsie."

James slipped out from under the invisibility cloak and ran a little way down the hall. Sirius whispered something, and he suddenly started to dance and sing - very badly.

The potions prefoessor stuck a curious head out of his office, and when he saw James, hurried over. Sirius slipped into the office and looked desperately about. Where would a Professorhide a dangerous potion? Please not the underwear draw. Please. Sirius sighed and started searching.

"Did you get it?" James hissed when they were back in the common room.

"Relax. I got it. Now go see Lils."

James made his way up to the seventh year girls dorm and to Lily's bed.

"Lily, wake up. Please."

"Wha… James?" Lily blinked. "What do you want." When will you go?.

"I've come to tell you what happened with Claudia."
"I know what happened with Claudia." Lily's tone was icy.

"No you don't, and I've got Veritaserum to prove my story."

"Veritaserum? Where?" Lily was confused.

"Just let me talk." James pulled out the Veritaserum and showed it to her. "You can test it if you want. Make sure it's real." Lily tipped a drop onto her finger and touched it to her lips.

"It's real."

"Glad you belive that." James drank some of the veritaserum, and told Lily what had happened. When he finished the story, he looked at her with fear in his eyes. "Do you belive me?" he asked quietly.

"I believe you."

Well, end chapter twenty whatever. Actually don't. I'll just finish the story here.

It was the end of the year, and things were fine. James and Lily's relationship was wonderful, and James had made up with the rest of his friends. It was the night before graduation and Lily and James were sitting outside talking quietly. James kept fingering something in his pocket.

"What have you got in there?" Lily asked fondly.

"Lily, do you remember in first year, when we were fighting…"

"We were always fighting, but I think I know the time you mean.

**Flashback**

"SHUT UP POTTER!"

"MAKE ME EVANS!"

"FINE! I WILL!"

"God, you two are like an old married couple," Sirius told Lily and James for the millionth time.

"An old married couple?" Lily snorted, but James was grinning.

"Oh Lily, dearest," He said, kneeling in front of her, "Wilt thou marry me?"

"Oh James!" Lily gasped, and pretended to swoon, "Of course I will!"

"Can I be the best man?" Sirius has asked siriusly (hehe).

"Yes." James laughed.

"Great! And Remus'll be bridesmaid, and Pete-ie can be flower girl!" Sirius said brightly, and Remus choked on his dinner.

**End Flashback**

"Well, um…" James was now flushed.

"What, love?"

"Would you like to… um… go by what you said?" James asked and lifted a ringbox from his pocket.

"Oh James…" Lily looked stunned. "Do you… I mean, yes! Always, yes!"

"I presume our arrangements for best man, bridesmaid and flower-girl still stand…"

"Yes." Lily smiled, and kissed him. "Love you, James."

"Love you, Lily."

What sort of chapter would that have been on it's own, Huh? Anyway, Little Eagle is now FINISHED. Do not ask for a sequel, it's OVER.