1 Hey! I'm sorry this has taken so long, but life's been hectic…please review! And thanks to my ever-patient beta's, Snowlily and ReineDansante. I luv you both!

I know this really probably isn't good, but if you want to read a good, GOOD book, go buy "Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging"! It's the funniest book I've ever read! If you like "The Princess Diaries", you'll love this!

Right, on to the story!

2 The Story of Lily

3 Chapter 16: The End?

The world slowly came into focus around Lily. At first it was slightly blurry, but then she was able to make out a fuzzy shape hovering above her. She squinted, and the shape exclaimed, "Goodness me! She's awake, everyone!"

There was a great rustling as the sound of many feet crowded around her. She could make out Gwen's relieved face, Sirius's anxious face that mirrored Chase's, and finally James's face that was laced with worry and happiness.

"James?" Was what she meant to say, but it came out "Jmghs?"

"Thank God," James breathed, touching her face tenderly. "How are you, love?"

"My head hurts," she croaked, and sat up. She accepted the offered glass of water.

"Oh, Lilee! I am zo zorry! I did not know eet would 'ave sush an impact on yoo!" Marie-Claire's tearstained face came into view.

"It's alright, I'm fine," Lily managed a smile at the distressed Frenchwoman. "How long have I been here?"

"You passed out yesterday night – and it's now around five o'clock." Chase said, biting his lip. "I carried you through the woods and into the main building, and then Agent Nelson took one look at you and grabbed a first aid kit which was a Portkey and we appeared here," he said in one breath. He leaned down and hugged her gently. "You scared the shit out of me, I hope you know," he whispered.

Lily gave a slightly hysterical giggle, not enjoying the effect he was having on her.

"We just contacted Ella," Sirius added, hugging her as well. "She should be on her way."

"Oh, Lily, I haven't been so scared since the Hogsmeade thing! I mean, Chase came out of the woods with your limp body, and Marie-Claire was having hysterics…" Gwen burst, pushing Sirius away and squeezing her best friend.

Lily suddenly took in her surroundings. "Where am I?"

"At St. Mungo's," a woman dressed in a starched white coat and impeccably styled hair said as-a-matter-of-factly to her. "Lily, I am Dr. Velving."

"Hi," Lily said weakly. "Am I going to be okay?" She asked bluntly.

"Oh, yes, you're going to be fine…at least, we hope. But there is no way to tell if the spell Miss Duvoux cast worked. Only you can tell that. Oh, but don't try now!" Dr. Velving exclaimed, stopping Lily from trying.

"Lilee! Oh, mon petit!" Ella burst through the door, tears running down her face. She basically threw herself at the redhead in bed. "What 'appened? Zey only told me zat you were in an accident, and needed me to come!"

"Miss! Excuse me!" Dr. Velving cried, prying Ella off. "Lily needs rest! All this excitement isn't good! Now, Lily, I want you to sleep some more, all right?"

~*~*~*~*

Lily awoke early the next morning. Ella, who was the only remaining person out of Lily's friends (they had all been forced to go back to camp), was already awake.

"Lilee? 'Ow are yoo?"

"I'm fine," Lily answered. "I feel much better."

"Zat is good. My muzzer always swore zat sleep was ze best medizine of all." Ella smiled down at her. "Oh! I almost forgot," she reached down and drew a letter out of the bag of overnight things she brought. "Zis came for yoo by Muggle mail, cherie."

Lily examined the letter closely. "But I don't know any…" her voice trailed off. She did know a Muggle – one she hadn't seen or heard from in over seven years…

"It couldn't be," she whispered. The letter was addressed to Lily Evans in perfectly formed, neat handwriting. The return address was one she didn't recognize. She opened the letter and drew out a plain sheet of Muggle notebook paper.

"Goodness, look at zat peculiar paper!" Ella exclaimed. "And what is it written in? If it was ink, it would have gone through ze paper!"

"It is a type of ink," Lily said airily. The letter said:

"Lily-

I don't know if you'll get this, but if you do, I have the duty of telling you that Papa died from a heart attack."

Papa…a picture of a stern, blonde headed man with green eyes filled her vision. White as a sheet, Lily continued:

"Although it's not like I want you to come, his funeral is this coming Sunday at the Evans's House. If you do come, dress normally and don't bring any of your freaky friends! I'm engaged, by the way, to the most wonderful man! I shan't tell you his name though; because you might do whatever freaky thing you do and make him love you!

Petunia"

"My father," Lily lowered the paper slowly. "He's dead."

"Oh, Lilee! Zat awful man zat Violet took you from?! Well, not to speak ill of ze dead, but good riddance!"

Lily nodded slowly. Ella was right, of course – the last memory she had of the man was he raising his hand to slap her. She looked back down at the paper. "The funeral is on Sunday – I think I'll go."

"Go? But why?" Ella exclaimed.

"Because, I want to see what Petunia is like now," Lily said truthfully, looking straight ahead with unfocused eyes. "And I want to see who she's marrying, and see if he's as wonderful as she says he is. And perhaps make up with Petunia. It's just, I haven't visited that world in so long, I had begun to wonder if it still existed."

Ella sighed and nodded reluctantly. "All right. But I want yoo to take James, just in case!"

~*~*~*~*

Lily returned to the Auror training camp the next day, with warnings to not meditate for a few days, just in case. She got permission from Agent Nelson to go to her father's funeral with James. The two used the Floo network to get to The Leaky Cauldron, and hailed a cab from there. The Evans's House was just outside London.

Lily said nothing the entire time she and James were in the cab. Internally, she was shaking. What would it be like to see all of the old sights again, like Petunia's room? Or the kitchen, where she had spent much of her days…and what would it be like to see the old hayloft in the barn?

Lily forced back tears. She again wondered what her life would be like if her mother hadn't died, like she had done on and off the past eight years. Would she still live in that house? Would she have grown up in a loving environment? Would she and Petunia be as close as sisters should be? Would Petunia be as cold and biased now as she sounded?

It will do no good to think of "would's", Lily scolded herself mentally. She would just come, pay her respects, exchange a kind word with Petunia, and leave. And she knew that James would be there the whole time by her side.

"Are you nervous, love?" he whispered, pulling her close.

"A little," she admitted, resting her cheek on his wool sweater. "I just can't help thinking – if my mother hadn't died-"

"If your mother hadn't died, you wouldn't have lived all those years with Violet," James reminded her softly.

"I wouldn't trade that," Lily said, but there was a hint of apprehension inside her. Would she trade knowing her mother with living with Violet?

She sighed and closed her eyes. She didn't like thinking those thoughts.

"We're here," the cabby announced, pulling in to the long drive in front of the Evans's House.

James paid the cab driver with Muggle money and the two got out. Lily was shaking. She remembered this driveway – tears were welling up in her eyes. Suddenly, she turned on her heel and began walking in the opposite direction. "I can't do this," she mumbled. James caught her arm. "No, let go, I cannot do this."

"Lily, when we get back home, you'll be glad you did it," James soothed. He coaxed her to keep going. They walked around all the cars that had turned out for the funeral, and followed the directions to the back yard, where the entire funeral party was assembled solemnly around a freshly dug grave.

The priest was saying prayers, and finally, Edward Evans's casket was lowered down into the ground. Lily, who was in the back, couldn't see very much, but she was squeezing the life out of James's hand.

When it was over, the people gathered headed inside for the reception, but Lily held James back.

"Come on, I might as well," she headed determinedly towards the old barn.

She found she still remembered how to climb the rickety old stairs, and was having trouble breathing with all the waves of déjà vu that were hitting her. Finally on the landing, she brushed off her black, simple dress and let out a gasp. Everything was exactly as she remembered it, and, standing where her old sack of grain filled with hay should have been was a very large, dusty bed.

"How did that get there?" James asked with confusion. "And why are we in this barn anyway?"

Lily was clutching her chest. The she let out a sort of strangled laugh. "Violet conjured the bed to prove to me that magic existed eight years ago. And this barn was where I lived."

"What?!" James exclaimed. "You lived here?"

Lily was still in shock. "And no one has come up here since. This – oh, this was one of my two dresses – and this was my nightgown…these were my underwear, this was where I used to wash my face and brush my teeth…" Lily touched everything in turn.

James pulled her to his chest and hugged her tightly. Lily breathed in his scent, and instantly felt calmed. A few minutes later, she pulled back and they left the barn. Lily swore never to enter it again.

They went inside the house, and Lily had to bite her lip the entire time. She remembered cleaning each and every piece of furniture - and after looking around a bit more, she turned to James.

"I can't put this off any more."

James nodded and followed her to the place where her sister was. She recognized Petunia immediately – the only way she had changed was she had grown taller. She still looked bony and horse faced.

When Petunia saw her, she went as pale as a ghost, and clutched the beefy man behind her.

"You!"

"It's nice to see you again, Petunia," Lily said. Although her tone was pleasant, her eyes were very cold.

"Why are you here?" Petunia hissed, looking around frantically to see if anyone else was within earshot.

"Because you invited me."

"But I didn't expect you to come!" Petunia was livid.

"I've just come to pay my respects," Lily snapped back.

Petunia regained her composure and gestured to the man behind her with a smirk. "This is Vernon Dursley, my fiancé." She suddenly noticed James behind Lily. "Oh, pardon me for not introducing myself!" Lily watched her give James a once over. He did indeed look very dashing in his close fitting sweater and khaki pants. "I'm Petunia Evans!"

"James Potter," James said coolly. "Lily is my girlfriend."

Petunia froze, and Lily swore she saw something that looked remarkably like jealousy pass over her sister's face. James put his arm around Lily's waist protectively.

"Well, we came, James," Lily said to him. "But I think we've been here long enough."

"Oh, but wait," Petunia had regained her nasty attitude. "I have something Father left for you, dear sister," she smirked and disappeared into a side room. Vernon was left alone, and he was staring at the couple.

"What is it that you do, Vernon?" Lily said politely, hoping that Vernon wasn't as mean as his fiancée.

"I'm in drills," Vernon said. "I've got a proper job, unlike you, probably. You do evil things, don't you?" He sneered. It was then that Petunia returned.

"Here," she shoved a piece of paper into her sister's hand and flounced off, Vernon at her heels.

"Let's go," James grabbed Lily's wrist and dragged her out into the driveway.

"James?" Lily asked nervously, "how exactly are we getting back?" James answered her by transfiguring a twig into a Muggle car.

"James, how did you-" Lily was cut off by the shriek of a woman who had seen the car. Luckily, no one else was around, so Lily simply modified her memory with a brisk, "Oblivious!" And the two drove off.

~*~*~*~*

It wasn't until many hours later, when Lily went to bed early, that she remembered the note Petunia had given her. She nervously unfolded it. It was cut out from something, and quite small…Seconds later, after reading it, she heaved a sob and buried herself under her covers. The paper read:

"I know that I must do this, so when I die, I shall die with a free conscience. Therefore, I, Edward George Evans, forgive my daughter, Lily Carolyn Evans, for murdering her mother, Iris Marie Wellington Evans, on July 16, 1959."

~*~*~*~*

In Agent Nelson's class, Lily and her fellow trainees had moved down to twenty minutes in running their mile, and the pile of rocks was steadily diminishing. In Agent Renny's class, they had begun to work on Apparating.

"Come on, lads and lasses! It's not that hard!" The small woman bellowed a few days later. "Heaven help us, the representative from the Department of Magical Transportation is going ter be here in two weeks time!"

She had been quizzing them on what to do if you Apparate to the wrong place and have dropped your wand in the process. Lily had a strange feeling that if she tried, she might be able to Apparate and Disapparate without a wand, but she wasn't in a hurry to try that.

Their self-defense lessons with Agent "Onion" were going well also. Lily assumed that everyone was doing fine overall, until one day, she got word from Marie-Claire that Agent Beacan, the small boy who was always complaining, had been asked to leave.

"I didn't know they could do that!" Gwen exclaimed, sitting up in her bed.

"Zey can," Marie-Claire said, nodding her head regretfully. "But I doo agree wiz zem."

"How did they do it? Do they just say, 'You aren't a good Auror so you have to leave'?" Lily cried. She was quite flabbergasted.

"Zey gently tell ze zelected trainee zat eet would be in zere best interests to do zomezing else," Marie-Claire explained, smoothing down Lily's coverlet. "Ohh, but yoo do not know zat, girlz!"

~*~*~*~*



A few days later the trainees finished moving the pile of rocks. They all cheered when Agent Nelson congratulated them.

"Yes, yes, well done. But now, you realize, the training will only get harder. Wear your swimming things tomorrow!"

The next day, Lily, James, Gwen, Sirius, and Chase descended the hill, happily chatting. Lily and Gwen had tied their hair back so during swimming it would not get into their faces.

"Right, up here, you lot!" Agent Nelson, already in his swimming trunks, bellowed. They gathered around him. "Now that you have completed phase one of your training in my class – that includes running your mile together in ten minutes and moving the pile of rocks – you will now begin your swimming. But first, as Agent Union has doubtless told you, you must stretch and warm up! Now, everyone out of your clothes!"

Lily pulled her tee shirt and shorts off, revealing her simple, one-piece bathing suit. She and the rest of the trainees went through their stretches, and once they were finished, they stood and gathered around Agent Nelson.

"Trainees! Who here knows how to dive?"

Chase, along with Agent Wakiza ("Surprise, surprise," mumbled Gwen) were the only two who raised their hands.

"Right, then! Agent Keefe, you stand on that diving board, and Agent Wakiza, you stand on this one." Chase was on the one to their left, Wakiza on the one to their right. "Ready, and – dive!"

Chase and Wakiza dove perfectly into the pool. They surfaced seconds later.

"Well, that doesn't look too hard," Sirius said, but his tone carried a hint of doubt.

"Perfect! You stand like so, with your hands above you head and your feet slightly apart," Agent Nelson demonstrated, "and then you jump headfirst into the water. How is the temperature, by the way, boys?" Agent Nelson grinned good-naturedly at the two in the water. Lily hadn't noticed that they were shaking.

"Very refreshing, sir," Chase said, his teeth chattering.

"Good, good! Now, are there any questions? All right, then! Make a line in front of this diving board!"

The line moved slowly. James, as well as Sirius, did their dives nearly perfectly, and Gwen, who was in front of Lily, also did it well. When it was Lily's turn, she mounted the board nervously. She positioned herself exactly like Agent Nelson told them to, and jumped in headfirst. The water was so cold, she didn't realize that she had done the dive perfectly. She glided underwater for a few feet without having to move her limbs.

"Because, Agent Wakiza," Agent Nelson was saying when Lily surfaced, "diving is a quick way to get ahead of your pursuers if you are near water. Just as Agent Dahlia demonstrated, very good job, by the way, that you can glide quickly underwater without splashing around so much. All right, has everyone gone? Good! Now, everyone jump in please!"

Everyone got in the water, and Agent Nelson instructed them to get in the center of the deep end and swim in place with their heads above the water. It was called treading, he said, and they needed it to stay in shape. They treaded for five minutes, and then swam to the side, each breathing hard.

"By the time I'm done with you, you'll be able to tread water for twenty minutes!" Agent Nelson cried, a mad gleam in his eye. Lily stifled a moan and paid attention to the big, burly man (who, incidentally, hadn't joined them in the pool) that was teaching them a swimming stroke.

~*~*~*~*

"Lilee! Lilee, ze owl post 'as just come een wiz a letter pour tu!"

Lily looked up, her eyes very tired from studying. The trainees' Apparation Test was to be tomorrow, and Lily was reviewing what to do. Gwen was out walking with Sirius (although Lily doubted that walking was all they were doing), and James and Chase were helping Agent Nelson with something.

She curiously reached out and took the envelope from Marie-Claire, who was looking at her with anxious eyes.

"And it's for Gwen aussi!" she was saying. Lily smiled to herself. When Marie-Claire was excited, she started speaking in French, and at times, Lily couldn't understand. The letter was from Mary Katherine, and it said, in tidy scrawl:

"Lily, and Gwen,

Oh, you'll never, ever guess what! I'm getting married! To Remus, who's only the most perfect man in the whole world! And both of you, you've been such wonderful friends, and, well, I want you to be my bridesmaids! Hayley is the Maid of Honor…and Sirius is the Best Man (if he accepts, that is – Remus is writing a letter to him and James), and James and Peter are groomsmen! When are you getting married, Lily?? Has James even asked yet? He should soon! And you, Gwen? Are you still with Sirius? And you're eighteen next week, Lily, right? July sixteenth? I'll send you a present, don't worry!

When Remus proposed, we were at my favorite restaurant in Hogsmeade, and I started crying my eyes out! I really hope that you can get away from school for enough time – I know it doesn't end until August 31st, but Remus and I couldn't wait that long – I hope you understand! And I really apologize for not writing sooner, but things have been hectic! Oh! The bridesmaids' robes are beautiful, which reminds me – the fitting is next Saturday, the eighteenth…oh, there's so much to do! Please hurry and write back! Oh, and I've enclosed a copy of the invitation, just for posterity, and plus, the map is handy…well, I must go!

Love,

Mary Katherine

P.S. – Would you believe that, in midst of all this madness, Remus and I were able to go take our Apparation exams? We both passed!"

The invitation read in fine, purple script:

3.1 "Edward and Joanna Wampler

And

Philip and Maria Lupin

Proudly Announce the Wedding of Their Children,

Mary Katherine Wampler

And

Remus John Lupin

On Saturday, August Twentieth, Nineteen Seventy-Seven

At the home of Edward and Joanna Wampler (see attached map)

Six O'clock P.M.

Formal Dress, Please

RSVP Required"

"Oh!" Lily squealed. "How wonderful!" She was wondering when they would get married – and Mary Katherine's last letter (which had, incidentally, been a few days after they had graduated) had hinted as much. "But we won't be finished with our training by then, will we?"

"No, yoo won't…but I sink zat, if yoo ask properly, Agent Nelson weell let yoo go." Marie-Claire answered, reading the letter over Lily's shoulder. "Lilee! Eet is yoor birzday next week? Why didn't yoo tell moi?"

Lily shrugged. "I forgot myself! Oh, do you know where Agent Nelson is? And Gwen and Sirius, for that matter? I should probably share this with Gwen first…"

"I saw Gwen and Sirius walking in ze woods a moment ago, near ze training field."

"Right! Well, I'll see you later!" Lily jumped up, grabbed the letter, and raced outside. "Gwen! Where are you?" She yelled as she headed into the forest. "Gwen?"

She heard a rustling in the bushes to her right, and her Auror reflexes kicked in. Her wand was out and ready within seconds.

"Lily?" Someone out of breath gasped from inside the bush – Gwen.

"Oh, God, did I interrupt?" Lily felt color creeping into her face.

There was a giggle, and Gwen popped her head out of the bush. "No! It's just me in here – I'm hiding from Sirius."

"Why?" Lily asked curiously, her wand still in position.

"Would you mind keeping it down? We're playing hide-and-go seek! Come here if you want to talk to me!" Gwen hissed, and ducked back into the bush.

Lily rolled her eyes good-naturedly and followed. Once inside, she said, "Honestly, you two are like a bunch of first years!"

Gwen giggled. "Well, what did you need to talk about?"

Lily grinned and pulled the letter addressed to both of them out. Gwen read it quickly, and then popped out of the bush.

"Oh my goodness!" She climbed out of it and beckoned for Lily to do the same. "Come on, we've got to find Agent Nelson!"

Once Lily was out, they began running towards the swimming pool. "This is so neat! We simply must go!" Gwen exclaimed, her longer legs preventing Lily from running next to her.

"Yeah, I know…and we'll see Hayley again, which will be really good," Lily agreed. They both ran the distance to the pool easily. "Where are they?"

"I dunno – perhaps by the mine?"

"Right, let's check there."

They jogged to the mine, and soon heard the boys' voices. "Agent Nelson!" Gwen cried, her voice laced with relief. "Can we talk to you?"

Agent Nelson appeared in the mouth of the mine. "Girls! What a lovely surprise. Come to help, have you?"

Gwen snorted.

"No, Agent Nelson," Lily said politely, "we actually came to ask you a question."

Agent Nelson sat down on a stray rock and mopped his sweaty, dirty face. "Ask away."

"Well, you see, our really good friends are getting married-" Gwen began.

"Married?!" James exclaimed, coming out of the mine. "Who?!"

"-And we want to go to their wedding, which is on August twentieth. It's a Saturday…may we please?" Gwen finished, ignoring James.

"Who's getting married?" James demanded again.

"Remus and Mary Katherine!" Gwen snapped.

"Remus and…well, good God! I never thought Remus would be the first to walk down the aisle…" James grinned and stood next to Lily.

"I suppose it's all right. That's right before your final exams, though, but if you want to, it's fine with me." Agent Nelson said finally.

"Yes!" Lily and Gwen exclaimed.

"Thank you!" Lily cried, and grinned at James. "Sirius is the Best Man and Hayley is the Maid of Honor."

"How do you know?" James frowned.

"Because, she wrote us a letter," Gwen said smartly.

"Uh huh, and why didn't we get letters?"

"You are getting a letter! It should be in your rooms!"

"You may go now James, Chase," Agent Nelson said, nodding to Chase, who had just emerged from the mine. "Thanks for the help, boys."

James waved slightly, and began walking with the girls and Chase back up the hill. "Can I read yours?"

"Yes," Lily handed him the letter.

"That's really wonderful," James said, smiling. "So we have to go and be fitted two days after your birthday?"

"We can have a celebratory lunch!" Gwen suggested brightly.

Lily wasn't paying much attention – she was too busy wondering if Chase felt left out. "Chase – you don't mind if we go, do you?" She asked.

"No, not at all," Chase assured her.

Lily nodded, still a bit distracted. "Okay."

"Right, so anyway," Gwen was saying, "I wonder what-"

"Gwen!" The betrayed voice of Sirius said, and as the four topped the hill, they saw him standing there. "You left me alone in the woods!"

Gwen giggled. "Whoops, sorry! But really, there's something more exciting-"

"I know," Sirius said, waving a letter. "Here, James, you can be in charge of writing back, and I accept," Sirius handed it to James. "But, I have more important things to do…"

Gwen had begun to edge away from him. "Sirius, I swear, I didn't- aaagh!"

Sirius dove for her, and she yelled again. "Come here, Gwennie, I just want to hug you!" Sirius cried teasingly, and began running towards her.

Gwen gave a shriek and ran out of his reach, and it soon turned into a full out chase. She ran and hid behind Chase, clutching his arm tightly.

"Fine, Lily'll give me a hug, won't you, Lils?" Sirius pouted.

Lily, who was laughing, held out her arms and hugged Sirius. But soon she felt her feet leaving the ground – Sirius was carrying her. "Sirius!" she gasped. Her stomach hurt from laughing.

"God, Lily, you weigh nothing. Much less that Gwen!" he yelled. Gwen gave a cry and jumped into Chase's arms.

Chase, not expecting it, almost fell, but stayed on his feet. "Ha! Chase doesn't think I weigh a lot!"

"Nope," Chase grunted.

"Uh!" Sirius dropped Lily, who was caught by a nearly hysterical James, and pulled his girlfriend out of Chase's arms.

Lily hung on to James, and they both watched as Sirius picked up a stick.

"En guard, senior!" Sirius cried, "unsheathing" his stick.

"Aha! We will duel for ze fair Guenivere!" Chase said, also "unsheathing" a stick.

"It's Gwendolyn!" Gwen yelled at Chase, her voice hoarse.

Lily felt James laugh – a laugh that was wonderful, music to her ears. "Come on," he said, walking away, Lily still in his arms, "let's go somewhere where we won't get hit."

"Sounds good to me!"

~*~*~*~*

The day of the Apparation test came, and Lily, James, Sirius, Gwen, and Chase all Apparated and Disapparated perfectly, and were each awarded with certified Apparation Licenses. This made their lives much easier, for now, they could just Apparate to the wedding and to the fittings (which was held at a bridal boutique in Diagon Alley).

Lily woke on her birthday to Gwen, who was jumping energetically on her bed. "Good, you're awake! Wonderful! Come on, it's your BIRTHDAY! And in two days we're going to be in wedding robes, and maybe we can shop around for some robes for you-"

"Gwen!" Lily managed hoarsely, "I'm not getting married!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Gwen waved her hand airily, "but it's only a matter of time! Now come on, get up!"

Lily got up groggily and smiled at her. "It is my birthday, isn't it?"

"Yes! Here, open my present, won't you?" Gwen handed Lily a small package. Lily opened it and gasped. "Oh, how sweet!" It was a jeweled collar to go on Iris, and it had her name engraved in it with two purple stones on either side. "It'll be perfect," she said sincerely, and hugged her best friend.

"Here," Gwen said, handing her three packages. "One's from Remus and Mary Katherine and one's from Peter and the other's from Hayley. Go on, open them!"

Lily smiled slyly at her friend and began to slowly open the thin package from Peter. It was a simple card that said 'Happy Birthday" on the front in flashing letters, and inside was a gift certificate to Zonko's.

"Oh…how, erm…thoughtful," Lily said, handing Gwen the certificate.

"What does the card say?" Gwen asked, disregarding the certificate.

"Um – 'Dear Lily – Happy Birthday! I'll see you at Remus and Mary Katherine's wedding! –Peter – P.S. – When are you getting married?'"

"Oh," Gwen said. "Right – anyway, here's the one from Hayley," she handed Lily the small package from Hayley. There was a lengthy letter from her attached, and Lily put it aside to read later. "Probably asking me when I'm getting married," she muttered, tearing the wrapping paper off the present.

"Hmm?"

"Never mind," Lily said a bit peevishly. The present was a small box. Lily opened it, and found it was empty. "I wonder…"

"Oh, look here," Gwen said, picking up a small card that had come with it, "it's a box that grows to fit whatever you want. Apparently, it can get to be the size of a coffee table," she looked doubtfully at the small box.

"Cool!" Lily exclaimed, putting the collar Gwen had given her inside. Sure enough, the box grew to accommodate the collar.

"Well, that's neat. Here's the one from Mary Katherine and Remus. Ha, they're already sending gifts together!" Gwen gave Lily the package that was thin like Peter's had been. It was a card that had a Quidditch game going on in the front. Inside it read:

"Lily – Remus picked out the card – lovely, isn't it? And he also got you the charms for your bracelet. I got you this certificate because I think you'll need it after our wedding reception, which is going to be held at the Leaky Cauldron…I don't think you're going to be in good enough shape to Apparate home. Anyway, we cannot wait to see you on Saturday!

Much love,

Remus and Mary Katherine"

Lily grinned when she read the slip of paper. It was a certificate valid for one night at the Leaky Cauldron. She gave it to Gwen and picked up the tissue paper and unwrapped it. Inside was a little diploma charm and a little…a little eye, that had a green pupil and long lashes, and it was blinking at her.

"Oh, how funny!" Gwen exclaimed. "That's adorable!"

"Yeah," Lily agreed, grinning. She checked her watch. "Oh, we need to go, otherwise we'll be late for breakfast!"

"So? What are they going to do to us? It's your birthday," Gwen said, staying seated.

"Yeah, but it isn't yours," Lily reminded her as she rummaged through her drawer.

"Ooh, good point."

~*~*~*~*

For her birthday she received a radio from Sirius that played only the current hits; from Chase she got a plush crystal ball – it was a pillow, and it told you your feelings at that moment; and from James she got a silver bracelet. It had silver circles, and then, so inconspicuous she almost missed it was a single gold heart. From Marie-Claire she got a translator that, when she spoke into one side, came out French (or her language of choice) the other end.

She had a very good day, ending with getting farther in her classes with Chase and Marie-Claire.

"Zat was excellent, Lilee," Marie-Claire was saying excitedly. "Yoo are really getting yoor powers under control!" Lily had managed for the first time to set something on fire in her head without blowing it up. "And Chase, yoo are coming on very good as well!" Marie-Claire checked her small watch and started. "Goodness me, look at ze time! Oh, no, I must go! Yoo take yoor time, but I must dash! See yoo in a moment!" And she was gone, leaving her two students chatting happily.

"Yes, I swear," Lily was laughing, "and then I thought we were going to crash into the ground, but luckily, James pulled the broom up just in time. He did it just to scare me!"

Chase was quiet for a moment.

"Chase?"

"Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was…just thinking."

"About what?" Lily prompted.

Chase stopped dead and turned to face her. "Lily, do you love him?" he demanded.

Lily's eyes widened. "What?"

"Do you love James?"

"Yes…I think so. Why?" Lily said slowly.

"It's just…I think about you all the time!" he burst. "And I've always wondered what it would be like to kiss you." He started to move closer.

"Oh – really? Well-" and before Lily could say another word, his lips were on hers.

And she felt – oh, she felt…absolutely nothing…

"What…what in God's name…is going on here?"

Lily pulled away, a smile on her face…and the bottom of her stomach dropped out.

It was James, standing there. And instead of him being angry and yelling, he was just standing there, looking lost.

"What – Lily-"

"Oh, James," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "This is wonderful!"

He began backing away slowly. "I-I'm sure it is."

She rushed towards him to hug him. "James-"

Then he did the most astonishing thing – he slapped her hand away. "Get. Away. From. Me." he said slowly and deliberately.

The smile dropped off of her face and she pulled her hand to her chest. "But-wait! This is good! I swear, it isn't what it looks like-"

"What do you mean it isn't what it looks like?" James exploded. "You – him!" He pointed to Chase. "I knew, I knew, from the moment I met him – from the moment I met him, that he wasn't to be trusted! I've never liked you, contrary to popular belief! And this just proves that my instincts were right about you!"

"James-" Lily cried, her voice cracking.

"And you!" He whirled on Lily. But instead of yelling, which Lily thought she could handle, he just stared at her. "I was going to propose to you, tonight." He said softly. "I even have the ring. I was going to come find you, and I had my speech all ready-"

"James-" Lily whispered, and tears started coming out of her eyes.

"But I guess," he continued bitterly, "I guess my instincts were wrong about you. I guess my mother, who loves you so much – I guess she was wrong about you as well. Too bad – God only knows what's going to happen to her now."

Lily gave a sob, and took a step towards him. James moved back, his eyes darker than the blackest night.

"Happy birthday, Lily." he spat, and reached into his pocket and threw something at her feet. "I don't need this anymore." And with that, he was gone.

Lily stood there, frozen, watching the space where James had been. Then she felt Chase's arms encircle her.

A fury took her over, and she spun around and slapped him with all her might across his cheek. "This is all your fault!"

"Lily! Didn't you feel that kiss? Wasn't that wonderful?" Chase asked in a betrayed tone, bringing a hand up to his cheek.

"I'm an idiot," Lily was muttering, "I'm the most stupid person in the world to think for once that I liked you more – no, that I liked you as much – as James!"

"Lily-"

"Leave, now!" She commanded.

Wordlessly he walked out of the small clearing, leaving Lily by herself.

She began to tremble violently, and sat down in front of the box James threw at her. Sobs overtook her, and blearily she reached for the velvet box. She knew without looking what was inside, but she opened it anyway, just to torture herself more. To her surprise, she recognized the diamond, and peered at it closely. She had seen it before…where?

A picture came to her mind's eye. A picture from last Christmas, and a slender hand with the diamond on the ring finger presenting her with white satin dress robes…she traveled slowly up the arm, and looked straight into the beautiful, poised face of Katharine Potter.

Oh, God, what had she done?

Dimly she was aware of her best friend's arms, along with Marie-Claire's, pulling her up and walking her into the girl's dorm and up into her room. She lay back on her bed, in a sort of haze, and Gwen gently pried the velvet box out of her grasp. She heard her not-so-muffled gasp when she saw what was in it, and the hurried conversation between Marie-Claire and Gwen. But Lily felt her eyes drooping, and moments later, she was fast asleep.

~*~*~*~*

Lily awoke the next morning and wondered for a split second why she was still in her clothes…and then she remembered.

Chase. Kiss. James. Engagement ring.

Lily squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to go back to sleep, but it was futile. Seconds later she heard footsteps, and in came Gwen, fully dressed, and holding a napkin.

She sat down on Lily's bed and presented her with a few pieces of toast.

"Here. This is your breakfast – I wanted you to sleep some more. Are you okay?" She asked with concern, and Lily began to cry again. In a second, Gwen's arms were around her, and Lily's flood of tears gushed out even more.

"Shh, there, there," Gwen soothed. "Everything's gonna be alright…"

When Lily was finally reduced to hiccups, Gwen pulled back.

"Do you want to tell me what happened? Sirius doesn't know anything, Chase won't talk, and James just sat there at breakfast and said nothing. And he didn't even look at Chase…"

Lily nodded and swallowed. She told her friend the whole story.

"And-and then you c-came, and y-you know the r-rest," she finished.

Gwen hugged her again. "Oh, Lily…that's horrible…what he said…"

"I deserved it!" Lily said fiercely. "I questioned our love, which he never did, and would never do! I'm the scum of the earth! I don't deserve to live," she shook her head hopelessly. "Gwen, I lost the love of my life to a guy I'd known for a month!"

"Lily, don't worry! You'll get him back! You just have to tell him! Tell him the truth of what happened!" Gwen urged.

Lily snorted and got up. "But I can't if he won't speak to me."

"Oh, Lily…just think, tomorrow's the day we see Mary Katherine and Remus! It'll be fun!"

"-and the ring…" Lily was muttering, but she realized something, and spun around. "Oh, God! What'll Katharine say?! Gwen?! I can't bear the thought of… oh, Gwen!"

Lily sat down on the floor and sobbed. Gwen sat down next to her and rubbed her back, feeling very, very helpless.

And that was how Marie-Claire, who had been sent from Agent Nelson who was missing two trainees, found them thirty minutes later.



Poor, poor Lily, I know…please, please review…I know you hate cliffhangers, but the sooner you review, the sooner you get more story! Oh, and I think only one or two of you commented on if you would like a sequel fic following Gwen? Please tell me your feelings on this!

Bella