James and Lily (For Lack of a Better Title) - By grahm_craker_gal

Chapter Five - Three Year Anniversary of Nothing

A 20 year old Lily Evans sank dejectedly down onto her leather couch, tears streaming down her cheeks silently. It was officially three years since she'd left Hogwarts and James Potter. Now she was a successful charms investigator for the Ministry. The job was fairly interesting and the pay was great. But something was missing. She had been on a few random dates, but they had all ended in relative disaster. She couldn't help but compare them to James Potter. 'Would they have helped me like he had?' she would ask herself. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but refusing James was most likely the worst mistake she had ever made. At the time she felt so used and violated that she was vehemently opposed to all members of the opposite sex, even the one that had saved her.

And now it was the three year anniversary of her departure from Hogwarts. She had been off all day. At work, her boss had forced her to leave early since she was "obviously not going to be of any help today." For what it's worth, her boss was right. Her mind was on James Potter. The subject was always on the back of her mind. 'What if I hadn't said no, what would my life be like then?' was a question she often asked herself. But today was different. The thought was out in full force, dominating her whole being. And she was miserable.

She moped over to the door to retrieve the mail and picked up her copy of Witch Weekly that had been delivered today. She fell back onto the couch before looking at the cover. Gracing the front page was none other than James Potter along with the headline "Top Ten Single Wizards of the Year!"

Lily decided to read James's interview since misery loves more fuel. The interview went something like this:

"James Potter - Witch Weekly Bachelor of the Year!

James Potter has always been one of our favorite wizards. His great grin and playful eyes make us want to find him and give him a big kiss. Unfortunately, not many witches have had the pleasure of kissing this elusive cutie. The British quidditch player has been on a few dates, but hasn't ever been in a serious relationship, according to his friend, fellow hottie Sirius Black (Witch Weekly Number Two pick for Single Wizard of the Year). We aren't sure what we love most about this guy. First of all he's ultra sensitive and caring. Secondly, since he's been playing quidditch since his early years at Hogwarts, his physique is unmatched. Lastly, he is probably the nicest guy you could know. He is incredibly loyal and great to be around, according to his friends. But the thing that sealed the deal for us giving him this spot is what we found out about him and his fan mail. He told us that he takes about six or seven hours each week reading any mail that comes to him because he really appreciates his fans. Things like that just make us swoon. So girls, take a number for this one and get in line!"

Reading this only made Lily more unhappy. She really had missed out when she had refused James's offer. And look what he was now- Witch Weekly's bachelor of the year! Not that those types of things mattered. She still would have wanted him if he had become just another wizard in the crowd. He was the most supportive and encouraging person she had ever met. He had been more mature at seventeen than most people ever are.

But now he was gone and there was no way that Lily could have him. Still she wanted him to know how much she appreciated his actions during seventh year. She had been unable to tell him how thankful she was back then, but she was determined to let him know now. The article said that he read all the mail he got, so she figured writing him a letter was the best way to go. So, she got out a piece of paper and began writing.

* * JAMES POTTER'S FLAT, LONDON, ENGLAND ABOUT A WEEK LATER * *

James rubbed his eyes. He loved reading his mail, but he was exhausted and he had practice early tomorrow. 'Just one more,' he thought to himself. So he wearily picked up a white envelope with no return address on it, but his name and address written in clean, crisp print. He opened it slowly and brought the letter up to his nose. It was his one odd habit, but he liked smelling letters from girls. He found they often smelt quite nice and they revealed clues about the person. This one smelled like some sort of flower, no exactly exotic, but not obvious, more subtle. He then settled back to read the letter;

"Dear James,

I realize that you probably don't remember me, but I remember you more vividly than anyone else I've ever known. Three years ago you did me a favor I never repaid you for, or even thanked you for. You rescued me, saved me. From what? From what I had become, from what I would have become if you hadn't stopped me. And now I'd like to thank you. For what you did I should have been eternally grateful, but I was too stupid to realize that you were the best thing that ever happened to me. When you asked me to see you again, I was scared. Actually, I was horrified. I thought that every gut was like Snape, even you. Now I see how wrong I was. If I could do things over, I would. God, if only I could. I'm not writing you now because now you're successful and I want you now that you've got it made. No, I'm just writing to thank you and let you know that I appreciate it.

Love,

Lily Evans"

James shut his eyes in shock. He simply couldn't believe it. Lily Evans was the one reason he never had relationships and that he had spent the past three years in an "extremely unhealthy mental state," according to Remus. He had been crushed when she'd refused him. And now she was thanking HIM. Well, there was clearly only one thing to do now.

He got up, strode over to the telephone, and dialed '0' for Operator.

"Yes, Operator," James said, "I need the telephone number for Lily Evans."

* * AUTHORS NOTES * *

As I've said before, you don't have to read this, but I would kinda like it if you did.

Well, there it is, Chapter Five, Wow! I don't know if they have the same type of operator system in England as we do in the US, but whatever. I would like at least ten reviews of this chapter before I post again. I know, I'm evil. Well, okay, they don't have to be long or anything, I just want to know that people are actually reading this stuff and I'm not doing it for no reason. I think that's about it on the notes front.

* * REVIEW RESPONSES * *

Strawberry - Thank you for reviewing

Badger - BMOC is short for Big Man On Campus

SumChick - Thanks for the review, I'm not sure if this chapter is longer or not, but I hope it's enough to satisfy.

Gallivespian07 - Thank you, and I tried to use better wording for this chapter and I included more of Lily's thoughts in this chapter. Last chapter you were supposed to be left wondering why she did what she did, but maybe that wasn't clear.

Miss Wings - Thank you for reviewing again, I love your comments. I used part of your suggestion, but I had my own idea for the plot, just not the time frame. I read your story and loved it, by the way.

Snowlily - glad you like it!

Bitty - I tried to slow it down a bit this chapter, hope you liked it.

Katie Rose - Thanks for reviewing. Sorry I didn't go with you're suggestion as to malfoy, but I had decided to just go with the majority. Plus, this gives Snape another reason to hate Harry.

Jo - Thank you very much! I'm glad you like.

Well, any who, that's all for the time being.

Until next chapter,

grahm_craker_gal