"Lily, could you help me with this Cheering Charm? I can't seem to get it right," said Truman Ytterbius, a fourth year that had been tutoring with her for the past week. James and the Marauders were on the opposite end of the Common Room, by the fire, laughing and talking and enjoying their last day of Christmas Break. They finished (by Lily's constant demands) theirs earlier.

"If only you had done it before this week, Tru, maybe you wouldn't have this much trouble. It's done with a loop, left swish, right swish, and the 'Cheerio' Voila, you're happy."

"Thanks Lily, I always have trouble with Charms, by the way. I'm glad I finally got it over with. I'll get working on my Defense homework, thanks for your help. I don't know where I'd be now if it wasn't for you."

"Your welcome, Tru. Anything else I can do?"

"No. I think James wants you though." Lily looked up to see James walking up to her with a scowl on his face.

"I've had enough of Sirius's joking," he told her.

"What, is it about me and you again?" Lily asked. Truman covered up a smile and pretended to concentrate on his essay on the History of Muggle Dark Arts. "Ignore him. He has nothing better to do," she continued.

"Let's go for a walk, Lily, I want to talk to you about something." He gave her a hand to help her up, but she refused it, getting up on her own. Truman shook with mirth, but luckily, neither of them noticed. As they exited the Common Room, Remus yelled, "Have fun, lovebirds!" and Truman could hold it in no longer. He burst out laughing along with Sirius. Lily gave them each a frosty glare and James shook his head, blushing.

*

"So what did you want to talk about?" Lily pulled James's cloak around herself as well as him. They were sitting on a makeshift bench behind Hagrid's Hut. He was out in Diagon Alley, getting some supplies.

"Lily, as you know," James began.

"James, not other undying love speech," Lily said and sighed dramatically. James smiled guiltily.

"I guess I am being a bit of a love-struck puppy, eh?"

"A cute puppy, I must admit, but love-struck nonetheless." Lily pinched James's shaved cheek, and a chill wind blew, rustling the woolen cloak around them. James pulled Lily into a kiss and held onto it longer, this time. Lily responded, without protest, half-subconsciously. It went on for almost a minute until he broke off, breathless. Their noses were still touching, and both of their eyes were closed.

"James, I can't do this," said Lily. Her old memories came flooding back once more. 'The Minister's son? And you?' said a voice in the back of her head. What was his name? John, Jason? The boy that forced himself on her? 'The Minister's son."

"Why not?" James's frustrated voice came through, breaking her reverie. "Sorry, Lily."

"When Jacob Duncan and I were dating, even though I knew he didn't really have feelings for me, I enjoyed the fact the he found me attractive. I know I'm not,"

"Who told you that?"

"What? That he found me attractive? He did. In many more words than that, but he said it nevertheless."

"No, that you're not. Who told you you're not?"

"Well.I did. I know I'm not ugly, like Greta Mason," James gave a chuckle, "but ever since I was little, Petunia was always the one that everyone praised, so if I'm nothing to compare to Petunia, then, well, I'm not pretty. Logical deduction, Potter." James took hold of her hand.

"You're very pretty. They just didn't tell you so you didn't grow up vain like all those girls I used to date." James said.

"So, if you think all those girls were just as pretty as I am, why don't you go and tell them that you love them?" Lily smiled inwardly at the thought that she'd stumped him.

"Come on, Lily, I didn't choose to love such a difficult person!"

"If I'm so difficult, I don't see why you continue loving me!" Their voices rose higher as the wind blew stronger. It was almost as if it was telling them to stop arguing.

"I told you! I didn't choose it. It just.happened!"

"So one day you just woke up and you said to yourself: I love that weird redhead?"

"Yes!"

"So you're calling me weird then?" Lily was beginning to enjoy this very much, but James was quite far gone with his temper.

"No! You impossible girl, I don't know why I even bother."

"Then don't."

"Lily, just shut up and go out with me, will you?"

"Ok."

"Why not-wait, what did you say?" James furrowed his eyebrows and Lily almost giggled at his silly expression.

"I said ok. Is there a problem with that? I mean if there is, I could always change my mind?" James gaped at her, his eyes wide.

"You said yes?"

"Yes. No more soppy soliloquies, or I'll change my mind. Deal?"

"Deal," he said, "Now why couldn't you have said it sooner?"

"Why, you never asked," she replied. James promptly tackled her to the ground and stuffed a snowball in her shirt.

When the "lovebirds" returned to the Common Room, they found Peter off with his "study-partner," the Ravenclaw he went to the dance with, and Remus passionately making out with a girl on the long couch. Sirius was looking about, disgusted. When Lily came and jumped on his lap, he asked her, "Lily, don't you have any beautiful friends for me?"

"Well there is a Slytherin I know, name's Katie, she's really nice. She's not evil or anything, just really really bent on getting her way with everything. Quite a control freak. She might do you some good." Sirius snorted. "Why do you ask, Padfoot?" Lily said.

"Well, everyone has a girl. I mean Remus and Myra," he made a face at the pair that were now whispering to each other, "Peter and his.er, whatever," Lily interrupted him; "Don't be mean," she said sternly. "And then of course there's you and Prongs. Try to separate you two, and you'd probably die or sommet. Have you gotten together yet, by the way?" Lily and James chanced a look at each other.

"Yea, we have," Lily confirmed. Sirius shrugged. "I knew you would soon," he said. Lily threw a pillow at him. "I was thinking of talking to that beautiful sixth year up there for you, but you obviously aren't too keen on keeping me happy," she said.

"Why of course, Lily-kins, I meant no harm by it. If you still want to do your poor pal a favor." Sirius made a baby-face at her and Lily pushed him off the chair, and it earned a snigger from James.

The rest of the year went smoothly. As Head Students, Lily and James had hardly any time with their friends, or without work. They were always either writing up detentions, or doing inventories of the money situation. Malfoy's warning in fifth year, though almost entirely forgotten, was rapidly becoming a reality. When the two had no Head duties, they took up the task of consoling all those affected by the Rise of Voldemort. It proved very time-consuming and difficult to do so. Oftentimes, either Lily or James would stay awake entire nights with people whose parents or siblings, or relatives, or even best friends, who's companions had gone home to be with their families.

During Dinner one day, Dumbledore even recognized them for it.

"This year has been hard for all of us. All years, all houses, all victims, and even those close to those that were affected. Let us thank the ones that triumphed in the times of turmoil, and focused their time and effort to helping others. Let us drink to Lily Evans and James Potter, our Head Boy and Girl, who have walked the extra mile beyond their line of duty.

Just about everyone applauded for the two, including each other. A few Slytherins left the Common Room, not wanting to participate, but other than that, the mood of dinner that night was greatly improved by Dumbledore's speech. Dumbledore was offered the position of Minister of Magic, but he refused, saying that Hogwarts needed him especially at this time. James supported the Headmaster in his decision.

James went to visit Mrs. Potter. Her operation, the removal of a few large brain clots, was a success. She needed bedrest for about a week, but she was soon up and about, making foreign peace talks as usual. In all the excitement, though, Lily had forgotten to say important thing to James. By the time she remembered it, they were on their way home from Hogwarts, and with all the hustle and bustle (It was the legendary "prankster" compartment, of course people would come to visit) she didn't have a chance until they disembarked from the train.

"Lily, weren't you supposed to stay with Dumbledore?" James asked when the noise had subsided.

"About that, James." Before Lily said anything, Mrs. Elena Potter came up to her son.

"Why, you must be Lily Evans, right?" she said cheerfully. Lily replied in the affirmative, and looked at James for a response.

"You know her, mother?" he asked Elena.

"Why yes, James, do you? Is she a friend of yours?"

"A frie-mother, what are you on about?" James looked at Lily, then back at his mother, waiting for an explanation.

"Lily is going to be coming to Spain with us, James, I suppose you just met. That's probably why she hasn't told you, right?" She turned her trademark blue eyes to Lily.

"Well, Mrs. Potter," Lily said nervously, "I'm your son's."

"She's my girlfriend, mother," James said icily. Lily could not judge whether it was intended for her, or his mother.

"Really, James?" his mother said, somewhat condescendingly. "Let's be going now, shall we?" Her cheerfully countenance had disappeared and she was now indifferent, almost mean. The car ride was quiet, and when they got to the mansion, a few house elves gathered all her belongings, and another led her to her room.

It was a large bungalow with immense staircases. From the outside, it looked like a quaint wooden Muggle home, but inside, it was almost of Hogwarts proportions. Except for the dungeons and turrets, of course. Her room was humongous, and there were windows all around. The lace curtains swayed with the breeze, and there was a large white four poster bed in the center. There was a fireplace, and a picture that she couldn't recognize hanging above the mantle. She was so caught up in looking around her new room that she didn't notice James coming inside and sitting on her bed.

"This used to be Sirius's Room," he said. Lily turned around and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Don't scare me like that, you idiot!" she cried shrilly. James ignored her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he questioned. His face was tense and curious.

"Because I didn't know if you'd be happy, or break up with me, or whatever," she answered simply.

"Why would I?"

"Well, your mother doesn't seem to like me very much. I think it's because I'm living in her charity." She laughed a bit quietly, and came to sit next to her boyfriend.

"It doesn't bother you? I mean if you'd told me, I atleast would've warned her to be nice."

"I'm used to it James," she shrugged a smiled sadly. James hugged her to him, wondering why he was so pitifully nice to her. Usually, he would've been angry and vowed not to talk to anyone, but now the issue was resolved in less than a minute. He told Lily so.

"Usually it takes me a while to get over things, but with us, you're always the emotional one," he finished.

"What do you mean I'm emotional? When have I ever been emotional?" she cried indignantly. James laughed.

"I don't want I ever did to deserve you, my darling," he said sarcastically.

"Likewise," Lily replied.