***The Marauder Chronicles is a fan fiction. It isn't to be sold, reproduced or taken as true. Characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling, no copyright infringement is intended. ON a lighter note, for all those who believe in God, join with me in praying for book five's completion and publication.***

Author's note: I am so sorry for taking forever and a day when I left you all hanging like I did. I had finals then Christmas came and I had a real tough time starting this chapter. I have already started the next one so that should make some of you happy. This site is going to make some changes so there will be outages from time to time, but I'm sure it will make the page better in the long run. If that does happen I won't send the chapter to you personally because I'll be too busy with 21. Also, if you are writing reviews, which I love, but you have a complaint about a character or you want the next chapter, bla bla bla, please leave me your email address so I can give you info and make you like Jade (yeah that's to some of you, Kai). Thanks to all of the 'motivational' letters that you sent me, it put a fire under me. This chapter isn't my greatest work, but it's what I'd call a 'filler' chapter. I had to...well, I've said too much. And now, without further ado, I give you chapter twenty.

Part Seven: Romance, Choices, and the Scout

"Those who love you want nothing but your smile and true happiness."

Of all the things that had been going through her busy mind, having Sirius's lips on hers was certainly the last thing she expected, however welcomed. It was more than she imagined. Jade had been dreaming of this moment for years now, seeing it in her dreams over and over like the final scene in the Muggle movie Casablanca, which she had watched with Lily once over the summer. She knew how childish it sounded, and how silly she was, but she was just a young girl.

Sirius looked into her dark eyes and smiled warmly.

"Hi," he said gently as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Hi," she said in a weak state of euphoria.

"Things are going to be different now, you know," he said.

"Yeah."

"A lot different."

"Change is good sometimes," she said grinning.

"I guess it is." He turned around when he heard the others descending the stairs. "Let's get out of here, shall we?"

"Okay," she said and took his hand.

"Have you thought about how you're going to tackle Ravenclaw this weekend, James?" Remus asked.

"They way we always do it-we're just better. Butterfield leads his team like trolls. He has no plays, no strategy..."

"So he actually tells his team to have fun and try to put the Quaffle through a hoop?" Remus asked with a slight grin.

"Exactly! How can you win with those methods? Anyway, it's good for us. Last year we slaughtered them, and next weekend I plan the same fate."

"You know, it's not just about winning."

"Yes it is, Remus, and don't let anyone tell you it isn't. You know what I always say about people that say 'it's not if you win but how you play the game', right?"

"No, what do you say?" he asked sniggering.

"They're losers. Winning is fun."

"Have you talked to Lily much about Quidditch, since...well you know, you were there."

"No I haven't, but I never really talked about it with her before. She just goes to the games and watches. She doesn't particularly care about the game itself."

Remus shook his head. "Actually, she's very involved in the game. I had to deflect a curse that she sent at a Hufflepuff last year because he hit you."

"Is that right?" he asked.

"Oh yeah. She had all the Gryffindors cheering and laughing at her, too." Just then the door to the Three Broomsticks opened, and Lily and Liz came rushing in with their scarves over their faces.

"It's freezing out there," Lily said as she sat next to James. "I just heard the weather report on the radio; supposedly it's going to be really stormy next weekend."

"That's not what they said yesterday!" James exclaimed. "They said it was going to be clear as a bell."

"Are you sure? 'Cause they said it was going to be a lighting and thunderstorm with heavy showers," Lily said then took a sip of Butterbeer.

"Yeah I'm sure. I remember Sirius saying 'How can a bell be clear?'"

Liz laughed.

"Where is he anyways?" Remus asked.

"Who knows? He wasn't in the dormitory or in the Great Hall. Your guess is as good as mine."

"I don't know where Jade is either," Lily said with a smirk.

"Oh really," James said grinning. "Hmmmm....I wonder what they're up to."

"I hope they are," Liz said.

"Speaking of which," Lily said, going into her bag, "I need you to look at some things, James." She pulled out several envelopes full of parchment.

"What is this?" he asked. She spread them out all over the table for him to see.

"Fonts," she replied.

"How do fonts remind you of Sirius and Jade?"

"They are fonts for our wedding invitations, silly. Now, I picked out the ones I really liked, so now you need to decide."

James looked at each of them and wrinkled his nose. There had to at least be one hundred fonts, each very loopy and fancy.

"I didn't realize we even had a date or a guest list," he said looking at one font he swore was just circles all entangled.

"September the 8th, and friends and family," she said quickly.

"September the 8th? I was never told about this."

"I meant to tell you, but I forgot when I was putting makeup on your face. Is that day okay for you? It's a Saturday."

James rolled his eyes, "Yeah, that's fine. Just be sure to tell me where it is so I can get there on time."

"Sure thing," she said.

"Lily, all of this writing looks the same."

"They're not, just pick one."

"Lily," Liz said in a high-pitched voice, "who's going to be your maid of honor? Me or Jade?"

Lily's eyes skirted around the room then back onto the parchment with the fonts.

"So pick one James," she said. "I really like this one here." She pointed to a font in the corner.

"I can't even read it, what does it say?"

"'Lily and James'," she said flatly.

"I don't care, Lily. I really don't. You pick it."

"Where are we going to hold the ceremony?" she asked as she rolled up the parchment.

"This is just off the top of my head here, but how about a church?" James said.

"Who's going to be your maid of honor, Lily?" Liz asked again but this time with more interest. Lily got up and said she had to use the rest room, but Liz followed her.

"I smell trouble," Remus said.

"And howdy," James said. The door to the Three Broomsticks creaked open, and a wave of cold air swept through the room. James could hear loud footsteps falling heavily on the floor.

"Well, well, well," said a deep monotone voice filled with hate, "Potter and the animal, I see." Snape came over and he leaned his knuckles on their table. "Even wild beasts can enjoy human company?" he asked with a cruel sneer.

James stood up and moved over to him. He was a few inches taller than Snape, so he could look down on him.

"You're the animal, Snape," he said. Then Snape's friends, Lestrange and Rosier, came up behind him. Remus stood next to James.

"You'd better watch yourself, Potter," Lestrange said, fiddling with something in his cloak pocket. "It would be such a shame if something...tragic were to happen."

"Are you threatening me?" James asked smirking and crossing his arms. Lily and Liz came up and stood next to James. Lily looked right into Snape's cold eyes and wrapped her arms around James.

"Is there a problem?" she asked.

Snape moved even closer to him, who didn't back down, and whispered so that only he and Lily could hear. "I know you have a secret. One day, Potter, I'll discover it and expose you."

James smirked. "You feel free. I'll see you around." He took Lily by the hand and started for the door. "Oh, and Severus," he said turning again, "I know you have some skeletons in the closet. Not a good position for you to be in, my knowing your secrets, that is. Good day to you." The four of them left and started walking in the cold weather to where they didn't know.

"'One day, Potter,'" James said in a whiny voice with his lip curled, "'I'll expose you.' I swear he wears diapers. I just really wish I could pop him one."

"He's a jerk, James, don't worry about him," Lily said.

"It's like his mother never loved him or something. I think it's his mission in life to make everyone other than himself miserable."

"Should we go back up to the castle where it's warm?" Liz asked. Seeing that there was really nothing else to do that hadn't already been done, James nodded, and they went back to the castle.

Peeves was in an especially good mood for some reason. He was throwing food at second years who were dashing across the corridor to avoid him. Lily, who had her wand at the ready since she saw Snape, took it out and pointed it at him threateningly.

"Peeves, knock that off or I'll curse you!" she said.

Peeves did a somersault in midair and stuck his tongue out at her. Lily smiled greatly then shouted "Pansonic!" In a second Peeves was hurtled through the air at the wall where he banged all the armor and paintings, then looked astounded at her.

"I warned you," she said. Peeves frowned, cursed, then flew off. The second years cheered for her. "I wish we could find out where Jade is."

"So Lily," Remus said wanting to stir more trouble, "who are you going to assign the duty of the maid of honor?" Liz looked anxious.

She rolled her eyes and grinned. "Seeing as how I have two best friends, I am going to let them fight over it. I can't pick just one of them because then the other would be hurt. So Liz and Jade can decide amongst themselves." She looked thoroughly pleased with her decision and moved on.

"Lily! How can we do that?"

"Not my problem," she sang and danced off to Gryffindor Tower. Liz broke out into a run and followed her.

"I can only assume that Sirius is your best man, correct?" Remus said.

"Yeah. I've known him all my life, and that has to count for something," he said. "That doesn't hurt your feelings, does it?" James asked sarcastically. Remus grinned.

"No, it doesn't. James?"

"Hmm," James said looking at him seriously.

"You've told Lily everything about you, right?" Remus asked.

James nodded and looked at him more deeply, for he knew what was going to come next. James steered him into an empty classroom to talk.

"Should I tell Liz about my," he hesitated, "my condition?"

James sat on a desk and stared at him.

"That's up to you, Remus. If you think you're going to be with her for a really long time, for the rest of your life, even, then I would have to say yes. But if not, then no. I told Lily about what I was, but that's because she threatened to end it all if I couldn't trust her. I also knew that I wanted to marry her since I laid eyes on her, which is strange I know."

"What do you think she'd do if I told her?"

"You know her better than I do. It's a good bet she already knows, actually. Lily does. She's known for I don't know how long, and if she knows...Girls can't keep good secrets."

Remus nodded thoughtfully.

"I really wouldn't worry about it, Remus. We didn't care when we figured it out, and Liz cares about you very much. If she doesn't want you for what you are, then she isn't worth having," James said with a friendly smile.

Remus sighed and grinned. "I wish all the world were like you, James."

"Things would be so much more adventurous and comical," James said lightly and went for the classroom door. Remus got up and followed him out.

They started walking back up to Gryffindor tower looking occasionally in alcoves and empty classrooms for Sirius and possibly Jade, but they found nothing. Remus smirked and James followed suit.

"Jade's nowhere to be found," Lily said to them when they came in through the portrait hole. "This isn't like her, you know?"

"No, but it's like him. Don't worry about her, Lily," James replied.

Out in the corridor, past many portraits and coat of arms, and down several staircases, Sirius was leading Jade, blindfolded, to a room that only he knew about.

"Were are we going?" Jade asked.

"You'll see," he said with a smile.

"Why all the secrecy?"

"I'm the only one that knows how to get to this place, and I want to keep it that way. Not to mention there is something for ambiance. However, you're ruining the romantic moment with your questions."

"Sorry," she giggled. Sirius took her other hand and helped her down the last flight of stairs then stopped in front of a rather ordinary looking door. He walked to it and whispered into the keyhole. At first the door did nothing, but then it magically creaked open.

"Alright," he said as he took her hands once more and led her into his secret room, "it's time."

He closed the door behind them, faced her towards the room and slowly pulled off the cloth from her eyes.

Jade's mouth dropped as her eyes consumed the art and perfection of this place.

It was a perfectly proportioned room, far from anything she had ever seen. The ceiling was taller than that of the Great Hall, she thought, but as she looked up she couldn't even make out the ceiling. Where there should have been rafters and large beams were clouds and royal blue skies.

"It's beautiful," she said. "How can you possibly be the only one who knows?"

"Well that's a bit of a story. I found it three years back when I was going to the library. That's where it was then. I found it a week later here, and then one time it was not far from the headmaster's room early in the morning. It goes under the guise of an ordinary door, but it is far from that." Sirius moved along one of the walls on which were shelves of deep red wood displaying masterpieces of art: paintings of oceans, great birds and dragons, all of which were far more breathtaking than the ones decorating the castle. "Aren't you something of an artist?" he asked her.

She blushed slightly and moved over next to him surveying a huge mural of the Alps.

"Artist is a bit strong, but I do sketch from time to time."

"I see you drawing all through History of Magic, and it's very good, Jade. You have a rare talent."

Jade looked at him and smirked. He moved closer to her and took her hands.

"So not even James knows about this place?" she asked.

"Not even James." He passed his hand gently across her face and moved in closer to her so that he could feel her soft lips touch his.

"Sirius," she asked, "what do you want to do, after we graduate that is?"

"I don't really know, probably something for the Ministry of Magic. What about you?"

Jade put her arms around his shoulders and leaned her head against his chest so that she could hear the beating of his heart. "I'm not really sure either. I was thinking the Department of Magical History and Intelligence. But we'll have to wait and see."

"Intelligence? You want to send in spies, learn secrets?" he asked with a great grin and taking her hands as if dancing with her.

"Yeah, sounds silly doesn't it? But I've always liked History. It's a fascinating subject. Most people don't share my opinion because Professor Binns is a horrible teacher, but you have to know history to know why people act the way they do. And that is the key to most secrets," she said with a grin.

"History could never be interesting to me," Sirius said lightly.

"No? So you don't study ancient tactics of great Quidditch games, read about wars of wizards and goblins, learn of the Dark Lord's rise? It's all history. And history, Sirius, has a nasty habit of repeating itself. That is why it is important, not only for intelligence and spying but for the very future. Most find it dull and the study of a bunch of dead politicians and generals, but it is far more than that. Not to mention it never changes, so that when I want a family of my own I can be with them and go back to my job when my children leave the house."

"Ah, now that's a good idea. And you said you haven't thought about it," he said slyly.

"Well perhaps I have...just a little. I wish I had the stomach to do something greater and save lives, like Lily wants to do, but I could never be a doctor."

"Why not?"

Jade crinkled her nose, "I can't stand the sight of blood."

Sirius laughed. "Me neither. I faint at the mere mention of it."

"I totally understand. I don't really mind my own blood for some reason, but seeing someone else's," she shivered, "gross."

"Exactly! Who cares if it's mine, but my God, if someone else is bleeding I have to leave the room or suffer the consequences."

Jade laughed as she looked longingly into his eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't see you before," he whispered.

"I tried to make myself very obvious to you," she said.

"I know that now."

"I was downright irritating, I thought."

"Well you were rather militant about it, but I did deserve it. Now, I think there has been plenty of discussion so that won't be the problem in our relationship."

"I see," she said kissing his lips, "so you would rather we spend time kissing in this enchanting room instead of talking to each other?"

Sirius looked into her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, that's about right."

She laughed then pulled him towards her.

Later that evening, after the others had dinner and had returned once more to the Tower, Sirius and Jade made their appearance. They entered hand in hand looking questioningly upon the rest of their house. James was the first to stand and applaud them, followed by Lily and Liz who were in tears, then Remus who gave them a "whoop!" and Peter who tripped on the rug on his way over.

James thought it was more than appropriate for a party, so his slipped out of the common room undetected and made his way down to the kitchens.

"Mr. Potter it is!" cried an overly excited house elf who jumped into James's arms. She had a very high-pitched voice and a tiny, squashy nose with great brown eyes.

"Hello Lucky," he said, setting the house elf down on the ground. "How are you these days?"

"Lucky is good, sir. How is Mr. Potter?"

"He's doing fine," James said smiling. "My friend just got hooked up with someone, and I wanted to celebrate a bit. Do you think you could spare some- " but before he could finish his sentence, Lucky and five other elves where shoveling food at him. James took all that he could carry, which was a great deal, then headed back up to the tower.

"I told you this day would come!" Lily said as she hugged Jade.

"So where are you planning your honeymoon?" Liz asked.

"Oh come on. I just kissed him today, you guys don't actually think that I've thought about that, do you?"

Lily and Liz exchanged evil grins then looked back at Jade innocently.

"Sydney, Australia," Jade said quietly. Liz and Lily both laughed.

James entered the scene unnoticed and spread the food out on a table; they all noticed that and, like moths to a flame, crowded the food.

"So Jade," Liz said, "while you were gone, Lily made me her maid of honor."

"Lily!" Jade screeched. "What about me?"

"I didn't make her my maid of honor. I said that the two of you would have to decide that amongst yourselves. I want no part in the decision process because I can't decide. I don't care how you do it,just make it fair, and I will be happy with the results."

"I think it should be me," Jade said calmly, "because the maid of honor is paired with the best man, and that's Sirius."

"So?" Liz said rudely. "You two probably won't even still be together. The longest he has gone with a relationship is about three months isn't it?"

"Elizabeth Banks!" Lily said. "Don't you dare say that. I think they'll still be together 'cause this is the first time he has dated someone that he knew before."

"I think you should make me maid of honor just based on her comment," Jade said. Sirius came over and sat next to her and kissed her; Jade smiled.

"What are you arguing about?"

"They want to be my maid of honor but I'm only allowed one, which is a really stupid rule. Most of the time it's either the sister, which is out of the question, or the best friend, but I have two. See the dilemma?" Lily said.

"Yeah, so how are you going to decide?"

"I'm going to make them decide in a civilized fashion."

"Mean, isn't she?" Jade said. But Sirius looked like he had an idea.

"A competition? Remus, Peter and I can hold a contest and score on a few issues to see who's the best for the job. Fair?"

The three of them exchanged looks and smiled.

"Sounds fair to me," Lily said. In the end the two agreed.

* * * * *

The week passed like all others but marked closer to graduation. Now that they were on the down hill side, the seventh years started to show stress. For the brightest students of the year, the N.E.W.T.s would be administered, and it was widely known that it was the most challenging of all tests. Even James and Sirius, who mocked those who studied around the clock, were seen opening schoolbooksevery now and then.

"How much do you think we have to know for this test?" Sirius asked.

"Too much if you ask me. I'm not studying transfiguration because I have that down to a science. Charms is Lily's area of expertise so I have her for that. The rest though..." he rolled his eyes and opened another book.

"James," Sirius said after a long silence, "what are we going to do for a living?"

James closed his book and rested his chin on his hand. "Something we're good at, I suppose."

"But what's that? What can we do good that's useful?"

"I don't know. Something." He opened his book and resumed reading.

"What about Law Enforcement?" Sirius said.

James moved his head back and forth. "Maybe. That could be cool."

"Yeah," Sirius said thoughtfully. "I'm Sirius Black, Law Enforcement. I could do that."

James smirked.

On Saturday the fourth Quidditch match of the season was scheduled: Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor. James was on edge because it was quite stormy outside, though the weather reporters said it would be sunny.

"Bunch of idiots!" James said looking out the window. "They don't know anything. I could probably guess better without any equipment. And they get paid!"

James and the rest of the team had a quick breakfast and headed down to the pitch. A roll of thunder sounded across the sky just as James said something offensive about weathermen. When he got into the 'briefing room' he sat his team down and paced the front.

"It's a bloody mess out there," he said calmly, "I won't deny that. We've seen bad weather before so we can do this. But if we lose this match..." he began waving his index finger at them, "there'll be hell to pay."

"If one of us gets electrocuted by a bolt of lightning," Sam Moore started, "will you let us off the hook?"

"What do you think?" James asked.

"No."

"Precisely. If you see the lightning, move the other way. Now, we are the best team in the school, and we have to win the match. You all know your roles. Let's go out there and kick ass."

The team left the coaching room with much enthusiasm and waited to be announced on to the field. The boards on either side of them were shaking with the angry wind.

"Move out of the way of lightning," Sirius said.

"Shut up Sirius, and focus on the game," James said.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the fourth Quidditch game of the season, Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor!" Al Davis screamed over the sounds of the weather. "And now flying out onto the field are the champions of the Quidditch cup, Gryffindor!"

"That's us," James said. "Good luck to you all." The wooden gates opened and they flew out onto the field. It was a wall of cold rain that drenched their robes in a matter of seconds. The wind was almost impossible to fly in. The other players looked like blue blurs. James flew down to greet the captain, David Butterfield, who also didn't look happy with the weather. They shook hands, mounted their brooms and the Quaffle was released.

"And the game begins!" James heard before a clap of thunder sounded. He went for the Quaffle and nearly knocked Annika Kincade, Sirius's ex-girlfriend, off her broom. He wanted to make a snide comment to her but in this weather he thought it better not to. He urged his Nimbus 140 to go as fast as possible, but the wind and rain were too much. Annika made another round for him and tried to hit the Quaffle out of his arms, but he did a barrel role, which earned him cheers, and put it through the Ravenclaw goal post.

"James Potter scores the first goal of the match, not a shocker, ten to zero Gryffindor!"

Kylie Markson, the Keeper, passed the Quaffle, which shot like a bullet with the wind, to Monroe Blake who headed it up to the Gryffindor side. James signaled for Chris Mueller to head her off while James flew up behind Monroe, knocked the Quaffle out of her arm and took it. The crowd cheered again. James did a loop around her and headed against the storm back to the Ravenclaw goal posts. Duke Freeman, a very large Beater for Ravenclaw, sent a bludger right at James's head, but James ducked as soon as the bludger came into view. He passed the Quaffle to Brian Johnson, who passed to Chris then back to James who sunk it into the goal.

"Gryffindor twenty to zero!" Al Davis yelled. James flew at Sirius and gave him a high five as Kylie Markson passed the Quaffle to Michael Burns. James followed him closely as if daring him to drop it. The rain was falling harder than ever now, and he hoped that would break concentration. Just then Annika came pelting out of nowhere and hit James in the side. James looked at her and saw that she was grinning. He rammed her back. Who cares if she was a girl? A bludger soared towards Annika,and she broke off. James had the suspicion that Sirius sent it at her, and he was grateful. James took Annika's absence as a blessing and used his time to fly in front of Burns and veer him away from the posts.

"Burns of Ravenclaw in possession, but Potter misleads him. Burns goes for the shot...but misses thanks to Captain James Potter. Johnson of Gryffindor in possession. He passes to Potter who takes it up the field, and what a maneuver around Kincade!" James has done an inward loop just out of spite. He flieshard and fast scattering all Ravenclaw players in his way to get to the goal to make his third score of the game.

Much was the rest of the match. James dominated the field as he usually did. Brian Johnson and Chris Mueller knew that James was the strongest link in the chain and rarely, if ever, missed his mark. James made over a dozen goals in the pouring rain and gusty wind. By the time Amanda caught sight of the snitch, not an easy task in such weather, Gryffindor was 150 points up. She grabbed it before Butterfield did, and Gryffindor was proclaimed the victor thus maintaining their six year undefeated record.

James, who was thinking he might catch pneumonia, splashed in the mud to be with his team. Wet, cold and wanting nothing more than a fire, they quickly congratulated each other and started for the locker rooms when something unexpected happened.

As usual the entire Gryffindor house went down to the field to greet their winners. They were accompanied, however, by two strangers in expensive robes of blue and white. The Gryffindors cheered loudly for another win, but the two strangers pressed through to get to the team itself.

"James Potter?" one of them said. He was tall, burly and had a black mustache.

"That's me," James said looking upon him with interest.

The man smiled formally, put out his hand for James and shook it enthusiastically.

"I'm Jeremy Talen. That was some flying you did there and in such conditions. I saw you play against Slytherin back in November as well, and let me tell you, I'm impressed." Now the entire team and house was trying to hear everything that he was saying. The wind still howled, and the rain still poured, but they still tried to listen.

"Thanks," James said.

"Perhaps you're wondering why I say that?" he said with a smile.

James nodded.

"Well, I'm an official talent scout for the England Eagles, perhaps you've heard of them," he said.

James suddenly felt very warm. "Of course I have!"

"My assistant and I concur, a true rarity, and I have shown photos of your flying to my superiors. We would like to sign you on as a starting Chaser for our team." Everyone's jaw dropped and splashed in the mud. James had to hear it again.

"W-What did you just say?" he asked.

"We want you to be a starting Chaser. That means you're not a reserve, you're really out there on the field to start the game. We want to sign you on."

Sirius couldn't contain his emotion; he flung his arms around James and started to jump up and down. Soon the rest of the team was there with him. James stared at Mr. Talen for minutes, not knowing what to say.

"Look," Mr. Talen said getting closer to James and putting a hand on his shoulder, "here are the conditions." He put a thin black booklet into James's hand and grinned again. "We sign on five year contracts. The money would make you more than comfortable, and with your talent you could be famous worldwide. Just think about it, James. My card is in the booklet if you have any questions. Give me your decision in two weeks." With a final clap on the shoulder, he turned and left. The team screamed with joy and led James to the common room as if he was king of the world.

"The England Eagles, James!" Sirius said when they were changing into dry clothes back in their dormitory. "They won the World Cup!"

"I can't believe they want me," James said weak with happiness.

"Why not?" Peter said. "You're the best in the school."

"You are James. No one can fly like you," Remus chimed in.

"The England Eagles!" Sirius yelled.

"You guys think I should do it?" James asked.

"Duh!" Remus said. "You'd be wasting your gifts if you didn't."

"The England Eagles!"

"Just think of how you would introduce yourself," Remus said. "Hello, I'm James Potter. That's right I'm the starting Chaser, not the benched reserve, but the starting Chaser for the World Cup champions."

James suddenly imagined himself flying out into a huge stadium where people cheered his name.

"Trelawny!" Peter said suddenly.

"What's she got to do with this?" James asked.

"Didn't she say you'd be famous?"

"You know, that's right! That has to be it!" James yelled. He ran out of the dorm drier and happier than he had left it before. All of Gryffindor house chanted and cheered when they saw him enter the common room. Someone shouted, "James of the Eagles!" and yelling filled the room. He worked his way toward the back corner until he reached Lily.

"Did you hear?" he said excitedly. "They want me!"

"I know," she said with a smile. "It's wonderful."

"Do you think I should do it, Lily?"

Lily looked into his eyes and couldn't remember a time when he looked so thrilled, anxious and intrigued. She smoothed his face with her hands and kissed him.

"Ab-absolutely," she said before biting her lip. James scooped her up and spun her around in the air.

"I love you," he said in her ear. "I love you, Lily." She held onto him as tight as she could. She could hear the screaming and shouting of the room. She could feel the warmth of the fire, the happiness in James, the excitement all around her. She could hear his heart beating against hers, and him saying 'I love you," over and over in her ear. She just wished that she couldn't feel the single tear roll down her cheek.

* * * * *

News, as always, spread like wildfire around the school. In no time flat all one thousand students were talking about James Potter's offer to join one of the best professional Quidditch team in the world. There was a mixture of emotions about the whole ordeal, and not all of them were joyful.

All of Slytherin house was in an exceptionally sour mood. Several small fights happened between Gryffindors and Slytherins in the halls and corridors. It was mostly Snape, however, who encouraged the tension and who was extremely irate about it. He could be heard talking loudly about Potter's "silly maneuvers that looked more like he was blown by the wind," but even some Slytherins admitted that James was fair at the sport.

The Ravenclaws decided that they lost because James did so well. Ravenclaws got along swimmingly with the Gryffindors, and most of them congratulated James on his amazing accomplishment. Annika Kincade remained very bitter and glared at him.

The Hufflepuffs were in second place for the cup, Gryffindor in first, so they were hopeful that maybe they could take it. They tried to look cheerful about James, but then they also weren't comfortable with him being so good.

Sirius was happier than anyone. He paraded James around as if he was savior of the world and would announce him whenever they entered a room. Even Peter, who was usually very silent, was out having a ball with his friend. He looked up facts in the library about the team and told James very useful statistics about some famous players. And even though the moon was filling again and Remus's eyes began to droop, he couldn't help but bask in the euphoria with James and Sirius.

Professor McGonnagal was happier than anyone could remember her being in many years. She was especially smug around Professor Flitwick, the head of Ravenclaw, and even more so around Professor Wicks, the new head of Slytherin. She treated James completely differently now, with much more respect than she had ever given him.

Not everyone was stunned, amazed, delighted, angry or jealous. It was only Lily who remained subdued, which went unnoticed.

James tried to keep his feet on the ground and kept telling himself that he wasn't the greatest in the world. Then a small voice, which kept getting louder, told him repeatedly, "You're not the greatest...yet." He tried to stop smiling all the time, but it was hard to do. He had read the small black book several times now and rehearsed the facts to anyone who wanted to hear them.

"England has won the world Cup the past two times," he said to a group of fourth year girls who looked simply enamored with him. "Alexander Beresnov from the U.S.S.R., considered one of the greatest Chasers of the age, was beaten by Nigel Montgomery of England." And then came payment questions. "Well, I would start with about nine thousand galleons a year, then bonuses and such." At that mouths dropped. Sirius nodded with a smile as James told the various details and facts, Remus couldn't stop grinning, and Peter now referred to James as, "You know, my best friend James Potter,who was asked to play professionally."

It was Liz who noticed that James was suddenly being followed and admired by many girls, mostly sixth and seventh years, but Lily had noticed that first. She never wanted him out of her sight, mostly so she could tell off everyone for asking about autographs.

Liz and Jade bombarded Sirius and Remus with questions about the maid of honor test, but they were too busy with James's publicity.

"You guys promised us!" Jade said.

"He doesn't need all of this, he's still in school," Liz argued. It took awhile for them to get Sirius and Remus to see eye to eye, but they did eventually.

"Alright!" Sirius said. "Tonight meet us in McGonnagal's empty classroom." Jade and Liz spent the rest of the evening thinking about themselves in a beautiful powder blue gown helping Lily with various things. Lily herself was stone-faced and quiet as she studied for her N.E.W.T.s, but they thought nothing of it. They put their books up at six and headed for McGonnagal's classroom.

The Professor was still there, but she was talking to James with a smile spread all over her face. Sirius and Remus were examining a roll of parchment, and Peter was writing on the chalkboard two names and a corresponding column, "Jade / Liz."

"There you are," Sirius said when he saw them. "This is how it's going to work. Remus has drawn up some questions to ask Jade and I have done the same to ask Liz. We will discuss your answers and award a score to be written on the board by Peter who is also the tie breaker."

They each nodded then shook hands.

"Good luck," James said before he and McGonnagal left.

"So let the game begin," Sirius said. "Liz, it turns out that the father of the bride is missing. What do you do?"

Liz gave him a funny look but supposed it was a reasonable question especially with Lily's father. She thought about it for a while then said, "Well first I would check and make sure that his hands weren't around James's throat, then I would call a search making all of the wedding procession look for him. He'd have to turn up somewhere."

Sirius and Remus nodded at one another and awarded her one point.

"Jade," Remus said, "In a strange turn of events, Petunia has shown up for the wedding uninvited and insists on seeing her sister about to be wed. You...?"

"Deck her," Jade said jokingly. Sirius and Remus laughed and nodded. "I would tell her to get lost, that's for sure. She'd only be there to ruin it for Lily, and that's unacceptable." Sirius and Remus awarded her two points.

"Two!" Liz screeched.

"Ha!" Jade said.

"Now, now girls," Sirius said, "let's not get aggressive about this. Liz, Lily is thinking that she wants to call the whole thing off and split. What do you tell her?"

"I would say," she said slowly trying to put the words together in her head, "that it's normal to have doubts and second thoughts right before. I'd tell her that James is lucky to have her and she's lucky to have found him, someone that loves her so much. Not marrying him would be a huge mistake."

Again, Sirius and Remus nodded to each other and awarded her two points.

"Three points in your face!" Liz said to Jade. Jade looked away at Remus and awaited her question.

"Okay, Jade. It's speech time. Sirius has said his mush of words and now it's your turn."

Jade could have died. She had to come up with an entire speech? Sirius handed her a plastic goblet for her to raise as if it would help her. She looked over at Liz and saw that she was grinning maliciously. Jade racked her brain for something to say.

"To," she started raising her glass, "to James and Lily. I consider myself lucky to have seen the magical moment of your meeting. Never have I met two people as perfect for each other as you. Not only is there great love between you, but art and beauty. I know that whatever is thrown at you, not only will you accept it with open arms, but you'll love each other even more through the challenge. I wish we could all be as happy as you two are and are going to be for the rest of your lives together. I wish you fortune, good will and an easy road together but I don't need to wish you love, because there is more love in the two of you than around the world. Congratulations."

Sirius and Remus stared at her; Peter was holding his hand up to the board as if to write something but he dropped his chalk.

"That was beautiful," Remus said. He gathered Peter and Sirius in a huddle and they discussed it. Jade gave a superior look to Liz and turned back to the three boys.

"We've decided that Jade wins," Sirius said. Jade ran into Sirius's arms and hugged him.

"NO!" Liz screamed. "Remus! How can she win?"

"She got the most points. We gave her five for her last answer and you had the easier questions."

Jade was currently kissing Sirius, which Liz found suddenly revolting. "She only won because they're dating," she said pointing at them.

"Liz, I'm dating you," he said.

"So?" she said. Remus shook his head at her. Jade stopped kissing Sirius and ran and hugged Liz. Not really knowing what else to do, Liz patter her on the back.

"Just think, you're mine and Lily is yours!" she said.

"What do you mean?" Liz asked.

"We rotate. I'm Lily's, your mine and Lily is yours. That way we all get a chance." Liz looked at her and smiled.

"Yeah I suppose so." They hugged again and ran out of the classroom.

"Women," Sirius mumbled to himself. Remus grinned and nodded.

Liz and Jade found Lily still studying in a corner of the common room. Jade went up to her and smiled.

"It's me. I get to be your maid of honor," Jade said to her. Lily smiled and hugged her.

"That's wonderful," she whispered. Jade pulled back and looked into Lily's face.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Just studying," she answered. Jade looked at Liz and they sat down with her.

"What's wrong, Lily? You can't fool us."

"Nothing. I'm just studying. I have to get top marks to make Med school, you know."

"Have you drawn up the guest list yet?" Liz asked.

Lily shook her head and stared down at her work.

"When are you going to do that?" Jade asked.

Again, she shook her head and began to write notes.

"Picked the font for the invitations?"

"No."

"You don't want him to play do you?" Jade said. Lily looked up and stared at her.

"Of course I do," she said. "You know how much he wants this. I want him to play," she said. "I really do." They weren't convinced.

"But you don't?" Jade said.

"I do! How many times need I say that? I want him to be happy, and if Quidditch does that then so be it. Look, I have a lot of work to do here," she gathered up all her books, put them in her bag and left through the portrait hole. She decided she wanted to go to the library so she made her way up. As she ascended the stairs she met James going down. He grinned and put his hands around her small waist.

"Where are you headed?" he asked.

"Library. Studying for the N.E.W.T.s is all," she said.

"I'll get my stuff and join you in a second."

"Oh alright," she said. He kissed her and jogged down the steps. As she continued to the library, she noticed a gaggle of girls around her age glaring at her and going after James. She tried to ignore them and told herself that James loved her, not them.

The library was full of studying seventh years but she picked a table alone without even looking for a familiar face. She had just pulled out her potions book when Sirius sat across from her.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey."

"I am not looking forward to taking those," he said looking at her books and practice exams.

"Me neither." She started writing down ingredients, but he stopped her.

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Really."

"You don't seem like it. You're very quiet all of a sudden. Since the match, actually."

"I'm fine," she persisted. "Please just leave me alone." Sirius looked at her for a while and then took her hand. She looked up at him curiously.

"I know it's bothering you, isn't it?"

"Hmmm?"

"James playing professionally. You don't want him to, do you?"

"I want James to be happy, Sirius. So what if he's gone all day long and traveling all over the world. He can Apparate home. I'll see him in the evenings and in the off-season. And James is very good so he probably won't get hurt. I trust him, so I know he'll be faithful when all those scantily clad women throw themselves at him. I mean it's not like he'll play for the rest of his life." She could feel her eyes getting moist, so she tried to concentrate on her potions so Sirius wouldn't see.

"Lily, if you don't want him to play then tell him."

"But I do want him to play. Don't you see how happy he is? I want him to be that happy because that's what he would want for me. He won't talk about Quidditch all the time, will he?" she asked as she wiped her eyes.

"Probably not," Sirius said unconvincingly.

"Then I have nothing to worry about. This is what he wants to do. He's loved Quidditch for so many years, long before we got together. I knew he loved to play when we were twelve. He has a glint of joy in his eye when he's flying, and I don't want to take that away from him."

"Lily, he wants for your happiness too."

"I know that. I can't be the person who holds him down and keeps him from world fame. What if he looks back ten years from now and wonders what he could have been or done. I don't want him to look at me and think 'She's the one who stopped me from being great.' I won't have that. I love him so much, Sirius."

He looked at her and smiled.

James came in a few minutes later and apologized for being late. He said a gaggle of girls wouldn't let him pass. Lily rolled her eyes but smiled at him. Sirius got up and left the two alone. They remained unusually silent as they studied, which James found disturbing.

"Lily," he said. She looked up.

"What do you think?"

"About what?"

"About the offer."

She hesitated then spoke. "I think you should do it," she said looking back down at her parchment.

"Do you?"

"Yes." She started to write again assuming the conversation was over. James took her books and parchment from her and looked deep into her eyes.

"Do you really want me to play?" he asked.

"I want you to be happy. I know that you love it so much and you're very talented, James."

"I know that, but you're not answering my question. Do you want me to play?"

"Yes," she said.

"Then why do I get the feeling that you're upset about it?"

"I don't know."

"You come first in my life, Lily. I remember what you said back in December, but you've never really told me what you wanted."

She tried to smile at him, but she feared that it turned into a sad face.

"I want us to be together. That's all." James took her hands from across the table and started to explain.

"I've read the provisions and I would be gone most of the day, most of the week. I could Apparate home, of course, but sometimes we would be countries apart. There are at least one hundred professional teams in 6 divisions. We would essentially play every other weekend for three years then move into the playoffs for one year. There is an off-season for about a month and a half after the World cup. Most of the time it's a lot longer, but that's the bare minimum in the worst case scenario."

Lily looked down at their hands and felt tears coming.

"Medical school is very lengthy and time consuming so I'd spend most of my day at study anyways,and it's just as long as a season of Quidditch," she said with a small smile.

James leaned back in his chair and stared at her. "What kind of a relationship do we have if you can't tell me what you want, Lily? I want to know what you want; it's important to me. Quidditch is just a sport. Signing that contract would be just a job to me. If you would rather I did something else then I would be only too happy to."

"You just look so happy with the idea that you could play- "

"Well of course I'm happy with that. A professional told me I was great and could be greater. That'll make anyone delighted. I'm good at Quidditch; it's one of my strengths, but it's not the only one I have. You want to be a doctor; healing people would make you happy. I want you to be a doctor becausenot only because you can do a great job at it, but you'd be happy doing it. Being a doctor is perfect for you, but it's also good for me. You won't have to go to many places, I can see you whenever I want, you'd be off most of the summer and we could be together," he squeezed her hand tightly. "Not to mention it wouldn't be so bad having a medical expert in the house," he said lightly.

She smiled.

"Look, I want to play Quidditch. I won't deny that at all. But I want other things too. If I went ahead and signed on with England, I would have to start this August."

"August?" she said.

"Right." Lily closed her eyes and tried to turn away, but he still had her by the hands. "You're a terrible liar, Lily. I can see right through you. You don't want me to play but you just won't tell me."

"I want you to be happy!" she said loudly.

"Being married to you will give me that. What is it that you want? Tell me, Lily, you have to tell me."

"I just want," she started but broke off.

"Go on, say it. We have to make compromises with each other to make this work. Tell me what you want!"

"I know what a marriage is, James."

"So tell me what you want me to do. Come on, Lily!"

She looked around the room but didn't speak a word.

"I don't deserve someone like you," he said. He lifted her hands and put them to his lips, closing his eyes as he kissed them. "You just won't say it, will you? It's not like you'd be holding me back or denying me something. All I've ever wanted is you, and now I have that. I know you don't want me to play I can see it in your teary eyes. I know that you want me to be happy but how am I supposed to do that when I know you're not?"

She didn't say anything.

"Say it! Tell me you don't want me to play, and we can get on with our lives."

"Fine. I don't want you to play Quidditch. I want you to be with me. I want to wake up and see you next to me, not leaving for Sweden to play a game. I want to cook for you and yell at you for not doing the laundry," she started to cry as she looked at his smiling face. "I want to come home to you every once in a while after I've been shopping with my friends. I want you to be there to tell me I'm beautiful when I'm barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen even though I look like a huge pear. I want to change poopy diapers with you, laugh and talk with you, pay the bills with you, have children with you," she couldn't help all the tears pouring down her face. James got up and held her tightly in his arms. "I don't want you to play Quidditch, I want you to be with me," she said.

He swayed her back and forth, and smiling he whispered into her ear, "That's what I want too."