The Flower's Story chp 35

Memories last forever, never do they die, Friends stick together and never really say goodbye.

-by Unknown

Give her two red roses, each with a note. the first note says "For the woman I love" and the second, "For my best friend.".

-by Anonymous

What a cunning mixture of sentiment, pity, tenderness, irony surrounds adolescence, what knowing watchfulness! Young birds on their first flight are hardly so hovered around.

-by Bernanos, Georges

Some friendships were special, some were full of laughter, love, and all around giddy, Ignorant bliss. Others had hardships and differences to overcome. In order to stay close to the people they cared for they need to set aside their pride, and faith, just to trust somebody. But the friends that this story speaks of stuck somewhere in the middle. While not completely ignorant of the world around them, they did have some fun times. Unfortunately, there were hard times to overcome also. But these friends didn't need to set aside their prides and beliefs to help or comfort one another. They were just there; sitting in a silence that comforted, and settled uneasy feelings.

And this is how we find the seven friends on the nerve-racking morning. NEWT week had passed in a tense, histrionic setting. The exams were pretty hard according to Lily and James. According to everyone else: torture, plain, evil, torture. The stress was so high, and the pressure was being applied in such a force is set most students off into a melodramatic frenzy. About ten students must have fainted during different exams.

This was the morning they were to receive their exam results. Everyone was nervous about his or her grades of course. These grades were to determine what jobs they could pursue after Hogwarts. But for Lily, James, Sirius, Tasha, Remus, Molly, and even Peter a calm had settled. As if it was the calm after the storm, and soon after breakfast had begun the ruffling of owl feathers gathered volume in the Great Hall.

Each student had a thin letter dropped onto his or her plates. They had all planed this the previous night, after five seconds of staring down at the letter they would pick it up and open it on Remus' count of three.

"One…two…Th.-" Remus' nerve's started to build up in him. All his worry, about if they would discriminate against his grades just for being a Werewolf. They wouldn't, would they? They couldn't! There had to be some law somewhere that held against it…

Tasha, noticing Remus' pause and worried face smiled at him encouragingly, taking his hand and giving it a quick squeeze of reassurance. Remus nodded a thank you and turned back down to his letter.

"One…Two…three" the sound of rips sounded around the friends.

"Oh my…oh my…" Molly muttered scanning her grades. After all grades were revealed to the owner everyone looked up at each other with wide grins. All grades wanted had been accomplished.

"Hallelujah it's over!" Screamed Sirius as they ran out onto the grounds by the lake. He picked up Tasha and spun her around as fast as possible

"Sirius Black you put me down this instant." But her laughing deceived the harsh words

"Never!" He slid her down to the ground but held on to her tightly. He Put his forehead on hers and let a sigh escape his lips in content. Lily leaned against the walls smiling at her long time friends. In five days all of this would be over. Nothing would be the same without Hogwarts there to help them through hard times. Pictures flashed through mind of things that had occurred during her years of Hogwarts. First meeting her friends, first perfect exam, and first detention…first kiss. She had had her first kiss here at Hogwarts. Well not technically here, more on the train coming here with a delusional James as the recipient. And he hadn't even kissed her, she had kissed him! That's not right it was suppose to be the other way around.

With a scoff at the memory she walked over to the lake and slumped down, taking her shoes and socks off to dip her feet in the cool water. She frowned as she heard her friends running around, screaming and chasing each other. Their glee was taking over as they had all passed their exams successfully and all they needed to do in the next few days was graduate, and go to the seventh year ball. And get on the train and leave.

James stopped in the process of chasing Sirius around the lake to get his wand back. But his eyes caught sight of a small redheaded girl, lying on the grass with her feet dipped in the water.

"You know I wouldn't do that if I were you!" James commented lightly as he swung his leg over her and kneeled down, looking at her gorgeous face. It never ceased to amaze him how such a small girl could hold so much passion, power and knowledge. But at this moment she didn't feel like spouting any wisdom to her significant other, she was quite peeved at the fact she had not received her first kiss.

"And why is that?" She snapped sitting up, pushing him off her

"Because the squid will probably stick his tentacles on those cute Little toes of yours and pull them in the water, just wanting to eat them up." James gave her his old cocky grin

"You're a git, you know that?" Lily mumbled looking across the lake where Tasha and Molly were on Remus' and Sirius' backs, trying to knock each other off.

James sighed knowing that something must be bugging her for her to just bite his head off like that.

"What's wrong Lil? I don't see how you could possibly be upset on a day like this. You've gotten all the grades you wanted right?" she nodded "Your passing your classes of course, right" she nodded again still not looking at him "We have the ball all planned out, and we are graduating in five days. What could possible be wrong?"

Lily took her feet out of the water and muttered a drying spell on them. She hastily put her socks and shoes on, and with one quick jump, she got up and started walking in the direction of the Quiditch pitch without answering him. She couldn't believe how mad she was over a simple thing like this, but she just couldn't help it.

James rolled his eyes at her as she stalked off away from the lake. He got off the ground and soon caught up with her, his legs having the same stride.

"Come on Carrot-top what's wrong?" Lily glared at his use of her child hood tease name.

"Nothing of consequence, four-eyes!" James grinned at her being so snappy. He jumped in front her, preventing her from advancing any further. "Move, James!"

"Nope, don't reckon I shall!" James slowly moved closer to her; he had a devil grin on his face now. She hated that sexy look of his: it made him seem he knew everything your mind was thinking, and just how fast your heart beat was pumping. Hers was quite fast at the moment, with the anger surging through her and now her hormones of kicked in looking at that grin.

"Don't be a prat, let me pass." She moved to try to get past him but he just grabbed her waist and pulled her right up to his chest. She didn't have any choice now; her eyes were gravitating towards his. Meaning that once they locked she would go weak in the knees and lose all the previous contempt and anger she had just held for him. She didn't exactly feel like giving up that anger just yet.

"Look at me Lil." He whispered as her eyes met his. He felt her body relax against his. Now knowing he had control, he closed his eyes and bent down to kiss her neck. A gasp escaped her as his warm lips came into contact with her pulse point. His hands moving from her hips to her back and through her hair, as he sucked and nibbled on the little stretch of skin.

"James, stop. I'm trying to be mad at you!" Lily pleaded in a voice only he could hear. But she knew he wouldn't stop until he had left his mark, he seemed to like doing that as often as possible nowadays. She felt her emotions go into a frenzy as his hands grazed through her hair, and back. Stopping at points to circle his fingers and bring her closer to him.

He pulled away from the now red spot on her neck and rested his forehead against it. "And why, love, would you be mad at me?" he took a deep breath, trying to control the heat he felt rising in his body.

"Because." Lily took advantage of the pause in his display of affection and decided to give him some little teases. She lifted his tucked in shirt from his pants and reached underneath it. Stroking his muscles, and back softly, as his she was just daring him to make another move on her. "Because you didn't give me my first kiss!" she whispered now kissing his jaw line.

"Yes I did" he mumbled still pressed hard against her body "That day in the hospital wing."

"No. I gave you your first kiss on the train the day before." His head shot up from his resting spot and looked at her annoyed eyes

"What?" he didn't remember any kiss on the train "I don't remem-"

"You don't remember because you were bleeding and were out of your wits. You, Remus, and Sirius had been attacked. Ring any bells?" she slipped her hand into his and started walking again, giving him time to look back in his memory.

James left her hand and put his arm around her shoulder, needing to feel the warmth of her body against his. "I vaguely remember somebody using a portkey to get into the compartment, doing his damage then skittering out of there. It's not something I like to look back on." James sighed resting his head on hers.

"I know." She whispered so that he could barely hear her. James looked down at Lily, touching the small scar next to her eye. He knew that these past few months had been hard for, especially whenever Malfoy would come into view. She used to stand up tall and proud and shove it in his face that she was muggle-born and didn't care. But lately whenever he passed by, or glanced her way, she recoiled at his gaze. As if Voldemort himself was staring right at her. But what he didn't know was that it wasn't Malfoy she was afraid of, or even Voldemort at the moment. She recoiled and looked away because of the guilt and shame that had tormented her after that meeting in the library. She was so ashamed of how desperate and distressed she felt at his cold grope.

"So what's this about you kissing me on the train?" James asked trying to lighten the mood.

She smiled gratefully at him "Well, you were just babbling incoherently about nonsense, I heard your mother mentioned, and your father. And various other things, but I needed you to stay quiet so I could help you with your injuries. No matter what I did you just wouldn't shut up! So I took the fairy tail approach to the situation and shut you up by giving you a good smacker!" James chuckled

"And I don't remember it…wow, now I feel lousy."

"Oh don't you think on it, love. I've got plenty of kisses to last me a lifetime."

"That you do." And with that stated James wrapped her face in his large hands, and pulled her in for yet, another mind-boggling kiss. Her lips moved in synchronized movements to his, as her hands moved under his shirt yet again, needing the feel of her skin on his. He nibbled her bottom lip, opening his eyes for a moment to look into her soulful ones, then delved his tongue into her open ready mouth. They explored each other as they had many times before, but each time something knew was discovered. James' hands were now underneath her shirt, and hidden by her long robes. His hands moved up and down her back, tickling her, giving her sensations and emotions that made her stomach tied in a knot.

Her hands were moving in similar motions until they found the back pockets of his pants and slipped in, gently squeezing him. He groaned as their lips parted away from each other and Lily laid her head on his chest, sighing with content. But James wasn't near finished, as a certain something had rose to his attention. He pulled her closer, letting her feel how she made him feel. Lily grinned maliciously at the want his body was feel for her. She loved teasing him and making him squirm, making him wait. They both knew that they couldn't advance on their feelings in the middle of the school grounds, but it was fun to tempt. James turned her around, wrapped her arms around her waist and plopped down under the shade of a tree.

"I love you." She sighed looking into strong eyes

"I love you too, and I always will." He paused for a moment, thinking in doubt. Lily noticed his change in mood.

"James?" She turned around not wanting to let go of his embrace "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, love." He kissed her forehead dismissing the conversation. But Lily didn't give up so easily.

"Don't lie to me, something is wrong. I can see it in your eyes."

"Lil, nothing-"

"James!" she warned

He sighed in defeat and pulled her closer to him "Well, it's just that…I was just thinking is all."

"Really? I'll buy you a trophy." He looked at her wearily "Sorry, continue. What were you thinking about?"

He sighed looking ahead of him, and not really anything. Just so he wouldn't have to tell his feeling to anything or anyone in particular. He was just talking out loud. And Lily wasn't there.

"Sometimes I lay in my bed at night, thinking to myself. Dwelling on things that have happened here at Hogwarts and remembering how life was before I came here. And I remember not truly being happy. Sure when I first met Sirius life was better, we played together as boys imagining what the world would be like if we ruled it. How chaos could reign and we would be it's gods." Lily smiled in spite of the serious situation at this thought "And I know what people must have thought whenever seeing me unhappy. They probably thought I was the most spoiled little brat ever to walk the face of this world. I have that huge mansion, I have parents and relatives who loved me and I loved them. What more could a child want? But I didn't know, all I knew was that something was missing and life wouldn't be complete until I felt it. Now I know that some people might assume love was what was missing, but I had it from my parents, I wasn't missing love."

He paused letting the warm sun wash over his face as it parted from a cloud. Lily turn back around and lay on him gently, not wanting to disturb his long required soliloquy.

"Then when I was 9 something happened to Sirius, he had been hospitalized, by his own bloody father. I thought I could lose him, I thought I would lose him. I was going to lose the best friend I had ever known, someone who understood me, even at such a young age we knew each other's thought and idea's by heart. My parents didn't want to scar me by this unpleasant turn of events, so they came up with this horrible story of Sirius getting attacked and mugged. But I knew him better than them, and knew what his family was like. This hadn't been some mere coincidence. But anyway, when I went to visit him and I saw him lying there all bloodied up, I felt myself anger like I never knew before. All I had wanted to do was hurt that bastard father of his and make sure he would feel the pain that Sirius had felt. But he stopped me form getting myself into bed next to his. He told me something I'll never forget. 'Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.' He was happy, even though he had a family for shit, and I was unhappy with a family who loved. Unfortunately this just made me more miserable on the inside, thinking how lucky he was to have such a strong sense of self."

He paused needing to take a breath from the on flow of memories. Lily was shocked to hear of Sirius' circumstances, but still thought that this was quite irrelevant to what he was trying to lead up to. He took a deep breath and continued.

"But after a couple years something happened that opened knew possibilities up for me. I was sent to Hogwarts. It set a horizon of fun and friends just in my reach, of knowledge and experience. And then the most marvelous thing that could have happened to anyone in the world, happened to me. I met a girl and a boy, who would forever change my view on this world." Lily sighed closing her eyes in the memory of that day "Remus Lupin. He and Sirius were the strongest boys I had ever known. The first thing that impressed me most was Remus' suttleness, and how he never talked a lot or argued but was always there listening when you needed him, or ladling out advice if you were in trouble. But when I discovered his being a werewolf, a newfound respect revealed itself towards him. He was so strong as to endure that pain alone once a month, and you could tell the illness' that consumed him before and after that horrible night were weighing him down. But he kept going strong, nothing fazed him, nothing. It was amazing how he could go from day to day with that secret and not let on to anyone that he was different. That his experiences at Hogwarts were made not made up of Romantic strolls under the full moon. But painful, ill-fated rendevous with the shrieking shack."

Lily felt tears forming in her eyes, she wanted to speak and defend Remus for some reason. She knew James wasn't accusing him of anything but, the need was over-whelming. She held herself back and kept her eyes shut tightly, begging herself to just listen to him and not interrupt.

"Lily Evans." She started at her name "Lily Evans." He repeated slowly, closing his eyes "Lily Evans was the strangest, smallest, most enchanting thing I've ever laid eyes on. She held a mystery that nobody could tell you, not even she. You would have to discover it for yourself, and in order to figure it out you needed to go on a journey through her heart and soul. I wanted to figure her out, I wanted to break down her walls and barriers and open her mind to the oppurtunities lurking ahead of her at Hogwarts. I wanted to force her out of her shell and make sure she didn't miss one beet of this world. Yet, I also just wanted to hold her close to me and tell her she was better off here. That the muggles couldn't giver her what she needed. That I could give her what she needed. There was just something about those controversial green orbs of hers that sucked you in. Begging and pleading for someone to listen to her story, and the other side was asking for someone to let her out of her cage and let her run wild and free. As if she was some caged up animal that had never seen the sun before. We grew up together, her friends and my friends. And it just so happened that she knew Remus Lupin before Hogwarts, apparently he had saved her from becoming a werewolf, and sacrificed himself for this fantastic girl. I felt another surge of respect towards Remus revelaed itself, for protecting her."

Lily was fully crying now. His emotions had more strength and conviction in them than she had never known in her whole life. He continued.

"During a Christmas holiday she lost her parents. She had nowhere to go, being that her older sister and husband shunned her for being a witch, and Remus had been living with her fmaily as his parents could no longer take care of him. So I asked my parents to take her and Remus in, and they did it with open arms. For a year we lived so happily. Then my parents died. And everything was gone. All the hope I held for a good life, all the friends I had made over the years just seemed to vanish."

James noticed some-how tuned back into the real world again. He felt Lily shaking with silent sobs against his body. Her eyes were red and stinging, yet she kept them open. And listened with rapt attention. James pulled her around so he could look her into those sad green eyes.

"Do you remember that day? The day I discovered they were dead?" Lily nodded wiping her tears away, happy he was talking directly to her again "Sirius came up to me to comfort me, he said those same words that he had told me when he was in St. Mungo's, recovering form his father's blows. 'Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.' He was trying to tell me something important, and I shoved it in his face."

Lily was so confused now. He had started this revelation going on about how he was missing something, now he was remembering how badly he had treated Sirius, and how he felt about his friends? Something didn't make sense, maybe something really was missing…James making sense? James saw the confused look on her face and smiled grimly.

"I know I'm going on and on about random things that I've never really talked about until now, but that's why I have so much to say, Lil!" Lily gestured for him to continue not knowing any words of comfort "Now, years later when everything is finally starting to come together and now that I know who I'm going to spend the rest of my life with." She smiled grimly, letting more tears flow down her cheek. "I finally understand what those words meant that Padfoot has been trying to pound into my head. I've been looking at the actions and situations around me for my happiness, when really, the only place I needed to look was in your eyes, or Sirius', or Remus' or Tasha's, Molly's, Peter's, Arthur's, any of them! And I should find happiness, I did find it, in my family. It was where it was suppose to be all along, and I just want to say…thank you."

And with that, James leaned down to kiss her to prove all this babble meant something, but he was unfairly interrupted.

"Oh come on you two, stop being so lovey-dovey and have some fun!" Sirius yelled from across the lake. He had succeeded in his chase to catch Tasha and now had her swung over his shoulder screaming for someone to help her. Unfortunately Remus, Peter and Molly were to busy clutching their stomachs in laughter to help her.

James regretfully looked up from Lily and in Sirius' direction. Getting up to give Lily time to wipe her face and move back into the sun light.

"For your information, Padfoot. I was having quite a lot of fun in my previous position, unfortunately you have made me shift my happiness, and now" he whipped out his wand with a malcious grin. The sadness that had engulfed his face a few seconds ago was now replaced with develish mirth. "You must pay." He sprang around the long distance of the lake and soon found himself face to face with a devious looking Sirius.

Tasha and Molly both strolled over to meet Lily half way around the lake. They were grinning like mad watching the two boys, playfully duke it out. Making snappy comments at each other, with Remus commentating ammusedly on the side. Lily flung her arms around her two best friends and sighed, true happiness flew within her. And she knew now, that even though she would miss Hogwarts terribly; there was absolutely nothing to fear if her family was close by.

~~~~

There she was, looking herself over in the mirror. Lily Evans was a 17 year old and now, a beautiful young women. Witch rather. She stood in front of her vanity looking over the sun dress that she was going to wear under her commencement robes. It was her favorite color, a fabulous emerald green that fell over her creamy white skin easily. It had short sleeves that were tight around her top, and then it smoothed into a square, low cut neck-line that was extremely flattering. It was tight fitting in the perfect places, over her petite curves and then flared out over her legs coming just above the knees. Her hair was down for once this year, she let her curls hang loosely around her face, framing it elegantly. Light make-up carressed her face.

She took in a deep breath and slipped her robes over the slimming dress. Of course they were black like the original robes, yet these were made of thinner smoother fabric than those of her work robes. Her wizard's hat was lined with the Gryffindor colors to signify what house each student would be graduating from. Being head Girl her robes would have a sash a gryffindor colors around her neck, James' would have the same thing too. Except on his lining it would say Head Boy as oppose to Head Girl.

Tasha and Molly walked over to Lily, both dressed in their robes, with their gryffindor plaited caps on. She turned around and threw her arms around her dearest friends. Tomorrow they would be going home. It would be the end. But they would not go out with sad faces, they would go with open hearts, and hopeful minds. So many possibilities were displayed in front of them.

Molly glanced at the clock on the wall that read 'It's time' and grinned back at her friends knowingly.

"It's time girls." She muttered walking towards the door. All the younger students were in classes, so they wouldn't be able to interrupt the ceremony once it began.

Tasha and Lily took Molly's hands and walked down the stairs to meet the boys.

James, Remus, and Sirius were already down there sitting side-by-side, staring into the dimly lit fire. The trio deep in thought, probably mulling over how a couple night ago was the last full moon, and that they were too wrapped up in controlling Moony to even play any pranks or scare any unsuspecting victims. Lily walked behind the couch and laid her chin on James' head.

"It's time to go, love." She whispered. He nodded silently getting up, him and Sirius helping the still weak Moony up off the couch. All the boys looked at each other and smiled leaning in for a brotherly hug. The marauders were leaving Hogwarts, but they would make sure no one could ever forget them.

"Oh come one boys, we want to feel the love too!" Tasha wined making them all laugh. Each boy grabbed a girl and dragged them into the loving circle.

"We're here. Who would have thought…" Sirius grinned

"I know, I was just wondering, how in Merlin had Sirius actually been able to make it to graduation without being expelled?"

"Moony!" Sirius shrieked wobbling to the portrait whole "I'm am quite offended."

"And I was only telling the truth, Padfoot my dear friend."

"And we, you strange boys, have to go down to the great Hall. The ceremony starts in ten minutes!"

They all ran down the hallway a few number of grand stairs, Lily had wanted to walk slowly taking everything in and wanting to remember it but the rest of them wouldn't want her to be yelled at, at the ceremony! They walked in slowly catching their breaths noticing the single chairs placed in the great hall. Lily and James were to take their seats with the teachers on the stage. Being that Molly, Tasha, Remus, Sirius, and Peter were the only other Gryffindors and had the smallest populace for a house that year, they sat right in the front.

Lily looked across the small crowd at all the proud families, wishing and hoping to see her mother or father sitting there, smiling back at her. But she knew it was false hope. James seeing the melancholy look on her face, reached over and took her hand as Dumbledore stood up and walked to the podium, bearing the Hogwarts Seal.

"Parents, Faculty, and students, welcome to Hogwarts seventh year commencement ceremony. Where these dear children or transfigured, if I do say so myself, into adults and fully trained wizards and witches. They have worked seven long years here, training, and studying, and writing completely irrelevant seven roll parchment essays, that our professors assign you just to give you headaches." There was a wave of chuckles and laughter across the hall "I would just like to say, be proud of these young adults. For they deserve all your love and support for the work they have completed. Now please give your attention to this year's Head Girl: Lily Evans of Gryffindor."

The Hall broke into tremendous applause as Lily shook hands with the Headmaster and waved to all her friends and their parents scattered around the room.

"Hi." Scattered hi's were heard across the hall and she grinned "Do you remember that first day, of Hogwarts? On the train? All the older students, telling us we would have to face dragons and giant snakes to show which house you were worthy to be sorted into. And then sitting on the rickety old stool, with that musty hat whispering in our mind of what he saw in us. Then the relief that streamed through our bodies as it bellowed out a name. 'Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor.' Each house different, yet each house with the same unity and pride eminated from it's students. Take that confidence and pride that Hogwarts has given you, along with it's knowledge and you shall walk into the world fully armed against all it's evils. Congratulations class of 1974, we did it!" All students (ecxept, of course Slytherin) jumped up with enthusiasm and clapped as Dumbledore got up to give Lily a hug and she waved again to her fellow students. James gave her a short kiss as she sat down, flushed with the applause she had received from her fellow students.

"Thank you Miss Evans, and now without further ado I would like to introduce to you our exceedingly bright, and troublesome head boy of this year: James Potter, also of Gryffindor!"

All was heard was the screams of girls in the Hall, appently the hufflepuffs had never given up hope on James' and Lily's relationship failing. False hope, if it was ever seen!

James shook Dumbledore's hand and silently stood in front of the podium, waiting for the hysteria to die down. Once it had he stood there for a moment, looking over his fellow students, grinning like mad.

"You want to know the first thing that popped into my mind when I read my Head Boy's letter? 'Well, Dumbledore has definitely gone off his rocker for sure.' And I know professor Mcgonogall wasn't particularly happy with his choice, as I clearly remember her written word in the letter. And I quote 'I have no idea what the Headmaster was thinking putting your troublesome, rule breaking self as Head boy, so if you put even one toe out of line that badge shall be revoked.' The rest is just too painful to remember." Professor Mcgonogall was blushing profusely at this point. James grinned in mirth, and turned back to the crowd seated below him.

" OK, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to try to be serious, and no not serious as in 'Sirius Black'. All these years at Hogwarts have taught me so much, taught me how to learn, taught me how to be patient, taught me how to teach, taught me how to listen, and most importantly, taught me how to love." Lily felt a tingling go through her heart " A friend once told me: Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.' Live by this saying as I have and you will truly be happy. I would just like to say Professors, thank you for teaching us and putting up with us. Parents, thank you for having the strength to send us off, and take us back each year. And to my fellow students…congratulations…IT'S OVER!"

At this all the students (even the slytherins) stood up and threw their caps off, in wonder and happiness. It was over, but in a good way. No feeling could describe that moment as Dumbledore stood up and announced to all the students:

"Congratulations class of 1974, you are finally Masters of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

James turned quickly around grabbed Lily's hand, pulling her to him. She grabbed his hat and threw it off his head into the audience, him doing the same with her cap. They both laughed, and cried and just held each other until the rest of the group ran to them and surrounded them in a hug.

Underneath the dog pile James bent over and whispered to Lily.

"Sure you wanna marry me?" she grinned

"Absolutely." She whispered back hugging her friends even closer to her, tonight at the ball, would definitely be a night to remember.

~~~~

"LILY! HURRY UP! I still need to do my hair!" Tasha banged on the bathroom door. "Why couldn't you just have used the Head's Bathroom?" Lily emerged grinning at her friend

"But Tash, it's just so much more interesting this way with you screaming your lungs out!" Molly giggled from in front of her vanity, she had just finished a straightening charm on her hair, which made it twice it's usual bushy length.

"C'mon girls! We're going to be late and Lily and James have to open the dance with the Head Boy Head Girl prefects thing, so hurry up!" they heard Sirius bellow.

Tasha exited the bathroom with a sigh of happiness, hearing her boyfriends voice. Lily and molly rolled their eyes at the love-sick look that you often saw on Tasha's face.

It took one more bellow from Sirius fifteen minutes later for the girls to come down stairs. Remus and James were sitting on the couch examining something in James' hands, and Sirius was leaning in front of the fire place checking the non-existent watch on his wrist, every so often.

Once they heard footsteps James quickly put away the small item in his muggle tuxedo.(the ball was usually muggle fashion, for those who prefer) Molly was the first to ascend the stairs, being that she wasn't going with her boyfriend, but Remus who was quite happy with the way she looked.

The dress was a unique design with a light blue empire waist and flyaway front panels in lacy, glittery, tulle scattered along the edges. The inset skirt and back was covered in shimmering translucent material. Glittering crystal spaghetti straps. There was a full zip up back that allowed a shapely fit, and the two layered a-line skirt split in front to give a flattering advantage. Her mouse brown hair was kept straightened and down, being given a shimmering charm. Remus grinned kissing her on the cheek, slipping the light blue corsage into her wrist, that matched the stunning dress.

"You look lovely Molly." Remus said as he guided her to the portrait whole.

"Why thank you Remus, you look quite handsome if I do say so myself." They stayed by the portrait wanting to see Sirius, but mostly James' reaction. Lily had told Remus what her dress looked like, and how she would be flooring James.

Of course to make James wait even longer, Tasha was the next to arrive. She had on a daring blood red iridescent organza strapless bustier dress, with a lace-up back, rhinestone trim, and a long flared skirt with inset ruffles. Her pitch black hair was half up, pulled back by red clips that mad her hair fall down her open, lace-up back elegantly. Giving her the mysterious look, of an elegant temptress.

Sirius' mouth was on the floor, he didn't think that his girlfriend could ever take her hair out of the pony tail and slap on a skirt that wasn't the school uniforms. He ran up to her, smothering her with smooth words and kisses, slyly slipping on the red corsage.

James was now very nervous, if Tasha and Molly looked this beautiful, how would he be able to control himself of doing something stupid when Lily walked down those steps. And then he heard it, the soft paddle of heals against stone, and material scraping the floor. He looked up and saw an Angel.

Lily was wearing a white exquisite and feminine dress that made her look as if she has just descended from heaven itself. The floral pattern gown was richly detailed with a beaded flower trim. And a boned bodice created her striking silhouette. With a sweeping fishtail train that made for a dramatic exit. She had a matching scarf to go over it. Her flaming red hair made for a fantastic contrast to the innocent white gown. It, like tasha's, was half up, except Lily's hair was held up by an asortment of white silky ribbons, flowing randomly down her back. Her skin seemed to glow with power, and her eyes as they reached James glowed with love.

James walked slowly over to Lily, too afraid that if he touched her the glow would dirty and be gone. But the need to put his fingers on the soft milky skin overcame his stupid thoughts of just tearing the dress off. He quickly walked over to her and covered the distance between his lips and hers quite shortly.

Pulling away he could see the surprised but satisfied look on her face. She took his hand into hers and followed the rest of the gang out of the portrait whole.

There was a large crowd waiting outside of the Great Hall, all the seventh years just itching to go in and start the last grand ball they would ever experience at Hogwarts. Proffesor Mcgonogall could be seen waving through the crowd for the students to settle down, and for the Head boy and Head Girl to come into the Great Hall.

"Ah there you two are, your late…us usual. Come with me, you and the prefects of the other houses are to open the Ball. Everyone else is already inside." Mcgonogall strolled through the locked doors with ease, as if it was the barrier at Platform 9 and ¾'s. Lily looked at James hesitantly but forged through the doors none-the-less.

The Great Hall was beautiful. It seemed to be snowing, but the temperature was perfect, and once the snow would come within a foot of the floor it dissapeared. There was a band on the stage tuning their enchanted instruments, and going through their final song for a warm up. A dance floor was placed in the middle of the hall and carpeting surrounded the sturdy, elegant glass dance floor. On the carpeting, were many tables with cards for seating arrangements on them. James and Lily chose to sit with their friends, of course. Instead of at the head Table where their teachers were situated.

"Lily! James! Where've you been?" Mundungess Fletcher, a hufflepuff prefect beckoned them over, his date rolling her eyes at his side

"Oh you know women Dung. Takes them forever to get ready." Lily playfully punched him in the arm, walking over to Dung's date. The Ravenclaw Prefect, Jennifer Moncrief.

"I know! I was waitin outside the Ravenclaw tapestry for an hour before she emerged." Jennifer paid no attention to dung, too wrapped up in the conversation she was having about hers and Lily's dresses.

"Students we will begin in a moment take your places on the dancing floor, as the rest of the seventh year proceeds into the Hall." There was a loud creak as the doors swung open, and low murmur of oos and ahs could be heard by the mound of incoming students. 'All dressed to the nine's' Lily heard her fathers voice in her head, as she entwined her hand with James' and glided to the dance floor.

Lily saw her friends stand along the lines of the carpeting waiting to get onto the dance floor, Tasha waved enthusiastically at her making her giggle. She could always make Lily laugh.

"Welcome my dear students to probably the last speech you shall ever hear me say, for you all will be too tired to ascend to the final breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:00am." James winked at Lily, she grinned "I wish for this last night here to be full of wonderful memories, fun times, and laughter. Please don't forget your dear professors the moment you step on the train, at least wait until you step off the school property, hmm? And without furthur ado, the end of Hogwarts Seventh Year Ball!"

The band struck up, and James pulled Lily in close to him.

Moon river, wider than a mile.

I'm crossin' you in style some day.

Old dream maker, you heartbreaker.

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

She rested her head on his chest taking in every touch, every breath, every way he moved his body, never wanting to forget this night. James had his hands tightly secured around Lily's waist, with his chin resting lightly on her head.

"I love you." He whispered, noticing now that not only them and the prefects were dancing anymore. He could see Sirius and Tash gliding steadily around the floor.

Two drifters, off to see the world.

There's such a lot of world to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend.

My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me.

Lily looked up into his beautiful brown eyes and smiled. "I love you more." They kissed briefly and went back into step with the music, basking in the glory that was their love.

Two drifters, off to see the world.

There's such a lot of world to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend.

My huckleberry friend, Moon River, and me.

The song ended and a faster one picked up, earning whoops, and cheers from the student body. All six friends stayed near eachother, switching partners now and then, and having an all around good time. All woes were forgotten, even the fact that this was their last night at Hogwarts. After about an hour or two of straight dancing they sat down at their table deciding to take in some food.

"Well, Lil, Prongs, I must say you did a fabulous job of organizing this ball. The music is great, the room has never looked better…and I have a feeling the food shall be most excellent." Sirius grinned throwing an arm around Tasha, who did not protest to the protective gesture.

"And I, Sirius, would just like to say that I am most impressed on how your dancing has improved over the years. Why I remember you and Tasha knocking students over, just a few years ago." Lily grinned right back placing her face in her hands waiting for the food to appear.

The food indeed, was fantastic. But not in the way Sirius was thinking of. About half-way through the feast a loud shriek was heard from across the hall where the Slytherins were sitting.

There he was, Malfoy the git himself, standing on top of the table and acting like some muggle singer named Elvis? His robes had transformed into a bright gold with sparkles jumper suit, that had a strange so of flared cape tied to the back. He was singing some odd tune called "I ain't nothin but a hound dog" and at the end of his very interesting performance he screamed at the top of his lungs

"I LOVE MUGGLES! YOU'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU GOOD NIGHT! I'LL BE HERE FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK ME UP FOR PARTIES BECAUSE I'M TOO IDIOTIC TO PASS ANY OFF MY CLASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH." Every Slythering had their heads in the hands and were slowly walking away from the brightness of Malfoy's transfigured robes.

Lily hadn't laughed so hard in months, that tears were streaking down her face. Sirius had fallen over, and was now sprawled on the floor. He looked as if he was having fits the way he was shaking with silent laughter. Tasha was trying to yank him up and complain that his robes would get dirty, however the racious laughter issuing from her body was preventing her form succeeding.

James had his head on Lily's back, trying desperately not to show the guilty look on his face. Molly had her face in her hands making sure the teachers didn't see her laughing. And Remus, he let loose. He had his head thrown back in abandonment, and his hands clutching the now forming stitch in his side.

With a simple wave of his wand, Dumbledore had controlled the hectic scene. The Slytherins (blushing profusely) returned slowly to their tables. Malfoy had left, in complete embarrasment. After of course complaining, and accusing James and Sirius of 'bestowing this torture upon him'. Lily looked on in disgust at this display.

"Bestowing torture? You should talk you-"

"You wanna dance beautiful?" Lily look up to see Remus grinning down at her. Her thoughts on Malfoy forgetten, she took his hand and strolled onto the dance floor where other couples and friends were gliding along slowly, in tuned with the music.

"So." Remus started after a few moments of dancing

"So…" Lily repeated

"Lil, I just want to say-"

"Don't say it."

"Don't say what?"

"What you were going to say!"

"What was I going to say?"

"I dunno what were you going to say?"

"You tell me."

"You were the one who was going to say it." He grinned ad her playful spirit.

"What was I going to say, Lil?"

She sighed and brought him closer to her, breathing in the familiar scent that has matured since childhood. She remembered him as a boy, he smelled like cookies and milk, as if he had just spilled it all over his clothes. And when he was older the smell of a silly cologne trying to impress someone. But now maturity and wisdom soaked through his robes and skin.

"Please don't say thank you Remus. Because I didn't do anything to help you except offer some support when you needed it. But you were there as an escape whenever Petunia was horrible, or whenever school was to hard. Th-" Remus pulled her into a tight hug as the song ended

"Let's just call it even, Lil"

"May I cut in?" Lily turned around and eyed a mischevious looking Sirius.

"But of course, padfoot. Be gentle now, she's a lady." Remus walked to Tasha who was standing behind Sirius and graciously asked her to dance.

"M'lady Lily-kins, would you bless me with the honor of this next dance?" Sirius bowed deep as Lily giggled at his strange antics.

"Oh shut it Sirius and come here." She grabbed him up from his bowing position, and flung her arms around him grinning

"Have you stopped being a coward yet?" Sirius' brow furrowed in thought

"Huh?"

"Have you told Tasha anything of importance lately?" Lily persisted, hoping he'd get the hint.

"Well…yesterday I told her how once me grandmum-"

"Sirius" she warned, spinning around to the music

"Lil, trust me you'll know. For she'll probably go jumping form roof top to roof top screaming with joy that I've finally let her outwardly know how I feel."

"You've never exactly said it yet?"

"Well, it's been everyday implied, between the both of us! But no I've never said" he lowered his voice "I love you to her."

"you know, I've never understood how you could tell everyone else in the world that you love her. But you can't tell her."

He shrugged as the music ended, replacing the thoughtful look with the doggish grin.

"I'm just that special." She rolled her eyes "Now if you would excuse me, I feel the need to dance with my girl." He ran off steeling Tasha away from Remus who had gone to sit and talk with Molly. Lily felt a pair of hands slink up her pack and cover her eyes, she leaned into the body pulling him closer to her.

"Guess who, love." James turned her around softly

"Well that was quite easy, being that you gave yourself away before I could guess." James leaned his forehead against hers breathing her in, taking in the beauty and security that she provided for him. Lily vaguley heard the band saying this would be their last song.

Her hands slid up around the nape of his neck and settled themselves in the mass of black hair. He pulled her as close to him as possible, trying to make this moment last forever.

"I love you, so much Lil." He whispered into her ear, kissing her neck softly.

"I love you too, James. Don't ever leave me, please." She took in a sharp breath at the feeling of his lips on her skin. An elctric shock that was now quite familiar, yet still overwhelming, passed from that spot through her body.

"Let's have everyone stay in the Head's Dorm tonight." She whispered

"Don't get kinky on me Lil…wait…" she nudged him playfully

"Just so we could talk the whole night, about…you know…the future and all that mindless banter that isn't really important at the moment." James rolled his eyes

"All right, all right. But only for your mindless banter that we all love so much."

She gigled "Thank you."

"We don't have enough room for them to sleep though."

"Yes we do, they'll just have to share beds. I'm sure that won't mind. You with me, Tasha with Sirius, and Remus with Molly. They've cuddled before, it won't be a big deal since both of their significant others are in other countries at the moment."

"But Lil, we only have two-" James looked around and realized that students were leaving the Great Hall. Lily at the same time looked up at the stage and saw the band packing up.

"No…no…we did not just spend the last dance of our last ball at Hogwarts deciding who's going to sleep where!" Lily stomped her foot on the ground in frustration. James ran his fingers through his hair, ruffling it up and looking around in dismay.

"That was quite not fair. C'mon lil, we have mindless banter to look forward to." He swung his arm around her waist and guided the ruffled girl to the exit where their friends were waiting.

"Lil wants you all to stay in the head's dorm with us tonight. You know, to talk and things."

Everyone nodded very excited about finally seeing the infamous Head's room that Sirius kept informing them about. Lily ginned as she heard Molly gasp when they walked through the now familiar portrait. Everyone flopped onto the nearest comfortable thing.

Sirius and Tasha grabbed the large couch, Molly and Remus took a couple of puffs, and Lily and James flopped onto a nice sized love seat. They talked for hours, just as Lily had imagined this night to be. Filled with happy memories that hadn't made sense at the time it took place. And made even less sense now, but it was definitely fun to look back. Soon everyone began to drift to sleep, Lily had conjured pajamas for all of them without her wand. She knew everyone was too tired to notice. Sirius yawned and lifted his head from Tasha's and grabbed a pair of pj's.

"Where are we all sleeping?" he asked getting up

"Well, you can take either of the beds. Or this couch id big enough to sleep on for the both of you."

"I think I'll get her to a bed. We're sharing I presume?" Remus nodded his head towards the sleeping molly. Already in pajamas.

Lily nodded her response. Too tired to speak. Remus smiled and easily lifted her into his arms, carrying her like a princess to the head girls' room.

"Well I think Tasha and I shall take this couch. Who knows what you two cuildren have done in those beds." Lily snorted. She couldn't help herself.

"Sirius, if that's what your afraid of then your better off taking the beds…" Tasha's eyes popped open and she leaped off the couched with a little "meap".

James grinned and chucked a pair of pj's to her, as they retreated into the Head boy's room. James and Lily changed slowly, stopping mid-change for a small snog session, then fell into eachother on the couch, in a heap.

"We meet again lover." She giggled, burying her head in his warm, bare chest. She loved his smooth skin, and toned muscles, and hoped that with the now lack of Quiditch they wouldn't deflate.

"Yes and I hope we never part." She sighed closing her eyes, feeling the sleep come over her. James however was still wide-awake.

"Lil?" he nudged wanting to keep her wake a few more minutes

"hmm?" she kept her eyes closed

"You still want to marry me?" they were now open. She looked up at him with resolution.

"Yes."

"Why?" he asked curiosly

"Haven't we gone through this before?" she pushed her head back against his chest.

"Lil, why?" he asked again pulling her up to face him.

"Because I love you, and I could never see myself with anyone else but you."

"But what if you meet someone that sparks a feeling in you, that you haven't gotten for a long time. And what if you want to discover what it was?" Lily was a little startled at this

"James are you implying something? Did something happen to you?"

"No!" he said quickly, not wanting her tog et the wrong idea "I just, want to know what you would do if it did…"

She sighed "Do you trust me?" he nodded "do you love me?"

"of course!"

"then stop worrying. How could one little feeling over come a lifetime of emotions and sensations that I would never be able to explain in a million years? Just go to sleep James, it's already one in the morning." James glanced at the clock over the bathroom. And true to her word, it was exactly one o'clock in the morning. Tomorrow would be a hard day.

******

Lily looked around the familiar room. It was a quaint little sitting room with a blazing fire and love seat right in front of it. Except this time there was no shortage of breath or uneasy feelings as these dreams usually brought on. The room was warm, and their was a romantic air about the cozy room.

She walked towards the fire and noticed the people sitting on the floor in front in between sofa and fire. She couldn't hear them, but knew they were talking by the body motions they used. Something was preventing her from walking around the sofa and seeing their faces, it told her to just stay back and wait. She obeyed reluctantly.

The man reached inside his pocket for something and pulled out a tiny velvet box. What was in it was blurred, as some facts usually are. But she didn't need to see what it was, all she needed to see, was the excited movements of the skinny girl sitting next to him, and nodding vigorously. He had proposed, and she had excepted.

A cold crept into the room, the fire flickered in and out of the fireplace, and the uneasiness swept through her body, almost knocking her down. A body stepped out of the fireplace and glided it's way towards the two figures. She knew all too well who it was, for he had been haunting her dreams for years now. The long slinky, disfigured wand was raised to point at the girl as the boy was thrown aside. A flash of green light emitted from the wand and the girls, now lifeless body was thrown at Lily's feet.

Lily had to force herself to open her eyes and look at the face, it was imperative that she look at the face. Pitch black hair was sprawled across semi-dark skin. She felt tears stream down her face as her eyes traced an all too familiar birth-mark on the girls cheek.

All of a sudden the girl looked up at her and spoke. "Wake up Lily."

Lily screamed.

*****

"Lily! Wake up! Wake up Lily! LIL WAKE UP!" James yelled at Lily's wriggling body. James had woken up to a wet feeling against his chest. He realized that Lily was having a cold sweat, and tried to nudge her awake when her body became rigid with fear. Then he understood that it was another nightmare. These had become more frequent every month.

He shook her until her eyes popped open, searching around the room for comfort and familiarity. They landed on James, gasping for breath she broke down and buried herself with his warmth. All he could do was whisper comforting words that meant nothing to her, and stroke her hair as if she was a child who had just received a booboo.

When she finally quieted down he pulled away from her and shivered at the sad look on her face.

"What was it this time Lil? Was it him again?" she nodded staring at the room Tasha and Sirius were in at the moment, sound asleep, blissfully happy.

"Did he come after you?" she shook her head no, not really wanting to talk about it. He got the hint and kissed her sweat-drenched forehead.

Remus burst from the next room, looking alert yet extremely tired.

"You dolts we only have a half hour to get to the train before it leaves! Didn't you set an alarm or something?" Lily's eyes popped open and dashed into the large bathroom to take a shower. Ten minutes later she came out shyly, donning only a large towel. But only James was in the room.

He saw her and pointed to a pile of robes on the couch. She grinned thankfully at him.

"Everyone else left in quite a rush to get dressed and check to make sure everything is packed and not lost. I finished my packing yesterday."

"Same here." Lily skillfully slipped her bra and panties on underneath the towel so he couldn't see anything.

"This is so odd. I still feel like I'm coming back next year, but it's not ours to back too any longer." Once Lily was dressed their was a soft knock on the portrait. Lily thinking it was one of her friends flung it open carelessly, hitting the person standing behind it with a soft "oomph". Her eyes widened as the headmaster came into view.

"Why hello Lily, James. I was just wondering whether you would like a lemon drop." Lily grinned apologetically and flung her arms around her now former head Master.

"thank you sir, for everything you've done for us over the years. I know we haven't exactly been the easiest of students to get along with but, thank you." She stepped back trying hard not to cry

James stepped forward and shook his hand with conviction "Yes, thank you for everything sir."

"In all my years of teaching at Hogwarts, I have never met two students quite like you. You have both tried and won over adversities and conquered powers that could have sooner destroyed even the dark lord Voldemort himself. These past seven have truly been an interesting, and pleasurfull event, and I shall never in my life forget you two."

Lily and James both hugged him gratefully and went to leave the school. He let them know of when he should be notifying them for the "Order of the Phoenix" and saw them off in the last carriage heading for the train.

They found Remus, Molly, Sirius, and Tasha sprawled about in a heap across the head carriage on the train…sleeping like babies. James kissed Lily's hand and took her into his lap sitting on the floor, as their friends were laying across the seats. James slowly shifted into a pleasant sleep. But Lily wouldn't let herself fall asleep again. So she sat watching her friends with thoughtful faces.

Lily Evan's sat in the Head's train compartment with some very strange people sleeping all around her. These people she grew up with. They were once her friends. Now they were her family, and who knew where they were going? What they were going to become. And who knew that seven years before this day she had a very strange conversation with some very strange boys.

Seven years earlier…

"Hey, what's your name girl?" Lily looked up from her window to see a tall boy with black messy hair and glasses standing in the compartment door.

The End

And so ends the long…long…long tail of 'the Flower's Story'. It has been a joy and a pleasure writing this fic and I hope you have all loved reading it as much as I have loved writing. I honestly don't know if I'm going to do a sequal, but I do want to. If you wish for one please e-mail me at LILgeniusME@netscape.net or you can review and tell me. Thank you for all the reviews I have received. I truly appreciate your thoughts on my story. So for one last time. Please Read and Review. Thank you so much.

Love,

Ggal.