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A/N: Thanx for the reviews… Hope you like this chapter…

I woke up on the morning of October 4th on the floor with someone's arms around me. It took a while for everything to come back to me. It was my birthday, I was on the floor of the Gryffindor common room, and the arms belonged to James, my "friend." I looked out the window. It was still dark out, which meant that no one had seen up on the floor, together.

"Eh-um," I looked up. No such luck. It was Sirius with a camera along with the rest of Gryffindor house. "Look how cute," Sirius said taking a picture of us. James still was not awake. Damn him and his hard sleeping. Besides, what was Sirius doing up before dawn. My face was quickly turning red. I flicked James in the ear, hoping to wake him up. No such luck. Remus walked over and gave James a shake. He woke up, startled.

"So, you guys aren't dating yet, right?" Sirius said smugly.

"Shut the bloody heck up and leave us alone," James bit back, sitting up. He obviously was not a morning person.

"Aww, they're so cute!" Gwen squealed. James and I looked at each other and left for breakfast without another word to our friends.

"So, Lily," James started, "Sorry about that, I don't know what happened," He obviously did not remember my birthday.

"It's ok, just as much my fault as yours. We've got to blackmail Sirius for those pictures."

"Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it," James replied.

Sirius, Remus, Peter (though one had to look to notice him), Gwen, and Eden walked in. They all sat down. Sirius started inhaling food. One would have thought he had not eaten in days.

"So, Sirius, give me the pictures or certain people will find out about certain things that could hurt certain other people," James threatened.

"I thought you didn't know anything about that?" Eden questioned, huffily.

"I'm confused," Sirius said through a mouth full of eggs.

"The pictures!" James shouted at him.

"What pictures?" Sirius questioned.

"What other pictures would I be talking about!?" James shouted in response.

"Oh, those pictures. You wanted them? I'm sorry, I sent Little Bird Green off with them just before I came down to breakfast," Sirius answered. James gave Sirius a death glance. Little Bird Green was his owl. When Sirius got him in our first year, he thought it would be a funny name.

"Moony, I thought you promised me that you wouldn't let certain people do anything that certain other people wouldn't want certain people to do," James said looking at Remus. I will never get their dumb nicknames.

"Would certain people stop that before certain people get their certain body part shoved in a certain plate of food," Sirius said eyeing James head and plate of food.

"I was sleeping," Remus responded.

"Or were you?" Sirius, of all people, asked.

"Or were you?" James asked Sirius.

"I seriously doubt that Sirius, who I might add took the pictures, was asleep," I snapped. I had every right to, my five best friends and my almost boyfriend had forgotten my birthday! I then stood up and stalked out of the Great Hall.

I was not quite sure where I meant to go, I was just walking around trying not to cry. Everyone had forgotten my seventeenth birthday. I was not asking for much, just a 'Happy Birthday.' I eventually ended up in my dorm room where I had presents that all of my family had sent me. I had gifts from my dad and his girlfriend, mom, Oliver, and even Petunia sent me a card. Sure, it said, "I hope this is your last birthday, die soon," but at least she remembered. That was more than I could say for my friends.

I left my dorm room with a book and set out to sit under the tree by the lake. When I got outside, I picked a nice shady spot, sat down, and read. It was a great seat; I could see the Gryffindor quidditch team practicing from where I was sitting. I, of course, did not want to see them. I was mad a Sirius, Eden, and James. I know Eden and Sirius were going through a rough patch, but they could at least try to remember me. I sat there, reading and thinking until it was dark. Then, I got up and made my way back to inside to Gryffindor house, planning of ways to make my friends feel guilty. I told the Fat Lady my password and the painting opened—

"SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY," screamed out the entire Gryffindor house. I was so happy, I wanted to cry, and I did. Before I knew it, I had tears streaming down my face. Soon, James walked up and put his arms around me and the rest of my friends walked up and wished me happy birthdays. We ate cake and I opened presents. The day was soon turning into the best day of my life. Little did I know, the most amazing thing of all would happen. The party went on well into the night, it was almost midnight before everyone went to bed, leaving James and I in the common room alone, again.

"Happy birthday, Lily," James said kissing me softly. I pulled away from the kiss.

"That was the greatest gift ever!" I said, tears rushing to my eyes, "whose idea was it?"

"The surprise was my idea, but it's no big deal."

"Thank you so much, it's a really big deal," I said sincerely.

"You haven't even opened my gift yet," he said slipping me a small box.

"What is it?" I questioned.

"Well, little miss genius, open it," James said smiling. I slowly tore off the wrapping paper to find a gorgeous necklace. It was silver with a silver pendant hanging from it. In the middle of the pendant was a deep green stone. It was beautiful.

"Oh, James thank you so much," I said crying again, "It's the most beautiful present anyone has ever given me."

"I hoped you'd like it," He said pulling me into a kiss, "Lily, do you think we know each other well enough yet?"

"Well enough for what?"

"Well, you said you wanted to date me, but wanted to wait until we knew each other," James replied softly.

"Oh, James, I can't."

"Why not? I-I love you," James said upset.

"I don't believe in love," I responded back.

"How can you not believe in love? I know that deep down you love me too."

"Love never lasts; people in 'love' just end up hating each other."

"Not everyone ends up like your parents, I think you're just afraid of getting hurt," He said, looking very upset.

"Yeah, you're right, I am," I answered, truthfully. I had never thought of it that way before.

"I promise I won't ever hurt you," James answered. I pulled him into a long kiss.

"Is that a yes?" He questioned cautiously.

"Yes, I love you, too,"

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