Disclaimer: See previous chapters. You will have to excuse this chapter if it is not up to par. I am watching American Idol right now and I keep getting up and dancing to it. Season finale! That said, and I do know that it is posted after we have found out, but I am addicted to this show! Sorry for all of you non-U.S. citizens who haven't taken the drug that is American Idol, but it is incredibly addictive. I know I rambled and I apologize for the people who actually read this long ass disclaimer, but on with the show! (Yes I am a loser, I acknowledge) oh and by the way, don't expect a short chapter any time soon.

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"Good morning Mrs. Potter." James whispered as he saw Lily's eyes flutter open. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and they were both rested beyond the capacity to contain themselves. Lily looked up at him and she smiled.

"Good morning Mr. Potter." She replied as he leaned down to kiss her.

Their wounds were healed and their bodies no longer ached. The potion from the previous night had worked wonders on them both.

There was an opened window a few feet away from them. They just stared at the sunrise and felt its warmth. From what could be seen it was an unusually warm day. Spring was approaching early. James looked down at Lily to see that she was completely tranquil. He held onto her tightly, as if insuring she would never slip away. She put her hand on his chest and felt him breathe in and out steadily. Her head was so close to his heart she could actually hear it beating. James was so assuaged with happiness at that moment that he was almost sure it wasn't real. He figured he would wake up at any moment to find that she wasn't there. She felt him shiver at the thought.

"What's the matter?" she asked as she positioned herself so that they were face to face. She leaned against the headboard and folded one leg over the other. He smiled.

"Nothing." He said, moving her scarlet mane away from her porcelain face. "I just missed this."

"What?" she asked, smoothing his hair. A task she had done so many times, it was habit by now.

"You. Just being here, with you, like this. I didn't think we'd have it again, or that it would be different."

She grabbed his glasses off of the small table beside the bed. She put them on herself. "It is different." She said.

"How?" he wondered, unsure of what she meant.

"Well considering we are in a hospital wing, and at school no less. I must say that I didn't exactly envision our consummation quite like this." She said, surveying the small, sterile room.

"You always were picky. But I find it funny you are actually complaining."

"I am not complaining, believe me." She said. "In fact, you have proved yourself more than worthy of me, so today I shall get my things that have been lying in the Leaky Cauldron these past few days, and bring them home." She said, pulling the covers off herself.

He found this incredibly amusing. "More than worthy huh? I told you." He said, mildly congratulating himself. As she got up she chuckled.

"You know what I've noticed about you?" she said, searching for her clothes.

"What?" he asked.

"You must be the cockiest man on the planet. I mean, given all the shit I let slide with you, and all the things I am willing to overlook, despite my morals and pride, you have the audacity to act incredibly arrogant about a silly little thing like sex. It's quite comical really." She said, picking up his shirt and throwing it over herself. Then she picked up his discarded boxer shorts and threw them to him.

"Silly huh? Arrogant? Thank you, oh queen of compliments." He said, yawning. He slipped them on while under the covers. She got back in bed with him.

"Damn right." She said. He kissed her again. There was no reason to ask for permission now. She let him run his strong hands down her stomach and she giggled. He refused to stop and she began to laugh uncontrollably. He knew how ticklish she was.

"Stop, stop!" she yelled, when it became unbearable. He reluctantly did so and she playfully pushed him off. He laid back down on his back. "You'll regret that." She said.

She then took this opportunity to climb on top of him, straddling his stomach. Needless to say it took him by surprise. Then she uncrossed both his arms and pinned them to the side. James felt oddly aroused.

"And what, pray tell, do you hope to accomplish from this?" he asked.

Instead of answering him she leaned in and kissed him forcefully. Since he was stronger than she was his arms came free and he grabbed her around her hips. He attempted to tickle her once more until he felt a sharp, yet pleasant pain on his bottom lip.

"Ow!" he cried, blatantly overreacting. She had bitten him, and she enjoyed it. "What did you do that for?"

"For trying to tickle me again. Don't." she ordered before moving her hands lower and lower down his stomach.

"My aren't we feisty this morning." He said, caressing her back.

"Mm hmm. You have no idea." She whispered.

"AHEM!" They both heard.

Lily gasped and James threw her off him. She landed with a thud on the edge of the bed and she grabbed her face in horror and embarrassment. There before them was their division leader, old headmaster, and Madame Pomfery.

"Oh my god." Lily whimpered, incredibly humiliated. James began to stutter.

"Uh.uh-"

"That won't be necessary Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said, trying to suppress his laughter. "Well, I am glad that you two have, uh, worked things out I suppose. It seems that you two are feeling better."

They were speechless, and for the first time they were seen blushing feverishly. They had been caught by one of their teachers, and Crouch was there no less, looking incredibly not amused.

"Mr. And Mrs. Potter." He began. "Congratulations. You two have officially broken the record of the most Dark Arts supporters captured. Last night seven Death Eaters were sent to Azkaban, and nine more were found killed. You, along with Mr. And Mrs. Black have both received the Order of Merlin, first class."

Still, they were speechless, but incredibly honored just the same.

"Uh."Lily started. "Thank you sir." She said, trying to sound professional. She had pulled the covers up to her neck, even though she was wearing James' t-shirt.

"Your welcome." He said, and nodded himself out.

James and Lily just looked at each other, not knowing what to make of that.

Dumbledore just grinned from ear to ear as he addressed them once more. "Well you are all welcome at breakfast. I do hope to see you both there, that is when you are dressed of course."

Lily winced.

"But, all jokes aside, I am so proud of you both. I know last night was difficult and that many of you might not recover fully. However, your bravery has surpassed expectations, and you are all more powerful than even I knew. The Wizarding World is lucky to have you." He said, tenderly. He too then nodded and left their room, making sure to shut the door. When his footsteps were no longer heard, James and Lily stared blankly at each other. Lily looked at her blushing husband and broke out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

"What the hell is so bloody amusing?" James asked, flabbergasted.

"You should see your face right now." She said, releasing her grip on the covers. "It's priceless." She said, infatuated with his discomfiture, and jubilant with attraction.

"That was by far, the most awkward, inconvenient, mortifying experience of my entire life." He said, extremely heckled.

"Aw, you're cute, my love." She said in adoration. She put her hand on his cheek. He smiled and chuckled at her.

"Yea, yea." He said, and pulled her closer.

"James?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"I love you." She said in all honesty. It was the first time she had actually said it since their separation. "I don't think you know how much."

"I think I do." He said. "I've never stopped loving you."

"Well I should hope not, especially after last night." She said, a simpering smile spread across her face.

"Well, who's gloating now?" he asked, kidding with her.

"I'm not gloating I am stating fact." She said.

"You know that is profoundly unattractive."

"Now you know what it sounds like." She said, putting her head back on the pillow.

He shook his head. "Oh woman you are going to be the death of me."

She laughed. "Shut up and get dressed." She said, getting up and leaving the room.

"You're wearing my clothes!" he called as he jolted out of bed and followed her to the showers, not caring who they ran into. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diana and Sirius hadn't moved the entire night. They remained in each other's arms, breathing in sync with one another.

Diana awoke first, hot and bothered, but she quickly calmed down when she saw Sirius fast asleep beside her. He looked peaceful so she didn't want to wake him. She ran a finger down his cheek and smiled. This poor man, she thought. He loves me too much.

When Sirius felt her touch he was instantly awakened. He grinned at the pleasant sight that met him. He looked up to see his wife, smiling. There were no bruises, no cuts, only her. Her face had an ethereal glow about it, and he was pleased to notice she wasn't in any more pain.

"Hi." He said, putting his hand on her cheek.

"Hi." She said, and removed it.

"How do you feel?"

"Fine. I'm a bit queasy though." She told him truthfully.

"Really?" he said, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. He was in incredibly uncomfortable position all night and he had to stretch.

"How did you sleep?" she said, slightly changing the subject.

"Alright. I was worried about you there for a moment Diana. I thought was going to lose you." He said, gravely.

"Well I'm here aren't I? Focus on the positive. You worry too much."

"I worry too much? You've got to be kidding." He said. " And I have my reasons."

"I know, and I've told you-"

"No Diana. No more apologies. We are past that. I am sick of talking about it."

"I suppose you are right." She said, fiddling with her sleeve. "But it is always there, it will always be there."

"What?"

"The constant reminder of my so-called quest for acceptance. I wanted to be loved, well, I guess I got what I deserved." She explained.

"What do you mean? Dumbledore got rid-"

"No, no. He didn't." she said, and took out her left arm. She slowly pulled up the sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark. It was just as grotesque as last time she saw it, and she had to look away. Sirius grabbed her arm, not forcefully, but hard enough. He looked hurt. For the first time that day he wondered what exactly did happen in that ambulance.

"How?" he said angrily.

"A spell. It was out of my control." She said, pulling her arm back.

"My god, will they ever leave you alone? This has gone far enough." He said, rubbing his temples.

"Leave me alone? Oh my dear they will never leave me alone. Don't you understand? I am a deserter. I betrayed them. The only reason I am not dead now is because they are choosing to keep me alive. They are afraid I will rat them out." She said, sighing.

"Rat them out? You mean you have actually had that option. I'm sorry, um, why don't you?" he said, getting a tad snippy.

"You know why and don't pretend like you don't. It's the same reson why you won't turn Bella in, or Regulus. They have come after my family once and they will do it again. I chose to do it, no one forced me-"

He glared at her in disbelief.

"You know what I mean?" she clarified. "Listen, they came after me last night, but because of who I am now. It was a pleasant surprise for them you might say. A treat."

He just had a look on him of shock and anger. It was not directed at her though.

"Sirius please don't be angry with me." She pleaded. He didn't answer her. He was just running a list of names in his head. She sighed. "I wish I never brought you into all this. I figured that once I was an Auror, and we were married that it would somehow fade away. And here it is smacking us across the face. Sirius, look at me please. Sirius?"

"I'm sorry. Never mind. Lets forget it now alright. Whatever Dumbledore gave you before he will give you again, and that's it." he smiled, reassuringly.

Then there was a soft knock at the door. It was opened slowly, and they saw a long white beard through the doorway. He wanted to survey the room before he fully entered it. They had puzzled looks on their faces. They didn't know why he was being so cautious.

"Good morning you two." He smiled when it was safe.

"Good morning Professor." They both said, straitening up.

"How do you feel Diana?" he asked. "You look marvelous, as always."

"Thank you." She said sweetly. "Madame Pomfery is a genius."

"Thank you child." They heard as she walked in, checking up. "That potion works wonders, doesn't it?"

"Indeed." Sirius said. "No pain at all."

"And you my dear?" she asked, walking over to Diana. "Any nausea?"

"Um, why?" she asked quizzically.

"Well it is custom to have nausea in your condition." She answered plainly, fixing her sheets.

"Huh?" Sirius asked. "What condition?" he looked at Diana for the answer, and she just shrugged, not knowing what Madame Pomfery meant.

"You mean." She paused. "You don't know?" she asked in disbelief.

Dumbledore's eyes scanned their faces in amusement.

"Uh, apparently not." Diana said.

"Well." She began. "I took some tests on you last night while you were unconscious."

"Tests?" Diana questioned.

"Yes, just to see that there was no damage to your insides."

"What exactly did you find?" Sirius asked. He was feeling a little worried, as if something was wrong.

She chuckled. "Well Mr. Black, it seems that in seven months or so, you are going to be a father." She said, proud to break the news to them.

They just looked at her in shock.

"Excuse me?" Diana asked. "You mean I'm.."

"Yes my dear. You're pregnant."

"But how?!" she asked rather stupidly.

Madame Pomfery laughed. Sirius was beaming from ear to ear. He grabbed Diana and hugged her tightly. She was still shocked. Dumbledore noticed that her expression showed neither zealousness nor joy. She actually looked pretty upset. Her breath was shortening.

"Oh my love do you hear that? A baby!" Sirius cried. When he released her she laughed nervously.

"A baby." She repeated, trying to sound happy. Then she swallowed loudly.

"Well that explains why you've been feeling sick." Sirius mentioned. She nodded.

"Yes, well congratulations, Mummy." Madame Pomfery said, cutely and hugged her.

"That will be all Poppy." Dumbledore spoke, trying to change the subject. Diana looked as if she were about to scream. "Thank you." She smiled at them both, and then left the room.

"Do you need anything Diana?" she asked. She just shook her head, so she left.

"Well, I'm sure you two are feeling better. I came in here to congratulate you. On something else, however." Dumbledore resumed.

"Yes?" Diana asked, delighted to change the subject. Sirius still grinned at her, and she feebly returned the smile. A baby, she thought. She kept running the words over and over again in her head. Each time they sounded the tone was even more solemn. The color had faded from her face.

"Well, you two, along with James and Lily have received the Order of Merlin for your bravery. There were a number of supporters who were captured and killed due to the four of you. I was pleased with your performance. You have done us all proud."

"Well thanks old man." Sirius exclaimed, thrilled by such good news on this Sunday morning. He felt it couldn't get any better.

"Your welcome. Now I will invite you to breakfast, and I must be going-" he said, proceeding to leave.

"Wait." Diana asked.

"Yes?"

"Well I, um, something happened last night, to me, and well..." she spoke, her voice cracking. Then she pulled up her sleeve and showed Dumbledore what was clearly no accident.

"Ah." He replied. "I figured that would happen eventually." He walked over and pulled up a chair beside her. He took her arm once more and examined it.

Years ago, when they were still students Diana had become a Death Eater. Late one night, before graduation she went to Dumbledore in a frightened and desperate state. She had been running and crying all the way to his office. She confessed everything to him and demanded that it be stopped. When she rolled up her sleeve it was bloody and terribly red. He was calling them, and she had neither the strength nor the will to go. She was too much in love with Sirius at the time, yet Lucius was constantly persistent. She was young, confused and scared. Dumbledore kept her secrets, and gave her a potion that would take that mark away. It would be underneath the surface, but the ability to feel it and see it would be gone. She had to take it every six months. A secret she had kept from Sirius ever since.

"Well." He said. "What do you want me to do about it?" he asked.

"Get rid of it of course." Sirius answered for her.

"Diana?"

She bit her lip. "I don't want to see it." she exclaimed, tearing her eyes away.

"Sirius would you mind if I spoke to your wife alone for a moment?" he asked.

"Sure." He reluctantly said. He slowly got up and exited the room. He shut the door behind him. He began to pace back and forth. He wondered what they were talking about.

When he came out Diana was behind him, faking a smile. They all went down to breakfast. Lily and James came down about twenty minutes after everyone else did. Diana eyed her suspiciously, winked and then laughed at her. Lily couldn't control her feelings. She was beaming like a child. Diana could always tell when she was truly happy, and it was clear to Diana that her and James had made up. They were never discrete about things like that.

"Twice?" she asked, even though she knew.

"Shhh." Lily said, loudly.

Diana shook her head. "You are a real trip you know that Lily? When, last night?"

"You know I don't like talking about it." she said.

"Bullshit." Diana said, rolling her eyes at her. Lily laughed. "Was it good?"

"Fuck yea." She said, blushing. Diana smirked and resumed her eating.

Both girls turned as they heard James loudly congratulate Sirius.

"Congratulations mate!" he yelled as they embraced like brothers. Lily turned to Diana and gave her a confused look.

"And Diana!" James yelled as he hopped over his wife. He hugged Diana tightly and kissed her on the cheek. "Wow! I'm going to be an uncle! I am so proud." He said and released her.

Lily stared at Diana, wide eyed and shocked. Diana tried to smile, but Lily knew she was full of it. Diana just nodded, confirming the news to her best friend. Lily raised her eyebrows, and put her hand on her back. Lily knew how Diana felt about this. If anyone knew how Diana felt about children, it was Lily.

"How long?" she whispered.

Diana held up two fingers. Lily shut her eyes. Then she turned to look at Sirius. He smiled at her lovingly; his face brighter than it had been in months.

"It's ok." Lily said, turning back to Diana and rubbing her back. Diana looked as if she were about to cry. Lily saw her reflection in her eyes.

Diana shook her head. "No." she whispered. Then she picked up her head and dabbed her eyes gently with her napkin. She looked at her reflection in her dish to make sure she looked alright.

After a time Dumbledore stood up and congratulated them again. They stood up and received applause from teachers and students. Dumbledore didn't actually mention what they were getting awarded for, but no one asked questions. He let them retain some sort of anonymity. Alice and Frank were not there, to everyone's amazement. They had been discharged earlier that morning, and did not receive awards. Alice was too new, and Frank had already received one.

Breakfast ended and they were allowed to go back home. They said their goodbyes to Dumbledore and McGonagal, as well as to Madame Pomfery. Diana was congratulated once again, and faked her excitement. Lily and James went one way, towards Hogsmeade. Lily wanted to go to the Leaky Cauldron to pick up her clothes, and she wanted to use the Floo Network out of the Hog's Head.

Diana and Sirius walked to the edge of Hogwarts and apparated home. Lily motioned for her to smile as they embraced, but to Diana, things couldn't get any worse. The only good part of it was how happy Sirius had seemed. He kept kissing her and hugging her, wrapping his hands around her stomach in adoration. As long as he's happy, she thought, and suppressed her intense uneasiness.

Once Lily and James got to Hogsmeade they immediately went to the Hog's Head. They entered, both in ecstatic moods. James nodded at the bartender and he pointed them to the back of the bar, knowing they were headed for the fireplace.

Lily grabbed a handful of Floo Powder.

"I'll run upstairs and get my things alright?" she asked.

"Sounds good." He said, rubbing her shoulder. "I'll get a drink and wait for you."

"It's noon James." She reminded him. "It's a bit early for a drink." Just then about five men in the bar turned and huffed at Lily. She didn't exactly lower her voice as she said this, and they were in a bar.

"Actually by drink I meant, butterbeer, but whatever." He chuckled.

"Right." She said and threw the powder into the fireplace. "The Leaky Cauldron." She shouted and in a flash of green smoke she was gone.

As soon as she appeared in the Leaky Cauldron she rushed over to the bar.

"Tom!" she shouted and he appeared from behind the counter.

"Lily!" he greeted back. "I expected you to come back here but where have you been? Your things have been sitting in room 11 for two days now."

"I know, sorry about that I hope you didn't need the room." She said.

"No, no."

"Whew. Good. I'll just run upstairs then." She said, as she noticed a pair of eyes upon her. She turned to see Narcissa Malfoy staring at her from a table in the back. Lily didn't know why but she felt the need to go over and say hello. She felt she had been quite rude the day before. Narcissa seemed unnerved when she saw Lily approaching, but remained seated.

Lily was in such a pleasant mood that she started acting a bit animated.

"Good morning Narcissa!" she shouted, waving. She stood up and gave Lily a hug, reluctantly.

"Hi Lily." She said, trying to smile. "Beautiful day."

"It is, isn't it?" Lily said, breathing in the fresh air. "So how are things?" she asked.

Narcissa sighed. "Fine."

"Liar." Lily said, not really meaning to. She caught herself when Narcissa began to turn red. "Sorry. So what have you been doing with yourself lately? What is it you do again?" Lily never was quite sure.

"Nothing really. I'm a homemaker mostly. Lucius doesn't want me working." She said, faking ever word.

"I see. Do you want to work?" Lily asked, raising her eyebrow at her.

"I don't know." Narcissa said, sheepishly. "Things are well..difficult I suppose. I don't want any trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Lily asked, folding her arms.

"Anyway." Narcissa cut her off, feeling she had said too much to begin with. "So how are you? You look...happy."

Lily thought for a moment. "Yes I suppose I am." She said, smiling, thinking of James. Narcissa sensed it, and tried to keep from exploding right there.

"Well what are you doing here?"

"Oh, well I'm getting my things. I don't know if you heard-"

"I heard."

"Oh. Well I'm moving back to our flat." She explained.

"So I guess you two are...back together?" She said, swallowing her saliva.

"Well, for now." Lily said, noticing Narcissa's fidgety movements. She was about to finish her sentence when she heard her name being called.

Lily turned around to see James. She waved him over. When James was in five feet of her he stopped abruptly and his smile faded. Lily looked at him with a perplexed expression across her face.

"Come here and say hello." Lily ordered as if he was a child. "Look who I ran into." She said, linking their arms together. He put his arms around Lily's waist and nodded.

"Hello Narcissa." He said, and held his hand out. She shook it, smiling. There was silence then, and Lily released herself from James' grasp.

"I'm running up I'll be back in a moment. Catch up, whatever." She said as she jogged up the flight of stairs. When she was midway up a thought suddenly hit her. Why was he so quiet? She thought. He wouldn't shut up on the walk down here. She felt something in the pit of her stomach, telling her to run back, but she didn't. She wanted her things.

The door was locked. Damn it, she thought. She had to run back down anyway to get the key back from Tom.

"Hey Tom!" she called. He was on the other side of the bar, serving a drink to a young couple and chatting. She leaned over the bar to attract his attention when her eyes darted, accidentally, to Narcissa and James. They were sitting at her table, talking. Actually it was more like fighting. He was shushing her in a fuming rage, trying desperately not to attract attention.

"What can I do for you Lily?" Tom asked. Lily didn't know how long he had been standing there but he gave her a strange look.

"Uh, the key Tom. I need it." she spoke rather quickly, holding out her hand.

"Oh that's right. Silly me. Here you go." He said cheerfully handing it to her.

She snatched it and ran upstairs, not taking another look. She unlocked and threw open the door to find it exactly as she had left it.

She silently packed her things when a thought suddenly struck her. She found herself thinking about Narcissa, running over in her head their relationship. She liked Narcissa, they were even friends for a time during sixth year. Come to think of it, Lily thought, she was dating James at the time. That's funny, she thought and smiled. She was always correcting Narcissa's Charms homework for her. She was her tutor and read over many of her essays, making changes where they were needed. She never was very good at Charms, Lily thought.

Lily's thoughts were interrupted by a loud and impatient knock. The door was open but he chose not to attempt it.

"Lily?" James called to her.

"It's open." She said.

She heard the door open but she didn't turn around. He was leaning against her doorframe with a subtle smile on his face. When she did turn around she smiled back, but then continued to busy herself with her clothes.

"What's taking you so long?" he asked, picking up some of her clothes for her. He threw them in a bag. She didn't answer him.

"Lily?" he said carefully. "Everything ok?"

"Yes." She answered. "Didn't you want a drink?"

"Oh right. Well, we have drinks at home."

"No we don't." she said, packing the last of her things into her bag. There wasn't much.

He nervously laughed. Lily noticed he was fidgeting.

"You alright honey?" she asked. Narcissa's face flashed into her mind, much to her own surprise.

"Of course." He said with a reassuring smile. "We should go."

"Why? I thought we'd have lunch or something." She said, innocently. "We haven't done that in ages."

He hesitated. "Well.." she looked at him at batted her eyelashes. It always worked. "Alright, but I pick the place."

"That's fine. What do you want?"

"How 'bout ice cream?" he suggested.

She groaned. "Ugh, fine." Lets just bring these down. Tom will put them behind the bar for me and we can pick it up in an hour or so. I want to do a bit of shopping while we are here."

"Shopping?" he whined. "Lil, do we have to?"

She smiled and put her arms around his neck. "Yes."

They walked downstairs, James carrying down both of her bags. When they exited the mirror said "bye dearie" much to James slight humiliation. He always thought that talking mirrors were a bit unnatural. They gave him the creeps.

Narcissa was still there at her table. She seemed to be reading the Daily Prophet now and smoking a cigarette. Lily handed her bags to Tom and waved goodbye. James tried to hurry out the door but she held back.

"Shouldn't we say goodbye to Narcissa? She seems awfully lonely back there." Lily pointed out.

"You go ahead I'm going to wait here." He said, growing hot.

"You know that is so rude. It's not her fault that she is married to a tyrant." Lily whispered, putting her hands on her hips.

James sighed. He didn't want to see Lily cross, so she dragged him back over there and he feebly said goodbye.

"Nice to see you dear, and I'm sorry about yesterday." Lily said, hugging her. James felt himself beginning to sweat.

"Oh don't worry about it." Narcissa said as they embraced, not taking her eyes off of James. He refused to look at her.

"Goodbye then." Lily said and they left.

Lily slapped him on the arm when they were safely outside.

"Ouch, abuse." He said, annoyed.

"You are so mean." She said, folding her arms. "It wouldn't kill you to be nice."

"I'm sorry Hun, it's just that I'm hungry and I want to eat." He replied, looking at the ground.

"Still." She said. "And did you too get into a bit of an argument when I was upstairs?"

James' face paled. "Not really, why?"

"No reason. You just looked like you were that's all." She said. He was so nervous he forgot to swallow.

"Oh, well, you know-"

"I have a feeling she doesn't like you too much." Lily bluntly said.

"Why do you think that?" James answered, playing the fool.

"Well you did fuck her over." She said, just as plainly as she had done before.

James' temperature was rising so high he could feel the trickles of sweat forming on his brow. He tried to pass them off as effects from the heat.

"What..what do you mean?" he stuttered.

"Don't tell me you don't remember." She said, astonished. "If you had treated me the way you had treated her I would certainly hold a grudge, even if we were sixteen."

James privately let out a sigh if relief. It was too low for her to even notice.

"Right, yes, I was quite the asshole." He said, trying desperately to avert from the subject.

She laughed. "Mmm hmm. Poor girl, she got dealt the wrong cards."

"Uh, yea." James said, scratching the back of his head, compulsively. "Shall we?" he asked as he took her arm. She forgot about Narcissa quickly, and smiled at him. Not once did she notice his fidgety movements, his heavy breathing. Not once did she see him flinch every time Narcissa was mentioned, or when her face flashed before his eyes. He looked at his wife, whom he truly loved, and the feeling swept over him again. Guilt. If you only knew Lily, he thought as they walked. He prayed to God she never would.

They walked hand in hand to Flourean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. They found a table in the sunlight and ordered their dessert.

And so they ate, legs toughing, James' arm wrapped lovingly over his wife's shoulder. They talked, laughed and kissed, just like they had when they were young. Lily was consumed by her love for him and her desire to forgive. Yet all the while, James sat there, laughing with her, burdened by the weight of a guilty conscience.

~*~*~(Finished! Next chapter will take place months later because I have realized that it has taken me, what, four chapters to get through one day. That's right, only one day. Yea I'm picking up the pace just a bit. Ok, in response to my horrible author's note, I would just like to announce that Ruben won (in case you all didn't know) and I am sooo happy. But that aside, review! These chapters are all going to be long for the rest of it. I don't think I can ever write a reasonably short chapter ever again. Thank you for the reviews, and don't stop them!)~Angelxd14