I'm sorry to announce that this is the last chapter. It was a short ficcy but I have my others though if you care to read them. Thank you Lady of Masbolle, I am glad ur reading all my stories.

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Chapter 5

'So where are we going?' asked Lily when she come downstairs dressed in black tailored pants and a yellow sweater.

'Hogsmede village sounds all right to you?'

He loved the way her eyes lit up when she heard those words. If he knew she would get like this because they were going to Hogsmede he would have taken her there all the time.

She got her thick winter robes on and shrugged into his again.

Then they were off.

~~*~*~*~

They entered Hogsmede village together arms linked.

Big fluffy snowflakes fluttered over the people coming and going making the setting seem so picturesque.

When there was nothing lese to talk about the weather was the obvious choice.

'I love walking in the snow.'

'You always did.' He replied absentmindedly.

'So you remember some of the things we use to do together?'

She figured old times should not be forbidden territory. She didn't want their past to be forbidden. If she was going to spend the evening with this man she didn't see how she could pretend that there had never been anything between them.

'I remember everything. You were sweet, insecure...'

'Excuse me? With my temper?'

'Okay, a little shy, a little repressed.'

'Thanks a lot.'

'That was when we first met, not later.' She said grinning broadly and she felt her anger diffuse.

Even through the thickness of the robes Lily felt the power of his biceps.

Simone would have laughed if she knew Lily was thinking about the physical aspects of her boyfriend.

Ah!

What the hell?

No way.

She didn't just refer to James as her boyfriend in her mind.

Did she?

Oh my gosh, she did.

She hoped James couldn't feel her tenseness.

She would concentrate on something else.

She needed some gifts for her parents, for Simone and Jess and a few people at work.

She wasn't totally sure if she should buy James a present.

What would he think?

She'll figure that out later.

Now all she had to do was find a dress for her office Christmas party.

~*~*~*~*

He didn't know if it was radar but women seem to zero in on a store with out looking to see it and they know where it is.

Lily looked like she was Santa Claus with the length of a list she had.

He already had his parents' gift, their spouses, then there was Sirius and Remus. Also he thought about giving Morgan and Gabby gifts which he should since they make his mate happy.

Even Sirius has changed a little.

He smiled a little.

When they went into a dress shop he practically had to force down a great dress down Lily's throat.

After finally saying yes she went to try it on.

In the other stores he practically had to move out of someone's way every minute. This one though wasn't so crowded so he could see in the back where the changing room was. Seeing the other sales people more occupied he shifted the bags he had from one hand to the other and slipped into the change room.

'Don't scream it's only me.' He whispered not wanting to startle her.

'You aren't supposed to come in here.'

'No one saw me I was careful.'

She wore the Blue silk thin-strapped dress; cut low in the front and even lower in the back.

The dress looked as though it was made for her.

'This would be a great time to see if you have it in you to be spontaneous.'

She took in a deep breath and nodded.

Slowly he brought his lips down on hers and she melted against him.

He didn't need more convincing than that and deepened the kiss.

They broke apart for what seemed like eternity.

He checked his watch.

Just enough minutes have passed to make the clerk suspicious.

He kissed her one last time before saying, 'that dress will do.'

And left the change room.

When Lily came out of the changing room she purchased the twenty Galleon dress. James looked to see what she would do. He seriously expected her to blow up in his face after what he did. Sure she kissed him back but maybe she wasn't thinking.

She came out of the shop and asked if he was hungry.

Replying unsurely he agreed.

They stopped at an eating place where he ordered the same thing she did which was a bowl of Japanese rice, stir fried vegetables with noodles and sweet and sour chicken.

They sat at the corner table and ate in amicable silence.

Halfway through meal they talked about small things about the past five years as if nothing happened between them tonight.

Nothing relating to each other or what just happened or their relationship in general.

After eating they both agreed it was time to leave.

Lily didn't invite James in when they got to her place nor did he expect her too. He offered a curt goodnight and left.

~*~*~*~*

As soon as James left Lily slumped against the door. What in the world was she thinking making out with him in a change room of all places?

She paced her living room not noticing at the moment that her boots were leaking water onto the carpet.

How could she let that happen?

Oh God she was in love with him.

Again!

She swore to herself she would allow this to happen. Not that it did any good but goodness she could have at least had some self-control.

When they ate dinner she wasn't sure if she ordered what she wanted because she just looked and choose the first thing that came into her mind. Not that she tasted any of her food, for all she knew she could have been eating paper.

*~*~*~*~* 'Lily?'

'Yeah?'

'Are you okay?'

'Yeah?'

'You sure?'

'Yeah.'

'Are pigs flying in your backyard?'

'Yeah.'

Simone glared at her best friend.

Her expression softened when she realised how her friend looked.

She looked like she was on another planet. Simone had come over to see Lily and found her on her sofa with her boots still on.

Her guess was she was mooning over Romeo.

Her other guess was the Romeo in question was James Potter.

She really needed to do some damage control.

She popped over to Jess's place and alerted her to the situation.

Pretty soon they all were huddled together on Lily's living room sofa.

'Lily what's wrong?' asked Jessi.

'James.'

'Honey we know its James but we want to know what happened to have you in this state?' said Simone.

'Its – its – well – I -'

'You slept with him' asked Jessi.

'No.'

'He got hurt or something?' asked Simone.

'No.'

'Then what is it Hun?' asked Jess.

'I fell in love with him again.' Lily wailed.

'I don't think you ever stopped loving him Lily.' Said Simone.

'OH gee thanks for telling me now.' She sniffed.

'Honey are you sure that's such a bad thing?' said Jess.

'Yes, I know he doesn't want to real committed relationship. He'll just break my heart all over again.'

'Don't think of it like that.'

'Then how am I supposed to?' She sniffed again.

'This is not a lose-win or a lose-lose situation unless you want it to be.' Said Simone.

'I don't understand.'

'Honey think of it this way. You can't lose him if you never had him and you alone can't love him. He must have feeling for you.'

'You can't be sure he does.'

'And you can't be sure he doesn't.' said Jess.

'What do you guys want me to do?'

'We want to admit to him that you love him.' Said Jess.

'I- I can't do that.' She said horrified.

'Lily you have nothing really to lose, he already had your heart years ago. At least this time you'll know exactly how he feels for you.' Said Simone in a soothing voice.

'I might as well. After this I'll never have to see him again. If I can help it.' She said confidently and dried her tears.

~*~*~*~*

An owl arrived to each person who Professor Dumbledore spoke with. It was coded in case anyone to interrupted the transmission of the message.

It didn't contain much detail only that he wanted to see each of them on a certain night before Christmas.

He would alert them as to where.

And although he made it sound like he was inviting them to a Christmas party they knew different.

It was on the twentieth of the twelfth month nineteen eight-six that Dumbledore went to each person's house to tell the them that it was the beginning of the order and the he was the secret keeper of the location but they will know where go when the time is right. And that day was Christmas Eve.

~*~*~*~*~*

'Jess I can't make it for dinner. I'll be busy that day.' Said Lily to her friend at work the next day.

'Yeah I was going to say the same thing.' Said Jessi smiling.

'Really? Well I just wish we could have meet that day but I have something important to do.'

'I know the same with me.'

Just then an owl dropped something on Lily's desk and upon closer inspection she realised that it was a letter form Simone.

It seemed she could make it as well. She had something important to do.

Well that was strange. She knew where she was going but what about Jess and Simone.

She wasn't going to pry but it seemed Jess wanted ask the same thing.

'Lily I know this may be an odd question but err I was wondering if you've spoken to your old headmaster form Hogworts recently?'

'As a matter of fact I have. What are you getting at?' Lily asked suspiciously.

'Well you see there is this important meeting I have to go on Christmas Eve.'

'Meeting? OMG you're in the OOTP?' Lily asked saying the letters only just in case.

'Oh jeez, yes I am. You too?'

'Uh huh.'

'You think Simone is?'

'Has to be.'

'Isn't it a coincidence?'

'I know.' Said Jess.

'Isn't just word that the three of us are there?'

'Yeah it is. I wonder if anybody else we know will be there.'

'Maybe.' Replied Jess.

~*~**~*~*~

It was nine pm on Christmas Eve as James made his was home. He had half an hour to change and be back outside. At least that's what the message indicated.

The message arrived mysteriously on his desk. He didn't know when or how it arrived but it only opened when James himself touched it.

He had successfully interviewed Haley Manning yesterday.

She had a pleasant voice and shoulder length light brown hair with hazel eyes. It was the most important story he had ever written in his life but his life felt incomplete.

It was yesterday that he realised that his love for Lily was stronger than ever but there no way to convince Lily that he wanted to play for keeps. They had had a fight or anything. They just stopped communicating.

He didn't visit her cottage nor did she ask him about the interview.

He really didn't know what to do.

~*~*~*

IT WAS exactly ten pm that he reached the appropriate destination.

He could have never imagined who was there. There were a lot of people he didn't know then there were a lot of people that he did know.

Sirius, Remus and Kaci were there.

He couldn't believe it.

After acknowledging his two friends he went to talk to Kaci.

'Hey, I didn't know you would be here.'

She smiled.

'Neither did I. How are you James?'

'AS well as can be expected.'

'I'm sure. I've married you know.'

'Married? Wow.'

'Yeah. To a muggle that's why I decided to come here tonight, he and rest of the muggles and muggle borns need to be protected. You know who can't be successful in creating so much destruction.'

'Yeah I agree with you.'

'Well what about you have you found anybody new/ I know that you're commitment shy so I was just wondering.'

'I'm glad there are no hard feelings and yes there is someone who I am sure will never really know how I feel about her.'

'James, listen to me. I know what I am talking about. If you love her tell her. Take the chance that things would work out between you two. There is nothing like sharing your life with a person that can fulfill your inner most needs.'

'I don't really think I can.'

'James, you cant expect every marriage to be like your parents can you?'

'No.'

'Do you really love her?'

'With everything inside of me that's able to and more.'

'Well then tell her. Make a life for yourselves and be happy. How long has it been since you were truly happy?'

'Anytime I'm with her.'

'Exactly.'

'Now after this orientation, go to her where ever she is and tell her how you feel.'

'I can't do that.'

'Why not?'

'She's right here.' He said couldn't believing what he was seeing.

'Which one is she?' Kaci asked looking at the three girls who had just entered.

'The one on the left.''

'The redhead? Wow she is pretty.'

'Yeah.' James agreed. 'Both on the inside and the out.'

Kaci smiled.

'James do yourself a favour. Talk to her when this is over. Let her know how you feel and you'll see how everything will fall into place.'

Seeing the content ness on her face James believed for once what Kaci was saying was true.

He looked up once more and saw Lily. Their eyes met and he saw he surprise cross briefly over her lovely face.

She nodded, acknowledging his presence.

Apparently Simone was in the order to because they she was in the middle and Lily nudged her and pointed in his direction.

Simone smiled then whispered something to Lily who scowled. There was another girl with them; he could really remember her though he was sure he'd seen her before.

After promising Kaki he'd tell Lily the truth he went over to Remus and Sirius. His heart felt light. Everyone in the room was serious but he wanted to climb onto the roof and shout his love for Lily to everyone.

~*~*~*~*~

As soon as Lily walked in she saw Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. They smiled at her and she smiled back. Then she realised if they were here that meant James was here too.

And sure enough she met his gaze across the room.

He was standing next to a pretty girl was looking at her as well. She was smiling and she waved.

Lily sure wasn't expecting that.

She nudged Simone who smiled at James.

'Go on and talk to him Lily. This is the perfect opportunity.'

'What? Are you mad?' Lily replied and scowled.

'No but promise to find him after and tell him.'

'Yes, I totally agree Lily.' Replied Jess winking at her and added, 'and you didn't tell me that Sirius Black was so delicious looking.'

Simone and Lily rolled their eyes.

They walked towards the table and took their seat, which had their names on them.

Professor Dumbledore was there, so was Macgonnagal. He made introductions as he moved around the table. She tried not to notice that James was sitting right across form her but it was hard work keeping her pulse rate down.

Dumbledore sat seriously and asked each and everyone one of them to swear to secrecy. An enchantment had been cast on a piece of parchment.

He warned them that it was serious matter.

'If anyone told the truth of this meeting to forbidden people they will suffer excruciating pain. I am sorry but the matter is that serious.'

Everyone nodded understanding his or her place.

Each of them signed the parchment.

~*~*~*~*

It was eleven thirty when everything was finished Simone and Jessi pushed Lily in the direction of James before leaving to talk to Remus, Sirius and a man they knew as Mad Eye.

She walked up nervously to James who was talking to the girl she had seen him with.

She cleared her throat.

'Uh James could I talk to you for a minute?'

'Sure but let me introduce you to someone. Lily Evans this is Kaci... uh Kace I didn't get your married name?'

'Hi my name is Kaci Crawford. My husband is an accountant, a muggle if you will.' She said after looking at James. Both women shook hands.

'Nice to meet you Kaci.'

'You too and I must say good luck to both of you. Good bye now.' She said and winked at them.

'Uh did she just wink at us?'

'Yes, and she convinced me of something and I'll be forever grateful to her. Now you wanted to talk? Lets go outside.'

As they walked onto the snow covered streets Lily couldn't find the words to say what she wanted.

'I love you.'

She went absolutely still.

'I don't blame you if you're sceptical. I can hardly believe it myself. Nothing in my life has ever been this wonderful. I love you Lil. I really love you.'

'How long have you felt that way?' her voice was so low he had to strain to hear.

'I'm not sure. When we were together before, I was infatuated. I guess a lot of it was lust, although I am not proud of that. But ever since we broke up---'

'You dumped me.' At least she didn't sound bitter thought James.

'Since then there has always been something missing in my life. Now I know what it was, I want us to be together.'

He expected her to ask for particulars. Should they start dating again should they continue where they left off?

'James you need to know I love you. Its what I want too and I can try to be less controlling.'

James had already felt light on his feet by her announcement that she loved him too.

'You already have. Look at the new confidence you have towards your job. You are already perfect for me.'

They heard the clock striking midnight.

'Happy Christmas my love.' She whispered and when she looked up at him he could have felt more complete.

'Merry Christmas.'

Snow swirled and pedestrians skirted them. In their world everything was warm. James bent his head to kiss the woman he wanted to be his forever.