Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling. No profit is being made from this story. I am simply having fun and providing entertainment for other readers.

Chapter 10

Prince Charming

By FreiMe

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The months flew by. The harsh, cold winter turned into a wet, blooming spring, and our N.E.W.T.'s were looming ever nearer.

During one nice, warm May day, James, Sirius, Becca, Remus, Peter, and me were all stuck inside the common room with the other fifth and seventh years, wishing that we could be out in the bright sunshine.

I was testing James on Charms. He had already explained to me that he was not going to even bother studying for Transfiguration.

"Are you mental, James?" I shrieked. "Transfiguration is one of the most important subjects!"

James rolled his eyes at me, and left Sirius to explain as to why he was making such a foolish decision (in my opinion it was foolish, at least – Sirius and Remus didn't seem to be at all shocked that James was not going to study for Transfiguration).

"Lily," groaned Sirius, sounding irritated, "James is the top Transfiguration student in the whole school! It just comes to us, naturally! So why even bother studying!?" Sirius shrugged.

"To you it may come naturally," Remus pointed out. "Maybe not to the rest of us." He smiled grimly, and went back to reading his book.

Sirius grinned. "Yeah, like Peter for example. Just look at the poor guy, he's hopeless with this stuff," Sirius said, pointing to Peter, who was at a separate table from the rest of us, sweating frantically and trying desperately to get through a gigantic book called Transfiguration Made Easy.

"Well I don't think it's fair," I said indignantly. "Some of us work late into the night studying for our classes, and you two get the top grades, without even studying!"

This time, it was Becca who sighed exasperatedly. "Lily, honestly! They may be good in Transfiguration, but who's the one who can get a spell right on their first try? You! You may not be that good in Transfiguration, but you are absolutely incredible in Charms. Just be thankful that you can learn something easily, unlike the rest of us," Becca muttered, as she glared at the text book in front of her.

I shrugged and went back to testing James.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

"Just one exam left!" Sirius shouted happily, as we all entered the Great Hall for dinner, two weeks later. The last exam was Divination, and none of us had exactly planned to study for this one, not even Remus or me.

"Ah, Divination is a piece of cake," said James, "just make up a bunch of stuff at the top of your head, and you will get full marks. Honestly, that class is a joke!"

"You guys should have taken arithmancy if you think Divination was so pointless," Remus said simply, as he buttered himself a roll. James mock glared at him.

"Honestly, Sirius and I would have been bored to death. Studying numbers does not seem to intriguing to me," James said. "And I don't think Peter could have even survived the first few classes…"

"Hey!" Peter piped up indignantly.

"Sorry Wormtail."

"Just because things come so easily to you both," I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "doesn't mean you need to go acting like arrogant pinheads!"

"Hey, will you quit telling me I'm a pinhead? It gets rather offending…" James said resentfully.

"I only call you a pinhead because you act like one!" I retored impatiently. Becca and Sirius glanced at us almost tiredly. Remus was reading the Evening Prophet and Peter was tucking into some soup.

"Er – Becca, darling, want to go for a walk?" Sirius said as he sensed an argument arising between the two of us.

Becca grabbed his hand and smiled, "Yeah, anything to get away from these two." She and Sirius grinned at the two of us, and headed out of the Great Hall quickly.

"We do bicker a lot, don't we?" I said thoughtfully, realizing that we hadn't gotten by one day in our relationship without fighting.

"Yeah," James said indifferently, "but I still love you, Evans."

I grinned, forgetting to blush. "I love you too, Potter."

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

"I can't believe that this is it," commented Cindy sadly, as we were all up in our dorm getting ready for the Graduation feast down in the Great Hall.

"Guys," said Daphne, her eyes widening, "this is our last night in the castle, ever." The rest of us all stopped what we were doing, and turned to look at each other.

I felt my eyes stinging with tears, but I really didn't want to break down in tears in front of all of them. Then I heard a sob behind me, and turned around.

Becca was crying uncontrollably, tears leaking down her cheeks. The rest of us all rushed over, trying to comfort her. "Group hug!" yelled Alex, causing the rest of us to laugh.

"I just can't believe it went by so fast. I've had some great times here," said Samantha reminiscently. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Alex and Daphne burst into tears like Bella, and finally Samantha gave in as well. I felt the tears stinging in my eyes, too, but I fought to hold them back.

"We'll never all be together like this again," Alex cried, as she continued bawling on Becca's shoulder.

That statement got me. Unable to contain myself, I burst into sobs like the rest of them.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

The Graduation feast was wonderful. The decorations were beautiful – though this time they had been done by Professor Flitwick, rather than me and James.

Since it was only the seventh-years and professors attending, the four House tables had been cleared out. Instead, there was a gigantic, round wooden table, and we were allowed to sit where we wanted.

James and I sat down next to Sirius and Bella. Next to them were Remus and Peter. Several times, different professors got up and made speeches, causing girls all around me (as well as a few boys) to wail uncontrollably.

Becca and I were one of the few girls that had still kept our heads. I knew I was going to lose it soon though…

When everyone was finished dinner, Dumbledore stood up, and with a wave of his wand, the round table had vanished. With a second swish, the lights had dimmed, and music began playing.

"I believe that a nice way to end this wonderful feast, would be a dance, with someone you truly care about. Please, don't be shy," Dumbledore said, extending a hand to little Professor Sprout who blushed and accepted.

People all around us had started dancing. James grabbed my hand, led me out into the middle of the floor, and held me close to him. I buried my face in his shoulder, as I started to sob hysterically again. James was whispering soothingly in my ear. It did make me feel a lot better…

Next to us Becca was leaning her head on Sirius's shoulder – her eyes were closed, but it didn't stop the tears from cascading down her cheeks.

When the song ended, people had started clearing out of the hall, hugging each other and howling loudly. James and I had remained where we were, clutching each other as if we were about to be torn apart.

I looked up from where I had buried my head in James's shoulder. Everyone had gone, and I hadn't even noticed.

I turned and looked up at James. He was smiling at me. "It's" – I hiccupped – "over, James. The feast ended" – I hiccupped again – "a while ago. People are already gone." – Hiccup –

James sighed. "I don't care."

He flicked his wand, and the lights dimmed once more. With a second flick, the music had started playing again, and James pulled me towards him, holding me tightly.

I ran my fingers through his hair. "I love you."

James clutched me even tighter. "I love you too."

We danced long after everyone had fallen asleep in their dorms.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

FIVE YEARS LATER…

"James? James are you alright?" I asked, looking at him uncertainly. James had his hand in his pocket, and it looked like he was gripping something. He looked extremely nervous and distracted.

"Yeah – er you too," he said absentmindedly

"James," I laughed, grabbing his other hand and interlacing our fingers, "why are you so jumpy? You've been really distracted all evening."

James turned and smiled at me, his eyes twinkling. "Sorry, love, I guess I'm just a bit preoccupied tonight," James said apologetically, kissing me tenderly on the lips.

I blushed. We had been together for five years, yet I still managed to get all excited and jittery when he called me love...

Love does that to you I guess…

"Don't kiss me in front of your parents!" I said, glancing over to where they were standing, talking to some very-important looking Ministry wizards.

"Oh Lils – quit being so stiff. They love you! And you know it! They don't care if I kiss you. People do tend to do that when they are in love," James said, giving me one of those looks that said You really exasperate me but I'm completely in love with you…

At least, according to James, that's what it was…

James's parents had thrown a dinner party tonight, at their mansion, and had invited all the important people in the Ministry to come.

James was working at the Ministry of Magic as a top Auror, which was what his mother had been before she retired. His father was still currently working in the Department of Mysteries.

I was working as a Healer at St. Mungo's.

Becca and Sirius were at the party too. They had broken up around two years ago, but they were still incredibly close – almost inseparable…

Sirius was working as an Auror with James. I wasn't at all surprised that they were working side by side. These two had been best friends since the age of eleven.

Becca was the now the Head Editor of Witch Weekly Magazine, something I thought suited her perfectly – considering the fact that ever since we had first met on the train at Hogwarts some fifteen years ago, her nose had been buried in the magazine.

Remus was in France at the moment, working alongside some other wizards who were trying to create the Wolfsbane potion, which would be a tremendous help to Werewolves everywhere. Yes, I had found out that Remus was a Werewolf. It didn't bother me in the least, and Becca felt the same way I did.

Peter had been extremely quiet these days. He seemed as though he was avoiding us…

James's hand had gone back into his pocket. His eyes were darting around nervously, and he hadn't met my own gaze for several moments. He was clutching whatever was in his pocket very tightly.

Then, he gave a deep breath, and turned to me, finally looking into my eyes. "Lily – er – would you – would you like to talk a walk outside?" he said hopefully. The look in his eyes – he looked so nervous, yet excited – it's not like I could have said no. Not as if it was a big deal; it was just a walk outside, afterall….

James grabbed my hand tightly and led me out into the grand backyard of the Potter estate. As we passed by Sirius and Bella, Sirius grinned at me, raising his eyebrows, and Becca beamed. I gave them both an incredulous look but they just smirked at me.

We had been walking for about ten minutes in silence. James had seemed so busy in his own thoughts that I hadn't bothered to make conversation. The silence between us wasn't awkward though, it was relaxed…and comfortable…and content…

"James?" I said finally.

James glanced at me. "Yes love?"

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

But James didn't need to speak. My question had already been answered as he led me out onto a gorgeous meadow. There were acres and acres of fields – it was incredible. It was one of the most beautiful meadows I had ever seen in my life.

I turned to James, about to say something, but then I paused. He was sweating, and he looked more nervous than I had ever seen him in his life.

And then, without warning, James had gotten down onto one knee.

I began shaking. OH MY GOSH…

"Lily," James said, nervously, "I will never, ever love anyone else but you. I am completely in love with you, and I always will be, always."

James paused, and smiled at me. A small tear of joy had slid down my cheek…

"Lily Evans, will you be my princess?" James said as he took a box out of his pocket, opened it, and slid a beautiful diamond ring onto my finger.

I had a sudden flashback. It was like that time, in seventh-year, the time James had asked me out to Hogsmeade; the time he had asked me out on our first date. And the same voice in my head had started shouting at me now…

Say yes! It's just a single word! Say yes you stupid prat! Say it!

I smiled at him, my eyes watering up. "Y-yes."

James jumped up and pulled me into a hug. I clutched him tightly, feeling incredibly warm and never wanting to let go.

Then I paused, pulled out of the hug, and glanced at him curiously. How had he known what to say? He asked me to be his princess. That was the same exact thing I had dreamed of ever since a little girl. I had dreamed of a Prince Charming, in a meadow, asking me to be his princess. But how did James know what to say?

"How did you –"

"Do you remember that time, a long time ago, when we were hanging out in the Heads' Dormitory, and I asked you what kind of guy you wanted? And you told me all about what you used to dream about when you were little? Well, I never forgot about that night…" James said smiling tenderly at me.

I laughed, then cupped his chin in my hand and kissed him. I kissed him longer and harder than I had remembered doing ever before. It was the most incredible kiss in the world – even more incredible than the first kiss we had ever shared. I forgot the rest of the world right then and there, and all I could think about was James Potter.

You're my Prince Charming…

The End.

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A/N: Wow, it…it's done! I finished! Wow I feel so great now! I loved writing this story so much, but I don't know if I would have been able to finish it without all the encouragement from you guys! Thank you so much!!! I really do appreciate each and every review I am given, and I love hearing that people are enjoying something that I have written.

F.A.Q. à Many people have asked me in their reviews if I'm going to do a sequel for this. Well, I hadn't exactly thought about doing a sequel when I had typed up the plans for this story so many months ago. If I do end up writing a sequel, it won't be for a while, so don't get your hopes up.

By the way, I am currently working on a Harry/Ginny story right now. I've only done up the first chapter, and I still have so much planning to do. It won't be out for another few months, but keep an eye out for it, and please read it if you are a Harry/Ginny fan.

I thank you all so much for supporting my story – it really does make a difference. Thanks so much for every single person here who has ever reviewed my story. I couldn't have done this without all your support! Cries It's over now! I can't believe it! I know this is the last chapter, but if you guys have the heart, then please review and tell me what you think. Your words really do mean a lot to me. Thanks so much! I love you guys!

Freida