Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and
owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to
Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros.,
Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is
intended.
Thanks this time to:
leah (chapter 1): I'm actually not sure what you meant by your review... you never actually said what it was you thought would interfere with Lily and James getting together... If you mean everything that happened with her sister, it's just my interpretation of Petunia's reaction to Lily being a witch. And besides, it will come into play later on... much later on
lillies (chapter 2): What can I say... the whole beginning is in the process of being reworked... I have up to chapter four done so far. I've realized that it was very unrealistic, and I've been working very hard to make everything seem much more natural.
floo (chapter 6): There, it was mostly the fact that he had lied to her, and had sort of betrayed her trust already, so early in the relationship.
krissy: Aww, you are so nice!
ShortySC22: Thanks... and I'm glad that you appreciated the picture... the reason I found it in the first place was because you suggested it.
giggles: I'll be sure to read your story as soon as I can... but it's funny how we thought so alike with the whole theme of my last chapter.
tinkandtoodles: yeah, that was a fairly sad chapter... but I'm glad that you liked it.
khel shaye: Thanks! Glad to know you are enjoying it so much!
Shorti: lol... moldy voldy, eh?
Aarien Star: Thanks for both reviews! I guess that I've almost forgot about updating on Fiction Alley. I've been so caught up with all the reviews I've been getting here and well... yeah. But don't worry. I'll update soon!
MarsMoonStar: lol... wow, eh? I love it!
Tomato Beatles Fan: Thanks for both reviews (chapters 5 and 18). Yeah. My friends say carp, and I find it so amusing... lol.
Redheadedgurl88: First of all... yay for being redheads! I'm glad you like the story so much.
kitty254781: Thanks so much!
Me : Nope, I haven't given up on it... yet... lol. You get more!
Alyssa: You're lucky! lol, I didn't just stop it... well, I did, but I'm back now
Eva Angel: awww, one of your favorites? I'm excited!
kitty: I'm really glad that you like my Lily, and the whole plot of it all and everything, it's great knowing that (
lilyjames4ever: You got your wish – I updated!
AN: flips out I love everyone! lol... I have 115 reviews... I'm so excited! Thanks to everyone who has been reading, and even more to those who have reviewed. You are amazing! I'm very sorry about the length of time it has taken me to update....I realize that this is what... like a year and a half later or something like that? yeah, bad Christy. And then I read OotP and actually considered giving up on this because it was so AU now... but I'm back, so lucky you! I'll try to make it a really good chapter to make up for not writing... lol
When You Wish Upon a Star
by Christabell
Chapter Eighteen: Of Worries and Requests
James knelt by Lily's bed in her dorm, trying not to wake the other girls. Though Lily's appearance was back to being as lovely as it had been before, he could tell just by looking at her that she wasn't healed by any means. Her sleep was fitful at best, and the expression on her face seemed strained.
"Lily," he whispered softly. "I know you're asleep, and I guess that will make it easier to say this. I've been thinking about how much you mean to me, and this is the second time I have almost lost you. I... I love you so much, and I know that I couldn't change that if I tried. You are so amazing, I know I can't ever compare. But if you'd have me, I would love to spend the rest of my life with you... I've already been figuring out where to buy the ring. I don't know when I'll ask you, but before this year is over, I am going to propose to you. I'll love you for as long as I live, Lils, and even after it. We'll get through this, and if you need anything, just come and find me. No matter what, I'll drop everything for you."
He picked up her hand and held it in his for a minute. Then, he slowly reached down to kiss her palm, and rose to his feet. "Goodnight, Lily. I love you." With that, he quietly exited the dorm, casting one last, longing glance.
Arabella wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. Poor Lily, poor James. The two of them would have such a hard time. And the fact that he wanted to propose... it was one of the sweetest, yet saddest things she had ever heard. James wouldn't have a chance to act on that for a while. She sighed once, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Lily woke up the next morning and made her way down the stairs, finding James, already sitting by the fire. She sat beside him, shivering slightly. Though the fire helped take the edge out of the room, the December air had quickly chilled everything overnight and even the lake had finally frozen over. Automatically, James reached over to put his arm around her, and then pulled back quickly as she flinched at his touch.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just... I can't..." James nodded understandingly, but inside he was torn. The one girl he had ever truly loved... and she couldn't stand to even be in contact with him.
"It's okay, Lily. You don't have to be sorry. I just wish that I could have done something to prevent it." She looked down at her hands, folding them in her lap before proceeding to speak to him.
"I feel so dirty. I feel so dirty, James," she said in a voice barely audible. "He touched me, and I can't ever erase that... I wanted you to be my first, not some... monster like him. I'm so sorry."
"Lily, look at me..." James said, lifting her chin upwards, the hurt in her eyes painfully obvious. "I will still be your first, I promise you that. No matter what he did, I will be the first to make love to you. I love you, and you love me, and that's all we need. Even if he did... touch... you, that can't prevent me from loving you. I love you even more, in fact. A weaker person wouldn't have been able to stand it. You survived this, and that's what matters right now."
"But..." Lily began, but James cut her off.
"No buts. You are still my Lily, and nothing will change that." A long silence followed. Finally, James couldn't stand it. "Come on; let's go get us some breakfast."
Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Daphne had been talking for some time.
"But what are we going to do about it? He can't handle it all himself. We need to do something!" Daphne interrupted.
"I don't believe this is something we have any power over. This has to come from someone she loves."
"So you really are going to leave this all up to James? That's a lot of pressure to put on one person, especially a child."
"Daphne, James is not a child anymore. He may be only seventeen, but he has seen and experienced more than some adults do in their entire lives. Besides, I'm sure you have seen how he looks at her. He loves her more than he has ever loved anyone... I can tell. And it will not only be James. I know that Lily's friends will be more than willing to help in anyway they can. Judging from what I've seen in the past, they would be insulted if they were not allowed to help."
"Yes, I suppose you are right, Albus. I just don't like laying all this responsibility on James' shoulders. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Dumbledore nodded.
"Not, but I think it may be the only thing that can help."
"Then I'll send him down after he's finished eating. You can tell him what he needs to do."
"Send Miss Figg along as well."
Daphne walked briskly into the Great Hall, and straight over to the Gryffindor table. There, James was sitting, staring at Lily as she picked at her food, spending more time moving it around than she did actually eating it.
"Lils, you need to eat. Please?" he gave her a pleading look, and she glared as he directed her fork towards her mouth.
"Happy?" she asked, her voice oozing with sarcasm through a mouthful of pancakes.
"Much better." At that moment, Daphne chose to cut in.
"Miss Figg? Mr. Potter? The Headmaster would like to speak with you as soon as you are finished eating. Don't worry about being late to your classes; it's already been taken care of." James and Arabella exchanged a glance, and then nodded.
"Of course, Daphne. Did we do anything wrong?" Arabella questioned. Daphne coughed subtly, and pointed her eyes directly at the back of Lily's head. "Ah, I see. Don't worry, we'll be there..."
Breakfast ended quickly, as it always seemed to, and sooner than they had expected, James and Arabella were off to Dumbledore's office. They left the Great Hall in silence, and for a minute or two, each stayed with their separate thoughts until Arabella had had enough.
"James, how are you dealing with this? I mean, you've seemed fine so far, but even I've been having trouble with it." James glanced at her, almost gratefully.
"I... I just don't know what to do. I mean, I talked to her earlier, and it's just awful to know that I can't even hold her hand without her thinking about it... And I don't even know how any of this happened. I mean, was it only in our minds?"
"It had to have been more than that... we could see you guys being tortured...." Arabella shuddered.
"I know, but that's what I don't understand. If we stayed in the same place for the whole time... did it even happen? How does that work?"
"It doesn't. But maybe Dumbledore will have some answers. I mean, we already know he's calling us down to talk about Lily; Daphne pointed that out." She shrugged, and then continued. "But I wonder why it is only us that are being called down. I think that everyone is really close to Lily and would do anything to help," she mused, refering to their group of friends.
"But think about it, Arabella... Yeah, everyone is close with her, but you are her best friend, and I, well...."
"You love her."
"Yeah, I guess it's as simple as that. I love her beyond belief."
"James... I heard you talking to her last night..." Arabella spoke hesitantly as James froze.
"No one was supposed to be awake," he said flatly.
"I'm sorry... but I wanted to tell you that no matter what happens to her, Lily is one of the world's luckiest girls because she has you." James looked up, an appreciative expression on his face.
"Thanks, Ara. And if anyone had to hear me, I would have chosen you." With that, he leaned over and enveloped her in a tight embrace. They stayed in that position for a minute, and then broke apart, continuing their walk with a comfortable silence.
The two arrived at the gargoyle statue, and Arabella glanced at James expectantly.
"You do know the password, right?"
"Of course I do... I'm not Head Boy for nothing... 'Cotton Candy.' That should do it." The door opened up, and the two students slowly walked inside.
"Miss Figg, Mr. Potter, please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I have no idea how long this will take." Arabella and James sunk down on the two chairs in front of his desk and looked up at their Headmaster "I believe you know that you are here because of Lily. Rape is an awful thing as it is, but Lily's case was different. Voldemort used the 'Curse of the Living Nightmare' on both Lily and you, James. What the curse does is render its victims unconscious, and more or less traps their minds in whatever setting the caster wants."
"Wait..." James interrupted, "so was Lily really... raped?"
"That's the hard part..." Dumbledore sighed. "Her body shows the physical effects, and her state of mind does as well... but I can't help but think that without the two parts together, you would not consider it to be a rape."
"Well what the hell would you call it?" James hissed accusingly. "How could you let this happen to her... this is all your fault! We're supposed to be safe here..."
"James, calm down. I'm going to be completely honest with you; I have no idea what happened. Voldemort must have had some source inside Hogwarts. I know of one, but he is a spy for us. He would never have betrayed you, or especially Lily."
"That doesn't stop this from becoming a problem, does it?" Arabella asked, though her question turned out much more like a statement.
"I'm afraid not. However you two, along with the rest of Lily's friends can help her out quite a good deal. I suggest always having someone with her, for one. Leaving her alone could be dangerous and could cause her to sink into depression. You need to try and convince her that none of this was her fault, that she's not an awful person, etc. Basically, just support her in any way that you can. I'll admit now that most of this responsibility will fall on you two, but mainly you, James. Can you do this?" The headmaster now looked at the two students in front of him, already knowing what their answers would be.
"Of course we can."
"Inform everyone who witnessed the curse about how to help her... I'm counting on you." James nodded, and simultaneously rose with Arabella.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
The Gryffindor common room reached a silence unknown in its past during the next few days. Though a majority of the students had not been informed of what Lily and James had gone through, the mood of the group seemed to dictate the entire feeling that had reached them.
It was near 3am, yet James was still sitting alone in his and Lily's tower, refusing to go to bed.
'How could I be so stupid!' he thought angrily. 'It's my fault I let this happen to her. All she's ever done is trust me, and I betrayed that trust so quickly.'
A creak suddenly reached his ears, and James looked up from his seat at the sound. Slowly, Lily's form reached the top of the stairs.
"James... is that you? Why are you still up? You have to sleep sometime... you're killing yourself..." Lily's concerned voice filled the empty tower.
"Lils... I'm sorry. I guess it should be me worrying about you... you shouldn't have to take care of me." Lily crossed the room, sat down by his feet, and turned to face him.
"Yes I should... I know I haven't shown it much lately – it's been harder than I can possibly explain – but I love you so much..."
"And you know I love you too," James interrupted.
"You know, Katherine and I have been writing to each other... she asked me to make sure you were alright and to just watch out for you." James groaned.
"Damn protective older sisters..." he muttered under his breath.
"I know, love. James, you see this?" she asked, holding up her hand and showing off the ring. "This meant something to me, to both of us. It still does. It fits perfectly. Despite everything we've been through, it's here, we're here. James Potter, I can't even put into words the emotion I feel for you. It's just too strong and passionate." She fell silent for a moment.
"My point is... well, I've been thinking a lot about us... and... well... that night..." she paused, and then began to speak rapidly. "And I know you couldn't have done anything, but Voldemort would have hurt you if he had, so I'm glad he didn't, and I guess that part of it was just mental because we were unconscious here and well, I love you. James... can you kiss me? Please?"
"You're sure you're okay with this now?"
"Positive." He stared at her for a minute, and then grasped her, pulling her onto his lap. He held her there in the embrace, and their lips met with an intensity that they had never none experienced. His hands were all over her, just feeling her, making sure she was really there, and that a love this strong really could exist at seventeen.
"God James..." Lily groaned, as his hands trace a path up her shirt. Her hands were buried in his hair, pulling him closer and closer to her until there was not an inch between them. After a minute, she pulled back from him, looking nervous.
"What is it, Lily? I thought this was okay with you..." James trailed off uncertainly.
"Don't even worry about that, love. This is more than okay with me," she smiled at him.
"So why did you stop me?"
"James... you know how much I love you... and well... I want you to, well..." James down at Lily expectantly, watching as her face turned a deep shade of red.
"You want me to what?" Lily stood up and grabbed James' hands, pulling him up with her. She embraced him slowly, and then turned to whisper in his ear.
"I want you to make love to me."
AN: ha! I'm proud that after a year of writers block, I came out with this. Hope you guys enjoyed it, and it's good to be back (
Thanks this time to:
leah (chapter 1): I'm actually not sure what you meant by your review... you never actually said what it was you thought would interfere with Lily and James getting together... If you mean everything that happened with her sister, it's just my interpretation of Petunia's reaction to Lily being a witch. And besides, it will come into play later on... much later on
lillies (chapter 2): What can I say... the whole beginning is in the process of being reworked... I have up to chapter four done so far. I've realized that it was very unrealistic, and I've been working very hard to make everything seem much more natural.
floo (chapter 6): There, it was mostly the fact that he had lied to her, and had sort of betrayed her trust already, so early in the relationship.
krissy: Aww, you are so nice!
ShortySC22: Thanks... and I'm glad that you appreciated the picture... the reason I found it in the first place was because you suggested it.
giggles: I'll be sure to read your story as soon as I can... but it's funny how we thought so alike with the whole theme of my last chapter.
tinkandtoodles: yeah, that was a fairly sad chapter... but I'm glad that you liked it.
khel shaye: Thanks! Glad to know you are enjoying it so much!
Shorti: lol... moldy voldy, eh?
Aarien Star: Thanks for both reviews! I guess that I've almost forgot about updating on Fiction Alley. I've been so caught up with all the reviews I've been getting here and well... yeah. But don't worry. I'll update soon!
MarsMoonStar: lol... wow, eh? I love it!
Tomato Beatles Fan: Thanks for both reviews (chapters 5 and 18). Yeah. My friends say carp, and I find it so amusing... lol.
Redheadedgurl88: First of all... yay for being redheads! I'm glad you like the story so much.
kitty254781: Thanks so much!
Me : Nope, I haven't given up on it... yet... lol. You get more!
Alyssa: You're lucky! lol, I didn't just stop it... well, I did, but I'm back now
Eva Angel: awww, one of your favorites? I'm excited!
kitty: I'm really glad that you like my Lily, and the whole plot of it all and everything, it's great knowing that (
lilyjames4ever: You got your wish – I updated!
AN: flips out I love everyone! lol... I have 115 reviews... I'm so excited! Thanks to everyone who has been reading, and even more to those who have reviewed. You are amazing! I'm very sorry about the length of time it has taken me to update....I realize that this is what... like a year and a half later or something like that? yeah, bad Christy. And then I read OotP and actually considered giving up on this because it was so AU now... but I'm back, so lucky you! I'll try to make it a really good chapter to make up for not writing... lol
When You Wish Upon a Star
by Christabell
Chapter Eighteen: Of Worries and Requests
James knelt by Lily's bed in her dorm, trying not to wake the other girls. Though Lily's appearance was back to being as lovely as it had been before, he could tell just by looking at her that she wasn't healed by any means. Her sleep was fitful at best, and the expression on her face seemed strained.
"Lily," he whispered softly. "I know you're asleep, and I guess that will make it easier to say this. I've been thinking about how much you mean to me, and this is the second time I have almost lost you. I... I love you so much, and I know that I couldn't change that if I tried. You are so amazing, I know I can't ever compare. But if you'd have me, I would love to spend the rest of my life with you... I've already been figuring out where to buy the ring. I don't know when I'll ask you, but before this year is over, I am going to propose to you. I'll love you for as long as I live, Lils, and even after it. We'll get through this, and if you need anything, just come and find me. No matter what, I'll drop everything for you."
He picked up her hand and held it in his for a minute. Then, he slowly reached down to kiss her palm, and rose to his feet. "Goodnight, Lily. I love you." With that, he quietly exited the dorm, casting one last, longing glance.
Arabella wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. Poor Lily, poor James. The two of them would have such a hard time. And the fact that he wanted to propose... it was one of the sweetest, yet saddest things she had ever heard. James wouldn't have a chance to act on that for a while. She sighed once, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Lily woke up the next morning and made her way down the stairs, finding James, already sitting by the fire. She sat beside him, shivering slightly. Though the fire helped take the edge out of the room, the December air had quickly chilled everything overnight and even the lake had finally frozen over. Automatically, James reached over to put his arm around her, and then pulled back quickly as she flinched at his touch.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just... I can't..." James nodded understandingly, but inside he was torn. The one girl he had ever truly loved... and she couldn't stand to even be in contact with him.
"It's okay, Lily. You don't have to be sorry. I just wish that I could have done something to prevent it." She looked down at her hands, folding them in her lap before proceeding to speak to him.
"I feel so dirty. I feel so dirty, James," she said in a voice barely audible. "He touched me, and I can't ever erase that... I wanted you to be my first, not some... monster like him. I'm so sorry."
"Lily, look at me..." James said, lifting her chin upwards, the hurt in her eyes painfully obvious. "I will still be your first, I promise you that. No matter what he did, I will be the first to make love to you. I love you, and you love me, and that's all we need. Even if he did... touch... you, that can't prevent me from loving you. I love you even more, in fact. A weaker person wouldn't have been able to stand it. You survived this, and that's what matters right now."
"But..." Lily began, but James cut her off.
"No buts. You are still my Lily, and nothing will change that." A long silence followed. Finally, James couldn't stand it. "Come on; let's go get us some breakfast."
Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Daphne had been talking for some time.
"But what are we going to do about it? He can't handle it all himself. We need to do something!" Daphne interrupted.
"I don't believe this is something we have any power over. This has to come from someone she loves."
"So you really are going to leave this all up to James? That's a lot of pressure to put on one person, especially a child."
"Daphne, James is not a child anymore. He may be only seventeen, but he has seen and experienced more than some adults do in their entire lives. Besides, I'm sure you have seen how he looks at her. He loves her more than he has ever loved anyone... I can tell. And it will not only be James. I know that Lily's friends will be more than willing to help in anyway they can. Judging from what I've seen in the past, they would be insulted if they were not allowed to help."
"Yes, I suppose you are right, Albus. I just don't like laying all this responsibility on James' shoulders. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Dumbledore nodded.
"Not, but I think it may be the only thing that can help."
"Then I'll send him down after he's finished eating. You can tell him what he needs to do."
"Send Miss Figg along as well."
Daphne walked briskly into the Great Hall, and straight over to the Gryffindor table. There, James was sitting, staring at Lily as she picked at her food, spending more time moving it around than she did actually eating it.
"Lils, you need to eat. Please?" he gave her a pleading look, and she glared as he directed her fork towards her mouth.
"Happy?" she asked, her voice oozing with sarcasm through a mouthful of pancakes.
"Much better." At that moment, Daphne chose to cut in.
"Miss Figg? Mr. Potter? The Headmaster would like to speak with you as soon as you are finished eating. Don't worry about being late to your classes; it's already been taken care of." James and Arabella exchanged a glance, and then nodded.
"Of course, Daphne. Did we do anything wrong?" Arabella questioned. Daphne coughed subtly, and pointed her eyes directly at the back of Lily's head. "Ah, I see. Don't worry, we'll be there..."
Breakfast ended quickly, as it always seemed to, and sooner than they had expected, James and Arabella were off to Dumbledore's office. They left the Great Hall in silence, and for a minute or two, each stayed with their separate thoughts until Arabella had had enough.
"James, how are you dealing with this? I mean, you've seemed fine so far, but even I've been having trouble with it." James glanced at her, almost gratefully.
"I... I just don't know what to do. I mean, I talked to her earlier, and it's just awful to know that I can't even hold her hand without her thinking about it... And I don't even know how any of this happened. I mean, was it only in our minds?"
"It had to have been more than that... we could see you guys being tortured...." Arabella shuddered.
"I know, but that's what I don't understand. If we stayed in the same place for the whole time... did it even happen? How does that work?"
"It doesn't. But maybe Dumbledore will have some answers. I mean, we already know he's calling us down to talk about Lily; Daphne pointed that out." She shrugged, and then continued. "But I wonder why it is only us that are being called down. I think that everyone is really close to Lily and would do anything to help," she mused, refering to their group of friends.
"But think about it, Arabella... Yeah, everyone is close with her, but you are her best friend, and I, well...."
"You love her."
"Yeah, I guess it's as simple as that. I love her beyond belief."
"James... I heard you talking to her last night..." Arabella spoke hesitantly as James froze.
"No one was supposed to be awake," he said flatly.
"I'm sorry... but I wanted to tell you that no matter what happens to her, Lily is one of the world's luckiest girls because she has you." James looked up, an appreciative expression on his face.
"Thanks, Ara. And if anyone had to hear me, I would have chosen you." With that, he leaned over and enveloped her in a tight embrace. They stayed in that position for a minute, and then broke apart, continuing their walk with a comfortable silence.
The two arrived at the gargoyle statue, and Arabella glanced at James expectantly.
"You do know the password, right?"
"Of course I do... I'm not Head Boy for nothing... 'Cotton Candy.' That should do it." The door opened up, and the two students slowly walked inside.
"Miss Figg, Mr. Potter, please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I have no idea how long this will take." Arabella and James sunk down on the two chairs in front of his desk and looked up at their Headmaster "I believe you know that you are here because of Lily. Rape is an awful thing as it is, but Lily's case was different. Voldemort used the 'Curse of the Living Nightmare' on both Lily and you, James. What the curse does is render its victims unconscious, and more or less traps their minds in whatever setting the caster wants."
"Wait..." James interrupted, "so was Lily really... raped?"
"That's the hard part..." Dumbledore sighed. "Her body shows the physical effects, and her state of mind does as well... but I can't help but think that without the two parts together, you would not consider it to be a rape."
"Well what the hell would you call it?" James hissed accusingly. "How could you let this happen to her... this is all your fault! We're supposed to be safe here..."
"James, calm down. I'm going to be completely honest with you; I have no idea what happened. Voldemort must have had some source inside Hogwarts. I know of one, but he is a spy for us. He would never have betrayed you, or especially Lily."
"That doesn't stop this from becoming a problem, does it?" Arabella asked, though her question turned out much more like a statement.
"I'm afraid not. However you two, along with the rest of Lily's friends can help her out quite a good deal. I suggest always having someone with her, for one. Leaving her alone could be dangerous and could cause her to sink into depression. You need to try and convince her that none of this was her fault, that she's not an awful person, etc. Basically, just support her in any way that you can. I'll admit now that most of this responsibility will fall on you two, but mainly you, James. Can you do this?" The headmaster now looked at the two students in front of him, already knowing what their answers would be.
"Of course we can."
"Inform everyone who witnessed the curse about how to help her... I'm counting on you." James nodded, and simultaneously rose with Arabella.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
The Gryffindor common room reached a silence unknown in its past during the next few days. Though a majority of the students had not been informed of what Lily and James had gone through, the mood of the group seemed to dictate the entire feeling that had reached them.
It was near 3am, yet James was still sitting alone in his and Lily's tower, refusing to go to bed.
'How could I be so stupid!' he thought angrily. 'It's my fault I let this happen to her. All she's ever done is trust me, and I betrayed that trust so quickly.'
A creak suddenly reached his ears, and James looked up from his seat at the sound. Slowly, Lily's form reached the top of the stairs.
"James... is that you? Why are you still up? You have to sleep sometime... you're killing yourself..." Lily's concerned voice filled the empty tower.
"Lils... I'm sorry. I guess it should be me worrying about you... you shouldn't have to take care of me." Lily crossed the room, sat down by his feet, and turned to face him.
"Yes I should... I know I haven't shown it much lately – it's been harder than I can possibly explain – but I love you so much..."
"And you know I love you too," James interrupted.
"You know, Katherine and I have been writing to each other... she asked me to make sure you were alright and to just watch out for you." James groaned.
"Damn protective older sisters..." he muttered under his breath.
"I know, love. James, you see this?" she asked, holding up her hand and showing off the ring. "This meant something to me, to both of us. It still does. It fits perfectly. Despite everything we've been through, it's here, we're here. James Potter, I can't even put into words the emotion I feel for you. It's just too strong and passionate." She fell silent for a moment.
"My point is... well, I've been thinking a lot about us... and... well... that night..." she paused, and then began to speak rapidly. "And I know you couldn't have done anything, but Voldemort would have hurt you if he had, so I'm glad he didn't, and I guess that part of it was just mental because we were unconscious here and well, I love you. James... can you kiss me? Please?"
"You're sure you're okay with this now?"
"Positive." He stared at her for a minute, and then grasped her, pulling her onto his lap. He held her there in the embrace, and their lips met with an intensity that they had never none experienced. His hands were all over her, just feeling her, making sure she was really there, and that a love this strong really could exist at seventeen.
"God James..." Lily groaned, as his hands trace a path up her shirt. Her hands were buried in his hair, pulling him closer and closer to her until there was not an inch between them. After a minute, she pulled back from him, looking nervous.
"What is it, Lily? I thought this was okay with you..." James trailed off uncertainly.
"Don't even worry about that, love. This is more than okay with me," she smiled at him.
"So why did you stop me?"
"James... you know how much I love you... and well... I want you to, well..." James down at Lily expectantly, watching as her face turned a deep shade of red.
"You want me to what?" Lily stood up and grabbed James' hands, pulling him up with her. She embraced him slowly, and then turned to whisper in his ear.
"I want you to make love to me."
AN: ha! I'm proud that after a year of writers block, I came out with this. Hope you guys enjoyed it, and it's good to be back (