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Chapter 9- One more chance for James

November was coming faster than Lily had ever remembered before. She was relatively busy with things; between keeping up in classes, studying for N.E.W.T.s and Head Girl duties she hardly had a moment peace. Lily was afraid with Christmas coming up that more would be expected of her to prepare for the Yule Ball. Toward the end of the month Lily hadn't heard any of what was going on with it and decided to ask James what was going on with it.

"I've got it covered," was his reply.

"Are you sure? It's an awful lot to take on by yourself."

"I'm sure, Lily, the prefects have been doing a lot of the planning. If only that git Snape would be some help."

"Don't call him a git," Lily said with wariness in her tone.

"What does it matter to you what I call him?"

"Just don't," Lily didn't feel like getting into this right now. The previous weekend had been a treatment day, and Violet's health was still declining. And as much as Lily wouldn't let Severus believe it, she still cared. Lily didn't like the idea of anyone being treated with cruelty, least of all her friends.

"Fine," James didn't like her still sticking up for him, especially with what Snape had called her, and that one was to her face. Who knew what kind of things he said behind her back.

"What can I do to help you with the ball?" Lily asked, changing the subject back.

"You can go with me," James said suavely and looking at her with that charming smile.

Lily glowered at him and mouthed a definite 'no'.

"Why not?" James whined.

"Because I've already given you one date," Lily replied picking up her latest copy of Witch Weekly.

"Is that the only chance a guy gets? Didn't you have fun on that date?"

"Honestly, no, not really; no offence James, but I don't think we'd really work out too well, and I like having you as a friend, so can we leave it at that?"

"Why do you think we wouldn't work?" James asked, keeping his patience. Listen to what she wants, a voice sounded in his head, it was something his mother had told him as an extra bit of advice about a month ago.

"We don't have anything in common, and I don't want to force the things I enjoy on you, and I don't want yours forced on me, do you know what I mean?" Lily said.

"How do you know we don't have anything in common?"

"You like Quidditch, I like reading; you like pranks, I like order; you like-"

"Alright I get the point," James cut her off. He thought for a moment as he was making posters advertising for the dance. "How about I make you a deal?" he smiled again.

"What's that," Lily rolled her eyes and looked at James.

"Give me one more chance. One more date this Friday night. If you enjoy yourself, you go to the dance with me, if you don't I'll never ask you out again," James looked like he meant it. Lily put on a thoughtful look and considered the possibilities.

If I enjoy it, it won't be too painful, and if he screws it up again, I don't have to go through this conversation over and over. She weighed the scenarios for a minute or two. "Just one date?"

"Just one date," James said. "Unless you enjoy it, then it's two, but we can cross that bridge when we get to it."

Lily waited another minute, and then stuck her hand out. "It's a deal," she said.

"No, it's a date," James took her hand, and instead of shaking pulled it up to his lips and kissed it very gentlemanly like. Lily blushed and grabbed her magazine again, this time to hide behind.

Lily wrote to her mum and dad telling them she'd be staying at Hogwarts that weekend. She wasn't sure what they'd be doing on Friday night, but the less input she had, the more likely James was to screw up and the greater chance she had of getting to go with someone else to the dance. Of course, she never anticipated what James was planning.

James had been racking his brain with what to do since the first conversation with his mother on what to do about the Lily situation. James had asked Remus and Samantha about the things they knew about Lily, and talked to his mother to find out what other things he should do. James had been quite stealthy in finding information about her without giving anything away or invading her 'personal space'.

"Your father tried to read my diary to find out some information before we were dating, and I got so mad at him."

"Hey, you still married me didn't you," Michael said.

Kyla looked at her husband, "this Lily seems smarter than I was." That shut him up during the rest of the conversation. "Do something she'll be interested in this time, even if you're not."

James was writing down everything she said since September. He had a pretty good list by now.

1. Open doors for her

2. Don't talk too much

3. Plan at least one thing you know she likes

4. Be a gentleman, no rude jokes or offensive language

5. Make her feel special

6. Don't talk about other girls

"And smile a lot," Kyla made one last suggestion while chopping carrots for a stew. "Lord knows that might be the only thing that saves you."

Friday morning arrived and James woke up feeling ready for the day. Everything was planned out and nothing could go wrong this time. It was barely seven in the morning and although James wasn't used to being up early he got dressed and made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. If everything was to work he couldn't have any contact with Lily today.

Lily woke up around 8 and groaned. She wondered if she could just cancel tonight. A lifetime of date proposals weren't looking too bad now, but Lily figured she couldn't back out at this point. Lily rolled out of bed and realized something; James had never said when or where to meet him. She got dressed and went to the Head Boy's door and knocked. No one answered. "Potter you're going to miss breakfast!" she shouted, thinking he must still be sleeping. No response again. She opened the door, "Potter it's time to get-" then she noticed no one was there. He must have gone to breakfast already, she thought.

Lily grabbed her things and went to the Great Hall. There was Peter, Remus, Samantha, Sirius… but where was James? She sat down across from Samantha, but talked to Sirius. "Have you seen James this morning?"

"Nope, I have no idea where he is," Sirius took a large bite of toast. He knew what James was up to, and was only awake before nine to help him gauge Lily's reaction. Remus knew to and was glad not to be the target of information. Remus didn't think he could lie to Lily in any way, even if it was for the better.

Lily shrugged it off and started eating. Soon the owl post was coming in. Lily was looking up to see if Darcy had brought anything from home, but was greeted by four of the school owls carrying a beautifully decorated tin box. Lily gave each of the four birds a bit of bread and then examined the gift she had just been sent. Samantha, who had no idea what was going on, looked on amazed. "Who sent you that?"

Lily was still looking at the flowers, "I don't know," she said, obviously distracted.

In the tin, which had a Victorian design with the Gryffindor emblem on it, were bells of Ireland growing from fresh soil and surrounded by Forget-me-nots. Covering the soil was moss. Within the stems was a very small blue envelope with a card inside.

My Lily,
I could never forget the luck you bring to me.

The note was unsigned, but Lily recognized the handwriting. "James," she said, smiling.

"He did this?" Samantha seemed shocked. Lily just nodded.

Lily was less frustrated until after charms when James so obviously avoided her. She tried to approach him right after class, since he had come in right before it started, to see what time he wanted her to meet him, and where. James did the same thing after Herbology and Potions too. "That's enough!" she said.

"What's enough?" Samantha asked.

"James won't even tell me when we're meeting or where!" Lily was getting fed up.

"Why don't you just ask him?"

"I've tried, but he keeps avoiding me," she sat down in one of the big squishy chairs in the Gryffindor common room.

"Well, if he doesn't tell you then I guess you don't have to go," Samantha pointed out.

"I cancelled a weekend with my family, and I'll be so mad if he did that," Lily said, getting out her book for Transfiguration, their last class of the day.

"Just relax for now, and worry about him later," Samantha said, mimicking Lily's action.

"I guess you're right, but if he doesn't talk to me after our next class, I'm going to find where he's been hiding all day."

Sirius came over. "Hey girls, how's it going?"

"Just peachy," Lily said, looking at the chapter on changing animate objects into inanimate objects.

"You don't look so well Evans," Sirius said. "Maybe you should go take a nap before Transfiguration."

Lily looked up at him with a look daring him to make another suggestion like that. "I have to study."

"But your health is so important to us, Evans, why don't you just go take a fifteen minute break or so. It's not like we have a test today or anything," Sirius sat down on the arm of the chair.

"Maybe he's right Lily, you haven't felt well lately and-"

"Fine!" Lily got up and slammed her book closed. She was getting frustrated with this entire day. "Looks like you two won't let me study anyways."

Lily went to the Head commons and knocked on James's door, hoping he might be there. He wasn't so Lily made her way into her own bedroom. There, on her side table, was a vase of twenty-four red roses. The vase seemed to sparkle and, after examining it, Lily thought it might actually be made from real crystal. "Wow, he goes out of his way," Lily said out loud, know who placed this here and feeling bad for snapping at Sirius, figuring this must be why he was so bent on her going back to her room. There was a note to this one as well, the envelope was the same color and size.

Lily opened it up and read its content.

My Lily,
This is how many hours out of everyday I think of you.

Lily had to admit that this was quite flattering, but she was still angry that he hadn't told her anything. I won't go if he doesn't, she decided. Why bother even getting ready if I don't know it's still on. Lily sat on her bed and opened her Transfiguration book to study, but found that something on the bedside table was still distracting her.

Lily hurried to Transfiguration. She was almost late, but came in just in time. James was sitting in the front row, an unusual place for him, and the only place left was in the back. Lily took a deep breath and took the last seat. The hour seemed to drag, and Lily wasn't quite as focused as usually was; all of her attention was on the black haired boy passing notes in the front of the class. It didn't even bother her that he was breaking a rule by passing notes, Lily only knew she had to catch him before he ditched her again.

The class ended and Lily rushed forward, but missed him again. She hurried out of the classroom and made her way quickly to the Gryffindor tower. Lily went to the Marauder's room and pounded on the door. Remus answered it. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, you can tell me where Potter is," Lily felt herself getting to breaking point again, but promised herself she wouldn't snap at any of them again. Besides, they were probably under James's orders not to tell, so she could just blame him later.

"I don't know where he is, James didn't tell us where he was going," Remus was glad James hadn't told them, because then he didn't have to lie.

"Do you have any idea about what's going on?"

I hate you James, Remus thought. "Well, yes," he decided to be honest. "But I can't tell you."

"Fine, but I'm not giving him another chance after this." Lily said before walking down the stairs in defeat. Even Remus thought though that James wouldn't need another chance with what he had up his sleeve.

Lily looked everywhere for James: on the Quidditch pitch, in the owlery, in the kitchens, even around the lake, though it was getting too cold for a stroll anymore. Finally she went back to her room. She said if she didn't get any information then she wouldn't bother getting ready, so she went into the bathroom and washed her face, might as well get an early night rest, Lily thought. It was only five in the evening, but she had been so busy studying lately that she didn't have any time to read. Phantom sounds good, Lily decided as she brushed her teeth and brushed through her hair. She took off her school robes as she opened her bedroom door.

The lights in the room were off, and the only light was coming from hundreds of blue candles floating in midair. She came in carefully, lest anything should fall. Lily had already loosened her Gryffindor tie and threw that and her robes onto her bed while her eyes were fixated on the latest flower arrangement. It was held in a blue and white Venetian vase and was held up by some silver mist. The flowers were all Cala Lilies that were placed in layers surrounding a silver antique hand mirror. She picked up the note.

My Lily,
I found your favorite flower,
But their beauty cannot compare to you.

Lily put the note down, the largest smile on her face that day showed itself. How did he know, Lily wondered looking at the bouquet of lilies, which had been her favorite. Lily's grandmother used to grow these in her backyard, and Lily hadn't seen these since her grandmother's passing. Lily looked over to the mirror and saw the beautiful design all around it. She touched its edge and felt something behind her navel pull her away.

A/N: First I have to say I love James's mum! I know I created her, but she really has taken a life of her own and I love it!

I had to end it there because otherwise this chapter is going to be five thousand words! (maybe I'm over estimating, but I did want to do the date thing) BTW the James/ Lily dating isn't why this story is called 'One more Chance'. I know Lily was kind of being rude to Sirius, but she was just getting frustrated so I don't want anyone to focus on that one too much.

I was also given some more REAL info on cancer thanks to Josephine Sawyer, so I thought I'd clarify a position in the story for anyone who's wondering. Lily has Malignant Kidney cancer, but they do BELIEVE they can cure it, whereas her mother's tumor is too far along to do anything. I don't know if that completely coincides with reality, but please allow for some artistic license for my sake.

If you haven't catched it, the flower meanings go along with what the note says, but I have to say that 24 roses means 'yours forever'...just too sweet!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! If you are reading this review so I know it's being read. I like having comments, but even if its two words it would be greatly appreciated. Flames are okay, but if you don't like it at least give me something to work on.

Thank you to:

Josephine Sawyer: Thank you for your emails, they are invaluable to me, I hope you don't get angry that I'm not changing the cancer thing, because it just works for the stories end.

Lily Parkinson: How did I leave it hanging? I didn't really mean it to hang. The Severus relationship only had to be established for a future chapter, so there wasn't anything extremely vital to keeping that conversation going, but if you want to let me know, I want to =)

Daine Sarrasri: Please give me any advice you can on smoothing those sections over. I can't guarantee I'll revise this, but it will help me develop other stories more clearly and work on it. I don't generally edit and re-edit my fanfics, because I'm not working on publishing them (because that would violate copyright laws) but I like to look at old pieces and see where I've grown, so feel free to write me and give me reprimands =)

Katkit: Thank you! I appreciate you actually reviewing!

EyesofEmerald: I hope you're still reading and note plead above for reviews if you are =) Thank you for liking my Peter bashing. I don't particularly like him, but that is for a purpose. The way I see it, there must be some reason he doesn't feel completely loyal to them, other than the fact that he's a power seeking, son of a squib who can't be trusted.

AAandACforever: First of all, where did you get this name? Just curious…Yes she does try helping people, but I think you'll see that sometimes she tries to please everyone too much. I hope you like this chapter, since it's all fun romantic fluff (sigh) This was a fun one to write, and I think you'll enjoy it.

Bitter Heart: Thank you for your review! Yes getting cancer is odd and it will work into my plan (wahahaha) but that's what makes this one different!

JamieBell: What Severus did was BEYOND forgiveness in my opinion, and she probably feels the same way, especially since she was defending him. I think in her own way she's forgiven Snape, but she has to keep a distance to feel safe from that again. It's like the old saying: "hurt me once, shame on you, hurt me twice, shame on me". The things she's said to James just slide right off his back, and I think deep down he knows their true, but she also gives credit where credit is due. Plus this wouldn't be the same fanfic without her not being completely forgiving=) I do think she'd keep either from saying anything about the other too. If she hadn't at least partly forgiven Snape, she'd let James say anything he wanted about him. Sorry if I rambled here, but you understand… don't you? Thanks again for your faithful reviews! Can't wait to see your response to this chapter; I was writing it and thinking 'oooo, she's going to like that' or 'she's going think that's soo sweet'…ect

Hearts: Thanks for reviewing! Glad you like it.