Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, and I don't own some of the writing in this one (credited in a/n at end and within chapter).

Chapter 3- Lily's First Encounter

Lily had been busy with school, the Order, James, and her dad for the past month. Things had been getting crazy and, though she had tried several times, Lily felt guilty for not having talked to Petunia in all this time. Lily knew it wasn't entirely her fault, but something told her that she needed to make things right with Petunia, though she wasn't exactly sure what was wrong.

Lily was supposed to meet James in about an hour at the Leaky Cauldron for dinner and to do something for a while. Her dad had said he would be working on a case for the Law Firm until late, so Lily put his stew into a Tupperware container for him to heat later. She then went into the living room and lay down on the couch, deciding she would rest her eyes for a quarter hour before getting ready for her date with James.

Nearly fifty minutes later Lily woke up and nearly jumped to get ready after seeing the time. She was never the type to be late for anything, in fact, she was always early.

Lily went up to her room, threw on her favorite pair of jeans, a sweater, and some blue robes that matched her sweater. She was putting on some light finishing powder when Darcy entered the room and dropped a beautiful piece of stationary in front of her. She opened it up and read:

Daydream

Whenever I day dream,
and day dream I do,
in my secret garden,
I day dream of you.

I day dream of you,
in a faraway land;
embracing me tight
and holding my hand.

Holding my hand,
and touching my face.
Just you and me,
in this peaceful place.

In this peaceful place
a pristine river flows.
Where the unicorns run,
a breeze always blows.

A breeze always blows
and sings of a song;
our love in a place
where you're never gone.

Where you're never gone
is as it would seem,
from dusk until dawn,
whenever I day dream.

And whenever I day dream,
and day dream I do,
in my secret garden,
I day dream of you.

Lily smiled while putting on her sapphire jewelry, the one thing she always wore when she went out with James.

Dinner had been fairly uneventful, the two just talked about their days and James cheered Lily up after she had explained the numerous problems she was having at Healer's school. "You've always managed to mend my heart," James said suavely.

Lily smiled at him and rolled her eyes, grateful that James was there to ease the embarrassment of failing to succeed at something. The last thing that she had failed at was learning how to fly on a broom; something she had long since given up trying.

James told Lily about how Peter had tried to talk to him about something the night before, but wasn't making any sense. Peter had been becoming more and more incoherent when he talked to any of his friends. Lily attributed it to him being nervous about Voldermort making some kind of attack. Peter had never had a lot of nerve, even if he was in Gryffindor, but Lily thought he could help the Order in other ways.

"Remus was talking in his sleep again last night," James said. James, Sirius, and Remus all shared a flat just outside of Hogsmeade. "Said something about catching the rabbit," James mentioned while Lily was about to take a bite of her chicken. She started to laugh. "Pathetic isn't it?" James added.

"Luv, you have no room to talk," Lily said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" James asked, cocking one eyebrow.

"It means there was at least one time you talked in your sleep," Lily said.

"When?" James asked incredulously.

"Sixth year, Common rooms," Lily said. "I was getting back from a late night study session, and you were laying on the couch. You were the only one left down there so no one else heard."

"What did I say?"

"Something about wanting Mr. Tiddles back," Lily said, and James blushed. "Does that name ring a bell?" she asked with a grin spreading across her face.

"That was my teddy bear when I was a kid," James said under his breath. Lily started laughing. "It's not funny, my cousins used to steal it away from me," he said defensively, only causing more laughter.

When they were finished dinning James paid and took Lily outside into the chilly night air. They walked around, Lily following James's lead knowing not to ask where they were going since it always seemed to be a surprise with him. It wasn't until they entered a Quidditch pitch that Lily asked any questions. "What are we doing here?" she asked giving him 'the look'.

"I thought it might be fun to go places we went on our first date," James said, going to the wall of the pitch where his broom was leaning up against it.

"You do remember that I said I hated that date, right?"

"But I thought it would be more fun if I let you ride with me this time," James said, getting ready to mount.

"Oh, no, you're not getting me on that thing," Lily said holding up her hands.

"You chicken?" James asked challenging her.

"Yep," Lily admitted with pride.

"I'll tell you what, if you can catch the snitch then I'll read a book," James said, trying to come up with a good compromise.

Lily looked up while thinking about it. "Any book I choose?"

"Yes," James said.

"Even Catcher in the Rye?" she asked with a sly smile.

James got a pained expression on his face, "yes," he groaned, but knew it would be worth it.

"Okay, if I catch the snitch you read the book," she said, holding out her hand.

"Deal," James said, shaking Lily's hand.

James mounted and helped Lily find a comfortable position before taking off. Lily screamed as they were off, looking for the snitch somewhere around the pitch. "Are you sure it's here?" Lily asked, holding on for her life.

"Yes," James said, "just keep looking."

It took Lily five minutes before she saw the glint of something in the distance. "Over there, James," she shouted, hoping this ride would be over soon. James followed where Lily had pointed with her hand still firmly on the broom, though he had seen it long before she had.

James ascended, following the little thing. "Reach out for it," he told her.

"I can't," Lily said, afraid to let go.

"I know you can," James said, giving her the encouragement she need to let go for ten seconds to grab the speeding bit of metal.

"I did it!" Lily shouted as James slowed the broom to a stop in mid air. He laughed as she suddenly realized the snitch felt flater than she imagined. She opened her palm. Sitting in the center was a ring of white gold, three square cut diamonds on top.

As Lily stared at it in awe, James leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I'm with you."

Lily smiled. "Elizabeth Barrett Browning," she said, naming the author of the quote James had just stated. James landed softly on the ground. Both he and Lily got off the broom, and he turned Lily around.

James knelt and took Lily's left hand in his. "You are my sweetheart, my companion, my true love, and my best friend. Lily Evans, will you also be my wife," he asked.

Lily's smile had grown, and tears were streaming down her face. All she could do was nod. James took the ring from her and placed it on her left ring finger. After doing so he stood up and they kissed with more passion and care than true love had ever seen before.

"James! Lily!" Kyla said when the couple showed up at the Potter's house unexpectedly. She went to hug her son, then turned and hugged Lily tightly. "How are you?" she asked.

"Good, really good," Lily said unable to suppress her smile at all.

"Oh, come in," Kyla said, ushering the two that wouldn't let go of each other's hands. "Michael! Look who's here!" Kyla said. It had been extremely lonely since James had moved out nearly eight months prior. Even though James had been their only child he had brought a ruckus and chaos along with him, that and all of his friends. Ever since he had left Kyla could have gone crazy with the silence.

"I see, Kyla, I see," Michael said. He worked all day and didn't notice the unusual calm in the household as much as Kyla did. Michael rose from his big chair and hugged his son and Lily in a similar manner that Kyla had. "What are you two doing here?"

"We, er-," James started half nervously and half excitedly, "we just wanted to tell you we're engaged," James announced.

Kyla covered her mouth with a small gasp and Michael started to smile broadly. "Really?" Kyla managed to get out. "Did you hear that Michael?"

"I'm standing right here, of course I heard it Kyla," Michael said trying to act annoyed.

Lily let out a little laughter as James pulled her close and Kyla came to examine the ring. "Oh, James!" she exclaimed. "That must have cost a fortune," she said.

"Nothing's too good for my Lily," James said, giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Congratulations, son, you finally snagged her," Michael said as Kyla pulled Lily aside.

"Yeah, I guess I did," James said looking lovingly toward Lily, who was giggling with his mother.

"Good one too," Michael added.

"The best," James said, looking at his dad. "I know I'm not good enough for her though."

"You never will be," Michael said, "just like I'll never be good enough for your mum." Michael pointed at the two talking. Kyla's eyes were red and she was wiping away some of her tears. "Don't think of it as losing a son, Kyla, think of it as gaining a daughter."

"Can't it be both?" Kyla asked, and then started to laugh. Everyone laughed along, including James.

They spent the next half an hour celebrating with champagne and discussing some plans. Lily said she wanted to get married before the New Year and James was all to happy to comply. Kyla and Lily discussed the dress situation while James talked with his dad about financing the wedding.

"We can help pay," Kyla said, when Michael was getting a little too frugal for the big party Kyla had in mind. "Who are your bridesmaids going to be?" Kyla asked.

"I want Petunia to be the Matron of Honor," Lily said.

"Why?" James asked astonished.

"Because she's my sister," Lily said plainly. "And I was her Maid of Honor."

"But that means she'll be bringing that big brut-"

"That big brut would be coming with her anyway, I'm sure," Lily said, cutting him off. "I have Muggle family, James, and I'm sure they'll all be coming."

James could tell he was hitting a sore spot, and though he didn't like Vernon much, he decided to smooth things over quickly, "of course they will, Lily. You can invite whoever you want."

Lily saw the clock on the wall, which read 10 o'clock. "We have to get to my house," she said quickly. "We have to tell Dad before he goes to sleep."

"All right," James said, putting down his glass. "We'll see you guys some time this weekend?"

"Anytime," Kyla said, giving another round of hugs. "Just drop by if you want me to help."

"Drop by so she'll stop bothering me," Michael added, and Kyla elbowed him in the ribs for his comment.

Lily and James held one another's hands and apparated into Lily's kitchen. The downstairs was dark and Josh's food was only half eaten, his bowl was still on the kitchen counter. Lily turned on the light, took the bowl, emptied the remains into a trash can and started washing the dish. "Where's your dad?" James asked, noticing the light wasn't on in the study either.

"Probably turned in early," Lily said, shrugging. "We can wait until morning right?"

"Sure," James said, but at the same time a loud noise from upstairs made them stop.

It took a moment before there was another thud, louder than the one before. "Go get members of the Order," Lily said as the thought came to her suddenly.

"Lily if it's that I'm not leaving you a-"

"Go," Lily said and looked at him defiantly. They stared at one another for a minute, before James walked over, kissed her, and disapparated.

Lily felt for her wand and walked quietly up the staircase. "Where is she?" a voice demanded.

"I'm not telling you," Lily heard her father say.

"Crucio," the unfamiliar voice said angrily, and there was another thud against one of the walls in her parents' room and groans of pain.

Lily wasted no time. She quickly opened the door, wand held out. "Leave him alone!" she shouted both frightened and determined.

"Ah, Ms. Evans," said the hooded figure. He turned slowly and Lily saw his face and gasped. "Expelliarmus," he added lazily, collecting Lily's wand.

"Professor Riddle," Lily said unsure, and not realizing that she was completely unarmed.

"No, my name is one you'll fear to speak," Voldemort said. "What is Dumbledore planning?" he asked, keeping his wand pointed at Josh.

"I don't know what you mean," Lily said, trying to sound convincing.

"Crucio," Voldemort said again, causing Josh to once more become a pile of violently twitching mass on the floor.

"STOP!" Lily shouted, trying to move toward her dad, but was stopped by Voldemort, who placed an invisible wall to just let Lily watch her father in pain.

"I can stop it so easily, if you just let me know where they are," Voldemort said with a smile of success spread across his face.

"NO!" Lily said, reaching for a blunt object to throw at him. She got her hand around a lamp, and had released it only to have shards come back into her face from his spell. Luckily she had been able to protect her eyes, but her face had numerous cuts.

Voldemort bound Lily quickly in ropes and then pulled her to him. "Tell me what I need to know, you silly girl," he said spitefully. Lily spit up into Voldemort's face. "You'll pay for that," he said, raising his wand. Just when he was about to mutter an incantation he heard numerous pops, and then voices, coming from downstairs.

"Where is she?" Dumbledore asked, from the kitchen.

Voldemort looked Lily in the eyes, "this isn't the last time you'll see me," he said, then disapparated, the ropes and wall disappearing as he left. Lily was on her hands and knees, but quickly got up and went over to where her dad looked extremely worn. His tie was extremely tight, so Lily removed that first. She heard footsteps ascending the stairs as she kneeled next to her dad, placing a pillow in her lap and Josh's head onto the pillow.

"Daddy?" Lily said to the lifeless person, tears coming to her eyes. Don't take him away, she begged in the back of her mind.

"Hey Fred," Josh said, trying to grin.

Lily grinned too. "My name's not Fred," Lily played along as she did when she was a little girl.

"Oh right, Barney," Josh said, feeling the pain still rushing through him.

A group of people came into the room, James leading. "What happened?" he asked.

Lily ignored James who stood there, as many of the group left to search the rest of the house. "My name's not Barney, dad," she said, hoping this kept him going, but he didn't respond this time. "Daddy, James asked me to marry him," Lily said, tears starting to flow.

"Did he?" Josh asked, happy to hear so. "Tell him you're my little princess, and I'll hunt him down if he breaks your heart," he added, slowly and gasping for breath.

"You have to be there to walk me down the aisle Daddy," Lily said, trying to wipe her tears away and keep more from forming.

"I will be, and your mum will be there too," Josh said. James still stood where he was. Dumbledore had lead the search in and outside the Evan's household. "Tell Petunia that I'm going to tell Mum 'hi' for her," he said, "and for you too."

"Daddy, don't," Lily said, no longer able to hold back small sobs. James stood stalk still, not knowing whether he should go get anyone. There was a lot of noise outside the room. Remus came running up the stairs, and stopped at the doorway. "What can I do?" Lily asked to no one in particular. "What can I do?" she repeated trying to think of some spell she had learned at Hogwarts, or at Healer's school.

"Don't leave me, Daddy, please don't," Lily said. "You're all I have left," she added.

With much effort Josh put his right hand on Lily's cheek. "Oh, my beautiful little girl, you have someone better now," Josh said, looking at James. "Goodbye Harry," he said to Lily with one last smile, then rested his hand next to his side, and soon after stopped breathing.

"No," Lily said, now frantically tried to wake him. "It'll be all right, Daddy, it'll be all right. Don't leave me!" she said. Once she realized it wouldn't work she bent over her father's body and started to sob freely.

Remus stood where he was, in shock, and it took a minute before James would advance. He kneeled down behind Lily and stroked her hair. "Lily, let's go dow-"

"Don't touch him!" Lily shouted at James. "Don't!" she repeated until James backed away from Lily, who was still holding onto her father, and the little hope that he might come back. She mumbled under her breath for several minutes until Dumbledore entered.

Lily noticed his entrance, though she didn't turn around when she spoke, "can't you do something for him?" she asked through her sobbing. "Please there has to be something," Lily said.

Dumbledore approached with his wand and started to examine Josh's body. "I'm sorry, Lily," was all he said, and Lily buried her face into her dead father's shoulder for several more minutes. Other members of the Order were going around doing other things, but Lily would have never noticed any of them.

"Lily?" James said, not knowing what he could say to help anything. He waited this time for her to get up from where she was and come to him. Lily threw her arms around him, still sobbing heavily.

"He killed him," Lily said.

"I know," James said, once again stroking Lily's hair. "I know."

A/N: I lifted you up…then I knocked you down! Sorry about that, but I knew it would happen that way. I was almost crying during that last part. Luckily for me, though, I wrote from James and Lily telling James's parent and the rest before I wrote the proposal, so I kind of got to end on a happy note =) I'd like to thank Crescent Lovegood for giving me the idea for the proposal, and PrincessLily for her help in trying to figure out the same problem, though I didn't use her idea (maybe you can write your own version with that one). I also have to say that the poem was written by Cassie McNair (anyone else see the irony there???), which I found along with the Elizabeth Barring Brown quote on . Let's just say even though I'm a hopeless romantic, I couldn't think of ANYTHING myself. Lack of experience I suppose… Hope you like it, though it was terribly sad…

Thank you:

Slytherin Girl Gryffindor Girl: I'm not sure if it was the normal or not-so-normal cousin that wrote this review, or if it's from both of you, but thank you either way! Only 8? Is that just because you want to see more ;-)??? I'll keep writing more here, but just to let you know, I'm really not all that good I'm sure. Thank you, though, for such a kind compliment. Sorry about this fact, but I'm definitely finished with One More Chance, which happened to be much longer than I even expected.

Libyanauthor: Thank you! I hope this one isn't too sad, but I'm warning you now that this one will be extremely sad… like the WHOLE story. I want to reflect why Voldemort being gone would be such a joyous thing.

Jillie: I started to read yours, and I really like it. I haven't read the whole thing, which will change one of these days, but I'm working on it. I'm glad you think I write well, though I know I have a lot to work on, and all sorts of things I want to attempt doing someday soon. If you like this you might get a kick (if that's what you can call it) out of Resentment which the first two chapters are a companion to One More Chance (this one's prequel).

Cilverblood: I think he's mean, but not necessarily a jerk. There's this guy I knew who had the same name and HE was a jerk. Very overconfident and thought all the girls just loved him, though it wasn't true. Fabian Prewett (the one I'm portraying at least) is only acting this way as a joke. I'm sure that if James were single he'd probably do the same thing.