1"We shouldn't have made a scene," Lily fretted. She and James had stayed to talk to Professor McGonogall and Professor Dumbledore. Lily sat with her feet in James' lap, uncomfortable shoes discarded.

"It's not your fault," Professor McGonogall consoled. "I'm afraid he just doesn't feel comfortable."

James sat somberly, a look of agitated concentration on his face.

"I know he dislikes James," Lily continued, "and seeing him attract attention probably brought back some old memories."

"No," James contradicted softly. "He wants you, Lily. He couldn't peel his nasty eyes off your gorgeous body all night."

Lily put her feet down and moved closer to him. He wrapped protective arms around her and puled her onto his lap.

"He doesn't approve of relationships between people of his background and people of mine," Lily reminded softly.

"Regardless..." James maintained his belief.

Dumbledore looked sadly down at the couple. "I trust him. Y'all don't have anything to fear in him, but I fear for Severus himself. I noticed his interest in Lily also James. Just continue to act civil, please. James, you know that you can trust Lily and I am assuring you that you can trust Severus, so you can rest assured that everything will be fine."

"Well," James mused, "I don't plan on seeing him any time soon; my team goes on tour in January, so I won't be up here for a while. And I do trust Lily, so..."

James felt Lily cringe.

"What?" James asked.

"James, don't be mad," she asked. He stared. "I invited him to the party on Friday."

"What?" James repeated. There was a moment of silent, thick tension. James snapped, but not in a loud or violent way, but in a deadly serious and calm way. "Don't be naive, Lily. Snape, or anyone who holds his values, would love nothing more than to embed himself in our daily lives. My family and I, even you, hold a lot of power and know too much vital information to risk associating with those with questionable loyalties. You just want to believe that the world is prettier than it is, and for you, I wish it were. But it's not, and we've got to be careful."

"It was a nice gesture," Professor Dumbledore smiled at Lily. He seemed to dismiss James' fears. "It really would be wonderful if the two of you could resolve your differences."

James rested his head against Lily's back and sighed, making it obvious to everyone that the idea was ludicrous in his thinking.

"Well, I'll need some friends," Lily pouted teasingly. "You guys go on tour in January."

"You can stay with my parents," James countered, completely serious. "It's only five weeks."

"I'm tired," she responded, warning James quietly that this was not the place for this discussion. "We'll see y'all later."

Lily began to put her shoes back on.

"Just hold on to them," James instructed smugly. "Then he lifted her easily into his arms and messed with her hair. "I'll take care of you," he softly promised.

She laughed as he carried her, laughing, out of the castle.

"Are you worried about them?" Professor McGonogall asked Dumbledore in regard to the impending situation between the two old rivals.

"No," he replied truthfully, "but I'm hesitant to hope."

"James has grown up a lot, but he is still incredibly proud," McGonogall agreed. "He believes strongly about things. Everything is black and white in his eyes."

"Now that is definitely an unusual description of a marauder," Dumbledore smiled.