Chapter Thirty Five

Don't fret, for they did not lose their Head Badges, which only insured more alone time each night. Though Lily wasn't yet accustomed to the late nights, nor had she ever been, this aspect of being Head Girl, staying up late and patrolling the premise, was not an easy task for her.

And this was confirmed to James as he walked through the Fat Lady's porthole and into the common room late one night after scanning the halls for youngsters out of bed. He found Lily laying awkwardly on the crimson couch, as if she's fallen over in her sleep. James chuckled silently and leaned over, by putting his hand behind her neck and trying to move her so that she could sleep more comfortably. After pulling his hand away from hers, he simply stared at the casual elegance she bore, even in sleep.

Reaching out, he pushed a stray strand of the fiery locks from her face, revealing the enchanting beauty of an angel's face. He ran a finger over her porcelain skin and berry-pink lips, a pressure gathering in his chest as he looked at the one thing he wanted most, but would never have.

James sighed. Regardless of their past affections, he knew that deep down Lily was worried about the prophesy. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice, he could feel it in her kiss - every single time, there was a restrained passion, and he knew that he had never fully received her kiss.

"Oh, Lily." he whispered, as he sat down softly on the floor, watching her sleeping form intently. "If only I could make you see, if only I could help you understand - I'm not afraid. I'm willing to go the distance with you, even to death. I just want to spend my life with you, no matter how short it may be."

She stirred in her sleep, her face turning to him. She let out a deep breath on his face, causing his eyes to close, for they were beginning to sting with tears. "I care for you so much, Lily." he said hoarsely. "I would gladly give my happiness for yours, be willing to die for you. But after our recent past, I just can't put my heart on the line anymore." He sighed wearily before continuing. "If only I could be sure you would say yes..."

His voice drifted off as the emotions caught in his throat and a breath caught in his chest, just as the large clock chimed once. James stood and swallowed his tears, just staring at the unattainable angel that he loved dearly . He hated to move her, for she was sleeping so peacefully.

"Accio cloak." he said simply, and his invisibility cloak floated to him. He gently covered her tiny figure with the large cloak (carefully placing it visible side up) and tucking her in warmly. Then placing a lingering kiss on her cheek, he walked up the spiral stair case, to the boys dorms and threw himself on his bed, preparing for another sleepless night.

---

Lily suddenly stirred and smiled as she felt a certain warmth leave her. Opening her sleepy eyes, she found herself in the common toom, covered in a very large and very warm blanket. Examining it closely, she noticed its invisibility and immediately thought of James. Had he been here? she wondered. Looking at the clock, she shrugged. Just a few minutes after one in the morning? James probably was already in bed, sleeping soundly, giving into the lateness of the night and gone to bed early, taking advantage of Lily's sudden sleepiness. Oh, well, she thought absently, snuggling back under her cloak. Reflecting on their kiss in the air a few nights prior, she went contentedly back to sleep.

---

Remus could not believe he was actually going to do this. His heart was about to beat a hole out of his chest, it was so loud, he was sure she could hear it. His breathing was shallow, his mouth was dry and his hands were clammy as he ran a sweaty palm through his hair nervously. Then, clearing his throat, he tried to be the calm cool Remus everyone knew.

"Joselynn?" he almost squeaked. When she turned around and grinned, his heart suddenly dropped. Ah, Joselynn. Remus was positive she was part Veela, because of the affect she had on him. Making him tongue-tied and like a nervous little kid, entrancing him with her charm, wit and rare beauty. She had long straight brown hair that he itched to run his fingers through, sharp silvery gray eyes that pierced his soul and a dazzling smile that melted his heart every time. She was about an inch shorter than Remus and slender but curvy in all the right places.

Yes, this was Joselynn Bonafede, his friend of seven years. He had been secretly harboring feelings for her ever since they met that first year. Not even the Marauders knew of his secret heartache. And of course she didn't know - she would never know of his silent admiration for her. He had never - ever - hinted to her anything beyond that of platonic friendship, for that was all he had to offer.

"Hi, Remus." she said excitedly. "Please, sit." she said, patting a patch of grass beside her.

"Whatcha doing?" he asked, trying to gather up the courage to ask her.

"Just watching Hagrid and Professor Beacon feed all the crazy creatures down there." she giggled, and Remus looked just in time to see some strange creature take a snap at Hagrid's large hand.

"I'd love that job." she commented thoughtfully. "If I finish my schooling and I don't get a job in the Ministry, after few years, I'd love to come back here and teach Care of Magical Creatures. I just love that class and to teach it would be a blast."

"Really? I didn't know you were into Hagrid's crazy creatures, Josey." Remus said.

"Well, that or Potions, I've always lov.... Josey?" she asked suddenly with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, my, gosh, I'm so sorry." Remus panted nervously. "I don't know where that came from. I'll never -"

"No!" she exclaimed, leaning over and covering his mouth with her fingers. "I like it, Remus. You can call me Josey."

He looked into her beautiful gray eyes for along moment before she pulled her hand away, leaving him with a tingling sensation his lips and his head half dazed.

"Well, Josey," he said with a smile, "I really came out here to ask you a question." She turned her attention directly to him and smiled. "Okay." she said cheerfully. No pressure, right?

"Um, well..." he began, his throat going dry again. "I was wondering... if you... has anyone asked you to the ball yet?"

"Nope."

"Now why do I find that so hard to believe?" he said with a smile, touching her chin affectionately. "A beautiful girl like you and no date to the ball?"

She blushed before continuing. "Not anyone I want to go with."

Remus' breath caught, his heart constricting. Sure, no pressure at all.

"Right. I would've guessed you already had a date set up." I was praying you did - that way, I wouldn't be in this extremely uncomfortable situation!

Well, that's a lie. Because if she did have a date, you'd find out who it is, then on the next full moon...

"But I don't have a date - yet." she said, looking up at him with what looked like hopeful anticipation.

"Well," Remus said, taking a deep breath but trying not to sound too nervous. "I was just wondering if you'd like to be my date for the Decennium Ball." Then he held his breath - this was the moment of truth.

But to his surprise and great relief, she didn't torture him very long. Almost immediatly she grinned. "I'd love to, Remus."

"Really?"

"Of course I would - just one condition."

Remus heart almost stopped. "Okay." he said slowly.

She leaned in and smiled. "Kiss me."

"What?!" he almost shrieked.

"Remus, we have had no romantic history whatsoever. So if you want to take me to the ball as your date, well, you've got to start somewhere." she giggled.

"You want me to kiss you." Remus confirmed in an unsteady breath.

"Not snog me, silly. Just a kiss on the cheek." she smiled, turned her face and waited.

Remus was glad he wasn't one to blush, or he would have been glowing bright red. To put the awkward embarrassment behind him quickly, he leaned over and gently kissed her on the cheek.

"See? That wasn't so bad, now was it?" she said, standing with a smile.

"Of course not." Remus said, trying to steady his heart beat. It was rather nice, actually.

"Well, I've got to go meet McGonagall. She wants me to be Professor Beacon's assistant in the class until the end of the year."

"Good luck." Remus said.

"Thanks, Remus. I'll see you around." Then she ran the rest of the way up the hill towards the castle, but Remus didn't know up from down at the moment. He simply laid down on the grass with a loud sigh.

He was glad he'd made that deal with Lily, because giving in to love was much better than fighting it, that was for sure.

Yup. On cloud nine, life was good.

---

A/N: Okay, guys. I would like your opinion on Joselynn. Do you like her or not? I personally like her, but she's my character, so whatever. And I kind of have plans for alot of these people in another fan fiction. The people who've read my lil fic before know that I have a sequel to "Fighting Fate" called "Daring Destiny." (Which I will be posting on this site after I'm finished with this one.) And there will be many characters from this fic, in the next one, such as Jenny and Travis and Remus and Joselynn (It's a Harry's final year story). Anyways, so do tell me your thoughts and please review! -huggles all-