A/N: --Halleluiah chorus-- We're here! -grin- Enjoy!
Chapter Forty:
The Grand Finale
Lily pushed up the trophy room door with a slow creek to reveal James, looking very melancholy, sitting alone at table with a single candle. He was examining his Quidditch Cup trophy quietly in the dark room and did not look up at the sound of the opening door.
"Hello James." she said with a smile standing in the doorway. He looked up at her in surprise, but his solemn expression did not change.
"Hullo, Lily." he said quietly, and it pierced her heart. The fact that she hadn't heard 'Lily flower' in a while hurt, and she wondered if he still felt the same for her, or if her attempt to find him and confess her feelings were in vain.
"Do you mind if I stay in here for a while?" she asked and he shrugged. She sighed as she turned to examine the trophies all along the wall. "It's hard to believe that the school year's almost over. Our educational careers are now ending." she said wistfully. "Not that you care of course. I mean, you're probably jumping for joy to get away from this place and never see it again." Lily laughed.
"No, not really." James muttered, placing his trophy back in its spot and sulkily walking from the room. Lily was puzzled but followed anyhow.
"What? You've got to be kidding. James Potter was never happy in school... but you don't look very happy right now, regardless." Lily said, trying to catch up with hi, and she could see the sadness on his face.
"James, are you okay? You don't look well." she said in concern, though he did not slow his pace. "I mean, maybe you should go see Madame Pomfrey and -"
"No," he said forcefully.
"What's the matter, James?" Lily begged, almost running to keep up with him. "You're not your happy normal, playful self lately. You need to tell me what's wrong."
When he didn't stop or turn, Lily became frustrated. She stormed past him, putting her hands on her hips, stopping him in his tracks as she stood before him, looking up into his sad confused face.
"Why won't you talk to me?" she asked softly, her pleading eyes probing his to know what was bothering him so.
He opened his mouth to speak and Lily felt a surge of hope within her as she saw a flicker of resolve in his beautiful hazel eyes, but only before he turned away and closed his eyes.
"Because I can't," was the easiest explanation. Then he brushed past her.
"Well, why not?" Lily said, tears welling p in her eyes and she folded her arms across her chest.
"Because I love you!" he said, whirling around to face her. "I love you, Lily. I always have." His voice was soft now as he slowly walked back to her. "After growing up with you, seeing you every day practically for the past seven years, how could I not? In every class, around every corner, there you are; this vision of beauty and perfection that's close enough for me to touch, close enough to befriend, but too far away for me to love, too unattainable. And it breaks my heart to have it happen everyday, but the thought of leaving here, not being able to see you every day is a living hell I don't want to have to go through. Just that thought takes all the excitement and happiness from my soul, because the only time I'm ever happy is when I'm with you." Then he cupped her chin gently and smiled.
"My Lily flower, I love you so much." Then Lily smiled and James wiped away the tear that slid down her cheek. "And I don't care about the prophesy. That stupid, ridiculous prophesy. I'd rather live a short life with you than a long life without you. And you know I can't live without you - I love you too much. No, I decided a long time ago, when a sassy little red head named Lily Evans reprimanded me in Olivander's all those years ago, I knew that I would never let anything stop me from winning her heart, not Travis, not any prophesy - nothing would ever stop me from loving you."
Lily now had tears streaming down her face, but that didn't stop the smile from appearing or the giggle that erupted as she threw her arms around his neck.
"Oh, James." she said, through laughter and sniffles, then she pulled back and looked into his confused yet hopeful face. "I love you too."
Then James grinned. "Yes!" he cheered loudly, picking her up by the waist and Lily squealed delightedly as he spun her around.
Then placing her back on the ground, he kissed her. Not of wanton passion or misplaced affection, but a kiss of true love, no more secrets, no more restrictions - everything revealed, all love admitted with no fear of the future. This kiss was one that was long awaited, not only for both Lily and James, but practically everyone in the school, be it the best friends or people who had placed bets long ago about how long it would take these two arguing fools to find themselves in each others arms.
When he finally pulled back, he simply held her body to his, relishing the closeness. "Oh, Lily. You have no idea how happy I am."
Lily only giggled. "Well, I'm pretty pleased myself."
"I hoped you would be." James grinned.
"Well, what do we do now?" Lily asked, pulling away.
"How about you go to the ball with me?" he asked.
"I'd love to, James." she said, placing a quick kiss on his lips. He smiled as he watched her turn and primp her reflection in a large mirror down the corridor, but something caught his eye.
"Well, well, well." James said, turning her to face him. "What's this?"
He fingered the necklace that hung from around her neck and she grinned. She had hoped he would recognize it. It was the silver and emerald necklace he had given her for Christmas. His mothers necklace.
"This was a gift from a very good friend. I've worn it ever since." Lily said simply.
James could only smile almost tearfully as he held her face with both hands and kissed her again. She fervently responded, placing her arms around his neck. She needed him to know how desperately she needed him in her life, no matter how short it may be. She let her fingers explore his dark messy tresses and after she twirled a finger around one lock of hair, she playfully tugged on it before pulling away.
"Seriously, Lily. You've got me so stimulated right now, If we didn't have to go to this ball, I'd carry you up to my bedroom right this second and -"
"James!" Lily shrieked with a giggle.
"Ah, what the hell? We need a good snogging session, right here and now." he said. And before Lily could protest, not that she wanted to, James had pushed her up against the wall and placed a fierce kiss on her lips.
Lily returned his kiss ardently, holding him close, before his mouth left hers and he trailed hot, moist kisses down her neck. Ah, such heaven was James Potter's kiss. Yes, giving in was far better than fighting love. But she knew that should she give in too much, they might not make it back to the dance tonight.
"James..." she muttered, in an attempt to slow his kisses, but instantly his demanding and fiery kiss was on her lips again, silencing anything else she might have said. Lily did not doubt that James could make her understand the true meaning of utter bliss in his arms, and with the feel of his hands up and down the side of her body, part of her wanted to completely forget the dance and simply let him ravish her!
Too bad you're responsible, said an overpowering side of her mind.
"James," she said between his kisses, trying to stop herself from accepting them. "James... James..."
"Mmmm, Lily, Lily, Lily," he murmured against her lips, before teasingly coaxing her mouth into another rousing sensual kiss. Lily pressed herself against him, eagerly kissing him back, wanting nothing more than to let him carry her up to his bedroom and...
"James!" she finally said with a smile, ripping herself from his arms.
"Oh, no you don't, get back here. I'm not done yet." he said, a dark look in his eyes and a mischievous grin on his face. She put a hand on his chest to stop him.
"We're Head Boy and Girl, James. We have to go to the dance."
"Then you shouldn't touch me like that, love." he said, moving her hand aside and kissing her once more.
"Come on," Lily giggled, taking his hand and pulling him towards the Great Hall.
"I guess I'll just have to ravish you some other time." he muttered, making Lily laugh.
---
Remus was standing by the food table gulping down a glass of pumpkin juice nervously. The ball was coming to a quick close, only a few more songs remaining, and he was torn.
"You better end this night right," Lily had told him.
Oh, how he wanted to. Joselynn was the one girl he had secretly admired and adored for the past seven years. And he wanted more than anything to kiss her mouth raw. But it was that vicious mind-set that kept him from her. How could he kiss her, lead her onto thinking there could be something more, when he knew that there never could be? Even is she did accept for being a monster, which he knew she wouldn't, how could he jeopardize her safety by pursuing a relationship beyond friendship?
"There you are."
Remus turned quickly to see Joselynn approaching. "Hey," he said with a forced smile.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were avoiding me." she giggled.
"Never." he gave a charming smile, then took her hand, kissing it quickly. Then he moved to sit on a chair, but she tugged on his hand to stand beside her.
"You've got something on your face." she said with a low chuckle. Then licking her thumb, she smeared away whatever was on his face. She is so cruel... he thought. She stood there, smiling up into his eyes, waiting for him to... do something. Then she closed her eyes, making his heart lurch. Oh, hw he wanted to kiss her, to taste her perfect mouth with his... and he leaned in about to relent. But seeing the shine of the moonlight through the open windows on the dance floor, he sighed and turned away.
"Come on, let's dance." he said in a reluctant whisper, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor. Before he pulled her into his arms, he caught a look at her confused face and it only caused more guilt to swell in his heart. He pulled her close enough so that he wouldn't have to look at her angelic face, filled with confusion.
"Remus, can I ask you something?" she said boldly, pulling back to look up at him.
Remus sighed. "Of course."
"Why did you ask me to the ball?" she said, locking eyes with him.
"Because... because I like you, Joselynn." he said nervously.
"How? Do you like me as a friend? Or more?" Remus shook his head with a weary smile and cupped her beautiful face with one hand.
"Much more, Josey." he said in a rough voice.
"So you like me and you ask me to be your date, but you won't kiss me?"
Remus grinned sadly. Oh, how he loved this girl. She said exactly what she thought, regardless of propriety or anyone's feelings.
"It's really more complicated than that, Joselynn."
"Well, explain it to me."
"It's not something easily explained. I mean... there's just something... you don't know about me." he said regretfully.
"Are you ever going to tell me?" she said in a hurt voice.
"Maybe someday I will, when things change." She nodded and looked away. "It's not because I don't trust you Josey, because I do. It's just that... I don't want to scare you." They had long since stopped dancing. Now they simply stood in the middle of the dance floor, and he was looking down at her affectionately, holding her face in his hands.
She looked at him in utter confusion. "All right." she said finally with a firm nod, trying to be strong through her tears.
"I'm so sorry, Josey." he whispered. Then kissing her lovingly on the forehead, he walked out of the Great Gall, leaving her alone.
---
"Oh no, James!" Lily exclaimed as they reentered the Great Hall hand in hand. "It's five minutes till midnight – this is the last song!"
She suddenly felt his arms go around her waist and she smiled as he pulled her closer. "Then we'll just have to make the best of it, won't we?" He said in a low voice with a wide grin. Then, taking on of her hands in his own and placing the other one on his shoulder, he began to sway the to the slow music.
After James spun her out once, Lily couldn't help but smile. "Mr. Potter, you surprise me. I never would have guessed you of all people, would know how to dance."
"Miss Evans, my mother was a very wise woman." James said, gliding skillfully to the beat. "When I was young, she taught me many things, like how to behave, how to be a gentleman, even how to cook. But she told me, the easiest way to charm a lady is through dance." Then he slowly dipped her, before bringing her back up into his arms.
"And how many women have you charmed by way of dance, Mr. Potter?"
"A few," he chuckled, earning a soft smack and a gasp from Lily. "But the only girl I want is right here in my arms."
He smiled down at her lovingly, placing a kiss on her nose. Lily grinned and leaned her head on his massive chest, closing her eyes and relishing the closeness they shared, until the end of the song.
---
A/N: So - the bitter with the sweet. Not everyone can have a happy ending... but will they?
IMPORTANT: Due to all the questions about my fic(s), just to ease all your fears, the "Grand Finale" is not the end of the fic, it was just a term "Lily" used. I plan on writing until Lily and James' deaths. And that's not for a long while. So no worries there!
My next fic, aside from all the little ones I'll be posting on the side that have no connection to "Fighting Fate", is called "Daring Destiny." It's after OOTP, Harry's sixth and seventh year (they will be seperated into two parts so don't stress about too long story). Pairings are Harry/Ginny and Ron/Mione, lots of past history secrets and drama and relationships and... gah, I really want to write it!
Sigh- Ron and Mione are my very fave couple, thus my Reunited fic... But I have TONS of other story ideas, (Draco/Ginny, Draco/Mione, Mione/Blaise, another LONG Ron/Mione story with Tonks/Remus or Charlie - haven't decided yet - lol!) but I love to write romances, and I love Harry Potter (obviously) so I found the perfect thing to hold me alive until HP #6!
I'm sure I don't need to ask you guys to review now...
snickers-
huggles all-
PS – I have changed my email address, so for those of you who email me often, see the change in my bio! -grin-
EDIT 5/11/2005: Withdrew Chicago's "Glory of Love" lyrics due to new rules.
