Chapter Forty One

It was the last day of school and on this sunny May afternoon, the Hogwarts students were all boarding the Hogwarts Express once more. The younger children were more giggly and excited to be going home. But for the other older students, it was more like leaving home. The 7th years who would not be returning were more solemnly glancing back at their beloved castle, their home away from home for years. It was seven long years of learning and preparing for the wizarding world, seven years of trial and err, friends and enemies, seven years of both wonderful and terrible memories that would last a lifetime.

James had returned his Head Boy Badge to Professor McGonagall, along with a tearful Lily. Bidding farewell to all the Professors and teachers, they headed towards the train station. After loading luggage James took her hand and they boarded the Hogwarts Express for the last time.

Lily found her two friends already aboard the train and they came together in a tearful group hug, Jenny, Alice and Lily all squeezing each other tightly. Suddenly, the train lurched forward and James suggested to the three girls that they all find a compartment. They opened a nearby door to find Sirius, Remus, Frank and Travis. Though James had to bite his tongue, they all went in and sat down.

Everyone was talking together quietly, some holding hands, some not. James had been staring out the window aimlessly when Lily grabbed his hand. He turned to see her smiling angelic face and his heart melted. Then he squeezed her hand and kissed the top of it.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just thinking." he answered.

"About?"

He smiled. "You."

Lily's heart soared as she looked up at him. "Really?"

He sighed. "Yeah, I was just thinking about how much I'm going to miss you."

Lily's heart sunk. This thought had also plagued her mind. Now that they were finally together, they had finally admitted their feelings for each other, they were leaving school. Distance would now separate them instead of self-restraint, and that was a much bigger obstacle.

"I was thinking, maybe after I get situated in my pad, I could stop by your house. Meet your parents, then we could take a trip to the Ministry, and get your job."

"That sounds good," she grinned. "Then afterwards, we could stop by your pad for a while?"

"Lily, I'm trying to stay on your parents good side," James chuckled. "I haven't even met them yet!"

"Don't worry - they'll love you." she smiled up at him with nothing but love emanating from her eyes. She places a hand on his cheek, turned him to face her and kissed him sweetly on the mouth. James returned her kiss warmly, then he cupped her chin as he smiled down at her and chuckled.

"Lily, I am a pranking son-of-a-gun that wants nothing more than to ravish you within an inch of your life." he chuckled, poking her playfully in the side. "What makes you so sure your parents are going to love me?"

"Because I love you." she smiled. "My parents will see instantly that I'm happy with you and how much I love you, and they can't object to their daughters happiness."

"Well, that's good, because I don't think I'll ever be able to change. I'm gonna be a pranking son-of-a-gun for the rest of my life."

"We'll see about that." Lily smiled and closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him.

"Why do you have such faith in me?" James chuckled.

"Because you have faith in me." was her reply.

---

"What the hell do you mean, she can't have the job?!"

Lily's heart was sinking slowly in her chest as she listened to the conversation behind the closed door.

Lily and James had arrived at the Ministry earlier that day, wandering around and exploring. James seemed to know his way around quite well, and much to Lily's surprise, everyone seemed to know James quite well also. But at the moment, he wasn't finding much favor with the Minister, Cornelius Fudge. She had told James not to worry about it, though it had killed her life long dreams, and James seemed to understand. He was in his office, pleading Lily's case, but it didn't seem to be working.

"I'm sorry, James." came an unfamiliar voice, that Lily could only recognize as the Minister. "I can't just go handing out random jobs to unprepared newly graduated students. You have this opportunity because you were here all the time with your father, and I saw great potential in you. I still do. But I cannot give some girl a job just because you're in love with her. I'll need to see if she reached the requirements and then she'll need to go through an internship as would any other newly graduated witch or wizard. I can't make any exceptions."

"But she is exceptional." James said fiercely. "She is the most brave, cunning and knowledgeable witch I have ever met."

"And then there's the fact that she's muggle-born..."

"What of it, Fudge?" James nearly shouted. "She surpasses me in everything I do! Mud, mixed or pure blood has nothing to do with it." James paused before he continued. "I have never known you to be prejudice, Mr. Fudge, but maybe I was wrong."

There was a long quiet moment before Lily heard some bustling of papers then a loud slam on the desk. "You already check up on her and you told my father she could have whatever job she wanted. She was exceptional, knowledgeable and ready for any Ministry job."

"James I -"

"This is what Harry Potter wanted, Mr. Fudge. Are you so cruel as to deny a dead man his last wish?"

Lily held her breath as she listened, though no noise was made beyond the door. After many long moments she heard a sigh.

"Fine, James. Fine. Bring her in on Monday and we'll get everything situated for the both of you."

"Thank you, Minister."

Lily didn't rush to her sear to hide the fact that she had been eaves dropping. She simply stood by the door with hope, love and tears in her eyes. He opened the door and greeted her with a smile, enveloping her in a hug.

"I cannot believe you just did that." Lily chuckled, holding him close, savoring the warmth he gave.

"Me either." James said. "I thought we were just about out of a job there."

"Me, too." she said as they made their way out of the Ministry. Pausing, she stood on her tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you, James."

He smiled down at her lovingly. "Don't thank me, Lily flower. Thank my father."

Lily felt her heart suddenly swell with gratitude and love as she took the letter from James' hand and read it over. It was the letter that James had received from his parents right before Christmas, right before they had died. Mr. Potter was indeed a good caring father and a wonderful man, who watched over both his son.... and Lily.

Yes, somehow she would have to thank him.

James' father, Harry Potter.

---

Six Months Later

James Potter was walking on clouds. Never before had he bee so happy. Everything was moving smoothly perfectly along. He had a great job in the Ministry, though he had been denied the "Godrics' Hollow" placement. (An older wiser, more experiences Auror named Alastor Moody had placed it instead. Crack pot old fool, in James' mind.) But he still had his wonderful girlfriend. The loving adventurous, beautiful Lily, was his to claim. James had tried to keep his hands off the delicious morsel of a girl, but more often than not, he found her irresistible. However, Lily had demanded that there would be no 'shagging' as James had so eloquently put it, until after their wedding. Though the thought was disappointing, it also gave him hope.

Though it might have felt like clouds, James was actually only walking through Diagon Alley, buying a few things at the Minister's request (including that of Fire Whiskey in a bottle). James couldn't help but stop by the quidditch shop, just to see the latest broom model and any official sport updates he might have missed. He also took a moment inside Zonko's, memories of all four Marauders and his own father spending endless hours and Galleons inside the wondrous joke shop. James sighed, continuing his trek around the busy street.

Oh, how James had loved his father! As a child, he had always idolized him. He was such a good caring man, always wearing a smile or sharing a laugh, showering his wife Annie with gifts, flowers, kisses... and she always bragged about having the best husband in the world. And indeed, he was. He was a disciplined but loving father. His home was always filled with love and happiness, problems dealt with calmly and fairly. Never a cross word was spoken, and raised voices were never heard. It was almost a surreal environment to grow up in, so much love and caring in one small family. That's just what James wanted for his future family. And maybe, with the boundless love he had for Lily, perhaps she would help him in making that future home.

James sighed. He owned nothing from his father. Of course, he had a few of his parents possessions, and all of their riches. There was the invisibility cloak, which he loved. But there was no valuable item, no precious heirloom to treasure. Something to remind him daily of the wonderful parents and upbringing he had. Something to prompt the memories of his goal to give his children such a wonderful life as he had. Perhaps, he could find something for his own son someday.

Suddenly, a sign caught his eyes. Madame Claire's Jewelry Shoppe. He was suddenly curious and moved towards the store, any grocery list for the Minister forgotten. He stepped inside, feminine perfumes and glittering jewelry emanating about everything in the shop.

"Good Morning, sir." said a tall French beauty behind the counter. Her green eyes sparkled and her hair was darker than the midnight sky. "My name is Katie. What can we help you with today?"

"Yes, I'm looking for a gift for my son. Something I can give him as a family heirloom." James told her.

"Ah, yes. The gentleman's area is over this way." She pointed towards a dimly lit portion of the shop. There were books, cauldrons, pipes, wands, brooms, and many other manly type features. Not quite unlike Mr. Borgin's down in Knockturn Alley... James chuckled at his memories with the Marauders. Yes, there was a resemblance in the shops, though this place was far less wicked and dangerous.

Seeing a small jewelry chest, something inside caught James' eye. A small circular object, glistening gold, shiny and new, a long hand tricking every second slowly away. James saw it and instantly knew he must have it, regardless the cost.

"Excuse me, Miss Katie?" he called out, and she bustled around the corner. "Yes, sir."

"I'd like to purchase this, please." he said, pointing inside the jewelry case. He watched as Katie opened the chest and pulled it out.

"Ah, such a fine pocket watch it is, sir. Finest gold in England, magically inclined counting hands and you can place a picture on the inside. Very nice choice." She placed the watch and chain in a nice little box, then handed it to him. James fished in his pockets for some Galleons and Sickles, then handed them to her. She looked down at the money with large eyes, carefully holding it.

"This is much more than the cost, sir, I..." she stumbled over her words.

"Well, I'm not quite done shopping yet." James said with a sly grin. "Do you have any engagement rings?"

The beautiful witch then grinned as well. "But of course, good sir. Madame Claire will help you with that." she said with a wink, moving towards the back of the shop. "But what are you looking for rings such as those anyway? How old are you?"

"Fresh out of Hogwart's, ma'am." James smiled.

She sighed with a dreamy smile, then disappeared behind a curtain. Within seconds, a gray haired woman, plump and pleasant, came out.

"And what can I do for you, lad?" she said with rosy cheeks and a cheerful smile.

"I'd like to see the engagement rings you have, please."

"Engagement rings?" she exclaimed. "For you, boy? You must be pulling my leg. Look ay you! You can't be a day over 18 years old!"

James smiled again. "Not a day."

The older woman by name of Madame Claire began pulling out small glass boxes from behind the counter. "And I'm assuming you've got your eyes on some girl you're sweet on, eh?"

"Well, I've had more than my eyes on her," James smiled, causing both ladies to chuckle, "And I've been sweet on her for my whole life, it seems."

Both women paused and sighed. "Ah, young love." Madame Claire said.

"How romantic." Miss Katie said.

"Back to work, Katie." Madame Claire said sternly, bringing James' attention to a tray of rings now on the counter. "Now my dear boy, would you like to see them in order of quality or cost?"

"Cost is not an issue." James said firmly. "Show me your finest."

With raised eyebrows, Madame Claire picked up a different tray. "Very well, then. That would be these." She revealed a tray of gold and silver bands. Some large, some small, some extravagant, some plain, but all bearing lustrous diamonds. James searched them slowly, eyeing all the rings carefully. Then he saw it.

A beautiful silver band with a medium sized radiant cut diamond, two small emeralds on each side. It was simple, and yet, so perfectly exquisite, it whispered 'Lily' to his soul.

"That's it." he breathed. He hadn't even realized he'd said it until Madame Claire grinned and picked up the very ring James was looking at.

"Very good choice, sir." she said. "You have excellent taste. Will you be purchasing it today?"

James sighed, staring longingly at the ring. It symbolized everything he wished for in a future with Lily. But, he was indeed very young, they both were. With so much ahead of them, so many chances, so much uncertainty...

"No, not today, Madame." he smiled somewhat regretfully. "Not today."

"Very well. Would you like me to hold it for you?" she asked.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. I don't know how soon.. or if ever..." he shook his head, trying to dismiss the doubt he still felt concerning Lily.

"Oh, I'll hold it for you." she grinned. "I can tell by the look in your eyes... you love this girl and you'll be back for your ring. I can guarantee it."

"You're wise woman, Madame Claire." James chuckled.

She smiled at this. "And all I need to hold this is your name."

"James Potter."

She looked up slowly, wide eyes. "Potter? As in late Mr. and Mrs. Potter's son?"

"Indeed." James said solemnly. "I hope I can live to make them proud."

"I'm sure you will, lad." she winked reassuringly. "You just behave yourself with this girl of yours and you live right, I'm sure you will."

"Thank you, Madame Claire. Good day to you."

She also bid him farewell, but James did not hear her as he exited the shop. He had completely lost track of time in his musings of Lily and his parents. The Minister would have his head for being so late.

On his way back to the Ministry, he hurried past Gringott's, where a young blond boy was on the corner, with a pile of Daily Prophets. His clothes were ragged, his hair was scruffy, but he held a copy of the paper and was shouting "Extra! Extra! Another Muggle Killing!"

"Is that so?" James commented. "Here you go, lad. How about a paper for the Minister, ay?"

James held out a gold Galleon to the little boy, which he took in awe.

"Gee, thanks, mister!" he said, handing him a paper.

James chuckled, walking away pleased with himself. Then he lifted the paper and began to read.

Suddenly, his heart plummeted.

What he saw put fear into his heart, his very soul racking with an intense panic. A picture of a house in a muggle neighborhood. A house that he knew almost better than his own. A house he nearly spent the past six months at.

As he quickly scanned the article, his heart sank further in despair and dread enveloped him. Almost instantly, he dropped the paper on the ground and apparated away.

Two muggle parents were found dead in their home when the Ministry was alerted when Illegal Magic was used there. The muggle-born daughter, a former Hogwart's student, is still no where to be found, though no names are yet being released....

---

A/N: Note: Please keep reading - lots of important things happen between now and Daring Destiny! -wink wink-

And just so you guys know, I did change a little bit in the end of the last chapter, adding a song in there (I had planned on doing that, but I forgot! -curses- ) And I also changed my email address, so check out my bio for the update.

REVIEW!!!! -grin-