LEGACY

By Lady Radcliffe

Summary: In a kingdom where blood is still everything, Lily Evans, the very first female advisor, will rise to the top and catch the attention of the very handsome, and very good kisser, James Potter. Slight AU.

Disclaimer: Tell you what, you give me Daniel Radcliffe and I'll pretend to be J.K. Rowling, just for you. How about it?

A/N: Italics are used for emphasis and thoughts.

Chapter Three

The next morning was meant for relaxation and thinking, so Lily rejoiced in the fact that an advisory meeting had been cancelled. She found herself stretched out on a field where sometimes a unicorn could be glimpsed, enjoying the oddly sunny September day. With her eyelids beginning to flutter shut, Lily recalled with satisfaction the events from the night before and tried to decipher her real feelings for James Potter. Was there truly something there? Or had she become too caught up in the moment and imagined it all? She had no intention of becoming a blubbering mess if James ever realized that she wasn't right for him and broke it off. Grimacing, she recalled all the rumors that had been spread about those unlucky girls just dropped by James. None of them were very pleasant, despite the fact that it was James who was at fault. She really didn't want that to happen to her. It didn't matter though, she decided firmly. She needed this. It was time to let loose and have some real fun.

After finishing his breakfast, James inquired as to where Lily was. Someone had seen her walking towards the unicorn field, and he found himself following her footsteps. The sight that greeted him captivated him. There she lay, stretched out like a cat, with her hair sprawled out around her head and her pale hand gently stroking a unicorn. James inhaled sharply. The way she was smiling lazily made her seem ethereal and how the sun's rays caused her to glow turned her into the most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

The unicorn sensed his presence though, so it stood up, lightly nuzzled Lily and bounded away. Making his entrance, James stepped into Lily's line of vision, stopped her from rising into a curtsy and lay down on the soft grass. They lay in a comfortable silence for few moments. Lily's eyes were closing when he reached over and started twirling her tresses around his finger. She didn't seem to mind and her eyes remained shut as her chest rose up and down gently. Tired of playing with her hair, he leaned over her and began to administer a soft, beguiling kiss on her lips. She responded slowly, as if trying to keep one foot in the real world and one in the world where James Potter could make all of her dreams come true.

The kiss ended sooner than she would have liked. She was only beginning to get lost in him again. She wanted more. He was addicting, like her first sip of Firewhisky. She practically had to be dragged away by a friend who noticed that Lily's words were becoming slurred and her head was lolling dangerously.

"Tell me about yourself," she prodded, out of the blue. "What makes you, King James Tristan Potter, so marvelous?"

"Ah, so you do admit I'm wonderful," he chuckled, propping himself up on an elbow. "Unfortunately for you, I don't feel like revealing my 'inner secrets.' You'll have to earn my trust first," he said with a grin.

Lily laughed. "Why do I get the feeling that 'earning your trust' involves kissing?"

His eyes twinkled. "Well it didn't originally, but now that you mention it, that's not a bad idea at all. No wonder you're an advisor, love," he taunted with a smile.

"You're insufferable!" she teased, giving him a small shove in the chest.

"Hey there, watch it, you're talking to your king here," he said in a fake commanding tone.

"I'm so sorry, Your Highness," she said dryly.

He had to smile at her. "One thing though, before you start 'earning my trust.'"

"What?"

"Call me James." With that, he swooped down on her lips and sent her senses soaring.

The first few months together were absolutely blissful. James found himself immensely intrigued with Lily. He was sure that there was a spark every time they kissed or touched. He didn't think that she would be like the others. He didn't feel as though he were in danger of being followed around like a mother goose and her goslings, and Lily never demanded anything other than his unwavering loyalty and unproclaimed love. He made her laugh and smile and she, in return, made him understand true love. Much of his time was spent in her company, sometimes talking, sometimes kissing and sometimes, just being together.

Lily also had begun to find what she had with James was growing. She felt more and more affectionate towards him every day. The little kisses they shared were tenderer, with a deeper meaning to them. She had felt a bit surprised at first when James found no reason to let go of her, but all the same, pleased she meant so much to him. With him, she was truly alive; enjoying the life she had been given. She didn't feel ashamed to admit to herself that she was starting to fall in love with him. How could she not? He was handsome, sweet, caring, and noble; she could just go on forever, exalting his good qualities.

She knew he had faults though. Sometimes, he was too rash and too quick to judge, but she could forgive these faults easily. The good meant more than the bad.

Yes, despite the rumors swirling about, Lily and James were slowly falling hard for one another. That is, until one day when everything shattered.

Tensions were starting to rise in the wizarding world. Lord Voldemort had made his first appearance in France. Claiming "mudbloods" were the reasons why wizards and witches still met with so much failure, he had created a sort of regime meant to rid them of the filthy blood. In their world, there were quite a few people who shared this belief but none had ever truly dared to concoct a scheme like this. Now that this one man had decided to show off his grudge with horrifying acts, people were starting to worry for their loved ones. They did not know who to trust or when he was going to strike. They had no clue just who was in his group of followers, called the Death Eaters. Fear was starting to gnaw away at them.

Little attacks occurred in small muggle towns. James hated hearing about them, because every report that he heard about the deaths meant that this Voldemort man was killing innocents who had no way of defending themselves. There were some wizarding casualties, too. Death Eaters appeared near Gringotts one day, causing mass panic. At least ten wizards and witches died that day before aurors managed to send away the Deatheaters. Pandora's Box had been opened, and it wasn't going to close until it was finished.

James's court was made up of nearly all purebloods. Many were openminded about the need for wizards to accept muggleborns or to intermarry with muggles, but some were not. Scuffles broke out on the streets, vicious words were heard and snarky looks were exchanged. Advised by Dumbledore, James knew he had to find a way to unite the community, before Voldemort had them too tight in his clutches. But the stress of convincing the public was starting to show. There were more than one sleepless nights, he picked at his food and often, he was seen pacing in his office. He was touchy, moody and downright irritable at times. Being with Lily was his only escape into a carefree world, but soon, even excursions with Lily were not enough.

One particular day, James was extremely snappish. He was strolling along with Lily on one of the garden paths when she absently remarked he looked rather worse for the wear. It could have been the hot, humid summer day, or perhaps he was just too stressed but his next words were full of scorn.

"Well, you try being a ruler right now. Oh wait, you can't, you're a mudblood," he sneered.

Tensing, she glared at him and said, "You, of all people, ought to know that blood is nothing, except a way to make people feel superior. Not that you're any better than them."

With a sniff of contempt, Lily Evans walked away from the man she thought she could love. A man she thought could love her back. She willed herself not to cry. Not in front of him at least. But there were more than tears in her eyes. Disappoint swirled around in the depths. If James was going to be so prejudiced, there obviously wasn't going to be a future for them after all. And most certainly not the happily ever after she was hoping for.

As soon as Lily stepped through the palace door, she could feel tears starting to leak through beneath her lashes. Trying to rush back to her rooms, she ran straight into Sirius. Surprised, he looked at her tear streaked face. "Whoa, Lily, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all, except that James called me a mudblood!" she cried, spitting out the last word with hurt.

"Oh boy," he sighed. "Come here, you." He wrapped her in his arms as she began sobbing out the events. She was still visibly upset and distraught so Sirius held her a while longer. Oh, if only he hadn't though, for James chose to walk by them at that moment.

James was generally a reasonable person. Really, he was. He was already hitting himself over the head for saying those words to Lily and was in a foul mood, which did not improve when he saw Lily in Sirius's arms.

"Well, well, what have we here? Lily and I have only just fought and already the wench has found another man to throw herself at. You better watch out, Sirius. The things she'll do for status are shocking," he shot.

"Now really, James," Sirius started. He was interrupted though, by the furious redhead who menacingly jabbed her finger into James's chest.

"If anyone should be talking about throwing themselves into someone's arms, it should be you, James Potter!" she glowered. "If I recall correctly, you're the one who could have any girl he wanted and took advantage of that chance! You have no idea how many people you've hurt in the process, James Tristan Potter! If that's what it means to be a pureblood, with no regard for anyone else's feelings, then I'm proud to be a muggleborn!"

She stormed off to her own room, her sadness forgotten, replaced with sheer anger, feeling more incensed then ever.

"That really wasn't the wisest thing to say, James. Lily's already dealing with the world against her. She doesn't need one more person to do the same," Sirius mentioned wearily.

"I know, I know! I just lost it back there. Everything has been so stressful lately. People are running around scared and they expect me to be able to protect them from the biggest threat ever! I can't handle this! I'm only one person!"

"We know that, James. But you're not alone. You've got us, your friends, and Dumbledore. There are your advisors as well. The kingdom loves you, too. And up until now, Lily would have died for you. She loved you, James. She loved you to the moon and back and possibly farther than that, mate. Don't let her down. We have to grow up sometime and it might as well be now."

As Sirius was tiredly rubbing his temples, James stared at him. Sirius was the sort of person who believed happiness was the cure for everything. He reveled in believing everything would fine eventually, preferred optimism to a healthy dose of reality. And yet, he here was, a somber man, who had just jolted James back into the harsh realities of life.

Voldemort was a huge problem. James had to do his best to protect his world from collapsing on itself, falling from a barrage of hate, distrust and animosity, and he needed Lily at his side to do so. She was smart, loving and thoughtful. She would help him get through this dark time. She would provide the hope and light when it seemed darkness had fallen forever. That is, if James could make her believe in him again.

AN: Thanks for the reviews, you wonderful people!

Sakura Saito: I hope you mean "interesting..." in the best way:-) and AU stands for Alternate Universe where the characters aren't in canon, or acting the way they do in the books and settings and other things are different.

Sandra-Jo: I'm glad you loved the first chapter and put me on your favorites list! I'll be sure to update soon, just for you ;-)

J.E.A.R.K. Potter: The first time I saw your name, I just thought you couldn't spell the word "jerk." Now I know better! lol

man eating plant, s.halliwell24, and pinkraindrop21: Keep reading, please! I love it when you guys review for me! (And compliment me, of course lol) See this smile on my face:-D You put it there! lol