Authors Note: Okay I know you're all probably super pissed off at me for making you wait a month for the update but in between my 5 day stay in the hospital (Pneumonia) and my dad permanently taking away the computer I've been having to write in between periods and at public libraries (shows my dedication to my readers!) But at last here it is the Hogsmeade trip this will be a two part trip and I apologize in advanced if this isn't my best chapter but I couldn't use as much detail as I would have liked because I only have 5 minutes in between periods and it probably would have taken another month to get it out, also plz excuse any spelling errors as I didn't run spell check (I was just too tired) Anyway I hope you love this chapter, I like it and plz plz plz! r&r

Disclaimer: I still own NOTHING! Guys I have finally decided to let go of the pencil...But there are so many memories of him here...

Flash She sits at her desk holding a pen as tears fill her eyes as she thinks about her beloved 2B pencil. And all the math tests she failed with him by her side.

James stood at the foot of the stairs gazing in rapt anticipation unaware that his friends were staring at him with knowing smiles, laughter played in Remus's eyes as he stared at James rigid figure and Sirius trying and failing to rub off the cologne which by now had engulfed half of the common room. "You can breath any time now Prongs" muttered Remus out of the corner of his mouth.

"Shut up Moony," said James turning back to the girl's entrance.

"Fine, all I'm saying is I don't think Lily would be too pleased if her date was blue," said Remus turning to face James.

But James didn't hear him for right then Lily made her way down the stairs into the common room and he was floored by her appearance. Even though she was just wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater James had never seen her look more beautiful. The way her hair fell past her shoulders and shown as the light played on it transfixed him with it's every swish as she finished her decendation of the stairs.

James held out his hand for Lily secretly praying that it wasn't too sweaty. Lily reached the bottom of the stairs and seemed to be waiting for something "where's Sirius?" she asked looking over James shoulder up the boys staircase.

"He's er…Upstairs trying to wash off the gallon of cologne he has on" finished James sniffing the air.

"Oh" mumbled Lily looking around the common room, it was so quite you could have heard a pin drop.

"Oooo awkward silence" came Sirius's voice as he bounded down the stairs two at a time and attempted to regain his composure once he reached James.

"Shut up Padfoot" muttered James.

"Oh calm down Prongs" said Sirius "this is going to be fun, you're going to win the lovely Lily over forever."

"Oh yeah?" said James pointing to Lily who had marched over to the foot of the staircase leading to the girl's dormitories and grabbed Nikki's arm practically dragging her out of the common room without a second glance in their direction.

"Maybe" said Sirius clapping James on the back "she was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself around some one as dreamy as yourself."

"Yeah that must be it" said James laughing, "let's go mate, I've only got 5 hours to like you saud win the lovely Lily over forever."

"yeah good luck with that mate" replied Sirius as they made their way to the school carriages.

br hr br

10 minutes later they were they were walking down the cobble stone steps of Hogsmeade village past countless snogging couples holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes.

"I wish they'd bloody well stop" hissed James to Sirius glancing at all the lovely couples and eyeing one particular couple who were trying and failing to conceal themselves behind a bush.

"Well" said Sirius eyeing the same couple with a smirk on his face "we have a lot of Randy people at Hogwarts" he quickened his pace glancing ahead at the girls who seemed determined to stay at least two meters ahead of them at least Lily anyway.

"No shit" muttered James too quickening his pace.

Sirius came up behind Nikki and draped his arm over her shoulder, "so where would you lovely ladies like to go first?" he asked.

"Common room" Lily muttered under her breath.

"Sorry didn't catch that" said Sirius with mock deafness.

" Well may as well go look at some books, I guess" said Lily as she lead them into a quaint little book store with caramel colored walls with cozy worn, armchairs and the scent of leather-bound covers greeted their scents. Lily took a deep breath as a smile stretched across her face.

"Oh god" could be heard from Nikki as she folded her arms and rolled her eyes at her friend's obsession with books.

Lily began to stroll along the aisles of books letting her fingers trail along the spines pausing every few minutes to take one off the shelf and glance through it's pages reacquainting herself with their words and stories, the smile still lingered on her face a look and feeling of complete bliss.

James followed behind her being quite as to not disturb her thoughts, he studied her smiling as he watched her stroll along the shelves, staring at her smile, the one he had never seen, not directed at him anyway. He watched every move and breath she took all of it fascinating him, how she took so much joy in just being...there. "Stare any harder mate and your eyes are going to fall out of your head" muttered Sirius in James ear. James jumped and hissed "Get lost Padfoot!" and could here Sirius muttereing a long string of curse words as he and Nikki left the shop. He turned back to Lily who had made an abrupt stop in her journey along the aisle. He shooed Sirius and made his way along the shelves closer to who was smiling but stopped when he was closer and could too make out tears trickling down her eyes.

Lily's heart stopped as her eyes fell upon a dusty, semi-tattered book, whose pages had been yellowed with age she picked it up carefully and ran her fingers over the front of the book and closed her eyes remembering, remembering a time when she had felt happy...

"Lily what's wrong?" asked Jennifer Evans as she opened the door to her daughter's room and met the tear streaked face of her 11 year old daughter.

"N-Nothing" said Lily through choked sobs turning and hiding her face in her pillow trying to conceal it from her knowing mother.

"Oh come on now, don't give me any of that nothing business, I know when something's wrong with my daughter" Jennifer said stroking the loose strands of red hair that had fallen out of her daughter's loose pony tail.

"I told you mom nothings wrong," Lily said unconvincingly.

"I don't believe you honey" her mother said matter of factly, it wasn't in a stern tone just one full of knowing and compassion.

"Well you should" mumbled Lily.

"Yeah but I don't" her mother said with a smile "I think I know when something's wrong with my daughter.

She finished rubbing her shoulders trying to comfort her.

"What if" Lily started turning to face her mother "what if this is all a mistake, what if I'm not really a…Well you know, what if I'm behind?"

"Come on now sweetie we both know you're not behind" Mrs. Evans said with a warm smile to her daughter "I've never seen anyone study as hard as you have these past few weeks, I don't think you've even seen light for heavens sake!" Do you mean to tell me my daughter won't do well? Well I'm sorry honey but then I'd have to say you're insane." She finished smiling "you're going to do fine sweetie" she said easing her daughter back into bed and kissing her forehead.

"Thanks mom" Lily whispered turning on her side and burying her face in her pillow.

"You're welcome honey," said Mrs. Evans sitting by her 11 year-old daughter's side, she wouldn't leave. Not until she was asleep, not until she was sure everything would be okay. Even though she knew down the line it wouldn't be.

"Mom?"

"Yes princess?"

"Could you sing it?"

"Of course dear"

Mrs. Evans settled on her knees and began to sing

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

She stayed there for hours afterwards. Only leaving when the sun began to rise she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small wrapped parcel and placed it on her daughter's dresser. She thought it was time that her daughter had a copy of her own, something to comfort her when she was lonely. Something she could read any time she wanted and could have forever. Little did she know her daughter wouldn't ever get to read The Little Princess.

Lily closed the book and put it back on the shelf and turned continuing down the aisle waiting until the next one rounding the corner she slid against it and felt her body drop to the floor as she hugged her knees and felt hot tears fall down her eyes.

James walked over to where Lily had been standing just moments ago and looked along the shelf his eyes scanning the shelf for what he was looking for, then he saw it a tatty yellowed book sticking out farther then all the others. He took it down from the shelf and turned to the inside The Little Princess He looked through the hole the book had left through the shelves and saw a figure with flaming red hair with her head in her hand s and could make out muffled sobs. He made his way over to her careful not to make too much noise.

"This is Stupid" Lily thought to herself that was years ago back before… before her world had been turned upside down before her life had become a living hell! She sat there her head swirling with memories, memories she hadn't thought of for so long, memories that pained her to dwell on. Memories she knew ere only that…Just memories humming a tune to herself one that her mother used to sing to her when she was a little girl and thought of how she'd never hear that story or song ever again…

She allowed herself a few more moments of luxury to remenis through memories of her mother before slowly picking herself up off of the ground, she didn't want anybody to get worried or wonder where she was not even Nikki. She wiped her hands across her eyes making sure that none of her salty tears still lingered on her cheeks giving some hint as to what she was doing. She straightened her t-shirt and turned to go back to the front of the shop when she walked headstrong into a very taken aback James.

Nearly falling backwards James asked "are you ok?"

"Of course I am Potter" snapped an irritated Lily.

"Where are you going?" asked James unperturbed by her rudeness.

"I'm going to go get Nikki" replied Lily cooly.

"Umm" started James "you can't do that."

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do Potter!" yelled Lily the look on her face one of utter loathing that seemed to be reserved just for him.

"I wasn't" said James "I just thought that it would be almost impossible to track her down now seeing as though she left with Sirius 20 minutes ago"

"She what!" cried Lily taking a threatening step towards James and raising her voice. She knew it wasn't James she was mad at but it seemed that he was the only one around for her to release her anger on. "She wouldn't."

"Well she did" said James sighing. This day wasn't going nearly as good as he had anticipated.

"I can't believe this" muttered Lily underneath her breath as she turned to leave the store. This day wasn't going exactly the way she was hoping it would.

After an hour of walking through the village without so much as a single word uttered, 3 trips to Honeyduck's and several icy glares from Lily later they found themselves making their way to a corner table of a very loud Madame Rosemerta's pub.

"Here let me help you" said James as he saw Lily about to pullout her chair.

"No I'm fine Potter" replied Lily turning back to her seat.

"No seriously I want to help you, it's no trouble" said James as he reached for Lily's chair.

"Potter I think I'm capable of pulling out my own chair!" cried Lily.

"Bloody hell" cried James "Lily just let me help you!" yelled James.

"Fine" replied Lily trying to stay calm.

"Thank you" said James wrenched out her chair and held it back politely like he had seen in many muggle movies. He took in a quick glance of the pub and almost choked on what he saw. Sirius and Nikki were making their way right over to them! James flailed his arm signaling them to go. Sirius gave James a confused look, James mouthed 'go!' and shooed them away. Sirius had began walking out of the pub when he pointed to James with a horrified look on his face.

"What?" James mouthed but he found out seconds later when he heard it.

"Bloody Hell!" screamed Lily as she went to sit down realizing there was no chair and hitting her backside on the hard wooden floor.

"Shit" muttered James underneath his breath as he realized what he must have done, he tried and failed to offer Lily his assistance.

"Lily just let me help you" she muttered sarcastically under her breath as she hoisted herself off of the cold tile floor and back onto her chair refusing any assistance from James. Turning her head away from him in a very child like fashion.

Surrendering to defeat James sat down across from Lily and pulled in his chair, looking around at all the Hogwarts students, mainly third years who seamed to be bursting at the seams with the prospect of being in an actual pub. James smiled to himself as he thought of their reactions when they found out the only thing they could drink was Butterbeer. He turned back to face Lily who seemed just as determinedly to be staring in the opposite direction. James ever so slightly cleared his throat, either Lily didn't hear him or she was doing a pretty good job of pretending not to. So James leant closer to her ready to cough again when he heard an entirely different "ahem" that was not his own. Lily jumped and James turned to look at the smiling face of Madame Rosemerta who seemed to be enjoying their awkward state.

"Can I get you anything M'dears?" She asked turning to James, her pad and Quill poised.

"Umm sure" replied James realizing that he'd have to order something. "I'll have a butterbeer and..." James trailed off realizing that he hadn't the slightest clue as to what Lily would want.

"Oh, the same thing" she replied smiling up at Rosemerta.

"Sure dear" Rosemerta said jotting down their orders smiling, in secret glee at the two of them finally being together...Even if they didn't know it yet.

"So I guess that's a bust" said Sirius shoving his hands into his pockets as the first "real" breeze of October blew past them. Taking hundreds of orange and red leaves with it and carrying them up to the sky specking it with their warm and comforting colors. Sirius gave and involuntary shudder at the uninvited coldness from the breeze that seemed to be spreading through his body. He glanced over at Nikki who seemed to be stifling a laugh while eyeing up his rigid profile.

"What?" He asked returning her stare which truth be told was making him feel uncomtorble.

"Nothing" she replied turning and walking over to a giant maple tree which had somewhat of a comforting aura around it, a big smile spread across her face.

"Oh don't nothing me" Sirius said marching over to where she was now sitting underneath the tree which had by now seemed to have lost all it's leaves which the wind had scattered all over the grounds of Hogsmeade. Sirius too sat in what would the shade of the tree, drawing the clasps on his cloak tighter around his neck attempting to shield himself from the harsh winds. While Nikki took hers off and stretched out yawning.

"How can you do that?" Asked Sirius incredulously.

"Do what?" Nikki asked looking up from her position underneath the tree as she lay on her back staring at the clouds passing overhead.

"That!" Said Sirius pointing to her cloak that lay disregarded a few meters away.

"Well" said Nikki as she propped herself up on her elbow looking at Sirius; the evidence of laughter spread all through her eyes "how can you do that?" She retorted gesturing to his cloak which barley left any of his face visible.

"How can I...how can I?" stuttered Sirius looking at Nikki as if she were insane "it's like minus 40 frigin degrees!" He almost screeched sending many of the surrounding birds into flight.

"Oh please" Nikki muttered leaning towards Sirius slowly, and looking into his eyes a slight smirk playing across her face.

Sirius was totally caught off guard by her sudden movement. Taking his hands out of his pockets unsure of what she was going to do next he leaned closer in anticipation of what he only assumed would be a good snogging-session. He was only inches from her face when he began to shut his eyes...Then...he felt it.

James sat across from Lily clutching his butterbeer at a complete loss of what to say. He lifted his butterbeer to his lips taking a swig and allowing his eyes to wander around the crowded pub. Filling with students looking for shelter from the uncharacteristically cool October temperatures before turning to face Lily again.

"You know" she Lily placing her butterbeer on the table and turning to look thoughtfully at James. "For someone who's been harassing me for the last three years Potter, you'd think that you'd actually have something to say to me" she finished, smiling at him for the first time the entire day...(no scratch that, his entire life!) Taking another sip from her butterbeer and studying his face. Awaiting his response.

James was completely taken aback by her sudden interest in having a conversation with him.

"Well" he said conspiricially leaning closer to her "you see, I have a reputation and well..." he paused glancing sideways "I didn't want to seem too needy" he finished with a lop-sided grin.

"I see" said Lily with a smirk beckoning him to come closer she said in hushed tones "I'm sorry to tell you but, I think you may have crossed that line already" the smirk ever more apparent on her face as she finished.

"Maybe" said James finishing his butterbeer in a gulp and signaling Rosemerta for another. Leaning back in his chair he said "So, you finally decided to say something today" he paused smiling "guess my charm and good looks must be wearing off on you then."

"Hardly" said Lily stifling a laugh "I just thought that since two hours of praying for the night to come it wasn't gonna happen so, I may as well do something to pass the time" she finished as if challenging him.

"Well" said James sarcastically "don't I feel special."

"You should" replied Lily her smile reaching her eyes as James burst out laughing, alarming several harassed looking fourth years sitting around them.

"Admit it" he said folding his arms "you're having fun."

"Never" Lily said getting out of her chair begging to walk out of the pub her arms folded across her chest. James slammed a galleon on the table and followed behind her.

Lily could hear him behind her and said with a smile "well maybe I am having a little fun."

James burst into a grin and regaining his composure said in a very James like fashion "Of course you are who doesn't when you're with James Potter, I mean come on" he finished standing beside Lily in front of the window of Skivinshave's Quill Shop.

"Don't make me regret saying it Potter" replied Lily rolling her eyes and sitting on a bench across from the shop, James following suit. "I think it's more like you can't help having fun when you're around me" she said James looking at her incredulously.

"Where is this new full of herself Miss. Evans coming from?" He asked, his eyes questioning her with the same lop-sided grin on his face as he decided he liked it.

"Oh she's always been there Potter, you've just never gotten the chance to se her" replied Lily stretching then shivering as the icy winds blew past her shoulders, sending a chill down her spine.

"Not for lack of trying" James muttered causing Lily to laugh in spite of herself. James reached up and unfastened the clasps on his cloak draping it over her shoulders. Lily hesitantly accepted.

"This means nothing Potter," she said drawing the cloak closer around her shivering body.

"I know," said James wrapping his arms around himself.

"Good" said Lily eyeing him suspiciously.

She reached up and undid the clasps on his cloak with a flick of her wrist and whipped it off his body.

"Shit!" Yelled Sirius folding his arms across his body trying desperately to capture some of the escaping warmth that was rapidly leaving his body. "Oi!" he called to Nikki who was already standing clutching his cloak behind her back. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm teaching you how NOT to be a wuss Black" Nikki said smugly taking another step back.

"I am NOT a wuss!" he cried. "I'm just not in the mood to have ice in my veins!" he said taking another step towards her.

"Oh come off it" Nikki muttered toying with the clasps on his cloak, teasing him.

"I think Miss Johnson," said Sirius a smirk plastered on his face "it would be wise if you gave me back my cloak."

"Oh really" said Nikki mock thought etched across her face.

"Yeah" said Sirius as he got steadily closer to her.

"No" said Nikki scrunching up her forehead, looking as if she were giving the idea a great deal of thought "No, I don't think I will" she said turning her eyes from him and examining the cloak with fake interest, Sirius could see her smiling.

He made a lunge for the cloak but Nikki was ready, she whipped it behind her back and smiled in triumph.

"Now that's not nice," said Sirius with mock hurt.

"Well you'll see you'll find I'm not always nice" she whispered as Sirius was a mere meter away from her face, she took a few steps back as if daring him to move closer.

Sirius was never one to turn down a challenge, and besides...He was going to get back that cloak.

Lily looked at the red and orange swirl around the sky as the leaves of Hogsmeade village fell off their owners and graced the cobblestone streets with their vibrant shades, covering the grey and brown tones of the stone walkways. Lily smiled despite herself at the quaintness of the village.

"What?" Asked James fascinated by the sudden smile that had just erupted across her face.

"Nothing" she said standing up and handing James back his cloak and standing up, making her way over to a bridge littered with maple leaves and a rippling river running through it creating the most picturesque sight she had ever seen. James arose and followed her enticed by her movement. Lily stopped at the center of the bridge and looked out over the river enticed by its movements over the pebbles and the occasional leaf flowing through its path.

"It's beautiful," said James looking at Lily out of the corner of his eye.

"Yeah" she uttered...The silence that followed made Lily uncomftorble she felt as if James could see right through her and into her very thoughts that she didn't want him to see. After all she hated him...Right?

"So you're going to play it that way then?" asked Sirius taking another step closer to Nikki like a predator stalking his prey.

"Yes Mr. Black I believe I am" retorted Nikki with a coy smile on her face.

"Shouldn't have said that" muttered Sirius eyeing Nikki. Before she could even answer Sirius jumped forward grabbed her legs and sent her to the ground in a pile of leaves with him on top of her.

"What the bloody hell was that Black!" Asked Nikki breathing heavily, having just had the wind knocked out of her.

"I wanted my cloak back" he said with a smirk his breathing heavy but it having nothing to do with the fall.

Nikki took the cloak out from behind her and through it to the side. "There" she said with a smug smile.

"You're not getting off that easy" he said, and with one movement he pinned both her arms over her head holding them in place with his own.

"What are you going to do, strangle me?" Nikki asked sarcastically.

"No" he said in a hushed voice as he got closer to her, his eyes going dark.

"You were that cold," she asked with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Not any more" he whispered as he leaned into her and captured her lips in his. At that moment

Lily walked down under the bridge James at her side as she stretched out on a bed of leaves near the river and looked out. James sat beside her casting around for something to say.

"Umm" started James.

"What?" asked Lily as she toyed with a handful of leaves.

"Y-You look like you have no hair" " Nice Potter real smooth"

"What!" Asked Lily as she propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him questioningly.

"W-What I meant was that, your hair you know" James cast around for the word he was trying to find "blends, yeah blends with the leaves, you know cause it's so beautiful that is" he finished.

"Ooookkkk" said Lily looking at James as if he had lost his mind, playing with a handful of leaves behind her back.

"Just forget it" muttered James mentally beating himself up at his dumb comment.

"Think I will" replied Lily "that's no exactly the most suave thing I've ever been told by a guy."

"Yeah" he said "but I'm James Potter I'm so sexy, I don't have to say anything suave."

"Whatever Potter" said Lily as she leant forward and chucked her handful of leaves in his face.

It took James a minute to recover but he was on his feet in a second due to his great Quidditch reflexes but Lily was already sprinting up the hill. James took off at a sprint and reaching her threw himself at her legs knocking her to the ground and threw a handful of leaves in her face.

Lily wiped her hands across her face and took off but James was already yards ahead.

James's breath was getting heavy 'where's Lily?' he thought to himself. He had almost reached the top of the hill and still he heard and felt nothing. He chanced a look behind him and almost immediately regretted it. The last thing he saw and felt was a mass of fiery red hair and Lily's small figure hurl itself onto his back. The impact of her jump nearly sent him falling to the ground as he fought to keep his composure, her weight still on his back. He turned his head to the side and could see her smiling face looking right back at him, her hair was sticking out at different intervals, and some had fallen over her face. Her cheeks were tinted red from the wind and James had never seen her look more beautiful.

"I think I win" said Lily looking down at James glowing from the run.

"No" replied James as he leant forward and cupped her face with his hand. He captured her lips in his and the feeling was unlike anything he had ever felt before. Her lips were soft and full her kiss warm and soft, she wasn't pulling away and James was glad he never wanted it to end, slowly he pulled away and whispered with his forehead resting against hers "I do." Before his captured her lips again the wind blowing the leaves around them capturing the moment.

A moment neither of them would ever want to forget…

Authors Note: Ok like I said before I explained everything that's been going on, and I'm still permenately kicked off my computer so I'm not sure when the next update will be but I'm working hard on it. I really hope you guys liked this chapter sry if it seemed a little rush, but that's only because it was. I would really like to get some lengthly reviews as this is my most lengthly chapter. If you're the author of a fic I normally read and you haven't gotten a review from me, that's because of my computerless state but I'm going to read them now! Especially lilred-07 I just finished 26 and I'll review shortly. I love you guys and thank you for sticking by me even if this update took a while. Also you noticed I changed the title hope you like it.

Hugsnkisses jamesnlily4ever