Much later that night, Lily slowly walked back to the Great Hall. She had sent James back earlier, saying she needed time to finish packing. She hadn't packed, though. She had spent a good hour just thinking.

The first thing she saw when she returned to the Great Hall was Sirius dancing animatedly with Professor Sprout. She didn't have enough time to take anything else in, however, because a gentle hand touched her shoulder. She looked up and saw that it was Dumbledore.

"Congratulations, Lily," He said, smiling. "James has had that planned for a little over a month; your poor friend Miss Landry has almost gone mad with the secret."

Lily laughed. "I'm amazed she kept it from me; I can usually tell when she's hiding something." Lily's eyes were absently scanning over everybody.

"He's over there with Miss Landry now," Dumbledore said, pointing to where James and Alli were waltzing; Lily laughed- Alli was leading.

"Lily," Dumbledore continued. "Could I have a very quick private word with the both of you? I know you want to celebrate, so I won't keep you long."

"Sure," Lily said, waving to get James's attention.

James grinned when he saw her and ran across the hall, jumping right over the Slytherin table on his way. When he got to Lily, he gave her an intimate look and then grinned and gave her a noisy smacking kiss.

"What's up?" He asked, looking at Dumbledore.

"You have both accepted our Auror offer," Dumbledore said quietly, "and you have both joined the Order. Your training will begin in two weeks, so enjoy some time off, because it's going to be very hard work. You will be contacted." Now he smiled. "On a brighter note, James, your parents are here. Lily, I have recently gotten in touch with your mother, who sends her congratulations."He quickly touched her shoulder and walked away.

"He told her?" Lily was suddenly disappointed.

"She already knew," James cut in. "Look at your ring."

Lily looked down, realizing that so much had happened in the past couple of hours that she had never studied her engagement ring. It was an elegant and simple white gold ring with a nice sized but not tacky round diamond, surrounded by two smaller stones.

"This.. Was my grandmother's ring?" She said it as a question.

James nodded. "Yup, your mother thought you'd like it."

Lily was gaping. "But you've never met my mother, how did you..?"

"Alli," he said simply. "Easter break."

"But.. My mother has never met you, why would she send you a ring that's been in our family for over a hundred years?"

"Because I gave my seal of approval!" Alli was there now, and Sirius and Remus. Lily gave her a doubtful look. "Ok, ok," Alli said laughing. "She said any guy brave enough to sweep you off your feet had her blessing."

"Ah, yes," James said, flexing non-existent muscles. "That big brave man would be me."

Lily slapped him upside the head.

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It had taken the threat of a severe itching hex to get the newly graduated students to bed. The night had been peaceful, with the Marauders, Lily and Alli sitting and talking with their peers and teachers.

Now tucked into bed, Lily had time to think back to earlier that night. Only one thought graced her head...

James.

James was such a gentlemen. He had never even brought up sex in the six months that they had been dating, and tonight he had asked her if she were sure about ten times. Lily thought she would wait until marriage, but tonight had just felt so right. She didn't think she was James's first, but for now that didn't bother her. He seemed to honestly love her, so how could any ex-girlfriend threaten her?

He couldn't have touched anybody else like that, and if he did, it couldn't have made anybody else feel that way. She was in love.

She remembered the beginning... Kisses had gotten deeper, and hands had roamed. Oh, hands had roamed. Each finger was like flame, leaving trails of fire on her skin. But James had never gotten rough.

She didn't regret it; Truthfully, she didn't believe in regrets, just disappointments. And she definitely wasn't disappointed.

Today, Lily had graduated from magic school, gotten engaged, and shared the most intimate experience between two people possible. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

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A/N: WOAH, short chapter, and it took me so long to update. The truth? I forgot all about it. Haha. I need reviewers! I tend to forget about it and not update if people don't review, cause then its like a waste of time. Sure, -I- know the story and what's going to happen.. There's no point in posting it if I'm the only person reading it, heh. So, I'm sorry this is so short. Now go review.

-Ria

-OH, and you can read about Dumbledore's Auror offer in Destined, chapter.. Oh hell I forget.