A/N) Okay, if you don't like images of men crying or acting all emotional then I suggest you don't read this chapter. James, is literally, telling Harry things about Lily and it is quite heartbreaking for him. I've never actually seen a man cry before but this is the best I could do for this chapter. Enjoy…

Prongs Rides Again

Chapter Eight: Lily

"Lily," James began, his voice soft and caring, "she was a wonderful person, so kind and generous. She was always there to help the unfortunate, she always came up with solutions to difficult problems. When I was a kid I used to dream of meeting the perfect woman to be my bride. She would be beautiful and excel in everything that she did. My parents used to laugh when I told them that I would marry someone like that. They told me that no such person could exist. No one was perfect for another person, there would always be trouble that would keep us apart, but they were wrong."

"I met Lily during the Sorting in 1971. She didn't speak to me but I couldn't keep my gaze off of her when she was called to be sorted. She was lovely…no…she was beautiful…the most beautiful girl I had seen. More importantly she was a Gryffindor, just like I was destined to be. I made the foolish act of thinking we could be friends."

"She didn't like me, I didn't know why. But, god, your mother was simply wonderful. Her red hair…her brilliant green eyes…everything about her was amazing. I loved her…I still do."

"In third year I asked Lily to Hogsmeade with me. She refused because I told her she would come with me, instead of asking her. I was confused and hurt, not understanding why she had said 'no' and called me 'an arrogant pig'. Every trip I asked her and still the answer was 'no'. I wanted to know why she hated me so. Was it because of what I did to impress her? I wanted to prove that I was good enough for her."

"Sirius and I went around cursing the other students. I thought Lily would be pleased with my skill, my accuracy, but it failed each time. She thought I was a rude, horrible, attention-seeking boy, but the truth was, was that I was hoping to impress her enough so that she'd go out with me."

"I have to admit I did have a inflated head. Even the guys said so. I still wouldn't listen. Lily would warm to me."

His throat seemed to stick but he forced himself to continue, gazing at Harry.

"Then when we were in Seventh year, everything changed. Lily and I were the heads of the school. We had to work together and being respectable, I couldn't go around cursing people. Lily gradually began like me, noticing me properly for the first time, not through my antics but through who I was underneath. I asked her out for the last time to go to Hogsmeade with me. She said 'yes'. I was overjoyed. After seven years I had finally grasped Lily as mine."

"Months went by and we began to fall in love."

"Everyday I was with her felt like an eternity. My life was complete: I needed nothing more save a family. There was no one more perfect then her for me. I loved her. I still do. She was a wonderful Head-Girl - best part was when she yelled at Snape for cursing Sirius and I on graduation day," James laughed remembering Lily's flamed fury face as she shouted at Severus Snape for daring to attack her James, "come to think of it she only stuck up for me: not for Sirius. I think Snape fancied Lily even though he hated Muggle-borns. She was just so unique that even the hardest of Slytherins found it difficult to insult Lily."

"For six years Sirius and I had insulted Snape: he was jealous of me, and he hated the fact that Lily loved me. I suppose he attacked me for revenge for all the humiliation I had put him through. When I look back on it I am ashamed. I wasted six years trying to impress your mother with my magic skills when all I needed to do was be myself. I never understood until we both worked together during Seventh and learnt more about each other then I had thought we ever would. Lily made me re-think who I was as a person. She made me realise my actions of the past six years were pathetic and childish. In a way she enabled me to grow into a man."

"Our first kiss happened just before graduation. I didn't want to rush her into anything she didn't want to do, and I think that's why our relationship worked. I was careful around her. I made it safe for us to progress as a couple later on in life. We loved each other for a long time before our first kiss, but neither of us knew if we should take it further. But we took the plunge and entered a whole new world together."

"Our love grew with each passing moment. All I wanted was to care for her and give her a wonderful life full of love and friendship. I gave her that. The few years that we were married, I did everything for her to make it easy."

"Leaving Hogwarts changed our relationship: it made me realise that it was real and that we had something special. I didn't know what to do about it. I knew that I wanted to marry her but I wondered if she was ready for it. We both had careers: Lily was a secretary in education and I was training to be an Auror. Three months after graduation in 1978 I proposed to your mother. It was the happiest day of my life when she said 'yes'. I will never forget that day…or night."

"Your mother was so beautiful on our wedding day: her hair was done up in a bun, wrapped up in white fabric; her dress was long and glittery; and her eyes shone with utter happiness. The way she walked was like watching a little giddy girl. We were stepping into a new world together. The moment she took my name as hers I was thrilled. I love her more then anything."

"The last years together faded and then, Harry, you came along, filling our hearts with love and joy. Lily adored you, in fact, she couldn't keep her eyes off you, neither could I. She wanted to have more children but we decided to wait until you were two years old before providing you with siblings."

James grimaced, his face darkening in anger, tears glistening on her cheeks. "But that chance was taken from her by that monster. I may have been dead when she tried to protect you, but I know that in my heart she fought bravely, and for that I am grateful."

"You're the reminder as to why I am here. Lily was a wonderful, charming person. She didn't deserve that fate, but it happened, and the worst part about it is that I will never kiss her, hug her or even hear her voice ever again. Ever since I was eleven Lily has been a part of my life in one way or another. How can I live without her? But there is a simple answer to that question."

James turned to face Harry and a small smile spread across his features. "You, Harry. While you live I have a reason to hold on to. No matter how much I miss Lily, she would want me to give you the best life imaginable. That chance has been given to me, but I wish Lily could be here to share in my happiness."

Tears gathered in his eyes. "I miss her so much. I'd do anything just to see her standing in this room watching us. I love her…how can I live without her?"

"You don't have to live without mum, dad." Harry explained, leaning forward and resting his head on his father's shoulder, "Continue to remember mum, the way she would've wanted."

James smiled sadly. Tears fell down his cheeks. He was glad he had told Harry about his mother. The burden seemed less heavy then before. "I know. And I will remember Lily. Nothing will ever make me forget her save death itself."

And then James' control broke and his strength that had been holding the tears back, fell apart, and he leaned against Harry for support as he cried.

Harry hugged his father feeling sad but knowing it was no time for him to break down and cry. James needed him to be strong. His father needed this. It was the only way to make him better. He laid his hands on his father's shoulders gently rubbing them to ease the tension in them.

"I'll never leave you, dad, I promise you." Harry said.

Through his tears, James whispered: "I know, Harry, I know."

TBC

I know it's very short but because of what this chapter entails I thought it would be best to split it up. Next chapter is longer.

Thank you's go to the following reviewers: Loonie Potter; HarrysGrrl; ambereyes2873 (I hope this chapter was interesting!); XyliaDark; Crazy-Physco; MionePotter2U; Jb; Lunatic Pandora1; LiLaZnGrLy; zippyfox; PrincessSkywalkerOrgana; RebelHanyouofDarkness; Barbossa'sApples; LikePink; Kim Kotchanski; Virginia Riddle-Malfoy; twinsrthebest; FutureGodess; Floro13 and amrawo.

HandsOff: Lucius Malfoy's is 41. I missed this detail when flicking through OOTP plotting out the story-line. People have told me that it was 40, but by looking in OOTP I have found his age on page 275 (british version; children's edition) which is 41 years old not 40. So there you go…

IamSiriusgrl: I actually loved your idea with a riot. There is a sort of riot that will occur much later on in the story involving James, Sirius, Professor Umbridge and lots of Hogwarts Students all running around screaming and shouting. You'll have to wait until Chapter 30 before it can happen. I hope you liked this chapter!

magicgirl45852: I haven't read 'Prongs Rides Again' by BreflyDel yet but I'm hoping to. I've read a few stories where James comes back to life but some I have found are not that good, and I thought I'd try my own hand at writing a story like that. I won't show the Hearing because James won't be allowed in the Courtroom but he will be present to greet Harry out. Unfortunately James will not DADA teacher because Umbridge is still in the story. But there is another post he can take…any guesses? Oh, and I also sent an update message to the users of the Yahoo Group, and I was wondering if you received it or not? I've had no posts (apart from myself) to let me know that anyone is getting the messages I send. The Yahoo Group is there for discussion between the author and readers. Thank you for reading!

Smorefan: Harry will be less angry throughout the school year but he will have a big outburst when something really bad happens…yes, Umbridge is still teaching DADA, and Sirius won't be alone either…he'll be in the story more often then he is in the actual book.

kill bill rocks: You're right I'm dedicated to this fic. I hate it when authors leave there stories hanging and never update. Most of the story line comes directly from OOTP but with slight changes to what the characters are doing now that James is alive. And James will remain with Harry for as long as he can…

Lady Taliesin: Thank you for another, fantastic review. Your comments on the characterisation of James were simply wonderful. Hardly anyone tells me what they think of how he is reacting and it is nice that you are doing that for me. I am also trying to show how caring James can be to his son. This chapter showed the 'more heartbreaking' version of James and what losing a loved one can be like. I have never lost anyone I love so I found it hard to write about his feelings towards Lily. I hope it was okay. I didn't want to put a riot into the Diagon Alley scene for a few reasons: the first was because one comes much later in the story around Chapter Thirty; second of all people would be scared especially if they knew he had come back from the dead. I certainly wouldn't go up to him. I am also hoping to build up the father-son relationship to a point where it would hurt Harry more if he lost James rather then Sirius. It's not that strong yet as he's still wary of him but he's getting past that. Hmmm, I didn't think of James asking for Gryffindor's colours at the robe shop. That would've been a good idea…and yes Fudge is losing support so he's raising taxes and stuff. One of the side plots that won't be dealt with until later on. Hopefully, by the end of this chapter you should have the impression that James really loved Lily. I'll try not to make him too mad over Lily's death in the future. And his wand may play an important part in the story, but I'm not saying what…I hope you liked this chapter!

Littlewolf-moony: I forgot to introduce James' wand earlier so I put in chapter seven as a last resort. Yes, I dedicated the last chapter to you because you were my two hundredth reviewer. Every one hundred I will dedicate a chapter to that lucky reviewer. Thank you for reading!

angelicmayuka: The ice skating idea won't come in until later on in the story. I hope you liked this chapter about Lily. Thank you for reading.

Next Chapter: Apparation Test - Harry goes to his hearing and James takes his Apparation Test….Coming at the weekend.

Also I have uploaded a small one-shot piece about Harry and James at Hogwarts during Christmas. There are a few tiny spoilers as to what will happen in the coming chapters of this story but as it is snowing where I am I thought it would be appropriate to post it. It also wouldn't fit into the proper story at the time of when its set so I thought I'd give you an extra treat for the shortness of this chapter.

Signing out for now,

MissBlackPotter