CHAPTER 11: THE OMEGA AND THE ALPHA

The remainder of the school year passed peacefully. The 7th years sat their NEWT exams in the spring so they didn't have time for much else until the exams were over. James, Lily and Sirius did most of their revision together.

James applied himself to his schoolwork like never before. Even Lily, who was naturally academic, thought he was overdoing it. He told her that he had told his parents he wanted to be an Auror and so he needed good grades. He was determined to do well in his NEWTs.

Sirius panicked at the thought of the impending exams and spent the last few weeks of term trying to learn most of the last year's work. Lily gave him a lecture on how he should have been working hard for ages, but he just smiled and said 'But how would I have had time to attend to all my lady friends if I'd been stuck in the library with a book?' Lily rolled her eyes in mock dismay and went back to her revision. She was finding it hard to concentrate. Every so often James would look up from his notes and smile at her. Lily would then forget what she had just been revising and would have to start again. She knew she would get more done in the library but she preferred trying to revise with James to being alone with her books.

Lily and James continued to grow closer. They still had to do patrols in the evenings as part of their Head Boy and Girl duties, but when they were done they spent hours in their own Common Room. Sirius joked that no one revised until that late at night. Lily grinned at him wickedly, 'Who says we were revising?' James and Lily roared laughing when Sirius blushed. He was still adjusting to Lily and James being a couple. He was pleased for them and got on well with Lily, but their new relationship was still a bit strange for him. He was just pleased to see James happy again and if Lily was part of that, it was good. He knew they were suited. He had already volunteered to be Godfather to their first child. It was Lily's turn to blush that time. James replied for both of them, 'Shut up you idiot, we've only been going out for five minutes!' But even as he said it, Sirius could see that James knew his future was with Lily. They belonged together.

One day just after the exams were over, Dumbledore appeared in the Gryffindor Common Room. Dumbledore usually stayed in his office unless it was meal times, when he could be found in the Great Hall. Sometimes he would be seen in the grounds, enjoying the view across the lake, or leaving the school to attend to business.

He didn't go to the Common Room very often. He came straight over to James, Lily and Sirius, who were enjoying a leisurely break after the stresses of the exams. 'Good afternoon you three' he spoke amiably. 'Good afternoon Professor Dumbledore' the three replied, exchanging glances. What could Dumbledore want? Then he looked at James. 'I wonder Potter, might I have a word?'

James nodded feeling uneasy. He remembered the last time Dumbledore had called him out of a lesson. That time he had told him that his parents had been murdered by the Death Eaters. What could this be about?

James followed Dumbledore out through the portrait hole and down the corridor. Dumbledore stopped so suddenly James almost walked into him. 'Er, sorry Professor' he said, stepping back quickly. Dumbledore turned towards him and smiled kindly. 'Potter I have something for you. I'm very sorry, it is something that should have been returned to you weeks ago, but the Ministry only just sent it, or rather them, to me'. James didn't have a clue what Dumbledore was talking about. He hadn't lost anything, how could the Ministry of Magic have anything he had lost? Dumbledore rummaged around in the pocket of his robe and pulled something out. He held whatever it or they were, in his fist. He held out his fist for James. James reached out, his hand open a little. Dumbledore dropped three rings into James's open hand. James looked down and recognised the rings immediately. His heart raced and his throat burned a little. 'Professor, these are my parent's…' Dumbledore nodded. 'Yes James, these are your parent's rings. Your mother's engagement ring and both your father and mother's wedding rings are there'. James was stunned. 'But Professor, how...?' Dumbledore looked sad. 'Well now, it appears that the Ministry found the rings when they were investigating the….well, the attack. They kept them and probably forgot they had them. We all know, I think, how efficient the Ministry is' Dumbledore raised his eyebrows ironically. James smiled lightly. He had something that belonged to his parents at last! He felt sad and elated at the same time. Dumbledore continued to speak, 'I thought it right that the rings were returned to you Potter. You may find you can use them again one day'. James definitely noticed this time that Dumbledore winked at him before he turned and walked regally down the corridor.

James held the rings firmly in his hand. Then he slipped them into his trouser pocket and went back to the Common Room.

The day finally came for the 7th years to leave school. James didn't quite know how he felt about that. Hogwarts held so many memories for him that it would be strange not to come back again. He hoped that one day a child of his might come to Hogwarts, but he knew that would be years away yet. He hoped too that any child of his wouldn't have to go through the trauma he had experienced this year. He hoped that his children would grow up in a world where filth like Voldemort would be stopped.

James was outside now, by the lake, waiting for Lily. He had asked her to meet him there. He needed to talk to her. He felt warm inside when he thought of Lily. He sometimes had to pinch himself to realise she really was his girlfriend and she really did love him. He had loved her for so long, it seemed impossible to think she would ever love him in return. In spite of all that he had been through this year, James honestly felt that he had never been happier in his life. He loved Lily, he would always love her. In spite of that, he suddenly felt nervous. He could see Lily in the distance.

Lily made her way to the lake. James had asked her to meet him there. In spite of herself Lily felt anxious. She was convinced something was wrong. James seemed perfectly happy, if a little distracted, but Lily was sure something bad was about to happen. She felt sick. She was certain James was about to break things off with her. She was sure he was about to say he had realised that he didn't love her any more, that he'd never really loved her and it was over. Lily hoped she wouldn't cry. That would look pathetic. Lily could see him now, on the bank of the lake. She was suddenly nervous. She shook herself. She wanted to get this over with. She went over to him.

'H-hi Lily' James spoke. His mouth felt dry. 'H-hi James' Lily still felt sick. They kissed lightly and pulled away. 'Let's walk' said James, trying to calm down. Lily wanted to get this over with. 'I'm sorry James, can we just do this? I've got things to do'. She knew she sounded sharper than she meant to, but she couldn't stand this much longer. 'Er.…yeah….all right'. James couldn't understand why she was in a hurry, but never mind.

James stood staring at Lily, trying to decide how to do what he had to do. He decided that it was better just to say it. He coughed nervously. Lily looked up at him. He could see she looked anxious. Surely she didn't have that much to do! Lily was the most organised person he knew! He was definitely just going to say it. He coughed again. 'L-lily, w-will you m-marry m-me?' He looked her straight in the eye. Lily gaped. Surely he hadn't just said…..'What?'…he couldn't possibly have just asked…. James swallowed hard before he spoke again. 'I asked if you would marry me…er, please?' he repeated. Lily felt dizzy. 'B-but you mean you're not breaking things off with me? You're really n-not breaking things off with m-me?' Lily was nearly in tears.

James couldn't believe this. She couldn't possibly have thought…..'What in the world made you think that? Oh Lily, you must know by now how much I love you, why would I do that?' he exclaimed in disbelief. He realised now why she had been in such a state. Lily almost sobbed with relief. 'I-I j-just thought w-when y-you…..oh James I do love you!' Lily threw herself into James's arms. He kissed her on the lips, his kiss conveying everything he felt for her. They pulled away and found they couldn't take their eyes off each other. After a moment James spoke again. 'Lily, I asked you a question. Will you?'

Lily suddenly grinned at him. 'I think James, I should give you a short lesson in how to propose the way Muggles do it'. James smiled at her. He was sure she was being funny with him! 'Oh really, go on then', he decided not to spoil her fun. Lily's eyes were shining at him as she spoke. 'In the Muggle world James, it is customary for the man to go down on one knee to ask a lady that question'. James shook his head. She was definitely being funny…or was she? He felt worried now. 'On one…?' Lily grinned. He was clearly confused! 'Yes James, on one knee'. 'But Lily….' Lily looked at him in mock annoyance. 'On one knee James'.

James shook his head, but all the same, he got down on one knee. 'There now, isn't that much better?' Lily grinned again. James nodded dumbly. He couldn't work out why standing on one knee was better than standing up properly, but she appeared to be pleased. 'Now James, you may ask the question again'. Lily's heart started to thump madly. She stopped grinning. 'I can?...…Good'. James suddenly felt very serious, as if his whole life depended on this moment. 'Lily will you marry me?' he stood on one knee, which he was having difficulty with now. He was shaking, waiting for her to reply.

Lily looked down on him. She knew she would cry in a minute. She was shaking. 'Y-yes James, I will'. The world seemed to stand still for James…'Oh OK then, if you don't want….you will?' he could hardly believe what she had said. Lily nodded, tears sprung into her eyes. 'Y-yes James, I w-will!' She swallowed the tears back with a gulp. 'You really mean it?' James still couldn't take it in. 'Yes James, I really mean….' James leapt up and pulled Lily to him so quickly he nearly knocked them both off balance. He kissed her so tenderly it nearly started Lily's tears again. Then he pulled away. She could see his eyes were sparkling. They appeared to be almost dancing in his head. 'I thought maybe next year….we'll both be 18 this year, and I thought that by this time next year we'll be 19 and….Lily you said yes!' He still couldn't believe it. 'Next year sounds fine to me James. Yes, I said yes. I love you James Potter'. Lily knew as he kissed her again that she did love him. She would always love him.

James slipped a ring on her finger. 'Lily I can buy you a new one if you like, but this belonged to my Mum and now I want you to have it. I've got Mum and Dad's wedding rings too…' Lily gasped at the diamond ring on her finger. 'This is beautiful James. I don't want a new ring. This one is beautiful; the wedding rings will be perfect.' Lily kissed him. They turned and walked back to the castle hand in hand, ready to begin their new life together.

THE END

A/N Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed so kindly. Those of you who just read, please review, it does my ego the world of good! For those who asked for a sequel, it's being written as we speak. I just don't want to submit it until it's finished.