Sorry once more, this is another re-post. i found more errors. Thanks for your patience. Enjoy and review! xoxo

Love and Confusion

Chapter 8

James spent another four days in the hospital before he was discharged under strict orders to take it easy, rest, and not physically over-exert himself. Nothing eventful or significant happened for about a week and a half after James' return and his bombardment with questions from everyone, demanding to know where he had been. Somehow a vivid and gruesome dragon and chimera story developed between the first and second year students. This story greatly amused Sirius; therefore he promoted it by 'correcting' minor details in the stories he would over-hear, or eavesdrop on.

"The strange munchkins amuse me." He defended placidly to James.

A tawny owl with amber and honey flecked eyes pecked at the sunlit window nearest James, so he turned the knob to let it in. She swooped in, and flew around the common room and made her way back to James. She perched herself on the backing of a chair and stuck her leg out. James reached out and detached the letter. He saw the tall loopy writing and guessed it was from the headmaster.

Dear Mr. Potter

Due to recent events I expect to see you in my office to practice Occlumency with me. I look forward to our meeting.

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. Toilet Water has been on my mind lately.

'So, this is it?' James thought, 'This is the catch. I have to close my mind so that bastard Voldemort can't read me like a book.' And another voice in his head said, 'I have to protect Lily.'

"Baby, what's that?" Lily asked when she saw James' determined expression.

"Oh, nothing, letter from Dumbledore."

"Oh." She smiled, knowing not to question further.

James folded the letter and sat down next to Lily who had put down her quill and pushed her books and parchment further away on the table. James made a motion and Lilt leaned forward allowing him to slip his left arm behind her back. She nestled her head into his chest by his shoulder. She carefully breathed in his scent; enveloped in the moment James was doing the same thing. Lily's hair smelled sweet and clean. All he could think of was how lucky how he was to have her in his life, and how lucky they both were to have their lives.

"I love you, Lily." He told her.

Lily turned her head upward to face James. Her enchanting emerald eyes, captivating crimson curls, and the light sprinkle of freckles on her perfect ivory skin took James' breath away and made him fall in love with her all over again.

"I love you too James." She responded, smiling.

"I couldn't imagine life without you." James told her, and at the exact same time Lily was saying, "I don't want to imagine life without you."

Lily, turning and folding one knee Indian-style, James indulged Lily in a passionate kiss for what pleasantly seemed like forever.

It was now, or never.

"Lily," James said as the pulled away, "Will you marry me?" he held his breath.

Tears sprang to her eyes; she looked flustered for only a moment.

"Oh my goodness!" she said quickly. "Yes! Yes! I will! Yes!" and she threw her arms around his neck, still crying tears of happiness.

James let out his breath as Lily did so. He had been waiting for the perfect moment for so long. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the red box, and opened it to take out the ring. It was a tiny elegant gold engagement ring with a square one karat diamond in the center, and a smaller square on either side. He slid the ring on her finger.

"It's b-beautiful." Lily stuttered through her elated bafflement.

"No, you are beautiful." James contradicted her, as Lily smiled at him.

This was everything she had ever hoped for, and all she had dreamed of; was the one day she would be engaged. Still, unbelievable to her, she had a fiancé. She and James kissed again and she nestled back into him. Together they fell asleep on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room. The next morning they would begin a new life, something that just somehow, felt, different and new and excitingly wonderful.

A/N: I apologize that this is such a short chapter. I was going to do James and Dumbledore's meeting in here as well, but I shall save that until I return from Disneyworld Orlando! I'm leaving tonight! Don't worry, when I get back I will have lots of updating, even to my Ron and Hermione story. Talk to you all very soon. Thanks to all my Reviewers! xoxo