Disclaimer: It's a bird! It's a plane! Its—NOT JK ROWLING!

A/N: Yes. I am posting. Wow.

FEBRUARY 9 SIXTH YEAR

James knew Lily was up to something, but that didn't stop him from trying to tame his hair or pick out an attractive outfit. Maybe, just maybe, he could get his Lily back before Voldemort's Lily became permanent.

.xXx.

Once Lily had picked out the perfect outfit and had arranged her hair to her satisfaction, she contemplated what to do with the small vial of potion. Where to hide it? Finally she slipped it into the side of her bra. (yes, her bra) Potter was in for a surprise, all right.

.xXx.

James stood in front of Hogwarts, anxiously awaiting Lily. He was dressed in black slacks and a soft button up emerald green shirt that brought out the green in his hazel eyes. His heart nearly stopped when he saw Lily.

The redhead was beautiful in an attractive emerald blouse and a flattering black skirt. She smiled ironically at James: they matched.

"A Gryffindor wearing green?" she asked as she approached.

"Only for you, Lily," he told her as he held the carriage door open for her.

.xXx.

For hours, Lily and James talked and laughed, walking the streets of Hogsmeade. James began to doubt that Lily had ulterior motives at all. Lily began to doubt that her ulterior motives were true at all.

Eventually, they settled down at the Three Broomsticks. James bought them both Butterbeers, making Lily blush and smile.

"You really don't remember anything, do you?" James asked, bright eyes searching hers.

Lily looked down. He was so adamant that she had once lived another life. "No," she said quietly.

James looked away, and saw the Marauders. "I'll be right back," he said, getting up to go say hello to his friends.

Lily hesitated. She might not get another chance. Inconspicuously, she took the vial and poured its contents into James' mug. Voldemort's daughter took a deep breath. This was it.

James returned, smiling. He studied Lily for a moment.

"You'll never give up, will you, James?" she asked curiously. "You'll never stop being save-the-world Potter?"

"A person can't change who they are."

"Exactly," Lily said flatly.

"But someone else can change them," he continued, still studying those emerald eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Lily wanted to know.

"I may still be save-the-world Potter, Miss Evans, but you did change me, even if you don't remember it. Once upon a time, I was a much different person. You made me who I am now. And now that you don't remember it? Your indifference has nearly killed me on a dozen occasions.

Where does it stop, Lily? Where is the part where you let me be the one you depend on? Dumbledore said that you'd remember who you were when you wanted to. You don't want to remember. Wanna know why? It's because you're afraid. You're afraid because you felt something for me. If you'd accept it… you could stop living in the Dark."

Lily looked at James blankly. What was he talking about? Could he be right, could she really have once lived another life? Then she realized that he was raising his mug to his lips for a drink. But what if he was right? He was about to die. She was about to kill him. And he seemed to be the only one who was convinced that she wasn't who she thought she was. He could be the key to the past she might have really lived. And he was about to die. Why didn't she want him to die? He was the only one opposing her father's hold on her, his daughter. What was this? The mug was almost to his lips.

"No!" Lily shouted, throwing herself at the raven-haired boy. She knocked him out of his chair, the poisoned Butterbeer flying from his hands. The two teenagers landed on the ground together. People stared.

James looked at Lily with a shocked expression. There was something else, there in his eyes. Lily caught onto it and held on. It was more than burning passion. It was more than concern for her. It was more than the wisdom of a thousand lifetimes. It was love.

"Wha—" James' voice was cut off by a pair of lips. Lily frantically kissed him, tears falling down her cheeks. James kissed her back, just as frantic, gently wiping her tears away with his thumbs. Lily pulled away and pressed her face against James' chest, sobbing as she realized everything that she had done. Everything that Voldemort had had her do. Everything that James had gone through for her. James' response was to hold her tightly, comfortingly. He picked her up and sat in their booth, softly stroking her shining hair.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered as she calmed down. "I didn't—" Lily paused, gulping down another sob. "I love you."

James kissed the top of her head. "I love you too, Lily Evans."

A/N: Everyone say it now: Awwwwwwwwwwwww! About time, huh? Yeah, well, I had to make ya'll squirm for a while. Wanna know something sad? One more chapter to go. :shakes head: I can't believe it. This fic is my absolute favorite, and it's nearly over. Okay, this note has to end before I burst into tears.

Until the End,

Sam