Chapter 6

Chapter Title: Just Breathe

Disclaimer: Let's keep it simple, I don't own any characters to the Potter series or the plot from Ever After.

Until Midnight…

Fireworks exploded over the castle, illuminating the sky in red. James watched the fire works from a passage way over the gardens; his father bustled down the passage way to his waiting son.

"You wanted to talk to me." His father said as he approached. One look at James and he knew something was wrong. His face looked pained and disappointed.

"Yes" James turned back to watch the guests in the garden, the exploding firework lighted his face in red. His father reached out to touch him but recoiled.

"Maybe, I have been too harsh on you." His father said, "You know, I have been thinking about you university idea and I think it is a good idea…we don't have to announce anything tonight." James turned to face his father, his face still lifeless.

"No, I have made my decision." His father looked shocked, he definitely wasn't expecting this. He patted James on the back.

"Who's the lucky lady, son?" James turned back to window.

The guests clapped as the James and the king rose; the Baroness and Marguerite pushed their way to the front of the crowd. The king cleared his throat, silencing the crowd.

"Friends, honored guest, I am pleased to announce the engagement of my son to…" James clutched his father's shoulder before he could finish. The King followed James's gaze to the entrance of the garden. The crowd's gaze fell on the women at the entrance of the garden. Her auburn hair looked like fire in the light of the torches. Her emerald eyes stood out against her against her delicate white mask accented with diamonds. From the back of her white satin dress stretched white gossamer wings.

"Breathe, just breathe." Lily said quietly to herself. She stood tall as she faced the eyes of the guests. James stood shocked, not quite able to believe what he saw. Whispers echoed through the crowd as they saw the hypnotized look of the Prince; the Baroness and Marguerite tried to suppress their anger. James jumped down from the raised stage, the crowd parted as he ran towards the mystery women. He stood before her, disbelief written on his face.

"Please, tell me its you." Lily slightly chuckled and nodded, "My mother said you were getting married."

"She was misinformed but James there is something I need to tell you before anything else is said." James took her hands in his, looking deeply into her emerald eyes.

"So, you are not engaged?" James asked hopefully. Lily took a deep breath.

"No." She stared into his eyes, she wanted to tell him, she had to tell him but part of her didn't want to, she knew that she couldn't keep on with her charade. The clock struck midnight…

One…

"I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life." James said passionately to her, "You must meet my parents." She lifted her skirts as helped her down the stairs and quickly walked towards his parents through the parted masked crowd. Panic started to engulf Lily.

"James, please there is…" James interrupted her.

Two…

"Look, I invited the Death Eaters." He pointed over to the buffet table where the Death Eaters were stuffing their bags with food. They continued through the parted crowd. Lily tried to stop James, so she could get a second to tell him the truth.

"James, I need to speak with you." Lily pleaded.

"Whatever it is my answer is yes." James said not looking at her but at his destination.

Three…

Lily felt a tug from behind her. Her hand was pulled from James's as she abruptly stopped walking.

"How dare you!" The Baroness cried as she ripped off one of Lily's wings. The crowd was shocked.

Four…

James stepped in between the Baroness and Lily, appalled by her actions, "Madame, contain yourself." The Baroness pointed a bony finger at Lily.

"She is an imposter." The Baroness cried for all to hear.

"No." Lily cried out in fear.

Five…

"Her name is Lily Evans and she has been a maid in my household for the past fifteen years." The Baroness reveled and Lily felt her heart being ripped out of her body. The King stood at this accusation.

"James." He bellowed, "What is this?"

"Baroness you are on dangerous ground." James said.

Six…

"Ask her yourself. She is nothing but an imposter." Her eyes danced with rage as she looked at Lily. She looked up at the King, "I feel it is my duty to unmask this devious fox, your highness." James turned to Lily with a pleading look.

"Tell this woman who you are. Tell her."

Seven…

Lily looked into his eyes with remorse; this isn't how she wanted this. She knew if she told him the truth he wouldn't want to marry her but he never wanted to embarrass him or have him hate her. Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "It is true what she says. My name is Lily Evans. Lily DeLoncré was my mother." James dropped her hand and took a step away from her. His expression was cold and his eyes didn't look at her lovingly. James shook his head in disbelief.

Eight…

"Bow before royalty." The Baroness said adding injury to insult.

"Lily…" He whispered in shock.

Nine…

"The apples, in the orchard; that was you?" James said recalling the event in his mind; seeing those green eyes that he could have sworn he knew from somewhere when he met her that day she saved her servant. The crowd closed around them.

Ten…

"I can explain." She cried out as tears began to trickle down her face. She reached out for him but he took another step away. James looked at her like she was a disgusted bug; his eyes glared a hole in her.

"First, you are engaged the you're a servant." James said throwing his hands up in exasperation. James turned his back to her, he never thought it would be he who walked away. His heart was ripped out when he thought she was engaged to another man but now his heart was ripped out and danced upon by the Baroness.

"James, please." Lily said as more tears flowed. James froze in mid-step and the crowd gasped.

"Please do not address me so informal, miss." He said with his back to her, "I am the Prince of England and you are only a servant.

Eleven…

Lily broke down crying; she turned away and pushed her way through the crowd towards the entrance.

Twelve…

Dumbledore was making his way to the gardens as he saw woman came running from the gardens; Dumbledore recognized the woman. She tripped and fell, leaving behind her shoe as she got up and continue running away.

"Lily!" Dumbledore called to her but she did not look back. Dumbledore hurried into the gardens, knowing something is wrong, picking up the forgotten shoe as he went. The sky turned dark, threatening rain. Dumbledore found the Prince sitting on the castle stockade, "What have you done?" He asked.

"I have been born to privilege and with that comes certain obligations." James said, not realizing he was quoting Lily.

"Horse shit." James turned to the bearded old man, not in a mood for his lightheartedness, "Do you know what that girl did to get here tonight?"

"She lied to me."

"She came here to tell you the truth and you let her be eaten."

"What do you know? You are just an eccentric old artist." James said like a child.

"I know that life without love is no life at all."

"And a love without trust, what of that?" Dumbledore shook his head in disappointment.

"She is your match, James." He added with one last hope.

"I am but a servant to my crown and I have made my decision." James said staring out in space.

"Then you do not deserve her." Dumbledore said before he place the shoe on the ledge across from James. The rain began to fall as Dumbledore turned his back to James.

Lily ran through the rain and the mud. Her dress was ruined when she got to her doorstep. She collapsed on the doorstep with her face in her hands.

A/N: Poor Lily.

Later.

-socal4ever