Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.

Sins of Angels: Sorry this is a tad bit on the short side…my creativity stopped flowing and it seemed like a good place to end it. Anyway, thanks to all reviewers and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Hehe…what happened to my oath not to have many author's notes…ah, oh well, I suppose it really doesn't make much difference. Enjoy.

Chapter 25 – Studies of the Human Heart

James cherished the feel of her lips on his, falling into the bliss that he had felt every time she looked at him. It put him in mind of falling in love all over, but he was already so deeply in love there was no possible way to go any deeper. Her aroma traveled to him and put him in mind of joy, something he hadn't felt in a long time. Her lips lightly touched his, creating just enough pressure to demonstrate how gentle she can be…when she isn't yelling at him. When she stopped kissing him and looked up into his eyes, all he wanted to do was just to take her into his arms and kiss her again.

Lily smiled faintly at him, exploding with happiness. It was ridiculous how much joy a little kiss could cause. Her heart raced as his hands traveled around to her back and he pressed her close to him. Her hands traveled to the top of his shoulders and played softly with his hair. He smiled at her. Leaning in, he kissed her again, sending goose bumps all over her body.

"God, I love you," he said softly, leaning his forehead against hers again and closing her eyes. She leaned in to whisper into his ear.

"I love you too."

"Do you?" he asked, his eyes still closed. "Are you sure you can love someone who's such an idiot, Lily?"

"Well, glad to see you've smartened up," Lily said, smiling. James laughed softly.

"It only took me over a month."

"Better late than never, I guess. At least now you won't get pummeled in Quidditch."

"Yes, Sirius does seem to have a pretty good aim. Lily," James said, looking straight into her eyes, a worried expression on his face. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to make you feel like I've been feeling these past six years."

"It was horrible, James," Lily said, looking at him with sorrow in her eyes. "I'm horrible. You've felt like that for that long? I could hardly bear it this past month."

"I'm sorry, Lily," he said, hugging her tightly. "I never want to hurt you. Never."

"I know, James," Lily said, hugging him tighter. "I know."

James smiled. "When did you know?" he asked.

"Know what?" Lily asked in turn, confused.

"That you loved me."

"The second night back…I didn't recognize it at first, I mean, how could I? But that night, when you came out of the shower…it was really hard to ignore this strange feeling."

James smiled at her. It felt as if he was making up for a month and a half of misery all at once, joy surging through him. " I saw it, you know. In your eyes. It was a warm glow, unmistakable."

Lily smiled and turned a light shade of pink. "Well, James Potter, when did you first know?"

James smiled again and led them to a couch. "Mine's a rather long story."

Lily smiled. "It's Sunday. We have lots of time."

"Well, you must remember our first meeting, surely," he said. Lily nodded.

"You and Sirius made fun of me for being so fascinated by a simple broom," she recalled, frowning slightly. James laughed softly and hugged her gently.

"Well, yes, we did. It was quite weird, in fact, to see someone with their nose pressed against the glass case for a Cleansweep. Sirius smiled devilishly, as is his specialty, and walked over to you, casually pushing you. You stumbled, but much to his dismay, you didn't fall. I hate to admit that it was a major disappointment to him.

"Well, I walked over and I expected to see just another girl. What I saw was an angel. Your hair was sprawled over your face and you were frowning at Sirius. And all I could think of was "Wow! Who in the world is she?" That's when I fell in love, Lily. That's when I first felt cupid's arrow.

"Now, of course, I didn't realize it. I mean, I was only eleven. Girls were still just other people who had longer hair. Granted," James said, laughing. "When Sirius grew his hair out that philosophy went out the window. But I first realized it in our third year. It was quite unnerving to realize you were thirteen and could feel so much for a person of the opposite sex. It was even more unnerving to notice that this feeling has been going on since the day we met. But the worst part, by far, was that you hated me. Because of all the stupid pranks me and Sirius pulled on people over the years, I felt any chances I had with you were ruined. So I decided to make myself the "height of cool", which was the worst plan I've ever come up with. If anything, it made you hate me even more. But, gladly, that's in the past…and everything worked out okay."

Lily smiled as he gently kissed her cheek. "I love you, James," she whispered.

"I love you too."

A knock on the door was heard, and as Lily and James made for it there was a very hurried and whispered argument on the other side.

"What the hell did you do that for, Moony?"

"How do you propose to get in, then?"

"He won't let us in! I can't believe you just came up to the door and knocked! You're mental!"

"Shut up, Padfoot. If you don't want to be here, you can leave."

"Look, we all want to help…don't we? I mean, I do. This isn't something he should do by himself."

"I agree with Peter. So I guess if you don't want to be here, you're free to leave."

"I never said I didn't want to help…just…what if he wants to be left alone?"

"Then we'll leave him alone after letting him know we're here for him, that's all. Come on, Padfoot, it really isn't that big of a deal. He was probably thinking he was helping us in some way."

"I should've hit him harder…"

Lily opened the door. "Hello," she said. James looked over her shoulder at a smiling Remus, an avoiding-his-eyes Sirius and an encouraging Peter. "Come in."