Happy New Year! This chapter is extremely rough and it will be editing in the near future, most likely later on today. Thanks again for all the review and please keep it up! (Edited as of January 3, 2006)

-Jill

Rating: M for Mature. I'm starting to realize this could have gone under T, but I don't know what T stands for…

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns it; I just…enhance the characters that she has not yet explored in her fine novels.

Of Losing and Finding

Summer was coming to a close much to Lily's dismay. It meant cold, snowy days; not her favourite scarf and umbrella ones. But that was still a ways away and she first had to make it through the busy season. Already scared eleven-year-olds with their parents were wandering into her shop looking for the usual list of books that hadn't changed since she was in first year. There were the looks of awe on the clearly visible Muggles and the satisfaction and pride of the purebloods as they marched into the store for the umpteenth time.

It was only now that Lily saw the clear division between the two. She noticed the glares and the gestures made by the purebloods, even if the Muggles didn't. She was now becoming aware of the ever-growing power of darkness in their world.

Over the last month there had been a steadily rising number of attacks. Especially on Muggles. This meant two things for Lily: first, her growing concern that relatives or friends would be next in the many attacks of the innocent. And secondly, that James Potter was getting more press by the day.

She could tell that this was not what the Ministry had planned. They had merely put James in that position because he was much too good to be an ordinary Auror. But to be out-shining Alastor Moody? That was unheard of.

James was now on the front page of the Daily and Evening Prophet nearly every day; commenting on anything from whether or not he agreed with the Minister's new defence strategy, to which sweet he preferred. He quickly became the most known Auror in the business, besides Alastor. And this, shallow as it may be, irked Lily beyond all belief.

Not that all of the blame was placed on James. Jane had also made quite a name for herself. Not only was she James Potter's girlfriend, but she was recently made partner at one of the most successful wizarding law firms in the London area.

There was no doubt in Lily's mind that that could have been her. She could have been the one with the partnership at a law firm or with a famous Auror hanging off her. But she was happily stuck in her bookstore helping wizards to figure out her new organizing system.

"But last year, Herbology was under 'P' for plants, why is it under 'H'?"

"Because sir, Herbology starts with 'H'."

The stocky wizard shuffled off mumbling incoherently about the 'dumb witch'.

"Do you always feel the need to brag about your intelligence over others?"

Lily smiled at Remus' voice.

"Of course not Remus darling. Just in front of stupid wizards."

"Yes, how did I not know?"

"Are you here to pick up something?"

"Actually I'm here on a sort of business mission."

Lily bent down to pick up the newly fallen "G" section. She quickly realized there was a group of what looked like seventh years behind her. They had their wands out and were continually making more books fall onto the ground. Upon realizing this, Lily's mouth thinned in a fashion that would give McGonagall's a run for her money. She walked over to the boys, who were laughing too hard to notice.

"I suppose you think that's funny?"

They realized that she was indeed standing there, less than 5 feet away and stopped laughing immediately. One of them, Lily could pick out, was a James Potter type. Of course he challenged her.

"Why yes, I think we do."

Lily took a step closer. Her finger jabbed into his chest. He wasn't that tall. Her eyes levelled with his nose.

"Look, if you think-"

"Don't mess with her, mate."

Lily closed her eyes in frustration. But this boy was clearly asking for it.

"Why not?"

"Because she's a redhead. Nasty tempers."

"How would you know?"

"Because," James stepped closer, "I've been on the wrong end of one of her reducio curses, and believe me, it was not pretty."

The boy smirked. "I'm not afraid of a little charm from a little witch. I could do more damage to her than anyone ever could."

His friends began to laugh again behind him. The boy spoke in a lower voice, only she could hear it. "Here and in your bedroom."

James pushed him up against the wall, apparently having heard.

"That is a good way to get yourself cursed mate, I would advise against that in the future."

"You're James Potter aren't you? The Auror."

James let the boy go, and stepped away from him, dusting off his robes.

"Yes I am."

"My Dad works with you, Steve Darvy."

James laughed grabbing the boy by his shoulder.

"You're Darvy's boy? He's a good Auror. You should be proud of him."

"Yes sir, I am."

James took the boy over to the side, trying to avoid Lily's death glares.

"Look kid, you ever insult a lady like that again and connection or not, there will be damage done."

The boy was taken back but recovered with a smirk.

"I'm not stupid. I'm only three years younger than you, you talked to her the same way at school."

James ran a hand through his hair.

"I was a jerk in school. I'm a terrible role model if you want to find a way to get a girl's attention."

"But you-"

"Don't finish. Just get home and tell your Dad I said hi."

The boy glared and walked out of the shop with his followers close behind.

James turned around awaiting the wrath of Lily. But it never came.

Jane thought she deserved this job more than anyone else in the building. She had worked three long hard years as an intern, an assistant and as a regular lawyer. It was about time that she became partner.

But in the end, she couldn't lie to herself. The only reason she got this was that she let it slip to her boss that she knew Lily Evans. The most talked about divorce lawyer. And as it was looking now, she would lose her job at the law firm altogether if she didn't pull up some proof. They were a bunch of lawyers after all. She decided to call in a favour.

"I'm so glad that you're free for lunch."

"I am always free for good friend," Remus smiled.

Jane shifted in her seat.

"I don't want to beat around the bush, but I was wondering if I could ask you to do a favour for me?"

Remus continued to smile. "Of course you can." He took a drink.

"I was wondering if you could get Lily to come to my work."

Remus choked.

"Excuse me?"

Jane sighed. "I will lose my job if she doesn't show up. It was because of her I got it."

Remus smoothed out his tie.

"You do know that Lily doesn't really…well she doesn't really like you."

"I know, and to be quite honest, I don't find her that likable either, but I just need you to ask her to come up to my office once this week and my job is saved."

"I think this is something you should ask her."

"Remus, the last time I talked to her she, she…"

"Chewed you up with her words?"

"Exactly. You're friends with her. Please, it would only be for ten minutes."

"I don't know…"

"Please try Remus."

"Alright."

"I suppose in any normal situation I would thank you."

"I suppose you're right."

"You are aware this isn't a normal situation."

"I figured that was common knowledge."

"So you shouldn't expect a thank-you."

"The thought never crossed my mind."

"Good."

Lily turned to Remus.

"I am taking a shot in the dark, but does this business mission have to do with Jane?"

Remus gave her a mysterious smile. "Why yes it does."

"Does it involve me pretending to be friends with her and visiting her at work?"

"That is involved, yes."

"Does it involve Lily being in a chicken suit and bowing at my feet?" James interjected.

Lily glared and then turned back to Remus.

"And if I don't do this, she'll lose her job?"

"You already know the answer."

Lily nodded and went back to picking up the rest of the books. "Serves her right," she said, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Lily, what did she ever do to you?" James asked, helping her with the books.

Lily took the books that James was holding out to her and jammed them back on the shelf. "She never did anything. It's what you did."

"Merlin Lily, that was three years ago. I've gotten over it."

Lily was still holding one book, which was very unfortunate for James. She threw it hard at his stomach. He caught it. But he still managed to have the wind knocked out of him.

"I'm glad you got over it. You did get a shag out of the deal and I'm so delighted you recovered from that."

"In all fairness Lily, Jane really had nothing to do with James at the time."

"But she is doing him now. And I prefer to stay as far away from their doings if possible."

"Lils, that's uncalled for."

"James, I really don't want to have you banned from the store, but I will do it."

"Agree to meet Jane at work tomorrow and I will not bother you again."

"Never?"

"Never ever."

"James, I don't think that's such a good-"

"Shut it Moony. Do we have a deal Lily?"

Without hesitation Lily took his out stretched hand and shook it.

"What time is convenient for her?"

"I believe that is not for her to decide," James smirked. He left without turning back.

He missed her. It would be hard not to miss Lily after spending seven years of your life with her. Even if of six of those she cursed his every movement.

He assumed that it started the day she left. He stopped by her flat and an old man answered. He had a wife named Lily. James had quite a time understanding that conversation. In the end of it all, Lily had sold her flat to the lovely couple a week before moving out of the country.

After apologizing to the man countless times for attempting to walk in on his wife in the bath, James left heartbroken.

The next time it occurred to him was the second time he met Jane. She was a spitting image of Lily except Jane had blue eyes and lacked the redhead temper. He ran into her for the first time after getting off the Hogwarts Express. He immediately took advantage of the fact that she was without any capability of hating. She also lived in the same building that Lily did; they shared the elevator after he found out Lily left.

After that he didn't think of Lily until he saw her at the club. Back when she first left, he went through the different things he would say to her if he ever saw her again. Things along the line of sorry, I'm a jerk, I love you. But that was all forgotten when he became serious with Jane. And after a month of Lily being back, he was finding all the things that he should say to her.

In the shop, James found one of the things he should have done a while ago. He put all reason aside and accepted the fact that he was and still is in love with Lily.