Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter this would be the sixth book. Sadly it's not. I also do not own the description of a join up. That was copied from the Heartland books by Lauren Brooks.

Authors Note: I really wanted to have this up on the thirtieth for my two-year anniversary of this story, but I couldn't quite make it. You guys are getting two chappies because I love you all for sticking with me and encouraging me throughout this whole story. I love you all and I hope you guys keep reading. By the way the TRATRATRA signifys a break.

Time Reveals All

Chapter 14

Lily stood on the empty Quidditch pitch and starred at the stars. She didn't know what had possessed her to come out here, especially at two in the morning, but she had. Lowering her gaze she scanned the stands and was surprised to see a person sitting in the Gryffindor section. Frowning she wondered who else was out so late. Or early, however you looked at it. Were they also stargazing, or were they doing something they probably shouldn't be? Well she wasn't Head Girl for nothing! Making sure to avoid notice she crept up the stairs. Curious she approached the figure, careful not to make a sound. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the messy mop of black hair. Slowly she approached him and took the seat next to him.

"James?" Lily asked quietly. She was reluctant to break the silence, but she was curious as to why he was out here.

"Hullo Lily, what are you doing out here?" James responded.

"I should be asking you the same question James Potter! What are you doing out here? In the middle of the night no less! Do you have any idea what time it is?" Lily lectured forgetting that she herself had no more right to be out here after hours than he did.

"Yes I do. Do you?"

Lily was glad it was dark to hide her blush.

"Uhh, yeah, well, sorry 'bout that. Sometimes I just get caught up in the whole Head Girl persona you know?" Lily sighed and glanced at him, "sometimes I wish I was more like you."

"Like me! How?" James asked incredulously.

"You're so calm about it. You almost never assert your right to your authority. Most of the time you don't even acknowledge it. That way when you do, it carries twice as much weight because people know you really mean it. I use it so often people usually just listen, nod, and then go on with whatever it was they were doing. I can't get my mind around all this responsibility. I keep feeling, 'Well I'm Head Girl so I have to do this' or 'As Head Girl it is my job to make sure that such and such is done and done in an orderly fashion.' A lot of the time though people don't take me seriously." Lily explained not letting herself meet his gaze, which was trained intently on her face. She wondered if it had been wise to confess so much to him. Still she couldn't help herself. Every word she had said was true so she was surprised at his reaction.

"They listen to ME? You've got to be kidding. No one gives a wit as to what I say, that's why I never do. They all know I'm nothing more than an unruly prankster who is more likely to break rules than to enforce them. No one wonders more than I why I got the Head Boy post. I don't know why the Headmaster chose me. There are several Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs that would be better than me. Even some of the Slytherins would be better than me. Remus certainly would be. As for people not listening to you, are you crazy? You've got to be one of the best Head Girl's that Hogwarts has had in years! You even make the Slytherins wary of you, and that's no easy feat! I've had people confess about pranks to me because they thought you had looked at them wrong and believed that I would be more merciful. You say hop and there are only a few people in this school who wouldn't do it until you say stop. And that's not counting the ones who don't first ask you how high." Suddenly he laughed and looked away from her incredulous stare. "I guess we each have our own methods."

Silence stretched for a few minutes, but Lily was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't uncomfortable. James was right. Sometimes people did listen to her. Smiling she leaned back onto the bench behind her. Something good had come out of this midnight wander after all.

"Lily," James asked suddenly, "do you still hate me?"

Lily frowned considering. "No. I don't. Truthfully I don't think I ever hated you. I was just annoyed at the way you treated others. But you've changed, and I've changed. We've both grown up and these past couple months I've gotten to know you. You're not that attention seeking, nasty prankster I thought you were. Instead you are kind and just like to have some harmless fun." Lily blushed again thinking about what she had just said. He must think her some sap-hearted milksop!

James however looked surprised. Instead of throwing her words back in face and making fun of her he said, "You really feel that way?"

"Yes," Lily said wondering where this was going.

James nodded then visibly collected himself.

"James, what is it?" Lily asked.

"Well Lily, just hear me out. I'll understand if you don't want to, but I ask you to hear me out ok?" He waited for her nod before continuing. "Well, I agree I've been immature but I've changed. A lot. And you agree with this. There's one thing though, that hasn't changed. I've always admired you, shall we say. I've admired your looks, your brains, and your personality. You're a great person. I've always wanted to date you, but you always turned me down. Now I see why. You've said no so many times, that others would say you've made it clear enough for a deaf man to hear. I've not right to ask this, and I understand if you say no, but I have to ask. Will you go out with me?"

Lily stared at him. This was the last thing she had expected. Silently she took a long look at him. She hadn't really noticed before, but he had grown up. Emotionally and physically. No wonder he was the most sought after guy in Hogwarts. The thought of all those jealous girls made her grin. And if she thought about it long enough she was sure she could come up with a few boys who wouldn't be too happy either. She had fancied James for a long time, but hadn't allowed herself to admit it. Now she grinned at the realization. "Yes," she said, "yes, yes, yes!"

James grinned, "Really! Your serious?"

"Yes," Lily said and knew she had never been so sure of herself in her whole life.

James hugged her tightly murmuring into her hair about how happy he was. Laughing she stopped listening to his ecstatic muttering and hugged him back inhaling his unique smell. Strangely he smelled like a combination of wet earth and rain. Smiling happily she realized that the moonlit walk hadn't been pointless at all.

TRATRATRA

Lily didn't know how Mary did it, but when her fried saw her and James walk out of the castle chatting happily she squealed and ran up and gave Lily a bone-crushing hug.

"I knew it! I just knew you two would get together. There was no way that you couldn't! This is great Lily! Now you and James can go on double dates with me and Sirius!" Marry continues to prattle on not realizing that James and Lily were staring at her in shock.

Suddenly James smirked, "Finally made it official eh, Padfoot? And when were you planning on telling your friends huh?"

Sirius looked properly abashed. "Sorry James, but Mary said we couldn't tell anyone until the two of you hooked up. I also owe her ten galleons now. She bet me it would be before the New Year."

They all laughed, but James noticed that both Harry and Remus had slightly sad looks on their faces. Sirius noticed it too and threw an arm over both of their shoulders. "Aww come on guys, we'll find you guys someone, don't worry."

Remus looked surprised at that, but didn't say anything. Harry just turned away to look at Mandarb. Nodding she clapped her hands to get their attention before saying, "Ok well I don't really know what to do today since it seems I'll have to split you guys up. Lily and Harry, you'll start working with Mahdi and Cyndane, but what do you others want to do?"

The four of them exchanged glances. All were obviously thinking the same thing. While Lily and Harry had told them about their additional Christmas presents they had not really thought about the fact that the gorses would need additional training.

"How about this," Mandarb suggested, "each of you decides on a weakness that you have and then work on improving it."

Deciding that her suggestion made sense they all headed off into different directions to practice their chosen activities while Mandarb called the horses.

"While it is obvious that you two are already their owners I think it would be best if they put their full trust in you. To accomplish this we are going to try a technique called joining up. When you join up with a horse you teach him that he has two choices. He can either put his faith in you and trust your every decision, or try to make it on his own. Since horses are natural herd animals they prefer to be with you rather than on their own. You will use body language, and learn to read some of the signs that the horse gives you. Doing so you will assert yourself as leader of the herd and your horse will abide by your decisions. Trust between you and your horse is a necessity if you want to accomplish something. Now watch carefully. I shall do it once with Firebolt and explain as I go. Then it will be your turn." Turning around Mandarb conjured a round exercise pin to "Keep the horses from really running away," and a rope for "encouragement."

Lily paid close attention as Mandarb ushered Firebolt into the ring. Like many young girls she had been a horse lover and had read every book about horses and ponies that she couldn't get her hands on. As she had grown older she had grown out of that, but horses still interested her. She watched as Mandarb flicked Firebolt on the hindquarters with the rope. Firebolt shied away towards the rail. Clicking her tongue and swinging the rope in his direction she got Firebolt moving at a canter around the outside of the ring while Mandarb stood in the middle.

"I'm asserting myself and driving him away from me," Mandarb explained. "I keep my eyes on his and make sure my shoulders are square with his head. These movements, along with clicking my tongue and occasionally swinging the rope in his direction, keeps him moving. It's best to keep them at a canter for several circuits. How many is really up to you, but for the first time I'd suggest at least five if not more. The next step is to get him to change direction. Let him slow down a little and take a step towards his future path. Be sure that you aren't too far in front of him, but not to close to him either. " Carefully she demonstrated, making sure they understood, "Good. Now set him off cantering again." After a few more circuits Mandarb said, "There! See how his inside ear has stopped moving and is now fixed on me? That is the first of three signs a horse will give you when joining up. It means both that you have his attention and his respect. Keep him going though."

One more circuit later Mandarb continued her explanation. "See how he's tipped his head slightly and has started to lick around his mouth and makes chewing movements? That's the second sign. It means he wants to be friends with you. Keep him going until-there! The third sigh! When he stretches out his neck as he canters and lowers his head until it's near to the ground. That's how he says that he's tiered of running away from me and wants to be a team with me. Now I drop my eyes and stop using the rope. I turn my back to him and wait. Now it's all up to him."

Lily watched amazed as Firebolt stopped his canter and started walking toward Mandarb. Upon reaching her he stretched out his neck and laid his muzzle on her shoulder. Lily stood in shock as she watched Mandarb walk away and have Firebolt follow her as she walked around the ring, until finally she came to a halt and turned around and gave him a pat on the neck.

'I want to do that,' Lily thought running her hands along Mahdi's neck. 'I want Mahdi to trust me like that.'

Mandarb smiled at them, "Well, who wants to go first?"

Lily stepped forward, "I do."

"Ok then get in here, here's the rope," Mandarb said handing it to her and leading Firebolt out of the ring.

Leading Mahdi into the ring Lily felt her heart in her throat, what if it didn't work, what if Mahdi didn't respond or worse, she forgot how to make him respond.

"Calm down," Mandarb said, "You'll do fine, anyway Mahdi can sense your tension. He'll believe something is wrong and get even more upset and he won't respond. Calm down and I'll talk you through it, now get him moving."

Clicking her tongue she swung the rope in Mahdi's direction. Snorting Mahdi moved away from her. Emboldened by this she swung the rope at his heels again and clicked her tongue.

"Good now just keep him cantering," Mandarb instructed.

Lily nodded and concentrated. Seven circuits later Mandarb said, "Good, now do you remember how to turn him?"

Lily nodded, " I think so."

"Give it a try," Mandarb encouraged.

Lily stopped her use of the rope. Mahdi slowed to a trot quickly, but Lily didn't give him a chance to slow further. Taking one step towards his future path Mahdi whirled around and began trotting the other way. Quickly Lily began to cluck and swung the rope behind him, driving him away again.

"Very good," Mandarb complemented and Lily felt herself swell with pride. Mandarb didn't believe in giving complements unless they were earned and usually it was just a 'not bad.' "Now," Mandarb continued, "look for the first sign and tell me when you see it."

Lily watched Mahdi's inside ear for three circuits until she noticed it stopped it's moving about and had fixed on her. She said as much to Mandarb who nodded with approval. Another circuit and Mahdi began making the chewing motions, but it was another two circuits before he lowered his neck as he cantered.

Quickly Lily lowered her eyes and turned her back to Mahdi. Coiling the rope, she held her breath, hoping she had done everything right. The sound of hoof beats behind her made her breath come in gulps. Suddenly a warm muzzle nudged her shoulder. Grinning she turned around to rub Mahdi's nose. Remembering the next step though, she turned away from Mahdi again and began walking away from him. The sound of hoof beats followed her as she walked in circles, first right, then left. She even ran a little and he trotted following her. Joy filled her. She had done it! She had joined up with Mahdi and really earned his trust! Grinning from ear to ear she lead Mahdi out of the enclosure to Harry a turn. Watching Harry also complete the join up successfully she felt a pair of eyes on her looking away from Harry she met James' eyes. He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Happily she smiled back. Everything was going to be all right. She and James were together and she had Mahdi's trust. Nothing could go wrong now.

Authors Note: Ok guys this chapter is done, now go read the next one!