Disclaimer (do we still have to post these?): I don't own Harry Potter. But the seventh book is coming out tomorrow, boy am I excitedddd!

Let's start with this: I am really annoyed with myself too! I wouldn't be surprised if nobody reads my stories anymore. But, here's what I have decided to do. I'm getting my Harry Potter buzz (from OoTP movie, rereading HBP, and DH coming out in a couple of days) during which I'll be really into writing my stories. And I've finished this one! So no more posting catastrophes where I stop posting for, like, a year at a time. If anyone is still going to read, thank you so much for sticking with me. And, if nobody reads anymore, I'm still doing it because it's fun and maybe someone will discover my stories again in the future. So thank you for anyone who continues reading!

Oh, and also, I've been editing other chapters lately. Just to fix grammar and stuff and to change some things that just sounds stupid (like how I pretty much made Lily a Mary-Sue – at least that's what it feels like to me). I began this story so long ago that there are some things I don't like anymore. Anyway, the content isn't really changed, just some few words. Now, on to the chapter!

Chapter 33: Out of the Order

After a night of passionate kissing, Lily and James were discovered by the waking Madam Pomfrey.

"Ms. Evans!" she gasped as she came around to the bed. Lily's eyes widened and her face turned bright red as she scrambled, with difficulty, off the small bed.

"Madam Pomfrey! I – uh – I was just…ok, then, bye!" she shot out of the hospital wing as fast as she could, not daring to look at her boyfriend's amused face.

Embarrassed beyond belief, she sped down the hallway, which was illuminated in pink by the rising sun. She must have been with James for hours, though it didn't feel like nearly that long.

Up ahead, Lily could see several students making their way to an early breakfast. She figured that Dumbledore must be up already and went to go visit him.

"Tasty Troll Truffles," she said to the gargoyle, which promptly moved aside so she could pass. After her knock was received by a soft "enter" she pushed open the door to reveal Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, Ms. Evans. What can I do for you, this early in the morning?" Dumbledore seemed tired, but his eyes still contained that everlasting twinkle.

"Sorry, Professor, for bothering you so early," Lily said as she moved closer.

"It's no bother at all. Please, sit down. Lemon drop?"

"No, thank you." Lily sat down nervously, playing with her hands in her lap. "I, um, I wanted to know how it went. At Voldemort's lair, I mean."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Well," he said, "as I'm sure you know already, Mr. Potter was injured but is doing a considerable deal better than he was yesterday." The twinkle behind his half-moon spectacles seemed to stand out more than usual, as if he knew something more than he was letting on. Lily turned pink and looked back at her lap. "Several teachers and aurors were injured, but nothing too serious and I believe they have all been treated properly."

"That's good. So, what's going to happen now?"

"Ms. Evans," Dumbledore said, getting up from behind the desk and gesturing for her to stand. "I will not be worrying you with any more about Lord Voldemort for as long as possible. You have done beautifully and now, I think, you deserve a break. Go back to your normal daily routine and leave all talk of Voldemort to the Order."

"But, Professor," Lily began. He was already escorting her out. "I just want to –"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Evans. I know you are anxious, but I can't bear filling your mind with such terrible things any longer. Go, now, and get some sleep. I think you could use it." With that, the old headmaster opened the door. Lily was disappointed, but knew that she could get no more out of him.

"Thank you, Professor," she said and descended down the spiral staircase, leading from his office to the hall. Behind her, she heard his door close softly.

Lily began the walk back to Gryffindor Tower. Students passed her in groups, some going to breakfast, others heading outside to enjoy the crisp winter morning. The sun was shining brightly now and through the windows Lily could see students, wrapped up in winter cloaks, sitting near the lake.

She entered the empty common room and went up to her dorm. Her roommates had already left. In about half an hour, Lily emerged from the bathroom, showered and dressed in a dark blue sweater, black skinny jeans, and pointed boots. It was Sunday, so the students had all day to relax. Lily grabbed her wand and went down to breakfast.

James was released within the hour with orders to go straight to Dumbledore. Not that he needed to be told twice – he wanted to know what had happened to him that had made him attack Lily.

After knocking on the door, James was told to enter. He took the same seat as always in front of the headmaster's desk.

"Mr. Potter," said Dumbledore, smiling. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you, Professor," James replied. "How's my mom?"

"She'll be arriving here shortly, to verify that you are, indeed, better." James smiled a little.

"Before she gets here," he began, "I wanted to ask you something, sir."

Dumbledore nodded, signaling James to continue.

"Before, in the hospital wing, there was this period of time where I felt…different. Strange. I don't know how to explain it, really. It was like I couldn't control my body. And then Lily came in and I felt like I hated her, like I wanted to kill her. But it wasn't me who wanted to kill her it was…well, whatever was inside me. Before it could though – or before I could – I think I managed to fight it off. But I felt like it was part of me…Professor, I don't know what's happening."

Dumbledore was thoughtful. He remained silent for a moment. Then he spoke.

"Mr. Potter, I believe I can say with some confidence that this won't happen again. As to what happened…my only idea on the matter is quite farfetched. I think, what might have happened, is that Voldemort was almost trying to leave a piece of himself in –"

At that moment, the flames in the fireplace blazed green. Mrs. Potter rushed out.

"Oh, James!" she exclaimed. She pulled him out of his chair and hugged him. "Albus," she said, "I hope you realize that was the last time James did anything involving the Order. I want him out of it, now!"

"Mom!" James cried, pulling away from her. "You can't do that, I love being in the Order!"

"Oh yes I can! I won't be asked to endure the sight of you in a hospital bed again! I won't!"

"Mom, please, I'm fine!"

"Fine? You are not fine. Have you even seen the mark on your shoulder? You know as well as I do what it means. I have half a mind to take you home right now. But," she continued, seeing James' furious face, "I know you are safer here. As for the matter of the Order," she said, cutting him off again, "no more missions! You are too young. You're only sixteen years old!"

"Come on, I can handle –"

"Maybe we'll discuss it again next year, all right? But not now. Albus," Mrs. Potter said, turning to Dumbledore, "I want to thank you for everything you have done for my son. I also want to request a private meeting with you."

"Very well. Mr. Potter, could you excuse us please?"

James looked exasperatedly at his mother who quickly ushered him out.

"Be good, and stay safe, James!" she called before closing the door behind him.

James grudgingly walked down the steps and towards the Great Hall. Out of the order? She couldn't pull him out of the order!

"No matter," James told himself. "It's not important right now anyway." He continued on his way to breakfast, cheering himself up by hexing a Slytherin on the way.

As soon as he entered the Hall he found Jenna, Ylan, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sitting at the middle of the table.

"Hey guys!" he greeted them.

"Jamie!" shouted Sirius and shot up. He wrapped his arms around James and pulled him into a giant bear hug, lifting him up off the ground.

"Whoa, okay there, Padfoot. That's enough now." Sirius let go with a grin.

"So," he began slyly. "Tell us what happened!"

"Well I was attacked by Voldemort and –"

"No, with Lily!"

James grinned.

"Oh, I don't know. A little of this, a little of that. Where is she, anyway?"

"Right there," Jenna said, pointing. James turned his head. There she was, looking more beautiful than he even remembered. He slowly got up from the bench he had sat down on and walked over to her. A smile broke out on her face as she threw her arms around him.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she said into his shoulder.

"I'm just so glad you're here," he said and kissed her, not caring that students and teachers were all around them. She laughed as they broke their embrace and began walking towards their friends.

"Oh," said Sirius blinking. "I see, then." James grinned and sat down with Lily on the bench. They clasped hands underneath the table and smiled at each other. James felt his heart swell with happiness. He didn't need the Order, or to prove himself in a mission. All he would ever need, it seemed, was right next to him.