Disclaimer: The characters are the property of the amazingly talented J.K Rowling! I'm only borrowing the characters and world that she has so brilliantly created.

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Beta by: ilovethedotgame

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Chapter Eight: Feelings Deepen

James glanced around the crowded room, looking for a familiar face. Slughorn had certainly invited enough people to his little "Slug Club". Across the room, he spotted Lily talking with a Ravenclaw by the name of Micah Anderson. Micah was the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain. He was very talented, both academically and athletically.

James watched as Lily laughed at something Micah had said and felt a twinge of jealously. Behind him he heard a low voice say "It's disgusting how some people would think of mixing their blood with others so far beneath them."

James whirled around to face Rabaston Lestrange, a ruddy-faced Slytherin of medium height in the same year. "What are you insinuating?" James growled, quite aware of what the Slytherin meant.

"I think you know what I'm referring to, but I'll spell it out if I have to, Potter. I think it's filthy that you're betrothed to a pureblood, and yet you'd dare to look at a Mudblood like Evans."

James pulled his wand from the pocket of his robes and pointed it at Lestrange in one fluid motion. "Take it back," James demanded his voice low and laced with barely suppressed anger.

"I'm not going to take back the truth," Rabaston hissed, a malicious look on his face as he drew his own wand. "Besides," he smirked. "You wouldn't hex me in front of the Mudblood would you? You know how she feels about that. "

"Expelliarmus!" James bellowed before Lestrange could react. The entire room fell silent and watched as Lestrange's wand soared in an arc and fell to the ground between Lily and Micah.

"Potter! Lestrange! What's all this?" Slughorn demanded as he pushed his way past students, making his way over.

"Nothing, Sir," Lestrange replied, his eyes challenging James to say otherwise.

"Lestrange called Lily a Mudblood, Professor," James said evenly, narrowing his eyes at Lestrange. He wasn't about to back down because of a bloody Slytherin.

The Slytherins in the room hid smirks behind drink glasses while everyone else glared at Lestrange.

"Merlin's beard!" Slughorn exclaimed. "I've repeatedly told members of my house that they are never to use such terminology. There is no such thing as dirty blood. Ten points from Slytherin for that, Lestrange. Now you two shake hands."

James eyed the Slytherin warily before slowly extending his hand. Lestrange did the same. The handshake was extremely brief, but Slughorn seemed satisfied. "No more fighting, boys. Enjoy the party, now."

As Slughorn moved off, Lily and Micah approached, Micah holding Lestrage's wand. He held it out for him and Lestrange took it wordlessly, leaving to join a group of Slytherins talking in low tones.

"Git," James seethed after Lestrange had left.

"Don't let him get to you," Lily advised, her voice soft. "I learned that a long time ago. If you let them get to you, they've won."

James shook his head, trying to clear his mind. "I know," he told her. "I'm looking forward to playing Ravenclaw," James told Micah in an attempt to change the subject.

"I'm looking forward to playing you as well," Micah agreed heartily with a grin. "Both our teams are in top form. It should be an excellent match."

James nodded. Gryffindor had always had a friendly rivalry with Ravenclaw. Winning was always nice, but losing to Ravenclaw was tolerable. Now, losing to Slytherin, that was another matter.

"I need to talk to Ryan Moore," Micah said suddenly, naming one of his beaters. "See you later. Bye Lily."

James frowned at Micah's specific goodbye to Lily. Was it possible that he fancied her? It was one thing to thwart Sirius' attempts at wooing Lily, but if Micah fancied her what was he to do?

"What does that frown mean?" Lily asked, looking up at him, voice filled with curiosity.

"Nothing," James answered automatically, perhaps a bit too quickly. "Let's get out of here," he suggested, walking towards the exit.

"And go where?" Lily asked, following close behind him.

"Anywhere."

The two left the room quietly, trying to not to draw attention to themselves. They walked through the dark corridors in silence until they came to the entrance hall.

"Want to sit outside for a while?" James asked. Lily nodded and they made their way outside and settled under a large beech tree near lake.

"It's very beautiful isn't it?" Lily asked, leaning back on her hands to properly view the stars of the night sky.

"It is," James agreed, also looking up. "There's Sirius," he pointed to a bright sky just above their heads. "The brightest star in the night sky. Many wizarding families name children for stars, or gods or famous heros in mythology in hopes that they'll live up to their namesakes."

"That's asking quite a bit, isn't it?" Lily questioned, looking at James as she did so.

"Yes," James agreed, turning to face her in kind. It was dark out, but he could see her outline in the light emanating from the castle behind them and from the glow of the waxing moon. "Hestia's named for the Greek goddess of the hearth. That's not quite so bad. My father wanted name me Thor, for the Norse god of thunder, but my mother talked him out of it. She chose my name; probably the only thing beside dinner menus he's ever let her decide in the course of their marriage."

"Are your parents really that unhappy?" Lily asked. After the words had left her mouth, she blushed, seeming surprised by her own frankness.

"Yes. Well, Father's not unhappy, per say. He just accepts things as they are," James answered honestly. "Mother's very unhappy though. She wanted more from a marriage. She wanted, well…a real marriage, in every sense of the word. She wanted an equal partnership with my Father; my Father wanted someone to give him an heir, and someone to keep his house. Mother never complains, though you can tell she's heartbroken each time he brushes her off. She used to love him…but I think it just got too hard to love someone so indifferent to her."

"That must be terrible," Lily said slowly. "I can't imagine a marriage in which my husband didn't see me as an equal and treat me as such. Marriage is sharing all aspects of your life with someone."

"I suppose," James sighed. "I've never seen what a real marriage is like. Sirius's parents are no better than mine; their marriage was for convenience and the continuation of their pure blood. Remus's parents divorced after he was bitten. Their marriage couldn't withstand such a tragedy. Peter's father died when Peter was only three so it's just him and his mum.

"I don't want to marry Hestia for a number of reasons, but how can I marry someone and live with them, when I don't even know how a real marriage is supposed to work? I don't want to end up like my father; no one deserves to live the life my Mother does."

Lily drew her legs closer to her body and looked back up at the inky blackness of the sky. "You won't end up like him James, you could never be like him in that respect. You're too good of a person."

"Thanks." He told her softly, and leaning over, embraced her. She smelled of vanilla, and her proximity made his head dizzy.

She rested her forehead against his shoulder and in a muffled voice, answered, "That's what friends are for."

L … J

Hestia frowned and picked at her nails. "Em…what should I do about James?"

Emmeline lowered the latest edition of Witch Weekly and looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

Hestia bit her lip. "I…I think I fancy him, Em. Every time I see him my heart starts beating a little quicker…my stomach feels fluttery…"

Emmeline smirked, and walking over to Hestia's bed, sat down on the edge, gave her a friendly hug. "I think you may be right."

"I think I should tell him," Hestia bit her bottom lip. "Establishing a proper relationship with James is the least I can do to honor the memories of my parents. Do you…do you think that's the right thing to do?"

"I can't tell you what to do, Hestia," Emmeline smiled slightly. "If you think it's the right thing to do, all I can do is tell you to follow your heart." Hestia nodded. She had known this, but she had wanted a friend's honest opinion.

"So, how long have you fancied him for?" Emmeline asked curiously, leaning forwards toward her a bit.

At that moment, Lily waked in the door, humming a slow, romantic sounding tune under her breath. "Hiya," she greeted the two, tossing her rucksack on her bed. Joining Emmeline on the end of the bed, she asked, "So, what have I missed?"

"Hestia?" Emmeline prompted with a smirk, and Hestia felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment.

"Well…" Hestia began, then trailed off. Lily watched her expectantly. ""All right - I fancy James." She watched Lily's face, searching for a reaction. To her surprise, Lily looked sad.

"Is something wrong?" Hestia asked hesitantly.

"It's just -" Lily paused, "He doesn't fancy you back," Lily finished quietly, as though she didn't want to upset her.

"I know that," Hestia responded, relieved by Lily's words. "But I think it's for the best in the long run. It'll be easier to be married to someone I care about than someone I don't."

"But what if he never feels the same? How could you be in love with someone who wasn't in love with you?" Emmeline pondered.

Hestia paused. She had never considered that James would never feel the same way as she did. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?" she answered after a long pause.

L … J

"Lily!" Lily heard her name called as she and her friends exited the Great Hall after breakfast. Turning, she saw Micah Anderson jogging slightly to catch up.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, approaching the four girls.

"Sure," Lily replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ears and moving off to the side with Micah.

"We'll see you in the common room," Hestia told Lily with a small, knowing smile. Behind Micah's back, Emmeline gave her a thumbs up before the four girls turned and disappeared around the corner.

Instinctively, Lily knew what was coming, but she wasn't sure what her answer should be. Would saying yes hurt Micah later? Or would this be a good opportunity to try and forget her feelings for James?

"How are you?" Micah asked, fidgeting slightly.

Lily suppressed a smile. "I'm doing fine, thanks."

Micah smiled slightly and took a calming breath. "I wanted to talk to you because I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade this weekend. That is, if you don't have any plans?"

Behind Micah, Lily saw James and his friends exit the Great Hall. James glanced at her and Micah, his expression unreadable. Sirius followed James' gaze and his brow furrowed, obviously distressed by what he saw.

Lily paused for a moment, considering the question. "No plans," she decided, giving Micah a small smile. "I'd like to go with you." One trip to Hogsmeade wouldn't hurt anybody.

"Great!" Micah's handsome face broke out in a wide grin. "I'll meet you in the entrance hall then, ten o'clock sound fine?" Lily agreed, and the two parted ways.

L … J

James threw down his quill and sighed. Leaning back in his chair, he stared at his half written essay.

"Writer's block?" Sirius asked, pausing to reread over his own unfinished essay.

"Yeah," James lied, pretending to look over his work with distaste.

The truth was, of course, more complex than a simple Charms essay. He had been out of sorts ever since Hestia had told him that Lily had agreed to accompany Micah Anderson to Hogsmeade. Hestia had seemed excited at the prospect and had hinted at the idea of a double date. He had shrugged and tried to seem enthusiastic despite the jealousy burning in the pit of his stomach.

"Here, let me look at it," Remus offered, already reaching for James's parchment.

"Nah," James snatched his essay away from Remus's reach. Standing up, he hastily stuffed his essay into his rucksack. "I think I'll just go up to the dormitory and work."

As he walked away, he heard Sirius mutter, "What's got his knickers in a bunch?"

L … J

Hestia sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, but the fire had long since died out. She wished she could have brought her wand down to the common room with her, but she hadn't thought of it in her rush to escape.

Lying in bed, she had felt a wave of loneliness sweep over her. Earlier that evening, she had overheard a tall sixth year girl telling her friends that her parents had agreed to take her to France for the summer. The girls' words had triggered Hestia's memories of her own trip to France with her family.

Drawing her legs up onto the couch, she rested her forehead on her knees and held back a sob. She had never been particularly close to her family. Her father believed that showing affection was a sign of weakness. Hugs and kisses from her parents were few and far between, and then they were usually only from her mother. There had been little praise – she was expected to perform well.

Still, for all of their shortcomings, they had been her family. They had shaped her and would always be a part of her, no matter what the future might bring. She missed them. She missed her mother's letters, full of trivial, useless information about the latest dinner party, the way her father read his Daily Prophet, grumbling about the people running the Ministry. They had been a staple in her life that was now missing. They had cared for her in their own way and she in hers.

For perhaps the first time in her life, Hestia was glad that her parents had planned her future for her. If she were not engaged to James her future would be so uncertain. Her father's will had been read, and Hestia would have enough money to live comfortably for many years, but as welcome as financial assurance was, it was comforting to know that the Potters were there for her.

"Hestia?" a male voice asked quietly across the common room, startling her.

"James," Hestia quickly wiped at her face in an attempt to hide her tears. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard him approach.

He was by her side in a moment, and helping her wipe away her tears, his hands rough and callused from playing quidditch,

"You must think I'm not a very good Gryffindor," Hestia laughed weakly, straightening the blanket wrapped around her small frame. "We're supposed to be brave and fearless. But I can't help feeling a bit lost."

"Why would I think any less of you for being sad for the loss of your family? Just because people like us are from families that don't believe in showing emotion, doesn't mean that it's wrong."

His words echoed in her head. "People like us". Looking up, Hestia met his eyes. Their usual bright hazel seemed darker in the dim lighting, like empty voids.

"I was thinking about the future," she told him, leaning into his shoulder a bit, feeling comfortable in the friendly position.

"What about it?" he asked, and she could hear the masked indifference in his voice and feel his body tense. Her heart sank slightly as she realized that he did not look forward to their future the same way she did. She had known of course, that he did not feel the same way about her as she felt about him, but she had thought that the idea of spending his life with her was not completely repulsive.

How could she even suggest that they try and be more than friends when the idea obviously did not appeal to him at all? Although she wanted to respect her parents last wishes, she didn't want to force the issue.

"Well, Lily, Alice and I are going to rent a flat in London and live there together. Em spent forever arguing with her parents, but they won't let her. They want her to come home and help run their family business. But that doesn't mean she won't spend all of her free time in our flat."

James nodded, and Hestia could feel his body relax. "The guys and I had always planned to do that too, but then Sirius bought a flat last summer and moved in there. Peter's mum wants him to stay at home and take care of her, and my parents think it's best that I live at home while I'm in Auror training."

"I know that our parents intended for you to work and me to stay home, but I think I would like to go into training to become a healer. Would you mind terribly?" she asked hesitantly, wary of speaking about their combined future together.

"It's your life; if you want to be Healer you don't need my approval to do it."

He had not meant it meanly, or even said it in a negative tone, but Hestia still felt hurt by his words. It felt as though he was angry with her for having the ability to make decisions without her parents' approval. She sat up, moving away from him.

"I'm sorry," he told her flatly. "I just meant that you shouldn't have to ask for my permission if being a Healer and helping people is what you feel passionate about."

She nodded slowly. "I just thought that I should at least let you know since it's going to affect you in a couple years."

"I think you'll make a wonderful Healer. You always did like to help people," he told her, ignoring her comment about their future together.

L … J

"What's got you looking so smug?" James asked as Sirius sauntered into the boys' dormitory Friday night, looking quite pleased with himself.

"I just asked Marta Llewellyn to Hogsmeade tomorrow," Sirius replied, walking over and opening James' trunk, pulling out the invisibility cloak. "I'm hungry, can I borrow this to go and knick something from the kitchens?"

"Wait a minute….you asked Marta Llewellyn to Hogsmeade?" Remus asked cautiously.

"Yeah," Sirius shrugged offhandedly. "I figure Lily's never going to come around, so it's time to move on."

"You're giving up?" Peter asked incredulously, nearly dropping his quill.

"I'm moving on," Sirius repeated stiffly. "Anybody want anything from the kitchens?"

"I think I'm going to go fly around the pitch for a bit," James said, barely containing a laugh and a grin. Before anyone could ask questions, he was out the door and on his way to the pitch with a definite spring in his step.

L … J

James sighed heavily and checked his watch for the third time in twenty minutes. He still had two hours until he promised to meet Hestia at the Three Broomsticks for drinks. But until then he was stuck in Scrivenshafts with Remus and Peter. Remus was deeply absorbed in a book about magical creatures.

"Listen to this!" Remus said excitedly. "A man tried to prove that the cry of the Swooper doesn't cause insanity. He lived with it without putting a silencing charm on it for an entire year. Then –"

"Remus, you're doing it again," Peter sighed, as examined a jar of rainbow colored ink.

"Oh. Sorry," Remus returned to his book in silence, his cheeks a bit pink.

A flash of red caught James's eye, and he looked out the window to see Lily walking in front of the shop with Micah Anderson. Jealousy bubbled up inside him, and he took deep, calming breaths.

"Are you okay, Prongs?" Peter asked, staring at him curiously. "You sound like you're hyperventilating."

"I am not hyperventilating," James snapped and reached for the first book he saw, which, unfortunately, happened to be a book on the life cycle of kneazles. Putting the book back on the shelf, James ran a hand through his hair.

"I think I'm going to walk around the village a bit," he told Remus and Peter.

"See you then," Peter told him. Remus merely waved a hand in James's direction, still absorbed in his book.

Stepping out onto the crowded street, James looked for a sign of Lily's red hair.

L … J

"I had a great time today, Lily," Micah said, grinning widely, and Lily felt a twinge of guilt. It wasn't that she hadn't had a wonderful time – she had- but she hadn't enjoyed it as a date, merely as a day spent with a friend.

But the truth was, she was here on a date, and although she and Micah talked every now and then in class, they were not so much friends as acquaintances.

"I did too," she told him honestly.

"Lily…would you like to come with me next time there's a Hogsmeade visit?" Micah asked tentatively.

"Micah, I…" she began, and almost instantly could see the disappointment surface on his face. "I would love to," she decided, not able to bear hurting him when he looked so crestfallen.

"Great!" he smiled, showing very white teeth. "I promised my friends that I'd have a drink with them, do you want to come along?"

"No thanks," Lily shook her head. "I should probably find my own friends and spend some time with them.

She watched Micah walk away. He looked very happy, and she felt a twinge of guilt that their date had not left her with the same feeling it had left him with. She hadn't lied to him, she had enjoyed herself; she just didn't fancy Micah the way she fancied James. She knew it was unfair to compare them, but she did it so unconsciously that she hardly realized she what was doing.

"So, you and Micah, huh?" a voice behind her asked.

Whirling around, Lily saw James standing directly behind her. He wore a forlorn expression as though he watched her watch Micah walk away, and had gotten the wrong impression about her feelings for Micah.

"Something like that," Lily responded vaguely. "He's a nice bloke."

"I didn't think that you were the sort of girl to move from one bloke to the next so quickly," he said. His voice held anger, but she could also hear the hurt behind his words.

"James," she sighed heavily. "There can never be an 'us' and you know that. I'm just trying to move on with my life."

"I don't want you to."

Lily felt defeated before she had even begun. "It doesn't –" He cut her off, not letting her speak.

"I will find a way to make this work. I promise."

Lily shook her head and began walking towards the entrance to the castle grounds. James walked with her, snow crunching underneath their feet. "I know about the agreement between your parents and Hestia's. How are you going to get past that?"

"Garrick and Celeste are dead," James said, a twinge of sadness in his voice. "That means that Hestia has legal control of their estate and affairs. She can sign on behalf of her parents to end the betrothal."

"What about your parents?" Lily pointed out. "Your mum might agree, but I've met your father. I just can't see him consenting to something like this."

James's hands clenched into fists. "I'll make him understand."

"Don't make promises you can't keep James," Lily told him sadly. "I'm going back to the dormitory. I'll see you around."

She could feel his eyes on her as she walked away, past the winged boars, through the Great Hall entryway, and up to the seventh year girls' dormitory.

Unfastening her cloak, Lily slid the warm material off her shoulders and tossed it on the end of her bed. Her eyes landed on her nightstand, where the lilies she had received for Valentine's Day were still resting in their vase, still in full bloom. The roses had wilted ages ago, but the lilies had retained their vibrancy and life.

Lily smiled, her heart soaring at the thought that someone had placed an everlasting charm on them so that they would bloom forever. It was such a touching gesture. More than ever, she wished she knew the identity of the person who had sent her the charmed flowers, and more than ever, she wished that James had been the one to send them.

L … J

Once March arrived, James and Lily began study sessions for their N.E.W.Ts tests just as he had told her they would. Often they worked in a secluded corner of the common room that was relatively free of distraction, pouring over charts and textbooks and quizzing each other. Sirius scoffed at the idea of studying so far in advance, and Lily suspected that if she hadn't broken down crying in front of James, he probably wouldn't have begun studying so early either.

As they spent more and more time with each other, Lily began to realize just how much James' friendship meant to her. Aside from her more romantic feelings towards him, Lily's regard and admiration for James swelled. In less than the span of a year, he had become one of her closest friends. She respected him, and greatly trusted him.

In their earlier years, he had been such an arrogant prat that Lily had hardly been able to stand the sight of him. She vividly remembered expressing her negative views of James to Hestia and telling her friend that she was sorry that she was engaged to such an idiot.

During their sixth year the two groups spent more and more time together, and Lily came to realize that James was maturing. He was still arrogant, but it was to a lesser degree, and he was much less vocal about his talents and abilities.

Now in their seventh year, they had become good friends, and Lily greatly enjoyed the time she spent with James whether it was for school purposes, or simply sharing their interests and ideas.

Her feelings for James were deepening, she realized. She knew that she could not let her relationship with Micah advance any further. They were not even technically dating, but she had to set Micah straight before she hurt him more than she probably already would.

L … J

"Anderson scores, putting Ravenclaw up by twenty!" the commentator announced victoriously.

The Gryffindor supporters in the stands groaned while the Ravenclaw students cheered, waving pennants and banners displaying their House spirit.

Lily watched as James took possession of the quaffle, then passed it to Adella Thompson, who passed it to Christopher Spencer. One of the Ravenclaw chasers by the name of Stewart stole the quaffle from Spencer and sped off in the opposite direction.

Suddenly, James was in front of Stewart, knocking the quaffle out of his hands. He tucked the red ball under his arm and maneuvered his way towards the goal posts.

"Potter scores, but Ravenclaw still leads by ten points!"

Suddenly it seemed the entire stadium seemed to hold its breath as the two seekers went into a deep dive. Lily watched as they hurtled towards the ground, and then pulled up sharply, following the snitch across the pitch. Susanna Perks and the Ravenclaw seeker both had their arms outstretched, grasping for the snitch –

"PERKS CATCHES THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE CUP!"

The Gryffindor stands exploded with cheers and whistles. A mass of scarlet and gold swarmed the pitch, rushing to congratulate the team. Lily cheered, jumping up and down and hugging all of her friends. Remus and Peter were already on their way down to the pitch

"Come, on let's go congratulate James and Sirius," Hestia urged, and the four girls began making their way down the narrow stairs to the field.

The team landed on the ground and Lily watched as James grabbed Adella around the waist and spun her around. "You caught it!" she heard him yell ecstatically. He spotted her standing next to Hestia and pushed his way through the crowd to get to them.

"Great game, James!" Hestia complimented him, giving him a quick hug. "Time for you to shower, I think!" she laughed, pushing him away and wrinkling her nose.

"You played a good game," Lily told James, her chest filled with happiness for him and his victory. She stepped forward and gave him a friendly hug. "I think Hestia was right – you need a shower."

"You mean I can't come to the party like this?" he asked, grinning cheekily.

"Don't I get a hug?" Sirius asked, showing up at her side.

"Not if you smell anything like James," Lily laughed, backing away from the two boys and their scent.

L … J

The victory party was in full swing when Alice approached Hestia, Lily, and Emmeline and asked for a private word with them. The girls trouped up to their dormitory and formed a circle in the middle of the room.

"So, what's the deal?" Hestia asked, propping her chin up on her elbows.

"Well, you know how a couple of weeks ago, we talked about all renting a flat in London together?" Alice began, nervously fiddling with an empty Droobles Best Blowing Gum wrapper. When the other girls all nodded, she continued. "I won't be able to live with you guys after all."

"What?" Hestia asked, her chin slipping off her hand.

"Why?" Emmeline stared at Alice as though she were going to take her words back any minute.

Lily said nothing, but gave Alice a scrutinizing look. The only thing that she could think of that would stop Alice from sharing their flat was…no, that was absurd. They were eighteen. That couldn't be it.

"After the match Frank asked me to marry him." She held up her left hand to reveal a small diamond situated on a gold band.

There was a ringing silence as the three girls stared at the glittering diamond on Alice's ring finger. Lily's mind was reeling with the stunning information.

"Congratulations!" Hestia cried, breaking the silence.

"Oh my gosh! You're going to get married!" Emmeline said slowly, as though trying the words out to see how they sounded.

"Since you won't be able to live with us, I'm assuming the wedding is soon?" Lily asked, smiling.

"As soon as we can manage it. We don't want anything fancy, just a small affair with close friends and family. I know it's rather sudden, but with you-know-who killing people off left and right we just want to have as much time as possible together."

The girls talked a bit more and then returned to the victory party in the common room. Frank immediately claimed Alice for a dance and Emmeline was asked to dance by a tall sixth year with curly brown hair.

"I feel so old," Lily sighed as she and Hestia sat on the stairs watching some third years performing a reenactment of the match. "We're not even out of school yet and people are planning on getting married. Can you even imagine being married this young?"

"Yes," Hestia answered tonelessly.

"But you won't be married for over a year and half," Lily pointed out, her heart sinking at the thought of Hestia being married to James. "That's still a long time away."

"Not really," Hestia replied.

"Are you nervous?" Lily asked gently, putting aside her personal feelings and trying to be comforting to her friend.

But however Hestia felt, Lily never got to find out because at that moment Sirius and James approached them and asked them to dance. Hestia danced with James first, then the groups switched partners, and Lily found herself in James' arms. Almost immediately, a new song began playing, slow and soft.

Lily was reminded of the last time she had danced with James at his home over the Christmas holidays. She wanted to rest her tired head on his shoulder, but knew that it would look far too suspicious.

She thought of Alice, and how she was going to be marrying Frank within a matter of months. Dancing with James, Lily let her mind wander to places she knew it shouldn't venture.

After all that she and James had been through this year, given the chance, would she marry him? While it was true that they had only been friends for a little over a year, she had known him for much longer. And they weren't just casual friends. She admired him, trusted him, and genuinely liked him as a person. Together they shared a unique friendship that was unlike any other she was a part of or had ever been a part of. They agreed on most important issues, but also differed enough to be able to hold a spirited debate. He was a wonderful person with a great capacity for good.

Yes, her mind and heart told her. I'd marry him.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Constructive criticism is always welcome!