Chapter 25

He was surrounded in a pool of emerald green, embraced in a shroud of fiery, red silk – he was in heaven, nothing could be more perfect and as he leant down into the sweet, apple red softness of her lips to what would surely be no less than pure bliss…

James Potter awoke groggily from his fantasy to what felt like a thousand pins and needles running through his veins, scorching his very existence. Dull whispering was heard in the background yet even the slightest whisper cut into his brain like an oversized bell ringing and ringing! As he moved his arm, the memories came flooding back to him and as he saw the faint outline of the girl he swore to protect lying very still next to him, a single tear rolled down his cheek.

"Run Lily – run back to the castle" James was yelling desperately as he struggled to avoid the fatal beams of green sent in his direction. Yet his exclamations appeared to fall on deaf ears, Lily Evans, he should have known was not the coward to run for her life when he was battling for both of them.

"Look Potter – this isn't the time to play your usual tricks, your ego won't save you nor your pranks or your ever so desirable charms" Lily panted as beads of sweat ran down her neck, her wand pointed and directing powerful, determined spells at her enemies.

To put it mildly, they were very much alone, the Death Eaters had somehow transported them to a very desert area…was this their end? James refused to accept this fate, he had accomplished too little in his life and his chance with Lily, the chance that his dreams for 5 years would turn into reality was in grasp – he couldn't lose that. Yet as much as they were determined, the odds were against them in fact, death almost seemed certain.

"Stupefy!" The red beam shot from a particularly beefy hooded Death Eater made its way right onto Lily's back and there was no chance to yell, no chance to perform a spell and as James' eyes widened, he knew there was nothing else to do. Before he knew it, he was writhing on the floor, his glasses askew, his shirt scorched into ash, blood seeped from the previous gash on his chest from the werewolf attack.

Yet as the uncontrollable tears slid down Lily's face as she leant down to him calling out to him, as her soft touch made contact with his burning skin, he smiled. It was all worth it just to see her beautiful face for one last time. As she weeped over his lying form, her flaming hair tickling his skin, he smiled before witnessing a Death Eater pointing his wand at Lily's heart, and then darkness.

"So…Potter and Evans, an unlikely couple don't you think? The last generation of the powerful line of Aurors" The hooded figure spat on James before directing his gaze to Lily "in love with a filthy blood traitor Mudblood!" The figures all cackled maniacally as their wands still pointed towards the pair in the middle of the circle they had formed.

"Well well, the pair of you must be blessed actually, the Dark Lord wants to personally finish you off…such a pity – the Mudblood would've made a nice kill, the screaming would have been music to my ears" a deeper voice to James' left rasped.

"Yes, yes…and killing her right in front of Potter, much worse than killing him – I've always loved killing the girls in front of the men who love them, it's all very…exciting I must say" giggled s woman's voice close to Lily.

"Enough of the jokes, we are not to kill them, that is our orders from…" the voice was cut short as another figure glided towards Lily and James.

"Yess…" the voice hissed and it sent involuntary shivers up James' spine, although he could not see the figure, James immediately knew it was Voldemort, the most feared wizard ever known to the wizarding world, the murderous villain, the evil mastermind who threatened to destroy everything that James had ever held dear to him.

"Lily Evans, she really is something isn't she? I like you, James Potter have always liked the strong-willed, passionate extraordinary ones, those who stand out from the crowd. I have always liked a challenge"James clenched his teeth in anger yet was unable to move any part of his body and groaned in pain as he tried to.

"Leave her alone" he managed to pant, yet his words sent a dizzying spell to his head. "Mmmm…"Voldemort could be heard musing over his pain… "you and I are alike James Potter, I can see the young Tom Riddle in you – so full of potential just bursting to release itself, before you are two paths, one to eternal glory and the other, death."

Voldemort paused and James' breath quickened as he wheezed to breathe. "Never will I join the likes of you and your dogs" he breathed. Voldemort cackled inhumanely…"as I've always said, nobility is stupidity. Why be noble when you can have the whole world at your feet…when your mere name is feared by all, that they do not dare say your name. That kind of power and overwhelming sensation – it is indescribable Mr. Potter, what I am offering you is immortality!"

"I believe you are quite mistaken Tom, you are lapsing into a deep and terrible chasm, one I'm afraid to say you are unable to escape from" the booming and confident voice of Albus Dumbledore rang through the night sky causing James's heart to leap as he clutched Lily's hand, staring at her still features which declared she was dangerously unconscious. As Dumbledore rushed past them, although bearing a smile on his lips, his eyes exhibited concern.

"Run Mr. Potter, back to the castle and take Ms. Evans – if only we had a STAGgering animal perhaps, to assist you…"Dumbledore winked before facing Voldemort.

James smiled weakly, understanding Dumbledore's double entendre and respecting the headmaster, thanking him silently for saving him and the girl he loved. With every move feeling like he was being burned alive, he crawled over to Lily and attempted to wake her from her slumber.

"Dumbledore…" staggered Voldemort as he and his group of Death Eaters were slowly being pushed back from James and Lily "what a nasty surprise".

"Yes, you were never the one for surprises were you Tom, everything always had to be under control…but where's the fun Tom?!"Dumbledore's tone was firmly friendly but nonetheless conveyed his fury.

As James saw a flash of orange light growing more distant from him and Lily, his wand clutched firmly in his hand, "Lumos" …Lily was breathing, but barely. It took every ounce of his energy to change into Animagus form, but he managed to bear Lily's weak frame onto his back as they slowly trotted to the faint outline of Hogwarts the majestic stag could see as he bore the lighted wand in his mouth.

'Everything would be alright…' he silently vowed as he felt Lily's breaths getting weaker and weaker.

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The news of James Potter and Lily Evan's encounter with Lord Voldemort spread like wildfire within the school and soon whether it be the bookworms in the library to the potion brewers in the dungeon, everyone knew of their miraculous escape.

Rumours flew in paper aeroplanes, during make-out sessions in the cupboards, between teachers and students during every class except for History of Magic, even Professor McGonagall praised the Head Boy and Girl for possessing"the true courage of Gryffindor" claming she was "proud to be the teacher of such fine students". James and Lily however, were still lying very much unconscious in the Hospital Wing and this had been the case for over 3 weeks much to the worry of Sirius, Brittany, Remus and Eva.

Nobody was allowed to visit them and Madame Pomfrey was harassed almost every moment and had given up on screaming at the children and just ignored them. Sirius also had tried every possible means to soften the Nurse's heart to name a few, sending her Howlers, dancing to her, singing to her and writing her love letters and although it caused her to coo at what a 'sweet child' he was, visiting James and Lily was still to no avail.

During this crisis however, it was to much of the teachers and students interests to note that Sirius Black and Brittany Davies were not only having civil conversations, but that Brittany was giggling at Sirius's jokes while one of the most eligible bachelors of Hogwarts blushed every time Brittany shot him a wink.

"Honestly Black, do you think they'll be okay?"Brittany whispered as she lay on his stomach by the crackling fire.

"Honestly Davies" Sirius replied mocking her, earning him a sharp slap on the chest "Ow…you've asked me about 5000 times, they're James Potter and Lily Evans! Not okay isn't used in the same sentence with those two…you never know, their relationship might even develop further after this catastrophe. After all, you and I Davies…hard times really do show true love" he cooed, stroking her hair.

"Hmmm…I never knew you to be the romantic type" she said, leaning back and staring into his eyes.

"Neither did I Davies, not before I met you…" he smiled as he leant down to kiss her gently. "Ouch…I think I just cracked my back" after lifting himself off her and caressing his spine.

She smiled, "I think everything will be just fine…"

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Another feverish 2 weeks had passed and the school was restless with anticipation as news had got out that the two heroes of the school had recovered from their coma and that they were still a little shaky, but very much alive. Dumbledore had personally asked that they be disturbed 'in the least amount' but winked and suggested sending them letters instead of verbally asking.

Lily woke to find herself surrounded by fluffy white pillows to which she smiled in contentment. Only feeling a mild, pounding headache, she rubbed her eyes to check for the only thing that she cared about at that moment…James Potter. Seeing him or rather listening to his light snores in the bed next to her relieved her and gave her new energy as she fought back the tears. She didn't even know what had happened during their encounter with the cruelest wizard the world had ever known. All she remembered realizing was that James Potter, her enemy of no less than 5 years had risked his all to save her, Lily Evans.

His selfishness, egotistical nature had dissolved, he had learned not only care for others, but to sacrifice himself for others, namely her and that warmed Lily's heart like no other. 'Hey you never know, I might even end up liking this guy' Lily smiled secretly to herself as she giggled inwardly as even during sleep did James's hand run through his mop of messy brown hair.

Kicking off his sheets, Lily saw that James's wounds had not healed fully but had scarred and left burn marks, feeling her heart ache at this unexpectedly, Lily was just about to reach over and run her fingers over his skin when Albus Dumbledore entered the room.

"Ah Miss Evans, glad you're awake, you seem to have made a full recovery but unfortunately Mr. Potter in his attempt to save you copped a full stunning spell to the ribs and although not fatal, will take many months to heal"the headmaster winked as he pulled a chair up to her bed with his wand.

"Yes he shouldn't have done that…" Lily whispered sadly as she watched James Potter thrash a little in his sleep, murmuring something about flaming hair.

"But if he hadn't…you would have lost your life" the headmaster said softly, his blue eyes staring deeply into Lily's emerald ones."You must undoubtedly treasure this strong bond that is between you" the old man abruptly stood up, causing Lily to gape. With a swish of his midnight blue robes, Albus Dumbledore reached the doorknob "for it is the bonds of love we share with others that is the ultimate key into triumphing over the evil in this world."

After the headmaster's exit, Lily looked up at the ceiling of the Hospital Wing and gently stood up from her bed, causing a wave of dizziness to hit her. Fumbling her way onto James's bed, she sat down. Stroking his dark hair and face, she gently kissed his cheek, not noticing the salty tears that were streaming down her face onto his pillow. As she gently stroked the scars on his naked chest appreciating the deep muscular frame he had, causing him to smile in his sleep, she, Lily Evans realized something.

As she hugged his shoulder, her hair splaying all over his back, she realized that in actual fact, James Potter wasn't such a bad guy.

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A/N: Well, giggles VERY VERY VERY VERY nervously…I know most people won't even remember this story and I don't know why after 2-3 years I would bother updating…but I did!! AHAHAHAHAHAA..hmmm…well if any of my faithful reviewers are still bothered with this story I promise I won't ditch it again!!

BECAUSE [yes I'm not done with the rambling I have 5 weeks of holidays stuck at home doing nothing…!! And of course the story is almost done I'd say 3-4 chapters more at most…stretching it 5…

So if you find it in your heart to forgive me, I welcome any ANY reviews for this latest chapter…from old reviewers or any new readers…

HOPE YOU ENJOYED . and don't be angry at me for too long！！

Purebliss90 [feeling very very very guilty