In the Days of Lily Evans and James Potter

Disclaimer: To own this, or not to own this. That is the question that can be answered. For it doth be that the answer is, to not own this.

A/N: Remember how I warned you in the last two chapters? There was a reason! Nuff said on my part, start reading before one of your friends finishes it before you and tells you what happens! BTW, sorry it's been so long. I was on vacation.

Chapter 7

"Severus Snape and Regulus Black!" Lily shouted. "I can't believe your stupidity! Both of you with his blessings! Both of you with his mark! Don't you know you both now have a reputation for murder?" Regulus was sneering at her, but Severus was staring at the ground. Regulus, she would almost expect it, but Severus? It was very hard to believe.

"Mudblood Evans," Regulus said. "Nice to see you out here in the woods. Alone. Without a wand."

"I have my wand!" Lily retorted, clutching it at her side. Regulus was known for taking his opponent's wand before attacking.

"Lily, you shouldn't be here," Severus tried to reason. Lily lifted her nose at him.

"What could possibly make you want to join You-Know-Who?" she asked them. Regulus was eying her.

"You'll find out," Regulus laughed. He raised his wand. Severus looked at him in fear, and Lily was rooted to her spot, her wand forgotten at her side.

"Regulus--"

"Quiet, Snape!" Regulus snapped. Lily raised her wand, almost trance-like, but she knew it was over. Whatever Sirius's brother had planned, it was going to happen.

"We don't need to--"

"I said quiet!" He raised his wand a little and said, almost casually, "Crucio!"

A lot of things happened at once. Severus sent Regulus flying by an accidental blast that came from his wand. Lily screamed, waiting for the spell to hit her. A stag came leaping through, getting in the path of the spell before it could get to Lily.

"You hurt that animal," Lily said, retrieving her wand. She sat beside the animal, which was attempting to stand. "Did the bad man hurt you?" Lily asked it, and it stared at her with big eyes as she helped it stand. It bent its front legs, almost asking her to get on.

"If the Dark Lord finds out..." she heard Regulus complaining somewhere behind her. She took the invitation of the stag and it took her to her spot, right where she wanted to go.

"How did you know I wanted to be here?" she asked it, not expecting an answer. The stag bent down again to let her off before bowing its head deeply and turning to run. Lily wheeled around so she could watch it go, but it was already gone.

"Looks like you have a new boyfriend," James voice said from behind her. Lily turned yet again.

"Yeah," Lily laughed. Things could become awkward real fast with James recently.

"So, why did you want to meet me here?" James asked, moving a few steps closer. Lily panicked. She hadn't planned anything like what she thought James was thinking. At least, she didn't plan to follow through with it.

"First, I want to talk," Lily forced out. There, she said it.

"Okay," James said. "Let's talk." He smiled at her, encouraging her to spill everything that had just happened, all of her fears of what was to come in the future, how she was afraid You-Know-Who would come and kill her (as she was a Muggleborn), and how she was sure that Professor Retop was a follower.

James listened intently, showing her he was concerned with what she had to say. After she was done, he told her that almost everyone felt that way about You-Know-Who, even purebloods, and that Snape, Regulus, and Retop were the kind of people who one could expect to be involved in his work.

Lily had a new respect for James. He really was a great guy, and he really did care. She was feeling very safe, knowing that James now knew how she felt--about You-Know-Who, of course.

"Lily?" James asked. They were both lying on their backs under the tree.

"Mmm?" she muttered, still floating in her cloud of thoughts. A sense of confidence was building in her.

"I'm sorry I was a jerk before," he said. "I was just trying to impress you." She bit her lip, coming back to reality.

"Why me, James Potter?" she asked him. "What could possibly make you want me? I'm restless, I have mood swings, I can change my mind in the blink of an eye..."

"Things like that," he admitted. "Plus, you're the smartest girl I know, and you are the most beautiful one I've ever seen."

Lily looked over at James, and their eyes locked. For the first time, Lily really felt like she knew him. With every ounce of courage and confidence she had ever built up, she leaned over and swiped a quick kiss against his lips. James sat up and stared at her.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Lily Evans?" he asked. Lily laughed.

"I'm the Easter Bunny, and she's currently tied up in the broom closet with your broomstick," she answered. James laughed, pulling her onto her feet. She lost her balance, and he caught her in what turned into a light hug.

"C'mon," he whispered, still leading her by the hand. She glanced at her watch, then at the darkened sky.

"It's time for rounds, James," Lily said.

"We never find anyone," he replied. "Besides, dear Bunny, we have to go save Lily in that closet, remember?" Lily laughed quietly as they entered the castle, taking the route to the broom closet.

"Ladies first," James told her.

"Age before beauty," she remarked, and James smiled.

"I'll take that one from you," he muttered in her ear as he entered the dark closet, pulling her in. Lily shut the door with her foot, and James pulled her close.

"Lily, I found you," James joked. "The Easter Bunny kissed me; she was trying to be you." Lily smiled up at him, though it was almost to dark to see him. Almost.

"Oh, really?" Lily asked. "Like what?" James dropped his face to hers, gave her the same awkward kiss she gave him, teasing her.

"Good thing it's the real you, though, for both of us can do better, yes?" he both asked and stated. Lily responded by pulling his head down to hers and kissing him. He returned, and when they broke apart, he pursued her lips for another.

As they broke apart again, Lily whispered, "If I'm not back in my dorm soon, Alice will kill me."

"And Frank will kill me," James added. They stumbled out of the broom closet, and ran to the portrait, catching the Fat Lady just before she was going to visit a friend. Just before turning up the stairs, Lily whispered, "Secret?"

"Secret," James whispered back.

A/N: I told you, see, I knew. Oh, wait, I'm the author, of course I knew. Well, tell me whatcha think, and thanks for all the nice comments!