A/N: Yeah, I know you all hate me but...Sniff I guess I'll live (just kidding) Thanks to, AnIrishLily, Greekchic, grannyHPfan, indescribablyBee, Rylie D, jalapeno1011, IamMEagain, I-see-thestrals, Em3191, SugarHi Marauders, Xx Paws xX, szabatka2, Trocle, Lily's Petal, EastCoastHPgrl, lilacBookstar, An Aspiring Author, DogLover258!

Chapter 26

Dumbledore emerged from the basement looking stressed and weary. Everyone stood up and looked at him hopefully. When he didn't speak they looked behind him. No one followed. Why was James still in the basement? Why wasn't he here, with them, joking around, smiling, celebrating his birthday with them? Why wasn't he-

Oh no.

Lily ran up to Dumbledore, pushing him, yelling at his hatefully calm face. "What the hell his wrong with you?"

She didn't really. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't. She couldn't move, speak, breathe, cough sneeze, or live. How could she live? What was happening? This wasn't Romeo and Juliet this was reality.

Lily sank to her knees, staring in front of her with glazed eyes, out of tears to cry. She wanted to feel his body against hers; His hands cradling her face. She wanted to hear his voice. His voice that would sound like-

"You're going to hurt yourself if you don't get up, honeybuns."

-like that.

Wait, when the hells did he say that?

She turned around to see Romeo-ahem, James, her Romeo grinning casually as if just coming out of the bathroom.

"James y-you're alive!" She ran as if in a dream and jumped into his arms. He laughed and twirled her around.

When he put her down she pushed him against the wall and kissed him, roughly and hungrily, forgetting that their headmaster was here. (A/N: We'll save the description of the kiss for a later time)

Behind them, Melissa and Peter were hugging, looked at each other them let go, Melissa eyeing Peter like he was something nasty stuck on her shoe. Remus put his arm around her and watched Sirius jump on Dumbledore who was laughing.

Lily pulled back, grinned at him when she started walking towards Dumbledore, James followed behind. She thought better of it and turned around.

SMACK!

Ouch.

Everyone froze and turned to see and angry Lily with her hands on her hips and a wincing James who had a red cheek.

"Are you and idiot? You basically tried to commit suicide!"

James looked at her with a puppy face on which normally worked on her. Guess what?

It didn't this time. "Come on Lily, it's-,"

"Don't you 'Come one Lily' me James Christopher Potter, You were like a bloody turkey in America on Thanksgiving saying 'Here I am! Shoot me!"

"What's Thanksgiving-?"

"How did you think I was going to cope with all this? What were you thinking? Did you COMPLETELY loose your mind or did you sell it on the Internet? Please tell me."

"Lily, please, you're going to wake everyone up."

"Miss Evans if I-,"

But Lily interrupted, "Any you!" She whirled around to face Dumbledore.

"Uh Professor? From experience, just back away… don't make sudden movements," warned James.

"You were just standing there doing absolutely nothing all for a freakin' key! We didn't need you here just so you could stare at everybody, Peter could've handled that."

"Hey!"

"Lily, as much as I love to see you all hot and bothered-," Lily blushed. "He did save my life. Besides, have you forgotten that he is our headmaster?" James asked from behind her. Lily's eyes widened.

"Oh bugger. Professor I was just angry and I didn't want-,"

"Please, Miss Evans," Dumbledore said calmly. "I understand, it's quite alright."

Lily nodded. She had been burning inside to ask questions. " But what about the whole time you were just standing there?"

"Well my mother always did tell me I was a good actor…"

Everybody grinned.

Remus then piped up, "Professor, if you saved James's life, how-?"

" All in good-time, Mr. Lupin. Now, James, I have to tell your parents you are okay. You will return to them tomorrow."

James opened his mouth in protest but then shut it, nodding.

"Hey Professor?" James walked over and gave Dumbledore a Hug. He smiled at James then at everyone else.

"See you all at Hogwarts…" He disapparated.

Sirius, Remus, and Peter looked at each other then grinned at James.

" Uh-guys?"

"PRONGSIE!"

Melissa and Lily smirked at each other as the three jumped on top of James.

------

Peter Remus and Melissa took Lily's invitation and crashed at Lily's houses. Rose was too kind and wouldn't have said no, was she awake.

Sirius and Peter in the family room, James and Remus in James's room, the guest room, and Melissa was with Lily in Lily's room. (They all decided to go to bed after Lily and James felt the need to hold each other for three hours)

Surprisingly, Melissa and Lily hit it off straight away, instantly becoming friendly.

"Oh Lily, I've been meaning to tell you, the other day, while we were in the locker room after Quidditch practice, James was talking about you."

Lily head snapped up from where she was setting up the floor so Melissa would be comfortable. She tried not to look too interested. "Was he? Good I hope?"

"Very good…I don't remember who he was talking to but I think he was saying something about your eyes and everyone told him to shut up." Lily and Melissa laughed. "You two love each other huh?"

Lily smiled shyly, "We do…so, how long have liked Remus?"

Melissa blushed but collapsed in a chair and said dramatically, "Forever! The times I went out with other guys, every time I would think of Remus and it killed me! I just never did anything about it."

"So are you officially going out?"

"Oh gosh I hope so…" Melissa gushed. She looked towards Lily's dresser and saw a ton of really good, expensive make-up. "How come you never wear all this? You know, if you took out of that braid and put and put on some make-up, you would look amazing!"

Lily shook her head." No, no I don't do that."

"Oh, but I do. Come on please! Pretty Please with James on top?"

"Haha…No Mel, I really-,"

"Too bad." She pushed Lily down into the chair and took out her long braid.

"Is this going to hurt?" Lily asked

"Yeah, it's just a question of how much you make it…Where are the scissors?"

"Oh god…"

Melissa grinned.

------

"Hey Prongs?"

"Yeah Moony?" James pulled a t-shirt over his head and sat across from Remus on the floor.

"Thank you so much for that dare!"

James grinned, "Yeah well, you two had it, you just needed a push."

"I really like her. I mean, everything you said bout Lily, I understand now. Of course, you said it when you were like, 13."

"Yeah but that's because I understood why I liked her, what it was about her that made me want her and not someone else. I mean hey, I called it, didn't I?"

Remus laughed and nodded. "You said, and I quote, "I'm gonna marry her.' End quote. So…I haven't seen the wedding." He joked.

James looked at Remus, all the laughter gone from his face. Remus noticed. "I have the ring."

Remus looked at James, his eyes wide, " You-what?"

"I've had it…I was my grandma's, Nana, the one from Italy."

"Are you going to propose?"

"Well, we've talked about getting married but I think we should wait until after we graduate."

Remus shook his head. "I can't believe this. I never really thought about it 'till now. Our last year until we're on our own."

"Don't shed a tear my Moony, it's 6months away."

"Yeah, your right, we should enjoy it. We should also get some rest."

"Yes oh Wise one." The both climbed into bed, Remus on the floor, James took the bed.

"Y'know, I never offered the bed to you…" James said apologetically.

Remus laughed, "Thanks…But mate, you're not really my type."

"OH shut up."

"I'm just kidding. It's fine I don't care."

"Alright…"

"Goodnight." They said simultaneously

------

7:01 A.M.

"…and I'm done! You can turn around now."

Lily turned around and looked in the mirror afraid of what she would see. What she saw, however, was a miracle. "I-I'm pretty."

Melissa smacked her arm, "You were always pretty, I just made it stand out." She smirked arrogantly.

Lily wasn't one for preppiness but this was amazing. She felt and looked more confident.

"Now we just have to buy you some clothes."

"Everybody up! Breakfast! Let's go! You can't keep sleeping late!"

Lily stepped out of her room and her mother was standing right there.

"Oh my word…Lily? Oh deary, you look wonderful! You did this yourself?" She asked fingering her hair.

"No my new friend, Melissa did it all, she stayed over last night is that okay?"

"Or course it is, Hello Melissa I'm Lily's Mum, you can call me Rose."

"Hi it's nice to meet you."

"Yeah Mum, there is something you need to know…"

Lily told her mother of the happenings and that the Marauder's slept over also.

"Oh my…I can't…in our own house. Oh Lily is everyone all right? I really think we should leave the Potter's alone…"

"Mum, I don't want to be apart from James."

Rose sighed heavily, "You better make sure it's okay with-,"

"It will be, Thanks Mum!" Lily hugged her Mum.

"And I wanted to take Lily shopping." Melissa said.

"Oh yeah? What for?"

"I threw out all her clothes, I'm buying her a new wardrobe."

"Okay…. You really threw them out?" asked Rose, slightly shocked

"Nahh. Come on Lils, let's go before Prince Charming wakes up. Wait what am I saying? It's 7 A.M."

Lily laughed and they made their wake towards the door. "Oh Mum? Let Clara wake the guys up okay?"

Rose looked at her oddly, "Alright, whatever, have fun!"

Once outside the door Melissa asked, "Why does Clara have to wake them?"

"Because he moans my name in his sleep."

Melissa's laughs could be heard down the streets of Surrey.

------

"Oh wow, Mrs. Potter, you give bacon a whole new meaning."

The four Marauders were eating pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, toast, French toast, hash browns, biscuits, grits and bacon.

"Maybe I died After all." James said, "This is amazing."

Remus gave him a look, "Don't say things like that."

Mrs. Evans however looked pleased, "Oh! I'm glad you guys like it/ Lily is the one who appreciates it. She cooks like me."

"Good Job Prongs, I knew I always liked Lily." Sirius teased.

James punched him on the arm and they continued eating.

"This is heaven…all I need now is-,"

"Make way, young James for your new and improved girlfriend! Heaven is not far…" Announced Melissa.

Lily walked through the front door and into the kitchen. Everyone stopped eating and James stood up.

"Um…Hi"

James's jaw dropped as he stared at her.

Her red hair, when straight would normally reach her butt. Now it was straight and down to her waist with a light shade of red highlights. Black mascara was on which made her eyelashes enviously longer then their already long length touching her brown/gold/shimmering eye shadow. She had foundation that actually made her look the same but had some blush on. He long nails were squared off and French manicured. And she no longer wore clothes that were slightly big on her. She was wearing a forest green long sleeve tank top underneath. Tight black/navy blue faded jeans and while sneakers. It was clear Lily was now the most beautiful female at Hogwarts, hands down.

"Uh-um-uh-L-Li-Lily?" James squeaked. He cleared his throat and said in his normal voice, "Where the hell did you go?"

"Diagon Alley. You don't like it?" She asked. She hoped he did but if he didn't she give it all back in a heartbeat ignoring the fact that she loved feeling as beautiful as she was.

"Holy Merlin Lily, you look fantastic!" He exclaimed, swooping her up into a hug.

Lily felt relief flood through her and hugged him back.

Melissa and Remus and somehow managed to disappear, cough, and Sirius was behind James muttering. "She's my best friend's girl, She's my best friend's girl, She's my best friend's girl."

James smacked him.

"Oh hell with it. Lily marry me. I'm broke I live with your boyfriend, my family's a wreck, but my hair does this." Sirius ran a hand through his hair and it fell back perfectly, giving him a 'I'm sexy and I know it' look."

Lily stared at him trying not to laugh at his outburst, "Sirius I didn't get any sleep. I'm tired and hungry…don't mess with me." She said with humor but truth.

James smiled, "Gosh Lily, I didn't know you could get anymore beautiful," James murmured, gently pushing her hair behind her ear. She smiled at him while take her shoes and socks off. "I don't even think it's the make-up, it's the look in your eyes, I love it when you're happy." Lily smiled and beamed at him. Without looking at Sirius, James said, "Sirius, stop looking at her toes."

"But they sparkle…"

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A/N: Geez people have faith in me I'm in love with James, I would never kill him. Anyway, I hated this chapter, but it had to be done.

Remus has a girlfriend. Yes they will be part of the story.

Lily is wearing make-up, hot clothes and is more confident.

Lily has a friend that's a female.

James is alive…

I'm sorry if it seemed rushed but…I mean it probably would have been boring rubbish if it wasn't. Personally, I would have liked it to have turned out better but I hope you enjoyed it at least a little bit.

IMPORTANT! (I've always wanted to write that)

Like all authors, I will be updating on the weekends because of that blasted building where you 'learn' stuff…REVIEW BOTH MY STORIES AND I WILL LOVE YOU. I will try to reply to all of you. Please don't be offended if I don't.