A/N: Okay, so the original chapter 3 has been bugging me for a long time, so I rewrote the last part of it, but the rest is the same. Hope you like it, let me now what you think!

The Point of No Return

The next two months passed very fast for the seventh year Gryffindors, what with their N.E.W.T. classes, homework, and patrol duty (not to mention the full moon). In fact, their work load was so immense that even Sirius was seen studying once. James probably had the most to do because, on top of everything else, this was James' second year as captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. They had not lost the cup since James had joined the team as a Chaser in his second year, and he didn't plan on breaking the record in his final year. Lily often wondered how James had time to sleep at all.

They were all stuck in History of Magic, all ready to get out of the world's most boring class, which happened to be the last before the Halloween Feast. James, Sirius, Peter, Elizabeth and Dorcas were fast asleep while Remus was trying his best to take a few notes before he too fell asleep. Lily and Alice were busy writing notes to each other.

L: So are you meeting Frank in Hogsmeade tomorrow?

A: No, he couldn't get out of his damn training.

L: That sucks. Do you know when he'll be done?

A: I think by mid–July or something like that.

L: So I take it that you're going shopping with me and Elizabeth, then?

A: Guess so...Do you and James have to patrol tonight?

L: Yeah, right after the feast is over.

Alice glanced at Lily, who was smiling slightly, before writing again.

A: You don't seem to upset about it.

L: He's actually doing better than I would have thought. At first, I thought he would make me do everything, but James has been extremely helpful.

A: That's because he loves you, duh! And don't try to fool yourself; you like him too.

But Lily was saved from having to reply from the bell. Everyone gathered up their things and headed off to drop them off before the feast. James caught up with Lily, who were both going to the Head's common room to drop off their books.

"I don't know what it is about that class, but I just can't stay awake for anything," said James.

"Don't feel bad," started Lily, "The only way Alice and I stay awake is by passing notes to each other all period."

They finally got into the Great Hall to find their friends all seated together. Lily laughed to herself when she noticed that the two seats that were saved for her and James were right next to each other. Their friends had been trying to get them together since last January. Lily shot Alice a knowing look, but Alice only responded with an innocent smile.

About half way though the feast, Dorcas turned to Sirius and said, "You know, I can't believe you guys didn't plan a prank on Halloween"

"But that is exactly what everyone is expecting," said Sirius, "That's why were setting everything up tonight, and if you ladies go by the Slytherin dorms, which are in the dungeons, you'll see a sight."

All of the girls laughed. "C'mon, tell us what your doing!" Elizabeth said to James.

"I'm not in on this one, " he replied, throwing his hands in the air.

"Don't you give me that shit," said Sirius rounding on James, "You, Mr. Potter, where the one to come up with the idea, even if your not actually putting it into motion."

Once everyone was laughing again, James quietly asked Sirius, "You got the cloak and the Map, right?"

"In my trunk as we speak," he replied in an undertone.

000

"Do you have any idea what you're going to do after school?" James asked Lily as they climbed one of Hogwarts' many stair cases. They had been patrolling for nearly two hours, the past few minutes having passed in silence.

"I'm not sure," Lily replied slowly, "I would like to do something to help stop Voldemort, but I don't think I could see myself as an Auror...but I have thought about becoming a Healer."

James gave Lily the smile that made most girls weak in the knees. "You'd make a good Healer; you're a very passionate and caring person."

"Thanks" she said, blushing slightly, "What about you?"

"I'm probably going into Auror training after we graduate."

But before either of them could say anything, the stair case started to move quite unexpectedly. Lily lost her balance, but before she hit the stone steps, James caught her, securing his hands on her lower back as she flung her arms around his neck. They stayed this way until the stair case came to a stop.

Lily looked deep into his hazel eyes as James gazed into her bright green ones. After a few moments, Lily said, in a shaking voice, "Um...thanks for catching me...," as she started to pull away from James.

"No problem," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady as he unwillingly let go of Lily.

They walked back to the Heads' common room in silence. Lily crossed over to the coffee table, grabbed her copy of The Daily Prophet, flopped down on the couch.

James sat next to her and asked, "Anything besides death and destruction?"

Lily laughed slightly. "That's all that's in the damn paper anymore. I feel so helpless just sitting here and watching it all happen...Not to mention the fact that I feel like I'm going to be attacked every time I'm outside the safety of Hogwarts."

"All we can do is live our lives to the fullest because one day, we may not get the chance." said James, seeming much more mature.

And for the second that night, Lily found herself staring into his gorgeous hazel eyes. She forced herself to look away from those eyes and back to her paper, but she didn't read a word it said.

What is the matter with me?, she thought. This time last year a couldn't stand him, and now I think he has gorgeous eyes! No...I will NOT fall for him! He's just an arrogant, bullying...sweet, kind guy who has had a crush on me for, like, ever, and...NO! I just need to go to bed and think things over.

She told James that she was going to go to bed, bid him goodnight, and stood up to go to her room.

James made up his mind in about a second...he had to do it, there was no way to get around it.

"Lily," he said, as he met Lily by his bedroom door. She turned to look at him. "Do you remember what I said earlier, about living our lives to the fullest?"

"Yeah," she said slowly, wondering where this was going.

"Well, there is something that I have to do, because if I don't, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."

"What–" but before she could finish, James had grabbed her waist, and pulled her in to a passionate kiss.

At first, Lily was completely shocked, but then she couldn't help think that it felt right as her knees began to feel weak. She deeply kissed him back, throwing her around his neck for the second time that night. James steered Lily into his bedroom, and she allowed it. Lily had never done anything like this before, but she couldn't help but listen to her heart, which told her this was right.

The couple fell onto James' bed, snogging all the while. James kissed Lily's jaw–line, then the base of her neck. Before either could stop and think about what was happening, they were taking each other's clothes off and littering the floor with them.

James unhooked Lily's bra and flung it across the room. He lowered his head to her chest, taking her nipple into his mouth. Her hands raked though his messy black hair as a moan escaped though her lips, but he didn't stop there. His hands continued to roam her body for a while longer before he slid a finger into her.

Lily was writhing beneath him. "James..." she moaned.

He positioned himself at her entrance. As their eyes locked, he eased himself into her. She gasped slightly but nodded for him to continue. Their tempo started slow, but gradually increased until they were calling out each others names in ecstacy.

As their breathing returned to normal, James pulled her close. Her head rested on his chest, listening to his heart beat. The last thing she remembered was James kissing the top of her head before she feel into a deep sleep.