A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter and pretty pretty please PLEASE review okay yayyy.

(JAMES'S P.O.V.)

"Now, boys, as you know, today is Halloween," said Sirius.

"Really?" said Remus dryly. "I thought it was Easter."

"Now is not the time for your sarcasm, Moony," he retorted.

"Isn't it always, though?"

"Not when I'm trying to explain to you my brilliant plans!"

"Brilliant?" said Peter. "No offense, mate, but-"

"Don't finish that sentence, Wormy," said Sirius. "Only praise, Pete. We've been over this. Only praise."

"Who are you, his master?" asked Remus.

"Well, I am the leader of this group, after all," he answered.

"I thought that was James," said Peter.

"Well, if Prongs ever decides to join our conversation instead of staring at the entrance, then maybe he can regain his position as co-leader," Sirius replied.

I kept looking at the entrance.

"Anyway," continued Sirius. "As I was saying, today is Halloween. And I've got our annual Halloween prank all planned out."

"Oh, Merlin," sighed Remus.

"Don't Oh, Merlin me, Lupin! This is our last year at Hogwarts, therefore our last Halloween prank! Now, pay attention. Take notes or whatever the smart one does."

"I'm the smart one?"

"Well, obviously. And I'm the handsome one."

"What am I?" asked Peter.

"The clueless one," he responded.

"I am not clueless!"

"And James?" asked Remus.

"Well, I guess he's the too-tied-down-to-have-fun-anymore one. I mean, look at him! Hey, James. Can you pay attention?"

"I am paying attention," I lied, still staring at the entrance.

"Lily will come eventually," Sirius told me. "Relax."

"I am relaxed," I answered. "I'm just worried about her."

"Well, stop worrying and listen!"

"I am listening."

Remus sighed. "I'll fill him in later, Padfoot. Now, continue."

"Thank you, fellow comrade. Now, as I was saying, this one has to be good. So here's the plan. Moony, you're going to find that spell that helps us spell stuff out with fireworks. Pete, during the feast you're going to shut off all the lights. James and I will cast the actual spell outside on our brooms, so all anyone will see is the night sky on the enchanted ceiling- the message James and I put out there."

"Which will be?"

"I can't tell you in here, but it's not just a message. It's all sorts of stuff. And it's going to be good."

"We're going to get in trouble," said Peter.

"No we will not," said Sirius. "It's our last year here, what can they do?"

"Expel us," said Remus.

"I hate that you actually like following the rules sometimes."

"Yeah, me too."

"We're still doing it though. I know Dumbledore, and he won't let anything too bad but a few detentions happen."

"I guess you're right," Remus said. "Fine, I'm in."

"Brilliant! Peter?" said Sirius.

"Of course," said Peter.

"James?"

I was actually listening to the Sirius's plan. And knowing him, it was going to be good. And it was our last Halloween prank, so how could I say no? I shook his hand. "I'm in."

"Excellent! Oh man this is going to be brilliant. I can feel it."

"You're in an awfully good mood," Peter pointed out.

"Well, yesterday was Carly's birthday, and, well, let's just say I got as good of a present as she did," Sirius said, smirking, reaching out a hand for me to high five, which I did, chuckling. Remus rolled his eyes and Peter laughed.

"You disgust me," said Remus.

"You're just jealous because-"

"I know what you're going to say and I'd rather you not."

"Why don't you just ask her out?" asked Sirius.

"Because, she doesn't like me that way, all right? Would you stop bringing it up? Not to mention she's only a few seats down, prat."

"Sorry," Sirius said with a mouth filled with a muffin.

"I know," said Remus.

We finished up breakfast and I was still wondering nervously where Lily was. She always came down for breakfast. She was usually the first one of our lot down here. We were together last night after rounds in the common room and everything was great.

I got up with the lads to go to Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs, but before I left the hall I asked June and Delia where Lily was.

"She was up in the dorm, reading, I think," said June. "She'll be down for class."

"Okay, thanks," I said.

"Don't be so worried," said Delia.

"I'm not," I said. But I was still worried.

I caught up with the guys and we made our way to class. To make things worse, when I walked in, Dave Beckon tapped me on the shoulder.

"Er, Potter, can I ask you something?"

Ugh. No. "Sure."

"Do you know where Lily is? I need a word with her."

About what, wanker? "Er, I don't actually. She'll be in class, I'm sure. Catch her whenever."

"O-Okay, then. Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome, I guess," I replied.

I left the dolt standing there as I went to sit at my seat, Lily's seat empty beside me. Two minutes to class. Where was she?

I took out my books and my quill and sat there and waited. Lily rushed in probably seven seconds before McGonagall came, and sat in her seat beside me. A wave of relief rushed over me at her presence, but I looked at her and suddenly I was nervous again. Her hair was up as usual, but there were bags under her eyes, and her robes and clothes weren't as neat and tucked as usual, and her eyes were red and she was as pale as a ghost.

"Lily-" I tried, but McGonagall started to speak and start the lesson.

I took out some parchment and wrote with my quill a note to her.

Hey. Are you all right? –JP

Fine. –LE

Are you sure? You don't look fine.

Sure.

Why didn't you come down to breakfast?

Busy.

I appreciate the one-word answers.

Okay.

Lily, what's wrong?

She didn't answer, though. She read the note, and then just passed it back to me blank. Was she cross with me? What did I even do?

Are you cross with me?

No. I promise. Sorry.

Well, it was more than one word. I'll take what I can get. She wasn't angry with me, which was good. But something was bothering her. Something was bothering her enough to not even talk to me, when she usually vents to me about everything.

The period dragged on and once we were dismissed, Lily shot up and left. I ran after her.

"Lily, wait up!" I called after her.

She stopped walking and once I caught up to her she wouldn't look me right in the eyes.

"Lily, what's wrong?"

She didn't answer, she just crossed her arms uncomfortably.

"Lily, you know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I know," she responded quietly.

"So what's the matter?"

"I…" she started, but then stopped.

"Do you want to skip class and go talk about it?"

"No," she responded. "I don't…I don't want to talk about it."

"Lily, talking about it will help."

"I don't want to. Just respect that, James. Please. I just need some time to myself. I'll be fine soon. I am fine. Okay?"

No, it wasn't okay. I couldn't stand seeing her like this. It made me feel sick. But I didn't want to push her. "Okay. But, I'm here if you need me, you know."

"Yeah, I…I know."

I reached for her hand but she pulled away. And it hurt. I just wanted to comfort her. But I guess the best I could do was leave her alone.

I was about to try to muster one last thing up to say to make her feel better, when someone interrupted us.

"Hey, um, Lily? You're going to Runes now, right?"

Dave bloody Beckon.

"Uh, yeah."

"Do you mind if I have a word with you on the way?" he asked.

"Yeah, no problem," she said.

My blood was starting to boil. Jealousy was not a great side of me. But this prat just pissed me off big time. Well, anyone who was once Lily's boyfriend pisses me off big time. But that's not the point. I wanted to try to make Lily feel better, and if leaving her alone was the solution to that, then fine. But not to leave her alone with Dave Bloody Beckon.

"I'll see you later, James," she said to me quietly, and then started walking down the opposite corridor with Beckon.

I just stood there like a git for a few moments, and then I walked in the opposite direction to Arithmancy.

I felt useless.

"Oi, James, wait up!" called Sirius.

I didn't wait up, though. I kept walking, but they caught up to me.

"What's up?" Sirius asked.

"You look ticked," said Peter.

"I am."

"Why?" asked Remus.

"Lily's upset about something and she won't talk to me and now she's chatting away with Beckon about who knows what on the way to Runes."

"Beckon isn't that bad of a guy," said Remus.

I glared at him.

"I mean…he's a pompous prat?"

"He is," said Sirius. "He's taken off points from me loads of times for the dumbest things. He's an idiot."

See, this is why Sirius was my best mate.

"For what?" asked Peter.

"Snogging in broom closets, being in the kitchens with James after hours when we forgot the cloak or it just wasn't on, swearing too much, copying off homework, dumb stuff," Sirius answered.

"Sirius, those are all things against school rules. He's supposed to take points off. It's his job," said Remus.

"You never take points off of us. Neither does James," Sirius pointed out.

"Well, you're my mates."

"Now, now, Moony. Playing favorites is against the rules," I said, feeling a bit better. "I'm going to have to take off some points for that."

Peter and Sirius laughed. Remus just rolled his eyes. "You've never taken points off of any Gryffindor in your two months here."

"And how would you know that?"

"We do rounds together!"

"Oh, right."

"Like you take any off from Gryffindor," said Peter.

"Oh, he does," I told him. "The Gryffindors that are younger than us."

"C'mon, Moony, don't you want us to win the House Cup?" asked Sirius.

"Of course I do!" he answered. "But…you know…sometimes I feel guilty for not fulfilling all my prefect duties."

"Remus," I said. "You're a Marauder. And when you're a marauder, you're supposed to break rules, blow off responsibilities…I mean, not all of them, obviously, but-"

"Oh, look who's talking," said Sirius. "Ever since this whole head boy business you've been just like Moony!"

"You say that like it's a bad thing," scoffed Remus.

"Well, it's not bad, per say, but, you know, I liked the care-free James a lot better."

"I am still care free!" I said. "I'm doing the prank tomorrow night, aren't I?"

"Yes, well," said Sirius. "It's only because of my brilliant planning and convincing."

"You weren't that convincing," said Peter.

"I second that," said Remus.

"Then why did you agree? Hm?" asked Sirius.

Remus sighed as we entered the Arithmancy classroom.

"C'mon, answer the question," Sirius said.

"No," said Remus, as we took our seats.

"Just admit that I am superior and I own you and everything you do."

"You, Sirius Black, are superior and own me and everything I do," Remus repeated.

"Goddamn right, I am," said Sirius.

"Guess we know who wears the pants in their relationship," said Peter.

"Wasn't it obvious?" I said.

"Shut up," Remus spat.

"It's okay, Remus. We don't have to hide it anymore," Sirius chuckled, rubbing Remus's shoulders.

"Gerroff me," shouted Remus.

As class went by, I was totally zoned out. I kept worrying about Lily. About twenty minutes into the lesson, Sirius and I started playing hangman on some spare parchment. I won 6 out of 7 games. Sirius claimed I was "cheating," but I don't really see how that's possible. Do I look like I know Legillimency? Even if I did, I wouldn't want to know what was going through Sirius's mind.

The bell finally rang and we left class for a free period that all 7th years all had. Sirius, Peter, and Remus decided to go visit Hagrid. I told them I wanted to try to catch Lily and maybe talk to her, if she let me. We exchanged goodbyes and I walked up to the Gryffindor Tower.

Most people during this free period go down to the Great Hall, because the elves usually provide muffins and donuts during this hour. I walked through the portrait hole and it was practically empty…except, three 7th year girls were sitting near the fire.

"Four months, at most?" I heard June whisper as I walked in. "Oh, Lil…"

Four months? Four months of what? Until what? Since what? And why did June sound so upset for Lily?

Delia and Lily were sitting on the couch and June was on the floor. All three of their heads turned as I took a few steps in.

"Er, hey ladies, sorry to disturb. I'll just leave and catch up with-"

"Don't be an idiot, Potter," said June, waving me over. "Come join us."

"You're sure?"

"Of course," said Delia, who I noticed as I walked over was holding Lily's hand. "You are our favorite Marauder, after all."

"Well, at least Lily's," said June.

I laughed because I knew she was trying to say Delia favored Remus. Delia gave June a threatening look and she mumbled "sorry."

June had told me this week at practice that Delia was on the fence about her feelings for Remus, but she definitely did fancy him most out of our lot. I didn't really tell her anything going on in Remus's mind except that he was "on the fence" as well.

Though he wasn't "on the fence." He was over the fence completely. And had fallen into a thorn bush.

"Right, because yours is Sirius, obviously," I said, making the cautious decision to sit next to June on the floor, across from Lily. I smiled weakly at her.

"Hey, you used to be," she said. "Until that time in fifth year when you 'meant' to hit Snape with that spell to make his hair green, and instead it hit me and all you did was laugh and it didn't go away for 36 hours!"

Oh, right. That was hilarious. "Oh, Carter, I'm sure no one even remembers it."

"Oh, we do," Delia chimed in. "It was brilliant."

"Why thank you, I take pride in my wandwork," I replied, smirking.

I looked over at Lily, who was still silent, and staring into the fire.

"So where is your lot anyway?" Delia inquired.

"Hagrid's."

"Tea party?" June asked.

"Probably. You know how Peter fancies a cup of tea almost as much as we fancy a broom ride. We all get a good kick out of it. "

"Poor Peter," said Delia, sniggering.

It was silent for a moment or so after our laughter faded, and quite suddenly, Lily spoke in a hushed tone but loud enough for us to hear. "Do you mind if I…er, well, if James and I had a moment or two alone? Sorry, I just need to talk-"

"Yeah, of course, Lil," said June, getting up. Delia squeezed Lily's hand and got up with June.

"We'll be in the Great Hall," said Delia as they left.

"Bye," I called after them.

The portrait closed shut, and I stood up to sit on the opposite side of Lily. I didn't want her to feel like I was suffocating her. She wanted space, right? What did she want to talk about? Was she going to tell me what was wrong?

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," I answered.

"So, er, I just wanted to tell you first that, um, well, you don't have to be jealous of Dave. Because, well, I sort of told him off on our way to Runes. He was blaming you for 'breaking us up', and I yelled at him that he was an idiot. So, that's that," she said.

I felt half bad and half amused. Dave was bothering Lily about this when she obviously didn't need it right now, but I started smiling, imagining his idiot face when Lily started yelling at him.

"Well, thank you," I said, still smiling.

She smiled lightly for just an instant, and then it got lost again behind her melancholy expression.

"Um, also," she started again after a moment of her looking down at her lap. "I, er, well, Mum wrote me and she wanted to know…well…I mean, I hope you kinda knew or assumed or whatever that I wanted you to come with me…but I never actually asked you straight out so, um, well, would you like to go with me to Petunia's engagement party over winter holiday?"

And then she started talking really fast in a nervous voice. "Because, I mean, I know that's probably not the way you'd want to spend one of your days on holiday at a stupid Muggle party, I mean, I sure don't, especially with my ruddy sister and her idiot fiancé and his whole disgusting family…but, if you'd like to, I mean, well, I'd really like you to come. I won't be as frustrated with you there and we could always sneak out if it's really that horrible and…Yeah. So, it's the 28th of December. If you can, of course. I know it's a couple of months away, but I wanted to ask you now, or at least my Mum wanted an answer now."

"Of course I'll come," I responded immediately, a smile spreading across my face. She was adorable.

She smiled a bit. Then she moved over from her side of the couch to right next to me, sat down, and gave me a hug. I felt her lay her head on my shoulder, breathing against the side of my neck. I held her closely and neither of us let go. It felt good to hold her. It felt good to have her hold me.

"Is that what you're upset about? Petunia?" I asked.

"No," she almost whispered.

"Then what?" I asked, trying not to sound pushy.

She sighed. "Can we just not talk about it?" she asked, finally loosening her grip on me and ending the hug.

"Is it the same thing?"

"Huh?"

"Since the beginning of the term, there have just been some nights where you cry, and you'd never tell me why but you'd always let me try to cheer you up. Is it the same thing making you upset from the start?"

Lily looked at me and bit her lip, and then nodded.

"Are you ever going to tell me? I understand it's private or you don't like talking about it or whatever, but, Lily, you can't hold it in forever. I tell you everything. And I just don't like seeing you so distraught and I don't even know what it's about or what to do or say to make it better. Especially when you act like you don't even want to speak to me when I just want to help!"

I felt like someone punched me in the chest when I saw Lily's tear-filled eyes.

"Shit, Lily, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"No, no, it's okay," she said, half laughing, wiping her eyes. "I'm just grateful for how much you care about me…" She took a deep breath. "I will tell you. Eventually. I'm just not ready, now. But I will tell you. Thank you for caring so much."

"You don't have to thank me," I said to her, feeling relieved as she took my hand.

"Yeah, I do," she said. "I'm stubborn and stupid and you're too good for me."

"Never thought I'd see the day where Lily Evans said that I was too good for her," I laughed. "So I've been upgraded from toerag, then, I presume?"

"You're still a toerag," she said, really smiling now, making the uneasy feeling I had dissolve. "But you're the nicest toerag of them all."

"What a compliment. Your admiration for me shines like the sun."

"Well, obviously," she said, laughing and sniffling a little, wiping one of her eyes.

I squeezed her hand and then started rubbing it with my thumb. After a few moments, she leaned over again and we embraced tightly. I breathed her in, happy that she was letting me actually be with her and talk to her and laugh with her.

She lifted her head from my shoulder and kissed me softly on the lips. And we sat there kissing for a few minutes, gentle, kind kisses. Sadly, she eventually parted away from me, ending it and pulling me out of my trance.

"I have to go to the Owlery before class starts," she said, standing up. "I'll see you in Potions?"

"Sure," I said, standing up as well. "I'll go find the others downstairs."

"Okay," she answered. I leaned down and kissed her again. She smiled when I pulled away. "Thank you. For everything, James."

"I really didn't do anything, love," I said, putting my hand on her cheek.

She sighed, hugged me on more time and gave me one last kiss. "Bye," she said softly, and then she walked away and out of the common room.

The rest of the day went pretty well. I was in a much cheerier mood and Lily was still upset but she was coping better and didn't look like she had just gotten run over by a truck. Sirius was working on our Halloween prank before the feast. He told me what to do, and I agreed. I spent the rest of the time before the feast with Lily in my dorm. We didn't do much of anything, though. We just lied down and I held her. And we did snog every now and then for a little but not as much as usual, seeing that Lily was more in a cuddle mood than in a snog mood, which was really fine. I played with her hair and soaked in her scent.

When it was time for the feast, we went downstairs and sat at the Gryffindor table. All of our mates were there except for Sirius, who was probably waiting to give me the signal to come and commence the prank.

All the professors were there except one- Professor Dumbledore. He had gone away a few days ago, though none of us knew the reason why. We suspected Order business. The Slytherins looked rather pleased about his absence, though.

He was supposed to be back by now, though, seeing that he never misses the feasts.

Peeves was working his hardest trying to scare all of us. He scared a bunch of first and second year Gryffindors. He attacked Hufflepuffs the most, and when he made his way to the Slytherin table, the Bloody Baron appeared, and Peeves quickly turned away to the Ravenclaws.

Lily wasn't very talkative, but she looked a lot better compared to earlier today. We all tried our best to cheer her up, making her laugh every once in a while. The feast was more than halfway through, and Sirius still had not shown up.

"Where is Sirius?" I asked.

Remus snorted. "Probably shagging Carly."

"She's right over there though," Peter pointed out, and she was indeed there, only a few seats away.

"Well, I don't know what he's waiting for, then," Remus said, taking a bite of his mashed potatoes.

Suddenly, as if on cue, Sirius came in, walking towards us quickly, with a serious look on his face.

"Where've you been? I thought we were going to do the prank ages ago."

"Prank's off," he said, sounding out of breath.

"Why?"

"We can't do it. Not now. It wouldn't be right," he answered.

"What, you've finally got some sense of obedience knocked into you?" asked Remus.

"No," said Sirius. "Dumbledore's hurt."

"What?" we all chorused.

"You know how he was gone?" continued Sirius. "He went on some mission thing…order business. Anyway, a Death Eater attacked him while he was busy comforting a Muggle child who's Mum was just killed."

"What the fuck is wrong with these people?" said June.

"I know," Sirius said, angrily. "Anyway, he's all right, I suppose. He's got a burn on his arm and a few cuts on his face, but I'm sure he'll be fine soon. I just don't feel right causing any trouble right now, no matter how bad I want to."

"Proud of you, Sirius," said Lily in an upset voice, which I assumed was now over Dumbledore and the poor boy.

"How many were killed?" I asked Sirius as I took Lily's hand under the table.

"Muggles? Seven. Muggle-Borns, six. Death Eaters, only two."

"Blimey," Remus sighed and I felt Lily shutter.

"How do you know all of this?" asked Peter.

"Well, I was on my way down and I happened to bump into Dumbledore walking towards his office. He asked me if I were getting myself into any trouble. I told him the night was still young and he laughed. Then he told me he wanted to talk to me, so I joined him in his office and we spoke about Reg for a bit-"

"Regulus?" I interrupted. "Why?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Dumbledore may be off his rocker, but he still knows what's going on. He knows what Reg is trying to become…he was being awfully complimentary of me, saying how proud he was I haven't followed my family's ways…Anyway," he continued. "After that little tid-bit, I asked him where he had been and why he had scratches on his face. He told me he had heard that Voldemort was going to attack this primarily Muggle town in Cardiff and that they had just killed a handful of Muggleborns before heading off…so he followed and then he told me the story with the boy."

"Merlin," Delia whispered.

Lily was squeezing my hand rather tight now, and I looked at her and she was looking at me with sad eyes. She suddenly rested her head on my shoulder, and I let go of her hand and put my arm around her waist, keeping her close to me.

"Is he coming down to the Feast at all?" asked Peter.

"Yeah, I think so," answered Sirius, finally sitting beside me. "He's still got time."

We all looked at each other awkwardly, and then Delia asked, "So what was the prank anyway?"

Sirius went on to explain about how the ceiling in the great hall would be enchanted as if it were the sky above the quidditch pitch and we were going to make huge fireworks in the sky of dragons, trolls, and all sorts of frightening creatures and become animated and start acting real and even fighting with one another. Once he was done, we all continued to eat. Sirius tried lightening the mood, and succeeded partially, by looking around the room and rating the girls in the school on how fit they are.

"You have a girlfriend," Lily reminded him after he gave Wendy a 9 out of 10 and Kim an 8.2.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Evans," he sighed. "We're. Not. Dating."

"Sure. You're. Not," she responded.

"We aren't! Tell her, Prongs!"

"They aren't," I told her.

"So what are they? Still just this 'mates with benefits' rubbish?"

"It's not rubbish," said Sirius. "It's the best deal I've got. And yes, that's still what we are. Why does it matter? I'm not shagging anyone else."

"Exactly!" said Lily. "So if you're exclusive, why not just call yourselves what you really are? Each other's-"

"Because, Lils," Sirius interrupted her, obviously avoiding the terms she wanted to use. "We like it this way. It's like what that Shake bloke said-"

"Shakespeare?"

"Right. Something about what's in a name? So same thing. What's in a title? Nothing. Now leave us be."

"I'm surprised you even know any of that," said Lily, sounding just slightly impressed.

"James's Mum," said Sirius. "Loves that stuff. Read it all summer a year ago."

"Really?" asked Lily, sounding more upbeat. "Your mother reads Muggle literature?"

"I s'pose so," I said. "She's big on romance stuff…"

"I can't believe you never told me," she said. "Fascinating stuff, Shakespeare's plays. Your mother sounds lovely."

"Only because she reads those plays?" I asked.

"No, she always sounded lovely," she corrected herself. "But now even more so."

"Mhm."

"I'm serious!" she said.

"No, I'm Sirius," Sirius said. "And you're Lily."

"Wow, how hilarious," Lily said sarcastically.

The feast ended with Professor Dumbledore finally coming into the Great Hall, and he got up and spoke about who knows what really for a little. He said something towards the end about "Head boy and girl staying while the feast clears out to speak about further duties" or something or other, though I had a feeling it wasn't about that.

Everyone left except Lily and me. Dumbledore walked over to us and suggested we went into his office. We followed. I noticed Lily looking quite worried, so I tried smiling at her, but it didn't help much.

Once we got settled in, he told us to sit and we did. Then he stared to speak. "I presume your friend Sirius has already informed you about recent events I was present at?"

Lily and I both nodded.

"It's quite all right," he said. "I just wanted to inform you that I am fine, and so is every member of the Order. Unfortunately, an auror from the Ministry was seriously injured and has been sent to St. Mungos. Other than that, most of us fighting came out practically unscathed."

Being sent to St. Mungos is unscathed? All those muggle-borns and muggles dying… unscathed? I felt my body heating up with anger. Sometimes, Dumbledore just made no sense.

"But all those Muggles," said Lily, voice quivering. "Why-"

"Ah, Miss Evans, there is never really an answer to the question of 'why,' and there is no point in pondering it. People like that have no reason, they do it simply just because it's what they've been told to do. Right or wrong, they do not care."

"So why did you want to speak with us?" I asked and only realized I may have sounded just a bit bitter when I saw from the corner of my eye Lily looking at me strangely.

"I just wanted to ask the both of you," Dumbledore said softly, "that if you think anything is going on in this school that connects with Lord Voldemort, I want you to just tell me, and I will further investigate it myself."

Lily and I looked at each other. We could tell him about Mulciber. Avery. Snape. Professor Jenkins.

"Er," I tried. "Well, um, certain students…well, we think certain students…Slytherin students, that is, are up to something…working for Voldemort… not quite sure what, and I don't got any proof, but…just, er, thought you should know."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you, James," he said. "I'm sorry to keep the both of you. You may go back to your Common Room now, if you wish."

"Thank you, Professor," Lily murmured, and we both got up and left the room.

"Should we have told him about Jenkins?" I asked.

Lily shrugged, looking at the ground so I was unable to see her expression. "Maybe. I don't know."

"Me neither," I responded. Lily continued to look at her feet as we walked. I reached out for her hand and put it in my own, and after a few moments she intertwined her fingers with mine. I sighed.

Lily then looked at me and spoke. "I'm scared."

"I know," I said. "So am I. But we're going to be fine. I promise."

"You can't promise something like that," she almost whispered.

"I can," I replied. "Because I know I'm right. We're all going to be fine. Please believe that."

Lily just looked at me with watery eyes and nodded. She suddenly stopped and faced me, looking into my eyes, searching for something, I'm not sure what. I'm not sure if she found it, either. But she reached up and covered my mouth with hers forcefully. I responded back immediately, running one of my hands through her hair and releasing her hand from mine so I could use it to pull her closer to me by her waist, her tongue entering my mouth.

We stood there in the corridor snogging for quite some time. I'm not really sure how long. It was deserted though, so we weren't interrupted or anything, which was lucky. And this kiss was different from almost all of our others. It was a lot more urgent and forceful and had a lot of feeling of need behind it rather than want. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless, and Lily had a teardrop rolling down her face. I kissed it away, and then I proceeded to kissing her jaw and her neck and then I brought my lips back to her cheek again and kissed another tear away, and then back to her lips again, kissing her softly. I parted but very little and whispered, "Please don't cry," and I pressed against her lips with my own again. And we snogged for another minute or two until we mutually parted for the need to breathe. I tried a smile at her and she managed a small one back.

And then I had a moment…a scary moment. Well, scary for me. Lily took my hand and we started walking back to the Common Room but all I could do was fret over it.

I heard the words in my head but I did not say them. Those…those three ruddy words, playing over and over in a hushed and nervous tone of my own. And they were on the tip of my tongue. And I knew there was no way in hell I could say them…at least not now. I mean, I've called her 'love,' before but…you know, that's just like a pet name- a term of endearment. But this was totally different.

Was I even right? Was that it? Was this it?

Oh merlin, I was in trouble.