AN: Ok, here is where the story is going to take shape, and get better. P.S. I couldn't think of what to call the Jewelry dealers so I called them helpers, you know what I mean. Ha ha. Also there were 5 different word translations for prophet in Italian and 7 for daily so I just picked one.

Disclaimer- I do NOT own Harry Potter!

Chapter 6

: James:

James stumbled numbly through the streets of Diagonal Alley. He knew why he was here, but part of him was still wondering. Was he sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kristy? Did he really know what he was doing? Yes, yes I do. He repeated the words over and over to convince himself of this. He was so consumed in his thoughts; he passed the jewelers shop and had to back up. When he walked in he was hounded by the helpers. James wasn't exactly sure of what he wanted; all he knew was that he needed an engagement ring. He wasn't sure of what cut, color, all he wanted was a ring. The Jeweler helped him pick out a good ring, which he boxed up and gave to James. When James got home he sat and stared at the box. He watched the way it glittered and shimmered in the light. He was sure she would like it, and positive she would say yes. Though, secretly, there was a tiny part of him that wished she wouldn't. Lily doesn't love you! He had to get her out of his system. This wasn't about Lily, this was about him and Kristy. Would I be marrying her if Lily didn't have a boyfriend? Yes! There was one question that still haunted him, one that he couldn't escape. -Was he still in love with Lily? He didn't have time to think about it, there was a knock at the door. He closed the box, and put it in his pocket before answering. He smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes, "Hey."

Kristy bounced in and gave a big hug, " Hey."

He shut the door as she walked in and sat on the couch, "So what's up? I got your message urging me to come and see you."

He walked over to where she was sitting. "There's something I need to ask you."

: Lily:

Lily looked at the photos she had on her desk. She selected the best ones, then arranged them in order. There was a knock on her office door, "Come in!"

Mark opened the door and stepped in closing it behind him. Lily was preoccupied with the photos that she didn't realize it was him. He walked over to her desk, " Are you too busy?"

She glanced up, "No." she smiled sweetly when she saw him.

He returned the smile and sat down in a chair in front of her desk, "Listen there's something I have to talk to you about."

"Ok?" Lily was placing the photos in a pile.

"Our sister paper, Quotidiano Profeta, in Italy needs a photographer." Lily sat up straighter when she heard this, it kind of worried her, "I faxed everyone's papers over and they want you."

Lily couldn't help the twinge of panic that settled in the pit of her stomach, "What?"

"They want to hire you, triple what I'm paying you," His face grew instantly serious, " Lily as boss I'm telling you to go, as a friend I'm begging you to stay."

Lily felt dizzy, "Wh-what?"

He sighed and stood up, "They want you to work for their paper. They got a hold of some of your pictures and they liked them a great deal. They want you to move over there and shoot for them, their willing to pay you triple." He leaned against the wall, a pained expression on his face.

Lily sat in shock for a few minutes, "How long?"

"I'm sorry?"

"How long do I have to give them an answer?" Her monotone voice shook.

"Six months, I thought I'd tell you now so you'd have time to prepare if you accepted the job." He wouldn't look at her.

"Thank you." Was all she could muster.

"I'll leave you alone with your thoughts." He walked swiftly out the door.

Lily stared at the framed photo in front of her. It was of Venice, beautiful houses on top of the water, a peaceful atmosphere. Lily put her head down on the desk.

Later that night Natalie came over to Lily's apartment, "What's wrong?"

Lily was in tears when she had called Natalie, " They want me to take a job in Italy!"

Natalie dropped the keys that she had held in her hands, "Why?"

"They liked my pictures. They're going to pay me triple! I don't want to leave!" The words came out in a rush.

"You don't speak Italian!"

"I know. I know." Lily couldn't help but let the tears that were forming again fall.

"Ok, ok calm down. We'll figure this out."

Once Natalie calmed herself down, she got Lily to calm down also.

"How long before you have to let them know?"

"Six months." Lily sighed.

Natalie sighed with relief, though she knew the next six months would fly by , "what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything."

"How did Mark take the news?"

"He couldn't even look at me, he said, 'as a friend I'm telling you to stay but as a boss I'm telling you to go.'"

Natalie nodded, "Have you told anyone else?"

Lily shook her head; "I've got to owl my parents, sister, you know already."

"Are you going to tell James?" Natalie regretted saying that.

"I'll have to," That was going to be the hardest thing she's ever have to do, "Listen I got to go to the store. I'll catch up with you later." Lily stood.

Natalie stood also, "Ok, well I'll be with Sirius if you need me."

"Ok."

: Store:

Lily walked out of the local store; she wasn't watching where she was going. She had a lot on her mind. She smacked hard into someone, "Oh! I'm so sorry!" She stammered as she gathered up her items and put them back into the bag.

"Its ok Lily."

She looked up, "James!"

: James's House:

Lily followed James home after he had suggested it.

"James, you'll never guess what happened to me today." She said when she walked through the door.

"What?" He asked shutting the door behind him.

"I got a job offer in Italy!" She had become a little accustomed to the idea of living in another country. She'd thought about all the positive sides of taking the job in the store, and realized how great it could actually be, though she seriously doubted she would ever take the offer.

James's mouth fell open, "Are you going to take it?"

"I'm not sure yet, most likely no."

James seemed relieved and slightly pleased by that answer, "Well, I've got some new too."

Lily waited patiently, as he fiddled with papers on the table in front of him, " I'm engaged."

Lily wasn't expecting that. To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. Lily felt her stomach drop, she felt like some had knocked all the air from her lungs. Lily was blown away; she couldn't say anything. She stood there staring at him and then the floor, when she found her voice again she spoke barely above a whisper, "How long?"

"Just today." She studied his face, he didn't look happy, like he was supposed to.

She nodded, but became dizzy; this was too much too soon. She started to stagger.

"Are you ok?" He was worried.

"I-I think." She mumbled. She wanted to leave, she wanted to wake up from this nightmare she was having.

He stared at her; afraid she was going to fall over, which she thought was very possible right now.

"I need to go," Her voice shook; she knew she was on the verge of tears, "I promised Natalie I would meet her." She lied.

"Ok, well I'll see you later then?" He asked walking with her all the way to the door.

She nodded, when his door closed, she bolted for home. As soon as she was safe in her apartment, she balled her eyes out. She decided then and there that she was going to Italy. There was obviously no way she would have James, she had to get out, she had to leave. She dried her eyes, she needed to talk to someone, she needed to find Natalie.

She got up and left. She vaguely remembered where Sirius lived, but she knew once she got close she would find it, and she did. She ran up the stairs to his flat. She banged on the number that the clerk downstairs told her. Sirius answered looking flustered. Lily didn't waste time, "Where's Natalie?"

"Lily?" Natalie came into view.

Lily pushed past Sirius, "James is getting married!"

Natalie's face fell, "I know."

"Y-you knew? You knew and you didn't tell me?" Lily raised her voice.

Natalie flinched, "I only found out Saturday! I was sworn not to say anything!"

This time Lily did fall, her knees buckled but Natalie caught her. Lily hugged Natalie and cried. Sirius who was scared to move left the two alone. Lily knew Natalie had nothing to do with this and she immediately felt bad for yelling at her. When she had calmed down enough she let Natalie go. She took a step back and whipped both eyes, "I made up my mind. I'm going to Italy."

"I had a feeling that you would when you found out." Natalie wished she wouldn't, "I don't want to lose my best friend. Can't you stay? To hell with James, stay."

Lily shook her head, "It'd only be a constant reminder."

"Moving would be a constant reminder!" Natalie argued.

"Just, just give me a few months. Think of it as if I'm on vacation. If I don't like it, I'll quit and come back home." Lily suggested.

"I guess." Natalie hated the thought of her losing her best friend, but she knew that this was what Lily needed.

Lily hugged her again, "I'd better get home, sorry to interrupt."

Natalie just laughed.

Sirius had come back and opened the door for her, "Sorry." She whispered on her way past him. He smiled and hugged her.

: Six Months Later:

Lily had packed her things the day before; they now were by the door. Lily had decided not to sell her apartment; instead Natalie would come by and check on it for her.

Lily walked in front of the wall length mirror. She was wearing a skirt with a matching shirt. She had her hair pulled back into a half ponytail. She wore little makeup, but she thought she looked appropriate. Lily was supposed to go to Natalie's house before the wedding. The last six months had flown by, she hadn't seen or heard from James much. Which was understandable with all the wedding plans. The rehearsal dinner had gone good, she didn't exactly have fun, but did she expect to? She grabbed her purse and appearated to Natalie's. Natalie was almost ready; she was putting on her shoes when Lily showed up. Lily sat at Natalie's kitchen table, Natalie joined her. Lily couldn't help the feeling of regret, sadness; she thought she'd be numb by all the pain. Natalie noticed, "Lily."

"It hurts." Lily said between sobs, "I'm sorry," she said trying to regain herself, "I know I must be pathetic to look at." She tried to laugh, but it didn't quite work.

Natalie's smile was weak, " It can't be easy. You really love him."

"I do."

"Then say something."

Lily looked at Natalie like she was crazy, " You can't be serious. He's getting married!"

"So."

Lily's face scrunched up, " I would only make a fool of myself, he's obviously not in love with me or he wouldn't have gotten engaged to her!"

"He loves you."

Lily snorted, "Oh, really. Is that what's been going on for the past twelve years?"

"Lily, when you know someone is going to make the biggest mistake of their lives, wouldn't you jump in and stop them?"

"Natalie, he is in love with her! What part of that do you not understand?"

" You love him too! Don't you deserve some kind of joy in your life also?" In all the years Natalie had known Lily, Lily had always taken care of everyone else; she rarely did something for herself. Natalie thought Lily deserved to have love, especially true love, and she knew Lily had found that in James.

"I can't" Lily sighed and covered her face with her hands.

Natalie sighed also and glanced at the clock, "We'd better get going."

Lily tried to protest, but then thought better of it. James was her best friend and she was going to be there for him no matter what. All the way to the church Lily's stomach knotted, her palms began to sweat and she couldn't stop shaking. When they finally arrived, Natalie and Lily got out of the car. They walked up the stairs and into the brightly lit church, the decorations screamed Kristy, but it was pretty. Lily's eyes searched the full church, but didn't see who she was hoping to see. Sirius came up behind Natalie and wrapped his arm around her waist holding her close. Natalie looked up and had a fantastic smile on her face Sirius's smile matched hers, they looked so happy. Lily had to look away; as she did she spotted Remus coming towards them. Lily thanked god and walked the rest of the way to talk to him, "Hey."

He smiled politely, "Hi."

"How's everything?"

"Good, good. We should be able to get the show started in a little bit."

Lily nodded, "That's good."

"Yeah," he said closing the gap between them and Natalie and Remus, " Oh, Lily, by the way James wanted to see you."

Natalie and Sirius both looked at her. She shrugged to them, then turned to Remus, "Where's he at?"

Remus gave her directions to the room in which James was getting ready. She thanked him and walked slowly towards the stairs. Natalie was close behind her. Lily stopped at the bottom of the stairs, "I can't do this."

"Lily, let me ask you a question. What would hurt worse, saying something and wishing you hadn't? Or saying nothing and wishing you had?"

Lily sighed and brought her hand to her forehead.

"Go." Natalie gave her a little push, and she slowly began the climb up the stairs.

When she reached the door she raised her hand to knock, but hesitated. Lily get a hold of yourself! She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, when she was ready she knocked on the door. "Come in!" She turned the knob and with her stomach twisting back into knots she walked in.

"Hey." She said quietly.

"Hey!" He turned around to face her. He flashed his smile that she couldn't resist, "Would you mind?" he pointed to his tie that wasn't tied.

She laughed softly and crossed the room her fingers trembled as she began to tie it. She was so close to him that she could feel the warmth coming off of him. When she finished she patted it into place, took a step back and smiled, "There."

"Thanks." He couldn't take his off of her for one second. Being that close to her both thrilled and pained him. There was something she needed to say, he could tell by the look on her face. Her eyebrows bunched together and she looked as if she was fighting for words.

"James."

"Yes?"

"Do you love her?"

He was bewildered for a moment but he responded, "What?"

She took a deep breath, "Do you love her?" She spoke each word clearly.

"Yes."

Lily nodded, tears now brimmed her eyes. Don't cry! Don't cry! " Are you positive. Marriage isn't they kind of thing you go into half way."

"Lily, what's going on?" James was getting a little concerned, had Kristy done something that he didn't know of?

This was it, the moment she'd waited for all her life, "I-I….I-James…I love you."

James was shocked, he couldn't move, he could barely breath.

When he found his voice again he spoke, "Why are you telling me this now?" He had waited years to hear her say that, but now was not the time. He was getting married in a couple minutes!!

"I thought you'd like to know why I took the job."

James didn't want her to see the tears that threatened to escape so he turned his back to her and looked out the window. This nearly killed Lily; tears now flowed freely down her face. "So that's it then? You're going to pack up and leave? " James's voice was harsh, but it was nothing to the pain which now consumed him.

"I need to fall out of love with you. Please don't write or call or anything. It has to be a clean break other wise it'll just be harder." The words came through broken sobs and were almost impossible to say.

"Will I ever see you again?" James's face was stained with tears , this was his biggest fear and now it was coming true.

Lily didn't have time to answer, Sirius came through the door, "James…" he stopped when he saw the scene before him but he didn't linger, " you have ten minutes." He left quickly and quietly shut the door behind him.

Lily headed for the door, but James grabbed her arm, "Lily."

"James, let me go. My plane leaves in two hours, and I've embarrassed myself enough for one day." She tried to break his hold on her but it was next to impossible. The muscles Auror training had giving him were now clearly visible, "James," fresh tears were falling, "please, just… let… me… go." She pleaded.

James hated seeing Lily this way; even though his mind told him to be furious with her his heart told him something different. His heart which was breaking into two right before her eyes, told him that if he loved her he had to let her go, if she came back to him then it was meant to be. With that he let go of her arm and watched her make a run for the door, she fumbled with the door knob before opening it and running out of his life.

: Lily:

Lily ran back down the stairs and ran behind the pews that were facing the altar. She almost made it to the door but Natalie stopped her, "What happened?"

"I'm leaving." Lily tried to get past Natalie but she wasn't having it.

"Don't do this. Please." Natalie begged, she knew that asking Lily to stay for the ceremony was out of the question.

"My plane leaves in two hours." Lily said whipping her eyes.

"Can I at least tell you good-bye?" Natalie now had tears brimming her eyes.

Lily hugged her tightly, said good-bye and, "I'll floo you as soon as I get there!"

Natalie whipped her eyes and nodded, she hugged Lily once more and watched her bust through the oak doors.

She ran out the doors and down the steps, startling several people. She quickly ran to the side of the church and apparated to her apartment. She grabbed her luggage and caught a cab to the airport. Lily didn't stop running, and her stomach didn't settle until she was safely on the plane. Lily had never felt worse in her entire life, her head was throbbing, her muscles were aching, her hands were still sweaty, and to make matters worse she still had a few tears in her. Sleep. She soothed herself Just sleep, when you wake up everything will be all right. She closed her red, puffy sore eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

: James:

The ceremony had started and it was breathtaking. James stood at the altar and watched as his bride came down the pink carpet, one of many things he didn't like about the wedding, she was beautiful, there was no denying that. When she reached him James took her arm from her fathers and they turned to the priest. After a few words they turned to face each other, what are you doing? James thought. Why didn't you go after her? James tried to push those thoughts away but the kept coming back. James quickly scanned the pews but he didn't see her anywhere. When he spotted Natalie she caught his eye and shrugged. The look on her face told James that Lily wasn't there. He felt someone squeeze his hand, his head snapped back towards Kristy who smiled and raised her eyebrows. James stood in confusion for a minute until the priest repeated his words, "Do you James Potter take Kristy Abbott to be your lawful wedded wife?"

James took a breath, looked into Kristy's eyes, "I…."

AN: The scene in James's dressing room was the scene I wrote this whole story for, so I hope you liked it, the next chapter is coming soon! P.S. Sorry to leave you hanging!