Chapter 10: The Truth

"James!" Lily ran to his still form, "No, Please!" Tears came to her eyes.

"Lily," he whispered.

"Oh you're alright!" she wrapped her hand in his.

"Easy now," he winced in pain, trying to get up.

"We have to get back to the game and get you to the hospital wing. Can you walk?"

She helped him onto her steady broom, and then got on herself.

"Lily," she turned looking into his fierce hazel eyes, "Thank you. You didn't have to stand up for me or save me from them."

Lily blushed and looked away, "You're welcome."

The game was going well, Gryffindor winning, when they arrived back. Gasps and shouts erupted when they flew in.

"Professor," Lily wheezed when they arrived, "We were attacked. James' is hurt; he needs to see Madame…"

"It will be taken care of. This way Ms. Evans," they made their way up to the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfry took one look at both of them and gasped, "What happened?" They were both cut up and bleeding.

"Everything will be clear soon," Dumbledore answered. She took James and sat him down, cleaning his wounds.

"Tell me everything," Dumbledore focused on Lily.

She explained what happened; from Malfoy following them to Tom Riddle to them apparating.

"You did right, Ms. Evans," he smiled at her, eyes twinkling, "But I thought I had instructed James to protect you, not the other way around." Lily blushed and caught James' embarrassed eye.

"Stay here till she releases you. If it's soon, rejoin our game, please," he turned, "Even though, I think you have already tromped them." They laughed.

"Hey Lily," James called her out of her trance. She turned from the windowsill to see that they were the only ones here.

She moved over to sit by him and studied his unreadable face.

"I'm so glad you were there with me," he held her hand, squeezing it, "I would probably be dead right now, if it wasn't for you."

She smiled, "That wouldn't be too good now would it? We wouldn't have a seeker."

He smiled, looking down, "Lily, I have something to tell you."

She watched him, waiting for an answer.

"I know you think I'm mean and annoying and stupid, but I really…"

"Lily! James!" Natalie ran in, interrupting and hugging them both.

"Ouch! Ok off," James gasped.

"How you feeling, mate?" Sirius came in along with the other Marauders and Alice.

"Tired and a little sore, but ok," he looked at Lily and whispered, "She saved my life."

The four boys watched the three girls laugh and catch up with each other in silence.

"Really," Remus questioned, shocked.

"Yeah," James sighed, running a nervous hand through his unruly black hair. He got up and walked to the door, the boys staring after him.

"Well what's gotten into him?" Peter questioned.

"He's lovesick," Remus whispered, staring after him sadly.

They meandered out of the hospital wing, leaving the girls laughing and chatting.

"I'm so glad you're alright!" Natalie squealed hugging her again. They had stolen Lily away from the Marauders, more importantly, James.

"What happened?" Alice asked, "All we saw was a hooded person chasing you and James,"

"It just happened so quickly, I had to think on my feet," Lily responded, meeting James' eyes, "I used instinct over brains I guess."

"Well it doesn't matter now, you two are all right," Alice reassured.

"Now," Natalie Smiled, "how about a nice warm butter beer?" They all laughed. But as Lily looked around, the three Marauders stood there staring at her…yet James was missing.

"James!" Lily yelled, catching up to him. Hearing her yell his name, gave him goose bumps and he slide a nervous hand through his untidy hair before turning around.

"Yeah?" he answered shaky.

"Do you want to go with us and have a butter beer?"

"I'm not really in the mood,"

"Oh come on!" she grabbed his hand and pulled him along anyway.

"Lily," he slid out of her grasp and stopped. It was cool outside. A breeze ruffled Lily's hair, the stars shown brightly in the sky, and the moon was out creating a silhouette on the mirror-like lake.

She watched him, closely. He stood there looking into her eyes, as they stood there in the moonlight.

"There's something you need to know," he looked down for a second then only back up, sucked into those emerald spheres, "We have been through so much, me and you. When I first saw you, I thought about how much I wanted to meet and get to know you. Well, I blew it. I was a jerk and I thought that if I showed off for you, you would like me. But, you're different, Lily. You're kind and gentle and I shouldn't have done those things."

"James," she whispered, he covered her mouth with a finger.

"What I'm trying to say is, I love you, Lily Evans and no matter how you feel about me, I want you to know because I've been dying to tell you for years," he fell silent waiting for her answer.

Lily was stunned. James Potter had admitted that he loved her. Well, she knew he liked her, but she didn't know he could speak like that. It gave her shivers and she…liked it? She tried to read his face as they stood there in the darkness, but he just watched her, contently waiting. Then, he suddenly turned and walked away.

"Wait!" she yelled going after him.

He turned to answer her yell and his lips met her soft ones. At first James was shocked that Lily had kissed him, but then he settled and kissed her back.

Lily pulled away and leaned her head on his forehead sighing, "I love you too, James Potter."

A/N: Now let's all say it: AWWW! Lol I loved writing that! Sorry it's short, but I had to end it here instead of starting a new part.