I'm not gonna even bother apologizing. I don't own anything, if you must know. =^_^= And don't worry. Its almost done. Well...almost.

Chapter Thirty Two: All Things Must Pass

"Ugh, that was horrible!" Sirius Black groaned, stretching his arms far above his head. James, Remus and Peter followed shortly behind. James looked just as irritated and Peter looked nauseated. Only Remus seemed relieved.

"I'm just glad that it's over." James muttered, patting his pants. He pulled the gold little snitch from his pocket and rolled it around in his hand, squeezing it like it was a stress ball.

"I'm pretty sure I did well." Remus said, more to himself than to his friends.

It was the last day of NEWTs and everyone was partying. A group of girls cheered loudly as a blonde one did a cartwheel. James grinned and shook his head.

"Awe, Moony, you worry too much. And relax, Peter. I'm sure we're all fit for Aurors." James said, patting Peter, who looked almost green, on the shoulder. Peter raised a questioning brow and shrugged.

All four boys looked handsome. It was warming up outside so they had all ditched their robes and rolled up the sleeves of their shirts. Sirius had the top buttons unbuttoned and had his tie tied around the top of his head. James had his shirt slightly unbuttoned, letting the sun warm the base of his throat. Remus, the most modest of the four kept his shirt buttoned, his tie loosened around his neck. Peter had untied his tie completely, letting it sit around his shoulders as the four marched toward the lake.

They sat down by their tree. Many of the students had done the same. Girls were stretched out on the grass, soaking up the sun.

"Strange to think we only have a month left." Remus said, toying with a fallen acorn. James nodded, letting go of the snitch and catching it.

"We've got a lot of good memories here."

"We've all grown rather close." Peter piped. The others groaned.

"Don't get all girly and sentimental on us, Wormtail. I thought you grew out of that stage." Sirius slapped him upside the head. Peter slapped him back and growled.

"I'm not being girly! Think about it," he stared Sirius right in the eye, "none of us knew each other at all-even though you, James and I come from Pureblood families, and now look at us. We hang out with each other every day, spend most summers together."

"And now we all have girlfriends, so it's not just Sirius and James getting all the action." Remus said with a grin.

"Exactly. We all have girlfriends who-obviously-have grown close as well. When we leave here, we're all going to be Aurors. We're all going to fight Voldemort side-by-side."

"So nothing changes." James said with a confident smile. "It's going to be just like it is here…only we're going to be kicking some major ass, not just some slimy Slytherins."

"That's a positive way to look at it." Lily Evans said, arriving to the group. Drusella Cammolie, Sapphira Higgs and Andrea Parker stood behind her. Remus, Peter and Sirius jumped to their feet to greet their significant others.

"How'd the test go?" Andrea asked the group, staring at Peter with a smile. Peter grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him and kissing her on the cheek.

"Horribly; I'm just glad it's over." Andrea laughed and hugged Peter back.

"You can say that again." Drusella said, looking rather disgruntled. She was pretty sure she had failed her Charms test, her weakest subject.

"Nah, I bet you did spectacularly." Sirius said, waving his arms wildly. Drusella rolled her eyes.

"Not all of us are natural geniuses."

Sirius grinned sheepishly and James laughed. Both were notorious for their perfect grades, despite their lack of ever studying. Remus and Lily shared Drusella's pain. Both of them could hardly begin to understand how they did it while they had to spend half their time pouring over textbooks and notes to get the same grades.

Sapphira smiled. "I think I did well on the Charms test. However, I'm not so sure about the History of Magic."

"No kidding. The lack of three legged turtle-fish turkey things, or whatever you call them, must have thrown you for a loop." Sirius said with a smug smile. Remus punched him in the shoulder hard, causing the darker haired boy to yelp out in pain.

"Serves you right…"Drusella muttered before taking his arm and patting the place where he had been hit.

Sapphira smiled still. "You're probably right." She agreed.

The girls sat down, lay out on the grass and caught some rays.

Spring had faded into summer and the summer sun beat down hard on the students. They enjoyed their last test day. In only one month, they would be completely finished with school. In one month they would graduate Hogwarts and head out into adulthood.

Lily raised her hand above her head and examined her ring. The diamond glittered in the sunlight. James' hand enveloped hers and she looked up from her place on his lap.

"So, when is the wedding?"

Lily smiled at Andrea.

"We haven't set a date yet. I'm thinking some time in the winter. Its always been my favorite season."

Andrea's eyes widened. "Oh, a Christmas wedding! How romantic."

Sirius rolled his eyes and leaned back onto Drusella's lap. "What's with girls and weddings, anyway? Seems like a lot of work to me." Drusella pat his head.

James took Lily's hand, smiling sincerely. In any other situation, James would have easily agreed with Sirius. Lavish weddings and planning simply were not his forte. However, she made it all worth while. It had taken him forever to get here and he'd be damned if he didn't sweep her off her feet when given the chance. Granted, he hadn't proposed quite the way he had imagined he would.

He had planned it out. A million times. The ways he thought up in his head were far more romantic than what he had carried out, but it didn't seem to faze Lily. What did it really matter? Corny as it sounded, it was enough that they were together.

Together made sense. James had dreamed of being with Lily for quite some time, although he hadn't really started liking her until his fifth year. Now, they had been together for only a few months, but already so much had changed. Remus explained it was no wonder, because the world was changing rapidly. Even the usually shy and aloof werewolf had clung mindlessly to the spacey girl beside him. Sirius, always the ladies man, was no shock, but his ardent faith in Drusella was enough to leave James questioning the order of the world. He had never seen his friend so serious.

It was all playing out according to plan, albeit in a twisted, darker way. Ironic though that they all had found someone, it was natural enough. They would stick together, the four boys and their significant others. James chose to opt out Peter and Andrea, unsure of how his already nervous, constantly-on-the-edge friend would manage to keep hold of a girlfriend still in school while he trained to be an Auror. It wasn't like James did not care for Andrea, he just had little faith in long distance relationships of the like.

He had already spoken to Professor Dumbledore about his training. After graduation, he would go to a training camp and school to train to be an official Auror, if his scores permitted. Lily decided to join his ranks and work beside him, realizing her dream of going to a muggle college would never be true. They would find a place nearby, if not move straight into the Potter's old house. James was sure Lily wanted a place of her own though, a place where they could start anew. She most definitely deserved it.

However, they would start out with something small, perhaps take Sirius up on the offer of moving in in the same flat complex as him. James doubted he could go long without his partner in crime by his side.

In fact, James couldn't imagine going on without any of them. Sirius, Remus and Peter were the brothers he never got to have. They were the most important things in his life, next to Lily. He hadn't spent more than a few weeks out of the summer without them since their second year. He had a hard time imaging it any different.

But with the world changing as it was, he couldn't be sure of anything anymore. He had been sure his parents would be there to see him graduate from Hogwarts and they were not. He had been sure Lily would have fallen hard for him and they would have brought a family into a perfect and safe world, and they could not. He had been sure they could help Remus and by no means were they ever able to truly heal him.

The tired look on Drusella's face showed that life wasn't going very swell for her either. They had been distant friends at one time, passing each other only in the library or class or the occasional Quiddditch match, but he had at least known of her lonesome persona and the dark aura that wasn't so much evil as it was sad. The world wasn't perfect. The shapeless scars on her wrists that had almost faded proved that. Drusella was strong, he knew that much for sure. Her momentary weakness was just as great as his.

James rubbed his hand across his wrist subconsciously.

In fact, a lot had changed.

Still, it was nothing he couldn't handle. He was a Potter after all. Though his dad was never the father of the year, James was sure enough of his father to be proud to be his son. Mr. Potter worked hard and the Potters were good people. While rich and pure of blood, they hadn't been lost into the fad of the cold hearted and money lusting others who openly practiced prejudice beliefs.

The Potters were strong.

His hand moved back to Lily's which was sprawled out on the ground as she chatted excitedly with Andrea and Sapphira, who was poking Remus shoulder variously.

Romance was in the air. James supposed it just took an attack on their world to get them all in action. Wasn't it always that way though?

His parents had tied the knot right before the mysterious attacks on Muggle borns happened at Hogwarts. Now, as lives were being lost by the second, students everywhere seemed to cling to one another.

He supposed sex was a good way to escape reality for a brief time.

Speaking of sex, his stomach lurched and he shifted slightly. He had thought that after so long, he would eventually grow numb to Lily's sexual aura. It was no good. No matter how many times he looked at her or how many times they consummated their love, whenever he looked at her, she still looked damn good.

Like now. Lily was turned, a large smile on her face as she chatted animatedly. Her long red hair was pulled up in a messy bun exposing her milky freckled column. The top buttons of her button down shirt had been unbuttoned and she opted out of wearing the sweater vest due to the weather.

His eyes trailed hungrily up her long pale legs until he reached the hem of her pleated skirt. Only Lily could still make the uniform he was so used to seeing look sexy every time. He traced her over, higher and higher, treasuring the sight of her chest rising and falling with her laughter until he reached her face, her emerald green eyes crinkled with amusement.

Those beautiful crystal eyes shifted briefly to him before turning back to Andrea's wide eyed twelve year old wonder.

James felt his mouth dry. He turned to look over at Sirius. His best mate always managed to help cool him down whenever James got too worked up. Sirius was a professional at being laid back. The handsome boy played the role of the classic rebel very well. His devil-may-care attitude had the girls swooning, and his apparent laziness left teachers fuming-especially due to his natural cleverness.

Sirius seemed distracted, though. Even Remus looked caught up in his own little world with Sapphira.

James adjusted himself so Lily was between his legs. She paused in the midst of her conversation with the others to smile at him, and took his hand, squeezing it assuringly.

He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "I think you and I need to be alone."

Lily furrowed her brows in confusion. James refrained from rolling his eyes, instead he grabbed her hand and trailed it down his stomach and to the slight bulge hidden in his trousers. Lily blushed, realization overcoming her.

"Oh, well, alright." She scrambled to her feet and helped James up. Sirius looked up.

"Off for a celebratory snog?"

"Well, Padfoot, I was thinking more of a celebratory shag." Lily elbowed James in the stomach. Peter laughed.

Sirius wiggled his fingers at James. "Go off and have your fun, you two. And don't worry, I won't need to know the details. I'm pretty sure I can figure it out on my own." Above Drusella's head Sirius motioned toward her and mouthed 'In my own way'.

James grinned and winked, throwing his arm around Lily's shoulders. Lily shot them the peace sign-a hand symbol that never failed to leave Sirius stooped-and followed James toward the castle. It was hard to focus on anything else with him beside her.

"Are your friends always such perverts?" She asked as they climbed the staircase. James laughed and glanced down at her.

"I think its just Sirius. And there, you shouldn't be surprised." He commented with a grin. Lily huffed in agreement.

"Stupid arse." She paused and glanced around before pushing James roughly around a corner.

James grinned and raised his brows. He placed his hands against the wall she leaned against. He looked down between them as Lily fingered his tie.

"Hi." She whispered. James raised a brow.

"Hullo, love." He reached forward and ran the back of his hand down her cheek. His eyes met hers, and they stared at each other lovingly for a brief moment before James leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Lily dropped his tie and snaked her arms around his shoulders, gently massaging his back muscles through his thin cotton shirt.

James deepened the kiss, pushing her gently into the wall behind her. As their tongues battled epically, Lily managed to hook her leg around one of his calves, causing their midsections to press closer together. James let out an audible grunt. He pulled himself from her mouth.

"I reckon we oughtta take this upstairs." James whispered horsely in Lily's ear. He nibbled on her earlobe.

Lily sighed breathlessly in agreement, grabbing his hand and pulling away from his kiss to pull him alongside her.

"Ooh, someone is in a hurry." He said with a grin. Lily snorted and quickened her pace.

"Are you honestly complaining, James?"

With a Cheshire like grin, James abruptly stopped and pulled Lily to tightly against his chest. His mischief filled hazel eyes stared down at hers. "What would make you think that?" He traced her bottom lip with a finger and then leaned forward and planted a soft, quick kiss.

"Ooh, you!" She growled, punching his shoulder.

James leaned in for another round of kisses when Professor Dumbledore appeared behind them.

"Ah, Mister Potter, Miss Evans. Just the two I was looking for. If it would not be too troubling, I was hoping to have a word."

James and Lily exchanged curious looks before muttering in unison, "Of course, Headmaster."

Lily shifted uncomfortably in her seat-a rarity, what with Professor Dumbledore being the kind man that he was. The Headmaster hadn't sat down in front of her yet and she looked sideways to see if James was getting the same nervous vibe that she was getting. No. He lounged back carelessly, running a hand through his dark hair.

Dumbledore made his way to sit behind his desk, a glass bowl of lemon drops in his hands. He offered them up. Only James reached forward.

"There was something that you needed, Professor?" Lily asked, twisting her hands in her lap.

Dumbledore looked at her curiously before smiling and nodding. "Yes, of course, Miss Evans. You are my Heads, and the year is coming to an end, so I suppose you are well aware of your duties and the duties of your Prefects."

James said "yeah" with a mouthful of candies. Lily shot an annoyed look at him.

The Headmaster continued. "And I must say, you two have done a tremendous job. Not that anyone expected any less." He added, giving Lily a comforting smile. Before Lily could thank him he continued. "But, as you probably already know, Miss Evans, that isn't what I asked you for today." He looked briefly at James, who had finally noticed the tense air, and sat up straight in his seat.

"As I was saying, you are both Heads and adults, so I am sure this won't be of too much difficulty for you to comprehend. The Dark Lord," he paused, "has made his true purpose evident. He is recruiting, as I believe you might know, and it is not solely with wizards and witches in our society. He is looking to recruit more younger, able bodied warriors."

"Students." Lily spoke this word softly.

Dumbledore nodded. "Already, several students have dropped out-or been pulled out of school. We have taken proper precautions, of course. No more strangers enter the building than were allowed before Lord Voldemort's rise. No, its not from the outside. It is my belief that someone-or something-is recruiting from within the castle walls."

Lily felt her stomach drop. She knew that several Hogwarts students were not opposed to the ark Lord's ideas, she wasn't completely dim. Just as well, she was aware that many of the students would graduate and join him in whatever sick and twisted quest he was on. But the idea of it formulating right there-in her home-well, it made her want to vomit.

"Death Eaters in the school, you mean." James offered. Again, Dumbledore nodded. Lily looked at James, who slouched slightly in his seat.

"But-how can that happen, Professor? I mean, none of the instructors here surely..." Her green eyes widened. Could they? Could a professor be leading the students? Surely, no mere student had the ability or the knowledge to do the Dark Lord's bidding.

"That would make sense." James said. Lily was shocked by the casual tone of his voice. "I mean, really, think about it. Pureblood families all around must be writing to their children about the 'perfect future'. They're just kids being part of what they think is the latest fad. Normal, really."

Lily stared at him incredulously. "What that man is doing is not some fad!"

James glanced at her before shrugging. "Maybe not, but it helps explain why students are jumping on the bandwagon. Its different, Lily. Pureblood families like to stick together. We're all rather close, even my folks and the Blacks were. You don't turn against your people." He said pointedly. "Look at what happened to my parents."

Lily fell back in her chair. She looked defeated. "So, what can we do, Professor? Are you saying that Hogwarts isn't safe anymore?"

Professor Dumbledore seemed to have difficulty with this question. He looked at both Lily and James for a matter of minutes before sighing painfully.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Miss Evans."