SOOOOOOOOOOO, I've written this chapter over. I've decided to leave the other one up. I just can't bare to take it off. I don't know why. Well I hope you all will forgive me for taking forever on writing this. I will hopefully have the next chapter up in a month or so. ENJOY LOVES!!!

Chapter 9: Home

The following night was hell on earth. This might as well have been my very last rose ceremony. After this show, I am never buying roses again! I honestly didn't feel a hundred percent sure that I was going to receive a rose.

I isolated myself from the other two girls, and took refuge in one of the many bathrooms. I got dressed slowly to try and calm my nerves. For some reason I was extremely nervous. To rid myself of nervousness I thought back to my talk with Ari last night. We talked about everything that we could think of talking about at that time.

"How are you and Sirius?" I said to her with a little playfulness to it.

"What do you mean?" she said innocently.

"Don't try and tell me that you two haven't hooked up yet?"

There was silence on the other line.

"Ah ha! So you have!"

"No."

"You're lying through your teeth, I can tell."

"Oh, fine," she sighed. "We aren't "together". We are merely friends with benefits."

"Right," I said unconvinced.

"I'm bored and he's the only one here to keep me sane!" Ari complained.

"Oh you'll live for a couple more days."

"Why did you have to fall for him?" She meant this as a rhetorical question.

"I'm not falling for him," I said quietly.

"Try telling me that with a straight face."

"I just did."

"Whatever, I need to rest up," I said. "There's a rose ceremony tomorrow."

"You'll get one, don't worry."

"Night, Ari."

"Night L."

Of course our conversation was a lot longer than that, but that's the part that concerned the most. Ari felt confident in me, so I decided to try and be confident myself. As I walked down the stairs, I held my head high.

Molly and Jocelyn were already sitting in the parlor, talking. They looked up and smiled at me. The three of us had become extremely close. Molly still had her bitchy side, but she was so funny.

"Hey girls," I said, sitting next to Jocelyn.

"When is this starting?" asked Molly, reapplying some lip gloss.

"Soon I hope."

"I hate waiting around to see what happens."

"Me too."

We sat there in silence for a couple minutes. None of us knew what to say to each other. Then Chris walked through the French doors that led to the deck.

Once we were lined up outside, Chris spoke. "Welcome Lily, Molly, and Jocelyn. James has had quite a time trying to decide. When you're ready James." Christ stepped back and looked on quietly.

James stepped forward, looking as nervous as I felt. After an awkward silence, he finally said, "I absolutely hate these things. I took a bloody long time trying to figure out my mind. I feel awful about letting such a wonderful girl go tonight. But I have to do this, and I'm so very sorry." He bowed his head and delicately picked up a rose.

My heart beat sped up about 100 beats than it should have been. He fingered the rose over and over in attempt to get some words out of his mouth. His lips parted and said, "Lily."

I could have passed out on the spot. My steps to him were shaky. Once I reached him, he looked in my eyes and asked, "Lily, will you accept this rose?"

"Yes," I said softly, on the verge of jumping up and down. When I was back in my place I finally let my breath out. I was now able to relax.

James grabbed the other rose. I looked over at Molly and Jocelyn. They both looked like they could burst out crying at any moment.

"Molly." Molly let out a knowing sigh. Jocelyn dropped her head and closed her eyes tightly. I instantly went over to comfort her. Jocelyn and I had become wicked friends, and now she had to leave. I gave her a long hug as she cried into my shoulder.

"It's okay Lyn," I said reassuringly. "You will find someone way more amazing."

She nodded. "You better damn well win, Lily. Don't let Molly beat you out of this one."

I smiled. "Don't worry Lyn." She gave me one last hug and exited the mansion with James. They were gone for a couple minutes. James came back in and he gave a toast. "To the last two." We touched our glasses together and drank to it.

That night, Molly and I packed in silence. We would be going back to our homes. The Final Dates were set for next week. We would both be traveling to James' parents' house to meet his family. It felt weird to be going home after everything I've been through here. This house had become my home after two months. There were so many things that I learned. But at the same time it felt comforting to be going back to London to see all my friends and family. We were to leave in the morning. I was leaving at 8, as Molly was leaving a little later, since she lived closer to Los Angeles.

Once in my bed, sleep would not come to me. I decided to get up and walk downstairs. My feet led me to the kitchen. A plate of chocolate chip cookies sat next to a vase full of roses. I cringed at the site of them. I grabbed a cookie and stood in front of the fridge. I poured a glass of milk. Milk and cookies, the best remedy for a restless night sleep. I glanced out the little window above the kitchen sink and noticed the brilliant full moon. Curious as I am, I wandered over to the main room that branched off to the right of the kitchen.

I pushed open the double French doors quietly. A slight breeze caught at my bare legs. I pulled my jacket closer around my body. Crickets and noises filled the otherwise silent air. The lights that lined the path to the pool illuminated the few flowers along the path. I loved the feel of my bare feet against the cool stones underneath me. I slid my legs into the pure blue water of the pool. The water refreshed my tired muscles. I leaned back on my hands and gazed up to the sky. My high ponytail whipped about my shoulder blades. The breeze made goose bumps crawl up my arms.

A star twinkled in the sky. I noticed a light shoot across the sky. "A shooting star."

The voice behind me startled me so much I fell into the water. I resurfaced and found James Potter doubling over in laughter. I glared at him. "You think that's funny?"

"You should have seen yourself," he said gasping for breath.

I continued to glare at him. "You scared the shit out of me."

"I didn't mean to," he said kneeling by the edge of the pool.

"Why are you still here?" I wondered crossing my arms over my chest.

"I never left," he said absentmindedly.

"You ruined my quietness," I told him, wading over to him.

"I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't think you would jump into the pool," he said laughing.

"I don't like people watching me without me knowing."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said smiling. His hazel eyes were alive with laughter. "Did you wish on that star?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I said holding onto the wall.

"I really would love to know," he said coyly.

"Well, if I tell you it won't come true. But if it does, I'll let you know. Now help me out of here," I said extending my arms so he could pull me out.

He grasped his arms around my wrist and tugged me up. Before I was completely out of the water I tugged him down to me, and he flew over me and into the water.

He surfaced shaking his shaggy black hair. Water flew everywhere. "I should have known. Now Lily, you know that you have officially declared war."

I giggled as he tried to jump on me. I swam away from him quickly. Unfortunately he was much quicker than me and grabbed my ankle. He pulled me right up to his face.

"Lily, did you really think you could out swim me?" he whispered locking his eyes with mine.

Droplets of water fell off of his long lashes. I suddenly noticed how close we were to each other. He had one arm wrapped around my waist, holding me to him. The other hand held the back of my head gently. My hands laced together behind his back. I entangled my legs with his. "I thought I'd try." I gave him a small smile.

"How come whenever we are together, we end up getting wet somehow?" James asked quietly.

I shrugged. The closeness was getting to my head. Words couldn't form in my mind. I rubbed my hands up and down his back loving the feel of how his muscles clenched together under my touch.

"You look amazing," he whispered.

"James," I said abruptly.

"What?" he asked pulling away slightly.

"Can you just shut up so I can kiss you?" I suggested.

He looked taken aback. I leaned him and met his lips. The hand on my head pulled me even closer to him, if that was even physically possible. The kiss seemed to last forever.

"Thanks," I said as we broke apart.

A gorgeous smile spread across James' face. He leaned in again and brought his lips to mine, this time with more hunger. His lips left and traced down to my neck. He placed a kiss to my throat which emitted a soft groan from me. I tangled my fingers in his hair.

"You're shivering," he said.

"I hadn't noticed," I said truthfully. The warmth left my body as he glided over to the side of the pool. He hoisted himself up and pulled me with him.

Once out of the water, he pulled me into a hug and rubbed his hands up and down my arms, in attempt to warm me up. My heart was beating rapidly. I looked up into his hazel eyes and smiled.

"Come on in, I'll get us some towels," I suggested running to the doors leaving a trail of water behind me.

James followed me. There was a towel closet in the laundry room. I grabbed two fluffy white towels and threw one at James. I rubbed my head trying to rid it of water. I then wrapped it around my body.

"Come here," James said opening his arms for me to walk into.

He hugged me tightly. The heat of our bodies warmed me up a little. I laid my head against his chest. His heart beat rapidly through his shirt. Listening to it comforted me beyond belief.

"So now that you've managed to get both of us completely wet," he said playfully, "we need to change before we get sick."

"I doubt any of my clothes will fit you," I said laughing.

James brought a hand to his heart. "Are you calling me fat?"

"Maybe," I said giggling.

"I have clothes anyway," he said. "They are in my car."

"You mean you actually drove yourself here? You didn't have a limo waiting for you?"

"No need to be sarcastic Lils," said James smiling.

Lils. A nickname. A simple name and my heart stopped. It's been used before too, but it's never meant anything until now. I wrung my hair out until it was mostly dry.

"I guess your going to be leaving now, huh?" I asked almost hoping it was too good to be true.

"I gotta get back to my house. But I'll see you soon," he said softer this time. He moved closer to me. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," I said holding back the pain it was going to be to watch him walk away.

He cradled my face in his large hand. The taste of his lips clung to mine. He caressed my cheek with his calloused hands. I kissed him long and hard. "Until then," he said and walked out the door.

I leaned against the wall and sighed. This boy would be the death of me.

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By the time I finally fell asleep, it was already time for me to walk up. Molly stirred but never woke. I decided to write her a note. I left it on the table by her bed. I rolled my entire luggage downstairs to the front doors. Promptly at 7:45, a limo rounded the driveway, and the drive knocked at the door.

"Good morning Miss Lily," he said happily.

"Morning," I said sleepily.

"Didn't get much sleep last night?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"I'll stop by a Starbucks on the way to get you some coffee," he said with a smile.

"Oh, there's no need to! I'm fine," I insisted. I swung my drawstring bag over my shoulders. I'd gotten approximately four hours of sleep. I woke up around 7:30, took the quickest shower ever and threw some sweat pants on with a hoodie.

"Miss, not to be rude, but you look like you need a cup," he said smiling again.

I smiled at him. "I bet I do. Well, thank you. I can pay for it."

"No need, I've got it covered."

I helped him load my bags into the back of the limo. He closed my door for me, and I rested my head against the seat. It took all of twenty minutes to reach LAX and buy me a Starbucks. I thanked Carlos, the driver, countless times. I rolled my belongings up to the desk and handed them my ticket.

I continued down the mostly abandoned hallways to Gate 3R to London, England. My flight wasn't delayed at all, and I boarded at 9:35. Not many people were on the plane. The silence helped me think over the passed few months. I was extremely excited to go home and finally see Arabella and Sirius. I had missed them both so much. I also wanted to see Zoë and my, other friend, Roxi that I still kept in touch with. Then my thoughts turned over to James. His smile, his charm, his laugh, his touch haunted my every thought. I couldn't get him out of my head. Every time I closed my eyes I saw him from this early morning in the pool. The look he gave me when I had pulled him into the water, the way his hair clung to his forehead, the way he kissed me. Everything reminded me of him. It was then, that I knew I had really fallen for him. Before I thought I had, but now I knew I had. And the feeling was unexplainable.

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Lily/Arabella's Flat

I arrived at my flat later that night. I had apparated from the airport in London to my flat. It was much easier than finding a taxi. I unlocked the door and shut it softly behind me.

"I'm home!" I shouted into the flat.

I received silence as an answer.

"Hello? Anyone here?" I asked walking into the little area we called the kitchen.

I flipped on the lights and, "WELCOME HOME!"

My friends surrounded the island in the middle of the room sporting a large cake on the table.

I laughed. "What are you guys doing?"

Zoë embraced me tightly. "We missed you, and we wanted to welcome you home!"

Roxi and Paige joined in on our hug. "Where's Ari?"

"She's coming. She had to go to get some drinks."

"We didn't know you guys were all out of anything remotely good to drink," Paige said sarcastically.

"Oh, I've missed you guys so much," I mused clinging tightly to my friends. "Paige, Rox, you guys, I can't believe you're here!"

"We flew in just for you," smiled Roxi.

"We thought you were going to need moral support in the last couple weeks of your big showdown," added Paige.

"Always the sensible one weren't you Paige," I said laughing.

"It'll be like old times," Zoë said wrapping her arms loosely around Paige and Roxi's shoulders. "We can stay up and gossip for hours and eat nothing but candy."

"Sounds like an excellent plan," I said happily. I squealed, "I'm so happy you are all here!"

"Is she here yet!?" yelled Ari from the next room. She burst through the door with bottles of tequila and vodka in her arms. "Damn, I knew I would be late. I had some slow ass lady in front of me in line that bought seriously fifty things."

I helped Ari set the bottles on the table. She wrapped her arms around me. "It's so good to have you back Lily. It's been rather boring."

"Oh, I don't think you've been that bored," I told her knowingly. "Something tells me you and Sirius kept plenty busy."

"They have!" exclaimed Paige. "They are either at each others throats or on each others throats. Neither have I particularly liked to witness."

Ari grabbed five glasses out of the cabinets. "Oh, shut it. You haven't been any better. At least I'm not with someone different every night."

"Just like school," I said laughing. "Ari with the guy she can't stand at all but loves to snog him. Paige with the one night stands. Roxi with the loving, caring boyfriend of 1000 years. Zo being a loner, and me, lusting people I can't have."

"Just like good ol' times," laughed Roxi.

"Let's start the reunion! And Lily can tell us all about James Potter," said Zoë excitedly.

The five of us girls moved over to the living room. Paige, Zoë, and I squeezed together onto the futon. Ari and Roxi pushed the other couch closer and leaned against it. We placed all the junk food and drinks in the middle.

"We are starting with you tonight Lils," Paige said handing me a piece of cake.

Lils, there it was again. A butterfly fluttered in my stomach making it hard for me to concentrate. "Where do you want me to begin?"

"At the beginning."

"Okay," I began my story of the passed two months. I told them about all the dates, all the people I met, the friends I made, and especially about James.

"So you didn't remember him at all?" asked Roxi outraged.

"That's crazy!" added Paige.

"Even I could have remembered him," Zoë said laughing. "He was such an ass."

"I guess I never paid much attention to him," I shrugged.

Ari rolled her eyes. "I think you had a temporary mind block because you would fight with him for hours if you were allowed to."

"Really? I don't remember any of that," I said truthfully. "Anyway, he's so much fun to be around, and it's like he knows me."

"Which he already does," said Zoë.

"Oh shut up," I said. "I met Emily, Remus' fiancée. She was a spy on the show. She is really nice, and she went to Beauxbatons."

"Small world," mumbled Paige.

"That's wicked though," said Roxi.

"What have you guys been doing?" I asked Paige and Roxi.

"Well," Roxi began, "I've been seeing this guy for the passed year and a half."

"Aw!" I shouted. "Who is he and why haven't I met him yet?"

"He's name is Chad, and I met him at Healer school."

"So you're a Healer?" I wondered. "I always wanted to be a Healer."

"Yea, I finally got my certificate a month ago. Now I'm a full fledged Healer."

"Congratulations!"

"So Paigey Waigey, how about you?" I asked.

"Well, I obviously don't have a boyfriend, and I'm quite content by myself. Rox and I live together in a nice little flat near Paris, France."

"Wow, you guys sure got out of here fast."

Paige shrugged. "London wasn't working out for us."

"So we hopped on a train and got the hell away from here."

"I'm glad you guys came back. I want to see you more often. A year is too long to wait to see you guys."

"We will be back for your wedding," Roxi said smiling.

"What wedding?" I asked her, looking slightly confused.

"Your wedding to James," explained Zoë.

"Don't get that thought in my mind," I sighed. "There is another girl still. I'm not so sure he will pick me."

"I'll be damned if he doesn't. And if he doesn't, I'll kill him," added Paige.

"That's comforting," I muttered.

"Oh, come on Lil," Ari exaggerated, "everyone knows he is going to pick you. He practically drools over you every time you see each other from what you told us. I bet he's ranting to Sirius right now about how he wants to see you. But he's not allowed to."

I laughed. It seemed like something James would do.

"When are you going to visit his parents?" asked Roxi taking a sip of her drink.

"Two days."

"This is going to be a long two days," moaned Ari taking a nice long swig.