Disclaimer: Blueskywillow does absolutely not own Harry Potter - Past, Present or Future, she merely runs the tour. And just to mention she doesn't get paid either, after all the tour is free.

Chapter 21

The next morning was Valentine's day. Lily, Claudia, Michelle and Sophie were sitting at the Gryffindor table in the great hall. The Owl post had just arrived and all the girls were swooning over what their boyfriend or secret admirer had sent them for valentine's day. Lily could see that many of the boys in the hall were smiling, blushing or cringing in some way or another. All the cards had silly little rhymes on them like "Roses are Red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet and I think you are too." The Marauders sat a few seats away from the girls, beside the rest of the seventh year boys. They looked on disgustedly as some of their girlfriends got valentine's cards from other people also. Sirius was glaring at nearly every guy in the room. Peter was blushing madly as his girlfriend, Jessica Cush, smiled at the gift he had got her. Remus and James just looked on amused.

"Remus what did you get Claudia?" James asked.

"Can't tell ya." Remus smiled.

"Moony, we're gonna see it in a minute when she comes bonding up to you and starts slobbering all over you." Sirius laughed. Remus punched him then smiled.

"She hasn't got it yet." Remus said simply. Sirius and James looked at him. They looked at Claudia who was looking frantically through her stack of cards. James and Sirius laughed.

"She will kill you if she doesn't get it now." James laughed. Remus smiled and shrugged. Michelle smiled down at Sirius and mouthed the words "I love it." She was holding a gold locket in her hand. Sirius smiled and nodded. James looked at his two friends and smiled. He was glad that Michelle and Sirius had become an item. They were meant for each other. Sophie had come up and sat on Kent's knee. She kept smiling down at a gold bracelet with sapphire diamonds in it. Just as everyone had settled four owls came into the great hall. There was a huge package, which they all were carrying. Everyone looked up as these owls were a bit late. People started to murmur at what it could possibly be.

"I wonder who-?" Lily began but stopped when the owls came towards her. The four owls dropped the package gently in front of her. Lily's mouth was wide open and everyone in the room craned their necks to see what the owls had dropped. Lying on the table was a large emerald green blanket, which had carried the packages. On the blanket were twelve red roses, a green velvet box and a card. Lily smiled and let out a small laugh. She touched one of the rose petals before opening the green velvet box. In the box was a silver butterfly hair clip and a silver claddagh ring with an emerald set as the heart. Lily's smile widened. She picked up the hair clip. It was the one she had got at Christmas. She emitted a small laugh and set it back down. She picked up the ring and set it in her middle finger of her left hand. It fit perfectly. She hadn't realised the way she had put the ring on but the point of the heart was pointing towards her. In usual tradition this meant that she had someone who loved her very much. She then picked up the note. On the front of the envelope it had 'Lily' written in green ink. She ripped the envelope and took out the card. The card was white with a large red heart on it. On the inside it said

To Lily

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine
Lots of Love

It didn't give a name but Lily knew who it was from. There was a small note inside the card. It read

I figured you would want the hair clip back. I hope you like the present. Love from Me.

Lily's smile somehow widened. She looked round the Great Hall but couldn't see him anywhere. Then he sat down beside her. His back was against the table. He lifted one of the roses from the bunch. He smelt it and smiled.

"Very nice presents you got there." James smiled.

"They are very nice aren't they?" Lily said to him. The smile would not move from her face. James shrugged. "Do you like my ring?" Lily showed him the ring and he took her hand in his. He looked at the ring. He shrugged again.

"Very nice. It's a claddagh ring isn't it? Oh I see Miss Lily is in love." James grinned; he looked at her through the bangs of his hair. Lily chuckled.

"Yeah...Yeah I suppose I am." Lily said happily.

"And whom may I ask is this mystery person who is stealing you from the hearts of the Gryffindor men?" James asked, a lopsided grin on his face.

"Oh you wouldn't know him." Lily said.

"Oh right. Well I had better get ready to go to Hogsmeade. I will see you later Lily and hopefully this mystery man of yours." James said as he stood up.

"Oh don't worry you'll see him. I plan to show him off at the ball this evening." Lily said. James nodded.

"Well I do hope I am there to see him." James smiled. "Now for all you going to Hogsmeade. You had better get ready because the carriages will be here any minute." James said to the rest of the hall who had been listening to the conversation between the two. There was an immediate sound of chatter and movement once again. Claudia and Michelle turned to Lily to look at the presents.

"Oh my gosh. That ring is gorgeous." Claudia exclaimed looking at the ring.

"Claudia, you have a note." Lily said pointing to a note sitting on top of her pile of cards. Claudia picked it up and read it.

Do you want your present?

Was all it said. Claudia looked in the direction of where Remus had been sitting but he wasn't there any longer. She then seen his retreating back walk out of the hall. Claudia smiled and stood up.

"I gotta go see a man about a valentine's present." Claudia said flashing a grin at her friends. She then left the hall. Lily chuckled and shook her head. When she looked back at Michelle she was holding the hair clip and grinning.

"He gave you all this, didn't he?" Michelle said. Lily shrugged but couldn't hide the huge grin. "Why didn't you guys tell me, that you're back together?" Michelle asked.

"Because we aren't." Lily said. Michelle was about to say something but Lily interrupted her. "But that won't last long." Lily grinned and laughed. Michelle laughed and clapped her hands with excitement. Lily then stood up. She had her dozen red roses in one arm and her cards and the velvet box in the other hand. "All those helping with the ball meet back here in half an hour." Lily called before walking out of the hall.

That evening Lily was standing in her room. The hall had been finished and all the students were now getting ready for the Ball. Lily didn't actually have a date. James hadn't formally asked her and she intended to make him pay for not doing so. James knew that he hadn't asked Lily formally, he hadn't asked her in case she felt he was pushing things between them. Lily stood with a white bathrobe on her and her hair was wet and hanging down round her face. She stared at the dress in front of her. This was the dress. It was black and went just below her knee. It had thin spaghetti straps and was a very floaty type material. All four girls, thus being, Claudia, Lily, Michelle and Sophie, had bought the exact same dress 3 years ago. There was a story behind this black dress. The girls had read in a magazine once that no man could resist this particular black dress. That was their reason for purchasing it. Of course no man had ever resisted it. Claudia had worn it the first time she and Nott had gone on a date, Sophie had used to get Kent, and Michelle had used it to catch the eye of Malcolm Sanders, a previous seventh year Gryffindor. Lily had never worn the dress before and she was hoping that after tonight she would never have to. Lily wanted the guy and she planned on making sure she got him. She sighed contentedly at the dress. Just then Michelle came through the dorm door just as Claudia came out of the bathroom door. Both girls were ready. Michelle looked at Lily.

"Lily, you're not even ready yet." Michelle exclaimed. "Everyone is waiting on you and Claudia. And now they're only waiting for you." Michelle said. Michelle was wearing a red dress a bit like Lily's except it had red diamonds along the top of it. Her hair was down and curled at the bottom and she wore the golden Locket that Sirius had got her, around her neck.

"Lily, what're you doing with the dress out?" Claudia asked. Lily smiled sheepishly.

"I plan on wearing it tonight." Lily replied.

"Who is he?" Claudia asked inquisitively. Lily shrugged. Claudia was wearing a white dress that clung to her perfect figure. It had no straps and went just past her knee yet had a slit up to the middle of her leg on one side. Her brown hair was in a bun with bits hanging down round her face. She was wearing a silver pendent with a moonstone set in it. Nobody failed to notice that it was new. The girls figured it was Remus' gift to Claudia.

"You'll find out later." Lily smiled. "You guys go on down. I'll be down soon and make sure to tell James that he and one of the prefects should start the ball without me." Lily said. Michelle shrugged then left with Claudia. Lily smiled and turned back to her dress and began to get ready.

Twenty minutes later James was standing beside the side of the stage waiting for Lily, but she was no where to be seen. He guessed he would have to open it with one of the prefects. Kelly, a seventh year Hufflepuff was the closest girl prefect to him so he asked her.

"Where is Lily?" Kelly asked. James shrugged. "You can do all the talking." Kelly said. When the song, which was currently playing, ended, James and Kelly stepped on stage.

"Attention please." James shouted after making his voice louder. "On behalf of Lily and I, wherever Lily is, we wanted to thank everyone who helped with the organisation of the Ball this evening." Everyone cheered and clapped. The Great Hall had looked really good. There were red, pink and white streamers everywhere. Little tiny cupids where flying above everyone, however they had no arrows to shot at people. A huge banner above the stage read "Welcome to the Valentine's Ball" in pink lettering with red background. Small tables with four seats set round them were situated at the sides of the room and a huge banquet table was set at the back with many finger foods and various drinks. James was about to say something else when Lily walked through the door. To James it was all in slow motion. Lily was in a black dress, which hung to her curves wonderfully. Her hair was pulled back with two strands in which the butterfly clip held. Around her neck was a silver cross. Kelly nudged James to start talking and he immediately came out of his trance. He shook his head and began with a smile spreading across his face.

"We would also like to thank the DJ for this evening, DJ Trixz." There was another round of applause. "And also if it wasn't for our beautiful Head Girl none of this would've happened." James said. Everyone looked to where James was looking. All the guys' jaws dropped to the floor. "Now without further ado let the Ball commence." James said. Everyone cheered and clapped as music began again. James made his voice normal again and left the stage and made his way towards Lily only when he got there she was gone. James sighed then noticed she was on the dance floor dancing with someone. James made his way towards where Michelle and Sirius where. They were both laughing about something when James sat down.

"Hey Prongs." Sirius said.

"Hey." James replied not even looking at him but instead looking for Lily in the crowded dance floor.

"Lily looks really nice doesn't she?" Michelle said.

"Yeah, she looks beautiful." James smiled looking at Michelle.

"I think Jamsie is in wuv." Sirius mocked. James rolled his eyes. Meanwhile Lily was on the dance floor dancing with Ryan. She was having fun dancing with him but had actually hoped it was James instead. When Lily had seen James, she fell in love with him all over again. He was wearing the sexiest thing. A black shirt that had its sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a white tie. He had black trousers and perfectly polished black shoes. Over the course of the next two and a half-hours, Lily had danced with Sirius, Ryan, Remus, Jordan and some other guys. But every time she went to look for James he was either with someone or she couldn't find him. Lily was now sitting with Laura and Joey from Gryffindor and Alice and Mandy from Ravenclaw.

"So Lily who is this guy that you promised James Potter this morning that you would show off?" Joey asked with a grin.

"You guys heard that?" Lily asked curiously.

"Lily the whole hall heard." Alice laughed.

"Do you guys really wanna know that badly, huh?" Lily asked with a smile.

"Yes." The four girls piped in. Lily laughed.

"Have you at least danced with him at all?" Laura asked.

"Have you guys been watching me all night or something?" Lily laughed.

"Yeah, nearly everyone at the ball has been." Mandy laughed.

"Okay. I haven't danced with him yet." Lily said. She then saw James talking with Sirius, Michelle, Kent and Sophie. "But I plan to now." Lily grinned. She stood up and made her way towards the group. Claudia stopped her however.

"Lily this has been a great evening but I gotta go." Claudia said with a smile.

"Where you going?" Lily asked her eyebrows furrowed.

"Remus is taken me somewhere, but I don't know where." Claudia said. Lily chuckled.

"Well have fun." Lily said. Claudia grinned and walked away. At the buffet table Remus was waiting for Claudia to come back when two very unwanted guests showed up.

"What's wrong Lupin? No one to dance with?" Nott sneered. Remus smiled as he seen Claudia bid farewell to Lily then walk towards him.

"Oh I have someone to dance with. In fact here she comes." Remus smiled at the two. Nott and Snape looked at Claudia and Nott's face dropped.

"Hey baby." Claudia said putting her arm around Remus' waist. "We ready to go?" Claudia asked looking up at him, taking no interest in Nott and Snape.

"Sure am. We'll see you guys later." Remus smirked as they walked out of the hall. Nott swore then walked away as Snape stood there trying not to laugh at Nott's misfortune. Meanwhile James was talking to Kent and Sirius as Sophie and Michelle talked.

"Have you seen Evans?" Kent asked James. James nodded. "I wonder who she is after?" Kent said thoughtfully. James and Sirius looked at him.

"What?" James asked.

"She's wearing the black dress. Sophie told me that they each bought the same black dress and this would help to get the man they wanted." Kent said. James smiled. Sophie then stood up and put her arms around Kent's neck.

"Let's dance." She whispered into his ear. Kent smiled then they both went onto the dance floor. Sirius turned to Michelle.

"You wanna dance?" He asked her. Michelle smiled and took his outstretched hand. Just as they left Lily sat down opposite James. James smiled at her.

"Hey Beautiful." James greeted with a smile.

"Hey handsome." Lily smiled.

"Where have you been hiding yourself?" James asked with a small smile.

"I was just around talking to everyone. And you?" Lily asked James.

"Same." James replied. There was a moment's silence between the two, then James spoke again. "You look really beautiful tonight, Lil." James said seriously. Lily blushed. The fast song, which was playing ended, and a slow song began. James stood up and held his hand. "Would you like to dance?" James asked. Lily smiled and took his hand.

"I thought you would never ask." Lily smiled as she stood up. They walked onto the middle of the floor and began to sway to the music. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck and James wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

James looked into Lily's eyes. He couldn't control himself any longer. He leaned down and kissed her in front of everyone. Lily kissed him back.

When the song ended those who were dancing near Lily and James nudged their partners. Lily and James were still kissing unaware of the attention they were getting. Laura, Joey, Mandy and Grace sat there in shock at what they saw. They hadn't expected this. But nonetheless they were happy for the pair. A Fast song started, which made the pair break apart and they blushed as they noticed the attention they were getting. James took Lily's hand and led her outside. When they reached the courtyard James turned to Lily.

"I'm sorry Lils, I couldn't control myself-" James began but was interrupted by Lily kissing him, not that he minded of course. James wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Fearing that she would let go at any moment. Lily pulled away from James.

"Are we together now?" Lily asked.

"If you want to be, yes." James replied with a smile. Lily smiled.

"I want to be." Lily laughed. "God, James I missed you so much. I love you." Lily smiled. James grinned.

"I love you too." James replied before closing the gap between their mouths. Lily ran her hands through his hair as he teased her with his tongue. Lily felt better than she had in weeks if not months. She was back in James' arms. The way it should've been in the beginning. They didn't have to worry about other boyfriends or girlfriends; they only had to worry about each other. Lily's stomach did flip-flops. James felt like he was the happiest man in the world. He had wanted Lily to be in his arms for so long. And now she was, he never wanted her to leave them. James pulled away reluctantly. Lily let out a small moan as his lips left hers. James pressed his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. He smiled.

"We have to go back in." James replied simply.

"I know. But we'll be going in together." Lily smiled.

"Yeah." James replied before leaning down and kissing her lips lightly. He then took a step back from her. Lily looked at him curiously, her eyebrows furrowed. "It doesn't work." He said before closing the gap between them and kissing her passionately. Lily's thoughts were lost in that kiss as James' tongue gently massaged hers. He kept teasing her, making her want more. Lily ran a hand through his already messy hair as James' hands roamed up and down her back. Lily pulled away, gasping for air, as was James. James looked in to her eyes. "It doesn't work. I can't keep my hands of you." James said. "You're so beautiful; you're my angel." Lily blushed as he said this. Music could be heard coming from the great hall and they started to sway to it. "I love you Lily Evans; I love you with all my heart." James said before leaning down and kissing Lily again.

Meanwhile in the great hall there was a huge crowd around Bertha Jorkins. Sirius and Michelle watched curiously. They hadn't known what had gone on between Lily and James. They were sitting at a table when Joey and Mandy sat down beside them.

"What's going on between Evans and Potter? Are they together?" Mandy asked eagerly. Michelle looked at them.

"What're you on about?" Michelle asked.

"Lily and James. Don't tell me you guys didn't see them out on the dance floor making out." Joey said. Michelle's face dropped and Sirius grinned.

"Bout Bloody time they got back together." Sirius laughed. Joey and Mandy looked at them curiously.

"Back together? Since when where they ever together?" Mandy asked. Sirius shut his mouth and Michelle glared at him.

"Umm I meant finally got together. Yeah that's it. Where did they go?" Sirius asked looking round him.

"They left about twenty minutes ago." Joey said.

"Well anyway we gotta go see who won the bet. See you guys later," Mandy said as she and Joey stood up.

"That was a close one. I wonder if Remus and Claudia seen them?" Sirius said.

"I don't think so. I mean Remus hasn't hit the roof." Michelle said. Sirius took Michelle's hand in his as he looked round the room. He hadn't really noticed he had done this but Michelle did. This was the first time he had done something small and meaningful like this. Michelle smiled. Sirius then looked at Michelle and smiled knowing that for some small reason she was happy. Just her smile could warm his heart.

"I don't think Remus would really mind if they got together." Sirius said.

"Why is that?" Michelle asked curiously.

"Because he told me that they would make each other happy." Sirius said looking into her eyes. "Like the way you make me happy." Sirius whispered. Michelle blushed. Her stomach did flip-flops as he looked at her the way he did. His eyes bore into hers; usually Michelle would never let anyone get this close. But Sirius was different; he made her feel as if she was the only girl in the room. He could see into her soul like no other person could. She knew at that moment that there was no turning back from the feelings that were building up inside of her. She lo-

"I love you, Michelle." Sirius whispered. Michelle's eyes widened. He had said it to her just as she was admitting to herself that-

"I love you too, Sirius." Michelle said. Sirius grinned and pulled her close to him. He looked into her eyes and leaned down and kissed her with all the love and emotion he could gather. This kiss was like no other, and Michelle could feel that he truly did love her. Michelle felt happier than she ever had in her whole life. Someone coughed beside them. Michelle and Sirius pulled apart to see James and Lily sitting beside them with grins on their faces. James had his am around the back of Lily's chair.

"Well about time you two showed up. We thought you guys had gone off to have wild crazy sex." Sirius grinned. Michelle rolled her eyes.

"He thought that." Michelle said jabbing her thumb towards Sirius. "So is there anything important that you guys want to tell us?" Michelle asked with a grin. Many people around them watched Lily and James eagerly. Lily looked at James then back at Michelle.

"No not really." Lily said trying to look all-innocent. Michelle turned to James.

"James?" Michelle asked. James shrugged.

"I don't think there is." James replied.

"This is the last dance of the evening. Now all you love birds grab your partners and get on the floor for a slow song. You make sure to hold your partner close-" The DJ called. Professor McGonagall gave the DJ a stern look. "-But not to close." The DJ quickly added. James turned to Lily.

"You wanna dance?" He asked. Lily nodded and took his outstretched hand. Sirius and Michelle followed them onto the floor.

Lily and James danced not caring who watched. When the song ended, Lily and James stepped onto the stage and said a thank you to everyone who helped. Everyone filtered out of the hall leaving Lily and James to lock everything up. Lily and James stood there leaning up against the wall making out.

"We really should start cleaning up." Lily said as James nuzzled her neck.

"The House-elves can do that." James said as he kissed her neck.

"Well we better go before- Professor!" Lily said pushing James away from her. Lily turned bright red as James smiled sheepishly. Dumbledore was standing in front of them with a smile and twinkle in his eyes.

"We were just-" James began but Dumbledore waved his hand.

"I don't really want to know." Dumbledore chuckled making Lily go even redder. "Why don't you both head of to your own beds." Dumbledore stressed the word 'own', making Lily turn if possible redder and James smiling wildly. "The house-elves will be up shortly." Dumbledore said. Lily and James nodded then left the hall as soon as possible. James finally started laughing when they reached the Entrance Hall. Lily glared at him.

"That isn't funny." Lily said.

"The look on your face." James laughed even harder. Lily glared daggers at him and crossed her arms. When James still wouldn't stop laughing Lily stomped her foot then walked off. James finally realising that she was walking away from him ran up the stairs after her. When he reached her he wrapped his arms around her waist and made her look at him.

"I'm sorry, baby. But it was just so funny. You have to admit that." James said grinning down at her. A small smile spread across her face.

"I suppose it was kind of funny. But it was just so embarrassing." Lily said putting her head in her hands and leaning into James' chest. James wrapped his arms protectively around her. Lily took her hands away from her face and looked up at James. She then stood on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly. When they reached the common room it was completely empty. Lily kissed James then walked towards her dorm. James walked behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.

"James, you're dorm is that way." Lily giggled as she pointed towards the boys' staircase.

"Yeah but...yours...is...this...way." James said between kisses. Lily giggled again but pushed him away. Just then Remus and Claudia came through the portrait hole laughing about something. Lily and James took a step away from each other. They didn't know why, but they weren't ready for Claudia and Remus to know about them yet.

"Hey guys. How was the Ball?" Remus asked cheerfully, his arm around Claudia's waist.

"Umm good." James replied nodding his head.

"Well I'm tired and I wanna go to bed. I'll see you in the morning baby." Claudia said kissing Remus sweetly on the lips. James and Lily looked at each other awkwardly. "Come on Lily." Claudia smiled as she walked up to their dorm. Lily looked at James then followed Claudia up the stairs.

"She's something, isn't she?" Remus said as he watched Claudia go. James didn't say anything but he followed his friend up to their dorm.

Later that evening, Lily sat up in her bed. Her head was pounding and sweat was dripping off her. She panted heavily. The images of her dream ran through her memory; James was lying on the ground - dead. Lily jumped out of her bed and ran out of the room. She ran down the stairs through the common room then up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. She went along the corridor to the end and slowly pushed open the door. She made her way towards one of the beds at the end of the dormitory. She slowly opened the curtain to reveal that nobody was lying in the bed. She started to tremble as she sat down on the bed. The bed was unmade but James wasn't lying in it. Lily pulled her knees up to her face and let the tears slide down her face. Where had James got too?

James splashed some water on his face. He looked into the mirror. His hair was, as always, a mess. James was standing in the bathroom. He had woken up, feeling that something was wrong. He looked at his reflection once again, then looked at what he was wearing, which was only a pair of boxers. James walked out of the bathroom. As soon as he stepped through the doorway he could hear crying from one side of the room; his side. James walked towards his bed cautiously. He noticed that no one else seemed to be awake. James nearly jumped a mile when Peter let out a loud snore. James took a few more steps towards his bed. The hangings around his bed were closed from what he could see. He walked round the side of the bed and stepped in front of the large gap between the hangings. A small figure was huddled up with their knees pressed against their face. James recognised the small redheaded figure.

"Lily?" James whispered making her look up. Lily then through her arms around his neck.

"James, you're okay?" Lily said into his shoulder. She pulled away and cupped her hands around his face. "I love you so much James Potter and don't you ever forget that." Lily said to him.

"I love you too, Lily. But why are you crying? What happened?" James asked confused.

"I had the most horrible dream. I watched you dying, James." Lily said hugging him again. James held her tight.

"Don't worry Lil, it was only a nightmare." James soothed. Lily looked into his eyes and smiled weakly.

"I suppose I'm just overreacting. It's just it... it seemed so real." Lily said sighing.

"Lily, this is real. You lying in my arms is real. Don't worry about a stupid dream that means nothing." James said. Lily kissed him passionately. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"Thank you, James." Lily said hugging him again.

"It's me who should thank you." James grinned. "Now get under those covers. You're sleeping here tonight." James laughed. Lily smiled at him then slid under the covers followed by James. James wrapped his arms around Lily, holding her close. She felt safe now. She always felt safe in James' arms.

"I love you, James." Lily said.

"I love you too, Lil." James said. Both of them fell asleep. However, two other people in the room lay awake. Sirius and Remus had heard everything. Even though Sirius knew about Lily and James being in love, he just thought they were being a bit over melodramatic. He was happy for his friend nonetheless. Sirius pulled Michelle closer to him and fell asleep breathing in her smell. Remus however was in complete shock. He had thought it was odd that James and Lily were getting very close, but he had never passed any remarks on it. Even though he was in shock he knew it was right that the two of them were together. Slowly Remus fell asleep.