A/N: Sorry for the late update! D: ... I wanted to make this a good chapter. It's short, so I hope you'll forgive me. I've already got plans for the next few chapters... hopefully I'll get the time to sit down and get my ideas on paper.. er, word pad anyways. lol. Anyways, hope you enjoy. Thanks to: JessaShelby. You dear, are my favorite! (id make a heart.. but it never shows.)

'And together, we lay these two down. Though they are gone, know that they will never leave you. For they will remain with us through their spirits.'

x-X-x

James stood, hands deep in the pockets of his slacks. He felt a hand rest on his shoulder, a show of support from his best friend. From his brother. Turning, he looked into Sirius' eyes. 'Thanks for coming, mate.'

With a raised eyebrow, 'Did you really think I wouldn't be here?' With a shake of his head, 'No. In my head, they were my parents as well.'

'I know that.' Sighing, James rubbed his eyes, 'I - I just can't believe . . .' He shut his mouth, and closed his eyes. Running a hand through his hair, he looked around at the people gathered. Gathered to mourn the loss of his parents. He just realized that the sky was dark, and the thunder was rolling in, it fit his mood perfectly.

'I know. Me neither.' Sirius nodded towards the tent that was set up a little back from the site. 'You should get up there. People are going to want to talk to you.'

'I know. I just, I don't know if I can handle all the well-wishers.' James sighed, and shook his head. 'You coming too?'

'Yeah.' Clapping his shoulder again, Sirius said, 'I'm with you.'

x-X-x

'James. I am so sorry. Your parents were good people. You are just like them.' James gave a weak smile to the elderly woman in front of him.

'Thanks Mrs. Emberson.' He pulled her into a hug, 'That means a lot to me. I -'

'Sorry to interrupt. But, Prongs,' Sirius nodded towards the graves where his parents were just buried.

Looking towards them, he saw a tall, thin red-head. She had on a black dress, with matching flats. ''S'cuse me.' Walking towards the girl, James saw her hands clasped, fingers interlocking. She held a red rose in her hand, and had a sad expression on her face, 'Lily?'

Looking up, Lily flashed him a small smile, 'Hey, James.' Walking towards him, she laid a hand on his cold cheek. 'I promise not to ask how you're doing.'

Closing his eyes, James leaned into her hand, 'Wh - what are you doing here?' he asked, eyes still closed. When she didn't answer right away, he opened them and met her gaze.

Lily sighed, and looked into his dark brown eyes. After she licked her lips, she said, 'I - I know I never met your parents. But I wish I had. I -' She bit her lip, and shrugged, 'I wanted to be here. For . . . you.'

The wind blew her hair around, and James reached out to tuck the loose strands behind her ear. He whispered, 'Thank you,' before pulling her into a hug.

Lily wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his chest. She felt a shudder pass through his body, and tightened her arms. 'James?' Looking up, their gazes connected.

Slowly, James brought his lips to hers. He kissed her so softly, so lightly that Lily felt something break in her heart. Her eyes searched his, and she smiled, 'I love you, James.'

'I love you too, Lil's.'

x-X-x

James sat in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. He hadn't wanted to go back to school. He just couldn't bring himself to be enthused for anything. Dumbledore had given him a week off; to attend the funeral, and mourn. But as it was his seventh, and final year, and right at the end of his schooling in general, he couldn't afford to miss more than that. Sighing, James ran a hand through his hair. He heard the portrait open, and heard someone walking towards him. 'Go away. I don't want company.' He said, without looking up.

'Pr - Prongs?' a raspy voice, said. A throat cleared, 'Are you, are you coming to dinner?'

'No Wormtail. I'm not hungry.' James stared at the fire, and felt his eyes get wet.

'Oh, well okay.'

x-X-x

'Hey, Remus, Sirius.' Lily smiled, and brushed her bangs out of her eyes, 'Where's James?'

'Said he isn't hungry.' Remus said, his eyes troubled. 'He wasn't hungry for breakfast or lunch. I don't think he ate when he got back yesterday either.'

Sighing, Lily bit her lip, and looked at her feet. 'Hey, Padfoot. How would I go about getting to the kitchen?

x-X-x

Lily walked through the portrait into the Gryffindor common room. Hitching the bag over her shoulder she looked for the dark haired boy. 'James?' she called out, hesitantly.

'Go away.' A voice sounded from near the fire place.

Biting her lip, Lily slowly walked to him, 'What if I don't want to?'

Looking up, James focused on the girl standing before him. 'Lily. I - I'm sorry. I hadn't realized it was you.'

'Does that mean I can stay?' she asked a small smile on her lips.

'Uhm.. yeah. If you want to.'

'Good. Cause, I was going to anyways.' Flashing him a bright smile, she set down her bag, and quickly walked towards the girls dormitory.

'What the . . .?' James watched her walk away, and then shrugged. He laid back down on the couch, and closed his eyes. He thought back to the time when he was six. His father had just got him his first broom stick. Yeah it was just a miniature version of the real deal, only going five feet off the ground. But still. His mother was so livid. She came outback screaming and cursing his dad. It had gone on for about five minutes, before his dad just laughed and wrapped his arms around her.

'James?' Opening his eyes, James looked at Lily. She had brought down the quilt from her bed, and spread it in front of the fire place. 'Will you . . . sit with me?'

Slowly, because it took effort to even sit up, James slid to the floor, and sat crossed leg across from her. Smiling, Lily brushed her bangs aside, 'I've brought dinner. Seeing as you haven't eaten all day.'

'I'm not hungry Li-'

'Mhmm. Sure you're not hungry. But, if you don't eat, you'll get sick. And you say you love me.'

'I do. I do love you.' James furrowed his brow. How does me not being hungry disturb my love for her? Women.

'Good. Then you'll eat.' Lily nodded her head, and then opened her bag. She pulled out a bowl of fried chicken, and another of mashed potatoes and gravy. Reaching in again, she pulled out two butterbeers, and passed one to him. 'Eat, James. For me.'

Sighing, James pried off the lid to the chicken and pulled out a leg. He took a bite and looked her in the eye. 'I - I guess I'm a little hungry.'

Cocking a brow, Lily smiled. 'Then it's a good thing I brought you dinner.' When he smiled sadly at her, she sighed, 'Do you think your mum would be happy; knowing that you're not eating. You were up all night last night. I know. I woke up around three and you were still down here. Just staring into the fire.'

James just stared at her, chicken forgotten in his hand. 'The fire.. it relaxes me. I can't sleep. My mind, it's just full of thoughts. Of my mum. My dad. It - it's just not fair!' He ran a hand through his hair, 'They don't know who was the one that actually cursed them. Just that it was a Death Eater. When they found them, Voldemorts sign was above them.' Lily just watched him, her heart tight. She couldn't even imagine having to go through the death of her parents, much less the murder of them. 'I don't know what to do, Lily. How am I supposed to go back to their house? When school's out. I don't want to . . .' He cleared his throat, and looked at the chicken in his hand. 'I don't want to be alone.'

James looked up at her, his eyes wet. Lily licked her lips, and laid a hand against his cheek. 'James. You don't have to be alone. You - you can stay with me. At my house. My parents won't care. We have a spare bedroom. You can stay there.' She laid her hand on his arm, 'A bit of advice though. Ignore Petunia.'

Looking up at her, 'You're amazing. You know that.'

'I do what I can.' Lily smiled, and leaned in to kiss him. 'I don't like to see you hurting James.'

'Who would've thought, at the beginning of the school year; that you'd be offering me a place to stay when we graduate?'

Tilting her head to the side, Lily shrugged. 'I wouldn't have believed it. But I'm glad it's me. Not anyone else.'

'There has never, ever, been anyone else. It's always been you.' James grabbed her hand, and pressed his lips to her fingers. 'It will always be you.'

Sighing, Lily brushed his hair from his brow. 'It will always be you, as well.' She gave a small smile, 'I don't know when I realized it, but it's true. I don't want anyone else. I just want... you.'

A/N: There you guys go. I hope you liked it! Im hoping I can get the next chapter up before too long! I already have about half of it planned out. Maybe, just maybe I might be more willing to post sooner if I knew you guys liked the story! (black mail!) (: Reviews! (:

-Lorrinda