A/N: Sorry! It's been so long! D:

A few weeks had passed; with the trio of boys adjusting to living on their own. They all sat around the living room, joking and causing what mischief they could. With a grin Sirius stretched, 'I don't know Prongs. I think that's just... well dumb!'

Rolling his eyes, James crossed to the kitchen and pulled a butterbeer out. After taking a drink, he eyed his best friend over the rim, 'And here I was, going to ask you to be the best man.' Shaking his head, he sighed. 'I should have known better. You never did like Evans.'

'You – you want me as your best man? Really? You want me?' Sirius asked a look of shock on his face. 'Blimey mate! That's…'

'Is that a yes then? 'Cause if not, I figure Peter would do it…' Narrowing his eyes, he glanced at his two friends, 'Oi! Have either of you heard from him recently?'

Shaking his head, Remus sighed, 'Nah! I sent him an owl few days ago, but nothing.' Crossing his legs at the ankles he frowned, 'I've got a bad feeling about whatever he's up too.' He looked at Sirius and raised his eyebrows.

With a sigh, Sirius cracked his knuckles, 'Uh.. James? I know we've been over this before… but…' He trailed off and shrugged.

'If this is about how you think Peter might, and I'm stressing might, be involved with the Death Eaters…' He trailed off; frowning at the drink in his hand, he sighed. 'I don't want to believe it... but, maybe we should… be careful from here out?' Looking up towards his friends, he shrugged.
Sirius sat at the table, and nodded, 'Good call, mate. I can't really see him being into that but….' He trailed off at the sound of the fireplace lighting up.

The previously empty gate was now ablaze with green flames. Stepping out, Lily grinned at the boys, 'Hey!' She ran a hand through her hair, and crossed to James. Stopping to kiss him, 'What are you guys up to?' She asked, setting a bag of groceries on the counter.

Glancing at each other, she got three different answers.
'Talking quidditch, duh!' This from James.
'The new house elf act…' Remus said.
'I like your shoes, Lils!' Sirius said, with a grin.

Shaking her head, Lily rolled her eyes. 'Really, Padfoot?' Laughing she looked at Lupin, 'Can you believe that.. crap!? We shouldn't be the ones in charge of whether or not they marry. That should be up to them!' And leveling her gaze to James, she raised her brows, 'Quidditch? Really?' She shook her head, and pulled a box of noodles out of the bag, 'You could of at least commented on my shoes!'

Grinning at her, James said, 'Your shoes are pretty fant-'

'Shove it, Potter!' With a laugh Lily pulled out a pot, and began filling it with water, 'You don't have to tell me. I was just pretty much asking what was up.' She shook her head and grinned.

Glancing at the two beside him James frowned, and cocked his head at his girlfriend. Raising his brows Remus gave a slight nod and looked at Sirius who just shrugged. 'Hey, Lily…' James said, looking at her.

'Hmm?' Lily pulled a few tomatoes out of her bag and looked at him over her shoulder.

'Do you think….' Frowning, rubbed his chin, 'Could you see Peter being into anything… that he shouldn't?'

Raising her brows, Lily sat at the table. 'You've asked me this before. Back when we were in school. I still stand by my answer… but…'

'But? But what?' Sirius asked, leaning towards her.

Licking her lips, Lily looked out the window above the sink. With narrowed eyes, she said, 'I think… if he was in school. It's escalated since then.' Looking at the boys, she gave a small smile, 'I mean; did any of you think to include him with your move?' The three men shared a startled glance and grimaced. 'Exactly. I can see Peter.. often feeling left out. I don't know though. Just… hang out with him more. Don't forget about him.' Standing she crossed back to the counter and started to cut up the tomatoes, when a loud pop sounded from outside.

James grabbed his wand, and slowly crossed to the window. Shaking his head with a grin, he said over his shoulder, 'You'll never guess who just showed up….'

Knock, knock, knock!

Grinning, James pointed at the door. 'Get it! Someone open it!'

Rolling his eyes, Remus crossed to the door, 'Really James? Hard to believe you're considered an adult!' He opened the door and grinned at the man standing there.

Blue eyes twinkling, the older wizard stood stroking his beard. 'Hello there.'

With a laugh, Lily flew through the apartment, and threw her arms around the older man, 'Professor!'

Chuckling slightly, he patted her back, 'Uh… Miss Evans. You've graduated. I'm almost positive you may call me Albus… or Al. Whichever you prefer.'

Shaking his head, James grinned, 'Old Alby!'

Sparing him a glance, the man raised an eyebrow, 'Alby? No, Jamie, I think not!'

James grinned, and winked at the man, 'Awe! You can call me Jamie if you want!' He laughed, 'What brings you to… well… here.'

Albus took off his cloak and laid it over the back of the couch. Looking at the four in front of him, he gave a small smile. 'I must ask something of you lot. It's a lot to ask. Just know, I wouldn't ask if I did not think you could handle it.'

Lily grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the kitchen, 'Here, sit sir, I'll make some tea.' Reaching for the kettle she started the tea, and looked at him, 'What is it you need us to do?'

Sighing, Albus looked to his hands. After lacing his fingers together he glanced at the group, letting his gaze settle on James. 'The order.'

Sitting at the table, the dark haired boy looked at him, all signs of joking out of his eyes. 'When?' he asked, running a hand through his dark hair.

'As soon as it can be arranged.' Dumbledore looked at the group around him and gave a small smile. 'You four, and a select others are being offered a position of sorts… but it's not one many would actually except.'

Sitting back, Sirius looked at Albus with a frown on his face. Sitting forward, he asked, 'I understand Lily and Remus. Hell, even James for this. But… why me?'

'Uh… so you know about the order. Good.' Taking his glasses off, Albus rubbed his eyes, 'You don't see yourself for what you truly are Sirius. You're not your family. You're better than them.'

Lily smiled at the boy, but bit her lip. Glancing back at her old Professor she asked, 'Sir…? Are you talking of the Order of the Phoenix?'

When the old man turned his bright eyes to her, he inclined his head. 'Think about it. That is all I ask of you four.'

'I don't need to think about it!' James cried, jumping to his feet. 'I'm in!'

Looking at him, Albus smiled, 'So like your father. Just know. This is not something to take lightly. This is the resistance that is standing up, not just to the Death Eaters, but to Voldemort as well.' Standing Albus crossed the room, and picked up his cloak. 'Are you willing to lay everything on the line, just to follow in your father's footsteps, James?' Shrugging into the cloak he gave a small smile, 'If any, or all of you were to decline, there will be no hard feelings.'

x-X-x

James was pacing in front of his two best friends. He had his hands deep in his pockets, and kept glancing at his watch. 'Oi! Prongs! Stop, mate! You're making my head hurt. And how do you expect me to pull off this kidnapping with a headache?' Sirius asked, throwing an arm over his eyes.

'Really, Padfoot?' Remus shook his head, and laughed. 'How about you stay here, help James with the last few details, and I'll go get her.'

Looking up Sirius frowned, 'Nope! I've kind of always wanted to kidnap Evans.'

'Can you stop saying kidnap?!' James growled, pulling his hands through his hair. 'That's not even funny anymore! And Moony; I like your idea. I don't trust Sirius with this.'

'Ouch!' Laying a hand over his heart, Sirius grinned, 'You wound me Prongs.' He slapped his chest, and moaned, 'wound me!'

With a laugh, Moony apparated away. Looking at his friend, James grinned, 'Sorry mate! But for her safety. . .' he trailed off with a smirk.

Shrugging, Sirius collapsed to the ground. With a grin, 'So if she says no, what then?'

'You think she'll say no?' James asked a frown on his face.

'Nah. I doubt it. She's smitten with you!'

'I hope so. I don't know what to do if she says no.' James stuffed his hands deep in his pockets and stared off into the distance.

x-X-x

Lily sat, feet propped on her coffee table, fingers wrapped around a spoon tucked in an ice-cream container. Looking at her friend before her, she frowned, 'You want me to do what?'

'All you have to do is trust me!' Remus said, with a grin. 'And put on actual clothes. . .'

Looking down, Lily frowned. She was wearing an old Hogwarts tank top and a pair of cutoff shorts, 'What's the matter with what I have on?' she asked.

'Uh. . .' Looking around, Remus shrugged. 'Dunno. I just figure James would want you to wear something more. . .' he trailed off when her eyebrow raised.

'Oh so this has something to do with James, does it?' Glaring at the man before her, she put her ice cream down. Standing she crossed to the door and slid her feet into a pair of worn flip-flops.

'Where is he at? Making you do his bidding, huh?' She looked at the man before and tilted her head, 'Well?'

'Uh. . .' Remus ran a hand through his hair, and shrugged. 'Maple Park. In downtown London.'

'Fine.' Closing her eyes, Lily took a deep breath and spun on the spot.

Who does he think he is? Making one of his best friends come fetch me?! Her feet hit concrete, and she opened an eye to look around. Seeing no muggles, she opened the other eye and gave a small smile. Walking towards the end of the alleyway she stopped to see James waving to Sirius. Slowly, she made her way to the boy. He had his hands tucked in his pockets, and was wearing a pair of dark blue slacks and a white button down shirt. 'James. . .?' she called out.

Turning he smiled when he saw her, 'Lily.' Crossing to her, he grinned and kissed her cheek. 'You look great!'

With a raised brow she said, 'Oh yeah? Am I dressed okay for you?'

'Always. Actually. . .if you had on less clothes. . I'd be totally okay with that.'

Rolling her eyes, Lily grinned, 'Why are you so dressed up?'

'Huh? Oh.' James looked at his pants and frowned, 'Actually. . . .' he trailed off. Looking at her he gave a small grin. 'You see. . . I had this whole speech prepared . . . but looking at you; I can't seem to remember it. . . '

Narrowing her eyes, Lily scowled, 'James Potter! Are you breaking up with me?'

'Wh - NO!' James grabbed her hands and brought them to his lips, 'Lily! I'm planning on asking you to marry me. Very unsuccessfully, obvi - umfh!'

Lily threw herself at him with a grin, 'Really? Oh James! I love you!' She pressed her lips to his and smiled.

Wrapping his arms around her he smiled, 'Is that a yes then?'

'Of course it's a yes; you giant oaf!' With a grin Lily looked into his eyes. 'I kind of want to hear the speech though…'

'Of course you would.' James ran a hand through his hair, and blew out a breath. Sliding a hand down her arm, he linked his fingers with hers. Slowly he made his way to a park bench, without saying a word. 'Okay, sit right here.' After she sat, he leaned down and kissed her quickly. 'So.. unless I'm joking with the marauders, I totally suck at talking. So.. just. . . listen, till I'm done?' When she nodded he smiled.

Taking a few steps away, James took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. Turning on his heel he smiled softly at her, 'Lily. I've loved you for what seems like forever. I know that before we actually started talking I wasn't in love with you or anything, but still.' Clearing his throat, he gave a nervous sort of smile. 'Anyways. You helped me through the hardest thing I've ever had to face. You pulled me out of my slump. I feel. . . so close to you. Closer than even Sirius. You are more than just my girlfriend.' He dropped to his knees, and grabbed her hands.

After pressing a quick kiss to them, he looked her in the eye, and said, 'You're my best friend. The one I look to when I succeed. The one I know I can count on when I'm drowning. Lily, I -' Trailing off, James reached into his pocket, and pulled out a ring. It was a platinum band, with a small princess cut diamond. Clearing his throat, he looked at her. He saw her eyes were bright, and felt something get stuck in his throat. He knew what it was, without thinking about it. It was his heart. 'Lily, I love you. And I know we're still young. But, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'

'James.' Lily took his face in her hands, and smiled at him. Her eyes were bright, but she grinned. 'You're my best friend, my link to safety when I'm lost. You are by far the most important person in my life, and I can't even begin to imagine the rest of my life if you're not standing next to me.'

'Really?' James grinned, and slid the ring on her finger. Clearing his throat, he said, 'I know the ring isn't that spectacular. But it was the one my dad bought for my mum, back when they got engaged.'

'Oh.' Lily looked at the ring on her hand, and softly smiled. 'I love it.' Looking up, he saw the unshed tears in her eyes. Leaning in slowly, James rubbed his lips against hers. He kept his eyes open the whole time, and watched hers slowly close. A tear clinging to a lash. Reaching out slowly, James wiped the tear away. Pulling away, he watched her eyes flutter open, and a slow smile spread across her cheeks, 'I love you.'

A/N: It's been soo long! Okay. So I've just updated all the chapters. Fixed as much grammar as I could AND wrote another. Soo I hope their are still people out there reading. 33 I'm gonna upload chapter 12 tonight. And I've got at least two more chapters coming; if you guys want them... ? :D

-Lorrinda!