AN: Nearly 5000 words, action, and of course plenty of James/Lily. Please Review.

James sat on Lily's bed as she wandered around the room in a cotton robe agonizing over what to wear. Every few minutes or so she would hold a dress or an outfit against her body silently asking what James thought.

"I really liked that purple jumper and skirt."

"It's too casual," Lily said as she held a blue dress to her body. "Now, I know it's chilly but I have tights."

"I love that dress," he said with a smirk.

"Merlin, you're right it'll make me look like a tart." She tossed it aside and picked up a black dress. "How fitting would this be? I wore it to two funerals, do you think it would make me a seer if I wore this tonight?"

James got to his feet, tearing the dress from her hands and steering her towards the bed. With a gentle push she fell onto it and watched in curiosity as he pulled another black dress out of the closet along with a sheer blouse. "Would this work?" he asked.

"If you hand me that gold belt that's hanging up." Lily said with bemused expression on her face. "This is perfect, now what shoes?"

"Uh…" He reached into the pocket of this trousers. "The pumps you wore for the feast at school," he recited off a piece of paper.

"Was it Athena or Marlene you asked?" Lily was up on her feet already, the robe she wore pooling on the floor around her feet as she slipped on the dress.

"I know you stress out and I'm rubbish with things like this," he said. "Marlene told me if you ask to tell you this." He gestured to the outfit that she was busy getting into. It seemed that since they shared the Head's dorm they threw propriety out the window.

"How do I look?" She tightened the belt around her waist after putting on the sheer blouse. "Normal enough?"

"No, extraordinary." James walked over, placing her hands on her hips, smirking.

"What did I say about your lines?"

"That they're charming."

Rolling her eyes, Lily put on the antique necklace Agatha gave her last year and did her best to hide the leather cord from the vial she kept around her neck.

"You know the pensive is kept in my dad's office."

"I'm not ready," Lily said.

"The memories can be watched more than once."

"Can we just go?" Her voice is high and the words tumbled out fast. When she starts to hold herself, James quickly put an arm around her thin shoulders and rubbed circles on the top of her arm. When she pulled away they both bundle up with hats and scarves and gloves. Lily slid on a layer of a lipstick and James double checked that his wallet has the 'funny money' Charles got for him. Once the routine is finished, James passed her a smile as she hooked her arm through his and his hands flew to hers. Only the flutter of James' eyes warn her that he's beginning the apparition and when they stumbled onto the street he did his best to steady her. "Thank you."

He doesn't say anything in response. It would be futile to, as Lily thanks everyone for just about everything. As a result, James has long since stopped asking her what for. It's most likely for keeping her from falling, but it could be about a multitude of things. In fact he wanted to thank her-even though he dreads the thought of this dinner- it means that for once in his life someone depends on him, trusts that he's not going to muck things up in his usual ways.

"We're going to be late," Lily muttered, holding him tighter to pull down the street.

"Dinner's at six-thirty."

"Petunia thinks if you're not ten minutes early, you're late." They walked briskly, ignoring the freshly fallen snow and how that combined with the street lamps makes it almost glow. The street seems so alive with all the people wandering up and down the streets. Apparently there is some big Christmas event in town square, one that Lily can only vaguely remember, because by her first year they pushed the date up.

By some miracle the arrive at the posh restaurant in the the nick of time. They pause at the host station, the man there giving them a quick once over, seeing Lily's pink tinged cheeks and James' mussed hair. "I'm sure the two of you came out on a romantic whim, but we're booked up."

"We have a reservation." James stands a little a taller, acting every bit the heir of the Potter fortune. "My girlfriend's sister and husband," he explained.

"Vernon Dursley," Lily added.

"Yes, yes, come along." His tone is rushed and he looked a bit scared as he lead him to a table close to the back. Lily heard Petunia's tittering laughter before she saw her. Her sister looked different in a horrid printed wrap dress, her hair styled in tight curls, painted fingers wrapped around the stem of a wineglass.

"Hello," Vernon said grudgingly as they both come to the table.

"So sorry for being late, James and I hit a bit of traffic, forgot to take in account the Christmas ceremony." Lily struggled with her buttons, then realized her gloves aren't off.

"Relax," James whispered in her ear, using the guise of helping her with her jacket to get close to her. Lily just nodded, taking a breath to steel herself as James pulled out a chair for her. Suddenly, she is glad that he has been raised like he has, that his mother has drilled etiquette into him. Even if refused to wear a tie or comb his hair properly, he at least acts every bit a gentlemen.

"Vernon ordered the special for everyone. It sounded divine and we didn't know when you'd arrive." Petunia reached for her husbands hand, interlacing fingers before she rested the clasped hands on the table.

"Perfect," James replied. Beside him Lily tapped her her fingers on her thighs, much like she did last year in the DADA final. To get her to stop fidgeting, he grabbed her hand and smiled at the couple across the table. "I apologize for not making a proper introduction earlier, my name is James Potter."

"Well, my name is Vernon Dursley." He took a drink of his wine. "Potter, eh?" Vernon questioned, narrowing his eyes. "Common enough name, but I haven't heard it in awhile. You from around here?"

"Close," he replied. "I go to school with Lily."

"She's staying at your house?" Vernon looked suspicious, doing his best to quickly assess him.

"Yes."

Lily's grip tightens around his, and her green eyes become wide with panic. "His family is very accommodating," she added. This seems to be mostly ignored as it interrupts the interrogation.

"So, how did you get sent to the academy?"

"Sent?" James voice raised a few decibels.

"They know all about Holmstrom," Lily told him, a desperate edge to her voice realizing that this night will turn into a disaster. How could James ever play along with being a damaged idiot? Lily was able to pretend that she had some sort of deep seated issues for a few hours at family functions if that meant that Petunia and her would be at peace. Besides, if you actually looked up Holmstrom Academy (the muggle cover for Hogwarts) it was only listed as a place for 'unique students'.

"Right…" James reached for his glass of ice water, and took a few gulps. "It's a long story, one I wouldn't want to bore you with. My old school didn't challenge me and I would always get into mischief. Holmstrom was a much better fit."

It's a relief when the food comes. Somehow they maintained a level of civility, James and Lily dodged probing questions. Lily mainly stammered out half truths, while James flashed his charming smile and then provided them with bull shit answers that Vernon seemed to accept. This is another side to James that Lily has not seen in ages. This is the side of James she saw when he was 14 or 15, when he strolled into Transfiguration fifteen minutes late calling Professor McGonagall 'Minnie'. This is the James that folded intricate paper birds charmed to flutter around Lily's head, obscene pick-up lines written on the wings. And yet it reminds her why she finally relented and let herself fall in love with him.

Desert is brought to the table and Lily savored every last bite of the chocolate cake, while Vernon still isn't satisfied. His interrogation of James was unsuccessful as of now. "So, what are your plans for the future? Petunia says that you want to be a magician."

James practically choked on cake and Lily took it was an opportunity to jump in. "Tuney was joking, he wants to be a policeman." Policeman she figured was a good muggle equivalent to an Auror.

"What in the blo-" James stopped himself and drops his voice low. "What is that?" he asked.

"I'll explain it later," Lily hissed, hoping that Vernon and Petunia don't hear. "His father is one as well."

"How nice, right Vernon?" Petunia asked.

"I suppose," he said. "What about are your plans?"

"A nurse," she uttered softly. Her stomach was a bundle of nerves again and she cannot even lift up her fork, so she pushed away the plate. She grasped James hand that's resting atop the table.

"Where are you applying at?"

"You wouldn't have heard of it."

"Tell me." His voice is enough to make her shrink into her chair, her hand tightened around James, and looked at him. James wondered where his fearless Lily is. Then a memory flew back to him. It's DADA, fourth year, Professor Wolfe called on her to perform a rather difficult spell. She got to her feet, but froze after she lifted her wand. As much as she wanted to prove herself to the Professor, she thought there was nothing that could stop her from failing.

"It's called St. Mungo's," James interjected. "Lily has an interview there in January," he explained. He realized, though, the mistake made. As popular the hospital is to wizards, it is invisible to muggles. "It's a private hospital in London. We're moving out together right after graduation, my training is going to start three days after."

"You're moving in together?" Petunia's voice has raised three octaves as she she shoots daggers at their clasped at hands. "That's...That's just not right."

"You and Vernon moved in together before you were married." Lily's voice is small, but as much as she wanted to disappear, she will not let her sister discount the relationship of her and James.

"There were extenuating circumstances and we were engaged," Vernon snapped. "Two seventeen year olds should not be living together. When Petunia talked about the bad influence of the school I didn't think it was to this point."

"What are you talking about?" James asked through clenched teeth.

"It's entirely inappropriate, can you think of what the neighbors will say? And having to explain it to the family?"

"Living together does not imply fornication." Lily's voice has more power to it, she sat a bit straighter as she did her best to reign in James anger. "His parents are fine with it." Which is a lie because they have not exactly spoken to them yet, but they do have Charles on their side.

"I'd like to meet these parents," Petunia replied haughtily. "Maybe, I'll send someone from the agency to see if it's a fit home." After she said this, she softens a bit, and leaned forward towards Lily. "I only want what's best for you, what mum and dad would want. We can both admit we've been terrible sisters, and I want to make it up for you."

"I'm an adult," Lily stated. "I love James and there is no way you are tearing me away from the people that have treated me like family since the day they've met me."

"How good can these people be? Probably drunks, the lot of them. If you know what's right you'll come with me and Petunia."

"My parents aren't drunks." James' face has turned an interesting shade of purplish-red and he clutched Lily's so hard his knuckles have gone white. "They've been better for Lily then you ever have been."

"James…" Lily said softly.

"You gave her an ultimatum, her life or you."

"I'm giving it to her again," she said evenly. "Lily, this isn't some trivial decision, this is your life. Heaven knows that you're bright, I'm reminded of that at every family function. You can't throw it away on some whim." Petunia passed her a forced smile and patted Vernon on the knee. "We started dating when we were both in high school, but didn't even think about moving in until we were engaged. You're young, you have all the time in the world. What ever happened to your plan?" Petunia inquired. "You know, the one where you abstain from meaningless flings-"

"James is not a meaningless fling," Lily responded tersely.

"You're 17."

"You're point is?" James questioned. "I can't believe how bloody naive you are. Your parents were murdered a year and a half ago and you're spouting rubbish about having all the time in the world?"

"Murdered?" Vernon interrupted.

"I might not have fit into Lily's plan that she concocted years ago, but things change. We want to be with each other and Merlin only knows how many years we have. For Godric's sake we're in the middle of a war!"

"War? What war are you talking about?" Vernon questioned, his eyes narrowed. "He's mental isn't he?"

"You've ruined everything," Petunia told her sister. "I've put up with this for far too long. I was always jealous that mum and dad fawned over you, but it was pity. You may be smart and pretty, but deep down you are a freak. I'm glad you found your match, you deserve each other."

"Tuney!" Lily shouted, pulling her hand free from James as she jumped to her feet. Her sister tried to put on her jacket as Vernon marched to the front to pay the check. "I'll tell Vernon that James didn't have his medication or make something up, I can fix this." Lily reached for her sister, but Petunia yanked her arm free as if she could catch the plague from her touch. "Petunia, please, mum and dad wouldn't-"

A sharp slap interrupted her sentence and James was on his feet a moment later. "Do not speak of them," she ordered. "You know what they would want. Stop lying to yourself, freak. Someday you're going to wake up, realizing that you turned down the only thing that could help your miserable life. Move in with that tosser, fornicate, have bastard children for all I care, but do not sully our parents name by claiming that what you're doing is what they want."

Lily cradled her cheek as ugly tears cascaded down her face."They would want us to be happy," she whispered.

"Have a good life then, I don't want any of it." With that Petunia spun on her heel, walking towards her husband.

As she watched her sister leave, she tried to reign in her tears as people were staring, open mouthed at the confrontation. Quite honestly she wanted to curl up in a ball, go to sleep and never wake up. Not only had her sister left her, but she was sobbing mess in the middle of a public restaurant.

"Come here," James said, wrapping his arms around her. "Let's go home, alright?" He brushed hair out of her eyes, before wiping away the tears that accumulated on her cheeks. "She's not your only family, you have me and my parents and Sirius…" he let out a laugh, pulling her towards the table only letting her go long enough to put on his coat, before helping her into hers.

"Why do you have to be so bloody wonderful?" she muttered as he did his best to put on the 'heir to the Potter fortune act' to escort her out of the restaurant. If he acted like some pompous pureblood, they both knew that most everyone would leave them to their own devices. "And why do I have to be so bloody desperate to please someone that hates me?"

"She's confused and hurt," he replied. "And you…" He tilted her face up to look into glistening green eyes. "You are amazing," he said. "All you want is your sister back, she's one of the last pieces of your parents you have."

Lily held his waist tightly as they walked down the street. She noticed just how beautiful the night was. The bright white snow contrasted the dark of the sky, the only light was from dim streetlamps and the thin sliver of the moon. The night would have been more stunning if it wasn't so quiet, too quiet. Dinner dragged on forever, the ceremony would be done by now and people should be littering downtown.

"We have to go."

"Now? We're in the middle-" James stopped himself looking around. "Are you alright-"

A scream pierced the air, followed by a loud boom. Immediately the pair pulled their wands as a green skull illuminated the night sky and people began to fill the street once more. "What are we supposed to do?"

"Go home," he said.

"What about...I...James, you know….Apparating isn't…" Lily was literally shaking, if she couldn't compose herself long enough to finish a sentence, how could she Apparate? Suddenly, she was pulled out of her bumbling thoughts when a death eater was approaching them, wand raised. "Alarte Ascendare!" The man flew straight up into the air, only to fall down.

"Wicked spell," James complimented. "But you really have-"

"Bombadora!" the Death Eater yelled from his position on the ground, producing a small explosion that was powerful enough to knock them off their feet. Whether or not they wanted to stay and fight it looked like they were in it for the long haul.

"You alright?" James muttered.

"One piece, mostly," Lily answered, James pulling her to her feet once he was up. However, it was not long before another explosion brought them to their knees and they saw more Death Eaters advancing. In the middle of the group stood a gaunt man who surveyed the damage with great satisfaction. "The Dark Lord," she whispered, her feet carrying her towards the man that ordered her parent's killed before she realized it was a bad idea.

"Lily!" James called out, desperately trying to grasp at his girlfriend as she walked forward.

"Get them out of here!" a voice behind them. James turned and saw a smaller group of witches and wizards that looked only a few years removed from school.

"Stupefy," one of the Death Eaters muttered, it's effect causing Lily to knock onto the ground. Now weakened, she was clearly exposed and closer to the Death Eaters than anyone else.

"PROTEGO!" Out of James wand produced a bright white light that surrounded Lily and called attention to himself. Before he could even turn another spell hit him, the light oddly colored as it hit him, pain blossoming across his body...Another explosion and he was pushed to the ground, a nasty cracking sound occurring as he hit the ground.

"James…" Lily ran to him-or rather limped to him as one of her heels seemed to be broken-as the group of wizard's advanced on the Death Eater's. Time stood still as she knelt beside him, doing her best to hold herself together as she assessed the injuries. "No…" Blood coated her fingers as she touched his head, tears stinging her eyes as she looked over the rest of him. "Wake up, please, I promise…" Tears streamed down her face as she attempted to recall any healing spells that would be of any help.

"Lily, you need to get up," a voice urged.

The redhead turned around, craning her neck at the tall figure. "Frank?" she asked, taking in every inch of his broad frame and tired face. "Help me, I...He can't…"

"Are you hurt?" He knelt beside her as he gestured to a witch from across the street.

"He is, you have-"

"I know." His tone was gentle and soothing, the same tone he employed when he was a prefect speaking to first year. "Lily, you need to get up and let someone look at him. Alright?"

"I can do it."

"No." His hand went to her elbow as the witch came over, loose hair spilling over shoulder.

"What happened?"

"I don't know...There was an odd colored light, he hit the ground and there was an explosion. Merlin, we're going-"

"They left, but we shouldn't stick around much longer," Frank said, as he pulled Lily to her feet. He had to stabilize her because one shoe was was completely broken, the other still in it's full glory. "Can he be moved?"

"Agatha couldn't handle this. I had to patch up Sirius before-"

"Get her out of here, Longbottom." The witch ordered. Lily took in her face and recognized it immediately. Emmeline Vance. She was a fifth year when Lily was a first year. She was pretty and bubbly and helpful...Still beautiful, but she had a harshness about her...the robes she wore were threadbare, covered in fresh blood.

"I can't leave him."

"Yes, you can," she snapped. "I can't deal with hysterics while I deal with trauma." She waved her wand over James and the bleeding appeared to have stopped at least momentarily.

"Lily, we're going to Apparate to Order Headquarters now. James and Em will be along as soon as possible." She didn't have a chance to object as the world rushed from them and soon enough they were in a large room, tall windows obscured by thick curtains, dusty chandeliers lighting the room. "Sit down, I'll fix up your injuries before James and Em come back."

Other people were filtering around, some on cots, some at tables with papers, some seated on the floor like Lily. "I'll be back in a few I need the kit." He patted her on the arm as he got to his feet.

Lily inhaled a shaky breath, holding herself as she tried to get her wits about her. Here she was safe at least, but James… She hated that she needed him so much, but she wanted nothing more than his arms to enclose about her and tell her everything would be alright. Now, though, she had to be the strong one. Sitting here she realized just how hard it must be on him.

Frank Longbottom was a welcomed surprise and she was glad that he was the one that came to her rescue. Although, he wasn't the same Frank. He showed her the same gentle manner he always had, but nothing about his face seemed soft anymore. Her mind flitted to Alice, how her face seemed to take on the same expression every time she got a letter from Frank. Would this be her and James in a matter of a year? She always thought that her and Alice were drastically different , but perhaps not.

"'Ello," a baritone voice greeted. Lily swiveled around to see a man clad entirely in muggle attire from his jeans to his flannel shirt. The only thing that affirmed the fact he was a wizard was the dented watch on his wrist that told time with stars instead of numbers. "Looks like you got yourself into a bit of a scrape." He squatted beside her, a large hand touching her jaw to get a better look at the cheek Petunia had slapped.

"You don't know the half of it." Lily swallowed harshly, doing her best not to push him away and futilely call out for James."Frank's just being overly cautious."

"No, he's not on. Besides, he can't stand the sight of a pretty thing like you hurt, reminds him of Alice." He pulled his hand away, comparing the mark on her cheek to her other injuries, looking very suspicious of it's origin, especially with it being combined with her red-rimmed eyes.

"I am Alice's friend," she admitted. "Frank always offered to watch out for me, knock some sense into James if he ever hurt me."

At the mention of his name, the man perked up. "James has finally got himself a girl! You wouldn't happen to-"

"I'm Lily Evans," she supplied, a blush creeping up her cheeks. How could a complete stranger know of them?

"Sorry, for being a complete git, I'm Fabian Prewett." He gave her a grin and it finally clicked. He was one of the Prewett twins that graduated three years ago; they were known for their harmless antics, swoon-worthy looks and, of course, their unrivalled skills as Beaters. "Is it true that you used a wicked good spell to send one of the snakes flying?"

"Yes." She didn't have the opportunity to speak again as a Frank appeared, pulling Fabian away as he knelt beside her.

"Fabian, how about you make yourself helpful?"

"It's Gideon! Honestly you call us your best mates," he huffed.

"Very funny, Em should be coming prep a space for James." Frank opened the kit and set to work on Lily's injuries as Fabian dramatically made his exit. As Frank wrapped her ankle, Lily studied his hands as something glinted in the dim lit of the chandeliers. Frank noticed her gaze and sighed. "I didn't plan to marry her, it just was a way to keep the both of us sane. It was two months of living hell." The wedding ring was formidable looking, just plain antique silver and very thick.

"James wants me to move in with him after graduation, marry him."

Frank sighed as he finished the ankle and opened a small jar of some awful smelling poultice. "The two of you make a good team." Those are his only words as he patches up all of the little wounds with great care. "If you love him don't hesitate for moment. Secrets can kill a relationship and you'll have regrets for the rest of you life." His eyes wandered over to what Lily assumed was Gideon, as he looked identical to Fabian, though he was dressed in standard wizarding attire. "She was nineteen, his fiancé," Frank said softly. "It was before the Order was truly formed, but if He wants you dead it's only a matter of time."

Lily only nodded, understanding completely. "Thank you, for everything."

"Of course." He placed a soft hand on her shoulder. "Lily, you don't have to do everything for yourself. Letting people in can be hard, but dealing with things you have to deal with alone will send you over the edge." Frank shut his eyes for the briefest of moments before looking back at her. "Alice, was always that person for me. I thought that I would have to brave this alone, but everyone here knows what I'm going through."

Lily didn't know how to respond, she leaned against Frank, using him for support.

"When you asked me that day in the bookshop if anyone could join the Order, well I was a bit surprised. I've always known you were brilliant, but I didn't think you had it in you. Today, I was proved wrong."

"How? I'm a blubbering mess, I was already in pieces before the Death Eaters arrived."

"Just how you reacted." Frank looked over his shoulder. "James and Em are back, why don't you go see him?" Getting to his feet he helped Lily up, an arm going around her shoulder to guide her. The 'cot' that Fabian set up was a blanket on the ground with rolled up cloth to hold him James' head.

"I gave him a potion a few moments ago, but he should wake up soon." Em said. "These got knocked loose." She handed Lily the spectacles normally on James face, recalling the first time they slept together at Christmas.

"Will he be alright? I don't think I could handle it if…" Lily just shook her head and knelt beside him, attempting to smooth his hair.

"He'll be fine." Emmeline's lips remained in a straight line as she stood beside Frank.

"He has a Quidditch game a week after break. He was planning on having over the team to practice…" Lily swiped away a few tears that leaked out of her eyes. "Agatha won't let him, Charles…"

They backed away, leaving her alone with James, as she took his hand in hers. She held back a laugh when she realized that the situation was like Hogsmeade again, the roles reversed, though. That day, when she woke up, was the day that she relented...The day she admitted how much he meant to her. How fitting would it….

"Lil…" James' slurred as he came to, pushing himself to sitting position. Flinging herself against him she embraced him tightly, burying her face in his chest, inhaling his scent and staining the shirt with her tears. "Merlin, don't break me…"

Pulling away she realized what a mess she was and for some reason couldn't help but laugh as she handed James his spectacles. He gave her his lazy, crooked smile and ran a hand through his hair. This was the boy she loved…

"Marry me, James Potter."

He kissed her on the lips in such a way she knew what his answer was.