A/N: Ok so this chapter has flashbacks from earlier chapters. The only difference is that they're from James' point of view. Anyways I hope you like this chapter as much as I do. Review!

Chapter 41: Meeting with the Dark Lord

James stepped onto the stairs. His steps echoed loudly in his ears with every step he took. He knew they were all going to meet their death. There was a slim to none chance that any of them would make it out of this alive. At least if he was going to die, he could do it beside Lily. As he ascended the steps, memories flashed through his mind.

James was sitting in the common room with Melissa Corners. She was James' new detraction for the week. It was a shame really, Melissa was a really nice girl. He was trying really hard to get along with Lily, but it wasn't working out very well. Every time he saw her he wanted to pull her to him and snog the life out of her. So he resorted to snogging other girls and trying to forget about Miss Lily Evans.

"Ahem," a voice said loudly. They both looked up from their places

"Oh, hi Lily!" Maria said sweetly. She seemed a bit nervous.

"Hi," Lily said. "Don't you two have homework?"

"No, I'm finished," James said.

"More like Remus did it for you," she retorted.

"Bye, James," Maria said, before standing up. She leaned down and kissed James again. Then she flipped her hair and walking up to her dormitory.

"Bye, James," Lily said mimicking Maria's hair flip and stomping out of the common room. James sighed.

"What's your problem?" James asked following her.

"Her!" Lily yelled.

"She didn't do anything!" James yelled back.

"Yes! She did!"

"What did she do?!"

"For one thing, she's a slag!"

"So?!"

"So, you could do so much better!"

"I don't think it's any of your business!"

"Yes, it is when she's kissing my boyfriend!" Lily covered her mouth as soon as she said it. James couldn't believe it. He had been waiting for this to happen since forever. He couldn't believe after all this time Lily was jealous. His heart soared and he felt like he could touch the sky, walk on air even. There was no limit to what he could do right now, but then shock took over.

"Your what?" James asked, stunned. He had to be sure she said it. It couldn't be a dream.

"Nothing, I didn't say anything," Lily replied, trying to cover up her slip up.

"No, you said boyfriend," he said smirking. His confidence was back. She had called him her boyfriend.

"I did not," she said, before turning around.

"Where do you think your going?" James asked grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face him.

"Look, I didn't mean to say that," Lily started. "It was accident. Slip of the tongue. I just saw her with her hands all over you and it just annoyed me. I can't explain it so please don't ask me to. It's defiantly not because I like you. Not that you're not cute or anything like that. Actually, you're gorgeous, but that's beside the point. It's-"

James cut her off by placing his lips on hers, kissing her furiously. Lily stood there, frozen, for a moment, then she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. Finally after so many years of waiting, he was kissing Lily Evans. Well, it was more like snogging, but that wasn't the point. After a while James had to pull away for air. "It's the only way I could think to shut you up," he said, leaning his forehead against Lily's.

"Good idea," she said.

"So does this mean you're my girlfriend?" he asked.

"Do I really need to answer that?" she asked.

James, Remus, and Sirius were waiting for the girls to get ready. Honestly he didn't know why it took them so long. Did it really matter if they had makeup? Besides the sooner they got to the wedding the sooner they could leave. James looked up and saw the girls descending the steps. James automatically stood when he saw Lily. "You look amazing," he breathed. Definitely worth the wait.

"Thanks," Lily said beaming.

"Well let's go then," Sirius said standing. Remus did the same.

Karen hooked elbows with Remus and Sirius. "Ready!" she beamed.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Come on."

"You're tense," James told her. "You need to relax."

James let his hands rest on her shoulders and started to kneed them. James felt Lily sigh as he messaged her shoulders. All the knots seemed to melt away under his hands. She needed to get her mind off of her parents' deaths. If she could do that, then maybe she could have a few moment so of peace.

"Why are you really up?" she asked.

James sighed. "My room is right next to Sirius'," he told her. "Karen and Sirius aren't very good at Silencing Charms so it can get pretty loud."

"Oh," Lily said blushing.

"Yeah," James replied nodding. He let go of her shoulders and moved to the counter. He couldn't be around her this long without trying something. Looking for something to do, he started looking through the cabinets. He heard Lily came up behind him. She started to message his shoulders like he had done for her. After a while she let her hands fall and James turned around. Why wasn't she moving away?

Lily stared into his eyes for a moment then kissed him. She pressed him up against the counter. He hadn't expected this. He couldn't help, but kiss her back. Before she knew it, she was the one pressed against the counter. James grabbed her legs and sat her down on the counter. Lily let her tongue run through James' mouth. He pulled her as close as he could get her, like if her let her go she would vanish into thin air.

Lily let her hands slip under his shirt, before pulling it off. She held it in her hand as he kissed down her neck. "Not here," she manged to get out.

"Where?" he mumbled.

"Your room," she breathed.

James slipped his hands under her thighs and picked her up. James couldn't think about anything else as he carried her to his room. He didn't want to think about what he was doing. He didn't want to think about what would happen in the morning. He pushed it all to the back of his mind. All he knew was wrong. Every bone in his body begged for him to continue while his mind begged for him to stop. All his fears, all his worries disappeared when the door to his room closed.

James felt Lily stir in her sleep. His arm tightened around her waist and he pulled her back against his hard chest enjoying the feeling of her being next to him, though he wasn't fully awake. She sighed and turned over snuggling into him sleepily. Then she shot straight out of bed. "What's wrong?" James asked sleepily. He sat up slowly.

Lily had put on one of his shirts last night. She looked good in it. A whole better than he did, that's for sure. "What's wrong?! How can you say something like that?!" Lily shouted.

"What?" he asked confused. What was her problem? It's not like they hadn't done this before.

"Don't play dumb," she replied. "You know what happened last night."

"Yeah, so?" he asked.

"James, you have a girlfriend!" Lily seethed. So that was the problem.

"I would dump her for you," he said, reaching out to touch her cheek. Her soft skin felt so good against his ruff palm. He missed touching her.

"Don't say stuff like that," Lily said, turning away from him.

"Why?"

"Because it's not right," Lily said. "I am not going to be the reason you break that girl's heart."

"I was going to break up with her anyway," James said, rolling his eyes. He got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He really hadn't meant to stay with Eliza this long. She was just so nice and she helped him through a rough spot. He didn't want to hurt her. Besides did Lily honestly think that he would sleep with her for absolutely no reason? If she did then, she didn't know him as well as she thought she did.

James sighed. He would have to face her sometime. He walked back into the room and saw her gathering up her clothes and heading for the door. No way, she wasn't getting out of this that easily.

"Where do you think you're going?"

James leaned against the doorway of the bathroom. He stood there watching her for a moment before he spoke. "Weren't thinking of running off, were you?" he asked.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, sighing.

"I wanna talk about this," he said. He thought that much was obvious.

"There's nothing to say," she replied.

"Yes, there is," James said walking toward her. He pressed her up against the door and kissed her roughly. Lily moaned into his lips, just like he knew she would. He loved the fact that he could do that to her. She was toxic and he always loved danger. No matter what he tried he couldn't stop himself from falling into her everytime, he couldn't. He knew he should pull away. He should stop her. He should let her finish what she was saying, she was probably right anyway.

But he didn't stop her when she pushed herself up against him and licked his lips begging entrance. He just parted his lips slightly, letting her in. Just then a voice came from the other side of the door.

"Prongs? Are you up?" Sirius. Darn it. He had the worst timing.

"What?" James snapped, pulling away from Lily.

"You ok, mate?" Sirius asked. "You seemed a little upset last night."

"I'm fine," James growled, as he kissed down Lily's neck. He felt a moan work it's way up her throat.

Perfect. He looked up and saw her biting her lip to keep it down. She looked so good.

"You sure?" he asked again.

"Positive."

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"No," James said, while Lily tried to catch her breath. He had to pull away now. He loved his best mate and all, but couldn't he take a hint. He didn't want to talk to him right now.

"Why?" Sirius asked confused.

"Because I'm. . . . .not in the mood for talking," James said.

"Right," he said. "I'll see you later, mate."

Lily pushed James away from her. "Please, let's just forget this ever happened," she begged.

"Lily, I can't forget," James said. "You don't how many times I've tried, but. . . .something always draws me back to you. Every time I try to move on and find a different girl I keep comparing her to you. It doesn't matter who she is or what she looks like. She'll never be you. She'll never be that stubborn redheaded Prefect who always called me toe-rag when we were in school. She'll never be the girl I fell for when I was 11. She'll never be enough."

"James. . . . .I-I need some time to think this out," she said.

"Take all the time you need," James said. He put on a mask. She couldn't see he was hurt, she couldn't know that it effected him more than he cared to admit. So James watched as she slipped out of the door, no doubt heading back to her room. As soon as she was gone, James slid down the wall and buried his face in his hands. He'd had enough of this game.

James sat in Lily's room and watched her as she slept. Suddenly she awoke with a start. He moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. She was shaking. "Shh, it's going to be ok. No one's going to hurt you. It's alright," James cooed.

"James," Lily mumbled burying her face into his chest. She clutched his shirt, refusing to let him go. It was fine with him. He didn't want to let her go. The world had hurt her, possibly broken her, and he wanted to make her better.

"Now tell me what is was about," he said, gently pushing her back so he could see her face.

Tears fell freely from her eyes. He wanted to push them away, but he knew she would hate it if he did that.

"I-I-I was-wasn't wanted any-anymore." How could she say that? Karen loved her. Sirius and Remus treated her like their little sister, well Sirius did most of the time. He would love her until the end of time. There was no question about that so why was she dreaming about this? He had to reassure her.

"That's not going to happen. Someone will always need you. You're a good person and the world always needs good people."

"J-James, stay with me," she stuttered quietly.

"Alright," James agreed. He laid down next to her and laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him. He wanted to stay like this forever. Lily would be safe in his arms and she wouldn't have to worry about anything else.

As she drifted off, he whispered, "I'll always need you."

James slowly opened his eyes. Pain stung his body, but it wasn't so bad. He'd had worse. He looked down and saw Lily lying next to him. Then he remembered the attack and the pain that he had endured. It was awful. He didn't know what the curse was, but it was something dark, no doubt. If Lily was lying here next to him then that meant that she had stayed her with him while he was hurt. Maybe she still cared. "Lily, Lily, wake up," James whispered in her ear.

Lily stirred slightly. She buried her head into James' chest. James smiled. She really was beautiful. Even more so when she asleep and her face had a peaceful calm about it. James tightened his arms around her. He smiled as she looked up. A surprised look crossed her face, before one of pure joy took it's place.

"James!" Lily shouted.

"Hey, there, Evans," James smiled.

Lily quickly sat up. James smiled up at her and sat up as well, wincing a bit.

"Are you alright?" Lily asked immediately. "Do you need anything? Do you want me to get anything for you?"

"No," James answered. "Just a bit sore."

Before he could say or do anything else, Lily kissed him. He was surprised at first, but his hand slipped up to cup her cheek while the other one wound around her waist to pull her closer to him. It was unlike anything James had ever felt before. It was like rain after a long drought. All he knew was that here, with Lily, he felt like he was whole again. Like he hadn't seen so many people die. Like he was free.

"I'm. .never. .going. . . .to leave. . . .you. . .again," Lily got out in between kisses. James just shook his head and pulled her closer. As she lay on top of him, James felt like he would explode. He couldn't be happier than he was right now. They might still have a chance. No way was he letting her go after this.

James' hand slipped under her shirt and he started to draw circles on the small of her back. Lily pushed herself against him causing him to groan.

"Ahem," a voice interrupted them.

Lily pulled away from James and looked over at the door. Karen and Sirius stood in the doorway.

"Having fun?" Sirius asked, smirking.

"Yes, I was, until you ruined it, Padfoot," James answered. "Thanks a lot."

Sirius just grinned cheekily at him. Lily gracefully slid off of James and stood up. She straightened her uniform in a very Lily like manor, pushing out the unwanted wrinkles. She crossed her arms when she was done. This was going to be very hard to explain to those two. Personally James didn't want to explain it.

"I told you we should have come later this evening," Karen rolled her eyes. "So are you two together now?"

Lily looked down and blushed. James was sputtering and looking between Lily and Karen. Leave it to Karen to ask the most awkward questions. Couldn't they just leave and come back later? James loved them and all, but right now he really needed to talk to Lily.

"Right then, we'll leave you two to it then," Karen smirked grabbing Sirius' hand.

"But I wanted to talk to James," Sirius whined.

"I'm sure we'll find something else to do," Karen told him.

The door closed and Lily and James were left alone in the awkward silence.

"So. . ."

"I want you back," Lily interrupted before he could say anything else. James didn't think she would say it that quick. Why did it have to come to a near death situation for her to realize how she felt about him? How he felt about her. He was going to love Lily for the rest of his life even if she didn't want him to.

"Really?" James asked in disbelief. He had to make sure. This couldn't be fake.

"Really," Lily answered.

"Well come here then," James grabbed her arm before she could protest and pulled her back on top of him. "We have a lot to catch up on."

James knew they were probably going to met their death, all of them, but at least they would be together. If he had Lily, then there was nothing they could do to hurt him. Even if they erased his memories, it wouldn't matter. He had Lily and they were going down together. Maybe if they delayed

Voldemort then Dorcas could find a way to get out and get back to Remus.

They entered and expensive room. Everything seemed so clean. There were a few Death Eaters around. There in the middle of the room sat Lord Voldemort himself. He seemed completely relaxed. James didn't know if he should be afraid of how calm this killer was or of what he knew was going to come.

"Lily Evans and James Potter, you're finally here," he muttered as if he were talking to himself. "At last, I can complete my plan. You see, you two are very good duelers. You could be better with my help. So what do you say? Join my army and your past sins will be forgiven and you may start anew."

James' eyes went wide. He wanted them to join him? He was joking right? He did know Lily was a Muggleborn right? This guy was seriously insane. He didn't even believe in the rules of his own cause!

What kind of madman was he? James certainly didn't expect this.

"Excuse me?" Dorcas spoke before Lily and James could get over their shock. "Why would we join you? You're a crazy madman! You're what we fought so hard to destroy! You've killed our friends and families! Do you know how many innocent lives you've taken?! Thousands! Thousands of people have died for you cause! You're demented if you think we'll devote, commit, or tie ourselves to you in anyway. You're an insane blood thirsty criminal and you will rot in hell for it."

Every word Dorcas spoke James was filled with pride and fear. Pride because everything she had was true and she had the guts to say it. Fear because there was no telling what this man would do to her. Every word she spoke was just digging her grave a little dipper. Now James knew he and Lily couldn't hold him off and Dorcas would be the first to go.

"Dorcas Meadowes, am I correct?" he stated calmly. "Very brave indeed. A true Gryffindor. But do you really think that you should say those words to me when your life is in my hands? Do you think that your friends will come and save you? Do you really believe that? Do you really think that you can defeat me?"

He was standing in front of Dorcas now. She didn't flinch when he ran a finger down her cheek. She stared fearlessly into his cold dead eyes. Then she spit on his face. This seemed to be the line and Dorcas crossed it. He stormed away from her in an angry rage.

"Bellatrix!" he shouted. "Take Ms. Meadowes away and show her what we do with people who disrespect me!"

"Yes, my lord," Bellatrix replied an evil smile on her face as she pulled a struggling Dorcas out of the room.

"Now, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, will you join my army?" he asked. "It's a simple question with a simple answer. Yes or no. The preferable answer would be yes, but should you choose to say no, then you will dig your own graves."

James and Lily looked at each other. The answer was written in each others' eyes. "No." They both said it at the same time and they both looked him straight in the eye when they said it.

"No, because you murdered my parents and you know it," Lily seethed. James knew she was dieing to get this off her chest. "You may not have done it personally, but you sent your people to attack their town and they're dead because of you. You hate everything about me and the only reason you want us on your side now is because you're scared."

"We're not going to fight for you," James told him. "My parents would turn over in their graves if I joined you. They worked so hard to stop you and I will not throw that away. I was raised to know better. Not to mention, I'm in love with a Muggleborn witch. I'm not going to join your side when I know you don't trust me and you think I'm the scum of the earth. No."

He looked on them with his cold stare and pulled out his wand. "Very well, you have sealed your fate."

James grabbed Lily's hand, knowing what they had indeed sealed their fate. Now was the end. The end of everything, but at least, they would die knowing that they had died to safeguard the future children of the world. They would die with honor, pride, and dignity, but that moment never came as the side wall was blasted open.