Sorry its taken me so long to post this...Ive had a bit of writers block, thats why this is soo short! Enjoy and please review! - Bee!

James began to catch himself watching Regulus too; without meaning to James would find that his gaze would wander to the Slytherin table in search of his best friend's brother. He would make excuses to take the patrol duties that meant being around the dungeons; wondering if there was anything he could do to save the boy who looked so much like his best friend but really held nothing but a last name and inherited looks in common. Sirius, however, it seemed was coping with it a lot better now that he'd confined in James and as a result everyone seemed to be effected by Sirius's mood which had gone back to its old joyful self. The happier Sirius was brilliant; everyone in their house couldn't fail to feel happier and carefree with Sirius Black bouncing around the place.

One Sunday morning, the Marauders were lounging in the Common Room when James turned to say something to Remus but was distracted by the sight of Lily rushing through the Portrait Hole in floods of tears. "What the-?" James said loudly. "Lily?" He called jumping to his feet and rushing to her side. "What is it?" He glanced around, people were looking at them. He hesitated before putting his arm around her and quickly leading her to a seat by a window. He kept his arm around her as she desperately tried to brush tears from her eyes as still more sobs escaped her. James noticed a crumbled piece of parchment in her hand. "What's that?" He asked gently, "Is it an essay? A letter or something? What's wrong?" James asked desperately.

Without a word Lily thrust the parchment at James who took it hesitantly, he unfolded it and read:

"Lily,

I cannot believe I am using your…owl to write to you, freak.

I just thought you should know that Vernon and I are engaged. The wedding is scheduled for this summer. Neither myself nor Vernon want you or your unnatural boyfriend at our wedding at all let alone part of the wedding party, but Mum is insisting you are both at least invited. So I'm enclosing an invitation against my wishes.

I won't ask how your school for freaks is going, because I don't really care.

Petunia."

James read the letter twice over, stunned at the harshness behind the words. "Oh Lily," James whispered wrapping her in his arms and pulling her close to him, she sobbed quietly. "Horrible isn't it?" She whispered in a broken voice. James didn't know how to reply. "Lily," He whispered again, pressing his lips against her temple. "Dear," He held her close, knowing he couldn't really say anything that would comfort her.

James didn't know how long he sat there holding her close, not saying a word, until she finally whispered, "She doesn't want me there. You see she called me a freak?"

James nodded and his voice was husky as he spoke "Yes, I know, just-,"

"No," She cut in, "It's horrible, I can't help what I am but she acts as though I have some disease- I don't understand!"

"I do," James said quietly, his hand gently stroking up and down her back. "She's jealous."

Lily shook her head but didn't argue. "We used to talk about our weddings you know? When we were little."

"She was going to have Petunia flowers to match her name and I was going to have Lilies, there was this little church about an hour from our house that we went to with our Grandma when we were little, we loved it…We both said we'd get married there one day…" Lily had tears in her eyes as she spoke, her breathing had slowed, and her cheeks were returning to their normal colour, but still she was visibly upset. "We were going to be each other bridesmaids and do each other's hair before the big day, we were going to-," She broke into sobs again and James pulled her closer whispering,

"It's alright, it's alright." Not knowing what else to say.

The school year was going so fast Valentine 's Day and Easter came and went as the fifth and seventh years cracked down on revising for their upcoming exams. Even the Maruarders were found cramped around a desk in the library buried in piles of books; the pressures of N.E.W.T.S hitting them harder than a Bludger on the Quidditch pitch.

James and Lily spent one of their Sunday afternoons- that they kept free for each other-out in the grounds; Lily had taken her books under the pretence that she would do some revision while they spent some alone time together, but James however ruined these plans simply by flashing her his gorgeous smile. They were sitting at the base of a large oak tree, James was leaning against the trunk, wearing a pair of jeans and a loose shirt, Lily was wearing muggle clothes too but she was wrapped in James's travelling cloak as while they'd walked across the grounds the spring breeze had made her shiver. James looked at her, lost in thought; he dragged his fingers through his hair as the wind tossled his unruly mop of dark hair. Lily was securing the clasp on the cloak, looking pale and cold, James couldn't resist wanting to protect and care for her, he moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her without a word. And she too melted into his arms, her head resisting on his shoulder, her hot breath on his neck- a sensation that made him shiver with delight and excitement.

"Feels like a long time since we've been properly alone together…" James said in a husky voice, acting on the boyish excitement that was rushing through his veins at that very moment.

Lily curled closer to him, perhaps sensing his double meaning behind the statement. "I know," She breathed and James was sure she'd understood.

"I've missed you." He admitted resting his cheek on the top of her head. He could smell her shampoo, sweet and strawberry smelling, he wondered if anything else in the world could smell more alluring and perfect.

Lily looked up at him, peering into his eyes for a moment then dropping her gaze once more, as a blush spread across her cheeks. "Me too, a lot." She whispered her voice barely auditable.

"Dear-," James said overcome with emotions and feelings, he pushed her chin up, with a light finger, so that her lips could meet his. He smashed his lips against hers, forcefully, eagerly putting every ounce of his being into the kiss. She responded passionately, her body moulding itself to his, her hands knotted in his hair. He pulled himself on top of her pushing her back into the grass "Lily," He whispered eagerly his hands at her waist. "Merlin I love you!" He murmured scattering kisses across her jawline and neck. She was breathless, she kissed him again and again…

This exchange lasted a long time, until things were getting extremely heated and Lily said forcefully her hands on James's chest, holding him back "James stop!"

She didn't look annoyed or upset, simply flustered. James sat up, his body fiercely defying this movement. He groaned and moved away from Lily. "I'm sorry." He muttered, leaning away from her against the tree.

"You don't need to apologise." Lily said slowly, she sat herself up, running a self-conscious hand through her long, sweeping hair- it was now unkempt with a few leaves wound into it from where James had pushed her onto the grass. James leaned forward and picked the leaves from her hair with delicate fingers, when he was done he touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips then rested his palm against her cheek. She leaned into his touch, her eyes closing as she did so. "I'm sorry Jamie," She mumbled, "This isn't exactly the place to be…" She trailed off.

"It's okay," James said, although his body was still disagreeing. "I understand. I just got a bit carried away."

"So did I." Lily said, "But if we'd been caught…"

"Yeah," James laughed thinking about the consequences. "Can you imagine McGonagall's face?" He sniggered.

Lily rolled her eyes and slid back next to him. "Love you James." She whispered closing her eyes and resting her head against him once more.

"Love you too," He smiled hugging her close and leaning against the tree, his eyes slide shut and he dozed off into a daydream about all the things he and Lily could be doing if they had a little privacy.