Hey guys, so we've finally reached 100 reviews. I just want to say a big thank you to all of my lovely reviewers. Writing this story would never be as fun if I didn't have you all encouraging me and telling me what you think and giving me ideas. Thanks especially to those of you who reviewed the last chapter... Jannice Sace, ebonbon, and bookwurm1612. In particular BOOKWURM1612 was my 100th reviewer! :)

Chapter 51:

Lily slammed the door in his face and jumped on her bed, her face in her hands. Tears were streaming down her face. Lily didn't want to admit it but all day she had been getting more and more excited about her mysterious flower giver. She still had the black rose. She placed it with the other roses. She'd developed a crush on her secret admirer because his words had been so poignant, only to be told that it was never going to happen and that it was James, bloody Potter; her worst nightmare.

"Lily, will you let me explain," came James' voice from the other side of the door.

Lily made her way towards the door, hand outstretched to pull the handle when she decided that she couldn't face him. Instead she sat on the floor next to the door, "what do you want Potter?"

"I'm so sorry," James began, "I need to explain."

"Go on then; explain it to me… tell me why you're such a horrible git!" She replied angrily.

"This is a bit of a long story… Ever since that first day on the train, you've hated me. You haven't exactly given me a chance; choosing to see only the worst in me. Every day, it didn't matter what I said or did you, you were always angry with me. So last year I decided that if you were going to be constantly calling me a jerk then that's how I would behave. I began to do things that I knew would annoy you; asking you out and stuff. You aggravated me because you always took Snape's side even when he was wrong. I was angry so I retaliated. Emmie ended it with me because I was constantly asking you out and stuff and well…"

"Well what?" Lily asked.

"Well she thought I liked you," James said through the door. "I thought she was wrong. I still don't really know but she thought I did. This year… I don't know what happened… things just carried on like normal. I tried to annoy you… you'd shout… occasionally hex me… then I thought I need to give her a birthday present. I had two ideas for a present so I gave you them both – I do like you Evans. Not like loads but I wish we got on – I wish we could at least be friends."

"Me and you? Friends? As if!"

James sighed, "then I had the idea of the roses. It started off as a bit of a joke but I ended up writing the truth somehow. I don't know. At first I just wanted you to like me so I could rule it over you… I thought that when you saw my initials you'd be so angry…"

"I am angry," Lily spat.

"I know… I wanted this reaction. But when I gave you the music box, I realised I was about to hurt you. The black rose… I'm sorry. I'd do anything to take it back but I can't. I'm sorry."

Lily didn't quite know what to say. She waited to see if he would say anything else.

"I'm going to go now. I really am sorry for ruining your birthday." She heard him retreat down the stairs. Lily turned to look at her roses. She transfigured a vase to place them in. They really were beautiful.

"You didn't ruin my birthday," Lily whispered, although James was too far away to hear.

Lily sorted out her face – the tears had caused her make up to smudge – and made her way back down the stairs to the party. Tom was waiting for her by the fire. When he saw her, he smiled and waved. She made her way over to him, only briefly noticing that James wasn't at the party.

"Are you ok?" Tom asked thoughtfully.

"I'm fine, thanks," Lily smiled.

"I have your present," Tom told her. They sat down on the floor and Tom pulled a round box out of his pocket. He handed it to Lily and smiled.

Lily opened the box. Sat inside was a miniature crystal ball. Lily looked up at Tom for an explanation. "I don't need a crystal ball or tea leaves to know you're my destiny."

Lily giggled slightly. She waited for him to continue, awkwardly.

"Will you be my girlfriend, Lily Evans?" Tom asked.

"Yes," Lily replied.

Tom looked completely taken aback. "But what about all those bloody roses?"

"They…" she felt a sob rise in her throat. "They don't matter," She lied.

Tom lent down and kissed her gently on the lips.

James had gone out for a walk in the grounds. When he returned, he searched the common room for the smallest sign of red. There she was; her hair ablaze in the fire light, kissing Tom Griffiths.

Things between Lily and James were worse than ever in the weeks that followed. Lily refused to be in his company at all and so was avoiding all of her friends. James had explained to them that he had taken a joke too far and had really upset her. Sirius alone understood the full story. He had helped James get the flowers to her. "Other than the fact you feel guilty, I'd say it's a job well done."

"Sirius…" James sighed.

"Come on man," Sirius frowned, "It got her off your back didn't it?"

"Yeah I guess," James replied sadly.

"Anyone would think you like Evans berating you every two minutes."

"No…"

"Well then… lighten up! She's worse than my mother and that's saying something."

James laughed slightly at the comparison of Evans and Mrs Black. There really was no comparison. Lily was sweet and kind whilst Mrs Black was cold and calculating. Lily was a ferocious fire whilst Mrs Black was ice cold stone.

A couple of days after the party, James and the others were opening their morning post when Alice gasped for air. "What's up Alice?" James asked as he began opening a letter from his mother.

"Y-your dad…" Alice tried to explain.

Frank took the copy of the prophet that she had been reading, "Shit…"

"Would someone just bloody tell me what's going on?" James asked, growing angry.

Frank began to read the article aloud, "Ministry Raid Leaves Aurors Dead and Heavily Injured;"

James grabbed the paper and began reading, searching for news of his father.

The ministry has yet to release the names of the dead aurors (the current death toll being five with more undergoing emergency treatment at St Mungo's, still in a critical condition.) The minister has released a short statement on the matter; "The auror office have been working tirelessly to catch those responsible for the different attacks that we have witnessed this year. We at the ministry are grateful to all those who have laid down their lives in service of this magical community. Their families have our deepest sympathies."

James frowned. There was no mention of his dad. He quickly turned to his mother's letter and ripped it open.

James,

You've probably already seen the paper. Your father was in the raid. He is at St Mungo's. His condition is critical. I have also written to the school and asked that you have the day off to visit your father. Professor McGonagall will allow you to use her fire to floo to St Mungo's. I'm sorry I don't have more news. I'm on my way to St Mungo's now.

Mum. Xxx

James sighed in relief only to realise that as his father was still in a critical condition he might still die. Professor McGonagall made her way over to him and lay a hand on his shoulder, "are you ready Potter?"

"Yes, Professor," James nodded. He left the table without a second thought for his friends.

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St Mungo's...

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