A/N: Hello! I'm finally updating! I do not own the Harry Potter universe, all credit to J K Rowling. Thank you for reading and reviewing and following and favourite-ing!

I will try and upload more but... school takes up a lot of my time and then I read a lot and I'm trying harder with my social life. Where's the time?

Another disclaimer: a lot of this chapter I sourced from Harry Potter Wiki - so one, this is true in the HP universe and two, I cannot take credit for anything to do with Patronuses.

Enjoy!

LILY'S P.O.V

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS

"Today we're going to practice Patronuses. The Patronus Charm is a very useful but very difficult piece of Defensive Magic. Who knows what they can do?"

I raise my hand.

"Miss Evans?"

"The Patronus Charm conjures a spirit guardian which can ward off Dementors and Lethifolds to which there is no other protection. They can also send messages and guide people."

"Well done Miss Evans. I do not expect anyone in this room to be able to produce a Patronus as not only is it an extremely difficult and advanced piece of magic, it can be very dangerous if it goes wrong. I have taken exemplary precautions to stop the worst happening but it is down to you to not do anything stupid. Does anybody know what Miranda Goshawk said about the Patronus Charm?"

Nobody puts up their hand.

"Miranda Goshawk said," he flicks his wand at the blackboard.

It reads: This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it.

"To cast the spell, you say Expecto Patronum and think of the moment where you felt the happiest.. This is the hand movement," Professor Jenks moves his wrist in a circle-like shape.

"Professor, if this magic is really hard and dangerous, why are we learning it?" Dorcas asks.

"What? Scared you're not powerful enough," Padfoot goads her in a rancorous way.

"Mr Black," Professor Jenks warns, "to answer your question Miss Meadowes, we're learning the Patronus Charm because it will invaluable to you. Especially in the war."

"What's a corporeal Patronus?" Alice asks.

"A corporeal Patronus is one which takes the form of an animal whereas an incorporeal Patronus is one which does not resemble an animal or any living creature, for that matter. An incorporeal Patronus has very few distinguishable features, if there are any. So an incorporeal Patronus may resemble a burst of silver vapour or smoke from the tip of your wand –"

Sirius and a few other immature gits start snickering into their hands. Jesus. They find something dirty in everything.

"Would you kindly inform me what is so funny?"

"Well, you said an incorporeal Patronus may resemble a burst of silver vapour or smoke from the tip of your wand," Sirius stresses out the words 'bursts', 'silver' and 'wand'.

The whole class erupts with rapturous laughter. The whole lot of them are sickening.

"Mr Black might I remind you that you are on your final warning," Professor Jenks narrows his eyes at Sirius. "Anyway, an incorporeal Patronus, whilst still a form of the Patronus Charm, is regarded as a weaker version of the true charm but even producing an incorporeal Patronus is admirable magic."

"Lily said that you could use them for communication. Wouldn't the Dark Side be able to intercept the messages?" Frank Longbottom asks.

"No, Professor Dumbledore first decided to use Patronuses for communication as they can identify the castor and receiver and are 'dark proof'. Very secure. Using them for communication however, is exclusive to certain members."

"What do you mean, Professor?" Frank frowns.

"Don't let it bother you, Mr Longbottom. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has talked to most of you about joining."

The class looks at him, mystified. I know what he's on about though, it's obvious. The Order of the Phoenix. It's only the Order that uses Patronuses for communication, hence why I know that's one of the uses. Still, talking about the Order is dangerous. Especially in a classroom.

"I thought only wizards and witches with completely pure hearts could cast a Patronus Charm," Melanie Clearwater says. God I hate her.

I almost laugh at her, as if. Almost anyone can cast a Patronus.

"Miss Clearwater that is simply hearsay, so long as you are not a Dark Wizard or Witch it should work. Although Dark Wizards cannot use the Patronus as it is as I said, 'dark proof', the Dark Side has no need for Patronuses, not when they have those creatures working for them."

We all unanimously shudder at the mention of Dark Side creatures.

"I will show you the Patronus Charm," Professor Jenks takes a step back. "Expecto Patronum!"

A kingfisher made of white smoke which illuminates the room shoots from Professor Jenks' wand and soars around the classroom. Professor Jenks points his wand at the kingfisher and it disappears into a wispy silver residue.

"Now, who wants to try and cast a Patronus?" Professor Jenks beams as everyone leans forward eagerly. "We have to be careful, though. If you do manage to cast a fully-fledged corporeal Patronus, they can be quite strong. It takes a great deal of power and concentration to contain and control them. Do not be misled, they can knock things over and send people flying if you so wish. Get into pairs, if you please."

James turns to me and smirks. What's he so pleased about? He leans forward.

"You know they have this theory that your Animagus and Patronus forms are the same. Have you seen Professor McGonagall's? Her Animagus form is a cat and her Patronus is a cat as well. I saw it when I went to the Order in the summer."

"So you think yours' is a stag?" I ask him.

"Yes. How did you…?"

"I saw you and the Marauders once outside the Whomping Willow," I look down at the floor.

"Remus –"

"Yeah I know, I saw."

"Ah. I'll bet Padfoot's is a dog."

"I'm not betting with you."

"Quite right," he winks, "cause I never lose a bet."

I roll my eyes. "Always so cocky."

"You love it really."

"Keep telling yourself that."

"I do, it's part of the reason I'm not quaking in your presence. I know you're just as in awe of my looks as I am."

"Why would you 'quake in my presence'?"

"You're terrifying. Nothing's scarier than a redhead who looks at you like she's going to vaporise you every time you try and flirt with her."

"Flirt?"

"Yes, sweetheart, it's what we're doing now."

"I hadn't noticed," my tone drips with sarcasm, "and don't call me sweetheart!"

James smiles and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. My cheeks turn pink.

"Right," I say, recovering from my stunned state of mind, "shall we try this charm or not?"

"You first."

"No, you."

"You go first."

"You go first."

"I can't go first, ladies always go first."

"And I'm saying you have to go first."

"Fine, at the same time. Ready? Wait! Have you got your happy memory?"

I think back over the years. Then it hits me. When James and I kissed in the woods for the first time since the bet which I don't think counts because we kind of had to. Even just remembering how I felt then gives me a warm tingle. The first time James and I kissed properly and I came away practically trembling. I felt like something was beginning and a new life arising.

"Yeah, you?"

"Yep. Ready? 1,2,3! "

Then we both shout Expecto Patronum. At first, I think nothing's going to happen and then white smoky vapour shoots from my wand to form a solid-looking yet gas-like doe. A feeling of confidence and happiness overwhelms me. I look over at James; his is a stag, like he thought. His stag chases after my doe, the two of them leaving silvery trails of light as they run around crossing each other's paths and jumping around the classroom. I have to flick my wand to stop my doe tripping over Melanie Clearwater (much as I would have liked it). I did it! I cast a corporeal Patronus Charm. One of the most advanced pieces of magic in the world.

Professor Jenks comes over, looking stunned and in awe.

"Well done Miss Evans and Mr Potter! That was simply incredible. You know they say that soul mates' Patronuses match? Quite interesting, the power love has to play on magical ability. It is often believed in the Wizarding community that being in love or having a soul mate gives your magic an unusual and powerful flair. I'm very impressed! Oh, Mr Black! Please control your Patronus or put it away!"

"We're not…" I begin, but Professor Jenks goes to scold Sirius.

"I told you so," James says in a sing-song voice.

"Tsh, he said 'they say', that doesn't mean it's true!"

"We'll see, my darling Lily-flower. It's not a coincidence, you know. An Epiphany of the Soul, our Patronuses… we're soul mates."

"It's just a stroke of luck on your part. It's a fluke. I'll bet loads of people have matching Patronuses that aren't romantically involved."

"So we're romantically involved?" he says, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ugh, shut up."

"And what do you mean loads of people? You mean like Marlene and Padfoot?"

I look over to where Sirius and Marlene are. Indeed, Mar's Patronus is a female dog – a bitch if you will.

"Another coincidence," I say simply but I'm not so sure.

"What's it going to take to convince you?"

"Proper evidence."

"There is no proper evidence to prove love of the highest degree!"

"Then I guess I'll be naming our child, then."

"You're impossibly stubborn and difficult, you know?"

"I do know, but you love me anyway."

"You're manipulative, too."

"Oh that's rich!"

"And what are you implying?"

"I'm implying that you are a manipulative twit."

"When have I ever been manipulative?"

"Let's see, you manipulated Slughorn to let you stay at his party, you blackmailed Peeves, you picked on the first years and made them lie about what had really happened, you pick on poor Wormtail and make him do stuff for you and there was that time –"

"Okay! You've made your point!"

I smile in triumph.

"This isn't over, I will prove you wrong. Soul mates do exist!"

"In don't believe you."

"You're such a Muggle sometimes, Lily."

"And what does that mean?"

"You underestimate the power of love."

"You sound like Professor Dumbledore."

"Yeah well, Dumbledore's right sometimes, you know."

"Maybe, he said that love will give me the strength when I need it most."

"What did he mean?"

I shrug. "I don't know."

JAMES' P.O.V

POTIONS – PROFESSOR SLUGHORN

I can't believe she doesn't believe in soul mates. Furthermore, how can one not accept the obvious evidence put in front of one's self? Come on! Her Patronus is a doe, mine is a stag. Professor Jenks said that soul mates have complementary Patronuses. What more does she want?

"…and this potion is Amortentia. Does anybody know what it does? Miss Evans perhaps?"

I roll my eyes, Lily is Slughorn's favourite student.

"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. It causes an infatuation and obsession in the drinker. When drunk it can make the drinker excited or precariously unstable. It has a mother-of-pearl sheen, spiralling steam and it's smell composes of different things to every person. For example, I smell old books, mint leaves, freshly baked cakes, rosemary and er…" she blushes heavily.

I hold back a laugh. Lily doesn't like being laughed at in front of people and I do not want to get on her bad side. I wonder what the last thing she smelt was but I can have a pretty good guess.

"Well done, Miss Evans! Ten points to Gryffindor. One should never drink Amortentia alone, the effects are instantaneous and as Miss Evans said, will make you excited and dangerously unstable. Not only would this be very embarrassing for you, but could potentially cause harm to yourself or others. If you so desire, you may smell the potion and write down what you smell but our main focus is the use of these potions for Defence purposes. Some of these potions could save your life or at least buy you some time so I implore you to listen carefully."

One by one, we all go up and smell the cauldron. I inhale. I can smell a sea breeze, fresh linen, sandalwood, bonfires and cinnamon and vanilla. Cinnamon and vanilla are Lily's scent. I smell them every time I smell her hair or have my nose anywhere near her. The smell always makes me calm but at the same time, a little excited and nervous.

"…obviously the best way to stay alive is to avoid near-death situations," Slughorn chuckles, "but should you ever encounter a time when you need to stay alive, a bezoar should cure more common poisons but the Extra Strength Potion QWC will give you a boost of extra strength. Whilst we're on healing potions –"

"Sir, what is the Elixir of Life?"

"Oh. Well the Elixir of Life grants the drinker extended life if taken regularly. It must be made using the Philosopher's Stone but the stone itself is with its creator, Nicolas Flamel. If the drinker becomes reliant on the potion and does not take the potion when its effects wear off, then they will die."

"So it will make you live forever?"

Slughorn chuckles. "It is never wise to have your very existence reliant on taking a potion."

I nudge Lily.

"What was the last thing you smelt?" I ask her. Colour rises to her cheeks.

"Just shut up and listen to Professor Slughorn."

"I'll tell you what I smelt."

She still has her eyes on Professor Slughorn and I can see her brain absorbing all the knowledge he's sprouting out but I can see part of her attention focused on me.

"Oh yeah? What did you smell?"

"A sea breeze, fresh linen, sandalwood, bonfires and cinnamon and vanilla."

She goes even redder at the mention of cinnamon and vanilla.

"I'm trying to concentrate," she hisses.

"Come on, I told you mine."

"Fine, old books, mint leaves, freshly baked cakes, rosemary and you."

"You know what I'm going to say, soul mate."

"So? You smell what attracts you not your soul mate with whom you are supposedly bound to."

"Do you admit you're attracted to me?"

"You already know that."

"You didn't answer the question!"

"It wasn't a question. It was a yes or no answer and the answer is yes."

"Seriously, what do I have to do to prove that soul mates are real?"

"Just shut up and listen to Professor Slughorn."

"You've already said that."

"Yeah and you didn't listen."

"I did listen, I just didn't do it."

"Don't you care at all? This lesson could save our lives!"

"Of course I care but already know all this stuff."

She mutters something about my arrogance before blocking me out completely and giving Slughorn her undivided attention. Merlin, I'll prove that we're soul mates if it's the very last thing I do.