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So I was rereading Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix (for about the 100th time) and I noticed that during Harry's first time seeing Snape's memories  (before 'Snape's worst memory'), Harry see's an image of a girl laughing at a scrawny boy who's trying to get on a bucking broomstick. And I thought, maybe this is a hidden hint about Harry's parents. Because let's face it, the golden trio have had huge arguments before too, and maybe James and Lily actually got along okay but the memory Harry saw in Snape's worst memory was just a really really bad day for their friendship/ acquaintance-ship. Also don't forget when Harry said "she hated him" and Sirius replied  "nah she didn't" - further proof that maybe Lily and James weren't as hostile towards each other as most of us thought.

And even if they did hate each other during Snape's Worst Memory, the memory harry sees here could show the start of their friend ship. Wouldn't that be a great moment to add to canon?

Just a thought. Let me know what you think about it.

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Lily: James is cute. I think I wanna ask him out.

Sirius, thinking about the night before when a slightly drunk James was standing on the table and screaming that worms are just tiny, harmless snakes: Good, because I’m positive nobody else does.

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“Every day you teach me something new about art and history and why I shouldn’t eat everything that smells good, because sometimes it’s candles.”

— James Potter (19, about to marry the love of his life) reading his wedding vows to Lily Evans (19, currently doubting her life choices).

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Proof that the Sharks will win in Game of Thrones... the wolf does not concern itself with the opinions of sheep....

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Head Duties, Prefect schedules and those three little words

One Wednesday evening during the middle of March could find James Potter and Lily Evans sitting in a secluded corner of the abandoned library, sheets of parchment scattered on the table in front of them.

It was late and the library was deserted apart from the two head students, even Madam Pince was nowhere to be found. The sky had darkened outside and they had a clear view of the grounds from where they worked. The outline of the forbidden forest could just be seen by the light of the stars and the small sliver of the moon amongst the clouds.

Lily was sitting on the desk, swinging her legs back and forth, while James leant back on the legs of his chair, their hard work constantly being interrupted by meaningless chatter and banter between the two, or in other words flirting and chaste kisses, for there was no one around after all.

They talked and teased each other companionably as they always did during their duties. Although the work was tiresome and boring, they used it to their advantage to spend time together without the loud noises and boisterous attitudes that accompanied being friends with Marauders and Gryffindors.

They were currently taking yet another break to laugh about a recent prank the marauders had played on the defence professor. The old bat had very much deserved it and neither could wait to see her face the next morning when she discovered she had grown a snout and excessive amounts of facial hair. Hopefully it would teach her not to be so judgemental on the subject of werewolves.

James and Lily slipped into a comfortable silence, not needing to talk to enjoy the others company. They had been dating for almost five months now, and with the war against Voldemort approaching, along with the end of the school year, they were content with taking every moment they could get.

This silence was reluctantly broken by Lily when she realised that they had made very little progress on the work they were supposed to be doing.

"We really should finish that." she commented half heartedly, nodding at the prefects schedule.

James made a noncommittal grunt and Lily snorted in amusement.

"You're head boy, you know that means you actually have to do stuff every now and then, ya?"

James' head made contact with the table with a soft thud, muffled by all the papers littering the desk.

"But it's so boring Evans." he winged like an upset toddler.

Lily worked hard to refrain from laughing at her boyfriends childish attitude.

"And I suppose a Marauder such as yourself has no idea what boredom is like then?" she teased.

He looked up at her with a serious expression. "None." he said, "Never in all my years as a Marauder have I been faced with boredom."

His sarcasm was accompanied by a somber expression that had the desired affect of bringing a reluctant smile from her.

"Seriously James, we need to get this finished soon, we have class tomorrow."

"I'm not Sirius I'm the handsome one. " He said, with the usual cocky grin that made Lily's heart flutter, ignoring her other words.

She rolled her eyes and smacked him on the shoulder, trying hard not to smile at the overused pun. "That was old in first year." she informed him, which James once again ignored, choosing instead to take advantage of her leaning down to hit him, by placing his lips to hers. Lily didn't object but she pulled back after a moment and insisted on battling their work.

They made little progress on the schedule as they continued to quip at one another but it wasn't until darker subjects arose that the prefects schedule was completely abandoned.

Prefects schedules for rounds had become increasingly hard to arrange because as well as students having various clubs such as Quiditch to attend or detentions to serve, the tensions between houses regarding beliefs of blood purity limited the options of inter house partnerships. It also meant that with the growing support for Voldemort inside the castle, Patrols needed to be doubled.

They were currently trying to arrange a replacement for both Remus and James for the full moon in two weeks time. Lily was aware of the efforts her boyfriend and their friends had taken to help make life easier for Remus, and was nothing but supportive, but that didn't make the schedule any easier to sort.

"Well what if we paired Lucinda Talkalot with Benjy Fenwick?" James had suggested in regards to patrols.

Lily's light expression immediately darkened at James' suggestion.

"Lucinda's not on rounds or any prefects duties for the next month, she's still recovering." Lily told him.

James cursed internally and ran a hand through his hair. He hadn't meant to forget about the latest death eater attack but they had become so frequent now it was hard to keep track.

Lucinda's family had been murdered in their homes earlier that month and, understandably, she was currently a wreck.

Lily sighed and looked out the window at the forest. "Do you think it will ever end?" she asked him softly.

He hesitated before answering her. "It will, someday. I want to say soon, but sometimes it's like it's only getting worse. But someday... someday things will go back to normal... back to how they should be..." he trailed off. They both knew how uncertain everything was these days, there was no point lying and pretending it was better than it was.

"I know being a Gryffindor means we're supposed to be brave, but I can't help but feeling terrified, and imagine what it's like out there, I'm going to fight but... sometimes I just... it's hard not to be scared. I want to do something, to help, I want to be a true Gryffindor but..." she too trailed off leaving her unspoken words hanging in the air between them.

Lily returned her gaze to James and was surprised by the fond look he was giving her vulnerable one.

He smiled softly and took her hands, pulling her towards him gently before he began speaking.

"When I was younger I was always really excited about coming to Hogwarts. I wanted to be in Gryffindor, just like my dad, and as far as I was concerned my letter couldn't come soon enough." He told her with a faraway look. Lily wasn't sure how this was relevant but she let him speak anyway. He used the hands he was holding to pull her from the table onto his lap, and she complied easily, snuggling into his chest as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"When my letter did come though, everything was a lot more real. I didn't really know any other kids, and I realised I was going to have to leave my parents behind. I was pretty scared, despite how exited I'd always been.

The night before I left my dad asked me what the problem was, my parents noticed I'd been pretty down, they thought I would've been bouncing off the walls.

So I told him what was bothering me. I said that I had wanted to be in Gryffindor like him but I was scared and now I knew that I wasn't going to get into Gryffindor because they were supposed to be brave.

He laughed and told me that I definitely wasn't going to get into Ravenclaw because I was being stupid. He said that Gryffindor isn't about not being afraid, it's about doing the right thing, despite being afraid, doing the right thing especially when your afraid.

He told me that the only time someone can be truly brave is when their afraid, and doing something about it, despite your fears is what makes you a true Gryffindor."

Lily lifted her head from where it rested in the crook of his neck to meet James' gaze and his eyes were soft and loving.

"Your can't be brave unless your afraid and willing to do something about it," he told her laying a kiss to the top of her head "and you love, are the bravest person I know."

Lily smiled up at him, unsure of what to say. "Thanks James" didn't seem good enough for the intimate moment they were sharing.

And just like that three perfect words formed in Lily's head. They were three words that had been swimming around in her subconscious for weeks now and finally they emerged.

She knew that those words were true, that they couldn't ever be any more true because despite only being with him for hardly more than four months, Lily knew this fantastic amazing boy better than she knew even herself, and, even though it was too soon, and she was afraid and there was a war going on, she loved him anyway.

She loved him despite the fact he could be the biggest idiot in the world or he got overexcited about pranks or he had a strange obsession with muggle music. She loved him.

So she told him. She was terrified, but hadn't he just said she was brave? She looked him in his beautiful hazel eyes and said with all the conviction she could muster, those fabulous three words.

"I love you."

It was actually quite comical the way his head jerked up and his eyes widened behind his wire rimmed glasses.

He stared at her for a moment in shock and it was enough time for horrible thoughts to begin banging around inside Lily's head.

What if he didn't feel the same? What if he wasn't ready? What if he doesn't say it back. Oh Merlin, what if I've messed up?

Her fears didn't last long, however because soon the largest grin Lily had ever seen, larger even than after their first kiss, was splitting his face in two.

James removed his hands from around her waist to cup her face and held her gaze with shining eyes.

"Merlin Lils, I love you too. You have no idea how much."

They were both smiling like fools now, and maybe it was a good thing no one was around because Sirius would never stop taking the piss out of them for their love-struck expressions.

Using the hands cupping her face James brought his lips to hers, but the kiss wasn't rushed or hurried, it was slow and sweet and held a promise in it. A promise of forever that neither put into words but that they both understood clearer than day itself.

They stayed like that for a long time, and that sweet, slow kiss turned into a longer, more breath-catching, heart-thumping kiss, and really it was no surprise that the prefects schedule didn't get finished that night. Or that hours later when they finally returned to the common room, they were noticeably dishevelled and still grinning like utter fools. Utter lovestruck fools.

James went out and bought a ring not two weeks later.

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Sirius Black: Hey are you free on Friday? Like around 7pm on Friday?

Lily Evans: Yeah?

Sirius: What about you? 

James Potter: Yes, I am.

Sirius: Great! Because I'm not. You two go on without me. Enjoy your date.

Lily: Did he just-

James: Yes, yes he did. 

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James Potter: Did it hurt?

Lily Evans: *rolls eyes* Let me guess, when I fell from heaven?

James: No

Lily: What?

James: *Grins* Did it hurt when you fell for me?

Lily:

James:

Lily:

Remus: Do you think we should stop her from hexing him?

Sirius: It's a bit late now,  might as well leave her at it. 

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Professor McGonogal: You all better have a very good explanation for this.

Marauder's: We have three actually, you can pick your favourite. 

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The Marauder's managed to become Animagi, create a magic map, prepare thousands of pranks, have a love life, be politically engaged and stay on top of all their classes.

Do you seriously believe they didn't find a way to get past the girls staircase?

Also, how much caffeine were they drinking? 

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James Potter to Sirius Black during the war: Are you scared, Padfoot?

Sirius: Not really, I've already lived longer than I expected to.

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*Lily Evans running into class ten minutes late, extremely flustered*

Lily: I'm so sorry I'm late professor I was... doing stuff. 

*James Potter swaggering in after her grinning*

James: I'm stuff. 

McGonogal not even being mad because a)two of her favourite students have finally gotten together and b)Dumbledore owes her 3 gallons...."I told you they'd get together before Christmas Albus" "Alright Minerva, no need to brag."

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After the battle of Hogwarts....

*All the Weasley's and friends standing around Fred's coffin and crying/mourning*

George: Could I have a moment alone please?

*Everyone leaves* *George leans over to Fred*

George: They're gone

*Fred sits up and stretches*

Fred: Thank Merlin. These things are so uncomfortable.

George: This pranks gonna be great.

Fred: Imagine their faces when they realise I'm actually alive.

George:  Mom will probably kill you.

Fred: Shit 

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When they were being called for the sorting, George 100% went up instead of Fred and vise versa. 

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I don't want to be your friend

It was a Friday night at the beginning of October when James and Lily stumbled through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room after a long night of patrols.

It was gone midnight and the head boy and girl were both exhausted as they entered the deserted common room.

They both collapsed on the coach without a word to one another, allowing a comfortable silence to overcome them as they watched the flickering flames of the fire that was still roaring in the hearth.

Over the past year the two had become quite good friends with one another. At the beginning of sixth year Lily's best friend Marlene had started going out with Sirius, which much to Lily's annoyance, had forced her to start spending more time with the marauders.

At first Lily had just put up with them, but overtime she began to become good friends with the four pranksters, much to her own surprise.

Lily had become involved in many of their schemes and had shared many adventures with the four mischief makers, building a strong bond with all of them, but in particular James.

In the beginning they had been quite awkward with one another, past events being the main reason. However, after James had apologised to her, they had begun getting along famously. He had stopped asking her out every day and she had stopped deliberately searching for a way to give out or yell at him.

No one in Hogwarts could quite believe that the two people who had once been the biggest rivals in the school were now almost best friends. The 'Potter-Evans Spectacles' as they were known had become a main source of entertainment for the population of the school, the house elves had even been supplying popcorn on demand for when the two rowed, and at first many had been disappointed that the extremely entertaining shouting matches would no longer be taking place.

They didn't need to worry however, because everyone, staff and student alike had noticed the quality of the marauders pranks had increased after Lily had become the unofficial 5th member of their close knit group, giving them plenty of extra entertainment to make up for it. This was saying something too, because the pranks had been quite spectacular to begin with, but no one said anything and allowed the marauders to entertain them with their fantastic performances.

Of course, being James' friend had also allowed Lily to view him in an entirely different light. It wasn't her fault that her heart sped up when he looked at her, that her breath caught when he smiled, that whenever they had the slightest contact tingles ran all over her body.

Lily also told herself that it wasn't her fault that she couldn't help but stare at him as they sat on the couch in front of the fire at one o' clock in the morning.

She took him in, his messy raven hair standing all over the place, his broad shoulders, sharp jaw line, the muscles on his arm beneath his white shirt, his finely defined torso from hours of quiditch, and his eyes, those deep hazel eyes that held so much emotions and thoughts, the swirls of green, blue and gold which she could watch for hours at a time.

He was sitting back against the couch, his head slightly slumped against the back of it, his hand drumming a small beat against his leg as he watched the flames.

Sensing her gaze James looked over at Lily. He met her eyes with his own, and the smile he gave her was so genuine, Lily's heart stopped beating for almost an entire minute, or at least she felt like it did.

They looked at each other for a moment, neither saying anything, neither needing to say anything, just being so comfortable in the others company.

And thats when it hit her. A thought so unwelcome in such a peaceful moment that Lily wanted to carve her own brain out.

She wasn't sure if James still had feelings for her, he hadn't asked her out in over a year, yet whenever he saw her he'd smile at her like she was his entire world, and he was there for her in a way no one else, not even Marlene had ever been, but a part of her, her more pessimistic part, the one that was afraid of getting hurt again, like she was after Severus and Petunia had both betrayed her, said that James was just a good friend, and any possible feelings he had once had for her had long since disappeared.

Lily wanted to believe that he felt the same way about her as she did about him, but she couldn't bring herself to create hope, when she was so terrified it would be false.

She had accepted the fact that she didn't see James like a friend months ago, but watching him now, the light of the fire giving his face a soft glow, she realised she'd never be able to. She would never be able to look at him without her heart skipping a beat, she'd never be able to be near him without her breath speeding up, never be able to not feel like he was the only person in the entire world.

The thought hit her with the impact of a train. The thought that no matter how much she tried to quench her feelings they would be there for the rest of her life, she knew those feelings would never, could never go away. The thought that, as one of his closest friends she would have to spend the rest of her life in his company, so close but so so far away, not being able to be close enough, almost killed Lily there and then. The thought that someday Lily may have to watch him fall in love with someone else, watch him marry another woman, raise children with her, almost broke Lily's heart.

She realised she couldn't do it any more. She had tried so hard to be his friend, tried to be just his friend, and it was killing her. She couldn't do it anymore. Couldn't pretend that he wasn't everything she wanted but felt she couldn't have. Couldn't pretend that being his friend wasn't tearing her apart.

She didn't notice the tear tracing it's way down her face until James sat up straight, a mix of worry and confusion written plainly on his face.

"Lily, what's wrong?" he asked her.

She wiped the tear away with the back of her hand, though it was a useless attempt because another one began sliding down her other cheek.

"Nothing." she told him, her voice only just above a wisper.

James reached out and cupping her face with one hand, he lightly brushed the tear away with his thumb.

"What is it Lils? Talk to me." he said quietly.

Lily jumped from the couch as if she had been burned, pulling away from James' hand. He retracted it in surprise.

"Lily? Please tell me what the problem is so I can help you." his voice was at a normal volume now, and he was looking at her with so much concern her heart almost broke all over again.

"This." she said, the tears flowing freely down her face now. "I can't do this anymore James. I can't."

"What? I don't understand Lily." he said to her, rising off the couch to stand in front of her.

She didn't meet his eyes as she responded, "I can't be friends with you anymore James." She looked into his face and didn't miss the confusion, worry and hurt, that she saw there.

She turned on her heel, meaning to sprint away to the girls dormitory, but she only made it two steps before he grabbed her wrist and turned her around to face him again.

His hands were warm and soft, despite being callused from quiditch, and his touch was gentle and caring, sending tingles all over her body.

"What are you talking about Lily?" he asked her, not hiding the pain in his voice from her statement.

Sighing Lily looked him in the eye, and with her voice shaking she said in a whisper, "I can't be your friend anymore James. It hurts too much. I can't be around you feeling this way, feeling like your the only person in the world, like you're all I need, yet not being anything more than a friend, it hurts too much. I can't watch you fall in love with another girl and pretend to be happy for you when my heart will be breaking into a thousand pieces. I can't live the rest of my life as your friend, when I'll never want to be your friend, because that will never be enough." she told him.

James watched her with wide eyes, his expression slowly losing the hurt, going from confused to surprised and finally reaching understanding.

When he spoke his voice was a whisper. "What? Lily I-"

"I'm sorry James." she cut him off, tears still flowing as she turned around to leave again.

With the hand still holding her wrist he pulled her back towards him, swiftly but gently, and in one smooth moment he used his other hand to cup her cheek and pressed his lips firmly to hers.

She made a small noise of surprise, but it only took a moment before she was kissing him in return, the kiss was soft and gentle, conveying all the emotions both felt but were unable to put into words.

The hand holding her wrist slid down to hers and their fingers entwined as if their hands were made to fit together. His other hand continued to cup her cheek, while her other arm moved to wrap around his neck.

After what could've been a second or an eternity, James slowly pulled back, pressing his forehead against hers as they both caught their breaths. "I don't want to be your friend either." he whispered.

Lily's smile stopped his heart as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips in response. "Good." she whispered.

He pulled away only for a second so he could lay back on the couch, and using the hand still entwined in hers, he pulled her gently onto the couch so she was resting against him, leaning against the arm rest, their legs half intertwining on the plush red material.

James wrapped his free arm around her as she settled into his chest.

"I haven't wanted to be your 'friend' in years Lily, but it was a better option than not having you in my life at all." he breathed, his voice sending tingles down her spine.

"I'm sorry James." she whispered to him.

"Why?"

"because I didn't know what it was like, feeling this way about someone but not being able to have them in your life they way you want, and I was so horrible to you about it."

James tightened his arm around her waist slightly, not so that it would cause her any discomfort but enough to pull her further against him.

"I deserved it then," he said, "none of that matters now."

Lily turned slightly in his arms so her head was against his shoulder and she could press a light kiss to his lips. He smiled against her mouth and Lily still felt as if her heart would combust but it no longer hurt, now it was a feeling so good she could have been soaring.

She broke away, leaning against his shoulder as he rested his head on hers, his nose buried in her fiery hair.

Neither spoke for a few minutes, both content in lying on the coach, their hands still entwined, delighted about the turn the night had taken, all because McGonogal had put them on the late patrol.

After a moment Lily let out a sigh, "We really should head up to bed." she whispered, though she made no move to act on that statement.

James responded by nuzzling his nose in her hair and softly asking, "What's the point of having a girlfriend if I can't lie on the coach with her, watching the fire when the common room is empty?"

Lily turned so she could look him in the eye, he lifted his head to meet her gaze. "Girlfriend?" she whispered, but the small smile on her face was all the encouragement he needed to once more press his lips to hers in a soft kiss.

"Yup. And the most beautiful, amazing one there is." he told her pulling away.

She laughed quietly, before saying "I like the sound of it."

"Me too." James agreed. "Can I ask you something?" he wondered.

"Go ahead." Lily told her boyfriend, the thought making her smile stupidly.

"Would you accompany me to Hogsmede tomorrow?" he asked her.

Her response was a large smile, a nod, and a long slow kiss.

They pulled away, both slightly flushed and smiling like idiots.

They stayed down in the common room for awhile longer, whispering endearing comments and sharing soft kisses, before eventually rising to head up to their dormitories.

James kissed Lily once more, before whispering a sweet goodnight, and telling her he'd meet her in the common room in the morning to walk to breakfast together, then they both headed up their separate staircases.

James was grinning like a fool when he entered his dormitory, not bothering to be quiet knowing that the other Marauder's were awake, it was the weekend after all.

"Prongs where have you been?" Sirius asked him as he walked in, "You've been gone for ages, and you had the map so we couldn't check where you were...wait, why are you smiling like that?" Sirius wondered suspiciously.

Remus and Peter were also watching him curiously.

He just grinned wider before saying, "sorry lads, I got held up with my girlfriend."

There was complete silence in the marauders dorm for the first time in seven years as the other three stared at the beaming James with open mouths.

"G-girlfriend?" Remus finally asked, which seemed to bring the other two out of their shock enough to pay attention.

"Yup," James nodded, "By the way, Lily and I are going into Hogsmede tomorrow, so don't wait up." He told them, walking towards his bed, the only thing betraying his casual demeanor was his grin.

"You-you and Lily?" Sirius stuttered.

James just grinned some more. "She's a brilliant kisser." Was all he said to his utterly shocked dorm mates as he turned his back to change into his pyjamas.

Silence followed for a few moments before the dormitory broke out in huge cheers, and James couldn't help but join in.

It wouldn't be until the next morning that the occupants of Gryffindor house found out the reason for the cheers and screams which had woken them up in the early hours of the morning. By the following evening news of the new couple had spread throughout Hogwarts, and everyone was excitedly cashing in bets, Sirius swore he even saw Dumbledore slip a beaming McGonogal a handful of galleons.

And although the rest of the school was delighted about the news of the new couple, no one was as happy as the couple themselves, because even if they hadn't said it yet, they were in love and nothing else mattered.

Being James Potters friend had almost killed Lily. Being his wife had, but she wouldn't have had it any other way.

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That Evans Girl

You'd see him in the corridors with his friends, joking, laughing, playing pranks and causing mischief. You'd see that sparkle in his eye, even from the other side of the Great Hall, and that charming grin from the back of the classroom.

Every time you see him he's always so alive, so bright, living in the moment. Its infectious, making everyone around him seem happy and alive too, like there's this radiance coming from him that effects everyone he comes near in a positive way.

You'd spot his messy, jet black hair sticking out in the crowds. You could pick out his deep hazel eyes behind his wire rimmed glasses easily. His broad shoulders and muscular body, tall and well built, was all you could watch at the Quiditch games as he would put quaffle after quaffle through the hoops. His red and gold robes outlining his figure perfectly, the name 'Potter' being shouted out by his entire house.

It was always from afar that you watched him. You doubted he even knew your name. You were a Ravenclaw, he was a Gryffindor. You had few classes with him.

All you wanted to do was talk to him. You wanted to say hi, get him to notice you. You decided to approach him one day after charms.

He didn't see you coming because his eyes were fixed on the other end of the corridor as if waiting for someone. He was leaning casually against the wall.

Just before you reached him he straightened up and a large grin became plastered on his face.

"Oi, Lils" he called above the noise all the other students were making in the hallway.

A laughing red head appeared from the crowd and you watched as his eyes began to sparkle as he gave her a look, as if she was the only person in the world.

"Hey James." She smiled as she approached him.

They began chatting aimlessly about classes, quiditch and head duties but you heard none of it. All you could do was watch as he slung an arm over her shoulder and began leading her to lunch. His eyes never left her, never once darted to another girl as they walked. She leaned into his touch and you thought his smile could rival that of a child's on Christmas.

You had to look away, afraid you'd begin to cry at the sight.

It had been easier before. Yes, it had hurt whenever he stood on the table in the great hall and proclaimed his love for her, when he had serenaded her on valentine's day, when he had given her bouquets of roses because he knew she didn't like lilys, but she had never repaid his obvious affection so you had hope that one day he would move on.

After the Lake Incident in 5th year you thought that maybe he'd finally quit his efforts, but when they came back in 6th year they were starting to be friends.

He didn't ask her out all through 6th year and maybe you could've hoped he'd given up if it wasn't for the way he still looked at her, only her.

And then she started to become closer and closer to him. You'd see him sprinting down the hallway with her on his back laughing and screaming. You'd see them in the library studying together or passing notes in class and attempting to stiffle laughter behind their hands. He'd throw her in the Lake, she'd laugh and pull him in with her. He'd shout her name in greeting from across the entire great Hall, and she'd shout his right back.

It was hardest now though, because deep down you knew you had no hope. Because now she was looking at him the same way he looked at her. Because she was seeking him out too. Because she was passing notes and pushing him into the lake too.

You saw the way they looked at each other, you could only describe the looks with one word; loving.

It was only a matter of time before they realised the love wasn't unrequited, that they were loved back just as fiercely, and you knew that day would come soon.

It did. That day came after Gryffindor won the first match of the season against Slytherin. It had been an exiting match, Slytherin had caught the snitch but Gryffindor had scored far more goals and had come out on top. Many of these goals were thanks to James Potter himself.

The team had landed and Gryffindor house had ran out onto the pitch to congratulate them. He had been looking over the tops of everyone's heads searching for someone.

Someone jumped on his back and even from this distance you knew what she said.

"Looking for me Potter?"

He had grinned like a lunatic and she slid off his back and stood in front of him before he answered, "Only you, Evans."

Time stopped for you and you were sure it did for them too.

They stared at each other, oblivious to everyone else on the pitch.

His arms slowly went to her waist and hers slowly went to his neck and as if in slow motion they leaned into one another.

They stopped when they're noses were practically touching and they were both smiling like fools knowing what was about to happen.

You couldn't look away as she whispered "Good game Potter." Underneath her breath and he only smiled at her before kissing her.

You watched as their arms tightened around one another and they smiled into the kiss.

Sirius Black wolf whistled gaining everyone's attention and soon the entire school was cheering because they had finally gotten together.

Neither took any notice of the shouts or whistles around them, too busy wrapped up in each others arms.

When they finally broke apart she was blushing but he only slipped one arm around her waist and kissed her softly on the forehead.

Sirius Black ran forward and wrapped them both in a bear hug which turned into a large group hug as the rest of their friends joined.

It took a while for the excitement to die down and eventually everyone made it to the great hall for dinner. He was still holding her hand as they sat down and you had to look away to stop the tears. As you did you caught the eye of another boy.

This one was far less handsome. He had long greasy hair and a hooked nose.

When your eyes met his, just for a split second you came almost to an understanding with Severus Snape.

Both of you lost the one you love to someone much better suited to them, and you both knew what a broken heart felt like.

The brief connection was broken as he turned away to sit at the Slytherin table.

You followed his lead and sat at the Ravenclaw one, and as you did so you caught one last glance of the new couple.

They were talking to one another and sharing the happiest, most loving look you had ever seen and you knew then that at least he had found someone who was right for him.

He was happy, you realised, and you supposed that that was enough.

[botterofbears-blog]

Expecto Patronum

With the N.E.W.T. exams fast approaching, the professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were piling on the work and with the war against Voldemort raging beyond the castle walls, the teachers seemed to believe it was more important than ever for their students to succeed in their lessons.

One of the many tasks the 7th year students had received was mastering the Patronus Charm, used to repel dementors, before the end of the month. They would then be required to go before the class and perform the charm successfully, or receive a failing grade.

This was why Lily Evans was currently standing in the middle of the deserted Gryffindor common room at 3am, much to her boyfriend James Potter's displeasure.

"Your not going to get it by stressing, love." James told her when she let out a growl of frustration after receiving only silvery whisp, again. Lily jumped, not realising James was leaning against the wall behind her and watching as she tried to master the difficult spell.

"What are you doing down here?" she asked, glancing at the clock.

"Figured you might want some help." James shrugged. He hated the thought of her getting worked up over the spell.

"You've already learnt it?" Lily asked James curiously. She wasn't really that surprised, she knew her boyfriend was a talented wizard, he was a bloody animagus for Godric's sake, and she appreciated he was willing to help her.

James nodded, "the lads and I learnt it last year." he told her, as if learning an extremely difficult spell a year early was of no importance.

"Is it a stag?" Lily asked excitedly, thinking of his animagus form, her frustration temporarily forgotten.

James nodded and with a flick of his wand and a muttered incantation, a large silver stag appeared before him.

Lily watched it in awe as it began to circle the room, and couldn't help but smile as she admired it before it disappeared.

She had been so enraptured by the Patronus she hadn't noticed James coming up behind her until his strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and his chest pressed against her back.

She sighed contentedly as she leaned against his strong form and he rested his chin on her head.

"You need a stronger memory." he murmured.

"I've tried loads of them. This one was the one that worked best." She told him irratadely.

"What were you thinking about?" James asked her curiously.

Lily swallowed before quietly telling him, "Making snowmen with my parents when I was younger. My dad started a snowball fight."

James' grip tightened on her as he held her closer against him. "I'm sorry love." He knew Lily had been close to her parents, despite being in school most of the year. It had been difficult for her when they both passed away last year in a car accident.

They were both lost in their own thoughts for a moment, and James was slightly surprised when Lily spoke again.

"Do you think I should try another memory?"

"Give it a go, it's worth a shot." James encouraged.

Lily thought hard for a moment. She knew her childhood memories wouldn't work because no matter how happy they were, they were all tarnished. She couldn't think of Petunia without hearing the word Freak, she couldn't think of Severus without hearing the word Mudblood. Her parents deaths were still too raw she realised, so any memories with them were overshadowed by their passing.

She thought of her time at Hogwarts, all the new friends she had made who stuck by her through everything.

"It's not just the memories that matter, it's the feeling they give you." James told her.

She thought of laying by the lake with Mary MacDonald as they chatted about everything and anything for hours. She thought about standing in the Quiditch stands with Marlene McKinnon and cheering wildly for Gryffindor. She thought about playing chess in front of the fire in the common room at 2 in the morning with Sirius Black. She thought about reading with Remus Lupin and discussing all their favourite books. She thought about tutoring Peter Pettigrew so he could keep up in all his classes.

James flicked his wrist and muttered the spell again and once more his stag appeared. "Concentrate on how these memories make you feel." He told her. She looked at the beautiful stag circling the common room and thought of James Potter.

She thought of the time he had spilled frog spawn on her in first year potions so she had spilled his cauldron on the floor and they had gotten detention. They had ended up throwing all sorts of various ingredients at each other and it developed into a full on war. They had both collapsed on the floor of the potions classroom they were supposed to be cleaning covered in all sorts of goo and had laughed themselves horse. It had been her very first detention.

She remembered becoming friends with him in 6th year and slowly him becoming one of the most important people in her life. She remembered him holding her after her parents died and promising her that he'd always be there for her. She remembered pushing him into the black lake and all her friends ending up going for a swim. She remembered him running through the corridors with her on his back just because. She remembered him and Sirius getting drunk and trying to serenade her. She remembered when he asked her out at the beginning of 7th year and he'd been such a nervous, adorable idiot she knew he was completely genuine. She remembered going to Hogsmede and kissing him for the very first time on the way back to Hogwarts after the best date she could have imagined. She remembered sneaking out to explore the forbidden forest together or going up to the astronomy tower to watch the sunset. She remembered the first time he told her he loved her, and the first time she said it back. She remembered how much she meant it. How this idiotic, amazing, incredible boy made her feel like she was the only person in the world and she could be anything she wanted.

James removed one hand from her waist to hold her wand with her. "We'll say it together." he told her.

Lily looked at the stag still circling the common room and thought about all the people who made her happy, but mostly of James, who made her who she was.

They moved her wand together, James guiding her hand in theflicking motion.

"Expecto Patronum"

From the end of Lily's wand a four legged shape appeared and it took her a moment to realise what it was. She heard James gasp as he too realised what the shape was.

"A doe." he said.

"A doe and a stag." she told him.

She watched in fascination as the doe and stag approached each other and began circling each other before they seemed to embrace.

She turned around in James' arms to face him and she was sure the wide grin on his face reflected hers.

"It seems fitting." she told him as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Yes, it does." he agreed as he leant down to kiss her.

When Lily was asked to perform her Patronus in front of the class, she met James' gaze before remembering all the memories, all the people, who made her happy.

It was no surprise she got full marks because really, it wasn't just about the memory, it was how the memory made you feel, and he made her feel right.

He made her feel like she could cast a million Patronus' any time she wanted.

So there you go. Hope you enjoyed it, please let me know what you think :)