DISCLAIMER: Nothing that you recognise is mine!

RESPONSE TO REVIEWERS: Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement! Please find responses to individual reviews at the bottom! :)

A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to review! I moved to Spain, and that caused some delay, to put it mildly! :)

THE BEWITCHMENT OF JAMES POTTER

End of Chapter 15: In My Life

Swimming this deep is like flying without a broomstick, decided James as he fell deeper and deeper into the seemingly endless abyss.

I'm weightless.

Floating.

Yet falling.

He dove down further, relishing the coolness that surrounded him, his body finally at ease.

I don't feel anything!

I never want to leave.

Then, suddenly, he saw her soaring high above him.

Her hair floated around clouding his view of her face, yet he knew who she was instantly.

Lily.

"Hi!" he said, waving to her enthusiastically.

She waved back, then gesticulated that he should come up to where she was.

"Why don't you come here?" he answered, letting himself fall a bit lower. "It's better here."

She shook her head sadly, then motioned to him again.

"But up there, I don't get to be with you!" he shouted, feeling pain split through his heart once again.

He thought he had escaped the pain.

"Come down with me deeper so we can escape this!" he called, his hands pressing into his chest, trying to alleviate the burn.

She silently said no, her gestures growing more frantic.

His heart was throbbing hot; his skin was erupting in chills.

"But it hurts!"

"Stay with me, James!"

He knew that if he swam deeper, it would all go away.

But I've never been a coward when it comes to pain.

And when have I ever been able to say no to her?

After one more breath of the relaxing blue, he turned and made his way back. Back to pain, back to her.

THE BEWITCHMENT OF JAMES POTTER

Chapter 16: This Bird Has Flown

James emerged from the deep dark pool suddenly, splashing out of its depths with a large intake of breath at the surface.

His arms struggled with the tangled linen sheets; he winced as his eyes were assaulted by the early afternoon light, blinking furiously against the bright white. He ordered them to focus, and the haze of the draperies hanging above his poster bed came into view.

Then, his gaze shifted, immediately travelling the room. He relaxed immediately as soon as he saw her there, ungracefully slumped in a couch pulled to the right of his bedside.

James smiled slowly, cautiously elated. Lily was sleeping curled up on the couch; Sirius snored loudly from his position on her lap.

So. Apparently I have to nearly die to get these two together without bloodshed.

James breathed in deeply yet gingerly; his chest felt like Hagrid was sitting on it. He looked down: dried blood caked the top of his ripped nightshirt.

Ah. So there was bloodshed...

Nonetheless, James grinned broadly. The red lines on the backs of his hands had vanished.

They did it!

I'm going to make it!

He wanted to wake Lily and Sirius, to talk to them, to find out what he had missed... to thank them, of course, but especially, he realised with increasing clarity, to get to spend some time with Lily. However, for now, he would let them rest, and in the meantime, he decided to check himself out and figure out his status.

James wiggled his toes, and then warily flexed his calves. He was delighted to find his legs responsive once again, albeit rather tender to movement.

Probably should be taking it easy, but what the hell.

He inched his body across the bed, away from his friends, and slowly slid his legs over the side, allowing his feet to touch the wooden floor. He took in several deep breaths, counted to three, then pushed off the mattress with his forearms, willing all of his weight forward to a standing position.

Too soon!

An overwhelming sensation of thousands of pinpricks assaulted his feet; he yelped loudly at the pain.

"James?" called Lily, waking up instantly at the noise.

"It's okay," panted James, breaking into a sweat as he took another agonising step.

"You should be resting!" she shrieked, shoving Sirius' head unceremoniously off her shoulder, then hurried towards him. Sirius coughed, twitched, then hugged the arm of the sofa, sound asleep once more.

"Shh!" whispered James, pointing at Sirius' sleeping form.

"Get back into that bed!" she hissed in a pitch so high yet faint it made James' head hurt.

"I'm fine!" called James, moving away from her as he inched his left foot forward again.

Then, he felt his robes start to loosen, and before he could prevent it, they slid down to his ankles, leaving absolutely nothing to Lily's imagination.

Lily, somewhat out of modestly but mostly out of total embarrassment, squeezed her eyes shut.

"Bloody hell!" whispered James in mortification, instantly covering his frontal privates with his hands. "Why do my robes look like I've been ax-murdered?"

"It's... kind of a long story," she whispered back, her eyes still pinched firmly. "D'you need any help?"

"No!"

Even though his legs were beginning to shake from the exertion, there was no way James was going to admit it. He took a step back towards the bed, but a stray bit of fabric trailed behind him and caught his foot.

"Whoa!" he cried, feeling his legs giving out from under him.

"James!" Lily reached blindly, her arms outstretched in alarm.

His hand caught hold of hers as he fell backwards on to the bed, and he brought her down on top of him.

Okay, so maybe I did that last part on purpose.

"Oh Merlin, I'm sorry!" cried Lily, her eyes still squeezed shut, rushing to get off of him but entangling herself further in layers of sheets and limbs.

Then James noticed something that brought real fear into his heart.

"Don't move!" he ordered suddenly.

Lily froze. "Am I hurting you?"

"No, but that left knee is millimetres away ending the Potter line!"

"What?"

"You know... the family jewels..."

"Oh!" cried Lily, now clearly understanding; her face flushed immediately.

"And," continued James as he carefully moved his area of concern away from her threatening knee, "there's no reason for you to close your eyes. There's nothing you haven't seen before."

His comment was rewarded by an even darker shade of red travelling from her chest to her cheeks. Then his focus shifted slightly to her closed lips; they were already so close to his that he barely had to raise his head if he wanted to meet them with his.

And I definitely want to meet them.

This will be decidedly most ungentlemanly of me, but what the hell... I did almost die last night!

He propped himself on his shoulders and, ignoring the throbbing in his chest, captured her soft mouth with his.

As soon as their lips touched, he felt her stiffen in shock. He opened his eyes and saw that hers were wide in protest, gesticulating in Sirius's direction.

"Shh," he murmured against her muted objection, kissing her again.

Life is for living.

His sore hands slowly reached across the curve of her lower back. Aching to feel her warmth against the coldness inside of him, he pulled her closer.

As he pressed into her, ignoring the increasing pain in his body, he felt his need for her increasing... and her need for him ignite. He felt her melt into him, her lips caressing his, first softly, then with more insistence; his tongue met hers and returned its caresses.

As their hands began to roam and explore, James felt his body fully waken to the moment. He felt her hands moving to his shoulders, his chest, as she too pressed against him, sending a current of heat rippling through his body, stoking the fire only she could create within him.

I want all of her.

James felt every sense quicken, rejoicing in being alive: the scent of her skin drew him ever closer, his eyes drank in the colour of hers as they connected, his skin burned wherever her flesh touched his, and his hands welcomed the warmth of her skin as she guided them under her sweater. He wanted to feel her, all of her, and his body felt as if it would burst if she didn't explore his.

He inched further up the bed, to give them more space and allow him more access. However, his legs were still neurally disconnected from his brain. Instead of moving carefully, his left foot jerked and kicked over the bedside lamp, sending it shattering to the floor.

"Oi!"

Lily's head snapped towards the source of the cry so quickly that James found his lips suddenly kissing nothing and his hands groping air.

He opened his eyes, and saw that Lily had leapt off him and was back on her feet, rearranging her clothes hastily.

James groaned and leaned back against the pillows.

Bollocks.

"I get it now!" Sirius was shouting, wide awake and on his feet. He was pointing his finger at Lily accusingly, his face contorted with disgust. "This is why you offered to keep watch! You wanted first dibs at snogging him!"

"Didn't realise you wanted him for yourself!" retorted Lily, face aflame.

"Yeah, that's what I meant," hissed Sirius sarcastically. "Prongs nearly died – you can't just expect him to do the pillow gymnastics with you, you know!"

James watched Lily fix Sirius with a withering glare. "I was not asking him–"

"Good, then you admit you were taking advantage of a wounded man!"

"We were NOT–"

"Then why is James naked and saluting the Queen?" countered Sirius, at which moment James quickly rearranged the sheets that at some previous point had stopped covering the essentials.

"Bloddy hell Padfoot!"

"And where's that thing you Muggle women wear under your clothes?"

"Why what? Oh!" Lily immediately folded her hands across her chest defensively. "How can you tell?"

Oh Merlin...

James was kicking himself inside.

How did I not notice?

"Practice," murmured Sirius smugly.

"Stop staring at her chest then!" growled James through clenched jaws.

"Not that it's any of your business whatsoever," said Lily huffily, her arms still crossed, "but I wasn't wearing one before I got here!"

Both James and Sirius gulped in unison.

"What?" snapped Lily peevishly, still staring daggers at Sirius, "I didn't exactly have all the time in the world to get dressed when I was out saving his life!"

Silence.

"What?" she shouted again, looking from one to the other.

"STOP STARING AT HER CHEST PADFOOT!" snarled James, hurling a pillow at his best friend.

Sirius shook his head, as if to clear it, then turned to James. "Excuse me."

James glowered at him silently.

Sirius shrugged his shoulders apologetically. "Just a temporary lapse, mate – McKinnon's made me a reformed man. If it makes you feel better, I'll from this day onwards consider Lily sexless."

"Sexless?" repeated Lily suspiciously.

"You know, neither male nor female. An 'it', if you prefer."

"An it?" she cried, her voice rising. "If I prefer?"

"Yes. Other than for the purposes of reproduction, in which case of course you'd have to have female parts," said Sirius as nonchalantly as if he were discussing the weather.

"Reproduction?"

"But since you two already seemed well on your way to tiny Potters, I may as well give you my official blessing," continued Sirius smoothly, "as I'd like to be an uncle while I'm still young and handsome–"

"Stop talking!"

"However," he went on, raising a hand calmly to silence Lily, "I do ask that you give James to recuperate from his injuries before you... er... ride his broom?"

"PLEASE STOP TALKING!" cried James, with a warning tone that left no room for misinterpretation.

"Say no more, say no more," said Sirius, patting James on the shoulder daintily. "I'm terrifically pleased that you pulled through this little scare... and now I'll take my leave."

He reached out to shake Lily's hand, but she just stared at him, nostrils flared. "Too soon?"

Lily glared at him stonily in response.

"Ah, I see, you must want your privacy... Okay, but remember to wait a few more days before you put his bun in your ov-"

"PADFOOT!" bellowed James, rising to his elbows.

"I'll show myself out then!"

After Sirius left, Lily turned to James, and was gratified to see that his embarrassed face reflected hers.

"Well," began James, clearing his throat nervously. "At least he didn't put in a special order for twins or something."

Lily fixed him with a look that could shrivel iron.

James' eyes widened and he held up his hands innocently. "I'm just saying, it could have been worse."

Lily rolled her eyes, then sat down at the foot of his bed before him. "James..."

"I know," he said, closing his eyes.

"We need to talk."

He nodded, eyes still shut. "Yes... I suppose you're still engaged." He tried to ignore the hollow feeling that took over him as he said the worlds.

She sighed and leaned her head back against the bedpost.

His eyes popped open and he stared back at her incredulously. "You mean it is still on?"

"Well, it's up to Edouard. I don't know how he feels right now, after I disappeared that night and he went to France to search for me... I imagine he's probably rather upset, and justifiably so... So basically, nothing's decided," she responded, choosing her words carefully.

"You mean you haven't decided."

"It's... complicated."

"Not to me!" he said, his voice rising as he sat up straight. "You can't tell me you didn't feel something, that you didn't feel how our bodies-"

"I left, remember?" said Lily, avoiding his eyes. "I moved away - and I grew up to be someone else."

"That doesn't mean you have to be with someone else!" he said, hazel eyes flashing.

"Look–"

"All I know," snapped James, brows furrowed, "is that we've survived what is supposed to be unsurvivable: you were bloody kidnapped by Death Eaters–" James paused to take a deep, calming breath.

"And you almost died," whispered Lily, every muscle in her body clenching at the thought.

"Exactly!" continued James, reaching out to take her hands. "And what about the rest of it? You moved to France, three years went by, you went and got engaged – and yet, despite ALL of that, our feelings are still blazing hot."

"Poetic way to put it."

"It's the blasted truth!" he said, squeezing her hands. "By all logic we shouldn't still have these feelings – and maybe don't want to have them – but they are there, in both of us, which means we still have a chance at being together. Maybe before I was an idiot who couldn't see it, but now I do. I'm not going to try to forget it, and I'm damn well going to fight for you."

"I do care about you," said Lily, smiling at him sadly. "The thing is I'm not supposed to! This situation isn't fair to you or to Edouard – and it's not fair to me either. I made him a promise that I meant to keep, and I've been leading you on, which I definitely never wanted to do. I never meant for all of this to happen, and if it hadn't been for the Death Eaters at the Welcoming Ball, it never would have."

"Remind me to thank them."

"Don't joke about that!" she snapped coolly, still thinking of Ministère Le Vau and the others that had been lost in the attack and its aftermath. "I'm not asking you to understand how I feel. I'm asking you to give me time to figure that out for myself."

"I asked you to marry me, remember?" said James urgently, pulling her closer, "the same day that you left me without intending to say goodbye? and I didn't mean 'I kind of like you, so let's give Sirius a chance to work his way through some bridesmaids–'

"James, wait–"

"No," he said softly, cutting her off gently but firmly, "I meant that I knew, without a doubt, that I would always love you. I'd marry you today if you would have me."

"James–"

"Would you?" persisted James, his hazel eyes engaging hers, "have me?"

A large CRACK! sounded at the door; a second later it flew open, and Tessy appeared in its entrance.

Damnation.

"Lily, in our next life, remind me not to have house elves with terrible stage timing."

"Master!" Tessy squeaked, as she scurried to his side. She took several tiny gasping breaths as she saw the dried blood on his chest.

"Oh no," muttered James, dropping Lily's hand, fully aware of what would happen next.

The house-elf's face crumpled as tears rolled down her face. "M-M-Master!" Tessy howled, taking his hand and burying her wet face into James' palm.

"It's alright Tessy," started James, sighing. He looked back at Lily, his eyes begging silently for a rescue. "I'm fine, right Lily?"

"M-M-Master n-n-nearly D-DIED!" Tessy gasped inconsolably, her tiny shoulders shaking.

"Lily!" whispered James urgently, his head indicating at Tessy, whose diminutive pale hands were now gripping his right arm.

Lily rolled her eyes, then reached over and patted the house-elf on the shoulder. "He's okay, Tessy, don't worry."

"H-He is?" asked Tessy, raising her tiny head slightly.

"Yes, he is."

"T-That is g-good," whispered Tessy, taking deep, calming breaths.

Suddenly, they heard the pitter-patter of several other pairs of feet just outside the open door.

"Oh Merlin," moaned James, clapping his hand to his forehead.

"MASTER!" cried too many house-elves to count as they hurried in through the doorway.

"Lily–" began James, but she shrugged at him in response.

"You're on your own," she mouthed back at him, then tried to hide a smile as she watched the house-elves converge on James, pushing each other to take hold of his arm.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Lily turned to see the people she knew had appeared: Remus and Peter, and was surprised to see the others - Frank Longbottom, Alice Kensington, Edgar Bones, and Gideon and Fabian Prewett.

Where's Marlene? she wondered, a vague worry finding its way into her thoughts.

"How are you feeling, mate?"

"Does Master wants anything?"

"Way to make us worry, eh Prongs!"

"You okay Potter?"

"Trying to be the center of attention again, mate?"

"MASTER!"

"Lily!" cried James in desperation, trying to extricate himself from the house-elves' grasps and his friend's questions.

"Sorry," she mouthed back, then, grateful for the time the interruptions had bought her, left the room grinning.

Sirius looked up from where he was making fresh orange juice; even his tall frame looked small in the cavernous ancient kitchen of Potter Manor.

Lily took a seat on an antique stool near him and took one of the oranges.

It's always a sad day when he's best company to be had.

"Wasn't that rather quick, even for James?" he asked, tapping an orange half with his wand, making it squeeze itself perfectly into a waiting pitcher.

Lily tilted her head at him in confusion, then blushed furiously as she understood. "Funny," she snapped, then began to peel her orange by hand. "If you must know, we had barely started talking when everyone and their mum arrived."

"Ah," said Sirius, his ears perking. "Was one of them a certain foxy female we know and love?"

"Well, about a dozen house elves popped in, plus Peter and Remus, plus others... they all descended on James as soon as word got out he was awake... but no, no Marlene."

"Hey, I said nothing to anyone," he replied, and returned to swirling the juice around the pitcher, and gauging how much was there.

"You vowed 'TO HEAVEN AND EARTH' not leave his bedside until he woke... so as soon as you were spotted leaving his room, they converged on him." She smiled broadly at the recollection of James' house-elf-covered arm, then popped an orange slice into her mouth. "You know, I think they may very well kill him with kindness."

"This should be enough," mumbled Sirius, putting the pitcher down. "So. Next topic – or rather, next wizard. Has Eddy boy come by to see you yet? He was rather upset when you left in the middle of the night to save James' life."

Lily coughed on the orange bit that had lodged in her throat. She frowned at Sirius as she swallowed. "Please, Sirius, call him Edouard. And no, he hasn't."

"May I ask, what is the plan on that front?" asked Sirius, walking over to a handsome mahogany cabinet.

"The plan?"

"As in, when I walk you down the aisle, what nationality will be waiting for you at the other end, Brit or Frenchie?"

"I'm glad this is funny to you," murmured Lily tiredly. "And for the record, the day you walk me down any aisle will be at my funeral - as in 'under my dead body,' if you will."

"Indeed," called Sirius disappearing into the cellar adjacent to the kitchen. He reappeared moments later, a bottle of champagne in his hands. "But I rather thought the whole point of the matter was that you had already made up your mind, by promising yourself to Eddy."

"What are you on about, weren't you putting in a rush order for Potter-Evans progeny not even ten minutes ago?" asked Lily archly. "In my defence, I had no idea James even cared anymore. I seem to remember he was also engaged once, remember, to that Italian witch."

Sirius shrugged his shoulders lazily. "Nobody who knew him took that seriously. I'm surprised you did."

While Lily watched him silently, he uncorked the champagne bottle, then took out two long champagne flutes from a higher cabinet. He poured some champagne into each, followed by a splash of the fresh orange juice. "Mimosa?" he asked, moving one glass towards her.

Lily rolled her eyes, but accepted the glass.

"Goodness, we have so many things to celebrate," said Sirius, glass poised to toast. "Let's see – to you and Snivellus finding the cure as well as polishing each other's tonsils off – the image is burned into my corneas by the way -"

"I'll kill you," muttered Lily darkly.

"It's not my fault that in two day's time I've seen you snog three different blokes. I am hardly one to judge, though, so to something else then," said Sirius raising his glass higher, "how about your upcoming nuptials? And may the groom never see what I saw, namely, James' clammy hands all over your –"

"Sirius Black, I swear I'll–"

"To you saving James' life, then, and never mind the complicated love life you lead."

Lily placed her glass back on the table to keep herself from throwing it at Sirius. "What was the point of that comment, Black?"

"You know me, Red, there rarely is a point. To you it is, then." He raised his glass, and swallowed it down in two large gulps.

"I don't have to explain myself to you," she said, rising from her seat.

"No explanation needed," said Sirius, pouring himself a fresh drink. "In fact, I admire your pragmatism – you knew you needed a cure for James, and you knew Snivellus could do it. You gave him what he wanted, and you got what we needed."

"Let's get one thing straight," hissed Lily, her eyes narrowing. "My relationship with James cost me my friendship with him. You could at least recognise that he saved your best friend's life."

"Don't rewrite history," responded Sirius evenly, eyes darkening even as he sipped his mimosa. "It was his fascination with the Dark Arts – and his future Death Eater mates – that drove you apart. Which was all damn well before you started dating Prongs."

Lily nodded slowly in resignation, then rested her head on her palms.

"And Snivellus didn't save my best friend's life," continued Sirius relentlessly, "he only reversed it to do you a favour, because you asked him."

"Okay, Sirius!" she said impatiently, holding up her hands.

Sirius smirked, then indicated her glass. "You're not drinking."

Lily sighed, then took a couple of sips.

Sirius tilted his glass, examining the tiny bubbles pensively. "Returning to the first of your three inamorati, Eddy – well, I suppose he's not chronologically the first, but in terms of the recent state of your affairs – oh no pun intended, just happy coincidence –"

"Get to it already, Black," said Lily wearily, then drained her glass, knowing she'd need the alcohol to deal with him without inflicting bodily harm.

"Well, a wizard from the French Ministry was here earlier. He had something for you – I believe it's over there, on that counter."

Lily stood and walked over to where Sirius had indicated, picking up a small package wrapped in white linen. She pulled the string that tied it together, and, unwrapping it, found her engagement ring inside.

"Well," she said, turning it over in her fingers. "I think I have Edouard's answer. He's still in this."

Sirius looked up. "Are you going to put it on?"

Lily twirled it between her finger tips. "Not sure yet."

Pop!

Marlene appeared in the kitchen next to Lily.

"Oh, there you are!" cried Lily, leaping to her feet to hug her friend, "I was worried!"

"Why, hello sweet tart," said Sirius, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Are you here to see your best friend or to make magic with me?"

"Seriously?" cried Lily.

"Both, if I time!" laughed Marlene in response, her dark eyes twinkling as she accepted the champagne flute Sirius offered her.

"You two disgust me," muttered Lily, holding out her glass for more as well. "Black, dating Marlene is definitely the worst thing you've ever done to me, and that includes the time you turned my cat into a warthog and it chased me across the Quidditch field."

"And just think, we have you to thank for bringing us together!" murmured Sirius cheerfully, wrapping his arm around Marlene's waist and pulling her into her lap.

Lily looked back at him meaningfully, but he was too busy staring at her friend to notice.

Oh Merlin, his mouth is totally open. Bugger.

"Sirius," she hissed loudly.

"What?" he said, finally ripping his eyes off Marlene's body.

"Want to give us some girl time?"

Sirius' jaw clenched. "You seem to be kicking me out of a lot of rooms today. Hate to break it to you, but this time you're the third wheel."

Marlene leaned down slightly, kissing Sirius on the cheek.

Oh, ew.

"Okay I'll leave, just stop!" cried Lily, standing up hastily.

"No, no, hang on," said Marlene reluctantly. She kissed Sirius on the lips briefly, her eyes staring into his. "I'll come find you... later. Just give us a little while, okay?"

"Fine," he said with utter regret, his lips grazing hers again before he lifted Marlene out of his lap so that he could leave.

"Stay sexy!" she called out to him as he passed through the doorway.

He winked back at her, then left.

After watching him leave, Marlene put her hands on her lips and turned to her friend. "Okay. I'm absolutely dying to meet up with that bloke and do things that would be totally revolting to you if I told you what they were, so I love you but we're going to have to make this hen session a quickie."

Lily pursed her lips at her. "Please, don't delay the lip-locking on my account."

"I was thinking more along the lines of mattress mambo," murmured Marlene, eyes sparkling in anticipation.

"'Mattress mambo' – Merlin, you are just like him!" gasped Lily, "and that – that look going on in your eyes right now, it's got to go, it's seriously disgusting – like he's a piece of meat you can't wait to sink your teeth into!"

"He is a piece of meat I'd like to –"

"Okay stop right there! I'd like to keep the mimosas inside of me."

Marlene sat on the counter in front of Lily and took her hands into hers. "We're not here to talk about me. This is about you. And like I said, we're going to do this fast, so bear with me. Do you, right now, miss Edouard so much you can't wait until you see him again?"

"It's not that simple –" started Lily, pulling her hands out of Marlene's grasp.

"Are you constantly worried about Edouard because it's so unsafe out there right now and anything could happen to him?"

"Marlene –"

Marlene reached for her hands again. "Well, have you been imagining your future together, where you'll live, what your life together will be like, whether there'll be babies?"

"Why is everyone asking me about babies today!?"

"I'm your best friend, and I know you." Marlene released her, and stared deep into her eyes. "The answer to those questions is no. It used to be yes, before the Welcoming Ball – before you and James were put into the same room again, before you both realised you would each risk your lives to save the other."

Lily sighed, looking away.

"I think you did love Edouard," Marlene continued, pouring Lily another drink. "I think you were very much in love with him, because he loved you and you wanted to be loved. But, come on dearie, you're smart. I think you know things have changed now. I just hope you realise that both you and Edouard deserve more than just to settle for what's left of your relationship after all of this."

Marlene stood up again, put her arm around Lily. "I'm leaving now, but it's not because I want to sink my teeth into – er, excuse me, 'go see Sirius'... Lily, I think the issue here is that you don't want to give up on everything with Edouard because you hate failure, and you definitely won't admit defeat in front of me. I'm leaving so that you can think, think and maybe cry a little... and when you're ready, do come find me."

"Marlene, I-"

"Seriously. Sit here, and just... think. About why you're not letting this go. Or, think about the babies."

Pop!

Left alone, Lily leaned back to lie across several of the timeworn stools.

I am not afraid of failure, she thought defensively, her eyes fixed on the beams on the ceiling. I just avoid it as much as possible.

And Edouard and I are not failing! We've just had a lot to deal with recently.

Lily continued staring at the ceiling, then began wondering what was going on far above her head.

I wonder if they're all overwhelming James. He isn't well and it may well be too much for him so soon after... what happened.

Also, I need to talk to Dumbledore about the Order and make sure extra magical reinforcements are put on this house. I know that only certain people have 'permission,' so to speak, to pop in and out of here, but still... I want to make sure James is safe.

We also need to get a Healer in here soon, to have a look at him.

He's not going to appreciate the fuss, but I'll make him accept it, even if I have to force his mouth open to take the medication...

Lily jolted to a sitting position.

Oh my god.

This is exactly what Marlene was talking about! I'm supposed to be here thinking about my relationship with Edouard, but that's not what is coming naturally to me, to my brain.

She poured herself another drink and gulped it down.

Oh Merlin.

She let herself fall forward to rest against the counter, her forehead pressing into the cold wood.

I never meant for this to happen.

But clearly, it has.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

House-elves began materialising around her, practically flying to the many ovens and stoves.

Hardly noticing her, several of them set vegetables slicing in the air; it must have been the onions that were making her eyes water, Lily told herself.

But she knew there was simply no use putting off what she had to do next.

I hope Edouard's home.

Sighing, she took out her wand.

Pop!

"Look, I'm fine, hands off!" James was muttering, inching towards the centre of the bed to get away from his own house-elves. He looked up and saw his best friend sauntering into the room, the corners of his mouth twitching as he took in the heavily populated bedroom. "Damn it Padfoot, stop laughing and tell them I'm fine!"

Sirius, smirking, beckoned to the house-elf. "Tessy, darling, your master is fine... Rosie, Minio, truly, don't worry yourselves -"

"We IS worried, master almost DIES!" responded the latter house-elf, before clutching at James' sleeve again.

"Well," began Sirius, "I certainly never thought you would be the one, Minio, to disappoint your master."

Minio shuddered slightly, then turned to James. "I d-disappoint master?"

All the other house-elves were turning their heads to listen to James' response.

He's totally going to freak them out.

"Now, Sirius, they aren't -" began James, but Sirius cut him off.

"Yes, you are. Shame on you Minio, because your master needs you to tend to him and all you're doing is crying."

The house-elves dropped James' arm and turned to Sirius. "Tells us what to do!"

"Well," began Sirius, crossing his arms, "he's hungry and thirsty... and he expects you to take care of his guests, since he can't, and his guests are also hungry and thirsty! I think his guest would probably like... mmmm... cornish hens baked with the potatoes, you know, with the basil?"

"Yes, we knows!" Minio turned to the other house-elves. "To the kitchen!"

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

In a loud chorus of cracking sounds, the house-elves vacated the room.

Oh blessed mercy. "Thanks mate," murmured James, rubbing feeling back into his right arm. "Of course, with the way you just guilt-tripped them, they're probably going to work themselves into a cooking frenzy and prepare enough to feed a battalion."

"Hey, there are lots of us to feed," pointed out Sirius, turning to the other witches and wizards in the room, who had been standing to one side to let the house-elves have their moment. "I assume you're all here on Dumbledore's orders?"

"That's right," said Fabian, the scar on his cheek stretching as he smiled grimly. "We were all at Hogwarts, waiting to receive word that all was well here. There are some things to discuss."

James nodded. "Yes, security arrangements and such, I suppose."

"Not quite," said Alice, stepping forward, her ash-gray hair trimmed poshly to a bob. "We saw you at Snape's last night."

"We were keeping an eye on him," explained Frank, continuing, "and we saw your group get there – Peter and Remus have filled us in with what happened."

"Well, fill me in too, then," said James in frustration, "I was as alert as a corpse last night."

The entire room winced.

Okay, so maybe it's too soon to make dead jokes. James turned to Sirius. "So, you went to Snivellus' slimy hole, and what else?"

"Well," began Sirius carefully, "it seems that Lily thought Snivellus' potion-brewing skills would be useful... and it turns out that they were."

"Yes, that much I've figured out on my own, thanks. What else?"

"Not much," said Sirius evasively, examining his fingernails. "We went to make sure she was okay, which she was-"

"Other than Snivellus licking her tongue, you mean," interjected Peter, snickering.

"WHAT?"

"Calm down Prongsy, it was just an accident," said Sirius soothingly, before turning to Peter and making a slicing movement across his throat that James didn't see. "She was talking and he walked into her or... something."

"Or they locked lips," repeated Peter mockingly.

"Or Lily did what she had to do to get him to help us," added Remus, stamping on Peter's foot, "she was fine and they had figured out a way to cure you, so we left them to it, and then Lily came and saved you. The end."

James took a deep breath, then surveyed the grim looks on Gideon and Fabian's faces. "Other than this obviously disgusting and gross thing, what's the problem?"

The brothers exchanged looks, then Gideon took a step forward, his small blue eyes completely devoid of humour. "Problem is – Snape's a known Death Eater."

James' eyebrows raised, thoughts racing.

"That's not exactly surprising," stated Sirius calmly, "he's worshipped the Dark Arts since Hogwarts, and I think we all suspected this at some level."

"We don't simply suspect now," said Alice severely. "It's been confirmed, beyond all doubt."

"Look, Kensington, this is a serious accusation, are you sure?" inquired James, his mind full of ideas and suspicious that he didn't date voice.

"As sure as my name isn't Kensington anymore."

"Wait, what?" cried Sirius clapping his hands together then turning to Frank. "Did you two-?"

"Yes," said Frank, trying not to smile but completely failing. "She's a Longbottom as of yesterday."

"Not normally something you'd brag about!" called Sirius, allowing himself a broad grin.

"Ah, jokes about the name," said Alice turning to Frank. "Told you!"

"Hell of a honeymoon you took her on," admonished Sirius, crossing his arms, "Snivellus' hole, for Merlin's sake!"

"Right, now that we're back to that," muttered James, "what exactly happened there?"

"Just what we said," said Remus calmly, "and they were already well on their way to preparing a cure."

"They were... doing things?"

"They were trying to save your life Prongs," repeated Remus, "and it's only because of them that you're here now."

"And that's the problem, isn't it?" asked James, feeling rage and fear take over as it dawned on him.

I'll kill him. I swear, I will.

"It is," said Frank simply. "Because how could he have figured out exactly what poison was used on you, James, when Marlene, Gaelor and Foftin couldn't even though they had the samples for two whole days?"

"I'll murder him!" growled Sirius, his eyes darker than James had every seen them. "I was just bloody elated that they had the cure!"

"What is going on?" asked Peter impatiently. "You've all been very upset about this when we were talking about it earlier, d'you mind actually telling me what is going on?"

"He did it!" shouted James, fists clenched and jaw tight. "Snape! He was the one who poisoned Lily and tortured her for months!"

"James," began Sirius, his dark eyes igniting with fury, "he's the one who nearly killed you!"

Gideon sighed. "I hate to say it," he said reluctantly, "but there are other implications to all this."

"She knew," breathed James, horrified with every piece his brain was putting together. "Lily had to have known it was him!"

"Yes, she did," affirmed a voice from the doorway.

Marlene stepped into the room slowly.

"Did you know?" demanded Sirius, grabbing her by the shoulders.

"Oh, sod off," she said, pushing him away. "No, I didn't know before... I figured it out once we were at the house, following the same line of thought you've just discussed."

"Why the hell-"

"Didn't I say something?" said Marlene, finishing Sirius' question. "Because the point, may I remind you, was to save James' life. The only way to do that was to make Snape think we hadn't identified him."

"But afterwards –"

"Look, as far as I'm concerned this is between Snape and Lily," said Marlene slowly, "he did horrible things to her, but I'm guessing he did that to protect her–"

"PROTECT HER?" bellowed James, apoplectic with an anger that threatened to consume him.

"Yes, protect her," murmured Marlene gently. "Remember, she's the only survivor from the people taken from the Welcome Ball... The only one we've ever gotten out alive. That can't be a coincidence."

"He tried to kill James!" shouted Sirius, his face staring at her incredulously.

And that's the end of that couple, James thought as he watched his friend's growing anger.

"And then he saved him, at Lily's request!"

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!" howled Sirius, his face livid with fury. "I say we round him up and turn him over to the Dementors immediately!"

"He's gone," said Alice, shaking her head. "He left right after Lily did. We don't think he'll return."

James turned back to Sirius, but his friend was still shouting at Marlene.

"How the hell could you keep something like this from me?"

"I was trying to –"

"You protected that bastard and now he's escaped!"

"I never meant –"

"This," growled Sirius, "is unforgivable!"

Marlene's eyes widened in shock as she understood his meaning. "Fine," she said quietly, her shoulder sagged in resignation. She turned to the others. "I'm leaving. Let me know what the Order's next step is, and I'll be there."

"There will be no 'next step' for you!" cried Sirius, "Your cover as a Death Eater is blown, Snape will have told them everything!"

"They already knew you and James weren't Death Eaters!"

"Yes, but they thought you were one of them, they tattooed you and all!" cried Sirius, pointing at her forearm. "But now the Order's strategy is utterly ruined, thanks to you!"

"Now Sirius –" began Alice and Frank at the same time, but Marlene held up her hand to cut them off gently.

"No, it's okay," she said hoarsely. "I understand. I'll be at home – if you need me, you know where to find me."

Pop!

James watched Sirius stamp over to the window. A light rain had started outside, but James knew his friend wasn't observing the manor's grounds but rather seeking to avoid the eyes of everyone else in the crowded bedroom.

Betrayed. That's how he feels.

Then, remembering the role Lily had played in it all, he felt a powerful pain in his chest.

Betrayed. It's how I feel too, damn it.

Pop!

James looked over, and saw that the very witch that was the source of it all had Apparated in front of his bed.

Seeing Edouard had been unbelievably difficult. Confessing to him she no longer was able to marry him had been exquisitely painful, as had been witnessing the resigned dignity with which he received the ring she returned to his hand, the ring with which they had once sealed a promise to make a life together. She knew he wouldn't want her to linger after saying what she needed to say. She kept her words brief, kind but to the point, and then excused herself to avoid causing him further pain.

And maybe to avoid causing me more as well.

Yet, as soon as Lily arrived in James' room and took in its bleak mood, she knew something much, much worse was about to happen.

But I have to pull this trigger as well.

Life is too short for dramatic pauses.

"What did I miss?" she asked finally.

"Oh, nothing," began Sirius in a nastily sarcastic tone, still staring outside, "just us learning about how you helped the hand that stabbed James in the back."

Lily's eyes widened as she understood his words. She looked at the others; only Remus met her gaze with kindness.

Her focus shifted to James last. He was staring back at her wordlessly, his lips pale from clenching his jaw.

Fury.

She knew there was no point in defending her actions. While they were understandable, there was no way she could ever expect them to excuse her.

Lily looked at Sirius again, and noticed something that floored her. He was nudging at his eyes... because he was wiping away tears.

She glanced around the room again, and realised who was missing. "Where's Marlene?"

"She went home," hissed Sirius through clenched teeth, "she insisted on defending you and what you did... you should follow her example and go home yourself!"

Dread began to fill Lily. "She went home – by herself?"

"Yes, she's a grown witch you know!" growled Sirius, touching at his eyes again.

"You – you let her leave?" cried Lily, fear invading the pit of her stomach. "How could you?"

Sirius turned to face her. "What are you saying?"

"Don't you see?" Lily's eyes were wide, wide with horror. "They know about her now!"

Sirius read her worried face, understood her meaning, and pulled out his wand.

"NO PADFOOT!" bellowed James, leaping out of bed. His legs had recuperated surprisingly quickly; he was shocked to find that he could now walk.

Pop!

"Merlin!" cried James, too late to reach his best friend, "WHERE IS MY WAND?"

Lily reached into her robes, finding the wand she had kept since escaping from the Death Eaters.

"Don't you dare leave!" shouted James, knocking the wand out of her hands.

"But Marlene!"

"We'll go," said Edgar, indicating himself and the brothers. "You two still aren't well."

"We're coming too," stated Remus, meaning himself and Peter.

"As are we!" added Alice firmly, reaching for Frank's hand.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Within moments, the seven of them had Disapparated into nothingness.

Lily turned to James, and saw that his face had become bloodless and pale.

"Please sit, James."

"Don't say another bloody word."

Shaking with a coldness that had nothing to do with the temperature, Lily let herself sink into a chair away from James' bed.

Wordlessly, he walked to his closet. He tossed his ruined garments aside and fitted himself with a proper set of robes, then sat down in one of the chairs.

It's killing him that he didn't go.

I definitely can't tell him where I've hidden his wand, not for a while.

He's never going to forgive me for any of this anyway.

She realised she was scarcely daring to breathe. Her thoughts shifted to the real reason for her alarm, the real reason she was so afraid she couldn't stop shaking.

Oh Marlene.

The seconds passed like hours; the minutes felt like days.

However, it was barely ten minutes before the group reappeared in James' bedroom.

Lily's first thought was a head count. Nine. All of them - Remus, Peter, and Edgar, Alice and Frank, Gideon and Fabian, and Sirius and Marlene - were there.

Oh thank Merlin!

Lily jumped to her feet and rushed to Sirius, who had Marlene in his arms, her robes covered in rain droplets.

"Marlene!"

Lily hurried to her friend, and then felt like a giant had punched her in the stomach.

Marlene's grey eyes, beautiful and pale, were staring back at her, unseeing.

No.

She reached out; her fingers touched the cold flesh of a cheek under which no pulse beat.

No!

Lily looked up at Sirius, her head shaking in denial.

"She's dead."

A/N: Be kind, review! I love hearing what you liked, didn't like, and receiving feedback! It also encourages me to update - here are responses to the reviews from the previous chapter:

Anonymous reviewers: Thank you, thank you so much for the encouragement! I've really appreciated it and I hope you like this chapter as well!

Rudder: Hey! It's not over, and I'm really glad you liked the last chapter, hope this one os good too. I can't tell you how happy I was to get your review, it was really nice and made me want to update! Unfortunately, I couldn't for a while (life's been complicated), but still, thanks :) And yeah, the L/S bickering is different, but for some reason, it's how I always pictured them - you know, Sirius being James' man, and then Lily comes along and changes it all... just like Lily eventually fell for James, Sirius and Lily eventually become friends, but I'm taking a little longer on that front than in the canon... it just feels right with how I've thought this story.

myra: haha I know, I took way too long for this! Life's been busy - living abroad right now - but I couldn't wait to put more ideas for this to paper. I'm happy you liked the last one, hope this one is good too!

Amanda D: Thanks for your reviews! I'm so glad you like my story, and yes, I'm working on finishing it soon :) Hope you like this chapter as well!

tigerlily: Thank you, thank you! Sorry for the kind-of cliffhanger, but it had to be done! :P

bar-ba-loot suits: I have been planning on continuing for a while, thanks so much for the encouragement :) Hope you like this chapter too, and thanks for the review!

: Hahahaha thanks for your review! Don't worry, James is a fave of mine, can't hurt him, he's already been through so much... and yeah, Snape's a total creep. Tragic story, tragic ending, makes me super sad and depressed when I think of him, but still, a creep :P Thanks for the review, and for encouraging me to get through to this next chapter!

Anna: Hehe the cliffhanger had to be done! I really hope you like this chapter too and that it was worth the wait... maybe? :)

sjm95x: Yeah, tell me about Lily's love life being complicated, I'm the one making it so lol! Trust me, it's necessary... and thank you very much for the review!

KelliniPenguini: Thank you for your very nice review! I really, really appreciate the encouragement, and I'm so happy you've liked my story so far! I hope you like this one too :)

kiera: Hahaha, you know you're the first person that noticed that? Yes, and also, since they're British... yeah, I know it's totally cliché, but oh well... :)

xLycheeRAiN: You're review made me so happy! Thank you so much for your kind and oh-so-motivating words :) Hope you had a great New Years too - sorry it's taken me this long to update!

XXxGonnaRuleTheWorldOneDayxXX: Thank you for the review! Oh, I know, I looove cliffhangers, they make writing so much more fun :) Hope you like this chapter!

ana-12: Thanks so much for the reviews and the kind words! Hope you like this one too - I'm really sorry to say this, but Merry (very, very belated) Christmas to you too :)

booklover1998: Thanks for the review, but 3 what?

Alex42788: Don't worry, I didn't! Thank you and I hope you like this one too!

Adaira: Hey thanks, it means a lot that you reviewed then! I know it took me a long time to update, but thank you so much for the encouragement, I really work hard to try to get the personalities the way I feel the book portrays them... with a few additions :) Thanks again, and I really hope you like this one too!

isigirl: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you've liked the story so far (and that you liked how I've portrayed Sev - it's hard to get him right!), it's really awesome when I find out someone new is reading! Thank you so much for the encouragement, and I hope you like this one too!

jjack0310: Hey there, thanks for the honest review - I really do appreciate you taking the time to write me and let me know of any issues. I think that one thing to keep in mind is that plots develop - but unlike a book, since fanfictions are works in progress, sometimes it takes many updates to see where it's going. Don't worry, I never intended James and Sirius to come off as unwitting - as you'll see in this chapter, for example!

softasthunder: Thank you! I'm sorry it's taken this long, but seriously appreciate the encouragement :)

jmeec316: Yay, a new reader! Thank you for your review, and I'm so sorry it's taken this long! I hope you like this chapter too :)

books4evah: Hehehe yeah - the plot thickens! Thanks for the review, feedback is so helpful! :D

pervyprincess: Haha yay, thanks for the review! it wasn't intended to be a cliffhanger, because he makes his way back to her, but hey if I can leave suspense that's better! Hope you like this chapter too!

natusik23: Hey thanks! That was really sweet of you to say, can't believe it :)

Hoppipollamia: Haha I know I tried to make it not-too-predictable, but OCs aren't as fun, so I was limited to the cast of characters! Still, not too many people got it, which is great because then it's more surprising - but I'm so happy that you liked their exchanges, they were difficult to write!

Emma Riley: Hey, I'm sorry I know it's been FOREVER. But here it is, finally :)

Agnes Werneck: Yay, thanks for the kind encouragement!

PenguinBoxers: Thank you, thank you! I tried to update as soon as possible, but since I moved to Spain I was kinda busy for a while - but I put myself on a deadline when I realized it had been so long! Thanks for the push!

Seraph: Yay! Thanks, I really appreciate it!

owugirl110: Hey, I know it's been a while, I'm sorry! I hope you like this chapter too!

bluelover13: Hahaha I know, but here I tried to shed some light on why they were together in the first place... anyway thanks so much for the review, much appreciated and please let me know what you think of this one, positive and negative feedback are both useful!

Prongsie101: Hehe I love your user name by the way :) Thanks for the review, I know, I'm totally desperate for them to be together too!

Winged Flying Werewolf Girl: Hahaha nooo can't kill James (yet? haha) but I'm glad it seemed like a possibility! Thanks for the review, hope you like this one too!

SucksRoyalHippogriff: Your. Review. Made. My. Day! So long and so encouragind! I'm really glad that you liked it, and thanks for the feedback on the Snape/Lily scene, that was very challenging to write! Hope you like this one as well!

itxprincessxlala: Ah, you picked up on the Beatles' songs thing :) I love that song too, so much, and it just seemed so fitting for this chapter! Thanks so much for the review and encouragement, and I'm really sorry that it's taken me this long!

Akt5us: Thanks! I know, it's crazy how long I've been plodding away at this thing, but I love every minute of writing, so maybe I'm putting off writing each chapter so that it doesn't have to be over? I don't know, but thanks so much for the kind words!

Loslote: Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it! :)

Cora Jane Lee: Hey thank you so much! But don't be so harsh on yourself, I'm sure your story is great too - if I have a chance I'll check it out! Hope you like this chapter too!

NeverQuitDreaming: Thank you! Really glad you liked it; and thanks for the awesome encouragement!

WhiteCamelia: Haha well, there may be some more surprises in store... ;)

Grown Up Ron: Hey, thanks for the brutal honestly - no but seriously, I really appreciated it because it gives me perspective and makes me consider the story I'm telling.. and I mean, I like my story, but I understood your criticism. So thank you, for taking the time to point out ways that you think my fic could be better!