The stars were beginning to sparkle overhead and the world seemed content to pause in a moment of bliss despite the war that was raging outside the protective walls of the magical castle. Lily Evans sat peacefully under a tall tree on the shore of Hogwarts' lake, James Potter by her side, his strong arm keeping her shoulders warm in the light breeze the blew across the amazing lake.
The redheaded witch sighed in hope, wishing it could last forever. They, as seventh years, would graduate soon, and Lily and James and their friends would have to go out and face the world in all its horror and wonder, so it was a blessing to be able to stop and savor the last few months of innocence before taking the next big step in the journey of life.
"You know," James said softly, looking fondly down at the slender girl in his arms. "This is my greatest wish come true."
Lily blushed, her cheeks matching the pink-tinged sky behind her, and causing her bright green eyes to stand out against her skin. "I still can't believe you chased me for so long, I was positive you were going to give up. I mean every other popular boy would just find another girl."
"Love never quits," he told her with a shrug. "And it makes it all the more worth it and end there is no one in the world as beautiful or nice as you"
"But it isn't the end," Lily added with a smile. "Maybe if life were a fairytale, you know, like Cinderella? That's the best and worst part about those stories - you get to watch people fight for their loves, but then the story ends as soon as they are happy together. I guess because to continue the story, you would know about all the problems along the way, and it doesn't make it seem quite as 'happily ever after'."
James nodded, absentmindedly running a hand through his already messy black hair. "But the problems make it real, because the bad times make the good so much better."
They sat together in comfortable silence for a while, just watching the stars appear more clearly, when James reverted to his original train of thought.
"Earlier, I was going to tell you - this is my greatest wish come true, but what about you? What can I do for you?"
Lily laughed lightly, the sound carried on the wind into the depths of the Forbidden Forest. "James, I could never have asked for anyone to love me the way you do. In a way, I think that's every girl's deepest desire, but many of them never see it come to be. You gave me that, and it's more than enough."
"But still," he continued, his smile lighting up the night. "I want to do something for you."
Lily thought for a moment, watching the sky, when a thought struck her. She grinned at James and pointed upwards. "Catch me a star, then, and I can make a wish on it whenever I find something else that I need, because for now, I don't need anything at all."
"I don't know if that's even possible, love, but for you, I'd try to catch the moon."
Lily's laughter was no longer light, it was loud and hysterical, bursting from her mouth and causing the young witch to gasp for air and hold her stomach tightly. "And where did you hear that? Please tell me Sirius wasn't trying to give you pick-up lines again!"
"Come on, Lils," he grinned, her laughter seeming to warm his heart. "I thought it was pretty good if you ask me."
"Well, it was better than some of the ones you used to use, back when you still thought I would fall for you like all the others."
James' grin turned into a grimace. "I did make a fool of myself sometimes."
"But that's what makes you so amazing"
