ALWAYS

YOU ARE THE ONE

"Lily, dear wake up! It's time for breakfast". "Go away James. I was up late last night. Let me sleeeep." whined Lily. "Lily dear, wake up. It's ten already". "James Henry Potter, I swear-" Lily said furiously, getting up to find Dorea, looking at her. "Oh, Dorea, I'm sorry, I didn't realise. I'll be down in a minute" she said. 

A few minutes later she was struggling to pull down a shirt. "Ughh.... come on". She was hopping on one leg, unable to see what was in front of her, or where she was going. She stood steady and tried to pull the shirt down. And then she felt another pair of hands pull the shirt down. Her hair was covering her eyes, but she knew who it was. She tried blowing the hair away from her face, but in vain. James smiled as he slowly pulled the strand of her hair away, to reveal the deep emerald eyes he had fallen in love with. "Hey! You look pretty today" said James, giving her a peck on the lips. "Thanks" she replied. They walked downstairs together giggling about something they would rather not tell anyone. 

"You guys are finally here!" said Dorea, as she flicked her wand and a plate with a sandwich landed in front of each of them. They finished breakfast and James rushed out claiming he had an errand dragging Sirius along with him. Lily looked at Charlus and Dorea, both of whom looked really exhausted and like they needed a good sleep. "You guys should head up and rest. I got it under control here" said Lily. Dorea and Charles looked hesitant, but Lily would not take no for an answer. So with one final push she sent them upstairs to their room. She turned around after making sure they promised to rest and not work, and began cleaning up. Blinky soon joined her and they began preparing lunch. They were finished in an hour. Lily too was tired, they had got home late last night after graduation and stayed up late, she woke up early in the morning and decided to take a nap. She walked up to her room, when she felt the need to go check on Charlus and Dorea. After all James would, and they had filled her parents pretty big shoes. So she slowly opened the door, and looked at the happy couple, wrapped in each others warm embrace, the sunlight falling on their faces, making both of them to stir in their sleep. She smiled, and with a flick of her wand the curtains were covering the windows and the room was pitch dark. She looked at them one last time before walking out slowly closing the door behind her. She turned around and bumped into someone, "ouch" she said rubbing her forehead as she looked up to find James looking at her lovingly. Behind him Sirius too was looking at her, admiration in his eyes. 

Lily woke up that evening to an owl hooting loudly at her window. She groaned as she woke up to find James in the washroom and opened the door. It was carrying two letters with it. She took the letters, gave it a few treats and let it fly back. She looked at the letters, recognising the perfectly curvy, cursive handwriting of Dumbledore. She opened her letter to find a rather peculiar and vague letter. It was asking her to come to a secret spot with the Potters tomorrow and that they would know the exact details of what he was talking about. Lily started freaking out. What if she had done something unknowingly? What if she had messed up big time in N.E.W.T.S? All these horrible thoughts were taking over her. James came out of the washroom to find Lily pacing. The minute she saw James she began rambling. Not bothering to look at him, she turned around looking outside the window speaking really fast about what must have gone wrong and as she turned around to face him, and confront him about his absolute silence and she let out a gasp. 

James was on his knee, holding out a tiny velvet box. Inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen - it was a silver ring with an emerald stone in the centre.

 "Lils, I knew you were the one the minute I layed my eyes on you on Hogwarts express. I knew you were the one when I saw you get sorted into Gryffindor. I knew you were the one when I saw you twirl your hair when you were nervous. I knew you were the one when I looked into those emerald eyes. I knew you were the one when Dumbledore made me Headboy and you Headgirl. I knew you were the one when you were brave enough to face Voldemort. I knew you were the one when we first kissed. I know you are the one, everyday I wake up to you in my arms. You are the one. And I want to spend every moment of my life with you by my side. Lily Evans, will you do me the honour of marrying me?" 

Tears streamed down Lily's cheeks, her heart fluttered and she never thought she could be this happy. She didn't stop to think for a second. She nodded, smiling at him, "Yes. James Henry Potter, I will marry you" she said. James let out a sigh that he was holding for so long and smiled at her. He slowly took her hand and placed the ring on her slender finger, and stood up on his legs. "This is true then?" he grinned at Lily, who was still recovering from shock. She immediately jumped onto him, kissing him on the lips, pausing every two or three seconds to say yes. She hugged him, knowing that neither will let go for the rest of their lives. But their moment was short lived. 

"Prongs you did it!" cheered Sirius from the other side of the door. Lily looked at James, and gave him the was Sirius listening look and James nodded. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before opening the door. She tried to balance herself as Sirius tackled her into a big hug. She was smiling, he was smiling, James was smiling. They pulled away after a few seconds and Sirius pulled out a camera and said, "Now show me the ring". Lily obeyed, unable to control her excitement. Sirius snapped a picture of her, "Now James you and Lily flower" he ordered. James and Lily took a few pictures. "Padfoot get your ass in here" said James, and Lily took a few pictures of the two friends, or should she say brothers. Then Lily and Sirius took pictures. They went downstairs to find Dorea and Charlus awake and drinking coffee. "Mom, dad" said James and they looked at the three kids that had just walked in curiously. Lily held up her hand, to flaunt her ring. Both Charlus and Dorea looked surprised, but overcame the shock in a few seconds and pulled both of them into a hug. "Oh I'm so happy " said Dorea as she ruffled James's hair. "My  boy's all grown up" she said teary eyed. Lily looked at James, smiling wide. Dorea and her were the only two who were allowed to ruffle James's hair, and she smiled at the thought. "Proud of you son" said Charlus as he broke away from James and pulled Lily into a hug. 

An hour later Potter Manor was filled with all their friends and family. Marlene and Alice oohed and aahed at her ring for ages, telling her how happy they were for her. The Marauders had stolen James away. McGonagall, Dumbledore, Marlene's parents, Alice, Frank and the Potters all were beyond happy for Lily and James.

 Dumbledore had just congratulated her and revealed to her that he had lost 10 galleons to McGonagall, because he thought James would be too scared to propose this year, but he was happy for them nonetheless. He was about go talk to the McKinnons when Lily stopped him, "Professor, If I may, you sent me a letter today".                                                                                                     "I did" he agreed. "I was wondering if you could tell me what it was about" she asked. "Tomorrow dear. Today, is your day. Enjoy it. "he smiled and excused himself. He curiosity was boiling over when James walked up to her and pulled her close. She hugged him back, content and happy at the surprising turn her life had taken. 

They sneaked away from all the dancing, drinking, partying and talking, away from the crowd, for some alone time of their own. They went to James's room, where they sat in solitude, talked about everything, and told each other how happy they were that they would be spending the rest of their lives.

 At around three in the night, when Dorea and Charlus had sent all the guests away and finished cleaning up, they slowly opened the door to James's room, wanting check in on them, since she didn't see them for so long. Charlus and Dorea looked at them, James sitting up on the bed, leaning on the headboard, Lily leaning against him, head on his chest. James was holding her close to him, and stroking her hair, even in his sleep. Dorea smiled. "I hope they stay like this forever Charlus. Look at them so happy and safe with each other". Charlus nodded. "They look good together, don't they?", she asked. "Perfect" he replied. "Remember the night you proposed to me ?" Dorea asked, innocently, yet a bit nostalgic and cheeky. Charlus looked at her lovingly, "Always".