Disclaimer: Whoah. Still not mine. Except Chris. He's always been mine. ...Except for his last name, which I got from Gilmore Girls. I'm pathetic, aren't I?

Author's Notes: Ah, the last chapter! I'm rather pleased with how this turned out. I especially like the last line. -grins- I really hope you've all enjoyed this story, everyone, I know I've enjoyed writing it!

And, as always, I'd be thrilled if you would leave a review saying how youfelt aboutthis chapter in particular or the entire story overall.

Thanks again for reading!

Aliss

Christopher

13 April, 1977

There's no feeling quite like it when he tells you he loves you for the first time. Just like when he kisses you for the first time, or he takes your hand for the first time, it's so special and simple and perfect and you just don't want that feeling to ever go away.

That's how I feel all of the time.

I've been going out with James Potter for the past two months on the spot, and I've never been happier in my life. Sure, N.E.W.T.s may be just around the corner, and sure, there's the thought of finding a job and being able to support myself when school's finished, but it always seems so trivial. It's as if James puts everything into an optimistic perspective. I know there's no way I'll be able to fail any of my N.E.W.T.s—I've been studying around the clock; and I know it may be hard to find a job, being fresh out of school, but I've got some high marks and I'm sure I'll be able to find work somewhere.

It's not like everything is perfect between us either, though. Just the other day we had quite the row, but thinking back on it, I can't really seem to remember what it was about, though the other occupants of Gryffindor Tower would be pleased to remind me. Apparently it was blazing—or at least, that's what some Ravenclaw girls in the bathroom were saying. All I remember is making up with him afterwards.

It's scary—no, bloody terrifying to think that my years at Hogwarts are almost over. We only have a few weeks left before they ship us off for good. It's horrifying to know that I'll never be seeing some of my classmates ever again. Al and I will stay in touch, of course, but that doesn't mean we'll always have what we do right now. And I would hate to lose her.

And that brings up even more horrid thoughts. What if James and I drift apart? What if he finds some other girl he likes more than me? What if he rethinks us and decides he doesn't want me bogging him down? Godric knows I've thought those thoughts enough before, and yet, I never really pause to think about them much. Yes, they're absolutely dreadful thoughts, but somehow, I just don't see them happening with me and James. I've always worried about those things with every boy I've ever dated, but with him, it's as if those thoughts are silly—even a bit stupid.

I mean, he's done more than enough to show that he wants to be with me and that he's dead serious about our relationship. Sometimes he just walks up to me in the middle of the corridor, presses his lips hard against mine for one glorious second, and gives me a shimmer of a smile before walking away. And sometimes he'll pass me a note in class: Lily, stop fretting about N.E.W.T.s, you'll do excellently. I love you.

And more than anything, I just get this comfortable feeling in my stomach, like I could be doing this for the rest of my life with James—just being with him and being loved by him and being in love with him. I wouldn't mind it, not at all.

One time, even, he told me the sweetest thing that gives me goosebumps every time I think of it. It's probably one of my fondest memories of Hogwarts now, and it's just one of those things that you're never able to forget.

We were outside, taking a walk just for the sake of taking a walk. It was beautiful and warm and you could see all those other sickeningly in love couples like us walking around and kissing, just like we were. And those people, who I used to detest, were no longer as annoying. In fact, they were quite sweet.

And James just spun me around and told me that I'm the best thing in the world, and in his world. I blushed, I'm sure, the most horrible shade of red, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't mind.

"Even better than Quidditch?" I asked.

He put his forehead to mine and chuckled. "Yes," he said, and kissed the tip of my nose. "Even better than Quidditch."

Thinking about that now, I'm surprised I didn't melt at his feet that very moment. He has quite a way with words, that James. But really now, how could I even think a relationship like ours would get anything but better? He's wonderful to me, and I try to be wonderful to him, and he'll play chess with me if I ask! (One of my most ridiculous requests, now that I think about it; I really wouldn't be surprised if no one's ever lost a game of chess quite as quickly as I did, though.)

And really, I have all of this thanks to Christopher Danes!

"An odd thing to say about your ex-boyfriend," I know, but that doesn't make it any less the truth. Really, without Christopher, who knows what would have happened between James and I?

Christopher really made me see all the wonderful qualities about James in a new light. I knew James was a good person, but when I looked at Christopher, it just made James seem like a great person, if that makes sense. I know Christopher is a good person too, but it just seemed so different when I looked back at James. It was as if they were good in different ways, different ways that made me think of them in different ways.

Merlin help me, I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore! All I know is that Christopher made me realize that I didn't need someone who was like me, but more of someone who was less like me. James and I are very similar, but we're still so different, and we make that work to our advantage. Christopher and I… we liked some of the same things, but when we didn't agree on something, we usually left things as they were. We didn't try to argue or make the other understand, we just left as is. Not with James. He wants to make me bleeding worship Quidditch—and I'm fine with that.

So that's why I walked up to Christopher today after Charms class and thanked him.

"What for?" he asked me.

"For making me realize I like to argue," I told him.

He only smiled at me even though I could tell he was confused; that's just the way he is, and that's why I'm with someone like James.

And then I wished him the best of luck with his girlfriend, Ambrose Norden (and her demonic cat, though I didn't mention that bit). She seems to like him quite a lot, if you ask me, and I really do hope that goes well for him.

It seems somewhat mean, all in all, though, to say that the only person in need of thanks for getting James and I together is Christopher, so I'd also like to thank James for being such a sweetheart. I wouldn't be with him if he wasn't, the darling. I'd also give a "thanks" to Remus, Sirius, and Peter, except for the fact that they really didn't do anything to get us together, so why should I bother thanking them? Honestly.

Well, I think I'll go gather up James now. We have some unfinished business to take care of. Though I can thank Sirius for interrupting that.

THE END.