A/N: Here it is, the sequel to Their Time of Need. If you haven't read that one yet, I suggest you read it first before this one, but if you just want to skip straight to this story, it'll make sense anyways. The first chapters are always hard to write, for it's a boost for the rest of the story, and it's hard to get going. But I hope you enjoy it anyways.
A specail thanks to Abbey for this title. You should have heard her, it was quite possibly one of the funniest things in my life. She was like, "A dark light, A light dark, A darker light, A lighter dark, A new light..." etc etc. you probably had to be there, but they were just popping up like wild fire. It was pretty humorous.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
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James Potter shut the door, "That's the last of it!" he sang.
Only the day before had they all moved in, but using the eight of them, they were able to fix up the house and put it together in about twenty four hours. It was fairly large, but considering that eight people were living there, it was a fair size. He ran a hand through his untamed hair and gazed around, only to see Lily tripping over a rug and crashing into Sirius, causing them both to stumble backwards.
"OH!" She gasped, scrambling to her feet and helping him to his, "I'm so sorry, Sirius."
Sirius Black flipped his shining dark hair out of his eyes and rubbed his stomach sorely, "Yep," He said, "You've got yourself a graceful one here, James."
Lily Evans rolled her eyes and blew her hair out of her face, walking to her room. Once inside, she shut the door quietly and flopped on her bed. She gazed around the room, which she was sharing with Sirius' girlfriend, Brenna. It was finished, and Lily soon realized that tonight was the first night they were all going to sleep in the house. Brenna was nice, Lily knew that, but she wasn't Sara.
Sara Brookfield was Sirius' ex girlfriend, and one of Lily's best friends. Sirius and Sara had a strong relationship, but soon Voldemort and his followers murdered her sister. She and her family decided to move to France, much to Sirius' despair. He had only received one letter from her, and Lily suspected that he was having trouble writing one back.
Lily rolled onto her back and stared at the white ceiling. They were adults now. They were living on their own….
Someone ran into the room and flew on top of her, causing her to scream.
"Relax, Lil." James said, kissing her lips softly, "It's just me."
"Yeah well, 'just you' is rather heavy, so if you don't mind…" She said, pushing her boyfriend off.
He laughed and lay down on the bed, patting next to him. It was only a twin bed, but they both managed to squeeze themselves in.
"You okay?" He asked, pulling her closer to him.
Lily nodded, wrapping her arm across his chest, "I can't believe we've finally finished moving in and now we're living here…."
"I know." He agreed, kissing her forehead.
The door swung open, revealing Brenna. "Oh!" She said, "I'm sorry, I'll go…"
"No, don't." James said, getting up, "I was just leaving."
Brenna smiled and watched as James left the room. "Hey, Lily."
Lily grinned, "How are you?"
"Good." She said, pulling her dark, thin hair up into a pony. "I was just going to help Katherine make dinner. Would you care to join us?"
Lily nodded and entered the kitchen where Katherine was scolding Sirius for putting his hand in the salad bowl.
Katherine was Lily's other best friend. They'd been together since their first year of Hogwarts, yet they'd always remained close. Remus and Katherine were together, and Lily could see why. They were alike in many ways, yet in some aspects they were different. Both of them were often quiet and reserved, and they gave great advice. They seemed to be wise beyond their years, something that Lily admired greatly.
She rolled up her sleeves and sniffed, "Mm. Something smells good."
"That's the hot dish." Marlee said, looking up from her game of wizards chess. She was playing with Peter, and they had been together for quite some time. Marlee had curly brown hair and was rather short, yet had striking features. However awful as it sounds, no one, not even the Marauders, could see how he managed to get her. True, Peter was nice, yet he was just so shy it seemed strange that someone so outgoing would take the time out to get to know him. That was probably why everyone loved Marlee so much, she was willing to go beyond the exterior, and actually see the person.
"What do you need help with, Katherine?" Brenna asked, washing her hands.
"The salad." At this she cast a dirty look at Sirius, who earlier was attempting to steal the carrots and peas out of the bowl.
Lily laughed, "Anything I can do?"
"I think we're good now, thanks." She said, bustling to the oven. The house was in a muggle neighborhood, so the appliances were non wizard. Katherine, however, was half blood, and liked cooking the muggle way better, anyways.
Lily plopped down next to Sirius, Remus, and James on the couch, "Hey boys."
They all nodded their greeting. James looked at Lily with a smile, he had always found her beautiful, but for some reason, just watching her sit on the couch in a large sweatshirt and shorts, he couldn't help but find her even more attractive.
They were sitting in the living room, next to the kitchen. Between the eight of them, they had quite a lot of trouble picking colors, so they all decided on tan for the kitchen, and an olive green for the living room. Their own more personal, individual colors were in their bedrooms.
"Dinners almost ready!" Katherine called, "Lily and Marlee, could you set the table."
Sirius put his arms behind his head and put his feet up on the coffee table, "I could get used to living like this, having the women do everything…"
"You're doing the dishes." Katherine snapped. Remus bit his lip to muffle his laughter. "You too, Remus and James!"
"Merlin." James said quietly, "She's got the sense and ears of a fox."
"Thanks!" She sang.
A few minutes later, Katherine and Brenna were setting steaming pans of hot dish and fresh salad in the middle of the table. They began helping themselves, scooping large portions onto their plate.
"Don't you want any hot dish?" James asked Brenna, gesturing to the pan.
"Oh, no thank you." Brenna said, "I'm a vegetarian."
"Really?" Marlee asked, "For how long?"
"Since I was eight." She said, "Almost ten years."
"You've got yourself a good one here, Sirius." James laughed.
For some reason, Sirius' face tightened. He and Brenna were together, and he liked her a lot, but it was scaring him that it meant he had to get over Sara…for good.
Lily quickly shoved some hot dish into her mouth, "So…" She said, after swallowing, "Who's up for desert?"
"We don't have any." Katherine pointed out.
"Oh." Lily said, "Well…we could all go out for ice cream!"
"I'm up for it," Peter said, and everyone nodded their agreement.
After everyone had seconds, and even thirds, they all stood up and began to head for the door.
"Oh no you don't." Katherine laughed, "Boys, you do the dishes."
"She's more like a mum than a girlfriend." Sirius muttered to Remus sourly.
"The ears of a fox, remember?" Katherine asked.
"Oh…" Sirius said, blushing slightly, "Sorry."
After the dishes were done, they all grabbed their jackets and left the house.
"I saw a little shop down the street." Lily said, grabbing James' hand. Once they were there, they all filed inside and ordered. When they got their ice cream, they sat down at a large booth.
"Mm." James said, licking his lips, "Chocolate. My favorite."
"Can I try a bit?" Lily asked leaning over to take a lick of his cone. James shoved it into her face, causing her to squeal. "JAMES!" She shrieked, before she shoved her vanilla cone in his face.
Sirius wrinkled up his nose in disgust, "That was cute, lovebirds." He said sarcastically.
"HEY!" Said the tall, aging man from the counter. "You two! Red head and the one in the glasses. OUT! I don't want anyone making a ruckus in my shop!"
"We'll all go," Remus said, already getting up.
"No," James said, "You guys stay here. You weren't the ones kicked out."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Lily and James slid out of the booth and exited the shop, and it was then that they broke out into hysterical laughter.
"JAMES!" She cried, smacking his arm "I can believe you did that!"
He leaned over and licked her nose, "There, it's all gone."
"Gross." She said, wiping her nose with her sleeve, but her eyes were sparkling with laughter.
"Did you see his face?" He cried, breaking out into laughter once more, "He was so pissed!"
Lily attempted to keep a straight face, but to no avail. Instead, she ended up snorting rather unfeminine like.
"You're gorgeous." He said, clutching his heart.
She smacked her arm once more, and they both began walking back to the house. "Wow." She said, "Our first real day as adults and we were kicked out of an ice cream parlor."
James laughed once more, putting his arm around her shoulders, and pulling her closer to him. "That's got to be a record." He grinned.
She rolled her eyes, "I never thought that dating a Marauder would make me this immature. Next I'll be asking for a piggy back ride."
"Well come on then." He said, stopping in his tracks and walking in front of her. "Hop on."
"No!" She laughed, "Imagine what the neighbors, not to mention everyone would think!"
"Who cares about them?" He said, "Get on my back."
"No, no, no." Lily said again, resuming walking. "I may have gotten kicked out of an ice cream parlor, but I'm not going to look like a fool."
James ran up to her and swung around, preventing her from getting past. "Please get on?" He pouted, "For me?"
Lily rolled her eyes, pulling her jacket tighter around her. She looked from side to side, before reluctantly muttering, "Fine."
James smiled widely and swung around. "Okay, up you go!" She sighed, but there was a smile on her face as she leapt up onto his back. "You ready?"
She nodded, "Go!" He took off running, sprinting down the road. He swerved pass people, and some stopped to stare, clutching their hearts in alarm. Lily shrieked, "Slow down!"
"NO!" He laughed, finally coming to a halt outside of their house. He bent over and Lily jumped off lightly.
"Thanks, James." She said, "That was strangely freeing."
He chuckled softly, "Anytime." He put his arms around her waist and pulled her into him, "I love you, Lil."
"Mm." She sighed, "I love you, too." She leaned in and kissed him.
When they pulled apart, James was laughing again, "I still can't believe that as our first day as real adults, we were kicked out of an ice cream shop."
Lily giggled, "I could get used to being adults."
He nodded and kissed her again, "At first I didn't want to grow up. But now that you're in my life, I think I like this whole adult thing."
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A/N: For those who have read Their Time of Need, I hope this first chapter meets your expectations. And for everyone whose just joining in, I hope you enjoyed it. Please read and review. Thanks and love you all - Lilly.