Parallels
She had always been an overachiever, whether it was noticed by others or not. But the Gryffindor in her wanted to be a hero. Not in the typical way, throwing herself into the most dangerous missions and inexplicably coming out unscathed, but in a far more nuanced, logical way. Graduating as head girl, top of her class, climbing to the top of the ranks at the Department of International Magical Cooperation in the Ministry of Magic, strengthening ties with magical communities across continents when Voldemort threatened to isolate the country, these were her ambitions. It's not that she wasn't well on her way, becoming the youngest British representative to earn a seat in the International Confederation of Wizards just 6 months after leaving Hogwarts. Everything seemed to run too slowly when people were being murdered in their beds and no one knew who to trust anymore. Merlin, that was the worst part about all this. Suspicion and mistrust chipped away at even the strongest of childhood friendships. Insecurity prevented everyone from entire governments to family members from wanting to have any type of connection with her. She'd already given up her muggle life to be in this magical, wonderful world but now she was being forced to give this up as well. Placing a hand on her belly, she thought about every decision in her life that had led up to this moment, and came to a conclusion: She couldn't give it up. Her child would come into this world and she would protect it with everything she had and more. Getting her Hogwarts letter, meeting her friends, teachers, and of course, James, had been the best surprise anyone could ever ask for. Muggle children and adults alike dreamed about this, and for her, it was real. She wanted to present her child with a world full of laughter, sunshine and mischief. Sure, everyone felt like their lives had been derailed lately, but she refused to think of it that way. They would return to those days, and Lily would be right there fighting for it alongside James, Sirius, Remus, Marlene, the Prewetts, the Longbottoms, and countless others. It was why she had joined the Order. She rose from the cafe table, took a deep breath, and apparated to the home she now shared with the only person who'd been there through it all, ready to brave this new phase in their lives, together as always.
July 21, 2016