Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter…like I could do J.K. Rowling justice.
James Potter was happy as could be. How could he not be? He had marvelous friends, a beautiful girlfriend, a great job, a great family. What more could he ask for?
Currently, he was pacing one spot on the streets of Diagon Alley, waiting for said girlfriend to walk out of Florish & Blotts. The bell jingled as the door opened, revealing a casually dressed Lily Evans.
"It's about time," James teased, and she stuck her tongue out at him.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying shopping," she said, stopping in front of him.
"There is when you're shopping for books," he said, grinning cheekily.
"You're just jealous," she said, and turned on her heel. James took it as his cue, and easily fell into step beside her, grabbing her bags from her. She smiled at him and slipped her small hand in his, absentmindedly humming as they strolled the cobblestone road.
"So what are we doing?" James asked, and Lily's forehead pinched with thought.
"Well, I don't know what I'm doing, but I know if you miss another Marauder bonding day, Sirius will personally murder me," she laughed, and James grimaced.
"You're probably right," he said, and Lily let out another laugh, "Suppose I'll have to go bond with the guys. You'll be alright?" he asked, looking down at her, worried
"I'm a big girl James, I can get home by myself," she smiled, "go have fun," she said, nudging his arm with hers.
"I am having fun," he said, and she shook her head fondly
"Just go James," she said exasperatedly, fighting a smile, "I'll see you tonight."
"We're doing something?" he asked, frowning slightly in his confusion. Lily shot him an expression of mingled amusement and exasperation.
"No," she said, "we have an Order meeting."
"Right!" James exclaimed, and she grinned, shaking her head, "See you tonight then," he said
"Bags?" she said, holding her hand out, and he shook his head
"No need for a pretty young thing as yourself to have to carry such awfully heavy bags. I'll bring them tonight," he said, and Lily sighed
"I'm not going to win, am I?" she asked, and James shook his head
"Bye Lily."
"Bye James," she said, smiling as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to her lips.
"I'll miss you!" James said dramatically, and Lily giggled, prying her hand from his.
"Yeah, yeah," she said, giving him one last smile and a small wave before walking away from him. James watched as she sauntered away, hips swaying and hair bouncing lightly, before she turned the corner and disappeared from view.
The boys reached the Order Headquarters to see it almost full.
"Can you see her?" James asked, using his height to peer over the heads of the rest of the Order, looking for a sign of crimson.
"No," Peter said from behind, looking in the opposite direction
"Not on this side either," Remus said
"I third that," Sirius said, before clapping James on the shoulder, "She'll be here in a jiffy mate, let's find a seat," he said, before steering the still searching James to the large oval table in the middle of the grand room.
"But this is Lily," James said, as Sirius shoved him into a chair, "she's never late for these things," he said, and Sirius shrugged
"She's not late, it hasn't started yet," he said.
Just then, Dumbledore entered the room, and James shot Sirius a look, "hasn't started, has it?" He asked, and Sirius chuckled
"You worry too much mate," sirius said, "Lily's a smart bird. She probably just fell asleep, or got carried away reading or something," he said, causing James the snort. It sounded awfully like something his girlfriend would do.
"You're probably right," James sighed, and saw Sirius relax slightly out of the corner of his eye
"Of course I am," he said. James opened his mouth to make a joke, but was silenced by a stern glance from Remus as Dumbledore stood up.
"Pay attention," Remus hissed, and James chuckled, "If only so you can fill your girlfriend in later," Remus added.
"Why would I need to do that with you around?" James retorted, but sat up straighter anyway.
"Wonder what happened," Sirius whispered, as they watched Dumbledore scan the room, a devastated expression on his face
"No idea, but its obviously not good," Peter said, voice quivering slightly.
"I have some grave news," Dumbledore said, looking around somberly. His eyes landed on James in a way that made his hair stand on end. Keeping his eyes locked on James', he continued, "I'm afraid, one of our own has been captured."