A/N: I do not own the characters. They belong to JKR. Inspired by "Home", by Phillip Phillips and a tumblr post by themockingjay-wholived.
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
- Home (Phillip Phillips)
It was the middle of May and she was shaking. She wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the fear, but she sat in the window seat in the corner and tried to hold herself together.
A blanket dropped into her lap and she watched him sit across from her. "Hey." He said, voice quiet and unassuming. "You okay?"
She nodded. He snorted. "You look like you're in an earthquake. You're not okay." He said, a tiny little smile on his lips. She pulled a face and turned back towards the window with her head on her knees.
"What's wrong?" She didn't answer, just pretended like he wasn't there and hugged her legs to stop the tremors. "Hey. Talk to me."
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and shook her head. He sighed, and wrapped his fingers around her ankles. With a small tug, her feet were in his lap and she was looking at him.
"Why are your feet so cold? It's springtime." He wondered idly, rubbing her toes through her socks. She smiled gratefully and pulled her sleeves over her hands. She felt the shaking lessen.
"I get chilly sometimes." She offered, speaking through her fingers.
"I noticed." He said, adjusting the blanket so it covered his legs too. "Why are you cold on this particular day? There's not a chilly wind in sight."
She was silent, not willing to admit why. He knew her better than that, though, and watched her with his eyebrow raised until she finally spoke.
"I just… everything is changing. Everything is ending and I'm lost."
"Not everything's ending. I'm still here." At this she looked away.
"For how long?"
"Forever."
"You don't know that. I can't… I just can't." She leaned her head against the window, aghast at the tears prickling at her eyes. She didn't want to cry today.
"Talk to me." He repeated simply, and she knew that she couldn't hold her tongue.
"I can't be safe. I'll never be safe with this happening. And everyone around me isn't safe. Not even you."
"I don't care."
"You should. You're protected, with your family and everything. I'm nobody, I'm nothing. So why are you still here?" Two tears slipped down her face and she refused to meet his gaze.
"That's what you're worried about?" He said, his voice filled with surprise. "That I'll leave you because you think you're dangerous?" He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me. And whoever is saying that you're nobody is wrong, as wrong as anyone could ever be."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I know you. It's impossible for someone like you to be nobody."
"That's not what they say."
"Show me these people. I want to have words with them." He said as she reclaimed her hand and wrapped it in her sleeve. "Honestly, you let them win when you give into these worries. You're stronger than that."
Another two tears dripped off her nose and she wiped them away angrily. "That doesn't change the fact that everything will be different after this." She said, returning to their earlier conversation.
"It will all be for the better, you'll see." He said soothingly and he tipped her chin up so he could see her. "I promise."
"I don't know where I'm going to go." She gave him a sort-of half smile and glanced away.
"You could come with me." He whispered, his face only a couple of inches away.
"What do you mean?" He didn't answer, but brought his mouth to hers. She wrapped her arms up around his neck and he had his hands on her back. And they were lost in each other.
Breaking apart, breathless, she curled up in his arms. He was warm and comforting and safe. She loved being there, next to his heart. He rested his chin on her head and tightened his grip on her.
"I mean, marry me." He murmured and she went still.
"What?"
"Marry me." She pulled away so she could look him in the face. He was serene and happy, not a trace of a joke in his eyes. "When we get out of here, marry me."
She started to laugh. Not because it was funny, but because it was so unexpected. "But what about the danger and—"
"Do you think I care?" He asked. She shook her head, but smiled.
"You're crazy."
"Maybe." He allowed, the smirk back on his face. In one sudden, fluid motion, he jumped to his feet and held his hand out to her.
"What are you doing now?"
"Dance with me."
"Well, aren't you full of demands today." She said, but swung her legs over the edge and grabbed his hands. Stars flew in front of her eyes as he lead her in a dance. She was laughing and he was laughing and they were so close and they were alone.
"You're crazy." She told him again as he twirled her around.
"And you're too talkative. Shut up and dance, already." He said as he recaptured her. She rolled her eyes. They moved together like that for a while, practically shining.
"Yes."
"What?"
"Yes, I'll marry you." He stopped his steps and glanced down at her. She was grinning, joy in her eyes. He returned the grin and laughed, bending down to kiss her again.
There was trouble brewing outside, and the world was at war. But here, in this moment, everything was perfect. She laid her head on his chest and sighed, content, it would seem, forever. She was home when she was with him.
"I love you, James Potter."
"I love you too, Lily. I always will."
