Written for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Charms Assignment #3 - Write about light in dark times.
Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge / Prompt : #15 Rhea - Write about Lily Potter.
The doorbell rang with a soft 'ding'. Little Harry looked up with his large emerald eyes in amusement. "Mam-ma!" He pointed towards the door, looking at a flustered Lily. Harry slammed his tiny fists on the carpeted floor beneath him when his mother refused to open the door. Lily Potter was no good at cooking, so when the whole kitchen smelled of fire, she panicked, blocking out all distractions.
"J-James! Get the door, love." she said in a quivering tone.
"Alright, darling." Her husband chuckled and kissed her temple before picking Harry up and heading to the front door to greet their guests. James gave Lily one teasing smile saying, "Try not to burn the cottage down, will you?" before opening the door. He was faced with a grinning Sirius with a blooming Marlene beside him, a sick-looking Remus and a fidgeting Peter. "Mates! You came." James smiled at them all, giving them a one-sided hug. "It's little Harry's first birthday!" he proudly said in a way that only a father could do.
"Where's Lily?" Marlene immediately asked, looking behind James for her best friend.
"She's in the kitchen, trying to cook food for you lot." James shook his head with a fond smile adorning his lips as Marlene bolted towards the Kitchen.
"Happy birthday, little Harry!" Sirius cooed to the little boy in his best mate's arm, waving a large package in front of him. "This is from me and Marlene. I do hope you don't grow up like your Dad." Sirius laughed, messing up Harry's raven hair. "Oh no, he's got the messy Potter hair, too! Poor kid." said Sirius in a teasing voice.
"Shut up, Padfoot. It's what made Lily fall for me." he grinned smugly.
"I still think Lily's blinded, James. Brewing Amortentia every week, eh? It must be a very strong Love Potion if it kept Lily by your side and even bear you a son!" Remus joked.
"At least I have a wife," James stuck his tongue out at his friends, "You don't even have girlfriends." He then directed his statement to Remus and Peter.
Just then, a loud scream was heard all over the cottage in Godric's Hollow. The men ran towards the Kitchen, the origin of the loud shout.
The Kitchen looked completely normal, except for a few failed and burnt dishes. "What's wrong, Lils?" he frowned.
It was then he noticed that Lily was holding Marlene's left hand. "She's engaged!" Lily said, with bright eyes.
James slowly shifted his head to face his best mate, who was grinning shyly. "You didn't." James inquired.
"I did, mate!" Sirius said as he was engulfed in a large bear hug by James, who was laughing.
"You finally did! It was about time." James cheered, slapping his mate's back.
Lily was watching the men with tears in her own eyes, hugging Marlene herself.
"Marls, I'm so happy for you." she whispered, holding Marlene tight against her.
"You will be my Maid of Honor, and James the Best Man. Harry will be old enough to be a ring bearer, then." she insisted, holding Lily's hands.
"Of course, darling. We'd love to!"
Lily felt utterly blissful that evening. They celebrated Marlene and Sirius' engagement, along with Harry's first birthday. They sang him a birthday song, with little Harry clapping in bemusement as he blew the single candle on his colorful birthday cake. After that, they ate Lily's (horrible) cooking and pretended to be pleased with her slightly burned dishes. Finally, the small group sat by the fire with hot cocoa warming their palms. They talked for hours, catching up with the time they've spent away from each other.
To Lily, it felt as if they weren't in the midst of a war. It felt like old times in the Gryffindor Common Room- laughing carelessly, without giving a damn to the world.