Title: Just Trying to Live Life
Author: Evil-Angel-911
Summery: A normal version of Lily's life. Very true to the book. A lot of thought goes into what life might have been like for each character. Lily and James deal with the intricacies of life and the pain of dealing with another's death.
Disclaimer: I am not the genius that is JK Rowling. Any character you recognize is completely hers.
Chapter: Prologue
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July 1st
Lily,
Hey! Remus and Peter are coming over tonight to hang out. Sirius, as you already know, is spending the summer with me. Things are really tough for him right now. I just hope everything turns out alright with him. Having the marauders together should cheer him up. Dad isn't home much so it's good having Sirius around. That guy, Voldemort and his little minions are starting to turn the wizarding world upside-down (and I mean in the worst way imaginable). Take care of yourself, ok? Don't doubt my knowledge of your abilities to take care of yourself but this guy is out of his mind. I don't want to see anyone hurt. Besides that nothing is really going on. How's your life without Hogwarts?
James
July 2nd
James,
I was so surprised to see your letter! I don't usually get too much mail since Maggie and Hera take vacations with there family in July. At least they bring me some souvenirs. Wish they would bring me. They leave me here with my stupid sister. Did I tell you about Petunia? Ok, before I start let me address your letter. I hope you guys are having fun. Wish I was there…but that's not going to happen. I need to work a summer job. I'm working at this restaurant as a waitress. It doesn't get very good business so I don't get paid too much but it's a job. Tell Sirius that I say he's a big strong man and that will make him even more of a lady killer when we get back to Hogwarts… wait don't tell him that. His head is big enough. Give him my best wishes. Sounds like Voldemort is giving your dad and the other aurors a lot of trouble. I've been reading the paper. I'm really thankful to be seventeen. Now I can do magic. I already put a protection charm on my house and a few other things to keep out… lets just say unwanted visitors, magical and muggle. I'll be fine daddy. I promise to be careful. Oh! I was going to tell you about Petunia. Yeah, that's my sister. I envy your only child self. Petunia is such an annoying person! She beats you! Ha-ha just kidding buddy, no one could beat you. She just hates the idea of magic. Anything abnormal is horrible to her… and her evil boyfriend. Ug! His name is Vernon and he looks at me like a piece of meat when Petunia isn't looking and like an annoying bug when she is. He gives me the creeps either way. Besides Petunia, things are good. My mom is teaching me how to cook the old muggle way and I'm showing her some stuff I learned in school. She and my dad are so entertained by the wingardium leviosa. Let's just say Petunia isn't. Well, write back soon!
Lily
July 3rd
Lils,
Hey doll! Ha-ha, who are you to say I'm annoying? You're the one who wrote me an ESSAY! I was surprised you wrote back. You never replied to anything I wrote to you last summer. Probably because I was an immature git. I'm not saying I'm mature now, because with Sirius around, you have to have some child in your heart. We boys are having a blast here. We have big plans for this next year. If you ever have a chance, come on over. It would be good to catch up. What's the name of the restaurant you work at because I may just have to give you a HUGE tip. Aw, I miss having your girls around! Now the only female companionship around is Sirius. Speaking of the boys, they all say hi. They're staying until the 10th. What days do you have off from work? We could pop over and save you from your sister and her creepy boyfriend. Peter finally passed his apparition test this morning so now we can all aparate over on a moments notice. Feel free to pop over here. One of us will be around. Check the kitchen that would be your best shot at finding us. Well, I should finish up before Peter breaks something again.
James
July 5th
James,
Hey I have off tomorrow if you want to drop by. Sorry this is so short. Been extremely busy. Write back with your response soon.
Lily
July 5th
Lily,
We'll be there.
James
July 7th
James,
Thank you guys SO MUCH for coming. It was such a change of pace. I would have been so bored without you. Sorry about the interrogation from my parents. I've never had guys over the house let alone four. I think it's funny how much Remus and Sirius enjoyed the TV. Well, As much as I'd like you to write another essay for you, I took a second job for a few weeks so I have no time to talk. Write back even if I don't reply. I love mail! I'll write back whenever I can.
The Flower
July 10th
Lils,
Hey flower. The boys just left and I thought I'd finally reply. We played quidditch most of today. Remus was keeper (he's pretty good) and Sirius and Peter were against me. I won because Sirius is a ball hog. It explains why he plays beater at school. He would make a good seeker if he wasn't so big. I'm glad Sirius can't read this over my shoulder (he's in the kitchen as usual) for he'd scream in protest "I AM NOT BIG! I HAVE A DANTY FIGURE!" and he'd do it while shoving chocolate cake down his throat. Speaking of chocolate cake, I'm going to go get some before Sirius eats it all. Don't worry about me though; I will keep my dainty figure.
James
July 14th
Lily,
Your boss must be working you like a dog. Not even a reply after a joke about Sirius. I really hope you're getting good tips. We'll drop by your restaurant later in the week. My dad is taking off tomorrow so Sirius and I are spending the day with him. I've really missed him around the house. I mean, it's only me and Sirius around now… but I guess that's better than just me. I think having Sirius around make my dad feel better about working all the time. I miss him though. Before all this "You-Know-Who" stuff he didn't have to work so much. When did Voldemort become so scary that we had to call him "he-who-must-not-be-named"? Calling him that just makes matters worse in my opinion. God, why is everything about Voldemort nowadays? It's people like him that make me want to become an auror. Hope you find some time for me in your life.
James
July 15th
James,
I am SOOOOOO sorry I haven't written sooner. I like warned you, my jobs are crazy. Our family is a little short on money right now. My mom's sister is having some health problems. It's kind of sad. All that's left of my family is my sister, my parents and my aunt. My family is so small. I love visiting Hera for that reason alone. Her family is so big. Everywhere you go there is a cousin or an uncle. I can't wait for her to get back. Hera, Maggie and I are going to have a girl's night out. We're going to hit some dance clubs. I LOVE to dance. It's so fun: the heat, the intensity, the crowd, the EVERYTHING! Don't see me as the clubbing type huh? I don't think many do. I hope you got your slice of cake before Sirius got it… but I doubt you got there fast enough. It's good your dad is home. He deserves a break. From what you've told me it's been nuts. I don't get the whole not saying Voldemort thing either. Stupid in my opinion. Work is hectic and things are interesting. I don't like my boss… I think I should stop there. He makes me feel really uncomfortable. I'm the only girl at my second job. I work at this grocery store in my town and … it's hard being the only girl. It's really …awkward would fit I guess… I don't want to talk about it though. I hope to see you soon bud.
The busy flower
July 18th
JAMES!
Oh My God! Thank you so much! It was awesome for you to come and visit. Where was Sirius? Oh and attached is some money. I think you didn't realize how much the transaction of money in muggle terms you left. You made my day by coming!
Lils
July 19th
Flower,
Your letter made me laugh. Sure the food wasn't so good but the service was amazing. You look good in your little apron thing. Black and white, reminds me of Hogwarts uniform a little. Was I dressed muggle enough? I left Sirius at home because I worried there might be an all-you-can-eat bar or something and I didn't want to put your employer out of business. But let's talk about your last letter a bit. Yeah, you have more family than me at least. The Potter line ends up only have one child and then marrying others with no siblings… and they have boys every time. I don't think that trend has been broken since the 1600's. And I know you're uncomfortable about it… just by what you wrote but what is wrong with your grocery job? They aren't making fun of you are they? I just want to make sure you're ok. Don't work too hard.
James
July 20th
James,
I… I can't tell you in a letter. I don't think I would be able to tell you in person. But if you want to try…I'm free tomorrow. Can I come over? I don't want my family to know… or Sirius for that matter.
Lily
July 20th
Lils,
Come anytime.
J
July 23rd
James,
I took your advice. I quit. You were right. I shouldn't have to deal with that. I reported him to the police. They are doing an investigation. At the very least he will be fired or sent to counseling. I just hope he doesn't blame me for it. That could be trouble. I just hope I did the right thing. I have to get another job. I hope I can find one.
L
July 24th
L,
Why not go for an internship at the ministry. Sirius and I might do it some time next week if you want to come with us. A bunch of spots are open. Your good at charms, maybe you can work in Hera's dad's department, accidental magic reversal. Sirius wants to go for the sports but that's so competitive. I'm seeing if I can get a desk job for the one of the aurors, just so I can see what sort of thing that do and maybe see a little more of my dad. Aurors do a lot of fieldwork now-a-days though so I probably wouldn't. I miss my dad… that must sound really stupid but I do. I just never see him you know. Sometimes I feel like he's dead. If it wasn't for the fact that he came home to get 5 hours of sleep every night I would think he left me. I don't know what I'd do without him. He's taking off a full week next month. They think a new kid will be trained up by then so they offered him the time. He's so tired. He has these huge bags under his eyes. I wouldn't blame him if he slept the whole week. I'll send this now in hope you write back soon.
J
July 25th
J,
I'm extremely interested. Just tell me the time and date. Enclosed I have some charms instructions to help your dad with his tiredness. I used them during OWLs when I had a full month of 3 hours of sleep a night. It's not a substitute but it helps make life a little easier. Give Sirius and your father my best. I have some days off coming up so maybe we can hang out and go apply. Well, let me update you on life here. My dad just came home from the doctors and he has really high blood pressure so the doctor is concerned. He's on this strict diet now but I saw him sneaking some of my mom's FAMOUS chocolate chip cookies the other day. My dad was never one to diet. I wish he would take it seriously though. He's way over what he should be. My mom is doing pretty good. She's taking August off work so we can catch up before I go back to Hogwarts. Petunia and Vernon are still going strong. It will be there 3 year anniversary on the 30th. I'm wondering why they don't just get married because they are both so boring that they belong together. I know why though, Petunia believes that you should date for 4 years before marriage because it's what she thinks is proper. Obviously, I also don't fit her description of proper either. Write back soon. I'm bored stiff without you guys around.
L
July 26th
L,
Are you free the 31st? We could hit the ministry then. I can go reserve some spots for interviews and stuff. I'll get all the details. Just give me the word.
J
Ps. Hey Lils, it's Sirius, I intercepted his owl. Wow you have my boy whipped!
July 27th
J,
Yeah, he 31st is perfect. I'll be over around 10 if that's ok. Tell Sirius that he's absolutely positively right.
L
August 1st
J,
That was so great! With the pay they are offering me for the internship, I can quit my waitressing job. It's only for a few weeks so it's perfect. You have such great ideas James thanks! Congratulations to you and Sirius on getting your internships too.
L
August 4th
L,
I LOVE working with you. I never realized how closely the reversal squad and aurors work with each other. I hope you're enjoying your job (I know I am). Maybe you me and Sirius can start meeting up on lunch breaks. Find me tomorrow and we'll talk about it.
J
August 8th
James,
I need someone to talk to. Can I come over tomorrow?
Lils
August 8th
Lils,
You're always welcome at my house. Come on over but we have to be quiet, this is my dad's week off.
James
August 10th
J,
Thanks for letting me come over. I just needed someone to vent to about my sister and to talk to about my parents and my aunt. I didn't know my aunt well but I mean now it's such a small amount of my family left. Thanks for your comforting words about my dad too. My mom's even more worried than me. They are so in love. Our family would be so lost without him. You always know the right words to say when I'm upset James, thanks.
Lils
August 11th
Lil,
Whenever you need me I'm here.
J.
August 15th
James,
Oh My God. We're having girl's night right now and I just wanted to brag since you told me about the marauder party before. We're leaving for the clubs in a few hours and the girls have already started primping so I have time to write. Well, we all look fantastic. Maggie got these cool glasses. They are so cute. She got them one her visit to America. They look so nice on her! Hera looks perfect as always. I'm so jealous of the tan she got in Italy and the gelato she got there for that matter. I can not wait to get our school letters. I miss Hogwarts now! I really wonder whose going to be head. I hope I get it. Well, see you at work.
Lils
August 15th
L,
We're having a boy's night too. We're hitting some bars and stuff. It should be fun. We're just going to catch up. I will probably be carrying a passed out Sirius home, Remus will handle carrying Peter. Wish us luck staying out of trouble.
J
August 17th
J,
Aw the girls just left this morning and I already miss them. We still have tomorrow before we go back to work. Wanna hang out?
L.
August 17th
L,
Hell yeah. I'll be there at noon.
J.
August 19th
L.
Ok, Movies are the most amazing muggle thing ever! It's better than television! Thanks for bringing me. I wanted to try something new.
Jamesie-boy
August 20th
Jamesie-boy?
I think I'll keep that name going. Yeah, the movie wasn't too bad. Not all movies are good. I saw one that was so bad that I walked out half an hour in. You would probably laugh at how bad it was.
The flower
August 21st
Lily,
I think I would like any movie. It's just so big and cool and loud and the pop corn YUM! Well Sirius has been making good use of the quidditch pitch at my house lately. He's getting back in beater shape because he's harmed his dainty figure with empting the fridge every night. I've been…
James never finished the letter as there was a sharp knock on the front door. "YOU GET IT!" was Sirius' response. Hearing the rain pounding on the roof James wondered who would be crazy enough to be coming at this time. He rushed to the door trying to save the person from completely drenching themselves. He opens it and light floods onto a pale face of a girl, no, a woman.
Her porcelain skin was white and smooth. She had rims of red beneath her eyes. She was staring at her feet and dared not look from them, as if when she looked away her feet would no longer be there. He long lashes we soaked with a mixture of tears and rain. She wore no coat and did not seem to feel the rain drops pound upon her bare shoulders. Her hair lay stuck against her sorrowful face. Finally after a few moments she turned her emerald eyes to meet James's hazel. "I didn't know where else to turn." Lily finally muttered softly.
Without hesitation, James stepped out into the rain. Not caring he was not wearing a coat, or a shirt for the matter. All that he cared about was her. He held her close to his chest. She looked up into his face. "He's gone. My father is gone." Movies were no longer important.
!#$&()(&$#!#$&()(&$#!#$&()(&$#!
I hope you all like the story so far. I don't know why but I just got inspired to start a new story all of a sudden.
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Much Love All!
Melissa