Chapter 2: Lily's Sentiments

I'm through accepting limits, cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change, but til I try, I'll never know

-"Defying Gravity", Wicked

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Lily woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed, the sun shone brightly over the horizon and birds chirped merrily from the tree outside her window. She stepped out of bed, slipping on her slippers, careful not to step on the cold marble floor. She stretched her limbs as she yawned, before walking over to the wide glass windows and opening them. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning breeze as she leaned on the windowsill, allowing her dishevelled red hair to fly in the wind. She closed her eyes as she allowed herself to get lost in the moment.

At least until a loud knock interrupted her.

Scowling in discontent, are pushed herself away from the window and turned to the door. "Come in", she said, a little disgruntled at being disturbed. A young maid came in carrying a tray of food, looking apologetic. "Am I interrupting you, Miss Lily?" she asked nervously, setting the tray down on Lily's nightstand.

"N-no", Lily replied, forcing a smile, "Of course not, Mary, I apologize for my tone. Thank you for bringing my breakfast."

The worry in Mary's face disappeared, replaced by an eager smile. Lily went over to her nightstand and sat down at the edge of her bed.

"Would you like me to draw your bath, Miss Lily?"

Lily nodded through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. She swallowed. "That would be nice, thank you", Lily said gratefully, taking a swig of orange juice. "Before I forget, where is everyone?"

"Your sister is at Mr Dursley's house and your parents are inspecting the orchard with Mr and Mrs Lupin. They said that they would be home after lunch", Mary answered before she headed for the door. "Would there be anything else, Miss Lily?"

"No, Mary, thank you."

Mary bowed a little and left Lily to finish her food. She ate in silence, taking her time. She stared out the window, thinking about how beautiful the weather was (cliché as it sounds, but she couldn't help but notice). She had just set her fork down when Mary came back, announcing that her bath was ready. Lily nodded in acknowledgement and she got up from the bed, took her bathrobe hanging from a chair and went on to the bathroom.

She stayed inside the bathtub for a good half an hour, enjoying the soothing feel of the warm water and bubbles on her bare skin. When she finished, she climbed out of the tub and dried herself with a towel before putting on her bathrobe and wrapping her hair in a towel. She got out of the bathroom and searched through the closet for a suitable outfit she browsed through the hangers, with a shake of the head at each one, unsatisfied.

She finally found something that seemed ideal: a light blue frock with three-quarter sleeves and lace embellishments, falling to her ankles. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied, before slipping on a pair of white pumps. She grabbed a brush from her vanity table and ran it through her hair. She pushed her hair back with a white Alice band and looked at her reflection once more before deciding it was enough. Happy with her appearance, she left the room to find something to do.

She walked alone down the hallways, noting that the house seemed eerily quiet, except for the distinct sound of her high heeled shoes making contact with the marble floor. She was at a loss for something to do- there was nobody to keep her company and she didn't really fancy going out for a walk outside at the moment. She walked past the open door to the Music Room, remembering how her mother used to force her and her sister to learn to play musical instruments. Petunia was rather good at it, she learned how to play the piano, the harp and the flute, but Lily was stubborn and skipped lessons when she felt like it, only showing up for piano lessons. She enjoyed playing the piano, even though she never told her mother that. It has been months since she played, but without anything better in mind, she entered the music room and closed the door behind her. She approached the instrument slowly, almost hesitantly, but as she reached it, she ran a hand across the smooth surface. She sat down at the stool and pressed an ivory key. Encouraged by the sound, she continued playing, her fingers flying delicately across the keys. Soon she was playing a complex melody, feeling strangely at ease, as if there was nothing else in the world but her and her music. Nothing.

She didn't even realize how long she sat there for, but it seemed only a short period of time until Mary entered the room, looking flustered.

"I apologize, Miss Lily, but Mister Vincent Van Heusen is here to see you. I told him you do not wish to be disturbed, but he insisted", Mary said breathlessly, her hand grasping the doorframe. She looked a little distressed and Lily could only guess that Van Heusen had threatened her.

Lily heaved a discontented sigh. Of all people it had to be him.

"Very well", she said finally, putting the lid down. "Tell him I will receive him in the sitting room. Don't worry about it, Mary, calm yourself. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I better get this over with."

Mary nodded once and left while Lily took a deep breath and straightened her dress. She walked out of the room, ready to face the persistent suitor.

She took her time walking to the sitting room. When she finally got there, she tried not to roll her eyes at the sight awaiting her: Vincent Van Heusen was smirking at his reflection on the back of a teaspoon.

Pompous git.

He looked up upon noticing that she was already at the doorway, looking bewildered. "Well, hello, Miss Evans", he said, flashing his even white teeth. Lily thought she might end up blind due to the brightness. "I wasn't able to talk to you last night. Where were you?"

"I was…somewhere", Lily replied, unsure of what to say.

"I was talking to some of my friends from University, you know, and you know how they are", he boasted, "We were just talking about business and where the next polo match would be held!"

Lily plastered a fake smile on her face. "I don't mean to be rude, but what is it that you want to tell me?"

"Straight to the point, as always, I see", Vincent said, getting up from his seat and walking to where she stood. "You look absolutely stunning today, Lily". He took her hand in his.

"Thank you for saying so", Lily answered meekly, pulling her hand back, inwardly repulsed. "But surely a gentleman like yourself have something more important to do? I highly doubt you came here to pay me compliments."

"You're very sharp, you know that?" he said, nodding approvingly as he returned to his seat. "You're right; I wasn't here to merely pay you compliments. Though I won't mind doing so" he added, shooting her a flirty wink. She smiled reluctantly as he continued, "Actually, I am here to ask you a very important question."

"A question?" Lily repeated her eyebrow cocked as she sat down opposite him. She already had an idea on what the question would be about. "Go on ahead, then. I'm sure you have more important matters to attend to."

"Very well. As you well know, my 21st birthday is coming", he began, looking directly at her, while she shifted nervously in her seat. "And in my family, it is customary to pick a bride at that age."

Lily would have loved to say "So?" but she thought it would be inappropriate so instead; she simply nodded to show that she was paying attention.

"Picture this, Lily. A large manor home, where I will live a luxurious life with my little wife, and our lovely blond haired, green eyed children playing in the garden. Isn't that a lovely scene?"

Lily, who was already getting tired of the conversation, folded her arms across her chest and said, in a curt manner, "Yes, I suppose so."

Vincent paid no attention to her tone or the impatience in her body language. He looked pleased with her response and carried on, with a broad smile, "I'm glad you think so! Do you have any inkling on who the fortunate girl would be?"

Really? Fortunate? In what sense?

"No", Lily responded shortly. "I have no idea."

"You, Lily", he said, in a tone that sounded like he was announcing his discovery of the world's largest diamond.

Big surprise.

"Me?" Lily said, pretending to be shocked. "You wish to marry me?"

"Why not?" he said earnestly, "You're beautiful, intelligent and you're of the right social standing! You would be the perfect wife!"

Shallow bastard! What kind of woman does he take me for?

Lily had an incredulous look on her face, speechless at his proclamation. She had no intention of being a trophy wife to that shallow, narcissistic overly spoiled rich boy. He was grinning at her expectantly and the longer she looked at him, the more foolish-looking he appeared to be.

"It's all right, Lily, dear", said Vincent, in a voice he obviously thought was soothing, still oblivious to Lily's growing disgust. "I know it's a surprise. But consider yourself lucky! All you need to do is say yes and I'm all yours!"

He isn't even considering the possibility of me refusing him! Well, you're in for a shock.

"I-I don't know what to say!" Lily said, her voice rising in pitch.

"Say you'll marry me then", he suggested, getting up from his seat and crouching over to where Lily was sitting.

"I am flattered, really, I am", Lily looked up at him, a hesitant smile curving her lips. "But I don't think I deserve you!"

He turned his back on her and began pacing the room. "Who does?" he agreed, looking at his reflection at the surface of a teaspoon again, showing off his teeth. "But you are by far the best there is, and don't I deserve the best?"

"I'm sure you do", Lily very much felt like picking up the tray and slamming it to his smug, conceited face. "It's very kind of you to say that I am the best, but I will have to refuse your offer, Mister Van Heusen."

She kept a straight face as she said all this, but it became pretty impossible. Within seconds Vincent Van Heusen's handsome face turned an ugly shade of red. He can even give Vernon Dursley a run for his money.

"You what?" boomed Van Heusen angrily. "You dare refuse me?" he sent a teacup flying and it shattered upon impact on the floor.

"Yes, I dare", said Lily, drawing herself to full height and smiling serenely at Van Heusen who looked outraged. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm not the woman for you."

"Do you know how many women would kill to be in your shoes right now?" Vincent growled, stomping to where Lily stood and looked down on her. He was about a foot taller than she was but she didn't seem to be threatened by his size. She was staring defiantly at him, as if daring him to say anything more.

"Good", she said happily, clapping her hands, "then you will have no trouble finding yourself another bride."

His face now showed nothing but utmost fury, and he was glaring intensely at her. Lily was sure that if looks could kill, she would be dead by now.

"This is your loss", he managed to sputter out, raising his forefinger in warning, "This is your loss, Lily Evans! You will regret refusing me! Mark my words!"

Lily appeared unperturbed by his threat. She calmly stepped back and retorted coldly, "I'm sure I'll live."

He looked taken aback at her words. Vincent Van Heusen was not a man who is used to not being given his way in things, and he didn't like being refused. To have this petite, fiery redhead brush away his marriage proposal like it was nothing was the worst embarrassment he ever had to endure.

"Do you have any idea on what you just gave up?" he demanded of her, in a feeble attempt to get her to think twice and agree to his proposal.

"Yes", she answered cheerfully, "I refused marriage to a spoiled, selfish brat who was so confident in his money that he never thought that he would be refused by little old me. If that's all you came here for, you may go. Goodbye, Mister Van Heusen and have a nice life!"

With that, she left the room, where a seething Vincent Van Heusen stood, transfixed, thinking about his humiliation. "And Mrs Medrow?" she added to the elderly matron, who was watching the scene amusedly.

"Yes, Lily dear?" she asked.

"Clean up that shattered teacup, will you please?" Lily said, placing a hand on Mrs Medrow's shoulder and trying to hide the satisfied grin on her face. "And escort Mister Van Heusen outside."

"Of course", Mrs Medrow nodded.

"I can show myself out!" Van Heusen stalked out of the door, pushing both Lily and Mrs Medrow out of his way. "Bye!" Lily called out. Seconds later they heard the unmistakeable sound of the door opening and slamming shut.

"Git", breathed Lily, though Mrs Medrow heard her and they both laughed loudly, thinking of Van Heusen's furious face.

"You sure showed him, love", Mrs Medrow said approvingly, smiling at her ward. "Really made him see you're not like those other girls of his, didn't you?"

"I did like seeing his face like that", Lily beamed, "it made such an improvement!"

"Well, he had it coming", Mrs Medrow said, taking a broom and began sweeping the remains of the teacup.

"Not a word to Mother, please?" pleaded Lily, pouting, "Please, Mrs Medrow, please?"

"You know I won't say a word, dear, you have my word", Mrs Medrow promised, raising her right hand, as if taking an oath.

"Thank you!" Lily exclaimed, hugging the elderly woman round the middle and running off.

Lily Evans: 1, Vincent Van Heusen: 0

Lily walked back to the Music Room, laughing loudly at the memory of the incident. The way Van Heusen's face contorted with rage when she refused him was priceless. She sat down at the piano stool again and continued playing, as if the past fifteen minutes did not happen.

I refused a spoiled brat, I played piano…today's a pretty good day!

"Lily Guinevere!"

And the good day ends here.

"Mother!" Lily greeted brightly, looking up to see her mother at the doorway, Petunia behind her looking smug. Somehow the look hadn't left Petunia's face since the night before.

"I thought you wouldn't come back until after lunch?" Lily said, ignoring the deep frown on her mother's face.

"Why did you reject the proposal?"

"I didn't want to marry a pompous arse."

"Watch your language, young lady!" Mrs Evans said, outraged at her daughter's choice of words.

"Well he was", Lily defended, shrugging. "And how did you find out?"

"I saw him storming out of the house, Lily! What did you do?" her mother exclaimed exasperatedly.

"I told him I won't marry someone like him", Lily told her innocently, crossing her legs and daintily placing her hands on her lap. "What's wrong with that? I was telling the truth."

"Why would you do something like that? He was good for you!"

"Good for me?" Lily echoed disbelievingly, "Good for me? Have you even talked to the man, Mother?"

"That's beside the point!" Mrs Evans said, raising her hands in the air.

"He was in no way good for me", Lily interjected, standing up and facing her mother. "Why do you think he is, Mother? Because his Daddy's rich? Because he's well connected and can do whatever the hell he wants without having to think about the consequences? Because his family's powerful? That doesn't determine a man, Mother!" She turned away, unable to control herself.

"That's not what I meant, Lily", Mrs Evans cried out, sounding close to hysterics, trying to reason with her headstrong daughter. "You know that's not what I meant. I just don't want you to end up with someone unworthy of you. I want you to be taken care of."

"I can take care of myself! I don't need him and his money!" Lily stomped away, looking extremely offended.

"Why can't you just handle this like Petunia?" Mrs Evans said, gesturing towards her eldest daughter.

"I am not Petunia! And I will never be like her!" Lily half-screamed as she turned back to her mother, her vivid red hair following her movement.

"What do you mean by that?" Petunia demanded from where she stood at the doorway, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"All I mean, sister dear, is that I wouldn't marry any man who would have me just because he can shower me with fat stacks of cash!" Lily blurted out, but regretted it immediately. Her hand flew to her mouth in horror when she realized what came out of her mouth.

Petunia stared at Lily and she ran off, but not before Lily could catch a glimpse of the hurt on her face. "Petunia!" Lily called after her. "Petunia!"

"Lily, what is wrong with you?" Mrs Evans asked, looking upset.

"What's wrong? I am so sick of having to listen to other people telling me how to live my life!" Lily burst out tearfully, "All my life all I ever heard was 'Lily, do this' and 'Lily, do that'! Nobody asked me for what I would want or how I felt! Everyone simply assumes that they know what's best but truth is they know nothing! And you ask me what's wrong?"

"Lily, you are getting out of line!" Mrs Evans said, appalled at her daughter's outburst. "Lily", she continued in a softer, more motherly tone, "Darling, your father and I… we want you to have a good life. We want you to be able to wake up every day without worrying about life's most essential things! We both grew up in middle class families, you know that, and it was not easy. We didn't want you to have that kind of life!"

"Marrying for money is not easy either", Lily retorted bitterly, picking up a photo of her parents from the mantle and examining it. "Please respect the fact that I don't wish to be trapped in a loveless match just because my husband can afford to buy me lavish gifts! I want someone who will love me. Just like Daddy loves you."

Mrs Evans didn't respond. She simply looked at her daughter, who was staring right back at her, obviously not going to back down.

"Lily, your father and I worked our whole lives to make sure you and Petunia will never have to", Mrs Evans made another attempt to convince her daughter. "We don't want to see you marry off to someone who will only use you for your money!"

"Not all men are like that", Lily said, her voice dropping.

"How will you know?" Mrs Evans asked, walking over to her daughter.

"I don't know", Lily admitted unwillingly, "Maybe I'll just know when I see it."

"Think about what I said, alright, darling?" Mrs Evans said, her blue eyes almost pleading as she gazed into her daughter's emerald ones.

"Do I have to marry Van Heusen?" Lily asked worriedly.

Mrs Evans kissed her daughter's forehead. She said nothing until she was at the door and Lily heard her reply before she closed it.

"No."

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"Petunia, please open the door!" Lily cried desperately, pounding her fist on Petunia's bedroom door. "I didn't mean what I said, please open the door!"

"Leave me alone, you freak!" Petunia shrieked from inside, "I don't need your apology, so leave me alone!"

Lily lowered her fist. "I just want to apologize", she said.

"Well, I don't want it", snapped Petunia, "I'm so glad I'm getting married soon so I don't have to see you anymore!"

Lily flinched at her words. She always knew Petunia hated her, but she had no idea it was this much.

"Okay", Lily said, her voice cracking from emotion. Tears pricked at her eyes, threatening to fall, but she did her best to hold them back… at least until she got to her room.

She turned at a corner, breaking into a run, until her father's study opened behind her.

"Lily?" he asked, "Is that you I hear?"

Lily hastily wiped the tears with her finger and turned, forcing a smile on her face. "Hi, Daddy!" she said, trying to sound cheerful, "How was the orchard?"

"Fine", her father said slowly, in an almost sceptical way , "Lily, have you been crying?"

"What?" Lily tried to laugh, but the sound that came out was more like a hiccup. "No! I was just-" she tried to lie but her father eyed her sternly, a look he doesn't usually show, so she decided to be truthful, so she said, "Yes."

Mr Evans beckoned her to come inside the study and she followed, knowing that there was no way she could avoid it. She sat down on the couch and he sat beside her.

"Alright, I want to know why you were crying and who it was that made you cry."

Lily sighed, "Do I have to? I mean it's nothing, really! Daddy, there's no need for a fuss."

"You are obviously not well, Lily Guinevere, and you will tell me why", Mr Evans said sharply, his tone evident that he will take no nonsense from his daughter.

"Alright", Lily said grudgingly, "well, Vincent Van Heusen came to call today. He asked me to marry him."

"What did you say?"

"Told him I wouldn't marry a pompous arse like him", Lily said, her face straight.

"Atta girl", Mr Evans said proudly. "That's my Lily. What did he say?"

"He says it's my loss and I told him I'll manage", Lily continued, "So obviously he didn't like that. He met Mother on the way out of the house and talked to her. And you know Mother. She wants me to accept. But I told him I won't so we ended up arguing. In the end, she seemed to understand that I will not be forced into a marriage. She didn't say another word. But in the middle of the argument, Petunia's name came up."

Mr Evans nodded. "I think I know now. Did she compare again?"

"Yes!" Lily said, her tone changed into one more likely to be heard from a child complaining about a bad-tempered playmate, "She did! She asked me why I can't handle these things like Petunia."

"And?" Mr Evans prompted, placing his hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"I told her that I'm not Petunia."

"Then what's the problem?" Mr Evans said, confused.

"Petunia asked me what I meant by that", Lily carried on, tears already forming in her eyes, "And I said…"

"You said, what, Lily?" Mr Evans asked, peering into her face.

"I said I'm not going to marry any man who would have me just because he has money", Lily sobbed, her body shaking. "I didn't mean to be horrible, Daddy, I was just so angry!"

"Did you apologize?" Mr Evans hugged Lily.

"Y-yes!" Lily nodded, "I asked her to talk to me but she wouldn't hear it! She asked me to leave her alone! Daddy, why is she like that? Why does she hate me so much?"

Mr Evans couldn't say anything. It was rare for Lily to break down like this, In fact, she hasn't cried this hard in years. Mr Evans was reminded of how Lily was as a child, how she cried when she fell and scraped her knee. She looked a lot like that five year old girl now, and Mr Evans didn't know what to make of it. He couldn't tell her the answers, for he didn't know them himself. He could see that she was hurt and of all the things he hated, he hated seeing his little girls hurt. He saw how Petunia cried when she was told that she won't be going to learn magic like Lily. Lily didn't cry often, but when she does, he knows that it was serious.

"I don't know, Lily", he confessed, still holding his youngest daughter like a fragile porcelain doll. "But things will look up, I promise you that."

"How can you promise something like that?" Lily said in disbelief, but she was already smiling. Her father had that effect on her. She always felt secure when she was with him. "You don't know what will happen to me."

"Well, I don't", Mr Evans said thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming, "But I know that you will make it through anything. You're strong aren't you?"

"Of course I am!" Lily announced, suddenly energized, "I'm your daughter, aren't I?"

"That you are", he said, "Now go and rest up. I'm sure you must be tired after all that arguing you did."

Lily laughed, hiccupping slightly. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, darling."

Lily gave him one last smile before she went out of the room, considerably more cheerful.

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Miles from the Evans household, a car stopped in front of a large Victorian manor. A young man stepped out of it, looking up and admiring its magnificence, his hazel eyes shining in the sunlight. He cracked a smile and walked towards the wrought iron gates. A butler opened the gate for him as the valet carried his bags in. "Welcome back to Berkshire, sire. Did you enjoy your trip to Wales?"

"It was…fine", said the young man, "But I prefer it here. Has he arrived?"

"Not yet, sir, he said he will be here tomorrow", said the butler.

"Alright then", the young man said happily,

"Good thing, too. I have time to get things prepared for his visit."

"Is there anything else you want me to prepare for tomorrow, sir?"

"No, thank you. Are my parents inside?"

"They are both in your father's study. They are waiting for you."

"I'll go meet them now, then", the young man said, running a hand through his messy jet black locks.

He walked past the servants who took turns bowing to him with a polite nod to each one. Relishing the feeling that he was home again, he made his way to his father's study, where sure enough, both his parents were waiting.

"How was your trip, son?" his father asked, smiling widely as he entered the study. His mother simply went over to hug him and kiss him on the cheek.

"It was well", he answered, "But it's really great to be home."

"We're so glad you're back", his mother said warmly. "I'll have dinner prepared right away, you must be famished."

She went off and he heard her calling the maids to help her in the kitchen.

"Any news while I was away?"

His father turned, with a grim smile on his face, to face him. "I know you don't want to discuss this now, but as a member of the nobility, you are required to find a bride soon. There has been increased pressure on you, because as you know, you are the sole heir. You have to find a wife soon."

The young man nodded. "I know. But I'm not rushing. I am only eighteen after all."

"We don't have to talk about this. I'm just glad you're home, James."

James Potter smiled. It was great to be home.

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I hope you liked that! I'm so sorry, they're not gonna meet yet, but they will soon! If you liked this, please review, and thanks to those who reviewed the first chap!I'll post the next one as soon as I can, but can you please give me some reviews? Can we make my review count at least 13 before the next update? I've got the next few chapters planned out and some of the future events are being planned and drafted. So, yeah. Review if you liked it (and even if you don't) and if you want more! It motivates me… and makes me write faster! Until next chapter!