Holding Onto Hope
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
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Delilah clutched her son's hand a little tighter as they entered Diagon Alley from the Leaky Cauldron. Her eyes darted to every corner as they always did. One could never be too careful. She tugged him along, intent on getting her shopping done as quickly as possible. He tripped a bit on the worn cobblestone street and she steadied him, taking the time to bend down and smooth his askew golden curls. She brushed his thick jacket down and straightened it, displaying her natural motherly quality. He was her gem, of course he was.
A bit of fluff from a cotton tree fell on the tip of his rosy nose and he giggled, moving his tongue around as if to try and touch it. She smiled the smallest of smiles and glanced up at the grey sky as more dots of cotton began to flutter to the ground, swirling and twirling around each other. It was peaceful and she couldn't help the long-winded sigh that rushed from her mouth.
For the smallest of seconds she closed her eyes, relishing in the pinpricks brushing against her head and face, her chin tilted towards the sky and her lips upturned. Delilah's pleasure was short lived, however, because soon her boy was tugging impatiently on her arm. Her eyes snapped open and her heart began to race out of pure jumpiness. The sight she saw was unexpected.
In front of her was the picture of happiness, something she hadn't witnessed in ages. There was a man with a mess of raven hair and round glasses, his wife bundled in an array of jackets and scarves, and a shaggy black dog running around them excitedly. Delilah's son pointed urgently towards the dog, positively beaming.
The woman was gorgeous, perhaps because she nearly glowed with peace and serenity. Her hair was the most interesting shade of red Delilah had ever seen, a darker color that looked surreal against the faded buildings. Her belly was round though her arms were slim. She was pregnant. Kneeling beside was her husband, his ear pressed up against her stomach. He didn't seem to mind that his pants were getting dirty on the worn path. The biggest smile was on his face, lighting up his eyes.
"I felt him! He's kickin' in there!" she heard him exclaimed. The woman with the pretty hair and green eyes smiled, obviously amused.
"And you didn't believe me," she noted fondly. "Are you sure you want to do this in the middle of Diagon Alley?"
"Shhhh," he urged. "I'm trying to pay attention."
Her son tugged Delilah's hand again, wanting to move towards the couple and their large dog. She followed, somewhat hesitantly. They seemed like perfectly nice people, though it was hard not to be paranoid. The dog barked as they neared, almost warningly and she nearly swerved away. The woman looked up though, her eyes happy. She motioned for the dog to be quiet and urged them over, looking directly at Delilah's son. She bent down.
"Hello," she told him. "I'm Lily and this is our dog, Padfoot."
"Padfoot?" he asked. It was the biggest she had seen him smiling in ages.
"Yes, Padfoot. Do you want to pet him?" He looked up and his mom pleadingly and she nodded wearily. The lady, Lily, stood as he petted the dog eagerly. She stuck her hand out.
"Lily Potter, this is my husband, James," she said motioning to the man who had finally stood. He gave a light wave, his glasses sitting crookedly on his nose and his dark hair mussed up.
"Delilah," She brought her hand up as well and Lily shook it enthusiastically. "You have a very beautiful family." Lily grinned, placing a hand on her stomach.
"Thank you," she spoke lightly. Her tone was airy, though controlled at the same time. "What's his name?"
"Everett," Delilah answered, looking down at her boy.
"Ours will be Harry," Lily said with a grin.
"Decided already?"
"Mmm, he's going to look just like his daddy," Lily glanced over at James, who had taken to entertaining Everett and the dog.
"Everett has his father's hair," Delilah spoke with a soft smile. She twirled her own mousy brown strand of hair around her finger. Yes, Everett's golden locks were definitely not inherited from herself.
"It almost sparkles," Lily noted, glancing at the child's locks.
"You should see it in the summer," Delilah sighed, her eyes looking wistful.
"His father…" Lily began in a questioning tone. Her eyes looked sympathetic and Delilah wondered how she knew.
"Passed away, got into some nasty business with a rather shady wizard. It didn't end well."
"It's horrible that that's happened to you," Lily commented quietly. She looked genuinely saddened by the fact.
Her words surprised Delilah. She didn't say 'I'm sorry' or 'it will be okay.' Instead she had said, "It's horrible that that's happened to you." That comment was so different and Lily was right, it was horrible. It seemed as if no one realized it. So many people were dying, disappearing, or getting hurt that it didn't appear important anymore. What was a human life worth? Apparently not much with so many of them being taken away.
"Thank you," she finally said, at loss for words.
"He's lucky to have you though, Everett," Lily said. "His dad may not be here right now, but you are, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am…" Delilah murmured, once again astounded by Lily's words. How old was she? Twenty? Twenty-one? She was definitely wise beyond her years.
"As he kicked again, Lils?" her husband suddenly called over. Lily shook her head, a smile on her face again.
"I recognize your name, Lily, have we met before?" Delilah asked somewhat hesitantly.
"Not that I know of…my name has appeared in the Prophet a number of time though," Lily spoke with a wince. "We're aurors,"
"Both of you?"
"It's taxing, but paperwork seems to be the gist of our job now,"
"Are you going to take maternity leave?"
"Soon enough," Lily spoke with a smile. "I like being occupied so I'll be working for as long as I can,"
Delilah examined the woman in front of her thoroughly once more. A dash of jealousy ran through her system, but was instantly flushed out by admiration. She remembered reading about Lily Potter in the newspaper. The occasional speak of battle snuck its way into the Prophet and a list of those who had fought was present. If she wasn't mistaken, Lily's name had come up in conversation as well. It's not that the woman was famous, she seemed just as average as the rest, it was that Lily Potter had the Marauders trailing behind her. Delilah remembered the boys from when they were younger at Hogwarts. Quite the troublemakers they were, they had made a name for themselves after all. In fact, Delilah was surprised she hadn't recognized the couple earlier; she had only been a few years ahead of them, after all.
"How do you do it?" she finally asked. It was the question she had wanted answers to all night.
"Do what?" Lily appeared genuinely confused.
"Stay so happy."
"I have my friends, they're my family now. They're everything to me," the answer rolled off Lily's tongue. She meant what she was saying. Delilah searched Lily's eyes for a trace of uncertainty or fear, but found none.
"It was definitely a pleasure to meet you, Lily Potter," Delilah sighed with a tip of her head, moving to take Everett by the hand once more. She began to walk off before she heard Lily call out.
"Wait! I don't know your name!"
"Delilah. Delilah Figg."
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Lily watched as the woman, Delilah, walked off with her little boy. He was darling, the very reason Lily had gone up to them. His mother, however, seemed worn and weary. Her eyes were noticeably dull, but brightened quickly whenever Lily had answered her questions. It showed just how much she wanted to be happy. It made Lily's heart ache. There were times she'd feel so content and joyful, but all those on the outside who she knew were anything but would instantly crush any such feelings. She wanted nothing more than to help them, to help all of them.
The hurt and the pain in Delilah's eyes caused Lily to do something she didn't usually do. She searched those eyes and dove into their past. Legilimency was a skill Lily kept to herself. She didn't want her own mind invaded, so why would she invade the mind of another? But it was impossible to stop herself, for in Delilah she saw some of herself. Herself from the past, that was, when her parents had gone and she was left without a real family.
"You okay, Lils?" James suddenly asked, coming up behind her. She realized she had not moved from that spot for who knows how long.
"Mmm," she noted tiredly. "It's so sad."
"What is?" he asked, burying his head in her hair. Sirius, in his animagus form Padfoot, bounded towards them and sat near her feet.
"Lots of things," she said with a sigh. James nodded in agreement.
"Want to go home?" he asked her after a few moments of silence. She shook her head.
"Let's just finish, okay?"
Their sole purpose for having gone to Diagon Alley that day was to pick up some paint. While they really had no idea what they were looking for when they arrived, they were able to find a wide variety of colors that were pleasing. Lily had pointed out that going to a muggle shop would be mounds easier, but James had insisted the choices would be more extensive in the wizarding stores. He was right of course, having had more experience in Diagon Alley, and Lily was content.
Their goal for the weekend was to paint Harry's room. Their little group of friends made the effort to find the time once a week, if not more to complete some sort of project. It kept them motivated and occupied. They did all kinds of things, from helping Lily weed the garden, deep clean Remus, Sirius, and Peter's flat, and reorganize Frank and Alice's new flat. Something in the routine of it calmed them all substantially.
The only chore left for the three to complete in the lane of wizard shops was to buy a special present for Harry. They didn't come with an idea, set on roaming the stores until they found something meaningful, something he could grow up with and hand down to his children when he was older.
With one last sigh, Lily grasped James' hand and they once again took to shopping with Sirius close at their heels. Three months, she could wait three months. Three months and Lily would have everything she'd always wanted: A real family.
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Heads up, Delilah is not a major character but WILL be in the story again. Any guesses on who she is? Her last name kinda gives her away haha. Anyway, as you all can probably tell I'm trying to get into the swing of things again so there will be a few rocky roads for a while as I continue to develop the story line in my head. Hopefully this chapter will hold you over until then :). Thank you all for your reviews last chapter though, I really appreciate it!
IMPORTANT
I now have some news that you will all be very glad to hear. I finally got a beta! Yay! I'm sure you are all very relived considering how horrible my grammar is haha. But yeah, thanks so much to Cookies and Cream1234567 for being willing to correct my many mistakes. I'm excited to work together!
-Sweets5236