Chapter Four: Rainy Discoveries

I couldn't believe it.

It had already been a week since Lily's first visit, and she had already come back for a second time. Having said that, she spent the entirety of her second visit with my mother in her studio; Mum had wanted to add colour to her portrait of Lily and the only possible way she could get the correct shade of red for her hair was to have her present.

Mum banned me from loitering around the studio; she wanted to keep the final product hidden so there would be more of a surprise for me once it was completed.

Now, exactly seven days since her first visit, I was swimming lengths across the long pool. Sirius lounged lazily on one of the padded deck chairs, sipping lemonade.

Tiring from my activity, I swam over to the edge closest to Sirius and rested my elbows on the ledge; my lower half was still submerged under the cool water.

Sirius opened a dark grey eye.

"Prongs, she's just a girl… there are plenty of others," he droned, repeating the same futile reason that he has expressed zillions of times over the last five years.

"Nah," I smirked, "she's the girl for me. There will be no one else."

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh.

"Merlin, you're only fifteen, mate. There'll be others, I reckon."

I kicked backwards off the wall, and floated to the centre of the pool on my back.

"Lily Potter," I dreamed aloud, "It has a nice ring to it."

Sirius snorted.

"Lily Snape, more like," he replied plainly.

I flailed in the pool, gasping as I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of water. Regaining my control, I swam over to the steps to exit the pool.

"Impossible," I insisted, shaking my head and retrieving my towel.

"From where I stand, it seems likely."

I couldn't respond. If Lily were to choose Snivellus over me, it would be a fate worse than death. I'd undoubtedly go mad with heartbreak. The agony of living without her was too painful to even fathom.

Sirius stretched his arms over his head, and yawned.

"You're lucky your mother was disowned. At least you don't have to go to Aunt Druella's garden party," he complained bitterly.

I snorted.

"That's one way to look at it," I quipped.

Sirius took another swig of his lemonade, and ran a hand through his dark hair.

"You should hear the codswollup Mother is feeding to Reg. It's as if she wants him to join the arsonist group."

I frowned at Sirius's discomfort. Despite the fact that his younger brother was following the Slytherin path of destruction, Sirius still had hope that his brother would realize just how wrong their parents were about everything. Unfortunately, I believed that his brother was already long gone.

The French doors off the patio opened as my mother made her way over to where we were sitting in the deck chairs.

Mum smiled fondly at Sirius, before ruffling his hair. Padfoot grinned up at her; he worshipped the ground my mother walked on for she was brave enough to be her own person despite what their vile relatives thought. For any motherly affection he lacked at home, my mother made up for it in full.

"What's this about a garden party, I heard?" she questioned, elegantly folding herself onto a lounge chair.

"Aunt Druella is planning a garden party at her home in Brighton. Mother's forcing me to go," Sirius moaned grimly.

Mum shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Oh Sirius, not all Blacks are bad –" she started, only to be cut off by Sirius.

"Just all the ones she thinks are worth knowing," he grumbled.

"What about Auntie Cass, or Andromeda?" I offered in an attempt to cheer him up.

"The old prude will be there alright. They disowned Andy three years ago when she married Ted."

"Excuse me, Sirius Black but I dearly love my sister!"

Mum gave him a playful swat on the arm.

"Well, at least there's Bella and Cissa!" Sirius added sarcastically; their pet names rolling awkwardly off his tongue.

We all cringed at the thought of those evil witches. Bellatrix was almost ten years older than us, and a total psychopath; her baby sister, Narcissa was a spoiled brat who cared about nothing except her appearance. Our favourite cousin, Andromeda was the middle child and another Black to grace her presence in Gryffindor Tower; she and her husband now lived in London with their two year old daughter, Nymphadora.

Mum twirled the end of her plait around her finger, "Sadly, there isn't much you can do except tough out the afternoon."

"Afternoon!" Sirius scoffed, "I beg your pardon, Aunt Dorea but this is the story of my life."

"You know you're welcome to hide here whenever you'd like," she replied warmly, "Now, boys – what in Merlin's name should we have supper?"

Sirius' evil house elf, Kreacher, announced his unwelcome presence shortly after supper to escort his young master home. Padfoot cast one familiar final reluctant glance towards my parents before clasping hands with Kreacher. The two disappeared instantly with a resounding pop.

"Poor lad," murmured Dad. He retrieved his Daily Prophet from the buffet table before heading into the drawing room. I followed him into the other room, and took a seat in an arm chair opposite to his.

"He shouldn't have to go back there," I blurted.

Dad looked up from his page, the hazel eyes I inherited, met mine and he smiled sadly.

"I know, son."

"There has to be something we can do," I pressed, looking towards Mum for help. She had taken a seat on the sofa, an embroidery pattern sat elegantly across her lap.

"It's not in my hands, James," my father said calmly – a hint of warning in his voice.

Sensing a possible argument, Mum interrupted, "Now, darling, have you finished your Transfiguration essay?"

Unfortunately for her, I was not so easily distracted.

"What has to happen before it is in your hands, Dad?" I demanded.

Dad closed his eyes for a short moment and took a deep breath.

"There must be some indication of abuse or neglect," he explained quietly, knowing full well that he just opened himself up to more argument.

"You're telling me there isn't?" I replied, just as quietly.

"We cannot easily remove Sirius and his brother from the home with only accusations of verbal abuse, it just does not work that way. If Orion and Walburga Black were brought before the council, nothing would change because there is no way to prove what you and I know to be true."

"But what about neglect?" I insisted.

"The ministry's definition of neglect is rather limited, lad. Since the children have never gone without food or clothing, there really is no case of child neglect."

"Codswollup," I ranted. Hagrid's familiar expression slipping from my lips as I narrowly avoided cursing in front of my mother.

"It's revolting. It is no secret that Walburga holds no love for her eldest son," Mum said bitterly.

"Unfortunately, life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Sirius knows who he can depend on for the love and support he misses at home. Now, it is late and I need to at least try and get some sleep before I'm summoned back to work. Goodnight, James."

"Goodnight, Dad."

After Dad retired upstairs, Mum and I sat quietly for awhile in the drawing room; she focused on her embroidery while I wrote a short response to Remus who had sent me a brief owl that morning.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," Mum murmured softly, kissing my hair.

"You too, Mum."

"Now don't stay up too late," she called over her shoulder as she walked up the stairs.

"Alright!" I called in response.

Since there was nothing really for me to do, I decided to pick up the newspaper Dad had abandoned on the side table. However, I quickly abandoned that thought when I realized that light provided by the oil lamp would not be sufficient for me to read under.

I sighed. Perhaps, I would be forced to retire early again this evening.

It was moments like this one that I missed my mates all the more. Resigned to my fate, I crossed the floor to the main staircase and proceeded to climb the stairs.

Just as soon as I reached the landing, there was a loud pounding on the front door. My hand went to my wand unconsciously. I didn't care that magic was forbidden for me – it meant nothing if I had to defend my home.

As I stared motionless at the door, there was another loud knock on the door. Swallowing, I walked down the stairs and placed a shaking hand on the door knob.

It was then when it occurred to me how stupid I was for not calling for my father.

Without giving it another thought, I pulled the big wooden door open. What it revealed on the other side left me speechless.

There, standing on my front porch, sobbing her heart out, stood Lily Evans. Rain pelted behind her on the cobblestones, plastering her red hair to her shoulders, and drenching her clothing.

"Evans?" I questioned, forgetting that I was now permitted to use her first name.

Lily didn't offer a response to my greeting. She crossed the short distance between us and threw her lovely pale arms around my waist, burying her tear streaked face against my chest.

"Lily, what happened?" I asked, wrapping one arm tightly around her shoulders, while using the other to swing the door closed.

She looked up at me, her emerald eyes shining with sadness and I felt the familiar urge to kiss away whatever was bothering her.

"I had a row with my father," she explained, her voice laced with agony.

I squeezed her shoulder awkwardly; I wasn't used to being so close to her, and the fluttering in my chest was not making it easy for me to think clearly.

"What about?" I inquired softly.

Lily burst into another round of tears, her cries louder than before.

Despite the fact that I considered myself an adult at fifteen, I resorted to doing the one universal thing that every child does when in doubt.

"Mum," I bellowed up the stairs, sincerely hoping she would hear me from the master bedroom.

"James!" I heard her yell a short moment later, followed by the sound of her feet on the wooden hallway floor. I could also hear the low voice of my father, as he rushed down the hall behind her.

I rubbed Lily's back in what I hoped to be soothing circles. My dear friend, the rain, had enhanced the smell of Lily's hair which surrounded me in a cloud of vanilla.

Behind me, my mother appeared breathless on the top of the stairs – her blond hair trailing down her back. In her hand, she clutched her elegantly carved mahogany wand.

"What's wrong?" she demanded, her grey eyes searching me for injury. It took her a short moment before she noticed the sobbing girl in my arms. Startled, she dove down the stairs towards us. Dad followed at a much slower pace behind her – he wasn't very good at dealing with emotions.

"Lily, darling, what has happened?" she asked gently, pulling Lily away from me – much to my chagrin – and leading her towards the drawing room. Once there, she sat her down in one of the chairs by the fire. With a sharp flick of her wand, she dried Lily's clothing and hair. I was mildly pleased to see the return of her chaotic curls.

Lily took a deep breath before responding, "Petunia told my parents that Sev was running about with the arsonists. I tried to tell them she was lying – that there was no possible way he would get involved with such people. Dad didn't believe me and said he wouldn't have his daughter hanging about with criminals. I would never abandon Severus – I'm all he's got."

Lily's voice broke as more sobs escaped her lips. I was dying to pull her to me and kiss away her sadness.

"So what happened when you told your father?" Mum pressed, taking Lily's hand.

"He told me I wasn't welcome in his home as long as I was friends with Severus," Lily replied solemnly, "so here I am."

Mum turned to meet my father's eyes in silent discussion. A moment later, my father nodded and disappeared upstairs.

"Lily, darling, you will stay with us indefinitely."

Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was witnessing in my drawing room. Lily was going to live at Potter Manor, with me.

"Dorea, I couldn't possibly –" Lily started only to be interrupted by my mother.

"Nonsense," Mum smiled. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers and almost instantly, Dottie and Rollo appeared before us on the rug.

"Yes, Ms. Dorea," the greeted together.

"Rollo, I need you to fix the blue room for Miss Lily. Dottie, please bring Miss Lily a tray of stew and biscuits." Both elves bowed and disappeared to complete their tasks. Mum turned her face up towards me, a tight smile on her lips, "James, I would like you to make sure that she eats. I don't want her to catch cold."

My mother strode out of the room and up the stairs, only to return minutes later with my father. Instead of her night dress, she now wore her long navy skirt and jacket – her long hair now in a loose twist. My father wore his grey pinstriped suit.

"We are off to collect Lily's belongings. We shall not be gone long," he announced, ushering my mother towards the door. Through the window, I could see them vanish with a pop.

Lily sat awkwardly in the arm chair. A tray of food was now before her on a small table. Dottie had laid out a bowl of beef stew and biscuits with a large cup of hot milk.

"You really should eat, Lily." I insisted, sitting down on the couch. Hesitating, she picked up the spoon and brought a spoonful to her lips.

"This is delicious," she commented. She reached for the mug and brought it to her mouth and took a healthy sip.

We sat there in a companionable silence while she ate her supper. My mother would likely be in her room by now, retrieving her belongings while my father was discussing the arrangement with her father.

Both Lily and I were startled by the sudden appearance of Snape before my fireplace.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded loudly, jumping to my feet.

"Sev, what on earth?" Lily asked quickly, moving the table to the side and rising to her feet.

Snape ignored my question and focused his attention on Lily.

"Lily, you must come home!" he pleaded, his dark eyes flashing.

"I can't, Sev," was Lily's calm response.

"You can't stay here!" he entreated.

"Why not?" she questioned.

"Why not, Lily? You're in Potter's house!" Snape shouted.

"I can stay wherever I choose, Severus."

Lily was starting to get annoyed; I could spot the mood change from miles away. At least for once, her wrath was not directed at me – that in itself was refreshing. Snape could see how her hands were starting to clench into fists at her sides.

"What about me, Lily? I need you to come home with me," he begged pitifully. Lily's eyes softened as quickly as they had hardened, and she crossed the rug over to where he stood. I burned with jealousy when she clasped his pale hand between hers.

"Sev, I did this for us. Dad was going to forbid me from seeing you."

I wasn't sure how to interpret how they were speaking – it almost felt like it was a discussion between lovers except, she was looking at him like a mother looks upon her child. However, he was looking upon her as if she were everything in the world to him.

Snape was visibly despondent; his thin shoulders slouched pathetically under his shabby robes.

"Lily, please – " he started, only to be interrupted by Lily.

"I can't discuss this with you right now. You need to go home before he finds out," Lily said quickly, and pushed him towards the fireplace.

"But Lily!" he stammered.

"Goodbye, Severus!" she said firmly, and placed her hands on her hips.

Snape disappeared shortly afterwards, and Lily turned towards me.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," she apologized, her eyes on the ground.

I took a deep breath, and ran my hand through my hair.

"Don't worry about it," I murmured.

Mum and Dad returned not five minutes later with Lily's trunk. Rollo was summoned to take her belongings up to her room.

"Goodnight, you two," Dad yawned, and he climbed the stairs to his bed.

"What a long night! I'm going to bed too. Sweet dreams, my dears," Mum said before hugging us both and following my dad's path.

Lily and I were left standing in the hall.

"I guess I'll show you to your room?" I suggested awkwardly.

My angel smiled, "That would be wonderful."

I led her up the stairs and down the hallway past my room to hers at the end of the hall.

"This is it," I announced quietly. I wanted to hold her again but I knew that probably wasn't the best idea. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch her.

"Thanks, James," she said sincerely.

"Anytime," I replied.

"Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, I guess so," I responded dumbly. I was too busy looking into her breathtaking eyes to really think of anything.

"Er, goodnight, James." she said.

"Oh? Er, yes, goodnight."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long for me to update. I've been busy with life and people. Hopefully, now that the summer is here, I will be able to update more frequently. As always, please review, I love hearing what you all think!