Chapter 6: A Blood Traitor

July 1978

Lily was giggling next to him, her arm tucked underneath his. James loved when she laughed at something he said, her green eyes always sparkled. Walking through the Leaky Caldron, it was a bit depressing. People weren't going out as much, the bar only had two wizards sitting at it. He tried not to pay attention; the rise of Voldemort was not going to dampen his date night.

"Sirius!" James said, recognizing one of the two wizards at the bar.

"James! Lily! How are you two?" he asked, a smile on his face.

"Good, we are going to Cauldron Candles for dinner," James explained.

"Ah, that romantic gushy spot," Sirius waved his hand turning his back to them and back to his drink, dismissing them. He smiled when Lily wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek.

"I can't wait to meet the girl you marry and you start doing gushy romantic things for," she teased.

"That will be the day," he retorted.

"Come on," James said, elbowing Sirius, "Walk with us to the restaurant, it's not that far. Your drink won't move. There is no one here to steal it anyway," James encouraged.

"Fine, but don't say I never did anything for you," Sirius said, hopping off his bar stool.

After they tapped the bricks and entered Diagon Alley, Lily locked her free arm under Sirius and the three made a very merry trio despite the grey and dismal mood.

"Your apartment is sorely needing some decorating, Sirius," Lily said.

"I am not putting flowers in it."

"I'm not saying you add flowers, Sirius, just something that makes it livable! Your floor is sticky because of the amount of beers spilled on it. Have you cleaned it since our graduation party?"

Sirius chuckled, "I do clean it."

"Saying scourgify and hoping the soap does it by itself isn't cleaning," she replied.

This was familiar banter between the two of them for James. He found that their relationship was like a brother and sister. Which was great, considering James thought of Sirius was his brother as well.

They were walking up to the restaurant and James noticed another couple walking toward the door as well.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to dirty the street," The tone was so condescending that James recognized it immediately. Lucius Malfoy. He had married Narcissa Malfoy not too long ago. The elite couple oozed their blood status.

"Cissa, how are you?" Sirius drawled, looking to his cousin.

"Well, thank you," Her reply was curt, as if talking to him might cause her to catch his Gryffindor cold.

"Do mind, Potter, keeping your—friend—away from my wife and I," nodding to Lily. He said the word friend like he would have rather said pet. James's grip stiffened and he took a step in front of Lily, Sirius did as well.

"Cissa, keep your git of a husband away from my friends," Sirius snapped, the tension growing. James felt Lily shift behind him, so he put his arm out to keep her from walking around.

"Please, Lucius, let's not mingle with these people," Narcissa said coldly.

"I don't want to be associated with blood traitors," Lucius said haughtily.

Suddenly, everyone's wands were out.

"I suggest you go inside," Lily said lightly, stepping out in front of both men. James nearly yanked her back but thought better of it. "Or you will find my reputation for transformation spells does not give me justice," she threatened, narrowing her eyes. Narcissa did take a step back behind her husband.

When Sirius stepped forward, casting a hex at Lucius, James stepped back in front of Lily. Sirius was shocked when his hex was blocked. But no one was shocked more than Lucius, he hadn't moved. James looked confused before turning back to Lily. He was certain she had put a shield up.

"Why don't you two go in, you wouldn't want to walk in with us anyway," Lily told the Malfoys. James felt her step backward, so he stepped back to shield her. The more she stepped back, the farther he went.

The Malfoys went into the restaurant without another word, though a haughty turn was involved.

"Do you want to start a war in the streets?" Lily asked the both of them, her tone harsh.

"You were the one threatening spells," Sirius growled.

"Threatening. You know very well if I threatened to turn Lucius Malfoy into a ferret, he would run away in a dignified fashion," Lily snapped back at him.

"I hate being called a blood traitor," Sirius nearly yelled at her.

"Sirius," James tried to calm him. This subject was always touchy with him, no matter how long he had been banished from his home.

"I'm sorry," Sirius murmured, pushing away from the couple before walking back down the street toward the Leaky Caldron.

"Sirius!" Lily called to him, but he didn't answer. James wrapped his arm around her.

"I'll talk to him, he knows how much you care about him," James told her, taking her hand.

"I just—I hate to see him upset. And you were called a blood traitor too."

"I know." James said, brushing her hair back.

"I wanted this night to be away from all of this tension. From missing people, from death eaters, from blood status. And Lucius has to come and ruin it."

"He will not ruin anything," James said stubbornly, "You are with the most handsome wizard who has ever been to Hogwarts with ruggedly windswept hair. You will have an excellent time."

Her slight giggle brought a smile back to her face, "Oh, alright, shall we have a romantic dinner where you tell me how pretty I am and how you want to spend the rest of your life with me," she said, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"Oh, I think I will be able to come up with adjectives better than pretty."

"Like?"

"Beautiful, gorgeous, stunning," he listed on, and her laugh pealed out as he started walking her toward the restaurant. They were only a few feet away when she stopped.

"Oh, I don't want to go in there and face them," she whispered, and James squeezed her hand tightly.

"Game face, my love," he encouraged.

"Game face," she replied with a smile, kissing him chastely before walking into the restaurant.