Chapter 9

A/N: Hello lovelies! As always, thank you all so much for all the kind feedback on the last chapter and I hope you all like this next one!

"Mum! Mum! Look at me!" Harry called out with glee as he flew around the yard on his broom, one hand waving in the air vigorously at Lily and Remus as he did so. Lily, who sat on the front door steps, laughed as she waved back in amusement and watched. Remus, who stood a few meters before Lily, watched Harry anxiously–ready for disaster to strike. "You know," Lily began with a small smile, "You don't have to watch over him, Harry knows his way around a broom." Remus, resting his hands in his pockets, smiled back at Lily briefly as he nodded, "I know, I know." Shifting over on the steps, making room for two, Lily motioned for Remus to join her. Giving Harry another reluctant look, Remus gave in and took the seat beside Lily on the steps. The two sat in silence, watching Harry for a moment, before Remus said, his eyes on Harry, "Have you heard anything new from the Auror Aid program?" This surprised Lily as neither Remus nor Sirius had shown any more interest in the topic since Lily had initially brought it up. Both seemingly going deaf whenever Lily would bring it up, Lily had figured they had no interest in hearing any more about the program. "Uh, no," Lily admitted, a little embarrassed. However, Lily wasn't sure whether it was a good or bad sign that she hadn't heard back from anyone about the program and feared it meant the latter. "Ah, well, I'm sure it'll all work out for the best, either way," Remus said comfortingly. "Yes, I suppose so," Lily shrugged, "I just really thought I could be good, you know?"

"Well, I'm sure you would be. Besides you haven't been rejected, yet." Remus pointed out with a reassuring smile. Laughing lightly, Lily breathed out deeply, "Which feels like a bad sign." Looking to Lily in his peripheral vision curiously, Remus asked, his voice hesitant, "So, can I ask you something?" Looking to Remus in return, a little startled by the seriousness of his tone, Lily said, "Of course?"

"Why is this so important to you? I mean, I know Sirius and I haven't been the most supportive of it, but it seems like you're really determined to join the program?" Remus asked, effortlessly, as if he'd been waiting for a while to ask this. "Uh, what makes you think it's so important to me?" Lily questioned.

"Because you applied, knowing it'll change Harry and your schedule. It'll change things, won't it?" Remus answered, giving her another tired smile. Lily was quiet for a pause, considering Remus' words. He had a point, she realized. Part of Lily had assumed her persistence for the position was in response to Remus and Sirius' initial dismissal of the program, but her dedication to the program had grown with her ambition.

"It won't change much, anyways, I want to help, Remus. I want to make a difference, you know? After–after everything with James…..I just have a really good feeling about it." Lily said earnestly after another pause. "So, it's about James?" Remus asked further. Lily watched Harry, not answering immediately. "Harry, Dear, not so high," Lily instructed, raising her voice to be heard. Audibly whining, Harry protested loudly, "Mum, I'm fine."

"Lower," Lily said sternly. Obeying, his eyes rolling to the back of his head, slowly but surely, Harry and his broom sunk a few feet lower. "It's not about James," Lily said with a sigh, "It's about Harry and I….I want better, for both of us."

"This job won't necessarily get you that," Remus pointed out, looking to Lily. "But it could be. I'm still–I'm still trying to figure things out, that's all. And, like I said, I think it'll be good. I think I'll be doing good," Lily smiled, adding as she stood, "Harry, I'm going to make lunch."

"Okay," he called back as he balanced on his broom, testing his boundaries. "You'll watch him?" Lily asked with an expression torn between exhaustion and amusement. "Of course," Remus nodded, standing as well.

Once inside, Lily began to pull out the sandwich-making supplies and coat the bread in pastes. Although the conversation she'd had with Remus was still on her mind, more importantly, thoughts of the Auror Aid program came to mind. Remus' inquiries had been kind, Lily knew, and had come from a place of concern, but nonetheless, for one of the first times in her life, Lily didn't feel a need to second guess her choices. It had been hard, in the beginning, when everything with James and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had first happened. Lily had tried for so long to fix everything, to make things right once more. It'd taken her a long time to realize that things would never be right again, at least, not in the same way. Lily had spent so many of the first years trying to solve something that couldn't be solved. But Lily knew, it wasn't about fixing the past, but about creating a future. For his sake–for James' sake. And for Harry. Harry needed a life, and it was Lily's job to make that for him. Setting each of the three sandwiches on their own plate and onto the table, Lily went out to the front to call in Harry. Stepping into the open door-frame, Lily found Harry on the ground, his broom in his lap. Remus sat crouched beside Harry, the two appeared to be talking. The conversation apparently important, Remus' hand rested on Harry's shoulder supportively. "Lunch,"she announced, causing Harry and Remus to look up. "Okay, we'll be in," Remus nodded, giving a motion of acknowledgment. Moving back into the kitchen, as to give them privacy, Lily stood against the kitchen counter patiently. Her eyes falling on the small pile of mail that sat on the counter from earlier that morning, Lily looked towards the entrance hall. No sound of Remus and Harry entering, Lily moved over to the mail. Having been gone that morning, retrieving more ingredients for Healer Sinclair, Lily begun to sift through the mail. A notice from St. Mungo's about her paycheck, an advertisement for A Witch's Everyday Beautifying Solution, some more junk mail, and–a letter from the Ministry of Magic.

Lily couldn't believe it, even as she read and re-read the letter:

Dear Mrs. Potter,

We are proud to announce that after careful consideration, we,

at The Ministry of Magic's Auror Department, have deemed you

the best applicant for the open Healer's position within the sub-branch

Auror Aid Program. You will be contacted directly by the program leader, Severus Snape, within due time with further information. Further confirmation forms and guidelines can be found in the enclosed envelope.

-Pauline Healy,

Pauline Healy, Head of Auror Administrative Office

A rush of excitement rising in her stomach each new time she read the letter, Lily couldn't believe her eyes. Harry and Remus coming into the kitchen as Lily re-read the letter once more, Remus said, "Sorry about that, Harry and I were just talking about some stuff." Looking up, startled, Lily said, "Hm, oh, no, of course, right."

"What's that?" Remus asked, taking notice to the letter in her hands as he and Harry took their seats at the table. "It's, um," Lily laughed nervously, "I got in," she breathed, relief hitting her. "What?" Remus asked, confusedly. "Got into what?" Harry asked curiously. Walking over and handing the letter to Remus, Remus read the paper aloud while Harry watched. "You got a new job?" Harry asked once Remus finished. "I did," Lily beamed, proudly. "Congratulations," Remus said distractedly, his eyes still observing the letter.

"Why?" Harry asked, concernedly.

"Uh, 'why' what, Harry?" Lily laughed, as Remus handed the letter back with a supportive smile. "Why would you get a new job? You only just got the job you have now, Mum?" Harry elaborated, his lips curling down in apprehension. "Well, because, this job is better," Lily explained, giving Harry's shoulder a squeeze, caringly. "How? Will I get to see you more?" He asked, looking up at her from the sandwich he'd begun eating. "Eh, no, Sweetie. Actually, I'll be working a bit later, but–" Lily started, phrasing her words with caution, "Even later?!" Harry exclaimed, his eyes wide. Setting his sandwich down, sipping the glass of milk Lily had set out for him, and then looking back to Lily, Lily sighed deeply at her son's expression. He looked thoughtful as he waited for Lily's explanation. Brushing the hair out of his face, Lily smiled sadly, "Darling, it's a good job. It'll help me learn more, and than I'll be able to help others….This is a good thing, Sweetheart." Harry gave her an attentive breath of air, before he continued to eat his sandwich. Lily continuing to stroke his hair, Remus and Lily exchanged a cautious look. Lily knew what he was thinking. Why was it Lily found herself repeatedly justifying this program? how many times had she said, "This is a good thing," that day; To Remus, to Harry. Who else did she have to explain herself to? The excitement that had filled her stomach so fully before left her body. Only worry remained, now. Taking her seat beside Harry, Lily squeezed Harry's hand comfortingly. Pulling his hand away, Harry murmured, "I'm eating, Mum." Lily's eyes lingered on her child worriedly as Remus said, "Look at it this way, Harry, now Uncle Sirius and I can take you to practice quidditch more often." Not meeting Lily or Remus' eyes, Harry nodded solemnly. "When do you start?" Harry asked as he finished washing his dish. "Mid June," Lily said, forcing another smile, as to reassure Harry further. "That's during summer vacation," Harry grumbled, moving to leave the kitchen.

"But, we'll still go on trips to Diagon Alley together, and to parks. Harry, I'll always make time for you. This won't change anything, not really," Lily justified. Harry didn't reply to this, his brows furrowed deeply as he left.

"Great," Lily groaned, taking Remus' and her own plate and washing them. "It'll be okay, Lily," Remus said, though his tone wasn't convincing. "Yeah," She agreed, only to end the conversation. Remus must've been able to sense this, as he said, "I have to go, but I'll see you next week."

"Yeah," Lily said again, adding, "Remus," as he left towards the front door. Looking back at her, Lily continued, "Thank you, I really appreciate you coming over and watching Harry, and not just today." Laughing mildly, Remus nodded, "It's my pleasure. I'll see you next week?."

"Yeah, bye," Lily smiled good-heartedly. "Mhm, goodbye," Remus said in return before he left.

Going up stairs after she finished putting away the dishes, Lily found Harry in his room, drawing on the floor. Entering the room, Lily sat on the edge of Harry's bed, craning her neck to watch over Harry's shoulder as he drew. Harry continued to ignore her as he drew. It appeared to be, from the looks of it, a drawing of another dragon. Lily was used to this, ever since Harry was little, he'd go through phases of specifically themed drawings: Trees, castles, brooms, snitches, dragons. "Harry?" Lily said softly, "Talk to me, please."

"About?" He said lowly, not looking up as he spoke. "Anything? How do you feel about me taking this new job?"

"I don't know," Harry lied, adding begrudgingly, "Annoyed."

"How about you stop drawing for a minute and tell me more about that?" Lily coaxed, gently. Ceasing his scribbling for a pause, Harry hesitated before he got up and walked over to Lily so that he stood before her. Not meeting her gaze, his face was scrunched up unhappily. Smiling maternally, Lily said, "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded, meeting her gaze at this. Her smile widening, Lily raised her eyebrows pressingly.

"I'm tired of everything changing, Mum," Harry said, his gaze dropping once more. "I don't like it," he pouted. "What do you mean?" She asked, confused by this response. "Because," he sighed, as if explaining something to a child, "First, I had to start a new school, and than you went back to work, and Uncle Sirius and Remus don't stay with us anymore, and than I had to switch schools, and then you started working at St. Mungo's, and now," Harry took a deep inhale, "You want to start another job!" Sighing, Lily said as she brushed the side of his face, "Hmm, I see."

"I don't like it, Mum. At all." Harry said, frankly, like a disapproving parent. "I know it's hard, but change is inevitable, Harry." Lily said, watching him carefully as she spoke.

"This much change? Because, I don't like it," He said, throwing his arms up in frustration. Laughing gingerly at this, this only furthered Harry's disapproving expression. "Maybe not as much change as we've had over the years, but, it's just how things are," Lily said, trying her best to explain it properly. "I don't want anymore change," Harry repeated. Exhaling profoundly, Lily said, "How about this: How about I take this new job, and I keep it for awhile? And no more switching schools until Hogwarts?" Pausing, Harry took a moment to consider this before he nodded, a small smile turning on his lips, "No more changes?"

"No more changes–for awhile." Lily smiled. "For how long?" Harry said, as if negotiating. "For awhile. But Harry, things have to change, eventually." Lily said, gripping his arm consolingly. Pursing his lips, Harry thought about this too before he nodded again and said, "But not so quickly?"

"Yeah, we'll slow down the changes, Harry. I promise. Things will settle down." Lily promised, pulling Harry into a hug and kissing his forehead. "Okay," Harry nodded, hugging Lily back tightly.

"Love you, Mum," Harry whispered, and Lily smiled affectionately. "I love you too, Harry," kissing his head once more, as she repeated, "No more change, Sweetheart."

A/N: Thanks again for reading! What did you guys think? Feedback is always appreciated. Once more, thanks for reading!