So Henrietta Frances reminded me of the pictures I need to send! If you want me to send you them by private message, let me know in the review! I also added Rose, Hugo and Monica!
I was listening to Gavin Rossdale's "Love remains the same" as I wrote this and I feel like the part after the 2nd verse/chorus where he sings that line "you and I are done pretending", you can just feel the emoition and passion and that's what I wanted to capture at the end of the chapter from Ben's point of view.
Song: "Love Remains The Same"
"Half the time the world is ending, truth is I am done pretending"
Chapter 10: Everything Will Change
The next two weeks passed far too quickly for Lily's liking. She was busy working with her father and practicing her Quidditch skills with James (she managed to score on him a handful of times). When her letter came from Hogwarts, she was surprised to realize that only ten days remained until the start of her final year. She owled Monica and the girls decided to meet in Diagon Alley to get their books and gossip about their summers.
"I just can't believe that we are in our seventh year," Monica said as she and Lily added The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7 to their piles.
"I know. My dad never even went to his," Lily mused.
"Well he didn't exactly need to," Monica said with a pointed look. "I'm surprised your Aunt Hermione did."
"She loves learning too much." Lily shrugged. "I think it was hard though, her being away from Uncle Ron. Did I tell you my Mum didn't go back after Holiday break? She said she didn't need to, she'd rather be with Harry. Plus, the Harpies were scouting her by then. My Grandmum Weasley nearly killed her though." She said with a giggle. "Come to think of it, my Uncle George and his twin Fred never finished their seventh year either. Only three Weasleys finished school—and two of them head boys, one a Quidditch captain!"
"You're relatives are all types." Monica laughed. The girls checked their books out and went across the alley to vitist Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Lily pondered the upcoming year—she would be taking her N.E.W.T exams in her four favorite subjects: Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Ancient Runes. She didn't know why she found the runes so fascinating, but she had always had a knack for them. She did well on her OWLS, earning one also in Potions, but she only wished to continue with her favorites. She wondered what kind of career would require her to perform a charm against a dark wizard while translating runes and transfiguring something.
"Monica!" Lily was unsurprised to see James in the shop, as he loved it and wished to work with his uncles once his Quidditch career subsided. He gave Monica a hello and ruffled Lily's hair. "What brings you fine witches to our end of the alley?"
"School shopping," Lily motioned to the bag in her hand. "No training session today?"
"Nope." James said happily. "And Emma gets off of her training at four so we can spend time together. I'm kicking this one out of the flat," He motioned to a figure behind the shelves. Ben's face popped out and grinned at the sight of the two girls.
"Hello ladies! May I interest you in Pygmy Puff accessories?"
"There are accessories now?!" Lily squealed with delight as she bounced over to the shelf. She and Ben exchanged a quick but significant glance before she turned her attention to the array of things in front of her.
"Roxanne designed them." George said, coming over and shaking his head. "And I have to admit, she knows the market. Girls come in here swooning while their boyfriends and brothers check out the prank stuff."
"Benny would love this!" Lily held out a decorated cage that was cushioned in the exact shade of yellow her Pygmy Puff was in.
"You'll loose him if you put him in there," Ben pointed out. "Try this one," he handed her a scarlet one.
"Gryffindor colors," James noted, approvingly. "I told Em that's what I want the wedding to be. Scarlet and Gold."
"And what did she say?" George asked.
"That scarlet would be nice if it didn't clash with half of the guests hair." He said with a chuckle as George and Lily rolled their eyes.
"Mum says mine will get darker as I grow older," Lily said, twisting a lock around her pointer finer.
"Mum's didn't." James said.
"Mine either," George pointed to his own flaming hair.
"But Grandmother Lily's was darker to begin with, so maybe mine has a chance." Lily argued, remembering the pictures she had seen of her paternal grandmother.
"Don't worry about it Lily, you're hair is beautiful." Monica assured her. "At least it has some body to it. Mine just hangs straight." She held out a handful of her long dark brown hair.
"If we're talking bad hair, you should include James in the conversation." Ben joked, motioning at the stubborn mess of hair on his best friend's head. James proudly grinned and ran a hand through it, sticking it up even more.
"I don't know why Albus and Dad fight it. Our hair is awesome."
"You reckon yours and Emma's kids will have crazy blonde curls that refuse to lie down?" Lily asked with a laugh.
"S'long as they don't have curls like Bengelina over here," James ruffled Ben's hair. Ben playfully shoved his arm off and shook out his head. His dark black curls had been growing out and he knew he needed a haircut before the next time he saw Molly Weasley, or she would do it herself.
--
Lily woke up early on the morning of September 1st. She looked over at her already packed trunk and bit her lip. It seemed that the summer, like all summers, had flown by faster than she imagined. She took Benny out of his cage and tickled him, smiling at the squeal that erupted from the soft creature.
"We're going to Hogwarts today Benny," she told him. "You'll love it there. Everyone does." She put him back in his new cage and changed into the Muggle clothes she would be wearing to the platform, a simple green halter top and khaki capris. She crept down the hall, careful not to wake her family, but when she got to the kitchen, she realized her mom, dad and Albus were already down there waiting for her. Maybe it wasn't as early as she thought.
"I just can't believe this is the last time I send one of my children off to Hogwarts," Ginny shook her head and looked at her daughter.
"Aunt Hermione is going to be a right wreck at the station," Harry noted, who chose to not acknowledge the fact that his daughter was growing up. A noise sounded and two tall boys came out of the fireplace.
"Excellent, waffles!" James said, as he and Ben made their way over the table.
"I don't need the whole family to see me off!" Lily groaned.
"Course you do," Ben told her. She rolled her eyes at him and he smirked at her. As she ate breakfast, she kept sneaking looks at him, trying to take him all in before she left for months.
They arrived at the station, thanks to Ben's driving (he had actually learned how since his car malfunctioned) and made their way over to see Hermione fussing over Hugo who looked mortified.
"Mum, stop crying!" He said, his eyes darting around the platform as Hermione weeped.
"I just-oh, you're so grown and handsome but you're my baby boy!" She blubbered and Ron and Rose exchanged looks of hopelessness. When Hermione turned and saw the Potters and Ben, she started tearing again. "Oh Ginny, where did seventeen years go?"
"Honestly Aunt Hermione," Albus reasoned. "S'not like they're graduating yet."
"But in a few months they will be!" James sing-songed, snickering as Hermione was overcome by more tears and Ginny shot him and annoyed look.
"I need to get on the train," Lily giggled and she started saying goodbye to everyone. She gave Ben a hug and he looked at her like he wanted to say something else, but shut his mouth and let Harry cut in and hold his daughter tight.
"Be good Lily and if anyone gives you trouble I will personally-"
"I know Dad," she said, giving him a squeeze. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said. With one last wave, Lily followed Hugo, who was practically sprinting away from his mother. They boarded the train, but found themselves in a crowded car and went to make their way towards the back when a strong pair of hands pulled Lily in an empty compartment. She whirled around and gasped.
"Ben! What are you-"
"Muffliato," he said, pointing at the door of the compartment.
"How did, what did-" Lily was trying to wrap her head around the fact that she was standing in a compartment alone with Ben on the moving Hogwarts Express.
"Lily you've known me for nearly a decade." He said, a smile playing across his lips. "I'm not exactly one for the rules."
"Well then may I ask why exactly you are here?" She said, looking into his baby blue eyes. She couldn't help noticing his hands were still wrapped around her wrists.
"I couldn't let you go without…without," he searched for the words. "Lily," he said finally, gazing at her. "I'm done pretending."
"Pretending what?" She asked, her voice coming out breathless.
"Pretending that I don't want to do this," he said, letting go of her arms and bringing his hands to her face, cupping it. She closed her eyes as he brought his lips down to hers.
It was like an electrical spark went off at that moment and Lily instinctively pushed herself against Ben's body and deepened the kiss. Their chemistry was undeniable and now it was unstoppable and their lips moved together in perfect synchronization. After what seemed like hours, though it was only minutes, they broke apart. Ben leaned his forehead against Lily's. She took a deep breath, trying to bring her body, which felt like it was floating, back to earth.
"That was…" she started but couldn't find the words. Ben's small smile told her that he knew what she meant.
"I should probably go now." He huskily said. He brought his lips to Lily's one last time and then pulled back. "See you at Christmastime Lils." He said with a wink and walked out the compartment. Lily stood there for a good two minutes before she left to go find Hugo and Monica. She found them in the middle of bashing the new Head Girl, a snobby Ravenclaw, and the Head Boy who was a Slytherin. Lily sat in the same compartment but did not participate or really pay attention to the discussion. She instead spent the time trying to figure out if the last five minutes actually happened and, if they did, what the hell was going to happen next.
!!! Finally! Insert squeal here! Review and let me know if you want me to send you the links to the pics!