AN: Ack! The world's coming to an end, I'm updating mid-week!

Normally, I update late saturday-early sunday. It's a good little system and I've tried following it all summer. But today is the last day I'll have wifi till next tuesday and I'd rather not subject you lot to a missed chapter (especially Sluggy's Party chapter). Gah, I wish I was a witch. 1. Olivander Wands=Worlds Best Wifi, 2. Hogwarts express muggle cross country drive to school and 3. Hogwarts Muggle University. Oh well, we can't have everything can we? But, all the same, thank you all so much for your words of support. It's really encouraged and fed my James size ego. Once again, I'm still trying to get this character's right. I didn't go to Hogwarts so James and Lily Fluff is as good a guess mine as it is yours. On to chapter twelve! I hope you enjoy this mid week snack of a chapter-KH.


Godmothers and Big Brother


"Vera, if I have to put on one more bloody dress so help me," Lily struggled, stepping into the cloth as her friend came in from behind her and closed the zipper, her eyes running down the design with approval, and perhaps a little irritation.

"Well, if you had told me you didn't have a dress for tonight earlier, trust me, we wouldn't have had to try on half my trunk," Vera McKinnon sighed, smoothing out the fabric on her shoulders. While she didn't like this dress as much as she had liked the other maxi dress, the pale yellow maxi seemed to complement both Lily's eyes and hair, not an easy task. What more, it's blouson top with it's ties at each shoulder gave her a classic Grecian flair while the slightly pleated bottom gave her even greater charm. Sure she didn't look like she was going to a Christmas Party, but in the cold English winter, no one would shy away from a girl dressed as a pale sunbeam.

Waving her wand, she saw to it that Lily's hair began to curl, framing her flushing face.

"If you had only come to me last week when you first asked him I wouldn't be going through this would I?" Vera churned, indicating the cover of the muggle magazine clutched in her hand.

Indeed, failing to confide in Vera about her dress situation had been her one great down fall concerning that evening's activity. She had been convinced she'd just wear the periwinkle dress robes her parents had bought her when she was fifteen, but the moment Vera saw her retrieve them from her trunk, the war for Lily's dress had begun. Their dormitory looked as though a bomb had exploded, mini and maxi dresses spewn across the floor; Lily had rather liked the prairie style white dress but it only took Vera's "That looks like a wedding dress" to convince her to keep trying on the gowns Vera threw at her. She could only imagine how Pott—James would respond to a 'Just Friends Evening Out' with her wearing a white, wedding like gown.

They didn't have much time left; it was nearly 7:40. She and James had agreed to meet at ten till eight. She didn't want to be late . . . that would make him think she was trying to hard, but for what?

"Vera Claire, I'm going to Slughorn's Christmas Party, there's no reason to dress me up like a doll," the frustrated red head started, trying to duck the incoming makeup brushes attacking her face. "If this was a Yule Ball then maybe I could understand this, but just Slughorn..."

"I'm not dolling you up for Slughorn Lily," her friend responded, pulling out some more containers of eye shadow to see the best fit, "A Slughorn party warrants maybe dress robes...if you're going stag, I'd say a mini skirt, show them what's they're missing out on." She dabbed her brush in a light brown powder as she continued her work, "But I'm not dolling you up for a solo flight, you're going with James Potter. What more, there has been six years of build up for this date…"

She dodged Vera's brush quickly, "But it's not a…"

"Fine. For an evening out," Vera sighed, setting her make up brushes aside and brushing back a stray curl. "All I'm saying is let me be the Fairy Godmother and make you shine brighter than a Christmas Star. Just for tonight please?"

The faithful friend looked over her model with a smile of relief. Setting aside her magazine, Vera looked up at her friend, "You know, after this thirty minutes of a nightmare, I think I'm prepared if you ever elope."

"Love your enthusiasm," Lily joked rolling her eyes, "Can I see what I look like? I'm sure James would get a real kick out of seeing me as a clown."

"Even if you did look like a clown, James Potter wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off you," the Godmother laughed, clutching her heart as she joked, "I can't believe you doubt my skills. I've never...No not yet!" She interceded, stepping between Lily and the doorway to the bathroom "I have a few more things for you. Stay put, no peeking!" Crossing the room she pulled a small oak jewelry box out of her trunk. Fishing out a necklace and the old, gold, McKinnon bangle.

"I don't want you saying no Lillian, you hear me?" She said evenly, clasping the strand of pearls and slipping the gold bangle into her friend's hand "Ever since I came to this school, I wanted a girlfriend I could help get ready for a big night out. Don't ruin my dream."

"Wouldn't dream of it Veraline," Lily smiled, responding to her friends fake, longer name they had composed years ago. "Now can I look in the mirror?"

'Not yet,' Vera shook her head, bending down to her knees and waving the wand at the hemline that was quickly starting to rise, bouncing from mid calf to skimming the top of her knees. Lily could feel her eyes blodge like tea sauces. "Vera! Are you mad? Did Sirius put you up to this?"

"Ah! You're dream crushing!" Vera explained, raising a finger. "I read in a muggle magazine 'Show your knees if you please but keep your thighs a surprise,' It's been my staple for hemlines ever since."

"But we're not Muggles! I don't want to show my knees," she exclaimed looking down at her legs she had preferred much more under the soft touch of the nylon. "Now I'm going to look like a..."

Sighing, Vera cleared the doorway "Oh just look in the mirror Lily, I'll go grab your evening bag."

Waiting for her friend to disappear to the side of the near empty trunk, Lily stepped into the bathroom to get a good look of herself. She nearly had to do a double take, and consider Vera's offer as a last minute maid of honor in the event of an hour notice elopement.

Her hair was nearly identical to the women on the front of Vera's magazine, the soft red locks now fanning out in gentle curls framing her face, a few pearl bobby pins making the occasional appearance. Despite what she had thought to be an attack of make up products, she appeared rather natural, the eye shadow giving a slight shimmer over to her over all radiance.

And then there was the dress. The length wasn't that horrible, in full honesty, she rather liked it. She wondered what she'd look like next to Potter in the dress-No James. He was James for the evening. And she was Lily. No more surnames, at least not for tonight...perhaps now, those names where only for special occasions…

"It's time Lily," Vera smiled, holding a perfume bottle in one hand and her purse in the other. " Now, remember who you are and act accordingly...don't strangle Potter, and…"

"Do you think I should take my wand?" Lily asked looking at the water scented with cherry blossoms before putting it down on their nightstand, "I don't have any pockets."

"Lily, I'm sure James will have his. You're going to Sluggy's party, not to a Death Eater Recruitment Fair," she laughed at her own joke opening the door. "Remember, you can do this."

"I can do this," Lily repeated, stepping out of her door and heading down the twisted stairs. It's just another evening with Potter, only we're dressed nice. That's all, she thought fervently, just another evening with Potter...after all, we're just friends


((*))


"Don't worry James, she's going to come down," Moony sighed sitting on the couch with a book in hand. "Lily's many things, but she's not the type of girl that would stand you up."

"Yes, but she's not the sort of girl that runs late either," he said, looking down at his watch. It said it was quarter after eight, almost a half hour past what they had agreed too, and she was no where to be found. The common room was surprisingly empty, or he would've asked a girl to go up stairs and check on her. All that remained in the room was himself, Moony and Padfoot who were instructed to throw the cloak on themselves the moment she turned the corner.

"Now when you get to the party, you must talk to Frank; the sooner the better. Don't forget," Remus repeated looking at the now pacing James. "James are you listening to me?"

"Frank. Party. I get that Moony, but where's Lily?" He asked, scratching the back of his head in growing irritation, "Without her, there's no party."

"Oh I moved your watch forward Prongs," Sirius smiled, "No need to wear holes in the carpet. She's got two minutes till she's actually late," the Marauder beamed while James Potter moved over like he was about to throttle his best friend.

"Sirius Black, so help me I'll…" but before he could carry out his threat, he saw the flash of sliver and the two of them suddenly disappear before his eyes. Quickly wheeling about, he saw her standing a few steps up, looking absolutely stunning.

When had she grown up? James thought, watching with a near wondering awe as she came further down the stairs. When had the little girl with red braids grown into the young woman with a soft curl in her hair? When did she turn in her long skirt and woolen socks for a dress that just skimmed her knees? Swap the fumes of the day's potion for a lovely, floral scent? Why was it she looked even more lovely know than any other time he had seen her?

"Miss Lily," James bowed, taking her hand and tucking it into his arm "You look beautiful." The words ringing like a bell in her ears mildly drowned out the thunderous beat of her heart. She could feel her face pull itself into a smile only he could summon.

"You don't look shabby yourself James," she replied looking him over "Although, I sort of was wishing for that five o'clock stubble," she joked, watching an appearance of red tickle his cheeks. As always in the event of a special occasion, James was dressed in his classic black robes that had probably been designed in a shop greater than Madame Mankin's. His Gryffindor tie was replaced with a startling white bow tie, his shirt closed with gold cufflinks. Even though his five o'clock shadow had disappeared from when she had asked him, that same fluttering feeling had claimed her. Obviously, he was dashing either decked out in stubble or that clean, cut and husky aftershave.

"Shall we go?" He asked opening the portrait hole.

"If we must," she replied leading the way.

Perhaps they would have an adventure or two. Perhaps she'd let him hold her close when they met with people. Perhaps they'd roll eyes at each other during Slughorn's toasts.

And perhaps she'd get used to the feeling of her arm tucked in his.


((*))


"Lily!" Professor Slughorn exclaimed, fleeing the circle of students that had been around him the moment Lily and James entered the room. Dressed up in his Emerald silk and a muggle martini glass in one hand—he was in his usual element of party hosting, even going so far to put the martini in James' hand so he could hug Lily.

"You look absolutely stunning Miss Lily—I wish it was Brent Cannon and not his sister Bell who worked for the IPC, one look at you and he'd probably offer you the job tonight!" He chucked, his eyes brimming with pride. "Be it as it may, I think you're classy wit and charm might win you favor with Ms. Cannon's superiors...come, I'll introduce you now…"

"Bur sir, could I first see to it that my guest is attended to?" Lily asked, for the first time nudging her head towards James, as she kept her arm wrapped tightly in his own.

"Oh, of course of course, pardon my manner's Mr. Potter!" The mildly tipsy professor apologized, taking his glass from James. "You know Miss Evans, Mr. Potter's parents where in my very first potion's class? Charlie Potter and Dori Black—class of 1923—how are they doing young James?"

"Mum had a bout of Dragon Pox a few months back, but Dad says she's in great spirits now, you know mum, hell it's self would have to shake the earth before she let's a cough and some spots get in between her and her New Years Party," James nodded curtly.

A familiar deep laughter shook the conversation as Slughorn continued, "I can see that—Now James, what are you're career plans? Perhaps I can find someone who can help you while I steal Miss Lily to the Potions Corps."

"I…"

"James desires to become an Auror," Lily smiled, interrupting her date "Is it true that Frank Longbottom is here tonight? I'm sure James would love to talk to him, wouldn't you dear?" She asked, giving him a sly , almost all knowing smile.

"Certainly, that'd be very helpful," James replied digging through her eyes, it was as though she suspected something that he didn't know about. Was it possible to be under suspicion even when you hadn't done anything yet?

"Very good, if you excuse me Miss Evans, I'll see Mr. Potter to Mr. Longbottom and then we're off to get you a Potion Position!' The Potion Master exclaimed, taking James towards a deeper part of the room as Lily went to find a drink knowing quiet well how long an introduction went when it was being given by Professor Slughorn.

She had only taken a sip of her honey mead when her thoughts of James were interrupted. 'So you brought him, did you?" A rather unpleasant voice inquired as it's owner appeared at her side. "Funny I remember you once said you'd rather date the Giant Squid than that blasted…"

"Squiddy couldn't make it tonight Severus," Lily sneered, cutting him off before he could finish his insult. "And regardless, he has nothing to worry about. This isn't a date, we're just going as friends."

"You know Lily, you used to be a far better liar," Snape spat, taking a shot of his drink, the amber color of Fire Whiskey sloshing in his hand. "We used to go as just friends and you never dressed up like this for those times."

"We used to do a lot of things Severus," Lily answered coldly, beginning to regret her decision to not bring her wand. "To be perfectly honest, I don't see why you continue to pry into my personal life. We aren't friends anymore so I don't see why it should be privy to you."

"Because," he started, taking a step closer to her, "because I can tell you right now, Potter isn't going to last long as an Auror. He, and anyone who mixes with him are living on borrowed time. I don't want you to be one of them." His black eyes fixed on hers, "Just stay away from him Evans. If you ever trusted me once, trust me again. Stay away from James Potter."

Pulling apart her lips that had been tightly pressed, her eyes squinted up at him. "You listen to me Severus Tobias," she started her voice like cold ice mixed with razors. "Don't you dare threaten Potter, myself, or any of our friends. Whatever friendship we had died and isn't coming back. Leave Potter alone. You don't scare me," she said, hoping her voice was even and strong as she stated her biggest lie.

"Ah, Severus, Lily!" Slughorn smiled cheerfully returning to the scene "Good to see that in the holiday spirit you two can make amends. Come Lily, Ms Cannon's waiting…"

'Thank you professor," Lily smiled, taking his arm.

She hoped that somehow she could forget the black seriousness that had appeared in Sev's eyes when he had threatened James. She hoped that maybe, in the name of their former friendship, he'd see to it that no harm came to either her or Potter. And even more, as she started listening to Slughorn introducing her to the intimidating witch with pepper gray hair, she hoped that his threat wouldn't call back the gruesome nightmare in the forest that would leave her with a dying James Potter


((*))


"Not even an hour into the night's festivities and Slughorn get's you over here," the calm voice of Frank Longbottom smiled, clapping James on the shoulder. "You've grown up the past two years kid."

"You too old man," James grinned, "Of course, last time I saw you, you didn't have as many wrinkles and you're hair was a little thicker."

"Oh sod off, you're starting to sound like Alice," Frank laughed waving his hand through his hair, slightly frazzled.

"How is Miss Livesly?" James asked, wondering how much longer she was going to hold the term Miss before trading it in for another name.

"She's well Potter, thank you," he said, something about his face showed he was somewhere far from Hogwarts. "When the party's done I'm going to meet her at her parent's home in Nottingham—spending Christmas with them before I take her home to brave a Longbottom Christmas," he explained, his eyes returning and casting themselves towards Lily, now across the room and chatting with a woman that was either half witch or part hag. "Miss Evans looks very nice this evening, are you two dating yet? Or have you Imperio-ed her into being your date for the evening?"

"I'm Head Boy this year, and she's Head Girl. We both had the night off so we figured 'What the hell, let's go together'," he sighed, wishing he could've said that they were dating, or even that it could be a possibility…but then again, who's to say it isn't a possibility? "I guess you could say it comes with the job."

"Comes with the job," the worn auror grimaced, as though James' words had called him back to the reason they were meeting. "Follow me," was all he need to say as they walked away from the crowded parts of the party, climbing Slughorn's spiral staircase to a small privy tower where they knew they wouldn't be found.

"So are you going to tell me about this job Frank?" James asked, setting himself on the outer rim of a window. "What is it that we can do for the resistance? Can you tell us about the resistance? How d'we join?"

"Easy there," Frank cut him off, the list of questions flooding over him. "I can't tell you much, The head of our organization wishes me to tell you that we've noticed your friends and your own interest in joining a resistance against the Dark Lord. He will come in contact with you soon enough in his own way, but until then, we can only ask you to continue doing what you're doing."

"What we're doing? But Longbottom, we're doing nothing…" James started slightly annoyed, "The resistance wants us to just sit back and do nothing?"

"Listen Potter, you have to understand what the outside is like. It takes a good half hour to get through security at work each morning at the ministry, and still even after being cleared, there's people who are under the imperious curse. You don't know who's really your friend, or who your foe is. If that isn't enough, you always have to do a look around the office to see if there are any of your co-workers who've disappeared," Frank explained. "And believe me, the Auror Department has more disappearances than we'd like to admit."

"Remus read there were more disappearances this week," James echoed, "A half dozen muggleborns from Yorkshire?"

"And another dozen from Dover the Ministry covered up," Frank responded, giving a callous laugh as he continued. "Do you know people in the ministry are actually campaigning to stop the Muggleborn Protection Acts? They say there not actually being of use and if anything, the closer we get to actually being able to help them, the more muggleborns disappear and die."

"And your resistance wants us to do nothing?" James asked annoyed, "How the bloody hell is that supposed to make sense?"

Shaking his head, Frank sighed, "It's not like that James. As Head Boy, you're one of our greatest assets. You have clearance to walk around the castle at night, and also, as one of your duties of course, make sure there isn't anything peculiar going on." His light grey eyes turned to James. "You also are able to patrol with Lily Evans, and we know that as long as you're with her, she's safe from anything threatening. "

"Anything threatening—"He filched at the thought of anything happening to Lily. Although he would love to go after Snape, he could still remember the night months ago when he had seen them in the corridor. They wouldn't go after her, not after his Lily… "But what about Remus? Sirius? Peter…"

"James, I don't know how you do it, but I don't doubt there's a thing going on in this castle that the Marauders don't know about. Whatever it is that you guys do, the resistance wants you to keep doing. Same with you and Evans. If anything happens, just write it down, include your suspicions in a report to McGonagall. We need your eyes and ears Potter. Understand?" He asked and James responded with a nod.

"Good, now let's get you back to your lady, Slughorn usually has a few songs play from his gramophone as soon as his toasts are done. Perhaps you and Lily could have a go."

"Wouldn't bet on it Frank," James smiled, following his friend down the stairs and back to the cheerful chitchat of the slugs and company. "It's taken six years for her to call me by name without flinching."

"Have you ever played dominos Potter?" Frank asked again, "It's a funny little Muggle game my grandfather taught me, but you learn quick. All it takes is one move for the others to fall into place."


((*))


The chitchat that had greeted Frank and James on their return, just as Frank had predicted, soon gave way to Slughorn's traditional Christmas toast and then the revival on music from his gramophone. He had found Lily a few songs after the make shift dance had started; finally emerging from what she admitted was a 'promising' discussion with Ms. Cannon about the IPC.

"It ought to be promising, she couldn't find a bet Potioneer than you," James started with a grin. "Hell, they give you your own little lab and Moony won't have a furry little problem anymore," he winked, enjoying the flush that covered her face.

"Whatever Pot—James" she stopped herself, but rolled her eyes all the same.

His ears perked as the song began to play slowly, the coupled slugs lurching nearer to each other. As casually as he had several times that week taken her bag, he slipped his hand into hers pulling her towards an empty space on the makeshift dance floor.

"James, I don't dance," Lily said stubbornly, her feet glued to the ground, as he linked his fingers in her one hand while placing his other hand on her back. "Really, I don't…"

"Lily," he started gently, " A nice little lady told me it was my Christmas present to come to this party with her. So, naturally, I want to dance with my Christmas present, and I've been awfully good this year," he said with a smile, "What do you say Santa Lady?"

"You call me Santa Lady again and so help me I'll…"

"Let me lead," James offered, taking the first step forward. I never thought I'd regret skipping out on those lessons Mum had me take, He thought watching his feet fumbling, grazing her own. He flinched back when he realized that he had actually stepped on her foot, looking up with panic eyes to register her expression.

Instead of the course, stern look he was preparing for, she was smiling looking down at her own feet and then up at his eyes. "So you can dance in the sky on a broom, but on a dance floor…"

"It's a little different," he laughed, letting go of her waist as he twirled her around the floor. "But I can still do that," he muttered, watching her return to his arms as the twirl died out, her face bright as though a glowing sun beam.

"And what is that?" she asked, her face like it was when she slept, clear, relaxed, as herself as she ever could be.

He didn't want to ruin the perfect evening. He didn't want to take that risk of being witty and get a flush of red anger rather than a flush of red blush on her cheeks, all over simply saying I can still take your breath away. "Nothing, I can still twirl someone around, that's all" he winked.

"James," she started, as though she knew what he was thinking. "Just so you know, you're the best worst dancer I know," she grinned, squeezing his hand as he let her out for another spin.

"You know Lily, that has to be the nicest insult you've ever thrown at me, and trust me there's been a few."

"Well," she sighed, her evergreen emeralds glued to his in what he though might be admiration, "It is Christmas."

"If I knew I could get an evening with you as a just friend, trust me, I would've been a good boy long, long ago," he swore, moving his finger to tuck back a curl that was starting to break free of Vera's charm.

"That was the past," she said evenly, "No need to dwell on that. After all, this party is all about our futures…"

And although she sensed she had made a grave mistake mentioning 'futures' with James Potter, she hoped that regardless of what their separate futures would hold, Severus' warning wouldn't be applicable. She hoped that they'd be able to live old enough to have a future, and that regardless of what the future held—whether it be St. Mungo's for her and the Auror Department for James— she prayed that she and her hopeless dance partner would be spared the fate Severus warned of.


AN: I know a little longer (especially as a midweek update) but cliff hangers are rather cruel don't you think? Concerning James' dance moves... He's Human. He has his flaws, I think dancing will just have to be one of them. I can't wait to hear what you think. As per usual, Questions, Complaints, whatever floats your boat is always welcome. Just leave a review or send a PM. They really make my day. Happy writer=Happy Sirius right?

Oh and additionally, I just really wanted to thank you guys for tuning into Dried Lilies this summer. When I started, I didn't think I'd push this far along the story, but I'm glad that I have. It's kept my sanity in line for the holiday. Updates might be less consistent as the semester begins, but they'll come. Chaser's Honor.

Until Next time (which will be soon!)~Kait Hobbit