Overprotected

Chapter 21: Going Home for the Summer

It was the last day of the school year, and Hogwarts was buzzing with energy. Most students were in their dormitories this beautiful morning packing, except James, Sirus, Remus, Peter, and Lily. Knowing that today was Lily's birthday, they had all packed ahead of schedule to be able to spend the morning outside by the lake.

"Having a good birthday, Lils?" Remus asked with a smile.

"As always," Lily replied grinning back. She knew that her friends would do anything for her, and they spared nothing for her birthday.

"And here's the final touch." Peter produced a wrapped package which Lily slowly opened. Inside was a glass sphere that tingled with magic, and she knew immediately that the boys had charmed it. The sphere housed an auburn lily, and though it was rather cliché, Lily loved it. Every year, the boys gave her something lily related. From anyone else, it would have been just plain stupid, but from the boys, it was always special.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"Wait, there's more. Keep your eye on the glass," James commanded.

Lily watched, and soon enough, animals came out from between the petals. There was one for each of them, and Lily's eyes lit up with delight.

"Still like it?" Sirus asked.

"I love it!" Lily exclaimed. She hugged each of the boys in turn, and as they saw her face light up, theirs lit up, too. They all saw a glow in her eyes that had been missing since at least December. Suddenly, someone's stomach growled.

"Sorry, guys," Peter said bashfully. "Can we get some breakfast?"

"We really should," Remus added. "Especially if we don't want to miss the train."

"Yeah, that would be horrible," Lily muttered under her breath.

"Sorry?"
"Nothing, nothing."

The five picked themselves up and headed inside, Lily following regretfully, as she had a habit of doing lately.

They snuck into their seats just as Professor Dumbledore was making some last remarks about boarding the train. Each of them looked around thankfully that they hadn't missed too much, but Lily and Remus saw Professor McGonagall shoot the five Gryffindors a stern look.

In just about an hour, the whole student body was on the Hogwarts Express, ready to begin their journey home. James, Sirus, Remus, Peter, and Lily found their usual compartment on the train, stowed their luggage away, then settled in comfortably for the long ride home.

It was getting dark when they pulled into Platform 9 ¾ and the students erupted from the train, joyful for the start of vacation. Lily slipped out with the four boys but disappeared into the growing crowd. They attempted to find her, but June Potter soon flagged down James and Sirus. Remus and Peter exchanged niceties with Mrs. Potter then left in search of their own families. None of the boys were happy with their failure to find Lily.

However, Lily wasn't as far as any of them thought, as the Potters and Sirus proved when they walked back into the Muggle world. She had indeed quickly taken off, purposely not giving any of the boys a chance to inquire after her summer plans. Truth be told, she didn't know where she was going, and once out of the wizard world, this knowledge was acute. She sat down on her trunk in desperation and stared off into space, tears coming to her eyes.

"Lily-Flower, you okay?" Sirus asked, the first to spot her. He led James and June over as Lily quickly brushed the tears from her eyes.

"Lils, this is my mum, June Potter," James introduced. "Mum, this is Lily Evans."

"Pleased to meet you," Lily said formally, and shook hands with Mrs. Potter.

"You okay?" Sirus asked again.

"Just…waiting." Lily wouldn't look at either of the two boys.

June took Lily's hand, causing the younger girl to look up into the older woman's kind eyes. "What are you plans for the summer?"

"I'm not really sure," Lily whispered. She could evade the question from the boys but not from James' mother. "My sister, Petunia has custody of me, now that she's eighteen. She won't come get me though; I've never had any delusions of that." The last part sounded hurt and bitter. It was the first taste either boy had gotten of her less than perfect home life.

"Alright, come one then." June didn't sound surprised, and she began to walk away. Lily stayed rooted to her spot and looked confused. June turned around and looked somewhat impatient, but her voice was still kind. "Come along, dear. You'll come home with us."

Lily stood in shock for a minute then her eyes began to light up. She looked and sounded like a little child. "Really? Oh, thank you, Mrs. Potter!" She quickly embraced the older woman who just kept smiling.

"Call me 'Mum P'. All of the boys do, well, Sirus at least, and since you'll be part of the family, you might as well."

Lily smiled, really smiled again that day, and she followed June to the car along with James and Sirus. They loaded all of their trunks and other luggage in the back of the car then headed around to the front. Lily watched as James and Sirus grappled over the front seat.

"Sirus, get in the back. You've lost, dear," June said still in her kind voice, a smile in her eyes.

Sirus grumbled but relinquished the seat to James. He moved back and climbed into the car with Lily.

"It's a good thing I didn't bring your father," June said once they were in the car and out on the road. "It would have been a pretty tight squeeze with the three of you back there."

"Oh, Lily wouldn't have minded," Sirus said, and the other three could hear the joke in his voice. "I think she's used to us by now."

He looked over to Lily, fully expecting her to reply, but she had fallen silent and went back to looking out the window. Getting in the car seemed to evoke some memory in the little flower, and no one bothered her. Eventually, she fell asleep, and Sirus leaned her body against his in what he assumed would be a more comfortable position. He chatted with Mrs. Potter and James until the motion of the car lulled him to sleep, too.

"So, how was your year, dear?" June asked her son.

"Mum, you know how my year was," James replied. "I owl you all the time."

"You haven't owled me since before your O.W.L.s. You and Lily hadn't been on the best of terms then, and you never explained."

"How did you know about that? I never wrote specifically."

"Yes, you never wrote specifically, James," June said with a laugh, "but I'm your mother. I can tell when you're unhappy, or hiding something."

"It's well, somewhat of a secret."

"It's illegal, isn't it?"

James swallowed rather loudly then nodded with a look of dread on his face.

"You can't tell Dad. Please, Mum. It's his floor in the Ministry, and we can't be expelled! You see, well, Remus is…Remus is a werewolf. We found out second year, more Lily found out. It took her two months when we hadn't gotten it in a year. We wanted to help him out; we had learned about them, and it sounds awful. Lily again figured out that animals wouldn't be affected so we went to become Animagus." James took this opportunity to look over at his mother; she didn't even look fazed. He continued. "It took us a year to find everything we needed before we could start. I have no clue how many potions we ended up brewing before we got it right, but we finally finished around this past November."

"I assume it was correct, and you are all fine."

"Couldn't be better, Mum. But see, Lily wasn't happy. I wouldn't let her help because, well… She was mad. Somehow, she got some of the potion too though because she ended up with us January, but none of us knew until later."
"Was that why you two were fighting?"

"Partially, but not really. She was already upset when I started to go out with Cassie, and then I did something awful."

James looked at his mother again, but she was still concentrating on the road ahead of her. He wasn't met with disapproval or chiding, just a willing listener.

"We ran across a doe in January while we were out. I didn't think, and in the end, I tried to make it pretty clear that she wasn't welcome with us; she thought she had more right to be there than we did. She was right, but I felt threatened. I'm a stag."

"Lily's the doe? I assume that's where this is going."

"Yes, but that's not the worst part. We met up again in March, and I let my instincts take over, I suppose. She ended up with four broken ribs and numerous cuts. Not that I knew that yet either, but we had a very taxing spell in Transfiguration the next day. She was out of school for two weeks, and during that time, Luke was killed. She missed the funeral and blamed it on me. That's when I finally figured it out. We didn't speak until after O.W.L.s, after the called me out in front of Snape. I deserved it, but she felt bad. We're alright now, but it's only a recent thing.

June reached over to squeeze her son's hand. She had known that something had been wrong, and now the mystery was solved. Where James had expected a lecture, all he got was understanding and love; it was a relief.

"Do you know what's between her and her sister?"

"No," James answered slowly, his face bent in puzzlement. "She's never indicated that home wasn't pleasant. In fact, she never mentions home very often. Any time it comes up, she dismisses the subject entirely."

"It'll come out in good time," June replied casually. "Remind me to owl Albus Dumbledore when we get home. I'm sure he already knows that we have Lily, but it can't hurt to send him something anyway."

It wasn't a long ride to where the Potters lived, and in no time, they had arrived. When the car stopped, James roughly shoved Sirus awake who then more gently woke Lily.

Taking pity on the teens, Mrs. Potter levitated their trunks into the house where Mr. Potter was waiting with the House Elves busily preparing dinner. Harold kissed his wife and hugged the two boys as James introduced Lily.

"Ah, so you're Lily Evans," Harold said, shaking her hand. "We really have heard so much about you. Between James and Sirus, they barely speak of anything else."

Lily blushed madly causing June to save her.

"Now, now, Harold. That's not true. Quidditch is always on their tongues, as is food. Though, dear," she said, addressing Lily once more, "if you have managed half of what they say you've accomplished, you're already a very powerful witch."

"I took a look at what you gave the boys for Christmas," Harold continued. "Quite magnificent spell work. How old are you again?"

"I just turned fourteen today."

Amazing. Technically, you should only be entering your Fourth Year come September, and you're already performing spells that some Sixth Years couldn't handle. Amazing. It'll be a delight to have you this summer."

Lily suddenly remembered why she was there, and her mood instantly began to fall. James picked up on this.

"Mum, when are we going to eat?"

"I nearly forgot! Now, if it's all ready."

The five made their way into the kitchen where a lone house elf was patiently waiting.

"Hello, Stunly," Mrs. Potter addressed the creature. "Is dinner ready?"

"Yes, mistress," Stunly replied with a smile. He was small, even for elf standards, but the Potters knew his magic far surpassed their own and respected him all the more for it.

"Thank you, Stunly. You can serve it whenever you are ready. Then get some rest. Miss Lily will be staying with us this summer, and I'm sure you'll want to show her your best skills."

Stunly bobbled excitedly. Company was his special favorite especially if it meant he had the chance to wow them with his power. No one ever left the Potter house with criticism of the food.

The five of them sat down at the round table where piping hot food arrived in due time. As usual, there were no complaints, and whenever something came dangerously close to being empty, there was always more waiting to magically appear. Everyone sat back contently once they had their fill; eyelids began to flutter and hands stifled yawns.

"Would you look at the time!" June exclaimed suddenly, glancing at her watch. "I know you probably won't sleep, but we might as well settle you in."

She got up from the table, and James, Sirus, and Lily followed her lead. The Potter house was not overly large, but it was surely impressive. June led the young adults through this, only Lily taking everything in for the first time. They stopped at the top of the first flight of stairs.

"James, your trunk is already in your room, and Sirus, we've decided to move you in to the guest room next to James'. You will find your trunk waiting."

"Sirus can share with me, Mum," James said. "I don't mind. Besides where's Lily going to sleep?"

"Since Sirus has moved in, I think he deserves a room of his own. And Lily can sleep in the attic room. It's just been renovated. Follow me, dear."

She led Lily up another flight of stairs into the attic. It was a small space, painted a light sky blue, with various sized clouds floating along the ceiling. A day bed was eloquently pushed against one wall under a window, and a dresser stood against the opposite wall. Set in a corner was a desk piled to the top with parchment, quills, old spell books, and the like. The other half of the space was filled to the brim with boxes labeled in symbols that Lily didn't understand.

"Well, here you are, dear. The décor, of course, can be changed easily if you'd like. Some might find the clouds a little whimsical, but they remind me of the ceiling in the Great Hall."

"It's lovely!" Lily breathed and hugged the older woman. She was still overwhelmed with gratitude toward all the kindness the Potters were showing toward her, even after knowing her for a few short hours.

"I'm glad you think so. I'll just let you get settled in then; your trunk is in the corner over there."

With that, June Potter turned and made her way back down the steps, and Lily was left alone. When things were going on, she could ignore the misplaced sense, but alone, she couldn't but help to remember why things were this way. It made her quite lonely, so she sat down on the daybed and looked out the window. Within the hour, she fell into a fitful slumber.

If Lily had looked at the clock when she woke up, she would have seen that it was just shy of two in the morning. However, she walked in a sleepy haze down the stairs of her room into the hallway below. She came to James' room first and stuck her head in. He was sprawled out in the absolute middle of his bed, covers and clothes in heaps around him. If she hadn't been in his house with his parents two doors down, she would have laid down next to him, but Lily wasn't sure how the Potters would react. Seeing as there wasn't much floor space either, Lily went next door to Sirus' room.

Sirus' bed was on the wall opposite the door so Lily had a direct, if not groggy, view of him. He was in much the same position as James, except that most of the clothes were on the floor. Lily however, found something that sparked her interest: a couch was leaning casually against the wall next to the door.

As she creaked open the door father, Sirus rolled over to face her. He blinked a couple of times then rubbed his eyes, as if to make sure someone was actually there. Determining someone was, he half propped himself up on one elbow.

Lily-Flower?" he asked, half asleep still. "That you?"

"Yes." She entered the room and stood in the middle, looking rather helpless and tired.

"What's wrong."

"I couldn't sleep." She really did sound so innocent and in need of protection. "James' room is messy, and you have a couch." She sat down on the afore mentioned piece of furniture. "Do you have another pillow? I left mine upstairs."

Sirus finally got out of his bed, grabbed a second pillow, and walked over to where Lily was seated. At first, she thought he was going to hand her the pillow, but he threw it on the couch and picked her up.

"Sirus. She sounded somewhat scared. "What are you doing?"

He walked back over to the bed and dropped her unceremoniously down. For himself, Sirus walked over to the couch and flopped on top of it.

"You take the bed; I'm fine on here. I've slept on worse."

Lily started to protest, but sleep overcame her once more. Words half formed were left dangling in the air, and Sirus was able to sleep easier.