"Remus, this is amazing!" Sophia squealed.

Remus jingled the keys, "And it's ours."

"Oh, it's beautiful," Sophia sighed, spinning around.

There were two main rooms, a lounge and a kitchen that turned into a dining room, then master bedroom and the bathroom. Everything was white, which could be fixed with color elsewhere, but the lighting was bright and priceless. She could see it now, filled with their friends, drinking and eating and laughing. This flat would hold so many perfect moments.

"We'll have to stop by the storage unit and get the guys to help move things in," Remus said. "What all do we have anyways?"

"Sofa, rocker, armchair, my books, bed, wardrobe, table, chairs. The basics. We've got some money stored away to get other things," Sophia leaned against the kitchen counter. "Oh, I can't wait to cook the muggle way!"

Remus wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm glad you love it."

"It's amazing Remus, we can afford it and still eat, it's got a fantastic view, and we'll be able to fit everyone in here. This is home for us, Remus. Can you believe it?" She kissed him rather enthusiastically.

Sirius, James, Peter and Remus did all the heavy lifting, bringing Sophia's parents old furniture into the apartment. "I don't see why we can't use magic," Sirius grumbled.

"Because, this is a muggle building," Sophia explained, opening up boxes of books and putting them on the shelves.

"Well, if I'm sore in the morning I'm blaming you," James said.

"Wow, Quiditch captain and you'll be sore from lifting furniture," Lily giggled, carrying Sophia's clothes into the bedroom and placing them on the bed, and kissing James as she passed him.

Sophia laughed and placed the framed photo of them from New Years on the mantel place. "Isn't it grand?" she sighed, gesturing to the place.

"Well, all the stuff is in, Soph, we'd best be on our way," James said, hugging and kissing her. Sophia said farewells to the others, and saw them out.

When she closed and locked the doors (and Remus put protection spells on the place) she turned and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Welcome home, darling," he whispered.

"Home, such a strange word. A bit like love, don't you think? Four letters, one syllable. Such a simple word, and yet it's one of the hardest things to find in the world."

"Sophia?" Remus called as he entered the flat.

He was pleased to see her coming out of the bedroom and going into the kitchen. Sophia had insisted that everything be very muggle in their house. "Is it all right if everyone comes for dinner?" she asked.

"Of course," he smiled. She seemed so happy. He gave her a kiss and went to shower.

He dressed just in time for Lily and James to appear. Lily helped Sophia in the kitchen. "Lily, is that-"

"James proposed," she squealed.

"That's wonderful!" Sophia exclaimed. "It's about time!" she called out to James who in return gave her a sheepish grin.

"What about you?" James whispered to Remus. "When'll you ask Sophia?"

Remus shrugged. "We've talked about it. Once things get a bit more routine, I suppose."

Changing the subject James asked, "How's the job hunt?"

"Hard. Flourish and Blotts said they'll pay me under the table. It's not much, but it's all I can get right now," he sighed. "No one wants to hire a werewolf I suppose."

James looked at Sophia, who was busy cooking while Lily leaned against the counter, chatting. "You know, plenty of women work nowadays."

"I don't want Sophia to work, and I don't want to use her parents money-"

"Moony, you're being stubborn. You're letting your pride get in the way-"

"Bethan and Sirius are here!" Lily jumped up and opened the door.

Sirius joined the men while Bethan went to help in the kitchen. "Remus, did you hear if Peter's coming?" Sophia asked, leaning over the counter.

"Said he had other plans," James answered.

"Maybe he has a date?" Sophia asked hopefully. "Oh, that would be something!"

"Really, I didn't know Peter fancied girls," Sirius muttered and Sophia used her wand to throw a pillow at his head.

"Be nice, he's your friend!" Sophia scolded.

Sirius rubbed his head and grumbled.

Sophia used her wand to set the table and they all sat down to eat.

"I wanted Peter to be hear when I say this," James started, "but he'll have to hear it later. Dumbledore's starting up an organization, a secret organization. Against Voldemort."

Sophia sipped her drink. "You think we ought to join."

"Well, yes. I know it isn't ideal-"

"I agree, this is our war too. We should do whatever we can to help."

"It'll be dangerous," Remus told her.

Sophia looked to him, "I'm not a stranger to danger, love. I can fend for myself."

"Frankly, I think Sophia's right," Lily put in. "It's a good idea."

"Then it's settled? I'll let Dumbledore know." James leaned back in his chair.

Later that night when Remus and Sophia were laying down to bed, he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Sophia?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you really think this is a good idea? Whatever Dumbledore has planned?"

Sophia rolled over and turned toward him, cupping his face in her hands. "I'm not going to lie, I'm terrified. But if we can do something, anything, to make the world our children grow up in a place without this war, death and hatred, then it will be worth it."

Long after Sophia was fast asleep, Remus mulled over what she had said. He reached over to the bedside table and pulled out a square, velvet box and wrapped his hand around it. He opened it, studying its contents, and took it out, sliding the ring onto Sophia finger.