Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter (sobs hysterically in a corner whilst rocking back and forth)

AN - Well, this chapter is a lot shorter than it was meant to be... but i had severe and i mean SEVERE writers block (which isn't good - it's never happened to me in this story before!) and i just felt that once i posted what i have the words for the next chapter would flow a bit better. so apologies. a new chapter will be up asap to make up for this short one.
But i hope you enjoy anyway :)

Chapter 35 - The Horse and the Whale:

James entered the well-appointed dining room a step behind Mr Evans. Feeling his heart give another nervous flutter, he allowed his eyes to quickly sweep the room. It was wall-papered in a pale olive green colour, with old fashioned gas lamps in brackets. The long mahogany table was set with the Evans' best silver for… hold on, six people?

Tuning back into reality James looked at the four people already seated at the table. Mrs Evans was at one end, presumably Mr Evans would be sitting opposite her. On her left, in front of the dark window, Lily sat - her expression not dissimilar to one who was facing execution. Opposite her sat the reason for her discontent - her older sister, Petunia. Next to her was what appeared to be a whale jammed into a very tight, unattractive (not to mention, tweed) suit. This must be the fiancé, thought James, I didn't know he was coming. And by the looks of it, neither did Lily.

"James," Mrs Evans said cordially, although James could tell that she was a little more tense than she had been that afternoon, "Please take a seat." James made his way cautiously to his seat, eyeing off Petunia and her tubby dinner guest, before sliding down next to Lily.

"This is my sister, Petunia, and her fiancé, Vernon," Lily said tersely. James sort of half stood up and extended his hand towards Petunia, noting vaguely that she looked somewhat like a horse.

"Pleasure to meet you," he said politely. Never let it be said that James Potter was never taught good manners.

Petunia's long face was curtained by limp blonde hair and her large pale eyes were narrowed in distrust at James' hand. If Mr and Mrs Evans were disappointed by their eldest's behaviour, they showed little sign of it - perhaps out of respect for the young man who had just been introduced as Vernon.

Honestly, though - 'Vernon' - what were his parents thinking?

Vernon, whose sausage like fingers were now clamped on Petunia's bony shoulder in some show of solidarity or protection, stared at James with his piggy eyes in an expression that mirrored Petunia's.

"Err, okay," James muttered to himself before sitting down again, Lily throwing him an apologetic look.

"We'll have the entrée now, please, Julia," Meredith called over her shoulder and soon enough the maid was bringing out their potato soup.

"So, James, I feel as if we didn't really get to chat properly before," Meredith said kindly, "How are things at school?"

"Oh, they're going pretty well at the moment, Mrs Evans," James said with his brilliant smile, "We're well on our way to winning the quidditch cup, if that's anything to go by." Petunia's eyes bulged slightly at the mention of the magical sport - even though Lily was sure her sister didn't actually know what quidditch was.

"How does that work, exactly?" Greg queried.

"Well," James began, launching into a full on explanation about quaffles and beaters and wronski feints. Lily, who contributed the odd fact here and there, couldn't help but be amused by the discomfort that her sister was suffering. Petunia, who had not spoken a word to Lily since arriving and in fact had acted like she hadn't known her sister at all, looked to be on the verge of swallowing her lips as they got thinner and thinner with displeasure.

Lily had only been introduced to this Vernon Dursley minutes before James had, and she was beginning to fear that her suspicions about him being inadequate for her sister were correct. He was as pompous and self important as her father had written (at least, that is what she surmised from his one-man monologue before being taken into the dining room) and, in all actuality, rather dull. He apparently shared Petunia's views on Lily's 'abilities' and made no effort to conceal his reproach. Additionally, Lily happily noted, he seemed to be turning a rather disagreeable shade of red and a previously unnoticed vein in his forehead had started pulsating slightly. Serves him right for being so rude, she thought.

"And you're the captain, aren't you, dear?" Meredith questioned when James came up for air.

"Yes, he is," Lily answered, quite proudly. At this she was sure she heard Vernon mutter something that sounded suspiciously like 'jock' but she chose to ignore it. Then, out of fairness it seemed, the Evanses decided to talk to their soon-to-be son-in-law who, Mrs Evans obviously felt, they had been ignoring.

"Now, Vernon, what is it you do again?" she asked, mostly for Lily and James' benefit.

"I work for my father's drill making company, Grunnings. You may have heard of it, Greg, it's quite large actually," Vernon boasted in a booming voice, pleased that he was now able to discuss mundane things that he understood. Trying not to choke on his soup with laughter at the young man's ridiculous self-importance, James distracted himself by glancing surreptitiously at Lily. She was staring resolutely at her bowl of soup, her previous amusement at her sister's reaction to quidditch completely gone as she reminisced on times past. Petunia and I used to be so close,she thought sadly, I don't understand how things went so wrong. And VERNON! What is she thinking? I get that she wants a normal life - unlike her freakish sister - but there's normal and there's BORING! Why is James looking at me?

Slightly embarrassed at getting caught staring at Lily, James returned to his soup hastily, a slight blush creeping up his neck.

Mmm, James' neck, Lily found herself thinking, It really is a lovely smelling neck. I wonder if I just started touching it at the dinner table if people would find that inappropriate?

Lily snapped out of her reverie when she realised her sister staring in horror right at her. No wait, she was looking out the window behind Lily. Turning around, Lily saw the reason for Petunia's alarm - a large tawny owl was pecking at the window to be let inside.

"Lily, dear, is that your owl?" Meredith asked mildly. She was perfectly alright with receiving post at the dinner table - it was all rather exciting using owls, wasn't it?

"Um, no, it's not," Lily replied, looking at James quizzically.

Having been so engrossed in his soup (and avoiding Lily's knowing looks) James hadn't even noticed his owl pecking away at the window.

"Oh, sorry. That's Ringo!" James exclaimed, hurrying out of his seat to let the bird inside. Hooting happily, Ringo circled the room before dropping a letter in James' lap and then, much to her surprise, dropped one in Lily's lap as well before perching itself on the edge of the table near Meredith. Greg chuckled at the bird's antics while Petunia let out a small squeal and promptly threw her arms around Vernon who protected her thin frame with his fat arms, whilst glaring at the bird angrily. Anyone would think that poor Ringo had done them personal harm the way they were acting.

"Really, Petunia, it's just an owl," Meredith said in a weary tone, stroking the bird with the back of her hand. "He's quite gentle, actually." Greg smiled in a way that only a husband can - regarding his wife with a combination of admiration and affection.

"That thing should not be permitted at the dinner table!" Vernon cried quite randomly, "It could be carrying avian influenza! I won't have it near my fiancée!"

"Now, Vernon, it's just an owl," Greg replied, not bothering to hide his annoyance at the man.

"A ruddy owl at the dinner table - it's preposterous!" Vernon cried again, this time beginning to swat at Ringo with his beefy hands.

"Oi! Take it easy, mate - that's my owl," James said, trying to maintain some civility towards Vernon, who James was beginning to dislike more and more by the minute.

"Don't call me 'mate', Sonny Jim," Vernon boomed, sounding absolutely ridiculous, "That ruddy bird is about to peck my fiancée to death!"

The owl in question took this opportunity to snap its beak irritably at the salami-like fingers now dangerously close to its head.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Vernon," Lily said contemptuously, "It's just an owl."

"Why do you always have to ruin things?!" Petunia called out unexpectedly, "It's always like this. We could have had a perfectly lovely dinner but no, you have to talk about owls and, and magic and all your freakish stuff!" She pointed a finger at Lily. "Freak!" she hissed, eyes flashing.

Lily felt the words hit her like a slap in the face.
James felt the wind go out of his lungs. He could not believe that Petunia had just said that about her own sister! He thought about all Lily already had to face at school, what with the Slytherins and their vendetta against muggle-borns. But he had never stopped properly to consider that people in Lily's world wouldn't accept her for who or what she is. Lily had said that Petunia was like this, but in all honesty he hadn't been sure how true it was… 'til now. And with this realisation came a whole new respect for his girlfriend… if that was possible, as he already admired her so much.

"Petunia, apologise!" Greg commanded, no longer able to tolerate his daughter's appalling behaviour. Petunia merely pouted, and folded her arms in a negative. James was starting to get really quite angry now. Nobody insults Lily and gets away with it!

"It doesn't matter, Dad, I'm used to it," Lily said stoically.

"Hold on, you shouldn't have to be used to it," James said vehemently, placing a hand on her arm. Lily felt warm, reassuring tingles all the way to her fingers and suddenly it was good to know she had someone other than her parents on her side.

"No one asked you, Potter!" Vernon snapped, seeing that now was the time to be defending girlfriends.

"I'm sorry, Dursley, but Lily deserves an apology," James said insistently.

"James, you don't have to bother," Lily said, "It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does," he said, giving her arm a small squeeze. The Evanses remained silent, watching this interaction with interest. Mrs Evans knew she should intervene but for once she wanted everyone to work things out on their own.

"Petunia, I think you owe Lily an apology," James said with an air of forced politeness. Mr Evans was impressed - usually no one got away with speaking to Petunia like that - she really was rather spoilt.

"Excuse me?" Petunia said in a deadly voice.

"You owe Lily an apology," James repeated calmly. Petunia eyed the boy, a hint of fear clouding her eyes.

"And what are you going to do if I don't?" she replied rudely. Beside her, her mother gave an angry huff while her father was shaking his head in disappointment.

But she ignored them.

"Oh, I'm sure I could think of something," James said nonchalantly, drawing his wand out of his pocket and idly spinning it between his fingers. Lily looked at James, caught between anger that he was threatening her sister, and amused because she knew he'd never do anything of the sort.

"Don't you threaten my Petunia!" Vernon cried, his face now a delicate shade of puce, "Besides, you can't do magic outside school!" he said triumphantly, "Err, can they?" he added to Petunia who shook her head uncertainly. Then she gained more confidence.

"No, they can't!" she said with much satisfaction.

"Are you going to apologise?" asked James, very agitated now. Petunia shook her head while Vernon spluttered indignantly on behalf of them both.

"Then I have no more to say to you. I'm sorry Meredith, Greg, but I've suddenly lost my appetite," James said politely, before leaving the table and the dining room in surprised silence. It took a minute for Lily to register what James had said, before quietly excusing herself from the table and rushing after him, remembering to take both their letters with her.

"I hope, Petunia, that you will treat Lily better in future," Greg said in that disappointed tone that parents alone know how to pull off, "And remember that if you continue to make her feel unwelcome, you will not be receiving your inheritance upon your marriage to Vernon." This little announcement effectively silenced the bride-to-be, and the rest of the meal was spent in a civilised silence, with Petunia and Vernon retreating to another room as soon as possible.

"James, wait!" Lily called, following him up the stairs. When she reached the landing she saw that her boyfriend had paused to run a hand agitatedly through his messy hair. Realising that Lily had followed him, he broke into an urgent speech.

"Lils, I'm so sorry I went off like that and I know it was rude to your parents to just leave dinner, but I couldn't stand the way she was treating you. And you shouldn't have to put up with stuff like that. It just makes me so angry," he exclaimed, hazel eyes shining with anger.

"James, really, it's fine-"

"No, it isn't! No one should say those things, but especially not your sister. I'm just really sorry that you have to put up with this rubbish!" he said. Lily felt her heart melt. She knew he cared, but to see him so worked up over something she had come to acknowledge as a fact of life was still rather lovely. His devotion to her happiness and well being was touching. She took his hand in hers and looked up into his eyes.

"Thank you for standing up for me back there," she said earnestly. James just shrugged, trying not to scowl at the thought of the pompous whale and the ceaselessly rude horse.

"It really meant a lot to me," Lily insisted, squeezing his hand. James couldn't help but smile slightly, he was glad to have been of some assistance, after all. Seeing this, Lily moved on contentedly.

"So, who are the letters from anyway?"

"Mine's from Sirius. I know that handwriting anywhere," James said.

"That'd be right. Trust Black to cause trouble even when he's not physically here," Lily grinned.

"Sorry, Lily, I'll give him what for when we get back to Hogwarts," James said honestly.

"I was kidding, stupid! I actually thought the whole thing was sort of funny. Well, until Petunia called me a freak… but I'm used to that," she finished sadly. James responded in the only way he knew how - he pulled her into a tight and comforting bear hug. They didn't need to kiss or get all mushy - there was a time and a place for all that. For now, Lily just needed comfort and James provided it without hesitation.

After what seemed like ages, they pulled apart, James confessing that in spite of his dramatic exit from the dinner table, he was still rather hungry. So Lily had Julia bring them up some cheese sandwiches and leftover apple crumble, which they then ate on the floor of Lily's bedroom. They had put on the radio which played all sorts of muggle music (much to James' delight) and were laughing and talking easily together, as if they were back in their common room at Hogwarts.

When the evening was well and truly drawing to a close, they heard a soft knock on Lily's door.

"Miss?" came Julia's voice, "Mister Potter's room is ready now."

"Oh, right," Lily said stupidly, "Well, I guess this is good night, then?"

"Yeah, I suppose so," James said, a stupid grin creeping onto his face for no good reason.

"So, I'll see you in the morning, then," Lily said, moving closer to him.

"Uh huh," James said, gazing down into the gorgeous green depths of his girlfriend's eyes. Of course, they ended up giving one another a very thorough good night kiss, before Julia's knocking interrupted and forced James to come back to his senses.

"Goodnight, Lils. Sweet dreams."

Lily simply smiled as James left the room and at that moment she felt truly lucky to have James looking out for her.

Hey Prongs,

Good to hear from you (even if it was only this morning I had you yelling at me for breaking Rawlins' nose). So how's things in muggle central?

Lily-flower's bed sounds sweet - nice a big… if you get my drift? Ouch! I can feel your red hot angry glare from here! I get it - no more mentioning Evans' bedroom (although you wouldn't have brought up her underwear drawer if you hadn't thought about sneaking a peek. I dare you to have a look - Marauders can't refuse a dare, so really I'm doing you a favour - what are best mates for, ey?).

Anyways, Cat 'accidentally' read your letter over my shoulder (which I wasn't too fussed about considering there's nothing too personal in it - hope you don't mind) but now it's gotten her to thinking about our impending nuptials.

I'm worried.

I mean, I loved her when I proposed to her and, well… I still do love her…

The thing is, I may've been a bit hasty with all this proposal business. I always planned on being a bachelor after Hogwarts. I thought you and me could get a cool 'pad' together in London (if we weren't still living with your Dad, that is) but now…

And I still love Cat - that hasn't changed. She's a pretty awesome bird, really, but I don't know if I'm ready to get married!

And thanks to Lily's bloody sister (and, of course, your absence from Hogwarts) it seems like weddings are all she can talk about. It's all flowers this and cake that. What is it with women and weddings?

So, the thing is, from everything I've hear about the sister from hell and her fluffy pink cheesecake of a wedding - which Anna actually told me about, of all people - I think that this wedding would be the best thing to show Cat. Maybe then she'll be put off an actual wedding, who knows? It's cowardly, I know, but it's seriously the only thing I can think of that might put her off marriage that doesn't result in me hurting her feelings. If you can come up with anything else that would be great but for now it's the only plan I've got. So… do you reckon Lils will mind if we make a guest appearance on Tuesday? I'm sure McGonagall wouldn't miss us. Let me know, mate - I'm desperate.

Write back soon as possible so I can arrange the details with Moony and Wormtail.

Your desperate mate, Padfoot.

Hey Lily,

Hope you're having fun with Potter! Hogwarts is surprisingly boring without you two fighting/snogging/being all awkward and cute around one another. It's just not the same.

Also, Anna is spending less and less time with me (I think 'cause of the Remus thing) so I've been spending pretty much the whole time with Sirius and the other two. Which on the one hand is great because he's my boyfriend, but on the other hand is terrible, because he's my fiancé.

…

It seemed like a great idea at the time - the whole getting hitched thing - but the more and more I think about it, the less certain I am that it's the right thing to do. I mean, I love him and all - don't get me wrong - but I'm young. Far too young to be permanently attached to one person for ever and ever til death do us part. I know what you're going to say, too - If I love Sirius then why would I want to be with anyone else?

Well, the answer is - I don't know if I would ever want to be with anyone else, but if I get married how am I ever going to be sure? I just don't want to do something that I might potentially regret.

But it's not just that. I mean… I wouldn't mind being married to Sirius, I really wouldn't. I love him with all my heart (not to sound sappy, or anything) but I don't know if he's ready to be married.

I don't want him to rush into something he's not ready for. Except maybe he doesn't realise he's not ready and he needs a push in the right direction… But I'm too chicken to break it off - I don't want him to hate me. If he can work out for himself that he doesn't want to get married, then it will be okay, won't it?

But anyway, there is a point to this letter, other than to see how things are going with the wonderful boyfriend meeting the parents and the devil's lovechild (that's your sister, by the way).

I heard from Peter, who overheard Anna telling Sirius, that your sister's wedding is going to be ridiculously over the top and pink and fluffy and, well, yuck. I know you said it was going to be bad but Peter gave me all the details and Lily, really, my heart goes out to you for being made to go. I mean, just 'cause you're a bridesmaid doesn't mean you should be subjected to such…pinkness.

The thing is - about Sirius and I - I don't want to hurt his feelings. I still love him and I don't want him to find out that I don't want to get married just yet. So… I sort of did something. Well, lot's of somethings, that is. I've been constantly mentioning our wedding, trying to put him off. Saying things like I want a ten-tiered cake and seven bridesmaids and whatnot. I know, it sounds terrible! And I feel really, really bad! But, seriously, I just don't have the guts to tell him. And I need your help. I was wondering maybe to help things along (because I really think he's starting to be put off the idea) if we could come to Petunia's wedding? Because, no offence, the wedding sounds truly awful - it's something that would really put him off marrying me. What do you think?

Anyway, it's not the end of the world if we can't come. I'm sure if I keep up the nagging he'll eventually be put off.

I don't want you to think less of me, Lils. I just don't want to cause Sirius any grief, but nor do I have the courage to cancel our engagement myself and tell the truth. I really need your help. Please let me know as soon as possible so that Sirius can organise some sort of distraction for McGonagall. But, again, if you can't I'd understand.

And another thing. I hope you're having a lovely time with James. Just promise me one thing, yeah? Don't get engaged too young - you'll regret it.

But enough about me and my crazy ramblings - I'm sure you have a strapping young quidditch captain to entertain.

Best of luck for your sisters wedding, Lils.

Love, Cat

The following morning Lily and James had piled into the family car (Vernon and Petunia were driving up separately to the Evanses) and made their way towards Surrey, where the wedding was being held. On the days agenda was meeting the extended Dursley family (and, for James, the rest of Lily's family) plus getting ready for the Tuesday wedding.

Mr Evans had allowed James to ride in the front seat with him as he drove, delighting in pointing out how the gear stick and the windscreen wipers worked - for neither of his daughters had really expressed any interest in cars. Mrs Evans and Lily were catching up on some good old fashioned mother-daughter bonding time which, in the months leading up to the wedding and with Lily away at Hogwarts, had been somewhat neglected. They were doing a crossword together to while away the time in the car, whilst catching up on various things. Of course, Lily couldn't talk about the L-word - not with James in the car - so she decided that it was a conversation she would have to wait to have. Keeping this in mind, Lily thought glumly that it would probably be ages before she could discuss it, seeing as Meredith was obviously going to be very busy once they arrived in Surrey. Perhaps there will be time at the reception, she thought hopefully, staring out the window at the passing traffic.

"Greg, what's a seven letter word for 'spicy capsicum sauce'?" Meredith asked, "Second letter is a."

"Tabasco," Greg replied.

"And what was the name of that place that we went last year?"

"We went several places. What's the clue?"

"City in Scotland, fifth letter d,"

"Aberdeen."

"Thanks, darling."

Lily smiled to herself; her parents got on so well. She was lucky to have them, she thought, lucky that they set such a good example of what a couple in love should be. Despite the fact that five minutes later they were arguing heatedly about which road to take, they were still a lovely couple.

Secretly, James was thinking the same thing. In fact, being around the Evanses and around the constant talk of weddings had gotten him to thinking about marriage. Sirius was doubting his commitment to Cat - and James couldn't blame him. Sirius had never really been the settling down type (if there was such a thing). But James couldn't help but think about whether he was ready to be committed to someone like that. He knew he was young - still in school - but he knew that he loved Lily and he knew that he couldn't possibly live his life without her in it. That was when it hit him, riding in the Evanses' comfortable blue Mercedes - he loved Lily for good, and there was no changing that. It also occurred to him that he had yet to admit this to her, even though he now realised it must be pretty obvious. No, he was not thinking of proposing any time soon. After all, they had only been dating for (almost) two months and he was everyday learning new things about the enchanting red head. But he certainly loved her. For the better part of last year he had denied it in an attempt to gain her friendship and her trust - which he had done - and now they were dating James felt that it was probably a good time to tell her the whole truth. Yes, James thought, I'm going to tell Lily Evans that I love her. Shit!

AN - Okay, despite the fact that they were supposed to meet the extended Dursley family in this chapter, I felt James' decision to tell Lily he loves her was a good place to stop. So in the next chapter there will be brief family descriptions, a wedding and... i'm not going to tell you. but it will end with a cliffie, if that says anything. Also I just wanted to say thank you all soooooo much for sticking with this story and for constantly/consistantly reviewing - it just (sighs in happiness) if that makes sense?
Any suggestions you have as to particular family members or anything you would like to see happen at the wedding - i'm open to suggestions so let me know.
I'd also like to apologise for using 'coz' instead of 'cause as a contraction of because - this was pointed out to me in a review as really annoying (thanks for letting me know - 'cause i want my story to be enjoyable to read!) so from now on i'll try to remember to spell it correctly (but i'm too lazy to go back and change the other ones, sorry!)
yes - that is about it. Thanks for reading and until next time (which should be really really soon - i promise, to make up for the short chapter) happy fanficcing :)