Disclaim.

I am absolutely ecstatic about working on this story. I've gone through and edited the WHOLE thing, just to help it flow and make more sense. I can't beleive how I'm still proud of the writing in this after 2 years.

Chapter 36: Profound

During the days of Mrs. Potter's sickness Lily learned something essential.

Mrs. Potter had been in bed for two days when Mr. Potter came home from work early, in the midst of the war, to stay with her. They didn't speak at all; Mr. potter just sat slowly on the chair beside her, and looked at her. This was no behaviour Lily had witnessed in any relationship. Remus and herself, as well as her parents, had always passed a kiss in greeting, or held hands during quiet moments. Her gaze and Remus' were always openly longing and loving.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter made no gestures, they just looked at each other in unspoken unpublicized communication, and yet Lily felt a need to leave the room as if she were seeing something very personal. She didn't sit outside the room for very long before James came to join her.

Lily felt an odd brewing of emotions. She felt elated at having just witnessed true love, and tragic for watching it under such strain. Her throat constrained with tears of happiness and hurt, but she just stared beyond the wall before her. The familiar ache of love for the Potters as her family was there. The hole where Remus used to be came into focus but seemed dull in comparison to the love between the Potters.

Then something surprising came into focus the quiet, calm presence of James. So comfortable and wonderful, he had gone from enemy to family; and now lily could feel the painful connection she had developed to him. Her existence revolved around his. Sitting in the hallway at this insignificant moment she felt profoundly grateful for James Potter.

He looked to see why she was suddenly staring at him, and was not surprised when she started tearing up though she didn't look sad.

His gaze moved her to speak her thoughts, "Have you ever felt like you were in the presence of true love?"

"She's Gone." The healer said softly.

Lily's heart fell with a dead thump into her stomach, grief rolled painfully through her veins. It hurt too much to cry but the tears came anyway, doubling her over with sobs. James cried unashamedly. The minister's stoic face was devastatingly fractured, visibly struggling against a sob. The healer took Mrs. Potter from the room. Mr potter followed stiffly. Lily pulled James into a hug and didn't let him go for several days.

Mrs. Potter's funeral was small and private. The war had been making it difficult for anything in their family. It was dangerous for Mr. Potter to travel home from work because the floo system was corrupted. The funeral was the last place James had seen his father in weeks, or his bodyguard. After the funeral, Frank, Mr. Potter's new Bodyguard had given James his condolences.

And a note.

It read simply and vaguely in it's round hand:

You are courageous James. You are also in danger. You can help. Send a word by owl.

-Dumbledore.

"Send a word?" Sirius questioned the authenticity f the letter, "I think Dumbledore knows his grammar better than that."

"I think he means simply write yes or no." James snapped.

No one believed it at first. It must be a hoax, or a trap. But, they were hurt and they needed to take action. James especially was growing restless with worry, grief, and fear.

"I need to do this!" He shouted to Lily, "Look at what's going on around us and tell me that we shouldn't do anything about it!"

"It's dangerous," her voice broke, "we're still in school."

"We're of age!"

"Hardly."

"Lily," he kneeled in front of her stealing away both of her hands in one of his, "Lily. I can not just let this go on. We are in danger weather or not we help the rest of the world. I am joining."

Lily stared stubbornly at him for a long time willing him to change his mind. She began feeling selfish and sorry under his subservient gaze. "I can't let you go by yourself."

He kissed her hands.

"Old Married couple," Sirius muttered.

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