Chapter 38: Happiness After the Aftermath

Lily moved quickly around St. Mungo's, helping the people who had been injured in the aftermath of the battle. Luckily there wasn't too many injuries-or at least, they weren't too serious. It seemed that everyone had gotten out before anything major started to happen. It was a good thing too; the Order had been able to get in and do their job without worrying about pedestrians getting in the way. Even though she was a trainee, Lily was still called in to help; it was for experience, that was what Mrs. McCarthy had said.

After gaining permission from Mrs. McCarthy, Lily walked out to the lobby where James was waiting for her.

"Hey," he mumbled, looking tired.

"You didn't have to wait for me," Lily told him. It had been a long day and was probably around nine.

"I know, but what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't?" James asked, as his arms sneaked around her waist, pulling her close to him.

Lily smiled up at him. "I missed you, you know. I was so stupid before-"

"Hey, no more about that alright," James whispered, pressing a finger to her lips. "It doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that you're safe and we're together. Let's get home alright?"

Lily merely nodded.

Lily wasn't in a good mood. They had seen three houses already and the perky lady who was showing them to her and James was starting to get on her nerves. Honestly , didn't she get that they wanted a simple house and that was it? No extravagant mansions, just a normal family home. James seemed to be enjoying himself for a reason Lily couldn't fathom. He smiled and laughed and Lily was starting to find him rather annoying also.

"Alright the next house is a lovely two story just outside a muggle neighborhood," the lady smiled and Apparated them.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked as they approached the house. It was a nice country home. Much better than the mansions they had seen before. There were some flowers planted in the front yard, though Lily didn't know what they were. It seemed ok, although she would have to wait to see the inside before she made a decisions on it.

"This is the den, it's never been lived in, but that would be perfect for you wouldn't it?" Lily made a face as soon as the woman turned her back, which caused James to fight back his laughter. The house didn't look too bad. There was a couch and two chairs in the den. A table sat in each corner of the room. An atrocious green wallpaper was plastered everywhere; Lily knew this wasn't the house. It was just a feeling, just like her mother said that she would know when she got married what dress she would pick.

"No, this isn't it," Lily answered the sales ladies question before James could protest. The lady looked ruffled, but put an annoyingly bright smile on her face and continued on.

"The next house is in Godric's Hollow," the lady told them. "It is a half wizard, half muggle community if you don't mind that."

"That's sounds lovely," James sighed.

They Apparated again. This time, they came to a beautiful stone house with a stone wall surrounding it. It was a two story house that had an old cottage feel about it. As they walked through the front door, they came to the den. It had a couch that sat facing the window so you could see everything that was going on in the front yard. There was a small table that sat on the right side of it with a lamp on it. Lily tuned the sales lady out as they went through the house. It was perfect in Lily's opinion. The three bedroom two bathroom house was the one, she just had to check with James.

"So what do you think?" the sales lady asked gleefully.

"Can I have a moment with James?" Lily asked politely.

"Of course, take your time, I'll be outside."

Lily turned to James as soon as she was gone. "What do you think?"

"I like it," James told her looking it over again. "I like it a lot. What about you?"

"It's really nice," Lily smiled. "I think it could be the one."

"So you want it?" James asked pulling her to him.

"Yeah, I think it would be perfect," Lily laid her head on James' chest. "It feels like a home."

"Hmmm."

Dorcas sighed as she turned over in the bed and snuggled closer to the chest that seemed to provide eternal warmth. A chuckle came from above her.

"Are you going to sleep all day?"

Dorcas sighed sitting up. "I suppose not. I wish I could though. Escape the world."

Remus smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest while they sat in comfortable silence. Last night they had come back to her flat and talked everything out. Dorcas remember it clearly.

Dorcas unlocked the door. It had been a few hours since the attack on Diagon Alley. They had stayed behind looking for anyone who might be hurt. After two hours of searching, they finally finished and were bone tired and ready to go home. Dorcas had invited Remus over saying that they needed to talk. Remus had agreed and here they were.

"Do you wanna start or do you want me to?" Dorcas asked as soon as they walked inside.

The sandy haired boy rubbed his neck and smiled sheepishly at her. "Do you mind if I go first?"

Dorcas smiled. "Go ahead."

"I'm really sorry for what I said and what I did," Remus started. "I was being an arse. I had no right to say those things to you. I just didn't know what I was doing otherwise it would have been much different, trust me. I was worried about James and Sirius. I've been trying to get this speech together in my head for weeks, but nothing seems to come out right. I didn't mean to hurt you. If you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I would be really grateful."

"Remus, I wasn't exactly being the most reasonable person in the world either," Dorcas smiled sadly. "I could have searched you out and talked to you about it, but I choose not to. I could have been the bigger person, but I wasn't. I knew deep down that you were upset about James and Sirius and I took advantage of that without thinking. I was being selfish and stupid. I could never stay mad at you so. . .you're forgiven."

Remus smiled brightly at her. "So we're good then?"

"Definitely."

Dorcas smiled at the thought. Remus had stayed with her the rest of the night. They talked when they weren't asleep. She was happy things were back to normal between them. It was safe to say, she probably wouldn't have lasted much longer if she hadn't talked to him. He was always there for her even in her Hogwarts years. Looking back, that's probably what attracted her to him. That sweet sense of security she felt around him.

"What are you thinking about?" Remus whispered into her hair.

"You," Dorcas answered looking up at him, "and how amazing you are."

Remus snorted.

"You are amazing, Remus Lupin, and don't you doubt that for a minute," Dorcas scolded him.

"Right," Remus replied rolling his eyes.

"Remus-"

"Shh," Remus muttered as he started to kiss down her throat. Dorcas bit her lip and smiled.

"You're doing that on purpose," she breathed out.

"What?" he asked smirking at her before returning to her neck.

Yes, she and Remus were going to be just fine.

A/N: Hey guys! So this chapter was really hard for me to write, otherwise it would have been up sooner. So did you like it? Tell me what you think!