James was still asleep when I am woke up especially early a few days later. I tiptoed into Harry's room after I had got dressed up. I washed him and dressed him properly before carrying him downstairs and placing him in his high chair, which I moved into the kitchen. He watched me make breakfast and all the while I talked to him. Remus, Peter and Sirius would be here soon at my urgent request so I was sure to make enough for all.
I magicked up some balloons, soft but loud music and forced Elvendork into a suit when the doorbell rang. Giggling to myself and Harry I opened the door to see two of the three boys standing there grinning goofily. 'So where's old Prongsie?' Sirius asked goofily taking Harry from my arms. 'He's upstairs sleeping; I'll go get him in a bit. First, I thought I'd leave the rest of decorating to you lot' I said hugging them all. 'How are you Lily?' Remus asked politely. 'I'm good. It's been hard, cooped up here... But we're okay so far. How about you?' I asked leading them into the lounge. 'Nah, we're good,' they replied.
'Okay, watch Harry. I'll go get James' I said blowing Harry a kiss before walking out the room. I slowly made my way upstairs and eventually into James' and mine room. James was sprawled across the bed, wearing only his boxers. His hair was messier than usual, his mouth was slightly agape, and one arm was hanging off the bed. Smiling I slithered into the bed myself and stroked his abbs. Merlin, did he have abbs. I mean how did he exercise when locked in here? How did he keep such an amazing body?
He stirred slightly but didn't wake. I started kissing him. First his lips, gently, only teasing. I traced his lips, slowly with my pinkie, then kissed them again, rougher than last time. I twined my hands in his hair tugging slightly and he nearly gave me heart failure when his hands moved up to cup my face. 'Morning' I whispered when he peaked out his eye. 'More wake up calls like this i think. That is, if you're okay with getting up early? What time is it anyway?' he asked yawning slightly and pulling me down onto the bed beside him.
'I got up at six, I think it's seven now' I whispered back. 'Oh wow, do you think you could handle being up this early Lil's? You're not going through some serious illness are you?' he teased and I shoved him lightly. 'Get washed and dressed, I want to eat' I mumbled. 'Why?' he groaned kissing my nose. 'It's your birthday. Happy Birthday, by the way, and your present is waiting downstairs. Two of them in fact. One from me and about three other people. Be quick,' I kissed his cheek before sliding off the bed and making my way downstairs.
Peter had arrived at last. He was losing weight, I couldn't help but notice, and his hair was getting thinner really fast. But I brushed it aside and served out dishes of food. I grabbed Harry's high chair and placed him between mine and his father's seats. We sat waiting patiently until finally James' footsteps were heard on the stairs. 'On three,' I whispered. 'One,' grinned Sirius. 'Two,' smiled Remus as James could be heard checking the lounge. 'Three' I said as James feet reached the door of the room we were in. 'Happy Birthday!' We yelled as James stumbled into the room.
'What-? Padfoot! Moony! Wormtail!' James yelled running up and hugging his friends. 'Prongs' they all cheered hugging him back excitedly. I watched enviously. James' friends weren't dead or in hiding, he could count on them to be around whenever. His time wasn't as limited as mine was. Of course I could call them my friends, but that was in, friends, not lifetime besties. Just friends. I was grateful, but I was also jealous.
'Told you it was a good gift' I smirked as James kissed me and Harry. 'I love you,' he smiled and I laughed pushing him down into his seat. 'Here we go,' I said waving my wand and food dished up to everyone's plate. 'Cheer's flower' Sirius winked before digging in. I watched them happily, before eating my own food.
'Thank you for all coming to this house, on this day all for me. I can't put into words how much it means, not only to me but my family. Cheers mates' James said making his birthday toast. 'Oh yes. That will be a speech to go down in history,' I smirked kissing him over Harry's head. 'Oh please! I just ate' Sirius exclaimed and I threw half a sausage at him laughing.
'Present time!' Remus grinned at James who immediately perked up like a dog. 'Okay, in the lounge' I said picking up Harry and carrying him as I followed the men into the tiny sitting room. It must have been a while since I last looked at them all properly, I decided as I took in each of their faces while James opened his presents. Remus was easily much older than he was a year ago, much shabbier too. Sirius, well he hadn't changed much except the bags under his eyes and his hair longer than usual. Then Pete. He did as I said early, looks as though he lost some weight, and looked as though he also had been losing sleep. I hoped dearly it wasn't over me, James or Harry.
'Thank you Lil's' James said holding up his present. It was only something small, just a figurine of a stag and a doe that you could enchant to move around and watch as they played together. They were made of glass. 'Welcome. Do you guys want drinks? I'm in the mood for a butterbeer' I said standing up and placing Harry next to his father. 'Yeah alright' they all said and I smiled before leaving the room.
In the kitchen I took my time opening each bottle and pouring them into glasses. I wanted James to have time with his friends, alone with them for a bit with Harry. I listened to their laughter and jokes whilst happily humming to myself. I sat in the kitchen for a while just watching the butterbeer in the glasses. Silently someone walked up to me and I turned in shock to see who it was. 'Remus, what are you doing? I'm just coming now' I smiled rushing to gather the glasses.
'I just came to check on you' he smiled grabbing some glasses himself. 'Oh well… I'm fine. I was just thinking, leaving you guys alone for a bit. I know you haven't seen each other in ages' I said smiling sadly. 'Lily, you're a part of our group as well. They're wondering where we are, c'mon. And Lily, just forget about "not belonging" okay?' he smiled nervously before helping me take everything into the other room where everyone was waiting happily.
'Thanks Lil's' James said kissing my cheek as I handed him his drink. 'You're welcome James, Happy birthday' I said kissing him back and gathering Harry in my arms. He was still small and snugly and I couldn't help but notice how he fit perfectly in my arms. I snuggled into him as his father continued to open his presents slowly. I laughed, I smiled, and I cheered along with all the others.
'So how do you want to spend the rest of the day?' Sirius asked glancing at me and in a click I understood. 'No Sirius,' I warned. 'We are not sneaking out; none of us are leaving the house until absolutely necessary. Dumbledore owl's to me about what is going on. I know he's getting stronger and I am not letting James or Harry or I leave this house until he is dead' I said and he grumbled.' I agree with Lily' Remus spoke up and I flashed him a quick appreciative smile before turning sternly back to the other three. Eventually they gave up, one by one.
'How about lunch in the garden? I could use with some fresh air' I said standing up and handing Harry to Peter. He looked confused for a moment but quickly adapted to holding a baby. James smiled wearily at me but nodded.' Yeah, fresh air sounds perfect Flower' he sighed and followed me to the kitchen. 'But Petal! We would only be out for a mere moment and then right back! I swear Marauders honour even!' Sirius complained but James thumped him in the stomach. 'James don't do that. Sirius we are not going outside get used to it, Pete you're holding Harry wrong Remus can you help him?' I asked busying myself with preparing food. James talked with Sirius as Remus helped Pete. I kept my eye on all of them.
'We won't go Lily. I swear, I won't let them drag me off' James said kissing my forehead and I gave him a sorry smile. It was true what I said. About the owl Dumbledore sent me, about Lord Poop-In-His-Pants getting stronger every bloody day. I can't believe Sirius hasn't caught him at wand point and started a bunch of fireworks for killing him yet. It's either Pooped-Pants really was getting stronger or the Marauders were losing their touch. The horror I know.
I looked down confused because I kept standing on something. I found strips of black material under my foot. Seems like Elvendork found a way to get his suit off, not that that surprised me. I waved my wand, banishing the shreds and got back to preparing food. Remus came to help at some point but I shooed him back outside where I could hear them playing a game in the faint sunlight. I smiled and turned some music on, James' first album of the 'Weird Sisters.' I turned it up really loud and could hear their cheers from outside. Chuckling happily I grabbed the food platters and carried them outside and placed them on the tiny table. They continued their game so I watched for a bit until Sirius hit me with a jet of water. 'OI!' I screamed jumping up and getting him back, but curse that dog he dodged.
We screamed, dodged, slipped over, shot back our own streams of water and cursed loudly as we continued this foolish water fight. Finally we called a truce and began eating and drinking the foods and drinks I set out minutes ago. Thankfully, somehow it was still fresh. I didn't bother to think too long about it, as I knew we had been playing far too long and I was way to hungry and thirsty to do much thinking anyway.
'Where is Harry?' I asked realising suddenly that my baby was missing. I heard his scream of laughter and stared accusingly at Sirius whom jumped up and waved his wand. Harry zoomed into his arms and I scowled at him when he refused to tell me anything other than 'he was in a safe place while we played'. Of course, being Sirius safe could be anything from, sitting on a seat to hiding at the bottom of a gutter as safe.
We played more games, including truth or dare, tag, pillow fight, teaching Harry words, trying to teach Harry to walk, and just all round good natured gossiping. Yes, some of it is extremely childish, but, when you are as limited as we are to resources we could use for games. Well, if you are ever in that situation maybe then you will understand. So the day was a blast and James and I stayed up all night playing a game of our own.
AC- Thanks for the reviews. Sorry to update late again. We are coming ever closer to the last chapter, roughly 2 more to go. I will update them on the same day so don't blame me if it takes a while. Thank you all so much for the reviews and encouragement. It means a lot and I love it. Thank you, you've been great readers SS x
