CHAPTER 19:

I Knew You Were Trouble

Lily fell asleep on the sofa in the middle of a movie marathon, refusing to go to bed when James wasn't around to make her feel cozy enough to sleep. At some point in the night, Alice or Frank had covered her with a soft blanket. When Lily woke up to morning light streaming through the window the blanket fell to the floor and Lily felt a rush of emotion for her two other bodyguards who truly cared for her. Lily stretched, feeling stiff from sofa surfing all night.

She had a message from James.

James Potter: good morning beautiful, text me when you have a chance to wake up

Lily typed her reply quickly: I'm up and missing you

She stood up from the sofa slowly, stuffing her phone into her bra strap as she made her way to the kitchen. She got down a pan and started making eggs just like James made them. She just wanted him back, but he was in London because Fletcher had ruined everything all for a few extra dollars. It didn't seem fair that James wasn't around when it wasn't his fault because the media got ahold of the photograph of them at Petunia's wedding. Lily felt like they were being punished for being in love.

Lily was thankful Moody had agreed to send James back but waiting for James was like waiting for a pot to boil. Knowing Peter didn't approve of James broke her heart. Peter had always encouraged her and trusted her to make good choices but suddenly, she makes the best choice of all and Peter was acting like she wanted to go live with penguins in Antarctica. Everyone loved James and wanted them to be together, or at least it seemed that way until Peter admitted he didn't want Lily with James in any shape or form. Lily sighed and leaned against the countertop, only pausing in her inner monologue to wave at Alice when she passed by checking cameras on the tablet.

On top of everything, Piper press had started so Lily had to go to an interview that night with Jimmy Kimmel. Although she'd been a guest on the show before, Lily didn't fancy starting the press tour after her privacy had been breached so horrifically. Lily's private life had just been broadcasted for the whole world to see. Lily was certain she wouldn't escape questions about it or James.

The thought of James, the topic of conversation where billions of people could tune in, was terrifying. For the last seven months, their relationship had been the one private thing in Lily's life that she could control. Now, she felt like she'd have to share James and her relationship with the viewers just because it was expected of her.

What if James didn't like the spotlight?

What if James left her because of it all?

As Lily sprinkled cheese on top of the eggs she was struck with a sudden sense of overwhelming panic. Her fingers shook and she gritted her teeth to try and keep control of her emotions. There was no use crying about it all. Still, she had to really work hard not to let a few tears slip from her eyes as she sat down at the old kitchen table to eat her breakfast.

Instead of wallowing in the future, where it was dangerous to stay too long, Lily got on workout clothes. She tugged her hair up into a messy bun and tied on her running shoes. Once in the gym, Lily imagined that James was there with her, teasing her over the rim of the treadmill. Funnily enough, James called while Lily was working out. She was already out of breath when she answered the phone and he instantly grew concerned.

"Are you okay?"

"I just ran a half mile." she fell to the gym floor and curled her knees to her chest, "so naturally I've gone into an asthmatic state."

"I'm going to repeat this again," he jested now, "are you okay?"

No. "Just stressed."

"You must be stressed." He said flippantly, "if you're willingly working out alone."

Lily gave half a laugh, "yeah but I miss my workout buddy."

"I miss you too, Red."

There was honking on his side of the phone. It also sounded like it was raining, which was totally possible since he was in England. Lily wished she was there with him, or that James was in the room with her now. She wasn't picky.

"When can you leave London?" She asked next, "are you on your way to the airport now?"

"Almost." James promised, "I'm just leaving the office and Moody booked me on the 4 O'clock flight."

"Four in the afternoon?" Lily leaned against the treadmill, "so I won't see you until after my Jimmy Fallon thing tonight?"

"Yeah," he sounded as disheartened as her.

"James?"

"Hm?"

"What do you want me to say if they ask about you."

He was quiet for a moment and then he said, "whatever you feel most comfortable with, love."

Lily's lower lip wobbled, "I'd feel most comfortable if we weren't the top trending topic on twitter."

"I know." He sighed before saying, "Alice texted saying she was going with you tonight."

Lily picked at a bit of fuzz on her leggings. James was breathing a bit harder, insinuating that he'd started walking faster. She closed her eyes, imagining his face. She missed everything about him, from his kind hazel eyes to his messy black curls.

"I miss you so much." She reiterated into her phone.

"I miss you too, Red." He waited a moment and then asked, "have you talked to Pettigrew?"

"No," she couldn't help sounding bitter, "I don't know what to say to him."

"Maybe start with 'why'd you have to be such a massive git' and the rest will fall into place?" He suggested scathingly.

That made her smile again, "I dunno James, this is just so unlike him. Peter's always protected my privacy like it was his own. For him to do this I just—I feel betrayed."

"And you have every right to feel that way, love." James urged, "I'd fire him, if I were you."

Lily placed her chin on her knees, "I never imagined it'd end up like this."

James grumbled on his side of the phone, "he's damn well lucky I wasn't there last night."

Lily can only imagine how the altercation with Peter and Fletcher would've gone if James was there. Lily was suddenly grateful she wasn't washing blood out of her expensive hardwood floors downstairs. James probably would've murdered them both. Then, dug them both up to murder them a second time. Lily couldn't say she would've blamed James, but she didn't want her boyfriend to be identified as a murderer either.

Rita Skeeter would just love that.

"How can I trust Peter after this?" Lily voiced her concerns to James as she tapped her foot against the ground, "but at the same time…Peter's the only one I ever trusted…and I think that's why I'm so gutted about it. I mean Peter was there from the very first day. He protected me. He guided me. He even got me out of my contract under Riddle's company the minute I voiced my concerns for my safety. Why the sudden change?"

"I know it's hard," James said, "but I don't think you should avoid talking to Pettigrew. You need to be clear that what he did, paying Fletcher off, you need to tell him that he hurt you. He needs to know he crossed a line, Lily, or he might keep crossing lines."

Lily chewed her bottom lip attentively. James was right, she had to talk to Peter. Even though she was furious at Peter, he was still her manager and she had to set rules. She had to have boundaries and Peter had to respect them.

"Lily?" James inquired when she didn't reply.

"You're right," she wiggled her toes absentmindedly, "I'll call Peter once we hang up."

"Call me if you need me." He said, "and if I don't answer, don't worry because Sirius is two minutes away from your flat with hot tea and scones from your favorite bakery downtown."

Lily sat up, her legs flailing animatedly, "wait, what?"

James chuckled at her excitement, "I texted Sirius last night that his best friend needed him, and he just texted me to tell me that he's almost to your flat."

Lily felt a real smile break her stony features, "you're my hero, James Potter."

"Technically Sirius will be the hero in this chapter," he teased, "but I'm on my way."

"It's never too late for you and your white horse to come around." She hummed the lyrics to her song playfully.

He chuckled warmly on the other end, "next chapter."

"All of me for all of you." She whispered into the receiver.

Lily was thrown back into the calming atmosphere of the snowy forest, right before they'd finally broken down the last wall between them. She could remember every detail, down to the way James looked at her with his misty hazel eyes.

"All of me, for all of you," James repeated lovingly.

Lily's heart ached for him, "Bye babe, I love you."

"Go call Peter, I love you more." James told her.

Lily ended the call with James and dialed Peter's number. Her foot tapped excessively against her calf as she waited for Peter to pick up. When he finally did, he sounded guarded. The distrustful energy between them was new and unexplored so Lily treaded lightly.

"Hello, Lily."

"Peter," Lily used her best business tone, "I wanted to talk to you before Piper press started tonight."

"Talk about what?" Peter already sounded exasperated, "I told you—"

Lily took a deep breath, "what you did, paying Fletcher to prove James and I were together, that was awful. Peter do you have any idea how betrayed I feel?"

Peter said, "I just wanted him to confirm you two were together, so that I had a head start on the eventual press drama. I didn't expect Fletcher to send me a photo or the intern to sell it when she got angry over being fired. I'm sorry this happened Lily, truly I am. I've always been your biggest fan, you know that."

Lily wiped a tear from her eye, "you are my friend first and manager second, Peter, so I always respect your opinions and I know you say that you had my best interest at heart when you asked Fletcher to spy on me but if you want me to have any future with your label you have to promise me no more tricks."

"It wasn't a trick—"

"And you have to stop telling me who I can and cannot love. Not even a snide remark about James. Not one, Peter or I'll walk."

Peter's end was quiet for a moment and then he said, "I wish you and James all the happiness in the world."

She took that and ran with it, "Peter I also want to be clear; I still want to sing live on my terms. No one else. Manchester hurt me a lot, Peter. I need time. All I'm asking for is time."

Peter ruffled some papers before saying awkwardly, "if you record an album, you have to go on tour."

Lily pushed her fingers through her hair, "Peter."

He heard the conflict in her tone, "okay, we'll talk tour and album after Piper."

"After Piper." Lily agreed, "are you going to be at Jimmy Kimmel tonight?"

"Ah, no." He said, "I've got to be in Miami for a meeting, I'll be back in a few days."

"Okay," she conceded, "see you in a few days, Peter."

"Bye Lily."

Four flights of stairs down, Lily heard the buzzing from the front door. There was only one person who'd bring ringing her doorbell so early in the morning. Lily scrambled to her feet animatedly. She stuffed her phone in her pocket and started bounding down the stairs two at a time. She made it to the main floor landing just as Frank let Sirius through the front door.

Sirius was wearing white wash jeans and a black peacoat. The most striking part of his outfit was a purple scarf hanging from his pale neck. Three braids on the side of his head dangled near his ear as he balanced a paper bag and a cup of tea. When he spotted Lily, he threw his arms open and she fell into his clutch.

When Lily pulled back, she was smiling wide at him, "I missed you!"

"I got on the first flight to JFK." Sirius' grey eyes traced her face, "James told me Peter's intern leaked those photos. Are you going to be ok?"

Lily's hugged him again, "I'm just happy you're here, honestly."

"Let's go upstairs," Sirius sensed her hesitant pause, "I brought lavender scones and your favorite tea, compliments of your handsome bodyguard boyfriend."

Lily and Sirius settled onto the sofa in the larger sitting room. The pool, a feature Sirius regularly teased her about, was sparkling from morning light streaming from the window. Lily gobbled down a scone before Sirius prompted her for more information. He nudged Lily's ankle with his foot, and she looked up from her second scone, tilting her head at him.

"So, who took the pictures of you and James at Petunia's wedding?" He asked.

Lily crossed her leg and bounced her foot anxiously, "it was one of my guards, he's gone now, Peter paid him to get proof James and I were together."

"Wait," Sirius narrowed his grey eyes, "Peter paid one of your guards for proof? Why the bloody Hell did Peter even care?"

Lily threw her head back against the cushions and dropped her second scone back into its packaging, "he said it was to protect me."

"Bullshit!" Sirius barked brashly and she winced, "protect you from what?"

"Making a mistake." Lily quoted with her fingers sarcastically.

"James is a hell of a lot better of an option than fucking Steven Pompous-Ass Roosevelt."

Lily felt herself get worked up just by Sirius' outrage, "I know! But Peter says I need to date someone famous and that'll keep me on the fucking A-List!"

Sirius' face turned red and he rolled his eyes to the back of his head, "Is he mad? Lily, that's absurd!"

"I think he's worried about album sales after the year from Hell."

"You won't sell more records because of who you're dating, you'll sell more records because you're an amazing songwriter!" Sirius cried, "Peter's gone barking mad!"

Lily fluffed her fringe irritably, "James thinks I shouldn't let him be my manager anymore."

Sirius crossed his arms, looking anxious, "does that mean you won't resign to Peter's label?"

Lily exhaled, "I don't know."

"I can call a few buddies over at Atlantic records." Sirius offered, "get you some more options?"

Lily picked scone crumbs off her sweater, "the thing is, I really don't want to just leave the label or Peter last minute after I just said in a Radio One interview that I was resigning with Marauders Records."

"Lily," Sirius said earnestly, "you don't owe them anything."

"It's not about that, Sirius. It's about loyalty. Peter got me out of my record deal with Riddle and Sing It! and he's been with me since day one." She explained her conflict, "until this week, he's stood by me one hundred percent."

"So, you don't agree with James?"

"Yes and no." She wrinkled her nose, "Peter didn't sell the photo, his intern did, so I have to believe he was just trying to protect me, even if it was a very invasive and stupid way of showing his concern."

"Very stupid," Sirius agreed, kicking his feet up on her coffee table, "so what are you going to do now?"

Lily shrugged, "I called Peter and told him he can't ever do anything like that again."

Sirius eyed her, "That sounded like you were talking to a brick wall."

"It wasn't very fun." Lily chewed on her lip, "He's not receptive to me not touring when the new album comes out."

Sirius shook his head, "I think we've lost him, Lil, the Peter we knew wouldn't have ever brushed you off."

Lily pressed her fingers to her forehead. Sirius patted her shoulder sympathetically.

"What do I do?" Lily whispered tragically into her hands, "I'm going to have to walk away from Marauders Records if he doesn't stop pushing tour and a new album and a better boyfriend and ugh…I'm so tired of it already!"

"Well if you're walking," Sirius rubbed her back, "I'm not going to stay on as a producer. No way in Hell."

"No, Sirius," Lily said, looking up from her hands, "Don't quit on my behalf."

"I'm not going to work for someone who's being a dick to my best friend." Sirius said, wrapping his arms around her, "and I'm not producing number one hits for a dick either."

Lily snuggled into his hold, "Peter's going to be manic if we both walk."

"He dug his own grave the moment he broke your trust." Sirius said, "so he'd better wake up from whatever dream world he's in or he will lose both of us."

Lily and Sirius spent the rest of the morning watching their favorite shows. Lily ordered Chinese for lunch and they played a board game over orange chicken. Sirius told Lily about happenings in Los Angeles and Lily updated him on her family back home. The afternoon was almost perfect, had it not been for one key ingredient missing. Lily just wanted James back and she couldn't resist checking his flight information every other hour.

Finally, at half past five, Lily started getting ready for Jimmy Kimmel. She wore a pretty wrap dress the same burnt colors as the autumn leaves upstate. Sirius did her make-up, choosing to do dramatic dark eyes to match the dark undertones of her dress. While Lily did her hair, Sirius played with Juniper on the floor of the master bedroom.

News had gotten out that Lily was back in New York so naturally, fans and paps were waiting when she exited the apartment in her striking outfit. The screams were deafening, and Lily was thankful once she was in the car that she had bodyguards. Alice sat in the front seat with the driver. Sirius sat beside Lily in the back, fixing his own eyeliner. Both Sirius and Alice flanked her as she walked into the building, blocking Lily's face from paparazzi cameras.

Lily was even jittery as she filmed with Jimmy Kimmel. He was a fun host, always playing games with his guests. Lily got lucky and her co-guests happened to be the Irwin family. As such, she spent most of the three hours in her dressing room and on stage, playing with adorable animals from the Australia Zoo.

The young wildlife professional, Robert, was an energetic teenager. She liked him the moment she met him, and they bonded over a love for cats. In the middle of her interview with Kimmel, someone from the zoo plopped a cheetah cub in Lily's lap. Lily's mouth dropped open and she felt a sense of wonder rise in her chest as she pulled the cub farther up her lap.

"Oh my god," Lily cooed, "Who is this?"

Robert leaned over from his seat, offering the cub a milk bottle, "this is Kasi, she got abandoned by mum so she's being hand raised."

"Well that just won't do," Lily hummed at the cheetah cub who was playing with the tassels of Lily's decorative belt, "I'm your mum now."

The cub rolled over in her lap and Lily found herself smiling for real as she tickled the cub. It was the easiest interview she'd ever had to do, mostly because Robert did most of the talking. Lily played with Kasi, using her belt as a toy. Most of the focus, thankfully was on the cub. Even the audience was eating the baby cheetah camera shots up.

"I have a cat at home," Lily told Robert and Kimmel, "Juniper's going to be so jealous when she smells that I've cheated on her with another cat."

"Your house cat might be scared of a cheetah." Kimmel said, leaning over to watch Kasi play in Lily's lap, "even a cub."

Lily shook her head, "you'd think, but Juniper's about the size of a small dog."

"Your house cat is bigger than a cheetah cub?" Robert Irwin doubted.

Lily looked up from the cub, grinning sheepishly, "I tried to put June on a diet once and she ate my favorite pillowcases in retaliation."

"And you're quite certain you own a cat?" Jimmy laughed, tossing his head back, "not a mini pony?"

"Quite." Lily said, as she adjusted the cat currently in her arms, "although, James thinks Juniper might be part wolverine."

Lily almost didn't realize she'd mentioned James so casually, until she saw Jimmy's eyebrows fly up into his hairline. Clearly, someone had prewarned him not to talk about James Potter. Lily cursed herself for being too relaxed. She blamed the cheetah cub in her hands. Kimmel took Lily's slip up as a sign that he could talk more.

"James," he eased into the topic, "your new boyfriend, right?"

Lily blinked like a deer caught in the headlights, "yeah, that's him."

Jimmy waggled his eyebrows, "you two caused quite a stir in the news this week."

"I don't know why," she said nonchalantly, despite the flush on her neck, "it's like no one's ever seen two people in love kiss before."

"In love?" Kimmel asked, shocked.

"Yes." Lily said softly, "he's—he's—he is the best."

"Indeed," Jimmy said knowingly, before transitioning, "now, tell us about that new Princess movie coming out that my daughter is so excited for."

And just like that, life moved on. Everything lived a short life in Hollywood, especially relationships. Perhaps that's why Lily wanted to keep James out of it. They didn't deserve the sharp knife of Hollywood slicing them apart, not after how hard they worked to make it work between them.

Jimmy showed a preview for Piper, before the show moved on to a game. Lily stood out from the game, letting Robert and Jimmy play against each other. She stayed on her chair, petting the cheetah cub. A woman in khaki's and a zoo vest appeared, holding her hands out for the cub. Lily reluctantly handed the cub over, waving goodbye sadly when the woman took it back behind the scenes.

Once the show was over, Lily took her time in the production rooms and dressing rooms. Anytime someone stopped her to talk she listened and provided a few words per person. Peter had always taught Lily to treat her reputation as the most fragile part of her career. He always said that in one meeting, a person could decide if they liked you or hated you. Lily tried really hard to make everyone like her.

By the time she'd gotten back to her own dressing room, it was almost one in the morning. Lily was in the hallway outside the dressing rooms, talking to Bindi Irwin about her recent engagement to a wakeboarder, when she spotted the one person she truly wanted to talk too. He was walking down the hall beside Sirius, one arm tossed over Sirius' shoulders. His trademark jet black hair was hard to miss, especially when one of his hands ruffled it quickly as he laughed at something that Sirius had said.

"James!"

Lily didn't remember saying goodbye to Bindi. All she recalled was flying past the crew, all of them watching in surprise as she bounded down the hall. James spotted her coming and his grin grew even wider as he let go of Sirius. Sirius leaned against the closest wall as James opened his arms and Lily melted into his hold. She took in a deep breath once she was enveloped in him, smelling his familiar soapy smell.

"You're back!" she wiggled in his hold like a giddy child, "your home!"

James leaned down to kiss the top of her head, "I missed you too, Red."

She tilted her head back so she could grin up at him, "I'm almost ready to go, I'm just waiting for the car."

James nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Sirius said you talked with Peter?"

Lily sent him an exasperated look, "yes, but it wasn't very productive."

James' lips pursed, "of course it wasn't."

She let her arms unwrap from his waist, but she didn't let go completely. She let her fingers wrap into his hand, keeping him attached to her person in any way possible. James lifted her hand to his mouth, and he kissed her wrist as she bid goodbye to the Irwin's. He squeezed his fingers against hers when they walked out on to the New York streets and camera flashes went off in every direction.

The craziest part was that instead of just screaming her name, the paparazzi had taken to calling James to look at their cameras as well. Alice shoved the both of them into the back of the car and huffed quite loudly when he followed, close behind. Sirius was laughing as he climbed in, flipping off the cameras.

Alice glared at James as the door shut, "they're treating you like a celebrity now."

"They'll get over it." James said, "two more weeks and the world won't give two shits about Lily Evans' bodyguard turned boyfriend."

Lily only hoped James was right.

Once back at the apartment, everyone settled around the television in the main room. Sirius put on The Avengers and James made homemade popcorn. Lily stayed warm in James' arms as they watched the movie. Sirius and James debated who was the best avenger, their debate dissolving Lily into laughter at some points. When the movie was over, Sirius fell asleep on the sofa while James and Lily cleaned the popcorn bowls side by side in the kitchen.

James kept hip checking her impishly, a mischievous glint in his eyes whenever she glared at him just as playfully. When they were done cleaning, James took her hand. He pulled her upstairs to the bedroom with the occasional kiss placed on every part of her body he could reach. She locked her bedroom door behind her before pulling him in for a snog. Or two. Or more. His fingers started undoing the zipper on the back of her dress after only a few seconds, starting something neither of them would stop.

Lily fell asleep in his arms, breathing in nothing but content sweetness. In the morning he didn't have to leave, and James took full advantage of that knowledge by starting another fire in her bloodstream with settled kisses down her spine as she woke up. James' touch elicited her to slip right into a state of grace and as such, they didn't get out of bed until well after her alarm had gone off.

She was late to her interview with a Vogue writer downtown as a result. She stumbled into the breakfast nook where they'd planned to meet, apologizing profusely. Alice was right behind Lily, wearing her Moody and Associates vest for warmth seeing as the New York streets were layered with frost that morning. Lily took off her peacoat as she fell into the chair where Amelia Bones was waiting, wearing a stylish sweater and bright pink nails. Lily had done an interview with Amelia Bones before and for that reason, she wasn't as nervous as she normally was.

As Piper press continued, there were no direct apologies from Peter and Lily wasn't about to apologize to him. Lily was taking the high road, as far as she was concerned because it was Peter's fault the pictures got out to the press. She wasn't about to apologize for something that wasn't her responsibility. It was Peter's fault that the Piper press tour had turned into a Lily Evans interrogation tour.

In fact, press for Piper was a literal nightmare since Peter was missing in action. Normally, he went to interviews with Lily to brief the interviewers what they could ask and what they couldn't ask Lily. Peter hadn't shown up to a single interview, leaving Lily to be thrown to the wolves.

"Did you cheat on Steven Roosevelt?"

"No."

"Are you and James Potter in love or was it an affair?"

"I want to keep my relationship private."

"Was the bomb in Manchester scary?"

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Severus Snape was released from prison on good behavior, how do you feel about that?"

"I don't know."

"Who is James Potter?"

"My boyfriend."

"What made you break Steven Roosevelt's heart?"

"Do you have any questions about Piper?"

By the third day of numerous awkward questions, Lily's Piper tour co-stars were trying to deflect the questions from being directed at Lily. Rose Leslie was answering questions for Lily by the third day. Daniel Radcliff was threatening any interviewer off camera if they dared question Lily's integrity by the end of the first week. Lily was starting to think about disappearing until the premiere but, of course, she couldn't do that.

The press tour had Lily bouncing from New York, to Los Angeles, to New York and then back to Los Angeles. James, Alice and Frank were stretched thin as they tried to keep up with her busy tour schedule. Alice was traveling with Lily the most, while Frank and James held down the fort in New York.

By the end of a whole week in Los Angeles, Lily was itching to get back to New York, if only so she could be with James again. He texted her often, telling her how much he missed her. He even sent her photographs of Juniper, who had to stay behind in New York. Alice knew it was hard on Lily, so the blond tried to keep Lily busy. They went out to dinner a lot and explored the sights and sounds of the coastal towns whenever Lily wasn't doing interviews.

Lily was thankful when Sirius appeared at the Malibu house on Thanksgiving, carrying a turkey and a bottle of wine. Marlene showed up with Dorcas five minutes later, both of them carrying trays of bread. Melina and her husband were the biggest surprise, bringing their 14-month-old daughter, Isla. Thankfully, because she was on a press tour, it was hard for people to track her. No one knew she was in Malibu, which actually made being back in California not totally unbearable.

Isla was a bubbly little girl, keeping her mum and dad on their toes. Melina seemed happy when Lily grabbed Isla and took the little girl down to the beach. They played in the cold Pacific Ocean until it got cold and they raced back up to the firepit at Lily's house. Sirius had cooked the turkey in a fryer and Melina's husband, a chef, made amazing sweet potatoes on the grill. Lily settled around the table with all her California friends. They drank wine and ate turkey sitting out on her patio overlooking the ocean.

"Where's James?" Melina asked Lily kindly as they ate, "I was hoping to meet him when Marlene told me you were in town."

"You'll meet him soon," Lily promised her oldest friend, "he had to stay in New York, but we'll be back, I'm sure."

Melina crossed her legs and bounced Isla on her lap, "I'm surprised Peter's not here either."

Lily looked down at her hands awkwardly, "Peter and I are kind of not speaking at the moment."

"What?" Melina had been there for the Sing It! drama and no doubt, trusted Peter as much as Lily since she was one of the artists who joined Marauders Records before she retired to have Isla, "what happened?"

"Peter's the reason that photo of James and Lily was released." Sirius spoke up for Lily, knowing exactly why Lily was keeping her mouth clamped shut, "he still hasn't apologized to her."

"Peter released the photo to the press?" Marlene asked as she chewed on a turkey leg, "but why?"

Lily shook her head, "it wasn't his fault, directly, but indirectly? I don't know, it's really complicated."

"Bullshit," Sirius scoffed, "he's the one who fucked up!"

"You're Lily Evans." Marlene put down her turkey leg, "it'd be in your best interest to remember that."

"Why?"

Melina raised a brow at Lily, "you are the backbone of Marauders Records and without you, Peter has nothing."

Lily chewed on her lip, "so you all think I should walk?"

"I know you said his intern sold that photo," Sirius leaned back in his chair, "but his intern would've never had to chance to sell anything, if Peter hadn't invaded your privacy just because he didn't approve of James."

"Wait Peter's intern sold the picture to the press?" Dorcas leaned closer to Marlene, eyes trained on Lily, "what the fuck?"

"I know." Lily sniffed gloomily, "it's a messy situation."

"You've known Peter forever so I know this must be hard," Melina shook her head at Lily, "but maybe it's time to think about being the boss I know you are and take back your own career."

"Be the boss." Lily repeated easily, "so, make my own terms?"

"Exactly," Sirius agreed with Melina, "In December, when we go for a resign, you make the demands and you tell them how the next albums will be produced and you remind them that without your songwriting they'd all still be scraping dishes."

"I agree with everyone else, obviously," Marlene raised her glass of wine, "get what you fucking deserve, Evans."

Lily offered her mates a watery smile as she looked around at them all, "love you all, so much."

Sirius nudged her foot with his under the table, "we love you most, Lily."

Although it was nice spending Thanksgiving with her friends in California, Lily was more than grateful when it was time to go back to New York. She had a week and a half until Piper premiered and then she was free from obligations and plans. The first thing Lily wanted to do when she didn't have any plans was to take James on a long cruise to Greece.

When Lily finally got back to New York and fell into James' arms, he kissed her deeply and she melted into his familiar mouth. Alice skirted around them, a small smile on her face as she called Frank's name. James' hands came up to cup Lily's cheeks tenderly. They kissed for a while in the entryway, making up for lost time.

"I missed you so much," Lily murmured against his mouth, "let's go upstairs."

James nodded; hazel eyes molten as he started leading her up the stairs. They barely turned the corner when the doorbell rang. Lily ripped away from him and they shared a confused expression.

"Can you stop snogging your girlfriend and get that James?" Alice called from the control room.

It was half past eight at night and they weren't expecting anyone. James made Lily wait behind the wall as he walked slowly to the front door. James called out to Alice that he was answering the doorbell. Lily stayed behind the wall for her own safety. Lily heard James' tone of surprise and curiosity got the best of her. Lily rounded back around the corner and Lily found Samantha Clark standing at the door, wringing her hands together.

Samantha looked awful with bags under her eyes and fresh tear lines on her cheeks. She was wearing a burnt orange peacoat that might normally look nice had she not had joggers on underneath it. Samantha had a bag wrapped around her left shoulder and she was supporting the bag with her right hand as the wind blew her black hair into her face.

Samantha looked relieved when she saw James, "Oh thank God, you're still here."

James' grip on the door handle was white, "you're not welcome here."

"Please," Samantha pleaded, "I walked all the way here."

Lily wrapped her arms around herself as she confronted Samantha who stared at Lily with as much relief as she'd stared at James with, "what are you doing here, Samantha."

Samantha held her hands up like she was surrendering, "I came to talk to you."

"How about starting with an apology," Lily stated coolly, "or are you just here to take more information to the press?"

Samantha blinked, "What?"

"Why'd you sell that photograph of James and I?" Lily put her hands on her hips.

"I didn't sell any photos." Samantha swore, "but I bet I know who did."

"Who?" Lily asked sarcastically, "Santa Claus?"

James glared between them both, "come inside Samantha, Rita Skeeter's across the street with a long lens and I don't want her reading any lips."

Samantha came into the house and undid the buttons on her coat halfway. Lily glared at the woman, feeling deceived since they'd gotten along so well. Samantha shook off Lily's glare, clearly there for something else.

Samantha hopped from foot to foot, "I came to warn you both."

"About what?" James asked as she locked the front door.

"Peter." Samantha looked between the couple with watery eyes, "I went back for my last paycheck today."

"Didn't get paid?" Lily asked sardonically, leaning against the wall and staring at Samantha, "I'm sure the money you got from the press will pay your bills."

"No," Samantha looked at Lily now, clearly, "I went to get my check and he left his door open—"

"Who?"

"Pettigrew," Samantha hitched her bag up her shoulder, "I went into his office to see if he had anything on the downsizing, all of us were so blindsided by his firing the whole intern department, and that's when I found this on his desk."

Samantha opened her bag and James put a protective arm in front of Lily. He only let the arm fall when Samantha pulled out a thick stack of papers. Samantha motioned for Lily to take them. Lily shared a look with James before she took the papers Samantha was offering her. The first page was a letter with Peter's signature at the bottom.

Riddle,

I am very pleased with this prosperous position your proposal has put me in. Attached are all the signed forms, including the transfer papers from the bank. The transaction will be completed on December first. Once Piper has premiered, Lily Evans' catalogue will be expanded to three more albums directly under Marauders Records, now permanently under contract with Greater Goods Records and Entertainment. This merger will ensure that Marauders Records operates with continued anonymity and Greater Goods Records remains in control of the major assets.

Respectfully,

Peter Pettigrew

Lily shook her head and she tucked back the first page, "I don't understand what this is."

Samantha brushed her hair back frustratedly, "It means that Pettigrew sold Marauders Records to Greater Goods Records."

Lily paled, "wait, what?"

Samantha grabbed the stack of pages and flipped to page 45, "here, it says that 'in lieu of good performance Greater Goods Entertainment is attaining Marauders Records for full profit. After artists resign in December, Greater Goods retains all rights under the law to produce, promote and terminate projects according to CEO dictation' Lily this is all fancy words for a merger! Peter sold Marauders Records."

"Hold on," James had one hand on his hip, the other hand buried in his hair, "you mean to tell me Pettigrew sold Lily? Like she's a bloody racehorse he can make money off of?"

"He sold the whole label." Samantha pushed her brads back over her shoulder, "that's why he fired all the interns, the merger was going through and Greater Goods Entertainment didn't want to keep anything that they didn't deem profitable…it's all right there in your hands."

Lily stared at the stack of papers, absolutely flabbergasted. Of everything that had happened since last year, Lily couldn't believe this was actually happening. Peter had sold Marauders Records to the very company Lily had joined Marauders Records to escape.

Lily looked at James, her eyes wide with panic, "I can't go back under Tom Riddle, James, he's ruthless."

"What do we do Lily?" James asked, "You know more about the industry than me."

Lily just shook her head, falling into the bench near the door. She was trying to read the papers, but her mind was unable to comprehend much as she came to terms with what Samantha had uncovered.

"Call your lawyer," Samantha urged, "maybe he can find a loophole to get you out of any future contracts, but it looks like Greater Goods owns all your other albums now."

"All of them?" Lily looked up from the paperwork wretchedly, "Tom Riddle owns all my music?"

"If I read the section in this about you correctly," Samantha said, "Peter's given Greater Good's complete control of Marauders Records."

Complete control.

Lily absolutely was not okay with that. She remembered what her friends had said at Thanksgiving. Lily had to stand up for herself because she could no longer sit back and let other people dictate what she was worth. Samantha looked between James and Lily worriedly.

"I swear I didn't sell that photo," Samantha said, "tonight's the first time I've been back in that office since he fired everyone."

James placed a hand on her shoulder, "I believe you."

Samantha chewed her lip as she surveyed Lily next, "please, Miss Evans, all I ever wanted to do was work for someone like you. I respect you. That's why I brought you these papers."

Lily didn't want to believe that Samantha was lying, but it made Peter's betrayal worse. It was clear now that peter had been playing a game since day one. Lily didn't mean anything to him. She was just an asset. There was something totally dehumanizing about being called an asset in a business letter between two men.

"I'm going to end this." Lily said, pulling out her phone and dialing her lawyer, "I am not going back to Greater Goods Entertainment."

Samantha stayed, laying out the contract she'd nicked across four tables and the kitchen island. They were pouring over every inch, trying to figure out what was happening. Alice had a cup of tea and was reading under her breath. Frank was sitting cross legged on the floor with a section, scratching his beard. James was laying upside down on the couch, glasses lopsided as he poured over some legal jargon.

Lily stood next to Samantha; they were both looking at a page with Lily's name written in black ink.

i. Lily Evans' aforementioned albums Change EP, Speak Now, Beautiful Eyes, Kaleidoscope and Roses will be split 50/50 between the two parties.

"They want the royalties." Samantha cursed as she highlighted the piece, "they're trading off your albums for the royalties."

"How is this legal?" Lily rubbed her forehead, "I wrote these albums! Sirius produced them! The only album Riddle's label ever owned was Change but I thought I owned the others. Peter told me that we owned the others."

"Because you've always under their control." James muttered angrily from his seat, "they've been working together for years, according to this."

"What do you mean?" Lily asked fretfully.

James read out loud, "previous transfers between parties remained consistently 20/80 since Marauder Records inception in 2017. This partnership will increase profits for both parties with the implementation of the merger."

"I don't understand." Lily looked at Samantha who had wide eyes, "do you understand?"

Samantha nodded faintly, "Marauders Records has always been partially owned by Greater Goods Entertainment."

Lily fell down onto a nearby stool, "this is unbelievable."

Lily's doorbell rang. Alice went downstairs and escorted Lily's lawyer up the stairs. Albus Dumbledore wore a purple lilac suit and his half-moon glasses slid down his crooked nose when he found the small party upstairs. His eyes swept over the papers spread around the apartment and when his gaze fell on Lily, he gave a slight smile.

"Bit of light reading?"

Lily stood up to motion around the kitchen and sitting area, "we've got a problem."

"What's the problem?" Albus put down his briefcase on top of some of the papers, "you sounded frantic on the phone."

"Albus," Lily pressed her fingers to her temple, "Peter's been hiding stuff from me."

Lily explained what was going on. Samantha confirmed everything Lily was saying. James backed up the claims with the papers. Albus went over all the content, paying close attention to the parts that Samantha had highlighted.

"Albus what can we do?" Lily asked after a half hour of silence from her lawyer, "how did this happen without my knowing?"

"This old contract, it has your signature." Albus pointed, "recognize those?"

Lily looked where he was pointing. She recognized the photocopied paper immediately. It was her contract for Marauders Records. She'd signed it happily after Peter had gotten her out of Greater Goods Entertainment. What she hadn't seen when she signed it, was Tom Riddle's signature in the spot for the CEO signature. It had been empty when she signed, and Lily had always figured Peter's signature was added afterwards.

"They played you," James said from behind Lily, "Peter made you think you weren't Greater Good's little barbie doll. He got you to join his fancy new record company and Riddle never lost a cent because he funded the start up."

Lily turned to look at James in bewilderment, "how do you know that?"

James lifted a piece of paper, "this is the startup check."

Lily stood there shaking.

She was done being manipulated.

She was over the pain of betrayal.

She was over Peter Pettigrew.

Everyone watched as Lily stomped over to her slippers and pulled them on. Frank stared at her oddly as she drew her hair up into a bun. Lily glanced at the clock; it was half past one in the morning, but she wasn't about to calm down.

"Where are you going?" Samantha asked, flabbergasted, as Lily grabbed a scarf from the edge of one of the chairs.

"To Peter's flat." Lily said ominously, "I need to have a chat with him."

They all watched as Lily stomped around to various supplies. James seemed to realize Lily was serious and he started pulling on his own jacket.

"I'll go make sure she doesn't kill Pettigrew and end up in jail."

Frank pinched the bridge of his nose, "James no, then you'll end up in jail."

"I'm going to make sure you both don't end up in jail." Alice stood up from her spot, "Frank, watch the flat."

Alice got Lily's private car, honking when she was out front. It was so late that no one was standing outside of the apartment and Lily was able to sneak into the car unseen. James sat beside her. Lily was shaking so hard that it was difficult to appreciate James' thumb rubbing up and down her palm. Alice followed Lily's directions. When they parked in front of the large building, Lily paid the valet to take the car. She led the way to Peter's fancy flat on the upper floors of the building.

Lily pounded on his door and when it opened, Peter tried to close it again. James blocked it immediately with his hand, pushing the door open. Peter stepped back, wrapping his silk black dress robe around his large belly. He looked scared, for good reason.

"I hope you're here to apologize," Peter said, stupidly, to Lily.

James deadpanned from behind Lily, "just let me know if you want me to taze him, Red."

Lily ignored James and shoved her finger into Peter's chest irritably, "You rat!"

"What are you going on about now?" Peter rolled his eyes, pushing her finger away.

"Greater Goods Entertainment!" Lily shouted and Peter flinched, "Three years ago you got me out of that company, swearing Marauders Records was going to be different! You swore Tom Riddle would never touch me or my music again!"

Peter sniveled, "and he hasn't bothered you!"

"Oh no," Lily barked a sarcastic laugh, "but why would he, when you're paying him portions of your earnings of mysuccess?"

Peter puffed out his chest, "well-you're just-that's simply wrong."

"We have the contracts, Pettigrew." Alice said coolly from behind Lily, "one of your own employees ratted you out."

"Who?" he sputtered.

"One of the interns you fired." James said, "seems you pissed off a lot of people, Peter."

"Do you have any idea how I feel right now?"

Lily shoved Peter back into his entry way, stepping closer and making Peter grab one of his umbrellas for protection. James drew Lily back defensively, shoving her in-between his body and Alice's.

"You hit her with that, Pettigrew," James threatened darkly, "I'll make sure you can't use that arm for much else."

Peter looked around at the three intruders. Lily, who was red faced and ready to kill, wasn't even the most menacing. James towered over Peter and looked one more word away from breaking Peter's nose. Lily wouldn't stop him either. Peter deserved as much.

"Admit it!" Lily prompted Peter from behind James' protective stance, "you've been in Tom Riddle's pocket since day one!"

"Of course, I have!" Peter exploded irritably, "who do you think got me the internship at Sing It! all those years ago? Riddle controls everyone and everything in this industry Evans!"

"No," Lily snarled, "he doesn't control me."

"He owns you." Peter got up in her face and James pushed Peter back roughly, "he put that crown on your head, and he can take it off!"

"He can take the crown; I don't want it!" Lily came around James to grab the end of Peter's protective umbrella, "I want nothing to do with him and nothing to do with you!"

Peter balked, "you don't mean that."

"I do mean that." She said, "I'm not resigning with Marauders Records and you can bet your arse I'm taking both of you to court over this."

"You won't win!" Peter cried.

"Watch me!"

"You have no idea the power he possesses!" Peter said, "Ask yourself, Lily! What would you have done if he offered you everything you wanted and threatened to take away everything you cared about?"

"I would've walked away!" Lily snapped, "I would've run, rather than let that bigoted arse have any say in my life!"

"You would've never made it to where you are today without Riddle pulling strings behind the scenes!"

"Fuck you! And fuck Riddle!" Lily felt spit fly from her mouth as she yelled, "I would've made it just fine even without you discovering me in that pub!"

Peter struggled against Lily's grasp on his umbrella. Lily blinked coolly once, twice and then she let go of the umbrella. Peter leaned against the umbrella like it was a walking cane. He was red in the face from all his yelling. Lily felt anger flaring in every pore in her body.

"I made you who you are!" Peter snapped at her.

"I made my own way!"

No one stopped Lily from slapping Peter across his face. Peter grasped, holding his cheek where her hand had left a stinging red mark even brighter than his blush. Lily looked him up and down with disgust. Peter lunged at her, but James and Alice stepped to her side. James was holding out a taser. Alice had her gun. Peter stopped mid-stride, eyeing both her bodyguards with great dislike.

Lily turned on her heel, "see you in court, arsehole."

Alice turned too, but James wasn't as quick to let Peter be. Peter reached out to grab Lily's arm. James hit Peter's hand and Peter retracted his grip.

"Don't you dare touch her."

"You!" Peters eyes flashed at James pointedly, "this is all your fault, Potter!"

"No," James grabbed Lily hand, "this was all your fault."

Peter followed them out the door in his robe, shouting after their retreating forms, "you won't always have your bodyguards to protect you, Evans! I'll get you back for this! I can destroy you!"

Lily stopped, forcing James and Alice to stop as well. Slowly, Lily turned to regard Peter with a bold stare. Peter looked pathetic, standing in the hallway in nothing but his silk bathrobe. His hair, what little he had left, was warped around his forehead. It was a sad sight, seeing him so broken that he'd resorted to threatening her.

"Go ahead," Lily said smoothly, "destroy me."

"You'll lose everything!" Peter's eyes were wildly, "fame, riches and your recording deal!"

"I don't care about that stuff." Lily tilted her head at Peter, "I've already got everything I've ever wanted."

Lily placed her free hand on James' shoulder and looked up at him with a content smile. James tossed an arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead before he turned her away from Peter who stood there fumbling over words.

"Come on lovebirds," Alice muttered to Lily and James after shooting Peter a rude hand gesture, "let's get out of here."

Lily took James' hand in her own and kissed his fingers as they walked back into the elevator. Despite everything, in that moment, Lily felt a sense of relief. She didn't feel like she was being pressured from every direction because now, for the first time in a long time, she was calling the shots.

A part of her was sad that Peter had turned into a double-crossing rat. She'd spent so many years at his side, loving him and defending him. She should've known Peter was trouble the minute he walked into her life at fourteen, but the problem was that Lily tried to find the good in everyone and sometimes that goodness backfired. In fairy tales the bad guy was very easy to spot. The bad guy was always wearing a black cape, so the hero knew who to trust. Of course, in real life, the bad guy was not as easy to find. The bad guy wasn't wearing a black cape and he wasn't easy to spot; he was really caring, and he came to family birthdays, and he had a charisma that preceded his reputation.

"Are you okay?" James asked as they got back into the car.

Lily nodded firmly, "I will be."

When they got back to the flat, Dumbledore was long gone with photocopies of the documents in his hands. Samantha was still there, she was sitting at the table when Lily, Alice and James entered the kitchen. Frank looked up from where he was washing dishes in the sink. Alice walked over to her husband and hugged him tightly. Lily hugged James as she surveyed the papers all over the kitchen.

She should be furious, so mad that she was screaming from the rooftops. Peter had betrayed them all, including Lily's friends and family. Samantha was out of a job; James was being forced to make a premature career change and Lily's father was going to have to take back over as manager. Peter had single-handedly fucked up more than one person's life when he'd started playing roulette with Tom Riddle. Lily could only imagine all the lives Peter and Riddle had ruined, but she wasn't going to be another victim in their long list of traitors. Yeah, Lily ought to be mad, but she knew that sometimes life was better just by letting someone go.

The worst part of letting go of Peter, was Lily realizing that she'd lost herself along the way. She'd let Peter dress her up like a paper doll and accepted whatever costume he'd thrown her way. She'd lost the fighting drive she'd had her whole life because Peter had made her believe that she was dependent upon him. He took advantage of her after Manchester and she'd just sat back and let it happen, becoming his puppet.

Then James had come into her life, waking her back up from the nightmare. James was the opposite of Peter, always pushing her to fight. He wanted her to be her own hero and not need anyone. James' plan backfired when she realized she needed him, and he realized he needed her. They made each other better, stronger and happier. There was nothing wrong with that, but Peter had clearly felt threatened by James' influence.

So, Lily lost Peter.

But she found herself, and somehow that was everything.


Sosososo sorry I missed update last weekend! I got sick and it was finals week and I worked overtime at work. I just didn't have time to edit all 32 pages in a week. The next few weeks are very similar for me-only without the flu YAY!-so don't be surprised if chapters 20-22 are posted very sporadically with no clear updating schedule. 20 & 21 are real chapters. 22 is the epilogue.

All my love,

Petals

ps

will reply to all your lovely reviews AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I LOVE YOUUUU!