Chapter 38

The muffled voices were barely audible to the pair as they tucked themselves away in a corner of the dining room. The majority of family friends had left shortly after the funeral while close family clung to Christine's side. Dorea had arrived an hour into the gathering and gave the pair a quick wave before setting off in search of Lily's mother. James couldn't help but laugh as Vernon and Petunia found her in the den, unknowingly speaking to a Witch. Dorea had worn her best Muggle dress that she had bought one afternoon with Christine. Her wand was hidden away, out of sight from all the Muggles around her.

"We should probably rescue your mum before Vernon bores her to death. There's only so much that one can hear about Wrenches before they want to fling themselves off a bridge." Lily giggled as she noticed his mother's hand rubbing anxiously at the back of her neck. James smiled at the idea of ruining Vernon and Petunias day and pushed himself up. Lily hopped up quickly, reaching back for James' hand as she began to move for the Den. "Dorea! I didn't see you arrive!" Her voice sounded through the room, luring the three sets of eyes to turn and meet them. Dorea's full of relief, as her saviours had arrived.

"Lily! My sweet girl!" She beckoned, standing to embrace her. "You two have impeccable timing." She murmured into her ear before pulling back and giving her shoulder a squeeze. "James, that is quite the look on you." Dorea smiled at her son, seeing him dressed in a full black muggle suit. "Lily. We were actually in the middle of a discussion about Vernons business when you so rudely interrupted!" Petunia grumbled as she clasped her boyfriend's hand lovingly. "It's alright darling. We'll have plenty of time to discuss Vernons tools before we return to the manor for the evening." She shot Lily a quick wink before smiling back at the pair.

"Manor?" Vernon practically drooled as he began to register Doreas wealth. "Lily, why don't you and your friend go somewhere else and allow the adults to talk." Vernon grumbled before shooting a glare at them. "Vernon, I'm here all the time with Christine. There's really no need to try and usher the children away while they're home from school for only a few more days." Dorea's tone began to pick up agitation as her saviours were clearly being ushered away. Her son had noticed as his hands nervously darted up to run through his hair. "Freak school." Vernon whispered to Petunia, the duo beginning to chuckle. But their laughter rapidly came to an end as a zipper pulled across Vernons lips. Panic filling both his and Petunias eyes.

"Lily! You freak! What did you do?!" Petunia snapped back at her sister before realizing that neither she nor James had their wands out. "Lily did nothing wrong, my dear." Dorea smiled before turning to face the couple. "But please don't insult my alma mater. It's quite a fine school for our kind." She smiled as her wand became visible. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going with your sister and my son to find your mother." Her wand flicked at Vernon before returning to her pocket, the zipper dissolving as his hands began to feel about, making sure it was fully gone. "Shall we children?" She smiled at them before waving them along to the kitchen where Christine had been for the majority of the evening.

"I understand your dislike for them much more clearly now. Especially having to listen to their disgust for us first hand." Dorea cringed as they were out of earshot. "One cannot exaggerate the bigotry that is Tunie and the Walrus." Lily sighed as she caught sight of her mother, surrounded by family members that Lily knew she greatly disliked. "Mum! Dorea is here!" She yelled from across the room, giving her mother a way to distance herself from the group around her. Her mother smiled lightly to each of her family members before pushing past toward her daughter. "Bless you! Uncle Walt just asked if I had considered getting remarried one day." Christine shook with disgust before flashing a quick smile back at the group she had slipped away from.

"How much has he had to drink?" Lily sighed as she noticed the empty glasses on the counter behind her father's brother. "Enough that you should hide the liquor in a few minutes." The pair cringed at the thought of how he'd drunkenly behaved in the past. "Well thank you for your rescue. It's very much appreciated." Christine sighed as her arm pulled her daughter close for a moment to give her a soft squeeze. "They just rescued me from your other daughter and her boyfriend as well. Quite the pair here, wouldn't you say?" Dorea smiled as she held her arm out for Lily as well, pulling her tightly against her in an embrace the moment she was free of Christine's arms. "We definitely raised these two right." Christine smiled as she copied Dorea, pulling James into her side for an embrace as well.

X

"Celia!" Hearing her name, she quickly tucked away her newest letter in her bag and glanced up at the figure before her. "What can I do for you, Crouch?" She sighed, taking in the obnoxious creature before her. "I've been hunting for Lily all week! No one has seen her. Where is she?" There was a hint of annoyance in his voice as he glanced around the library for the sight of her red hair. "She's home. Did she not tell you?" Celia felt her stomach clench as she realized that Lily hadn't even thought to inform Barty of her current loss. "Tell me what? Why is she home?" He slid into the seat across from her, more concerned with the situation than Celia had ever imagined him to be. "She left a few nights ago. Her father passed away. The funeral was today I believe."

Celia wasn't surprised though to find that frustration immediately took over his face as he processed the information. "Wish she had told me so she wouldn't have had to go alone." He glanced up at Celia just in time to catch her eyes, shooting down in avoidance. "She didn't go alone. Did she?" The anger in his voice was clearly obvious as she slowly nodded her head. "Who went with her, Celia?" There was a frustrated grumble to his voice as he spoke. "He's a close family friend. Their mothers are close and he's actually met her father! I hadn't even met him…" Her voice grew quieter as she could see the anger build with his realization of who went with her. "Thank you Celia. At least someone informed me before the world knew." The chair screeched back as he shot up, promptly storming off. Leaving Celia shaking in her seat.

X

Sirius had been quiet throughout the majority of the week, waiting for news from James. Hestia couldn't understand why he was so interested in what was happening back home. Every night like clockwork, he would disappear for his nightly call from James. She still hadn't figured out how those calls were being made since phones didn't work on the Castle grounds. "James is his brother. You know that right?" Remus' voice broke through her thoughts as Hestia realized she had been staring after Sirius since he rushed upstairs. "Regulus is his brother." She sighed before turning to meet Remus' gaze. "By blood sure. But by love? The Potters are his real family. Not being there with them all drives him mad." Remus sighed as he glanced up towards the dorm himself.

"He won't talk about his family. But he and Regulus had a small spat about us dating the other day after class. Sirius said he wasn't allowed to know about his dating life if he was going to tell 'that bitch'." She watched as Remus visibly cringed at the thought. "Sirius is seen as a traitor to his family. 'That Bitch' was most likely referring to his actual mother. He can explain more of that to you if he's willing to…" His hand brushed up to rub at his eyes before he let out a long breath. "The most I can tell you is that this summer was the last straw. He ran away from home and lives with the Potters now. Dorea calls him her son. James refers to him as his brother. Dorea made sure he could decorate his new room however he'd like. Charlus throws the Quaffle around with him and James when he's not working. It's the first time he's ever experienced a family full of love. Where they do things together. So to not be with them in a difficult time like this… well it hurts him."

Hestia had opened her mouth to ask more when a door slammed at the top of the boys stairwell. Sirius rapidly descended the stairs and Hestia was relieved to see a smile spread wide across his face. "They're coming back tomorrow!" He shouted, leaping down the last five steps into the Common Room. "James said if they stay any longer, Lily will kill her sister. So they're catching the first train in the morning!" He chuckled, shaking Remus' shoulders in excitement. "I'm surprised she lasted that long. Petunia is a nightmare!" Hestia shivered at the times she remembered having to interact with Lily's older sister. "Well apparently Mum was fed up with her today as well and zipped her boyfriends mouth shut! They had made fun of Hogwarts. Wish I could have seen it!" Sirius sighed, falling back onto the chair beside Hestia and draping his arm around her shoulder. She couldn't help but realize that Sirius referred to James' mother as his own. Maybe she should try to ask Remus questions more often.

"You have plenty of years to catch Dorea angry at another Muggle. I'm sure of it." Remus chuckled, flipping to another page of his book. "But to Lily's family? I highly doubt that will ever happen again!" A pout appeared on Sirius' face as Remus and Hestia laughed. "Maybe at their wedding someday." Remus muttered before returning to his notes. "Yeah. Like that's ever going to happen." Hestia giggled before returning to her book. Her boyfriend's arm tensed slightly on her shoulder. "Yeah…" He whispered, his eyes locked onto the fire as his friends went back to their schoolwork. The letter James had received from Lily's father flashing through his mind.

" I don't think I could have asked for a better Future Son in law. "

The group jumped as the portrait slammed open and an exhausted Peter stumbled inside. "HESTIA! I passed! I passed Binns midterm!" He shouted between breaths. "I passed with the third highest score!" He frantically waved the parchment around over his head. "This calls for a celebration!" Sirius shouted, jumping up from Hestia's side. "I'll go and grab the map." Remus snickered as Peter ran over to tackle Hestia. "You're a goddess! I owe you so much for all of this!" Pete whimpered as he held back tears of joy, his arms wrapped tightly around her, resting his head on her shoulder. Hestia shifted uncomfortably in his arms before catching her boyfriend's eye as he crouched down in front of her. "Thank you. You really are a goddess." He smiled before pushing his friend off of her. "Famous for it!" She smiled, planting a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Now I have one condition! Don't you dare go as hard as you did last time! I don't think Rosemerta will let us back in ever again if you do, Pads!" Remus reprimanded Sirius as he returned to the Common room. "Rosie loves me! She could never ban me!" Sirius chuckled as the group moved for the Portrait hole.

X

"I can't breathe Mar!" Lily gasped through Marlene's blonde curls that had overtaken her face the moment she entered the dormitory. Marlene instantly tackled her to the floor. "Shit. Sorry." She giggled nervously as she pushed away from her friend, letting her sit up and look at the others in the room. "It's alright. I expected hugs. Just don't think my arse was ready to hit the floor that hard." Lily grumbled, rubbing gently at her tender lower back. "How was being home?" Celia asked, reaching down to help her up. "It was home. Nice to see Mum and Dorea. But definitely feels good to be back." She sighed thinking back to the previous week. Part of her mind quietly dreading the holiday that was fast approaching in the next few weeks. "Anything exciting happen around here?" She smiled as Mary erupted into a rant about Sirius and Peter setting off a chain of dung bombs in every girls lavatory throughout the school. "McGonogal is making them decorate the Great Hall with Flitwick as their punishment." Mary smiled thinking of the two least coordinated Marauders holding fragile Christmas Ornaments.

"I thought getting a girlfriend was supposed to calm down Black! Not make him target girls directly!" Marlene laughed only to see shock spread over Lily's face. "That's Right. You left before we found out! It happened before the game last week I guess. They're entirely official now! Sirius Black went and found himself a Girlfriend! About time don't you think?" Lily couldn't help but smile at the thought. She had watched these two flirt and fight for months. Both equally wanting the same thing from one another. His birthday party had finally connected them but to hear that they had made it official warmed her heart. "Good! I'm happy for them. It's about time those two made it official. Now I don't have to be their go between anymore." She chuckled, moving to unpack her bag into her wardrobe.

"So was James around at all this week besides the funeral?" Marlene knew she hit another nerve when Lily's hand froze, reaching for a hanger. "I uh…" Her hand dropped as she turned to face the group. "I stayed at the Potters all week." She knew her cheeks were flush as Marlene smirked mischievously at her. Mary and Celia both staring on in awe. "And where did you stay in the Potter's Manor?" Mary's voice quickly sounded as Lily's eyes dropped to the floor. Mary had been to enough events there that she knew the ground plan of the Manor better than most. "The guest room." Lily almost choked on her words as she turned back towards her wardrobe. Her blush rapidly overtaking her ears and neck now. "There are 5 guest rooms, Lily." Mary quipped as she moved to sit on her bed beside the wardrobe. "There are 4. One became Sirius' room when he moved in this summer." Lily mumbled as she shoved her last pair of jeans into a drawer, slamming it shut.

"Fine. So there are 4. Three are in Dorea and Charlus' wing of the house. But one…?" Mary started but the slam of the wardrobe echoed through the room. "I slept in the one across from James' room. Are you satisfied now?" Her glare sent chills through the girls as they all took in the frustration on her face. "Yes." Mary spoke softly as she looked down at her fidgeting hands. "I've had a shite week and I understand that everyone is suspicious of Myself and James! But nothing happened! He was there for me whenever I needed someone!" She sighed, resting her hand gently to her head. "Besides, Dorea put me in there so it wasn't entirely like I had a choice in the matter."

Lily smiled softly to herself as she thought about that room. It had looked beyond comfortable with its calming blue tones and plush down comforter. But she hadn't spent a single night in that room throughout the week. Every night finding herself back in James' bed. Curled up against his bare chest as he stroked her hair until she would drift off to sleep. Waking each morning to find his arms tightly wrapped around her as he pulled her into the curve of his body in the middle of the night when she had turned over. Fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces and sending her stomach into a fit of butterflies every time it happened.

"Lily?" Celia's voice broke through her thoughts as she gazed back. "Sorry?" She glanced around to find the girls staring after her concerned. "We're heading to dinner. I asked if you had eaten?" She giggled seeing her friend's face covered with panic. "Oh! I haven't! Let me just put this in the loo and then I'll be ready to go!" She nervously giggled as she rushed into the bathroom with her hairbrush. "Slept in the guest room, my arse." Marlene laughed as she linked arms with Mary, the pair giggling their way down the dormitory stairs. The look on Lily's face had said it all.

X

"Lily! Why wouldn't you ask Frank for a schedule shift? He would completely understand!" Remus groaned, trailing along behind her as she set off to begin their round of patrolling. "I've been back for a few days now Remus. I am perfectly capable of handling a night of yelling at randy teenagers and sending them off to bed." Lily rolled her eyes at him before pulling open an adjacent cupboard, scanning inside for hidden students. "If you had said weeks I would be more understanding. But Lily you…" Her hand rested over his mouth before he could utter another word. "I know what I did this week Remus. But I would rather patrol the hallways with you, than sit in a dormitory with nothing but the thoughts of burying my best friend." She let out a deep breath, letting her eyes flutter closed as her hands fell from his lips.

She was right. The majority of her friends were studying in the library for their Muggle Studies midterm the following day. James would also be there since he had begun tutoring third years in Arithmancy. She would have been completely alone in the tower with her thoughts. With a soft nod, Remus held out his arm, allowing Lily to loop hers through as they continued down the corridor.

"How much does Hestia actually know about Sirius and his family?" His voice cut through the silence as they reached the fourth floor landing. "Practically nothing to my knowledge. Sirius wouldn't even speak to me about why he moved in with the Potters. Though he had a black eye that day we returned from the World Cup, so I have a guess. But I doubt they've reached that point in the relationship. Why do you ask?" She eyed him curiously, watching his face as he visibly battled with his thoughts. "Sirius was worried the entire time you and James were gone. Mostly because he just wanted to be included with the family. But Hestia was confused about it all. Confused with his nightly calls to James. Why he fought with Regulus over his dating life being known to the Blacks. I didn't have the heart to tell her about the cruel world of Purebloods."

Remus paused for a moment, dropping her arm to open a broom cupboard beside him. Chuckling as his eyes connected with a pair of hiding second year Hufflepuffs. "Back to your dorms! Thirty points from Hufflepuff and Professor Sprout will be getting a note about this." He pointed toward the stairwell as the pair scurried off for the basement. "And don't even think about going somewhere else! Right to your dormitories!" Lily shouted after the pair as they disappeared from sight. "He'll tell her when he's ready." She smiled softly, resting her hand on Remus' shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Do you smell something?" Remus began to laugh lightly as he breathed in the air. "I was pretty sure I did but I never expected to smell it at Hogwarts." She laughed in return as the pair began to move down the hall. Opening every doorway in their path. " I'm used to smelling it around Surrey, but never here." Lily giggled as she stepped out of another classroom. "You haven't been around Sirius enough then." Remus smirked to himself thinking about whenever Sirius rolled his own cigarettes. There was always a pinch of something more mixed in every time. A small giggle down the corridor caused the pair to freeze and slowly make their way to the corner. Jumping out with their wands ready to find two stunned faces staring back at them. Seventh year Xenophelius Lovegood was tucked away into the corner of the windowsill with a fresh joint in his hand. Pandora Drinkwater sat comfortably on his lap, her arms draped around his neck.

"Xen. Really?" Remus sighed as his hand fell over his eyes in disappointment. "It's midterms! What do you expect? I'm stressed beyond belief with Slughorn's!" He groaned before putting out his joint on the window frame. "Pandora." Lily couldn't hide her smile as she watched the blonde's cheeks burn red. Her reputation of popularity was on the line being caught with Xenophelius in such a way. From afar he gave the appearance of not being all there in the mind, but if one took the time to get to know him, they would find that he just had a colorful imagination and was quite intelligent. "50 points from Ravenclaw. Now get back to your dorm before I tell Flitwick." Lily pointed down the corridor. "Lily… you won't..?" Pandora started to speak before Lily raised her hand. "If I catch you out here again, I'll tell McLaggen all about it. Right down to your arms draped around his neck and the giggling we heard." The color drained from her face as she pushed past Lily, rushing off toward the Ravenclaw dormitory. Xenophelius slowly followed behind.

"Not the pair I ever imagined being together." Lily smiled, turning back to Remus. "But seeing it… almost makes sense. Doesn't it?" Remus laughed as her head rapidly nodded in agreement. "Speaking of seeing them together." He began as they turned to look out over the grounds. "Sirius informed me that you spent the entire week staying at the Manor." His eyebrow raised seeing her cheeks flush. "Dorea put me in one of the guest rooms." Clearing her throat, she pushed away from the window and moved down the corridor. "But did you stay in the guest room?" He knew he was walking on thin ice as her hands clenched into fists and the whites of her knuckles became prominent. "You sound like Marlene and Mary!" She groaned, throwing open another classroom door. "But no I didn't. And nothing happened, alright?"

"Alright. Just make sure Dorea doesn't catch you in James' bed. Or else she'll start buying wedding…" Remus froze, taking in a breath full of the air. "That son of a bitch!" He mumbled, taking off down the corridor toward the Ravenclaw Common room entrance. Lily moved rapidly behind him to keep up. The smell grew stronger as they passed the entrance to the Ravenclaw dormitories and knew the culprit wasn't inside. "You check that hallway, I'm going to check up on the landing." Remus moved off up the side stairs as Lily dashed down the next corridor. As she continued on, the smell grew weaker. She was starting to lose her guide when a shout sounded upstairs, causing her to lean out the window in an attempt of catching a glance.

"Alright Remus?" She waited a moment before getting a reply. "All good up here! But you should head back to Gryffindor while I bring this pair back to Ravenclaw. You have quite the story to tell McLaggen!" She could hear him laughing as a squeal sounded through the air. "Please Lily! Don't tell her!" Pandora's voice cried through the air. "I'll be sure to tell her all about it!" Lily laughed as she made her way back toward the main stairwell. Her mind drifting back to what Remus had been saying. She hadn't even thought about Dorea catching them. Let alone what she would even think upon doing so. Would she actually think that way of Lily? Would the first thing that came to mind for her really be to start looking at Wedding dresses?

"Lily!" The voice echoed down the corridor causing her to freeze in place. Footsteps sounded rapidly from behind her until the familiar figure of Barty stood beside her, his smile gleaming down at her. "I've been searching for you for days since I heard you returned to school!" His hand reached down and barely grazed hers before she withdrew it and crossed her arms over her chest. A frown overtaking his face at the sign of rejection. "I heard what happened. I'm sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how you must be feeling." It had been at least the twentieth time she had heard that phrase used since she returned, but for some reason it was his that sent her emotion levels overboard. Tears began to well in her eyes as she glared up at him.

"And yet you hunt me down and make things more difficult for me after I've just buried my best friend? We've been over this before! Just leave me alone!" She began to storm off before the pressure of his grip dug into her shoulder, pulling her back. "When the girl I care for doesn't even have the decency to inform me her fathers died and then takes another bloke home with her to mourn, I have every right to make it my business when she returns! Are you and Potter suddenly a thing now?" His eyes were black holes baring down at Lily, the pressure of fear began to build up in her chest as her hand slid down her side. Hoping to make it to her wand pocket before he noticed.

"James is a family friend and actually knew my father! They were close and my father actually requested that he be there for me! But I shouldn't have to explain any of that to you! We aren't together Barty! And we never will be! Now Piss Off!" She shouted before her fingertips made contact with her wand. Immediately pulling it into view and sending Barty flying back through the corridor. Lily didn't dare to look back as she took off for the main stairwell. Hoping her feet could move fast enough to carry her back to the safety of her room. They didn't. Within seconds of running, a surge of heat penetrated her body. Burning through every nerve and bone within her. Every section of her body felt like it was being torn apart as she collapsed to the ground, unable to cry out in pain.

"How dare you ever! EVER! Speak to me like that! You filthy, disgusting excuse of a Mudblood!" She had never felt pain like this before as she writhed on the ground. Attempting to even catch her breath so she could scream out, but the movement of her lungs filled her body with even more searing pain. "Don't you know who I am! Don't you know what kind of power I actually possess?" He growled through gritted teeth as he crouched down beside her, meeting her eyes once more. "Your Daddy's power!" Lily was able to gasp before another pulse of pain surged through her body. "My father would only be able to dream of the power I possess! The Dark Lord believes in me and that I am capable of Greatness! More than my father could ever dream of! Someday soon you'll all know just what the world of magic is truly capable of! Someday when the likes of you despicable creatures are gone and the world is rid of such dirty blood!"

His voice grew as Lily was finally able to cry out in pain. Her screams echoing throughout the corridors. "But where better to start than at the school run by the famous old Loon himself! And with one of his prized students as well!" He began to twist his wand, causing the burn throughout her body to grow in magnitude. "This will be goodbye then, won't it Ginger?" He began to cackle as her vision began to blur. Darkness enveloping her eyes as her ability to scream faded into gasps for air.