James and Lily had been at the shrieking shack for about an hour now along with the rest of the order members. It was what they were using as Order of the Phoenix headquarters. Or, it was what they were going to use. It was still a little bit of a mess so everyone had been pitching in to help clean it up. So far, in about the week they had been working on it, they had gotten rid of all the debris and began straightening up the furniture in it. Most of it was a little… worse for the wear because of all the transformations Remus had had in it. But it was functional.

James smiled over at Lily who was sweeping the floor in the next room while carrying a conversation with Mary. she threw her head back in laughter, the messy bun on the back of her head coming a bit loose with the motion. She was wearing one of James's button downs tucked into a pair of jeans and the sleeves were far too big on her. They were baggy and hung down past her hands. She let go of the broom, the spell she said must have said leaving it to sweep on its own. She grabbed the bottom of the left sleeve and began rolling it up. Mary gasped loudly. James was concerned for a second before Mary grabbed her left hand.

"Lily Evans what is this?" Mary held Lily's hand up in the air, as if Lily didn't already know what she was talking about.

"What do you mean?" James heard Lily ask as he stepped closer, too amused not to listen to the conversation.

"What do i mean? I mean what is this on your hand?" she pointed at the ring

"It's a ring."

"I know. I see it's a ring. I mean what is it doing?"

"...sitting on my finger."

"Good grief, Evans! I know it's on your finger but why is it on your ring finger of your left hand? Huh?"

James walked up to the two of them "hey, Mary."

"James! Is this- did you-"

"Did i what now?"

"Did you… propose?" she whispered the last word so low James almost didn't hear her.

"I didn't." James shook his head. It was true.

"Oh." Mary looked disappointed

"I did, though." Lily smiled

"What? You did? So you two are…?" she raised her eyebrows

"Engaged?" Lily asked "i suppose if that's what the kids are calling it these days."

Mary squealed and grabbed the both of them in a hug.

"Who else knows?" she suddenly pulled back "wait, better question, when? When did it happen?"

"Just Sirius, and it was this morning."

"This morning! Wait, why just Sirius? Is it a secret or something?"

"Not a secret," James shook his head "we just haven't told anyone else yet."

"Wait what's happening?" Alice walked up, dirt smudged on her forehead.

"James and lily are engaged!"

"What she said." James tilted his head towards Mary

"Well this is awkward." Alice chuckled

"Why?" Lily asked

"Well…" Alice slowly raised her hand to show that there was a large, antique-looking ring on her left hand as well.

"Wait-" Lily said "you and Frank?"

"Yup." Alice's face broke out into a wide smile

"When?" James asked

"Three days ago."

"I'm so happy for you!" Lily leaned forward and gave Alice a hug.

"You too!" Alice laughed and embraced James too.

"So when is the wedding."

"Oh, it'll be a while," Alice tucked a curl behind her ear "probably not until sometime next year. What about you two?"

"Uhhhhh," Lily shared a look with James "no idea." she laughed and James relished knowledge he was going to be able to hear that for the rest of his life filled him with warmth.

"Alice?" James heard Frank calling from the other room "where are you we have to finish picking up all that old flooring." Frank walked into the room

"Excuse me," Frank put a hand on his popped hip and did what was actually a pretty convincing southern accent "y'all are supposed to be working till them here cows come home and the boys tip their.. Hats at… eh, whatever." he gave up "what are you guys doing?"

Lily and Alice both stuck their hands out towards him at the same time. If James didn't know better he would have thought it was a rehearsed movement.

"Yes, Alice, i know- wait. Lily, is that? James, did you?" he turned between the two of them.

"Lily did." James smiled

"So you two are-"

"Yes."

Lily cut him off with what must have been the most adorable little grin james had ever seen.

"Well i'll be damned." Frank laughed and brought James in for a hug. James couldn't help but to laugh too, thankful that in the middle of this war they could find some happiness.

"Ugh." Mary groaned "i want a relationship again."

James laughed just as Sirius and Marlene walked into the room. their hands were linked and Sirius pressed a kiss to the back of Marlene's knuckles. It was actually pretty cute. It was just the timing...

"Oh, come on!" Mary threw her hands in the air.