"Lily?" James turned to her. The both of them were sitting on the bottom of the stairs in the shrieking shack. They had finished cleaning it up for the day and everyone was scattered about having conversations with each other. One more day of cleaning and the little house should be open for business. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

"Mhm?" Lily leaned her head on his shoulder. She could see all the frizzy wisps of hair surrounding her head but she didn't much care.

"I have a proposition for you."

"We're already engaged, James." she reminded him

"A different kind of proposition."

"Well i'm intrigued."

"You sound it." Lily was so tired her voice was incapable of any emotion at this point.

"Go on then." she waved a hand limply

"I'll have to talk to Sirius about it of course, and, well, it's just an idea, but, would you- maybe consider the possibility of… moving in together?"

"Well that's a new one."

"Is that a no?"

"No. i mean- it's a good idea. I like it."

"You do?"

"Yeah. especially if we're getting married. I think it would be a good… test run." she decided was the term.

James wrapped a warm arm around her shoulders. The feeling made Lily smile.

"Lily?"

"Mhm?"

"Love, do you have any idea how happy you make me?"

"If it's anywhere near as happy as you make me i think i can take a guess."

Lily smiled and closed her eyes. The two of them sat like that on the bottom of the stairs for a good few minutes. James rubbed circles on Lily's arm and Lily grabbed his hand. It pressed the ring into her hand and Lily's smile widened. James pressed a kiss to her wrist before standing up.

"No, come back." Lily whined.

"Can't. I'm going to go talk to Sirius."

"Can't you talk to him later? Your fiancee is tired."

"Well, here's assuming she'll still be tired when i get back."

"That's a safe assumption." Lily groaned and straightened up, resting her head on the banister. She watched James walk away and run his hand through his hair. It was getting a bit long but Lily didn't care. It looked nice like that.

While she was distracted Marlene plopped down next to her, causing the stair to creak under her weight.

"So," she nudged Lily with her shoulder

"So?" Lily nudged her back

"What's the happening, the hot fuzz, the deal?"

"I think you're all caught up, unless of course you somehow missed both engagements."

"No i think i caught those."

"So what's up with you and Sirius? What's the happening, the hot fuzz, the deal?" she mocked

"Not a whole lot. Not new, anyway."

"You still stuck in that honeymoon phase?"

"Lily, Lily, Lily," she chided "so young. So naive."

"I'm older than you-"

"So unaware that the next stage is even better."

"Ah, yes. Because you've been doing this so much longer than me."

"Hush, child. I'm trying to teach here."

"Okay." lily laughed "since you're so knowledgeable- enlighten me."

"The next phase in the relationship is about understanding. Getting to know each other on a more emotional level."

"Uh-huh," Lily nodded along sarcastically

"It's about appreciating the downs along with the ups."

"Marlene, dear, why are you telling me this?"

"Because," Marlene sighed "Mary's not in a relationship since she broke up with Darla a few months ago and Alice and Frank have been an old married couple since before they even technically started dating."

"Your point?"

"You're the only person who gets it."

"Get's what?"

"The actual process of dating. Alice and Frank have never dated anyone outside of each other. Like, ever. Which, personally i find a little weird."

"Marlene. Point."

"I dunno. Obviously i love Sirius, like a lot, but i just can't handle the thought of being tied down like the rest of you can."

"Marlene, if i know Sirius at all, he doesn't want to be tied down either. There's no pressure."

"No, you don't get it. I want that. I really, really do. It's just… i think i'm afraid of what will happen. I always told myself i wouldn't get too serious in a relationship too fast, but here i am. I'm crazy about him, Lil."

"Well, tell him that."

"What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he acts around you. He does."

"I'm scared."

"I know." Lily breathed a laugh "that's kind of the point isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it wouldn't be love if it wasn't completely and utterly terrifying."

Marlene groaned and put her head on Lily's shoulder "what moron thought up that system?"

"I do not know, Marlene. I really don't."

A few moments later James walked up

"Ah," he said "i see you've replaced me already."

"That was fast. What did he say?"

"He's fine with it," James shrugged "said him and Remus and Peter were talking about getting a place together anyway. They said they were originally planning on me joining them, but at least they've got it all worked out."

"Wait what's happening?" Marlene chimed

"James and i are talking about getting a place together."

"Already?"

"Already? We've been dating since sixth year."

"Yeah i know." she groaned and stood up "i'll leave you two to make your grand plans then." She smiled and walked off to where the others were.

"Think she's mad?" James reclaimed his spot on the stairs

"Nah. just a little confused."

"About what?"

"How to actually go about a serious relationship."

"Like, a serious relationship or a relationship with Sirius." he raised his eyebrows and Lily smacked his arm

"What kind of dad joke?"

"No, Lil, it was a Pad joke. Get it? Because his name is padfoot."

"I got it," she reassured him "i'm just disappointed."

"You still want to get married, right?"