James sat in the living room of the manor, waiting for his parents to get home. It had been three days since he and Lily had decided to go looking for a place together and he still hadn't told them. It wasn't his fault, they hadn't had time to listen. Work was driving them up the wall. And, by extension, James. He and Lily had agreed to go looking for places tomorrow after the Order meeting with the other marauders. They would be looking for a place too.
James was nearly asleep. It was past midnight and he had been up since seven. It had been such a long day all he wanted was to close his eyes and sleep for a week. But no… he couldn't…
he could. Just as he drifted off his head snapped open at the puff of green smoke coming from the fireplace.
His father stepped out and coughed into a handkerchief that he quickly tucked away when he saw James. He was closely followed by James's mother.
"James, dear, what are you still doing up?" she asked, setting her bag down next to the fire place.
"I told you, i really need to talk to you."
"Alright," she sighed "just let us get changed and we'll be right out."
"Alright." james agreed tentatively, afraid he might fall asleep waiting for them. He refused to so much as blink while he sat there. This was important and he had already fallen asleep last night waiting for them. But to just close his eyes for one second... it would be so nice… no. good grief. It wasn't that hard. Just thirty more minutes without sleep. Ugh. that seemed so long. Fine, james broke it down to seem like less, just ten minutes… three times.
This is for the greater good he reminded himself. With any luck in a month he would have a flat with Lily. he thought of seeing her every morning when he woke up and knowing she was there every night as he fell asleep. just the idea made him smile.
Of course, he didn't have to tell his parents. He supposed he could just kinda… leave. They'd figure it out. Eventually. But that would be kind of complicated so it was best just to tell them.
When James thought he couldn't possibly keep his eyes open any longer and was just about to give up and go to bed his parents emerged in their nightclothes. His mother had gone so far as to put a sleeping mask on her head like a headband. They looked just as tired as he was, probably more so.
"So," she and James's father sat down on the couch across from him "what is it you need to talk to us about so badly?"
James took a deep breath "i'm moving out."
He was simply greeted with blank stares across from him for a long moment.
"When?" his father finally asked
"I'm not sure yet. Lily and I are going to look for places tomorrow."
"You and Lily?" Mrs. potter nodded slowly "You two are-"
"We got engaged, mum." he had to say it now or he didn't know how much longer they would go without knowing it.
The silence that ensued was eating James alive and he didn't know how much longer he could take it when his mother finally broke it.
"You got engaged?" she said quietly. James simply nodded.
"When?"
"Just a few days ago."
"Why didn't you tell us?" His father asked, and James felt horrible at the sight of the hurt on his face
"I just… didn't want to bother you, or distract you." it was the truth "i know you two are busy with work and voldemort and-" He was cut off by his mother striding over to where James was sitting and smothering him with a big hug.
"We're never too busy for you." she said firmly. James knew it wasn't quite true, but he appreciated the sentiment anyway.
"Thanks, mum." he said as much
"So you and lily are moving in together." she finally released him from the hug and sat down next to him.
He nodded
"So," she smiled and James could see she was trying not to look hurt "how did you propose to Lily?"
"I didn't actually… she proposed to me." James admitted and his father laughed
"I've only met the girl once, but that's far too easy to picture."
"Yeah, that's lily for you." James smiled.
