Beyond The Grave

Disclaimer : Everything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling

~ Love is stronger than the grave

~ The Promise
- Robert Westall


Lily sighed as she looked around the flat she was sharing with
Daniella, her best friend. Just out of Hogwarts And how she
missed it already And Daniella would be spending all the time
she could with Sirius, which would mean she would have to
spend all that time, most likely, with James, Sirius' incredibly
annoying best friend. It was beyond her why someone as nice
and charming as Sirius would have a best friend like that.
However, every girl at Hogwarts seemed to disagree with her.
Everywhere she went, she could always find at least 5 or 6 girls
hanging off of him. It disgusted her. They probably wouldn't
even look twice at him if he wasn't a good Quidditch player,
popular, funny, good looking in a weird sort of way Ok, he
was the perfect guy for some people. But Lily didn't like him. It
went beyond dislike It was hate. She turned to Daniella, and
smiled.
"It's nice."
"It's home." Dani said.
"So when are we going to paint ?"
"Sirius, James, and Re are coming at one."
"Does James have to come ? I'm sure 4 people can handle it."
"Oh Lily, stop it. Don't you think this is getting a little old."
"No."
"Oh, come on. He's really nice, and sweet, and a great Quidditch
player."
"Yeah, just ask him."
"Lily, you're gonna give me a headache."
"You mean I already haven't ?" She said, grinning. Dani grinned
back, and Lily groaned.
"What ?" Asked Dani, puzzled.
"You looked like Sirius "
"Do I hear my name ?" Sirius said, walking in. Lily groaned, she
could see James and Remus behind him. Well, she liked Remus
a lot, and she ran over to him, and hugged him.
"Hi Remus !"
"Hey Lil. Long time, no see."
Lily laughed. In truth, they had only graduated 2 days ago.
James came up to her, grabbed her hand, and before she could
do anything, kissed it.
"Good afternoon, my fair lady."
Lily wrenched her hand away from him, disgusted.
"Don't touch me, Pothead."
"Ooh Ice woman."
She shook her head at him, and grabbed Remus' arm.
James mocked outrage.
"What does he have that I don't ?"
"Me on his arm. Isn't that right, Remee ?"
Remus grinned down at her. They had been almost best friends
from the very first day.
"So, my lady, where is this manly work that needs to be done ?"
"Manly work ?" She said, outraged. She hit him on the arm.
Remus howled with laughter.
"Was that supposed to hurt ?"
"Yes." She said, indignantly.
"Too bad."
She started laughing, so did he, and they went off into the
bedroom, leaving James alone in the entrance. He had an
unusually sad look on his face. ( Which he soon hitched back up
again to his regular smile , before walking into the paint room )
Dan and Sirius were already painting each other, Remus and
Lily were in a corner talking about something privately, and for
the first time in his life, he felt very much alone.

~*~

"So How are things with the wolfbane potion ?" Asked Lily.
"It's coming along. It isn't really ready for use yet, but they say
in the next 5 years or so."
"5 YEARS ? Remus That's so looooooong !"
"Not really. I have lasted 13 years. I can wait. You know,
without James here, I would be a lot worse off."
"Well, unfortunately, I have to hand that to him. As much as I
hate to admit it."
"Why do you hate him so much ? He really isn't a bad guy, you
know."
"That's what everyone says. There is just just something
about him."
"Something that you really can't get over, can you? You have
hated him for 7 long years. Perhaps it's time to, well, maybe,
forgive and forget ?"
Lily looked thoughtful.
"I've tried to before. But every time he calls me carrots, or
makes fun of me, or steals my spotlight-"
"THAT'S what this is all about. Him stealing your spotlight ?"
"I never said that." She said, indignantly.
"True, you didn't. But I know you too well Lily. I can read you
like a book."
"Oh, thanks."
"Well, I can. I admit, he was pretty horrible to you in first-" Lily
interrupted "and second!"
"Fine. In first and second year, but I think he wants to patch
things up with you."
"Why do you say that ?"
"Well, he talks about your hate for him incessantly. And he
looked forward to coming here today."
"He DID ?" Said Lily, amazed.
"Yea. You know, I reckon you two would hit it off pretty well.
You would be great friends, if you gave it a chance."
"No we wouldn't."
"Yes you would. Why not? I'll get him over here, you can chat."
"I don't want t-"
But too late. Remus had gone over, and was saying something
to James, who was looking very confused. He then pushed
James over, and made him sit down next to Lily.
"G'bye you two ! I have to go paint !"
And he left them. Lily sat, watching Dani splash red paint in
Sirius' mouth.
"They make a great couple, don't they ?" Remarked James.
"Yeah." Remarked Lily absently. "Just like you and Tina. And
Katherine. And Kaitlin. And Ann. And Megan Or did you know
their names ?"
James looked furious.
"Of course I knew their names ! Don't make me out to be
something I'm not."
"I'm not."
"Look, Lily. Since Third year, I have been trying to become
friends with you. Third year. Now we are out of Hogwarts. And
every time I tried to, you would make up some remark like that
! I mean, come on !"
Lily regarded him.
"Excuse me, but my memory is sort of hazy. I was the one who
tried to become friends with you in first year. YOU were the one
who, ever since the end of second year, called my carrots, or
Tiger, or "
"Yeah, OK, I get the point."
Lily looked at him with triumph written all over her face.
"Aw wipe that look off your face." James said, grinning. They
both dissolved into laughter. Then, horror struck that they had
actually been LAUGHING with each other, they abruptly
stopped. Everyone in the room was staring. James scowled.
"Oh, get back to your own work !"
They all turned around again. James looked at Lily. She was still
smiling slightly. And so, found James, was he.


~*~

( Flash back )

Professor Dumbledore looked at the two students sitting in front
of him. They were here for the second time in a week. One had
painty black hair. It was very obvious it had been painted in the
very recent past, and the occupant looked furious about it. The
other was looking very pleased with himself, and very smug
about it.
"James " Said Dumbledore resignedly.
"Yes professor ?"
"I wasn't under the impression that Lily wanted her hair died
black."
"Well, professor, I thought I was doing her a favor."
"Oh how ?"
"You see, everyone teases her about it-"
"They do NOT!" Erupted Lily, her eyes flashing.
"Yes, Lily, dearest "
"Don't call me dearest !"
"Now, now "
"CAN IT JAMES POTTER !"
Dumbledore put up his hand. They fell silent.
"Both of you are giving the teachers Ulcers. Could you maybe, if
possible, just tone it down a little ?"
"I'll do my best." Said James, in a sickeningly sweet voice.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Potter, I am not that nice." He chuckled.
"You two will have detentions together for the next two weeks.
You will report to Mr. Filch every day at 9 o'clock. Pm. When the
two weeks are over, you will report back here."
Lily groaned.
"Am I not good company for you, Ms. Evans ?"
"No, Professor. I like you very much. I mean "
He laughed. "Never mind . Continue."
"It's just him !"
"Oh, thanks Lily. I'm so flattered."
"You should be, Pot head."
"Carrots !"
"Potty !"
"Numskull !"
"Idiot !"
"Dizzy !"

~*~

"What are you thinking about ?" James asked.
"The time you painted my hair black, and then we spent two
weeks in detention, and in that time, you dumped the contents
of a chamber pot in my hair, splashed trophy cleaning oil in my
hair, cut my hair with scissors My my, you certainly seem to
have a fixation with my hair."
"That's because it's so long, and orange And I was an
immature little kid !"
"It was in seventh year." She remarked dryly.
"Well, now I have been out of Seventh Year for a while."
"2 days."
"Whatever. I have grown up." He said, looking very pleased with
himself.
Lily started laughing. James looked slightly hurt. He dropped his
head, and a piece of hair fell in his eyes. Without thinking, Lily
brushed the piece out of his eyes. James grinned at her. Lily
looked shocked, mumbled something, and stood up. She then
went to talk to Remus. He handed her a brush, and the two
began painting, talking happily about something.
What just happened there ? Wondered James.
Just smile and nod, and pretend you know what's going on. He
reminded himself. Just keep to the plan. He did so, got up, and
went over to paint beside Sirius.

~*~

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the little flirt."
"Oh shut up, Remus. I still hate him."
"Sure ya do."
"Argh ! You are picking up his traits, and I DON'T LIKE IT!"
"And I DON'T CARE !"
Liloy glared at him, and grabbed a paint brush.
"Lily "
"Lily "
"Lily "
"Lily Why aren't you answering me?"
"Because I'm mad."
"No you aren't."
"How would you know ?"
"You have NEVER been mad at me in over seven years of
knowing me. And I doubt you are about to start now."
Lily grinned at him. It was the smile that very few saw. She was
know as "The red head with the attitude to match."
In other words, most people would rather die and slow painful
death my decapitation, ( well, maybe not ) than argue with her.
But, as it was, Remus was one of her two best friends, and she
adored him. He was the one who she could play chess with,
argue with, do stuff with. With Dani, she just had a great time.
Dani made her, well, complete. They were both amazing friends.
She threw her arms around Remus, hugging him. He staggered
back.
"Lily I really appreciate you not being mad at me and I
know how much you love me and all But Really, isn't this a
bit much?"
Her response was to squeeze harder.
"I love you Reemy."
"Oh no ! God help me, please!"
"Not like that Re! You are such a good friend !"
"I know."
"Don't you turn conceited on me, please."
"I already have."
"Oh no."
She let go of Remus. He was purplish. Sirius was laughing. And
laughing. When he could at least. As Dani kept * Ahem *
transferring her lipstick.
"Re Can I ask you something ?"
"Sure. Anything."
"Why would you say "Oh help me God" when I said I loved
you?"
"I was just saying it."
"No you weren't."
"Well, Lily, you have been know to sort of, well, scare guys?"
He was playing with his thumbs and trying to look innocent.
"I do?" She looked shocked.
"Well, you are really smart, and pretty, and popular, and full of
attitude. Sort of intimidating, if you ask me."
"Are you afraid of me?" She said, timidly, almost hurt.
"Me? No. Anyone who really knows you isn't. I'm not. Sirius
isn't. And you know who is the most afraid of you? James."
"James ?!"
"Oh yea."
"But he's so so "
"So what?"
"So perfect."
"Perfect?!" He felt her head. "Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm feeling fine. He isn't perfect to me at all. I hate him. All I
am saying is that, while he is incredibly conceited, he is a
tolerable Quidditch player, not bad looking, and every girl in
school adores him. And he has great marks."
"Tolerable Quidditch player? Admit it Lily, he rocks. And you
know what ?"
"What."
"I reckon you're falling for him."
"Excuse me??"
"I think your little chat helped. MY idea."
"Me? Falling for HIM? Are you nuts ?"
"Just call me Mr. Love."
'I'm not."
"No what ?"
"Falling for him, or calling you Mr. Love."
Remus grinned.
"Oy ! James!" He yelled.
Lily freaked. She covered his mouth, and dragged him out of the
room, grinning at everyone.
"Toodles!"
James grinned at her retreating back. He mentally slapped
himself. He really didn't need to fall for any girl, especially not
one he has hated for 4 years. Technically, everyone thought he
had for 7 years, but Oh, who knew what anymore? With
Voldemort around, everything had turned upside down.

~*~

"Bloody Hell ! What do you think you were doing ?" Yelled Lily.
"Now, now, now. I wasn't going to do anything."
"Excuse me? 'Oy James !' And you weren't going to DO
anything?"
"No, I wasn't. How do you know? I could easily have gone
'James, we have to report for Auror training at 8 in the morning
on Monday' ( Actually, I do have to tell him that. Please remind
me ). See, you just don't know."
"Oh, don't give me that. I know you too well. Hang on a second
You're going to be an Auror ?"
"I might. James and Sirius for sure. They're determined. But for
me I'm going to try a couple classes of training. Decide later.
But I also really want to be a vampire hunter."
"Vampire Hunters Blech. I am going to be an auror."
"You ARE ? But why aren't you in any of our classes ?"
"How would you know? You haven't even had one yet."
"Well, it's just that when we talked to Dumbledore about it at
Grad, you weren't there."
"Well, numskull, of course I wouldn't be there. Remember about
how I was called down to his office at about half way through
the year ?"
"Ya."
"Well, he asked me then. And then he told me that he thought I
would be perfect, and I filled out a form, and he submitted it to
the Ministry."
"We didn't do that until Grad Night ! That's when he called us
down."
"Well, boo hoo for you."
"Thanks a lot Lily."
"Don't worry. I know you still love me. I have class on Monday
as well. But we might be in separate classes."
"Why?"
"They have to teach female Aurors different stuff as well, I have
heard."
"Oh Well, how many female Aurors are there ?"
"Not enough for James. Lets just put it that way."
"And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think ?"
"You aren't going to hold that against him are you ? It's not his
fault that every girl at Hogwarts loved him."
"Yes it is." She said angrily.
"Why?"
"It just is."
Remus could tell she was getting in one of her 'Don't-mess-
with-me' moods. Better just to stop, and back-away-slowly.
"Fine Lily. It's all his fault. But he is one of my best friends,
so, while I'm around, can you please at least refrain from open
hostility ? Also, wiping his hair out of his eyes is evil."
He said with a grin.

( Do you like so far ? Please TELL ME ! PLEASE ! It's a pretty
pointless ending, but I like it. Hope you do to. All flames will be
laughed at, so don't bother. But I love your nice, or honest
reviews. If you think it's crap, please tell, but not like that.
Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. Once I got a
review that just said 'crap crap crap crap crap' and I laughed,
because I knew it wasn't. So exercise discretion s'il -vous- plait
)