1.1 Chapter 4: A New Home
While the girls continued to chat about Claire's school days and Lily's future over packing, James was up in his room being tortured by his mother. Or at least, that's how he saw it given that Sirius and Remus kept pulling faces at him due to her nagging.
"Mother, please, just give me a minute and I will finish this myself!"
"James, you never knew how to pack and there's no need to pretend you do now." Marilyn then turned to the other boys as well. "Honestly, I have no idea how you three boys expect to live. None of you have matured past your third year here. You can't cook, can't clean, can't do laundry... really. It seems foolish for you all to believe that you can live on your own."
The three friends started to look very sheepish and guilty. Nobody knew how to react.
Finally, Remus spoke up. "Well, I don't think we'll be entirely alone for long. We were talking about getting a fourth roommate... someone who will definitely keep us in line."
James started shaking his head frantically, hoping that Remus would see and his mother wouldn't.
"Oh really, Remus? And who might that be?"
"Well, we were going to ask Lily to move in with us."
"Excuse me?!"
James sighed. He knew this was coming.
"Well- I mean - We just..." Remus stammered.
"Mrs. Potter," Sirius took over, "we just thought it would be good for Lily, you know, since she doesn't really have anywhere else to go. She has to sell her parents' old house, and she can't go with her muggle sister..."
Marilyn's face suddenly softened.
"That poor, poor child..." Marilyn whispered. "I suppose that might be acceptable, as long as your new house has enough room. I do expect that you have a fourth bedroom and a separate bathroom for her?" The boys nodded. "Very well then. Has she agreed to this?" Nobody had a response. "Have you even asked her yet?"
"Not in so many words, mum."
"Well, don't you think it might be a good idea to do that?"
"Yeah, it's just we haven't had the chance yet."
"Well, why don't you talk to her about it today then?"
"I- I guess so, mum."
"Now, I'll be back. I'm just going to go check on your sister and fiancé. You boys be good and finish packing up your things."
"Yes ma'am," Sirius and Remus said at the same time.
"God, I thought she would never leave us alone!" said James. He turned to Remus. "What the hell were you thinking?! Lucky for you Sirius was able to bail us out of that one..."
"Well, you really think it would have been better for her to find out by coming on a surprise visit and seeing Lily in the living room watching telly?"
"I guess not..."
"We better do what she says... we only have about 30 minutes before we need to get out of here. It's hard to believe we don't have to come back here again..." Sirius trailed off as he started throwing things into his trunk.
"Knock, knock!" Marilyn said, as she entered into Lily's room. "Are you girls almost through in here?"
"Mum! Yeah, we were just finishing up," Claire said, shoving the pocket watch into Lily's open trunk.
"Well, I'll be waiting downstairs for you. Just let me know if you need any help."
"Thank you very much, Marilyn."
"Of course, dear."
As soon as her mother was safely out of the room and out of earshot Claire jumped up and closed the door. She then ran back to Lily's bed and jumped on it. "So, tell me everything. I mean, why James?"
Lily giggled. "I love him... that's really it. And, even though I cannot stand him when he gets mad or jealous, which he tends to do rather easily, I am in love with him."
"That is so sweet... so, have you guys done anything yet?" Lily gave her a puzzled look, which caused Claire to sigh. "You know, hooked up or fooled around or anything like that?"
"Oh! No, nothing really exciting... just kissing... innocent enough."
Claire shook her head. "You just don't know what you're missing out on... something tells me you're going to need to train that boy..."
"Huh?"
"You'll see," she responded, with a sly grin on her face. "All men need to be trained."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Nobody really knew where the time went, but somehow everyone (less Marilyn and Claire) was loaded up on the Hogwarts Express for their final journey home.
"This is so exciting... our next adventure," Sirius said, barely able to sit still.
"Yeah, right..." Lily said obviously disinterested in the whole thing. She moved to lie down, resting her head on James's lap.
He started stroking her hair. "You ok, Lil?"
She closed her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous about what I'm gonna do, that's all."
"Well, I'll tell you what. You're going to marry me, and then you won't have to worry about anything."
"James, don't be ridiculous. I need to work... somewhere."
"Well, I know some people at the Ministry. Maybe I could get you a job in a different department or something."
James and Sirius were both to begin jobs as Aurors for the Ministry of Magic. Remus still hadn't found work, but this didn't surprise anyone. It was often hard for a werewolf to be hired anywhere in the wizarding world.
"We'll figure something out, I promise," James assured Lily. She simply nodded in response.
By the time the train arrived at Kings Cross Station in London, Sirius and Remus were lost in a game of exploding snap. Lily was asleep on James's lap, and James was very concerned about his bride-to-be.
When they got off of the train and left Platform 9 3/4, everyone had family there to pick them up. Well, everyone of course except Lily.
"Do you need a ride home, dear?" offered Marilyn.
"No, that's alright. I'll just take a taxi."
"Lil, are you sure? I mean, do you even have any of that muggle money?" James asked.
"Oh god... I completely forgot about that. I can just go by Gringotts and exchange some, since I'm going to need to do that anyhow."
"How about we take you home first, and then you can get settled before worrying about finances."
"Are you sure, Marilyn? I don't want you to go out of your way."
"Really. I insist. James, get a buggy and help her with her trunk and things."
"Sure."
It was quite a show for the muggles at Kings Cross. With the former Hogwarts students, their trunks, their owls, other seemingly random items and their families, it looked as if some sort of circus was in town.
Lily and James said their goodbyes to Sirius, Remus and their respective families. They then climbed into the car that was waiting for them and set off toward Lily's parents' house, located in Grafton-Underwood. The car- ride was silent. Lily just stared out the window at passing scenery, and James stared at her. Even Scarlet, Lily's owl, didn't make a sound in her cage.
"Lily, which house is it?" Marilyn asked her.
"The third driveway on the right."
"Alright." She pulled the car in. "Well, here you are then. James, will you help with her things?"
"Ten steps ahead of you, mum." James had jumped out of the car and began unloading Lily's things as Lily unlocked the front door of the house.
"Where do you want this stuff?" he asked cautiously.
"Just anywhere is fine.. I'll get to it later."
James set her things in the entranceway. "Should I let Scarlet out?" Lily nodded. James took the cage outside and released the beautiful snowy owl who immediately took flight.
"Thanks James. I really appreciate everything... your mother didn't have to go out of her way like this for me."
"What? Don't worry about that. She loves being able to drive that thing around. She hardly ever gets to at home." He smiled at Lily. "Well, I guess that I should probably run... mum and Claire are waiting. I love you."
"I love you too, James." Lily kissed him goodbye. "I'll send Scarlet to you soon."
"Alright. Maybe I'll try giving you a call tonight, provided I can find a phone..."
"Bye," Lily said as James walked out the door.
As soon as the door closed behind James Lily started wandering around her old house aimlessly. The last time she had been in there was when she came home for her parents' funeral three years earlier after they were killed in a car crash. It had been a terrible drunk driving accident.
Lily wandered from room to room and noticed that quite a bit of the furniture was missing. "I guess that Petunia raided the house when she moved in with that weasel Vernon," Lily thought out loud. She finally made her way upstairs and to her old room, where she immediately collapsed on her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
She woke up at 9 o'clock that night only because Scarlet had returned and started to nip at her nose. "What is it, girl?" Lily asked. She then noticed a note tied to Scarlet's leg. "Thank you." She untied the note and Scarlet flew downstairs to the perch in her cage. Lily opened up the letter and immediately recognized Jem's handwriting.
Dear Lily, I hope that things aren't too strange for you at home. I know they are for me, and that's with everything the same as how I left it. Anyhow, all I'm trying to say is that if you need anything, don't hesitate to send word. I'll always be your friend... and I especially hope you remember that when you pick your bridesmaids... hehehehe Love ya! Jem
Lily decided it wasn't worth going back to sleep after that point, so she decided to bring her trunk upstairs and unpack some. "Well, at least I don't have to carry the damn thing..." she said, as she pulled out her wand and levitated the heavy trunk up the stairs. After looking around to check for anything that might have fallen, Lily went upstairs after it. She unpacked for a while, and then went to wash her face in the bathroom. Unfortunately, this meant passing the door to what was her parents' bedroom. She couldn't help but go in. There was still some ray of hope inside her that the last three years had been a horrible joke of Petunia's, and her parents would be lying in their bed reading, like they used to do on Sunday mornings.
Lily took a deep breath and opened the door to the bedroom. Other than everything being covered in layers of dust, it was exactly as she remembered it. Her mother's robe was even still draped across the back of the vanity's chair. Lily couldn't handle seeing this. She immediately broke down, collapsing onto the floor in fits of sobs.
She didn't know how long she had been crying. She could hardly see because her eyes were swollen with tears. But suddenly someone lifted her up off of the floor and carried her downstairs and into the living room where a fire had been started in the fireplace.
It was James.
"Shhh, shhh," came James's soothing voice. He stroked her hair as she continued to weep on his shoulder. "It's ok. Everything is going to be ok... I'm here."
"I just can't believe they're really gone," Lily cried, clutching a handkerchief in her hands. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to be there when I graduated, when I came home, when we get married... James, who's going to walk me down the aisle?"
"I wish I knew what to tell you, baby, I really do. When my dad died, it was hard for all of us, but I'm sure that was nothing compared to this. Just know that I'm here, and I won't let go. Never."
James continued to hold Lily in his arms for quite a while, kissing the top of her head periodically. He knew that there was nothing to be said and that it would just be easier to let her have her cry.
It wasn't until the clock struck 6 in the morning that Lily's tears seemed to subside and she spoke again. "James?" she sniffled, "How did you get here?"
He smiled. "One of my friends at the Ministry hooked me up with a portkey. It took me just down the street."
"But, why? How did you know...?"
"I don't know exactly. Something just told me that you needed me here."
"Thank you, then," she whispered, giving him a kiss.
"Lil, maybe this would be a good time... there's something that I wanted to ask you. Well, all of us really wanted to know..."
"What's that?"
"Well, maybe you'd consider moving in with me and the guys? I mean, at least that way you'd have all of us, and I'd know that you're safe. It's a win-win situation, really."
Lily smiled faintly. "What about your mother, James? She would never agree to that..."
"Actually, she loves the idea." Judging by the shocked look on Lily's face, James knew she didn't believe him. "Really! She just wanted to make sure that you'd have your own bedroom and bathroom. So, do you think you'll at least consider it?"
"When can I move in?"
James laughed. "Well, you'll have to at least wait until Monday like the rest of us."
Lily sighed. "If I must... but James? Do you, well, I know your mum wouldn't like it, but... do you think you could stay here with me until then? I just don't want to be alone, it's very eerie."
"You could come and stay at my house, if you want," he offered.
"No, I'd rather stay here. It's been so long, and I think there are some things I need to take care of. I just can't handle it alone..."
"I'll see what I can do, but no matter what, I promise you won't be here by yourself."
"Alright." Lily yawned.
"How about you try to get some sleep now?" James asked, as a blanket appeared. He pulled it up over Lily, who just nodded as she drifted off to sleep.
James, somehow, managed to keep his promise to Lily. He didn't leave her side for the following three days. She wondered what his mother was thinking, but didn't really care enough to ask. She was just glad to have him there with her. Together they cleaned the house and set aside some furniture that they would take with them to their own house.
"Everything is pretty much set, Lil. Ready to go, except for the closets. They're still full of clothes."
Lily sighed mournfully. "I know. I'll go sort through everything. Most of it we should be able to donate to charity. It's what they would have wanted."
"Come on, I'll help you."
The two of them went upstairs and back into the Evans' bedroom. It was pretty much empty now, as they had moved most of the furniture downstairs for Lily to use in her bedroom in their new home. As she had explained to James, her parents' bed had been in their family for generations, and she saw no reason to end the family tradition.
"Well, how about if while you sort through the clothes I go and fix us something to eat?"
"Um.. James, are you sure that you want to try to cook? You've never even made toast without a house elf there to actually do the work..."
James rolled his eyes. "Whatever, I'll be fine. Just let me know if you need anything."
Lily shook her head as James walked out of the room. "Just don't set anything on fire!" she yelled after him. She then saw James run back into the room, his wand pulled out and a flash of yellow light coming from it. Lily immediately burst out laughing. It was the tickling charm.
"Don't set anything on fire, honestly woman. What do you take me for?" And he left her there, curled up on the floor laughing her head off.
James really wanted to prove Lily wrong, but in the end he knew she was right. He really couldn't cook. So, instead, he used a bit of magic and summoned the Potter House elf, Reena.
"What does Master James want of Reena?" she asked as soon as she appeared.
"Is my mother going to miss you for a little while?"
"Master James should no worry about Reena, sir. Reena has taken care already."
"There's no need for that, Reena. All I need is some help making lunch for me and Lily."
"Reena cooks, sir." She immediately found her way to the kitchen and started working with the food she conjured up for herself.
When the effects of the tickling charm had worn off enough so that Lily could actually function again, she began to clear out her father's closet. It was very hard for her to do, but she somehow managed to get through it with minimal tears. In her mother's closet though there was something that caught her eye. In fact, it caused her to scream out loud, with delight. Of course James didn't know that, so he came rushing in.
"What? What happened?" he asked frantically.
"It's beautiful!" she squealed.
"What?"
"Nothing! Don't look!" James looked confused. "I think I've found my wedding dress..." It was true. Lily found her mother's wedding dress and fell in love with it instantly. Instinctually, she wanted to try it on, but she knew she couldn't with James in there... it would be bad luck. "James, would you mind going back downstairs? I need to see how it fits."
"Um, sure, I guess. I'll just go finish lunch."
Lily locked the door behind James and put the dress on. It fit like a glove. It was sleeveless and had a fitted bodice and a full skirt, that was not very meringue at all, just perfect. "This is it..." she whispered as she looked at herself in a mirror.
After staring and dancing around the room for a few minutes, Lily changed back into her clothes and went downstairs to join James.
"Something smells really good!" she yelled from the stairs.
"It'll be ready in a minute, I'm just setting the table."
And then the kitchen door opened. "Miss Lily!" Reena ran right back into the kitchen and started banging her head on the counter.
"I'll be right back!" said James, rushing in to try and stop her. "Reena, it's alright. You don't need to do that."
"Miss Lily wasn't supposed to see Reena, sir. Sir didn't want it."
"No, it's ok, Reena. I said so."
"Is everything alright in here?" Lily asked, opening the door. She smiled when she saw Reena. "Do you remember me? We met once when I visited the Potters."
"Yes, miss. Reena remembers miss."
"Did you cook all of this food?"
Reena looked at James, who nodded, so she did as well.
"It smells very good. I can't wait to have some, I'm starving."
"Miss go and sit at the table. Food will be right there, Reena promises."
"Thank you very much," said Lily leaving the room.
"Alright Reena, I think it's time for you to go back to mum now. Just be sure to give her this for me," he handed her a note.
"Reena will, Master James." And with that, she disappeared.
James walked into the dining room to find Lily sitting at the table grinning from ear to ear.
"Don't even say it," he said. "I'll admit it, you were right, I was wrong. I can't cook. Happy?"
"Very!" She was still grinning.
"What?"
"Nothing." She started to giggle.
"What?"
"You might want to look in a mirror, that's all." She then began to eat, trying hard to ignore James.
Since there were no longer 'no magic outside of Hogwarts' rules to stop him, James summoned a mirror to appear beside him. When he turned to look at his reflection he saw that his ears had grown into the shape of the ears of a house elf, and his eyes had changed shape as well. There was also a sign flashing above his head that simply said "Lazy." He immediately jumped up from the table, knocking into it on his way up, and causing it to jump slightly as well, which made several things fall right onto Lily's lap.
"Serves you right!" he shouted.
Lily couldn't ignore him any more. She started to laugh and point at him. "You deserved that," she said, cleaning herself up with a wave of her wand. "Bringing your house elf here to do your work, shame on you James Potter."
James tried frantically to change himself back to normal, but it wouldn't work. "Get rid of it, NOW Lily!"
"I can't. It's just going to have to stay like that for the next hour or two. Then they'll go back to normal." She laughed again wondering how he had missed her pointing her wand at him before he sat down to eat.
For the next two days, Lily and James played house like they were 10 years old again. Other than a night or two, they had never really spent any great length of time alone together. They cooked together, washed dishes together. Went shopping together. All the while smiling adoringly at each other. To an outsider it might have seemed quite sickening, actually, but they didn't care. They knew that they wouldn't really get away with this once they moved in with Remus and Sirius, so they had to get it out of their systems now, or at least until they did get married and move into their own home without roommates.
While the girls continued to chat about Claire's school days and Lily's future over packing, James was up in his room being tortured by his mother. Or at least, that's how he saw it given that Sirius and Remus kept pulling faces at him due to her nagging.
"Mother, please, just give me a minute and I will finish this myself!"
"James, you never knew how to pack and there's no need to pretend you do now." Marilyn then turned to the other boys as well. "Honestly, I have no idea how you three boys expect to live. None of you have matured past your third year here. You can't cook, can't clean, can't do laundry... really. It seems foolish for you all to believe that you can live on your own."
The three friends started to look very sheepish and guilty. Nobody knew how to react.
Finally, Remus spoke up. "Well, I don't think we'll be entirely alone for long. We were talking about getting a fourth roommate... someone who will definitely keep us in line."
James started shaking his head frantically, hoping that Remus would see and his mother wouldn't.
"Oh really, Remus? And who might that be?"
"Well, we were going to ask Lily to move in with us."
"Excuse me?!"
James sighed. He knew this was coming.
"Well- I mean - We just..." Remus stammered.
"Mrs. Potter," Sirius took over, "we just thought it would be good for Lily, you know, since she doesn't really have anywhere else to go. She has to sell her parents' old house, and she can't go with her muggle sister..."
Marilyn's face suddenly softened.
"That poor, poor child..." Marilyn whispered. "I suppose that might be acceptable, as long as your new house has enough room. I do expect that you have a fourth bedroom and a separate bathroom for her?" The boys nodded. "Very well then. Has she agreed to this?" Nobody had a response. "Have you even asked her yet?"
"Not in so many words, mum."
"Well, don't you think it might be a good idea to do that?"
"Yeah, it's just we haven't had the chance yet."
"Well, why don't you talk to her about it today then?"
"I- I guess so, mum."
"Now, I'll be back. I'm just going to go check on your sister and fiancé. You boys be good and finish packing up your things."
"Yes ma'am," Sirius and Remus said at the same time.
"God, I thought she would never leave us alone!" said James. He turned to Remus. "What the hell were you thinking?! Lucky for you Sirius was able to bail us out of that one..."
"Well, you really think it would have been better for her to find out by coming on a surprise visit and seeing Lily in the living room watching telly?"
"I guess not..."
"We better do what she says... we only have about 30 minutes before we need to get out of here. It's hard to believe we don't have to come back here again..." Sirius trailed off as he started throwing things into his trunk.
"Knock, knock!" Marilyn said, as she entered into Lily's room. "Are you girls almost through in here?"
"Mum! Yeah, we were just finishing up," Claire said, shoving the pocket watch into Lily's open trunk.
"Well, I'll be waiting downstairs for you. Just let me know if you need any help."
"Thank you very much, Marilyn."
"Of course, dear."
As soon as her mother was safely out of the room and out of earshot Claire jumped up and closed the door. She then ran back to Lily's bed and jumped on it. "So, tell me everything. I mean, why James?"
Lily giggled. "I love him... that's really it. And, even though I cannot stand him when he gets mad or jealous, which he tends to do rather easily, I am in love with him."
"That is so sweet... so, have you guys done anything yet?" Lily gave her a puzzled look, which caused Claire to sigh. "You know, hooked up or fooled around or anything like that?"
"Oh! No, nothing really exciting... just kissing... innocent enough."
Claire shook her head. "You just don't know what you're missing out on... something tells me you're going to need to train that boy..."
"Huh?"
"You'll see," she responded, with a sly grin on her face. "All men need to be trained."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Nobody really knew where the time went, but somehow everyone (less Marilyn and Claire) was loaded up on the Hogwarts Express for their final journey home.
"This is so exciting... our next adventure," Sirius said, barely able to sit still.
"Yeah, right..." Lily said obviously disinterested in the whole thing. She moved to lie down, resting her head on James's lap.
He started stroking her hair. "You ok, Lil?"
She closed her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous about what I'm gonna do, that's all."
"Well, I'll tell you what. You're going to marry me, and then you won't have to worry about anything."
"James, don't be ridiculous. I need to work... somewhere."
"Well, I know some people at the Ministry. Maybe I could get you a job in a different department or something."
James and Sirius were both to begin jobs as Aurors for the Ministry of Magic. Remus still hadn't found work, but this didn't surprise anyone. It was often hard for a werewolf to be hired anywhere in the wizarding world.
"We'll figure something out, I promise," James assured Lily. She simply nodded in response.
By the time the train arrived at Kings Cross Station in London, Sirius and Remus were lost in a game of exploding snap. Lily was asleep on James's lap, and James was very concerned about his bride-to-be.
When they got off of the train and left Platform 9 3/4, everyone had family there to pick them up. Well, everyone of course except Lily.
"Do you need a ride home, dear?" offered Marilyn.
"No, that's alright. I'll just take a taxi."
"Lil, are you sure? I mean, do you even have any of that muggle money?" James asked.
"Oh god... I completely forgot about that. I can just go by Gringotts and exchange some, since I'm going to need to do that anyhow."
"How about we take you home first, and then you can get settled before worrying about finances."
"Are you sure, Marilyn? I don't want you to go out of your way."
"Really. I insist. James, get a buggy and help her with her trunk and things."
"Sure."
It was quite a show for the muggles at Kings Cross. With the former Hogwarts students, their trunks, their owls, other seemingly random items and their families, it looked as if some sort of circus was in town.
Lily and James said their goodbyes to Sirius, Remus and their respective families. They then climbed into the car that was waiting for them and set off toward Lily's parents' house, located in Grafton-Underwood. The car- ride was silent. Lily just stared out the window at passing scenery, and James stared at her. Even Scarlet, Lily's owl, didn't make a sound in her cage.
"Lily, which house is it?" Marilyn asked her.
"The third driveway on the right."
"Alright." She pulled the car in. "Well, here you are then. James, will you help with her things?"
"Ten steps ahead of you, mum." James had jumped out of the car and began unloading Lily's things as Lily unlocked the front door of the house.
"Where do you want this stuff?" he asked cautiously.
"Just anywhere is fine.. I'll get to it later."
James set her things in the entranceway. "Should I let Scarlet out?" Lily nodded. James took the cage outside and released the beautiful snowy owl who immediately took flight.
"Thanks James. I really appreciate everything... your mother didn't have to go out of her way like this for me."
"What? Don't worry about that. She loves being able to drive that thing around. She hardly ever gets to at home." He smiled at Lily. "Well, I guess that I should probably run... mum and Claire are waiting. I love you."
"I love you too, James." Lily kissed him goodbye. "I'll send Scarlet to you soon."
"Alright. Maybe I'll try giving you a call tonight, provided I can find a phone..."
"Bye," Lily said as James walked out the door.
As soon as the door closed behind James Lily started wandering around her old house aimlessly. The last time she had been in there was when she came home for her parents' funeral three years earlier after they were killed in a car crash. It had been a terrible drunk driving accident.
Lily wandered from room to room and noticed that quite a bit of the furniture was missing. "I guess that Petunia raided the house when she moved in with that weasel Vernon," Lily thought out loud. She finally made her way upstairs and to her old room, where she immediately collapsed on her bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.
She woke up at 9 o'clock that night only because Scarlet had returned and started to nip at her nose. "What is it, girl?" Lily asked. She then noticed a note tied to Scarlet's leg. "Thank you." She untied the note and Scarlet flew downstairs to the perch in her cage. Lily opened up the letter and immediately recognized Jem's handwriting.
Dear Lily, I hope that things aren't too strange for you at home. I know they are for me, and that's with everything the same as how I left it. Anyhow, all I'm trying to say is that if you need anything, don't hesitate to send word. I'll always be your friend... and I especially hope you remember that when you pick your bridesmaids... hehehehe Love ya! Jem
Lily decided it wasn't worth going back to sleep after that point, so she decided to bring her trunk upstairs and unpack some. "Well, at least I don't have to carry the damn thing..." she said, as she pulled out her wand and levitated the heavy trunk up the stairs. After looking around to check for anything that might have fallen, Lily went upstairs after it. She unpacked for a while, and then went to wash her face in the bathroom. Unfortunately, this meant passing the door to what was her parents' bedroom. She couldn't help but go in. There was still some ray of hope inside her that the last three years had been a horrible joke of Petunia's, and her parents would be lying in their bed reading, like they used to do on Sunday mornings.
Lily took a deep breath and opened the door to the bedroom. Other than everything being covered in layers of dust, it was exactly as she remembered it. Her mother's robe was even still draped across the back of the vanity's chair. Lily couldn't handle seeing this. She immediately broke down, collapsing onto the floor in fits of sobs.
She didn't know how long she had been crying. She could hardly see because her eyes were swollen with tears. But suddenly someone lifted her up off of the floor and carried her downstairs and into the living room where a fire had been started in the fireplace.
It was James.
"Shhh, shhh," came James's soothing voice. He stroked her hair as she continued to weep on his shoulder. "It's ok. Everything is going to be ok... I'm here."
"I just can't believe they're really gone," Lily cried, clutching a handkerchief in her hands. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to be there when I graduated, when I came home, when we get married... James, who's going to walk me down the aisle?"
"I wish I knew what to tell you, baby, I really do. When my dad died, it was hard for all of us, but I'm sure that was nothing compared to this. Just know that I'm here, and I won't let go. Never."
James continued to hold Lily in his arms for quite a while, kissing the top of her head periodically. He knew that there was nothing to be said and that it would just be easier to let her have her cry.
It wasn't until the clock struck 6 in the morning that Lily's tears seemed to subside and she spoke again. "James?" she sniffled, "How did you get here?"
He smiled. "One of my friends at the Ministry hooked me up with a portkey. It took me just down the street."
"But, why? How did you know...?"
"I don't know exactly. Something just told me that you needed me here."
"Thank you, then," she whispered, giving him a kiss.
"Lil, maybe this would be a good time... there's something that I wanted to ask you. Well, all of us really wanted to know..."
"What's that?"
"Well, maybe you'd consider moving in with me and the guys? I mean, at least that way you'd have all of us, and I'd know that you're safe. It's a win-win situation, really."
Lily smiled faintly. "What about your mother, James? She would never agree to that..."
"Actually, she loves the idea." Judging by the shocked look on Lily's face, James knew she didn't believe him. "Really! She just wanted to make sure that you'd have your own bedroom and bathroom. So, do you think you'll at least consider it?"
"When can I move in?"
James laughed. "Well, you'll have to at least wait until Monday like the rest of us."
Lily sighed. "If I must... but James? Do you, well, I know your mum wouldn't like it, but... do you think you could stay here with me until then? I just don't want to be alone, it's very eerie."
"You could come and stay at my house, if you want," he offered.
"No, I'd rather stay here. It's been so long, and I think there are some things I need to take care of. I just can't handle it alone..."
"I'll see what I can do, but no matter what, I promise you won't be here by yourself."
"Alright." Lily yawned.
"How about you try to get some sleep now?" James asked, as a blanket appeared. He pulled it up over Lily, who just nodded as she drifted off to sleep.
James, somehow, managed to keep his promise to Lily. He didn't leave her side for the following three days. She wondered what his mother was thinking, but didn't really care enough to ask. She was just glad to have him there with her. Together they cleaned the house and set aside some furniture that they would take with them to their own house.
"Everything is pretty much set, Lil. Ready to go, except for the closets. They're still full of clothes."
Lily sighed mournfully. "I know. I'll go sort through everything. Most of it we should be able to donate to charity. It's what they would have wanted."
"Come on, I'll help you."
The two of them went upstairs and back into the Evans' bedroom. It was pretty much empty now, as they had moved most of the furniture downstairs for Lily to use in her bedroom in their new home. As she had explained to James, her parents' bed had been in their family for generations, and she saw no reason to end the family tradition.
"Well, how about if while you sort through the clothes I go and fix us something to eat?"
"Um.. James, are you sure that you want to try to cook? You've never even made toast without a house elf there to actually do the work..."
James rolled his eyes. "Whatever, I'll be fine. Just let me know if you need anything."
Lily shook her head as James walked out of the room. "Just don't set anything on fire!" she yelled after him. She then saw James run back into the room, his wand pulled out and a flash of yellow light coming from it. Lily immediately burst out laughing. It was the tickling charm.
"Don't set anything on fire, honestly woman. What do you take me for?" And he left her there, curled up on the floor laughing her head off.
James really wanted to prove Lily wrong, but in the end he knew she was right. He really couldn't cook. So, instead, he used a bit of magic and summoned the Potter House elf, Reena.
"What does Master James want of Reena?" she asked as soon as she appeared.
"Is my mother going to miss you for a little while?"
"Master James should no worry about Reena, sir. Reena has taken care already."
"There's no need for that, Reena. All I need is some help making lunch for me and Lily."
"Reena cooks, sir." She immediately found her way to the kitchen and started working with the food she conjured up for herself.
When the effects of the tickling charm had worn off enough so that Lily could actually function again, she began to clear out her father's closet. It was very hard for her to do, but she somehow managed to get through it with minimal tears. In her mother's closet though there was something that caught her eye. In fact, it caused her to scream out loud, with delight. Of course James didn't know that, so he came rushing in.
"What? What happened?" he asked frantically.
"It's beautiful!" she squealed.
"What?"
"Nothing! Don't look!" James looked confused. "I think I've found my wedding dress..." It was true. Lily found her mother's wedding dress and fell in love with it instantly. Instinctually, she wanted to try it on, but she knew she couldn't with James in there... it would be bad luck. "James, would you mind going back downstairs? I need to see how it fits."
"Um, sure, I guess. I'll just go finish lunch."
Lily locked the door behind James and put the dress on. It fit like a glove. It was sleeveless and had a fitted bodice and a full skirt, that was not very meringue at all, just perfect. "This is it..." she whispered as she looked at herself in a mirror.
After staring and dancing around the room for a few minutes, Lily changed back into her clothes and went downstairs to join James.
"Something smells really good!" she yelled from the stairs.
"It'll be ready in a minute, I'm just setting the table."
And then the kitchen door opened. "Miss Lily!" Reena ran right back into the kitchen and started banging her head on the counter.
"I'll be right back!" said James, rushing in to try and stop her. "Reena, it's alright. You don't need to do that."
"Miss Lily wasn't supposed to see Reena, sir. Sir didn't want it."
"No, it's ok, Reena. I said so."
"Is everything alright in here?" Lily asked, opening the door. She smiled when she saw Reena. "Do you remember me? We met once when I visited the Potters."
"Yes, miss. Reena remembers miss."
"Did you cook all of this food?"
Reena looked at James, who nodded, so she did as well.
"It smells very good. I can't wait to have some, I'm starving."
"Miss go and sit at the table. Food will be right there, Reena promises."
"Thank you very much," said Lily leaving the room.
"Alright Reena, I think it's time for you to go back to mum now. Just be sure to give her this for me," he handed her a note.
"Reena will, Master James." And with that, she disappeared.
James walked into the dining room to find Lily sitting at the table grinning from ear to ear.
"Don't even say it," he said. "I'll admit it, you were right, I was wrong. I can't cook. Happy?"
"Very!" She was still grinning.
"What?"
"Nothing." She started to giggle.
"What?"
"You might want to look in a mirror, that's all." She then began to eat, trying hard to ignore James.
Since there were no longer 'no magic outside of Hogwarts' rules to stop him, James summoned a mirror to appear beside him. When he turned to look at his reflection he saw that his ears had grown into the shape of the ears of a house elf, and his eyes had changed shape as well. There was also a sign flashing above his head that simply said "Lazy." He immediately jumped up from the table, knocking into it on his way up, and causing it to jump slightly as well, which made several things fall right onto Lily's lap.
"Serves you right!" he shouted.
Lily couldn't ignore him any more. She started to laugh and point at him. "You deserved that," she said, cleaning herself up with a wave of her wand. "Bringing your house elf here to do your work, shame on you James Potter."
James tried frantically to change himself back to normal, but it wouldn't work. "Get rid of it, NOW Lily!"
"I can't. It's just going to have to stay like that for the next hour or two. Then they'll go back to normal." She laughed again wondering how he had missed her pointing her wand at him before he sat down to eat.
For the next two days, Lily and James played house like they were 10 years old again. Other than a night or two, they had never really spent any great length of time alone together. They cooked together, washed dishes together. Went shopping together. All the while smiling adoringly at each other. To an outsider it might have seemed quite sickening, actually, but they didn't care. They knew that they wouldn't really get away with this once they moved in with Remus and Sirius, so they had to get it out of their systems now, or at least until they did get married and move into their own home without roommates.