Disclaimer: Anything you recognise does not belong to me it belongs to JK
Rowling. I'm not making anything from this, so please don't sue me.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews – Greatly appreciated!! – Hope you like this chapter?
1.1.1.1 THE MORNING AFTER
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
Eyes still closed Lily registered the noise and shouted "Ok…I'll not be a minute." It was only when she opened her eyes that she remembered where she was, with who and who was at the door.
"Oh bloody hell" Lily muttered "James get up" she said shoving him.
Eyes fluttering open James said "Lily what the…" but stopped there as he heard.
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily hurry and let me in"
James jumped out of bed panic-stricken thinking Shit I'm dead. Lily stood scanning the room and then said "Wardrobe" watching James give her a look that said get real she added "I know but it's the only option"
Rolling his eyes at her and not truly believing he was doing it James headed for the wardrobe as he opened the door he heard Lily say "Shit…your clothes James"
Turning back he grabbed his wand of the bedside table and said "Accio clothes" James only realised the mistake he had made when not only his but Lily's clothes from the night before hit him full in the chest.
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily…What are you doing?"
Moving over to James Lily said "Never mind" and pushed him into the wardrobe and locked the door.
Flipping her trunk open Lily grabbed her bathrobe and headed for the door.
Opening the door Rowan walked in, looking around the room he said, "What took you so long?"
"I was in the bathroom" Lily replied "I was just about to get into the shower and didn't hear you"
Rowan made to sit down in the chair by the window saying, "I'll wait for you if you like and then we can go down together"
Glancing at the wardrobe Lily tried to smile at him as she said "No that's ok Rowan I'll be fine" moving over to him she grabbed his hands in hers and pulled him up out of the chair. "I'll meet you in the dinning room…I won't be long" before he knew what was happening Lily had manoeuvred him to the door and was opening for him.
Closing the door behind her brother Lily let out a sigh and moved over to the wardrobe to release James. Leaning back against the side of the wardrobe James at first had held his breath in fear of being found and then to try and stop him self laughing at Lily.
As the light fell on him through the open door James grinned at her "Lily Evans I'm shocked you lie like a Slytherin…I can see that I'm going to have to watch you very closely"
*****
Twenty minutes later James and Lily made it into the hotel dining room for breakfast. Standing in the entrance Lily scanned the room for Rowan; she spotted him sat next to Richard at a large table in the middle of the room. Pulling James with her she headed for them.
As she approached Rowan looked up saying "Its about time" smirking at her he said "Oh I see you managed to find James"
Blushing slightly Lily bent over and kissed her brother on the cheek "Good morning Rowan" and then moved to sit on the other side of Richard.
James took the seat next to Lily and they both placed their order for breakfast. Turning to Richard she said "Were are the others?"
Smiling he said "Grace should be down any minute with the little demon…Not sure about the others"
Over the next twenty minutes the table slowly filled as everybody made it down for breakfast. Miranda made a dash for James, making her self comfortable on his knee before her mother had time to grab her.
James smiled at her parents who were giving him apologetic looks and sorted the little girl out with some breakfast. Breakfast was a leisurely affair as everyone chatted happily about the wedding. All chatter stopped as Philip and Jeanne made an appearance in the dinning room and that were group sat around the table let out a thunderous roar of cheers for the newly weds.
Finally making it to the table Philip dragged two chairs over and he and Jeanne joined the fray that was breakfast. As the dirty dishes were cleared and another pot of tea was placed on the table a plan for the day was made.
******
The rest of the morning was spent in the hotel's swimming pool. Miranda whooped with delight, as she was the sole focus of attention of all the adults while they splashed in the warm glorious water.
A tray of refreshments arrived mid morning and they all gathered around wrapped in towels while they enjoyed a cool drink.
Miranda was soon restless and the men found themselves being dragged back into the water. The four women stayed by the poolside watching them in silence for a moment. Amelia smiled as she watched Robert bouncing Sarah gently in the water.
Jeanne glanced at Lily and then following her gaze towards the handsome teenager who was splashing Miranda.
Leaning towards Lily she said "Hope you liked my little surprise"
Smiling to her self Lily slowly turned to face Jeanne and noticing the others watching her she blushed "Yes it was very interesting…especially when Rowan turned up this morning"
Listening to the exchange Grace said "Why what did you do?"
Chuckling Jeanne raised an eyebrow at her friends and said "Double room"
This caused them all to laugh loud enough to attract the attention of the men in the water and Philip to ask, "What's so funny?"
Seeing all the eyes on them caused the four women to laugh harder and Grace managed "Private joke"
In answer to this all they got was Richard saying "Ignore them…you'll never get anything out of them when they are like that"
Calm eventually settled over the little group and it was soon time for lunch. They all returned to their rooms to get changed before going down to the dinning room. As Lily and James headed into the room the waiter informed them that lunch was being served on the terrace.
Outside they found a buffet style lunch laid out, helping themselves to a selection of sandwiches they went to join the others. As they reached the table Lily looked down at the grumpy face of the little girl trapped between her mother and father and heard Miranda ask, "Please daddy"
Looking up at the rest he said, "Would any one mind if we ate on the grass…Miranda would like a picnic"
All eyes on the small face that was giving them an angelic smile causing a round of laughter and a lot of nods. It wasn't long before they were all sat on the beautiful lawn at the back of the hotel.
Over the course of lunch the small group had drifted apart. Lily and James were playing with Miranda while her parents enjoyed a rare moment alone. Lily looked around at the group and noticed Rowan was sat off to the side just watching his friends.
Tapping James on the arm she said "James will you be alright with Miranda for a bit" as he nodded she said, "I need to talk to Rowan"
Leaning over kissing her on the cheek he said, "No worries…see you later"
Standing up Lily walked over to Rowan, holding her hand out to him she said "Fancy going for a walk with me?"
Taking hold of her hand Rowan nodded and got up. Hand in hand brother and sister wandered away form the main lawn.
While they were walking Lily moved closer to him and slipped her arm around his waist, giving him a quick squeeze she asked, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm alright…its just hard watching them all sometimes," he said sighing.
Lily hugged him tighter she knew he still struggled with Alice's death even though it had been three years since the accident.
"We would have been married three years by now" Rowan vocalised what Lily had been thinking "I know I need to move on but its just hard"
Lily raised her hand brushing his hair from his eyes and smiled at him "You know that Alice would go mad if she could see you like this" touching his cheek she said, "I wish you would move back"
Shaking his head he said "Sorry Lily but I'm just not ready for that" and he kissed her on the forehead "but I promise to try harder…Maybe I will even try to go on a date when I get back"
Standing back from him Lily smiled "Good" chuckling she said, "I'll need photo's of course so that I can vet them"
At this Rowan laughed at the thought of his baby sister wanting to interrogate his potential dates. "Come on you…let's go and rescue James"
Coming back onto the main lawn Lily laughed as she saw James galloping around the grass with Miranda on his back. Reaching them she said "Hello…Having a good time?"
Beaming Miranda squealed "Yes…giddy up horsy"
James laughed as the little girl clipped him with her heals, looking up at the smiling face of his girlfriend he said, "Help…this is harder than Quidditch practice…need a drink"
Laughing and watching the small child Lily decided to lend a hand and reached down picking Miranda up. Swinging the small girl around she said "Come on you…lets go get a drink" shifting the child so that she was balanced on her hip Lily offered a hand to James and helped him up.
Lily deposited Miranda next to her parents and told James to sit down and relax. Going back to the terrace she retrieved a tray loaded with drinks and carried it down to the group on the lawn.
Drinking the cool pumpkin juice James checked his watch saying "What time are we expected at Remus's house?"
"In time for dinner" looking at her own watch Lily said, "I suppose we should start getting organised" and James nodded at her.
Turning to the rest Lily said, "We're just going to go and pack up" seeing the others nod "See you in a bit"
*****
Trunks packed and deposited in the porter's room in the hotel lobby Lily and James made their way back onto the terrace. Their friends sat around one of the tables chatting. Lily smiled at the sight of Miranda curled up in Richards's lap fast asleep.
Jeanne smiled at them as they approached "So are you two ready?"
Both nodded at her and sat down accepting the drinks she poured for them.
Philip said, "I saw you talking to Jonesy last night…What's happening about summer training? Are you coming?"
Shrugging Lily said, "Not sure yet…Jonesy is going to owl the ministry…So we'll have to see what they say"
Grinning James said, "I'm sure I can talk to dad"
Leaning over and kissing him on the cheek she said "I forgot secret weapon" and chuckled "Only other problem…Aggy and I may need some where to stay" and she flashed them a beaming smile.
Laughing Richard said, "I'm sure something can be arranged"
Touching her arm James said "Lily we had better get going"
The next ten minutes involved a lot of hugging and kissing as they said farewell. Lily stood holding on to Rowan burring her face into his chest as a tear ran down her cheek. Rowan held her tight to him placing a kiss on to the top of her head.
Finally James and Lily were stood in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby. Throwing in the floo powder James grabbed his trunk and with a wave he spun away. Lily gave them all one last hug and promised to owl them all soon. Following James's example Lily waved as she spun away though the floo network.
At the other end James stood in the study of Remus's house waiting for lily to arrive.
*****
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter – a bit shorter than usual – hope I have answered a few questions about Rowan. – Adventures at Remus's house next.
Don't forget to click the button and let me know what you think!!
Thanks for reading
Madame Padfoot
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews – Greatly appreciated!! – Hope you like this chapter?
1.1.1.1 THE MORNING AFTER
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily"
Eyes still closed Lily registered the noise and shouted "Ok…I'll not be a minute." It was only when she opened her eyes that she remembered where she was, with who and who was at the door.
"Oh bloody hell" Lily muttered "James get up" she said shoving him.
Eyes fluttering open James said "Lily what the…" but stopped there as he heard.
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily hurry and let me in"
James jumped out of bed panic-stricken thinking Shit I'm dead. Lily stood scanning the room and then said "Wardrobe" watching James give her a look that said get real she added "I know but it's the only option"
Rolling his eyes at her and not truly believing he was doing it James headed for the wardrobe as he opened the door he heard Lily say "Shit…your clothes James"
Turning back he grabbed his wand of the bedside table and said "Accio clothes" James only realised the mistake he had made when not only his but Lily's clothes from the night before hit him full in the chest.
'KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK' "Lily…What are you doing?"
Moving over to James Lily said "Never mind" and pushed him into the wardrobe and locked the door.
Flipping her trunk open Lily grabbed her bathrobe and headed for the door.
Opening the door Rowan walked in, looking around the room he said, "What took you so long?"
"I was in the bathroom" Lily replied "I was just about to get into the shower and didn't hear you"
Rowan made to sit down in the chair by the window saying, "I'll wait for you if you like and then we can go down together"
Glancing at the wardrobe Lily tried to smile at him as she said "No that's ok Rowan I'll be fine" moving over to him she grabbed his hands in hers and pulled him up out of the chair. "I'll meet you in the dinning room…I won't be long" before he knew what was happening Lily had manoeuvred him to the door and was opening for him.
Closing the door behind her brother Lily let out a sigh and moved over to the wardrobe to release James. Leaning back against the side of the wardrobe James at first had held his breath in fear of being found and then to try and stop him self laughing at Lily.
As the light fell on him through the open door James grinned at her "Lily Evans I'm shocked you lie like a Slytherin…I can see that I'm going to have to watch you very closely"
*****
Twenty minutes later James and Lily made it into the hotel dining room for breakfast. Standing in the entrance Lily scanned the room for Rowan; she spotted him sat next to Richard at a large table in the middle of the room. Pulling James with her she headed for them.
As she approached Rowan looked up saying "Its about time" smirking at her he said "Oh I see you managed to find James"
Blushing slightly Lily bent over and kissed her brother on the cheek "Good morning Rowan" and then moved to sit on the other side of Richard.
James took the seat next to Lily and they both placed their order for breakfast. Turning to Richard she said "Were are the others?"
Smiling he said "Grace should be down any minute with the little demon…Not sure about the others"
Over the next twenty minutes the table slowly filled as everybody made it down for breakfast. Miranda made a dash for James, making her self comfortable on his knee before her mother had time to grab her.
James smiled at her parents who were giving him apologetic looks and sorted the little girl out with some breakfast. Breakfast was a leisurely affair as everyone chatted happily about the wedding. All chatter stopped as Philip and Jeanne made an appearance in the dinning room and that were group sat around the table let out a thunderous roar of cheers for the newly weds.
Finally making it to the table Philip dragged two chairs over and he and Jeanne joined the fray that was breakfast. As the dirty dishes were cleared and another pot of tea was placed on the table a plan for the day was made.
******
The rest of the morning was spent in the hotel's swimming pool. Miranda whooped with delight, as she was the sole focus of attention of all the adults while they splashed in the warm glorious water.
A tray of refreshments arrived mid morning and they all gathered around wrapped in towels while they enjoyed a cool drink.
Miranda was soon restless and the men found themselves being dragged back into the water. The four women stayed by the poolside watching them in silence for a moment. Amelia smiled as she watched Robert bouncing Sarah gently in the water.
Jeanne glanced at Lily and then following her gaze towards the handsome teenager who was splashing Miranda.
Leaning towards Lily she said "Hope you liked my little surprise"
Smiling to her self Lily slowly turned to face Jeanne and noticing the others watching her she blushed "Yes it was very interesting…especially when Rowan turned up this morning"
Listening to the exchange Grace said "Why what did you do?"
Chuckling Jeanne raised an eyebrow at her friends and said "Double room"
This caused them all to laugh loud enough to attract the attention of the men in the water and Philip to ask, "What's so funny?"
Seeing all the eyes on them caused the four women to laugh harder and Grace managed "Private joke"
In answer to this all they got was Richard saying "Ignore them…you'll never get anything out of them when they are like that"
Calm eventually settled over the little group and it was soon time for lunch. They all returned to their rooms to get changed before going down to the dinning room. As Lily and James headed into the room the waiter informed them that lunch was being served on the terrace.
Outside they found a buffet style lunch laid out, helping themselves to a selection of sandwiches they went to join the others. As they reached the table Lily looked down at the grumpy face of the little girl trapped between her mother and father and heard Miranda ask, "Please daddy"
Looking up at the rest he said, "Would any one mind if we ate on the grass…Miranda would like a picnic"
All eyes on the small face that was giving them an angelic smile causing a round of laughter and a lot of nods. It wasn't long before they were all sat on the beautiful lawn at the back of the hotel.
Over the course of lunch the small group had drifted apart. Lily and James were playing with Miranda while her parents enjoyed a rare moment alone. Lily looked around at the group and noticed Rowan was sat off to the side just watching his friends.
Tapping James on the arm she said "James will you be alright with Miranda for a bit" as he nodded she said, "I need to talk to Rowan"
Leaning over kissing her on the cheek he said, "No worries…see you later"
Standing up Lily walked over to Rowan, holding her hand out to him she said "Fancy going for a walk with me?"
Taking hold of her hand Rowan nodded and got up. Hand in hand brother and sister wandered away form the main lawn.
While they were walking Lily moved closer to him and slipped her arm around his waist, giving him a quick squeeze she asked, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm alright…its just hard watching them all sometimes," he said sighing.
Lily hugged him tighter she knew he still struggled with Alice's death even though it had been three years since the accident.
"We would have been married three years by now" Rowan vocalised what Lily had been thinking "I know I need to move on but its just hard"
Lily raised her hand brushing his hair from his eyes and smiled at him "You know that Alice would go mad if she could see you like this" touching his cheek she said, "I wish you would move back"
Shaking his head he said "Sorry Lily but I'm just not ready for that" and he kissed her on the forehead "but I promise to try harder…Maybe I will even try to go on a date when I get back"
Standing back from him Lily smiled "Good" chuckling she said, "I'll need photo's of course so that I can vet them"
At this Rowan laughed at the thought of his baby sister wanting to interrogate his potential dates. "Come on you…let's go and rescue James"
Coming back onto the main lawn Lily laughed as she saw James galloping around the grass with Miranda on his back. Reaching them she said "Hello…Having a good time?"
Beaming Miranda squealed "Yes…giddy up horsy"
James laughed as the little girl clipped him with her heals, looking up at the smiling face of his girlfriend he said, "Help…this is harder than Quidditch practice…need a drink"
Laughing and watching the small child Lily decided to lend a hand and reached down picking Miranda up. Swinging the small girl around she said "Come on you…lets go get a drink" shifting the child so that she was balanced on her hip Lily offered a hand to James and helped him up.
Lily deposited Miranda next to her parents and told James to sit down and relax. Going back to the terrace she retrieved a tray loaded with drinks and carried it down to the group on the lawn.
Drinking the cool pumpkin juice James checked his watch saying "What time are we expected at Remus's house?"
"In time for dinner" looking at her own watch Lily said, "I suppose we should start getting organised" and James nodded at her.
Turning to the rest Lily said, "We're just going to go and pack up" seeing the others nod "See you in a bit"
*****
Trunks packed and deposited in the porter's room in the hotel lobby Lily and James made their way back onto the terrace. Their friends sat around one of the tables chatting. Lily smiled at the sight of Miranda curled up in Richards's lap fast asleep.
Jeanne smiled at them as they approached "So are you two ready?"
Both nodded at her and sat down accepting the drinks she poured for them.
Philip said, "I saw you talking to Jonesy last night…What's happening about summer training? Are you coming?"
Shrugging Lily said, "Not sure yet…Jonesy is going to owl the ministry…So we'll have to see what they say"
Grinning James said, "I'm sure I can talk to dad"
Leaning over and kissing him on the cheek she said "I forgot secret weapon" and chuckled "Only other problem…Aggy and I may need some where to stay" and she flashed them a beaming smile.
Laughing Richard said, "I'm sure something can be arranged"
Touching her arm James said "Lily we had better get going"
The next ten minutes involved a lot of hugging and kissing as they said farewell. Lily stood holding on to Rowan burring her face into his chest as a tear ran down her cheek. Rowan held her tight to him placing a kiss on to the top of her head.
Finally James and Lily were stood in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby. Throwing in the floo powder James grabbed his trunk and with a wave he spun away. Lily gave them all one last hug and promised to owl them all soon. Following James's example Lily waved as she spun away though the floo network.
At the other end James stood in the study of Remus's house waiting for lily to arrive.
*****
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter – a bit shorter than usual – hope I have answered a few questions about Rowan. – Adventures at Remus's house next.
Don't forget to click the button and let me know what you think!!
Thanks for reading
Madame Padfoot