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?
I will try to get the next chapter up with in the next 2 weeks
Mr P: I worked my time line for Bill Weasley and others out from Gof in which Bill says 'it is 5 years since I have been back here' when he and his mother come to visit Harry before the third task, from this I assumed this was when Bill graduated. Even saying this I did add 2 years onto Bills age therefore making Bill born in 1970.
Percy's and the twins are easier to calculate as it also states in Gof that twins wouldn't be 17 until April & so couldn't enter the contest therefore making their year of birth 1979.
Thanks to all the faithful reviewers that have been with me from the beginning – Very glad you are still enjoying reading this story. Hello to all those who just started reading.
SURPRISES FOR LILY
The morning after James had returned Professor Dumbledore had the unenviable task of informing James that his parents had already been buried and that his sister was still in Britain.
Breathing hard James tried to get a hold of the burning pain that was consuming him and wished that Lily was still there and not back in the dorm getting changed.
James raised his knees and once again rested his head on top of his arms as the flow of tears coursed down his face. After a few moments he looked up at Professor Dumbledore "Does Rachel know that I am alright?"
A small nod of his head followed by "Yes she was sent an owl last night after you had been settled into the hospital wing" noting the relief on his students face he carried on "She should be arriving some time this morning"
*****
Up in the Gryffindor common room Lily and Sirius sat with their friends for a moment filling them in on the details that James had given them last night. Turning to Sirius Lily asked "Sirius do you mind if I go back alone"
Reaching his hand up he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear "No of course not" looking at the others and then back to Lily he said, "How about we all come up after lunch?"
Getting up to leave she smiled at them "Thanks" and quickly left the sanctuary of the common room and headed for the hospital wing. Up in the hospital wing James sat watching the door waiting for it to open and hoping that Lily would arrive before Rachel.
As he saw a flash of red through the glass he sighed in relief. Lily entered the hospital wing and walked over to James's bed neither spoke both intrinsically knowing the pain that the other felt. Sitting down on the side of his bed Lily wrapped her arms around him and together they cried.
Resting his head on top of her hair James said "I love you" and this caused her to move away from him slightly and say "I love you to James…I don't think I could live with out you." For the first time since his return he got to kiss his girlfriend. Consumed with the need for comfort from each other neither heard the door open or were aware of the two sets of eyes that were watching them embrace.
Not until one of the figures coughed causing the young couple to break apart, both blushing as they saw Professor Dumbledore and Rachel De vale standing just inside the door way.
As his sister approached his bed James dropped his arms from Lily who slid her legs off his bed and stood up. Looking up into his sister's eyes James knew they reflected his own and found that he could not stop the tears escaping and flowing once again down his cheeks.
Before he knew it Rachel had him in her arms rubbing his back, soothing him just as his mother use to do when he was a small boy. Leaning into her arms he felt them tightened around him and he said "I'm so sorry…Please forgive me…I'm sorry"
Pulling away from him she said "James you have nothing to be sorry for" looking into his eyes "James to lose both of them is bad enough to have lost you as well would have been unbearable." Running her hand over his face wiping away the last of his tears she said, "I love you little brother" and kissed him on the forehead.
For James it was just a relief that she didn't blame him for saving himself and not staying to defend their parents.
Rachel held her hand out to Lily and pulled her onto the bed with them. Professor Dumbledore stood back against the door and watched them comfort each other, hoping this was the last time such a scene would be played in the castle but knowing this would occur many more times before this war they had found them selves in the middle of was over.
Rachel stayed with James and Lily for the rest of the morning. The three had lunch together in the hospital wing before Rachel had to head off back to Godric's hollow to help Eric sort out the remainder of her parent's things. She promised to owl James before they headed back to France and let him know the arrangements concerning his inheritance and the Gringott's vault.
Just after lunch Sirius and the others arrived causing mayhem in the hospital wing for the next hour before Madame Pomfrey shooed them all out except Sirius and Lily who had permission to stay with James until further notice.
After two days Madame Pomfrey could cope no longer and allowed James Potter to return to the Gryffindor tower. She would have like to have kept him there a few more days but enough was enough. James alone was a nightmare but to have Sirius Black and Lily Evans take up permanent residency as well was just too much. This had also been coupled with the rest of the Gryffindor seventh year plus a few members of other houses and the Gryffindor Quidditch team had pushed the mediwitch onto the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Madame Pomfrey gave him a last check over and let him leave the hospital wing just before classes would come to an end for the day. Grateful James was able to make it to Gryffindor tower unhindered and get himself comfortable in front of the fire before the tower filled with noisy students returning to their dorms before going down to the great hall for dinner.
James smiled as he watched the faces of his fellow Gryffindor's beam with smiles as they saw him sat in his usual place as they came through the portrait. It wasn't long before he was swamped in the common room with cheers and greetings as the second through sixth years rushed towards him. His friends had hurried from their last class knowing that he would be waiting for them in the common room, all of them smiled as they entered and saw the warm reception that James was basking in.
Sirius smiled as he watched a very small for her age second year enter the common room, he chuckled to himself and turned to James and whispered "Brace yourself Tara is on her way"
Scanning the throng of students that were crowded around him James smiled as he watched her use her small stature to her advantage. She was delicately manoeuvring her self through the tight mass of Gryffindor's, sliding into gaps to small for most to fit into without getting bumped out of the way by others.
Before he knew it she was sat on his knee, arms around his neck hugging him tight. Finally letting go Tara stood back up and smiled at him, then she put her hands on her hips and said, "I was very worried." Trying to pull her best stern face that caused James to smile she carried on "You'd better not go missing again or I'll be very cross"
At this some of the older students gave her a strange look but all James could do was laugh.
Sirius said, "You tell him Tara" and pulled her down onto his knee, giving her a big hug. As the chuckles of the seventh years died down James said, "I promise not to go missing again"
To which Tara replied "Good"
Marie moved up slightly, allowing Tara to slip off Sirius's knee and onto the couch. Marie put her arm around the young girl giving her a quick squeeze and smiled to her self at how this tiny dot of a girl had wormed her way into the hearts of all of them.
*****
Making their way into the great hall that evening was an arduous affair, James had been inundated with students from other houses wanting to say 'Hello and welcome back.' It was a relief when they finally managed to take their seats at the Gryffindor table.
As dinner came to an end Professor Dumbledore stood up "I am glad to say that I can finally announce that this years Head boy is James Potter" Professor Dumbledore was halted by the tremendous roar of applause that filled the great hall. After what seemed an age the noise subsided and he was able to continue "I would like Miss Evans and Mr Potter to remain behind and I would like to wish everyone else a good evening"
Realising they had been dismissed the rest of the student body exited and made their way back to their respective common rooms and dormitories. As the others made to leave the great hall James and Lily said "See you later" and waved to their friends as they made their way over to the teachers table.
Reaching the front of the hall James and Lily followed Professor Dumbledore into the prefects meeting room. Both Lily and James made to sit in their usual seats that was until Professor Dumbledore raised his hand and then waved it towards the chairs at the head of the table.
Smiling at them he said, "I would firstly like to say I am very sorry for your loss James." Noting the look of sorrow that washed over the young mans face he said "I knew both of your parents very well and they will be greatly missed by the magical community as a whole"
Bowing his head in gratitude for the kind words James said, "Thank you" and was comforted by the feel of Lily's hand in his.
For the next thirty minutes Professor Dumbledore took them through their responsibilities as head boy and girl. The need to organise prefect meetings, to be part of any disciplinary hearings where appropriate, counsel younger students and help in the organisation of school functions.
With the basics over Professor Dumbledore gave them their first task "The first main issue you need to start considering is the Halloween Ball" pausing he said "I suggest you raise this at the first prefects meeting so that you have plenty of time to get the details finalised." Watching them both nod their heads he said, "have you any questions?" both shook their heads and he said "I will wish you both a good evening and James it is very nice to see you back"
James stepped forward and took the outstretched hand, smiling up at the kind face and said "Thank you sir"
*****
Life ran smoothly over the next week only Lily was unaware of the major event that was being planned. Sirius was missing from the common room every evening between eight and ten due to serving detention but the rest of the Gryffindor friends spent their time sitting and chatting in front of the fire or doing homework.
Early one evening Professor McGonagall had called Lily into her office to discuss some issues regarding the first year Gryffindor's. Professor McGonagall smiled to her self as she watched one of her most promising students sit in her office, unaware that this meeting had been set up to get Lily out of the common room. The stern head of Gryffindor had chuckled when James Potter had come to ask for her help and permission to plan a surprise party for Lily's birthday.
In the Gryffindor common room the seventh years made the most of the absence of their friend and co-ordinated their individual plans. The girls were mainly assigned to keeping Lily occupied with jobs and organising the gift buying from Hogsmeades. Sirius and Remus had been assigned food and drink. James plus Peter were given the task of planning how to get Lily out of the way on her birthday so they could get the common room ready. The main thing of interest during this little meeting was the severe warning from Aggy about not doing this to her if they valued their lives.
Sirius handed over money to Marie for a gift due to his Hogsmeade ban and it was decided that they would shop that weekend.
Second weekend at school third years and up, were allowed into Hogsmeade. James, Remus and Peter agreed to only go in the morning, justifying it to Lily that it was unfair to leave Sirius alone all day.
The Gryffindor seventh years waited outside the great hall for Danny Brocklehurst and then they made the trek into Hogsmeades. For the first hour James occupied Lilly while the others shopped for birthday gifts and then they swapped over and James blended into the mass of Hogwarts students.
They all met up just before lunch in the Three Broomsticks. Crowding around a table at the back of the pub they enjoyed a glass of butter beer together before the boys headed back up to the castle. The girls spent the rest of the afternoon window shopping, wandering through the streets in the late afternoon sun the girls decided to slowly make their way back up to the castle.
After dinner that evening Lily found herself under the cover of James's invisibility cloak. The young couple using the Marauders map to avoid any members of staff patrolling the halls made their way out of the castle and down towards the lake. Finding a sheltered spot that allowed them some cover from prying eyes James pulled the cloak off them. For the first time since James had returned they were finally alone.
Cuddling under the stars with no need to speak James and Lily simply held onto one another as if their lives depended on it, each silently transferring love to the other.
*****
As the weekend approach the friends sat in the common room chatting about the events of the week. All agreeing that this had been one of the quietest weeks they had experienced while at Hogwarts. Lily watched her friends carefully wondering what was going on, nobody had mentioned her birthday, which was that coming weekend.
Lily decided to fish around to see if the others had remembered "So guys what are we doing this weekend?" and she smiled sweetly at them.
Most of them shrugged and Annie said "Well I've made arrangements to spend most of the weekend with Danny"
Sirius nodded at the other boys saying "We had planned on working on the map…seeing as we have found some more tunnels and it needs updating"
Peter grinned and as he was about to open his mouth the others looked apprehensive "I'm meeting Morag on Saturday" at this the other sighed with relief due to Peter being the worst for keeping secrets.
"Oh…well I will probably spend Saturday in the library them catching up on some reading" Lily offered feeling a little disappointed at her friends who seemed to have forgotten her eighteenth birthday.
*****
Saturday moved along smoothly the Gryffindor's went about their normal routine, the boys slept late and only just made it down to breakfast. As they came running into the Great hall Lily looked up at them but turned her eyes away quickly as she noticed that they were empty handed. Lily felt miserable but did her best to smile at James as he slid into the chair next.
Turning to look at her James realised that the smile was not reaching her eyes and felt a pang of guilt at allowing Lily to believe that they had forgotten her birthday. Leaning towards her he gently kissed her cheek and said "Good morning beautiful"
Rolling her eyes Lily replied "Morning James" and returned to her breakfast.
The morning rolled by and soon the September sun was waning in the sky. On que James found Lily in the library sat in her favourite window seat reading. Leaning against a book stack for a moment he smiled at the sight of the red haired witch. Moving closer to her he said, "So this is where you have been hiding out all day is it?"
Turning her head Lily smiled at him as she closed the book on her lap and stretched before standing up and walking over to him.
"Hello James" she said as she gave him a quick hug "What are you doing in here…I thought you were messing about with Sirius and Remus"
Kissing her on the forehead he said "That was earlier…Now I just want to spend some time with you" smiling at her he said "Are you finish? [Watching her nod] Well how about a walk down by the lake…Just me and you?"
James helped her replace the books she had been reading and soon they were heading out of the castle. Stepping through the door Lily took in a deep breath and turning her face towards the sun closed her eyes as its warmth washed over her. A hand slipped into the grasp of her own and squeezed gently pulling her back into the present and guided her down towards the front lawn.
Unknown to Lily James was following orders to keep Lily occupied until just before dinner while the others dashed around the common room frantically casting decorating charms and setting out the food and drink that had been organised from the kitchens.
As the sun started to set James glanced at his watch and smiled to himself, pulling Lily closer to him he said "Come on lets go back in it will be dinner time soon" leaning closer to her he kissed her and said, "Better go and find the others"
Slowly they made their way back into the castle and up to Gryffindor tower; occasionally James glanced at his watch.
Approaching the fat lady James put his arms around Lily's shoulders and turned her around and pulled her towards him. Looking up at the portrait James waited for her to nod and then he gave her the password.
Waiting for it to open he softly kissed Lily and whispered "I love you" against her lips.
Not waiting for her to respond he spun her around and gently pushed her through the opening. It wasn't until she was inside that she realised he was not directly behind her but this was more due to the over whelming sound of the students of the Gryffindor house shouting "SURPRISE…HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY"
Lily stood stunned at the entrance of the common room staring in disbelief at what they had done. It wasn't long before a laughing Aggy Court was next to her pulling her into the room and over towards one of the sofas. Once sat down Lily was showered with gifts and spent the next half-hour unwrapping presents and gushing her thanks to everyone.
Eventually the party got underway and the students tucked into the food and danced to the music that Sirius had organised. As dinner in the great hall was coming to an end Danny Brocklehurst stood up and smiling up at Professor McGonagall and then headed up to the Gryffindor tower to join the party. He didn't have long to wait as he arrived at the Fat Lady for the portrait opened revealing Annie on the other side.
Danny had to laugh as he walked into the Gryffindor common room and thought Nobody parties like Gryffindor's. Soon he found himself in the thick of it surrounded by the other seventh years and with school robes discarded in a corner.
The evening progressed merrily all the students dancing and having a good time that was until the portrait swung open and Professor McGonagall walked into the common room.
Casting a glance around the room she had to stifle the urge to laugh, as the students slowly became aware of her presence. It was as if an 'Impedimenta' spell was slowly making its way around the room stunning the students into statues.
Maintaining her stern expression Professor McGonagall sought out Lily "I would like to wish you a happy birthday Miss Evans" turning now to address the rest of her house she said "But I think it is time that the rest of you made your way up to your dormitories." Arms folded across her chest Professor McGonagall ensured that the message was clear, slowly the students made their way up the staircase all shouting "Good night"
It wasn't long before the only people left in the room were eight seventh years Gryffindor's, one Ravenclaw and the head of Gryffindor.
Happy with the situation Professor McGonagall looked at her older students "Good night…Please do not stay up too late and Mr Brocklehurst you may want to return to your own house soon." Then she surprised them all as she handed him a pass so that he would not receive a detention for being out after curfew.
As the portrait clicked shut the little band of friends smiled at each other and then laughed as they all slumped down onto the comfortable old sofas around the fireplace.
Standing up in front of the fire Lily looked at each of her friends "Can I just say that you are all complete git's and that I love you all." Smiling she carried on "All day I have been calling you all not fit to burn for forgetting my birthday and then you go and do this."
Leaning forward James grabbed her hand "Come here you…It's not over yet" noticing the quizzical look she was giving him "We have not given you are gifts yet"
At this four more presents materialised and Lily couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that they had bought her gifts like they were all old married couples (well all except Peter).
The next twenty minutes were taken up with carefully taking the paper off the gifts and lots of kissing and hugging.
It wasn't long before Peter said "Good night" and headed up the stairs leaving the couples cuddling in front of the fire chatting. Slowly the conversations quietened as one by one the seventh years drifted to sleep in the warm cosy atmosphere of the Gryffindor common room.
As James watched Sirius's eyes close he nudged Lily whispering "Come over here" and he eased her up off his knee smiling at the look she was giving him that clearly told him she was not happy at being disturbed.
Guiding her towards the window seat at the other side of the common room James motioned for her to sit down and sat down next to her. Gazing into her face James raised his hand and gently caressed her cheek before leaning forwards and brushing his lips against hers.
Sitting back up straight he said "I haven't given you my present yet" raising his wand he said "Accio Lily's gift" holding out his hand it wasn't long before a beautifully wrapped gift floated into his palm. Smiling he handed the gift to her and watched her slid the paper off and open the box.
Lily's eyes widened at the sight in front of her, the box held a gold chain with a tear shaped emerald pendant and matching earrings. Looking up at him "James they are beautiful but…"
Stopping her he said, "No buts Lily…I want you to have them…They belong to mum and I know that she would want you to have them" at the thought of his mother James couldn't stop the single tear that slowly made its way down his cheek. "I asked Rachel for them and she agrees with me" pausing he said "I love you Lily…I think I always have I just didn't know it but I do know that I always will"
Closing her eyes for a second she then opened them and raised her finger to his face wiping away the tear. Closing the box and gripping it to her chest Lily slid her hand around James's neck and pulled him to her and into a soft kiss. Breaking away she lent into his embrace resting her face against his chest. Soon the two teenagers were wrapped in each other's arms in the small sanctuary of the window seat.
******
A/N: Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please don't forget to click the button and leave a review – I love to know what you think!
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Madame Padfoot