The one where Godric Hollow is bought
'Alright Mr and Mrs Potter, the room is up the stairs to the left.' The young woman at the counter said pleasantly. Lily took the key from the witch's hand and smiled.
Before she could thank her, a drawling voice made her jump.
'What do you know? You really are Potters now.'
James turned to face Severus. 'What is it Snape?'
'Just checking in. There isn't a law against that is there?' He smirked at them and spoke to the witch. 'All right, mudblood, my master has already set up my rooms. Key, please.'
'Mr Snape, I will ask you to keep your manners.' Her voice was terse as she handed over the key.
'I will ask you to keep your mouth shut.' Severus waved his wand. 'Obliviate.' He turned back to the Potters, a grin on his face. 'I'd watch were you step if I were you. Don't know what kind of curses someone could throw at you when your back is turned.' With that, he walked up the marble stairs that led to the rooms.
'He's a Death Eater, isn't he?' James asked softly.
'Yeah. But he turns to the Light. Don't give me that look James Potter.' Lily said, kissing him.
'Come on, we'd better go and check out our rooms.' He put an arm around her and walked up the steps. They didn't get out of the said rooms until later that week.
Lily woke with a start, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. She slipped from under James' embrace and put on some clothes. Her wand was already in her pocket out of habit, and she walked out of the rooms to the lobby.
The noises she had only thought she had heard upstairs were louder and clearer here. Lily looked out one of the large plate glass windows, her mouth opening with shock.
Voldemort and his supporters were surrounding a bonfire, their masks and cloaks proclaiming who they were. A group of several teenagers stood in nothing by trousers, no masks or even the barest cloak. Her sharp eyes could pick out Severus from the other lads; one of which she was sure was Lucius Malfoy.
The Dark Lord moved towards them and she saw Snape's back stiffen. Voldemort took the boy's arm in his hand and nodded. A cloaked and masked figure came forward and gave his master a brand. Severus' only sign that he was in fear was the way his shoulders tensed.
The Dark Lord plunged the brand down on Severus' skin. Lily turned away so she didn't have to see it. Severus didn't even make a sound. When she turned back, he was on his hands and knees, kissing Voldemort's robes.
She placed her back on the pillar of stone she had been hiding behind and took a breath. She swore she could smell burning flesh. So it has begun.
'Lily, you can open your eyes now.'
She did and gasped. Before her was the house they had wanted ever since they passed it on one of their walks. Godric's Hollow was a stereotypical cottage, short and fat (although it had two stories) with a large garden overflowing with plants such as herbs Lily knew she would use in cooking and beautiful violets. The backyard was as big as a Quidditch Pitch was (Lily had no doubt that James had measured it himself) and had luscious green grass covering it.
'Is it ours?' Lily breathed, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
'Down to the last grain of dirt.' He grinned.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Just as quickly as she had thrown herself in his arms, Lily ran into the house and laughed with glee. The kitchen was rather large, and she could just imagine herself stirring a pot, talking over her shoulder at James or Harry (in the distant future, of course). She walked up the stairs and saw the master bedroom and two smaller bedrooms. James found her bouncing on the bed that had been moved there already by Magical Movers.
'You like it?' James asked, joining her on the bed.
'Yes, I love it and I love you and I love this bed and I love...'Lily was breathless with excitement and happiness.
'Calm down, Lils.' He grinned.
'Why? It's our house! We own a house! How wild is that?' Her hair was finding its way free of her braid. He tucked some behind her ear.
'Come on, Sirius and Remus said they'd be by soon. Peter had to work, or something. I think he's just making it up to spend more time with Alexia.'
Lily stopped jumping and looked at James. 'Alexia? That girl can not stay with him. She'll get hurt.'
James frowned. 'Peter is smitten with her and by the looks of her, she's smitten with him. He's going to ask her to marry him next week.'
Lily looked at him in shock. 'No! Alexia is one of my best friends.'
'Peter's one of mine!' He shot back. His voice softened. 'Lily, if they are in love we should let them be. What if someone had told me that you were a load of trouble, which, admittedly, you are?' He grinned as she poked him in the ribs.
'You wouldn't believe them. You love me.' Lily said, kissing his lips softly.
'What makes you think that Alexia is going to believe you if you barge into her apartment shouting horrid things about the love of her life?'
'I hate it when you're right.'
'I love it, it makes you angry and I love it when you're angry.' He grinned, kissing her forehead.
'You know what?' Lily said, jumping off the bed. 'I love you.'
The next day they had a huge house warming party, inviting the friends that had lasted outside of school and into adult life. The Marauders were all there, obviously, although Peter was wrapped up in Alexia. The woman was still mysterious, but had a wicked sense of humor when she wanted to. Lily smiled at her across the room and joined James.
'Ah, Annabel, lovely to see you again!' Lily said, embracing the woman.
'Lily, you look prettier every time I see you,' she smiled and patted her son's arm. 'Any news from the baby department?'
They blushed and shook their heads. It was true; they were trying to have some grandkids for Annabel and Robert. Lily wasn't going to tell them that they had to wait another two years at least until Harry was born. 'No, I'm afraid not.'
Sirius flung himself on Lily and James' back, putting his arm around their necks. 'Hey, my friends! Hey Mrs. P.'
'Hello Sirius.' Annabel smiled at her son's best friend. 'How are you?'
'I'm great,' he lowered his voice to a dramatic whisper. 'I'm in lurve.'
'With who, Sirius?' Lily asked, giggling.
'With you, my fair lady!' He bowed deeply and raised his head, grinning. 'OK, I'm not in love with you, Mrs James Potter, but I am in love.'
'I suppose we aren't going to wheedle it out of you?' Annabel asked, sighing heavily.
'Not in a million years.' He winked and left them, complaining about the music.
'I think he's a little...merry.' James said delicately.
Remus was nursing a strong glass of whiskey he had sneaked into Lily and James' bedroom to find. It had made him depressed to see their unmade bed, their clothes thrown over the floor. He wanted it to be he that made the bed that way with Lily. He wanted his shirt to be lying haphazardly next to Lily's skirt. His heart aching, he downed the rest of his drink, coughing at the feeling of fire flowing down his throat.
Peter was talking to Alexia quietly. Another happy couple, Remus thought sourly. Sirius told him all about his dream girl the other day, making him feel isolated. How could it be that all his friends, even fat, ratty Peter, could find happiness in love? Remus scowled, not realizing how much he looked like Snape when he did that.
Lily caught his eye and excused herself from James and her mother in law. She sat down next to him, a beer in both her hands. 'Want one?'
'Thanks.' He opened it with his bare hands, the show of strength comforting. That was one thing that would never leave him for a girl. His wolf-like strength. 'How are you liking the party?'
'Aren't I supposed to say that?' she asked wryly. 'It's not bad. How about you? You look like a sad sack.'
He took a sip of the beer. 'I am a sad sack, Lils.'
'No you're not, Remus. You are my friend, my very spunky friend who deserves to be happy.' Lily waved her bottle in front of Remus and he opened it for her.
'It's just not working out like that, Lily.' He sighed. 'I'm a werewolf. No one wants to enroll a werewolf. Believe me, I've tried just about a thousand universities and none of them will have me. I'm sorry Mr. Lupin but our campus will not meet your specific requirements. Dear Mr. Lupin, due to the Werewolf Act of 1875 it is no longer applicable to allow you to study at our school.' He turned his face to her. 'I just want one of them to give me a chance. I want one of them to get to know me and know that I am not some kind of blood thirsty monster when it isn't a full moon.'
Lily was quite, her heart going out to the young man. 'I'm sorry, Remus. I didn't know that people were so...prejudiced...towards werewolves.'
'I shouldn't be dumping all my problems on you. You've got enough to worry about, what with You-Know-Who increasing his attacks and James being an Auror in training.' He smiled at her. 'You still manage to look damnably beautiful.'
She blushed slightly, drinking from the bottle. 'Remus, I recommend you ask Dumbledore about finding some work for you and you getting a nice girl to settle down with.'
'I'll try, Lils. That's all I can offer you.' Remus smiled at her and she hugged him.
Author's Note: Whoo hoo, I'm buzzing from my first day of work at this place. It rawked. Anyway, back to the notes. I want to thank my DARLING reviewers: Darth Flirt, muggle, Dara finVidya, Bluegirl18 aaaaaaaand Iselin
Review Replies
Darth Flirt: I will get around to doing the whole gaps. I know it is evil of me to start off in the other time, but I'm hoping to make them meet, so I have the second half of the story written by the time I get to where she is saved.
muggle: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Iselin: Wowee, you reviews are, as always, a major ego boost, LOL. No, I didn't know I had neat chapter titles, I think it is similar to "Wherin Harry meets Lily" sort of thing. I'm glad you liked the chapter, I just think that Sirius is a very extreme person, he goes from one emotion to another very quickly. Ginny will give Petunia exactly what she deserves...not that I've written it yet ;) I had to make Remus and Peter help Sirius with the toast or else it would be too out of character. Remus is one of my fave characters and I hate torturing him! Harry has spent a lot of time around Ron and the Weasleys. He knows their family traits, so I'm guessing he could spot Ginny. And if your reviews are getting longer, my replies are too! :D
Dara finVidya: Glad you like all the twists. I will make it a personal challenge to elliminate all don'ts and can'ts in the non dialogue parts! Thanks!
Bluegirl18: Geeze, talk about flattery! Lol, I'm happy you like it!