Coming Home

A/N two years after my other story if the stupid computer will ever let me upload the other chapter.

There and Back

James apparated to the spot. Reporters immediately swarmed around him taking pictures.

"I would like to announce that I am retiring from Quidditch at the ripe old age of twenty. I have a special girl who I haven't seen for too long. I haven't seen my darling Spot for two years," James joked. The crowd of reporters laughed together.

"Why are you really retiring from the game, Mr. Potter," a reporter by the name of Rita Skeeter asked.

"Well, I've been playing for two years and I think I would like to go," James replied.

"And what about your relationship with Miss Lily Evans? Are you still dating her?" the persistent Skeeter reporter asked.

"As soon as I know I'll tell you. I plan on taking her out to have a nice candle light dinner soon though."

"Hey James! What about us? Won't Mr. Big shot give us dinner as well?" Sirius called from the audience. Remus, Rose, Rachel and Tapa were behind him shaking their heads. "What? I'm hungry!"

"Not now Sirius," Rose hissed. "We'll get you dinner on the way home."

"But I'm hungry now!" Sirius whined. Remus hit him on the back of the head.

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" a reporter asked. "Get them out of here!"

"I'll join you guys in a minute. I'll buy you dinner, ok Sirius?" James asked. When he said this, the reporters started surrounding the group of friends asking them questions about James.

"Look at the mess you got us into!" Rose shouted at Sirius. She shook her fist at him.

"Come on baby Rose," Sirius pleaded.

"Fine," Rose gave in. She gave him a quick kiss earning an awww from the crowd.

The friends escaped the crowd after hours of questioning.

"Thanks for saving me," James said to his friends after they and reached Sirius, Remus and soon to be James' flat.

"Just cause we saved you doesn't mean we're happy with you," Rachel snorted.

"Yes Mr. Big shot, leaving his friends with little contact for two years," Sirius sneered.

"We missed you," Remus put in.

"Wasn't the same. I was going crazy without a partner in darkness," Sirius admitted. Rose scowled at him. "I meant for pranking." This earned him a glare. "I'll never get this right will I?"

"No you won't my friend," Remus told him. "Don't even try."

"It's good to be home. Where's Lily?" James asked. His question was greeted with silence. "Where is she?"

"She's out, she said she was sorry but she couldn't miss what she's doing," Rose stammered.

"What? What's going on?" James asked frantically.

"Didn't you and Lily break up before you left?" Rachel asked.

"No, we said we were going to take a break," James replied.

"Well on the first letter she got from you, it said how you were going out with a girl on your team. Lily showed it to me," Rose volunteered.

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Well, about a year ago, Lily started dating Mike," Sirius said.

"Mike? Who's Mike?"

"Lily's boyfriend. They had a date planned tonight from a long time ago, Lily's been talking about it for weeks. We got the message that you were coming home two days ago. Lily couldn't cancel it," Rose said. James just stared off into space. "She said she's sorry she couldn't be here to see you come home and that there is a box of your stuff she wanted to give back to you. To make it up for missing being here, she's paying for movie night. I'm glad, I'm out of money."

"Movie night?" James asked.

"Yeah, once a week we all have dinner together and either rent some movies or go out to see one," Sirius informed him. "Remember? Truth or Dare." This last bit is whispered. Rose hides her face in her hands remembering that incident.

"He wasn't here Sirius, you remember," Remus said quietly.

"I'd better get home. I have a potion on the fire and if it burns I'll be in deep trouble," Rose said quickly. "Avior toute les monde. Vous avez un bon soir!" She gave Sirius a long passionate kiss and everyone else a hug.

"They make French ones good," Sirius muttered. He had that faraway look in his eyes.

"Yes Sirius. We get to listen to him yelling that she's not here all night," Remus informed James sadly. "He's become really dependent on her."

"Like you haven't on a certain girl," Rachel teased.

"I have not become dependent on anyone!" Remus shouted as dignified as possible. Rachel made a cough that sounded very much like Jill.

"So how have things been going with her?" James asked.

"I think I'm in love. No I know I'm in love. I'm going to marry her someday," Remus sighed.

"I'd better be going as well," Rachel said. "Bye all." Rachel left after giving everyone hugs.

"I want Rose!" Sirius shouted.

"Oh shut up," Remus commanded throwing a pillow in his general direction. Unfortunately, James was in his general direction as well.

"Hey!" James shouted as the pillow hit him. "You're going to get it!" Soon a pillow fight erupted and whoever said pillow fights were just between girls was very, very wrong.

Rose stayed up watching her potions. To a good potions mistress, there was nothing more beautiful than a simmering potion. She was also waiting for Lily to get back, but this was her cover. The two sisters had been sharing a flat since they had left Hogwarts.

Around midnight, the door to the flat opened. Rose quickly pretended to be working on her potions feverishly. She couldn't let Lily know she had been waiting up for her.

"Good try Rose," Lily said. "I almost believed you." Rose turned around and looked at her sister. Lily's hands were behind her back.

"For your information I have to finish this potion for the ministry," Rose said. "And why, may I ask, are you hiding your hands?" Lily brought her hands forward and on her left hand was one of the biggest rocks Rose would ever hope to see. Rose shrieked. She and Lily started jumping up and down.

"I'm getting married! I'm getting married!" Lily shouted.

"This is so cool! I get to be maid of honor!" Rose cried.

"Of course, you think I would forget my promise?" Lily said back. The two got themselves under control and sat down on the couch.

"That is the biggest rock I ever did see," Rose commented. "So when is it?"

"He just asked me tonight, I don't know when. I just want there to be lots of flowers and I'll be happy," Lily informed her. Lily's face was in a wide smile.

"Are you going to tell the gang at movie night? You are paying," Rose said.

"Of course!" Lily and Rose looked at each other. They both sprang up and began jumping once again.