The next two months also went by slowly and without any major event. The Daily Prophet had been full of stories of the Dark Mark being sighted, of Muggle killings and mostly of the Death Eater activity.
'Our world, as we know it is ruined. There's no hope.'
One reporter obviously had no hope left, Lily noticed while reading the articles. It was true, nearly 20 or so dead, and not just Muggles either. Witches and wizards alike were murdered in cold blood for not following Voldemort. Some tortured, like the late Adamson family, other good friends of Lily and James. There was nothing Lily could do to help them, not with her training, not now. Not anymore.
Lily sighed from her place at the table. James was gone again this morning into London at the office, Remus was fixing breakfast this morning, after much protesting from Lily. Lily found cooking to relieve her stress, but Remus had insisted. God knew Lily wouldn't be able to stand another breakfast of only tea.
"Here you go Lils," Remus smiled, coming from the kitchen. He was bearing a plate, just loaded to its capacity. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, even two pancakes teased Lily's senses as she gazed at the plate before her. "I made it so you could eat it," Remus chuckled, watching Lily sit there.
"Thank you," Lily finally managed the words to say. "Thank you very much."
The morning went by fine, Lily hording herself up in the living room, curled up on James' red chair. Another long day waiting, Lily swore she would have gone mad if not for Remus and Harry.
Remus, Harry's 'uncle', was keeping the young boy occupied. Playing with him, reading to him, telling the young boy stories from school (ones Lily was going to make sure Harry never repeated), just everything possible.
Lily, while waiting for James, had become quiet. Curled up in his chair, Lily had pulled out their wedding album and was flipping the pages as she looked at the pictures. All the pictures moved, all but a few still ones Lily had begged James to keep. All laughing, Lily blushing even evident in the black and white sets.
Lily had turned the page to one that Lily remembered being taken over and over because her and James were always laughing. The couple had resolved for at least one serious looking picture in the sets, and their attempts seemed futile each time.
Lily, all dolled up, looking as happy as could be was sitting on the steps of Hogwarts. Her white gown spread out around her from where she sat. The wind was blowing that day, or so Lily remembered. Lily's hair in the picture confirmed it. Blowing slightly over her shoulder, the ringlets Lily had charmed in her hair were littering her shoulder in fire red. The smile on the young girl's face was only one of happiness. They had just finished with the ceremony and this would be her first picture as Mrs. James Madison Potter, who couldn't be so happy?
James was also quite the sight to see. In his black robes, the silver lining around the hem could be seen sparkling in the sunlight of the picture. His hair, try as hard as Lily could, just did not lie flat. Her was standing slightly off to Lily's right, a bit behind her and all smiles. Lily was turning to look at James during the duration of the small actions in the picture. Try as she might, the young 18 year old girl could not hold her laughter. Lily laughing only made James laugh.
Lily smiled and turned the page. Pictures past her of the day, bringing up the memories. It was a simple ceremony, only James' family could be there, because of Lily's heritage. Sadly, Lily's parents wouldn't be able to be there anyway. Lily turned the page again.
'Two Muggles found dead after much torture. Our regrets Mrs. Potter.' Dated September 19, 1978.
The article had killed Lily when she saw it the next day. At least this time, she wasn't alone in mourning.
The sound of the door opening cause Lily to look up from the album. The footsteps sounded slightly heavy under their owner. Long, drawn out steps told of some type of sadness or sad news. Lily jumped up from her seat, the album now being forgotten.
The person entering the house was indeed James, but more then a few hours early. Why he was so early amazed Lily but she didn't let it show. Instead, Lily approached her husband and was surprised to be gathered in his arms so quickly.
"Something wrong," Lily found the voice to ask as she stood in the entryway with James.
"Just glad to see you," James murmured softly, chin resting on her shoulder.
"What is it? I've yet to see you come home so melancholy." Something was very wrong, it would only be time before Lily knew what.
"I'm melancholy, am I," James pulled back with a faint smile.
"Not as happy as you usually are," Lily corrected herself.
"I'm fine really," James insisted. "Now, where's Harry?"
"With Remus. James, what is it?"
"He was no trouble then?"
"None. James -"
"Where are they?"
"JAMES!"
Silence followed as one stared at the other. James knew Lily had the right to know, but how could he tell her? How? The look in Lily's green eyes was one enough for making James guilty for not telling her since the beginning.
"They got into Hogsmeade," James finally spoke softly.
"And," Lily urged him to continue.
"And - " Here, James snapped. "Lil, the students were there. There's over 50 missing, nearly 100 confirmed dead."
Lily gasped, pulling out of James' hold.
"Then why are we just standing here? Let's go!"
"We can't," James said quickly, reaching for Lily's arm as she grabbed her wand.
"And why not?! They need help James! Poppy can't care for all them herself!"
"Just trust me please? They're fine, I promise."
"TRUST YOU?!"
James flinched when Lily yelled. He hated to see her so upset, but Dumbledore and McGonagall knew what they were doing. They had things under control.
"Yes, but not just me, but trust Albus and Minerva as well." James paused. "They don't want us there."
"But they - "
"No, don't Lily. We need to go back tomorrow, you'll see. Everything will be fine."
