Disclaimer: I own nothing from Harry Potter, except, of course, the plot and all my OC's.

Thanks for the reviews! Now onto the longest morning ever….

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7:00am at the home of Sirius and Diana Black……..

Diana was in the kitchen making herself a cup of tea. Her thoughts were somewhere else.  Her husband was staring at her from the dining room table in wonderment, for he had no idea what is going on in that head of hers.  She absentmindedly disposed of the tea bag and put the milk and the honey away.  She ran her fingers through her hair only once, when she caught his gaze.  She smiled then quickly averted her eyes.  It was just an ordinary Saturday morning, and they were just a husband and wife having their usual cup of morning tea.  Diana started singing when the silence became too much. 

"Maybe this time I'll be lucky.  Maybe this time he'll stay.  Maybe this time, for the first time, love won't hurry away…."

Sirius picked up the Daily Prophet that was lying in the middle of the table.

"He will hold me fast. I'll be home at last. Not a loser, anymore, like the last time and the time before….."

Neither of them had slept that night, after the unpleasant incident in the wee hours of the morning.  It was unexplainable, and they chose not to discuss it.  The rest of the hours were spent reading and staring at various objects until the sun finally arose.  They were both exhausted.  Diana placed eggs and toast onto the table but they weren't hungry.  They each began to fidget and play with their slices.  They were both thinking the same thing.

"I'm worried." Diana spoke, after the futile attempts at eating were diminished.

"About?" Sirius was trying desperately to concentrate on the Daily Prophet in front of him, and took a sip of his tea.  He did not take his eyes off of the page he wasn't reading.

"Lily and James." She sighed, and pushed the plate to the side.

"What for?" he stupidly asked.

"Don't you remember what happened here last night? I thought she was going to kill him." she said, taking a cautious sip of her tea.  She made a face when she realized that milk and honey were not the best combination.

"She certainly looked it.  I doubt it though." He was only half listening to her, although he was slightly curious about what happened after they left his home in an unearthly rage.

"Maybe we should go over there." She suggested.  He didn't answer her, for he was lost in thoughts of his own.  Her voice was stuck in his head.  She became frustrated and pulled the paper out of his hands.  He leaned back and folded his arms.

"I said I think we should go over there." She said, accenting every word.

"Why? Don't you think it will just make things worse?"  He rubbed his temples.  This conversation was giving him a headache.  She always did worry too much, he thought.

"But what if something's happened? I don't just want to sit here and worry about it."

"It isn't our jobs to worry about it. They can solve their own problems, even if it does result in them ending up dead."

"That's not funny. Don't joke about things like that."

"Who said I was joking.  What I meant was that I don't think what we do is going to make any difference so we should let them solve everything."  He waved his hands as if to say, "that's it."  She stared at him, wondering why he was getting so annoyed.  She began to sigh and tap her feet on the floor.  After a solid minute, this wore him down.  "Or we could just check up on them, I mean, if you want to." He would say anything to make her stop.

"Do you think she moved out?" she chimed in.

"I don't know. Either that or she sure as hell kicked the shit out of him."

"Well, it is a strong possibility.  I'm really worried about them, they really gave me a scare last night."

"So I saw." He stared at her, hoping to read some of the untraceable expressions on her face.  There was something else troubling her, something that she wouldn't tell him.  She began picking her toast with a knife and hitting her nails on the table.

"I have to see her." She said, not looking at him.  "If only to see that she is alright."

"Ok." He said and smiled, weakly but understandingly.  She smiled back, and he covered her hand with his.  "I'll come with you if you like."

"I want you too." She said as she pushed her chair out from under the table, and letting go of his hand.  She walked towards the sink and placed the teacup gently down.  "Not now though, it's still early."  She turned on the faucet and washed her hands, nervously, compulsively.  She began briskly walking about the kitchen, cleaning with a wet towel.  Sirius thought of this behavior as strange, she hated to clean.

"By the way how are you feeling?" he asked, picking up the paper once more.

"Oh fine.  Much, much better.  It was probably just something I ate."  She gave a reassuring smile and exited the kitchen. 

"As long as it wasn't me." He called after her.

"No, not this time." She jokingly added.  Sirius heard her turn on the shower in the bathroom.

"Everybody loves a winner, so nobody loved me.  'Lady peaceful', 'Lady happy', that's what I long to be. All the odds are in my favor.  Something's bound to begin…." He heard. 

Sirius looked at the cover of the Daily Prophet.  He hadn't really been reading before and it was just now that he noticed the headline.  THE RISE OF THE DARK MARK: Muggles and Wizards Alike Stare in Wonder at the Bright Symbol that Seems to Permanently Illuminate Our Skies.  Why is No One Helping? Who are the real traders? An Inside Report.

"It's gotta happen, happen sometime! Maybe this time, maybe this time, I'll win!"

"Unbelievable." Sirius sighed.

~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The flat of Lily and James Potter……around the same time……..

Lily opened her eyes to find a very content James Potter asleep beside her.  She had not moved the entire night and her muscles were a bit sore.  She had slept beautifully though.  It was, thankfully, a dreamless sleep.  She had an enormous amount of confidence at that moment.  The sunlight shone through brightly on this clear, crisp Saturday morning.  She gently, as though not to wake him, pulled the covers off her.  She tiptoed out of the bed and made her way to the stairs.  In the daylight she noticed how scattered everything seemed.  There were clothes everywhere and garbage was all over the stairs.  She had not noticed it the night before.

When she reached the bottom she made her way to the kitchen.  She was going to make breakfast, whether he wanted any or not.  When she saw the state of the kitchen she was absolutely disgusted.

"Oh my God." She said aloud.  There was food everywhere, piles and piles of it.  Nothing was put away and there was everything from discarded banana peels to empty ice cream containers.  She would have to clean up before she started anything.

She let out a frustrated sigh and began looking for something to clean up with.  Her witch intuition hadn't kicked in at that hour of the morning.  She found an empty trash bag and started disposing of the filth that seemed to be everywhere.  James appeared, tired and groggy, from the hallway.  Apparently her movements woke him immediately.  He watched her with an amused look on his face as he leaned against the door.  It was after picking the fruit bowl off the floor that she noticed him.

"This place is a mess." She said in a very annoyed tone.  He just folded his arms.  "Well don't just stand there, help me clean it."

He stood up strait and began to help her.  He chose not to argue about it.  He was still knocked over by the fact that she was in front of him, and they were speaking.  He grabbed a couple of pots and pans that had been lying around on the counter and put them into the sink.  She went over to the closet and grabbed a broom.  There was practically a mound of dirt under the table.

"Uh, this is so gross." She said.  Lily hated to clean.  She could handle anything else but she only cleaned when it was absolutely necessary, as it was at that moment. If only to keep from talking, she thought.  It was still incredibly awkward.

"Sorry." He said.  The dishes were piling up.

"Honestly, this place is a practically a dragon's nest.  I don't think we'll ever get this place clean.  How could one man consume so much crap and then throw it all over the place in a matter of just two weeks?  I can barely see out the windows."

"It's not that bad."

"Not that bad? Look at all this shit!  You couldn't take the time to take out the trash? And look at this counter, there are letters all over the place." She picked a few of them up.  He rushed over to her and knocked them out of her hands.  He then gathered them up and threw them away.

"Sorry.  I didn't realize that you were so touchy about the post." She said while staring him directly in his eyes.  He avoided her gaze.  This angered her.  She could only imagine what was in those letters.  She wondered who wrote them, and how long they had been there.  To prevent a fight she wouldn't open them.  In reality, he was too busy thinking about Lily to even care about disposing of them.  The thought hadn't crossed his mind, but he knew all too well the contents of them.

"It's nothing, just junk mail, you know." 

"Mm hmmm."  Idiot, she thought.  Then while she was sweeping she came upon a unique object.  It wasn't really unique as much as comical.  Right there in the middle of the floor, was a pair of tighty-whities.  She smirked and picked it up.  She rolled it into a ball and then turned around.  "Yours I assume." She chucked it at him.  It hit him in the face.

"Eww, Lil that's nasty."  He picked it up with his thumb and forefinger and made a face at it.

"They're your underwear.  I don't even want to know how long it's been in here or why you took them off here in the first place."  She began to laugh.

"I'm glad you find it so bloody amusing Lil."  He threw it back at her.

"Oh, that's mature." She said sarcastically. 

After a few minutes of silent cleaning she looked at her surroundings.  They were never going to get this place clean manually.  Then it dawned on her.  Of course, she thought. 

"What are we doing?" she asked him. 

"Uh, cleaning."

"Yea, no shit.  Where's your wand?"

"Upstairs, why?"

"Go and get It.," she commanded.

"Why?"

"It will make cleaning this place a little easier."

"How would my wand….."

"We're wizards you fool.  We don't have to resort to manual labor.  This is ridiculous." She began to chuckle again.  The fact that they were being so stupid was funny to them both.

"Yea, what's funny is that we didn't think of it before."  He said, running upstairs. Thirty seconds later he came down, wand in hand.  He pointed it at the room and said in a relieved voice "Mundo Celarius."  The kitchen was spotless in no time.  Lily began to clap.

"Very nice.  Now I don't know why you didn't do that weeks ago."

"I wasn't exactly thinking of the kitchen." He responded softly, but she still heard.

"Anyway…….are you hungry?" she asked him.  She was trying to sound like a housewife, and there was a hint of falseness in her voice.  She noticed and it annoyed her.  Why was she trying so hard?

"A little bit.  There's nothing to eat in here though."

"Oh, I should have suspected.  So how have you been eating?"  She knew the answer.

"Sirius." They both said.  She shook her head at him.  "I can't believe Diana has been cooking for you."

"Actually she refused."

"Good." Lily smiled.  "I hope you starved."

"You're evil, you know." He smirked, and she chuckled.

"Naturally."  They were talking.  A real conversation, they thought……finally.  "Well, I am starving.  What about you?"

"Hell yes.  Do you want to……..go out?"

"Well, I mean well look at us. Do you?" They were still in their pajamas after all.

"Well we have to eat, don't we?"

She nodded.  "When, um, when will you be ready?" Why is this so hard? She thought. She was annoyed with her shyness.  She was usually so upfront.  She didn't like this new behavior, this girlishness.  She even caught herself twirling her hair.  When she did she immediately stopped.

"Give me five minutes."  With that he proceeded to run upstairs.  "You?" he called down.

"I'll be up in a minute." She said.  Then she remembered that she wanted to try something first, something that she had been thinking about all night.  She put her hands up to her lips and looked around.  Her eyes caught the garbage bag.  She remembered the mail.  Hmmm, she thought.

She stretched out her hand subtly, and imagined the bag in her hands.  A force entered her arm that she couldn't describe.  In an instant the bag flew off the floor and into her hands.  She gasped, and then grinned.  Her mouth was gaping wide.  So last night wasn't a fluke.  She wanted to try something else.  There was an artificial apple in the fruit bowl.  She held out her hand once more, and the apple flew to her.  She let out a cry of triumph.  Then she looked at the bag.  She untied the knot and looked inside.  There were four letters, and all had been opened.  There was no address but she recognized the handwriting.  She couldn't put her finger on whose it was.

She put the bag down and opened the first letter.

Dear James,                                                    February 14

Where have you been?! I came 'round yesterday and you weren't here! Did I get the day wrong? I miss you and I love you.  Don't be a stranger.

                                                                        Yours,

                                                                            N. B.

There was a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach.  It made her sick.  It was dated the day after she left, Valentines Day.  He was going to be with her on Valentines Day, she thought. Stop it Lily; stop it, she told herself.  It was the past.  It was done.  She sucked up her nerve and opened the second letter.

Dear James,                                        February 20

Where the hell are you? Is she keeping us apart? I need to see you. We have to talk! Don't give up on me now!

Always,

N.B.

A little clingy now are we, Lily thought.  Psycho.  N.B? N.B. hmmm, she had no idea who it was.  She slowly took the third letter out.

February 24

IT'S BEEN 10 DAYS AND STILL NOTHING! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE JAMES POTTER! IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE ME AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO SAY IT TO MY FACE! YOU BASTARD! YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE!

            Oh, and say hello to that little wife of yours, I hear she's walked out.  Well you know what, good for her! She deserves a shit load better than you.  I never want to see you again!

                                    N.B.

Well, isn't she quite a woman, Lily thought?  The strange part was that Lily found her amusing.  He just keeps attracting the crazy girls, doesn't he?  She thought that was the end when she came across the last letter.  It was dated the same day, but it clearly came after the one before.

Dearest James,

            I am so sorry darling.  Please forgive me.  I don't know what I was thinking.  I DO want to see you again.  I love you.  And I know you love me.  You told me so, remember? Please.  I can't live like this anymore.  Things are not well at home, and I'm sorry for yelling.  Please don't leave me; I need you so badly right now.  I realize now I've always needed you.  I hate hurting Lily but I love you more.  Please answer me; I can't stand us not speaking.

                                                            Always and Forever,

                                                                        N.B.

The feeling changed drastically.  Lily felt as though she was going to throw up.  He told her he loved her? When? Why?  Who is this woman and why is she stalking him?  'Things aren't well at home', what kind of bullshit is that?  She threw the letter back in the bag with disgust and placed it in its former place.

"Lily!" she heard James call.  It had definitely been more than a minute.  "Are you coming up?" 

"Yes, hold on." She was clutching her stomach with anxiety.  Did he answer her? What would he have said?  She knows me, I know it, Lily thought.  But who the hell is N.B.?  She sucked up her frustration and walked upstairs to their bedroom.  She faked a smile.

James was cuffing his sleeves and looking at her through the mirror.  She was incredibly agitated and he saw through her fake calmness.  She opened the dresser drawer a little too forcefully.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Fine, just fine.  Well, don't you look good." She said, and she meant it.  Upon seeing him like that she almost forgot her anger, almost.  "I hope to god you're wearing clean underwear."

"Ha ha.  I am as a matter of fact.  What are you wearing?"

"Oh, I don't know."  She looked in the drawer.  Everything was so revealing.  Why am I such a slut, she thought?  She wasn't, but she still wanted to hide the scar.  She knew he would have to see it eventually but she felt it could wait a little longer.  Finally she found a turtleneck.

"Do I have to turn around again?" James asked her, half kidding.

"Yes." She spat.  He did.  She turned the other way and quickly slipped out of her shirt and into the thick turtleneck.  Thank god its still winter, she thought.  She found a pair of her jeans folded on a chair.  She grabbed those and put them on.  Muggle clothing was best, at least for breakfast out.  That way, they were not limited to where they could go.

"Shall we." He asked and leant his arm out to her.  She chuckled at him and waved her hand in front of his face.  "Don't even think about it," she answered.  She walked ahead of him down the stairs.  He watched her and just shook his head.  She was out the door waiting when he came down the stairs.  He saw her light a cigarette through the glass.  He glanced at the kitchen before leaving and noticed the garbage was moved.  It wasn't so much moved but it was open.  Shit, he thought, and walked out to meet her.

As soon as the door was closed a large bird flew through their kitchen window.  It found a spot on the counter and dropped two letters in the fruit bowl.  The animal was large and pink, and beautiful.  It was more than a bird, however, it was a phoenix. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~***~**~*~

Lily stood outside and began smoking her cigarette.  Then she glanced at her watch.  It read 7:45.  A bit early for breakfast, she thought.  Then as she looked down the street she saw a very worried Diana, and her reluctant husband.  Just then James came out the front door.

"Look." She pointed to him.  He nodded.

"Checking up I suppose." He said, as he buttoned his coat.  "Understandable."

"Where the hell are you two going?" Sirius shouted from about twenty feet away.

"Breakfast." James said, very casually indeed.  Sirius and Diana just looked at each other.  They didn't know where to start.  Lily just glanced at them and shook her head.

"Breakfast?" Diana said. "Breakfast. Huh.  Well we were up all night, worried sick about you two and now everything is peachy?  Did I miss something?" she put her hands on her hips.

"Calm down Renton.  We, um, we talked it out, (ahem) kind of." Lily said, puffing nervously.

"So no injuries then Prongs?" Sirius asked, kidding of course, and punched him on the shoulder.

"Well, we can talk about that later." He answered, grabbing his shoulder and looking at Lily.  "Hey, would you two like to come with us, I mean, since you're here and everything?"

"Do you want us to come Lil?" Diana asked.  Lily didn't look too happy at that particular moment.

"Yea, it's not you.  I would love you to come.  Let's start walking, it's freezing out here." She said, shivering.

"Sure. Where?" Sirius asked.

"Well we can go to that charming little breakfast café around the corner.  How does that sound?" James said.

"That's fine." Lily said, quickening her step.  Diana caught up and grabbed her arm.  They kept walking.

"What's the matter?" she asked, concerned.

"I'll tell you later." Lily answered.

The men eventually caught up and the four of them entered a little café where breakfast was currently being served.  They surveyed quickly and were seated all the way in the back.  When they got to their table, all four stopped.  Right across from them were two people all of them did not want to run into.

"Shit." Sirius said aloud, but not loud enough.

"Shh. Just ignore them and it'll be fine." Diana assured him, although she started to feel a bit nervous.

James simply froze while Lily had a look of shock and hatred on her face.

"What the hell are they doing here? They don't live in these parts." Lily said, without taking here eyes off of the couple.  She sat down.  They all followed.

"Who knows." Diana said.  "Just don't look at them.  Maybe they don't even see us."

"Oh they saw us walk in.  Didn't you see the bastard smirking?" Sirius pointed out.

Just then the man proceeded to get up from his chair.  He slyly walked over to them and put his hands on the back of Diana's chair.  She shut her eyes.  She could feel him breathing.  An evil, almost sardonic grin was evident on his face.

"Well.  If it isn't my four favorite disgraces to the wizarding world. And look, you're all at one table."

"Is this what you came here for Malfoy? Have you come to lose an argument and make a fool out of yourself?" Lily said.  It was way to early for her to be dealing with this.

"Oh, look at you two, isn't this lovely.  I do hope this means your unfaithful days are done, eh Potter.  Yes, the taste for the young eventually dies, doesn't it? Sometimes we just have to buy the cow, since they are so blatantly desperate."  He said this staring at Lily.

James got up and furiously pointed a finger at Lucius.  "You watch what you say Malfoy, I'm warning you."

"That won't be necessary.  I'll just let you kids get back to your meal.  It was lovely chatting with you both.  I hope we will have more of these chats in the future.  I do so look forward to them." With that he walked away.  James was still angry when he sat back down.

"The nerve of that asshole." He said, fiercely opening up a menu.

"Forget it James." Lily said.  She rubbed his arm to calm him down.

"That, and he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.  Student? Where did he get that from?" Sirius said, thinking he was simple contributing.  Diana shot him a nasty glare and Lily just stared at him.  James looked as though he had been betrayed.

"What?" Lily asked, disbelievingly.  All this time she had thought it was some young girl who just got out of school.  She forgot where she heard it but it was true as far as she knew.  So she wasn't a student.  Then it was certain that she knew her.  Lily became severely nauseous. 

"Uh, I mean, well, if he doesn't have it right then he should keep his mouth shut." Shit, he thought.  He had almost blown James' cover. 

"Are you chaps ready to order?" they heard a waitress say.  Lily changed her gaze from Sirius to James.  How come he hadn't bothered to bring that very important piece of information up?  Then she looked at Malfoy.  He was staring at the table.  His wife, Narcissa was staring as well.  Her glance was more nervous than his.

"Uh, yes." James answered.  They each put their order in and their menus were collected.  The waitress came back with coffee and some toast.  Things were silent the next few minutes.  Lily became increasingly uncomfortable sitting there and glanced at Diana.  She seemed to be sweating because she kept wiping her napkin on her forehead.  She noticed Lily looking at her and understood.

"I have to go to the loo." Diana said.  "Lily, will you come with me please?"  Lily nodded and got up.  Diana stared at Malfoy's table in disgust.  He noticed and glared back at her.  The two women entered the bathroom.

"Why are you being so nice to him?" Diana asked in an annoyed tone.

"Well, we sort of made up last night.  He said some very profound things to me and I just couldn't leave."

"Well if everything's great then what's wrong?" Diana asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"I just couldn't sit there, that's all." Lily said, grabbing a tissue and running it under cold water.

"Really, well, I understand.  I don't think I could have either.  Lucius kept burning a hole in my back.  I am sweating over here."

"Lucius?"

"Sorry, habit."

"Yea like ten years ago." Lily said putting the cold tissue on her forehead.

"Forget it, it was a slip ok? Anyway, what was the matter even before we got here?  I'm sorry but things don't seem so lovely and forgiving, now do they?"

"They actually weren't bad.  Last night was actually pretty all right.  I forgave him last night."

"I gathered that.  So, did you beat the shit out of the bastard?  I know I would have." she joked.

"Actually yea I did.  You don't notice anymore because I cured him." she said, applying lip gloss.  Diana wasn't sure if she was kidding or not.

"What?" she laughed. "You, hurt James?  I don't believe it.  You're 5'3'', how did that happen?"

Lily didn't want to tell her.  She wanted it to remain her own secret for the time being.  She decided to change the subject.

"What, you don't think I can take him?" she joked.  "But, he made it clear that he loved me and that's what counts."

"But you knew that already."

"Yes well, what bothered me is that I saw the post this morning.  There were letters on the counter, about four, and they were from her."

"What? No.  Well what did they say?" she asked, intrigued.

"All I know is that she's crazy……and she apparently knows me.  That was confirmed about five minutes ago when Sirius let out his little comment."

"He's an idiot.  Just to tell you, I didn't know." She put a hand on her shoulder.

"I know.  We couldn't see her face when we saw them.  I can't even remember what the rest of her looks like.  It was all such a shock."

"What I don't understand was how Malfoy thought she was young.  He claimed to see them together right?"

"Yes, bastard.  I knew he was bluffing to piss me off.  Anyway, forget it." she wanted to change the subject.  "So what's new with you? We haven't really spoken since I started training Alice."

"Um, things have been fine.  I do have to tell you something though, and don't get worried."

"I can't promise that Di.  Just tell me."

"Ok.  I had some sort of, um, attack last night."

"What?" 

"Shh.  It's nothing really but I threw up."

"Maybe you're pregnant." Lily said, somewhat gravely.  "Do—Do you think?"

"God no! Don't even say that! I can't have a baby now."

"I know." Lily said.  "But, you never know."

"It's just not the right time.  Maybe one day, after all this is over." She said, fiddling with the tissue boxes.  This was an uncomfortable topic for her.  Lily sensed it and complied.

"Oh, well are you alright?" she said trying to make her feel better.

"Yes, yes. Sirius was awfully worried.  It was really just nerves or something." Diana hesitated.  "I did have a nightmare though."

"That's odd dear, about what?"

"Well, it wasn't really a nightmare but more like a strange dream.  I don't know but it smelled awful, like cabbage or something.  I was in a weird kitchen and then I was lost and in a courthouse and then I heard someone say 'guilty' and I woke up."

"Hmm, that is a little strange.  Guilty? Of what? I'm sure your just being paranoid though."

"I know.  Bellatrix was in it."

"Oh…"

"It doesn't mean anything right?"

Lily shrugged.  "Dunno.  You knew her better than I did." She wasn't exactly the person to talk to about strange dreams.  She hadn't told Diana about the one with the little boy and the scar. "Do you think we should go back in, they are probably waiting."

"Yes, the food's probably there too." Diana said, relieved the conversation was over.  "You go ahead because I really do have to go to the bathroom."  Lily nodded and left the room.

When she sat down she got the feeling that they were talking about her, or at least conspiring together.  The food was laid out however, and she began to eat in silence.  She looked up and saw Narcissa stare at the table once more.  When she caught Lily's gaze she quickly went back to her meal.  Nosy bitch, Lily thought.  She didn't mean it though.  Lily actually had a soft spot for Narcissa, although she couldn't understand why.  She only started to become like her husband after they were married.  In school, despite being a Slytherin, she was a lovely girl.  The fact that she happened to be related to Sirius meant, to Lily, that she couldn't have been all bad.  But to him, it was a curse.

Diana clutched her stomach once more in the bathroom.  The nausea was returning, but she straitened up and walked to the door anyway.  She opened it and began to walk a few feet when she felt a strong arm pull her back. It was Malfoy.

"Ow!" she said, and then she saw who it was.  "What the fuck do you want?" she said with an obvious attitude.

"Now Renton, you know I don't appreciate that." He softly said, as he began to touch her hair.

"Let go!" she said loudly, but her husband never heard.

"I would be careful if I were you.  Hanging around with Mudbloods isn't exactly safe, even for a half-breed."

"If I wanted your god damn advice I would have asked for it."

"I'm just warning you Renton.  I wouldn't want to see you dead now, or worse, violated in any way."

"Bullshit!" she pointed at him.  She glanced at his right hand and noticed he was holding a staff.  He had been limping.  A crooked smile entered her face.  " I see Lily did a nice job.  Swords hurt don't they." She whispered.  He just glared at her once more.  "But grabbing me was uncalled for." Diana knew all along that the Death Eater who hurt Lily was Malfoy, but she never said a word.

"Yes, just keep that in mind Renton.  Like I said, you can't trust a lot of people nowadays, so I'm warning you.  I wouldn't want to hurt more of you than I have too.  But remember, my lovely: I spared you.  I could have killed you long ago, but I didn't.  I see you have shown me the same courtesy, and I appreciate it.  Traitor." he took one finger and stroked her cheek.  "Just don't get in my way, or I'll have no choice but to harm more than one pretty hair on you head, Renton."

She smacked his hand away.  "My name is Black! Know it well, because it will be the last name you ever hear! Do you understand me Lucius? Don't you try to threaten me.  I could kill you right now if I wanted to." She said, in a hoarse whisper.

He stepped back.  "But you won't. I know you."

"Oh really, what makes you think that?"

"Because I made you what you are, remember that."

"Like hell you did!" she spat.  "You just stay away from me and my family."

"What, that sorry excuse you have for a husband?  Please, he is a disgrace to all purebloods.  The coward, the traitor, and ingrate to his family.  Why did you marry him?  You could have had so much better." He inched up close to her face, breathing heavily on her lips.

"You really want to know?" he nodded.  "Fine. Because he didn't rip me of my innocence, Lucius.  He didn't corrupt me like you did.  He didn't want to hurt me like you do.  He makes me laugh, and he never bruised my soul or my body.  I am proud to call him my husband, which I bet is more than your wife can say about you.  You are a tyrant, and just know, the next time I catch you will be the last." 

"You won't catch me."

"You're sure, aren't you?  And why is that?"

"Because, I will make sure you and your precious 'family' rot in Azkaban for the rest of your miserable days."

"Oh, but Luicus, then who would you have to torment?" She walked away, not hearing his response, the pain unbearable now.  She should have thrown up again, but didn't.  She sat down quietly.

"What took you so long darling?" Sirius said with a smile.

"Would you believe it, the toilet wouldn't flush." She giggled nervously.  "It took forever." 

Then she wiped the hair off her face and began to eat.  Lily eyed her suspiciously, but continued to eat just the same.  All four of them noticed Lucius and Narcissa get up and exit.  Lily smiled at her, and she just looked away.  She then looked at James, who was still finishing his food.  He never bothered to look up.  Lucius glared at Lily and nodded at Diana, who ignored him.  Sirius stared at everyone and wondered how two people could have tormented so many all at once.  Then he looked at Diana.  She was nervous and he suddenly realized why.  He turned his head to look at him and then stared at her.  She could feel his gaze and knew that the look on his face was that of disappointment and frustration.

They finished their meals in silence.  James paid the bill and was the first to get up.  "Let's go." He said in an unsure tone.  They nodded and got up.  They left still, without a word.  Sirius was angry with Diana; Lily was angry with James; James was angry with himself and Diana was just angry at everything. 

They made their way back to Lily and James' home.  When they walked in James ran upstairs and Sirius followed.  The two women went into the spotless kitchen.

"Wow, someone cleaned up….." Diana said.  Lily silenced her with her hand.

"What?" Diana angrily asked.

"Just don't speak I have a headache."

"Oh yea, from what?" Diana said, walking to the other side of the counter.

"I'm just confused that's all.  I thought things were going to be fine and now I'm not so sure."

"Listen if it's about the age thing then it doesn't matter really."

"No, it's the name.  I just can't figure it out."

"Oh calm down, it'll come to you.  Then we can both march over there and kick her ass."

"Did I tell you that he told her he loved her?"

"No, but you know, Lily this is really depressing me.  Can we please postpone this until later." The nausea never left, but now it was like sharp shooting pains.  She was squinting.

"Diana?" Lily worriedly asked.

"One second." She turned around and reached for the sink.  All Lily could here was her cough and throw up again.  She rushed over to her and pulled her hair back.  She continued vomiting.

"Holy Merlin!" Lily said, disgusted and confused, but worried all the same.  Diana got up and turned on the sink.  She began to rinse her mouth out with water.

"I want you to go to a healer." Lily insisted.

"No! I mean, no it's ok.  I'm fine." Diana said, wiping her mouth.

"Well obviously you are not! What is all this?"

"I don't know." Diana shook her head and leaned back.

"It's him isn't it?" Lily said through her teeth.

"Who?" they heard a voice say.  It was James, with Sirius standing beside him glaring at his wife.

"Everything alright in here ladies?" James asked, trying to lighten the mood.  They nodded.  "You do see that we have mail here right?" he said looking at Lily.

"Oh. No I didn't even see." She walked next to him and noticed three white envelopes in the fruit bowl.  Two of them were yellow and had green writing while one of them was white with black writing. 

"These two are from Hogwarts." Lily said.  "One of them is addressed to you two." She gave one to Diana.  Sirius inched up next to her and snatched it.  All four of them opened it at the same time.

"Well, what does it say?" Lily impatiently asked.  James was reading it to himself.  Then he started reading it aloud.

"Dear Mrs. And Mrs. Potter,

            Your presence is requested at the office of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  He asks that you arrive promptly at 12:00pm and that you bring only yourselves.  Details will be given at the time of the meeting, and not sooner.  If, for any reason you cannot attend, an owl should be immediately sent to the school with a detailed explanation.  He looks forward to meeting with you both.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Minerva Mcgonagal, Deputy Headmistress"

"Ours says the same thing." Diana pointed out.

"What do you think they want?" Lily asked.  Both men just shrugged.

"There's another letter there Prongs." Sirius said.  James glared at him.

"I'll open it."  Diana said, reaching so neither of them could grab it.  "There's no return address."  She carefully opened the letter.  James was growing increasingly hot and Lily wasn't that comfortable either.  Diana read it silently.  When she was finished she looked up.

"It was from Nicole and Remus." She said.  James let out a sigh of relief, a little too obviously, as if everyone was stupid or something.  Lily looked at him and rolled her eyes.

"What did it say?" she said.

"They got a letter too, and wanted to know if we got one."

"Really?" James asked.  "Well I wonder what all this is for?"

"It is a little strange.  I mean, it's only been what, four years since we graduated? What could they possibly want to talk to us about?" Sirius asked.

"Maybe Crouch died." Diana evilly commented. 

"Oh, that would be nice." Lily beamed.

"Ok, honey, you're scaring me." James said.

"Don't you honey me! You're lucky I'm letting you call me Lily." She turned her back toward him.

"Anyway," Sirius exclaimed, "Shouldn't we owl them back.  They should come over here, don't you think?" he was looking at James.

"Yes, definitely." James said.  "When should we ask them to come?"

"How 'bout now." Lily said.  "That way we can stop pretending to be civilized." She spat and abruptly left the room, her arms firmly placed at the sides.

James let out a frustrated sigh.  "Now what the hell is this about?!" he called after her.  She came back into the room.

"You wouldn't know, would you?" she said and turned around once more.  She quickly went upstairs and slammed the door.  James just looked at Sirius.

"I….uh…wh….." he stuttered, his arms flailing.

"Well what are you waiting for? Go after her you git."

James nodded and reluctantly walked up the stairs to their bedroom.  They heard him open the door and gently shut it.

 Diana reached for Sirius' hand.  He didn't take it.  Instead he put his hands in his pockets and lit a cigarette.  She was hurt.  Then he walked over to the table, grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.  He was answering Remus' owl.  He simply stated that now would be a good time to come over so they could all go together.  He sealed it and walked over to the owl cage.  He attached the letter to Pegasus, James and Lily's owl, and then sent him off out the window.  He turned to face his wife.

Diana walked over to him, and attempted to kiss him on the cheek.  He turned his head.

"What is all this?" she asked, confused.

"Just do me a favor Diana and stop talking." He rudely answered.  Sirius knew all too well the past of Lucius and Diana.  For some crazy reason he thought that she still loved him.  It was the only insecurity he had.  He figured they had been talking and then she lied about it, which hurt him.  It wasn't so much that Lucius loved Diana.  He wasn't human enough.  He did, however, want to make her feel miserable without him.  He punished her, more than once, and it angered Sirius to see her nervous around him.

"Why?" she asked.

"I just can't stand to hear you."

Diana was distraught.  As if things weren't bad enough, she thought.  Now he doesn't trust me.  She respected his wishes and said nothing.  They remained silent for a good half hour.  They heard no yelling from upstairs, so they assumed it was a civilized argument.  Diana sat at the table while Sirius was leaning on the counter, facing the opposite direction.  They both jumped when they heard a knock at the door.  It wasn't locked.

Remus and Nicole entered in a jolly mood.  They had no reason to be upset.

"Hello all." Remus cheerfully exclaimed. Diana and Sirius got up to greet them while James and Lily came slowly down the stairs, hand in hand.

"Well look at you two." Nicole said.  "Everything alright?"

James and Lily nodded.  Lily even let James kiss her softly on the cheek.

"Fantastic." Nicole said.  She turned to Diana and gave her a huge hug.  "Hello darling, it's so great to see you." Diana kissed her on the cheek.

"Same here Portman.  Wow, it's been ages." She said.

"I know.  Sirius, how are you?" Nicole said walking over to him.  She hugged him too.  He just smiled.

Then Remus walked over and hugged and kissed them both.  "Everything all right Padfoot?" he asked.

"Sure Moony, everything's great." Sirius smiled at his old friend.  James and Lily greeted them both and said their hellos.  Then Lily winked at Diana.  She smiled back.

"Well everyone, how much time have we got to kill before this bloody meeting?" Remus asked.

"We should leave now." Lily said.  "The letter said noon, and it's about ten now.  Since we can't apparate strait there we'll have to go to Hogsmeade and just walk a little."

"Sounds good." James said, and hugged Lily tighter.

"Let's go." Sirius said, without looking at Diana.

"Well, let us apparate first.  We have a lot of catching up to do." Nicole mentioned.  Lily and Diana nodded and smiled.  The three joined hands and in an instant were at the edge of Hogsmeade.  They began to walk the long path to Hogwarts.  The three men followed and were about fifty feet behind the women.

Lily, Diana, and Nicole talked about trivial things at first, but then the talk turned to Lily.

"How did it happen? I mean, yesterday you were livid." Nicole spoke.

"I still am, to a degree.  I don't know.  There's just something about him, I just love him too much." Lily sighed.  "He's my damn weakness and I hate it."

"What went on upstairs?" Diana asked.

"Oh well, he asked me what he did.  I told him that he should have been truthful about her age and he said I never asked about it.  He knew what I assumed though which means that he didn't want me knowing who she was."

"Hmm." Nicole said.

"So he admitted it." Diana said.

"Well, sort of.  He gives so many mixed signals that I never know what to believe. He apologized, again, and said that he just didn't want to hurt me.  He said he did it to protect me."

"From what?" Nicole screeched.

"I don't know.  I didn't cry or anything, thank god.  I just told him that he had to earn my trust if we were going to stay married."

"That was the right thing to do.  At least he trusts you." Diana said, looking at the ground.

"Well he still has to earn my trust, but what do you mean? Sirius doesn't trust you?" Lily asked, disbelievingly.

"Not today, at least."

"When did this happen?" Nicole asked.

"So he knows?" Lily said.

"About what?" Nicole knew nothing about breakfast, and why would she.

"We ran into the Malfoys this morning at breakfast." Lily recapped. 

"Oh.  Well, this is a problem." Nicole said.  "Well, did you talk to him?"

"Sort of.  It was more like threats on both ends though."

"Damn it Diana! You know better.  I knew it too, I knew it from the second you sat down." Lily angrily said.

"Listen you two, I'm not a little girl I can handle my own problems!" Diana yelled.

"Look at yourself! A thirty second conversation and you get all defensive." Lily replied.

"Yes.  And lets not forget Renton, that you couldn't handle your own problems when he was dangling his precious Dark Mark in front of your face.  Remember how pretty it looked, ma chere?"

"Please don't bring that up." Diana became jittery. 

"Ok, ok.  Calm down, and walk slower.  Breathe.  Sirius just has to calm down.  It'll be fine.  You know his history, and his family, what they were.  He almost lost you to that, and, well, I can't say that I blame him.  I think he's tried too hard to flush that all out, you know, he only does it because he loves you so much." Nicole was always good with things like that.  She had the most soothing voice that Diana began to instantly feel better.

"Ok.  I just don't want to ruin anything, you know."

"We know you don't sweetheart." Lily said rubbing her shoulders.

"Look our boys are catching up." Nicole pointed out.

"Hmm so they are." Lily added. "I wonder what they're talking about."

"Us I expect." Nicole chuckled.

"Yea, they don't really have lives so I suspect they would be." Lily said.  The three of them laughed.

*~*~*(The boys…..)

"What the hell is the matter with you Padfoot?" Remus asked.  "You've been awfully quiet."

"Yea, what's going on?  When Lily and I came down you looked a little off.  Not to mention that Diana looked upset.  Were you two fighting?"

"No, well it was more like not speaking.  I couldn't look at her." Sirius said, sadly.

"Why? This is random." Remus said.  "You guys don't fight."

"Was it Malfoy?" James asked.

"Oh, so that's it." Remus suddenly understood.  "I thought you were over that whole thing.  It was years ago."

"It doesn't matter how long ago it was Moony.  Sometimes I just think that she only married me to get away from all that.  It was sort of sudden." Sirius explained.

"No it wasn't.  You were together the majority of seventh year.  And you did sleep together at the end of sixth." Remus reminded him.

"I slept with a lot of people at the end of sixth."

"Manwhore." James coughed.

"Shut up.  Anyway, she didn't love me."

"Like hell she didn't.  You saved her, remember?" Remus said.

"And that's what it was, gratitude, nothing more."

"You stupid ass, how could you say that?" James angrily spat.

"Well it's true."

"No it isn't! Get over yourself man.  That woman adores you." James told him.  "She chose you over Malfoy, and she had a lot more to gain from him, remember.  She chose being an outcast and put herself in mortal danger so she could be your wife.  Does that mean anything to you?"

"Being a Black's not all it's cracked up to be.  I don't think she realized.  I'm not like my brother, or the lot of them."

"She knows that." Remus said.  "Believe me she does.  She loves you, not your family."

"Then how come she doesn't talk to me?  I never know what's bothering her, and she doesn't take the time to tell me."

"Well this sounds familiar." Remus said.

"Take last night for instance.  She had some sort of a panic attack and she told me it was just nerves.  Then this morning she tells me it was something she ate."

"Maybe she doesn't know what's bothering her." Remus said.

"That's true.  If she doesn't know, then how do you expect to?" James added.

"I don't know.  I love that girl.  Ask me 7 years ago and I'd have told you that you were bloody mad, but I do."

"Same with me and Lily.  Talk to her.  Ask her tonight.  You can't let it bottle up, its not right." James advised.

"Whatever." Sirius dismissed the conversation.  It was a little too heavy for him.

"Hey look there are the girls, lets catch up." Remus said. 

"Yea we're almost there." James added.  They quickened their steps and in a minute they were walking side by side with their significant others.  The only difference was that Remus and Nicole were in between Diana and Lily, and Sirius and James.  They just looked at each other and shrugged.

They finally saw Hogwarts in the clearing, the majestic, towering monstrosity that they had called home only four years ago.

"Wow, look at it." Nicole said as she grabbed Remus by the hand.

"Yea it's amazing." Lily said in wonderment.

"The place where dreams were created, huh guys?" Remus said.

"Best years of our lives." James said.  "No worries, no problems, well, not big ones anyway."

"Just major ones." Remus added.

"I wonder what the old coot has in store for us in there?" Sirius wondered.

"I don't know but it better be good, my feet are killing me." James said.  They all agreed.

All four of them walked, arm in arm practically, remembering the days that had long since past.  Their hearts warmed at the site of it, and each of them smiled and looked at each other.  They stopped for a few seconds and just stared.

"Well chaps, let's go." James said.

James walked ahead, and Lily, who was walking briskly, was right there next to him.

(Whew. Finished. As you can see I happen to like ridiculously long chapters.  Bear with me.  I hope you liked it, please READ AND REVIEW!!! :)I need them damn it! ~Angelxd14)