Thanks LadyofMoselle
~~**~~ Chapter 4
At the window was a black and brown barn owl. This time Lily wasted no time in getting to the distraction.
It was a letter from Haley Manning.
It stated that she had some serious thinking to do before she even considered talking to a reporter.
James looked like he really didn't care right now about what the letter said.
Snow was falling heavily outside and Lily knew that she needed to go home.
'So I still don't suppose you could give me her address.'
'Is that why you ---'
'No. I didn't come for that. You always sell yourself short Lily.'
'Can I walk you downstairs?'
'No just go. You just proved I don't hate I just dislike you intensely and never want to see you again.'
'I can't really give you high marks on spontaneity.' He said lazily butting the few buttons that seemed to have slipped off.
Why did she have to let down her guard with Potter of all people?
She wanted to stay with him and it scared her.
Maybe she was a control freak but James was throwing her off balance big time.
He made her feel alive but as she remembered how he let her down those years ago she knew he couldn't let him hurt her that badly again.
'Goodbye James.' She said with a finality she meant.
~~**~~**~~**
James braced himself against the sharp needles of cold water that stung his back. He shuddered under the punishing spray but refused to step out of it until he got Lily out of his system.
He gave up two degrees short of hypothermia the turned off the shower and roughly towelled himself dry.
Talk about bad ideas. Why in the world did he go to see Lily so late at her office?
He hurried into the bedroom and pulled on his sweats, his thick robe and his leather bedroom slippers. It was still a few minutes though before he started to feel warm again. He was a hundred percent in favour of the no touching rule but Lily was so touchable that he couldn't help himself.
He'd made a dumb move in her office and she shot him down exactly how he deserved. He'd blown his chance with her five years ago and no woman was likely to forgive rejection.
Why couldn't a man and a woman have fun with out sticky relationships? Everyone knew marriage was like a lottery. Only a few people strike it rich.
Being married hadn't worked for his parents and they were both decent unselfish people.
James was interrupted from his contemplation however by the door.
After seeing who it was he was extremely surprised to see the person. He hadn't talked to him a few years thought they sent letters occasionally.
He opened the door and there on the front steps of his house was a tall, thin grey haired and bearded person.
That person was Albus Dumbledore.
'Professor Dumbledore?'
'Ah yes. James how nice to see you again.'
'Same here professor. You'll excuse what I'm wearing I hope because well, I wasn't expecting company.'
'That's quite all-right James. I would though like to talk to you concerning something rather important.'
'Of course sir. Won't you come in?'
'Yes thank you.'
After James got over the initial shock of seeing his former headmaster he quickly ushered the man into the house.
'I need to talk to you then be on my way. I have a few more stops to make.'
'Sure Professor.'
'Well James as you know Voldemort is quickly rising to power and I know this is supposed to be a festive season I am afraid that this is the worst time for him to strike.'
'Yes I agree with you there.'
'Well I have this feeling that he still is biding his time gathering people in to the dark side and will not strike. For safety purposes though I want to gather my most trusted people myself.'
James wasn't too sure where this conversation was going.
'I am creating an order. An order to which the Ministry has no idea about. The Order of the phoenix with most gifted people and the most trusting I might add that will help defeat the dark side.'
'What are you asking professor?'
'What I am asking James is that I wish for you to join the Order. Will you? I know this is a lot to take in and I am afraid I can't stay any longer to answer your questions. You may thing about it tonight but I will await your answer tomorrow morning. I must ask for your discretion as well.'
'Sure thing professor.'
'I will stop by after you have returned form work.'
'Okay I'll see you then.'
Then after Dumbledore left James's house he apparated to a cottage just outside of Godric's Hollow.
'Professor Dumbledore?'
'Ah yes, its me and how are you my dear?'
'Fine thanks and yourself?'
'Good.'
'Would you like a cup of hot chocolate?' Lily asked of her former headmaster as he sat in the middle of her living room robes and all.
'Yes please but I am afraid I can't stay very long.'
'Why are you here Professor?' asked Lily when she came back.
For the second time that night Professor Dumbledore explained why he is enlisting the aid of all his trusted.
'I know this is a lot for you to understand at the moment but I am afraid I really can't explain it to you. All I need for you to do right now is trust me.' 'You'll always have my trust Professor.'
'Stop it, its not good to make and old man blush.'
Lily laughed.
'I must also ask for your answer tomorrow evening and I'll also need your carefulness with this information.'
'Yes Professor.'
'I will be back at the end of the day tomorrow. Thank you for your time.'
With that he left to go to the houses of one Sirius Black and Remus Lupin as well as others he needed to enlist.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Lily knew her last relationship fizzled out into nothingness even before she and Jerry broke up.
In this case she couldn't understand how she had been content living as a nun then something had come and shaken thins up.
And that something was, or someone rather was James H Potter.
She liked to be able to handle everything that came her way but this time too much had been thrown at her all at once.
Her parent's divorce was hard enough to accept; she didn't know how her own sister felt about it. And the other thing was Simone would depend on her to help plan the wedding. Then she had the tricky situation at work. She loved her job and would fight for it not matter who tried to take it from her.
Finally there was James. This was the worst possible time for him to reappear into her life, not that anytime would be good.
Simone drifted through life and let the good things happen
Lily planned, organized and worried about bad thing like falling in love with James again.
Oh no how could she even think that.
She already knew he hadn't changed since their time together.
She hurried to her bathroom for an intended cold shower.
As she turn on the cold spray she let her flannel sleeping gown slip to a heap on the floor before she stepped into the stall.
She expected to suffer but in less than two seconds jumped out of the cold shower and turned on the hot water for a nice warm scrub.
A gold shower must be some kind of a guy joke.
Her cold tap water couldn't be more than a degree above freezing.
Now that she was fully awake and rational she figured that this time it would be easier to get over James.
If she kept him out of her thoughts during the day he was history.
Any woman who obsessed over one unavailable guy was a woman who lost control of her own life.
Lily didn't intend for that to happen to her.
~*~*~*~
Simone showed up at the office to take Lily and Jess for lunch but Jess was at a business lunch so the both of them went alone.
'Lily I'm getting nervous about the wedding.'
'Well that's only natural.'
'I know but marriage is such a fragile thing. People do it they undo it. Look at your parents I mean I thought they were what we had to look forward too. They made it seem to simple.'
'I know I feel the same way. I thought they were the model of marriage I guess I was wrong.'
'Sometimes I think we're in that type of thing already. What will happen after Shawn and I get married? Can you be too comfortable with the man you love?' said Simone in a worried voice.
Too comfortable?
She'd never been too comfortable with James, not even in school when she thought she loved him.
'I'm probably being silly.' Said Simone before Lily could think of anything to reassure her best friend.
'I will get better.' Said Lily.
'I'll see you soon.' Said Simone after they finished with lunch.
Lily already knew she would support Dumbledore without even thinking about it all she had to worry about now was when to put up her Christmas decorations.
They could stay in the closet for all the Christmas spirit she had.
Then there was the logistics of the celebrating the day.
There was only one way she wanted to spend her Christmas but she knew it would never happen.
No matter how naughty or nice she was Santa wouldn't put James in her stocking.
~*~*~*~
It was six in the evening when Professor Dumbledore left Lily's house. As before he went to James's then Lily's. The answers he got from each house he was glad for.
They agreed to become part of the order. Neither knew the other would be there but he couldn't think about that right now. Sooner or later they will realise their place in this world.
It was to be with each other.
As he went of in search other the others he wondered how long it would take for them to figure that one out.
James showed up at Lily's cottage thinking [I] what's the worst that can happen? [/I]
She wouldn't be glad to see him that was for sure.
He had reserved feelings about being there because he couldn't shake the feeling that he behaved badly in her office yesterday.
He walked o her front door rehearsing what to say.
Even if she didn't curse him on the spot she wouldn't be pleased to see him.
He'd forfeited the right to put his hands on her five years ago.
He didn't have to knock when the door opened and Lily stood there with jeans, a faded sweatshirt and thick knobbly socks.
'Hi,' he said, 'I was in the neighbourhood.' And she arched an eyebrow at him.
'Okay so I came here purposely.'
'Do you have a reason to why I should let you come in?'
'You're losing heat while the door is open. I hate to see us cool the house while we talk.'
'What do we have to talk about?'
She wasn't going to be easy.
'I'll leave the moment you want me to. Promise.'
'Oh all right, come in if you must.'
She turned and walked into the living room while he stood there thinking of a good excuse for being there.
Even in a baggy shirt and old faded jeans she still looked to hot to handle.
Didn't she know the effect she had on men when she swayed her hips like that?
Knowing Lily she didn't have a clue.
'Why are you here?'
'I want you to do something spontaneous...' where did that come from he wondered. He should know better to open his mouth when his brain wasn't fully engaged.
'What?'
'A mystery trip, something completely unplanned and fun. Isn't that what you need, more spontaneity in your life.'
The biggest mystery if it was that he didn't know where to take her if she even agreed to go.
There wasn't much chance of that though.
She'd wrinkle her nose at that suggestion and gesture he always thought was cute.
'Does this have anything to do with Haley Manning?'
'Nope, not a thing.'
'But you wont tell me where we're going?'
'No that's why it's a mystery trip.'
'You don't think I'll go do you? You only asked because your one tracked mind is positive I'll say no. Then you'll say "see you don't know how to be spontaneous".'
One-track mind? If she really knew what was buzzing around in his mind she likely slap his face.
'All right I'll go. Help yourself to some tea while I change. The pot is still hot.'
She went up the carpeted stairs without a backward glance.
No woman he'd ever known had gone to change without knowing where she was going. Lily had given in to easily.
What was she up too?
After drinking tea he decided to wash up since she'll be a little while.
After saying a spell his mother taught him in the kitchen he had everything tidied.
This was London there should be something to do for a woman to enjoy.
Then it came to him.
Hogsmede village!
He hadn't been there awhile and since Professor Dumbledore's visit he was reminded of his former school, of his former home.
~~**~~ Chapter 4
At the window was a black and brown barn owl. This time Lily wasted no time in getting to the distraction.
It was a letter from Haley Manning.
It stated that she had some serious thinking to do before she even considered talking to a reporter.
James looked like he really didn't care right now about what the letter said.
Snow was falling heavily outside and Lily knew that she needed to go home.
'So I still don't suppose you could give me her address.'
'Is that why you ---'
'No. I didn't come for that. You always sell yourself short Lily.'
'Can I walk you downstairs?'
'No just go. You just proved I don't hate I just dislike you intensely and never want to see you again.'
'I can't really give you high marks on spontaneity.' He said lazily butting the few buttons that seemed to have slipped off.
Why did she have to let down her guard with Potter of all people?
She wanted to stay with him and it scared her.
Maybe she was a control freak but James was throwing her off balance big time.
He made her feel alive but as she remembered how he let her down those years ago she knew he couldn't let him hurt her that badly again.
'Goodbye James.' She said with a finality she meant.
~~**~~**~~**
James braced himself against the sharp needles of cold water that stung his back. He shuddered under the punishing spray but refused to step out of it until he got Lily out of his system.
He gave up two degrees short of hypothermia the turned off the shower and roughly towelled himself dry.
Talk about bad ideas. Why in the world did he go to see Lily so late at her office?
He hurried into the bedroom and pulled on his sweats, his thick robe and his leather bedroom slippers. It was still a few minutes though before he started to feel warm again. He was a hundred percent in favour of the no touching rule but Lily was so touchable that he couldn't help himself.
He'd made a dumb move in her office and she shot him down exactly how he deserved. He'd blown his chance with her five years ago and no woman was likely to forgive rejection.
Why couldn't a man and a woman have fun with out sticky relationships? Everyone knew marriage was like a lottery. Only a few people strike it rich.
Being married hadn't worked for his parents and they were both decent unselfish people.
James was interrupted from his contemplation however by the door.
After seeing who it was he was extremely surprised to see the person. He hadn't talked to him a few years thought they sent letters occasionally.
He opened the door and there on the front steps of his house was a tall, thin grey haired and bearded person.
That person was Albus Dumbledore.
'Professor Dumbledore?'
'Ah yes. James how nice to see you again.'
'Same here professor. You'll excuse what I'm wearing I hope because well, I wasn't expecting company.'
'That's quite all-right James. I would though like to talk to you concerning something rather important.'
'Of course sir. Won't you come in?'
'Yes thank you.'
After James got over the initial shock of seeing his former headmaster he quickly ushered the man into the house.
'I need to talk to you then be on my way. I have a few more stops to make.'
'Sure Professor.'
'Well James as you know Voldemort is quickly rising to power and I know this is supposed to be a festive season I am afraid that this is the worst time for him to strike.'
'Yes I agree with you there.'
'Well I have this feeling that he still is biding his time gathering people in to the dark side and will not strike. For safety purposes though I want to gather my most trusted people myself.'
James wasn't too sure where this conversation was going.
'I am creating an order. An order to which the Ministry has no idea about. The Order of the phoenix with most gifted people and the most trusting I might add that will help defeat the dark side.'
'What are you asking professor?'
'What I am asking James is that I wish for you to join the Order. Will you? I know this is a lot to take in and I am afraid I can't stay any longer to answer your questions. You may thing about it tonight but I will await your answer tomorrow morning. I must ask for your discretion as well.'
'Sure thing professor.'
'I will stop by after you have returned form work.'
'Okay I'll see you then.'
Then after Dumbledore left James's house he apparated to a cottage just outside of Godric's Hollow.
'Professor Dumbledore?'
'Ah yes, its me and how are you my dear?'
'Fine thanks and yourself?'
'Good.'
'Would you like a cup of hot chocolate?' Lily asked of her former headmaster as he sat in the middle of her living room robes and all.
'Yes please but I am afraid I can't stay very long.'
'Why are you here Professor?' asked Lily when she came back.
For the second time that night Professor Dumbledore explained why he is enlisting the aid of all his trusted.
'I know this is a lot for you to understand at the moment but I am afraid I really can't explain it to you. All I need for you to do right now is trust me.' 'You'll always have my trust Professor.'
'Stop it, its not good to make and old man blush.'
Lily laughed.
'I must also ask for your answer tomorrow evening and I'll also need your carefulness with this information.'
'Yes Professor.'
'I will be back at the end of the day tomorrow. Thank you for your time.'
With that he left to go to the houses of one Sirius Black and Remus Lupin as well as others he needed to enlist.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Lily knew her last relationship fizzled out into nothingness even before she and Jerry broke up.
In this case she couldn't understand how she had been content living as a nun then something had come and shaken thins up.
And that something was, or someone rather was James H Potter.
She liked to be able to handle everything that came her way but this time too much had been thrown at her all at once.
Her parent's divorce was hard enough to accept; she didn't know how her own sister felt about it. And the other thing was Simone would depend on her to help plan the wedding. Then she had the tricky situation at work. She loved her job and would fight for it not matter who tried to take it from her.
Finally there was James. This was the worst possible time for him to reappear into her life, not that anytime would be good.
Simone drifted through life and let the good things happen
Lily planned, organized and worried about bad thing like falling in love with James again.
Oh no how could she even think that.
She already knew he hadn't changed since their time together.
She hurried to her bathroom for an intended cold shower.
As she turn on the cold spray she let her flannel sleeping gown slip to a heap on the floor before she stepped into the stall.
She expected to suffer but in less than two seconds jumped out of the cold shower and turned on the hot water for a nice warm scrub.
A gold shower must be some kind of a guy joke.
Her cold tap water couldn't be more than a degree above freezing.
Now that she was fully awake and rational she figured that this time it would be easier to get over James.
If she kept him out of her thoughts during the day he was history.
Any woman who obsessed over one unavailable guy was a woman who lost control of her own life.
Lily didn't intend for that to happen to her.
~*~*~*~
Simone showed up at the office to take Lily and Jess for lunch but Jess was at a business lunch so the both of them went alone.
'Lily I'm getting nervous about the wedding.'
'Well that's only natural.'
'I know but marriage is such a fragile thing. People do it they undo it. Look at your parents I mean I thought they were what we had to look forward too. They made it seem to simple.'
'I know I feel the same way. I thought they were the model of marriage I guess I was wrong.'
'Sometimes I think we're in that type of thing already. What will happen after Shawn and I get married? Can you be too comfortable with the man you love?' said Simone in a worried voice.
Too comfortable?
She'd never been too comfortable with James, not even in school when she thought she loved him.
'I'm probably being silly.' Said Simone before Lily could think of anything to reassure her best friend.
'I will get better.' Said Lily.
'I'll see you soon.' Said Simone after they finished with lunch.
Lily already knew she would support Dumbledore without even thinking about it all she had to worry about now was when to put up her Christmas decorations.
They could stay in the closet for all the Christmas spirit she had.
Then there was the logistics of the celebrating the day.
There was only one way she wanted to spend her Christmas but she knew it would never happen.
No matter how naughty or nice she was Santa wouldn't put James in her stocking.
~*~*~*~
It was six in the evening when Professor Dumbledore left Lily's house. As before he went to James's then Lily's. The answers he got from each house he was glad for.
They agreed to become part of the order. Neither knew the other would be there but he couldn't think about that right now. Sooner or later they will realise their place in this world.
It was to be with each other.
As he went of in search other the others he wondered how long it would take for them to figure that one out.
James showed up at Lily's cottage thinking [I] what's the worst that can happen? [/I]
She wouldn't be glad to see him that was for sure.
He had reserved feelings about being there because he couldn't shake the feeling that he behaved badly in her office yesterday.
He walked o her front door rehearsing what to say.
Even if she didn't curse him on the spot she wouldn't be pleased to see him.
He'd forfeited the right to put his hands on her five years ago.
He didn't have to knock when the door opened and Lily stood there with jeans, a faded sweatshirt and thick knobbly socks.
'Hi,' he said, 'I was in the neighbourhood.' And she arched an eyebrow at him.
'Okay so I came here purposely.'
'Do you have a reason to why I should let you come in?'
'You're losing heat while the door is open. I hate to see us cool the house while we talk.'
'What do we have to talk about?'
She wasn't going to be easy.
'I'll leave the moment you want me to. Promise.'
'Oh all right, come in if you must.'
She turned and walked into the living room while he stood there thinking of a good excuse for being there.
Even in a baggy shirt and old faded jeans she still looked to hot to handle.
Didn't she know the effect she had on men when she swayed her hips like that?
Knowing Lily she didn't have a clue.
'Why are you here?'
'I want you to do something spontaneous...' where did that come from he wondered. He should know better to open his mouth when his brain wasn't fully engaged.
'What?'
'A mystery trip, something completely unplanned and fun. Isn't that what you need, more spontaneity in your life.'
The biggest mystery if it was that he didn't know where to take her if she even agreed to go.
There wasn't much chance of that though.
She'd wrinkle her nose at that suggestion and gesture he always thought was cute.
'Does this have anything to do with Haley Manning?'
'Nope, not a thing.'
'But you wont tell me where we're going?'
'No that's why it's a mystery trip.'
'You don't think I'll go do you? You only asked because your one tracked mind is positive I'll say no. Then you'll say "see you don't know how to be spontaneous".'
One-track mind? If she really knew what was buzzing around in his mind she likely slap his face.
'All right I'll go. Help yourself to some tea while I change. The pot is still hot.'
She went up the carpeted stairs without a backward glance.
No woman he'd ever known had gone to change without knowing where she was going. Lily had given in to easily.
What was she up too?
After drinking tea he decided to wash up since she'll be a little while.
After saying a spell his mother taught him in the kitchen he had everything tidied.
This was London there should be something to do for a woman to enjoy.
Then it came to him.
Hogsmede village!
He hadn't been there awhile and since Professor Dumbledore's visit he was reminded of his former school, of his former home.