The next posting! Whee! LOL!

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"Oh my God, I'm nervous." Lily said to James as he opened her car door. Cool night air washed over Lily's face, as she clambered out of James's car. James rushed around to the back to grab their bags.

"You're going to be fine. My mom will love you!" He assured her, leading her up towards the large, Muggle, brick house. Rose bushes lined the walkway, and Lily bit her lip.

"I can't do this… let's just go back to our apartment, please?" Lily pleaded. "What if she hates me, James? I don't think I could handle that…" She tried to straighten her skirt, flatten her hair, and adjusted the sparkling engagement ring on her finger.

"Oh come on, ya big baby." James teased, pushing her up the stone walkway. Lily couldn't help but think that the house was huge for just one person—even if James had just moved out a little more than a year ago. James stopped at the door, dropped their bags, and knocked loudly. "You're going to be fine, Lily. Relax! It's only for three days." He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

"You're right, I know." Lily sighed, rubbing James's back. The door opened sharply to reveal a small house elf.

"Madam! Master James has arrived, ma'am!" The elf cried. "It's nice to have you home again, James, sir. Please, come in, sir." James smiled at the elf, as a woman about Lily's size with black hair, and large blue eyes gently walked down the stairs before them with such poise that Lily could swear she was floating. Her nose looked like James's and her mouth was slightly pinched.

"Hello, James, darling." Mrs. Potter said as she walked towards her son. "That will be all, thank you." She said to the elf.

"Hi, mum." James said giving his mother a peck on the cheek. Lily put on a large smile. "This is Lily, my fiancé."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Potter." Lily said kindly, putting out her hand.

Mrs. Potter stared at her for a moment, looking Lily over. "Well, she's pretty." Mrs. Potter decided, following the house elf into the next room. Lily retracted her hand.

"Thank you!" Lily exclaimed, trying to sound cheerful and grateful. She looked at James uncertainly. He ushered her inside, and closed the door behind them. 

The floor of the entryway was hardwood, and a circular rug was placed just before the staircase that led to other floors. Mrs. Potter walked into the living room where the walls were wallpapered in floral designs. The house elf placed the tea tray on a quaint coffee table, bowed, and then left the room without saying a word.

"So." James's mother said, offering the two seats on a couch. "James tells me you went to school together." It didn't seem much like a question, but Lily tried to answer anyway.

"Yes—same year, same house." She replied, accepting the teacup James handed her.

"Right, and I told you that Lily was Head Girl?" James told his mother, as he added an ample amount of sugar to his tea.

"Yes." Mrs. Potter said, sipping her tea. Her eyes landed on Lily, and watched her every move. Silence overtook the three, and Lily continued to smile uncomfortably.

"So, um." Lily ventured uncertainly.

"James also tells me you were going to wed that Amos Diggory from the Ministry…" Mrs. Potter interrupted. "Why ever did you break the engagement?"

"Oh, well…" Lily wondered how much of the story James had told his mother. "I just realized that he wasn't right for me. We had different interests, and it just didn't seem right."

"I see." Mrs. Potter said softly. "And, I'm sure that you don't plan to break the engagement with my son?"

Lily was caught off guard, and choked on her tea. "No, of course I don't!" She exclaimed. "Leaving Amos was something that I had not intended on doing, until someone showed me how wrong marrying him would be—for both Amos and myself." She added, glancing at James with a small smile.

"How nice." Mrs. Potter said.

"So, mum, what's for dinner?" James asked, trying to change the subject. "Lily, wait till you taste mum's cooking—you'll just love it. Especially her pies!"

"Oh, well, I can't wait!" Lily said, flashing another smile at Mrs. Potter.

"We'll be having pasta, rolls, salad, and for dessert, pudding." Mrs. Potter replied stiffly.

"No pie, mum?" James said in surprise.

"No, dear." Mrs. Potter said. But she suddenly perked up, as she remembered something. "Oh, and James, dearest, I invited a guest to join us. An old friend of mine—and yours. Patricia Short; you remember?"

"Short?! Not that girl who followed me all summer when we lived on Ibbotson?" James groaned. Lily shifted uncomfortably.

"Yes, James. She's a very nice witch. And she seems to be just right for you…" Mrs. Potter said convincingly, as she shot Lily a glare.

"Mrs. Potter? Could you excuse us for a moment?" Lily asked politely, as she grabbed James's arm and pulled him back into the entryway.

"I can't believe her!" James muttered angrily. "I'm getting married in a little more than a year, and she still won't give up!"

"James, I'm not exactly feeling comfortable over here!" Lily snapped. "I'm starting to think your mother hates me."

"What? No… she doesn't hate anyone." James replied.

"James, she glared at me." Lily argued. "And now she's trying to set you up with a childhood friend…"

"Patricia Short is no friend of mine." James said tenderly. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Lily sighed, and James pulled her into a hug. "I just want your mum to like me…" Lily murmured.

"She will. Just give her some time." He said, stroking her hair. "Just for the record, my mum loves everyone."

"Excepting me." Lily laughed.

"Well, I love you." James joked, ruffling her hair.

"Don't touch the hair…" Lily said, patting her hair down like a valley girl.

Just then, the doorbell rang. James pulled the door open, to reveal a woman in a black skirt and pearls. Her brown hair was curled back, and she smiled to reveal lots of white teeth.

"James?! Oh my goodness, just look at you Jimmy! My goodness!" The woman said flamboyantly, kissing Lily's fiancé on the cheek, and handing him her robes and handbag. "And where is your mother? Anna?!" She called up the stairs.

"She's in the living room." Lily said to the woman, faking a welcoming smile.

"And who is this charming girl, Jim?" The woman said, looking at James expectantly.

"This is my fiancé, Lily." James said, walking to Lily's side, and putting his arm around her symbolically.

"Oh! Well, it's nice to meet you, Lily. The name's Patricia." The woman said, with a fake smile rivaling Lily's. Mrs. Potter joined them in the entryway, with a hospitable grin.

"Patricia! Welcome, dear!" She exclaimed, folding Patricia in a warm hug. "How have you been, sweet?"

"Just fantastic, Anna. And yourself?" Patricia asked, walking arm and arm into the dining room with Mrs. Potter.

"Anna?" Lily questioned James angrily in a whisper.

"That's my mom's first name… honestly, I'm surprised she didn't tell you…" James said confusedly, leading Lily into the dining room.

Dinner went by slowly. Most of the talk was between Patricia and Mrs. Potter, and Lily was left to eat her food in unnerving silence. She tried to jump into the conversation more than once, but was quickly cut out, as it switched back to those old times at Ibbotson.

"You know, I'm so sorry Mrs. Potter. But I'm really not feeling well—I think I'll skip coffee and dessert." Lily said, feigning a headache. But after the evening's events, a headache would be quite welcome.

"What's that, Lily? Oh, all right." Mrs. Potter said, paying attention to Lily for the first time during dinner. "Your room is up the stairs, first door on the left."

"Thanks." Lily answered, leaving the table and going to the entryway. Lily grabbed her bag, and hurried up the stairs. She walked into the first room on the left hand side and was surprised at the straightforward design. There was one queen bed facing a window covered by lacy curtains, a mirror, and dresser. Also, Lily noticed a door that must have led to a bathroom. Sighing, Lily flicked on the light and changed into her nightclothes, before pulling out her book. Lily lay on her bed reading by lamplight until ten, when James came up.

"You little liar." James laughed when he opened the door. "Here I came to say goodnight, and you're not even asleep!"

"Sorry." Lily smiled. She scooted over in her bed to make room for James. He sat on the bed, and adjusted Lily's covers.

"What're you reading?" He asked, putting his arm around her to cuddle. Lily rested her head on his chest.

"Nothing special." She said, passing it to James to put on the nightstand. "You know, I'm really worried about your mother." She changed the subject.

"Lily…"

"No, seriously! I feel bad. Why doesn't she like me?" Lily asked him desperately. She looked up into his face, and he frowned.

"I honestly don't know." He said. "But we're here for two more days… I'm sure you'll connect before we leave."

"But what if we don't? I want her blessing…"

"You want me to talk to her tomorrow morning?" James offered. "I can try to see what's up, or something?"

"Oh, would you?" Lily said graciously. She tossed her book on the bedside table. "It's just so frustrating, you know? I mean, first my own mother hates me, and then yours does…"

"I'm sorry, Lil." James said, kissing Lily's forehead. "Things will turn out fine in the end, you'll see."

They grew silent in thought. Lily listened to James's steady, relaxing heartbeat and slowly drifted off to sleep in his arms.

The next morning, Lily awoke with sunbeams in her eyes. James was still lying next to her, with a protective arm around her waist. She kissed his cheek, and rolled out of the bed.

"Hm?" James muttered groggily.

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." Lily laughed.

"Morning? Already?" James yawned. He flung back the quilts and he was still dressed in yesterday's clothes. He reached for his glasses on the bedside table, and left Lily to change.

Lily came down to breakfast wearing that fake grin again. Mrs. Potter was seated at the kitchen table wearing a red bathrobe and reading the Daily Prophet.

"Morning." Lily said, sitting across from her soon to be mother-in-law.

"Feeling better, I presume?" Mrs. Potter said over the paper.

"Yes, very much, thank you." Lily said respectfully. She reached across the table to get at the box of cereal and the milk bottle.

"Proper ladies never reach." Mrs. Potter scolded, from behind the paper. "Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?"

"Gosh, I'm ever so sorry." Lily said. She hoped Mrs. Potter wouldn't catch the sarcasm. But she poured and ate her breakfast in silence. Lily only asked to see the front page of the Prophet, and nothing else was said.

"Anyone downstairs?!" Came a sudden yell from the kitchen. Lily looked around confusedly, for the voice did not sound like James's.

"Sirius?" Mrs. Potter called, as she got up from the table, and walked into the kitchen. Lily got up as well, and pushed open the door to see Sirius's head floating in the kitchen fire.

"Hello, Sirius, dear!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in ages; how's your mother?"

"Just fine, Mrs. P, thanks. Is James around?" Sirius said, craning his invisible neck to see if James was in the room. "Is that Lily over there?! Lily!"

"Hey Si!" Lily said from the doorway, and Mrs. Potter turned, not realizing Lily had followed her. "How's your new house?"

"That's what I'm calling for—I want you and James to come over. A little reunion, you know. Is he here?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah—yeah, I'll go get him." Lily nodded. She dashed out of the dining room, and up the stairs and into James's room.

"James, Sirius is in the fire. He wants to talk to you." Lily said, as James pulled on his shirt. He nodded, and took Lily's hand and they went downstairs together. Once in the kitchen, Lily saw that Mrs. Potter had moved their breakfasts into the kitchen so Sirius could 'eat' with them.

"James—come over today! The whole gang's coming." Sirius said when he saw his friend. Mrs. Potter got a pair of tongs from near the fireplace and put some toast in them.

"Mum, you don't mind if we go, do you?"

"No, of course not, darling." Mrs. Potter said, as she fed Sirius the buttered toast. "I want you to bring some of that fudge I made the other day over, also."

"Sure. We'll have to leave in about two hours, okay, Si?" James asked Sirius.

"Furrfing. I'll feeshoo then." Sirius answered with a very full mouth. He winked at Lily and disappeared with a pop.

"Okay. I'll just go upstairs and finish getting dressed." Lily said, happy to have an excuse to leave Mrs. Potter's company. She rushed up the stairs, and plopped down on her bed.

She was going to visit Sirius and Remus! She was so excited. She hadn't seen them in such a long time… sure, she'd written to them constantly, and talked to them through the floo network, as Sirius had done, but she hadn't actually been able to touch them.

After a little while, Lily heard a frustrated yell coming from downstairs. Confused, she opened her door and walked cautiously down the stairs.

"Mum, why can't you just get to know her?!" James said in exasperation. "She's fantastic, but you just don't give her a chance."

"I don't need to know her, James." Mrs. Potter said snootily. "I've seen her type. She'll put her spell on you, and then leave you! Just like that sweet Diggory boy…"

"Lily didn't love Amos, mum. You don't even know the whole story… And Amos isn't sweet."

"That doesn't matter." Mrs. Potter spat. "Perhaps she doesn't love you either."

"Don't even…"

"Snap out of it, James." His mother replied softly. "Nobody's good enough for you."

"Oh, mum, please. Nobody's good enough for your horrible standards. You're just mad because I actually found someone who makes me happy, and that you can't have me all to yourself anymore." James said angrily. Lily smiled proudly. Finally, James saw the light.

"That's just stupid, dear. You know I only want you to be happy." Mrs. Potter said, caught off guard.

"I am happy, mum. And you know, her dad died a few years back—she's more like you than you might think." He said gently. "We're going to Sirius's. We'll be home late; don't bother staying up." James stormed into the hall, where Lily was standing and looking worried. "Come on, Lil. Let's go."

Lily followed James out the door and to his car. He opened the door for her, and ran around to his side and revved up the car. "Can you believe her?" He said angrily, pulling out of the driveway.

"She loves you, James. And I think she's lonely in that big house all by herself." Lily said soothingly.

"Yeah, maybe. But that's no excuse for smothering me." James said, watching the rear-view mirror.

"No, it's not." Lily agreed. "But I think that giving her some time to cool off will help. But let's not worry about it, okay?"

"Yeah, all right." James nodded bitterly.

A while later, when they drove up Sirius's street, Lily was all smiles. James looked at her face and laughed.

"Well, this is it." He said, turning into the driveway. The house was a dark green with white trimmings, and to Lily, it looked exactly like the place Sirius would live. James led her up the cement walkway that weaved around the lawn, which was slightly browning. Excitedly, Lily rang the doorbell, and Sirius opened it almost immediately.

"Lily!" Sirius shouted, pulling her into a big hug. "You're cute as a button!"

"Right back at'cha." Lily giggled, as Sirius let go.

"Oh! You guys have to meet my baby!" He said, taking Lily's hand, and leading her out to the garage.

"Your what?" A stunned Lily asked. James just laughed as Sirius flicked his wand, and the garage door folded up. And there, sitting in the middle of the garage, was a brand new, black motorcycle. "Oh my God! I thought you meant…"

"Isn't she gorgeous?!" Sirius cooed, as he stroked it tenderly. "And it can fly! So much better than brooms! Thanks to James, I'll be flyin' this puppy all over…" He said dreamily.

"What do you mean, 'thanks to James?'" Lily asked, looking quizzically at him.

"Er, I kind of chipped in three-quarters of the galleons so he could buy it… He really wants it." James said, shrinking a little, under Lily's shocked stare.

"And I'll pay you back, Prongs, I pinky-swear." Sirius replied, not taking his eyes off the black machine.

He led them back inside and after a warm welcome from Remus, they sat down with Peter for drinks. They joked for hours, laughing about everything from Amos Diggory, to the old days at Hogwarts.

"So, how's little Arabella?" Sirius asked.

Lily smiled at him mischievously. "Why?"

"I'm just curious! What, is that a crime?"

"She's fine. I just saw her a few days ago, actually." Lily replied. "You know, she was asking about you, too." Lily bit back another smile.

"Well, well, well." Remus said in surprise. "Perhaps we'll have another couple on our hands, soon!"

"Right, Reme. Whatever you say." Sirius said, rolling his eyes, and smiling at James and Lily. "Honestly, I don't think this lot could handle another couple." But everyone noticed that a little color had sprung up in his cheeks, making them smile gleefully.

Late that evening, Lily and James said goodbye to everyone as they loaded into the car to head back to Mrs. Potter's house. Waving, James pulled away from Sirius's home and onto the open road.

The moon was high in the clear sky, and the air was crisp and clean. Lily unrolled her window, and leaned against the frame with James's coat draped over her shoulders like a blanket. With the chill night air blowing on her face, Lily slowly drifted off to sleep.

She was flying over huge trees, and lakes… when suddenly Mrs. Potter's house came into view. She soared through the front door, and into the living room. Someone clothed in black was standing in front of Mrs. Potter laughing. She screamed, and shouted, "He's not here! I swear he's not! Please leave! Please!" "She could be telling the truth, sire." One man said softly. "She's lying. I know she is. He's here… somewhere in this house. He's staying here with that Evans girl. It's their fault we had to hide for nearly four years, and I've had enough."

"What the hell…?" James's voice broke into Lily's dream. She heard James's door slam shut. She shook herself awake, and felt a cold sweat on her forehead.

"What is it, honey?" Lily asked James woozily. She pushed open her door, and got out of the car and stood next to James.

High up in the sky, equal with the crescent moon, a humongous, smoky, green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth was floating over Mrs. Potter's house.

"Mum…" James whispered, as he grabbed Lily's hand and started to sprint up the walk.

The door was open, and hanging loose on its hinges. All the lights were out, and the house was dark. James reached into his pocket and pulled out his wand, and Lily followed suit.

"Mum?!" "Mrs. Potter?!" James and Lily called into the darkness. James groped along the wall for the light switch.

"What the…?" James looked at where the light switch should be, but saw that it had been ripped off the wall. "Lumos." He replied, and the tip of his wand lit up.

"Mum?" James called again. "Where are you?" His voice cracked slightly with fear.

Lily left his side, and moved into the kitchen. The table was overturned, there were broken plates littering the floor, and an abandoned platter of leftover pasta sat on the counter. Behind the table, Lily could make out a the body of a house elf sprawled out on the floor, and was about to scream for James, when he called her loudly from the living room.

"James?! The house elf is dead in the kitchen, James! We've got to get help…" Lily called back, running out of the trashed room, and towards James's voice. "What did you—oh my God…" Lily said, stunned. There, lying on the floor in front of them was Mrs. Potter.

James knelt down next to his mother, and felt for her pulse. Lily kneeled down next to him, and touched Mrs. Potter's cheek.

"She's ice-cold." Lily murmured, putting James's coat over his mother. Her wand was clutched in her hand, and her eyes were open wide with surprise.

"She's dead." James said faintly.

"Oh, James…" Lily whispered breathlessly, as tears started to form in her eyes. She threw her arms around James, and hugged him tightly.

"I'm calling the Ministry the Muggle way." James said suddenly. "I want you to drive to Belle's and I'll meet you there in the morning."

"James, I'm staying here." Lily argued. "I'm not going to leave you."

James thought for a moment, and looked at Lily. "All right; fine." He took her hand, and walked into the kitchen, and grabbed the phone off the wall. "The line is dead."

"I'll make a fire, and we can take floo powder." Lily offered.

"Okay, I'll help." James said, leading Lily back into the living room. He avoided looking at his mother's body, and put some firewood into the fireplace. Lily lit a fire with her wand. James picked up the jar that contained floo powder, and tossed some into the flames. They both stepped into it together, and James shouted the destination: "Ministry of Magic!" In a whirr of fire grates, Lily and James arrived in the Ministry fireplace that was at least twice as large as the one in the Potter household.

"I'm Arthur Weasley, can I help you?" A man dressed in an old robe asked them. He got up from his desk, and looked at them curiously, as the Ministry was closed for the evening.

"Yes, we need to speak to the Mistress of Magic." James told Weasley.

"She's left for the night." Weasley said, running his fingers uneasily through his bright red hair. "I might be one of the only people left here." He tried to chuckle.

"Please, sir." Lily said desperately. "My fiancé's mother and house elf have been murdered—we need someone at their house fast." James cringed slightly at the word 'murdered'.

"Oh my God! Do you have any idea who's behind it?"

"No."

"One moment. I'll see if I can find anyone…" Weasley said hurriedly, as he quickly dashed out of the room, and up some stairs. He came back a few moments later with Mad-Eye Moody.

"James? Lily?" Moody said with surprise. He smiled at the both of them. "What're you doing here?"

"It's my mum…" James said. "We need someone at her house immediately."

"Sure." Moody said, confused. He turned to the man who had helped them, "Arthur, come with me. The two of us will investigate James's house."

"Gladly, Moody." Weasley hurried out of the room again, and came back pulling on his robes, with his wand in his hand.

"Thank you…" James said to Weasley, as Moody tossed some floo powder into the grate again, shoved everyone inside, and said the destination.

With a whoosh, they arrived at Mrs. Potter's house.

"Wow." Moody muttered. He magically lit the house, and walked over to Mrs. Potter's body. "Look at this, Arthur…"

"Not a mark on her." Weasley said softly. "It musta been Avada Kedavra."

"That's what I'm thinking." Moody said. "We should notify Dumbledore…" He added in a low voice.

"Where's the other body?" Weasley asked. Lily pointed to the kitchen.

"You don't think it was Voldemort, do you?" James blurted.

Moody paused to look at him. "Very likely it was. Especially since I can see his Dark Mark out the window…" Moody replied pulling back the curtain. Then he turned to Lily and James. "You two can go to bed. Arthur and I can take it from here. And I'm very sorry, James."

"Thank you." James said, as he and Lily left the room. Lily moved up the stairs offhandedly. James put his arm around her comfortingly. How could this have happened? Was Voldemort back and looking for revenge?