Chapter 15: Confessions and Concessions

Dinner was a tremendous success on the surface. Lily's parents were highly amused by James, who regaled them with lively, edited anecdotes of school days in an effort to win them over. To be sure, Vernon's eyes had bugged alarmingly at an accidental mention of "flying" but since everyone else seemed to notice nothing unusual, he concluded that he must have been mistaken.

"Your parents are nice," James began as he and Lily walked down the garden path towards the gate. "But what's up with – what's his name – Dursley? He looked like he was going to have a coronary at one point. And I was being perfectly normal and genial."

"You are never normal," Lily replied rather absently, kicking some leaves away.

"Voldemort's hiding behind those bushes," James said idly.

"Mmm…hmm.." she replied before the words sank in. "What?"

"I knew you weren't listening," he grinned instead. "What were you thinking about, sweetheart? Missing me already?"

"You wish," she smiled half-heartedly. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Petunia craning her considerable neck out of her bedroom window.

"Walk down the street with me," James pulled Lily along. "I can see your sister looking out of the window and I don't think she can survive seeing me Apparate."

"That's exactly it," Lily muttered. "That's the problem."

"That your sister cannot accept magic?" James looked puzzled. "Is that a new problem?"

"Oh, James," she sighed, halting. "I don't think I can stand another occasion like this one. Pretending we are …what people view as…normal. Can you imagine any family get-togethers? One slip and Petunia throws a fit while Vernon has apoplexy."

James stared at her as if he could not believe what his mind caught in her words. "You talk as if I am already family."

Lily felt her cheeks grow warm under his intense gaze. Throughout the entire year they had dated, she had been careful not to let herself imagine too far into the future. She wasn't sure when the picture changed.

"I didn't mean…" she began.

"I would like us to be," James interrupted awkwardly. "I didn't know you did too."

"Didn't you?" she echoed. The look in his eyes was uncharacteristically vulnerable, making her forget all about Petunia. "I haven't even met your family. How could I know you were serious?"

"How's that so important? I already know they will love you," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I do," he said simply.

Half an hour later, Lily floated back home on wings of joy. The sensible part of her mind questioned whether or not she could consider herself engaged to James Potter, prankster and flirt extraordinaire, but the niggling uncertainty was not enough to extinguish the happy glow.

Her mother looked up as she entered, twinkling. "That was a long goodbye."

Lily beamed as she bounced up the stairs, oblivious to Petunia's disapproving sniff. "Wasn't it?" she said dreamily.

She had a very long letter to write to Alice.

"Are you serious about him, Lily?" Petunia's question stopped her while she was half-way up. "He is even more freaky than you are."

The words doused her happiness more effectively than any Misery charm could have. Deliberately, she whispered a few words that sent her levitating back to where her sister sat. Alarmed, Petunia tried to sink and disappear in her chair.

"I am not a freak," she said slowly but firmly. "Neither is he. We are different from you, I grant that, but don't you think its about time you accept that?"

Mrs. Evans looked apprehensive at the prospect of an outright conflict. "Now, Lily, dear, surely you can accommodate your sister's sensibilities."

"I have been accommodating for 7 years!" she exploded. A nearby vase shattered. "I can't bring my school friends here, no, no, Petunia cannot take it. I cannot do a simple charm without her getting angry or terrified..that's not fair! Magic is part what I am and I shouldn't have to pretend its not." Her voice dropped. "Especially not in front of family."

"You think you are the one who has it bad?" Petunia screamed back, standing up so quickly the chair fell over. "Who's the one who has to sit back and watch Mum and Dad be so proud over a witch? What is so special about being able to turn teacups into rats? That's what not fair!"

"Petunia," Mrs Evans interrupted/ "You know that's not true. We love you both equally well."

Her cheeks tinged with pink, Petunia snorted. "That's what you always say." She stalked off. A door slammed.

Lily merely watched her leave. There was no way she would apologize this time.

"You are right, Lily," her mother's voice broke into the whirl of anger. "Invite your friends, do your magic. Its time we see more of that side of you."

The concession only made Lily feel both confused and ashamed.

p.s Thanks so much to all reviewers...and especially to fellow elf Vilthuril...Lupin's my favourite character..will definitely check out your story as soon as i can...