A/N: Hey, sorry for the long delay, my muse has once again abandoned me,
so I've got a terrible case of writer's block, but I intend to see this
story through . . . it will probably end sometime this summer seeing as how
I've got at least 120 hours on the beach, 33 hours on 7 or 8 different
planes, 20 or so hours in a car, and numerous hours spent in a lonesome
hotel . . . don't I sound like I'm having a lovely summer?
Disclaimer: As well as not owning anything recognizable as J.K. Rowling's, the "self-preservation" line is from "Love Actually" I loved that line, I couldn't help but use it, that guy was cute too . . .
"I'm afraid to ask, but what happened back there? With Vernon?" Lily half closed her eyes, bracing herself for the response. She, James, and Sirius had apparated into a small grove just on the outskirts of the sleepy little town where James lived.
When James didn't answer, Lily turned her gleaming eyes to Sirius who gleefully replied, "Well, you see, Vernon said some things that didn't sit very well with James, and we all know that Jamsie here has an awful temper, so when Vernon mentioned he was going to find Mr. Evans and report that James needed to be restrained, James did the only logical thing and bound his legs with magic."
"You what?" Lily stared at James, half-horrified, half-amused.
"Lils, I'm sorry! He just set me off, what was I supposed to do? He was saying awful things about you!" James bit back his lip, not sure if he should let it slip that Petunia had fed Vernon all the lies.
"Of course he was saying horrible things! He's marrying Petunia after all," Lily rolled her eyes, trying not to live up to her reputation as a fiery red-head, now would not be a good time to lose her temper.
James gaped at her, amazed by how unfazed she seemed by the whole situation, "Lily! Your sister told her fiancé that you spent the year in an asylum! Vernon was degrading your intelligence, continuously saying that you're insane! How can that not bother you?"
"I never said it didn't bother me," Lily replied softly, her emerald eyes iced over in inner pain, "but it's not the first time, nor the last, that I will face discrimination. I'm a muggle-born witch, James, I don't belong in either world. In the muggle word I'm seen as a freak, and in your world I'm seen as lower than the purebloods. I have to appear unfazed by it all, it's . . . self-preservation." She trailed off, averting her eyes, making it clear that the subject was no longer open for discussion.
James stared at the ground, scuffing his toe through the dirt as the unbearable silence pressed down on him from all angles. How could he have not known all the pain Lily went through every day? Never feeling as though she completely belonged in either world, what kind of boyfriend was he, to not have realized his girlfriend's hidden insecurities? If anyone questioned him later, asking if he had known about Lily's inner traumas, he would reply in his arrogant manner that of course he knew, but inside the battles would rage, furious at himself for not knowing about his girlfriend.
As the trio approached Godric's Hollow, Lily could feel her stomach repeatedly knotting itself, causing her to regret the numerous biscuits she'd eaten earlier that morning. Waves of nausea washed over her, leaving her feeling weak with apprehension. She could hardly pay attention as James explained the many impenetrable charms protecting his home as well as the homes of most aurors. Usually she would have been fascinated by the idea of such charms – ones that hid the homes unless the address was given by a secret-keeper, anti-apparating charms, houses that could only be entered when let in by those from inside – charms that would have kept her mind spinning for days until she had researched every one of them could not quell the growing dread inside her.
By the time they arrived at Godric's Hollow, Lily was so immersed in her anxiety that she did not notice as James stopped to converse with the front door, nor did she notice their arrival, instead she proceeded walking only to collide with the stationery boys.
"What the – oof!" James gasped as he feel hard against the door, crushed beneath Sirius and Lily.
"Sorry," Lily mumbled, but before she could right herself, the door opened, sending the three sprawling to the ground.
"Ow, James, get your knee out of my a-oh, hullo Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter," Sirius blinked innocently up at James' parents, silently berating himself for not assuming that they were the ones who had opened the door.
James quickly untangled himself from the web of twisted limbs, sending Sirius crashing to the hard marble surface. He offered his hand to Lily, gallantly hoisting her to her feet before turning to his parents, earning a sarcastic "Oh, don't mind me, I'm quite enjoying my lay on the floor, it's quite comfortable." Grinning in spite of the nervousness within her, Lily reached down for Sirius' outstretched hand, pulling him up as James spoke, "Hullo Mum, Dad, um, I'd like you to meet Lily Evans."
Lily hastily released her hold of Sirius' hand, stretching her arm out to accept the greetings of the Potters. "It's so nice to meet you," Lily gushed, trying not to sound too desperate for acceptance.
"Same, m'dear, we've heard oh-so much about you!" Mrs. Potter smiled welcomingly.
"Yes, I was beginning to wonder when we'd meet the famous Lily Evans." James groaned inwardly at his father's comment, yet Lily's smile just grew brighter. She could tell already she was going to enjoy the company of these two.
Half an hour later, Lily found herself chatting comfortably in the Potter's den, all anxiety forgotten in the presence of her boyfriend's parents. James sat beside her on an ancient loveseat, covering her hand with his own as if to remind everyone one that she was his girlfriend.
"So, Lily, have you any thoughts on what you'd like to do after Hogwarts?" Mr. Potter questioned conversationally as their talk had already been turned towards school.
Lily paused for a moment, considering the question, "I'm not too sure, actually, I'm quite interested in charms, it's easily my best and favorite subject . . ."
"And best is an understatement," James chimed in, causing Lily to blush furiously.
"But I'm not quite sure how I want to apply that after school. I suppose it would be useful in any kind of auror training, though I'm not sure that it's for me. I guess I'm really not quite sure." Lily shrugged, noticing the slight glance the Potters had exchanged when she mentioned aurors.
As the conversation began to wind down, Mrs. Potter suddenly turned towards James, "I can't believe I only just thought to ask, James, dear, how was tea this morning?"
The three teenagers exchanged glances, each unsure of how to respond. "It was . . . fine," James finally answered, trying to maintain a calm composure.
"Just fine?" Mrs. Potter stared piercingly at him, wheedling down his confidence.
"Yes . . ." James murmured, his voice becoming decidedly weaker.
"It was lovely, Mrs. Potter," Lily spoke up, earning herself to shocked stares from the boys, each unsure of where this rebellious streak had been aroused. Lily was quite unsure herself, but now that she had spoken, she felt she had to continue. "My parents simply adored James, and we had a lovely chat with my sister and her fiancé. I think that with such a short time, the boys got along as best as could be expected." She held her breath, praying the Potters would buy her lie.
"Is that so?"
"Oh yes," Lily and the boys nodded vigorously.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it, you won't believe some of the stunts these two have pulled," Mrs. Potter smiled at James and Sirius affectionately, "It's good to hear that they may finally have been learning some manners."
"Oh yes, they can be quite the gentlemen." Lily bit back her tongue, afraid she may be overdoing it.
"Well, it's been a long day for you three, James, why don't you and Sirius show Lily to her room? I daresay she may be wishing a bit of a break from you two."
"Yes, mum," James rose to his feet, and he and Sirius led the way out of the den. As Lily followed the two boys she swore Mrs. Potter gave her a slight wink. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw the woman smile and nod before moving to collect the tea trays.
A/N: I know that's really short, and I'm really sorry, but I get on a plane in a few hours and well, I didn't have time to type up more. I swear the next chapter will be up soon, maybe not within this week seeing as I'm not quite sure if I have internet access, but the moment I can I'll post it up. If it takes awhile, then I guarantee it will be a long chapter. I already have it started, and I've got 7 or so hours on a plane tonight in which to work on it.
Thanks especially Princess Shadowcat, it's your review that got this chapter up. Yours came about a week after the others and managed to pull me out of a horrible bout of writer's block. Thanks for such a sweet review!
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please please review!
Disclaimer: As well as not owning anything recognizable as J.K. Rowling's, the "self-preservation" line is from "Love Actually" I loved that line, I couldn't help but use it, that guy was cute too . . .
"I'm afraid to ask, but what happened back there? With Vernon?" Lily half closed her eyes, bracing herself for the response. She, James, and Sirius had apparated into a small grove just on the outskirts of the sleepy little town where James lived.
When James didn't answer, Lily turned her gleaming eyes to Sirius who gleefully replied, "Well, you see, Vernon said some things that didn't sit very well with James, and we all know that Jamsie here has an awful temper, so when Vernon mentioned he was going to find Mr. Evans and report that James needed to be restrained, James did the only logical thing and bound his legs with magic."
"You what?" Lily stared at James, half-horrified, half-amused.
"Lils, I'm sorry! He just set me off, what was I supposed to do? He was saying awful things about you!" James bit back his lip, not sure if he should let it slip that Petunia had fed Vernon all the lies.
"Of course he was saying horrible things! He's marrying Petunia after all," Lily rolled her eyes, trying not to live up to her reputation as a fiery red-head, now would not be a good time to lose her temper.
James gaped at her, amazed by how unfazed she seemed by the whole situation, "Lily! Your sister told her fiancé that you spent the year in an asylum! Vernon was degrading your intelligence, continuously saying that you're insane! How can that not bother you?"
"I never said it didn't bother me," Lily replied softly, her emerald eyes iced over in inner pain, "but it's not the first time, nor the last, that I will face discrimination. I'm a muggle-born witch, James, I don't belong in either world. In the muggle word I'm seen as a freak, and in your world I'm seen as lower than the purebloods. I have to appear unfazed by it all, it's . . . self-preservation." She trailed off, averting her eyes, making it clear that the subject was no longer open for discussion.
James stared at the ground, scuffing his toe through the dirt as the unbearable silence pressed down on him from all angles. How could he have not known all the pain Lily went through every day? Never feeling as though she completely belonged in either world, what kind of boyfriend was he, to not have realized his girlfriend's hidden insecurities? If anyone questioned him later, asking if he had known about Lily's inner traumas, he would reply in his arrogant manner that of course he knew, but inside the battles would rage, furious at himself for not knowing about his girlfriend.
As the trio approached Godric's Hollow, Lily could feel her stomach repeatedly knotting itself, causing her to regret the numerous biscuits she'd eaten earlier that morning. Waves of nausea washed over her, leaving her feeling weak with apprehension. She could hardly pay attention as James explained the many impenetrable charms protecting his home as well as the homes of most aurors. Usually she would have been fascinated by the idea of such charms – ones that hid the homes unless the address was given by a secret-keeper, anti-apparating charms, houses that could only be entered when let in by those from inside – charms that would have kept her mind spinning for days until she had researched every one of them could not quell the growing dread inside her.
By the time they arrived at Godric's Hollow, Lily was so immersed in her anxiety that she did not notice as James stopped to converse with the front door, nor did she notice their arrival, instead she proceeded walking only to collide with the stationery boys.
"What the – oof!" James gasped as he feel hard against the door, crushed beneath Sirius and Lily.
"Sorry," Lily mumbled, but before she could right herself, the door opened, sending the three sprawling to the ground.
"Ow, James, get your knee out of my a-oh, hullo Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter," Sirius blinked innocently up at James' parents, silently berating himself for not assuming that they were the ones who had opened the door.
James quickly untangled himself from the web of twisted limbs, sending Sirius crashing to the hard marble surface. He offered his hand to Lily, gallantly hoisting her to her feet before turning to his parents, earning a sarcastic "Oh, don't mind me, I'm quite enjoying my lay on the floor, it's quite comfortable." Grinning in spite of the nervousness within her, Lily reached down for Sirius' outstretched hand, pulling him up as James spoke, "Hullo Mum, Dad, um, I'd like you to meet Lily Evans."
Lily hastily released her hold of Sirius' hand, stretching her arm out to accept the greetings of the Potters. "It's so nice to meet you," Lily gushed, trying not to sound too desperate for acceptance.
"Same, m'dear, we've heard oh-so much about you!" Mrs. Potter smiled welcomingly.
"Yes, I was beginning to wonder when we'd meet the famous Lily Evans." James groaned inwardly at his father's comment, yet Lily's smile just grew brighter. She could tell already she was going to enjoy the company of these two.
Half an hour later, Lily found herself chatting comfortably in the Potter's den, all anxiety forgotten in the presence of her boyfriend's parents. James sat beside her on an ancient loveseat, covering her hand with his own as if to remind everyone one that she was his girlfriend.
"So, Lily, have you any thoughts on what you'd like to do after Hogwarts?" Mr. Potter questioned conversationally as their talk had already been turned towards school.
Lily paused for a moment, considering the question, "I'm not too sure, actually, I'm quite interested in charms, it's easily my best and favorite subject . . ."
"And best is an understatement," James chimed in, causing Lily to blush furiously.
"But I'm not quite sure how I want to apply that after school. I suppose it would be useful in any kind of auror training, though I'm not sure that it's for me. I guess I'm really not quite sure." Lily shrugged, noticing the slight glance the Potters had exchanged when she mentioned aurors.
As the conversation began to wind down, Mrs. Potter suddenly turned towards James, "I can't believe I only just thought to ask, James, dear, how was tea this morning?"
The three teenagers exchanged glances, each unsure of how to respond. "It was . . . fine," James finally answered, trying to maintain a calm composure.
"Just fine?" Mrs. Potter stared piercingly at him, wheedling down his confidence.
"Yes . . ." James murmured, his voice becoming decidedly weaker.
"It was lovely, Mrs. Potter," Lily spoke up, earning herself to shocked stares from the boys, each unsure of where this rebellious streak had been aroused. Lily was quite unsure herself, but now that she had spoken, she felt she had to continue. "My parents simply adored James, and we had a lovely chat with my sister and her fiancé. I think that with such a short time, the boys got along as best as could be expected." She held her breath, praying the Potters would buy her lie.
"Is that so?"
"Oh yes," Lily and the boys nodded vigorously.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it, you won't believe some of the stunts these two have pulled," Mrs. Potter smiled at James and Sirius affectionately, "It's good to hear that they may finally have been learning some manners."
"Oh yes, they can be quite the gentlemen." Lily bit back her tongue, afraid she may be overdoing it.
"Well, it's been a long day for you three, James, why don't you and Sirius show Lily to her room? I daresay she may be wishing a bit of a break from you two."
"Yes, mum," James rose to his feet, and he and Sirius led the way out of the den. As Lily followed the two boys she swore Mrs. Potter gave her a slight wink. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw the woman smile and nod before moving to collect the tea trays.
A/N: I know that's really short, and I'm really sorry, but I get on a plane in a few hours and well, I didn't have time to type up more. I swear the next chapter will be up soon, maybe not within this week seeing as I'm not quite sure if I have internet access, but the moment I can I'll post it up. If it takes awhile, then I guarantee it will be a long chapter. I already have it started, and I've got 7 or so hours on a plane tonight in which to work on it.
Thanks especially Princess Shadowcat, it's your review that got this chapter up. Yours came about a week after the others and managed to pull me out of a horrible bout of writer's block. Thanks for such a sweet review!
Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please please review!