Lily's PoV
I tried not to think about anything but the food in front of me. The children were all talking quietly amongst themselves. I looked up one or two times to see Rhia and Harry looking at each other rather fondly. I had to admit that I wasn't really expecting them to get together so quickly. I guess April's death had a few positive aspects. I glanced over at Sirius. He kept watching Harry suspiciously. I guess after he lost April he got a bit over protective of Rhia. Harry and Rhia have shared a kiss or two in front of Sirius before and he didn't even blink an eye but now...
I felt James take hold of my hand. I missed having April to talk to. I really needed to talk to her. Jenny was alright but she seemed a lot more distracted then usual. She kept going silent and she wouldn't look at me for very long. I sighed and looked around the table. Bo and Harry were talking. Emma was talking grudgingly to Rhia while Rhia stole some of Harry's food. Orion seemed happy to try and make a pasta tower. Emma had taken a while to persuade to come out but she did eventually. I really wish she'd tell me what was wrong with her. Again, something I needed to talk to April about. April was good at getting things out of the children, they were scared of her various skills. I let out a sad sigh. James put an arm around my shoulders and kissed my forehead.
"You ok?" He asked. I shook my head. He gave me an upset look. "I want you to be happy Lily." He said though he knew that wasn't possible.
"I'll be back in a minute" I said quietly as I put down my cutlery and got up. James was reluctant to let me go but I wanted some fresh air. I picked up my cloak and put it on as I left the restaurant. The rain was slowly dying down. I stood under the shelter of the building's eaves and hugged myself. I missed April. I know it sounds stupid but it seemed like part of me was missing. I leant against the wall and looked out in the dark. There was a sudden shadow that seemed to run across past the Three Broomsticks. I straightened and stood on my own while I reached for my wand. There was another flash of a shadow but by Honeydukes. I looked at the restaurant. No one seemed to be worried about me. I left the restaurant and went across the path towards Honeydukes.
"Lumos" I muttered. The end of my wand lit up. I pointed it in front of me. Nothing...No! wait there was a flash of yellow. I followed it behind Honeydukes and went around the corner. Not the best of ideas, particularly at this time but something was drawing me towards Honeydukes. I went around the back when something grabbed me and pressed me against the wall. I was about to scream when someone clamped their hand over my mouth. I shone my wand in their face. I let out a muffled screamed. A ghost! Oh crap.
"Lily, shut up." April hissed at me. I continued to scream. "Please, Lily be quiet." She begged almost desperately. I stopped screaming. My eyes wide and I think I was beginning to shake. April slowly moved her hand away from my mouth. "Will you stay quiet?" She asked. I nodded really quickly.
"You...You're a ghost." I said with a shaky voice. April shook her head.
"It's me." She said. No, she died! Sirius had her auror robes. April was dead, but...she was here...in front of me. April gave me a hesitant smile. I grinned and threw my arms around her. She hugged me tightly.
"Oh my god, I thought you were dead!" I cried. April held me just as tightly.
"I thought I was going to die. You don't know how good it is to see you again." She said. She sounded as though she was crying. I kissed her cheek and pulled away.
"You have to come into the restaurant." I said, "Sirius has actually been trying to kill himself." I pulled on her hand but April stayed where she was.
"I can't go in there. I tried but I can't." April said. "Not after...does EVERYONE thing I'm dead?" She asked. I nodded.
"It was in the papers and everything." I said. April looked away for a moment as if thinking before she looked at me with a smile and hugged me again. I happily returned the hug. Oh my god, April was alive!!! I felt like screaming.
"Lily I really need to talk to you but not here." April said.
"Godric's Hollow." I said. April nodded. "I'll see you there in a minute."
"Lily, don't tell anyone, please" She begged me.
"Alright" April disapparated while I quickly went back to the restaurant. I went in and went straight to James. I nearly let out the good news there but I'd promised April. Oh my god she was alive!
"Emergency has come up. I need to go. See you." I said quickly before kissing James quickly.
"What?" James asked but too late. I disapparated from the restaurant and into the kitchen at home. April was taking off her cloak and shoes. I took my shoes off as well and went to April.
"Why didn't you try and contact us sooner April?" I asked.
"Well I was out for a while then I had to heal then I needed to find some information. It's a long story." April said. I got out my wand and made the appliances start making some coffee. I missed the house. It was so much more welcoming then the castle. I looked at April again. I still couldn't believe it. April was thinner though and there was some way about the way she walked that looked a bit awkward. It was like she wasn't used to walking or couldn't walk properly. She took one of the mugs of coffee.
"The living room." I said. She nodded and we both sat on the sofa in the living room. I sat down next to April. April swung her legs up and put them on my lap. "You have to tell me everything April. We all thought you were dead. Actually, everyone thinks you're dead." I said.
"I know." April said. "Mark told me."
"Who?"
"Oh, um long story." April said.
"What happened at Azkaban. The reports are all sketchy and there's been a rise in Death Eater activity." I said. April nodded.
"I know." She said. "Um, well I suppose I could tell you everything that happened." I looked at her, I wanted to know what happened but not if it would hurt her.
"If you don't want to then..."
"No, I have to tell you." April said. "Basically. I was doing one of my annual routines around Azkaban with, who I thought, were some aurors. It turned out the aurors were Bellatrix Lestrange and a few other Death Eaters who had taken Polyjuice potion. They changed back in Azkaban and attacked me in the high security area. They let lose all the prisoners in there, including Malfoy and Kiana Darcy, do you remember her?" April asked me. How could I not? She tried to kill my parents and me after Hogwarts! April looked at me and nodded. "I thought you might. Well, there was a fight and my main priority was to alert the guards and try and keep the prisoners in Azkaban. I somehow managed to get on the roof and we had a fight there." April stopped and took a sip of her coffee as she decided what to say next. I watched her carefully. She had some look in her eye that I didn't really like.
"Why did you fall into the ocean though? Everyone thought you were hit by a curse." I said.
"I nearly did. I could feel the warmth of the Avada Kedavra curse. Did you know it's a warm curse, I never knew it!" She said, "But basically, it's my own clumbsy fault that I fell into the sea. I was trying to move to attack again but I slipped, tripped over the edge of the roof and fell into the water." April closed her eyes and shivered I could feel her legs shaking. I put a hand on her leg...it didn't feel right. I looked at her leg and found it looking a bit weird. I frowned slightly.
"But you're never clumbsy." I said.
"For once, I'm glad I was a bit confused and did something stupid" April said darkly. I looked at her curiously. A dark shadow seemed to move across her eyes. She closed them and I saw tears forming at the sides.
"I don't want to be an auror any more. I've decided I'm through with any form of working life." April said. "When I was...when the waves...I thought I was going to drown at first but then I hit the cliff so many times and the rocks...Lily, I can't feel my foot any more and my leg is going numb!" April said, "I don't want to lose my leg and when I was underwater all I could think about was you and Sirius. I couldn't apparate because, well, I was almost dead with no strength and I thought I'd lost my wand." I put my mug down and took April's mug and put it next to mine. I hugged April tightly and tried not to cry. She was alive, that was all that mattered. April was alive.
"I'll take a look at your foot but who's this Mark?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah, I washed up on a beach near Thurso, north Scotland and a couple took me in for a while. I don't know how long for, I was out for a while. But I stayed with them to rest up for a while. They turned out to be Hermione's grandparents." April said. "Oh god, Lily, I don't want to work anymore. When I thought I was going to die I pretty much replayed my entire life. I just don't want to work any more. I've missed so much. I don't want to miss any more. And I think I've shortened my life expectancy somewhat, not to mention the amount of enemies I've made." She said with a sigh. I scowled.
"Ok, lets look at your foot." I said. She turned so she was facing April. She lifted April's trousers and frowned slightly. Her foot was swollen and there was a green tinge creeping up her leg. It was simple to heal, just a potion to drink but it didn't look very nice.
"Is it alright?" April asked.
"Yeah, just a quick potion to drink and it'll be all healed. Come with me." I said. I helped April to her feet and took her downstairs into the basement. I flicked on the light and the room lit up. Orion's drum kit stood disused under a dust covered sheet. There were one of two amps covered by sheets as well as a keyboard case against the wall. I moved the keyboard case to get to a filing cabinet then unlocked it with my wand and pulled out the top drawer. April looked in the drawer and gasped.
"Where did all these come from?" She asked.
"Well, when I left St. Mungos...I took a few things with me." I said. I took out a few cases and took one out saying antivenoms.
"A few things? Lily, this is like the entire potion selection at St. Mungos!" April said. I gave her a smile.
"And they don't know that do they, here" I gave April a bottle filled with a gungy black solution. April looked at it sceptically. "Just drink it" I said. April downed the liquid and stuck her tongue out.
"That's disgusting Lily." April said.
"But your foot will be healed by morning." I said. April nodded.
"Um, Lily, how are my family. Sirius didn't really look too good." April said.
"He's not, he's really suffering without you" I said as I put the potions back. "He's back on the drink and I think he might take up smoking" April frowned.
"But...he's...he gave up drink!" April said.
"After you took him back after your divorce." I pointed out. "He only drinks when he can't have you." I said. April sighed. "But on the plus side, your death did bring about a new romance." I told April. She looked at me curiously.
"Please don't tell me that Sirius is-"
"Not Sirius." I said, "Harry and Rhia. I think they're dating now." April grinned.
"They are?" She asked. I nodded
"Lets see, they were late to dinner, Harry had Rhia's lip gloss all over his clothes." I said as I locked the filing cabinet. I turned to April, she looked like she was considering Rhia and Harry. She had a wide grin plastered on her face. I didn't even want to think about what she had planned for Harry and Rhia. "So how are you planning on revealing yourself to the world again, now that everyone thinks you're dead?" I asked. April shrugged.
"I don't know. The only thing is I have to go to the Holyhead Christmas ball." April said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Oh, secret but Sirius told me something they were planning and I really want to be there." April said. I sighed and sat on the drum kit stool.
"I don't know how I'm gonna keep this all a secret." I said, "I mean, there you are! You've been thought dead for just over a month and there you are!" I waved at April. She gave me a smile.
"It gave me the chance to do some snooping. No one expects me any more." April said. "And Lily, you're in serious trouble." April said.
"Ooo k" I said slowly. "Not what I was expecting."
"Lily, word is that they've ordered Jenny to kill you." April said.
"So that's why she barely talked to me tonight." I muttered. April looked at me.
"Don't you understand what this means?" April asked. "Either you die by Jenny's wand or she gets killed by Voldemort. It's bad enough losing one parent or even a spouse but we can't let Bo lose both!" I looked at her, she was right.
"You'll have to talk to Jenny about it. I don't know what to do." I said.
"I can't talk to Jenny. You're the only one I can talk to. You're the only one who knows that I'm alive." April said.
"But why can't you tell the others?" I asked. "You're alive and I know for one that Sirius would be a lot better off if he knew that."
"I tried Lily. I really did. I nearly walked into that restaurant myself but I couldn't." April said despairingly.
"Lily?" called James.
"Oh crap." April hissed.
"He's not supposed to be back." I said. "Look, go to your house. Sirius doesn't live there anymore. I'll try and see you as soon as I can." I said. April nodded and kissed my cheek before Disapparating. She'd just gone when James opened the door.
"Lily, what are you doing down here?" He asked.
"Just looking around" I said. James came to me and pulled me to my feet.
"You should be getting back to school." James said.
"I know." I muttered. "Do you want to come back with me?" I asked him as I straightened his shirt. He looked at me slightly surprised before smiling slightly.
"I would love to." He said.
"But?" I knew there was one coming up.
"But it feels wrong while everyone is so upset that we should enjoy ourselves." He said looking down at me.
"What? It doesn't matter, I mean this thing with April!" I said "She's-" I stopped myself. James looked at me curiously.
"She's what?" He asked.
"She's...She'd want us...to have sex" I said slowly. James gave me a bemused look. "Please James. For me, I need it." James nearly laughed. It wasn't funny!
"Alright." James said. He leant in to kiss me. I smiled as he did. All my troubles all floated away now that I knew that April was alive...well almost all of them. I still didn't know how I was going to keep her secret from anyone, particularly James and Sirius!
"I love you so much." I said, "I don't ever want to lose you." I hugged him tightly. I felt James' strong arms around my body.
"I know and I don't want to lose you either but if we don't get to Hogsmeade we may lose the children." I laughed slightly.
"Alright, but you're coming back to the castle with me." I said.
"Don't worry." James said. "Anything for you." He kissed me again.
The bell rang to indicate the first lessons for the day. I frowned slightly and sat up in the bed. I felt an arm go around my waist and hold me down.
"Don't go." James muttered against the skin of my waist before he kissed it gently.
"We have jobs James." I said. I started to get out of the bed but James pulled me back into the bed and made me lie down and face him. His gorgeous brown eyes stared into mine.
"I'd give up my job just to be with you." He said. "Any day."
"I would do the same for you but you know I've been posted at Hogwarts by the order." I said. James pulled me closer and nuzzled his nose against mine. I closed my eyes and let him as I moved my hands onto his body.
"I think we should quit the order, quit our jobs, take the kids and move to the Caribbean." James muttered before kissing me. I laughed as he moved on top of me slightly.
"What's brought this sudden change of mood?" I asked before kissing him.
"I miss the days when we were in hiding. When we got to spend all day every day with each other or with the kids." James said. He moved his lips to my neck and they danced gently across my skin.
"So do I." I said with my eyes closed. I could feel James' hands wondering slowly up my body. "James, we can't do this now!" I said trying to sit up. He stopped me and put his lips against mine.
"Why not?" He asked between kisses. I felt my will breaking away slowly.
"Because..." He kissed me again but with more passion this time "Because..." He started to move further on top of me, pressing me against the bed. He broke away for a moment, waiting for my explanation. "I hate you." James laughed and kissed me again.
"I hate you too." James muttered.
"I guess I'm not a teacher so being late won't hurt." I murmured against his lips.
"Welcome to my way of thinking" James muttered against my skin. His hands were creeping down my body to my legs.
"But I still think that we should-" but James silenced me with his mouth again.
"Shut up Lily." He laughed. I laughed and held him closer as I felt him move slightly on top of me. "Ready?" He asked with a grin.
"Third times' the charm" I said as I pulled him into another kiss. James and I only seemed to have been at it for a few minutes and I was nearly there when -
"Ahem! Oh, don't mind me, carry on." Came a voice I recognised. James suddenly pulled away and rolled off me.
"Shit!" He muttered. I pulled the duvet around me suddenly and saw Dumbledore's retreating back.
"Professor!" I snapped. He turned around. There was a cheeky twinkle in his eyes.
"I was curious as to why you weren't in the Hospital wing yet. However, I did not know that James was here. I see you are busy." Dumbledore said. He gave James and I a smirk. I felt myself going bright red while James was busy trying to cover himself up. "James, I was scared I was going to be late for my meeting with you...what say I send a letter to your secretary and tell her to cancel your appointments for today?" Dumbledore said with a slightly cheeky voice.
"Um...sure." James said uncertainly.
"Good day to you both." Dumbledore said tilting his head and walking out of my rooms.
"That was a mood killer" James muttered as I groaned in annoyance and embarrassment.
"I'm never going to be able to look at Dumbledore again!" I muttered as I slumped back into the bed. James lay down beside me and put his arm across my stomach. He kissed my shoulder.
"You can still look Sirius and Jenny in the eyes." James said with a mischievous smirk. I looked at him.
"What are you saying James?" I asked him. He sighed and pulled me on top of him.
"Have you noticed how people have a habit of walking in on us? It only seems right that now Dumbledore has experienced the wonderful thing that is us" James said. I kissed his chest. My mood returning slowly.
"Lets just hope the next person isn't any of our children." I muttered. I stopped kissing James. "Don't you find it the least bit embarrassing and awkward that Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore just saw us?" I asked, slightly annoyed. Bye bye romantic mood!
"Er, yeah, why do you think we can't carry on where we left off?" James asked. I gave him a shrewd look. "Come on, lets try again." He said with a cheeky grin as he flipped me over and attacked me with kisses.
It was past curfew for the students and I pulled my cloak on ready to go and visit April. I wanted to talk to her desperately. I was tired yet energized, happier then I'd felt in years and I felt a lot fitter. I looked around my office looking to see if I needed anything else when James walked in. He grinned when he saw me and planted a kiss on my lips.
"How was the meeting?" I asked.
"Oh, it was ok but it's disturbing having Dumbledore mock me while we're trying to have a serious meeting about the you know what." He said. I looked at him curiously.
"What did he say?" I asked James.
"Oh, something about...using my wife's assets to my advantage." He said. "Or using my resources to get the job done...he's a pervy old man" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Dumbledore saw my-" James nodded before I could finish the sentence. I shivered involuntarily. "Oh my god" I said with a frown. "Urgh!"
"Oh, and when Snape and McGonagall joined us. Dumbledore said that you and I are the prime examples of perfect order members. We're young, healthy and very...what was it? Thorough" James said, he sounded a little annoyed. "I think Snape got that one." I forced a smile. The conversation I'd had with Harry about James played heavily on my mind. Although I hadn't shown it at the time, well not very much, I was incredibly bothered and disturbed that Harry had seen that memory. I came up with the best excuse I had but I didn't have any excuse for doing what I'd done.
"I'll talk to him" I said, "I have to go and get some supplies from Diagon Alley." I lied.
"It's really late though." James said worriedly. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.
"No, it's fine. I'll be alright. Besides the shop I go to is open late. I'll be perfectly safe." I said with a smile giving James a reassuring kiss. He nodded.
"Alright." He said. "But send me an owl as soon as you get back. I worry about you and the kids so much I think I'm losing weight." He said.
"We're perfectly safe at Hogwarts." I said.
"You never know Lily." James said. I pressed a kiss on his lips before making myself a portkey. James smirked. "That's illegal." He said.
"And are you going to arrest me?" I asked James.
"No."
"So it's perfectly fine." I sang as I touched the portkey and went straight to April's house
A/N:-Erika and I had so much fun coming up with sexual innuendos. hehe. particularly from Dumbledore. hehe. Anyway, Lily is the first person to find out April's alive. I hope this chapter explained a few things. I've been looking through some of ur more recent reviews and I'd just like to say i'm loving some ideas people are giving me so keep an eye out for any ideas that you put in ur reviews -cough-charmerbelle-cough-Rinny-cough- Anyway! as for the whole Emma thing, a few people are a little concerned for her. Well, the fun with Emma is JUST beginning. I had so much fun writing an argument between her and someone last night. Pulled out all the stops (well not really) and some REALLY low blows were used, hehe, Erika and Kaylee will know all about it. All the fun stuff is starting to happen now, hahahahaaa!! yes...bring on the fun stuff! this is the stuff i've been planning since the middle of To the End :D