a/n: BEFORE YOU READ THIS, PLEASE READ 'CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET'. if you have already done so, please ignore this comment.
anyways, i'm baaaaaaaaaaack. not that anyone was waiting anyway.
It's been five years passed. And I, Lily Annalise Evans, have not been more happier! How old am I? Ah yes, right. I'm now twenty four! Oh yeah! High five! The big two-four! And still going strong! Still looking young. Still... hoping to stay young. Ew.
So, what has been going on for the past five years you ask? Why, tons! I'm glad you asked; I really need someone to tell all this to. I know, I know; I love boasting! It's one of the things that I got from James. Boasting.
About James. We've been going great! Five lovely, solid years! Okay, well, not solid, I mean, what relationship IS?(subtract Constance and Remus from here please) We've had our ups and downs. We've broken up many times. But we've always gotten back together. And you know why? Because we're lobsters. That's that! Lobsters! He's my lobster. Anyway, five years with James as a boyfriend has got to be interesting you might think. And you are quite smart; it really was quite interesting, these past years. For instance, if you're James Potter's girlfriend, you sure do get to meet a lot of people. Apparantly, the Potters are quite well known in the wizarding world; I got to meet even the Minister! Of course, he wasn't exactly what I thought he'd be. In his pictures, Minister Ambrose Cornwall looks so... defiant. He's really a potbellied man with a thin moustache and a raspy voice. Oh well, he was nice anyway. I also met the players for the England quidditch team. I can never place the team name; not that I care anyway. I just paid them a visit to keep up manners and keep James happy.
I've actually been doing a few things with James that aren't in my area of interest. He loves his quidditch games. So far, I've finally gotten the rules straight, what a 'Chaser' is, what the 'Bludger' does and why the 'Snitch' is so important. Every one of those games is filled with noisy wizards, and the occasional witches. I usually drag either Serene or Constance with me to the game; but because their boyfriends don't take as much interest in the game as mine, they get the joy of not having to come. Lucky bitches.
Also, the Potters are pretty rich. Whenever James takes me out, we're always going to these posh places. Now, don't get me wrong or anything; I love posh places. They're clean, they smell nice, and lots of... posh... people are always present. The thing is, unlike James, I did not grow up in such a society. I don't understand why we just can't go out to a regular ice cream shop instead of a high society dessert palace. Sometimes, I just want to yell at him for taking me to such places. But I can't, because that's who he is. Whenever we go out to these nice places, I always have to dress up. Isn't that every girl's dream? To dress up in lovely ball gowns, strapless dresses and silk sequens? Pearls littering their necks, diamonds cascading their earlobes and over the top priced shoes? I do like it OCCASIONALLY. But let's be honest; sometimes, I can't take it anymore.
Okay, enough of my complaining. Being with James isn't all negative. Most of it is positive. I really enjoy being in his presence. He's so good to me. The times that we AREN'T surrounded by rich folk, he actually lets lose. It's as if he's trying to keep up some sort of different character whenever we're in the midsts of rich people. But he's actually himself when we're alone; the way I'd like him to be all the time. Not just when we're alone. Anyway, he's really sweet. For my twenty-first birthday, you know what he got me? "The Complete Book of All Charms"! It's the best book ever! I know it's thick, and it probably heavier than me, but it's got every single charm invented in there! It's awesome! It's like a cooking tool; I use it every single day. Okay, maybe not a cooking tool since I don't cook much, but you get it right? Right.
Enough about James. You wanna know about the others don't you? Well, I'm eager to tell you! Serene and Sirius are... how can I put this... They're going 'typical'. When I say 'typical', I mean that they uh... they're predictable. One minute, they're smitten about each other, the next they're at each other's throats. Oh well. I mean, we all knew what was going to happen. Even they knew themselves. But at the moment, they're going pretty solid. They just had the biggest fight ever. Sirius went out with Peter Pettigrew, and they both got drunk at some muggle bar. And Serene was in there too, with her friends, and they didn't know they were in there together. So when Sirius got drunk, he got seriously drunk (haha, did you catch my pun? Yeah whatever. Shut up). He was caught making out with the bartender girl person by Serene, who had went up to ask for a drink. Peter had tried to stop Serene from attacking Sirius until Sirius finally saw Serene. But since Sirius was drunk, he just laughed it off, and Serene stormed off over to me and Constance, leaving her other friends. It's nice to know that she'd come to us first for any of her serious problems.
Anyway, their fight lasted well over four months. Four months of complete silence from each other. Well, silence on Serene's end. But still. Sirius had tried to make it up to her by buying her these really expensive flowers, jewelery, and... being Sirius, making an ass out of himself in public. She turned down everything. I had asked Sirius if I could have the awesome diamond ear drops, but he just glared at me. Well, you can't blame me for asking - they're were gorgeous! How Serene turned them down simply amazes me!
So after four months, Serene decides it was time for her and Sirius to have the 'talk'. I have no clue what they talked about, but I always thought the 'talk' usually ended in a couple seperating. Apparantly, they patched things up. Now, they're going steady (or trying to) and they're making things work. Hopefully, this time they WILL work.
Constance and Remus on the otherhand, are what you can call the 'perfect pair'. They're so perfect for each other it makes me sick. They're completely devoted to each other, they can finish each other's sentences, and they're so friggin alike! Gosh. They can be the competition for the 'opposites attract' couple. They're so in tune, I sometimes just wanna punch them and tell them to get a life. I mean, since they got together, they've only had two fights. And those two fights were nothing! NOTHING! You know what they fought about? One; what they should have for dinner - chinese or greek. Two; what Butterbeer is made of. Honestly!
Although I seem to be all judgemental on Constance and Remus, deep down inside, I'm a bit jealous. Those two have it all; compatability, cooperation, alikeness, and love. They're so inseperable, it sometimes makes me doubt my own relationship. Will James and I work out? We're hardly alike, we've grown up differently, we're usually bickering at each other for one reason or another. I don't know. Sometimes I'm just worried.
But James and I have taken the first step to cooperation. A year ago, Constance had moved out of our shared flat. I was crying helplessly as I saw my bestfriend leave for a guy! But hey, I survived. I lived by myself, trying to be independant. Constance was there practically everyday, so it was almost like she didn't move out, except she wasn't there at night, her belongings weren't in the house, and the house was half missing with furniture. But anyway, just five months ago, James had asked me to move in with him. I debated on why we shouldn't live at MY house. Of course, I'd much preferred HIS place, but I just wanted to know. He too preferred his own place, as it was much closer to everyone, and a lot bigger. Not to mention, it wasn't in a full muggle community.
So that's what's been up with me. My personal life. Now for events!
Work; James, Sirius, Serene and I have just graduated and become professional aurors. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to know that I'm qualified for any task. It feels even better than being a Healer! Yes, I'm over that whole 'I wanna be a Healer' phase. I passed with a mark higher than Sirius (and boy does that feel GOOD) and two marks below James (that doesn't feel too good). But whatevr. I'm qualified! I can get paid higher!
Constance is now the head writer for the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly, in the 'fortune telling' columns. Her arithmancy sure paid off. I always thought that she wouldn't get much of a job, but look at her now. She's takling all that gold in. Stupid old witches really fall for her arithmancy bogus, and they keep writing her fan letters. She laughs them all off of course, and tries to reply to all of them with 'arithmancy-like' responses. Remus, who had taken a fondness over muggles, had become a teacher. Yes, a teacher! Apparantly, he loves arithmatics, and biology. Which is quite weird because when I was growing up, I HATED arithmatic. Anyway, he's a muggle teacher. And he loves his job. And it's weird because... all witches and wizards try to avoid the muggles, while he's educating them. Well, who'd have known.
Anyway, it's been great! I know, it's still the rein of Voldemort, but something's happened. He sorta... died down for three years. The Order is still suspicious, and we still have our meetings. But it's a bit creepy, knowing that he's still here but not taking any action. It's as if he's saving it all up for some big finale. I wonder what that is. I hope nothing happens to me.
On a happier tune, Francis and Adrianne Wood have another son! And yes, they named him Oliver too. It's a bit strange, to be naming their new son after their old son. If it were me, I would've chosen another name. But hey - I have no control over their son's name. Anyway, Oliver is two years old, and he's just so precious! He's learning to talk, and he can even say my name! Of course, he called me 'Lee-Lee', but it's the closest he got to any of our names. It's funny how he says the others. 'Jame', 'Remish', 'Sareeng', Con-since', and 'Seeris'. It's cute. I always laugh when he says our names every time we go visit him. And he seems to be taking a liking to James' quidditch set. James gave him the quaffle, and he sat quietly for over an hour just looking at it. Gosh, boys and their sports.
So, here I am, just... louging around James' place - I mean OUR place, sipping on some orange juice. James will be home any minute now; he said that he wanted to go to Diagon Alley for something. I wouldn't know. I don't care.
Oh, he's here!
He walks into the room, clad in muggle summertime wear. It's weird how magic folk always don muggle clothes when they're in their free time. "Hey Lily. Are you ready yet?"
"Yes I am," I reply, putting down my cup of juice in the coffee table. I head for the washroom to check myself, and step out to find him staring at the coffee table. "Is something wrong?"
"Your cup," he says stiffly. What about my cup?
"Okay...?" I ask, giving him an odd look.
"Aren't you going to put it away?"
Honestly! It's just a damn cup!
"It can leave ring stains," he says.
Ring stains my ass. I scowl at him, and grab the cup, bringing it to the kitchen sink, and stamp out. "Happy?"
"Yes."
He smiles at me as my face turns brighter. Opening the door, he steps aside and waits for me to join him.
And out we go.
-
"Are we going home yet?"
It's only been three hours, but I'm already tired. Walking down Diagon Alley - though some might disagree - is REALLY fatigueing! I mean, with the big crowds, the... how can I put this in a nice way, the 'bigger' of the people squishing you over to the barrels of dragon dung fertilizer, it's pretty hectic. Not to mention, I got seperated from James at least five times in the three hours we've been here. So now, James has a tight hold onto my hand as I lag after him, getting hit and bruised by the big crowds.
"No, not yet."
Not yet. Why not! Ugh! It's not that I hate Diagon or anything, infact, I love it! But seriously, of all nights of the week to be here but a Saturday, where most people come out an shop. I check my watch, which tells me it's about half past seven. And what did we accomplish in three hours, you ask me? Well, we travelled to every apothecary, just to buy two sacs of frog liver. What on earth for, I DON'T know. And I don't want to know.
"Are you hungry?" James asks, as he steers me towards a more quiet street with not too big a crowd as the main street.
"I'll eat if you eat," I answer. I'm actually hungry. All I had for lunch was an english muffin. And right now, if I don't sit or eat or drink, I will whither.
"Good! I've got just the place!" he replies, quite pleased with himself.
We're standing in front of a cafe. A cafe. Never has he ever taken me to a cafe. Let alone a cafe in a small street hardly noticed by anyone.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" he asks, pulling my hand. This is so weird... Okay. Deep breaths. It's a cafe! I haven't been to a cafe in ages!
We step into the cafe. But it's not a cafe. It's... a really small, but very elegant restaurant. With candles floating everywhere to light up the place - just like Hogwarts. Small tables of two and the occasional tables of 4 and more sit around. There are couples sitting on the second level, completely melted into each other. That's odd - why aren't they dressed fancy, like how places like this usually make people dress fancy? Hmmm...
"Mr Potter, Miss Evans, may I take your coats please?"
I turn around to see a waiter. He's got some sort of cloth draped over his arm. Is this guy crazy? It's summer! How can we possibly have coats?
"Um, you can take this, please," James says, as he hands over his frog liver and other things he's brought - namely a new Quaffin. Or is it Waffle? Well, the ball he plays with for Quidditch. The big red one? What's it called again? Quaffle! There you go.
"Right this way, sir, miss," the waiter says, after taking our things. He leads us straight up the second floor, and I think we're going to be sitting in one of those fancy booth things. They're really cute! I mean, how can you possibly resist a booth? Hey - where are we going?
The waitor takes us straight onto the balcony, where only one table sits. There are two candles on the table, and a whole row of them floating to the side. The chairs are draped with fine cloths, and wine glasses are waiting for us. Along with big white plates.
"Kyle will be with you when you are ready to order," the waiter tells us, as he turns around and shuts the balcony door to us.
What am I suppossed to do? What IS all this! WHY are we here? I feel a tug of my hand as James takes me to the table, holding out the chair for me. I sit down nervously, looking around the place. This is weird. I don't like weird. James takes a seat in front of me and he has a big smile on his face.
"What's this?" I ask, trying to sound casual, as my eyes still travel around. I can see the glows from Diagon Alley far away, and a sun just setting above us.
"I just thought that after a week of work - a week of full high-paying work - we might celebrate," he answers, still looking at me.
That's... odd. We didn't celebrate like this when we graduated into proffessional aurors.
"Well, I'm hungry, and so are you," he continues, peering out the door for our waiter, Kyle. "Let's order!"
-
"Would you like some champagne?"
Dinner was great! I have never eaten such good food in my life. Not counting my mother's homemade stuff, but it's the best restaurant food ever consumed! And the dessert was just... no words describe it. Oh man...
"Yes please!"
After having our champagne poured, James holds up his glass. I raise my own, waiting for his toast.
"To old ends, and new beginings," he announces, looking at me. He's got a strange face on - somehwere between joy, nervousness, and fear.
"To old ends, and new beginings," I repeat, clinking our glasses together. I take my glass and have a sip, feeling the gas tickle my nose. Damn, that's strong.
I put my glass down, and am about to speak, but James is looking at me, and I hold my words. He's still got that face on. And it's starting to scare me.
"James? Are you feeling okay?" I ask, concern starting to well up. Is he going to attack me or something? I hope not.
"How long have we been together, Lily?" he suddenly asks, popping up from his daze.
"Five years."
"Five years. When I was fifteen, I would've given anything to just spend five minutes with you like this!"
"Um... yes, of course."
"And here we are, nine years since being fifteen."
"Nine years."
"I've never thought that I'd be lucky enough to be sitting here, with the most beautiful person in the world."
"Oh, well, that's not true..."
"Lily, I love you!"
"Well, I love you too."
"I would give you the whole world if I could."
"That's sweet."
Where is this going?
"You are the best person I've ever met, Lily, and you've made me the happiest man ever to touch earth," he says, looking at me unblinkingly. I feel myself heating up, but I can't reply. He's starting to fidget. What the hell is he doing? He's reaching into the pocket... he's pulling something out... OH - MY - GOD!
Okay, not that I didn't see this coming up. I mean, we've been together for five years! It's about time he finally popped the question! And it was kinda obvious, cuz he kept asking me what type of stone I preferred to another. And what colours I like. And if I liked necklaces, bracelets, or rings. So if I knew it was coming, why am I still so freaked out?
He takes the small box in his hand and pops it open to reveal the prettiest ring I've ever seen. It's got a lily on it! With diamond petals, emerald leaves, and a small red stone on either side. This must've cost a fortune.
"Lily," he begins, taking a deep breath. "I already am the happiest person. But there is something that would make me even happier."
I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't relax. I can't speak.
"Will you marry me?"
