A/N: Well here I am again…posting for your enjoyment. My beta and I have decided to ask a little poll question…If you could save any of the HP characters from dying in the next book, who would it be, and why? Pick ONE character, ladies and gents. Anyhoo, please read and review.

Chapter Forty: The Introductions

The next week past by quickly, however stressful. Teachers were beginning to really crack down on the seventh year students, and they were reminded several times a class period that N.E.W.T.S were only a few months away. The work loads were beginning to be unbearable, and the professors made sure to bring up the fact that the world they were getting ready to go into was torn apart by war, and that people were dying every day, on both sides.

Needless to say, the Easter break was a relief when it arrived, and Lily was glad to be going home, or at least, to be getting out of Hogwarts. Only Remus and Peter were staying over the holidays over break, Remus, because he insisted he needed the time to study while the library was completely empty, and Peter because his parents were vacationing on the Virgin Islands, without him.

They boarded the fairly empty train early that Saturday morning, and didn't arrive to the familiar Platform Nine and Three Quarters till six o'clock.

Eager to get off the train after such a long ride, the group got off the train quickly and began to pair off into groups, or separate completely as they found their parents.

James, Lily, and Sirius stood together, as James searched for his parents, and Lily for hers. Sirius got a trolley and put there stuff all together. Lily caught sight of her parents, and waved them over with a smile on her face. Her parents smiled back at her and walked over to her, her mother in a light pink coat, a smile on her face. James smiled as he saw her, there was no doubt that this was Lily's mother, although she lacked Lily's staple red hair and green eyes, she could have been Lily's sister, her face was the same shape, with the same nose, mouth, and eye shape, she was the same height, and although age had probably given her a few more pounds than she had possessed in her youth, it was almost uncanny how similar she was to her daughter.

Mr. Evans, a tall man, who rivaled James's height, possessed a stern manner, with thin lips and almost tired eyes. James smiled at him as well, although it wasn't immediately returned. James had a feeling that this was only Mr. Evan's exterior, and that he was probably a very loving father and a kind man.

Sirius had caught sight of James's parents and had walked up to them, giving Mrs. Potter a hug, and then promptly asking Mr. Potter for the keys to their car. Mr. Potter laughed at Sirius, but handed him the keys, told him to not go speeding off without them, and Sirius took the trolley and packed the car. James, seeing his parents, waved them over as well, and pretty soon, some sort of reunion was gathered in the center of the train station.

James offered his hand to Mr. Evans after waving his parents over.

"Hello, Mr. Evans, nice to see you again." he stated in a respectable polite manner with a smile on his face.

Mr. Evans took his hand and shook it vigorously. "Nice to see you have a nice good grip, son." he smiled, and James's stomach was able to unclench a bit.

"And Mrs. Evans, it's a pleasure to see you again as well." he said as he offered his hand yet again.

Mrs. Evans smiled at James and took his hand daintily. "It's nice to see you, James."

James's parents had reached them by now, and James felt obliged to introduce them, Lily's stomach knotted as she saw James's parents. She was going to have to make a good impression.

"Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans, this is my father, Sam Potter." James introduced.

Lily took a look at Sam Potter. He was most definitely James's father, everything about him was the same, the same thin, handsome features, although his were very tired and worn looking, he was tall and slender, and even had the same messy hair. His, however, was a dull red with gray streaks forming by his ears. He looked friendly, but weary.

The parents exchanged hands, and James then introduced his mother.

"And my wonderful mother, Margaret Potter." he smiled again.

Margaret, according to Lily, was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. She was taller than Lily, had a slim build, and had fine, aristocratic features, except her cheeks dimpled when she smiled, giving her a warm appearance. Lily could tell that James got his jet black hair color from his mother, as Margaret Potter's hair was fine and black, and had no sign of graying.

Once again, hands were exchanged, and Lily felt her stomach tighten as she realized her introduction was only seconds away. James put a comforting arm around Lily, and motioned to his parents.

"This is Lily Evans, Mum, Dad."

Margaret Potter beamed at her and brought her into a hug, although it was rather unexpected, and it did catch Lily off-guard, she responded kindly.

"So you're the girl James is so mad about, and you're every bit as beautiful as he describes in those letters!" she beamed at Lily with her dimpled smile, and Lily smiled back at her.

"Mum." she heard James protest, he was turning rather red.

"James has told me wonderful things about you as well, Mrs. Potter." Lily replied, smiling.

"Has he?" Mrs. Potter looked at her in surprise. "Well I'm glad he thinks of me every so often, although he certainly doesn't write enough."

"He's busy doing school work and Head duties and Quiddich practice, honey." came the strong, deep voice of Samuel Potter. "I tell her that every time a letter comes and she complains that her son could write a little longer, or at least more frequently." Mr. Potter said, mainly to Lily. He held out his hand. "Sam Potter."

Lily grinned as she took it, James's dad didn't seem as serious as James made him sound. "Lily."

"Yes, as we've heard." he replied. "Well why don't you two go run and hop in the car…I don't want Sirius in there by himself too long…I believe he'll take off with it someday." he laughed a hearty laugh. "We'll be along in a few minutes."

James and Lily nodded as they walked, hand in hand, to the black Mercedes Benz that was the Potter's car.

"So that wasn't too bad." James stated as he opened the back door for Lily, who slid in the middle beside Sirius.

Lily smiled at him. "No, it wasn't. You're parents are so nice, James."

James nodded. "I suppose they are, and your parents seem nice, too."

Lily kissed James's cheek. "Don't worry, my Dad will warm up, he's just a little protective."

"Of his precious baby girl?" James cooed. Lily giggled as James kissed her, much to the discomfort of Sirius.

"Could we please leave behind the whole backseat-snogging cliché while I'm in here?" he complained.

James and Lily ignored him, and continued to kiss.

"Fine, don't listen to me, but your parents are coming." Sirius continued, grinning as Mr. and Mrs. Potter approached the car.

Not even a second after Sirius's words had reached the ears of the two lovebirds, they had broken away.

Sirius laughed. "We'd hate to fog up the windows…then they'd think we were really weird."

After a long car ride complete with Sirius's whines about apparating, ("We're all of age, here, Sam! We all know how to apparate…I just don't see why…") Mr. Potter turned to face Sirius.

"For that last time, Sirius. Apparation is being closely watched from Muggle settings these days. We could potentially endanger all the Muggles around us. And plus, Lily needed the scenic tour to the house."

Sirius huffed, elbowed Lily and slouched back in his seat.

"And we're here." Mr. Potter stated as they came around a curve and a mansion Lily had only seen once before came to view, sitting rather royally on a huge hill.

They pulled in past the black iron gates and up the drive, where several house-elves popped up, offering to take the luggage.

"Master Potter, so good to see you." one of smaller ones greeted before preceding to struggle and carry Lily's trunk up the drive.

"No, no you don't have to do that." Lily exclaimed, attempting to take the trunk from the little elf.

"I have it, Miss." the house elf stated pointedly, taking the trunk from Lily's hands.

Lily was about to protest before being stopped by James's hand reaching for hers.

"It's better to let them do their job, Lily." he said as they watched the other house elves take Sirius and James's trunks up the drive and through the house.

"That trunk was too big for him." Lily protested.

James smiled at her. "Lily, they've been in the family for ages, and they only know how to do the things they've done under previous Potters. Believe me, we would let them go if we thought it was better for them. But they know to much, and they could fall into the wrong hands." James continued, effectively killing the argument.

Lily sighed and let James guide her up to his home. "I'll show you to your room."

"What, I don't get to share with Sirius?" she asked playfully.

James grinned. "That could be arranged, but Sirius has gas."

"I heard that!" Sirius cried from the top of the stairs. "I told you, I have a delicate colon!"

Lily and James laughed and James opened a door for Lily.

"Here you are. It's right beside Charlotte's…one down and one across from mine, and two down and one across from Sirius's." James stated as he let Lily admire the room.

The house elves had already brought her trunk up to the room, Lily noticed. The room was surprisingly girly, with lace curtains, a pink bed spread, and a whole line of furry stuffed animals.

"This is beautiful, James." she replied. "I'm sure I'll be very comfortable, I wish Lola could have come."

James nodded. "Yes, but since she's so young, I think it's better that we left her in the care of Remus."

Lily nodded. "I suppose it is for the best, and I trust Remus."

"Shnuckums. You look beautiful." James spontaneously said.

Lily grinned. "I thought we'd given up on those names."

"Well I wanted to kiss you." James replied.

Lily laughed and gave James a sweet, tender kiss.

"But only because you called me beautiful, not for that lovely nickname, alright, precious?" Lily laughed.

"Not that I'd want to break up such a cute, lovey-dovey scene or anything." interrupted Sirius. "But dinner is ready."

James and Lily shared a secret lover's smile and walked downstairs behind a hungry Sirius.

The table was filled to the brim with delicious looking food that smelled simply delectable.

James pulled out a chair for Lily, and she took her seat.

"So, James tells us your Head Girl." Mr. Potter conversed as he heaped chicken on his plate.

Lily nodded as he passed the chicken to her. "Yes, I work with James."

"Were you prefect first?" his mother asked as she took a sip of her red wine.

"Yes, actually. I spent most of my fifth and sixth year trying to keep James and his friends in line." she smiled. "I believe I've failed horribly."

Margaret Potter smiled and James's dad just sighed.

"Don't feel bad, honey. For the last seventeen years I've tried to keep James in line, and it just doesn't work." She laughed a bubbly, friendly laugh, and just like that, any ice that we between Lily and James's parents, melted, and dinner went by quickly and easily.

By the time dessert was brought out (cherry pie and vanilla ice cream), conversation was moving fluidly through out the dinner table. Lily was explaining to Mrs. Potter the great phenomena that were Disney movies. Sirius and James were arguing with Mr. Potter over which Quidditch team looked best for the Cup this year.

"Ireland is going to take it." James said, "They've done excellent this year…I wish England had done better, but ever since they lost Graves they've been low-performing."

"Ireland will take it, but I think they've always been better, England losing Graves had nothing to do with it." added Sirius.

Sam Potter shook his head and smiled. "I think Scotland has it in the bag this year, boys."

Another outburst followed, and Lily was glad she was on a topic she could really talk about.

"My personal favorite growing up was Sleeping Beauty, it's about a princess who has to be hidden in the woods by three fairies because there's an evil witch out to kill her before her sixteenth birthday, so she grows up not knowing she's a princess, and one day she meets a prince and they fall in love because he can dance and sing…"

Before Lily could get into the part where the plot thickened, a loud beeping was heard across the table.

All heads except Lily's turned to Sam Potter, Lily looked at James, but when she realized where his attention had gone, she promptly turned her head as well to the head of the table.

Sam sighed and reached for something in his robe pocket.

James sighed and looked at his mother. "I thought they were going to start making him work less, he's getting old, mum."

James's mother gave James a sympathetic look. "The Ministry is very short on Auror's right now, James. Your father has to work whenever they need someone."

James cast a dark look at his mother before turning on his father.

"Where do they want you to go this time?" he asked, not trying to hide his anger about the situation.

"Well, they want me to go to London, there's been an attack on some Muggles." was all he said as he sat up from his chair and closed the silver contraption that looked to Lily like a compact, and put it back into his pocket. "And it's urgent. I'll see you all tomorrow morning."

Sirius gave him a small smile and waved. "Good luck."

Mrs. Potter nodded. "What would you like for breakfast, honey?"

Sam grinned at her. "French toast."

"Bacon or sausage?" she asked.

"Sausage." he replied simply. "I'll see you all tomorrow…don't stay up too late now, kids."

"And James." He said finally. "I'm not too old."

James had to smile at his father, it was the only thing he could do, he had to support his father, even if he didn't think it was necessary for him to still be out, battling on the field.

James took a final sip of milk, smiled at Lily.

"May I please be excused?" he asked his mother, who nodded an affirmative. Lily smiled as he got up.

"I better go talk to him." Sirius said, who knew James's moods probably better than anyone, although Lily hated to admit it. She simply hadn't known James as long as Sirius had, although she could tell he was still peeved.

So Lily was left to sit with Mrs. Potter.

Suddenly it felt like a cold sheet of ice had frozen over in between them, Lily felt like she had witnessed some deeply personal family event.

"What, what was that thing he had?" Lily finally asked, in an attempt to make conversation.

Mrs. Potter shook herself out of the daydream she seemed to be having. "It's his Auror Communicator, it's like a compact in appearance, but when you open it, it's like a map of the entire world, and it zooms in on the area…so detailed that you could drive there if necessary, and the exact location glows, red if urgent, orange if only a small emergency, and yellow if it's only trivial. They even have a little device you can talk into on the back, I'm not sure how it's done exactly, though."

Lily nodded. "That's interesting. I've never heard of anything quite like it."

Mrs. Potter smiled again at her. "I'm really glad to have finally met you, Lily. I know James has been mad about you for years, and he just seems to have finally grown up now that you're here. I know he applied for the Auror Academy, Lily, and I can only think of one person that'd be able to talk him into doing it, so thank you."

Lily grinned bashfully. "Oh, I don't deserve all the credit for that, I just sort of encouraged him, that's all."

"Sometimes a little encouragement is all you need. Especially from the one you love." Mrs. Potter said before sighing. "I'm deathly tired, I believe I'll retire now, I think James and Sirius are ready for you now, too."

Lily smiled once more before excusing herself and going to find James and Sirius.

X.Little.Black.Cat.X., chikichiki, MissMrprk, May Olivia (nice to have you back!), 2005girl, MistressBill, Zippy-Wings, Harry and Ginny 4eva, and hoolihoopgrl131: Thanks for being super duper and reading….and then reviewing! Keep reading…not too much left!

dreamy-crazygirl: Thanks for such honest input, I'm glad you like my story. You do, don't you? By the way, have a little faith. I think I'll update again. And maybe. Again. Today or tonight. whatever. I am doing everything within my power to get this story done by Friday, my friend.

And of course, thanks to hcgolfinfool, my beta!