Disc, disc, disclaimer: Whole 12 days till HBP is released, people. 12, only 12. 12 12 12. I find it quite unbelievable! Good Lord, TWELVE. Muahahahaha. Awesome. Long live JKR! P.S. Can't you tell I'm excited?
Author's Note: I updated so quickly this time, didn't I? Feelin' proud, haha. Took me a few days only. Well, what can I say? Rain truly does wonders to my inspiration: I'm writing like insane, LOL.
So, what is to be expected in this chappie? As you already know, it's the part two of 'Meet the Evans' and, well, you shall see. There's a black sheep in every family. (like you didn't know that already) Anyhootles, just be sure to tell me what you think and I'll love you all forever and ever. Ok? OKAY. Yahoo.
Of course, a big huge shiny 'I adore you' goes to my wonderful reviewers: Snuffles Is Loony for Moony, blacksmoon, Charity Firewarden, SodaFizZz19, sarah, starburstsweetie, Bhekie, The Cookie, the-girl-named-kittie, BrownEyes90, Lady-Elizabeth4242, the-power-of-love, YamikiofAnime, Luvin'it, dawn, quickwolf, LittleWriterGirl, monkicraziemprez, GlitterGreen, Snuffy, ina, luv nikki, It is sam, luminus ...
And now – let's get the ball rollin', shall we?
Not So Holy Matrimony
written by Milka-Weasley
Chapter 13 – Meet the Evans (part II)
Mrs. Evans took out a festival table cloth which had tiny silver snowflakes printed on and spread it evenly across the dinner table. James insisted on helping with forks, spoons and knives and Lily said she would take care of the plates. Rose Evans lit a few red candles, providing a relaxing and cozy atmosphere. Lily smiled to herself. Her mother had never stopped caring about little and supposedly insignificant details, especially when it came to making the best out of holidays and family tradition.
"So, how's it going between you two newlyweds?" Mrs. Evans said, trying to sound as casual as possible, when in fact, she yearned to hear details about their fresh teenage marriage. "Everything working all right? Not bickering too often, I hope?"
James snickered. "Nope, m'am, we've managed to overcome the bickering part. It's all about kick-boxing now."
Lily, who was putting a plate near James, pinched him on the arm.
"Oi! Did you see what she just did to me, Mrs. Evans? That's exactly what I'm talking about. No wonder I have bruises all the time!"
"Wimp", teased Lily.
Rose Evans laughed. "Lily's always been slightly aggressive. If she wasn't a witch, I'm sure she'd follow her father's steps."
James looked confused. "But isn't Mr. Evans in books business? Lily told me he's a big shot in world of literature and books. I can't see how it can be connected to aggression--"
"What I didn't tell you," said Lily, placing the final plate on the table. "Is that Dad used to be in the army a long time ago. The job with books came much later."
"Army and books?" repeated James out loud. "Interesting combination."
"Try deadly," Lily corrected him, but as soon as she saw James's eyes going wide, she quickly kissed him on his cheek. "I'm just joking. He's not bad at all," she said and whispered in his ear: "It's my sister you should dread."
"All right, the dinner and salads are served." Rose Evans announced, satisfied.
As though their watches had been synchronized, the same moment the three of them finished making the table, the front doors of the house swung open.
James's palms were inadvertently sweating while he, Lily and her mother were waiting for the two expected persons to enter the kitchen.
He rubbed his hands against his trousers, feeling much more stiff than usual. Rose Evans caught James's eye and gave him an encouraging smile, as though she knew how awkward he had felt. Her steady look was undeniably telling him everything would be alright. Somehow, James's instincts were disagreeing. No matter how confident he had been before, he couldn't forget the tone Lily used whenever she'd talk about Petunia Evans.
A sound of water flowing filled the air and Lily presumed her sister must have gone to bathroom to wash her hands first.
After leaving his winter coat in the hall, Lily's father entered the kitchen, completely unaware of James's and his other daughter's presence. Physically, Mr. Evans was at home now, but it seemed as though he had still been at work in mind.
Mr. Evans was a tall man, strongly built and bony, with a large neck standing straight on his wide shoulders. James's first impression was he looked imposing and commanding, but slightly worn away as well. Possibly as a result of working too much, he thought.
"Perfect timing, Dad. You've come home just in time for dinner", Lily grinned at her father. "Your favourite roasted feathery friend is already waiting for you."
"Lully!" the man looked entirely gobsmacked.
James raised his eyebrows. Lully? Lily signalized him to shut up.
Mr. Evans stared a few moments at her before approaching his daughter and embracing her strongly.
"Rose, you forgot to tell me about her visit! Well, welcome home, dear. When did you come? All's well at school, I presume? Still one of the best in your class? Good, good, I didn't expect any less of you."
"Stephen, don't jump into conclusions. I didn't know anything about her visit either", Mrs. Evans said, giving her husband a quick peck on the cheek. "I was surprised as much as you are now."
"Dad," Lily said gently, gesturing towards James. "this is James Potter. He'll be making us company till I'm here."
James desperately tired to look as calm as possible. "Nice to meet you..." he said and, suddenly remembering Mr. Evans used to be in the army before, immediately added: "sir."
Stephen Evans watched him for a few moments, saying nothing in return. His face showed no expression, but James had a terrible feeling Mr. Evans would raise his voice any moment now and demand to know who James was, what he was doing at his house and why he was trying to eat his roasted chicken.
Swallowing a dumpling, James tried to smile in his well known you-can't-resist-me-no-matter-how-hard-you-try way, but Mr. Evans's watchful eyes prevented it.
Merlin dearest, if he doesn't look away in a second or two, my eyes are going to start leaking all over the kitchen, I swear.
On James's noticeable relief, Stephen Evans's thin lips began to form something that reminded James of a smile. A rusty one, but still a smile.
"Good to finally see a male at this house," he stated, still measuring James from head to heals. "One thing, though, son. You don't have to call me sir. Makes me feel old and grumpy and nobody likes old and grumpy. I'm guessing you're one of Lily's Hogwarts buddies, right?"
James quickly looked at Lily, who gave him a nearly unnoticeable nod.
"Yeah, buddy, sort of", he confirmed.
"Don't think I didn't see that nod of yours, missy", Mr. Evans declared. "Conspiracy is not a very nice thing."
"There, there, Stephen", Rose said fondly. "No one's plotting against you."
"Dad still sometimes thinks there are spies everywhere", explained Lily, snickering. James laughed, but didn't think it was too funny at all. Exactly what I need right now... To be pronounced as a spy...
"I think I've heard unfamiliar voices. Have we got guests?" a shrill female voice asked and a tall girl joined them.
James immediately realized what Lily had thought when she had said Petunia reminded everyone of Mr. Evans.
She had the same glow-less brown eyes, long scrawny neck and thin lips. Even the way she moved showed great resemblance to Stephen Evans's motion. The girl was the authentic photocopy of Mr. Evans, except for the fact Stephen Evans was handsome, while Petunia was... well, James didn't really find her pretty. Perhaps, James thought, it's because of that dispraising look on her face.
However, James still expected Petunia to hug Lily, welcome her home or at least give any sign that she had noticed her sister was in the same room as her. None of that happened.
Instead, Petunia Evans's blank eyes rested on James's messy black hair.
She twitched, not even bothering to hide her loathing. He hastily checked his shoes, hands and sweater, but couldn't find anything wrong with them. Petunia didn't seem to share his opinion; she was still staring at James as though he was covered in slime.
"One of those, I presume", she coldly said through gritted teeth. Camel teeth, bethought James impudently.
He frowned. "One of what?" He didn't like the sound of her statement.
"Those people..." Petunia repeated, making a terrible grimace. "Your kind of people, Lily, am I right? Just what we all need. Should've stayed at the Dursley house longer, seems to me."
Then why didn't you?, thought James shamelessly.
"Good to see you too again, sister", Lily said unnervingly, forcing herself to continue breathing evenly.
"Petunia, what's that tone for?" Rose Evans said warningly. "Aren't you glad your sister could come home for Christmas?"
"As long as she doesn't do anything weird and unplanned... I might breathe somehow."
"Petunia," Stephen Evans forewarned. "Do try not to argue. Lily won't be staying for long."
"Thankfully." Petunia Evans muttered to herself.
"Your hair..." Lily said in disbelief, goggling at Petunia's head. "You've dyed it. You're a blonde now!"
"I've always despised the carrot redness."
"But it's our natural colour", objected Lily. "There's nothing wrong with it. I have it too!"
Petunia looked Lily straight in the eyes. "Exactly."
Lily seemed hurt.
James had a strong urge to jump across the table, smack Petunia straight across her horsy face and hug Lily tightly, but something told him Mr. Evans wouldn't be thrilled with the idea at all.
"Everything as abnormal as always at your precious... Frogwarts?" Petunia asked, forming a repelling smile.
Lily energetically stabbed a piece of meet with a fork. "What's it to you? Your Haggerstone is as dull as ever. Now wonder you're fitting in so well."
Petunia's sneer disappeared and her voice began to tremble. "At least I'm not a... a... freak like yourself!"
"Girls..." Rose Evans began, but they didn't listen. James wriggled on his chair, not quite sure if he should say anything. None of the girls seemed to notice any of the commotion they were creating – both of them were too busy glaring at each other.
"Ugh, Petunia!" snapped Lily loudly. "Will you ever get over that inferiority complex of yours and go on with your life? I'm not your enemy, realize that!"
"Then stop acting like one!" Petunia responded equally loud. "Nobody with a stupid magic wand, some hocus-pocus black magic and a witch hat can be considered decent!"
Lily snorted. "If you'd only let me show you, you'd comprehend that what I do is far from black magic--"
"Don't you dare take out your wand anywhere near me!" Petunia was nearly hysterical now.
James gaped, his mouth slightly opened, unable to believe the issues that girl had. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were mute as well – no matter how badly they wanted to order their daughters to stop fighting, they also knew it was the best to let them end their conflict by themselves. Rose Evans knew very well Lily and Petunia weren't babies any more – no, they were old enough to solve their own problems, quarrels and disagreements and all Mrs. Evans ever wanted was that her daughters would stop breaking her heart – in one way or another.
Lily sighed deeply, refusing to blurt out all the vicious words that had started to pile up since Petunia's first stinging provocation. She closed her eyes, telling herself to pacify and act maturely, just like she had always done. Anyone who would look at her at that moment could positively tell she couldn't continue fighting – couldn't and wouldn't.
"You know what, Petunia," Lily said as she opened her eyes, sounding tired, but conciliating. "I don't care. I just can't do it any longer. I didn't come here to argue with you, especially not on Christmas evening. It's clear as air that you'll never face the fact my friends and I are not insane. Well, fine! Whatever. Believe whatever you want to believe in, stay satisfied with your perfect predictable little life, forget that I'm your sister, whatever. If that's what you want, then fine. Just, please, do not ruin a perfectly good moment because of your, mildly saying, unbelievably wrong ideas. Can you do that much? Can you at least pretend everything's alright between us until I go away again? If you can't do it for me, then do it for this family's sake. Forget about us for a second, and think about our parents, Petunia. We owe them that much. So, can you do it? Can you?"
Petunia Evans didn't respond. She was too shaken to say anything. Or too proud, perhaps. Lowering her look, she only succeeded to give Lily a small nod.
"Thank you", Lily said dryly. "Sister."
Goose-bumps strolled all over James's body, sending chills up and down his spine. If this had such impact on him, he couldn't imagine how it must have been for Mr. and Mrs. Evans.
James inconspicuously glanced towards Lily's mother. He could swear he had seen bright tears welding up in her beautiful green eyes. Her lips wavered, but she managed to stay collected as she whispered: "The chicken's beginning to run cold. Let's eat or James may think I'm a terrible cook if he tastes one of those completely frozen chicken legs."
"Don't worry about that Rose", Mr. Evans responded, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I've already took care of all the chicken legs. I'm afraid James will have to satisfy himself with pure white meat."
Lily had been lying in her bed for hours, staring at the moonlit ceiling, unable to close her eyes or clear out her messy thoughts. Oh, she had been tired, there was no doubt about that. The journey had exhausted her; the cold weather had tired her a lot too, but for some reason, the bloody damned stupid evil annoying sleep just wouldn't come to her. And she knew very well what reason was that.
A door of her bedroom slightly opened and somebody snuck in.
"Troubles with sleeping", James whispered as he knelt near Lily's pillow.
"Try some sedatives", replied Lily monotonously, staring at the darkness around her. "A potion made of chamomile, hops, lavender, passion flower, valerian, wild lettuce, California poppy, kava kava and St. John's Wort is quite a powerful cure for insomnia too."
"You know I wasn't talking about me", James said quietly. "You sure you're okay, Lily?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" she quickly responded, only proving James's suspicions correct.
"She's a real basilisk."
"Who is?"
"Lily, don't pretend you're not feeling anything. I know you are. Even Snivellus wouldn't be completely frosty after that."
"Well, the chicken was a bit cold, now that you've mentioned it. Sorry 'bout that. Mum usually makes it unbelievably crunchy--"
"Lily. Stop eating your heart out because of her. She's obviously one of the Muggle-Muggles, people who refuse to accept the truth about wizards and witches even when they're forced to face it. Remus once told me about it. Seems like his Muggle Studies came in handy after all."
"I don't see how Lupin's knowledge is going to fix the fact my sister hates me."
James sighed. "You're right, it won't. I was just trying to point out you shouldn't blame yourself because of it. You've done nothing wrong, Lily. You're a sister anyone would love to have! Well, I wouldn't, but it's only because you couldn't marry me then. It'd be a tad unnatural, ya know. Incest issues and all." James paused, waiting to see if Lily's stony expression had changed. He thought he saw a glimpse of a smile and took it as a good sign; then again, he thought, it could have easily been a shadow too.
Lily stayed quiet for a while, but James could hear her disjointed breathing. After some time of watching each other in silence, Lily finally spoke: "Still convinced my family's so great?"
James nodded, gently landing a palm over Lily's hand. "Your Mum is the best Mum there is and your Dad's quite alright too, even if I'll never forgive him for demolishing all the chicken legs. He's nothing like Petunia... except for the fact they look alike a lot. Want my honest opinion, by any chance?"
"More than ever."
James smiled lovingly at her. "You're so much more of their daughter than she will ever manage to be."
Lily tried to respond something, but her throat stiffened and no sound came out. Still kneeling, James moved closer to her. He was able to feel her warm breath only inches away from him. Bending slightly, James tenderly brushed his lips against Lily's, feeling her inaudible salty tears dampening his face. "I really meant what I said last night", he added hoarsely once they parted.
She shivered with fever and swallowed hard. "I... I know. And even though it may not always seem that way, I... I feel the same way, James." She broke off for a several jiffs. "I love you too."
It was James's turn to be silent now.
"James? James? Still there? I've just contrived to say the first real 'I love you' in my entire life and you, you fell asleep."
"Actually", James finally whispered. "I wanted to shriek like a Banshee, jump ecstatically all round the house, run down the stairs, wake up the entire street and kiss every man and woman, including Rbert... but, somehow, I thought your family and the rest of the suburb wouldn't exactly appreciate it... considering it's nearly three o'clock in the morning and all."
Lily chuckled. "I must say I like the answer."
"Thought you might", mused James. "I'm completely under your control now, miss. Tell me, what do you want me to do? Massage your legs? Entertain you? Slay your sister? I'd do anything."
"Tempting, but since I have a choice... what I'd want the most is..." she began, but stopped right away. "You sure you'd really do anything?"
"Uh-huh", responded James insecurely, remembering how he had to blurt out everything about Marauders. "I mean, sure. This time there are no excuses."
"Neat", nodded Lily, satisfied. "Could you, please please please, introduce me to your family?"
James blinked. "You don't want that."
"I do."
"You sure you wouldn't rather want me to stand on my head for you and wiggle my toes?"
"I really wish to meet the Potters."
"But they... they..."
Lily elevated an eyebrow. "James Potter, you're not ashamed of me, are you?"
"White Merlin, no!" James responded, hissing. "Don't be ridiculous, Lily. It's just that... my parents... they've never actually been in a close contact with a... well..."
Lily decided to help. "With a Muggle born."
James blew. "Right."
"Then I say it's a perfect time for it, don't you think? First thing in the morning. Using Floo Powder through my fireplace. Why looking so confused? It's connected to the Floo Network. I can already tell it'll be a funky surprise for them."
"Yeah, funky indeed. Well, your wish is my command", shrugged James and then groaned. "Ugh, my knees are in a serious spasm. Ugh. I'm not feeling them any more. Oh, the agony."
"You Cry-Baby", snickered Lily. "I'll let you climb up here, just stop whining."
"Aye, thought you'd never offer", grinned James triumphantly. He straightened himself and slid between the spread and blankets beside Lily. "Mmmmm, warmth."
"James... You really meant what you'd said about me?" Lily asked quietly as she closed her eyes. "And my parents?"
"Unquestionably", whispered James tranquilizing and kissed Lily lightly on forehead. "Sleep now. You've been tired hours ago. You need rest. G'night, Lully."
"You absolutely sure, Lily?" Rose Evans sounded sinister when James and Lily came down to the living room the next morning to say goodbye. Both of them had already had their bags with them and their faces contoured a clear farewell. Quite naturally, she didn't enjoy the fact her daughter had decided to leave their house at a snap. "But, darling, you only came yesterday!"
"I know, Mum, I know", Lily nodded cheerlessly. "I really wanted to stay, but I've thought about it well over night and decided it'd be better not to. I hope you understand why I must do it..."
Rose Evans heaved a dead weight moan. "Wish I didn't. That way it'd be a whole lot easier to let you go. You know how they say, ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I think those are the wisest words ever spoken. I really wish things were different between you two. But, believe me, she'll come around one day. You'll see. She just needs time."
"Ever so optimistic", Lily smiled at her mother as they hugged each other. "That's what I've always loved most about you, Mum. Take a good care of Dad and don't let him work too hard. Oh, and say hello to Bobby if you see him. Don't be jealous, James", added Lily as she noticed James's curious face. "He's just a friend."
"Me?" James sounded astonished. "Jealous? Of Rbert? The one who drives Rolls Royce? No way!"
"He doesn't drive Rolls", laughed Lily. "but I'm sure he'd be able to buy one."
"Comforting", frowned James. "Goodbye, Mrs. Evans. You've no idea how lucky I feel that I've met you. If I can be completely open, I think you're a fab person."
Rose smiled widely. "Likewise, James. Keep an eye on my girl, will you? Maybe I'll see you on summer holiday, if you decide to visit us again."
"Uh, thanks, but I'm not sure..."
"Petunia goes away to a summer camp every year", Lily explained.
"Then it's a deal." James grinned and took a hold of Lily's hand. She threw some Floo Powder and they stepped into the Evans fireplace.
"Safe journey, kids", Rose Evans said in a motherly voice, fighting her springing emotions. She didn't want to let her daughter see how hard it was for her to depart so shortly. "Enjoy your time together because it's all that matters. Everything else is secondary."
Lily and James gave her a broad grin and James yelled, loud and clear: "Castellum Potterum, Locus Purgatus 23."
Long after they disappeared in a flash of green flames, Rose Evans stayed in front of the fireplace, staring thoughtfully at fire and absent-mindedly humming the refrain of one of the Christmas carols she had loved most.
"Lully lulla, thou little tiny child, bye bye, lully lullay..."
