A Legacy of Love

Chapter 7: Can't Wait

The mood in Hogwarts had definitely lifted considerably now that the two Head students were going out. The rumour mill was instantly up and running when the two lip-bruised seventh year students went down for dinner together that day, hand in hand, occasionally looking at each other fondly. The Great Hall went quiet as heads turned to behold the miracle of miracles. Lily Evans, strict law-abider, had finally buckled to the charm of James Potter, pranking Marauder. Sirius broke the silence by whistling, which brought about more whistles, cheers and catcalls. Lily blushed, while James simply glowed with pride. He couldn't take his silly grin off as they sat beside their friends that day.

"So, the fiery one got tamed, huh, James?" Sirius asked, also smiling broadly, infected by James's success. He was happy that his beloved friend and brother finally got the woman of his dreams after six-and-a-half years of relentless pursuit.

James looked at Lily with glazed eyes and nodded, "Yep, I got her." Lily squeezed his hand affectionately.

Sirius laughed, "I'm not talking about her, stupid! I'm talking about you!"

"Wh-what?" James head snapped back at Sirius. "Me?"

"Yeah! When Lily wasn't going out with you, you disagreed to so many pranks because 'Lily won't like this' and 'Lily won't like that'," he mimicked in a high voice which made everyone within the vicinity laugh. "Now that you're finally going out with her, our pranking and Marauding days are confirmed to be over." Sirius put a hand on his forehead and faked a dramatic faint, then added, smirking, "Spineless coward."

James coloured. "I'm not!" he protested loudly. Sirius was still smirking.

"Well…" he drawled out the word, just for effect. "if you don't believe me, you should believe the super duper rational Remus. Isn't that right, Remus? Prongsie is such a coward when it came to Lily. You said so yourself." Remus nodded energetically, as his full mouth made speech impossible.

"Remus, not fair! You're supposed to be on my side!" James shrieked playfully. Pulling a puppy face, he implored, "Please, Remus? Pretty pretty please?"

Remus swallowed his food, then shrugged, though with a grin plastered on his face. "Hey! I'm not taking sides! I'm merely saying what I feel to be the truth. Which is. You're practically afraid of your own Marauding shadow since this year started."

James pouted like a small child. Lily laughed, then intervened, "Come on, cut him some slack. I didn't ask you all to say goodbye to your Marauding days. I just want pranks to be at a minimum so that they're fantastically done, as you'll have longer in-betweens to plan, and they don't disrupt our daily lives too often, so it will be well appreciated. And nothing dangerous. That's all I ask."

"James, stand up for yourself! Lily's saving you, that's not fair!" Remus pretended to shout at James in a mock-serious tone. Sirius, however, had bits of meat in his open mouth as he gaped at Lily, not believing what he just heard. Had James rubbed off on her so quickly?

"You're serious?" he asked doubtfully. Lily nodded enthusiastically. "Wow, Merlin," he said slowly, apparently still trying to digest the information rather than his food. "Never thought I'd see the day when Lily Miss-Perfect Evans would authorise and even encourage a prank."

Lily smirked at this statement. "Yeah, and I never thought I'd see the day when you didn't use the Sirius-serious joke. That was rather old ever since second year, you know," she added the last bit loudly amidst the roars of the Gryffindors in the vicinity. Even Sirius laughed appreciatively. When the laughing subsided, she answered truthfully,"I'm not Miss Perfect, Sirius. We all need a few laughs and variations in our lives. I admit that Hogwarts would be so boring without you lot." Sirius bowed, and Lily continued, "We live this life once, so we should live it to the maximum," she said solemnly, looking at James at the same time. He couldn't resist but place a sweet kiss on her cheek.

"I agree," he muttered into her ear, as he pulled her closer. She felt comfort in his strong arms. The rest of the Marauders, originally serious at Lily's last statement, now shrieked together, pulling faces, "Get a room!" The tension broke, and soon, everyone's attention was back to their dinners.

That was a month ago. James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had spent the happiest Christmas and New Year at Hogwarts that year, as it was their last (although it was full moon on Christmas day). New Year brought in hopes that the new relationship would blossom promisingly and, most importantly, that the war would end soon. School had started soon after, and they were once again buried beneath tons of work their oh-so-unfeeling Professors deemed necessary for them. Which is why on a particularly beautiful January afternoon, when the snow had begun to thaw a little, to see all five friends working outside, under the infamous beech tree beside the lake, where the Marauders had once tormented Snape. James and Lily were a little separated from the rest of the Marauders, and, having finished their work faster than the others (three guesses why), were lost in their own world together. Lily was lying contentedly in James's lap, with James stroking her hair.

"Hey, Lily, what are you going to do during Easter holidays? Anything special?" James asked fondly. Being with Lily was just divine, even if they were doing nothing in particular. He wished he could be with her forever.

She nodded in reply. "Petunia's getting married soon, so I'll probably be wanted home to help out and do the shopping." She made a face. "I can't believe she's getting married. I've wondered many a time who would want her. Mum and dad aren't too enthusiastic about the wedding either, so I guess he, whoever he is, deserves her." She giggled wickedly. "Thank Merlin I'm not one of the bridesmaids. Aside from having to wear those ugly pink gowns," James laughed at that, "I hate to be her bridesmaid, in particular. Nobody would even know we're sisters if they weren't told beforehand. We're so different."

"Well, I wish her and her future husband very happy," he answered sarcastically. "If he's anything like your sister, they'll live happily ever after."

"Yup. How about you then? Are you going back too?" Lily inquired.

"Well, there's no point staying here if you're at home, is there?" James answered playfully. Lily grinned. Both their stomachs did flip-flops. It was amazing that they could still feel this way with each other.

"Actually, dad wants me home for Easter, since I asked to stay here for Christmas. For Moony, you know. And I had the best Christmas in seventeen years," he smiled knowingly, savouring the memory of their holiday together. Lily smiled back, but then frowned.

"Wait… Isn't Good Friday a full moon also? How are you going to…" she asked doubtfully. James answered confidently, "Ah, my dear Lily, you are forgetting that we are all of age and can Apparate, even Wormtail. We'll just Apparate to Hogsmeade at night and join Moony. We'll be back by dawn. It's all right."

"But does your parents know that you're, well, unregistered Animagi?" she prodded further. James shook his head. "No," he said seriously, "the secret is only between the four of us and you. No one else, not even Dumbledore, knows."

"I'm honoured. But what if your mother sees your wounds? Won't she be worried?"

"Nah. We do a pretty good job of covering up, though not as good in healing as you. Besides, Moony is a lot better now, like we said. He only roughs up once in a while."

"I'd better come over to look after you three. I don't think your parents would appreciate spending the holidays with a sore and bloodied son," Lily decided.

"Well, I'll certainly look forward to you coming. Then maybe you could visit my parents too. I think they'd be delighted to meet you," he smirked, then, looking at Lily's changed expression, added hastily, "just as my girlfriend, not my fiancée. Don't worry. I'm not that fast."

Lily breathed out a sigh of relief and blushed at being read so easily. To cover it up, she said, "Girlfriend. I like the sound of that." James started tickling her playfully. She gasped and giggled, while imploring James, at breathless intervals, to stop. She couldn't escape as James was straddling her, tickling her mercilessly as he laughed. At last, James consented to do as she pleaded. They lay in each other's arms, laughing and kissing, only stopping when Sirius shouted, half-amused, half-exasperated, "Hey! Some of us are trying to work here!" though his books were already put away, having done his work, and was actually enjoying the scenery (including the two shameless Heads, as he would say later). James sat up, pulling Lily up with him at the same time, while shouting back, "Mind your own business Padfoot!" before turning back to Lily, asking, "So how about it? I visit you and your parents and you return the favour."

Lily smiled. "All right. I must say, that's a good idea. We could visit each other. I hate to see only Petunia and her entourage for the whole of Easter holidays. Mum and dad aren't that bad, but then they'd be at work, and when they're not, I expect they'll be preparing for Petunia's wedding. Perhaps I could persuade them to have tea with you one of the days too, when they aren't so busy. They'd like to meet you too."

"Yeah, but Lily? Admit something," James returned cheekily. "You'd miss me too. Like I would you. That's the real reason why you agreed." He nuzzled her neck. "Come on, admit it," he murmured, trailing kisses down her neck. Lily couldn't help but gasp in pleasure. James smirked as his lips moved upwards to claim her mouth. He knew that she was powerless against his charms, as he was with hers, though she probably did not know the full extent of her power over him.

"Mmm… James…" Lily moaned his name between kisses. James responded with the like and moved to nibble her earlobe. He pushed her gently down on the grass and they kissed again and again, each kiss more passionate than the last. It was not until a loud voice, presumably Sirius's, since Remus was too polite and Peter too timid, shouted at sunset, "Oy! Lovebirds! Dinner!" did they break apart, each smiling at the other. They linked arms as they followed a small distance away from the other three back to the castle for their evening meal.

James and Lily dispatched their requests by owl soon after. Four days later, James received his reply during breakfast, which he stashed into his pocket, wanting to read it himself first. He had always cherished his father's correspondence. His father was his hero, and he looked up to him and respected him. Lily, noticing that he'd kept his letter, respected his privacy and didn't question him.

It was only later that night when they were all gathered at the Gryffindor common room in the best armchairs, that he pulled out the letter and read silently.

Dear James,

I hope you are well when this letter reaches you. Your mother and I are both well. We are very happy that you've finally secured the girl of your dreams. We will, of course, be glad to have this young woman as our guest during the holidays, whenever she chooses to visit.

I hope I'm not being a bore, son, but I trust that you will still remember the lessons I taught you about being a gentleman when you were at the youthful age of ten. Although you may like Lily, you must still respect her as a woman and I pray that you will not do anything rash. Think twice before you effectively put your head on a sliver platter. You won't do well in your relationship with her if you did something without thinking, only to regret it later. Remember that you must be responsible for your actions and some responsibilities are too huge even for you, James, for now at least.

I know that you have grown up, and are capable of making your own decisions. I shall therefore only watch over you with the interest of a father. I expect you to make the right decisions. You are no longer a child, of which your mother and I are proud to say. When the right time comes, I trust you to make your own decisions and take the right steps to secure your happiness, and I shall accept them whole-heartedly, without question. It is your future, so live it the way you want it to be, not how society dictates it to be. You know of what I speak. I do not believe in all the pure-blood rubbish Voldemort has been trying to spread, and I do believe that you don't too. We accept everyone as they are, be they pure-blood, half-blood, or Muggle-born, so long as their virtues speak for them, and not their ancestry.

Looking forward to see you soon, and Lily too. Give my love to Sirius and tell him that your mother and I would welcome him back to our home anytime, if he feels like staying with us again or just to drop over. The same goes for the rest of the boys.

Love,
Dad

James smiled. His father was always so sweet and stressing so much on his upbringing. Perhaps it was the fact that he was the only child, and his father's hope and future. He vowed that he wouldn't ever disgrace the family name, as surely as his name was James Potter. Don't worry, dad. I remember what you taught me, and you taught me well. I shan't forget. He can't wait for Lily to meet his parents. She'd charm them, like me, he thought, and they'd love her. Definitely.

Likewise, Lily received her reply in due time. She waited till bedtime before reading it in the privacy of her bed in the girls' dormitory by the light from her wand. It was from her mother, who had tried hard but failed to bridge the gap between her daughters.

Dear Lily,

It was a delight to receive your letter. I have spoken to your father about it, and he agreed that it would be perfectly fine for James to visit over the holidays, so long as Petunia is somewhere else, arranging for her wedding. Between us, dear, I think that Vernon is an extremely loud and boisterous creature, who talks of nothing but his company, which makes drills. I was quite bored out, to tell the truth. However, if Petunia loves him, we must learn to let her go. After all, they should know what they're doing. She's a legal adult, and therefore should be capable of making her own decisions regarding her future.

I know that, in the wizarding world, you are already of age, so technically I have no control over you now. You also should know your priorities and responsibilities, but I worry needlessly, I suppose, for you have always been a very responsible girl, and you're chosen above other students to be Head Girl at Hogwarts. I'm extremely proud of you. All the same, always think twice, and, if need be, thrice, before you decide to do something. Decisions shouldn't be made hastily. If in doubt, talk to someone you trust. You know I'll always be here for you.

It's sad to know that both my daughters have grown up, and are no longer the children we know them to be. Parents often wish that they could stop their children from growing up at the age of five so that they can be forever at the age where they need us most. Maybe you don't understand it just yet, but when you become a mother, you will know how hard it is to learn that your children are able to fend for themselves and no longer needs the shelter of a parent's arms.

Yet, I mustn't be selfish and sacrifice your happiness for my own. I know that we always come to a point in life where we have to make crucial decision. If it has come, then follow your heart, Lily. Follow it to wherever it takes you. It was so with your father and I, and we're both very happy, even until now. I have never, in all my married life, regretted my decision to marry him, for I loved him, and still do. I hope that, when that time comes, you would also find everlasting happiness with the man you love, as I have with mine.

Till next time, darling.

I love you,
Mum

Lily snorted when she read about her future brother-in-law, and was thankful that she didn't need to meet him more often than was deemed necessary. If he were anything like Petunia, which he probably was, he would either stay out of her way, or insult her, or both, like his beloved fiancée. Either way, she was beyond caring how Petunia and Vernon would treat her. Nothing she could do would change the way the world turns.

She was, however, very happy that her parents were looking forward to James's visit. She prepared herself, nevertheless, for the thousand questions that were surely to come her way before her first day at home was over. She'd complained about James and the Marauders at home once too often, and she was sure that her parents, more so her mother, would want a full account of how they came to be a couple, even if she neglected to mention in her letter. It was probably because she couldn't find room to do them justice. And she knew that her mother would prefer a long heart-to-heart talk with her rather than put it on paper. She knew, too, beyond a doubt, that her parents would love James. She just hoped against hope that Petunia won't be there to mess things up.

Grinning at the thought of James and her meeting their respective parents during the holidays, she perused her letter for a second time. Easter couldn't come soon enough.

– To Be Continued –