Before it Began
By. SkyQuill
Summary
James knew he was in love at first sight, but what would it take for Lily to love him back? Read their story leading up to their deaths and discover the dangers they faced and the loves and friendships they shared.
Disclaimer
I do not own most of the characters and places or anything else that may seem familiar. J.K. Rowling has the exclusive claim to this as well as the general plot that formed this fanfic.
Chapter 18: Godric's Hollow
"All in all," Cadence informed her friends as they got ready for bed, "I think tonight was the best night we've had in a long time." Lily smiled from behind her wash cloth. She was still savouring the memory of James' proposal.
"Yeah," Calli' agreed in a dreamy voice, "I had a really good time. I never knew Remus was such a good dancer!" Shortly after midnight struck, James and Lily had gone in, and they all left for the night. It was dangerous these days to be out too late what with all the death eaters and dementors stalking about. James, Sirius, and Remus had all escorted them home and then apparated to their own homes.
"Lily are you okay?" Cadence asked suddenly. Lily's mind spun away from the image of the rose bushes and back into the bathroom. She realized too late that she'd been wuite for too long.
"What?" she asked.
"I asked if you were okay." Cadence repeated, gazing at her friend with concern.
"Oh yeah, actually i'm really good." Lily replied, "I've got to tell you something though." Cadence and Callidora both followed Lily curiously to her room and plopped down on her bed. Lily sat in her desk chair and faced them, smiling brightly.
"So what's this all about Lily?" Calli' asked, surveying Lily's expression with intrest. Lily found she couldn't answer just yet, so she continued to grin.
"Lily," Cadence said seriously. "If you don't tell us what's up we're going to have to hex you into answering."
"Like that'd work Cady You didn't exactly pass Charms with flying colors." Lily responded happily, though fiddling with her wand just in case. Cadence was well known to carry out her threats, no matter how wild they might be.
"True. But I did well in that area." Calli' said brightly.
"Oh, I suppose." Lily sighed, watching both girls faces light up with the prospect of finally getting the news they'd been waiting for, "Ready to duel then?" Calli's face fell.
"Lily Evans-" she began crossly but Lily cut her off, still grinning broadly.
"Lily Potter." she corrected her friend.
"Yeah whatever," Calli' said waving her hand, "Wait, what?"
"Did you just say, Lily Potter?" Cadence asked, her eyes widening to the size of galleons. Lily nodded. For a moment the room was dead silent, but then as if a bomb had gone off, Calli' shrieked and leapt up to hug Lily. Lily toppled over from the weight and crashed to the floor still laughing at Cadence's shocked expression.
"Lily!" Calli squealed from on top of her, "This is so exciting!"
"Oh my God Lily!" Cadence added, now joining the heap on the floor, "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"I dunno, "Lily gasped and rolled to the side, pushing her friends off of her so she might be able to breathe, "I guess I just wanted to wait for this moment."
"Merlin." Cadence said awestruck, "Lily and James."
"I know!" Calli' said excitedly, "And to think you spent three quarters of your life absolutely hating him!" Lily grinned sheepishly,
"Well maybe I didn't absolutely hate him..."
"Well then strongly disliked." Cadence said, her eyes glittering with happiness. "But Calli', Alice, Serena and I, we always knew you two would hook up sooner or later."
"Well for someone who knew we'd end up together you sure seemed surprised when I told you." Lily replied mischieviously.
"I was just acting that way for your benefit." Cadence joked .
"Oh you two let it rest." Callidora said, "Lily hasn't told us the details yet!"
00000
"How'd it go Prongs?" Sirius asked eagerly as he, James and Remus arrived at James' house.
"Good." James replied calmly, but when his friends raised their eyebrows he had to relent, "Alright it went great." Sirius punched the air in triumph and Remus beamed.
"Finally." Remus said, "You two always were perfect for each other."
"I know." James said. "I can't believe it though. I'm engaged, i'm engaged to Lily Evans."
"That'd be Lily Potter now mate." Sirius reminded his friend.
"Right." James replied.
"So how did you do it?" Remus asked as they all settled themselves into armchairs around the fireplace. James shrugged,
"I asked her, put the ring on her finger-"
"You know what I mean." Remus said firmly, though his face radiated with happiness for his friend.
"Okay, okay." James gave in , throwing his hands in the air, "So I asked her if she wanted to go outside for a bit, and she said yes so we went out onto one of those bewitched terraces. Then we waited for midnight and we were both all silent for a bit. And when she wasn't looking I conjured up a bunch of rosebushes and then, well, you know, I proposed."
"Sounds romantic." Sirius remarked, nodding his head approvingly.
"Well congragulations James." Remus said sincerely. "When do you plan on having the wedding?"
"Oh I dunno, "James said suddenly looking alarmed, "I guess we'll have to plan it soon."
"Yeah." Sirius agreed, "And you have to find a place to live. You can't have her move in with you in this wasteland."
"This wasteland," James addressed Sirius, "Used to be your home too. Besides, it wasn't always this empty and cold."
"So you're going to ask her ot move in with you here then?" Remus asked.
"No." James replied with another glare at Sirius, "I've found a pretty nice cottage up in Godric's Hollow."
"That sounds good." Remus told him.
"Sounds good." Sirius echoed, then added, "Does Lily know this yet?"
"Er, no." James said blushing slightly, "I thought i'd surprise her." Remus couldn't help himself, he rolled his eyes.
"What!" James asked defensively.
"Well honestly Prongs, what if she doesn't like it? Shouldn't you get her opinion on the matter?" Remus told him impatiently. Sirius turned to James looking thoughtful,
"He's got a point mate." James consdiered this for a moment.
"No, she'll like it, I know my Lily. And besides, we can just look for another place if worst comes to worst." Remus and Sirius nodded in unison.
"Well, we'd better get going." Sirius said through a wide yawn.
"Yeah, see you later James." Remus said agreeably.
"Bye guys. Be careful." James replied. He watched as the front door banged shut behind them. Yawning, James pointed his wand at the door and listened to the clicking which told him it had been locked. Then savouring tonight's success, he rolled over and fell asleep right there.
00000
"Bye, Alice, Frank!" Lily called over her shoulder as she strode away from the Longbottom's house. Then pulling her cloak a little tighter against the wind blown snow, she apparated to James' house.
She'd been busy all day. This morning she had to get up early to go to Auror training now that the holidays were over and then she'd stopped by to see Alice and tell her the news. She'd been ecstatic and immediatly began recommending certain caterers and flourists to buy the flowers from. But now came the important part. She'd promised to meet James for dinner and they'd discuss the wedding plans.
Lily knocked hard on his door three times and waited. A soft beat of footprints filled her ears and suddenly the door swung open.
"Lily!" James exclaimed brightly and pulled her inside.
"Hey." she responded and kissed him quickly.
"How was your day?" James asked genially as he pulled a royal blue travellign cloak over his head.
"Good. Everyone's so happy about our engagement. Alice has practically already booked the band and everything." Lily laughed. James smiled at her,
"Well her wedding was lovely so I wouldn't worry too much."
"Yeah, well almost ready?" Lily replied with a grin. James had never been too skilled in the organization department.
"Almost. Just where did I stick my wand?" he answered turning out his pockets. Lily rolled her eyes and marched over to a small table in the hallway.
"Looking for this?" she asked brandishing the long stick.
"Thanks Lils." James said gratefully and kissed her on top of the head. "Lets go then." Lily walked back out into the snowstorm closely followed by James and they both apparated.
"Where are we?" Lily asked curiously, sweeping the stone cobbled street with her eyes. It seemed to be a small town. Lily and James had appeared in a narrow alley so muggles would not catch a glimpse of their sudden prescence.
"This my dear Lily, is the fine town of Godric's Hollow." James informed her and took her arm.
"Oh!" she responded comprehending, "I remember reading about this place back at Hogwarts. It's well known for its hidden wizarding shops and places throughout the area." James smiled at her enthusiam.
"Yes, " he said leading her out into the street, "There's a very nice restaurant just down this way." Lily kissed his cheek as he led her her past many muggle stores and cafes. They were both so happy that they were oblivious to the staring of many passerbyers, their attention caught due to James and Lily's wizarding attire.
"Here we are." James announced grandly, "The Unicorn's Tail!" Lily blinked and squinted into the snow. They were standing in front of a grandly decorated, but otherwise empty
building. Upon closer inspection, Lily's piercing green eyes could just make out a tiny sign on the door.
Closed due to construction.
James watched patiently as Lily released his arm and went up to the window. Inside was a dirty tile floor and a few puddles of water.
"Er, how do we activate the magical version?" Lily asked, eagerly, facing James with a dazzling smile.
"This way love." he told her and again taking her arm, led her off to the side of the building. Another alley had been placed strategically there and half-way along it was the back entrance to the building. James marched up to it confidently and tapped the door with his wand. Lily heard a clicking sound and knew it had been unlocked. James pushed the door open and led her inside.
Lily gasped once she saw the interior. She would never get used to how all magical places looked so magnificent once you differentiated it from the regular muggle places. The Unicorns Tail was a lavish restaurant set in highly polished oak. Purple and blue velvet carpeted the floor and covered the many windows. Floating lamps containing a few fairies were set above every table and every single portrait seemed to feature a beautiful unicorn.
"Ah, Mr.Potter?" asked a tall, curly haired waitress, "A table reserved for two?"
"That's us." James replied merrily. The witch pulled out her wand and summoned two menus.
"Follow me please." she told them briskly and led them off to a corner table. "I'll be with you in a moment."
"Wow James." Lily exclaimed appreciatively, "It's gorgeous. How do you come to know it?" James waited before replying. He busied himself with helping Lily out of her cloak.
"Well i've done a bit of research into this area and I came by this place. I just thought you might like it." James finally said shrugging, but his eyes sparkled with a secret. This was something Lily noticed and she surveyed him curiously. Research, she thought, for what? But she didn't voice her thoughts for just then the waitress came bustling back and took their drink orders.
When she had returned with a gilly water and a goblet of mulled mead, Lily and James began making plans for the wedding. It wasn't long before they had ordered their food, and eaten it when they found themselves practically decided on the entire thing.
"Sirius will be best man of course?" Lily confirmed with James, taking a bite of her pudding.
"Of course." James agreed, "And then the maid of honor will be?"
"I don't know," Lily sighed, "I don't want to pick just one but..."
"Well Alice has already had all the glory at a wedding, why not give Cadence the chance? Who knows, maybe she'll end up marrying Sirius." James suggested. Lily smiled,
"Alright, that sounds like a good idea."
"So do you have any preferences to when you want to get married?" James asked.
"Well," Lily said, turning slightly pink, "I thought maybe we should get married right away. Maybe in May?" James grinned,
"I'd like that." And so it continued on like this for a few more hours.
"Ready to go Lils?" James asked offering her cloak.
"Yeah, where to now?" Lily smiled, letting him help her redress.
"Well I have a bit of a surprise for you." James said innocently. Lily smirked,
"I knew you were hiding something!"
"Oh yeah?" James replied, placing a few galleons on the table. "Well lets go, before it gets much darker." They both re-entered the chilly street. Lily instinctively moved closer to James who wrapped and arm around her. Then they both set off back up the street, appreciating each others warmth.
Lily moved with James wondering what the surprise was. She didn't have to wait long for soon they turned off and down a country road a little ways away from Godric's Hollow. Soon a fair-sized cottage came into view. It was hard to tell in the dark but it looked as though it had a spacious yard with a broomshed on it's side. It was heavily lined with trees on all sides so that most of it was blocked from view. James led Lily through an opening in the trees and down the pathway to the house.
"This is it." James murmured in her ear. Lily looked from the house to James in confusion.
"Wha-?" but then it dawned on her. "You didn't!" she shrieked. James silenced her with a kiss, and Lily kissed back passionately. How sweet it was for James to go and find a place for them to live, she loved it already!
"Do you want to go inside?" James asked, as they both stood in the yard, gasping for air. Lily nodded excitedly and followed him to the door.
"Alohomora." he muttered and tapped the lock. The door swung open and revealed it's contents. Lily stepped in before James and looked around her new home.
To her right lay the sitting/living room. Furniture already in place. A magnificent fireplace stood against the wall, looking gloomy without the prescene of sparkling flames. And then to her left was a hallway which led behind the staricase directly in front of her. Lily noticed that beside the living room was another hallway leading around behind it.
"Do those lead to the kitchen?" Lily asked James. He nodded,
"Come on, i'll show you." Lily followed her fiance down the left hallway and found herself in the midst of a gigantic kitchen.
"Oh it's wonderful!" she breathed taking in sight. Set against the left wall was a large oaken kitchen table. Opposite to it was the prepartation area complete with a wood topped island. The floor was hard wood. And on the back wall was the back door which led out into a big backyard.
"Do you want to see upstairs?" James asked. Lily nodded eagerly and they marched side by side back to the staircase and then up it. A large landing lay at their feet once they had reached the top. Lily pushed open the door in front of her and was met with awe at the sight of the master bedroom. Gorgeous purple drapes hung over a large window and a large king sized bed was the center of the room. Cherry wood dressers sat up against the walls and a door way leading to the bathroom was present on the right wall. Lily smiled at James,
"This is perfect!"
"I thought you might like it." he replied modestly. They both back out of the marvellous room and Lily quickly examined a neatly set up guests room and another small bedroom, each on opposite sides of the main room. Another bathroom could also be found beside the guest room. Lily hugged James, an immense sense of relief washing over her. Now she wouldn't have to worry about the housing issue.
"Should we wait till the wedding to move in?" James asked, after they had kissed again. Lily smiled thoughtfully,
"Maybe, or we could-"
"Tomorrow?" James asked. Lily bit her lip and nodded. Both of them laughed happily.
Author's Note: So here we go. Chapter 18. And I know it's rather long and boring but what can I say, I just needed another one of those good explaining, filler chapters. Just so we're all up to date. Oh and I was rereading chapter 17 and I realized that it wasn't all that short. In fact it was one of my longer ones so yeah...Not that it's really important
Oh and I have to thank you guys! I was overwhelemed by the response I got off of last chapter, seven reviews! That's a new record, thanks so much!
Well hope you all enjoyed, I promise the next chapter will be a bit more exciting.