Chapter 23 – Something New

"Ma, are you ready?" called Lily from the hotel room, in a jumpy voice. She was in a great mood, her mom was better and soon she'd be going back to the one place she considered her home, everything was going perfect.

"Yes, while you were in the bathroom, I searched for a nice restaurant, and I found one. So hurry up and get down here!"

"I'm coming mom, jeez you're a pushy one when your hungry." muttered Lily as she walked down the stairs and joined her mother.

"I also have great hearing young lady, so try not to say anything that you'll regret later on. Now our reservations are booked for 7:30 and if we don't arrive soon, we'll be late." rambled her mother, as they walked out of the Leaky Cauldron and down the peaceful streets in Diagon Alley.

The fairy lights that came on at night gave the cobblestone streets some character. The place felt alive, and full of happiness. Soon enough they reached the entrance to the Yrot Sareg the most recommended restaurant in the Alley. When they entered Lily's mouth opened at the beautiful site. They were on the mezzanine level of the restaurant; from there it formed a circle with tables looking down over a balcony onto a grand ballroom floor. Then down on the first floor tables were scattered all over the outskirts of the ballroom. The place was gorgeous and Lily assumed expensive.

"Mom, this place is beautiful but…but where'll we get the money to pay for it?" asked Lily, while still shocked at the places beauty.

"Leave that to me it's my job to worry about how we're going to pay for tonight and it is paid for already, so relax and enjoy yourself." She whispered as they sat on a plush red couch in the waiting area. They talked and reminisced on the past few weeks, before they heard their names called

"Evans, party of two!" announced a waitress, as she stood in the doorway to the waiting room, looking around to see who was going to answer her call.

"Come on dear they are ready for us." whispered Tess as they rose from the couch and walked over to the woman. "We are the Evans party." She told the waitress.

"Alright, Ms. Evans would you and your daughter be so kind as to follow me." She told them, as she turned on her heels and headed to reception counter. There they were greeted by a handsome young waiter who led them to their seats. They were seated on the ground floor about ten feet away from the dance floor.

"Here are you seats ladies, my names is Logan and if you would like me to get you anything I'm only a call away. If you press this little button here…" he spoke as he pointed to the button on the lantern, "The fairies will light up and flicker calling me over, so go ahead and press it when you want my attention, but until then can I get you lovely ladies something to drink?"

"Yes could you please bring us some water with lemon?"

"Certainly, I'll be back with your drinks in a few moments." He replied, he then turned and walked away into the kitchen.

"Mom this place is gorgeous, and now where to find the restrooms?" she asked

"Go up the stairs and it is on the right hand side of the reception desk, but before you go decide what you want to eat."

"Alright…hmmm, I think I'll have the Chicken breast with white sauce, carrots, and mashed potatoes."

"I'll tell him that when you comes back to us, don't take to long." She said to Lily as she walked away and up the stairs.

Without Lily at the table Ms. Evans felt alone, as she looked out onto the dance floor. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks, this was the same restaurant, same table and same time that Steve had proposed to her two short years ago. Watching those happy people gliding along the floor made tears spring to her eyes. She found it hard that she wouldn't have anyone to hold her and give her comfort like Steve had.

Life was too short for her to be shedding tears, on a moment that had passed and made her life worth while. She had the memories to look back on but she would never smile again like she had only a few short months ago. Thinking of both weddings, the birth of her two girls, her first date with Steve, made her cry once more. As she was drying her tears the waiter returned and took their order.

"Here are you waters and are you ready to order or should I wait until you daughter returns?" he inquired

"No, I'll order now thanks. My daughter will have the Chicken breast with white sauce, carrots, and mashed potatoes. I'll have the Broiled Salmon with steamed vegetables."

"Will that be all?" he asked when he was finished writing down their order.

"Yes thank you."

"Alright then your dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes; I will return then but if you need anything in the meantime don't be afraid to call me." With that he turned and walked to another table and continued his duties.

Soon after the waiter left her to dwell on her thoughts again Lily returned, and started up a conversation. They spoke about everything that had passed since she had been in the hospital, including her relationship with James.

"So how is this James fellow? I haven't seen him since I was admitted to the hospital."

"He's fine." She replied shortly while sipping her water.

"Now, now tell me it isn't like I haven't been in your situation before."

"Mom, its personal I'd rather not talk with you of all people about it."

"Ouch, Lily if you can't talk to me who can I talk to, you're the only person left I feel comfortable with."

"What about Petunia mom?" Lily inquired after gaining some interest in this topic.

"She's well…how would you describe her?"

"With one word, bitch." Muttered Lily

"Watch your language young lady, my hearing is still as strong as ever. I was going to say she has changed since meeting that Vernon fellow." She scolded

"Sorry I kind of forgot now that you are…"

"I'm what?"

"You're older and well, isn't your hearing the first thing to go as you get old?"

"Hey as long as I can talk, walk, and keep up with you I will still consider myself as young."

"If you say so." She replied while laughing at her mother's serious face that soon became a smile that turned into laughter. Looking at the pair you would have thought their world was perfect, though it was full of sadness and un-told despair. While they were laughing and talking about Petunia, the waiter returned with their dinner.

"Dinner is served, ladies." Announced the waiter as he placed the two plates on the table.

"Thank you, and do you think that we could have some more water?" asked Lily

"Of course Miss, I'll be a few moments and then you can tell me how your dinner is." He answered and with a quick bow he left them to their dinner.

"Well he's polite."

"Mom it's their job, they have to be nice or they lose their job and the restaurant loses business."

"So that's how a business is run, I would have never thought about that."

"Mom, you are a lawyer of course you knew that, stop playing dumb."

"Alright, I will return to my normal "momish" matter." She replied making fake quotations in the air.

"Is momish even a word?"

"I have no idea but it is now."

"Alright, so how's your dinner?" asked the waiter when he had returned

"Its amazing this chefs cooking is better than ever, and yours Lil?" asked her mom

"Perfect, it's even better than yours."

"I'm insulted I thought mine was your favorite?" her mom stated while wiping fakes tears from her eyes.

"Well that was before I ate here, but other than that yours is the best."

"I guess that's reassuring."

"Ladies, your water" interrupted the waiter "And is the food to your liking?"

"Perfect." Said the girls in unison

"That's good to hear, well I'll leave you to enjoy your dinner, have a good time." He then left them to eat, soon bringing back desert for the girls which they ate happily and they talked and reminisced about their days with Steve and made plans for the next few weeks.

"Doll, I'm going to use the ladies room and then we can head out if you like."

"Alright mom, I'm not going anywhere." She said while she watched her mother walk away, though she was soon joined by someone unexpected.

"Is this seat taken?" whispered a voice in Lily's ear.

"Yes, though is their anything I can help you with?" she asked turning to face the man as he took a seat in her mother's chair.

"Yes you can." He replied as she looked at him in the light.

"How…" she started until she realized who it was "Riley Grant." She hissed "What do you want?" she spat out in an icy voice.

"Now is that anyway to greet an old friend?" he asked while trying to contain his laughter.

"An old friend?" she spat "You are no friend of mine, you…you betrayed me!" she stuttered while maintaining her angered tone.

"Betrayed? Never, not me, I wouldn't…couldn't ever do that to you of all people doll face."

"Riley, do you want me to recall the events of that night? Or do you remember now?" she replied her voice even and contained.

"Maybe you should tell me, because I can't seem to remember a thing."

"Alright let me refresh your memory then. It happened about three years ago when I was 14 and you had turned 15 that day."

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"Riley? Were are you taking me?" asked Lily

"Downstairs, to the ballroom, why do you think you have that fancy dress on?"

"I don't know, but…but I thought that the ball tonight was for adults only?"

"No, it's my birthday party. Remember everyone is going to be there."

"Everyone? As in whom?" she inquired as they neared the big golden doors

"All of our friends, you know from Hogwarts."

"You mean all of your friends from Hogwarts, and none of them like me. Their all in Slytherin, they hate me not only cause I'm a Gryffindor but because I'm a muggle born."

"Don't worry your safe with me." He whispered in her ear as they entered the double doors. The room became silent as they made their way to the center and started to dance. "Just remember what we practiced."

"Alright." She whispered nervousness apparent in her voice.

"Its okay, relax, just picture you and me alone in the room alright, its going to be okay." He spoke evenly as they glided across the floor, like they had wings. They were graceful and beautiful; every eye in the room was fixed on the pair as the twirled and glided across the floor. Soon enough the song was over and the couple bowed and walked off of the dance floor, and the guest resumed dancing.

"See it wasn't that bad Lils was it? Be honest."

"No it was quite fun, actually."

"See told you their would be nothing to worry about, now hang out here while I go and get us some drinks." He spoke softly into her ear before leaving a chaste kiss on her lips, and departing.

After he left she made her way over to one of the plush couches and sat their undisturbed until she was joined by two unfamiliar girls.

"Well if it isn't the lady of the hour? How's your boyfriend doing?"

"Fine." Replied Lily, to the two women. Their voice's sounded vaguely familiar but she couldn't but a name to the face considering they had masks on like the rest of the congregation.

"Speaking of him…" spoke the second lady "Where is he? Are you not good enough for him that he left you sitting all by your lonesome?"

"He went to get us something to drink." She replied quickly

"Ah, the ole I'll get us some drinks trick."

"What do you mean trick?"

"Honey, he left you here…"

"On purpose, he's probably outside…"

"Smoking or with another…"

"Girl." The two ladies spoke finishing the others sentence's

"No, he wouldn't do that to me…I…I'm his girlfriend."

"Well then maybe you should go find him, and prove us wrong, and we'll wait here for you to come back and give us your answer."

"Alright, I will do just that. I will also prove that you are wrong." She whispered as she hurriedly went out to the garden.

"Poor girl, it is too bad she had to find out about Riley this way."

"I hate it when our brother makes us do his dirty work for him, come on we better prepare for the disaster that's about to occur."

"I agree sis, come on." She whispered as the got up innocently and followed Lily to the garden. Where she was already in a screaming match with Riley, while his latest conquest was sitting on the floor watching. It seemed as if she was pushed down or was knocked over, but what happened next was unexpected. Lily hit Riley square in the eye and then walked inside past the two girls and out of the ballroom. The girls followed her out and tried to calm her down but it was no use so they just sent for her parents, who came and collected her an hour later, all the while Riley was no where to be seen.

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"I was fifteen then, I'm now on I've grown up."

"I was your girlfriend or did that word mean nothing to you then?"

"Look, I guess I came over to say I was sorry, and too…"

"Oh, hello!" cried Mrs. Evans "Lily whose your handsome young friend?"

"Mom, this is Riley and he was just about to leave…"

"Actually I was about to ask you to dance." He cut in watching the anger grow on her face

"Well then don't let me stop you, go ahead Lily dance with the young man." Her mother ushered as he offered Lily his hand. She reluctantly took it and he swept her out onto the dance floor.

"You conniving little…" whispered Lily

"Now, now its not proper etiquette for a lady to swear."

"You are a conniving son of a bitch! You betray me, disappear from school for two years and now you come back!" she spoke trying to keep her temper under control.

"Look I owe you and apology, so here it is. Mss. Lily Evans, I was scared that night, the reason why I was with that girl was because I was scared."

"Scared?"

"Yes, I was falling for you and falling hard. I couldn't take the pressure, and I had to find a way to keep my mind off of you for just a moment if that. So that was how I did it, and if it wasn't for my conniving sisters we would probably still be together. I'm sorry for all the pain I but you through, can you find it within your heart to forgive me?" he pleaded while giving her a twirl.

"Well, I guess you've grown up, not only in appearance…" she paused for a moment to think. "Alright, I will forgive you on one condition."

"Alright name your terms."

"You have to promise to always be there for me and that means no betraying me, no lying to me, and no sneaking around behind me back. Deal?"

"Deal." He whispered while leading her off the floor and back to her mother. "Mrs. Evans, you have a charming daughter but I am afraid I need to return to work, so if you would excuse me I'll be upstairs if you need me."

"You work here?" asked Lils stunned

"Yes, I am the General Manager, my father owns the company, so if you excuse me I have to make sure that everything is going smoothly…" he spoke and then started to walk away but stopped and turned back to the ladies. "Don't be afraid to contact me Lils I'll be here most of the time, I hope to hear from you soon." He stated and then continued on his path upstairs, and Lily turned back to her mom her face tinged with pink.

"Well looks like James might have some competition."

"Mother! He's an old friend, nothing more."

"If you say so, now is getting late we better head back to the Leaky Cauldron."

"Alright, lets go." She linked her arm with her mothers and they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron in bright spirits and content that their evening went quite well.

AN: I owe you all an apology for not updating so soon, I just couldn't think of what to write but I hope you enjoy this chapter and chapter 24 will be coming in about 4 days…so please leave me some reviews! Maybe between the two chapters I'll make it over 400! I love you guys and thanks for hanging in there!

Updated: Oct 29 2004