Lily tapped her thumb on the rim of her cup double time against the loud ticking of the clock that hung above the stove. When the refrigerator kicked in and low metallic humming started the tapping faltered for a moment but soon was back on beat. The kitchen was spacious enough. Longer then it was wide with a shiny wooden floors. The table was oblong and over it a dirty lace cloth hung a bit lopsided towards the back. The chairs were hard and upright, not easily moved. The counters were mostly bare, a loaf of dry bread sat out, James had forgotten to put it away this morning. Too late now. Light yellow curtains framed the dirty windows she had never got around to cleaning. It didn't seem worth it sometimes. The day was warm for the end of October; she had cracked the windows to let the light breeze into the house. She welcomed it like new life.
James was out like usual, probably at headquarters trying to save the world from hiding. As if. Her husband went stir crazy in the house. He couldn't stand it when Harry was in a fuss and this morning had been especially bad. Harry, finally calmed down, was asleep in his play pen, hunch forward onto the stuff dog Sirius had given to him for his first birthday. It had been his constant companion. So that left just Lily in the kitchen relishing a few quiet moments alone. Her mind was numb, not settled on anything particular, just staring.
She didn't notice see the young man pacing on the walk up the door. Starting out purposefully then turning back in haste shoving his hands determinedly into his pockets then just as quick back on his heel and hand in his lank hair. She didn't see his gravely pale face, didn't hear the sharp intake of breath as he swore in a low grunt. She didn't know the internal battle being fought or feel the pain as he squeezed his left forearm fiercely as though that would erase the brand. She did hear the crash as he kicked one of Harry's plastic toys into the shed to avoid tripping over it as he finally left the garden. She shifted her eyes to look out the window and she did see a tall thin man closing the garden gate behind in. And she did feel – something.