Dear Lily,
Everyone is fine at home. My brother is being discharged today from Mungo's. My mother has taken charge of feeding Mary, so we need not worry about her malnutrition anymore. She still isn't sleeping well, but dad says he can help her with a few potions for dreamless sleep. I'm trying to keep her engaged in different activities, I might just end up training her to join the Gryffindor quidditch team.
We'll see you at Diagon Alley before term starts. I'll write to you about the exact date closer to September. Enjoy the rest of your holidays. Don't miss me too much, it's not good for my ego
Love
Marlene
Dear Lily,
I request you to accept that you are turning into a bully and will be ruthless on the new prefects. I understand how you feel, the circumstances are really depressing. I'll come visit you on Saturday evening, we can try to take our mind off everything. I also need to discuss a couple of prefect duties for this year, so we can sort that out too.
Looking forward to seeing you.
My well wishes
Remus
At 5.30 PM on Saturday, Lily hears commotion outside her house, followed by a nervous thud on the front door.
"I'll get it!" she shouts to her family, hopping towards the entrance. She opens the door to find Remus Lupin, standing on her porch looking slightly sheepish.
"Remus!" she exclaims brightly.
"Hi ... er Lily", he says reaching out to hug her, "I'm sorry, but I brought a tag along".
"Huh?"
Before Remus can explain, Sirius Black pushes aside his friend and engulfs Lily in a tight hug, effectively choking her airway, "Hey, Red! Long time, no see!"
"You're here too," she says trying to free herself of his hold and playfully narrowing her eyes at him.
"Yes Ma'am," Black grins, "and I brought a tag along too." His hand reaches for something behind the door and seconds later he pulls a struggling Peter Pettigrew into sight.
"Hi Peter," Lily sighs, knowing Pettigrew would be too shy to say anything on his own.
"Hello Lily" he squeaks.
She tries to mask her amusement by pursing her lips. Her eyes move from Remus to Black to Pettigrew.
"If I remember correctly, the marauders travel in fours", says Lily, pushing the door all the way open.
"Right on, Evans" Black barks, as James Potter appears from behind the door, looking at the floor and fidgeting with his hair.
"I guess, Peter brought a tag along too," Potter smirks. "Good to see you, Evans."
"Should I start apologizing now or would you require a letter with a detailed explanation?" Remus mutters.
"Make it fourteen and a half inches, Lupin. Submit it no later than Wednesday", she smirks. "Come on in".
The four boys parade into the Evans house with Remus in the lead continuosly apologizing. "Padfoot kept insisting ... he wanted to come, and of course Prongs was with him... Peter doesn't get out much during the summers... I told them we had to work..."
The commotion causes Mr. and Mrs. Evans to turn off the television and find the party that has assembled in their living room.
"Good to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Evans", Remus greets them politely.
Mrs. Evans immediately walks over and hugs Remus and Sirius having met them earlier in the summer. Lily notices Potter fidgeting on the spot at which he is standing. Apparently so does Mrs. Evans as she says, "Lily, won't you introduce us to your friends?"
"Mum this is Peter Pettigrew and James Potter. They are in the same year as me at Hogwarts"
"Ah of course, how lovely" she says as she hugs the other boys as well.
"Nice to meet you Mrs Evans," Potter smiles. Lily thinks she sees a flash of nervousness on his face once her mother pulls away and is trying to fix his hair which look messier than ever. "I'm afraid they have a mind of their own, Ma'am", he says lamely.
"Well they still suit your handsome face," Mrs Evans says smiling widely. Lily's eyes widen as she sees her mother pull Potter's cheeks and all signs of nervousness vanish from his face. Unfortunately for Lily, the parental embarassment and fuss is far from over.
Mr. Evans, who had so far only been smiling and nodding at the boys suddenly remembers, "Ah ofcourse, James Potter - Lilbunny's nemesis".
"Dad" Lily snaps, unsure of what was a more embarassing revelation - the fact that she had spoken about James Potter at home or her childhood nickname.
The other boys snigger as Potter stares at Mr Evans dumbfounded. Oblivious to his daughter's aghast expression, he continues, "The number of times I have heard her rant about "Potter and his pranks", I had really begun to wonder if I'd ever get to meet you."
Potter extends his hand nervously, "Pleasure to meet you, sir."
"Not many people can rattle Lilbunny's patience, but you seem to be an expert at riling her up" Mr. Evans laughs, shaking Potter's hand.
Lily's cheeks turn into a shade of red brighter than her hair. Black who is clearly enjoying this exhange chimes into the conversation - "Did Lilbunny also mention the number of times she has broken our boy's heart by turning him down".
Lily glares at Black as picks up a cushion from the sofa nearest to her and throws it right at his face. Black catches the cushion before it hits him and sticks his tongue out at her.
"Lily! behave with your guests", her mother says horrified.
Her father is now guffawing with the rest of the boys, "So, how many times was it then?"
"We lost count of the proposals after a month or two. But in terms of the arguments, I believe I'm still winning all of them" Potter grins, attempting to take the punches as they come
"You are not!" Lily shrieks. "I know Black keeps score, and I hear him announce it everytime. I am way ahead."
"To be fair, Lilbunny" Remus pipes in, "Sirius gives you extra points everytime you attack James".
Lily is visibly fuming now.
"You attack him?" Mrs. Evans gasps.
"Its more like a cat jumping on a tree and clawing at it" says Pettigrew.
"Teenage lad starts fancying you and your first thought is to throw some punches? I raised you well!" Mr. Evans seems as amused as the rest of the marauders.
"Potter does not fancy me! And I do not attack him" Lily says stubbornly. "I think we've had enough lies thrown in front of my parents, we should really go out."
"Oh but - " Sirius starts to say something but Lily cuts him off.
"I will treat if you will shut up."
Lily leads the boys to the same ice-cream parlour she had visited with Remus and Black.
"It's not Florean Fortescue, but if you had the Sundae here, I swear to God you will start living here" - She tells Pettigrew and Potter.
"If you want me living close to you Evans, you need only ask" says Potter casually flinging his arm around her shoulder. "You don't have to bribe me with ice cream."
Lily rolls her eyes and then glares at Remus.
"I promise I will make it up to you", he laughs.
The ice-cream parlour was a ten minute walk from the Evans' household. It was a quaint little shop draped in mauve and mint green Wall papers. There was an assortment of cones, cups, and toppings on display. Lily and the Marauders took a small table at the corner of the shop. Remus and Lily sat on one bench while Potter, Pettigrew, and Black squeezed into the bench opposite them.
After a few moments of awkward silence and blank states, Pettigrew speaks up, "I saw your father's interview in the Prophet, Prongs. So many shops are lined with that potion he made. What was it called again - ?
"Sleekeasy," Potter mutters looking almost disgusted. "Load of rubbish, if you ask me - "Two drops tames even the most bothersome barnet". Right. I emptied half the bottle on my hair this afternoon. Do you see any change?"
"Sleek - what?" asks Lily confused.
"It's a hair conditioning potion Mr. Potter invented. Thought it might help his son a little bit," smirks Black, poking Potter in the side.
A small laugh escaped Lily's mouth as some red flickers on Potter's cheeks.
"It wasn't for me. His own hair are just as bad. But that stupid potion works for him," James says with indignation.
"And for almost everyone else. It's one of the most popular cosmetic potions these days. Almost every wizarding household has a bottle," says Remus.
"Well I hope every single wizarding household doesn't land up on our doorstep when it doesn't work."
"There hasn't been a single complaint so far, your hair are an exception," continues Lupin. "And last when I spoke to him, Mr. Potter did say he is trying to come up with another version that would be effective for you."
"Like that will ever happen" snorts Lily attracting amused glances from all four boys. "I mean, his hair - everyone knows - it's so annoying when he's continuously running his fingers through - everyone knows, it's not just me - IT'S OUT OF CONTROL."
"Right on Red, but why are you shouting?"
"I'm not."
"It seems like she hasn't fought with anyone in a long time, too much pent up energy," Remus chuckles.
The rest of the evening is spent in laughter and continued banter. To all their relief, no one brings up anything related to homework, NEWTS, or death eaters. Black's insistence on ordering and trying every flavour leaves them with enough ice cream for twenty people. Around 9 PM, they finally clear out of ice-cream parlour.
Lily can feel her stomach boated to twice its size and can barely keep up with the rest of them as the boys walk her home. She doesn't know notice the exact moment that Potter slows down and begins to match her pace, trailing behind the other three. He looks like he is shuffling on the ground as he takes deliberately small steps with his long legs.
"You want me to carry you, Lilybunny" , he teases.
"Call me that again, and Statute of Secrecy be damned, I'll hex your face right here", she glares at him, but a moan escapes her lips as she clutches her stomach.
"You'll be fine after walking it off" he says, completely ignoring her threat. In spite of herself, Lily finds her face is littered with a small smile.
"Congratulations, Potter. Heard they made you captain of the Quidditch team"
"How did you know?" - he asks with the slightest hint of surprise.
"I keep up with all the gossip. Guess you'll be unbearable now."
"Right again, Evans" he smirks.
"I thought you would've learnt by now, I'm always right."
"No, you're not. Especially while arguing with me. You were wrong earlier today as well."
"What are you talking about?" she asks, furrowing hers brows in confusion.
"When we were with your parents. You told your dad I didn't fancy you." His tone was neutral but he was looking straight at her making her squirm under his gaze
She looks aways from him.
"I thought you were done with that bit. Isn't that joke getting boring now? "Go out with me, Evans?"" James laughs at her attempt of mimicking his voice.
"I'm not asking you out."
"Then what are you sayings?"
"I'm saying I fancy you, there's a difference."
"There is no dif - "
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with, Evans. You can shut-up about this and I'll try to be a little more bearable - Deal?"
"I have no idea what you're trying to do, but if you'll be less of a berk, I'm all for it."
"Anyway I expect you'll be all over me when I win the Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor as captain," he says stretching his arms hovering over her.
"Sod off, Potter" she says pushing him away. But she is surprised to find that there is no irritation in her voice, but rather something akin to nervousness.