Chapter 3

Tribeca, Manhattan

Andrew Fontana stared dumbstruck at his girlfriend, Lily Potter. His purser. He saw the uncertainty and even fear in her warm brown eyes. Her bravado was simply a fragile mask. She'd gone first and employed the playful banter that had been a staple of their relationship from the first moment. He had to rise to her challenge.

"Wander about? Actually it's called insomnia. Highly overrated and I'd not suggest it. So how do I know you're not a Polly- Juiced imposter?" Andrew continued to stare at Lily as if she were a mirage and would vanish if he approached her.

Lily seemed to regain her confidence at his question, but rather than offer a flippant reply, her answer was solemn. "After I arrested you we ended up at my loft. You had nightmares, you let me in your mind, and after you woke we made lov..."

Andrew pulled Lily into his arms and they kissed passionately, smothering her words, but at length, Lily pushed him back, and gently rebuked him.

"So are we to catch up surrounded by Muggles?" Lily glanced behind Andrew, "Oh no," she sighed dramatically, "it appears your groupies have found us!" She pointed toward the same group of young women who'd attempted to approach Andrew before.

"They don't seem very pleased to see me! Besides, didn't you say you'd show me around New York City?" Lily folded her arms and pouted.

Andrew glanced at the women and nodded at Lily. He drank in the sight of her: how beautiful she looked in a short blue skirt, brown leather boots, and a tan leather jacket. Her long red hair fell loosely around her shoulders and her beautiful face was lightly made-up. "I did, and you're perfectly dressed for an evening out. I know the ideal place."

Lily smiled happily and allowed Andrew to escort her down the busy New York City streets.

Hackney, London

Roan Nott stared hard at Invidia Sterling, trying desperately to contain the desire and the memories swelling within him. She was breathtaking, erotic, and deadly. She was just as he remembered her, how he still fantasized about her, but time had only improved her looks. Once upon a time, he'd had a fling with her; she'd been a few years behind him at Hogwarts… but that was a long time ago.

Invidia enjoyed seeing Roan squirming, caught between wanting her and wanting to be mad at her, just like old times. Things were now different, of course. He was married and she was a fugitive, but adding the title of mistress would be easy and provide her with many benefits down the road. Something to consider. Invidia strutted toward Roan in black high -heeled boots and a black figure-hugging dress. Her black purple lined cape-like overcoat gracefully followed behind her. Pulling her wand, she conjured two chairs and crossed her long legs as she seated herself. She indicated that Roan should follow her example. He did so, but only after making sure Fenrir moved to stand behind Invidia where he could watch him.

Roan tried to focus on Invidia's face and not on her body. Invidia's indolent smirk momentarily broke the spell.

"I heard rumors that you hadn't died all those years ago, Invidia; that the Potter bitch hadn't killed you," Roan said, trying and failing to keep his voice dispassionate.

"No, I am very much alive, Roan, and hungry for revenge and other things," Invidia replied as she licked her painted lips. "How's Daphne? Your wife and my former friend? I bet she consoled you often after my 'death'. So, how'd she get promoted from plaything to wifey?" Invidia's smirk only became bigger as Roan reddened.

"Leave Daphne out of this! This is between you and me! Why am I here?" Roan demanded.

"Of course! Threesome's a crowd."

Roan smiled slightly at Invidia's pun.

"You're here to do what you do so well… pull strings from the shadows."

Tribeca, Manhattan

Andrew blocked out the sounds of the busy restaurant and listened happily as Lily animatedly explained how a discussion with her cousin Rose had prompted her to take the initiative to visit him. The excitement in Lily's voice for him and their future began to burn the dark mist away.

"I've been a super silly boy, Lily," Andrew said in a self-mocking tone. "I almost got lost in my head again. In my misery. You should run from me and never look back!" He sipped his beer, shaking his head in annoyance.

"I'm going to slap you, Fontana! Have you not been listening? I've come to save you from yourself! I will not allow anybody, particularly you, to keep me from completing my task! You're going to love me forever and that's the end of it." Lily picked up her own wine glass and glared at Andrew, daring him to disagree.

Andrew roared in laughter, his blue eyes narrowing as he considered her statement. "You would slap me and enjoy it, too! Fear not! I'm perfectly happy to be your boy toy forever."

Lily looked quizzical.

"That's a Muggle reference," Andrew explained. "Your cousin Rose has an IOU from me for the biggest thank you hug!"

Lily snorted, but her eyes were smiling. "Not bloody likely! After encountering your Muggle groupies, I won't let another woman near you, even Rosie."

Andrew laughed heartily. "Well, likewise. Your powers of enchantment are way too strong to trust you around other guys."

The young couple stared at each other before bursting into laughter at their silliness. Laughter was at the heart of their love. It's what they missed the most when apart: perfect alignment, a perfectly tuned duet.

"I'm so surprised you've not yet asked how I managed to track you down." Lily reached out her hands toward Andrew, who took them instantly. He kissed each one in turn.

"Well," he began. "You're a fully qualified Auror. Congrats in person, by the way- and a born Seeker. I'm just annoyed I didn't notice you following me earlier!"

"Payback," Lily explained. Andrew looked at her in confusion. "I didn't realize it till recently, but the day before we collided, you'd been following me, hadn't you?"

Andrew's mouth dropped open in surprise. "At a distance, yes. I was investigating the same thing you were if the torture victims knew the Poly- Juice doppelgangers. We were both right. But meeting you, colliding with you that next day, was 100% unplanned and I thank the fates for it daily."

Andrew stared at Lily. He wanted to explain what he'd been feeling. His fear. "I'm sorry I pulled away from you, Lily. It was stupid, but for the first time in my life, I was afraid… afraid of you losing you and at the same time having you. It's been really hard trying to get back to work. People were really upset with what I did and I needed to focus on regaining their trust. I was also afraid of how much I love you… you're all I have in this world, Lily. My professional life was imploding, my family was dead and gone. What did I…?"

"Have to offer me?" Lily broke into his thoughts. "It's funny. That's how my dad felt. A little orphan boy. The "Chosen One" who wanted nothing else but to be normal, to be loved, and have the ones he loved come back to him."

Lily sighed. "I think that's one reason he likes you so much. You experienced some of what he'd gone through, losing those he loved the most." She shook her head at him, tears coming to her eyes. "You're not alone! You'll never be alone. I said I would love you forever and beyond, Andrew Fontana, and I will"

Andrew closed his eyes and wiped his own tears. He simply nodded and smiled at his girl. His Lily. He rose and offered his hand, which she instantly took. Leaving the restaurant Andrew led her to a spot clear of Muggles and vanished with her with a pop.

Lily woke and gazed happily at Andrew who was sleeping peacefully next to her. Rising from his bed, she put on his shirt, which was big enough on her to extend to her knees. She was surprised to have been affected by the phenomenon the Muggles called jet lag, although she'd never in her life been on a plane. Andrew's townhouse was very spacious and she roamed around exploring without prying. She stopped in her tracks as she came upon family portraits of his parents and younger sister. She was particularly taken with his sister, Jennie. She seemed so full of life and promise. In spite of how he died, she still felt sickened by Nicolae Hasdeu and his cruelty. He got what he deserved, just as Invidia Sterling would one day.

"She was amazing!" Lily startled at Andrew's voice. "I would never have said that to her face, of course. What big brother would?" Lily smiled at his honesty. Her brothers would likely agree about their little sister. She saw his eyes linger on the ruby necklace he'd given to her.

"What was she like? Your sister," Lily didn't want to upset him by asking, but Andrew was her only conduit to his family.

Andrew sat on his comfortable looking couch and indicated that Lily should come and join him. She curled up on his lap and waited.

"Jennie was kind, thoughtful, smart as a whip, but she was tough, too. I guess toughness runs in the family. She had so many dreams, as a teenage girl should. Hasdeu took all of that away! She'll never fulfill her dreams or marry or have children or…" Andrew shook his head sadly. His sorrow was returning, but he rallied knowing that Lily wanted to connect with him. To join her life with his.

"I'm sorry," Lily said sensing the shift in his mood, "I just want to understand all of you. The good and bad. The happy and the sad. Everything."

"It's okay," Andrew said honestly, "I don't mind. It's good to talk about them; I need to talk about them. Make them real for you. It's funny when we were at Hogwarts, I was so taken by the portraits of the Headmasters and Headmistresses. Their ability to be more than just a moving portrait, or snippet of a captured memory. I just wish I could talk to them… one last time, and tell them about you." Andrew fell silent.

Lily moved so she could see him and said softly and slowly, "When I was born, my mum almost died… actually she said she did die, but my dad's mum, her name was Lily, too, she came to my mum and helped her escape from wherever she was."

Lily paused deep in thought and pulled her legs up to her chin. After a long time, she finally said, "it happened to me too…."

Andrew shot her a questioning glance.

Lily continued softly, "Only my mom knows about this. When I was a young girl I got hurt and I died; I did. I saw my grandmother Lily. She knew of my life, she helped me escape too. Maybe it wasn't real..." Lily misunderstood Andrew's expression and exclaimed: "You must wonder what the hell I'm talking about, right?"

"No, I'm following you. Go on please," Andrew said forcefully.

"I think your family knows, somehow! They know what's going on, they know your heart." Lily touched her ruby necklace gently. "My grandma Lily told me, 'Build a future, Lily, so I can be there with you.' You have to do the same..."

Andrew nodded solemnly understanding what she was trying to tell him. They needed to keep building a future together. Not a storybook romance, but something real and worth all the struggles to come.

Lily and Andrew will return...

I'd like to thank my editor CherylAnn Rivers and everybody who's been enjoying the series. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.