Wednesday 14th February 1979

Rialto's Fine Dining, Diagon Alley, 18:00

As much as he wanted to spoil Lily as much as he could now that they were out of Hogwarts, he knew that he couldn't. For Valentine's Day, and any other holiday really, she didn't like big, grand romantic gestures. Oh, she liked being made a bit of a fuss of and all but she didn't like it if he went over the top. Or got her what she deemed ridiculous presents. He was trying to persuade her otherwise on the present thing though - if he saw jewellery, he knew she liked (or Sirius saw because, let's be honest here, Sirius was far better at choosing that sort of thing) he was going to get it for her for her birthday or Christmas or whatever. She seemed to be more accepting of it then. James didn't know if this was a Lily thing or a girl thing

Whatever, he would take what he could get.

He was also pretty pleased with himself for being able to snag a reservation at a fancy restaurant in Diagon Alley. It, well, one of the streets just off it that basically had all the fancy places. Want thin, overpriced robes that only looked good for a split second and cost the same as the rent for their flat? Get it there! It did have some nice restaurants, however. His mum and dad's favourite one was in there.

"Oh, it's lovely in here," Lily said admiringly at the decor.

Yeah, it was pretty nice. All bright and airy.

"Not as lovely as you."

Lily giggled at him. "You are so cheesy."

"Of course."

Ge was telling the truth anyway; Lily did look lovely. Beautiful, even. She was wearing this pale blue dress with a brown belt threaded around her wait. Yes, definitely beautiful.

A waiter approached them and asked, "Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes, for Potter," James replied.

The man scanned down a big book off to the side and nodded.

"Yes, over here."

They were led over to a cosy little table near the fire. Oh, he loved that woodsmoke smell.

"Thank you," the both said after James offered Lily her chair and they had both been given menus.

They took a few moments to order and now all they had to do was wait. Perfect.

"For you," James said, passing over a neatly wrapped parcel.

Not done by him, obviously. He couldn't wrap neatly to save his life. Thank Merlin for shopkeepers that's all he was saying.

"Oh, James," she said as she tore down the edge of the box.

She never did have the patience to open parcels properly but nor did she just rip off chunks.

She gasped. "Oh!"

"You like it?" He said hopefully.

"I love it," she confirmed, leaning across the table to give him a quick peck on the lips. "It's gorgeous."

'It' being a necklace and earrings set with tiny emeralds in it. Nothing too over the top, that wasn't Lily's thing. Discreet and elegant, just like her.

She looked down at herself and frowned.

"I kind of wish I didn't wear a necklace now," she told him. "So, I could put it on right away."

She was currently wearing a necklace that had a tiny pink stone hanging from a very thin chain.

"It's fine," he assured her. "As long as you like it."

He was really afraid that she didn't, in case you couldn't tell.

"I do," she reiterated.

And she was being honest, he could tell when she was lying and she wasn't lying. He heaved a sigh of relief.

She gave him an amused look. "Worried?"

"Very," he admitted. "You can get a bit weird about presents."

And that was definitely not something he should have said. Merlin, where was his tact? Thankfully, Lily didn't seem to mind.

"I just don't like you giving me expensive gifts for no reason," she tried to explain. "It's a bit overwhelming."

"But I get them because I love you," he protested. "Surely that's reason enough?"

He just liked being able to show his love like that. Presents made people feel happy and he liked making people feel happy! Especially his girlfriend!

Lily shook her head at him but she wasn't too exasperated with him because she was smiling.

"Just don't go overboard, please?"

"Okay," he said agreeably.

"Now for your present," she said, passing him a box.

Now, James was happy to admit that he was the sort to tear into presents. It was just more satisfying this way.

"I love it!" He proclaimed upon opening it.

It was a lather bracelet with runes done in a decorative pattern around it. He immediately slipped it on his wrist. Perfect fit!

They exchanged a kiss over the table. This was the best Valentine's Day ever!

They were interrupted by their food arriving and they were soon digging in. Yum, grilled fish. Lily had the roast chicken. It also looked good.

"Um. What did you do about your letter?" he asked hesitantly after they had finished most of their delicious meal.

He knew it wasn't the sort of conversation that you brought up over dinner, never mind Valentine's Day dinner but he couldn't help it. It was on his mind.

Lily chewed on her food for a little bit too long as she thought about it. That wasn't a good sign, was it?

"I replied. Sort of."

James tilted his head to one side. What was that supposed to mean?

"I mean, I wrote out a reply and everything but, well, I haven't managed to bring myself to send it."

James heaved a sigh of relief. "Me neither!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean, I know I should but I don't know, should I really?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Lily exclaimed.

"But we should reply, right?"

"Yeah... I mean, you have to?"

James frowned. Yeah, that's what he thought as well. Something just seemed wrong about it though.

"Why don't we send it toget-"

Just then, an Auror burst into the restaurant. Was that McGaffery? He had been training them on poisons just the other week.

"Everyone to the back or away!" He ordered, voice bellowing across the room. "Death Eaters incoming! Stay down and don't make a target of yourself!"

Of course, no one ever carried those orders out calmly. Especially not when they were literally bellowed across the place. People were shouting a screaming already and James couldn't even see any Death Eaters out the window yet.

They got to their feet and backed away from the table. He looked down at his and Lily's clasped hands, which had happened automatically, and then over to the Auror. Could he do something? Should he do something? But he had Lily and he knew she could defend herself but that didn't mean he wanted to be parted from her.

"Go, James," Lily said, her face white. "Go help if you can."

He nodded sharply at her, relieved that he had a girlfriend that understood him. Understood that he needed to be able to help.

"Stay safe?" He requested.

"I will," she said, somehow managing to muster up a small smile.

With a final look at her, he turned away and ran over to the older Auror.

"McGaffery! Can I help?"

The man spun around and frowned when he saw him.

"Potter?"

"Yes, sir."

McGaffery looked out the window where you could now see smoke in the distance and then back to James.

"You get out of here as well, Potter."

"But I can help!"

"You're still a trainee. You aren't ready for this yet."

"But-"

"No."

James couldn't believe it! This was the whole reason he wanted to be an Auror! To protect and defend! And he wasn't some newbie trainee either, he was less than three months from graduating. That had to count for something!

"I can help!"

"No. You think you can help. Which is even more dangerous."

Huh? James didn't follow. McGaffery ran a hand over his face and sighed.

"Look, Potter. This is not going to be a straight up duel like you're used to. This is going to be a lot of pot shots with the main idea of keeping the public safe. You haven't done your module on crowd control and protection yet. If you fought, I'm going to have to keep an eye on you and the Death Eaters and that will not end well, I can assure you."

Oh, why did McGaffery have to make sense like that?

"Fine," he said begrudgingly.

He could see what McGaffery meant. Just about.

"What was that?" McGaffery asked with a raised eyebrow.

James automatically straightened as he replied in a clearer voice. "Yes, sir."

"That's what I thought. Now, get to your girlfriend.

Sunday 18th February 1979

Hogwarts, 21:00

Frank couldn't help but wonder what Professor Dumbledore wanted with him and Alice. Surely it wasn't normal for your Headmaster of your old school to contact you two years after you left? Or one year in Alice's case. It wasn't like either of the had been anything outstanding in school, sure they had been good students but nothing special. And nobody's favourites either. So, it was all rather odd.

Alice's fingers tightened around his as they followed Hagrid up the main path to the front doors. None of them were speaking. What did one even say to the Groundskeeper? Things were looking nice? Ask about his pumpkins? Frank didn't know so it was best just to stay quiet.

He was thinking anyway. About how far he had come in two years. Not as far as he had wanted but he had accomplished that goal he made years ago. He was an Auror. An Auror. He still couldn't believe it sometimes.

"Good evening, Hagrid."

"Perfessor Dumbledore!" Hagrid said in surprise.

That was enough to shake Frank out of his thoughts. Sure enough, Albus Dumbledore had opened the front doors and was now waiting for them to come in.

"Ah, Hagrid, thank you for bringing in our guests."

"Not a problem," he said amiably.

"Good evening, Professor," said Alice softly.

"Mr and Mrs Longbottom," Dumbledore said happily. "Come in, come in. We'll just go up to my office, shall we?"

Well, they weren't exactly not going to do as they were told, we're they? The two of them followed Professor Dumbledore up to his office (password was "sugar quills". Frank had never known that there were so many stairs up to Professor Dumbledore's office. He had never had any reason to come here.

"Woah," Alice said, grabbing his hand tighter as the stairs moved underneath them.

James had left that little detail out when he bragged about all the Marauder exploits.

They were soon settled in the office, sat in some very comfy chairs that were in a position that it felt like all of the portraits were staring down at them. There had been so many Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts.

"Lemon drop?"

Both of them refused. Frank didn't want to have anything in his mouth if he had to say something, that was just rude.

"I'm very glad that you could both come," Professor Dumbledore said warmly to them.

"It was no problem," said Frank.

Though, really, who refused to come when Professor Dumbledore requested your presence?

Professor Dumbledore steepled his fingers together and stared at them over his half-moon glasses.

"This is quite a sensitive topic but what do you know of the Order of the Phoenix?"

Saturday 24th February 1974

Library, 15:00

"What are you doing?" Chryssie asked, trying to look over her shoulder. "You're writing very intently over here."

"I'm writing a strongly worded letter to my lovely cousin," Tonks said in a scathing tone, ending her current sentence with no one, not two but three exclamation points. If that didn't get her point across, she didn't know what would.

"What has Sirius done?" Chryssie asked in an amused tone.

"It's more like what he hasn't done," she grumbled. "He hasn't come to visit on Hogsmeade weekends like he promised."

And it was February. That was a lot of Hogsmeade weekends. At least six. Or maybe it was exactly six. Oh, she didn't know but it was still a lot.

"Isn't he still training? I know Lily doesn't have a lot of spare time."

"Yeah, but isn't Lily working in the Department of Mysteries as well as doing her Charms Apprenticeship?"

"Well, yes..."

Yeah, no one would have spare time from that. There was just no way. The rest of them on the other hand...

"They don't do any Auror training at the weekend," Tonks told her. "They have tons of spare time."

More than her, she was sure. Seventh Year was intense. So much homework and coursework and revision and tests. She barely had time to breath never mind do anything else.

Her friend looked thoughtful for a minute.

"Say that they all have to meet up with us," Chryssie told her. "Lily and Marlene and Severus as well as the Marauders. All of them."

"You just want to see Severus again," Tonks teased.

She had seen the way Chryssie looked at him last year. And she was pretty sure that it was reciprocated. Maybe. A little bit. It was hard to tell with Severus Snape, after all.

"We're just friends!" Chryssie deflected but her now red face said otherwise. "I'm just his best friend's little sister. He's nice to me."

"Uh huh. You too were awfully chummy last year."

"That's because all of you paired off and left us out," Chryssie retorted. "Miss I'm Going To Research Defence with Remus Lupin! What were you really doing with him?"

Now it was Tonks' turn to blush which wasn't fair because when she blushed everything blushed from her hair to her toenails (yeah, she was weird).

"We were researching Defence!"

It was both their favourite subjects so of course they were going to talk about it together! Though, she did kind of wish that it had led to something more...

"Sure, you were!"

"We were!"

They had been! Sure, maybe sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) she had wished that he had turned into something more but it hadn't. It never did.

"If you say so!"

Thursday 1st March 1979

Potions Lab, Auror Academy, 11:00

James sat up straight suddenly with wide eyes, no longer paying any attention to his potion in front of him.

"Prongs," Sirius hissed when it became apparent that his attention was very much not going to return to his potion. "You can't take your eyes off this for a second!"

James blinked and looked down at his now fizzing potion. Whoops, it wasn't supposed to do that. He quickly added a splash of Lethe water and it quickly stilled again. Thank Merlin for his dad and his endless potion tips.

Right, he better focus before he really mucked this up. But he couldn't help it. He had just realised that he had said the big three words to Lily and she had said them back! Yes, really! Way back on Valentine's Day. Yes, that long ago and yes, he had just realised it.

No! Focus! He didn't want to blow anything or anyone up.

Somehow, he did manage to concentrate for the rest of class and his antidote turned out okay. Not the best or anything but it worked. Eventually.

"Now, what was all that about?" Sirius asked as everyone started streaming out of the lab all smelling more than a little bit foul.

Antidotes, it turned out, never had a pleasant smell for whatever reason. And they tended to produce copious amounts of noxious steam that made its ways into every fibre of your clothes.

"Lily and I said we loved each other," James said in amazement.

"Excuse me?"

"We said we loved each other." He repeated faintly, still trying to believe it himself.

Sirius stopped right in the middle of the corridor, making some people bump into him.

"What?"

James didn't like how disbelieving Sirius sounded. He was telling the truth!

"We did!"

"When?" Sirius spluttered.

"Valentine's Day," James said dazedly. "Just causally. It wasn't a big announcement it anything."

"And you've only realised this now? What is it? A month later?"

"Only two weeks!"

"Yeah, but it's March."

"It's still only two weeks!"

"And you're only realising this now?"

"Well, a lot went on that night," James defended himself.

And a lot had happened since then as well. He couldn't help it if he forgot. And Lily hadn't mentioned anything about it either. Wait. She hadn't mentioned anything either. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Was she embarrassed? Annoyed? Sad that he hadn't brought it up?

Suddenly Sirius thumped him.

"What was that for?"

"You were overthinking something."

Tuesday 6th March 1979

Marauder Flat, 19:30

"I am never going to get this," Marlene said, flinging herself back on Sirius' bed.

"You will."

She ignored him in favour of saying, "Never. Ever. Ever. Ever."

It was a really satisfying thing to chant. And it was true. The work they were doing currently with Potions was just way out of her depth. She thought she had been pretty decent at the subject at school but that was nothing compared to what was expected of them now. Oh, it had started off okay, lulled her into a false sense of security and all that but now? Now it was awful and hard and all that meant was that she was going to end up getting someone poisoned, she just knew it.

Her indicator hadn't even flickered in colour when she tested it against the poison. No, it had just stayed that terrifying, sickly yellow colour. Though, the bright green it turned for poisons being present wasn't any better. It hadn't even turned to the blue colour that indicated there was no poisons present. Though, she supposed not getting a false negative was a good thing. Sort of.

"Marlene, you're going to be fine."

"It's okay for you to say that," she muttered, folding her arms as she stared up at the ceiling. "Your potion was fine."

His and everyone else's in the room. See? She was getting behind.

"Yeah, but my potion last week wasn't," Sirius pointed out. "You can't always be excellent at something."

"I don't want to be excellent I just want to be good. Good enough to pass anyway."

"And you will be. You just need a bit more practice."

No, she was just really bad at this.

"I should just drop out now and do something I can actually do."

It would probably be a better use of her time. Sirius evidently didn't think so as he loomed over her with a frown on his face.

"Hey, don't be like that. Look at Frank, he failed a while module but he didn't give up! He's took it again and he passed and he's now an Auror!"

"I don't want to fail a module, Sirius. I don't want to waste a whole year!"

"Pretty sure he just wasted half of one..."

Strangely enough, that didn't make her feel any better. It made her feel worse because bow she was starting to think she wasn't going to up get anywhere at all and she was going to fail a module which meant that she was going to fail at becoming an Auror and then-

Sirius tugged at her hands until she sat up.

"You are going to be fine."

Friday 9th March 1979

Department of Mysteries, 10:00

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Professor?" Lily asked nervously.

It didn't sound like a good idea to her. In fact, it sounded like a very bad idea.

"Nonsense," Flitwick dismissed with a wave of his hand. "I wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't a good idea."

That was true but Flitwick could get very enthusiastic about things that you didn't necessarily get enthusiastic over. Like this idea he had.

Somehow, he had got it into his head that she could teach some classes. Granted, it was the first and second years but still! There was no way she was ready for that. No.

Oh, she knew that it was basically expected of Apprentices to teach the classes of the Masters they were completing their Mastery under. It was to demonstrate your competency in the subject as well as doing some of the grunt work for the Master. It was just a given that that would happen at some point. But, so soon? She had only been studying for six months, nearly seven, now. And technically she only had half of that amount as experience because her Apprenticeship was part time. See? She couldn't be ready for this.

"You wouldn't be doing any classes until after Easter anyway," he tried to reassure her. "You aren't quite there yet but come Easter you will more than ready."

His confidence was touching if very misplaced. But she could give it a try for him, she supposed. She wouldn't want to let him down.

Wednesday 14th March 1979

Marauder Flat, 19:00

It had been a bit weird when James had asked to talk with him. They didn't usually ask that sort of thing. They didn't need to. Which meant it had to be serious.

And it turned out, never was right. James asked him to be his Steward in the Potter family. Him. A Steward?

Of course, he hadn't been too sure what it was and James had had to explain. Granted, it did sound interesting and it was a steady skilled job. Something he couldn't get here in Wizarding Britain. Not with all the anti-werewolf legislation in place.

So, yes, he had given James a tentative yes, as soon as he confirmed that James wasn't giving him the position out of pity or anything. James was very insistent that he wasn't.

"You finally asked him, huh?" Sirius asked as they emerged from James' room.

"Asked him what?" Peter asked, confused.

"Asked Moony to be his Steward. Fleamont asked him to find one ages ago."

"It was just at Christmas," James corrected.

"It was either you or Sev," James was explaining. "And if it was Sev the Potters would have no accounts. You actually like paperwork."

"That's true," Severus agreed. "Paperwork is horrible and should be banned."

That was a bit dramatic. Paperwork was logical and it got things done. And, it was kind of fun.

"Severus is a real weirdo and dislikes anything to do with parchment and paper at all," James teased.

"Fuck you, Potter," Severus grumbled. "I'm the normal one here. No one likes paperwork."

"Moony does."

"Moony is a weirdo."

"That is true," James agreed.

"That's what makes him a good choice," Severus said.

"Exactly."

Remus was looking between the two of them, shaking his head in exasperation.

"I feel like I should be insulted here."

"You should." "You shouldn't." Severus and James said at the same time.

"It's going to be great," James tried to reassure him.

"If you say so."

Remus knew he didn't sound too convinced but that was because he wasn't. What on earth did a Steward do? Oh, James had explained it but Remus still wasn't sure what it all meant. He would have to research it a bit. James said he could ask his father's Steward for help any time be wanted, which was nice. It would help him make more of a final decision.

"When you create all these new Potions, you're going to have to do paperwork!" James was now teasing Severus.

Because that was what Severus was going to do. He just knew it. Why not? He'd figured out those shortcuts to some of their ingredient preparation last year and the year before. Those were fantastic. James bet that he was well on the way to developing his own potion. Now, wouldn't that be cool? Being friends with someone who created amazing Potions?

"Shut up."

Though there was no real heat to Severus' words, he had gone all embarrassed. Sirius pounced on this.

"Yeah, you're going to have to write papers and articles and books on all these amazing things you're going to create. So much writing."

"As if," Severus sniffed. "That would mean I'd have no time for brewing. No thank you."