Chapter 52: Arresto Momentum, Part I

21 June 1978

Lupin's House

Whatever had happened under the influence of the full moon, it seemed Pup and Moony had worked out their differences. As Hermione and Remus tended to their wounds, the mood was considerably lighter than the night before. They didn't speak to each other but Remus' smile and nod as they left the shade of the forest was all Hermione needed to know she was forgiven.

But it did nothing the alleviate the shadow of guilt and fear spreading roots in her stomach. Somehow, some way, Remus was going to learn the truth, and Hermione didn't think any of them were prepared for the fallout.

They leaned on each other as they hobbled back to the house, the other Marauders lingering behind underneath the cloak. Remus' mother burst from the front door and ushered them inside. She tried to ply them with food and tea, but their exhaustion was apparent. Hermione retrieved her beaded bag and bade farewell to the Lupins, waving to Remus' father reading the Daily Prophet in the kitchen.

Once on the other side of the door, she allowed herself to deflate.

"We got you, Pup."

The Potter Residence

They landed in the gardens of the Potter Residence. Peter stayed just long enough to say goodbye before he popped away. Free of the cloak, James and Sirius moved to either side of Hermione to support her on the walk to the house. Hermione closed her eyes and let her lungs fill with fresh air. She was sore and tied, but she felt good.

They settled in Hermione's room, Hermione in bed and James and Sirius all too happy to jump on beside her. Not long after, Charlus knocked on the door.

"I thought I'd find you lot in here," he smiled as he crossed into the room. "And how are you feeling, my dear?"

"Can't complain," Hermione smiled back. "James and Sirius are taking very good care of me."

"Good, I'll not have anyone say I didn't raise gentlemen." He stopped to pull a stack of letters from his pocket, hesitating slightly before handing them off. "These came for you all while you were gone."

"They're from Dumbledore," Sirius said as he passed them around. They tore into the contents and read.

"I knew it!"

"It's about time!"

"Dumbledore's started a group to fight. He's calling it the Order of the Phoenix." Hermione looked to Charlus to explain. Her face mirrored the apprehension in his weary eyes. "He wants us to join."

"He mentioned an initiation. When do you think that'll be?" They had moved outside to enjoy the evening's clear sky.

"Hopefully not soon."

James and Sirius stared at Hermione as she realized she had spoken aloud.

"I just mean it would be nice to have some time to settle a bit. We've just graduated. We don't even have jobs or places to live yet. I think I'd like to regain some control before the world starts spinning again."

"You're right," James nodded. "As always. Merlin, that stresses me out."

"You're both wound too tight," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Easy for you to say, mate. I've got a fiancée to provide for."

"Yeah, but I'm the one who's going to live with two werewolves – no offense, Pup." Sirius grinned as Hermione waved off the response. "One thing at a time. Our auror applications are out. All we can do is wait to hear back. As far as homes, I've got a guy. I'll reach out tomorrow."

"You've got a guy?" Hermione laughed.

"Yeah, when my Uncle Alphard died he left me some money, and before I moved in here I thought about getting my own place."

"Huh, well see what he can find and Remus can join us to go see them."

"See," Sirius leaned back to lay in the grass. "Everything's going to work out fine."

23 June 1978

The Potter Residence

The inhabitants of the Potter residence had just sat down for breakfast when the post arrived. Hermione's heart jumped as an unfamiliar owl flew into the room, but it fell once more when it only stopped to drop off letters in front of James. She turned back to her tea and toast. Why hadn't Regulus written? She had sent him a quick note letting him know the full moon passed uneventfully, but hadn't heard anything back.

A shout brought her out of her thoughts.

"I can't believe it," James looked up from his letter grinning. "I got in."

"To the program?" Sirius asked, leaning over the table. "They must've gotten early access to our NEWT scores."

"My boy," said Charlus. "An auror. Your mum would be so proud of you, James."

James' grin fell to a humble smile and he turned his attention back to the letter in his hands.

"There's one for you, too, Pads." He flipped it over to Sirius who just stared at the offending envelope.

"Go on, open it," Hermione urged.

"You do it." Sirius passed the letter to Hermione.

"Are you sure?"

Sirius grunted. Hermione turned the letter over in her hands, carefully breaking the seal. Her eyes skipped over the words and she had to blink twice to focus on what they meant.

"You got in. You got in!" Hermione squealed, thrusting the letter at Sirius. "I told you. Here, take a look for yourself. You did it."

Charlus looked on as Sirius leapt to his feet, grabbing Hermione and spinning her around as he whooped and hollered. There was a gleam in his eyes.

"My boys."

"I'm so proud of you, James. I really am. You're becoming a man right in front of my eyes and I fall more in love with you every day."

Lily had come over as soon as James' owl had arrived with the good news.

"Things are starting to happen," he whispered as he stroked the band of her engagement ring.

Charlus had been over the moon at their announcement. He had presented James with his mother's ring saying how much Dorea had loved Lily. Lily had cried when James led her to the fountain in the garden and got down on one knee – "to do it properly, this time." Hermione and Sirius had cheered from the sidelines when Lily said yes again. Charlus pulled out a camera to capture the moment as James spun Lily around and kissed her.

Now whenever they held hands, James found himself wanting to touch the ring, this tangible proof. Lily leaned to kiss James on the cheek, returning him to the present.

"What are we waiting for, Lily?" He squeezed her hand. "Let's get married. Today, next week. I don't care. I just want to marry you."

"Okay."

"Wait, really?"

"Yes, really." Lily glowed. "We'll be initiated into the Order in a month and we both start work after that and I don't want to wait either. We may need a bit to pull together a wedding – because I do want a wedding, James Potter – but I think we can do this."

"We're getting married," James said incredulously.

"We're getting married."

The Evans Home

"So she doesn't know yet, right?" James was nervous. Very nervous.

"No, I thought it would be better if we were together." Lily smiled at James and grabbed his hand, squeezing it as she opened the front door. "Don't be nervous, James."

"I'm not nervous. I'm terrified."

Lily laughed, hugging him close.

"Lily, dear, is that you?" A voice called from within the house.

"Hi, Mum," Lily called. "I've brought James with me."

Lily's mother appeared from around the corner. She wiped her hands on a dish towel before approaching the couple.

"James, what a pleasant surprise. How's your father?"

"He's doing well, thanks."

"And how are you enjoying life after Hogwarts?"

"Oh, it's brilliant. A bit odd, but we're all transitioning." He puffed out his chest. "I've got a job now."

"Congratulations!"

"James is going to be an auror, Mum," Lily explained. "It's a bit like being a police officer or a detective."

"Oh well look at you, James. That's wonderful."

"Thank you, Mrs. Evans."

"Oh none of that. It's Dahlia, please. Now come in to the kitchen you two. I've just put the kettle on."

"Actually, Mum," Lily said as she once more took James' hand. "Can we sit? We've something to tell you."

Lily's mother stopped and looked at the two before gesturing to the den.

"Yes, I suppose we should."

The trio sat in silence as Lily and James both wondered how to approach the topic. They took turns opening and closing their mouths with no luck. But then Dahlia Evans took up her daughter's hands and spoke.

"Just tell me you haven't already done it. Petunia was so controlling before her wedding, and I was hoping you'd at least let me help with yours."

"I-what? No-I-How did you know?" Lily looked at her mother with wide eyes.

"A mother knows these things," Dahlia smiled. She then held up Lily's left hand and thumber her engagement ring. "And I've also been keeping a close eye on this finger ever since James wrote your father four years ago."

Now Lily trained her wide eyes on James. He was blushing.

"Oh, I forgot about that actually."

"What did you do?"

"Um, well, remember how in third year, I took Muggle Studies?"

"How could I forget?" Lily laughed, then turned to Dahlia. "He kept going on and on about how if I was to be his future wife, he needed to know where I came from.."

Lily trailed off and looked between her mother and James.

"Never said I was subtle, love."

"You know I think I actually have it here somewhere." Dahlia rose from her seat and moved toward the desk in the corner of the room. After a few moments of rummaging through the drawers, she returned. Sitting down, she gingerly passed the pages to Lily. As Lily started to read, James explained.

"We were doing this section on traditions, comparing Muggles and wizards, and Professor Mazur said a lot of muggles are traditional like pureblood families in that the father of the bride has to approve the match before marriage.

"So I sort of wrote your father asking for your hand." He frowned. "Never heard back though."

"He wrote back."

"What?"

"Keep reading, dear, you'll get to it. The letter came after he had already moved in to the hospital. He used to keep it in a drawer next to the bed. You can read it now."

Hours later when James left, tears were still trickling out from Lily's eyes. Her cheeks hurt from smiling and her side hurt from laughing and her heart felt so full and so warm. She thought she might explode. But none of these feelings truly registered, because above all else Lily Evans felt loved.

Dear Mr. Evans,

You probably don't know who I am, but my name is James Potter and I'm in love with your daughter. I am thirteen years old and I'm a student a Hogwarts with Lily.

That's why I'm writing.

I was raised in the magical world so I don't know too much about non-magical folk, but I recently learned about a tradition in your world that we have in mine.

It's about marriage, sir. I'd like to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage.

I know what you're thinking and yes, we are too young. But when you know, you know, right? And sir, I know. I love her and I don't think I'll ever stop.

You know your daughter so I'm sure you know that everyone loves her, but I love her the most. I figure if it's tradition to get the father's blessing, I should go ahead and get it out of the way. That way we won't have to worry about it later, and if anyone else asks you, you can say I asked first.

You may be wondering what qualifies me to marry Lily. Well, I'll tell you.

I play quidditch so I'm strong. And I'm taller than Lily, so I can always help her with stuff she can't do. She's smarter than me, but she's basically the smartest in our year so I don't think you should write me off for that. But I am quite clever. My friends and I like to invent things and try advanced magic and we're pretty good. But this isn't about them, it's about me and Lily.

The thing that qualifies me the most is how much I love her. I love how bright her hair is and how it always smells like fruit. I love how when she laughs her nose crinkles a little bit. That's how you can tell whether she's really happy. I love how she calls me out and challenges me. I love how she secretly enjoys that, too. I love how kind she is and how she's always the first one to offer to help. I just love her, sir. I could go on but I'm sure it's nothing new to you.

I'm going to marry Lily one day, so I really hope you give us your blessing.

- James Potter

P.S. Don't tell Lily about this.

James,

Believe me, boy, I know who you are. And from the way my daughter talks about you, I'd say your dreams of one day marrying her are just that – dreams.

Now I've aged into a grumpy old man so that probably reads harsher than I intended, but I'm going to give it to you straight. If there's one thing I've learned sitting in this hospital bed day after day, it's that you've got to be forth right in life. Or as you Latin-loving wizards might say, carpe diem.

I don't know what prompted you to write me and somehow I doubt my daughter's feelings toward you have changed overnight, especially since just yesterday I received a letter from her describing you as "an arrogant toerag," whatever that means. But I've got to tell you, son, you've got courage and a good heart, too. And that's nice to see in a young man your age.

And… you've made me think, something I hate doing since I'm stuck here in this room. But you've made me think about the future, and specifically the one I won't be around to see.

I don't know how much longer I've got on this earth, but somehow I doubt it'll be long enough to see the day my Lily does get married. So now I'm stuck here in this hospital room wondering if I've done enough, been enough, said enough. If I've shown her how a man's supposed to treat a woman, how she deserves to be treated, and how to seek out and fight for what she loves.

I don't know who will walk her down the aisle or what dress she'll wear, and frankly I don't give a damn. All I want for her is to be heading down that aisle to someone who will love her with all his heart. Now I've written this mainly for myself and likely you'll never see it, son, so I don't feel bad adding some advice.

She may not love you now, son. She may not even like you that much, but I'll tell you something that may just help you achieve this dream of yours… The best things in life are worth fighting for, and damn it if Lily isn't one of the best things in life.

So if you really love her as much as you say you do, keep fighting for her. Be the man she deserves. If you can be that for her and love her with everything you've got, I'd be happy to give you my blessing.

- John Evans