AN: ... I don't know. I could give you excuses (can't I always) but I'd rather just give you the chapter and promise that two weeks from now, I will post another chapter. It's already written out, I just need to edit it. So... Happy New Year, please don't hate me.

RECAP: Lily stayed with our boys in the king's box to watch the tourney, and James stayed in the back with her where she was comfortable (away from prying eyes) and was a sap. The Tonks family has shown up and Dora is trying to make friends/stir up some trouble, though her intentions are good. Marlene, turns out, has more secrets than we though and isn't so comfortable with the royal families visiting from neighboring nations. And Petunia is engaged and not talking to Lily all that much.

I think that's about it. Enjoy!

"When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching - they are your family. "
― Jim Butcher

or

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough"
― Walt Whitman

Chapter 23: In Need of Family

The end of the first day gave James an opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief. Nothing had fallen apart, there weren't more than a few pub brawls, the nobles were happy, Lily had stayed with him for the entirety of the day- nothing could have gone better. Remus had walked Lily home, as James had to attend a dinner with the royal families, though he managed to add the Tonks family to the guest list both as a show of good faith, and because he thought having a family there that wasn't trying to get James to marry one of their daughters would be nice. Then there was the fact that he appreciated Nymphadora's unfiltered way of speaking, and her parents seemed nice as well. It didn't take James that long to realize that Bella and Andromeda were not cut from the same cloth.

He walked into the Great Hall, the last one to arrive and was not surprised, but slightly annoyed to see that Princess Amelia had coveted his left hand spot. He ginned at her and looked around the table. Princess Charlotte was at the other end of the table and didn't look at all put out by this seating arrangement. James wouldn't be surprised if they'd worked out the arrangement beforehand and he would walk in tomorrow to find Charlotte in Amelia's place. At least they seemed to be playing fair, even if James was trying not to play at all. He knew that they weren't to fault here either, nor their fathers for that matter. This was just what was expected.

"So what did everyone think of the first day?" Nymphadora asked, smiling brightly around the room. James smiled at her, glad to see that she didn't seem to be having a problem making herself comfortable.

"Yes, what do you all think of the games so far? Any favorites yet?" The discussion proceeded, both kings weighing in, their sons cutting them off to throw their support or argue with them. It all felt strange to James, to see families interact like this and his gaze drifted to a portrait of his father on the wall next to them.

They'd been a small and intimate family, even after Bella arrived. They had dinner together of course, and Bella and him would jest, but things never got loud, no one ever laughed like the McKinnon boys were just now. He sighed and felt a warm hand cover his own on the edge of the table. He looked over at Amelia with a raised brow.

"You miss your family?" She asked quietly, as not to interrupt the main discussion going on. He gave her a small smile and nodded.

"I know my father had his faults, but I will always miss him. Especially now when I see so many happy families around me." Amelia nodded.

"I won't presume to know what it's like to lose your only living parent, but my father has been trying to prepare us for my mother's passing. He's trying to play at being strong, that she'll get better but the doctors don't think she has all that much longer."

"I can't imagine." He said, moving his thumb so he could rub the top of her hand. "To watch someone you love pass like that…"

"I only meant to say that you're not alone in your pain, even if everyone is smiling." She said. "We all have things we have to deal with, things that are unpleasant and difficult," She took a deep breath. "You're not alone, my king."

James looked at her for a moment and tried to find a tell that would let him know she wasn't entirely sincere, but he couldn't find any. She was simply kind, which made him smile. "Thank you," He said softly. She smiled at him as well and then patted his hand before pulling hers away.

"We didn't see you all that often in your box today, James." King Johnathan called out. While his daughter didn't seem too miffed that she wasn't seated next to James, the same could not be said for Johnathan. Especially once he had noticed that Amelia had captured James' attention, even if he didn't know what they had been talking about.

"Well I promise you that's where I was," James laughed. "I can't hold a tourney and then not watch the events." Though he hadn't watched all that many of the events, he didn't expect to be called out on it either.

"I've done it before," King Donald laughed, picking up his mug and taking a long swig. "Though it wasn't of my own volition of course. My wife went into labor with Amelia there and we were rushed off to the doctor. Of course, I didn't want anyone to worry so we had the games continue." He smiled at his daughter fondly. "Of course, holding your babe is better than any jousting match."

Amelia chuckled and shook her head. "Don't get all gushy on me, father." She said sternly.

"I'm just telling a story," He said, "It's been a long time since I've held a babe." He looked over to his son. "When are you going to find yourself a wife?"

Edgar laughed and this started another bout of jests. Michael and Robert McKinnon were brought into it and even David McKinnon who was only ten years old. Both of the old men were laughing and Queen Anita was shaking her head. "Oh please," She said laughing. "Can't the lot of you behave yourselves? Every time we get together you get like this." Though everyone knew that she was joking and Andromeda leaned over to talk with her and James was glad to see that Anita seemed to have warmed up to the idea of having the Tonks' in the castle.

"Oh hush, wife," Johnathan jested. "Donald and I are old friends, of course we're going to misbehave a bit." Nymphadora laughed loudly at this.

"You know," She said, picking up her goblet and taking a quick drink. "I was afraid that you lot were going to be stiff and boring." She said. Donald was the first to laugh at this, but soon the table had joined him.

James looked around the room and once again felt a bit out of place. He enjoyed spending time with these people of course, but he kept coming back to the idea of family. He supposed he might feel better if Remus or Sirius were here, they were his closest friends and he considered them family. He knew that they weren't going anywhere.

This time James thought of what his future could look like. He knew that he would not marry Amelia nor Charlotte. It wouldn't be fair to them, or himself. When he thought of the future, Lily was one of the first places that his mind went. They could have a great number of children, enough to fill the table. There would be just as much laughter as there was now, if not more. Remus and Sirius would be there, whoever they found themselves with and any kids they might have. Lily would be seated by his side, their hands intertwined on the edge of the table. A year ago, he didn't give much thought to creating a family for the sake of having a family, only for the sake of having an heir, because it was his duty to give the kingdom an heir. But he wanted more than that now.

"Excuse me," He said, pushing his chair away from the table and standing up. "I have a few matters to attend to before heading off to bed."

"One more mead?" Donald asked, holding up his mug, probably hoping to get his daughter a few more minutes. James smiled and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, though I will see all of you tomorrow." They dismissed him and James walked out into the corridor, pulling at his collar before unbuttoning a few buttons.

Merlin he was in over his head. He had to force himself not to go down to Lily's house just then. He didn't think she or her father would appreciate him showing up unannounced this late in the evening. He would have to settle for seeing her tomorrow, but that seemed like a lifetime away.

He slowly walked back to his room and took off his silks and pulled on his nightclothes before sitting down at his desk. The book that Lily had left there the other day was still sitting on the corner. James picked it up and ran his thumb over the cover.

He'd have to be honest with her sooner or later. He couldn't keep playing this game, tiptoeing around her because his feelings made her unsure, that wasn't fair to him. He needed to come out and tell her what he wanted, he needed to know for certain one way or the other. And even as he repeated that over and over in his mind, he couldn't help but think about what might happen if he told her and things didn't go the way he wanted them to. Sure he would have an answer, but he wasn't sure if he would be able to move on from Lily. And what would happen then? Would he have to marry one of the princesses? He couldn't do that.

He put the book down and rubbed his hands over his face. He had a lot on his plate at the moment and he needed to start getting things in order. He needed to work out the bloody round table business, he needed to find out where Bella had ended up and who that man was who had been in his father's throne, he needed to work out a proper and just way to rule his people. But those were all dutiful needs. What James really needed, selfishly, was Lily.

oOoOo

Remus had managed to get his chores for James and Dumbledore done earlier only for James to ask him another favor. Not in a position to refuse him, he ran all the way down to the armory and back to James' chambers in near record speed to collect the gloves that James had wanted. "I'll meet you in the box," Remus said, closing James' door behind him, not listening for a response.

He was halfway to the kitchens to find something for breakfast when he ran into Tonks. She was alone again, walking down the corridor as though her shoes were too small and someone was walking behind her tugging at her dress. Remus smiled politely at her and said good morning.

"Good morning to you as well," She smiled much more brightly than he had.

"Where are you headed?" He asked, thinking that she might be lost and he always liked being helpful.

"The kitchens." She said. "My breakfast was cold by the time my mother finished with my hair, and then my father had eaten most of it by the time this dress was all laced up." She shook her head. "So if I don't want to faint later this morning, I need to get myself some food. The cook won't be made, with they?"

"Not at you." Remus assured her. "Though be sure to tell her who you are when we get down there."

"We?" Tonks asked, raising a brow in amusement.

"Oh, sorry- that's where I was headed as well." He said, his cheeks flushing slightly, and for the life of him he didn't understand why. He'd made a bigger blunder in front of far more noble people. "I've yet to eat breakfast as well."

"Well then," She walked over and linked their arms together. "You can walk me down and make sure I don't break my ankles in these bloody heels my mum made me wear." He chuckled when she swore, but nodded all the same.

"I'd love to join you." He said honestly. Her smile widened if that was possible and he started walking in the direction of the kitchen. It was nice to see that not all noble people looked down upon the help, not that he should be surprised, she had been in a pub a few days ago, but Remus had been with Sirius then and he was Tonks's cousin.

"Good because I have no friends here." She said, clicking her tongue. "And I'd bother Sirius as he's my family and not allowed to tell me to bugger off, but he seems busy. Is he going to compete in the tourney?"

"Sword fighting." Remus nodded. "James said he could only pick one-"

"Because he never loses?"

"Because he never loses." Remus nodded again. "James didn't want to upset his guests. Though I've never seen Sirius try and tackle a greased pig so he might actually lose that competition." Tonks chuckled.

"That's not actually a contest, is it?"

"Not officially." Remus allowed, "It's back at the pub we were at, and they do it at least once a year. Sirius hasn't been around for one of the games yet."

"I bet I could catch a pig." She said confidently. "You don't have to wear shoes while you're doing this, do you?" Remus laughed and shook his head.

"No, you don't have to wear shoes, but the whole pin is muddy and the pig is greased so whenever someone does catch it, it just slips out of their arms again. It's great fun to watch, especially if you've had a few." She laughed and he could see her imagining the entire thing in her head.

"So I have a question for you," She said suddenly, shaking her head and turning to look up at him.

"And what is your question?" Remus asked with a grin.

"I was attending dinner last night with the Kings and their families and one of the princesses was seated by James- I know that you said that he fancies a girl named Lily-"

"Did anything happen with James and the princess?" Remus asked curiously.

"Not really. She looked like she was comforting him at one point, but then he left shortly after so I was just wondering if he is actually going to marry one of them."

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I heard the conversation between the kings that went on for nearly an hour after James left." She sighed. "They expect him to marry one of their daughters, which I think is unfair. You can't just pair people off and hope for the best, that's now how it should be. And my mum agrees with me there, dad too. They said that King Donald needs to watch what he says because he married a peasant girl and she's been a favorite among the people for decades now. Even now when she's rumored to be extremely ill." She shook her head. "I know why King Johnathan wants Charlotte to marry James though. There was a lot of talk years ago, and again this is just what I've heard my parents say, that James would marry Marlene. But then Marlene ran away and while Charles expressed his concern and whatnot, he never agreed that James would then marry Charlotte. He feels like he's been wronged by the Potters to some extent."

"I hope James is able to smooth things over." Remus sighed.

"So he's not going to marry one of them?" She asked.

Remus didn't have a definite answer, but he knew that James didn't want to marry one of the princesses. He'd been in love with Lily for so long now that he wasn't even sure that James was capable of imagining a future with anyone else. "It's not my place to say."

"Sure," Tonks nodded, "And it's not my place to say that I think Princess Amelia and Prince Michael were making doe eyes at each other for the entirety of dinner, but they were." Remus chuckled and shook his head.

"Well that should soften the blow for King Donald." He said. "He'll still get to marry off his daughter to a future king."

Tonks clicked her tongue again. "It's terrible that people think about their children like that." She said.

"It is," Remus agreed. "You're parents are not trying to find you a husband?"

"No." She shook her head. "That's my job. If I ever want a husband. My dad told me that I'm more than welcomed to live out my old maid days with him and my mother if I so chose. I might just up and decide to become a knight one day. Do you think James would let me be a knight? Probably not, I'd be a liability. Well, probably anyway." She shrugged. "Or maybe I'll travel over to the west lands and look for treasures in the mountains." She laughed. "Probably neither, and I do want to get married I suppose, but I just don't think people should put so much stock in it. Does that makes sense?"

"So you're open to love but not looking for it?" Remus asked. "Almost anyone will tell you that that's when you find it."

Tonks scrunched up her nose and looked at him for a moment. "What about you?" She asked. "Are you looking for love?"

"Not at the moment. Sort of busy with work and such." He said. "I don't have the time, right now."

"See, now I've always heard that that's when you find love. Or I suppose, when it finds you." Remus grinned and nodded his head.

"I suppose I've heard that as well." He said. "But we're acknowledging this, so does that decrease the odds of us finding love soon?"

"Probably." She said. "But I've always chosen to be an optimist."

They reached the kitchen and Remus didn't have a chance to respond before she was releasing her grip on his arm and pushing the door open. "Good morning, everyone!" She chirped. "My father ate all my breakfast and I was hoping someone could whip something up for me and my friend Remus before we head out to the tourney today."

"And just-"

"This is Nymphadora Tonks," Remus interrupted the cook with a hard look. "She's a friend of the king."

"Yes, sorry," She shook her head. "Remus told me I should introduce myself first. Also, please don't call me Nymphadora. Tonks is my preferred alias."

The cook glared at Remus for a moment and then forced a smile at Tonks. "Anything in particular you want?"

"Baked apples with cinnamon and toast?" She asked, and Remus was sure that she knew both of her suggestions were very simple to make. The cook's expression softened.

"It'll be done in a few moments, you can sit over there by the window." She motioned to a small table in the corner of the kitchen that she had never let Remus sit at before. He pressed his lips together and walked across the room after Tonks.

"So why do you dislike your first name so much?" He asked, trying to refrain from helping her up on the stool when her foot slipped off the first time that she tried to get up. She got it on her second try and smiled at him when she sat down.

"Because it's dreadful. I've argued with my mum for ages now. Why would she give me such a god awful name. Nymphadora?" She made a face and shook her head. "It sounds like she made it up."

"Have you ever thought about shortening it?" He asked. "Going by your dad's name had to be confusing a lot of the time. Especially because most people consider it rude to not call a noble by their given name."

"I guess I haven't given that much thought to it, but what would I shorten it to? Nymph? That's just as bad." Remus nodded in agreement and chuckled.

"Okay, but what about Dora?" He asked. She opened her mouth to respond and then closed it.

"I can't find anything wrong with that." She said, a smile growing. "Dora Tonks. Dora." She played with the name, letting it roll off her tongue and Remus couldn't help but smile at her. "I think I like that." She said. "What about you? Do you have a nickname?" She asked curiously.

"I'm afraid not," Though Emrus did come to mind when she asked. That wasn't a nickname so much as a mythical name though. "Just Remus."

"Well, Just Remus," She grinned and Remus thought he should have seen that coming. "I'll have to come up with one for you know." He grinned and nodded.

"I'm very excited to see what you come up with.

"Good."

The cook came over with two plates and set them down gently in front of them. "Thank you," Remus said. Maybe he could get on her good side after this. It would be nice to be allowed to come down here to grab a snack every now and then.

"Yes, thank you." The cook smiled at her and sent another glare at Remus. Perhaps mending fences with her was not going to happen today.

"So, how long do you think your family will stay here in Hogwarts, Dora?" He asked. She grinned at him and shrugged.

"I know we're staying through the end of the tourney, but my mum has been talking with my father about moving to the city. It's safer here for people like us now that King Charles is- well, no longer in charge of executions." She said bluntly.

"People like you?" He asked, raising a brow. She pressed her lips together and nodded.

"My mum is a witch." She said airily, as though she was commenting on the weather or the state of her baked apple. Remus looked around and narrowed his brow at her. She smiled, though it was less joyful than it had been thus far. "James already knows," She said. "My mum, Bella, Narcissa, my maternal grandfather and I think his wife…" She narrowed her brow and scrunched up her face. "I'm not sure. But my dad's family are all mug- non-magic people like us." She said with a shrug, though she looked slightly less at ease. "Bloody shame if you ask me. It's would be awfully convenient to have magic."

"Dangerous though," Remus said. He didn't know why he kept forgetting that his girl was Bellatrix's niece.

"Yes," She said sadly, "Though good and bad have a way of balancing themselves out."

"You are a very optimistic person." He said, referring to her earlier assessment.

"It's hard to be anything else with parents like mine." She grinned. "Now, do you think you could give me a tour of the town later? After the tournament of course, I know you're busy, but I'd like to look around again and not get lost in a pub this time. The odds of running into you and Sirius again are not likely." She took a bite of her apple and looked up at him in a way that made his heart beat just a little bit faster. He narrowed his brow and looked at her curiously.

"You want me to give you a tour?" He asked, not sure why should would ask him.

"Yes," She smiled. "And again, I know you're busy, but when you get a chance." She said, and then added, "If you want."

Remus nodded slowly. "Yes, I can give you a tour." He said. He couldn't really think of a reason why he didn't want to, or why he shouldn't. He actually like spending time with her, she was different from anyone else he'd ever met. She had absolutely no filter, which he thought was entertaining, she was always smiling, which was a nice change, and she seemed kind on top of everything else and wonderfully off balance at the same time.

"Perfect," She said. They sat quietly for a few moments while they ate their breakfast before Dora thought of a new question. She asked him about James and how they had become friends, about Sirius and how they had met, about where Remus was from and he just told her the answer to anything she asked, finding that she was just as good at listening as she was at talking.

oOoOo

James headed down to the arena by himself this morning, still thinking about Lily. His head was swimming and he felt intoxicated, unable to shake the feeling, to think clearly, to focus on anything really. He was hoping that she would be in the box when he got there, he just needed to see her, that was all. He was sure of it.

But when he did reach the box, Sirius was the only person there. He looked around, "Where are Remus and Lily?" He asked. Sirius shrugged.

"I'm sure they'll get here soon. Are you making your big announcement today?" He asked.

"My big- About the table?" He'd forgotten that he'd planned to do that. "Yes, yes I will. But not now. I'll do that later in the day. After noon." After he saw Lily, after he could think properly again.

"Everything alright, mate?" Sirius asked, looking slightly concerned.

"Everything is fine." He waved him off and went to the edge of the balcony to start the games. He tried to smile as he addressed the people, he almost forgot to have them re-welcome the royal families who were visiting, but found his head last minute.

When he finished and the games were started for the day, he turned around to find Remus had found his way to the box. "Lily?" He asked. Remus looked around and shrugged.

"I assumed she come on her own this morning." He said.

"What does that mean?" James asked. "You didn't force her to come yesterday-"

"No," Remus shook his head. "She just- well, she doesn't feel like she belongs up here, which I'm sure you already know. I can go and fetch her if you'd like." He said, moving to stand up.

"No." He shook his head. "I'll go." He moved towards the door and Sirius stood up.

"Do you really think you should?" He asked. "You can't just leave, you're the king, these are your games, you're supposed to be looking for people to fill your table. You can see Lily later, I'm sure she'll come round. She'll show up eventually one way or another, she always does."

"You don't understand," James sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I need to see her." His voice got quiet. "I know this has been some kind of play- you both watching me act ten times the fool around her and me telling her that I love her every time we're alone together for more than a few minutes, but I- I need to see her." He said, knowing that he sounded desperate, but he was, so he didn't care. Ever since last night at dinner, he hadn't been able to shake the feeling- and he couldn't even pin it down to one feeling exactly. He wanted to tell her though, he figured that she could understand for some reason, and if she couldn't she'd still try and help him understand.

"We don't think it's a joke, James." Remus said.

"Though it is fun to watch." Sirius shrugged and Remus hit him on the arm. "Just wait till the first break, yes?" James knew that they were right, he knew that it would be inappropriate to leave in the middle of the games that he had scheduled. He nodded and walked back over to the balcony, making sure to take a seat where people would be sure to see him, he didn't want any more questions from the royals about where he was during the games.

"Remus?" They all turned to see Dory standing in the entranceway.

"Did you miss me, sweet heart?" Sirius asked coyly, winking at her.

"Did I say your name?" She asked, not looking like she was in the mood for his games. "Remus, may I talk to you outside for a moment?" Remus looked at the other two and then shrugged.

"I suppose, is everything alright?"

"Outside," She repeated and then disappeared. Remus followed after her and James turned to Sirius.

"Do you fancy her, or do you just fancy giving her a hard time?"

Sirius shrugged. "I'm not giving her a hard time."

"That didn't answer my question." James pressed, sticking him with a look.

"Are you even paying attention to the competitors?"

"Not well," He admitted. "How long have you fancied her?" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I don't fancy her." He said. "Mary on the other hand…"

"You're always nice to Mary," James said, shaking his head.

"So that means that I don't fancy her?"

"You're nice to Lily too. She told me that you helped her dad out the other day simply because she asked. "

"I definitely don't fancy Lily." He said, raising his brow.

"I know that." James said. "And you don't fancy Mary either."

"Well, alright." He nodded. "There was this blonde at the pub with Mary and Dory once… I was sloshed off my arse so I don't remember her name, but she," He looked out to the field. "She had a pretty laugh. And her eyes…" He trailed off and James shook his head.

"So you just like giving Dory a hard time then?" He said, circling back around.

"I told you already, I don't give her a hard time." He insisted and James just shook his head and turned back to the games. The jousting tournament was still underway and it hadn't gotten to the good bit yet as they were still qualifying people for the finals, which happened after noon, after James told the public about his round table.

"How do you think they're going to react?"

"Who?"

"The people. When I tell them about the table." Sirius took a deep breath through his nose and shrugged.

"I don't think the nobles are going to like it much as most of them will be out of a job."

"I'm not going to phrase it like that until I talk to them privately." He said. "I'm just going to tell them that I want a group of twelve men that are going to do everything in their power to put the kingdom's best interests at heart, to make sure that justice prevails and that fairness is felt by all."

"Well who could dislike that?" Sirius smirked.

"So they'll think it's all just pretty words and empty promises?"

Sirius shifted in his chair now. "I don't know for sure, James. The people seem to like you, and especially since you've been king for four months now and the only person you've executed was that man who tried to sell that woman's baby and then stole three goats." He shook his head. "They're not afraid of you, they believe that you're trying your best, they cheer your name in pubs- I don't see you getting any backlash from this, but I'm not going to tell you that it's going to be well received just yet. I think you're going to have to prove your good intentions with action."

"I intend to." He said forcefully.

"You don't have to tell me, James." He said with a grin. "I know, and they'll all work it out eventually." They both turned back to the field just in time to see some man get knocked off his horse and fly back almost twenty feet. They both made, 'Ooo," sounds and then Sirius laughed as James shook his head.

"Well he's not going to be on the round table." Sirius said, still laughing.

"Nope. Probably not." James agreed.

oOoOo

Lily was pacing the length of her house out on the empty street, wanting to head to the tourney, but also wanting to stick her head in the sand. She knew that she would be expected to show up today, and not just by James, but Remus and Sirius too. But none of them were here to walk her there, and she took that as an excuse not to go. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him- them. It was only that she'd been so confused sitting up in the box with h- them all day. She knew that they were all friends, that she was important to all of them, but that didn't make her belong up there in the box any more than any other woman off this street.

She looked around and ran a hand through her hair. At least people had stopped throwing things through her window, she expected it had something to do with her father though, or maybe Sirius. Or both of them.

"Lily?" She looked around and saw the man from the stables the other day. Severus, she recalled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, and none too kindly. "Did your supposed business bring you here?"

He grinned at her and it made her shiver. There was something about him that just unnerved her. "Always so skeptical."

"Don't talk to me like you know me." She said, crossing her arms over her hips.

"Or what? Am I finally going to meet those friends of yours?" He asked, his grin turning into a sneer. "Because, every time I've run into you, you've been very much alone. Is this where you live?" Lily looked back at her house and then up at Severus.

"No," She said. "I'm waiting for someone here."

"One of your friends?"

"Not really," She said, thinking of her sister. She hadn't actually seen Petunia in months it felt like. She slept in the house of course, but she was always gone when Lily came back in the evening and didn't come home until late. "Do you need something, or is harassing people just a game to you?"

He walked over to her until he was too close for comfort and Lily had to force herself not to take a step back. "You're very intriguing." He said.

"I hope you don't think you're the first man to tell me that." She snapped. "I'm not flattered by your interest if that's what this is." She wanted to turn around and storm into the house, but she didn't want him to know that she lived here, she didn't want him to know she lived anywhere around here.

"You shouldn't flatter yourself," He said, looking up the road. "I only stopped here because I thought you could be of some use to me."

"I have no desire to be of any use to you." She said harshly.

"What time does the tourney end today? Does it end with sun down, or is there an event taking place afterward…"

"I don't know." She said. "I'm a nurse, why would I know anything about the tourney, other than it's causing more injuries than we can keep up with." It was the truth for her credit, she didn't know much about the tourney, and especially not it's schedule.

"That's a shame." He muttered, looking down.

"What are you so interested in anyway?" She asked, "And where's the horse you rented?"

"I returned it." He said simply. "I found it easier to walk through the crowded streets." It made sense of course, but still Lily found it suspicious, seeing as how she had never thought he actually wanted the horse in the first place. Also, if he had returned the horse, that meant that there was a chance that he harassed Peter again. She made a mental note to check on him as soon as she could.

She didn't say anything and looked up the street, hoping to see someone else that she knew, but the streets on this side of town were fairly empty, as all the festivities were happening up near the castle.

"Do I make you nervous?" He asked and the way he said it made her close her eyes and take a step back.

"I think you should leave." She said calmly.

"Leave the street?" He said, raising his brows. "I don't think you can ask me to do that."

"I don't care, I want you to leave."

"Lily?" She sighed and turned to see her sister walking up the street. She'd never been so happy to see her sister before.

"Petunia!" She chirped out excitedly. "I've been waiting for you."

Luckily, her sister seemed to read the situation and smiled brightly at her, which she hadn't done in years, and it made Lily feel even more unsettled because if Petunia thought that it looked bad after just walking up to them, then maybe she should be a little more frightened. "Sorry I'm running late, I was just running an errand and it took a bit longer. All the shops are closed for the tourney."

"Of course," Lily said. "Shall we?" She said, avoiding Severus' gaze as she walked towards her sister and looped her arm through hers and started walking away.

They'd made it halfway down the street before Lily bucked up the courage to turn her head around and see if he was following them or snooping through her house, but she saw his retreating figure and sighed a breath of relief. Letting her head fall on Petunia's shoulder for a moment and then stepping away from her all together.

"Who the bloody hell is that?" Petunia asked, putting a hand on Lily's arm. Lily looked down at her hand and shook her head.

"I don't know. I met him in the hospital and now I keep running into him and he just- he gives me the creeps."

"Of course he does," Petunia muttered, looking back over her shoulder now. "He's dirty and in clothes that are too big for him."

"Petunia," Lily sighed. "That's not it." She shrugged and the girls turned to the left and then turned again, stepping over a small fence and working their way through a path that went between the row of houses that would land them right behind their house. "I don't believe anything that comes out of his mouth and he seems too- I don't know-"

"Interested in you?" Lily nodded.

"But not in that way," She shook her head. "Or maybe, I don't know. He's called me a whore a few times now and I want to deck him in the face but I'm afraid of what he'd do if I did." Petunia moved to wrap her arm around Lily's shoulders now and Lily wasn't sure how to respond to this. The odds that she had some ulterior motive for this act of affection were small, unlike when she made Lily tea when she found out that James fancied her. But Petunia very rarely showed Lily any sort of affection so the action made her slightly suspicious.

"Men are pigs," She said quietly. "You shouldn't let it get to you."

"I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you had," She said quietly, and for some strange reason she felt like crying. "I was alone and dad wasn't home and- and-" She sniffed and pressed her lips together.

"You're alright, Lily." She said softly.

When they made it back to the house Petunia sat her down on the bed and moved to make some tea. She handed her a cup and then took a seat at the table. "Do you know who he is?"

"His names is Severus." She said. "Or at least that's what he told me."

"Maybe you can tell that knight friend of yours that's been helping dad out." She suggested. Lily nodded and took a sip of her tea.

"I've been meaning to tell him, it's just," She sighed and covered her forehead with her hand. "They're all so busy with the tourney going on, and I don't want them to think that I can't walk through town by myself anymore." She shook her head. "That's the very last thing I want them to think." Petunia almost smiled at her.

"But he makes you feel unsafe?" She asked.

"I feel like he's constantly threatening me, but in a subtle way and what if I'm just reading too much into it, what if he's perfectly harmless and I'm making him out to be-"

"Don't." Petunia snapped, setting her teacup down on the table forcefully. "Don't do that. Don't doubt yourself. If you feel like he's threatening you, if he makes you feel unsafe than that's what's important here. This is his fault, not yours and you shouldn't feel like you can't ask for help because you don't want to inconvenience someone. What if he actually is dangerous? What if he hurts someone?" Lily was shocked into silence by that speech of hers.

"He didn't hurt me," She said, wanting to make sure that Petunia knew that.

"But you thought he might," She said. "That's why you were so panicked when I found you. You just told me you felt he threatened you."

"I don't know," She shook her head. "I need to make sense of it all."

"But you also need to tell someone." She said. "There are too many strange men walking around this city right now and we don't need any more problems than we've already got." She was right of course, there were a lot of strange men walking about, people who'd come from all around to see and compete in the tourney. And they were having enough brawls and pub fights without strange lying, suspicious men wandering about making subtle threats.

"I'll tell someone about him." She said. "I promise."

"Good." She said. "Are you alright now, or do you want me to walk you somewhere?"

Lily gave her a smile. "What did I just say about not wanting people to think I can't walk through town by myself?"

"Right," She shook her head and stood up. "Well I have to be off then," She said. "I'm meeting up with my fiancé and his sister to watch the beginning of the archery contest."

"Is Vernon competing in any of the games?" Lily asked politely. Petunia smiled fondly and shook her head.

"No, I'm afraid Vernon is more of the observing type." Lily smiled and her and nodded.

"You really like him don't you?" She asked.

"I do." Petunia nodded. "I didn't expect to at first but…" She trailed off and shrugged.

"I'm happy for you." Lily said.

"Thank you." And then she walked out of the house.