Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the show so please don't sue.
A/N: Thank you Summerlovin9191 for being my first reviewer! Glad you're enjoying it, and I hope this chapter is what you hoped for! Just have to wait a bit for Sirius though! lol!
'Here's the money.' James told the driver as he handed over the correct amount, it had been pure luck he had been so far from home that day, and so close to where they lived that he could drop in, not that they will want him to drop in but that was beside the point James argued with himself, how could they possibly drive him away when he was in this state.
Limping up to the door slowly getting the hang of using the walking stick, he gave a sigh of relief when he heard people moving and chatting, coming closer to the door. The door swung open revealing a young red headed woman about the same age as James. 'Potter!' she exclaimed, shocked at seeing him on her doorstep.
'Hey Evans, I really need a favour.' James gave her his usual smile, doing his best to ignore the slow throbbing that was beginning in his leg and ribs. Her eyes narrowed at this and lips tightened into a thin line. 'Look, I know you hate my guts, but I really need to get home.'
'What do you expect me to do, drive you there? If this is another trick-' she began to warn him, but stopped as he began to shake his head.
'Believe me I really wish this was.' He took a deep breath, wincing slightly as his ribs once again made themselves known before getting his story out, realising he only had one chance to get her to understand. 'I crashed Sirius' motorbike and was at a muggle hospital for the last few days, but I only have muggle money and my wand is at home so I can't call the Knight Bus.' He explained as quickly as possible. Sighing, she indicated for him to come inside.
Groaning as he sat down on the sofa, he waited for the pain to subside before opening his eyes. 'Okay Potter, start at the beginning and what exactly you need me for and not one of your Maraudering friends.' Lily demanded as she sat opposite him, listening to how he had come off the bike.
'…and so I really need your help to get me to the garage where Sirius' bike is before taking me home. If you lend me some Wizarding money and stick out your wand for me, I'll pay you back as soon as I can, I just really need to get home.' James was almost pleading by the end, forcing him to look down in an attempt to hide the fact he was almost in tears, the frustrations, the worries and pain finally catching up with him. He seemed genuine Lily realised, it was the first time she had seen him for who he truly was, no cocky grin or mask covering his face no arrogant smirk or posture covering up who he really was. This was the true James Potter the man she had been waiting to see.
'Okay Potter. I'll help.' Lily decided in that split second, maybe she would get to see more of the man she felt must be inside, and whom she had set her heart on so many years ago.
'Thank you,' James rushed out, letting out a deep breath, before wincing at the pain this caused him.
'But, on one condition, I'm going with you. You are in no state to be wandering around on your own.' Lily told him firmly, leaving no room for argument. James nodded his head in agreement before slowly standing up. A taller woman with hair and eyes very similar to Lily walked onto the room. She was dressed simply in a summer dress after all the hot weather while still looking quite young.
'Oh hello dear, I thought I heard the doorbell going. Who's your friend?' Mrs Evans asked her daughter, giving a cautious smile towards the boy.
'Mum, this is James Potter, a…' she faltered for a second, trying to think of suitable word, 'friend from Hogwarts.' Lily's mother turned her attention the guest, giving a true smile this time but not offering to shake his hand as he looked far too fragile in her eyes.
'It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Holly Evans, Lily's mum.'
'Thank you ma'am, I'm James. I hope I'm not intruding.' He introduced himself awkwardly, his mind feeling fuzzy from all of the drugs he was being given.
'Of course not, but I feel I must ask if you are alright? We'd be happy for you to stay here for a bit while you get better; or at least for your parents to know where you are.' Holly looked very concerned causing James to compare her fondly with his own mum and how she would fuss over every little thing.
'Actually Mum, he's asked me to help him home using the Knight Bus, remember the one that takes me to Diagon Alley,' she added seeing the confusion on her mothers face before she remembered where she'd heard the name before.
'Are you sure dear?' Holly asked, very concerned about this badly injured boy, he hardly looked as though he could stand let alone catch a bus and go home, 'It's really alright for you to stay here; I can even give a room for your parents.' James gave her a small smile, he could easily see where Lily got her caring nature from, well, at least when she wasn't hexing him.
'It's just my mum, my sort of brother and me, and Sirius and my mum are away for a while, they'll be home soon though. I really have to go but thank you for the kind offer.' Holly looked even less reassured at this, but as her daughter left the room, she followed and gave her some extra words to which Lily instantly agreed. Returning to the room, she found James perched on the arm of the sofa, leaning slightly on the walking stick in aiding him to stay upright and also get up more easily.
'So, where to first?' Lily asked, grabbing her wand from her back pocket as well as her bag of galleons.
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Finally coming to a jerky stop outside the large manor, James did his best not to release what small lunch he had eaten earlier at the hospital. Helping him slowly stand up, Lily and James got off the Knight Bus, Sirius' motorbike safely stored, shrunken, in Lily's pocket. When they picked up the motorbike, not a lot of work had been done, but fortunately it hadn't been written off, leaving a lot of work that needed to be done before it could be ridden again. After purchasing the necessary parts, they had called the bus again and made their way back to Potter Manor.
'Wow!' Lily gasped as she looked up at the impressive building. It was a white manor that seemed to stretch on forever, with vines crawling over the front, all the way up to the third floor. Behind the curling gates stood a water fountain that broke up the silence that surrounded the peaceful surroundings. James smiled slightly as he caught his breath from the short walk to the gates.
'Like it?'
'It's beautiful.' Was the only response she could form, before a more serious expression came over her face as she looked at the boy beside her. He really wasn't in any shape to be out of the hospital, let alone be home alone. 'So have you a key to get through the gates?' She asked teasingly, trying to keep things light, he didn't have the energy or strength for their usual arguments as she watched just how heavily he was leaning on the walking stick.
'But of course, Ma famille premiere.' The gates swung open effortlessly.
'You speak French?' The red head asked, surprised once again by someone she normally considered her enemy as they made their way slowly across the courtyard.
'Family motto, they're normally in either French or Latin, Sirius' was French I think, never was too good at languages, but he's adopted our now, my family first.' He managed to get out between laboured breaths, doing his best to cover up how he truly felt, and to make sure they didn't argue about anything. This had to be the longest conversation they'd ever had.
'Where's the living room?' Lily's voice broke through his thoughts. He nodded into the direction of the room as he was led into there before being made to sit down. 'Now, where's your bedroom?' James' eyebrows shot up causing Lily to blush as she realised how it must have sounded. 'I mean so I can shrink your bed and bring it in here.'
'Lily I can make it upstairs, I've gotten this far.' He argued back, he was not going to give up after the distance he'd managed so far.
'No James, you're not going anywhere, you shouldn't even be out of hospital let alone travelling half the country and up and down stairs!' Lily told him firmly, allowing no room for argument. Giving a sigh, James folded, when she got an idea in her head it was very difficult to change her mind and he just didn't have the strength to try.
'Third floor, second room on the left; if you walk in and you trip over the stuff on the floor, it's my room.' He instructed her, his voice beginning to slur as sleep began to take a hold of him.