After helping the younger children get tucked into bed, James, Elizabeth, Rose, Albus, and Fred gathered in Ron's old bedroom. They figured there was no reason that their "quiet time" had to be spent separately. For what seemed like hours no one said anything. Albus was the first to speak.
"Do you think they'll let us go to Hogwarts?'
"I don't see why not. It is probably the safest place for us considering all the enchantments. Not to mention Elizabeth's dad and Neville are professors." Rose always did seem to have the smartest answers. James nodded his head in agreement with her.
"The only thing is that we will most likely be trapped in our houses until we go back to Hogwarts," sighed Elizabeth. "I know dad and mum will be watching me like a hawk. Teddy's lucky to be moved out of the house."
"I really wish we knew what they were discussing down there. It's driving me nuts," said James.
"I have a brand new test model of Extendable Ears we could try out. Dad didn't see me take them from the backroom the other day. It can't hurt to try."
"Fred, you know that we won't have any luck. We have several Aurors downstairs, as well as the Minister of Magic. I'm sure they cast enchantments around the room." Once again Rose had a point. Why did she always have to be right!
James thought he may have a plan to at least get some information. "Why don't we let it go tonight, and talk to our parents in the morning? We can tell them that we need to know some information if we are going to be able to keep ourselves safe. Things to look out for, people to watch out for. I mean it makes sense. "
They all nodded in agreement. Elizabeth grabbed James' hand and gave it a squeeze. "I think you are right. This way we are not pushing them and they should feel inclined to give us some information."
Albus and Fred let out a big yawn. "Well, since you two are already half asleep Elizabeth and I will head back over to our room. Sleep well boys." At that, Rose stood up to leave the room. She looked over to Elizabeth who was still holding James' hand. She gave a little smirk. "Come on Liz, let James get his beauty sleep."
"Oi! Beauty sleep?! I'll have you know that I come by this beauty naturally," shouted James. At that everyone laughed. Elizabeth made her way over to Rose hoping that no one saw the slight blush on her cheeks.
"Good night boys," Elizabeth said. She gave James a little smile, which he returned, and the two girls slipped out of the room.
"What was that about?" Rose said.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth shot back.
Rose smirked. "You know what I mean. I saw the looks you and James were giving each other. I also saw you holding hands."
Elizabeth sighed, more from exhaustion than frustration. "I don't know. Today was kind of a whirlwind and we seemed to be holding hands a lot. You know I have a crush on him. I'm pretty sure he feels the same. I guess we will see where this takes us. Of course it takes a threat to our lives to push us together."
Rose laughed a bit at that. "Well isn't that how our parents got together?"
Elizabeth smiled wide at that. Now that she thought about it, all of their parents seemed to find each other right when the world was turned upside down. Maybe that's all it took to push two people together. With that thought, she and Rose snuck back into their room. Hopefully she would be able to fall asleep quickly, but she had a feeling that between the note and James that she would be up for a while.
The next morning found all the adults looking drained and exhausted. After working well into the night, many went back to their homes to put up protective wards and enchantments. Some even went so far as to finding a different residence to stay at until the culprit was found.
As most of the children were awake and heading towards the kitchen for breakfast, Elizabeth spotted her parents talking quietly in the sitting room. As she made her way over to them, she could see the exhaustion clearly evident on their faces. She knew this was not the time to pester them with information. Instead she went over and sat next to her father.
Remus automatically put his arm around her and pulled her into a half hug. "How did you sleep darling?"
"From the looks of you two, I would say better than you. Although, to be honest, not very well."
"Dad and I have been to the house. We put up new wards and feel that it should be safe for us to return. In the meantime, you will be staying at the house at all times unless we say otherwise."
Elizabeth knew this was coming. She looked at her mum and decided to just keep quiet and nod. She knew how hard this must be on the two of them. Adding any unwanted stress would not be beneficial.
"I figured you were going to say that. I will need to finish getting my supplies for the school year though."
"Just give me your list and I will finish it up for you. I have to go into Diagon Alley myself to finish preparations for the school year." Remus could tell that his daughter was disappointed, but he knew it had to be this way. "I'm sorry honey, but you know it is too dangerous right now. Once we know more you can have some of your freedom back, but until then I need to know you are safe."
Elizabeth looked at both of her parents and nodded. "Do you know when we are going back home?"
Dora made a move to get up. "As soon as breakfast is over you and dad will head home and I will be heading into work. I know you have more questions, especially about what we talked about last night. I know that you are almost of age and deserve a right to know. Your father and I discussed it, and we feel that we should let you know what is going on." At this, Elizabeth's face lit up. "But we will discuss it with you tonight at dinner. Hopefully we will uncover some more information at the Ministry today that I can share with you tonight. Oh, and in the meantime, Teddy will be staying with us. Don't tell him I said anything, but he was rather acting like a baby when your father and I told him he had no choice."
Elizabeth and Remus shared a small chuckle at that. Elizabeth knew Teddy would hate being stuck at home, but as much as her brother loved his bachelor's pad, he did love coming home for visits.
The mood at breakfast seemed somewhat improved from the night before. The younger children were happy to be heading home, and most of the older children were told they would be privy to what was discussed the night before. Most of the parents felt that the children deserved to know what was happening to a certain extent. They would obviously keep certain information to themselves, but knew that if it was them that they would want to know what was going on.
Before the Potters headed home, James caught Elizabeth out in the garden alone.
"I just thought I'd come and say bye before we head out."
Elizabeth smiled at that. "Yeah, we are heading out in a few minutes as well. I'm just waiting for dad so we can apparate."
James stood there for a minute or two not sure of what he should say next. He felt as if something changed between the two of them since all of this started.
"James…" Elizabeth said quietly. "Is everything ok? I would say you were staring at nargles, but we all know that can't be."
He looked up at her and locked onto her eyes. He took a step toward her and grabbed her hands. He could tell that she looked a little startled by his proximity, but relaxed as soon as he took her hands.
"I don't know if you can sense it, but I feel like something has changed between us. I know we've been best friends forever, but I feel like that is changing." At Elizabeth's slight nod he decided to keep talking, otherwise he might turn and run away. "Since you seem to know what I am talking about, I didn't know ifyoumaybewantedtobeacouple." The last words tumbled out of him. It took Elizabeth a minute to realize what he just said. Then she gave him one of the brightest smiles he had ever seen.
"Yes James, I would like that very much." And with that she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek just as her father walked out the door.
Remus cleared his throat, "Um are you ready to go Elizabeth?"
"Yes dad. Bye James! I'll send you a message later."
At that Elizabeth turned and took her father's outstretched hand. They walked to the barrier and then apparated home.
James was found by Albus five minutes later, frozen to the spot with a smile on his face. Albus thought maybe someone had stunned James, but realized that the smile on his face gave it away.
"Come on lover boy. Time to go home."