A/N: Alright, so here's chapter two of A New Light. It's light and fluffy in the beginning of this chapter, but then it gets dreadfully sad. But hey, this whole story has its ups and downs, but I accepted that when I chose to write it. James and Lily's story is so tragic. I hope you enjoy it!

A specail thanks to my beta: Liv. She's amazing. We were talking about this chapter today, and she helped me realize that what happens in the chapter had to happen. I finished this chapter today, sent it, and when I checked my computer it was already sent back. That's how quick and amazing she is! You should check out her stories...they're also quite amazing...

REVIEWERS: I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Lily poured herself a glass of orange juice and walked outside. She wasn't a fan of coffee, never had been and doubted she ever would be. It was early in the morning – around six, and so far, she was the only one up.

She shut the door quietly, feeling the sharp wind whip past her face. She zipped up her jacket and sat on the white bench on the front porch. It had been there when they had moved in, and she planted her bare feet on the floor, pushing off. The swing rocked back and forth quietly, and she sighed, sipping her juice.

Last night when Brenna had come back, Lily was already sleeping. There hadn't been any awkward confrontation, or easy conversation. There was nothing, and for that Lily wasn't sure if she should be grateful or not. She swung her feet onto the bench and held the cup between her hands. It was strange, not waking up in Hogwarts or her house. There was no breakfast ready, no one wandering throughout the corridors or halls. It was just quiet and empty. Lily liked the peace every once in a while.

The door swung open and Lily grinned inwardly. 'So much for peace.' She thought. Remus walked out onto the porch and smiled.

"Hey, Lily."

"Good morning Remus." She said, putting her legs back on the floor and patting to the seat next to her. He sat down and they looked around in silence for a while.

"Did you have a good night sleep?" He asked conversationally.

Lily nodded, "How about you?"

He shrugged, "Peter snores like a beast. That's what woke me up."

She giggled, "I'm lucky Brenna is a quiet sleeper."

"Cherish that with your life."

Lily laughed and took another gulp of her orange juice. "Should we surprise everyone and make breakfast for when they wake up?"

"Yeah, sure." He said, "I'll go get my wand."

"Oh no, Remus. I thought we'd make it the muggle way."

"Really?" He asked, surprised. "I've never done it like that before."

"Well come on, I'll teach you." She said, grabbing his upper arm and heaving him to his feet. Together they walked inside to the kitchen and grabbed a few pots and pans.

Each of them had chipped in for something in the house. Dishes, furniture, paint, or accessories, they all picked something to help pay for. When it came to food, they would split the cost eight ways. Unless just a few of them went out to eat, then they had to pay for it themselves. It really was a good plan, and it saved them a lot.

Lily opened up the fridge, and grabbed out the carton of eggs, cracking them over the pan.

"Grab some eggs," Lily said, "And then crack them like this."

She showed him how to crack eggs and make omelets, how to use the stove, and use other household appliances. Around thirty minutes later, Katherine was making her way into the kitchen, a blanket wrapped around her.

She sniffed, "Something smells good."

"We're making omelets." Remus said proudly, gesturing to the plates full of food.

Katherine smiled and kissed him, "Did you make these all by yourself?"

"Well…I guess I had a little help from Lily…"

Lily rolled her eyes, "Thanks, Remus."

He laughed, "Anyways, we've only made two, but we'll quick make you one. That way when everyone else wakes up theirs won't be cold. We'll just make them then."

"Let's eat outside." Lily suggested, "It's beautiful out."

The three of them grabbed their omelets once Katherine's was made, and walked out onto the front porch. Lily sat down on the front step, allowing them to sit on the white swing.

"How was your omelet?" Remus asked Katherine as she finished, and put her plate on the floor.

She wrinkled up her nose, "It was alright, I guess…" but unable to keep a straight face, she giggled.

He put on a face of mock anger, set his plate on the floor also, and leaned across to tickle her.

"Take that back!" He cried.

"Never!" She laughed. "Stop tickling me!"

Remus shook his head, "Not unless you take it back."

Lily shook her head, "Better do what he says, Kath." She grinned and walked inside to put her plate away.

"STOP!" Katherine shrieked, turning red from laughing so hard.

"Take it back!" He grinned, leaned over so that their noses were almost touching.

"Alright." She said softly as he stopped tickling her, "I take it back. The omelet was fantastic."

He smiled, satisfied, and leaned in to kiss her. "I love you, Katherine."

"I love you, too." She said, giving him another kiss.

"That was cute." Sirius said from the doorway, still clad in his red sweat pants and white shirt. He took another bite of his omelet, "Just like a movie."

"Go inside, Sirius." Katherine laughed.

He chewed his omelet and nodded, turning back around and meandering back inside the house. Everyone was up, besides Brenna. He wondered faintly why everyone was up so early, for he usually slept later, but then he realized that they were adults, and that's what they do.

He grinned and walked into Brenna's room, shutting the door quietly. He walked over to her bed and watched her. She was beautiful, no doubt about that. Her hair was splayed across her pillow, and her cheeks were a light pink. He could have done the sweet thing and kissed her softly until she awoke, but that wouldn't be as much fun.

He jumped onto the bed, causing her to groan unappreciatively. He pulled the covers off of her and lay on top of her back lightly. "Get up sleepy head."

"Get off stupid head." She muttered, shifting as to knock him off.

Sirius laughed and kissed her cheek, "Come on, Brenna. Get up."

She groaned and rolled over. "Fine."

He kissed her and got up, "You're quite easy to wake up."

He wondered if Sara was easy to wake up, and suddenly he felt himself become sick. Why the hell was he thinking of her at a time like this? It didn't matter if she was hard or easy to wake up. He would never be able to do it, or even see her again. Let alone be with her….

"You all right sweetie?" Brenna asked with concern, getting up and putting her arms around his neck.

"Yeah." He murmured, "I'm just going to go… and uh… do the… the thing…" He left the room without finishing his sentence, leaving Brenna looking around in confusion. He shut the door and leaned up against it, running his hands over his face.

"You okay, Padfoot?" James asked, walking over to him.

Sirius gave him a lopsided grin, "Everything is changing, but I'm glad that one thing stays the same."

"What?" James asked, "I still know when you're troubled?"

"That," Sirius said, "And we still have our nicknames."

"And always will." James agreed, "Marauders forever."

Sirius smiled, "Marauders forever." He agreed.

"Now what's the problem?"

"Nothing." Sirius said. He didn't want to talk about it. Not with James, and not with anyone. He had this rip in his heart. A rip, he realized, that would never go away. Sighing, and assuring an uncertain James that he was okay, they walked back into the kitchen together.

"I have to go to work." Katherine said, swinging her purse onto her shoulder. She worked as a reporter for a popular quidditch magazine, which was perfect for her. She loved quidditch, and if she couldn't be playing it, at least she could watch it, and write about it.

"Bye, have fun!" They all chorused.

"Yeah." Marlee agreed, "I should go. I have an interview with another student who just left Hogwarts. We might work together."

"What are you planning to do?" Brenna asked, standing near the back of the kitchen, already dressed in jeans and a button up shirt.

"I'm thinking about joining a business that helps other people find what they want to do with their lives." Marlee grinned, "But first, I have to find out what to do with mine."

"Maybe you can help me." James said, "I'm still confused on what I want to do."

"Same." A bunch of them agreed.

It was time they all searched for jobs, and the only one that had one was Katherine. Marlee was close, however, but the rest were still uncertain, especially Remus.

No one would ever accept him, he realized. He was a werewolf, and most people thought of them as dark and dangerous creatures…

Remus sighed and rubbed his temples as everyone discussed what they were about to do that day. Finally, about two hours later, they all decided to leave the house. Some were in search of a job, or an interview, and some just wanted some fresh air and to explore.

Lily put a scarf around her neck, "Ready, James?"

He nodded, "I've been waiting for you, Lil. We're the only ones left."

"Well sorry if I have enjoy my personal hygiene and like to shower." She replied sarcastically.

They began heading for the door when they heard a loud, 'POP!' in the other room. Catching each others uncertain eyes, they walked back into the living room.

James' dad was standing there, his eyes large and watery. He was still clad in his pajamas, and had this distant look on his face.

"Dad?" James asked slowly, "What are you doing here?"

"Your mum." His dad said quietly, "She…she's ill…"

Lily clamped a hand to her mouth. Linda Potter couldn't be ill. "Is it serious?" She asked, her eyes full of worry.

Harold nodded reluctantly, as if he didn't want to admit it to himself. "She's…she's… the healers say they don't think she's going to make it…"

James snapped his eyes shut as if he had been stung. He knew something was wrong the moment his father had arrived, for he was a strong man who rarely cried.

"Where is she?" James asked.

"Back at the house. Come on"

Together, all three of them apparated to the Potter's household. James sprinted into his parent's bedroom, his hair flying behind him. He opened the door slowly, and he felt a large lump rise in his throat.

"Mum?"

"Hi, honey." She said softly.

James sighed in relief to see that she was actually talking. All of this was so sudden. "What happened?"

"I don't know, baby. One moment I was fine and the next…" She laughed but it barely came out. The sound was raspy and filled with pain. "How are you?"

"I don't want to talk about me." James said, walking over to her bed in two strides and touching her cheek softly.

He had never seen his mother like this before. Her hair was greasy and unkempt, and her eyes were large and faraway. Her already tiny frame was even more slender than before, and she looked more than slightly pale.

"You are so handsome." She said softly, trailing her bony hand down his cheek. "Just like your father.

"Oh mum…" James said; feeling tears sting at the back of his eyes. "You're going to make it, right? You're going to be okay…"

"I don't know, darling. All we can do is hope, and keep our strength," She said, sighing.

The door opened but James didn't look to see who it was. Nothing mattered at that moment. All he wanted to do was save his mother from an invisible illness.

"Hey mum," came a soft voice. James looked up to see Sirius.

"Hello Sirius," she said, a smile appearing on her face, "My two handsome boys."

Sirius gave a lopsided grin and crossed over to her, taking one of her small hands in both of his. "You look beautiful."

Linda scoffed, "You're a liar."

"No I'm not."

James smiled and took his mother's hand, and that was when her tears began to flow. "I'm so proud of you boys." She said softly.

Sirius and James eyes locked, and both of them poured out their pain. James' mind was fuzzy and he was having trouble breathing. What was going to happen next?

"You're my son, Sirius." She said, looking into his eyes. "And I love you very much. Thank you for making such a delightful…and entertaining impact on my life."

Sirius nodded and he felt his lip quiver. This woman before him met so much to him. It was because of her that he was the person he is today. "Love you too, mum." He said, kissing her forehead softly.

James' whole face became contorted, "Why are you acting as if this is goodbye? Can't the healers do more to make you better? We're magic for Merlin's sake."

She nodded, "Oh, James. Don't worry, they've done everything they can."

"No they haven't." James said furiously, "If they had it wouldn't be like this. You would be laughing and making us tea. You would be smiling and hugging us and…" His voice shook, "You wouldn't be like this."

Linda let a small sob escape her throat. "I love you, James. My baby boy." She brought her small arms up to wrap around his neck and pull him to her. "I'm so proud of the man you are today. You're an amazing friend, son, and person, James."

James felt tears stream down his cheeks as he clung to his mother. He rocked her back and forth slightly, feeling her small frame shake beneath him. "I love you so much, mum…" He moaned, "I don't want this to happen…"

"But it has happened," She whispered into his ear, "Everything's going to be okay."

Sirius buried his face in his hands. He couldn't watch it any longer. He was always a strong person, but this…this was too much. Linda Potter couldn't be dying. She just couldn't. His face was shaking, and the inside of his chest was contracted so tightly, he felt there was no more air left to breathe.

Linda and James pulled apart. "Can I speak with your father?"

They both nodded, and left. Sirius and James emerged into the hall, and Harold Potter entered.

James crumpled to the floor, but Sirius caught him and pulled him back up.

He pulled his friend into a hug, and James pulled at the back of his shirt, as if Sirius was the only thing keeping him standing. He felt his tears flow into his friend's shirt.

"Sirius…" He moaned.

"I know, man." Sirius said, resting his chin on his shoulder and staring blankly at the wall ahead of him. "I know."

Lily bit her nails a fair distance away. She didn't know what to do. She had only met the Potter's a few times. She desperately wanted to get to know them more…

But what hurt her most was seeing James and Sirius cry into each other. They were both feeling equal pain, and she could feel her own face crumple.

Finally Harold emerged from the bedroom and walked over to Lily. "She'd like to see you, too."

"Me?" Lily asked, dumbfounded. She nodded and stumbled into the bedroom.

Harold walked over to Sirius and James, and pulled them both into a hug. "She had cancer." He said, "No one knew about it. She had a heart attack today. And the healers said the most she'll live is another twenty four hours."

James nodded, but he didn't and couldn't believe it.

Lily wandered into the room uncertainly. "Hi, Mrs. Potter."

"Oh, Lily." She said softly, "Call me Linda."

Lily knelt down beside her bed and grabbed her hand. "How are you?"

"I just wanted to say thank you." Linda said.

Lily was taken completely aback, "For what?"

"For making my little boy happy. He loves you with all his heart Lily." She said softly, "You're perfect for him."

Two tears fell down Lily's cheek. "I love him, too."

"Do you know the other one, Sara?" Linda continued.

Lily nodded, "She moved away to France."

"I know." She said, "But she should know that she made the biggest smile I have ever seen come across Sirius' face."

She grinned, "He loved her so much."

Linda nodded and touched Lily's hair gently, "Do me a favor will you?" She asked, "James and Sirius, and even Harold will find some way to blame themselves for this. Please… keep smiles on their faces, even in the darkest times. Don't let this destroy them. Could you do that for me?"

Lily nodded, "I can do that."

A while later she exited the room. Harold, Sirius, and James were sitting on separate chairs in the living room, and all three of them leapt up at the sight of her.

"How is she?" They asked simultaneously.

Lily shrugged, "As good as can be expected."

They spent the entire night with Linda. Soon Peter and Remus came over, and bid farewell to her. They knew her so well, and it was astounding to everyone that she could be gone…just like that. The rest of the girls came, also.

Then, at 12:45 A.M., Linda Potter passed away.

Lily held James tightly, "It'll be okay, James." She whispered in his hair.

He nodded as tears spilled onto her shoulder. "I can't believe she's gone."

"Shh…" Lily said, "You'll be alright, okay? I promise."

James nodded again, "My poor father…"

She shook her head, "Things like this shouldn't happen, James, but they do. Be thankful you spent as much time with her as you did. She died a happy woman, James. And part of the reason she was so happy was because of you."

All James could do was let her hold him and cry over his loss. Times were so grave but it wasn't even the dark lord that had taken his mother from him, it was a disease that no one could have stopped.

She held him closer to her, "I love you, James. Whatever happens, I'm here for you, remember? Forever and always."

"Forever and always." James agreed softly.

A/N: Alright, so I was having a hard time writing this. I found it super sad... But we all know James and Lily's parents die before they do, and I didn't want it all to happen at once, that would just be cruel. This way it makes their relationship stronger also. However, this whole story won't be sadness the whole time, there will also be humor and fluff! Please read and review!