Avoiding Voldemort or Not

Disclaimer; Dude, I'm just a crazy fan. Do you think I would be on fanfiction if I created HP? I don't.

Thanks to those people who reviewed, very much appreciated:)

-----

'It's hard to say goodbye to someone you loved. Someone you cherished, cared about… someone you knew'

A single polished brown coffin sat in the middle of a graveyard, gleaming in the sunlight.

Lily looked around at all the people that had come to say their final goodbyes to Daniel Potter. There were many of them. Some short, some tall, some round, some thin. Lily could make out Moody and Kingsly Shacklebolt, Moody's assistant. She could also see Becky, Emm, Remus and Peter. Even Dumbledore and McGonagall were there. Her parents, friends of Danny, relatives were all standing there, a few wiping away tears, a few blowing their noses.

She looked at Sirius, who had his hands clasped together out in front of him and it seemed as if he was watching the Minister, but in truth he was looking past him, seeing through the man that was standing there and addressing them.

Heather was next to Sirius and she had tears streaming down her face and was looking at the ground as if she couldn't bring herself to look up at Danny's coffin, or the Minister.

James, who was beside his mother, was standing like Sirius. Hands clasped together out in front of him. But he wasn't looking at his father's coffin, or the Minister. He was looking at a far away place in the field, his brow furrowed.

Lily turned back to the coffin, closing her eyes.

The Minister droned on, telling everyone what they already knew.

How Danny was a great guy, how he sacrificed himself for others. How he cared deeply for his family and friends, and how he was passionate about his work. How he gave a helping hand to those who needed it, and how he was brave and bold, like a true Gryffindor.

The Minister finished speaking and soon Sirius walked over by the coffin and turned to look at the people. He looked like he was going to be sick, and Lily understood why. Sirius wasn't one to give speeches, but he was doing it for Danny. And perhaps Heather and James. And maybe even for her.

'You know I'd stand up here and say something about him. But the words that come first to my mind are… ones we've just heard'

He cleared his throat, glanced at the ground and then looked back up.

Lily felt a hand close around hers and saw Heather give her a tiny smile and she offered it back.

Heather hadn't been as distant the last few days. Sirius had got the shock of his life when he walked into the kitchen around midnight and saw Heather sitting there at the table, sad and alone. He then sat down next to her and let her cry over his shoulder while he gave her soft, soothing words.

'But, Danny wasn't just all of those things. He was a hero… a true father. And not just to James… but to me. And even Lily…' Lily smiled at him and he closed his eyes.

'When I was just sixteen and I ran away from home, Danny let me in, no questions asked. He said that it's what family does. And from that moment… I felt as if I had a real family. Danny, he was… the type of guy who would come bouncing in all over you on Christmas, on Easter, and every other day when we wouldn't wake up. Danny was a decent guy, and I don't regret knowing him not for a second. But like the Minister said; it's hard to say goodbye to someone you care about. But it's not really goodbye. Because it might seem like forever since the last time you saw that person… but really it's just closer to the day when you get to see them again…'

A few people nodded at his words and he sighed.

'I could go on forever about the kind of guy he was… but… somehow I don't think forever would be long enough. So for now, I'm just going to say goodbye and… I'll see you soon Danny. Thanks for being the father I never had'

He nodded at the Minister and walked back over and smiled at Heather who let go of Lily's hand and hugged him tightly.

Sirius smiled at Lily over Heather's shoulder and she smiled back. She looked at James and caught his eye and turned away quickly, her heart tightening even tighter then it already was.

'James, would you like to say something?' The Minister asked the raven haired boy who looked a little taken aback.

James hesitated but his mother gave him a little push and Sirius patted him on the back. James made his way over to the coffin, and looked at it before turning back to the crowd of mourners.

He opened his mouth and then shut it.

He had no idea what he had to say, and how he should say it.

'Ah… Well… Sirius and the Minister pretty much summed it up. Um… if I say anything about… my dad then it would just sum up to what they were saying about him. All in all, he's a hero. And that's all there is to it. Um… I'm pretty sure all of you rocked up here today to… say goodbye. But I didn't. I came here to say … "see you later", because it's hard for the human being to say goodbye to someone they truly cared about… so maybe… I think that's why we say "see you later" instead. It's easier… and it makes more sense. Because it isn't the last time you'd see them. Like Sirius said, we'll see him again soon'

He paused, wondering whether he should go on.

'If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn. People die. But real love… is forever'

James sighed and glanced around at everyone, pausing for a fraction of a second more on a girl with red hair and green eyes before quickly looking away.

'There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. That's a hard thing to deal with. Hoping that the person you lost will somehow come walking in through the back door, or hoping it was all a dream, a nightmare and that you will soon wake up. But it's when you don't wake up when you start to accept that it isn't a dream at all, but real life.

'My dad died trying to save the world from Voldemort. My dad died for the people he cared most about, and for the world to be better then what it is. He faced death every day, every time he walked out that door. But the one time he didn't come back in, was the one time I was sure he'd come home. So for now I'm just going to say "see you later, dad. I'm sorry I've been a jerk to the people I care about" and thank you all for coming today'

James nodded and walked quickly over to his mother who had tears in her eyes. He hugged her tightly and Sirius clapped him on the back and then he turned and pulled a shocked Lily into an even bigger hug and whispered; 'I'm sorry' into her ear. Lily smiled and pulled away and he wiped a tear from her eye.

'It was a beautiful speech' she said softly and he just smiled and winked.

Sirius grinned at her and muttered; 'told you he'd come around' into her ear.

She smiled at him and James took hold of her hand, and his mother's and Lily took hold of Sirius's.

The four stood there facing Danny's coffin as the Minister said his last words.

'You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on'

After a brief pause, he continued.

'The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief but the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love. Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.

'Please join Daniel's family at the hall down the road from their house which has been set up especially for those who wish to linger and communicate with others who are feeling their pain. Thank you for attending Daniel's funeral and thank you to those who helped set up'

The Minister walked over to Heather and shook her outstretched hand. She thanked him and he nodded at James, Sirius and Lily and turned and walked off over to the coffin and flicked his wand, and it rose into the air, hovered over the hole that had been made earlier and he let it float down slowly. Once it hit the bottom with a soft "thump" he flicked his wand once more and the pile of dirt hovered over it and filled the hole. Yet again he flicked it and the gravestone Sirius had designed suddenly appeared at the head of the grave. After this was done he turned, nodded at the family and then Apparated away.

Other people decided to come and see Heather, Sirius and James but James took Lily's hand and pulled her away.

'Listen Lily-'

'James I'm sorry about your father. He must be very proud' a man said stopping just next to him.

'Yes, thank you very much' he replied and the man shook his hand. He smiled at Lily and then walked off and Lily frowned.

'Who was that?'

'A friend of my dad's. He works at the Ministry'

Lily nodded and James sighed.

'Look I'm just going to say it before we're interrupted again-'

'James I'm very sorry about your father. He would be very proud of the man you've become' an elderly lady said and he smiled at her.

'Thank you'

She patted his shoulder and she too hurried off.

Seeing Lily's questioning look he said; 'very distant relative'

Lily nodded and smiled and once again James tried to say something but once more was interrupted.

He nodded and thanked the person and they left. Seeing quite a few people heading in his direction sighed.

'Tell you what. I will tell you later when everyone's finished otherwise we'll be here all night' he said and she nodded.

'Okay, I'm just gonna go see mum and dad and ask if I'll get a ride with them or-'

'Here's an idea. How about you come with me?'

Lily smiled. 'You've got yourself a deal Mr. Potter'

He watched her turn and walk off over to her parents and continued to do so until a few people came up and offered their condolences.

'So I'll see you at the hall?' Lily asked and her parents nodded.

'Be safe Lily' her mother said hugging her.

'I will… I promise. By the way, thanks for being there for me. Even though I didn't really show it, I appreciated it a lot'

Her father smiled fondly at her and pulled her into a bear hug.

'We know. We'll see you later sweetheart' her father said kissing her head.

They turned and walked away towards where they'd parked their car (they had to walk across the field, climb over the fence and then walk a bit down the road).

The whole time, James had watched this exchange between Lily and her dad and he felt a pang for his own father. Suddenly someone thumped his shoulder and he turned and saw Sirius, Peter and Remus standing there with smiles.

Peter started forwards and hugged him followed by Remus. Sirius however waited until they had finished hugging him before hugging him himself.

'Hey guys! Looks like I'm joining you' Lily said walking over to them. Becky and Emm made their way over and stopped next to Lily who turned and hugged each of them at the same time.

'I'm afraid you'll have to be strapped to the roof, there's no room in our car' Sirius said jokingly.

'You don't have a car' Becky pointed out.

'Are you sure? Oh no that's right! We don't. But we do have a LIMO!'

Emm frowned at him.

'Where is it then?'

'In the car park it should be. If my trusty driver turned up on time which was… five minutes ago' Sirius said consulting his watch.

'We'd better get going then hadn't we?' Peter said and they all started walking away but stopped when Lily did.

'Aren't we forgetting someone?'

Sirius frowned at her.

'Who?' Remus asked.

'Heather' Lily replied.

'Oh don't worry she hitched a ride with your mum and dad' Sirius said and Lily hurried and caught up to them.

'Well okay then' she said and fell into step alongside Becky and Emm.

The field was starting to clear away as people left to either go to the hall or go back home as the seven friends walked off towards where Sirius instructed the limo would be.

-----

'You wanna dance?' asked a voice and James looked up and saw Lily standing there offering her hand.

'Shouldn't I be the one asking?' he asked as she pulled him to his feet and together they walked onto the floor and James slipped her hand around her waist while she put hers on his shoulder and took his other hand with hers.

'I didn't hear you asking' she replied looking into his eyes.

'I was going to' he told her and she nodded.

'I know but I decided to beat you to it'

He chuckled. 'Quite the competitor eh Evans?' he asked teasingly.

'Only if you want me to be' she said and he didn't say anything to that.

'I'm sorry… for the way I treated you. And for blaming you about my dad. It wasn't really your fault I just… I was-'

'Hurt and angry, I understand. But I don't think my heart can take much more of it James'

Her voice sounded hurt a little bit and he closed his eyes.

'It won't have to, I promise'

Lily nodded and they danced in silence for a bit.

'Do you think you could forgive me?'

'I already have' she replied and smiled at him.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead, oblivious to the cheers from their friends who were watching them.

James pulled Lily closer and she leaned her chin on his shoulder as they swayed to the music.

'You want to dance with me?' Sirius asked turning to Becky.

She raised her eyebrows.

'And what if I said no?'

'Well you're in luck because I'm not taking no for an answer'

'Lucky me' she replied and they linked arms and walked onto the dance floor.

Remus looked at Emm.

'How about we get a drink and then go dance?'

'Okay' she said and they got up and walked over to the punch bowel but she froze. 'I hope Sirius hasn't spiked it'

Remus smiled. 'Don't worry, he wouldn't do that tonight'

They clinked glasses and drank to the last drop.

They put their glasses back and then went out onto the dance floor.

-----

Peter watched all the couples on the dance floor dance, talk and laugh. He felt a tug in his stomach as he realized he was all alone. There was no one to dance with, no one to talk to and no one to-

'Hey Peter, do you want to dance?'

He looked up and saw Heather standing there offering her hand to him.

He nodded. 'Alright'

He followed onto the dance floor, cheering up a bit.

-----

'Special offer for you. How about you stay at my place tonight?'

Lily turned and saw Sirius standing there with a smile.

She raised her eyebrows.

'Is that appropriate?'

'For you and James it is. Besides, I was asking for him. I think he's too afraid to ask you himself otherwise he would've already'

Lily smiled and shook her head.

'You are definitely a weird person'

'There's one in every bunch Evans' he replied and offered a hand and she went and danced with him.

'So cousin, I would kick your arse for the way you've acted but since I love you too much and since Sirius already punched you I think I'll abandon that thought' Becky said as she stood next to him by the food table.

He looked at her and offered his handful of chips to her and she took one.

'Maybe I should have kicked myself…' he said thoughtfully and she laughed.

'How have you been holding up?'

He shrugged. 'I've been better'

'Yeah you've been worse too'

James groaned.

'Did you come over here to annoy me or to rub it in?'

She smiled and took another chip.

'Both. Besides it's all in the cousin's code'

He grinned.

'So, you and Sirius?'

'You and Lily?'

'I asked first'

Becky watched him for a second before saying; 'we're just friends'

He nodded. 'Then why did it take so long to answer?'

'It only took like… a second' she replied frowning at him.

'A second too long' he told her cheekily and she rolled her eyes.

'Just friends'

'Right… well you know Becks; you should tell him how you feel before it's too late'

Becky sighed. 'Too late for what? It's not like he's going anywhere'

James shook his head and pulled her into a hug, wiping his hand all over the back of her dress.

'My dad did'

He turned and walked away and Becky gaped at his back.

'You didn't answer my question! And that wasn't fair by the way!' she called out to him and he simply waved a hand over his shoulder.

'And he calls me annoying' she muttered and turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

-----

James grinned as he saw someone already occupying his bed.

He pulled off his clothes, leaving him in his boxers and walked over and hopped into his bed. He grinned and lay down when she rolled over and they screamed at the same time.

'BECKY?'

'JAMES?'

'ARGH!' they screamed at the exact same time and James fell out of the bed.

'What are you doing in my room?'

'It's not your room!' he looked around and realized she was right. Somehow he had walked into Sirius's room instead of his.

'Crap wrong room! Um… sorry! I'm just gonna…' he trailed off, both blushing furiously as he opened the door and found Sirius and Lily both standing there, Sirius looking about ready to bust the door down.

Upon seeing James their faces changed to confusion.

'What the hell are you doing?' Sirius asked when Lily couldn't find her voice.

'I kinda went into the wrong room… I was thinking and had a lot on my mind and I guess I took a wrong turn'

He blushed a deep crimson red.

'You guess?' Lily asked, smirking.

'I… shut it' he muttered and hurried past into his room.

Lily turned to Sirius and shrugged.

'Why is Becky in your… bed?'

Sirius rolled his eyes.

'She wanted to stay the night so I told her she could'

Lily cocked an eyebrow.

'Uh huh sure, whatever you say'

'As if you and James are going to be anymore innocent then we are'

Lily blushed at this and said; 'I hate you'

Sirius shook his head.

'Go enjoy your boring 'get back together sex' and let me sleep'

'I'll enjoy mine if you enjoy yours'

Sirius glared at her. 'Ha sodding ha'

Lily grinned and hurried down towards James room. She opened the door and then closed it and Sirius shook his head before entering his own room and closing his door.

-----

Lily yawned and rolled over, smiling at the raven haired boy who was lying beside her already awake and watching her.

'Morning' he said and she smiled and rested her chin on his chest.

'Hi' she replied and he continued to stare at her.

He sighed. 'What else do you want me to say?'

She frowned. 'About what?'

'You know what' he replied and she sighed and thought.

'Tell me you love me?'

He grinned. 'Of course I love you'

She lifted her head and kissed him softly.

'Then that's all I wanted to hear'

'That's all I wanted to say' he said quietly and he wrapped his arms around her.

'I missed this' he said softly.

'What?'

'All of it'

'So did I'

He looked at her and grinned.

'And I missed that too'

'What?' he asked, frowning curiously.

'Your smile of course'

'Who wouldn't?'

She laughed.

'I don't know'

She snuggled closer to him when the door suddenly burst open and Sirius and Becky ran in, fully dressed and pounced onto the bed.

'Guess what!' Sirius yelled excitedly.

'What?' James asked pulling the covers up further to hide himself and Lily.

'Your mum's making pancakes!'

James grinned. 'Haven't had those in a while have you?'

Sirius shook his head.

'You two better get dressed if you want any. By the time you're dressed they'll most likely be all gone'

James rolled his eyes.

'I'll keep an eye on him, weird cousin pervert' Becky assured him and he groaned, throwing his head under the duvet.

'Let's go I'm bloody starving' Sirius muttered before running over to the door.

'Okay cousin, I guess I can forgive you trying to maul me last night'

James's head popped back out.

'I did not try to maul you'

'You would've if you hadn't turned around' Lily laughed and James chucked his pillow at her but Becky dodged it and ran out the door.

James turned and grabbed Lily's pillow and used it.

She raised her eyebrows.

'Pillow thief' she said and got up and got dressed.

James laughed.

'It's my pillow'

She stuck her tongue out and threw the pillow that was abandoned on the floor at him.

'Get up boyfriend, I'm hungry'

James sighed and sat up and held out his hand.

'Nice to meet you Hungry, I'm James. Have you seen my girlfriend? She looks just like you'

She grinned.

'You won't see her if you don't get up'

'Hmmm tempting, tempting'

She laughed and kissed him quickly before hurrying over to the door.

'I'll be seeing you in one minute'

She shut the door and he shook his head and got up and chucked some clothes on and opened the door and felt a hand grab snake around his waist.

He grinned as he leaned down and kissed Lily softly and then kissed her forehead.

'Let's go… I'm absolutely hungry'

Lily snorted. 'When I said I was hungry you didn't care'

'I know' he laughed evilly and hurried down the stairs with her right behind him.

He kissed his mother's cheek and they all sat down to eat breakfast, trying to ignore the empty seat.

A/N; Hey! Wow, quick update! Banged this one up in one night. But now I'm beat so I think I'll hit the sack.

Oh and one reviewer said they'd like quicker updates, but I'll try to. I can't promise anything but I'll try my hardest. I've just started school and already have homework. And to make it worse, it's maths homework. And I absolutely suck at maths.

Anyways, thanks a bunch for the reviews (again)

♥ always and forever,

LilyHeartsJames xoxoxo