A/N: Finally, chapter six is done! Yay! I was originally planning on having this chapter and the next as one, but i decided today that it would be too long, so here it is. Reviews are very awesome, and I'll love you forever if you leave me one!
Chapter 6
New York
"How much longer?" James whined.
Lily rolled her eyes. "That has got to be the hundredth time you've asked me since we left London." Lily glanced out of the plane's window, pointing. "Look, all of those buildings is New York City. We should be landing in a few minutes."
All in all, it had not been the best flight ever. While it was nearly five o' clock according to New York, James and Lily were still running on London time – where it was almost eleven. They had slept off and on since the plane had taken off, but when neither of them were asleep, they past the time in awkward silence.
Just as Lily had said, they landed just a few minutes later. After fighting through baggage claim, with James complaining about why they couldn't have just taken a portkey and Lily agreeing, they hailed a taxi to take them to their hotel. The second the taxi pulled up to the curb, men in suits were opening doors for them and carrying their bags. After they checked in at the desk, a bell hop escorted them to the room.
Lily's eyes widened in awe. This wasn't a room – it was a suite. As a matter of fact this suite was bigger than the apartment she stayed at while living here. They stood in a large room, complete with couch, chairs, television, oak desk, and kitchenette. The next room held a king–sized, four poster bed. The french doors next to the bed led to a balcony that overlooked the city.
"Oh my God," Lily said after the bell hop had left.
"Dumbledore must be really glad we're in the Order." James said as Lily went to investigate the bathroom. She was not disappointed; nearly one full wall was dedicate to a large mirror, their was a huge glass shower and tub that could easily hold four adults.
"So now what are going to do?"
"I'm going to bed," Lily replied as she headed to the bedroom.
"Hold on, why do you get the bed?"
"Because I just claimed it."
"Can't we discuss –?"
"No." She cut him off. "I am sleeping in the big comfy bed. The only way you're sleeping in this is if you sleep with me, and that sure as hell isn't going happen."
James rolled his eyes. "So where am I going to sleep."
"As I recall, you we're the best in our year at transfiguration. Transfigure the couch into a bed. Goodnight." Lily turned and shut the door in his face.
James turned back to the couch. This is going to be a blast.
Lily turned to her bag that was sitting on the bed, grinning to herself. She started to unpack her things, but her face fell slightly when she saw a small, black box at the bottom of her bag. She opened it to inspect the diamond ring. She suddenly felt bad for snapping at James. Maybe she should apologize?...On second though, she wasn't sorry, it actually felt good to say that to him. She closed the box, placed it on the bedside table, and got ready for bed.
000
The next morning, Lily and James Apparated to the American Ministry of Magic. Much like their own Ministry, it was packed with people, some in Muggle dress, others in robes. The main room was covered in white marble; the floor, walls, even security desk, which was where they headed. After the security guard checked their wands and gave them directions to Mr. Wilson's office, they headed to the lifts. Surprisingly, they got one by themselves.
James glanced to his side. Lily was beautiful; she was wearing green robes that illuminated her eyes, and a pair of gold hoop ear rings. His eyes fell to her left hand. She was wearing the diamond ring he gave her.
Lily could feel his eyes on her. "What?" she asked impatiently as the lift began to move.
"Give me your ear rings."
"I really don't think their your color," she said as she took them off and gave them to him.
James withdrew his wand, muttered a spell, and the gold hoops transformed into a single, gold band that he placed on his left ring finger.
"Cute." Lily said as the lifts opened.
They walked down the corridor, turned left, and down another before they reached the Auror Department. A brunette secretary showed James and Lily to Mr. Wilson's office. He was a fit man with short brown hair and kind blue eyes. From a quick glance at him and his office, Lily got the distinct impression that he was a very orderly, straight to business man.
"My name is Kent, and you must be James and Lily Potter." he said as he shook their hands. Lily inwardly shuttered. Lily Potter.
"Please, sit." They did. "So why exactly are you here?"
"I'm sure you know of the war in England." James said.
"Yes, terrible business." Kent replied.
"To be perfectly honest," Lily said. "We've come to ask for help. We're at the end of our rope. Hundreds of people are being killed in the most brutal ways."
Kent nodded. "I see," he said pensively. "I've heard quite of few of the Aurors saying that something needs to be done about what's going on over there. As of now, I wouldn't be able to send anyone, but I can ask around for volunteers."
"Anything you could do would be greatly appreciated." James said.
"Let me see what I can do, and we can discuss it more at dinner tomorrow."
James and Lily bid Kent farewell and headed out of his office.
Once they had Apparated back to their hotel, James let out a frustrated sigh. "We came all the way here for an 'I'll see what I can do'?"
Lily nodded in agreement. "We're going to have to play up to his wife tomorrow night. She's not a Muggle–born by any chance, is she?"
James looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "I think so. And Kent is a half–blood. Are you thinking about mentioning the torture camps?"
"Exactly. We've tried to be direct, but I think it's time to play the sympathy card."
James nodded. "So what are we going to do now?"
"You wanna see the sights?"
000
For the rest of the day, Lily dragged James around New York City. She took him to the most tourist–y spots, like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and a few of the museums, so that by the time they finally got back to the hotel, they were both exhausted.
Numerous time throughout the day, Lily actually found herself enjoying being with James; he always had some funny comment about every painting they saw at the art museums. And to be honest, this terrified her.
That had been one of the early phases of falling in love with James when they were at school. First, she could tolerate him. Then, she had actually liked to be around him. Before she knew it, they were dating, in love, and in each other's bed.
And where had it gotten her? In the end she had been left with nothing but a broken heart. All she had to do was get through tomorrow night and she could go back to hating James Potter in peace...
She hoped...
