Chapter 3 - The Third I Defy
September 1979 - Godric's Hollow
"Evans, are you ready?"
The call from outside the loo of their tiny room took Lily away from her thoughts. She was standing in front of the small mirror in the poorly stocked inn room. All the furniture was mismatched and musty, the mirror she stood in front of only clear enough to see herself thanks to her competence with scourgify. The young pair was on the run, moving from place to place every month or so. But that day they had big plans.
She was well dressed in semi-formal emerald green dress robes that she had chosen because James said it went with her eyes. Her ruby engagement ring sparkled on her left hand. Her hair was lightly curled, but even with magic it never seemed to want to give her much volume. Almost like how James' hair never could look neat, despite all her attempts.
They had packed the essentials, their basic supplies that went with them everywhere, along with a few personal items. James kept with him his most precious family heirloom, an invisibility cloak that had been passed down by every Potter male, as well as a small golden key to his family fortune in Gringotts bank. Lily kept a letter from her mother and father. Her sister was married already and by the sounds of it already pregnant. Petunia was safe, with no connections to Lily. The only Death Eater that knew about Petunia would not give her up, Lily knew. Severus Snape would not betray her. She also kept a small bag she had enchanted to be small enough for her pocket which held a change of Muggle clothes for them both. They had to be ready for anything. And after the hard months they'd been on the run, it was going to be great to have a happy occasion for once.
With one last look, she called back, "Yeah, I'm ready."
She grabbed her cap and coat, a stylish gray trenchcoat, and opened the door. Past the small hallway, she saw the face she loved break into the biggest smile she'd seen since they had left Hogwarts.
"You are a vision." He whispered.
As they embraced, she said quietly, "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."
His laugh reverberated through the room, "Yes, well, our luck has not been the greatest, has it?"
He was referring to the warning they had received by owl, spies warned them that if James became a "true blood traitor", then they would begin aiming their Killing Curses for him as well. He was more than happy to defy that order from the man he refused to call the "Dark Lord".
A knock on the door tensed them both as they each grabbed their wands from their pockets and pointed them at the figure entering the room. Only James relaxed as the handsome face of Sirius Black found the light.
"Identify yourself," Lily demanded, not lowering her wand.
Sirius didn't flinch, he understood the recent threats to James' life had made her wary, and he answered her promptly, "I am Sirius Black, sometimes known as Padfoot. I am an unregistered Animagus who turns into a large black dog. And the last time we spoke, you told me Robin Hood was your favorite childhood Muggle tale."
Lily smiled and lowered her wand, "Thank you for remembering my last addendum to our security, Sirius," she said as she walked across the room to embrace her friend, "it's good to see you."
"Likewise," Sirius said warmly before turning to his best mate, the widest grin on his face, "Are you ready for this, Prongs? I still think she's too good for you." He turned and winked at the exasperated look in Lily's green eyes, a smile threatening her lips.
"Oh, I'm ready," James said.
Sirius patted his friend's shoulder and said, "If only your pop had seen this moment, he would have been so proud. He loved you both." Turning to Lily, "I'm sorry your sister couldn't make it, Lily."
She uncomfortably shrugged off his sympathies, "She doesn't support it, but we've been there before."
James took her into an embrace, whispering, "She'll come 'round Evans, I know she will."
Lily smiled through the tears in her eyes, "You won't be able to call me that in a few hours."
Both men broke out into the biggest grins, "Let's get to it then, shall we?"
"Is Remus not coming?" Lily asked, disappointed, "is he alright?"
Sirius looked at James, "You haven't told her?"
Her heart dropped, "Told me what?" She looked accusingly at her fiancé, "What happened?"
James shot a glare at Sirius before looking in her eye, "The Order hasn't heard from Remus in about a week, he was supposed to check in Tuesday with Kingsley, and he never sent contact. It's possible though he's just in so deep, he couldn't send the message. But we did receive word that the house he was supposedly hold up in is vacant. I'm sure he's alright…." Lily's eyes bore into him and he said further, "I didn't want you to worry. Not today."
She took a deep breath, she couldn't explode right now, his intentions had been good. This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. She took his hand, giving him a smile, "I just wish I could have shared the burden with you sooner," she said quietly, "I know how much he means to you, to you all."
"I told you she's too good for you, mate," Sirius joked lightly, breaking the tension, "Come, let's get the two of you hitched!"
Quietly, the three filed out of the room, on their way to the little church in Godric's Hollow. Lily seemed the only one nervous. This was their second time defying Lord Voldemort, she knew in her heart that each time brought them even closer to his fury.
