Chapter 2: Truce
A/N: Sorry this is taking forever…It's all written, I just never seem to find the time to type and post things. There will be more. Soon, I hope…
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potters, or anything else from the brain of J.K. Rowling.
Lily had most of the summer to contemplate the overall sincerity of James' actions that day. As she began to realize the true significance of the exchange, she felt guilty for not acknowledging his apology in the proper manner, and half wished that she might randomly come upon him over the summer holiday for exactly that purpose.
She got her wish. With the intention of avoiding the overly-apologetic Snape and the persistently spiteful Petunia, Lily had accepted the offer to stay with her close friend Olivia during the month of July. Liv was the youngest and only girl in a family of wealthy pure bloods, and was in desperate need of a friend to help her escape the watchful eyes of her father and brothers. After about a week at the family's large house in Essex, Lily found herself at a garden party full of well-to-do wizards and their children, where she nearly spilled punch down the front of her dear friend Remus Lupin, who appeared to have been smuggled into the event by his friends.
Seeing his favorite mess of red curls from across the room, James Potter broke away as politely as possible from his Aunt Elladora and wandered over to his wolfish friend's side. "Good afternoon, Lily" he stated keenly as soon as an appropriate moment arose in the conversation. "How has your summer been so far?"
Lily could not help but notice a note of seriousness in his question which implied a genuine concern that Snape might have ruined every moment of her first month off. "It's been fine" she stated reassuringly.
James visibly relaxed, inserting a meaningful "Glad to hear it" before the conversation shifted to families and holiday gatherings. It had been quite brief, but for the first time, James Potter and Lily Evans were on the same level, and as a result, an unspoken truce had been made that left each amazed by the other's depth and sense of humor.
1t5r./;'