A week later, Lily, feeling she was making an important first step to putting her past behind her, went to her arranged doctor's appointment at St. Mungo's on the fourth floor. She had left Celeste behind at her former professor's, deciding it was rather risky to have her in a hospital.
"Yes?" The woman at the reception desk asked, sounding like this was all very routine.
"Lily Evans for her mark removal." Lily had, of course, practiced using her maiden name again so that she sounded very calm.
"Fourth floor, Armando Dippet ward. Next?"
Lily went to the correct ward, barely bothering to read the signs. She had chosen the hospital due to the fact that James worked at Lord Hubert's after a brief internship here. She was entirely safe, or so she thought.
Things were fairly breezing along; she had made it to the practice room and was sitting on a charmed table that was so slick she nearly slid off a few times, and was waiting with the Healer. He had said that he wanted to wait for his associate Healer, who hadn't ever seen a case like hers, and hoped she wouldn't mind if he sat in.
She had given her consent, then immediately regretted it when the associate Healer came in quietly, closing the door behind him. "There was a slight commotion in the corridor, a nurse had-" James looked incredibly shocked and cut off abruptly.
"Well, now that my partner is here, we can commence. Miss Evans, are you alright?"
Lily was staring at James who was staring right back. "Fine, fine."
"James, this is the case I was discussing with you earlier. Miss Evans, you have the unusual honor of being one of the few people who have returned from You-Know-Who's clutches and wishing to have his mark taken off. Most of the time, they don't, but I have reason to believe yours is a different situation."
James, naturally, made a rude noise at the mention of a Miss Evans.
"Oh, you can say his name, it doesn't bother me," Lily said, trying to be cheerful. She was seriously hoping this wasn't going to be one of those deals you had to wear those awful paper gowns that didn't have a back.
"It bothers me," the Healer said shortly. "Lie down."
As she scooted to change positions, she fell off the table to land unceremoniously on her derriere. "Is that slick enough for you two?"
"It's a germ-repellent charm," James supplied, looking suspiciously close to a smile.
"I suggest you find a better one," she snapped. Lily carefully positioned herself back on the table.
"Look over our patient's chart while I examine the mark, if you please."
"No need," James said, waving it away, a smirk on his face as he watched Lily shake her head frantically.
"Really, you should be aware of her medical condition."
"Oh, I am. Very aware."
"Yes? Examples, please."
"She's allergic to peanuts and peanut dust, and she can't even eat anything processed in the same place a peanuts. She has been The Dark Lord's prisoner for two years, eight months, sixteen days. She can't fly to save her life, grinds her teeth in her sleep, and has a birthmark shaped like Portugal on her left side. Her real name is actually Lily Potter, but when it suits her she likes to revert back to her maiden name."
Lily crossed her arms, not exactly sure what to say in her defense.
"Well. If either of you would like to change the assisting doctor, I can understand."
"I'm here, I might as well do it."
Lily narrowed her eyes. "Don't touch me."
"I'm afraid that's impossible, but I'll keep it to a minimum. Heffle, are we using the normal mark-removal procedure?"
"Yes, I think with several rounds we can get it. If you would secure your hair," he handed her a hairnet, which she made a face at, "we can begin."
A series of spells were applied that faded, disguised, and blended Voldemort's mark, James practicing a cooling charm after each one faithfully.
"James, if you'll just apply a bandage with a healing and cooling salve, I think with a little vinegar, she can go home. Miss Evans, you have an escort home, do you not?"
"Er, no, I didn't realize I needed one."
"It's best not to be alone directly after spells are directed to the head. This particular series sometimes holds side effects; nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are all common. If you don't have a responsible accompaniment with you, I'd prefer you stay for a few hours."
"I don't have time, I told Celeste two hours at the most," Lily gritted out, raising a hand to her pounding head as she sat up.
"I'll, uh, arrange something while I bandage her, don't worry, Sir."
"Fine, fine, if you think you can handle it." The Healer left the room, leaving the two alone.
James started rummaging through the many cabinets, drawers, and jars to get the needed supplies, and approached her. "Hold still, please," he said quietly. The soothing flutters of his hand made her drowsy, and she found herself swaying slightly. "Dizzy?"
"Umm, no, just a little tired. I'm ready to go."
"I'll go with you."
"You really can't. I can Floo on my own, I promise."
"I'll take off and sit with you this afternoon."
"How can you manage that?"
"Once you were gone and I finally went back to work, I didn't take a single personal day, so I'm stuffed with them."
"That must have made for an interesting honeymoon."
"She didn't have time either," he helped her off the table, his hand touching her side as he did. Lily jumped a few feet out of his grasp, watching him warily. "What?"
"I just don't feel comfortable being touched. Really, please don't."
"Lily? I wasn't, and I'm still not, going to hurt you. I was just helping you down from the table."
"I-I know. Can you please just…not?" Lily shivered, closing her eyes.
"Yeah. Can I take you home? It's either that or you park yourself in a bed. Healer's orders." James gave her a slight smile.
"You won't stay with me, will you?"
"We'll see about that when we get there. Let's go." James went to the employee area and checked out, notifying a few nurses, and grabbed a duffel bag. He Flooed with Lily, careful not to touch her, and landed smoothly in her flat. "I'll just go get Celeste. By the time I'm back, I expect to see you changed into whatever you want to sleep in. And you are going to sleep."
"No!" Lily beat him to the door. "I don't want you doing this."
"Doing what?"
"You are not pretending to be a part of our family. You aren't going to go pick Celeste up, and you most certainly aren't going to coddle me. Understood?"
"No, not at all. I'm tired of being bossed around by you and I'm taking control. Go change." James left very little room for argument…he closed discussion by walking out the door.
Lily decided it might be best to listen; she wasn't feeling quite up to snuff, not to mention she didn't want to know what he would do if she wasn't changed yet. She hastily scrambled into a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt, and took up a spot on the couch, picking up a book entitled Everything You Need To Know To Cook The Basics.
"Mummy!" Celeste squealed happily, entering her home on James's shoulders. "Mr. James picked me up! He's not a stranger, so it's okay, right?"
"No."
"Lily."
"Fine. Whatever, I don't care. James, we're both fine, so would you mind leaving now?"
"Yes, I do mind, in fact. How about Celeste and I entertain ourselves while you just rest?"
"I don't need to rest."
"Mr. James said you were sorta sick and needed a nap to feel better. He said he'd play with me. He said we could go over to his house and see his bird."
"No!"
"We could stay here if you don't want her leaving," James suggested.
"Oh…alright." Lily stretched out, and promised herself she wouldn't go to sleep and prove him right.
James charmed up some parchment and paints, and went with Celeste into the kitchen to draw, and Lily soon fell asleep, and that was how Harold Croaker found them a few hours later when he came to check on Lily.
"As with all things dealing with you two, I'm curious," Harold said, sounding amused as he looked from Lily sleeping on the couch to James and Celeste covered nearly head to toe in paint.
"Do you wanna paint with us Mr. Croaker?" Celeste asked, waving a newly-orange hand at him.
"No, no. I just came to make sure you two are okay. It, uh, looks like you're in…competent hands so I'll leave. Celeste, tell your mother I came by, will you? Er, uh, see you later, James."
"Bye, Harold, and would you mind keeping this to yourself?"
"Why not?" he shrugged and exited just as quickly as he came.
*~*~*
February 1, 1979
"Gideon, for crying out loud!" James said in exasperation, throwing up his hands.
"Just because you used to know her doesn't make her suitable for the Order now! And if you're so sure of her character, why are you still living with Penelope?" Gideon Prewitt asked, rounding on James. For the past week, since he had heard Lily muttering in fear during her nap, he had known she didn't want to go back to the Dark Lord. Never. Now it was only a matter of convincing his fellow members of the Order of the Phoenix.
"That's my own personal business," James snapped. "Can't you just imagine how much information she would have about this?"
"Can't you imagine how hard it would be to get her to talk about it?" Elphias Doge questioned, ever practical despite his insanely large hat.
"I'm sure she will."
"Rape victims don't just spout out information, you moron," Dorcas Meadowes spat.
James stopped in mid-spin. "What?"
"You must have thought about that little tidbit of information."
"She wasn't raped, Dorcas, your imagination is getting away with you."
"Check her files yourself. You have access. Rape was one of the things listed," Marlene McKinnon said idly. "Bright boy like you can well imagine what hordes of lusty criminals would do to a pretty little girl like Lily."
James did indeed have a good idea and a very lurid imagination. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" The thought of it revolted him to the point of sickness.
"You okay?" Peter asked from outside the toilet.
"What do you think, dimwit?"
"It's the expected question, James."
"Don't you think I know that?" he asked, wrenching the door open, looking pale and shaky. He slammed into the kitchen to find a glass of water which he hastily swallowed before rejoining the meeting. The room fell strangely silent as he re-entered before Mad-Eye Moody spoke.
"We have to have proof before we can let her in."
"She came to St. Mungo's a week ago to have his mark removed." James studied his feet for a few moments, "She's terrified of being taken back. She has her flat locked up tighter than Gringotts and Celeste gets in more trouble than the average child for speaking to strangers. She's jumpy and guarded. That's really all I can tell you."
"See if you can't get a little more information out of her," Mad-Eye suggested in his usual gruff manner.
"What am I supposed to do, drug her?" James asked incredulously.
The stares all indicated the positive.
"No. I refuse to. It is not happening. Why doesn't Remus just talk to her, she's best pals with him."
"I don't really-" Remus looked worried at the looks he was getting. "Well, she's slept with him for Christ's sake! Don't make me do it!"
"She won't talk to me…you two are bosom buddies. I'm not doing it."
"You're the one who wants her in here. I don't, it's too dangerous for her."
"I'm not-"
"Well, that's settled," Gideon said, speaking louder than anyone else in the room. "James gets some information or she's not in. Any objections?"
"Yeah! Me! I don't want to!"
"We all have to do things we don't want to. Buckle down and get it done for the love of magic. It's not like we're asking you to sleep with Mafalda Hopskirk. Take one for the cause!"
"But, uh, she, uh, aww, crap. What do I need to find out?" James relented, not looking forward to this at all.
*~*~*
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Wasn't OotP GREAT?! I won't say who died just incase some poor soul hasn't read it yet. I was shocked when I read the death, I had one of those 'you've got to be kidding' laughs. When I read Harry's reaction, like with Luna at the end, I cried so hard. Man that was a good book, it couldn't have been better in my opinion.