Disclaimer: I don't have a mind like J.K. Rowling's. Only like mine. Which doesn't function properly at 10:44 at night.
A/N: So, yes. This chapter is coming late, but at least it's ten times earlier than the last one I posted! I'm proud of myself. I've forgone reading for the time being to finish this story. So here's the next chapter, brought to you by the inner workings of my mind.
Chapter 10: The Rest of the Night
Our hour of ninja was made up of many laughs, all three of us being inducted into the ninja society, and a whole lot of inappropriate touching on Sirius's part.
James' parents came home in the middle of a particularly odd situation that probably caused James's dad to worry about the sexuality of his son.
The rest of the evening progressed quickly and before I knew it, it was dinner time.
If I didn't think that I'd ever be friends with James Potter and staying at his house for my summer break, I definitely never thought I'd be sitting down with my family at the same table as James Potter and his family having a nice dinner.
"So, Lily. Tell us more about yourself. Your parents talked about you and Petunia so much today that I feel like we already know you as well as James but I want to know what goes on inside that head. What do you plan on doing after school?" Mrs. Potter asked curiously.
Swallowing a particularly large bite of steak that I had just shoved in my mouth, I blanched.
I had thought about my career, obviously, but I hadn't decided on anything yet. I had always fancied the idea of going into journalism. It was what I wanted to do before I ever even found out about the wizarding world. But lately I had been leaning towards healing.
"Umm…I don't actually…I mean…I just…"
"No need to worry, sweetie. Mr. Potter and I didn't know either. It's a natural thing. We all change our minds as we get older," she assured me.
I laughed nervously. "I guess you're right."
"Well, Petunia, honey, what do you want to do?" Mrs. Potter asked, turning to my older sister.
I sighed with relief as the attention was diverted from me. James grabbed my hand under the table from his spot beside me, giving it a comforting squeeze.
I gave him a soft smile, showing my thanks, and tuned back into the conversation, not letting go of his hand.
"Well, James, what do you want to do?" my parents asked him.
I missed Petunias answer altogether.
"Sirius and I plan on being Aurors after school."
"Like father like son. Well, sons really," Mr. Potter said, looking at the grinning boys proudly.
"What is that? I don't think Lily's mentioned it before," my mum asked, intrigued by the new information about the wizarding world.
"They fight the bad guys. Always in the thick of things, Aurors are. They're like superheroes!" Sirius claimed enthusiastically.
"I wouldn't go that far, m'boy," Mr. Potter said, running his hand through his hair, causing it to stick up at all different angles, embarrassed.
"Huh. So that's where he gets it from," I thought, smiling slightly.
"They're basically like your ordinary, muggle police officers," Mr. Potter went on to explain.
"Oh, that's interesting. Do you have normal crimes in your world? I imagine with magic, things must be pretty easy to come by. No thievery or any of that nonsense," Dad said, always the inquisitor.
"Don't be fooled by the sparks and colors, Paul. We don't get everything as easily as some think. We do however deal mostly with dark wizards. Dangerous people. We've got all kinds of different departments at the ministry that deal with different legalities. We're well covered," Mr. Potter explained.
My dad nodded in understanding.
"Look at the time! Dear, we really should be getting ready if we're to leave on time," Mrs. Potter exclaimed, getting up and pulling her husband wither.
"Where are you going? I thought the ministry party was tomorrow?" James asked.
"We bumped into some friends while in town today and they invited us to a game night. Your girls' parents are coming too. So if you need something, floo us. I'll leave you the address, Jams," Mrs. Potter said.
"Okay. Have a fun night!" he told them.
"We'll be back late so don't wait up, and can you please clean up dinner while we're out? I can trust you boys with that, right? The girls don't have to do anything. You're our guests. We're running late, honey. We need to be going," Mrs. Potter said, giving James and Sirius quick kisses on the cheek. "Behave and don't break anything," she continued, moving to give Petunia and I a hug.
I stood up and returned it. It was nice, like being hugged by a family member. Petunia barely put her arms around her.
"Bye, girls. And please help pick up dinner," Dad whispered in my ear.
I nodded in answer and turned to hug my mum.
"Be good. Don't fight with your sister. I'll see you when you wake up tomorrow. And you better be alone, in you're own bed" She kissed me lightly on the forehead after giving me a stern look, and they all left to have their adult night.
"Bye, children! James, keep Sirius under control!" Mr. Potter called from the front door.
"Better yet, Lily, keep the boys under control!" Mrs. Potter corrected as they left.
With a final thud, our parents were gone.
"Clean up time!" I ordered, standing up and starting to pick up plates.
"Lily, you don't have to do that. Like my parents said, you're our guest. You don't need to be cleaning up," James said, trying to take the plates I had just picked up from me.
"And it's rude to just sit there and watch you. We all made this mess. We'll all clean it up."
"Bloody crazy, woman. Why would you willingly do the cleaning? That's what the house elves are for," Sirius said, lounging back in his dinner chair.
"Well Mrs. Potter told us to clean up and I'm going to do what she said. She's letting my family stay until we can get back on the way to our camping trip. It's only right to repay the favor," I argued, balancing more plates on my arms as I went.
"She's right, Padfoot. Even if I don't agree with her helping," James began, giving me a pointed stare, "Mum did say to clean up. And it's Friday. The house elves always have Friday off, remember?"
"Fine," he grumbled. "But don't think I'm helping with dishes. That's just disgusting," he complained, shuddering at the thought.
"Well, you three have fun. I'm going to go do something that doesn't involve hanging around you freaks," Petunia sneered, pushing away from the table and heading to make her exit.
"Petunia, Dad said we both have to help," I told her.
"And I'm sure the four of us will make a great team. With me far away from you." She ran out of the room before I could say anything more.
I rolled my eyes and followed the boys into the kitchen.
"Okay, this is how it's going to work," I said, getting the boys' attention from the game of ninja they were trying to start. "James, you'll wash the dishes, I'll dry, and Sirius, you can put them away," I ordered.
"Why can't I dry?" Sirius complained.
"I thought you didn't want to help at all!"
"Well I don't. But if I'm being forced to, I don't want to spend my time lifting heavy objects above my head," he tried to reason.
"But you know where the dishes go. I don't. So you're going to put them away, and you're going to get over it," I demanded.
"Blimey. Do you think you could have picked more of a bossy pants, Prongs? I don't know if I like this. Soon she'll be telling me to stop hanging around women!"
"Padfoot. Just shut up and listen to her," James sighed, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt and starting to tackle the dishes.
Sirius rolled his eyes and we began our chores.
That night before bed, my life was filled with tons of dish soap suds, dirty water, and more inappropriate touching on Sirius's part. I mean, seriously. I let it slide during ninja – there isn't really a way to avoid all inappropriate touching in that game – but there was no reason for it while doing the dishes! It was completely unacceptable.
We finished the night off watching old sitcoms in the family room and when the clock struck one, we decided it was time to head to bed.
I instantly got nervous. It was still storming outside. Our parents weren't home. Petunia was too busy hating me to care. I mean, James and I hadn't really set up that we would stay together again, but I couldn't stand being alone. If Sirius weren't falling asleep where he stood, I would try to keep us up watching T.V. But then again, the T.V. had been flickering all night and the storm seemed to be getting worse. It wouldn't last much longer in this weather.
We finally got Sirius to stand up and walk zombie-like to his room and when his door closed, an uneasy silence fell in the hallway. Neither of us knew what to do.
"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I whispered, looking at my hands. If he wanted me to stay, he'd have to ask. I wouldn't do it on my own.
"Yeah," he sighed, "tomorrow. 'Night, Evans," he teased, punching me lightly on the arm.
I smiled. "'Night, Potter." I turned and started shuffling back to my room. I had almost reached the door when I felt someone turn me around and wrap me in a hug. I held on for dear life, scared of being left alone.
James pulled away, picking up my hand and pulling me along to his room.
He slowly pushed the door open and led me inside.
I lied down on the bed and he covered me up, lying down next to me on top of the covers.
We turned to face each other, breathing lightly into each other's faces.
"What's your favorite color?" James asked randomly.
I laughed softly before answering. "Purple, why?"
"Well, if we're spending our nights together we should get to know each other and become better friends."
"Oh. Okay. Well…what's your favorite color?"
"Green."
"Of course it is," I sighed.
"Don't worry. It always has been. Ever since I was little. That's probably why I find your eyes so beautiful," he said, reaching his hand up to rub his thumb along my check.
"James. Please. You're making this a lot harder than it needs to be," I pleaded.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, pulling his hand away.
"Sometimes, I can't resist it."
"Try harder."
He sighed."I am trying. Trust me, I am. I don't want to ruin this before it gets started."
"I just need more time," I whispered, looking away from him.
"I understand," he paused. "Is holding your hand something a friend would do for a scared friend?" he asked nervously, his voice shaking.
"I think that would be acceptable." I reached over and grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers together. My body seemed to relax and my mind drifted into a peaceful haze. Distantly, I remembered my mum's warning about being in my own bed. But I figured as long as I was out of the room by the time she woke up, I'd be okay. And besdies, the sounds of the storm didn't scare me with James by my side.
A/N: Did you like it? Did you hate it? Did you die a little on the inside with how boring it was? However you felt about it, you should review! It would make my night.
Marah