So it's exam week now! I'm going to be updating really slow, because I really need to study so enjoy this chapter. It's really long.
(:
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the storyline
Previously:
There was an attack on Hogsmeade while Sirius, Hestia, James and Lily were there.
James and Lily leave for Petunia's wedding
They landed in a small, snow-covered garden, holding their trunks. They dropped the bottle, which had been used as their Portkey, and Lily lead the way into her house. She pushed open the sliding door that opened up into their living room, pulling her trunk in, and James followed. Lily led the way up the stairs to her room and they dumped their trunks on the floor. Lily took off her jacket and scarf, as did James. James looked around Lily's room; it was cozy. There was a bookshelf in the corner of the room which was overflowing with books, her dresser was against a wall, next to a door which James guessed led to a bathroom. Lily's wardrobe was next to the door to her room. James noticed that there was no desk.
"Desk?" he asked, looking around and Lily shrugged.
"I left when I was eleven. I didn't need a desk back then. And during the holidays I do my homework on the bed." James nodded and grinned at the collection of stuffed animals on Lily's bed, "I collect okay?" she said, and James laughed. Lily held out her hand and James took it, and Lily led him down the stairs, giving him a tour of the house.
They ended up in the kitchen and James' stomach grumbled, "I figured," Lily muttered as James sat down in one of the seats, while Lily walked over to a cupboard, "What do you want to eat?" she asked, looking at him, and James shrugged.
"Toast?" he asked, and Lily pulled out some bread. She walked over to the toaster and put two pieces of bread in it. She turned around and sat down in the chair next to James, leaning on his shoulder, "how are you feeling?" James asked, putting his arm around her.
"I don't know, it feels better to be at home, but I'm still a bit shocked," Lily said and James nodded, "how are you?" she asked, and James snorted.
"Nothing happened to me," he said, looking down at her but Lily shook her head.
"I know if I'd had to watch you get cruciated I wouldn't have been okay," Lily said quietly, and James felt his shoulders droop.
"It was horrible," he choked, and Lily squeezed his hand, "but I'm okay now that I know you're okay," he said, and Lily nodded. The toast was done and the toaster made a noise, and James jumped. Lily laughed and got up to get the toast, but James jumped up and ran to the toaster, fascinated, "What is that?"
"It's a toaster," Lily said, rolling her eyes. It seemed like something so simple but she realized that everyone who hadn't come from muggle families had never used a toaster or any electrical equipment.
"How do you use it?" James asked, picking the toaster up and examining it. Lily showed James how to use the toaster and he picked up a piece of bread and put it in the toaster.
"Don't waste bread!" Lily said when James added another piece of bread into the toaster. There were now four toasts. James ignored her and laughed again as the bread popped up out of the toaster. James turned around to look at Lily.
"I'm not wasting. I will eat them," James said determinedly, turning to narrow his eyes at Lily, who rolled her eyes. James grabbed his four toasts and sat down at the table, staring longingly at the toaster.
"I'll get you one when we're married," Lily said, laughing, and saw James freeze. She realized what she'd said and froze, "I-I didn't mean-" Lily stuttered, but James turned to look at her, a smile on his face.
"Why are you apologizing?" he asked, looking at her intensely and Lily blushed. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, and watched James smirk, "Am I making you uncomfortable?" Lily snorted and stood up, walking over to the cupboard. She reached up, trying to reach for the cereal box, but her fingers barely grasped it.
She sighed, tied her hair in a knot, and started to climb up on the counter, but an arm stuck up from behind her, and grabbed the cereal box, putting it down on the counter in front of her. James turned Lily around and Lily found herself backed against the counter. He reached down to the back of her head, and pulled her hair out of the knot, and it cascaded gracefully onto her back and shoulders.
"I don't like your hair tied up," James said, running his hands through Lily's hair, and Lily felt her heart speed up. James grabbed Lily's hair, and leaned down to kiss her, but jumped back as he heard a noise. Lily knew that was the noise the bottom step made, and pushed James away from her quickly.
Jane Evans entered the kitchen in a fluffy pink bathrobe and fluffy slippers. She had her auburn hair tied up in a bun and rubbing her eyes. She stopped as she realized there were people in the kitchen.
"Sorry Tuney I didn't know you were awake!" she said, and turned around to walk out of the kitchen, but froze, and turned around to see Lily and James standing, watching her, amused, "Lily!" her mother squealed and ran at her daughter who laughed, and hugged her mother.
"Hi mum," Lily chuckled, patting her mother on the back. James looked at the mother and daughter, noticed how their hair seemed to blend together, being the same colour, and Lily was taller than her mother.
"I've missed you! Why are you here so early? Are you skipping school?" her mother asked worriedly, and Lily shook her head.
"No reason. We just came here early," she said, and her mother frowned at her. She turned around, noticing James, and squealed, pulling James into a hug.
"Oh it's so nice to meet you!" her mother squealed, and James looked over her head at Lily, who was looking at her mother with raised eyebrows; her mother had glared at Vernon the first time they had met, "James right?" she asked, pulling away from James, who smiled down at her and nodded.
"James Potter ma'am, nice to meet you," he said, holding his hand out, and Lily rolled her eyes. Her mother grinned up at James, and James noticed how her smile was nothing like Lily's, and her eyes were brown. Jane Evans shook hands with James and turned to Lily.
"He's cute," she mouthed, and Lily rolled her eyes, turning around to her cereal box. Lily's mum cleared her throat and turned back to James, who was looking at Lily, "Do you want breakfast?" she asked, turning to James, who grinned down at her.
"I have some toast," he said, gesturing to the stack of toast on his plate. Lily snorted and James grinned at her back.
"Some?" Jane said, turning to look at the stack of toast, "Why did you make so much?"
"James was having fun with the toaster," Lily said, walking around James and her mother to the fridge to get some milk for her cereal.
"Lily don't be rude," her mother chastised, and Lily scoffed. James had to hide a chuckle. Jane turned back to James, "I forget that you don't have to use toasters," she mused. James shrugged, "Do you want something to drink?" she asked politely.
"Juice would be good?" James asked, looking at Lily's mother, who nodded.
"We have orange, apple, kiwi, carrot, and mixed," she said, listing them on her fingers.
"Orange would be good," James said politely.
"Lily get James some juice," her mother said, walking around James and scuffing Lily's hair, "I have to go wake up your father and sister." Her mother walked out of the room and James started to laugh. Lily turned around to narrow her eyes at him, and James laughed harder. He walked over to Lily, shutting the fridge behind her, and pushed her against the fridge.
"What's wrong Lils?" James asked, teasing, "Does your mum like me better than you?" he asked, grinning at her, "Are you jealous?" Lily rolled her eyes and tried to push James away from her, but he wouldn't budge. Lily sighed.
"Move!" she whined, and James laughed at her, and shook his head.
"I don't want to," he muttered, leaning in to rest his forehead on hers, and Lily glared at him.
"I'm not jealous," Lily said rolling her eyes, "I just don't like the idea of having everyone in my family fall in love with you, thank you very much," she said, and James chuckled.
"Other than you, you mean?" he asked, and Lily scoffed. She started to move, and James stayed stationary once more.
"Can you please move?" Lily asked, and James sighed. He moved slowly and Lily rolled her eyes, pushing around him.
"I'll get you later," James muttered grumpily, and Lily laughed. Just then, Lily's mother entered with her father. Jane grinned at James, and Lily had to control herself from rolling her eyes. Her father walked over to James and held out his hand.
"Andrew Evans," he said, holding his hand out to James, who shook it with a charming smile on his face.
"James Potter, pleasure to meet you," James said in a charming voice. Andrew gave James a small smile and Lily was pleased to see that James' charm wasn't going to help her father fall in love with him. Andrew turned to Lily who was facing away from them, pouring milk into her cereal.
When Lily put her bowl down, Andrew grabbed her around the middle from behind and lifted her up, "Lilykins!" he yelled happily, and Lily screamed, slapping her fathers' hands, much to James and Jane's amusement. Andrew put her down and Lily, laughing, turned around to hug her father, "Ah I've missed you!" he yelled, "I've been stuck in this house with your mother for so long!" he whispered miserably and Lily laughed.
"I feel your pain," she said seriously, and her father grinned, ruffling her hair. He turned to his wife and grinned at her.
"What?" she asked, and he shook his head, winking at Lily.
"Where's Petunia?" he asked, looking around, and, right on cue, Petunia stumbled into the kitchen in her pajamas; short shorts and a spaghetti top. Petunia blinked up at the crowded kitchen, looking from her parents, to her sister, and finally to James. Petunia's eyes widened as she saw James, looked down at her outfit, and walked out swiftly. Lily snorted and James, her mother, and her father turned to look at her questioningly. Lily put her bowl of cereal down and walked towards the door of the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" James asked, watching Lily, who turned around to grin at him, before walking out of the kitchen after her sister, "girls," James muttered, shaking his head, forgetting about Lily's parents, and Lily's father laughed.
"I couldn't agree more," Andrew chuckled, and clapped James on the shoulder, "What's it like in the magic world? Are there any sports?" he asked curiously, sitting down at a chair, and James grinned, sitting down on his own, and began talking to Lily's father about Quidditch. Andrew's eyes widened and a look of wonder crossed his face, and James found himself explaining every aspect of his favourite sport.
"Hi Tuney," Lily said nervously, walking into Petunia's room, as Petunia was pulling on a new top. Petunia turned around to see her sister standing in the doorway, paler than usual, and turned to frown at her.
"You didn't tell me your boyfriend was hot," she said, and Lily laughed, "Some warning would have been nice," Petunia said, turning back to the mirror to fix her hair, "Walking downstairs in my most inappropriate pajamas is not how I want a hot guy to see me for the first time," she grumbled, and Lily smiled. Petunia looked at her sister in the mirror and felt worried at how sallow Lily's skin was, "Lily is everything okay?" Petunia said, turning to look at Lily, who looked up, shocked.
"Did you just call me Lily?" she asked, astonished.
"Well that is your name isn't it?" she scoffed, and Lily shook her head.
"That's not what I mean-"
"I know what you mean," Petunia said quietly, "I miss my sister alright? And I wanted you to be around for my wedding. And I miss what we used to be," Petunia said the last line quietly, and Lily felt her eyes glaze, "Oh don't cry!" Petunia whined, throwing her hairbrush at Lily, who ducked and laughed.
"I wasn't crying," Lily said, and Petunia frowned again.
"Seriously Lily, what's wrong?" she asked, walking over to Lily to look more closely at her face. Petunia was taller than Lily, but not tall enough to look down at her.
"What do you mean what's wrong I'm fine," Lily said, and Petunia frowned as her voice rose in pitch.
"I'll get it out of you sooner or later," she said, and Lily looked down at the floor. Petunia sighed and linked her arm through Lily's for the first time in years, "Let's go. I want to be formally introduced to your boyfriend," Petunia winked, and Lily grinned.
"Don't forget about your wedding," Lily said, rolling her eyes, and Petunia laughed. The two girls entered the kitchen and Lily walked over to James, who was discussing Quidditch, and tapped him on the shoulder. James looked up at Lily and grinned.
"Hey Lils," he said, and Lily smiled down at him. Andrew and Jane Evans looked at each other with grins on their faces as they watched Lily and her boyfriend.
"I want to introduce you to my sister," Lily said, and James nodded, "This is Petunia, my older sister," she said gesturing to Petunia, and then turned to Petunia, "Tuney, this is my boyfriend James Potter," she said, and James stood up, holding his hand out to Petunia, who shook it. James smiled at Petunia charmingly and Lily saw Petunia, just like her mother, swoon, and rolled her eyes.
"What time is it?" Petunia asked, looking at her mother, who looked down at her watch.
"It's 8," her mother said, and Petunia's eyes widened.
"Already! I have to go meet Vernon!" she said, waved at everyone, and walked out the door. Lily turned to look at her parents, who looked irritated.
"At 8 in the morning?" she asked incredulously and her mother rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"Just because you hate mornings doesn't make them evil Lils," James said, and Lily blushed as her parents laughed. Lily glared at James and turned around to walk out of the kitchen.
"Lilykins are you feeling okay?" her mother asked, following after her. Lily turned around to see her mother looking at her face with concern. Andrew followed after Jane and walked up to Lily.
"Sweetie your face looks sallow," he said, looking at Lily, and Lily watched as James' face paled. Lily looked at James, who looked back at her, panicked. Lily sighed and looked her parents in the eye.
"James will tell you," she whispered, and her parents turned to look at James, who's eyes widened.
"No Lils I cant say it again," he said, looking down and shaking his head.
"Tell us later when you're ready," her father said, silencing her mother, who was about to protest, with a glance, "where's your stuff?" he asked, looking from James to Lily.
"In my room," Lily said and her father nodded.
"You should probably get ready. Petunia's wedding is in a couple days and you shouldn't have to worry about unpacking. We're going out to the store to buy a few things," he said, and grinned at them, "Behave," he said, before grabbing his car keys, and steering his wife out of the house. James and Lily stood there until they heard the car roll out of the driveway, before Lily grinned at James.
"Why are we always left alone together?" she asked, and James grinned at her, taking a step towards her.
"Well it's about time," he said, taking another step towards her, and Lily screamed, and ran up the stairs. She heard James' footsteps behind her and she ran into her room, shutting the door behind her. James tried to push the door open but Lily was leaning against the door, pushing it closed, "I'll get in there soon Evans," he growled, and Lily laughed. James stopped pushing the door and Lily stood up. As soon as she relieved pressure from the door, James pushed it open and Lily screamed. James picked her up and held her over his shoulder like a fireman. He dropped her on the bed and lay on top of her, and Lily laughed, "I win," he said, grinning down at her. Lily rolled her eyes.
"If there were wands involved I would win," she said, winking at James, who rolled his eyes. He knew it was true, but didn't want to admit it. James leaned down and kissed Lily, before getting up. Lily grabbed his shirt and pulled him down, "I wasn't done," she said, and James chuckled before kissing her again. Lily turned her head to the side, deepening the kiss, and James, who was holding himself up to keep his weight off of Lily, dropped himself on her wrapping his arms around her. James pushed himself up when they were done, and lay down next to her.
"Your bed is really comfortable," he said, stretching his arms over his head. Lily grinned.
"I know right?" she said, turning onto her stomach so she could look at James. James grabbed a lock of her long hair and started playing with it with his fingers, "James are you alright?" Lily asked worriedly, watching James play with her hair. He sighed and looked up at her with a grin, but Lily noticed how the smile didn't reach his eyes, "James what's wrong?" she asked, leaning her head down and resting her chin on his chest. James kept playing with her hair so Lily tied her hair into a knot, keeping her hair as far away from him as possible, "James."
Lily picked herself up so she could kiss James, who kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her. Lily deepened the kiss and James responded enthusiastically. Lily pulled away from him and sat up, and he looked at her, confused.
"You will not get to kiss or touch me until you tell me what's wrong," Lily said, moving over to the other side of the bed, and looking down at James, pulling her knees up under her chin. James laughed and sat up, running a hand through his hair. He shifted closer to Lily and reached behind her, untying her hair. He held on of the locks that fell to the front in his fingers and started to play with it, taking a deep breath.
"I'm scared," he said quietly, "I'm not scared of Voldemort or the Death Eaters, I'm scared of them hurting you, and me losing you," he said, looking up at her, "I know we've only been strictly dating for about two months, but I've fancied you longer," he said, looking down at the lock of her hair, "And I keep thinking about what happened that day in Hogsmeade, and I think of how close I was to losing you, and how I couldn't do anything about it," he whispered the last line and Lily put her finger under his chin, pulling his face up.
"I'm fine," she said, smiling at him, "See? I'm talking, I'm laughing, I'm walking around, I'm snogging you," James chuckled and she continued on, "I can't promise nothing is ever going to happen, but I can promise you that I have no plans of ever leaving you," she said, looking up at him to see him looking into her eyes, "and about Hogsmeade, we made it out alive, and that's all that matters," she said, and James nodded, "And there's nothing we can do except protect each other, be there for each other, and fight it in any way we can," she said, "and now you have my permission to kiss me," she said, and James grinned.
He started to lean towards her but Lily leaned back, looking at him slyly, "Just because you have permission doesn't mean you can do it now," she said, rolling her eyes, and James rolled his eyes. He pulled her towards him by the lock of hair he was holding, "Ow!" she screamed, clutching her hair, but James ignored her and planted a kiss on her. He felt Lily smile against his lips and he smiled as well. Lily lay down on top of him and James felt his heart beat faster. He moved his hands to Lily's waist and flipped them over so that he was lying on top of her.
"Touché," Lily grinned, and James grinned back before continuing to kiss her. Lily moved her hands to his stomach and crept her hands underneath his shirt. James, realizing what she wanted, pulled his shirt off and Lily let her hands roam around James' stomach and chest. James pulled Lily's scarf off, and moved his lips to her neck. Lily put her hands in James' hair and pulled on it. James moved his mouth back to Lily's and Lily bit down on James' lower lip, feeling satisfied when he moaned. James pulled away from Lily and sat up, looking at her with slightly dazed eyes, "What?" Lily asked, sitting up. She realized she wasn't wearing a shirt and glared at James, blushing furiously, "When did you take my shirt off?" she asked, and James grinned at her cheekily.
"I'd apologize but I don't want to," he shrugged, looking at a shirtless Lily, who, feeling self conscious, looked around for her shirt. She found it on the floor on the other side of her room. She pushed herself off the bed and walked towards her shirt, which was lying in front of her wardrobe, but couldn't lean down to pick it up because James was suddenly behind her. He twisted her around, "There's a reason I took that off you know," he said, and Lily blushed harder. Lily rolled her eyes and tried to bend down to pick it up, but James picked her up so she was eye to eye with him. Lily wrapped her legs around his waist, holding herself up, not wanting James to have to carry her.
"You're the one who stopped," she pointed out, twirling James' hair at the base of his neck in her fingers.
"Well I did it because at the rate we were going we weren't likely to stop, and I don't think your parents would appreciate it very much if they came home to see their Lily-flower no longer innocent," he winked, and Lily blushed. James kissed her again, and set her down on her feet. Lily reached down for her shirt and straightened it out. James took the shirt from her and threw it on the floor. He picked her up and put her on the bed, and walked back to her wardrobe, opening it. He pulled out a red spaghetti top and handed it to Lily, who shook her head.
"I can't wear that it clashes with my hair," she said, and James rolled his eyes, throwing it at her anyway.
"I don't care. I like red." Lily rolled her eyes and put the spaghetti on. She reached onto the floor for James' shirt where he had thrown it, and she picked it up. James reached his hand out for the shirt but Lily shook her head. She put the shirt under her pillow and sat on it, grinning at James.
"I will come get that Evans," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes. James jumped onto the bed, and Lily screamed. He tickled her and reached under her for the shirt, "Success!" he yelled as he got the shirt out from under her and Lily narrowed her eyes at him, and James laughed happily.
"Someone's in a good mood," she smirked and James winked at her.
"I enjoy a good snog Evans, keep that in mind." Lily rolled her eyes and got off the bed, tying her hair in a knot.
"Want the official house tour?" she asked, gesturing to the door of her room.
"I'd rather do something else," he said, pulling her hair out of the knot she had tied it in, smirking down at her, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"C'mon Potter," she said, pulling on his hand. After she gave him the house tour, Lily and James sat down on the sofa in the television room. Lily was showing James the magic of the television, and James was looking at it, fascinated.
"Muggles are amazing," he muttered, watching the screen, mesmerized. Lily rolled her eyes and got up to walk over to their cabinet of movies, "What are you doing?" he asked, watching Lily.
"We're going to watch Cinderella," she grinned, and James smiled at her.
"The book?" he asked excitedly.
"It's been made into a movie," she said, putting the cassette into the VCR. Her parents got back home to see Lily sitting on James' lap, watching Cinderella.
"Hey kids," her father said, walking in while Jane put the groceries into various places in the kitchen. Andrew walked over to see what was on the TV and snorted, "Cinderella? Really?" he said, looking down at Lily, "What are you, 5?" Lily stuck her tongue out at her father, and James laughed.
"I'm going to go help mum," Lily said, and left to go to the kitchen. Jane had her head in the fridge, sorting it, "Hey mum," Lily said, and Jane turned to see Lily dressed in shorts and a spaghetti.
"Hi sweetheart," her mother said, walking over to the kitchen to grab more groceries.
"Want some help?" Lily asked, watching her mother and her mother shook her head.
"Just organizing," she said, and Lily smiled at her.
"I could do that in a second," Lily pointed out, and pulled out her wand. Her mother looked at the wand and raised her eyebrows.
"You're going to organize my fridge with magic?" Lily nodded and her mother grinned.
"Excellent. I've always wanted to see you use magic." Lily waved her wand at the groceries and Jane watched in awe as her groceries flew around her kitchen, flying into the cupboards and drawers they belonged. The fridge door shut when the process was over and Jane ran to the fridge excitedly to see everything organized by category, "That's amazing!" her mother breathed, smiling at Lily, "Can you do the dishes as well?" Lily rolled her eyes and waved her wand at the dishes in the sink, and Jane watched in wonder as the tap turned on and the sponge and plates moved of their own accord. Once the plates were done, they flew into the cupboard over the sink where they stored the plates. Her mother shook her head and walked over to Lily, holding her hand, "Let's go see what the men are up to," she said, grinning, and Lily smiled.
They walked to the TV room and Lily saw James explaining the mechanics of a broom with gusto. She groaned and sank down on the sofa next to James who turned to narrow his eyes at her, "Just because you don't like Quidditch," he said, and Lily turned to look at him.
"It's not that I don't like Quidditch, I really like it actually. I just don't like hearing you boys constantly discuss it," she said, rolling her eyes, and James rolled his eyes back at her, making her laugh.
"Girls," Andrew said, rolling his eyes at James, who grinned.
"Exactly," James said, earning himself a slap in the arm from Lily, "Anyway, as I was saying," he began but then the doorbell rang downstairs.
"Oh no she must've brought Vernon!" Jane groaned, and turned to Lily, "You should probably go change into something fancier," she said, and turned to James, "You too if possible, Vernon's very" her mother didn't finish that sentence, but left the room to open the door.
"Irritating," Andrew finished for her, and rolled his eyes. Lily smacked her father on the arm and Andrew turned to her, "I am not even joking Lilykins. Good luck," he said, patting James knee as he stood up.
"We should go change," Lily said, getting up and James stood up, looking at the TV.
"How do we switch it off?" he asked, and Lily laughed and pressed the button on the television. The two of ran to Lily's room quietly and shut the door behind them.
"What do I wear?" Lily hissed, throwing open her wardrobe. James walked behind her and pulled out a pair of tight, dark denim Capri pants and a white button down, capped sleeved top. Lily turned to grin at James and turned to look at him. She pointed her wand at his shirt, which turned into a pale blue button down shirt, rolled up to the elbows, and she left his jeans as they were.
"Thanks," James grinned, and Lily turned to walk into her bathroom. She changed quickly and walked out, tying her hair up. James groaned and tried to untie her hair but Lily ducked and grabbed his hand.
"Let's go," she said, and took a deep breath, before walking down the stairs, "Where are they?" she whispered, and James nodded towards the dining room, where they could distinctly hear voices. Lily grabbed onto James' hand tighter and walked into the dining room to see what looked like a whale, sitting next to her sister.
"Lily, this is Vernon," Petunia said, and Lily held out her hand, but Vernon ignored it, and grunted. James, angry, opened his mouth to say something to Vernon, but Lily stepped on his foot, and he snapped his mouth shut.
"Vernon, this is my boyfriend James Potter," Lily said politely, and James didn't bother to hold out his hand, but stiffly nodded at Vernon, who didn't even grunt. Lily turned to look at her parents, who looked at her apologetically. Lily took James' hand and pulled him to the other side of the table, and pushed him down into his seat so he wouldn't do anything stupid. She took her seat next to her father, sitting at one end of the table, and James sat next to her mother at the other end of the table; there were only 6 chairs.
There was an awkward silence before Lily cleared her throat, "So, Vernon, what's your last name?" she asked politely, and Vernon looked up at her, irritated.
"Dursley," he grunted. Lily heard him mutter, "Doesn't even know her sisters fiancée's last name, these people," and Lily felt her jaw clench, as well as James'. She squeezed James' hand and he turned to look at her, seeing her clenched jaw, and looked down at the floor; he didn't want to cause any more trouble between Lily and her sister.
"What do you do?" she asked again, and she saw her mother mouth 'thank you' to her and she nodded slightly.
"I work at this business called Grunnings, we deal with drills," he said, "It's one of the most prestigious drill companies in England," he said proudly, "my father founded the company." Lily nodded politely.
"So I take it you like working with drills?"
"Of course I do, otherwise I wouldn't work with them," Vernon said, rolling his eyes, and Lily's eyes narrowed. She felt her father rub her hand soothingly, and she took a deep breath.
"Of course, how silly of me," she said, and ignored Vernons' snort, "Do you plan to continue working at, erm, Grunnings?"
"Yes I do. I hope I'll be promoted to management soon, and at the rate I'm working, I wont have to wait long." Lily stifled an eye-roll, deciding she didn't like Vernon at all. She turned to look pleadingly at James, who shook his head, not wanting anything to do with Vernon.
"Where are you taking Tuney on your honeymoon?" she asked, and Vernon looked up at her.
"It's Petunia, I don't approve of nicknames," he said rudely, and Lily, taken aback, felt her anger bubble up.
"Well I'm sorry but I've been Tuney's sister longer than you've been her fiancée so I'm not going to stop calling her that because you don't approve of nicknames," Lily said irritated, and she saw her father grin out of the corner of her eye. Andrew knew of Lily's temper, and he had always found it amusing how well she fit to the redhead stereotype. She saw James bite his lip and stepped on his foot, and saw him cover up a chuckle with a cough.
"Well as she will be my wife in a few days, and will cease from ever seeing you and your lot again, I guess it doesn't matter what you call her," Vernon shrugged, and Lily, James, Andrew, Jane and even Petunia froze, turning to look at Vernon.
"What do you mean she will 'cease' from every seeing me and my lot again?" Lily hissed. Jane, who would have usually yelled at Lily for being so rude, was glaring at Vernon.
"You and your lot, the freaks," Vernon shrugged, and Lily stood up, her chair scraping the floor, making a screeching noise.
"I think we should have dinner," Petunia squeaked, looking at Lily's pocket, where she knew Lily's wand was, with a terrified expression. Jane stood up and walked into the kitchen, to prepare the dinner.
"I'm going to go help mum," Lily said and stormed out of the dining room. James followed after Lily, not wanting to stay in Vernon's company, for Vernons safety. He walked into the kitchen to see Jane hugging Lily, rubbing her back soothingly. James walked over to them and Jane pushed Lily towards him gently, turning around to gather the plates and the food.
Lily wasn't crying, but she was so angry that tears were escaping her eyes, and James picked her up, setting her down on the kitchen counter, "He's just a stupid muggle Lily," James said quietly, "it doesn't matter what he says." Lily shook her head and looked up at him.
"You think he's really going to make me stop seeing Tuney?" she asked, and James looked at her, feeling helpless.
"I don't know Lils, but I do know it doesn't matter what he says. She's your sister and you can go talk to her whenever you want. And you're Petunia's sister, and I know she cares for you, even if she pretends to not like you," he said, and Lily nodded, "Lily I lost a sister," he said, and Lily saw her mother turn around to look at him with wide eyes, "I fought with her all the time and we didn't talk for weeks at a time, but I always loved her, even during our fights," he said, and Lily smiled at him, "better?" he asked, and Lily nodded.
"You lost a sister?" Jane said quietly, and James turned around to face her, and nodded.
"A year ago, she was killed," he said, and Jane nodded sympathetically. James turned back to Lily and Lily saw her mother look at her and mouth 'tell me later'. James helped Lily off the counter and Lily turned to watch her mother try to pick the plates up.
"Oh for the love of Merlin," Lily grumbled. She pulled her wand out and pointed it at the plates, and food. Her mother turned to grin at her, and Lily rolled her eyes, and directed the plates and food to the dining table. Lily felt elated as she watched Vernons terrified expression as the food and plates flew into the room, and landed on the table, perfectly organized. Andrew was trying hard not to laugh, but was watching the plates and food in wonder.
"Utensils?" her father asked, and Lily grinned, and pointed her wand at the kitchen as her mother and James took a seat. Forks, knives and spoons flew into the room, as did glasses, a jug of water, and a bottle of wine. She sat down next to James, and grinned at Vernon, who was looking at her wand fearfully. Lily put the wand in her pocket and grinned at her father, who winked at her, enjoying watching Vernon panic.
"Potatoes Vernon?" Lily asked innocently, offering him the dish of potatoes, and James, Jane and Andrew had to bite back laughs. Lily saw Petunia's mouth twitch, and when Lily caught her eye, Petunia looked away quickly. Dinner was a quiet affair, and when they were done, Lily directed all the stuff on the table to go back to the kitchen, and James made them arrange themselves and made the dishes wash themselves.
"So James, what careers are you thinking of going out for after Hogwarts?" Andrew asked, turning to James, and Lily watched Vernon flinch at the word Hogwarts.
"You people have careers?" Vernon snorted.
"Yes as a matter of fact Vernon, they're probably a lot harder and more interesting than working with drills," James said, and Lily bit her lip.
"You people cant deal with responsibility," Vernon scoffed, and Lily felt her jaw clench, "I mean look at Petunia's sister," he said, gesturing to Lily who raised her eyebrows.
"Petunia's sister? My name is Lily, and if you're not going to call me that I would prefer if you didn't address me at all," Lily said, and watched as her father smirked. She kicked her father under the table and watched him roll his eyes, amused, "And what do you mean I can't deal with responsibility?"
"Never mind," Vernon muttered, rolling his eyes. Lily pulled her wand out of her pocket, and James grabbed her wrist under the table, stopping her.
"What's your favourite subject?" Jane asked, turning to look at James, who raised his eyebrows.
"Well, I like all my classes, but I'd have to say my two favorites are Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts," James said, and Jane nodded, knowing about those classes, having heard about them from Lily.
"Charms," Vernon scoffed, and James closed his eyes, trying to find patience.
"So Vernon, have you thought about the wedding?" James asked, attempting to be polite.
"It's going to be spectacular, and I don't have to pay a single dime as the brides parents arrange everything," he shrugged, and Lily's face turned red. Andrew patted her hand gently and Lily looked at both of her parents, realizing they looked quite stressed. She was about to say something, but James squeezed her hand, and she shut her mouth. It was quiet for a few minutes before Vernon stood up, "I'm going to leave now, Petunia come with me, I don't want you surrounded by such company longer than you have to be."
Lily had had enough and stood up, pulling out her wand, which shot red sparks. Vernon froze, and Lily turned her gaze on Petunia, who was watching Vernon fearfully. Lily felt a sinking feeling as she realized her sister was in love with Vernon. Lily sighed and lowered her wand, and looked up at Vernon, "I'm sorry," she said and held her hand out to him, "Truce?" Vernon looked down at her hand and narrowed his eyes at him, and Lily lowered her hand slowly. James stood up and opened his mouth to yell at Vernon, but Lily put her hand on his mouth, and James looked down at her incredulously.
"It's a shame we couldn't get along Vernon," Lily said icily, and started to walk out of the dining room, but stopped, and turned around to look at Petunia.
"Petunia let's go," Vernon said, standing up and holding his hand out to her, "Or do you want to stay here and hang around with this riff-raff?" he asked, nodding at Lily. Lily ignored Vernon, James' hiss, and her parents narrowed eyes, and looked at Petunia.
Petunia looked back at Lily, and Lily felt her heart shatter as she realized what her sister's decision was. Petunia stood up slowly, still looking at Lily, and Lily saw Petunia's eyes fill with tears. Once Petunia took Vernons hand, they wouldn't ever be able to be the sisters they used to be. Petunia took Vernon's hand, and with another long glance at Lily, let Vernon lead her from the room. They stayed frozen as they heard Vernons car back out of the driveway, and James stood up slowly to walk over to Lily. Lily turned to look at James with tears in her eyes, and James opened his arms, an invitation. Lily threw herself into James' arms and broke down. James hugged Lily tightly, letting her cry into his shirt.
"Lilykins," Andrew said, walking up to Lily, and putting his hand on top of her head, "It's not worth crying over," he said quietly, and Lily looked up, still in James' arms, her face wet. Andrew wiped Lily's tears with his handkerchief, like he used to do when she was little, and gave her a small smile. They heard a choking sound, and turned to see Jane rocking back and forth in her chair, crying. Lily had never seen her mother cry, and she walked towards her, but Jane stood up, and walked over to Lily, pulling her into a motherly hug.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, and walked up the stairs to her bedroom. Andrew looked after her and made to follow her, but stopped abruptly.
"James, do you mind sleeping on the floor in Lily's room for tonight? Your room isn't ready yet," he said, and James shook his head with a smile, "I'm sorry you had to witness that," Andrew added quietly, before heading up the stairs after his wife. James put his arm around Lily and led her up to her room.
When they reached Lily's room, Lily flicked the light on, and allowed James to steer her to her bed. James pulled Lily into his lap and looked at her, but Lily shook her head, "I don't want to cry anymore," she said quietly, and James nodded, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"I think I found someone I hate more than Avery," James muttered, and Lily chuckled.
"No I don't think he deserves that much honour," she said, rolling her eyes, and James chuckled.
"Why did you let him off the hook?" James asked quietly.
"Because I saw the way Tuney, I mean, Petunia, was looking at him," she whispered, looking down at the carpet, "It's the same way mum looks at dad, the way Hestia looks at Sirius, the way I look at you," she said, and shrugged, "Petunia loves him, and if he's what she wants, well, I love her enough to let her go," she said quietly, and James gave her a small smile.
"That's incredibly mature of you," he said, and Lily laughed, leaning on James' shoulder, tucking her face into the crook of his neck, "Lils that tickles," James said, his voice sounding strained, and Lily laughed.
"You're ticklish on your neck?" she giggled, and James rolled his eyes.
"You're ticklish everywhere else," he muttered, and Lily rolled her eyes. She wiggled her fingers by his neck and laughed as James turned his head to the side, trapping her hand, "That's not funny Evans," he said, and Lily laughed again.
"Quite the contrary, I think it's hilarious," she shrugged, and James rolled his eyes. Just then, the door to Lily's room opened and Jane and Andrew walked in, "Hi," Lily smiled at her parents, and her parents smiled back, glad to see she was okay.
"We wanted to talk to you about Petunia," her mother said quietly, standing awkwardly in the doorway. Lily pointed her wand at the door and it shut behind her parents, and conjured up a sofa in front of her bed, "I'm never going to get used to that," her mother muttered, and sat down on the sofa in front of James and Lily, Andrew seating himself next to her, "I want to apologize to you, Lily, because you didn't get the big sister that you were promised," her mother whispered, and Lily looked down at her, shocked.
"Mum it's not your fault," Lily said quietly, but her father shook his head.
"It's nobody's fault that Petunia has made her own decisions, and that you have made yours," her father said, looking at her, "but I have seen how hard you've been trying to win your big sister back, and to be honest, I don't think she deserves the time and energy anymore," Andrew said, and Lily saw her mother's eyes water, but she nodded in agreement.
"Lily the big sister that you had before you turned eleven is gone," her mother whispered, "And I think it would be best if you stopped trying to find her." Lily nodded and James rubbed circles on her back soothingly.
"First Hogsmeade, now this," Lily said quietly, and James' hand stopped at the mention of Hogsmeade.
"Hogsmeade? You mean the town that you go to some weekends? What happened?" Andrew asked, and Lily felt James stiffen beside her. Lily sighed, before looking at her parents.
"You remember how I told you about the dark wizard?" Lily asked and her parents nodded, "and his followers?" her parents nodded again, "they attacked Hogsmeade while we there," she said, and she saw her parents faces drain.
"Is that why you look unwell?" her mother said quietly, and Lily nodded.
"I was in hospital after the attack, and the second I got released we came here," Lily said, and she heard her dad intake air sharply.
"You mean the attack happened yesterday?" he asked quietly, and Lily nodded. She slid off James, who stood up.
"I don't want to listen to this again," he said quietly, looking at Lily, who nodded sympathetically, "I'm going to go watch TV if that's alright with you?" he said, looking around, receiving nods. He was about to leave then turned around to look at Lily who rolled her eyes.
"Pick up the remote, the black box with lots of buttons, and press the red button on top and the TV will switch on. You can use the arrow buttons to choose different channels, and if you want to watch a movie, press the yellow button and put one in, taking out Cinderella first," she said, and her parents chuckled. James nodded, and grinned, and walked out of the room.
"Why doesn't he want to hear it again?" her mother asked.
"Because it was terrible," Lily whispered, "We were in Hogsmeade and, when we got up to leave this café like place, we opened the door to see the Death Eaters, his followers, fighting in the streets. The owner of the Three Broomsticks, the café place, led us out the back door, which put us on the path leading directly to the school. We started to run up to the school when I heard Hestia scream behind me. I turned around to see Sirius, James' best mate and Hestia's boyfriend, fighting off the Death Eater who'd hurt Hestia. Hestia blasted the Death Eater away, and then she and Sirius ran ahead of us up to the school," Lily was whispering now, and her parents faces were pale, "Then I heard someone behind me scream 'Crucio',"
"The torture spell?" Lily looked up to see that her father had spoken, looking pale. Lily raised her eyebrows at him, "I read your textbooks when you're home during the summer. Isn't that spell illegal? And doesn't it cause intense pain to the victim?" A tear slipped down Lily's face and she nodded, "Who did it hit?"
"Me," Lily whispered, and she watched as both her parents gasped, her mother had tears in her eyes and her father was so pale that Lily was afraid he had no more blood left in his face, "I fell to the floor screaming. It hurt so badly. Then James blasted the Death Eater away and fell down next to me to help me. He asked me a few questions to make sure my mind hadn't been affected, and he was crying. I don't think he realized he was, but he was. And then we turned around to go back to the castle again, James supporting me because I was shaky, and there was a pop behind us as people apparated, which means they transported themselves there, and we turned to see 5 of them there. One of them removed their mask, and I recognized her, she graduated a couple years ago. She flicked her wand and silently cursed me again, and I fell to the floor again, every inch of my body was on fire," she sobbed, not realizing her parents were crying, "James, Sirius and Hestia tried to help me but they had frozen them so they couldn't move, and the Death Eater, Bellatrix, kept torturing me. She called me a mudblood then walked back over to the Death Eaters. I heard her say 'Avada', and I thought she was going to kill James, Sirius and Hestia, so I sent a curse at them, and they all flew into a building, which collapsed on them," Lily said, unable to continue.
"Avada? As in Avada-Kedavra?" her father asked, his face pale, and Lily nodded. Her parents stood up and sat on either side of her, their arms around her, "Why did you come so soon?" her father asked.
"I wanted to be here for T-Petunia's wedding," she said, looking down in her lap. Her father wrapped his arms around her, as did her mother, and the three Evans cried together. When they had run out of tears, Jane stood up, wiping her eyes.
"I'm proud of you," she choked, caressing Lily's cheek in the palm of her hand, "I cant believe you were tortured, almost killed, and still came here for your sister," her mother sighed, and kissed Lily on the forehead, "I'm going to go to bed, I'll see you in the morning," she said, hugging Lily tightly, "I love you."
Jane stood up and walked out of Lily's room, heading over to her bedroom. She passed by the TV room to see James watching Cinderella again, "James darling, you can head back there," she said, nodding towards Lily's room, and James stood up, switching off the TV.
"Thank you," he said, smiling.
"No, thank you James, for taking care of my baby girl," she said quietly, and James looked down at her. She walked away before James could say anything, and shut the door to her bedroom. James walked back to Lily's bedroom to see Lily and her dad sitting on the bed together, talking.
"Ah James," her father said, standing up and smiling at him, "I'd best be going now. Good night James," he said, nodding to James, who smiled back at him, before turning to Lily, "Good night my favorite flower."
"Dad! You cant pick favorites!" she gasped, and Andrew rolled his eyes.
"Never stopped me," he said, clapping James on the shoulder before heading to the door, "I'd make James a bed, but I guess you can do that better than I can," he winked, and shut the door behind him.
"I like your parents," James grinned, and turned to Lily, who smiled. Lily and James got into their pajamas, and Lily crawled into bed, climbing under the covers. James transfigured the couch into a bed, and lay down on it. They fell asleep quickly.
"Lily?" Lily sat up quickly and turned to look at the clock on her bedside table; it was 3am. Lily pulled her wand out and muttered 'Lumos', expulsing the room in light. She almost dropped her wand as she saw Petunia standing in the doorway.
"Tuney, I mean, Petunia?" she asked, looking up at her sister, whose shoulders drooped as she heard Lily call her by her full name.
"Lily I need to talk to you," she said, sitting down on the bed next to Lily.
"I don't think your fiancée would approve," Lily said, and Petunia looked down at the bed.
"I know, but I need to talk to you," she whispered, and Lily nodded.
"Talk quietly, you don't want to wake James up," Lily said, nodding towards James' bed and Petunia turned to see James, asleep, and nodded.
"Lily I'm sorry," Petunia said, "But, I love him," she whispered, and Lily nodded, understanding.
"I get it, he's your whole world," Lily said quietly, looking over at James' bed.
"You're really lucky to have him," Petunia said, smiling at Lily, "I can tell he really cares about you, and would do anything for you, and I'm feeling better about this because I know you'll always have him," Petunia said, and Lily looked down at the floor, "Will you still be my maid of honour?" Petunia asked quietly, and Lily nodded, "I love you Lily," Petunia said, pulling her sister into a hug, and Lily hugged Petunia back, feeling a lump rise in her throat.
"I love you too Tuney."
When they woke up on Petunia's wedding day, the house was chaos. Petunia dragged Lily into her room, handed her the maid of honour dress, and told her to go get ready. Lily ran to her room to find James sitting on his bed, wearing a tuxedo that Lily had transfigured his clothes into. Lily grinned at him as she walked in, holding the large garment bag. Lily laid the garment bag on her bed.
"Lily you have to get ready now!" she heard Petunia yell from her room and Lily sighed, and shut the door. James had unzipped the garment bag and was looking down at it with a slight smile on his face. Lily pushed James out of the way and looked down at the dress. It was a cream halter dress. Lily sighed and looked at James.
"Turn around, I don't feel like getting ready in the bathroom," she said, and James grinned, turning around and sitting down on his bed. Lily pulled her pajama top off and pulled the dress on. The dress was until Lily's waist, where it flowed out like a frock, ending at Lily's knees. She pulled her shorts out from under the dress and dropped them on the floor, "you can turn around now," she said the James, who turned and looked Lily up and down.
"It looks nice," he admitted, looking at Lily's chest where the dress revealed too much for Lily's comfort, she snapped her fingers and he looked up to see her slightly amused expression, and turned red, "I'm a guy," he said, raising his hands in surrender, and Lily rolled her eyes. She picked up her pajamas and threw them in the laundry basket in the corner of the room. She tidied up her room and James raised his eyebrows at her questioningly.
"We're leaving to go to your house tonight. I'm not leaving my room messy," she said, and James nodded. When Lily was done with her room, she walked to the bathroom where she could hear Petunia and her mother, while James went downstairs to keep Andrew, who was watching TV, company. When Lily walked into the bathroom in her dress, her mother grinned.
"That's lovely Petunia," she said, and Petunia turned to look at Lily, a smug expression settling on her face.
"It's the only colour that goes with that hair of hers," Petunia said, rolling her eyes, and turning back to the mirror, "Do your makeup," she said, pushing the makeup bag to Lily. Lily sighed and pulled out a stick of mascara, "No you have to put on foundation first!" Petunia said, rolling her eyes, "We're going to be taking pictures, and I don't want a glare to shine off your face." Lily rolled her eyes and picked up the foundation instead. She put little dots on her face and began to rub it in. She then picked up the mascara and eyeliner and did her eyes. She put on some lip-gloss and turned to Petunia. Who looked at Lily's face critically, "You need some blush," she said, and walked over to Lily with a brush in her hand. Lily began to protest but Petunia ignored her and applied the blush on Lily's face, "Now you're perfect," Petunia said, and Lily smiled, "go wear your shoes that I put out for you next to dad," Petunia said, turning back to the mirror to finish off her make up, her hair on top of her head in curlers. Lily walked into the TV room and both James, and her father snapped their heads up to look at her.
"You look beautiful Lily," her father said, looking at her in awe, and Lily grinned. James was looking at Lily and didn't say anything, making her feel uncomfortable.
"Petunia said my shoes were in here," she said, looking around and her father nodded, pulling a box out from underneath the sofa. Lily walked over and opened the shoebox, feeling a hiss escape her. Her father looked into the box and started to laugh, while James looked curiously at them both, "This isn't funny!" Lily whined, pulling out the five inch cream stilettos. James guffawed and Lily narrowed her eyes at him. She put the heels on her feet and wobbled; they were really high, "How am I supposed to walk in these?" she asked, looking at her father, who shrugged.
"It's times like this when I appreciate the simplicity of a males life," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes. She walked back to her bedroom and picked up her wand.
"Lily we're leaving!" her mother yelled, and Lily sighed. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a fancy dark brown jacket, and pulled it over her dress. She ran down the stairs, tucking the wand in her pocket, and almost fell over, forgetting about her heels. James caught her as she began to fall, and put her back on her feet. She smiled at him before taking his hand and following her family outside into the car.
It was snowing, and Lily felt her legs freeze. James put his arm around her shoulder and ran her towards the car. They got inside and James sat next to Lily in the backseat, and Lily ended up sitting in between her mother and James, as Petunia was in the front seat with her dress. The car was freezing and Lily pulled her wand out of her pocket, and suddenly a comfortable heat settled inside the car.
"Thank you Lily," her father said, and Lily giggled. Petunia pursed her lips and turned around to look at Lily.
"Lily could you please not do the freak stuff at the wedding?" she asked, and Lily rolled her eyes, "I think we should put her hair up mum," Petunia said, nodding to Lily, and her mother nodded.
"Whatever you say dear, it's your day." Lily saw James sigh and bit her lip, knowing how much he hated her hair tied up. They reached the church and Petunia ran inside to go get ready, holding her dress and shoes in her arms. Lily's mother grabbed Lily and pulled her towards Petunia's dressing room, "James darling would you bring the bouquet?" she yelled over her shoulder and James nodded. They ran into the church to see Petunia looking shocked, tears filling her eyes.
"Tuney what's wrong?" Lily asked, putting her arm around Petunia. Petunia put her dress and shoes down and ran out of the church. Lily followed her and found her in an empty garden behind the church, "Tuney?"
"They didn't do the decorations!" Tuney screamed, turning to look at Lily, who looked around at the bare garden, "There are supposed to be tables and streamers and a stage and music here!" she said, pointing to the garden, and Lily walked over to Petunia, pulling her into a hug.
"I'll fix it," Lily said, and Petunia looked down at the wand in Lily's hand, and nodded.
"Cream and gold, white tablecloths, 6 people at a table, 15 tables," Petunia said, looking at Lily who nodded. Lily raised her wand and waved it. Streamers burst out of her wand, cream and gold, and draped themselves elegantly on the trees. She then conjured up tables, just as Petunia had instructed, and a wooden dance floor laid itself in the middle of the tables, "There's going to be a live band," Petunia said, watching as her reception came together with awe, and watching Lily, who had a look of intense concentration on her face. Lily's frowned deepened and a raised platform appeared near the dance floor, along with microphones and all the other equipment necessary for a wedding. Petunia looked around with tears in her eyes, "Thank you Lily," she whispered, and pulled Lily into a hug. Lily hugged her sister back and lokoe dup at the sky.
"Do you need a marquee of some sort?" she said, and Petunia looked up.
"I think that would be smart." Lily nodded and pointed her wand at the sky, a large marquee shooting out of her wand, surrounding the entire scene.
"I want to do something," Lily said, and Petunia looked at her curiously. Lily shot her wand up to the sky, a golden ribbon flying out of it, and Petunia watched as the golden ribbon formed the words 'Petunia and Vernon Dursley' in cursive writing. The ribbon exploded and pieces of it landed on the plates, just like they had in the Great Hall. Petunia ran to the plates to see the words 'Petunia and Vernon Dursley' elegantly written on all the plates, with little red hearts surrounding it.
"Lily this is beautiful," Petunia said, looking down at the plate, and Lily shrugged.
"Are there supposed to be decorations in the church?" Lily asked, and Petunia nodded, "You go get ready, I'll handle it," Lily said, and Petunia gave her sister a grateful smile before running to her dressing room. Lily walked into the church and pointed her wand up at the ceiling. James walked in and leaned in the doorway with Andrew, who was watching, mesmerized, as Lily decorated the church. Once she was done, Lily sighed and turned around to see James and Andrew watching her. She grinned cheekily before turning and heading into the dressing room. She ran in and Petunia turned to look at her questioningly. Lily nodded and Petunia grinned, turning back to the mirror, pulling the curlers out of her hair. Jane stood in the back, dressed in a maroon dress with her hair up, holding the wedding gown.
"How do I get that on without messing everything up," Petunia said, looking from the wedding dress warily. Jane looked up worriedly and Lily frowned. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the wedding dress, which flew into the air above Petunia's head. Petunia put her arms up, and Lily carefully put the dress down onto Petunia. Once the dress was on, Petunia turned to the mirror to see that her hair and makeup was intact. She pulled Lily into a hug, before turning to head into the bathroom to check her teeth. Jane hugged Lily.
"Thank you for being here for your sister," she whispered, and Lily patted her mother on the back, "You look beautiful," she said, looking at Lily, who grinned, "Now to put your hair up." Lily sighed and Jane sat her down, pulling her hair back to form an elegant bun, "Done!" Jane said happily, and Petunia walked out, looking down at Lily, who still looked pale and sallow.
"Lily why do you still look sick?" Petunia whined, and Lily looked up at her sister, "It's going to ruin everything!" Lily stood up and looked at her sister, irritated.
"I look sick because I got out of hospital two days ago okay?" Lily said, glaring at her sister. After all the work Lily had done for her, with the decorations and the dress, Petunia had the nerve to complain about how Lily looked?
"Why?" Petunia challenged, and Lily narrowed her eyes.
"Because I got tortured by dark wizards and I left before I had fully recovered to come to your wedding," Lily snarled, and Petunia's mouth snapped shut, her eyes widening. Lily turned around as a knock sounded on the door.
James pushed the door open, and looked inside, "It's time," he said, and Andrew walked inside from behind James. Lily watched Petunia's face pale as she headed over to her father, stopping in front of Lily.
"I'm going to miss you," Petunia said quietly, and Lily looked at her sister. She heard her mother sniffle behind her but ignored it, looking at Petunia.
"You don't have to do this," Lily said, and Petunia shook her head.
"He's right. I shouldn't surround myself with your lot," she said, and Lily felt as if she'd been slapped in the face.
"Well if it's so bad for you to be around my lot, I'll make things easier for you," Lily said, and walked out the door. James looked at Petunia, who gave him a pleading look.
"Look after my baby sister will you?" James nodded, smiling slightly at Petunia.
"You said that on purpose didn't you?" he smirked, and Petunia grinned. James nodded again and turned to follow Lily. He found Lily standing at the start of the aisle. Petunia had decided on no bridesmaids, so Lily was to be walking down the aisle with Vernon's best man, who James didn't like as he kept expressing his interest in Lily, "Hey," James said, walking up behind Lily and wrapping his arms around her. He saw Vernons best man, look away irritably, and grinned.
"Hi," Lily said, turning herself around and smiling up at James. James looked up at her hair and groaned, and Lily laughed, "I'll take my hair down right after the reception alright?" she said, and James grinned. Vernon was already standing at the end of the aisle next to the minister, and the church was filled with their wedding guests, who were looking admirably up at the decorations
"People like your decorations," James whispered into Lily's ear, and Lily smiled up at him.
"Obviously. It was I who did them," she said, and James grinned. There was the noise of someone clearing his throat behind them, and they turned to see Andrew, with Petunia, looking pointedly at James. James let go of Lily and walked up to his seat in at the front of the church next to Jane. Lily narrowed her eyes at her father, who grinned at her, "Dad that wasn't very nice. I think you scared him," Lily said, gesturing in James direction and her father grinned.
"That's my job," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes, ignoring Petunia, and turned to face forwards.
"How long you two been dating?" Vernons' best man asked, and Lily looked up at him.
"A long time, we're thinking of getting engaged actually" she said, and he looked down, dejected. She heard Andrew and Petunia chuckle behind her and turned to give her sister a wink before the music started. They began their slow walk down the aisle, and soon Lily found herself standing on the other side of Vernon, watching Petunia walk down the aisle with her father, laughing at something Andrew had said. Lily turned to look at Vernon, to see a delighted expression on his face, mingled with an expression that looked like what James did when he looked at her. Lily looked down and sighed, finally accepting that Petunia and Vernon were in love. Petunia reached the altar, and Andrew placed her hand in Vernons, giving Vernon a strict look, before seating himself next to his wife, putting an arm around her shoulder.
Lily clapped along with everyone else when the ceremony was over, and watched as her sister, laughing, hanging on to the arm of Vernon Dursley, walked from the hall happily, and Lily grinned, knowing Petunia was always going to be happy. James stood up and took Lily's hand, leading her from the church and to the reception area. James took a seat, looking down at his plate, and looked up to grin at Lily.
"Again?" he said, and Lily rolled her eyes, ignoring the gasps of wonder as the guests looked down at the plates. She looked at her parents, who were looking down at the plates with expressions of awe, then looked up at Lily with smiles on their faces. The band began to play and Petunia and Vernon walked in to a round of applause, and began their first dance.
"She looks happy," Lily said, smiling at the dance floor where Petunia and Vernon were twirling. James looked down at her and grinned. When the song was over, James stood up and held his hand out to her. Lily raised her eyebrows and looked up at him, shaking her head, but James rolled her eyes and pulled her up, leading her to the dance floor, much to the amusement of her parents.
James turned her and started to lead, as more and more people filed onto the dance floor. The couple twisted and turned and danced together until it was time for dinner. When they sat down, Vernon's best man stood up, holding up his wine glass; a speech.
"Are you ready for your speech hon?" Andrew asked, leaning towards Lily, who paled and shook her head. Andrew patted her soothingly on the knee and leaned back, listening to the speech. When Vernons best man was done, he pointed to Lily.
"Next up, the Maid of Honour, Petunia's sister Lily, is going to make a speech," he said, sitting down, and Lily gulped, squeezed James' hand, before standing up shakily.
"Hello," she said, smiling around at everyone nervously, "I'm Lily Evans, Petunia's sister, and I have a few words to say," she started, and she looked at Petunia, who was watching her with wide, incredulous eyes, "Petunia is not the easiest person to get along with, and I would know that, being her little sister," she started, and watched Petunia's eyes widen, "She wakes up really early, and since she doesn't like being alone, she'll wake you up even when you really want to sleep," she said, and the guests chuckled, "But she's one of the best big sisters you could ask for," Lily said, looking at Petunia and thinking back to the time before she had found out about Hogwarts, "I remember when I was 4, and Petunia and I were taking ballet classes together, Petunia would always yell at me for stepping on her toes," Lily said, and another chuckle floated through the guests, "I've been stepping on Petunia's toes for years now, literally and figuratively, and now that she's getting married, I cant do that anymore," Lily said, her eyes filling up with tears. She turned away from Petunia and looked at Vernon, "Vernon, I want to congratulate you on being the person that my sister has fallen in love with, and to ask, no, to beg you, to step on her toes for me all the time. Irritate her, drive her up the walls, because I know that Petunia loves having someone to yell at, and since you're taking her away from me and I cant fulfill that position anymore, I'm passing the responsibility over to you" she grinned, and the guests laughed, "Congratulations you two," she said, and raised her glass up. The guests started clapping and cheering and Lily sat down and sighed, "Ah that was so embarrassing," she whispered, and James chuckled.
"I thought it was a good speech," he said, and Lily looked up at him, rolling her eyes.
After the reception was over, Petunia went off in her wedding car with Vernon, waving to them, and Lily, James, Andrew and Jane headed home. Lily and James would be leaving as soon as they changed, to go to James' house for the rest of the holidays. They changed out of their clothes into jeans and t-shirts, wearing jackets on top of their clothes and wrapping scarves around their necks, Lily and James made their way down the stairs with their trunks. When they reached downstairs, it was to see Lily's parents waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. Lily ran into her parents arms and hugged them goodbye.
"I'll miss you," she said, and her parents kissed her on top of her head.
"We'll miss you more" her father said, and Lily grinned up at him, "Be safe," he said quietly, and turned to James, "It was lovely to meet you, hopefully next time you'll bring a broom and I'll try it out," her father winked, and James laughed, shaking his hand.
"It was a pleasure to meet both of you," James said, shaking Andrews hand, then holding his hand out to Jane. Jane ignored the hand and pulled James into a hug.
"Be careful," she said, pulling away from James, and cupping Lily's cheek in her hand. They nodded and walked to their trunks. They were going to apparate to James house.
"I'll see you soon!" Lily said, holding onto her trunk with one hand and James with the other. They turned on the spot and Lily felt as if a fishhook had grabbed her behind her belly button, pulling her through a wormhole. They had both gotten their apparation licenses during their sixth year, but hated apparating. Lily opened her eyes to see herself standing at the gate of a large mansion.
"This is your house?" she squeaked, looking at James, who nodded, "it's huge!" she said, and James shrugged, pulling her forwards.
"Let's go," he said, and Lily took a step forward.
Hey guys. This chapter was quite slow and really long, but I thought it was necessary to characterize the relationship between Petunia and Lily, Lily and Vernon, and introduce James to Lily's family. I just had my English exam so I'm sorry if the chapters a bit boring.
(: Review!