Hey everyone! It's the weekend! Well, technically its Friday. But still! And I have finished half my exams. Since it's the weekend I'm going to write a chapter. Enjoy (:
Previously:
Lily and James attended Petunia's wedding, and have just arrived at the Potter mansion
Lily looked up at the Potter Mansion as she walked towards the gates. James lived in a mansion? She had had no idea. She realized she actually knew shockingly little about James. What was his favorite food? His favourite book? What did he want to do with his life? She looked up at James, who was looking happily up at the mansion, happy to be home. James pushed the gate open and Lily followed him in. She looked around herself as James shut the gate behind him, and saw a large garden on either side of a winding path that led up to the mansion. Lily looked down at her outfit; jeans and a shirt.
"You look fine," James said, rolling his eyes, and Lily looked up at him, panicked.
"You live in a mansion!" she squeaked, and saw James grin. He huffed and pulled out his wand, pointing it at the trunks. The trunks flew over to his house and Lily raised her eyebrows at him
"I don't feel like dragging them," he shrugged, and Lily rolled her eyes. James walked over to her and took her hand in his, "Calm down Lily. I wasn't so panicked when I met your parents," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Totally different situation," she mumbled, and James squeezed her hand.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, and Lily shook her head. James pulled her to a stop and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Lily. We are not moving until you explain," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes. James held her there and Lily gave up with a sigh.
"Well I was bringing the perfect all round wizard to my muggle family who knows nothing about the magical world. You're bringing your mudblood girlfriend to meet your magical and pureblood family," Lily said, looking up at the mansion.
"Why does blood matter?" he asked quietly, and Lily looked up at him.
"I don't know!" she said, "But everyone's after mudbloods now and…" Lily stopped as James put a finger on her lips, shutting her up.
"Do not call yourself a mudblood. You are not a mudblood Lily. You're just muggle born. And so what if everyone's after muggleborns? It's a stupid prejudice, and my parents don't support it. And even if they did hate muggleborns, it wouldn't have any effect on us," James said, and Lily smiled at him, "Now puck up your Gryffindor courage and come meet my parents," he said, and tugged at her hand. Lily laughed and linked elbows with James, leaning her head on his shoulder. They walked up to James mansion, it could hardly be referred to as a house, and James turned her so she was facing him, "Ready?" he asked, and Lily took a deep breath, nodding. James grinned at her and pushed the door open.
They walked into a brightly lit foyer that had a large mirror on the other side. Lily looked at the mirror and began to fix her hair. James rolled his eyes and pulled her away from the mirror, muttering about girls and mirrors. Lily grinned at James, and looked around her. There were elegant sofas on each side of the foyer and Lily gulped, imagining how fancy James parents must be. They walked through a sliding wood door and Lily gasped, finding herself in a brightly lit, large, extravagant sitting room with large windows that went from ceiling to floor. Out of the window Lily could see a garden swing and a large garden with lots of hedges. Lily looked around to see a few doors lining the walls, and an extravagant spiral staircase next to the sitting room. She saw another door that led to the kitchen and a door leading to the garden. She turned to look at James incredulously and saw him watching her.
"I love your house!" she whispered loudly, and James laughed.
"James?" Lily's head snapped towards the stairs where she could hear footsteps, "James darling is that you?" Emily Potter made her way down the stairs and stopped as she spotted Lily, "Oh. James you didn't say you were bringing guests," she said, looking at James, and then turning to smile at Lily, "It's nice to meet you," she said, walking down the stairs to shake Lily's hand, "Emily Potter."
"Lily Evans," Lily said quietly, smiling at James' mum as she shook her hand. She saw her eyebrows raise and a grin appeared on her face.
"Oh Lily it's lovely to meet you!" she squealed, pulling Lily into a hug. Lily hugged James' mum back with a grin on her face, "Let's go I'll give you the house tour," Emily said, gesturing for Lily to follow her, but James cleared his throat.
"Oh hi mum it's lovely to see you too. I've missed you so much," James said sarcastically, and Emily rolled her eyes.
"Yes hello James darling, I've missed you too," she said just as sarcastically and Lily laughed. Emily winked at Lily before walking over to pull James into a hug. James was taller than Emily, who was about the same height as Lily, and James was able to rest his chin on his mother's head, "Did you bring anyone else?" she asked, and James shook his head, "Excellent," she grinned, and turned back to Lily, "Now Lily, why do you look afraid?" she asked bluntly, and James guffawed. Lily narrowed her eyes at James, who walked around his mum and kissed Lily on the top of the head. Lily rolled her eyes at him, and saw Emily grin.
"I'm not afraid Mrs. Potter, I'm just, intimidated?" Lily said, searching for the right word.
"Mrs. Potter? Oh Merlin, call me Emily," she said, grinning at Lily, "Now James where is your father?" she asked.
"How am I supposed to know? You're the one who has been at home with him," James said, rolling his eyes. Emily huffed and headed towards the stairs.
"C'mon Lily," she said over her shoulder, and Lily followed Emily.
"Thanks mum," James said, following after them.
"Oh James you already know your way around," she said, and Lily chuckled. She had only known Emily for a few minutes and she already liked her. They reached upstairs and Lily looked around. There was a large family room and a few corridors leading out from the family room. The family room was messy and Lily felt calmer as she saw it. She turned to see Emily looking disappointedly down at the mess, "James your father is a slob," she said bluntly, and walked down a corridor while James and Lily grinned, "Lily!" she yelled over her shoulder, and Lily jumped and followed after her.
"I think my mum likes you," James whispered sarcastically to Lily who grinned.
"Jealous?" she asked cheekily, and James rolled his eyes, trying and failing not to grin.
"Daniel!" Lily looked up to see Emily standing when her arms crossed in the doorway to a room. Lily stopped, giving them some privacy, but James put his hand on her back, pushing her forward.
"Emily!" Lily heard James' dad mock her tone and giggled, earning herself a mock stern look from Emily, "Who's giggling?" Daniel asked, and Emily nodded towards Lily and James, who Daniel couldn't see, "Emily!" he whined, and Lily heard the sound of someone getting up. Lily bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"You're exactly the same," Lily whispered, rolling her eyes at James, and Emily chuckled.
"I think it's a Potter men trait. Laziness and idiocy," she chuckled, and Lily grinned. James and his father scoffed simultaneously and Daniel Potter appeared in the doorway. He looked over at James and grinned.
"James!" he said happily, and took a step forward to his son, and then noticed Lily who was a head shorter than James. He looked at her for a second and grinned, "It's nice to meet you Lily." Lily raised her eyebrows, as did Emily.
"How did you know it was Lily?" Emily asked, frowning at her husband.
"Hair," he shrugged, and Lily looked at James, who raised his hands, palms up, at her as if surrendering. Lily rolled her eyes and turned back to grin at Mr. Potter.
"It's really nice to meet you," she said, and Daniel grinned, holding his hand out to Lily, who shook it.
"Well I can't say I'm finally meeting you because after all James has told me I feel like I already know you," he said, grinning, and winking at his son, who blushed. Lily laughed and James glared at his father. Daniel walked over to James and pulled his son into a hug, and James rolled his eyes, patting his father on the back in a manly hug. Emily looked at Lily and gestured for her to follow her. Lily walked over to Emily who led Lily into the room Daniel had just vacated. Lily looked around to see a large bedroom, with a desk in the corner. The sheets of the bed were crumpled, and Lily assumed Mr. Potter had been lying down. Emily sat down on the bed and patted the spot in front of her, and Lily sat down, somewhat nervously.
"How are you?" Emily asked.
"I'm good, how are you?" Lily said, but Emily ignored the second part.
"I meant after Hogsmeade. Dumbledore informed us of what happened during an Order meeting. How are you?" she asked seriously, and Lily ran a hand through her hair, causing Emily to laugh, "I'm guessing that's a habit you picked up from James. I picked it up the first few months I was dating Daniel as well," she said, and Lily grinned.
"I'm a bit shaky, and kind of shocked that it happened, but I guess that's normal," Lily shrugged, and grinned at Emily, "And yes I have picked that up from him." Emily laughed at the second statement then turned serious.
"That is only natural," she said. She took a breath to say something else but the boys walked into the room. James jumped onto the bed, sitting next to Lily, while Daniel sat on a chair with wheels. Lily narrowed her eyes at the chair.
"I thought rolling-chairs were muggle inventions," she said, looking up at Daniel, and heard Emily and James snort. Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"Muggle inventions are fascinating okay!" he said, looking at his wife and son, who snorted and Lily laughed.
"Don't worry. James was fascinated by muggle inventions at my house," she said, and Emily and Daniel laughed as James narrowed his eyes at Lily, "what?" Lily asked innocently, and James rolled his eyes with a grin on his face. Lily yawned and Emily jumped up.
"We need to get you to bed, it's late," she said, and looked down at her watch. Daniel and James held their hands out, asking her to help them up, but Emily ignored them and held her hand out to Lily, who took her hand and stood up. Emily grinned at her husband and son, before putting her arm around Lily's shoulder, "Let me show you your room," she said, leading Lily from the room.
"Goodnight!" Lily yelled over her shoulder to Mr. Potter, who grinned.
"Night Lily," he said, standing up. James jumped off the bed and, with a swift 'night' to his father, followed after Lily and his mum. Emily led Lily out of that corridor back into the family room, and to the corridor opposite the stairs. The stopped at the door on the left, and Emily pushed it open. Lily felt her jaw drop. The room was huge. There was a king sized bed and a dresser, as well as an empty bookshelf and a desk.
"So you know where our room is, don't be afraid to come there if you need anything, or just call for Anna," Emily grinned. She hugged Lily and walked back down the corridor and turned.
"Who's Anna?" Lily asked, turning to James.
"House elf," he said, and Lily nodded.
"Where's your room?" she asked curiously, and James grinned. He pointed to the door behind them and Lily raised her eyebrows, "your parents are letting us sleep in rooms opposite each other?"
"Well your parents let us sleep in the same room the first night," James grinned, and Lily rolled her eyes. James grabbed Lily's hand and opened the door to his room, pulling her in. Lily looked around to see a similarly large room, but with two single beds as opposed to one king sized bed. James had posters all over his walls of Quidditch teams. Lily noticed a small, framed photograph of the Marauders on James' desk.
"Who's the other single bed for?" Lily asked, nodding towards the other bed.
"Sirius. When he moved out he came here and basically lives here during the summer," James shrugged and Lily nodded. She had heard about Sirius' family situation. Lily walked around James' room and looked at the various items. She had reached James' desk, where papers with incantations on them were scattered. Lily picked one up and started to read it, recognizing some and not recognizing others. She felt James' hands wind around her waist and turned back to look at him.
"Hi," she said, kissing James on the cheek.
"Hi there," James chuckled, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I like your parents, they remind me of you," Lily grinned and saw James roll his eyes out of the corner of her eye, "it's true!" James chuckled and Lily felt him yawn into her hair, "Time for bed," she said, turning around, resting her hands on James' chest.
"Okay let's go," James winked, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Let me rephrase," she started but James cut her off.
"No, I liked the way you phrased it the first time," James said matter-of-factly and Lily narrowed her eyes at him.
"Grow up Potter," she said and James winked at her. Lily rolled her eyes and reached down to untwine James' harms from around her waist. James held on to his other hand tightly as Lily tried to pull his hands from around her. James' arms wouldn't budge and Lily grunted, "Are you serious?" she asked and James raised his eyebrows.
"No I'm James," he said seriously, "Have you been confused this whole relationship?" Lily started to laugh and gave up on trying to separate his hands. James chuckled and buried his face in Lily's hair, causing Lily to jump.
"That tickles don't do that!" Lily squealed, leaning away from James, who looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He held her more tightly and moved one of his hands up to her neck. Lily squealed and tried to get away, but there was no escape.
"I'll let you go on one condition," James said, stopping for a minute. Lily rolled her eyes at him and got up on her tiptoes to give him a kiss, "that's more like it," James winked, letting go of Lily, who rolled her eyes.
"Goodnight James," she said as she walked out of the room, "James did you want to tell me something?" she asked, looking at his expression.
"Nothing important!" he squeaked, and Lily knew it was the opposite, "Goodnight Lils," he grinned. Lily shut the door behind her and James flopped onto his bed. Lily walked to her room and opened her trunk. She pulled out her favorite pajamas, shorts and a tank top, and crawled into bed. As she was about to fall asleep, she heard a tapping on the window. She looked out of the window to see an owl. She stood up quickly and opened the window for the owl. The owl flew in and landed on the dresser, holding out its leg. Lily walked lazily over to the owl and pulled the letter off its leg. The owl hooted and flew out of the window. Lily sighed and sat down on the bed, unrolling the letter. Two letters were enclosed in the envelope and Lily sighed. The first one was from Hestia.
Lily!
Oh Merlin I miss you so much. It has been about 4 days since you left me all by myself with boys and I am so lonely. They locked up the Heads dorm since you and James are not here so I have to sit in the noisy Gryffindor common room with Sirius, Remus and Peter.
It is excruciatingly painful. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Sirius, and Remus is one of the most thoughtful and amazing people I have ever met, but Peter? I honestly have no idea why James, Sirius and Remus are friends with him and I have come to the conclusion that they are only friends because they were in the same dormitory and the three of them could not plan everything without Peter feeling left out. That is the conclusion I have drawn, right now, sitting by myself in the dormitory. I would go to the Marauders dormitory, but hello, it smells bad.
How was Petunia's wedding? I hope she was not too hateful towards you. Oh! How did James meeting the parents go? I bet they absolutely adored him. Where are you now? Judging by the time you're probably lying in a bed somewhere, and because of me you are now awake and groaned before reading this letter. I love you too Lily-flower. Oh Merlin. I think I've picked that up from Sirius. I apologize profusely. Are you at James' house yet? Sirius said it was a mansion. Is that really true? Good luck meeting his parents! They're both Aurors so I hope you're not too afraid of them! Not that you're one to be easily afraid.
I'm ranting. My deepest and sincerest apologies. Oh Merlin you will never believe what happened today. A first year came up to me and asked me out. A FIRST YEAR! It was so embarrassing. And Sirius, well you know Sirius, jinxed the first year, who was cute by the way, with a Bat-Bogey Hex. I would appreciate you giving him a detention for this. I ended up spending an hour comforting the first year, who then tried to ask me out once again. It was terrible.
It is late. And I must be going. I would send you a letter regarding the holiday homework but I am already sleepy and that will just push me over the edge. Besides Remus said he was going to send you a letter regarding that, so I don't think I should deny him the pleasure. He's such a nerd, honestly.
Lots of Love, your best and most gorgeous friend, Hestia.
Lily laughed and set the letter down, deciding to reply to Hestia tomorrow. She picked up the second letter and recognized Remus' handwriting.
Lily,
How's the holiday treating you? Are you feeling better? You probably are as James is talking to Sirius at the moment, loudly I might add, and at this hour of the night, those inconsiderate twats. I hear you are now at James' house. They're discussing your sister's wedding, and yes Sirius has made a number of inappropriate comments regarding your sister, sorry, and I can't be bothered to listen if I have the choice. For some odd reason Wormtail has managed to sleep through this, he leaves for his mothers in the morning. And Sirius has just fallen off the bed in an attempt to demonstrate something to James. And he is stuck in some odd position and requires my assistance. What the hell. That Sirius Black is an odd bloke I tell you. As is James Potter but I assume you already know that as you are currently dating said twat. Sirius has just asked whom I'm writing to, so you are now my mum. Hi mum! I would tell them the truth but then James would start asking what I'm writing about and Sirius would make fun of me because of our brief history in…fifth year was it? Which James still doesn't know about so I'd very much appreciate it if you wouldn't tell him please? My apologies I'm not very good with years. And with what to say isn't that magnificent? I might have just made you feel awkward. If you are not awkward I have made you feel awkward by mentioning the word awkward. Oh Merlin I'm sleep deprived. I'm always so exhausted the week surrounding Full Moon, which was last night. I don't know why I'm telling you this. You're just so much easier to talk to than James and Sirius at times. I don't even bother talking to Wormtail usually because he usually get's awkward or begins discussing what we're going to do next- wait. Never mind. Oh Merlin, Sirius is coming over here to see what I'm writing.
So mum, how's father? I hope he's well I do miss him very much- and he's gone. Phew. James is now talking about you. I will not tell you what he is saying as it is not something you would want to hear and I am bound as a best friend and a Marauder. And now you're thinking about this. This is awkward. I'm going to go now. See you later Lily-flower. Oh Merlin Sirius' nickname has worn off on all of us. Miss you, Remus.
OH I ALMOST FORGOT. The homework. Charms, 13" [I KNOW 13 WHAT IS HE THINKING?] parchment on the theory of conjuring live objects. Transfiguration, 2 parchments on transfiguring your appearance. Potions, Questions on page 378 of the textbook; all of them. That's all the homework we got for ALL the classes. It's still an insane amount. It's as if the teachers assume that we have no lives. Anyway. Goodnight! Have a good day tomorrow.
Remus
Lily grinned down at Remus' letter. She frowned down at a particular sentence that shone out at her. Wormtail usually because he usually get's awkward or begins discussing what we're going to do next- wait. Never mind. What was Remus talking about? Lily decided to think about it later; she was tired. She folded up the letters and put them down on the side table next to her bed. She lay down on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin, curling up into a ball.
Lily woke up in the morning to see a house elf standing by her bed. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, wondering if she was imagining it. She looked around at the unfamiliar large room and remembered that she was in James' house. She jumped out of bed and turned to the house elf, "how do I look?" she asked. The house elf grinned up at her.
"I think Miss looks wonderful," she said, and Lily grinned down at her.
"Hi I'm Lily," she said, holding her hand out to the house elf. The house elf looked warily at her hand and then took it.
"Hi miss I am Anna," she said, and Lily gave her a friendly smile.
"Please call me Lily, Anna," Lily said politely, and the house elf beamed at her.
"Lily must wake up now. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are to be going down for breakfast soon and Master James needs to be woken up, again," Lily laughed at the reference to waking James up. She looked down warily at her pajamas, "The Potters wear their pajamas to breakfast, but I would suggest Lily wears longer bottoms," Anna said, grinning at Lily who laughed.
"Thank you Anna. Don't worry about waking James up, I can handle that," Lily said and Anna smiled before bowing down to her, "Oh no none of that," Lily said, gesturing to Anna's bow, "You don't have to bow to me. I'm your friend. Not your master or whatever," Lily said and Anna grinned up at her.
"Whatever Lily wishes, see you later," Anna said, "It's nice to see Master James has found such a lovely companion," Anna mumbled to herself before disapparating. Lily sighed and opened her trunk, and pulled out her grey sweat pants. She pulled her shorts off and pulled the sweat pants on before heading into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and looked at her hair in the mirror, which was a mess. She groaned and tied it up into a knot. Satisfied, she walked out of her bedroom and opened the door to James' room quietly. James was sprawled all over the bed and Lily chuckled quietly. She now understood what Emily was referring to when she called James a slob. Lily walked quietly over to James' bed and sat down on the edge of it.
"James," she whispered, and James didn't move, "James," this time she put her hand on his shoulder and James groaned and stretched, "James wake up," she said, patting his shoulder.
"No I'm sleeping," he mumbled into his pillow, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"You're stealing my lines James," she said and James chuckled into his pillow.
"You're rubbing off on me Evans," he said, and turned onto his back, opening his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at Lily, who was blurry, "Why are you in my room?" he asked, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Because Anna came to wake me up saying it was breakfast time and then said she had to come wake you up again so I let her off the hook," Lily shrugged and James rolled his eyes, "James get up," she said, standing up, but James didn't move. Instead he grabbed her sweat pants and pulled her down onto the bed so she was lying down next to him, "Mature James," she muttered and James grinned. He wrapped his arms around her and hid his face in her neck.
"Morning Lils," he sighed, and Lily grinned.
"Someone is slow this morning, c'mon lets go eat!" she said, and stood up, pulling James up with her. James found himself sitting up and rubbed his eyes vigorously. He leaned over and grabbed his glasses, putting them on his face, looking up at Lily.
"I'm not slow. I'm sleepy. There's a difference," he said, pushing the blanket off himself and climbing out of bed. Lily looked down to see James in only his boxers and blushed as he caught her looking at his stomach, "Yes Lils?" he said cheekily, putting his hands on her hips and pulling her towards him.
"Would it kill you to wear a shirt," she mumbled, taking a step back, blushing deep maroon, and James laughed. He walked over to his cupboard and pulled out a grey shirt, and pulled it over his head. He pulled on a pair of loose pajama pants and turned towards her, holding out his hand, but Lily shook her head, "Go brush your teeth," she said in a stern voice and James rolled his eyes.
"Yes mommy," he said, and walked over to his bathroom. James brushed his teeth and walked out of the bathroom, wiping his face with his shirt, revealing his stomach again.
"You know they invented this new thing, called towels," Lily said, and James shook his head, grinning. He grabbed Lily's hand and walked out of his bedroom. He led Lily into the family room and down the stairs. Once downstairs, Lily looked around, confused.
"This way," James chuckled, pulling her hand. James led Lily through an entrance she hadn't noticed the night before, and Lily found herself in a dining room, with a table that seated 8. James' parents were already seated.
"Lily!" Emily said happily, patting the chair beside her. Lily grinned at Emily and sat down next to her.
"Morning Mr. Potter," Lily said and Daniel looked up incredulously.
"No no, Mr. Potter is my father. My name is Daniel," he said, and Lily grinned.
"Morning Daniel," she said, and Daniel laughed.
"Morning Lily," he replied and Lily saw Emily roll her eyes. James sat down across from his mother, diagonal from Lily.
"Morning Pumpkin," Emily sung, and James looked up at his mother and blushed, while Lily chuckled quietly. Emily looked up at her sons' expression and rolled her eyes, "I'm not going to stop calling you Pumpkin because Lily is here," she said, grinning at her son. She turned to Lily, "There's actually a reason behind that. When he was a baby he was probably the fattest thing I've ever seen," Emily said, and Lily laughed, as did Daniel, who grinned at James, who was glaring at his mother.
"I wasn't fat," James said, and his parents laughed harder. He looked at Lily who smiled at him and crossed his arms, "I hate you all," he said, and Lily snorted, "I hate you Lils," he said, narrowing his eyes at her and Lily looked up at him, pretending to look offended, causing James' parents to laugh and James to roll his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching. There was a crack and Lily jumped, and looked on the other side of her to see a different, grumpy, house elf standing next to her.
"Morning ma'am," he said, bowing to Lily, "Name's Alan," he said and Lily grinned at him.
"Nice to meet you Alan, I'm Lily," she said, and Alan smiled up at her.
"What does ma'am want for breakfast?" he asked politely, and Lily saw the Potter's stare incredulously down at the house elf.
"I'd appreciate it if you could call me Lily," she said politely, and the house elf bowed, "And don't bow please. I'm not your master, I'm just a friend," she grinned, and the house elf smiled again.
"We have a few options for breakfast Lily. Do you want pancakes, toast, bacon, eggs? Whatever you desire we can have made for you," he said, and made to bow, but stopped, and Lily laughed.
"Bacon and toast if it's possible?" Lily said politely and Alan grinned.
"Anything is possible Lily madam," Alan said, and disapparated. Lily turned back to the table to see the Potters staring incredulously at her.
"What?" she asked, self-consciously, reaching her hand to her hair.
"Alan's never smiled before," Daniel said, looking at Lily with incredulous eyes, "wonder what that was about," Lily raised her eyebrows and turned to Emily, who nodded.
"I don't know what that was but thank you for coming. I was beginning to worry that the poor bloke didn't know how to smile," she said, and Lily chuckled. She heard James 'harrumph' and looked up at him to see him glaring at her with narrowed eyes.
"What?" she asked again, and James huffed. He stood up and walked over behind Lily. He pulled her hair out of the knot and went to sit back down, holding her hair tie.
"James?" Emily asked, looking at James as if he'd going insane.
"James that's not fair my hair is a mess!" Lily exclaimed, combing through her hair with her fingers. James looked at her hair and shrugged.
"I don't think it looks like a mess," he shrugged, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Can I know what just happened?" Daniel asked, looking at Lily.
"James doesn't like my hair tied up for some ridiculous reason," she said, rolling her eyes, and Emily laughed.
"I think that's another Potter trait," she said, nudging Lily, who laughed.
"Really?" she asked, and Emily nodded. Daniel looked at Lily and shrugged, and Lily laughed again. Suddenly, there was a hooting noise from above and Jackie landed on the table in front of Daniel, holding her leg out. Daniel untied the letter and Jackie, whose eyes had been on Lily the whole time, flew up and landed on Lily's hair. James burst into laughter and Lily squealed as the owl nipped at her head. Emily and Daniel watched, amused and fascinated, as the owl picked up a lock of Lily's hair. Emily reached up and grabbed the owl, bringing her back down onto the table, leaving Lily rubbing at the spot on her head where Jackie had pecked her.
"I see James wasn't exaggerating," Daniel chuckled, as he looked at James, who was wiping at his eyes.
"Well it's understandable. I mean, look at her hair, its auburn, and its shiny," Emily shrugged, looking appreciatively up at Lily's hair, "No wonder Jackie likes it," Emily reached out and grabbed a lock of Lily's hair, "this is natural right?" she asked, and Lily nodded, "it's beautiful," she said, and Lily turned to grin at her.
"Mum that's my property," James said, looking pointedly at Lily's hair in Emily's hand.
"Excuse me?" Lily said, looking at James, eyebrows raised. James grinned cheekily at her and Lily rolled her eyes. There was a crack beside her and Alan showed up with four plates. He put Lily's in front of her, and then set the other plates in front of the Potters.
"Enjoy Lily madam," he said, before disapparating.
"Lily, I see you have an admirer," Emily said, shaking her head as she turned to her food, and Lily blushed.
"Oh James you have competition," Daniel said, clapping James on the shoulder.
"Something to think about," Lily said, winking at James, who laughed.
"I'm not going to lose to a house elf Lils," he said, and Lily shrugged.
"You never know James. He doesn't go around calling me his property," she said, looking up at James. Daniel and Emily watched James and Lily banter with amused expressions on their faces.
"I was kidding Evans you know that," James said, rolling his eyes, and Lily stuck her tongue out at him.
"Well if you get so overconfident and your head inflates I wont be able to talk to you," Lily said, shrugging, "I don't like inflated heads," she said, and James rolled his eyes.
"I bet you've been waiting to insult me since we started term," he grinned, and Lily laughed.
"Not necessarily I used it on Sirius a lot. Relieved the urge and that way the classic insults don't die out," she shrugged and James grinned at her cheekily.
"Also you don't want to lose your perfect gorgeous boyfriend now do you?" he asked.
"Sirius?" she said, winking at James, who looked insulted. Emily and Daniel burst into laughter and Lily jumped; she had forgotten James' parents were there.
"I'll get you for that Evans," James said, narrowing his eyes at her playfully and Lily felt her stomach swoop; the last time he had looked at her like that, it had been before their snogging session in her room.
"Bring it Potter," she said, raising her eyebrows and James waggled his eyebrows at her. Emily chuckled once again, happy that her son had found someone like Lily. Daniel smiled at Lily, knowing he liked her even if he hadn't talked to her much, and turned to read the letter. Daniel groaned and Lily, James and Emily turned to Daniel.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Emily asked, looking at Daniel. Lily scrunched her nose; she couldn't imagine ever calling James something gooey such as 'sweetie'. James seemed to be thinking along similar lines and turned to look at Lily, to see her scrunched nose, and the two of them grinned at each other.
"We have to go in to the Ministry today," he groaned, hurriedly eating his breakfast, "there's been an attack and they need Aurors on the scene immediately to investigate," Daniel said.
"Was anyone killed?" Emily asked, and Lily heard a hint of sorrow in her voice, and felt her heart sink as she realized the trauma that word must have had on the Potters.
"I don't know," Daniel said quietly, looking at the empty seat next to James. James was quiet and was looking at Lily.
"We should probably get going," Emily nodded, her breakfast already finished. She turned to Lily and smiled, "We'll catch up later, I want to get to know you better while you're here," she smiled, before standing up. Not bothered to walk all the way up to their room, Emily and Daniel pointed to their clothes, which changed to their Military attire.
"See you later," Daniel said, smiling at both Lily and James, before grabbing his wife's hand and the two of them disapparated with a pop. James looked up at Lily and smirked, and Lily felt her stomach swoop. She had finished her breakfast, as had James.
"Anna!" James called, and Anna appeared next to James.
"Yes?" she asked, and waved over at Lily who waved back.
"Mum and Dad have gone out for work, and Lily and I are going to go upstairs alright?" he said, looking at Anna, who nodded.
"You do not want to be disturbed?" she asked, and James nodded, grinning at Anna who rolled her eyes, "you are such a male Master James," she said, before disapparating.
"You are now at my mercy," James said, smirking at Lily. Lily squealed and jumped out of her chair. James stood up simultaneously and Lily found herself trapped in the dining room, "Okay I'll give you a ten second head start, this would be unfair and no fun," he said, and looked at her. He started to count backwards from ten and Lily ran out of the dining room. She found the stairs and sprinted up them as James yelled out 'one'. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see James starting up the stairs, and screamed. She had reached the top of the stairs and ran down the corridor that led to hers and James room. James couldn't see her so she ran into his room, assuming that he would expect her to run into hers. She hid under James' bed and kept quiet. She heard James push open the door to her room and then swiftly shut the door, heading into his. He pulled out his wand and pointed it in the room, "Homenum revelio," he muttered and then smirked, putting his wand down on his dresser, and shutting the door behind him. Lily narrowed her eyes; that was cheating, "I know you're in here Lils," he said and Lily felt her spine tingle. She watched as James' feet disappeared, heading towards the other side of the room.
Suddenly, she felt something grasp her foot. She screamed as James pulled her out from under the bed. He held her down on the floor, and lay down on top of her, making it impossible for her to escape, "that was cheating," she said, glaring up at James who smirked.
"No rules were specified, so technically, it wasn't cheating," he winked. He leaned down to kiss her but Lily rolled out from under him gracefully, and stood up, grinning down at James, laying on the floor. He glared up at her, "now that was cheating," he said, standing up, "I already caught you."
"No rules were specified so technically it wasn't cheating," Lily grinned, and James rolled his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"I'm still going to win Evans," he said, walking towards her and Lily kept backing up. She found herself with her back against the wall and froze, "See?" he whispered, standing close to her and Lily rolled her eyes.
"This isn't fair! You always corner me," she whined, and James chuckled. He put his hands in her hair, running his hands through it and twirling strands in between his fingers.
"Don't tell me you don't enjoy it Evans?" James said, pretending to be shocked, and Lily rolled her eyes. Lily opened her mouth to say something but was unable to as James lowered his mouth to hers.
"What if I don't want to kiss you?" she said, pulling away from him, looking at him challengingly. James shrugged.
"Fine by me, you don't have to kiss me," he said, and smirked, before leaning down to kiss her jaw-line, "but that doesn't stop me from kissing you," he whispered in her ear, and Lily trembled. James chuckled and kissed Lily behind the ear.
"You're going to kill me," Lily whined quietly, gripping James' shoulders and pulling herself closer to him, "you know that?" Lily felt James chuckle against her and turned her head to kiss his neck. She felt him squirm and snickered.
"No fair, you know I'm ticklish there," he said, pulling back so he could look a grinning Lily in the eye, "And quite the contrary actually," he said, leaning his forehead against hers, "I think you're going to end up killing me," he said. Lily grinned and got up on her tiptoes to kiss him. James held her to him, and deepened the kiss, not that Lily minded. There was a buzzing sound from the other side of the room, and Lily pulled away from James. She turned her head to see what the source of the buzzing was and James leaned down to kiss her neck, "forget it, it's only Sirius," he muttered, and Lily rolled her eyes. She pushed James away from her and walked over to pick up the mirror, "Lily I wouldn't answer that!"
"Hey Sirius," she said into the mirror, and Sirius's face appeared in the mirror. He looked at Lily and froze, before smirking.
"What were you just doing?" he asked and Lily looked at him curiously. James came up behind her and dangled a piece of fabric in front of her face, which Lily recognized as her tank top. She looked down to see herself standing in her bra and screamed, taking the tank top from a snickering James, covering herself up.
"How do you keep managing to do that!" she exclaimed, and she heard Sirius snicker, "oh shut up Black," she said, and handed the mirror to James, blushing.
"Nice one Prongs," she heard Sirius say and James grinned down at the mirror and winked.
"I hate you all," she said, pulling the tank top on and turning around to see James grinning up at her, "I will kill you when there are no witness' present," she said, gesturing to the mirror and James snickered, as did Sirius.
"Well Lily-flower I don't think anyone would mind if you killed them dressed in the attire you were in when you answered the mirror," she heard Sirius say, and blushed. She saw James look down at Sirius with a sly grin on his face.
"Sirius how much did you see?" she asked, walking back over to James.
"Well how much of me can you see Lily-flower?" he asked, and Lily saw him gesture to himself. She looked and saw that she could see to right under Sirius' armpits.
"Oh no," she mumbled, crossing her arms self-consciously over her chest.
"So that makes it a grand number of two times I have seen you dressed inappropriately," Sirius said, grinning and winking up at Lily who rolled her eyes.
"Where's Hest?" she asked, and Sirius winked at her.
"Don't worry I wont tell her. It'll be between us," Lily felt her face heat up and Sirius snickered, and James chuckled silently behind her.
"Not why I was asking, Black," she said, looking anywhere but at Sirius and James.
"It's Black now? Oh but I was enjoying being called Sirius," he said, pouting and Lily rolled her eyes, "She just went to her dorm to get something," he said, answering Lily's first question, "She'll be here in less than a minute probably," he said, and turned back to smirk at James, "So seriously, what were you two doing?" Lily saw James wink and Sirius 'woo-hooed' and Lily glared at them both.
"It wasn't that!" she squealed, and both the boys laughed.
"That's not what we were suggesting, but I don't mind discussing that," James said, looking at Lily, who rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to leave," she said, storming away from them.
"Bye Lily-flower!" Sirius yelled.
"Lily!" Lily heard and she ran back to James, "Did you say Lily? Where is she?" Hestia asked, as she entered the dorm. Sirius gestured to the mirror and Hestia squealed running over. Lily saw her best friends face in the mirror and the two girls squealed, "Lily! Oh Merlin I have missed you! What's wrong with your hair? It looks as if you two have just been snogging," she said, and Lily heard Sirius snicker.
"Not just snogging, shirtless snogging," he said, and Lily turned bright maroon.
"How would you know she was shirtless?" Hestia asked sternly, turning to look at Sirius, who stuttered, and Lily snickered, as did James, "Did he see you shirtless?" Hestia asked, turning back to the mirror and winking. Lily grinned and nodded and Hestia laughed, "I thought our bright Head Girl would remember to put a shirt on after talking to someone," Hestia said, rolling her eyes.
"She was not aware that she was not wearing a shirt, I'm sneaky," James said, winking at Hestia, who laughed.
"Okay Lily, I think we should allow these boys to talk about Merlin knows what they talk about. Go reply to my letter!" Hestia squealed, and Lily groaned.
"But my hand hurts!" Lily whined, and she heard Sirius snicker.
"What have you been doing with your hands Lily-flower?" Lily's blush deepened and beside her she felt heat radiate off of James' skin.
"I'll go reply to your letter," Lily said, looking at Hestia and ignoring Sirius, who was snickering at her blush.
"Details!" Hestia screamed and Lily rolled her eyes. She started to walk out of the room.
"Be right back Pads," James said, setting the mirror down and heading over to Lily. He wrapped his arms around her and turned her so she was facing him, "We'll finish this later," he whispered, and Lily felt tingles flow down her spine, and she nodded. James chuckled and kissed Lily's nose before picking up his mirror.
"Prongsie do you think Hest and I could come over there? And bring Remus along? It's dead boring here," Sirius said, and James grinned.
"Sure, it's fine by me. When do you want to come?"
"Would now be okay? I don't fancy sitting here while these two have a snog fest," Remus said, showing up, gesturing to Sirius and Hestia.
"Sure that would be great," James grinned, and Lily walked over to him, and grinned down at Hestia who was jumping up and down and squealing.
"Hello Lily," Remus said, smiling at Lily, who grinned at him.
"Thanks for the letter Remus," she said, and Remus grinned.
"Anytime Lily-flower," he winked, and Lily laughed.
"What letter?" James asked, and Lily shook her head, "What letter?" he asked again, turning to face Remus, who, after looking at Lily, shook his head, causing James to growl in frustration.
Remus laughed, "We'll be there in 20 minutes," he said, and the mirror went black. James turned to face Lily.
"What letter?"
"Nothing! Remus and Hestia sent me letters last night whilst you were talking to Sirius," she shrugged, "Remus told me," she said, as James raised his eyebrows.
"Well can we finish now?" James asked, wrapping his arms around her waist, and Lily sighed
"I suppose I can do that," she said, and James grinned. He dropped his lips onto hers again and Lily, just for the fun of it, bit his lower lip. James groaned and Lily felt a great satisfaction. She pushed James and he toppled onto Sirius' bed.
"I don't know if Sirius will appreciate this," James winked, and Lily laughed. James leaned back, resting on his elbows, and Lily sat down on his stomach. She bent over to kiss him, a hand in her hair keeping it out of her face. James grabbed her hand and let her hair drop on them. James sat up straight, so that Lily was sitting on his lap, never breaking the kiss. James put his hands on Lily's waist, holding her in place, and Lily rested her arms on James' shoulders. Lily took James' shirt off and threw it to the other side of the room and felt James' hands on her bare stomach. How does he do that? Lily screamed to herself. James' hands drifted up Lily's back to the back of her bra and Lily jumped off James. James hadn't been about to do what Lily had thought, and he stood up, walking towards her. He put his hand back where it had been and drifted it further up to the back of Lily's neck, to show her what he had wanted to do. He saw Lily's relieved expression and smiled at her.
They heard a crack outside the door. "Just a minute!" James yelled towards the door, and ran to the other side of his room, putting on his shirt. He threw Lily's tank top to her and she put it on. James pulled the door open to see Anna standing there.
"Master Sirius is here Master James, he and two others just entered the gate" she said, and James nodded his thanks. He looked at Lily, whose appearance was disheveled, and whose hair was tangled because of the snogging and grinned at her. He conjured up a hairbrush and started to brush out her hair.
"I can do that!" Lily protested, but James rolled his eyes.
"I know you can. I want to," he said. Lily rolled her eyes and when James was done brushing her hair, satisfied with himself, he took her hand and led her downstairs. They walked to the foyer and opened the door. Hestia ran down the path to Lily and flew into a hug.
"Oh Merlin I'm so glad we can spend time together!" Hestia squealed, and Lily laughed.
"PRONGSIE!" Sirius yelled, flying into James' arms similarly to the way Hestia had flown into Lily's. Hestia rolled her eyes and released Lily. Lily turned to Remus and grinned.
"Hi Remus!" she said, and hugged the werewolf. Remus looked unwell, and Lily mentally calculated that the full moon had been two nights ago night. Remus hugged her back and turned to Sirius and James, grinning. He and James clapped each other on the back and then Hestia squealed and hugged James. Sirius looked at Lily and smirked, and Lily resolutely refused to hug him. Sirius laughed and slung an arm around Lily's shoulders.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about Lily-flower," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes. They entered to see Anna standing in the foyer, "ANNA BANANA!" Sirius yelled and Lily saw Anna grin. Sirius hugged the house elf and Anna laughed.
"Nice to see you again Master Sirius," she said, and Lily noticed a faint blush on Anna's face. Apparently it wasn't only human females who found Sirius Black irresistible. The five of them headed upstairs and Hestia followed Lily into her bedroom while the boys went into James'.
"This place is, wow," Hestia said, looking around, and dropping her trunk on the floor. She pulled off her jacket and rummaged in her trunk for her pajamas. She threw them on and grinned at Lily, "much better," she said, and Lily grinned. Hestia and Lily sat on the bed together and talked, discussing Hestia's letter, Remus' letter, and the snogging adventures of James and Lily, as well as Hestia and Sirius. The two girls jumped as the door was blasted open and Sirius walked in, followed by Remus and James.
"Hello females," Sirius said, sitting down on Lily's bed, "See Lily-flower, I told you I'd get in your bed," he winked, and Lily rolled her eyes as James and Remus guffawed.
"Congratulations Black. Now will you please get off my bed? I don't like dogs on my bed," Lily shuddered, and Sirius glared at her.
"I have found a worthy opponent," Sirius declared, holding his hand out to Lily, and Lily took a mock bow. James sat down next to Lily and Remus sat in between Sirius and James.
"What were you two talking about?" Remus asked curiously, "we heard squealing and laughing."
"That is confidential information that cannot be shared," Hestia said, looking at Lily who grinned at her.
"That's pretty much the definition of confidential you've got there," James said cheekily, pulling Lily into his lap.
"MOONY! BETRAYAL!" everyone's heads snapped up to see Sirius holding two letters in his hands, the ones that Lily had received last night. He was grinning and looking down at the letter from Remus, "I thought you were writing to your mum!" Sirius said, and Lily laughed.
"Oh that's the letter you were writing oh so secretively?" James asked, grinning at Remus, who shrugged. Sirius began to read Hestia's but Hestia grabbed it swiftly, shoving it down her shirt.
"Don't think I wont go in there and get it," Sirius winked, and Hestia blushed, but rolled her eyes.
"Lily! James!" Their heads snapped up in the direction of the family room, and Lily recognized Emily's voice.
"In Lily's room!" James yelled, and Emily headed over to Lily's room, Daniel behind her. When they turned into the room, they stopped, not expecting to see so many people.
"Mrs. Potter!" Sirius yelled, standing up and hugging Emily. Emily laughed and hugged him back.
"Good to see you too Sirius," she said, rolling her eyes, and Sirius grinned.
"Senior Potter!" he yelled, and Daniel looked down at him, insulted.
"Senior? Who do you think you are?" he laughed, and pulled his adopted son into a hug. He pulled away from Sirius and looked at Remus, "Remus! It's been so long!" he exclaimed, and Remus stood up, expecting handshakes, but receiving hugs from both of James' parents, "And who's this?" Daniel asked, turning towards Hestia.
"Hestia Jones, nice to meet you sir," Hestia said, standing up and holding her hand out. Daniel shook it with a friendly smile on his face. Emily was looking at Hestia.
"Sirius' girlfriend?" she asked, smirking at Sirius, who blushed, "It's nice to meet you," she grinned, holding her hand out to Hestia, who shook it, "and also Lily's best friend am I correct?" Hestia nodded and grinned, "Lily!" Emily said happily, and Lily grinned and stood up to hug Emily, "Oh and hello James," she said winking at James who gasped, looking mock insulted.
"I think your mother likes Lily more than you mate," Sirius said, clapping James on the back, and James pretended to look hurt.
"I would comfort you but I like her better too," Daniel shrugged playfully, and James stuck his tongue out at him. Lily laughed and Daniel pulled her into a one armed hug.
"No worries Lily's parents like me better," James grinned at Lily and Lily narrowed her eyes at him.
"Only because you were flirting with all of them," she said from between James' parents. Emily rolled her eyes while Daniel winked at his son.
"Typical, these Potter men are going to be the death of us Lily dear," Emily said, glaring at her husband, "At one point I thought he was going to propose to my mum," Emily said, and everyone chuckled.
"I would have she was a hell of a lot nicer to me than you were," Daniel said sweetly to his wife, who narrowed her eyes at him.
"Well anyone would hate their boyfriend if he spent more time schmoozing their mums than with them," Emily said, turning to look at Lily for support.
"I agree with her," Lily said, raising her hand, and Emily looked smugly back at her husband.
"I do too if it helps," Hestia said, raising her hand.
"Hestia!" Sirius said, turning to look at her.
"I think we'll get along lovely," Emily said, smiling sweetly at Hestia.
"Face it Mr. Potter. You're doomed," Remus said, looking at Mr. Potter, who sighed.
"It's okay Mr. P. You still have me!" Sirius said, standing up and spreading his arms out.
"And your second favorite child!" James said, standing up and mimicking Sirius.
"Third actually," Emily said, winking at Sirius. James' face turned pink and Emily laughed, and ruffled his hair.
"We could make Remus our third actually, he's a lot better behaved," Daniel mused, turning to his wife with an expression of mock seriousness on his face. Daniel looked down at Lily and winked and Lily bit back a laugh.
"And Hestia dear too of course, I mean, we need more females in this family," Emily sighed, and Daniel nodded seriously.
"So that makes James our sixth favorite child," Daniel said, looking down at James, who was glaring at his parents as if he was hexing them with his eyes.
"Why six? There's Lily, Sirius, Remus, James and myself, wouldn't he be the fifth?" Hestia asked curiously, and Lily looked up at Emily, whose face was a bit pale, and Daniel, who looked like his eyes were burning. She looked down at James, who Sirius and Remus were looking at as well, to see an odd dead look in his eyes.
"She's thinking about Petunia," Lily said quickly, "She can't adopt me and not adopt my beloved sister. It would give her even more reasons to hate me," Lily said, rolling her eyes. Sirius, Remus and Hestia laughed, and Emily looked down at Lily and mouthed 'thank you' to her, while Daniel subtly wiped his eyes. James grinned at Lily and she smiled down at him.
"So I'm after Petty now? What about the whale?" James asked, looking seriously at Lily.
"Eh, well technically if you adopt Petunia now the whale is an added bonus," Lily said seriously, and James nodded seriously.
"Yes so that makes me, what, seventh?" James asked, and Lily nodded seriously.
"Who's the whale?"
"Vernon Dursley," Lily said, her nose wrinkling. They spent the rest of the time discussing Petunia and Vernon, and Lily found herself doubled over laughing as Sirius made a demonstration of Petunia and Vernon, er, honeymooning, after Mr. and Mrs. Potter had left the room of course. There was a crack and Lily turned to see Anna.
"ANNA!" Sirius screamed, and Lily saw Anna's skin flush a little. She turned to James, who was trying not to laugh.
"Miss Lily, Mistress Potter would like a word with you," Anna said after waving at Sirius.
"Word with the mum-in-law. Good luck with that Evans," Sirius said in mock anxiety, and Lily felt James blush next to her.
"Mum-in-law?" Remus said, sensing James' embarrassment and turning to look at Sirius.
"Well, mum-in-law to be," Sirius said, rolling his eyes. Lily felt even more heat radiate off of James' body and pretended to ignore it.
"Where is she Anna?" Lily asked, attempting to get off the bed, but James wouldn't let her.
"Mistress Potter is in the other bedroom," Anna said, her ears dropping a bit. Lily turned to frown at James, who sighed.
"Alissa's bedroom," James said quietly, and Lily felt her eyes widen. Why was she being asked to go to Alissa's bedroom?
"I don't know where that is," Lily said turning to Anna, who smiled a little.
"That is why Anna has come to take you there, Miss Lily," Anna said, and Lily grinned.
"Alright," she said, trying to get up, but James' arms tightened around her middle, "Oh for the love of Merlin, James!" she said, slapping James' arm, which was on her stomach. Sirius barked out a laugh while Remus chuckled, "Hestia!" she whined, turning over to look at Hestia.
"No, I'm with James on this one, I don't want to be left in a room alone with three pubescent boys," she shuddered, and Lily laughed at Sirius' wounded expression.
"I'll be back soon," she promised, not sure if she was promising Hestia or James. James sighed and released her, "For the love of Merlin's left sock," she muttered, walking over to Anna, who grinned up at Lily.
"Merlin's left sock, Miss Lily?" she asked, and Lily grinned down at Anna.
"Well I always thought the right was too favored," Remus shrugged, and Lily smiled at him.
"At least someone understands me," she said, and she heard Hestia scoff, but ignored it, "lead the way Anna," she said, gesturing forwards, and Anna grinned, and walked out the room.
"BYE ANNA BANANA! And by to you too my fair maiden," Sirius said, getting down on one knee next to Lily, who rolled her eyes, and walked around the kneeling Sirius to follow Anna out of the door, "I AM HURT EVANS!" she heard Sirius yell after her and laugh, as did Anna.
"Master Sirius is special," Anna said, rolling her eyes, and Lilly laughed.
"I think special is an understatement," Lily grinned, and she watched Anna bob her head enthusiastically.
"Anna is happy Master James has found someone like Miss Lily. Everything has been very different at home since…"Anna trailed off and Lily looked down at her sadly.
"Did you spend lots of time with her?" Lily asked, and Anna nodded her head, her ears flapping around.
"Miss Alissa was a funny girl," Anna said, shaking her head nostalgically and Lily nodded, "But I wish not to think about it, Anna misses her very much," Lily nodded and put her hand on Anna's shoulder. They walked the rest of the way to Alissa's room in silence. Lily noticed it was down a separate corridor. Anna stopped in front of the door, smiled, and disapparated. Lily looked at the door. It was pink. There was a flowery sign on it that read 'Alissa' in cursive. Lily smiled and traced the word with her finger.
She took a breath and knocked on the door. She heard someone say 'come in' and pushed open the door to see Emily sitting on Alissa's bed, cross-legged, wearing sweat pants and a large shirt. Emily smiled as she saw Lily, and patted a spot on the bed in front of her. Lily sat down nervously, looking around the room. The inside of the room was nothing like the door. It was messy and there was not a hit of pink in sight. There were hand drawn pictures on the walls as well as several posters and photographs. The photographs waved at her, and she grinned at them.
"Lily," Emily started, "I wanted to thank you," she said, and Lily started. That was not what she had been expecting.
"I haven't done anything," Lily blurted out, looking at Emily with a bewildered expression, and she saw Emily laugh.
"You haven't noticed what you've done," Emily chuckled, "Ever since Alissa died, James has been, different. Especially when he's with us. I wrote to you after I read a letter of his that reminded me of the way James used to be, after the two of you had started talking. And now I see him here, and he seems happier to be back home then he was during the summer," she said quietly, "Alissa's death has taken a huge toll on all of us, but especially James." She stood up from the bed and walked over to the other wall, and Lily followed her. She was looking at a photograph of Alissa and James.
"This was taken about a week before it happened, when Alissa had received her Hogwarts letter," Emily said, smiling fondly at the photograph. Lily looked at Alissa. She was a lot different than she had been in James' wallet. She was older in this picture. Alissa was sitting next to James on a sofa and the two of them wouldn't stop talking. Lily noticed the Hogwarts letter in Alissa's hand and she saw the James in the picture ruffle his sister's hair, causing Alissa to yell and fix her hair, slapping James in the arm, "they were probably the closest siblings I've ever seen," Emily said, wiping at her eyes as she watched James ruffle Alissa's hair again. She turned to face Lily and looked at her carefully.
"The first thing Alissa said after the excitement had worn off was 'I want to meet Lily'," Lily froze, and turned to look at Emily, who was smiling at her, "I don't think you realize how much James likes you," she chuckled and Lily felt a blush creep under her cheeks, "and I want to thank you for finally saying yes to him, I think you fixed him."
Lily felt tears well up in her eyes and she turned to look at the photo beside it, of Alissa by herself, waving at the camera, holding up her Hogwarts letter proudly. Lily sighed, "I would have love to have met her," she said quietly, and she heard Emily laugh.
"I doubt it. I think she had secret intentions to hex you for not saying yes to her big brother sooner," Emily snorted, and Lily laughed.
"I could take her," Lily laughed, and she heard Emily laugh as well.
"Now go back before those boys permanently scar poor Hestia," Emily said in mock horror and Lily rolled her eyes.
"I think Hestia would permanently scar them to be honest." Emily grinned and pulled Lily into a hug, which Lily returned.
"I will see you later. Anna said she'd bring food up to James' room, not yours because those boys eat like animals and it gets everywhere. I wouldn't let anyone put you through the torture of sleeping on crumbs," she shuddered, and Lily grinned.
"Thank you," Lily said quietly, and Emily looked up at her, shocked.
"For what?"
"Everything; letting me come over, being so nice to me," Lily shrugged, and she saw Emily roll her eyes.
"Lily I've wanted to meet you since your first day at Hogwarts," she laughed, and Lily grinned, "Now go before Sirius and Hestia scar my poor son." Lily laughed and allowed herself to be pushed out of the room by Emily.
"Bye Mrs. Potter!" she said.
"It's Emily!" she heard a voice yell and laughed as she walked back to her room. She walked in to find Hestia lying on the bed while the other three boys sat around her, laughing at her.
"What did you do to her?" she asked, looking around at the three boys.
"LILYFLOWER!" Sirius yelled, jumping off the bed to pull her into a bear hug.
"Lily?" Hestia sat up and looked at her, and a grin split on her face, "Merlin Lily took you long enough! I just endured pubescent boys discussing girls. It was mortifying," she groaned, falling back onto the bed, and Lily laughed.
"That does sound terrible," she said, sitting down next to Hestia.
"Well, fine, hi to you too Lily," James said, rolling his eyes at her.
"I don't think you're Lily-flowers' favorite either," Sirius said, winking at Lily.
"Now that's just unfair," James pouted, and Lily grinned at him.
"Life's unfair Potter, deal with it," she said and Remus laughed.
"So it's 'Potter' again, then?"
"It's 'Potter' when I feel like it," Lily shrugged, and Remus grinned.
"Fine Evans," James said, leaning back against the headboard. Lily grinned and turned to look at James.
"Hi James," she said, and James rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"All that complaining, the least you could do is say hi back," Hestia scoffed, leaning her head against Lily's shoulder. Sirius and Remus laughed, as James turned, incredulously, to look at Hestia as Lily snickered.
"Oh, Anna brought foot to James' room," Lily suddenly remembered as her stomach growled.
"FOOD?" Sirius yelled, jumping up.
"Yes, food," Lily said, grinning at Sirius.
"FOOD!" he yelled. He picked a screaming Hestia up and ran out of the room, Remus chuckling as he followed them, leaving Lily and James on the bed.
"So what'd mum want?" James asked, twirling Lily's fingers in between his, looking down at their intertwined hands.
"It's a secret," she whispered, and James smiled, looking up to meet her eyes. Lily leaned forward and kissed James on the cheek before jumping up, "FOOD!" she yelled and James laughed, getting off the bed.
"Lily Evans you are a strange one," he muttered.
"Oh shut up Potter," she said, tugging on his hand. They walked into James' room to find Sirius practically inhaling food. Lily scrunched her nose up before turning away from the not-so-pleasant sight. She picked up a sandwich and sat down on Hestia's lap.
"Shveeett gwil og gwal" Sirius said through his mouthful of food, turning to waggle his eyebrows at them.
"I don't bother," Hestia said, rolling her eyes, and Lily laughed.
"He said 'sweet girl on girl'" Remus said, sitting in a corner, reading a book. Lily and Hestia rolled their eyes.
"Cboh nooyee frop geadig!" Sirius whined, and Lily laughed.
"I actually understood that one, I'm definitely spending too much time with you," she said, glaring at Sirius, who swallowed his food and grinned at her.
"And you're loving every second if aren't you?"
"Not in the slightest," she said, rolling her eyes, laughing at Sirius' hurt expression. James chuckled and clapped Sirius on the back.
"Sorry mate."
"Eh, at least she loves me more than she loves you," Sirius winked at Lily, and Lily blushed. She slid off of Hestia's lap and hid behind her, while Hestia laughed.
"If that were true, I wouldn't advertise it in front of Prongs there, you know how he gets," Remus said, grinning at James, who glared back at his friend. Lily laughed and walked over towards James and Sirius, sitting down on Sirius' lap.
"Told you," Sirius said cheekily to James, who rolled his eyes. Sirius wound his hands around Lily's middle and she jumped up, "Aw c'mon Lily-flower, where's your adventurous spirit?" he asked and James smacked him in the arm. Sirius looked at his arm and up at James, "That hurt mate," he said, and James winked.
"I know." Lily laughed and decided to sit on James' bed.
"I know why she wants to sit over there, considering what you two must've done on it," Sirius said, turning to grin cheekily at James, who turned red.
"Actually that was your bed Sirius," Lily laughed, and Sirius's grin turned to a mask of horror.
"You did not! You ruined my bed's innocence!" he gasped, and James nodded, grinning. Sirius whined and the rest of them laughed at his expense. Lily got up to walk out of the room after a while and was followed by James. Lily walked into her room and James walked in behind her, shutting the door behind him. Lily turned around; she hadn't realized James was following her.
"Yes James?" she asked, smiling at him. James took a few steps closer and wrapped his arms around her.
"I have to tell you something," he said quietly.
"The thing from last night?"
"Yeah"
"Okay, go ahead."
"I don't know if I can though," he said, looking down at the floor.
"Well what is it?"
"That falls under the category of me telling you!" he said, and Lily laughed.
"I don't bite James."
"Well I can say different," he winked, and Lily blushed.
"Just say it James, I don't want to have to guess," at the word guess however, James' eyes lit up.
"It's not so hard to guess!" he said as Lily groaned, "Okay it's a phrase,"
"Not helping, how many words is it?"
"Three." Lily looked up, shocked, into James' hazel eyes.
"Number of letters?" she asked quietly, still looking at his eyes.
"Eight," he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.
"I love you too James."