Be Here Now
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: It's chapter thirty! I want to dedicate this chapter to all my reviewers, everybody that made this story a favorite, everyone who put this on story alert, and everyone that put me on author alert. I probably wouldn't have continued this story without you guys, and thank you endlessly for your support. I'm pretty sure this story will be over in ten chapters, but we'll see, okay? I've planned this important chapter, a chapter during the Easter holidays, another important chapter (which I won't say), and the twins' birthday and then graduation day will be the last chapter. So again, thank you!
OH, AND THANK YOU TO NEOGIRL, AN AMAZING REVIEWER AND SOMEONE ELSE WHO FAVORITED MY STORY!
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x.o.x.o.x.
Lily sits on her window seat, gazing out onto Hogwarts grounds in March. The setting sun casts a pink glow over the already beautiful grounds. She sighs. What would she do when she finished school? She stares out, oblivious to her surroundings, until she hears a murmur of soft, hushed voices with a hint of tears to it from the Head Common Room. She creeps over to her door and is surprised to hear not just her boyfriend's voice, but her best friend's as well. Both sound teary, which is unusual. Lily herself was not a very teary person; she hardly cried. She cried when her parents died and when James had gotten hurt. Finally, she can't restrain herself anymore. She swings open the door and hops down the steps.
The sight that greets Lily breaks her heart for the second time. Brother and sister are hugging each other tightly and Hilary is sobbing uncontrollably. Even James has more than a few tears leaking out from his eyes as he holds onto his sister.
Lily walks over silently and hugs Hilary from the other side. "Sh, Hils, it's okay. I'm here. James is here. Just let it all out."
Lily waits three minutes for her boyfriend and best friend to cry in silence. "What happened?" she asks, her voice soft and gentle.
Hilary just shakes her head, bending over and crying.
James, his cheeks wet and tears still falling, passes Lily a letter.
Lily unfolds the parchment and sees Natalia Potter's handwriting.
My dearest James and Hilary,
Your father died today.
Gasping, Lily looks at her friends. They had lost Charles Potter!
I miss your father already, but I have not yet lost my will to live. I have to support you two and Isabel. I can't just leave. Jamie, Dad left you the entire Potter fortune, every property, and all the rights to Potter jewels. So basically you hold the future of the Potter surname. I have lost all right to everything under the name of Potter. I trust you, Jamie, so please do this well.
Dad wouldn't have wanted you to be miserable. He understands that you would want to grieve, but he wishes that you would celebrate his life and accomplishments, instead of slipping into depression because of his death. He is in a better place now, but we shall not forget him. Remember his laugh, his eyes, his smile. Remember all the amazing things he accomplished. Remember your father for who he was.
He died in St. Mungo's. The Death Eaters had intercepted us at the local French marketplace. Thankfully, Izzy was at home with a sitter. I fought as best I could. I got away with a few scars and scratches, but your father was fatally injured. He stayed alive in the hospital for ten hours, but passed away in his sleep. He knew there was no hope for him to live, so he composed five letters to you two, Isabel, Sirius, and Lily. Each has the recipient's name on the front as well as a date or specific occasion. I miss you, and please be safe and careful.
Love forever,
Mum
Lily swallows thickly. Charles Potter had remembered her? But she had just met the man once. Why would he write five letters to her along with his children and surrogate son?
"The first letter is to be opened tomorrow," James whispers, his voice clogged with tears.
Lily breathes in deeply. "You don't want pity." It isn't a question. It is a statement.
Silence, which she takes as affirmation.
"I didn't either. I won't meddle anymore. I'm- well, Charles Potter was a great man. I met him only once, but no one could doubt that. He was Head Auror and a wonderful man. He would have to be, to produce such amazing children. As your mum said, remember him. And know that I'm always here to help you, okay?" Lily smiles sadly and begins the walk to her room after kissing James lightly on the cheek and giving Hilary a light hug.
"Lily!"
Lily pauses at her best friend's outcry.
"C-can I talk to you?" Hilary asks, hiccupping.
Lily nods. "Of course, Hilary. My room?"
Hilary nods, standing in a wobbly way. "Lil, thank you."
Lily smiles softly. "What are friends for?"
x.o.x.o.x.
"Lily, have you ever wanted to get revenge on the Death Eaters?" Hilary asks carefully, staring at Lily's bedspread.
Lily nods solemnly. "When I first saw my mother's dead body, I- well, I just wanted to wrap a hand around the neck of whoever did it, whoever took my mum away from me. And when I saw D-Dad, that urge just got stronger." She pauses, taking a deep breath. "And that's why I wouldn't let James even TRY to talk me out of joining the Order. Even if I die in the attempt, I want to get revenge."
Hilary nods slowly, her tears slowing. Some tears escape from her brimming eyes, though. "I was having second thoughts about joining when I first read Mum's letter, but as the initial shock wore off, I wanted revenge. So I've made up my mind. I'm joining."
Lily leans forward and takes Hilary's hand in her own. She looks into her eyes. "Good for you, Hils. If you have to die in this war, I hope that you will die doing what you want to be doing. Because that's all that matters."
Hilary smiles softly and sadly. "Lil?"
"Yes, Hils?"
"Can I sleep in your common room tonight?"
Lily smiles. "Of course, Hilary. You can have my bed; I'll go into the common room to sleep."
Hilary shakes her head hastily. "No! The common room is fine, Lils!"
Lily returns the head shake. "Hilary, sleep. Now."
Hilary sighs, relenting. She is extremely tired and her eyelids feel like they will slip over her eyes any second.
Sensing that she is relenting, Lily smiles and walks to the door.
Before she can get out, Hilary calls, "Lily?"
Lily turns.
"Thank you."
Lily smiles. "What are friends for? And that's what I wanted when my mum and dad died. I just wanted a friend to be kind to me. Good night, Hilary. Love you."
Hilary whispers as sleep claims her, "Good night, Lily. Love you too."
Lily, smiling, slips out the door.
x.o.x.o.x.
"Oof."
Lily had walked straight into James.
James runs a hand through his hair sheepishly. His eyes are red-rimmed as the result of crying. "Sorry, Lil."
Lily shakes her head as she leads him down her stairs. "It's okay."
"Hey, Lil?"
Lily stops and looks into his hazel eyes. "Yeah, Jamie?"
"Thanks."
In response, Lily leans in and kisses him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulls back. "It's truly the least I could do."
James smiles as he breaks away from Lily. "And I'm sorry."
Lily tilts her head, confused.
"For treating you like crap," James clarifies, and then laughs.
Lily pouts. "Are you laughing at me?"
"Nope, just near you," jokes James. At her glare, he quickly corrects, "No, of course not, darling Lily-flower! It's just that you look really cute when you're confused."
Laughing, Lily hugs him tightly. He hugs her back as they stand in the common room.
"James?"
"Yes, my dear Lily-flower?"
Lily rests her head against his chest as she closes her eyes. "I love you."
x.o.x.o.x.
"Mates, I'm so sorry," Remus murmurs as James and Sirius sit across from him and Peter.
Peter nods. "Yeah. That's terrible."
James simply shakes his head and bends his head over his cereal.
Sirius stays silent and doesn't move. Charles Potter had been more of his father than Orion Black had been.
Lily and Hilary appear.
"Where are Alice and Dorcas?" Peter asks.
"Upstairs in the dorm," Hilary answers listlessly as she sits.
"How are you doing, Hilary?" Sirius asks quietly.
Hilary shrugs. "The best I can." She pauses. "What about you?"
Sirius also shrugs while wrapping an arm around Hilary and pulling her closer for a hug. "Same."
"Mum wrote to say that the funeral will be held in a week on Saturday," James informs them in the same listless voice as his sister. "You're all invited.
"I think we should open our letters," Hilary says softly.
Lily produces hers. "I think so too."
Hilary nods and produces her own.
Remus and Peter watch as the other two Marauders reveal theirs.
"On three?" Lily suggests.
The others nod.
"One."
"Two," adds Hilary.
"Three," the four say together and rip open their envelopes.
Lily's emerald eyes run over the parchment.
Dear Lily,
No doubt you are wondering why I would write to you and not to my son's other two best friends. I think that you will see the answer as the letter progresses. If you are reading this, then I am dead. Please tell my darling daughters and brilliant son I'm sorry for leaving them and that I will love them forever.
Lily, I have heard so many tales of you from both my twins. Hilary speaks of you in the highest regard, calling you the best friend a girl could have. After meeting you, I have no doubt about that. I ask you to take the utmost care of both Hilary and James. You are such a wonderful friend to Hilary, and she values that. She'll need it even more after my death. You can soothe her like no one else can, because you also lost your father. As for James, he loves you, Lily. He loves you with all that he has. I can see it in the way he looks at you. His eyes are so full of love; I am transported back to Natalia and my teenage years. I loved her with everything I had and I still do. It hurts to have to leave her. I can tell my son feels the same as I did. I cannot force you to love him back, but please don't hurt his feelings. You don't seem like the kind of girl that would, but please. If that must be my last wish, I wish that no harm will ever come to any of my children.
Love him, and he shall love you back. Take care of my baby girls and baby boy, Lily, please. It was an immense pleasure to know you for the short amount of time that I did. You will go on to do amazing things. Best of luck.
Charles Potter
P.S. Please do not open those letters until the dates or occasions on them.
Lily glances up from her parchment first. She gazes across the table at Remus and Peter, who look at her inquisitively. She shakes her head and starts breakfast.
x.o.x.o.x.
"Three."
James unfolds the letter, afraid of what it would hold.
My dearest James,
I am so sorry to have to leave you. If you are reading this, I am gone. But I enjoyed my life. Three of my most amazing days in my life were involving you three and your mother. Our wedding day, your and Hilary's births, and Isabel's birth. I love you with all my heart, James. You will become a great man. I have complete and absolute faith in you.
Don't be afraid to love Lily. No one can refuse the Potter charm for long, my son. Don't be sorry for my death, be grateful that I lived a full and happy life. I will love you forever, my boy.
Love,
Dad
James sets the letter on the table and rubs his eyes after removing his glasses. His eyes threaten to spill over, but he stems the tears.
Lily glances at him and reaches over to squeeze his hand.
Smiling slightly, James begins to eat breakfast again.
x.o.x.o.x.
"Three."
Hilary's hazel eyes scan the parchment, tears dripping down her nose.
My darling eldest daughter,
You will always be my baby girl.
Be the woman I know you can be, Hilary. I feel terrible that I will never be able to walk you down the aisle like I should be able to. I can only hope that you will choose the right man to be looking at when you look at the altar. Be sure that I would approve of him.
I'm in a better place now, my dear daughter. Celebrate my life, don't mourn my death. And always remember that I will love you until eternity.
Love forever,
Dad
Hilary takes a shuddering breath as more tears slip down her face. She places her head on the table to let her sobs out.
x.o.x.o.x.
"Three."
Slightly dreading the letter, Sirius unfolds it and begins his reading.
Dear Sirius,
You are truly the best friend I could ever wish for my son. You are loyal and not afraid to stand up for your opinion. Take care of James, okay?
I am immensely honored to have known you as a surrogate son. You are a brilliant person, Sirius. I have always said that you would make a terrific husband for my little girl, but who knows? Perhaps that will happen. If it does, please take care of her. Take care of her best you could.
Celebrate my life, Sirius, and don't mourn my death. That is my wish. I still love you as a surrogate son and will forever. Take care of James, Hilary, and Isabel. I put my faith in you, young man. You will become a wonderful man, Sirius, just be sure to make the best decisions.
Charles Potter
Sirius shakes his head, violently clearing his mind.
x.o.x.o.x.
Natalia Potter stands in the doorway of her and Charles's room. Technically this house and all the others were her son's now, but she couldn't tear herself away, and James would never make her. She stands in the doorway and cries. She cries for her husband, for her children, and for herself.
x.o.x.o.x.
A/N: Such a sad chapter. I killed off Charles! There is chapter thirty, and I hope you all will continue to support me until the end of this series! I intend on writing three stories, but that depends on the amount of support I get. Until chapter thirty-one…
~TrueLoveIs4ever