Be Here Now
Disclaimer: The universe of Harry Potter is not mine.
A/N: The last chapter is coming up fast! And this chapter, chapter 32, is dedicated to the AMAZING MaNyMiNdGaMeS!
Temy the Bloodedge: Good luck, Temy. Tell me if you survive. ;)
MaNyMiNdGaMeS: (Chapter 29 response) It's fine, I completely understand! Ha-ha I loved that! Thank you!
MaNyMiNdGaMeS: (Chapter 30 response) Well, they're not dead yet. And I'm prolonging their lives just by a few years. So I hope the chocolate helped. :D
MaNyMiNdGaMeS: (Chapter 31 response) Ha-ha I just LOVE your reviews! Thank you about the spelling and grammar violations, I do try, because, like you, I HATE it when I read those type of stories and I get really annoyed. Oh, I do feel honored. Very honored. :D Thank you so much!
twilightstargazer: Thank you!
x.o.x.o.x.
The two couples that Hogwarts was constantly watching were currently studying together, cramming for the upcoming NEWTs. It was now mid-April, and Easter was also hurrying itself along.
"Stupid exams," mutters Sirius as he switches books with Hilary.
James nods his agreement as his eyes continue to scan the text.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
All four seventh years glance up, surprised to find an owl perched on the outer windowsill of one of the Head Common Room windows.
Hilary rises and opens the window, thanking the owl and drying it with her wand. It was drenched as a result of the pouring rain. After the owl flies off into the rainy night, Hilary brings the letter over, unfolds it, and tosses it onto the table for them to read.
Dear Hilary,
I don't need to add James because I have sent along another letter to him. Invite Lily, Alice, and Dorcas over for the Easter holidays, okay? Again, only three friends allowed. Although, if you three have forgiven Marlene, bring her along. Write me back with their replies.
Your loving mum
"Well?" Hilary inquires of Lily.
Lily grins. "Most definitely yes!"
There is a knock at the portrait.
Leaping up, Lily dashes over to greet Dorcas and Alice, along with Frank, Remus, and Peter.
"So can you two come?" Hilary asks Dorcas and Alice.
Both nod.
"I'd be thrilled," Dorcas declares.
"And Mum and Dad will be perfectly fine. We don't celebrate Easter much, after all."
James grabs his letter and holds it aloft for everyone to read along.
Dear James,
I don't need to add Hilary because I have sent another letter to her. As the house I am staying in is lawfully yours, I need your signature to allow me to stay in here. And of course, you may bring three friends for the Easter holidays. Write me back with your and their responses.
Love from your mum
James is in shock. "Why would I kick my own mum out?"
"It's the law, James," Lily reminds him gently.
"You really could become a lawyer, Lils," Alice observes.
Lily grins. "It'd be nice to follow in my dad's footsteps."
"So can you come?" James questions his friends. "Sorry, Frank, but Marauders first."
Frank shrugs. "It's fine."
"I can come," Remus replies.
"I was going to crash anyway," Sirius shrugs.
"Mum's dreadfully ill. I've got to stay home and help her," Peter squeaks uncomfortably.
James smiles comfortingly at the rat. "It's fine, Peter. Since a spot opened… Frank, would you like to come?"
Frank nods. "That'd be great, James, thanks."
"And James?"
James looks at his girlfriend.
"If you want, you could always sign some of the properties over to your sisters and mum," Lily informs him. She had wanted to be a lawyer since the age of eight, and thankfully the Wizarding world still had lawyers. So in the course of the past six years, she had researched a lot of stuff about both Wizarding and Muggle law, Auror training, and Healer training.
James looks thoughtful. "Mum probably wouldn't want many properties, and Isabel probably would only want the one in Cuba. Hils?"
Hilary shrugs. "I'd be happy with any of my childhood homes, Jamie."
"Yes, but how many?"
"One or two is alright."
"So the one in beautiful China and one in gorgeous Japan?" James offers.
Hilary's hazel eyes light up. As a child and early teenager, she had traveled many times with her parents and siblings to Asia. Of all the countries there, she adored China and Japan the most. Thankfully, the Potter name held one property in each. "Really? You'd truly sign the names of the China and Japan ones over to me?"
James grins. "Happy belated birthday, twin."
Hilary beams. "Best birthday present ever!"
"I guess I'll write Mum back now."
The others disperse, but Sirius and Hilary stay in the Head Common Room. Hilary also grabs a quill.
Dear Mum,
No, Marlene has not been forgiven yet. So yes, Dorcas, Alice, and Lily will be my guests this Easter holiday. They all say thank you for asking them to come. And yes, thank you, Mum!
Peter is unable to come, Mum, so I'm bringing Remus, Frank, and Sirius (who was going to crash anyway, in his words). Of course you may stay in that house, Mum! Lily says that there can be a way for me to sign the properties over to you. You've always loved that one in France, haven't you? I'll give that one to you, the Cuban one to Isabel for when she comes of age, and the Chinese and Japanese ones to Hilary. Any objections or points, Mum?
Love,
Hilary and James respectively
x.o.x.o.x.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" James asks Lily nervously on the night of her Quidditch debut.
Lily rolls her eyes. She's already dressed in her robes and is bouncing slightly. "I'm nervous a little, James, but chill. I'll be fine."
Hilary, who had just finished pulling on her boots, clumps over. "She's brilliant, Jamie, you saw her during practice. Just quit worrying." She heads over for her bat and then rushes back over just as Sirius arrives, bat already in hand.
"Yeah, Prongs, she'll be fine. Have the confidence you have in your fellow Marauders!" Sirius cheers, thumping James on the back in a brotherly way.
James scowls at him, but drops the scowl as he runs a hand haphazardly through his hair. He yells over the din in the changing room, "FIVE MINUTES TILL THE GAME STARTS!"
Leo Walters, the Keeper, clumps in his boots over to join the conversation. "Captain, I hear you're worried about our Head Girl and Chaser here."
James simply glares. His nerves are on high.
"Don't be," Leo advises. "Evans is brilliant."
Lily beams at him, and then turns to James. "Brilliant or not, James, I will do anything to trump those nasty Slytherins."
James manages a small smile back as Charlotte Rivers, the third Chaser, comes over as well.
"Quit the worrying, Captain. We three have the chemistry that all three Chasers need. So just stop worrying," Charlotte tells him.
James manages another smile.
As the Seeker, Logan Jacobs, joins them, James glances at the clock and says nervously to his assembled team, "It's time. Just go out there and do your best. Let's trump those snakes!"
x.o.x.o.x.
"And following the Slytherins out of their changing room are the Gryffindor players! Walters, Black, Potter, Rivers, sub Evans, Jacobs, ANNNNNNNNNNNNND the Captain, James Potter!" Remus' voice booms across the pitch.
Madam Hooch drags the box of balls in the middle of the pitch as the fourteen players hover above her. "I want a nice clean game."
"ANNNNNNNND they're off! Evans grabs the Quaffle first, tosses it to Rivers, who chucks it at Potter, who…. SCORES! 10-0 Gryffindor!"
Remus' last sentence is drowned out by the cheers from the red and gold clad spectators.
"Nott drops the Quaffle as a result of the Bludger hit at him by Black, Rivers catches it, Gryffindor back in possession! Rivers throws the Quaffle at Potter, who zooms halfway down the pitch before tossing it at Evans, who throws a wild one at the hoops…. ANNDDD makes it! At half-pitch! 20-0 Gryffindor!"
More cheers rise from the Gryffindor bleachers as the Gryffindor Chasers slap high-fives and continue the other way down the pitch as the Beaters whack at Bludgers and the Seekers scan the pitch.
"Crabbe lobs the Quaffle at the hoops… Walters misses it and it goes in. 20-10 Gryffindor!" Remus announces, to the boos that overrun the cheers from the Slytherin supporters.
"Goyle steals the Quaffle from Evans… FOUL called by Madam Hooch. Grabbing the end of someone's broom is not permitted!" Remus screams. "Evans takes the foul shot… and it goes in past the Slytherin keeper! 30-10 Gryffindor!"
This continues with Lily scoring the majority of the goals. Seeing exactly how talented she is, James and Charlotte simply feed her the Quaffle, scoring themselves assists instead. Occasionally, they would score a goal when the Bludgers were flying at Lily and she had to escape, but the spotlight was on Lily this game.
"And the score is 150-20 Gryffindor! Have the Seekers seen something?"
Gasps ring around the pitch as the Seekers dive. They fight over the Snitch, but finally Logan snatches it out of the air.
"Gryffindor Seeker Logan Jacobs catches the Snitch! Gryffindor win, 300-20! Such a huge win!" Remus yells over the shouts and cheers of Gryffindor supporters and the boos of Slytherin spectators and Madam Hooch's whistle that signals the end of the game.
Once Lily lands, the crowd swallows her up, but eventually she finds James, who sweeps her into a wordless hug and a deep kiss. It was a wonderful day.
x.o.x.o.x.
"You eight will be Disapparating to the French Potter manor," Dumbledore informs the eight seventh years gathered in his office.
"Will you be lifting the wards, Professor?" inquires Remus.
"No, Mr. Lupin. In these Dark times, even the slightest lift of the wards could prompt an attack. You will be escorted down to Hogsmeade by Professor McGonagall. From there, you will Disapparate. Since there are two of you who know where the manor is, six of you will be going by Side-Along, because we want to minimize the chance of Splinching. Mr. Potter, you will return three times, as will you, Miss Potter. Do you understand?"
Both Hilary and James nod.
"Good. Have a good holiday, all of you, and be careful."
x.o.x.o.x.
After Professor McGonagall leaves, Hilary and James begin their banter.
"Don't get lost," jokes Hilary.
"Who, me?" James returns. "You have to be careful!"
"Of what? Telling Mum you got lost?"
Lily bursts out laughing. "Go Hils!"
James pouts at her. "Liiiiiiiiiiily!"
x.o.x.o.x.
"It's fantastic seeing you all again," Natalia says softly after hugging her children and surrogate child.
"JAMIE! HILARY! SIRI! LILY! REMMY! ALLIE!"
The six turn to find the little girl named Isabel racing into the room and tossing herself fiercely into her older brother's arms.
James swings her up into the air as she laughs in a carefree way. After that, he hugs her tightly. "Are you okay, Izzy?"
Isabel nods with a smile. "As good as I can be."
Lily kneels down to her level. "I'm sorry, Isabel. No one should have to lose a father at your age."
"Well, I still have Mummy," Isabel says softly.
"That's a good way of thinking, Izzy," Alice compliments gently.
Natalia cuts in. "Izzy, darling, do you want to go tell the house-elves that we are ready for dinner?"
Isabel's eyes, so like her mother's and siblings', light up. "Okay!" She dashes off after giving quick hugs to those she knew and shy smiles to Frank and Dorcas.
"Mum, how have you been?" James asks softly once Isabel is out of earshot.
Natalia shrugs. "My husband just died. How do you expect me to be? But it is the Easter holidays! Don't go getting down on yourselves. Just have fun! And during supper tonight I will get stuff out of you. All of you."
Lily grins, feeling a tingle of motherly love that she hadn't felt for four years.
x.o.x.o.x.
"So! Girlfriends? Boyfriends? New friends? Quidditch? Classes?" Natalia wrings answers out of her guests and children.
"Ew! Girlfriends and boyfriends!" Isabel squeals.
Everyone laughs.
After her laughter dies down, Natalia demands of her eldest child first. "James? Girlfriend? New friends? Quidditch? Classes?"
"Lily, no, wonderful, okay. There are your answers in order," James responds.
Natalia gapes at him and Lily. "Charles was right," she whispers. Louder, she squeals, "That's wonderful! I can't believe it!" She hugs her son and his girlfriend quickly before returning to her soup and grilling her second oldest child. "Hilary? Boyfriend? New friends? Quidditch? Classes?"
"Sirius, no besides Dorcas, amazing, fine."
Again, Natalia pauses to process this. "SIRIUS! YOU'RE DATING MY LITTLE GIRL AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME? AND YOU, HILARY, NEVER TOLD ME!"
Both halves of the couple shrug, smiling, and return to their soup.
"So, Sirius. Girlfriend? Quidditch? Classes?"
"Well, Hilary, fine, fine."
"Lily! Boyfriend? Quid- oh, you don't play do you? Classes?" Natalia grills.
"James. And yes, I actually do play. Since James was one player short for the game before we left, I offered to be the Chaser replacement. Classes are fine, thank you."
"And how well do you play?"
"She's brilliant!" Alice chimes.
"Absolutely amazing," adds Hilary.
"Breathtakingly awesome," adds Dorcas.
x.o.x.o.x.
After a hearty dinner and more talk, the group proceeds to the sitting room, where Natalia doles out room information.
"Since not even Hilary and James have permanent rooms here, I guess the four girls can bunk together, the four boys can bunk together, and Isabel can sleep in her room. Is that okay?"
Everyone nods.
"Okay. Each room has four four-posters like Hogwarts, a fireplace that should be going, and a tray of hot chocolate. You can treat yourself to a hot chocolate before bed. I hope you sleep well! Good night."
The teenagers leave the room, following James and Hilary's lead.
x.o.x.o.x.
A/N: Okay, just three more chapters! I hope you liked that! As always, review! Until chapter 33…
~TrueLoveIs4ever