Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Unfortunately.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who was reviewed, and I usually update on the weekends, I've just been off school, so I've had a lot more time to write at the moment. Yay!
Enjoy! xx
"Now, Lily, did you say it was?"
"Yes, ma'am, Lily Evans."
"Oh, you're the Muggle-born that my nephew's dating, then. Now, I must warn you dear, the Potters only take the best. And, with that hair of yours, I feel like you shouldn't be wearing such a daring colour. A nice conservative black or white would be much better."
I've only been talking to her for a minute, and I already want to throttle her.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, and your posture also needs correcting. You like you're carrying a bag of books around on your back all of the time. Now, Lily, dear, what are planning to be when you grow up?"
She says it like I'm three, and her patronising manner is infuriating.
"I'm studying to be an Auror."
"Oh, no, that simply won't do. James needs someone calm, not flighty or adventurous, to make him settle down."
"I don't think that James wants to settle down, ma'am."
"Ah, yes. He's a good boy, a little too bold for my liking, and he has the most awful taste in girls. Redheads, eh? Whatever next?"
My fingernails are biting so hard into my palms that I'm sure I'm bleeding.
"I think James is quite excellent."
"But then you would, dear. I understand your position, of course, I was merely a half-blood before I married up, and it makes perfect sense for you to want to marry higher than you. But a Potter? That's a little too ambitious, dear, for a girl like you."
"A girl like me?"
"I mean, average looks, those green eyes, and that infernal red hair. Not to mention that you're a Muggle-born, dear. I mean this kindly, dear, I just don't want you to get your hopes up only for dearest James to find someone more worthy of him."
My fingers are tickling the edge of my wand, as I force myself to take deep breaths and not hex this...cow into next week.
"Ah, there you are, Lily."
A familiar voice sounds from behind me, and Sirius throws his arm around my shoulders.
"Sirius," Eliza's voice suddenly sounds sweet and simpering. "How are you, my dear?"
"I am quite well, Mrs Potter."
"Oh no, call me Eliza." The woman blushes, and I can't help but stare at the wedding ring on her finger.
"So, what were you and Lily talking about?"
"I was merely telling Lily here not to get her hopes up."
"I'm sorry? Get her hopes up? For what?"
"Well, I do believe that it is clear that Miss Evans has no chance of marriage with our darling James."
"Really? Well, I must say I do disagree. Lily, I believe our darling James is looking for you. We wouldn't want to keep him waiting, now, would we?"
Without waiting for her to answer, he steers me away from the offending woman, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. Merlin, she was..."
"She does have rather...disgusting views, doesn't she?"
"Hmm." I mumble, shaken, and he stops, putting his hands on my shoulders so that I stop too.
"Lily? You do know what she was saying was crap, don't you? James...he loves you, Lily. It's like you're his oxygen. He can't do it without you. He doesn't care that you're Muggle-born, he doesn't care that you can be downright moody at times, he loves you. And dearest Eliza isn't going to change that."
I let out a breath that I didn't realise I was holding.
"Thank you, Sirius."
"Anytime, Lily-Pad." I shake my head at the nickname, and he smirks. "Now, go find James. He doesn't do very well without his oxygen."
I scan the room for the familiar head of messy hair, and spot James in the corner, standing awkwardly, talking with an elderly man with an ear trumpet. Smiling, I walk forwards to go and greet him, and am intercepted with an intimidatingly tall man, dressed in a too tight tuxedo, and holding a rather large glass of champagne. He adjusts his glasses, and peers down at me.
"And who are you?"
"Lily Evans, sir."
I fight the urge to curtsey, as he beckons me over to a sofa, waving his hand regally.
"Now, I've heard that you and my nephew have become...acquainted."
"Yes, that is true. I'm sorry, sir, but what is your name?"
"Peter. Peter Potter."
I fight the urge to giggle, and then fight the urge to roll my eyes at my own immaturity.
Peter Potter.
My amusement must show on my face, because he frowns.
"Is something funny?"
"No, sir." I try my hardest to keep my face straight.
"Good. Now, I would like to know a few things. What do you think about your place in society?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you think that being from a non-magical puts you at a disadvantage?"
"No, sir, I do not."
"So you believe that you perform magic just as well as members of families with magical descent?"
"Yes, sir."
"And your proof?"
"Um...my OWL results, sir?"
"So, you're telling me that if I were to check your OWL results, you would have got the same as my nephew?"
"Not always, sir."
"No?"
"No, sir. Sometimes I get higher."
"Excuse me?"
"I said sometimes I get higher results than your nephew. I do not think that the fact that I am Muggle-born affects my magical talent."
"So you believe that a Mudblood like yourself can get higher than a Potter in a test of magical aptitude?"
"I do, sir, but if you want a more reliable answer then I suggest you ask your nephew, using that exact wording, and see how he responds. I am afraid that I will not continue to speak with you if you will speak of me so vulgarly. Good day, sir."
I stand up, trying to stop my hands from shaking, and walk over to find James.
"Lily? Are you okay?"
"I don't like your Aunt Eliza, or your Uncle Peter."
"I knew they'd say something. What happened?"
"Well, your dear aunt said that I wasn't worthy of you, and your darling uncle called me a Mudblood. Other than that, I love your family."
Hee hee. Peter Potter. Try saying it out loud!
Hope you liked this chapter! There will be another party chapter so follow to be updated when that comes out!
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Adieu,
She-who-loves-fanfiction xx
