Chapter 4: The Lunch Club

Lily awoke the next morning to the rays of sunshine pouring through her window, onto her face. Once she gained full consciousness, all the memories from the previous night came rushing back to her. She could feel her heart breaking at the thought of her sister's disdain. But like the rays of sunshine, a light poured into her. Today she was going to Diagon Alley, she would get a glimpse of her world and she would once again feel normal.

She managed to get ready and downstairs before her parents. Not knowing what to do she decided to get breakfast started.

"Lily is that you," asked Rose as she came down the stairs.

"Yea mum. Breakfast is all set."

"Oh, alright. I thought you might have been Tuney" her mother replied.

Soon enough Charles joined them and they began to eat. Everyone noticed Petunia's empty chair.

"Are you ready to go Lily," asked Charles as he washed the dishes.

"Yea, I just need to get my supply list."

When Lily returned to the kitchen she saw her father writing something on the notepad by the phone.

"Ready, Mum? Dad?" asked Lily tentatively.

"Yes flower, we are just leaving a note for Tuney, in case she decides to come home while we are out," Charles said.

"I don't think she will be coming anytime soon, daddy." Lily whispered, as she headed out the door.

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Two subway trains and a walk later, the Evans were standing inside the Leaky Cauldron.

"How is it that after all these years we still walk past here without a second thought" exclaimed Charles.

"Well, daddy, that is kind of the point. How would people react of they walked in here and saw magic being preformed," Lily replied.

After saying hello to Tom, Lily and her parents walked into Diagon Alley.

"So, where to first, darling" asked Rose.

"Well we should go to Gringotts and change money."

"Lily, do you mind if we wait outside. You know how those Goblins make me feel uncomfortable."

"No problem, Mum. You and daddy just wait out here for me. I won't be long."

Once inside Gringotts, Lily approached a Goblin at a desk and asked for her money to be changed into Wizard Currency. As she was walking out, she was busy trying to stuff her pouch into her pocket. She was soo distracted that she bumped into someone.

"Ohhh pardon me. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," exclaimed Lily.

"No worries, Lily" replied a deep voice.

"Well, if it isn't the famous James Potter"

"Now Lily, you wouldn't want me to become a big, headed git, now would you?"

"Of, course not. So, what is the Head Boy doing inside on a day like this?"

"On my way out actually, just had to get some money from my vault. Are you shopping alone today, Lily?" James asked, trying to not sound so concerned.

"Nope, my parents are waiting for me outside."

At this point their conversation had led them a couple feet away from her parents.

"Lily, who is your friend" asked Charles, in the same way any father would if they saw their daughter talking to someone who looked like James Potter.

James stood at six feet four inches (the summer had brought on another growth spurt), with messy, jet-black hair. Top that with a nicely toned chest and arms (thanks to Quiditch), and hazel eyes that could make girl's hearts melt (which they did), and you have a father's worst nightmare.

"I'm James Potter, sir. Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Evans" answered James, as he shook both their hands.

"James is going to be the Head Boy with me, daddy" Lily piped in, trying to make Charles feel better about the boy standing next to her.

"Wait, you're not THE POTTER boy, right?" Rose asked.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?"

"Yes, that right. The Potter boy that Lily used to complain about; the one that would send her all those love letters. You remember that Charlie, don't you? Lily you never told us, he was so handsome."

James suddenly became nervous at the thought of what Mr. Evans might be thinking of doing to him for harassing his daughter. To his surprise, Charles began to laugh and pat James on the back.

"Congratulations, son. You are the only person who can make Lily so mad that her face turns the same color as her hair."

"DAAAAAAADDDD" Lily groaned.

"But you have come a longs way form those days, look at you now. Head Boy. Your parents must be awfully proud."

"Yes sir, they are. It just took a little encouragement from Lily to get me to grow up". James said, fully knowing he was playing down Lily's "encouragement". He snuck a wink at Lily.

"Are you here alone, James?" inquired Rose.

"Ohhh no Mrs. Evans, my friend Sirius and my parents went to go stand in line at the Quiditch supply store for the release of the Cleansweep 3000. They sent me to get some extra money from our vault."

"James, I hope I'm not being to forward, but would you mind asking your parents to have lunch with us. We don't always get to meet wizarding families. It could be a celebratory lunch for the Head students," exclaimed Charles.

"That sounds good, Sir. Noon at the leaky Cauldron work for you?" asked James.

"We will see you then, James." Rose answered.

James waved to Lily and walked in the direction towards the Quiditch Supply Store.

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As Lily went about her shopping, she grew more and more nervous. Everyone knew about the Potters, they were one of the oldest and richest families. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were very influential people. Something in her gut, told Lily that she was nervous about something else. She just couldn't place her finger on it.

The last things to get from Lily's supply list were her books. That is where she was, standing outside Flourish and Blotts. Problem was the store was packed, due to an all day crazy sale.

"Mum, Dad, it is way to crowded in there. Why don't you wait out here for me. I'll go in as quick as I can."

"Go on ahead, darling. We will just sit out here" replied Rose.

After her third year, Lily found out it was much faster to go in search of her books herself than to wait for someone to help her. Every step she took, Lily was in danger of bumping into someone or knocking books off of shelves. She slowly made her way into the transfiguration section, when a man ran past, pushing her into the shelves behind her. This caused several books from the higher shelves to fall.

Just as one rather large book was going to fall on her, someone came and pressed their bodies against the shelf, trying to flatten the both of them as close to the shelf as possible. The book missed them by an inch.

After the shock had worn off, Lily looked up into the face of her rescuer. She ended up looking into the most gorgeous eyes she had ever seen. She saw flecks of gold and green dancing around.

"Are you alright, Lily," James asked.

"When did you become so tall?" Lily replied, causing James to chuckle. She could feel the vibrations of his laughter, against her body. She finally noticed just how close they both were, causing her to blush.

"Well, food and sun tend to make people grow. Maybe that's why you are so short. You're all pale, too. Definitely need more sun," he teased.

This reminded Lily of the things Petunia had said the previous night. James sensed a shift in Lily's mood and he thought he had offended her, he leaned in ever so closely, placing his mouth by the side of her ear, to Lily this was all happening in slow motion. She felt like James was too close for her brain to think straight, and why hadn't anyone interrupted them. He was practically on top of her.

"But you know, I wouldn't change a single thing about you, not even a freckle, because you, Lily Evans, are perfect just like this. You really are the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on."

James slowly moved his lips to place a single kiss on her temple. Lily felt her heart thud at a million beats per minute and the place where James kissed her felt as if it were on fire. Suddenly, as if nothing had happened time returned to normal, with Sirius Black's loud booming voice yelling, "Hey, Prongs! Where did you go mate? You don't want to be late in meeting your future in laws."

This caused both James and Lily to jump apart.

"Weren't we in a compromising position? You know, Prongs, I never thought Evans here would be one to snog in public."

Lily was still too flustered to hand Sirius one of her famous comeback.

"Drop it, Padfoot. Lily I need to find the rest of my books. I'll meet you out front with my parents."

"Um, yea. Go ahead. My parents are our there too. Um, see you in a bit" Lily replied as she jolted in the opposite direction.

"So Prongs, what was that about?"

And so James began his tale in much the same way as a teenage girl would, minus the squealing. Today couldn't get any better for James, he got away with kissing Lily (on the cheek, so what minor technicality) without even a remark from her. "This is the year. This is my last chance to maker her see how much I love her." James thought to himself.

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After a long line at he the checkout desk, the Potters and the Evans were gathered outside Flourish and Blotts.

"Mr. and Mrs. Evans, these are my parents and my brother Sirius." James said with his most charming smile.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Rose and I are so excited to meet you. We don't get a chance to see Lily's world very often." Charles stated, while shaking the hands of the two elder Potters.

"Ohhh Please, call us Lizzie and Tobias. Mr. and Mrs. Potter makes us feel old." Replied Elizabeth Potter.

"But you guys are old" interjected Sirius, who had to duck in order to avoid being smacked on the back of this head by James.

Lily couldn't help but notice that the Potters were significantly older than she had imagined. They must have had James later in life.

"Please excuse our son. He is a bit mad" replied Tobias Potter.

"Son?" Lily thought. Sirius was a Black, not a Potter. Lily sent a questioning look towards James, but he subtly shook his head indicating to not say anything.

"Mum, dad, this is Lillllllyyyy Evans" Sirius said while smirking.

All eyes were on Lily now, making her feel self-conscious.

"Ohhh, so you're the famous Lily. James has told us so much about you. You know Lily, when he came home from his first year, he locked himself in his room for a week. He finally came out with all the details of your wedding planned," teased Tobias.

"Daaaaaadddddd, I can't believe you just said that." James said as he looked everywhere but at Lily. They both held extremely red faces, that would even put Lily's hair to shame.

By now the party was well seated within the Leaky Cauldron and they all ordered their food. The two sets of parents got to know each other, while Lily talked to the boys.

"So, Evans, what are you doing tonight?" asked Sirius.

"You don't have to answer that Lily," James answered, while sending a glare to Sirius across the table.

"Nothing really"

"Well Evans today is your lucky day. We just so happen to have an extra ticket for the Manic Mermen concert tonight. And if my sources are correct you are a big fan." Sirius said.

"Why do you have an extra ticket?"

"Wormy had to bail. His mother isn't feeling well so he was going to take care of her" James answered not looking Lily in the eyes. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. But don't not go if it's because you feel weird about it. I promise you it's not a date or anything that resembles one. It's just a group of friends going to a concert" James said really quickly.

"Are you guys sure? You don't want to someone else to go? Maybe Frank?"

"Nah, besides Longbottom is vacationing with Alice and his family." Sirius said replied.

"If it's alright with my parents, then of course I'll go."

"Just give me your address and we can apparate to your house tonight, with Moony, and then apparate to the concert." James said as calmly as he could muster, when all he wanted was to go do his victory dance.

Lily approached her parents and they said it was fine. Even though she was of age in the magical world, she wasn't in the muggle one. She still felt that since she lived under her parents roof, she owed them that respect. The plans for that night were finalized, and both families parted ways.

A/N:

Hope you guys enjoyed :)