Next Chapter...Enjoy :) 3

The Easter holidays were coming sooner than either of them expected, James was obviously excited to be having her stay, but Lily however was nervous about asking her parents' permission to stay at his for the week. Although they knew that she and James were together, she was unsure how they'd react if she'd ask to stay at his house.

One day, they were sitting at a small desk in the library; Lily's head was bent over a piece of parchment, she was frowning. James had a few text books out on the desk and was pretending to read a History of Magic textbook, but he was actually watching Lily. He loved watching her. She was really frowning, he noticed, her brow pulled together as she tried to think of what to write. She sighed and rubbed her temples, seemingly distressed.
"Are you writing to Petunia again?" He asked.
"Er- what?" she asked confused looking up. She placed the quill down.
"Are you trying to write to Petunia again?"He asked, he'd come to recognised the stressed, upset look she adopted when trying to write to her older sister whom didn't like her, due to her being a witch.
"Oh-!" she sighed. "No..."
James was puzzled. "What then?"
She paused on the edge of speech, seeming to decide something. "Well, it's nearly Easter." She said nervously.
"So it is," He smiled, lazily flicking through the pages of his text book, his eyes on hers.
"Well," She blushed; James loved the way her cheeks faded from pale to crimson when she was embarrassed. "I still haven't asked my parents about staying at yours-!" She blushed more. James smiled and laughed softly, running a hand through his tangled hair. She blinked, biting her lip. "What?" She asked, smiling at the sound of his laughter.
"I," He smiled. "Already wrote to them!" He grinned proud of himself.
"What?" She said, he couldn't read the emotions in her face or tone.
"I wrote to your parents asking permission to have you stay over in the Easter Holidays, I explained that my Mum and Dad were looking forward to meeting you, and I explained about the er- sleeping arrangements." He grinned. "And I also said that I hoped to meet them soon, maybe over this holiday too and I also said I hoped it wasn't inconvenient that I sent the letter by our normal way of post," He smiled. "Though I also wrote that I assumed it would be ok due to you sending letters by my owl a lot." He grinned. "I also said that I'd instructed my owl to hang around till they were ready to reply to my letter."
Lily sat there staring at her boyfriend. "You're joking right?" She smiled. "You were being the polite good boy boyfriend type?" She grinned.
James stuck his tongue out. "Oi Evans! I can be very polite when I need to be!" He smiled.
"So er-!" She said nervously. "Did they erm- reply?"
He smiled. "They certainly did! They said I sounded like a charming young man and that they didn't mind at all you staying at mine over the Easter holidays! They invited us found for tea, one day in the week of the holidays! My Mum and Dad too! Your Dad assured that it was fine for me to deliver my letter by owl, and they sent their reply back with my owl! They seemed pretty happy! They said you'd mentioned me and that they couldn't wait to meet me! Also," He blushed a little at this and grinned at Lily. "Guess what? Your Mum asked me to send a wizarding photo of the two of us!" He grinned. "The letter said she was astonished how the pictures moved!" He laughed and Lily grinned.
"Wow. That's sweet! I can't believe that she asked for a picture! Did you send one?" she laughed, reaching out to take his hand across the table. He squeezed her fingers.
"Yeah,"
"Which one?" She asked nervously.
"Oh," He said nonchalance waving his hand casually. "Just the one we took in my bed last week-!" He joked.
Lily's face was priceless, she looked shocked, scared and angry. "What?!" She yelled, causing the passing Librarian to hush her, she glared at him. "James Potter! Tell me you're joking!" She whispered fiercely.
"Of course! He roared with quiet laughter. "But your face was worth it!" He whacked the table, still laughing.
Lily scolded him with a single glance. "Potter," She glared, trying to frown but the corners of her mouth twitched and she smiled at him. She rolled her eyes and patted his arm playfully. "You idiot Prongs."
It was the first time she had ever called him by his Marauder's nickname. He looked at her shocked. "Sorry." She said almost instantly after realising what she'd done, she covered her mouth with her hand. "I just- I'm around Sirius and the others so much now! I-!" But James stood up and was smiling. He went round the table and looked at her. He stood there grinning. "James?" She asked nervously.
"Yes Dear?" He asked, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her.

When they broke apart she smiled and looped her fingers through his hair. "James." She whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers. She looked into his eyes, beneath those square framed glasses, those beautifully brown eyes. She smiled. "Prongs." She almost purred his nickname. "Are you ever gonna tell me why it's Prongs?" She asked. "Prongs must be to do with-!"
"A stag." He whispered, his forehead pressed to hers. "It's my patronus."
"Patronus?!" She gasped. "You can produce one of those?! I've tried but it didn't work very well..."
"I could teach you." He said quietly, stroking her cheek, their heads still close together. "There's something else." He hesitated. "I'm an animagus."
Lily looked shocked but recovered well. "Really? No! That's really hard magic!" She looked at him seriously.
"I am quite smart y'know." He laughed.
"Wow." She sighed. "And you turn into a stag?" She said bewildered. James nodded.
"And Sirius and Peter too!" He hesitated he couldn't tell Remus's secret, but he couldn't lie to Lily and say that Remus was an animagus, however Lily Evans didn't look phased at all by the lack of Remus's name, in fact she looked both surprised and delighted, tears filled her eyes. Suddenly it all made sense to her. Both her hands tangled in his hair and she pressed her forehead closer to his, as tears leaked from her eyes. She stared into his eyes. "And you did it for Remus!" She said her voice filled with emotion. "Wow. You are an amazing friend." She kissed him quickly tears still wet on her cheeks, James pulled away, jerking his head back to look at her confused. He held her face in her hands looking at her bewildered.
"Wait? What?" He said. "You know?" He looked puzzled and frightened but also protective. "How? When?"
She laughed. "About Remus's 'Furry little problem?'" She made quotation marks in the air. "Oh two-three years ago," She sighed ever so casually. "Me and Remus are pretty close actually. He told me one time when we were having a really deep conversation."
James was stunned, "How come he never told me, that you knew?"
Lily shrugged. "I don't know."
"Did you know I knew?"
" I assumed." She smiled. "But I never mentioned it-encase." She smiled then added. "You ok Jamie?"
"Yeah, just a tad bewildered. I'm used to it just being the four of us that knows. It's weird." He smiled. "A good weird." He sat down on the edge of her chair; she moved up and sat on his lap. "At least you know where I sneak off to now!" He laughed and kissed her again, they kissed for a long moment, smiling beneath each other's lips. "You're perfect." James whispered to Lily.

*
Lily fell asleep in his arms on the train ride back to platform nine and three quarters, not many people were going home for Eater so they had a carriage to themselves. James held her close throughout the journey, as she slept. He watched the countryside roll past the windows, his heart hammering in his chest.

He'd never been this nervous in his entire life; it wasn't that he was worried what his parents would think of Lily, he knew they'd love her. Besides he'd told them everything about her already. He was more worried about Lily, about her seeing his home, his life outside of Hogwarts, seeing him in a different light.

The train pulled up at Kings Cross as it was getting dark, James woke Lily and together they collected their bags and left the compartment. Lily, having just woke up, was tired and now extremely nervous. She ran her fingers through her hair nervously, thinking 'I'm pretty sure my hairs a mess, and oh merlin! I have to meet his parents.' She felt flustered and tired. She suddenly felt frightened. 'What if they don't like me?' She panicked. She gripped James's hand nervously.
"Jamie?" She said nervously.
"Lil?" He asked grinning at her, hiding his own nerves.
As they reached the brick wall that separated them from the rest of the station, she whispered. "I'm nervous."
He stopped walking, pulling her close he pressed his lips to hers. Every time they kissed it made his heart race, hammer against his chest, he pulled her closer, his hands on her waist. She pressed her body to his, desiring closeness just like him. They were desperately caught up in the moment- it was the same every single time.

When they finally broke apart, they were both flushed, red in the face and out of breathe. "Merlin! I love you James Potter!" Lily breathed her hands on his chest.
"Lils," He took her hands and kissed each of her palms in turn. "I love you too- but don't be nervous. My parents are going to love you." He told her, however he wouldn't admit how nervous he was.
They turned towards the barrier and together walked through into the muggle train station.

Mr and Mrs Potter stood waiting at the entrance to the station, as the couple approached them hand in hand. Lily studied her boyfriend's parents carefully; James had told her some much about them. Mrs Potter was just as she'd imagined- a pretty older woman, with a friendly face. Her hair was light brown, her eyes blue and shinning. She had thin pink lips and a kind expression. Mr Potter was tall and strongly built, he had jet black hair, no signs of age invading the colour just yet, and like his son it stuck up in odd places; however Mr Potter cut his hair short so that the wildness wasn't as noticeable. James's parents were noticeably older than hers, as he had been a bit of a surprise for them arriving later in life than they had properly planned on having a child, and as they were getting older and he was their only child, James was somewhat spoilt.

As they reached them, James rushed to hug his mother. "MUM!" He said letting go of Lily's hand and throwing his arms around Mrs Potter, he was taller than her, for some reason this was funny to Lily. James then turned to his father and hugged him too. He was the same height as his father, they were strikingly similar, Lily realised; the same jaw line, the crazy hair, square shoulders, a similar smile- Lily found herself hoping that one day their son would look just like James.
"Mum, Dad this-," James said proudly, putting his arm around Lily. "is Lily Evans!" He grinned.
Mrs Potter smiled. "Hello Love." She smiled and came to hug her.
"Hi," Lily smiled and hugged her back, she was a warm sort of person, and Lily instantly felt comfortable around her.
James's father approached her too. "James has told us so much about you," He said and hugged her too, planting a gentlemanly kiss on her cheek as they broke apart. "It's great to finally meet you,"
Lily blushed. "It's great to meet you too! Both of you." She beamed.
"We seriously have heard so much about you!" Mrs Potter explained. "You're all James talked about at Christmas,"
"The only thing he talks about in the rare letter he spends home." Added Mr Potter chuckling; James stood there staring at his parents.
"Mum! Dad! Don't!" He began.
"In fact," Mrs Potter carried on, ignoring her son, focusing on Lily. "You're basically all he's ever talked about since his first year; it was either you or The Marauders." She laughed. "Either their troublesome antics or the cute, little, muggle-born, red headed girl who beat him at Potions." James looked mortified at his mother's words."MUM!" He gulped looking at Lily, embarrassed.
Mrs Potter took Lily's arm and began to lead her out of the train station. James looked flustered and confused; he glanced at his Dad for help. Mr Potter laughed and gestured for James to leave too.

They travelled by tube to James's home, Lily couldn't help but find this amusing. She couldn't quite believe this pureblood wizarding family was taking the tube train. Maybe, she wondered, they were doing it for her benefit, she hoped not. She had never imagined she'd ever see James Potter on a dirty tube train. It was utterly absurd.

However, James looked comfortable enough, lounging back in the chair opposite her. He grinned at her and stuck his tongue out at her teasingly, and then he mouthed the words "I love you forever."
Lily blushed at this and blew him a kiss, James pretended to catch it on his lips. James noticed from the corner of his eye, his Mum watching this exchange; he blushed as she smiled at them.

As they walked along the dark suburb streets of London, James took Lily's hand and whispered. "Have you ever been to a Wizarding household?" He asked.
She thought for a moment, "Er- Sev's," She hesitated. "But his Dad is a muggle and doesn't like magic. And I've stayed at Lizzie's in the summer, but they live near loads of muggles so they keep magic to the minimum."
Lizzie was Lily's best friend at Hogwarts. "Lizzie is half blood right?"
"Yeah, but her mum loves magic she wants to move to an all wizard town!" Lily laughed. "But her Dad, who works for the Ministry, doesn't want to!" She said.
"I just wondered," He shrugged. "We like magic in my house!"
They turned round the corner, at the end of the street was a large town house. "There." He pointed to the house.
Lily looked at him shocked. "Big," She said.
James laughed and nodded. "Yeah, and we have this charm thing over our house so that muggles can't see any magic we do... even in the garden!" He laughed.
Lily grinned. "That's great! I feel like such a muggle when I go home for the holidays because I can't do magic as I'm not old enough and of course my family can't. In my first year, every morning I would look through my trunk to check it was all real, that I hadn't dreamt it." She laughed and then blushed, checking James's reaction.
He smiled. "That's cute."

They walked up the stone steps to the door of his home, as they approached the house Lily thought she felt herself walking through a bubble like thing, an enchantment; but she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination. Mr and Mrs Potter were in front of them, Mr Potter opened the door with a tap of his wand and a mumbled word.

Lily's first impressions of the house, just from the hallway, was the same as what she'd thought of the outside- It was big. James took off his travelling cloak and Gryffindor Scarf and then said "Lil?" and helped her take off her cloak. He hung them both on a peg on the wall that said 'James' above it. Lily grinned at this.
"I'm going to make a cup of tea." Mrs Potter called as she headed up the corridor, towards the door that must have led off to the kitchen. "Anyone want one?" She asked, Mr Potter called that he'd have 'the usual' as he headed up a flight of stairs.
James turned to Lily. "Tea?" He asked, taking her hand and leading towards another door.
"Please," She smiled.
"Me and Lil will have a cup of tea!" James yelled to his Mum before opening the door into the living room, he showed Lily inside.
The room was large, and well furnished. There was a huge wooden fire place at the centre of the main wall. The sofa's looked comfy and inviting. There was a coffee table and on it was a copy of The Daily Prophet, James moved over to the fireplace and bent down by the grate to light the fire.
Mrs Potter called. "How does Lily have her tea?" From the next room, James straightened up, the fire was now lit. He walked over to Lily, who had been watching him, smiling. "Just milk no sugar." He called back without hesitation.
Lily gave him a funny look. "How did you know that?" Lily asked, frowning slightly.
He shrugged. "I just did." They were standing only a few metres apart.
"That's cute." She whispered she took a step towards him, stretching up on her tiptoes; just as he leaned down to meet her. They kissed, Lily smiled.
"Do you know mine?" James whispered his hands reaching for her waist.
"Tea, milk, one sugar." Lily replied without a pause, her green eyes never leaving his brown ones.
"Yep," James bit his lip. "Milk, one sugar. " He repeated. "I need the sugar, unlike you; I'm just not as sweet as you-!" He murmured, his eyes locked onto hers, he wrapped his arms around her bringing their bodies closer together.
"I completely disagree..." Lily whispered and then they were kissing again and it was as though the whole world had disappeared and nothing but each other mattered anymore...

"Oppps!" Mrs Potter stood in the door way, carrying two mugs of tea, she looked embarrassed. "Sorry-!"
Lily blushed, and detached herself from James, who took a step away from her, and took the mugs from his mother. "Sorry Mum," He mumbled.
Mrs Potter chuckled. "Don't mind me," She laughed and looked at Lily, who was blushing as red as her hair. "Please make yourself at home sweetie," she smiled at Lily, who self consciously took a seat on the sofa. "And James," She turned to her son who was looking sheepish. He placed the mugs on the coffee table. "I've done up the guest bedroom for Lily," She smiled at her. "But make sure you give Lily a tour of the house." She checked her watch. "The foods cooking, so dinner will be at eight, normal time."
James nodded. "Okay, thanks Mum."
"Thanks for the tea Mrs Potter." Lily said shyly.
"No problem," She said as she headed back out the room, careful to shut the door behind her.
"Hey! Wait one second Mum!" James called, going out after her. He gave Lily a quick smile before disappearing into the hallway after his mother.
"Mum," He whispered, purposely keeping his voice low so that Lily wouldn't hear. "I was just wondering...erm if... Lily...was erm... I mean... I know," He couldn't form the words. Mrs Potter stood looking at him, a slightly bemused expression on her face. "I mean, I know, I've erm," He coughed. "Never brought a girl home before... so I didn't know the rules... or anything..."
Mrs Potter looked at him, smiling slightly, obviously finding this funny.
"I mean, what I mean is... Is she allowed in my room?" He finally admitted. "I mean, of course she will sleep in the spare room but-!"
Mrs Potter smiled. "Don't look so nervous James," She chuckled. "Of course she's allowed in your bedroom! But me and your father are trusting you to know the night-time arrangement, that's all."
"Oh," James said sheepish again. "Okay thanks Mum." He kissed her cheek. "So-!" He hesitated "What do you think? Do you like her?" He asked nervous again.
"Of course I do! She's lovely! Now," She pushed him back towards the living room. "It's rude to leave a guest, let alone a female guest, alone." She smiled and disappeared up stairs.

James went back into the living room, smiling to himself. He found Lily sitting on the sofa with her cup of tea. She held up her mug. "I guessed, so I ended up having a bit of yours too." She laughed and pulled a face. "I hate sugary tea." She grimaced.
James grinned and sat beside her, picking up his mug and drinking from it.
"You can tell you're an only child by the way Potter." Lily laughed, waving her hand to the mantel piece that contained many photos of him.

These photos mapped his life; there was James, in nappies banishing a plastic spoon, James as a toddler riding his first broomstick, James proudly wearing his first pair of glasses; James and his father in a meadow playing Quidditch, James and his mother baking a cake, many wizarding photographs that highlighted the key events in James's life.
"You like the pictures?" James asked sipping his tea. "We like cameras in my family." He grinned.
"You were such a cute baby." Lily smiled and got up to get a closer look at some of the photographs.
"What can I say?" James shrugged placing his mug on the coffee table; he came and stood behind her.
"So," He said after a moment. "I need to give you the tour of my house!"
"That would be great!" Lily replied.