Here is another chapter for all of my lovely readers...

Big thanks to Janice Sace for reviewing the last chapter and for being my most constant reviewer! You are awesome.

Chapter 7:

"The guests will be here any minute James!" Dorea called gently up the stairs. James had been out with Frank, Alice and Marlene all day and had only arrived back ten minutes ago.

"I'm nearly ready mum," James replied as he rushed towards his wardrobe in search of dress robes. He pulled on a nice dark green set before rushing down the stairs to join his parents.

As he came to stand beside them, they looked him up and down. "Oh, James" Dorea laughed, "your hairs still wet."

Charlus gruffed, "looking good though son!"

Remus was sat at the dinner table opposite his father. His mother was serving up the food, "is that enough Remus?"

"Yes mum, thanks," Remus smiled at the youngish woman who's smile looked sad and old. She was a very kind woman who worried often, especially about Remus. Remus felt incredibly guilty that most of her worry lines were because of him. Of course he wasn't the only one who felt guilty for those worry lines. His father, John Lupin, felt equally guilty as he was the reason that his son had been attacked. In his job at the ministry, John had had to pass an international law that prohibited werewolves from biting humans. There had always been a law about it but it hadn't been monitored properly and punishment was particularly lacking. They had increased the time that a werewolf would spend in Azkaban as punishment and they encouraged the ministry to enforce the law.

Of course, some within the werewolf community had been unhappy at the change in the law. They'd sent threatening letters and howlers – some containing horrible curses, to his office at the ministry but luckily the post was all checked for dark magic and no one was harmed. A few weeks had passed and nothing seemed to happen; no attacks, nothing. But then all of a sudden, people were being attacked and what was far worse is that the victims were mostly children. Mary had become incredibly anxious and had been extra protective of Remus. John had put extra protective charms around the house as he was away trying to find the werewolves responsible for the attacks.

On one such night, John working on a raid in the north of the country, Mary in a restless worried sleep, one werewolf had gotten through the house's defences and bit young Remus. For some reason the werewolf had not attacked Mary, who was sleeping in the next room. John had returned home after his ministry raid to find his son bitten and his wife in floods of tears. They had done everything they could think of but to no avail. Neither parent had ever forgiven themselves for what had happened. Mary felt that she should have stayed awake, slept in the same room, have been the one to be attacked – not her son, she should have been a witch – and then she could have protected her little boy, or she could have just not married a wizard in the first place. John felt that he should have been home to protect his family, have come home quicker, and have caught the werewolves already. The worst thing was that Mary had at some point started blaming John as well and John Mary until their marriage had become tense and filled with bitter blame that left the both feeling empty.

Remus, of course blamed neither of his parents. He loved them greatly and was proud to say that his father had stood up against the werewolves – especially Fenrir Greyback. "John do you have enough?" Mary asked.

"Yes dear, thank you." John replied. They often used endearing terms but there was little behind them. The man and his wife were merely polite with one another. Mary quickly sat down. The family ate quietly until Remus broke the silence.

"I've only got two weeks left until I return to Hogwarts," Remus commented.

"You must be very excited," Mary replied quietly.

"Yes, I am. I got my letter this morning, with my book list and everything."

"Ah, we better go shopping then," Mary smiled.

"Can we get ice cream from Florean Fortescue's?" Remus asked excitedly.

"I don't see why not," answered Mr Lupin.

The guests had finally arrived at the party and were all waiting patiently in the living room for dinner to be served. James was sat with Marlene joking about what they had done that day. Mrs Potter was talking to Minerva McGonagall in hushed tones, "I really can't believe you invited him, Dorea!"

"Minnie, I really think you would make such a lovely couple," Dorea smiled at her friend and ex-pupil, "couldn't you just – I don't know – give it a go?"

"No," McGonagall frowned, "It wasn't that long ago that I was engaged."

"Oh no, not long at all." Dorea nodded almost sombrely, "only nearly twenty years!"

"Dorea, please understand," Minerva practically begged.

"I do. You feel that you can't say yes because of some debt you have to Dougal. I understand completely. I think it's slightly irrational but I understand." Dorea smiled, "I think you are doing yourself a disservice but I understand."

There was a loud POP and Milly appeared, "Dinner is served!"

The guests quickly made their way into the dining room, chatting amongst themselves. The long table was decorated beautifully with a perfectly pressed white linen tablecloth and beautiful ornate cutlery. Mr Potter sat at one end of the table whilst Mrs Potter sat at the other with all their guests in between. They smiled briefly towards each other before Charlus stood to his feet, "Well friends. I am so glad to have you here! Please tuck in."

Lily and Severus had finally escaped Lily's family. Petunia was driving them both insane with her horrible words and harsh looks. They had successfully managed to keep their tongue and not retort with some offense of their own but self-control was wearing thin. They had come out for dinner on their own and had found a pastry shop. They both chose several croissants before walking around the centre of Paris. Lily was amazed by how beautiful Paris was at night. The sight of the Eiffel tower lit up made her shiver excitedly.

"I love it here," Lily smiled at the city around her.

"Really?" Snape was surprised.

"Yeah, why?" Lily asked.

"It's just you seem to love every place you go!" Snape laughed, "You love home, you love London, you love Hogwarts, you love Paris, next you'll be telling me you love the toilet."

"Thanks for that," Lily laughed, "Now I'm going to have a picture of a tourist, map in hand, visiting a toilet, pointing at the toilet roll holder as if it's the most exciting thing ever, in my head all night."

"You may even dream about it!"

"Great. I look forward to it," Lily laughed.

Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to hear your review, even if it's just to say that I write crappy, lol.

Next chapter... will be some more on the party and conversations between the guests...