My Favorite Regret

Chapter Three: Chemicals React

Lily looked up at the huge imposing structure known as Potter Manor. Everything looked immaculate and grand. Her stomach was in knots. Looking down at her jeans and long sleeve shirt she felt extremely shabby. Lily sighed loudly and gathered her courage. She used the knocker to rap on the large wooden door. A ghost appeared looking every bit the proper gentleman, yet very creepy at the same time with his sunken cheeks and judgemental stare. His clothing from another century was flawless. From his perfect hair to his shiny see-through boots, nothing was out of place. Like the house, he made her feel shabby. "Is James in?" She tried her hardest not to stutter.

The ghost lifted an eyebrow at her. "He is, who may I say is calling?"

Lily told herself to grow a spine, it was just a ghost. "Lily Evans."

The ghost moved to the side and the door opened wide to let her in. "You may wait in the parlor this way Miss." He floated down the hall stopping at a door leading to a room that was much cheerier than the exterior of the grand home. The round room was bathed in pale yellows and whites. The furniture looked comfortable and plush. It immediately made her feel more at ease. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "May I offer you anything to drink."

Lily shook her head. "No thank you." The ghost floated out of the room and Lily walked to the mantel and looked at the carvings that must have been done by a master artisan. She jumped as the ghost spoke behind her.

"Master James will be down in a moment." Then he was gone again.

Lily walked to the window and looked out at the grounds. There was a whole Quidditch pitch. 'Of course.' She barely had closet in her childhood bedroom and he had a mansion and a Quidditch pitch. For a moment she forgot her nerves and looked at what must be a garden. She liked gardens. Obviously her mother loved flowers, and she learned from her mother how to garden. She taught her the names of plants and flowers an everything about how to care for them. It came in handy in herbology. Just like the cooking lessons helped with potions. She was so distracted that she almost screamed when James' hand touched her shoulder. She turned her head and relaxed seeing it was James.

James withdrew his hand. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

Lily took a deep breath to calm her racing pulse. "I thought for a second it was Jeeves." At his eyebrow raise she clarified. "Your butler."

James grinned. "His name is Charles. He's a bit imposing at first, but he's as loyal as they come."

Lily humphed. "Imposing is not the word I would use."

James sat down and motioned for her to follow. "And what word would you use?"

Lily looked at the sofa. It did look inviting. She sat down. "Severe. I thought he was going to slam the door in my face like some unwanted beggar."

James laughed at the image in his mind. "Charles wouldn't do that, he just has a high respect for what he calls decorum."

Lily sank further into the soft cushions of the love-seat. It was like sitting on a cloud. "Apparently he never saw your table manners." She said to herself.

James was used to her put downs and didn't take offense at them anymore. "We were growing boys, we were hungry!"

It was Lily's turn to raise an eyebrow. "And Remus wasn't? He has perfect table manners."

James shook his head. "At any rate I have acquired more table manners since school." He paused and mumbled. "Unlike you."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

James grinned teasingly. "It's hardly good manners to pelt your guests with shakers and butter."

Lily had to concede on that point. "I was just a little upset, and these damn hormones are going to be the death of me."

James was grateful his mum made sure he knew the basics of pregnancy so he knew what she meant. "That bad huh?"

Lily nodded. "I tried to watch a romance movie and cried so hard I made myself sick." She shook her head as if realizing she was talking to James and not Maddy. "Anyways, I thought we should have an adult conversation about this."

James hated it when she did that. One minute she was relaxed and the next it was all business. She did it constantly during seventh year. It was like she was afraid to get close to him. "I agree, preferably one without pepper."

Lily couldn't help the smile that graced her lips. "I take it you had a sneeze-fest?"

James ran a hand through his hair. "Merlin, I thought my head was going to explode."

Lily laughed at the imagery. "Sorry, like I said hormones."She attempted to sit up but she was so comfortable. "What is this sofa made of?"

James just grinned. "I asked my mom that once and she said it was her secret. I never did find out." He looked at her relaxed posture. "Tired?"

Lily nodded. "Extremely, it's hard to sleep when your stomach is always upset."

James nodded, "I can help with that. Mixi?" A house elf popped in next to James.

"Hows can Mixi help Master James?" She looked at Lily with large curious eyes, Charles had told the staff about 'the' Lily Evans being here.

Lily looked at the house elf and smiled at her. She was wearing a dress obviously made out of old clothes, but it was a deep red and she had a pink bowed headband on her head. It clashed horrible with the red, but Lily decided it somehow fit the female house elf.

James saw Mixi smile back at Lily. "Lily here could do with a cuppa ginger tea."

Mixi smiled wider happy to be of service. "Rights away." She popped out of sight only to return and snap her fingers and a tea tray floated to the table.

Lily managed to sit up enough to offer her hand to Mixi. "I'm Lily."

Mixi beamed and put her hand in Lily's. "Mixi at Miss Lily's service." Mixi liked Miss Lily Evans very much. She was certain her previous Masters would have approved.

James was glad Mixi liked Lily. She had been with the family since before he was born. She had been trusted to watch over him at times when his parents couldn't. Sort of like a nanny. He had a deep affection for the house elf. "Thanks Mixi." She curtsied and disappeared.

Lily fixed herself a cup smelling the tea before taking an experimental sip. Almost immediately her stomach relaxed. "This is godly." She took a drink and closed her eyes in pleasure.

James watched silently as her eyes closed. The night he spent with her he had been behind her and didn't get to watch her face as pleasure came to her. Seeing it now made his body react. "Mum always made it for us when we had stomachaches."

Lily opened her eyes and finished the cup setting it down on the saucer. "Thank you." She fell back into the sofa. Automatically her eyes closed again.

James watched her try and stay awake. "How about we talk after you get some rest?"

Lily nodded, she was almost already asleep. James stood and lifted Lily into his arms. He apparated to his bedroom and laid her on the bed. He took off her shoes and covered her with the blanket. He couldn't stop himself from kissing her lips lightly. As he went to stand she mumbled in her sleep. "Don't go." He laid down behind her on top of the blankets and placed arm arm around her waist bringing her back to his chest. "Goodnight Love." He whispered into her ear.