scorpion sting .

IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE WAY HE WAS GIGGLING THAT HARRY WAS HAVING A BLAST. While Lily hadn’t gotten much time to herself, she didn’t mind spending her break with her family. In fact, it was rather lovely, to get a bit of a breather from the real world. Even if it were tapping on their shoulders, constantly reminding them that it was there. A look in the way of a suspected Death Eater, or a look at Moody, as he patrolled the area. It made her stomach churn, and for now, she kept her wand handy, although not quite as handy as it might’ve been. After all, one hand was wrapped in James’s. 

The other was occupied by a chattering Harry, who looked as if he might burst at all the colorful items around them. They’d made a stop at Pandora’s shop, singing along with the teapot. They’d skipped over her own booth, though, since Harry had spent a bit of time there already, and it was clear he didn’t have his mother’s interest in potions. “Where to next?” Lily asked, eyes flickering from her son’s to her husband’s with a soft smile. “We only get the Solstice Festival every ten years, after all.” Ten! Harry proclaimed, eyes wide, and Lily couldn’t help but laugh again, looking at James with a grin.

“Yes, ten! Ten whole years, that’s how many fingers--” she reached down, squeezing his hand. “And toes...” Letting go of James’s hand, she pulled Harry up beside her. “--As we’ve all got. Quite a lot of years, if you ask me.”

WHEN: 21 June 1983 WHERE: Summer Solstice Festival, Nature Pavilion  WHO: OPEN

Aoife’s pace was slow as she meandered around the festival with a quickly melting sno-cone in hand, dyed purple from the sugary syrup it was drenched in. She ate at it quickly, already regretting the purchase. It kept her from reaching out and getting as close to the creatures as she’d have liked. “I’m sorry,” she apologized by means of grabbing the nearby stranger’s attention. “Have you seen a rubbish bin anywhere nearby?” Her own attempt at spotting one had left her wanting, and she wouldn’t have asked if she hadn’t already spent considerable time looking first herself.

...

THE NATURE PAVILION HAD TRULY OUTDONE ITSELF. Harry was looking up with wide-eyes as a Griffin appeared above them, and even Lily found herself marveling at the creatures. It was why she jumped a bit when someone grabbed her arm; for a moment, she was caught off-guard, pulled from the current state of the world. “Oh, blimey, apologies,” she said, laughing ever so slightly. “I think I might’ve seen one um...” Lily scanned the crowd before her eyes landed on one across the lagoon. “Right there! Aha.” Still, Harry was eying the treat in the other woman’s hand, and Lily laughed nodding her head. “Do you mind sharing where you got the snow cone, though? I think my son is about to burst.”

Where: Summer Solstice Festival When: 21st June Who: Mary && @mcrningevans​

Mary had been planning to catch up with Lily later in the day when she was less taken up by the potions demonstrations but she had been a little over-excited when she saw a Fortescue’s stand selling earl grey ice cream and had bought it before it occurred to her that ice cream wasn’t something she could just save for later. Even Fortescue’s never-melting ice cream that lasted longer than most. It wasn’t like she could pop it in her purse while she looked at what else the festival had to offer. So, she waded through the crowds with a few anxious looks around that made her regret deciding to do this without the back up of any of their other friends to find Lily.

“How’s it going? Do you think you’ll be able to get away for a break at all? Or, well, I suppose you’ll be trying to have your break with James. Oh,” She suddenly remembered the ice cream in her hand and held it out. “This is for you. I hope you’ve got the time at least to have that now. I know they’re not supposed to melt but I still don’t think I trust them not to.”

THE SOLSTICE FESTIVAL WOULD HAVE BEEN LILY’S FAVORITE IF SHE’D GROWN UP WITH MAGIC. She went to one for the first time when she was only fourteen; an event her parents couldn’t attend, so she’d tagged along with Snape, a thought which made her stomach churn now. Still, the festival reminded her of him, in many ways. Or of their friendship, back then. The way his laughter floated from his lips, subtle and slow. Now, though, she stood behind a tent with Damocles, her husband manning another booth. It wasn’t as if she could enjoy the festival to its fullest, but the looks on the children’s faces at the sight of their potions made her grin. If only she’d been so lucky as a child.

That’s what he wanted to hear, wasn’t it? That he would be forgiven. And pardoned for the blood in his hands. But hearing Lily say these words did little to alleviate the guilt brewing inside him. At the end of the day, it was easier said than done. Lily would never know the full magnitude of the pain he’s caused because he didn’t know Rosalind. “I guess I appreciate that. But who knows how the real people I’ve hurt would react, eh? They… they don’t even know why she’s dead. I don’t know if that makes things better or worse.”

Isaac stared at Lily as if she were mad. Does such a potion really exist? Isaac wouldn’t even be able to tell. But surely, the ministry would have already thought of that and forced it upon him just so they could get the answers that he wants. Right now, Lily just seems like she’s offering the impossible. Was she foolish or just overly optimistic? “You’re willing to create such thing… just for me? But why?” She was careful not to promise too much but it felt like a promise just the same. “Maybe… Maybe I’m better off not knowing.”

A nod of her head followed his words, and truthfully, Lily understood his concern. It was hard. Do you blame the person who cast the spell, or the one who forced him to do so? How do you see past the wand to the real evil-doer? It was a hard situation, and not everyone would be able to look past it, she realized. “You’re right,” she said, shrugging ever so slightly. “It’s tricky. And not everyone would react the same. I s’pose I like to find the good in everyone, which can get me into sticky situations, sometimes. But, at the end of the day, I’d like to think I could see past that. You weren’t the one with intent.”

It had been about a month since James had cornered Lily in the Gryffindor common room and they both finally cleared the air about their feelings. Despite the fact that James and Lily had both now known that they liked each other, neither of them had officially done anything about it. Their relationship had been in a sort of undefined purgatory, though it wasn’t a bad thing per say. They had both agreed that they wanted to keep this between them, if only for a little while. However, as Halloween had approached, the two of them had managed to coordinate their outfits and dress up in matching costumes without anyone noticing.

Every year, Hogwarts had some sort of festivity for Halloween, and this year was no exception. James had let Lily pick their costumes, and was pleasantly surprised with her choice. Even though none of the other purebloods would probably understand the reference, he loved the idea of dressing up as characters from Star Wars. Finally dressed and ready to go down to the Halloween party, James had waited for Lily, so that they could walk together. “Wow… you look beautiful,” he smiled, complimenting her. Sirius would be meeting up with them soon, too, but in the moment, James wasn’t thinking about that.

@mcrningevans​

...

Halloween had been a whole event at the Evans’ household. When they were little, her mum and dad would come up with the strangest costumes; the ones that would both have the neighbors looking out of confusing, but also, Lily would like to think, out of jealousy. Her mum couldn’t sew, but her best friend could, and she would make them costumes that were fit for the pages of magazines. As such, Lily’s love for the holiday continued into Hogwarts. She always had a costume, usually a Muggle themed one ( someone had to teach the wizards what they were missing out on, after all ), made by her mum’s best friend. In her first year, her mum had even dressed the whole family up along with her. 

Today, though, Lily could use magic to make the outfit just right. Leia’s space buns were the hardest part, but she’d finally gotten them twisted the way she wanted them, and had found James, perfect in the vest she’d had made for him. “Do you think they’ll let me join the next movie?” she grinned, kissing his cheek. “I hear there’s going to be a second one.” And maybe, finally, she’d get that Han and Leia kiss. At least for now, as nerdy as it was, she could pretend with James. 

“And you make a right dashing, Han. I feel like you two would get along well, y’know, if he were real and all.” She was about to say more, but she spotted Sirius coming their way and, while things were getting more serious between her and James, they hadn’t made it official yet. The costume, though, was the first step. At his approach, though, Lily’s brow furrowed. “Sirius what... I’m sorry, but what are you?”

“Well, it can get a bit salty – yeah,” Remus said, holding back a laugh at the image playing in his head. James’ face slowly puckering, brow furrowing, as he took bite after bite of Lily’s cooking. Which was good almost without fail, but Remus suspected his friend loved her too much to say anything if it was a failure. “But I can see about asking for a recipe. I doubt she ever wrote it down before, but she knows how to use a pen. Is that just a my mum thing or not?” Not writing recipes down, that was.

There had been nights, in the quiet and darkness of his childhood bed, that he dreamed of companionship something like this. Soft and kind and warm. He hadn’t pictured the cat demanding treats or the scrapes in the table, but something like this. There had also been nights when his fears convinced him he could never have this. He was glad those were wrong – at least for now. “Thank you for being here,” he said, slightly louder than a whisper.

The moment of sweet vulnerability didn’t last too long, thankfully. Those were exhausting. He rose a brow at the accusing spoon, but he wasn’t the one in jesting trouble. “It’s really not that hard. Just a bit of waiting and a little arm muscle – which last I saw, James has.”

"Oi, you’re not supposed to agree with me,” Lily teased, although she knew it was true. She’d always been a baker, not a cook. Of course, she’d picked up a few recipes after careful learning from her mother. She didn’t use magic to cook, though, which was maybe where she was going wrong. Really, she’d be better off using her wand, but it wasn’t as fun. “No, it’s definitely not just a your mum thing.” Lily could still remember asking her mother for recipes, and her just telling her to add salt. “My mum would not only not write things down, but when she did she wouldn’t give me any measurements. A sprinkle of pepper is not a measurement, not in my book.”

It was funny, how quickly they’d become close. Even in school, Remus had been one of her fastest friends. Despite his involvement with James, which she hated at the time, Remus was always there for her, and she’d never forget it. Never forget how easily they’d found their way to each other. “You know I’ll be here whenever you need me,” she said, softly. “And I might just bring Harry, too. If he can’t brighten the mood, no one can.”

Sirius had always been confident, even as a child. He would speak to near strangers and talk their ears off. He would chat up people in public and wander around by himself. Even as a first year at Hogwarts, he acted like he owned the place. James helped with that too. The two of them eventually did run the place in a sort of way. Now, the Potter home, the Quidditch pitch, the Cackling Stump - they were no different. If his friends were there, Sirius belonged there too.

He had a feeling she knew more than she was telling him, and while he had a sense that he’d piece it together eventually, he wished she would stop acting like she was so good at keeping secrets. He knew her well enough at this point to know when she was hiding something. It made sense when Lily started the story, but as she continued, he felt like he was going to choke on his pancakes. The food turned thick in his mouth and he felt he could barely swallow.

He took a drink of water and tried not to look too spooked. He could do this. He’d done this. But that was the thing. He’d done it so casually to James that it had barely even been there. And Remus, well. That was another thing entirely. Lily would be different. Not bad. Just different. Sirius wasn’t comfortable enough yet. He didn’t feel ready. “Lily,” was all he said with wide eyes. “Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat. “Sure, it’s… yeah I guess I remember that. I feel…” Flashes of the night went back into his head. The girl, her smile. The boy, his smile. How the boy felt dangerous and alluring and Sirius wanted him. He wanted to have a normal conversation, but in his head, it was like sirens were going off. “A guy,” he said. “Yeah. That’s uh… Something I do. I shouldn’t have led her on like that. That wasn’t fair.” 

He watched Lily. She hadn’t changed at all during the conversation. She was still Lily. She showed no signs of being mad or upset. This was Lily. This was Lily who saw him drunk off his ass in the Gryffindor common room more times than he could count singing at the top of his voice along to David Bowie. Lily who was so pretty on her wedding day that James and Sirius had cried. Lily, the fifth Marauder (though he’d never say that out loud.) He took a deep breath and summoned that Sirius Black confidence. He’d be okay. “But if she was crying because she was being homophobic or something then fuck that.”

Lily had always been observant. It was a trait that had been passed down to her from her mother. Her father, the oblivious professor. Her mother, the one with the sharp eye. Lily’s mum could see through just about any lie; follow a trail where it might lead. She’d been proud to have picked that up from her, although sometimes, it meant that she noticed more than she should. Sometimes, it meant there were secrets that she could guess before they were told. Lily had also learned the art of patience in this way; had learned not to push others, especially those she cared about. When they wanted to tell her her secrets, they would.  

Still, she hated it. She hated feeling as though she knew something that she shouldn’t know yet. With Sirius, she’d known from the way he’d looked at Remus in their sixth year. Love could absolutely be friendly, but there was something more that. A glint in his eye that appeared only when Remus was near. It was hard to bring up around him, because it felt, often, like she knew something he didn’t know. It was his secret, and yet not even he seemed to be in on it. So, Lily hated talking about it; hated brining up the fact that Sirius might have kissed a guy, or that there was a cute one looking at him at the bar. It wasn’t that she minded, but that she thought he might be upset that she’d already known.

Barty snorted at Lily’s description of her and James. As someone who didn’t witness what they had to go through to get together, he thought it was quite the stretch. “Sure didn’t seem like it. You antagonized him, sure. But I won’t precisely call you guys starcrossed.” Lily was muggleborn but as far as he knew, the Potters never had an issue with it. “I say you guys had it pretty easy. Haven’t you guys been together for quite a while now?”

He let that admission hang in the air before continuing. He obviously felt the same way. “Well, I guess you don’t have a lot of reasons to want to see me either. But you’re right. It’s been a while. And clearly, both of us have moved on.” Lily had James. And Barty? Barty has Benjy, even if the world didn’t know it yet. “I’ll make sure to write it up. But I’m afraid that would be the least of their concerns at the moment.”

Barty warmed under Lily’s praise. And the bitterness he felt at the beginning when he found out Lily didn’t know what he does slowly faded away. “Yeah, it is. Isn’t it?” Of course, there was the thought that everyone had. Barty was simply a tool for his father. But it was nice that Lily didn’t think that of him, right away. “I don’t know yet what I’m doing after the Minister’s term. But I’m here.”

A laugh followed his words, mostly because he didn’t know, really, what they had been through. Who they were. He knew her, though. That much was for certain, and she grinned at him with a small smile on her lips. “I would like to, only because it makes us sound much more interesting than we actually are,” she teased. Truth be told, she was just meant to be with James. They fit, like puzzle pieces. Always had, if she were being honest with herself. “Oh blimey, it’s been four years? Five years. I mean Harry will be three in July so.”

It was nice to know they could be adults about the situation, although Lily wasn’t certain that Barty had moved on. Or, at least hadn’t found someone else. Lily didn’t think he was still hung up on her, or at least that wasn’t the impression he was giving off. “I’m glad you’re doing well, though,” she added, nodding at him. “And we’ll get to work on those signs. They could be very important, you never know.” 

Damocles smiled. “Aren’t we technically continuing your potions class here?” In another life, Damocles fancies that he can be a professor. He could be as brilliant as Horace without his flaw of choosing and picking his favorites. “Or is that your subtle way of telling me you still want to learn more?” He looked to the side at the many books he has collected over the years. “I like to think that I’m still learning. There’s still so much for me to learn. Ancient practices. Practices from other cultures, particularly the east. There’s no reason we shouldn’t stop learning now, right? Even if there’s no one else to teach us but ourselves?”

“Merlin,” Damocles muttered as he chuckled at Lily’s anecdote. “That must have been terrible for your parents and your sister.” Cleaning potions was easy with magic. But he couldn’t dare to imagine how hard it was to clean up without the usual spells.

The potioneer raised a curious brow. “Oh? What is it? Has it something to do with the vampire serum?” Damocles didn’t know what to call it yet. But it’s a working title while it was still in its prototype stage.

...

It was nice, being reminded of what was and what wasn’t. “I s’pose you’re right,” she nodded. “I’ve always... I’ve always thought of learning as being in a classroom, mostly because of my da. But it’s more than that. In fact, you’re teaching me right now, aren’t you? Rather sneaky there.” Lily grinned, looking to the books on his shelf. It was nice to know she was with someone who understood. Someone, who, despite it all, was a good man, and who wanted to help her grow both as a potioneer and a person. "You and my da would get along,” she said, adding a nod at the end. 

It took her a second, but she picked one of his books off the shelf. Lily knew it well, a book mostly on memory potions, but full of anecdotes and the differences between flowers and their petals. “I’ve actually been reading through this one...” she said, looking up at him. “Although, I’ve got a few thoughts on the vampire serum as well. But it’s not that.”

Lily bit the inside of her cheek, not exactly sure how far she should delve into Order business with Damos. So instead, she said, “I’ve always been fascinated with memory charms, but mostly the reversal of them. I’ve been working on this potion on and off since I was in school but I’ve never... I’ve never got it quite right.”

“Oh that’s a lovely middle name.”  She didn’t know why her parents had chosen her name, but she wished she had asked.  But at ten years old you don’t consider the fact that you may be running out of time to ask those sorts of questions.  “Oh yes, that would have been a mouthful.  Could you imagine having to learn how to spell that name next to other girls named Ann and Beth?  You likely could have handled it though, you’re intelligent.”  

She knew the perfect book.  Maybe it would be difficult to find in this country, but she’d go looking for it.  Maybe this weekend.  “I’ll make a list and send you an owl later,” she nodded.  The list would be the table of contents in a book, but it was all the same.  “Have you been to India?  I’d look to go a bit of everywhere.  India would be fascinating.”  She nodded.  “Yes, and this one talks about crushed beetles.”

...

It was a small compliment, but one that still made her cheeks burn. Lily had always liked her middle name, truth be told. It had a small story to it, one that felt like it fit within the walls of her family. It was silly, maybe, but it reminded her of home. “Thank you,” Lily said, with a soft smile on her lips. “I’m glad it wasn’t the mouthful it could’ve been. Or having to write it, blimey. Could you imagine? It would barely fit on a name tag, and I was in Muggle primary school, so.” A laugh escaped at the thought, although, she was still glad she wasn’t named Ann or Beth. 

“That would be wonderful,” she said, nodding. It would be nice to add some new stories to Harry’s night time routine, after all. Lily wasn’t one to shy away from a new book. A small grin fell on her lips at the thought of India. “We went once, when I was younger,” she said, glad for the question. “It’s beautiful, really, but we didn’t see much of the touristy things. We were helping an uncle move.” Lily laughed at the thought, shaking her head ever so slightly.  “Beetles! Interesting. Y’know, I’ve been working on something new and I think that... that might be the key.” 

Sirius looked down at the food and took a pancake with his hand, biting right into it. He didn’t need a fork when he had fingers. Plus, he was finally starting to feel hungry and that was a victory in itself. “Wow thanks, Mum,” he teased through a mouthful of pancake. He did feel a bit like a kid in this moment and he was grateful for it. Lily was a great mother and sometimes it was nice to be mothered by her even if her nagging did get on his nerves sometimes.

He didn’t even know why he’d said it, but it made sense in the moment. Lily looked rather serious and he couldn’t piece together why he would have made someone cry. He wasn’t the nicest person all the time, but he couldn’t see how he would have insulted a random girl from a bar. Especially if she was pretty. He just looked at her without saying a word. Here was the other side of mother Lily that he liked a bit less. “I’ve turned down girls before, but never made one cry,” he said, putting more pancake in his mouth. “I know I’m bloody gorgeous, but I feel like there’s more to the story here.” He just couldn’t remember for the life of him what.

It was always funny to watch Sirius in their home. He fit right in, and sometimes she felt more like a mum to him than a friend. Truthfully, though, she just wanted him to be okay. He was family, after all, and Lily just wanted to see a smile on his face. These days, a real one seemed rarer and rarer. As he ate with his fingers, she flicked her wrist and a napkin flew to him so he could wipe his hands.  “Mm, you’re welcome,” she said, adding a wink at the end as she took another bite of her pancakes. 

Damocles smiled at Lily. “You’re a sweet kid.” It might have come out of the blue but he meant it wholeheartedly. He doesn’t see her husband a lot but from the rare times he’s seen him, he could see just how much Lily’s kindness blossoms with her husband around. He laughed at her promise. “I thought you were trying to be sweet? I’d say that not wanting to see him is too harsh. Truth be told, Slughorn is perfectly fine. As long as people take him in only small doses.”

“Aren’t we all?” Lily’s story reminded him of how wondrous everything first seemed when he was first introduced to the world of magic. “Isn’t that why we do our work? We are constantly amazed by the wonders of magic and are infinitely curious about its limits. Wondering what it could do and how far we could take it?” At least, that was how Damocles perceived it. “I hope your father never gets tired of seeing your magic.”

Damocles shrugged. Now and then, he allows himself a moment of pride. “I did,” he said as he tucked the potion for later inspection. “One day, you’ll be making your own. That’s if you want to, of course.” Damocles wasn’t there to plot Lily’s course, only to guide it.

...

It was nice to know that Damocles thought that of her. Truthfully, these days, Lily found that some of her sweetness was being sapped from her; slowly draining as she tried to continue in her daily life and the war. Still, it was nice to know that it was still there. It was nice to hear the reminder. “I was trying,” she added, with a grin. “I agree. I miss potions class, too, sometimes. I mean, truth be told, I miss Hogwarts sometimes as a whole. I wouldn’t change my life, y’know? But... there was something nice about constantly learning. Constantly being surrounded by it.”

While she knew that Damocles would understand, it was nice to see how easily he understood. Lily nodded eagerly. “I hope so too,” she said. “Y’know, that was actually what made me like potions so much. I started with a cauldron before I even went to Hogwarts. Almost blew up my sister’s room when something went wrong, and mum and I had to clean for days. I had to save up to buy her back the pink comforter that she loved.”

A snort followed, but there was a bit of sadness to it. Lily missed her sister. Missed when Tuney would try to be involved, even if it ended in disaster. They’d been laughing, then, though. “Oh, I mean,” Lily said, laughing a bit sheepishly. “I actually had something I’d wanted to talk to you about. If you had time tonight? Harry’s in daycare late, so.”

Isaac finally decided to indulge himself and grab one of Lily’s pastries. So the little one added the sprinkles, huh? He tried to imagine his younger self. With David whose face still didn’t carry the lines lent to him by the years. With his mother whose face Isaac still hasn’t seen even though he was told she’s still alive and well. Maybe a memory just like that existed in his parents’ minds. If they existed, Isaac has no access to them. He looked back up at Lily and forced a smile. “I wasn’t thinking of it.”

“Are you?” Isaac’s honesty reappeared. Even after experiencing the hell that was Azkaban, Isaac was still under the impression that he definitely belonged in the prison. Especially since he did what they said he did. “Would you still think that if you were her friend?” Isaac didn’t feel the need to specify whom he was inferring. He didn’t even give himself time to think about it. He promptly shook his head. A furrow appeared on his eyebrows when he heard her offer. “How? What exactly do you mean?”

Lily watched as he ate the biscuits, taking a small reprieve for herself to breathe. She hated Order missions which forced her to be disingenuous. She hated that she couldn’t just leave the biscuits with a note and a smile, and hopefully let him go on with his day. Still, she was here now, and at least the potion might bring him some hope. “I would like to think I would, after some time,” she said, nodding at him. “I would like to think that if I were under some sort of spell, my friends would know that that is not the person I am.” She shrugged, holding her hands together before looking down at her feet. 

Lily confirmed it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Of course, she would think so. It’s been her reality for three years already just as she said. “I actually can. You two seemed…” Barty mulled over the word he should use. “Bound to happen. I suppose that’s one way to put it.” Barty thought that there’s no harm in saying it. If he weren’t supposed to, he’s sure that Lily would al him out on it.

Barty nodded but kept looking forward. “We’ll be quick. I promise.” He said to assure both of them. “Would you ask someone else if there was another? Another familiar face, I mean.” Through the busy hallway, Barty led her to the elevator. Now they just needed to wait for one going up. “It’s confusing for everyone during their first few visits. Still, it wouldn’t hurt if they added more signs everywhere.”

“We’re at Basement Level 3. It’s the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. The DMLE is in Basement Level 2.” He explained before wincing when she asked what it was that he did. He had hoped that Lily would have at least heard about him. But apparently not. “I work for the Minister. I’m one of her Junior Assistants.”

It was funny how others had noticed how she and James were meant to be long before she’d realized it. Frankly, she’d been naive, because James had so quickly become her best friend that it felt like she’d missed out on all those years. “Some would call us starcrossed,” she teased, managing a small smile. “I just think he’s my best friend, truly, and I didn’t realize it quickly enough.”

The words were like a small apology, but Lily kept going, following him as they began to walk toward the elevator. His question startled her though, and she shrugged a bit. “I wasn’t certain you’d really want to see me,” she admitted, raising a brow. “I mean, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” And she had other people she knew better that worked here. “Signs would be helpful. D’you think we could recommend that?”

She didn’t know all that much about education in the United Kingdom at all, let alone the Muggle educational system – but even she had heard of Oxford.  “Wow, that’s quite impressive,” she pulled her legs underneath herself, prying open the book.  “What does he teach?  Actually, let me take a guess.  Literature?  Something books related?”  She shrugged.  It just seemed as though Lily was raised by someone who appreciated a good book.  “That does sound completely lovely though.”

“I think there are so many lovely fairytales out there.  How old is he now?  Make him a well-rounded fairytale fan.  Introduce some from maybe France or Russia.  There are also some beautiful stories from places like Brazil and Mexico.  We could go see if we could find us a nice book of international stories when we’re done with this.”  She leaned over, looking at Lily’s notes again.  “It’s an n.  The o’s are there.”  She reached out and pointed to the letters in a longer word later in the paragraph.

...

Lily couldn’t help but smile at Lena’s mention of her father. Truthfully, it was nice to be talking of him. Nice to be in a room that he would fit in to so easily, even if he wouldn’t be welcome here by some. “My middle name’s Desdemona,” she said, grinning. “Like the Shakespeare character. He’s a right nerd, that one. Had to convince my mum for the middle name by letting her name me Lily, though. He wanted to name me Ophelia Dedemona which, thankfully, my mum was able to convince him out of.”

A laugh followed her words, because while Harry liked stories, she was quite worried he would have a hard time sitting through some of the others. “Well, if you have recommendations please send them my way,” she said with a grin. “I like to tell him some of my da’s myth’s. My grandparents are from India so we’ve got some good stories.” Lily was young enough to have Harry that he still got to see his great-grandparents, too, which she would always be grateful for. She was glad that he would have some of his Indian heritage directly given to him by people who actually had lived there.  “N,” she repeated, looking around. “Perfect. I think that’s nightshade then.”

When Sirius was younger, he thought that there was no way he and Lily Evans would be friends. She was always too bossy and too much of a know it all for his taste. But they both grew up considerably since then and she was important to James. She was important to him now too. He nodded. He felt like the potion was already helping and food would be even better. “What kind of errands? You trying to drag me all across the world, Lils?”

He tried to think back to the last night. He remembered some things, but the night got hazier and hazier as it went on. He barely remembered the later parts of the night and he may not have remembered James getting him at all if he hadn’t woken up in his home. “Dunno,” he admitted. “Maybe I broke some hearts before I left,” he said with a wink. He got more serious as she continued to talk. “Well, glad you’ll have me because I do end up here quite often. Maybe I should just move in,” he joked. He took the shirt from here. “Your husband has good taste in women, but not in shirts,” he said as he pulled it on. He liked being shirtless, but he was glad to finally pull a shirt on. He raised his eyebrow. “Okay, so you’re holding out on details,” he said. He really didn’t know what was wrong with the girl Lily was talking about. “I really don’t remember,” he admitted. “I hope I didn’t… Break any statute rules.” He started to feel slightly panicked. “You said I used my patronus? I reckon someone would have come to get me already if that was the case, yeah?”

"Mhm, right down to Diagon and back,” Lily said, accentuating the words by sticking her own bite of pancake in her lips. “And, I might even take you to Harrod’s, if you’re lucky.” She was teasing, mostly because that was one of Harry’s favorite shops, and he always got extremely excited whenever he was allowed to go. The place was like a giant playground, after all. The wizarding section was a bit covered, but it was still there and the broom selection almost out-rivaled the shop on Diagon. Almost. “I need to pick up some more gloves for James,” she explained. “And Harry bent a few bristles on his practice broom so I needed to see if htey could that fixed up.”

Usually James would know how, but they’d been so busy lately that she wanted to take one thing off his plate. She saw the way his eyes lit up while riding with Harry. If she could bring that back faster, she would.

Focused on getting his tasks done as soon as possible, Barty didn’t even recognize the person who stopped him in his path until he heard her voice. Her tone was unmistakable. How could Barty forget the first girl who ever dumped him? He looked up from the folder he was holding and gave the person a proper look. “Evans!” he exclaimed before correcting himself. “I suppose it’s Potter now, isn’t it?”

Barty’s attitude seemed to shift instantly. He didn’t expect the laugh from her but… I suppose after all the years have passed, there was no reason for her to be uncomfortable. “I am quite busy,” he answered honestly. He didn’t see the need for deception. Not this time around. “But, I guess I can stray away from my tasks for a minute to help out an old… friend.” That seemed like the best word to use. 

“For starters,” Barty tucked the folders under his arms, “you’ve missed the DMLE by a hair. Just follow me this way.”

The reminder of the past was enough to send a soft smile on her face. Lily was proud of her family name, but she was even prouder to be a Potter. James was the family she had gotten to choose, and truthfully, she couldn’t have chosen better. “Oh, yes, right,” she said with a laugh. “Almost three years now, if you can imagine it.” It was strange how time had passed seemingly so quickly but also not at all. 

Barty looked the same, really, and his straightforwardness was appreciated. “I don’t mean to take up too much of your time,” she said, shaking her head. “You were just the only familiar face around here and --” Lily paused when he agreed to help, and she smiled, gratefully. “Thank you. I swear. I’d lose my head in this place. I don’t know how you lot do it.” Then again, she was always far more comfortable in the outdoors.