#spencejames001

Lily would be lying if she said the war hadn’t started to wear on her. It feels like they’ve been fighting it endlessly since they graduated, and even a bit before that. Deciding to go into healing has helped with some of the fatigue; she has an opportunity to help people in a way that isn’t just attending Order meetings and hoping for the best outcome. Still, there’s plenty of that too. 

She listens attentively to the reports, although her eyes occasionally drift to the familiar and missed faces in the corner. It’s been a while since she’s seen James, Sirius and Remus. They were all scattered to different regions, sent to help and recruit. Lily has been worried about all three of them; her time tangled up with James left her caring for Sirius and Remus like brothers and James -- well, her fondness for James never really went away, as much as she willed it to when she was left behind feeling heartbroken and angry. 

She’s settled in the few years since then. A few times she tried her hand at other relationships, but the strain of the war or the strain of concealing her magical identity or the strain of her schedule always kept those from taking off. That was fine; the universe was telling her clearly it wasn’t the right time for a relationship. She could handle that -- just as she could handle James returning and them remaining friends. 

When the meeting is dismissed, Lily takes a deep breath and lingers in her spot for a bit. Alice comes over to speak with her, sitting beside her on the chaise. They speak quietly of serious things and frivolous things, revel in the joy of being alive for a bit before Frank calls her over and she gives Lily a sweet goodbye. 

Lily stands then, grabs her jacket where she’d draped it beside her and glances around the room to see who all is left. Not many, other than James who seems to be chatting with someone as well. Lily lingers a moment, until the friendly face leaves and she can approach. 

She offers a soft smile and keeps a friendly distance between them. “Hey. I heard you were back in town, but I’m excited to see you alive and well. How does it feel to be back in London?”