The Notebook
Chapter Eight: Forever, As One
James grinned as he all but skipped down the cobblestone pathway that was Diagon Alley. It was a beautiful day; the sun was shining, the wind was blowing ever-so-lightly, and somewhere off in the distance, birds were singing. It was a very beautiful day.
He slowed, however, as he passed a small apothecary. A little old witch was licking her lips nervously at the counter, head slightly bent as she surveyed the shop-owner. A young boy held her hand, watching the exchange between the two witches curiously.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but without those extra sickles…"
"But it's only three!" The little woman shuffled her feet. "I have to have these ingredients- my little grandbaby is at home, very sick… She needs these! Without them…" she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. "I promise, under normal circumstances, I'd never-"
"What are these normal circumstances?" The younger woman behind the counter looked sceptical, as she crossed her arms and pursed her lips, eyeing her customer closely.
James edged closer, hardly believing what he was seeing. The poor woman was off by three sickles… And by the sounds of it, her granddaughter desperately needed whatever it was!
As she played with something inside her pockets, the older woman swallowed, a faint frown line appearing between her eyebrows. She looked upset.
"Exactly." The shop-owner tucked her short blonde hair behind her ear and sighed. "Now, I suggest you either put a few things back, or you leave."
James's jaw dropped. No wonder the apothecary never had much business… Never mind the fact that it was dark, dingy, and looked like it would fit better in Knockturn Alley. James knew that most people with limited budgets went here, because it's prices were low… for Merlin knew what reasons.
The little woman backed slowly away, looking crestfallen. James didn't think twice before he hurried forward. He bumped lightly into the woman's side; as he did so, he slipped six galleons in her robe pocket. She started and looked up at him shyly.
"Sorry, ma'am," he apologized with a warm smile.
"Oh, it's quite all right…" she tried to smile back… but failed. "My fault, dear…"
The moment she bent her head back down again, James ducked behind a tall shelf full of jars with all sorts of slimy…things.
As he peeked around a yellow jar of some purple and blue sludge, she put her hand cautiously in her pocket, a slow look of dawning coming to her face. When she pulled her hand back out again, she gave a disbelieving gasp and looked around the shop. Seeing James no where near her, she smiled a watery smile. "Thank Merlin… Thank Merlin…"
The little boy stood up on tip-toes to peer into her cupped hand. "Nan, what're those things?"
"They're called galleons, dearie…"
"Wow!"
James smiled to himself.
*
"What kept you, Prongs?" Remus raised his eyebrow at the bright look on his friends face.
"Ah… Just doing good deeds and all. Lil not here yet?" James eyed the table, seeing only one cup of tea… and that was Remus's.
"Sent an owl earlier, said she would be ten minutes late or so. She wants us to order for her." Remus looked idly at the menu, though James knew he already had his meal picked out. Moony was probably one of the Leaky Cauldron's most frequent customers. "So how's work?"
"Spiffing." James grinned. "And you?"
"Why, it's spiffing, of course." Remus grinned back in response.
His grin faded after a moment, though, and he looked thoughtful. "Why do you look so excited?"
"I think I found one, that's why." James said proudly, with a smirk.
"You…" Remus's face brightened. "Really?"
"Yep. And it's perfect, Moony, really… I want you and Padfoot to go with me tomorrow to look at it again. Well, actually, I have two I can't decide over. I found both today." James smiled as he looked through the menu.
"Oh, Lily's gonna be so surprised…"
"I just don't know how I'm going to pick between the two…"
"Ah, Padfoot and I will be sure to help, you know."
"And-" James stopped. "Padfoot? Right, he'll be loads of help." He chuckled.
"I still can't believe our little Prongsie is going to have his own house… a real one. And a wife! What are you trying to do on us, grow up?" Remus chuckled, using the teabag to stir his tea. James noted that behind the smile he looked somewhat saddened.
James moved his eyes to the lemon slice bobbing cheerily on the surface. Remus was happy for them, wasn't he?
Of course he was! All the Marauders were excited… And they all liked Lily and approved of her… They should all know that nothing could ever change the Marauder's friendship. They would always be Moony, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs. Always… Right?
*
"Sorry I'm late, boys!" Lily said brightly as she slid into the seat next to James, across from Remus. "Work was wild today…" She leaned over to kiss Remus on the cheek and squeeze his hand. "Hey, Remmy, haven't seen you in forever… how're ya holdin' up?"
"Oh, I'm fine." Remus smiled fondly. He had never known anyone quite like Lily. She was always concerned with his well-being (mostly because of the full moon and such), but never overly so. He loved it about her.
As Lily smiled in greeting to James, she noticed something. Behind the calm look in his eye, he looked very excited over something. Yes, Lily had asked the two to lunch for a reason, but surely he wasn't that excited about it…?
Lily pushed the thought from her mind. It could wait. She had something very serious to talk about… Not to mention she was nervous.
Remus swallowed and tried not to let his emotion show on his face. What were James and Lily acting so odd for? James looked calm but was obviously excited (he was very happy to have found a house he liked so quickly) and Lily looked cheerful, but was obviously nervous. Full moon was still a week and a half away, but Remus's senses were sharp yet. That, and he knew his two friends too well.
"So…" Lily swallowed. "Have you already…" At that moment, the waitress came back, three plates balanced evenly on her arm. "That's a yes, then." Lily finished.
"Looks great." James commented, picking up his knife. "Though I must say, I've never had a better pot roast than my Lily can cook."
Lily blushed lightly and turned to her plate, her thoughts elsewhere. James could just see her mind racing. How to go about asking…
"Remmy!"
Remus jumped and dropped his fork. After a moment, he smiled curiously and picked it back up again, eyes still on the red-head across the table. "What did I do this time?" He said teasingly.
Lily blushed again; James smiled sympathetically. He knew she hadn't meant to blurt out his name, or scare him. So much for being calm and collected… Poor Lily. He thought about helping out a bit, but he knew she would reprimand him for it later. She wanted to do it herself… She was independent.
James put down his biscuit and wiped his hands on his napkin, so as to pay full attention and jump in if Lily needed him. Of course, he didn't expect her to, but he would if he had to, all the same.
"Is everything okay?" Remus asked, lowering his teacup. Was that apprehension in his voice?
"Well, I… And then… but you… so… James… Yesterday…" Lily's voice faltered. "Yes. Everything is fine." she laughed, realizing how much she was stuttering.
"If you're sure…" Remus was still smiling, eyebrows raised as he laughed silently.
James frowned as Lily went back to eating her potato and Remus took to glancing up at Lily every few seconds as he ate, as though worried for her sanity.
But after only a few moments, Lily stopped again. "Walk… me?" She tried again.
Remus laughed out loud this time. "Are you sure you're all right?" His eyes sparkled. "James, do you have any idea-"
"… you walk me down the aisle?"
Suddenly, Remus's face grew very serious. He let out a deep breath. "What?" he whispered.
Lily smiled anxiously and scooted around the booth, closer to the openly gaping wizard on the other side. "I want you to walk me down the aisle, if you will…" She swallowed again. "My dad was going to do it, of course, but now… Anyway, you've always been like a brother to me, you know, and it would mean so much… We want you to be a part of the wedding," Lily placed her small hand over his larger one. "and… well, I would love for you to be the one to give me away… Since… Since my father can't." She looked so close to tears that James felt a burning in his throat.
Remus didn't even give her time to look doubtful; he leaned up to kiss her forehead. "Of course I will, Lily…" James recognized that look in Remus's eyes… It was happiness… and pride.
The change that came over Lily's face was magnificent. She positively beamed as she threw her arms around Remus's shoulders. She hugged him tight, looking up long enough to smile thankfully at James. "Thank you, Remmy…" She sighed into his shoulder before pulling away. "Thank you."
James cleared his throat and turned back to his plate smiling, trying to pretend, for Moony's sake, that he hadn't seen the tear that trailed down his cheek.
*
"Okay, so tell me more about it…"
James rolled his eyes at his best friend's excitement, but smiled all the same. He'd always been a curious one. He opened his mouth to give even more details of the house, but was saved by Moony.
"Just shut your trap, and it won't feel like very long 'til we're there." he scoffed, though he, too, was smiling. "And anyway, he's hardly seen it more than we have."
Sirius frowned and kicked at grass. Always the "mature" one. Not to mention sulky.
James grinned as they neared a thick cluster of maple and beech trees on the side of the dirt road they were on. Excitement bubbled in his chest; pride came across in his every step. It took all he had not to run down the short stretch of road to reach what was soon to be his new home. He and Lily were going to be living there soon!
Remus knew they had to be getting close; James had said that the house was just past Godric's Hollow. "Actually, Sirius is right, James, are we almost--" He looked in the direction James was beaming. That had to be it. "Oh, we have to be."
It was a tiny little cottage, not far off the dirt road. It was a cozy spot, perfectly wedged in an alcove of yellow and red trees. A tall oak tree stood alone in front of the house, but it looked sturdy and proud. He immediately knew Lily would like that tree best of all.
But the house itself was what made it look so comfortable. A string of ivy crept its way up the two stories, where it curled in a relaxed way. A few dry, pathetic hydrangea bushes sat at the base of the house, looking sad and tired, very much in need of water. One of the green shutters was hanging only by one crooked hinge, and although it all looked somewhat run-down, he knew it would make the perfect project for the new couple. Lily would love nothing more than to fix up her own little house. Remus let out an amazed sigh. "Prongs… It has Lily all over it."
Even Sirius was standing still, admiring. His mouth was open wide, as though he'd never seen anything like it. "But it's…" He struggled, searching for the right word, but gave up after a moment. "Wow. I never thought dingy would look so… perfect."
James shook his head and laughed. "Well, let's not stand here all day. One of the neighbors let me borrow a spare key, so we can get it. Not that we'd really need a key, you know… I mean, look at the poor thing." He grinned. "Come on!" With that, he lost all inhibition, and took of running down the cobbled pathway, leaves crunching crispy leaves under his feet as he did.
Sirius laughed for a moment, but following suit, leaving Remus to wander his way alone as he shook his head in amusement.
"Oh, James Potter… It doesn't matter what happens to you, I don't think you'll ever grow up." But he smiled fondly. "Maybe Lily can tame you. I know I never could."
James turned, at the door. "Moony! Come along! I can't wait for you to see this…" He paused to grin for a moment, before disappearing through the door.
*
"Well, good morning to you, too, then, Romeo,"
James tapped his quill on his desk, eyes on the window; he had yet to notice Sirius leaning in the doorway of his cubicle.
"Earth to Prongsie-boy… Prongs!"
James bit his lip and turned slowly to look around. He blinked when his eyes fell on his best friend. "Padfoot?"
Sirius look agitated. "I came to see if you were ready to leave yet."
"Leave?"
"It's Thursday." Sirius gave him a pointed look.
But the blank look on James's face remained. He swallowed, trying to remember what there was about Thursday that Sirius would be mad at him for forgetting.
"Thursday… you wanted to go get all the paperwork done… for your house…"
It really was pathetic that Sirius was the one reminding James of his priorities. Incredibly pathetic.
Slowly, understanding and disbelief came to his face. "The house!" He jumped up, snatched a stack of parchment off his cramped desk, and turned to his friend expectantly. "Well, are you ready?"
Sirius laughed and stepped back, gesturing for James to go first.
*
"Well, that's a relief…" James breathed, watching as the sales-woman waved goodbye. She threw her car into reverse and tore out of the driveway. He cringed as she flew by the white picket fence. "Ooh…" Yeah, that didn't make him nervous. It was only his brand new house, after all.
Suddenly, James grinned. Oh, Lily would love it.
"Well, it looks like you've got quite a fixer-upper on your hands, Prongs." Sirius said laughingly, clapping his friend on the shoulder.
"Oh, I do, do I? No, my dear friend, I believe we do… And Moony and Wormtail, too." James laughed and threw his arm around his best friend. "But we'll make an easy job of it, eh?" He grinned, looking around the room.
But the more he looked around at the torn curtains and the chipped tiles on the floor, his smile faded. "Oh, Padfoot, who am I kidding? I can't get this thing done in time…" His heart sunk even further the more he gazed about. "I can't believe I only have a week."
"Oh, don't start getting all pathetic on me. I won't deal with a sap, either, so don't' even think about it." Sirius shook his head, with mock-firmness. "We'll bring in your parents, of course. When have they ever let you down? You know they'd trip over the chance to do something to help out if they can!"
James rolled his eyes, but the grin was once again sliding itself into place. "Right you are, Padfoot… Do you think Moody'd care if I didn't show up at work for the next week?"
"And the one after that? Nah…" Sirius scoffed. "Really, now, this whole getting-married-business is really beginning to take its toll on you, I do believe."
"I'll say!"
James and Sirius jumped and drew their wands, turning hastily toward the direction of the newcomer.
Only to find Remus grinning at them, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'd rather you didn't blow me to pieces."
"Bloody hell, mate, you scared us,"
"I try." Remus said dryly, taking in the looks of the house. "I'd say you've got a bit of work ahead of you."
"Us," Sirius corrected with a sigh. "He's enlisted our help… without enlisting us."
"But for now, we only have… five minutes to get back to work. What a bloody joy." said James. He stared at his watch, willing the hands to go back a few minutes more. It just felt so… hard to go back to work when he had so much to do.
"I say we refer back to the old Hogwarts stand-by…" Sirius grinned, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"What, skiving?" Remus chuckled; they all remembered those days too well.
"Oi, Moony, he does have a point…" James smirked.
"Too true," Moony replied.
They all stood looking about the kitchen and living room, each with his own thoughts. But then, as one, they apparated back to the Ministry… and back to work.
*
Not less than a week later, a tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and particularly tired sort of wizard sighed as he tried on what felt like the seventeenth pair of look-exactly-alike-black dress robes.
"Bloody hell, mate, I wish I'd known getting married was this much of a hassle… I'd have never signed up for it!" he huffed.
Everyone in the small wizarding dress shop stopped momentarily what they were doing to look up at him wondrously. The young man examined himself in the tall mirror, dusting at his shoulders, mumbling something about "cunning red-haired witches and their bloody love potions."
But after a few moments, everyone scoffed and went back to what they were doing, small smiles on their faces. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Sirius Black to say something of the sort. He always had witty comments of the like; it was, in fact, quite unnerving to go long without some smart remark from him.
It was expected.
Which is why, at that moment, James Potter grinned and cuffed his best man on the shoulder, from his spot in front of the mirror, not far away.
"Yes, well, that's why we'll never have to worry about 'the hassle' with you, eh, Padfoot?" he winked at the saleswitches over at the counter.
"Damn right, you won't!" Sirius grumbled, tugging at his robes. "These are itchy. Why can't I find a pair?" He stomped his feet.
Remus, who was standing on James's other side, laughed. "You're acting like a little first year girl."
"If I was, it might get me out of this mess…"
"Pete can always be my best man, then you won't have to worry about it, you know…" James rolled his eyes and turned to look at himself in the mirror again. "I rather like this one. Marauder vote?"
Sirius stopped fussing with his robes; Remus looked away from the pretty saleswitch that was measuring his arms (the fourth Marauder was absent, using the excuse that he was not feeling well… which he'd been saying that a lot lately).
"Well. They're black… and they look like every other pair that you've had on." Sirius snickered.
"But," James smiled, "They're not itchy."
Sirius muttered something about being misunderstood and unappreciated as he turned once again to the curtained area to try on another robe.
*
James, Love,
As you know, there was an attack in Derbyshire this morning. It's alright, before you ask, there were no casualties, I'm only writing home to tell you that I'll be a little late. I'm swamped here with the paperwork.
All my love,
Lily E. (soon to be Potter)
James smiled. This was good news, really. He could use that little extra time…
He glanced around the apartment and bit his lip. He smiled at all the signs of his Lily. There was one of her sweaters… here was a hair band. Over there was the book she'd been reading the night before, next to her favourite blanket on the sofa… And there, on the wall, her favourite painting.
He would make sure to keep her always.
*
He heard her apparate into the bedroom; he heard her drop her bag onto the floor next to her nightstand. He heard her sigh as she slid out of her shoes… He even heard her take off her cloak…
Then he heard her gasp.
He smiled, knowing what was coming. He'd predicted it, which is why he ran back into the kitchen to hide until she came back out.
He knew that when she apparated home, she'd arrive on her side of the room, the one farthest from the bathroom. At first, she'd be so tired she wouldn't see it… but then, she'd head for the bathroom to take a shower, and she'd become so excited and curious she would forget about being tired.
And James knew how his Lily worked.
He'd left a trail of rose petals, starting just outside the bathroom door, leading to the bathtub, where a hot bubble bath was waiting, with even more rose petals floating. He'd placed long-stemmed roses all throughout the bathroom: on the sink, by the shower and tub, where Lily dressed, next to her makeup on the counter… everywhere.
Then, when she got out of the hot bath, her favourite (and his too!) black dress would be waiting for her to slip into, hanging on the other side of the bathroom (by a spell, of course).
And that's why James was waiting in the kitchen… he knew she liked to cook, but it wouldn't do for her to have to do it all the time. It wasn't quite fair. She needed a break, sometimes, to feel special.
He wanted to show her he loved her.
*
"Ahem!"
James jumped, grinning guiltily up at his best mates. "Yes?" he said slowly. He knew they were up to something.
Sirius, who had his hands behind his back (never a good thing with playful Padfoot), grinned even wider and looked at Remus.
Remus tugged at his black dress robes and brushed a bit of imaginary dust of importantly. He looked over at Peter.
Peter smirked and cocked his head to the side. "Hullo, James."
James, though a Marauder himself, couldn't help but think how mischievous his mates looked. He narrowed his eyes and put the cap on his ink pot--just in case.
"What have you three been up to?" he asked after a pause.
They all looked at him with identical grins.
Now he was suspicious. Was it just him or were their eyes all darting to the book at his hands? He pushed it from sight.
"We just thought we'd see how our Prongsie-boy is." Remus answered.
"Erm… I'm great."
"What were you doing?" Sirius asked, in what he probably thought was an innocent voice.
"Just… waiting." James grinned back.
"Oh? Does waiting consist of that little red book you've been writing to Lily in?"
"It might."
James watched the three glance at each other, obviously pleased with his answer.
"You're giving it to her today, aren't you?" Sirius shook his black hair from his eyes.
But Peter didn't give James time to answer; he chuckled. "We want it."
Remus laughed openly. "And as there are three of us, and no Lily to defend you, your chances of getting away unscathed are slim. Hand it over, Prongs."
James smirked and stood from his armchair. He looked around the common room (the four boys had come up to the tower, to get ready, they were just waiting on James's dad to come get them) but so no means of escape. He laughed, and held it closer to his side. "Why? I remember last time you wrote in it. That was embarrassing."
"Oi, Prongs, we're your mates, we never embarrass." Sirius stepped forward.
"Where've you lot been for the last half hour?"
They all shrugged. "Kitchens."
"Without me?"
"You looked busy. Concentrated." Sirius laughed and pointed to the book.
"All right. You can have it. Flip any other pages, and I'll hex you, mind." James rolled his eyes at Sirius's loud exclamation of delight and Remus's sudden wolfish grin. He held it out, as though afraid of what would happen next. "But the moment dad's here, you have to give it back."
*
While his mates scribbled in James's red book, laughing and cackling (which James tried to ignore), James found himself wandering up the stairs to the boy's dormitories. He smiled as he stepped on the first step; it still creaked.
He made his way up the stairs, all the way to the last landing--the dormitory he and the Marauders had shared for seven years. He sighed and pushed the door open.
Nothing had changed… There were still the four-poster beds, with the scarlet hangings and blankets. The tables at the side of each bed hadn't been moved; he walked over to his and saw that the old inscription was still there: JP&LE. He grinned, remembering the day he'd carved that. He'd never even told Lily about it.
The view from the windows was even the same… except that he could see the chairs set up by the lake, right by the Marauder's (and Lily's) favorite beech tree; the scarlet runner laid out on the ground for everyone to walk on, in the middle; a few people scampering around, their wands raised as they fixed decorations.
James smiled wistfully, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looked around the room. No, he didn't live here anymore; his Hogwarts days were over… But he was the beginning of something much better.
*
He'd been nervously waiting--fidgeting--in his "spot" for some time now. He was beginning to panic. Was he supposed to stand here calmly? Or was he allowed to take a seat? His knees were a bit weak, a chair would be lovely.
But James never moved, for fear of attracting the attention of the people taking their seats. He was amazed at the number they'd invited. One hundred guests didn't seem like many when looking at the list, but once the carriages (about two dozen of them, with four people in each) had pulled up to the front of the castle, the people had just poured out, then taken their seats.
Merlin, they were still coming, and the carriages had arrived at least fifteen minutes ago.
He stood there, biting his lip, tapping his fingers on his leg, waiting. Would he have to wait forever?
Professor Dumbledore, who stood next to him, smiled suddenly. "James." James jumped and glanced at him. "It's quite normal to be nervous, I assure you." He chuckled. "You are, however, attracting a rather lot of attention." His eyes twinkled as James continued to look uneasy.
James groaned and looked around. Surely, though, it was natural to look at the groom. Yes, he decided. That was it. People just liked to--
That's when it happened. He heard the orchestra started playing it. That song.
His head shot up, and his eyes flew to the castle. He was nervous, sure, but he couldn't fight back the smile that crept up.
Professor Dumbledore sidled back over to his place; Lily and James had asked him to perform the ceremony, as they had both always admired and respected him.
James smiled briefly at the flower-girl and ring-bearer; they were actually quite cute, despite the fact that they were his cousins, and usually rather annoying. Then here came Peter and Evelyn , then Frank and Alice, and Ian (a friend of James's from Hogwarts, off the Quidditch team; he was a year below them, he was just out of Hogwarts) with Marisa. Next was the best man and the maid of honor…
James grinned and caught Sirius's eyes; he laughed to himself and watched as his best mate sauntered down the aisle with Emma, Lily's best friend, on his arm, smiling… Even though, a few days ago, he'd been complaining about the itchy robes and the hassles red-haired witches put blokes through.
Sirius's eyes matched James's at that moment, and James knew he was trying not to laugh. But then he saw her, and all thoughts of people looking at him and itchy robes fled his brain.
There was Lily.
His Lily.
And she looked exquisite… White dress… White veil… Sparkly ring… All the usual things a bride usually wore on her wedding day. But she also had her curly hair, and James fully appreciated it at that moment (though not for the first time), the way it was pulled back, with pieces falling around her face… And her eyes, looking more sparkly and happy than he'd ever seen before… And the smile on her lips. It was the most stunning smile he'd ever seen.
She looked like a perfect bride.
Dazzling.
James blinked a few times, then smiled slowly. He felt every bit of doubt and nervousness leave him. There was no need to be! He had Lily, and that was all that mattered. This was there day.
Suddenly, Lily looked at him…
And he knew just how much she loved him, too.
He knew how much he'd do for her.
He knew that they were meant to be.
*
A/N: Well? How is it? I know, it's been quite a while since an update, but I've been incredibly busy with a job and school. So school's out now, and I thought you all might like an update.