Chapter 49- I Could Not Ask For More
Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I has come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
Professor McGonagall found it absolutely pointless to continue teaching classes. She dismissed all her students, hoping they would do something constructive in their time.
The summer heat was blazing, the sun shining down on the earthy green meadows of Hogwarts. The trees had fresh, green leaves sprouting from the branches and flowers were growing at a rapid pace. The lake looked cool and refreshing, rather appealing.
Lily loved the afternoon. It was a perfect time of day. She was able to reflect on what had happened that morning and look forward to what would happen later all at the same time.
As she sat underneath a large willow tree, James on her left, Sirius on her right, she propped open a copy of the Daily Prophet. Plenty of new opportunities were awaiting discovery. She needed a job, a safety, in case she wasn't accepted into the Auror Academy.
She turned to page seven, the classified, and began her search.
"Lily, what are you doing?" James questioned suspiciously.
"Looking for a job," she mumbled, her eyes scanning every ad with a bit more skepticism. Some of the jobs sounded a bit illegal.
"Already looked today," Sirius informed her. "The only worthwhile one was the Joke Shop Experimentation."
"Is that even safe?" Lily asked.
Remus, who was sitting next to Sirius, shook his head at her.
"I've always wanted to donate my body to science," Sirius revealed. "If it's for Zonko's, so be it."
"Why are you so worried?" James asked. "I'm sure you did fine on your exams."
"If I didn't, my life is completely screwed over," Lily explained. "If I got below average, I might wind up as some lousy bar maid at the Hogs Head. You do know what the Hogs Head is, don't you?"
"Of course," James replied coolly. He knew Lily was overreacting. On the bright side, he'd always had a thing for bar maids. "Would that really be so bad?"
"Yes," Lily insisted. "I want to raise a family. I want to help provide for that family."
"Now, this family you talk about," James began. "Does it happen to consist of little children with very messy hair?"
"Would I have it any other way?" Lily teased. James leaned over and kissed her lips swiftly.
"Aw," Sirius purred. "Remus, aren't you so proud? After those hard months of trying to get these two together, we've succeeded beautifully."
"I am very proud," Remus stated.
"You two tried to get us together?" Lily questioned.
"Well, Addy was really the ringleader of it all," Sirius confessed. "She was a bloody genius."
"You should be thanking us right about now," Remus declared.
"Team Lily/James was a strong, dedicated group of remarkably attractive and intelligent teenagers," Sirius said. "Well, I'm speaking for Addy and myself right now. Remus, you know I don't judge guys."
"I'll speak for myself then," Remus reasoned. "We went through hell trying to get you two together."
"I went through hell trying to get us together," James insisted.
"No, no, no," Sirius debated. "I went through hell to get you two together."
Remus nodded in confirmation. Sirius had indeed gone through hell in back for Lily and James.
"He really did," he agreed.
"So, when you and Prongs decide to have a baby, remember my name," Sirius exclaimed. "Sirius is an absolutely beautiful name for a baby."
"What if we have a girl?" Lily teased.
"Siriella," Sirius dictated in an obvious voice.
The four of them laughed, imagining a little James Potter with the name Siriella.
"Oh, James," Lily mentioned. "I forgot to tell you. My parents are coming this weekend for graduation. They should be here tomorrow morning."
"W-What?" James stammered. "Your parents? Here? Tomorrow? Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Prongs," Sirius coached. "Very good. You understood a sentence."
Remus clapped appreciatively.
James glared at them testily. "I know what she said. I just am very surprised. You want me to meet them?"
"No," Lily said, sarcastically. "I want them to meet Peeves. Yes, I want them to meet you. What's wrong? Do you not want to meet them?"
"What if they don't like me?" James inquired. "What if your dad threatens to murder me?"
"What kind of dad would do that?" Lily asked. "Mine certainly wouldn't."
"You obviously haven't met the fathers of some of my exes," James remarked.
"Well, my dad's not like most fathers," Lily assured. "He'll love you."
.X.
"Mum, Dad," Lily boasted. "This is James."
Unfortunately, where Lily's hand met to introduce James, James was not there. He had crouched behind Sirius, in hopes of being concealed from Lily's dad.
"Wow, he really is handsome," Lily's mother proclaimed, seeing Sirius. She was blushing as red as her red roots.
Sirius smiled. He took Mrs. Evans' hand and kissed it. Then, he saw Mr. Evans' suspicious blue eyes and he came back to reality.
"No, no, no," Sirius nervously laughed. "I'm not James. This mate behind my back is James. Big coward, really."
"Come on, Prongs," Sirius hesitated. "Come meet Lily's dad."
"Honestly," Lily sighed. She grabbed James' arm and he blushed, smiling sheepishly.
"Hi," he said. He looked up at Mr. Evans and clenched up. Fathers really did not like him.
"Nice to meet you, James," Mrs. Evans beamed, shaking James' hand. "Scott, say hi to James."
"Pleasure to meet you," Mr. Evans said in a cheerful voice. "We've heard a lot about you from our Lily."
Lily smiled. She knew her dad wasn't like other dads. He was nice to all her friends, even her boyfriend.
James was shocked. Normally, most fathers came across as protective and stern. Mr. Evans seemed genuinely happy-go-lucky. He would get along famously with Sirius, James predicted.
"So, you're Head Boy?" Mrs. Evans asked. Mrs. Evans was short and petite, quite like Lily. She had almond shaped green eyes, just as her daughter did. She had shoulder length auburn hair and a warm smile. Her warmth reminded James of his own mother.
"Yes," James confirmed. "Somehow, I am."
"From what Lily's told us, you're very smart," Mr. Evans mentioned.
James looked over at Lily and she nodded.
"I suppose so," James confessed. "Although, I'm not nearly as dedicated as Lily. She's amazing."
"That she is," Mrs. Evans verified. "We're very proud."
Lily walked up behind James and whispered in his ear, "Not so scary?"
"No," he breathed back. "Not at all."
The Evans' were staying in a spare room near the Gryffindor Tower. Professor Dumbledore had arranged such comforting accommodations that Lily had thanked him ever so graciously.
It was well past midnight, the night before graduation, and Lily and James were walking by the lake.
"Can you believe that we graduate tomorrow?" Lily asked. Her red hair was blowing in unison with the soft wind cascading through the air.
"No," James admitted. "It feels like only yesterday we were by this very lake and you were telling me off for picking on Snape."
"You deserved it," Lily pointed out, smiling.
James laughed. "Yes, I did."
"Did you miss your parents today?" she asked him.
He nodded, his eyes focusing on the ground.
"I miss them every day," he divulged. "Today was just a bit harder. Seeing your parents made me miss my own. They're wonderful, Lily."
"You're wonderful," she declared, kissing his cheek. Their hands were intertwined, fingers laced together. It was another memorable moment that could only be reenacted at Hogwarts.
"I am going to miss this place," James realized. "This entire time I've been waiting for what's ahead of me. Never did I think I would want to go back."
"I know what you mean," Lily responded. "Hogwarts is like my home. It's been there for me when other things haven't. It's going to be awkward going on without that constant security."
"We have each other," James reminded her.
She looked at their comfortable, locked hands. She grinned.
"That we do," she agreed.