Disclaimer: I own nothing but my stuffed penguin, Pumpernickel. He is my muse. (I know, I'm nuts.)
A/N: The Obsessive Lily Disorder reference was the Rhiana Peenapul, when Sirius, Peter and Remus all look like James because of the Polyjuice potion, and have to take on aliases to come to class.
Chapter 6
I was leaning up against the bench in the train station waiting for the big scarlet steam engine to appear to take me home. The past few days for me had been absolutely terrible, and James and the guys were the only thing keeping me going. I had been really close to my father, and I still couldn't believe that he was gone. A faint whistling in the distance caught my attention, and I looked up to see that the train was coming. I slowly stood, and went to grab my bag when I noticed that someone was already holding it. I looked up to see James standing beside me, holding my things, and a bag of his own.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
James gave a small smile, and replied, "I know you don't want to be alone for this. I've been through this, and trust me, you don't want to be alone. Dumbledore gave me permission to come along with you on special `heads business.'"
I gave a small smile, and grasped his hand. "Lets go, or we'll miss the train," I said softly. He nodded, and pulled me along carrying my small bag around his shoulder. He was carrying his own bag with one hand, and clasping my hand with the other. We both boarded the train, and went to an empty compartment. James let go of my hand to place our things in the baggage rack. I walked over to a seat and carefully sat down. When James finished with the bags, he walked over to me, and sat. For the longest time we just sat there in silence, until out of nowhere, a large sob came from my weak body. Immediately James was there, holding my lurching body like he had been for the past few days. These sudden outbursts had become something normal in the Gryffindor common room, and James was there for me every time. I leaned my wet face against his chest, and tried to control my crying. After a while, the tears subsided, but I stayed in James' caring embrace, clutching to him for dear life.
***
"Lily? Come on Lil, wake up. Were here."
I groggily opened my eyes, and realized I had fallen asleep on James. I pulled my head away from his beating chest, and looked around the compartment dazed. It was dark outside, and James quickly got up and grabbed our bags. He led the way out onto the platform, where he stopped and hugged me. "Everything is going to be fine," He whispered in my ear softly. I nodded, and pulled away.
"Come on, my mom will be waiting." And only then did I realize that my mom would have to meet James, and he would have to meet Petunia. This is going to be a nightmare, I thought to myself. Together we walked through the barrier, finding ourselves in muggle London. My eyes scanned the area, and I instantly found my mother standing outside of the car waving her hand. I waved back, and she climbed into the car. I reached down, and grabbed James hand, and pulled him to the car. When we got there, my mum noticed James and gave me a look. She rolled down the window, and asked, "Who's this?" I smiled weakly.
"Mum, this is James. Can he stay with us?" My mother's eyes looked to James inquisitively, and she nodded. We both climbed into the back of the car, and I slammed the door shut behind me.
When we arrived home, I could see James looking at the small TV in amazement. "It's called a television. You watch movies or shows on it. That's where people act and it's captured on film," I informed him.
His eyes got big and he looked at me in astonishment. "That's amazing!" He blurted out. I shook my head, and took his hand. "Come on, I'll show you where you will be sleeping."
I led him up the stairs and past three doors. When we came to the forth, I quickly opened it, and placed my bag on the floor. James walked in and laughed. "Is this your room?" The walls were painted pink, and my bed was covered in stuffed animals, and a frilly pink comforter.
"You can't criticize me. The last time I truly lived here I was 11!"
He shook his head and smiled, and I led the way out of the room. We walked to the door across the hall from mine, and I opened the door. James walked in and sat his stuff on the floor.
"So, this is your room for the next three days. We had better go down stairs though; dinner should be ready any minute."
He nodded, and followed me out of his room. We walked down to the dinning room, and I saw my mum, Petunia, and an extremely large man. I assumed that he was Petunia's fiancé. I held back a snort, and led James over to the seat next to mine. We both sat down, and my mother passed the food around. I looked over to my sister, and noticed the look of disgust on her face. She looked from me to James in distaste, and asked, "So, does he go to that freak school of yours?"
I closed my eyes knowing what was going to happen, and opened them again. I glared at Petunia. "It's not a freak school Petunia, and yes, he does."
The man next to her tensed and his face seemed to bulge. He looked to Petunia, and blurted out, "Petunia, let's leave. I don't want to be around freaks like her. I told you after I proposed that she is not to be around me, whether she's family or not."
I could feel James tense beside me, and I grabbed his hand. I looked at him, and whispered, "James, it's ok, I'm used to it."
Petunia's fiancé yelled out, "What are you doing girl? Don't be doing any of your freakish things when I'm around!"
And that was all it took to get James out of his chair, holding his wand to his throat. James had a menacing look in his eyes, and I was scared of what he would do. James glared at the man's bulging eyes, and muttered, "Don't call her a freak. Take it back right now, or you will regret it."
I quickly jumped out of my chair and ran to James' still body. I raised my arms up to his outstretched hand, and pulled it down. He looked at me, and I whispered, "James, he's not worth it. You and I both know that. Come on, let's just eat."
I grabbed his hand, and led him over to our seats. James looked down at his plate, and I looked to my mother in apology. Petunia and her fiancé had ran out of the house as soon as I pulled James away. We finished the rest of the meal in silence, until we all finished. James excused himself to bed, and me and my mom went to the living room and sat together on a couch.
"He seems like a sweet boy," my mom said with a laugh. I grinned softly, and shook my head.
"He really is. He was just looking out for me."
My mother nodded, and looked at me. "So, is this the same James Potter that you have been complaining about for the past six years?"
I smiled embarrassedly and nodded. She smiled, and said, "I always figured you two would get together. He's a sweet kid, coming home with you and everything."
I nodded, "I know. I didn't even know he was coming until the train pulled up, and he appeared next to me with a bag in his hand."
She smiled and looked down to her hands. "Your father would have loved him. They seem so much alike."
I sighed, "I know. But James has been so comforting to me. He's what's keeping me going."
My mum yawned and stood up. "I think I'm going to go to bed. It's been a long night." She turned to walk up the stairs. "And Lily, don't let your sister get to you. She just doesn't understand."
My mom walked up the stairs, and into her room, leaving me alone with my thoughts of James, Petunia, and my father.
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