Eclipsed

In the days leading up to June, the apartment buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as Lily prepared to move in. James and Sirius spent a weekend clearing out some space in their small flat, and reorganizing James’ closet, to accommodate her things. 

The day finally arrived. Boxes and furniture crowded the small living room, making the space feel a little more cramped than usual. Lily bustled about, trying to get everything in order. James had reassured her a dozen times that it would be great, that they’d make it work, but as she stepped inside, she could already sense the tension lurking beneath the surface.

From the kitchen, Sirius called out, his tone flat, “Mind shutting the door behind you? You're letting the cool air out.”

Lily bit back a sharp retort and closed the door with a bit more force than necessary. It hadn’t even been a day, and Sirius was already starting with his snippy comments. James appeared at her side, offering a broad, calming smile.

“Don’t mind him,” James said, gently tapping her arm. “He’s always grumpy before dinner.”

Lily laughed softly, leaning into James as they navigated through the cluttered living room together. “Let’s just hope we can all live together without killing each other.”

She looked around at the boxes. "I can’t believe how much stuff I have,” she said with a laugh, wiping sweat from her brow.

James smiled, leaning against the wall. “You’ve been in that flat for what, a year? Things pile up.”

She nodded, her red hair falling into her face as she knelt to unpack a box of kitchen items. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m a bit sad to be leaving the girls… but I’m excited to be living here with you and Sirius now.”

She wiped a stray lock of hair from her forehead, looking around at the cluttered space.

"It’s a bit of a squeeze," she remarked, half-laughing as she took in the sight of her belongings mingled with James and Sirius’s already limited space.

James stepped forward, extending his hand towards her. Lily took it, guiding his fingers to her shoulder. "Crowded, maybe," he said, pulling her close, "but not in a bad way. We’re going to have an amazing time living together. This is going to be brilliant."

Lily smiled, leaning into him. "I hope so. I mean, I know so," she corrected herself quickly. 

“This is going to be awesome,” James repeated, reaching for her hands, his voice reassuring, “I just know it.”

Lily smiled, though she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. “It’s just... a lot of change all at once, you know? But I’m happy to be here, with you.”

James squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Change is good, though, right? And it’s not like we haven’t spent a ton of time together before. This’ll be like... one big sleepover."

“True,” Lily agreed, the tension in her shoulders easing a little. “And it’s not like we haven’t talked about this. You’re right. It’s gonna be awesome.”

Over the next few days, Lily began to settle into the apartment, but she quickly realized that living with James was different from just dating him. Besides his already fastidiously clean nature, his vision forced him, and by proximity Sirius, and now Lily, to be incredibly organized, and mindful as well. 

One morning, Lily accidentally left one of the kitchen cabinet doors ajar, and James whacked his head on the open door.  There was a soft thud followed by a hiss of pain. James’s hand immediately went to his forehead, where a red mark was starting to form.

“James! I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize I left it open,” Lily said, rushing over to him.

“It’s alright, Lily,” James said, rubbing his forehead with a wry smile. “It’s not the first time this has happened. The summer after my accident, my dad was the number one culprit of leaving cabinet doors open.  Just… just try to remember for next time maybe.

Lily took this lesson to heart. “Got it. I’ll make sure to stay on top of everything then. ”

It wasn’t easy, and James took a couple of near tumbles from a misplaced shoe or a chair not tucked in. Despite his good-natured responses, Lily felt a pang of guilt each time something like that happened. After a few weeks, though, Lily really got on top of it, and James’ needs became easy habits for her as well. 

The adjustment wasn’t just between her and James. Sirius, who had always seemed somewhat unpredictable to her, wasn’t thrilled about the new dynamic in the apartment, despite his reassuring James that he was fine with her moving in. At first, he was snippy with Lily over small, petty things—a dish left in the sink, a book she misplaced, her notes strewn across the coffee table after a late night of studying… small issues, to Lily, at least, but blown out of proportion from his perception. 

One evening, after Sirius muttered something sarcastic under his breath about the mess Lily had accidentally made, James pulled her aside.

"Sirius isn’t... great with change," he said, frowning. "It’s not about you, I swear. It’s just... he’s defensive of his space."

"Defensive?" Lily echoed, curious.

James nodded, his brow furrowed. "He’s been through a lot, especially with his family, and Moony being gone. He gets... prickly about things, especially now that he’s trying to be sober. But he’ll come around."

Lily took his words to heart, but the tension between her and Sirius lingered.

One evening, when James had called to let them know he'd be staying late at work, and it was just the two of them, Lily was attempting a new recipe with mixed results in the kitchen, and Sirius finally let out a biting comment that struck a nerve.

"Why don’t you go stay with your sister for a few days, Evans?" he said offhandedly, not even looking at her. "Could do with some peace around here."

“Wish I could, Black,” Lily retorted, a lump forming in her throat, "but I wouldn’t know where to look. We don’t talk anymore."

Sirius glanced up, surprised by her sudden seriousness. 

She sighed, stirring the failed rice dish in progress. "Ever since Tuney’s wedding, we haven’t spoken. She... she hates me, and her husband… they hate magic. Hate everything I am. I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me for not being... normal."

Sirius softened, the sharp edge in his tone disappearing. "I didn’t know it was like that."

Lily shook her head. "It’s fine. But you know how much it hurts, being rejected by your own family, don’t you?"

Sirius stared at her for a moment, his jaw tightening. " I do."

Lily blinked, meeting his eyes. There was a vulnerability in Sirius she hadn’t seen before. He leaned back against the couch, sighing deeply.

"My family—they disowned me, you know. I think everyone does. You’d think I wouldn’t care after all these years, but... it still stings."

They looked at each other for a moment.

"I don’t talk about it much," Sirius admitted, a slight shrug of his shoulders. "But... I get it. Feeling like you don’t belong."

For the first time, Lily saw a side of Sirius she could understand. She nodded slowly. "We’re more alike than you thought, huh?"

"Yeah," he muttered. "Maybe we are."

From that moment, something shifted between them. The snippy remarks from Sirius began to fade, replaced by a quiet understanding. They learned to navigate their shared living space with better understanding and respect for each other's quirks. Their conversations grew more comfortable, and they started to appreciate each other’s company in a way they hadn’t before.

By the end of July, the apartment felt less like a battleground of differing personalities and more like a place where everyone could find their own syncopations within the same song. 

The midsummer sun filtered through the window of Peter and Elle's apprenticeship-sponsored flat, casting a golden glow on the plants that crowded every available surface. Inside was an explosion of green—potted ferns, spiky dragon trees, delicate flutterby bushes that twitched in the evening breeze. On the windowsill, Elle had cultivated a row of aconite, their dark blue flowers swaying slightly, and in the corner, an enchanted creeping ivy climbed up the wall, its tendrils constantly searching for more space to explore.

Peter sat at the small kitchen table, poring over a book on potion ingredients he was meant to be cultivating the following morning, but his focus was drifting. Elle sat across from him, beaming as she excitedly rattled off facts about their latest botanical acquisitions.

“And this one—" she pointed at a particularly large mandrake, its leaves rustling gently— "is going to be ready to harvest next week. They say the root from a mature one can be used in some really powerful restoratives! And over there," she pointed at a sprig of bouncing bulb that was gently swaying from side to side in a vase, "I’m thinking of cross-pollinating it with a venomous tentacula. Can you imagine how effective that would be?"

Peter nodded absently, his gaze drifting to the book in front of him as she continued. Elle had been talking non-stop since they got back from their apprenticeship hours at the apothecary, and while he adored her enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but zone out now and then.

"I was thinking," Elle said, her voice slightly muffled as she bent over to water the flutterby bush, "that we could invite Isabelle and Tobias over for tea sometime. You remember them, don’t you?"

Peter blinked, trying to refocus. “Sorry, who?”

“Peter!” Elle exclaimed, smiling as she straightened up. “Sometimes you get so wrapped up... My friends! You met them in Hogsmeade- the Averys?”

Peter’s stomach twisted a little. The Averys… as in the blood purist family? He wasn’t sure how comfortable he was with her brushing elbows with people like that. They weren’t all Death Eaters, sure, but some of them were definitely heading in that direction.

Still, Peter didn’t want to dampen her excitement, so he simply nodded. “I think Sirius punched their older brother in the face one time… but sure. Sounds... nice..”

Elle rolled her eyes at that, but was clearly pleased that he wasn’t putting up any resistance. "Oh, it’d be great! We could have a little dinner party, and you could show them some of your work. I bet they'd be impressed."

Peter shifted in his chair. “Maybe,” he mumbled, not sure he wanted to impress the kind of people who were best pals with Sirius’ fucked up parents and the creepy Death Eaters- not to mention that he was actively researching ways to shut down their entire organization. “We’ll see.”

“If not, you’ll meet everyone at the graduation party in a few weeks- my family is hosting so you’re obviously invited.” Elle sat down beside him, her hand finding his. “ I’m so glad we get to spend so much time together now.”

He looked up and smiled at that, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Yeah. It’s been great.”

And it had been. Peter had barely noticed how much time had passed since Elle had gotten her apprenticeship at the apothecary. Between their shifts, researching potion ingredients, and spending time among their many plants, the days blurred together in a comforting routine. It was easy, in a way that he hadn’t expected. Living with Elle made everything feel easy, even if he sometimes felt like he didn’t belong in her world, full of extravagant parties and people whose values seemed worlds away from his own.

He couldn’t shake the small pang of guilt that tugged at him every time he declined another night out with his friends, outside of Order meetings, of course. James had noticed, and had made offhand remarks at first, but now seemed genuinely concerned. Peter felt bad blowing them off, knowing how James could get when he was worried, but he just didn’t know how to tell his friends about Elle, and now that she was such a big part of his life, it was easier to stay away. 

Peter tried to shake the nagging feeling in his chest. They were happy here, among the plants, potions, and quiet evenings spent together. He just hoped his friends wouldn’t mind too much when they realized how long he’d been lying for.

The flat buzzed with conversation and laughter, the usual sounds of a Saturday evening at the Potter-Evans-Black flat. Sirius and James were talking quidditch with Marlene on one end of the living room, claiming the couch and armchair, while Mary, Dorcas, Christopher, and Lily were on the floor around the coffee table in the middle of an intense muggle card game. 

Lily sat cross-legged on the floor near James’ place on the couch, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. He was smiling, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t shake the nagging thought that something was off.  

“So,” Marlene said with a mischievous grin, “where the hell is Peter these days? Haven’t seen him in ages.”

Sirius snorted. “Probably eaten by one of those plants he’s always banging on about.”

Everyone chuckled, but James’ smile faltered slightly. Sirius might joke, but the truth was Peter had been disappearing more and more lately. First, it was missing the occasional hangout, but now it felt like weeks since they’d seen him properly. He was never around for group drinks anymore, and he’d been unusually quiet at Order meetings, offering less information than usual.

“Maybe he’s got a secret girlfriend,” Mary teased, tossing a grape into her mouth. “That would explain why he’s been MIA. You know how Pete gets when he’s smitten.”

Dorcas laughed. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow. “He hasn’t fancied anyone since that bird… Clarissa, was it? Moony and I invited him to join in on our Valentine’s day in seventh year, remember James?” Sirius laughed, thinking of Peter’s reaction to being invited. 

More laughter echoed around the room, but James stayed quiet, the familiar knot of worry tightening in his chest. Peter wasn’t just avoiding them—he was avoiding him. James and Peter had been inseparable since they were kids, and Peter had always come to him when something was wrong. But now? James couldn’t even remember the last time they’d had a proper conversation. It was like Peter was slipping away, and James had no idea why.

“I’m serious, though,” James suddenly said, cutting into the conversation. “Has anyone seen him recently? Like, properly?”

The room went quiet for a moment, the laughter fading.

“Not since the last Order meeting,” Dorcas said with a frown. “He’s been really quiet.”

Sirius leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms. “Probably just busy with work or something.”

James sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “Yeah... maybe.”

But his gut told him otherwise. Something was off, and he couldn’t help but feel like he was missing something important.

The conversation eventually shifted, and everyone got back to chatting and joking, but James couldn’t get Peter off his mind. Even when the night started winding down and people began heading home, the worry lingered in the back of his mind like a dull ache.

Later, when he and Lily were lying in bed, her soft breathing calming the room, James stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts still racing.

Lily rolled over to face him, sensing his unease. “James?” she whispered, her voice soft in the quiet. “What’s on your mind?”

James exhaled, rubbing his eyes. “It’s Peter. I don’t know... I just... I’m worried about him. We’ve been best mates since we were kids, and he always used to tell me everything. But now? I feel like he’s avoiding me. Avoiding all of us.”

Lily propped herself up on one elbow, her fingers tracing light circles on his arm. “You think something’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” James admitted. “I mean, maybe he really is just busy with work, or maybe he’s... seeing someone and doesn’t want to tell us yet. But... it’s Peter. He’s never been this distant before. Not from me.”

Lily watched him for a moment, her green eyes thoughtful. “You’ve always looked out for him, haven’t you?”

James nodded, his voice quiet. “Even when we were kids. And now I don’t even know what’s going on in his life.”

Lily shifted closer, resting her head against his chest. “I’m sure he’s okay, James. Peter’s stronger than he lets on, and he probably just needs some space to figure things out.”

James closed his eyes, trying to let her words soothe him. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right. I just... I don’t want him to feel like he can’t come to me. He’s always had a hard time opening up, but we’ve always been there for each other.”

Lily’s hand found his, and she gave it a gentle squeeze. “He knows you’re there for him, James. And when he’s ready, he’ll come to you. You’ve just got to be patient.”

James nodded, though the worry still gnawed at him. “Yeah. I’ll try.”

They lay in silence for a while, Lily’s steady breathing lulling James closer to sleep. But even as his eyes grew heavy, his mind lingered on Peter, and the unsettling feeling that something was slipping through his fingers.

Before he drifted off, Lily whispered softly, “Everything’s going to be okay, James. You’ve got us. And we’ve got Peter, too.”

James sighed, holding onto that thought as sleep finally overtook him.