Post war meet up
A few days, maybe a week or two, later the marauders and the group around them met up in the main Potter residence.
James had decided that their rater large family would now move back into his parents' home as the war was now almost over.
"It's a strange feeling..." Regulus commented, everyone was currently standing in the large garden. He kept to the side.
"What is?" Lily asked.
"The war is over. It's all I've known since I was still in school. It begs the question, what now?" Regulus admitted.
"I get it, I don't even know what to do with my life now." Marlene added.
"Marly, you don't have to know. You still have some time." Dorcas assured.
"Yeah, before our money runs out and we're on the streets." Marlene chuckled, earning a jab in the side from her wife.
"I mean, I do know what I'm going to do." Regulus explained.
"You do?" Lily inquired.
"I...I have been studying potions even during the war. The institute only required me to do work and send it in." Regulus blushed, he was suddenly very embarrassed.
"Oh, I didn't know." Lily replied.
"I didn't want you to, not even James knows. I wanted to kind of surprise you." Regulus cleared up.
"Hey Lils?" James appeared behind them, whispering.
"Hm?"
"Why did you invite Snape?" He asked.
"Because he's my friend. You'll have to accept that he's going to be in our lives, James." She explained.
"Fine, good. But he is standing pretty much all alone in a corner. Maybe you'd like to bring him over here?" James questioned.
"How about you do it?" Lily smirked.
"Fine"
"Snape!! Over here!" James yelled, he smiled doing his best to look friendly.
Severus gave a weak smile and made his way over to the bunch.
"Hello." He said.
"Hi" Lily replied.
"Sorry, this is incredibly awkward." Snape chuckled.
"So tell me Snape, what'll you do now that the war's over?" James grinned.
"I'm not sure." He began, "I've been in contact with Professor McGonagall, she offered me a position as potions teacher."
"What about Slughorn?" Lily inquired.
"Too old." Sirius interjected.
"Agreed. Slughorn had been talking about retirement ever since I was a first year and I assume even before that." Regulus commented.
"I agree as well" Remus added, "I was actually thinking about starting as defense against the dark arts teacher..."
"Really? Why didn't you tell me?" Sirius worried, looking somewhat upset.
"It's not an official thing and I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, starting with mine." Moony excused.
"I think you'd be a good teacher, if it's worth anything." Severus assured.
"Thanks" Remus whispered.
"So anyway, Lils how's the kid?" Marlene grinned.
"Not born yet, that's for sure." Lily chuckled.
"They'll be the happiest kid ever." James held his nose up high.
"Have you got an idea about the gender or do you not want to know?" Sirius inquired.
"Sirius!" Remus hissed, hitting his boyfriend's the arm.
"No, it's fine. We don't know yet since I couldn't get too much prenatal care. Me and James haven't spoken about the topic but we will eventually." Lily explained.
"You're right, sorry." Sirius apologized.
"Don't be, you couldn't have known." James assured his friend.
"But still, Lily..." Remus interrupted, "do you feel alright, anything off anything feel wrong?"
"I'm fine, the baby's been a delight...as much as a baby in your stomach can be." She laughed.
"Don't mind me asking but how far along are you now?" Dorcas asked
"I'm not entirely sure but I believe about..." Lily trailed off, "it's the end of may now...so it's been about 7 or 8 months..."
"That's far" Severus commented.
"I know, I really have to get a doctor soon." Lily agreed.
The group of friends ended up staying until far into the night, feeling safe to be out this late for the first time ever since the war had started.
They said goodbye, wishing each other well and promised to meet up another time soon.