Lunch and the future
Lily slept for an hour two before she was awakened by a nightmare. She got out of bed and wandered downstairs. She walked into the kitchen and was greeted by a few order members.
“Oh! You poor thing!” Molly exclaimed as she got up, wrapping Lily in a big hug. Minerva got up too and gave her a hug, “We are here for you Lily. Whatever you need, just ask.” Lily smiled and nodded, not having energy to say or do much else. There was an awkward silence before Molly asked, “So where is he? James?”
Minerva eyed Molly. “It's okay professor, it's only normal to be curious.” Lily said.
“Darling, you graduated many years prior, while you will always be my student I am your professor no longer.” Minerva said.
“Albus has rubbed off on you quite a bit, hasn't he, Minne?” Sirius commented as he walked through the door with Harry in his arms. He handed Harry off to Lily who felt much safer knowing that her boy was with her and safe. Minerva rolled her eyes.
“So.” Sirius sat down at the dining table. “What's next?”
“You three move on. You get jobs. You start living your lives. This chapter of your story is over.” Minerva said. Lily stiffened at the comment. She didn’t know how to move on. So much of her life was lost in this war she wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to move on. She lost the love of her life to this war. Her son lost his father. She left stuck. Like she was in a hole that people saw yet blatantly ignored.
“Lily remarries.” Molly added. Lily got up at that comment. “It’s not meant to be offensive dear. It's just- how are you supposed to survive without a husband and how will Harry be without a father?”
While Minerva and Sirius were so appalled by that comment Lily was quick to respond. “Me and my son will do quite fine without James.” Lily got up and began to leave, “In fact, we’ve been doing quite well. So thank you Molly for your concern but it isn’t necessary. “ As Lily got up and walked away she heard Sirius shout something and then it went silent. Minerva probably put up a silencing charm so that Lily wouldn’t hear. As she was going up the stairs she was greeted by Remus, “What happened down there?”
“Ignorance.” Lily sighed, not wanting to talk about it more than that.
“Are you feeling any better” Remus asked, “Because I have an idea.”
“Oh god, should I be worried?” Lily asked, nudging Remus.
Remus smiled, glad that his friend was able to have a little fun. “No, I think you’ll like this one. Would you like to go out for lunch?”
“Oh,” Lily replied, shocked at the “idea” Remus had, “Sure.”
Remus smiled. Within minutes they had flood out of the house and were at a small restaurant in a muggle town. Once they had sat down Lily asked, “Why a muggle place? Not that I mind, I like it. Just wondering.”
“Yourself and your son are the only people in history to have survived the killing curse. It might be hard to take you anywhere for the next while.” Remus replied. Lily looked at Harry who was happily playing with some crayons that he was given by the young lady who was waiting their table. For the first time she noticed the scar on his forehead. It took the shape of a lightning bolt and ran across his whole forehead. “Oh lord, I didn’t even notice that.” Lily brushed her fingers over the scar, “Do you think he’ll be okay? Should we take him somewhere?”
“I think Albus may want to see it but he seems fine so I would imagine that nothing is actually wrong.” Remus replied his attention turned to the boy.
After that the two ate their lunch talking about lighter topics and some good jobs Remus had found for Lily.
“These sound great Remus!” Lily exclaimed, after thinking for a moment she deflated, “But I don’t know if I could start working now. What would I do with Harry? If I’m at work all day, who would take care of him? Where would I stay? I definitely do not want to go back to Godric's Hollow. I actually got an offer from the Ministry to sell it. They want to turn it into a war memorial.”
“Lils take a breath.” Remus said, taking one himself, “You don’t have to jump back into life right away again. You can take a moment. About Harry and where to stay. Me and Sirius would be delighted for you two to stay with us. Lord knows Sirius loves Harry like his own son. He would be delighted to keep him for you when you decide to go back to work. It will all be okay.”
Lily sighed, yeah. This will be okay. She just had to keep reminding herself of that.