Gateway to Heaven - James and Lily Potter (Jily) #Wattys2016

At the Gate - James

New chapter up, happy reading! Don't forget to leave a vote or comment if you enjoyed it!

"How sweet!" Ariana exclaims when Lily's done talking. My wife smiles sheepishly. "I guess so," she said. "It's just that the fact that we didn't start off as friends that pains me." "It was my fault if anything," I state, wrapping my arms around her waist,"I started off as this arrogant toerag who enjoyed hexing people too much." "True," Lily says, laughing,"but you ended up all right in the end." "So I did." I state proudly. It's true that my pride often got the better of me, but I learnt from my mistakes. Lily helped me work on my attitude and taught me how to use my pride and confidence in a positive way - by standing up for others and helping the weaker ones, for example.

"You know what," Ariana says,"you might like someplace to sit, as we'll probably be here for a while or so." I automatically feel my back pocket for my wand. It's not there. "Oh, you won't be needing one here," the little girl says, smiling sweetly, "some universes don't require magic to achieve a stable society." "Like the muggles," I say, thinking of Lily's non-magic sister Petunia. Ariana laughs. "In a way, perhaps. Have a seat, please." Both Lily and I look around only to discover a comfy-looking sofa, battered and dusty, looking as if nobody had sat on it for quite a while. We sit down and Ariana settles on a red chintz chair opposite from us. "Tea?" she asks us. Lily and I look at each other. What state are we in? Our eyes read the same question. Is this all a dream? Something tells me it definitely isn't. Then are we dead? Or in some kind of weird coma? Can we escape from this endless white space or are we just stuck here until Ariana lets us go Further On, as she called it?

"What choice do we have?" Lily mouths, squeezing my hand as to comfort me. I sigh, ruffling my hair in the process. It's some stupid habit of mine I've never really grown out of. "Yes please," Lily says to Ariana, who immediately proceeds to hand us two cups of magically (or is it even magic?) appeared tea. I take a sip. An overwhelming feeling of warmth and comfort fills my body and when I glance at Lily I see she's experiencing the same thing.

"So," Ariana says, looking at us,"we've heard your part of the story, Lily. What about James here?" "Nothing much," I say quickly, reddening a little,"I believe Lils here said it all. Like I said, I was this arrogant fellow back then. Don't fancy recalling those moments too much." "Oh," Ariana simply says. The smile she gives me is a little too understanding. "James, you know there's more to your first years at Hogwarts than just being annoying," Lily says, squeezing my hand once more. "Tell Ariana of your friends. The marauders." I look at her, surprised. "What relevance does that have? I thought we were going to tell her about me and you and all that!" "Exactly," she replies,"tell us about all that." "Oh do tell me," Ariana says, bouncing excitedly on her seat,"who are the marauders, James? I must know." "Fine," I say, smiling a little, "so I suppose I'll have to begin at the day our foursome officially formed..."

And so I begin.

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So, guys. As you may have noticed, I use these chapters as a bridge to different moments in Jily's lives. I also cast Georgie Henley (Lucy Pevensie from Narnia) as Ariana, what do you think? (see the media!) And how do you think the marauders were formed? And what happens at 'Further On'? Aaaah so many questions!!!

Anyway, leave a comment to give feedback or tips or anything you like! I appreciate them a lot! Thanks so much for the votes and comments I got already though, they really made my day!

Love always,

Isa