A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 57

Part 2:

Chapter 57 –

September 18th, 1981

"So," Lia started, tucking her legs underneath her on Lily and James' couch, "how are my two favourite nephews doing?"

Lily took a sip of her wine, a grin on her face. Alice on the other hand was hitting the hard liquor and chasing her firewhiskey with sips of butter beer, both of them most likely relishing in the childless night they finally were getting.

She had convinced Sirius to have the boys over to their place and to watch over the kids for the night so she could have a much-needed girls' night. Unfortunately, Mary and Dorcas both got called into missions for the Order and had to cancel last minute, but since the kids already had babysitters, they decided to continue with the night.

Lia had originally thought of it as a dorm room reunion before the thought of Marlene not being there hit her. She missed her friend every day, craving her advice and the energy she gave off all the time. She truly wished that her and Fabian were continuing their lives from wherever they were, but she still desired for them to be here.

"Can we not talk about children tonight," Alice asked, a hiccup leaving her lips, "I am glad to finally have a night away from both my husband and child."

Lily pointed her glass and nodded towards Alice, "I have never agreed with you more," she muttered, "I love them both but being holed up in this house with them 24/7 has caused me to want to lock myself in the bathroom for an hour a day just to get some peace."

Lia laughed, not being able to imagine Lily sitting on the floor in the bathroom, a wine bottle and glass at her feet. But she also couldn't imagine living with her brother all the time and not being able to really go out and see anyone. At least growing up when James annoyed her, she could disappear and visit other friends or get Mellie to yell at him for her.

"You guys are making me so excited to get married," Lia teasingly drawled.

Lily rolled her eyes at her, and Alice sucked back another sip of her two drinks.

"Don't even start with me," Lily responded, "the number of times you've slept on my couch because Sirius and Remus were annoying you is ridiculous."

Alice nodded her head, "and mine," she added.

Feeling ganged up on despite knowing there was truth to her words, she gestured her hands in a mocking way before taking a sip of her own glass of wine.

"In my defence," she exclaimed, "you guys only have one of the boys. I have to deal with the both of them egging each other on almost every day."

They both tilted their heads in agreement and a satisfied smile graced Lia's face, loving whenever she was right.

"Do you think that Remus will move out?" Alice asked, her attention on the food placed on the table and grabbing a few biscuits.

Lia shrugged her shoulders, hoping that he never moved out. As much as she complained, she loved having her best friend living with them and she couldn't imagine him being anywhere else. At the same time thought, she wanted nothing more than for him to meet someone – even though she doubted he would allow that - and be as happy with them as she was with Sirius.

Her mind flashed over his weird behaviour with Tonks, but she pushed it away, not even wanting to entertain the idea. Maybe in the future they could work out, but Tonks had her whole life ahead of her and Remus needed to figure himself out. Plus, it would be very awkward with the age gap right now.

"I don't think he will any time soon," Lia noted, "I mean maybe eventually in a few years, but Sirius and I aren't rushing to push him out and he's no longer on the hunt for his own flat."