California Love

Chapter 12 - Lily

The Evans Household

"Mum, have you seen my coat?" Lily's voice echoed through the house as she hurried down the stairs, her eyes darting around the hallway in a frantic search. It was one of those mornings where chaos reigned supreme, and the disappearance of her coat was just the latest mishap in a string of them.

Her mother's voice drifted from the kitchen, slightly obscured by the clatter of dishes. "Have you checked the coat rack, dear?"

Lily paused, mentally retracing her steps. The coat rack! It was the most logical place for it to be. She rushed the rest of the way down, inadvertently bumping into Petunia.

"Lily! Watch where you're going!"

Ignoring her sister's admonishment, Lily grabbed her coat and hastily threw it on. Finally! The moment she had been waiting for had arrived—she was going to spend the day at James's manor. Of course, Sirius and the others would be there too, but still...

It was James Potter! Her boyfriend from one of the biggest wizarding families in the world! Lily's heart fluttered at the thought of spending the day with James. She couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement every time she thought about him, his mischievous grin, and his unruly hair that seemed to defy gravity.

As she made her way to the kitchen, she caught a glimpse of herself in the hallway mirror. Her reflection showed a young witch with bright green eyes, her cheeks flushed with anticipation. She smoothed down her bright red hair and adjusted her coat, making sure she looked presentable for James.

In the kitchen, her mother turned from the sink, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Excited to see James, dear?"

Lily blushed, feeling caught out. "Yes, Mum. He's just... he's wonderful."Her mother chuckled softly. "I can see that. Just be careful, Lily. Boys like James Potter can be a handful."

Lily nodded, her mind drifting back to the first time she met James. It had been on the train to Hogwarts, in their first year. He was a bit rude to Severa when it came to what house she wanted to be in, But his smile was so...dreamy.

Thinking of Severa, her expression soured. She hadn't spared a thought for her ex-best friend all summer... well, that wasn't entirely true; she had dwelled on her just last night. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that... girl.

Just as her father entered the kitchen, a house elf materialized right before them, causing Petunia to let out a piercing scream. "AHHH, What on earth is that?" She sought refuge behind their father.

"Petunia! Don't startle it like that," Lily scolded, positioning herself between her sister and the elf. "That's mean!" She shot her sister a stern glance before redirecting her attention to the house elf.

"How may I help you?" The house elf met her gaze before speaking.

"Are you ready to depart, Miss Lily?" She broke out into a smile before she ran upstairs, grabbed her bag, and ran right back downstairs. "I'm ready!"

She grabbed the elf's hand and waved at her family before she felt the feeling of being drifted away.

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Potter Manor

Everybody lounged in the back of the manor, sprawled out on the lush grass of the Potter estate, basking in the warmth of the sun. 

Peter and Fleamont dashed about, engaged in a spirited game of 'catch the golden snitch,' their laughter ringing through the air. Meanwhile, Euphemia sat serenely in a chair, her fingers deftly knitting away.