You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 37

"I can't believe you finished school. It feels like it went by in a blink of an eye"

"Yeah, maybe because I've been here only two years ,Jamie"

"Shhhh, let me savor the moment"

"Sure"

James was the only one who had shown up at King Cross to collect Mira from the Hogwarts express. Her last month at Hogwarts had gone by in a blur. It was mostly late nights of her trying to complete her homework while working with Evan and Regulus on the case of the Horcruxes and how they would acquire them. They had found Tom Riddle's diary and Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem so they were now left to find four more for which Mira could do nothing but stay behind and let the boys do all the work. In between all that she just tried not to be awkward around Regulus after their little incident on the couch , although he did appear to behave just like always. Perhaps he was faking it just as much as her or perhaps it really meant nothing to him to begin with. Mira didn't know what scenario would be worse, because in reality she didn't know how to feel about it herself. For now there was one last thing she would have to go through . Theo and Christina's wedding.

"-and I gave it great thought so, if you agree as well, I believe I should do it" James reached the end of a long rant , looking at Mira questionably. He had decided to go wherever it was that he was taking her, the muggle way. She didn't know why he insisted that much, especially when she didn't know where they were going. James had said it was a surprise but Mira knew it must have had something to do with the Order. It always had those days. The war was knocking on everyone's door. Nothing would be the same. "You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" James asked tilting his head, with a disappointing look on his face.

"You need my opinion on something" Mira stated, looking around the street , so a car wouldn't' hit them. Let's just say James Potter wasn't accustomed with a busy city street and had no idea about the dangers of walking on it.

"I want to ask Lily to marry me"

"Sure, yeah" Mira just shrugged before taking his hand in hers so they could cross the busy street . James proposing to Lily was such a normal thing in her mind. She had read it a million times, it was a guaranteed fact, a major plot point. But when she looked at James to see why he had gotten so quiet she realised that he was living his life for the first time. He didn't know anything about his future. So proposing to his girlfriend was a big deal to him and he was nervous about it. Normal human behavior, unlike hers at the moment. "I'm sorry I'm not more excited Jamie, it's just... I already knew it would happen"

"Wait!" James stopped on his trucks , a giant smile forming on his face. "It's supposed to happen? So it's the right call?" he asked excitedly  but Mira just pursed her lips together. "Come on" James whined , taking by her arms and shaking her. "Break the rules. Just this time" Oh, only if he knew how many times she had broken the rules already. And her meddling only meant that not only James and Lily's wedding would be a success and happy occasion but it would continue to be. Because she was there and she would do anything in her power for them to get their happy ending. Because they truly deserved it.

"Yes. It's the right call," she finally replied with a smile on her lips. James immediately started jumping up and down from joy like a little kid.

"Oh, I can't take it any longer!We're apparating. We're going to the Burrow. Everyone's there waiting for you. It's the-"

"Weasley's house"

"Little know it all"

......

"Look who I brought you!" James exclaimed as soon as they stepped foot into the burrow. In the two years Mira had been there she hadn't visited the place nor had she heard anything about the Weasleys , but life had been busy enough for her to not give it much thought. The house was exactly how it was described even if all its children weren't t in it yet. Warm, happy, welcoming. There was a banner in the far wall reading ' Congratulations! Welcome back home'
Lily was the first to sit up from the couch and sprint to  Mira's direction, giving her friend the tightest of hugs . Remus, Sirius, Peter, Marlene , Mia and Monty followed right behind Lily until they were all in a big group hug with Mira right in the middle.
"Thanks guys" she chuckled when everyone had pulled back.
"Now, little one. We have to go. Dumbledore's here and we have a meeting for the Order but Molly will stay with you." Monty informed her and everyone around her gave her apologetic looks because they would have to leave her after she just had gotten there.
"But don't worry . We'll all spend so much time with you after that you'll be sick of us" Remus said , giving her a kiss on her forehead , trying to lift up her mood. In reality Mira didn't mind that much . Just seeing them was enough for her for the time being and she knew that they would anything to make up for lost time later so it was a win-win situation for her.
"And don't forget! We're baking cookies tonight! Ticking one more thing off the list" Monty reminded  before they all started walking towards another room. Mira just gave them all a smile before turning her attention to Molly Weasley. She was so excited to finally meet her.
"You must be Molly"
"Oh, sweet girl ! Dumbledore has told us about you. You don't have to pretend you do not know me" the older woman laughed , going in for a hug. "Do you know me?"
"Of course"
"Now come into the kitchen you must be starving"
"Not really but I am dying to try your cooking"
"What an honour !"

.......

After just forty minutes with Molly , Mira was full to a point where she thought she might explode. Everything was delicious and Molly's company was more than joyful. As the two women were laughing about a story about Molly's years at Hogwarts two babies  crawled into the kitchen , so silently that one wouldn't t have heard them if not seen them .
"Fred and George?" Mira asked , going on her knees to greet the babies. Both of them immediately smiled at her while one opened his arms , reaching for Mira to pick him up. Mira looked at Molly for reassurance and when she got her approval she picked him up and made him sit on her right leg. Molly picked up the other twin and did the same .
"Which one am I holding?"
"Fred" Mira's heart sunk at the mention of the name. How could a sweet baby like that not grow up to be who they were supposed to but instead have to fight a nasty war. A war that would cost him his own life. "It was truly a blessing to have them when I did. It was right after-"
"Your brothers' deaths"
"Yes. Fabian and Gideon . You would have loved them. Everyone did. I don't know how anyone will ever recover" Mira looked at Molly's saddened expression and couldn't help but relate to her. Not everyone dealt with grief the same way nor could they hold what they felt inside like she had in the past.
"I've lost my brother as well. Three years ago. What I've learned is that you gotta understand that the love around you or the love you got from them is and always will be greater than any grief that we might feel. However we feel it."
"They were right" Molly stated , washing a tear from her eye. "You really are special"