You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 50

Regulus ended up spending most of his days at Potter Manor or at the cozy house in Godric's Hollow. He was almost always by Mira's side, and he had developed a surprisingly deep bond with baby Melody. It was a strange, beautiful sight to see a man who had grown up in the cold halls of Grimmauld Place sitting on a rug and playing with enchanted blocks. Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Mira, and Regulus made a point to have a game night at least twice a week. They would crowd around the kitchen table, arguing over board games and eating far too many snacks. It was the kind of normalcy they had all dreamed of during the darker years.

At first, James wasn't too keen on the idea. He had spent years seeing the name Black as something to be cautious of, and Regulus was a reminder of a world he wanted to keep away from his family. But James was a man who led with his heart. He quickly changed his mind when he saw the glow on Mira's face whenever Regulus entered a room. More importantly, he saw his best friend, Sirius, finally looking at peace. Seeing the two brothers laughing together over a deck of cards was enough to wash away any lingering doubts James had.

It was just a week before Christmas when the mood shifted. James, Sirius, and Remus were called into the Ministry for the trial of Peter Pettigrew. It was a heavy, somber day. Mira had used her knowledge of the future to inform them of everything that should have happened on that terrible Halloween night. Because of her, they had cut all ties with Peter immediately, stopping the betrayal before it could ever happen. Going to the trial was just a formality, a way to keep up appearances and follow the Ministry's rules. That same night, Regulus had been summoned by his mother, leaving Mira and Lily alone with the babies.

The house was quiet, filled only with the soft crackle of the fireplace. Mira was in the kitchen, slowly wiping down the counter as she lost herself in thought.

"So..." Lily started, leaning against the doorframe before walking into the kitchen. She crossed her arms over her chest and gave Mira a knowing look. "Are you getting married?"

Mira didn't look up immediately. She kept her focus on a small spot on the marble surface. "I don't know, Lils. It was probably just something he said in the moment without thinking much of it. And it's okay if it was. Whatever is supposed to happen will happen"

"Unless you're there to change it" Lily laughed.

Mira finally looked up and joined in the laughter. It was true; she had changed almost everything since she arrived. "Fair point"

"But really" Lily said, her voice turning a bit more serious. "Do you even want to get married?"

Mira leaned back against the counter, sighing softly. "I do love him. And I know he's not my first love, but he is my first real love. Honestly, if I had never come here, I'd probably be in college right now. Marriage and kids would feel like they were a million years away. But I'm here. My life is different. So, yes. I want to get married. I just want to do it right"

Lily smiled. It was a proud, warm smile that made Mira feel understood. As Lily looked at her best friend, she didn't just see the twenty-year-old woman standing in the kitchen. She saw the sixteen -year-old girl she had met early one morning who was too excited to even speak. She remembered the sixteen-year-old who stayed up late reading Lily's favorite books just so they could have something to talk about. She saw the girl who had cried in her arms at seventeen, the one who helped plan Lily's wedding at eighteen, and the one who had become a mother and a hero at nineteen.

"I'm sure he knows that" Lily replied softly. She walked forward and pulled Mira into a tight hug.

Mira hugged her back, feeling a sudden surge of emotion. "I might still not know who your favorite character was in those books" Lily whispered against her hair "but if the roles were reversed, you would be mine"