Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 48: Something in the Water

Chapter 48: Something in the Water

October 1979

Lily took a glass of champagne from the floating tray that was circulating the room and stepped back a bit, taking the opportunity to step out of the spotlight and observe the party guests unnoticed for a few minutes.

Kathleen was saying something earnestly to Mad Eye Moody in one corner, her hands gesticulating animatedly while Moody nodded, a slight frown visible on his scarred face. Remus was talking with Peter and Sturgis Podmore nearby, although Peter seemed more inclined to eavesdrop on Kathleen and Moody than to follow his own conversation. Lily grinned a bit; how very like Peter.

Across the room, Lily could see her parents with Mr and Mrs Potter, talking about Petunia's coming baby, Lily had no doubt. Mr and Mrs Evans rarely talked about anything else anymore. Her grin faded into a grimace at the thought; Lily was still extremely squeamish about the whole situation.

Nearby, Frank and Alice were talking to Frank's parents and Griselda Marchbanks. Lily did a double take when she saw Alice, who was positively radiant. She'd never seen Alice look happy while in the presence of her mother in law, but happy Alice undoubtedly was. In fact, she positively glowed with it. Could it be that Mrs Longbottom had finally said something nice to her?

Before Lily could expand upon her curiosity, a familiar laugh caught her attention. Turning, Lily spotted James and Sirius, together as usual, teasing Morwenna near the refreshments. Whatever remark had made James laugh had obviously been at Sirius' expense; he was glowering at James and a smug Morwenna.

Catching Lily's eye, James grinned at her and motioned for her to come over. Without hesitation, Lily abandoned her corner and moved toward them, weaving through the crowd and stopping occasionally to greet someone or respond to a remark.

In honour of James and Lily's one year anniversary, Mr and Mrs Potter had thrown them a party. It wasn't anything grand; large parties were extremely rare in the wizarding world these days, but a few people had gathered at the Potters' for hors d'ouevres and to congratulate Lily and James.

For their actual anniversary, Lily and James had gone on a minibreak to Rome, where they'd spent half their time getting lost and the other half arguing over whether or not it would be all right for James to enchant the moped they had rented to fly. They'd come back, brown from the sun and relaxed, just in time for the party.

"Congratulations, Lils," Morwenna said to Lily as she reached them, kissing her cheek in greeting. "You now qualify for sainthood, having been married to this git for a year."

Lily giggled, only to turn her laughter into a tactful coughing fit a moment later after observing James' scowl and Sirius' grin. Apparently it would be wiser not to comment.

"Sirius and I have decided that we should all go to the Leaky Cauldron after," Morwenna continued, hastily changing the subject. "You can tell us all about Rome and everything then."

"Sure," Lily replied, her coughing having miraculously ceased. "That'll be fun."

"Maybe we can turn in your application for sainthood on the way," Sirius cracked.

"There's Professor Dumbledore, Lily," James said pointedly, steering her toward him. "Let's go and say hello." He practically dragged her away from Sirius and Morwenna, who were sniggering in earnest. Lily grinned back at them over her shoulder, but as she caught James' eye, decided to have another coughing fit instead.

"Coming down with something, St Lily?" James stared her down with his version of the Prefect Glare of Death.

"I do feel a bit ill suddenly," Lily fluttered her lashes at James innocently and put a hand to her forehead.