A Different Sort Of Healing

Memories

She recalled the time when Lily was in fourth year.  She and James had just called a truce to a prank war tgat had been happening all year between the Marauders and Lily and her dormmates.  It was Christmas time and Lily handed over her present to James and he did that same, creatinv that unspoken truce.

Every year, their year would exchange presents and call off all problems the night before everyone left for the hols.

This year, James got her a necklace.  Ironically, it was a pendant of a lily flower.

"It's got protection charms on it," he had said sheepishly.  "Just in case."

They knew something had changed in the way people looked at her because of her blood.  She and Sev had argued abouy which side to be on, so thiscoming from James was comforting.

"Thanks."

So she went home with it on, and her parents asked about it.  She flippantly said it was a present from a friend.  Theu didn't ask again, but whenever she felt particularly lonely, she fiddled with it absent-mindedly.

This year, Petunia was a little nicer than usual.  Lily was on gaurd, but she had hope that maybe thiz would be the first stepping stone to getting her sister back.

That Christmas was the best one she had, with all her friends and family with her.  She knew with the war, it might not be the same, but she was really happy then.

So that's what she told James.

"Close your eyes."  She did.  "Feel that feeling of happiness.  Embrace everything you felt that day.  The happiness, the joy you felt being surrounded by those you care for."

And she did.  She wanted to cry because of how much it hurt to know that thise kind of memories would not be made again.  Then, the giddiness of that Christmas envolped her.  Because she was so happy she had that memory.  That she was able to keep it and store it.  That that part of her would nevet be gone, no matter what she goes through.

She took a deep breath and said clearly, "Expecto Patronum."

From the tip of her wand came bounding a beautifully graceful doe.

She stared at it in awe.  Just that one charm made her feel like that emptiness would one day fade. She knew she would never forget her parents, but it would be easier, one day, to remember them.

She looked at James to exclaim that she did it, but saw the look on his face.

"James?  What's wrong?" She asked.

He just stared after it as it faded.

Sirius saw the whole thing and came up behind James.

"Evans, I think you broke Prongs," he said conversationally.

He dragged a mummbling James away, still awestruck.  Sirius must have understood him because kept saying, "I know mate.  I know."

He turned to wink back at a confused Lily, but it was okay because Lily was finally able to move forward, one step at a time.