Semper

22

"Oh, you've grown so much since I've seen you! Are you eating enough or have you become one of those kinds of ladies who value their skinny bodies too much?" Was the first thing Aurora heard as soon as she'd apparated to the Potter Manor for Euphemia's birthday with Lily in tow.

"I assure you Fleamont I still love my food too much to even consider that thought." She replied as both of them laughed.

Lily was already rushed in by an excited James as soon as he heard the sound of apparition in his ears. Fleamont was barely able to wave to her as she was rushed in, much to the laughter of him and Aurora.

"How was your summer?" She asked the older man as they started walking inside, as Fleamont laughed a bit.

"It was boring, I missed my potions buddy." He said as Aurora saw Sirius come down the stairs, in mid-yawn as he comically stopped, noticing Aurora beside Fleamont.

"IBIS!" He shouted, as he pounced on her – he was still on the stairs – as Aurora barely managed to catch him as they hugged, "It's been so long! Do you know how much whining I had to endure from James? It was all Lily this, Lily that." He rambled on as Aurora exchanged a glance with Fleamont as she slowly got out of Sirius's tight hold and both started tip-toeing out the lobby and into the kitchen, knowing that's where James and company would be.

"And I know he's had a crush on her since year second, but merl- wait where did she go?" Sirius stopped mid-rant as he noticed he was alone in the lobby.

"Such friends huh?" He said to himself as he smiled a bit, shaking his head as he moved to the kitchen – having pride in knowing his best friend's mind process and knowing they'll all be there.

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To say Lily was nervous would be an understatement. It was her first time meeting James' parents as more than Aurora's twin sister and more James' girlfriend.

But to her surprise, Euphemia was a dear. As soon as she had apparated beside Aurora, she just had one second to curb nausea which usually came with apparition when her arm was grabbed and she was dragged by her eager boyfriend into the kitchen where Euphemia was – by the looks of it – baking cookies.

"You must be Lily," Euphemia said as she looked up, handing Lily a soft cookie which surprised her as she took it and smiled a bit, thanking her as she shook her head.

"I know this kneazle here just grabbed you without giving you a second to calm down, eating helps." She said, smacking a sheepish-looking James on the head as he winced.

"I was excited! It's been long since I saw her!" He justified as the ladies laughed as Lily bit into the sugary goodness and was positively surprised by how amazing it tasted.

"This is good!" She exclaimed as Euphemia beamed.

"Thank you, darling, it's not often I cook, but there are some things I can still do." She said as Lily smiled. Then the conversation flowed smoothly for a bit as both of them discussed James and how she came to tolerate him and soon become his girlfriend.

"It was all Rory. She just snapped at me, telling me to give him a chance. And I well, I just saw him." She hesitantly said, blushing as James blushed as well.

"I love Ibis. Remind me to get her a bunch of sugar quills when we go back to Hogwarts will you?" He said as Lily laughed.

"Did someone mention me? Oooh Euphemia you made your chocolate cookies? Gimme gimme!" Aurora said as she entered the huge kitchen as she took two cookies from the cooling tray and passed one to Fleamont as both bit into it.