It would be nice if things simply went smoothly after that. But though Lily hoped the worst was over - apart from Remus' ongoing coma - she never viewed it as something more than a pipe dream. A long time ago, she'd decided she could be an optimistic person and recognize that often she might not get what she hoped. It helped keep the hopes in check somewhat, make the fall less of a shock to the system.

Regardless of her outlook, Remus' coma persists and her new... acquaintances seem less than ready to accept her claims regarding her relationship status with Remus. At least, some of them.

Fleamont and Euphemia - James' biological parents, the other boys' everything else parents - seem happy enough that one of their boys has found someone. Fleamont in particular bemoans his sons' inability to settle down and glances at her meaningfully when he talks of his longing for grandbabies.

Remus had better be grateful when he wakes up. Mostly he really needs to wake up. Then hopefully they'll be so happy Lily'll just get to blurt, "By the way I've been lying to you, bye!" and skip out.

Which will make Ministry events a tad awkward but the wizarding world isn't that small. She'll have a room full of other people to mingle with, to separate her from the judging glares of the Potter family.

Though if the weighty stare of James Potter before he knows she's lying is anything to go by, well - she's not really looking forward to wherever this one ends.

He makes a beeline for her while the rest of the family fawns over Remus, the sleeping beauty. Lucky arsehole.

"So, Lily?"

"Evans."

James scratches at his head, "Dunno any Evanses."

Stiffening, Lily puts a little extra distance between them, eyes focused on the monitoring charms looming over Remus' bed. "Well you wouldn't. I'm a muggleborn. I went to Beauxbatons."

To his credit, or at the very least Lily's delight, James looks bashful when he responds quietly. "Oh, I suppose that makes - so how did Remus and you?"

Lily blows out a breath and clears her mind. The best lies will be truth . "We met a few times, at Ministry do's, in Muggle London like today - " her voice falters.

"I just don't understand why he would - "

"Would want to be with me? Make even more trouble for himself?"

James has the decency to look a bit chastened. "I didn't mean it like it sounds. He knows how we are; we're - you know how the Potters are."

"Historically, when it's not their own family at stake," Lily says, "Sure. But we both know Remus' biggest flaw is his horrid self-image."

Laughing, James tilts his head down and runs a hand through his hair. "You do know our Remus."

"I'm not a sociopath," Lily says with a roll of her eyes, meticulously choosing not to say she's not a liar because she is but not totally. It's a semantic, but semantics are keeping her sane at the moment.

Euphemia leans over the bed and presses a kiss to Remus' pale forehead, eyes fluttering closed for a moment before she grabs her husband's arm. "Monty, he's resting - we should - "

He nods and brushes her salt and pepper hair back. "Of course, Mia."

They lock arms and Sirius begins shepherding them from the ward, eyeing James and Lily for a moment. "We'll do Christmas still. Just a little late."

James purses his lips and Lily's really not looking to deal with whatever his issues are, so her refusal is already on her lips. But Monty shoots James a look and grasps Lily's arm. "Come, please. It'll give us all something happy to think about."

Still, she's ready with some vague excuse or another when Sirius adds, "Mia won't rest until you say yes. Believe me."

"That's how we ended up married," Monty says, eyes twinkling with mischief while his wife pinches his side.

Peter offers a vauge wave and follows the family out on their coattails until just James, LIly, and Remus are left in the room.

James lifts his hand like he's about to grasp her arm, drag her in for a hug, or something equally as odd, but he hesitates and goes for yet another hair ruffle. "It - uh. It really would be nice if you came. Way more likely Sirius won't eat the entire Victoria Sponge."

Lily smiles, small but no less genuine, and lets out a long breath. And for some reason, she finds herself admitting, "It has been a while since I've had a family Christmas."

"Well the Potters will have you sloshed and tired of family in no time," James says with a wink, "Sirius likes to make rum with a little bit of eggnog."

"Sounds like my nan."

"We had to ban open flames," James laughs, surprising himself and shooting a guilty glance toward Remus. "Can't believe the arsehole didn't tell us."

"He's too afraid of being a burden," Lily says, and finds it's true even if the situation is fabricated, "Even with all his advocation for the rights of werewolves, he still doesn't see what he is."

James' eyes soften and dart from Remus' still form to LIly's face. "I'm glad he found - I'm glad the number of people who truly care about Remus has gone up by one this year."

That sends a pang through her chest, realizing that over the last two years, Lily's lost more people than she's gained. She's been hemorrhaging loved ones to the point that this fake life, with a fiance in a coma is the most love and affection she's received since - a long time.

James shrugs and heads for the door. "You, uh, if Remus loves you then we do too," he grins, "He's loveable but not everyone sees it. So if you do well, I'm not saying I'm totally on board - "

Lily laughs and rolls her eyes. "Of course not."

"But I'll agree to a trial run, yeah?"

"I suppose I can agree to those terms - mutually."

"Testing us out?"

"Got to look out for Remus too."

James glances over at Remus and sighs. "He deserves someone to look after him."