Hello there, here's chapter 13. I would say sorry for making you wait (is anyone still reading this thing?), but I hit a wall while writing/planning and had a hard time thinking of how to move this story forward. At least until the part where I actually have a plan. Hopefully we get to that part sooner than later. Yikes. Maybe this time it won't take me three years? (I hope)

Also, thank you to kaylanticocean, who sent me a review and lovely PMs telling me encouraging things at the right time, which made me go, "Yeah, let's do this!" Your words made me smile so hard I had no other choice than to power through and finish this chapter, which has been sitting in my computer for three years now.

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What are the things

That I want to say

Just aren't coming out right

I'm tripping on words

You got my head spinning

I don't know where to go from here

-Lifehouse, You and Me

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The mission was simple. Most Order missions did not require direct confrontation with the Death Eaters. At this point, most of their assignments were mostly information gathering, with maybe a skirmish or two in between if they couldn't help it, but usually the heavier fighting would be seen by more experienced members, like Mad-Eye Moody and Edgar Bones. Younger members were almost never in the middle of conflict, and for good reason. Voldemort's supporters were a dangerous bunch, and they brandished killing curses like a normal wizard would a disarming spell. If trained and more powerful wizards could be overpowered, what chances could teenagers fresh out of school have against opponents like that?

This one, however, was one of the rare ones where conflict is expected.

Lily was partnered with the Prewett brothers, Fabian and Gideon, for the assignment. They were cheerful company, and while they kept Lily entertained the entire morning, they were also extremely reckless.

They huddled together in an alleyway, dressed in Muggle clothes (she helped Fabian and Gideon with theirs) and acting on information given by one of Dumbledore's contacts about an impending Death Eater attack at a street in London. If their information was correct, they were expecting a handful of them to show up, but as the contact was not too reliable, they didn't want to attract unnecessary attention by sending too many Order members out. Lily was asked to join, despite James' protests, as she knew Muggle London better than most.

The three of them could pass for siblings, Gideon pointed out cheerfully while they waited in a nearby café. They chose the place with the best view of the street, though it was slightly obscured by a nearby streetlamp. She had ordered coffee for the three of them, taking out Muggle money before the two could express their confusion, and sent the irate waitress away.

"Yes, this looks less suspicious." Fabian smirked, nodding at the three cups of coffee on the table. "Three people sitting in a café and not doing anything. Very natural."

"What do you expect us to do?" Lily asked him. It was more a challenge than a question. Normally she wouldn't be this confrontational, but she was on high alert today. Death Eater attacks are nothing to take lightly, especially when it's on helpless Muggles. These days those seem to be the most common ones, and it makes Lily sick to think about how these people think little and less of ending human life just because they feel like the superior species. It was disgusting.

"Talk. Laugh. Drink the bloody coffee."

Lily shot him an annoyed look before relenting – it did look unnatural that they were not doing anything but stare across the street, but she wasn't about to admit that out loud. The coffee was much too bitter, and she suddenly remembered that she hated the stuff. She made a face and set the cup down gingerly before resuming her watch.

Fabian laughed at the grimace on her face, sipping his own cup with in a mockingly refined manner, with his pinky sticking out. The smug look on his face was immediately replaced with one of disgust as soon as he took a sip of the bitter liquid.

"You call this coffee?" he complained loudly. He spat the coffee back into his cup, earning a glare from the waitress, who was passing by. At least he had the grace to lower his head as she walked by him, muttering something that sounded very much like a swear word and shooting him dark looks from over her notepad.

Lily turned her attention back to the tavern. She played with the teaspoon, swirling it around the increasingly cold drink while Fabian tried to salvage his by adding copious amount of sugar and cream. Gideon simply snorted at his brother's antics. He was smiling and laughing just minutes before, but it looked like he, too, was getting unnerved by the waiting. To calm herself down, she repeated the instructions in her head. Do not engage without assessing the situation. If the attack does happen, send a Patronus message to headquarters with your location and try to keep them away from Muggles. There would be members of the Order on standby, ready to follow them if necessary.

She had gotten so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed the tall, cloaked figure making its way through the street, walking among the crowd with an eerie normalcy. The strange thing was, most people seemed to simply pass him by, like they didn't notice him. Another figure, hooded and cloaked like the last, followed , then another, and another. Four Death Eaters, strolling in the open in London.

Lily moved immediately, getting up from her seat so fast she set the table rattling. She could hear the blood pumping in her ears as she stepped out of the booth and ran to the door, leaving her companions in the dust. A voice in her head told her she was being an idiot for running headlong into a group of four Death Eaters without even making sure her companions were following her. Thankfully it took only a heartbeat before she heard the heavy footfalls that told her the Prewetts are running closely behind. She could only imagine the sadistic smirks under those silvery masks, and the thought made her even angrier. One of them already had his wand out, but before he could raise it, Lily already had hers pointed at him.

"Stupefy!"

It was apparent that her attack was unexpected. The Death Eater was hit square in the chest, knocking him backwards. Lily only had a glimpse of matted black hair as his mask slipped off, before his companions rounded on her with their wands up, firing spells at her with such speed and dexterity that she had a hard time warding them off and watching her step at the same time. Good thing she had the foresight to choose a dress that was easy to move in, but the shoes slipped off, causing her to lose her balance and fall backwards. She used her elbow to break her fall, but it turned out to be a lucky thing - a split-second later, a sharp blast of light whizzed past where was standing, missing her head by a foot. Everything was moving so fast that she had no idea what sort of spell it was, but knowing her opponents, it couldn't have been anything better than the sharp pain she was feeling in her arm.

Fabian and Gideon have engaged two of the remaining Death Eaters, while she was left to battle the biggest one of the lot. They were moving so fast that their opponents barely had any time to react, and soon they were on the offence. The brothers fought as a team, perfectly coordinated and poised to kill. They were definitely better duellers than she was, Watching them nearly made her forget she has an opponent of her own to worry about.

While the three of them attempted to ward off the attack, the Muggles started running in all directions, creating more confusion in the street. "Move!" she shouted. "What are you doing? Get away now!"

"Has anyone sent the Patronus message?" Gideon hollered from her left side.

Oh, shi-

The Patronus message! Lily had been too focused on getting to the Death Eaters that it had completely slipped her mind. And right now would not be the best time to pause and do it, not while there's a hulking brute determined to kill her nearby. But Lily was not ready to admit that. So, in a fit of madness, she yelled back, "Yes! I sent it to Dumbledore himself! He should be here soon!"

Her words had the effect she was hoping for. The Death Eater in front of her flinched at the mention of Dumbledore's name and sent a jet of red light at her, which she dodged, then took advantage of that setback to turn around. "Let's go!" he said. She didn't recognize the raspy voice, but there was no time to dwell on it. In the time it took her to collect her wits, he had managed to grab his Stunned friend and Apparate away. The other two followed suit, leaving the three of them in the middle of the street, surrounded by terrified Muggles.

"We should contact the Ministry. We need to alter some memories." Gideon examined a hole in a brick wall in front of him with a calm nonchalance that took Lily by surprise.

Lily looked around. The street looked an absolute wreck. Bits of brick and concrete littered the pavement and one of the streetlamps had fallen over on a shiny black car. Fabian was beside her, muttering words to a wispy silver bird that disappeared as soon as he was finished. "You okay, Lily?"

"Yeah, just a little…" She trailed off, unsure of what she was feeling. Fear? Shock? Or maybe it's the adrenaline still making her heart beat audibly in her ears? Whatever it was, it was making her a little lightheaded.

"I understand," he said sympathetically. "It takes a bit of time to get used to fighting them like that. But you did great! And that bluff - it was so smart I almost believed you!"

"Dumbledore won't be happy we forgot to send the message."

"We'll worry about it when we get to it," Fabian replied casually, running a hand through his hair.

Lily whipped around at the sound of several people Apparating in. At the head of the delegation was Mad-Eye Moody, whose mouth was set in a hard line as he assessed the situation. Behind him were several members of the Magical Law Enforcement office, a few Aurors, and a team of Obliviators.

"You three okay?" Mad-Eye limped his way through the destroyed pavement to them. His appearance made Lily breathe easier, and she nodded.

"We're fine, Mad-Eye," Gideon answered for them. "Better to get these Muggles obliviated as fast as we can, though, they've seen quite a bit. It's a good thing most of them are still too shocked to move, but I put up some barriers to keep them here after the Death Eaters have left."

"Good man." Mad-Eye shifted his good eye to Lily. "And you? Your husband won't be too happy to hear what happened here today."

"I didn't want this to happen," Lily retorted, suddenly incensed at the mention of James. "And I don't care what he says, I'm in this as much as he is-"

"Don't get too defensive, I'm just stating facts." The old Auror smirked. "You three better get back to headquarters and tell Dumbledore," he added in a low voice.

"I've sent a Patronus message ahead," Gideon told him.

"We can take over from here." He nodded towards the team he brought, who were already busy repairing the damages and wiping bystanders' memories. "Go."

"Back to headquarters it is." Fabian gave one last nod to Mad-Eye before disappearing with a faint pop. His brother followed him immediately, but Lily lingered long enough to see a body being carried out from the back of the crowd and the scream of distraught that followed it.

"It's the reality of war." She didn't even notice Mad-Eye watching her. "Be grateful you stopped them in time, otherwise there would be more than one dead body being carried out."

"So that's how it is?" Her voice caught in her throat. "I'm supposed to feel better that it's only one? It's still one too many, Mad-Eye."

"You think so. And so do I, believe me. Unless it's a Death Eater." The last part was said with a growl that Lily knew usually accompanied any discussion regarding dark wizards. "Go back to headquarters, Lily."

"I'll see you soon." Though she wanted nothing more than to avoid the inevitable explanation to her husband and Dumbledore, she took a deep breath and Disapparated.

When Lily arrived at the Order Headquarters, what greeted her was a cacophony of voices all talking at once. In one side of the room, she spotted Dumbledore, who was sitting at the head of the meeting table and speaking to a serious-looking Gideon and looking unperturbed by the surrounding noise. Fabian was nowhere in sight, but she did see Sirius a few feet away, trying to hold back -

"James! Look, she's here!"

Lily barely had time to react before James descended upon her, wrapping his arms around her in a vice-like embrace. "Lily! Thank goodness you're here, I told Dumbledore this was a bad idea, and look where it's got you? Merlin, what happened to you? Your elbow is bleeding!"

"What? Oh, this?" She stretched out her arm to take a good look at the injury. It wasn't bleeding anymore, but there were blood stains on the ripped sleeve and on the skirt, mixed with dirt. "It's nothing, just a gash. It'll heal." The pain had subsided to a dull throb. "All it needs is some disinfectant and gauze."

"Allow me, Lily." Remus had his wand out. A few spells was all it took to clean out and mend the wound while Lily watched silently.

"You have to teach me that sometime," she said, smiling. "Thank you."

"Are you hurt anywhere else?" James pulled at her arm, checking for more injuries.

"No, that's it." His fidgeting was making her uncomfortable, especially in here. "I don't need your panic, James, honestly."

"I just want to check!"

"There's no need!" Her temper was flaring up. She had never been too fond of being treated like she was fragile. It was bad enough that she had to deal with her mother's constant fear. She will not suffer the same with her husband. "Please, James, let it rest. I'm here, I'm alive, and the gash has healed. Isn't that enough?"

"I promised to protect you, Lily. What if something happened to you in there?"

"But it didn't." It took every ounce of patience she had not to snap at James. She knew he was coming from a good place, so she just reminded herself of that fact and forced the indignant rage bubbling her in chest down. "I'll just speak to Dumbledore."

James looked like he would protest, but he allowed her to go anyway. Dumbledore was still talking to Gideon, but he gave her a welcoming smile when he saw her coming. "Lily, please join us. I apologize that you had to go through that."

"No one wanted it. I'm just sorry we forgot about the message."

"No worries, no worries." Dumbledore didn't look upset about it at all, so she managed a smile in relief. "Gideon here was just telling me how impressed her was with you."

"Oh, I…"

"Don't be so modest, Lily, you did very well." Gideon was smiling, too. He didn't look injured at all, just a little worn out. A bottle of Firewhisky sat between them at the table, alongside two used glasses. "Would you care for some?"

"No, thank you, I'm not much of a drinker." Honestly, she didn't have anything to say to either of them. She only wanted to get away from James to give him time to calm down, but she sat at the table beside Gideon and listened in on their conversation. Despite the fact that she lived it a mere hour ago, hearing the words from a third person perspective gave her a sense of detachment from the incident. It felt more like a story she was hearing, not for the first time for sure, but not something that she experienced herself. Gideon was more alert than she was. There were minute details she didn't notice that he made note of and he offered some theories on who their opponents could been. The names were unfamiliar to her, but Dumbledore was nodding in acknowledgement, so she assumed they could possibly be prominent Death Eaters. Though she had been in the Order for a while now, there was still so much she didn't know about their enemies, and much more she has to learn about fighting them. Today had been lucky. For all she knew, that curse she dodged thanks to her shoe could have been a Killing Curse, and it could have been her they were carrying out of the scene, lifeless.

"Are you okay, Lily? You look a bit out of sorts." Gideon peered at her, concerned. "Maybe you should go home and rest. Fabian and I will head off soon, too."

"I think I should."

"Goodnight, Lily," Dumbledore said. There was a serene smile on his face as he regarded her through his half-moon spectacles. "Rest well. You've had a long day."

"Thank you, Albus."

She went to find James and told him she wanted to go home. After a final hug from Remus and Sirius, during which she had to assure them for the last time that she was feeling fine, they Disapparated for home.

The faint pop echoed lightly through their bedroom, announcing their arrival to the empty house. James turned the light on and Lily resisted the temptation to just collapse on the bed and sleep it all off right there and then. Instead, she headed to the bathroom and took a bath to get rid of the dirt and blood that had clung to her skin. She then tossed the ruined dress into a hamper and changed into a clean pair of pajamas before heading to the bed and sinking into the oversized pillows with a contented sigh.

"I could sleep for a day," she said, tucking her feet under the soft quilt. "Please don't wake me up tomorrow. If Mother calls, tell her I'm feeling under the weather."

"Do you want me to get you anything?"

"No, I really just want to sleep." She paused, then turned to him. While she sincerely longed for nothing better than to just close her eyes and not think of the day's events any longer, she also couldn't bring herself to do so before addressing the heavy silence in the room. "You have something you want to say."

James' gaze lifted from the spot on the floor where he had been so determinedly staring for the whole time they were talking, but still he didn't look at her. There was an odd expression in his eyes, something between pride and worry, that made her stop and think. She had been so annoyed at his questions all day, but now that it's all over and done with she had to admit that if the situation had been the other way round, if it had been her and not James waiting at headquarters for news then suddenly finding out about the altercation, she would probably lose her mind too. While she wouldn't go as far as to say that she was in love with him, she was more than fond of her sweet, reckless husband. It was hard not to be. She doubted anyone who has spent a day in the company of James Potter could help feeling the same way. "Look, I'm sorry. It must have been hard for you, and I was being a brat. I didn't mean to be short with you, and I know you were just worried about me. But I'm fine, we're safe. Can we just put this all behind us? There's no point dwelling on it anymore, it's all done and there's nothing more we can do about it."

"Lily, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you out there." The words were said so softly that she could have easily missed it if the room wasn't so quiet. Finally, he looked straight at her, and the smile on his face looked more than a little forced. "But you're right, I'm being stupid. Go to sleep."

"Aren't you tired?"

"I'll follow in a bit, don't worry about me." James smiled back at her before heading for the door. "I'll just grab a cup of tea before I prepare for bed."

She almost wanted to argue, but at that point, exhaustion got the better of her and she simply nodded and sank back to her pillows. Seconds later, she was fast asleep. It was not a peaceful sleep, but after everything that has happened to her that day, it was better than nothing.

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Two days later, Lily was back at her mother and father's house, trying her best to act normal. Her mother was feeling particularly lonesome that day, with it being Petunia's first birthday away from home, so she put on a brave face and allowed herself to be coddled, providing sympathy when Azalea started sobbing over her elder daughter's absence. "I spoke to her last night," she shared over pastries and Darjeeling tea. "She is having a grand time in New York, and I'm just happy Vernon is keeping her amused and cared for. I just hope she doesn't decide to have children while they're stationed there, I would so hate to miss a grandchild's birth."

The mention of "grandchild" made Lily look up from her teacup. Petunia was three years her elder, and old enough to have children if she so desired it, but Lily herself felt little more than a child sometimes. Marriage didn't help ease that feeling, and it would be years and years until she could even consider the possibility of children. It wouldn't be a terrible thing, surely, but she was much too young. Petunia, on the other hand…

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Lily, I didn't mean you!" Her mother laughed primly at what she assumed to be an incredulous look on her face. "But you know your sister, she's been talking about marriage and children ever since she found out what those are. Of course, it would be wonderful if she could give us a grandchild soon, but I would very much prefer if they start a family once they're back in England. I'm sure Mary Dursley feels the same way. Have you spoken to your sister lately? I'm sure she misses you."

Lily shook her head. It's been a long time since she has been involved in any aspect of Petunia's life. The distance between them was something her sister upheld with a fierce determination. That Petunia could so easily cast her aside and resent her was something Lily never quite understood. It hurt to be on the receiving end of such callous treatment, especially from the sister she adored all her life, but Lily said nothing. Her parents never saw the magnitude of their estrangement, whether they wilfully ignored it or were simply too preoccupied, she would never know. Neither of them brought it up, and even Petunia was considerate enough to let their parents assume the best of their relationship. Maybe that was why Mother asked. Maybe she was hoping distance could help mend the rift between them. In any case, Lily had no idea how to contact her in New York, and besides, she doubted her sister would welcome any attempt she may make.

A small, naive part of her hoped Petunia would miss her, though.

Instead of voicing that out, she put on a smile and changed the subject. "So, Mother, got any big plans for you anniversary with Daddy?"

When she was little, she looked forward to her parents' anniversary parties with a childish enthusiasm. It was an excuse, after all, to dress in pretty clothes and stay up past her normal bedtime. She always loved the way they decorated the garden, with twinkling lights and the beautiful topiary that seemed more magical than anything she has ever seen before. The last time they had a party like that was during their tenth. Their twentieth was dimmed with the outbreak of war, and it was just not the right time to be holding such opulent celebrations.

"Oh, hush, darling, you know we're too old to be planning anything."

"Still, twenty-five years of marriage. That is a quarter century. Quite a milestone for you two." Twenty-five years sounded like such a long time to be with someone. To her, at least. She couldn't imagine the amount of work her parents had invested for their marriage to work as well as it did.

"I don't want anything grand." Azalea placed a small fruit tart on Lily's plate. "You're looking a little pale these days, darling, are you getting enough rest? Well, on the subject of Daddy and my wedding anniversary, I thought it would be nice to have a family dinner, just the four of us."

"The four of us?"

"You and James, of course."

"Oh." She would have to ask the Order not to send them on assignment that day. "That sounds lovely, Mother. I'm sure James would be happy to come along. Just the other day he was asking if we should invite you out to dinner some time with his parents."

"He is a sweet boy. How are you two getting along?"

"We're… getting along." Lily took a sip of her tea and grimaced. She must have added too much sugar without realizing it. "He is… he's a good husband. He worries a lot sometimes, but we are getting used to each other."

"Is he treating you well?"

"More than I deserve." Lily laughed. "Really, Mother, I have nothing to complain about. He treasures me. I'm sure of it. I can feel it."

It was the truth. James was awfully transparent about his feelings from the first day, and even if he wasn't, it was easy to figure him out. Their relationship was built on an agreement and misunderstandings, but these days it was easier to forget how they started and simply accept where they were at. Married half a year and Lily has learned so much about James. Given enough time, she could see herself being completely happy with him. Maybe not now, maybe not even after their first anniversary. But one day she just might forget that they didn't choose each other in the first place.

Azalea gave her daughter a wide smile and raised her teacup from its saucer. "I'm glad, To your marriage, dear. May it be everything you've ever dreamed of."

Maybe one day.

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I'll edit this in the morning. It's 4.20am and I need to sleep, but I just had to put this up before I start feeling lazy again. The entire story will be edited once I get a decent enough break from real life... Rereading my earlier writing always makes the editor in me cringe.