As a result of constructive feedback and people messaging me about bits that caused confusion, I've made a few changes to previous chapters 26/07/14

Chapter 004

June 2030

Among hundreds of muggles bustling their way through a London airport, a small blonde witch suddenly dropped to her knees and kissed the floor. She almost tripped over the red-haired witch walking close behind her.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" Lily Potter demanded as she did a funny sort of jig to keep herself from falling. Luckily she wasn't carrying anything other than a small yellow handbag so all she had to do was secure it in place, straighten her sunflower patterned sundress and comb her waist length red hair with her fingers in order to look as if she hadn't almost fallen to the floor.

Satisfied with her appearance, she shot the girl a dark look which should have her shrinking away from her. They were trying to blend in with all the other tired looking holiday makers and commuters. Lily was annoyed that Mika wasn't being very inconspicuous at present with her being sprawled on the floor.

The blonde didn't seem to care. She knelt up and shot Lily a disdainful look. "Isn't it obvious? I'm showing the Earth how happy and grateful I am to be back in England safe and sound." She said haughtily and then bent over to kiss the floor once more.

Lily rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatic display of relief. She stared threateningly at the passing muggles, daring them to comment on her friend's peculiar behaviour. A few looked their way but quickly averted their gaze when the saw Lily. Thankfully they all thought it was too early in the morning for any confrontations.

"That's disgusting Mika." Andie Goyle said as she joined the pair and gazed down at Mika through hooded lids. She was taller than both of them and wore her signature black fedora hat, waistcoat and doc martin boots despite being dressed for summer. They had been gifts from Lily during their last year at Hogwarts and Andie was never seen without them.

Mika Nott shot to her feet and glowered at the other blonde. After a long overnight flight and zero sleep, their tempers were running high. Mika may only reach the other blonde's shoulder but she was certainly fearsome to behold. Several muggles were watching warily while others scattered to get out of the way and continue on the journey; not wanting to get mixed up in any drama.

"What's disgusting" Mika began, ensuring that her every word was heard by her two companions. "Is that you two aren't on your knees doing the same." She said pointing to the floor and gazing imploringly at them. "Weren't you on the same muggle contraption as I? It's a miracle we survived that. Next time I'm going by portkey." She finished with a tone of finality and dared them to contradict her. Andie yawned and lifted her fedora off to ruffle her messy shoulder length hair and then repositioned her hat; pointedly ignoring Mika's outburst. Lily knew Andie was trying to provoke Mika's anger, but Mika didn't rise to the taunt. She took a deep relaxing breath instead and waited expectantly for Lily to respond.

Lily actually enjoyed travelling by aeroplane but she was quick to nod and agree. Lily then shot Andie a disgruntled look since she appeared too amused by the whole situation. "Maybe we should cool it a little. There are a few muggles trying to listen in to our conversation." Lily whispered impatiently when she noticed several people looking their way curiously.

Mika yawned and glared at the onlookers who quickly looked away. All sensing she wasn't someone to be messed with. With the crowd dissipating, Mika turned to her friends with an air of triumph. "There, that's dealt with and we didn't have to obliviate anyone. Now aren't you two happy to be back?" she asked trying to pick a neutral topic of conversation.

Lily was the first to answer. "I guess. It's been a few years but with most of my family and you guys coming to visit me all the time, I don't feel as if I've missed out." Lily said and tried to believe her own words. If she was honest with herself, there were seven certain people she missed but she wouldn't admit it; not even to her two best friends. The gap they left in her heart was why she had left the county in the first place. She had started travelling the world and studying potions and plants as soon as she graduated from Hogwarts three years previously. She hoped she could fill the void with her passion for potions but she hadn't been entirely successful. However, her expression didn't change as she thought about the seven. She didn't want her friends to guess where her thoughts wandered. They thought it unhealthy for her to dwell on the past.

"I'm not glad to be back." Andie butted in. "Three weeks wasn't long enough. I should have visited you more often but at least I got plenty of inspiration for my art. I miss the sun already though. My tan has probably been chased away by the thought of being back here." She complained and held her arms out in front of her to examine herself. Her face crinkled into a frown. "Do I look paler to you? I think I look paler." She said and shoved her arms under Lily's arms to demand her attention.

Having not really been paying attention, Lily was startled by the action. She batted Andie's arms away from her quickly before realising what Andie had been asking. "You're more tanned than me so don't complain. I was there three years, you only for three weeks this trip and you beat me with the tan hands down." She said softly.

Andie waved away Lily's comment. "Dude. Your skin is as pretty as a porcelain doll. You don't need a tan." Andie said admiringly and despite herself, Lily blushed under the intensity of her gaze. Lily had long since guessed her friend's affection for her was more than platonic, but Andie always seemed to be satisfied with the friendship Lily could offer. Thankfully no one noticed her blush and Andie turned on Mika and scrutinised her complexion. "Mika put your arm next to mine." Andie instructed.

"Just so you can feel better about yourself? Not likely." Mika scoffed and took a step back as Andie tried to compare their tans regardless. Lily watched with amusement and Andie chased Mika around the assault course of suitcases, trolleys and chattering muggles. The act also caused a few passersby smile.

It was only when Andie bumped into a group of muggle males obviously coming home after attending a stag holiday that the girls stopped their game. The males whistled and jeered but neither Andie nor Mika looked impressed. They leaned closer to say something to the burly looking men and Lily wished she could hear what they were saying. The men's reactions were priceless. Their faces drained of colour and the backed away spluttering apologies and the girks made their way back to Lily. "You're no fun dude." Andie was muttering when they came into earshot and she sent a withering look towards the exit. "I bet it's raining out there. It's always raining." She said glumly.

Lily rolled her eyes at how grumpy her friend was with no sleep. She'd think differently tonight since they already had plans. "I like the rain. I've missed." Lily interjected trying to sound upbeat. There had been enough bickering for one morning.

"Yeah well, you're weird like that." Andie shot back with a smirk.

Lily shrugged nonchalantly. She was too wise to rise to Andie's taunts. "I like the coolness of the water against my face. It's very cleansing."

"Then take a cold shower." A male voice interrupted them. The three girls turned to see Mika's twin brother carrying a couple of cases with a bewildered expression on his face. He was blonde like his sister and had the same grey blue eyes. However that was where the resemblance ended. While his twin could be considered cute and delicate, Kallin had average looks build and height. It was the expressions on his face and the way he moved his body with confidence that had women notice him and consider him attractive. Not that he paid any mind to female attention. He was in a committed relationship with a former Ravenclaw from their year at Hogwarts. Jaz was a musician in a band named The Twisted Toadstools and was generous in giving Kallin and his friends' tickets to see him play. They were actually going to watch them perform at a nightclub later that night.

Lily beamed at him in greeting. "Have all the bags come through?"

"Yup. These are the last ones." He said and hefted a suitcase in front of Lily and Andie. They were a lot heavier than he wished, but they couldn'd exactly cast the wingardium leviosa charm on them in front of the muggles. He turned quickly and went to grab the remaining two cases.

"Goodie. Now let's get out of here." Mika rejoiced and bounced on the balls of her feet. When everyone was ready she skipped spritely towards the exit.

"Anyone would think you didn't enjoy our holiday." Andie grumbled and dragged her case behind her.

"Not true" Mika declared in a singsong voice, her arms swinging by her side. "I loved every moment of it. Even the bits spent trudging through the jungles gathering new potion ingredients for Lily and being eaten alive by mosquitoes."

Andie chuckled. "I don't think I have one mosquito bite." she said smugly.

"That's because they found our blood delicious." Kallin interjected and he resisted the urge to scratch the numerous bites decorating his exposed arms and legs.

Hearing his comment, Lily routed through her carrier bag and slipped a jar of paste into Kallin's pocket. "Dab that on the bites and it will help. You can keep that jar, I have more." Lily informed him "Now come on you lot. Let's go. They'll be waiting for us." Lily said as the others, not including Mika had started to dawdle. Lily was thinking of her brother James who had kindly agreed to brave London traffic in the early hours of a Saturday morning when he should be sleeping.

"Great idea." Mika exclaimed and she was several paces ahead of them. She was clearly unsatisfied with the speed of which they were heading towards the exit. "Let's go find my Caleb."

Andie swayed towards Lily and nudged her with her elbow. "It's so sickening how she says my brother's name." Andie muttered under her breath. Lily caught the words and smiled.

"She's a woman in love" Lily chuckled as if that explained everything. "Plus I don't think she's slept in twenty four hours. She's slap happy as well as love struck."

"And surprisingly fast for someone so vertically challenged." Andie chuckled when they saw Mika ahead of them trying to push people out of the way for she could leave the airport quicker.

"That's because she left me to carry her case." Kallin complained and the two girls turned to see him awkwardly dragging two cases behind him.

"And you do it so well." Lily teased.

Andie shrugged. "That's what brothers are for, didn't you know? They carry their sisters luggage and pick them up from the airport."

"And don't forget they provide them and their friend with a place to stay when they are homeless." Lily added helpfully. Kallin pulled a face but the girls continued to laugh.

"My brothers actually suck." Andie announce all of a sudden. "Caleb comes to the airport to collect Mika and Kallin, and Arn? Well he spends more time writing letters to you and hibernating in that nightclub of his than to bother with me."

"Do you ever write to him?" Lily asked simply and they approached a queue where muggles were lining up to enter the arrivals lounge were people gathered to welcome their friends and family home.

Andie pulled a face and Lily guessed that Andie probably hadn't seen or wrote her brother in a while. Lily couldn't say anything about that though. Although she often wrote long letters to Arn, Devlin and the others; she hardly ever wrote to Albus. Part of her was scared that he wouldn't write back, the other part terrified about what he might say if he did write back. Things hadn't been the same between them since he had left Hogwarts five years previously.

"We were talking about your brother." Andie said, interrupting Lily's thoughts. "Do you think he will stop at McDonald's on the way back? I want a burger."

Lily started at her friend in shock. "You've had McDonalds every day these past three weeks."

"They taste different here." Andie said as if that explained everything.

"That will be the general lack of meat in them. How do you stay so skinny when you survive on burgers and chips for breakfast, lunch and dinner?" Lily grumbled in disbelief. Andie was tall, leggy and had a slim toned frame which really shouldn't be possible. When Lily ate a burger she'd had to spend an hour running around the resort they stayed at. It really wasn't worth it considering how hot it had been.

"Don't be a hater Lily. And the answer to that question will have you blushing." Andie smirked ad wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Please! I've lived with you and Kallin this past month. I don't think there was a girl back at the resort who isn't lamenting your departure." Lily scoffed, the disapproval evident in her tone. She was a romantic at heart and believed everyone had a sole mate. How could she not when her parents were so in love. Kallin looked as if he was about to object and say that he didn't touch any of those girls no matter how hard they tried. However Andie spoke first so that Lily didn't have to say that Kallin's aloofness was what made the girls want him more.

"Maybe you should try a one night stand before you knock it. I'm sure you'll find it as satisfying as I do. I'll even offer my body up for experimentation! What? I can take one for the team." Andie exclaimed as Lily gaped at her. She'd never been so direct before and Lily felt her face flush red. Andie seemed pleased and she turned to Kallin. "Lily is saving herself for this jerk that doesn't deserve her." She told Kallin who stifled a laugh.

"It's not like that Andie and I don't want to talk about that now." Lily muttered quietly. She didn't want to talk about Scorpius or the fact that she was still irrationally in love with him.

"I'm just saying that now might be the time to give up and move on. And just so you know, I'm always available to offer my services."

"I think you made that clear." Kallin informed her and Lily tried to ignore them both. She watched Mika hurtle into the waiting arms of Caleb Goyle. If their love for each other wasn't so plain in the way they looked and acted around each other, the sight of them would be comical. Mika was only five foot tall and dainty while Caleb was a big hulk of a man; six and a half feet of solid muscle. He picked up Mika as if she weighed nothing and span her around.

Not wanting to intrude on their reunion, Lily let her gaze roam over the small crowd of people waiting to greet others as they exited the airport with their luggage. She caught sight of a familiar man with untidy black hair. He was waving his hands in the air at her and had a goofy smile on his face. "James!" Lily exclaimed loudly. She dropped her bag and ran towards her brother.

"This conversation isn't over between us!" Andie called over but Lily ignored her. She was too absorbed with her brother to care what Andie was saying.

James engulfed her in his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Hey Freckles. Don't ever go away for that long ever again. I've missed you." he said and Lily tightened her arms around him and held back tears. She hadn't realised just how much she missed him. He responded in kind and they stood there until they heard Andie huff as she heaved two suitcases with her having picked up Lily's abandoned case.

"Well you'll be seeing so much of me these next few weeks that you'll soon be sick of me." Lily assured him. "You'll be kicking me out soon enough."

"Don't count on it." James said and ruffled her hair fondly. Lily jabbed him playfully in the ribs in a manner only siblings could pull off. Unable to ignore Andie any longer, they then turned to Andie who shoved her and Lily's cases at James expectantly.

"Hey Gryffindork. Good to see ya." She said tersely.

James nodded at the Slytherin "Andrea. A pleasure as always." He responded just as curtly.

Andie grimaced at the use of her name. "Whatever. Let's take this little gathering to the car. You're stopping at maccy's cos I want breakfast." She said matter-of-factly causing Lily and James to grin at each other.

Andie stuffed her hands in here pocket and looked expectantly at the Potter siblings. James picked up one suitcase testing the weight and then collected the other. "Do you want a lift?" He said out of curtsey when he noticed Kallin standing there.

Kallin shook his head. "Nah. Mika and I have a family thing and Caleb's coming. Unfortunately I have to go with them." He said and pointed to the couple who were now enthusiastically making out in front of everyone. All four of them grimaced.

"I feel for you man." James said and winced. "I thought Slytherins were supposed to be reserved."

"Not likely." Andie retorted and shook her head. "We're as hot as Mexican chilli peppers. We may be considered reserved by others standards but if you dare risk a bite…we'll blow your mind." Andie said with a wink and then turned to her brother. "Oi Caleb!" she called over and the big blonde man detached himself from his girl and nodded at Andie. That was the only reaction he made before Mika captured his attention once more. Andie made a sound of disgust. "He's my bloody brother and all I get is a nod of the head. There's something wrong with that."

"Let's just get to the car." James suggested without delay and he carried a case in each hand.

"Now that is a proper brother. You have him trained well." Andie told Lily proudly and they said goodbye to the others before heading towards James' Range Rover. "Stotgun." Andie shouted and she raced towards the front passenger seat. She tried the door but it was locked. She sighed and leant against the door and waited for them.

"Does she ever stop whining?" James spoke in a loud whisper.

"She'll be better once she's eaten." Lily replied in a mock whisper, really hoping she spoke the truth.

"I heard that." Andie shouted back at them and the siblings burst out laughing.

They were almost at James' home when James glance in his rear-view mirror and spotted his sister staring dreamily out of the window. "So what are your plans for today?"

"First we're gonna get settled. Then for a little shopping and then the two of us are going clubbing so don't wait up dad." Andie said while chewing on a mouthful of her burger. James had in fact stopped at McDonalds so that Andie could order two large bigmac meals to herself. Lily wasn't hungry and even if she had been, watching her friend force down her food would have made her lose her appetite.

"I thought you said she'd get better once she ate." James quipped and Lily shrugged apologetically.

She leant forward in her seat and spoke quietly. "At least we're staying in the guesthouse so you won't have to deal with her every day. And she's normally not like this. I don't think she slept much on the flight over and she really needs her sleep. As you can tell"

James didn't look convinced but he decided to accept Lily's explanation. "So what are your plans?" he asked again.

I'm going to unpack and get a bit more sleep before heading out to see Domi and Louis. I promised to stop by their shop as soon as I got home. Then we're going out tonight. Kallin's boyfriend is playing tonight and he's got us tickets."

"You don't waste any time." James laughed "Oh to be young again" he sighed wistfully.

"You're not exactly old." Lily laughed. "Fatherhood can't have aged you that much. Anyway I'll come in and dote on my new nephews first." Lily said. "I can't believe Aiden and Benjen are two months old now and I haven't met them yet. There is something incredibly wrong with that and it needs to be rectified ASAP."

A brilliant smile lit James' face at the mention of his twin boys. "Milly will be happy to see you too." He said and pulled into the driveway.

His home was a grand four bedroomed Victorian property with a large loft space and cellar. I also had a two bedroomed extension which acted as an independent dwelling as it had its own kitchen, sitting area, ensuites and loft space. That was where Lily and Andie were staying so that they wouldn't bother or be bothered by the twins as James had put it. He would have been happy with them staying at the main house but he understood that the girls would want some independence. Luckily his home could accommodate them. It paid being an international Quidditch star. There was also a partitioned garden with a temporary potions lab set up for Lily. Lily hugged her brother when he explained that. Even Andie managed to pull herself together to thank James for his generosity in setting p the lost space as an art studio for her. She wasn't used to people being so thoughtful.

"Are you coming?" Andie asked as they climbed out of the car and retrieved her suitcase from the boot.

"I'm going to see Amelia and the twins for a moment and then I'll come over." Lily explained.

Andie yawned. "I'll probably be asleep. Wake me when it's almost time to go shopping. Mine's the ground floor bedroom right?" she said and then headed to the side entrance of the house.

Once they were alone James turned to Lily. "Now you can ask the question I know you are dying to ask me."

The question escaped Lily's mouth before she even processed the fact she had a question to ask of him. It was just two words but there was a wealth of meaning behind them. "How's Albus?"

James sighed and Lily saw the stress etched on his face when he thought of their brother. "The Al situation is still as complicated as ever. He's pretty distant you know? Has been for years now. He came over for tea last week but didn't say much. Mum and Dad don't know how to fix things. They've tried but he doesn't confide in anyone other than his friends at 'The Deadly Sins.' That's what they named their night club. I've tried to talk to him there but it's difficult to get into. You have to be invited and when I finally managed to get past the front doors, he hid away in the upstairs rooms which are strictly members only." James said bitterly. "You might have a better time getting him to talk. You were always his favourite."

"I don't think…" Lily started but James cut her off.

"Lily. You have to know by now that he adores you more than anyone. What he did when-" He took a deep breath and gatherer the courage to continue. Lily knew instantly that she wasn't going to like what he had to say. "What he did when he sent you away that night, he did out of love. I think I was partly to blame. People had been saying some unfavourable things about your closeness to the group and I hated that. I sent him a howler saying how disappointed I was that he had brought that upon you. I regretted it instantly and I'm sorry for the pain it caused you. You can't imagine how sorry I am." He said mournfully.

Lily tensed at her brother's words and she chocked back many hateful words she wanted to say. They wouldn't do anything to change what happened and she didn't want to fall out with another brother. Besides, James had acted out of concern for her. He hadn't but an imperious curse on Albus. He hadn't forced him to say what he said. He hadn't forced Albus to make her feel so unwanted. But then Albus had wanted to protect her back then. She couldn't hold it against him forever. Besides, she had a plan to put things right. "I know… I'll see what I can do." She said and was surprised by the love and pride blatantly radiating from her brother. "Take me to my nephews." She demanded shyly.

James nodded, understanding that she didn't want to talk about Albus at that moment. He put his arms around her and led her into the house.

A hope there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. I tried to find them all but I'm tired after my early shift. These 5am starts don't agree with me. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the update and I promise not to take as long with my next one.