Disclaimer: I'm not Jo, the world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling.

Chapter 4. Remus insisted that they all take dance lessons.

"How are you doing on this fine autumn evening, Evans?" James Potter asked his wife as he danced with her.

Lily looked at him in mock exasperation as he twirled her around. "Splendid. And for your information, it's Potter now"

James gave her a look of exaggerated false surprise and Lily couldn't help but laugh.

"So," Lily began, as she looked into her husband's eyes, "when did you learn to dance? I distinctly remember you flailing about pathetically, in what can only be described as a mockery of dance at Frank and Alice's wedding."

"Moony. He made us all take dancing lessons." James answered sheepishly.

"Well, that is another thing I have to thank him for then." Lily said, thinking about Remus' walking her down the aisle.

"Don't," James said and then continued; looking at the confused frown on Lily's face, "you're one of us now, have been for a while actually. We don't expect or particularly appreciate gratitude from each other. We do what we must, and that is all. No pantomimes required."

"But…" Lily began, but James silenced her with a soft kiss. "Just enjoy all the attention, love." James said and then pulled her close.

As she rested her head against her husband's chest, Lily reflected upon the day and the unexpected acts of kindness she had witnessed from the Marauders. While she knew that they weren't the same immature pranksters she knew in school, their thoughtful actions today made her realise how she had underestimated the bond between her boys, sure, she knew they were a family in nearly every sense of the word, but only now did she grasp that their sense of proprietary towards each other, and now her, was exactly what they were fighting to save. It was easy, she realised; to forget the horrors of what is waiting for them on the other side of these castle's grounds, or how the world right now, was not a very safe place especially for people like her. Forgetting was easy, she mused, when she was in the safety of her husband's arms, surrounded by some of the most light-hearted, compassionate and capable people she knew. But at that point, Lily Potter promised herself that she would fight to keep her small, but oddly perfect family together. And she would do everything in her power to put an end to the war (even if it was the last thing she did), because she now had something worth fighting for.

Her maudlin contemplations were interrupted as Sirius cleared his throat behind her.

"Do you mind?" he asked, gesturing towards James, "I'd like a dance with the groom."

Lily laughed, and nodded at him as she heard the last few dying notes of the song and looked at James, "find me later?"

"Certainly" James answered and kissed her softly, "I love you; you know that right?"

Lily beamed at him.

"As do I. Always."

- FIN-