Chapter 34: Another year’s end

When Lily woke up in the morning, the first thing to greet her wasn’t the ache of yesterday’s heartbreak but warmth. Cozy, anchoring warmth. Her memories rushed in like stormclouds, but they were chased off almost instantly by the awareness that she wasn’t alone. Opening her eyes, she blinked into a golden morning light and found herself cocooned between the two people who meant everything to her. Marlene, sleep-mussed and soft, was draped half over her like a blanket with a heartbeat. On the other side, Rick had one arm wrapped around her and his head resting atop hers protectively, breathing slow and steady.

The pain that had clung to her chest like a hex dissolved into something gentler. The betrayal from Severus still stung, but it no longer felt like the end of the world. Not when this was her reality wrapped in the quiet, unshakable love of two people who chose her every single day. A slow, watery smile tugged at her lips.

She snuggled deeper into Rick’s chest and pulled Marlene even closer, greedily drinking in the affection. The shift in weight stirred Rick, who murmured something unintelligible and kissed the top of her head with the kind of tenderness that made her heart do a somersault. She turned toward him and received a sleepy, heartfelt kiss that quickly turned sloppy but sweet. Just for a moment, she moved her hips back against him, teasing playful and affectionate, not out of desire but from a place of emotional mischief. The way his tongue moved lazily against hers made her moan with quiet appreciation.

When the kiss ended, she let out a soft, bratty whine not because she wanted more, but because she didn’t want the moment to end.

“Hmm, More.” she asked.

“Nuh-huh.” Rick replied as he stroked her nose softly with his own. She smiled amusedly but quickly hid it with a cute pout.

“I love you.” he told her out of the blue and took her by surprise. She couldn’t maintain the charade a second more and put her lips on his.

“I love you too. And thank you for being here.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that. I’m your boyfriend, remember? Part of the job.”

“Keep being the perfect boyfriend, then.”

“As you wish.”

“Hmmmm.”

“Oh!” Lily exclaimed her surprise when Marlene moaned in her sleep and grabbed her breasts.

“Yes, I love you too, Mar.”

“Hmm.”

Rick couldn’t help but chuckle at what he thought was a funny exchange. Looking at the time, they began to get up despite neither wanting to move and put an end to what they were experiencing. The problem was Marlene who didn’t seem to want to let go of Lily. Rick found the solution to it. He got out of bed from his side and re-enter it from Marlene’s. He leaned on her back grinding his cock under against her ass and the blonde’s body answered.

She let go of Lily and turned around to face Rick to have better access to his dick, grinding it even more to her pajama clad pussy. Lily almost laughed and shook her head at how much of a slut her best friend was. She got out of bed and quickly went to take a shower. In the meantime, Rick used his hand to go under Marlene’s pants and used his fingers to get her off. By the time Lily came back she watched Marlene reach the peak of pleasure and most importantly, completely awake.

“More.” the blonde asked.

“Nope. It’s getting too late for that.”

The pureblood heiress let out a theatrical groan and flopped dramatically back onto the mattress, burying her face in the pillow like a diva denied an encore. Her golden hair spilled over the sheets as she kicked one foot in defiance. "This is oppression," she mumbled, muffled by fabric.

Lily, entirely unfazed by the antics, rolled her eyes and yanked her best friend upright by the wrist. With all the resigned grace of someone being led to her doom (read: breakfast), Marlene let herself be hauled off the bed. Together, the girls slipped quietly out of Rick’s room and padded down the hall with the stealth of two seasoned mischief-makers.

With the exams over, classes were not on any students' minds. Especially the seventh and fifth-years who didn’t have any. Amelia had asked Lily for permission to take Rick to the room for the whole day and got it. When he went back to the Gryffindor common room in the evening anyone who got a look at him, no matter how brief, knew he had the time of his life and was put through the wringer. His disheveled clothes and the multiple red lipstick marks on his neck and face was proof enough.

Talks about who was the girl he had spent time with erupted among the lions. The most probable culprits in everyone’s minds: Marlene and Lily, were exonerated on the spot because they had hung out with the Gryffindor girls in upper years all day. Names were thrown out but in the end everyone agreed on Amelia. Even Frank supported the theory and was the most vocal about it. No matter how much they were asked, Lily and Marlene categorically denied knowing anything about it.

Snape had apologized profusely to Lily one evening after camping in front of the Fat Lady’s portrait for three hours. Since he was scaring the younger years, Lily went to talk to him and officially put an end to their friendship. She couldn’t bring herself to forgive him for calling her the m-word and justifying the criminal acts of his fellow Slytherins as mere pranks who sometimes went a bit too far. She just couldn’t, not when those same friends were advocating for the rape, torture and murder of muggle-borns like herself. She wouldn’t and couldn’t accept Snape supporting them and their ideology.

When she returned to the common room, Marlene and Rick joined her instantly, no questions asked. She didn’t cry, didn’t rant, didn’t even feel that familiar sting in her chest. The grief had burned itself out before it could set in. In her heart, that chapter was sealed shut filed away, archived, and labeled not worth reopening. All that remained was a quiet sort of peace and the warm certainty that the people who truly mattered were right there beside her. And for the first time in a long while, Lily Evans felt whole again.

When the day to leave Hogwarts for summer break arrived, Lily found Rick slouched in their usual compartment, arms crossed and face buried in brooding silence. She knew the source of his mood instantly Amelia. They wouldn’t see her again for Merlin-knew-how-long, and Rick’s patented 'broody-owl' energy was starting to bring the whole vibe down. She couldn’t take it anymore not just the moping, but the way it made her chest ache in sympathy.

Rolling her eyes with a fond sigh, Lily nudged him. "Stay here. I’ll be right back."

Then, with the determination of someone on a personal quest, she exited the compartment. Ten minutes later, she returned, tugging none other than Amelia Bones behind her by the wrist like a summoned storm cloud wearing lipstick and a raised eyebrow.

“I heard that one idiot was moping around here.” The redhead Hufflepuff said when she went through the door.

Rick finally reacted but in confusion. “Marlene is moping around?”

“She’s not talking about me, you git!” The blonde witch kicked his shin for the comment.

“I’m not—”

““You are!”” was the immediate rebuke Lily and Marlene gave him.

“Okay, maybe. I’m… a tiny, teeny, wee little bit moping but-”

““No buts!””

Amused, Amelia sauntered over with the easy confidence of someone who knew exactly how much power she had over the brooding idiot she was about to comfort. She plopped down next to Rick, threw an arm around his shoulders, and yanked him in with the kind of half-hug that said, 'you're my idiot and I will emotionally strangle you until you're functional again.'

Sighing, he admitted how he was feeling. “I just… I never lost someone important to me before, because well I never had anyone.”

“You’re not losing me.”

“You’re leaving Hogwarts. I won’t see you during the school year and during the breaks you’d be stuck in the Auror Program. Once a full fledged auror? You’d have no time to meet with all the shit going on out there.”

“The Auror Program is restrictive but we do have week-ends free, you know? I can go up to Hogwarts for one of your quidditch games or any week-end if you sneak to hogsmeade.”

“Yeah, but you probably have better things to do.”

“Maybe, maybe not. That’s why you better keep writing to me to find out.”

“Ugh, This is so embarrassing. I’m acting like a little bitch.” he said, pulling away from his sister by choice. “I sound like a Hufflepuff, now.”

The stinging hex Amelia shot him, hit the side of his ass and made him jump out of his seat.

“Real-Ouch!” he got hit by another on the chest.

“Yeah I definitely need to show up at Hogwarts to keep you in line.” Amelia’s wand was pointed threateningly at Rick.

“You sadi- I’m shutting up! I’m shutting up!” he began to shout when three more hexes hit him.

Satisfied with herself, Amelia stood up, gave Rick a mischievous, big-sisterly kiss on the cheek before flashing him one last smirk. She sauntered off with a dramatic twirl, her departure leaving a trail of smugness in the air. As the door clicked shut behind her, Rick shot a glance at Marlene and Lily. Both girls were trying unsuccessfully to hold back giggles, faces scrunched with barely-contained laughter. Rick raised an eyebrow, and with a flick of his wand, the spark of mischief ignited.

“You’re both dead.” He smirked, a wicked gleam in his eye. The challenge was clear, and with that, the first gentle poke at Marlene’s side triggered an all-out war.

Lily squealed as Marlene retaliated, while Rick dodged a retaliatory jab, his wand flashing with each attack, sending waves of ticklish chaos through the compartment. The battle wasn’t just about who could make the other laugh first it was a test of pure, unadulterated chaos. A laugh here, a yelp there, and suddenly the trio was tumbling into a heap of limbs and giggles. Rick, ever the sly one, pulled out every trick in his book, from flicking his wand to just downright sneaky finger pokes.

Marlene’s laughter rang out the loudest, but only for a moment. Lily countered with a swift, perfect flick of her own, sending Rick into a fit of giggles and causing him to lose his footing and tumble over onto Marlene, making the pile even messier.

“This is war,” Rick muttered between laughs, already planning his next move. It was all fun and games... until someone was about to get really tickled.

When the train arrived in London, Rick said goodbye to the girls and quickly slipped to the muggle world out of habit. When he didn’t see his head of House waiting for him, he smacked his head at his stupidity.  Since he was not an orphan anymore and Professor McGonagall not his magical guardian either she wasn’t waiting for him. For a moment he hesitated in going back to platform 9¾ but decided against it, there were just so many floos available for the entirety of the students' families.

Instead, he went to a back alley near King’s Cross and summoned the Knight Bus. Paying the fee, he was brought to the Leaky Cauldron less than ten seconds later. He greeted Tom and went to use the floo. Thankfully for him, Potter Manor was not, in fact, called Potter Manor but ironically called Blackham Manor. Nobody listening would know of his relation with the Ancient and Noble House. If anyone not keyed to the manor’s wards tried to use the floo without approval from someone inside to enter the place, they’ll immediately be sent back.

“I’m home!”

Tipsy immediately popped in front of him and went to hug his leg. “Young master is back!”

He heard a door open deeper in the manor and someone running. Soon enough he saw his mother making her way in a hurry towards him. In a flush she was all over him hugging him so hard he was sure some of his ribs would break. Tipsy had long popped away to not be crushed too.

“My baby is home!”

“Yeah… Mom… air.” he tried to say with difficulty.

She lessened her grip a bit to let him take some air in but didn’t release him. She hadn’t seen him since she left the castle after saving his life. Even though she has received plenty of letters from him, his friends, his head of house and the Headmaster, she still wanted to see him.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if you miss me.”

“Don’t be silly, even when you’re in another room she misses you.”

“Charlus!”

“Hey, dad! How is it going?”

Lord Potter arrived into the living room and went to complete the family hug.

“It’s going well. A bit bored now that your mother is spending all her time in her lab but—”

“Don’t listen to him, he’s either transfigurating dresses, listening to music or playing the guitar. He’s not bored at all!”

“You’re playing the guitar? Since when?” Rick asked as the group hug ended and everyone took a seat. Dorea glueing herself to her son.

“I started in January.” was the short answer Charlus gave but his wife expanded on it.

“One morning, right before lunch he came back home with a bag full of vinyls. All from the same band. He loved the music so much that one week later he came back with a guitar and a text book about how to play. That’s why I’m locked up in my lab. He’s playing all day!”

“Just in the morning, not all day! And excuse me if I want to serenade you one day.”

Dorea rolled her eyes. “Charlus, you’re a wizard. Use magic!”

“If I did, it wouldn’t mean anything.” Her husband was clearly not of the same mind as hers.

“He has a point, mom. Between a wave of the wand and months of practice all to woo you, the latter is more meaningful. He does all that for you after all.”

“... I didn’t see it like that.” Dorea finally admitted after thinking about her husband’s earnest efforts for a moment.

She rose from her seat and went to kiss Charlus on the lips who gracefully accepted it. She still went back to her son’s side afterwards to the man’s chagrin. It couldn’t be helped. She had him around all year while she only had her son for Summer and Winter breaks and the few parties from Professor Slughorn.

“What about you? How were your OWLS?” she asked Rick.

“Like any other exams before. I aced it. Especially DADA.”

“Oh? Why?”

Rick pulled his wand and brought out his patronus. Instead of galloping around like it did in Professor McGonagall’s office or the examination room, it simply walked up to Dorea. Charlus whistled impressively while his wife simply smiled happily and proudly while looking at the Dun mare.

“That’s amazing.” Dorea was full of awe and pride.

“If you don’t take first place with this in DADA? I’m heating my hat.”

“Well, Marlene and Lily can do it too so I may have to share the place.”

“What are they?”

“Lily is a doe and Marlene a tiger.”

“A tiger? That’s an unusual one.” His father commented.

“Apparently. She’s quite proud of it.”

“So, what are your plans for this summer?”

Rick took a moment to answer his father. He had not yet thought about this. His mind had been focused on cheering up Lily, taking care of Lily and moping around the fact that Amelia was leaving Hogwarts. He knew that his mother had probably perfected the spray drying and found a way to either make it better or already upgraded the potions recipes, by directly applying the method the the ingredients themselves instead of the potions.

“I think I’ll work on runes and begin to study wards. Rebuild by broom too.”

Charlus frowned at the idea. “It wouldn’t work anymore, son.”

“I know but it has great sentimental value and it’s depressing to see it not in one piece. I’ll hang it on my wall.”

“Any idea on what kind of model you want?” inquired his mother.

“Not at all. I never really paid attention to brooms once I owned my Nimbus. Maybe I could try making my own?”

“You can but it will take a lot of time to make one. Even for you.”

“I know, dad.” letting out a sigh he made a decision. “I’ll look at the recent models when I have the time. It’s not like I’m in a hurry or that the broom I use is what’s making me a good seeker.”

“That’s true.”

“You’re not working on potions with me?”

“Haven’t you figured out everything we were working on already?”

“I did but that’s no reason to not practice. If you really don’t want to, I could teach you spells?”

“What kind?”

“Curses from my side of the family?”

“...”

His lack of answer prompted her to think of something else. “Or simple rituals?”

“...”

“I think your mother just wants to spend time with you.” The lord of House Potter had an amused smile on his face from his wife’s antics.

“CHARLUS!”

“Honestly, mom, you just had to say so. We can do things that are not research related, you know?”

She gave him a big hug, quite happy with his answer, then dragged him to her labs to show him the results of their research. After checking and talking about her notes they took a break.

“Soooo…”

“Yes?” he replied, raising his head from her notebook.

“How is it going with Lily?”

He blinked in confusion at the out of the blue question. “We’re doing fine. Why the interest?”

“Because I’m your mother. Everything in your life interests me.”

“I’m very happy with her. She’s the best girlfriend a guy could hope for. We are always of the same mind on most things and we never fight even when we disagree on something. The only thing I don’t like about our relationship is having to hide it. Well… Sneaking around is exciting and seeing other guys thinking they have a shot because they think she is single is hilarious but sometimes I wish we could be open about it.”

“I still don’t understand why you’re dating in secret.”

He stayed silent for a moment not really wanting to speak about that but his mother’s insistent gaze made him relent.

“Because Potter is an insufferable git obsessed with her. He’d spend his time cursing me or plotting how to curse me whenever he can. He has been bullying Lily’s childhood friend that was sorted into Slytherin ever since first year all because they were friends and it was clear the guy was in love with her. Of course I’ll put him in his place and it would be an unending cycle. That's what Lily thinks at least.”

“And you?”

“That they will never find his body. One spell and he won’t ever see another sunrise. I’m sick and tired of him constantly harassing Lily. Honestly, the only reason he’s still breathing is because I’m scared of what Lily would think of me if I kill him.”

Dorea frowned slightly. “Not because he’s a cousin?”

“No. I couldn’t care less. He’s no one to me. Just because his name is Potter means he should get a pass. Same for his parents. I don’t know them but they raised him so they must not be good people.”

“They are actually.” She disagreed.

“I doubt it but if that’s what you think I’ll put on hold any judgement. Now that makes me think, said childhood friend made her cry by calling her the m-word.” Dorea frowned when she heard that. “Had Marlene not been present I would have killed him without a second thought. I’m… worried. It’s like… the more I love her the more…”

“The colder you become when someone crosses one of your lines?”

“Yes. But it’s not just her. She’s the one I react the most violently but it also happens when she’s not concerned. Like… Black nearly killed someone for a prank. He didn’t understand that his prank could have cost someone’s life and that he could have ended in Azkaban.

When professor Dumbledore only took 100 points from him as punishment… I couldn’t help myself and interject. That was not fair. I just wanted to choke them both to death. For being lenient and stupid. Okay sure the Headmaster changed his tune afterwards and really got serious but the point is…”

“The point is you’re becoming afraid that one day Lily’s presence or Marlene’s or someone you love will not be enough to hold your hand and that they’ll turn your back on you?”

“...Yeah. How… do you…”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t?!” he exclaimed in shock.

“Nope. That’s not something you can control, Corvus. It’s not about control in fact. It’s about choice. You either choose to or not. As for Lily turning her back on you… If she truly loves you she will accept this part of you. Your father did with me even though he doesn't like it. It helps that my lines are… let’s say good. If I kill someone it’s because generally speaking they’re not a good person. He wouldn’t cry about it but would have preferred I found another method to deal with them. That’s all.”

Rick didn’t comment about what his mother just told him. He chose to put it at the back of his mind for now and instead enjoy his time with her.