Ties of Friendship, Bonds of Fate

Title: Ties of Friendship, bonds of Fate

Pairings: JamesxLily and RemusxSeverus, implied AndromedaxTed

Rating: K to start but future M. Currently probably a T.

Notes: Bound to you Pre-quel. Pre-Harry Potter Era Hogwarts, Marauder era AR/AU.

Chapter 20- The Return

Despite being in a different House Severus was more than willing to take up Remus' duties for the next few days.

Lily armed with Rufus Scrimgour's Beater's Bible and other references she ordered up from the book store in Diagon before school started tormented the Gryffindor Quidditch team by running them through their paces.

Needless to say they were very happy to see Lord Potter escorting in his charges James, Sirius and Remus.

Severus was dead tired when they returned five days after term started.

Lily stood and opened her arms.

James hugged her tightly and buried his face in her shoulder.

Sirius was distraught and collapsed heavily on the bench beside Lily.

Severus normally played nice with his house but Remus look a bit broken. He rose ignoring the whispers and hisses. Taking sure strides he crossed the Great Hall and met Remus at Ravenclaw's table.

Remus pulled him close, holding him tightly. His voice low and hard to hear, "I missed you so much."

Severus hugged him back, "Same here. Don't worry we took care of everything."

The Gryffindor team begged James not to leave them to Lily again.

James laughed a little, "What did she do?"

"She's a taskmaster. For a girl who can't even fly she's brutal…." One of James' chasers Robert King whinged.

It wasn't exactly common knowledge but the Kings and the McGonagalls were related to their Head of House. They were intricate part of their team.

"Remus' Prefect duties Severus took those on."

Remus nuzzled him, "Thank you."

"I only did what any decent friend would in this situation." Severus muttered.

Head Girl Demeter Lovegood of Ravenclaw and Head Boy Sanctus Malfoy of Slytherin approached to give their condolences and to welcome them back.

Sixth Year Gryffindor Prefect Cador Weasley praised Lily, "She has done well recently, both as a prefect and an honorary captain of the House Team. You know James you really ought to incorporate her strategies and team building exercises. Where she got those fill in Beater for Black and Lupin I don't know or even a Chaser. For a girl who can't fly she sure knows a lot about Quidditch."

James blushed, "She did what any good friend would do. I am glad my team didn't suffer in my absence from boredom."

Lily stammered, "It's all a matter of reading the right books."

"I see. Speaking of which can I borrow some of them? I've become quite interested in the subject." Cador asked surprising them.

"Only if I get to read them." James insisted.

Lily sighed, "They are orderable from Tomes and Scrolls in Hogsmeade.'

Cador nodded, "Then I shall merely request the titles so I can have copies myself."

"Then my lovely doe I would like to borrow them and have your notes from practices I know you took them."

Lily turned pink, "I did…"

"You are Merlin sent the two of you. Best friend ever." James grinned, but his eyes were still sad.

Charlus Potter made his way to the Gryffindor table after speaking with the Headmaster and their Head of House.

"Be good boys and study hard. I expect great things for you. Thank you both for looking out for my boys and filling in for them." Charlus said quietly.

He looked so lost and as if he was wasting away.

It was sad…

Then he was gone.

Lily had a horrid feeling he wasn't long for this world either…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?