Chapter Text
“Do not look at me with those eyes” Lily says, avoiding his gaze as she turns to the bedside table. She picks up her comb and her brush and places them neatly on the bed, where there is an organized chaos of her belongings. Everything from gowns to her favorite shoes are spread out on top of the cover.
“You will manage fine without me” she adds, still looking away from Remus while she reaches for some of her crocheted headwear.
“I'm not saying I won't miss your presence, because I will. But I'm worried about you. Is this really the right decision?” Remus wonders, lingering next to the bed. Lily gives him a look.
“It is a big honor. I would be a fool to let an opportunity like this go simply because I happen to fancy her a little.”
“You are organizing her wedding. With someone else. I just want to make sure that you will be alright.”
“Remus.” Lily stops moving around the room and grabs his arms instead. “I love you and I'm happy that you care. But I will be alright. My feelings do not control me. I control them.”
Remus does not look convinced, but does not argue further. He could in fact give a few examples of times when her feelings had controlled her.
“Besides, you know as well as I do that I hardly know her. Whatever this small feeling is, it is just silly and I will not let it impact the quality of my work.”
She would do what needed to be done. Just as she had been taught. Just as she had always done.
“If you say so.” Remus says, wishing that he for once will be wrong.
~
Her friends, everyone she considers her second family, are there to wave her off in the morning. The sun is on its way up, barely visible behind the treeline as she embraces one by one. James, Peter, Sirius, Remus. Even Marlene gives her a good squeeze.
“Write to me often” Mary smiles, squeezing her one last time before letting her go. She blinks away a tear, not a fan of goodbyes. Even though they both know it is not forever.
“I promise. You must do the same” Lily smiles back, fighting against her own tears after seeing Mary get emotional. She steps into the carriage, bracing herself as the horses begin moving. She waves at her friends through the small window in the carriage door, waves all the way down the road through the gate, waves until she can barely make out their bodies anymore. Only then does she stop.
This is going to be an adventure.
Lily remembers the first time she had seen the Black castle. She had been six years old, her hair braided into two separate braids. It was her first time in town and her mother had dressed her in her best dress for the occasion. It was a big day for Lily. Wherever she looked, there were people. Merchants, servants, even some animals roaming the streets. So many sounds. So many things to look at.
Her father had held onto her hand tightly as she accompanied him on his errands. They visited the baker and the blacksmith. The display of sweets and the scent of fresh bread made her stomach twist in hunger. What fascinated her about the blacksmith was the tools she had never seen before. She watched with big eyes as an apprentice finished preparing a sword.
What fascinated her the most that day was however the Black castle. It stood at a distance, but she could tell that it was magnificent. The towers were tall and she could make out the garden in full bloom. Never had she seen something so grand before.
Years later, when she was old enough, she had stepped her foot through the castle doors for the first time. She had not left since. Not until today.
Stepping down from the carriage, she steadies herself as she does her best not to fall. It would not make for a good start. As she looks up at her new residence, she can't help but marvel at its beauty. Far from the size of the Black castle, the castle in front of her still manages to impress her. The design is more modest and the towers fewer, but she can tell it must be stunning inside. She is so busy taking in her surroundings that she barely registers the older woman approaching.
“You must be Miss Evans.” Lily turns to her, concealing her surprise with a smile.
“I’m Madame Agatha. I’ll show you to your room, miss”. Lily figures she must be the housekeeper.
“Thank you, madame.” A bit overwhelmed with the view and the new surroundings, Lily follows Agatha towards the castle. The woman walks first, her pace quick despite her being on the older side. Lily wonders how long she has worked for the Earl and Countess. Some of her gray hair is peeking out from underneath her white headwear. Lily tugs at one of her own braids, trying to memorize each turn they take. She would hate to admit to getting lost, but knows it must be inevitable that she does.
The inside of the castle is bright, the big windows providing plenty of light. The walls are decorated with portraits of family, relatives and paintings depicting gorgeous scenery. One painting in particular catches her eye. It is of a big meadow, with flowers blooming in beautiful colors. A single apple tree stands to the side, its red apples looking ready to eat. Something about it draws Lily in, maybe it is the way the colors compliment each other. Or maybe the way the apples look so real. Agatha leads her past the painting and into another corridor. She notes that the decor is mostly in tones of orange or red.
“I will have a maid fetch you in a moment.” Agatha says as she stops in front of a wooden door. “Until then, this is where you will be staying.” she nods for Lily to go ahead and open. Lily thanks her with a small smile and sees her continue down the hall. Grabbing onto the door knob, she twists it open to reveal a bedroom. The bed is neatly made, the bedspread a pretty apricot shade. The room contains a small dresser, a desk with a mirror and her bed. It is modest but all that she needs. She notes that her bags have already been placed next to the bed.
A quick knock on the door makes her spin back around, expecting the maid. Instead, she gapes right at Dorcas Meadowes.
“M-my lady” Lily stutters, cheeks blossoming at her inability to remain calm. She had believed she had a few more hours to prepare for their meeting, at least time to change clothes. She did not plan on meeting her in this state, in her travel attire with small hairs sticking out from her braids. Dorcas is not as dressed up as the previous times Lily has seen her, but even in normal attire she manages to radiate a specific kind of beauty. She smiles at her and Lily feels silly for stuttering.
“I’m sorry I was not able to meet you at your arrival. I hope Madame Agatha was kind to you.” She lingers in the doorway, leaning her head against the doorframe.
“She was, thank you my lady.”
Dorcas looks pleased. Lily feels a bit weak in the knees, blaming it on her lack of dinner.
“I shall leave you to get changed. Dinner will be served shortly.” Dorcas takes a step back, still looking at her. “Let us leave the planning for tomorrow, when you have rested.”
Lily watches her go, wondering what in the world she has gotten herself into.