a/n: just thought i'd say-- in my story, marlene and mary are sisters. mary was adopted, and marlene is the biological child of the mckinnons. aresha is kingsley's sister (an OC of mine) and remember that this kingsley is canon!kingsley's dad (adoptive)
a few minutes later
"Is Kingsley asleep?", Remus asked, still on Lily's bed, as he looked over sleepily.
"Yeah. I hope he's okay", Sirius whispered. He looked out of the window, before pressing his lips to Remus'.
"I love you-- Sirius, we can't.", Remus mumbled into his mouth.
"I love you, too. There's no doctors here."
James was half asleep, as he looked at Lily, his eyes heavy as his head fell. "Prongs, go to sleep. I'll wake you up if there's any updates.", Peter said quietly, touching his back softly.
"No, I don't want to miss anything, in case she wakes up. I can sleep later.", James yawned.
A cough sounded from the other side of the bed, and Kingsley shot up, his heart speeding up.
"Stanley?", Peter whispered, as the four boys stared at the bed. "Hey, Stan, honey, can you hear me?", Kingsley whispered softly.
"Lee?", Stanley croaked, opening his eyes. "Oh, honey. Oh my god.", he said softly, crying as he looked down at him.
"Healer!", he called into the hallway. The healer came running in, her cap on.
"Hello, Mr. Hunt. Glad to see you awake.", she smiled. "Now, tell me how you feel."
"I- It hurts a lot--", he was cut off by a fit of coughing, and a look of concern from Kingsley. "Lee, I'm fine. You worry too much.", he said. The other four boys watched in horror as he coughed into his sleeve, blood sputtering from his mouth.
"Stan-- oh my god.", Kingsley choked, using his sleeve to wipe the blood from his chin.
"We need to get him special care, stat. I need some backup here, we need to get him to the other floor.", the nurse said, calling for some other nurses.
"What's happening?", James gasped, as they waved their wands, levitating Stanley's bed.
"Mr. Shacklebolt, sir, we're taking him to the intensive care unit. He's not allowed visitors until he's fine. We'll tell you every update.", the main healer said, as they levitated the bed out of the room.
"Lee? Lee, what's happening?"
"You're going to be fine, darling, I'll see you in a few minutes.", Kingsley called out, choking on the last word as the door closed.
"Kingsley, he'll be fine.", Sirius said softly, putting an arm around him.
Kingsley nodded, wiping his eyes. "Hey, I think you need to distract yourself. Wanna play exploding snap?", Peter asked, and to their surprise, he nodded.
a few minutes later
"Kingsley, never told us you were some exploding snap god!", Remus groaned, as he lost for the fifth time.
"Sirius, I swear if you don't get your feet out of my face. They smell like ass.", Lily said weakly, wrinkling her nose.
"Lily?", James gasped, rushing to the hospital bed, kissing her face tenderly, a tear slipping out of his eye.
"I'm fine, James. Promise, darling.", she said, smiling, as she winced, moving over.
Peter hugged Lily from the side, before heading out to the hallway. "Nurse!", he yelled.
"You scared the shit out of everyone.", Sirius said, mock annoyed, hugging her gently.
"Yeah, you scared the shit out of everyone, and the first comment you make is about my boy-- I mean, my friends' feet?", Remus said, turning red.
The healer walked in, using her wand to check on Lily. "Where does it hurt?", she asked.
"Er, it hurts on my stomach and my legs.", Lily said, clearing her throat.
The healer made a note on her clipboard, looking Lily over. "You're free to go. Just make sure you put that ointment on those burns so they don't get infected.", she nodded, walking out.
"Kingsley? Where're everyone else?", Lily asked quietly.
"Maria and Teddy are at home. Stanley's been moved to the-- the, er, special care unit.", Kingsley said.
"I'm going to go check on him.", he said quietly, "Glad to know you're feeling better, Lily.", he nodded, before leaving.
special care
Kingsley walked into the hospital room with the permission of the healer, closing the door softly. He sat next to Stanley's bed quietly, not saying anything.
"I love you.", Kingsley said softly, touching his hand softly. Stanley's eyes were closed, as a tear dropped out of his eyes and onto his face.
"Lee, you're squeezing my hand.", Stanley said softly, his voice week. Kingsley let out a choked laugh, kissing his forehead. Kingsley sprang back as the healer walked in, shooting Stanley an apologetic look.
"Tell me how you feel."
"Er, my legs are blistering and they hurt. The back of my head hurts as well.", Stanley said softly, looking at Kingsley and smiling up at him.
"You should be free to go. There my be some side effects, but I'll give you some medicine.", she nodded.
dorcas & marlene's flat
Dorcas and Marlene walked into the flat after a successful mission, covered in dirt and grime.
"Wanna head to the frat house after a shower?", Dorcas laughed, kissing Marlene on the nose.
"Frat house?"
"Lily and the boys.", Dorcas giggled.
lily & marauders flat
Alice and Frank were outside their flat just as Marlene and Dorcas got there, looking concerned.
"What happened?", Marlene asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"We-- we just got here after a mission, there's a note on the door that says they went to Mungos. We didn't head to the tunnel."
"We didn't go to the tunnel either. Should we wait?", Dorcas frowned.
Just then, a wisp of wind drafted in front of the door, changing into the patronus of a stag.
"On our way from Mungos, in case any of you are here. Will explain.", was all it said, in James' voice.
a few minutes later
Dorcas, Marlene, Alice, and Frank waited patiently by the door, until they saw Remus' tall head appear through the door.
"Hey.", Sirius said softly, appearing behind him, Peter following. Next was James, pushing Lily in a wheelchair, who was asleep. "Oh my god, what happened?", Frank gasped, the girls asking a flurry of questions.
"Shh, I think I'm gonna let her rest. I'll explain inside.", James whispered, bags under his eyes.
"James, you look exhausted.", Frank said gently, as Peter opened the door to the flat, everyone walking in.
"I can't sleep. I need to stay awake in case-- in case something happens again.", James said, rubbing his eyes as he picked Lily up, setting her on the bed and pulling the blanket over her.
"Thank you guys. You can stay here-- when she wakes up, she'll be glad to see you", he said, sitting next to Lily with his head in his hands.
Sirius put his hand on Remus' shoulder, as the rest of them left the room.
"What happened?", Marlene asked softly.
"They went on a mission, and we don't know what happened. When we got there-- against orders, whoops. We got there, and there were these- these poles. They were-- tied to the poles, and there-", Peter's voice cracked as Sirius looked down, Remus rubbing his eyes.
"They burnt them. They set a fire.", Peter continued.
"Oh my god.", Frank said, pressing a hand to his mouth.
lily & james' room
"James?", Lily mumbled, reaching for his hand. "Hey, you're awake.", James yawned, his eyes bloodshot. He clutched his wand in his right hand tightly, his hand whitening.
"Did you sleep well?", he asked softly, pressing his lips to her forehead.
"Did you?", she raised an eyebrow. "Yeah.", James lied, avoiding eye contact.
"James."
"Lily."
"At least let go of your wand.", Lily said. James shook his head, "I can't. I can't-- I don't think I could ever stand seeing you like that. I- I froze. If I had gotten there sooner-", James muttered, his head in his hands.
"James, I promise you I'm fine. Come here.", Lily said, ruffling James' hair, and pulling him into her shoulder.
"I love you.", she said, wincing as she shifted over, kissing his cheek, which was wet with tears.
a few minutes later
"Lily, are you sure we can go dress shopping today?", Marlene prodded carefully, as the girls walked into downtown.
"I'm fine. Besides, this will help get my mind off things, and the boys will help James get his outfit."
"You're trusting them to pick a suit for James?", Alice snorted, as Lily let out a small laugh.
They stepped into the bridal store, the clerk smiling at them gleefully.
"Are you here for a dress?", she asked, snapping her gum.
"Yup! One for me.", Lily smiled back at her, her cheeks flushed.
"I will get you a room set up, and have some dresses sent out for you! Are these your bridesmaids?", the clerk asked, using her wand to move a quill, writing on a notepad.
"Yep! These four girls.", Lily nodded, following them to the back.
downtown, suit shop
The boys had just finished picking out their suits. Remus handed the clerk the Muggle money, who smiled as he took it.
The clerk handed Remus a slip of paper, winking at him.
Remus unfurled it, Sirius clenching his fists. "What's this?", Remus asked, confused.
"My number. Call me.", the clerk winked, pushing his hair back.
Peter let out a snort and James shoved him, Frank hiding his own smirk. "He's taken.", Sirius gritted his teeth.
"Yeah, sorry mate. I'm taken.", Remus said. "Where is this lucky person?", the clerk asked, still flirting.
James put a hand on Sirius' shoulder, shooting him a look. "Er-- she's, er-", Remus stuttered.
"She's right here. Hey, sweetie.", Lily lied, the girls walking behind her as she put her arms around Remus.
"Oh. Sorry.", the clerk stuttered, as they walked out of the store.
"Sorry, Sirius.", Lily said softly, unhooking her arms from Remus.
"It's okay.", Sirius said softly, looking down. They walked through downtown in silence. Sirius' pinky brushed against Remus', hooking briefly.
"Did you get your dress?", Remus asked, moving his hand.
"Yes, it's beautiful. None of you boys get to see it though.", Lily said, wagging her finger at them.
"Why not?"
"You lot share the same brain cell, if I tell one of you then James will know.", Marlene snorted, high fiving Lily smugly. Frank pulled the hairclip out of his pocket as it flashed twice, Alice's flashing with his.
"Anyone else?", Marlene asked, pulling hers out. The rest of them shook their heads, wishing them luck as the three of them headed to the tunnel.
august first, full moon
"We're all here for this one, right?", Sirius whispered, closing the door to his and Remus' shared room.
"I'm here. I asked Dumbledore and the aurors and they said only if there's an emergency.", James said, his face solemn. Peter nodded, making a sound of agreement.
"I have a mission today-- Marlene, Alice and Frank haven't come back.", Lily said, "Dorcas is already at the tunnel-- I packed dinner and breakfast for the next morning if I'm not back. Stay safe, alright?"
"Yeah, we will. You too, Evans.", James said softly, kissing her forehead and resting his chin on her head. "I love you.", she said, kissing his cheek, and hugging the other three boys.