They say it's your birthday. We're going to have a good time. [Pre-dated to March 27]

[doeinbloom]

Since Sirius and James told her about The Nook, the quaint house in the country her son resided in during his time in Darrow, Lily has plotted and planned. In the way James spoke of the place, she knew instantly that he longed to live there. To absorb what he can of the same air Harry breathed, when he was here. So though that first trip out had been difficult, nearly impossible, really, what with the way Lily had burst into tears at the first sight of the living room, her son's things scattered about as though he might walk through the door any moment, she kept coming back in fits and bursts, sometimes with Sirius and James, sometimes by herself.

Two weeks before James' birthday, she took Sirius aside and they began plotting. Sirius helped keep James distracted, giving Lily time to sneak away and make the trips necessary for them to move into The Nook. She decided with Sirius that the best surprise they could give James was moving into the place, and to throw a surprise birthday party at the house along with it.

Lily took the time and care to make sure she kept all of Harry's things. She arranged for them all to be placed in one of the four bedrooms, a sort of shrine in the hopes that Harry might show up on their doorstep. For the most part, she kept the furniture in the living room as is. She sold the dining room table and chairs, replaced them with a set that better suited her and James' taste. She spent as much of her spare time as she could buying and arranging furniture; of painting rooms and decorating them to make the place feel more like their home in Godric's Hollow. She added to the spells and charms about the place, increasing security and adding warmth, coziness to their new home.

Finally, on the day of James' birthday, everything is set. She employs Sirius once more to distract James, while she Apparates and charms all of their belongings in their flat to the new place. She hurries to cook, clean, and set up decorations in Gryffindor colors, red and gold. She arranges everything in the backyard; she has charms ready to protect everything in case of rain. She'd spoken with a local witch, who informed her that she could find Firewhiskey and other drinks from her world at a place called the Beanstalk. She'd spoken with the owner, and now she has one table loaded with a variety of drinks, both from her world and Muggle, charmed to chilled perfection. Another table holds the food, a wide variety of all of James' favorites, including desserts.

She's set up the record player with speakers, using her magic so that the perfect song plays just when it's wanted most. There's a space set aside for dancing, as well as a table off to the side for presents, which Lily has already started to stack with some of her own. Fairy lights float throughout the party, each one a kaleidoscope of gold and red. She charms the whole of the house so that it smells different to each individual, matching their favorite scent that reminds them of home.

Finally, she sets up the banners and ribbons, the banners charmed with letters that dance and move. And she waits for James to arrive.

Comments

[bloodandflowers]

Kell is soon accosted by another familiar scent, fire whiskey and soap and whatever it is that Sirius conditions all that hair with, but this time the scent is attached to a body. Kell straightens, too, grateful for his friend's presence, even if he wishes his cheeks weren't so pink.

"It's foolish," he says. "Rhy used these oils in his curls. I've never smelled them anywhere else, but I could have sworn I smelled them just now."

[thebloodtraitor]

Though Sirius is well aware of Kell's brother, his name is not one that's been brought up recently. The way Kell clutches at his chest, right above where Sirius can picture the brand upon his skin makes him wonder if simply the smell is enough to cause Kell physical pain.

But then, knowing what Sirius does of loss already, he's well aware of the answer.

"How strange," he remarks instead, sliding his hand up Kell's back in attempt at comfort. "I could ask what it is Lily's used to brighten up the place if you'd like. Or perhaps this strange city is trying to mess with your head."

[bloodandflowers]

"It would not be surprising," Kell concedes, taking the comfort Sirius offers with that quick touch. Again he is reminded of the similarities between Sirius and his lost brother. Rhy would sling an arm over his shoulders and drag him into the heart of festivities. Kell knows he need wait only seconds for Sirius to attempt the same.

"I'll be alright," he says, finding a smile. "All the moreso if you show me where you got that drink."

[thebloodtraitor]

Gradually, Sirius can feel Kell relaxing beneath his hand, shoulders unwinding and that crease between his brow smoothing free.

At the suggestion of alcohol, Sirius's smile flashes back into place and he slides his hand up to Kell's shoulder in a tight, playful sort of squeeze. "You can have the rest of this one if you'd like," he says, shoving the mug into Kell's hand before steering him toward the kitchen. "Evans magicked all sort of things in here - you can really have your pick. That there is fire whiskey," he adds, nodding down at the glass. "Should at least have a sip."

[bloodandflowers]

Kell accepts the drink with a smile, draining a good bit of it with a deep pull that makes his eyes water all over again. "I see why it's called fire whiskey," he rasps, following Sirius into the kitchen.

"I believe I'll stick to this," he says for the cup, looking around at all the other drinks Evans - Lily - has conjured up. Only weeks in town and back from death and she's already made the place her own. "It must be a great relief," says Kell. "To have your friends back."

[thebloodtraitor]

It's fire whiskey Kell chooses in the end, which makes Sirius feel just a bit smug. He's always pleased when his friends show no lack of good taste.

Happy to let Kell keep his mug, Sirius reaches for another to pour himself another drink, glancing over at Kell as he does so. His smile fades at the reminder, but only slightly. In truth, it's more complicated than simply being happy, but he's not quite certain how to explain any of it.

So, instead, he nods as he brings the cup to his lips for a sip. "They can have a life here," he says because that's at least one truth he's found himself clinging to. "Even if their son is little more than a ghost, they can go on. And there's no Voldemort to terrorize them, at least not that I've heard or seen and, believe me, I've turned this town upside down searching for even a hint." He takes another drink, a bit longer this time as he drops into silence. And then, "It's a bit like waiting for the other shoe to drop though. Nothing here is permanent, it seems."

And Sirius spends at least some time every day wondering how long it is he has with them. With anyone.

[bloodandflowers]

"Yes," Kell agrees solemnly. At any moment, Sirius might disappear, or Lila, or another crack between worlds might appear and with it, a different Kell to tempt them. "I suppose life itself is uncertain, but in Darrow it is so much more uncertain. People don't have to die for one to lose them."

Kell stares down into his cup, then, he smiles. "I'm told I'm unnecessarily dour. This is the first time I've noticed. Is that progress?"

[thebloodtraitor]

There's nothing at all untrue in Kell's statements. Life is as uncertain here as it ever was back home, but there's a different element to it now, he thinks. It isn't only death they have to fear.

His expression cracks into a smile at the sight of Kell's and he lets out a laugh. "One must first acknowledge one's flaws, is that what you're saying? Perhaps the middle of a party isn't the time for too much self-reflection. Or," he adds with a brighter smirk as he grabs the nearest bottle of fire whiskey, "perhaps it's only indication that you need much more to drink."

[bloodandflowers]

"I won't say no," says Kell with a laugh, draining the last of his cup, which he then holds out for more whiskey. He can feel what he's already had sloshing in his stomach, burning away the jittering nerves that always plague him.

"White London had a golden drink much like this," Kell observes. "Some sort of fortified wine that tasted like heaven going down, and completely removed your ability to stand by the bottom of the glass."