Never All Together

Chapter 2: No Day But Today

There is no future.
There is no past.
Thank God this moment's not the last.
There's only us, there's only this
Forget, regret
Or life is yours to miss.
No other path, no other way
No day but today.

--- Jonathan Larson (Another Day) ---

"James? Could you please bring out the salad and set it on the table?"

The Minister of Magic ran a hand through his already messy hair and smiled cheekily at his reflection. "Where is it, honey?" he called out.

"In our bedroom closet, maybe?" Lily Potter replied, entering the dining room with a pot of roast in her hands. She watched her husband mess up his hair even more in the adjacent living room, hands on her hips. "James?"

"Yes, I think I might have left it there," James said, finally turning around to face his wife and smiling mischievously.

Lily shook her head and smiled good-naturedly. "Oh, you're hopeless." She stepped closer to him and straightened out the collar of his blue polo. "What's with the Muggle clothing? Last time you wore this, you were meeting my family for dinner."

"I thought it proper, dear. This time, we are meeting the woman our son thinks is the greatest woman in the world," James said. "After you, of course," he added, tweaking Lily's nose. "Hermione is of Muggle parentage. I imagine it will be more comfortable for her if the men in this family dressed the way she's used to."

"I see," Lily replied thoughtfully. "I'm surprised it still fits you though, after years of married life." She assumed a mock hurt expression. "Don't I cook well enough for your liking?"

James laughed heartily, scooping Lily in his arms and staring at her adoringly. "You are positively witchy in the kitchen, Lily. But I do like to stay in shape. You do agree that a bulging belly does not look respectable for a Minister of Magic, or even for a former champion Seeker?" He paused, then added, "Sirius and Remus would never let me hear the end of it."

"Sirius and Remus are on the lookout for girls," Lily remarked. "I doubt they intend on settling down anytime soon, so they should look good. Hunky." She pressed her palms against his strong chest. "These muscles are not for anybody else, then?"

James grew serious, knowing it was necessary to assure his wife that there was no woman in his life except her. Women loved to be told so every now and then. "There is only you for me, Lily." He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and melded his mouth with hers. When the kiss ended and both of them were breathless, he whispered, "Did I kiss you like I was having, or ever had, second thoughts?"

Lily smiled, happy and content. "No, James. But a woman can never be too sure." She drew in for another kiss. "Mmm. You're stuck with me, James Potter, whether you like it or not."

"Believe me, Lily. I like it very much," James said, and then set about at great lengths to demonstrate how much he liked it.

* * * * * * *

Lost in their fiery embrace, James and Lily Potter didn't hear the soft thump made by Harry stepping out of the fireplace and onto the carpet.

"Ugh," Harry said, breaking his parents' moment and causing them to look at him. "It's a good thing I came first instead of Hermione."

James laughed, straightening himself up from the couch. "Aren't you glad to see your parents still in love with each other after all these years?"

Harry grinned. "I am glad, and I know you're still in love with each other, but I don't really need to see it."

"Where is Hermione, son?" Lily asked, refastening the silver barrette that James had unclamped minutes earlier.

"She's coming, Mum. She's probably still adjusting to that brown Floo powder Professor McGonagall let us use." Harry grinned once more at the thought.

"I almost forgot the salad!" Lily exclaimed, standing up from the couch and throwing James a fond, reproachful look. "The two of you wait here for her while I go and finish getting dinner ready."

Harry watched as his mother walked out of the living room and into the kitchen. "Mum reminds me of Hermione," Harry said, once his mother was out of earshot.

James looked at his son curiously. "What do you mean?"

Before Harry could answer, the fireplace emitted a burst of hazel flames, and a slender figure slowly stepped out of it. Her head was bowed, her curls covering her face as she brushed imaginary soot off her evening dress. When she looked up, it was eyes the colour of the fire she just stepped out from that she first sought out.

A slow smile spread over Hermione's face as she took in James Potter's strongly-cut facial features and the sculpted body the blue polo could not disguise.

"Mr. Potter," Hermione greeted, a breathless quality to her voice. "It's been a while since I've seen you." She held out her hand, praying it wasn't shaking too obviously.

James shook her hand firmly, then leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek. "Last time I saw you, you had bushy hair and two large front teeth!" he said teasingly. He put both hands on her bare shoulders and held her at arms length. "Look at you, all grown up! Why--"

Hermione lifted her head and locked eyes with him. Coffee and hazel, so that he was able to see her fully for the first time. She watched as a flash of pained recognition struck his irises like lightning.

James lifted his hands off her shoulders as though he had been burned and scrunched up his face. "Wow. You reminded me of someone," he said softly, uncertainly.

"Of whom?" Hermione asked with bated breath. She had tuned out everything except him, of how time seemed to turn back and make him look younger. He looked familiar too, and she wasn't too sure it was all due to Harry. The sensations that coursed through her, standing so close to him, were not new to her. It was as if she knew James Potter with her heart.

"Nobody." James squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head as though trying to rid himself of unpleasant memories. "Nobody I could remember, anyway." When he opened them again, it was Hermione Granger, his son's girlfriend, who he was seeing. It was no longer her -- whatever her name was.

Hermione continued staring at him, misplaced disappointment evident on her face.

"Uh -- Dad? Hermione?" Harry butted in, his voice edgy. He had sensed that something meaningful had passed between the two of them. He didn't understand fully, but he definitely did not like it.

The two of them turned to him, identical expressions of surprise telling him they'd forgotten he was there. Harry felt the initial irritation he had mounting, however irrational. He walked over to Hermione's side and wrapped an arm around her waist, as through trying to reclaim possession.

"Let's go into the kitchen, shall we?" Harry said, his face expressionless. "Mum--" he emphasized subtly, "is waiting for us."

One of James's eyebrows rose. I know what you're thinking, son, and you're mistaken. Harry wasn't sure whether that meant the slight wariness in his voice amused his father -- or stung him.

James shrugged his broad shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione shoot a furtive glance at him. He ignored it. "Fine," he said, jamming his hands in his pockets in an effort to regain self-control. He had to steer clear of her. He led the way towards the dining room, but he could still smell the vanilla scent she wore. It reminded him of everything lovely and melancholy at the same time. Stop it.

Lily was just setting down the bowl of fruit punch when the three of them entered the room. Her expression brightened. "Ah!" she exclaimed, rushing over to Hermione and kissing her on both cheeks. "What kept you?"

Hermione tried very hard to look straight into Lily's clear, honest green eyes. "Floo powder, Mrs. Potter." A weak smile curved her lips. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

Lily waved Hermione's apology aside with a careless hand. "It's no trouble at all." She beamed at all of them. "Why don't we all sit down and dig into this feast?"

The men pulled out chairs for the ladies before settling themselves. Hermione sat beside Harry and opposite Lily, who looked right at home beside James.

Everything is working out nicely, Harry thought, pleased at his parents' reception of Hermione and forgetting what had happened earlier. His mother seemed especially fond of her, asking how her parents were, how the new technologies were affecting the Muggle world.

"So Muggles have developed a gigantic database of information and anyone can access it? What's that called again -- the Internet?" Lily asked as she helped James to another serving of mashed potatoes.

Hermione nodded, tucking a lock of mahogany behind one ear. The movement drew a sharp look from James, who also looked away immediately. The gesture was eerily familiar. He racked his brains, straining to think of who she reminded him of.

"Fascinating. I hope I get to operate a computer one day," Lily was saying. She turned to her husband. "Don't you think some of those machines could help the Ministry office?"

James blinked. He had been watching Hermione rub her knuckles. What was she nervous of? He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and answered vaguely, "Yes, maybe. Perhaps. I'll have to ask other people in the office." He picked up his fork and started picking his way through his food.

Hermione felt a whirlwind of emotions twist her inside. Why did the way his fingers hold the fork stir her? His hand is so graceful, so elegant, she thought, smiling a little at the thought of what else it could do. She lifted her eyes and once more took in the strong cut of his jaw, the almond-shaped hazel eyes framed by his glasses, and the gently sloping nose. She couldn't help but shiver. He is so handsome.

"Are you cold?" Harry asked, his eyes filled with concern as he put his arm around her. Absentmindedly, Hermione tried to shrug it off.

"No, not really," she mumbled. As a matter of fact, I think I'm blushing.

James and Hermione were not the only ones doing their fair share of observing the air in the room. Lily, despite her cheerfulness, felt an uneasiness tugging at her heart. Hermione seemed familiar to her too, like someone she had known before. But of course that's impossible, she thought, smiling as she caught Harry giving Hermione a look of pure adoration.

"James, I insist," Lily said, ignoring the look of confusion James gave her. James had not been quite himself over dinner -- she didn't know why -- but she had to force him to make an effort to make their guest feel welcome. "I've seen Vernon, my sister's husband, working on it. They have it in Muggle offices. I think it's quite a work of magic itself."

"I haven't even seen one," James replied, staring at his food. He hated having to lift his head and see Hermione, because every glimpse of her made him feel like one more dagger was tearing open at his heart. And the crazy thing was that he couldn't even understand why!

"I'll get one in Muggle London this weekend," Lily said, sitting back in her chair as though that resolved the matter. "And then we'll figure out how to work it." She put one finger to her lips, assuming a thoughtful expression. "Don't you know, Arthur Weasley might be on to something. He's always thinking about combining Muggle innovations and magic."

Both Harry and Hermione grinned at the memory of the Weasleys' flying Ford Anglia. "Definitely, Mum," Harry agreed. "It's like using two wands at the same time."

Lily fixed her eyes on Hermione. "I was wondering if you could help us use it, since I think you know more about it than anybody I know?"

Hermione looked surprised at the request Lily sprang on her. James did too, judging by the sudden upward jerking of his head. Hermione did not have the heart to say no to Lily Potter. "Certainly, Mrs. Potter. I'll help."

"Good, good." Lily clapped her hands together. "James, didn't you say you need a secretary now that Kingsley Shacklebolt has been assigned to the Muggle Prime Minister's office?"

James' eyes widened slightly. Even Harry suddenly tensed.

"Not really, honey, no," James replied hastily. "I sort paperwork by myself better than anybody."

"Yes, James, but that's routine work. Things would be so much easier for you if you've got somebody doing those for you." Lily's smile grew wider as she glanced at Hermione. "What do you think? Fancy moonlighting?"

Colour rushed to Hermione's cheeks. James did not miss that.

"Mum, I don't think that's feasible," Harry interrupted. "Hermione is still in school, and she'll need to study hard to get top grades, and she's Head Girl on top of everything else."

Lily shook her head. "I think it will build up her discipline and time management skills even more," she replied. "So Hermione, what do you think?" She let out a soft laugh and added, "You'll get paid, of course."

James stared at Hermione, waiting for her to decide. Half of him wished she'd say no, so that he'd see less of her, and maybe he'd forget what it was about her that drew him. But half of him, the more irrational half of him, wanted her to say yes. He watched as Hermione's eyebrows furrowed, knowing that the same dilemma was going through her mind right now.

And then suddenly, her eyes met his. James was too startled by the intensity of her eyes to look away. And he knew, even before she said it.

Hermione noted how James's eyes had not looked away. What she saw convinced her that what she was going to say was right, at least for her.

"Definitely, Mrs. Potter. I'd love to do it," she answered slowly and deliberately, a peaceful smile stretching her lips.

Her eyes were too busy drowning in the depths of James' hazel ones that she didn't notice that Harry had dropped her hand, or that he had been gripping it tightly in the first place.