the_debt_of_time

"Peter too," Remus said. "His dad's working some sort of business deal over there,
so the family just decided to make a holiday out of it. Opening up a new shop, I guess."
"I'm glad his family's doing well," Lily said, giving Sirius a smile of thanks as he
gently lowered her trunk outside the guest room down the hall from Mia's. "I know his
parents' apothecary had trouble for a while after his father was accused of dealing in the
Dark Arts. Absolute rubbish!"
Mia purposely looked down at her nails as though she were examining them
carefully.
"Mia, have you seen Tilly?" James shouted from the opposite end of the long
hallway. He stepped around the corner wearing jeans much like Sirius and Remus, but
instead of a grease-stained white shirt, he was bare-chested, having already divested himself
of the filthy garment. "I know it's her day off, but I can't find my Puddlemere United shirt,
and she always knows where—Evans?"
"Potter," Lily greeted him, eyes wide.
James blushed and crossed his arms over his chest nervously, leaving motor oil
streaks on his skin. "Oh, umm... Hi."
He cleared his throat as he attempted to lean up against the wall, only to have the
small amount of oil left on his palm cause him to slip and stumble and leave a greasy print
behind.
Sirius hid a snort against Remus's shoulder.
James cleared his throat again after casting a glare at his best friend. "I... umm...
Welcome to our home?" Forgetting again that he was shirtless, he ran his hands through
his messy hair—likely ridding himself of whatever oil remained on his palms—turning to
look at his sister. "Mia, you seen Tilly?"
"No." Mia laughed at the sight of her brother so very flustered, standing half-naked
and smudged with oil in front of Lily; he actually looked embarrassed instead of cocky.
Lily's red face was equally amusing as she averted her gaze from James's pale frame.
"Besides, I told her not to come unless Mum or Dad call for her; if you really need it, go
ask them."
"Yeah, okay." James nodded and then looked at Lily once before turning around.
"See ya, Evans."