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chudleycanonficfest · 3 years

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One Last Dance

Day 4, Story #1 is by @be11atrixthestrange

Title: One Last Dance Author/Artist: be11atrixthestrange Pairing: Jily Prompt: Halloween Rating: T Trigger Warning(s) (if any): implied character death

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Harry was fussier than usual on Halloween night. Bath time was an ordeal, as Harry kept knocking the shampoo bottle out of Lily’s hand and splashing water at her. Afterward, the child almost refused to fall asleep; he wriggled in her arms and tugged on her hair as she swaddled him. Just because he couldn’t speak full sentences yet didn’t mean he couldn’t communicate; he did so with his eyes, and Lily swore there was a smirk on his face as she rocked and sang to him, until he finally drifted off.

Lily didn’t mind a fussy baby, in fact, she enjoyed the challenge. She cherished every extra moment with her child, and at exactly fifteen months, Harry’s newfound spunk was nothing but evidence of his emerging personality. He had her eyes, and she wondered if he’d get James’ messy hair, horrid eyesight, and infuriating charm. She grinned at the thought of a sassy and sarcastic Harry, star of the quidditch team, just like his dad. Or maybe he’d be more like Lily; sensitive and studious, top of his class, future Head Boy.

Of course, there could be nothing remarkable about him at all. He could turn out to be average, maybe even terrible at sports, or join weird clubs and get below-average marks. Even then, if her son came home for the summer excited about a slew of ‘acceptables’, or stressed about Gobstones club drama, he’d still be the coolest person Lily knew.

Whatever he turned out to be — head boy, quidditch captain, super-nerd, or even squib — Lily couldn’t wait to find out. It was funny how determined she had been to never admit her feelings for James Potter. Her feelings were always there, but that boy had to work hard for her affection. All Harry had to do was laugh, or sneeze, or wrap his tiny fingers around her pinky, and Lily was a goner.

With the stubborn child finally asleep, Lily shuffled downstairs to find that James had already cleaned up dinner in the kitchen and was pouring two generous glasses of wine, almost as if he read her mind.

He beamed when he saw her — one of her favorite things about him was that he made no effort to hide his feelings, ever — and slid the glass across the countertop.

“What’s the occasion?” she asked, raising the glass to her lips. It was bitter to the taste but relented into a friendlier, fruitier flavor once Lily committed to a sip.

She never knew she could relate so much to a glass of wine.

“Halloween,” said James. “I know you love it, and I’m sorry we couldn’t celebrate the muggle way.”

Halloween was always Lily’s favorite holiday growing up. There was something comforting about everyone’s sudden suspension of disbelief and willingness to face what scared them. She wished muggles would have embraced the paranormal every day, it surely would have made her life easier.

“It’s okay,” she said. “It has to be this way.”

Lily wished they could hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, but the neighborhood muggles couldn’t see their home; not while it was under the Fidelius Charm. Staying hidden wasn’t what she had imagined when moving to a mixed-magical community, but for now, it was the safest option. The only option.

James met her on the other side of the kitchen island, interrupting her thoughts with two fingers under her chin. “Definitely next year,” he said before tilting her head up for a kiss.

Her eyes fluttered shut, and she smiled against his lips, wondering if Harry’s ability to make her heart explode was just as hereditary as his bright green eyes. There was something about those Potter boys that knocked her off her feet.

Maybe James was right, and next year, things would be different. They could get to know their non-magical neighbors, and Lily could take Harry trick-or-treating. He’d look so cute dressed up as a hippogriff, and no one would bat an eye when he’d insist it was a real animal. Kids say the darndest things, and on Halloween, anything was possible.

“Next year, for sure.” Lily took another swig of her wine and relished in the evolution of its flavor, a delicious reminder that things change, sometimes so fast that she might blink and miss it. Things weren’t perfect by any means — they were in the middle of a war, after all — but there was no shortage of good in their lives. Not everyone could say they had a happy family, loyal friends, and really good wine.

“Dance with me?” asked James, setting his wine down next to hers and tugging gently on her arm.

It didn’t take much to lure her into the open space of the living room and settle into the crook of his neck. There was no music, but that didn’t matter; if there had been a beat, they would probably have ignored it anyway.

“Do you remember the first time we ever danced?”

She nodded against his shoulder. Of course she remembered.

It was Halloween, sixth year, and James and Lily had been alone in the common room.

“Happy Halloween, Lily,” said James as he approached her. “Today, you’re not a freak.”

Out of context, it might have sounded like senseless teasing, but it was so much more than that. She stared back at him, mouth agape, and wasn’t sure how to respond. It had been years — years — since they had talked about Halloween, and somehow he remembered a passing comment from her eleven-year-old self.

“You remember that?” she asked, looking at him through narrowed eyes.

It was her answer to an ice-breaker game during their first year — ‘what’s your favorite holiday and why?’ She hadn’t expected the confused stares at her response. In the muggle world, Halloween was the only day when she didn’t feel weird. Now, Halloween, and the fact that it meant something different to her than to everyone else, meant it was the only day when she did.

However, she’d happily settle for one single day of being a freak; it was much better than three hundred and sixty-four.

“Of course I remember,” said James, smiling at her. His grin was electric, almost zapping through his messy black hair. Then, he reached out a questioning hand and raised his eyebrows. She stared back at him, wishing he would just use his words, yet she was impressed that with her, he didn’t need to. James always wore his thoughts on his face, in plain sight for the world to see, and never seemed to feel any shame or embarrassment for expressing them.

It touched a nerve for Lily, who had spent most of her life hiding. She longed for him to have to explain himself for once, to actually verbalize his thoughts instead of coasting by in his utopia where people just understood him. It wasn’t fair. “What are you asking, James?”

“Dance with me?” he clarified. His voice was annoyingly calm and collected as if he knew she had been expecting him to elaborate, yet aware that he didn’t have to. He didn’t even flinch at her incredulous stare, confident in his request, as if asking her to dance was the most obvious progression to wishing her a happy Halloween.

“Why?” She steadied her hands firmly by her sides, hoping James didn't see her fingers twitch toward his.

“To celebrate Halloween, of course.” His cheeks were rosy, his eyes sparkling, and his continued lack of reaction was curious. Despite her rejection, he committed to holding out his hand with confidence.

“People don’t dance on Halloween.”

“I’m people, and I dance on Halloween,” laughed James.

She looked at his hand and considered it. Despite a few accidental brushes of her hand while taking notes or passing in the hallway, she had never actually touched him. And Lily had always been the curious type.

James followed her gaze to his hand and playfully wiggled his fingers.

“Okay,” she said, placing her hand in his. His touch was gentle, firm, confident. It felt nice. “But there’s no music.”

“We don’t need any,” he said, pulling on her arm so that her body pressed up against his. It might have been too forward if she hadn’t fit so perfectly, but honestly, standing any further from him would have felt like sitting upright in a reclining chair. “If there was music, I’d probably ignore the beat, anyway.”

“You would?” His soft voice immediately put her at ease in his arms, even though her palms were sweating and her heart was picking up its pace. “Why?”

“I’m too distracted,” he said. “Wasn’t expecting you to say yes.”

Lily laughed. “Then why’d you risk asking?”

“Anything is possible on Halloween, right?”

His arms tightened around her just then, not in a forceful way, just comfortable and supportive. She let herself get lost in the moment, swaying with James by the crackling fire, actually smelling, not imagining, his cologne, and feeling the prickle of his stubble against her forehead — when did that grow in?

Maybe the next day, they’d go back to their usual dynamic, somewhere between flirting and arguing, annoyance and admiration. Or maybe, this would change things. There was something about the Potter boy and his messy black hair, unruly and uncaring, his glasses that should have made him look like a nerd but didn’t, and his annoying charisma that had an effect on her. It wasn’t a secret; they were both aware of it, yet neither felt the need to acknowledge it. At least not yet. They were so young, and they had so much time.

“Was that when it all changed for you?” asked James, pulling her back to the present. “Is that when you finally gave in to my charm?”

Lily smiled at her husband. “Nothing changed that day. Nothing ever changed.”

James smiled, and Lily leaned into the sharpness of his stubble, a few lazy days unshaven. She melted against him and held him tight. Although his belly was softer, his voice was deeper, the circles under his eyes were darker, reflecting fifteen months of erratic sleep schedules, nothing about him had changed.

The moment was broken by the sobering sound of a baby crying. Both Lily and James groaned as they pulled away from one another and swiftly turned their focus to their child.

“I’ll put him back to bed,” said Lily.

“I can do it,” interrupted James. “You bathed him.”

Lily thought of the miniature James crying in his crib, and her heart clenched. It had only been minutes since she last snuggled him, and she already missed the child. “I really want to,” she said.

James nodded, but his gaze was not on Lily. “Okay. I will meet you upstairs, then. I want to check the wards — I thought I saw some movement outside.”

Lily squinted at the window, her heart rate rising.

“It’s probably nothing,” said James.

Reaching for her half-full glass of wine, Lily nodded. “Alright, I’ll meet you upstairs. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

With one last glance at her husband, Lily made her way up the stairs toward Harry.

Harry, the child who always scrunched up his face when he slept, pursing his lips and crinkling his nose like he just ate a lemon. The boy with her eyes and James’ smile, who was already the best kid ever, even though his personality had yet to be determined. The kid who had a temper, but always calmed down the moment his mother wrapped her arms around him, the stubborn, determined one who could melt Lily’s heart with a single look.

Her son, Harry, who she couldn’t wait to watch grow up, yet she hoped would never change.

#chudley canon fest #hp canon pairings #hp canon romantic pairings #jily #james x lily

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sweeethinny · 3 years

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Hi, Sweet! Ooh, thank you so much for sending me a prompt, I'm working on it! If you could please write "Just close your eyes. I will still be here when you open them again" for any ship, my only request is that it's in some kind of AU. I love your AUs!

Sorry for the delay Mah, hope you like this Jily Muggle AU <3

Ps: for those who don't know, Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 12th of June in Brazil, and in June we have what we call the 'June Party', where it's time to exalt Brazilian folklore, and - for those who are Catholics - is the month of June Saints, the saints who baptized Jesus.

This month, there are parties where people go dressed as hillbillies, there is a lot of food, depending on the party, drinks, a lot of dancing, and it is for many the best time of year.

Couples tend to go matching, always wearing plaid clothes, with lace, ruffles and patches, and usually women braid their hair, paint their cheeks pink and men - for those who don't - paint a fake beard on their faces. They also wear a straw hat, and everything is very colorful.

A typical outfit for you, you understand more or less how it is <3 - HERE and HERE

I hope you all like it, I always like to insert a little of my culture in the fanfics <3

read bellow the cut <3

"Just close your eyes. I will still be here when you open them again" He said, kneeling in front of her.

"Unfortunately," she said, but there was a smile on her face, a smile that James thought was adorable, and it matched her sun-rosy cheeks and the flaming strands of hair that fell over her face.

“I'll pretend to believe you.” He smiled, grimacing when she threw up again, what now felt like just water. "I'll never let you drink again."

"I never want to drink again," Lily laid her head on the toilet seat, her eyes almost closed and stared at James as if she was unable to focus her vision but was trying. The noise from the backyard party was still loud, but inside, the two of them on the bathroom floor, the silence was comforting.

"Famous last words." He shrugged, wanting to laugh but feeling sorry for her, who looked like she wanted to throw up some more. "Evans, you better pull yourself together, or I'll have to take you to the hospital, and I think it's the last place you want to go." James raised his eyebrows, wanting her to remember exactly where they were.

The idea at first was good; a weekend among friends at James' grandparents' farm, abusing every last drop of trust his parents had in him and Sirius. They promised they'd take care of the house, and it was going to be quiet, but now, when he looks out the window and sees Remus jumping off the roof into the pool, and Peter upside down trying to drink beer, he thinks things have lost a bit the control.

As long as nobody ended up in the hospital and nothing was broken, everything was perfect.

The nearest hospital was over two hours away, and none of them had the ability to drive for so long on a dirt road that it took a lot of concentration not to end up with a mired or overturned car.

"I'll be fine." She settled on the floor, leaning her back against the cool wall behind her and closing her eyes. It took James a lot of concentration to keep his eyes off her perfectly sculpted breasts, gorgeous in that black bikini. Her tanned skin made it difficult.

"Can you get up?" James asked, no longer able to stand being in such a small space with Lily so close to him, even though she had been vomiting less than a minute ago. She nodded and accepted his hand when he reached out.

James helped her wash her face and the back of her neck, trying not to think too much about how hot her skin was and how the scent of sunscreen and Lily blended together perfectly.

"Are you better, Evans?" Sirius appeared just as they walked out of the bathroom, cheeks rosy from the sun and alcohol, hair pulled back in a bun and bathing trunks falling over his hips. He had a smirk on his face, which James thought was the drinking's fault, but when Hestia walked out of the room Sirius had just left, her hair messier than before and her bikini smoothing, James understood what was happened. ‘Or do we need to call for help for you?'

"I'm great, Black." Lily tossed her hair back, as if she wanted to prove her point to him. “Dressing problems, Hess?” The girl was almost to the back door, ready to go unnoticed, but she stopped as soon as she heard her name.

Her cheeks caught fire, but her smile didn't waver.

"Yes, the knot was too tight." Hestia shrugged, pointing to the knot in her tanned back. "Sirius was helping me." James chuckled, noticing when Sirius nodded, trying to look as innocent as possible.

"I'm sure he helped." Lily looked at Sirius, then at Hestia, finally walking towards the door, her ass looking like the hottest thing in the world.

"Careful not to drool, Prongs." Sirius slapped the back of his head, looking like he wanted to wake him up from the perverted dream he was having, his drunken brain imagining everything he could do if Lily stopped looking at him just as a friend.

“You're imagining things, you idiot.” He defended himself, following the three of them outside.

The day was sunny, and even with a little wind, there was a mass of hot air that made them sweaty even when they were standing still. Everyone was sporting a tan/redness from their carelessness, and tomorrow probably wouldn't be so kind to them, but James knew that no one here was caring about tomorrow and the possible side effects of spending too much time in the sun.

It was Sirius who had come up with the idea, after looking tired of hearing complaints from Peter and Hestia about how hot it was and how they wanted to go swimming somewhere. James had blamed him for just organizing this because it was a reason for him to see Hestia in bikinis, because this wasn't the first summer Peter had complained about the heat, but it was the first that the girls had joined their group.

They had met in college, Lily was in the lab with Peter, and Marlene was in the same class as James, and when Remus asked Hestia to have lunch with them, somehow they had all become friends.

It was a unlikely group, James admitted that, but having Marlene, Lily and Hestia around always seemed to make their group much more alive and complete somehow, even though James had never thought they needed more members.

As he sat down on the lounge chair next to Lily, James wondered what she would do if he tried to flirt with her; would she repay or would she push him away and their group would break up? He'd seen how a little shocked she looked when he'd taken off his shirt, but maybe it was the tattoos that had caused it to her.

"I always thought you were too much of a mama's boy for that," she'd said, pointing to his chest, where a constellation was drawn.

Maybe that was just the shock, but James liked to think there was something else, and before she wanted to throw up her guts, he was thinking that Lily was returning the flirting start they were having, sitting by the pool while James gave her his seductive smile.

"Feeling better?" James looked over at her, lying on the lounger with her sunglasses on and her belly white with sunscreen.

"Yes now." Lily sighed. "Sorry I made you see me in that situation."

"Nothing." James shrugged. "I've gotten a lot worse, don't worry…" He took a deep breath, gathering his chest boldly and thanking that his mind was a little clouded by the beer. "Lily, are you going with anyone to Liz's party?"

Liz was a girl who studied with James, they were classmates in the Philosophy class, she was a Brazilian exchange student, and had said that she would have a party to celebrate Valentine's Day on the same date that was celebrated in Brazil, and that it was a party with the themed 'june party', which implied that they dressed in checkered clothes, or round and lace-filled dresses. She had also said that they should go as couples, but for singles, there would be something like a kissing chain or something, James hadn't quite understood.

From the photos she had shown, it looked interesting, and any opportunity to ask Lily out, James was taking it.

"I hadn't thought to go, until now." She turned her head toward him, and James cursed her sunglasses, preventing him from seeing those beautiful green eyes. ‘Are you asking me on a date?

"Could be if you want," He smiled, hoping it was seductive enough.

"Are you asking me on a date after you saw me throw up?" This time Lily lifted her glasses, and her green eyes glared at him, her eyebrow raised and an adorable little smile on her lips.

"I said I've been worse." James bit his cheek, a little anxiously. 'Then? Do you want to be my partner? I can wear a dress if you like, I look really cute in lace.” He winked, just to make her laugh—and she did.

"I want," Lily put her glasses back on, and lay back down. 'Just because I want to see you wearing lace and ruffles… I promise to be a good gentleman and court you.' It was he who laughed now, thinking it was alcohol that made him feel silly like that, laughing at anything she said and with all those butterflies in the stomach.

"Fine, can't wait." He grinned from ear to ear, he would probably have his face torn open if he continued like this, but he was too happy to care.

He was going on a date with Lily Evans.

#jily au #muggle au #james x lily #marauders #prongs #james potter #lily evans #jily

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mppmaraudergirl · 3 years

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I’m not sure you’re still taking prompts but “I love you” “What? I love you too” ...”um, I was just joking” Perhaps for Jily?🥺 I know that’s insanely specific but I love the way you write !!!!

(This was a challenging one – I took some liberty with your ellipses but I think it worked!) I hope you like it <3 <3

There was nothing quite like the warmth of a late spring night when partnered with the sharp burn of Firewhiskey and the pure elation of a Quidditch Cup victory. The party in the Gryffindor common room was dying down, proving to be a stark contrast from the fire and candles that still kept the room bright for the few rosy-cheeked sixth and seventh years not quite ready to call it quits.

Lily was draped across a large armchair in front of the fire, fingers and toes tingling from the warmth of possibly one-too-many firewhiskeys. She had been making them too strong, so the boys had stepped in to – in Sirius’ words – moderate her consumption.

She was very skeptical that moderation was in any part of Sirius Black’s vocabulary.

And the part of her sensibility that was still dangling on the edge of her subconscious told her it probably wouldn’t make much of a difference in the morning. She already had an appointment with the girls’ toilet that even a strong hangover potion probably couldn’t save her from.

Two firewhiskeys later, that fleeting internal voice of sensibility was now humming along with her as she listened to the wireless.

Mary was fairing little better, based on the gaping mouth she currently sported as she listened to some undoubtedly inane story Sirius was telling her.

Internal Lily wanted to laugh at it all, but her eyes kept sliding away from the pair, across the room to the sixth-year boy who’d had a hand in the victory Sirius was most likely still talking about.

He hadn’t changed out of his uniform, though the sheen of sweat from the match was long since gone – she imagined he’d done some sort of spell ahead of the party. (She’d been imaging a lot of things lately. Things that sent sensible Lily’s face aflame.) His cheeks were rosy, whether from still donning the long sleeve jersey or the cask of firewhiskey he had taken it upon himself to drink Lily didn’t know. As usual his hair was in a state of disarray which, partnered with the uniform, could make Lily believe he had just come from the pitch. He wasn’t looking at her, occupied instead in conversation with seventh year Jenny Clearwater, one of his fellow Chasers.

Once upon a time Lily had liked Jenny.

Once upon a time Lily hadn’t given much thought to why James’ cheeks were flushed.

Once upon a time he wasn’t James, either. But she seemed to have dropped Potter somewhere between Halloween and Easter and she couldn’t be bothered to go back looking for it.

“Liking what you’re seeing, Evans?” called Sirius’ voice.

She was so contentedly buzzed, leaning back into the warm, soft chair that she had to physically force herself to move to look at him. It wasn’t her fault her comfort led her to the perfect position looking in James’ direction.

“I don’t think she sees much of anything,” Remus offered, a small sympathetic look on his face. The boy could hold his drink. She wanted to fault him for it, but couldn’t bring herself to get angry.

“Gazing wistfully at James wuznt-she?”

“You caught me,” said Lily, flinging her legs off the chair and onto the floor. The world wobbled around her. “Oi – Potter. Ye greatest Quidditch Captain of noble Gryffindor. I offer my greatest affection to thee.”

“Tell him how you really feel!” came Peter’s instigating voice, somewhere behind Remus.

“Yeah, Evans. Tell him you love him.”

“Potter - I love you!”

James’ face split into an easy, carefree smile. “What? I love you too, Evans, oh apple of my eye.”

Lily laughed, pushing herself back into the chair, shooting a victorious look at the boys – who, for some reason, seemed to be sending an equally victorious look back at her. “Oh, stuff it. You know I was just joking.”

“I know you think you’re joking,” Sirius said, cheekily.

Lily rolled her eyes in response, downing the rest of her drink. Her stupid eyes went between James and Jenny before another victorious grin appeared on Sirius’ face – or perhaps it’d never left.

“Well, I can see my presence is no longer welcome here, so I ought to go to bed. Mary, are you coming?”

It took her two tries to push herself off the chair and to her feet. The force of which caused her to stumble and completely miss whatever Mary had replied. She took two unsteady steps forward before a set of strong hands caught her elbows.

“All right, Evans? Have you been drinking any water?”

“Peachy, Potter. And that entirely depends on what percentage of water there is in punch. You’re ace at Artithenmancy…er... so whatever that comes to, likely I dunno seventy to eighty percent multiply that by five.”

James laughed. And dammit if he wasn’t so tall, and so close, that she could feel the sound vibrating in his chest even louder than she heard him. His hands had not moved from her elbows, and she suddenly found that her hands were pressed to his stomach. Even sensible Lily licked her lips at this realization.

“I think you meant seventy to eighty percent of the punch was whiskey not water. And five drinks, Evans? Here I was, thinking you were a responsible prefect. You ought to turn in your badge.”

“I’m a shoe-in for Head Girl, I’ll have you know.”

“And you should turn in that badge, too.”

She pulled away from him just enough to get a better look at his face. It was a mistake, because his grin exploded her stomach with butterflies. It wasn’t so long ago his look boiled her blood with molten anger instead of…

“And lose privileges to the Prefects’ bathroom? What kind of fool do you take me for?”

James laughed, but it was short and his cheeks seemed to turn a brighter pink in response. “Let’s get you some water before bed. You’ll thank me in the morning.”

“I doubt that.”

“Evans.”

“Fine, fine. And they call me an intolerable fusspot.”

Despite her grumblings, she tolerated him leading her to another chair in the common room. She then tolerated him pouring her a large glass of water and sitting with her as she drank it. She also tolerated him making her laugh until said water almost came out of her nose.

And by the time she went to bed, three glasses of water later, she thought she might have tolerated him kissing her.

#jily #james potter #lily evans #drabble #prompt #from #jamespotterismybby #drunk jily #making an appearance again #in sixth year #with pining!#*slaps fic*#i can fit so many cliches in this baby

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be11atrixthestrange · 3 years

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A Gift To Remember

Here’s a little Jily drabble I wrote for The House Competition.

Prompt: [Object]: Remembrall

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"Happy birthday Lily. Here's a gift you'll never forget!"

James beamed as he handed Lily a small gift-wrapped box, and for a brief moment, her heart dropped into her stomach. Even though they'd been dating for a few years, they were still far too young for a mysterious palm-sized parcel. Weren't they?

She narrowed her eyes at James to scour for intel before she opened his gift. It's not like they were alone — they were in the Leaky Cauldron for Merlin's sake. James made no attempt to hide his excitement; his toothy smile stretched across his face and his eyes twinkled as he bounced impatiently on his feet.

"Open it!"

"Okay, okay!" she said, now acutely aware of many curious eyes on her as she tugged at the strings to unravel James' birthday gift. James wouldn't give her a ring, would he? Not in public...

No, that's exactly what he'd do.

She turned her gaze back to her hands, tearing away at the tissue paper, which was now patchy with fingerprints from her sweating palms. It's not that she didn't want him to buy her a ring — she just hadn't really thought about it.

No, you have definitely thought about it, she internally corrected herself. You think about it all the time.

As she removed the last of the paper, she realized it hadn't crossed her mind to prepare a response; she didn't need to. She already knew what she'd say, hypothetically, of course.

Finally, rid of the wrapping, she popped open the top of the box with trembling fingers. Inside was a miniature crystal ball filled with red mist. It was no bigger than a ring box. She released the breath she didn't know she was holding, convincing herself it was due to relief rather than disappointment, but the knots forming in her stomach suggested otherwise.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A remembrall!" said James excitedly.

Lily raised her eyebrows, silently asking him to explain.

"It turns red whenever you've forgotten something."

She glanced at the remembrall, still swirling with what appeared to be red smoke. "What have I forgotten now?"

"I don't know!"

"Oh," said Lily. "Well, thank you, James."

The gleaming red remembrall sent Lily's brain into overdrive. What could she have forgotten? Was it important? Why didn't it tell her what she'd forgotten? And why wasn't it a ring?

Her eyebrows knit together in concentration and James sniggered.

"What's so funny?" she asked, her voice sounding more shrill than anticipated. Relax, Lily. You weren't expecting him to propose, and this is a fine birthday gift...

"You look cute when you're stressed. I can't wait to see you get all flustered when you try to remember what you've forgotten." James was still wearing his giddy grin, and Lily couldn't help but smile back.

She studied the glass ball in her hand, suddenly brimming with affection for it. It's okay that it wasn't a ring. It was such a James gift. "Well, I love it. Thank you."

"And I love you!" He leaned forward and kissed her on the nose. A rosy warmth filled Lily's cheeks, temporarily easing her anxiety about whatever it was she couldn't remember.

"It's still red," said Lily, tossing her purse onto a chair as soon as they arrived back at their flat. "Why?"

"Great gift, isn't it?" said James, tugging her into a hug. "It's going to drive you mad!"

"Hilarious," said Lily as she softened into his embrace. "And you're right, it's making me crazy.

James pulled away and met her gaze. "You really can't figure out what you've forgotten?"

'No, why?"

"Because I know."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

"I'll give you a hint. Today is a very special anniversary."

Lily scoffed. "Yeah… my birthday!"

James laughed, guiding her back into an embrace. "Something else happened on your birthday."

"It did?" she asked, her voice now muffled against James' shoulder. "Which one?"

"Fifteenth."

Lily froze, a grin forming on her lips. Her fifteenth birthday. The party in the Gryffindor common room. The smuggled Butterbeer, the loud music, that fateful game of truth or dare.

"James, truth or dare?"

"Dare, of course."

"I dare you to ask someone on a date right now."

Lily remembered rolling her eyes when James turned to her. "Wanna go out with me?"

She recalled the laughter when she answered him honestly, "Not in a million years, James!"

But most of all, she could clearly imagine his expression, his determination. He was completely unfazed by her rejection, and years later, he still wore his optimism like a badge of pride.

"You asked me out,"said Lily, nuzzling into James' shirt.

"Ding ding ding!" smiled James. "For the first time!"

"I said no," she said.

"Which was a terrible mistake. You're lucky I gave you another chance."

"You're not wrong," she said. "You gave me many chances."

James took a step back and locked eyes with her. Ever so briefly, his confidence vanished from his face. "So we can agree that saying no was a bad idea, right?"

Lily opened her mouth to speak but couldn't answer before James crouched down to one knee, his hands moving to hers. "James—"

"Your remembrall should be clear now," he said, his signature grin returning.

Unlinking their fingers, she reached into her pocket for the glass orb. James was right — it was clear. But it wasn't empty.

"You thought I'd only get you a remembrall for your birthday?"

"Well, yes," said Lily, her eyes watering at the sparkling solitaire ring at the center, no longer obscured by red smoke. "But this is so much better."

James beamed. "Lily Evans, will you—"

He never finished his question because Lily launched herself into James' arms and pressed her lips to his. There was no need to answer; he had to know it was a resounding 'yes'. After all, 'no' would have been a terrible mistake.

#jily #jily fic #jilyfic #jily fanfiction #jily ficlet #james and lily #lily and james

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hellpotter · 3 years

Note

Hey for the prompts thing, number 72? Thank you !!

are you drunk? | jily

“Haven’t you had enough drinks already?”

In spite of the words that come out of his mouth, James is pouring Lily yet another shot of vodka. Not like it is his choice, of course. If she payed for it, it was literally his job to do so.

Still, she knows that, if he could, he wouldn’t be giving her any more alcohol. But she knows he underestimates her tolerance and she knows she’s still fine and still needs a few more shots before she starts to lose her senses. So she drinks all the transparent liquid in the cup all at once before she says anything.

“My ex is having a baby, James,” she finally answers. “I can have as many drinks as I’d like tonight.”

He grimaces as she slides the glass once again through the wooden surface between them, asking for more vodka. He pretends he doesn’t see it and looks around, looking for some other costumer to attend, but his search is useless.

It’s Tuesday night, and the bar is mostly empty. There’s just the usual drunk old men absorbed by their bottles of whiskey and a couple of groups of friends or coworkers talking calmly, their beers still half full because they don’t really intend on getting drunk in a weekday.

“James,” Lily calls him and shakes her glass in front of his face when he looks at her.

He sighs and unpleasantly pours her another shot of vodka. “Can you at least eat something?”

She rolls her eyes. “You just want me to spend more money.”

“Lily, please. Just order some fries, it won’t even cost a quarter of the money you’ll be spending on alcohol.”

“Fine. Get the fries.”

He walks away to the kitchen and it’s not long before Sirius hands him a fresh portion of french fries and says he’ll clean everything up and leave in a few minutes. Putting the bowl in front of Lily, he grabs a couple of fries before leaning back and watching her eat. She doesn’t say anything about him stealing her food. Instead, she just slides her glass again towards him and starts eating the fries.

Rolling his eyes, he grabs the recipient but leaves his hand there, fingertips touching hers as he stares at her.

“So. Your ex is having a baby.”

Huffing, she glances at their hands and then looks back at him, slightly annoyed. “Yes. And that gives me the right to drink as much as I want to.”

“Technically what gives you this right is the law.”

“Whatever.”

“Right,” he finally pulls his hand away with the cup, but leaves it standing a few inches away from where it was and leans back, arms crossed. “So, tell me about this ex of yours.”

“Ugh. Don’t pretend you don’t know him, James, you were my ex before he was my boyfriend.”

He chuckles, but sustains his gaze. “Right. I was your high school sweetheart.”

Something about her eyes changes when the subject comes up, and she looks away. “Yeah. We really were something, weren’t we?”

“Sure. I always thought you were the one.”

Their eyes meet again, but there’s too much tension in their gaze for it to last long. There are too many feelings, too many thoughts and things left unsaid between them.

“Yeah. That would’ve been fun.”

He clears his throat, eager to change the subject. “So, your ex’s baby.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Yeah. Dylan’s having a baby. And really, I’m fine, like- I really am over him, you know?”

“Well, I imagined you would be. You were the one who didn’t want to marry him after college.”

“You had to bring this up, hadn’t you?”

He shrugs. “I’m just stating the facts.”

“Of course you are,” she sighs. “Anyway, I’m doing good, you know I am. I love my job and I have a good life and lately I’ve been on some new shit. It’s cool, I like my life. And I guess I’m happy for him, it’s just-,” she reaches for her glass and notices it’s still empty. “James can you please give me some more alcohol?”

He makes a face and tries to protest, but ends up leaning down to grab the vodka bottle.

“Thanks,” she says, after she drinks.

“Hm. So you’re happy?”

“Yeah, I guess. I am, it’s just... It’s frustrating, you know. It feels like a door is locking and it’s okay because I didn’t even want to open it, but- It feels lonely outside. And it reminds me of everything I could’ve had.”

He reaches out and grabs her hand, holding it softly. “Hey. It’s not like you can’t have it anymore. You just can’t have it with him”

“U-hum.”

“And damn, Lily, that guy...”

“I know.”

They stay silent and eat the rest of the fries, listening to the familiar noises of the bar.

“Do you ever think about that?” She suddenly asks.

“About what?”

“About like... What it could’ve been?”

His eyebrows come together. “You mean you and Dylan? Why would I?”

“Not me and Dylan. Us.”

The air gets denser and he stares at his own hands. For a while, neither of them speaks again.

“Yes. I think about it.”

“And what do you think?”

He lifts his eyes to meet hers. “I don’t know, Lily. A lot of things. We couldn’t have known back them, that we’d still be close by now. We were going to different cities and I didn’t think you’d come back to London and be my favorite costumer.”

“And you messed up.”

“Yeah. I messed up.”

Another round of silence, and this time they realize they are the only people left there.

“It must be getting late,” she says, finally.

“Probably.”

“I guess I should go home.”

He nods slightly and they stare at each other’s eyes for a few moments longer. She keeps looking at him in a strange way, as if waiting for him to say or do something, he doesn’t quite know what it is. She hesitates before reaching for her purse stops to look at him.

“It’s fine, you know? I mean, you messed up, but I forgave you a long time ago. Sometimes I wonder too... Maybe if some things had been different-,” she shook her head, as if to dismiss her line of thought. “Well, it doesn’t matter. How much do I owe you?”

He shook his head. “Consider it on the house.”

She stares at him and they have a silent discussion about this with their eyes. He wins.

“Fine,” she says. “Bye, then, James. And thank you for the drinks and the food and the talk.”

She turns around to leave, but something about the air and the way she walks makes him have the urge to call her back. “Lily?”

She turns her head around.

“Are you drunk?” He asks.

She furrows her eyebrows. “Drunk enough to be dangerous behind the wheel. Sober enough to know that and make the decision to call a cab.”

He just stands there for a moment.

“Don’t worry James, I’m fine. And I’ll remember all of this tomorrow.”

She starts to turn around to leave again, but he moves fast this time, almost running and coming to the other side of the bar, reaching her in a few steps.

“James?”

He stands right in front of her, and instead of answering he just keeps staring at her, at those green eyes and light freckled nose and rosy cheeks that were so familiar. Slowly, he takes her face in his hands, holding her jaw and the back of her neck softly and tilting her head slightly up.

Almost trembling, he leans in a soft motion, giving her time to say something or back away if she wants to.

She doesn’t. So he brings their lips together and kisses her gently, but passionately. When their tongues meet, it’s like they’re finding an old path, a road they hadn’t traveled for years, but still know exactly all the details from. It doesn’t take long for them to be breathless and itching for more. More of their mouths, their bodies, more of that. More of them.

“Oh, shit,” she mutters when they break apart, his hands still on her head and hers lost on his hair.

“That is what I think about, Evans. When I think about us,” he says, firmly, before stepping away and starting to clean the place.

She gulps. “Oh. Okay.”

He lets a side smile show. “Maybe we can figure it out, you know. What it could’ve been.”

She blushes as he smiles at her.

“You can call me, if you want to... do something different.”

“Okay.”

They stand there staring at each other. She breathes in and out several times. Then she turns around and leaves, the door making a soft noise behind her.

A second after, his phone rings.

“Hello?”

Lily’s voice is soft on the other side. “I thought we could do something different. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow sounds great.”

prompts list

#okay so #anon i’m sorry if you thought about another couple #there wasn’t a ship and i just really associated this promp to jily #so here it is #jily #jily fanfiction #jily fic #harry potter #james potter #lily evans #mortal au #i’ve been listening to folklore all day and this is totally inspired by it #a lot of references #but mostly the 1 #hp #folklore

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dulltulipz · 2 years

Text

O' children

Rating: mature for blood

Summary : Remus gets ambushed on a mission and as he stumbles back to a familiar home to be found by the ones he loves.

Ship: wolfstar, jily

By Whyamilived

The crucio curse was one of many curses I’ve experienced, the same as Sectumsempra but this time there was no one to help me, I was all alone on this mission. The pain that surged through my body was hell. I felt my skin splitting open, it felt just like when the wolf made those scars.

It felt just like my transformations.

Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius' cousin, was the one who was torturing me. I never knew how Sirius was related to her, she was insane. The thought of Bella doing this to Sirius made me infuriated. I opened my eyes to look up at Bella and she looked completely mad. I clenched my teeth as More pain was sent through my body.

I looked around and saw my wand, it was out of reach but if I moved a little bit more I could reach it. I focused the last bit of my strength and flung my body and grabbed my wand. I immediately turned around and pointed it at all the death eaters.

“Expecto Patronum!” The wolf jumped out in a blue glow, I got up to my feet and started to getaway. The yells of frustration could be heard from where the Patronus was cast. I continued to run until I was on the road. I stopped running and thought of London and apparated, Because of protocol I had to apparate multiple times to make sure I’m not being followed.

I apparated again to Brighton , then to Scotland. I waited a little bit then apparated to London to a certain house and walked up to the front door. The house's lights were still on even at midnight, my hand reached for the handle and turned it, pushing open the door. As I walked in I could hear arguing from the living room.

I closed the door quietly behind me and walked to where the living room entrance was, bright yellow light streaming from the open door. As I appeared in the doorway I could finally see the people who were arguing. Sirius Black was arguing with James Potter and Lily Potter was sitting in the kitchen that was connected to the living room.

Here comes Frank and poor old Jim

They're gathering round with all my friends

We're older now, the light is dim

And you are only just beginning

Oh-Oh-O Children

“Pad’s” Was all I could get out and it was enough, Sirius turned to me “Moony…” he said and immediately rushed forward holding my body in his arms. I wrapped my arms around him, Lily was getting up from the table and walking over to Sirius and me.

“Sirius let go, he's hurt” I looked up at Lily, Sirius moved, I smiled at her, “Hey Lil’s” She smiled and helped Sirius walk me over to the couch. My body completely collapsed on the couch and I sat up to not look like a rag doll.

“Sirius get my wand from the kitchen, James start making some tea” The boys nodded and walked away, Sirius came back a few seconds later and handed Lily her wand. Sirius sat down next to me and grabbed my hand holding it.

The cleaners have done their job on you

They're hip to it, man, they're in the groove

They've hosed you down, you're good as new

And they're lining up to inspect you

Oh-Oh-O Children

Lily unbuttoned my shirt and pulled it off slowly. They gasped at the reopened scars on my body. “Moony oh my god” Sirius said, giving my hand a squeeze, I looked up at Sirius and leaned into his side, He immediately moved as close as he could and put his arm around my shoulder being careful with where he put his hand.

As Lily cleaned my wounds her hand touched where one of the bigger bruises was. I whimpered and hid my face in Sirius' neck holding his hand tightly. “I’m sorry” Lily cried out. I looked down at her and tears were falling down her rosy cheeks. I reached out with my other hand and gripped Lilys hand, “I’m okay Lil’s it was just another mission” I said trying to calm her down. Lily held her wand just above my stomach and muttered “Vulnera Sanentur”

Poor old Jim's white as a ghost

He's found the answer that we lost

We're all weeping now, weeping because

There ain't nothing we can do to protect you

“Just another mission my ass,” Lily said, looking up at me. “Your body is completely stiff, tenses from the slightest touch, bruises on your body from being thrown around, your scars reopened from Sectumsempra, they also used the cruciatus curse didn't they?” Lily said, wiping tears from her face. I looked down at Lily to meet her eye contact. “Yes, it was used on me” I said, I heard Sirius breath hitch and he tightened his grip on my hand.

“More than once” Lily continued, I nodded and she put her head in her hands. A question was asked from James as he entered the room with tea. “Who did it to you?” James asked. My gaze went to the floor then up to James. “Bellatrix” I said, as I said the name I could feel the anger in Sirius boil. “That bitch” He got up from the couch and grabbed his wand off the side table. He started towards the front door. There was fire in his eyes.

O children

Lift up your voice, lift up your voice

Children

Rejoice, rejoice

“Sirius!” I whimpered and reached my hand out for him, He stopped and turned around. His gaze softened as he looked at me. “I need you here…with me” I said my hand out for him to take. Sirius was crying, tears fell down his face. I knew that Sirius wasn't going to leave when I was in distress and he definitely wouldn’t leave if I needed him. Sirius nodded and He came back over and sat as close as he did before. Lily continued fixing my wounds, I felt bad that she had to do this but really there wasn't anyone else I trusted enough.

Soon Lily was done and went to sit with James on the other couch. Lily didn't let me put my shirt back on because of my wounds. My body started to get colder the longer my skin was out in the open and Sirius noticed.

Sirius got up and went to the big chest behind the couch and pulled out a blanket. He quickly came back over and wrapped it around both of us. The warmth from Sirius’ body immediately hit me and I curled up against his chest. I looked over at Lily and James. They were talking quietly trying not to disturb me and Sirius.

I felt Sirius kiss the top of my head, I snuggled my head closer under his chin. I kissed Sirius’ neck gently and felt him shiver, I laid my head back on his chest. “Love?” Remus said quietly, “Yes?” Sirius replied. “Thank you for staying,” Sirius smiled, “I would never leave you.” Sirius replied, Remus' eyes started to become wet as tears fell.

I woke up to slight music playing, my eyes fluttered open and I saw Sirius fiddling with the radio above the fireplace. The concentration on his face was adorable, he was turning every knob and pressing every button. Lily and James weren’t in the room, they must have gone up to bed.

“You need help?” I said sitting up slightly, Sirius turned around and smiling gently.

“Yeah, I don't understand what I’m doing wrong” Sirius said walking over next to the couch.

I grabbed my wand off the side table and pointed it at the radio. With a slight flick of my wrist it started working.

Sirius laughed and went over to the radio again. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of using my wand” Sirius said, he reached for the knob and turned it, the volume got louder.

The song was very recognizable.

It was the song that played the first time Sirius and I kissed, it was a memory that was so special to the both of us.

I looked up at Padfoots and there was a knowing smile on his face as he looked at me. He walked over to me and kneeled to where I was laying on the couch.

“Wanna dance, Moony?” Sirius said offering his hand, I laughed a little, meeting Sirius’s gaze.

“Of course I do” I took Sirius's hand and got up from the couch.

He pulled me to the middle of the floor and took my hand and held it out and placed his other hand on my shoulder, my hand found his waist and pulled him closer.

We started to dance around the candle lit room.

Hey, little train, we are all jumping on

The train that goes to the Kingdom

We're happy, Ma, we're having fun

And the train ain't even left the station

Hey, little train, wait for me!

I once was blind, but now I see

Everything was perfect in this moment, I spun Sirius around a couple times which caused him to almost fall over and some quiet laughter.

Have you left a seat for me?

Is that such a stretch of the imagination?

Moments like this were the ones to confirm Sirius was the only one that could make me feel alive, to live truthfully. I really was in love with him.

Hey little train, wait for me!

I was held in chains, but now I'm free

I'm hanging in there, don't you see?

In this process of elimination

The dancing soon turned slower and we both were holding each other tight, Sirius head resting on my shoulder and my head leaning on his. Our fingers intertwined tightly with heat and sweat in between them, our other hands gripped each other tightly.

As the song neared an end Sirius and I pulled apart and looked at each other. As I looked into Sirius' dark eyes my heart fluttered just like it did when we first kissed at 16.

“I love you, Sirius Black” Remus saying those words confirmed to Sirius that Remus accepted him for who he truly was, the son from a evil family and the boy who chose love over approval.

Sirius smiled so brightly and brought a hand up to Remus' face.

“I love you too, Remus Lupin” He was so in love with Sirius it really felt like a drug to him, no matter how much he fights it off he’s always coming straight back.

Sirius pulled Remus down and pressed his lips against the werewolf’s, the kiss was deep and long; they both wanted to show each other how much they wanted each other and how much they needed the other.

As they pulled apart they rested their foreheads together.

“We’ll always be together” Remus said quietly and Sirius snickered

“Always”

#harry potter #remus lupin #remus x sirius #wolfstar #fanfic #wolfstar fanfiction #jily

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isahorcrux · 5 months

Text

love, james | chapter 7: see you at christmas

James likes Lily. And Lily likes James. How the hell did it get so complicated?

Love, Rosie, but make it Jily. Written for the Jilytoberfest 2023 Rom-Com Event.

listen to the playlist here

“You’ve double checked you’ve got your passport, right Lil?” “Dad, I told you. I don’t need a passport for the Floo,” Lily rolled her eyes as her father turned onto the M6 motorway. Mr. Evans shook his head, “And what if the Floo is down? How will you get home then?” Lily shrugged, “Wait for it to start working again I suppose.” “And leave me all alone with your mother and Petunia over the holidays? Absolutely not,” Mr. Evans reached into his messy glove compartment and pulled out a passport, Lily’s passport, to be exact. “Dad,” Lily laughed, rolling her eyes affectionately. “Just for emergencies. I know you’re perfectly capable of magicking your way back, but something to reassure your old dad.” “Thanks,” Lily smiled and took the passport, tucking it into her rucksack, “And thanks for, you know, driving me to London. I could have just taken the train.”

continue reading on ao3

#love james #isahorcrux writes #jple #james potter #lily evans #jily #jily fanfic #jily fanfiction

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ofmermaidsandmarauders · 3 years

Text

the road less taken looks real good now

hope you enjoy this attempt at taylor swift/evermore inspired Jily smut!!

read on AO3 or FFN

If you had asked Lily where she thought she would see James Potter again, the last place she would have said was running into him as she turned the corner on her way to the little market next to the cinema. And yet, he was exactly who she collided with, his arms catching her just before she fell back and her bottom landed on the hard cement.

"Alright, Evans?" His cheeky grin and rosy cheeks drew her attention first, her eyes then sliding up that slightly crooked nose to meet his gaze. It was cold outside, but that wasn't what caused the shiver that ran down her spine, his eyes alight with that same mischievousness they held when she first met James at eleven years old, almost ten years ago now.

"Yeah, I'm just fine," she reassured him softly as her hands gave his shoulders a slight squeeze, "thank you."

'It's… wow. It's really good to see you," James admitted, the right side of his mouth lifting just a little higher than the left as his gaze raked over her body, setting her upright so his arms could fall pathetically back to his sides. "Like, really good to see you."

Lily thought of that night after graduation, the memory of their legs curled together under her bed sheets causing another chill to run down her spine. They had agreed to keep in touch, explore where this future between them could go, but then apprenticeships and family needs cropped up, too much time and space passed and the idea of James and Lily finding a future together had passed by, a missed opportunity.

Looking up at James' warm smile and tall stature, she wondered for a brief moment what their lives would have been like should they have traveled that road together. Would she be feeling so lonely this holiday season? Or would there have been a happier alternative in her path?

"It's good to see you too, James. I was just nipping over to the market for a few items to make Christmas cookies while I'm home for the holidays. Wait, wait, wait…" Lily paused, not even noticing that they had picked up their paces, walking towards the market as if on autopilot together. "What are you doing here in Bamburgh?"

James peered down at her, shoving his hands into his pockets as he pondered over his answer.

"My parents passed away about eight years ago now. Usually I spend the holidays with the lads, or with Remus' family, or just with Sirius, but with the two of them finally getting their shit together and coupling up, it felt a bit more like intruding. My parents always had a little cabin out this way on the coast, but we never visited much. I remembered coming here as a young boy and thought I'd try to clean it up and just have a solitary Christmas."

"Oh." This was the only thing Lily could think of to say, her mind going blank as she tried to process the fact that James Potter's family had owned a home in her small town, and yet the two had never run into one another until that day on the Hogwarts Express, his little body barrelling into hers at lightning speed. Her mouth quirked up at the memory and she peered up at him now. No, he was no longer that little boy. He was not even that boy of eighteen, the one who had whispered sweet nothings into her ear and promised her the world if they could just find a way to make it work.

She had always assumed that if he had meant what he said, he'd have found a way to make it work. Her own insecurities had interfered in her own efforts, causing her to wait patiently until she had to finally accept that James hadn't truly felt as strongly as she had led herself to believe.

And that was okay. Lily had moved on after a little time licking her wounds. The rejection had only stung for a short while.

"Hey, I have to head back but… you should stop by later if you've got some extra Christmas cookies," James told her, his hand reaching up to gently hold her elbow, guiding her to face him once again. "And just because I'd really like to see you again."

"A-alright," Lily stammered, surprising herself by her own quick agreement. "I'd really like that too."

"Great, hold on. Let me just…" James maneuvered and dug around in his pockets until he found some scrap of paper in his wallet, his mouth moving silently as an address slowly etched itself on the little white scrap. He handed it over with a cheeky grin, his impressive display of wandless magic completed.

"I'll be by later this evening," Lily told him, fingers grazing his own as she took the slip of paper, pocketing it slowly. She hadn't been expecting the warm zing of pleasure that shot up her arm just from their fingers brushing together in the cold.

James backed away, grinning brightly as he rounded the corner once more and she was able to head towards the market once more, her mind now cloudy with thoughts of what ifs.

______________________________

"Hello?" Lily called out as she trudged up the driveway, the keys to her mom's car jingling in one hand, a plastic-wrapped tray of various cookies held in the other. One upside to being muggleborn was definitely the additional travel options, Lily thought to herself. "James, open the door! My hands are full!"

"Hey there!" James' voice rang out from the left side of the house, appearing just a second after she registered where he was. "Sorry, I was doing some work clearing out the weeds in the garden. Hard to do with layers of snow covering the area, but luckily for me, my parents got this place knowing it was set away from the muggles so I can still use my wand." James wiped his hands off on his dark jeans before gesturing for her to follow him inside.

Lily was having trouble wrapping her mind around this grown up version of James. He came across as so responsible and mature, though what else should she have expected? She scolded herself for expecting that he would still be that same eighteen year old she had started to envision a life with.

"These look incredible," James complimented as he gently slid the tray out of her hand and carried it into the kitchen.

"James, it smells incredible in here," she breathed out as the scents of various spices filled her nose. She could see the small pot on the stovetop and the oven light was on, indicating that there was a dish being kept warm inside.

"I just made us a spiced carrot and lentil soup, and a small roast chicken and vegetables. You brought the real goods though," James informed her, a wide grin on his face as he silently waved his wand, conjuring two table settings, the bottle of wine already uncorked that poured itself two healthy glasses of wine. "I'm sorry, I assumed you'd join me for dinner. I hope that's alright."

"It's perfect. It really does smell good. I'm sure it tastes great too," Lily reassured him as she slid her coat off, peeking around before hanging it on a small coat hook by the side door. "It's so cozy in here, not what I would have expected from a Potter family vacation home."

James laughed softly at the joke, offering her the glass of wine before shrugging. "It's not big at all. That's probably why we didn't come here often. Mum loved the extravagance of the larger homes and resorts. Dad was the one who liked the quiet bliss that the coast offered. I think this was one of his ideas. I didn't get it when I was little… but I do now."

Lily let the words settle in, taking a small sip of the wine.

"I was bored the few times we came here as a child. I had so much energy, y'know? I needed a friend to play with and something to keep me entertained at all times. Now that I'm older I crave the quiet sometimes. Everything gets to just be so loud and I can manage but I just need a few minutes to catch my breath sometimes."

James' words kept Lily quiet, letting the thoughts flicker through her mind as she imagined this new James and tried to merge it with the James she knew. "Yeah, I get that," she finally said.

He set about serving the soup and then carving the chicken and plating some of that as well. She watched in fascination as he did things the muggle way, a small smile on her face as he flitted around the kitchen expertly.

"I lost my wand at Sirius' for a week about six years ago. It was a nightmare," he explained as if answering a question she didn't ask. "I couldn't conjure anything, couldn't just make food in an instant, but I think I learned how nice it can be to get your hands dirty and make something on your own. I still use magic to help me out now, though."

Lily laughed at her cheeky grin and assisted him with refilling their glasses just before settling into the seat he pointed to. Settled across from him at the table, Lily had a brief flash of what life could have been.

The two passed through their meal, casually chatting and checking in with their current status. James was between "experiences," trying to find the right next move in the wizarding world that would fulfill his desires to do something good. Lily was working with some of London's most skilled healers, researching a new potion that would cure effects of dark magic that had never been explored before.

"See, that is something I've always loved about you, Evans! You could do anything you want in this world, make enormous amounts of money doing private materialistic work, and instead you want to make a true difference. Just brilliant!" James complimented before shoveling in a mouthful of chicken, finishing off his meal.

Lily's cheeks flushed, choosing to ignore the first part of his compliment. "Well, thank you. I think I'm a little selfish though. The notoriety if we can pull it off means I'll be guaranteed a job anywhere I want in the future. But thank you."

James boldly reached across the small table and took her hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze. He didn't drop it after squeezing, instead just holding it across the table. "You can stay, can't you? For a bit longer?"

Lily nodded quickly, not wanting this night to end. She wasn't entirely sure what they were going to do, but just being in James' presence was a warm balm on her soul. Being around her family could be draining, especially her sister and her sister's husband, and their preteen son. Ever since their father had passed, Lily's mom worked overtime at the holidays to smooth things over between her girls, trying to keep her family together.

James was offering Lily an escape from the constant stress and darkness she felt visiting her childhood home. It was the reprieve she didn't even know she wanted until it had been offered.

"I have nowhere else to be," she explained before realizing how cold that sounded. "Nowhere else I'd rather be."

James grinned at this, using his free hand to wave his wand and clear the dishes from in front of them, the tray of cookies suddenly appearing unwrapped on the small table. She grinned up at him before reaching for a peanut butter ball, his own settling on a gingerbread man.

He used his grip on her hand to ease her out of her seat, guiding her towards the little sitting area that he had near the back of the house. It was a small room, two bookcases settled on either side of the large window that framed the lake. There was a small couch and coffee table, a rug underneath that made the room feel warmer somehow. The fireplace sat on the left of the couch, a small blaze already going, built up by a flick of James' wand to warm the room just a bit more.

Lily was unsure what to do with herself before deciding that she wanted to just enjoy this space with James for a short while, so she let her feet carry her to the couch, curling them beneath her as she sat. Her body was aimed towards the empty space beside her, waiting patiently for James to take the hint and fill the seat. When he did so, her grin grew that much brighter.

"If you had asked me earlier what my plans were for tonight, this is the last thing I would have expected," he admitted, his cheeks tinged pink, though she blamed that warmth on the fire. His eyes met hers and she felt her own cheeks flush, though that warmth could be blamed solely on James' burning gaze.

"Me either," she told him softly, a shaky hand bringing the wine glass to her lips. "But I'm glad that we're both here."

Lily licked her lips and she watched as James' eyes dropped to her mouth as her tongue poked out just slightly. She heard the hitch in his breath and felt a slow burning in the pit of her stomach mixed with anxiety, wondering if this was going to end up being a mistake.

"I... '' Lily stopped herself with a shake of her head, glancing up at James nervously. His hand reached up to push back a lock of hair that had fallen out of her long braid, letting his fingers tentatively trail down her cheek, thumb tracing along her jaw. Her breath was caught in her throat and for a split second she wasn't sure if she would ever breathe again. "I'm leaving on Tuesday. I have to leave immediately after the holiday to return to work. I… I can't stay."

"I know," he breathed out, face inching closer to hers. "I know you have to be back, but we could… this could be just a thing we do. Right?"

The husky tone of his voice was driving Lily mad. She wanted to lean forward and accept whatever was about to happen, but she stopped herself and tried to let rational thoughts process in her mind. She knew the hurt she had felt last time they parted, but she hadn't been prepared for that rejection. This time she could protect herself, and her heart. Lily would know exactly what was happening this time and could stop herself from getting in too deep.

Yes, it would be just fine this time. They both knew this was just for the weekend. Something to get them through the holidays until they returned to their individual lives.

Lily leaned forward the rest of the way, feeling the way that James' fingers clenched against her jaw in response to her lips meeting his. They hadn't kissed in almost ten years and yet it was like riding a bicycle with how easily she fell back into a rhythm. Her head tilted just slightly to avoid nudging his glasses, her mouth opening beneath his for only a second before James pulled away.

She felt her mouth forming a slight pout, but James just smirked as he took the wine glasses and set them onto the coffee table before letting his hands slip down her waist until he was gripping her hips tightly.

"Only for the weekend," Lily spoke firmly, her fingers itching to touch him again. She had memorized his body at eighteen, let it be a memory of hers that lingered in the back of her mind for those nights when she felt so lonely and wanted to conjure up a dream that would keep her warm at night, hand shoved into her pants as she frantically tried to remember what it had felt like to be so cherished.

Over the years, the memory of him had faded and felt icky to use as she grew older. Lily had always tried to imagine what he would look like now, but as her hands slid beneath his shirt, nothing had prepared her for this adult James.

His own hands slid beneath her shirt, his thumbs stroking at the ridges along her spine. "You're too skinny, I'm afraid you'll shatter in my arms."

Lily pulled away to laugh at his comment, her face lighting up as the tension between them broke. There was something about James that made her feel at ease, even when he was being serious.

"I'm not that fragile. You can be rough with me," her voice was breathy as she leaned in once more, a groan falling from James' lips as she spoke.

"You can't say shit like that to me, Evans," James muttered darkly, his fingers pressing roughly against her spine to bring her closer. Lily took it a step further, climbing into his lap so that her thighs were framing his own. Their bodies aligned tightly together, faces only inches apart.

"And why not?" she whispered, lightly kissing his lower lip, allowing a faint smile to spread across her mouth. A sound that Lily could only describe as a growl came from him as he fervently kissed her, hands now sliding down to grip her arse. This was the answer to her question. A passionate, anxious, feverish kiss.

Her own hands slid from his biceps to his shoulder to his hair, gripping it tightly as if it were an anchor, not allowing him to move away. Though, it didn't seem that he had any intention to.

Lily felt like her body was on fire everywhere his hands touched. They were roaming over her frantically, like he was afraid that she would slip away at any given moment. They finally settled back on her bottom, giving it a firm squeeze before guiding her hips to slant over his just so. She could feel the hard press of him against her core, feel the way that her body ached in reaction to that gentle cant of his hips, lifting slightly to meet her own subtle thrusts.

"Lily, please," he begged, letting a hand slip to the hem of her thick sweater, tugging at it gently until she nodded, allowing her arms to lift up so he could tug it over her head. A few wisps of hair fell from her braid at the sudden friction of material, though her body felt cooled off by the slight chill in the air. Lily peeked over and realized the fire had died down again, though she was distracted once more as James' fingers unclasped her bra from behind and the straps slid down her arms with his guidance. His hands quickly replaced the cups, her nipples hardening beneath the rough texture of his palms.

A soft moan slipped from her lips as his fingers began to stroke in even circles, slowly tightening until they were tugging at her nipples in that way she liked.

"James," her voice was a harsh croak as she leaned forward, capturing his mouth in another kiss, letting her hands slip beneath his own shirt. She pulled it up, separating from his mouth only to pull it off. Her tongue probed at his mouth, wanting to taste every inch of him. If he was desperate to feel, she was desperate to taste.

James hands' never stopped their assault on her breasts, palming and tugging at her nipples until she was squeezing her thighs together, only his own were getting in the way. Instead, she began to slowly press herself down against his length, needing to feel something more than what he was doing. One of his hands moved from her breast up to cup the back of her head, his fingers probably messing up her braid, but she didn't quite mind.

Lily felt the groan that he let out, not just against her mouth, but beneath her hands that were pressed to his own chest. That firm chest that had only strengthened over time. A shiver ran down Lily's spine as his mouth pulled back from hers with a tug to her bottom lip using his teeth. Those teeth that scraped down her neck, sucking gently and peppering kisses until he reached her chest. His tongue poked out and circled once, twice, around the flesh until he sucked at her nipple. She gasped, both hands gripping the back of his head, keeping him pressed there as she arched up towards his mouth.

"James, please," she whimpered, her voice hoarse as she straddled one of his thighs, trying to press herself against it through her thin leggings. She knew that she was soaked through, desperate for his touch.

"What do you need?" he asked after pulling away from her chest, letting the hand that had been in her hair travel down her back and around then around to her stomach until it reached the waistband of her leggings. His fingers moved just beneath it, slowly inching towards the one place that was taking up all of her focus.

"Please," Lily breathed out, lifting her hips up to try to make room for his fingers, but he insisted on teasing her, letting them just stroke against the front of her pelvis, not even sliding beneath the thin silk of her underwear. "James, please. I need to feel you inside me."

James choked on a moan, bringing a smile to Lily's lips that quickly turned into a soft "oh" as his fingers slid lower and pressed against her through the fabric, index and middle finger rubbing in small circles. It wasn't enough, but it was more than she had a minute ago and that was progress.

"Oh," she breathed out again, clutching the back of his head once more as she tried to move her hips, though he steadied her with his free hand, keeping her in place. Lily hated how needy she felt, how much her body craved the feeling of his own.

James pulled his hand out suddenly, her face falling once more at the loss of contact. He only kissed her, distracting her long enough until he was suddenly standing, hands holding onto her arse for support as he began to carry her towards his bedroom. Lily began to pepper kisses along his jaw and neck, too distracted to notice which way he was walking them.

She squealed in delight as he tossed her down onto the bed, his own laugh bouncing off of the walls before he grew serious once more, climbing over her on the bed. His body encased hers, providing a shelter from the cold as he let one hand slide down to her hip, pushing her pants lower until she took the hint and assisted him in getting them off. Her own hands then went to the button on his jeans, pulling it open so that she could push the material down his legs, letting her feet finish the job until they were on the floor somewhere by the side of the bed.

Their breaths were heavy as he leaned down and kissed her once more, left hand sliding beneath her panties once more until a single finger was pressing inside of her.

"Fuck, Lily. You're so wet." He sounded incredulous as he began to slowly curl that finger and then pull it out before pushing it back in. His finger moved in slow strokes as she began to pant, lifting her hips in time with the pushing, lowering them with the pulling.

"It's for you," Lily whimpered, clutching onto his shoulders as she tried to get him to give her more. She just needed more of him. "James, please. Stop teasing me!"

"Anything for you, Evans," his cheeky grin made her giggle as he slid his briefs down his body, kicking them off somewhere before kneeling before her, spreading her legs with both of his hands. "Fuck, you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Lily keened at the compliment, her lips already flushed from activity, though she was sure they'd be red at his words.

"I'm - I take a contraceptive. You don't need to… We're covered," she finally admitted, tugging him back down by wrapping her spread legs around his waist so that their bodies were aligned once more. Lily let her hips lift until the tip of his cock was gently pressing inside of her, slipping out as she lowers her hips again. James seems frozen for a moment and this scares her, but he must see the look on her face because he lowers his mouth to hers and just kisses her until that anxiety is quelled.

When it's obvious that she's putty in his hands once again, nerves calmed down by the soothing action of his lips and tongue, his hips press forward until he's filling her. It's agonizingly slow until their hips are tight together and he breaks their kiss to let out a loud groan against her mouth.

"You're… Fuck, I… You…" James is speechless and this makes Lily giggle fiercely until he's pulling out halfway and then pressing back in, as if he can't bear to even be separated from her for that much. "I've never wanted anyone the way I want you, Evans."

"Oh, gods, James," Lily moans as she pressed her hands into his shoulder blades, wanting his body to press into hers completely. She wants to feel every inch of him against her, wants to memorize the way he feels as he's inside her fully. This ache that she's had since seeing him again feels like it's starting to be sated.

As if something has broken inside his body, James begins to thrust in and out, his hips moving at their own pace. Lily feels like her body is connected to his by a string, because everytime he goes to move, her hips are there to meet his at each thrust.

"Nobody but you, Evans. Nobody has ever felt this good. Fuck, nobody. Fuck," James rambled, each thrust feeling like it's not enough and too much all at once for her. Lily wants to come, wants to feel her world fall apart, so she slips a hand between their bodies and reaches down to where their hips meet. Before she can accomplish this, his hand is there, pushing hers away.

"No, this is mine to give," he whispered, nipping at her earlobe with his teeth as he let his fingers find where they met, rubbing small circles against her clit as she felt a tidal wave of pleasure wash over her body in waves, that pit in her stomach tightening as she tried to just reach that point of pleasure.

James seemed to understand what her body needed because he continued to thrust in a way that was getting her to that point until her toes curled and her heels were digging into his hips harshly.

"James, oh, oh," her voice was like a siren's call because within an instant he was meeting her in a wave of pleasure, his back arched as he groaned and spilled inside of her.

"Lily," was the only thing he whispered before giving her another kiss, pulling out of her body in one smooth motion, using wandless magic to summon a warm towel and a wet washcloth. Just as he took care of her during the act, James made sure to take gentle care of her in the clean up, just enough, before allowing her to use the bathroom to finish up.

Lily took one look in the mirror, her braid now half pulled out of its form and eyeliner smudged beneath her lids. She giggled to herself as she used the toilet and then wet another washcloth to wipe under her eyes. Lily dug around until she found a comb and was able to brush out her hair into soft waves, letting them fall down her back.

She felt self conscious reentering the room, though the wide grin on James' face as he gestured for her to join him in the bed washed that feeling away, replacing it with a warmth that his grin always seemed to bring.

"That sure was something, Evans," James teased, leaning over once she had joined him again to press a soft kiss to her mouth. "You sure are something."

Lily could only let out a breathy giggle as she laid on her back for a moment, trying to wrap her mind around what the fuck had just happened. Sure, she knew what was going to happen, but somehow they had ended up naked and in bed together much faster than she realized. There hadn't been any time for thinking, and that was honestly the best feeling.

"Hey, you okay?" James' voice broke through her ocean of thoughts. She felt the corners of her mouth tilt up and she nodded quickly, a glow overtaking her as his hands slid down to her hips, bringing her closer to his body until she could tuck her face into the crook of his neck. Lily cocooned herself into his body, letting him lift a sheet over her.

"I'm okay," she finally responded, the index finger on her left hand circling around his nipple, though she wasn't fully paying attention to her actions. "I'm good."

"You looked like you regretted it, for a minute there," James sounded nervous as he admitted to this and she peeked up at him from her hiding spot, watching the nerves in his eyes disappear as she offered up a genuine smile, letting her mouth press gently to his jaw.

"No regrets, it was good. You were good." Lily's voice sounded assured and it was a surprise to her how comfortable she felt laying here with James.

"Not even one?"

"Nope, not a single one. It was good, James."

James seemed content at that, the hum he released vibrating against her cheek which had returned to his solid chest. The pair laid contentedly for some time before James broke them out of their reverie. His hands had been sliding up and down her back, fingers tracing along the ridges of her spine until she was almost ready to fall asleep.

"I regret that we never made it work. That we didn't try harder. I should've tried harder for you," James told Lily, letting his hands continue in their soothing patterns on her skin. His voice sounded pained and Lily wasn't too sure how she wanted to answer.

I wish the same? It's fine, don't worry about it? I should've tried harder but my crippling anxiety and insecurities got the best of me until I gave up on the idea of us?

No - definitely not that last one.

Instead, Lily settled for an uncommitted hum instead, just letting him interpret what he wanted from that.

"I'm serious, Lily. You're the one person I've never been able to get past. Everyone dims compared to you. I meant what I said back in those days, and I should've tried harder to show you that."

As if dipping her head into a pensieve, Lily was taken back to the last time they had been curled up in bed like this:

"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life, Lily." James' words captured her heart as he slid his fingers down her body, tracing the curves of her thighs before pulling them around his waist so he could have her body wrapped around his own.

"Stop it," Lily admonished, cheeks burning from the compliment.

"I mean it. I've loved you for years, probably since the day I met you. Maybe even before we met. I was made to love you. I can't imagine a world without you in it. I can't imagine my life without you in it, Lily Evans."

"James, you're just saying that because I let you have sex with me."

"No, that's not true! I mean it," James pouted as he spoke, only smiling once Lily kissed the pout away. "When we leave here, wherever we go, I want to make this work. I want to marry you one day, have you take my last name, become a family. I want to be a dad and have kids with you. I want a life with you, Lily Evans. You're it for me."

Despite his words, James had never sought her out after that final encounter. They had never even spoken after that day, separated by time and space and people who wanted to keep them apart. An impending war, one that was completed just a month after graduation. One that James had been ready to throw himself into, and one Lily had been scared to join but knew it was the only way to move forward.

The day she had met with Dumbledore and he told her that the fight was over, that they had won, he provided her with a top notch recommendation to one of the world's most well-renowned potioneers. That month had been a rush of emotions as she prepared to battle (and lose her life) only to come to terms with the fact that she no longer needed to. She had an entire future ahead of her and yet there she was, trying to figure out how she was supposed to spend a life she never thought she'd be entitled to have.

"Where'd you go just now?" James asked, stroking through her hair until he let his hands fall down to her lower back, slowly inching until he was gripping her bottom, pulling her tightly to him.

"I was just thinking about how long it's been since we last saw each other. How much you've changed." Lily's words were a lie and for a minute she thought he'd call her out on it, but he chose not to, instead letting his mouth move down to her neck, sucking on the sensitive skin there.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly, fingers combing through his hair.

"Pulling you out of your own thoughts until you can think of nothing but me and you. Here. In this bed." James sounded firm as his mouth slowly kissed down to her chest. She moaned softly as he nipped the soft flesh on her breast before lapping at the mark, as if he was going to heal the pain she felt. His lips wrapped around her nipple, but Lily was still trying to get herself to think straight.

"I can hear your brain starting to smoke," James whispered before blowing over her breast, the peak hardening under his cool breath.

"Shut up," Lily muttered uselessly, having no brain power to think of something more insulting.

James just grinned and continued his assault on her body, moving lower and lower until her fingers were tangled in his hair and his mouth was working wonders.

Later, his cheek was pressed to her stomach, hand pressed to her hip so that she wouldn't go anywhere. Her fingers combed through James' hair slowly, trying to muster up the strength to ask him to move so she can get dressed and go home.

"Stay for the night," he whispered, as if reading her mind. "I miss holding you. Even if it's only for the weekend."

"Okay," the word was out of her mouth before she even realized that she wanted to agree. Lily knew that she was just complicating things, but the thought of leaving this warm bed and, more importantly, leaving James just hurt to think of. It was a problem that future Lily could deal with. This Lily wanted to bask in the afterglow of climaxes and cuddling with this James.

Somehow through the night, James and Lily shifted until their legs tangled together and he was spooning her against his chest. She woke up to the light shining through the windows, unclear of what time it was. Lily thought back to last night, the amount of kissing and touching that they had done. The thought made Lily's toes curl and she pulled his arms tighter around her body as she nuzzled into the pillow.

Her movements must have woken James because she felt chapped lips pressing little sucking kisses to the back of her neck and shoulder, fingers slowly gliding down her body until James was gripping onto her hips, pulling her back so that their bodies stayed connected where it counted. Lily let out a breathy sigh as he slipped his other hand in between her thighs, stroking at a lazy pace as he woke them both up. They stayed in that sleepy state, hips undulating against one another, fingers stroking inside of her until she had soaked his hand thoroughly.

James finally rolled Lily onto her back, climbing over her with a satisfied smile on his face despite the fact that nothing had truly happened yet this morning.

"Hi," he whispered, lips hovering just above hers.

"Hi," she murmured back, a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth.

"I missed this," he admitted as he pressed the tip of his cock against her, slightly thrusting his hips as he teased her, letting the tension build. "I missed you."

"You missed the sex, you mean," Lily teased, fingers slowly climbing up his body as she spread her legs just that fraction of an inch, indicating she wanted him to move things along. He did as she silently requested, sliding inside of her at an agonizingly slow pace, wanting her to feel him as they connected.

"Well, duh, but I missed this. I missed waking up to you and spending time in this half dozed state where I can just appreciate you and it's just us two in the world." James' voice held a tone of sincerity that caused a chill to run up Lily's spine, her fingernails digging into his shoulder blades as she tried not to let the emotion completely take over.

"I-" she broke off, just pressing her lips quickly to his.

"I want a do-over. I want to do this with you every morning. There's nobody else for me, Lily," he breathed against her mouth, picking up his pace just a bit as he moved his mouth to her ear. His hips continued to move slowly in and out of her at a stuttering pace as James whispered all of his filthy thoughts into her ear:

"You're so beautiful like this."

"I love the noise you make when I push inside of you just here.. Yes, that's it."

"Fuck, moan my name. That's my girl."

"I want you to feel me. I want you to know it's only me who can make you feel like this."

"I want to love you like this forever, Lily."

Despite James' chattiness, Lily can do nothing more than make keening noises for him. She is a mess of whimpers and purrs, moans and soft cries. James has whittled her down to this voiceless void, craving only the pleasure that he can bring her.

Finally, a single cry please comes from her lips and he is right there with her, sliding a hand down between them to rub her clit in small, erratic circles until she is riding the wave of her climax, mouthing at his neck as she holds back until she feels that he is also coming, and his name falls from her mouth in a helpless cry, one of her hands tangling up in his hair as she feels tears fill her eyes.

The thought of never getting this again just may be what breaks her.

______________________________

It's only later that evening when they're curled up on the loveseat together, despite the large couch settled just to their right with almost double the space, that Lily realizes how late it's getting. He had plied her full of food and distracted her with a leisurely walk around the lakeside, before Lily was fully able to recognize just how late it had gotten.

The clock has just chimed out eight little bells, and Lily wonders how much longer she should stay.

"Stay with me for the night. There's no need for you to rush out of here," James told her, his fingers stroking down along her spine. Despite the years that separated them, he still seemed to have the ability to read her thoughts when it counted, when she wasn't consciously trying to hide them.

"I really should be going home soon," she responded, sitting up so that she could actually look into his eyes, trying to figure out how she was going to pull herself away from his embrace. James had his calves hooked around hers, and his arms were wrapped around her lower back so that she was able to lay against him almost entirely.

"Why?"

The question surprised Lily more than she anticipated, mostly because she had expected an argument in response from him. She hadn't expected to have to rationalize her own thoughts, mostly because she didn't agree with what she was saying out loud.

"I have things to get done before my parent's Christmas dinner party. I know it's not until Tuesday but I have some work I planned to attend to even though I'm supposed to be enjoying the holiday. Up until now there wasn't much about it that was enjoyable, so I figured I'd at least be productive. And this is anything but productive."

"Those all sound like things that can wait. You just said it yourself, you don't have to do it but it was something to do. Just stay here. Relax. Enjoy your holiday." With each sentence, James placed a kiss along her neck, moving lower until he was at the juncture where her neck became her shoulder. "I want another night with you. I want you in my bed, with me."

"James…" Lily breathed out, though her hands were steadily climbing until they were settled into his hair.

"I don't want to wake up alone on Christmas Eve. Stay with me for one more night, Lily." The pleading tone to his voice would have been what did her in, had she not already been trying to convince herself to stay minutes ago. Between her own convincing, and his begging, she knew that she was giving in to his request.

"I don't want to wake up alone, either." Lily admitted, not specifying that it was more than just Christmas Eve that felt lonely to her. Lily was tired of feeling alone, and if James was offering a brief respite from that feeling, who was she to deny that?

______________________________

If Lily had to put a word to her concerns, she would use the word doubt. There was so much doubt running through her head. At every little touch James left as they ate dinner or nibbled on cookies or sipped at coca. At every compliment he threw her way while they walked around the lake shore or cooked dinner or laid in bed.

The only time she felt confident in what he said was when he was buried deep inside of her in the middle of the night, the stars twinkling in the night sky as they erased the outside world and focused on one another. This was the only time he mentioned a future with her, wanting to spend a life together. She wished he had the courage to mention these things in the light of day, when their bodies weren't pressed together beneath covers and hands desperate to feel soft skin beneath their touch.

They stayed up late into the night, relearning each others' bodies. Lily was committing James' new body to memory, her hands hungry for more of him. She wanted to remember every freckle and mole, every curve and sharp plane. These memories would need to get her through the next decade.

______________________________

Late the next morning, they both awoke slowly and lazily, their bodies still curled together from the heat of the previous night. Lily had woken just moments before James and took the time to appreciate his sleepy state before his eyes blinked open and a smile formed on his face when he registered what she was doing.

"G'morning," he whispered softly, pressing his thumb to her cheek and stroking it gently until it was tracing her full lower lip.

Lily pressed a kiss to the pad of his thumb before sucking it into her mouth, swirling her tongue around it gently. That teasing effort brought a groan to his lips before he was pulling it back, pressing a heated kiss to her mouth.

"You little minx," he growled, tickling her sides playfully.

How could he be so pleasant when she was leaving in just a short time?

"James," she whispered, and the tone of her voice had his body going numb, freezing up above her as his smile fell and she watched him shake his head.

"No," he replied, pressing his hips against hers, as if trying to remind her of what she could have if she agreed to stay.

"I have to go."

"Please," James pleaded, but she knew by the look on his face that he understood her mind was made up. This was a last ditch attempt at changing her mind. At trying to change the course of their separate lives.

"I have to."

The two of them stared at one another, noses brushing as their breaths mingled together in the morning sun pouring in through the window.

"I know," James finally admitted, letting his lips just barely brush over hers before standing up and helping her out of the fortress they had built with his blankets.

The two dressed silently, searching for garments and items that had been haphazardly tossed about over the weekend. Lily only smiled once when she found her underwear tucked beneath a pillow on the couch, shoved there by James at one point when he was trying to convince her to join him in the shower.

______________________________

Soon enough, her items were packed into her purse and there was no more delaying the inevitable.

They stared at one another from across the room, taking slow steps towards each other until they were both just by his front door, standing an awkward length apart. All weekend their bodies had been desperate to connect, and now it was as if they were two sides of the same battery, repelled by a single touch.

"So…" Lily finally let out, looking past James to the lakeside cabin that had been her saving grace for this solitary weekend.

James said nothing in response, just studying her face. Her eyes darted down to her feet, trying to figure out what else she could say. How could they change this?

She looked up again, hoping to see a hint of warmth in his gaze, but all she could see was a steely gaze that looked back at her. She saw no hint of the James that she had just spent an entire weekend with. Once more, her heart was cracking as she saw this potential future she had dreamed of falling to pieces right in front of her eyes.

It had been real enough just to get her through.

Lily was internally begging for James to take her hand. Squeeze it tight once more. Just once. Let her know that this wasn't just a one-sided thing. He felt it too, he had to feel it too. If he just reached out and grabbed her hand, she'd cancel her plans. She'd stay. She'd claim him as hers.

But he didn't. His hands stayed shoved into his pockets, the same as that first time she saw him again, walking in the same direction towards the market.

Had she fooled herself once again? Thinking that it was something more than it was. Lily pleaded with herself to just make the leap, damn the insecurities, take his hand and jump over the ledge. All she had to do was cross that line. Instead, her own hands hung loosely in front of her, fingers idly tangled together with her purse hanging at her hip.

She could almost envision it, the creaking of the cabin floor as she stepped forward and begged him to come with her, to join her in London where they could create this world together that had the both of them in it. The way his arms would slowly wrap around her waist and keep her pressed against him while they whispered about how stupid they had almost been to let each other go for a second time.

She could almost see it.

"I guess… I guess I should go. I have that dinner party at my parents' tomorrow and I promised to help mom prepare for guests."

"Oh, yeah, that makes sense." James whispered, looking like he was conflicted for a moment before he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. Despite the warmth of his lips, her body ran cold as it was the only place their bodies met. His hands, usually desperate to touch her, stayed tucked deep into his pockets.

Lily was frozen in place for a second before realizing she would have to be the one to leave. Once again, Lily mustered up every ounce of strength she had and walked through his door, away from James and his warm bed, the cocoon they had built together that felt like a safe haven. She wiped her tears away slowly, only once that heavy door had closed behind her.

Maybe one day they'd find a way to get the timing right.

Maybe one day she'd find that Gryffindor courage she was supposedly blessed with.

Not today.

#jily #jily fic #my writing #hp fic #smut #angst #tis the damn season #taylor swift inspired #evermore inspired

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jilyism · 3 years

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get to know meme!!

ahh, i got tagged by @thequibblah days ago but i got really nervous about tagging people but now i'm making myself do it

three ships: jily, and currently percabeth (especially today im feeling so much nostalgia), and janurarygus from beach read currently

last song: champagne problems (taylor swift) has been on repeat all day

last movie: love, rosie (for maybe the 70th time)

currently reading: flipping between TLE by chdarling & a lesson in vengeance by victoria lee

currently watching: this one turkish show that has me by the neck the angst is just so good? and the second chance trope its giving me some much needed inspiration

currently consuming: lemonade

currently craving: does wanting to finish 3 WIP's count? idk but i am craving whatever that means

tagging (i am so sorry if you guys have been tagged in this before/done this already/the trend is over): @mppmaraudergirl @clare-with-no-i @maraudersftw @ginemrys @emeralddoeadeer @theroomofreq @petalstofish @blitheringmcgonagall @emerqldv

#get to know meme #tagging people makes me anxious #hopefully this is okay

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softheartedscorpio · 3 years

Note

38. Holding hands for the first time

Autumn Prompt #38: Holding hands for the first time.

Pairing: Jily

You didn’t leave a pairings I picked one. I hope you don’t mind me doing so. I haven’t written Jily in a while since most of the requests have been Drarry. Anyway, I hope you enjoy ❤️

—

Lily brushed her red-hair out of her eyes as she watched Potter order their food at the crowded bar. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that she agreed to go on a date with the James Potter. She had been dodging his attempts for a few years now. Not because she didn’t find him attractive, because he was and they both knew it, but she didn’t like the arrogant, immature manner he carried himself in.

This past year though, she saw him in a different light. He was stepping up into being a better role model. He had stopped badgering her to go out with him, and she secretly missed those attempts, choosing to focus on his studies and his friends. Lily only knew vaguely what happened with James’s best friend over summer, but the rumor mill of Hogwart’s was running wild with theories and she couldn’t help but notice a change in the group of boys. They had settled down and, while they still played pranks, they weren’t targeting individuals anymore.

Which led to this date. James had asked her in passing if she wanted to hang out at Hogsmeade. Her initial response was going to be a hard no, but she had hesitated. This was the first time all year that James had asked her, and the way he had asked her was significantly different than how he had done so in the past. It wasn’t over the top, in front of a crowd. He had pulled her aside and asked in a quiet tone of voice. So she, against her better judgement, agreed.

She told herself it’s because she wanted to catch him in the act. That this newer, more mature James wasn’t real and that any minute he was going to do something stupid. But...he had been a perfect gentlemen; he allowed her to pick the place to eat, pulled her chair out, waiting patiently to pick what she wanted, and hadn’t played any pranks. He still cracked stupid jokes, but Lily could admit that maybe they weren’t so stupid and were even a bit funny.

Green eyes thoughtfully watched as the messy haired teen made his way back to the table, an easy smile on his face that sent butterflies to her stomach in a way that she wasn’t ready to investigate, and when he sat she noted just how...nice he was to look at. “Rosmerta said that it’ll be a few minutes to get the order out,” James said as he relaxed in his chair. “I hope you don’t mind.” “Not at all,” Lily cleared her throat as she shifted and forcibly tore her eyes away from the boy in front of her. “It is rather busy in here so it’s expected.” James hummed in agreement as he watched the girl of his dreams in front of him.

“Y-You don’t have to stay if you’re uncomfortable,” James said after a moment of silence, the noise of the pub seemed to fade with a wave of his wand. Lily glanced at him in shock, “What makes you think I’m uncomfortable?” “You won’t even look at me Evans,” James raised an eyebrow. “We’ve spoken minimally this whole time and, even then, I was the one who started each conversation.” Lily flushed as she looked down at her hands that were currently clasped in her lap. ‘They were shaking,’ she noted.

“I just...” She peered up at him, the thoughtful expression back on her face, “I’m trying to figure you out.” James tilted his head slightly in confusion. ‘How cute,’ the unwelcome thought flashed through Lily’s head before she pushed it away. “What do you mean?” James questioned. “You seem so-so different,” She burst out before flushing a deeper shade of pink at his surprised expression. “I would hope so,” James said lightly as he picked at a loose thread in his jumper. His hazel eyes never leaving her face, “I’ve been trying to change for the better.”

“But why?” Lily breathed out in frustration, “Why now?” James’s lips, that were suddenly too appealing, curled up in a small smile, “Because I’m growing up I guess? Who I was before wasn’t a...wasn’t a nice person. I was arrogant and a bully.” She blinked in shock. Once. Twice. Three times. “You don’t have to act so surprised Evans,” The tone was slightly mocking. “You told me enough times that’s how I was.”

Lily looked away at the reminder, “I’m so-” “Please don’t apologize,” James cut her off. “You were right.” Lily cleared her throat as she nodded, peering at him from the corner of her eye. ‘Was that a nervous look on his face?’ She pondered. “Here you go my dears,” Madam Rosmerta’s voice cut in as she leaned over, curly hair bouncing as she set the food on the table. “Sorry for the wait. It’s packed in here.” “It’s no worry Rosie,” James said charmingly making the bartender smile at him. A weird feeling passed through Lily’s body as she eyed the woman who had caught James’s attention. She didn’t like the feeling, ‘Perhaps she was feeling sick?’

The food was delicious as the two teens fell into an uneasy, slightly awkward conversation. James insisted on paying after the meal was done and afterwards the two stepped back into the chilly air of the streets. It was slightly crowded since Christmas was fast approaching. “Would you like to take a walk?” James asked near her ear making her jump in surprise while a shiver ran down her spine. “Uh...” She mentally shook her head, “Yeah that’s fine.”

Another smile was sent her way and the two set off down the path. “So...” James glanced at her in an almost shy fashion, “How are things going so far?” ‘Were his cheeks red? Is he blushing?’ Lily looked up at him, “I...I’m having a good time.” She admitted, her own cheeks matching his. “Good,” James cleared his throat as he slid his hands in his pockets.

A gust of wind had Lily shivering as she tugged her scarf around herself tighter. “Here,” James offered as he slid out of his jacket, ignoring her protests. “You’ll get cold,” She said as she tried to hand it back to him. He gave her a warm look that caused her heart to flutter, “I’ll be okay.” She nodded reluctantly and slid the jacket on. It smelled of broomsticks, parchment, and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She unconsciously pulled it closer around her as they walked down the dirt road.

The conversation was suddenly flowing smoother as the sun disappeared behind the clouds. The two learning more about each other than they ever thought possible. “This is nice,” Lily thought aloud making James look at her with wide eyes. “You think so?” A hopeful tone questioned making her smile shyly and nod, “You are much...better than I thought you would be.” James grinned making her giggle, “And you are much better than I thought you would be.” James gently bumped his shoulder into hers. “Yeah?” Lily looked up at him curiously. “Yeah,” James nodded firmly. “Honestly, I thought this would be more...awkward? That you wouldn’t be nearly as much fun to talk to.”

Lily didn’t know whether to feel insulted or not. “But you have a wicked sense of humor and you’re extremely intelligent, which I already knew, but to hear the way you think is incredible,” James continued as he looked up at the clouds. Lily’s heart skipped a beat as any hurt washed away with those words. “You are surprisingly intelligent too,” She informed him making him raise an eyebrow. “Why so surprising?” “Well you never seem to take your studies seriously.” James shrugged nonchalantly, “Remus keeps me in line.” Lily giggled, a sound that made James smile, “I could see that.”

They were walking closer together than before, arms brushing against each other with each step, “Are you feeling warmer?” James questioned as he glanced down at his long-time crush. “My hands are cold,” Lily admitted showing off red fingers. James paused as he debated with himself before slowly intertwining one of their hands, “Is this okay?” Lily’s cheeks flushed heavily as she marveled at how warm James’s hand was. Her body seemed to light on fire with this single touch. “I’m sorry if I-” James started to pull his hand away when Lily didn’t respond. “No!” Lily squeezed his hand, cheeks glowing brighter, “I mean...uh...I don’t mind.”

James’s smile was almost blinding as he squeezed her hand back gently, “Cool.” He murmured in a quiet tone, loving the feel of her soft hand in his. He was holding hands with Lily Evans for the first time and now he never wanted to let go.

“Cool,” Lily whispered back as she looked up from under lashes, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She was holding hands with James Potter and she liked it.

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manage-mischief · 4 years

Text

The Padfoot Trap

Read on: AO3 or FF.net

Summary: James enlists Lily’s help to reconcile his quarreling best friends. Lily is skeptical about James’s true intentions.

Author’s Note: Tumblr @manage-mischief. The Jily fluff no one asked for :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

“Oi, Evans!”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to—”

“I already know the answer’s no,” Lily said sternly, eyes fixed forward. James Potter had materialized next to her, panting slightly from his sprint down the hall to catch her. Lily walked quicker. She quite enjoyed toying with him. His windswept black hair bounced up and down as he walked, trying to keep her pace.

“Please Evans…Lily.” James smiled sweetly. Lily rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t ask, but I need your help. You are the smartest, most cunning, most beautiful—”

“What do you want, James?” Lily sighed, sure she would regret asking. His hazel eyes lit up with glee.

“Well, it’s Sirius’s birthday this Saturday, and I need you to help me with a surprise.”

Lily raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t expected such an innocent request. Still, judging by the look in James Potter’s eyes, he wasn’t giving her the full story. “Why can’t you ask Remus?” Lily asked, suspiciously. “He’s Sirius’s boyfriend, and one of your best friends. And, he’s clever. I’m sure he’s more than capable of helping out.”

James ran a hand through his messy hair, sheepishly. “About that…you see…Remus and Sirius are sort of…fighting…”

“Fighting? What about?” Lily was genuinely concerned. Though she didn’t pretend to approve of Sirius Black’s behavior—honestly, sometimes he was worse than James—she liked Remus and thought that he and Sirius made a wonderful couple. It would be a shame to see them break up.

“Not important…” said James, vaguely.

“Sirius was being an ignorant arse, again, wasn’t he?”

James grimaced. “I will neither confirm nor deny that statement. Point is, I have a plan to get them back together. This Saturday—Sirius’s birthday—there’s a Hogsmeade trip. I need you to go with me.”

Lily stopped in her tracks, causing a student to slam into her from behind. She ignored their muttered curses as she stood in the middle of the corridor, eyes narrowed at James. “James Potter, is this just some giant ruse to get me to finally agree to go to Hogsmeade with you? Because if it is—” Lily stormed closer to him, causing him to stumble backwards.

James vigorously shook his head, spreading his hands out in front of him to defend himself. “No, no! It’s not! I promise,” he hastily assured her. Lily cocked her head to the side, clearly not convinced.

“Trust me, Evans,” James replied, regaining some of his usual swagger. “When I finally get you to agree to go to Hogsmeade with me, it’ll be because I’ll have won you over with my immeasurable charm and good looks. I won’t have to resort to such common trickery!” He proclaimed dramatically. Lily rolled her eyes again, hoping that her mother had been lying when she’d told Lily that rolling them so much would cause them to get stuck that way.

Lily considered James’s proposition. On the one hand, if he was indeed being honest, he was doing an incredibly sweet thing for two of his best friends. On the other hand, he could be lying, and Lily would look like an idiot. But, something in James’s face told Lily he was being genuine. Plus, Lily figured he wouldn’t dare trick her into a date, knowing very well that Lily (who was quite skilled with curses) could turn his…important bits…into a salamander.

“Fine,” Lily said, backing off. “Tell me about this master plan of yours, and maybe—maybe—I’ll be convinced to help you.”

James grinned widely and pumped his fist. “Thank you, Lily, thank you! I knew you were the kindest witch of our generation. Poets will write ballads of your generosity for generations to come!” He waved his arms in the air, poetic.

“Don’t make me change my mind, Potter.” Lily looked away to hide her growing smile.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Evans. Wouldn’t dream of it.”

---

By Saturday, the plan was set. James would take Sirius for a celebratory birthday butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Meanwhile, Lily had convinced Remus to accompany her to Hogsmeade, where they would “accidentally” run into James and Sirius at the pub.

Convincing Remus without drawing suspicion had been a feat. Lily was not nearly as smooth of a liar as James, and wasn’t sure if Remus truly believed her.

“When’s the last time we hung out, just you and me?” she had asked Remus.

“Um…Prefect duty last year?” he’d responded dubiously.

However, Lily had managed to wear him down without garnering any major suspicion. James had winked from her across the Common Room after her successful mission.

The day of the ruse was crisp and clear. Lily pulled her scarf higher up her face as she and Remus set off along the windy, wooded path to Hogsmeade.

“So,” Remus said, awkwardly, “how’re Head Girl duties going?”

“Um…fine,” Lily replied, absentmindedly. She was busy keeping lookout to make sure James and Sirius were nowhere to be seen.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

“Huh?” Lily was shaken out of her distraction. “Oh! No! Not at all!” She gave a fake laugh. Remus looked skeptical. “Can you believe it about Professor Dodson?” Lily hastily tried to change the subject.

“Yeah. Can’t believe she retired after just one year. Not that she was very good.”

“I know. What’d you think of this new bloke? Seventh Defense Professor in seven years!” Lily tried to keep the conversation going. Luckily, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Department’s staffing drama was enough to engage Remus. The two of them launched into an intense discussion of various conspiracy theories, wondering why the post seemed cursed.

Finally, Lily and Remus arrived at the town. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw James peak out from the door of the Three Broomsticks and give a thumbs up. He and Sirius were already there, exactly according to plan.

“Fancy a butterbeer?” Lily asked, yanking Remus by the arm towards the pub. He stumbled as she dragged him along.

“Blimey, I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?”

Lily swung the door open forcefully, ensuring that the bell made plenty of noise to alert James of their arrival. She quickly scanned the tables in search of the two boys, and laid eyes upon both of them sitting at a secluded, corner booth.

Lily, who still had a firm grip on Remus’s bicep, pulled him along to their table.

“Oh, my, would you look at that? It’s James and Sirius! Fancy meeting you two, here!” she remarked, trying her best to sound casual.

Sirius glared at James. “What the bloody hell are you playing at, mate?”

James looked at him innocently and shrugged. “I have no clue what you’re talking about, Pads. C’mon, Evans, Remus, why don’t you both join us?”

“Why, of course, James. Remus and I would love to join you,” Lily replied, shoving Remus into the half-circle booth so he was seated right next to Sirius. James and Lily sat on either end, trapping the quarreling lovers in.

“You’re a terrible liar,” Remus whispered to Lily resentfully. He and Sirius refused to look at one another. Lily felt the atmosphere thicken with awkwardness. She desperately wanted to squirm out of her seat and escape the discomfort. But James flashed her a warning look.

“Almost,” he mouthed to her. Then, turning to Sirius, James said, “Pads, didn’t you tell me just last night that your only birthday wish would be to have Remus back by your side?”

Remus’s eyes softened.

Sirius flushed. “…drunk of firewhiskey…” Lily heard him mutter. He stole a quick glance at Remus, betraying his emotion. “Yeah, I did. I—I’m sorry, Rem.”

“Evans, why don’t we go and order the drinks?” James asked, obviously trying to give the couple some alone time.

“Oh, right! Of course! Let’s go!” She and James headed towards the bar, leaving Sirius and Remus alone. They took two seats at the far end of the counter so they could watch the boyfriends make up.

“Oi, Rosie, four butterbeers, please!” James signaled the bartender, Madame Rosmerta. The older woman chuckled.

“That’s ma’am, to you, Potter!” Rosmerta scolded playfully before pouring the drinks.

Lily began to rummage through her pocketbook for change.

“Nah,” James waved her off, “It’s on me.” He discretely handed the coins to Rosmerta and whispered “keep the extra.” Rosmerta smiled at the boy, grateful.

“What’s this?” Lily teased. “The almighty James Potter not bragging about his immense wealth?” However, James didn’t rebuttal. Instead, his faced flushed crimson and he looked down at the counter, clearly embarrassed. Lily immediately regretted her joke.

“I’m sorry, James. I was just joking.”

“I like to think I’m a bit above flashing around daddy’s money. But, if that’s what you think of me, Evans,” he teased, though his usual jovial tone was muted. He looked genuinely hurt.

“No, James, I don’t. I honestly didn’t even realize you…um…had money,” Lily assured him. And honestly, she hadn’t. Sure, Lily always assumed James’s family was well-off enough, but, she didn’t realize that the Potter’s had enough wealth that James would become self-conscious about it if the subject was raised. Lily got the feeling, based on James’s reaction, that his family was loaded. And now, she felt like an absolute wanker.

“Really, James. I’m sorry. I…you…I mean,” Lily stammered, trying to find the words to make it up to him. “This year, you’ve proven that a lot of the things I used to think about you are untrue.” Lily surprised herself by admitting this out loud. She hadn’t even really thought about it herself. But, now that she said it, she knew it was true. Lily was beginning to see a different side of James Potter—a side that intrigued her more than she cared to admit.

James smiled. “Wow, Evans, a compliment? I’m not as terrible as you thought I was? Can I get that in writing?”

“Merlin, never mind. Forget I said anything. Git.” Lily winked before taking a sip of butterbeer.

“Oi!” James tapped her shoulder. “Would you look at that!”

Lily glanced towards their abandoned booth, where Sirius was currently straddling Remus, lips locked. She chuckled. “Well, I guess they’re making up.”

“Making out’s more like it. I always knew Pads was the top.”

“James!”

“What? It’s a natural thing to wonder when your best friends get together! Tell me you haven’t thought the same thing about Dorcas and Marlene?”

“I—I—point taken,” Lily conceded. She met James’s twinkling eyes, and began laughing. James joined in. Other patrons looked over at them curiously, as they devolved into hysterics. Lily didn’t want to stop. She quite enjoyed the sound of James’s laugh.

“Potter!” Rosmerta had returned to their side of the bar. Lily blushed and stared down into her butterbeer, feeling the eyes of the other customers boring into her back. Lily suddenly became very self-conscious. “This is a family establishment, and if you can’t control your friends over there,” Rosmerta jerked a thumb to Remus and Sirius’s rattling table, “then I’m going to have to kick ‘em out!”

“Ah, Rosie,” James said, flashing a cheeky grin, “Just give them another two minutes. It’s Sirius’s birthday.” Rosmerta fell for James’s charm.

“Two minutes, Potter, and then you either pull them off of each other or tell them to take the show over to Madame Puddifoot’s!”

Lily met James’s eye, and they started laughing again. A strange, warm feeling blossomed through Lily’s core.

“You did a really good thing for your friends today, James,” Lily said sincerely. James shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, uncharacteristically shy.

“It was nothing,” said James. “I’d do anything for my friends. Anything.” He looked very serious. “They’re my brothers.”

Lily was surprised by his intensity. But, she found it very sweet. James Potter—the boy she’d spent her entire career at Hogwarts hating—had a soft side. He was a caring and loyal friend. Lily really valued that, as she had had one too many experiences dealing with so-called friends who ended up treating her like garbage (cough, Snape, cough cough).

Snape had once told Lily that James Potter was the worst person at Hogwarts. And, true, there was a time when James had been mean, rude, and immature. But, despite all of his arrogance and pranks, Lily was finally discovering James’s kind soul. James had matured so much since Lily had first met him on the train seven years ago. It was jarring.

“Lily?” James asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Why’re you looking at me like that? Have I got butterbeer foam on my face?”

Lily blushed. “Oh…um…no reason…” she stammered. James raised an eyebrow. Luckily, Lily was saved from having to reveal her developing crush by Madame Rosmerta’s scolding voice.

“Potter, go get your boys!”

James hopped up out of his seat and extended a helping hand to Lily. She took it and pulled herself up before hastily letting go. James’s cheeks tinged pink, and Lily could feel her own face go hot.

“Time to break up the love fest,” James said as he began to walk back towards the corner booth.

“James?” Lily blurted before she could stop herself.

“Hm?”

“If—hypothetically—you ask me to accompany you on the next Hogsmeade weekend…I might—hypothetically—say yes.”

James stopped in his tracks and turned to face her properly. His face was plastered with a massive, goofy grin. He looked utterly victorious.

“Don’t say anything stupid, or else I’ll change my mind,” said Lily, trying to act tough.

James kept on grinning. “Whatever you say, Evans. Whatever you say,” James said offhandedly, as he positively skipped back towards his lip-locked friends. Lily couldn’t help but smiling herself. Perhaps, James Potter would continue to surprise her.

#jily #wolfstar #james potter #lily evans #sirius black #remus lupin #marauders #Harry Potter #harry potter fanfiction #jily fluff #marauders era #the parent trap #my writing #fluff

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