Hey guys, it has been so long since my last activity. And i would really like to take this chance to apologize for my inability to update Operation PEF. It has been great getting all your reviews and support. But right now, i am working on a couple of snippets. This series will consists of themes and clips from Lily's and James' lives. Really hoping you will enjoy this style. This will be a multi-chaptered fanfic, but don't worry about my laziness in updating - i already have several chapters ready for publication.:)

On with my story -

Entwined

'Cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly. - Owl City, Vanilla Twilight

1

1978, June 28th

They walked out of the train door, feeling all eyes on them. The stares were not hostile; most of them were just concert, mixed with a tinge of sympathy.

But that was precisely what our head-strong head girl hated to be directed at – sympathy. It made her seem weak, foolish, as if she had lost all control of her life. Even if that was exactly how little control she had over that pathetic life of hers, she preferred not to be reminded of the fact.

She strode along, willing herself not to show any sign of weakness as she made her way steadily towards her smiling parents. She felt a tug from the corner of her lips and she returned a smile from hers. Only this smile was filled with much more unspoken pain, well-hidden under the façade. Well, Lily Evans had a smile that would easily light up the whole town. She had caught sight of her annoying sister, who was apparently forced to welcome Lily's return. Her sister did nothing to hide her own irritation as she glared at Lily. But that did little to deter Lily's happiness at returning. I am back with my family, everything is going back to normal.

Her companion, a messy-haired boy with a height that easily towered over her, had an unreadable expression on his face. Whilst his companion is basking at the thought of returning to her delightful family, he was not too excited at the prospect at all. His eyes flickered briefly to his own family, standing there to welcome him back to the world he belonged. His father gave him a smile that did not quite reach his eyes – one that plainly said, you are my successor, you are finally returning to where you belong, no more fooling around. Frankly speaking, that did nothing to improve his already foul mood.

He saw his companion quicken her footsteps towards her family. He had wanted to say something to her before they parted.

"Lily," he called simply.

She was actually expecting something like this to happen. She knew he would not let her go without saying something. They had sat in the same compartment (Head's compartment) for the whole train ride and said nothing more than a, "Do you want something off the trolley?"

It is not as if they had absolutely nothing to say. That would be funny. They had all the words in the world to say to each other, but neither was prepared to show their weak side. Besides, they were tired – after all the drama in the previous year, all they wanted to do was to find some solitude in each other's company.

She exhaled resolutely and turned around, meeting James Potter's eyes for the first time in days. The sudden movement shocked him as much as it shocked her. She took in his rugged appearance. He looked weary and the glint in his eyes was long gone, replaced by a cloud of genuine tiredness and sadness. She could not help but blame herself for the pain she had caused him. Then, she decided she hated Potter for the effect he had on her.

"Yes James?" She replied nonchalantly, noticing the difficulty for the word 'James' to roll off her tongue. It has suddenly grown foreign; almost like it was the first time she called him by his first name.

Sirius and Remus watched the exchange from afar. They could sense the tension, the angst between the pair. Sirius made to move in to improve the mood between those two, but Remus caught him by his arms. Remus' eyes were fraught with worry, but he resolutely shook his head. Sirius shook Remus away in anger, clearly disgusted with what he saw as Remus' unhelpfulness and lack of guts. Remus watched him turn and walk off, but glad that he was walking towards James' family to make himself useful.

How could Remus not be worried? This loyal friend who has always watched out for all his friends was unnerved by the recent twist in events. The golden couple, in everyone's eyes, was no more. They had a huge argument, not unlike those little quarrels they used to engage in before they fell in love. But this argument was different, it was deeper, and it was so apparent that they loved each other yet were trying to push each other away. And like that, the legendary golden couple was no more a legend.

Of course Sirius would be anxious to get them far away from each other. Both of them were his close friends. Both of them were Remus' too. But a good-bye would do them good, Remus decided. He headed towards the Evans, knowing he could make himself more useful by distracting the couple with a little small talk. After all, he could be charming when he wanted to. Nearby, Sirius was already a gentleman, pacifying the serious and harsh Mr Potter and entertaining Mrs Potter. Anything to get their attention away from their son and his not-going-to-be-so-smooth conversation with little Miss Evans huh?

James was caught unaware. Loss for words, he tried to think of something he could say in this situation. He was unprepared when he decided to call her back; he just thought he needed to say something. As some sort of good-bye. Now he stared at Lily, feeling like an idiot.

She was pursing her lips, something she would do when she's nervous. She subconsciously pushed a few strands of loose hair to behind her ears. She always does that in such an endearing way. Then he mentally slapped himself for staring like a fool, and for the thoughts he was harbouring.

"I…er…we …" he was stumbling with the words. He felt a rush of emotions, but he did not know how to articulate them. Was it regret? Was it love?

Lily raised an eyebrow at him, finding it oddly endearing that he was acting like a lovesick fool.

"…Just take care," he ended off lamely. But that was all that could be said at this kind of situation. What else could he come up with? "I love you"? "I am sorry"? No, that would be inappropriate. They had come to this final decision together – they would each go on their own ways. It was impossible between them, not only because of their clashing aspirations, but also because their world was too different. They were from different lives. They were expected to lead different lives.

"Yeah, you too," Lily fought back the tears that were threatening to fall. Once again, she hated the effect James Potter has on her. But she pulled her numb lips to a tight smile, and seeing that made James feel relieved that he hadn't screwed up.

"Hey, you must come to my games. I will be playing a couple of games as a free-lance Quidditch player, so you have to be there, alright? I will give you free tickets," he laughed, visibly more comfortable now.

"Good luck with your career…" Lily trailed off, because apparently it was the wrong thing to say.

"I will be expected in my dad's company. My mum will never allow me to become an auror…" he said quietly. She saw him gritting his teeth in the I-am-strong way. She knew. She also knew about the pain that this life was causing her companion; he was not as strong as he made himself out to be. She reached her hand to touch him on the shoulder, yet stopped herself before she touched him, knowing it would be a wrong gesture. She willed her hand to fall limply to her side again.

But before she could withdraw her hand and act as if nothing happened, James grabbed her wrist. "No you don't."

He pulled her close until their faces were inches apart. He was breathing deeply, and Lily could feel the tension from him. She could feel his breath tickling her face. She felt passion, and for a split second she almost reciprocated.

He was going to kiss her. Not. He couldn't. He stared into those familiar emerald eyes and remembered who they belonged to. The girl he could never be with. He withdrew and let out a sigh of relief.

Lily took to leave, but not before leaving behind a "Good-bye, James."

He followed quietly behind her as she made her way towards her family. She made a sound of disapproval but was silenced as James slipped her hand into his.

Their fingers instinctively entwined. Warmth slipped up to both of them. James smirked. Lily felt her lips turn up against her will, but she let slip a tiny smile.

He pulled her along, and she followed closely. This was so familiar.

As they walked towards their respective lives in front of them, there came a point where both knew they had to let go of the other and walk on alone. Lily looked up and saw James' father looking in their direction. His eyes flickered down and landed on their entwined hands. A look of disapproval passed his face and his facial muscles pulled back into a frown.

Lily instinctively pulled her hand back, but was met with strong opposition. She frowned at James, wanting to signal to James about his father. But he knew – he was staring right at his father and holding Lily close to him.

She realised he was doing it to spike his father. He was using her. She knew she could not blame him; he had a right to rebel against the life written for him. But she was mad, mad at his refusal to move on and his refusal to accept.

You have to learn to accept, James.

It was the hardest decision she ever made. She found her strength, and with a strength she didn't know she had, she wrenched her hands from James.

She saw him jump in surprise, looking at her confused, hurt. She did not spare him another look as she made her way difficultly towards her own family, her own future. As she passed Mr Potter, she evaded his stare and whispered, "Take care of him." From the surprised look, she knew he must have heard her.

"Hey Evans! Evans!" she heard him call after her. She caught the desperation but it was the use of last name which tore at her heart. She never turned back.

Leave me alone, Potter.

Ouch. I apologize for the heartbreak. Next chapter is dated 1971 September.

Till then,

Jess-siriusly signing off.