Chapter 1: The winds of change
Lily's pov:
Lily sighed. She groaned into the pillow. Her room was quite a mess, and the book she was reading was discarded on the floor. Even though Lily Evans was not a messy person, and she treated her books better than she might treat an injured bird, that was not the problem. The book on the floor was called '101 signs you're in love' and, surprisingly, Lily found that she went through all the signs.
"No," she told herself firmly as she sat up on the bed. "I'm not in love. Not with him, no."
A small annoying voice in the back of her head whispered, 'yeah you keep telling yourself that..'
"Shut up!" She yelled. "I'm NOT in love with James Bloody Potter! I'm not!" Silence met her. Obviously. She was surely going mad with this little piece of information. People may think she's overreacting and that it was not worth all this drama.
Who would be in love with James Potter anyway?
Lily was trying (and failing) to convince herself that no, she wasn't in love with him. Not with his eyes, not with his soft black, windswept hair, and certainly not with his smile, or the way he held her when she needed comfort.
She angrily threw her pillow at the opposite wall near her desk, upsetting her owl in the process, who hooted angrily at her.
"Sorry." Lily grumbled and laid back on the bed, sighing. So maybe she DID love him afterall. What did she do to deserve this? Honestly, after all these years, with James practically begging for her love, and her ignoring him and making it obvious that she didn't care...and she didn't! Why start now?
She was drawn out of her thoughts when a loud knock came from the door and a shrill voice followed.
"Lily? Vernon and I are going out. Make sure you stay out of trouble, you hear me?" And with that, the sound of heals clicked down the stairs, followed by the sound of the shutting of the front door a while later.
Lily sighed in frustration. The Holidays were turning out to be absolutely horrible. Now that their parents were...not here anymore, Lily only had Petunia. And Petunia was not doing a good job as an older sister. She didnt even seem to care that their parents died, she had Vermin now.
Lily wiped a few treacherous tears that fell down her cheeks and looked at the letter from James that she hadn't opened yet.
Going over to her desk, she took the letter, sat down, and started reading it:
Dear Lily,
I read the letter you sent me, and I know that your sister is giving you a hard time. So, I've decided this is the best time for you to come over, don't you think? It would be like a break and you can also stay the night if you want. I'm missing you a lot and can't wait for your reply.
Ps; dad will connect your fireplace temporarily with ours at 5pm tomorrow.
Your friend,
James.
By the time Lily finished the letter she was smiling. Her smile faltered a little as she read the word 'friend'.
'Stop it, Lily.' She silently chided herself, 'it was you who wanted to be friends only.'
Lily immediately got a parchment and her quill and started writing a reply.
James's pov:
James was laying on the bed, hands behind his head, a set up game of wizard chess on the bed in front of him. He was playing with Sirius for the past hour, until Sirius needed to use the bathroom, so they paused it. James didn't mind. It gave him time to think.
He was impatiently waiting for Lily's reply. He felt angry for Lily. That was not a way to spend a holiday.
His anger was directed at her sister. He didn't understand why petunia treated Lily badly, it didn't make sense, siblings don't hate each other.
His mind strayed to their last conversation in the station before they left for the holiday. He might have tried to hide the fact that his heart was broken, but it was. He felt devastated that Lily rejected him. He did promise her that he won't bother her with his approaches again, but that didn't mean that he will stop loving her. Ever.
But James was going to keep his promise, and just stay friends, because he loved her and wanted to make her happy. And if that's what's going to make her happy then so be it.
A sharp tap snapped his attention to the window. His owl, Duke Owlington was waiting impatiently, very like James, to deliver the letter.
He named him Duke Owlington beacuse he and the Marauders were sitting in the common room one cold December night, trying to find a suitable name for his new owl, until he suggested this name. Everyone told him it was the stupidest, most ridiculous name ever, but he liked it. Sirius supported him fully, Remus facepalmed while Peter laughed his head off.
He smiled slightly when Duke stuck out his leg, and James carefully untied the letter. He gave his owl some owl treats, then retreated to his bed, slowly opening the letter:
Dear James,
Thank you for inviting me to your house. Of course I would love to come, since I promised and everything. I will be ready by the time you mentioned. Can't wait.
Your friend,
Lily.
James grinned, ignoring the tiny ache he felt as he read the word 'friend '. Lily was coming over!
"So...did she say yes?" Sirius's voice floated from the hallway to his room.
James turned to Sirius excitedly, "Yes! She's going to come."
"Great. Hey do you wanna continue our game or what?"
XXX
James ran as fast as he could down the stairs the next day at exactly 4:55. He was going to wait for Lily to greet her.
Sirius was already in the living room by the fireplace, James's mum fixing his clothes for him. He was not going to stay when Lily come over, he would've met her in his pyjamas if he wanted to. But he wanted to go meet his girlfriend so he had to make a little bit of effort to look presentable.
The fireplace turned green,signalling Lily's arrival, and Euphemia shrieked in delight.
Lily stumbled slightly, then was smothered into a motherly hug by a cheerful Euphemia before she could even regain her breath.
"Oh Lily! I'm so happy to see you! James wouldn't stop jumping in excitement all day. He was whining all week about how he misses you and-" Euphemia was cut off by James.
"Okay! That's enough mum, thank you!" James said.
"Oh hush! You know I'm right. Anyway, I hope you and James have a good time together." She patted Lily's cheek and walked giddily to the kitchen.
"Hey, Evans." Sirius stridded over before James could even talk. "Having a good time?"
"Fine, Black." Lily replied uneasily, things were still awkward between her and Sirius.
"Don't worry, Evans, I won't be here to annoy you much longer. I'm going to Rosy's." He replied with a laugh.
"Shouldn't you be going now, Sirius?" James asked.
"Yes, I should. Goodbye!" He saluted them then walked to the fireplace and green flames engulfed him.
James smiled brightly at Lily and she smiled back shyly.
"Well come on then kids! Dinner is ready." Euphemia said as she carried plates and set them on the table.
At this moment the fireplace turned green and James's dad came out, "Lily! You're finally here! James talks about you so much to the point where I wanted to put a Silencing charm on him sometimes! I've been waiting to get to know the girl who's been driving my son crazy for the past... what 4, 5 years?"
"Dad!"
"I hope you have a great time today Lily. Come on let's get something to eat, shall we? I'm sure Euphemia has something delicious cooked up." Fleamont led Lily to the dining room, leaving James behind, red faced, and sputtering like a fish out of water.
Once they have settled down, Euphemia started serving them laddle-fulls of soup and each a piece of roast turkey she made.
"You shouldn't have tired yourself like that, Mrs Potter." Lily said politely.
"Nonsense! I did not tire myself at all. After all, I love cooking. Besides, call me Euphemia won't you my dear? Mrs Potter makes me feel old!"
Lily grinned at her sheepishly, "Sorry."
James rolled his eyes. His mum acted really weird when Lily was around. Childish too.
Euphemia sent him a glare. "Don't you roll your eyes at me, young man." James raised his hands in surrender.
Fleamont put down his spoon and leaned forward, "So Lily, do you play Quidditch? I'm afraid I haven't heard anything about you regarding Quidditch."
"Fleamont! Don't annoy the poor girl!" Euphemia chided.
"It's alright. And no, I don't play quidditch, I prefer just watching. I don't know how to ride a broom." Lily said with a smile.
"Well how about James teaches you how to ride a broom? Maybe you'll like it." Fleamont said, ignoring Lily's frantic shaking of her head.
"You know, that's a great idea, Dad." James nodded, flashing a grin at Lily, who glared at him.
"But I don't like heights! Surely James must've told you that?" She asked anxiously.
"Yes, he did. That's why I think it's a good idea to learn how to fly. Flying is the greatest feeling in the world, you'll see." Fleamont said knowingly.
Euphemia slapped fleamont's arm lightly, "If she doesn't want to learn to fly then let her be! Honestly!"
James waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry mum. I'm gonna teach her how to fly, anyway."
Lily huffed.
James smirked.
After dinner has been cleared, James dragged Lily outside.
"James, wait. We just ate, and I don't think flying after dinner is a very good idea." Lily stopped, halting James's movement.
James sighed, disappointed. "You're right. Unfortunately. But don't worry! I'll teach you to fly later tonight."
"Oh I'm not worried at all." Lily muttered.
Almost less than half an hour later, Lily was yet again dragged outside to the well kept yard. The last bits of morning light were lost, and the sky was beginning to darken.
James let go of her hand and entered a broom shed, coming out moments later with only one broom.
"Er...James-" James raised his hand to stop whatever she was gonna say.
"If you flew on your own broom you might fall, since you don't know how to fly. We'll have to share." Seeing that Lily was about to protest, he quickly said, "Don't worry, I promise that I won't do anything that might upset you."
Lily nodded, but something passed over her face before quickly disappearing. It looked like disappointment, but James was only being hopeful.
"Alright, first you're sitting behind me so you can get used to being in the air." He ignored the slight blush that appeared on her cheeks. He mounted his broom, ready to kick up from the ground, and waited for Lily to mount behind him.
For a moment they only stared at each other. "Well come on then! What're you waiting for?!" James said impatiently.
"Oh...um...nothing." Hesitantly, Lily mounted behind James.
"You'd probably want to hold on." James said, looking back at her. She looked so flustered and shy it made James want to laugh.
"Hold on where?!" Lily squeaked. James raised an eyebrow.
"It's your choice. You can hold onto one of the many hand bars around the broom." She stared at him, " Lily, my waist. Hold onto my waist if you don't want to fall."
He waited patiently (or not) as she wrapped her arms around him in a loose grip. James sighed and kicked off the ground.
He allowed himself a smirk when Lily shrieked and tightened her hold on him. They flew around in slow circles for a while, then James increased his speed bit by bit.
"See, Lily?" James called over his shoulder, hair flying around wildly. "It's awesome!"
She gave him a slight smile.
The sun was beginning to set now, it's colours forming a slightly orange and pinkish hue.
"I'll go a little faster okay?" He didn't wait for a reply and flew higher and faster.
"James, don't!" Lily screamed, tightening her grip even more.
"Don't worry, you'll like it, I promise." James was having the time of his life. The two best things in James's life were happening right now, and he was loving it!
"Oh look! That's mum and dad!" James pointed and made a slight dive, laughing when Lily practically hugged him.
"Stop it James Potter or I'll kill you!" She screamed.
"Okay okay I'll stop." He laughed, and she hit him on his back, huffing.
So James resolved to flying slowly around the house, on an even height.
Eventually, James felt Lily put her head between his shoulder blades, and sigh. Excitement coursed through him, making him want to whoop with joy, but he didn't, not wanting to ruin the moment.
After flying for a little while, James finding the moment very romantic, he finally, but reluctantly took pity on Lily and descended to the ground, helping Lily to get down before following her.
"Amazing ,eh?" James asked as they walked back to the house, broom on his shoulder.
"It was nice, James. Thank you." Lily smiled up at him.
"Nice? Why not awesome? Cool? The best feeling in the world?"
Lily laughed. "Alright it was pretty cool to be honest. You're a very good flier. Happy now?"
"Very."
Lily looked flushed and her hair was windswept, yet not messy, like James's. She looked very cute right now and he wanted to kiss her. Well...hug her at least, but he knew she won't welcome that either. He promised, after all.
Sirius's pov:
Sirius arrived with a 'whoosh' at Rosaline's house's fireplace. He found her looking through the hallway nervously, biting her lip (which he found really cute). When she noticed him she smiled and walked over. He was about to say 'hi' when she motioned frantically for him to stay quiet and led him outside the living room, up the stairs and into what he assumed was her bedroom.
After she shut the door, she exhaled in relief, "That could have gone a lot worse. Jacob was suspicious all morning."
Sirius tutted, "Hiding things from your brother, are you now?" He said playfully.
Rosaline swatted his arm and huffed indignantly, "It was the only way I could have you come over, don't make me regret it."
Sirius laughed and went to sit on Rosaline's bed, making himself comfortable, and invited Rosaline to sit by patting the space next to him.
She blushed and sat down, "I've missed you, you know."
He smiled, "I know, and I've missed you more." He said and kissed her forehead.
He took his time to examine her face, from her mesmerising crystal blue eyes, to the light dusting of freckles that covered her nose and cheekbones that were flushed red.
She rested her head on his shoulder and tucked her hands around his waist, both of them opting to just be in each other's presence, not knowing what to say to the other.
"Rosy? I uh..." He trailed off unsurely. She turned towards him expectantly.
"Look, I don't know about this, about us. I haven't gotten this far before in a relationship and I'm just completely clueless. Do you think this is working? I mean...I think it is..."
"Yes, it works, Sirius. If it doesn't I don't think we'd be risking it today."
"Yes but...what I mean is that usually couples get to see each other more often, but it seems like every time I tell you to come over when I was at James's, you have the same excuse, over and over again."
"I know Sirius. But it's the truth! Ever since Marlene accidentally let slip that I have a boyfriend Jacob has been as annoying as ever! And if he finds out it's you it's going to be much worse. No offense or anything...it's just that..." She trailed off..."Sorry, that came out wrong."
"No it's okay, I get it. I knew there was a risk because of my family since the day I asked you to the ball, but I chose to take that risk, and now I'm still willing to take my chances. You know why? Because I love you Rosaline McKinnon. I love you with every fibre of my being."
She was about to open her mouth to reply when Sirius placed a finger on her lips. "Wait, let me finish. Despite all what I said about not seeing each other...I still always think about you Rosy...I don't need you to say it back now, not until you are completely sure, because I know that it might be too early for that. But for now I just want you to know that..."
They seemed to be getting closer without realising it.
And closer.
Their lips were only inches apart now, and they were still getting closer when...
Suddenly, the door burst open, making Rosaline gasp and jump back.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
Ok that's it. Hope you guys like it and sorry again for the delay. Don't forget to tell us what you think. It really helps.See ya!