Lily is not an early riser.
So unsurprisingly, when James drags her out of bed early in the morning (literally, kicking and squealing), she is not thrilled.
Lily also detests flying of any kind. Via broom, especially. Since she was a little girl, she's been afraid of heights. Heights and her don't agree.
So when James forces her to go outside into the biting February air to learn how to fly, she is not a happy camper.
And finally, Lily Evans is not an outside person. She prefers to stay indoors, within the safety of the castle's walls. She likes to curl up in bed with a book and a cup of hot cocoa, especially during winter.
So when James wakes her up early to go outside and learn how to fly, she is gritting her teeth and almost resistant.
James Potter is a dead man.
(But she does fancy him, so she gives him a chance. If it weren't for his darn attractiveness, she wouldn't have agreed.)
(But it still doesn't stop her from envisaging his death. One particular fantasy includes a dramatic rescue from an inferno, resulting in his untimely death.)
The clouds are gathered overhead when she steps outside, and a cold breeze nips at her open neck. She had forgone a scarf as per James's advice, but she regrets it now.
James pulls out two rickety brooms from the school's broomshed and offers one to her.
He's crazy, she thinks. He's insane if he thinks I'm going to get on that thing.
But with one charming smile and a few words of comfort, he gently coaxes her onto the broom.
(If this were anyone else, they would've been three feet under.)
And then, without any warning whatsoever, he climbs on the broom behind her.
(That's not the worst part. His warm arms cocoon her as he reaches for the handle, and his intoxicating cologne swirls around her until she can hardly breathe, let alone think.)
(She's utterly screwed.)
On the count of three, they kick off. It's awkward at first, as Lily's feet dig into the ground out of fear. They don't actually leave the ground until a few tries later.
James steers the broom, as Lily takes in the sensation of flying. It's exhilarating, the wind whipping through her hair, soaring through the sky with the freedom of an eagle. It's the most exciting thing in the world, and James is the one to give credit to.
And Lily learns that flying is not so bad after all, especially if it's with James Potter.
Assignment 11 - Herbology, Task 2 - Write about someone who doesn't like to go outside.
Days of the Year - Skyscraper Day
Flowers - Aster
Elemental: James/Lily, Inferno
Gryffindor Challenge - Lily Evans
Star Chart - Perseids Meteor Shower
Faerie Day: Air Faerie (all prompts used)
Writing Club: Disney - For The First Time In Forever - Write about experiencing a sense of freedom the character hasn't had before.; CYB: object - scarf; Lyric Alley - Reaching endless heights in never ending nights; LL - Galia (trait: redhead)
WC: 429