Birthday
AN- Thanks to alyssialui and Srobona, ie. hysterical selcounth for their support. Also, I checked the story traffic for 'Shoulder to Cry On" and I was amazed to see so many people had checked it out. Please review though, it would really make my day.
"Lily?"
"Hey James."
James looks at her, surprised. A moment later, he shrugs and turns away from her, gazing at the many stars that light up the sky. She walks over next to him and gazes out at the snow covered grounds, tracing a path to Hagrid's hut with her eyes. Sometime later, she speaks. "You okay?"
James turns to look at her, his expression, usually so open, now unreadable. " Yeah, I'm fine"
She looks him in the eye, green meeting hazel. "Bullshit."
He stares at her, eyes widening in surprise. Then his expression clears and she can see the real emotion, hidden away majority of the time, behind a mask, a mask made of goblin armour. A grimace replaces the easy, flirtatious grin, and he bows his head so she can't see his face.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry James." Lily cries, adjusting herself in a way that allows her to wrap her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder, running a soothing hand up his back. Then he seems to cave. He slumps onto her, wrapping his arms round her waist, burrowing himself in her hair, her scent, her feel, allowing himself to be comforted by her presence.
They stand like that for a while before he speaks. "He has my parents. He has them and the worst part is that I know he has them and I can't do anything to protect them. They're not as young as they think they are and they aren't invincible." His voice breaks, and at the end of his sentence, he's crying.
She doesn't do anything but rub soothing circles on his back, silently offering him a shoulder to cry on.
An eternity later, somewhere, far away from the two of them, twelve bells chime. Midnight.
She pulls away, and reaches for a neatly wrapped package she set on the balustrade earlier.
" Happy Birthday."
He looks at her, brow furrowing. Then, her words seem to make sense. It's his seventeenth birthday. He reaches for the package, offering Lily a small smile. "Thanks. You didn't have to do anything."
"I know" is her simple reply.
He tears the package off to reveal a photo album titled, simply "Memories"
He opens the first page with a thudding heart. His breath catches.
It was a picture taken just after Sirius had moved in with the Potters. James, Sirius, Mr, and Mrs. Potter. Both parents were staring affectionately at both their real, and biological sons.
He turned the pages, savouring the pictures. Him and Lily at the Heads Common Room, along with the marauders, Frank, Alice, and Marlene. Sirius and Frank had their arms round Alice and Marlene, respectively. Having a snow fight with Lily. Christmas at Hpgwarts. His first Quidditch match.
He turns the pages faster, revelling in the wash of memories that enfold him
He comes to the end of the album, and looks up to see Lily staring at him, small smile on her face.
He blurts out the first question that comes to his mind. " Where did you get these from?"
She winks. "I have my sources."
She is quite astonished to see his eyes brimming with tears. He catches her in a hug, and places a kiss her temple. " Thank you so much Lils. This really means a lot to me."
"Anytime James."
