As Is
Prologue
Quotation: It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny.
Jean Nidetch
"Well did they even give you a reason?" Anwen Alford cried, slamming the drawer shut.
Lily shrugged miserably, and thrust another spoon into the carton, beyond caring that the ice cream had long since turned to goop. "Just that they had to do 'cut backs', that was it."
"Cut backs my arse, it's because you're a muggleborn!" Ann growled and began chopping the carrot in front of her violently. She shoved the pieces aside and grabbed another one from the bag. "The bleeding cowards. The least they could do was admit that they're prejudiced."
"Oh come on Ann, what were they going to do, say we only want qualified, literate and, oh yeah, pure blood writers? Come on. Besides, the writing's been on the wall for ages." She sighed. "They haven't given me a decent assignment in months." Lily pushed the ice cream away, disgusted. The taste had finally caught up with her.
Ann whirled around, knife still in hand, blue eyes flashing. "That doesn't make it okay! I'm a pureblood. I can't write to save my life, but apparently I'm now more qualified that you are to be a staff writer at the fucking Daily Prophet! Freedom of the presses indeed." She shoved the knife into the nearest potato and split it with entirely too much force.
Lily had known Ann far too long to be anything but comforted by her righteous indignation. It was nice to know someone was on her side. "What am I going to do now?" Lily asked, feeling extremely sorry for herself. "No job worth having will have me."
"Forget work."
Lily dropped her spoon unceremoniously. "Excuse me?"
Ann's eyes were shining now, and she had put aside the knife altogether, excellent anger management tool, though it had been.
"Forget work."
Lily laughed bitterly. "Fancy paying the rent yourself, do you? Not all of us have grandparents with deep pockets."
Ann rolled her eyes. "No not forever, you twit, just for a mini-break. Let's take a holiday."
"A holiday." Lily repeated, dead pan. "To where, exactly?"
"Luxus!"
"Luxus? Are you mad? Why on earth would you want to go to Luxus?" Lily asked, shaking her head incredulously.
"Come on Lily! The south of France, beaches, hot blokes, loads of drinks, hot blokes, dancing, and, oh yes, hot blokes!" Ann ticked off her fingers one by one.
Lily smiled in spite of herself.
"See! You know you want to go! Besides, we're only young once. "
"One little problem. How are we going to pay for it? I've just been canned, remember?" Lily asked, her head cocked to one side.
Ann grinned. "You've forgotten. Some of us have grandparents with very deep pockets."
Lily couldn't help it. She grinned back.
A/N –
So I thought it would be fun to play with the idea that James and
Lily got together by chance. Please review. All ideas, criticism and praise are eagerly awaited!!
Chapter one – James, Sirius, Remus and Peter stumble into Luxus, drunken exploits occur!