Everything About You
A Lily/James Fanfiction
Chapter 1: Firelight
Lily sat by the fire, wrapped in a soft old blanket, absently fingering the fraying hem as she flipped through a Muggle novel. It was a romance, the type of novel which Lily usually found rather silly, but which Kate, one of her best friends – and a hopeless romantic, would have loved. She reached for her mug and took a long draft of the chamomile tea. Dark red hair spilled in luscious waves over her shoulders, and glowed in the flickering light. Her eyelids were heavy, and she knew she could go to bed, but she couldn't bring herself to leave her comfortable position by the fire.
Lily glanced out the white paned window, and a speck of white in the darkness caught her eye. "Merdea!" she whispered. A beautiful snowy white owl was swooping closer to the windows above her – Lily's room. She quickly unlatched the window and lifted up the heavy glass. Setting down her book and cup of tea, she stuck her head out the window, and in the cold night air, looked up at the soft underside of her owl. "Over here, you crazy owl." Lily laughed softly as Merdea landed on her head, and Lily pulled back – owl and all – into the warmth of the house. Lily stroked Merdea's feathers, tracing the strange red designs on her wings – intricate lines that Lily had never quite been able to figure out, and the same design on Merdea's pitch black beak, and her similarly black feet. But now was obviously no time to worry about animal markings, because Lily was sure the thick letter hanging from one of Merdea's legs was her Hogwarts letter. She could tell by the wheat colored parchment and dark lettering, neat and tidy, addressed to her exactly:
Lily Marie Evans
1345 Lordem Lane
Edinburgh, Scotland
Fireside
No one else in the house was awake. Her mother and father, though they loved both their daughters very much, got tired of hearing the bitter words and constant fighting that seemed to be the only interaction Petunia and Lily had nowadays. Long ago, things had been different. Long ago, they had loved each other – they were best friends. Now there was envy, spite, and hate. And there was nothing Lily could do. So she chose to retaliate. And she knew just where to hit so it hurt the most. So though the girls were the ones always bickering, the ones who were always sore and tired after a long yelling match, it was their parents who hurt the most. The fights cut them the deepest, seeing the two girls they loved more than anything else in the world hurting each other so purposefully and desperately. And not being able to stop them. Eventually, everyone would be tired out, things would become somewhat civil, and soon after, all would retire to their rooms. Many times, Lily chose the fire over her bedroom… Petunia, Marie, and Jonathan Evans all lived here on a daily basis. But this was Lily's holiday home. She belonged at Hogwarts, where she had grown the most, accomplished the most – LIVED the most – her home of the past six years. The fire reminded her of the Gryffindor common room, the blanket of all the security she felt when she was there.
At the sight of the thick letter, Lily could have jumped for joy. At the sight of the letter, she could recall the familiar faces of years gone by. She could remember the laughter and tears and tender moments she had shared with her closest friends. She could see snowy Hogsmeade in her mind's eye. And, at the sight of her last Hogwarts letter, calling her back to her home, a great sadness filled her. It was to be Lily's last year at the place. Lily's last year with her friends by her side; the last year she would have them with her every step of the way.
And she thought of Kate. She thought of Chelsea. She thought of Remus. She thought of Jasmine. She thought of David. She thought of Sirius and James. She thought of Brigitte. She even thought of Peter.
Kate, with her straight blond hair and perfect French features. Chelsea, an incredible mix of Chinese and Italian, with straight black hair and pure blue eyes that, like Kate's light green ones, enraptured all who met her. Jasmine, the exotic one, Indian and Ethiopian, with big brown eyes and naturally highlighted reddish hair that fell in brown waves. Brigitte, plainer than the other girls, but on a pedestal nonetheless. Snotty and rich, with mousy dirty blond hair and black eyes, devoid of any warmth. Remus, shy, with sandy brown hair and crazy beautiful eyes that you could stare into for ages. Grey eyes. Stormy like the skies, deep as the sea. Sirius, with his casually elegant black hair, and the best carved features of any guy to cross the Hogwarts threshold. Eyes like grey clouds, sparkling lightly, almost blue, in his mischievous excitement, who held an inexplicable attractiveness that seemed to have worked on almost all the girls at Hogwarts. James… Oh, James. The bane of Lily's existence. Undoubtedly the best 'player' in all of Hogwarts history – on and off the Quidditch pitch. James, who constantly tortured her, James, with the untamable black mass of hair, James with the similarly untamable spirit, James, with the amazing hazel eyes. James, with the incredible ego, James with his unstoppable love. James, who she definitely didn't want to think about anymore. She thought of David. Sharp features, brown hair, brown eyes, good grades, good skin. And always a bit of a laugh. She had dated David for a while, though, so things were a bit awkward between them. It was a couple years ago, so they were pretty much past it. And then there was Peter. As always. Easily forgettable, as mousy as Brigitte. Peter with his funny little spots and his ego-enhancing admiration. His unremarkable personality, brown hair that was slightly patchy and black eyes, though seemingly the most dedicated of the group.
So many…
There were so many of them…. Lily couldn't imagine living without them. She hadn't even gotten to the people in the other houses. But she had to face life, and there was surely a future made just for her waiting out there. And so she turned over her letter, enjoying the feel of heavy parchment. She dragged her fingers over the Hogwarts seal and watched the shadows flicker in the firelight. She opened it gently, with great care, and sighed as she took out the thick letter.
Lily was waiting for something, and she knew it. She knew she shouldn't expect it, but she wanted it so badly. It would be just the thing to ensure that this year would be the best ever. So she quickly flipped through the supplies list, taking a second to glance over the new books she'd be needing, and read her letter in the failing light with a small smile on her face. She would definitely be there on September 1st. Nothing would keep her away, she was sure of that. And her doubts and worries, whatever remained, were swept away by the next piece of parchment she found in her package. Lily Marie Evans… happy to inform you… been selected… honored… Head Girl… special living quarters… separate dorms… shared with… meetings… on the train… prefects… in charge etc.etc.etc. Lily skimmed the letter, then, screaming in her head, read it over in detail several more times. She let out a little squeal and sat up straight, picking up the envelope again. A beautiful badge fell out, red, black, and gold, heavy and shining in Lily's soft white hands. She held it up and smiled. A small, true smile — one that you didn't see very often during her summer holidays.
And she knew this would be her year. She was ready for anything…
A/N: Okay, I'm trying. I love reading HPfanfictions and I thought I would give it a go… writing my favorite couple of course – lily, james. I have no idea where this is going to go or even if I know I want to keep going. I'd love to get some feedback and ideas from all of you!
XoxoxoX
3 tina