Ok. This is my second fic, and I set this after Hogwarts. I know JK said they get together in 7th year, but I couldn't help myself.
Disclaimer: JK owns the characters, I own the plot!
Lily and James had been friends all through seventh year, and Lily considered him one of her best friends.
James knew exactly how to comfort her, and he knew what made her happy. He had been with her when her parents died and when her sister disowned her.
Life in the real world was taking its toll on Lily. Sometimes she just wanted comfort, and she wished James could cheer her up, but now that they were out of school, they only saw each other on the weekends at a weekly gathering.
Lily sighed as she entered her flat. She took off her shoes, and jumped on the couch.
"Marlene! Are you here?"
Lily heard a crash and groaned as she got up.
She walked into Marlene's room and helped her pick up the lamp that fell.
"Next time, just say yes. There's no need for knocking lamps over."
"I was just looking for my black stilettos, and you surprised me," Marlene responded.
"Your heels are in the front closet."
Lily rolled her eyes when Marlene found them. "Where're you going tonight?"
Marlene pulled the shoes on and examined herself in the mirror. She pulled silver hoops through her ears and replied, "A date with an Auror."
Lily sighed and said, "I thought you were going out with a Healer."
Marlene rolled her eyes. "Lily, that was forever ago. We didn't get along well, and we broke it off."
"Marlene, that was ten days ago. That's your definition of forever?"
"Lily, stop nagging. I've got to go!"
Lily watched as Marlene walked out of their flat. She walked over to their living room, and sat on the couch.
What should I do tonight? I'm going to be sooo bored.
Lily sighed to herself. I bet no one else I know is bored out of their mind on a Friday night.
At least I know our group is getting together tomorrow. James, Sirius, and Remus are never boring. And I'll see Alice too!
James is planning the activities. His are always the most fun. He knows everyone well enough to find something we all like.
And he knows me really well. I can't believe that I turned him down all those times in 6th year.
He was so sincere, and I broke his heart mercilessly. I regret every time, and I wish he would ask me out again. But I know that will never happen.
I love him.
Lily was shocked with where her thoughts went when she was drowsing off.
I love him? How did that happen? I love him.
Lily swallowed and decided to take her mind off of James. She stood up and walked to the kitchen.
What should I make?
James loves my lasagna.
Lily groaned. This is going to be a loong night.
Meanwhile…
"James, man hurry up with the drinks!" Sirius shouted over the huge crowd.
James rolled his eyes and turned to the bartender. "Four beers. Thanks."
As James was waiting for the drinks, he turned around and looked at the bar Sirius had found this week. It was filled to the brim with drunken men who were banging mugs and laughing hysterically.
"Sir, your drinks."
James turned back around and nodded his thanks. Taking two drinks in each hand, he walked towards the table Sirius, Remus, and Peter were waiting at.
He swerved to avoid a stumbling man and managed to spill beer on himself. He groaned and put the drinks down on their table.
"I have to go wash out the smell of this beer."
James walked away without waiting for a response. When he reached the bathroom, he walked into a stall and used his wand to clean his shirt.
James had a thought about where he was on a Friday night, without a date, and that brought Lily to mind.
I wonder what Lily is doing now? I bet she doesn't let her friends bully her into coming to a shady bar.
As he walked back to his table, he couldn't get Lily out of his mind.
"James, why do you look so glum? Have a beer!"
Sirius was obviously drunk already. He had drunk Peter's beer along with Remus's and his own.
James's was full and waiting.
Lily doesn't like alcohol.
James picked it up and gave it to Sirius. "Sorry mate, I'm not thirsty right now."
Sirius looked at his tablemates, who were all too sober. "What's wrong with this party?"
Lily's not here James thought. I wish she would know that I love her, but she only sees me as a friend.
I don't want to ruin our relationship by telling her because I love having those weekly meetings. I love knowing that she sets aside one day to hang out with me. Even if we aren't alone.
"James! Snap out of it," Remus said. "We're going to leave this bar and go somewhere else," he glanced at Sirius, "and drop this one off at his flat."
"Sounds like a plan," James agreed.
Lily loves planning. We planned everything at Hogwarts when we were the heads.
"James! Come on! What are you even thinking about?" Remus asked.
"Lily."
"Oh, great. We can drop you off too if you want to stay home," Remus offered.
"Wait!" Peter said. "Then our group is half gone!"
"I can't stay out tonight, guys. I can't get Lily out of my head. I'll see you tomorrow at our gathering, meeting, whatever it's called," James responded. "I'm apparating home."
He disappeared with a 'pop.'
Remus sighed and ordered, "We're going home. This night is over."
On Saturday, just like planned, Lily, Marlene, Alice, Frank, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter got together for their weekly group night.
They had vowed that they wouldn't stop seeing each other after they graduated, and they kept that promise. Occasionally, someone would have other plans, but for the most part, everyone was there every week.
As everyone sat down on James's couch, James announced, "This week, we are going to play CLUE!"
"Clue?" Lily asked incredulously. "That's the best you can come up with?"
"Why not?" James snapped defensively. "Clue is a game of using your wits and intelligence. Oh, wait. You don't have intelligence! I guess you'll have to sit out, Lily."
Everyone was holding their laughter, waiting for a response from Lily.
Lily was examining her nails and her face was passive.
"I have no intelligence, Potter?" She put emphasis on his surname. "Then I wonder what happened when I decided to tutor you in 7th year. Since you so obviously have more intelligence than me."
Lily smirked as everyone choked on their laughter.
"That's irrelevant. Do you all want to play or not?"
"Sure."
"Yeah."
"I guess."
"Sounds good."
"Fine."
"Yep."
"Whatever you want, James," Lily answered slyly.
Several hours and five games of Clue later, everyone was exhausted and ready to go.
Alice and Frank were out the door when Alice remembered something.
"Oh, Lily. I'm so sorry, but Frank and I can't make it next week. I know it's your turn for planning, but we have our one year anniversary."
Lily looked disappointed, but she said, "It's alright. I'll have another planning day, but your anniversary only comes once a year."
Alice's cancellation made Remus remember something too.
"I got a job offer, and you all know how rare that is. I have an interview next week, and I can't skip it." He winced. "I'm really sorry, Lily."
Lily went through a list in her head and sighed. "Marlene, you said you're going to visit your mother, right?"
"Lily, you know I wouldn't go if she wasn't so sick."
Peter was fidgeting at this point. James noticed and asked about it.
"I got a date," Peter said nervously. "I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, and it's the first date I've gotten in a long time. I can cancel, maybe."
Lily sighed. "It's fine Peter. I guess I'll just hang with Sirius and James."
Sirius however, had a different idea. It's my turn to play matchmaker…
"I'm going on a business trip," he stated abruptly.
James glanced sideways at him, curious, but Sirius mouthed 'I'll tell you later.'
James accepted the fact that his best friend wanted to play matchmaker. "Fine, it's just going to be me and Lily."
Lily looked around at all her friends then she looked down. "I can find a movie for us to watch."
"Sounds good."
Another story, another chapter.
I love one shots, but it's a ton easier to write two or three chapters. Its easier to get the plot to make sense. I have the main idea for the next chapter and this story should be a two-shot.
And I realized about halfway through that I had placed the setting more in modern times, but it is easier for me to write this way! The movie will probably be someting that came out in the last five years because I need a certain type of movie for my plot ;), and I want to use something I've seen.
I hope I can update in a week, but I still haven't written the second chapter. Stick with me! I will get it done soon.
Thanks for reading! Please review :)