"Aparecium", I sigh as a spot yet another blank sheet of parchment laying on my dresser. Sharing the head's dorm with Remus had its perks, though the ability it gave James (or Sirius) to slip ridiculous notes written in invisible ink to Remus for me to find was overwhelmingly irritating. Throwing the burgundy sheets sideways, I checked the alarm clock and glanced out the window to the end of my favourite season - Gryffindor's autumn, the colours of the house and life I loved scattering the courtyard - and the early November sun. Deciding I had waste enough time elongating me reading the cringe-worthy note, I walked to the dresser; fighting the urge to confringo the whole thing.
'Dearest Lilykins,
Dragon fire is red,
The best Quidditch team too,
Wedding season is over,
So here's to another year of waiting to marry you'
James, definitely James - though with a touch of corniness from Sirius. Sighing with a smile, hating the fact he was so annoyingly adorable, I shrugged on my Gryffindor sweater over my pajamas and headed down to The Great Hall for breakfast.
"Bad, was it?" Remus chuckled from a sofa as I passed him, he tended to avoid breakfast. I knew my whispered, "Langlock" had no affect after hearing him mutter, "Liberacorpus" after me - teamed with stifled laughter. I smiled as I left the common room.
"Right, no, I'm sorry, what?" Sirius questioned, bewildered, Peter for the fifth time.
"I...I...I..well, I, I" Peter replied sheepishly, "I kissed Orla"
"Yes, but when, and why, and how!?" Sirius cried. By now, James and I had already reached the silent-tears point of laughter after the double act performance following Peter's first kiss.
"After choir, outside her common room...I...are you mad at me?" Peter questioned, looking scared. This, unfortunately, made James laugh harder and caused a nervous glance across the table from Peter.
"No Wormtail," Sirius laughed, "I just can't quite believe it"
Wiping the tears from his eyes, James chuckled, "Really? I mean we honestly had no idea"
"Sarcasm is too cheap for you, Prongs", Sirius grinned back.
With the occasional bubble of laughter escaping us, we returned to our breakfasts and Peter and I listened as Sirius and James talked Quidditch tactics. Mid-croissant, I glanced at the scruffy-haired boy next to me, his shirt collar twisted inside itself, his eyes still heavy with sleep, the slight pressure of his warm, calloused hand on my back and smiled - a warm wash of adoration passing through me as he stole my goblet to represent the Quaffel.
"Morning, Lily", a quiet voice almost questioned.
Still smiling I turned my head to see Severus at the foot of our table, looking up cautiously through his thick dark hair.
"Morning, Severus. Excited for double Defence?" I grinned back.
"He's a big fan of dark magic ol' Snapey, aren't you?" James teased next to me.
"Quite." he retorted, "Good bye, Lily" and he walked towards the Slytherin table.
I sighed into my plate as Sirius and James laughed at his smart remark, Peter joining in.
"Did you see him, though? Looking through his hair like he's all dark and interesting!" Sirius flicked his hair over his face impersonating Snape, James snorted loudly as did other Gryffindor's within hearing distance.
"Oh, no, no, the stares all wrong Padfoot - it needs to scream 'I will probably imperio you into my pants I'm that desperate'" James sniggered.
"Could you not, really" I exclaim, staring helplessly into the moving ceiling.
"What?" James laughed, "Merlin, he hasn't really done that before has-"
"James!" I say exasperated, looking at him for a second before averting my glance and sighing.
"Lily?" Sirius asked, a somber tone entering his voice.
"Its just, sometimes, I just wish you wouldn't. He's my friend" I say into my melon.
"Lily, he's a year away from being a death eater. He's destined for darkness, he always has been" James argued.
"And he's my friend, James", looking into his eyes.
"Why. What is it about him, Lils?" Sirius questioned, eating a slice of toast.
"He's my friend. And you're my best friends, and you're my boyfriend, James. So, please, don't make me have to choose, don't make me feel like that. I would like it if I could have you all in my life civilly" I say, glancing between them.
"We are, by definition, the opposite of civil Lils" Sirius winked, "but we get it, we'll try. Though, you have to admit his moody stare is hilarious."
Thoroughly thawed, I smile and laugh breathily into James' side.
"Lily Evans" McGonnagal said from behind me.
"Yes, miss?" I smile, turning.
"My office, if you please," she says, leaving the hall. With a query look around at James, I put it down to a Head meeting and slide off the bench, kiss his cheek, and leave the room behind.
