Author's Notes: Based on a drawing of astralsymphony's. Enjoy!
Sunstroke
It's the end of October and the decent weather is hanging on by the barest of threads. Every spare moment, students seem to be flocking towards the grounds like droves of the starving to a welcoming feast. Lily has always thought herself above such antics—she doesn't mind the cold, never has—but that afternoon, her skin itches for sun. The sight of green grass and bright sky taunts her. She has History in three minutes and has never felt so resentful.
"Thinking of making a run for it?" someone asks, and Lily doesn't turn when she feels James Potter sidle up next to her. Her eyes remain fixated outside the window, but sometimes she thinks he smells a bit like a summer's day and her skin tingles more.
"Probably one of the last decent days we'll have, and we have to miss it."
"Do we?" he asks.
Her eyes leave the grounds only long enough to shoot him a look. "Chap called Binns? Remember him?"
The sudden grin that spreads across Potter's face has Lily's insides squirming.
"'So sorry, Professor,'" he says, already taking a step backwards as he grabs her hand. "'Evans and I were called away on Head business. Remus has promised us his notes.'"
"Potter, no—"
But she goes with him, because the sun and something else is calling for her to.
They find an empty patch of grass just off the lake, one whose view from the castle is obscured by a large elm placed just so. James immediately throws himself onto the ground and spreads his arms wide. Lily takes a moment to strip off her shoes and socks before doing the same. They lay side by side for a while, breathing in the soft autumn air. The sun heats Lily's skin like a sensual stroke, heady and tantalizing. The moment couldn't be more perfect, and she suddenly realises that she means the company, as well. The thought should worry her, but doesn't.
Later, when they've had their dose of outdoor magic and chatted about classes and friends and Lily's found herself telling him about the letter she got from Mum that morning about Petunia's wedding, he leans over to kiss her. Their feet are tangled and Lily's stomach hurts from laughing and for whatever reason, she lets him do it. Their lips brush and she finds that he tastes a bit like summer, too. She wants to call it sunstroke, but she knows it's something else and for the first time, she doesn't mind.