Prompt: One (or both) realizing they're in love
It happened one day in the library. They were gathered at a table, revising for their end of term exams before the Christmas holiday– a scene not out of the ordinary.
She'd asked him to quiz her about the twelve uses of dragon's blood discovered by Albus Dumbledore, to which he amicably agreed. She couldn't remember the twelfth use for the life of her, and after a moment of grumbling she acquiesced and asked for the answer.
"Spot remover."
"Ugh, I'm never going to be ready for this! I'm going to fail my exams, then fail my N.E.W.T.s and I won't get a job, then I'll be destitute and have to live on the street!" Lily succumbed to the stress of days spent cramped up in the library.
"Nonsense," James teased, lightly tapping her on the nose with the pile of review parchments she'd handed him. "You know we'd never let you end up on the streets! We take care of our friends!" He said it lightly, and everyone at their table laughed at the new light-hearted teasing found between the two of them nowadays. Lily forced herself to laugh along with them, but found the task hard to accomplish– due to the newly formed stabbing pain in her chest.
Newly formed wasn't giving it enough credit. It had been there the last few weeks– more in the form of a constant ache, rather than a stab; but today the pain was acute and agonizing. She wanted to double over at the waist and cradle her chest against the pain. She'd always known James was a powerful wizard, but she'd never known him to be able to inflict such agonizing pain with just a word.
Friend.
It was as if it was an unspoken incantation, for the reaction it caused in her. Friend.
They'd come a long way since the start of the year, and had anyone asked her before this exact moment, Lily would've said she was more than proud to be friends with someone like James Potter.
But somewhere along the way, something had changed. Now she didn't just anticipate his company, but longed for it. Her day didn't feel like it had truly started until she saw him. When he smiled at her, the same friendly smile he bestowed upon all his friends, she felt her insides warm as if she was glowing from within. The more time she spent with him, the more she realized how truly funny and kind he was, and she noted his unwavering loyalty to those who were lucky enough to be called a friend.
So really, she should feel overjoyed to be included in those James Potter considered a friend. Truly.
But why did the word suddenly feel so empty?