Lily stepped back and James took in her great big smile, spanning from ear to ear, her green eyes positively glowing with excitement and he felt something die inside of him. Because she was Lily and he was James. She was a pure ray of sunshine and he … well, he didn't know what he was. He knew he wasn't evil but he wasn't pure good either. He'd done things he'd regretted and there was Evans. Someone who'd never done a single wrong thing in her life and she was looking at him so happily because finally she had solid proof that he was innocent. She looked so pleased with herself and her smile was so happy that James couldn't help but smile too, even though he felt completely humiliated and apprehensive. He rubbed his palms on his school pants and looked around awkwardly. He really didn't know what would happen next and he never got around to asking Lily what he wanted to ask her.
"You're innocent! I knew you would be but this proves it! I mean I know now! And you're an animagus! That's bloody brilliant! You have to show me and I get it now! The nicknames and, and the weird jokes you guys make! It, it all makes sense now!" and then she slapped him.
"Oi! What was that for?"
"Do you know how irresponsible that is? You could get hurt! Other people could get hurt!"
"You just said it was 'bloody brilliant'!"
"Yeah, because you're a freaking animagus!" she whisper shouted and then she gasped, "You're an illegal animagus, aren't you? Oh Merlin, an illegal animagus running around with a werewolf once a month in the Forbidden Forest. What could go wrong?"
James chuckled. "Less than you may think." He frowned. "Let's go acquit me then."
Lily frowned. "What?"
James looked at her like her brain had fallen out of her head. Perhaps it had or maybe it had been her heart that had fallen because she found herself crushed that he didn't ask her.
James was talking but Lily wasn't listening. Too caught up on why he hadn't asked her. Shame filled her as she realised that the boys were probably pulling a prank on her and she felt a hatred rise in her for Sirius Black because this had to have been his idea. How cruel to get one's hopes up just for the purpose of a few laughs?
"Evans, are you listening to me?"
"No."
James laughed, taking her bluntness as humour. "Let's go tell Dumbledore and that Pierce woman before she bribes anymore students to follow me.
"How do you know she gets people to follow you?" Lily asked.
"The map."
"The map. Right. How does that work exactly?"
"One day I'll show you."
Lily smiled slightly and James felt like he was finally doing something right. They crossed the hall and to find Professor McGonagall pacing her office worriedly whilst Dumbledore sat at a student's desk, an odd sight James had to admit.
"What on earth took so long?"
"James has a very full head Professor. But I found the memory eventually and I can vouch that he was in the Quidditch pitch change rooms on the morning of Scott's attack after practicing some flying. He skipped class to practice some flying."
James was impressed at how easily Lily lied to Professor McGonagall considering they hadn't even planned what to say but McGonagall bought it and sighed with relief.
"Finally! Proof! Now that Pierce woman can stop trying to get me to have you tracked, Potter. Though I can't say I am pleased with you missing class for Quidditch," she pursed her lips.
"Told you," James muttered to Lily who laughed weakly.
"Very well, you may go and celebrate I guess. I'll inform the rest of the staff and," she added as an after thought, "I want you two to be careful. Now that it's proven that you aren't the attacker, it means that there is a very dangerous student at our school."
"Professor," Lily said thoughtfully. "I've been, having, uh, dreams about, about that night."
Professor McGonagall became interested immediately and nodded for Lily to go on. James watched Lily interestedly too.
"I remember something. I think the spell that they used. I remember someone saying a spell but I've never heard of it before and, and it's not in any of the books in the library."
"What was the spell then?"
"Sectumsempra."
—
They had left McGonagall's classroom and were slowly walking back to the common room.
"Are you sure that was the spell?" James asked. He, like Lily, had never heard of the spell before.
"I'm sure," Lily insisted. "Sectumsempra. I'm sure of it. I didn't remember at first but Madam Pomfrey said that I might not remember the events straight away and the other night, I was dreaming and I just, I don't know, remembered. It's probably dark magic. Really powerful dark magic. I've still got a scar on my neck," Lily said and James went to look but realised she was wearing a skivvy and wondered if it was to hide the scar. She shouldn't. The person who did this to her should be able to see it and feel nothing but guilt for the physical pain they caused her.
"They'll catch them, Evans."
"I know, James but I just. Sometimes, I just feel, I don't know, unsafe."
"I'll keep you sa– wait did you just call me 'James'?"
"I think I've earned the right. You're parents names are Monty and Euphemia. You're nicknamed Prongs because you're an animagus in the form of a stag. You have an invisibility cloak and a mysterious map that tells you where everyone is and by the way I can't believe you spied on me and Andrew using the map!"
"Hey, I was looking for something and I happened to come across you two, in the green house and I just put two and two together. And really, Evans, the green house?"
"Don't judge," she defended, "It had nice scenery."
"Can I call you Lily now?"
"Hmm," Lily said thoughtfully. "I haven't decided."
"Oh sod off," he exclaimed and Lily laughed. "I don't care what you say. I'm calling you Lily from now on."
"But you don't even know my parents-"
"Rosie and Johnathan!"
"Sirius told!"
"Payback, Lily."
"I resent that," she said glumly and James just laughed and their shoulders brushed against each other and Lily moved away quickly.
"So, Lily. Considering you know a secret or two about me. I think it's only fair I get one back."
"No."
"No?"
Lily shrugged. "I did you a favour, James. I don't owe you anything." And despite knowing that she owed him a great deal more then what she'd given, she stuck by what she said because she had been played. Lily didn't like being played.
"If I tell, you get to stand up in the Great Hall and tell everyone that I turn into a stag."
Lily pretended to consider before saying, "Nice try, Potter. See you up in the common room." She ran off not giving James a chance to respond and when she got to the common room, she surprised the Marauders (and her own friends) by going straight up to the girls' dormitory and locking herself in the bathroom, ignoring the party the Marauders had planned in the common room in honour of James' acquittal (despite the fact he'd never been charged in the first place).
—
James walked into the common room mere moments after Lily had stormed up to the girls' dormitory and he'd been rather confused of her behaviour. He'd thought they'd been making progress. Hell, he was planning on asking her on a date but he'd chickened out, the fear of rejection far too great. He wasn't a very good Gryffindor but perhaps others had been right in saying that bravery bordered on stupid — how many times could he be rejected by the same girl before asking her out crossed over to stupid instead of brave?
The common room smelt of alcohol, yet none was in sight, however the common room had the air of a party waiting to happen. James was familiar with the feeling. The biggest give away was the poster crafted by none other than Sirius Black himself. It read 'Congratulations, James! You're Not Going To Azkaban And Have Your Soul Sucked Out By Dementors!' James grinned and walked over to his mates, whom we're waiting eagerly to hear what happened.
"So?" Sirius prompted.
"I've a solid alibi." James shrugged. "Where's the alcohol at?"
"You're Head Boy," Remus remarked pointedly as Sirius handed him firewhiskey.
"Have been for two months now, Moony," James said opening the bottle of firewhiskey. "Thanks for letting me know, though." He took a swig.
"So what else happened?" Peter asked.
"Evans knows about Moony's furry little problem. She knows about our … you know and that's that."
"Why'd she run straight up to the girls' dormitory?"
James paused and then pressed the bottle to his lips, taking a swig the gold liquid burning his throat on the way down. "She went to the girls' dormitory?"
"Yes, did you ask her out?" Remus winced.
"I didn't actually."
"You what?" Sirius spluttered.
"I chickened out," James sighed, "And yes, I know, we're supposed to be brave and what not but I have asked her out no less then six times-"
"Five," Peter corrected.
"What?" James asked and realised that according to the rest of the Marauders the singular occasion in which James asked out Lily — which, in turn, led to Lily breaking off whatever arrangement they'd had between them — never happened. "Right. Yes, five," James agreed hastily before continuing, "At what point do I just sit back and realise that she doesn't see me in that way? Maybe friends is all we're meant to be."
Remus and Sirius glanced at each other. Sirius stepped forward placing a hand on James's shoulder and looking at him sternly in the eye. "Mate, you cannot give up on Lily Evans. She's your one."
"My one?" James echoed.
"Yes!" Sirius said impatiently, "Your one!"
"Your soulmate," Peter added.
"Life partner," Remus chimed.
"Frankly, I'd be rather miffed if you ended up marrying anyone other than Lily Evans."
James raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "Let me get this straight." He paused, pressing his palms together. "You want me to humiliate myself in front of Lily Evans for the sixth time so you don't end up 'miffed'?"
Sirius considered and then shrugged. "Yeah."
"And because she's your one," Peter added.
"Can't forget that."
"Right," James said, "Of course."
"Are you going to go ask her?" Sirius prompted.
"No."
"Well, why not?"
"Because I am thoroughly convinced that you lot have lost your damn minds," James admitted, "And I'd much rather celebrate the fact that I am no longer an accused man of attempted murder and I'd like to do that by getting shit faced. So if you'll excuse me," he raised his bottle and said, "Cheers," but Sirius snatched the bottle out of his hand. "Padfoot."
"Before anyone get's shit faced you've gotta owl your mum."
"Right," James realised, "Good call."
—
Marlene raised an eyebrow and Ella had to admit she was quite intrigued as well. For the first time in several days, the Marauders were not hanging out with Lily and for the first time in several days, Lily had gone up to the girl dormitories.
"Do you think something's wrong?" Marlene asked anxiously.
Ella rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Potter and Lily just went through their first fight as a couple."
"But what if it's not?"
"We're ignoring Lily, remember?"
"Yes, I know," Marlene frowned, "But what if something's wrong? Like really wrong? We're still her friends."
"And she's treated as like shit for the last two weeks."
"Ella."
"Marlene."
Marlene huffed and crossed her arms. "I still think we should go see if she's okay."
"Then go."
"Well, I can't go if you don't want to go."
"That makes no sense. Go if you want to go."
"Oi, Dearborn, Adams!" Black shouted from across the common room, jumping up from his seat and coming over to the girls. Marlene and Ella shared a confused glance.
"What is it, Black?"
"What's up with Evans?" he asked sitting in the spare seat at their table.
"You tell us. You guys are her new BFFs."
Sirius rolled his eyes, "And you girls are shitty friends. Can one of you tell her to come down here?"
"Nope," Ella shrugged.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to."
Sirius snorted. "Wow, you guys really are shitty friends." Sirius fished a piece of parchment out of his pocket and handed it to Marlene. "Give that to Lily, will you? She'll know what to do with it. Tell her twelve a.m."
Marlene went to unfold it but Sirius waved a hand, "Don't bother, Adams. It will only insult you. Just give it to Lily and if you can bear it, tell her I said thank you."
"Thank you for what?"
"She'll know. Laters." With that Sirius jumped up and crossed the common room to sit with the rest of the Marauders again. Marlene stared at him curiously.
"You're staring."
"Maybe Lily has a secret relationship with Black."
"Nice joke."
"I'm being serious. I mean, why is he so concerned about her? Sirius Black doesn't care about anybody apart from the Marauders."
"Marls, you read into things too much," Ella rolled her eyes. "Go give Lily the stupid parchment and then come back down because I just finished my essay and I plan to get insanely drunk and I need you to stop me from doing anything stupid."
"Like declare your love for Michael Putley."
"Sod off. He's an ass, remember?"
Marlene nodded, "Right. I guess, I'll be back in a minute. Where's Alice and Della?"
"Della is off with Tommy and Alice is I don't know where."
Marlene nodded and disappeared up the stairs leaving Ella alone. That's when Sirius Black occupied the empty seat again.
"You know," he said, sliding a drink over to her, "If you want to be with Putley, you should just go out with him."
"Why're you always around Black?"
Sirius shrugged, "Does it bother you?"
"Yes," she said immediately and then she slouched, "maybe … I don't know. So why has Lily been hanging out with you lot so much?"
Sirius shrugged, "Ask her."
"We're not talking to Lily."
"That seems harsh."
"She ignored us to snog Potter in a broom closet."
"Now that's insulting. They're not snogging."
"Oh, shagging - whatever you get what I mean! They're together," Ella snapped.
"They aren't actually."
This took Ella by surprise. She'd been so sure that Lily and Potter had finally gotten together. "So then why has she been hanging out with you lot?"
"Ask her."
"Why would she tell us now?"
"Because she can."
"And she couldn't before?"
"No."
"Oi! Padfoot! You coming?" James shouted, coming over to Sirius and Ella with Remus and Peter a step behind.
"Where are you lot off to?" Ella asked. It was just like the Marauders to bail on a party they planned.
"I'm a free man now, Dearborn," James winked.
"I noticed. Still doesn't answer my question."
"Let's go," Sirius said abruptly.
"What's the rush?"
"Want to be back before midnight."
James raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "Let's go then." The Marauders left Ella alone only for Marlene to re-occupy her seat.
"What did they want?"
"Nothing," Ella shrugged. "How'd it go?"
"She had the curtains drawn around her bed … Ella, I think she was crying. I left the parchment on her bedside table with a note."
"What the hell has been happening these past two weeks?" Ella wondered out loud, the curiosity burning her.
—
Adaline floated back into the common room, humming slightly under her breath. A fact that deeply shocked Marlene Adams who demanded to know everything.
"Okay what happened?"
Adaline shrugged. "Tommy asked me to be his girlfriend."
"And?" Marlene urged, nudging Ella.
"I said yes."
"Seriously!" she squealed. "Ella! Did you hear? Della has a boyfriend!"
Ella looked up from beer pong long enough for an unenthusiastic, "Hooray," before turning back to the game.
Adaline frowned. She'd thought that her first boyfriend in a long time would be more interesting than beer pong but that was Ella, Adaline supposed. Marlene was enthusiastic enough for the entire Gryffindor common room urging Adaline to sit down and tell her everything. There wasn't much to tell though. They had gone on five dates and she found that she liked Thomas and he must've liked spending time with her because he asked her to be his girlfriend. It wasn't very romantic, well Thomas was Adaline was just hard pressed to admit that she liked romantic things but there was something.
At some point over the course of their unofficial dating, Adaline found she sought out his company more and more often. She liked having lunch with him in the Great Hall. She liked their study dates in the library. He was sweet and always went the extra mile for her — even if Adaline was a little oblivious to it in the moment. And he had been adorable asking her to be his girlfriend, stuttering slightly before just blurting it out. Adaline had said yes without even thinking about it.
"Well, fancy that. Adaline Bennett has a boyfriend," Marlene sung. "And I'd just like to say from the bottom of my heart that I told you so."
"Don't make me regret it," Adaline huffed. "Anyways, I'm buggered. I'm going up to bed."
"Fair warning, Lily's in her bed and I think she's crying."
"Lily's in the dorm?" Adaline asked surprised.
Marlene nodded. "We were shocked too."
"Black says that her and Potter aren't shagging," Ella chimed.
"Why's she crying?" Adaline asked concerned.
"Hell if I know," Marlene shrugged. "Though I now suspect that she is in a secret relationship with Black."
Adaline laughed throwing her head back. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, Marls!"
"That's what I said," Ella agreed.
"He left her a piece of parchment which had some sort of secret message on it." Marlene crossed her arms. "I'm not crazy."
"Maybe you should stick to worrying about Nate because you've gone bonkers," Adaline informed her. "I'll see you upstairs!" she told them, heading up the dormitory stairs and into the dorm.
The curtains weren't closed around Lily's bed though, she was holding a piece of parchment, studying it and muttered, "What are they up to?"
"Lily?" Adaline asked unsurely.
Lily flinched and slipped her feet into her shoes. "Gotta go."
"It's passed curfew!" Adaline called after her but Lily didn't hear a word as she fled down the stairs.
—
Lily fumbled with the map as she tapped it with her wand and words and markings spread across it. Biting her lip she studied it closely looking for the four boys the map belonged to and she frowned when she spotted three of the four in the boys dormitory so she started there first.
She entered and the boys looked at her surprised. "What are you doing here?" Sirius asked her.
She rose an eyebrow. "You said twelve? Though I don't know why I needed a map to find you in the boys dormitory."
"You're meant to find James," Peter inputted.
"Right so I can be made a fool of again. No thank you," she told them leaving the map at the end of Sirius' bed.
"Ah, I knew you were pissed at us — look it's not our fault James chickened out," Sirius said.
"Though I thought you'd be relieved," Remus admitted. "I thought you didn't want him to ask you out."
She didn't. Did she?
"I never thought I'd see the day," Sirius breathed. "You actually like him!"
"Shut up," Lily said weakly. How on earth had she gotten here? She'd meant to help Potter not get a silly little crush on him! For god's sake she'd resisted when they'd been snogging for a month, she didn't know how this had happened but she was angry not because she'd been played like she'd thought but because James hadn't asked her.
"Find him," Peter suggested, handing the map back to her.
"What if he's over me?" she asked quietly thinking about all the times she'd turned him down. Thinking about all the times she'd used his feelings to her advantage.
Remus snorted. "That's like saying Sirius will shave his hair off. Find him."
Lily glanced at the map and saw a dot labelled with his name pacing in Great Hall, all alone in such a big room and before she could stop herself she left using the map to get her to the Great Hall without being detected. She paused at the doors, the size of everything intimidating her.
Was this how he felt every time he'd tried to ask her out? God she hoped not.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
—
"Ask me."
James whirled around, the voice catching him off guard, the person shocking him to his core so that he couldn't think for a hole thirty seconds. "What?"
"Ask me what you wanted to ask me today."
He hadn't wanted to ask her anything, he thought foolishly before realisation dawned. "I'm going to kill them," he said simply and then he said abashedly, "Look, you don't have to worry about that … we're friends."
She stepped closer and James stiffened as her summery scent hit him with full force, her eyes inflating as she looked at him. "Ask me," she repeated.
James turned away from her scared he'd do just as she asked if he kept looking at her large eyes any longer. "We both know how this ends, Evans. Why're you here? I get it. You're not interested and I didn't ask because I think it's finally sinked in but I can't help it if Sirius can't keep his mouth shut. Doesn't mean you get to demand for me to ask you just so you can turn me down."
Her hand landed on his arm and he breathed in deeply. "James," she said softly. He turned around to face her. Her expression was soft, her plump lips in an almost smile, her eyes wide, her body relaxed. She did something unexpected next. She reached up on the balls of her feet, bringing him down by his collar and planted her lips on his and it was like she was breathing life into him again. She pulled away far too soon. "Ask me, please."
James' mouth popped open in a little 'o'. She wanted him to ask so she could say yes. That was new and he almost wanted to throw himself off the Astronomy Tower because of course the only time he'd decided not to ask was the time she'd wanted him too.
"Go out with me, Evans?" he asked a little breathlessly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Even if it was a choice between you and the Giant Squid," she said with a hint of a smirk.
She leaned up once more but he turned his face. "Nope," he declined.
"What? Why?"
"If we're gonna date we're gonna do it properly. No kissing until the first date."
"But we've already snogged … multiple times," Lily pointed out like he was stupid.
"No snogging until the first date," James said firmly. "But I do believe you owe me a secret."
"Hmm, I suppose I do," she smiled, removing her arms from around his neck and linking her arm with his. They walked out of the Great Hall, and she let the silence occupy them for a time and James didn't push, she liked that about him, until she gathered the courage to share her secret.
"My dad, he'll be dead by the end of the year and no one knows but me."
James stopped walking out of shock and Lily turned to face him but she wouldn't look him in the eye. She had finally told someone. She'd been hiding it since the beginning of summer and she finally told someone. When Lily had found out she'd been furious. She had answered the phone and it was his doctor. He informed Lily that her father was refusing treatment. Yes, she'd been furious.
"What?" James asked with a wobbly lip. He didn't know what to expect but it certainly hadn't been that. "How? Why?"
"He's gotten sick. He's ill. Cancer, in, in his head. He found out a couple of months ago and the doctors said that the, the cancer is too far along to stop and because of the place it's in they can't remove it. He's going to die and nothing can help him and I'm going to be stuck here and I don't want to be stuck here while he's dying and yesterday mum sent an owl saying Petunia's engaged and getting married after New Years and then dad sent an owl saying that if he dies he still wants Petunia to get married as planned, at the beginning of January and I don't, I don't know what to do."
James watched as tears began to form in her eyes and listened as her voice became more and more panicked.
"And mum is all happy and meanwhile I'm dying on the inside and dad is actually dying and Petunia doesn't even talk to me, the prejudice little tart! And dad's dying!" her voice had become loud and panicked and James just went on instinct. He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head on his chest, tears wetting his shirt.
"Shh, shh, shh," he whispered. "It's going to be alright. At first it won't be, but after a while it still won't be but it'll start to feel all right again and you'll remember how it feels to laugh and smile and joke and have fun and it'll feel all right again even if it's not. Eventually, it will feel all right again."
Lily nodded against his chest but she was still crying and James couldn't even imagine the way she must feel right now. To know her dad was dying and being powerless to stop it. It would completely suck. So James just held her for as long as she needed in that deserted corridor on the fifth floor until she pulled back.
She didn't wipe her tears away and he didn't like seeing her upset so he cupped her face with his hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. She chuckled slyly and James smiled half heartedly.
"I'm such a bloody mess. This was meant to be some romantic walk and I've completely ruined it by blubbering on about my dad. I'm sorry."
James shook his head, "No, no you haven't. You've made it even more special."
"How?"
"I don't know, I just feel like that for the first time we fully and completely trust each other and that's not really something I had from you, even from before summer and now I know a secret of yours and you know way more about me than you should and I trust you and I feel like you trust me and that's, I don't know, beautiful."
"Do you write poetry or something?"
"I think that's enough secrets for one day," James said taking his hands off of Lily's face and continuing to walk. Lily smiled as she saw James blush.
"Oh my, God! You do! You have to let me read it! Does Sirius know?"
James whirled around.
"You can't tell him!"
Lily started roaring with laughter and James was finding it harder and harder not to crack a smile.
"Oh, this is gold!" Lily laughed.
"I don't write it! I just read it!"
"Sure you do. Don't worry. One day I'll get my hands on it."
James shook his head and laughed. They reached the portrait hole and Lily sighed.
"What now?" James asked. Lily shrugged.
"My friends hate me."
"You can hang out with me. Still gonna stay in our dorm?"
"Are you sure?"
"Believe me, I don't mind," James said smirking but Lily whacked his arm with an unamused expression on her face. "Ow!" he exclaimed and Lily nodded approvingly.
—
Lily had never been so nervous for a Hogsmeade trip in her life. Not even when she was going on her first date with Andrew and maybe that was one of the problems she had with Andrew. She didn't feel enough with him. Being with Andrew felt like being with a friend only with kissing and even that wasn't so great.
The boys left before her as usual and James had written a note telling Lily to be ready at ten o'clock and to wait in the dormitory for him. She found that odd, it made more sense to meet in the Entrance Hall. Nevertheless she got ready. She decided to wear mainly muggle clothes; jeans, a knitted jumper and a heavy coat. She knotted her hair in a low bun and then sat in the bathroom with a small make up bag. Make-up or no make-up was the question haunting her at the moment. She brought out mascara and applied a little to her lashes and then put some lip-gloss on. She looked in the mirror tilting her head in different angles and concluded that it should do.
Lily checked the time and saw it was still fifteen minutes until ten o'clock and pulled out a Charms essay she still hadn't finished.
She completely forgot about the time, immersed in the essay, until a knock sounded at the door. Lily's stomach jolted. She jumped up, quickly packing away her school stuff and opened the door. James looked handsome. He too was wearing muggle clothes, jeans and a thick jumper and a Gryffindor scarf wrapped around his neck. He was holding a bouquet of peonies and Lily wondered where on earth he had gotten peonies from.
"Hi," he said and Lily smiled.
"Hi."
"Shall we go then? You look gorgeous, by the way."
"You don't look so bad yourself," Lily said taking the flowers off of James and smelling them, "Mmm, my favourite."
"I know, Marie."
"Oh, I had forgotten about that nickname," Lily frowned. She wasn't sure she liked it and James laughed. Lily left the flowers on her nightstand before looping her arm around James's and he lead her out of the castle and into the grounds.
"How would you feel about not going to Hogsmeade today?" James asked and Lily shrugged.
"Is there something wrong with Hogsmeade?"
"I've a surprise for you," he said and he held up a blindfold. "I'm gonna need you to wear this."
"Seriously?" she asked doubtfully and James nodded.
"Come on, just go with it."
Lily sighed, wondering what she was getting herself into and James smiled and went behind her to fasten the blindfold around her eyes. He took her hand and started leading her somewhere.
"James, if you make me smash into a tree or something, I'll hex you."
"Yes, ma'm."
They were silent for a few minutes until James opened a door, grabbed something and then closed the door again.
"Okay, I really need you to trust me now. I need you to get on the broom."
"Broom? James! I'm blindfolded!"
"That's why I'll be the one flying. You're just the passenger. Here," James said. He got on the broom himself and placed one of Lily's hands on his shoulder and the other on the broom handle. "Now you just have to get on."
"If I die. I'll haunt your arse to the grave."
"Noted."
Lily fumbled a little but managed to get on the broom behind James and out of fear of falling off, wrapped her arms around James's torso. James kicked off and they were flying. Lily was praying that she wouldn't fall off and even though she knew James was an accomplished flier and Quidditch player she was still terrified and despite being blindfolded, she kept her eyes shut tight. It had been a couple of minutes when James finally landed again and Lily had no idea where she was and had no sense of direction. All she knew was that the air was noticeably cooler.
—
Sirius Black was, for perhaps the first time ever, despondent as he sat over his butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
"Trust Prongs to have his date in the one spot we can't spy on him," he whined for the billionth time.
Remus patted his arm, "There, there."
"I'd never do that to you, Padfoot," Peter vowed.
"You'd need a date first," Sirius remarked.
Remus leaned forward on the table. "Say, what's the deal with you and Dearborn lately?"
"Dearborn?" Sirius furrowed his eyebrows. "What about her?
"She's staring at you," Peter noticed and Sirius glanced over to the table Ella Dearborn sat at with Adams and Vance.
"So she is," Sirius agreed shrugging. "Probably trying to figure out where James and Lily are. You know they think she's been shagging Prongs this whole time."
"Lily won't be pleased with that," Remus noted. "Did you set them straight?"
"'Course. We can't have people thinking that James could actually score Lily Evans."
"But he did," Peter pointed out.
"Because of my meddling," Sirius assured him.
Sirius glanced over at Dearborn who was now rolling her eyes, as she often was, at Adams who seemed to be on a spirited rant about something or other, with Adams it could have been anything. He once heard her rattle on about how screws were useless in a magical world for twenty minutes before Dearborn had gotten fed up and shot a silencing charm at her. Come to think of it, Sirius thought that that perfectly described the friendship between Dearborn and Adams. Where Adams was sunshine and rainbows, Dearborn was clouds and rain and yet somehow they remained friends, best friends even, after all these years.
Dearborn caught his eye and for a moment they were stuck in some trance before she got up and came over to their table.
"I thought associating us was a punishable offence in girl world," Sirius commented.
"You were staring at me."
"You were staring at me," Sirius countered. "You weren't talking about my irresistible charms were you?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're about as charming as a threstral."
"I've always wanted to have something in common with a threstral."
"You're incorrigible," she declared. "Where's Lily?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't but Della's looking for her so if you know where she is, it would save Della from wasting her time."
"Tell Della she's at the North Tower."
"But-"
Sirius kicked Peter's shin and he fell silent.
"I would say thank you but," she shrugged and walked off and then Remus rounded on him. "That is what I'm talking about when I ask what is going on with you and Dearborn?"
"It's called a conversation, Moony."
"Is no one going to mention the flirting?" Peter asked.
"It was implied, Wormtail."
"There was no flirting," Sirius countered. "Besides, is flirting such an odd characteristic for me? I mean, I'd probably flirt with Voldemort if I met him."
"That," Remus struggled for a minute, "Is disturbing."
"Would I really be living if I didn't compliment Voldemort's look when I met him?"
"You'd certainly be able to live longer," muttered Remus.
—
"You can get off now," James murmured and Lily laughed shakily. She let go of James and fumbled off the broomstick, her foot getting caught a little and she thought she was going to fall but James grabbed her arm firmly to stop her from hitting the floor.
"You ready to see the surprise?"
Lily nodded eagerly and James pulled off her blindfold gently and Lily was amazed. The view was spectacular. The Forbidden Forest stretched out forever and Hogsmeade seemed tiny in comparison with it's snow covered house roofs. Snow peaked mountains and rocky caves popped out of the distance and Lily took it all in.
"This, this is amazing!" she breathed.
"I know."
"Where are we?"
"On top of the North Tower. We flew around this morning from tower to tower to find the best view," James said, Lily looked at him amazed and James said, "What? You said you liked scenery," and Lily laughed amazed at the lengths this boy was willing to go for her.
"This is — you are amazing!" Lily informed him and James smiled. "Wait how are we standing?" Lily looked around and saw she was standing on a wooden platform. "Did you make this?"
"Remus's idea, always the practical one," James shrugged. "It does make it more comfortable though, doesn't it?"
"Huh, yeah."
"Well, my lady," he said gesturing to a spread out picnic blanket with a basket sitting on top of it, "Shall we? I've brought Butterbeer, Rosemerta's finest, and the house elves made us some sandwiches and chocolate cake with chocolate dipped strawberries."
"This was all very thought out," Lily complimented as she sat down on the blanket. James sat opposite her crossed legged and grabbed a folded up blanket. He spread it across them so they covered their legs.
"If you want another, there's some more in the basket."
James conjured up some special blue flames and the heat reached Lily immediately. Lily was torn between watching James and enjoying the scenery. James won. She watched as he pulled out two golden goblets and the bottles of Butterbeer and the sandwiches from the basket. He set it out next to them, pouring Lily some Butterbeer and handing her the goblet.
"You know," Lily said as she finally realised just how high up they were. "I'm starting to think you arranged this so I couldn't run away even if I wanted to."
"Damn, you caught me," James smirked and Lily laughed. "Any progress with the friends?"
Lily looked down sadly, "No. They hate me."
"No one could ever hate you, Marie."
"They can."
"They don't. But they are poop heads for not understanding."
"Very mature. Are you ready for the match next week?" Lily asked eyeing his broomstick. "It's against Slytherin, right?"
"Yeah, should be good. Podmore is great on the field. Can catch anything and everything. Nikki is doing great as keeper, never misses. The new beaters work well together and I think we've got all the plays down. I'm feeling like we'll win but I don't want to jinx anything."
"I'm sure we'll win. Gryffindor usually does."
"We'll see," James said modestly. "Which Quidditch team do you go for?"
Lily looked at James unsurely. "Uh, Gryffindor. I thought that would be pretty obvious."
"I meant outside of school," James said and he tried not to laugh as Lily's cheeks went slightly red.
"I don't follow Quidditch outside of school."
James's mouth dropped open and he seemed to be in a daze. "Nevermind, it's okay. We can fix that. From now on you go for Puddlemere United."
"Do I now?" Lily challenged.
"If you want another glorious date like this you do."
"And if I don't?"
"Well then you should at least go for Puddlemere United because they are awesome and not following them should be a shame to this world."
"You're too invested in Quidditch," Lily commented. "Me? I like football. Manchester United all the way."
"Football, isn't that some sort of boring muggle sport?"
Lily sighed, "I'll take you to a game someday," she promised.
"Only if I can take you to a Quidditch match!"
"Deal."
"But for the record I would rather throw myself off of this roof than watch a boring old muggle sport."
"You'll be eating your words," Lily promised. "Football is the Quidditch of England."
"Hey can you hear something?"
"What could you possibly be hearing we are on top of a castle?"
"I can hear the sound of utter bullshit coming out of your mouth."
Lily's jaw dropped open and she whacked his arm. "Now, now, Marie. We wouldn't want to go flying off the roof now, would we?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind so much if you went flying off the roof," Lily teased and James shook his head.
"You're going to pay for that, Evans." And within a second he was tickling Lily so much that she could barely breathe.
"Stop! Stop!" she said through laughter but James didn't.
"Say, "James Potter is the best human being on the planet and deserves to live forever". Say it and I'll stop tickling."
"Never!" Lily shouted still giggling uncontrollably.
"Say it!" he demanded playfully tickling her even more and Lily squealed even louder and thrashed about under him. She tried to push his hands away but he was much stronger than she'd ever be and all she could think was that he needed to stop before the laughing killed her.
"Okay! Okay! James Potter is the best human on the planet and deserves to live forever!" she said in one breath. James stopped tickling her and Lily lifted herself into an upright position again as James sat back down on his spot. "But there's this guy on Mars that should live longer than you."
"Ha, ha. Very funny. There aren't any people on Mars, Lily."
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"Good one. You should be a lawyer," Lily snorted and James shook his head with a laugh.
"Don't make me tickle you again."
"I will hex you!" she threatened.
"Not if you're laughing too much."
"Then I will kick you off of this tower!"
"Hey, no need to make fatal threats. You cold at all?"
"No, all that laughing and thrashing about made me quite warm."
"Well, I'm cold. Come warm me up?" he asked holding up the blanket. Lily rolled her eyes with a smile and said, "Come here you goof."
She shuffled over and James moved next to her spreading the blanket across their legs. They sat close so their shoulders were pressed up against each other and so were their outstretched legs but that was all.
Lily sighed, "My mum is starting to get suspicious about dad."
"What happened?"
"Apparently dad is taking really long naps and his head always hurts, he has brain cancer you see. He hasn't said anything but I think his vision is starting to get effected, mum's said that he's been reading things wrong and bumping into a lot of things. Putting the glasses in the wrong cupboard that sort of stuff."
"He'll be all right."
"No, he won't and that's what sucks. He won't be all right. He will die and he'll be gone and, and I'll be here. Do you think McGonagall will let me go home for the funeral?"
"I'm sure she will."
"Do you think she'll let someone come with me? I don't think I can handle going on my own. To be absolutely stuck in my house with my mum and the magic-hater Petunia."
"Possibly. Did you want someone to come with you?"
"It doesn't even matter. All my friends hate me anyways."
"I'll come with you, if you want," James said with a shrug and Lily leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Always the gentleman. Well almost always."
"I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, Marie."
Lily laughed before quieting down. "How did things become so messed up?"
"I asked my dad about the meeting we saw him at."
Lily leaned up to look at James surprised.
"What did he say?"
"He said I shouldn't be sneaking around after hours 'cause it's not safe and that it's nothing to worry about."
"Bullocks," Lily retorted. "I hate it when adults think we can't handle the truth. We can and we deserve to know it."
"I think they just believe in all that 'ignorance is bliss' crap. Ignorance is only bliss until you find out what a dim witted moron you'd been."
"That's why my dad told me about his cancer, well came clean after I'd busted him. He just sighed and said, 'if I don't tell you now you'll hate me for keeping it from you'."
"I wish my parents were like that. My mum and dad try to keep everything from me. You know my mother doesn't send me the M.A.E newsletters?"
"Why?"
"She doesn't want me to see what's happening, how our world is deteriorating but she says it's because she can just tell me in her personal letters to me," James rolled his eyes, "She never even mentions M.A.E in her letters."
"She's you mum, she wants to protect you I guess."
"It's annoying."
"Until they aren't there to protect us anymore," Lily said thinking of her dad.
"Until they aren't there to protect us anymore," agreed James. Lily leaned her head on his shoulder again and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they leaned back against the roof tiles of the tower. They pulled the blanket up and looked at the scenery, the trees swaying, the smoke coming out of chimneys and the ant-looking people walking around.
"James?"
"Hmm?"
"This is a really nice date. I can honestly say I've never had one like it."
"Glad you like it. I can honestly say I've never organised a date like this before."
"You know what would make it perfect?" Lily asked looking at James who was looking at Lily with wonder-filled eyes and before Lily could answer her own question James closed the gap between them and they're lips were kissing. Lily's hand rested on his cheek, softly brushing against the slight stubble on his cheek and James's arm around her shoulders tightened to pull her closer. He hugged her tight before pulling away and asking, "This?"
Lily full of wonder and daze and questions breathed, "Yes."
"I-"
"Shh," Lily said moving her hand lightly over his lips. "Say it again when you think I'm in love with you too because, James Potter, I think I'm falling for you."
"All right then, I'll just say you look really beautiful today."
Lily smiled and blushed looking down slightly. James tilted her head back up from her chin and kissed her again.
"You don't mind waiting for me to catch up?" Lily asked resting her head on his forehead.
"Take all the time you need, love. In the meantime, how about a date next Sunday?"
Lily smiled and kissed him again, "I would love that."
Author's Note: Updates may be further apart now because even though I've written most of this fic, I have to edit and redo or add things to some chapters from this point on. I hope you guys enjoy and again thank you for all your favs, follows and reviews.
-Natalie xx