Willow

by casablancas21

Lily's life was a willow and it bent right to James' wind. (Set in the same universe of 'What's in a name')

13. Chapter 13

Rating warning: this chapter is rated E (explicit), for very mature content!

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Chapter 13: Wherever you stray I follow

The first thing Lily saw when she entered her dorm again after more than two weeks away was Elizabeth. Her friend stood in front of her four-poster organizing her suitcase, back turned to the door. Lily stepped in the room, feeling her heartstrings pull.

- Hi, Lizzie.

Elizabeth turned around with a start, widening her eyes at the sight of Lily and Marlene.

- Hi, Lily – she replied, soothing her facial expressions after a beat.

Lily saw her looking past her shoulder, where Marlene walked in behind Lily. She appeared torn, as if she didn't know whether she should greet her former best friend. Marlene decided it for her, making a beeline to her own bed and ignoring Elizabeth all-together.

Elizabeth frowned slightly, lowering her blue eyes back to the bed ahead of her. Lily decided to take a chance.

- How was your Christmas?

Elizabeth twisted her neck sharply in Lily's direction. She had not expected Lily to initiate a conversation.

- It was fine – she replied, quietly. – The same as always. How about yours?

- Exactly the same, too. – Lily chuckled, and Elizabeth joined her in the next moment. – But my New Year's Eve was quite something different.

Lizzie smiled.

- Yeah, I heard you spent with the Potters. Their party is insane, isn't it? Euphemia Potter is nothing if not a hell of a hostess.

- You could say that. – Lily laughed. – I was told it was going to be "a modest welcoming of the new year" and I quote. When in reality, I almost got lost in the crowd of people that got invited.

Elizabeth let out a warm laughter, eyes wrinkling in the corners. It had been a while since Lily had seen her friend look light. She hated that that was how they left things. But maybe it didn't have to be like that. Or at least, it didn't have to be as bad as it was.

Lily dropped her suitcase by her bed first then took one step after the other until she was directly facing her friend. She smiled at her and hugged her tightly.

- I've missed you, Lizzie.

Elizabeth, once more, seemed startled but recovered enough to return the hug, letting her forehead fall on Lily's shoulder.

- I've missed you too, Lily. I'm happy you enjoyed your holidays. – She angled her body slightly back, just enough to catch Lily's eyes again. – You deserve it, after everything.

They held each other again, whispering sweet words, wishing the other only the best.

Lily was not naïve. She knew her friendship with Elizabeth was inevitably doomed. From all her friends, Elizabeth was the one most worlds-apart from Lily. Despite their clashing perspectives on life, Cassandra had always been the one with whom Lily shared the most affinities, the two of them having similar sense of humour, taste and intellect. And, of course, blood status. Marlene, on the other hand, was extremely different from both Cassandra and Lily, but she stood on the same side of Lily regarding the most important decision of their lives.

Elizabeth had, simultaneously, a completely different personality from Lily and clashing world views. Their relationship could never thrive.

That didn't mean that Lily did not love her friend. It didn't mean that her heart would hurt any less when they eventually went their separate ways.

At least for now, Lily thought, they could still be kind and loving to each other, and refrain from the hateful atmosphere that had settled down in the seventh-year girls' dormitory since that fatidic day in the Hospital Wing. Lily only wished that the other two girls would feel the same but she had long lost hope.

That's why it was her time to be startled when Marlene's voice suddenly echoed in the room.

- I also have something to say.

Lily and Elizabeth spun in their heels towards Marlene's direction, caught off guard by the blonde's announcement.

- Yes? – Lizzie said in a hush of breath.

Marlene inhaled deeply through her nose, raising her chin up.

- I want to apologize for the way I treated you, Elizabeth. I disagree with your attitudes but I was wrong in attack you the way I did. I had no right in calling you a coward in front of everyone. I also know that I did not act as a good friend when you needed me, and I'm sorry for that. I know things will never go back to the way they were but I owed you an apology and here it is.

She nodded her head to let them know she was done speaking and walked straight to the bathroom, where she locked herself in.

Lily turned to Elizabeth, speechless.

There had been nothing in Marlene's demeanour in the past weeks that suggested that she had regretted the way she dealt with Elizabeth since she broke up with Sirius. Lily remembered how defensive Marlene had acted when Lily confronted her about the subject in that same dorm, the first Sunday of December – also known as the day everything started to go to shit.

After the debacle in the infirmary and Marlene's long reticence, including during the period they had spent together in the Potter Manor, where Lily had tried a couple of times to test the waters and subtly bring up the topic to see Marlene's reaction, to no avail, Lily was certain that her pig-headed friend had simply scraped Cassandra and Elizabeth off her life without a second thought. Now Lily was learning that Marlene had, in fact, reflected over her own actions and made the decision to correct some of her wrongdoings.

Lily was impressed. She had never expected such a thing, but she wasn't disappointed. The apology had been dry and short, and Marlene had left no room for reciprocity or even for just a simple acknowledgement from Elizabeth's part. It was obvious that the blonde girl did not want to hear the other side of the story. There, clear as day, was the distinction between Lily's personality and her friend's.

But Marlene has come forward, and tried to do the right thing and recognize the responsibility they all carried. It was a pleasant surprise.

Lily just wished she had shared her feelings with Lily about it. They had had plenty of opportunities during the hols. And yet, Marlene never used of such openness of spirit with Lily. There, again clear as day, was the invisible line that separated good from best friends.

Elizabeth returned Lily's dumbfounded gaze, but hers was teary. She shook her head, her face a plain map of sadness, and with a last squeeze to Lily's forearm, she resumed her tidying of her belongings.

Lily walked back to her bed and opened her suitcase. A few minutes later Marlene exited the bathroom, and the three Gryffindor girls spent the next hour organizing their room in deafening silence.

The second Lily had set foot in the castle again, it felt like all her problems had come flying back. The lightness of her heart, filled to the tap with the joy and love of her wonderful days at the manor, had immediately vanished as soon as she returned to the crude reality of her life in Hogwarts. What once had been her refuge, her true home, today was the source of trepidation and sorrow.

Lily took a moment to appreciate the irony of it all. Not a week ago she had sat with James to tell him how she had never had a life outside of the school, how there was nothing else waiting for her if not in Hogwarts. Now, she longed for the days she had spent immersed in the bubble of happiness she had built with James, away from the castle and all the significance of it.

She peacefully noticed, thus, that her definition of home had shifted.

Not rarely in the past days had she found herself recognising that James had become her best friend. She had always dreaded the type of girl who centred her entire life around her boyfriend, who would not only be a lover, but the friend and the foe. But suddenly Lily realised she had found in James what she had been looking for all this time, something that neither Severus nor Cassandra were ever able to give her – a sort of love that didn't stem from egoistical notions or self-righteous standpoints. A love that was based in acceptance of the other and in a partnership that wasn't conditional to the current events of the world or the people with whom they surrounded themselves.

James had shown Lily he could be lover and friend, and never a foe. He had supported her through thick and thin, given her time and space when she needed them, honesty when she demanded it, care when she craved it and joy when she couldn't find it.

He was so different from her. He wasn't a Muggleborn and he wasn't from Cokeworth. But that was fine. He still was everything Lily needed, someone who finally saw her beyond her blood status and life choices, and surrendered himself completely to whom she was beneath it all.

---

After they finished unpacking their suitcases, Lily and Marlene went down to the Common Room, where they found the lads lounging on the sofa in front of the fireplace. They were talking excitedly with each other, Peter holding a thick parchment on his hands to which the boys constantly pointed.

- What's happening?

- Hey, love – James greeted Lily when she moved to sit on his lap. – We just found out that they posted about the job fair in the Information Board.

Lily had totally forgotten about it. On the first week of their seventh year, it had been announced that Hogwarts would be opening its doors to receive representative professionals from more than twenty different careers. Taking place in the Great Hall on the 22nd of January, dozens of stands with expert workers handing pamphlets and information brochures would be set up to help the older students decide about their future jobs. Lily remembered reading about the fair and promptly brushing it off, since she already knew what she wanted to do with her life.

And so did the Marauders.

- That's grand. But why are you boys so excited about it? Haven't you all decided what you want to do already?

James chuckled, placing a kiss on her collarbone.

- Yeah, but look at the aurors that will be attending the fair on behalf of the Ministry.

Peter passed her the parchment and James' fingers rested under a couple of names scribbled on the corner, for Lily's benefit.

Alastor Moody & Dorcas Meadowes

- Meadowes? – Lily frowned. – Is she related to fifth-year Marge?

- Most likely – James replied, thrilled. – But she's also a hell of a fighter. Mum tells me all about her reputation inside the Auror Office. And Moody? – He let out a low whistle of admiration. – He's a legend, Lily. Can't wait to meet him.

- Do you think he'll try to bite off any student who has questions for him about the job? – Sirius inquired to the group, looking delighted with the possibility.

- Why would he do that? – asked Lily at loss.

- Oh, because for what Euphemia says he has no patience to deal with anything that requires less than his full attention, you know, like clueless seventh-years. I have no idea how the Ministry convinced him to even attend the fair.

The boys descended into a debate of the obscured reasons as to why the auror had agreed to come to Hogwarts, followed by a long exchange of all the wicked stories surrounding the man. Lily and Marlene listened amused to it all, Lily gathering quite an image of Alastor Moody.

They were still talking about it the next day. Lily had only seen James that elated when he talked about Quidditch. She liked the way his mouth gaped as he heard other people talk about the subject, too restless to breathe normally, and how he cracked his knuckles when it was his time to talk, and how his hazel eyes alighted with something akin to euphoria the entire time. It made him look younger, at the height of his carefreeness and boyish charm.

- You're adorable – she whispered to him as they stood up from the Gryffindor table to their first class of the day.

He laughed, merry, making her laugh too.

His joyous mood lasted the whole day, through lessons and meals, shared with his seventh-year peers, including from other houses, all in eruption with the news of the previous day. It lasted his Quidditch practice and the disappointment of no cranberry pies at dinner. It blasted golden on their way through corridors and it crashed and burned spectacularly in the Heads' meeting.

It seemed like every single prefect had recharged their batteries during break and came back ready to dismantle the system. It reminded Lily of their first official meeting, back in September, after which she briefly asked herself if she had been crazy to think she was up to the task of commanding a group of the most annoying and entitled students of Hogwarts.

James and Lily barely had the chance to open their mouths. From beginning to end, the prefects took the floor to complain about the previous term, to demand changes in schedules or tasks, to offer unsolicited tips for improvement of the new term. They also spent part of the meeting discussing the job fair but in such a insufferable way that James was not even once tempted to participate. His mood only plummeted further when Evan Rosier found the moment appropriate to start commenting about the next Quidditch game, Gryffindor against Slytherin, and how easy it would be for his team since Gryffindor had already lost to the weak Ravenclaw. James clenched his jaw at the comments, restraining himself from biting to the obvious provocation, but Graham Bell wasn't that insightful or well-behaved. The Ravenclaw captain took immediate offence and looked thirty seconds away from hexing Rosier, needing to be man-handled by his fellow prefects.

All in all, just a trainwreck. One hour in, Lily had given up and dismissed the prefects, afraid James would have an outburst at any time. But he just appeared deflated, as if the meeting had drained him, as Lily knew it had.

- You alright, baby?

He offered her a half-smile.

- Yeah, alright. It was just a bad meeting, wasn't it?

Lily nodded, leaning against the Heads' desk to look at him.

- They're unbearable prats. Luckily, we won't need to see them again for another week. At least not when they're all gathered and ready to bring us down.

James chuckled in agreement, putting their unused reports and untouched schedule list back inside the drawer. Lily notice that he slouched a bit, shoulders too heavy. There was something more there.

- What are you thinking about?

He closed the drawer with a clap before looking at her. He shrugged.

- I'm worried about next game, is all. I mean, Rosier is a git but he's not wrong. Slytherin is much better that Ravenclaw, especially with their new seeker this season, and we did lose this year already. They haven't. So I'd say our chances are not very good.

Lily sighed. There was logic to what he was saying. Although it didn't mean Gryffindor was more likely to lose just because they had in the past, since their team was still pretty good, yet James' concerns were not unfounded. The next game was fast approaching and it was only natural he would feel nervous about the result. Lily clearly remembered the aftermath of last game's defeat. She most definitely did not want to reprise it.

- Yeah, I see your point. But how was practice today? Do you think the team is ready?

- It was good. They're alright. Not sure if it's enough, though.

He squeezed her hand, trying to smile comfortingly at her, and moved away to grab their bags. He put his on his left shoulder and hers on his right shoulder, turning around to wait for her to walk back to the Gryffindor Tower.

- Shall we?

Lily wasn't ready to return yet. Not when James was in such a mood. Again, like it had been all those months before, and despite all that have changed since then, this hadn't – Lily would do anything to make James happy.

She walked around the desk, but instead of joining him next to the door, she hopped on it, sitting in the middle of the table with her thighs slightly open, legs swinging in the air.

- I don't want to go back to the Tower – she said, with a suggestive voice. – At least not yet.

James' brows shot up to his hairline, eyes widening as he took in the image of her on the desk.

- You don't?

She shook her head.

- With the game so close by, I understand that is my duty to my fellow Gryffindors to make sure the captain of the team is fit for it. – She let her head hang, exposing her throat to him as she knew he liked, looking at him sideways, under eyelashes. – That our captain is thoroughly prepared.

James swallowed hard, letting both school bags fall around his feet with a loud sound. He fished his wand from the pocket in a swift gesture and silenced the door, before taking tentative steps towards the desk, eyes roving Lily's body.

- Therefore, I've accepted my responsibility and am ready – she moved her legs an inch wider – to do whatever it takes to make our captain, uh, come to the right mindset.

He stopped in front of her, reaching his hands out but Lily just swerved her body back, away from him.

- Uh-uh – she said with a shake of her head. His hands dropped to his sides. – Take a seat.

She pointed with her neck to the leather chair next to the desk. James grabbed it hastily, placing in front of where Lily sat, lowering his body on it. She could see his trousers were already tight.

Smirking, she braced her elbows on each side of the table to support her as she bent backwards and opened herself even more for him.

- What do you want me to do, Captain? – She heard his breath hitch at the pet name and her smirk got bigger. – I'm here for your pleasure today. What do you want?

He didn't need to think twice.

- Take off your shirt, bra and knickers. Leave only your skirt and socks on.

She stifled a snort. Instead, she let a brow arch.

- Another one of your fantasies?

- Fuck, yes. Since we became Heads, I'd fantasize after every meeting of you stripping for me and begging me to fuck you in this same desk.

A shiver travelled Lily's spine, making her quiver with want.

- I'd also fantasize that I'd walk in and catch you by accident changing clothes. You'd be only wearing this tiny little skirt and sexy stockings. I'd try to leave but you'd ask me to stay and help you finish dressing. – He gulped. – We'd end up fucking on the chair over your school skirt.

Lily was properly wet now.

She began undoing her buttons, slowly, eyes locked with James the entire time. She popped the last one out but didn't take off the shirt right away. She left it hanging open, white bra showing, while she unlaced her tie and her hair band, letting the strands fall free around her shoulders. She weaved one hand through the red locks, allowing the tendrils to flow on her palms and rolling the tips with her fingers. James followed the gentle movements with hard eyes.

Biting her lips, she shrugged her shoulders until the school shirt slid down her arms. She let it stay pooled around her hips. Next was her bra, off in one single move. Her tie remained loosened between her breasts. James' gaze fell to her nipples and his hands to his lap. He rumbled with his belt, clumsy, but Lily intervened.

- None of that. – she said and he blanched. – Not yet.

He obeyed her, resting each hand on the armrests of the chair, gripping it forcibly while he settled to just watch Lily.

With her shirt and bra gone, the only thing left was her knickers. Lily hitched her left leg up the desk, foot planting on the surface. She let it wobble slightly, allowing James to see completely under her skirt. She lowered one hand to one hip, dragging the side of her underwear down, past her knee and ankle, until she had one leg free. She put down her left leg only to bring the right one up. This time, when James' eyes shot to her centre, he could see her bare.

- Fuck, Lily, you're dripping.

Lily smiled, finally rolling down the other side of her knickers, kicking it off with her right foot. Her little show had managed to turn her on even more and now she was fully ready to dive into the best part.

- Done. Only skirt and socks. Should I take off the tie too? – At his negative answer, she threw her hands back again, propping her against the desk, and jiggled her knees, provocatively. Her hair slid from her breasts to her back with the movement. – What do I do now?

James' throat bobbed up and down, gaze burning behind the frames.

- Touch yourself.

She smiled smug. She could always count on James to give her what she wanted.

Leaving one arm stretched behind her for support, Lily brought the other one forward to find her entrance. She dug straight in where she knew it was more sensitive. The contact had her whimpering immediately.

She heard James curse but she had her eyes closed. She let her fingers curl inside her bundle of nerves, in a semi-circle move, sliding easily through her wetness. Her thumb pressed against the top of her nub, in synchrony with the two fingers she had inside herself. Her head fell back, her neck too weak to hold it through the shocks of pleasure cursing her body.

She moaned and James couldn't take it anymore.

- Lily, please, let me touch myself too.

She grinned, eyes still closed, fingers still moving, and shook her head.

- Not yet.

He grunted in dissatisfaction and she redoubled the movement inside of her, aroused with his struggle. She focused on the feel of her naked arse touching the rough surface of the desk. She concentrated on the light fabric of the tie caressing her nipples as her body rocked back and forth as she cased her climax. She took notice of the occasional breeze going around the room and swaying her locks of hair. She let her thumb circle her and fingers pump in and out until her hips started to buckle.

She opened her eyes in a haste.

James was watching her ravenous, knuckles gone white on top of the chair with the strength of his restraint. His legs were pressed together in a feeble attempt to alleviate the pressure inside his trousers.

- Baby – Lily whimpered, beginning to lose control of herself. – Now.

He wasted no time, aggressively yanking his belt and zipper open. His cock sprung free, being immediately wrapped up by his ruthless hand. James rubbed himself up and down with a speed Lily had never seen before, eyes pinned on her as his head fell on the backrest of the chair, mouth open in panting. She knew he was going to come in less than a minute like this and that thought made her close her eyes again, consumed by the urgency she saw reflecting on his hazel.

Never stopping the motion of her fingers, Lily felt her core tighten and her orgasm start building inside. She pressed her thumb harder against her clit, raising her hips to increase the friction until it exploded. She cried loudly, whole body lifting from the table, almost falling straight to the floor. Before that could happen, though, strong hands were on her as James suddenly was standing by her side. She jerked her eyes open in surprise the same moment he snatched her hips and brutally sunk himself inside of her.

She cried louder, the pressure of her orgasm intensifying as he pounded on her core, thrusting frantically in search of his own release. He came in only a few seconds, buried deep on her, as the spasms of her own coming shuddered her body.

James stirred first, coming off her and hurrying to clean the mess between her thighs. He helped her get dressed, laughing amusedly of the similarities of the situation with his previous fantasy, and they finally made their way to the Gryffindor Tower, the captain of the team everything now but stressed.

---

- Lily, dear.

Lily turned to the professor calling her name. Professor Slughorn motioned her to come to the front of the classroom, where he took her to the corner away from prying ears to beam at her.

- Your original recipe was a touch of genius, my dear girl. I have submitted it to Libatius myself, and I have to say, I am extremely proud of you. It will be no surprise when you become one of the finalists of the competition.

Lily preened with the compliment, returning the wide grin. She hadn't heard from the professor since she had written to him two days before Christmas with the concoction finally ready. She understood why he hadn't contacted her during the break, waiting instead to talk to her on their first class of the new term.

- I did owl you, my dear, but I got the letter returned for some reason.

- Oh, that's true! – Lily slapped her forehead lightly with the realisation. – After I wrote you, I left home to spend the last few days of the year at James' house, sir. That's why the letter didn't find me.

- You spent the end of the year at the Potter Manor, you say? – The professor looked interested. – I assume that you attended Euphemia's New Year's party, then? Those are wonderful, aren't they? – She nodded and he chuckled. – I have been to more of them than I can count on my fingers. It's been a while, though, I should write Euphemia. And Fleamont, of course. – He paused for a bit, creasing his brows in deep thought, before remembering Lily was standing in front of him. – In any case, my dear, I just wanted to congratulate you for the brilliant cure you concocted. Nothing too surprising, of course, I already expected it from you. But I suppose I am glad to see you thriving. And together with James Potter. – He gave her a pleased smile. – Yes, you two will do wonders in this world. I expect only the best from you. Now, onto the next phase, dear girl. You should come by my office one of these days so we can plan the next steps.

With the promise of doing so in the next couple of weeks, Lily went back to her seat next to Marlene for the start of the lesson.

Lily guessed the professor was right. She was thriving next to James. Despite the initial vacillation when they had just gotten together, Lily couldn't deny she had more energy now than ever with James by her side. He had been fundamental for the accomplishment of her original recipe, lending her his father's book that contained the one ingredient she had been looking for months. He had been the perfect Head Boy to her determined Head Girl and he had made her more certain about her choice of career.

She had never been more confident about herself in her life.

And that was easy to see for anyone who was looking.

As if any last reservation Lily still had in her, or any walls possibly erected by her or people in their surroundings, had finally crumbled after the whispered confession that took place in that marigold morning in Lily's room at the Potter Manor, the gears of their relationship seemed to have effectively shifted for good. James and Lily were now - unreservedly, unabashedly, unapologetically - the Head couple of the school. They were the student leaders of the castle and they were only so together.

They were so as they strolled by the corridors, either being respectfully greeted by every passer-by or being constantly stopped and asked questions. They were so as they sat in the middle of the Gryffindor table and all their housemates converged towards them. They were so as they aced the classes, being called by the teachers to demonstrate to their peers, in front of the classroom, the right way to perform a spell, a magic or a potion. They were so as they patiently presided every Heads' meeting, finding solutions out of thin air to appease the demanding prefects. They were so as every student of the castle looked at them with the utmost sense of esteem, or faltering, in the case of the Slytherins. And they were so as they went everywhere side by side, the Marauders and Marlene behind them, standing taller than ever before because they stood next to each other.

Despite the difficulties of the last term, Lily started the new one prepared to face whatever came her way.

And it was going to be a hell of one. Starting by January, a busy month from beginning to end. The next Saturday was the first Quidditch game of the new year and the second for Gryffindor, which her house needed to win with a good margin if they still aimed for a chance at the Cup. The following weekend was going to be taken over by the job fair and the arrangements concerning the seventh-years' preparation for the future. And, finally, the last weekend of the month would see both Lily's eighteenth birthday and the schoolboard hearing to decide Mulciber's fate.

On Lily's last day at the manor, Mrs Potter had broached again the subject she had dropped when they first met on Boxing Day. She asked Lily, during one of their long walks around the property, to tell her more about the stay in the Hospital Wing and the aftermath of the duel of the seventh-years. James had been, according to his mother, extremely tight-lipped when it came to the topic. Lily had told her the best she could, only leaving out the fight with Cassandra. Mrs Potter listened to everything with concern, lips pursing when Lily explained what Severus had told her about the supposed harmlessness of the spell Mulciber used.

- Still – Mrs Potter had replied, head shaking gravely. – That he dared to make use of such a dangerous curse in front of a Ministry representative is, at the very least, disquieting. If not entirely disturbing.

They had then talked about the schoolboard hearing and how the Ministry could not get involved in it.

- I'm afraid our hands are tied, my dear – Mrs Potter had said with a heavy sigh.

Lily knew it. As she also knew that nothing too bad would come to Mulciber at the end of the month. That the decision would be made on her birthday was just an unamusing, twisted coincidence.

The only amusing part of any of it had been during their next Defence Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T preparatory training, the first time Professor Atkinson had the seventh-years gathered together in a room with Investigator Abbott. With an antsy appearance, he struggled with his words even more than he normally did, repeating himself several times, sending nervous looks to Lily every five minutes. Investigator Abbott didn't stand, for once, at the back of the chamber apart from the students as he had done all the previous trainings. He placed himself at the centre of the room, instead, wand in hand, staring around with his most severe face, as if expecting another duel to break loose at anytime. That only had Professor Atkinson stumbling more in his guidance of the class.

Remus twinkled at Lily, entertained as usual with the antics of the professor. Lily could only smile back, averting her eyes to avoid laughing out loud with the way Remus pretended to be taking the teacher seriously.

She was lucky that she had him, and the rest of the Marauders, by her side during this time. She could imagine how easily frightened she would have been if she had been attacked by Mulciber before the break, only to come back to the castle aware that her attacker would go unpunished and still having to interact daily with all the Slytherins, the same ones who had fought against those who defended Lily. She knew that if she had been walking through Hogwarts after the incident only with Cassandra or Elizabeth by her side, she'd certainly be scared to be attacked again. But having the four Gryffindor boys, and the feisty Marlene, surrounding her everywhere she went, forming almost like a protective army around her, James grabbing her hand tightly and the others making her laugh at any opportunity, Lily only felt safe. Safe and stronger.

She had been hit and sent to the hospital for days. But now she was back, tougher than before. They could count her out time and time again, but she'd always come back stronger than a sixties trend.

---

The Friday night before the Gryffindor game James asked Lily to meet him in the changing rooms before the match started. When Lily went down for breakfast the next day, then, to find James predictably gone, she ate her meal quickly and asked her friends to save her a spot in the stands.

She had never been to that location in Hogwarts before. She crossed the grounds of the castle in direction of the Quidditch pitch, knowing only how to turn to the left behind the first ladder leading to the east stands, after which she stopped to consider how to proceed. There was a clear pathway to different changing rooms but she had no idea which one was the Gryffindor's. There was no one around the place. She swerved her neck, looking at all sides, straining her ears to try and hear James' voice.

- Hi, Lily.

She grinned relieved at the sight of Chip Ainsworth. He grinned back, freckled cheeks adorned with anxiety.

- Here to see the captain?

- Yes, but I don't know which one is the Gryffindor changing room.

- Oh, that's alright. I'll take you there.

- Thanks, Chip. – They started walking, Lily following the nervous boy next to her. – Are you ready for the game?

He shrugged, trying to give off nonchalance airs but not quite succeeding.

- I hope so. The captain trained us really hard this week, I hope it pays off.

- I'm sure it will – she said, trying to assuage the fifth-year. He smiled appreciatively, opening a door to Lily's left.

The changing room was the most cacophonic atmosphere Lily had ever stepped in. Every dark-blue locker that decorated the walls was thrown open, with an assortment of random items hanging from it, while the floor was covered in Quidditch paraphernalia and used towels. The benches, that Lily imagined were supposed to stay close to the walls for the players to sit on before changing clothes, laid in the middle of the way across each other, crammed with toilet products, dress robes and Honeydukes chocolates. The mirrors were fogged, the floor was muddy and there was a wireless somewhere blasting Quidditch songs.

And the Gryffindor players screamed at each other to be heard above the current symphony.

Fortunately for Lily, Chip didn't mind screaming louder.

- Hey, Cap! Look who I found lost outside.

James twisted his head from the conversation with chaser Anna Dalton at the call. His face shifted from absorbed in whatever last-minute strategy they were discussing to alight with the gorgeous smile he gave at the sight of Lily.

He stood up from the bench, telling Anna he'd be right back, and joined Lily at the door.

- Hi, love – he said quietly, stealing a kiss from her.

- Hey, baby. How are you feeling?

He shrugged exactly like Chip had done not two minutes ago.

- I'm nervous like hell, but there's no way around it. We trained as much as we could and I know we will do our best, regardless of the result.

She nodded approvingly of his attitude, stealing a kiss back.

- I have something for you.

He smiled crookedly before turning around to reach for his locker. He fetched something inside and got back to Lily. He stretched his hand to her, excitedly.

- I got this from Mum. She used to wear this sweater every Quidditch game that Dad played, when they were still students in Hogwarts. – James turned the fiery-red shirt over to show its back, where the name POTTER was written in golden flashy letters. – Will you wear it for me today? For good luck.

Lily took the sweater from James' hand and put it on without a word. It was a bit too long for her torso, going down to her mid-thighs, which was no surprise since Mrs Potter was much taller than Lily. But it was cosy and it smelled good. She fixed her hair, that had gotten stuck under the collar of the shirt, and looked back to James.

- How does it look?

He beamed at her.

- It looks perfect. You are perfect, Lily.

He pulled her by the rem of her brand-new sweater, bringing her close to him to catch her lips ardently. She threw her hands around his neck, ready to deepen the kiss when she heard the cackles and wolf whistles of James' teammates. With a final peck, James took a step back and flipped the other six players off. They cackled harder.

- You better go now, love. I'm about to start the famous pep talk before the game.

- Alright. Good luck, James. – She hugged him, shutting her eyes closed to send him all her positive energies, praying that he would have a good game and that they would win so she could celebrate later with a happy James.

She didn't have to worry.

Gryffindor defeated Slytherin easily, 280-70. James scored nine times, while the Gryffindor seeker, Beatrice Brown, caught the snitch under the mark of sixty minutes.

Lily returned to the Gryffindor Tower after the match alongside her housemates, following a parade of proud red-and-gold banners and loud chanting of the house anthem. They swarmed the Common Room with liquor, snacks and blaring music, finally ready to celebrate a well-deserved victory. Lily sat on the sofa of the seventh-years with a Butterbeer on her hands and an enthusiastic Mary MacDonald on her side.

- I think it was the sweater – she was saying enthused. – You didn't wear it last game, did you? Yeah, that's what I thought. This time it brought luck, it's clear to everyone with two eyes.

Sirius and Peter, perched on the armrests of the sofa, agreed noisily, raising their glasses.

- To the sweater!

- To the sweater!

Lily laughed, delighted, straightening the comfortable, large shirt over her trousers.

- I think that it might have more to do with the person wearing it – said a matter-of-factly Remus. He pointed his Firewhiskey cup at Lily's direction from his place on the floor. – James knew you were in the stands cheering for him. That made all the difference.

- He knew that last game too, though – countered Marlene.

- Nah, – Remus shook his head – not the same. They had just started last time. This time was more official, I mean, Lily's wearing a 'Potter' shirt. – He sent Lily a lopsided smile. – And Lily Potter does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

She flushed with Remus' words, while Sirius guffawed.

- Will you look at Remus, ladies and gentlemen, James' best wingman! But don't you dare to steal the title of best man from me. – He glared at his mate. - I'm onto you, you dog.

- There's only one dog around here and you know damn well it's you, Padfoot – was Remus' calm reply.

- Well, still better two dogs than one sheep – added Peter, spiritedly, making Remus and Lily howl and Marlene and Mary trade puzzled looks.

When Lily went for her second Butterbeer, Marlene and Mary already dancing to a song of The Hobgoblins in the middle of the room, the Gryffindor team walked in through the portrait hole and the Common Room erupted. First and second-years clapped their hands at them, faces branded in outright awe, while the other students surrounded the players to give them healthy slaps on the back and offer their hearty praises. James got caught on it for a few minutes, thanking the housemates around him, before he managed to slip away and join the seventh-years by the fireplace. Lily grabbed her drink and the ones Marlene and Mary had asked her, and also a Firewhiskey for James. She saw how he stopped his talk with their friends to look around searching for her. She couldn't wave her hands, full as they were, so she just beamed at him.

She handed the beverages to the girls and jumped on James.

He laughed on her neck as he lifted her up, strong arms catching her leap.

- Baby, you were so amazing! I knew you were going to win, I knew it!

- Yes, of course I did. You were wearing my sweater, after all.

- Aha! – squeaked Mary, spilling her drink on the floor as she shook her hand at Remus. – I told you it was the sweater!

Remus just rolled his eyes.

- It was the sweater and Lily. Let's just settle on that.

They did. If for nothing else because soon they were accosted by sixth-years John Burgess and Fredrick Bennet to play a game of Whiskey Snitch, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the room. They magicked the coffee table in front of the sofa, enlarging it until it was tall enough to reach their waists and long enough that they could put seven cups filled with liquor on each side of it, and brought it to the centre of the Common Room. It was decided that the first game would be the Marauders against the sixth-year boys, which got Sirius complaining for minutes on end about the unfairness of there being currently five lads in the year under them against only four seventh-years. Burgess finally soothed Sirius by agreeing to put Ogden's Firewhiskey for the younger boys to drink instead of the much preferred-by-Sirius Bishen's.

And so they started, throwing the snitch across the table, trying to hit the enchanted cups that danced around escaping their aims. Ten minutes into the game, James and the lads had already had three Firewhiskeys each and Lily was certain James wouldn't last one more hour conscious.

She was wrong, though, because the Marauders lost spectacularly not too long after that, and the next round was supposed to be the same sixth-year lads but against the sixth-year girls. Unfortunately, prefect Emma Rosenthal refused playing the game, claiming a headache, which left the younger girls short of two persons. Marlene immediately accepted to participate, which meant that Lily found herself being dragged by her friend to join Mary MacDonald, Anna Dalton and Emily Singh.

They obviously also lost, also spectacularly, and the combination of four cups of the very strong Bishen's Firewhiskey and the three Butterbeers that Lily had previously to the game, had her quickly bordering sloshed.

She waved to the overexcited younger boys but ignored Wyllie Macmillan, annoyed that she lost to the insufferable twat, and left Marlene and Mary dancing again to The Hobgoblins. She threw herself on the sofa, huffing when she didn't have a coffee table anymore upon which to rest her feet and having another cup straightaway placed in her empty hands.

- Absolutely not.

- Oh, yes, absolutely yes. – Sirius refused the cup Lily tried giving him back, pushing it into her hands. – It's celebration day, Evans. And I know you can handle your alcohol, I've seen you drink in the manor.

- That was different, we were on holiday –

- And tomorrow's Sunday, so bottoms up!

Lily sighed and drank whatever Sirius had put inside the cup. It tasted something like a cheap-quality brandy. She grimaced, slapping him away when he laughed at her face.

James helped her push Sirius further away, coming back from a long conversation with fellow chaser Anna about Quidditch prospects, throwing Sirius out of the sofa so he could sit next to Lily.

- Have I told you how gorgeous you look wearing this sweater?

- Yes, you have. – She giggled. – But that doesn't count since you only like it cause you're a territorial prat.

- There's true in it, love, I won't deny it – he laughed. – But you are gorgeous, always, without a fault, despite my shortcomings. Isn't she, lads?

- Most definitely – replied Remus, Peter nodding politely by his side. Sirius was unaware, as usual, of what propriety meant.

- Evans, this year you look fucking fit. That dress you wore to Slughorn's shitty party was bloody sexy, I'm telling you.

- Sirius, you tosser. – James threw his empty cup at Sirius' head. – This is my girlfriend you're talking about, show some respect!

Everyone laughed but Sirius was undeterred.

- What? You say shit like this about her all the time, and even before you started dating.

- First of all, I'm allowed, I'm the boyfriend. And, secondly, I never said to her face like this – James replied, as if it was an obvious reasoning and as if admitting to talk behind her back made it suddenly alright to be disrespectful.

And, of course, he was full of shit.

- Right. Like you didn't say much worse things to my face, James, long before we started seeing each other. – Lily laughed remembering the occasion, after the Heads' meeting all those months ago, when not only he said she was the most gorgeous girl in Hogwarts, but also that she was fucking fit wearing her tiny little skirts. Not very appropriate for a co-Head, she mused amused.

She looked around, giggling at the memory, and saw that Sirius, Remus and Peter stared at her with furrowed brows.

- What do you mean?

- Ehm, I mean that day at the Heads' meeting. You know, the start of it all. – It was her turn to frown, finding their reaction strange. She imagined they'd just laugh along at putting James against the wall to face his own past behaviour. But they didn't, and Lily turned her neck to see James blushing, scratching his scalp awkwardly.

- They don't really know about that, love.

Oh.

That's right, he hadn't told them. Lily imagined that maybe Sirius would know, but it made sense that James kept that part private. Lily was just too past tipsy to see the distinction between proper and improper.

- What exactly we don't know? – Sirius asked, eyes twinkling with unrestrained curiosity. – What did he say to you?

- None of your business – replied James immediately, making Lily giggle again. He looked very uncomfortable, and Lily was enjoying the challenge.

How much more could she make James blush?

- Why, Sirius, did your best friend not tell how he all but called me a goddess- no, wait. – She scrunched her face in faux-concentration. – Oh, that's right, he did call me a goddess in the middle of the Heads' office, after commenting on the length of my skirt and saying I came back from the summer looking bloody hot.

She hummed exaggeratedly loud, one finger tapping her chin.

- What else? What else? Oh, yes, and that I was the most gorgeous girl in Hogwarts. – She smiled, cheeky. – And all of that weeks before we went out on our first date.

Sirius had widened his eyes at Lily's every word, Remus and Peter gaping their mouths next to him. A beat and then –

- Wait a minute. The most gorgeous girl in Hogwarts? – Sirius repeated, brows even more furrowed as he mulled over the sentence. Lily looked at him expectantly. – Where have I heard this before? Have you said this, Lily, or –

- Yes, I have. Let me help you. – She looked at James grimacing by her side and she was having too much fun to stop now. – Think about a Truth and Dare game and it will come to you.

It did. Sirius jumped off the armrest, jaw dropped.

- Prongs, you absolute scoundrel!

Remus and him roared in laughter, remembering, as she expected, James' reply to her tricky question in the game. Peter, who had been sleeping during the episode, looked lost at them.

- I can't believe you two did that in front of everyone. And before you even were a thing, that's insane! – Remus shook his head in disbelief. – Is that really how it started? After the game, you asked him out, Lily?

- Lily, don't – James said immediately, cutting Lily off before she even thought of an answer. It was the smart thing to do, though, because Lily was in a roll.

Far gone were the days when she felt ashamed of what had happened between them and how their relationship had begun. She had gone a long way regarding her own sexuality. She didn't feel embarrassed of her arousal anymore. And she could only look back and cherish that moment on the windowsill, not only because of the pleasure it had given her, but for what it had proportionated them in the aftermath. It was what brought them together, after all.

And the liquor, too, was helping loosen up Lily's tongue.

- What? – Sirius chirped, noticing the way James and Lily looked at each other in wordless conversation, James trying to convince her to shut up. – Did something else happen? Lily, you must tell us. Don't feel pressured by Prongs to –

- I will have to become physical, Sirius, if you don't drop it right now – James barked, standing up and pulling Lily to go with him. She giggled even more than she already was doing when he basically threw her over his strong arm, carrying her away from the sofa.

- The only thing I can tell you – Lily squealed as the lads disappeared into the distance – is that he did make me forget my name not long after that night.

She clocked their surprised faces before other students blocked her view when James dragged her across the room to the corner, next to the alcohol table, away from the rest of the Gryffindors.

- You little minx – he growled, shoving her on the wall and swallowing her giggles with his eager lips. He pressed his body against hers, squeezing her arse with both hands, rubbing her front in his. He kissed her hard, his drunkenness mixing with hers in a mess of hot tongues and wet lips. She dug her nails on his shoulders, scratching his back and making him moan inside her mouth.

- Fuck, baby – he grunted on her neck, proceeding to leave marks all across her throat. When Lily whimpered a bit too loud, he reclaimed her mouth, drowning the noises she was making. – How drunk are you? – he asked, lips still lost on hers.

- Rather a lot.

It wasn't the answer he was looking for, wrinkling his nose in disgruntlement.

- I still want to get fucked tonight, though – she added, nibbling on his lower lip and pressing her hips keener against his.

And so she did. He dragged her again across the Common Room, this time towards the circular hole, not escaping their friends' notice, who shouted relentless at their retreating backs. Lily was giggling again by the time James found an empty classroom and threw her on top of the professor's desk. She giggled when he tugged her trousers and knickers down, and once more when he turned her over so he could shag her while reading his name splashed across her back telling the world she belonged to him.

She only stopped giggling when her hipbones started hurting against the rim of the desk at every slap of James' hips, and when she fell over the edge in ecstasy, her giggles turned into whimpers.

---

The first full moon of 1978 came in the next week. Fortunately, it fell on a Friday, which meant that Remus would have enough time to recover on the weekend without having to miss any classes. It also meant that they had the afternoon off, as their Transfiguration prep class that usually took the whole afternoon on a Friday was only in a couple of weeks. James and the lads planned their night during lunch, when Marlene sat far away from them, absorbed in a flirty conversation with John Burgess down the Gryffindor table. They returned to the Tower after the meal, locking themselves on the seventh-year boys' dorm, where a tired Remus laid on his bed, eating chocolate and listening to his mates trying to distract him from the inevitability of the next few hours.

Lily sat at James' bed, entertaining Remus with the tales of her rocky path towards the concoction of the original recipe. She guided him through the logic behind the hypothesis she had construed as the basis of her cure, that being the restoring properties of Aconite and how she struggled to find another plant that could offer similar corollaries.

When was time to go, the Marauders grabbed the map and the cloak, and resignedly went down the Common Room, Lily behind them. She said goodbye to the lads, hugging Remus a tad longer, before watching them go.

- Be careful, James, please.

- Always, love.

He kissed her on the lips and turned around to follow the three boys. When he got to the portrait, he halted. There were a lot of people in the room, since it was a Friday night, so James retraced his footsteps back to Lily, to speak quietly with her.

- Do you want to come with me? I mean – he rushed to elaborate when he saw the alarm in Lily's eyes. – Not to the whole thing, of course. But maybe briefly, just to see… me?

She understood then what he meant. He was inviting her to come along and see him transforming. For the first time ever.

Her eyes widened again, this time with avidness.

- Yes, I do – she replied hurriedly.

He held her hand, guiding her through the Common Room, and through the silent corridors. It was not yet past curfew, so they were still technically allowed to roam around the castle, but it was late enough that the students preferred to stay in their common rooms. They marched out of the wooden doors of the Entrance Hall, easily crossing the grounds, checking around to see if anybody could see them. Remus, Sirius and Peter waited for them by the entrance of the Forbidden Forest.

- You can go ahead – James told them. – I'll be right behind you.

They agreed, Remus needing to support himself with arms around his friends' shoulders to move forward. When they disappeared inside the thick pathway of trees, James turned to Lily.

- I will need some space. – He looked around, grabbing her to place her close to a large tree, hidden from view. – You stay here, love. As soon as I'm transformed, it's harder for me to get back to my human form straightaway. I'll just stay as a stag, then, and follow the boys. Remus is too far gone anyway, we have to get him to the Willow as soon as possible.

Lily nodded, anxious about what was going to happen.

- Thanks for showing me, James.

He smiled sweetly.

- Of course, my love. I look forward for you to see me. All of me.

He winked at her before taking a step back. Lily waited, unblinking and with bated breath.

He closed his eyes in concentration, flexing his fingers on each side of his body. His chest raved up and down with his breathing but, soon, it started to slow down, the movement becoming carefully controlled by the second. His torso expanded with a deep inhale at a certain point, his head thrown back exposing a throat that was longer than what it should. He shook his neck, shoulders convulsing frantically, before he felt on his knees, strong arms bracing his body on the muddy ground. His spine arched, back dilating as James became bigger and bigger. A strange urp grunt emanated from somewhere deep in his chest, his arms and legs quivering and extending. His skin started to change, fur growing down the length of his enlarged body, black mop of hair receding, spectacles crashing against his eyes –

And then, all of the sudden, he was gone and a stag stared back at Lily.

She hadn't noticed she was crying. She felt goosebumps trailing her back and forth, mind swirling with what she had just witnessed.

- James – she sobbed. – Oh my god, you are so beautiful!

He was massive, almost twice her size. His strong body was covered in a reddish fawn-coloured thick mass of fur, slightly lighter on his elongated face. On top of his head, a forty-inches-long pair of antlers majestically crowned him, making him look even mightier.

The stag come closer, stepping slowly in her direction as if not to scare her. He swerved his neck to the side, making sure his antlers were away from Lily. She stretched a hand out, caressing his fur, noticing he still kept his hazel eyes.

She thought back to the summer months she had spent in her room, musing over the possibility of James being a Animagus. She thought back to September, when she constantly debated with herself about which animal he transformed to. She thought back to all the wildest daydreams she had had with him, imagining his Animagus form, contemplating on how utterly mysterious and secretive he always seemed, too far from her reach. And, now, he stood in front of her, completely bare. Just like he had said – all of him. For all of her.

- I love you, James – she whispered, feeling her heart expand with insurmountable affection. He blinked at her, reciprocating the feeling. – Please, be careful. I'll be waiting for you.

He drew back, taking one last lengthy look at her before bowing his large head and disappearing behind the woods.

Lily dried her face and made her way back to the Gryffindor Tower. When she entered the Common Room, she quickly locked eyes with Cassandra, who was seating in an armchair close to the window. Lily averted her gaze, not needing to deal with any of that on that particular night, and ascended the stairs to the boys' dorm. She tucked herself in under James' duvet and fell asleep surrounded by the smell of his cologne.

She woke up with a start the next day, plagued by a strange combination of nightmares where everything went wrong and the Marauders got badly hurt and erotic dreams where the stag seduced Lily into lay with him on the forest. She opened her eyes in alert, making to stand up, but felt a heavy body weighting her down. Looking to the side, she saw that James was lying on the bed with her, his front flushed against the mattress, frameless face lodged on the pillow and long arm thrown over Lily's stomach, pinning her down in place.

She sighed, relieved. He didn't look hurt. She searched for bruises but there were none. And he was back to her already. It was still dark outside, though it must have been almost morning. She smiled, fully happy, and fell back asleep.

She woke up again with the sun shining. James had moved and had his back to her now, half of his large body hanging out of bed. Lily stood up, going around the four-poster, and tried to settle him better in the sheets, with no luck. He was too heavy for her to shift. Hoping that he would not fall face first into the floor, she walked to the bathroom to take a bath and brush her teeth.

The dorm was silent except for the sounds of deep, sleepy breathing. She saw that Sirius and Peter were safely in their beds, also seemingly unscathed. She prayed that Remus was the same, in his bed of the Hospital Wing. She moved quietly around the dorm, showering briskly and going back to her spot next to James, closing the curtains around them. She grabbed a book that James had in his nightstand, and sat in bed, leaned against the headboard. James stirred with her new added weight in the mattress, and turned around to her, right arm and leg resting over Lily's body.

For her chagrin, the book was The Noble Sport of Warlocks, a seventeenth-century guide to ancient Quidditch. She rolled her eyes, knowing that only James would keep such a book in his nightstand to read as a fun hobby in his time off. Nevertheless, she skimmed through it, not having anything better to do.

For her delight, James didn't take much longer to wake up.

- Are you seriously reading The Noble Sport or are you just sleeping with your eyes open to the pages? – a husky voice took Lily out of the stupor she had been for the past half an hour.

She smiled in glee to her wrinkled boyfriend. He blinked slowly to her, eyes fogged with sleep and exhaustion, hair tousled and, now that she looked closer, with leaves caught on it.

- I am, actually. – She picked leaf after leaf, removing them from his dark locks. – Aren't you proud?

He chucked, closing his eyes again.

- Immensely.

- How was last night, baby?

He lifted one shoulder, most likely with the intention of shrugging, though he didn't have the energy to complete the movement.

- It was fine. Same as usual.

- A bit toilworn?

- Yeah, just a bit – he laughed weakly.

He went back to sleep after that. Sirius and Peter looked as good as dead in their beds, so Lily stayed a bit longer, powering through the torturously boring pages of the book in her hands before deciding to finally go down. She descended the stairs to the mercifully empty Common Room and made her way to the Great Hall. It was past ten in the Sunday, therefore it was rather busy with late risers. Grateful that Marlene wasn't around, otherwise she would have tried to make Lily sit down for breakfast, Lily grabbed a few baguettes with butter and cheese, a jug of coffee and fruits. She hesitated, hands full. She should bring more. James was a beast after he had done some exercising or, in this case, after he ran the whole night with a werewolf. She imagined the lads wouldn't fare much better themselves. She turned around to add chocolate croissants to the mount on her arms and, once more, caught Cassandra's eyes across the room.

Her friend - was she still that? – sat next to an oblivious Elizabeth but looked directly at Lily with an inscrutable face. She noticed the amount of food Lily was collecting and her probably mussed appearance. Again, Lily decided not to deal presently with the meaning of Cassandra's look. Since their fallout in the Hospital Wing, Cassandra had thoroughly ignored Lily, avoiding her eyes whenever they crossed each other in corridors, during classes and meals, or in their dorm. But, now, Lily had caught her eyes twice in twenty-four hours. She would have to decipher that in another moment.

Lily turned around and returned to the Tower. Knowing that Cassandra and Elizabeth were out of their dorm, she took a short trip there to pick up some clothes and one of the books Mr Potter had lent her. She walked back to the boys' dormitory, placing the food in a large table in the centre of the room and sending a warming spell to the coffee to retrieve its temperature. She laid back next to James, bringing a buttered baguette with her.

The boys slept until the beginning of the afternoon. The first to wake up was Sirius, stomach loudly roaring. He sat in his bed with a sudden movement, long dark hair caught on his forehead. He removed it from his eyes impatiently, craning his face around the dorm with an ill-tempered expression.

- Hi, Padfoot. Are you hungry? – Lily got her wand and levitated the food towards Sirius. – Here, have some breakfast.

She spoke in a soothing tone, knowing that Sirius always had a mood after the a full moon. He turned to her when she started talking, creasing his brows to her. He blinked when the baguette and cheese stopped in front of him, but in the next beat he grabbed them and shoved them promptly inside his impatient mouth.

Lily smiled, sending him next a cup of coffee. He winked his thanks, mouth too busy to say anything. James and Peter came back to consciousness not long after that, and the three of them ate their food in silence, looking grateful of Lily's care.

They spent the day in the dorm, only coming out to visit Remus at the infirmary. Lily slept the night with James, after he had convinced her to stay with the help of dextrous fingers inside her pyjama bottoms.

The week passed by swiftly, in consonance with the January adage. They had to hand in their first assignment of the new term on Tuesday morning and their third Charms N.E.W.T preparatory class took place Thursday afternoon. Friday, Lily met with Nuur for their private training session, taking the opportunity to catch up about their winter break and other developments in their lives. Lily couldn't help but notice that, despite their intention of preserving the friendship as it was before the past summer, things had changed between the two girls. They were still nice and friendly with each other, Lily having a deep affection for the Hufflepuff, but the relationship could not be the same anymore. Lily accepted it as she had accepted all the other hard realities of her life, with a moment of sorrow followed by a moment of forbearance.

Saturday arrived in a jiffy and with it, the job fair.

The seventh-years woke up early for breakfast, knowing that, as soon as the last piece of bread disappeared, the house tables of the Great Hall would be instantly replaced by large stands representative of the Wizarding job market. Professors McGonagall, Slughorn and Tertulliano were the teachers responsible to supervise the activity. They divided the students into small rows, organizing their way around the hall as to make sure their rotation went on smoothly.

James and the lads looked anxiously around to spot the Ministry stand. There was more than one. Lily noticed that Investigator Abbott was standing on the west side of the hall, behind a banner that read 'Department of Magical Law Enforcement', and not far from him Thomas Shaw talked excitedly to a tall, heavy man by the Department of International Magical Cooperation booth. The similarity in the way both men bent their bodies forward when they talked told Lily that he was the father about which Shaw never shut up.

Soon enough, Sirius gasped aloud, finally locating Aurors Moody and Meadowes by the largest window to their right, and the Marauders moved as in a trance in their direction. Lily caught James' wrist to stop him and tell him she wanted to go around a bit first before joining them. James nodded his agreement, though Lily doubted he had heard a word she said.

Marlene followed the boys curiously, so Lily moved forward alone. She waved friendly to a few of her peers, Nuur predictably stopped by the St Mungos stand, chatting lively with a short woman wearing a white vest – a healer, Lily guessed -, Slytherin Helena Gaunt unexpectedly involved in a spirited conversation with a worn-looking chap by the Magizoology booth, while Hufflepuff captain Rebecca Edwards and beater Bret Brefford eagerly tried to get the attention of Puddlemere United's head of management Carlisle Deverill. Across from them, Lily saw Elizabeth and Cassandra browsing the recruitment catalogue of the busy stand of the Daily Prophet. She quickly turned around to the opposite direction.

Lily strolled by the aisles of stalls and small kiosks, listening to the enthusiastic back-and-forth of students' questions and the professionals' answers. The career representatives handed out magicked advertisement brochures that emitted high-pitch voices listing all the requirements of the profession, the necessary N.E.W.T's and eventual extra programmes. Lily had a flyer shoved into her hands as she passed near the stand of the Owl Post Office, receiving unasked for but peculiarly interesting information about Owlet training.

She halted in front of the Gringotts stand. A very serious goblin stood on a chair, hands braced on the countertop, staring back at Lily. She smiled, taking a shy step forward. He extended long fingers to offer Lily a recruitment ad for Curse-Breakers to work in the Southeast branch of the Wizarding bank. Below the list of the required N.E.W.T's there was no further qualification needed. They would learn what they had to learn on the job, the goblin told her. She thanked him and kept walking, noticing Professor Slughorn only a few feet away, talking with someone she supposed was a professional brewer. Relieved that Severus was no where around, she joined them with a bright face, for the professor's delight.

She chatted idly for the better part of an hour before she bid her excuses and left to find James.

- Miss Evans.

Investigator Abbott looked expectantly at her. She came to his side, surprise etching her features by the unusual occurrence, but he just wanted to ask her, in private, how she was doing. He repeated what Mrs Potter had told her, that the Ministry wouldn't have any say in the considerations of the schoolboard hearing regarding the Mulciber matter. He said that he had never seen such a thing happening in a N.E.W.T. training in Hogwarts, since he started participating six years ago. Lastly, he told her to be brave. With a stiff nod, he let her go without much ado.

- There you are!

Lily was still far away from the Ministry stands, mulling over Investigator Abbott's words, when James spotted her and jogged a few steps to grab her arm and rush her to where he stood in a large circle of people.

The Marauders and several other seventh-years formed a ring around the Ministry officials, talking over each other, fervently asking for more details about cases the aurors had solved, bodies kicking with restless energy.

- Auror Meadowes, Auror Moody, this is my girlfriend – James said, smiling brightly as if they'd all just been waiting for her to arrive. – Lily Evans.

- Hello. Nice to meet you.

- Are you the Lily Evans, then? – A sturdy, scar-covered man in his late thirties, that Lily imagined to be the infamous Alastor Moody, looked at her with sharp eyes.

Lily blinked. Then turned to James.

- Have you really been yapping about me during a job fair, James?

He shook his head immediately.

- I haven't, I swear. I haven't even thought about you in two hours – he replied cheekily, making Sirius and Peter chuckle and Lily narrow her eyes. – Ha, just kidding, of course I have, love. But I haven't been bothering anyone about it today, I swear to you.

- But only today – added Remus, helpfully.

- I haven't heard of you from Potter, Miss Evans – Auror Moody said calmly, interrupting the impractical exchange. – I didn't have to.

- Oh? – Lily frowned.

- Aren't you the Lily Evans, Muggleborn and Gryffindor Head Girl? The Lily Evans, top of her class, outstanding results and high praises from every Hogwarts professor? The Lily Evans, who's one of the finalists in the most competitive Potions programme in the world? The Lily Evans of which Abbott won't stop blabbering around of being the best witch duellist of the year? – He smiled a strange, crooked smile. – Or am I addressing the wrong Lily Evans?

- No, you're not – replied James before Lily could say anything. His grin was splitting his face in two, pride gleaming out of his every pore. – That's her. Also, don't forget, my girlfriend.

Auror Moody's lips quirked but he barely spared James a glance, focused completely on Lily. Next to him, a dark-skinned woman, most likely Dorcas Meadowes, swelled in interest at the description of Lily so willingly given by her colleague.

- Ehm, yes, that's me – Lily managed to get the words out, caught off guard with the way everybody in the circle had shifted their ultimate attention to her. Auror Moody's acute gaze didn't help matters.

- Have you decided on a career yet, Miss Evans? – Auror Meadowes asked, in a surprisingly tender voice. – We've learned already what your fellow students here would like to do upon graduation. I wonder if you share the same ambition as Mr Potter, your- was it boyfriend? I didn't catch that.

Laughter crossed the circle as the seventh-years revelled on the light needling at James.

Lily smiled when he winked at her, as usual taking everything in good mood. She looked back at the auror.

- Yes, ma'am, I want to follow the Auror Training, too, come July.

Her dark eyes twinkled with Lily's reply. She turned to Auror Moody, who nodded approvingly at her.

- You would be an extremely valuable addition to our team, Miss Evans. I look forward to have you on board. – His hard face softened when he said the words, smiling for the first time since Lily joined the group. He looked younger when he did that, and not so sturdy anymore. – As, of course, - he turned to the other students – will all of you be. – He inclined his head, almost imperceptibly, at James' direction. James bobbed his head back.

They spent another hour in company of the aurors until Professor McGonagall arrived to announce that their time was up and sent the students their way. They said their polite, and in the Marauders' case overly excited, goodbyes – Auror Moody holding Lily's gaze lastly.

- We've spent the whole month in agony to meet the man and at least three hours today trying to butter him up, only for Evans to come and steal his heart and soul in two seconds, right under our noses! – Sirius exclaimed, indignant, when they walked back to the Gryffindor Tower. – And all she had to say was – he lowered his voice in an outrageous mock-impression of Lily – 'yeah, hello, yeah, nice to meet you, uh, whatever'. – Lily made a sound of protest, grossly insulted, but Sirius just ignored her. - You better be careful, Prongs. The second Evans steps in the Auror Office, Moody is going to snatch her from you.

James laughed, good-temperedly. He threw an arm around Lily's shoulder, wisely taking her away from punching-distance of Sirius.

- Am aware. But fret not! I'm not sure I've mentioned it before, but Lily is my girlfriend.

---

- Happy birthday, Lily!

Lily thanked the fourth-year Gryffindor beaming at her and went back to her food. She had been trying to finish her breakfast crepe for the past ten minutes, unsuccessfully. Every thirty seconds somebody stopped by to offer her their best wishes. She couldn't complain. It was heart warming the way the students went out of their way to tell her happy birthday. Also, because James had spent the entire week letting everybody know of the date, casually working in in every conversation he had that Lily was turning eighteen on Saturday. He was also seen telling people how he always had a thing for older women.

So Lily just smiled at everyone, happy with the kind words and thoroughly enjoying her birthday so far. Marlene had hugged her for several minutes in their empty dorm, surprising Lily with a whispered 'thank you for everything, Lily, I love you' in her ear. In the Common Room, Sirius threw her up and down in his arms, Remus joining to try and avoid Lily falling on her bum on the floor. Peter gave her a Honeydukes dark-chocolate bar, her favourite, with a sweet smile. Sirius gifted her with the book Bodily Transformations of a Lycanthrope and Remus gave her a brand-new cauldron. 'To help you in the second phase', they said when Marlene wasn't looking.

James told his present would come later.

After breakfast, Lily, Marlene and the Marauders walked out the Entrance Hall, crossing the grounds of the castle to the Great Lake. Despite the icing temperature, they sat on the shore, casting warming spells on them, leaning on trunks of trees and drinking some hot cocoas they had brought with them in a basket. Lily wondered if that would become her new traditional picnic gathering, now every last Saturday of the month, with new dear friends.

They chatted lazily, Marlene telling them how John Burgess had finally asked her to go to Hogsmeade with him and James and Sirius debating Quidditch strategies for the next game. Remus quietly told for only Lily to hear the story of how he got bitten when he was only five years old. He promised her to recount more of his own experiences as a werewolf another day, when they had more time and privacy. She squeezed his forearm in thanks, resting her head against his shoulder on the tree.

In the afternoon, they climbed to the Astronomy Tower, sitting on the parapet, legs swinging above the roof tiles of the castle under them. They played magical game cards until Sirius suggested Never Have I Ever, surely in an attempt to embarrass Lily. It didn't work. She just raised her eyebrows challengingly. Peter was sent to the kitchens to bring snacks and the first alcohol rounds of the many of the day. By the time the sun set, James was head-to-toe flushed with the amount of fingers Lily had lowered and the too many shared secrets.

- Let's go. It's time for the real party – announced Sirius, standing up from the parapet.

- Party?

- Yeah, silly. You really thought that we would celebrate your eighteenth birthday with a walk in the lake and a couple games in the Astronomy Tower? – He rolled his eyes. – Now, come on. MacDonald told me everything would be ready around six o'clock. It's time.

- You go ahead, we'll be right there. – James winked at their friends, placing a warm hand over Lily's thigh.

Sirius offered them a devilish smirk but followed his mates out of the Tower.

As soon as they were gone, James pulled Lily to his lap. He kissed her fiercely, fingers digging into her hipbones.

- I spent the entire day dreaming of the moment I'd finally have you only for myself – he said to her cheek, trailing down her jaw to place wet kisses on the pathway to her throat. She smiled, enjoying the caresses. – Happy birthday, my love.

They kissed deeply for a long time. Despite the absolute pleasure that came from every time they shagged, Lily loved their making-out sessions more than anything. They had perfected the way their lips moved over each other, the way their tongues danced together in synchrony. And Lily loved throwing her arms around James' neck, running her palms through his soft, thick hair.

James gave her one last peck before drawing back.

- I think I should give you your present now, I'm afraid I won't have another opportunity tonight.

She nodded, slithering out of him and sitting again on the cold parapet. He buried his hand on his right pocket and fished a black velvet box.

Lily tilted her head.

- Is that a –

- It's not an engagement ring or anything – James said with a chuckle. He opened the box to show Lily inside. It was a small ring, with simple silver band and a pear-shaped emerald on top. – It's just like your eyes. – James looked at her, his own eyes shifting between Lily's. – They are of the most glorious emerald-green I've ever seen. – He stretched a hand to gently nuzzle her chin. – It's my favourite colour in the world. And also shape, almost like a pear. I've spent most of my years tracing your irises and seeing how your every emotion shone through them. But you can't see them – he added with a lopsided smile. – At least if you're not staring straight into a mirror the whole day. And that's terrible. Your beautiful eyes are meant to be always seen. So I got you something, that of course it's not the same as your eyes, but that does resemble them. That way you can see it anytime of the day you want. You'll just need to look down.

With a chuckle, Lily took the ring out of the black box and slid it on her right ring finger. It fit perfectly.

- Thank you, baby. I love it.

Lily had never gotten jewellery from anyone before. And definitely not as expensive as that one seemed to be. She knew money wasn't a problem for James, but it still impressed her to get such a present. Something so pretty, so valuable. It felt good to be spoiled. And she knew that a life with James would mean being as spoiled rotten as he had been growing up – it meant gifts, and parties, and reckless fun, and over-the-top shenanigans, and so much love.

She couldn't wait for it.

They walked back to the Gryffindor Tower slowly, hands clasped, talking quietly. When they turned the last corner to the corridor of the portrait hole, their steps faltered. Standing next to the Fat Lady, casually leaning against the wall with arms crossed on the chest, was Cassandra.

She had been waiting for Lily.

- I'll wait for you inside, love. Take your time – James said, squeezing Lily's hand one last time before going through the circular hole.

Lily leaned on the other side of the wall, right across Cassandra. Her friend looked impassively at her.

- Happy birthday, Lily.

- Thank you, Cassie.

- I'm guessing you had a good day today, haven't seen you anywhere in the castle. – She smiled something small. – The Marauders do know how to celebrate, don't they? I mean – she jerked her neck to point to the Fat Lady and, predictably, the party inside the Common Room.

Lily only hummed, not feeling like talking about the Marauders with Cassandra. They didn't have anything else to say to each other on that matter.

Cassandra pursed her lips, looking away. Lily wondered if she still wanted to talk to her or if they were done already. Before she could really think it through, Cassandra spoke again, eyes firmly on the chandelier to her right.

- You seem happy.

Lily didn't expect to hear these words coming out of Cassandra's harsh mouth, so she didn't say anything back.

- I might've been wrong, I realise now. I didn't think Potter would be good for you. – She chuckled humourless and finally met Lily's eyes. – But he is. He seems to make you happy, despite his past mistakes.

- He does.

Cassandra nodded.

- I'm glad for you, Lily. I know how much you like him.

- Yeah, I love him – Lily replied, making Cassandra's brows shoot up. – We're good together.

Her friend looked surprised at the L word. But she just shrugged and carried on.

- I guess it makes sense. He's told you everything, hasn't he? – At Lily's puzzled face, she explained, turning away again to stare at the chandelier. – Their secrets. Where they all go when they disappear. That's where you were coming from last week Friday, wasn't it? And when they were holed up in the dorm and you brought them food. You know what they were up to. Potter told you.

Lily sighed, glad that she didn't have to look at her friend at the moment.

- He did. And Sirius too.

Cassandra didn't move. Her dark eyes reflected the flickering of the candlelight, sparkling beautifully.

- I hope you're right, then. That he's not as bad as I think he is. – She suddenly caught Lily's eyes again. – You would know that, wouldn't you, now that you know who Black is?

- He's not. – It was Lily's turn to look away. – He's had a hard time with his family. And he's done, eh… bad things in the past. But he's changed. And his heart is good. – She turned to Cassandra again. – I can attest to it.

Her friend nodded.

- That's good. I feel better knowing you are surrounded by good people.

Lily felt her heart tighten. She willed herself to stay unemotional.

- And you, Cassie? How are you doing?

She smiled, more bitter than sweet.

- I miss my best friend. – She paused and the hope that Lily had pushed down to the point of suffocating showed its first sign of life. – It's been hard without you, Lily. As I knew it would.

- I miss you too, Cassie – she replied, voice trembling.

- I know you do. But you're happier now, around people who agree with you and who want the same future as you. – She shrugged lightly. – It makes sense, Lily. We're not children anymore. We have to choose what it's best for us, what fits the life we want to live. You have made your choice, I've made mine.

Lily nodded, tears escaping her eyes despite herself. Cassandra stepped forward and cleaned them for her.

- It doesn't mean I'll ever stop loving you, Lilybeans. I wish you all the best in your life, always.

- So do I, Cassie.

- I know that - she said and then - Bye now, Lily. See you around.

Cassandra looked at her with loving eyes one last time and then climbed the portrait hole, where Lily knew she would cross the Common Room and go straight to their dorm for the rest of the night.

Lily took a deep breath in, settling herself, and turned around to enjoy her eighteenth birthday party.

---

They crossed together the gargoyle corridor and ascended the circular stone staircase hand in hand. They knocked politely on the door and were told to come in.

Take a sit, please, said Professor Dumbledore.

You know why you were called here.

They nodded. There were teacups in front of them. They went cold. Fawkes stared at them unblinkingly.

The schoolboard has decided.

I am sure it won't come as a surprise to you.

There was really nothing the Ministry or I could have done.

They knew. They understood. It was no surprise indeed.

Mr Mulciber will be returning to the castle tomorrow.

I wanted to tell you that personally, Lily.

They thanked him. They were ready to leave. But they were not dismissed.

There's something else.

Something you might be interested in.

A pause.

A secret organisation.

A sort of resistance.

Soldiers.

Against the rise of Lord Voldemort.

We call it the Order of the Phoenix.

Held breaths.

I would like to invite the both of you to join us.

Lily looked at James and James looked at Lily.

They turned back to the Headmaster and said yes.

---

A/N: And that's a wrap! Willow is officially over!

That sounds so crazy to me - I've spent so many months thinking about this story then finally having the courage to write it and publish it, all my focus for so many weeks was to it and now it's done. Crazy! But I'm proud of it. It was my first fic ever and I really like how it turned out in the end. I know I have a lot to learn from this and a lot to improve, but I'm still happy with the result. I hope you are all, too!

A couple of things, since I don't have a tumblr and therefore can't communicate with anybody lol

Willow is over but this universe is not. In my canon, Jily never dies so this story will not follow the JKR timeline. I fully intend on writing a sequel, I just don't know when. I will also write the James POV between chapters 6 and 8, and maybe some one-shot standalones of other important Jily moments at Hogwarts. But it won't be anytime soon. I'll let you know when it's coming, and please let me know if there are any specific ideas you'd like me to follow :)

Because I do have a hundred new ideas, at least three other multi-chapters outlined and five one-shots almost ready LOL. I have no self-control, I know hahaha Anyway, I expect to keep posting weekly, though I will wait until I have at least the first three chapters of the new multi-chapter done before I post it. I prefer to have a good hold of the flow of the story before I start making it public. So until then I will be probably posting random one-shots. I can already tell you, though, that the next multi-chapter is going to be a Modern University AU. I'm very excited about it!

Lastly, I was trying to share here the pics of the people I imagined when I wrote the characters of Willow and also the Spotify list of the songs I listened to on repeat while writing this story. But I can't for some reason. When I save the document, the links get messed up. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? If anyone wants to tell me how to do it in the comments, I appreciate. Or ask me to send privately the links could be too, or even go to the AO3 website where I'm also posting the story and there, again for some reason I don't know, it does work. So you can find it all there!

I want to thank everyone who supported me during the whole process of this fic, especially those who commented and helped me understand the story better through fresh pair of eyes - a especial shoutout to cscs01, Chestnut1992 and Nina, who commented in almost every chapter, really making me look forward to hear their thoughts after every new chapter. To everyone who commented or even just read and enjoyed it, thank you for coming along the ride! S2

See you soon! :)

P.s: Did you catch the explicit reference to the song Willow in this chapter? I just couldn't help myself!