Disclaimer I do not own these characters
"Now, now, now. What do we have here? A little worthless mudblood, sleeping her way through the purebloods. She gets on her knees for all of them, maybe even at the same time," Bellatrix snarled. Lily was in ropes, bound and gagged, on her knees. She was helpless. She tried to wrangle free, but the ropes kept getting tighter and tighter.
"No, no, no," Lily whispered, repeating it over and over.
"That won't help you, they won't come to save you. Not when you are so completely worthless," Mulciber sneered.
"We should just kill the bitch, be done with it before she can breed with the blood traitor," Avery stated. Lily jerked in her ropes.
"No!" she repeated, struggling harder.
"Do the honor, Snape. Get her. Kill her," Bellatrix taunted. Snape pointed his wand at Lily.
"My pleasure. AVADA KEDAVRA!" Greenlight flooded Lily's vision.
She sat straight up in bed, panting. James startled next to her. He blinked up at her.
"Lils?" he asked, reaching a handout. Lily flinched away, getting out of the bed and heading for the bathroom. She shut the door behind her, heading to the shower and turning it on.
"Just breathe, Lils. You can do it," she coached herself. "In, out." As she was taking off her shorts, James knocked on the door.
"You alright?" he asked. Lily took a deep breath, a rattling sob came out instead of air. "That did not sound like you were alright. Can I come in?" We aren't wearing any shorts, still wearing a shirt.
"Yeah," she said. He opened the door slowly.
"You want to be alone?" She shook her head. "Alright, you want me to sit here? I'll close my eyes, no peeking. I solemnly swear." She huffed a little.
"With me," she told him. James's eyes went wide.
"Lils, love, I don't know if you are in the right state, don't want to take advantage, and," James hesitated. Lily cut him off by dragging him into the shower, clothes and all.
"Stay," she said firmly. He laughed a little and sat on the shower bench.
"Wanna talk about it?" he asked, taking his glasses off and setting them on the shelf above him.
"Not yet," Lily muttered. She stood under the steady stream. The water coated her, bringing warmth into her soul again. James said nothing and simply sat. "Join?" She tugged him up, and he joined her under the stream.
"Take a breath, Lily. You are here. I am here."
She closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of him, she let the water take away all her other senses.
"You are here, with me. Nowhere else. No one will ever hurt you again. I am here. Do you feel me?" he asked, taking her hands and placing them on his chest. He cradled them next to his heart. "Do you feel me, Lily?" She took a shuddering breath.
"I feel you, I'm here, with you," she said, opening her eyes and looking at him. James blinked the water out of his eyes. The droplets clung to his lashes stubbornly. She giggled. Lily ran her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. "Sorry."
"For what?" he asked, with genuine confusion in his voice.
"I woke you up, and then I forced you to shower with me," she explained with a frown. James frowned back at her. He threaded his fingers through her hair.
Tugging gently on her hair, he guided her to look up at him, "you did not force me. I came willingly." For a minute neither said anything. Lily looked into his eyes and then dropped her gaze to his lips. "Not tonight, my love." She flicked her eyes back up to his.
"James Fleamont Potter, you and I both want this. Let's not pretend you don't know how I feel. I told you myself. You told me how you feel. Why not?" Lily asked firmly. Her voice regained its strength. He gave her a half-smile.
"Yes, I remember your drunken confession. I remember mine, vaguely."
"So why not. We have put it off too long."
"Not tonight, now shush and turn around. I'm going to wash your hair, it always calms Si down."
"Please do not talk about your brother while I am trying to get you to kiss me," Lily whined but obeyed nonetheless. James Potter was as stubborn as a mule.
After their shower last night, the two had dried off, James had given Lily a jumper and some of his old pajama pants. She had braided her hair with a spell and climbed back into James's bed. He had teased her for being eager and they had curled up together. When they awoke, Sirius had joined their cuddle party and wedged himself between James and the wall. Remus had joined probably after Sirius and was tucked in between James and Lily. James smiled sleepily at Lily over Remus's head. "Remmy has everyone convinced Si is the snuggler when really it's him," James whispered to her.
"It's like having children," she whispered back.
"You want some?"
"We already have two, love," she teased. He smiled dopily at her.
"Too early for your voices," Sirius complained. He rolled on top of James, making James roll onto his stomach to be comfortable.
"Sleep," Remus mumbled, tucking an arm over Lily. Sirius cooed and threw his arm over Remus. James reached for her hand over Remus's head. With a squeeze, he shut his eyes again. Lily kept hers open, looking at her little family she had somehow gained. She smiled softly to herself and closed her eyes too.
"Get up lazies!" Euphemia cried. James sat up knocking Sirius onto the floor. Sirius cursed James out. "WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE SIRIUS BLACK POTTER!" Sirius looked properly berated. James laughed at him. "James Potter! Get up! Remus Lupin, you too!" The boys scrambled out of bed and rushed to the door. Lily lay in bed still, giggling at them from her blanket cave. Euphemia opened the door a few minutes after the boys had gone downstairs. "Lily, dear, James told me you had a rough night, I brought you some tea. Always puts me to rights," Euphemia smiled, handing the mug to Lily.
"Thank you," Lily said.
"Would you like to talk my dear?" she asked gently, sitting on the bed beside Lily.
"It was just a little rattling, but, I'm fine, it wasn't real," Lily informed her, taking a sip from her tea. "Thank you for checking on me. James helped a lot last night."
"I'm glad, he's a very good boy, my James."
"Yes, he is, he's very sweet. I'm sorry it took me so long to see it," Lily apologized.
"Now, from what I've heard he wasn't always the sweetest to that friend of yours, or you for that matter," Euphemia smiled softly. Lily shrugged slightly.
"It was well deserved," she whispered.
"Does not mean it didn't hurt, my dear," Euphemia stated. Lily's eyes started to fill with tears. Euphemia gathered Lily in her arms. "That's it dear, let it out." Lily cried into Euphemia's shoulder.
"Thank you," she sniffled.
"You are welcome dear, now let's see if we can get those boys to come to cheer you up."
"Did someone say cheer?" Sirius asked, popping up from seemingly nowhere.
"We Marauder men are very good at cheer," James added, popping up beside Sirius. What bloody idiots, yeah, but at least they are our bloody idiots. True.
"Come now, Red, let us be your masters of fun."
"Take my hand and trust the process," James smirked.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Lily said, a slight smile already on her face despite her words. Sirius and James smirked at her.
"THIS IS NOT MY IDEA OF FUN YOU ARSEHOLES!" Lily screamed, holding on for dear life to James. I feel like a murder plot is to be created. Aye.
"Come on Red, it's just a bit of Quidditch, calm down," Sirius joked, tossing the quaffle to James.
"Yeah Lils, calm down," James said. Lily punched him in the stomach before wrapping her arms back around him. "Alright, alright," James wheezed out. He flew down to the grass beside Remus. "Off, off, I have to go beat Sirius in this match." Lily got off on wobbly legs and collapsed next to Remus.
"I hate them both so much," she stated after James had flown off again. She sighed and looked at Remus. He looked barely awake holding his book. "Are you alright Rem?" He looked at her lazily.
"I'm quite alright, just tired," he answered.
"I'd suggest a sunshine nap but it's a bit too chilly don't you think?" she smiled. He smiled lazily in return. "Look at those dorks." The dorks in question were wrestling in the air on their brooms. Like idiots.
"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER! SIRIUS BLACK POTTER! IF YOU TWO DO NOT CUT THAT OUT I WILL COME UP THERE AND BEAT YOUR ARSE!" Euphemia shouted from the doorway.
"Oh, Euphemia, let them have their fun," Fleamont teased.
"I AM NOT KIDDING. DOWN NOW!"
"Coming mum," they said simultaneously. James shoved Sirius and flew down.
"OY!" Sirius raced James to the ground. They both ended up eating snow when they fell off their brooms.
"Hey Lils, wanna hug?" James smirked at her.
"Absolutely not James Potter, you stay away from me," she threatened. He raised his eyebrow. "I said no, Potter." He gave her a devious smile before running to her. She screamed and scrambled up from the ground. He chased her all the way to the gardens where she tripped on a root. "FUCK!" She fell and tried to catch herself. James flopped on top of her.
"Gotcha."
"Get off. You are heavy, you arse," she complained, turning her head to the side. He blew a puff of warm air in her ear. "Ugh, you are so gross!" She tried shaking him off by wiggling around. He let her try for about thirty seconds before putting his elbows by her head.
"Good try, love," he whispered. "You almost got away."
"Obviously I failed," she pouted. "Now get off, for real."
"Nope, sorry Lils. I captured you. You must face the consequences." He did let her turn over though. Now their faces were inches apart.
"You are so full of shite James Potter," she glared at him.
"Oh most definitely, doesn't stop you from falling for me," he teased. She huffed.
"You aren't allowed to use that against me."
"I'm not using it against you, my love, I'm using it in your favor," he said, coming a bit closer.
"How so?" she asked, flicking her eyes from his mouth to his eyes.
"It's more likely to get you what you want if I get a reminder from time to time."
"Is it? And what do you think I want, Potter?" Lily quirked a brow at him.
"You are such a smartass," he whispered. He leaned down to kiss her, their lips barely touching. James pulled away slightly.
"Hell no," Lily stated, pulling him back down to her. Her hands fisted in his jumper. They kissed again, this time with more passion.
"HEY REMUS! I FOUND THEM!" Sirius yelled. Lily pushed James up a bit, just enough to detach their lips.
"PISS OFF BLACK! WE ARE HAVING A MOMENT!" she yelled at him, before pulling James back to her.
"OH GROSS! LILY! OY! THAT'S MY BEST MATE!"
Lily pulled away from James again, "IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT LEAVE ARSEHOLE!" James and Lily went back to snogging, they held each other as close as possible. They heard Sirius stomp off.
"Come on, let's go inside, it's much warmer," James reasoned. He stood up and offered Lily a hand. His hair was mussed from her hands and his jumper was scrunched from where she was gripping it. She smiled at him and took his hand.
"My arse is numb," she informed him, "and I'm cold."
"Worth it?" he asked.
"Worth it," Lily confirmed.
Lily had gone in to shower and brush her hair. She put on a jumper she had stolen from James when he was dating Elena. It was the softest he owned, and in a fit of pettiness, she had taken it. Lily thought that Elena did not deserve it, which looking back was quite rude. After putting on some joggers and some long socks, she felt good. To be quite honest, every time she saw herself in a mirror she couldn't help smiling. Oh, Merlin, we've gone lovesick, I would too after a kiss like that, oh boy. She shook her head to rid herself of her thoughts. "Get it together Lils," she whispered. Lily looked to her bed when she heard a faint pop, there was a tray of tea and biscuits. She sipped the tea and toyed with the necklace James had given her. Three days from now her girls will be joining her, just in time for the party. She was looking forward to it very much. Her outfit was very flattering in her opinion. A knock on the door had her placing her tea aside. "Come in!" Remus opened the door, a book in one hand. "Hullo Rem, need some quiet?" Remus said nothing but nodded. She opened her arms and he climbed onto the bed and curled in them. Lily smiled at him and started running her hands through his hair. She read over his shoulder and drank her tea. Remus gave her a bit of chocolate from one of his many pockets. The two spent a quiet three hours together before dinner. Lily was very worried about Remus. He was one of her closest friends. She was scared he was very sick, he hadn't seemed like himself for a week. Lily sat down by Remus at dinner as well. James brushed his hand over her shoulders as he passed and kissed her hair before sitting down beside her.
"You alright love?" he asked.
"I'm fine, no worries," Lily assured him, squeezing his hand. They ate dinner while holding each other's hands.
"Harry! Don't run on the stairs!" Lily yelled. A boy about five or six looked up at her. His eyes were the stunning green that hers were. He gave her a trademark Potter smirk from beneath his messy hair.
"MUMMY!" A little girl with red hair and hazel eyes came bounding into the room, followed by an exact copy of Lily but as small as the first girl.
"What's wrong, Mia?" Lily asked.
"Papa made a mess in the kitchen!" Mia, lovingly nicknamed after Euphemia, tattled.
"Don't be a tattle, Mia!" Elizabeth Jane, Lily's copy, whined.
"Yeah, Mia!" James agreed, sliding into the living room behind the girls. Lily looked at him, adoration clear in her eyes. He was absolutely covered in flour and dough.
"How in Merlin's name did you do that?" she laughed. James pouted at her. Harry laughed loudly.
"Papa, you look funny," Harry lovingly told James. Mia and Eliza laughed at him as well.
"All of you are against me," James pouted, coming over to Lily, bending down he whispered, "except you little bean. Don't you betray me either." He patted her stomach with a smile.
"Bean, tell your papa that I carried you therefore you will always be on my side," Lily replied, giving a teasing look to James. He huffed.
"Is that so?" he leaned in to kiss her. They met in the middle and shared a few blissful seconds before a collective 'gross' came from their children. The pair laughed, grabbing their beautiful babies into their arms to give them all kisses and blow raspberries on their cheeks. A knock at the door interrupted their family moment. James set Harry down and went to the door, he opened it with a smile and was knocked back by a green light.
"NO! JAMES!" Lily screamed, it felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. A flash of light flew past her and hit Harry, her baby boy. "NO! NO! NO!" Two more lights taking her sweet twins away. Her entire chest ached. A pressure was pressing down on her and she wasn't sure she could take it.
"See mudblood, this is what happens when you dirty the pureblood line," Mulciber told her. He raised his wand.
"Don't take her yet, make her suffer," a cold voice sneered.
Lily woke up sobbing and gasping for air. She clawed at her chest. The spot next to her was empty. "James? James, JAMES?" she panicked. After a quick search revealed he wasn't in the room, she checked his room next. When he wasn't there she frantically searched the bathroom and Sirius's room. None of her boys were where they were supposed to be. She clawed her chest desperately. "No, no, no, no. He can't get them here. No." Lily ran back to her room and pulled on her wellies. She grabbed her wand and searched the house. They were nowhere to be found. "It's fine Lily, they are probably out doing something stupid, like playing in the snow." She whispered 'Lumos' and went into the cold outside. "James!" she called. "Remus! Sirius!" Getting no reply she trudged on. She wiped her tears on her jumper. She looked more and was nearing the gardens when a howl pierced the night air. Lily shivered and not because she was cold. That sounded like a werewolf. Which statistically was impossible given the manor's wards. "JAMES! SIRIUS! REMUS!" she screamed. Where were her boys? Another howl sounded, closer this time. Suddenly she saw it, a scarred thing howling a black dog that looked awfully similar to Snuffles. "Snuffles! Getaway! Before you get hurt!" she yelled, stupidly drawing attention to herself. The wolf turned its magnificent head her way. It sniffed the air before howling and heading in her direction. "Shit, shit, shit, did not think that one through Lily," she berated herself, running as fast as she could back to the house. A stag appeared seemingly out of nowhere and scooped her up. "OH WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!" she yelled as it carried her as fast as it could to the Potter manor. It took her inside and dropped her on the floor.
"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?" a familiar voice screamed at her. Lily looked at James Potter, flailing his hands about and yelling at her. "YOU COULD'VE BEEN KILLED YOU, BLOODY IDIOT!" Lily started sobbing and clung to him as hard as possible. "Lily? Shit, shit, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry, shit." His arms came around her, holding her as tightly as she held him. When she regained her breath she slapped his chest.
"I'm not crying because you yelled, you arse. I woke up and I couldn't find you anywhere, and I had another dream and don't you ever do that again! Do you hear me?" she threatened, tears still clinging to her lashes.
"Oh fuck, Lils, I didn't even think about that," James apologized. A howl interrupted whatever he was going to say next. "Shit, Lily I have to go, look I'll explain in the morning. Si can't handle him alone. Mum will let you lay in there for a bit okay? She gives great hugs. I love you, I'll see you in the morning," James rushed out. He kissed her and ran out the door. She watched him change into a stag. What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Lily followed James's advice because truly Euphemia did give the best hugs, and knowing that none of her boys would be in until sunrise made her desperate for human affection. Lily opened the door to the elder Potters' room, surprised to see them both sitting up and awake.
"Hello dear, did Rem wake you?" Euphemia asked, putting her book aside. Lily shook her head. "Ah nightmares then, come along then." Euphemia scooted over and patted the spot in between her and Fleamont.
"No worries, love, James and Si have them all the time," Fleamont reassured, patting Lily's head when she sat down.
"You know what they are doing?" Lily asked.
"Of course, we do, very admirable and stupid. But they love Remus with their whole heart and those three will do anything for him," Euphemia sighed.
"Three?"
"Oh yes, Peter is here too, only for tonight. He has some big engagement tomorrow. Now, let's cheer you up with some muggle telly, Remmy set it up for us last summer. Quite the scandal having muggle technology in our home but, it works marvelously here." Lily allowed the two Potters to distract her with Doctor Who reruns.
Lily didn't quite remember falling asleep but when she woke up she was in James's bed surrounded by her boys. She hugged James tightly. "Ow, Lils, be gentle." She let him go and shooed him off the bed.
"You two up as well. Let me see," she instructed. The boys complied, each taking off their shirts for her to see she gasped softly. "You boys are so stupid," she lectured in a whisper. Remus flinched.
"Oy, don't be calling us stupid for helping out our best mate. You should've seen him before we helped, scratched himself to hell every night. We make it better," Sirius defended.
"Do not talk to me like I don't understand," Lily snapped, "I only meant that you were stupid not to wake me up. So I could heal you, I am better at healing spells than you lot." Sirius looked sheepish.
"Sorry Red," he apologized. She nodded and pulled Remus to sit.
"You first."
"No, do Si first, he is the worst. I'll deal with it," he stated, his voice sad as he looked at Sirius.
"No, I said you first. Do not make me repeat myself. Got it?" she waited for his nod before continuing, "now, why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I'm a monster Lily, I don't want you to hate me." Lily looked at him with a brow raised. She ran a diagnostic spell before answering him.
"You are not a monster Rem. You wear sweaters and read books, you carry chocolate in your pockets, you laugh and love. Monsters do not do that. You were cursed but you are not a monster, do you hear me?" she asked, grabbing his hands and looking straight at him. He nodded. She cast a few spells, healing most of his wounds. The ones she could not fix she summoned a bandage for and wrapped them as best as she could. She repeated the process on the other two boys. "I have a question."
"Yes?" James asked, laying on the bed beside her. He placed his head in her lap and smiled up at her. She rolled her eyes fondly. Sirius gagged from his perch in Remus's lap.
"If you are a stag, and Si is a dog, what the hell is Peter?" she asked, running a hand through James's hair. James and Sirius snickered for a while. Remus let out a long-suffering sigh.
"He is a rat," Remus said.
"Why is he a rat?" Lily asked with a frown.
"If you think we told him to be that you would be wrong," Sirius stated with a half-smirk.
"I know how becoming an animagus work, Sirius. I only meant how is our sweet Peter a rat? Isn't it like a reflection of your soul or something?" she asked.
"Huh, can't say I've ever thought 'bout that," James said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Boys," Lily muttered. She let the topic go for now. She grabbed Sirius's ankle when he poked her with his foot. "What Si?"
"Are you excited to see the girls on Friday? Marls said they will get here at noon, supposedly," Sirius said.
"Of course I am. What are we doing tomorrow?" Lily asked. Remus turned a bright red and didn't answer. Sirius smirked at her. James gagged.
"Remmy and I have plans, don't we Rem?" Sirius asked cockily.
"Yeah," he whispered with a blush. Lily looked between them.
"What? Oh, OH! Ew Si!" Lily gasped. Sirius laughed loudly. "That's gross, mate." He shrugged.
"Don't worry Lils, you and I have some plans too," James said. Lily looked at him with a surprised expression. Understanding dawned on James's face. "NOT THOSE KINDS OF PLANS!" He was blushing from his ears to his neck. Lily and Sirius laughed at him. "Piss off!" He sat up and left the room.
"Merlin, he's such a baby," Sirius commented. "Come on, he went down to watch telly I'm sure. Probably eating crisps and whining about his life." Lily laughed at the accurate description of her boyfriend? Lily shrugged mentally, not even going to try and figure that one out. Lame. The three trudged downstairs, Remus at the back, holding onto Sirius's back pocket as a guide. They found James exactly where they thought they would, pouting on the sofa. Lily took the crisps out of his hands and sat down in his lap to eat them.
"Oy, those were mine," he whined.
"Now they are mine," Lily replied, sticking her tongue out at him. He huffed and buried his face in her neck. He blew a raspberry which made Lily squirm and slap him. "Jamesssss," she whined. "Stop it." She felt him smirk before he blew another raspberry and tickled her sides. She giggled and wriggled in his lap. He tickled her until she was gasping for breath. He gave her a short break which made her attempt to stand up from his lap. He wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"Don't move please," he whispered. Lily stayed perfectly still when she realized why he wanted her to stay still. Oh? Oh my merlin. Her blush matched her hair. "I'm so sorry Lily," he whispered. He sounded ashamed. Lily shook her head and grabbed his hands.
"It's okay, don't be upset James. It's okay, trust me," she whispered back. He buried his face in her hair and took some deep breaths. Lily turned her head to where Sirius and Remus were curled together lazily snogging. "They aren't even paying attention to us, calm down love."
"I'm sorry," he told her again. She patted his hands softly. After a bit of time, James picked her up off his lap and moved her to the side. "Excuse me," he said, leaving the room.
"Oy, Jamesie, bring more crisps and some chocolate biscuits when you come back, Lily is hogging the crisps," Sirius complained.
"I am not!" Lily protested, shoving a handful in her mouth.
"Are too!" Sirius whined. Lily threw a handful at him. "LILY! YOU GOT CRISPS IN MY HAIR!" Lily giggled, and Sirius launched himself at her and tackled her. She screamed and started kicking. He swatted at her. "STOP KICKING ME!"
"STOP HITTING ME!" Lily yelled back, tugging on his hair. They wrestled on the floor for a while, with Remus looking on with a 'why is this my life?' expression on his face. James came back in the room with four pops and the requested snacks. He nudged the two on the floor with his toe.
"I brought snacks," he informed them. They broke apart and panted on the floor. Lily looked up at James with messy hair and bright eyes. "Merlin, you are beautiful," James said without thinking. Lily's cheeks brightened and she smiled at him. James blushed. She stood up and took the snacks from his hands. She set them on the sofa before pulling James in for a proper snog.
"Oh gross! Get a room!" Sirius complained, followed by a pained grunt when Remus swatted his head.
"Be nice," Remus told him. James and Lily separated. Lily grinned at him and settled onto the sofa. James joined her, placing a bag of crisps between them to share and handing her a pop. Sirius grabbed his and Remus's snacks and settled on the other end of the sofa. The four spent their day like that, calm with occasional chaos. After dinner, Lily went to James's room. Sirius and Remus had immediately disappeared into Sirius's room down the hall.
"James?" she knocked, hearing no answer she walked in. The shower in the bathroom was running, so she settled on his bed. She buried herself in his covers. By the time the shower shut off, she was a blanket cocoon. James opened the door wearing a towel. His hair was wet and dripping down his chest. "Fuck me," Lily whispered. James looked at her surprised. "Oh shit."
"Lils?" he asked. He came closer to Lily. "What in Merlin's name are you doing?"
"I'm a blanket burrito, obviously."
"Obviously," he agreed with a smirk. She pouted at him.
"Can you put clothes on? It's distracting," she asked. He blushed, the blush spread from his ears to his towel, perhaps even lower SHUT UP! and went back into the bathroom. When he came back out he was in a jumper and joggers, his hair curling near his ears. He put socks on and slid to the bed.
"Less distracting now?" James asked, smiling at her. She put his glasses on his face. He nipped at her hand teasingly.
"No, about the same amount of distracting," she told him, before huddling back in her blanket burrito. He laughed at her, pulling his camera from seemingly nowhere, and snapping her picture. "James!"
"What? You look adorable, love," he smiled at her innocently. He straddled her before taking her picture again. "Picture me too, I'm adorable," James teased. She summoned her camera and snapped his picture. "Thanks!" He climbed off her and fell beside her. "Can I have blankets too? Not fair to steal all my stuff. You already have my jumper," James smiled. Lily opened the blankets and he slid underneath them. Lily turned her back to him and let him pull her close. He parted her hair and settled his mouth right below the clasp of her necklace. She pulled his arms around her. She pulled one hand up to her heart, the other she let stay on her stomach.
"I love you," she whispered. His arms tightened around her.
"I love you, my Lily," he replied, kissing the clasp of the necklace. They fell asleep not long after that.
Lily woke with her face pressed into a soft jumper. It was the first night in a while that she had slept the whole night through. When she lifted her head, James was still fast asleep, his hair messier than usual. He had a grip on her waist and squeezed as he shifted onto his side. He curled up to her, placing his head on her chest and nuzzling. She lifted a hand and ran it through his hair. James let out a sigh and held onto her tighter. Lily drifted in and out of sleep until James woke up. James groaned and rolled away from her. He sat up and stretched. He pulled his jumper over his head and threw it at Lily's head. She growled at him and he chuckled. James pressed a kiss to her forehead before heading to the bathroom. Lily shamelessly pressed the jumper to her face and inhaled. James made her feel safe and loved.
After James's shower he informed Lily they were going on a date. "What?" she asked.
"We are going to Diagon Alley, for ice cream at Fortescue's and then shopping a bit for the party and then coming back. It's like our first date, Lils," he explained. He pouted at her, "come on, it'll be fun." She rolled her eyes.
"Alright loverboy, let me shower and change. I'll meet you in an hour," she informed him.
"An hour?!" he exclaimed. "What in Merlin's name are you doing for that long?"
"Don't you question me. You'll see," she said. Lily kicked the covers back and stood. She pressed a kiss to James's cheek and went to her own room. There she showered and primped. It was her first date with James, she had to look perfect. She dressed casually, lacing up her trainers. She met James by the fireplace in the office. He looked at her like she hung the moon, rather than how she felt she looked, which was like a bum despite her long prep time.
"Hullo gorgeous, ready to go?" James asked, snaking an arm around her waist. Lily leaned into him.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
They sat together at a table outside Fortescue's, each holding a cone full of ice cream. James took Lily's free hand. "Lils," he started, "can I ask you something?" Lily took a bite of her ice cream and nodded. "Why'd you change your mind about me?"
"What do you mean?" Lily asked, cocking her head to the side. James smiled shyly at her before looking at the table again.
"Why'd you start loving me Lils, why'd you start being nice to me, why'd you start smiling at me?" James asked, a rare show of vulnerability shocking Lily. Lily squeezed James's hand tightly.
"Look at me love," she said gently. He looked up at her. "I started loving you because I finally saw past all the bullshit you put up. I got to know the real you. The real you is who I fell in love with. Not the cocky you that you'd been pretending to be for years around me. I'm sorry I couldn't see past it earlier. I was trying to protect myself all these years, you have to admit you were a bit of a player James. I thought you only wanted me for the chase. I didn't think you were serious," Lily admitted. James brought her hand to his mouth.
"You are the only one I have ever wanted. When you snapped back at me I knew you were the one. You twisted everything up in me. Wait, that doesn't sound right, that's not what I meant," James stuttered. Lily snorted. "Don't laugh at me," he whined. He stuck his bottom lip out pouting. She grinned at him. He blushed slightly. "You drive me crazy Lils. You have my heart in your hands. Being around you always made me do stupid shite." Lily flushed at his words.
"Stop being sweet, dork. Come on, we have shit to do at home," Lily teased, standing up she grabbed her trash. She turned to go throw it away when she bumped into someone. An apology was on her tongue when she looked up. It died in her throat when she realized who she'd run into. Mulciber sneered at her.
"Watch where you are going, you mudblood whore," he growled.
"Don't call me that you piss-ant," Lily insulted.
"You are just a useless bitch so shut your whore mouth," Mulciber replied. James stood up.
"Don't fucking talk to her like that," James sneered. Lily held up a hand to James. Mulciber smirked.
"You don't deserve to be a pureblood. What? She got that good of a mouth, you let her do whatever she wants?" Mulciber asked with a disgusting smile. Oh hell no. I am going to beat his arse. Lily flushed in anger, she tightened her fists.
"Come here you little fucker, I'll beat your arse right here and now," Lily stated, starting to charge but James grabbed her wrist. Let me at him damnit!
"Not here, he's not worth it," James muttered. Although Lily could feel the anger pouring off him in waves.
"That's right, put the bitch back on her leash," Mulciber smirked. You are in for it now you fucker. James sighed deeply and let go of Lily.
"You asked for it," James informed him before Lily charged at Mulciber with an angry yell. She tackled him to the ground and started laying as many hits on him as she could. A crowd gathered around them, Flortescue came out to where they were. Mulciber threw a hit before Lily could react. He caught her in the face, she spit out a bit of blood. Lily backed up and wiped her mouth.
"Bring it on, fucker," Lily sneered. Mulciber charged but before he could get to her a voice bellowed out, "THAT IS ENOUGH!" The two separated as a group of Aurors came towards them. One of the Aurors was Mr. Potter and he looked pissed. Lily glared at Mulciber but backed up to James. James put an arm around her and smirked at Mulciber. His nose was bleeding and his eyes were starting to puff up. He was breathing heavily and was glaring at everyone around him. Lily snuggled into James and smirked up at him. James lowered his face to hers.
"Good job my flower," he murmured, ducking his head down even further to kiss her neck right above the necklace he had gifted her. Lily shivered and looked at him through hooded eyes. A throat clearing interrupted the two lovers, they looked to Mr. Potter who was standing there with his arms crossed. "Hey dad," James muttered sheepishly. Fleamont sighed and looked at the two of them.
"You two are coming with me, we are going home and talking to Mrs. Potter and then I have to go to the office. Come along now," Fleamont instructed, leading the two of them down the street and side-along them home.
"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER! How dare you start a fight in public!" Euphemia shouted as soon as the trio was through the door. She came charging at them, a flannel in one hand and her wand in the other.
"Mum, you didn't hear what he was saying!" James protested.
"I heard enough from your father. I raised you better than to fight in public, that is a private matter. I am not saying you were wrong in defending yourselves, however, better time and place next time," Euphemia stated, dabbing at Lily's lip with the flannel.
"He didn't even start it. I did, and I broke his fucking nose," Lily stated harshly. Euphemia smirked a little at her before frowning again.
"Language dear," Euphemia corrected gently. "Now, I am proud of both of you for at least not resorting to magic, but, do you understand this can not happen again? Especially now in these times?"
"Yes mum," James said.
"Yes," Lily agreed. Euphemia shooed them away. Lily had barely made it up the stairs before James was picking her up and pushing her against the nearest wall.
"You." He kissed her. "Are." Again. "Incredible." Again. He kissed her until they couldn't breathe and only then did he pull away for a quick breath before going back.
"James," she whispered, clinging to him.
"MY EYES!" Sirius screamed, interrupting their peace. The two broke away from each other panting and turned to look down the hall. Sirius was standing there with his eyes covered and Remus was standing next to him with his arms crossed. James slowly lowered Lily to the ground and backed up, subtly adjusting himself. Lily rolled her eyes and patted down her hair.
"Lily? What happened to your face?" Remus asked, scarily calm. Lily smiled shakily.
"Well, uh, I might've gotten into a fistfight with Mulciber in Diagon Alley. He looks worse no worries," Lily told them proudly. James wrapped an arm around her with a smirk. Sirius uncovered his eyes.
"You did what?" he asked, blinking at her. A beat of silence before, "BLOODY HELL RED!" Sirius started yelling and running towards the two of them. "THAT'S MY GIRL! HELL YEAH!" Sirius yelled, hugging Lily around the middle and jumping up and down with her. Lily started laughing and yelling with him. James walked over to Remus.
"I am going to marry her," James told Remus with a lovestruck smile on his face. Remus laughed for the first time during the entire encounter.
"Of course you are."
Lily was bouncing around all morning, after spending a week surrounded by her boys she was ready for her familiar brand of crazy to come. Lily had been sitting in the Potters' library for most of the morning waiting for the green flames to show that her friends were here. Lily was twirling her wand with a bored expression sending bubbles into the air, whilst lounging lazily on an armchair. "Getting used to luxury, eh?" Lily jumped up and screamed.
"MARLS!" Lily ran full speed at Marlene and jumped into her waiting arms. Marlene spun her around until they both couldn't stop laughing. "Oh my Merlin, did I miss you!" Lily exclaimed, her face lit up. Marlene leaned back a little, she took in the slightly busted lip Lily was sporting.
"Remus owled me about the fight, that's my girl!" Marlene shouted, hugging her best friend again. The flames went green allowing Mary and Emmaline to step out.
"Lemme see the evidence! I read about it in the papers, Mulcibur got his arse handed to him," Emmaline hurried over peering at Lily's face. "Hell yeah!" Emmaline hugged the duo before bringing Mary into the hug as well.
"Lily Jane!" Alice called out, drawing all four girls' gaze to her. Dorcas and Frank stood on either side of her. Alice stalked towards the group of girls, Dorcas trailing along behind her and Frank slipping off to places unknown. "I have a bone to pick with you young lady! Do you know how dangerous that was? Lily, Mulcibur is not someone to fuck around with. You just embarrassed the shit out of him. He's going to make it so much worse for you now." Lily looked at Alice and sighed.
"I know, A. But, I'm okay. Really. It'll be alright," Lily reassured, then opened her arms for Alice to walk into. Alice hugged Lily and let out a relieved sigh.
"Group hug!" Marlene declared, the girls crowding in together.
"I missed you guys," Lily sniffled, hugging her friends tighter. The girls stood hugging for a while more before disbanding.
"Come on guys! Tomorrow is the biggest party of the entire year, we need to prepare!" Marlene declared. "Ebele!" The house-elf arrived with a pop. "Good afternoon! Can you get everything on this list and send it to Miss Lily's room? Can you also put all of this in the room as well? Also, our luggage will need to be there as well. Thank you, Ebele," Marlene instructed with a small smile.
"Yes, Missus Marlene," Ebele said before popping away.
"Hello, lovelies!" Euphemia greeted, sweeping into the room.
"Hello Euphemia!" the girls greeted back.
"Care to join me for lunch? The boys are off plotting and preparing for the party," Euphemia invited.
"Sure!"
The girls and Euphemia all settled around the grand dining table. "It never gets used enough, especially when it's just me and Fleamont in the house. James and Sirius are too rowdy to sit for too long, it is nice to have some mature company for once," Euphemia laughed. They laughed and chatted for over an hour before one of the boys stumbled into the dining room looking for the girls.
"Lovely ladies, sir James Potter requests your presence," Sirius bowed mockingly. He led them to the living room where James was sitting in an armchair.
"As you know ladies, tomorrow is our grandest party. We all need to contribute to the effort of pulling this off. We have a big plan for tomorrow and you shall play a part. When it happens do not freak out. Understand?" James asked. The girls shrugged. "I will take that as a yes, now. Lily, my flower, come here please." Lily went to him, he pulled her into his lap with a cocky grin. "My love regrettably I have been given instructions to not see you until tomorrow because you need to get ready according to Marlene and I am a distraction. That being said, kiss me like there is no tomorrow," he said with a smirk.
"You are the worst," Lily laughed. She wrapped her arms around him and snogged him regardless. She pulled away panting, not noticing the room had mysteriously vacated. "I love you," she whispered.
"And I love you, my flower," he whispered back, holding her to him.
"Now Lily dear, I think you might've forgotten one little detail to share with us," Marlene commented when the girls were all piled into Lily's bed together.
"Little detail? Did we all not see that show they put on?" Emmeline asked incredulously. Lily laughed, tucking a hair behind her ear she said, "we might've wanted to keep it a secret just a tad, hard to when you live with Sirius mind you. James, we, well. I'm happy now and James is the cause. I saw through all the shit and he busted down all my walls. We match." The girls cooed at her and then demanded more details of everything. Lily shared, her heart aching to see James despite seeing him not even twenty minutes prior. The door burst open and suddenly Lily had a lapful of drunk James Potter. Oh look at him, he's like a wittle baby. Shut up, he's cute. Remus and Sirius came running in closely followed by Peter and Frank.
"Hello darling," Lily giggled. James snuggled into her.
"My love, I missed you," he huffed. She petted his hair.
"I missed you too," she smiled.
"Sorry Lils, we tried to keep him away," Remus apologized.
"It's fine, Remmy."
"James Potter, you are interrupting prep time," Marlene scolded. James looked abashed.
"I just wanted a hug," he mumbled. Lily cooed at him and held him close.
"James, sweet, go back with the boys. I'll see you at the party," Lily stated. James grumbled but was led back out the door by the marauders. When they left the girls erupted into giggles and awes. Lily told them to fuck off as her face was closely resembling a tomato. Dorcas turned on some muggle station and the girls finally began their prep. They did most of the prep the muggle way as they found it was more fun that way. They polished each other's nails and began the hair process. They made their skin as blemish-free as possible and of course, gossiped to their heart's content. After a few hours, they all lay on Lily's bed. It was a comfortable silence. "Really Lily, we are happy for you, you look so much better with him. You are just happy and that's all we could ever want," Mary told her, squeezing her hand.
"I love you guys," Lily sniffled, holding them close. They murmured out love you too and fell deeply asleep.
The girls woke late and had lunch in their room. They then began actually getting ready. Alice had pulled out all their clothes and had set about trying to straighten and tidy them. Mary had spelled the camera to float in the air and snap various pictures of the girls. Emmeline set up tiny makeup stations for each girl to prep at without getting in each other's way, she even enchanted mirrors that would magnify with a word. Dorcas plugged in various heating tools and set up a hair station. Marlene was in charge of the music and had spelled the stereo to stay at the perfect volume. Lily made sure everyone was fed and that they would be ready on time. After three hours had passed every girl was ready to dress. The camera clicked happily as each one put on their dresses and 'modeled' it. Dorcas went first, her hair in a styled afro with gold strands streaked through it, her dress was gold and short, and had no back at all. She wore black heels to match Marlene's tiny black dress. Marlene's blonde hair was in a ponytail and also streaked with gold strands, she wore gold heels to match her girlfriend's dress. The two took a few pictures together, thankful they had spelled all makeup to last until the spell was canceled. Some of their pictures were very, uh, mature to put it lightly. Mary had somehow tamed her hair into a slick wave down her back and was wearing a silver dress that fell to the middle of her thighs, it had lots of cutouts and she paired it with black knee-high boots. Emmeline had chosen a suit that was black and fitted with a silver necktie and silver heels. Her hair was in a low bun with hair artfully framing her face. They looked stunning. Alice had curled her hair slightly and left it down, covering the halter neck of her maroon dress, it was fitted all the way to her knees with only a slight slit and put on black heels. Lily had an emerald green dress, same as her eyes, with thin straps and covering very little, her heels were black and tall. Her hair fell in waves and framed her face spectacularly. The group took some pictures together before deeming themselves ready to go down to the party. The girls descended and the spelled camera followed. Mary multiplied it before sending them all over the room. Euphemia came up to them.
"You all look stunning, so glad I saw you before James did Lily, please take a picture of his face, go on to the other ballroom, that's where the fun is," Euphemia winked and sent them on their way. They opened the doors and were greeted with loud music and dancing bodies. They worked their way to the bar, everyone ordering something before disappearing through the crowd. Lily found her boys in a corner, Alice trailing after her slightly.
"Holy fuck Lily," Sirius said, "if only I was straight." Lily laughed, turning to look at her boyfriend, who looked like he'd just got run over by a train. She sauntered over to him and settled in his lap.
"Hey there handsome," she teased. He gulped. Be afraid. Don't tease him.
"Lily, you look, uh," he swallowed, "incredible." She kissed his cheek gently.
"Thank you, love, now are you going to dance with me or not?" Lily asked, standing up with hands on her hips. He stood and grabbed her waist.
"Come on then, lead me my flower," James told her, laughing as she took off into the middle of the bodies. James pulled her close, pressing their foreheads together. "I love you," he whispered to her.
"And I love you," she whispered against his lips. When the kiss broke they danced as if they were the only ones in the room, holding on to each other and wanting to never let go. They did however have to break apart as Lily demanded a drink. The two went over to the bar where most of their friends were residing.
"Shots, in celebration of the two who pulled their heads out their arses," Sirius toasted passing out said shots. The glasses clinked together and Lily and James locked eyes. No matter where their future led they would always be together and they would always be surrounded by love.
That's all folks! Thanks for sticking with me on this journey, I am thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you for taking the time to read this story. It means everything to me.
Love
M