Word Count: 486


Lily sits atop the Astronomy Tower, legs dangling over the ledge. Below, she can see other students going about their lives. Really, she envies them. She is so completely miserable, and she feels like she might break down at any given moment.

"You're not going to jump, are you?"

She whips her head around, scowling when she sees her eldest brother behind her. "James! What are you doing here?" she demands.

She shouldn't be upset with him. It's not like she owns the Astronomy Tower. He has every right to be up here. Still, she doubts it's a coincidence he is here now. James has never cared much for Astronomy; his free time is usually spent on the Quidditch Pitch.

"Lucy said I would find you here," he answers, confirming her suspicions. He moves closer, sitting beside her. "You are so much better than Xander MacMillan."

Lily tenses. Of course that's why he's here. Her heart is broken, and he wants to come in and be her hero. "We're not kids anymore," she mutters. "You can't fix everything that goes wrong in my life."

James chuckles. "Maybe not. But I can fix this. You know the best way to get over an ex, right?"

"James, I swear to God if you say 'get under a new person', I will punch you," she snaps.

Her brother snorts, nudging her gently with his elbow. "Lily Luna Potter," he says, his voice high-pitched and mimicking their mother's whenever she scolds them. "You are supposed to be the sweet, innocent one!"

Silence hangs between them for several moments. Lily closes her eyes, breathing deeply. She's missed this. James is always so busy with his own life, just like she's busy with the things she loves. It feels like she hasn't been able to sit with her brother in ages. Even at home, their paths only ever seem to cross at meals.

She opens her eyes again. "So… How do I do it? How do I get over him?" she asks.

James turns, grinning. Her ruffles her hair affectionately, laughing when Lily scowls and tries to smooth it out again. "Simple. You just keep going. You live your life, and the pieces will all fall into place."

"You know, I almost believe you," she says.

He reaches out, pulling her into a hug. Lily feels the tears slip from her eyes. Maybe she does believe him. Maybe it will be okay.

She doesn't know how. She doesn't know if she even believes that she can carry on. First heartbreaks are the worst. That's what Victoire says, at least.

But James is there, and the world is going to keep spinning. At the end of the day, she still has her family. That will be enough.

"C'mon," James says, climbing to his feet and holding his hand out for her. "Let's find Al and go have an adventure."

"Just like old times."