Word Count: 576
"Remus said you would be here," Lily says as she makes her way onto the platform of the Astronomy Tower.
James' shoulders shake with soft laughter. "That traitor," he says.
Lily snorts, eyes rolling. She knows he doesn't mean it, of course. The way James and his friends are so inseparable is precious. She moves closer, taking a seat beside him.
"It's after curfew," James points out.
She shrugs, watching as a beetle scurries across the wooden railing. "And what will they do? Give me detention?" she teases, and she realizes how much she sounds like him now. "It's our last night here."
The words make her shiver. It's a fact she's been aware of, but actually voicing them aloud makes them so much more real. Tomorrow, they'll be out in the real world. Once upon a time, that might have been exciting. But the way things are now? The war that seems to get more frightening with each passing day? Lily wishes she could be a student for another decade at least.
She shakes her head. She didn't come up here to think about those things. It's James that's brought her here. It seems so strange that she could truly love him. The memories of his immaturity are still so fresh in her mind.
Yet here they are.
"So, what's the plan? Spend your last night here in isolation? Pausing for some deep reflection and meditation?" she asks, brows raising. "I like to meditate too, ya know."
He chuckles and leans in, kissing her cheek. "You're adorable when you're needy. I should be aloof more often."
"Keep it up, and I will push you," she grumbles.
"Absolutely precious." A moment passes, and his smile softens, his features becoming more serious. He turns his gaze back to the sky above. "It's weird, isn't it?"
He doesn't have to clarify. This is a new chapter in their lives. Of course it's weird and unfamiliar.
"It is."
They have their plans already. James will begin his Auror training, while Lily furthers her Charms studies. She doesn't know exactly what she wants to do. Maybe she'll come back here and teach. That's what Flitwick has suggested again and again.
"There's a war going on."
Lily nods her confirmation. Only a fool wouldn't notice how dark the world is growing. It's why it had been so easy for them and their friends to approach Dumbledore about his underground force.
"We should get married," James adds.
Lily nods before the words click. She jerks her head, staring at him with wide eyes. "Married?"
He offers her a sheepish grin. "To be fair, I was up here, planning how best to ask you," he tells her, shrugging. "Not my fault I'm impulsive and you're distracting."
She isn't opposed to marriage. They've only been together for a short time, but Lily knows she loves James, and there isn't a doubt in her mind that he loves her. Still, it's something of a shock, so out of nowhere.
"It's a scary world right now," he says softly. "I want to put something beautiful into it."
Lily understands. Let there be something to celebrate. There needs to be even a faint glimmer of light in the darkness.
"I would love to marry you."
She snuggles him closer, watching the stars twinkle overhead. A smile tugs at her lips, and she knows without a shadow of a doubt that everything will be okay in the end.
