Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to JK Rowling, I don't own it.
Lily admired the enchanted ceiling in the great hall, a beautiful galaxy like sky, definitely contrasted outsides gloomy, rain filled sky. Lily spotted her friends at the Gryffindor table, already digging into the food in front of them.
"Lily, this chicken is so good, you gotta try it!" Marlene said between mouthfuls.
"I think I'll pass." Lily replied with a smile.
As she sat down an owl landed in front of her. Lily took the letter from the owl and gave it some carrot sticks from the table to eat. The owl took them gladly, then flew off swiftly. She opened the letter with no hesitation, expecting it to be a Christmas card from her parents or something. Her eyes scanned the letter quickly. Her face grew grim and the loud chatter suddenly muted. She folded up the note, put it in her pocket and ran out of the hall.
Lily sat huddled in the snow just outside the castle, tears running down too fast to catch any. She could hear footsteps behind her and attempted to wipe the tears from her face.
"You alright Evans?" Came a familiar voice.
"Leave me alone Potter." Lily replied coldly.
James stepped closer and sat down next to her, "I saw you run out, I wanted to see what's up. It's also not like Lily Evans to be upset over something."
"It's nothing." Lily sniffed.
"Don't worry, you can tell me." James reassured.
Lily looked up at him, his face showing nothing but sympathy. He looked at her a way she had never seen. The cocky, self confident potter was no where to be found.
"It's my parents, they were involved in a car crash and...died." Lily said between tears.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Lily." He said, putting an arm around her shoulders. It alarmed her briefly, but the warmth radiating from him allowed her to melt into his embrace.
"Thanks for coming out for me, I think I'd freeze to death if you weren't here." Lily mumbled.
"No problem, I'd do anything for you." James replied.
Lily looked up at him and gave him a small smile. James gently placed his hand on her cheek and wiped away the tears.
"I think we should head inside or we'll get hypothermia. And I don't want to miss out on the food, I'm sure Sirius has already cleared half the table." James joked.
"Just on more thing." Lily said calmly.
James looked at her in surprise as she rose up to meet his face, then gently pressed her lips to his. At first it took him by surprise, but it didn't take him long to ease into it. She pulled out of the kiss, breathless and blushing. Both of them smiled at each other. It didn't matter if they didn't go inside or not, the flame of their love for each other was enough to keep them warm.
note: initially this was going to be a oneshot, have decided to extend this story. i have not yet completed future chapters, but please keep a lookout and read it when it comes out. thank you all for reading it and i hope you enjoyed it!