Written for Romance Awareness Month at Hogwarts (Day 27)- Hot/cold game- Colors get brighter around your soulmate. Prompts: (Event) Surprise Party, (Dialogue) "You could always come home with us." (5 bonus points)

Word Count: 969

...cCc...

Grey.

A dull, lifeless color.

The colors of clouds on a rainy day, of his lint-covered hoodie.

The only color that James could see was grey and it drained the flavor out of life. It was dispiriting and dismal.

All of James's friends had learned to see color, all except for him. Sirius had discovered color when he'd met Remus and Peter with a girl named Lola.

All of his friends were in relationships and happy. James was pleased for them, but he desperately wanted to see color.

Color was rich and inviting, a taste of what the world had to offer. It was alluring in the sense that a world full of color would benefit him much.

So when Remus invited him to a surprise birthday party for his coworker, James snatched the opportunity. Maybe he would meet his soulmate!

They conspired for weeks, poring over magazines and party planning guides.

From this, James presumed that this coworker was dear to Remus.

After much deliberation, they decided to hold the party at her parents' home so her relatives could visit.

They planned to decorate the house while she was at work. Her parents would drive around and gather the supplies as they needed them.

James learned that this girl's name was Lily. A pretty name, and according to Remus (much to Sirius's unfounded jealousy) she was a wonderful human being.

James undoubtedly was eager to meet her. Maybe she would be his soulmate!

Finally, January 30th dawned, bright and clear. The weather was fair, perfect for a party.

Of course, unsuspecting Lily went to work with a grouchy expression on her face, unhappy with her boss for making her work on her birthday.

But really her boss was in on the surprise party plan and made sure Lily was scheduled to work on her birthday for most of the day.

...cCc...

Lily dragged herself out of her workplace, exhausted. Remus was accompanying her out and kept patting her back sympathetically.

"I'm so glad this day is over. Today was grueling. I just want to go home and open a bottle of wine."

And my world is still grey, she thought mentally.

Remus just nodded, his face impassive. Yes, you'll get to do that.

They trudged to Remus's car and drove in silence.

After a few minutes, Lily noticed that Remus was heading in a completely different direction than her flat.

"Hey, Remus," said Lily cautiously, "my flat is that way."

She jerked her thumb behind her. Remus just smiled mysteriously.

"Trust me," was all he said.

They sat in absolute silence after that.

When they were coasting along Wisteria Street, Lily realized where what route Remus was taking and where the destination was.

Remus pulled up to modern-style house—Lily's parents' house.

Lily was surprised—what were they doing at her parents' house? And did Remus know the way?

She shot a questioning look at her friend, but wordlessly Remus got out of the car and opened the door for Lily.

While she was sliding out, she asked, "Remus? What're we doing here?"

The house matched the expression on her friend's face; indifferent and mysterious.

"Come." He beckoned her and ascended the brick steps.

He rang the doorbell and then when no one answered, he pushed it open and...

...cCc...

James gasped as he was overwhelmed by color.

Finally.

He gaped at the girl standing in the doorway. He barely registered the ensuing shouts of "Surprise!"

He could see color. His soulmate was here.

She's beautiful.

Red. Green. Blue. Never before had he seen something so vivid and fascinating.

He tugged on Sirius's arm. "Sirius!" he hissed elatedly, "I can see color! The girl—she's my soulmate!"

Sirius's mouth fell open. "You mean—

"I've finally found her! It's her! Remus's coworker Lily!"

He was infinitely relieved he wasn't gay. Not that he had a problem with it, but she

Without letting Sirius speak, he darted into the crowd.

He immediately noticed the colors around become more vibrant as he neared the redheaded girl. With a gasp, he pushed through the last set of well! wishers and skidded to a halt.

Lily looked up as dark-haired, bespectacled boy barreled into her, sending them both to the ground.

Somehow, the boy sustained the brunt of the collision, grunting heavily in her ear. His heavenly scent encased her in a cocoon of cinnamon and honey.

She found herself lying on top of him. The silence around them was deafening.

The boy broke the silence. "Hello," he said shyly.

And Lily gasped.

Color crashed into her like a tsunami. She could see the browns and greens and goldens of the boy's mesmerizing eyes.

"Is everything all right?" the boy asked in concern, and blushed as he realized he was still under her and her face was dangerously close to his.

"N-Nothing, e-everything's fine, " she stammered, her face reddening to match her hair.

"Good." His breath warmed her ear.

She flushed as she saw how close he was to her. Rolling off of him, she stood and offered her hand to him. He took it and stood up.

"Thanks," he said warmly, before unexpectedly wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"So you're my soulmate, huh? Do you see color too?"

She nodded shakily.

"Good." He leaned down. "I'm glad we both can, because I can see exactly how gorgeous you are."

Her cheeks were tinged with an adorable hue of pink.

"All right, show's over!" called Sirius, pushing his way through the crowd. "Go back to partying!"

He strode over to James and Lily as the crowd dispersed, clapping his friend on the back.

"Soulmates?" He grinned when James nodded.

"You could always come home with us," Sirius suggested slyly. "I'm sure you have a lot of things to catch up on."

"Sirius!"