A/N: I... I don't have anything else to say other then I'm sorry. I feel like a horrible person for not updating. I don't deserve any of your love.
I could very easily get used to waking up with Lily Evans next to me. As the sun streams in through the window, setting her hair aflame, she smiles in her sleep and curls into my chest. Our breathing matches perfectly. She looks so delicate, so fragile-but I know she's anything but. Underneath that good-girl shell, a strong, independent woman resides, only revealing herself to a lucky few. I can't believe I'm that lucky.
Making sure not to disturb her, I slip out of my bed and through the house to the kitchens, hoping to surprise her with some breakfast. Sirius is passed out on the couch in the living room, snoring loudly, and I make a mental note to also have Kimmy make him enough breakfast, too-as a mean of thanks for not awkwardly being there with me and Lily. Because awkward would not even begin to describe that scenario.
We all eat more than our fair share, and Sirius departs after breakfast to visit Remus and Peter (and by that I mean gossip about Lily spending the night at my house). Lily and I manage to find a good use of our time, of course, and in the middle of yet another abso-bloody-lutely brilliant kiss, Mum walks into the room. Just walks in, noticing our snogging forms. And Lily in my clothes.
Awkwardly, it hadn't been the first time my mother had walked in on me snogging a girl, and that's not including the time Lily had been in my room a while ago after dinner. Still, it's never exactly fun to have your mum ruin the moment, especially since I was about three inches away from second base. But that hadn't been the worst moment ever interrupted.
I remember when I dated Amanda Hartridge, she was over during the Christmas holidays for an afternoon. Her shirt had been off, mine was close to that point, and we were kissing each other as if we were about to die. While Amanda was not a very good person to engage in conversation with, as she was boring and not very funny, she was an excellent kisser. Well, I was too, as we had both gotten quite a bit of action with other people before we started dating.
Anyway, in the very midst of our heated lip-lock, my mum walks right in without knocking, calling, or acknowledging the fact that she was just outside my door.
Neither of my parents knew that Amanda was over, so Mum was quite surprised. She did very well at concealing her emotions, though, and even invited Amanda to stay for dinner. She declined and left as soon as her shirt was back on.
Anyway, it isn't until I hear Mum's voice do I snap out of the moment, jumping apart from Lily when she says, "So I take it you had an okay night without us?" Lily and I probably look like a deer caught in headlights, glancing from each other back to my mum. The latter of which glances into the hall behind her and says, "Your father is in the yard, James, and I suggest you wish your friend farewell before he comes inside."
"Right," I say, understanding what she means instantly. "Erm...come on, Lily. I think your stuff's in my room." We awkwardly shuffle past her and quickly walk through the house, luckily not being intercepted by my father. While my mom usually does not feel so bothered by my romantic relationships, my dad tends to go bonkers whenever I have a female in his house without his prior knowledge. He doesn't even like it if I give him a warning beforehand.
When we get to my room, Lily shuts the door and turns to me, confused. "My dad doesn't like me having girls in the house. My mum doesn't really mind too much, but you should still probably go to your own house as soon as possible. Mum can only delay him for a short amount of time."
"Oh. Well, okay. I can just Apparate to my house from your room. Do you want your clothes back, or...?" She motions to the garments that she's wearing and I think for a moment: Lily Evans. In my clothes. Holy shit.
"You can just keep them or give them back later, I wouldn't mind either way. I think yours are..."
"Over here," she says softly, walking over to the pile of definitely-feminine clothing on my floor. She picks it up and turns back to me, a half-smile playing on her face. "I'll talk to you later?" Lily asks.
"Yes. Definitely," I answer quickly. I stride over to her position and quickly kiss her on the lips, grasping her hand in mine. "I'll talk to you later."
Then, with a sudden pop, Lily is gone.
Later that day, my dad is busy at work in his study. And when he's in his study, there is not disturbing him. Not unless you want to be hexed into next week. I go into the living room, where Mum is sitting idly, probably considering redecorating options. I hesitate talking to her, but I know I'm not going to have an option in the end.
"Hi, Mum," I say awkwardly. She turns to me and smiles.
"Hello, James. Care to sit?" I do. We sit in uncomfortable silence for a moment before she breaks it. "So I'm going to assume that you and Lily aren't just friends anymore, right?" I sigh and nod. "But what about the student-teacher rule at the camp?" Another sigh.
"We just...couldn't help it. It all just...happened."
"I think I understand." I expect her to say more after that, but I'm kind of thankful when she doesn't. Just as I'm about to stand and leave, her voice stops me. "In no way do I really approve of what you two are doing, but I'd be lying if I said I disapprove. I just want you to be careful. Don't screw anything up for either of you." I nod, grateful for her semi-approval.
"You didn't tell Dad, did you?" She chuckles once.
"No, I didn't."
"Aw, thank you, Mu-"
"Because I'm going to let you do that instead." Not the answer I was expecting. I don't even respond, just sit dumbfounded at what she said. "How about you invite her over for dinner tonight? Introduce her to me-and your father-as your girlfriend. And maybe once you get a chance, tell Dad that technically you are not allowed to be dating. I'm sure he'll feel a little better knowing. And it's not like he would tell on you or anything."
I still don't speak.
"James, honey?"
"But Mum, I can't-"
"James." That shuts me up. When my mum takes that kind of tone with me (or anybody, really)...I think enough has been said.
I don't mean to sound like a total bastard or anything, but I kind of hate my dad. I've never been his biggest fan and always wondered how someone as down-to-earth and loving as my mum ended up with him. He's a jerk, is what he is. He's never around to care for his wife and son. When Sirius moved in last summer, it took him three weeks to notice. He's the only one who treats Kimmy even the slightest bit poorly, although technically he treats her how a normal pureblood wizard would treat his house elf. But the Potter family isn't very normal.
That, and what really irks me is the fact that no matter what I do, nothing is ever good enough for him. Quidditch captain? I have to coach a summer camp, too. Top marks? Then why am I not a prefect? These sort of conversations take place quite often in our household.
But I still have to confront him, tell him Lily-my girlfriend I should not be in a relationship with-is coming to dinner tonight. Can't bloody wait.
For some ultimately bizarre reason, my dad actually agrees to let my girlfriend come over for dinner. I don't really tell him about the fact that she's my student, but I guess I could tell him later. And by I guess I could, I mean I would much rather.
Now I have to somehow convince Lily to come to dinner. And meet my parents. Kill me now.
I reason with myself that there is only one way to properly do this: I Apparate to Lily's house quickly and climb up on her roof to her window. I look in to see if she's there, and sure enough, she sits on the floor...playing a guitar. I had no idea she played any musical instrument at all, and I thought I knew her so well. But she still finds these ways to surprise me.
I get closer to the glass, trying not to be seen, and listen very quietly. The music she plays and the song she sings is just loud enough for me to make it out.
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly," she sings. I am mesmerized by her voice, even though I've never heard the song before. Must be a Muggle song. "All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free." When she finishes that line, I forget rationality or listening to her sing anymore and open the window with a flick of my wand, causing her to scream.
'You're really quite good, love," I say casually, even though she fixes me with a terrified yet deadly glare. Her breathing is heavy and her eyes wide, but she doesn't say anything. "You never told me you play guitar. Or sing."
"You scared the shit out of me. Can you please give me a warning before you randomly crawl into my window?" Lily interrupts, obviously avoiding my previous comment.
"Just like the warning you gave me about your musical talent," I counter with a smirk.
"Yeah, well...it's kind of a secret..." She looks at her guitar solemnly, running her fingers over the smooth wood and the tight strings.
"Well...you don't have to keep any secrets from me..." I say quietly. She smiles.
"I know I don't. It's just always been something I've kept inside of me. I'm not used to telling people…even people who mean what you to do me." When she says this, I smile to myself…but I can't resist asking…
"Did you ever tell Timothy Brennigan about…you know?" She rolls her eyes, a gesture that I have come to love even though I used to hate it.
"No. I didn't. And to be perfectly honest, I didn't plan on telling you either, until you spontaneously burst into my bedroom unannounced. The reason for which I still don't know," she says, inviting for me to explain myself.
"I was wondering if you wanted to…to come to dinner. At my house tonight. With my family. And you would come as my girlfriend." She doesn't respond for a moment, but I understand the unspoken message in her silence. Meeting each other's parents as girlfriend and boyfriend would be a big step for the both of us, and it would be just another risk factor in our illicit relationship.
"Okay," she finally murmurs. "About what time should I come to your house?"
"Seven o'clock, maybe?" She nods, and we both awkwardly stand in the same places for a moment before I turn to leave out the window.
"James," she calls behind me. Just as I turn, she is right beside me, placing a kiss upon my cheek and trailing her fingers down my arm, thus sending jolts of electricity where she touched me. "See you later."
"See you later, love."
Dinner itself is…well, just plain awkward really. My dad is surprised to find out that she's in the class I teach, and I can tell by his strained expression that he knows about the student-teacher relationship rule but kindly does not say anything. The conversation at the dinner table mostly revolves around school, Lily's hopes of becoming an Auror, and her life before Hogwarts.
"So, tell me Lily," my dad says. "What blood status are you?" Lily pauses, glancing at me, before slowly saying, "I'm a Muggle-born, sir."
My dad looks perplexed for a moment before slowly nodding. "Interesting." He doesn't say anything else for a while, but my mom kindly starts talking to Lily about the new house decorations. The way my dad said, "interesting" though...like it was and wasn't actually interesting. Like he didn't like the amount of interestingness it possessed. Like he didn't approve.
I might've mentioned this before, or maybe one could've inferred it, but I frankly don't give a shit about what my father does or does not approve of.
The rest of the meal is uneventful-conversation is polite yet dull, the food is delicious yet unimaginative, my parents are calm yet awkward. I feel like this basically describes my life as a whole, which is pretty damn disappointing.
Then after dinner, my mom shows Lily the photo of her and dad's wedding. I was obsessed with looking through it as a kid, being fascinated by a time when my parents were young and I wasn't in their life. When they were as in love as I'd like to think me and Lily are-sure, they still love each other, but I feel as if the chemistry has faded. Now they're just two people living their lives together, not questioning what has already been said and done.
Before I know it, I'm escorting Lily out to my front porch, from which she'll Apparate home.
"I had a lovely evening, James," she says, and I snort.
"I'm sure you're just saying that to be polite. But I appreciate you saying that all the same." She smiles-a small one, but I'm instantly happier just at the sight of it.
I reach out and touch her cheek, and her smile becomes wider. I lean in and touch my lips to hers, deepening the kiss as we continue to embrace. Merlin, I could just stay like that forever. Unfortunately, forever is shortened when my dad opens the front door, causing Lily and I to jump apart. My hand flies to my hair instinctively, but I remember how much that irks both my father and my girlfriend.
"Thank you for dinner, James, Mr. Potter," Lily says courteously. "I'll see you tomorrow, James." She smiles at me and Apparates away, leaving me in the midst of an extremely awkward situation.
"Come inside, James," Dad says, nodding to the interior of the house. "There's something I'd like to talk with you about."
A/N: I'm not even going to ask you to review because I feel so awful for not updating in two weeks. Two Weeks. I'm sorry, I really am. Life gets in the way though.