"You know how to contact Ro - Andromeda, don't you?" Lily sat down next to Sirius, for once finding him apart from his friends.
"Lily, what a pleasant surprise! May I pass on James' compliment that you look simply radiant today?" Sirius smirked. A trait all the purebloods seem to share. Lily mused.
"Cut the crap, Sirius." The boy's dark eyebrows rose so high they disappeared under his messy hair. "I saw you receive a letter this morning, with a woman's handwriting. It wasn't your parent's owl. Do you know where she is?"
"I'll have you know that there are simply hoards of women writing to me, Evans! Daily! Why would you care, anyway?"
"Because if you don't tell me, dear Sirius, the next time Potter and you are in the same room, I'll kiss you in front of him. Tell him that I can't bear to keep 'our little secret' any longer."
"Bloody hell, Evans! There's no way – you wouldn't!" Sirius looked as though he'd taken a bludger to the head. Lily stared him down.
"Dare me."
"How about, I tell you, you say 'yes' to James the next time he asks you out?" Lily groaned.
"… on one condition."
"Go on…"
"Narcissa. There's no reason you can't treat her like a human being. I heard the regret in your voice at the situation your aunt and uncle have put her in. Give her a way to contact Romi." Sirius frowned.
"Why d'you care what happens to the Pureblood Princess?" His tone was scathing.
"None of your damn business, Black."
"Oho, so it's 'Black' again now, is it? In that case, I withdraw my ever-so-generous offer." James Potter chose that moment to stride in to the Common Room, and cringing, Lily put her hand on Sirius's upper thigh.
"LILY!" Sirius jumped, trying to get away. "LILY. JAMES, WOULD YOU LOOK! LILY IS HERE. WAITING FOR YOU." His awkward cover-up somewhat ruined by the panicked expression on his face. Luckily, James was too busy staring at his red-haired dream girl to notice.
"Hey, Evans? Waiting for me? Guess you finally came to your senses!" Lily gave him a sarcastic smile.
"What, Potter? As you can see, I don't have time for you."
"Not right now, or so you say. But what about Saturday? You, me, dinner for two in Hogsmeade?" He flashed his winning smile. Sirius gave her a quick nod, and picked up a scrap of parchment and a quill.
" … fine."
"Fine?"
"Yes, I agree, thank you, and so on and so forth!" Lily snapped. "Stop staring at me like a goldfish, Potter."
"Alright mate, I think you'd best come for a stroll. Bit of Quidditch practise never hurts." Sirius dragged his stunned friend out of the Common Room, leaving behind a barely legible note.
22 Bagshot Way, Godric's Hollow. Care of 'Romi da Nera.' Andromeda wasn't known for her brains.
"Narcissa, you're really improving." Lily's voice was warm as she watched the other girl conjure a flock of sparrows as golden as her hair.
"I know. My tutor must be working wonders on me these last few months." The two girls were sitting on a desk in the otherwise empty Charms classroom.
"Your charms tutor has something for you." Smiling, she pulled a slip of parchment from her heavy Charms book, and handed it over. Narcissa glanced at it, and immediately pulled Lily in to a tight hug, almost knocking both of them off their perch.
"How ever did you – oh, I don't even care how – Lily, this means so much to me!" Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "This is Sirius's handwriting?" she added curiously.
"Yeah. On that note, I have something less happy to tell you." Lily scrunched up her nose in distaste. "I had to agree to dinner with James, or Sirius wouldn't budge."
"Oh."
"Hogsmeade. Saturday night. I am quite sure it will be the most trying night of my entire night."
"Must you go?" Narcissa's voice was no longer happy.
"I think I'd better. I don't really want to be on the receiving end of Sirius's pranks for the next year."
"True. I am so glad you found this for me." Narcissa snuggled up as much as their awkward seating would allow. "I just – I wish that I could take you to tea. We aways have to hide. I can't even hold your hand in public…" she trailed off sadly.
"I know, dear one." Lily kissed her lightly on the temple. "I think you and I are going to have to talk about that – not now, but soon." She linked her fingers with Narcissa's. Overhead, the little sparrows suddenly swooped towards the door, cheeping loudly. Warned, the two girls resumed the appearance of practising spells, not a moment too soon before Professor Flitwick shuffled through the door.
"Still practising, girls?" He said squeakily. "Miss Black, I have seen a remarkable improvement in your Charms work recently. Miss Evans, you seem to have the makings of a fine teacher!"
"Thank you, Professor." Both girls replied in unison.
"So, Evans..." James strode beside her on the road down to Hogsmeade. "May I call you Lily?" He continued abruptly.
"Sure, Potter. I mean, James."
"Lily. You have a beautiful name." He smiled, and Lily was amused to see his normal cocky attitude had been quenched. "Is the Three Broomsticks okay by you?"
"Sure, it's fine." Lily walked briskly beside James' loping gait, wistfully longing to see Narcissa's slim form beside her.
"Okay then." Another awkward lull followed.
"Good work on the last Quidditch game." Lily chipped in, feeling sorry for the boy. Black kept his end of our bargain, I can at least be pleasant to Potter. No point torturing him.
"Thanks. The whole game came together when Sirius did that rolling dive..." James started another quidditch spiel, to which Lily nodded and "ah'd" at all the correct points. Soon they were being seated by the barmaid, and ordered their meals. At least Potter didn't try to order me a salad, Lily chuckled to herself, trying her potatoes.
Laughing, some time later Lily and Potter tumbled out of the Three Broomsticks, chattering away like old friends. Lily felt a ball of anguish in her chest growing larger every minute. James really isn't so bad, once he's on his own. Far less of a show-off. It's obvious he fancies me. I don't want to lead him on! But do I really have anything with Narcissa that can last? Oh, I wish she was here. James seems pleasant enough. I suppose I'll have to settle for a man, one day...
"Lily? What are you thinking? You seem a million miles away?" Lily snapped back to attention and met the eyes of the inquisitive boy.
"Oh, nothing. You know, girlish things." James raised an eyebrow.
"How handsome I look tonight? Isn't that what you birds usually gossip about?"
"Birds? Merlin, you are SO conceited."
"Hey, Lily, that hurts me deeply." James laughed, belying his tone. "I can't help it if you're the most beautiful girl I've ever met." His voice went hoarse on the last few words. Lily hid a smile behind her hand, blushing despite herself. "Not to mention intelligent, clever, and yes, even fun." He reached over and moved her hand, holding on to it.
"James!" Lily squeaked.
"Can you really say I'm so bad, Lily? Honestly? Look at me." Lily made the mistake of meeting his blue eyes, which were unfortunately sincere and affectionate. "Are you not enjoying tonight?"
I guess James isn't so terrible.
"It's been fun, James. You've been different. More settled."
He's still holding my hand.
"So next week, then?"
Oh, what do I say? What will Narcissa say? What do I want?
"I really fancy you, Lily. Please say yes." Lily shivered at the entreating look in his eyes. "You're cold!" He exclaimed. "Here." James gently pulled her close, wrapping his coat around her. Lily craned her head up to look at him. She noticed his masculine scent. I want Narcissa. But James wants me, and ...
Warm lips pressed against her own, James encircling her with one arm and pulling her close. What do I do? What do girls who fancy boys do, you idiot? Kiss him before he notices! Her panic going unnoticed, Lily was let off the hook by James, who pulled away. They started walking, Hogwarts looming up ahead.
"I'm sorry." He muttered softly. "I shouldn't have..."
Narcissa's mouth is so much smaller. Matched with mine. I could feel his five o'clock shadow. He's so much taller. James kissed me. He's pleasant to look at, not a complete bastard, and so many girls would kill to be kissing him in the moonlight. I don't feel anything. Lily's mind was scrambled.
"Lily, your staring is starting to become creepy."
Can I kiss him? What am I going to do? What do I say? Does this mean I'll never openly have a home, a family, a relationship? Narcissa and I will always be in the shadows. Is it for the best? Narcissa is engaged. Maybe I could be content with James.
"I'm sorry, James. That was... unexpected. I need to think." She squeezed his hand, and then let it go. She could see James take a deep breath, and when he spoke his voice was shaky.
"If that's what you want. I might head to the kitchens before curfew." He ran a hand through his messy hair, giving her an attempt at his normally confident smile. "I won't forget tonight. Thanks, Lily. Next time I'll just have to do a better job of sweeping you off your feet!"
"I can't believe you let him kiss you!" Narcissa's blue eyes were furious and tearful. Lily wrapped her arms around her girlfriend.
"I'm sorry, Narcissa. It wasn't as though I liked it! I – I didn't know what to do, it all happened so quickly." Narcissa sniffed.
"Bad enough I have to be close to Lucius when he visits, but I can't lose you, too."
"You're not losing me." Lily kissed her cheek. "You're engaged, and it breaks my heart every day to know that some boy has a claim to you that I can never make."
"I hate it! Lucius treats me well, but I don't want Lucius." Narcissa's sobs racked her small body, and Lily held her until she quietened. "I don't know what to say to you, Lily."
"Why?"
"Because it hurts so much to think of you making a life with James, even if he loves you."
"I won't love him. You don't love Lucius. I'm not even sure I could be with someone I can't love."
"But I'll marry Lucius. I don't have a choice. So where does that leave us?"
"You really have to marry him? Run away with me." Lily sighed. "I say that, and I know it's not so simple. We've already had too many close calls, Narcissa. Maybe it's best if I date James, for now. I don't like the idea, but I've seen the way people look at us, even when we just say hello in passing."
"I'm in love with you." The tearful words stilled Lily's heart. "I'd go anywhere if only we could be together."
"I love you, too." Narcissa shifted to face her girlfriend, kissing her gently.
"... I wrote to Romi about us. She replied, but I've been too scared to open it." She summoned the letter from her bag.
"Narcissa! You silly thing. From what you've told me about Andromeda, she'll always love you."
With trembling hands, Narcissa broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
My dear little sister,
It's lovely to hear from you – our cousin wrote saying he gave you my contact details, the mischievous lad! For safety's sake I won't mention any names. That said, your letter worries me deeply.
I know how much your engagement has concerned you. It might surprise you, but I already knew that your affections did not take towards men. Don't fret, I am sure the rest of the family (for I will no longer say 'mine') are too obtuse to notice.
Remember: I will always love you, regardless of whom you fall in love with.
However, I must urge you to take the utmost caution regarding your engagement. Mother and Father won't let you break it off lightly, nor will the other Family. I beg you, do not let anyone know of your relationship unless you are completely certain she is the one you wish to be with for the rest of your life. I know this sounds harsh, but once you take that step there is no going back. You'll be running from Aurors forever. If you are caught, and escape sentencing to Azkaban, you'll forced to marry the worst sort of man. Be wary, be careful, and be safe.
I don't say this to hurt you. I may have run off with a "mudblood," as our charming parents would say, but that is not considered illegal in Wizarding society, just amongst purebloods. Your girlfriend may be unaware, but you know our laws. Is this girl really worth risking your life? If she is, then I am very happy for you, and wish you both well.
If you need me, I am here for you. My husband and I will always support you, and the young lady you've fallen in love with. Just please, please, be careful.
Love,
Your happily-married sister.
"Narcissa? I'll leave you with your letter. I love you." With a light kiss on the cheek, Lily rose and walked off into the night.