Sometimes James and Lily would just sit together in the Owlery for hours on end. They'd talk a lot, swap stories and tales, they'd laugh and occasionally snog. Though, the latter was more likely to happen a lot more often outside the walls of that foul smelling room. They put up with the ammonia fumed place because it was one of the only places one could escape to for peace and silence without leaving the school grounds, something Lily was not a fan of.
"Do you know what's inspiring?" James said one night.
"What is?" Lily replied.
"Sirius and Remus' relationship,"
Lily agreed with the seventh year boy. Sure, their relationship was very inspiring; they'd managed to stay together for some two years despite being the only couple like themselves within a hundred mile radius. This made them target to frequent bullying, snide comments and condescending and bluntly homophobic remarks.
"Despite not being able to shag or anything, they're still happy as."
Lily looked surprised. "They can do that stuff, James."
James looked surprised. "But they're both guys. They lack the essential body parts required for intercourse."
Lily rolled her eyes. He'd known of Sirius and Remus being together for almost a year, had he really thought that they couldn't do all of that jazz? She fumbled around in her robe pockets before presenting James with a dog-eared pamphlet.
"What's is?" James tossed the paper between his hands nervously. He had read the title and was a bit terrified for what he was about to find inside.
"Explains how guy and guy sex works. Is that the best way to say it?" She asked herself. "Gay sex." She corrected.
"Why the hell is it so… aged?" James was a bit horrified as to under what circumstances Lily obtained this.
"It's the same one I gave to them when they needed help in that field. I picked it up at my local doctor's surgery." Lily said fondly. "I didn't throw it out because someone may need it again one day and I don't want to have to pick another one up, it was embarrassing enough the first time."
James, feeling satisfied enough with this excuse, began to read.
"Why does it say that homosexuality a mental illness?" James asked. "It's not, is it?"
Lily took a deep breath and tried not to let herself get annoyed at James. "Do they look like they're mentally ill?"
"No."
"There's your answer." Lily nodded.
A few minutes later James had finished reading. He looked pale as he passed the few pieces of yellowed paper back to Lily.
"I never kne- Who firs- I had no idea they did that." James tried to collect himself.