Sonder

by samisafan

Sonder — noun. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. After a turbulent and eventful summer, Lily Evans is determined to make her sixth year at Hogwarts as drama-free as possible. Part of that plan? Befriending James Potter—if only to make things between them a little less complicated. James, however, has plans of his own.

1. Chapter 1: The Kiss

Author's Note: Hello! and welcome to this story I wrote (originally) when I was fifteen (a LONG time ago) and have now revisited and finally decided to publish only about fifteen years later. The question I tried to answer through this story is simple. How in the world did Lily come around to liking James? What happened in between her fallout with Severus Snape and getting together with James in their seventh year? Well, this is how I imagined it would have happened.

P.S. I have written 12 chapters so far but will be publishing on a weekly basis. :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this characters (obviously).

---

Chapter 1: The Kiss

"My doe, my dear, my darling…tell me what all this sighing is about."

James Potter was barely seventeen when he faced death. The first time.

The attack itself was over in an instant—a spell cast, a flash of green light, and his name shouted into the air. Or maybe he'd imagine that last part.

He'd always said that when he died, it would be for something significant. Something heroic. He liked to think he'd be remembered for it. At least, he hoped so.

This moment seemed to count.

If he'd had more time, maybe he would have mourned the brevity of his life. But there wasn't time.

He'd heard stories of a person's life flashing before their eyes at the brink of death. Instead, all he saw were faces—so many faces.

And then hers.

At seventeen, she was, perhaps, his only regret.

---

It is a universally accepted truth that every first of September, young witches and wizards destined for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry must board the Hogwarts Express. Equally inevitable is that, on a train brimming with adolescents embarking on fresh starts, the air will be filled with chatter, misunderstandings, uncertainty, laughter, and all the tangled threads that make their relationships so wonderfully complex.

Lily Evans, sixteen, and having just endured one of the most transformative summers of her life, was determined to keep her sixth year as drama-free as humanly—or magically—possible.

"What does that even mean?" Dorcas Meadows asked, her dark eyes casual with skepticism.

"It means," Lily said with a huff, crossing her arms, "that I'm avoiding unnecessary fights, staying out of other people's messes, and steering clear of Severus. Just studying and enjoying all the wonderful things Hogwarts has to offer."

Mary Macdonald snorted as she adjusted her tie. "That sounds incredibly boring."

"It's not boring," Lily shot back. "It's absolutely necessary."

And it was. Last year had been a whirlwind of fights, tears, stupid boys, and one heartbreak too many. The stress had nearly undone her. Well, perhaps she was being a bit dramatic, but still. This year was going to be different.

"But how are you supposed to survive as a sixteen-year-old girl without any drama?" Mary teased, arching an eyebrow. "What about boys?"

"Thanks for the reminder, Mary," Lily said with exaggerated sweetness. "No boys either."

"No boys?" Mary gaped as though Lily had announced she was dropping out of school.

Dorcas, lounging lazily against the window, smirked. "I think it's a solid plan, honestly. Boys are overrated."

Mary scowled at her. "Don't listen to her, Lily. Not everyone can be stoic and heartless and still somehow have found the perfect boyfriend. Some of us believe in love, you know."

Before Lily could intervene to explain that she wasn't giving up on love but that she figured that would come naturally later in life, the compartment door burst open, and a flustered Marlene McKinnon stumbled inside, her blonde hair a mess and her uniform hastily thrown on.

"What are we talking about?" she asked, flashing them a sheepish grin as she collapsed into the seat beside Lily.

Mary and Lily exchanged looks when Dorcas asked, "Where have you been?"

"Oh, you know…" Marlene waved her hand dismissively, though her face flushed. She kept looking through the compartment window. "Changing and stuff. Anyway, what's the topic?

Before anyone could actually answer, Marlene barreled on, "Wait, did you hear that?" With a start, she shot to her feet. "I…forgot something. Be right back!" And before they could question her further, she was gone.

Dorcas sighed and grabbed a magazine from her bag. "Loony, that one."

The door swung open again moments later, but this time it was Kingsley Shacklebolt, tall, handsome, and as effortlessly put-together as ever.

"Hello," he greeted with a dazzling smile.

"Kingsley!" Mary beamed.

"Hi, Kings," Lily added with a smile.

But Kingsley's attention was solely on Dorcas, his girlfriend of what felt like forever. He crossed the compartment in a few strides and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Dorcas gave him a dry look but didn't move away. "What are you doing here?"

"Just saying hello before the prefects' meeting," he said smoothly. "Thought I'd check on you."

"Dorcas said that it would be brilliant for Lily to forget about boys and dating this year."

Kingsley laughed. It occurred to Lily that, at least on paper, he really was the perfect boyfriend. The Ravenclaw's Quidditch captain was charming, very good looking, incredibly smart and talented…not to mention Head Boy this year. And, perhaps making him even more desirable among the Hogwarts female population, entirely unavailable.

"I just meant," Dorcas rolled her eyes. "That dating can be overrated. If Lily wants to focus on her studies, then I applaud it."

"Overrated?" Kingsley asked, his brow 'd been dating Dorcas since their fourth year and must have found this as a personal attack. They were the perfect couple. So perfect, that Lily always wondered why Dorcas had been placed in Gryffindor and not Ravenclaw.

"Not talking about us, Shacklebolt." She shot him a grin, which seemed to suffice.

The Head Boy turned to Lily. "Want to head to the meeting together?"

Lily noticed the flicker in Dorcas' eyes—a brief, subtle shadow. And she understood. Despite Dorcas' better grades, sharper mind, and endless extracurriculars, it was Lily who'd been chosen as prefect. Again. Dorcas never said anything about it. She wasn't one to complain. But Lily could feel it.

"Of course," Lily smiled, gathering her things and glancing back. "I'll see you at the banquet."

"See you, Lily!"

Lily followed Kingsley out of the compartment, weaving through the bustling train. The chatter of students filled the corridors, excitement for the new year buzzing like a tangible energy. When they reached the conference room, Lily slipped into a seat, scanning the growing group of prefects gathering around the table.

Severus was already there, unsurprisingly, surrounded by other Slytherin prefects but choosing a book over idly conversation. His dark gaze didn't even flicker in Lily's direction, which she counted as a small mercy.

The room steadily filled as pairs of prefects arrived—fifth, sixth, and seventh years from every house—along with the Head Boy, Kingsley, and Head Girl, Hestia Jones, both Ravenclaws. Hestia, as calm and composed as always, stood at the front, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Then, Remus Lupin walked in. He spotted Lily and made his way toward her with a smile.

"Ready for another year of corralling mischief-makers?" he asked lightly, sitting beside her.

"Only if you are," Lily replied, smiling back.

Last year, she'd been apprehensive about working with him, questioning Dumbledore's choices and bracing herself for pranks and chaos from yet another Marauder. But Remus had surprised her. He was thoughtful, kind, and far more grounded than his friends. She'd grown to enjoy working with him, even counting him as a friend.

Her smile faltered when she noticed who followed him into the room.

James Potter.

She hadn't seen him since the wedding late that summer, and, despite herself, she had often wondered how their first meeting this year would go. As always, he looked effortlessly disheveled—glasses slightly askew, hair sticking up in every direction. Though that familiar cocky grin was nowhere to be found, his presence still managed to send a flutter of nerves straight to her stomach.

Lily braced herself, dreading what might happen. Would he try to flirt with her? Make some ridiculous comment about the wedding? She imagined all the ways he might use the moment to embarrass her, especially with Severus in the room.

But James simply glanced around, his gaze briefly passing over her without stopping.

"He's not here either," he said casually, clapping Remus on the shoulder. "I'll see if he's back with Pete."

And then he was gone.

Lily blinked, caught off guard. No cheeky remark. No greeting. He hadn't even seemed to notice her.

"Had a good summer?" Remus asked, drawing her attention back.

"Huh? Oh, yeah… it was fine," she said quickly. "Yours?"

"Good, thanks," he replied with a nod.

Lily tried to focus on the meeting as Hestia called it to order, but her thoughts kept drifting. She had prepared herself for many things, but being ignored by James Potter was not one of them. Though it's not like it was a bad thing. Same time last year she would have begged to be out of his radar. Maybe he'd finally gotten over whatever interest he'd had with her.

The thought was oddly unsettling. But if it meant a drama-free year, she'd take it. No boys obviously meant no James Potter either.

---

After helping guide the first years to Hagrid and handling her prefect duties before the banquet, Lily hurried to the Great Hall to meet the others. She'd managed to leave before Severus could catch up with her. He'd tried to speak with her after the prefect meeting, his determination unshaken despite her clear avoidance. All summer, she'd ignored his letters, reminding herself that one of the key elements to her drama-free year was keeping Severus at a distance. She knew this wouldn't be easy, but she was prepared to stick to it.

When she reached the Great Hall, Lily quickly found a seat beside Dorcas and Mary. The long Gryffindor table was already buzzing with excitement, filled with students catching up after the summer holiday. As she settled in, the sound of Sirius Black's signature barking laugh caught her attention. The Marauders sat at their usual spot, just towards the end of the table.

He was animatedly telling a story. Peter Pettigrew was hunched over, hanging on his every word, while Remus appeared to be listening, amused but occasionally rolling his eyes. And James was grinning as he pushed his glasses up his nose, adding his own commentary that made Sirius laugh even harder.

"Where's Marlene?" Mary's question pulled Lily back to the present.

She glanced around, realizing she hadn't seen Marlene since they'd left the train. "Good question."

"She's probably fine," Dorcas said with a shrug. "You know how she is—always rushing or late."

But the sorting ceremony wrapped up, and as the hall quieted, Dumbledore rose from his seat at the staff table. Marlene still hadn't arrived.

"Good evening, and welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore began, spreading his arms wide, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"To our first years: welcome. To our returning students: welcome back. May this year be filled with learning, laughter, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting—but not so much that I'm summoned to your detention."

"Not likely," Lily heard Sirius mutter, earning a few muffled laughs.

"Speaking of which," Dumbledore continued. "Mr. Filch has once again updated his list of banned items. It's now roughly the length of Hogwarts: A History. You'll find it outside his office, though I suggest reading something more cheerful." The students chuckled. "I'd also like to congratulate our new Head Boy and Head Girl—Kingsley Shacklebolt and Hestia Jones—who will keep you on the straight and narrow...or at least try."

There was a smattering of applause, and Dumbledore smiled warmly. "And now, with no further ado—tuck in!"

At once, the golden plates filled with food, and the hall erupted into cheerful chatter.

The doors to the Great Hall finally swung open with a dramatic flair, and in marched Marlene McKinnon, looking more frazzled than usual. She hurried down the aisle, dodging a few excited first years and a gaggle of giggling Hufflepuffs, before sliding into the seat beside Lily.

The girls immediately noticed her rosy cheeks—well, more like an entire shade of beetroot—and the unmistakable air of frustration.

Lily leaned in, eyebrows raised. "What happened?"

Marlene gave a forced smile. "Nothing," she said quickly. "Just had to take care of something. That's all."

Dorcas sniffed the air. "What is that smell?"

"Well, I had a bit of an... accident with a perfume bottle." Marlene waved a hand dismissively, but her face twitched with the effort.

"Did you dive into one?"

Marlene rolled her eyes, grabbing a goblet of pumpkin juice with a flourish and taking a gulp. "Can we talk about literally anything else? Please."

Lily and Dorcas exchanged glances but let it go, though Lily made a mental note to ask Marlene about it later. Lily had known her since their first day at Hogwarts, and all of this secrecy and air of mystery was far too uncharacteristic of the bubbly blonde that was Marlene McKinnon.

The conversation quickly shifted to classes, with Mary trying to resurrect the topic of "no boys" for Lily. Afterward, they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower, chatting and laughing as they went. Lily and Remus stayed behind to help guide the first years to their common rooms, the small ones looking up at them with wide, eager eyes. By the time she finally made it back to her dorm, exhaustion weighed heavily on her.

Lily climbed into bed, the soft warmth of the sheets pulling her into a cocoon. But sleep didn't come easily. It was the start of a new year, and everything had to be different. The summer had been hard, really hard. But Hogwarts was a place of new beginnings, and Lily was determined to make this year better. She'd made a promise to herself—no drama, no distractions.

She just hoped the rest of the world would cooperate.

---

James Potter had a fantastic summer.

His roommates were all asleep as he tossed a Quaffle while he laid in bed. He was too excited to sleep, the year ahead carrying a sense of endless possibilities. What was it they said about a blank canvas?

It was unusual for James to have goals for the year. Not that he wasn't ambitious—he cared about a few things, like Quidditch, and he certainly wasn't lazy. He worked hard at things that mattered. But generally speaking, James was known for just kind of…cruising through life. He didn't have to try too hard at his classes to do well, and he firmly believed the best things happened spontaneously.

So, when he found himself thinking about the upcoming year, on the first of September no less, with a set of goals and a plan to accomplish them, he surprised even himself. This wasn't his usual laid-back approach. This year, he had plans.

His goals were simple:

Win the Quidditch Cup.

Win the House Cup… or at least beat Slytherin.

Keep Remus safe.

Have Lily Evans agree to a date.

James grinned as he thought over the list. None of them seemed out of reach. He was confident he could pull them all off. Last year hadn't been bad, but it hadn't been great. And seventh year—well, that felt a little too final. Year six was perfect. This was the year everything would fall into place.

Not a foolish bloke, James knew that confidence would only carry him halfway, which is where having a plan would be useful. He wasn't exactly great with plans (again, spontaneity was his preferred mode of operation), but he'd played the careless cards already, and it hadn't worked.

"First," James announced to his fellow Marauders on the train to Hogwarts, "I spent most of the summer rewatching old matches from last season—thanks to Archie Jordan for recording those—but also professional matches. And I've developed a foolproof training plan for the team."

"Oh, joy," Sirius had groaned, stretching his arms back and resting his head against the seat. "Another year of Pushy Potter."

"I prefer Pragmatic or Practical."

"How about Pigheaded?"

Quidditch was the one thing James took seriously. It wasn't that he didn't care about anything else, but Quidditch? Quidditch was everything. Some people even described his attitude towards the sport as a genuine personality change. The practices he led had developed a reputation for being grueling, long, and guaranteed to leave at least one player in tears.

"Maybe if we hadn't lost last year," James continued, ignoring Sirius's remark, "I'd go easier on you lot."

Sirius shrugged lazily, but it was Peter who spoke up, "What else?"

"Right, thank you," James said with a grin, unfazed by the interruption. "In order to win the House Cup—or at least make sure Slytherin doesn't win it—we need to stay alert. Part of the reason we lost last year is because no one ever deducted points from them. They're very good at being sneaky."

"Something we seem to lack," Remus added, dryly, "because we got caught…a lot."

James glanced up from the plan he was reading. "Thanks for that, Moony. Really."

"Anytime."

"Well, this year we not only have the map and the cloak, one of our own as prefect, but we also have something we might have lacked last year."

"What's that?" Sirius asked.

"Maturity. A newfound sense of timing and, dare I say, self-control. No excuses for carelessness."

Sirius snorted.

"Remus was a prefect last year, too," said Peter, "and that didn't help much."

Remus crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not giving any of you special treatment."

"Oh, come on, Moony," exclaimed Sirius. "At least send a couple of detentions the Slytherin's way, would you? If I was prefect—"

James waved a hand dismissively. "Point is, I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying be smart about it."

Peter, who was just about to lick a chocolate frog, paused. "What if the Slytherins come after us?"

"Great point, Wormtail." James grinned.

"Like Snivellus," Sirius sneered.

James smirked. "Snape shouldn't be a problem this year, but I won't explain that just yet." He continued without giving them a chance to ask any questions. "Moving on… It's safe to say the furry little problem is under control now, right? Wormy, you kept practicing?"

"I actually do feel much better with the transformation," Peter said thoughtfully. "And being a rat's not as bad as I thought. All summer I snuck into the kitchen without my mum catching me."

Sirius nodded in approval, but James looked at Remus with a confident smile. "Brilliant. Now, onto the rest of the list..." He turned the page and continued.

"Yes, Prongs," Sirius said sarcastically. "How will you convince Evans to agree to a date with you?"

"Impossible."

"Not a chance."

James threw them a side-eye. "I'll have you know," he began dramatically, "there's a plan for that, too."

"Logically," Remus added with a smirk.

James cleared his throat, reached into his bag, and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. With a dramatic flourish, he placed it aside, then swapped it for a box of cigarettes. He lit one, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a cloud of smoke that wafted through the open window. "Laugh all you want, ye of little faith. But you'll see. Step one: Keep my distance."

The Marauders exchanged glances. "Keeping your distance?" Peter repeated, clearly dubious.

James nodded sagely. "It's a strategy. Trust me."

Yes, James Potter had a plan. He finally dropped the Quaffle and turned to the side, sleep soon finding him.

---

Everyone who knew Dorcas Meadows had always thought the Sorting Hat had made a mistake by placing her in Gryffindor. After all, she was independent, clever, and logical—traits that screamed Ravenclaw. Her love for studying was unrivaled, and she cared more about academic success than nearly anything else. Which is exactly why she had convinced Lily, who she thought of as her only friend who was on her same level, to join her for a double period of Ancient Runes.

"I can't believe you bullied me into taking this class," Lily groaned, slumping in her seat.

"Ancient Runes are fascinating," Dorcas said without looking up from her textbook.

"But Professor Abbott is not," Lily muttered under her breath.

"He's a genius."

"He's ancient."

Dorcas rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling slightly as she jotted down the syllabus instructions. The professor was droning on in the front, but her attention was divided between him and the familiar voice leaning toward her.

"You noticed Marlene this morning?" Lily asked, her voice low. "She was in such a rush, and I don't think she even came to breakfast."

"Hm," Dorcas hummed, scribbling away. "Maybe she's sick."

"I don't know. She's never been so… secretive." Lily's fingers tapped absently on her desk.

Dorcas glanced up, her expression deadpan. "I thought you said just yesterday that you weren't going to meddle in other people's business?"

Lily paused, staring at Dorcas for a beat before sighing and turning away. "You're right."

Dorcas smirked in satisfaction, then returned her focus to the class, content to let the topic drop.

The silence didn't last long. "We've got Potions next," Lily muttered, her voice laden with an unmistakable groan. "Have to deal with Sev."

Dorcas let out a sigh and put her quill down. "Have you two talked?"

"No," Lily said firmly, shaking her head. "And I don't want to."

"You can partner with me if you want. That way you don't have to sit with him."

Lily's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Dorcas shrugged nonchalantly. "You're the best student in Potions. I'm mostly doing it for my benefit."

"You are the best, Dor." Lily leaned over and squeezed Dorcas's arm affectionately.

But something else had prompted Dorcas to offer to switch partners with Lily. She had been there last year, right in the thick of everything. She had been the one to find Lily in the bathroom, sobbing uncontrollably after everything that had happened. Dorcas wasn't the type to stand up to the Slytherins or their blood-purist nonsense, but that didn't mean she didn't loathe them for what they had done to her friend.

When class ended, Lily and Dorcas started walking toward the dungeons, but they were interrupted by Kingsley, who was waiting by the door.

"Hello, Evans. Meadows," Kingsley greeted her with a grin, slipping a hand to her back and planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Go on, Lily. I'll catch up." Lily greeted them and began making her way. Dorcas instinctively stepped back, her face flushing. "I told you I don't like to be so public," she muttered.

"Sorry," Kingsley smiled sheepishly, his brown eyes twinkling. "I'll walk you to Potions."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

With no further argument, Dorcas allowed Kingsley to accompany her down to the dungeons. As they walked, he started talking about his morning. Kingsley was good at talking—always keeping the conversation flowing, often about things she didn't particularly care about but still somehow felt intrigued by. They had developed this rhythm: Kingsley would talk, and Dorcas would listen. It worked for them.

"So I had to tell Hestia about the patrolling schedules," Kingsley continued, a slight frown on his face. "It was a headache. We just swapped Higgs with Evans, and that was it. Crisis averted." He chuckled but rubbed his temple. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it's worth it."

Dorcas snapped out of her thoughts. "Wait, Lily's on patrol with Snape?"

"Yeah," Kingsley nodded. "That's what I said. She's paired with Snape next week."

"That's a terrible idea, Shacklebolt," Dorcas said, her brows furrowing.

"I know," Kingsley sighed. "But there's not much I can do. It was either her or Timothy Wenlock, and I don't think putting a Hufflepuff with a Slytherin would exactly be ideal."

They reached the Potions classroom, and Kingsley gave her a quick smile, leaning in as if to kiss her again but then paused.

"See you," he said, stepping back with a soft chuckle.

She nodded, her mind still preoccupied as she entered the classroom. Immediately, Dorcas noticed that Lily wasn't at her usual spot at the front of the class, where she typically sat with Snape. Instead, Lily had settled into a table at the back, looking unusually distant.

Dorcas made her way across the room and slid into the seat beside her. "How's Kings?" Lily asked as she flipped open her textbook.

"Oh," Dorcas hesitated, glancing at Lily for a moment before shrugging. "He's great."

"You two are adorable."

"Hush," Dorcas snapped, her face reddening slightly as she quickly shifted her focus to the Potions textbook in front of her.

---

Marlene McKinnon had a great summer—until she made one terrible, inconceivable mistake.

She had woken up that morning to the sound of a Howler.

The bright red envelope sat innocuously on her bedside table, but the glowing words were unmistakable. The Howler was already warming up, ready to unleash its fury. Marlene's heart sank, her hands instinctively reaching out to grab it, panic flooding her chest. She knew, without even looking at the letter, exactly who it was from.

In the span of a few seconds, Marlene's mind raced, and before the letter could even begin to scream whatever nonsensical speech it was charmed wth, Marlene snatched it up, stuffing it inside her blankets. She barely thought twice before throwing it out the window, the Howler's voice growing muffled as it disappeared outside. It didn't solve anything, but it bought her some time.

It had been days of torment—the teasing, mysterious gifts left in her bag, and worst of all, the pranks. So many pranks. Each one more elaborate than the last, each one designed to get under her skin.

The only choice she had was to keep her head down which would be difficult since she had to go to class. Regrettably. But maybe if she appeared just when class began, sat in the back, and quickly rushed out, then perhaps he could avoid him.

The hallways felt like a maze as she rushed between classes, her eyes constantly flicking behind her. The paranoia crept in with every step. She didn't see the figure ahead of her until it was too late.

Thud.

Marlene collided with someone, the unexpected bump making her stomach lurch. She looked up quickly, startled, and found herself face to face with Remus Lupin.

He looked at her curiously, brow furrowed in confusion. "You alright, Marlene?"

Her heart was pounding, but she managed to steady herself, forcing a smile that she hoped didn't look too strained. "He's not with you, is he?"

Remus raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Who?"

She hesitated, glancing nervously over her shoulder, scanning the hallway. It was stupid. She was being stupid. "What am I saying?" she muttered. "Of course, he's around here somewhere. You lot are always together."

"Er–Is something wrong?"

"Nothing!" Marlene blurted out, her voice far too loud and a little too desperate. She instantly regretted it. "Nothing's wrong. I was never here."

Before he could ask another question, she turned on her heel, instinctively tugging the hood of her robes over her head. She needed to get away.

---

After Potions, Dorcas told Lily she would be volunteering at the infirmary during lunch. Lily nodded, feeling the brief tug of guilt—Dorcas always found a way to do some sort of volunteering or activity. She definitely deserved the prefect badge way more than Lily did.

Lily made her way toward the Great Hall, probably just for a quick meal as she thought of going to find Marlene afterwards. The blonde had effectively avoided her all day, and Lily's curiosity—despite her attempts to push it aside—was getting the better of her.

Class had been tolerable. Professor Slughorn had been his usual jovial self, asking about her new partnership with Dorcas, but he'd been distracted by his usual blend of flattery and self-promotion. Before long, he had accepted the seat change with little more than a grumble, and the rest of class proceeded as usual.

Lily had glanced once at her usual desk, where Severus sat now, next to Evan Rosier. To her relief, he hadn't tried to talk to her, though she could feel his eyes on her occasionally, turning back to watch when he thought she wasn't looking.

And then, as if summoned by her thoughts, a small paper bat flitted onto her desk. Lily's breath caught for a moment before she reached for it, feeling the weight of the gesture already settling in her chest. She unfolded it quickly.

Can we talk after class? Please?

Her stomach churned. Without a second thought, she crumpled the paper into a tight ball and shoved it into the bottom of her bag. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

As Professor Slughorn wrapped up the lesson, he launched into his usual invitation to join the Slug Club, his voice a mixture of pride and expectation. Lily tuned him out. She caught Dorcas' eye as they gathered their things, and together they left the classroom, avoiding Severus' gaze.

But as she neared the entrance hall, a familiar set of hurried footsteps echoed behind her. Lily turned, her heart sinking before she even had to look.

"Lily."

She froze, the word hanging in the air like a bitter cloud. She turned to face him, meeting Severus' eyes, but already knowing her response.

"No," she said firmly, already turning away to leave. Her feet urged her forward, but he was faster. His hand shot out, catching her arm gently but with enough force to stop her in her tracks.

"Wait, please," Severus insisted, his voice rough with desperation. "I've been trying to say sorry. Did you even read any of my letters?"

Lily stood there, watching him. His words fell on her like a soft rain. She wanted to believe that he was sincere. Maybe a small part of her still did. But the rest of her knew that there were some lines you couldn't cross.

"I did read them," she said quietly, her throat tightening. "But, as you probably realize, I didn't answer them. I don't want to talk to you, Severus."

His face faltered, just for a second, before he steadied himself. "If you let me explain—"

Shaking her head, she looked away. She couldn't face him, couldn't hear him out. Not now.

"No, what you did was too bad," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "I can't just forget about it."

"I'm not asking you to forget, just—" Severus took a step forward, his hands held out in a pleading gesture.

"No, Sev," Lily interrupted, the familiar nickname slipping out before she could stop it. She winced inwardly, hating herself for it, but it was too late. "I don't want to talk. Please, leave me alone."

It was like a wall between them. Severus' expression changed in an instant, his hope dimming, but he didn't move. He stood there, as though waiting for something, but Lily didn't know what it was. And then, with one last glance at him, she walked past him without another word, her heart pounding.

---

The next day, Lily became keenly aware of three things.

First, something was wrong with Marlene. Lily had barely returned to the dormitory after her morning run, hoping to catch up with her, but the blonde had been nowhere to be found. It wasn't like Marlene to skip breakfast. Dorcas had found Lily and settled into their usual spot.

Lily had looked around the Great Hall, wondering where Marlene could be. No sign of her. She hadn't slipped in through the back doors, she hadn't joined the Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs. So where was she?

Finally, just as they were finishing up their meals, Marlene appeared, keeping her smile cheerful. She grabbed a slice of toast, hastily buttered it, and didn't stay a moment longer before she darted off again.

"Fine," Dorcas said after they'd watched Marlene disappear out the doors. "One of us should talk to her."

Lily glanced at Dorcas. "By that, you mean I should talk to her?"

"Correct," Dorcas replied. "What? You're more tactful."

Lily gave a reluctant sigh, but nodded. Marlene was her closest friend, and if something was wrong, Lily couldn't very well ignore it.

Her second observation was a bit subtler, but still gnawed at her throughout the morning. Kingsley, the calm, collected Head Boy, had been unusually distant. She'd asked him for the patrol schedule after breakfast, figuring it would help her organize her week. But when she'd approached him later in the morning, he had dismissed her swiftly, his tone colder than usual.

"The schedule will be provided during our prefect meeting on Friday," he said, brushing past her with barely a glance. Lily had been taken aback. He was usually easy to talk to.

She'd asked Dorcas about it later, but her friend only shrugged, offering a nonchalant answer.

"I don't know everything Kingsley's thinking, Lily," she said.

The third observation came during Transfiguration, and it unsettled her far more than the others.

As she entered the classroom with Dorcas and Mary, Lily's gaze immediately fell upon the Marauders sitting at the back of the room. The four of them were already there, as they usually were, spread out and chatting among themselves.

Sirius noticed them first. "Ladies, good morning," he called out in his usual exuberant voice, his eyes scanning behind them. "Where's McKinnon?"

Mary flashed a quick smile. "Hi, Sirius. I'm sure she'll be here soon, why?"

Sirius frowned, leaving the question unanswered, but it was Remus who cut in, his tone flat. "Leave it, Sirius."

"What?" Sirius feigned concern. "I'm just worried for our classmate."

Lily saw James laugh and that's when she noticed. James hadn't looked at her once.

She wasn't being vain or overly self-conscious—to think that James Potter always looked at her. But if history said anything, it was that…he kind of did. Even when they hadn't been speaking, even when there had been tension between them, James always found a way to look her way. Today, however, he didn't even spare her a glance.

It wasn't a huge deal, she told herself. He was probably distracted by something, or maybe he was just in a mood. But Lily couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted.

It was then that a tabby cat padded gracefully down the aisles of the classroom. The students fell silent, their attention shifting toward the creature as it moved with purpose. The cat reached the front of the class and, with a swift motion, transformed into Professor McGonagall.

"Good morning, students," she greeted them crisply. "Welcome back to Transfiguration."

Lily's thoughts scattered as the familiar voice of Professor McGonagall cut through her distractions. She tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to the three things weighing on her: Marlene's strange behavior, Kingsley's cold avoidance, and James' unexpected indifference. It was a struggle to center herself as McGonagall began explaining their first assignment of the year.

Marlene arrived late. She slid into the seat next to Dorcas with barely a word, and McGonagall, as always, gave a brief but stern warning about tardiness before moving on. She wanted to speak to Marlene, but the professor's instructions pulled her focus back to the task at hand.

"Now, for your first assignment," McGonagall continued, "we'll begin with a simple assessment of your current abilities." She flicked her wand and a piece of parchment floated gracefully to each desk. "You'll each be asked to transform the paper in some way. It's a test of precision and control."

Lily's stomach churned. Transfiguration had always been her weakest subject. No matter how hard she tried, the complex intricacies of changing an object's form had always eluded her. Despite Professor McGonagall's favor, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that she was always just a step behind the rest of her classmates.

Dorcas was first, her wand movement fluid as she enlarged the paper into a massive blanket, its edges folding perfectly with barely a flicker of effort. Marlene followed quickly, her wand tracing a graceful arc that turned the paper into a flock of soft feathers, drifting delicately in the air. Even Mary, who usually didn't care much about classes, managed to transform her paper into a solid sheet of gold, its gleam catching the light of the classroom.

Then it was Lily's turn. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her hand as she flicked her wand at the paper. She concentrated, but when she looked at the result, her stomach dropped. The paper had turned a soft shade of pink, nothing more than a faint hue rather than the bold transformation she had hoped for.

McGonagall was silent for a moment before offering a brief comment. "You'll have to work on that, Miss Evans."

Her frustration was overshadowed only by the Marauders in the back of the room erupting in quiet amusement, their attention fixed on James' paper. The sheet was now neatly folded, a small origami dragon flying above them, breathing tiny streams of fire.

She slouched lower in her seat. Usually, she excelled in her classes, but Transfiguration was different. She sighed. This year, she reminded herself, would be different. She would focus, study harder than ever, and prove to herself that she could master this.

Lily felt so much more comfortable in the Charms classroom. It was warm and bright, the soft hum of magic in the air. Charms made sense to her in a way Transfiguration didn't. There were rules, steps to follow, and the results were immediate and satisfying. Unlike Transfiguration, which always seemed more temperamental. She was good at charms. Charms make sense.

As she entered the classroom, she was relieved to see Marlene trailing after them. For the first time in days, Marlene had stuck close, though she still seemed on edge. Her eyes darted around the room, and she clutched her bag as if it contained some great secret. Dorcas, Mary, and Lily exchanged quick glances, silently agreeing not to press her too much. Whatever was going on, pushing Marlene might only drive her further into hiding.

"I'm just saying," Mary said as they found their seats, "there's got to be a better way than making us lug all these textbooks around."

Dorcas rolled her eyes as she dropped her bag onto the desk with a thud. "You're only saying that because you don't study."

"I do study!" Mary shot back indignantly, crossing her arms. "I'm in the library all the time."

"Because Lily drags you there."

"No," Mary retorted, her tone defensive but light. "Because there are cute boys in the library. Cute, smart boys."

Dorcas snorted. "That's not the same as studying, Mary."

Mary grinned. "It is if I'm checking out cute boys and my Charms textbook at the same time. I can multitask, thank you very much."

While the two bickered, Lily turned to Marlene, who was methodically unpacking her bag as though afraid the contents might jump out or explode. "I'm going to have to study extra hard at Transfiguration this year," Lily said casually. "McGonagall nearly didn't let me back in after last year."

Marlene looked up, her expression distracted before she focused on Lily. "Huh? Oh. Yeah, same. I'm rubbish at Transfiguration."

"You're not," Lily teased. "You're perfectly fine at Transfiguration. You're rubbish at Potions."

That earned a small, genuine laugh from Marlene. She set her book down. "True. Slughorn almost made me quit Quidditch after I failed his first exam last year."

"I remember." Lily grinned, glad to see her friend easing up. "Potter and Black took it upon themselves to tutor you. Which is hilarious since neither of them is exactly a Potions prodigy."

Marlene smirked. "Honestly, it was you who saved me. Whatever you said to Slughorn worked."

"Oh, I just told him I wouldn't go to his party if he didn't let you play."

"My hero." Marlene's laugh was brighter this time.

Lily hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "So…are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Before Marlene could respond, Professor Flitwick clambered onto his stack of books at the front of the classroom and called for attention.

"Good morning, everyone!" he chirped, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Today, we'll be tackling the Evanesco spell—more commonly known as the Vanishing Charm. A most useful spell, as I'm sure you'll find."

The class passed in the usual flurry of spellwork. Lily's wand movements were crisp and precise, and she found herself helping Dorcas refine her flick while Mary debated whether she could use the spell to vanish pimples. Marlene, to Lily's relief, seemed more focused, successfully vanishing the quill she'd been assigned.

But near the end of class, as Flitwick was assigning their homework, something unusual happened. Marlene opened her agenda to jot down the assignment when a deafening trumpet sound erupted from it, startling everyone. From the pages of her agenda burst a cascade of small, heart-shaped confetti. The tiny hearts flew through the air in a rainbow of colors, some glittering with enchantment, others carrying small, handwritten messages.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Marlene. Her face burned crimson as she scrambled to shut the agenda, shoving everything into her bag and hurrying out of the room without a word.

Professor Flitwick cleared his throat awkwardly. "Er—class dismissed, then."

As the students began filing out, a hum of whispers broke out.

"What in Merlin's name was that about?" Dorcas asked as she slung her bag over her shoulder.

Mary bent down to pick up a few of the stray confetti hearts that had settled on the floor. She held them up to show Lily and Dorcas. "Look at these." One read, True Love. Another, Be Mine. A third, SM = 4E.

"Our little Marlene has a boyfriend," Mary said in a singsong voice.

"I…" Lily hesitated, examining the glittery hearts. "I don't think so."

She wasn't sure what was going on, but she was determined to find out.

---

"You have to tell her," she insisted.

"On Friday," Kingsley replied firmly, his tone measured. "At the prefects' meeting. With the rest of the prefects."

"No, now," Dorcas pressed, her voice dropping slightly as they stepped into the hall.

Kingsley, however, was immovable. "Just because she's your friend doesn't mean I'm going to give her special treatment, Dor." He stopped and turned to face her, offering a small, apologetic smile.

"You don't understand, Lily is going to freak out when she finds out. She already asked me if you're angry at her."

"Sorry, love." Then, his hand slid into hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll see you later?"

Dorcas frowned but nodded, watching him head toward the Ravenclaw table, where his housemates greeted him like a returning hero. Shaking her head, she turned and made her way to the Gryffindor table.

Lily and Mary were deep in conversation as Dorcas dropped onto the bench beside them.

"So, did you find Marlene?" Lily asked, hope flickering in her voice.

Dorcas shook her head. "No, she wasn't in the common room either."

Mary leaned in conspiratorially. "I was thinking about those confetti hearts. It said 'S plus M.' Do you think Marlene's dating Sam?" She nodded toward the far end of the table, where Samuel Ballington was trying—unsuccessfully—to transform his water into pumpkin juice. Mary scrunched her nose. "But he's a fifth year."

"I don't think so," Lily replied, frowning slightly. "Sam doesn't seem like the type to pull a prank like that."

"A prank?" Mary raised her eyebrows. "I thought it was romantic."

"It was mortifying," Dorcas cut in. She still remembered the time Kingsley had filled their dormitory with flowers. While sweet in theory, it had left her unable to show her face in the common room for days. Grand gestures weren't her thing, and Marlene didn't seem the type to appreciate them either.

Their discussion was cut short as Marlene strode into the Great Hall, her steps brisk and purposeful. She avoided eye contact with the students who snickered as she passed, her face set in a determined expression.

"Mar!" Lily called, standing up. "We've been looking for you."

Marlene sighed, sinking into the seat across from them. She took a deep breath and glanced at her friends, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I made a horrible mistake."

Dorcas and Mary exchanged curious looks while Lily leaned in with concern. "What is it?" Lily asked gently.

"I'm going to tell you something that you may find shocking." Marlene hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands.

Mary leaned forward eagerly. "Go on."

"And you have to promise not to laugh."

"Can't promise that," Dorcas said.

Marlene took another deep breath. "I kissed Sirius Black."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Dorcas stared at her friend, trying to process what she'd just heard. Of all the things she might have expected Marlene to say, this wasn't one of them. One, because Marlene had made it sound like she had been bitten by a werewolf. And two, because Marlene McKinnon, ever since their third year, when he had hexed Logan Macmillan during his date with the blonde, Marlene had hated Sirius Black.

"Um, Mar…what do you mean?" Lily finally ventured.

Marlene's blue eyes widened. "I mean I kissed Sirius Black. We kissed. We snogged. What do you mean what do I mean?"

Lily raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "Alright, alright. But…although I might understand why it's bothering you, I don't think it's all that bad."

Mary nearly choked on her pumpkin juice as Marlene leaned forward, her elbow hitting the brunette. "Not that bad? He won't leave me alone, Lily! He's tormenting me. I haven't slept. I'm stressed. I think—" she tugged at a lock of her blonde hair dramatically "—I'm growing gray hairs."

"But Sirius is dashing," Mary pointed out, a bit annoyed as she wiped the juice she'd spilled. "Why are you complaining?"

Marlene groaned, burying her face in her arms on the table.

Lily placed a comforting hand on her back. "When did this happen?" she asked gently.

"At my sister's wedding," Marlene muttered, her voice muffled by the table.

"At the wedding?" Lily repeated, her voice rising with surprise.

"How romantic!" Mary gushed before catching Marlene's glare. "Sorry."

"When? How did I miss this?" Lily pressed.

"I don't know," Marlene groaned. "Toward the end, I think. Right before you guys found me. I was so, so drunk. I hardly remember anything."

"Oh," Lily murmured, as if realizing the timeline of events.

"So now Sirius is, what?" Mary asked. "Trying to ask you out?"

"Hardly. He just finds it endlessly entertaining to torture me."

As if summoned, Sirius Black appeared, his trademark grin firmly in place. "Marlene, darling, there you are!" he exclaimed, sliding onto the bench beside her. Marlene's eyes widened as Sirius threw an arm around her shoulders. "Did you like the little token of love I left in your planner?"

The rest of the group—Remus, James, and Peter—took seats farther down the table. "Oi, Padfoot, all good?" James called.

"I'm in love, Prongs!" Sirius declared dramatically, raising his arms as though making an announcement to the entire hall.

"Congratulations," James said, raising his goblet as if to toast.

Dorcas rolled her eyes. "Black, go back to your friends and leave Marlene alone."

Sirius smirked at her. "Jealous, Meadows?"

"Deeply," she deadpanned.

"Come back, mate," Remus called, his tone a little less amused than the rest.

Sirius considered this, then turned back to Marlene. "I'll see you later, my precious flower." He kissed her cheek with exaggerated flair before returning to the Marauders, his laughter echoing behind him.

Marlene sighed heavily, dropping her head back onto her arms. "Do you see my problem now?"

Lily bit her lip to hide a smile. "I do."

"He'll get bored soon." Mary shrugged. "Sirius isn't exactly the monogamous type."

"If he doesn't kill me first," Marlene muttered, her voice muffled by her arms.

---

The courtyard hummed with the easy chatter of students soaking up what might be the last warm week before autumn settled in. The group sprawled out on the grass, savoring the sun and the brief reprieve from classes before they would need to head to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Having confessed the truth about Sirius Black, Marlene seemed to have returned to her usual self, much to everyone's relief. To deter any further grand gestures from Sirius, the girls had decided it was best for Marlene to stick with them. So far, the strategy appeared to be working. Aside from a few teasing remarks during breakfast, Sirius had kept his distance all day.

"I love the sun," Mary declared, stretching out on the grass. "I was already starting to lose the tan I worked so hard on over the summer."

"Worked hard?" Marlene scoffed, taking a bite of her sandwich. "You mean lying there and tanning?"

"It takes effort just lying there, Mar," Mary replied with mock indignation.

"I'm sure it does."

Lily sat nearby, leaning back on her hands and soaking up the sunlight. She'd removed her jumper, letting the warmth freckle her skin. It was rare to have moments like this, moments where everything felt easy and uncomplicated.

Mary propped herself up on her elbows and turned to Marlene. "So, how was it?"

"How was what?" Marlene asked.

"Kissing Sirius Black, of course."

Lily chuckled, keeping her eyes closed as she tilted her face toward the sun. Marlene groaned, clearly unimpressed with the question.

"I told you," Marlene said, brushing crumbs from her lap. "I hardly remember anything. We were drinking, I must have thought it'd be funny, and then we kissed. And then—" she paused for dramatic effect, "I proceeded to puke all over him."

Mary grimaced. "Ew. You puked on Sirius Black?"

"Yes," Marlene confirmed, looking more amused than embarrassed. "And then, next thing I remember, Lily was basically carrying me home."

Mary turned her gaze to Lily. "What were you doing while all this was happening?"

"Dancing or something," Lily murmured, eyes still closed. "I was pretty drunk too."

Mary sighed wistfully. "I'm sad I missed it. Sounds like an eventful wedding."

Before Lily could reply, something heavy landed on her lap and bounced toward Marlene, who caught it with ease. Startled, Lily opened her eyes, shielding them from the bright sunlight as she looked for the source of the Quaffle.

"Sorry about that," a voice called.

Lily's insides twisted as James Potter approached, jogging over with his usual ease. It took her a moment to register that it was the first time in a long while that James had spoken directly to her.

"You alright?" he asked, his tone casual, almost polite.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lily replied, blinking at him.

"You better work on your aim, Captain," Marlene said, tossing the Quaffle back to him with a smirk.

James caught it effortlessly and shrugged. "Peter threw it. I would've caught it if you three weren't lying in the middle of the courtyard."

"Yeah, sure," Marlene teased. "Save it for practice."

Laughing, James jogged back toward Peter and other members of the Quidditch team, leaving Lily watching him with a slight frown. Something about James had shifted. There had been no more loud proclamations of love or dramatic attempts to win her over. Even this exchange had been…so normal. Lily lay back on the grass, staring at the sky and letting her thoughts drift. Had James Potter finally moved on? The idea should have filled her with relief—it would certainly make her life easier—but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was too good to be true.

Because…she knew James Potter.

James Potter didn't just quit. And she couldn't help but feel suspicious about it.

---

Dorcas stepped into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom just in time, her thoughts swirling with annoyance and hesitation. She spotted Lily and the others already seated and slid into the chair next to them. Her earlier argument with Kingsley Shacklebolt still echoed in her mind.

They had been bickering—again—over Kingsley's decision to pair Snape and Lily for patrols. It wasn't the first time Dorcas had protested this arrangement, but Kingsley had brushed off her concerns, barely sparing her a glance. It wasn't just the pairing that irked her; it was his habit of tuning out when she spoke. Kingsley always expected her full attention when he talked, yet seemed incapable of offering the same in return. The imbalance drove her mad.

Her frustration simmered as the room filled with chatter, but Professor Bones soon commanded their focus.

"Come in, come in. Hurry along, take a seat," he called, his voice authoritative but calm. "Settle down."

The students shuffled to their places, and Dorcas felt her shoulders relax. Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of the few classes where she could reliably escape her thoughts.

This was Professor Edgar Bones' second year teaching, though he had technically taken over midterm the previous year after Professor Paley's unfortunate accident with the giant squid. Dorcas didn't miss Paley at all. Bones was a significant upgrade. With his sharp mind and a storied career as a former Auror, he had an undeniable presence. His graying black hair and weathered features spoke of experience, but his piercing blue-gray eyes still sparkled with vitality. More importantly, Professor Bones prioritized practical lessons over endless theory, which made his classes among Dorcas' favorites.

"Today," he began, writing swiftly on the board, "we're covering the distinction between verbal and nonverbal spells, both defensive and offensive. By the end of the year's showcase, you will be expected to perform one of each."

He underlined a date near the end of April.

Mary groaned under her breath. "A showcase? Why can't we just take an exam like normal?"

"I think it's more fun," Lily said, her tone light.

"But it's terrifying," Mary countered, frowning. "I don't want to attack or be attacked by anyone else."

Dorcas cut in, her tone sharper than she intended. "Then maybe you should listen to Professor Bones instead of whining."

Mary's lips pressed into a tight line. "Geez, what's got your knickers in a knot?"

Dorcas ignored her, turning back to her notes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lily studying her, no doubt preparing to ask if something was wrong. Before Lily could speak, the door to the classroom burst open, slamming against the wall with a resounding thud.

The entire class turned.

"Mr. Black," Professor Bones greeted, his tone dry. "So glad you could join us."

"Oh no," Marlene whispered, sliding down in her seat as if trying to disappear.

Sirius Black strolled in, his grin lacking its usual mischievous charm. "My apologies, Professor," he said, his voice tinged with an edge that hadn't been there earlier in the day. He moved to the back of the room and dropped into the seat beside James Potter. "Please, go on."

"How kind of you," Bones said, unimpressed. He returned to the board and continued his explanation.

Dorcas glanced up briefly, curious about the interruption. In the dim light, it was hard to see clearly, but then she spotted it—a dark bruise blooming around Sirius' left eye.

"What happened to him?" Mary whispered, leaning closer to Dorcas.

Dorcas gave a small shrug, her curiosity fleeting. Whatever trouble Sirius had gotten into wasn't her concern. She turned back to her notes, suppressing a snicker at the thought of his injury: a black eye for Black's eye.

The classroom settled again, save for a few hushed murmurs about Sirius. Dorcas, however, had no interest in speculating. Whatever had happened, she could always ask Kingsley about it later.

---

Sirius Black had quite the eventful summer.

The highlight, beyond having hooked up with a certain blonde Gryffindor chaser who had provided an endless source of amusement, was finally making the decision to leave home for good. The choice itself hadn't been difficult—just a final, fiery argument with his father, a venomous snap from his mother, and a last, fleeting look at his younger brother, Regulus. The aftermath, however, had been far more complicated.

Not that Sirius let it show.

He'd been fortunate, landing in the Potter household, where the warmth and chaos of his best friend's family made his own seem like a distant nightmare. The Potters had hesitated at first, concerned about getting in the middle of Sirius' familial strife. But James, with his characteristic charm and relentless persuasion, had convinced them to let him stay. From then on, their home had been a welcome escape—a place where he could fly on their private Quidditch pitch or laze about without the oppressive atmosphere of Grimmauld Place. Yet, even in the warm familiarity of his new home, Sirius couldn't entirely ignore the silence from his family.

He hadn't heard a word. Not even from Regulus.

So when Sirius stumbled across his younger brother practically groveling to Lucius Malfoy—Slytherin Quidditch captain and all-around git—it hit a nerve.

Fine. He entirely lost it.

"It was Regulus, wasn't it?"

James' voice snapped Sirius out of his thoughts, Professor Bones' voice steady in the background. Sirius slouched in his chair, the faint shadow of a bruise visible beneath his left eye.

He shrugged, not keen on rehashing the details. "Just a bit of brotherly love."

Peter leaned over, squinting at Sirius' face. "Go on, Padfoot. What happened?"

Sirius didn't answer immediately, which made James smirk knowingly. "Embarrassed, mate?"

"Not at all, Prongs." Sirius dug into his bag, pulling out a sugar quill to chew on. "I found Malfoy trying to recruit my idiot brother for his evil army of blood-sucking vampires."

"So it was Malfoy?" Remus chimed in, his tone more concerned than the others'. "The eye?"

"Please." Sirius rolled his eyes. "It wasn't Malfoy. It was Rosier. The git only managed to land a hit because he jumped out of nowhere, probably trying to impress Malfoy."

"Rosier?" James raised an eyebrow. "When did that little weasel grow a spine?"

"No idea," Sirius groaned, raking a hand through his dark hair. "You should've seen him, Prongs. Regulus, all doe-eyed, begging Malfoy for—Merlin knows what. It was bloody pathetic."

The scene played vividly in the minds of the Marauders. Malfoy, chest puffed out, sneering down his thin nose; Regulus, deferential and eager, hanging onto the older boy's every word; and Sirius, storming in with all the subtlety of a rampaging hippogriff, his restraint vanishing the moment he saw his brother.

James' hazel eyes were fixed on Sirius now, uncharacteristically serious behind his glasses. Sirius hated the vulnerability that came with that look and was relieved when James chose not to press further. Instead, he leaned back in his chair. "Were any points deducted?"

"No, sir," Sirius replied smugly. "But I did get detention."

"Sirius," Remus interjected with a sigh, "detention is an automatic five-point deduction."

"Oh."

"That's alright, mate," James said with a grin. "We'll just have to come up with a way to return the favor to our dear friends."

"We can thank Snivellus for the detention," Sirius added, his grin returning. "Might as well start with him, for old times' sake."

James shook his head, a sly smile tugging at his lips. He removed his glasses and polished them with a corner of his robe. "No need to worry about Snape. That's already taken care of."

The other three blinked at him, waiting for elaboration. James slipped his glasses back on and smirked. "Remember? It's part of the plan."

"Ahhh," Peter said, nodding enthusiastically though it was clear he didn't quite follow.

Sirius smirked. "Okay," he murmured, leaning forward as Professor Bones' lesson continued. "Rosier, then."

The unspoken agreement passed between them with a shared glance. Whatever retaliation Sirius was planning, it was a given that the others would follow. Even Remus, though his brow creased slightly, didn't object.

After all, trouble was Sirius Black's specialty—and his friends were always ready to join the ride.

---

Lily had always loved dinners at Hogwarts.

Breakfast was a solitary affair for her, a time she could cherish her quiet moments in the Great Hall when few students had arrived. She would often be one of the first to sit at the Gryffindor table, sipping on a warm cup of tea and reading the Daily Prophet, occasionally glancing up at the silent, stillness of the hall before it was filled with noise. But dinner? Dinner was different. The long, golden tables were packed with students from every house, all excitedly sharing the day's events. It was chaotic and noisy, but in the best way possible. For Lily, it was an atmosphere that lifted her spirits.

At home, dinner had grown unbearably quiet. Since her father's death during her fourth year, the once lively meals had faded into awkward silences. Her mother, who had to work longer shifts at the hospital, was often absent during the evening, leaving Lily to eat alone. Petunia, on the other hand, had taken to skipping meals entirely, obsessed with her latest diet fads. And when they did sit down together, it was usually under the cold scrutiny of Vernon Dursley, Petunia's insufferable boyfriend. Vernon was a man of narrow views, arrogance, and an utter lack of understanding of the magical world Lily inhabited. He didn't know she was a witch and, as a result, Lily was expected to remain silent, to suppress a part of herself that she could never show him. It was suffocating.

This was why the clamor of the Great Hall was a welcome change. Surrounded by her Gryffindor friends, she didn't find herself feeling so alone.

She looked up as Marlene approached, Sirius following in tow.

"You have to admit," Sirius was saying, grinning widely as he pointed to the fresh bruise around his eye, "it gives me an air of danger, doesn't it?"

"No," Marlene replied dryly. "It just makes you look like you got punched."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "Come on, darling," he teased, leaning against the table with exaggerated flair. "Don't you miss us? Our passionate, fleeting kiss? Doesn't it haunt your dreams?"

Marlene didn't even glance at him, instead settling herself in front of Lily. "No, it actually makes my skin crawl."

Sirius remained standing for a moment, giving an exaggerated pout, before he straightened up and sauntered away toward the Marauders' usual spot.

Lily watched him leave, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I take it he's back in pursuit?"

Marlene sighed, rolling her eyes. "Apparently. But at least there hasn't been any pranks. For now."

Just then, Mary slid into the seat beside Marlene, always ready with the latest gossip. "Did you hear?" She leaned in, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy are dating."

Lily and Marlene both turned to her. Gossip had a way of traveling through the corridors of Hogwarts, but Mary was somehow always the first to deliver it.

"Apparently they're set to get engaged after graduation," Mary continued. "It's all very arranged-marriage-esque, but they are a good-looking couple."

"It's not that strange," Marlene commented with a shrug. "A lot of pureblood families like to match their children up. Stupid, but not strange."

Lily hummed in agreement. "Narcissa is very pretty, but Lucius Malfoy? He's just so… pompous."

"Pompous but fit," Mary quipped with a cheeky grin.

Marlene laughed, and Lily rolled her eyes, smiling in spite of herself.

"Speaking of fit blokes," Mary grinned, her eyes flicking to someone behind Lily.

"Please don't flirt with my boyfriend," Dorcas' voice rang out, followed by the sound of footsteps as she, along with Kingsley, approached.

"It's not flirting. Just stating a fact."

Kingsley chuckled lightly, though his laugh faltered when Dorcas shot him a pointed look.

"Um, Lily?" Kingsley said, clearing his throat, his voice low but warm as he reached out with a folded piece of parchment in his hand. "Here you go. The patrol schedule for next week."

Lily smiled brightly at him. "Thanks, Kings!"

"No problem," he replied, his tone hesitant. "Just don't let anyone else see it. Don't want to get pestered by all the other prefects about the schedule every week."

"No worries," Lily said, placing the parchment on the table. "My lips are sealed."

"Okay, well." Kingsley leaned down, had already moved off, planting a quick kiss on Dorcas' cheek before strutting away. "I'll see you later."

Lily immediately turned to her friend. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Dorcas said, eyeing the schedule as she filled her plate with food. "So… when do you have patrols?"

"I'll check it later, probably. I need to plan out my week."

But Dorcas didn't seem interested in waiting. She glanced over at the paper again. "I'd check that if I were you."

Lily glanced at her suspiciously, but when she saw the look on Dorcas' face, she hesitated for only a moment before she unfolded the paper. Her eyes scanned the list, and the moment she saw it, her stomach dropped.

"Dorcas, I hate to tell you, but your boyfriend is a prick."

"What?" Marlene asked, craning her neck to get a better look at the schedule. "What is it?"

Lily didn't answer immediately, instead rising from her seat and marching toward the door. "Kingsley!"

She called out to him, but the Head Boy ignored her, not slowing his pace. Lily quickened her steps, trying to catch up as they moved through the entrance hall, up the stairs, and toward a part of the castle she wasn't familiar with.

"Coward! Stop and face me!" Lily yelled, frustration rising in her chest.

Kingsley, tall and confident, simply sped up, clearly in no mood to listen to her. Lily wasn't about to let him get away without an explanation. She finally broke into a full sprint, barely managing to catch up to him as he reached the top of the stairs.

She cut in front of him, blocking his path, her breath coming in short, frustrated bursts. "What's this?" she demanded, thrusting the schedule into his chest.

He looked at the paper with feigned indifference. "The patrol schedule," he said, crossing his arms. "Obviously."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "I mean why am I paired with Severus?"

"Oh," Kingsley said casually, taking a moment to read over the paper. "Look at that."

"Kingsley."

"There was an issue with Claudia Higgs…she can't do her patrol."

"She better be dying."

"Lily," Kingsley sighed, clearly trying to defuse the situation.

"Can't you pair Severus with anyone else?"

"You know I can't pair him with Lupin. And a Slytherin with a Hufflepuff wouldn't work. Bad history."

Lily huffed, clenching the parchment tightly in her fist. "What about Faith or Ruben?"

Kingsley's lips tightened, his patience wearing thin. He stepped past her and began walking down the hall, Lily following closely. "Faith has Quidditch practice, and Ruben has tutoring."

Lily scrambled her brain for another solution but then Kingsley stopped and she almost slammed against him.

"You used to beg to be paired with Snape." The Head Boy said, his badge shining against the blue and silver on his robe.

Lily, now at the end of her rope, stared at him. She wanted to argue more, but she knew Kingsley wouldn't change his mind. She stared at the paper again, unable to hide her disappointment.

Kingsley paused briefly, his voice softer now. "I'll speak to Hestia. Maybe we can switch it up."

But Lily wasn't in the mood for false hope. She shook her head firmly. "No… It's fine. I'll do the patrol."

Kingsley gave her a sympathetic look before walking away, and Lily stood there, staring at the flickering flames from the torches lining the walls. The sounds of the students below seemed distant as she examined the schedule again, her heart sinking as she saw it clearly written:

Tuesday — Lily Evans and Severus Snape.

Her mind drifted back to the days when Severus had been her friend. The patrols then had been filled with conversations, shared moments, and time they could spend together away from judgemental eyes. Now, the thought of being alone with him for a few hours made her feel sick. His dark eyes, full of regret and apology, would surely be there. She could almost hear him begging for her forgiveness, but Lily knew she couldn't give it. Not after everything that had happened.

And yet… part of her wanted to forgive him. Would it make everything easier? Would it allow her to move past it? What would it take to fix the shattered friendship they once had?

"Casual stroll, Evans?"

She jumped, spinning around to see him standing a few steps away. His silhouette was framed by the flickering torchlight, the faint glow outlining his unruly hair, which he was ruffling absentmindedly with one hand. In the other, he held a cigarette, the ember glowing faintly in the dim corridor.

"Are you following me, Potter?" she asked, shoving the folded parchment Kingsley had given her into her pocket.

James smirked, that insufferable, familiar expression that Lily had seen far too many times before. He stepped closer, his casual confidence seeming to fill the space between them.

"Hardly," he said, his voice light. "Needed to speak to Shacklebolt about the Quidditch pitch. But it looks like you scared him off."

Lily glanced in the direction Kingsley had hurried away, her lips pressing into a thin line. "He's definitely no Gryffindor," she muttered.

James chuckled, the sound low and warm, as he took another drag of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke to the side. "What'd he do?"

"It doesn't matter," Lily replied quickly, waving the question away. She was suddenly acutely aware that they were alone, the faint light playing tricks on the sharp angles of James's face. She hadn't had a proper conversation with him in weeks—something she hadn't thought much of until now. "So, you're talking to me again?"

James raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You've been… distant," she said carefully, folding her arms. She didn't want to sound as though she'd been paying much attention, but she had. It was impossible not to notice when James Potter wasn't orbiting around her as he had in the past. "It's just unusual, that's all."

He took another drag of his cigarette, considering her words. "And this bothers you?"

"No," Lily said quickly, but her cheeks felt warmer than they should. "It's been… peaceful, actually. I just like to know if someone's upset with me."

James gave her a crooked grin, his hazel eyes glinting with amusement. "So you think I'm upset with you?"

"Well, are you?" Lily asked, her tone sharper than she intended.

He laughed softly, shaking his head as he stubbed out the cigarette against the stone wall. "Why would I be upset with you?"

The question caught her off guard. Memories of the summer flickered through her mind—memories she'd rather not dwell on—and she shrugged, suddenly feeling foolish. "I… don't know."

James stepped closer, studying her with a curious expression. "So, let me get this straight. You're bothered that I haven't been talkative enough, even though we're talking now. You think I'm upset with you but don't know why I would be?"

"Um… pretty much," Lily admitted, her arms tightening across her chest.

He threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the corridor. "You're hilarious, Evans."

She bristled, though part of her realized how ridiculous she sounded. What was she even complaining about? James had been nothing but polite and civil—a stark contrast to the relentless teasing and flirtation of the previous years. But it wasn't like him, and that unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

"So… you're not mad?" she asked hesitantly.

James pretended to consider her question for a moment, then shook his head. "Not in the slightest."

"Well," she said, awkwardly clearing her throat, "glad we sorted that out." She glanced at her watch and decided she'd had enough awkwardness for one night. "I think I'll just turn in for the night."

"Back to dinner?" James asked, falling into step beside her.

"No," Lily replied. "I'm not really hungry anymore."

"I'll walk with you," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She stopped and gave him a skeptical look. "I thought you had to talk to Kingsley."

"It can wait."

With a swift flick of his wand, the cigarette vanished. Lily Evans watched, her lips pursed in mild disapproval. Nasty habit, she thought, though they'd already had this conversation before. Clearly, her opinion hadn't swayed him. She also didn't see the point in objecting to his company, since they were both heading the same way. As they started down the corridor, their footsteps echoed in tandem. Lily kept her gaze forward, determined not to glance at James, who was far too comfortable in the silence.

"So," James said after a moment, his tone conversational. "Should I be flattered you've kept count of how many times I've spoken to you?"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't quite suppress the faint smile that tugged at her lips. "Don't flatter yourself, Potter. I've already told you. I just like to know if someone is mad at me."

"And you'd miss me if I was mad at you," he replied easily beside her. His hands were tucked casually into his pockets, his posture relaxed. "Admit it."

"Somehow I think I'd survive," she shot back.

They continued down the corridor, their banter easy. The playful rhythm was strange, unfamiliar territory for Lily. James had been, for so long, a thorn in her side—a brash, arrogant presence that she'd spent years tolerating. In the past, James would have already attempted to ask her out or they would have already been bickering, throwing insults about his pompous attitude and her freckled face. She would have fully expected to walk into a common room full of lilies as he had done not once, but twice before.

But tonight, there were no grand declarations, no lilies waiting for her, no jokes about her freckled face. Just this quiet, almost friendly teasing that she had only glimpsed once before—that summer.

Lily risked a glance at James from the corner of her eye. Even in silence, his presence was undeniable, brimming with a confidence. The thought flitted across her mind unbidden: maybe it would be better if they were friends. As much as she wanted to deny it, her goal of having a drama-free year would be more easily accomplished if James was a friend rather than foe. If they could find a way to coexist without friction, perhaps she could enjoy her year without the constant tension that tended to accompany James.

"So I was actually hoping to—" Lily began, just as James said, "Listen, about this summer…"

They both stopped, turning to look at each other. James smiled.

"Ladies first," he offered with a small bow.

"How chivalrous," she remarked dryly.

"I'm always chivalrous, Evans. You're just picky about noticing."

She was about to retort but instead Lily hesitated, then took a steadying breath. "I'd like to call a truce."

James's eyebrows rose, his expression genuinely surprised. "I wasn't aware there was a battle."

"With you," she countered with a small smile, "there's always a battle."

He tilted his head, as if conceding the point, but said nothing. Lily looked away and sighed. "I had a really, really rubbish time last year." James straightened slightly, his hands still in his pockets, listening intently. "A lot of things happened…"

"You're talking about Snivellus?"

"With Severus, yes," she corrected with another sigh. "But with you, too."

James flinched, just barely, but didn't interrupt.

"I had to constantly keep an eye out for you, never knowing if you'd be nice or not. Not knowing what to expect," Lily admitted. "Felt like we always ended up fighting about one thing or another, and I know some it was my fault. But whatever went on between you and Sev, it felt like I was always in the middle and in the end, I just felt like…well, it all just sucked."

She stopped walking, turning to face him fully.

"I've always loved Hogwarts and coming to school. And that might make me sound like a nerd but I reckon you'd feel the same way if you came from the muggle world." Lily knew she starting to ramble but continued, determined to make her point. "And before this year started, for the first time ever, I dreaded coming here. And I don't want to feel like that. I want to enjoy school. Hogwarts has always been my safe space and I'd like to keep it that way.

"I think that part of what made me anxious was dealing with you and even seeing you at the wedding made me realize I don't want to be fighting all the time or going against you all the time. So I think…maybe, potentially…" Her green eyes locked on his, the dim light shadowing his. "I'd like us to be friends."

James held her gaze, his face unreadable for a moment, then looked away, gazing out the nearby window. The night sky was dark, the stars hidden behind clouds. Lily was taken aback. James was seldom ever left without words. But a million thoughts looked to be going through his head then and Lily's chest tightened.

What if he said no? What if he didn't want to be her friend? The vulnerability of the moment made her feel nauseous. The redhead felt her cheeks warm up. She cleared her throat, her voice quieter now. "Can we, James? Be friends, I mean."

He exhaled slowly, turning back to her. His lips curved into a subtle grin. "I reckon we can, Lily."

Her heart did a somersault at the sound of her first name, but she pushed the feeling aside, clapping her hands together in mock satisfaction.

"Brilliant."

They resumed their walk, the Fat Lady's portrait now in sight. Lily's spirits felt lighter, as if a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying had been lifted.

"So," she asked, "what did you want to say earlier?"

James shrugged. "I forgot."

She eyed him skeptically. "Really?"

"Maybe I just wanted to see how you felt about Marlene and Sirius," he teased, his grin widening. "We might have another wedding on the horizon."

"Could you imagine?" Lily gave a lighthearted laugh. She pictured Marlene's face, nauseous and a bit green-ish, as a minister pronounced them husband and wife.

As they reached the portrait, Lily gave the password, still chuckling. She noticed James lingering behind. "Are you coming?"

"I think I'll take a walk," he replied. "You know, before curfew."

"Sure, yeah," she said, nodding. There was a beat of silence before she waved. "I'll see you later, Potter."

"See you." As she started through the portrait hole, James called after her. "Why now? Why be friends now?"

Lily hesitated, her hand resting on the edge of the portrait frame. She thought of all the reasons she'd carefully rehearsed, the truths she'd rather not admit. She knew there were things that James inevitably wanted to discuss and there were definitely things that still hung in the air but Lily simply wasn't ready to talk about them. Things that she was perfectly happy burying deep inside a box and fifteen feet underground.

"My dad always said, 'You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.'"

James made a face. "Am I the fly in this scenario?"

She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "I suppose so."

He grinned, and she felt a flicker of relief. "Night, Evans."

"Goodnight, Potter."

Being friends with him hadn't occurred to her when she first thought about this year. But it made so much sense. James would be on her side now. And being friends right now didn't seem all so bad. Perhaps, she thought as she climbed through the portrait hole, it might even turn out to be…brilliant.

---

"It's immature and annoying," Remus said from behind his book, though he wasn't exactly reading it.

"It is not," Sirius shot back, his hands poised over a deck of Exploding Snaps.

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not." Sirius rolled his eyes theatrically and turned to Peter. "Wormtail, tell Moony that he's a stick in the mud and that my 'antics' are hilarious."

Peter grinned, though he was clearly enjoying the argument more than he cared about picking a side.

"Wormtail, tell Padfoot that he's inevitably going to get his eyebrows burned off again if he keeps this up. Remember third year?"

"It was one eyebrow, and it grew back."

Peter chuckled. "Meadows really let you have it that time, didn't she?"

"Don't remind me," Sirius muttered, just as James entered the room.

"Oi, Prongs," Sirius called out, glancing up from his game. He pointed a finger at James as if accusing him of something. "Did you get Shacklebolt to change the dates for practice?"

"Er…no," James replied as he tugged off his school robes, tossing them carelessly onto the back of his chair. He continued to remove his tie. "I'll talk to him tomorrow."

Sirius leaned back, folding his arms. "Then where've you been all evening?"

James perched on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his messy hair. He shrugged nonchalantly, but there was an unmistakable glint in his eyes. "Oh, just a casual stroll."

Remus lowered his book slightly, arching an eyebrow. "A casual stroll?"

Peter laughed, shuffling the deck of cards he'd just swiped from Sirius. "You've got that look, Prongs. The one you had after you smuggled Firewhiskey back from Hogsmeade last year. What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. Why does everyone assume I'm always up to something?"

Sirius barked out a laugh. "Because you're you. Come on, out with it. Did you prank Filch again? Steal a broom from the Slytherin locker room?"

"Nothing like that." He paused for a beat, as if deciding whether to elaborate. "I was talking to Lily."

The dormitory fell silent for half a second before Sirius snorted loudly. "Evans?"

"Is there another Lily?"

Remus gave James a bemused look. "And by talking, you don't mean the usual bickering?"

"She was civil," James said, sounding far too pleased with himself. "We had a proper conversation. She didn't insult me once."

Peter gasped dramatically. "A miracle!"

"What did you talk about?" Sirius asked, leaning forward now, his interest clearly piqued.

James hesitated for a moment, his grin softening. "Stuff. And…" He trailed off, but the mischievous sparkle in his eye had dimmed slightly, replaced by something quieter, more thoughtful. "She said she wants to be friends. Like, proper friends."

Sirius blinked. "Wait. Lily Evans said that? To you? Without a wand pointed at your face?"

He nodded, his grin returning. "Yeah. It was…unexpected."

Remus watched him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Well, good for you, mate. Just don't mess it up."

"Mess it up?" Sirius interjected. "Oh, he's going to mess it up. It's Evans we're talking about."

James threw a pillow at Sirius, narrowly missing his head.

"Oi, watch it," Sirius said lazily, tossing the pillow back without looking up from the game of Exploding Snap he was now halfheartedly playing with Peter.

To an outsider, it would seem like nothing had changed. Their dormitory felt just as it always had, full of laughter, banter, and the occasional explosion from a rowdy game. Sirius still reveled in chaos, Peter still flitted around with a nervous energy, and Remus still sat with a book in hand, quietly observing but rarely judging.

James crawled on his bed and lay flat on his back, hands behind his head, staring at the canopy as Remus and Sirius continued their banter. Yeah. It seemed nothing had changed…except one important detail.

She wanted to be friends.

The thought still made his heart do a strange little flip, a sensation that was both exhilarating and unnerving. He hadn't expected it—not the words, not the vulnerability in her voice, and certainly not the way her green eyes had softened as she looked at him, waiting for his answer.

James had been eleven years old when he first met Lily Evans, a small, freckled girl with hair so vividly red it seemed to burn like a flame. At twelve, he'd come to the reluctant realization she was actually kind of funny, for a girl, and really quite smart, though he'd never admit that. By thirteen, he'd noticed something else when Lily had laughed at one of his jokes. It wasn't the first time, not really, but it was the first time he'd noticed. The sound of her laughter did something strange to him, a warm flutter in his chest that he didn't entirely understand but desperately wanted to recreate.

When he was fourteen, something more primal took hold. James felt an almost uncontrollable urge to hex any boy who so much as glanced at Lily. He still remembered the satisfaction—no, the triumph—of turning Pat Pomfrey's nose into a toucan's beak after seeing the Hufflepuff kiss Lily on the cheek outside Charms. It had earned him a month of detention, sure, but he'd known Professor McGonagall had been impressed with his Transfiguration skills, which only added to his pride. Then there was Naveen Patel, the Ravenclaw who James had overheard planning to ask Lily to Hogsmeade. That had been an easy fix—a quick charm ensured Naveen's shoes turned backward anytime Lily was near.

By fifteen, James had refined his strategy: if he wanted to keep other blokes away, the solution was simple. He'd ask Lily out himself. Loudly. Frequently. The attention, whether annoyed or amused, would remain fixed on him. It worked, too—though he had to admit, it annoyed Lily to no end. That had been an unintended side effect, but James didn't mind. Her frustration, her sharp retorts, even her glares—they were all directed at him. It kept her in his orbit, and that was enough.

Then, one day at sixteen, the realization hit him like a rogue Bludger: he wasn't just infatuated. He wasn't just smitten. He was, unequivocally and irrevocably, in love with Lily Evans.

Of course, it would take him another year to understand what being in love truly meant.

But he didn't know that right now. Right now, he was replaying the events of July 31st over and over, the memories beating inside his mind like a drum.

Friends.

She wanted to be friends.

The word rolled around in his head, foreign and awkward. He wasn't sure what to make of it. On the surface, it seemed like a victory—after all, it wasn't an outright rejection. But deep down, it unsettled him. James Potter didn't want to be Lily's friend. He wanted to be so much more.

But maybe… maybe this was the way to do it.

He exhaled heavily, hoping his mates wouldn't pick up on his frustration. He had no idea what being friends with Lily would even look like. Would they do homework together, chumming up at the library like she used to do with Snape? The Gryffindor shuddered. No. He figured Lily just wanted to ensure James would behave this year and that thought kind of annoyed him.

But the memory of her voice, soft and unsure, vanished that annoyance. Can we, James? Be friends, I mean. She'd looked so vulnerable in that moment, her green eyes wide and hopeful. How could he possibly say no to that?

The dormitory finally settled, the soft rustling of blankets and the steady breathing of the Marauders filling the air as they each retreated into sleep. But not James.

He lay there, unable to shake the disappointment that settled in his chest. He wasn't daft—he knew exactly what Lily meant. She was testing him, placing a boundary between them, making it clear that there was no room for anything more. But still, 'friends'—it was better than enemies, wasn't it?

But 'friends' didn't go on dates.

James' eyes flew open once more, and he shifted around in his bed. He couldn't shake the image of Lily—He pictured her in that green dress again, twirling in the light, her perfectly pink lips curving into that smile.

He groaned softly and turned to the other side, pulling the covers tighter around himself. There was no point in second-guessing now. He had agreed to be Lily's friend, and though he cursed himself for being foolish, he also couldn't help but try to find some sense of reassurance in it. 'Friends'—it wasn't the worst thing, was it?

In fact, he decided with a huff, 'friends' was great. Fantastic, really. He could handle this. After all, this was just an opportunity—an opportunity to prove himself. It wasn't necessarily a limitation. Not when you were James bloody Potter. And James Potter wasn't known for giving up.

Sure, 'friends' didn't go on dates. That much was clear.

But then again…'friends' didn't kiss at weddings, either.

With that thought, James let out a long, calming breath. He closed his eyes. Slowly, the tension in his body eased, and after a few more moments of restless shifting, he finally drifted into sleep.

---

AN: WELL WELL WELL, looks like our Lily is hiding something. lol There will be a chapter on what exactly happened at the wedding at some point but for now...

Thank you so much for reading. I love your comments as much as James loves Quidditch.

-Sam