until the very end

Kudos to my bud @lilyprongspotter for the words and idea :) <3

Jily Week Day 3 First Kiss /or/ Quidditch 

In which James is oblivious and Lily takes matters into her own hands. AO3 // FFN

He was coming towards her in the narrow train corridor, towering a full head over the crowd he was pushing through, his mates trailing along behind him. Well, he wasn’t exactly moving towards her, but in her general direction like everyone else since she stood near the door for no other reason than because she had hoped to intercept him. She had said goodbye to her friends already back in their compartment before the train had even reached the station.

“Hey, Evans.” James grinned over the heads of the crowd when he spotted her.

With one hand he pulled his trunk along behind him and the other held a bag she suspected was filled with contraband he had somehow managed to sneak past Filch – why the caretaker wanted to stop people from sneaking banned items out of school was a mystery to her, but he had spent hours randomly searching people’s trunks this morning and there was no way he had let James and his friends go without a thorough inspection. Had either of his hands been free, she felt certain that it would have raked through his hair, a habit of his that used to bother her but which she had recently become quite fond of.

“Hello, Potter.” She fell into step with him, ignoring the indignant sound Sirius made when he had to pause to let her in next to his best mate.

Jily Week Day 3

June 21st, 1977

Dear James,

I’m sorry about what I said. You know I didn’t mean it. I was angry and you know I say things I don’t mean when I’m angry. So, I wanted to apologize. Since you haven’t be at your house when I came to talk to you, I decided to write you. Now before I go into detail about what I said and why I said it, I want you to know that from the bottom of my heart, I think you’re the very best friend anyone could ask for, James. I was horribly wrong.

Jily week 2017 day 2: First Fight /or/ Letter Writing.

 Lily and James exchange letters the beginning of the summer after sixth year. 

Also I live in New Orleans and today is Mardi Gras and this is a last last last minute contribution because I’ve been gone since 6am and it’s almost midnight lol.

laissez les bons temps rouler.

AO3  /  FFN

8 July 1977

Dear Potter,

I kissed you at Platform 9¾ and told you to write me. It’s been over a week, you abominable twat. If I don’t hear from you posthaste, consider yourself dead to me.

Yours unless you don’t write back,

Lily Evans

PS I hope you are having a good summer with Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

_____

9 July 1977

Dear Evans,

I had half convinced myself that you kissing me was a dream. When Remus assured me that it had actually happened, and that I looked like a petrified jellyfish afterward, I nearly lost my shit. I kid you not, it was a very embarrassing sight. You would have loved to see it.

For fear of seeming a bit overeager (which, truthfully, I am), I allowed myself to be talked out of writing you immediately. I am never taking Sirius’s advice again.

My summer is going well. Remus and Peter have popped in a few times, but it’s mostly been just Sirius and me, and our parents.

How has yours been? I hope your parents are willing to afford you the freedom of adulthood since you are, in our world, an adult now.

Yours, hopefully,

James Potter

PS – I wrote back immediately, so you cannot kill me off yet.

PPS – The blokes and I are going to be in Muggle London on Wednesday so Sirius can look at flats. Would you care to meet up?

_____

10 July 1977

Potter,

Are you inviting me on a date or to join you and your friends?

Lily

___

10 July 1977

Evans,

Straight to the point now, are we?

There are few things in life I will ever ditch my friends for. A date with you is apparently one of them.  

Meet me outside the Leaky Cauldron at 3:00 day after tomorrow? It’s the only landmark I know in Muggle London.

James

PS – You should feel honoured that I am ditching my friends, you know. They are going to be so hurt.

_____

11 July 1977

Make it 4:00 and you’ve got a date.

Lily

PS – I know, I know. I’m a regular Yoko Ono. Never mind, I’ll explain tomorrow.

_____

11 July 1977

I know The Beatles. One of Sirius’s many forms of rebellion when he was still living with his family was Muggle music.

See you tomorrow at 4:00.

Elated,

James

PS – Just warning you now, I am going to kiss you properly when I see you. None of that petrified jellyfish nonsense. Be prepared.

_____

13 July 1977

James,

I had a lovely time even though the boys did track us down and make us look at flats with them.

Looking forward to seeing you all next week at Sirius’s flat-warming party.

Yours, Lily

Oh, Merlin.

Lily Evans was in trouble.

So much trouble.

Her chest was heaving as she leant over a desk, her hands gripping it so tightly it hurt. She wished the pain would make everything focus, make everything clear, but it didn’t work.

Of course it wouldn’t.

Her breath came out in gasps as she collapsed into a desk’s chair. She was alone in an empty Charms classroom, alone on a late Thursday afternoon as the sun gradually sank lower in the sky. Lily stared out of one of the large windows, trying to focus on something- anything- apart from what she’d just realised.

She was in love.

She had thought it was just a simple sex thing, at first. After all, she was a teenager, and James Potter was hot. Now that he wasn’t being a git, anyway.

Then, once she’d started to want him to take her on dates and hold her hand and kiss her, she’d decided it was a simple crush. It would go away soon enough.

It was just because she’d been spending so much time with him, that was all.

Then- well, then she knew she was in trouble when her feelings grew deeper. They were the sea; bottomless and deep and wild.

She’d only thought of the L-word twenty minutes ago, sitting in a meeting with him, watching the way he kept shoving his glasses up his nose as he talked, watching the way the sun caught his eyes and his hair and Merlin, he was gorgeous.

Gorgeous.

She had caught herself before he had noticed her watching him, thought causally He can’t know I’m in love with him.

Then she’d frozen.

Was she in love with him?

The answer was easy.

Yes. Yes, she was.

She’d gotten up and ran, ran out of that damn meeting into the nearest empty classroom and sat down and tried to figure out what to do next.

That was where she was now.

Sitting in a desk too small for her, glaring at the floor, and fighting back tears. A sudden wave of anger overtook her.

She’d managed to last years without falling under his spell. Years! And now look where she was.

In love with the boy at the one point where he didn’t love her back.

Because he didn’t. He didn’t.

He was gentle and kind and loving- but he didn’t love her.

Lily picked up an ink pot that was lying on the desk and turned it over and over in her hands, furious with herself and him and pretty much the whole damn world.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t.

She stood and hurtled the ink pot at the wall, hands shaking, eyes burning, thoughts racing.

It shattered loudly, ink splattering on the wall like blood, pieces of ink pot bouncing on the stone floor and towards Lily.

She didn’t move, just covered her face with her hands and wondered what exactly she was doing.

She took a deep breath and wondered if crying would make her feel better. That was what her mum always said- that crying made you feel better.

Well, Lily didn’t want to feel better. She wanted to fix this. Fix her feelings for-

The door opened violently, and James Potter fell into the room. His face was lightly flushed along his high cheekbones, and he was breathing hard, like he’d been running. His hair, although usually messy, was even messier than normal, and Lily found herself wishing that she could run her hands through it and pull him close to her-

No, she didn’t.

She wanted to keep three feet away from him and never touch him. Ever. That way she couldn’t manage to embarrass herself.

He looked up at her, and his face just lit up, eyes shining.

Ten feet. She would stay ten feet away. Just to be safe.

“Lily,” he said, relief evident in his tone, and suddenly Lily realised how it must have looked, her running out of the Head’s meeting halfway through his speech, especially now, when so many students- especially Muggle-borns like Lily- were receiving letters with bad news about their parents or siblings or friends. “Are you okay? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Okay, she was going to have to extend her minimum distance from him to fifteen feet when he looked like that. He looked…

He looked perfect. He looked like everything she had ever wanted in a boy, like every childhood fantasy her and Petunia had come up with.

“I’m fine,” Lily said hastily. “I just felt a bit faint, that’s all. I swear. Nothing’s… nothing’s happened.”

His shoulders slumped in relief, and he crossed the classroom in a few easy strides to stand next to her by her desk.

Okay, he was way closer than fifteen feet and it was driving Lily to distraction. She could smell him, quidditch broom polish and butterbeer and minty shower gel.

“Did you smash an ink pot?” James asked curiously, looking over at the mess behind her.

Lily thought fast. “Yeah, I knocked one over by accident. I tripped,” she lied, seeing the expression on his face. “Um, I should probably clean it up before a teacher gets here.”

“I’ll do that,” James said, waving a hand in her direction and moving past her to the shattered ink bottle. He brushed against her and she stiffened, not trusting herself. “You should get to the Hospital Wing. You’re obviously not well, you’re acting all jumpy.”

“I’m fine,” Lily insisted, feeling her stomach twist in guilt at the concerned tone in James’ voice. “I swear.”

“No, you aren’t.” He was busy picking up shards of ink pot, and Lily took the opportunity to admire him, admire the fluid way he moved, the way his glasses slid down his nose in the most adorable way she could imagine… he looked up at her, and she looked away, her face flushing. “You said you felt faint. You should go to Madame Pomfrey, and that’s final.”

“I’m fine,” Lily insisted, and then realised she should be helping James clean up her mess, not standing and admiring his muscles. “I swear.”

“Nope.” James stood up and pushed her away from the ink, and again Lily flushed, realising just how close they were. “You’re acting weird, Lily, and I’m worried.”

Lily shrugged. “Don’t be. I’m fine.”

“Lily-” he began, sighing, and Lily stumbled away from him, shaking her head.

Why did it have to be so hard?

Why did he have to make it so hard? She’d been hanging on by a thread these past few months, barely managing to stay friends with him. Barely managing to not grab him by the tie and kiss him senseless.

“No,” Lily said sharply. “No, James, please. Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” His eyes were alive with worry, and Lily hated it.

“Don’t- don’t be concerned!”

“I’m your friend,” he said slowly, stepping towards her. Broken glass crunched under his shoes.

“I can’t be friends with you,” Lily said. “I can’t. I can’t.”

His mouth was wide open, his eyes wide and hurt. “Lily-”

“I tried,” Lily said, the words spilling out of her in a flood. “I tried, Merlin, I tried. But I can’t stay friends with you when I’m in love with you, James.”

There was silence.

Lily’s heartbeat thrummed in her ears, and she blinked hard against the tears suddenly building behind her eyes.

And then- then James moved forwards in one step, so he was so close that Lily could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, and gripped her face in his hands. “Did you ever think,” he breathed. “That I stopped loving you?”

Then he kissed her, slow and soft and warm. It was everything Lily had imagined it would be, everything she had ever wanted- his hands were on her waist, her hands tangled in his messy hair.

“I love you,” he breathed as they pulled apart.

**Since I already wrote Jily’s first kiss in ‘Lily Evans and the Eleventh Hour’ …**

Mid-May 1977

She’d never been one for sport, and although the spectacle of brooms had fascinated her initially, it was part of her life now. What she didn’t count on was the sudden claim she had on the Gryffindor team captain.

“You don’t touch him!” she’d hear herself screaming at the Hufflepuff who’d deliberately run into James, 50 feet in the air.

And it was nerve wracking, but she never felt he was in any real danger. She’d swell with pride whenever he chucked the quaffle through the hoop. It gave her immense pleasure when he’d ruffle his hair, scan the crowd, and point at her.

“This one’s for you,” he was saying.

And she’d roll her eyes.

It wasn’t as if she could suddenly flip on a dime and be the Supportive Girlfriend. In fact, she wasn’t even sure she was his girlfriend, she just knew they spent a lot of time together. Snogging, yes, but also talking. Staring at each other. She called him James in private, but still Potter among their friends.

And she just couldn’t let him have Quidditch.

“I’m just saying, the whole school doesn’t shut down for anything else,” she said pointedly one day during an excited play-by-play of the match they’d just destroyed Slytherin in. “What makes Quidditch so special?”

Then she hurried to leave the table, leaving her friends who had grown up in the wizarding world gaping after her. Marlene had followed, laughing.

“I don’t know why you do it. I see you during the games. Positively frantic! You shouted so much at that Slytherin head-to-head I think I’m partially deaf in my left ear,” Marlene said.

“Oh, I’m just trying to deflate his ego a bit,” Lily shrugged.

On the day of the cup - Ravenclaw and Gryffindor - James was nervous. She could tell because he was ten times louder than usual, and his stride increased by several inches making him look like a curly-haired stork.

“Come here,” she told him quietly when Sirius joked he was betting against Gryffindor and James had vowed to curse his bedsheets to wet themselves.

He followed her reluctantly through the portrait hole and into a deserted classroom, muttering all the way. She charmed the door to alert them of anyone headed their way.

“You’re going to win,” she said simply.

His face changed, and melted into the sweet, almost awestruck expression he always gave her.

“What if I don’t?”

“James,” she took his hand and they sat together on one of the desks. “I know you will. But even if you don’t - who could possibly blame you? You’re Head Boy, you’re excelling in your NEWT level courses, you’re practically guaranteed to be joining the Order of the Phoenix the second we leave Hogwarts … Dumbledore trusts you.”

“He trusts me too much. It’s too much responsibility. I secretly think he might be trying to kill me,” James said seriously, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“We can handle too much,” Lily said softly.

“And what of you? Head Girl, better at Charms than any witch I’ve ever known, a spanking good Vice President of the Dueling Club, taking care of all of us,” James put his forehead on hers. “Also practically guaranteed to be joining the Order of the Phoenix.”

“And there’s this.”

“This.”

The silence between them was comforting as they looked into each other’s eyes. He kissed her gently.

“You’re the greatest girlfriend in the world,” James said when they separated.

“Girlfriend?”

“One more thing on your plate,” he apologized.

“I’d throw off most those other things just to be here with you.”

James blushed. It was a rare but beautiful thing to catch him off guard.

They won the game, of course. Gryffindor became the Quidditch Champions again, bringing the cup back to the Common Room to admire its glistening gold.

“Hail the conquering hero,” Sirius bellowed, already a little drunk. “My best friend, and yours: James Fleamont Potter.”

“And the rest of the team,” James responded quickly, raising a glass to them.

Amidst the ruckus, Sirius, Lily, Peter, Remus, Alice, Marlene and James managed to find a corner.

“This is lovely,” Marlene remarked. “We’re almost never all together outside of lessons. I practically haven’t seen Alice at all for six weeks.”

Remus gave Alice a glance. She flashed him a tiny smile.

“Between Dumbledore, McGonagall and of course our Lily-flower, we literally never see James,” Remus replied. “I had forgotten what he looked like, honestly.”

“He looks like the Quidditch champion!” Sirius shouted, making Peter start.

“He looks like my boyfriend,” Lily said slyly.

Marlene squealed. Peter clapped James on the back.

“Bout time,” Alice muttered.

The first time Lily got into an argument with James was on the second day of school. The students had filed into their first class, Potions, most still full of nerves that lingered from the first day. But not James.

“Of course Potions will be a cinch.” He had boasted to his friend Sirius Black. “My dad’s real tight with old Sluggy, what with inventing Sleekeazy’s. If I’m anything like my old man, I should be able to pass with my eyes shut.”

Lily, who was sitting in front of him, had snorted. Of course she’d been eavesdropping on their ridiculous conversation, and one thing Lily Evans couldn’t resist was throwing her two cents in.

“Just cuz your dad was good at Potions doesn’t mean you’ll be.” She said, turning back to face him. “I heard it takes a lot of hard work to become a good potioneer.” 

“Yeah a lot of work. For morons maybe.” He replied, grinning. Lily’s eyes narrowed, feeling a challenge in this boy.

“You’ve got an ego on you. Better be ready for it to be crushed.” She smirked.

And of course Lily had smoked him. The students were learning a rudimentary elixir, Jitter Juice. By the end of the lesson Slughorn was practically gushing over Lily’s fizzing potion. James, however, had goofed off with Sirius and forgot to add yew after the third stir. The potion had began to vibrate so violently that both boys were covered in thick purple goo.

“No fair, Slughorn didn’t mention the yew!” He’d complained, walking out.

“He did, you were just too busy flirting with Black to notice.” Lily countered.

“At least I didn’t have Slughorn flirting after me.” James teased.

“Guess he can tell the good students apart from the bad pretty quick.” She quipped.

“Oh, game’s on Evans, we’ll see how you fare in Defense…”

And they’d rarely stopped arguing since. She’d catch him putting dungbombs in her soup and hex his ears purple. He’d get detention and she’d be the first to give him a smug look. She’d call him arrogant, he’d call her bossy. They bickered about everything from different techniques in Charms to different theories of how the best ice cream cone should be made. He’d brag that he made the House Team, she’d bring him down to Earth by reminding him that she still had him beat in every class but Transfiguration. They lived for arguing, and their debates were legendary in the Hogwarts halls. But they weren’t enemies. In fact, they were very much friends. You see, there was a difference between arguing and fighting, at least when it came to Lily Evans and James Potter there was. 

Lily liked arguing with James. He was strong-willed and stubborn, just like her.  They were both fiercely loyal to their friends, both cheeky with teachers and with each other. Lily’s soft kindness paired easily with James reckless emotions. They didn’t normally get mad, truly angry at each other. Their arguments were more them getting under each other’s skin, teasing, James’s incessant flirting, and Lily’s witty replies. It was passionate, sure, but also good-natured. 

And then they started up an argument on a rainy Sunday in Fourth Year. This argument, however, was one of the few where Lily actually was angry. And James didn’t look too happy either. No, this was different. This was a fight…

Lily had stormed out of the Great Hall, into the pouring rain. She didn’t care where she went, she just had to get away from everything, Sev, her friends, and especially James Potter. Unfortunately for her, the git decided to follow her.

“You know I’m right Lily!” He shouted over the pattering of the rain on the stone buildings. Lily whipped her head around, hair already soaked and flinging water from the deluge. 

“Why the hell do you even care?” She screamed at him. James’s face was red, hazel eyes narrowed in uncharacteristic coldness. He didn’t seem to be bothered that he was getting wet either, didn’t even wipe the droplets off of his glasses. He took a step towards her.

“Why do I care?” He shouted back. “Maybe because your best friend should treat you like the goddamn ray of sun that you are, not like dirt under his shoes.”

“Sev treats me just fine.” Lily said stubbornly, but her voice lost most of its volume.

“That’s bollucks and you know it Lily.” James said through gritted teeth. “Snivellus is a prejudiced little worm. If you didn’t know each other from when he was a lonely little boy you’d be nothing to him now.” Lily stepped back at the venom in his words. It felt like a punch in the gut. James had never said such cruel things to her, but what was worse, was that James was probably right. But Lily Evans was a proud and stubborn girl, and his anger made hers more caustic as well.

“You always have to go back to him, don’t you?” She cried. “Your stupid obsession with Sev? You’re absolutely horrible to him and you know it! It isn’t fair James.”

“There’s no way he can complain about what’s fair.” He growled, running a hand through his rain-slicked hair.

“Why not? Just because you hate him doesn’t mean he deserves your bullying!” Lily said. “And you walk around the halls like you own the place, just waiting for him to cross your path so you can torture hi-”

“Lily!” James practically screamed. His tone shocked her into silence. “What Snape did back there, that was different! I’m a wanker sometimes, I get it. I push him around, make fun of his hair. It’s shitty and I know it. But calling Mary a Mudblood? I’d never do that. You know I never would. I think you’re just trying to distract yourself from the truth: Snape hates Muggle-borns! You’re the only exception and it’s disgusting.”

Lily was gobsmacked.

“You’re a dick.” She spat. But the anger was rapidly fizzling out, being replaced with a hollow loneliness. Lily and James stared at each other, the weight of their fight crashing down on each of them.  

James was breathing heavily, eyes full of anger and sadness and… compassion? Regret and sorrow consumed Lily, and she had the vague feeling that her feet were moving. The rain blurred her vision, but James was moving closer as well. Suddenly they met, hugging in a tight embrace, both soggy and shivering. Lily felt tears join the raindrops falling down her face. She shook with sobs, James quiet and still, holding her close.

“He’s my friend…” She whispered hoarsely. She thought back to the dining hall, when Sev’s black eyes were full of hate. Of course he immediately tried to apologize, but not to Mary, to her. Because he cared about their friendship, but he didn’t care that he’d called Mary a Mudblood. How her best friend had built up all that hate was beyond Lily, and it broke her heart.

“I know.” James murmured. Tentatively, he stroked her hair. It was a soothing gesture. Lily felt a weight lift from her chest. They stood like that for a while, feeling forgiveness in the embrace, listening to the rain pour down around them.

“We’ve never gotten in a fight before.” Lily said softly.

“Sure we have. Every time I see you we fight.” James replied lightly. Lily looked up at him from their embrace.

“Not like this.” She whispered. James nodded stonily.

“Let’s not do this again.” He said, grinning. “Deal?” Lily nodded, and the two began to walk back to the shelter of the Great Hall. 

“I’m going to talk to Sev.” She said, looking forward. “He’ll listen to me.”

“Alright.” James replied evenly, though he knew it wasn’t true. Lily just wasn’t ready to give up on her friend. A part of him respected that deeply. But he had a sinking feeling that she’d learn sooner or later, and be crushed. Lily looked over at him, green eyes now full of mischief. 

“You know, your hair looks beyond stupid when you  try to stick it up in the rain.” She said. James grinned.

“At least I don’t look like a drowned ginger cat.”

“Hey! Don’t make me throw mud at you Potter….”

Late September 1976

Mssr J.F. Potter

Kindly come collect your quidditch boots, which you left in our room on Wednesday last. I’m not sure what you’ve been wearing since, but I know they smell.

With plugged nose,

Mlle L.V. Evans

J,

The V stands for Victoria as in the Queen, which is how you should always address me.

L

Potter -

Sirius told me you’ve got a case of firewhiskey stashed somewhere in the castle. Happy to help you drink it.

-Evans

Listen, you. Getting a bit tipsy and telling you I think you smell nice is no reason to assume anything. You had, as established, recently bathed, which was a nice change.

-L

Late October 1976

James Fleabag Potter:

Stop winking at me.

-L

Potter,

Got your transfiguration notes. Thanks for helping me not look like a fool. A token of my appreciation is included.

-L

J-

You imply I may owe you more than a thank you and a bag of Bertie Bott’s, which is greedy and I’ll have none of it.

-L

Late November 1976

Potter,

Nobody has ribbed me or given me Meaningful Looks or said a word about you to me. Could it be that you have actually honored our agreement and kept your mouth shut? I am deeply flattered.

But seriously, and sarcasm aside, what you said to me meant a lot. I’m glad we can be friends after everything. You’re not such a bad seed after all.

-Evans

JFP -

I hope you know I saw you today. Doing Remus’ duties while he was indisposed. He can’t have asked you to do that, as he never would, and it was a stand-up thing to do.

I know it likely especially pained you to get after those first years. But authority looks good on you.

-LVE

Late December 1976

James,

Happy Christmas.

love, Lily

Jily week day 2- first fight.

Maybe, just maybe, Lily shouldn’t have agreed to going on a date with Harold Johnson.

Maybe.

And maybe she shouldn’t have accepted it right in the middle of the Great Hall right in front of James Potter’s nose.

Maybe she shouldn’t have given him a very deliberate look just as she told Harold she would go to Hogsmede with him.

Just maybe.

After all, maybe it was mean. That was what Alice told her anyway, and Alice was the one Lily always trusted with those sorts of things.

Marlene told her that it was ‘brilliantly petty’ and ‘would send a clear message’.

Marlene didn’t give very good love advice, though, seeing as she’d been in love with Sirius Black for years and so far hadn’t quite realised that he was in love with Remus Lupin.

Nobody else had volunteered an opinion on the matter. They all looked like they were afraid of hurting Lily’s feelings or offending her, considering she was glaring at them all with fire and smoke in her eyes.

James found her after Potions.

“Harold Johnson?” He asked in disbelief. “That idiot?”

They were standing in the corridor leading to the dungeons, surrounded by what felt like hundreds of curious classmates. The hall felt dark and cramped as Lily spun around, her hair flying everywhere, books clutched to her chest like a shield. “Oh, I’m sorry, Potter, was I supposed to become a nun? If you can’t have me, nobody can? Is that it?”

A couple of students who were standing close to Lily edged away as if they were afraid that she might explode. Lily didn’t blame them; that was how she felt at the moment.

Her and Potter had had fights before, of course, but they were all about silly things. Homework that James had accidentally ruined. That time Lily had blown up because James had asked her out one too many times. But this…

Lily was on fire. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes burning brightly, fingers digging into the sharp edges of her books so hard that her knuckles were white. He’d stepped over the line, now- he’d really done it this time.

James stepped backwards, as if noticing the expression on her face- ten minutes too late. There was no going back now. “Well, of course not- I just mean that-”

“Mean what?” Lily snapped. “Mean what, Potter? Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you don’t want me to date anyone that isn’t you!”

“Well, of course I don’t!” James yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. His glasses were slipping down his nose, but he didn’t seem to notice or care. “Isn’t that the bloody point? I want you to go out with me, Lily! Me!”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Lily snapped furiously. “You and I both know that’s only for attention-”

James spluttered, and Peter pulled on his sleeve anxiously. “Prongs, maybe we should leave it-”

It was too late. Far, far too late, because they’d gotten started now, and goddamn it if Lily was going to let this go now.

“You don’t control me, Potter,” Lily spat. “I can date who I like, and the fact you’re suggesting I can’t is-”

“Hey, hey,” James began. “That’s not what I said at all! You’re twisting my words, Evans, you know you are. This is ridiculous!”

“Why bring up Harold in the first place, huh?” Lily cried, taking a step towards him and jabbing the hand that wasn’t holding the books in his general direction. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

“You know damn well why I can’t leave you alone,” James said under his breath, running his hands through his already messy hair.

It didn’t matter what he said, though. Lily didn’t hear him; didn’t care. “I don’t want to date you,” she growled. “I never have; I never will. Get it through your thick skull, Potter, or I’ll hit it in with one of those Quaffles you love so much!”

The crowd around them were stepping away slowly. This fight was so much more real than ones before- even when defending Severus, Lily had never gotten this angry. James glanced around as if looking for backup, but Sirius and Remus were in another class and Peter was standing behind him looking miserable. He wasn’t going to be much help.

“Evans-” James began. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t date him-”

Lily laughed loudly. “Oh, well thank Merlin! I was oh so concerned about your opinion. You don’t tell get to tell me what I can and can’t do, Potter.”

“You know damn well-” James began, then stopped himself. “Evans, we’re going around in circles. Can’t we- can’t we just stop arguing?”

“No,” Lily said shortly. “We can’t. We can’t because you and me- we aren’t meant to be together in any way, shape, or form. We’re supposed to stay far, far apart and I’d really appreciate it if you’d just let me be.”

She stalked past him, making sure to knock his shoulder as she went past. She didn’t see the look on James’ face as she past.

Maybe if she had, something else would have happened.

But she didn’t. Two days later, Harold told her he didn’t want to go to Hogsmede after all. Lily, of course, blamed James.

James blamed Harold for ‘being a blind idiot’.

Lily cried herself to sleep for two days, and then she discovered that Harold actually already had another girlfriend. And another.