Lioness

“A makeover? The last time I did anything of the sort… well, it’s better if we don’t talk about it. I don’t want to leave you looking like Peeves, I’m possibly the worse person for the job.” Greta commented while putting away the stack of leftover cards. “If it’s just a trim then maybe yes.”

“you can’t start a story and not finish it” Lily teased, taking out a small brush from her bag to start managing her hair. “a trim would do me wonders, I’ve never lost at this game as bad as I did today.”

“i did?” he perked up at the mention of him making something better. usually he only made things worse, especially with lily. “no, thank you.” by now snape was smiling. “what… what do you want to do now?”

“yes you did, don’t sound so surprised. it was an honor losing to you, just look at my hair,” Lily said, showing him her burned tips. “thank you first” she grinned getting up from her seat. “let’s go for something simple, how about a walk?”

He felt his eyes widen when she asked him the question. In return, a thousand others came crashing through his head wanting to know how she knew. Was is that easy to tell? He definitely didn’t have it written all over his face but… how? “I- what do you mean?” James started, knowing quite well that he couldn’t lie to her. Looking into her eyes he simply nodded and sat back. “Is it weird that I’m telling you this?”

Lily felt her heart sink into her stomach, she had been harboring feelings for him longer than she could remember but apparently some things were not meant to be. “a little?” she said, rolling her hair around her finger as she did whenever she was nervous. “listen, it’s not a bad thing that you like her. it’s good, so there’s no reason for you to feel weird or out of place because of it.” she let her hair drop and forced a smile. all she had left to do was being supportive.

“I’m not making this any easier, right?” He mused. Yeah, he had been feeling out of it but he was now just rambling and his rambles never led to anything good. “If I’m honest I’m just surprised you haven’t told me to get lost yet, and… I don’t know I just wanted to talk. Just talk and maybe figure out how to get back to my usual self.”

“not at all, James.” she offered a smile and let her shoulders drop. Lily was having a hard time understanding what he meant about not feeling himself, as far as she could tell he was acting the same as always.. but then it hit her. “you really like her, don’t you?”

“At least your hair is still better than mine, yeah?” He teased with a grin. “Erm.. thanks for indulging me I guess.”

“always better.” she grinned. “I’ve only played a couple of times, always saw this game as barbaric but you made losing fun, so thank you.”

“You can’t give up just yet, I was just starting to win.” Greta said, motioning to her now beyond dead ends. The game never failed to amuse her even if she was horrible at it. “I can’t just say I won if you surrendered.”

“no, really I’ll pass, anymore damage and I may have to cut it.” saying what the outcome would be gave her an idea and she grinned with enthusiasm. “so here’s an idea what if you help me cut my hair? I’ll play one more round if you say yes.”

“Impatient? Me?” He said pointing at himself before waving the comment off with his hand. If he was impatient he would have completely give up on her A LONG, long time ago… but there he was, still being friendly and accepting all insults and rants she threw his way. James remained quiet, though, as he took in every word she said. She was saying Sirius way too much and after spotting her cheeks blushing he wondered if maybe she really meant what she was saying. “Right, I agree.” He finally said after a few minute of silence. “I’m not sure if I’m happy. I like to think I’m at least 5% better looking than Sirius…”

Lily wanted to argue that one more time but there was no point. He probably had a good reason that’d excuse his impatience. “listen, you are both attractive in different ways and I really don’t think the whole reason behind you rushing me to finish my homework has anything to do with this, so what is it?” she asked, finally more calm.

“Please come up with a more believable lie.” he teased. “What better way can you spend your time than talk to me?”

“sure, I haven’t received a christmas present from you yet and I am still waiting.” lily grinned, moving over so he could sit down. “how are you, Ted?”

“Oh… sorry, I didn’t realise I started reading aloud,” Leo spoke with a sheepish smile.

“I tend to do the same,” Lily smiled back, feeling bad for having lost her patience. “sorry.”

Andromeda glanced at the younger student that Lily had spoken to and slowly nodded before turning her attention back to her book. “They always get loud around this time, you can tell they are over classes.”

“me too actually,” Lily said, giving the younger students one more glare before going back to paying attention to Andromeda. “I just want you to finish the story, and they are distracting, have you talked to Rabastan at all since getting back ?”