it's a beautiful life

@oh-evans​ 

“I would rather die by your hands than anyone else’s,” James kept his hand on her cheek rubbing it softly with his thumb. The last thing he wanted to do was make the girl across from him who happily kissed him back, upset again. He wanted to make her happy and keep her happy. “I promise Evans, it’s kind of hard to promise actually but I promise that I won’t be hurt again,” his fingers moved to comb through her hair realizing now just how soft it was. 

A glimmer of something sparked in his eyes when she finally said those words. It wasn’t a normal confession but it was a Lily confession. “Hm – I think I don’t think you need to see it out loud. Nor do I think you expect me to say it out loud either. Me too,” his eyes looked back down at his lips, he wasn’t too sure if this was something he should be doing but it felt so right. James leaned forward again wanting nothing more than to not stop kissing her, especially when he had waited so long to do this. 

@jamspctter​

She smiled at the irony, because this man was going to be the death of her- not vice versa. “As long as you remember there’s nothing I hate more than a broken promise.” She wasn’t delusional, she knew there were no guarantees in a war, but instead of desperation she felt hope. Like sharing the way she felt could protect him, like with sheer willpower they would be okay solely because of the strength of her feelings. It was a silly thought, but her thought nonetheless.  

It wasn’t entirely fair, was it, that James had been open with her and she wasn’t going to return the favor? Maybe that came more easily to him, but if she was ever going to make up for years of rejection, she’d probably have to meet him halfway. Of course she’d read a million books with staggering, eloquent declarations of love, but she hadn’t ever realized how much harder it was to be vulnerable in that way in real life. “Well, just in case I wasn’t clear,” she breathed out, touching her forehead to his, “it’s you. I think it’s always been you.” She was no Darcy and no Rochester, that was for sure. “Unless you’re not interested anymore, in which case I never said that and you’re delusional,” she laughed as she leaned in and closed the distance between them again. 

@oh-evans​

James felt goosebumps prickle all over his body as Lily traced the lines of his palms. All his thoughts now gone as he stared at Lily. Without a thought he leaned forward pressing his lips softly onto Lily’s. James wasn’t sure what came over him but her soft lips were enough to make him forget the fact that he had done what he had always thought of doing. James moved his hand up to his cheek and as he pulled away from her lips he couldn’t help but look into her green eyes. "I um – sorry, but Evans you can’t get rid of me that easy,“ he smirked, a snort of laughter escaping with his joke.

"I’m sorry I scared you or anyone else, I will make sure it won’t happen again. I’ll walk around in a bubble,” his smile fell hoping to help her understand how serious it was to him. It felt weird kissing her and then acting as if nothing had just happened, but it wasn’t the case for him. 

@jamspctter​

And she met him like they’d done this a million times before, like kissing James was as secondhand as breathing. She knew him like she knew herself, inside out, and of course kissing him felt like the natural next step. When he pulled away, her mind told her everything was different, but what could have been? What had that proved that she hadn’t already known was there? “I...” she tried to respond but had to catch her breath, annoyed with herself that one small kiss had turned her into a girl she swore she’d never become. “I’m happy to hear it. You better hope that bubble works, because if it happens again I just might kill you myself.”

She looked up at him, eyes beseeching him to just get what seemed so hard for her to verbalize.  What could she say? I have feelings for you felt so cold, so impersonal, I like like you so juvenile, fuck, I think I might be in love with you the most honest and yet the one she was the least likely to say out loud. “You’re not really going to make me say how I feel out loud, right?” There, that fit them best. 

—

Emmeline watched as Lily sat down in one of the chairs. She watched her carefully to make sure that her friend was not hurt. The girl was like a little sister to her, and she would make hell if anyone dared to hurt her.  “I’d appreciate that…” She murmured, picking up the tea cup, and blowing carefully over the hot tea. “Uh…. I’ve drunk some water?” She murmured with a little laugh. Not enough. “And no comment on the food….” She’d had some toast, and maybe a lame sandwich. But not enough, and the woman knew that. The auror just laughed, a little smile on her face. “It should be making sure your taking care of yourself Lils…” She mused, just grateful for her friend. Lily was one in a million, and Emmeline was proud to mentor her.

@emmelinevancx​

“Water is not enough,” she rolled her eyes. She was unsurprised Emmeline had been neglecting herself to focus on others- the two of them were so alike that it was almost like she could read Emmeline’s thoughts, see how unimportant she found her own needs right now compared to the needs of others. But even if Lily couldn’t say these things to herself, she could say them to Emme. 

“Have one, it’ll make me feel better.” With a willowy flick of her wand, she summoned Emme’s misplaced tin of biscuits and send it whizzing towards her. “Oh, you know me, I can take care of myself. Haven’t been sleeping particularly well given the Marlene situation, but I think the eyebags give my face character, don’t you think?” Lily crinkled her nose as she helped herself to a biscuit as well. “We don’t have to talk about it,” Merlin knows the carnage from the ball was the last thing anyone wanted to talk about, “but is there anything I can do to help?”

@oh-evans​

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you could, you’re stronger than me Evans,” James smiled keeping his hands on her face a little longer than needed. Before finally moving them, deciding not to act on his thoughts. He needed her to know she was stronger than she believed. “Lily, you say you aren’t strong but I think that you are. You’re always there for your friends, and your spell work is immaculate. You’re a perfect reason why muggleborns are no different than any pureblood out there,” he looked down at the top of her head. Her warmth making his skin prickle as she rested her head there.

“I wish I had an answer you but I don’t…keep doing what you are doing right now, being there for everyone,” James took her hand hoping to comfort her. “Don’t be scared Evans, take it from me even if I’m a biased source. Keep up with the energy you have right now, things will get better I know they will. No matter how hard things get because of this at the end of the day you have the people you care about and most importantly yourself. We can stop this evil from taking over, I know it,” even though he was scared as well he knew he had to be strong for her.

@jamspctter​

If her head hadn’t been pressed into his shoulder, he would have seen the blush spread across her face. It was humiliating to need the reassurance- she knew her worth, knew her talent, knew her strength, but she felt like so much more when she heard James say it. “I wish I was the person you thought I was,” she laughed to lighten the mood, even though it was true. “One day you’re going to look at me and realize I’m not all that.” He really could do much better, she’d always thought so, even at school. Events like the ball made her uncomfortably aware that this man was considered a catch by echelons of society she’d never ever be a part of. It had never made sense to her that someone like that, so innately likeable, charismatic and loyal, talented and funny, had been so focused on her- the only rational reason she’d found was it must have all been a joke. 

“I know you don’t, no one does.” How could they even try to rationalize what was happening around them? How could anyone know what was the right thing to do? “But I believe you.” She’d told herself these things a million times over, but they sounded much more convincing coming from him. “You know, you really scared me last night. I thought I... I thought we might lose you.” She traced the lines in his palm with her fingers, maybe to just remind herself he was still there. “Try not to do it again, yeah?” She tilted her face up to his.

where: ministry of magic — public wing with: @oh-evans​

Once again, Severus caught himself frantically scanning the copy of the Daily Prophet he’d just purchased looking for any mentions of casualties other than Bones, which was talked about so much it didn’t even bring a smile to his face anymore, simply an eye roll. Having had no way to know about how Lily, Saoirse, Lupin, or even Potter had fared in the battle, he had resigned himself to stopping by the Ministry, hoping that if he roamed the corridors long enough he might stumble upon one of his new friends to ask for updates. But when he finally looked up, it was Lily herself whose eyes caught his, a possibility that he had refused to prepare for, trying to convince himself he’d be indifferent to it. She looked okay, although her face was stern. He stood still, and coughed a few times, suddenly having no idea what to say. “Good morning,” he settled on lamely. “I’m here on business for… Potions. You look well,” he finished, his tone as much a question as a statement. 

@half-a-prince​

“Sev.” It came out of her mouth before she had the chance to stop it, surprise and exhaustion blocking the part of her brain that normally reminded her that they were no longer friends. How’d he always manage to catch her at the very worst times? In the same clothes as yesterday, disheveled hair and bags under her eyes, she was hardly in the emotional state to maintain the armor she usually found she needed to have a conversation with Severus. The last time she’d seen him they’d fought bitterly- now nothing seemed stupider to her than wasting energy on a grudge from half a decade ago. You can’t change people, Lily. “Er-” she tried to recover from her stumble, doing her best to mimic his tone (calm, impersonal). “Morning. Potions business, sounds very... essential.” 

Did he know about Marlene? She ruled it out- doubted he’d remember if he’d seen it in the Prophet that he’d once known Marlene tangentially at school. Had he even been at the ball? She hadn’t recalled seeing him either before the chaos or after, and she found the thought comforting that he might not have been involved at all (because even the suggestion in her mind that he could have been clad in a mask brought bile to her throat). “I’m as well as I can be. As well as anyone is.” He was probably ready for her to stop speaking (and so was she), but words kept spilling out. “I hope you’re also well. Staying safe and all.” She meant it as a formality, but it probably came out more like a plea. She had never been as good at keeping her emotions under control as he was.

—

Emmeline was feeling exhausted. She’d done as she had promised Alastor, and she had gone home. But only for a few hours, and then she was back in the ministry. She couldn’t sit at home, and do nothing. Her head shot up as she heard a familar voice, and she smiled as she saw Lily. “Hi Lily….” She murmured with a nod. “Come in…..” She murmured, motioning for one of the spare seats in her little office.  “Depends what you want to chat about….” She mused with a little laugh. She really couldn’t talk about more about the events of the ball. “If you fancy a tea Ive probably got some biscuits somewhere”

@emmelinevancx

​She accepted the invitation, curling up in one of the chairs. “Well, we can chat about whatever you like,” she kept her tone light, sensing Emmeline might just want a distraction. With a lazy flick of her wand, she neatly Transfigured some stray quills into teacups, sending one floating over to her mentor. “Please tell me this won’t be your first hydration today. And tell me you’ve had a full meal too, that’d make my day,” she grinned with sadness behind her eyes. She was trying so hard to stay upbeat, stay positive, but it felt like a sick pantomime when they both well knew they were falling apart. “Just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”

@oh-evans​

“You don’t need to be an auror to be good at magic Evans,” James gave her a small smile and leaned against Lily hoping to give her comfort. He looked around the room as she had thrown the heels, there was something nice about seeing her place like this. It felt more personal almost. He chuckled softly at the fact that she had cursed out Ministry staff over Marlene, knowing he would have done the same.

“I don’t actually know Evans, how about for once I leave it up to you? I’ll help you regardless, I just like being an arse,” a legitimate date, a kiss, a smile, get her bestfriend out of jail. She could have said anything that made her happy, and he would be happy with that. James carefully reached a hand out without thinking and tried to wipe away some of the mascara on her cheek. “Bloody hell, how do you even take this off in the first place? What kind of muggle magic do you use?” It was a momentary set back to his plan, but it happened to be a good distraction for the time being.

@jamspctter​

“Guess not. After all, you’re an Auror, and I could still kick your arse in a duel,” she nudged him teasingly (although in honesty, she wasn’t sure if she could). “Or at least in a classroom.” It felt so natural to have him here that she could almost forget everything else happening, like his sheer presence was enough to take the weight off her shoulders. 

Her breath caught in her throat when he rubbed under her eyes, because he was right there. “I’m not telling. Let us Muggleborns have some of our own magic.” It would have been so easy to just close the distance between them. But instead she froze- because maybe she wasn’t strong enough to overcome nearly a decade of her own insistence.  She settled on tentatively leaning her head against his shoulder, testing the boundaries of this new gray space between them. “James, I have no idea what to do. And I’m so fucking scared.” 

The instant that Marly heard Lily’s voice she could feel a part of her snap. Pulled from her spiraling mind as she turned her gaze up from her feet to her best friend. “Lil-” The witch uttered as she moved closer to the barrier. Hand moving up almost to touch the barrier as if that could some how bring her closer to her best friend. But no- she’d made that mistake already and had the red sting on her hands to prove it of hexed magic that was meant to keep those in from never escaping. The words cut into Marlene’s heart and for the first time since she’d got in there she could feel the barriers she built up so high starting to crumble as tears filled the edges of her eyes. “How the fuck did I end up in here Lily-” 

@starryeyxdmckinnon​

“Are you okay? Are they feeding you? Are you warm enough?” Lily switched into checklist mode, running through the list in her head of all the things she could yell at the Aurors outside for. “They can’t treat you like this, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Lily’s ethical system was fairly black and white- you did something wrong, you got punished, right? But the last year had only trampled on her worldview. Someone had tried to kill Camille, and that person was free, and Marlene was here. “I don’t want you to worry at all. I’m going to take care of it,” she asserted with a confidence she didn’t feel. “I am taking care of it. They can’t keep you here with no evidence, it’s not right.”

@oh-evans​ 

James watched as she headed over to the couch, almost following suit like a lost puppy. He sat beside her close enough where their limbs grazed, but not too close to give her the space he believed she needed. “Just a small concussion is what I was told, nothing I haven’t dealt with before – quidditch,” he shrugged a bit not wanting her to worry anymore than she clearly has been. “Don’t be sorry Lily, the last thing I would want is if you died because of me. At least you’re safe, and I’m sure you did amazing considering you are way stronger than I am,” he nudged her with his shoulder, the smile fading as he mentioned Marlene.

“She shouldn’t be there, we both know her and we both know this wouldn’t be her doing,” James ran his fingers through his hair stressed knowing that they wouldn’t let him do anything since he was close to her. “If you need help getting to Marlene I can as well, she needs everyone right now,” he placed a hand on her knee watching her closely. “If you want a way in without worrying about other aurors I can do that, but it’ll cost you Evans,” he gave her a small smirk.

@jamspctter​

“Good.” She tossed last night’s heels off the couch to make room for James, once again slightly embarrassed to have company over when both she and the house were a wreck.”Well, I’m no Auror, but I got some shots in. I’d like to think I did some damage.” It was a blur in retrospect, but she was fairly confident she hadn’t embarrassed herself. 

“No, of course she didn’t do it,” she automatically concurred. She’d known in her gut from the second she’d found out Marlene had been arrested- she’d never even asked. “I saw her once earlier in the morning, but it’s going to be hellish to try and get back there again. It’s possible I cursed out some Ministry staff,” she grimaced, rubbing her hands under her eyes and only further smearing last night’s mascara. “I just might need an in. Little cruel of you to charge a desperate woman,” she nudged him back. “What’s it gonna run me?”

where: ministry of magic

“Knock knock.” Lily leaned on Emmeline’s doorframe without waiting for a response. “I saw the light on in your office.” She wasn’t surprised she wasn’t the only one burning the midnight oil at the Ministry- after the Ball, everyone she knew had been walking around with dark circles under their eyes, and Lily knew neither she nor Emmeline would be an exception. “Thought I’d come check on you, see if you needed a chat.” Lily certainly had needed a break after hours of pouring through legal documents. 

where: the ministry of magic jail cells

“Lene!” Lily arrived in a burst of energy, still half finishing some passive aggressive conversation with the staff that quickly died as the heavy metal door swung shut behind her and she came face to face with Marlene. Words died in her throat- she’d been fighting for hours to get in to see her, calling everyone she knew in the Ministry, reading any policy and procedure she could get her hands on, but now that she saw her best friend sitting in a holding cell, she had no idea what to say. “I wish I could hug you.” It came out raw and true, and she reached her hand out anyways, regardless of the magical barrier in between them. “I....Would it be absolutely tone deaf to ask how you are?”

@oh-evans​

James’ nerves were all over the place causing a rush of euphoria when Lily basically tackled him in a hug. It was confirmation she was alive and at least physically well, and it was an immense comfort for James to have the person he cared about the most in his arms. Wrapping his arms around her he felt the air he had been holding escape from his lungs. “I’m happy you’re okay too,” he pulled back as she did and shook his head at her apologies. “Please don’t be sorry, I just have a headache,” he forced a laugh, accepting her invitation and sauntered on into her flat. It felt weird knowing that currently Marlene was in trouble and he wasn’t sure where Doe had been. The apartment seeming to have a rather pungent silence.

James couldn’t force himself to sit down, the antsy feelings he had still trickling through his body and instead chose to stand near Lily. “I know you’re strong but are you okay? How are you holding up? Is there anything I can do to help?” He knew throwing a million questions at Lily wasn’t the right choice but finally taking her in, in front of him was more than enough to set them off.

@jamspctter​

“Of course you have a headache, you went down pretty hard.” Lily winced as she remembered seeing him fall to the ground with a flash of light, the terror and adrenaline that filled her veins like never before. “Was that all? Not that a headache is insignificant, but I was worried you might have a concussion, or broken bones, or brain damage- well, you obviously don’t have brain damage, given that you’re... here.” She knew she was babbling, but she was a nervous talker. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I wanted to be there.” 

She folded herself back into the corner of the sofa, resting her chin on her knee. “You just got out of St. Mungos and you’re asking me if I’m okay?” Merlin, she did not deserve this man in her life. “I’m okay, really I am. I was barely touched, just bumps and bruises.” And a bit of wounded ego- she felt so useless, given that her friends had fought so bravely and been injured while she was completely safe. “I was up at the Ministry all night for Marlene, and I’ll probably go back again in a while if I haven’t been banned after screaming at some Aurors last night. But I’m going to figure it out, and I’m going to get her out of there.” If anything, she at least had some direction, had a goal.

Starter for ; @oh-evans​ Where ; Lily’s flat

James was worried. The last he had seen Lily was her screaming his name during the battle at the Solstice Ball. He knew she was strong, but he could only think of the worst. Especially with everything that had gone down. He wasn’t sure where to look, all he knew was she was at least not at St. Mungos. So the next place to look other than a muggle book store was the flat she shared with the others. Standing nervously at the door he raised his hand and knocked on the door. This had been the first time he had come to her place without the Marauders, or without another group of friends. After he waited for a bit he cleared his throat and knocked a bit softer. “Lily? If you’re in there it’s James,” he had hoped hearing a familiar voice would help make her feel more comfortable.

@jamspctter​

Lily was manic. The ball had become a mass of people with unrecognizable faces, barriers between her and the people she loved, and she’d fought her way out while calling their names. “Marlene? Doe? Remus? James?” Nothing had looked familiar, nothing had seemed right- and then she’d run to the Ministry in the middle of the night once she’d heard Marlene had been taken in for questioning. It had taken hours for her to successfully be convinced that she was more harm than help in this state, and she’d crashed on the couch in their shared apartment in her underwear, hair and makeup still done. 

She bolted awake at the sound of a knock. Fuck. “One second!” She threw on pajama shorts and the first shirt she could find- an XXL Elton John concert tee. Opening the door, she felt a stab of guilt when she realized James had left the hospital before she had the chance to see him, and then a flood of relief that manifested in her almost running at him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank God you’re okay,” it came out muffled, her head was pressed into his shoulder. “Er- sorry,” she stepped back as she remembered it probably wasn’t wise to tackle someone who just got out of the hospital. “Do you want to come in?” Damn, if she knew she was having company she would have cleaned up the takeaway containers all over the coffee table.

.

Alastor hadn’t been able to give her an answer. Would they upset their own party to serve their Dark Lord? Probably. He knew that there was no end to how far they would go for him and his ideals. Instead he had wished Lily well and moved on, casually watching the ball unfold. Now, Alastor found himself cursing under his breath as he watched Laurel and her sisters leave for St. Mungos. He had been right, they would rain on their own parade. The crowd moved around him as he stood in place, lost in thought. Before he knew it, he was standing next to Lily Evans yet again. “I think we jinxed it.” He sighed, glancing at the young woman. 

He hated how he didn’t see it coming, he hated how he couldn’t have prevented it, he hated how he didn’t even know why laurel had been targeted. “What happened? Was she poisoned? Did you see anything?” || @oh-evans​

@alastxrmoody

She felt stupid to be surprised. But here she was. ​Every time something like this happened, she thought no, now I understand, now I’ll see it coming. But she still wasn’t accustomed to the cruelty. 

“I was just talking to her an hour ago,” she said, almost to herself, staring at a spot on the wall somewhere past Laurel. She couldn’t look at her. “Er- I don’t know.” Snapping back to reality, she ran a hand through her hair. “I didn’t even see, just I saw her one second being normal and the next she was on the ground. She wasn’t even doing anything, I don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt her.” Of course, these were things they couldn’t understand- and she was almost grateful she didn’t have the capacity to understand these random acts of cruelty. It meant she still thought people were good at heart.

@oh-evans​

James felt a rush of something in his chest. A feeling he was all too familiar with when it came to Lily. The words Lily said becoming all too familiar to him in a way he wasn’t sure he could understand. It was hard, and he knew it would be considering he dated her best friend for a few years and broke her heart. This wasn’t something he knew he could openly just throw at Lily and yet there he was doing just that with the whole Clarice debacle. He wasn’t giving her the time of day, and while he knew it was just jest at the beginning but he knew he was going to kick himself. With a bright smile his mind was brought back to the present when she had asked for him to dance. His face becoming beet red almost instantly, clearing his throat he swayed a bit close to her placing a hand on her upper arm.

“I don’t know – I’m considered a blood traitor if you hadn’t noticed, so I don’t think they care who I dance with. Maybe it might be a bit more talked about because you’re a…” James gasped dramatically. “Muggle born,” he feigned horror before laughing and running his hand down her arm and taking her hand. “Let’s dance Evans, the nights young and this party is antiquated. Before I do something I regret right now.”

@jamspctter​

He took her hand and God, how could she deny that? How could she tell herself any longer the way she felt when he touched her was nothing? “Well, wouldn’t want to make any trouble for you. So only if you’re sure you don’t mind.” She meant it as a joke, but there was a kernel of truth. People were always going to talk if they got involved. She would be trouble for him- but she knew James, and once he’d set himself on something, no amount of gossip was going to dissuade him. So she led him to the dance floor, daring anyone to judge. “Something you might regret- and what might that be?” She raised an eyebrow, well aware now she was flirting. “You can’t leave me hanging like that. Elaborate.”

“Give me time, give me time.” The witch mused, a mischievous grin pulling into the edge of her features. “If I don’t end up kissing atleast one person tonight then I might just give up entirely and become a spinster.” Marlene spoke sarcastically, a teasing smile on her face. “Frankly if someone doesn’t want to grab my arse if this dress then clearly I’ve lost my touch.” The witch joked lightly as she smoothed down the sequins of her slinky number. “You my darling lily pad, are on official tit watch tonight I’m afraid. Though granted a nip slip might liven this party up a little. Is it just me or is it an unbearable drag?” Marlene mused with a light puff of air from her lips as she looked around the crowd, each one a duller copy of the next in their purist traditions. “Lily, my darling, I doubt my family could all barelly fit onto a Durmstrung ship. I’m sure I can find a distant cousin for you to canoodle with. Boat and dragons most likely, coast of Amalfi? No promises there.” The witch mused as she nudged her friend lightly. “What even is your type these days? I’m frightfully aware that I can’t even remember the last time I saw you with anyone. Have you been kissed in this decade Evans? Because we’re changing that if not.”

@starryeyxdmckinnon​

“There’s no universe where you go unkissed tonight. In fact, I’m going home early and locking the door so you have to sleep out,” she giggled. Call it friendly bullying. “Look, anything would liven this up. Dull crowd.” The atmosphere was remarkably staid, slow moving and uncomfortably formal. Lily had been on edge all night, feeling like every passing glance was passing judgement. 

She smiled wistfully as Marlene mentioned her family. Lily loved her parents, without a doubt, but the idea of having a giant magical family who understood had always seemed so unimaginable to her. “I think I could compromise on Italy. Never say my standards are too high.” She grimaced a little as Marlene pointed out her dry spell. “It hasn’t been a decade. There was the boy from the bookstore... and the one who played football...” she wracked her brain for their names, but Merlin, it had been just a few dates each and then she’d faded away. “Well look, I can’t help it if they were all tossers. I don’t think my type is unrealistic,” she complained, “I’m really just looking for someone with a good sense of humor, who cares about other people and wants to make the world a better place. I don’t think I’m asking for the moon.” Well, and he had to be tall.

.

“Catch anyone interesting yet?” Being the odd witch out at something like this, Laurel did always like to take some time to watch all the aristocrats move about. Most of the time it was to laugh at how ridiculous they looked but tonight it was more about just being observant and seeing how people enjoying such an event. “Thank you, its just enough elegance for me,” She nodded, she didn’t need to be the most graceful woman in the room but just enough to not be thrown to the side by anyone. Resting her glass in her hands as she leaned against the railing, the blonde let out a laugh, “No unfortunately no date tonight. Just figured on enjoying myself with some friends.” Though if a particular someone had asked her, she was sure she would have said yes. “So honestly if you want me all night, you don’t have much competition.”

@laurel-linwood​

“Well, I have seen quite a few crying witches running to the bathroom, which is always unfortunate,” Lily mused. "Must not be easy when the men have all the power over your social future- not that two women like us would ever know anything about that,” she laughed. Of all the things the Wizarding world could have in common with the Muggle world, did it have to be sexism? “Smart move. There’s nothing worse than having to evade a date gone wrong all night. We’re both skipping the hassle.”