Written for Jilytober 2022, based on @magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world​s 31 prompts.
A mistake, a big one. It will take moments, many of them, thirty-one in fact, to fix it.Â
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a @tumbledfreckles and @mppmaraudergirl​ collaboration fic
At sixteen, James Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express and knew  without a doubt that he and Lily Evans were not meant to be friends, let  alone more. But little did he, nor Lily herself, understand all the difference a year can make.
Chapter Four: Christmas DecoratingÂ
It was not that Lily wanted to be friends with James Potter. It had never topped her list of things to do, certainly never garnered much of her interest.
Yet…
The words that were spoken in such a clipped and annoyed tone just a month prior still sat in her subconscious.
I'm not the one of us who hates the other, Evans.
She didn’t want to think about it again, but this comment coupled with one from Remus—who stood beside her in the Great Hall presently, arm raised as he levitated a sparkling golden bulb onto a twelve-foot-tall Christmas tree—back in October, were making it impossible to not think about him.
If I was going to write something... what would it be? What's the trends these days? What are the tropes?
Is it AUs for life? Are we still in flower shops and taking over bakeries and owning bookstores? Are we loving enemies or our besties turned to lovers, or just crushing on that bad boy from down the road our dads said not to go near, but our mums kinda looked like they were our age once and had some story of their own to tell if we did?
Or, and let's be real, is it just Canon compliant Jily, seventh year fluff or mid war angst, finding and fighting for each other over and over again? Are we revelling in this love that never dies, that continues until the very end, and taking back Always with our last breath?
@jilychallenge​ Prompt: James attempts to wingman lily because he thinks she has a crush on someone else, and he might hate it but he'll be damned if he lets her know that.
@jilychallenge​ Partner: @chelseaapproved
"What about that one?"
"Too tall."
"What about that one?"
"Very untidy."
"Him, over there by the bar?"
"His pants are too dark."
"That one near the door?"
"Shoes are too shiny."
Well, fuck.
James shifted uncomfortably, looking down at Lily from where he towered over her, resisting the urge to run another hand through his messy hair, wishing he'd chosen his tan pants instead of his black ones, cursing his mother's lifelong training to polish his shoes before going out.
Chapter Four: United (Or, a cliched Head’s meeting with Dumbledore)
AO3Â or read below
“So, remember, when we get in there, united front.”
“Yeeessss, Evans.”
“Don’t give me that. Last time was an absolute debacle, you –“
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“Bad?! It was terrible. He thinks we’re incompetent.”
“Dumbledore does not think we’re incompetent. Me, maybe. You never.”
Lily sighed, “I’m incompetent by association Potter. You drag me down.” The twitch at the ends of her lips gentled the blow.
“You could never be dragged down. You’re too high above the rest of us. We can’t even compete with your excellence,” James grinned charmingly as they made their way along the corridor.
“Brilliance, Potter, my brilliance.”
“Of course, my apologies.” James ruffled his hair, leaving it more a mess than ever.
“Wine gum.” Lily tried to resist commenting on James’ hair as the statue revolved and they started up the stairs. “And remember, united.”
“Yes, yes. United.” James nodded contritely. “No mention of the fourth year Marco Polo tournament in the lake. Got it.”
“You can mention it Potter, just not that you bloody organised the whole thing.” Lily huffed, as if she’d said this many times. She had.
“They were already in the lake, in my defense. I was really there as a lifeguard. And it was so much easier to make sure they didn’t drown if it was an organised event.”
“Potter,” Lily really started to glare now, as she reached the headmaster’s door, and knocked.
James held up both hands quickly in defense, “United. I swear.”
They entered the headmaster’s office as they were bid, quickly taking seats in front of his desk, as Dumbledore finished his letter, and blew on the ink to dry it, before rolling the parchment and setting it to one side.
“Good evening, Miss Evans. Good evening, Mr Potter.” Dumbledore smiled gently at them both. “You may have guessed why I’ve asked you both to meet with me tonight, instead of your monthly review with Professor McGonagall.”
“I have the reports here for you Sir-“ Lily reached forward with the parchment just as James also started speaking.
“Sir, if this is about the lake, it was really just a bit of friendly competition, and no one drowned, so if it’s just a matter of smoothing things over with the Giant Squad, Sirius said he’d be happy to have a chat to him. Apparently, they go way back.”
Lily swung around to face him, in disbelief. United? she mouthed.
“That won’t be necessary Mr Potter, but thank Mr Black for his willingness to cooperate.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled at them both, as James tried not to grin back.
“Of course, sir.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve called you both here to discuss another matter. Something of a more serious nature.” Dumbledore’s smile faded as he regarded them. “There are things happening both inside and outside this castle, that you are both aware of.”
Both Lily and James grew still, attention focused on their headmaster.
“It has come to my attention that certain people are being spoken to inside these walls. And certain actions are being taken by those people, to speak to others. They are gathering, I fear, not with the best intentions. Acting, without the best intentions.”
“They’re recruiting?” Lily asked. “Or they’ve recruited and now they’re training. Attacking?”
Dumbledore inclined his head, “Certain events have taken place. Things that could be written off as harmless, as childish scuffles, if not for the people involved. On both sides.”
“Why haven’t we heard anything? Why isn’t it in the reports?” James sat forward in his chair.
“The people involved didn’t report anything. It was only Madame Pomfrey’s keen eye that connected a few hospital wing visits together. And then I spoke to the students myself to ascertain what had caused their injuries.”
“Injuries, professor?” Lily had gone slightly pale, but her tone was glacial. “What degree of injury are we talking about here? I’m assuming you aren’t bringing this to us for a few hexes.”
“I’m afraid I am not. Unfortunately, the students themselves couldn’t recall what happened. It seems their memories were wiped. But the magical residue suggested something quite nefarious.”
“Unforgiveables?” Lily kept her eyes trained on Dumbledore even as James looked at her, and the hand closest to her twitched slightly towards her.
“Possibly Miss Evans, I unfortunately can’t be sure. It was too long since the attack to determine the curses themselves. But that isn’t why I’m telling you this.”
“What do you want us to do?” James felt ready for action as his hands tightened on the chair arms.
“For now, just watch, and listen. I need eyes where I can’t be, ears where I can’t hear. I need you two to take note, listen to rumours, and let me know anything you feel might be relevant to the situation. Anything at all.” Dumbledore breathed a great sigh, “I feel the responsibility I’m asking of you both is more than the usual Head duties, but I feel I must tell you, part of the reason you were chosen for your positions as because I felt you both could handle this.”
“We can, of course, Sir. Whatever you need.” Lily nodded at once. “I don’t want to speak for Potter, but Sir, I’m ready to do more. I want to help fight.”
“Me too.” James also nodded eagerly.
“Thank you, both, for your enthusiasm and your willingness.” Dumbledore smiled gently, “But I don’t want to put you out there until I have to. For now, just your attention to what’s happening in these walls is what I need. What will help the most.”
James sat back in his chair, nodding. “Of course, Professor Dumbledore.”
Lily looked more reluctantly, staring at the professor for a long while before also nodding.
“Thank you both for your time. I’ll let you enjoy what remains of your evening.” Dumbledore dismissed them and James and Lily headed back toward Gryffindor Tower.
They walked in silence for a bit, both processing the headmaster’s words.
“What do you think?” Lily asked.
James shrugged, “I’m not sure. I can’t believe students are getting attacked and we didn’t even know. Not even rumours.”
“I can. No muggleborn is going to report an attack for fear of retaliation, further targeting, much less if they can’t remember what even happened,” Lily shrugged.
“How do you know that?” James looked at her sharply.
Lily shrugged again, “I’m muggleborn Potter, how do you think I know?”
“Evans,” James stopped them both, grabbing her arm. Lily could feel each finger gripping her bicep, but where his grip was tight, his eyes only flashed with concern. “What are you telling me?”
“Potter,” Lily’s eyes flicked from James’ to his hand and back again. When he didn’t let go, she sighed, “It was nothing really. Smug jerks thinking they could scare me into leaving. Nasty words, a couple of nastier hexes.”
“Who?” James’ gripped tightened.
“I’m not telling you that,” Lily rolled her eyes. “You’ll only go off half-cocked.”
“Evans,” James started down at her, and Lily was suddenly aware of how tall he was, how he towered over her when they were this close together.
“Suffice to say, I took care of them myself Potter. They messed with the wrong witch. Their mistake.” Lily placed a hand over James’, gently prying his fingers off her. She pulled his hand slightly toward the direction they had been travelling, and then released it. With a heavy breath, James reluctantly followed her.
Again, they walked in silence, this time a little less comfortable than previously.
“Sorry,” James mumbled after a while.
“It’s okay,” Lily shrugged. “Your hero complex activation in overtime.”
“It’s not that.”
“Wasn’t it? Are you telling me you wouldn’t have gone running off if I’d told you who made the mistake in thinking they could overpower me?”
James looked slightly sheepish, and ruffled his hair again. “Not for the reasons you think.”
“Not defending my honour?” Lily asked with raised eyebrows.
“I know you can take care of yourself Evans. But if they came after you, they’ll go after anyone. They are going after others. And they need to be stopped. And I just want to do… more.”
“They will be stopped. And you heard Dumbledore, we’re going to get our chance. Just not the way we want to right now. But we will get to fight.”
James nodded but didn’t reply. Silence, comfortable again, resumed.
“At least you were right about one thing tonight, at least.”
“What’s that?” Lily looked at him curiously.
“We have to be united.” James smiled, and bumped his shoulder into her.
Lily shook her head and smiled, “Merlin help me. You folded like a stack of cards in there, Potter.”
“Did not! I’m telling you - “
They continued down the corridor, James defending his actions by explaining all the ways in which Dumbledore appreciated a good story over rules as they went. And if their shoulders bumped a few times more, it was only in the name of unity.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
âś“ Live Streamingâś“ Interactive Chatâś“ Private Showsâś“ HD Qualityâś“ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
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