━。゜✿ jily fic recommendations ✿ ゜。━
These fics are set in the wizarding world but aren’t necessarily canon complaints.
A while ago I posted about how one of my favourite part of reading canon jily is when they're a bit older and Lily is looking back in retrospect. The part where James shows her how he gets that this war that's looming over them, it's bigger, older, than they are and even though the world feels like it's ending his top priority is that they remember to enjoy the happy moments. To live in those moments.
Jily has always been a hot cup of tea on a cold and rainy day for me. I hope these fics give you a short break from life, even if it's just for a moment.
For reference, anything in italics is taken from the summaries.
These first few fics are all by @gigglesandfreckles-hp. Abi's characterisation of Lily and James as individuals are so special to me. How she writes jily is perfect - I mean the banter, the tension, the overall dynamic between them is just on point!
Euphemia cuts Sirius off sharply. “I was simply verifying whether this is indeed the same Lily Evans whose name is written under my dining room table with a heart around it.”
or: Lily meets the parents and James tries not to hyperventilate. over and over and over again.
"It's fine, Evans," James interrupts, waving off her apology and offering a reassuring smile. "You've always been an exception to the rule."
A hint of warmth spreads through Lily at his words. "You've never liked rules."
He chuckles softly, his lips quirking up in a lopsided grin. "Which is why I never had a difficult time liking you."
or: James has had a bad day and Lily gives her best go at cheering him up
I've already made a whole post about how much I love this fic with my favourite quotes and everything, but god please if you read anything today let it be Abi's jily fics because they are legendary.
It's seventh year, somehow, that clinches the case, claiming the grand prize in the annals of Lily Evans's misfortunes. Because, as it turns out, harbouring feelings for James Potter while also navigating the precarious terrain of friendship with him is a fate crueller than death.
or: James keeps accidentally touching Lily and she's about to lose her mind
“Truth or dare, Lil?”
“Dare,” she replies without hesitation, leaning back into the worn leather booth. “Obviously.”
Hestia’s eyes gleam. “Go snog Potter.”
or: lily gets brave and james's patience is rewarded
James can't hold his drink, or his affections
the start of (something) new
“Oh, really?” Petunia crosses her arms. “What’s his name then?”
Lily pauses here, but only for a moment as her mind flashes back to the field at Jubilee Gardens. “James,” she says confidently. “James Potter.”
TW: this fic does depict a slightly descriptive panic attack.
Lily you are so valid for looking.
For those of you who've seen the AU rec list I just posted, please know that this fic is the reason why I added all those footballer!james fics (well this fic and the euros).
Lily pauses, suddenly aware of James’s intense gaze. “What? Why are you…” Heat rushes to her cheeks, and she hates it. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s just…it’s a good look on you, Evans.”
“What is?” she asks, self-consciously.
His grin widens. “Mischief.”
sidewalk chalk, covered in snow
She didn’t mean to get used to any of them.
or: Lily Evans is strictly anti-Marauders…until she isn't. one by one.
waiting for the light to take us in
James removes his glasses again. “Evans…” He searches for something to say and settles on, “You don’t even like flying.”
“I could like flying,” Lily says, shrugging. “I like you.”
He doesn’t take that bait in the way she wants, and her heart sinks just a bit more. Instead, he chews at his lip, considering and considering and considering some more. Lily wants to scream.
A reminder that even though it seems like others may have it harder, you deserve a break too.
Questions and Answers by lizardcookie (on ao3)
The simple question of whether or not they're dating doesn't exactly have a simple answer. Seventh Year Jily.
A Very Sick Dear by Nostalgicdragonfly (on ao3)
It's a very rare disease, but James gets it anyway and he has to endure the pain of having the favorite flower of the person he loves growing in his chest. He's been hiding his struggles. Lily loves roses yet James is the one getting cut by their thorns. But when a new healer arrives and things get out of hand, a lot would depend on whether or not James accepts his only treatment.
or James has hanahaki disease
Thank You For The Music by @thelighthousestale
Lily Evans is homesick during her first year of Hogwarts. Then she hears a familiar tune.
Erasmus Lovegoods’s Guide to Brewing Love Potions also by @ /thelighthousetale
At the start of every school year, the Ministry of Magic distributed leaflets to all students taking potions classes regarding the regulations and legality of highly controlled potions.
Lily Evans thought the Ministry would probably have more success in decreasing illegal potions brewing on the castle grounds if they didn’t give such detailed instructions about the potions in its published propaganda literature.
Of course, every year's most popular leaflet was the one warning about the dangers of brewing love potions.
Or how an accidental explosion in NEWT-level potions finally forced Lily and James to confront their feelings.
falling into place by @charmingwillow
Lily overhears something that maybe she shouldn't have.. things sort of happen from there.
Limbo by Random-Musings (on ff.net)
Lily's sour Hogsmeade weekend takes an unexpected turn.
The next few fics are all from it's about the Gazing collection by @firefeufuego. I recommend this collection to my friend who doesn’t read jily and the first fic alone had her texting me "I get why you love them so much and I also get why you want James Potter"
(get on out of your seat) all eyes on me
As James stops to catch his breath, he also catches Lily’s eye, already fixed on him in the blatant, unblinking way he hasn’t seen since she used to verbally eviscerate him for minutes on end. It hits with the same mortifying heat as it always did then, when he used to stand there watching her yell at him and imagine her mouth doing everything else. He’s ridiculously grateful for whoever throws the ball straight towards his face for saving him from the fate of just standing there, watching her watch him with his dry mouth open for the rest of eternity.
In a movement of pure reflex, he grabs the ball out of the air and starts back towards the end of the pitch before Orie comes out of nowhere and takes his legs out from under him. Winded and disoriented, James sighs at the universe’s rather unsubtle visual metaphor. Is it even worth getting up again when he just keeps falling and falling and falling for her?
(soft spoken in the dead of night) all eyes on you
Lily has watched him do this multiple times before and it’s just tea and it’s just James and there should be nothing special about this particular moment, except that the sight of him, the fact of him, is suddenly earth-shattering.
Something like nostalgia fills her in a flood, only it’s the future she’s longing for, a future she can see with absolute clarity. The features James inherited from his parents are so faithfully recreated on him that it’s easy to imagine him at their age, with a shock of white, still unfairly thick hair framing a face lined by a lifetime of laughter, making her a cup of tea exactly the way she likes it and smiling as she teases him.
Don't be fooled by the summery, this is pure self indulgent smut.
I complain a lot about pretentious people but the Austen and Keats reference had me swooning. The myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of my favorites so…
in the morning when i wake or the morning after
With trembling hands, James brings the smaller piece of parchment closer to his face and starts to read.
You idiot. Get back here.I’ll be in your room.
Surface Pressure by @eastwindmlk
Lily dealing with the weight of her own expectations in 7th year
no, i could never give you peace by @kay-elle-cee
James blinks. “Are you breaking up with me, Evans?” he jokes softly, resting his hand on hers. It’s a joke, but her body tenses and it immediately puts him on edge. The silence that follows is excruciating.
“I’m not doing anything.” Her nails begin to tap on the mug again—a nervous habit that James spots immediately. “I just think we should have a conversation.”
Trust Kels to serve Order!jily angst and pair it with one of my favourite songs of all time
bury it and rise above by @startanewdream
"James? Do you believe in magic?"
Or Lily is a Witch. James is a Muggle. It's not easier.
When It's You by idreamofjily (on ao3)
James is naturally affectionate and Lily really isn't. But maybe she can make an exception, if the way her stomach drops every time James touches her is any indication.
desiderium by @missgryffin
Sometimes all it takes is champagne and a slow dance, and then there's no going back.
The Vow also by @ /missgryffin
When he was thirteen-going-on-fourteen, James Potter did something truly, unbelievably stupid. Now that he’s seventeen-going-on-eighteen, he has to deal with the consequences.
Accidental Magic also by @ /missgryffin
What else is there to do after confessing feelings in the middle of the night than spend a lazy Saturday in bed?
Are You Experienced? by @annabtg
James Potter decides to ask Lily Evans to a Muggle live music show. This noble mission, however, requires a series of steps he is entirely clueless about: from procuring the tickets to finding the correct outfit, and most importantly, to spending an evening with Lily Evans without making an absolute fool of himself.
Also including the gorgeous cover art by @constancezin
by the lake by @possessingtheproperspirit
james finds lily by the lake.
not in need of a knight by @thejilyship
“If they start something, I’m going to finish it.” James said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“And if it ends with you in the hospital wing?”
“What do you care?”
“Do you really think I’d bother to argue with you so much if I didn’t care?” Lily said, breathing sharply through her teeth.
baratheonpilled
romaincrisis
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
origamiaround
titsay
areudirty
discoholicmusic
izzy806
