Lily Evans

[gxldentrio]

jily + texts

[jxmxspxttxr]

October was James’ favorite month of the year; by the early fall most everyone at Hogwarts had settled into the new school year, classes were in full swing and the temperatures were just beginning to take a turn for cuddle weather. It didn’t matter that James had not yet suckered anyone into cuddling with him, he had plans for that, big plans. James harbored an addictive personality -a trait he believed was inherited from him mother, but was in fact a shared trait between both of his parents- and he usually put his heart and soul into planning pranks of epic portions. However, this year he had decided to put all the childishness and tom foolery behind him. This would be the year of growing up, of perusing a better future, of finally letting go of all the school yard grudges and, of course, the year of getting the girl. 

Although James’ plan to get his new and improved self noticed by Lily was largely up to Lily, he knew there were certain ways to speed up the process and step one was securing head boy. Check. Being head boy, with Lily serving opposite him as head girl, had it’s advantages. The time he got to spend in Lily’s presence had quadrupled, and the time they got to spend alone together was an added bonus. Not to mention the fact that James would have every opportunity to demonstrate to the redhead that he was working to be the very best head boy Hogwarts had ever seen. This was going to be no easy task, but James felt up to the challenge. 

James took a deep, calming breath and ran a hand through his lank hair before opening the door to his single room. The sight of Lily absentmindedly scribbling on her parchment nearly took James’ breath away. She was stunning, smart, strong… and James was smitten. James decided to take advantage of Lily’s current preoccupation with her quill and parchment to admire her from the arm chair across the room. He plopped down without so much as a flicker of Lily’s green eyes. He watched for a moment before grinning and speaking softly, “Hey there Evans,” before shoving a handful of crackers into his mouth. 

[lxlyevxns]

He startled her, pulling her out of her daydreams and into reality with his smooth voice, coaxing the soft hairs on the back of her neck to stand erect as she looked up at him. A soft tinge of pink hit her cheeks as her lips curled upwards into a stunning smile, her James smile as her friends quickly named it, her body immediately shifting to face his almost like he was magnetically pulling her closer. Her eyes roamed to his disheveled hair, the crisp white shirt peeking out from under his slightly disarrayed robes, every slight detail that encompassed the gorgeous man she’d grown to care for deeply. “James.” She purred out in feign annoyance that didn’t quite touch her sparkling eyes. She’d grown quite used to using his real name, it rolled off her tongue so effortlessly.

“No quidditch today? I was sure I wouldn’t half to put up with you for at least a few more hours.” She teased once again, throwing a half hearted glare his way before the smile returned to her lips. Lily could hardly bring herself to treat him how she had previously, not when she was utterly smitten with him as well. It seemed like they’d both grown, her temper was certainly in check and she had a better understanding of the man that sat in front of her, so different from the boy she’d loathed for years. They were finally at a point of their lives where they could relate to one another and she was loving every minute of it. “I’ve got great news. I’ve put Lucius and Kingsley on roads tonight so we’ve got the evening off. Am I the best Co-Head student or what?”

[lxlyevxns]

Lily toyed with her hair, absentmindedly scribbling onto a loose piece of parchment as her mind roamed. Lessons had only ceased a few minutes ago and she’d managed to tackle her head girl tasks early on in the day, which meant she could take advantage of the odd few minutes of freedom in the head students chambers, a common area she shared with James which separated their two single rooms. She didn’t notice him walk in, an odd occurance since lately they were inseparable and whenever he pranced into the room she could feel her lips aching from smiling so much.

[jessaminelovelace]

“So you’re telling me you and your friends had nothing to do with this?” Lily asks, raising her eyebrows. Around them fireworks exploded, inside and outside of the castle. 

“Absolutely not,” James confirms with a nod of his head, “i’ve never even seen fireworks until just this moment.”

Lily rolls her eyes, smiling. “Happy New Year, Potter.”

“Happy New Year, Lily.”

[thishassomethingtodowithpotter]

Gifset part 2/3 - In which James tell Remus and Sirius about the date.

part 1

[incorrectmarauderquotes]

He’s like a perfect storm of amazing hair and horrible judgement.

Lily Evans [on James Potter] (via incorrectmarauderquotes)

[jxmxspxttxr]

Tickling tendrils of white hot electricity shot up James’ spine when his dark eyes met Lily’s bright green ones. Her voice was so honest and sweet, James was unable to find fault in the words she uttered. If she of all people would take the bet that they would end up together, who was he to deny her? He felt his hand twitch in hers but he did not dare to remove his hand, breaking their touch. “I wouldn’t.” James whispered sincerely, as if these words would be what bonded them for life. “I wouldn’t last a day so far away from my light, Lily. The darkness would devour me whole.. Consume me.” He added in a harsh whisper to keep the sounds of his emotion low. 

This was unlike any exchange the two of them had engaged in before. The closest they had ever been to this was the day Snape had used the worst word to describe his once best friend and Lily had crawled into bed with James, crying for several hours before falling blissfully asleep. This time was leaps and bounds past even that exchange; now James was crying too and Lily had not denied him, but rather boosted his spirits in a way James never thought possible.  

James had always imagined the first time he would kiss Lily as a sweet, happy and romantic kiss, this was surely romantic but hardly happy. The circumstances may not have been what he’d always hoped, but he was not disappointed. Their lips fit together perfectly, James couldn’t think of a lock and key that fit together better. Without thought he felt his lips dance with Lily’s, it was natural and necessary. Time crawled by at a snails pace; James was aware of every atom of himself as he indulged in Lily’s kiss. The air was heavy with their emotions which seemed to swirl around them like amortentia. They seemed to share air now, needing only each other to survive this day and the next. Nothing existed in the world but Lily and James. Not the corridor, nor the castle, not even the war bubbling up on the horizon. 

[lxlyevxns]

Suddenly she felt an incontrolable urge to laugh, the giddiness bubbling within her as his hand brushed along hers, igniting a small flame within her. Had anyone told Lily an hour ago that she’d currently be caught in a situation like this with none other than James Potter, she’d laugh and call the person a madman. Sure, she’d blush and try to play it off but she’d never believe them, hell she knew how stubborn she could be and she was quite positive that morning that she was set on extinguishing whatever feelings she thought she was developing for James. “I would never let that happen you know. I’d probably follow you.”

It was a bittersweet moment between them, she realised that quickly. On one hand, things that they needed to get out for ages, were finally out in the open, no more wondering, no more guessing at mixed signals, no more guilt for denying what was so painfully obvious. But then his tears surfaced and Lily felt like someone was tearing her apart inside. Was this how he felt all those times she’d rejected him? Was this gut wrenching pain what he’d lived with because of her? Her sobs became shaky as she tried desperately to wipe his tears away.

He was her everything in at moment and she knew it, he was her sunrise, her nightfall, her strength and weakness, he was her light and all of it came as a revelation as soon as she met his lips. If this is what she had been missing all those years then Merlins beard had she been daft. It was like taking a breath of fresh air after constantly feeling on the verge of drowning. Her hands roamed from his neck to his face, cupping his cheeks lovingly as she pulled him impossibly closer, deepening the kiss. She was fully aware that they were standing only feet away from a professors office and that would need to change immediately but she couldn’t pull away, not yet. But there were things to be said and she had yet to spill her guts about how she truly felt about him and she owed the boy that much. “We should go... to one of our bedrooms at least. I doubt Dumbledore would be too pleased to find the head boy and girl in such circumstances.”

[jxmxspxttxr]

“I don’t know any more,” the Potter boy said between breaths. “I always thought I would bet that way, but my odds don’t look good.” James forced himself to unlock his gaze, and detangle his mind from the thought of Lily. “Like you said, this is our last year; our last year of being Hogwarts students, our last year of being kids. After this year there is no reason for us to even be on the same continent, let alone same room.” His eyes flitted up stealing a glance at Lily’s beautiful face. 

“Then I won’t give up.” James heard his voice without ever giving it permission to say what he had been thinking. James lightly placed a finger to Lily’s lips, “You don’t need to explain, I know…” He did know, with ever fibre of his being, he was a changed man. He would never let go, not now that he knew she needed this as much as he did. “I’m not going anywhere.” He said strongly. Then, without warning, he was embracing her. The tether that had always linked Lily and James pulled them even closer now, the sight of the girl crying was enough to make James hold her tightly to his chest. James wasn’t sure what made him do it, but he leaned down to kiss Lily hoping more than anything that her lips would meet his.   

[lxlyevxns]

Lily looked down, following his gaze as she too tried to desperately clear her thoughts, stop herself from saying something stupid she’d no doubt regret when she was alone in her room a few hours later. But she couldn’t and his magnetic pull was too much for her to resist, which is why she looked up, staring him dead in the eyes and spoke a truth even she wasn’t close to coming to terms with. “I would. I’d bet on it. I don’t think you’d last a week in a different country, let alone a different continent.”

“I hope you never do. There would be nothing sadder, not even with everything that’s going to absolute shit around us. It sounds so bloody stupid but Potter, your hope in us.... It gives me hope about everything. So don’t let that go, no matter how stubborn I am when you’re being a right prat.” Lily whispered, her expression exuding more love than it had in all the years she’d known him. She was completely surrendering to his spell, to the raw emotions that crashed against her, waves of longing and desperate need rocking her very core. Her eyes fluttered shut as he leaned forward and the red head met him half way, her lips catching his blissfully for the first time. 

[jxmxspxttxr]

It continuously got harder to breathe. James felt as though he was being hit with ocean waves between breaths, nearly gasping for air. She had noticed the change in him, it it meant more than words could describe. He didn’t bother replying to Lily with words, he instead took her free hand in his squeezing tightly. 

“I don’t think it has to do with you strangling me, or me cracking under pressure. No, I think it’s much more likely that our dear head master wants to see us end up together.” James spoke bashfully. 

“But you are Lily, you are brave. You just have to believe it.” His words dropped from his lips one at a time as he caressed her cheek. “None of us know what were doing, none of us have it together Lil’s. But we have to try-” his voice broke again, what was it about this girl that broke down every wall James had ever attempted to build. James’ security system was useless to her bright green eyes that seemed to be the keys to his locked doors. “I’ve all but given up on together Evans. Shouldn’t I, shouldn’t I give up? Isn’t that what you’ve wanted all along?” James had to gulp back tears, blinking rapidly to stave them off. Then he noticed Lily’s eyes and lost all control. “I wouldn’t want it any other way. If you leave my side Evans, that will be the day I die.” 

[lxlyevxns]

“And your bets are on Dumbledores side I suppose? You think that we will end up together?” She whispered, softly pushing away from the door and taking a small step towards him. She knew it wasn’t rational for her to ask or for her to be acting so carelessly but quite frankly, there was nothing rational about her feelings for James and at the present moment she didn’t care a bit.

“And if I don’t, you’re always there to keep me strong of faith.” Lily let out a soft laugh, sniffing softly as she tried to blink away the tears that were making it slightly impossible for her to see his handsome features. “Not like this. I never wanted you to give up hope like this. It was never my intention... you just, everything is changing so quickly, you are amoung those things and the James i said those things to, he’s still there but other times I see different sides of you... I don’t know how to explain.” The red head could hardly stomach the sight of him crying, it only sent her flying off the edge, her tears now falling freely down her pale cheeks. “Leaving you would be more painful than a thousand deaths Potter I’m not letting you let go of me.”

[lxlyevxns]

Lily: Marlene, we have a serious Code James.

Marlene: Well it’s not really code if you say his name.

Lily: He told me he liked me, and I’m gonna go make out with him right now, on his face.

Marlene: That’s awesome!

Lily: No. Read me the script.

Marlene: Seriously?

Lily: Yes!

Marlene: Alright: “Lily, it’s Lily Evans, head girl of Hogwarts, speaking to you through Marlene Mckinnon, friend and beautiful roommate,” thank you. “Do not do anything with James. Be responsible no matter how cute his mouth is. Your reputation is on the line!”

Lily: Shut up, Marlene!

Marlene: You wrote that.

Lily: No…you…then. Lily, Lily you don’t know what you’re talking about. I care about him very much, and I’ve had two and a half glasses of red wine and what that means is I’m gonna go make out with him right now, and it’s gonna be awesome.

Marlene: Yay!

Lily: No! You’re supposed to talk me out of this.

Marlene: No… don’t… stop…

Lily: Shut up Marlene, I’m doing it anyway.

Marlene: Yay!

[incorrectmarauderquotes]

Potter, your mouth is open and sound is coming from it. That is never good.

Lily Evans (via incorrectmarauderquotes)

[jxmxspxttxr]

“Remus certainly has not been the only one, but possibly the first I listened to?” As Lily’s gaze fell to the floor James felt his breathing hitch, as if his lungs would refuse to inflate again until his eyes met her sparkly green ones. James was incredibly intrigued by the way she caught her lip between her teeth. This girl was going to be the death of him, he was sure of it. When Lily thanked him for the safety he offered her he nearly cried. Never in his life had he known the witch to be so amicable towards him. James feigned a sneeze, hiding the lower half of his face in the crook of his elbow as he blushed. “Yeah, any time.” He said sincerely, not wanting to risk any part of the conversation. “We are different people.” James spoke low, nodding rhythmically. More and more he found himself distracted by her beauty, her fiery red hair, bright green doe eyes, and the way she parted her kissable red lips without being aware..

A low chuckle existed James lips, “A case of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans I assume.” James said, guessing at the wager, then added: “I believe McGonagall is more invested in our lives that you think. Or maybe Dumbledore is the instigator.” 

“I’m afraid not.” James said simply in answer to her fears that the war was not just going to disappear into thin air. Although justified, Lily’s anger was not something James was accustomed too. At least not this real hate for something that wasn’t him pestering her for a date.. Suddenly the, usually idle, urge to reach out and touch Lily became much stronger. James actually had to think “don’t you dare, don’t you dare screw this up!” to himself to stop his hand from moving. It twitched, he was sure Lily saw the twitch. “You’re the bravest.” James said. His hand moved up to her face, this time he didn’t stop it, he caressed her cheek, thumb on her chin. “We’ll get through this.” He reassured her quietly. “We’ll get through this, even if it’s not together.” His voice broke through the last two words, words he never thought he would say. At this point her only wanted safely for the girl, he didn’t care how she was safe, just that she was.  

[lxlyevxns]

“We are, that’s true.” She nodded slowly, her eyes looking up at him intently. The air between them was suddenly thick, the mood fluctuating so rapidly she could almost faint due to the whiplash. It was just like that night, the time she let herself go to the temptation and got into his bed, her heart too shattered to let her mind think and it was the best night she thought she’d ever spent despite everything. His closeness made her whole and here he was again, doing just that, maybe without even realizing it. “You’ve changed. I’ve noticed.”

“Of course Dumbledore would be behind it, he’s like a child, an endearing one yes, but a child nonetheless. So what will it be Potter? Will you run off or will I choke you? Or do you believe the wager is different?” She laughed again, her heart swelling at the sight of his soft smile.

And there it went again, the shift that hit her chest like a boulder, coaxing unshed tears to pool in her bright green eyes. “I wish I was, but in all honesty, I’m absolutely terrified James. I don’t know what to do.” Her voice was just barely above a whisper, shaking softly, revealing how truly shaken up she was about the whole ordeal. “What if I don’t want to be apart while we are getting through this? Why does together sound like a lost cause to you?” Her soft hand rose to cover his, her fingers curling around his as she pressed her cheek against the palm of his hand, welcoming his touch. “I don’t want to get through this if it means you won’t be with me on the triumphant side Potter.”

[jxmxspxttxr]

James shrugged, “I’m quite certain I’ve been delusional for quite some time now.. Moony has made it abundantly clear that I’ve been off my rocker for at least three years.” It was hard for James to be too serious for too long, however he was making a great deal of an effort as this was Lily Evans, girl-of-his-dreams, he was talking to. “I think you’re mistaken. Yes Snape was a prat. But let’s face it, I’m nearly always a prat and I adore you. It was absolutely uncalled for what he said, I can’t imagine how… I’m just glad I could be there for you.” James recalled that night, the one where he and Lily had ended up in the same bed, innocently snuggled, James holding Lily’s small frame as she cried. 

The news that Slughorn would be a while was not really “news” to James, as he had been the one to send a letter to Slughorn -under the pretense of being Dumbledore- asking to meet at a location just outside of apparating distance. It would indeed be a while, and James was glad for the time. He looked deep into Lily’s eyes as she searched his face. He wondered what she was looking for in his features, maybe a trace of the “arrogant toe-rag” he used to be? Or possibly realizing that little trace of that boy existed behind his curtains of dark hair.. James chuckled, hoping that Lily was being kind for a reason beyond just being civil. He secretly hoped that she felt for him even a fraction of what he felt for her. “Ah Evans, I think Dumbedore only made me head boy because he and McGonagall have a bet featuring us…” James resigned himself not to say any more on that particular issue.   

James’ demeanor became somber suddenly, “We’re about to fight a war Lily..” It was the first time her name, her first name, had left his lips in her presence. His mouth seemed to envelope the word as if not to let it go as the letters fell out. It felt oddly comfortable, like welcoming home a dearly loved friend. “Our parents’ war is about to fall to us, so yes, most everything I do these days is calculated in some way for the future.” 

[lxlyevxns]

The red head scoffed, crossing her arms as she relaxed against the wooden doorframe, looking at him past her eyelashes. “Surely Remus was not the only one to come to that conclusion, I’ve been saying it for years.” Her gaze fell to the floor, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as the painful memories of that one night flooded back to her, the ache still fresh though his presence lessened it once again. “I don’t know if I ever did thank you for that. Ironically you were just what I needed. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more safe and for that, I deeply thank you.” She coughed and shook her head, glancing back up at him. “But that was a while ago. And you and Severus are very different people.”

“A bet? And whatever could this wager be? How long it takes before I strangle you while we’re doing rounds or how fast you resign because you can’t take the responsibility? I hardly think McGonagall would agree to such a thing even though I don’t put it past our dear headmaster.” She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. 

Her face suddenly fell as his features grew serious, a look that didn’t often arise. “I know. It’s all over the Prophet... It really isn’t going away is it?” She whispered, her fears evident in her swirling green hues. She really did mean what she said, he was like a safety blanket she never knew she had and when she saw him worried, she knew it was for the worst. “And where do i fall on your sheet of calculations? Asset or draw back? Warrior or foe? Student or just a part of the army? What about living the last year of school, being kids for the last time. I’m as brave as anyone James, but this is not fair. They’re stealing our last year and I’ll be damned if I let them.” She spoke heatedly, although it was clear she was only speaking out of fear and those words were ones she meant for only James to hear, her trust in him clear.

[lxlyevxns]

[jxmxspxttxr]

“Stick to the hair, got it” James winked. A smirk joined James’ features as they started down the corridor towards Slughorn’s chambers. He had missed this banter with Lily, it was always a treat when the girl showed him any attention at all. James rolled his eyes “Snape wants a lot to do with you, not as much as I want to do with you, but he is not over you. I’m sure you not talking any more has much more to do with the new awful friends of his than his feelings towards you.” Her face looked sad when she talked about Severus Snape and the friendship she had lost with him. Although James hated the boy he felt for Lily’s loss and the look on her face made him want to reach out and caress her cheek. He wanted to hold her, to make her see that everything would be alright. Of course it would… 

He tried desperately not to let the loving sensation he was feeling show up on his face, but he was pretty sure he had failed. Hopefully Lily would pass it off for a ploy or a trick of the light. “I won’t ever let it go.” James said matter of factly. “You will be mine, before it’s all said and done. Though, I do appreciate the friendliness.” James declared his stance once more. “The Slug Club” James started, as if introducing a play, “will greatly benefit me in my future endeavors. Having someone like Slughorn at my finger tips will bring great advantage.”

[lxlyevxns]

Lily tried her hardest to keep a straight face, neither scowl or let the smile that was threatening to push its way onto her lips show as she walked through the halls beside James, her eyes never leaving the long corridors in fear that they would linger on his features. Lately she’d been making more of an effort to be kind to him, kick the old habit of annoyance since they had been chosen as head boy and girl, a job that no doubt ensured their time together. “I’m quite sure you’re delusional at this point. He wants nothing to do with me, you were there, you saw the decision in his face when he said those awful things. Influence of his friends or lack there of, that look was not a loving one. If he did have feelings for me in the past they are now nonexistent.” She remarked, stopping at the door which led to Slughorns office, where a note was stuck at eye level, the professors calligraphy clear. “Looks like he’s meeting with Dumbledore, it could be a while.”

Finally Lily turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his. “If I didn’t find it as annoying, I would probably consider your persistence admirable. Don’t mistake my friendliness for anything, I just want to be civil with someone who I seem to be spending a lot of time with. Still, it changes nothing.” Her eyes travelled along his face and down to his lips, her stomach flipping as she noticed how close she was. It was apparent to her that lately, she’d been noticing small quirks and details about the boy that quite frankly drove her mad, his loyalty, his kindness, the alarming way he changed from an immature boy to a humble man, and although she was desperately grasping onto her old notions that he was arrogant and annoying and that she didn’t like him, she couldn’t help but admit that he was worming his way into her affections. “Is every aspect of your life analized like that? What is best for your game and what is not? Assets and disadvantages? Seems sad.”

[jxmxspxttxr]

I rather like the way your hair swings, actually. But if you’d rather I took a stab at objectifying and sexualizing I can surely try? *Scoffs* Snive-Severus is not better than you. You are equal if not better, Snape just isn’t afraid to be a pompous show off because you’re in the class room. Hey now, you know the deal: I’ll only make your life more difficult until you agree to go out on a date with me! But honestly, I swear it actually means something to me too, so I can’t muck it up too bad.

[lxlyevxns]

“Stick to the hair or i’ll hex you into the next century. Severus doesn’t need to boast about his talents, it’s obvious he knows a lot about the subject and Slughorn seems to know that as well. Besides, we’re not exactly on speaking terms anymore , why would he bother bragging about it if he doesn’t want anything to do with the likes of me?” She retorted, her face falling slightly. “And we both know that is never going to happen. I don’t see why you don’t let it go and settle for the fact that up to this point I’ve been nothing by friendly. For conversations sake, please do tell me, why does a club directly associated to the subject you seem to have no interest in mean something to you?”

[jxmxspxttxr]

After you Evans! I’d offer to go first but I’m not sure where Slughorn’s quarters even are… And then I wouldn’t get to watch you walk in front of me, and that’s just unacceptable! Ah Evans, when will you learn that Slughorn is not but a collector. The main reason he opened his little club was to gain deeper relationships with students that he deems as extraordinarily remarkable. Apparently, I fit the bill, and of course you did. 

[lxlyevxns]

Just keep your eyes away from my ass if you know what’s good for you, Potter. That seems incorrect, I’m hardly the best of the class, we both know Severus takes the lead. For whatever reason you did get in, I hope you don’t turn it into another way of making my life difficult, surprising as it may be this is actually important to me.