This is my favorite part I have written for sixth year Jily. It will occur in later chapters of A Light In The Shadows.
Severus turned and started to walk away, but Lily was not going to let that happen.
She sent a stinging hex at Severus causing him to look back. Wand raised, but his eye showed shock as he recognized it was Lily who had hexed him.
They dueled for a minute, and Lily could hear Sirius planning something with the boys behind her, but she did not pay attention. Her focus was on disarming Severus.
It wasn’t too difficult, disarming Severus, she had practiced enough with him before the end of the fifth year to know what his moves meant. Even though he was now disarmed, she did not relent and sent hexes and curses his way. He was responsible for the state James was in, and she would not let him go easily.
“Protego,” Sirius called and the shield appeared between them, preventing Lily from her target.
Lily turned to disarm Sirius –
“Expelliarmus,” called out Lupin as she turned. He caught her wand easily.
Lily narrowed her eyes at the boys, and gave them a little smirk, for they did not know what magic she was hiding. So, she raised her right hand, and snapped her fingers.
The shield was broken.
The Lily I am writing is a profoundly gifted witch, and I headcanon that she was exceptionally gifted at wandless magic, but hides it from most.
I think about this a lot as she was able to control her magic in the flashbacks that we see, while other people just have accidental magic.
💭 What inspires you and your writing?
I really like thinking about the world the characters are living in.
What does it mean to write Remus from a disabled point of view in the 70s?
Snape was abused and neglected - why? What was going on that led to this...
James was exceptionally loved, but was his life perfect - no one lives in a utopia. How do you add depth without strife?
I like really looking into who these people are and what leads them to who we see in the books. It's almost like writing a meta about the characters but in fanfiction form.
I trust this owl finds you well and without undue delay. I have some questions about the owl's reliability, but she did seem eager for the job.
I am most eager to learn more about the story you are crafting and posting on this formplato (?) called AO3. Might I inquire as to how long you have been working on it? Additionally, I would be most interested to know what first inspired you to embark upon this story, as well as what aspect you have found most delightful thus far—whether it be a favourite line, the writing process itself, or any unexpected discoveries along the way.
With warm regards,
Me <3
Honestly, you don't know how much I need this today with the election going on so thank you.
I'm also going to go off the rails a bit so wooops....
If anyone is interested after reading the ramblings below the fic is A Light In The Shadows.
Might I inquire as to how long you have been working on it?
This is an intresting question because it's both over a decade and since this summar.
For the decade part - I have held some very strong Jily opinions for a long time. I often tell myself stories before I go to bed or just to relax. (This is now how I write chapters before I do write them)
I have always felt like James was nerdy and a one-woman man (meaning he only dated Lily). He really liked Lily, but lacked the confidence to ask her out until he was in a crowd that was cheering him on like in SWM. To me, James is someone who projected confidence sometime as he was a loud, talkative, smart person. The hand running through the hair is the manifestation of his anxiety to me in SWM. I think James had confidence/ is arrogant in his ability to do intellectual things and quidditch - but people, and whether or not they liked him, was hard for him to figure out. It's one of those "I know she likes me, but does she like me enough." He can be both a confident arrogant person, and vulnerable.
I also think James held very black-and-white thinking.
You insult my father on the train (Snape) -> You're a bad person
You use curses (Snape) -> You're a bad person
You hang out with bigoted people (Snape) -> You're a bad person
You have a crush on someone -> You don't date other people because it's disingenuous.
Now, I've been telling myself these stories for a long time, but I also like reading. And I've never found something that was 100% what I was looking for - and then I realized I was never going to unless I wrote it down.
I’ve read so many amazing Jily fics and I have loved learning how each of us interprets them - it’s wonderful to see how we take what we know and put it into words. I just thought it would be fun to put my ideas to words.
So this summer, I started doing that. I previously talked about how a post on here really got me going and that is why I started writing my first fic Mistle-Wow, which will eventually be in ALITS.
Then I made a timeline, and now I have a whole story planned.
Additionally, I would be most interested to know what first inspired you to embark upon this story.
I'll build on this a little more - I really wanted something that I felt reflects canon and my headcanons - that are based on interpretations of the canon that we know.
I know we typically do Enemies to Lovers - and a lot of time it's Jily REALY not liking each other. But this is something I have just never 100% been down with.
Have I read fics that do this - yes. Will I continue to read fics that do this - absolutely.
But to me, Jily is like the ultimate slow-burn rivalry to romance.
They shared a common room and classes for years. Are you telling me these two smart people never had any conversation besides yelling at each other? That they never asked questions on HW or hung out in a group because they were all Gryffindor? They were never paired for a HW task in all their years?
No, these two knew each other's business.
James was cautious of Lily's wand in SWM. This girl was not sitting by letting James Potter do what he wanted, no, Lily was hexing him when he was annoying and pissing her off. Lily just knew better than to get caught. Also, Lily had a sister, she knew the "don't tell mum drill" and how to be strategic. James didn't care about getting into trouble.
They respected each other, but Lily hated the way James treated Sev - because he was her friend. Lily also does not have black-and-white thinking like James - she sees the gray in the world and that people can be flawed way before James does.
I wanted to read a story that had these components and so I was like "fuck it - I wrote a PhD thesis I can do this."
I will say a thesis and fanfiction are two very different things, however, I felt like I was in a place where I could write this story. I was/am very nervous people will hate it, but I'm excited about the adventure.
What aspect you have found most delightful thus far—whether it be a favourite line, the writing process itself, or any unexpected discoveries along the way
I originally was thinking of only doing the classic 5th year and on fic, but then I realized that if Jily is a slow-burn we need to see it from the first moment. There have to be so many little moments that lead them to where they get together. So it did surprise me that I am writing a brith-death fic.
I love how I have things in chapter 1 that relate to events that will happen in the epilogue. I enjoy sooooo much putting in details that I'm like ooo I wonder if people will catch what this will mean later on.
I have plot points that span years timeline-wise for payoff, and I am just excited to hopefully see someone be like OMG.
For all the chapters I sit at my computer going hehehe hope you catch this! Like the fact that Fleamont likes cars and Sirius has a motorbike like Sirius did not get that from his parents.
Also unexpected discoveries - I am verbose. Girl cannot write 2k chapters to save her life, they like 5k min 😂
I just read Mistle-wow upon learning it’s part of the long Jily fic you’re going to post, and I wanted to say I really liked it!
I loved that there are already established feeling in 5th year, a kiss, glimpses of James being a total need (which I adore) and Lily being turned on by his nerdiness, hair and intelligence!
It seems very promising and wanted to say good luck and thank you for deciding to share your story with us!
Oh thank you so much - this literally made my day!
I have to give a shout-out to my friend @petalsthefish who posted this answer to an ask. It really sent me down a rabbit hole. You can thank her for my writing 'A Light in the Shadows' and Mistle-Wow.
As for established mutual pinning, I have mad respect for the enemies-to-loves trope (it's a fave of mine), however, I have always felt like they were closer than what we get to see in the senses from the books.
The only memories of Lily and James we have are from the perspective of Snape and Voldemort. In SWM, I truly ask myself was Lily mad that James asked her out that day at the lake, or was she mad about the way that he asked her and what he was doing to her friend? What happened before. What are the missing moments that led Sirius to say "Nah, she didn't."
In ALITS, Lily will be a fool for James just as much as he is (but somehow she keeps it together...maybe...). She will also be flawed, as I think both she and James need to grow up. No one is utopic good at 15/16.
I hope you/everyone is willing to stay for the long hall, as it will take us some time to get to their fifth year. Though I hope Mistle-Wow will keep you company until then! I promise you there will be plenty of young Jily along the way.
Thank you for reading and sending me this message!
I was going to ask about a piece of WIP but I was beat to it, so here are two other asks
🦈 & 🎨
Lots of love from by your not-so-secret admirer 😂❤️
Lots of love right back at you! Thank you for the ask!
Send me an ask based on these questions!
🦈 Which character is the toughest to write?
Hands down it is Peter.
Sirius, Remus, and Severus all have parts of me in them from when I was growing up - so some of what I write comes from my experience of being a disabled person growing up in a dysfunctional family. I can understand where they come from, and how their environment has shaped them.
For Peter, my issue is that he had the perfect life, but threw it away. And it is so hard for me to understand that. Writing someone who is going to make a bad decision purely in self-interests I cannot understand.
James is not hard for me, but he also had a good life, I think the part that makes it easier is that I think of James as someone who has very black-and-white thinking and I have that too - I had to learn to see gray myself.
Snape is also not that hard even though he makes bad decisions - he was radicalized and abused. He did not have any support system to become better once Lily left him (rightfully so). It was the 70-90s there was no help! I can wrap my head around this - as it was a reality for many.
Peter was loved and decided to betray people. Writing someone like that and making them a good person until they make that call is hard.
Also, I saw @tedwardremus mention Dumbledore, and I completely agree - idk if he is whimsical or serious enough.
🎨 If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?
I answered this question for A Light In The Shadows HERE.
So this time I will answer for How To Ask A Witch To Hogsmeade.
I love the image of third-year James with his too-big glasses looking like a complete nerd in his red robes. It's just too cute.
James had picked out some of his best robes for this visit. The robes were scarlet red, with gold embroidery. He had on his best wizard hat, which was black that matched his cloak. His ensemble might seem hot to those around him, but his father had been kind and put a cooling charm on his robes.
[...]
When David opened the door to see this short kid with glasses too large for his face and in bright red robes, he was a little relieved. The kid was a nerd for sure, as his letter reflected, and wouldn’t be causing any mischief for him.
I'd love the scene where James is in the kitchen with Lily's dad and her.
As if knowing she was the topic of conversation, his daughter walked into the room with a smile on her face, which he watched quickly disappear when her eyes landed on the boy sitting across from him.
“Potter what are you doing here,” asked Lily, a little bewildered.
“Evans!” James said as he leaped from his chair and ran his fingers through this hair.
I hope you are doing welll Just want to say I really enjoy ALITS
I am doing better - busy, and better! I have finally had some time to write (4k words written in the last couple of days!)
I am hoping to update the next chapter while I am on vacation (which is right now, and I have learned that I need to take more vacations so I have more time for writing!).
Below is a fun snippet of Remus, and by fun, I mean depressing!
Remus Lupin was going to die in this transfiguration classroom.
His head was pounding. His eyes hurt. His mouth was dry. And his muscles felt like they were on fire and frozen at the same time.
Yet, somehow, he managed to stare at the board.
“Psst.”
And now he was hearing things.
“Psst,” he heard again, but this time it was with a nudge. Remus looked to his right at James Potter.
“You okay?” whispered James.
“Yeah,” answered Remus with practiced ease. But then he added, “Was up late, think a cold might be coming on.”
“That’s the worst,” replied James. “Pepperup should fix you right up.”
“Good idea,” said Remus. “I’ll get some after dinner.”
It wouldn’t work, but it would cover for him getting his potion from the hospital wing. Remus knew that he should stay in the hospital wing tonight – it was two days before the full moon, after all. But… he did not want to leave the dorm and cause more questions. He could suffer through tonight in his bed and go to the hospital wing tomorrow.
In all honestly, I did not plan for it to be that long originally. There was just so much to cover with Lily's relationship with Petunia and Severus. Also, her being Muggle-born made it so she had to explore magic in such a different way.
I also fell in love with Lily's parents, and you get to see them a lot.
If you are looking for a way to celebrate Lily Evans Potter's birthday you can read 30k about her HERE.
🦖 Are there any fandoms you wrote for in the past that you'd like to return to?
🍄 Are there any fandoms you've never written for but want to try?
🌈 What research do you plan on doing for your writing?
xoxo itstherisingdaylight
Thank you @itstherisingdaylight!
Send me and ask based on these Questions!
🌈 What research do you plan on doing for your writing?
For A Light In The Shadows, I am working on researching racism in the 70s in the UK for the Black community. From JKR we know that Dean Thomas' Dad was killed by death eaters, I have a whole plot planned for Dean's dad and I want to make sure I get it right as I am 1) white, and 2) not from the UK.
I think fandom sometimes likes to think of wizarding as a utopia where race does not matter - but that is most likely not reality. We do see a microaggression with Pansy and Angela about her hair. There is xenophobia in the books and a society that cares about blood status will care to some extent about race. People always try to other people when they are fighting for status.
I think if we were to ask Kingsley, Dean, or Angela, about their experiences with race it would be very different than what Harry, Ron, or Herminoe would answer - but that also makes sense as they are white kids in the 90s and people were not teaching equality like they do today.
Dean's dad's story is going to be very important, and Dean will learn about it:
"I have something for you Mr. Thomas," said Professor McGonagall.
"What is it," asked Dean.
"A letter from your father," said Professor McGonagall.
🐌 What is one of your smallest writing goals?
My goal is to participate in 5 fests/writing commitments this year. I want to have fun with writing that is not also my long fic!
🦖 Are there any fandoms you wrote for in the past that you'd like to return to?
I have never written a fic until last year (so odd to say last year)!
🍄 Are there any fandoms you've never written for but want to try?
I do read Hunger Games FF sometimes, and back in the day I read PJO.
I like FF which deals with "What we do not know."
Jily - how they got together and what happened. Remadora and Tedromeda are all off-page. So is next-gen. I don't read much about lighting era as it lives too much in the books for me. For this reason, I find it hard to read PJO and the books are still ongoing. Hunger Games I am reading a fic that is the books from Peta's POV and I like that as it shows us what we do not see.
But I don't think I would write for another fandom, I just don't have the passion for the characters the same way I do HP.
🤔 Are there any new characters you want to write about?
🐾 Do you plan on writing for any fests or competitions?
💥Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!
Thank you East!
Send me and ask based on these Questions!
🤔 Are there any new characters you want to write about?
I have this idea for a Remadora Jily mash-up fic from Sirius's POV that I want to write as I think it would be so much fun. It would also have Jily and Remadora POV - idk it's been in my head and I have been thinking of drafting it out.
🐾 Do you plan on writing for any fests or competitions?
I am! Which I am very excited about! I am doing the @greenhouse-seven Valentine's Day Exchange and the @jilymicrofics gift exchange! These are my first two 'gift exchanges' and I am nervous that someone might not like my gift, but everyone is so lovely so I know it's just nerves.
💥Is there a chapter, scene, or WIP you're most excited to write? Share a snippet or tell us about it!
One thing I enjoy about Jily is that it's set in the 70s. There was no internet or cellphones - but kids still found a way to party. James lives in the town of Godric Hollow - which I read as a small village town. That means these kids were stealing out at night and having parties in the fields. There were dances and they were having parties in their parent's basements when they were out of town - there was just so much fun to be had.
This is a scene that will be in A Light In The Shadows between James' fourth and fifth years when his Muggle friend Boby takes him to a party outside the town:
"Fuck the cops are coming," said Bobby as people scrambled around them.
"How are we getting out of here, your brother skived off with his girl an hour ago," asked James.
"We have a meet-up spot in case this happens," said Boby looking around. "Lottie, you know where to meet your sister? "
"No, she and Alan didn't make a plan," said Lottie.
"Wanker," said Bobby causing Lottie to giggle, he then added, "It's all right Lottie, I'll get you home."
Those two were smiling at each other like fools and had all the time in the world.
"All right love birds break it up, where are we heading?" asked James as he stepped closer to them. Bobby grabbed Lottie's hand and they dashed to where his brother Dan had parked the car.
Dan had the window down and the car lights on so they could see him at the edge of the forest.
"Took you fuckers long enough," said Dan as he stubbed out a fag. They all stood there looking at him, until he added, "Get in the fucking car. We have to go!"
They all piled in the back of the car.
"Alright I'm turning the lights off, Beth-Anne you're on the lookout," said Dan as he killed the car headlights.
They drove on the edge of the field. Everyone was quiet as they did not want to draw attention and have any of the cops notice them.
It was hard to see but Beth-Anne had her head out the window keeping an eye on things as Dan drove the edge of the forest like he had done it a hundred times. James realized that Dan probably had done this a bunch, being three years older than them.
They kept the lights off until they got on the road, then Dan turned the headlight back on and blasted the radio. A sigh of relief could be heard from all of them - nobody wanted to call their parents about being picked up at a party.
"What a fucking rush," said Dan. They all started laughing and agreeing with him. It was just like sneaking out onto the grounds with his friends at school. He can't wait to owl Sirius about this excursion, maybe he can come to the next one.
"Looks like we picked up a straggler. Lottie where do your parents think you are tonight?"
"I just snuck out the house, Bobby can walk me back from yours."
"There will be a cop station out on the main drive, so I'll drop Beth-Anne off first. Then we can stick you and Jim in the boot to get by them. They won't say shite if it's just me and Boby driven."
****
The boot of the car was hot, and not a place James wanted to be, but it was better than being taken to Muggle jail and having to call his parents who would have been pissed.
"So..." said James, "You and Boby?"
Lottie giggled and said, "We're not going steady or anything, but he walks me home from school most days."
"I'm sure he'll ask you soon," replied James.
"I think he's scared of my Dad," said Lottie. "Boby started doing dishes in the pub, and any time my Dad saw us chatting he puffs out his chest and - "
"Quite you two, we are approaching," Dan said loudly.
James couldn't hear everything that was going on until Dan and the Cop started yapping at each other.
"Oh for fuck's sake Billy, we were literally doing this a year ago,"
"Yeah, Dan, and now I'm a cop," said who James assumed was Billy. "Tell me you haven't been drinking and I can let you go."
"I didn't have time to drink Billy, I had Beth-Anne with me. You can have Freddy call Beth-Anne tomorrow I wasn't drinking at all tonight."
"I don't see Beth-Anne with you."
"You sure you're smart enough to be a cop Billy?" asked Dan, "She lived on the outside of town, I dropped her off first."
"You have any stowaways?"
"No," said Dan. "The boot only has finishing geer."
"Alright," said Billy.
There was a moment of quiet.
"We're meeting up Friday at the Pub, you'll be there?"
"Yeah," said Billy.
"Your drinks are on me," said Dan. "Inspector Jones was a dumbarse for putting you on."
"They do it on purpose, but the young constables on and only want us going after those drinking and driving."
"And you let me... You're a shithead Billy,"
The car started moving, and James could hear Billy call out, "I still expect those drinks, Dan!"
