Prongsy

The name's James Potter. If you call me Prongs and your name isn't Padfoot, Moony, or Wormtail, prepare to get hexed. Also, if you do anything to hurt Lily Evans, then I'll hex you. She's mine whether you like it or not.

[theprongsymarauder]

Potter Family Manor in Dover, Kent-- the back parlour

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

Lily reminds herself to whack James a few more times once his parents have gone for making her look like an idiot in front of them. In all honesty, it was her reaction to his actions that caused what she assumed to be making herself look like a right twat, but nevertheless, James Potter will be the one to hear her ranting about how embarrassed she was to have met his parents in such a manner.

Then, his hand is over her shoulder and another throw back to her time with Ted flicks through her mind. Normally, she would have elbowed him and made him get away from her but she is not rude enough to do in front of his parents. Lily prides herself on her first impressions and clearly, having almost ruined it already, she needs to stay on her best behaviour.

Thankful that Mrs Potter steps forward, Lily moves from under James’ ‘wing’, meeting the older woman halfway, aiming to shake Mrs Evans’ hand and smiling genuinely. She seems perfectly nice and Lily sees no falsities in the woman’s demeanour, “Mrs Potter, it’s lovely to meet you. Jamesy—” at this, she turns to give him a look to indicate she would comment on the nickname in due course, “talks of the two of you often. It’s lovely to finally meet you. Meet you both Mr—” she starts, the air moving from her lungs as Mr Potter hugs her tightly. She chuckles awkwardly but hugs him back nonetheless.

The hug held for a little longer than Lily would usually have held it, but she didn’t want to be rude. It was strange to think that she hadn’t actually ever hugged James Potter before – even his little apparition stunt hadn’t counted – and yet as she left Mr Potter’s arms, she couldn’t help but wonder if that was how James hugged; so fully and rather tightly. Maybe it was the small amount of alcohol that lingered on his breath that had caused such an affection, but Lily smiled kindly at the patriarch anyway.

Chuckling softly at the affection Mr Potter shows his Missus before finally able to shake Mrs Evans’ hand she speaks, “It is really lovely to meet you both,” Lily reiterated, “Thank you so much for inviting me. The invitations were just stunning – my mother couldn’t stop staring at it.”

She shook her head with a soft laugh, looking behind her at James again before replying, “If the Potters are the kind of people to hug with such enthusiasm, then I’m sure I wouldn’t mind being one.” Nothing was meant of the statement more to make a joke of the situation, but a part of Lily wondered if perhaps James would make something of the sentiment. Sirius had spoken at length about how amazing the Potters were – their house, their love, their support – and Lily was genuinely happy to be there.

Looking around the room, she was interested to note the stark contrast between the Evans’ and the Potters’ houses. Her parents weren’t the richest, that was for sure and she knew James’ family to be affluent in the pureblood community and she knew that translated to money, but still the difference was staggering, “From what little I’ve seen, you have a lovely home.” She commented. 

[theprongsymarauder]

Though it would please him greatly to jump into the introductions and greetings, James leaves the chatting to Lily and his parents for a moment, standing back and seeing how the redhead interacts with his parents. He doesn't know much of anything about Lily's parents. What he does know is mostly surrounding the muggleborn's older sister; a terse relationship the two have.

James just finds satisfaction in the fact that this one girl is finally meeting his parents. And his parents can comprehend why Lily Evans has done nothing but drive him senseless for the past six years.

He's well aware that he may not have given Lily enough warning that his parents were present for her little outburst when they first apparated in. He's also aware that his mother does him no kindness by using her fond butchering of his name in front of Lily. Maybe it's a secret agreement women have, to humiliate men whenever they can between each other, even upon first meeting.

James doesn't care overly much once he hears his mother comment on how Lily's like family. And then miraculously hears the reply the girl gives in return. The wizard blinks and swears the glance she spares him before speaking of how she wouldn't actually mind being a Potter was meant just for him. James doesn't want to read into it, knows he shouldn't, but it doesn't stop the hopefulness all the same.

The fact that his mother spares him a significant glance as well when Lily's gaze takes in the receiving room's ornate moldings and gold-embellished fireplaces for floo travel--three of them--isn't lost on James. The grin spreading wide over his face as he steps up closer to Lily and takes over conversation could be painful if he wasn't so caught up in the moment.

"Perhaps James will give you a full tour while you're here," his mother is saying as she nudges at her husband's side. "We should get back out to the others, as should you two. James--you don't want your guests to think they have an inconsiderate host. I'm sure Lily can stand to be apart from you for awhile."

The boy barely resists rolling his eyes but nods in agreement. "Of course. Come on, Evans."

The party atmosphere makes James even more impulsive and insistent than ever. Just as he pulled Lily into apparating without much warning, the young man takes the redhead by the hand now an tugs her out of the receiving room, moving far ahead of his parents as they make their way down the wide carpeted hall toward the backside of the house.

The back of the house is a open space, high ceiling and collection of sofas, wing-backed chairs, and one worn, overstuffed armchair. The back parlour is readily used by the Potters for entertaining guests, with the glass-faced wall that provides access through glass double doors out to the gardens and expansive property the family owns. The room is punctuated by stately pillars and white marble floor covered with different expensive rugs his mother has purchased over the years. This is through which James leads Lily until they step outside into the nice weather to witness the sight of friends and acquaintances from school in different modes of socialising.

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

With her back to him, she has no idea what was happening until after it happens; all she can register is his hand closing in on her write, his body against hers and then his arm around her. Lily’s mind races with memories of the last time she had been held like this. Ted and she had ended things on good terms, probably the best terms considering it was a break up, but she still misses him. She misses being held like this, the sweet masculine scent of something quintessentially male and she misses allowing herself to be close to someone.  

Of course Marlene had offered her ‘superior hugging and cuddling skills’, but it wasn’t the same and both of them knew it. There was a difference between being hugged by your best friend and being hugged by your boyfriend and Lily was still in the mourning process of losing the latter. Once they are on solid ground again, Lily stumbles a little, her hands reaching out to grab onto James’ shirt and she takes a brief moment to regain normality.

Once the moment was over, she immediately wiggled free of his grasp, reaching a well-manicured hand out to whack his arm a few times in quick succession, “Christ Potter, you can’t just—“ she starts, knowing full well that he would find great amusement in seeing her so flustered, “You shouldn’t’ve—” she starts again, unsure of where her thoughts lie on what just happened, as she was about to try for a third time, she hears someone politely clear their throat a few feet behind her back.

She jumps slightly, taking another step away from James and turning to see who had appeared to greet them. 

[theprongsymarauder]

As soon as they appear in the manor receiving room, James lets Lily slip out of his arms. Just as expected, the girl swats at him ineffectually, only encouraging the grin that takes over his face at her flustered expression and struggle to string reprimanding words together. It always is nice to see when he's got her just slightly tongue-tied. Even more amusing is how he can see his parents standing in the entrance to the room while Lily's back is turned and unaware that she has a small amused audience.

That is, until his mother clears her throat and Evans startles.

Lily turns as his father and mother move closer and James takes the opportunity to step up alongside the redhead, slinging his arm affectionately over the girl's shoulders as he sets his broom on the ground and waves his freed hand at his parents.

"Evans, these are my parents. Charles and Abigail Potter. Mum, dad--this is Lily Evans."

Abigail steps forward first, a polite smile on her red-painted lips as she holds out her hand to Lily. "It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Lily. My Jamesy here speaks well of you."

Charles doesn't wait for Lily to take his wife's hand in greeting. Instead, he throws himself forward with a wide grin and takes Lily into a warm embrace as if he's known the girl for years and they've just reunited after time apart. "Lily! I feel like I know you already, dear!"

James affectionately rolls his eyes as his father gives him a thumbs up behind Lily's back. Chuckling to himself as he turns his gaze to his mother expectantly and when they catch each other's gazes, she nods in answer to his silent inquiry. Yes, his father has already been drinking. James can only appreciate that the man has yet to hit a low stride in his cups. The last thing he wants is for his friends to witness an episode.

"Come now, Charles. Don't scare the poor girl off with your affections," Abigail insists as the reaches out and lies a hand at her husband's back. "I'm certain she didn't come to entertain us."

Charles laughs as he finally frees Lily from his enthusiastically innocent hug. He simply exchanges one female for another when he wraps an arm around his wife's waist and presses a kiss to the crown of her head. James can only shake his head because it's just like his father to be most affectionate at the absolute worst times but his mother takes it in stride. Her smile is warm and kind as she extends her hand to Lily again.

"I must apologise for my husband. But he is right about one thing--we can't believe we're only just meeting you though we've heard much of you between James and Sirius. You're practically family without ever knowing it, I think." Her blue eyes gleam with her own humour. She knows full well that Lily has continually rejected her son's advances and the last thing the girl likely wants is to be a Potter in truth.

[hallonsaft]

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

 “You may very well be the next greatest flyer the Wizarding World has ever seen, Potter,” she starts, her hands crossing over her chest defensively, “And I’m not saying that you are – but I am not getting on that thing. Ever. Even if you paid me.” Lily purses her lips and looks at him as if he was crazy, “We’ve been in the same classes for going on seven years now – have you ever seen me get on a broom? No. It’s not happening.” Heights were definitely something Lily never does, she can barely stand at the top of the astronomy tower for classes and she’s more than certain James Bloody Potter knows that.  

“Apparating makes complete sense when you know I’m not about to get on that thing, Potter,” she counters, practically rolling her eyes at his next statement, “And, really, what has changed since we last saw each other? We ‘reacquainted’ ourselves over owls and that’s good enough for me.” Lily’s stubborn side is rearing its head and she knows now even if she was agreeable to flying with him, she still won’t – on principle more than anything else. Arguments with James Potter normally ended in both of them being too stubborn to agree that the other is actually right, so why stop now?

“We’ll walk,” she agrees, her arms still crossed over her chest defensively and her smile almost challenging. Lily is actually more than happy to have a conversation with him as they walk – knowing it would be easier and shorter to fly or apparate and she wouldn’t have to ‘put up’ with him for too long. She knows she is picking the harder and longer option, but she also knows that if he is not going to apparate the two of them and she is not getting on his broom, there is only one option left. She begins along the path that leads away from the train station, assuming she is moving in the tight direction.

Turning back to look at him as he leans, she rolls her eyes, “Are you coming?”

[theprongsymarauder]

James Potter fights the urge to roll his eyes at the argument Lily makes against him. Of course she will continue to refuse. And whens he beings to walk away and questions him, James has to consider just what he should do now.

Walking back with her has its perks. They can talk. Talking is good, right? But as she did point out, they have reacquainted themselves through their letters well enough and talking with Lily Evans is never easy. Given it'd likely be a long walk, there's a lot of time between now and arriving at his family home where things could go dementor-shaped in trying to carry on a decent, non-argumentative conversation. Not to mention--walking means they will likely arrive even later than anticipated to the festivities which would likely lead to a host of issues or accusations.

Forcing Lily onto the broom obviously isn't happening and the redhead is determined to walk even if it means she might have sore heels by the time they show up on the Potter grounds.

"I'm coming," James finally answers after his pensive gaze slips away and the boy shoves off the tree, striding straight for the girl with a smirk hiding his intentions behind it. "Just come here, Evans."

As he speaks, James takes hold of the muggleborn by her wrist without forewarning, tugging her into his chest. He'd already registered the lack of passerby moments before he made up his mind and he doesn't let her get a word as he looks down at her, grinning. "We'll apparate."

With a hand holding her innocently by the waist, James concentrates on the thought of his receiving room and as they spin on the spot, feeling the familiar tug, and vanish with a crack, he can't help but note how nice it is to hold Lily this close. It's only seconds but James cherishes those few seconds. In the back of his mind, he has the feeling she'll just hit him for this anyway.

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

Her eyes narrow as she sees his lips curl into the familiar stupid grin she is so used to seeing plastered on the boy’s face. Her arms cross over her chest and she knows that being adamant over the subject would bring her a win and they would just walk back or James would offer side-by-side apparition. She was sure he had his licence, didn’t he? She shook her head to bring herself back to reality to look over at James when he turns.

She rolls her eyes again before they flick down to the ground to ensure that James is walking on stable ground, no cracks or bumps in the concrete so he doesn’t fall and hurt himself. Lily is suddenly a little concerned for why she would care so much if James did indeed fall and get hurt – it would be his own stupid fault anyway. Taking a minute to assure herself it’s only because he is basically a friend now and she didn’t like seeing friends get hurt (not to mention just how much she didn’t want to perform a healing spell this close to potential muggle sightings), Lily turns her attention back to James.

“Flying might not,” she agreed, “but flying with you potentially could. I’ve seen you during Quidditch,” she argues, even though she knows flying during Quidditch is a lot more manoeuvring than flying for transport is. Lily also knows that flying with James means there will be a lot of closeness between the two considering she would need to hold on to him in order to keep herself safe on his broom. That in itself serves to make her nervous – for more than one reason she is really able to figure out at the current moment, “I couldn’t care less if you’re the best you think Hogwarts has ever seen James,” she paused for a split second, having realised it was the first time she’d used his first name without his last, “It’s not happening. Can’t you apparate or something?” That way, she figures, she could at least place her hand on his shoulder or something as opposed to actually having to get super close to him.  

[theprongsymarauder]

"Oh come on, Evans. I'm a perfectly good flyer and I can be entirely safe," James insists as he continues to walk backward. He trusts his footing well enough and he simply grins with his hands tucked into his trouser pockets. It hadn't even occurred to him to Apparate there. He'd simply thought of how much fun it would be to ride his broom, to finally convince Lily Evans to ride with him back to the manor grounds. The idea had stuck and he hadn't given any further consideration to the matter. Now he's determined to see this through.

"Besides, apparating when I have a perfectly good broom just doesn't make sense. Plus it's such a perfectly nice day and it's our first time seeing each other in a few months. Why not get reacquainted during the trip back to the house." Perhaps he's saying 'perfectly' too much and maybe he shouldn't talk of becoming reacquainted when they've known each other for six long years already and Lily usually makes it very clear that she tires of seeing his face only after a few hours in his company. But it's bonfire day and he's in far too good a mood to care.

Still, he might as well concede just a bit. He turns to finally walk the right way as they approach the spot where he'd hid the broom and as soon as his charm vanishes with a small wave of his wand, James grips his broom in one hand and turns to look at Lily. Giving a small shrug he says, "But if you really don't want to, if it terrifies you that much or you don't trust me at all then we'll walk. At least my company is better than none and it's a few miles. It's up to you, Evans."

Then he leans against the tree, looking at her. His expression could be read as smug but he doesn't think he's smug at all. Just confident in himself, as he rightfully should be at all times.

[theprongsymarauder]

I had a dream the other night About how we only get one life Woke me up right after two Stayed awake and stared at you So I wouldn't lose my mind

And if you only die once I wanna die with you You got something I need In this world full of people there's one killing me And if we only die once I wanna die with you You got something I need In this world full of people there's one killing me And if we only die once I wanna die with you

[theprongsymarauder]

About the Gryffindor

On The Outside:

Name: James Nathaniel Potter

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Style/Colour: Middle-length, brown

Height: 6’0”

Clothing Style: Nothing less than the best unless I mean to get dirty then I have some of my tattered favourites

Best Physical Feature: My hair and my eyes, if not all of me

On The Inside:

Your fears: Losing my parents, losing my mates, losing Lily

Your guilty pleasure: muggle music

Ambitions for the future: stop the purebloods and their prejudice

Thoughts:

Your first thoughts waking up: Can't I go back to sleep?

What you think about before bed: I better not get pranked.

You think your best quality is: My confidence and belief in doing what's right

What’s better?:

Single or group dates: single

To be loved or respected: both

Beauty or brains: both

Dogs or cats: dogs

Do you?:

Lie: I try not to

Believe in yourself: yes

Believe in love: forever

Want someone: yes

Ever?:

Been on stage: not unless you call Quidditch a stage

Done drugs: do cigarettes count?

Changed who you were to fit in: no, everyone tries to fit in with me even when they really don't need to

Favourites:

Colour: red

Animal: dog or phoenix

Favourite movie: The Labyrinth was pretty cool

Favourite game: Quidditch

Age: 

Day your next birthday will be: 30 September

How old will you be: 18

Does age matter: Not when you’ll be arranged by your parents anyway.

[lachrymosaic]

[pro-to-typ-e-deactivated2015020]

[theprongsymarauder]

“So full of artless jealousy is guilt, it spills itself in fearing to be spilt.”

[emma-stone-is]

[theprongsymarauder]

Lily watching James try to get Harry to crawl up the stairs

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

His hand runs through his hair and Lily suppresses the instinct to roll her eyes at the action. That was James Potter to a tee, his hand in his hair and the almost non-responsible look he is giving her. She can’t help but feel rather thankful that he actually had shown up considering her other option is to go back home and spend the night listening to just how amazing Vernon was according to Petunia and just how excited she was to be a wife. Of course, she wasn’t planning on having children any time soon – that would have to wait a few years at least until she was settled in his home and nested appropriately.

All of that sounds like completely and utter rubbish to Lily’s ears but to avoid a fight, she would simply have locked herself in her room, no doubt owling Marlene about the party at the Potters. So really, the idea that James is five minutes late is not all that terrible, but Lily needs to maintain her ground and her air of slight and soft indignation that he wasn’t on time.

This time, Lily actually does roll her eyes, knowing exactly what he was trying to do. After almost seven years of being around him, she knows when he is trying to change the subject to avoid and argument or any more comments on the subject. At least she had actually gotten him to admit he was late; the simple ‘yeah’ would suffice as an admittance of guilt this time.

“Thank you,” she replies none-the-less and raises a hand to brush her side swept bangs further to the side, “One of Petunia’s bridesmaids was sick so I had to fill in for her this morning. Lucky it coincided with tonight, made my getting ready rather quicker than it would have been.” As a witch, Lily still likes to do some things the muggle way; doing her hair herself and applying her make up by hand as opposed to flicking her wand. There’s something satisfying in doing things for yourself as opposed to charming them and it’s a feeling Lily quite likes.

She moves quickly to fall in step with him but stops when he mentions flying. Not only because there are a few muggles that give him a questioning second glance before continuing on their progression to wherever on the platform they may have been going but also because flying was certainly not something Lily enjoyed. The idea of being up so high with nothing but a stick between your legs was positively terrifying to Lily.

“No,” she says, her voice hushed as she finally catches up to him, “Absolutely not, Potter.”

[theprongsymarauder]

James doesn't really grasp the concept of there being a quicker way of getting ready for anything. He needs clothes on his body and a quick rake of his fingers through his hair to make sure it looks perfectly messy and he's ready to go so long as he has his glasses on his face. He used to marvel at all the shiny potions and creams cluttering up his mother vanity as a child. Now he just rolls his eyes at how long it seems to take his mother to prepare for a night out or a gala she's attending while he and his father stand around waiting and tugging at their annoyingly starched suits. Leave it to women--with or muggle--to take ages getting ready.

None of that matters when it comes to the topic of flying though and James isn't surprised in the slightest when Lily  freezes and then catches up to him with refusal on her lips. The boy grins, both hands now settled in his pockets as he continues to stride out of the station into the sun and outdoor air. There's no sense in picking up the argument until they're out of earshot of muggle businessmen and young ladies going about their business in little Dover.

He just keeps grinning as he walks and once he notes that their surroundings are muggle free, just at the edge of the road leading out of the carpark, James turns to walk backwards and face Lily fully.

"Come on now, Evans. It won't kill you, I promise. I'd never let that happen and I'm pretty much the best flyer Hogwarts has ever seen." He knows that certain classmates of his, namely one Emma Vanity would like to contest that statement but they aren't here and he'll continue to believe he's the best because that's all he knows how to do. "It will be much faster and you know it."

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

Lily begins to wonder if James has forgotten what time they were meeting or that he was supposed to be picking her up at all and she sighs softy to herself. Of course he would have forgotten; it’s not like she is one to normally attend these sorts of parties and it was somewhat last minute that she had decided to go.

She begins to look around for a payphone, not really knowing who she should actually call in a situation like this considering Marlene was probably already at the Potters’, as would Remus and Mary be too… if she rings her father, she knows he’ll tell her to get back on the train and he’ll pick her up… he’d also include a few curse words to one James Potter. Not wanting to be embarrassed by her father, she decides to give James ten more minutes before she heads back to look for a return train.

Trying to resign herself to the idea that James Potter just wasn’t coming to pick her up, she can’t help but feel slightly disappointed; having gotten herself worked up for what is quickly looking like nothing in particular. She was somewhat looking forward to meeting his parents; seeing which he took after in looks the most and possibly pintpointing where a lot of his ‘James-ness’ comes from.

She looks down at her pocket watch once more before realising that it has only been a minute since she last checked it and she begins to wonder why time is going so slowly. Perhaps her mind wants James Potter to show up more than Lily herself realises. Her watch returns to her pocket, just as she hears the familiar moniker fall from the all-too-familiar voice.

Lily turns around, raises an eyebrow at him and nods once, “You’re late,” she says, closing the distance between them to stand in front of him. Sure, it was only five minutes, but she can’t exactly cut him any slack about the matter now, can she? Considering she’s been so adamant about punctuality in the past. 

[theprongsymarauder]

As the redhead steps toward him, James can't help but run a hand through his hair at her comment about being late. So perhaps he took a bit longer than expected to find a place to land or he didn't walk quite fast enough. What matters is that he's here, right? For her benefit, the boy merely shrugs as he drops his hand from his head and shoves it into the pocket of his khaki trousers.

"Yeah, well," he adds noncommittally, then he lets his gaze glances over her summer dress with cardigan, and the way her hair seems to wrap around her head instead of its usual ponytail. "I like your hair. Fancy."

It's more a means of distracting Lily from his tardiness, though he does have to say the updo looks good on her face. In his opinion though, her hair is most appealing to him when it's down, loose around her shoulders. Much easier for him to imagine what it might feel like to bury his hands in the fiery strands. Not that he'll ever find out given the nonplussed way she continues to act around him.

"Anyway. We best be going. I'm sure the house is overrun with everyone by now and my parents can't host without me, of course." He gives Lily a broad grin and a wink before turning on his heel to make his way through the train passengers boarding and exiting. James anticipates that Lily will step to keep up and as an afterthought, he says boldly over his shoulder, "I hope you don't mind if we fly back!"

None of the muggles will likely get what he's referring to, he's sure of it. But he's also sure that Lily will in fact mind very much. He just can't resist trying to get her on the broom as he has been for the last six years. By James Potter logic, if Lily can just have a fly with him, then she'll realise just how much she's been missing out on the fun of it. She has to agree to ride with him this time, she just has to.

[costinm]

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

[k--harrison]

Seven am? It’s seven am? What on earth is she doing awake at seven am? Lily groans, running her hair through her long and somewhat messy red hair and blinking a few times before her eyes actually adjust to the early morning light. Her mind quickly catches up with her and the young woman groans for an altogether different reason. Petunia is coming today. Petunia and her mother have ‘requested her presence’ at a bridesmaid fitting even though she is not a bridesmaid. Apparently, one of her sister’s bridesmaids is sick and Lily is the perfect size.

It’s not the way she wanted to start the morning. She and Marlene were going to look for new swimsuits to take to the Potters considering Lily’s old one is now too small on her. Now, instead of cute little swimmers, she will be forced into peach taffeta or whatever colour Petunia was looking at now.  Marlene promised to buy Lily something nice in the right size and bring it to the Potter’s in the afternoon anyway so she counts that as some kind of small victory.

After a quick breakfast (read: a mouthful of lukewarm coffee), Lily is shuffled out of the house and into the family car to listen to Petunia’s constant complaints about how terrible it is that Jessica had to eat Indian food from ‘that restaurant that everyone knows is filled with e coli’. It’s a short trip though and Lily spends most of the morning in a dress that actually does look nicer on her than on Jessica. Another small victory for her, she supposes.

Thankfully, she is back at the house by midday and gets a small reprieve from her sister when the hairdresser arrives to show Petunia exactly how her hair is to look on the day. Lily smiles to herself, thinking there’ll be some time for her to get another short nap in before the train at 2pm, but soon her mother is calling her down the stairs again. Petunia needs to see what Jessica’s hair will look like too and, since Lily has the ‘right sort of face’, she is made to sit in the chair and have her hair pulled and tugged at for almost an hour until Petunia agrees with the hairdresser that the small knotted braid is the best idea for all the bridesmaids.

“I need to go pack Mum,” Lily reminds her mother quietly, not wanting her sister to overhear.

Too late, it seems, “Pack for what?” the older Evans asks, sticking her head back into the lounge room.

“Lily’s off to a sleepover tonight,” Mrs Evans smiles brightly, causing Lily to roll her eyes.

“It’s not a sleep over. It’s a bonfire party. To celebrate going back to school for our last year… I’m staying in Marlene’s tent for the night.”

Petunia’s upper lip curls as it usually does when mentioning anything to do with Lily’s school or friends and Maureen quickly excuses Lily so as to avoid any sort of confrontation that Petunia might be ready to start.

Back up in her room, Lily turns a little to look at her hair, a small smile on her features. The braid really isn’t that bad, she thinks, it actually suits her face. Moving her bangs to one side, Lily bites down on her lip, looking at herself once more before starting to pack. She wasn’t sure what the dress code really was, so she packed a few options in case she had to change when she arrived at the manor. Marlene had really been no help, ‘Wear something pretty,’ she had said, “so whatever you like, really.”

Deciding upon a nice summer dress and a cardigan for when it gets cold in the evening, Lily packs a pair of jeans another jumper and something to sleep in before grabbing her beach towel and trotting down the stairs to ask her father if they can leave now for the train station.

On the train, Lily’s stomach begins to hurt and she narrows her eyes, hoping that she isn’t about to get train sick. Then, after a moment of wondering if she’s going to vomit, Lily realises that the feeling is excitement. She’s excited to go to the Potters’ house and to the kind party she had heard all about last year. Her mind flicks to James Potter and she frowns a little, mainly because the letters they had been exchanging weren’t actually all that bad. They were nice, like the ones she would send to Remus or Frank. Sure, there was the occasional stupid James Potter reference in them, but for the most part, James had been easy to talk to. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be that bad. Lily bites down on her lip as she considers just how much fun she would be having with her friends at the Potter Manner and, before she realises, the train driver is announcing the stop she needs.

Gathering her things, Lily gets off the train and thanks the assistant for making sure she didn’t miss her stop and looks around, unsure of where she was supposed to meet James. She felt awkward just sort of standing there, so she moved off the platform and into the pickup zone, wondering if the Potters had a car… or if James knew how to drive. 

[theprongsymarauder]

James finally decides on a spot and lands, finding himself just shy of half a mile from the station. Drawing out his wand as he sets his broom against a tree just off the path, he whispers the words to the Notice-Me-Not charm before tucking his wand into his new holster and stepping onto the side of the road leading onward to the train station.

With each step James feels a bit more excited and just a smidgen more nervous about the bonfire and Lily's part in it. He tries to tell himself he has nothing to be nervous about because he's a great guy and this will be a great party and there's nothing wrong with inviting a friend to his house to kick off their final year at Hogwarts. And that's all Lily Evans is to him. A friend. He may claim to want her, has done so for the last six years he's known her, but at the end of the day, they are friends because she says so and he can't do anything to change that apparently.

So why are there ants skittering all over his insides? It feels a lot like nerves must feel. James Potter never gets nervous though. Not since he stepped onto the Hogwarts Express, leaving his parents for the first time in his life and had to sit under the sorting hat at age eleven.

Lily Evans is about to see his house. She's going to meet his parents. For some reason, it makes all the difference. Even if a part of him has settled that this one girl will never return his interest, there's still a year left to make a difference and it all starts with today. James understands that as a muggleborn, Lily may not have a house as big as his. The way his parents act might seem fundamentally different because they're Purebloods. His mother at least. James concedes to himself as he walks that his father seems to act more and more like a muggle each day.

Being called arrogant based on his personality alone makes the confident young man question what sort of opinion Lily will have of him after today. She has an opinion on everything so this shouldn't be any different.

When he arrives at the train station, he enters the building and begins scanning people as he walks, looking for that bright flash of red hair he dreams of often. James spots her in the area marked as "Pick Up" and strides over, plastering his usual cocky grin on his face. As far as she's concerned, he's just being himself, per usual.

When he reaches the area with its seats and people milling about, he leans against one of the pillars marking off the space and calls out, "Hey Evans."

[k--harrison]

[theprongsymarauder]

Bonfire Charades ✖

Today is the day. Bonfire Day.

"Wake up, Prongs. Get your lazy arse out of bed before your old man decides that a bucket of ice works better."

Of course, sleep is far too inviting to give up and James Potter is definitely a lover of sleep.

"Sod off, Padfoot," James mutters into his pillows. "Plenty o' time for sleepin' before the party starts."

The weight of another body crashes into James' bed and the young wizard yelps, sitting up with a startled expression imprinted on his features. His best mate only laughs and points. No doubt his hair is even messier than its usual look.

"Bloody hell, Sirius. You know you're not a light thing," James gripes.

Sirius smirks back before rolling onto his back. "I know. But you're wrong about there being plenty of time, mate. It's nearly three."

"What?!" James feels a stirring of nerves rocket up his spine as he vaults over Sirius to get to the other side of his rather large bed, tumbling out of the sheets grasping at his ankles, and somehow remaining on his feet when he hits the floor. Turning back to stare incredulously at Sirius, still reclining there, looking far too at ease, he repeats almost hysterically, "WHAT?"

With arms slung behind his head, ankles crossed, Sirius simply grins and gives a light shrug. "Your mum figured you should get to sleep in while we set everything up. She said they put you through enough making you help plan all this."

James throws his hands in the air, uttering a frustrated groan as he storms to his wardrobe to throw open the doors in search of something perfect for this party. Because it has to be perfect. All their friends turning up to admire the property and have a blast; but more importantly, Lily Evans is coming this time. It's what makes all the difference, really. She has to be impressed. But now he feels like there's no time before he has to meet her like he promised.

"Has anyone turned up yet?" he asks over his shoulder as he pulls out what he thinks works well for a bonfire with friends and an attractive girl to impress.

The rustling of bed sheets can be heard and then feet padding in James' direction as Sirius answers, "Oh just everyone."

James turns sharply, looking slightly bewildered and he only gets more laughter for his concern. Sirius walks the rest of the distance to clap a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Mate, I'm joking. Don't look so terrified. I thought nothing got you a-fluster, Prongs."

"Ah, shut up." James rolls his eyes affectionately and dresses in record time. He doesn't have time for chatter with the one person he might honestly call a brother. You know, if he was really into having to having siblings. No, for all his love for Sirius and the appreciation he has for his parents letting him snooze a bit longer than he should have, he has somewhere he needs to be.

The two of them exit James' bedroom suite together and stride down one long corridor, then another, headed for the back grounds. On their way down flights of stairs and round into another corridor, they both hear the woosh of a fireplace ahead.

"Go ahead, Padfoot," James says, glancing at the dark-haired rebel of his with a smirk and a wave of his hand. "Go play host. This is your place too after all."

"Yeah, and you go try sweeping Lily off her feet." Sirius gives his brother-in-bond a playful nudge with his shoulder, his grin wide with the humour of his own words. "See if it works any better than the last five thousand times."

"Shove it!" James shouts, even though he's grinning just as widely as he generously shoves Sirius into the receiving room where he can see Tilden Toots and Benjy Fenwick dusting a bit of soot from their clothes. He gives them both a wave and a smile, entirely ignoring Sirius' stumbling and cursing him as he strides by and out through the glass double doors.

Once he's outside, James sprints for the broom shed, now shared by a motorbike in the magically expanded interior. His parents are both standing by the monster grill and wave at him but he doesn't have time to stay in chat. It's at least a few kilometres and for all he knows he's wasted more than ten minutes already, leaving him only twenty to make it on time.

How is he supposed to prove he's really quite the catch to the most stubborn woman he's ever met if he can't even make it on time to pick her up?

James feels far better about all this once his legs are hanging from his broom, taking off into the air and feeling the wind properly tousle his hair. The glasses resting against his face are charmed to stay in place during flight, a nifty trick the flight instructor taught him during the first day of flying class. Everything will be fine, be great even. Evans, a party with friends, plenty of drinks to go around, and he'd take her suggestions and will be setting off fireworks the end the night right.

As he scans the treeline, following the path his father had directed him to, James just needs to figure out the perfect spot to land; not too far from the station but not near enough that a muggle lays eyes on him. Not an easy task.