Chapter Text
James Potter thundered down the stairs that led to the boys dorm, Sirius Black and Pettigrew in tow. Remus slowly walked behind them, Transfiguration book in one hand and half-eaten apple in the other. The four boys jostled each other and laughed, waking the Common Room. As Head Girl, Lily had her own room in the girls’ tower, but she’d been reading a letter when they made their appearance.
“Evans! Whatcha doing?” Sirius Black yelled, tossing a snitch to James Potter.
“None of your business, Black.” She replied, not looking up. “Morning Remus.”
Remus waved a hand acknowledging her greeting, before diving back into his homework. Lily finally looked up, perplexed. James hadn’t spoken a word to her yet and they’d been in the same room for more than twelve seconds! Perhaps he was deciding to be more mature. Well, it would be a welcome relief to avoid his gaze for some time. At least he wasn’t asking her out anymore. Thankfully, sixth year Christmas holidays had stopped the incessant question.
“Hey Prongs! Would you stop playing catch with Padfoot?! I’m trying to focus here, you wankers.”
“Alright, Moony, don’t get your knickers in a twist!” Black replied, smirking.
Lily glanced at Remus, sharing an eye roll. “Do you want to pop into the library ‘fore breakfast or?”
“‘K, let me just get my bookbag.”
Remus loped up the stairs two at a time with his awfully gangly legs. James Potter appeared in her view. “‘Lo, Lilyflower. How’re you doing?”
She glanced at him suspiciously. “James.” They’d agreed that it was ridiculous, as Head Boy and Girl, to call each other by their last names. They’d never agreed to the ridiculous pet names he had for her, though. “Did you break something in Professor McGonnagall’s office again?”
He slapped a hand to his heart dramatically. “Aww, cm’on Evans! Why would you think I’d ever do that?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Well, let me see. There was: her inkpot, her framed pictures of her late husband, three Quidditch cups melted- do I need to go on?”
He laughed, ruffling a hand through his hair. “Alright, fair point. But I was just saying hello.”
That was when Lily noticed his tie. “Hello then. Also, you’re Head Boy, you should be setting a good example for the first years. Your tie is all wrong! Here, let me-”
She dropped her quill and walked up to him. She fastened the knot expertly in a windsor twist, and fixed his crooked lapel. Lily looked up, right into his warm, kind, hazel eyes. He took her hands stopping her from buttoning his shirt next.
She looked down. “Sorry. Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking, invading your space like that, I-”
James laughed. “It’s alright, honey bun. You and I can tie the knot anytime.” He winked at her, eyes gleaming behind his glasses. He had a beautiful face, Lily decided. Strong jaw, doe-like eyes, magnificently messy black hair that just highlighted his dark skin.
Lily shook her head. What was she thinking?! She needed a good strong dose of N.E.W.T revisions to get her head straight. "Oi, Lupin!"
she yelled.