#jilytober fest
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'Please, don't cry'
My entry for the bittersweet challenge! @jilytoberfest on ao3 too!
‘So, out with it,’ Lily crosses her arms in front of her chest, ‘what is James hiding?’
Sirius and Remus look at each other, a look of worry taking over both of their faces.
'Hiding? What— pft, what do you mean—‘
‘Moons,’ Sirius stops him, putting a hand on his shoulder before turning to Lily with a smirk. ‘Why would Prongs be hiding anything?’
‘You two just decided to take me out for brunch?’
‘Can’t a guy want to treat his best friend—‘
‘Ooh, I’m your best friend now, Black?’ Her tone is playful.
‘Of course, can’t a guy want to treat his best friend to brunch for her birthday?’
‘Without her husband,’
‘Yup, killjoy’s looking after your little accident, today is about you!’
Lily’s noise wrinkles and she tries to keep in a laugh. ‘I thought you were going to stop calling Harry that?’
‘Ne-ver,’ he gives her a toothy smile, Remus is still silent but Lily can see him stroking Sirius’ leg under the table. ‘Some things happen for the best, but I’ll keep reminding you long as I live.’
‘Let’s hope it’s a long while, then.’ She says, looking down into her drink and mentally cursing herself for the unhappy comment.
‘You know,’ speaks Remus after a long silence. ‘There’s a reason we chose a Muggle place… Feels like we can ignore it all for a little while.
Lily looks up from her cup, first into Remus’ eyes and then to the snowy street right outside the café. The people rushing and almost slipping face-first against the pavement are contrasted by happy families strolling with their kids. She smiles, but it’s almost bitter.
‘Yeah, maybe if we were born in a different time…’
‘Nu-uh,’ Sirius stops her before she can get to the end of her sentence. ‘None of that sad rubbish today, today is happy!’
He slides his own drink across the table and Lily raises an eyebrow. ‘Try it.’
She sighs but the grin never leaves her face as she picks up Sirius’ colourful glass and takes a tentative sip. It is sweet and quite nice.
‘Wow,’ Lily exhales and Sirius’ smile grows tenfold.
‘Right? These Muggles know what they’re doing. We’ll have one more!’ He calls to the waiter at last.
When they walk back to Godric’s Hollow, Lily and Sirius are giggling and holding onto each other, Remus looking at them fondly and rolling back his eyes as he opens the front door.
‘We’re home!’ Lily yells and Sirius playfully slaps her shoulder before breaking into a laugh. Lily would have told him to shove off if the sight she met inside her house didn’t make her eyes prickle.
A banner hangs from the ceiling of their hallway and it reads in red and gold letters ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMMY’, she can tell the only word Harry worked on was Mummy. But that’s not what catches her attention.
What catches her attention are the walls adorned by colourful drawings in crayon, and James holding Harry in his arms, looking like he’s about to cry. Harry is dressed in his favourite onesie, a deer-shaped one.
‘MUMMY!’ The toddler shrieks, twisting in his father’s arms and reaching out for Lily.
‘Wow, Prongs, you’re a disaster,’ Sirius giggles.
‘Shut it, Pads—‘
‘Pa’foo!’
‘You too, you—‘
‘Little troublemaker just like his dad,’ Remus says, clearly trying to ease the air as James looks just about ready to burst into tears.
‘Lily, I’m so sorry, he was supposed to draw on the banner, but I guess he found the walls more appealing…’
Lily can’t process a single word, eyes fixed on one of the many drawings adorning their walls: three stick figures, the redheaded and black-haired ones holding a smaller, black-haired one. Her eyes are wet.
‘No, please! I’ll fix it right away! Please, don’t cry,’
‘If you touch any of that, I’ll hex you.’ Her voice is shaky and James looks positively bewildered.
Without another word, Lily makes her way across the room and takes Harry from James’ arms. She hugs the toddler and rests her forehead against her husband’s shoulder.
‘Lily, are you—‘
‘I love you so much,’ she sobs, Harry laughs and claps, smushing himself closer to Lily’s chest and James takes in a sharp breath before slipping an arm around her waist.
‘I love you too.’ He holds her tighter, one arm around her and the other around Harry.
‘Happy accident indeed— Ouch, Remus!’
#soo writes#james potter#lily evans#jily#sirius black#remus lupin#harry potter#harry james potter#baby harry#sirius and lily#wolfstar#jily raise harry#jilytober#jilytober fest#jilytober bittersweet challenge#ficlet#drabble#marauders
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sweet nothing
Lily Evans has lived with James Potter for two months, and this sun-drenched, fancy-free summer feels like a dream.
Or maybe, the calm before the storm.
For @jilytoberfest ‘s Bittersweet Challenge, with the prompt: “It never works for us, and it never will.” Angst-to-Fluff.
I’ve had so much fun writing this and I hope you guys enjoy it too!
Read it on Ao3!
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Jilytober event registrations
Jilytober’s just around the corner and there are tons of fun activities planned this year!
(Thanks to @constancezin and @carlav-blogs for the header and icon for the page!!)
EVENTS
1. Themes
The themes for this year are as follows!
Week 1: Neighbours
Week 2: Indian jily
Week 3: Dancer/Musician jily
Week 4: Fall jily
2. Challenges
Challenges for writers, artists and readers!
Bittersweet
Being one of the most loved events of last year, it HAD to make a comeback this year as well!
Who can participate: Writers/Artists!
Description: The participants will be given a fluff prompt which should be interpreted as angst. And vice versa
How to participate: Those interested to participate in this challenge can give their names, here!
Masquerade challenge
Who can participate: everyone!
Description: A few writers will write and submit their fics to the challenge, and these will be posted anonymously on the page. Readers have to match the fics to the writers!
How to participate as an author: Authors can submit their names to write a fic, here!
Winner: A scoreboard will be maintained, and the person with the most right guesses at the end, will win this challenge!
Microfics
At the beginning of the week, 5 prompts will be posted. They can all be connected together to make one fic, or as many as one wants. There is no limit! The microfics are to range in between 50-100 words but if inspiration strikes, feel free to go crazy!
Who can participate: Writers! (Even artworks,playlists, moodboards can be made!!)
Readers Bingo!
We all know that all readers consume jily content like crazy, so we will be having a separate bingo template!
Who can participate: Everyone!
Description: Get two bingos by reading all the fics posted this year on the template.
How to participate: the official bingo will be posted on page on the 10th of October!
Winner: Whoever finishes the bingo first, wins! They should also post a photo of their finished template on Tumblr.
Trivia
Who can participate: Everyone!
Description: A trivia on jily fics. Questions for the same can be submitted here!
How to participate: Interested participants can submit their names, here! And the link to the trivia form will be posted during mid October!
Winner: Who gets the most correct answers, will be crowned the winner.
3. Prompts
There will be 31 prompts for 31 days! Since this was a HUGE hit last year, it’s back with more exciting prompts for everyone!
The prompts will be posted soon!
#jilytober#jily#james potter#lily evans#harry potter#31prompts#jilytober fest#jilytober2022#jilymicrofics
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Jilytober - Day 4
“I know, but I wanted to’’ - Day Four
As I promised, Jily lives.
@jilytoberfest
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''Harry, you know you're going to get hurt, don't you?'' James said, watching his son climb the rope he'd tied himself to a branch of the tree. It was so much simpler if he used the ladder James had built just so he could reach the tree house.
''I know, but I want to,'' The boy continued, fearless and stubborn, holding tightly to the rope. James discreetly, without speaking, applied a spell so that the branch wouldn't break and the rope wouldn't untie, going back to reading his book.
Lily, sitting next to him, sunbathing in her yellow-and-white bikini, her skin glistening in suntan oil that promised not to burn her skin, giggled softly, eyes closed and hair pulled back in a bun.
''He's really your son, Evans,'' James said.
''Potter,'' she retorted, as usual, without opening her eyes. ''And it's just my son now?''
''When he's stubborn, yes.''
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@jilytoberfest microfic prompts & 31 prompts…
Prompts #1-4
Prompts 5 (climb) & 6 (“Why do you have two ice cream scoops but not any food?”)
“Good evening, er, Mr Black. How kind of you to call in for a… chat. A problem, you say? May I be of assistance?” Dumbledore asked, periwinkle eyes curious as he reached over for the sweets. “Lemon sherbet?”
Sirius Black shook his head.
“A problem. Of the very irritating, long-standing variety. And I know how to fix it!”
“I see,” the old man’s eyes twinkled, and Sirius noted how simultaneously amused and shrewd they could look.
“Yes. Well, the fact is that Evans and Potter have been mad about each other for ages, at least for all of 6th year and frankly, I’m sick of it. I know you are too. Lost a bet with Flitwick in April, didn’t you?”
Dumbledore stared at him.
“Flitwick pays me a retention fee to keep him updated on their progress. I was able to appraise him of the fact that diddly squat had changed since March, February, Christmas - you get my drift,” Sirius said.
The fact that the professors had a betting pool which included among other things - whether the marauders would successfully pull off a splendid prank without getting caught, whether Hagrid managed to find a new dangerous beast to befriend, or whether his stupid friends managed to get a life and start dating - wasn’t that surprising. It just proved to him that most grown ups led extremely boring and unstimulating existences.
Mind you, those were more or less the kinds of pointless things they themselves bet on - Peter had won a galleon last week for betting Dumbledore would buy a new pair of roller skates before the NEWTs started. And he had won two galleons for betting that David Bowie would climb to number one in the muggle charts and that Evans and Diggory would be toast before the Equinox (so what if he’d had a hand in the ending of that blight of a relationship? Evans had been telling MacDonald that she wanted to break it off in a gentle manner before he’d gotten involved. He had simply speeded the whole train wreck…)
“Anyway, the fact is, you need to make Prongs Head Boy next year,” he finished triumphantly.
“I see.”
“Yes, it’s very simple. Evans is definitely going to be Head Girl, correct?”
Dumbledore hesitated.
“Don’t even bother denying it, Sir, professor Slughorn told us last week. She’s outstanding.”
“Yes, um, that may be correct,” the headmaster replied cautiously.
Of course Slughorn had said no such thing.
“Excellent,” Sirius grinned. “But as for Head Boy… there’s no obvious candidate, is there?”
Dumbledore regarded him silently.
“I mean, you and I both know Remus Lupin would be a great Head Boy, but you’d never risk giving it to him. Plus he’d hate all the attention and he’d be terrified someone would find out about his furry little problem, and he’d feel too guilty having someone else do his duties on full moons and all that.”
He stopped. Dumbledore hummed in possible agreement.
“The Slytherins this year are all a bunch of Voldy-supporting, bigoted wankers - no offence intended,” he said, raising his eyebrow in challenge.
Dumbledore raised his palms and shrugged.
“Ha! The Ravenclaw chaps this year are all far too introverted to want to boss everyone about. The only good candidate in Hufflepuff is Diggory,” he grimaced. “And frankly that chap is far too irritating, he already got hexed through the Veil and back on five occasions so far this year. If he makes Head Boy, he’s screwed.”
Dumbledore looked glum.
“Which leaves Gryffindor. What you need is a strong, well liked character you can rely on. Someone who knows how to lead and is experienced in managing a team under difficult circumstances. Someone who is a pureblood- those bastards would throw a fit if one muggleborn head girl is appointed, let alone another less than thoroughly inbred fellow - yet somehow manages to hate bigotry and has a record of standing up against mini Death Eaters in this school.
Someone with positivity coming out of his arse. The type who sees a thunderstorm and starts talking about the benefits of a cold shower. You know, sees the best in all his fellow students despite being surprisingly and unexpectedly intelligent to boot? The sort of chap who is always looking for solutions, tenacity to beat the band, and gives most people third chances and whatnot. And yet, unbelievably, is practically universally well liked and respected. At least half of the wankers who dislike him still fancy him rotten. Which only leaves the usual suspects - and frankly, you and I both know that if you appointed someone they approved of, we’d all be screwed.”
Dumbledore shifted in his chair, hands steepled in front of him.
“You really think he’d be Head Boy material?”
Sirius rolled his eyes.
“Yes. He’d hate it. And so would I. But he’d do a damned good job of it.”
“When I mentioned Mr Potter as a possible option, Professor McGonagall expressed grave concern about the amount of pressure he’d be under, were he to retain the title of Gryffindor Quidd- “
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sir, you’d have to pry the Gryffindor Quidditch Captaincy from his cold dead hands.”
“On that, I do agree with you, Mr Black.”
“Of course you do, you’re not an idiot, unlike bloody Prongs,” Sirius sniffed.
“Hmm, I’m not sure we want an idiot as Head Boy,” Dumbledore mused, leaning forward.
“Well of course not, frightfully irritating. I’m ready to hex his ball- ballast off! But if they get to be Heads together? I guarantee the best working relationship of any Head Persons in the past fifty years, plus a top tip in your betting pool… situation.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.
“Top tip?”
“Life hack,” Sirius nodded, hand outstretched. “Do we have deal, Sir?”
Dumbledore leant back into his armchair and smiled benevolently.
“I had, of course, been planning on giving Mr Potter that role since he managed to fight off your cousin Bellatrix’s rather dangerous attack on students in Hogsmeade in April. Do you think you could also pass on a few useful tips concerning Hagrid’s latest furry friends?”
Wiley bastard.
“Consider it done, Sir.”
Dumbledore stood and shook his hand.
“And what about you, Mr Black - you don’t fancy the role of Head Boy yourself, do- “
“Haha! Godric’s gonads, no way in hell!” Sirius snorted aloud. “Dealing with horse manure from all sorts of shady bastards and always resisting the urge to hex them all? Attempting civil conversations with the likes of Snape? Mulciber? Wilkes? I’d rather eat Hippogrif dung with raw billywig maggots, er, no offence, Sir.”
“None taken, Mr Black, none whatsoever,” the Professor replied mildly. “Some celebratory ice-cream, perhaps?”
“Thank you, Sir.”
The door closed behind him with a jaunty slam.
“Yessssss! Operation Smitten Idiots is a go!” Sirius punched the air with his fist and grinned in elated triumph. “They better fucking name me best man AND godfather to their first born, or there shall be war!”
“What are you on about, Padfoot?” the most idiotic half of the Smitten Duo asked as he rounded the corner, ice-cream cone in his hand.
“Abraxan racing results, Prongs, Best Man came first.” he said, winking at Remus, licking the chocolate and raspberry ripple.
Remus stared at him (mind you, Remus was very partial to chocolate, so that was the most obvious reason why he’d stare at his lips, wasn’t it?).
“Why do you have two ice cream scoops but not any food?” Remus asked, clearing his throat.
“I merely entertained our Headmaster with witty conversation and he felt obliged to give me ice cream by way of thanks.”
“Good news, then? Do we get an extra day off for Merpeople National Feast Day, or whatever barmy idea you came up with?” Prongs asked, pushing himself off the wall with his foot.
“Don’t be ridiculous, old chap.”
“Well why are you looking so pleased with yourself then?” His best friend rolled his eyes and scuffed his shoe against the stone pavement.
“Top secret, Prongs my deer, top secret!”
#jilytober#jilytober2022 fic#fluff and idiocy#smitten idiots#sirius is the best wingman#poor fellow is having to pull out all the stops#blithering idiots#marauders#jilytober fest#jily
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I couldn’t settle on a prompt or phrase to write for but I had inspiration that needed to go somewhere. So here’s a few different ways I thought of to use the @jilytoberfest microfic prompts.
Golden
The sun was rising behind her head, casting a golden halo around firey red hair
The snitch flew past him then, a momentary Golden glimmer in the corner of his eye, there one moment and gone the next.
Ash
“He would burn the world to ash for you. You know that right?”
And there, sitting amongst the ashes, was Fawkes newly reborn.
Flour dusted his hair turning it from its normal charcoal black to the color of ash.
Ashes filled the air from the burning building and she couldn’t help but think of falling snow.
Fire
He wasn’t entirely sure that if he made her just a little bit more mad she wouldn’t start spitting fire at him
She lit a fire under the cauldron, she may not be able to help tonight but she could have the necessary potions waiting in the morning
He found her staring into the common room fire as it burned down to the embers.
“Those stories aren’t real. The stars aren’t famous hunters or dogs. They’re just giant balls of gas and fire. One day they’ll burn out and they’ll take everything around them down with them.”
Trinkets
Dumbledore was always curious as to which of the trinkets in his office would catch a students attention
James had often wondered where the trinkets came from. What the stories behind them were.
Climb
“I thought I could find you here” Sirius said, climbing through the window and out onto the roof. “Want to talk about what’s upsetting you?”
“There’s nowhere to run! We need to get to higher ground. Climb!”
He started a gentle climb, the world falling away as the broom rose
On the off chance that any of these inspire you please use them!
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@jilytoberfest | 31 prompts | Prompt 1
Prompt: "Smile!"
Read it on AO3
Summary: Lily is struggling to make connections at one of Slughorn's networking parties. James lends a helping hand, or well, arm.
Words: 2,604
Photo by abbs johnson on Unsplash
Smile
Lily usually despised Professor Slughorn's parties. She wasn’t dumb, she knew they were all treated like little trophies he collected despite having little-if-anything to do with their successes at Hogwarts, hoping they’d be of some use to him at a later point in life. But she’d also be lying to herself if she said she didn’t need his contacts in the wizarding world for next year given current events. Post graduation it was a lot about who you know rather than what you know given the state of the newly erupted blood war. So here she was all dolled up in her best emerald floor length dress and waltzing around the room trying to weedle into any conversations as she could. The tension in the room was palpable. There had been another attack on a muggle village by the ‘death eaters’ today. The divide between the muggle world and wizarding world was growing stronger and wider, leaving Lily dangling over the edge due to her blood status. Though she couldn’t exactly choose to go back to the muggle world at this point, she didn't have the appropriate education for that. She was a witch. She was a witch. A muggle-born witch.
More often than not she was excluded by the rest of the room. The panic was starting to rise in the back of her throat and she kept having to wipe her sweaty hands on her dress, in fear someone might actually wish to grasp it in a pleasant handshake eventually.
“Smile!” Hissed a voice in her ear. Cool and indignant.
Lily turned to face Severus Snape. He towered over her in his dark dress robes, they appeared to be new. Perhaps one of his friends had leant them to him, she knew he certainly didn;t have enough money for a pair of shiny new robes like that.
“Excuse me?” She scoffed.
“You ought to try smiling. You’re prettier when you smile. It’s more welcoming.” He sneered as he glided away from her towards where a group of fellow Slytherins had congregated.
She was seething at his words. Lily delved into her pocket to reach for her wand. Maybe a stinging jinx would make Snape smile. However, before she could pull her wand from her pocket a gentle hand wrapped around her wrist and held it in her pocket. She tried to pull her hand away but her adversary held firm.
“Not here.” James Potter spoke firmly, meeting her eye before he released her wrist. “Hex him to your heart's content later Evans, but the last thing you want to appear as in this room is unprovoked and unhinged.”
As much as Lily hated to agree with him, he had a point. Much like Snape, he too was dressed in a pair of dark dress robes. They were nice, clean and well pressed but didn’t look as new as Snape’s had. She supposed he actually had more occasions to actually wear dress robes and wore them frequently when not at school. It was the first time she’d seen him dress so smart and dare she think it, handsome.
“What’re you doing here Potter?” She asked.
“I was invited.” James shrugged.
“Why?” The question sounded more callous than it should have, she knew.
James Potter had every reason to be invited by Slughorn. He got good grades across all his classes, he especially excelled at transfiguration, he was head boy and also captained the Gryffindor quidditch team, he was a superb flyer and most importantly of all… he was a pureblood.
“I imagine it’s something to do with my father,” James answered.
His response shook her a little, his father? The confusion must have shown on her face because he chuckled lightly at her.
“You honestly don’t have a clue who my father is, do you Evans?” he said, as if her lack of knowledge on the subject was somehow refreshing to him.
“Someone important in the ministry I presume” Lily retorted defensively.
“Wrong. He’s a potioneer. Quite a famous one. Retired actually.” James said even more bemused by Lily’s frustrated face flush.
“Well I’ve never heard of him. What’s he famous for?” She queried.
“Sleakeazy’s. He invented it, marketed it, then sold the company.” James shrugged again, bringing a champagne flute to his lips smirking.
“Fuck off” Lily replied incredulously. James nearly spat out his drink as he guffawed.
“I promise you it’s true. Fleamont Potter. Slughorn’s been trying to get me in one of his soirées since first year.” James admitted pulling Lily closer toward him by her elbow as a waiter moved behind her, precariously balancing a tray of mini quiches. “I’m just making sure Sluggy sees me before I slip out of here. Maybe this way he’ll stop his pestering.”
“Well at this rate I’m going to be stood here all night hoping someone bloody notices me.” Lily replied frustratedly, she yanked the unfinished champagne from James hand and skulled it quickly.
James smiled and took the empty glass back from her. He motioned to the waitress carrying around champagne. The witch approached and bowed politely offering her tray, James placed his empty glass on it and took two more before she whisked away again. He handed the second glass to Lily who looked like she needed it.
“I recommend going up to people if you want to network,” He suggested.
“Tried that. I’m an unknown, not exactly favourable here.” She scoffed while sipping on her drink. “Pretty pointless at this point to be honest. I’d be better off slipping out of here with you.”
“As delightful an idea as that sounds to me, Evans. I imagine it’s not your preferred end to the evening. Would you like me to introduce you? Break the ice as it were.” James offered.
“Would you?”
“Absolutely. So long as afterward you help me discreetly take off with a plate of those little sandwich things afterward. They were quite delicious and I missed dinner.” He replied, he gaze following the waiter walking around with a small platter of said sandwiches.
“Alright then. Deal” Lily agreed.
James held out an arm for her to take his elbow with her free hand. Lily did so and he promenaded her to the closest group of ministry wizards. Each of the men seemed pleased to lay eyes on James and curiously looked his company up and down.
“Gentleman. James Potter, and this beauty is my companion and head girl, Lily Evans” James greeted with a gentle nod of the head, which the men returned.
“Good to see you boy. I hear rumblings Gryffindor might actually take out the quidditch cup this year. The wasps have been scouting this year you know” Said one Wizard with a twirly moustache, who James clearly recognised but Lily hadn’t the foggiest who he was.
“Well I would assume as Minister for Game and Sport you’d know all about it Sir. But I have to say I don’t think I’ll be joining the Wasps. Puddlemere will always have my heart” James replied, subtly queuing Lily into the strangers identity.
“Any team would be lucky to have you,” Lily added gratefully.
“Looking for a career on the pitch then lad?” Asked another wizard, as three other ministry witches joined their fray.
“I think it’s every young lad’s dream to have a career on the pitch, but given the current climate I do wonder if it’s the best use of my skills. I’d consider it of course but right now I’m leaning more towards the auror office or perhaps curse breaking. Doesn’t hurt to have the N.E.W.Ts” James responded calmly which had the rest of the group nod in agreement.
“And what of you Miss…” One of the witches started, realising she didn’t know Lily’s name.
“Evans. I’ve recently sent my letter of inquiry to the St Mungos healing program, but Professor Slughorn has also written me a letter of reference for the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. I’d quite like to be able to continue with experimental potion research.” The words left strange on Lily’s tongue, she wasn’t used to trying to big herself up to complete strangers.
“Can’t say I’m familiar with any Evans” Said an older witch.
“That may be because I’m muggleborn” Lily suggested, knowing she was potentially about to open a can of worms.
“Ah I see. Perhaps a career in the muggle liaison office would be wise.” suggested a gruff sounding wizard with a long beard. His tone was obvious, he didn’t approve of Lily Evans the muggleborn whatsoever.
“Personally I find the mere suggestion abhorrent Mr Dagworth. The muggle liaison office requires an O.W.L in muggle studies and nothing more. I know for a fact that Lily here achieved several Outstandings in her O.W.Ls and has even been taking advanced courses this year with ease. I’d much rather see her push the wizarding world into the future wouldn’t you?” James said sternly, grabbing Lily’s hip and pulling her into the crook of his arm.
The way he said it was so commanding and his eyes remained locked on the wizard, Dagworth, who had been so rude. Dagworth looked flustered and averted his gaze from James, seeing that no one was about to step up to his defence.
“If you’ll excuse us ladies and gents, there were a few others we said we would lend our ears to this evening.” James nodded politely and steered Lily away towards another group on the other side of the room.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Lily said in a hushed voice. Turning to see the group they had left had closed rank and were muttering quietly amongst themselves. “You’ll ostracise yourself. People talk.”
“Let them.” James said calmly, “My family have never made it a secret we have no issues with blood purity or muggles. If I get a job somewhere it’ll be on my own merit and the likes of that lot will know to steer well clear of me.”
With James at her side it was a lot easier for Lily to infiltrate the room that it had been before, even if all he did was stand there and let her talk. She managed to speak with a wizard from a research team based out of Germany who sounded like they were making some promising potions, a medi witch from st mungos, a recruiter for the department of magical law enforcement, another for the department of misuse of magic. As well as a most mysterious wizard who couldn’t say what exactly he did for a job in the ministry but said he would certainly keep the pair of them in mind.
“I think I owe you that sandwich platter now” Lily sighed with relief as the room started to thin out with guests departing.
“Nah sod that, they’ve all started to congregate. Much too difficult to sneak one without my cloak. We can just go to the kitchens direct, I’m sure the elves won’t mind.” James shook his head as they moved toward the door back to the inner workings of the castle.
“You know how to get into the kitchens?” Lily asked.
“Quite a few of my detentions have been served in the kitchens.” James admitted, “The elves quite like me.”
“Why does that fact not surprise me.” Lily rolled her eyes as she walked in step with him down the corridor.
“I’ll have you know I’m full of surprises Evans” James winked.
“Like your secret invisibility cloak?”
“How the bloody hell do you know about that?” He asked.
“You literally just said we couldn’t steal a plate of food without your cloak” Lily laughed.
“Oh true I did, didn't I?” James shook his head “Clearly I’m not getting enough sleep.”
“That might have something to do with gallivanting around with a werewolf last night”
“Okay hang on…” James started.
“I know about Remus, I’ve shared prefect patrol with him. I’ve seen him in the hospital wing. Not to mention how many times Snape has tried preaching at me. Also… the lot of you took a vow of silence for a month in fifth year… you seriously didn’t think I couldn’t put two and two together and work out you were all trying to become animagi?” Lily raised an eyebrow at him.
“Okay you got me there. Maybe I’m not full of as many surprises as I thought.” He rubbed the back of his neck. James tickled a pear on a painting of a bowl of fruit, which Lily correctly assumed to be the entrance to the Hogwarts kitchens.
The room was enormous, as big as the great hall somewhere above them, with mounds of glittering brass pots and pans heaped around the stone walls, and a great brick fireplace at the opposite end. There were elves sweeping and others still doing dishes from dinner. A couple paused their work and approached James.
“Master James, how may we help?” One squeaked.
“Can we just get a plate of sandwiches please Pitts” Lily heard the exhaustion in James voice as he asked.
“Could we take them to go back to Gryffindor tower please?” Lily added.
“Certainly Miss. One moment please” Said Pitts as he headed off to make a plate of sandwiches.
Pitts came back shortly after with a platter stacked with sandwiches, which the pair took gratefully and headed for the common room. The common room fireplace was barely embers when they entered and everyone had long since gone to bed. James fell into the three seater couch with a sandwich already half in his mouth. He groaned happily as he continued to chew.
“Thanks for tonight.” Lily said as she placed the platter down on the coffee table and took a seat beside him. “I would have given up and come home long before otherwise.”
“You’re ‘elcome” He said between bites.
“You’re quite good with the schmoozing” Lily complimented.
“Comes with the territory. My mum’s on a few boards at the ministry and dad’s well… dad.”
Lily leaned into James arm, resting her head on his broad shoulder as she ate.
“You scrub up quite well too.”
“I think you’ve had a few too many glasses of champagne Evans. Two compliments in one night?” James laughed as he grabbed another sandwich from the table.
“I give credit where it’s due. Plus I dunno, those dress robes do it for me.” Lily felt James go tense beside her.
“Alright Evans har har very funny.”
“What? They do. I’d say they’re right up there with your quidditch robes.” Lily continued.
“Seriously Evans it's not funny cut it out.” James said sternly.
Lily pulled away from him and turned her full body 90 degrees so she was facing him, despite him being side on.
“I’m being serious. I think you look good James.”
He refused to look at her. He’d had a good night. He didn’t want to ruin it for himself.
“What have I got to do to prove I’m not kidding?” She asked. He shrugged.
“Oh for fucks sake Potter.” Lily said exasperated, getting off the couch.
She stood in front of him, plucked the sandwich out of his hand and threw it back down on the platter so he was forced to look at her. When he did she leaned down and kissed him square on the mouth, giving him no time to react before she pulled away.
“I think you’re fit, Potter. Now maybe if you keep your head out of your arse this can go somewhere.” She huffed.
“I’d like that” James replied, mouth dry.
“Good. Then smile!”
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Running Home To Your Sweet Nothings
Best-selling poet Lily Evans ends up abandoned at a (awful) corporate party, is rescued, and pines over friend and temporary roommate, James Potter. 1114 Words.
For @jilytoberfest's Bitter Sweet Challenge
Prompt: "You lied to me" (angst to fluff)
Read on ao3
“You lied to me, Potter!” Lily called out, dumping her bags by the door.
She kicked her heels off and heard James cough. “I lied to a receptionist. And I think what you mean is ‘thank you, lovely roommate, for rescuing me from the state corporate that my poet soul couldn’t bear,’” he countered.
Lily had come home ready to fight. Today was terrible and pointed jokes and cute smirks wouldn’t change that. She never should have agreed to go, but her sister finally wanted her.
Petunia had called her a week ago. “I know it’s last minute but everyone’s been clamoring to meet you since you got on the best-seller list. You can come to the party as my plus one and Vernon, you, and I can celebrate after!”
Lily was desperate for Petunia’s approval. She bit her lip after her sister suggested Lily’s future husband may be at a hedge fund work party. She didn’t break their streak of silence on the subject of her best-selling poetry book. Not even when she wanted to scream, why me and not the hundreds of other writers who haven’t just released a debut book on their bisexual identity?
Because Petunia wanted her.
Lily still doesn’t understand why Petunia asked her. A few hours earlier, her sister paraded Lily around for a respectable ten minutes and promptly left for her fiance and his friends. Besides Petunia abandoning her, it was exactly what Lily thought it would be: uncomfortable. The intrusive questions, sexist jokes, and homophobic quips made her want to scream. But she couldn’t leave or fight back without either risking Petunia’s job or their relationship.
But just as Lily had resigned herself to the terrible small talk, James whisked her away with one phone call.
He’d helped her through countless horrendous days. Somehow, today was different. Lily just wanted to melt into James, welcome that fuzzy feeling. But every time she thought of confessing, she pictured James, disgusted and betrayed. It was too dangerous to let James comfort her.
Instead, she had come in, ready to fight.
“First,” Lily said, “temporary roommate. Second, I was doing fine without you. Third, you’re literally the son of a CEO.” Walking into her living room, her eyes caught James sprawled on the couch. He hadn’t changed since this morning: still looking impossibly hot in an infuriating muscle tank. God damn it, he really had it all, she thought.
“Hey, Lily!” James said, swinging his legs over as she moved to sit down.
“James, I can’t believe you told the receptionist Mr. Potter wanted to speak with me,” Lily said, forcing herself to stay on topic.
James just looked at her and said, “Well, he did.”
If Lily wasn’t already sitting down she would be now. Unsure of how to respond, she sighed and brought her knees to her chest.
Her arms wrapped around her legs and not James— where they ached to be. Because behind every domestic fantasy, which only increased after he moved in, James was her friend. It was easy to pretend they were living together. But it was fake. And temporary.
Lily fought between a grimace and a smile. “I’m pretty sure they were not picturing a 29-year-old with messy hair and arm muscles.”
Shit.
Lily’s face went slack and James’s smirk grew. Internally, she cursed that goddamn muscle tank for haunting her dreams and corrupting her thoughts.
Barreling forward, Lily continued. “I was so annoyed with you.”
“I know,” James said slowly. “I knew you wanted to fight your own battles. I just also knew you couldn’t leave—even if you needed to. I guess it’s a reflex, to get involved when the people I care about are in trouble. Plus, I’ve gotten pretty good at bailing Sirius out of shitty family situations.”
Lily nods. She knew James wasn’t trying to be chauvinistic or patronizing (that streak had ended years before). But, there was a small part of her that didn’t want to be saved by anyone. Unfortebly for her, Lily had become accustomed to being loved by James Potter—fiercely and unjudged.
James rescued her. What the hell was Lily supposed to do when James knew what she needed, what she wanted, more than anyone else? Friends don’t want to bury themselves in a friend’s skin after a bad day.
Lily shook her head and noticed that James was still talking, gaining volume.
“—You were texting me about how disgusting and horrible it was! Someone literally propositioned you for a threesome! At your sister’s work event! I was scared and I didn’t know what to do. Also, she was parading you around because you hit the best-seller list—which I am immensely proud of you for—but you were an amazing person and an amazing poet before that!” Somehow, James had moved closer, his knees touching hers.
“James—” Lily started, unable to say more. Stuck in the creases of James’s face and the emotion swelling in his eyes. Masochistically, she thought it almost looked like love.
“Lily,” he whispered, “I just needed to be next to you. To be with you.”
Lily didn’t know she got here, to James looking at her like that. Her head was spinning as she processed the weight of this moment. It felt like a love confession. James was speaking softly, never taking his eyes off of hers.
But what if it wasn’t? What if she leaned in and James drew back in disgust?
“Shit! Shit!” James shouted, causing Lily to blink rapidly.
Unsure of what was happening, Lily reached her hand over James’s, bracing for a flinch that never came. “I didn’t mean to make this about me,” he said, voice wavering and thick. Lily shook her head and slowly smiled. Her thumb rubbed the pulse point on his wrist. It was her turn to be brave.
“I need to be next to you too, James.”
James reached over, arms under hers, and wrapped her in a tight hug. She squeezed her arms around his shoulders.
“I,” Lily started, interrupted when James moved his hand to her jawline. “I am in love with you,” she said shakily, doing her best to keep looking at him.
“And I,” James whispered in her neck, lips ghosting her skin. “am in love with you, Lily Evans.”
Wrapped in James’s arms, Lily thought there was something comforting about hugging first. After the confessions, their first kiss was inevitable. But this was reverent.
James’s lips moved up her jaw and Lily lowered her head. Their lips met, soft like the first poem she’d written about him. She’d immortalize this moment later: write about lips, and collarbones, and hips, and whispers turned to whimpers with veneration. But right now, a best-selling poet stopped thinking. Life itself oozed like poetry, new skin like honey.
#jilytober#jilytober fest 2023#bitter sweet challenge#jily fic#jily#my fic#lily evans#james potter#hp#hp fandom
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@jilytoberfest's 31 prompts
Prompt 20 - “Someone needs to help keep your ego under control”
I Saw Her Standing There
Read the full fic under the cut or on AO3
“You left.”
Lily jumped. She hadn't heard him arrive, too distracted by the memory of that morning. She had been replaying that moment in her head all day, how earth-shattering yet natural it had felt to feel the press of his lips on hers.
Now he was standing in front of her, and looked positively relieved to have found her.
“Merlin, James, you scared me.”
“Sorry,” he grinned, not looking the least bit apologetic.
Lily liked the way the moon illuminated his features, how bright it made his smile. Or perhaps it wasn't the moonlight at all, perhaps James was simply like that.
Bright.
“The party was too loud,” and my thoughts even louder, she thought, “and it's been a long day.”
He snorted. “Oh, attending the match must have been really exhausting.”
Lily sighed. “You know what I'm talking about.”
For a moment she thought he'd say something. Instead, he stepped closer to her.
“What are you doing here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be in there, drinking to your heart's content and basking in your glory?” she continued, ignoring the way his proximity made her heart flutter.
James raised one eyebrow. “And aren't you supposed to be congratulating me?”
She smiled, amused, and shook her head. His hair looked extremely soft, and Lily felt the need to touch it, so she did.
“No, someone needs to help keep your ego under control,” she said quietly, unable to hide the tenderness in her voice.
James blinked a few times, eyes still fixed on hers, and drew in a breath. “I'm okay with that,” he whispered.
Lily moved her hand lower so that she could cup his jaw, and he leaned into her touch almost instantly, his eyes drifting closed and body visibly relaxing.
“I wasn't ignoring you, by the way. You were celebrating, and I didn't want to ruin the mood,” she spoke. At this, James opened his eyes, looking at her intently. “It didn't feel like the right time.”
He turned his head, kissing the palm of her hand.
“The right time for what?” he asked as he closed his fingers around her wrist, pressing another kiss there.
Her cheeks felt hot, yet Lily shivered. “There's something I need to tell you.”
“Mmh.”
“What?”
His smile had dimmed a little. “I don't know. You and me talking... It's a recipe for disaster.”
His tone was playful, but she had studied him long enough to be able to tell when he was nervous.
She mirrored his smile. “Maybe. But you deserve the truth.”
Lily looked away for a moment, fixing her gaze on the window. She felt a calloused finger under her chin, gently guiding her to look at him again.
“I'm not good at this. Talking about my feelings, that is,” she said, and the soft look in his eyes encouraged her to keep going. “I don't—” she pursed her lips, frustrated. “I'm scared. You see, my feelings for you... They're big feelings, James. Like, I wanna spend my life with you kinda big,” she chuckled nervously.
Both of her hands had somehow ended up on his chest - her fingers toying mindlessly with the collar of his shirt - and she felt his heart beat faster.
“Would that be so awful?”
“I never said it was. But if you want to run, you still have time.” His hands had fallen to her waist.
“You know I wouldn't. I can't.”
“James—”
“I'm all in,” his thumbs caressed the exposed skin above her jeans, "if you'll have me.”
Her lips parted, and it took all her strength not to close the distance between them right there and then, but Lily still had one more question.
“Does this mean you'll go to Hogsmeade with me next Saturday?”
James shook his head, and his smile had never been so bright.
“Evans, Evans, Evans...” he rested his forehead on hers, and Lily could feel his breath on her lips, “That's not the proper way to ask someone out.”
“I suppose you're right. I'll think of something better...” she said against his lips, and James squeezed her hips.
“Yeah, you do that...” James breathed, and then his mouth was on hers, finally, and she sighed into the kiss.
#jily#jilytober#Jilytober fest 2022#jfleamont rambles#my fic#james potter#lily evans#YET ANOTHER BEATLES SONG IN THE TITLE I'M SORRY#harry potter#marauders
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Hi my tumblr name is arianatwycross (this is not my real name but you may call me A or Ari) I'm a pommy that lives in Australia, I have a golden retriever that owns my heart and I'm addicted to cheesy romance novels.
I write mostly Jily but have been known to delve into Romione and am dipping my toe in some wolfstar!
last updated 18.03.24
Jily
Multi-chapters:
The Process of Wanting- University Muggle AU / Jily-microoops March prompts
Headlines - Muggle AU / Popstar James
once upon a dream - WIP Hogwarts AU / Lily has a crush
To send or not to send? - (Two Parts) 2023 April Jily Challenge / Theme: Letters, Notes and Texting
A (not so) bad day - (Two Parts) - Hogwarts idiots in love
We'll be a fine line -WIP a chapter a day for jilytober 2022 / a muggle au
Only for the Summer -WIP Rated E / Muggle Job AU / Friends to Lovers
Beach Reading - Rated T. July 2022 Jily Challenge / Theme: Summer Prompt: “i really, really need this summer job, so please stop distracting me with your wiles/good looks. you’re going to get me fired”
The Art of Fake Dating - WIP written with @vertraymer / For the Mixed Up Writer Fest 2022 / Prompt: Fake dating AU!
Unlearnable - WIP, Rated M. Muggle AU. Angst.
Strawberry Lipstick State of Mind - Rated E. Canon. Seventh Year.
Just a touch - Rated E
Teenage Kicks - Rated E / Celeb AU with minor wolfstar
you are the sun - Rated M (Three-parts) Muggle AU/Secret Relationship
One Shots:
Skinny Dipping Part 1 - a jilymicrofic
Just the two of us - Hogwarts / Forced proximity, Hurt/Comfort
A Sweet Meet Cute - Muggle AU, small town romance
A romance of their own - Jily Valentine Gift Exchange 2023 / Celeb AU
Wet, Cold & Bothered - Rated M / 2022 Jily Challenge December Christmas challenge; prompt: Snowball fights
Muggle Christmas Traditions - Rated G/ 2022 December Christmas Jily Challenge. Prompt: The night before Christmas
The One Where Remus Has no Filter - Rated G. Jily Challenge December Christmas challenge
a year and 22 days - Rated T. Summer of Jily 2022 / lyric: all that I know is you caught me at the right time —"golden hour" (kacey musgraves) Scenario: late evening with friends in the garden
The One Where Petunia Can't Drive - April JilyChallenge / Meet uglies + prompt "i hit you with my car/broom and was the only one to visit you in the hospital"
two fools - Rated T / Feb 2022 Jily Challenge romance theme + prompt " “It’s not like I've thought about kissing you, or anything…”
Shut up & Kiss me - Rated M / December Jily Challenge, Winter theme. Muggle AU
Crush Phase - Rated T. Muggle AU
A Year Later - Rated M / Jily Challenge August 2021 . Muggle AU
consciously unaware - Rated GA / Jilytober 2021 bingo (5 prompts in one). Canon, friends to lovers.
Say my name - Rated M. Canon.
Romione
Multi-chapters:
Backseat Rider - Rated T / Muggle AU
One Shots:
Willow - Rated GA. Written for M.Windsor for the 2021 HP Romione Discord Secret Santa!
It’s better In the front seat… - Rated M (Backseat Rider One shot)
Confessions - Rated E / Canon
Books & Freckles - Rated T
Nobody Compares - Rated T / Muggle AU, professional football player Ron
Wolfstar
Skinny Dipping Part 2 - a wolfstarmicrofic
Teenage Kicks Spinoff coming soon!
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Happy Jilytober!
Coming to you this month... (be patient, though, it won't come out all at once, I'm only human and do need to sleep/eat/work/live as well).
Minor disclaimer: this will work out if all goes to plan. If a wedge is thrown in, please don't hate me too much. Obviously, I will then post as soon as possible!
10 Things I Hate About You - Jilytober RomCom Fest
Happy Place - Chapter One
Call It What You Want - Final Six Chapters
Raising A Kid With My Ex - Chapter 5
no body, no crime - Chapter 11
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@jilytoberfest 31 prompts for 31 days
13. “How many books do you own?”
-
“How many books do you own?” Lily gasped in wonder.
She stood in the very centre of James’ parents’ library and James himself was all but forgotten.
“They’re not really mine,” James leaned against the doorway, amusement colouring his voice.
She whipped around, red hair flying. “They’re your legacy, have a little pride.”
James shoved off the wall, humming as he made his way towards her. “I’m not too bothered about a bunch of dusty books.”
She gasped again, this time in admonishment. “James Fleamont Potter, I’ll dump you so fast.”
He grinned, wrapping his arms around her shoulders from behind. “You and I both know that’s not true.”
“Not now I’ve seen your absolutely massive house,” she replied cheekily.
James pinched her side and she lapsed into giggles. Merlin, he was so happy. Here with his girlfriend, who he’d waited for what felt like eons for, in his childhood home.
“Maybe they’ll be your books one day,” he said once Lily had fallen silent.
For a few seconds she said nothing, and as he couldn’t see her face, he began to curse himself silently.
Then, “Ours?”
James smiled into her hair. “Deal.”
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improvisation
Lily Evans is meant to report on yet another fancy business gala, and when she sees a figure from her past she'd rather not confront, she flees right into the arms of another schoolyard regret: James Potter.
For @jilytoberfest prompt 10: “Quick, kiss me, my ex is looking”
Read it on AO3!
#jilytober fest#jilytober2022#jilytober#jily fanfic#jily#fanfic#lily evans#james potter#alternate universe
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31 Prompts
The much awaited prompt list is here! Do tag this blog while posting so that it is easier for me to reblog your works! Huge huge huge thank you to @majormaybe1 for helping with the prompts!!
“Smile!”
“You didn’t have to do this…”
Teaming up when they aren’t really friends
“I know, but I wanted to”
Study groups
“Why do you have two ice cream scoops but not any food”
Sirius meddles with jily
“When did we adopt your best friend”
Their wedding day
“Quick kiss me, my ex is looking”
“Don’t worry”
Sharing favourite books
“How many books do you own”
Classroom rivals
“I was here first”
“I can never hate you”
Making up after an argument
“Nah, she didn’t”
Worst memories
“Someone needs to help keep your ego under control”
“We’ll be alright”
Quiet mornings
“I couldn’t sleep”
Casually talking about their future (together)
“Hey, don’t worry. You’ve got this”
Baking together/with friends
“I did not wear the right footwear for this”
“Tell me a story”
“Why did you grab a bat/pan when you have a wand”
Wearing each other’s clothing
Writing letters to the other
To answer a few common questions that were received, you DO NOT need to write for all the days! You can even choose to write a prompt for a different intended day. Eg: prompt for day 2 can also be posted on day 22 or so!
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Jilytober - Day 2
“You didn’t have to do this…” - DAY TWO
because there is no better AU for James than him being a pirate, but as I don't know how to write about it yet, here's something similar
@jilytoberfest
--------
‘’You didn’t have to do this…’’
''And you expected me to do what?!'' Lily said, really trying to understand why James was surprised. Had he not enjoyed his surprise party? She had even dressed up baby Harry as a pirate to look like her.
Okay, it was just the three of them and Dorothy, their elderly cat, who hated any humans other than them — Harry mostly — but Lily managed a lot if you thought all she had was a children's book of pirates, magic, paper and old colored pencils.
''We can't let Dad's birthday go unnoticed, can we Haz?'' Lily called him by the nickname James had come up with, and their son squealed excitedly, clapping his hands and reaching toward his father.
''It's just...'' James sighed, and she noticed there were tears in his eyes. He denied it, taking his son in his arms and showering him with kisses, accepting the pirate hat that Lily had made from paper and newspaper. ''Thanks.'' He smiled.
''Whenever you need it, Captain Potter,'' She blinked, kissing him with all the love she felt inside her chest.
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No that @jilytoberfest revealed the authors I can share!
This was made for the Masquerade event for the jilytober fest of 2023. Loved the prompt!
Prompt: I bring my students on a school trip to the museum/zoo/your niche workplace and you are the guide and you are being so nice with the kids, thank you for giving them a good time and hey can I have your number?
AO3 | FF
Under the "Sea"
The Aquarium was a nice place to spend the sunny hour of London’s summer hear wave. The place inside was cooled down, and the reflection of the light inside the tanks made the viewing area feel like you were at the bottom of the ocean with all the fish swimming about.
Lily had to admit that that was one of her favourite ways to spend the day, just admiring the ocean fauna as she escaped the heat and crowds of the street, as well as avoiding her sister at their parents place.
It was an easy out, she had to admit, she had lied to her parents about needing to go and check the exhibits before school started, make sure her knowledge was up to date for the excursion she had with her class at the beginning of the school year. But a school of clown fish was always better than Tuney’s rant about how she was single and never took care of herself.
Due to the heat of the day she expected the place to be crowded, what she didn’t expect was the amount of people that arrived. Usually parents were busy during the week, but today it seemed that everyone and their little children were over at the aquarium.
Excitement all around as the kids chased some fishes or sharks and their parents chatted over the colours and shapes trying to engage with the little ones.
Then suddenly there was a collective gasp and a bit of silence before one kid loudly screamed. “Mermaids!”
It was an unusual thing for it to happen, she knew that kids had rambunctious imagination, however, usually it was sprinkle between one or two, but it seemed that all the kids were running to the main tank to see something that apparently Lily was missing.
Which made her curious.
Reaching the main tank she could see something that shouldn’t be there, there were the typical fish and rays, nothing too harmful or over the top, but then she saw what everyone was excited for. Inside the tank there was a purple haired, and purple tail mermaid, and with her there was a teal haired, with matching tail, merman. They swimmed around the tank, just waving hi to everyone, spinning and swirling inside the water. Sometimes they approached the tank’s glass and blew bubbles and put their hands on the glass to try to get the kids to approach them.
It was adorable and exciting, and something Lily was not expecting to see on that boring day of summer.
The kids loved the theatrics, she knew they were just actors with well maid props. She had to admit that the mermaid looked gorgeous, her hair was adorned with a shell crown that matched her top, with pearls all contrasting with the clam shells she had all around. It looked like her crown was effortless on top of her head, but Lily imagined that it was more complicated than using it regularly outside of the water. She kept swimming up and down; the red head imagined to get some air, and tried to go as low as possible, even getting some shells in her hands to show the kids that watched her every move.
The merman, on the other hand, seemed to have more stamina, he didn’t need to get out of the water as much, but he really liked to go all out with the tricks, showing off his perfect muscles as he looped again, following the ray’s pattern, like he actually knew how to avoid any serious danger, but it still looked daring, and of course he knew his showing off paid off, as he threw kisses to the audience. Lily didn’t like this particular stunt as much as the mermaid, it felt like he was an arrogant toerag, it didn’t help that he winked at her while he was doing his stunts, like he knew she was watching; and she was, but not like that.
It was professional interest that was all.
Lily watched the rest of the show, just to make sure what else the merpeople would do for a show. It was super entertaining for the small kids, and at some point one of the staff from the aquarium started to explain the maritime life that was swimming in the tank, and how either mermaid was interacting to make sure their life was not perturbed and the safety that needed to be maintain, also wrapping a take of how to take care of the Ocean’s life, which made it easier for the kids to wrap her minds around, and made the adults bring them more often to the beaches and aquariums as the kids would always love to see the mermaids.
Lily had to say she was impressed. It wasn’t something she was expecting, and she loved the idea, her kids would ADORE the idea of coming to the aquarium and get to see the mermaids.
Maybe she would be able to get the mermaid to talk to her kids, so they could ask a couple of questions, be more interested in the oceans and its life. They already had the trip approved by the school, maybe she could try and get some more information and get things started?
Asking the staff how to find this out was easy, they really liked the idea of the school trip becoming more involved, that is what the merpeople initiative wanted, however, she needed to clear it with the department in charge of the programming, and that was not outside of the guest area.
One of the people outside guided her to a backdoor, where you could see the offices for the aquarium, the not so glamorous side of the business, where clerical work was assigned. They told her to go inside, pass 4 doors, and then to the left she would see the entrance to the mermaid tanks where the people in charge of the show would be.
She did as instructed and knocked on the door before entering. She heard a conversation mid sentence, they were two male staff members talking.
“Prongs, mate, you need to approach the glass, or else the clients won’t interact with you. You know how Minnie likes the interactions.”
“I know, Padfoot, I know, but I’m blind without my glasses, I was afraid that I would just smash against the bloody thing.” someone mumbled, seemingly struggling with something. But Lily figured it was the merman and one of his fellow co-workers.
“What happened to your contacts? I thought you had them? You approached Fred and George not being able to see?” The other voice was a bit concerned, as Lily turned the corner.
It seemed the lack of interaction was justified, and Lily felt a little bad to have judged the performer harshly, but her thoughts became blank as she saw the merman, sitting, half naked, just wiggling out of his tail.
Lily understood the male body, she had to be prepared to do biology for some of her classes, but if you asked her at gunpoint what took over her mind at that moment, she would only be able to reply: muscles .
It was unprofessional, she knew, but sweet lord, if she thought she had seen those muscles work at the tank, she was mistaken. Up close and out of the water, the merman looked even better than with the costume. How was that even possible? Did he train for everything to be in the perfect place? That had to be illegal, she needed to report these to someone, she ought, but she could barely form a word, much less make a statement on how unfair this was for the rest of the human race.
She thought she could step back, and take control over her thoughts before asking for the person in charge when someone interrupted her thoughts.
“Are you coming in?” a woman’s voice asked, trying to get through the door.
“Oh… I…” she cleared her throat, and took a moment, the woman looked familiar, and then she noticed why, “You’re the mermaid.” it wasn’t a question.
The blonde chuckled, “Usually I’m called Marlene,” she offered amicably. “But still, are you coming in or out?”
“Oh! Sorry, I just realised that you and the mermaid are the same person, the purple wig threw me out a bit.” Lily replied with a smile, “I was going in? I was actually looking for you? I guess?”
“Me?” The blonde asked.
“Love, who's there?” one of the voices called from inside.
“Someone calling for me, taking me away.” Marlene added dramatically, giving Lily a knowing smile.
“What do you mean take you away? To where? By whom?” a dark haired man came to view as Marlene tried not to burst into laughter. He was tall and had long hair in a bun that was made to look put together, but it was still messy for a professional setting, but Lily had a feeling he liked it like that. “Are you taking my girlfriend away?” He finally asked the teacher, “I didn’t know Mars had a thing for redheads.”
“Sirius, stop.” she laughed, “I apologise about him, he’s incorrigible.” she said to the redhead, “And she’s a customer, I think?”
“Oh, don’t everyone have a thing for redheads?” Lily replied.
Sirius laughed at the comment. “I like you, Red.”
“The name is Lily,” she replied, not really annoyed, just providing a name, as she hadn’t introduced herself.
“Pleasure, Sirius, and you met wonderful Marlene.” he said, shaking her hand.
“Yes, I have, she was amazing at the show. That’s why I’m here actually.” she paused and looked between Marlene and Sirius, trying to avoid looking beyond them, to the still struggling figure behind them. “I wanted to ask if you do sort of meet and greets? I have a school excursion with my class, and I’m sure they would love to ask more about the aquarium and meet a mermaid.” Lily explained, hoping that she was in the right place.
“Oh! That’s lovely! I do do that.” Marlene replied. “I love kids, however, if you want a more educational experience, I would recommend you go to one of our other performers, as I’m more of an actress, they do have some people that know more than me.”
“Really? I mean you do great with audiences.”
“She really does, but for the boring stuff you should go with Jimbo.”
“Jimbo?” Lily asked, confused about the name.
“Yeah, Jimbo, the big oaf there.” he pointed to the man behind them that finally managed to put the tails away and was starting to get the wig out of his hair, his hand going to mess his hair, as it seemed to be too slick on his head due to having the wig on for water.
“I’ve told you to stop calling me Jimbo.” Lily heard the still half naked man behind Sirius and Marlene, why couldn’t that man put a shirt on? Was he against shirts? Not that Lily minded, it was just hard to concentrate.
It seemed that he heard Lily’s internal monologue, because he was reaching for a shirt to put on, as Sirius replied “Fine, Mr Potter, better?”
“Arse,” James mumbled, after pulling the shirt on and moving closer to Lily, giving his hand out to shake, “I’m James Potter, head of the department.” he smiled, trying to be professional, but his hand twitched and moved to mess his hair again, “I apologise, I usually don’t take appointments after being in the tank.” he smiled again, “May I know exactly what you wish to, see what can be done on our end, Mrs…”
“Miss, Lily Evans, pleasure.” she shook his hand, calloused and warm, even after just leaving the water. Odd. “I teach third grade, and my school is sending the kids here the first week of term. I wanted to see if it would be possible to get a meet and greet, get them asking questions about the fauna you have in the tanks, that sort of thing?”
“Yes, of course, we can book that in.” he said with a nod trying to get something from his pockets, but he still was in the neoprene lower suit to fit inside of the tail, “I apologise I forgot I have my mobile at the office, would you mind coming with me to get this sorted?”
“Would it be possible to make a call later on? I need to request this from the headmaster at school, I’m sure they will approve but you know how it might be.”
Marlene chuckled, “Don’t we all?”
Lily had to admit that she liked Marlene in and out of the water, she was a bit disappointed that she wouldn’t be the one greeting the kids. “If I could get a number I can call later this week, I would make sure to get all the details.”
“Of course, you can have mine, I’ll get it on the agenda once we sort everything.” James replied, and Lily nodded thankfully, exchanging details so they could be in contact.
The outing to the Aquarium was more productive than she early expected, even if she didn’t get the mermaid she wanted, she got something other school years might not get, so all in all it was a win.
Getting Alastor to approve the one on one with the mermaid was simple enough, he was glad that she took the initiative and applauded that she decided to include kids outside of her classroom.
She got all the details for 2nd and 3rd grade classes, there would be around 50 kids in total, and she needed to make sure James could fit all of those in just one meeting, or if they should be divided by groups, how to work it out, and how much more it would be. She had everything sorted when she dialled his number.
The conversation was easy and professional, James made a few jokes that Lily found funny, it wasn’t odd, and he wasn’t as obnoxious as she believed at first sight. He actually seemed to care about his job, and made sure she understood the schedules and performances that needed to happen so they could fit all the kids that would want to meet a mermaid, make sure to stay on point, to teach them about the things that they were supposed to be there to see. And not deviate too much from the topics.
In a few short weeks everything that James and Lily talked about was a reality, the kids saw him swim in the tank, he was more engaging with the people in the crowd. He must’ve gotten his contacts on, today. Lily thought as she saw the performance. Marlene was gorgeous as always, she felt a little envious at how lovely she looked in the water.
James was still as daring, but actually managed to get some of the kids engaged to the tank, he played patty cakes with some, and with the smaller ones he played peek-a-boo, which Lily thought was adorable, and the kids ate it all up.
She hadn’t felt an excursion was as successful until she saw what the meet actually looked like. She thought James would be sitting on a chair with his tail all made to look like he just got out of the water, but in reality he was in a big tank that was decorated to get the kid’s attention. James was out of the water at the top, just up enough for everyone in the room to see him, but low enough so he could engage with the staff, and his tail could be seen swaying inside the water. The kids could not take their eyes off him.
Neither could Lily.
“Look, it's the mermaid!” One of her kids exclaimed, “Wotcher mermaid!” Little Tonks exclaimed from the seats they had taken.
“He’s not a mermaid, he is a man!” Little Percy replied from the back of the crowd.
“Hullo!” James replied back to Tonks and then shrugged, the best he could as he was propped from the tank,” I don’t mind mermaid or merman. Did you know fish can change from being boys to being girls if they think it is useful? Isn’t that wicked?”
“No way!” A tall kid named Bill from another class replied back.
“Way! They can change for a lot of reasons, because of their size, or the age they have, or they just feel like boys instead of girls, or vice versa. There are a lot of brilliant things that fish can do. And I’m part fish, so I should know.”
“Have you ever tried to change and be a girl?” Percy asked again.
“No, I quite like being a boy, but it’s an interesting question. Do you think if I do, my tail would change colours?”
It was a random question, something that was not as serious as fish sequential hermaphroditism, but it certainly kept the eyes of the kids on him. Which Lily had to admire, not everyone could command a room full of kids to their attention.
James sold the part completely, he went in the water to get some “air” as fish survived on water, and explained how gills worked, how fish turned water into oxygen as we did with air. He added the names of the rays, and Bill said he had twin little brothers with those names, making James laugh.
It all went perfect, Lily couldn’t have asked for a better interaction with the children. They couldn’t stop talking about the aquarium, and about maybe having pet fishes and taking care of them and the oceans.
Once the kids left and Lily was safely back home she still had the image of James’ smile and his quick replies in her mind. She took her cellphone out and typed a quick message.
Lily: Thank you for today, it was perfect, the kids loved it.
James: I’m glad they enjoyed it! They look like brilliant kids.
Lily: They really are. And you handled them perfectly, I thought we would have kids running away from the meet.
James: Thanks for the faith, Evans.
Lily: They almost run away from my classroom when I try to teach them maths, it’s nothing personal, Potter.
James: Fair, but still, it seems they have a great teacher.
Lily: Thank you
A few minutes passed and Lily looked at her screen, she saw the name still on it, the conversation was simple, and to the point. Which she hated.
For some reason she found herself desiring to get something more to talk about, to get the conversation going, to get to see what he would reply with. Maybe see him clumsily forgetting that he had a phone to begin with and being natural at just human interaction, being a great person to both kids and adults. Lily couldn’t help to shake the feeling that she shouldn’t stop the conversation just at that ‘thank you’.
Lily: Potter, are you free on Saturday?
Her heart was going as fast as possible without her dying. How would he react? Would he tell her that he had a compromise? That he was actually with someone? Did it look like she was asking him out? Or maybe it wasn’t too obvious?
Lily hated doubting herself like that, she was usually more assertive. She wasn’t sure what that man was doing to her.
James: Yes, why do you want me to dress as a merman again?
Lily could feel the joking manner of the in the reply, his jovial self shining through.
Lily: No, not really, I was wondering if you would be up to get coffee?
The seconds that passed after she sent the last message felt like eternity. She was sure she made a fool of herself. That James would tell her their relationship was just business.
What came next surprised her.
James: Name the hour and place, and it’s a date.
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