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❝oh, hey!❞ lily turned to face james, a bright smile overtaking her features as she set down her wand and extended her arms upwards. ❝surprise!❞ a soft laugh tumbled past her lips as she crawled closer to him, careful as to not knock over any of the carefully placed gifts she’d arranged for him. ❝i actually wasn’t expecting you so soon but i’m happily surprised. how did the meeting go?❞ she mused softly before leaning forward and pressing a soft lingering kiss against his lips. 

with his look of surprise remaining in tact,            he let the strap of his bag slip from his shoulders and drop onto the floor.                                 “ forget the meeting.   ‘cause i’m suddenly feeling very ridiculous about my                                                           whole song an’ dance thing. ”

“Watch you allergies down there.” Sirius lounged across his bed. “Common room is so full of flowers, I’m surprised the bees haven’t moved in their colony to pollinate.”

“Chocolate and candy is the real way to go. Flowers die, chocolate you can just eat.” @jpcttr

lily was very good with words. she often took solace in her journal, the relief of her thoughts flowing through the ink and onto a piece of parchment was addictive to her. she enjoyed writing and as of late, her scribbles were veering much more towards a romantic inclination. she was in love, and it was obvious. when it came to romance, she was very ripe. she didn’t know how to execute it correctly, when a gesture crossed over the line of “too much”. but she was trying. and she loved to try with james. so when valentines day rolled around, she new she had to go above and beyond, trying to treat her boyfriend to an evening of privacy and adoration. the common area that the head students shared was pitch black, sheets covering a good majority of the furniture which dimmed the very few remaining lights that were sprinkled beneath the ‘tent’. once under the sheets, it was a whole different space. blankets and pillows lined the floor, floating balls of fire lined the borders of the fort creating a romantic ambiance without the hazard of a fire. in the middle of the set up was an enviable spread of sweets and a savory meal that lily evans sat carefully arranging, careful so as not to spill anything down the front of her ornate blush colored lingerie. now all that was missing was JAMES POTTER.

he walked deliberately,        trying not to take too long following his meeting with mcgonagall.                               it was a tad embarrassing how little he listened to the woman   speak as his mind kept wandering back to the note                 and what exactly waited for him in the common room.                                                                       suffice it to say,                                        mcgonagall was more than a little surprised when james  jumped up and rushed out the door once their conversation was finished. 

“merlin james – if all you need is COMPLIMENTS, how are you still ALIVE?”

“i’m great – still have a chocolate problem, had a bit of a relapse. i don’t think i’m ready to quit, not yet at least. What about you? What’s going on in the world of Potter?” 

“oh, i know – i could pass off as a puffle–” a cheeky smile tugging at her lips, “nothing out of the ordinary? trying to pass runes in one piece–”

“what about you? anything i missed during our DARK TIMES–”

❝i feel it’s necessary to point out i do love your abnormally large head. it’s been a long time coming but it feels right to admit.❞ she grinned softly, taking her time running her fingers along the length of his arm as she reached his fingers, lacing their hands together with a final sigh of relief. ❝maybe i’ll abandon this whole auror nonsense, the theatre is my true calling. but on that note, i’ll give you a good sneak peek. i’ll say maybe until it’s the right time to say yes. so you have learned a lot mostly because now you know with us there’s always a shot. alsoi’m not expecting a question though, seems a bit sudden. ❞

“ ... a lot sudden. ” he corrected, arching his brow in her direction as he studied her features. “ because we were both kidding. ” the words came out slow as he moved his head both up and down, a careful nod emphasizing his point as he looked forward again. “ besides, i spent all my money over the holiday. unless you want some cheap ass ring, you’ll have to wait for a few snatched wallets before we get all crazy. ” the boy offered her a bright smile, squeezing her hand in the process. “ still kidding. ”

Remus felt his boyish grin appear rather rapidly on his features– however, it seemed to disappear just as rapidly as it had appeared. As a matter of fact it removed itself the instant that the words Gypsies steal money rang through his head. Not longer after he bellowed towards the waters the other’s name. “JAMES POTTER.” Exhaustion in his voice, the young man peered over the edge into the waters. But James hadn’t resurfaced yet and so worry ensued, “Prongs?” Still no reply. Worry consumed him. He would wait a few more seconds, and if James didn’t come up by then, he would join the other in the cold water. 

“stress is a good look on you? not many can pull it off – i can barely tell, i expected a bulging vein and a dash of pince –”

“you’re rocking a solid mcgonagall – that’s the most flattering thing i could ever say to you–”

❝that is a comforting idea but don’t tell me too often, i’m at risk of getting big headed.❞ she teased lightly as she pulled away from their gentle kiss. it never got old, the overwhelming peace that coursed through her slim frame when he caressed her soothingly.  ❝well now why’d you have to go ahead and invite me, you know how much i LOVE causing a scene, if your fiancé has a jealous fit i’ll be giddy.❞ the girl continued his jokes lightheartedly, the characteristic sparkle in her eyes returning almost like it had never left, thanks to him.  ❝hey, don’t you go getting any ideas, it won’t be any fun if you’re expecting me to say yes immediately. ❞  

“ rest assured, your head will never be as big as mine. ” he gave her a reassuring, albeit humorous smile. the shift in her mood calmed him down, allowing him the peace of knowing that he had at least helped. “ yes, yes. you and your scenes. ya sure you don’t wanna be an actress ? ” he felt hypocritical in his amusement. if there was anyone who enjoyed an audience, it was a younger james potter. “ how presumptuous of you. what kind of idiot would i be to expect you, of all people, to say yes ? have i learned absolutely nothing ? ” he let out a laugh, stepping back and reaching out his hand, waiting for her to take it. “ i’m planning on taking the stockholm route. you’ll say yes after the thirty-second time. ”

“Yes, it does look particularly cold today, the fog isn’t making it seem less so either…” Remus truly was amused by the performance he was watching. And in it was starring James Potter, unsure of his former decisions. Grandiose. Shaking his head ever so slightly the young man stepped forwards and took his place by the other’s side. A hand gently placing itself upon his shoulder, “I fear that would be against my code of honor–” Pausing momentarily, Remus had to use whatever self restraint he had not to laugh, “And also, what shall be my source of entertainment if you are not to be a shivering mess running back to the castle?”

“ it’s whatever. pfft. ” he shrugged his shoulder, shaking his head and slapping remus on the rear before jumping up and down again. “ i’m not a pussy anyway. ” the boy offered his supposed friend one final look, pointing his finger dramatically in his direction before turning around and shouting off one final goodbye. “ GYPSIES STEAL MONEY.” and with that, the dark haired boy dove head first into the freezing cold water, equipped with a wallet that he had stolen not five seconds earlier. only, instead of immediately rising to the surface, he remained under. 

“i can’t deal with that PRESSURE – expecting people to be their best selves. it’s admirable – james potter, you might just be an INSPIRATION–”

“ ooooh.               i mean, i wouldn’t necessarily use the word inspiration,                                                but i’d be okay if you did ... again. ” 

though it was hard to hear the words she knew to be true, it also provided a sense of cathartic release. it wasn’t enough for lily to know she didn’t need to forgive petunia, hearing it from someone else somehow made it okay to give into the thoughts she’d had for years. ❝you know what, you’re right. i’m so DONE with feeling like shit just because she wants me to. i’m not a bad person so why in the hell does she have the power to make me feel like one.❞ with a soft sigh, the redhead squared her shoulders and mustered up a soft albeit genuine smile. ❝i’d like that, i’ll be sure to go. you won’t miss me, just look for the girl in white.❞

“ hate to say it, but family always has that power. look at sirius. " he was well aware of how lucky he was with his family. james was given a gift and while he didn’t appreciate it when he was younger, he had certainly grown up enough to realize that he needed to thank his lucky stars every damn chance he got. “ but if you ever forget that you’re a good person, i’ll be here to remind you. ” his smile grew, a bright spark visible as he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to hers. “ my fiancee is gonna be jeaaallloouuusss, ” he joked, a carefree laugh falling free as he took a step back. “ don’t go getting any ideas, yeah ? it won’t be any fun if you’re not surprised. ”