Chapter Text
Lily Evans' Wild L.A. Night!
by Rita Skeeter
Lily Evans (21) spotted making out with her publicist James Potter (20) in the middle of the bar of their hotel.
Sources close to the couple say that they definitely went upstairs to Evans' room together.
"[Evans] has always had a naughty streak, even when we were children," said one source. "She was always very good at hiding it, but when the world is watching, the truth comes out eventually. We could hear them going at it all hours of the night!"
It's no secret that Evans has been pining after Potter since sixth form, and it seems her fame and fortune has finally managed to snag her the heir to Sleekeazy Hair Products Co.
Sources close to the family say that Potter's parents did not approve of their advances then and are firm that Evans' newfound success has not changed their minds.
One source said, "Money changes nothing. [Evans] clearly isn't respectable. You could see it in the way she carried herself last night, hanging all over our James."
Upon seeing the article, Remus pulled Skeeter's (supposedly) full transcript from the shared cloud.
"Son of a bitch!" he exclaimed, waking up Sirius.
"Whassamatta?"
"Pettigrew," said Remus darkly.
Sirius grabbed his phone and searched up the article as well. "Fucking arsehole! Oh, just wait until I -- I'm going to bury him with my own two hands!"
"Hold on, let me call my editor," said Remus, "see if we can get him to do the dirty work for us." Then he called Ludo Bagman and demanded that he tighten his leash on Skeeter.
"Your articles are getting fewer reads by the day, Lupin," said Bagman. "Rita's fresh. She's got her finger on the pulse. She's --"
"A sneak and a liar . And you would know that if you checked her sources. Petunia Dursley? Who didn't even invite her sister to the wedding, by the way, because they had a very serious falling out that taints everything Petunia has to say about Lily --"
"No, it doesn't. If she was there, she was there --"
"In the honeymoon suite! Seven floors above Lily's room and you want to tell me she could hear --"
"Lupin, the article's out. I'll keep Skeeter from encroaching on your turf in the future --"
"And the things Pettigrew said about the Potters? Do you want to get sued? He stole from them. Poached clients and engaged in corporate espionage for their rival -- They could rip the Prophet apart over this. They could end your career."
Suddenly, Bagman changed his tune. "We'll issue a statement of apology to the Potters and update the article --"
"Brilliant start, now back to --"
"Evans chose to work in show business. She knows the deal --"
"I didn't realize you were paying her in exchange for dragging her reputation --"
"Oh, come off it. Fame comes at a price," Bagman grunted. "We all need to make a living."
"Yet only some of us sell our souls for it." Remus hung up.
Later, he found Lily at the buffet breakfast.
"Hey, you! Saw your article on the concert last night!" she said. "Loved your interview with Mary on her musical influences!"
"Thank you." Remus ducked his head sheepishly. He dreaded telling her what he had to even more now, but it was better that she heard it from him before it blindsided her later.
Lily paled slightly at the news, but nodded. "At least now I know why the lady in the lift gave me a funny look."
She looked around the buffet area. A few people averted their eyes.
Lily sighed. "This life comes at a price, doesn't it?"
"No!" Remus shook his head vehemently. "It shouldn't! It doesn't have to! You deserve your privacy, same as everyone else! Don't ever let them convince you otherwise!"
Lily smiled at his sincerity. "Thank you, Remus."
"Is there any way we can contact your sister?" he asked. "I checked with the front desk, but she's already left --"
"Don't bother," Lily sighed. "She… She thinks I've made things all about me, you know? Like, my parents were supposed to come to L.A. for her wedding, but they also came to our shows and… Ugh! She didn't even invite me and made it clear that she no longer wants anything to do with me! What was I supposed to do? Just, not schedule anything? Not get on with my life?" Lily shook her head, messy bun flopping side to side. "I'm sorry. I… I guess I didn't realize how much I needed to rant about that --"
"Don't even worry about it," said Remus. "Also, have you tried these grilled cheese and ham sandwiches? They are simply divine ."
Lily giggled, took a bite, and moaned at how good it was.
Someone behind them dropped a plate.
"Morning, James." Lily waved.
"Hi." He picked up the pieces and apologized profusely to the waiter, telling them to put it on his bill.
Remus studied James and Lily's interaction carefully. They had gotten into the lift together last night, but when Sirius went back to his and James' shared room (pre-booked before Sirius had started sharing with Remus), James had been fast asleep in his bed.
They jolted when their fingers touched (they'd both been going for the salt). They accidentally bumped knees and stepped on each other's toes under the table.
"I'll be perfectly honest," said Remus. "I can't tell if you two are being normal-awkward, we-almost-slept-together-awkward, or we-slept-together-awkward."
James choked on his scrambled egg.
Lily started patting his back, but that only seemed to make it worse.
"Oi, you lot, check this out!" Sirius showed them a video as grainy as the picture the Prophet had published of Lily and James making out in the hotel bar.
"Is that… Skeeter?" Remus squinted. Only someone as outrageous as her would wear a key lime dress and lemon-yellow heels.
"It looks like she's losing her wig," said Lily.
"Is that… Peter?" James frowned.
"Oh my god, he was wearing a toupee!" Remus cackled as the wind in the video picked up and blew both their hair pieces further away. "I always knew he'd start balding early, the way he was always shedding --"
"What's he doing talking to Skeeter?" James interrupted.
Remus got him up to speed.
Now, James wanted to rip Rita's hair out. (She probably really wore a wig anyway.)
"Karma doesn't usually act that fast though." Remus eyed Sirius suspiciously.
(Skeeter was actually Marlene in a wig and Peter was played by Arthur. Sirius did the makeup and styling. Molly shot the video.)
When she found out, Lily couldn't decide if she should thank or scold her friends.