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“Isn’t this waterboarding?”
Lily watched Pete struggling to stay balanced on his head, while Sirius tipped a bottle of water into his mouth. And also all over his face.
“I’m fine.” Pete spluttered. Or maybe it was “I’m dying.” She couldn’t hear him very well.
“Grab his legs!” Sirius shouted, “He’s tipping over!”
Lily rolled the sleeves of her cardigan back down, and pulled the cashmere a little closer around her shoulders. It was a little chilly now the sun had set.
She sipped her drink – apple cider with rum and honey – as Marlene and James hurried over to stop Pete from failing his dare, and its warmth spread through her pleasantly.
Pete finally finished the bottle of water, and the others lowered him to the ground. He stayed lying there on the lawn with one hand slightly raised in a thumbs-up while the others went back to their seats or over to the drinks table.
James stopped beside Lily.
“You want my jacket?” He asked, flashing a grin that faltered slightly as his brain caught up to his mouth. “Uh – I mean if you’re cold! Not just, you know…”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure? I just noticed you – I mean, I can get you a blanket or something if you don’t want my jacket.”
Lily pressed her lips together, but she was sure he could still see her smiling. “I said I’m fine. I have a cardigan, and a campfire – and also many alcoholic drinks by the look of it. You don’t need to fuss.”
James pulled himself together. His smile came back, sure and easy. “Yeah alright – but if you need anything, just ask.”
“This is your party, isn’t it? Seventeen and a half today?” Lily teased. “I don’t think you need to be waiting on anyone.”
“Well then, you can feel free to check whether I need anything whenever you like.” He said with a wink.
Lily let out a single breath of almost-laughter and waved him on his way. He went to help his mum, who’d just come out into the garden with a tray of snacks.
James perched a large bowl of what might have been marshmallows up on one shoulder like a pail of water, and carried it round to the fire. It looked stupid but he probably thought it showed off his bicep or something.
Across the circle of chairs, Lily’s eyes found Mary’s overly smug-looking face. She smirked when Lily met her gaze, and made eyes in James’ direction.
Lily sighed.
She let her head tip all the way back. A few wisps of smoke curling against the gazebo roof above her caught her eye before they dissolved away.
She wasn’t going to lose the bet.
Stay focused.
…
// “I’m just saying,” Lily said, “I think he’s very supportive – he’s someone you’d want to go to if you were caught in a bad situation. Am I not allowed to acknowledge that?”
“I’m actually not sure you are.” Marlene said. “Isn’t it against your code of conduct to compliment him?”
“We’re long past that.” Mary noted. “They’ll be married by next spring.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Don’t be stupid.”
“I’m not. He fancies you. And now you fancy him.”
“I don’t fancy – that’s ridiculous!” Lily said, turning her nose up and looking away.
There was a beat of silence.
She sighed. “Don’t tell him.”
“We won’t have to, it’s getting really obvious.”
“It’s not – I have composure. And I mean, I barely fancy him, anyway.”
“So obvious.” Mary drawled.
“No it isn’t.”
“Is too.” Marlene said.
Mary nodded. “It really is. Odds on he works it out by the end of that party on Saturday.”
“Fine.” Lily said, indignant, “You want to bet? I’ll bet. Odds on.”
Marlene held up her hands. “Hey, I’m staying out this. I just want my two good friends to confess their love and go on to enjoy the wonders of a proper romantic relationship. That you might one day experience the delights -”
“Yeah, we get it. You have a girlfriend.” Lily said.
“I’ll take the bet.” Mary said. Then at the look on Lily’s face, “I mean, unless you want to take it back?”
“No, I’ll do it.” //
…
It had probably been a mistake to agree to the bet, but sometimes Lily had trouble backing down from a challenge. Maybe more than sometimes, actually.
Lily followed the curls of smoke back towards the fire with her eyes.
The Potters’ patio had a built-in brick grill and a raised fire pit at one end. They weren’t having a barbeque tonight, but there was a large fire going in the raised pit. It set orange light flickering over the whole garden.
Regulus was sitting on its brick surround, a bit too close to the flames. He looked warmer in the firelight than normal. It put oranges and reds into even the pitch black of his hair.
Regulus was the complicating factor in the James situation. The part that Mary wasn’t aware of.
The thing was, James liked him – clearly liked him – paid him closer attention than he did her these days. Not that she’d begrudge it.
They’d become very close since Regulus had followed Sirius’ footsteps and come to live at the Potters’ too. Something about early morning Quidditch practice while Sirius tended to sleep into the afternoon. As far as Lily knew there wasn’t more to it – they weren’t together – but still.
Regulus was pretty, he was smart, he was suddenly on the table as an option for someone with moral standards to date. Lily got it, she did. And the whole thing had made her unsure about asking James out.
James had made sure Regulus had come down to the party, but he hadn’t taken a chair in the circle, just settled himself by the fire and occupied himself with tending to it.
Lily pulled her eyes away from him and back to the game. It was Mary’s turn.
“Dare.” Mary said forcefully.
Now it was Lily who got to feel smug.
Their agreement hadn’t been entirely one-sided. Mary had her own bet to complete.
They always played truth or dare at these parties – Lily had known that. So, Mary had to always pick dare and never forfeit.
It was revenge, in truth. Back in February, Mary had bailed on a joint dare the two of them had been given to swim out into the lake when it had still been crusted with ice around the edges.
Lily hadn’t forgotten.
Marlene tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the arm of her chair. “I dare you to make a costume out of whatever you can find in James’ shed, and then act in character for the rest of the evening."
“For the rest of the evening?”
“For the rest of the game.”
Mary shrugged and stood up. “Fine.”
Lily watched her trudge off towards the shed, wondering how nit-picky she could be about the ‘staying in character’ condition. She wanted to win after all.
Someone touched her arm and she jumped.
She looked up to find Regulus standing next to her.
He gave her a small smile and held out a kebab skewer with a couple of toasted marshmallows on it.
“Oh! Thanks.” She must have sounded a little surprised.
“You said you wanted some… when you arrived.”
“When I saw the fire? Yeah I did. I just wasn’t expecting – thank you.” She squeezed his arm then took the skewer.
“I’ve got to give myself a job.” Regulus said, “There’s not a lot for me to do out here.”
“Seeing to the fire then?” Lily asked. The smoke wasn’t going into anyone’s eyes anymore, she noticed. “You’ve done a good job with that.”
He ducked his head. “Thanks.”
Dorcas had picked truth for her turn, which was probably the smart thing to do. No one here knew what kind of secrets she had yet, so she couldn’t be asked anything targeted.
“Okay,” Sirius said. “Truth. Who do you think is pulling off these shorts better, me or James.”
Of course that did leave you open to ridiculous questions that you’d rather not contemplate.
Sirius and James were wearing matching short shorts. They had been continuing to subject everyone to the spectacle even though summer was long over. Also, their names were emblazoned across the arsecheeks.
Sirius helpfully turned around so Dorcas could observe this most important fact.
“I’m a lesbian.” She said dryly.
Sirius huffed. “Did I ask you to rate my arse?”
Lily could feel Regulus rolling his eyes next to her. She nudged him gently.
“He really set himself up to lose, no matter what, huh?” She murmured.
Regulus hummed noncommittally.
“James.” Dorcas said. And then before Sirius could argue, “Because he doesn’t have to ask, he knows they suit him.”
“Confidence is attractive.” Peter said.
“In moderation.” Lily called, and didn’t look at James’ legs. Or, well, maybe she did look a little bit.
It was Marlene’s turn next, and Regulus drifted back to the fire as the rest of them tried to come up with a good dare.
“I’ve got one.” Remus said. “But I can’t tell the rest of you – that would ruin it – I can only tell Marlene.”
“Mysterious,” James said, “I like it.”
“Come here then.” Marlene said, reaching her hand out to him.
Remus went over and whispered something into her ear.
She grimaced. “Every – I mean, I’ll do it, obviously. But if this gets out of hand…”
Remus laughed. “I’ll visit you in hospital.”
“More like visit me in my grave.” Marlene grunted.
The shed door opened.
“Did someone call for a visitor from beyond the grave?”
“Well, I’m always open to it.” Marlene grinned.
“It is I,” Mary announced, exiting the shed. “The ghost of Jacob Marley.”
The sound of tapping and hollow rattling came from her direction.It was coming from the plastic flowerpots she was dragging behind her, Marley’s weights, which were tied to garden twine that she’d wrapped herself up with.
“I’ve been summoned back to this earthly plane to give you a warning, Ebeneezer. Stop being a dick or you’ll be cursed for eternity – just like me. Be good to others before it’s too late… ooOOoo.”
Mary was doing a pretty good ghost voice. Lily worried she might be winning.
She stuffed a marshmallow into her mouth.
It was, most unfortunately, now her go. Everyone turned to her, expectantly.
“Dare?” She said, uncertainly. It seemed safer than truth from a bet standpoint.
Seemed.
“Woe be upon you, Ebeneezer, or whatever,” Mary said, rattling her flowerpots, and surely this was underhanded, “I dare you… to kiss someone in this circle.”
Sirius and Marlene gasped theatrically.
You’re going for a swim in the nearest body of water the second it’s your turn again, Lily thought.
She surveyed the circle and her options.
James was off the table of course, because Lily wasn’t about to lose.
Who then? Sirius? Mary? Not Marlene with her new girlfriend here.
“You don’t have to do it, remember.” James said after a few beats of silence, “You can forfeit.”
He looked concerned – almost guilty actually. Mary obviously had a specific outcome in mind, and he knew what it was. Everyone was thinking it – she’d seen Peter and Sirius look to James immediately.
Lily thought harder.
“They have to be in the circle?” She asked.
“That’s what I said.” Mary agreed.
“Yeah, you can’t pick James’ mum.”
“Not that anyone would blame you,” Marlene said, waggling her eyebrows.
“Oi! My mum’s been married for longer than you’ve been alive.”
“I just wanted to check the wording.” Lily said loudly before things could dissolve further. Everyone turned back to her.
“Reg,” She called, “Could you come stand here for me.”
Lily indicated the space just in front of her in the centre of the circle.
“You can’t do that!” Sirius protested.
Lily ignored him.
Regulus had stood up when she’d asked. He came across to her, slowly.
“Will you help me with my dare?” She asked him.
“You don’t have to agree.” Sirius cut in. “I mean it.”
Regulus stopped in front of Lily. His eyes ran over her face in a way that brought heat to her cheeks.
“But I could agree.” He said.
“Yeah?” She needed to be sure.
They were standing very close now.
“Why not?” Regulus said quietly. His eyes were on her lips.
Lily put on hand up on his arm, leant in, and pressed her mouth to his.
That was all she needed to do for the dare, but the feeling of his lips was nice… and she lingered.
One of Regulus’ hands found her waist. She tilted her head, took hold of his collar, and kissed him a little harder. The tension in the way he held himself left him.
Lily ran the tip of her tongue over his bottom lip. She got the distinct impression it wouldn’t take him much prompting to let her deepen the kiss.
Then the situation came back to her, the audience, and she pulled back.
Regulus opened his eyes slowly.
There was a whoop from someone in the circle. Marlene.
Lily glanced around the circle.
Mary looked a bit put out, but she was fighting a smile too. Sirius on the other hand had his face screwed up and both hands over his eyes.
“Is it over yet?” He groaned.
Everyone else was looking at James, fighting off laughter. Lily couldn’t quite make herself follow suit – not out of nervousness or anything, no-no, only concern for the possibility of losing.
Stay focused.
Lily pressed an extra kiss to the corner of Regulus’ mouth.
Her heart was beating far faster than she’d noticed.
She dragged her chair over to the fire when Regulus slipped back to it, not wanting him to think she was just done with him, or something.
He acknowledged her with a small smile.
“Alright, Potter,” Marlene said, loudly, “Your go. You have to describe to us exactly how that made you feel.”
James spluttered. “I didn’t pick truth! You can’t ask me anything.”
“Fine. Pick then.”
“Dare.” He said, indignantly.
“I dare you to answer the question.” Marlene said, with a wide grin.
“That’s cheating!” James said. He looked around for support, “She can’t do that.”
“It is cheating.” Sirius agreed. “You don’t have to listen, Prongs.”
“I vote he does have to, ooOOoo.” Said Jacob Marley, spookily.
“Forfeit.” James said firmly, before too many people could agree with Mary.
A forfeit generally meant eternal shame, but James already had something else he’d be getting ribbed for over the next few weeks.
It was Remus’ go next, but Lily had lost interest. She moved from her chair to the surround of the firepit, letting one of her arms brush against Regulus’ as she sat beside him.
“Do you want me to make you more marshmallows?” He asked.
“Mmm. Would you?”
Regulus nodded.
His eyes flicked to somewhere she couldn’t see, then quickly back.
“Is James watching?” Lily asked.
“Yes.” Regulus said quietly. Then, “You’re trying to make him jealous.”
“I’m not sure it’s jealousy he’s feeling.”
Regulus looked back to where James was. This time his gaze stayed fixed there.
Lily watched his face, the firelight playing over it. He really was pretty.
“Can I tell you a secret?” She asked.
Regulus nodded, still looking over to James.
“I think his arse looks great in those shorts.”
Regulus laughed.
It seemed to take him by surprise. He broke his gaze and covered his mouth, half-curled fingers muffling the sound.
“Yeah.” He confessed, “I know.”
“It’s not right!” Lily said, smiling.
Regulus leant his head into her shoulder and hummed in agreement.
Lily mostly ignored the rest of the game. Leaning into Regulus, playing with his hair, whispering things was all much better entertainment. Especially trying to catch James’ reactions – he couldn’t help himself but keep throwing glances their way.
Regulus did make good on his offer to toast her more marshmallows. She watched them turn golden brown and begin to bubble as he held the skewer down by the embers.
He handed the skewer across to her.
She nudged his leg. “You not having any?”
He shrugged. “It’s fine.”
With some ulterior motive, Lily held her skewer up to his mouth.
“You should try it,” She said. “Go on.”
He reached out to steady her hand.
“No.” She coaxed, “Just trust me.”
This was fun.
Regulus looked back at her. Then he let go of her hand and hesitantly parted his lips so she could feed him one of the marshmallows.
Lily smiled. “Good boy.”
His eyes went very wide.
Then he realised what he must look like and covered his reddening face with his hands.
“I knew that would work.” Lily said with a laugh, “I’ve been saving it.”
Regulus sat up straighter, trying to recompose himself, but gave up as soon as he met her eyes again. He let himself relax.
“You going to do whatever I want now?” Lily teased.
“I think I have been already,” Regulus said, in good humour, “But sure, whatever you want.”
Eventually the others were done with the game.
Mary came to sit by the fire to dry out as they began to pack up to move inside. She was soaking wet, the water dripping over the bricks and hissing in the fire. But she was at least allowed to break character.
“Truce?” Lily asked.
Mary contemplated. “We both won, right? Technically.”
“Yeah.” Lily said, pulling one of Regulus’ hands into her lap.
“Feels like I won a little less.” Mary said. “What with the pond.”
“I shouldn’t have gone in the lake.” Lily admitted. “It was pride – stubbornness. I just get really competitive and then I can’t let stuff go. You were being sensible.”
“I already knew that, but I’m glad you do too. I’m not doing one of these competitions again, I’ll leave it to you and Marls.”
“Well now that the bet’s over…” She looked at Mary. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Mary said, suspiciously.
“Great.” Lily grinned. “In that case…” She cupped a hand to her mouth and shouted, “Potter!”
Mary sighed heavily.
“Fine, whatever. I’m off.” She stood up from the fire, crossing James as she headed towards the house.
James came to a stop in front of them. He rocked on the balls of his feet as he looked between them, trying for a nonchalant expression.
Lily interlaced her fingers with Regulus’.
“So,” Lily said, raising her eyebrows, “James. I don’t suppose you’d care to answer that question now?”