Chapter Text
Evening light spills through the open curtains, the shadow of a young willow tree cast upon the wooden floor.
Lily sits in one of her favourite spots, with the stars above and velvet sunshine cushioning her back. A room where many of her fondest memories have been made, a room filled with magic.
To her left, James hums softly, fingers dancing over the strings of the acoustic guitar in his arms with practised ease.
They find themselves here often, her feet tucked under his thigh, often a fluffy blanket spread over her lap. Sometimes he plays music, while she marks classwork — like tonight — other times he sketches, the scratch of graphite on parchment its own melody.
The red pen in her hand halts as he seamlessly transitions into the opening chords of their song, drawing her attention and stilling her breath.
James plays on, out of habit, comfort, singing to her soul as he might any other night — as he has many times before, as he will time and time again in the future — but here and now, this feels different.
Lily’s heart pulses double time, pushing a smile to her lips, and setting her skin aflame. It’s not just the lyrics etched into her skin, she feels the words flow throw her, an even more powerful force in his dulcet tones.
‘And I wonder when I sing along with you…’
“Now.”
“Huh?”
His hazel eyes look her way, fingers continuing without fault.
“Now.”
A dimple carves his cheek, the music stills.
“Now?”
She nods, never more sure.
Without breaking eye contact, he places his guitar to the side and inches himself closer.
“Lily Jean Evans—” a shiver runs through her, as he takes her hands in his, thumb stroking a continuous path over her knuckles.
“—it has always been you, you are my favourite person, my happy place…” his breath stutters, his eyes a glassy reflection of her own, “— I see my future in your eyes…”
His grin twitches, as though he fights to contain the joy inside him, impossible not to mirror it right back at him.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes”
“Yes? Yes!”
“I’m going to love you forever James Fleamont Potter.”
Sealed with a kiss, delighted laughter sparks from their union, another memory written into the walls of this extraordinary room.