Work Text:
“You weren’t at dinner.” James’ warm voice filled their small shared Head’s office. Lily hated his effect on her, pulse quickening, throat drying, brain going fuzzy, all because of four words. She finished marking up the prefect report she was reading, approving the points they deducted.
“I wasn’t feeling very hungry. So, I decided to get through some paperwork.” She could hear him move behind her, the soft footfalls getting closer. She took a breath, trying to slow her pounding heart.
“I brought you some of the shepherd’s pie. Can’t have our Head girl skipping meals.”
Ugh. Why does he have to be nice? It’d make things so much easier if James was the arsehole she always thought he was. When Lily thought it was just his looks, dismissing the thoughts that were taking root in her brain was easy. Then she started paying attention—her first mistake if she was honest—because then, all she saw was his loyalty to his friends, his ability to soothe younger students who were having a hard time transitioning, and his dedication and passion both on the field and in the classroom.
How was she supposed to resist? Someone who she thought was careless and cruel, was actually shaping up to be incredibly caring, if impulsive.
“Cheers, James.” She looked up at him for the first time, his eyes were already scanning her, probably looking for any indication there was something wrong. And then they settled on hers full force, and she felt like he was seeing her thoughts. Sucking in another deep breath, she broke eye contact. Lily grabbed the offered plate and placed it on the far corner of her desk, forcing her focus back on the stack of papers in front of her.
“Least I can do, we’re partners after all,” he said breezily. Lily ignored the fluttering in her stomach that flared when he called them partners. James just meant they worked together. Nothing more. Which was fine . “Are you okay? You’ve seemed a bit…quiet lately.”
“I’m fine. Just busy, NEWTs are coming, plus Head’s duty, just has me a bit distracted.” Though she didn’t like admitting it, another big distraction was James. They were taking most of the same classes, had mutual friends, and were co-Heads. They spent a lot of time together, and the more time they were around each other the more Lily was finding him invading her subconscious. Which was bloody inconvenient.
Lily forced her attention back to the stack of papers, flipping to the next report and scanning the writing there.
“I can look over those if you’d like,” James said. Her eyes flicked back to him. He had an easy smile on his face that was causing Lily to feel a bit like a candle, melting slowly from the look. Her eyes darted away, finding it hard to hold his gaze. “That way you can eat, but won't have to worry about stuff not getting done.” He shrugged as if it was obvious.
“I don’t want to interrupt your night, Potter. I’m sure you're busy, and it’s my week to go through the prefect reports.”
“I’ve got nothing going on, plus I’d be happy to do it. We’re a team, Evans. That means we help each other out.”
Considerate git. “Okay, you can do a few while I eat. But once I’m done, I’m taking back over. Got that, Potter?”
He raised his hands in mock salute. “You’re the boss. Whatever you want. I’m just happy you’re eating.”
With a roll of her eyes, Lily picked up the stack, straightening it with a couple taps on the desk. James’ hand landed on hers—electricity shot from the contact—and he slipped the papers from her grasp, plopping down at his desk across from her. Lily could feel heat blooming in her cheeks and she was sure she rivaled a tomato. All he did was touch your hand! Get a grip Lils, what are you? A frail Victorian woman? James gave her a concerned look. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You’re all red, you may be getting sick. I could—”
“‘M fine, Potter,” Lily cut in forcefully. Why did he have to be so observant?
“Okay, okay.” Smile still in full force, he turned his attention from her to the reports now in front of him. She pulled the plate toward her and noticed it was still warm, most likely from a warming charm. He thought of everything, didn’t he?
Lily took her first bite and realized she was hungrier than she had initially thought. Tucking in hurriedly, the only sound that filled the space was the scratching of a quill and the occasional clink of her cutlery.
Her eyes, without her permission mind you, kept flicking over James’ hunched form. The way his wild curls poked through his fingers as he mindlessly tugged at them while he worked had her stomach flipping uncomfortably. His brow furrowed and his lips puckered slightly as he concentrated on reading the most likely messy scrawl on the page he was working on.
It was strange seeing him like this, and after three months of working together she still wasn’t used to it. She had always seen him be boisterous, so much larger than life it was like his presence filled a room. Now, she was becoming more and more familiar with the James who was quiet and focused. Who wasn’t interacting with the world around him, but instead absorbed in his own little world.
Lily was becoming more and more curious about what it would be like to be a part of that world. To see how his mind whirred as it worked through tasks. And that thought left her sitting there, plate empty, watching James as he made notes and moved on to the next bit of parchment. She cleared her throat, drawing his attention to her.
“Thanks. For helping with paperwork and for keeping me fed.”
He rubbed at the back of his neck, looking almost sheepish at the gratitude. “It’s no big deal, Evans.”
“It is to me. So thank you.” Lily held his gaze. “You’re a great partner. I’m glad you were picked as Head boy,” she continued sincerely. James’ cheeks darkened, and a shock of anxiety shot through her system. Did she say too much?
“I really enjoy working with you, Lily.” James’ eyes held hers as he said it, sincerity in every syllable, and it had gooseflesh erupting along her skin. Something about hearing her first name in that tone had butterflies flying around her stomach and her head feeling a bit fuzzy. Merlin she wanted to kiss him.
Lily felt the need to do something, anything, to dispel the nervous energy that threatened to overwhelm her. She took a steadying breath and moved the remnants of her meal to the side, breaking eye contact in the process. She felt like she could breathe again at the freedom, no more squeeze in her chest. “Good. Now hand the reports over, and you’re free to do what you want with your night.”
“And if I’m happy to just stay here?” Lily was not expecting that. Her heartbeat kicked up in speed and she swallowed around the lump that formed in her throat.
“I can’t tell you what to do with your time,” she replied, far calmer than she felt.
“Good. I’ll keep half then.” James smiled at her widely as he passed part of the pile to her. She grabbed the offered parchment, and another shock of electricity arced through her as their hands brushed in the handoff. They both paused for a moment, eyes locked and a look on his face that made Lily think maybe he felt that spark too. And just as soon as it was there he went back to work. She watched him for a moment, questioning if it even really happened, before shaking the thoughts from her head and focusing on her own pile.
They worked in comfortable silence, the pair sharing glances periodically before busying themselves with their task, then scratching quills before the cycle repeated. Nothing exciting, no more electric shocks between them. Still, Lily couldn’t remember a time that paperwork was that pleasant.