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Pandora was always told that she was a dreamer. She was told constantly that she needed to get her head out of the clouds. Pandora didn’t understand those people at all. Real life was so bleak and boring. Why would she ever want to be here? She much preferred her thoughts. Pandora didn’t have a reason to keep her head out of the clouds.
That was until she met Lily Evans.
Pandora met Lily when they were at Hogwarts. Lily was in the year above Pandora and was the smartest witch in her year. The moment Pandora laid eyes on her she knew she was a goner. Pandora tried many times to talk to Lily but everytime she tried she would chicken out. Barty and her brother teased her relentlessly for her “silly” crush on the red headed girl but Pandora just ignored them slowly building the confidence to finally talk to Lily. It took two months for Pandora to get the courage to talk to the older girl.
It happened one cold evening. The moon was full and the library was quiet. Pandora sat at a table tucked into the corner of the library quietly reading about the stars. She was completely lost in thought and didn’t notice Lily Evans walking over to her.
She gently tapped her on the shoulder and Pandora quickly closed her book, freezing up at the sight of her crush.
“Mind if I join you?” Lily asked, smiling softly.
“I um yes?” Pandora replied, feeling her face heat up.
Her mind was buzzing with excitement as Lily sat next to her and pulled out her own book about magical creatures and began quietly reading. Pandora didn’t go back to her own reading to distracted by the girl next to her and trying to figure out why she was even here. Lily seemed to notice her confusion (and her staring) and closed her book.
“Is something the matter?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.
Pandora felt her mouth go dry as she watched Lily’s red hair fall gracefully to the side.
Lily Evans would be the death of her.
What a wonderful way to die.
“If I am making you uncomfortable I can leave” Lily offered as she began to stand up.
Pandora quickly grabbed her hand not wanting her to go so soon. Pandora could confess right now tell Lily how she felt and how much she adored her. She could tell her how she had never once been interested in anyone until she met Lily.
She could but she didn’t know how to form the words. They laid on her tongue and refused to surface to the air. Pandora wasn’t sure how to voice her feelings but she knew how to show her feelings.
In a moment of pure impulse Pandora leaned up and kissed Lily. For a moment Pandora thought Lily would push her away. Tell her she's a freak and leave Pandora in the library to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Much to Pandora’s surprise Lily didn’t push her away. Instead she wrapped her arms around her and pulled her closer. Pandora felt as though her body was on fire; she wasn’t sure what to do, her mind unable to process what was happening. Lily was the first to pull away. She stared at Pandora with a type of admiration that no one had looked at Pandora that way before.
Pandora suddenly felt embarrassed. She kissed Lily and wasn’t even sure if she felt the same. She could feel her face heat up again as she felt herself begin to explain herself.
“I’m sorry I should have asked before kissing you. I just really like you and didn’t know how to tell you and-” She was cut off by Lily kissing her again.
This kiss was soft and short and it caused Pandora to freeze again.
“It’s ok I really like you too. I've been trying to tell you for weeks but couldn’t figure out how I’m actually really glad you kissed me” Lily said looking away.
Pandora wasn’t sure this was actually happening. She knew if Barty was here he would make fun of her for being so flustered. But honestly how was she supposed to react when the most beautiful girl in the world just kissed her? Twice!?
Pandora took a breath and gently grabbed Lily’s face, turning it so she was looking at her.
“May I kiss you again?” Pandora asked softly.
Lily smiled and nodded and Pandora kissed her again.
***************
If dating Lily Evans was amazing then being married to Lily Evans was even better. Every morning Pandora woke up to the beautiful sight of Lily sleeping. Pandora would then get out of bed and start making breakfast. Around this time their children Luna and Harry wake up and come out to “help” Pandora with breakfast. Which usually ends in the kitchen a mess and the children running to wake up Lily and show her what they made. While the children woke her up Pandora set the table and started making Lily some coffee. Then once Lily walks out of their room Pandora would walk over gently kiss her cheek and give her some coffee.
Then they would all sit down and eat breakfast together as a family. Pandora loved these moments with her family. She loved the way Lily would nod to whatever their children were saying even if she didn’t fully understand what they were saying. She also loved how passionate her children were about the things they loved. She loved watching Harry fly around showing her tricks on his broom or listening to Luna talk about the different magical creatures and how cool they were.
Pandora loved her family and loved her little life and never wanted things to change. Of course nothing stays the same for long. The sun rises and sets, the seasons change and children grow up.
Harry and Luna’s first day of Hogwarts was both very exciting and also very terrifying for Pandora. She was so excited for her kids to go to school and learn more about magic and meet new people but she was also terrified of the change that them leaving to go to school signified. She wanted so badly to keep them home and never let them out of her sight. She didn't, of course she smiled and hugged them both and watched as they excitedly got onto the Hogwarts express and get whisked away by the train.
Pandora knew her wife could see something was wrong. She could tell by the way Lily gently squeezed her hand as the train pulled away. She could tell by the way she led Pandora away from King’s Cross and apperated them both home. Lily knew her wife better than anyone she knew when something was wrong and knew what exactly to say.
So it did not surprise Pandora that once they returned home Lily sat her down to talk.
“What is wrong my love?” Lily asked gently, holding Pandora’s hand.
Pandora knew that Lily knew what was wrong. Lily always knew could always tell sometimes before Pandora even knew herself.
Pandora took a slow breath gathering the thoughts in her into words. “I’m scared Lily scared that our lives are changing and I can’t stop it and I’m terrified Harry and Luna won’t need me anymore”
For a moment no one spoke. They sat letting the silence of the house settle around them. Then Lily stood up.
Pandora instinctively followed.
Lily led them outside to the backyard. It was littered with toys and things that belong inside the house. Things left in the grass from their children that are not here.
“When I was little I was so scared to go to Hogwarts I knew it would mean my life changing and I knew if I went my life would never be the same I tried to ask my mom to let me stay home do you know what she told me?” Lily spoke, staring out as the sun that was slowly setting.
Her hair was pinned up by her wand, a trick she learned from Sirius. She was absolutely breathtaking.
“What did she say?” Pandora asked, taking a step closer to her wife.
Lily smiled “She told me that life was always changing and we could try to stop it and fail or we could embrace it and see where it takes us” Lily turned to Pandora and gently placed both hands on her cheek.
“It’s ok to be scared my dear but know no matter how much life changes or how old Harry and Luna get they will always need you and I will always love you” Pandora could feel tears form in her eyes at Lily’s words.
“How do you always know what to say to make me feel better?” Pandora spoke, voice breaking softly.
Lily only laughed, pulling Pandora into a soft kiss. “Because my dear and beautiful wife our souls were made for eachother”
Pandora smiled and laughed for the first time that day.
Life was changing and her children were growing older but she wasn’t scared anymore. Not when she had her wife right next to her. She was ready to face whatever life would throw at her and she was ready to see her family grow.