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Lily Evans will always remember the day she tripped in front of James Potter.
Why, you ask? Well because he caught her with the strongest arms that Lily had ever felt, and made her mouth go as dry as the Sahara Desert.
It all started September 1st, on the train ride to Hogwarts for their final year...
“I can’t believe Dumbledore would choose him. Of all people!” Lily groaned, crossing her arms.
“Come on Lily, he’s not that bad!” Mary sighed, tired of her friend’s whining.
“He turned Finch into a toad just 3 months ago.” The redhead impassibly stared at her roommate.
“That was actually hilarious.” Marlene interjected, her head resting on Dorcas’ shoulder who smiled softly at her.
Lily smiled at the scene. They were the cutest couple, in her humble opinion. Dorcas could be kind of cold sometimes, really focused on her studies and trying to survive in a House full of twats, she guessed; but Marlene really did bring out the kindest and softest side of her.
She was envious sometimes… Of course she was ecstatic for her friend, but she really wished she could have something like that for herself. She had had a couple of dates here and there in the past year, and, besides stolen kisses in corridors before class or that one broom closet make out with Fabian Prewett after a Gryffindor party last year, where she drank a bit too much firewhiskey, there hadn’t been anybody interested enough to actually want to date her. More than once, that is.
Her parents relationship wasn’t exactly role model, what with her dad always working and her mom taking care of absolutely everything: house, kids, chores, you name it. And of course, Petunia’s relationship with Vermin was the absolute worst. Her sister was so fake around him, always smiling, letting any “unfortunate” comments slide, as she liked to call them. She couldn’t actually remember the last time she saw her sister smile genuinely…
“He doesn’t take things seriously, Marls! I bet he’s gonna load everything onto me while he goes gallivanting with his friends, hexing Slytherins and planning stupid, childlike pranks.” Lily replied. God, she sounded just like her sister…
Marlene and Mary leveled a look at her. Her now former roommate raising an eyebrow.
“Why are you this bothered with James being Headboy, huh?”
Lily sighed and rested her head against the carriage window.
“It’s just… it’s our last year at Hogwarts and I really wanted to do this” she pointed at her Headgirl badge, “with someone who would take it seriously. I really want to be a resource for other students.”
She bent forward, “There’s been an increment of muggleborn students the past 2 years and I know they have questions about lots of things. Hell, I did! And I didn’t have anybody to ask. I want them to know I’m here for them, and that they matter in this system, too.”
“Well now I just feel bad for laying into you about Potter…” Mary smiled shyly.
Lily chuckled, “It’s fine. I know I’m over reacting but I just don’t think he takes anything seriously, much less school.”
“He’s serious about dating you. That’s something.” Mary winked.
“Ugh, please, even that he’s given up.” Lily rolled her eyes.
“Oh oh, do you not like that he has?” Mary smirked.
Lily turned to look outside the window, the Scottish countryside glowing in the summer sun.
Marlene reached out to grab her hands, “Look, I know you and James don’t have the greatest relationship but, if he doesn't help you, I swear I’ll kick his ass about it so hard he won’t have any other choice. And, we’ll help as much as you need as well, you know that.”
Lily smiled sadly, “I do. Thanks girls, you’re the best.”
The carriage door opened to a sweating looking Peter Pettigrew. He looked around the carriage frantically, crouching to check under the seats.
“Uh, Peter, what are you doing?” Dorcas asked, raising her legs as Peter dragged them up to look behind them.
“James hid my wand!” He whined.
“Oh Merlin, not again…” Mary slumped against her seat and Lily gave her an apologetic look.
“Why would he do that?” Marlene chimed in.
“I turned his Headboy badge into chocolate as a joke and he didn’t take it well…” Peter chewed on his lower lip.
Lily took her wand out, pitying her house mate.
“Accio Peter’s wand.”
They waited a couple of seconds and in a whoosh, the crooked wand flew in through the carriage door and into Lily’s palm.
“Ah, thanks Evans!” Peter smiled as he retrieved it.
He took off as he pocked it, closing the carriage door on his way out. Lily slumped into her seat, thinking that the summer had in fact not changed James Potter, at all.
***
Peter strolled into the carriage, waving his wand on James’ face.
“Your girlfriend helped me out.” He smirked as he sat down next to him.
Sirius chuckled, “He wishes Evans was his girlfriend.”
James sighed, “Indeed, I do, Pads. Indeed, I do.”
Remus raised his eyebrows at this, “weren’t you saying just a couple of months ago that you were done with her?”
Sirius rested his head on Moony’s shoulder, sighing, “that was before he found out they’re sharing the Headboy and Girl badges, huh, Prongs?”
Remus turned his head to kiss his boyfriend’s forehead and Sirius closed his eyes in contentment. He really is like a dog sometimes, James thought fondly.
“And dorms, Pads. Don’t forget about the adjacent dorm rooms.” Pete wiggled his eyebrows as Sirius started making kissing noises.
The boys shared a laugh at his expense, but James couldn’t be too bothered. He was going to be living with Lily Evans! Well, he had been living with Lily for 6 years already, but this was different. They would have their own individual rooms, across from each other, in their own tower. Granted, it was right next to the Gryffindor tower but still. He could see her every morning and every night, which meant he could prove to her how mature and responsible he was. They would have to work together constantly, so it should be easy. Was he obsessed? Maybe. But he was going to make sure Lily didn’t see him as a stupid kid anymore. This year was going to be different, he could feel it.
“Have you guys managed to change the badge to copper then?” Peter asked, unwrapping his sandwich and taking a bite.
The badge had been silver and James hadn’t wanted Moony to be uncomfortable around it. He did have to wear it every day, after all.
“Yeah, Moony did it while I held it.” Sirius grinned.
“Merlin, these two are going to be insufferable, aren’t they?” Pete turned to James, “Are you really going to leave me alone with them?!”
He whined as Remus took Sirius’ chin in hand and pecked his lips.
“Yes, I am. Hearing them during the summer has been punishment enough.” James gagged, remembering all the nights he had to charm Sirius’ door because he had forgot to do it himself, while Moony was visiting at Potter Manor.
Peter slumped in his seat, “Great. I’ll keep my wand under my pillow to kill myself when they forget to Muffliato the bed then.”
Remus rolled his eyes as Sirius winked at both his friends.
“Hey Padfoot, want to go look for the cart and get some frogs?” Remus turned to say. Sirius got up as a rocket, taking Remus’ hand and opening the carriage door.
“We know that’s just code for making out!” James yelled as they both disappeared out the door.
“Merlin, save me.” Pete lamented as he bit into his food.
***
Lily finished her apple juice just as the train started to slow down, signaling the entrance to Hogsmeade station. As Headgirl, she had to make sure the first years all found Hagrid so he could take them across the lake to the castle. The rest of the students would just go up on the thestral carriages. She couldn’t see the creatures, but Mary, who had lost her dad to a car accident when she was younger, could, and had explained how they looked to her friends in accurate detail. Lily was glad she did not have to subject herself to that terrifying sight.
She had made sure to use a Shrinking Charm on her luggage so she could carry it in her pocket and not have to come back to the train for it after rounding the first years. She patted it, making sure it was there, and bid goodbye to her friends.
“I’ll see you girls at dinner. I’m pretty sure I’ll share the carriage with Potter once we’re done.”
“Have fun!” Mary winked.
She rolled her eyes and exited the carriage. Once the train had fully stopped on the tracks, she pulled the door open and raised her foot to step down onto the platform but something pulled at her middle. Her tunic, that had caught on the door’s edge, made her turn and she didn’t have time to grab onto the handle before she was falling, face first onto the platform.
Strong hands steadied her before she made impact and she sighed in relief, raising her face to face them. James Potter’s face was what she found. But it couldn’t be the same boy she’d shook off at King’s Cross three months ago. That boy was tall and lanky. The one in front of her was even taller, and fit. Very fit. Athletic, she’d say. And attractive. Oh no, he was hot! When did that happen?!
Lily could feel her ears warm as she shook off his hands.
“Um, thanks Potter.”
He smiled gently at her, “Of course. Are you alright?”
“Yes, my tunic caught on the door as I was stepping down.”
“Here” he pulled on said door, his forearms showing a string of veins as he slid it onwards so her tunic freed.
Lily just stood there, watching his arms flex and feeling her cheeks redden at the sight. Oh my Lord, what was happening to her?
“You’re free!” James said, breaking the spell.
“Huh? Oh yes, thank you.” She replied quickly. “Let’s go get the first years to Hagrid then.”
She walked to the first carriage as fast as she could, putting much needed distance between her and that sex god. Wait, what? NO! James Potter was not hot. He was James Potter, pain in her ass, prankster, immature… and fit, and gorgeous, and strong… Stop it, Lily!
She huffed as she reached to open the door to the carriage, letting the first students out. She needed to get herself together. They were going to be working in close quarters this year. Oh God, he was going to be living across the hall! They were supposed to share a bathroom, for God’s sake!
You’re okay, Lily. He’s changed a bit, sure, but he’s still the same insufferable boy he was. You’ll be fine.
She turned her head to see James helping out a little girl from the train to the platform. He grabbed her hand and had her jump the distance.
“Look at that! Easy enough, eh?!” He grinned at her and ruffled her hair. The little girl grinned back.
Lily smiled at the scene and immediately dropped it.
“I’m fucked.”