Lily sat at an isolated corner of the bustling common room, snuggled up with a cotton blanket and a book.
she’s been feeling particularly down over her sister, Petunia.
It was Christmas soon, and Lily hasn’t gotten even one letter from the older girl.
their relationship has always been incredibly confusing and lacking proper communication, and Petunia never really bothered with sending many letters, but she never took so long to send one.
Lily’s already written to her twice. She would’ve at least expected some sort of response, but no. Absolutely nothing.
Lily didn’t know why her sister didn’t send anything, and her parents always gave her the same old excuses. ‘She’s busy with Vernon, darling,’ and ‘she hasn’t gotten around to it just yet,’
She’s been feeling incredibly frustrated with it, and hadn’t managed to hide it from her friends so well.
At breakfast, Mary asked Lily why she’s so grumpy looking. During History of Magic class, Marlene told Lily she’s looking quite upset. And then there was Remus, just after dinner ended, leading her to a secluded nook on their way back to Gryffindor tower and asking how she’s doing.
It was absolutely horrible, being seen like that. Lily felt absolutely helpless with the way people viewed her, having done a bad work hiding her mood, and that irritated her greatly.
Her eyes couldn’t focus on the letters on the pages. It all seemed like a jungled mess; like her own emojis at the moment.
And just as Lily thought this day couldn’t get worst, James potter approached her with his gorgeous face and—
And nothing. It was still the same old James, the guy that’s been always asking her out at the wrong times and bothering her with his stupid knowledge.
James was smart. He could barely study and get top grades. His hair was a tousled mess, in just the right way. He had hazel eyes, that could be both mean and kind.
As he approached, Lily could see the constant annoying smirk he always addresses her with. The smirk she’s always found so annoying.
“Hello, Ev—“ he began talking, but Lily have been keeping in her sadness, her rage for so long, bottling it up as to not spout it at her friends, and truly having seen James when she just wanted to be alone infuriated her.
“What do you want?” She sneered, and almost flinched at the sound of her own voice.
James immediately frowned, having not expect that, his mouth slightly ajar and gaping at her.
Merlin, this was wrong. So wrong. She’s always kept her cool, and she’s tried so damn her not to let her frustration at Petunia bleed through, and—
James sat down on the cozy armchair in front of hers, his smirk having died down, she noticed.
“Take a deep breath, Evans,” His voice was relaxed. Steady. Present.
Lily was still quite freaking out. Her hands were now shaking. She couldn’t believe she had let herself slip off.
She was supposed to be a nice, smart girl. Even nice to people like James, who was truly mean her ex-friend Severus—
And yet, she still listened to him. Through that fast approaching fog of fear, she drew in a deep breath, and then another.
He gave her a gentle smile. His hand slightly twitched, as if he wanted to touch her, but he didn’t make a move.
After a moment where Lily steadied her breathing, James spoke.
“Is everything okay?” He asked softly, and Lily almost freaked out again.
Her eyes widened, dangerously closed to panic, but James immediately rested his hand on top of hers.
Her gaze shout down to his hand, now caressing one of hers, before it averted to his eyes.
Eyes were truly the window of a soul, Lily remarked, as she recognised many emotions in James’ honey eyes.
He was calm, yet strong and fierce. Grounding her.
Lily was scared she’s revealed too much to the boy, and she truly still thought that way, but there was something about him that made her want to talk.
Maybe it was the sincerity of his gaze and the much different way he’s addressed her then usual, but she couldn’t find it in herself to harden her gaze and send him away.
She’d most definitely deal with this later, she knew, but at that moment she just wanted to talk to someone, someone that wouldn’t pity her.
And by how Remus describes James Potter, the boy wouldn’t do it. One of his best qualities were his honesty. He’d tell people the truth, no matter how harsh it was.
Lily didn’t know if that was true, and even if it weren’t, Lily doesn’t think the quidditch player is capable of such emotion from the way he bullied Severus.
That whole ordeal was a matter of its own, as James seems to really have grown up if he’s so.. gentle with Lily, but still.
“I..” she thought over if she really wanted to talk, and after a brief pause resumed.
“Petunia, my sister, hasn’t sent me any letters since we’ve come back to Hogwarts from the summer holiday.”
James seemed a bit confused. “How come? It’s been months,”
“Exactly,” Lily hunched her shoulders, hoping to disappear into herself.
James’ hand squeezed Lily in a comforting manner, reminding Lily of its presence, before he moved it away.
Lily felt something flatter in her stomach. Something she wasn’t ready to address, so she ignored it.
“I won’t try to make the truth any.. prettier. That sucks. I’m really sorry your sister hasn’t been able to post you letters.”
“It’s not that she can’t. I suspect she just.. doesn’t want to.”
Realisation such in James’ eyes, but he didn’t try to pity her. He smiled, a soft small thing that was only meant for her.
“I don’t know much about the nature of your relationship, but I really hope she will come to her senses, if that’s the case.”
Lily was glad he didn’t try to comfort her much. She didn’t know how she would’ve reacted if James Potter, an only child, began talking about how sibilings are important and such.
After a moment of silence, James made a move to get up.
”James?” She said as he was about to walk away.
He turned around. “Yes, Evans?”
She didn’t think she’d ever say those words to James Potter. They weren’t friends. Acquaintances, hardly, but he’s always tried getting closer to her.
And so, she gave him a smile. Or, the version of a smile she managed.
“Thank you.”
He grinned. “Anytime.”