Tulips and lillies
Sirius Black was in desperate need of a break. After trying too hard he managed to ace yesterday's Transfiguration test, but at what cost? Thirteen hours of studying straight, max four hours of sleeping, two books that he accidentaly turned into beetles (and didn't tell Moony about after they got lost) and a whole pint of coffee- which was slowly starting to get into his nerves-. After all of this not only did he deserve, but he seriously needed to have a good night to clear his thoughts. Something so intense and wild that would immediately erase the past few days. As he was debating whether to watch muggle reality tv or to bake three different cakes and eat them all at once though, the front door opened and a familiar fashionable blonde endered the room.
''McDonald?! What are you doing here? Hey, who even let girls in Hogwards just barge into the lads' rooms?'' he said jokingly while Mary made herself at home.
'' Obviously someone smart and considerate! You won't believe how many boyfriends I've caught cheating using that method!''
''Can't argue with that! But next time you should be more careful! Moony and I could be busy in the bedroom...'' he said, raising his eyebrows.
''Ew!''
'' ...busy changing the sheets obviously! What was on your little dirty mind? But really now, just because you're now part of our Jily club doen't mean you don't even have to knock''
'' Shut up, I have news! Regarding the Jily part!'' Sirius bit his lip.
''Yeah, I know we've not been able to do much, but this whole hexing-their-clocks-so-that-their-both-late-and-meet-in-the-corridor-thing kinda worked right? Besides we've had so much going on lately, we need a day off. Who knows, mabye it's the universe's time to do it's... thing!''
Mary smirked mischiviously-almost like a maraurder would.
''See, that's what I wanted to tell you about! I think it did!''
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Lily Evans woke up from a familiar owl consistently pecking on her forehead.
''Hey, hey, Greta, I get it, you're hungry!'', she said laughing, as she took the little white owl into her hands and petted her lovingly. It was years ago, when Lily herself was a little creature on her first year of Hogwards and Hagrid had just found Greta wounded, in need of a home. Her parents called her crazy when they found out and Tuney's look on the face was priceless when Lily first brought her home, but she didn't care. Six years and... many adventures later Greta had not only proved herself to be a loyal friend, but also a pretty good... courier! She opened a bag of biscuits.
''Come here, mummy brought you some treats from Honeydukes. And leave some for later, they cost an arm and a leg!'' That was when she noticed the trail of rose petals on the floor.
''Greta! Did you make that mess?'' she asked jokingly, but really, what was this?
It wasn't her birthday, nor someone else's, she didn't have any anniversaries coming up and the possibility of her getting a proposal today seemed rather... Impossible!
She kept thinking as she started following the rose petals.
Maybe it was a Valentine's day party... No. Valentine's day is in February. Or a Halloween party. Again no. Halloween was in...
"Surprise!!!" Lily's thoughts were interrupted by her friends voices. Everyone was wearing party hats, confetti was decorating the whole kitchen and Dorcas was holding a huge two-tiered cake with chocolate and strawberry drizzle.
'' OMG, guys, what did you do???! Baloons and... you even got my favorite cake!'' she exclaimed, hugging her besties. She scooped some whipped cream with her pinky and licked it off. ''Still as good as I remember it! Confetti? Wow! You really outdid yourselves! Still can't believe you thought it was my birthday today!'' She caught a baloon and started playing with it, when she noticed Mary's smile had faded.
''C'mon guys! Don't be embarassed you confused the dates! Happens to everyone! Plus I'll keep the cake!'' she gigled, but Mary didn't seem to lighten up.
" No, you silly! We didn't think it was your birthday. We just thought it would be nice to throw you a little farewell party, now that you're leaving."
Lily was now confused.
" I'm leaving?? Why? Am I going home? Is everyone alright?" her mind was wandering like crazy. Was it her parents? Was it Tuney?
" No- everyone's fine! You're just, you know, changing rooms!"
" What? And why is that?"
Mary seemed really nervous now and Lily noticed that her friends didn't look so happy anymore.
" Merlin's pants guys! Didn't anyone tell her?" Squecked Marlene.
" Tell me what?" Ok, that was it. What was going on?
" I didn't - We thought she knew!" Whispered Alice in a semi- concerning tone.
" Know what exactly girls?"
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Lily wasn't exactly allowed, nor was she invited, but that didn't stop her from barging into her principal's office. Albus Dumbledoor, currently enjoying his fifth green sugar biscuits didn't seem offended by her lack of manners, but even if he was, maybe this wasn't the best time to bring it up.
''Lily Evans! What can I do for you, dear student?'' he asked, calmly.
''Explain.'' Ok, she didn't actually specify what she needed explaination on, but she suspected Dumbledoor already knew. Even if he didn't though, that wouldn't make a huge difference, since right in that moment the door opened and another student barged in.
''Good morning professor, care to explain what the heck is this?'' James Potter was too busy to aknowledge her presence and he was holding the same letter that she had also recieved a few minutes ago.
''Ah, Potter my boy, at least you're both here and I don't have to say it twice!'' responded the principal, looking rather satisfied. '' Well, you both got a letter, what does it say?'' James looked at him in disbelief, but then unfolded the piece of paper and started reading.
Dear Head Students,
We are happy to inform you that the Head's appartment and common rooms are now available for use. You will be kindly requested to move your belongings to your new rooms, as well as choose a password for your entrance, for safety purposes. For any questions or more information, please contact your House Counselor (Minerva McGonagall), or the headmaster's office.
James stopped reading and Dumbledoor finally started explaining.
'' So, I think the letter is pretty clear. You will be soon guided to your new rooms, which are priviledges of your positions as Head students. And before you say anything Ms. Evans, yes you will have to coexist within the same apartment.''
''This is absturd! You can't make us do that! Besides we'll be constantly fighting like kids!'' complained James and Lily was kind of... surprised. If anything, she thought he would be ecstatic to finally have an other chance to annoy her.
''Well firstly Mr Potter, yes, we technicaly can't check up on your location daily, but you will be expected to remain in the rooms, so that students who need your assistance or anyone who wishes to speak with you can find you easily. Remember how proud you both were when you found out you were Head Boy and Girl? I hope you know that it isn't only a title to show off, but great responsibility comes with it. So if you plan on sneaking out Mr. Potter, just be aware that you are going to get a detention for that, same goes for you Ms. Evans. The fact that you don't get along makes it even more importand for you to cooperate and act like mature young wizard and witch. It is now that you have to show compassion and learn to trust one another, more than ever before, now that our world and school have fell victims of Dark Times.'' Lily bit her lip. Dumbledoor wasn't in the wrong... but that didn't make it easier for her. Leaving her beloved room, her bunk beds which they shared with Mary, her friends company, so that she could... share a few rooms, isolated... with Potter? Only thinking about it made it sound like a horror movie scenario. But then again she was Head Girl and she was for a reason. A true Gryffindor wouldn't back down, and neither would she.
''Oh, what a coincidence! Here's Penny, she'll take you to your new rooms. Take care!'' he mumbled, while helping himself to an other green cookie. Penny the house elf blurted out something that sounded like ''follow me'' and quickly dissappeared into the corridors, while she and James struggled to keep up with her, exchainging a few worried looks as they were sinking deeper and deeper into the school's hidden entrances. Wendy stood in front of a portrait of an one- eyed lady, badly singing opera.
''Your rooms are this way. Now you can select a password for the entrance.''
'' I got it!'' Said James half- smirking. ''How about 'I'll go out with you? I bet no one's gonna crack it!''
''Haha, funny Potter. But may I suggest 'arrogant dork'? I think it fits your style better!'' He didn't seem tto like that.
''Ok, there's no need to fight now! We gotta find something clever, that we're both gonna remember.'' He thought for a minute. ''What about 'Tulips and lilies?'''
Lily sighed. Tulips were the first kind of flowers James had given her, a sunny morning in third year, back when asking her out was like an Olympic sport for him. And lilies were... well obviously her name. Not the best password out there, but there wasn't time for complaining. ''Tulips and lillies will do the job'' she mumbled and kept following Penny, who was now along with a bunch of other house elves heading to the rooms.
''Wow! That's not just two rooms, that's a whole appartment there!'' commented James and he wasn't wrong. A living room, a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms with their own powder rooms, connected through a door, which Lily made a mental note to always keep locked.
''Hey Potter!'' she exclaimed! ''They even have a third bedroom so that Sirius can spend the night! Does that make you thrilled? Hey, hey why is there a double bed in my bedroom?''
''Last couple of Heads were kind of ...dating, so they didn't actually need the extra beds after all. But if you don't like it we can get you a normal one.'' Informed her Penny, in a sullen tone and Lily swalloed hard. She knew that... quite a few Heads were also couples and it did make sense! After all they had space, privacy... Wait, why was she thinking about this? She had better chances at snogging the opera portrait lady than Potter. Speaking of Potter she felt his hot breath on her nape and turned to face him.
" Hey Potter! You really have to stop doing that"
" Stop doing what?" He asked her, but kept staring at her mouth, which made her blush.
" Just... Appearing behind me from nowhere. It freaks me out! Now that I think about it we should put that into the Roommate Agreement."
" The what? We're having one of those?"
" Of course we are! You're telling me you and Black never had a Roommate Agreement? Mary and I made like... A thousand!"
" Well, our only rule was I wasn't allowed in his room. Merlin knows what he kept in there."
" Er... Excellent! Why don't we make that a rule? We're not allowed to go into each others rooms." She wrote down.
" Well, you can come into mine whenever you..."
" We're not allowed. And also, the connecting door stays shut and I keep the only key at all times."
" Fair enough."
" Next up, we're always walking around decent."
" C' mon, we both know you wanna see me naked so ba-"
" -And, last one you don't bring any girls here."
James smirked.
" Why Evans? Are you jealous?"
" You're really not gonna like my answer."
" Ok, no chicks here. Same goes for you m'lady"
" Whatever! Got any questions?"
" Yes. What happens if I break one of the rules?" She thought about it for a minute.
" I guess I'm gonna give you three chances. And if you break a rule three times I'll kick you out for like... A couple of days."
" And if you break a rule? I'm just warning you, I'm not kicking you out."
" Ok. What would you suggest then?"
" Let's see. If you break a rule three times you're kissing me. Not a peck, not a kiss on the cheek, a proper kiss, Potter style."
" I don't know what that means and don't want to find out, but sure! It's not like I'm breaking any rules. By the way, are there any rules you wish to add into our Agreement?"
" Actually, yes. Don't mess with my stuff, and I won't mess with yours. You can ask me for something if you want it, but nooo searching around."
" I mean... okay... But why Potter? Got anything to hide?"
He grinned. " Don't worry about it. So do we have a deal?"
" Sure! It's a deal."
This had gone better than she thought. Maybe this whole situation wasn't that bad after all. But then again she had a strange feeling. Potter wasn't that much of an open book, even though he wanted to give that impression. He was hiding something. And Lily didn't know what that was, but she swore to Merlin, she would find out.
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Sooo what's going to happen next?
Can James and Lily coexist peacefully within the same space?
Will they break any rules?
And is James really hiding something?
I hope you liked this chapter and can't wait to hear your thoughts in the comments! Stay safe 💕
Xoxo