Sunday (The Race)
From: [email protected]
I know you don’t read my emails, but that’s your problem, not mine. I’m sure you’ll want to read this one.
I’m forwarding you the message I’ve received from [email protected] which is a proper invitation for you & Frank to watch the race from the Red Bull garage and cheer on their drivers. I’ve no idea what’s with the Red Bull-Mercedes rivalry and quite frankly, I don’t care. Talk to Frank, let me know what you decide. I’ve enclosed the tickets as well just so you for sure don’t miss the fact that they’re offering you a VIP guest package for the price of a few pictures on their instagram account.
But you do you.
Love,
Mary
Despite accepting the invitation of Red Bull, for the morning F1 Academy race Lily and Frank were watching from inside of the Mercedes garage. Frank tried to argue and convince Lily that switching the object of their support was easy enough, but she had her mind set. And when he googled Marlene and discovered that she’d grown up together with James and Sirius—well, he was instantly sold.
And Marlene was an exceptional driver; the proof of which was in front of them, as she navigated chicane after chicane leading the pack and gradually extending her gap to P2. Lily and Frank watched in awe, their eyes glued to the screens as Marlene's car sliced through the corners with seemingly effortless speed. The telemetry data showed her lap times consistently improving, though there was no one left for her to compete with.
“Put her in one room with Wilkes or Lockhart and they’d die,” Frank murmured under his breath and Lily couldn’t help but let out a chuckle of agreement.
When Marlene finally crossed the finish line to secure a clear-cut victory, the part of the team that remained in the garage erupted in cheers and applause.
“Wanna go see the podium?” Someone asked Lily and she almost jumped out of her own shoes at the opportunity. The look she must’ve thrown in the direction of the poor Mercedes employee surely bordered on pathetically excited.
“Absolutely!” she replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
They made their way to the podium area, weaving through the bustling paddock. The energy was infectious, with team members, fans, and media all abuzz with excitement. As they reached the podium, they found a good spot with a clear view.
With just a few the minutes of waiting with all the ceremony, the drivers emerged on the podium, and Lily saw Marlene drenched in sweat, her hair plastered flat against her neck, a cap on top of her head that she took off when it was time for the national anthem—and Lily cheered, feeling as if it was her loved one she was celebrating. The champagne was sprayed and laughs shared and soon Marlene was waving the trophy above her head like it was hard-won treasure.
Dorcas Meadowes: Lily Evans! It’s a strange surprise to see you here at the podium of an F1 Academy race, but certainly not an unwelcome one.
Lily Evans: Oh, hi. I didn’t notice you there. Yes, it’s incredible for me to be here and experience first-hand the mass excitement and enthusiasm that this win caused for everyone. Huge congratulations to Marlene, of course. She has been doing a stellar job ever since I saw her yesterday… Simply amazing. I’m a huge fan of hers.
DM: Did you find an opportunity to congratulate her in person?
LE: Not yet, unfortunately, but I am planning to.
DM: That’s wonderful to hear. It’s always great to see people from different fields taking an interest in motorsport. What brought you to the race today?
LE: I’ve been a Formula 1 fan for a long time, constantly checking the race results when I didn’t have a chance to watch it because of a hectic schedule… Me and Frank Longbottom were invited by Mercedes to see the race here in Miami and it’s been such a thrilling experience.
DM: Any chance we’ll see you at more races in the future?
LE: Well, I’m in for quite a rollercoaster of an experience this weekend… I watched the first F1 Academy race, then the sprint race and qualifying yesterday and now I’ll be running to catch the Driver’s parade and the race… But in the future, absolutely, I’d be more than happy to attend again.
DM: You’re quite the veteran. I take it that if we were having the F2 race today, you’d be watching it as well.
LE: … Of course!
DM: Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you on the grid, yes?
LE: That’s right. Thanks so much, Dorcas. It was lovely to speak with you.
DM: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, Lily. Enjoy the rest of your day!
“There’s the Driver’s Parade in half an hour. James. James! Are you listening to me?” Peter sighed heavily, suppressing the urge to confiscate the phone of his driver to which the latter seemed to be permanently glued.
“Wait, the race ends in a second… I just want to see-” James replied absent-mindedly, not lifting his head from the phone. He visibly brightened up as the black and white chequered flag was waved and Marlene crossed the line in first position. “Amazing.”
“Are you satisfied now?” Peter rolled his eyes.
“Immensely.” He slid his phone into his back pocket. “This is the girl that kicked mine and Sirius’s butts back when we were children. If she was not the best in the Academy, I’d take it as a personal offence.”
Peter raised an eyebrow. “So, what you’re saying is, if she wasn’t winning, it would be a poor reflection on you? Despite the fact that you only competed when you were six years old?”
“Yes.” James grinned. “She’s a living witness of our early racing days. She saw me when my face was suffering from absolutely terrible acne and made fun of me only a little. It’s only right that she’s dominating out there.”
“You’re a two-times world champion. I am quite sure you've managed to hold your own pretty well,” Peter remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Anyway, can we now focus on the task at hand? You have a parade to attend, and I don't think they'd appreciate it if you were late because you were watching Marlene win.”
“It's in half an hour. There’s like a non-existent margin for being late. No chance at all.” Before Peter could protest, James kept going: “Actually, can you tell me what strategy is Sirius on? I didn’t catch up with Remus yet, so I’ve no idea what they finally decided-”
“I don’t know,” Peter shrugged.
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t speak to Remus,” Peter seemed to be totally unfazed, as he turned around to gather some of the things that were laying around near the pit wall.
James raised an eyebrow, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. “You didn't speak to Remus? Why not?”
Peter glanced back at him, his expression unreadable. “He's been busy, James. And so have I. We can't be everywhere at once.”
James couldn't shake the feeling of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He glanced around the garage, but couldn’t notice many of the people from Sirius’s side of Red Bull.
“Maybe I should talk to Minnie about this…”
Peter scoffed, “Maybe you shouldn’t bother Minnie and think about your own race, which is literally in two hours.”
“That’s plenty of time,” James sighed resignedly. There was nothing for him to preoccupy himself with, not when the parade was about to begin and all the possible telemetry data had been thoroughly analysed. It wasn’t the first time he wanted someone to speak with him about literally anything else than the upcoming race; but Pete was no good sport, and Sirius was mysteriously gone (again), and he would preferably not bother his mother when she was already most likely nervously gnawing at her nails, a candle lit for his sake.
And… where were Lily and Frank?
“Do you know if Sarah sent the invitation like I asked her to?” James questioned hesitantly.
“Do I look like your personal assistant?”
A pause. A beat passed between them as James’ lips formed a slow smile.
“Kind of.”
Mary Macdonald
[2:14 pm]
they’re driving around in a bus
and waving
this is honestly hilarious
good for them
driving around IN A BUS
they’re freaking f1 drivers and they’re
literally talking to each other
while waving towards the stands
okay???
tf is wrong with these people
from what i understand they’re
just driving around on a bus
EXACTLY
god. give men money and the opportunity
to drive fast cars and they’ll let you pile
them into a BUS and wave happily
like monkeys in a zoo
When Lily next saw James, she found a glint in his eyes she could suddenly call familiar. He stretched his arms casually, a relaxed grin playing on his lips as he caught her gaze. There were people in between them and James was hurriedly signing hats, posters, pictures—basically anything the fans threw into his hands. He laughed, too, teeth on show for the thousands of pictures they were taking of him.
Lily watched from a distance, admiring the easy charm with which James interacted with the crowd. He was kind; a virtue she valued above all others. He talked with children and spoke words of encouragement when needed, he didn’t mind people crying or making jokes at his expense and took time to sign everything he could get his hands on. Despite the chaos surrounding him and throngs of fans invading his personal space, there was an air of confidence and warmth that seemed to radiate from him. She couldn't help but smile at him, a flutter of excitement in her chest; a sensation she couldn't and wasn’t willing to explain.
He was heading to the garage to get dressed in the race suit and she was in the middle of his way, whether consciously or not.
“Hi,” she breathed out once he was closer.
“Hello. It’s nice to see you in our garage,” he said. She didn’t expect his voice to be so soft when he was speaking to her, making her feel like the words were for her ears only.
“Of course. How could I refuse?” she tilted her head to the side.
“There’s just one more thing missing,” James decided, looking at her critically. “Come with me.”
And he was James Potter. He was light and radiance and full smiles, and how could she not do whatever he asked for?
He guided her towards a corner of the garage, then leaned down and frantically rummaged through some stuff, before emerging victorious with a cap in his hands. He placed it on her head gingerly, adjusting her hair carefully before stepping back to admire his handiwork.
“There we go,” he said with a satisfied nod. “That’s more like it.”
Lily couldn't help but laugh, feeling a warmth spread through her at the simple gesture, the Red Bull logo possibly in the middle of her forehead, James’s name and number 1 embroidered to the side.
“You really are something else… Thank you.”
He grinned at her. “Anytime.”
As he turned to leave, Lily watched him go, a smile lingering on her lips. There was something about this guy that she couldn’t logically explain.
Because rationally, she knew it was among his PR duties to make their guests feel welcome and that he was so, so beloved by these people that she had no right to even imagine that the smallest part of him could ever be hers; but she still felt like she could do it again and again, without tiring, like she could learn all about this world and his place in it and maybe, just maybe she could find her own place there, too.
She tugged the cap more firmly on her head, brushing strands of hair away so that they didn’t come in the way, before returning towards where most likely Frank was already waiting for her. He looked her up and down and sighed quietly, but didn’t elaborate, choosing to make no comment on the obvious topic. It was Lily who eventually broke the silence.
“Excited for the race?” she asked, attempting to steer the conversation away from any potential awkwardness.
Frank's expression softened as he nodded. “Absolutely. How about you?”
Lily shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. “I guess I'm getting more into it than I expected.”
He laughed and Lily couldn’t quite decide whether he would resort to ‘I told you so’s or any other form of teasing, but he stayed silent, his eyes fixated on the screens above their heads.
Her phone on the seat next to her buzzed three times in the row, and Lily didn’t spare it a glance. Frank frowned.
“It’s your mum. Shouldn’t you respond?”
Lily plastered on a tight smile. “What’s the date today?”
“Erm… It’s May 5th.” He clearly didn’t quite understand, his eyes darting between her phone and her face.
Lily's tone was dismissive, her focus fixed on the screens displaying the pre-race activities. “If it’s urgent, she’ll call.”
Maybe, if the circumstances were slightly different, he’d pause and prod more—maybe he’d get interested, and maybe he’d notice the way Lily mechanically put her phone on silent mode. Maybe if they were friends he’d look her in the eye and try to find the hidden meaning behind carefully crafted tone.
But they were in the Red Bull garage and someone was giving Frank his headphones, and well, for him it was like the whole world disappeared, leaving just him and the cars that he’d watched when he was a little child. So he didn’t pause and prod, just passed Lily her headphones and turned his focus back to the screens.
Drivers ↔ PIT WALL
Miami GP
[McLaren, lap 13]
GPR: Who went into the grass? Which Mercedes?
Lockhart. Lockhart went through the grass, confirmed.
GPR: But he’s fine?
He’s fine. No flag, Gideon.
GPR: Is this guy silly or..?
[Red Bull Racing, lap 23]
James, we need to lose time in turn 9
POT: Copy. Will do.
Gap to Diggory is 1.3 seconds… 1.3 seconds
POT: Who’s behind Diggory?
Sirius. Gap to you is 2.6 seconds… 2.6 seconds. Aubrey fell behind.
POT: What’s the fastest lap?
Fastest lap is… you. 1:31.334
[McLaren, lap 28]
Pit window open. Pit this lap.
FPR: Who hasn’t pitted yet? Are we the last?
We are checking… Regulus Black and Gideon haven’t pitted. Box, now.
[McLaren, lap 31]
Mind tire temperature.
FPR: Copy. Any updates on Black?
Regulus pitted, rejoined P12.
[Ferrari, lap 34]
Black with DRS now behind you.
DIG: I know! I know!
[Haas, lap 36]
LES: He can’t do that! That must be a penalty.
You’re okay, mate.
LES: The stewards- That’s surely a penalty! Fucking idiot.
Copy that, we saw he didn't leave you any room.
[Mercedes, lap 36]
Aaand… No further investigation for that incident. Let's try to bring the rears under control while we have this breathing space.
LOC: Got it. What’s… Who’s behind me?
Lestrange, 0.8 seconds. Then Prewett. We're looking for a little more pace in T2-T3, maybe give up a little bit in T1.
[Ferrari, lap 37]
Wilkes now 4s back. We expect him to catch before the end of the race. Let's push-up on Prewett again.
AUB: Copy. Got it.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 39]
Diggory improving his lap times… He’s pushing.
POT: I am too!
Sirius is 0.9 seconds behind Diggory. Diggory 1.7 seconds behind you. 1.7 seconds.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 41]
BLA: What’s James doing?
We’ll get back to you. Focus on your strategy.
[Mercedes, lap 43]
WIL: How's our tire wear?
Tire wear is manageable. Gilderoy pitted three laps ago.
WIL: Understood. Let me know if we need to adjust strategy.
Gideon’s ahead of you. His tires are 13 laps old.
WIL: Alright. I’ll push in sector 2.
[Ferrari, lap 47]
Ten laps to go. Ten laps to go.
AUB: What’s the situation up front?
P1 Potter, P2 Diggory, P3 Black. You’re 4th, 3.2 seconds behind Black.
AUB: Copy. Pushing harder.
The two cars ahead of Black are Alpines, they'll get blue flags.
[Ferrari, lap 48]
Nine laps to go. Do you think these tires will get to the end? If not we have to put the soft on, come out behind Wilkes and pass three cars.
DIG: It’s not worth it, it’s not worth it.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 52]
POT: Any updates on Diggory? I can’t see him.
Diggory is 2.1 seconds behind you. Be mindful through sector 3.
POT: Got it.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 53]
Diggory’s tires are starting to wear. He might be sliding.
BLA: I see it.
Gap to Diggory: 0.8 seconds. DRS enabled. DRS enabled.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 54]
Good job, Sirius. That’s P2 at the moment. Gap to James is 3.2 seconds.
BLA: And behind me?
Diggory falling behind. P4 is Prewett, P5 Aubrey. Comfortable gap.
BLA: What does it even mean ‘comfortable’??
[Mercedes, lap 55]
You’re in P6, keep pushing.
WIL: Copy. What’s the gap to front?
2.3 seconds. You’re gaining. Turn 2-3 was better, keep working on it.
[Red Bull Racing, lap 55]
This is very strong pace. Behind you is Sirius, almost 6 seconds. He did a 32.3s last time around.
POT: What’s fastest lap?
Fabian Prewett. Set it ten laps ago. 1:30.634.
POT: Copy.
He was in clean air, James. On fresh softs.
POT: Copy.
[Red Bull Racing, post-race radio]
P1. Beautiful drive. Congratulations, James. Mega job.
POT: Cheers. Absolutely bonkers! Erm. Happy to win here in Miami, makes for an amazing weekend. Thanks a lot to the team. Crazy.
And it’s Sirius in P2.
POT: Ah, so a 1-2. Great. Very happy for the team, that’s a mega result. Super nice. Congrats to Sirius as well! Thanks, mate.
[Red Bull Racing, post-race radio]
P2, Sirius. And that’s a 1-2 for the team. Excellent effort. You’ve managed to climb a few positions. Good use of the upgrades as well.
BLA: Yeah. Great job. Lovely.
[Ferrari, post-race radio]
Potter P1, Black P2. You’re P3. Great job on the podium drive.
DIG: Yes… Yes, great job. It’s a pity we lost the position, but the podium is amazing. We’ll beat them in Imola.
Haha, yes. It’s Prewett P4, and Bertram in P5.
DIG: Some good points for the team. Great job.
Crypto.Com Miami Grand Prix Race Results
FIA Official Report
- James Potter (RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT) — 25 pts
- Sirius Black (RED BULL RACING HONDA RBPT) — 18 pts
- Amos Diggory (FERRARI) — 15 pts
- Gideon Prewett (MCLAREN MERCEDES) — 12 pts
- Bertram Aubrey (FERRARI) — 10 pts
- Rupert Wilkes (MERCEDES) — 8 pts
- Regulus Black (RB HONDA RBPT) — 6 pts
- Rabastan Lestrange (HAAS FERRARI) — 4 pts
- Gilderoy Lockhart (MERCEDES) — 2 pts
- Fabian Prewett (MCLAREN MERCEDES) — 1+1 pts
The thing is: she was invited by Red Bull to watch the race from a supremely VIP place, one mere mortals could only dream about. It was already the princess treatment equivalent for someone whose knowledge of motorsports revolved around the most basic facts.
And she wasn’t kidding herself: it was more than likely that this would be the last Formula 1 race she ever attended, so she was going to make the most of it. ‘Most of it’ meaning likely butting herself where she wouldn’t normally be permitted to go and soaking in all the unknown experiences. Or, to be very straight-forward—attending the podium.
In comparison to the invitation when cheering for Marlene, no one told Lily they wanted her to join the ceremony. Well, no one told her she wasn’t allowed to, either. Which meant the decision was clearly left up to her morals, however questionable they might turn out to be.
She flashed her Red Bull VIP pass and a confident smile at the security guard and, to her surprise and immense relief, he stepped aside without question. It was almost too easy, like they wanted her to take advantage of this situation. She stepped behind a swarm of Red Bull mechanics who waved and cheered, despite the fact that at the moment the podium was yet to be filled with drivers. Lily tried to make herself appear like she belonged; which was a remarkable feat of bluffing, but no one seemed to be mean enough to want to actively throw her out—definitely something she counted as a win.
The young Ferrari driver, Diggory, appeared on the lowest step of the podium, his longish blonde hair flowing around his face like he meticulously messed it up before emerging from the cool down room. His smile appeared too wide for Lily’s liking, but it immediately became clear to her why he could be the red team’s popular favourite.
She waited patiently for Sirius, her ears straining upon all the noise from the mechanics who were surrounding her from each side. Sirius grinned and jogged up to the second platform, then joined the cheers with polite clapping for James who finally entered the podium balcony.
And Lily would never, ever tell anyone that, but the sight of James’ sweaty, triumphant form made her heart skip a beat. His hair was a mess, plastered to his forehead, and his face was flushed with the effort and exhilaration of the race. He looked every bit the champion, and Lily couldn’t help but feel some sort of pride and admiration, as if she had any right to celebrate his victory like she knew him. She felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the Miami sun beating down on them. He bowed his head slightly as the national anthems started playing: first James’, then Austrian to celebrate Red Bull’s win. When given the winner’s trophy, James raised it high above his head, a broad smile lighting up his face as the crowd roared its approval.
And, well, what if Lily could swear she saw him look precisely in her direction? What if she was sure he sent her a small, almost private smile capable of causing a thrill to run down her spine? Whether or not that was the truth, she clapped along with the crowd and chose to believe her eyes weren't deceiving her.
The champagne spraying started, and she laughed as James and Sirius drenched each other, the sticky-sweet liquid catching the sunlight in a million glittering droplets. It was a bewildering realisation for her that the outcome of the race made her actually happy.
The crowd started chanting for James and she joined them, feeling as if half of Miami came together to yell,
“POTTER, POTTER, POTTER!”
And judging by his tousled hair and radiant smile, he loved every second of it.
“Are you sure you want to hug me? I’m disgusting,” James protested meekly, but he was all talk and no action, because the moment she flung herself into his arms, what could he do apart from wrapping his arms around her and feeling his heart beat wildly as if he didn’t just spend an hour and a half driving his death machine at 240 km/h?
He really was an epitome of sensory hell: drenched in sticky champagne and sweat, his race suit unzipped down to his waist, revealing the fireproof undershirt clinging to his chest. James winced as the champagne stung his eyes, the sticky liquid dripping down his face and soaking into his fireproofs; but he didn’t dare pull away—not when Lily was there with her head tucked safely beneath his chin.
“I’m very proud of you,” she said quietly. “Though very worried about your ego. What’s your lead in the championship?”
James laughed. “You’d have to ask Peter. I’m not the one to keep an eye on such things.”
“Sure you’re not,” she rolled her eyes, disbelief clear in her tone.
“Okay, maybe I'll check it once or twice,” he admitted with a sheepish grin. “But I try to distance myself a bit to-”
“Come on now, no need to feed me all this media-perfect bullshit.”
“Your life purpose is to humiliate me, is it not?” James shook his head slowly.
“My life purpose is to make brilliant movies, thank you very much,” Lily narrowed her eyes at him, taking a small step back finally, the front of her dress ruined almost completely with the champagne stains; but she couldn’t force herself to care.
“Oh, Lily, I didn’t mean it like that…” He assured her quickly, suddenly overcome with embarrassment for putting his thoughts into words in a way that sounded like this.
“And to give you a quick ego check once in a while,” she added promptly, so as to not leave him hanging and overthinking every social interaction he’s ever had in his life that led him to this point. And it was nice of her, he decided.
“I guess you’re gonna have to stick around then, huh?” James asked, narrowing her eyes slightly in a scrutinising glance.
“I guess so.”
Sirius
[6:56 pm]
are we going out to celebrate today?
sirius??
sirius come on now… i’ve had this feeling
that you’ve been avoiding me, but we achieved a great result
the team wants to celebrate
are you up for the prty?
party*
sirius??????
i’ll let you know
what can you be POSSIBLY
doing instead of celebrating??
sirius??
come on now mate
what did i do?
Lily Evans !!!!
[7:11 pm]
hi lily, this is james
you’re SO invited for the party
you have to come. please??
hi james!!
how could i refuse the champion
exactly! that’s the spirit
i’ll check with my manager
or…
hear me out
you could just come
have fun with us!
i promise NO pr scandals.
perfectly family-friendly
no scandals?
and how do you
plan to achieve that?
i’ve my ways.
so
will you be there?
send me the address
From: [email protected]
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK
Once you’re done nursing the undoubtedly immaculate hungover, I'd love for you to read the enclosed article. I want to leave you with this one powerful message from my side: WHAT THE FUCK. I hope you’re having the world’s worst headache. And I hope you’ve puked out all of your insides.
Love,
Mary
PS Invite me next time.
Enclosed files: 1
Hot Lap, Hot Kiss: James Potter and Lily Evans’ Miami Lovefest
Miami, FL — The Miami Grand Prix may have been thrilling, but the real excitement happened off the track. The glitz and glamour of the race took a scandalous turn this weekend when two-time Formula 1 champion James Potter was spotted with none other than Hollywood’s newest sensation, Lily Evans. Yes, you read that right—beloved racing hero and the silver screen's rising star have been reportedly caught in the blurry but telling images currently circulating online!
Fresh off his victory lap, Potter was seen celebrating in true champion style. But what no one saw coming was his public display of affection with none other than the stunning Lily Evans. The young actress, loved for her breakout roles and stunning red-carpet appearances, was seen partying alongside the Red Bull team. The pair, who seemed to have hit it off at the Miami GP, were seen celebrating Potter’s triumph in the most intimate way, completely oblivious to the prying eyes (and camera lenses) around them.
While most of the team focused on celebrating another successful race, it seems Potter had his sights set on a different kind of victory. Eyewitnesses claim the pair were inseparable all night, culminating in the now-infamous makeout session that has everyone talking.
James, who has always been known for his clean-cut, media-friendly image, has never been one to stir up controversy—until now. He seemed to throw caution to the wind as he indulged in a PDA-fueled joyride with Evans. As for Lily, who’s been climbing the Hollywood ranks with her girl-next-door charm and undeniable talent, this public romance is a dramatic plot twist no one saw coming. Known for her roles in the recent Amazon Prime blockbusters, she’s now making headlines for reasons entirely off-screen.
Speculation is rife. Was this a spontaneous moment of affection, or are we witnessing the beginning of F1’s newest power couple? Insiders whisper that the duo met through mutual friends, but no one expected their connection to escalate so quickly—and so publicly.
While their reps have remained tight-lipped, the images speak volumes. Neither James nor Lily have made an official statement, leaving the world to wonder – is this a fleeting fling or the start of a high-speed love affair? One thing is for sure: this is the hottest gossip to hit the paddock in a long time!