James II
They stayed at the Common Room after the show, watching their fellow performers at work. Marlene did a few more sets, each as uproarious as the last.
A few months ago, Marlene had been approached by a record label asking if she would record her music, and she had agreed, as almost anyone would in her position. She had been recording an album over the past few weeks, spending almost all of her time in the studio, before finishing last month. She was now in a painful period of waiting for it to be mixed and approved by the label before the release and tour. Marlene had resumed her regular life, performing at the Common Room and hanging out with friends, but everyone knew that she would soon be leaving for America.
Sirius had been incredibly jealous, of course, but James had convinced him that it was just not their time.
“Something is missing.” James had insisted.
And now it felt as if that missing space had been filled. Remus Lupin was a marvellous guitarist, that much could not be denied, but he was so much more than that. Though James would never say it aloud, Remus Lupin brought out something primal in Sirius Black, and that made for a damn good show.
As he stood at the bar watching, James drank. He didn’t realise how truly pissed he was until he stumbled through the nightclub doors, nearly tripping over himself as he did.
He didn’t drink too often, but tonight was different. A weight had lifted off his chest. They had performed fucking great. Lupin had been even better on stage. Everything was going to work out fine.
James looked around, where was everybody? Peter had gone home with some girl from the club, James knew that. But where the hell was Sirius.
With Mary, probably.
James stood there for a moment, in the middle of the sidewalk. There was only one person he wanted to see.
James raised his hand, hailing a cab and practically falling into the back seat. He slurred the address and closed his eyes as the cab sped away from the club.
London was beautiful at night.
The rocking of the cab and the low jazz playing over the speakers made James sleepy. His eyelids felt suddenly heavy, the backseat of the cab suddenly comfortable.
“This you?” The cabbie asked, pulling up in front of a familiar looking flat.
James nodded, shoving a bill through the slot and muttering thank yous. He stumbled from the cab, hands held out to keep his balance.
He shouldered the door open, climbing the stairs slowly with his hands on the floor before him. When finally he reached the top step, James Potter knocked loudly on the door.
Within a matter of moments, it opened, revealing an exhausted Lily Evans.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was dressed in her pyjamas, white silken shorts and a navy blue tank top.
James sighed, stumbling towards her and through the doorway, flopping down on the couch in the living room. Lily closed the door behind him, locking it and sitting at his feet. She watched him with vague concern, and opened her mouth to talk.
“I think I love you, Lil.” James blurted out, watching her, tears in his eyes.
Lily’s face fell. She shook her head slightly, blinking quickly and swallowing.
James hadn’t meant to say it, but it was true. He had loved Lily since the moment he lay eyes on her in University. Before he had dropped out, James had been in pre-med.
They had met in bio. Lily sat two rows in front of him. Her copper hair caught his attention immediately, but it was her face that caught his heart. When she had turned around, his heart had stopped.
He asked her out after class, catching up to her as she left the lecture hall and putting on his best charms. She had smiled, but before she could answer, Snivellus had appeared, scowling and whispering his poisonous words in her ear.
The next time they saw each other, James had been obnoxious. He knew that, but it was only because he was so incredibly nervous. She had never even answered his question.
By year's end, James had dropped out of University, and Lily had started seeing Snape. That had been the end of it. At least until Mary Macdonald brought her to Sirius’ twentieth birthday back in November.
Lily had made her feelings clear about him then, that he was a spoiled trust fund baby who didn’t know his head from his ass. And he had done nothing to dispute that. Everytime he opened his mouth around her he said something stupid.
They had fucked on New Years Eve, too drunk to know what they were doing, and every time they had been out since then had ended the same, drunken sex and regret the morning after.
But James didn’t regret it.
“I can’t-” Lily started, her eyes shining with tears. “James, you know I can’t.”
James looked away. This was a mistake.
He stood in a hurry. Lily stood too, wringing her hands as tears slid down her beautiful face.
“I’m sorry-” James slurred, stumbling for the door and pushing it open roughly.
Lily didn’t follow him down to the street. She didn’t tell him she was wrong. She didn’t say she loved him.
Instead James staggered down the sidewalk, too drunk and too heartbroken to know where he was going. His vision blurred and hot tears spilled from his eyes.
James pushed his glasses onto his head, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his jumper.
The streets were quiet but for one black Mercedes easing its way to a stop next to James. He looked over, feeling rather volatile. The passenger seat window slid down revealing a black haired boy.
James leaned in closer to the car’s window. The boy was veiled in shadows, but even without light James could recognise him.
His aquiline nose and high cheekbones. His sunken cheeks. His pale, unblemished skin. His eyes. His fucking eyes. Black as coal, like pools of water at midnight.
“Get in.” The boy commanded, unlocking the door. James did.