Different

The rain persisted over the next couple of days. The friends remained inside, doing significantly less partying and significantly more bonding. As Sirius had (most surprisingly) wisely put it,

“I do love me some firewhiskey, but I don’t fancy becoming a raging alcoholic at the tender age of 17.” The rest had agreed, opting to play nearly every single board game that James owned, wizard and muggle alike. They whizzed through several wizards chess and exploding snap tournaments, threw themselves dramatically on the ground as Remus absolutely smoked them all in scrabble (who knew rudistid was a scrabble word?), and nearly got into a massive fistfight over monopoly. All in all, they were having the times of their lives.

The morning of the fifth rainy day, all the games had been played, and nobody had enough energy to do anything else. As they lay, sprawled across the sitting room, Lily spoke up.

“There's a muggle village nearby, right? Why don’t we go see a movie at a theatre?” she suggested. Sirius yawned, stretching and nearly hitting Mary in the face with his arm.

“Sounds good to me, what should we see? I don’t know what's out recently.” he said, sitting up. James looked up from his position face-down on the rug, and winked at Lily. Ever since their conversation the other day, their relationship had progressed to one full of subtle (or not so subtle, if you asked Mary, Marlene and Dorcas) glances and stolen kisses when the others weren't there, or weren't looking (if they were feeling particularly brave). Lily returned the wink, and thought for a moment.

“There's a new movie that came out a couple months ago, Star Wars, that's supposed to be pretty good. I don’t really know what it’s about, but I’ve heard it's sort of like space wizards.” Mary perked up, intrigued.

“I’m down,” she said. “I wanna see these ‘space wizards’”. The rest of the group agreed, so they grabbed their things, and started to head out.

“Wait,” Remus said, suddenly stopping. “Does anyone have muggle money on them?” Everyone shook their heads. Lily sighed.

“I can apparate home quickly to get some. Maybe grab a jumper too.” she’d been wearing James’ for the past five days, and it was starting to stop smelling like him. “Anyone want to come with and bug my sister?” James’ hand shot up, a wide, mischievous smile cracking his features. He rubbed his hands together.

“I’m perfect for the job! I excel at annoying one Evans, how hard could another one be!” he grinned, looking at Lily. She shrugged her shoulders, nodding at him. He did have a point. Plus, it would be nice to be alone with him for a couple minutes, even if it meant risking Petunia’s wrath, and her mother’s prying questions. She scanned the room, hoping no one else wanted to come. Sirius looked like he wanted to say something, but Remus elbowed him, whispering something in his ear that made him close his mouth.

“Okay, we’ll go to my place, get some money, and be back in ten or fifteen minutes, depending on if my mum sees us or not.” Lily announced. She and James exited the house, and walked out to the edge of the property where they could disapparate from. She grabbed his hand, then looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. “James, if we see my mum, don’t act weird, but if we see my sister, by all means, go for it.” He gave her a crisp salute, and she squinted at him suspiciously, then grabbed his hand, and turned on the spot, pulling them into darkness. Moments later, they appeared in a small alley approximately a block away from Lily’s house, under a rickety canopy that was trying its best to keep the rain away. Lily peered around the corner, then turned back to James, who was trying (and failing) to stuff his wand into his pocket. Lily chuckled. He sighed, defeated.

“Can you put this in your bag? The thought just occurred to me that your neighbours might find it a bit strange if I was holding a wand. Plus, I might feel the need to hex your sister into a jellyfish for being such a dick, so it's probably best if you confiscate it.” Lily nodded. Sound reasoning. She took the wand, and placed it into her bag. She grabbed his hand again, and leaned up to kiss him softly. He returned the kiss, then drew away, kissing her forehead. “You’re stalling.” he observed. She sighed.

“It's just, when I’m with other wizards, with my friends, with you, I’m so much happier. I mean, I still love my parents, obviously, but sometimes it feels like they don’t really know what to do with me. Like I don’t really belong in the muggle world. This,” she said, gesturing to him, to the alley, and out towards her house “Is like my two worlds overlapping. It's weird.” He squeezed her hand.

“You could belong anywhere. You just have something about you that makes everyone adore you.”

“I don’t think I could belong in an acromantula den,” she argued, mouth twisting into a smile. James waved that away.

“Nonsense! I’m sure their king, Aragog, would take a liking to you. In one way or another.” Lily shook her head in mock exasperation.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.” she laughed. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” Still holding onto his hand, she led him out of the alley and out onto the street. She looked both ways, then tugged him across the street. They ran down the sidewalk, rain pouring down like someone had cast aguamenti above them. Lily nodded at a door, pulling James under the porch. She crouched, fumbling with a flowerpot, and stood up brandishing a key. She unlocked the door quietly then peered in, gesturing for James to wait. She peeked around the corner, and waved for him to come in.

“Wow!” James said, eyes wide with excitement. “I’ve never been in a muggle house before.” He peered around, examining the microwave with mild suspicion. “So this all runs without magic!” he exclaimed. “What's it called? Elek-tricky?”

“Electricity.” she corrected, laughing. “Careful James, your nerd is showing.” He made a face at her. “Come on.” she said. “My money’s in my room.” She carefully led James upstairs, praying that she’d picked up her laundry from the floor before she’d left, or by some miracle her mum had cleaned for her. She opened the door quietly, and sighed. The room was in the same state of disarray that it had been when she had left. “James, can you wait there for a second?”

“Sure,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Gotta hide all those James Potter posters, eh?” she punched him lightly on the arm, before slipping into her room. She looked around for a second. It really wasn't that bad, it was just the clothes that hadn't made it to her drawers that were strewn across the floor. She picked up a pile of socks, and shoved them into her half empty Hogwarts trunk. She shoved everything in there, and hastily made her bed.

“Okay you can come in now!” she called, and he stepped into the room, looking around. He eyed her Beatles posters interestedly, and grinned as he spotted the photographs she had taped all over her walls. Some were muggle ones, of her as a baby, or her and Petunia when they were younger, and some were moving, capturing her friends laughing, or the whomping willow whirling around in full bloom. She opened her closet door, and grabbed two jumpers, and threw them on the bed. He sat down on her bed as she knelt under her desk, searching for the box that held her muggle money. She didn’t have that much, but she had no problem spending it. She planned to become an auror when she graduated, and had enough money at Gringotts saved up to live relatively comfortably, especially if she and Marlene moved in together while they did auror training as they had planned. She had quite a bit of muggle money saved up from presents her extended family had given her over the years. Her hands closed over the small box, and she emerged. “Bingo!” she exclaimed, taking a seat next to James on the bed. She opened the box, counting out notes.

“How much do you need if there's eight of us?” James asked, observing the money keenly. Lily pursed her lips, counting out five-pound notes.

“I’m going to bring £30, although we shouldn't need that much. I guess we can get popcorn or something else to eat if we want.” she explained, folding the bills and putting them in her bag. He nodded, seemingly impressed with her wisdom.

“Your room is so cozy!” he exclaimed, looking around. She smiled.

“Tiny, compared to the ones at your place.” she noted. He smiled, bringing a hand up to her cheek.

“It's adorable, just like you.” He said, brushing his lips over hers. She smiled up at him, and pressed her lips to his again. The hand on her cheek dropped to her arm, as their mouths moved together, lazily making out. She laughed as his lips dropped to her neck, sucking gently. She traced her fingers along the hard lines of his chest, curving around his well defined muscles. He shivered slightly, and reconnected their lips. A couple of minutes later, footsteps on the stairs made them jump apart.

“Petunia?” Lily’s mother’s voice called from the hall “Did you use the spare key?” her sister's reply was muffled. There was a knock on her door. “Lily? Are you in there?” the doorknob turned, and Lily jumped up from the bed, smoothing her hair. She glanced down at James, who was still sitting on the bed, lips slightly swollen.

“Get up!” she hissed, and he rose, standing awkwardly behind her. The door swung open, and Lily’s mother entered.

“Lily! What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, taking in their slightly ruffled, flushed appearances. “Who’s this?” Lily flushed.

“We wanted to go see a movie, but we didn't have any, um, normal money, so James and I came back here to get some.” she gestured awkwardly to James. ” she elbowed him, and he smiled at her mother, turning on that immaculate charm that made teachers love him so much, even though he’d stuck all their papers together, or brought in a couch to sit on.

“Hi Mrs. Evans! I’m James, Lily’s friend. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m the one whose house Lily and our friends are staying at, by the way.” he explained smoothly, smiling charmingly. Lily’s mom offered him a smile.

“Lovely to meet you, James. I hope Lily offered you something to eat!” she said, turning to her daughter. Lily groaned.

“We just ate, mum.” her mom raised an eyebrow, but seemed to accept this.

“Well, it's been lovely to meet you James. Do you mind if I have a quick word with my daughter?”

“Not at all!” James smiled, and strode out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Lily looked at her mother wearily.

“What?” her mother smirked at her.

“So, James Potter, eh? The most irritating person you’ve ever met? The thorn in your side since you were eleven? That the same one?” Lily sighed.

“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.” Lily said, willing herself not to blush. Her mother wrapped her up in a hug.

“Lily, I’m not a complete fool, you know. Let's see. You’re wearing his jumper, by the looks of it, he looks at you like you’re the light of his life, and somebody gave you that hickey, and I’m willing to bet it was the boy who just left the room with swollen lips and messy hair, to match yours, Lils.” her mother whispered in her ear, laughing slightly. Lily sighed, pulling away.

“Okay, fine.” she said, with a shy smile. “Maybe he’s not as bad as I originally thought.”. She pulled her mother back into a tight hug, and kissed her on the cheek.

“You know, Lily, if you ever want to talk about-” her mother started, a smile breaking across her face.

“BYE MUM.” Lily yelled, smiling as she grabbed her bag and jumpers, and headed out the door. She found James on the landing, looking interestedly at a family photo that had been taken just months before Lily’s letter had arrived. Just before her life had drastically changed. “Hey,” she said, taking his hand.

“What was that all about?” he asked, thumb running over the back of her hand. Lily rolled her eyes.

“Mum saw a hickey. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” she asked, rising up on her toes so their faces were just a breath apart.

“I - don’t - know - what - you’re - talking - about!” he grinned, punctuating each word with a quick kiss. Lily laughed, pulling him down for another one, when the sound of a throat clearing ruined the moment. Lily spun around, expecting to find her mother, with another knowing look.

“Whose this then?” Petunia sneered, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “Another freak?” Lily sighed. James narrowed his eyes, and looked like he wanted to say something. Lily knew from experience that that was probably not a great idea, so she grabbed James by the hand, leading him down the stairs.

“Bye ‘Tuney! Love ya!” she called, not looking back. She dragged James out the door, and down the street. They ran through the rain, until they reached the alley where they had come from. Taking shelter under the small canopy, they leaned against the grimy wall.

“Not to be rude or anything but your sisters a bitch.” James scowled, aiming a kick at one of the many empty coke bottles that littered the alley. Lily sighed.

“Yeah, you get used to it.”

“But see, you shouldn’t have to.” he said, turning to her and tucking a slightly damp strand of hair behind her ear. Butterflies swooped in her stomach as she stared into his concerned eyes. He glanced down at her neck briefly “Oh god, yeah you definitely have a hickey.” he laughed. “Toss me my wand, will ya?” he said, and she passed it to him, slightly apprehensively.
“You do know what you’re doing, right Potter?” she said, turning her face away from his wand.

“Of course!” he said breezily. “You don’t get to where I am in life without learning a few good bruise removal charms!” he waved his wand in a complicated swooshing pattern, and Lily felt a slight tingle just below her jaw.

“Is it gone?” she asked, touching the spot. He took her hand, pulling it away to admire his handiwork.

“Yup! Good as new!” he grinned, holding his hand up for a high five. She obliged.

“We should head back or we’re gonna miss the movie.” she realized. James pouted.

“But this is so fun! I think your mother and I really made a connection!” Plus, it's really nice to be able to kiss you whenever I want.” she waved him away with a smile, gripping his hand tightly. He spun on the spot, pulling them back into darkness.

“Finally!” Sirius groaned when they had made their ways back into the house. Everyone jumped to their feet. Lily felt a tingle on the back of her head and turned to see Marlene, Mary and Dorcus all flashing her suggestive looks, including but not limited to: eyebrow waggling, kissy faces, and what appeared to be a very graphic gesture from Marlene. She shot them a look, and they all feigned looks of pure innocence, hands raised in mock surrender.

“OK, let's try this again, shall we?” Remus suggested, opening the door. Mary whooped.

“Fuck yeah, lets go see these space wizards!”