Model For Me

"Remus, I can't just tell her to, as you said, "fuck off", can I?" said Lily exasperated to her phone. She could hear stifled laugh on the other side of their phone connection.

"I'm sure you can do this, though when I try to imagine it, it sure looks a bit unnatural."

"I wonder how would you act if you had a really mean older sister, that drives you crazy."

"I can imagine-" started Remus, but Lily cut him off.

"Who is paying for your university, and you are kind of dependent on her."

Remus sighed. "You know, love, that we can try to make money for your studies. We can try to earn money for your dream after we finish our education. And this way you won't have to endure your mean older sister anymore."

And Lily would love to do that. But she couldn't. She had a part-time job and saved money, so she could afford to be independent. But she dreamed of her own kindergarten, and she needed money for that. And she was going to save as much as she could, and it was rational choice to cope with her sister a bit, so she didn't have to cover her own expenses, and could use saved money for something that wasn't going to be paid by someone else. And if she had to be a little servant to get that, she would be. It was just like another job. She treated it as.

And she was forever grateful for support she gets from her best friend, but he was trying to afford living on his own, with two jobs and a lot of studying to keep his scholarship. She wouldn't ask for help, but the offer alone was overwhelming for her. She knew Remus was too good for this world, but really, how could someone be so… Remus.

"And thank you a lot for this, but I would rather deal with Petunia these few years and have a better start after finishing my degree. It helps to ease my mind a little, knowing I'm kind of using her too, not only the other way around."

"That's alright. Just say a word, if you change your mind."

Lily smiled. "I know, Re, and I'm grateful for this. I'm grateful for you. I love you."

"I love you, too, Lils. I guess, I can only wish you good luck, now."

"And it will be helpful," she laughed.

And she heard a smile in Remus' voice when he said his goodbyes.

And she smiled saying her goodbyes, too.

And then she winced, because here it was, the time, when she was taking the role of chauffeur.

"How long you wanted me to wait?" asked Petunia when she saw Lily. "We are already late. I'll be waiting in a car, take my things when you come." And she was gone. Lily sighed, took the bags that were lying in the corridor and went outside. She saw her sister already sitting on a passenger seat, looking in a mirror and fixing her make-up. There probably wasn't much to fix, though, Lily thought bitterly. She placed the bags on the back seats and sat in the driver's seat. Lily knew well enough, not to start the engine, until her sister finish doing what she was doing, so she just fastened her seatbelts and waited. Though she knew, they had a lot of time, until the photoshoot, Lily still felt irritated knowing how Petunia was hurrying her, and then she took her time doing whatever.

Finally, Petunia put down make-up accessories and fastened her seatbelt. "You can drive, now."

"Of course, Your Majesty" Lily muttered under her nose. But her sister clearly heard her.

"Milady is enough, dear sister."

And so they started driving.

The half-an-hour journey shouldn't be a problem, not to Lily, who liked being the driver, but it was a problem, when one of the seats was occupied by milady Petunia Dursley. When Petunia said how Vernon was happy that his wife was able to have a photo session, which she should have daily with the way she looks, for, like, tenth time, Lily just had enough.

"Well, if he says you should have more photoshoots, why won't he book them for you?" she asked, and Petunia gasped. Her sister literally gasped, and Lily wasn't sure if crying and laughing at the same time was that safe while driving.

"How vulgar!" Petunia remarked, but said no more.

And maybe it wasn't all fair for Lily to say that. It's not like her sister is having her photoshoot in an ordinary, typical photo studio. It was in the fashion house. Petunia wouldn't comment on that, because this way she would have to admit, she just won some kind of lottery for a single photo session and her husband wouldn't be able to afford this kind of activity. Or even if he could afford it, it's not like he would have a way to convince the agency to allow it. This single photo session was managed by one of their photographers, and the whole "lottery" thing was a campaign of sort. Annual event for celebrating next year of successful business and promoting their brand. Photoshoot alone didn't have anything to do with a fashion, though. Petunia's photos wouldn't be in their magazine or publicized in any other way. She just had a chance to have a photoshoot by a professional photographer from modelling company who has a lot of experience, and it was just… an opportunity. Lily herself would take it, if she was one of the winners. And she would be happy about it. She would ask if she could bring a friend, and maybe they would agree to it. She would send them Remus' photos, so there would be greater chance to convince them. And maybe bargain a little, like, she could ask for half of their time if they agreed. She believes convincing them would be a lesser issue than convincing Remus to come. But she so wished they could have a professional photoshoot together. Maybe someday.

"We are here," announced Lily, even though she believed there was no need. She parked in front of a grand, elegant-looking building with golden accents and a big, chic signboard saying "JSMD". Petunia smiled confidently.

"I need you to open the door for me, so they know I'm professional" she said.

"But you are not," thought Lily, though voiced nothing. It was somehow weird for Lily to open the car door for her sister, and at the same time it felt like home. No one was interested in them, contrary to Petunia's beliefs, so Lily could act like a servant and not really care what others think of her. It still was a little humiliating. But nothing to be really ashamed of. It was her second job, Lily reminded herself. And Lily was going to take advantage of her job. So while Petunia walked to the main entrance, Lily took her sister's bags and tagged along. She bit her tongue when she saw her sister standing in front of the big, glassy door, waiting for Lily to open them for her, when next to them, were self-rotating ones.

"My hands are kind of occupied, Petunia," noticed Lily, lifting bags. Her sister rolled her eyes and walked through the door that didn't need people to open them for her. Lily couldn't help but sigh.

They told their names to the big guy by the doors, and were directed to reception. No one was yelling or claiming they are intruders, so Lily guessed, Petunia really was doing her photoshoot.

"Good morning. How can I help you?" said with a smile a woman behind the front desk. She had a calming, tranquil voice, and all her appearance had its own gentle tone. Her name tag said 'Pandora Lovegood'.

"Hello, I am Lily Evans, and I came with my sister, Petunia Dursley, for a photoshoot she won at the annual celebratory event. We have an appointment for 11 a.m."

"Wait a moment, please," replied Pandora and started to type on her keyboard. "Yes, of course. Ms. Dursley. You have to go until the end of the corridor and take a lift to a third floor. There you have to find Sirius's Potter studio. It will be on the left side." As she was talking, she took two visitor ID badges and gave it for them to wear.

"Mrs. Dursley," corrected Petunia, before storming off towards the lift.

"My apologies, Mrs. Dursley," answered Pandora, so Lily smiled at her and followed her sister.

Taking the lift was awkward, though nothing really changed because of it. Petunia was angrily tapping her foot and looking irate at the lift buttons. Lily didn't really understand the anger, but it was common for her no to understand her sister's feeling. That, that was mutual for them. They just couldn't get each other. And it was fine, because once Lily finished university, she was going to run and not look back.

They left the lift and Lily was looking at name plates, searching for "Sirius Potter" until she found it and placed one bag on the floor, to knock on the door. Petunia was staying next to her, looking bored at her nails.

The door was opened by a boy looking around her age, with jet-black hair and hazel eyes behind round glasses. He beamed at them and invited sisters inside by motion of his hand.

"Come, come, oh, let me help you," he said, taking bags from Lily and gesturing them to seats inside. He placed the bags next to the desk. "I'm James Potter, and you must be Petunia Dursley," he started speaking looking at Lily, and she almost laughed at the thought she could be Petunia. "With the sister, I suppose…?" he asked, looking at Petunia friendly.

"I am the Petunia" Lily's sister scorned.

James looked at them, slightly abashed. "I'm sorry, I made the wrong assumption, because…" he caught Lily's gaze. "Can I ask for your name, Ms.?"

She smiled widely, "Of course. You can call me by my name. I'm Lily."

They shook their hands.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lily, I'm James. I thought you are Petunia, because you were carrying the bags. I'm sorry again" he looked at Petunia.

"Yes, never mind. Are you the photographer?" asked Lily's sister.

"Oh, no. That would be Sirius, he should be here in a moment." Once he responded, the door was opened and someone, once again their age, entered the room. He wore a gigantic smile, which faltered once he saw his guests. He put professional expression on his face.

"Oh, welcome. I'm Sirius Potter. I believe one of you is Ms. Dursley?" he asked.

"Mrs. Dursley," corrected Petunia once again this day with an expression of superiority on her face.

"And I am Lily Evans" she held out her hand, "sister of Mrs. Dursley."

 Sirius smiled and shook her hand. "Well then, we only have four hours, so we should come to the photographic studio, already. We don't want to waste time, do we?" and then he walked out of his own room and walked them through some corridors, greeted with James every person they passed by, and finally they reached the destination point. "Feel free to get accustomed a little," said Sirius when everyone was inside the room with lamps, and backdrop already in place. "Everything is ready, though we will change the backdrops if you decide you want a different type of photo. Have you ever had a photoshoot?" he directed his question at Petunia.

"Of course" she answered with displeasure. Lily tried not to pull a face. Because Petunia maybe had some friend-to-friend photoshoot, but it was not a professional one, which Sirius asked about. But one glance at Sirius and Lily knew that he is aware of the fact.

"Shall we start then?" he asked, and Lily decided it's her turn to leave.

"Oh, I will be leaving then. I'll be back in four hours, but I will say my goodbyes already," she declared. Sirius and James looked at her. "It was nice to meet you, I hope the session will be finished in the blink of an eye," she said, but seeing Petunia's glare, she corrected herself. "Because when it's fun, time runs faster, right?"

Sirius snorted like he already suspected what Lily really meant and nodded. "I believe it's not appropriate then to wish you a long four hours?"

Lily laughed. "I wouldn't complain."

And they exchanged knowing looks. Lily had a suspicion that Sirius himself, had a sibling.

"Oh, but can you spare me a moment before you leave, Lily?" asked James.

"Yes, of course."

They left the studio and James fidgeted a little. Behind the closed door, they heard the faint sound of voices on the other side.

"Well, you may find my proposition a bit unusual," started James. Lily looked at him questionably. "You see, I can't ignore the fact, that your appearance is just perfect for our soon-to-be spring collection and I wandered, and I know it's a bold proposition, but I wondered if you were interested in modelling for us. We would pay you, of course."

And for a long while, Lily just looked at James, dumbfounded.

"Sorry, what? You ask me to be a model?" she clarified.

"Not… not runway model. But one for our magazine? Runway would be a big no-no without experience, but Sirius can do photos of everyone, and everyone thinks after the photoshoot with him that they would be great models. So you could, just, you know, follow his lead. It would take a lot of time, though. Photoshoots are time-consuming and requires a medium size team for something seemingly so small. But it's really worth it. Of course, I would have to talk with Sirius first and agree that our vision of this collection is the same, but with Sirius, there are little things we don't agree on. So I wanted to know if you are… you know, interested."

"Well, I…" and what could she say? She was so astonished, she didn't think she was able to think straight. But it was additional money. Probably big amount. And people here treated her really nicely, so it would probably be a great, in a good way, experience for her. And didn't she think, just today, that she would love to have her own photoshoot? With Remus, but she couldn't ask if Remus could be in magazine, right? Hell no, there was no way, he would agree. Oh, she herself hasn't thought it trough. She would be in the magazine. It's something she didn't really know if she wanted. There were many things that could go wrong way. And she had studying to do. What if her university schedule overlapped? "When would that be?" she asked despite herself.

James grinned. "It's January already. The photoshoots would start in the mid-February, so the graphic design team and other guys can make it before actual spring. We like to release our clothes the first day of the season, so everything has to be made before that day."

"Then I think I can… I could try? I mean, it's massive, and I'm not sure if I can manage…"

"You will do greatly." And then he took out his business card and handed it to her. "You can make your decision with less hasty circumstances. But give me a call as soon as you can, alright? Though I believe you are more for it than against?"

Lily nodded, still astonished, and James beamed at her. James took out his phone and tapped something, then handed his phone to her. She saw his Instagram main page.

"Do you have Instagram? It would be helpful, because Sirius will probably want to look at your photos."

Lily typed her username and clicked on her profile, then handed James' phone over. He followed her.

"It's a private account. I don't really mind my photos seen by strangers, but it took a lot of convincing for my friend to agree to share a few photos with him, so it's on a private now. I would be grateful then if you would show it only to Sirius."

"I wouldn't show people your profile even if you wouldn't ask me. It's private for a reason."

"Thank you. Really. I will… I will give you a call soon, then."

"Great," he said, but made no movement. He just looked at her, and looked, and looked, and Lily blushed, and it wasn't something she was proud of, so she nodded and smiled shyly.

"Then… goodbye?" and it was like James had been woken up from something, because he looked abashed for a short moment and then smiled widely.

"Goodbye Lily. Call me… Can you call me even if you decide not to accept my offer?"

"Yes, of course. Goodbye, James." And she just walked away, because she felt, that if she stayed longer, her situation could have some unexpected consequences.

***

Remus just started eating breakfast, when a phone called. He didn't have a lot of people to call him, so he expected the caller to be Lily.

"Remus!" she cried out. He winced.

"What the fuck, Lily? It's the morning, where does your energy come from, huh?"

Lily laughed. "It's almost twelve, Re."

"Yes, and it's called twelve a.m., not p.m., for a reason."

"You won't believe what happened," she said.

Remus sighed. "I think I will, since you warned me already."

"Yeah, yeah, be grumpy, my dearest friend. While you can. You will be getting unlimited calls in the mornings when I will employ you as my agent soon enough."

"I guess I will just not take the offer."

"And pass the opportunity to find out if people who want me to model for them are worth enough?"

And this was the moment, Remus decided not to answer immediately. Because he wasn't sure if they were still joking. Not only Lily's voice changed a little, it sounded more stressed, but circumstances were too… convenient?

"Lily? Has someone offered you a job while you were playing chauffeur for Pettynia?"

"Kind of…?" he could hear her smile from the phone.

"I leave you for one day, and you are already modelling for some big shots?" he asked, faking a weary voice. Lily laughed.

"I mean… I can't believe it, can you? I just went there, and guy asks me if I want to be a model?"

"Actually, I can believe it," he said. Lily was gorgeous. She was the kind of beauty that was not really classic, but no one could be next to her, and refuse to pay attention. She had fire in herself, and it could be seen also outside. Lily was unstoppable, and all of her radiated with her self-assurance. He loved it about her. That she could be honest and modest, but at the same time she knew what she wanted and she took it. She didn't really take her time to feel ashamed. When the situation started to take an uncomfortable turn, she just made a different move, not to fall in the place she didn't want to. She was his inspiration sometimes. And because their friendship was real, he knew, he was an inspiration for her himself. And was grateful for it. "But they took you without any experience?"

And Lily told him everything. When the final conversation with James came up, Remus couldn't help but laugh.

"He said that? He said you should call, even if you decline his offer? Oh man, this is good," he chortled. "He is so whipped already. Good job, my love."

"It's not like that, Remus. He just didn't want to stay in the unknown," Lily said, mildly irritated, but then she stopped. There wasn't really any continuation to her saying, but there was something abrupt about the way she stopped, that Remus wanted to ask if something is wrong. "There was… There was a moment when he stared at me. Like, really stared. It was kind of intense. You would have the laugh of your life, if you saw us, probably."

And Remus smiled. Because he liked that Lily told him everything.

"And do you find him attractive?"

"He was…" Lily started, "a good guy. You could feel it, you know. His presence had this positive energy some people have. And I could see he respects other people. And before you ask, yes, he is, handsome."

"That's good. You can try it out, though he will have to meet me before it will get serious."

"Of course he will have to…" muttered Lily.

"But there is one thing, I can’t really fathom. He just walked to you, asked if you wanted to model, and that's it? Does he have permission to do recruit new models without any permission? Don't they have any contracts with models already?"

"Oh…" Lily sounded uncertain. "I must admit I was a bit in a shock phase and couldn't be rational. But maybe he is responsible for recruitment? Though it's not really making sense, right? Just like that? It really is weird."

"Yeah, and then he said he has to ask the photographer? Why him? They both decide on models? Photographer decides on model? It makes no sense. Shouldn't he take it somewhere higher? Besides, it is unusual enough to ask without any recruitment forms or… anything, really."

"It's like getting a job without an interview, isn't it? Though James… I don't know what his job is really, I didn't ask. And he wasn't doing… anything when we went there. So maybe he is someone from higher position and can just do what he wants? He seemed to have a good chemistry with the photographer, so maybe they are friends and James just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a problem for him?"

Remus thought about it, but there were some puzzles that haven't matched, yet.

"Maybe" he said, uncertain. "It's alright either way, if their policy agrees to it. The most important question is, do you want to do this?"

Lily was quiet for a few moments. "Honestly, I don't know. There are a lot of things making me feel I won't do well or just won't have time. I doubt they will make appointments at times when it will be specifically suiting me. It's weird really."

"But do you want to do this?" he pressed.

"I do."

"Then accept. You will see how they make your contract, make sure you will manage to make the appearance on time and ask all the essential questions. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. But you can ask all about it, and maybe it will. You should try it, if you want to. It's not something you get to do every day."

"Yeah," Lily agreed. "Yeah, I think I will give a call sooner than I thought."

***

It was evening, but James felt like it was time to go to bed. He assumed it was because of today's photoshoot with Petunia Dursley. He could swear, it was just four hours, but he felt like it took two times longer. James finally understood why Lily wished for their time to pass faster. She would know, since she was her sister. James felt like thanking the world he didn't have to spend more time with the woman.

And he was the patient one.

James looked at Sirius sitting on the floor, next to the sofa and looking exhausted. He had things to do after Dursley's photo session, but he just cancelled everything. James just smiled at him, understanding. Sirius looked at James and sighed.

"I think next year we have to do some background check before we announce the winners."

James snorted and sat next to his friend. He put his head on his shoulder. It was just easier when they were together. James felt like they could transfer energy between each other. Or maybe less like transfer, more like charger? They charged each other in a very good way and there was no way, James would pass on it. So he focused on having Sirius next to him and just felt his presence. Charged himself. But then he remembered.

"Pads" he started. He could feel how Sirius tensed.

"What have you done, Prongs."

And James would laugh at how greatly they know each other, but he really did something, so he wasn't risking it.

"I may, or may not, asked Lily Evans to model for us for the spring collection." And after James said it, silence absorbed everything else. James didn't really appreciate quietness, but he knew it was even worse for Sirius. So he nudged his best friend and after that, placed his hands around Sirius and squeezed him tightly. "Sirius" James whined.

"What can I say, James. That was very unprofessional of you."

"It's actually pretty weird to be scolded by you."

Sirius laughed. "No, look James. I know you would give opportunity to everyone in the world if you could. And I love it about you. But it's more than that. You like her. Lily. And I came to like her, too, as much as you can like a person you met for like 5 minutes. But I know you, and I could see that there is a chance for you to like her, in a future, the way I never liked any girl. And because of it, it was unprofessional. And unfair, I reckon. I know that our people, and us, we all chose our models, and you just chose her like you would choose any other girl. But it's not about this."

And James understood. He knew it was reckless and hurried. That he got excited. And it was mostly Sirius who got excited. Or maybe them both. It was rarely just James.

"I'm sorry," he said then. And he meant it. And he didn’t have to ask, James was sure that Sirius knew it, too. "Should I undo it?"

Sirius sighed. "I don't know if your heart will survive giving someone hope and then taking it away." James just rolled his eyes. "Do you have her Instagram profile? If she has photos of herself, I could see, the way she looks in the pictures. Of course, only if…"

"Only if the pictures are good enough," James finished the sentence. He took out his phone and handed it to Sirius. "Don't know if she accepted my request, though. I forgot to check. It's evening already, so she should have."

"She has 'liliumus' in her username? Cute," commented Sirius. He clicked on her profile. "Alright, let's see. Well, her photos are not half bad. And she is pretty in real life. She looks good in photos, too. Though I still persist, it was unprofes…" And there was silence again. But James saw the intense look on Sirius face. And then his friend just put the phone down and look straight into James' eyes.

"Pads? Alright? You are weirding me out, because your look says, we take her, and at the same time, we don't." But Sirius just closed his eyes instead of answering. "You said yourself she is pretty. I would rather say beautiful, but it doesn't change the fact, that you can't unsay it."

"Shut up, Prongs. I'm trying to regain my consciousness."

"Consciousness? You seem too conscious to me," joked James. Sirius opened his eyes just to glare at him.

"I don't know what to do," announced Sirius with a sigh.

"Well, the decision is up to you, boss."

"No, it's not about a photoshoot."

"Then what is it?" asked James, amused a little.

"When I close my eyes, I'm blinded, and when I'm opening them I see nothing, but darkness." Sirius' declaration was too poetic, for James' liking, but when his friend was being dramatic like this, it could mean something good.

"Shouldn't that work the other way around?"

"And," continued Sirius, not caring about James' interruption. "I want to be blinded by this light forever."

"Pads," James tried to stifle his laugh. "Just tell me what's going on."

And then, Sirius straightened himself and grabbed James' arms. He looked him straight into his eyes, when he said, "I saw an angel, James, and it's a view I can't and don't want to unsee."

"What?" questioned James, and disturbed, took his phone. It was opened on Lily's photo. On Lily's photo of her with her friend. Her good-looking male friend with light brown, curly hairs and shy smile, and freckles on his face. "And here, you scared me that Lily was your bi awakening."

"Just," grumbled Sirius, "ask Lily to bring her friend."