Finally
Sunday the 27th of March 1977
Hermione rushed to the table of the Great Hall, feeling more energised despite the tame party yesterday, Everyone seemed to be in agreement that to celebrate James’ birthday they wouldn’t go crazy but instead enjoy their night together. Which had been fun, but now it was his actual birthday.
Her feet slapped against the floor as she reached her brother and Sirius. “Happy birthday baby brother – I can’t believe your seventeen!” She all but shouted as she placed the present on the table and a kiss on his cheek, holding the sides of his face to take a look at him. Nothing had changed but there perhaps was more stubble on his chin, and the youngest of their group was no an adult.
“Thanks?” Hermione chuckled, pushing herself between the two boys and giving Sirius a quick kiss. That was something else that had changed after Remus’ party, they had been kissing more, and nothing else. “What’s this?” He asked with a frown down at the present.
“It’s from mum and dad, they sent it over – you already know what it is.” She answered as Sirius smiled tightly as James dug into the box and pulled out his brand new watch. She had gotten a family ring for her birthday, one that rested delicately on her finger – old and slightly tarnished with it’s twisting metal and ruby twisted into it. Nothing too grand, but it made her happy.
But Sirius hadn’t gotten a watch nor a family heirloom for his birthday, a fact that she had pointed out to her parents over Christmas. “Oh and they sent something for you too, a bit late and they are sorry – I’m sure you’ll get a letter about it soon, but here.” She dug inside her robe and handed it to her ‘boyfriend’.
His eyes turned wide, like a child at Christmas as he pulled out a watch. It wasn’t as grand as James’ and maybe it wasn’t right to give her boyfriend a present on her brothers birthday but James didn’t seem to mind as his eyes went soft and he looked at Sirius.
“That’s a nice one.” He commented, putting his own watch on his arm with a grin.
Sirius stared back and then looked down at the watch, taking in every detail before he held it out to Hermione. “Could you put it on for me?”
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes she wrapped the band around his waist and smiled. “It looks good.”
It did and she didn’t think she had ever seen him look so calm and happy as he did then, to be included in a tradition that even Remus had. It made a warmth settle through her and an urge to rap him into a tight hug.
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t me, but I’m sure mum and dad would appreciate your thanks in a lovely written letter.”
“I’ll send it this evening.” He spoke softly as he leaned forward to place a tender kiss on her lips that had her feeling like she was blushing and redder than a Weasleys hair.
“Doesn’t the birthday boy get a kiss, Pads?” Hermione turned her head as Remus, Lily and Marlene sat down across from them.
“If he wants.” And then he was back, smirking at James and eyes full of mischief that had Hermione slightly longing for the tender moment they had just had.
“No thanks, I know where that tongue has been.” James spoke back, sending a quick glare to Hermione before he began piling food onto his plate. She could easily say something back, but as an extra present she kept her mouth closed and instead gave him an annoyed smile.
“Then Moony, it looks like the honours are yours.” Sirius spoke as Remus sipped his tea.
“I’m good.” He answered before he grinned and leaned further onto the table. “Will give him his birthday jinxes though – unless you want to continue your tradition, Lil’?” James’ mouth fell open as he turned to look at the redhead.
Lily’s jinxes had always been worse than most, fuelled by her annoyance and anger at the boy before her to the point where it was dangerous to even try and get in the way unless you wanted a faint scar to remember the moment forever.
James probably carried several, and sometimes he wore them like badges, a proud collection of the times he had pissed off Lily.
“I think this year he can go without the jinxes.” Lily spoke with a small nervous smile that had Hermione frowning as emerald eyes flickered between the three sat across from her before she let out a cough and seemed to pull up some courage. “I did get you a present though.”
“Where is it?”
“Don’t be rude.”
“Well you can’t say you have a present and not give anything to me.” James responded, an eager grin on his face as Lily sat up even straighter, a light blush covering her cheeks.
“I thought I would give you something you would appreciate more.” Yet despite her stance, her voice seemed soft and hesitant. “Potter, I am going to give you one last chance to ask me on a date, with a promise that my answer will be yes.”
Half of the table seemed to go silent at her words, a rumble of shock and surprise settling over those who had heard what she had said – Hermione being one of them.
Lily had held James off at every single moment, and Hermione had watched with a frown as her brother grew less hopeful, and then they had their argument last year and any hope seemed to be dashed, even if she was proud of her brother for not letting someone walk all over him just because he wanted nothing more to be with them.
And then they became friends, and Hermione had figured out about Harry – and it seemed everyday they were growing towards something else, even if Lily denied it, but Hermione had figured it would probably be in 7th year, after another summer of growing and seeing each other away from all the drama of school.
And now here they were.
“Are you...are you being serious right now?” Her hand slapped over Sirius’ mouth before he could ruin this incredible moment with his stupid joke.
“Well it’s not everyday that a young man turns seventeen, is it?” Lily spoke, seeming less nervous as she let out a laugh and began buttering some toast, as though they were simply talking about the weather. “But this is a one time offer, so you either take it or forever hold your peace.” She added as James stared at her wide eyed.
“Yeah sure.”
“Good, then next Hogsmeade visit -”
“Wait, you gotta let me ask, this has been my dream since I was like twelve!” Her brother cried as Lily gave him a soft smile and nodded her head. “Alright...ok...this was not the plan but – well, Evans...not wait, Lily, would you like to accompany me to Hogsmeade next week – you know – as a date?”
It was the most fumbled question ever asked and Hermione had half the mind to wince and tell her brother to start again before Lily second guessed, but her best friend was staring at James so softly, and with her cheeks a pretty pink, that Hermione didn’t think Lily actually minded in the slightest.
“I would be honoured.”
…
Saturday the 2nd of April 1977
SIRIUS
“What are you doing?”
“Shush.”
“Kitten, why are we spying on your brother and Evans?”
“I want to make sure it is going well.”
“Then ask them later!” Hermione turned to glare at Sirius from where he walked beside her, avoiding her ducking and diving behind students to follow behind Lily and James on the walk to Hogsmeade.
“I’d rather see for myself.”
Honestly, she was great – and he was happy with where things were going, but sometimes she could be such a fucking nutjob that he wasn’t sure what exactly he had got himself into. Right now was one of them times as she continued following behind her brother like it was normal.
And to some extent, Sirius could understand. James had finally gotten the date, but also James had finally gotten the date. He didn’t need to turn around and see them there, he needed to enjoy his time with the girl of his dreams and that was all.
“And I’d rather enjoy our own date.” Sirius spoke as he reached out to grab her around the waist before she could duck behind another student. “I mean we have a chance to enjoy ourselves without our friends around and without your brothers comments.” He whispered in her ear as he placed her back on the floor and smiled when she turned to look at him.
“You’re right.” Her eyes were like the windows to her soul, bright and warm, flecks of gold that drew him in and almost made him miss what she was saying. “Sorry.”
“Two things I thought would never leave your mouth, I’m surprised and slightly turned on.” He admitted before he could stop himself, raising an eyebrow at the little smirk she gave him as he leaned forward and let his hands drift to her waist. “Same them again.”
“Like their date, it’s a one time thing so don’t get used to it.”
“Fine.”
Her hand slipped into his own, and her other hand curled around his arm as they continued walking past the shops. He might not admit it out loud but it was nice to do this, and amusing to see the surprised faces look in their direction.
Their last date hadn’t been all that good, with Zach and his comments, and James and his anger but all their new closeness and lack of care could make up for that. It was making him forget why he had wanted to take things slow in the first place.
Even more so as he looked at her as she chatted on about something, pale skin slightly flushed from the still lingering cold, black curls pulled back into a single plait with smaller pieces framing her face and falling in the way of her big eyes, hands moving around as she talked energetically with a large crooked grin on her face that crinkled her eyes.
Beautiful, Was the only thought he had, and the realisation that he was lucky she had given him another chance – which was the reason he was taking it slow. She deserved better than to be taken to bed and thrown into some teenage lustful relationship that might only die once time passed.
He wanted this to last, needed this to last, and he owed her more than that. So he would make sure this was something that could last the test of time. That they could talk and be together with or without sex. For her and for himself.
“Sirius?” Hermione’s voice brought him out of his thoughts as she looked up at him with a knowing expression.
“Sorry – you just distracted me.” He spoke softer than he usually would, but that was just a side of him that she seemed to bring out. His hand raised to rest on her cheek as she blushed slightly and rolled her eyes. “What were you saying?”
“Hm – I was asking you how training for your final match was going?” He couldn’t help it as he looked at her with a frown, those big brown eyes narrowed but there was a smirk on her face as she pulled back her hands and crossed them over her chest.
“Great – but I didn’t ask you here for small talk.”
“You didn’t ask me here at all.” Hadn’t he? He was sure he had brought it up or asked her at some point over the week when they had time between studying, speaking and a quick snog here and there.
A nervous chuckle left his mouth as he looked down at her, small but fierce and he wouldn’t put it past her to hex his arse if he pissed her off. “It was implied that as my...erm...romantic interest we would go together.”
“Was it? Then I missed that implication.” Hermione spoke calmly before her mouth curled into a grin and she reached back for his hand, a sigh of relief leaving his mouth. “So what do you want to do then?”
“Erm...we could go to the shrieking shack, Honeydukes – take a walk – head to Madam Pussyfoots tea shop.” He answered, blinking as Hermione let out a laugh, cheeks red scrunched up to her eyes as he looked down at in surprise.
“I think it’s Puddifoots.”
“No, I believe it’s Pussyfoots.” He spoke though his mouth was curling into a grin as she laughed again and shook her head.
“Whatever it is, I would rather skin myself alive than go in there.” He couldn’t help but agree, the whole place was frilly and full of couples sipping tea or snogging. And while he loved a snog, doing it around other people at the same time just seemed rather strange – he preferred to kiss his girl away from too many prying eyes.
“Then what would you like to do?” He asked, and he should have known by the devious grin in her eyes and the way she all but curled around his body what she was going to say.
“Well you said that we have this chance to be alone, with none of friends here to bother us, so why not take this opportunity to spend some time together?” She asked, eyes flashing dangerously as he leaned down slightly and grinned back.
“A snog in the alley?” The shock on her face was enough to make him laugh as she pouted slightly but didn’t push – she never would.
“Not exactly what I had in mind but alright.”
“Let’s go.”
…
James
A long time ago, James had vowed that he would only ever be with one woman. And that woman would be Lily Evans, the girl he’d laid eyes on when he was eleven – who hated his guts.
But that was alright, because his mum had always said that no one could truly hate him and his friends had all said she would come around. And so he had believed them, let his ego take over and done his best to woo her in the only way he knew how – with pranks and a show of strength and skill that made everyone else look at him in wonder.
In retrospect, as an adult, he could see how that wouldn’t wow most people, but especially Lily. She was proud, strong, and kind and he had tried to sully those values with his own shit and not understood why she couldn’t see who he was.
Because James Potter might be a Marauder but he was also someone who liked to think himself as loyal and proud; that he did know right from wrong even if it seemed like sometimes he fell flat in that department.
But mainly all he ever wanted was a chance. Just one little chance that would make her, and maybe everyone else, see that there was more than what he showed.
And now he had it and it was fucking nerve racking.
Why had no one ever told him this? Why had none of his friends nor his sister mentioned how terrifying going on a date with someone you liked was?
It wasn’t like this with Marlene, who was barely a date, and a slight deviation in his plan to get Lily – but still there had barely been anything more a quick flit of nerves that lasted barely a second – and he was sure that was down to what they were doing and not about who it was with.
But none of them had told him. Not Sirius and Hermione, not Marlene with Regulus – they had all just given him grins and wished him good luck. And Merlin, he was about to have a panic attack in the middle of Hogsmeade and ruin his one chance.
“Fuck.”
“Are you alright?” Emerald eyes in the midst of a slightly pink face stared at him in concern, a flash of auburn hair falling over her shoulder and a soft hand reaching out to touch his shoulder.
“Erm…” Were the only words he seemed to be able to say as he stared down at the girl...woman...trying his best to think of something. Anything, that would make this situation better. His mouth opened and closed like a fish before a frown took over his face as his best friend and sister rushed past them.
There was no wave, no recognition as Hermione let out a laugh and Sirius grinned, pulling her along and through students, and down some alley between the shops. He fought the urge to vomit and the knowledge that whatever they were going to do wasn’t something he wanted to see before he focused on Lily.
“Looks like they are having fun.” She commented with her own smile, half turned to where their friends had disappeared.
“I’m nervous.” Finally came out of his mouth. At least it wasn’t vomit, though word vomit wasn’t any better, and Lily was looking at him now and he was pretty sure he was sweating. “Sorry – I’m just nervous.”
A small smile took over her face as she raised her eyebrows. “Yeah, me too.” That was surprising, he never thought he would hear that come from her mouth but then again he never actually thought he would get this chance.
“I...er...I don’t know how to do this – I don’t know how they do this.” He croaked out as he pointed to where Sirius and Hermione had gone, Lily following his finger as she nodded her head and let an amused smile play on her lips.
“Well I don’t think we will be doing what they are doing.” She teased as James gulped and nodded his head.
“Oh yeah…of course...I didn’t mean – I don’t expect that at all...I’m just lucky you agreed to this date, and please don’t think I meant -”
“Relax, I know you didn’t mean that.” Lily spoke, rolling her eyes softly and letting a small laugh past her lips as James tried to smile but it felt more like a grimace. “It’s different for them, you know, too much has happened for them to be like...well this.” Lily spoke softly as they walked side by side, shoulders bumping into each other.
James frowned as he tried to think of that, letting her lead him past the shops and towards the look out for the shrieking shack, his feet all but moving automatically until they stopped at the fence. It was quiet and perhaps more relaxing to be away from all the eyes watching them, and away from Sirius and Hermione, but the nerves still existed.
Yes, this was different, because this had been pining on one side for multiple years – and his sister and best friend had had something for years even when they didn’t act on it.
“Yeah.” He spoke softly as Lily turned to face him, leaning against the fence with a frown.
“I don’t think I’ve really asked, but why were you so against them in the beginning?” She asked suddenly as James frowned back, trying to think back to all those weeks ago at another Hogsmeade visit.
“Other than the fact that she is my sister?” He asked as Lily nodded her head. “Sirius hurt her a lot and I think Hermione has hurt him too, and I’m not ignorant to know it won’t happen again – and I just don’t see how you could want to be with someone who might end up hurting you.” He answered, wincing at the way it sounded.
He knew Sirius would never touch his sister in a violent way, and not just because he knew the storm it would unleash but because Sirius had never, nor would he ever lay hands on anyone he cared about, not even in his angriest moments.
He would lash out and say hurtful and maybe cruel things, but he would never resort to physically hurting someone. And neither would Hermione, she would jinx and hex but her hands stayed to herself. But there was still power in words, even ones that were unintentionally cruel – and they both seemed to have the power to use them.
Lily seemed to understand though as she nodded her head in agreement before speaking. “When you care about someone you open yourself up to hurt.” His mouth opened but she carried on speaking. “It’s not easy, and sometimes you’ll say the wrong thing, but when you love someone it’s not supposed to be easy or simple but reckless and make you feel slightly out of control.”
“Right” He whispered, slightly breathless but she kept her eyes forward. It made so much sense when she spoke that all he could ever do was keep listening to her.
“Love makes you question everything you ever thought you knew about it, makes you wonder how the hell you could fall in love with someone so infuriating but also not be able to imagine a life without them.” She added, a frown taking over her face as she shifted uncomfortably, seeming to think of something.
“You sound like you are speaking from experience.” He joked, but there was a sharp pain where his heart was that reminded him that he didn’t want her to know love if it wasn’t with him – pathetic and unfair but it would always be hard to think about your first love moving on.
Emerald eyes caught his own, something flashing through them as her mouth opened and her cheeks turned red. “No…” She whispered, voice catching in her throat. “I don’t know.”
Then how she could get something so accurately – so confusing sounding and yet something he craved – was beyond him. Maybe she was just that smart that she didn’t need to experience something to know what it was. Maybe it was beyond his comprehension.
Yet, he could understood everything that she was saying, could relate it all to her. Whether that meant he was truly in love with her or not, he couldn’t quite say. He held a puppy love, one that came from an idea of her, but it was hard to love someone you didn’t actually know all that well – but he hoped she would give him the time to go down that road.
Her eyes flickered between his, nerves settling on her face that made him wonder and look away with a softer smile as he rested his hands on the face and leaned backwards. “So you think Hermione and Sirius are in love?”
Her eyes stayed on him as he looked back around, a soft smile taking over her face as she contemplated something. “Not yet, but one day soon maybe.”
It didn’t feel like they were talking about Hermione and Sirius no longer, it felt like it was something else passing between them, something he was far too scared to actually try and name in fear that it would slip away once the day ended.
And Lily seemed to sense it too as she shook her head and straightened her shoulders before raising her eyebrows and offering him a grin. “But that’s them – so Potter, you’ve wanted this date for a long time, I think it’s high time you show me what I signed up for.”
“Yeah, of course.”
She could ask him for his left lung while looking like that and he would happily hand it over with a smile on his face and declarations of how much he liked her on his tongue.
…
Lily.
Lily ran through the Common Room and up the stairs to her dormitory, an urgent sense settling through her and a hope that her best friend was really up there like Remus had said.
There was just too much she needed to talk about and she didn’t want to be waiting around and overthinking – but it looked like that was what she was going to be doing when she entered the dorm only to find Emmeline and Jenny there instead of Hermione or even Marlene.
“Merlin, Evans.”
The door slammed shut behind her making her wince as Emmeline rolled her eyes and Jenny looked at her like a piece of dirt on the floor. “Sorry – erm...have either of you seen Hermione?” She asked after a second.
“Need to tell her about your hot date with her brother?” Emmeline asked, almost teasing and not at all as cruelly as she might have said it a year ago. Lily tried to shake it off, she wasn’t going to read too much into whatever was happening there.
“Yeah, how did you even get a date with him anyway – I mean James is well not in your level.” Jenny scoffed out as she looked Lily up and down with a smirk.
There were a few choice things she could say in retaliation like while Lily might not be as pretty as model like people like Marlene or Emmline, or have the soft beauty of Hermione – she still would say she was a lot better looking than Jenny and her bitchy personality, but Lily had always liked to be the bigger person so instead she stuck a sweet smile on her face.
“And yet here we are...Hermione, have you seen her?” She asked turning back to Emmeline.
“I think she went with Sirius to his room.” Emmeline answered as Lily nodded her head and turned around to leave, hoping that James was still downstairs speaking to his Quidditch captain. “Oh and Evans -” Lily turned with a frown as Emmeline winced. “- you and James look really good together.”
It was a shock, and another thing that Lily wasn’t going to think about. “Erm...thanks.” She said quickly before racing out of the room and up the boys stairs.
It was a testament to her friendship with the boys that she didn’t knock but simply pushed the door open and stepped inside, letting a scoff of disgust leave her mouth as the door slammed shut and snapped the only two people in the room out of what they were doing, but not out of their position.
Their mouths no longer connected and their heads turned in her direction didn’t take away from the fact that Sirius was half laid on top of Hermione, his hand slightly pushed up her top – not enough to feel anything but seemingly gently resting on her stomach. Their legs were tangled together and Hermione’s hands were threaded through Sirius’ raven locks.
“Hi?” Sirius spoke with a frown. “Ever heard of this thing call knocking?”
“Ever heard of locking the door?” Lily asked back, raising an eyebrow and stepping further into the room as Sirius pulled his hand away and Hermione blushed. “I need to talk to you.” She added as she sat herself down at the end of the bed.
Gone was the need to be embarrassed, even more so when she had actually caught them post coital and naked together, now their clothes were only rumpled and their lips pink and slightly swollen, but it was nothing too scaring.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Hermione asked breathlessly as she pushed away Sirius and sat herself up straight, pulling her top back over her stomach.
“I think I have a thing for your brother.” Lily admitted, scrunching up her face and fighting the urge to take it back and deny that she had even said it. Six years of saying otherwise had told her to ignore what she might have felt for a long time.
Hermione and Sirius stared back with wide eyes and large grins, any previous annoyance at her having interrupted long gone, though Lily couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. It wasn’t like they had much chance to be alone in the bedroom, not when James slept in the same room and didn’t like to leave them alone for too long.
And it wasn’t like Sirius could go to the girls room, though she was sure he would find a way if he really wanted to, except she didn’t want that happening next to her bed.
Merlin, this summer was probably going to be the time to practice silencing spells and investing in something to block out whatever noise she might hear.
“So I take it your date went well?” Hermione spoked after a second, face relaxing into more of a knowing grin that made her look a bit like Euphemia.
“Kind of, a bit awkward but yeah – I just...there was this moment where -” Where we were talking about you both but it didn’t feel like it. She couldn’t say that, but the pause was enough for them to look at her strangely. “ - we were talking about something and I...well something clicked.” It was a poor example but she seemed to lack the words to truly explain it.
“What?” Sirius asked, more interested as he sat up before he frowned as Lily sent him a quick frown. “Oh sorry...should I leave my own room so you two can talk?” He asked sarcastically as Lily rolled her eyes.
“Your choice, I don’t care.” Lily bit back before she turned to Hermione and let out a sigh. “What do I do?” She asked as Hermione’s face softened.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean...I...James has always been the bloke that annoyed me, teased me and hexed my friends -” She sent a quick look to Sirius but he didn’t even bat an eye. “ - and a part of me always hated him, and refused any idea that I would care for him, but now it’s like there’s another side and I don’t know what to think.” Lily admitted, bowing her head as Sirius nodded his head and Hermione sighed.
She wondered how hard it might have been for Hermione to have to hear how much Lily had hated her brother throughout the years, to have to watch his fall every time Lily said no or called him something or jinxed him.
How much it must have hurt to have her best friend and brother at odds – or now to have things so confused that she wasn’t quite sure as to what she should actually do.
“Lil’-”
“Now he’s no longer the boy that had an annoying crush on me, he’s this handsome man who has grown up in more ways than one, who is smart, kind and loyal...so fucking loyal that I worry it’s going to get him trouble.” She felt breathless, admitting what she had kept inside for what felt like the longest time, her eyes strangely teary and her heart pounding.
A hand reached out for her own, small, pale and with circular nails that were never painted, and one that had offered comfort a million different times over the years. “You and I both.”
Brown eyes that looked nothing like her brothers but still seemed to emote the same, a small crinkle at the corner from the soft smile – James’ eyes did the same. An eternal bond that made up for the actual lack of blood between them, and just showed Lily how strong that Potter DNA really was when in the face of it.
“I don’t mean to ruin this moment but surely you knew all this before you offered to go on a date with him.” Sirius spoke, not so much a question but there was confusion there as Lily looked away from her best friend and to the boy.
“Probably about as much as Hermione knew before she agreed to whatever it is you are doing.” Lily snapped back as Hermione let out a small chuckle and Sirius glared at her. “And it’s not that I didn’t know, more like I didn’t want to admit it because then it’s real and I have to face how I feel about someone I considered a bully for five years.” She added, breathing out another sigh as Sirius winced and Hermione pursed her lips.
Hermione sighed softly, tilting her head to the side as she spoke. “Have you thought about talking to James about this?”
“What? No, why would I do that?”
“Well usually when you have a crush on someone you let them know.” Hermione teased with a wicked smile on her face as Lily spluttered, the need to deny heavy on her tongue and an old instinct that was hard to rid herself of.
Instead she settled for narrowing her eyes and smirking as she pointed between them. “Because that worked so well for you two.”
“We’re here, aren’t we?” Sirius clapped back.
“After what – three years of back and forth and a one night stand?”
“Hey!”
“She has a point.” Hermione spoked before Sirius could say anything else, a sigh leaving her mouth as she turned back to look at Lily. “Regardless though we sorted out our shit out – and maybe telling James would help you too.” She added as Lily shook her head.
“Or it would make things far too complicated and then James would expect something to happen and then it might not work and…”
“Evans -”
“And then what do I do and how do you go back from that and -”
“Lily!” Sirius shouted as Lily broke herself off from her rambling to look at the boy before her, grey eyes wide as he stared at her, shaking his head. “Stop for a second and get out of your head, it’s not helping you or anyone in this room.” He spoke, rolling his eyes and frowning as Hermione elbowed his side.
“What?”
“I’ve been down this road, alright, and I’ve fucked it up enough times to tell you you need to calm down for a second.” He spoke much softer than before as Lily stared at him with a frown. “It’s hard when you have feelings for someone, and when you spend years denying it then it makes things worse, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it out to be.” Was he really giving her advice about relationships?
The boy who had spent the first five years of Hogwarts bouncing around between different girls in different situations, who ran from what he was feeling for Hermione and screwed it up at every turn – who had finally seemed to have gotten what he had wanted for so long and was doing what he could to make it stick.
Maybe she should be taking advice from him.
“If you’re not ready to jump into it then take your time, you’ve done one date, maybe hint at another and take things step by step or just spend time with him.” Sirius added after another minute, his hand moving to play with Hermione’’s curls, wrapping them around his fingers in such a gentle way that it almost made Lily jealous.
“He has a point, though you can tell James, he’d be happy enough to hold your hand and take it however you need to take it – he’s waited six years, and I’m sure he could wait a few months more.” Hermione spoke with a small smile as she reached behind her to slap the hand away only for Sirius’ fingers to twist with her own.
“That just seems cruel.” Lily whispered with a frown, slumping against the poster of the bed. “Maybe I should talk to Remus and Marlene about this.” She added, ignoring the frowns sent her way.
“Marlene would just give you a list of reasons to jump into bed based off her own experience, and Remus would tell you to do what makes you happy.” Hermione spoked with a knowing grin as Lily scrunched up her face once more. “So as the only real couple here to offer you advice, I suggest you take it.” She would but they didn’t need to know that.
“I believe couple is only used for those who are officially in a relationship.”
…
Sunday the 3rd of April 1977
The library wasn’t busy, but then it never was on a Sunday as most of the students spent their time enjoying the day before classes again, or they were enjoy the slightly warmer air that outside was offering at the moment – and Lily couldn’t blame them.
While she took her studies serious and often wished others would too, there were times she envied the carelessness that they seemed to have or their need to finish their homework last minute. It had never been the case for her, she needed to spend hours pouring over her books and making sure her homework was perfectly written.
Which was why she had five books open as references for a simple potions essay she was writing, which she could probably write off her own back – or even ask Belby to help with, but it just seemed wrong.
Not asking Belby, he was actually quite full of knowledge and a decent enough person that she actually thought he might help if she asked, but he also had enough on his plate with his potion and his own studies.
They were making headway, or he seemed to be last time she saw him, which wasn’t everyday but every other day, and hopefully they would be finished soon, once they had blue smoke and the correct combination of ingredients – and enough for Remus to test and see if it worked, which would be down to Hermione.
It was something Lily wasn’t looking forward to, much like she wasn’t looking forward to whatever future Hermione had forgotten, because there was no way someone would block that off if it was good.
A groan left her mouth as she ran her fingers harshly through her hair and stared down at the words she had written.
“You alright?” James stood opposite her, a hand on the back of a chair and an amused smile on his face as he looked down at her, hazel eyes bright and hair messier than normal but still handsome nonetheless and it was really quite distracting now that she was paying attention to it.
“A lot on my plate.” Lily mumbled back as he finally sat down, placing his own book down and pulling out some parchment. Was he really about to do homework in the library on a Sunday afternoon instead of whatever else he should be doing?
“Yeah I can’t even imagine, homework, studying for exams – spending time with Belby – seems like a lot.” He teased with a wide grin, enough to let her know he wasn’t overly serious, but that he was curious.
“Ah so are we finally asking the questions we forgot about yesterday?” She asked with a grin as she shut her book and placed down her quill. There were ink marks on her hands that would take forever to wash off but she wasn’t concerned about them now. “I’m helping Belby with a potion.”
“Right...Hermione mentioned something about that.”
“Did she also mention that I know?” She asked, dragging out the words and widening her eyes so that he would get the message. He simply stared back, not surprised.
“She did.” He answered back, a small smile playing at his lips and making him look almost tempting, but she could imagine it was nice for him to know that he wasn’t alone in Hermione’s secret, and that if he wanted to they could speak about it.
Lily had so many questions, ones that Hermione couldn’t answer because she didn’t know and ones because it seemed to make her slightly sad, but there were moments where something happened and Hermione’s expression would change to something far away, confused and slightly in pain – no doubt recalling something she shouldn’t.
“Did she also tell you that she all but blackmailed me into helping her with something?” She asked with a raised eyebrow as James frowned.
“No, she didn’t.” He looked slightly pissed off as he leaned forward.
“It’s nothing to worry about so don’t go getting angry at her.” Lily waved off, rolling her eyes. “And how much do you know about the apprenticeship that Belby is doing?” She added as James frowned and shrugged his shoulders.
“Nothing...I mean potions is great but it’s not really something I thought about studying after school, more like something I need to do to become an Auror.” And he did it so naturally, maybe not as well as herself or Snape or even Belby, but good enough that most would raise eyebrows and be slightly impressed.
“Well, it’s not an easy thing to get into – they require good N.E.W.Ts, but also they require a potion of your own making, it can be something that is modified or it can be your own creation.” Lily explained softly as she pushed some of her books away and settled her hands on the table like her father would do when she was a child asking questions.
“What does that have to do with this?” James asked, looking slightly wary as he waited for her answer.
“Your sister, the intelligent woman she is, heard something about what Belby was doing and took interest, and I guess made me take interest to.” She began, taking a deep breath. “Belby is trying to create a potion for Werewolves, one that makes it that the human mind is still present during transformation, that they are nothing more than a tame, slightly large wolf that can sleep the night away.” She finished as James looked at her amazed.
“You’re helping him with that.”
“Yeah...or I’m trying to, but mainly I’m there to make sure that if this goes right, write down how to do it, and then make it for Remus when Belby has gone.” Lily explained with pinks cheeks in the face of his awe and shining eyes.
“And why not just buy it when he leaves school?” He asked with a frown, fingers tapping against the table and another hand running through his already messy hair.
“Because there are still many things a potion has to go through before it can be sold, checking for ingredients, process of making it, and tests.” Lily explained looking back down to her essay. “It can take a few years of trials, even if it is perfect for things to finally get the go ahead – especially when it is something like this and for a ‘lesser’ creature – nothing like a hair serum.” She quipped as the corner of James’ mouth raised.
“I was going to say why not just speak to my father but times are different, and I imagine some people would be rather upset at the idea of Werewolves getting a potion to help them out.” He spoke, the smile falling and something else settling in the lines of his face. “So my sister is making you do this?”
“No, I would have done it for Remus, but I did take the opportunity to get something else out of it – her secret.” Lily spoke with a large grin.
“I did wonder why she had told you, she just said that you had something and she told you because of it.”
“Yeah well, I guess someone as proud as her wasn’t going to admit she had been blackmailed into giving away her secrets.” Though Lily was kind of proud that she had finally gotten in the loop, even if it was with lesser means. “We should have probably told you earlier.” She added but James just simply shrugged.
“No, it’s alright, I’m glad you are working on something for Remus, he deserves it – but I do want to be there when Hermione tries to convince him to drink it.” He spoke with a sigh and then a large grin as Lily laughed in agreement.
“I’ll make sure of it.”
“So...erm...well about yesterday -”
“I had a really good time.” She cut him off before he could go on some rant about what it meant or to talk himself out of whatever was happening between them.
“Yeah? I...me too.” He seemed so surprised and it made her feel guilty that she had ever added to his doubt over the years. “I mean, I would love to do it again but I don’t want to put that pressure on you and I said I wouldn’t ask so I won’t but I just wanted to let you know that...it was good.” He finished with a wince, hands moving to claps on the table.
She had two options here, to leave it alone, or she could go with what her friends had said and see where this could go. The idea of cutting this off now, even in her fear of the situation just seemed even more terrifying than actually going through with it.
And James deserved better than to be jerked around, he deserved a lot better than her confused feelings, but he wanted her and he had for so many years – and now she kind of wanted him and to see where this would go.
With a deep breath she let out a sigh and smiled softly. “I’d love to do it again.” His face morphed into shock as she let out a small giggle. “Though maybe with less awkwardness, and perhaps a butterbeer or two, but it is something that needs to be repeated.” He grinned widely, nodding his head in agreement and it almost made her ache.
“Ok...ok then we will.”