The Hogshead pub was fairly busy for a Friday evening. Happy hour was well underway by the time Lily Evans managed to push her way through the swinging glass doors and into the warmth of the bar. The sensation of heat flooding her body was welcomed after the bleak sleeting conditions of outside. Her juniper-coloured beanie and puffy winter coat was splattered with traces of ice crystals from partially fused snowflakes. Marlene was already nursing a pint in their usual booth, another full one sat untouched on a beermat opposite her. Lily slid into the booth picking up the pint as she went and brought it to her lips for a sip.
“Cheers.” Lily greeted.
“Cheers yourself. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show. You were supposed to be here nearly an hour ago.” Marlene sighed as she downed the last of her pint.
“Sorry. I meant to text but my phone’s dead and I didn’t have my charger. Perkins literally slammed a bunch of paperwork on my desk right as I was about to walk out the door.” Lily huffed.
“When has that man ever actually reached a deadline? Seriously.” Marlene rolled her eyes.
“Are Dorcas and Mary coming?” Lily asked. “Next round is on me.”
“Babes they left a good ten minutes ago. Like I said you’re late. Again.”
“Bollocks.” Lily muttered under her breath, taking another pull on her pint.
“Remember us having this conversation… oh I don’t know a billion times, Evans? You work too hard dammit and your personal relationships suffer for it. You need to find a better work-life balance girl,” Marlene offered sympathetically, reaching out for Lily’s cold hand across the table. “Mary has date night with Reggie and Dorcas has the early morning shift at the hospital tomorrow.”
Lily took Marlene’s hand gratefully and gave it a gentle squeeze. Pulling away she slipped her hand into her coat pocket and produced a wad of notes and set them on the table in front of Marlene. She tugged her hat off her head and started to unbutton her coat.
“Next round and a plate of chips on me?”
“Knew there was some reason I keep you around. Coming right up.” Marlene grabbed her empty glass and walked it up to the bar to make their order.
Once Marlene was out of ear shot Lily sighed and let her shoulders sag. She was utterly exhausted after a full day behind a screen, she’d even skipped lunch. All she wanted was for the two of them to go home and plop themselves on the sofa in front of the tv with a takeaway curry. But they’d been trying to have pub night for weeks now after Lily had already postponed it twice due to needing to work late. As much as she hated to admit it her friend was right, she did need a better work-life balance.
She’d taken the administration job at The Prophet over a year ago just to keep the roof over her head and save money towards her next project for the Phoenix Performing Arts School. But then the company had exchanged hands and she was made redundant. Then when the new owners had realised that their business couldn’t function without her because of all the non-admin related stuff she did to keep the bloody place operational she’d been given her job back. Except this time, it was under the ever-incompetent Perkins. So now she was responsible for not only her own duties but half of his managerial responsibilities as well. Something she had complained about to both human resources and the governing board about but that had gotten her nowhere, thanks to Perkins’ dad oh so conveniently being the board CEO.
In all honesty the 5am to 5pm Monday - Friday shift was killing her, both mentally and physically. With what little spare time she had left with her life she still had to deal with stuff for Phoenix, as it was a non-profit and entirely volunteer run. Their big Christmas showcase was coming up in just over a week and their photographer had pulled out last minute, whom she still needed to find a replacement for. As much as she had tried to delegate tasks between the other volunteers, she ultimately ended up doing a lot of the organisation and planning herself. They all had spouses, kids, and jobs of their own to deal with. Time was the one precious thing they all struggled to give.
Lily pulled out her phone and continued to shoot off emails to all the small-scale affordable photographers she had found on her tube ride to the pub. Praying that someone would be available this time of year. She could really use a Christmas miracle at this point. The kids she tutored had all been working so hard on their performance pieces and they deserved a photographer to capture all their hard work on film. Marlene slipped back into their booth with two pints and a table number, scowling at her.
“I swear to god Lils if you’re still answering fucking work emails at this hour, I’m gonna drown your phone in this pint and you can go get yourself another.”
“Sorry! Sorry! I’m putting it away now,” Lily apologised “Bloody Graham has only gone and pulled out last minute and now I don’t have a photographer for the 24th.”
“For the Phoenix Showcase? And you think you’re gonna find a cheap photographer now? Like a week out from Christmas Eve? Bloody hell Lils.” Marlene scoffed.
“I know, I know. I’m asking for a miracle at this point. If I had an actual camera that isn’t my phone, I’d just do it myself. I might have to ask Severus.”
“Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare ask him for anything Lily I mean it.” Marlene wagged a finger at her “Look I make no promises. But there’s a teaching sub at work who’s mentioned his husband is a photographer. I can ask him.”
Marlene whipped her phone out of her pocket typing rapidly before showing Lily the screen.
Hey Remus, long shot I know but I remember you mentioned hubby was a photographer. I’ve got a friend who’s had their photographer pull out of a charity gig on the 24th last minute. Was wondering if you might be able to help? There’s not a lot of money in it. Maybe a couple hundred quid. But it’s for a good cause. Let me know? Marls
Lily nodded her approval at the message and Marlene hit send. About twenty minutes later once their chips had arrived, Marlene’s phone pinged with a response. She typed again briefly and set the phone back down.
“He asked what the gig was for. They’re meant to be at the in-laws for Christmas but fingers crossed they’ll make time. I offered them free tickets as a bonus,” Marlene mumbled through a mouth full of chips. The phone pinged again. “They’ll be here in 10 to discuss details.” Marlene smirked showing Lily the phone.
“You little Christmas miracle worker you. I could kiss you!” Lily said, relieved.
“Don’t thank me yet. Wait til all is signed on the dotted line before that.”
As promised Marlene’s work colleague appeared 10 minutes later peeling off a leather motorcycle jacket. He looked sweet, Lily thought, definitely had school teacher vibes in his patched knitted jumper. Marlene waved joyfully to catch Remus’ attention and he wandered over to the table. Lily scooted across the booth to make space for him.
“Lils, this is Remus Lupin. Lupin meet my flatmate Lily Evans.” Marlene introduced.
“Hiya. Sirius is just parking up the bike. Bloody mental out there. Marlene’s told me a lot about you.” Remus smiled offering an extended hand to Lily to shake.
“All bad things I hope?” Lily chuckled. “Pleased to meet you. You may just be about to save Christmas for me. What ya drinking? I’m buying.”
“I’ll just have a cider. Sirius drinks whatever you put in front of him.” Remus laughed.
“Oi! I do not. How rude, slamming me in front of perfect strangers, Moony.” A deep voice barked.
Lily looked up to greet whom she could only assume was Sirius Lupin but found herself opening her mouth like a goldfish. The man before her was not what she had expected of Remus’s husband. Remus appeared meek with his short light brown hair and teacher look. While Sirius was a tall, well built, darkly handsome man with lustrous black hair. He had multiple piercings in each ear and Lily could just make out a chest tattoo poking out through his button up. Though it was far from Sirius’s looks that had Lily absolutely humiliating herself. It was the fact she recognised him. This was Sirius Black. He was a very well-known and accredited photographer. His day rate was probably at least a week of her salary.
“Jesus bloody Christ you’re Sirius Black.” Lily uttered.
“The one and only.” Sirius gestured grandly with a small bow.
“I am so sorry. I had no idea.” Lily rambled. “Marlene just said you were a photographer… I didn’t…”
“Does someone wanna fill me in?” Marlene asked quizzically.
“Marlene for fucks sake he has an order of merlin award and we’ve just asked him to photograph a kids talent show!” Lily answered her. Sirius let out a hearty laugh.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not some lofty twat who can’t give a charity the time of day unless they pay me in the thousands.” Sirius nudged Marlene over and took a seat opposite Remus. “I just need to know what it is exactly you’re after.”
Regaining her composure a little, Lily explained about the Phoenix Performing Arts School and the end of year Christmas Showcase the kids put on every year. Everything from drama skits, dance routines to instrumentals and vocals. She explained that she needed someone for a few hours not just to photograph each kids’ performance, but also some of the back stage action and some crowd and judging panel shots. Something she could give a copy of to parents but also use for their fundraising drives and the Facebook page. She was nearing the end of her speal when an unwanted face made an appearance. Her sister Petunia and her fiancé Vernon. The last people she wanted to see right now.
“Stuck for a photographer Lily? You know you really shouldn’t leave things to the last minute.” Vernon drawled standing at the end of the booth. Clearly, he didn’t seem to recognise Sirius for who he was. Lily wished the ground would swallow her up whole.
“I would have thought you’d just ask the Snape boy to do it.” Petunia scoffed, looking down at the group over her long nose.
“She’s not about to ask her prick of an ex-friend to photograph a gig when her beau is gonna be there.” Marlene fibbed. Lily stared at her incredulously. Lily didn’t have a man in her life. A fact her sister was well aware of and loved to jab at her about.
“Oh. I didn’t realise you’d started seeing someone Lily. You didn’t mention it”, Petunia replied surprised. “I’m sure mum and dad will look forward to meeting him. We’d all started to think you were becoming a spinster. Well, we’d best be off. Nice meeting you.” She smiled a false smile and turned to exit the bar with Vernon. Lily waited until they were both out of ear shot before she turned on Marlene.
“What in the actual fuck Mar!? I don’t have a boyfriend. A fact Petunia is very much aware of,” Lily moaned. “Now I’ve gotta set the record straight before she says anything to mum and dad.”
“I don’t know what possessed me. She winds me up your sister. Always has to have something to poke and prod at you over.” Marlene apologised.
“Well, she certainly has the ammunition to poke and prod with now. I don’t need a bloody boyfriend.” Lily closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m so sorry you two had to witness that.” She apologised to Remus and Sirius.
“Oh, not to worry. I totally get dysfunctional judgemental family. Ditched mine when I was 15. Don’t even speak to them anymore. Moved in with my best mate and his folks, they’re my family now.” Sirius sympathised.
“I’m gonna need several more pints for this.” Lily groaned.
“You could always just not say anything? You’ll be running round like a lunatic show day anyway.” Marlene uttered.
“Or I have an even better idea…” Remus chimed in. “What about James? He’d do it for shits and giggles.” he suggested to Sirius.
“Oh god yeah he would. Aforementioned best mate. He’ll be dragged along to the show with Fleamont and Euphemia anyway. He’d play along with the fake-date thing, he loves a good wind up. Here I’ll give you his number.”
Show day always made Lily feel nervous. Today was no except to that, except this time it wasn’t just performance anxiety and wishing for things to go smoothly for her kiddos. Today she would be meeting the mysterious James. Should he actually turn up that is. Part of her felt like he wouldn’t and she couldn’t exactly blame him. With an hour til curtain Lily was running around like a headless chicken making sure everything was in order. She briefly re-read her text exchange with James from the week previous at the pub.
Hiya James. This is Lily Evans. Your brother Sirius gave me your number. He’s photographing a charity event for me and suggested you might be the answer to a problem I’m having.
Hello! How may I be of assistance?
Now feel free to say no. Especially as I’m a stranger and this is absolutely bonkers. But I’m in need of a date for the 24th.
Ah… is this Padfoot winding me up?
I have no clue who Padfoot is and I wish this was a wind up. My mate has ever so graciously dropped me in it with my sister that I’d have a date with me for the charity gig. So now I need someone she doesn’t know to be my fake-date. Remus said you’d do it for “shits and giggles”.
*Photo attachment*
See? Actual real Lily I swear.
I see. Well in which case I humbly accept your invitation of fake-date. What do I need to wear?
Whatever you’d usually wear to a kids Christmas showcase. December 24th, Gryffindor Community Theatre. 7pm-9:30pm. I’ll owe you a pint.
I’ll be there.
“Lily?” A male voice interrupted her reprieve, shaking her back into the present moment.
The voice belonged to a tall, thin man with a mess of dark hair and hazel eyes behind horn rimmed glasses. He was dressed in a pair of tidy slacks and a pale blue dress shirt. Lily didn’t recognise him as one of the parents or volunteers.
“I’m James. You are Lily yeah? Sirius pointed me in your direction. He’s just setting up a couple tripods out front.” James gestured behind him with a thumb over his shoulder.
“Oh God yeah. Hi. Yup.” Lily scrambled. “Sorry I was away with the fairies for a second there. You’re early.”
“Well would be a bit rude to be late to meet the fake-date family ya know?” He grinned. Lily had to admit he was very handsome. “Do you need a hand with anything?”
“How chivalrous of you to offer. But unless you can help Sarah French braid her hair, I think we’re good at this point.” Lily joked.
“In which case I suggest we make sure we have our story straight. How did we meet? How long have we been dating?” James asked.
“I’m a busy bee at the best of times. So, I’d say we’ve casually been seeing each other for a few months but don’t live in each other’s pockets. Makes sense for why I wouldn’t have mentioned you previously if either of my folks bring it up. What do you do for work? Might help us come up with a solution for how we met.” Lily suggested.
“Tattoo artist. You?” He replied simply.
“Wait seriously? You don’t look the type. You look like you’d work in IT or something.”
“It’s the glasses isn’t it? I own a little shop off Diagon Alley. I swear under all this I have two full sleeves. See?” James laughed, rolling back his sleeves to reveal bright artwork up both forearms.
“I’ll have to come check out your studio some time. I’ve been thinking about some new ink for a little while now. I’ve been the president of the Phoenix board for over a year and a half now. Time to commemorate it permanently, I think. As for my day job… that gets complicated. Let’s just say I work in admin and my boss is a royal prick.”
“A phoenix I can definitely do. We could even work on a custom piece together if you fancy it. In fact, why don’t we make that our story? You came in looking for an artist for your new ink and here we are.” James offered.
“Perfect!” Lily beamed. She might actually be able to pull this off. “Well, you have a reserved seat three rows back on the left-hand side. There’s one for yourself, Remus and your parents. My folks usually just turn up last minute and find a seat anywhere. But I’ll make a point of introducing you during the 15-minute break. I’m either gonna be on or back stage pretty much til the show is over.”
“Cool, cool. I imagine we’ll have more chance to chat during pack down at the end of the show.”
“Don’t worry I won’t make you stay for that. The kid’s parents are usually pretty good at making sure the dressing rooms are cleaned up. It’ll just be a case of putting all the seating away and giving everything a vacuum and mop. The theatre leaves all the Christmas décor til the new year.”
“I’d hardly be a model boyfriend if I didn’t help with the pack down. I’m supposed to be making a good first impression remember?”
James was true to his word. He did make a good first impression with Lily’s parents when she introduced them during the intermission. The sour lemon look on Petunia’s face was the icing on the cake. James was charming with ease; he flattered her mother and was polite to her father. He seemed to know all the right things to say, there wasn’t even a whiff of doubt on her family’s part they were actually dating. Lily had no idea what James and or Sirius had said to their parents but they equally appeared to be in on the whole ruse.
The Potter’s were older than what Lily had expected, both with much more wrinkled skin and white or grey hair than either of her own parents. But like their son they were also sweet and very accommodating of Lily. Euphemia revealed that she had actually been a ballerina in her youth, until a horse-riding accident had abruptly ended her professional dancing career. Fleamont was a pharmacist for over 40 years before he had retired. They were good people. They even offered to put together a small scholarship prize for the next big talent showcase in the new year.
“It’s so important that young people pursue their passion while they can.” Euphemia had insisted.
By the time Lily had well wished all of the parents and guests, thanked the judges for their time, seen off both sets of parents along with Remus and Sirius, most of the clean up was already complete. She turned her back to the entrance way to see James dancing across the theatre floor with a mop, as though it was his ball room dance partner. Lily watched him so blissfully unaware and carefree.
“Thanks. For everything. You really earned yourself a pint or three on me.” Lily acknowledged.
“Not a problem. I had fun, it got mum and dad out of the house. Plus, you put on one hell of a show. Though I have to admit my favourite part was when that kid kicked his tap shoe off into the crowd. Those things make for some serious projectile weaponry.”
“Yeah, I don’t see Henry forgetting to tighten his laces for a very long time after that. Have to be proud he just kept dancing like it didn’t happen though.” She laughed.
“About that pint...” James took a step closer towards her, pulling the mop closer into his chest. “I was wondering if we could make it dinner instead. Like a date? An actual date that is.” He asked sheepishly.
“Well, I guess that depends.” Lily replied.
“On?” He said quizzically.
“Does a takeaway back at my place once I’ve locked up count?”
“I’d say so.” James smiled.
They left the theatre together, fingers intertwined as they walked briskly through the snow. For the next several years to come Christmas would remain their favourite holiday, and their friends certainly never let them forget it was all thanks to Marlene they ever met in the first place. Especially after James got down on one knee outside the exact same theatre, as the snow fell and Christmas carols rang in the air.