Song: Figured You Out by Nickelback
Chapter Nine
By Natali K. A.
(-Lily and James, in Lily's bed, four hours after they first met up…-)
"Mmm," Lily sighed, softly massaging James's chest. "That was most…"
"Invigorating," James smiled.
Lily smiled back, thinking of a time in Sixth Year…
*~*
(-Memories…-)
Sixteen-year-old Lily hurried down the corridor to her class. She couldn't be late to Transfiguration! She'd get a detention this time. She went from a brisk walk to a run when she noticed the halls were beginning to become emptier. Only one corridor to go. If she could just make it to-
Next thing she knew, she was sprawled on the floor, her books scattered all over, and a big bruise was beginning to form on the back of her head.
"Oh, fuck!" she cried, eyes fluttering open. Her vision was blurry at first, but then she focused in on Potter.
"Evans, I'm sorry," he said. "Are you all right?"
"Been better," she replied, groaning as she sat up. When she felt the back of her head, the pain nearly blinded her. "What happened?"
"I'm sorry. I ran in to you," he explained, getting her books. The bell rang to signal their tardy. "Crap, we're late!"
"And I've got a detention," she muttered, trying to gather her wits. Her head began to hurt. "I've got a monster of a headache."
"I'll bet." James smiled at her.
Lily was transfixed in the gorgeous pools of honey. James Potter was… smiling at her. It wasn't normal. They didn't run in the same crowd. She was a popular, preppy, girl everyone loved. He was one of the notorious players everyone loved to hate. Two completely different worlds. At best, they were on last-name terms. She smiled at him.
"Well, I might as well just cut now," she sighed. "McGonagall will spaz."
He nodded. "Yeah, me too. This would be my third tardy, and I've had so many that she'll probably dock points this time around." He looked at her. "Do you need to go to the clinic? You still look a tad disoriented."
"I think so," she answered slowly. "Yeah, I think I'll go. That way, I'll have a real excuse." She made to get her books.
"No, that's ok. I'll take them for you," he offered. "I want to walk you. You look pale."
"Thanks."
They continued their way down to the Hospital Wing, chatting about Quidditch and school and what they were going to do after Hogwarts. Much too soon for Lily, they'd reached the door.
"I'll leave you here then," James said, handing her the books. "I'm sorry I bumped into you. I was in a rush to get my book before the bell rang. You're sure you're all right?"
She nodded, then regretted it instantly. "Damn it, that hurt!" She winced.
He laughed and hit her chin playfully, but gently as not to hurt her. "See you around, Evans." He smiled again and headed in the opposite direction.
"My God, he's gorgeous," Lily breathed, leaning against the door frame. Two different worlds, yes… But that didn't mean she wasn't still female. To be on the receiving end of one of those famous Potter smiles was wonderful. She chuckled to herself. "And he knows it, too."
Meanwhile, James was making his way toward his dorm room, still smiling over the thought of Evans's skirt up above her knees… Way up above her knees. He shook his head as he stepped into the common room.
"Hey, Sirius," he said, spotting Sirius aiming for the candlestick on the mantle with his slingshot. "Guess who I just bumped into-literally."
"Who?" Sirius asked, not really paying attention. He released the sling, and it knocked the candlestick off cleanly. "Yes!"
"Evans."
"Evans who?"
"Lily Evans."
Sirius scrunched up his nose. "Um, is she blonde?"
James shook his head. "No. You've got to know who she is-her hair's red."
"Bright red? Like a tomato?"
"No. Wine red. Sort of. It's different. She's friends with Lynn something or other. I think. And I'm pretty sure I've seen Julie talking to her."
"Oh," Sirius said slowly, smiling. "Yeah, I know who she is. She's that Ravenclaw captain's girl. From what I hear in the changing room, he's shagging her but good."
"Him?" James cried with disgust. "Why would she go out with that pile of shit? He's a complete idiot, he smells, and burps at least twenty times a day."
"Jealous, mate?" Sirius asked, smiling knowledgably.
"Hardly. I just don't know what she sees in him."
Sirius shrugged. "What's so interesting about bumping into her? I doubt you even talk to her nine times out of ten."
James frowned at the fire. "Not much," he said slowly. "I just found it worth mentioning. She's pretty, don't you think?"
"Passably so. Between you and me, she's not shagging anyone. That's his lie." Sirius examined his nails. "Apparently she's a virgin."
James raised his eyebrows. "Who told you that?"
"Cindy McCloud. She completely hates Evans." Sirius chuckled. "And I mean hates."
James grabbed the slingshot from Sirius's hand and aimed for the lion's head on the coat of arms that hung above the fireplace. "Well… Alright then." He released it, and the tiny pebble stuck right in the middle of the lion.
*~*
(-Present…-)
James smiled down at Lily, kissing her forehead. Lily giggled. "What time is it? I have to go to work tomorrow."
"Or… you could quit and come live in London with us again. With me. And stay with me forever."
"I can apparate in the morning and afternoons, stupid," Lily said. "I'm not quitting my job." Though she couldn't see James from his position somewhere near her breast, she could picture him frowning.
"You don't have to work."
"I don't want to lose my mind, James."
"And the kids?"
"They don't need constant supervision… at least not from me. Besides… I'm not pregnant."
"Yet. And actually, you might be."
"Splendid."
"All the more reason to marry me."
"How logical."
"Yes."
She moved out from under him and flopped onto her stomach. "'Night, James. I need some sleep. It's been an eventful day."
He sighed heavily. "Lily, I haven't seen you in a year. Could you please talk to me? Tell what you've been doing." And more quietly he added, "Tell me you've missed me as much as I've missed you."
After a brief silence, Lily flipped over back onto her back and pulled his head down to her. Her eyes felt misty. "I've missed you almost more than I could bear. And I'll miss work tomorrow. One day won't kill me, right?"
"That's my Lily. Always throwing herself into her work." He caressed her cheek with his lips.
She nipped his ear. "Yes, James. I'm your Lily. Always."
"Good," he chuckled. "Oh! I heard the funniest joke the other day. Want to hear it?"
She nodded.
"Ok. What did the gay horse say?"
Lily looked her confusion. "I give up. What?"
Then he said in an extremely gay voice, "Hey!" He even added a little flick of the hand for emphasis.
Lily burst out laughing. "James, that was terrible! Where the bloody hell did you hear that? It's worse than the one about the skeleton crossing the road."
"But," James said, kissing her softly, "it made you laugh."
"Yes. At it."
"Either way, you laughed."
----
(-Lynn, at an interview years later, after the Calamity…-)
Lynn Black watched as the interviewer gave her a pity look. What exactly made that idiot woman think that she needed pity?
"Later, in the years to come, Lils would tell us all the things she did with James. All the problems they'd had, the laughs, et cetera. But I don't your pity, Ms. Henderson. Lils and James did what they had to do, they succeeded, they came back to be with Harry, and then they died. What else is there for a being to do, anyhow?" She looked down at her hands.
"I've had five best mates die in my lifetime, Ms. Henderson, one of them my own husband. I've hurt a lot, and I've experienced pain, but I don't need your pity. You asked me to speak to you about what the Potters did for the world. They did many things, but the most important is this: Harry."
----
(-Julie, three years before that, also at an interview…-)
"Joe," the seventy-something year old Mrs. Lupin sighed, "I loved Remus. Still do, even in his death. But there was nothing-nothing-like the love Lils and James had for each other. That's a love that truly stood the test of time." She looked up at her nephew, also a reporter for the Brunswick Times.
"Was it really that great?" Joe asked.
Julie laughed humorlessly. "Oh, yes. They certainly loved each other. You could just see. If you look at one of their pictures now, you can still see the love. Harry, Sophia, and Ryan are evidence of that."
"Anything else, Aunt Julie?"
Julie stared out the window of her New England "condo", as the Americans called it.
"What Lils and James did, wasn't for the fame or glory, or not even the money, because it sure involved a bunch of that. It was because they truly were examples of what everyone strives to be, but can never achieve. Once every thousand years, two people fall so deeply in love that they create a force so great, so powerful, that it can either destroy, or save mankind. Today, that force is the League of Honor, Strength, and Respect. Now, something very interesting happened-there was more than one couple who fell so deeply in love they made a supernatural force. By and large, they're known simply as The League… A group of eight young men and woman who will defy all odds. They can swim, fly, climb, run, even come back from the dead. Because of these, the world is a safer place, if just for awhile."
Julie smiled softly and looked at the picture of the whole gang on Lily and James's wedding day.
"And for now, Joe… It's enough to know that I was a part of it."
----
(-James, the day before he died, in a letter to his sister, Angie…-)
Dear Angie,
Have you seen our grandson yet? He's just the handsomest thing ever to exist. Harry couldn't be any prouder, and Kiera is a great mother. The whole gang says hi. I hope you come visit soon. I still can't figure out for the life of me why you moved to America, but if that's what you want…
Jonathan told me that you had the flu last week. SUCKER! I'm just kidding, but still… HA HA! Lils would have my head if she knew I was being this mean to you, but pooh!
On a more serious note, I think that tomorrow is the day Voldemort will come back for us. The fact that we've managed to avoid that git for more than forty-five years is just hilarious. I'll make sure to rub it in his face AGAIN before we escape with no more than a scratch.
Well, I'll see you next week then, Ang. You make sure to say hi to Zach.
-James
*~*
Yes, I know. Bad, bad author! *spank*. But I'm back now. And oh, what is all this talk about the Calamity and the League (gay name, I know. Sorry), or everyone dead??
That's for me to know and for you to find out. .
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