Chapter Text
NOTE: Come one, come all to my first fanfic in years. I hope you enjoy your stay. This story will be pretty book/movie canon with some fanon sprinkled in. Some eventual smut, lots of swear words right off the bat. A nice and steady slow burn for not just J/L but some other favorites too! Everyone is welcome here.
I do not support Rowling or her transphobic views. I've chosen to write fanfic once again to take back the narrative from her. HP is for the fans now. I do not own any of the established characters/settings.
Lily Evans yawned widely and turned over in her queen sized bed. The cool summer morning air streamed in through her open window and she could hear the soft snoring of her best friends, Marlene McKinnon and Dorcas Meadowes, next to her. Marlene and Dorcas had popped by the evening before to celebrate the news of Lily becoming Head Girl of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The girls had split a few bottles of wine Marlene had nicked from her parents and they spent the evening listening to Muggle records, eating chocolates and other sweets, and giggling madly. It had been a wonderful night.
After a few moments of drowsy rest and thoughts of having an even longer lie-in, Lily stretched and sat up in her bed, but was shocked to full alertness by the appearance of a large and haughty screech owl sitting at the end of her wrought iron bed. She didn’t often see unknown owls in her room or anywhere outside of Hogwarts really, so its wide eyed gaze fixed upon her was quite a surprise indeed. Her two closest friends both had little scops owls, Grigori (Marlene) and Bast (Dorcas) that they used for communication, but Lily had never seen this owl and his gleaming, copper colored feathers and wide yellow eyes outside of school. With a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, Lily hurriedly got out of bed, curious as to why this handsome owl was sitting in her bedroom. The owl stuck his leg out dutifully and tied to it was a folded piece of parchment with a shimmery, blood red wax seal stamped with an elegant “P”. Breaking the seal quickly, Lily’s eyes scanned over the small but neat writing:
Evans,
Hope summer holiday is going well. I thought you should know that I’ve been appointed Head Boy. I know, it’s a shock to me as well. Dumbledore himself came to my parent’s and told me. I know this must come as quite a disappointment to you, and I can understand why. I thought it would be Remus.
I know there’s no way it makes sense, and I told Dumbledore as much, but he doesn’t want to hear it. Sirius thinks the old man has finally lost the last of his wits.
I just wanted you to know before we left for school.
Cheers,
James Potter
P.S. The owl’s name is Klaus. He’s a bit of a smarmy git and won’t leave until fed something. He’s been spoiled by Peter’s mum when he delivers letters to them.
Lily held the piece of parchment in her hand and stared at it, thinking she must still be tipsy from the night before. This must be a joke, she thought frantically. It had to be. Some nasty little joke at her expense by Potter and Black. There was no way that in any reality, magical or Muggle, that James Potter would be put in any position of leadership.
“Marlene! Dorcas!” Lily said, her voice shrill.
“Ugh, fuck off Lily. It’s too early and I’m too hungover for you to be yelling already.” Marlene muttered before grabbing Lily’s discarded pillow and pulling it across her face. Dorcas simply rolled over with a groan.
“Marlene, I’ve just got a letter from Potter. He says he’s been appointed Head Boy.”
Dorcas shot up immediately and stared at Lily while Marlene slowly pulled the pillow off her face and looked up at her friend, cocking her head to the side.
“You’re having a laugh,” Dorcas said, “You’re drunk still and you’re trying to lead me on.”
Lily huffed, “I am not having a laugh! Why would I joke about such a horrific, horrible, awful thing?”
Lily tossed the letter to Dorcas, who picked it up and read it through bloodshot and bleary eyes. Her eyes widened and her both made a slight O shape before she burst into a fit of laughter. It infuriated Lily.
“It isn’t funny!” Lily exclaimed before sinking down into her bed, “What in the bloody hell is Dumbledore thinking?”
“Dunno, maybe Black is right, maybe he has finally lost the last of his gobstones.” Dorcas said, wiping her eyes before she settled back into the flowery patterned sheets of her friend’s bed. “We should have known something was up when he showed up to the end of the year feast in those bright purple and silver robes.”
At that moment, the door to Lily’s bedroom swung open and Marlene, though hungover and tired, had the good sense to push the two empty wine bottles under Lily’s bed before Petunia Evans peered into the room.
“Will you be quiet?” she snapped, her thin face furious looking and her blonde hair pinned into sections. “Vernon and I have a very important date tonight and I’m trying to do a roller set!”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Petunia.” she muttered.
“So sorry, Tunia. Won’t happen again.” Marlene said through a too-wide grin. Dorcas gave the older girl a cold stare. Petunia gave them all a withering look before leaving the bedroom of her younger sister. Marlene fished for her wand on the bedside table and with a quick swish the door shut. “We mustn’t disturb her majesty before her very important date with that pompous bastard.”
Lily smiled weakly at Marlene. Although it had been more than six years since Lily had gotten her Hogwart’s letter, Petunia had never forgiven her for leaving for school and embracing her life as a witch. She didn’t talk of it often, but the memory of Petunia’s despair and outrage at not being allowed to attend Hogwarts herself still made Lily sad. She loved her sister and wanted the best for her despite the huge distance between them, and she was absolutely certain that Vernon Dursley was not what was best for her only sister.
“Buck up, Lils.” Marlene said, seeing her friend’s false smile, “It might not be so bad, after all.”
“What, Vernon?” Lily said, her voice low so Petunia wouldn’t hear her from even down the hall, “It’ll definitely be bad, he’s a massive git.”
Now Marlene rolled her eyes, “Not Vernon,” she said impatiently, “I’m talking about Potter becoming Head Boy. He’s smart and he hasn’t been hexing as many people. Everyone but the Slytherins like him. I can’t even remember the last time he yelled at you in the halls for you to go out with him. He might be okay as Head Boy, as long as he’s grown up a bit this summer.”
“She’s right, Lily.” Dorcas said through a yawn. “I know you’ve never liked Potter, and with good reason, but he’s not so bad.”
Lily sighed and picked up the letter from Potter. She had almost forgotten about that horrible bit of news thanks to Petunia’s sharp entrance into her bedroom. Marlene and Dorcas were right, she had to admit. After their explosive argument at the end of fifth year, Potter had seemed to settle down a bit more. They had come to an unspoken agreement to be polite and get along, and after sometime she even liked his company in the Common Room and the Great Hall when their friend groups studied and had their meals together.
“Easy for you to say, Marlene, you won’t have to spend countless evenings patrolling and in Prefect’s meetings with him. Dorcas at least gets to hit him with Bludgers when he annoys her.” Lily muttered before flopping back on her bed.
Dorcas grinned wickedly and Marlene shrugged before climbing out of bed and stretching. “I could think of worse ways to spend an evening, you know. Most girls wouldn’t complain about countless intimate hours cooped up with a handsome quidditch captain.”
Lily threw a pillow at her friend, who jumped out of the way with a laugh. “I hardly think he’s handsome.” She said, “And even if I did, he’s still the most pompous and arrogant person I’ve ever met. It’s like you’ve forgotten all the times he and Black tormented us.”
Again, Marlene shrugged before changing out of the pajamas she borrowed from Lily and pulling on her own clothes again. “I haven’t forgotten, I’ve just gotten over it.” She sat down on Lily’s bed and pulled her trainers on. Marlene stood up and grabbed her wand. “I’m off. Mum’s probably noticed by now that I didn’t come home last night. Bye babes.”
With a turn and a cracking noise Marlene vanished, having Apparated back to her home in Brighton. Lily sat on her bed and continued to stare at Potter’s letter. Maybe Marlene was right, maybe she did just need to buck up and get over it, but the thought still made her stomach squirm. After nearly six years of intense dislike bordering on hatred, the thought of working alongside and getting along with James Potter felt like going against her better nature. She crumpled the letter up and tossed it towards her rubbish bin.
“Honestly though, what is Dumbledore thinking?” Lily asked Dorcas. Dorcas thought about it for a second.
“He’s brave. He’s loyal to his friends. He’s a cracking good at Quiditch. Maybe that’s enough for Dumbledore.”
Klaus, the Potter’s owl, suddenly hopped off the railing at the foot of Lily’s bed and strutted his way down to her. He gave her a reproachful look before leaning over and nipping her hand.
“Ow!” Lily said as the owl continued to look at her. Suddenly the postscript of Potter’s letter came flooding back to her.
The owl’s name is Klaus. He’s a bit of a smarmy git and won’t leave until fed something.
“You are a smarmy git, aren’t you? Just like your owner. Spoiled rotten.” she said. Dorcas laughed.The owl continued to stare but made an impatient hop even closer to her. “Fine, fine, just stay here. I’ll be back with a treat and some water. Dory, are you staying for breakfast?”
“Nah, I’m going to shove off. Mum and Da’ want to do my school shopping today. I should pop back.” Dorcas climbed out of Lily’s bed, tossed her long braids over her shoulder, and with a loud crack she too had Apparated back to her home in Wales.
Leaving the owl in her bedroom, Lily made her way downstairs to the kitchen of her home where both her parents sat reading separate sections from the morning paper. A fresh vase of beautiful flowers sat between them. Lily smiled when she saw the flowers: fresh cut white tulips, yellow daffodils, and deeply purple lilac from the greenhouse in their garden. Gordon and Claire Evans were both very successful florists who ran their own shop in town.
“Beautiful arrangement, Mum, one of your best yet.” Lily said lightly, nodding towards the vase of flowers.
“Good morning, Lily love! Thank you, thank you. It is a rather pretty bouquet. Simple, classic, elegant. Your father cut them for me this morning while I was making the tea.” Lily’s mother Claire exclaimed. She set the morning paper she was reading down and began pouring Lily a fresh cuppa. “Do you want any breakfast?”
“Yes, please, but I’ll be taking it up to my room, if you don’t mind.” Lily said as she accepted her cup of tea. “A… person from school sent me an owl this morning, and the owl refuses to leave until I feed him, so I’ll take it up with me.”
Her mother giggled at the thought of a bird insisting on breakfast, and her father gave a genuine sound of approval, “Smart bird.” he muttered from behind the paper. Lily rolled her eyes and snatched a piece of toast off of her father’s plate. He lightly smacked her hand with his paper when he noticed what she had done.
“Any plans for today, Lils?” her father asked, finally setting down his paper.
Lily shrugged and continued on her piece of toast before answering. “I’ll probably just finish some homework.”
Lily’s mother handed her a breakfast tray filled with sausages, eggs, fried tomatoes, and a glass of orange juice. She had even made Klaus his own little plate of cut up sausages, piled high onto a tea saucer with another tea cup filled with cool water. Owl post was one of the things her parents had quickly become used to since she found out she was a witch and her mother in particular, with a soft spot for animals, delighted in their visits to the Evans family home. Suddenly an idea struck Lily.
“Mum, Dad… can I invite a school friend over tonight?” she asked.
“Of course, dear.” Her mother said, returning to her spot at the kitchen table. “You know your friends are always welcomed.”
“Thanks.” Lily said. “I’ll write them now.”
With that, she turned and made her way back upstairs. When she returned to her bedroom, Klaus had made his way back to the railing on her bed and perched there, eyes peering pensively around her room. Lily placed the saucer of sausages and cup of water on her desk and the owl lifted his wings and fluttered over to her, happy to enjoy his meal.
“Don’t go flying off just yet, Klaus.” Lily said when both she and the elegant owl finished their shared breakfast, “I have a letter to send back.”
“You cheating bastard!”
James Potter grinned widely as he raced by his best friend Sirius Black. They were outside in the bright sunshine, zooming around on their broomsticks and playing a 1:1 game of keepaway with quaffles. James had just enchanted a bludger to follow Sirius all around the small pitch set up in the back garden of the Potter Manor. Sirius leaned forward on his broom and continued after James with renewed vigor, determined to capture back the Quaffle from his cheating friend. James made a sudden turn upwards and looped back around to briefly throw Sirius off his trail. The sight of Sirius’s goal post was straight ahead and James, just as much determined as Sirius, raced towards it, desperate to beat the tie between them. At that moment, a copper colored and feathery creature cut in front of him and James was so startled he dropped the Quaffle and swerved off course. Sirius, catching up once more, scooped up the quaffle and shot off towards the opposite end of the pitch, scoring. Sirius cheered for himself loudly before lazily flying back to meet James.
“What happened, mate? Did you lose your nerve? Ah, no shame in it. Many people become shrinking violets when faced with the most noble Sirius Black.”
James rolled his eyes at his friend’s mocking tone.
“No, it was Klaus. He came flying out of nowhere.” At the moment, the mentioned owl landed on James’ still hovering broomstick, actually looking quite proud of himself as he stuck out a scaly leg. A small roll of parchment was wrapped tightly around it with some green ribbon.
Sirius gave a low whistle. “D’you think Evans wrote you back to congratulate you, or do you think she died of shock and this is her obituary?”
Nervously, James untied the ribbon and pulled the parchment away from the owl’s leg, now relieved of his duties, took flight once more. James truly did not know what awaited him in this scroll; he had written to Lily the night before once Dumbledore had left the manor and informed her of his bewildering appointment to Head Boy. Although they were now tentatively friendly to one another, he felt it polite to notify her of his new status within the school. He shuddered to think of what her reaction would have been to hearing the news for the first time on the crowded platform of 9 ¾. With Sirius looking over his shoulder, James opened up the scroll:
Potter,
Congratulations on your appointment. You’re right, the news is quite a shock, but I’m sure Dumbledore has his reasons, however unfathomable and disturbing they may be.
If you’re available, please pop by my house this evening around 7 pm. I think there’s a lot we should discuss before we go back to school. I live at 32 Hyacinth Lane in Cokesworth. It’s a stone cottage with lots of flowers out front.
Lily Evans
P.S. Your owl is the most spoiled animal I've ever met. My mother fed him a breakfast of sausages, so he’ll only get worse, I’m afraid. Apologies.
Next to him, Sirius was grinning madly and clapped James hard on the shoulder.
“Well, it’s no love letter, but Lily Evans herself just invited you to her house. That’s one for the history books. I’ll write the Daily Prophet now.”
James continued to stare at the letter in his hands, hardly believing the words. He had written to Lily without the expectation of an answer- let alone an invitation to her home.
“Why d’you think she’d want me over? What would she want to discuss?” said James, genuinely puzzled.
“Dunno, maybe it’s a ploy to get you alone for a shag.” Sirius said, grinning at James whose ears had turned a slight pink.
“Sod off, Padfoot. She can barely stand me. More like she’ll attempt to kill me in hopes Dumbledore would make someone else Head Boy.” James muttered. He folded the parchment carefully and placed it in his front pocket. He swiftly maneuvered his broomstick and flew back to the solid ground below them.
“Well mate, if she does kill you I’ll make sure to give you one cracking funeral. What a hell of a way to go. A furious and beautiful Lily Evans bearing down on you, wand in hand. It’s almost poetic.” Sirius said casually. James rolled his eyes as they strode towards the large stone manor house that they both called home.
On top of being confused, James suddenly felt a bubble of nervousness in his chest. No one made him feel the way Lily Evans did; he felt like a love-sick fool in front of her, always saying or doing the wrong thing, always looking for a reason to speak to her or see her. After their awful argument at the Black Lake in fifth year, he had put to rest any serious notions of Lily ever seeing him as more than a nuisance. He dated other girls, stopped showing off quite as much (but not entirely), and tried to forget the beautiful redhead. But it didn’t work. He often thought of her, dreamed of dating her, what it would be like to kiss her or run his hands through her long, thick hair. He spent hours wondering what he could do or say to make her laugh the way she did with her friends, Marlene and Dorcas.
“So, are you going to go?” Sirius said as the two approached the home.
“Um… yeah, I suppose so.” said James. The boys both placed their brooms into a nearby shed and continued into the house.
As they boys entered the home and made their way back up to their rooms, another nervous thought popped into James’ head.
“What am I going to wear?” he said aloud, more to himself than anyone, but still Sirius threw his head back and laughed.
“Merlin, Prongs. Clothes, obviously. She might have invited you over but I don’t think she’ll appreciate you showing up naked, unless she truly does want a shag.”
“Of course I’ll wear clothes!” James snapped, feeling foolish, “But Lily’s parents are Muggles, and she lives near Muggles, I imagine. I can’t just show up wearing robes or a Quiditch jersey.”
“What’s this talk about robes? James, do you need some new ones?” said a soft but cheerful voice.
Euphemia Potter, an elderly and beautiful woman, rounded the corner of the landing James and Sirius had just stepped onto. She gave the two boys a sweet smile as they approached her.
“No, mum, I don’t need new ones.” said James shortly.
“He has a date tonight and doesn’t know what to wear.” Sirius said with a grin, “He’s quite nervous about it, Euphie, doesn’t want to make a bad impression.”
James decided he was going to kill him.
Euphemia’s face cracked into a wide and delighted grin and she clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh, James! A date. How lovely. Who is it with?”
“Lily Evans.” Sirius answered, casually leaning against the wall, completely delighted with James’s obvious embarrassment.
“Oh, Lily!” said his mother, “That girl you’ve told me about. How wonderful. I knew you’d win her over.”
“It’s not a date, Mum.” said James, feeling exasperated, “She’s the Head Girl this year, and I owled her last night and told her I’m Head Boy. She invited me over tonight so we could discuss some things.”
“Oh, well, that was very kind of her.” his mother said, looking less excited but happy nonetheless.
“Yes, well, she’s Muggle-born, and lives near Muggles, so I can’t go wearing robes.” James muttered, his ears burning with embarrassment at even having this conversation. Sirius’s grin, already large, got even bigger as he witnessed his best friend’s discomfort.
“Ah, yes, you’re right, but I’m sure we could find something for you to wear. You have some Muggle clothes for when you visit Remus.” Euphemia said brightly, clapping her hands together.
“No worries, Euphie, I have some stylish
things we could put him in.” Sirius said, straightening up and walking to Euphemia’s side. He placed his arm around her shoulder in an affectionate way and eyed James. “They just grow up so fast, don’t they?”
Euphemia gave a chuckle as James made a disgusted noise and moved around his mother and friend to head to his room. A moment later Sirius was at his side, still laughing under his breath. Drowning, James decided. He would drown Sirius. Or maybe broom tampering. He could enchant his broom to buck Sirius off the next time he rode it. When they entered James’ bedroom, Sirius made himself comfortable on the bed, a wicked grin still plastered across his face.
“That wasn’t funny.” said James, pulling his jumper off and tossing it at his friend.
“Yes it was,” said Sirius lazily as he caught the jumper and threw it aside. “It was marvelously funny.”
James rolled his eyes and checked the time; 2 o’clock, just five hours to nervously wait to Apparate.
“Do you really have something for me to wear?” James said, sitting down on the foot of the bed.
“Of course, I would never lie to your mother,” said Sirius, sitting up and surveying him.
“Something normal?” James said wearily, well aware of the affinity Sirius had for the flashy and attention catching.
“Yes, mate, of course.” said Sirius, “I have a few Muggle sort of shirts. Nothing with dragons or quaffles or anything like that. Besides, I know how important Lily is to you. I wouldn’t make you look like a fool in front of her. At least not much of a fool.” Sirius suddenly stood up and ran a hand through his curly, chin-length black hair, “Right, let’s get you sorted.”
James groaned but followed his friend out of his room.
Lily brushed her hair behind her ear and surveyed herself in the mirror. She was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and a pair of high-waisted, bell bottomed light blue plaid trousers. She wasn’t sure yet if inviting James Potter to her home was a good idea or not, and the idea of it made her nervous. Still, she knew she needed to clear all the air with him and accept the fact that he would, in fact, be Head Boy.
At that moment, the doorbell rang and Lily checked her watch; 7 o’clock exactly. She hurriedly made her way down the stairs just in time to see Petunia, who was wearing a pink cocktail dress and clearly waiting for Vernon to come and pick her up, answer the door.
James Potter, already several inches taller than he had been just five weeks earlier, stood at her door. He was wearing dark blue jeans, white trainers, and a gold and white striped button up with the first three buttons undone, showing his well toned chest.
“Oh, hello.” said James, smiling brightly at Petunia. “Is Lily here? I’m a friend from school.”
Lily didn’t have to see Petunia’s face to know it must have shown some measure of disgust at the mention of Hogwart’s. James’ smile faltered a little and he looked around nervously. Lily dashed down the remaining stairs and met them both at the door.
“Hello, Potter.” she said quickly. Petunia’s eyes snapped over to her. She was pale and furious looking. “This is my sister, Petunia. She’s just on her way out.” James suddenly looked relieved. Petunia stepped aside silently and allowed James into the front room. Just outside, a black car pulled up, containing one Vernon Dursley. Without another word, Petunia pushed past James and Lily and walked out of the house, shutting the front door sharply behind her.
“Sorry about that.” said Lily nervously, as James surveyed the room.
“Did Petunia dash out already?”
Lily turned her head and saw her father, wearing his reading glasses, striding out of the kitchen. He looked surprised to see a tall 17 year old boy standing in his front room. “Er, hello.”
“Hello.” said James, sticking his hand out, “I’m James. I go to school with Lily.”
“Oh, Lily, you didn’t say you were inviting a boy over.” said a joyful voice. Claire Evans entered the room as James and Gordon shook hands. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron. “Hello, I’m Claire Evans, and this is my husband Gordon.”
James shook Claire’s hand as well.
“Lily, don’t just stand there. Invite your friend to sit down. I’ll make a pot of tea. Would you like some biscuits?” Claire said. Her father, normally a quiet sort of man anyway, seemed especially lost for words as he surveyed James.
“That would be nice.” said James, smiling warmly at Lily’s mother.
“Lovely! Lily, come help.” Claire said, grabbing Lily’s hand before she could protest and dragging her into the kitchen.
“Mum, you really don’t have to do all this. James won’t be here long. We just have a few things to discuss about school.” Lily said. Claire rounded on Lily.
“Lily, why didn’t you say it was a boy you were inviting over?” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “I don’t mind of course, it’s something bound to happen at your age, boyfriends and dating and all that, but a little bit of warning would have been nice. Do we need to have any discussions about… er, protection and all that?”
“Mum,” Lily said as a blush creeped into her face. “It’s not like that. It’s James Potter! You remember him, don’t you? I’ve complained about him loads of times.”
“Yes, but you didn’t mention he was so handsome.” Claire said, turning to the stove and putting together a kettle for tea. At her feet, Winston, the fat and ancient Pembroke Welsh corgi the family had, stood up from his little bed in the kitchen and yawned.
“He’s a git.” Lily said, “It doesn’t matter what he looks like.”
“Oh, Lily, really, that’s not very kind.” Claire scolded as she finished with the pot of tea, “Besides, all teenage boys are gits at some point or another. You just have to find the one worth it all.”
Lily rolled her eyes and rubbed her temples. This was going to be a disastrous evening.