hey l a d y

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

Lily enjoyed having the Common Room to herself after her Prefect duties of checking the corridors for any rule breaking students. Tonight she had caught a pair of third year Gryffindors trying to sneak down into the kitchens, but she had quickly sent them back off to bed with the threat of detention with Filch. No one wanted to spend the evening with the cantankerous Caretaker. Well, perhaps the Marauders with the detentions she had given them last year. She snorted at the thought of her fellow sixth years, and hoped they were asleep in their dorm or far away from her in general. Black and Potter could go drown in the lake for the amount of grief they caused for the student population in general. Lily curled up on the couch as she opened her well worn copy of The Hobbit.

She had always considered Tolkien’s writing style to be a little dry, but she absolutely loved the vast story and characters he had created. This had been the first book she had bought after Severus had convinced her that she was a witch. Her brow furrowed slightly at the thought of her best friend. Past best friend. The ache was still there even after all these months of convincing herself she that she had done the right thing. Lily sighed gently, because she did not want to go down that train of thought again. It had lead her to nothing but disappointment and a slight longing for her childhood days when everything had been so much simpler. When had everything changed so much? Had she changed?

The words on the page merely blurred as she blinked back the misting of tears. In her frustration, she tossed her book to the other side of the Common Room as she stared resolutely into the dying embers of the fire. What was wrong with her? Merlin, she hated this constant doubting of herself, but she could not just forgive and forget. …could she?

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

[James Potter]

James had been lying in his bed for a while, the room gradually getting quieter until only the sound of deep breathing and the occasional snore remained. Usually the sounds of the dorm didn't bother him, but tonight, for some reason, he felt like the sound was keeping him awake. He wasn't tired, which didn't help, but it did frustrate him. He hated when this sort of thing happened and he threw his sleeping patter completely off track. It was a nightmare.

Still, there were better things to do than lie around doing nothing, so he climbed back out of bed, pulled some old pajama bottoms on over his shorts (because the last thing he needed was some first year girl to see him in his boxers, should one be in the common room at this hour), but he passed up on the top. There was no need for it. Not only was the dorm room warm, but the fire would be keeping the common room warm, too. And if not, he had his wand tucked down the side of his shorts so he could relight it is he needed to.

James slipped out of the room as quietly as he could, leaving the door just slightly ajar so it wouldn't make a noise, and he headed for the stairs. A noise caught his attention and he saw a book being launched across the room. He stopped in his tracks. A flash of familiar red hair caught his attention and he grinned. Lily. A less that happy Lily, if the book launching was any indication... any normal person would turn around and walk away, rather than risk confrontation, but this was James. And, it was a perfect opportunity to test out a little non-verbal magic on a very simple, first year spell.

He pulled his wand out of his waistband and silently thought the words to Wingardium Leviosa, flicking his wand appropriately at the same time. As he'd hoped, the book levitated into the air and he silently sent it back in direction it had gone, but a less aggressive and slower pace this time.

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

A part of her sincerely did wish to forgive Snape for his hurtful words, but she could not. Lily had always tried to be a forgiving person when a friend made an honest mistake and did really regret what they had done. This was different, though. The one person who had told that her blood status did not make a difference had lied. He had lied and had betrayed her trust for the final time, and she knew she could no longer stand by and cast a blind eye. Sometimes people just fell apart and no amount of wishing could change that fact. Lily blinked away the tears quickly, but her brow furrowed when she noticed her mistreated book floating back to her. Slim fingers grasped onto the worn copy gently and glanced upward to see who else was up.

Her mind promptly went blank at the sight of a topless James Potter. Lily would later be ashamed to ever admit she had stared at him like one of his younger, idiotic female admirers. No amount of memory charms would ever clear this moment from her mind. Her pale cheeks flushed a vibrant red before she quickly narrowed her eyes into a familiar glare. Out of everyone in the Gryffindor Tower, Potter had to be the one to catch her in such a sorry state. Lily sincerely wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. If that was not worse enough, he was still not wearing a shirt, which was wreaking havoc on her already addled mind.

Lily promptly did the only thing she could and buried her face against her knees. It kept Potter safely from view and hid her flushed cheeks. Well, at least no one else was there to witness this. Maybe in the morning she could pretend this had never happened. Yes, that sounded wonderful. She could claim she was sleep walking, or that she had had bad pumpkin juice to illicit this horrid nightmare. “What do you want, Potter?” Her voice was muffled and lacked her usual distaste whenever she did have to speak with him. Yeah, tonight really was not her night.

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

[James Potter]

James sent the book towards Lily, already knowing that he was probably going to be in for an earful when she saw him there, because... well, because that was the way it always worked. He wasn't doing anything to harm her in any way but she's probably still find a way to make things 'his fault' in some way or another. 

As soon as the book was in her hands Lily was turning to see who was behind the moving book, and he saw the moment she saw him there, but he also didn't miss the way her cheeks reddened and her gaze was caught more on his lack of shirt than anything else, and he couldn't resist a grin as she buried her face.

“What do you want, Potter?”

Still grinning, he headed down the last few steps into the common room and crossed to near where she was sitting. "Who says I want anything? I was only returning your book. I think you sound apologize to the poor Hobbit, launching it across the room like that." James flopped into the next seat over and stretched out.

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

Lily could already imagine the smug grin that Potter would be wearing. Why was he wandering the Common Room shirtless? She could not yell at him for being down here this late, because she was doing the same exact thing. At least she had the proper amount of clothing on! With her face still pressed against her knees, she discreetly pulled down her oversized t-shirt and desperately wished she had not worn shorts as pajama bottoms. Yeah, the floor could open itself at any time to swallow her whole now. Lily would never venture down into the Common Room this late again. No, she would act like a good little girl and be in bed by curfew and never have to endure this horror again. If only the mental image of James Potter shirtless would kindly leave her alone!

If one listened very closely, they would be able to hear Lily grinding her teeth in frustration. Some higher power certainly hated her tonight. She paused in her self loathing for a moment to realize that Potter had actually recognized the title of the book. Or did he? Despite knowing better, her curiosity got the better of her as she turned her head just a little to peer at him. At least her hair blocked him fully from view. Lily did not think she could handle the sight without being reduced to a stuttering mess. Sometimes she really did hate her hormones, because it was Potter for Merlin’s sake! A shame she was too stubborn to simply ignore him and go back to her dormitory, but the idea of letting him know he got to her was unacceptable.

She leaned back slightly and kept her gaze furtively locked on her book instead of Potter. The well worn book had been with her for quite awhile and she did feel guilty for mishandling. Her annoyance at the boy sitting across from her vanished as she stared at the book. “Have you ever read it?” Her tone was somewhat soft and tinged with curiosity. Lily wondered if someone like Potter had ever felt the urge to read Muggle fantasy. It seemed childish of her to think so, because why would anyone raised in the Wizarding World want to see how Muggles viewed it?

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

[James Potter]

As James sat down he took a chance to look at Lily, appreciating the amount of leg on show, even if she did appear to be trying to tug her shirt over it. The sight was a pleasant one, that was for sure. There was something about girls dressed in those oversized shirts and shorts that was just really hot, which in a way was a bit crazy since surely tight clothing would be better, but no - that really chilled look was a better look. It was kinda reflecting that idea of when girls stole their boyfriends tops and stuff... it reminded him of that. Well, if Lily ever wanted a new shirt he'd gladly offer up his own for the cause... in return for a date, perhaps.

“Have you ever read it?”

James noticed the lack of venom in her voice for once, and it didn't seem like she was snapping at him, which was the opposite to what he'd expected when he'd first decided approaching annoyed-Lily would be a good idea. "Some of it. Then Sirius threw it in a pool... It didn't survive." Muggles came up with some seriously weird stories, that much was for sure.

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

Lily was a little surprised at herself at the lack of annoyance in her tone. Oh, she was still somewhat frustrated with Potter showing up shirtless and grinning like the prat he was. It was late and she did not feel like getting into an argument, though. It was easier to swallow down her grievances when he was not pulling a prank or casting hexes on any students that annoyed him. Slim fingers traced over the faded cover and the worn edges of the binding. She must have read this book over a dozen times over the years. Most of her Muggle books were back home in her bedroom, but she could never bring herself to leave this one behind. It reminded her of more happy times before things had become so complicated.

An unexpected laugh escaped her at the admission. Yes, that sounded quite like Sirius Black if he was irritated and not getting the attention he wanted. They all were such little boys in the way they acted. Well, Remus was much more tolerable and approachable than the other Marauders as they called themselves. Lily stayed quiet for a moment as she pondered over what she had been thinking of before Potter had entered the Common Room. The wish to forgive Severus could not really be fulfilled. No, not when his betrayal still hurt her and he was willing to cohort with those Death Eater wannabes. She bit her bottom lip in hesitation before slowly holding out the book to Potter.

“Do you want to borrow it? As long as you make sure Black doesn’t throw it into the lake, or I will give him detention for the rest of the year,” she offered. Her head was still ducked down, because she really could not bring herself to look at him without his shirt on. Lily was quite sure her mind would short circuit and she would never live the embarrassment down.

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

[James Potter]

James was a little surprised when Lily laughed, because that usually didn't happen. Well, it wasn't that she did laugh, she just didn't usually laugh around him. If James said something, no matter how funny, she would never allow herself to laugh at him. So the fact she was now? She really mustn't be feeling herself... 

Lily seemed quieter than usual tonight, and combining that with the fact she's laughed at something he said and also thrown a book across the room, he figured that there had to be something on her mind or something. Did he ask? Nahh, not right now. It was enough of a risk that he'd come down here at all when she was around, he wasn't about to start prying and pushing his luck.

“Do you want to borrow it? As long as you make sure Black doesn’t throw it into the lake, or I will give him detention for the rest of the year,”

For a few long moments James sat there in a stunned silence, just starting at her. "Are you offering me your book?" Was she feeling okay? This seemed almost... civil. And from the looks of it, it was a well used book, so she clearly read it a lot.  Did she actually trust him enough? Well, he wouldn't pass up an opportunity when it presented itself.

He stood from the seat he was on and headed towards Lily, taking the book from her outstretched hand, then taking a seat along from her on the same sofa. What a strange turn of events.

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

Lily knew she was acting quite unlike how she usually was around Potter. It was always easy to give into the usual contempt and frustration she held towards him. She did not think either of them had really changed that much over the summer, but she knew there was something different to her. This beginning of the term had seen her more quiet and contemplative than usual. Forgiving and forgetting was not an easy thing for her to do. It was an odd thing. For all that Potter annoyed her, he had never given her a reason to distrust him. A poor choice of words, since she did not really trust him. Lily really did not know where her thought train was going, because she was tired and wanted to do something to get rid of the constant ache in her chest that she had carried with her since the end of fifth year.

His tone of disbelief almost had her smiling. If not for the fact she was holding out the book herself, then she would not quite believe it either. Lily knew there was more to the gesture than merely offering a book for someone to read. In away, it was a small test of trust on her part. She wanted to know if Potter was capable of being more than the arrogant prat she usually saw in the hallways. She wanted to know if he could take care of a possession of hers that meant something to her. Merlin, she had to be delirious from her lack of sleep. Why else would she be doing this? Perhaps it was better left unanswered.

Lily watched through her fringe as he stood up to take the book from her. She quickly retracted her hand and scooted back on the sofa as far as she could as he took up his new seat. Her eyes were still averted from looking at him directed, since she could still feel the flush of her cheeks from earlier. Sometimes she really did dislike her completely Irish appearance. Embarrassment or anger took quite awhile to fade from view. “Just don’t lose it, Potter,” she muttered. Now there was that awkward pause where she had little idea of what to say or do.

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

[James Potter]

James really wasn't sure what this gesture meant, but he wasn't going to pass up the chance. It seemed like one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that had just presented itself to him out of the blue. She seemed a bit unlike herself today, and he knew that if they were in this same position tomorrow then the same definitely wouldn't happen. He'd take the book and he'd give it a read, and he'd see what this rare miracle led to.

When he sat down Lily moved away from him, which shouldn't have surprised him but she'd been acting so out of character so far he hadn't actually expected her to move so abruptly away from him like that. "Ouch," He leaned back in the seat so he was leaning away from her, but the book was already in his grasp, so he looked to the cover of that instead.

“Just don’t lose it, Potter,” 

"I wont..." She didn't look at him, and an awkward silence seemed to fall between them. He frowned, the awkwardness getting to him, too. "Want me to leave you be?" Things had been going... decently, so he figured there was no point pushing things to a point things turned bad again.

[Lily Evans]

i just want to start this over

Maybe an actual eight hours of sleep would have her returning to normal in the morning. Lily winced a little when she heard him mutter ‘ouch’ at her sudden backing away. An apology bubbled at her lips, but she quickly swallowed it back. It was not so much that it was him, but the fact he was still there bloody shirtless. Lily preferred thinking of Potter as the prat he was and certainly not as an actual boy. Hormones were the bane of her existence if even he was making her thoughts go haywire. She absently picked at the hem of her shirt in an attempt to ignore the silence hanging over them. What was she supposed to do now? Heading back to bed sounded like the most sane plan.

Against her will, she turned her head to look at him. The awkward silence was getting to him as well, which was a surprise to her. Lily had rarely seen Potter ever let anything effect him when in came to her. Hell, he seemed to revel in her temper when she yelled at him. Now this tense silence had them both acting like children. A slight smile crossed her lips and she shrugged her shoulders a little. The offer had been a kind one, which had her relaxing a little. Lily may as well see where this odd truce of sorts lead before everything made sense again in the morning.

“How was your summer, Potter? I suppose you spent a lot of it with your ‘Marauders’?” It seemed like the safest start to a conversation. A lot of things happened over the summer break that did not have to be personal. Lily had spent the majority of hers reading and avoiding her sister. Definitely nothing new there. It must be nice to return to a household full of magic where one did not have to hide their own to not upset their relatives.

MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE