Wherever Life May Lead Us • A Jily Love Story

chapter twelve

Lily POV

It had been a whirlwind of a time since James told me (well, I did figure out the rest) that he and the other Marauders were animagus'. Of course, once I knew, it became so obvious. The mysterious group absences and arrivals, the rat that roamed around the common room snuffing out every student's Bertie Bots and Chocolate Frogs, the friendly black dog who seemed to conveniently always roam the campus when Sirius Black had detention, and the gorgeous stag who was often my companion on late walks around the lake. I had known for a while about Remus and his furry condition, really ever since Severus and I had been put to work in potions creating a wolfsbane potion a few years back.
Yes, I was more connected to these boys than I first realised.

Into the evening, I got James to tell me stories and tales of some of his adventures with the rest of the marauders- most of them were when they were with Remus on the full moon. I had always admired Remus. He was so kind and so intelligent, and for many years I couldn't fathom why in the world he was best friends with James, who seemed, well, quite the opposite. It was now that I could see how wrong I was. James isn't rude or selfish or any of the things I previously thought him to be. Well, he can be quite arrogant. But I think that could just be his confidence being misinterpreted. As I snuggled up against James' broad chest, his arms wrapped gently around my figure and his voice so constantly soothing, almost as if it were a lullaby, I found myself slowing drifting into a peaceful sleep. I was only slightly woken when a light kiss was placed on my hairline and strong arms were underneath my legs. James carried me to my bed and lay me down gently, covering me over with my blankets.

'Goodnight, Lily. Sweet dreams.' Even though his whisper was barely audible, I heard it.
I drifted back into sleep the happiest I had been for a long time; a whisper of smile, yet in its most true and pure form, settled on my face.

ooo

When I woke in the morning to a warm stream of sunlight on my face, James was nowhere to be found. On my way down to breakfast, just in case he decided to show up, I left a note in the kitchen saying I had left for the Great Hall, yet I expected he was already there anyway. I was wrong. When I arrived, he wasn't there, and nor did anyone know where he was. Strange, yet not unheard of. Over the meal, Sirius and Remus were having a heated, though completely nonverbal conversation. By the end, my curiosity took over.

'Oh for Merlin's sake! What are you two guys debating?!'

'Nothing, it's nothing. Don't you worry that little red head of yours.' Sirius replied, breaking eye contact with Remus to grin at me. 

I scoffed a little and muttered under my breath, 'Yeah, right.' He heard. Of course he heard with that stupid dog hearing. 

'Wow. So very trusting, Evans.'

'Excuse me if I don't believe you. I have six years evidence of why I possible should not, so are you going to tell me the truth or not?' I raised an eyebrow, knowing it was all true and not even Sirius himself could contradict that fact. 

'Fine...wow, a little feisty this morning, aren't we Evans? We know where James is, so stop worrying.' 

'Right. And you aren't going to tell me, are you?' I rolled my eyes, full and well knowing that there wasn't a chance he would spill. 

Sirius leaned in so his face was close to mine. 'Now, where's the fun in that?' He slapped on a million dollar smile and moved back again. If I wasn't by now immune to his charms, I would have been struggling to breath for the fact of our recent proximity. There was no doubting that Sirius Black was a ladies man, and a charming one at that. But anyone with brains could see he only had eyes for Marlene. 

'Okayyy, well I'm off then. Thanks so much for your... help.' I stood and raised my eyebrows with a wave of my hand, to a chorus of bye Lily's. 

James didn't turn up for the rest of the day. His seat was empty in Charms, and in Transfiguration, and although Sirius apparently knew where he was, I couldn't help but feel a nag of anxiety in my belly. There were rumours going around that the death eaters- Severus and the rest of that gang- were getting particularly avid to wreak dangerous havoc, and that quite unlike the havoc of the marauders. They were dangerous, and they showed no mercy. 

Was it strange to miss him? Was it irrational to want him beside me? My questions were going unanswered. As the final bell for the conclusion of the day sounded, I saw Peter worming his way over to me. 

'Hi, Peter.'

'Lily! Hi! I just have, an um, Jam- I mean, Remus, asked me to give this to you.' He handed me a square piece of parchment, folded in half. 

'Thanks Pete. See you later tonight.' 

'Bye Lily!' He spun on his heels and it was plain to see he breathed a sigh of relief, his mission successful. Before curiosity completely invaded my body, I decided to see what my mysterious letter contained. 

It read:

Lily, 
Although my head and my heart are in hopeless despair at the fact that you are not here, I have managed to stay somewhat on track. You must have been wondering, 'Oh my, where is my ravishingly handsome knight in shining armour? I swear my heart cannot live another hour!' , and this, I  completely understand. I am just too wonderful to bear parting with. Now, in all seriousness, I have waited more than six years for you Lily. I'm not giving up now and now that I've got you, there's no way in hell I'm letting you go. So, would you do me the honour of meeting me at the one eyed witch at 5pm? When you get there , take out your wand and tap the statue, speaking the incantation, "dissendium". I've got it all covered from there. 
Your Ravishingly Handsome Knight In Shining Armour, 
James 

It would seem that I underestimated this man's ability to concoct a mysteriously romantic situation such as this... Oh what a hopeless romantic he was. I raced to the dorms in an eagerness to get ready. When I reached my bedside, sitting in the middle of my pillow was a beautiful white lily flower. I picked it up and inhaled its scent. 

'You just never stop, do you James...' 

ooo

I raced down the stair towards the one eyed witch statue James had told me about, the beautiful lily woven into my braid by Marlene who was all too happy to help. When I found my way to the statue, I took out my long, willow wood wand from inside my jacket, and tapped the head of the witch. 
'Dissendium.' 
I watched, as right before my eyes, the statue opened up, revealing a tunnel within. Except this tunnel was nothing like I could have expected it to be. Dust and grime had been scrubbed away, leaving a clean surface. Rocks had been piled along the edges of the tunnel like a paved path, and little latern-like lights were strewn up, illuminating the area. Moving to stand, in the middle of the tunnel, surrounded by a blanket and smorgasbord of delectables, was James. He was wearing a white button down- open neck- and dark slacks that did not waste against the fact that he looked absolutely drool worthy. I could so get used to this. 

I think that in that moment, I probably looked like an idiot, my jaw dropped to the ground and my eyes searching to take everything in.

"So this is all cute and everything, but do you mind if I change? This shirt is itchy," he pouted and I couldn't help but laugh. He really was such a dork.

I could not have been more open to James changing shirts. I mean, who could reject that?  

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This one has been a long time coming, but here it is. Yay. In honour of 130 reads. You guys are awesome.

B x