Marauders Oneshots

You Learn Something New Every Day (Jily)

"Order for James!" The coffee shop worker yelled out.

James grabbed the drinks, and gave a quick 'Thank you' and walked out of the shop. 

"An iced white mocha for the lady." James smirked, handing Lily her drink with a small bow.

"Thanks dork." Lily laughed, rolling her eyes as she took the drink and kissed her boyfriend's cheek.

The young couple walked down the streets of London, hand in hand and drinks in the others. taking advantage of the nice weather and free time they had that weekend, the two had decided to have a nice day out. They went to a small diner to get breakfast, and right after decided to grab some drinks from the new, and amazing, cafe that had opened a few blocks from their flat.

"We should go to that place more often, they're amazing." James said, taking another sip from his tea.

Lily nodded in agreement, swaying a bit as James slowly swung their arms as they walked. She looked to the other side of the sidewalk and smiled. "Oh goodness, I didn't realize how close we we're to this place."

James turned his head as well. "The park?"

"My father used to take me there as a kid. Mary's grandmother lives around here, and me and her would use to meet up here  whenever she was visiting her. I haven't been here since 5th year when we had that huge petty fight." Lily said, letting out a sigh, and a short laugh that followed as she remembered all the memories this place held.

"Wanna go in? Walk around maybe?" James asked.

"Yeah, that would be nice."

They made their way to the crosswalk, and waited for the light to change. They laughed as they ran across because they didn't realize it was their turn to cross and their time was running out. After making their way up the road, they entered the gates of the park and Lily smiled. "It hasn't changed at all."

"Well it's only been, 3 years since you've been here? Wouldn't expect it to have." 

"There used to always be changes. It's an old park, things would always break and have to be fixed or replaced. It got to a point where so many things were changed you wouldn't recognize it from the original build. Guess they've fixed so much nothing else was changeable."

James nodded, and took another sip of his drink. Lily tossed her cup as they passed a trash can and leaned her head against James shoulder. It was a bit chilly outside, and she felt an instant warmth leaning against him. "I'm glad we decided to come out and do this. It's been nice-'

Her head was suddenly thrown off James' shoulder and he was stepping away, his cup dropping to the floor as a short and surprising scream left his body.

"What happened?" Lily quickly asked, her voice filled with confusion and concern, her hand quickly slipping into her inner coat pocket where her wand was. 

"Sorry I er- I just.." His cheeks heating up and cheeks flushed. He stopped moving back, though did not come back forward. "That, that thing started walking toward us and it startled me.."

Lily raised a brow and quickly spun her head around. At first she couldn't understand what on earth he was talking about. She looked down and her concern went away, confusion and the heavy urge to laugh completely took over.

"The pigeon?" She asked, pointing to the bird that was walking around a few feet from them.

He brought a hand up to his neck to rub it, and his face was full of utter embarrassment. "Maybe.."

Lily snorted, trying to suppress a laugh, but failed miserably as she broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Oh shut up!" James said, covering his face as he turned and walked away.

"Wait no, James stop!" Lily yelled out, having to take a small jog as she made her way back to him and clung to his arm as she tried to calm her laughing.

He stopped and stood there, very amused.

"Look I'm sorry but, you- you got scared of the pigeon?"

"I mean come on it's a nasty, pecky little creature!" James yelled out defensibly.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry, but you, James Potter, a man who's fighting in a war, faced danger and near death many times in life, became a you know what for a certain you know who, plays the lost dangerous sport I've ever bloody seen, seemingly fearless to all around him, are scared of pigeons.

He opened his mouth to say something, though nothing came out for a few moments. "Well..."

Lily busted out laughing again, leaning her head onto his head again. 

"Yeah yeah, I know it seems silly but come on, just look at them! They are just so.. pigeony!"

"Pigenoy?" Lily asked, clutching her side and wiping the tears that had formed in her eyes from all the laughter.

"You know what i mean!"

"No, no I really don't. Please enlighten me on how 'pigeony' the pigeons are." She teased.

"There just so- Bleh!" He said, throwing his arms around. 

Lily snorted again and he rolled his eyes. "Look, I have a certain bad blood with pigeons after they attacked me once when I was younger and I just don't like them alright."

"James Potter, afraid of pigeons after a childhood attack that left a life long scar... guess you really do learn something new everyday."

He shook his head and let out a small laugh. "Can we please do something else and never talk about this ever again."

"Alright sure, we can go to the swings." She offered, the swings surprisingly open, them usually always occupied by children. "No bird in sight over there."

"You are never gonna let me live this down are you?" James asked.

"Oh i'm so telling Sirius and Marls all about this when we get back."

"Don't you dare." James said

"Might send them a patronus right now and let them know!" She teased, picking up her pace,

"Lily no!" He yelled out, holding back a grin as he ran after her. She screamed playfully and they raced to the swing set before her caught up to her and picked her up, swinging her around. they spent the rest of the afternoon in the park, the rare side of how young and spirited they really were free and loose.

-

(I went and saw the Cursed Child at the theater this weekend James' fear of Pigeons is inspired by Harry's reveal of being afraid of them. It's silly and I thought Lily teasing James for it would be cute so here you go <3)