The quidditch stands on a Sunday were one of the only places you were guaranteed some peace and quiet at Hogwarts. Remus had been going there every week since his birthday to catch the tail end of James’s spartan training sessions, and to have a flying lesson of his own, afterwards.
This morning, however, as he limped into the stands, he found that he was not alone.
“Hiya, Lily,” Remus beamed, surprised, “What are you doing here?”
Lily spun around and blinked at him, mouth open in a small pink ‘O’, as if she had not expected anyone else. Her eyes darted to the pitch, then back to Remus nervously, and she gave a sheepish grin,
“Hi! Er… just watching Marls practice. Moral support and all that.”
“Oh, right. Mind if I join you?”
She smiled and shifted her bag, as if to make room for him, though the stands were completely empty. They sat quietly and watched the practice for a bit. James was drilling the chasers and the keeper, so only half the team was there today. Remus vaguely remembered James’s ‘focus sessions’ initiative, which had come as a relief to the rest of the Gryffindor team, as it meant they didn’t actually have to practice every day, even if James did.
“Er… Lily?” Remus said, after a while, “Did you know that Marlene isn’t practicing today?”
She looked down at her knees, her hair falling in a coppery sheet in front of her face.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“So you’re here to watch…?”
“Don’t make me say it , Remus,” she sounded defeated. She raised her head, pushing her hair behind her ear, “Go on then, let me have it.”
“What?!” Remus was amused. Prefect Lily Evans, all come undone. Sirius would love it.
“Tease me, make fun of me, tell me I’m a complete idiot…” she sighed, looking out at the pitch, “I already know.”
“I don’t think you’re an idiot just for fancying James.” Remus laughed, nudging her jovially, “But… I mean, it is a bit funny, after all this time.”
“Ugh, I know.” She groaned, “I can’t bloody believe it.”
“Does he know?”
“No!” She stared at him in disbelief, “I’d absolutely die !”
“Why?!” Remus laughed again, “You don’t honestly think he’ll turn you down? He’s been hoping for this exact thing for five years!”
“Exactly!” She said, gesturing wildly with her hands, spreading out her fingers in a show of exasperation. “He’s wanted it forever, and I’ve only wanted it for… er… well maybe a little while, actually… but nowhere near as long. If I give in now, he’s so intense . I might break his heart.”
She bit her lip, still watching him flying, blowing his whistle and pointing emphatically at the goal rings.
“You might.” Remus agreed, “But I think James Potter would consider it an honour to have his heart broken by you.”
She snorted,
“Remus, honestly, you sound as bad as he does. I’m not this… I dunno, perfect ‘dream girl’ who’s going breeze into his life and make all the crap stuff wonderful. It’s not a fairytale. I’m not a fairytale. I’m really annoying. I’m a complete mess in the mornings - ask Mary - and I hate losing arguments, and I shout when I’m angry, and my nose runs when I cry. I don’t know anything about quidditch and I don’t really want to learn, either.”
