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𖧷ꕀ･･ꕀ𖧷
There's a hush over the Gryffindor common room. Everyone else is in bed, and the fire has simmered down to barely glowing embers to reflect the quietness. You sit on the floor with Lily, legs stretched toward the hearth, a blanket draped across both of your shoulders because neither of you want to deal with the fireplace. She's nursing the last sip of hot chocolate, eyes fluttering closed every now and then.
You should say goodnight. You should leave. But you don't.
"You ever wonder what we'll be like after all this?" she asks, staring into the dying flames.
You glance at her. "Like... after Hogwarts?"
She nods, curling her fingers tighter around the mug. "Yeah. Grown up. Out there. Fighting in the war, maybe. Falling in love."
You bite the inside of your cheek. "I think about it all the time."
Lily looks at you, and you're not sure what she sees in your eyes, but her expression softens. "You'll be something brilliant. You always do the right thing."
You laugh under your breath. "Not always."
Her smile is so effortless, like she genuinely loves being here next to you. "You do for me."
Her words settle in you, glowing and aching all at one. You shift slightly, your shoulder brushing hers. She doesn't move away.
"I don't know what I'll be," she admits. "I know what I want to fight for, I just... don't know who I'll be at the end of it."
"You'll still be you," you say, so sure of your words. "You'll still be Lily."
The way she looks at you then— like the world slows, just for a moment— makes your breath hitch.
You could say it. Right now. You could tell her she already is everything, that you don't need to wait to see how she turns out because you already know that she'll stay the same fiery, caring woman you've fallen in love with.
The moment stretches, and you let it, because the alternative is breaking it.
And then she rests her head on your shoulder, sighs softly, and closes her eyes. You sit still, afraid to move.
