The Love of Patronus | JILY

Potter

          The news that Lily Evans and James Potter were dating took to the seventh year like wildfire, getting many different reactions.

          "Potter! Evans!" Professor McGonagall cornered them after transfiguration the following Monday after the Hogsmeade weekend. They turned, pulling their faces straight as Sirius had been doing a quite good impression of Mulciber. Sirius kept walking but winked back at them before he disappeared into the crowd of students. 

          "I keep to my directions, that no inappropriate behavior will be taking place despite your... arrangement."

          Lily blushed so lightly that it was hard to tell, but James just straightened his posture and spoke in an over-exaggerated voice. "No, Ma'am."

          McGonagall glared at him, but he could swear he saw a small smile playing at the edge of her thin mouth.

          Snivellus Snape had seen them walking back from the village together, hand in hand, and after making a long eye-contact with Lily - to which James had twitched towards his wand, although Lily's hand tightened around his own and he relaxed instinctively. Snivelly had continued to spit on the ground and skulk away, hexing a plant nearby that exploded.

          Marlene, Mary, and Alice had started parading around the Gryffindor Common room shouting, "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!" Frightening a few first years who were sitting by the fire.

          The Marauders had clapped him on the back, snuck him a bottle of butterbeer, and cheered on his awe-inspiring achievement. "I thought you were done for, mate!" Sirius had shouted, while Remus laughed and nodded. Peter had just been hunched in a corner giggling softly.

--

          James was lounging in front of the fire in the Head's dorm on the 12th of November. The full moon was tomorrow night, and he was considering whether or not to let Lily know. Sure, she had proven herself, but also he would be letting his girlfriend in the presence of a dangerous, unpredictable, killing machine - not something he really liked the thought of.

          He smiled into the book he was reading, Quidditch Through the Ages, his favorite. Lily Evans was his girlfriend of almost two weeks, but it felt like a lifetime and he had never been happier. At that moment her legs were resting on his lap while she was scribbling notes for a Potion's procedure. 

          She caught him glancing at her and gave a shy smile, and before she knew what was happening he was swooping her up into the air. With a shriek her procedure fell, unharmed, onto the couch her quill a few feet next to it, ink safely on the table.

          She laughed as he set her on her feet.

          "I'm sorry." He murmured, as he pulled her in close to him.

          "No, you're not." She challenged.

          He shrugged, this was very true, he loved spontaneously bringing them close together. He kissed her softly and felt his stomach turn over as she leaned into him.

          "James," she pulled back, but he groaned softly. "James, I have to finish my homework." She laughed these words as he refused to let go.

          "Evans, come on, you know you like it." He said it confidently and arrogantly, to which she raised an eyebrow. He felt the hot fire erupt inside of him. That was his weakness. Every single time she raised her eyebrow, he felt the strong inclination to throw her up against the wall and snog her senseless. 

          He tightened his grip on her and could swear that she was looking back at him the same way. He kissed her again, this time emphasizing how he felt, and the moment their lips touched, wildfire engulfed him completely and he was lifting her off of her feet. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he pressed her to the closest wall he could find. 

          His lips strayed from her mouth and down the side of her neck. This was better than any fantasy he had ever imagined. Nothing but her crossed his mind. She tugged at his hair and he groaned slightly as he pulled his face back up to hers.

          It was heaven and eventually when they pulled apart, they just watched each other in silence. I love you. He knew it from the moment he saw her, but he did not say anything. It was too soon for her, she had only just warmed up to him, and he wasn't going to ruin it within the first month together. 

          "I'm going to head to bed," She smiled up at him, "I'll see you tomorrow, and before you say anything - I'm coming with you tomorrow." Her green eyes pierced him, and he knew anything else was pointless. 

          "Yeah, I know." He muttered, but his mind was stormy and clouded, he did not like the idea.

          "I can take care of myself you know." Her eyes twinkled at him from the firelight.

          "Of course I know, but still even the most highly trained wizards die from these kinds of things."

          "Do you count yourself in that group?" She had raised both eyebrows in suspicion.

          "No! Of course not! But we have a strategy and we are ready and there are four of us as animals, and as a human, you're in the most danger."

          She was silent for a moment. "I can use the same charm as before. It'll be fine."

          James clicked his tongue but nodded against his will. "Alright, but..." He stopped because she had already turned away into her room and closed the door. 

          He shook his head as he headed into his own room forcing himself into a troubled sleep full of Lily and werewolves.