TRENTE CINQ

lily & james!

"WE SHOULD go visit your grandparent's grave," Lily said absentmindedly as she sat in the library with James. They had been studying — needlessly — for an inconsequential exam coming up in History of Magic.

James normally would've tried to drag her away, but a part of him wanted to hold on too, so he allowed her to nitpick over books and dates and names. She was flicking endlessly through her usual stack of books when it came to History of Magic.

If James was being honest, he didn't know why they had an exam, Professor Binns probably wouldn't even finish grading by the end of school, but it provided a sense of normalcy. A distraction of what was being taken away from the both of them.

"Why?" James asked, confused. "I mean my dad made us go every year on Halloween. It's nothing special."

"I know, but I just feel like- it's something spiritual, I guess?" Lily replied. "After everything that's happened and all."

"If you'd like to, we can totally go," James replied with a smile. "We could make an outing out of it and look at that house."

"Ok," Lily said as she shifted uncomfortably.

"You alright?" James asked.

"Yeah," she sighed. "Just not used to all of ... this. I mean- I act like I have everything under control and that I'm ready for the future, but I'm really ... not."

"Hey," James whispered as he reached over and grabbed her hand. "No one is. But I guess that's what makes it better. We're all not ready together. And now that we don't have school holding us back, think of all the grand adventures we can go on!"

Lily bit back her smile as she looked at him with golden hour eyes.

"I love you," she said quietly.

"I love you too," he replied.

She looked back down at her work and couldn't seem to focus on it. She traced her finger along the worn pages of the books over all of the ink and tea stains and the small tears on some of the sides. The way the pages bent due to use or water damage.

The way the ink of the words were faded, but the meaning still held true. The quiet hum of the library around her as students prepared for OWLs and other final exams, frantically. They couldn't see any future besides a good mark on those assignments. They didn't have to.

The quiet protection of the hallowed halls permeated in a soft vibrance. Every drop of laughter spilt was breathed in and kept for darker days.

And then, once the dozens of classes let out, you could hear the castle exhale in effervescence as the students floated with the butterflies and gossip spilled from one tongue to the next, making cheeks light aflame and giggling to strike the air.

Lily found a hint of a smile on her face. It was something so natural, yet so small. It wasn't the biggest grin — not by a long shot, but it was of quiet gratitude for the creation and protection of the ordinary. The whisperings of the day to day that are often overlooked for the feeling of New Year's Eve, but are intrinsic to happiness — such a mundane word that holds no meaning until you say it with a lilt in your voice and a bittersweet smile on your face as you watch your future finally catch up to you.

"You should go," Lily mumbled as she propped her head on her hand and looked at James.

"What? Why?" James asked with a scrunched nose.

"Don't lie to me and tell me you don't have one last prank planned with the boys," she said with a knowing smile. "You'll need time to set it up."

"You're the best," he said with a grin. "Have I ever told you that?"

"Yes, but it doesn't hurt to hear it again," she teased.

"You're the best," he repeated as he captured her lips in a short, sweet kiss.

Lily watched James's retreating figure as he weaved his way through stressed out fifth years and babbling first years who were crowding the entrance to the library.

She decided that maybe she didn't have to study anymore, after all, it was just an exam and she already had good marks in the class. She got up and went to find her friends, wherever they might have been.

She slung her bag over her shoulder and couldn't help but stare at the brilliance that was Hogwarts. Even if she hated being there on the nights when she had a million assignments due the next morning and she was running on fumes and cold tea, there was still the next morning with the early sun and jam on toast and her friends talking absurdly loud for 7 in the morning.

She walked out into the courtyard, hoping to see Ruby and Charlie or Lorcan. But, instead, she found Nyah Thomas sitting by herself on the grass in front of the Black Lake. This was an odd sight as Nyah was never usually alone and didn't particularly like going down to the Black Lake ( she didn't like how humid it got when the days became longer and summer prevailed over winter ).

However, this was still a familiar sight to Lily. Because this was where they had been — Nyah and Lily — when she'd had a breakdown over an A on an inconsequential paper and it snowballed into sharing her life story — the joys and the tragedies — and finally finding her sister and someone she truly trusted.

Lily slipped her bag off her shoulder and plopped down next to Nyah, who looked up in alarm.

"What if I told you my dads were gay," Lily said humorously as she looked over playfully at Nyah.

"What if I told you I could talk to mermaids," Nyah replied, matching Lily's look.

"How has everything ended so fast," Lily hummed. "Is time down in there?"

"I've asked the mermaids and they've said no," Nyah replied. "They said it's up there — apparently time travels with the wind."

"That explains why it moves faster in the winter and slower on those unbearable dog days," Lily said.

"Guess it does," Nyah agreed.

Lily lied down on her back and stared up at the white streaked blue sky. Nyah sighed and lied down next to each other as the two girls sat in a comfortable silence, like always. 

And that's how they found themselves on June 30th, the last day of classes. It was too early for either of them, but they were determined to have as much of the last of Hogwarts as they could.

Nyah sat in her Gryffindor robes, her skirt actually tucked in today and Lily in her Ravenclaw robes, her Head Girl pin gleaming.

"Do you know who they're going to give it to next?" Nyah asked as she looked over at Lily.

"Not a clue," Lily replied. "But I just know that the year after Albus and Alice will be it."

"Probably," Nyah said with a smile.

Ben and Nyah had already done their final prank at the beginning of the week, allowing for James and his group to take the last day ( they were generous like that and Nyah will totally hold it over James's head for the rest of his life ).

So, when they heard a loud explosion followed by hysterical laughter, they knew who it was. Lily didn't even look up, the less she saw, the less Clearwater could grill her later ( though, based on the fact that it was the last day, she could probably get away with it ).

"We should go see it," Nyah said as she looked over at Lily with a mischievous look in her eye.

Lily sighed, "fine."

However, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face as they helped each other up and off of the grass. They both picked up their bags and stalked up the hill to see smoke coming up from near the Great Hall and the boys yelling at each other.

"You were only supposed to light three!" Lorcan exclaimed. "We've blown up the bloody Hall!"

"They can rebuild it?" Lysander suggested. "I mean they rebuilt the whole bloody castle after the war.

"What do you mean rebuild it?" Lily asked as she and Nyah reached them.

"Lysander blew up the Great bloody Hall!" Lorcan exclaimed, his face growing red.

Lily's eyes widened as she looked at James for confirmation while Nyah descended into laughter. James had a silly grin on his face while he nodded and shrugged.

"Merlin's left ball!" Nyah exclaimed as she wiped away tears. "Not even Ben and I did that! Though we were close this one time in fifth year ..."

"I- I can't believe you," Lily breathed out as she turned and hurried towards the Hall to see what she could do to help salvage what was left of it.

They all trailed after her as broke out into a run. But, when Lily reached the Hall, there was no more smoke, it was still quite intact and the door was closed.

"I- I'm very confused," Lily stated as she stood, staring at the door. "You said you blew it up."

"You also say you hate me about 14 times a day, but we all know you don't mean it," James quipped as he walked forward and opened the door.

The Great Hall was empty except for Ruby and Charlie who were sitting on a cushy blanket in the middle playing with bluebirds. The tables had been pushed to the side, but the breakfast food from them was sitting on blankets on the floor. Plates of muffins and sausages and waffles and eggs with pots of marmalade and Nutella were placed every which way.

The sunlight was cascading into the Great Hall, making the dust that floated in the air glimmer. It was unusual to have the Great Hall be this quiet, especially because of all the students that usually came and went.

"How did you do this?" Lily asked as she walked in slowly.

"I have a little bit of sway at this school," James teased. "And besides — someone wants to be crowned the next king and we all know that crowns are passed down."

"That's really smart," Lily replied with an impressed smile.

"It was my idea," Lysander said as he passed by them. "James just helped set it in motion."

James laughed good-naturedly as he motioned for Lily to sit down on the blanket. She tucked her feet under her legs and James smiled like the sun as he laid his head down on her lap. She stroked his hair as their friends started to wander into the Great Hall.

Soon enough, Lysander and Ben were charting their post-Hogwarts global trip together on a map that Ben had stolen, Ruby and Charlie were still playing with the bluebirds, Josie and Henry were talking about their favorite Shakespeare plays, Estelle and Nyah were dancing around, Ryan was asleep and Will was participating in multiple conversations at once.

The laughter from the group floated through the air, making Euphrosyne sigh in sublime delight. It sounded like dancing with your lover in a jazz club to Dean Martin after fighting for your life, and yet, it's just you, them and the moon now.

However, the moon's sister was out now as the children laughed and played, soaking in their last moments of innocence. Clinging to them like only children can cling to the things they love. Kicking and screaming in defiant, joyous laughter as they are forced to become adults.

Lily and James clapped in time as Ben and Lysander danced around with Nyah and Estelle. Students stopped in the doorway to watch, but did not dare to enter should they incur the wrath of the seventh years in there.

"What is the meaning of this?" an angry voice rang out as they all looked to see an annoyed Minerva McGonagall.

"The last day of Hogwarts, Minnie," Lysander said dreamily as he spun Estelle.

"Mr. Scamander, how many times — " McGonagall huffed.

"It's the last day! Relax!" Fred exclaimed. "Come dance with us!"

"As tempting as the offer is, I will have to decline," she deadpanned. "But what is going on?"

"Isn't it obvious?" James asked. "We're having breakfast!"

"Mr. Potter," she scolded. "There are no other students! Why are they all not in here?"

"Because we asked them to get food elsewhere this morning," James explained.

"And why is that?" McGonagall asked, annoyed.

James blushed, "I said I wanted to do something nice for the love of my life and breakfast is her favorite meal and Hogwarts is one of her favorite places. So, I wanted to make it special."

Professor McGonagall stopped talking, stunned as the other professors filed in as well.

"If this is your prank, Mr. Potter," she said with a humorous glint in her. "I can assure you that your grandfather would disapprove."

James just smirked from his seated position, but didn't say anything. The boys all shared a look, which was broken quickly.

"Minnie — I'll cut you a deal," he said as she raised an eyebrow. "No prank today, no classes today."

"That is a tempting offer — " McGonagall mumbled.

"And it's limited time," he said with a smirk.

"James, mate, what're you doing?" Lysander whispered as he hit James's arm.

"Come on Minnie! You know you want to!" James exclaimed. "Liberate us!"

"Only because you were punctual to all of your detentions," she grumbled as she turned and exited the Great Hall.

"Of course you scared everyone away from the Great Hall!" Albus exclaimed as he and Lily Luna walked in.

"Can't get a moment can I?" James grumbled as he got up and walked over to them. "However, this is as good a time as any."

"For what?" Lily Luna asked.

"As I am the eldest and leaving Hogwarts, it is my time to bequeath you each the map and the cloak," he said haughtily.

"I still can't believe you hogged them," Albus grumbled.

"You were fine," James shot back. "And besides I had better reason."

"Right," Lily Luna hummed with an unimpressed smirk.

"So, Lily Luna Potter, I bequeath you the Marauder's Map," he continued with authority. "May you pull wicked pranks that make the teachers miss me and my superior pranking."

"Hey!" Fred exclaimed.

"You never would've done half as well if you didn't have us!" Lysander yelled to him.

"Shut it!" James exclaimed. "Albus Severus Potter, I give you the invisibility cloak, so you and your boyfriend can snog in peace."

Albus's cheeks went red, "I hate you."

"That's a weird way to say thank you," James teased. "Is that what the kids are saying these days?"

"You're the worst," Lily Luna grumbled as she turned on her heel and left the hall.

"Love you too!" James called after her before turning back to Al. "Am I wrong?"

Albus just grumbled, but shook his head and followed his sister out of the Hall. James smiled proudly as he walked back over to his family and plopped back down next to Lily. He looked up to meet her disapproving eyes.

"Not you too," he grumbled.

"Yes me too," she said quietly. "You could have shared."

"You are an only child," he grumbled. "You know the fun bits of having siblings, but not the rest of it. Bloody annoying I'll tell you and you're not missing out on much."

Lily frowned, she'd always wanted siblings, but did not contradict him. However, she did not doubt him. There were obviously things that she'd never understand. Nyah noticed the girl's change in disposition and placed a hand over hers, causing Lily to look up at her and smile.

She did have a sister. With the good and bad parts. Because that's the point of family, right? They're the people you'd die for.

However, she didn't feel the need to prove it. Not even to James. Because he didn't need to know about all the times she'd ( almost ) peed herself laughing with Nyah to all the times she couldn't hold it together and Nyah held her. Lily smiled tenderly at Nyah who gave her a sympathetic glance and mouthed 'are you ok?'.

Lily nodded and grinned. This was her last day for Merlin's sake! She wasn't going to let her stupid boyfriend dampen it.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's alright," she replied softly. "We should probably clear out soon."

"And why's that?" Lysander asked, amused.

"Because they have to set up for the End of the Year Feast," Lily sighed as she looked over at him with a tired smile. "And besides, we have more reminiscing to do outside of the Great Hall. Everybody up!"

Everyone grumbled at her request, but still complied as Lorcan and Lily took out their wands and cleaned up the mess that they had made. Everyone watched as they moved the tables back in their original places and the Great Hall looked as it once did and as it always did.

"Thank you," she said as she turned to James with a smile. "For arranging all of this. It was lovely."

"'course," he said with a kind smile. "Anything for you."

She walked over to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He slipped her hand in his and tugged when she pulled away from him, towards the door. She laughed at the action and he spun her into him. She leaned back and laid the back of her head on his shoulder as he attacked her neck and cheek with kisses.

She giggled at the sensation, her cheeks flaming, as always. The others watched on, half disgusted, but also half proud at their hard work ( because Lily and James never would've stood a chance without them, let's be honest ). Lily hung her head down as she struggled out of his grip.

"Not in front of everyone!" she hissed. "Later!"

"Only if that's a promise," James said quietly, with a smirk.

Lily rolled her eyes, "yes, it's a promise."

James nodded and let her go as she jogged over to her girlfriends. They started chatting as they walked down the corridor, presumably to a classroom that meant something to them, but Lily got distracted.

"Hey, I'll catch up with all of you," she said, her mind and eyes elsewhere.

"You sure?" Estelle asked as the group stopped.

"Yeah," Lily said with a nod. "I'm sure."

"Alright," Ruby replied. "Let's keep going. The armor isn't going to paint itself!"

Lily made a funny face at Ruby's comment, but shook it off ( it was their last day and Ruby needed to be trained so all of their legacies could carry on ). She walked quickly towards the entrances to the towers, the Ravenclaw tower, more specifically.

She walked up and answered the riddle correctly, like normal. The more she thought about it, it had been a year since she'd last been in her magnificent common room and dorms. There really was nothing like the Ravenclaw common room.

As she stepped in, she was met with how airy it was and the cascading sun. The white walls had gold trimming all around the circular roof, which wasn't really a roof, but a projection of the current constellations overhead.

There were books going up for feet, lining the walls. All of their bindings were kept in pristine condition by the prefects, however, it was not an official library. Sort of like the come and go room, the Ravenclaw common room had the come and go library, where the students from all creeds brought their favorite books.

You had to leave one in order to take one, so while there were many copies of potions or herbology textbooks, there were also books on ancient Ugandan sorcery and muggle fairy tales and anything else you could think of.

Lining the walls were royal blue daybeds that students were napping on, within the safety of a silencing cone, and in the center was a circle of couches in the same color. There were wooden tables in between each couch and there were students curled up, reading on the couches quietly.

Further in the common room, there were two steps that led down to the student-stocked food and drinks trolley that held sweets, tea and high-protein snacks for the long nights as well as a couch and two matching chairs around the fireplace ( which wasn't currently lit ).

There was a quiet hum in the Ravenclaw common room. It was never as loud as the Gryffindor's, but you could still see older students helping the younger ones and the annual book swap where the older students gave the younger ones their textbooks from that year. It saved money, but they could also look at the margin notes provided by older generations.

Lily smiled as she stepped in and was immediately greeted by her former housemates. It was good to be back, even if it was for the last time.

"I'm going up," she said as she backed away from all of them.

She ascended the white and gold stairs and went into the second year girl's dorm. Luckily, there was no one in there, so she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the bed closest to the window. Underneath it, it read 'I was here'. It was burned into the floor under the bed.

It was after Lily's first breakdown in second year. No one else was in the dorm as they were at class ( but she'd said she was going to the bathroom ) and she needed something to remind her that she was there and present.

As traumatic as it was, that was also when Ruby MacMillan walked in, recognizing the girl from the train station the year previous, pulled Lily into her arms and held her. They swore never to speak about it, but that didn't mean Lily didn't think of it every time she saw the ring of green around Ruby's pupils that she'd first seen through her own cloudy eyes that day.

"You're Lily, right?" someone's voice piped up as Lily's eyes snapped towards them.

It must have been a weird sight to see the Head Girl sitting, tearing up, on the floor of your dorm with a displaced bed.

"Yes, I am," she said quietly as she sniffed. "And I'm so sorry, but I don't know your name."

"Evan," they said with a proud smile.

"Evan," Lily repeated. "That's a pretty name. If you don't mind me asking, what are your pronouns?"

"Thank you," Evan replied, "and I'm she/her."

"Fantastic," Lily said with a smile. "Me too."

"Twins," Evan said awkwardly. "I- sorry- uh- can I ... help ... you?"

"Oh!" Lily exclaimed as she quickly scrambled up. "No, no. Just reminiscing I guess."

"I can go..." Evan offered.

"No! No," Lily protested, "it's quite alright."

She quickly walked over to the entrance of the dorm before turning back, fixing the bed and facing Evan.

"It was nice to meet you," Lily said with a smile.

"You too," Evan replied.

"And Evan?" Lily asked as she hesitated. "It goes by a lot quicker than you'd think. Even the bad bits."

"I'll keep that in mind," Evan said as they smiled at each other once more and Lily was gone.

She quickly walked down the stairs and into the common room, nostalgia hitting her for the time before she was Head Girl. For the time when she would cringe when she saw James coming down the hallway. For the time before every spectacular and excruciating thing that had happened this year.

She hesitated, looking at the common room one last time before collecting herself, mustering the little Gryffindor courage that she had in her heart and walking out, like normal. As if she had a double potions first and she was half dreading it and half looking forward to it.

However, what snapped her out of her fantasy was James Potter waiting on the opposite wall, smiling at people as they went past. He looked up and smirked as she walked down the last of the stairs to the common room.

"This looks familiar," he said as he cocked his head to the side.

"If it does," she said with a smile ( she was trying to suppress ). "Then I should shoot you down right now."

"Then I have totally never been in the situation ever in my life," James exclaimed. "Who are you?"

Lily broke out into laughter at his ridiculousness, walked forward and gave him a quick kiss.

"Come on," he said. "The girls have been looking for you."

"I said I would be right back and I am!" Lily said, confused.

"Lil," James said with a raised eyebrow. "How long do you think you were in there? I can answer it — long enough for them to find me and ask me where you were and then for me to find Lunes so we could find you on the map."

"Merlin, really?" Lily asked as she pressed her lips together with a concerned face. "Wow."

"Wow is right," he teased. "Let's hop to it!"

"You sound like my dad," she mumbled.

"I'm honored to sound like Gael," James shot back.

Lily rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway, knowing he meant well. they both looked out on their grounds as they walked. Down by the Black Lake, Lily spied Ben saying goodbye to the merpeople.

He'd never really talked with anyone about his biological mother being half siren. Nyah didn't either, but she also didn't inherit that trait, only the beauty. So it was odd to see, even after all of these years. But she saw how animated he was and how the merpeople flipped around in the water and flocked to him and wondered about each of their double lives.

The parts of the stories that they didn't tell. Not to others at least. Whether out of shame or the sheer want to keep something private and just for the enjoyment of oneself. She knew it was the former.

She tore her eyes away, not wanting to further intrude on Ben's personal moment ( even if it was from afar ) and looked to the boy to her right. A goofy smile found itself on her face as she squeezed his hand.

He caught the snitch in the air above him and smiled down at her. They swung their hands as they walked further down the corridor, nearly bumping into various students along the way. She laid her head on his shoulder as they eventually found Lily's giggling gaggle of girls.

"There you are!" Ruby exclaimed as she looked up with flushed cheeks. "We were beginning to worry!"

"Just went to see the old common room," Lily sighed as she sat down with them on the courtyard grass and waved goodbye to James. "Realized I hadn't been there in a year."

"Strange, isn't it?" Ruby said with a smile. "How everything changes and then you forget what you once had until almost too late."

Lily smiled and shook her head as she laid down next to Estelle as all four of them engaged in joyous conversation. Henry eventually found them and plopped down, enjoying the atmosphere and occasionally jumping in with a quip or a funny comment.

They didn't know how long they'd spent out there, but the sun started setting on their time at Hogwarts all too soon. Lily sat up and stared at the setting sun. The way the golden beams made the newly green grass sparkle and how the entire castle seemed to stop and stare at it from picnic blankets and through windows and archways.

For one moment, the entire world was still as they watched the end. The birds stopped chirping, the breeze stilled enough so only wisps of hair fluttered and conversation halted. Lily urged the sun not to set — no matter how much she adored the golden hour, but she didn't want to leave.

However, as all good things do, the sun continued to sink down over the hill and Lily watched, with growing acceptance as her life shifted. Because the sun hadn't taken her friends or James or her parents with it. And, after all, the sun would always rise again tomorrow, albeit with a different feeling as the excruciating mornings, midnight swimming in the Black Lake, shushing in the studying common room and playing footsie during exams were now over.

She tilted her head back and met her friends faces with a bittersweet smile, one that they returned.

"We should probably head in," Nyah mumbled as they watched younger years start to file into the Great Hall for the feast.

They all reluctantly stood up and stumbled over to the Great Hall that was filled with buzzing students. The Great Hall was donned in Gryffindor red and gold and Lily looked over at Nyah, who was beaming.

She was glad that Gryffindor finally had their time in the sun again, however, a part of her really wanted Ravenclaw to win that year. But, with their former, cheating quidditch captain — that probably wasn't going to happen anyway.

Everyone sat at their assigned house tables and a low hum took over the table. Lily laid her head on Ruby's shoulder as the MacMillan stroked her hair softly, conversing with Annie Gonzalez. McGonagall cleared her throat as she approached the phoenix podium, gaining the attention of everyone in the Hall.

"Congratulations on another successful year," she said with an approving smile. "Before you start this feast, I have a few remarks I would like to make. Let's please say a farewell to Professor Slughorn, who will be leaving Hogwarts after this year. He served as potions master for many years and has produced some of the most accomplished potioneers our world has seen. Thank you, professor!"

The Hall started to clap as Slughorn stood up and slightly bowed. After a couple of moments, McGonagall cleared her throat again.

"We also have to thank our marvelous Head Boy and Girl, James Potter and Lily Edwards for continuing the exemplary model of student leadership and for organizing the dance last month," she continued.

She motioned for both of them to rise. James grinned and relished in the attention that was being given to him as everyone clapped, Lily not so much, but she smiled and giggled a little nonetheless.

"And finally," McGonagall declared. "The house cup. As seen by the decorations, Gryffindor is the winner of this year's house cup, closely followed by Hufflepuff, then Slytherin, and lastly Ravenclaw. Congratulations and please enjoy the feast!"

Everyone started cheering for the Gryffindors at their hard work and only started to tuck in as the noise died down. Soon, the Hall was filled with the scraping of plates and quiet conversation.

They tried to make joyful conversation, but nothing took away from Annie and Lily ( and honestly Ruby as well ) that everything was changing. They reminisced about past assignments that were either very weird or very fun for the Ravenclaws to complete or all of the gossip that they had accumulated over their time at Hogwarts.

They laughed at former couples and lover's spats that had happened to previously graduated students. They turned their heads to the innocent first and second years who had no idea what kind of antics the people in their year would get up to in the years to come. They laughed at the fourth and fifth years that were in the middle of all of it.

The feast was over just as it had started, everyone going up to get one last sleep in the castle before heading home. Lily lingered in the Hall, waving off her friends who hurried up to do one last ritual with their dormmates. She watched as everyone left, memorizing the forgettable faces in the crowd. The face that was once her's.

She wondered if this was what everyone had felt — probably. She poked some of the leftover dessert on her plate, before looking up and seeing only one other person left in the Hall with her.

She met the dazzling eyes of James Sirius Potter, who was sitting across from her, yet at the Gryffindor table. He'd probably seen her stay and decided to stay with her. Because they were dormmates now. She propped her head on her hand and an amused smile found itself on her face.

"Well, well, well," James said. "Look who we have here."

"I see they let just anybody in nowadays," Lily replied with a smile.

"The requirement is great hair and I got full marks," James said haughtily as he mock flipped his hair.

Lily giggled and looked down as her cheeks flamed.

"Go to Hogsmeade with me, Edwards?" James asked as he looked at her with soft eyes.

"Never in a million years, you toe rag," Lily replied with equal softness.

"It's a shame," he replied as he got up and started to walk towards the entrance of the Hall. "Because my tea shop got a new flavor?"

"James — " Lily scolded as her cheeks flamed, thinking he was insinuating something.

"Imported hot cocoa from Belgium," he said with a smirk. "Just for you."

"Wait are you being serious?" she asked as she stood up slowly.

"It's my middle name, darling," he quipped, she would've groaned if she wasn't so excited about the hot cocoa that James had gotten.

"But there is actually hot cocoa — " Lily replied.

"Yes," he affirmed. "There's actually really good hot cocoa."

"Well I guess it's been a million years," she said giddily as she ran over to him, grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the dorm.

James threw his head back in laughter, making them stop. Lily just stared at him with parted lips and an easy look in her eyes.

"You'll catch flies if you keep staring," he laughed.

"I'll take my chances," she mumbled. "Let's go!"

Low and behold, James Potter was not lying. Wrapped in a pink bow on the counter of their kitchenette was imported Belgian hot cocoa mix. Lily unwrapped it like a child on Christmas as she got out the milk and saucepan. She heated it to the corrected temperature and poured the thick chocolate into two cups.

She took off her robe, but couldn't bring herself to take off her Ravenclaw uniform quite yet as she sat down on the couch with James. She laid on his chest as they drank their chocolate in peace.

"So, I've always wondered what it was like for you to come here," he said. "'cause I already knew everything about magic, but this must've been weird."

"It was, for sure," she hummed. "I was scared, if I'm being honest, because it was an entirely new world. But then also I wondered where the limits were. Because if you guys had stayed hidden for this long, I wondered if there could be other people like that, maybe the Greek gods were actually real to, but the muggles just hadn't found them yet. And I also wondered about the limits of magic and if it varied based on different factors."

"You are such a Ravenclaw," James said with a laugh.

She opened her mouth to protest, but couldn't.

"I guess you're right," she conceded. "I mean it's all so fascinating. But now, I guess, I'm just grateful I did come and didn't back out. Because then I wouldn't have met Nyah or Henry or Estelle or Ruby or any of my friends or you and your family."

"Well," he replied as he shifted so they were facing each other. "I'm glad for it too."

"And besides, this is way better than maths," she said with a smile.

James brought his hand up to her chin and smiled slightly as his thumb swiped over her bottom lip. Lily shifted a little so she was in a more comfortable position as James' lips met hers. His hand that was on her chin moved back into her hair, his other on her waist as her hands sunk into the pillows of the couch. He slowly leaned back and Lily broke the kiss in a fit of laughter.

"We have an early morning tomorrow!" she exclaimed.

"That's what alarms are for," James replied quietly as he quickly brought her lips back to his. "But, I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right," Lily mumbled. "And besides, we'll be living together."

James perked up at the thought and Lily laughed at the action. She shook her head as she burrowed into his chest as her breathing slowed. James smiled down at her as she eased into her slumber. He still couldn't believe that this was his life. Surely he must have been caught in a dream and he was going to wake up and realize he'd missed potions.

It didn't take him as short of an amount of time to fall victim to the sleep that strived to overtake him, but he still did. He didn't know what time it was when Lily shifted, making him wake up, but it was still dark out.

He carefully rubbed his eyes and blinked a couple of times. Quietly, he shifted and lifted Lily bridal style in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He tucked her into the duvet, wrapped an arm around her and kissed her hair. He could have sworn he saw her smile in her sleep.

The next time that James woke up, he found her already awake and tracing shapes on his hand. He groaned and her eyes snapped up to his. A dreamy smile found its place on her face as she snuggled into him as the morning sun peeked through his windows.

"I thought we fell asleep on the couch," she murmured as she tucked her hands under her head.

"I could've sworn the same," he mumbled as he broke out into a grin.

Lily matched his, leaned in, quickly pecked his lips and set her forehead against his.

"We have to finish packing," she said as she gestured to their Gryffindor and Ravenclaw uniforms.

"Not yet," he whined.

"Would you like to be left alone at Hogwarts?" Lily asked.

"Sounds like a dream," he grinned back.

"The more I think about it, it does," she said as she started to laugh and fell back onto the bed.

"But I will miss the train," he murmured. "Just something about it."

She looked over at him, grinned and covered her eyes with her hands.

"I can't believe it!" she groaned. "I don't want to leave."

"I'll tell you what," James said. "Fred is going to America to Disney World. He's talked about going ever since first year and we can opt out — he won't mind — and we can go house shopping."

"I was meaning to ask — could we possibly move to London first?" she asked. "There's more healer positions there."

"'course," James said with a nod. "As long as we're together."

"Of course, my love," she mumbled as she gazed down at him.

It lingered a little before she pulled away from his magnetic charm and trudged back into her room. For all of her talk about organization — Lily really hated packing. Perhaps it's because it meant you were leaving something. Or perhaps it's because folding blouses are a nightmare.

She took off her rumpled uniform and folded it into her trunk and pulled on dark jeans, a white tank top and a brown polka dot scarf to tie around her ponytail. James knocked on her door and she let him in. He had on light washed jeans and a yellow crew neck sweatshirt. He smiled with melancholy as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," she said with a resigned smile.

She stuck her wand into her enchanted pocket before taking James's outstretched hand. She broke her hand away from his when he exited as she turned to face the now vacant dorm.

"Thank you," she said quietly to the space before taking one last second to take it in and then walking over to James and intertwining their hands.

They walked over to the Great Hall where they saw all of their friends waving them over. There was a casual breakfast happening before everyone boarded the train.

Lily sat down with their friends and shot James a confused look when he, Lorcan, Lysander and Fred got up and approached the teacher's table. They all walked towards her in a professional manner before stopping and standing in a line. The Great Hall quieted down as this was a highly unusual sight.

"Professor McGonagall," Lysander started to say.

"You once told James that it was an embarrassment that we didn't have a prank for the end of the year," Fred continued.

"But, we regret to inform you that we, in fact, do," Lorcan continued.

"We don't regret it, Minnie," James corrected

"And it's our best prank ever," Lysander continued.

"You really didn't think that we'd leave without a bang?" Lorcan continued with a smile.

"When you all return to your classrooms, you will find all of your materials in a tasteful shade of hot pink and stuck to the ceiling," James explained.

"We have made it so that they can't be moved back down," Lorcan explained.

"No matter the magic used," Fred continued.

"Because the student body will miss us," Lysander said.

"So, we're giving them one last prank to talk about," James finished with a grin.

Surprisingly, only one person started hysterically laughing and that person was Lily Edwards.

"That's brilliant!" she exclaimed as she buried her face in her hands in a fit of laughter.

James didn't look behind him, but his dimples showed as he tried to suppress his smile and remain serious. He continued to look McGonagall directly in the eye. She had a resigned look on her face, but the smallest hint of a smile nonetheless.

"I doubt detention would do any of you any good," she muttered. "It hasn't for the past seven years!"

"What can we say, professor?" Lysander asked. "We're wild animals. Well, not Lorcan-"

"I'm going to correct you there, mate," Fred interjected.

"Fred!" Lorcan exclaimed as he hit Fred's arm and his face went red.

"Oh, just go and enjoy yourselves!" McGonagall dismissed as she waved them off.

"It's a success, boys!" James shouted as they cheered together.

"It doesn't feel the same if we don't have detention," Fred pouted. "Professor can you give us detention?"

"Fred — mate — " Lysander protested. "No."

James died from laughter as he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back over to the table where their family was sitting. Lily couldn't help but stare at his ethereality. She'd seen it hundreds of times, but his beauty never failed to amaze her. How his eyes dazzled when he laughed and just the look of his hands in his pockets and his tousled hair. The fact that he was walking to her.

"Earth to Lily!" he said as he waved a hand in front of her face.

"Oh sorry," she mumbled as she snapped out of it and smiled sheepishly at him.

"Everything alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Perfect," she said with a striking smile.

"Good," he replied with a nod as he sat back down.

"That was brill," she said with a grin. "Honestly the best one you've ever done."

"Thank you," he said quietly, with a grin.

"Boat time!" Nyah exclaimed. "We'll see you on the train, alright Rubes?"

"Yeah," Ruby said as she kissed Charlie goodbye and joined Will in the walk over to the carriages.

Everyone got up with her as she led the way towards the boats that were stationed on the edge of the Black Lake. The seventh years flooded the boats, claiming spots for their friends and lovers and everything in between. Lysander and Ben sat together with Nyah and Ryan as Amoli, Charlie and Isabel and Mishka sat together. Charlie, Fred and Lorcan and Annie sat together. And Lily and James and Estelle and Josie found a boat.

They all sat facing the castle as the boats moved themselves farther and farther away. Lily's heartbeat picked up as she watched the castle glimmer in the summer sun. The trees moved in the slight breeze that picked up and the Whomping Willow was twisting and turning per usual.

Her lips parted at the spectacle. It looked just as it had when the boats were moving in the other direction. Her first time seeing its majesty. James smiled, not looking away from the glittering castle, grabbed and squeezed her hand.

None of the seventh years could tear their eyes away until it was truly out of view. When the castle hid itself for the last time behind the forest, Lily felt a little light headed as she turned and the boats erupted into a quiet murmur.

Everyone was still letting it sink in, but also in desperate need of something else to do. Something else to distract them from their further impending futures.

James held out a hand for Lily when the boats docked themselves at the edge of the Black Lake. In neat stacks, their trunks were near the docking point, waiting to be claimed by their owners. Everyone pulled out their wands and cast a spell over their trunks, making them follow their owners to the train.

James hopped on with Lorcan, Lysander and Fred as they went to their usual compartment, however, this time, James insisted on bringing Lily and Lysander insisted on bringing Ben. And soon, James, Lily, Lysander, Ben, Lorcan, Fred, Estelle, Henry, Ruby, Charlie and Nyah were all squashed in the compartment together.

Lily had her legs draped over James as Ruby sat in Charlie's lap to the side on one side. Estelle sat in Nyah's lap ( who was hugging her waist tightly and resting her head on her shoulder ) and Lysander sat on the floor in between Lorcan's legs. Fred's legs were draped over Lorcan and Henry had his legs propped up next to Charlie on the other.

They were all laughing at something Lysander had said and on the verge of tears.

"In all seriousness — " Ruby said.

"It's my middle name for a reason Ruby," James interrupted with a grin. "So I don't think I could be all Sirius."

"Why are you dating him?" Ruby asked as she turned to Lily.

"I ask myself that everyday," she grumbled.

James pouted and kissed Lily's shoulder. She tried to suppress her smiling, but failed. She reached up and stroked his hair as he smiled, still facing Ruby.

"What is taking all of you away from me?" Ruby asked as everyone started to laugh. "I have to know what's so good out there that you didn't purposefully fail all of your exams and stay with me!"

"Well, I'm going to go to Romania with Charlie Weasley and study dragons," Lysander said as he high fived Fred and James.

"I'm going to train with Ollivander!" Ben exclaimed. "After sending him twenty three letters, he finally said I could train under him. Although he won't change the name."

"You win some, you lose some," Nyah shrugged. "In one week, I start training as keeper for ... The Holyhead Harpies!"

The group started cheering and Estelle turned and hugged her excitedly.

"And while Nyah's up in Wales, I will be up here, actually, with the Montrose bloody Magpies!" James announced.

Charlie clapped him on the back and Lily excitedly kissed his cheek in celebration.

"I'm going with your brother, Teddy, to join a society of spell crafters," Charlie said proudly. "And then next year Rubes and I'll probably go where her work takes her."

Ruby beamed and Lily reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Well Fred and I are going to London where he's working for the ministry training to be a Hit Wizard and I've gotten accepted into the Wizarding Symphony Orchestra as a cellist," Lorcan replied as he beamed and everyone congratulated the two of them.

"Well, Josie's going to Peru on a spiritual journey with her cousins for a while, so I'll be on my own for a bit- we're doing ok! Don't worry! So, I'm going to be hiding out in Cheshire working as an assistant at the Prophet," Estelle explained.

Nyah squeezed her stomach, making her giggle as everyone congratulated her.

"I'm taking six months to calm down I guess, find a flat with James, and then I'm going to start trauma training," Lily replied with a smile. "Sorry Rubes."

"It's ok Lils," she said with a smile. "Your savior complex needs to be fed and I'd rather not be the one feeding it."

The group burst out into laughter as Lily scoffed, but eventually started laughing herself.

"That was harsh, Ruby!" she exclaimed.

"Trying to distance myself I guess," Ruby said with a sad shrug. "I'll miss all of you."

"Well we're going to miss you too," Lily said softly as she leaned over and grabbed Ruby's hand. "Promise that none of us will forget each other or lose contact or anything."

Everyone hummed in agreement to her question as James set his head on her shoulder.

"So, basically what I'm hearing is that we're all going to live at Lily and James's?" Lysander asked with a smug smile.

Everyone started to laugh as they both went red in the face ( or rather ears and neck on James's part ). Because they were right as they, or anyone really, would always be welcome at James and Lily's.