Jily Oneshots (pt2)

Lovely Plants

Euphemia listened and once Lily was finished, she just looked at her simply.

“I can do it myself too if you’d like that,” Lily began to offer when Euphemia seemed to think it through.

“I don’t think there will be any need for that,” said a voice from behind.

There stood, Lily reckoned, the son. Lily didn’t think he was cute, or handsome, or good-looking. She most definitely did not think that he was all three. Her heart did not leap a little more than necessary when being frightened and interrupted all of a sudden. Really.

“My son,” clarified Euphemia a proud smile on her face. “James.”

“Hello,” said James grinning at Lily. “If you don’t mind, can I say something?”

Lily nodded for as she did not trust her mouth to say anything clever at the moment and things wouldn’t be too good for her if she said things she shouldn’t be saying in front of the Mother. Now you see, Lily is a clever child and I hope you learn from her. She doesn’t say anything if she thinks it might land her in trouble.

“I think the plants make our entire building look beautiful,” he said and looked at Euphemia who nodded her encouragement. “Wouldn’t it be lovely if the creeper ran over from the balcony of the first floor to the one on the second floor?”

“It certainly would,” said Euphemia enthusiastically.

“I agree,” said Lily hesitantly. “The third-floor residents aren’t too fond of plants. They chopped my tulips from the garden last month.”

“How about,” began James who seemed to be actually thinking through this entire ordeal as though it were of huge importance to him. That made him a tad bit adorable, didn’t it? Lily thought so too.

“How about we have it come over our balcony grills,” he said finally once again looking over to his mother who nodded her approval. “And it can look like a dome you know. A dome of creepers.”

He drew rectangles and squares and waves in the air. Lily understood and hoped she hid her smile well.

“I think that works, yes,” she assured looking over at Euphemia. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

“I take it not everyone in this building like plants?” asks Euphemia and Lily nods.

“I’m glad you understood. They’re quite close to my heart,” says Lily proudly. “I would’ve pulled off the tendrils before they reached too high but it somehow didn’t cross my mind. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Not at all,” said Euphemia placing a hand on Lily’s shoulder and it suddenly reminded her of home, and mother. She wants to say that out loud.

“And besides, they make our balcony look beautiful. I see more purple flowers growing towards our home than yours,” says James. She wants to tell him that he’s kind and that he’s adorable.

“I’ll make a move then,” she says instead. “I must be heading home.”

“You can have a look at how the tendrils are looking from here,” he offers.

"Sure, I'd love that," says Lily and he gestures for her to follow him. Lily turns to look over at Euphemia who has a smile on her face and busies herself with an empty bowl.

Lily didn't need telling where the balcony was but still followed him on into the balcony. Her plant had creeped its way across the telephone wire until the first few grills near her feet. She looked at James offering him a smile which he returned.

"My mother loves plants but isn't the very best at caring for them," he states followed by a chuckle as he runs his hands through his black hair.

Now, Lily doesn't think he has handsome hair. She really doesn't. You would, honestly you would if you met him but Lily didn't. Really.

"I can help with that," offers Lily. "I'd love to have someone to share the sentiment with. My bestmate, who stays with me - Marlene, isn't too fond of plants too."

"Ah," says James in understanding. "I belive I've met her. Lovely woman."

"That she is," says Lily in admiration. "I must leave."

"You're lovely too," he says suddenly just as she leaves the balcony door.

Lily looks at him questioningly.

"No, no," he stutters and straightens his glasses and runs his hands through his hair all followed by the other.

You may have guessed so. Lily definitely does not find this admirable.

"I mean to say," he begins. "You are lovely, you really are and -"

Lily being the kind soul that she is, something she doesn't realise too much by herself, puts him out of his position of discomfort and awkwardness.

"I understand. You're lovely too," she says. "I'll see you soon then, Potter."

"Lovely," he says grinning, cheeks flushed from embarrasment.

"Lovely," she confirms with a smile before she leaves.

As for Euphemia, she pretends to be attending a phone call as Lily leaves so Lily waves her hand and moves out. Lily tells Marlene every thing in detail and Marlene is squealing and teasing Lily ruthlessly throughout the entire day. James' friends visit that day and Lily knows so because of all the noise they're making together and really, it should be annoying her but it really didn't. He may be adorable, just a little bit. Only a little. Really.