30th January 1974:
"Happy birthday Lily!" Sev exclaims as I walk outside the Gryffindor common room with Alice and Mary.
"Thank you Sev," I say, hugging him.
"Here's your present," he says brightly, producing a small parcel.
He beams at me as I open it, and I feel the weight of people's stares on me. Finally, I the wrapping paper is off and I am holding a tiny box. I open it and gasp.
"Oh Sev," I whisper, embracing him tightly again.
"Lily- can't- breathe," he chokes out, and I release him, grinning.
"So, I assume you like it then?" he asks, straightening his robes, which slipped a bit due to the force of my hug.
"I love it, thank you Sev," I say, carefully taking the necklace out of its box.
I put it on immediately, admiring it. Hanging on the metal chain is a flower. A lily.
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"I heard that it's your birthday, Evans," James says to me as I sit down for breakfast.
I roll my eyes. "Wow, you are capable of actually retaining information? Incredible," I say dryly, hoping that he takes he hint.
"No need to be so harsh, Evans. Look, I got you a present." He motions to Sirius, who produces a bottle of shampoo.
"You can give it to Snivellus, maybe he would smell a little better then," James smirks, and Sirius laughs behind him.
"Get lost, you arrogant toerag, Potter," I say, getting up from the table.
I walk out of the Great Hall.
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8th April 1974:
"Have you ever heard of a razor?" Ken Baltor, a 7th year, asks Remus condescendingly.
Everyone laughs.
"You might need one for that beard of yours," he continues, milking all the attention.
I am just about to open my mouth and defend him, when someone steps forward.
"Shut up, Baltor. You're just jealous that Remus can actually grow a beard. I mean, look at your sorry excuse for facial hair!" James smirks, and everyone whoops.
Ken seems stunned as James drags Remus away, pushing through the crowd. I watch them go, stunned, overwhelmed by the urge to follow them. So, I do. They go into an empty classroom, and I stand outside.
"Relax, Remus, no one knows," James says soothingly.
I lean against the door, straining to hear Remus' reply. It seems that they didn't shut it properly, and it opens as I put me weight against it, exposing me to the two boys.
"Lily!" Remus exclaims, evidently shocked.
James crosses the room to me in a couple of quick strides.
"What did you hear?" he demands in a low voice.
My eyes widen. "Nothing of consequence," I say, trying not to stutter. "But, I saw Remus sneaking out a few months ago..."
They look at me expectantly.
"And I followed him," I say, blushing.
"So, you know?" Remus asks quietly.
I nod sheepishly.
"You tell no one, you understand," James says aggressively, pointing at me sharply.
"If I was going to tell anyone, don't you think I would have by now?" I say, matching his aggressive tone.
I walk out.
James is still an idiot, but if he defends his friends so fiercely, maybe he does have some good qualities after all...
A/N: What do you think of this chapter? Was it ok? James is still a good person at heart, and is protective of his friends, so I wanted to show that.
Lots of love
Saf xx