Chapter 19

Lily felt the cool breeze on her feet as they dangled off the Astronomy Tower and she held James's Quidditch sweater in her lap. The summer air had set in and her hair felt puffier than ever. James was sat down next to her and he looked at the ground which was hundreds of feet below them.

"I'm sorry," Lily whispered and squeezed his hand. James smiled and kissed her cheek.

"No need to be sorry. I understand. I'll wait until you're in a better place. And I'm always here for you, as a friend," James pulled Lily in for a hug and she felt like she could break down. She felt a couple tears slip down her cheeks and James wiped them away.

"Thank you," Lily whispered. She tried to give him his sweater back but James told her to keep it. He winked at her, they were soulmates after all. "I love you."

"I love you mostest."

"Lily!" Lily was pulled out of her thoughts. She stood in her bedroom, looking at all the letters she had gotten that summer. Her new Head Girl pin was sitting on her nightstand along with everything she would need from Diagon Alley for the seventh year. She had replayed that memory from the last day of sixth year over and over again. "Lily!" Her mother called a little louder and Lily popped her head from her room.

"Yes mum," Lily asked. She was still holding a letter from James. Her mum was seated at the table with her father and Petunia who looked tense and annoyed with the whole situation.

"Sit down, dear," her mother, Alexandra, smiled and Lily sat down, a little unsure of what to make of the situation. She folded James's letter that she had read for the millionth time and placed it in her pocket. "Petunia's boyfriend is coming later today and we just wanted to ask you-"

"Don't do anything that shows him the freak you are," Petunia cut in and Lily bit the inside of her lips, looking at the floor as she felt the tears burn her eyes. She wasn't even aware of her parents lecturing Petunia who yelled about how it wasn't fair Lily was even there before storming off to her room.

"Oh honey," Lily felt her mom wrap her in a tight hug and closed her eyes. 

"Why does she hate me?" Lily asked quietly and her mom whispered something in her ear that Lily didn't hear. Lily's dad, Richard, had disappeared to leave her and her mother to have a moment. Alexandra was the sweetest person ever and couldn't hurt a fly even if she tried. Lily knew it pained her that her daughters couldn't get along. Lily gratefully took the tea her mother brought her and took a long drink. 

"What time is James coming? Is he staying for dinner?" Alexandra Evans rubbed her daughters arm to try and perk her up. Lily smiled as she thought about the letter. "You like him," Alexandra whispered in a sing song voice that made Lily laugh. 

"Mum!" She put her tea down and smiled into the cup. "I told you. We're just friends," Lily glanced up at her mother who didn't believe a word she said.

"I'm just saying, I won't be surprised if we're at a wedding in a year," Alexandra winked at Lily before heading into the kitchen. "Go on. Go pack," she excused Lily who gladly went to her room. Lily took out the last letter James had sent the week before.

Dear Lily,

I'm sorry to hear your sister hasn't warmed to you this summer. Shall I 'accidentally' hex her when I come pick you up next week? Only joking, of course. Nothing really is new with me. Sirius and I had fun going into town yesterday. Muggle money is so confusing! I turned his hair hot pink in our ongoing battle that I will of course be victorious in because I'm me. Duh. Well he hasn't gotten his revenge yet but don't be surprised if I show up without eyebrows. 

Speaking of which, I'm so excited to see you! I know we write but it's been too long since you've rolled your eyes at me in person. I'll arrive on your doorstep on August 27th. Don't worry, muggle style of course. Sirius sends you his love and misses you greatly.

I got my letter last week and, make sure you're sitting down, I AM HEAD BOY!! I know! It's crazy. I can only assume you're Head Girl because you're you. I couldn't believe it. Sirius thought it was a prank and tried to break it to see if it was fake. I'm so excited. We'll work great together but I'm kind of nervous. I want the ickle firsties to feel safe in these weird times. Do you think I'll do okay? You'll do great. You always do.

Anyways, I'm excited to meet your family. My parents are thrilled to meet you. They know we're just friends but definitely believe I'm hopelessly in love with you (don't worry, I'm not) so just a heads up. I'll see you at five on the 27th!

Miss you loads,

James

Lily smiled and packed it along with the other letters she had gotten that summer from Alice, Remus, Marlene, Sirius, and the rest of the ones from James who had written once a week. She looked at the wall where her clock read four thirty. The doorbell rang and Lily's heart rate picked up. Was he early? Lily almost fell as she ran to the top of the stairs, only to see the fattest man Lily had ever seen. Her mouth dropped open and she had to turn around so no one could see her burst out laughing. Lily took a deep breath before walking downstairs. 

"Lily! Lovely! Vernon, this is our other daughter, Lily," Richard put his hands on Lily's shoulders. Lily summoned the biggest smile she could and put her hand out that the porky man who must have been Vernon looked at with disgust. Lily dropped her hand awkwardly. Alexandra cleared the air by inviting him into the lounge. Petunia sat with Vernon on the couch and they talked quietly while Lily hid behind the door in the kitchen. She sat on the counter as her mum tossed the salad. 

"He seems so dreadful mum. I mean, did he eat his twin in the womb and it grew in him?" Lily whispered and her mother hit her knee with the towel. 

"Lily June Evans," Alexandra whisper yelled but had a secret smile playing on her lips. She motioned for Lily to go into lounge with her. Lily threw her head back and silently groaned but followed. There was twenty long minutes of golf talk and Lily watching the clock. The big hand hit the five o'clock just as a knock rang out through the house. Lily smiled to herself and quickly walked to the front hall. She opened the door and did her best not to let her mouth fall open. James Potter had changed over the summer. He had grown another three inches at least and was insanely tan. His arms were bigger, but he still had a cocky smile. His eyes were still a swimming pool of golden hazel. He was wearing jeans and a muggle band tee that Lily would have bet anything he bought to fit in when he came to pick her up. 

"Lily," James smiled and hugged her tightly. Lily closed her eyes and smiled at the smell of him that she had missed the past couple months. Totally platonic, of course.

"We need to go my sister's boyfriend is here," Lily whispered in his ear before pulling away. James nodded. 

"Of course, where's your stuff? I'll send it ahead," James pulled out his wand. Lily took him upstairs and he waved his wand so her trunk popped away.

"Lily," Alexandra called from the entry hall. Lily went back downstairs, James following her closely. "James! How lovely to meet you, finally," Alexandra smiled and James went in for a hug. 

"Mrs. Evans, I've heard so much about you. All good," James winked at Lily and Alexandra laughed. James was always the charmer.

"Alexandra," she insisted and brought him into the lounge.

"James!" Richard stood up and crossed the room, leaving Vernon Dursely mouth open in the middle of a golf story.

"Mr. Evans," James smiled and shook his hands firmly. Lily smiled internally and sat down so James could sit next to her. James and Lily exchanged a glance and Vernon droned on with his story before they all sat down for dinner. James and Richard were joking and laughing about the muggle band on James's tee shirt which he actually did know about. The more they laughed, the angrier it seemed Petunia and Vernon would get.

"What are you doing after school? Jake? I just got a job at a drill company. I'll be set for life," Vernon said smugly and Lily began to panic. James didn't know muggle jobs. "I mean, a special school can you even get a job?" He sneered. James looked at Lily who looked equally as confused. 

"School for troubled youth," Petunia interjected and Lily's mouth dropped open. She told him they went to a school for troubled youth? Before Lily could yell, James placed his hand on her knee to calm her down. 

"Actually, I'll be fighting in the war after school. Equality for all," James smiled at him and removed his hand. "And it's James," Vernon scoffed and mumbled something in response. Lily was able to make an excuse they needed to leave before dessert.

"Thank you so much for the food. It was delicious," James told Alexandra who laughed and gave him another hug. 

"Of course dear. Watch over Lily for us," Alexandra winked at Lily who rolled her eyes. Richard hugged James goodbye as well and Lily could feel Vernon glaring. Her parents had never hugged or laughed with him. "Petunia, care to say goodbye?" Alexandra looked at her eldest daughter pointedly and Petunia mumbled something that entailed freak. Lily sucked in her lips and turned to James. They stepped outside and looked into the dark night.

"We'll talk later," Lily said in response to the silence. She could feel the sympathy radiating off of him.

"I'm sorry," James whispered and squeezed her hand. When Lily was about to respond, she felt the world sucked out from under her. She tried to yell but couldn't for the sheer force. When her feet hit the ground the world was still spinning.

"Did we just apparate?" Lily then leaned to the side and puked before standing up straight.

"Yep," James grinned at her.

A/N: Sorry this is so long!! I have the rest of the story planned out, it will be around 40 chapters so I hope you are enjoying it! I'll be trying to update at least twice a week :)