VINGT DEUX

slytherins are the best gamblers!

IT HAD BEEN exactly three days, seven hours and thirty six minutes since Lily had told James that she loved him and she felt like she could fly. Everything was good. Truly. 

Currently, the two were in James's bedroom. They both laid on the bed, James's head in Lily's lap as she read a book for Arithmancy and James was supposedly listening ( but he'd actually fallen asleep ). 

They hadn't told either of their groups of friends yet, but they had a feeling that they knew. In the hallways, they acted the same as before, except a few more glances were stolen and they demanded to sit next to each other during shared classes ( with an excuse about the end of the year planning ). 

It was Tuesday ( which was truly such a dismal day, but tomorrow was Wednesday, which was slightly better ) and it was also almost 11pm. Normally, Lily would be working into the wee hours of the morning, James as well, to try and get their mounds of homework done, but the previous weekend had proven to be very productive. 

Lily closed her book softly and looked down to see James's sleeping form and smiled to herself. She could get used to this. She could get used to the way he smiled a little bit as he slept. And how whenever he breathed out, the curls that adorned his forehead moved with the sudden puff of air. How he held her hand as he slept. 

She carefully leaned over, set the book on the nightstand and snuffed out the light. She then slowly scooched down so she was lying down. James shifted so his head was on her chest and he leaned into her, one arm wrapped around her waist. Lily stayed on her back and brought her free arm over James. 

She drifted off to sleep as well, only to be awoken by the screeching alarm clock that she'd set. She quickly shot up, waking up James in the process. She relaxed as she realized that they had time before classes that morning and sunk back down into the warm bed. 

She turned on her side and faced James who was, as well, awake. They looked at each other for what felt like hours, but it was only a couple of minutes. 

"Good morning, sunshine," James murmured as he stared into her eyes.

"Good morning, darling," Lily mumbled as she smiled. 

She leaned forward slowly and captured his lips with hers in a slow, sweet kiss. 

"We should probably get ready," Lily mumbled, her lips not too far away from his, so he could practically feel her mouth the words. 

She quickly kissed his cheek and got up to leave the ( very warm and very comfortable ) bed when she felt arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her back onto the bed. Her back was met with James's chest as he attacked her with kisses all over her neck and the back of her head. 

"I've been dreaming about this since first year, just two more minutes," James insisted, causing Lily to sigh.

"Fine, two minutes, but that's it," Lily said sternly, but she couldn't hide the wide smile that she was fighting to keep off of her face. 

James buried his face in the back of her neck and breathed in the lingering lavender shampoo from her shower the previous morning. 

"We should tell them," Lily mumbled.

"Ok," James said, but it was muffled by her hair. 

However, Lily was true to her word and after two minutes, she pulled away, leaving them to get ready for the day and thinking about how to tell their friends. 

When they arrived at the Great Hall, they were shocked to see their two friend groups more or less sitting together. Estelle was engaged in joyous conversation with Lysander, Fred, Charlie and Nyah were ( presumably ) talking about quidditch and ( from the looks of it ), Lorcan, Ruby and Ben were talking about a book that Ruby was reading and Henry was talking with Josie and Will. 

Henry was the first to spot them ( naturally ) and wave them over to the table. 

"Well look who decided to finally show face!" Henry called. "And together, no less." 

Lily's face ( even though she finally knew better ) burned bright red as James started to laugh. He slid in next to Henry and engaged him in conversation about the Weird Sisters revival tour while Lily entered into the conversation with Lorcan, Ruby and Ben. 

By the end of breakfast, they had practically become one friend group ( with multiple promises to hang out with each other at various points in time ). 

When students started to leave for classes, Lily, herself, started to pack up her things, making sure she had everything she needed for Herbology. She straightened her tie and looked over at Estelle, Charlie, Fred, Lorcan and Lysander who all had the same subject. She knew that James would have a free period ( where he would probably obsess over quidditch ), so she saw no reason to rush him.

As she stood up, James handed her her bag and she leaned down and quickly kissed his lips before walking off, not a care in the world. Well, actually, she was grinning and blushing madly, but she couldn't let her friends know that. And, knowing James, he'd play along as well and continue eating as if nothing spectacular had happened. 

Then, out of the silence of the Great Hall ( as they had all hushed down at the public display ) a great yell was heard.

"RUBY MACMILLAN YOU OWE ME 5 GALLEONS," Henry yelled. 

"Get it from Estelle! She owes me 2 Galleons on top of that!" Ruby called back. 

Lysander stood up and whooped and then held out his hand where at least 7 students groaned while piling money into it. He claimed the gold coins with a victorious smile. 

Lily looked over at the large teacher table and saw Professor McGonagall being slipped galleons under the table ( carefully not to be caught by students unless they were really looking ) with a small, pleased smile on her face. 

"You couldn't have waited two weeks!" Estelle exclaimed. "Two damn weeks Lily Edwards! Come on!" 

Henry was cackling evilly as he too collected money in his hand. Looks like the Slytherins knew all. 

James, on the other hand, was beaming brighter than the sun. He knew he should've played along ( and Lily would jokingly scold him later ), but he was just so damn happy. Like could life get any better? 

He started to giggle like a child as galleons, sickles and knuts were being passed around. It seemed as if the whole school had bet on the inevitability of James and Lily. 

Lily, if she was being honest, was a little shocked. She knew that people cared, but not that much. 

Then, James, in all of his pride that he'd finally gotten with Lily stood up, walked over to her standing figure, pulled her face in with his hands and planted a big, fat kiss on her lips. In front of everyone. Some people in the hall whooped and hollered. When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes as the sides of his crinkled. 

"Are you ok with this?" he whispered quietly. 

She smiled and nodded her head slightly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. His hands found themselves on her hips as he pulled her closer. Her foot popped and a light breeze blew through the Hall, fluttering their hair.

"What in the Disney Animation is this?" Henry shouted in disgust at the cuteness ( and perfection ) of the moment. 

"You know, if I'd know there would be this much PDA, I would've stopped this from happening," Fred called as he gestured between the two.

"Oh shut it, Fred," James retorted over his shoulder. 

"Rude!" Fred called back with mock offense. 

"Treat people with kindness, Potter!" Henry called. 

At the showing of support, Fred high fived him from across the table and looked back at James with a wide grin. 

James rolled his eyes and pulled away fully from Lily. He then ( very visibly ) took her hand and lead her out of the Great Hall, walking her to Herbology. As they exited, they slowly broke out into a run, especially once they got out of the castle. 

Professor McGonagall made it back to her office just in time to be able to stare out the window as Lily and James chased each other near the greenhouses. A faint, nostalgic smile creeped onto her face as she had deja vu. 

"Did you just walk me to Herbology?" Lily asked breathlessly as she realized she was in front of the 7th year's greenhouse. 

"Well what else would I do? I have a free now," James said with a soft smile as he looked down at her with smitten eyes. 

"I don't know. Go to the library or hang out with your friends or something," Lily said meekly. 

"Yes, but you're my sunshine, so I have to make sure you don't bump into any clouds on the way," James cooed.

"That was so sappy," Lily said incredulously. 

"What can I say? You melt ... wait you don't melt sap. How do you get sap from a tree?" James asked.

"You harvest it," Lily said as she crossed her arms and looked at James with an amused smiled.

"Well then, you harvest — " James tried to say as he struggled to hold back his laughter.

Lily shoved him away from the greenhouses.

"That was going to be horrible and not make sense. Now go do quidditch things or something before I change my mind about dating you," Lily said as she laughed a little at his antics. 

"Fine!" James conceded. "But you owe me a date this weekend, ok?" 

"Where are we going to go?" Lily asked, fully knowing that it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend, so ( theoretically ) they couldn't go anyway.

"You'll see," James said with a grin and wink.

Lily rolled her eyes, but in reality, butterflies swarmed her stomach as she felt the heat in her cheeks rise. She didn't turn away from James as he walked up the hill. 

He took off his robe and sweater, revealing his tie and white button down. He then rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. Lily ( who was not a virgin ) blushed furiously at the thought that crossed through her mind. 

"You know, he's not into guys and he's with you and I'm with Ruby and I'd never do that to you, but in an alternate universe, that boy could rail me," Charlie whistled out as he passed Lily as he made his way into the greenhouse. 

Lily snapped her gaze from James to Charlie as she shoved his arm a bit and laughed a little. They walked in, to their station and slid their hands into dragon hide gloves.

"I agree," Lily said quietly with a mischievous smile as Professor Longbottom started the lesson. 

After ( a very uneventful aside from the suggestive smirks sent her way by Fred, Lysander, Lorcan and Estelle ) Herbology lesson, Lily was surprised when Professor Longbottom pulled her aside after class.

"Ms. Edwards," Neville said kindly.

"How can I help you, Professor?" Lily asked with a smile as she adjusted her bag strap.

"I really hate to do this, especially because you are a student, but a boy in your year, James Potter, his parents have been bugging me about his- er- relationship status," Neville stumbled. 

Lily smiled slightly, remembering the vivacious bunch. 

"Yes, Professor," Lily said with piqued interest.

"So would you and Ja- Mr. Potter happen to- I couldn't help but wonder-" Neville asked, becoming slightly embarrassed as he never pried into the lives of his students. 

"Yes, Professor, James and I are dating," Lily said with a kind smile. 

"Thank you, Ms. Edwards," Neville replied with a relieved smile. "Though I'm sure my Alice will be disappointed."

"Oh, yes, I forgot about that," Lily said as she looked down, not quite sure how to respond.

"Forgot?" Professor Longbottom asked.

"I encountered her a couple months ago and she told me," Lily admitted quietly. "I truly am sorry."

"No need to apologize, Ms. Edwards, things work out that way," Neville said kindly. "But something that I've found is that everything happens for a reason." 

"Yes, sir," Lily said with a small smile. 

"Anyway, off you go," Neville said kindly as he turned to some particularly raucous plants.

"Thank you, Professor," Lily said as she exited the greenhouse. 

She found Estelle and Charlie waiting for her near the entrance.

"Oh you didn't have to wait!" Lily exclaimed as her cheeks grew hot with the thought that she might have burdened them.

"Oh hush, you always wait for us," Estelle shushed as she took Lily by the arm. 

"Charlie, you can go meet Rubes if you'd like," Lily said kindly. "He just had a question about James."

"Oooooh James," Estelle teased.

"Ok, Lily, farewell to the both of you!" Charlie called as he ran up the hill. 

"We're not third years, Stell," Lily tutted.

"Let me have my fun! I've been waiting seven bloody years for this to happen!" Estelle exclaimed as she danced around in the sunlight that was peaking over the clouds. 

"Soooo on the topic of romance," Lily started with a mischievous smile. "How're things going with you and Josie?"

"She's an arsehole but I love her," Estelle said frankly. 

Lily laughed a bit at her friend's frankness. 

"Well it's true!" Estelle defended. 

By then, they'd reached the castle and as fate would have it, Henry Stints and James Sirius Potter were walking together down the corridor that led to the grounds, laughing.

"James! Henry!" Lily called as she waved at them with a big smile. 

"Lils! Stell!" Henry shouted as he opened his arms wide. 

"We were just coming to meet you both!" James called. 

Henry immediately put down his arms ( that he had intended to bear hug Lily with ) at the sight of Estelle ( not so ) discreetly looking between the two. 

Lily ran into James's open arms instead. They both laughed as their bodies collided and he spun her around. She kissed his cheek quickly, not being one for a lot of PDA ( minus what had happened that morning, but, in her defense, 90% of that was James's fault ). Estelle and Henry stood together looking at the couple fondly. 

"You'll never guess what happened!" Lily exclaimed with amused eyes as she pulled away from James. 

He shook his head as if to indicate for her to continue. 

"Professor Longbottom said that your parents were asking about your, and I quote, 'relationship status'," Lily said as she started to laugh.

"That's what he asked you about?" Estelle shouted.

Lily nodded as she struggled to hold tears back from the ridiculousness of the situation.

"I thought you'd gotten in trouble or something," Estelle exclaimed. "I was fully prepared to do a full intervention and cheer you up!" 

"I think you would know if I got in trouble," Lily said sassily.

"Yeah, because you'd be sobbing and begging with Professor Longbottom," Henry said with a wicked glint in his eyes and crossed arms. 

"I- I wouldn't be sobbing," Lily scoffed.

She looked to James for support, but he just scrunched his nose and shrugged while nodding a little.

"This is unbelievable!" Lily exclaimed as she laughed a little bit. 

James then moved, slowly, over to Henry's side. Henry, noticing, slung his arm over James's shoulders and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. 

"Oh I get it now," Lily said with ( fake ) seriousness. 

James gulped a little bit, thinking that he was actually in trouble. 

"You're just using me to get Henry," Lily scoffed, trying not to break. "I should've known."

"You know," Estelle screeched. "People call me and Henry the dramatic ones of the group, but Lily Edwards."

Lily just shrugged as she struggled to fight a big grin that was forming on her face. James caught on and smiled while his cheeks burned bright. He strode forward, cupped her face in his hands and moulded their lips together slowly. When he pulled away, Lily was breathless, just left staring into his eyes. 

"You know I'd never replace you," he said in a low voice. 

Then Estelle made a retching noise behind them.

"Break it up love birds," Henry said with a scrunched nose as he batted away the hand that Estelle had placed over his eyes. "You two literally share a dorm. Get freaky in there if you must." 

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree wholeheartedly with Henry," Estelle groaned. "Him and his .... weird .... sexual ... fantasies."

"Hey!" Henry scoffed with ( mock ) offense, but then a smile eased itself on his face and he shrugged. "Eh she's not wrong." 

Lily pressed her lips together, not looking away from James, but she pulled away. She smoothed out her skirt and pulled a hair tie from her wrist and quickly pulled her hair up into a ponytail. 

As she looped the elastic around her hair, she said: "well, long story short, I'd expect a lot of letters from your family in the next couple of days."

"Knowing them, probably a couple of howlers too," James muttered. 

Their group was broken apart by the frantic yelling of someone coming down the corridor. A fury of red head came barreling down the hallway and stopped at the group of friends.

"You ... two ... got ... together?" Lily Luna Potter yelled out as she tried to catch her breath. 

She doubled over, her hands on her knees, obviously not used to having to run that much or that fast. 

"Sweetheart, here," Lily muttered as she pulled a small water bottle out of her bag.

"Thank ... you," Lily Luna breathed out. 

James gazed at Lily with quite possibly all the love in the world as he saw how she interacted ( once again ) with his family. 

"And yes, to answer your question, we did," Lily said with a small laugh at the red head's enthusiasm. 

"F- finally!" Lily Luna gasped as she chugged the water. "And Rose, Louis, Dom and Molly all owe me 5 galleons." 

Lily then looked very puzzled and turned to James.

"Did every person that we know make bets on when we'd get together?" Lily asked as she crossed her arms.

"Absolutely they did," Henry responded. 

"Well, I should probably go find Josie. She was complaining about the Herbology essay and we all know that's the one thing I'm good at," Estelle huffed as she waved goodbye to her friends. 

"And I'm not even going to sugarcoat it at this point — Will and I are going to snog in a broom cupboard. Deuces," Henry said as he mock saluted to the two Potters and the Edwards. 

"I feel so left out. Everyone's got someone and I haven't even figured out what I like yet!" Lily Luna cried. 

Lily and James looked at each other with knowing smiles. 

"You have time, Lunes," James said as he cracked a smile.

"You're in second year. Like Merlin I had gone out on a date in second year," Lily joked.

"Hey! I asked you several-" James defended.

"No," Lily said bluntly. 

"You hurt me too much," James said as he faked a swoon. 

Lily rolled her eyes.

"What do you see in him?" Lily Luna asked as she looked at him with judgmental eyes.

"Honestly, I don't know," Lily replied. "He's lucky he's cute."

"Hey! I'm right here!" James exclaimed.

"I know, darling," Lily said with an innocent smile as she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. 

Lily Luna smiled at the gesture. It was finally happening. The years of plotting had finally paid off. 

"Lily! Lily!" someone else called as they ran down the corridor.

Both of them looked up, but when Lily Edwards did, she saw it was a second year Hufflepuff boy who was looking directly at Lily Luna. Lily nudged James's side and directed her eyes indiscreetly to the boy running down the hallway. At the same time, however, she put herself a little bit in between Lily Luna and the Hufflepuff boy and James in case he tried anything. 

"Well, I think this is our cue," Lily said with a pleased smile.

"What?" James asked as he looked ( as well ) indiscreetly at the boy.

"Yup, definitely time to go," Lily said with an even bigger smile as she grabbed James's hand. 

"Now?" James grumbled. "It's a boy." 

"We have to plan the end of the year," Lily said forcefully. 

James pouted a little bit, but eventually gave into Lily's tug on his hand. All was forgotten when the glee of walking hand in hand with Lily Jane Edwards down the Hogwarts corridors as she stared at trees and butterflies set in. 

"You know, I was being serious," Lily said about halfway through the walk back to the dorms.

"About?" James hummed as he squeezed her hand a bit, causing her to smile. 

"Planning the end of the year," Lily replied. 

"But can't that wait?" James as his eyes darkened as they approached the dorm.

"No, Mr. Potter, it cannot," Lily said, obviously not getting what he was hinting at. 

It then hit her like a truck and she sent him a deadpan look.

"I swear to Merlin," she grumbled. She then looked down and back up at him with an even more judgmental face. "Did me saying Mr. Potter turn you on?" 

James just grinned. As he opened the door to the dorms and led her in. In a moment of defiance, Lily reached for the large binder that she had compiled of ideas ( honestly, doing things the muggle way was so much easier ). She sat down on the couch and started to flick through. 

James sat down next to her and pulled her onto his lap. At the intrusion on her concentration, Lily pouted and lightly hit his chest as he snuggled his face into her shoulder. 

He carefully reached and tilted her head so she was facing him. He leaned forward and pressed a slow, sultry kiss to her lips. He shifted, sitting up a bit more so he gained height ( but not much ). He brought his hands down from her face to her hips and slowly turned her towards him, not breaking apart their lips. 

She eventually gave it, tossing the binder to the side so she could fully straddle him. She then leaned back and broke the kiss.

"Five minutes," she said with authority.

"Yes ma'am," he said with a blissful smile as he slowly leaned in again. She pulled back again.

"I mean it. We have to plan this thing," she said with a suspicious glare. 

He sighed and muttered a spell under his breath. Suddenly, the binder became an hourglass that Lily ( assumed ) contained 5 minutes of sand in it. James turned it over as he leaned forward and captured her lips again, one hand resting on her cheek, the other on the small of her back. 

He tugged on her hips and she rocked them forward, causing him to groan. She smiled in victory, momentarily breaking apart the kiss, allowing for James to move to her jawline. He peppered kisses all along it as he made his way down to her neck. 

"No hickeys," Lily breathed out. 

She felt him smile against her neck, taking it as a confirmation that he heard her.

He knew he'd hit her sweet spot before she even gasped in reaction, after all, practice makes perfect. She moaned a little when he kissed all up and down the area, eventually making his way back up to her lips. He softly, sweetly pecked them at the same time, he reached out and grabbed the hourglass right as it changed back into the binder. 

"Let's start working shall we?" he asked with a satisfied smile.

Lily gulped, breathless and nodded. She'd do anything he asked her to. 

"So I- I was thinking we should do a ball, like a proper one with chandeliers and planned dances. Like in Jane Austen novels," Lily said with a waver in her voice. 

As she talked, she moved on top of James so her back was to his chest. Both of their legs were on the couch, intertwined. James clasped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. He smiled blissfully, actually listening to her ideas, but also at the swarm of butterflies that fluttered in his stomach.