Dec. 18 '77: It's Exactly The Time: Lily

[James Potter]

▶︎ oh, now it’s exactly the time to turn your head from the past.
and if you can, try and get to know your parents well.
forgive them, too, they are more like you than you can tell…

James woke in a bed that was decisively not his own. The sheets were starched to the point of him fearing getting a cut from them, which would pair nicely with the bandaged gash on his finger from last night's cutlery mishap. At the thought, and wakefulness reaching him more moment by moment, he let out a sleepy laugh and rose from Petunia Evans' old bed, thankfully scrape-free as he stretched. The young man lumbered his way to the small window and pulled the pallid floral curtains back, giving the window itself a push to force himself awake. The wintry air hit his bare chest with an unexpected fury, however, and he shortly closed it most of the way, leaving only a crack open so as to hear the rumblings of a river as of yet hidden from sight and let in the dreary morning light.

He dressed groggily, hoping his sweater would be acceptable for tonight's important dinner. He was meeting Lily's sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law, and by his understanding - neither was a fan of wizardkind, Petunia didn't want Lily to have anything to do with the wedding in a week and a half's time, and he was going to have to grin and bear it and do his best to make a good impression so as to not make the whole situation worse for Lily. But James already felt like he was biting his tongue. A muggleborn witch takes her pureblood boyfriend to meet a pair of...close-minded people, he mentally amended the starting of an unfortunate joke, putzing with his hair in the low mirror until it was satisfactory. He'd get Lily's take on the couple again before they left, and would do what he could to make the evening pleasant, but if either of them took shots at Lily...James didn't think he'd be able to hold much back, even if he tried to be tactful. 

Her crime was being born a witch, after all. It was inherent, it was fantastic, and if Petunia wasn't willing to accept her because of it, if this Vernon treated her anything less than admirably -

At least her parents were more on board.

Richard seemed to take him at his word, any doubts about him pushed aside by Lily's letters. But Janet...was a harder nut to crack.

And James understood it - he hadn't always been complimentary of Lily when speaking to his family, and she'd had much more cause to speak ill of him. And they were...new. Hell, their first date had just been at the start of the month, and now he was in their family home, set to attend the elder daughter's wedding. That Lily wanted him there was an indisputable boost of confidence for him, and while there may not be much hope in terms of Petunia and Vernon, he'd be damned if he let the days pass without winning over both of her parents.

That in mind, he pocketed his glasses and his wand, grabbed his toothbrush, and set out for the loo.

In truth, though, he only made it a step out of the door.

Lily Evans in a towel.

    Lily. In. A. Towel.

He kept his eyes in his head, just barely, and hurried to bring their attention to her face after catching them lingering elsewhere, ears reddening and smiling through it. "Morning," he beamed, heart pumping with a bit more ferocity at finding her in the hall as such. Some maneuvering was required for her to get to her room and him to get to the loo, and James popped a kiss on her cheek after he regained control of his legs enough to move her way. "How'd you sleep?"

[Lily Potter]

I'm in nothing but a towel...


"Oh God!" Lily thought, realizing belatedly that she had actually said the words out loud as she very nearly collided with her boyfriend. Fresh out of the shower no less. She blushed a furious shade of red as James gave her a blatant once over. Her body felt hot under his gaze and she clutched her towel tightly about her chest, conscious of how much of her was exposed. Part of her thrilled at their current situation, that naughty, estrogen-fueled side of her that had thought about things with James that decent girls shouldn't think. But most of her was just worried that one of her parents might enter the hall right now and catch them as they were. Somehow, she felt they wouldn't take kindly to it.

Shuffling over to her bedroom as best she could without moving her towel at all, Lily offered James a smile when she was inside and partially hidden by the door. "Good morning." she said, at last, blushing again. She took her moment to check him out now and a brighter smile pulled at her mouth. Why did he have to look so good in just a simple jumper and trousers? And it was a deer sweater, which she always found amusing on him. She was about to tell him how good she thought he looked when her mother called up that breakfast was ready and Lily poked her head out to shout down that they were coming. "You should finish up before they come looking." she said to James, giving him an apologetic smile as she closed the door on him.

Resting her head back against the wood, she couldn't help the chuckle that burst forth when she replayed the quick encounter in her head. James's face had been priceless! Shaking her head, the redhead dropped the towel to the ground, kicking it to the foot of the bed, and went over to her closet to dress. This evening they would be meeting with Petunia and her fiance Vernon for dinner, so Lily felt the need to look extra nice seeing as they both didn't like her very much. She felt a little bad roping James into this but if he wanted to seriously date her...long term, he had to be willing to deal with her family. Luckily, she had been so worried over their meeting the night before that she had already picked out her clothes, so getting ready was a breeze and she didn't have enough time to get herself worked up about her sister.

When she emerged a few minutes later in her own sweater, light makeup, and magically dried hair she let out a little laugh, and a pleased smile caught at her face. Because, there he was, James, out in the hall again, and they had nearly run into one another again. It was a little strange seeing him in her childhood home but it also felt right, they were together and that felt more right every day that passed that they were a couple. She was glad she had convinced her parents to let him stay for a bit, she liked having him near. Especially when their usual responsibilities were suspended. When  they just got to be. Lily leaned in, planting a kiss on James' lips that for her was sweet and tasted of her refreshing shower and his minty toothpaste. "Good morning." she told him again, stepping back to take his hand. "I slept fine." she fibbed lightly as she tugged him to the landing. "How did you sleep? I know Petunia's room must be awfully strange and....well, it must be very different."

[James Potter]

It was all James could do to hold in a laugh as his girlfriend let out a fair bit of shock at encountering him the hall when she was, to be generous, half covered. And while she'd have every right to call him out for staring, Lily didn't seem all that put off; no, no, the little dash of nerves propelling her shuffling feet had to be more because of where they were. Because her parents had "forbid" him from even being in her room with a closed door - surely they didn't love the idea of either of them being hardly clothed in the presence of the other. However much a supportive fan of that he was… Lily tucked herself into her room, and was she trying to drive him positively mad with that coy little smile, the rose of her cheeks, the purposeful journey her eyes took over him? If so, she was doing a bang up job of it. And if not, if this was just her, no game...Said it before, will say it again. Goner. He jerked out of his reverie as the quiet moment was interrupted by a pair of shouts between Mrs. Evans and Lily, and was shortly left in the hall, alone, rather stunned.

You’re dating the most beautiful woman in all of England.

    Lucky bastard, you are.

The gloriously off-duty Head Boy chuckled and stepped into the loo, making quick work of completing his morning routine, taking the opportunity to properly muss his hair and adjust his sweater in the larger mirror. He gave the sleeves a few rolls - hardly feeling the cold after that run-in - and returned his things to Petunia's room. And while they were on a holiday break, James felt he was still learning about his school; he'd thought about it, sure, but the girls' dormitories being charmed against the entry of the likes of him made much more sense now that he'd seen Lily fresh from the shower. Wouldn't get a damn thing done. He smiled at the thought and left the sister's space only to nearly bodily run into Lily again. His smile spread at her laugh and counted himself pleased as, this time, she came closer instead of going her own way. He smiled into her kiss but was left giving her a look of disbelief at her claim - Lily, seen you on enough mornings to know when you've had a full night's rest or not. - as she took his hand. James was tugged along, out of their semi-privacy and onto the landing, and gave a heartier laugh as they took the stairs. "Absolutely - never been in a non-magical house, you know. And, well, it's Petunia. Very different is the most concise way to describe her and me, I'd think. But it's all good, I can sleep anywhere." 

James took the last stair at a bit of a jump and leaned towards her, teasing under his breath. "Oh, and about The Towel Incident? I have no doubt you'll get me back for that before the week's up." He winked and straightened his spine, calling out with his usual candor as they promptly entered the kitchen, "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Evans! Smells delicious, thanks for treating me - if you'll have me, would love another go at things at lunch. I promise to not lose any fingers."

He gave a grin and sat in the empty chair next to Richard, joining in at passing plates around and contemplating whether or not to ask the parents' advice on tonight. Did they see the situation as doomed? Or did they trust their elder daughter would calm down let differences go and allow Lily back into her life? And then the question of Vernon, who seemed dull as a doorknob - and most assuredly not one of the funny biting ones...not yet. If he could get Janet's ear in private while they made lunch, perhaps, or Richard's when they watched some of a match, as promised...

"Is that the day's paper?" he asked, popping his glasses on after giving them a bit of a clean on his sweater. "D'you mind if I take a look? Only England's wizarding one is delivered at Hogwarts, really should have a supply of these too, though, see what's happening in the rest of the world. And, I mean - I can't think of a simpler way to show all of us ignorants that we've got a lot to learn than by giving us a crossword we can't solve without help."

[Lily Potter]

Lily smiled fondly as she and James descended the staircase, hand in hand. She had lived in this house her whole life and she remembered many happy times racing up these stairs with her sister, with Sev, and now, taking them down with James. More happy memories added to her collection. The redhead worked hard to forget all the bad memories that went along with the good ones, like Tuney jetting down these very stairs to get away from her freak of a sister. Or the fight they had had on the landing after she and her then best friend had found that letter. No. She had more memories full of joy than heartache and she chose to remember those times. She squeezed James's hand, giving him a jesting smile. "Oh, I'm aware of your insane ability to find rest wherever your head lays," she told him, thinking of the awkward angles he would fall sleep in on the Gryffindor furniture in the common room. Still, it was Petunia's room and she felt bad he had to stay in it.

James was soon pulling her attention away from such thoughts though as he hopped off the last step, eliciting an adoring look from her, then they crossed the threshold into the kitchen and Lily found herself blushing again at his words of their earlier encounter. You better never forget he saw you in naught but a towel, because he never will. She told herself as James entered and began speaking to her parents. She decided that she would not get him back for that peepshow this weekend, oh no, he was expecting that. No, she would repay him in her own time...the Quidditch locker room flashed into her mind and Lily gave a secret, mischievous smile as she took her normal seat at the table.

'No, sir. I won't be sending you home missing any extremities. No cutting for you.' Her mother said, waving a spatula at her daughter's boyfriend in a threatening manner. Lily caught her eye and the older woman smiled, giving in a little. 'Alright, we're having chopped spinach salad with lunch, maybe I'll teach you how to toss a salad, hm? Something nice and safe.' The youngest Evan's laughed outright and Richard joined in with a bark of his own. "She's only teasing," Lily assured her house-guest as she filled her plate with the normal eggs, biscuits, and gravy. Janet gave the boy a pat on his back as she placed sizzling sausage before him and took her own seat. 'I am.' her mother agreed. 'Rich boys should always learn a thing or two about doing things for themselves, but not at the expense of angering his rich parents. I have to return you in the condition I received you in or they might sue.'

Lily smiled around her food with a shake of her head, and sent her boyfriend a 'what's to do about it?' look before tucking into her meal. Lucky, her father was eager to engage the other man in conversation and Lily was able to listen and observe in happy silence. She would have never thought that having James here, being picked on by her mum and included by her dad, would bring her such peace. It all just felt right to see him sitting here amongst her family. If she tried hard enough she could even imagine a happy Petunia with them, one with magic and light in her soul. Or...that there was no Petunia at all and this was their life together, just the four of them. Her and James and her parents and acceptance, without a Tuney or Vernon hating them. Pain pierced her chest at such unkind thoughts about her sister and suddenly fears of their later visit resurfaced. She looked to James as he and her dad poured over the paper, looking at a crossword puzzle she could solve in five minutes or less. James cared so much for her, always had, and now that she cared for him in equal measure well...she felt really bad for what she knew would be a tense situation over dinner. Lily bowed her head, tonight would be a night to remember for sure, she just hoped that she and her boyfriend made it out still together. For some reason losing James was something she couldn't fathom. Setting down her utensils with her food only half-finished, Lily tried for her normal happy disposition. "If you like the paper so much honey, perhaps dad would be kind enough to owl you them when he's finished with them. Merlin knows mum hates the way they pile up. In any case, soon enough, you'll be able to get your own subscription sent to Godric's Hallow. You know, once we graduate."

[James Potter]

He slid into the kitchen with confidence that he hadn't yet earned, happy at least that he'd gotten the color to rise in her cheeks; while Lily had arranged these days together for them, last night had shown that this wasn't going to be a one-and-done sort of convincing the family that they were good together, and that he was good for her. But he couldn't let that shake him - they'd come so far in these last months that he knew, he just knew, that the most important people in Lily's life would come around. Before too long, right? If this is going to work, really work, James reminded himself, just as he had on their first date, you can't be anything other than yourself. And so - he wouldn't shy from conversation, he wouldn't stop trying to learn, and he wouldn't let Lily regret deciding to invite him here.

Besides - you like the chase, Potter. You know you do. Different kind, this, but if it was too easy...where's the satisfaction in that?

Just as he'd proven himself to Lily, and was trying to continue to, he'd show her parents why they should be happy he planned to stick around. Even if that meant not taking every single moment of these free days with his girl because he was bonding with the Mr. and Mrs., he knew she'd understand. Because they weren't...they hadn't become a couple willy-nilly. On accident. This wasn't some sort of passing-the-time until graduation relationship. While they hadn't spoken in depth about what lay ahead for them, James knew in his bones that she knew it just as well as he did. Letting him into her home like this was no idle decision - she wanted to see how they meshed, as much as he did. Could he fit, truly, within her family? The thought gave the young man a nervous excitement, one he hadn't felt since starting to feel at home at Remus' house. They would all see, he supposed, by the wedding's end, but...he was more than hopeful, spirits only rising as Janet gave him sh*t about his accident. James grinned across at Lily at her laugh, nudging her father with his elbow as the man echoed the daughter's mirth. He caught the girl's eye at her words, sending a set of comically disbelieving eyebrows her way before her mother laid a hand on his back and set a tray of sausage in front of him. The tiniest show of familiarity, acceptance, gave his heart a lurch, and while her words probably should have had him worrying - did Lily's mum really think he was some spoiled little rich boy? sure, he'd always had it easy at home, but that didn't mean he knew nothing - James couldn't properly be bothered by them.

"Oh, no, you see - I'm the one who'll be in trouble with my parents, not you," he corrected with a grimace of a grin. "They'll be having me pay you back for the "damage" that my finger caused your knife before you can say Sleekeazy’s. I'm sure you'll meet them before too long and you'll see, they're more than all right. Besides - I've learned some slicing techniques from Lily for Potions. I swear I can learn how to use a cooking knife properly with some practice. But," he continued, sausage dangling dangerously from the tines of his fork as he held up his hands placatingly, "if I'm demoted to salad today, then I'm demoted to salad."

The table quieted, he and Mr. Evans - "Richard, m'boy, Mr. Evans is my father." - taking stabs at the crossword. Abnormal as it was to share this with someone other than Sirius, James found himself having a little lark about it all the same as Richard corrected his phonetic spellings of this movie star or that country. Lily spoke up as the pair was debating through mouths that should be chewing, and James pushed his glasses up into his hair with a bit of a bemused smile. Upon looking, he saw she'd barely touched her food, and while he loved the thought of getting mail from the Evans', something wasn't quite right. Said you slept fine - no. Appetite's gone, and that didn't sound like you. Close, but... Curious, concerned, eyes met hers for a moment before he turned to her father, not wanting to put her on the spot in front of an audience. "What d'you say, Rich - humor me until I'm out in the world?" 

James picked up the pace with filling his stomach, and rose with a stretch and a promise to Richard to finish the crossword in the afternoon. "But I think it's time to get out into Cokeworth, eh? Show me the sights, Evans - I'm ready." While his tone was upbeat as he gathered up plates and set them to washing in the sink, his nugget of worry was hardly alleviated. What had Lily's mind so uneasy? He'd thought being home would be a positive thing, and the only reason he could see her being down was her sister...and what can you do about that, Potter? "We'll be back in time for my tutorial, don't worry." With another smile towards the pair of them, he took Lily's hand and started to the front door, their wintry outer-things hopefully still where they'd left them hanging last night. "We don't have to go out," he assured under his breath, concern more apparent now that they were out of view. "But I'd just - er - got the feeling you could use a little space from...well, not sure what, exactly, but something here. Hopefully not me, else I've gone and made it worse." But the lad cracked a smile, feeling that that wasn't it. "And I do want to see the town, if you're up for it. What d'you think?"

[Lily Potter]

A piece of her heart, her heart that had always known love and kindness, warmed and melted and solidified into something different. Something that felt new and scary and thrilling and it spoke of James. As she looked on him, with his glasses pushed upon his head and his hair at odd angles, she knew, she knew what she felt for him was decidedly more love and kindness than she had felt for anyone else. She smiled at him and her father and felt some of the sadness over Tuney chased away. If James was with her and if they came out of the dinner still a couple, then nothing could bring her spirit down. Sure, she wanted her sister, whom she cared for deeply to care for her equally but it had been many years since that hope was fresh. It was foolish to expect anything less.

She listened as James spoke and her smiled grew into something more teasing. The mention of his parents brought on a tinge of nervousness -what if they didn't like her? they loved Doe so much, what if they were disappointed?- but she pushed that aside. She would deal with that when the time came. For right now they were all... bonding and she was enjoying it immensely. At the end of his recitation, she and her mother piped up in unison "Clearly demoted." They laughed together and Lily reached out a soothing hand to her boyfriend, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Only teasing love." She reminded him.

Then they lapsed into mostly silence and the redhead felt all of her fears and worries resurfacing. It was a constant struggle this holiday, combating the inner demons that seemed to plague her. She hated it, but there was no way to avoid it, and so she found herself slipping into moments of stress or sadness. This was one such moment, only broken by her interest on James and the post, which seemed mundane, but actually helped her quite a bit get out of her head. Her father agreed happily to sent along the papers and Lily felt a pang of intense love for him, he was such a good man. Then her fellow Head was rising from the table, speaking of their hike around Cokeworth and she stood to join him. She placed her own dishes in the sink as her mother preened 'James, I do say, I could get used to this.' Lily looked to the dishes that James had set to washing themselves and let out a chuckle. She always did such things by hand, as it was all she was used to, and she tried to keep the magic to a minimum around Petunia which her parents always assured her she didn't have to do. Lily made a mental note to learn some household spells as she accepted a hug from her mother and dropped a kiss on her father's head, promising them that they would be back safely in due time. At the coat station, Lily met James' eye and gave a half-hearted smile at his words but she didn't address them until she had taken him by the hand and they were safely outside.

"I want to go out." she said quietly, looking up to James' with a genuine smile and tugging him along up the high street. "And I see those looks." She told him, feeling lighter the further she got from the house and speaking more normally as a result of it. She had been very wrapped up in her own musings and worries this morning but not so much that she wasn't completely aware of every move the Head Boy made. Lily watched him even when she didn't know she was doing it and when he moved, she moved, when he laughed, she smiled, and when he watched her...well she was always aware of that, even the worried looks caught her eye. "I'm fine. Really. Just normal stresses and yes a big one is Petunia but I'm not going to let that ruin our good time. I'm interested to see what you think of Cokeworth." Lily looked around at the average looking rows of houses, the river peeping through here and there, and on the other side of it, the industrial world back-dropped in English countryside. Normal. Middle-class. Muggle. Something that was a far departure from his families lifestyle. "I thought we could check out the few shops, and the park first, they're adjacent. Then maybe, if we have time, head down to the riverside. How does that sound?"

[James Potter]

Feeling eyes on him as he worked on the crossword with Richard, James looked up with a bit of a smirk to meet his girlfriend's gaze. Expecting her amusement but finding her brilliant eyes lit with a strong inner warmth, he felt his heart give a lurch and his lips quirked into a softer smile. What's going on in there, Evans? He'd felt them growing closer over these last weeks, and while he was learning new things to love about her - she had to be doing the same, right? That thought in mind, he couldn't be anything but jovial as the Evans women put him in his place, and warmed even more as Lily softened the blow with a kiss. Breakfast passed quickly enough after that, as he was eager to have his girl to himself and get her out of her head, and James was grateful that his casual use of magic had a positive reaction from Janet. He hadn't thought about the reservations Lily or her parents may have about them using magic in the house, so thankfully he'd done all right. 

The door to the Evans's house shut behind them, and Lily finally smiled. A sheepish smile and flushed cheeks colored the lad's face as she gently called him out, and he took the moment of embarrassment to thread their fingers together. Lily never missed anything - how could he have thought she'd miss his concern? It wasn't that he didn't think she could handle herself or the situations she was in - James just wanted her to be happy. To enjoy this time off with her family without strings attached. To have fewer worries and more joy. She cares, that's why she's stressed. And would you love her like you do if she didn't have that giant heart that cares so much? The answer was an unequivocal yes, but even so, he couldn’t imagine the girl without that heart of hers. 

"Nothing's got a chance of ruining our good time," James promised, in full belief of the statement. "I'm here for you if you ever want to talk about her, though, okay? And - er - could use a refresher on them before dinner, if that's all right," he admitted, running his thumb back and forth across her hand. "I want to make a good impression." However unlikely that may be. It may be a lost cause, trying to impress Petunia and Vernon, to get in their good graces, when they seemed determinedly against Lily - but he was just as determined to show her that he wanted to try. They were important to her still, even with the bad blood between them, and as long as she hadn't given up, he would be alongside her. 

Lily expanded on her plan for them this morning, and James had to grin over at her, and leaned over to peck her cheek. While their usual school days were jam packed with classes and duties and managing the prefects and his team, whenever they had quiet hours - or days - together, he couldn't be happier. And to have the time to wander around her hometown, even if the winter day was bitter cold? "I love it." You, too. He tried to pay more attention to the shops around them, but not too much - blending in as a muggle, after all - and was belatedly relieved he hadn't grabbed Gryffindor outer gear for their excursion. "Tell me all about little Lily Evans running around here on holiday," he urged playfully.

[Lily Potter]

In all truth, the last thing she wanted to talk about all day was Petunia. But...James was right. They both needed to be as prepared as possible for tonight's meal with her sister and her sister's muggle finance. Particularly when Tuney loathed witches and wizards and magic in general and Vernon was much the same. She would verse him on how best to speak with Tuney which was usually just letting her speak and never mentioning anything about "the other world". But she would also let him in on some other things, like why her sister hated her so much. That was a conversation she hadn't seen coming and she wasn't keen to reveal one of her less honorable moments, more so that it involved Severus...that would always be a sore spot. "We'll talk about it over lunch, promise. We'll make a game plan. There's the one really good place at the top of the high street we can go, otherwise don't eat from anywhere else around here. Especially the pub." she said with a chuckle, thinking of the time her father had been confined to the loo for two days following a bad batch of fish and chips. 

"Let's just enjoy the shops for right now." she suggested, noticing the way he was trying to not pay too much attention to any one thing and yet notice everything at once. She loved the way he was accepting and appreciative of muggle culture and more particular her muggle heritage. She loved him. With a smile and squeeze of James' hand, Lily waved them off the main street and down a cobbled alley. Here it was almost completely silent and the shops were few and far between, instead replaced by homes. She stopped in front of a row house with an old wodden sign that read 'Mystical Magics' hanging outside and ducked in with confidence, tugging her boyfriend along with her.

The ding of the door when they entered summoned the shopkeep at once...who positively beamed when she came shuffling out of the backroom in a flourish of scarves and perfumes and saw Lily standing among the talismans and the 'Modern Day Witchcraft for the Modern Day Witch'  book display. The red-head released James just in time to wrap the other woman in a hug and hold her balance. "Agatha" she said affectionately when they pulled away. She gestured to the other patron and gave a proud smile."This is my boyfriend James. James this is Agatha. When you asked what I got up to, I thought I might as well show you. When I wasn't with Tuney at the bakery or... at the lake, I was here, with Aggie." 

Lily wasn't the flighty sort. She liked to explore, but honestly, there was only so much of Cokeworth to entertain. Before Hogwarts she had discovered it all and also this place. Aggie didn't know about real magic, at least Lily had never confirmed the existence of the other world but the older woman did seem to have a wise eye and she was clearly living the lifestyle of what muggles thought witches to be. And...she just knew things. "Agatha does palm and tea leaf reading here. She's quite good. I thought we might have one, my palm hasn't been read since i was a girl. What do you say babe?"

[James Potter]

"Thanks, babe," he said, swooping in quickly to pop a kiss onto her cheek. While he could tell she wasn't entirely keen on discussing her sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law, James was relieved and, honestly, quite excited that she was up for making a game plan with him. If they put their heads together they could figure out pretty much anything, and that included navigating dinner with disagreeable people. Didn't it? If nothing else, they'd determine a way to make it a fun evening for the two of them, regardless of whatever Petunia and Vernon threw at them. But he let out a laugh as his girlfriend described their options for lunch. "Okay, there's a story there, don't think you can just say that and I won't ask," he teased. "What's wrong with the pub?"

James had no problem taking it slow today. To not have to be anywhere for hours, to walk hand-in-hand with the girl who had his heart, to absorb being somewhere new. It was a far cry from the breakneck pace that their days usually passed with, and he was far from complaining. He'd been in muggle towns before, and Godric's Hollow had many muggles too, but this was Lily's hometown. He wanted to see it all, every bit of it that was important to her. Feeling her eyes on him, James looked over to catch them with a smile, glad to see she looked pleased with him. He gave a curious waggle of the brows as she took them off the main road and into an alley, wondering just what was hidden inside that she wanted to show him, or if Lily was just getting them out of the public's eye to steal a few kisses. It wasn't too long that the boy had to wonder, however, for he followed her into...Mystical Magics? Yes.

James was grinning as he ducked into the shop with his girl, head turning on a swivel as he tried to take it all in. The little shop resembled their Divination classroom, what with the candles and beads and talismans and palmistry posters and books their professor - either Divination or Muggle Studies, depending on the lens they wanted them to take - would recommend. Lily left his side to greet the shopkeep, who seemed thrilled at their arrival, wrapping the redhead in a warm hug. He pocketed his gloves, unbuttoned his coat, and loosened his scarf, before he got too warm, getting the sense they'd be here for a spell. He was introduced with a smile full of pride, and felt his heart swell that she was so thrilled to speak of him to someone she so clearly adored.

Ever gonna get used to being loved by her?

    Shut it, she hasn't said that...

"I say that this is beyond brilliant," James remarked, going in for a handshake. "Agatha, was that it? I'd be honored if you took a look at my palm, really, I would." He'd long lost track of Divination notes full of bullsh*te readings he and the boys made up to appease their professor and entertain themselves, but this opportunity was grand. Who knew if this woman - muggle, obviously, but still - had gifts, or had studied the same texts, but he was sure they were in for a treat if Lily was so excited. She wouldn't have spent so much time with a charlatan, after all, so there had to be some sort of truths they could glean from time together here.

[Lily Potter]

Hand in hand, with promises made: “I’ll tell you all about the pub later. Add to the discussion list.” James and Lily set off on their next adventure, exploring Mystical Magics. The only magic store within ten miles of Cokeworth, and it wasn’t even real magic. Well, maybe it was, Aggie did have that way about her where she seemed to know things. Just the way James’ face lit up in wonder at all the muggleness here made her sure this was a good choice, taking him to this piece of her childhood. He never seized to distract her from the sadness's of the world with his interest in it. Lily thought it was probably one of the things she liked most about James, his appreciation, and willingness to learn about the world she had come from. The muggle world. And when he and Aggie met so amicably -‘Strapping lad, strapping.’ Agatha assessed, sending her the universal sign for ‘nice job’, a circle with her thumb and index finger, and an anything but subtle wink- she felt another piece of something click into place in her heart. The muggle had never cared for Severus, turns out that was rightly so, but James, James she liked on site. Lily could tell and that affirmed what she already knew: James Potter was the right sort. The right sort for her.

Lily leaned on James’ shoulder, giving him a smile and a kiss on his cheek. He really had become the light and steadiness in her world and she couldn’t imagine what took her so long to come around. Aggie went over to the door and turned the lock, sticking the ‘BACK IN 30 MINUTES’ sign haphazardly in the window. Chuckling at how some things would never change, she followed the shopkeep to the back room, leading her boyfriend along by the hand. She glanced back at him and gave him a smile all for him before they arrived at the reading room. It was all heavy curtains and black lights, exactly how she remembered it. It reminded her of the Divination classroom but then again, the Divination classroom reminded her of Agatha’s, as she has been here first. Before anything. Before she even knew what magic really was.

Offering the main seat to James as their host moved around to the other side of the table, Lily removed her coat. She placed it on the back of the chair propped against the wall, the one she remembered had the wobbly leg. Thinking better of sitting in it and risk breaking it, she posted herself behind her boy wonder, placing her hands on his shoulders. Leaned down, she whispered into his ear. “I hope she finds a long love line.” she told him, smiling with her words. Straightening again, she raised her eyebrows at the smirk her old friend was giving her, not being able to help the blush the that rushed into her face. I can’t believe I just said that! “Go on then, let’s see what it says.” The wanna-be seer placed her hand on the table palm up and both women looked to James expectantly. 

[James Potter]

"Did you hear that? She thinks I'm strapping," James said, cheeky grin louder than his voice. Seeming quite buoyant, Lily snugged in beside him, even popping up to give him a darling kiss on the cheek as the shop-keep busied herself in preparing for their readings. His smile only grew at that and he snuck in a quick kiss to her smiling lips while Agatha's back was turned. As he followed the women to the back room, James really wasn't all that clear of what he was to expect. Well - he assumed the familiar enough decor would follow, but what of the reading itself? Would there really be any insights to gain from looking at his palm? Palmistry was one of those divination techniques that could be honed by muggles, he supposed. Only difference between a muggle who'd studied it and a witch or wizard was the possibility of the magical folk being Seers as well, wasn't it? Or...asked in a close whisper, "Can muggles be Seers too?" 

James took the offered seat at the clothed table, nodding to Agatha as she situated herself across from him, and leaned back into Lily's touch when it was given. The warmth of her breath and the light brush of her hair - coupled with her words - swiftly brought color to his neck. He bit his lip to keep his smile from cracking, his off hand reaching back to find her leg and give it an affectionate squeeze, and laid his right hand atop Agatha's outstretched one. Scattered with callouses from Quidditch and scars from the sport and other endeavors as it was, he did have to wonder just how accurate the read could be...

"Alright Agatha, I'm putting my life in your hands here," James began gamely. "Nothing too embarrassing, promise?"

"Oh, I see - I see a fall, a great ass-over-teakettle fall in the woods - "

"Fine! Bonus quid for a long love line at least, you heard her - "

"Relax, lad, one thing at a time. We'll start with your life line, just here," Agatha said, tracing its path from between his thumb and forefinger down to his wrist. "Long and deep, this shows your good health, stamina - " She sent another look to the girl behind him, much to his grand and immediate embarrassment, before drawing his palm closer to her. " - and an overall balance. If you look closely you'll see the crossings at the end, like a star. Coupled with the life line...times of chaos are coming, and fame as well." She allowed a thoughtful pause to fall, and James puzzled over it. Fame in his career as an Auror felt the most likely route to that, unless he changed his post-graduation completely and tried for Quidditch. But chaos? What's life without a bit of it, eh? The world was a right mess, and he aimed to go right into the middle of it as soon as he could. Chaos to order...

"Just above, the head line," she continued, "extends from one side to the other. I take it you're just as brave as my Lily, hmm?" He met her knowing smile with one of his own, and found his head tilting with curiosity as Agatha spoke, earlier wonders about her ability to be accurate rather disappearing at her conviction and sound advice. "But be wary of that side of yourself when you're making decisions. What you think is the brave and therefore right thing to do might not always be what's best for everyone, just yourself. The crosses here, and here - you control your fate through the choices you make."

Again she looked him straight in the eye, and he could almost hear her continuation. So don't make stupid ones. For your sake, and for Lily's. She moved on after his nod, taking a lighter air as she teased them. "But what we really want to know is the love line, hmm? Let's see, then...The breaks and rejoining, here and here - your heart will face struggles, and your emotions may threaten to get the better of you. You are open with your heart, and warm, but can fool yourself into thinking relationships can be perfect." Releasing his hand, she shook her head fondly, looking between them. "There's no such thing, but you'll find the ones worth fighting for." 

"Yeah, I've got no problem with that," James said easily, smile returning as he looked over his shoulder to see his girl. "Will fight for us any day of the week, Evans." With a thanks to Agatha, he stood to give Lily the seat, trying to commit the gist of the words to memory to comb through later. Couldn't hurt, right?

Unless he got inspired to read Vernon's palm at dinner.

(reference)