#December Jily Challenge

[jilychallenge2023]

25 December 2023

Thank you for the lovely message @gwenmontrose

Happy Christmas, Gelukkig Kerstfeest, Joyeux Noel, Frohe Weihnachten, to all of you who celebrate it.

Today we have some absolutely stunning art from our beloved @constancezin Jily decorating the Christmas tree, let’s just pretend they got to do that until they were grey and old;)

[jilychallenge]

Day 9

Today, we’d like to appreciate two jily blogs that are always doing a lot for our community @jilyarchive @jilyawards

thank you for always putting a smile on our faces :)

[arianatwycross]

Hi my tumblr name is arianatwycross (this is not my real name but you may call me A or Ari) I'm a pommy that lives in Australia, I have a golden retriever that owns my heart and I'm addicted to cheesy romance novels.

I write mostly Jily but have been known to delve into Romione and am dipping my toe in some wolfstar!

last updated 18.03.24

Jily

Multi-chapters:

The Process of Wanting- University Muggle AU / Jily-microoops March prompts

Headlines - Muggle AU / Popstar James

once upon a dream - WIP Hogwarts AU / Lily has a crush

To send or not to send? - (Two Parts) 2023 April Jily Challenge / Theme: Letters, Notes and Texting

A (not so) bad day - (Two Parts) - Hogwarts idiots in love

We'll be a fine line -WIP a chapter a day for jilytober 2022 / a muggle au

Only for the Summer -WIP Rated E / Muggle Job AU / Friends to Lovers

Beach Reading -  Rated T. July 2022 Jily Challenge / Theme: Summer Prompt: “i really, really need this summer job, so please stop distracting me with your wiles/good looks. you’re going to get me fired”

The Art of Fake Dating - WIP written with @vertraymer / For the Mixed Up Writer Fest 2022 / Prompt: Fake dating AU!

Unlearnable - WIP, Rated M. Muggle AU. Angst.

Strawberry Lipstick State of Mind - Rated E. Canon. Seventh Year.

Just a touch - Rated E

Teenage Kicks - Rated E / Celeb AU with minor wolfstar

you are the sun - Rated M (Three-parts) Muggle AU/Secret Relationship

One Shots:

Skinny Dipping Part 1 - a jilymicrofic

Just the two of us - Hogwarts / Forced proximity, Hurt/Comfort

A Sweet Meet Cute - Muggle AU, small town romance

A romance of their own - Jily Valentine Gift Exchange 2023 / Celeb AU

Wet, Cold & Bothered - Rated M / 2022 Jily Challenge December Christmas challenge; prompt: Snowball fights

Muggle Christmas Traditions - Rated G/ 2022 December Christmas Jily Challenge. Prompt: The night before Christmas

The One Where Remus Has no Filter - Rated G. Jily Challenge December Christmas challenge

a year and 22 days - Rated T. Summer of Jily 2022 / lyric: all that I know is you caught me at the right time —"golden hour" (kacey musgraves) Scenario: late evening with friends in the garden

The One Where Petunia Can't Drive - April JilyChallenge / Meet uglies + prompt "i hit you with my car/broom and was the only one to visit you in the hospital"

two fools - Rated T / Feb 2022 Jily Challenge romance theme + prompt " “It’s not like I've thought about kissing you, or anything…”

Shut up & Kiss me - Rated M / December Jily Challenge, Winter theme. Muggle AU

Crush Phase - Rated T. Muggle AU

A Year Later - Rated M / Jily Challenge August 2021 . Muggle AU

consciously unaware - Rated GA / Jilytober 2021 bingo (5 prompts in one). Canon, friends to lovers.

Say my name - Rated M. Canon.

Romione

Multi-chapters:

Backseat Rider - Rated T / Muggle AU

One Shots:

Willow - Rated GA. Written for M.Windsor for the 2021 HP Romione Discord Secret Santa!

It’s better In the front seat… - Rated M (Backseat Rider One shot)

Confessions - Rated E / Canon

Books & Freckles - Rated T

Nobody Compares - Rated T / Muggle AU, professional football player Ron

Wolfstar

Skinny Dipping Part 2 - a wolfstarmicrofic

Teenage Kicks Spinoff coming soon!

[practicecourts]

Ten Lines Tag Game

Thanks @abihastastybeans for the tag!

Rule: Share the first lines of your ten most recent fics and then tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy--share anyway ❤️.

Here goes from old to newest. (Do I see a pattern? Nope. Maybe. This was certainly a fun thing to do, so thanks again for the tag.) 10)

Lily checks her dive watch. 60m (Life's a beach and then you dive Muggle AU WIP -May jilychallenge)

9)

The bell chimes, a harsh loud noise in the otherwise silent street. (Beggin' - jilytoberfest Masquerade Fic - oneshot)

8)

For anybody else it would have been an incredible thing to see: two shoes without a body wandering through the dark corridors of Hogwarts. ( It Was A Clear Black Night, A Clear White Moon - November Jily Challenge - one-shot)

7)

‘James, there’s no way he can do that, he's too small to put him on there on his own, he’ll fall off the sledge,’ Lily said, her words turning to smoke as they left her mouth. (Snow Magic - December Jily Advent Calendar - oneshot - with the amazing & sweet Art made by @constancezin)

6)

He heard a rumour she had a good time yesterday. (jily microfics / one word prompts)

5)

Something’s not alright. (Revelation - Jily Microfic)

4)

As Lily clicked through her emails about her sister's hen-do, she checked her calendar, something was very wrong. (Head Over Handlebars For You - Muggle AU- Wip)

3)

“What’s gotten you in a funk, Evans?” Sirius asked, leaning back against the stones of the dungeon wall next to where she’d been standing. (Imagine Dragons - January Jilychallenge - oneshot)

2)

He thought it might be painful.  (Big Little Lion Man - Valentine Fic Exchange)

1)

The soup was warm, hot really. (Hero Without a Cape - Valentine Fic exchange)

Tagging 10 pple, sorry if you're already been tagged & no pressure of course (it took me a little while ;-) @annabtg, @evesaintyves @nought-shall-go-ill @downn-in-flames @ashesandhackles @witchofimber @uncertainwallflower @wearingaberetinparis @welsh-green @only-that-but-that

[wearingaberetinparis]

Hi! I just loved the ending of LITSWD. You are such an excellent writer, i don't even have words to describe you.💛💛💛

I was also curious to know what will you update next? ( Apologies if I'm intervening too much)

Aww, I'm so glad you loved it and thank you! I really love writing and I'm so grateful that others enjoy to read what I create! It's the biggest honour imaginable!

I think the next updates will be:

no body, no crime

it's all happening without me

December Jily Challenge Part 1

The Jammiest Bit of Jam(es)

No particular order yet (it depends on how my writing goes this weekend) and I know I said I wouldn't post The Jammiest Bit of Jam(es) anytime soon, but it's looking like a December update at least.

[practicecourts]

***Had to update bc brain was clearly forgetting g some stuff 😂***

OOOH completely agree with this rec from @startanewdream especially check out @abihastastybeans november @jilychallenge and all the January @jilymicrofics she’s doing (one every day and they are vv cute!!! )

And the same goes for @charmsandtealeaves who wrote a sweet January Jily challenge, one and one makes two, but there’s def a lot more to check.

The whole December Advent Calendar (find a link to all the days here ) or just click on the ao3 collection.

Can I add a personal rec that is maybe a teeny bit angst but also has so much good feeling it could be considered fluff Everything carries me back to you by @oneofthesirens

And thank you @abihastastybeans for reading Not the doctor (it’s more cringe than fluff!?! 🫣 i think this summer story has more fluff 😂)

Let’s add some stories that make you smile so much it hurts:

Off the top of my head for fluff: @arianatwycross : beach reading.

@missgryffin smutty fluff of the highest order : muggle: stolen & magical (in both meanings of the word ;) for the hope of it all (I never listen to TS but since this one I’m a big fan of that song …

@wearingaberetinparis (the lily in the sky with diamonds, def some of the challenges -may/august) and definitely some of her jily microfics before she decided to turn up the angst ;-)

@mppmaraudergirl : chasing life (and then the LAST CHAPTER… alllllll the fluff… but I’d not advise to skip any of that story. But you know. Fluff. It’s there. Smutty fluff.

any fluffy jily Recs?

Ooh, it's been a while since I've dived deep into Jily fanfics and I always think that reccing old fics is missing the point (if someone asked for recs they want something new, right?), but let me rec @abihastastybeans and @charmsandtealeaves for amazing contents!

And also if anyone has any fluffy Jily to rec, please share them!

[theresthesnitch]

A Jily Holiday fic

Rated: E

Lily is forced to go with her parents to a ski retreat hosted by her dad's employer, Sleekeazy's. James's best friend skips out on the trip, and he's dreading going alone. Luckily for both of them, they won't have to spend this year's ski trip alone.

Chapter 1 is now available on AO3!

***

Written for the December Jilychallenge.

JILYCHALLENGE || @adenei vs @theresthesnitch

Winter tropes. Prompt: “i showed up to my grandparents holiday party mostly out of obligation, you seem to be the least awful person here and we’ve never met before but hey you're hot”

[adenei]

Turns out I really don't have any chill because look what's up! December @jilychallenge vs. @theresthesnitch

Thanks for hosting, as always!

Summary:

Christmas in Barcelona. It's everything Lily's been looking forward to for six months. Until her mum delays her trip and insists she HAS to attend a family holiday party. And she's determined to hate everything about it until she meets a guy who threatens to sweep her off her feet. Too bad she's leaving the next day and may never see him again. Which would be the case if fate didn't intervene.

Her mum’s voice sounds tired as she skirts around Petunia’s reason for absence. “Look, Lily, I know this is cutting into your trip, and I’m sorry. How about I pay the difference in your travel plans? I know none of us can stand my real-life evil stepmother, but it would mean a lot to Pop Pop if you were there. It’ll only be for a few hours.”

Aaaand there’s the guilt factor.

Read on Ao3!

[jilychallenge2023]

day 18

Another lovely jily holiday fic today, written by @abihastastybeans (who doesn’t particularly like beans but who thankfully loves to write jily stories we can all enjoy;)

Read The Naughty List on ao3

[hogwartslivy]

thanking @crimson-snitch and @thequibblah for the tag because it prompted me to update my list ❤️

passing this cheeky trend on to @tumbledfreckles, @maraudersftw, @tiffanytoms, @cesays - reblog your masterlists because the holidays are coming, jily awards are coming, cozy by the fire with a warm drink reading season is coming!

hogwartslivy masterlist.

Controlled Addiction

Growing up she was addicted to flying, jumping off swing sets, arms outstretched, praying the wind would lift her far, far away. Then she was losing herself in books, living other lives. Later, boys became the newest distraction, craving attention, until the addictions turned deadly.

From the moment he was born he’s told he would do great things, that his future was bright. Ever since, he’s been dangerously hurtling towards each next big thing. Somehow, the brightness blinded him, shadowing what was right in front of him.

Lily’s running from her past, but trying desperately not to bump into her future. James’ future surrounds him almost completely, as he fiercely keeps a hold on his present. It’ll be a miracle if either makes it to christmas.

(work in progress) read it on ao3 | ffn

Trackside

James Potter is Formula One’s most impressive young talent, making up one half of the championship winning team at Gryffindor Racing. He’s got a reputation for playing dirty on, and seemingly off, the track but when an article quoting a particularly vulgar comment made by him at last years final Grand Prix is released, it seems he may have pushed it too far. Potter faces two options; fix his public image or give up his seat.

(complete) read it on ao3 | ffn

A Misstep Of Fate

He waited for her on the edge of ballrooms and in the shadows of parties. He waited to dance with her, to spin her in his arms, to be the one she laughed and smiled with. He thought he was doing the right thing, allowing time to pass them until they were ready, so he had waited. But it seems, he made a misstep. He's waited too long now she's slipping through his fingers.

(work in progress) read it on ao3 | ffn

In Their Short Time

It was one hell of a love story. One that had a most tragic, untimely ending. They could never have guessed as mere children sitting across from one another on the train, all excitement and nerves and emotions, that their stories, all hopes and fears and loves, were to be forever intertwined.

A collection of my Jily short fics in no particular order.

(collection of oneshots) read it on ao3

[jilychallenge]

24 December 2022

Read "Happy Xmas (We Are Over) by @petalstofish on ao3. Have a look at the lovely art that @abihastastybeans made “a very Potter Christmas” Matching pyjama's on ao3

[arianatwycross]

We’ll be a fine line update today!

You can also check out my December jily challenge fics for the advent calendar here:

The one where Remus has no filter

And

Muggle Christmas Traditions

Annddd there will be two more fics for the advent calendar to come! Here’s the title for my next fic “Wet, cold & bothered” 😜

[theroomofreq]

can you give me muggle jily recs pleaaseeee <3 :D

HOW MANY HIGH-QUALITY MUGGLE JILY FICS ARE THERE?? TOO MANY TO COUNT. *cracks knuckles* BUT I am here for the challenge. Jily AUs are my JAM.

Again, shoutout to our amazing @jilyarchive friends who tag every wonderful muggle jily au they come across. here is the link that will take you to their tags page. You'll find links to specific tropes and AUs :')

I've searched through my own AO3 bookmarks and history tabs, and I present to you 28 jily muggle fics that I LOVE. I am THRILLED thinking about all the good things in store for those that read these wonderful stories. This list took me ages to make because I went through and reread most of these brilliant fics. Happy reading !! xx

properly improper by @lizardcookie

“Marry me,” Mr. Potter repeats, closing the distance between them by striding back up towards the sofa, only to stop and crouch to one knee right there at her feet, looking up at her. Burning. “Pick me,” he elaborates. “Pick me, choose me, love me instead.”

- this fic is the reason why I comment the way that I do (spoiler it's because it's amazing)

The Wedding Ring by @mppmaraudergirl

What is undeniably worse than attending your sister's wedding looking as desolate and forgotten as a wilted houseplant? Drunkenly ringing your ex-boyfriend and asking him to be your date.

- SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY AT THE PERFECTION

Oh my god, they were ROOMMATES by @magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world

Silly one-shot, Muggle AU with Fem!Jily as pining roommates and Marlene as their matchmaker.

- the fic that brought me back to jily and inspired my deep obsession of fem!jily

Swipe Right, Swing Left by @downn-in-flames

The unspoken rule of using dating apps in D.C. is that you always start with where you work.

James Potter, it seems, never picked up on that one.

- giddy just thinking about this gem

'Tis the Damn Season by @petalstofish

It doesn't feel like Christmas for Lily Evans, not after losing her parents to COVID before the Holiday season. She anticipates spending Christmas all alone until a boy from her past shows up and offers her a mutually benefiting deal that has her calling him 'babe' just for the weekend. 'Tis the damn season, after all.

- cries in respect for lyrical writing

Watch Me Unwind by @maraudersftw

Lily Evans hates her job, hates the bigoted customers she has to serve as a bartender at the richest club in the city. But the one person who makes bearing all of it worth it has someone else in his arms tonight. (Rated: M)

- obsessed with the way the plot jumps around the time line in this

oil be there for you by @abby10fanfic

Texting/Social Media AU: Lily and James haven't spoken for 2 years. But that's all about to change thanks to Peter and his involvement in an essential oil pyramid scheme. Featuring boss babes, toxin-free lifestyles, binding contracts, and a very oily journey.

- YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW FAB THIS IS

a matchmaking mission by @downn-in-flames

James Potter has a mission: get Sirius Black and Remus Lupin to finally admit that they both fancy the pants off each other by Valentine's Day.

His partner in crime? Lily Evans, Remus' flatmate, who he also happens to be slightly in love with

- DOUBLE the amount of pining idiots in love :")

about time by @jilyss

'sure, yeah, I can accompany you to that black tie event for your work tonight. wait. why are we on a red carpet?'

- this is my emotional comfort fic, your honor

whiskey business by @elanev91

Sirius Black has a (bad?) habit of picking up hobbies that take over his and James' flat -- this most recent one? Homemade vodka that James now has to try and peddle to everyone in the building.

- hysterical! must read!

Fashion Disaster by @maraudersftw

James Potter is roped into an awful dare by his best-mate, which involves him wearing atrocious pieces of clothing for all days until Christmas as dictated by Sirius. If this wasn't terrible enough, he now has to contend with his maddening crush on the beautiful saleswoman at the clothing store.

- classic hijinks that I live for

it wasn't a pity invite by @elanev91

Part of the December "Winter Tropes" Jily challenge. Prompt: my family invites you to join our holiday meal as an obvious setup and omG i’m so sorry

- awkward Christmas date that owns my heart

spice and honey by @clare-with-no-i

tagging along with her food reporter sister to profile James Potter, London's hottest young chef, is not how Lily Evans pictured her Monday going - especially if he's anything like Petunia’s described.

needless to say, she's in for a whirlwind at Chez Maraudeur.

- I'm one re-read away from printing this out and putting it on my bookshelf.

Waffle Wars by @elanev91

There's only one waffle maker in the dining hall and it literally always breaks. So, naturally, the only reasonable course of action is to meticulously map out when it's working and, ultimately, do a heist.

- the witty narration in this fic can not be matched

You Can Hear It In The Silence by @alrightginger

Lily is non-verbal and deaf in a world where the things your soulmate says about you end up written on your skin. She has known about her soulmate since she was seven, but knows they don't have a clue she exists and possibly never will.

- exquisite, cue me sobbing forever

out the window by @displayheartcode

A new family moves to Ottery St Catchpole.

- everything I could ever want in a fic, forever in my mind rent free

The Christmas Guest by @thegodmachine

An Evans Family Christmas: Petunia is bringing her fiancé and Lily is bringing her…Friend…

- petunia pov that gives me WINGS

Football, Calculus, and Cappuccinos by @moonawrites

At eighteen years old, James Potter has a lot going on. He's a rising star navigating the politics of professional football, the pitfalls of sudden fame, the fallout from choosing his dream over his father's company... and a serious crush on the red headed new barista at his favourite coffee shop.

- I'm still working my way through this fic, but trust me when I say its a GEM

if u like pina coladas by @zephyrcove

Lily is desperate for a date to Petunia's wedding, James has been pining, and their friends meddle ;)

- explain to me how characters can be so perfect via texting fics?

Shelf Awareness by @ghostofbambifanfiction

It's too far out of her way and she's wasting so much money, but Lily can't help but return to the bookstore every weekend, where her passion for good literature has, perhaps, been unexpectedly reignited by the messy-haired, pun-making, rather handsome bloke who works there.

- you absolutely must know that I binge read this and then immediately REREAD it

How to win a witch in 10 days by @adenei

“She’s going to find some unsuspecting wizard, get him to fall for her, and then do all the things that turn men away to get him to break things off! Won’t it be the best way to see what witches do that drives men crazy?” But what happens when the man in question is a blast from Lily Evans's past? A Jily Magical AU based on the romantic comedy "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."

- fic based off of a rom com? YES PLZ :’)

The Fight Before Christmas by @ghostofbambifanfiction

The heartwarming Christmas tale of Lily Evans and James Potter - two plucky kids who hated one other, until the day they really, really didn't.

- complete sucker for this one

All This Time by @thejilyship

James and Lily grew up next door to one another. Their bedroom windows giving them glimpses into the others life, and also offering prime opportunities to argue with each other over every little thing. They never figured out how to be friends when they were kids, but now that they've graduated from college and are home for the summer, they have a second chance to get things right.

- one of my favvvv tropes

Let Me Love You by @thejilyship

With only a month until she's set to take the throne of Gryffindor, Lily is informed that she'll have to get married or choose to give up her throne. She never thought she'd have to even entertain the idea of an arranged marriage. Enter, James Potter.

- cries in princess diares AU

The Fabulous Baker Brothers by @frustratedpoetwrites

Lily walks a different route home from work and stumbles upon a cute little Bakery with an even cuter baker in the window.

- yes yes yes to embarrassed pining.

Marigold Mornings by @mppmaraudergirl

This is a fun game she thinks, as she removes her hand from his side and reaches up to run it down his chest.  He catches her hand in his own, takes a step forward so that her nose nearly brushes against his shirt. She can feel the heat radiating off of him—or maybe it’s from her. He licks his lips and her eyes are drawn to the motion.  She knows it is a bad idea, absolutely knows it.

- incredible storytelling featuring dynamic characters :') a favvv

Welcome to Pettyville by@women-inthe-sequel @alrightginger

When Lily Evans accidentally sends a text to the wrong number, she isn’t expecting to find the right person behind it. She can’t stop talking to Prongs. The only thing is, Prongs can’t stop talking about the girl in his class. What could go wrong, other than the number?

- LOVE SQUARE ANYONE

The Kiss a Stranger Project by @alrightginger

“What’s your name, then?” she asks, realizing they haven’t even properly introduced themselves yet. She nervously crosses her arms.

You shouldn’t kiss a guy without knowing his name first.

Right?

- THIS ONE WILL LIVE IN MY MIND FOREVER

[booksarelife-stuff]

December Jily Challenge @jilychallenge | Partnered with the amazing @hpeveryonelives​

Prompt: "you are my only competition for this ugly sweater party, but I’ve won the past two years and you will nOT end my streak."

Summary:  She was going to tell him she loved him through the ugliest jumper he had ever seen.

Word Count: 3,622

Read on ao3     Masterlist

It hits her on November 4th, the day after Sirius’s birthday, when she wakes up hungover in her and Mary’s flat.

She drags herself out of bed and quickly crawls to the bathroom, where Mary is already, bent over with her head down on the counter.

Neither of them speak until Lily has her potion down and sat on the floor, her back resting against the cool tub.

“I think we must have had fun last night,” Mary said. “Too much.”

Lily closed her eyes and let out a groan of agreement.

“It makes me miss James ten times more,” Lily said. “He would have given us water and sobering potions before we went to bed.”

“You say you miss him at least four times a day,” Mary mumbled.

And then it hits her like a punch to the gut. So forceful, it takes her breath away. When he first told her that was going to be spending a few months in Germany, studying even more advanced animal transfiguration with some grumpy German scholar for Professor McGonagall, she was sad, yet excited for him.

She spent almost every evening with him. Whether it was James laying on her couch while Lily complained about how her supervisor at St. Mungos was a total idiot, from cooking dinner together to catching James up on all the important Muggle movies there were, James had become an integral part of her day.

And now he had been gone for two weeks and Lily felt like someone had tied her wand arm behind her back.

“Mary?” Lily asked. “How long have I been in love with James?”

Mary scoffs.

“I’d say Christmas of 7th year for sure.”

Lily’s head made a thunk as she threw her head back, trying to process this information. In hindsight, Lily saw how that made sense.

~~~

Lily couldn’t help the sobs that escaped her chest. She had tried to keep it together until she got back to her dorm, tried to hold back the utter devastation that threatened to take hold of her.

She only made it to the third-floor corridor, in a tiny alcove by a window before she started to sob, the letter crushed in her arms as she tried to wrap her arms around herself for comfort.

“Evans,” a deep, familiar voice called. “Hey, are you okay?”

Through her blurred vision, she could make out the tall lanky form of James.

James, who had become one of her closest friends this year.

It had been an unexpected development that year, like a lot of other things. She had been home for one week for the summer holidays when her father was killed in a car accident. Her father, who had been the only one in her household who hadn’t looked at her like she was a freak since finding out she had magic. He was the one to pick her up from the train station and drop her off. He was essentially the only family she had left.

James had sent a letter when he heard. He had lost his own father early in their 6th year. They corresponded frequently over the summer holiday, sharing their grief. And by the time September 1st rolled around, she was happy to see him.

So she welcomed his arms wrapped around her, whispering words of comfort. She buried her face into his chest and just cried.

She didn’t know how long it was before she calmed down before she could hear James’s whispered words and feel the gentle sway he was rocking them as one arm held her tight against him and while his other gently smoothed down her hair.

“My mum told me not to come home from Christmas,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“What?” James whispered, disbelief colouring his tone.

“My sister, she-she’s engaged,” Lily said. “And Mum said he doesn’t know about me, that if he did, it would ruin Petunia’s life.”

He squeezed her tighter as more tears fell from her eyes onto his chest. She was probably ruining his jumper, just like she ruined everything else.

“Lily,” James said, his voice firm but still soft. “That’s not true. That is absolutely not true. Merlin, Lily.”

He just held her tightly before she pulled away, wiping her face with the sleeve of her robe.

“I’m sorry for that,” she whispered.

“Don’t apologise,” he said, his brown looking so sad that she had to look away from him.

“I don’t want to spend Christmas by myself,” Lily said, new tears falling just when she thought she was out of them.

“You won’t be,” James promised. “Come to mine.”

She looked at him, surprised.

“Mum will love to have you,” James said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And we live in a bloody manor, so there’s more than enough room.”

Lily opened her mouth to say something, she didn’t know what but she couldn’t possibly impose, but James cut her off.

“I'm going to tell you what Mum told me when I first became friends with Sirius and Remus and noticed that not everyone had a family like I did,” he said, placing a hand on Lily’s shoulder and eyes looking intensely into hers. “Mum told me that some people have limits on their love.

Like for Sirius, his parents could only love him if he just catered to their whims and beliefs and once he didn’t, they had no love. It was conditional for them. But then there are other people who have no limits, no conditions to whom they love. And Mum told me when I was eleven, that all Potter’s have no limit.”

He laughed a little, breaking the tension. “I know it’s a little more nuanced than that, but that’s stuck with me. So Evans, come to our Christmas because there will be more than enough love and holiday cheer for everyone. Mum would probably come here and get you herself if you don’t.”

~~~

“How do I tell him?” Lily asked, clutching her mug tightly in her hands, letting the warmth seep into her fingers.

“How about a ‘Dear James, I’ve been oblivious to the fact that I’ve wanted to jump your bones since 7th year. Get the next portkey please,’” Mary replied sarcastically from the stove, where she was making eggs.

“You’re no help,” Lily grumbled. “My life has been turned upside down and you’re not helping!”

Mary sighed. “I think you should wait until he’s back because if you write him a love letter, he’s going to come back the second he reads it and ruin this opportunity he was given.”

Lily nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

“But when he’s back, just tell him.”

Lily circled the rim of her mug with a finger and frown on her lips.

“What if he doesn’t feel the same?”

Her heart threatened to break at the thought of it. He hadn’t even hinted at having a crush on her since they were 5th year and even then, they had been the best of friends since 7th. What if the ship had already sailed? What if he brings some hot German girl home for Christmas and they’re in love?

She voiced these thoughts to Mary, who gave her a stern glare as she dumped her scrambled eggs on a plate.

“You guys write every day. Has he mentioned a hot German girl?”

“No, but he still has time to find one,” Lily pointed out.

“I think you’re hanging out with Sirius too much,” Mary said, jabbing her fork into her eggs.

“I’m sorry, it just feels like so much, you know? I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before.”

That was only a half-truth. Since 7th year, James had made her some type of way, she just didn’t know what it was until now. The butterflies in her stomach for the whole second semester of 7th year and that had now morphed into contentment she felt when she saw James sprawled out on her and Mary’s sofa.

“He’s still James,” Mary pointed out after swallowing a bite. “He’s still the person you knew before you learned to call it what it was.”

Lily tucked a strand of hair behind her ears, itching to do anything with her hands.

“What if he doesn’t feel the same, Mary?” that fear clawed in Lily’s chest.

“I personally think he does,” Mary said, easing her anxiety. “But if he doesn’t, you won’t lose him. If he doesn’t love you romantically, that boy loves you deeply as a friend. And I know you can move on.”

Lily rested her head on the table and wished she was still hungover only for the fact she wouldn’t be thinking so hard about this.

~~~

It was November 25th when the invitation to Marlene and Dorcas’s annual Christmas Eve Ugly Jumper Contest and Party. Marlene and Dorcas had taken over one of the old McKinnon properties and used it as headquarters for their luxury wizarding knitwear line. The ugly jumper competition was a way of celebrating their business and handing out free samples to those they wanted to wear and endorse their products, each invitation coming with one of their Easy-Change-Jumpers, jumpers that were made with materials that easily allowed any transfiguration or regular charms.

Being friends since they were eleven, all of Marlene and Dorcas’s friends from school got invited too, along with whatever Witch Weekly model or star Quidditch player.

She could practically hear the trash talking James would be doing if he were beside her right now. He had taken this contest very seriously and had won every year so far.

When she got James’s letter that night, confirming that he would be home just in time for the party, an idea formed so brightly that Lily dashed to Flourish and Blotts as fast as she could apparate, looking for books that had crafting charms and transfiguration spells.

She was going to tell him she loved him through the ugliest jumper he had ever seen.

When Lily and Mary Floo’d to Marlene and Dorcas’s, Sirius and Remus were hanging Christmas decorations.

“About time you slackers showed up,” Sirius said, jumping to hand Remus, who was on a ladder, a string of Christmas lights.

“You know you’re wizards right?” Mary pointed out. “Like, you could do this in two seconds.”

“There’s nothing more satisfying than the manual labour that goes into Christmas decorations, Macky,” Sirius said.

“Said the man too scared to get up on the ladder,” Remus huffed.

“You’re already tall. It makes sense!” Sirius defended, flipping some shoulder-length black hair over his shoulder. “Right, Evans?”

Sirius turned around and his eyes were drawn to Lily’s jumper. Lily watched as his brow furrowed.

“You know it’s Christmas, right? Not Valentine’s?” he pointed out. Mary snorted.

Lily couldn’t help but feel proud that Sirius was visibly repulsed by the sight of her jumper.

On the bodice of the jumper, there was a snowy winter scene, complete with Christmas trees that were glittering with lights but instead of a star or angel on top of the tree, there were big red, glittery hearts, while the sky of the scene was dotted with tiny pink glittery hearts. On the sleeves, there were pink hearts in various sizes covering the sleeve, one could barely make out the black fabric of the jumper.

But the thing she was most proud of was the stag and doe, that were affectionately chasing each other in front of the Christmas trees in an endless loop.

She had made them Christmassy as well, their noses bright red and shiny, but the message was clear as she looked down to see the enchanted embroidered doe nuzzle into the stag.

A love confession in a sweater.

Sirius eyed the animals and then his eyes went wide.

“Oh, you realised it now?” he asked, watching as the doe then took off to go to the back of the jumper, begging the stag to chase her.

“Did everyone know except for me?” Lily asked.

A chorus of “Yes” rang out in the room before Sirius added. “Well, I’m certain James doesn’t know either.”

Her stomach was tied in knots as she helped finish setting up the party. She gave hugs to all her friends as they arrived, all of them eyeing her jumper with knowing looks. Marlene had straight-up cackled when she saw it and Alice quietly prodded with a “James’s animagus is a stag, right?”

Lily tried to pretend that she wasn’t getting more and more anxious by the second. As more and more people arrived, Lily actually felt nauseous at the fact that James would be stepping through the Floo at any moment.

She tried to distract herself with conversations, but she would just end up glancing at the fireplace every few minutes.

She tried her hardest to focus on what Dorcas was saying about ethically sourced wool when the rush of the Floo started and green flames bathed the room in a green glow.

Lily’s heart jumped into her throat as James stepped out of the fireplace.

He looked so damn good, even with his monstrosity of a jumper on. His black hair was longer than she had ever seen it, the ends curling around his ears and on his forehead and there was a shadow of stubble on his face, accenting his strong jaw.

And then he looked across the room, a smile forming on his face which brought out his dimple and Lily ever wondered how she thought her feelings for him were platonic.

His eyes caught hers and she smiled despite the nerves bubbling up in her stomach. She’s vaguely aware of handing Dorcas her half-drunk cup before breaking away to get to James, whose eyes never left hers.

Once they're close, Lily looks down at his jumper and laughs before he pulls her into an itchy and loud hug. It looks like his sweater is actually made out of pine branches, with lights, ornaments, with jingle bells somewhere in the mix, causing his every move to jingle.

“I missed you,” he said, his deep voice rich in her ear. She found she couldn’t care less about the branch that was scratching her face.

“I missed you, too,” she replied. “How was your portkey?”

“It was fine,” he said. “I’m just so happy to be home.”

She smiled widely. “I’m happy you’re home.”

He released her and inspected her jumper.

“Hearts, Evans?” James teased. “Wrong holiday.”

“That’s what Sirius said,” she said.

James’s head cocked to the side as the stag and doe appeared on her front. Lily saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Lily braced herself; this was her moment. Her moment to all down all her cards.

“That’s really cute,” James said, making the words die on her tongue. “And pretty good charms work.”

Whatever was in his eyes was now gone.

“James!” Sirius yelled before coming up and hugging James tightly, jingling as James stumbled backward for a moment.

Lily stepped away as they caught up, but James kept her in the orbit, giving her a look that told her to stay with them and giving her hand a quick squeeze.

“How’s the new transfig you’re learning?” Remus asked after Sirius and James had a contest about who missed who more.

“It was pretty wicked,” James said. “Once you know the exact theories behind transfig, it’s almost as easy as breathing.”

“Who knew you’d turn into such a nerd,” Sirius commented over his cup of spiked apple cider.

“Don’t pretend you weren’t all about this in school,” Remus scoffed.

“Like he wasn’t like this just last year, trying to get that damn bike to fly,” Lily added on. James laughed beside her and she smiled and turned to look at him. He met her gaze for a second and smiled before turning back to the conversation. Lily’s eyes stayed glued to him, eyeing the curls around the nape of his neck.

“Ugh, I don’t want to think about that Sirius ever again,” Remus said, wrinkling his nose. “Couldn’t get him to shower.”

“Slander,” Sirius said, with a frown.

In a moment of bravery, Lily reached up and started twirling a curl around her finger. James jumped a little in surprise, jingling a little, but didn’t pull away from her. In fact, he placed a hand on the small of Lily’s back.

“You wouldn’t stop reading that old Muggle mechanics book,” James said. “Had to pull it out of your hands.”

“Hm, don’t remember that,” Sirius remarked.

Lily didn’t pay much attention to the conversation around her. She just kept twirling James’s hair around her fingers and staring at his jaw, wondering how the stubble would feel against her lips or tongue even. Not that she would just lick his face, but she still wondered.

James pulled her closer at one point and he turned and looked down at her, brown eyes warm, she thought for a second he was about to kiss her, but he had a concerned look on his face.

“Are you drunk?” he asked, low enough for only her to hear.

“No,” she said, frowning slightly. “Only had some alcohol-free cider.”

His look of concern turned into a frown.

“Are you trying to make someone jealous?” he asked.

“No,” she sighed. “Can I talk to you somewhere quiet and private?”

He nodded. Lily dropped her hand from his neck and grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers through his, her heart thumping loudly again.

Everywhere in the house seemed to be filled with people, so eventually Lily pulled him out to the back porch, despite the biting cold, James jingling behind her.

Lily hopped up on the railing on the edge of the porch, her feet dangling as James stood in front of her, a searching look on his face.

“Everything okay?” James asked.

Lily stared at him and bit the inside of her cheek.

“Look at my jumper,” she said.

“I did?”

“See the hearts?”

He nodded.

“And the deer?”

“Yes, Lily. I can see them. I saw them.”

Lily sighed. “What’s my Patronus?”

“A doe,” James replied, a twinge of frustration in his tone.

“What’s yours?”

“A stag,” he answered. “Lily, did you hit your head on something?”

Lily wiped a hand down her face, getting just as frustrated.

“I am quite literally standing in front of you with my heart on my sleeve, James! I love you, okay? I don’t know how else to spell it out for you,” Lily said, jumping down from the railing.

James looked shocked, his mouth agape and his eyes blinking.

The rejection hit her in a wave, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

“God, I’m sorry. This was stupid—so stupid,” Lily said closing her eyes and shaking her head. “Just forget it. Sorry, I’m going to go.”

She started marching right to the door, wanting to get to the Floo before she really started sobbing. She was going to kill all her friends who told her this was a good idea.

Lily didn’t even make it past James, him grabbing her arm and stopping her.

“James, I’m sorry. Please let—”

“Stop.”

His hand cupped her jaw and gently raised her head to look up at him. “Lily,” he breathed out.

James was smiling, his eyes bright. His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth. His hand left her arm and snaked behind her, pulling her to him.

“I love you, too,” he whispered. “I just wasn’t expecting it, okay? I love you so much.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice sounding small to her ears. He nodded.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you but I didn’t want to—”

“—Ruin our friendship?” she finished with a small smile.

James laughed, low and deep, his sweater jingling. She reached up, and cupped his jaw, feeling the rough drag of his stubble against her palm, her other fisting some of the pine branches on his chest.

She looked up into his eyes, the heat of gaze making her forget about the fact they were standing outside in freezing temps.

“I love you,” he whispered again, leaning his head down.

Lily stood on her toes and met him halfway, capturing him into a sweet kiss. Her heart felt like bursting as his lips slid with hers. It took her breath away, the softness in which James kissed her like she was precious, something to be savoured like her lips were a delicacy. The only thing rough was the drag of his facial hair, but Lily found she loved it. It was just more sensation.

She had never been kissed like that before, never felt like she was being treasured from just a kiss. Lily deepened the kiss and even then, every movement felt like he was praising her.

It wasn’t until James moved, just a little, and jingled. They broke their kiss to laugh.

“Wanna get out of here?” Lily asked, batting her eyelashes.

James hummed.

“No.”

Lily frowned.

“Why not?”

“I have an ugly jumper contest to win and once I do, you can congratulate me properly,” he said, smirking.

“You still think you’re going to win?” she said, lifting her chin.

“Oh, I know I am, Evans.”

“You should probably be rooting for me,” Lily said, smirking. “Considering this jumper is the reason you’re getting laid tonight.”

She pushed him away and started back to the house, smirking at James’s squawk of surprise.

She made it back to the house but didn’t get far when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind.

“Okay, fine. Your jumper is better,” James breathed into her ear.

“Thank you,” she said. “Oh, and James? I love you, too.”

[theesteemedladydebourgh]

DECEMBER JILY CHALLENGE | paired with @alicecasch​ 🥰

winter theme + prompt: "its new years eve and everyone else has someone to kiss so lets kiss as friends? oh nO i definitely felt something abort abort" @jilychallenge

Rated: E

Sparkly dresses. Champagne fountains. Kissing. All this and more at Sirius’s Black’s annual themed New Year’s Eve party!

Happy new year everyone! here’s hoping 2022 will be lovely and safe for all, and what better way to start it off than completely out-of-control jily smut? 😌

playlist

Read new year’s eve don’t fuck around on Ao3!

[wearingaberetinparis]

Please please please post "Jammiest bit of Jam(es)" soon!

Aww, you're a sweetheart! I'll first finish Lily in the Sky with Diamonds, it's all happening without me and my Jily December Challenge fics, but then I'm definitely going to continue working on Jammiest Bit of Jam(es), because it's so much fun to write that one and it might very well turn into my latest obsession. I anticipate a December update of the first chapter. To tide you over... another long snippet.

Jammiest Bit of Jam(es)

“Miss Evans?” Her eyes widened and she very nearly dropped her wand. She turned around ever so slowly, schooling her face into a neutral and thoroughly unimpressed expression. “Ah,” she spoke, hoping to sound dismissive and unaffected, while – in reality – her heart pounded a mile a minute, “it is you.” Lord James Potter – the far too handsome Pure-blooded dunderhead – examined her closely, took a small step towards her. “Are you well? You appear to be lost.” “Oh,” she said, tilting her chin, “lost I’m most certainly not.” He cocked his head to the side. “In trouble then?” “Now, whatever would make you say that?” “Well, since you’re dressed as a young Hogwarts school boy –” She refused to let her confidence falter as she scoffed at him. “Clearly, you have no idea about the intricate goings-on at Queen Mary’s. Maybe this is just how we would prefer to dress when there’s no wizards about.” “You’d wear a cloak with the Hogwarts crest at Queen Mary’s?” he raised his eyebrows. Infuriatingly, he was all the more attractive for it. “Do you fancy yourself an Auror, sir?” she stubbornly crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Not quite yet,” he muttered as if he wasn’t destined to become the next Minister of Magic, like his father and grandfather before him, taking another step forward, the toes of their shoes – similar in looks, comically different in size – nearly touching, forcing her to look up at him. “Now, tell me, Miss Evans. What are you doing at Hogwarts? You weren’t planning on calling on a suitor were you?” “A suitor?” she couldn’t hide the scandalised tone in her voice, the way her breath caught on the word. “How dare you insinuate such a thing –” He held up his hands, his wand resting between the fingers of his left hand. “Do forgive me, Miss Evans, for drawing such a conclusion when you are attempting to open a door to an empty Hogwarts classroom that has a rather sordid history.” “A sordid history?” He leaned forward, brought his lips closer to her ear. “Rumour has it Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor favoured the room when they were courting each other.” She felt her cheeks pinken, her breath catch. It had, of course, nothing to do with his close proximity. I’m not that desperate, she thought angrily to herself. It’s just the smell of his cologne that is making me feel rather dizzy. The absolute ponce. It is sure to be some expensive bottle imported from France.