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florenceafternoon · 2 months ago

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━。゜✿ jily fic recommendations ✿ ゜。━

Thank you to all the authors who share their wonderful stories with us. I hope this list reminds you that I come back to these stories often and that your words are loved by many.

As always, these fics are set in the wizarding world but aren’t necessarily canon compliant.

For reference, anything in italics is taken from the summaries.

A Hundred Visions and Revisions by @yallthemwitches

She loves him like this: sleepy, slap happy, sometimes a bit handsy but willing to meet her where she’s at in the moment. It’s the quiet moments like this that keep her going sometimes, knowing that whatever is happening out there will disappear by the end of the day when they can hold each other again.

To live for the hope of it all

Whispers in the Dark also by yallthemwitches

When Lily is awarded her prefect badge in fifth year, they warn her that James Potter has a talent for disappearing... but if that's true, why does he keep coming to her night after night, hoping to be caught?

Until the Light Takes Us also by yallthemwitches

A series of drabbles and fics following the prompt of Jilytober Fest 2024.

color theory by @clare-with-no-i

Lily Evans learns about love: its hues, its tints, its shades. Some disappoint. Some dazzle.

falling (for fools) by @jjameslily

She hated him. Hated his confidence, his messy charm, the way he managed to take up space even when he wasn’t saying a word.

Absolutely. Totally. Without question.

But, as much as she tried to focus, she couldn’t shake the nagging thought.

She’d never noticed just how distracting James Potter could be.

don’t let it make you cry also by jjameslily

Her eyes glistened, the love within her radiating from her. She let it ripple outward, weaving her spirit into the air around him, reaching beyond the veil, hoping he—Harry, their son—would feel it not as a ghost of a fleeting memory, but as a pulse. Alive. Real.

Quid Pro Quo by StarsAndDiamond (on ao3)

Lily Evans was not ready to go home for her sister's Christmas engagement, but she wasn't the only one up late at night in the common room.

Sharper Than Hope by @maraudersftw

“You’re…” A lick of lips; something sharper than hope on my tongue; another attempt. “You fancy me?”

every single time by @gigglesandfreckles-hp

Unrelated drabbles, fics, ficlets, and word dumps in response to jilytober 2024 prompts

2, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 19, 21, 27, 29 and 30 are my favourites

Lucky Number 7 by zipadeea (on ao3)

Lily Evans thought life at Hogwarts was busy enough for her, what with Prefect duties and N.E.W.T classes and meetings with the Slug Club. Then, Marlene convinces her to try out for the Gryffindor quidditch team.

Written because James was a Chaser, and I'm convinced Harry's athletic abilities come from both sides of the family tree.

crawl home by @annabtg

He doesn’t know if he’s alive or dead. All he knows is that he wants to go home.

Exhale by @petalsthefish

"Shhh," James leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers. "I’m so sorry, but I have to set the bones again. It’s okay to cry, you're doing so well. So well, baby."

"Fuck," she whimpered through her tears. "I hate this."

"I know, I know," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I hate this too, sweetheart."

Masquerade also by petalsthefish

James was going to jinx Sarah Hitchkes.

It was Sarah Hitchkes who conceived the entire idea, driven by two main motives. First, it was a fun and creative way for everyone to showcase their Patronuses. Second, it gave her the perfect excuse to throw a massive party. Scheduled for July 31st at her sprawling estate, the event was open to all the sixth- and seventh-year students. She dubbed it the “Patronus Party,” and it was set to be the social highlight of the summer—provided you could produce a corporeal Patronus.

this trope will always be a favorite of mine

Coincidence also by petalsthefish

“You look miserable.” Mary commented, noting Lily’s bored expression.

"I need to make out with someone like I need to breathe." Lily Evans hissed as she swirled her butterbeer and peered around the bar.

"James Potter's free."

In Their Short Time by @hogwartslivy

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.

Something Old Something New by @chiechie97

Weddings are the most beautiful things in the world. Unless you accidentally end up at your ex... somethings house to play violin at a family wedding.

Lily Evans just wants to get payed and go home to her cat. Perhaps she should have asked more questinos about the location and clients of her string quartets latest gig.

It’s Always You by @joyseuphoria

5 times jily kissed before they started dating

I'll keep your brittle heart warm by Iphigenniaa (on ao3)

Lily Evans didn't have to wash the blood off her hands that night, but she did have to wash the burning odor from her clothes, which seemed to soak even her own insides.

A Life With You by @kay-elle-cee

A Jily Lives AU collection of small moments from Hogwarts onwards, using the 31 Jilytober tumblr prompts.

7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 29 and 30 are my favourites

don't forget me by blackcanarys (on ao3)

At the height of the First Wizarding War, Lily Evans finds herself contemplating life, death and her mortality after a routine Order mission in 1978.

It's All Politics by acciosalmon (on ao3)

The most constant emotional sentiment in Lily's Hogwarts career was her complete and utter loathing of one William Mulciber

I have yet to read this one, but it was recomended to me because it explores how jily's power dynamic is altered when James isn't potraied as white but Lily is

#lily evans #james potter #jily #jily fic rec list #this is mostly my favourites from jilytober ‘24

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dolcevitaaa26 · 4 months ago

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Happy 2024 jilytober with 2014 jily

@jilytoberfest

#jilytober #jily #lily evans #james potter #jilyedit #hpedit #hp moodboard

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tedwardremus · 3 months ago

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Jilytober Day 16

Prompt: 🎶“My words are my faith, to hell with our good name”🎶 - Hum Hallelujah by Fall Out Boy

"It's no wonder your mother kicked you out of the family, Black," came the snide voice from behind Sirius. He turned sharply to find himself face-to-face with Avery and Mulciber, their sneers practically dripping off their faces.

"I guess it’s not that big of a shock," Mulciber added, smirking. "The Potters are known for slumming it with filth. That’s kind of their thing. But you, Black? I thought you had better standards."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Shut your mouth. You want to talk about filth? Go find a mirror."

Avery stepped closer, his voice dripping with malice. "What’s next? You going to get yourself a little Mudblood girlfriend too?"

Sirius's expression darkened. "At least I have options, Avery. No girl would want to kiss you. It’d be like snogging a Grindylow.”

Avery’s face twisted in fury, and before Sirius could blink, Avery had his wand drawn. But Sirius was faster—he blasted Avery across the corridor, sending him crashing into the stone wall. However, in the same instant, a curse hit Sirius from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground. Blood trickled down his face as Mulciber approached, a vicious grin stretching across his lips.

"Tell Evans that curse was a gift from a former friend," Mulciber spat, stomping on Sirius’s hand with a sickening crunch of bone.

Sirius made it back to the Gryffindor common room much later than he’d intended. The room was quiet, everyone else had long since gone to bed—everyone except for two figures sitting near the fire, illuminated by its soft, flickering glow.

Lily laughed, her hair catching the light as James smiled and gently tucked a loose strand behind her ear before leaning in to kiss her, the warmth between them undeniable. Sirius stood still for a moment, watching his friends and thinking that he had never seen two people more perfectly happy.

As he turned to head up the spiral staircase, James’s voice broke the silence.

"Oi! Padfoot! Where’ve you been? I’ve been worried sick! Was about to get the map and the cloak to go looking for you."

Sirius forced a grin, though he knew it didn’t reach his eyes. "Worried sick? Looks to me like you’re more concerned with snogging your girlfriend."

"Sirius," Lily gasped, getting a full look at him for the first time. "What happened to your face?"

James was on his feet in a second, his eyes dark with concern. "Mate, what the hell happened?"

"Nothing," Sirius said casually, wiping at the blood with the back of his sleeve. "Just a run-in with some Slytherins. Same old crap. I’m the shame of my family, blah blah blah. Really, I’m fine."

James didn’t look convinced. "You sure, Padfoot?"

"Yeah, I’m sure," Sirius said, waving him off. "You two don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be right as rain by morning."

Sirius turned to climb the stairs, he thought to himself that he would make sure they never had to worry. No matter what, he’d stand between them and any Slytherin with a wand. He’d take hex after hex before he let anyone hurt James and Lily for the simple crime of being in love.

"Fuck being a Black," he thought bitterly. Whatever that name was supposed to mean to others, it meant nothing to him. He wasn’t a Black anymore. He was a best friend—and that was far more important.

#jilytober2024 #james potter #lily potter #sirius balck #jily #jily fanfiction

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petals2fish · 4 months ago

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Consider This

This is a two part song fic for the jilytober song shuffle challenge day # 10 with the song "Consider This" by Anna Malick I LOVEEE this song. It's on every James Potter playlist I have. I have wanted to write a fic with it for ages and I am so happy I finally did!! READ ON A03

James

He stumbled again in front of her—metaphorically, of course. A few crumpled leaves from his earlier misadventure slipped from his hair, scattering across the stone floor. Naturally, she noticed. She always did. He straightened up, his cheeks burning, and before he could say anything remotely sensible, something foolish tumbled out of his mouth, only making things worse.

“Alright, Evans?”

Without missing a beat, her sharp eyes and sharper wit cut through. “Don’t ‘alright, Evans’ me, James Potter.”

Things were about to get interesting.

Her arms were crossed against her chest, an unspoken challenge in the way she held herself. It was the kind of posture that told him he was in trouble, and not the fun kind. Her bright green eyes, sharp as ever, swept over him like a hawk surveying its prey. She took in the leaves still clinging stubbornly to his messy brown hair, and the mud splattered all over his robe, evidence of his recent adventure. He could feel her judgment seeping into him like the rain that had soaked through his clothes.

“Where’d you go?” she asked, her voice as calm and controlled as always, though the subtle edge to it sent a shiver down his spine. She began to circle him slowly, her steps deliberate and almost predatory. Those bright, clever green eyes never left him, narrowing slightly as if she could see through every half-baked excuse forming in his mind.

“Uh,” he stammered, trying and failing to avoid her gaze. Damn, her eyes were piercing straight into his soul, stripping away the bravado he clung to. “A run.”

“A run?” Her voice dripped with disbelief as she continued to circle him, like a cat toying with a cornered mouse. “It’s pouring rain, James.” Her tone was almost mocking, but with a sharpness that cut through him. ��Tell me where you actually were.”

He could feel the walls closing in, the narrow corridor suddenly suffocating as her presence bore down on him. Why did she have to push? Why did she care so much? It wasn’t like he needed to explain himself to her. But her intensity left him floundering, scrambling for a defense that felt as shaky as his legs beneath him.

“Why do you care?” he spat out, the words more defensive than he intended, but it was all he had left to protect himself from her relentless scrutiny.

Her eyes flashed again, that vibrant green sparking with frustration. “Because I care about you, and it’s dangerous out there, dunce,” she said, her voice lowering as if she was trying to reach the part of him that wasn’t hiding behind bravado. “Not even the teachers venture outside past curfew with those dementors around looking for Alfred Greengrass.”

He huffed, glancing away from her, his bravado faltering under the weight of her words. The truth was, he knew she was right. It was dangerous, and it was reckless. He muttered, more to himself than to her, “Dementors don’t scare me.”

But even as he said it, he could feel the lie in his words. The truth was, everything scared him these days, but he couldn’t—wouldn’t—admit that to her. Not when she was the one person (besides Sirius) who saw through him like glass.

“Either you tell me,” she said, stopping directly in front of him, her voice firm and unyielding, “or I’ll give you and the other three detention for being out past curfew.”

James froze. His heart skipped a beat as her words sank in. How the hell did she know about Peter, Sirius, and Remus? They had slipped by only moments ago, hidden beneath his invisibility cloak, undetectable to anyone who didn’t already know what to look for. And yet, here she was, standing inches away from him, her eyes glinting with a mix of determination and a touch of amusement, like she had just cornered him in some grand game of chess.

She smirked, clearly relishing the moment as she watched him struggle to find a response. His expression must have given him away, a mix of shock and dread that made him look like a deer caught in headlights. He could see it in the way her lips curled at the corners, that playful, knowing smile that somehow made him feel even more flustered.

Merlin, she was the prettiest girl, hands down. Her fiery red hair framed her face in soft waves, and those bright green eyes of hers—sharp, clever, and endlessly captivating—were locked onto his, as if daring him to make his next move.

His mind raced. The mates would murder him either way—whether he told her the truth or took the fall for them, there was no easy way out of this. Detention would be impossible to serve this weekend with the full moon, and if they were caught during that time… No, he couldn’t let that happen. But telling her the truth would be just as disastrous. She was too smart, too quick to piece things together, and if she found out what they were really up to…

“James,” her voice softened, breaking through his tangled thoughts. The edge in her tone had faded, replaced with something gentler, more concerned. “Are you alright?”

The question caught him off guard, and for a moment, the weight of her concern pressed down on him. She was standing so close now, her face just inches from his, and he could see the sincerity in her eyes. She really cared. That was what made this all so complicated. Her, or the mates. It felt like an impossible choice, one that he wasn’t ready—or even able—to make.

He wanted to beg her not to give him choices because he knew, deep down, that he couldn’t decide.

James’ mind was a jumble of words, none of which seemed to make sense. He had come to terms with all his insecurities when it came to his crush on Lily. He knew that she saw through him, that she understood him in ways that made him feel both exposed and comforted.

And she knew that purity was no friend of his—his life was messy, complicated, filled with secrets and shadows that she couldn’t possibly begin to understand. But that didn’t stop her from trying. She could spend forever dreaming that he’d be less trouble, that he’d somehow change, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good. He was who he was, for better or worse, and he couldn’t hide that from her.

And yet, here she was, waiting for him to say something, anything, that would make this situation less of a disaster. But all he could do was stand there, trapped between the girl he couldn’t stop thinking about and the friends he’d do anything to protect.

“I don’t want to lie,” he managed, the words scraping out of him like they were caught on something sharp.

“Then don’t lie,” she responded, her tone steady, almost too steady, like she was daring him to just be honest for once. There was a quiet intensity in her eyes, a challenge that made him feel even more cornered.

James winced, the pressure of the moment pressing down on him like a heavy weight. He stepped back, trying to put some distance between them, hoping that space might somehow ease the tension. But it didn’t. The air between them felt thick, charged with all the things he wasn’t saying. He couldn’t meet her eyes, not when they were looking at him like that, so full of expectation, of disappointment waiting to happen. “Give me detention,” he finally said, the words coming out flat, almost hollow. “Leave the others out of it.”

For a brief moment, her expression faltered. A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, quick but unmistakable, before she schooled her features back into that mask of composure. He hated seeing that look on her face, hated that he was the one who put it there. It made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. With a sigh, she reached into her robes and pulled out a detention slip, handing it to him with an air of finality that felt like a door slamming shut.

He took it, the small slip of parchment feeling heavier than it should in his hand. It was just a piece of paper, but to him, it felt like a punch to the gut, a reminder of how far he was willing to go for his friends, even if it meant disappointing the girl standing in front of him. He hated how much he cared about what she thought, how much her opinion mattered to him. And yet, here he was, feeling disgusted with himself for being so hopelessly smitten with her, with her fiery red hair and those bright, intelligent green eyes that saw through everything he tried to hide.

“You’re really gonna take the fall for them?” she asked, her voice softer now, tinged with something he couldn’t quite place. Was it disbelief? Sadness? Maybe a bit of both.

“I’d rather take it and forget it,” he muttered, shoving the paper into his pocket as if that would somehow make the situation go away. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He didn’t want to think about the implications of what he was doing, of what it meant that he was so willing to shoulder the blame.

She tried to lighten the mood, a small, almost forced smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Consider this a warning,” she joked, but the lightness didn’t quite reach her eyes.

James shook his head, not in the mood to play along. “Don’t start,” he said, his voice sharper than he intended. He didn’t want her to joke about it. Not now. Not when everything felt so heavy.

Her smile faded, the surprise clear on her face. “You don’t want another fight?” she asked, genuinely taken aback. This had been their routine since the start of the term—banter that quickly escalated into a heated argument, the back-and-forth that neither of them seemed to know how to avoid. It was familiar, almost comfortable in its predictability.

Fight. Miss. Kiss.

And for once, James wasn’t sure he could handle another fight. He didn’t have it in him. Not with everything else weighing on his mind.

“Alright, let’s fight,” he said suddenly, the words out of his mouth before he could stop them. Maybe it was reflex, maybe it was just easier to fall back into old habits than to confront whatever this was between them.

Before she could respond, before she could even process what he’d just said, James acted on impulse. He grabbed her wrist, his touch firm but not forceful, and tugged her to his side. There was a moment, a brief flicker of hesitation, and then he pulled her closer, holding onto her like she was the hope he’d lost long ago, like she was the only thing keeping him grounded in a world that felt increasingly out of control.

And then he kissed her.

Kissing her was like seeing in color for the first time—vibrant, loving, passionate. There was an intensity to it, something that went beyond the physical. It was a connection, a recognition of something deeper that neither of them had been willing to acknowledge.

But even as he kissed her, as he poured everything he had into that one moment, there was a small, nagging voice in the back of his mind. A voice that whispered that this couldn’t last, that it was only a matter of time before she saw the truth of who he was. Deep down, he knew he’d wait for the day when she’d find that he was too much for her. And when that day came, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. But for now, he held onto her like she was the only thing that made sense, hoping against hope that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t let go.

Lily

Her fingers threaded through his messy curls, brushing away the leaves tangled in them. She felt the soft texture of his hair under her fingertips, savoring the closeness, though a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her that she really ought to stop finding excuses to touch him, to kiss him. Every time she got this close, she was treading dangerous ground, and she knew it.

“This isn’t fighting,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that pulled her out of her thoughts. There was a teasing edge to his tone, as if he could see through the walls she tried to put up between them.

James trailed his lips along her jawline, laughing softly against her skin. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine, though she tried to ignore it. “Sorry,” he added, the smugness in his voice unmistakable, “but I lost my will to fight the second you walked into the hall.”

Her heart skipped a beat. He made it sound so simple, so inevitable, like she had some kind of power over him. But that wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. She was the one who was supposed to stay in control. She had always been the level-headed one, the one who didn’t let emotions get the better of her. Yet here she was, losing her focus every time his lips got too close, every time his touch sent a jolt of heat through her.

“I knew you'd be out here,” she gasped as his lips tugged playfully at her earlobe, the sensation making her breath catch in her throat. She tried to hold on to the last remnants of her composure, but it was slipping through her fingers. “You always run wild before the full moon.”

The words left her mouth before she could stop them, and the instant they did, she felt the shift in the air. He froze, his playful movements halting as the weight of what she had said settled between them.

Damn it, she thought, wincing internally. She’d said too much.

For a moment, neither of them moved. His body was still, but she could feel the tension radiating off him, a silent question hanging in the air. His curls brushed against her hand as she slowly pulled it away, a chill creeping into the space where her fingers had been only moments before.

This was it.

He was going to realize she’d been getting too close, closer than either of them had intended. She’d been trying to navigate the lines between them, but now she’d crossed it. She’d let herself see parts of him that maybe no one else had. She’d been turning all his red flags—his recklessness, his bravado—into red roses, something worth cherishing, even though she knew better.

James didn’t speak right away, but she could feel the weight of his gaze on her, his mind working through the words she’d just let slip. It was a moment of revelation, one she hadn’t meant to spark. She wanted to take it back, to keep things light and unspoken between them, but now the fragile balance they’d had was teetering.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped back, her breath hitching as she pulled herself out of his grasp. The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin, but the sudden distance between them felt like an insurmountable chasm. It was as if an invisible barrier had sprung up, one that neither of them could easily cross again. The intimacy of the moment shattered, replaced by a stark awareness of the reality they had been trying so hard to avoid.

“Sorry,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned her back on him, hoping to hide the turmoil that was surely written all over her face. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if that could shield her from the cold that had suddenly crept into the air between them.

James didn’t respond immediately, and the silence stretched out, heavy and suffocating. She could almost hear the gears turning in his mind, could feel the weight of his stare burning into her back. She knew he was piecing it together, that the realization was dawning on him, and she hated herself for being the one to bring it to light.

“You know,” he said finally, his voice low and edged with something she couldn’t quite decipher.

She bit down on her lower lip, trying to steady the trembling that had started in her hands. She didn’t dare turn around, and didn't want to face him. She didn’t want to see the disappointment or the hurt that she imagined was now etched in his eyes. He must have thought he’d done a good job keeping Remus’ secret, keeping it safe and hidden from those who might judge or condemn. But now he knew she had seen through it all, that she had been watching him more closely than he realized.

Lily’s gaze drifted downward, focusing on the curling leaves scattered across the stone floor. They were brittle and fragile, just like the precarious balance she had tried to maintain between them. She felt that if she looked up, if she met his eyes, everything would crack and fall apart.

But, she’d regret not talking to him more.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to turn around, and found him standing in the middle of the hall. His posture was tense, his hand raking through his hair, tousling it even more. He was staring at her with a fearless intensity, his eyes locking onto hers as if he could will her to speak the truth that lingered just beneath the surface.

He had grown so much in the past three years—taller, stronger, more sure of himself. She used to be able to look him in the eye without craning her neck, but now she had to tilt her head back slightly to meet his gaze. There was a time when he was just another boy, mischievous and annoying, but now… now he was something more, something she wasn’t entirely sure how to handle.

“I guessed,” she said softly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady. “You don’t have to say it. It’s not your story to tell. But I do worry… what if you all get caught? Remus is a prefect; that could ruin him. And you’re on track to be Head Boy next year. Please, don’t mess up and leave me to be Head Girl with Steven McHalper.”

The corners of her mouth twitched upward, a small, wry smile playing on her lips despite the seriousness of the situation. But the smile faded quickly as the gravity of her words settled between them.

James remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. She watched as he processed what she’d said, saw the way his jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. When he finally spoke, his voice was a whisper, barely loud enough to reach her ears. “Don’t bother wasting your time trying to change me. The old me is still me. Applying for Head Boy doesn’t change that.”

His words were like a challenge, daring her to accept him as he was, flaws and all. She knew he wasn’t someone who could be easily molded or altered; he was too stubborn, too set in his ways. But there was something else there too, something unspoken that tugged at her heart.

“Why are you applying for Head Boy?” she asked, though deep down, she already knew the answer. It was something she had been trying to avoid acknowledging, something that made her heart race whenever she thought about it.

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he struggled to find the words. “You know why.”

She did know. It was for her, of course. It always had been, in some twisted, convoluted way that she had tried to ignore. James Potter, the boy who had spent years annoying her, was now doing everything he could to prove himself to her, to be the kind of person she might consider being with. And damn it, she knew better than to let herself get swept up in it. But here she was, breaking all her own rules, letting herself fall into this impossible situation.

Yeah, he was really cool. Too cool, in fact. She ought to know better than to let herself be pulled into his orbit. But there was something magnetic about him, something that made it impossible to resist the pull.

One second they were staring each other down, sizing each other up, and the next, he had her pressed against the closest wall. The cold stone bit into her back, but she didn’t care. His lips were on hers before she could even think to protest, and all the tension, all the fear, melted away in the heat of the kiss.

Oh god, he was a messy lesson she’d never learn.

She had always prided herself on being in control, on knowing the right paths to take and when to take them. But lately, control had slipped through her fingers like sand. She would go from bad to worse, and later, back to better—life’s unpredictable waves tossing her about—but one thing she knew: she’d never mend bridges she was meant to burn. Some things were better left behind, better left in ashes. But then there was this… this thing between them, burning brighter than a star, fierce and unstoppable. It was something she couldn’t define, couldn’t contain, and it scared her as much as it thrilled her.

It had started so innocently—or at least, that’s what she told herself. One shy, hesitant kiss in the astronomy tower, where the stars had witnessed the beginning of something neither of them had planned. The cold night air had nipped at their skin, but the warmth between them had been undeniable. It was just one kiss, just one moment. But that one kiss had shattered whatever wall she had built between herself and James Potter.

Now, here she was, kissing him after curfew more nights than she could count on one hand. And it wasn’t just the thrill of sneaking around that kept her coming back. It was him. The way he made her feel like she was the only person in the world when he looked at her, the way his laugh could light up even the darkest corners of her mind. It was intoxicating, and she was addicted.

But she knew better than to let herself fall too far.

They’d never be official—how could they be?

Dreaming doesn’t do any good , she reminded herself over and over again, trying to keep her heart from running wild. She wouldn’t lie—it was kind of what she wanted, the idea of something real with him. But she’d be better off taking his kisses and forgetting them later. That was safer, less complicated. She could pretend it didn’t matter, that it was just a phase, just a bit of fun before they both moved on.

“Consider this a warning,” he joked, his voice soft but teasing as they sat in the shadowy corner, far from prying eyes. “If I get Head Boy, I won’t stop this… whatever it is. I won’t stop kissing you when no one’s looking. I won’t stop fighting assholes in the hallway. I won’t stop trying to one up you in dueling. I won’t stop helping Remus as much as I can.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she kept her face neutral, trying to appear unaffected. “I don’t care,” she replied, her tone light, dismissive. She didn’t want him to see how much his words stirred something inside her, something warm.

He cared so much, and it was endearing.

“Right,” he murmured, leaning in closer, his nose brushing against hers in that way that made her breath catch. His voice dropped to a whisper, intimate and laced with something that made her heart skip a beat. “You don’t care until I start another fight, and you’ll say it’s alright, but god, I’ll wait for the day you find I’m too much for you, baby.”

The way he said “baby” made her stomach flip, a mix of endearment and a challenge all wrapped in one. He was daring her to admit it, daring her to acknowledge that what they had was more than just a fling, more than just stolen moments.

He was too much for her, that much was true. He was all-consuming, and being with him was like standing too close to a fire—dangerous, thrilling, and impossible to resist. But she wasn’t ready to say that out loud, and wasn't ready to face what it all meant.

Yet, she was powerless to stop herself as her hands found their way to his face, dragging his mouth back to hers.

His lips met hers with a fervor that made her head spin, and all her rational thoughts flew out the window. This was what she craved, the rush that came with being close to him, the way he made her feel alive in a way nothing else ever had. She kissed him like she was drowning, like he was the air she needed to breathe, and for that moment, nothing else mattered.

Not the future, not the risks, not the fact that this was bound to end in heartbreak.

All that mattered was the heat between them, the way his hands tangled in her hair, the way her heart raced as if it could never get enough. He was a mess she couldn’t clean up, a storm she couldn’t weather, but she couldn’t let go. And as his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, she knew she was already too far gone.

#jily #james potter #lily evans #jily fic #jily fanfiction #jilytober #jple

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maraudersinparadise · 3 months ago

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A Cup Affair - Chapter Nine

“Hey, Prongs. What the bloody hell is going on?”

James and Diana turned to find Sirius, arms crossed and sporting a hard frown.

“Hi, Black. According to James, ‘girl issues’.”

Sirius raised both eyebrows at his mate, while James ruffled his hair.

“Prongs…” Sirius said warningly.

“I know, Padfoot,” James replied.

“Listen, I know that Evans…interrupted you a few days ago, but if we really talk, I think we can…”

“Wait, Evans?” Diana interrupted. “I’ve heard this name before…”

“From the papers, perhaps?” Sirius pointed to the stands. “That red haired is the Auror that was on the Prophet recently.”

“Nah, not from…” Diana started, but interrupted herself with a cry of surprise, “oh! Evans, Lily Evans? The girl who inspired that night on the Leaky Cauldron?” Diana turned to the stands and squinted in the effort to see better. “She seems to be pretty, but I can’t see properly from here.”

While Diana talked, Sirius and James shared a look; Sirius stared at his friend with an expression that mixed incredulity and extreme surprise, and James just looked resigned.

“Yeah, Evans came as Remus’s friend, d’you remember Remus?” Sirius finally asked, looking back to Diana.

“Sure. The best of you four.”

“People insist on this rubbish,” Sirius sighed deeply, gaining a chuckle from Diana, “you’d better get back, the match’s tomorrow. James,” James looked at Sirius, “forget these girl issues, alright? We’ll talk later. I’m…I can’t believe this.”

ffnet

ao3

wattpad

#jily #james potter #lily evans #lily potter #jily fanfiction #fanfiction #a cup affair #marauders #happy jilytober #jily fic #jily fandom #jily fanfic

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nodirectionhome-ao3 · 4 months ago

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Happy Jilytober everyone!!! I wrote this little micro (623 words) using the first of the @jilytoberfest 31 prompts, which was: “Before the dawn I hear you whisper in your sleep, ‘Don’t let the morning take him.’"

———

Before the Dawn

James is asleep when Lily tiptoes into their bedroom, her feet chilled in the autumn cold that bathes the floorboards of their little home.

She sinks down on to the edge of the bed, observing him in the silence. His dark curls—rumpled as ever—stand in stark contrast to the white pillow beneath his head. Lily resists the urge to run her fingers through them. She’s done that countless times before, felt every particle of this man she loves without end. But those dark curls mean immeasurably more to her now that she’s seen them on someone else’s head too—in the moonlit nursery down the hall, where war lingers at the door and peacefulness thrives within.

She used to look at her husband’s hair and see only its wildness. Now she looks at it and thinks of the life they’re building together—the life that’s veering on the edge of being ripped away.

James is still wearing his glasses, though they’re crooked on his face. Lily knows what that means—knows that he hadn’t meant to fall asleep. These days, he refuses to do that until Lily’s there to join him. But she doesn’t blame him one bit—nights of sleeplessness have a way of catching up.

She leans across him, careful not to wake him as she slips the glasses off his face and stows them on the nightstand. He stirs a little, shifting underneath her, and murmurs in his sleep. “No…”

Lily’s breath hitches. She’d started to move away from him, but now she freezes halfway in the motion. His jaw is tight. His face pained. He’s having a nightmare.

“James…” she whispers.

“Harry,” murmurs James, voice heavy with sleep. “No…please…”

The last word has a plaintive ring to it. It cracks Lily’s heart open anew.

She doesn’t need to wonder at what he’s dreaming about. It’s a dream that’s haunted them both for days, now, off and on. Ever since Dumbledore showed up to tell them their little boy has been marked for death.

Lily smooths a hand through his hair. “James,” she says again. “James, wake up…”

It takes some time, but eventually he does just that. He thrashes, reaching instinctively for his wand, but Lily—with the benefit of wakefulness on her side—moves quicker. She slides his glasses back onto his face, then runs her hands along his shoulders—leaning over him.

“It’s okay, James,” she soothes. “It was just a dream. We’re okay.”

His eyes focus on her, and even in the darkness she can see the moisture that’s collecting there. “Lily,” he croaks.

She nods, squeezing his shoulder.

“Is Harry—”

“Safe and sound,” she assures. She leans back on her heels, letting him sit up. “Snoring like his dad.”

James almost smiles. “Harry doesn’t snore.”

“Not yet. But give it time.”

James looks at her for a moment, then holds out his arms. Lily doesn’t hesitate before folding herself into them, closing her eyes in the warmth that surrounds her. They don’t speak. They don’t need to. They’ve done this so many times before.

The silence is only broken when James falls asleep again. He’s always talked in his sleep—Sirius used to tease him relentlessly for it—and this sleep is no different.

“Don’t take my son,” he murmurs, to whoever he’s speaking to in his dream. His breath is hot against the top of Lily’s head. “Don’t let the morning take him…”

It’s different than his usual sleep-talking. It sounds almost like a prayer.

Lily wraps herself more tightly around him, until she can feel his heartbeat rising and falling through his shirt.

“We won’t, James,” she whispers, though she knows he won’t hear. “We’ll never let them take him…”

#jple #jily #jilytober #love in the time of spiderwebs

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kay-elle-cee · 11 months ago

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In Search of Something More || Read Chapter 2 on Ao3 A Jily Regency AU || 6.4K Words || Rated M || Playlist

In the sunlit garden of her sister’s home, Lord Potter had promised Lily a life of her own design, with minimal expectations—her presence at community events, companionship, and an heir. As the two stumble into the routine of marriage and work to make a life together at Stinchcombe Hall, unsolicited feelings provoke each to start wondering if this is merely a marriage…or if it could be something more.

A continuation of this Jilytober entry.

Chapter 2: Stinchcombe Hall

When Lily wakes, it’s with a stretch of her arms out to the side and a gentle flutter of her eyes as she blinks the remnants of sleep away. Once they open and adjust to the room around her, she freezes. This bed is too large, the sheets too nice, the air too cold. Not to mention the size of the room itself and all of its intricate furnishings. It takes her a moment to place herself, her thumb rubbing over the golden band on her left hand. That’s right, she thinks, Stinchcombe Hall. No more Dursleys. Her muscles relax and she sinks into the large bed—her bed, she thinks almost giddily—content to just lie there for an extra few minutes before coming face-to-face with the reality of her new life. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought herself a Countess. She was never one to dream of grandeur or strive for connections like her sister. Lily always imagined she’d marry decently, perhaps a gentleman who would court her during her season or even someone who worked in town. Honestly, she had never minded the thought of remaining perfectly average, as long as she was arguably happy. But Countess?

#in search of something more #jily #jple #james potter #lily evans #jily fic #jily regency fic #kay elle cee #kelsey writes

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jjameslily · 4 months ago

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FALLING (FOR FOOLS) | Read All Chapters on A03

Written for @jilychallenge's September Prompt: James takes Muggle classes and they go on a class outing and he asks Lily for help to blend in.

Partner: @fullb1n-blog

This was my first challenge and I'm late, but I accidentally hammered two of my fingers so editing was tricky for a few days... don't ask. Enjoy and Happy Jilytober, friends!

“You can’t be serious,” she muttered under her breath.

Lily stared at the pile of clothes and magazines that had begun to overtake the desk in the small section of the library they’d taken over for the last two hours. With her brow furrowed in disbelief, all Lily could think was one thing.

She cannot believe she agreed to this.

She watched as he began to transfigure more clothes, copied from the images he’d torn out of the magazines Lily’s mother had sent.

James, who was now holding up two shirts for her to inspect—one tie-dye tee with garish hues that hurt Lily's eyes to look at and the other a classic white oxford shirt that was somehow more baffling for its simplicity. He stood there looking impressed with himself, his eyes darting between the two options with an almost comical amount of concentration.

She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to fend off her growing sense of exasperation.

His head snapped up, eyebrows raised. “What? What’s wrong with this one?” He pointed to the crisp collared shirt.

With a deep sigh, she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “You do realize this is all for one day, right? You’re not infiltrating the Muggle world permanently?”

“Well, I don’t want to look like an idiot.”

She raised an eyebrow, smirking at him. “You say that as if it’s not your usual state of being.”

James gasped, feigning mock offense at her words. “I resent that.” He dropped the shirts in his hands onto the pile. “You just have a talent for making me look worse than I am.”

“Or maybe you just have a talent for making it too easy.”

He shrugged, a lopsided grin appearing. “Maybe I’m just trying to impress you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, is that what you’re meant to be doing? I thought being an arrogant toad was just who you are.”

James leaned in, closing the space between them as he braced his hands against the desk. His face now mere inches from hers, eyes glinting with mischief. “Guess that’s why I need your help, isn’t it?”

Lily’s heart gave a traitorous skip, the air between them suddenly charged with something unspoken.

Lately being around him had felt like this—a pull she couldn’t quite fight. She tried to ignore the heat spreading up her neck, threatening to give her away, and instead fixed him with a sharp look.

“Could you at least behave if you’re going to hold me hostage, Potter?” she said, hoping her voice didn’t betray her.

James chuckled, the sound deep and lazy, sending an involuntary shiver through her. He leaned back just enough to still linger in her space. “Only if you do, Evans.”

His words were met with silence as her gaze dropped to the table, where her fingertips had unknowingly drifted close to his, brushing lightly against his hand. The moment she realized, she snatched her hand back, clearing her throat in a flustered attempt to recover.

She caught the glint of amusement in James’ eyes, the corner of his lips twitching as he tried to suppress a laugh. He was always like this—flirting just to get a rise out of her like it was some kind of game. And annoyingly enough, he was good at it.

It was infuriating.

It had been infuriating for the last two weeks.

———

Lily knew should have walked out the moment James Potter strolled into her Muggle Studies class. She should have known that it would only end with her getting tricked into some kind of ridiculous scheme in his relentless need to drive her mad.

Her quill practically froze midair when she caught sight of him sauntering in from the corridor, his usual self-confident smirk plastered across his face. He should have been on the Quidditch pitch. She knew—and she definitely wasn’t keeping tabs on him—that he was supposed to have a free period. He was supposed to be forcing all the other sixth-year players to follow the ludicrously meticulous— albeit a little bit impressive—training schedule he had planned out for the entire year. So, why was he here and not there? Not that she cared all that much.

But what had really thrown her off was the absence of his usual entourage. No Sirius Black causing a commotion at the door, no Peter Pettigrew ready to jump in with some prank of his own, and no Remus Lupin quietly chuckling in the background, pretending he didn’t egg them on.

It was just James.

Alone.

Sliding into the only empty seat in the room just across from her.

Of course.

He smiled at her, his usual nod and “ Evans” in greeting. She looked away, returning her attention back to her desk, scribbling absolutely nothing onto her parchment in an attempt to remain focused on anything else.

He was glancing down at his textbook, his brow slightly furrowed as he flipped through the pages, clearly lost.

A small, traitorous smile crept up before she could catch herself. Focus.

But her gaze had refused to cooperate. It kept drifting back to him, eyes trailing over the odd mix of precision and disorder before her, as if he’d carefully crafted his appearance to look effortlessly unkempt. His tie was just a bit askew beneath his vest, and though his robe was neatly tied, one side was beginning to slip off his right shoulder. His black curls, always a little wild, tumbled over his forehead, brushing against the glasses that perched precariously on the bridge of his nose.

On anyone else, it might have looked sloppy, a sign of carelessness, but on James Potter, it seemed intentional, almost... charming. A charm she would deny ever noticing, yet here she was, unable to look away.

She tapped her fingers against the edge of her desk, silently scolding herself.

She hated him.

Hated his confidence, his messy charm, the way he managed to take up space even when he wasn’t saying a word.

Absolutely. Totally. Without question.

But, as much as she tried to focus, she couldn’t shake the nagging thought.

She’d never noticed just how distracting James Potter could be.

Lily watched as he pushed his glasses up his nose with a quick and careless movement, his fingers brushing against the curls that fell into his eyes… Merlin’s sake.

“Ms. Evans?”

Professor Harwicke’s voice sliced sharply through her thoughts, jolting her in her seat and mercifully derailing the path her thoughts had been heading.

It wasn’t until then that she realized James had his head tilted in her direction.

Lily quickly snapped her attention to the front of the class, cheeks burning as her professor’s gaze lingered between the two of them.

“I will take your silence as acknowledgement,” he said, not giving her a chance to respond.

“Now that you have all been partnered up,” the professor called out, “Please remember this outing is meant to be educational. You will be expected to submit a joint field report and analysis comparing the atmosphere, social interactions and cultural significance to a related Wizarding event of your choice. Please include your observations on the similarities and differences in audience behavior or even music appreciation as one of the main events will be the band.”

Lily, now completely tuned in—her somewhat unjustified irritation with James (only somewhat) still lingering—caught just enough of the professor’s words to understand what the hell just happened.

A festival. In a Muggle town. Paired up. Safety precautions.

Her eyes widened as the realization sank in.

As soon the lecture ended, Lily hurriedly gathered her things and turned on her heel towards where Professor Harwicke was climbing the steps into his office.

“Professor?” she called out, her voice barely audible over the noise of the students packing up and chattering amongst themselves.

The professor glanced over his shoulder at her, stopping just outside his office. “Yes, Ms. Evans?”

“Is there any chance I could switch partners?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady as she climbed the steps up to him. “I think there may have been a mis—”

The professor didn't let her finish. He folded his arms and gave her a pointed look. “You were paired for a reason, Ms. Evans. I expect you to take the assignment seriously.”

Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Harwicke cut her off again. “My decisions are final,” he said, “I suggest you make the best of it.”

“But professor—”

“No buts,” he said, his gaze softening just a fraction. “Consider it a learning opportunity, Ms. Evans. Both of you may benefit from it more than you realize.” And with that, he entered his office and closed the door behind him with a soft click.

The most devastating closing of a door she'd ever heard.

When she turned around she found James leaning casually against the wall at the bottom of the steps, waiting for her.

“Trying to trade me in, Evans?” he asked, clearly taking pleasure in her failure to do so.

She huffed. “Unfortunately, Harwicke’s return policy had a tight window.”

James pushed himself off the wall as she brushed past him, a grin spreading across his face as he followed her across the room towards the door. “You know, I’m hurt. I think we’ll make great partners.” His voice had that familiar teasing lilt, the one that made her want to both roll her eyes and— well, never mind.

“And what makes you think that, Potter?”

“Well, for one, you’re smart enough to keep us out of trouble, and I’m charming enough to get us into it.”

“Oh, so I’m the brains, and you’re… what? The bad idea?”

James chuckled. “Maybe, but you’re stuck with me now.”

She spun around, catching him off guard for a moment as he halted to stop much closer than she’d thought he was. “Did you need something, Potter? Or should I expect you to follow me to my dorm?”

“Is that an invitation?” James said, still smiling as if her obvious annoyance went right over his head.

“You’re delusional,” she said stiffly. Though his closeness had a confusing effect on her—it was infuriatingly impossible to ignore despite her best efforts.

“Just thought I’d check-in. I figured you’d want to talk about the assignment.”

“As long as you don’t draw too much attention to yourself, Potter—which I’m sure is a monumental task for you—we’ll be perfectly fine,” Lily replied, her voice laced with dry amusement. She tried to step past him, but he sidestepped smoothly, blocking her path.

James tilted his head, pretending to consider her words. “You’re right.”

She blinked. “What?”

“It is very hard not to attract attention,” he said, flashing her a wide smile. “I assume you were referring to my extraordinarily handsome face?”

“Actually, Potter, I was referring to that loud mouth of yours and your insatiable need to cause trouble.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender, “Alright, Evans. You win,” he paused, eyes lighting and Lily could practically see the ideas forming behind his eyes. “You should help me.”

“Help you?” she repeated, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Yeah,” he said, leaning forward with a sly smirk. “Help me.”

“What are you on about?” she asked, folding her arms, entirely unamused.

“If I’m so hopeless,” he said, “help me blend in.”

Lily shook her head in disbelief at him. The idea was laughable. Her, of all people, helping James Potter blend into Muggle society? Not a chance.

“And I would waste my time doing this, why exactly?”

“Because how else am I to turn into someone who can walk through a Muggle festival without causing chaos? Think of it as your civic duty.”

“You overestimate how much I care about your ability to blend in, Potter.”

“Come on, Evans. Here’s your chance to mold me into something halfway decent.” His smile widening. “You know, for the sake of education. I’d be a shame to get my partner in trouble because I didn’t know any better.”

She gave him a long, measured look, lips pressed into a thin line as though weighing her options. “You’re impossible,” she finally said.

“And yet,” James said, leaning just a little closer, “here I am. Your partner for the week,” he responded, seemingly taking the mild insult as her reluctant agreement.

“Unfortunately.”

“Oh, come on,” he nudged her gently with his elbow. “We’ll make a great team. You’ll see.”

Lily finally met his eyes, and though he was being his usual insufferable self, his eyes looked at her warmly, a sincere gleam in his eyes. Whatever it was made her feel unsteady, so she masked it with exasperation—a much more familiar feeling she could handle. “I highly doubt that, Potter.”

“We’ll see,” he said, his voice softer now, but still teasing. “Who knows? By the end of this, you might even like me.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she said and turned, leaving him standing there.

As she stepped into the corridor, she found herself acutely aware of the lingering warmth from his closeness, and the faint scent of something sweet like cinnamon that somehow refused to leave her thoughts—just like that idiotically annoying smile he wore on his face when she’d turned to leave.

#jple #jily #jily fic #jilychallenge #jily fanfiction #james potter #lily evans #marauders era #hp #era: mauraders #after editing this…. YOU CAN PRY — FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS #mine: fic

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charmsandtealeaves · 14 days ago

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My partner’s last week of holiday leave so made the most of being able to read on the beach while fishing 🏖️

Read This Week (12/1/2025):

This month's book club read:

We haven’t set a book for January yet, but I’ve continued working through all the summer swap books. So this week was Longbourn by Jo Baker which I am still yet to start.