(Untitled)

[alotofgood]

James is cheerfully sitting at a table with a tall glass of Coca Cola (and ice), and what looks to be an actual school textbook in front of him.

(Guide to Advanced Transfiguration, if we want to be specific

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[lilium_evansiae]

One might assume that James is here to do homework, yes.

But not if that one is his girlfriend.

(She's allowed to say 'girlfriend,' right?)

"Tell me again how you're top of that class," she says, dropping into the chair next to his.

[alotofgood]

(She is absolutely allowed to say 'girlfriend'.)

James grins in her direction, leaning over to kiss his girlfriend.

(With a thrill of excitement that isn't likely to fade yet.

Or ever.)

"Honestly, I do study," he argues, eying his textbook and its ring of condensation. "Even if it might not look like it now.

"All right, Lily?"

[lilium_evansiae]

"You must," she says. "Can't coast on your looks and your charm with McGonagall, can you?"

Lily eyes the textbook and its ring of condensation, too.

A second later, James' book is the proud owner of its own Impervious charm.

[alotofgood]

"No, I suppose not. Unfortunately, she developed a sort of immunity to such things. And Sirius and I have been trying for years," he says good-naturedly, watching Lily work her magic.

Literally.

"Thanks, Lily." He picks his book up, as though to inspect it. "Good as new."

[lilium_evansiae]

"You're welcome," she says.

"How are you this evening, James?"

[alotofgood]

"Good," he says. "Brilliant, even."

Really, there's nothing to complain about on this end.

Life is fantastic.

"You?"

[lilium_evansiae]

"About the same," she says, smile getting both bright and playful.

"Though Hesper got into something.

"Her fur's gone all green."

[alotofgood]

And it's a lovely, lovely smile.

James will try not to get too caught up in it.

"You know, I don't think I've formally met Hesper yet," he says. "Green fur or not.

"What d'you think caused it?"

[lilium_evansiae]

"I'm guessing a first year and a badly aimed color change charm.

"It doesn't seem to be hurting her, so I'll wait till she's curled up somewhere to try to work out how to undo it."

Much easier than chasing an agitated cat around with a wand.

"You'll have to meet Hesper."

[alotofgood]

Ah, colour changing charms.

Those were great fun back in First Year. He has fond memories of practicing them on ... people.

"D'you think she'll like me?" James wonders aloud. "Should I bring a gift? Dress my best, maybe."

[lilium_evansiae]

Ah, yes.

She has less-than-fond memories of trying to undye one of his test cases.

But those days are behind them both, yeah?

"Dress robes," Lily says, terribly solemnly. "And speak only when meowed at."

[alotofgood]

Yes, they are.

"Dress robes, right," James agrees, equally as solemn. "Well, she can't be any worse than Mrs Black."

[lilium_evansiae]

"She's probably easier to distract with a piece of string, anyway."

Or so Lily would assume.

"How bad is Mrs Black?" she asks, after a moment.

Lily's never met her.

Judging by the attitudes of her younger son and the general shock that met Sirius' being sorted into Gryffindor, Lily's fairly sure she never will, either.

(Lily is okay with that.)

[alotofgood]

James nearly snorts, imagining Mrs Black playing with a piece of string like a cat would.

Oh, Merlin.

(He'll have to tell Sirius that.)

But in more serious matters: "She's ..." He has difficulty choosing the right words. "Take Grindstaff's general demeanor, the beliefs of a typical Slytherin, and add a dash of insanity. That's basically Mrs Black."

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily makes a face.

"Sounds horrid."

[alotofgood]

"Yeah. She's - yeah."

James shrugs, thin-lipped.

"Which is why I'm never surprised when Sirius shows up at my door a week or two into summer holidays."