jilytoberfest

[jilytoberfest]

Drabble: Second Chance

For @jilytoberfest 31 Prompts Day 2: “You didn’t have to do this”

“You didn’t have to do this…”

“Shut it, Potter,” Lily seethed, her wand ready.  She was one cat’s howl away from breaking all her morals and casting an Unforgivable.

“I mean it,” said James. “We’ve broken up, I accepted that. I’m not—I’m not a kid anymore.”

“What did I say about talking?”

It was a wonder he could, having lost that much blood.  Her first aid spells were rudimentary at best.

“We’re getting out of here. Do you hear?  And you’re taking me on a date.”

He had to make it.  He had to give her a second chance.

[jilytoberfest]

don't forget me

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. Written for the Jilytoberfest 2024 Masquerade Challenge.

Wrote this for @jilytoberfest and forgot to post the link. Feel free to read + comment if it's your thing.

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

This year during the nominations period we asked you all to shout out "honourable mentions" for people and things in Fandom that you appreciate. We are now sharing those shout-outs during the voting rounds.

Honourable mention #6:

"Joyseuphoria and the Jilytoberfest mod team for organizing the incredible fest!"

@joyseuphoria has been running @jilytoberfest for years - perhaps the busiest fest of our fandom! A whole month of prompts, more prompts, reading bingos, a Masquerade event, and all the Jily love you can imagine! An insane amount of work we are very thankful to her for ❤

This year, a team of volunteers helped lift some of the burden, so additional shout-outs go out to:

@annabtg, who created the reading bingos

@charmsandtealeaves, who took care of the Masquerade event

@kay-elle-cee, for the JilyExpress Discord event

@tinyluminaryzombie, for the bittersweet challenge

as well as for creating a lovely collection of prompts we all had fun reading about and writing for!

Till next year!

Thank you anon for this honourable mention!

[jilytoberfest]

Pretty sure it’s November in most of the places on earth now so, it is time to say bye to jilytober (for now)

This year, we had an entire mod team helping out to organise this fest. Ensuring everything ran smoothly and soundly. A big shoutout to all those part of the mod team for working for the fest and giving it all their attention. Moderating the express, giving prompts, making forms and more. Thank you for your help in making the entire jily community celebrate this month.

A huge thank you to all those who participated in jilytober, cherishing James and Lily. Sharing your works and your love for James and Lily makes the world a better place because of all the love that is being shared, which is exactly what jily would say. A special shoutout to those who have been participating in this fest since the year it began.

With that, jilytober 2024 has come to an end.

See you next year :)

[jilytoberfest]

Thanks for participating!!

Jilytober Day 31

Managed to write one more @jilytoberfest microfic to end the month! Happy Halloween, everybody :) October 31st Prompt: Unintentional couples costumes

It wasn't until just before they'd planned to leave — when she was running the curling iron through her fringe —  that Lily noticed.

She had thrifted the dress a week ago, before she'd taken the plunge on the new haircut. With its itty-bitty skirt and bright purple fabric, the silhouette was a bit dated, but it had been among the cutest looks that she could wrangle for the price — and with the Order sending them out undercover every other day, price was no small concern for Lily when she shopped for Muggle clothes nowadays.

It had only been four months since she, her boyfriend, and half a dozen of their Hogwarts classmates had graduated from school and joined Albus Dumbledore's secret coalition opposing the Death Eaters. Although it had seemed a daredevil decision at first, the Order of the Phoenix had so far set its youngest recruits only to low-stakes missions and a rigorous run of trainings with some of its members from the Auror Department. None of them had yet found themselves in any real fights.

Instead, the intimidating Mad-Eye Moody — whom most of her peers found vaguely terrifying, but whose dry sarcasm had endeared him to Lily — had set his new recruits as spies and lookouts, spending afternoons blending into the crowds at Muggle locations suspected of being vulnerable targets for attack. As the summer blazed into autumn, Lily and her friends paired off in twos or threes to sit in cafés, stroll the zoo, or (in the case of the Muggle-born members) drive back and forth along major bridges, ready to send a message by Patronus in case something went wrong.

It a strangely peaceful way to enter a war. Lily wondered if it could last.

She turned from the mirror, grinning at the silliness of her realization. Sirius was lounging on the sofa in a biker jacket and Led Zepplin T-shirt, but James — who had never been quite as comfortable in Muggle clothes — had played it safe with his disguise, opting for a plain pair of blue jeans and a white, collared shirt. "James," she said, trying not to laugh. "I just realized — we're dressed like Fred and Daphne!"

"Hmm?" James asked, looking down at his own clothes.

"From Scooby-Doo!" James looked back blankly. "The cartoon? I don't suppose you would have seen it, but it was pretty popular show when we were kids."

Lily had loved watching Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! on the BBC when she was nine or ten. She remembered squeezing on the couch between Tuney, prim face scrunched up in grudging tolerance, and Sev, who would often stop over for breakfast on weekend mornings when his own parents' finances were stretched thin. In those days, piling onto the couch and watching cartoons together had been one of the only activities that could sustain a truce between Lily's prissy sister and her shabby best friend.

"A cartoon — that's from the telly-vision?"

Sirius looked up, curious as always. "I don't know if I've heard of it."

"I'll have to find us a re-run," Lily said. Nostalgia warmed her voice. With a swish of her wand, she set about enhancing their accidental costume — adding a touch of blue to James's collar; conjuring herself a pair of heels, a headband, and a green scarf. Sirius snorted when she transfigured a stubbed-out cigarette into a bright orange ascot and pursed her lips, trying to tie it properly around James's neck.

James raised his eyebrows. "Why do I feel ridiculous?"

"Because Mystery Inc. are ridiculous, James!" Lily said, teasing. "This really is too perfect. We won't be the only people dressed up this weekend — it's practically Halloween."

"Ah! Costumes, right?" asked Sirius, unable — as usual — to resist an opportunity to show off his Muggle Studies bona fides.

"I have always wanted to try that," James said.

Lily quirked her head and considered him, fingering her wand thoughtfully. "Do we have time to make you blond?"

Sirius burst into laughter. "Oh, definitely," he said, raising his own. "Let's make it really authentic."

James's shield charm was accompanied by a handful of enthusiastic epithets. Lily giggled and turned back to the mirror, fluffing up her fringe to cinch the look. "Don't worry, love," she said, "I think people will get the gist." Lily tossed on a coat of pink lip gloss. "What we really need," she said, turning back to James, "is a few more Order members. Do you think we could call another girl to join our route?"

James shook his head. "I think everyone is out on assignments today." This wasn't a surprise — Halloween was a major Wizarding holiday, and Moody thought it was a prime time when Voldemort might strike — but Lily still felt a little disappointed. "Why?" James asked. "Do we need more people for the costume?"

Lily shrugged. "We don't really need more people, but...Fred and Daphne are side characters. It would help if we could add Shaggy and Velma — they're the rest of the mystery gang — or if we could add a van, or a dog. Something like that."

James and Sirius exchanged a look.

"A dog?" asked James.

"Mm-hmm," Lily affirmed, pulling on her shoes. "That's what happens on the show — the gang solve mysteries with their dog. Animals are a big thing in Muggle cartoons." She glanced up. James and Sirius were still looking at one another. "What?" Lily asked.

Breaking his staring contest with James, Sirius turned to Lily and smirked.

"Hey, Evans," he said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He raised an eyebrow. "Can you keep a secret?"

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you so much for participating all days!!

jilytober day 31!

With a dramatic gesture, she points at his ensemble. “Oh,” he says, a hint of sheepishness creeping into his tone. “I’m James Bond.” “You’re James Potter,” she corrects him instantly, and then laughter bursts forth, loud and uncontrollable. She wonders if the firewhiskey is coming out of her nose or her eyes—or maybe every pore in her body.

@jilytoberfest

[jilytoberfest]

For @jilytoberfest Bittersweet Challenge.

It was a crisp autumn morning, and Lily Potter had decided that today she would treat her family. She had asked James if it was okay for him to stay with Harry as she went to the market. James did not mind agreeing, even when he seemed a bit down lately he adored Harry and the time they spent together. 

Lily wanted to cheer James, lately he had not been himself, he was usually loud and always wanted to make other people laugh, but after the McKinnon’s deaths, and the fact that they needed to find a secret Keeper, little by little James’ good nature chipped away. 

He was still a great man that loved his family above all, he was a good man that wanted to help in the war, but all in all a trapped James was a dim one, and Lily wanted to do something to bring back some joy.

Maybe they couldn’t go out as before, but that didn’t mean that they had to have a boring existence until the war was over. That was why Lily was on a mission to find the ingredients for a proper feast. 

She entered the supermarket with a list of ingredients and a plan in hand. 

She grabbed butter and eggs, and looked for the treacle around, as a very distinctive memory popped in her head.

The Great Hall was always full and messy as always. People were arriving from winter break and you could see the excitement of reuniting with friends, sharing new stories that happened over the short time where you didn’t see each other. 

Lily was amongst those students, but there was not much to share. Petunia had decided to stop all pretences that she liked Lily, she wasn’t terrible when people were around, but when they were alone, Lily’s sister made sure to let her know how much she disliked her. 

Still, she loved being home, seeing her parents and eating the food her mother made, which she couldn’t enjoy while at Hogwarts. But now that she was back in the castle she realised that she also missed the Elves’ cooking. 

The table was filled with warm and cosy food to receive the students. The roast was fulfilling and made her feel somewhat back at home, however, there was something that she adored that the Elves made, and that was the treacle tart. It was the right amount of sweet to calm her sweet tooth, and if you heated it and requested some ice cream it tasted just like heaven.

Lily had her mind set on grabbing the last piece. Yet, when she turned to the serving plate there was another set of hands snatching it. 

James Potter, the bane of her existence, just held the tart on his plate, Lily could just look at him as if she could hex him with a glance, and James could just blink at her. 

“Alright, Evans?” he asked.

Lily wanted to rant how things were not alright and how he had taken the little slice of heaven, the last one, but didn’t seem remorseful or anything wrong with it. “Yeah.” she replied, defeated. She couldn’t give Potter the satisfaction of seeing her down. “Just looking for some dessert.” she added, glancing around but nothing seemed as appealing. 

“Oh, you wanted the tart?” he asked, clueless as ever, regardless he actually sounded genuine. 

Lily had known him to take advantage of situations like this to ask her out, she preferred to save them both the hassle.

“You can have it.”

“For a price, I assume.” Lily replied, not interested in playing games. 

“Wow, Evans, that hurt.” James said with a playful smirk, “A genuine ‘thank you’ would suffice.” he still had the smirk on his face, and Lily could only blink. 

“Thank you.” she said sincerely, still a bit wary. 

“Don’t mention it.”

From that point onwards, James always seemed to have the last piece of tart, Lily was never as fast as everyone else finishing her meal. It became sort of a tradition for them to banter for a bit, until one day Lily surprised herself and asked if they should share the piece instead of fighting for it. Then she discovered that this was not an intricate plot to talk to her, but James Potter was as obsessed with the tart as she was. 

After that night, either James or Lily would make sure that they saved a piece for each other, and ended each supper in conversation, instead of banter. 

That was one of Lily’s fondest memories, as it was when she started seeing James for more than the obnoxious guy that she thought he was before, and it was the reason that was one of the first recipes she asked the Elves to teach her how to make. 

She continued her trip at the supermarket and saw the autumn ciders ready to be grabbed. Remembering fondly one of their Hogsmeade dates she grabbed a couple.

The last thing on her list was something not entirely from Hogwarts, but it was what they ate at James’ home the night Lily met them. She was a nervous wreck and her palms wouldn’t stop sweating, but James was there, next to her, as a calming presence, taking her hand and squeezing it, letting her know it was okay. 

Mr and Mrs Potter were two of the sweetest people Lily had ever met. They dotted over the couple and teased their son endlessly about how James couldn’t stop talking about Evans and they could finally put a face to the name. 

Fleamont learned of her passion for potions and showed her his lab. In there he had scribbles to make his own potions better, but also how the treatment of certain ingredients could improve other recipes. The room was filled with ingredients, cauldrons and ideas all around. It was like a dream come true. 

Euphemia, on the other hand, showed her their gardens where they grew not only flowers but ingredients for the potions, showing that there was more than one way where Monty and Mia complimented each other. 

That afternoon they ate roast grouse, something that Lily hadn’t tasted before, but fell in love instantly. The dish was warm, flavourful, it wasn’t hard on the palate, and she didn't know how to explain it but it tasted of love. Like someone had put the time and effort to make this not only delicious but heartwarming. 

It was the kind of meal that she wanted to learn. To convey love for her family with a simple and hearty meal. 

She learned that day it was James’ favourite dish and she could understand why. 

After James had proposed, she spent many afternoons learning from Euphemia, not only how to make the dish, but so many things that only a magical mother could teach. She loved her mother dearly but she was curious about having an all magical home, and Euphemia was eager to show her. 

Mia was a patient woman. She taught Lily how to improve spells and wards, how magic was also in the mundane, and of course how to make the roast. She taught her how to select the game, cut the vegetables, season everything and the times of cooking of each element for it to maintain their scenes and bring the best of it. 

It reminded her how her mother and her used to bake and the time they shared together, enjoying each other’s company and learning from each other. To share knowledge and love with one simple gesture. 

They only ate the roast on a few occasions, and only made by Euphemia. They had it the day they announced Lily was pregnant with Harry. She remembered she hadn’t been able to keep anything down for a few days now, and she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep this meal either. It wasn’t just the morning sickness, it was the nerves of telling them that not even a year into the marriage they were having a baby. The evening went smoothly, the grandparents-to-be overjoyed with the news, and Lily realised after eating that it was the first meal she had managed to keep all week. 

Remembering that moment, Lily realised that it had been the last time they had eaten the roast. A few months after that Mia and Monty passed away and Lily had not been able to make the dish. Today would be the first time, and she hoped that it would be like the last time they had it, and she would be able to keep down the meal as she told James the news she had for him. 

Arriving home with her hand full of bags she greeted her two favourite boys, moved to the kitchen and looked at what would be the battleground for that day. Her wand moved to start cleaning the things from breakfast, to get a clean slate to start meal prepping.

She was so focused on preparing the kitchen that she didn’t hear James and Harry enter. 

“Momma!” Harry ran towards her. 

“He missed you,” James explained, “We both did.” He smiled at her, knowing that they spent every single moment together, but it was good to know she was home and safe and not worrying about what might have happened. 

Lily smiled back and picked Harry up, “What did you do with Dada while I was out?”

“Play!” Harry replied enthusiastically, “I broom!”

That broom was Harry’s favourite toy, it seemed like he always wanted to ride it. 

Lily chuckled at the reply, “You are just like your dad, always in the clouds.” she teased. 

It was James time to chuckle. “He had to get something from me, everything else is all you.” he joked back, looking at the amount of food. “Are we having a party that I didn’t know about?”

“Tonight we are having a feast.” she declared, looking at James’ questioning face, “Don’t you worry about a thing, I’ll prepare everything, you just need to keep the little one occupied.”

James took Harry from Lily’s arms, “I think I can do that. Just scream if you need any help.”

Lily knew the roast would take longer to cook, she needed to make sure the meat was properly seasoned and done, so she dedicated herself to it. 

“Never be afraid of seasoning, dead. Season is measured with heart not tools.” Lily remembered Mia’s advice as she added the herbs that they had grown in their back garden. It wasn’t as big as Euphemia but they were still honouring her somehow. 

Lily moved with precision as she prepped the meal. She knew she needed to get the game in before anything, but still had the vegetables all ready to get them in in time to be properly cooked. Deciding that she could do two things at once se started the treacle tart, slowly timing what needed to be done and what could be put aside.

“You want to first add the wet ingredients and then gently fold the dry ones. That’s what would make it smooth and grow evenly.” It was time for her mother’s advice to pop in this time. Remembering that baking was more precise, just like potions, and maybe that was why she liked it so much as it reminded her of home. 

Finally all that remained to do was wait. 

She grabbed the previously spiced cider and moved to the living room where James was playing with Harry. They had toy cars that bumped into each other. She hated that they were in hiding but adored the little peace her family gave her. 

James looked up at her and smiled, “It smells delicious, sure you don’t need any help?”

Lily shook her head, “It’s almost done. We just need to wait for it all to cook.”

“What sparked this?” James asked curiously, sitting up with her, grabbing the mug, smiling at the content. 

Lily sighed, “We’ve been too focused on being trapped here, I thought we could recreate something I know we both love. Hogwarts feast, minus a few things.” she chuckled. 

“You didn’t have to do this.” He said appreciative. 

“I know, but I wanted to.”

There was a moment of silence, a moment where Lily knew she could tell James the news. They had been so focused on the bad things on the paranoia of it all, but this was good news.

Her mouth opened to speak, when the door magically opened, giving space for Lord Voldemort to enter. 

The colour on both James and Lily’s face drained, their nightmares had become true, the one person they were running from was there in their house, and too many thoughts passed through their heads: how was he able to enter the house? What happened to the wards? What did he do to Peter?

They didn’t have time to ponder much, as Voldemort approached them.

“Lily, take Harry and go! It’s him! Go! Run! I’ll hold him off —”

Lily didn’t think it twice and was up the stairs as James fumbled to find his wand, but he didn’t care, even if he had to become Prongs and stampede the son of a bitch he would. 

But he didn’t have the time, James' body hit the floor after a green light, and Lily did everything in her power to not scream his name, trying not to get their location. 

She hid them in Harry’s room, she tried to get her wand but remembered she left it in the kitchen with the meal she was preparing. She needed a way out, something to get Harry out, but she was running out of time. 

She put Harry on the cot while she moved every piece of furniture she could get to block the door, and looked for something that would aid her. They were on the second floor, but maybe she could try to use some wandless magic and jump. Could she do it? Could she safely land and protect Harry? With her nerves on edge she thought she wouldn’t be able, but she had to try, right?

She was about to grab Harry when the door blasted open and Voldemort was staring right at her. 

“Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!” She pleaded.

“Stand aside you silly girl… stand aside now.” Voldemort’s voice could be heard, Harry’s sense of peril activated and he started to cry. 

“Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead —” Lily pleaded once more, “Not Harry! Please… have mercy… have mercy… ” but her pleas fell in deaf ears as Voldemort casted the killing curse, her body lying limp on the floor. 

Voldemort casted the curse for the third time that evening, but it did not land as expected. It bounced off Harry's skin and back to him, leaving a train of burnt wallpaper and charred furniture. There would be no one at the house for a few more hours, the smoke from the curse and the kitchen attracting the attention of everyone around. The evening ruined, just like the house, and Lily’s Halloween feast. 

Prompt: You have a fluff prompt for Bittersweet (to turn into angst). Here's the prompt: Character A learning Character B’s favourite recipes.

[jilytoberfest]

It’s Always You

Chapter 4: Cheek Kiss

Prompt given by the lovely @abihastastybeans . Also for @jilytoberfest ‘s prompt 30

Lily’s ears ring with the deafening chorus of cheers.

The entire stadium is overcome with joy— minus a few Slytherins and Hufflepuffs— as James scores another goal and the Gryffindor seeker catches at the same moment. It doesn’t need saying that she is also one of the people screaming their heads off from where she’s sitting with her mates at the top of the stands.

Read the rest on ao3

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you for participating!!!!

@jilytoberfest Day 31

Prompt: Unintentional Couples Costumes

They hadn’t discussed it, but the masks they wore were the same.

Happy parents throwing a Halloween party for their son, smiling and laughing as though their lives weren’t confined to the walls of the house. They moved through the motions, pretending everything was fine, each wearing a costume they couldn’t take off—hopeful, content, untroubled. They had to believe it was true, to hope that one day they wouldn’t need the masks, that one day soon, they’d be safe again.

But Harry made it easy. James knew he’d do anything to keep their boy happy and carefree, even if it meant pretending that their small Halloween with just the three of them was a grand, magical celebration. And there was relief in knowing Lily felt the same. Their masks matched, each glance between them unspoken reassurance that they’d keep up the charade, that Harry would never feel their fear.

James played with Harry, making colorful bursts of light spin and dance with his wand, each one drawing more laughter from his son until the room was filled with his pure, unrestrained delight. For a moment, James felt the weight of their reality lift, the mask almost feeling real. He held onto that moment, willing it to last.

But then Lily picked Harry up, pressing a kiss to his forehead as she carried him off to bed.

Then he felt it—a coldness in the air, a darkness pressing down. It wasn’t just the night or the quiet. Voldemort was there.

Reality crashed through their home as James's heart pounded, his mask slipping and falling away as terror gripped him. He moved without thinking, charging toward the door, wand in hand. Because a mask was never protection, was never safety. It was only pretend.

And now, face to face with the danger they’d feared, there was no pretending left.

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you for participating!!!!

@jilytoberfest 31 Prompts: Day 31 || 528 Words || Read on Ao3 a/n: That's a wrap! Thanks for following along this year :) I'd love to know if you had a favorite! —

31 October 1976

“Don’t you know you’re supposed to dress up for Halloween, Evans?”

Lily looks up from where she’s currently refilling her cup of probably-spiked butterbeer to find James Potter smirking at her as he leans against the other side of the table, his usual angular glasses swapped out for a decidedly thicker pair, a collared shirt peeking out from below a brown jacket.

Recognition dawns on her immediately, and she’s got a few choice words for Mary and Sam, who insisted that the four of them—including Lily and Dorcas—dress as characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Quickly, her eyes wander to Potter’s friends on the other side of the room and she takes in their costumes—also from the same film—and wonders if this was an orchestrated situation or merely a coincidence. 

She can mull that over on her way to interrogate her friends. Back to the matter at hand.

Bringing the cup of butterbeer to her lips, she takes a sip and gives Potter a tight smile. “Must’ve missed the owl, I guess.”

She turns on her heel and leaves the conversation as fast as she dares, not wanting to draw suspicion of her agitation. The hemline of her pink dress swooshes against her mid-thigh, its high collar and accompanying white cardigan suddenly making her feel hot, even with the windows of the common room open to the cool October night.

“Hey Lil,” Sam greets with a knowing smile, and it’s all the confirmation Lily needs to know that this was all an elaborate orchestration. “I see you ran into Potter.”

For her part, Lily is very calm—surprisingly calm—with the next words out of her mouth. “I’m going to kill you, Samantha Fawley.”

Sam—her hair dyed a bright shade of red (really now it’s all making sense why they insisted Lily couldn’t be the redhead)—tilts her head back and laughs joyously, raising an incriminating finger to where Mary is talking to some seventh year by the portrait hole.

“Listen, it was Mary’s idea, I just gleefully jumped on board. If you kill me, you have to kill her as well, alright?”

Lily lets out a frustrated sound of annoyance as she rubs her temples. “I cannot believe I let you two trick me into an accidental couples’ costume with Potter.”

“It’s a group costume, if you really think about it,” Sam assures her, pointing at where the sixth-year boys are standing. Lily hastily swats her hand down.

“Brad and Janet, Sam. Brad and bloody Janet!”

Sam bursts into another fit of laughter as Lily reaches up, trying to grab the glittering gold top hat from her head.

“You’re switching me right now, Fawley.”

“Like hell I am, woman! You need to learn to relax. You said so yourself—he’s been better this year.”

Lily sighs, taking another swig of the (suddenly not-spiked-enough) butterbeer. “That doesn’t mean I want to dress up as husband and wife.”

“Technically, they never make it down the aisle.”

“Technically you’re dead to me,” shoots back, walking away to find Dorcas, who—like her—had simply been roped into the idea.

“Toodles, Janet!” Sam calls after her. “Say hi to Brad for me!”

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you for participating all 31 days!!

Army Dreamers

Going out with a whimper for @jilytoberfest Day 31: Unintentional Couple costumes

When I started this month I had no intention of writing all 31 ( maybe like 4?) but thanks to everyone who read/commented/shared I was propelled by the support and love so THANK YOU for challenging me to keep going and being so lovely.

Happy Halloween and long live Jily wherever they are <3

AO3 Here

'(Should have been a father) But he never even made it to his twenties What a waste of all the army dreamers' --Kate Bush 'Army Dreamers'

“You sure Evans? It’s tradition.”

James stands in the doorway. His frown accentuates the wear that living in hiding has put on them, the lines in his face making him look much older.

“It’s just not the same when we can’t properly celebrate,” Lily sighs, closing her book. 

“We can’t even hand out candy—”

“You can give me candy. I’ll stand behind the bedroom door and knock.”

The thought of James’ standing in the hallway with an open sack singing Trick or Treat! Passes through her mind. It’s almost ridiculous enough to make her smile. 

“It’s alright—hopefully next year we can do a proper celebration with Harry—he’ll be old enough by then to be something other than one of those boring baby costumes.”

James gives a hesitant nod, leaving the door frame to come sit on the couch beside her. 

“If you really don’t want to, you can tell me to skive off, but It just feels wrong to not do anything—we’ve always said that they can’t take our lives away from us..”

She reaches over, putting a reassuring hand on his forearm. 

“I know. But there will be other Halloweens, other moments for us to wear silly couples costumes that nobody understands but us.”

“Yeah, I still don’t think Sirius completely understands our Rosemary’s Baby one.”

Lily snorts, remembering the weight of her newly showing belly, hair charmed so short that Sirius kept mistaking her for a Prewitt all evening. 

She doesn’t want to linger in the past memories, taint them with sadness that can never be removed. Nostalgia is a dangerous magic all its own, it makes reality that much harder to bear. 

James pulls his legs up onto the couch, pulling her into an encompassing embrace against him. His hand softly brushes at the fringe on her forehead and his even breath feels like a lullaby to her tired body. 

“I love you and everything will be alright,” he murmurs. She curls her hands around his arm, pressing it closer to her, wishing she could keep him there forever, the best of fathers, the best of husbands. 

“It must be alright, for all the Halloweens to come.”

[jilytoberfest]

Thank you for participating!!!

31 Prompts for 31 Days

@jilytoberfest is back! Happy October

A collection of drabbles

31. Unintentional couple costumes

-

Harry has always loved hearing tales of Marauder escapades.

Secrets of a castle he’ll soon attend, fascinated by parties held within Hogwarts walls.

“He’s old enough to come, he can help organise too—”

Lily pretends not to notice the wink sent over her shoulder and waits for her nine-year-old to react to his godfather.

“Can I mum, dad? —Please. It’s fancy dress, and Sirius is turning THIRTY! It’ll be so much fun—”

They agree, of course, and even allow him to plan their costumes.

How bad could it be...

A decade older, still totally besotted.

Head Girl and Boy arrive.

-

[jilytoberfest]

jilytober day 30!

Lily takes a step back from him, her shoulder bumping against the cold stone wall of the cupboard. “Have you…” Her voice is quieter now, hurt seeping into her words. “Have you told him about us?” James’s eyes widen in shock. “What? No! Of course not. You said—” “I know what I said,” she interrupts, frowning, the sense of betrayal rising sharply. “What I’ve repeatedly said, even though you fight me on it every time, telling me I’m being stupid—” “I’ve never called you stupid, Evans.” His voice is strained now, and he sighs, running a frustrated hand through his already dishevelled hair. “But yeah, I won’t lie—I think all this sneaking around is a bit ridiculous. It’s been a month, and—” “Three weeks,” she corrects sharply, her heart pounding in her chest.

@jilytoberfest

[jilytoberfest]

@jilytoberfest Day 30

Prompt: 🎶"where's the trophy? he just comes running over to me"🎶 - The Alchemy by Taylor Swift

James blinked, trying to shake off the haze as he squinted up at the blurred, familiar face hovering above him. He groaned, every bone aching. "Ugh, I feel like death."

"Well, you did fall from quite a height,” Lily replied, her voice dry but softened by a hint of concern. “Sirius managed to slow down your fall, so you didn’t actually die.”

“Ah, good old Padfoot. Always there to save my skin,” James muttered, smiling faintly.

Lily crossed her arms, giving a little huff. “Mm-hmm.”

“Lil?”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I’m sorry for almost dying?”

“For almost dying while playing a stupid, ridiculous sport.”

James chuckled and winced at the pain that shot through his side. “Did we win, though?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide a smile. “Yes.”

“Excellent.” He grinned, looking far too pleased for someone who’d just been unconscious.

“Don’t you want to sneak out to the party?” she teased. “Make out with the trophy?”

“Nah,” James replied, his gaze softening as he reached for her hand. “I’d rather make out with you.”

Lily’s cheeks flushed, but she leaned closer, brushing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “You are such an idiot,” she whispered, her tone fond.

He closed his eyes, smiling. “But I’m your idiot.”

[jilytoberfest]

Where's the Trophy?

My submission to day 30 of @jilytoberfest! This is my first HP/Marauders fic, so I'd love to hear what you think <3

      Lily got down from the stands and quickly moved towards the Hospital Wing of the castle. The cold autumn air slapped her face as she practically ran through the halls. Surely, Potter would be alright, he was a tough guy. He had probably been beaten down a hundred times before. Lily wasn’t even sure if it was worth checking him out, given that he would be fine. Right?             She arrived at the door and stopped when she saw Remus and Peter sitting in front of James’ bed, laughing. They were laughing. He was alright.             Peter was the first to notice her. His eyes widened and he tapped Remus’ leg. All three sets of eyes were on her now.             She cleared her throat, feeling weirdly self-conscious now that they were looking at her.             “Um, hello.” She managed to say.              James sat up in his bed, looking at her as if he’d seen a ghost. “Evans.”

Read it now on Ao3!

[jilytoberfest]

@jilytoberfest 31 Prompts: Day 30 || 531 Words || Read on Ao3 —

9 August 1983

It’s surreal, to be on the Puddlemere training field, zipping through the air with a quaffle in his possession. It’s been years since he’s been on a pitch, and a few missed goals and one particularly egregious fumble really show it. He’s fought a whole war since he led the Gryffindor team to victory five years ago, and while he’s been excited to take part in the fly-on tryouts of Puddlemere, he’s not deluded enough to think he’ll actually land a place on the team.

After a tight pivot, he passes the quaffle to another Puddlemere-hopeful and watches with satisfaction as she scores a goal through the right hoop. Down below them, the coach blows the whistle, signaling the end of the try-out period, and the team of seven all descend onto the field, congratulating each other on a job well-done. 

“Thank you all for coming out,” the coach says, flipping through his clipboard. “We still have a few more rounds, so we’ll let you all know by owl in the next week. As a reminder, there’s a higher likelihood of this group making the roster of the reserve team than our premiere team, but we thank you all the same. We’ve seen some great talent out here today.”

James nods in appreciation, slinging his Comet over his shoulder as he heads over to the stands where he can see Lily rising to her feet. As he gets closer, she rushes down the stairs of the stands, wind whipping in her hair as she runs to meet him on the pitch. She gets closer and closer and it becomes clear that she’s not going to stop, so James drops his broomstick to catch her as she flings her arms around his neck, her legs wrapping around his waist. He’s breathless as she captures his lips in a searing kiss.

“I’m not one to complain,” he jokes, once they break apart and Lily is beaming at him ear-to-ear. “But we won’t know if I make the team for another week. And I really don’t think I will, Lil. I’m not as spry as I used to be.”

“I don’t care,” she tells him, shaking her head. “I’m just so proud of you for trying, after everything.” Running a hand through his sweaty hair, her eyes soften as they roam over his face. “We had to sideline a lot for the Order, and whether you make the team or not, you tried, because it’s something you love. And that’s more important than making it, in my book.”

He leans forward to kiss her, love and gratitude surging through his body at her words. How did he get so bloody lucky?

“Well thank you,” he says finally, when Lily unwraps her legs and rights herself on the ground. He bends down to pick up his Comet, holding her hand tightly with his left hand. He gives her hand a squeeze. “I need to hit the showers when we get home, but maybe we can pick Harry up from Remus’ and go out for a bite tonight to celebrate?”

“Definitely.”

Hand-in-hand, the two of them exit the Puddlemere field, hearts soaring high.

[jilytoberfest]

Masquerade Fic No.12: The Changing Room

The author was… @sophie-hatter-jenkins

25% of you guessed correctly!