The Stag and Doe

Only one piece of Lily/James goodness today, lovely readers - but at 25K words, it’s big un’!

The Goods

Love In a Hopeless Place - Part One + Part Two + Part Three + Part Four + Part Five by starry_laa

[R] Having been hiding out in the middle of nowhere to escape Voldemort’s tyranny, Lily is captured by patrollers and subsequently offered as a prize to Voldemort’s followers. James claims her as his own, in the process altering the course of his life – and hers too.

It was a difficult potion to brew in the first place, but for her it seemed virtually impossible. With trembling hands, she held the potions book she had stolen from a boy she once knew and read through the directions for the hundredth time.

Lily had already made the first half of the potion a few days ago but the second part was infinitely harder. Still, she was determined to complete it. Anything to keep him alive.

Today’s instalment of Lily/James Fest’s Seasons’ Greetings Exchange 2011 brings you two more short stories full of Lily & James goodness! Take your pick: 

The Goods

Drink To Us by liebedance

[PG] For the prompt “Butterbeer, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee.” Four drinks, four moments.

Her only warning is the sound of a chair scraping against wooden floor before,

“Evans—”

“Go away, Potter. I’m trying to study.” Lily doesn’t even bother looking up from her book. She doesn’t need to. She knows it’s him, so used to the way her surname sounds coming from him.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy, by klose

[G]  James, Lily, and their extended Marauding family have semi-conventional first Christmas with baby Harry.

They’d had such elaborate plans for the holiday season – sitting down to mulled wine and mince pies in the conservatory on a chilly night, putting up a Christmas tree, having a proper sit down dinner on Christmas day itself…

Of course, these plans had been made without the express input of a certain five-month-old. A certain five-month-old who was now trying to eat an old edition of the Daily Prophet.

We’ve got 2 lovely little stories for you today! The first is a vignette full of smooshy seasonal cheer, whilst the other is a bittersweet snapshot of James and Lily in their final year. Both are beautiful, up-close examinations of Lily/James, so be sure to check them out!

The Goods

When My Heart Finds Christmas by escribo

 [PG-13] One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. —Andy Rooney

“The lads will be here soon.” James spoke against the shell of Lily’s ear as he dragged the tips of his cold fingers over Lily’s shoulder and down her spine. She shivered against him, and could feel when he smiled. He pressed his lips to the top of her head before he stretched to the pull the soft blanket from the couch and tucked it around her body. “I told them to be here at half past three and it’s nearly that now.”

Our Last Days as Children by herbeautifullie

[Teen] It’s never easy to let go of impossible childhood dreams. Letting go of childhood dreams that are quickly becoming a reality is even harder.

James doesn’t remember big pieces of his childhood. Like any true fan, James’ first memory is of Quidditch. When he closes his eyes and focuses, he canstill feel the warm wind against his cheeks, his father’s arms tight around his middle as he lifts him up to see over the head of the balding man cheering before them and the rush in his veins when the snitch pauses a hairsbreadth from his face, each flap of tiny wings visible to his eyes alone.It’s as exhilarating to think about now – fourteen years later – as it was that day, when Puddlemere’s star Chaser stopped him after the game, mussed his hair and said, “You’ll play for Puddlemere one day too, yeah? The snitch loves you already, mate!”

Following our break on Sunday, we’ve got a sumptuous bit of artwork, and a bit of long-fic for your consumption today! Julvett is one of the most popular artists on tumblr, and based on Horribe Vase, it’s easy to see why - it’s got all the humour, charm and bright colour you’d want in a piece of Lily/James fanart. Meanwhile, glittersmut’s Not Singular Except In Syllable has expanded her story scope to include not just Lily and James throughout the years, but Marauders and Severus, too. All in all, these pieces are not too shabby a way to start your Monday off with. :)

The Goods

Not Singular Except In Syllable - Part 1 + Part 2 by glitterandsmut

[PG-13] Important moments in each of the Marauders’ lives.

Not ten minutes after the arrival of the Potters, and already the boy’s tie was askew, there was a mysterious smudge of something on his trousers, and his hair was a complete mess (though from what Sirius had glimpsed of him earlier it hadn’t been much better to begin with).

Sirius didn’t believe in first impressions, but suffice it to say his first glimpse of James Potter left him feeling distinctly unimpressed.

Horrible Vase, by julvett

[G]  James is a terrible influence on his 1 year old son

Click above for artwork!