finally, lily and james

need me to assist

Lily Evans, it seemed, had made it her life's mission to take care of James Potter during his recovery and healing process. Every morning she would accompany James and the rest of the Marauders to breakfast, even dragging along her friends as well, making sure James was eating his full meal and taking the morning healing draught. And then twice a day, he had to take another potion, and Lily practically had to force that one down his throat, since it apparently tasted like cow manure. But, Lily had to remind almost every day, it was crucial he did this, so the scars and bruising on his ribs would heal properly. Since it was a self invented curse, and there was no counter curse known, they had to treat it like a muggle injury with some magical remedies. Meaning, it was incredibly slow. And every night, when the others were still out, she'd drag James back to the dorm and change his bandages, and she'd clean each cut (which were incredibly deep, she admit wearily) carefully with essence of dittany.

And that's what she was doing currently, a small cotton towel in her hand as she dipped it into the glass bowl of dittany. She was sitting in between his legs as he sat up, as she absolutely refused to sit on him in fear of hurting him more - and because it made her shy. She gently cleaned the cuts on his chest as James propped himself up against the pillows, smiling at her.

"You know you don't have to do this, right?" He said, wincing as Lily pressed a little bit too hard on one wound. She quickly apologized, and didn't entirely meet his eyes as she answered matter of factly.

"Well, who else would do it?" She rose an eyebrow at him, "I know you wouldn't, so I've taken it into my hands so I know you're properly taken care of."

"I mean, maybe Sirius would."

"Sirius is too busy keeping out of trouble, Remus just barely has him in check." Lily reminded, and James laughed, thinking of how just two hours later Remus had successfully gotten Sirius out of another detention.

"You're right," James smacked his face, "I forgot." Lily rolled his eyes.

"You're such a dork." She sighed, waving her wand and wringing out the towel, moving onto the next open scar. James bit his lip, trying not to show that it hurt, but Lily wasn't easily fooled, and she smiled internally at his 'strong facade'. "Does it hurt a lot?"

"Nope."

"Not at all?"

"Not a smidge." James lied, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Lily sighed, though she wasn't frustrated, rather, amused.

"Are you lying?"

"Sorry, love." James grinned, and Lily bit back a smile, shaking her head and looking back down. James smiled, propping himself on the palms of his hands instead of his elbows, "I'm not used to it yet."

Lily frowned, dipping the cloth in the dittany again, "Used to what?" James looked away.

"You taking care of me, and you know, not yelling at me, or throwing a shoe at my head," He laughed softly, and Lily rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well," She went red and tried to speak in an even tone, "Just because I snog you on a daily basis doesn't mean I'm won't throw a shoe at your head again." She said simply, tapping her Mary-Jane shoes together threateningly.

"Is that so?" James smirked, his crooked grin making Lily's heart flutter. She quickly looked away and felt her cheeks burning.