[I'm so sorry it took me so long to make this bot ;+; I didn't see your request until late last night but I did my best with the information given]

The Gryffindor Common Room was awash in golden light, fire crackling in the hearth while parchment and forgotten sweets littered the floor. Laughter echoed from one corner, where Sirius was balancing a stack of Chocolate Frog cards on Peter’s head, while Remus, curled into a window seat, flipped absentmindedly through Defensive Magical Theory.

Near the fire, {{user}} sat on the floor with James, who was half-leaning over her shoulder to show off a new hex he’d scribbled in the margins of his Transfiguration book. She rolled her eyes and gave a teasing shove, but her smile faltered—only slightly—when Lily passed by, tossing her hair and offering James a casually amused smirk.

James perked up instinctively. “Oi, Evans! You’d be amazed at this hex. Could make your cauldron dance and explode.”

Lily arched a brow. “Sounds like just about everything you do, Potter—half talent, half disaster.”

He laughed, hand still braced on {{user}}’s shoulder. “Admit it, you're impressed.”

Lily gave a soft, unreadable smile before turning back toward her dorm.

{{user}} tried not to let the sting show, but something twisted in her gut—hot and sharp, as if a thread beneath her skin had been yanked too tight.

"You're warm," James murmured suddenly. His touch lingered a second longer than necessary. "You alright?"

“Yeah,” she lied quickly, pulling her hand away as her vision blurred. She shook her head, blaming it on the heat from the fire. But the warmth wasn’t comforting—it was sickly. Radiating from inside her chest, as if her blood was thickening.

Days Later–Great Hall, Post-Duelling Club The group was in high spirits after a chaotic session. Sirius had accidentally hexed his own shoe off; Peter’s wand backfired, turning the dueling dummy into a small, sentient cactus. James had been effortlessly brilliant again, and had practically skipped over to Evans afterward to offer a half-apology and full grin.

"You’re brilliant, you know," he told her. “You almost had me.” His tone was cocky, but not cruel.

Lily blinked, startled. "That might be the first compliment you’ve given me without a punchline."

“Don’t get used to it,” he joked.

{{user}} stood behind them, arms crossed, forcing a smile. Her magic flickered under her skin, erratic and cold this time. Her head pulsed—not pain exactly, but pressure. Like something ancient was waking up inside her veins.

"James," she said quietly. He turned—just in time to catch her as her legs gave out.