The Life and Times

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Fanfiction
Title: The Life and Times
Author(s): Jewels5
Date(s): 8 July 2009 - 30 August 2013
Length: 613,762 words
Genre(s): Drama/Adventure
Fandom(s): Harry Potter
Relationship(s):
External Links: FFN
Edit by prudencebloodydaly (2012)

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The Life and Times is a popular Harry Potter fanfic set during the Marauders Era by Jewels5 ([1]). The fic focuses on James Potter and Lily Evans's developing relationship, commonly referred to as Jily. However, the story involves an expansive cast of characters and plot lines involving James, Lily, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Marlene Price, Mary Macdonald, and OCs including Luke Harper, Adam McKinnon, Carlotta Meloni, Donna Shacklebolt, and Shelley Mumps. The story is canon-compliant and begins in the Marauders' sixth year at Hogwarts and was expected to end at the end of their seventh year.

The fic was published starting in 2009 on fanfiction.net and received 36 chapters until it was abandoned in 2013. By this time, it had achieved a substantial following and was hailed by many as their canon version of the Marauders; it remains today as the most-reviewed, most-favorited, and most-followed Marauders era fanfic on the website.

Author's summary

She was dramatic. He was dynamic. She was precise. He was impulsive. He was James, and she was Lily, and one day they shared a kiss, but before that they shared many arguments, for he was cocky, and she was sweet, and matters of the heart require time.

Reviews

OH MY GOD. I know this is from 2013 and its 2021 now but I've just spent 4 days reading this fic. FOUR DAYS and do you know why? BECAUSE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A JILY FIC. But there was no jily in it. Sure they ended up together but it was more of a Carlotta and James fic or a Donna and Lathe (WHO WE DIDNT SEE ANYTHING ELSE OF OH MY GOD) i am mad. Don't get me wrong it was an amazingly well written fic and the story was great but I signed up for Jily and I didn't get it. I'm mad[1]

I’ve just finished reading this piece of work for maybe the fourth (?) time since I first read it many years ago and my god it’s just amazing. It’s not just my favourite Jily fanfiction ever, it’s my favourite piece of writing ever, above any book I have read. I love all of the main characters, I feel like I know them and the thought that Lily and James will come to die in a few short years actually upsets me like they are real haha! I sobbed my way through chapter 35, and I’m devastated to have finished reading it. Thank you so much for writing this. I almost wish you didn’t write it as no other fanfic compares. I’m sure I’ll be back again to read this in a few years[2]

Hi Jules, don't know if you'll see this but I just reread the entire work. The last time I reread the whole thing was right as Trump was elected and I remember feeling how relevant everything in this story was. It's been four years since and it's still as relevant as ever. I'm almost envious of James and Lily, having physical, tangible people for them to fight.

Anyways, I just wanted to express how much I adore this fic and how much it meant and continues to mean to me. I grew up with this fic. You started it when I had just entered high school and the updates followed me into the start of college. Here I am now, a full fledged adult, sitting and crying and feeling so many emotions over your work and these OCs. The best part is, it's left off on a hopeful, bittersweet note. It feels rather like the ending of Blackkklansman in that it abruptly cuts off and brings you back to reality. But in their world, we know which couples end up together, and which don't. And which continue to fight and suffer and ultimately die for their cause. It gives me a lot to consider.

I don't know if you ever went on to write for other fandoms (I moved on to Teen Wolf and now The Untamed) but if you see this, I just wanted you to know that a long time ago, you poured a lot of effort and love into a story and it has stuck with me all these years. The work you created taught me, made me laugh, made me cry, and has consistently done so over the years. I really appreciate you sharing it with the world and allowing me the privilege of enjoying it over and over again. Thank you so much.[3]

References