Lily and James Potter, otherwise known as Harry Potter’s parents, did not get along well at all when they were at Hogwarts together, for the first few years at least. Somehow, they still ended up together.

Here is a short story about Lily’s breakthrough and how James managed to woo her. Mind you, it was a long process that’s not captured in this story. This story is merely the beginning of Lily seeing James as an optimum suitor.

This is my first one-shot fanfic, which means that this post is the first and only post of the story, so it’s quite a short narration. Enjoy, and please comment!

“James Potter, you don’t know how annoying you are.” This was a phrase I’d been repeating constantly for months now. But seriously, even though James had toned down—way down, I must admit—on the arrogant level, he was still the irritating little prat that he was since first year.

“Or do I?” James cocked his eyebrow at me impishly. Sirius, Remus, and Peter sniggered beside him. This was the routine response I received whenever I said my line.

I rolled my deep green eyes. “Whatever.” Turning to walk away, I smirked and headed down the hall towards the Gryffindor common room, where, hopefully I would have quiet from the overly rambunctious James. It was a known fact that he was head-over-heels for me even now in seventh year, but as much as I looked like I didn’t care, sometimes I had an inkling of a curiosity, wondering what would happen if I did go out with him. This was, of course, quickly brushed aside.

Climbing through the portrait hole, I plunked down on the cushy sofa by the fire and set my book bag down, leaning back. Closing my eyes briefly, I wished my friends were here. But nooo, they were all on that Muggle Studies day trip. Of course I didn’t take Muggle Studies because I was muggle-born myself and didn’t think it’d be of any use to me. My timetable was full enough as it was.

My thoughts were interrupted by noisy footsteps coming in. Lo and behold, the Marauders clambered in, James and Sirius leading.

“Oh ho, look who’s a loner today,” James announced in a sing-song voice, striding over o stand in front of where I sat with a less than pleasant expression on my face.

I threw a cushion at his face. “I’m not a loner, and you know it, Potter,” I cried, giggling slightly at his appearance once the pillow came in contact with this nose.

“Oh yeah?” James plopped down beside me, pillow resting in his lap harmlessly. “Well, you know, you won’t be a loner if you come with me to Hogsmeade tomorrow.” Grinning, he waited for my response.

Sighing, I replied, “What makes you think that my answer will be different than any of the other times?”

“Nothing,” he told me frankly. “But,” he leaned closer, “My theory is that you should just agree to go out with me right now because you jolly well know that I’ll ask you every single day for the rest of your life until you say yes.”

I groaned very audibly.

“Just do it, Evans,” Sirius prompted from the other couch. “Or else you’ll be annoyed forever.” Remus rolled his eyes.

I groaned again, fixing my eyes upward.

“C’mon,” James encouraged with a cock of the head, hazel eyes twinkling at me. “It won’t hurt.” He gave me puppy eyes, ones that I didn’t even know he was capable of doing.

“Arrghh! Fine. I give up. I’ll go with you, okay?” With a huff, I jumped off the couch and made for the girls’ dormitories.

I was stopped, however, when James finally registered what I said and took both my wrists, “dancing” me around the common room. Actually, he was just flailing his arms, which were attached to my wrists, which made us look completely ridiculous. “Are you serious?” He practically shouted.

“Yes. And don’t ask anymore or else I might change my mind,” I shot back. “Now will you please let me go!” Tearing myself away from his death grip, I marched to my dormitory, made a show of slamming the door, and collapsed on my bed, breathing heavily.

What had I gotten myself into?

*

The next day, I found myself spending a few more extra minutes in front of the mirror. I have no idea why. No, wait—maybe it was a result of my friends begging me to make an effort to look good. They’d all squealed with delight when I’d told them the news, proclaiming that they’d all been waiting for this day, how they should just start planning the wedding now, yada yada yada.

The truth is, I think some of their excitement rubbed off on me. I felt a bit giddy. Maybe I liked James more than I let even myself know. Brushing my flaming red hair carefully to make sure there weren’t any knots, I put a straightening spell on it, dashed a bit of make-up on (I prided myself on looking natural), and smoothed out my shirt.

I headed down to the Hogwarts entrance with my friends, all giggling and insensible the lot of us. When we’d been approved with our Hogsmeade forms, the rest of the group separated from me, waving cheerily. I waved back, a bit unsure. I waited a few minutes for James to show up. Typical that he’d be late.

Then a voice interrupted the almost-still silence. “Thought I’d forget, did you?” James smiled and sauntered towards me.

“Well, you did get me worried for a second,” I admitted.

“Worried, now are you?” He grinned again. Did this guy ever stop grinning? “So you did want to go out with me. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“I—“ I thought for a minute. Then I shrugged, feeling a deep blush creep to my cheeks. “Well, maybe.” I suddenly felt foolish for making myself so vulnerable to him.

To my relief, he only just smiled. Drawing his hand from his back, he revealed a single, scarlet rose. A few drops of dew glistened upon its leaves. “Matches your hair,” he said, stepping closer. He handed it to me, his fingers lingering on mine perhaps a little too long. “And your face,” he added with a guffaw.

“Thanks a lot!” I shrieked, slapping him playfully in the arm.

“Kidding! Kidding!” He cried, grabbing my abusive hand. To my surprise, he held on to it. To my greater surprise, I let him.

“Ok, let’s go,” he stated, swinging my hand in his a bit as we started towards the village. The day was perfect; warm sun, light breeze, beautiful surroundings.

That afternoon, we didn’t visit any shops. We walked right past, absorbed in nothing, except perhaps talking with each other. I couldn’t believe how, when apart from his friends, James was sweet, a deep thinker, and more understanding than I thought any male being my age could be. I found myself more and more attracted to him as time flew past.

Why hadn’t I agreed to go out with him before now? I still had a valid reason. Last year, even, he was immensely more immature. And bothersome. This year, I could sense growth, something that I’d nearly missed because of my determination to resist him.

I didn’t even realize that we were out of Hogsmeade until we were standing on the edge of the Great Lake, staring out at the glistening water.

“Remember back in fifth year when I flipped Snape upside down, right there?” James pointed. He sniggered.

“Hey, that’s not funny,” I said.

“I love how you got so infuriated with me.” James’ voice grew softer now. “You know it’s just because I wanted attention from you, right?”

Snorting, I responded, “Well, now I think it’s paid off.” Without knowing exactly what I was doing, I tilted my head up and pressed my lips lightly against his. I think it was a spur-of-the-moment thing.

I could feel James’ surprise when our lips touched, but he seemed to welcome this. Drawing me in towards him by wrapping his arms around my waist, he kissed me back eagerly, as if he’d been waiting for this from the moment he met me. The kiss (or snog, rather) gradually became more passionate, more vigorous.

When we pulled apart reluctantly, I breathed, “I think I’m starting to fall for you, James.”

I could feel the vibrations on my cheek as he chuckled. “It’s about time.”

fin

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