Midnight chats

She sighed when rolling in the bed didn't work anymore. It was one of those nights when she was tired like hell, and still couldn't sleep, so in the next morning her humor would be awful. She opened her eyes, giving up, and stood to her feet.

The dormitory was silence and dark by that time, and the only flash of light that entered in the room was the moon's, just bright enough for her to find the door. She walked tiptoe till it and, once out, the girl climbed down the staircase to the common room, completely desert at that time in dawn. She was about to sit in her habitual armchair when she realized she was not alone.

"Can't sleep, Evans?" the voice was just behind her, and she turned over to see its owner, Potter, with his cigarette dangling in his mouth in a sexy and sloppy way.

She was used to the irritating habit that him and almost all men had, which made practically impossible to breathe pure air. Lily raised an eyebrow when she saw him releasing large hoops of smoke in the air by his lips.

"Do you know that it's forbidden to smoke in here, don't you?" she asked, slowly sitting in her chair, almost like wanting him not to see her.

"Do you know that I don't give a fuck, don't you?" James winked at her, just to make her angrier with his type. He was never polite. Not with her, at least.

When he realized that Lily was staring at his cigarette with her forehead frowned, James sighed and threw it in the trash. She still could feel the nasty smell leaved by the smoke, but she smiled anyway in response.

"So…" he started, encouraged by her smile, but Lily interrupted him quickly.

"We don't need to talk, Potter."

Quick and painful, he thought. No girl ever treated him like that, even with his bipolar mood. But that girl was not any girl, she was Lily Evans, and Lily Evans never liked James Potter before. It was time for that to change.

"Why are you so angry with me? Have I ever done anything to you that I'm not familiar with?" James asked, looking serious. It was the first time Lily couldn't find a proper answer.

"You're just a prat that I can't handle with." Lily said, simply. When he looked like he didn't get that, she sighed. "You think you're better than everyone, just because all girls fall for you. That doesn't mean you can do what you do."

Potter straightened up in his chair, so he could stare at her eyes. She looked down. His eyes were so intense that Lily almost felt invaded with just a gaze from him. At the same time, once bearing it, she could not let go.

"And what do I do for you to think that?" James asked, apparently calmly, but she knew he wasn't. His hands were closed in fists. Even knowing how tremendously strong he was, she was not afraid of him.

"Well, what is exactly your problem with slytherins?" he snorted with that question, and Lily continued. "Every time you pass through them, you have to start a fight, like it's necessary. I mean, what have they done to you?"

He didn't answer instantly, like he was trying to stay impassive, and she avoided his gaze. James' expression was inexpressible. He appeared angry. No, not just angry, furious.

"You're a muggleborn, you should know better than anyone, Lily. They don't like people like you, they think you don't deserve being here, even though you're one of the best witches I've ever met."

Lily froze. Even though you're one of the best witches I've ever met. That phrase made a goose bump pass through her body like electricity. It was the first time that Potter said something nice about her.

"They're not all like that, you just made a prejudiced stereotype. You don't worry about who thinks like some of them, and who doesn't, before go cursing them all. Why do you have to fight with Severus, for Merlin's sake? He's not like his friends." she murmured, crossing her arms. Although the topic was a tense one, this was the first time they argued without yells or slaps.

"That's what he wants you to think, Lily! Behind your back, he says awful things about you and Mary. He's worse than I am, believe me." Lily heard what he was saying, but she didn't like when people just talked bad things about her best friend. He was not a bad person.

"That's not true." Lily said, looking down. Her friends said exactly the same thing, just a week ago, and she defended Severus the same way she was doing now.

After a moment, he decided that wouldn't argue with her anymore, remembering his goal. James looked at her, and she looked back at him. Then, he said the last thing she expected him to say. "Well, I'm sorry."

Lily raised both eyebrows, not believing her ears. James Potter never apologized for his behaviors. Ever. James noticed her expression and rolled his eyes. "C'mon, it's not a big deal. I just want you not hating me."

"And why would you ever want that? You hate me." She said, defensive and suspicious.

"I don't hate you." James spoke, softly. "I just don't like you."

Lily laughed a little, and he observed her, with a little grin appearing in his mouth. "You're a prat." And he answered with a sincere "I know that."

They stood quiet for a while, just absorbing the few minutes that passed. The smell of smoke dispersed in the air, becoming more pleasant to breath. Lily caught him looking at her, with a curious expression.

"What?" she asked.

"I just realized that you didn't slap my face this time." James murmured, smirking. "Maybe you're falling in love with me."

Lily rolled her eyes. And again, back to stupid Potter. "Maybe I should slap you now." She stood up, straightening her pajamas.

"I was just kidding!" he said, positioning his arms like defending from something or someone. Lily looked at his direction and smiled. "Goodnight, Potter."

While she was walking to her dormitory, Lily knew that his eyes were on her, but she didn't care, for the first time. That conversation almost made her change her mind about him. Almost.

"Wait, Evans." James spoke, quickly. She turned to look at him, already in the staircase. "You can't tell anyone about this."

Lily frowned, but didn't say anything, wondering why he would want that. After a while, she nodded. "Don't worry, Potter. It's going to be our secret."

James winked at her once more. "Goodnight, Evans."

Hello! I wrote this a few years ago and I liked it. It'll be a couple of drabbles, nothing really big. I hope you like it, and if you do, please tell me. Amy x