Love Fool

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does.

AN: Captain of the Tutshill Tornados for the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition - Round 1

Prompt: Write your Keeper's NOTP - James/Alice

Word Count: 1,145 words

"Avada Kedavra!" — Speaking

'Knowledge is power!' — Thinking

~.~

Everything was as it should be. James Potter became Head Boy, graduated with high remarks, was the epitome of bravery and courage, and he got the girl. After asking and asking and asking…he finally achieved a date with Lily Evans, his Lily Flower. He loved her at first sight and now he was married to her…but he did not feel satisfied now that he was married.

They were only married for a few months and he started to lose his love for her. He began to think about it and came to the conclusion that he never really loved her, he just wanted to take her away from Severus Snape, his school enemy. James wanted to gloat at Snivellus that he got Lily and he did, but now the fun had worn off. He searched deep down, not that it was far, and decided that this was a prank. Lily was beautiful, wicked smart and not a pureblood. That was why he wanted her, but now that he had her the illusion of love disappeared and the satisfaction of a prank filled him.

Recently, now that his mind was not clouded, he felt the stirrings of his heart for another. He did not realize it but he had always looked at her first every time he entered a room at Hogwarts. They spoke to one another many times, they even hung out and did a few pranks together. The thing with Lily shut his mind to possible all other love interests. When James was doing a prank his mind persisted with it until it was finished, and the prank (his mind finally concluded with) with Lily had ended, he was able to focus on life again.

He wanted to have a life with Alice, but he was married to Lily. The Alice he was in love with was married like he, she was married to Frank Longbottom, but this did not deter him. He did not notice before but when he received messages from Alice they were always flirty, even now. He knew this was his chance at real love, but he would have to be discreet about it until he could find a way to divorce Lily.

~.~

James held his breath in for a moment and slowly exhaled. 'I can do this!' He thought, pumping himself up. He was excited and a little scared. Now, after all this time, he was finally going on a date with Alice. After so long of sending messages to each other with linked journals that were only keyed to them, they were finally going to get together. She was always in his thoughts, and now some of his thoughts (or fantasies) were going to come true. He loved everything about her, she was beautiful with short blonde hair, light colored eyes, a smile that made his heart melt and he could not forget she was scarily smart and loved pranks as much as he did. In other words, she was perfect and practically the opposite of Lily.

James cracked a grin that could split his face, he saw Alice; she was wearing a pale blue dress that reached her knees, flat black shoes, and light makeup. He hoped his dashing good looks in some black slacks and a button but shirt with black shoes would do the trick. He started walking toward her as she was looking around for him in the town they decided to meet in. Since they both were married, they decided to meet in a Muggle town away from where they lived.

"Hello beautiful," James murmured in her ear from behind. Alice jumped and turned around to look at him, her smile lit up and he fell in love all over again. "Hello handsome," she smiled back. It was as if the world stopped, just two lovers staring in to each others eyes, it seemed like something straight out of a novel.

"Well my lady, would you do me the honor of taking a stroll?" James asked with his arm out. Alice replied by looping her arm with his and leaning into his side. "I decided something away from prying ears and eyes my lady." James directed her away from the people and to the park of the town. Their first date together started off well in his opinion. Alice was pressed against him and they looked to be the perfect young couple.

The town they ventured to was pretty big, big enough to be lost in the crowds. James led Alice to a secluded part in the park placed with muggle-repelling wards. Behind those wards was a deep red blanket with a picnic basket on top filled with food and drinks, cooled and warmed depending on the item. They sat down on the cushioned blanket, Alice still leaning against him.

"Well, I thought a little privacy will do us good on our first date." James started, "Would you like some Nettle wine? I know it's your favorite." He held up two wine glasses in one hand and the blue bottle of Nettle wine in the other.

"Yes I would, thank you James," Alice replied, "You're so thoughtful." James poured them each a glass then handed one to Alice. He watched her take a sip and smiled, he was so love-struck. He did not think the smile would ever leave his face.

~.~

James continued to dine with his lovely lady throughout the evening on the blanket, bringing out her favorite foods to eat. They had a joyous time, cracking jokes and whispering sweet nothings to each other. Their eyes held such love for the other, it was a surprise they did not get together any sooner. All too soon, their date came to an end.

~.~

"This is nice James. I had wanted to do this forever ago but I thought I lost my chance when you got together with Lily." Alice commented.

"I have only had eyes for you Alice, it was supposed to be a prank with Lily but it kept going and I could not stop it. Even though we are both married, we can make this work. Would you be willing?" James asked, taking her hands in his while looking her dead in the eyes with a soft expression.

Alice smiled lightly, love shining in her eyes, "Of course I will!" She leaned forward a bit and James took that as his cue to kiss her. He shortened the distance and placed his lips on hers. 'This feels way better than kissing Lily,' James thought, he knew this woman was the one for him. He just needed to settle things with Lily and Alice with Frank, then they could get married and start a family themselves. He knew she was perfect. He ended the kiss and looked at her with a goofy smile and whispered, "Just perfect."

~.~

AN: I do not like cheating but I really wanted to write a fic where James is a jerk for the competition, this is what came out.