Meant To Be

"I didn't mean to do it!" James repeated for what seemed like the thousandth time, as I rushed towards the Gryffindor's Common Room. I heard his footsteps behind me but I did not stop.

"Lily, please!" he pleaded. It was a mark of the seriousness of the situation that I did not react to this sudden change in James's usual behavior. This was one of those few times when he considered calling me by my first name instead of the usual "Evans."

I felt my stomach twist and my heart leap as James grabbed my hand unexpectedly. Don't be silly, I scolded myself, you did not feel that.

"Will you listen to me just once?" James asked, his cold hand still fixed upon my wrist.

"Why should I?"

After few moments of silence, he said, "Because . . . because I don't want you to misunderstand what happened out there."

"I very well know what happened, Potter. Being such a conceited bighead that you obviously are, you thought you would be able to trick me into drinking a love potion, didn't you?" All the words that I had wanted to say since the moment I left the Common Room five minutes ago, came pouring out. "You really think a ilove potion/i can bring us together, Potter?"

This time the pause was longer. I did not attempt to shake his hand off my wrist, I simply stood there and waited for James's answer.

"Lily," his voice was surprisingly soft. "I'm sorry, I really am, but believe me. It wasn't me who slipped the love potion into your drink, I would never do that."

And for the first time, I turned around and looked at him in the eye. As I gazed at him, I saw the truth in his eyes - anyone could tell he was sincere and honest - and that very moment, I believed. I believed James Potter, the guy who had tried to ask me out for seven years, and yet had never harmed me or forced me to do something - the guy who had genuinely cared about me and even changed for me.

Finally, I nodded. "I believe you."

James face brightened, his eyes sparkling with joy and hope, and a smile spread across his face. He drew me closer to himself, taking me by surprise, and whispered in my right ear, "Thank you, Evans!"

I felt my heart flutter and my knees weaken as he brought his face closer to mine. I could feel his warm breath and it gave me a tingling sensation. I closed my eyes as our lips met for the first time and I melted in his arms.

I was right. A love potion could not bring us together. We were just meant to be. . . .