The First Five Times
(Five Times Lily Regretted Saying No)
L'amoureuse
Summary- The five times Lily regretted saying no to James.
Rating- K, it's mainly fluff. Yummy, adorable fluff.
Word Count- 535 fluffy marshmallowy delights.
Author's Notes- After writing the fabulously depressing Debate Exposes Doubt, I wrote this to cheer myself up. Short fragments of Lily's point of view. Enjoy!
I
The first time he asked, Lily was in the Great Hall having breakfast. She was fifteen, and James came and sat down next to her.
Immediate suspicion.
But when he just fidgeted and didn't spill pumpkin juice or charm her hair or turn her into a pig, Lily became curious.
When he asked her out, her knee-jerk reaction was to say no, and that's what she did.
But looking back on it, seeing James's crestfallen face again in her mind's eye, Lily regretted that no.
II
The second time he asked, Lily was leaving Transfiguration with an essay which had gotten an A. Lily was not pleased. In fact, she was feeling murderous.
It was a few days after the first one, and Lily had all but forgotten about it.
When James asked, Lily was so frustrated with her day and the essay and James that she just blurted out a no.
But thinking back on it, Lily thought she should have said yes. And yet again, Lily regretted that no.
III
The third time he asked, Lily began to feel annoyed. But the way he asked severely tempted her to say yes.
He sent her a lily at breakfast, but not just a boring white lily. A splendid, magical green lily that was the exact color of her eyes. Lily loved it.
And pinned to the flower was a note with simple letters, Hogsmeade?
Having created a pattern and a reputation, Lily said no. Unfortunately, once again, Lily regretted saying no.
IV
Now Lily was definitely flattered.
James had sent her a basket of sweets, all her favorites. He had included her favorite perfume, her favorite candy, her favorite everything. He must have talked to Remus.
Now Lily hated to say no, but after the whole scene by the lake with Snape, she knew she had to. It was too late now to let James in- the whole affair was ruined.
But later, as she ate some Honeydukes' Slow Melt White Macadamia Nut Chocolate, Lily regretted saying no.
V
This last time would be the last ever regret, because after this James would ask her every day, multiple times a day, and Lily would forget the regret and move on to the hatred.
But this time, James asked her to a ball and sent her another flower and sent her a corsage and a whole bouquet. Oh, and a broomstick. And on the card, he had written, None of these flowers smell as good as you, but they can try. And if you want flying lessons- I'm always here.
Lily had always dearly wanted to fly, but as she chucked the flowers in the bin, she knew she would never.
And yet, Lily found herself tucking the broom into the back of her closet with a secretive smile.
And for the last time, Lily regretted saying no.