"For Merlin's sake, will you just leave me alone?!" shrieked Lily, whipping around to face the not-so-welcome sight of James Potter looming over her.
"Not until you tell me what's in that letter you're holding" said James, flashing her that maddening grin of his, completely unfazed by the look of complete and utter annoyance that graced Lily Evans' face as she glowered at him.
"What's it to you?" huffed Lily, "This letter is none of your concern and I would be ever so obliged if you would just mind your own bloody business!"
James watched as Lily stalked into the Gryffindor common room and threw herself onto the couch by the fire. He promptly followed suit, plopped himself next to her, and looked at her expectantly, much to Lily's despair. "I am so not in the mood today, Potter" groaned Lily "It has just not been my day" she sighed heavily.
"Well then, I'm fairly certain that this letter will cheer you right up!" said James confidently. Lily narrowed her eyes at his suspiciously cheerful demeanor. "What is that supposed to mean? Do you have anything to do with this letter? Is this some sort of joke?" Lily's voice was getting shriller with each question. "Please tell me that if I open this, a dozen of Zonko's blasted exploding balls will NOT fly out and blow up RIGHT IN MY FACE!" Lily's voice was reaching the point of hysteria as she fixed James with her most vicious glare.
"Oh Merlin, for the last time, that was an accident! You weren't supposed to open that book! It was meant for Sirius!" explained James, even though he seemed quite amused by her outburst. "How was I supposed to know you just happened to lose your Potions textbook and needed to borrow someone else's? I've already apologized a million times!" he cried. 'Well apparently not enough", said Lily haughtily. "And as you've so kindly reminded me, I've got a Potions essay to finish" she began rummaging in her bag for her books. "Will you please just open the letter?" James pleaded. "I won't leave you alone until you do. I promise there is no Zonko-related object that might do you any bodily harm inside" he assured her.
Lily, clearly not ready to give in, simply stood up and said "Well, I guess I'll just have to do my homework in my dormitory, where we both know you can't follow me even if you tried". Lily allowed herself a satisfied grin as she finally gained the upper-hand of the situation, and began gathering her things.
"No! Please Lily! Just open the bloody letter!" James begged as Lily started to make her to the stairwells that lead to the girls dormitories.
She must have heard the desperation in his voice, for Lily paused and finally looked up at James.
"Please", he repeated.
Lily hesitated and then with a sigh of resignation, she shot James one last warning this-better-not-explode-in-my-face glance, and tore open the envelope. She smoothed out the letter and there, in James' untidy scrawl he had written:
Dear Miss Lily Evans,
I know you think I'm a prat and probably loathe me for all the times I have done pratt-ish things that have upset you. But now I would like to have the chance to make it up to you by having the privilege to escort you to the upcoming Winter Ball this Friday. It would truly be an honour to be your date and I certainly hope you consent. I am looking forward to your response.
Yours always,
James Potter
P.S: Just in case it wasn't clear, I fancy you a lot, Lily.
James watched as a rosy blush spread across Lily's cheeks as she scanned the letter.
"Well?" he asked hopefully, as she looked up at him, a stunned expression on her face.
"This better not be a joke" Lily managed to say. "You are serious, right?"
"As a heart attack", James replied, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Well then, I guess I will see you on Friday at seven" said Lily, finally managing to collect herself.
"Don't be late." And with a smile, she disappeared around the stairwell.
