This is my second submission meant to be a separate story, but I decided that all of my one shots connect, so I might as well just make them one story. So this is supposed to be the very first time James asks out Lily, and it takes place during fifth year in the fall. It was intended to be titled 'You're about as Subtle as an Erumpent During Mating Season,' but it was too long. :(
I plan on writing the third chapter to be the last, and it will take place in seventh year, and it will be much longer, so if you have any suggestions for how James and Lily will get together, let 'em rip! (and any reviews are greatly appreciated) :) 'Kay I'm done rambling now.
Please Enjoy, and happy fanfictioning!
I do not own any of Harry Potter, no matter how much I cry about wishing I did.
Lily sat in the great hall just after breakfast. The plates had vanished, yet scraps of food still remained that had yet to be cleaned. She sat by herself, completely engrossed in her potions essay, proof-reading her inked thoughts and analysis. Her thick wavy red hair shined in the orange morning sun, looking like glossy fire that fell just above the bottom of her shoulder blades.
She felt the cool autumn air breeze through the drafty hall, slightly causing the tips of her hair to dance like the flickers of the candles above her head.
She suddenly felt a warm presence on the left side of her seat. She lifted her head only to see her essay swiped from her grasp directly under her nose.
"It's too early in the morning to be working."
She quickly took her paper. "Go away, Potter."
He snatched it back. "Is this your potions essay? Wizard god, Evans! This isn't due for a week! And you've written nearly twelve inches! "
She turned her face to him. "Yes Potter, I've completed my essay early because I care about my future and plan to become an extraordinary witch when I graduate." She narrowed her eyes at him and examined his person. His slender tall build and broad shoulders made him bloody fit. However, the way he always made sure his dark hair was messy and rumpled made him look like a wanker.
"I've always admired your ambition, Evans. I find that quality very attractive in a woman." On cue, he ran a hand up to his hair.
"Are you trying to flirt with me?" She pushed her thick mane behind her shoulder and crossed her arms.
He raised his eyebrows. "Flirt? Why, I don't know what you're talking about."
She breathed out heavily and ripped her essay back into her possession. "You usually just stare at me or wink, which is really creepy, mind you. Now, you're being more arrogant than normal, but complementing me in a weird fashion. What's your angle?"
James put a hand to his chest. "Oh, you got me. I was trying to ease my way into this subtly, you see..."
"You're about as subtle as an Erumpent during mating season."
"Come again?"
"Do your homework, Potter." She huffed.
James rolled his eyes. "Well, since you can't insist in doing anything but boss me around, Evans, maybe I'll just go back into the common room."
Lily crossed her legs. "No one's stopping you. Go ahead."
This was not the answer James was hoping for. He raised his eyebrows and tried to look into the back of his head, hoping he would find a retort. Or at least a suitable reply.
"Well, I mean, I wish I could go back up to the seventh floor, but, I forgot the password."
"It's Hinkypunk. And please let the portrait door hit you on your way in."
James turned to leave, gritting his teeth. He had planned this out perfectly, thought it out several times and replayed it over and over at least a hundred times in his head. It was not supposed to go like this. He was supposed to charm her by his greeting, make her laugh sheepishly at his complement, causing her rosy cheeks to turn brighter pink. He was supposed to make her smile and accept his invitation when he'd say, 'I'd hate to go to Hogsmeade all alone, would you mind accompanying me this weekend?' He had never been one to roll over and give up. He was a Gryffindor, dammit. He turned on his heels to face the redheaded beauty.
"Don't you want to know what I was going to ask you?"
She didn't even look up at him. "...no..." she mumbled into her paper.
He puffed out his chest and took a deep breath. "Evans, I was going to ask you out on a date." His voice echoed through the hall.
This time, she did turn up, softly laying her striking green eyes over him. "I beg your pardon?" She whispered through closed teeth.
He let himself stand up straighter and sauntered up to her table, then leaned over her placing one hand on the table, not so much for balance, but for a suave image.
"You heard me. So what do you say? You, me, the three broomsticks...doesn't that sound delightful?" He smiled a handsome crooked smile, turning ever so slightly that a twinkle would glimmer in his eye.
Lily folded her hands together. "That sounds..."
He raised his eyebrows.
She continued, biting her lower lip. "That sounds..."
James felt his blood start to warm up in anxiousness. "Well, spit it out, will you? All of this anticipation can't be good for my stress level. And when I'm stressed, my face suffers. I swear, I get paler than moaning myrtle and I'm better as the long, tan and handsome bloke."
"Well then, Potter," she spat. "I'll ease your stress. That sounds awful and I'd rather eat a box of Bertie Botts Bogey flavored beans than go on a date with you."
James smiled to help shield the fact that he was furious on the inside. His head was pounding and his stomach was tied into knots. Maybe he could still get her to go on the date if he behaved nicely.
"Fine, then. Great, actually. I hope you enjoyed your breakfast, Evans."
Lily slammed her hand down on the table in frustration. "No, it was ruined. Deflate your head, if we're telling each other what to do."
This was it. Not only did she humiliate him, reject him, she was now belittling him in front of at least fifteen students who had stopped their studying to watch the interactions between the two.
"Next time, watch how much you eat. It's starting to show," he said coldly.
Lily abruptly whipped her head around like a dog hearing a whistle. But James had already ran like bloody hell out of the great hall, only to look back to see her jaw dropped open in shock.
He was positive he wasn't getting that date now.
