A/N - Hello! I was never really a 'fan' of James/Lily because we knew little about their relationship, but I decided to give it a try anyway and I quite enjoyed writing it. I hope you like reading it!
Disclaimer: Obv. I don't own these characters, or any of the main themes. We all know they belong to J.K Rowling.
THIS STORY IS NOW COMPLETED.
"Thanks again, Professor Verbena. I really appreciate it!"
Professor Verbena beamed, holding the heavy doors of the greenhouse open for the student to exit. "Not at all, dear, not at all! It's wonderful that you came for extra help, all the better to help you study for the exams!"
Lily Evans smiled and nodded, stepping out into the rain before quickly shielding herself with an umbrella.
"I'll see you on Monday!" Professor Verbena called out behind her as she began her quick pursuit back up to the castle.
With springtime's salute came countless days of rain, and that Saturday was no exception. The land was a dreary, washed up grey – her yellow umbrella was the brightest thing within the radius. The downpour allowed dozens of puddles to form around the grounds – one particularly large puddle near the Quidditch Pitch became a terror zone, as first years always managed to get pushed in if they happened to be nearby.
Lily laughed lightly to herself at the thought, only to step into a deep puddle moments later. She groaned, feeling her sock soak up the water. It was barely 9 am and she had already had several unfortunate things happen to her, including getting gobsmacked in the face by a Snargaluff pod.
She sighed and stood on one leg as she tried to remove her shoe and drain the rest of the water out. Wobbling a bit, she finally managed to take the shoe off. As soon as she did, something or someone plucked the umbrella out of her hand above her – Lily lost her balance and tumbled to the ground with a shout.
Oh thank goodness for grass and not mud, Lily thought, as the rain pelted down on the hair she tried so hard to keep dry.
"Whoops, didn't mean for that to happen." The rain suddenly stopped drenching her.
Lily knew that voice oh too well. She scrambled up and wiped the grass off her jacket furiously, whipping around to greet James Potter. He was hovering above her in complete Quidditch gear holding her umbrella high above her head. He grinned at her, his wet black hair falling in front of his eyes.
"What is wrong with you?" Lily cried furiously. If he was hovering any lower, Lily was certain he would have spent the rest of the day with her hand print etched red on his face.
"Oh, I was just in the neighbourhood." James laughed when she shot him a withering look. "I spotted your beacon of an umbrella all the way from the pitch and came to say hello."
"Give back my umbrella."
"Come to Hogsmeade with me next Saturday."
"Give back my umbrella."
James raised an eyebrow contemptuously, his signature grin playing on his lips.
Lily huffed in exasperation and stormed off towards the castle. The rain still didn't touch her hair, indicating James was following her with the umbrella held high for protection.
"Oh come on Lily, what've you got to lose? It'll be fun!" he cried from above her.
"I don't consider your little tricks and jokes to be fun, Potter, get off my back."
James swooped down and jumped off his broom, meaning to walk with her before Lily launched herself at him, clawing at her umbrella heatedly.
"Whoa there!" James chuckled, dropping his broom and grabbing her right wrist. Lily struggled to break herself free, which proved extremely difficult against him.
"I'll—hit—you—"
James froze, peering down at her face. "Hit me? Who hit you?"
Lily stopped struggling, puzzled. James let her go and brushed his thumb over her jaw line– it stung in response. Realization washed over her as she remembered the Snargaluff pod.
"Nothing," she muttered, rubbing her jaw self consciously. She took her chance and yanked the umbrella out of James' hand, who seemed to look conflicted.
"Was it Snape?" James said fiercely, probably hoping for a confirmation so he had an excuse to hex the daylights out of the Slytherin.
"No. Forget it. And don't mention Severus to me," she replied quietly. Lily felt a pang of sadness mixed with hatred at the mention of her former best friend.
James looked at her. She could see the intensity in his hazel eyes behind the water speckled glasses that kept sliding down his nose. "I know you must be feeling terrible with what you've been through, and I just want you to know I'm willing to listen attentively and help you through it..."
Lily was taken aback. Never in a million years did she expect that from him. Perhaps James Potter was finally willing to embrace maturity and turn his act around for the better – the very thought was extremely appealing.
"...when you come to Hogsmeade with me."
She turned on her heel and walked away briskly without a backwards glance.
James watched Lily walk away regretfully. He sighed and picked his broom up from the soggy grass. The rain showed no mercy as he kicked up off from the ground and began flying back to the Pitch – he didn't know what possessed the captain to continue on with the practice, it was quite possible to drown midair, he thought.
Maybe I'm pushing her a bit hard, James thought as he zoomed back to the Pitch. There was no denying he fancied her and there was no way he was going to let her forget it.
James remembered Sirius' wise words grimly – 'don't let her be the one that got away'. The very thought horrified him. It was time to develop a new approach...
An hour later, after a shout down from the Quidditch captain for disappearing and a rigorous session of practice, James stumbled into the Gryffindor Common Room, exhausted and drenched head to toe. Lily was seated by the fire reading her Transfiguration book. Upon seeing him enter, Lily slammed the book shut and stalked off up to the dormitories. He watched her go ruefully before making a beeline for his troop situated in their regular corner.
"Hey mate, you're looking kind of washed up if you know what I mean!" Sirius Black said, hooting with laughter. James saw Remus roll his eyes from the not-so0intense game of chess he was playing with Peter.
Sirius jumped out of his chair and ducked before James could capture him in a headlock. "Yeah, you're going to fight me when you're wet and covered in mud, I don't think so."
"We've got a situation, Marauders..." James declared, looking back at the stairwell to the girls' dorm.
Remus followed his gaze. "You mean Operation: Obtain Evans? I thought we aborted that mission after the previous failure."
James shot him contemptuous look. "It was a temporary hiatus," he replied. "I asked her to come to Hogsmeade with me earlier – I only got attacked and then she stalked off. Females, honestly..."
Sirius laughed and threw himself onto his chair again. "The nerve of her!"
"Checkmate!" Peter suddenly cried, throwing his arms into the air in glee.
Remus heaved a sigh. "You're in front of the Queen, not the King, Peter, we've already been through this..."
"This is serious business, guys!" James said, pacing back and forth. He didn't notice a first year girl storm off disgusted after a speck of mud hit her on the nose from his uniform. "We have to come up with a clever tactic to get her to agree to Saturday."
"Brilliant, and then you'll get married and have a kid," Sirius said sarcastically. "Kidding – I said I was kidding! What did you have in mind?"
The quartet came together in a circle. James' eyes gleamed with adventure.
"Here's what we'll do, boys..."
Aaaand cut. Feedback, reviews? I'd appreciate both!