1971 – First Year
James Potter and Lily Evans had known each other for little over two months. It was hard to say what started their acquaintance: James first spotting the fiery red hair on the platform, a run in with the girl and her slimy, Slytherin friend, or when James offered Lily his quill during Charms.
They were not friends, far from it. In fact, it was safe to say that Lily Evans quite despised James Potter. While he was not yet the arrogant toerag she came to know and love, he was an immature, piggish boy of age 11.
Now, as many believed, James Potter was not yet in love with Lily Evans. Sure, he thought her nice to look at, but, really, James Potter quite despised Lily Evans. He hated the way she flipped her hair as she strutted down the corridors, the way she always told him off for the slightest of mistakes, or how she absolutely flaunted her talents to everyone within a 10 mile radius. She was infuriating to him, yet he still couldn't keep his eyes off her.
The cold was just starting to freeze the lake on a windy day in mid-November. It was rare to see anyone outside because of the cold, but James Potter was clearly not afraid of anything. In truth, the only thing James was afraid of was Lily Evans.
"Potter!" came a screech from the Entrance Hall staircase that led out to the grounds. James turned from where he sat under the beech tree and immediately recognised the long, red locks.
"Why, Evans! How wonderful of you to join me," he yelled, as she was still standing rooted to the spot. At his words, she made her way towards him, shivering under the cool breeze that began to blow through the few leaves that still remained on the trees.
"You're going to die of a cold out here, Potter," she said, as he approached closer to him. That stupid smirk again, she thought, as the smirk she absolutely loathed spread across his face.
"Not worried about me, are you, Evans?" he asked in a cocky tone. He could see the anger growing larger and larger in her eyes as he scanned her face.
"Of course. As much as I despise you, I would care if you died."
That was the worst response she could have ever given. Both James and Lily stared at each other in shock before Lily shivered again and James immediately gave her his cloak.
"Let's head back. Clearly, neither of us want to get a cold and, heaven forbid, die," chuckled James. Lily nodded her agreement and they headed up to the castle in silence. Once making it into the warmth of the Entrance Hall, Lily handed James' cloak back to him.
"It's rather warm in here. You probably don't even need to put your cloak back on," said Lily, laughing as she rubbed her still numb hands together.
"You know, Evans, if you wanted me to take my clothes off, you could have just asked."
As soon as he'd said it, James knew he had made a big mistake. Lily rounded on him with her wand drawn.
"What did you say, Potter?" she growled under her breath, taking gradual steps towards him.
"I said 'if you want me to take my clothes off, just ask'." James was swimming in shark infested water, but he just couldn't help it.
"Flipendo," Lily shouted, as James went soaring backwards. James groaned as he landed flat on his backside.
"Isn't duelling in the corridors against the rules, Evans?" he said, as he slowly stood and leaned against the wall. She rammed him hard against it and pointed her wand at his throat. "Go on, Evans. Do your worst."
Slowly, but surely, she lowered her wand and started to walk away. Before she turned the corner, she spoke softly, "You aren't even worth my magic."
