Summary: Lily can't stand James. James can't stand the fact that Lily doesn't worship the ground he walks on, unlike the rest of the female population. Wanting to prove the opposite, he made a bet with Lily. In order for her to win, she has to not fall in love with him. But what if the total opposite happens?
Disclaimer: I do not own anything which as to do with Harry Potter. Anything that you can't recognize is mine. Mine, you hear me. MINE!
Resisting James
Chapter 1: Hide Another Mistake
"This is a model tongue, this is the start of what's already done;
This is the part that you eat when there's nowhere to turn..."
- Hide Another Mistake, The 88
'That insufferable wanker is going to be the death of me!' Lily Evans howled as she stormed into the Seventh Year Girls' Dormitory with the strength of ten armies capable of tearing down the room. Lily began to pace back and forth, ripping anything her hands could get on into shreds.
'Whoa there, Lily!' Angela Robbins grabbed a hold of Lily and pulled her down to the four-poster bed. 'Now tell me what's been bothering you,' she inquired.
Angela was inevitably the water to Lily's fire and played a very significant role in making sure all hell didn't break loose as Lily's best friend. One would be a gnargle's uncle to see her angry, because Angela always looked at the cauldron as half full. If someone spilt juice on her robes? 'Oh, Lily! At least it wasn't doxy venom!' If someone knocked her down on the way to class? 'Oh, Lily! Don't fret! At least I wasn't pushed into a hole!'
Angela and Lily were polar opposites, but as you may have probably already heard, opposites attract. Not only in terms of personality, but also externally. While Lily had beautiful locks of red hair cascading down her waist, Angela was blessed with soft black hair which touched the base of her neck. Even Angela's sky blue eyes contrasted with Lily's sparkling emerald orbs. Lily was the untamed beast, while Angela was the calm and collected witch, eveready to soothe her.
'I hate James Potter!' Rip. 'I hate him!' Rip. 'I wish he would just die!' Rip. 'Didn't Jasmine mention earlier that Matilda knew how to make voodoo dolls?' Rip rip.
'Lily!' scolded Angela.
'I was just joking, Angie.' Lily heaved heavily. 'It's just that, well...'
(Flashback)
Lily nestled in the maroon armchair comfortably, reading Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time. As she nibbled on her lips, she wondered why her very own Mr. Darcy did not walk into the library to whisk her away from her routine and mundane life. She did get her wish however, in the form of four hormonal boys who were looking for nothing but trouble as they barged through the wooden doors. Each of them received death threats from Madam Lee, the Head Librarian, in the form of her icy glares, but conveniently chose to ignore them. If Lily had known any better, she was pretty sure that she was going to have to entertain her unwelcomed Darcies.
'Why hello there, Evans,' James cooed as he plunked himself in front of Lily.
She lowered the book down slowly before shooting him a glare that could have melted the icecaps. Not forgetting to greet her good friend Remus, her head sunk back behind the book.
It was only a matter of seconds before her ears rung with Sirius's guffaws. 'What is it now, Black?' she spat. 'Can't you see that I'm trying to read?'
'N-nothing! It's just that, you should have seen the look on James' face when you gave him the stinky-eye!' Sirius began rolling on the floor, pounding his fists.
'Mr Black!' Madam Lee hissed. Immediately, Sirius straightened up, stifling another series of giggles.
'And what may I ask is so hilarious that you decided to make love to the carpet?' Lily asked lazily.
'Hey!' Sirius began to protest.
Lily smirked. She whipped her head to face James. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he was losing his temper and was growling to himself.
'What Sirius is trying to say, fair one, is that you offended James,' Remus stated matter-of-factly, chuckling to himself.
Lily gasped rather dramatically. 'Did I?'
James muttered, 'Very funny, Evans.'
'What's the matter, pretty boy? Cat got your tongue?' Lily teased.
'Shut your pie hole, Evans. And don't call me pretty boy. I have something between my ears, thank you very much, which is what I'd like to call a brain.'
'Ooooh, you're giving me the willies,' giggled Lily.
James simply huffed and blew the hair out of his face.
'Is he mental, Remus?' whispered Lily.
'No,' Remus laughed. 'He's just peeved at the fact that you're not trying to get your hands all over him. Translation: he thinks he's Merlin's gift to women, and obviously... you're living proof he isn't.'
Now it was Lily's turn to laugh whole-heartedly.
'James –giggle- you're so –giggle- egotistical –giggle- you'd actually think –giggle- that I –giggle- would like you? –giggle giggle-'
James immediately straightened at this comment. 'Actually, yes I do. Do you have a problem with that? You're that one in a million who hasn't fallen for my charms, and I'm determined to -' James trailed on hotly, but then he stopped. James began to think, ('Gasp! He's thinking!' cried Lily) and his face broke into a sly grin. It was at this point that Lily wished she had stayed in the Common Room.
'Are you sure that you haven't fallen me?' he asked slowly.
Lily simply rolled her eyes.
'Well, would you like to prove it, Miss Evans?' he asked.
'I beg your pardon?' Lily dropped her booked and got up from her chair. 'I don't have to prove anything, Potter, let alone to you!' She began jabbing his chest – which she conveniently found rock hard – with her index finger. 'What is there to fall for?' Lily asked, rather bravely.
James narrowed his eyes in irritation while Lily mentally congratulated herself.
'Well, would you like to make a little wager?'
'What wager?' asked Lily, visibly annoyed.
'Well, you claim that you don't like me,' James made a point to place emphasis on "claim". 'And I know you do. Actions speak louder than words, Evans. Therefore, I'd like to make a wager with you. I'll give you until Christmas, to not fall in love with me.' He ended with a smile.
Lily choked. 'Excuse me? You think I'd make a bet with you, just to prove something that is clearly written all over my face? That's very childish of you, Mr. Potter. We are seventeen, after all. You might as well act it!' Lily stuck her nose in the air.
'What's the matter, Evans?' He took a step closer. 'Are you afraid that you will find yourself falling head over heels for me?' At this point, James leaned in very close so that their noses were only an inch apart. Once he knew he had her eating out of his palm, he pulled back suddenly. 'Very well, then. Come on then, laddies. At least now I know I'm not too far away from becoming the most eligible bachelor in Hogwarts.' Chucking the dusty textbook he had picked up into the return bin, he sauntered off with Sirius, Peter and Remus.
It was at this moment where Lily found herself facing two, very difficult choices:
1. To ignore James Potter and continue her fantasy of having tea with Mr. Darcy in Pemberley
or
2. To let the Elizabeth Bennet inside her take over and do something she knew she was going to regret until she was bedridden.
'Wait, Potter!' Lily bit her lip. She had obviously opted for the second choice.
James came to a halt, and turned around with a menacing grin. 'Yes, Miss Evans?'
She hesitated, but before she could stop herself, all the words came pouring out like vomit. 'I - I'll do it, I'll take up on that bet. Our winnings shall be decided once the bet is over.' Lily said quietly. Anything to wipe that stupid grin off his face, she thought angrily. And it seemed perfectly sensible... at the time.
'As you wish, my love.' James grinned, bowing down to her in his best attempt at chivalry.
And that was the final straw.
James may not have seen it coming, but before you could even say "Flying chopsticks!" something snapped inside of Lily that prompted her to grab her recently-sharpened quill to dart at him. Unfortunately, he ducked in time and Lily growled, mumbling 'Accio quill.'
'Be careful, Lily. James is going to entice you with every ounce of Potter charm he has in him. Good luck,' muttered Peter. He ran along with the other Marauders, and Lily huffed on the chair, crossing her arms.
(End of Flashback)
'Now you know why I'm so – so - livid! I – I – maybe I shouldn't have done it? Oh, if only my pride didn't interfere!' Rip.
Lily looked down at the massacre in her hands and realized the parchment she had been ripping so viciously was her Charms assignment due the morning after. 'Look what James Potter did, Angie! Now my assignment is ruined!' Lily wailed.
'There, there Lily. No need to be all dramatic.' Angela took out her wand and muttered, 'Reparo,' and all the pieces magically stuck together again like a jigsaw puzzle.
'Thanks, Angie. I don't know what I'll do without you,' Lily sniffed, leaning her head on Angela's shoulder.
'Let's see,' Angela feigned deep thought. 'Grovel to your death, and get twenty points deducted from Gryffindor?' Angela teased lightly.
Lily buried her head in her arms as she replayed the entire scene in the library over and over again. 'I'm doomed.'
'Look, I may not have the solution for it right now, but I'm sure you'll see the bigger picture sooner or later? For all you know, James might have been pulling your leg and wasn't even serious about the bet.' Angela studied Lily's face for any sign of hope, but knew the moment she said those words, they were foolish. 'Oh, right, who am I kidding, it's James Potter.'
'Not helping, Angie,' Lily mumbled, massaging her temples.
'My apologies,' Angela sighed. Lily always was the magnet for drama. 'Let's just go to dinner, okay? It's your favourite tonight - roast beef! You can tell me all about your diabolical plans over Yorkshire pudding and then we'll decide what we're going to do with him, okay...'
Author's Note: I've decided to rewrite Resisting James, and I'll only be posting the later chapters if I get good feedback. I've realised my writing style has changed over the years, and I've clearly got a lot to work on. I'll be tweaking it here and there and changing it up a bit because I think I see potential in this.
Do let me know what you think, reviews will be appreciated :)
Love,
Amirah.