Why Her?
February 14th. My least favorite day of the year. You'd think that by 7th year, girls would have enough common sense not to sneak love potions into chocolate. But no, they still do it every year, which, I would like to point out, is a huge waste of chocolate. It's cute when the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd years do it, but everyone else should be mature enough not to. Funny that I'm talking about maturity when 2 years ago, I was just as bad. The entire school knows that there's only one person I'd ever accept a love confession from, Lily Evans, yet the confessions keep coming. Persistent much?
I usually try to keep my distance from the library because it's filled with Ravenclaw know-it-alls and the rules there are so strict. How can you expect me to be quiet the entire time I'm in there? However, on this fine Tuesday afternoon, I decided to head over there to make the schedule for the next Prefects meeting. I would do it in the Heads Dorm, but the room is probably filled with cheesy love letters, ugly flowers, and love potions disguised as chocolate.
As I'm working on the schedule, someone suddenly taps my shoulder, gives me a box of chocolate, and says quite loudly, "Happy Valentine's Day James! I hope you enjoy the chocolate!" Ugh. That voice belongs to none other than the most annoying 7th year in Gryffindor, Emmaline Vance. She's nice and all, but she cannot shut the hell up and is extremely clingy. After she was no longer in my vicinity, I got up to throw the chocolates away. Who knows what kind of stuff can be in chocolate on Valentine's Day at a school of magic?
"It's because of Lily Evans, isn't it?" That caught me completely off guard, so I turned around. I didn't say anything, but I guess my expression gave everything away. "What's so great about her anyways? What does she have that I don't have? Her looks pale in comparison to mine". Well for starters, modesty and a human soul.
"And that's exactly why I don't like you. You feel the need to put others down just to make yourself feel better. I'm not the type of person who likes someone just based on their looks. I'm not that superficial. Lily is smart, funny, and pretty. But unlike you, she doesn't rub that in everyone's face, and I respect her for that. She is always willing to lend a hand and doesn't spread malicious rumors. Is that enough, or shall I continue?" I didn't even bother to hear her answer before I just stalked off…right into the Lily Evans. Speak of the devil.
"Err hello. Fancy seeing you here" I nervously greeted her. I hope she didn't hear what I said to Vance. That would be pretty embarrassing.
"I heard what you said to Emmaline Vance". Well shit. "And I want to thank you for defending me. You're not too bad yourself…James". She called me by my first name!
"I'm merely stating the truth" I nervously replied. She just shrugged and gave me a nervous smile. I felt a mixture of nervousness, awkwardness, and happiness; as I turned to go, she calls "Don't spend Valentine's Day alone, go outside and have some fun with your friends!" So, I heeded her advice and met up with the other Marauders under "our tree", where we spent the rest of the day just laughing in each other's company and not teasing each other for being single.
This was probably the best Valentine's Day I've ever experienced.