Giant Squids
It was the two hundred thirty-seventh time.
Only this time, it was different, if not only marginally. He could feel it ― it would work this time, he was sure of it.
"Have a good summer, Evans?" he asked conversationally. The common room was empty around them.
She paused in front of the portrait hole, books under her arm as she prepared to leave for class. "Pretty good, not having to see you for two whole months," she answered coolly.
James was unabashed. Her snappish attitude towards him did nothing to divert him from his mission. "Will you go out with me?" he asked. Those six words formed what was probably the most commonly used sentence he ever spoke to Lily Evans.
There was a pause before she answered. "I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid." Well, those were words that were familiar. She had probably used that to turn him down around the one hundred fortieth time he had asked her out.
James didn't reply. He shouldered his bag and made his way towards the portrait hole, ready to face his first day of the seventh year at Hogwarts.
Lily blocked his path. She stepped in front of him, her bright green eyes wide and sincere. She leaned in close. "It's a good thing I don't have to make that choice," she whispered.