A/N: It's been a while since I've written a James/Lily story, and this idea has been in my head for a while now… Read, enjoy and plz. Review!
Disclaimer: If I were the owner of Harry Potter and Co. I wouldn't be writing this fic. but the 7th book, so… is it necessary to say it?
No Strings Attached.
Chapter I: Accepted Invitation
It was Monday, the first day of the week after Gryffindor had won the quidditch cup for the fifth year in a row (ever since James Potter had joined the team), and their table was still the noisiest of the four. Moreover, from the look of it one could think that they would be celebrating until the end of term.
Lily Evans was having a quiet breakfast when her best friend Susan McNaughton sat in front of her.
"Mo-morning Lily," She yawned widely "had a good night sleep?"
"Yes, I slept like a log… How about you?" She asked her friend, passing her a bit of toast with marmalade.
"It wasn't long enough" Susan answered stifling another huge yawn. "Listen, can I borrow your transfiguration essay?"
"NO!" Shrieked Lily dropping the piece of bread into the pumpkin juice jug.
"Merlin, Lily! I don't want it to copy it, I just want to check some facts… There's no need to scream."
"No, I can't believe it! I completely forgot it was due today. Ogh! It's that stupid quidditch party… I was up until four am on Saturday, hence slept much of Sunday, I remember doing my potions essay and the astronomy chart and… Oh, this just can't be happening!"
"What's this? Do my ears deceive me or our Lils forgot to do her homework?" A voice she knew only too well ringed in the girls ears, and it sounded delighted.
"Fuck off Black, I'm not in the mood. And don't call me Lils!" Lily answered shortly.
"Manners Miss Evans, prefects shouldn't talk like that." The very last person Lily wanted to see at that very moment was sitting right next to her.
"Potter, didn't you listen? Leave me alone, I've got enough troubles to have to deal with you on top of everything."
"But my dearest, here is your night in shinning armor to save the day." Lily just glared at him, but he continued unblushingly "I've heard of your… what's the word I'm looking for?"
"Predicament." Supplied Remus Lupin, the only marauder Lily could stand.
"Yes, thank you Moony. As I was saying I've heard of your predicament my fair lady, and I'm here to rescue you."
"Potter, either say something useful or leave" Shouted Lily losing her temper.
"Well, I'm more than willing to give you my transfiguration essay, you have time to copy it on your own hand writing, you hand it in as yours, and problem solved… Oh, don't look at me like that, you know I'm way better than you at transfiguration and my essays guarantee 'O'."
"What, you did two essays?" Asked the girl skeptically.
"Nop, but you know Minerva is always looking for an excuse to spend extra time with me, she just can't resist my natural charms and I'm a a-"
"An altruist soul?" Suggested Remus ironically.
"Yes, thanks again Remus" Beamed James. Sirius snorted spiting scrambled eggs all over the table.
"And what would you ask me in return if I choose to accept your help?"
James grinner mischievously "Go out with me!" he answered brightly.
Lily groaned, she had seen that coming.
"Consider the facts Lily" Said Susan "You don't want to ruin your unbeated record of detentions, and it's just one afternoon of your life."
"Exactly Evans, just one date, no strings attached" Said James.
Lily didn't reply right away, she seamed to be considering the matter deeply. But James could see the conclusion forming behind her eyes, and even before she had opened her mouth, he was smiling.
"Ok Potter, you've got yourself a deal… But just one date and no funny business, got it? Otherwise I'll curse you into oblivion!" She finished threateningly trying to wipe the smile still playing on his lips, but failing.
"Whatever my fair lady wishes" Answered James bowing "Here's your essay." She took it without looking at him and left towards the library, Susan walking resignedly behind her, a piece of toast on her hand.
"Prongs, I have to admit it, I thought she'd never give in… I'm impressed" Joked Sirius taking his hat with a flourish.
When James didn't answer his three friends looked at him. He had his mouth slightly open and his was looking towards the front doors, through which Lily had just passed. Remus moved hand in front of James's face and he didn't react.
"Oh no…" Said Sirius shaking his head. "We've lost him"
"He's entered the Evans' trance" Said Peter
"It's been a while since this happened. What did we do the last time?"
"It was when she waved at Roberts who was behind James and he thought she was waving at him." Said Remus.
"He still believes so" Corrected Sirius "He spent three hours staring at the same spot… I had to jinx him six times before he acknowledged our presence."
"Well, we don't have three hours since the class starts in fifteen minutes. We'll have to do something a bit more drastic this time." Remus started to roll up his sleeve. Sirius and Peter flinched. They knew only too well what their friend was capable of doing.
"Dolorus" Muttered the werewolf, pointing his wand at James's head. He shrieked and looked up.
"Why did you do that?" He said, rubbing the red spot the curse had left on his forehead.
"To take you out of your Evans' trance" Explained Sirius.
"Evans." James repeated in a dreamy voice.
"Someone slap him before we lose him again"
SMACK "Done… Shall I do it again, just in case?" Asked Sirius grinning.
"Do it in the way or we'll be late" Urged Remus as he looked at his watch. The three marauders headed out of the Great Hall, half dragging James behind them. Many girls sighted as they passed.
It was remarkable how James Potter, who was one of the top students of his years, quite the ladies man, the star of the quidditch team, became the stupidest being on earth when ever Lily Evans just looked at him.
But of course, Lily Evans didn't talk or even look at James very often. For her he was nothing but a bigheaded prat who didn't have enough brain to speak and walk at the same time. She couldn't understand why on earth anyone would go out with him, let alone why every girl at school seamed to be besotted with him and his equally arrogant friend Sirius Black. At least Sirius was good looking, not dashingly handsome as her friend thought, but she had to admit he was rather attractive. But James Potter didn't have looks to boast about. He was short and skinny and his jet black hair was always a mess. So what if he was a good quidditch player? That was not a reason to date someone, especially if he thought he owned the world just because he could catch a stupid snitch.
Lily finished copying the essay just in time. The bell rang and the marauders entered the room. They were still carrying James.
"They are so immature" Murmured Lily as she watched them take their sits a few desks in front of hers. Professor McGonagall was already in the room, but she was reading some papers, so Lily continued to look at James, who was sitting with his head resting on his left arm, a dreamy look on his face.
"What are you looking at?" Asked Susan, who had been reading Witch Weekly while Lily copied the piece of homework.
"Potter" Answered Lily without thinking.
"What? Lily Evans is staring at James Potter? Goodness, it's the apocalypses!"
"I wasn't staring at him. I was just trying to find out why the entire feminine population of the school insists he is gorgeous."
"Lils, you may hate him all you want, but you can't deny he is good looking!" Said Susan reasonably.
"He is not! And don't call me Lils! Black calls me like that and I hate it."
"I know Sirius calls you that, I think it sounds sweet" Said Susan, stealing a glance towards where the marauders where.
"I still can believe you like Black. You are such a smart girl" Said Lily shaking her head.
"He is handsome, funny, intelligent. Yes, you are right, why on earth do I like him?" Her friend asked ironically.
"We've discussed this before and we'll never agree."
"Who knows?… The day may come when you fall head over heels in love with one of the so called 'marauders'."
"Yeah, the same day Fudge becomes Minister of Magic." Snorted Lily.
A/N: So, was it good? Terrific? Terrible? Tell me, I'm dying to know!
