Disclaimer: Absolutely nothing you see here is mine. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling and the idea is all Graci and Cheri.
Fatal Flaws: Chapter Three
Three hours, an agreement, and a long drive home later; Lily Evans sat on her bedroom floor. She couldn't believe she had just agreed to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Sure, she had abnormally fast reflexes, but that was from Petunia throwing so many breakable things at her, if she didn't catch them and they broke, she would be to blame.
Stroking her cat, as she lay on her fluffy green rug, a hand-me-down from Petunia, she heard a tapping sound on her window. Rolling over reluctantly she got up and looked out the window.
A brown speckled owl was carrying an envelope, and waiting patiently outside her window.
Lily didn't recognize the owl; she had never seen one like it. He was a cream color, with dark brown spots all over him. Wondering whom the letter was from, Lily opened it curiously.
Dear Loveliest Lily,
WAIT! Don't throw this letter away, please read it! Please!
Lily stopped, as she had just been about to throw it away, knowing it was from James.
Really, just listen or read, rather. Okay, Marlene and Alice are staying at my house (along with the Marauders) for one week. Will you please come? Please? I'd get on my knees and offer you flowers, but…you can't see that through a letter.
Anyway, Quidditch: The tryouts are the first week of school on Tuesday. Don't worry about making the team; you're a shoe in, especially since I'm Captain. *wink, wink*
Lily rolled her eyes, chuckling weakly at his attempt at a joke.
So, I'll see you there, right?
Love, James
Lily shook her head. What was with this boy thinking he was in love with her? He was very sweet in Diagon Alley the other day, though.
She sighed, picking up some parchment, ink and a quill and writing James a letter back.
Potter,
I thought about it and I decided I don't want to play Quidditch. It's just not my thing. Sorry.
Lily
He doesn't need to know the truth, Lily thought to herself, sending the letter back with James's owl, which was waiting for her.
Lily, on the contrary, did want to play Quidditch, especially as Seeker. The moment he offered her the spot she knew it would be fun, there was just one problem: Lily didn't know how to fly. She had always wanted to learn, but the day of their flying lesson in First year Lily had gotten sick and never learned.
Lily watched the owl disappear into the night before going to sit on her bed.
If only she knew how to fly, then she could just say yes and leave it at that. Now she would have to admit it to James that she didn't know how, unless he just decided to make an assumption.
This, really, would probably be even worse.
Lily jumped as an owl tapped on her window. It was James's owl. She walked over and opened the window, letting the owl fly in.
She opened the letter and read:
Lily-Pad,
Are you kidding? You're going to be amazing! I know what the real problem is; you're scared aren't you? Scared you aren't going to make the team? Well, don't worry, you'll make it no problem. I'm the team captain, so I get to pick who makes the team and I already decided to pick you.
Love, James
He thought she was afraid she wasn't going to make the team?
Lily laughed out loud.
Little did he know how wrong he was, she was afraid she would make the team!
Lily sucked on her quill, trying to decide what to write back. She wouldn't tell him she didn't know how to fly.
She got an idea, taking the quill out of her mouth and writing,
Potter,
I am not afraid of anything, got that? I just don't want to fly around on a stupid broomstick playing a stupid game.
Lily
There, that'll show him, Lily thought smugly, rolling up her note and tieing it to the owl's leg.
The owl flew out into the night sky. This time she kept her window open, knowing that the owl would be coming back again any minute.
Wait, how close does James live? Because that last letter came really fast, she thought to herself.
It didn't make much sense.
After a few minutes, the owl swooped gracefully into her room.
Lily ripped open the letter, reading the contents quickly.
Lily Evans,
Are you scared of flying? I can't believe it! You are, aren't you?
James
She was not scared! Didn't she just say that?
Potter,
I just told you I'm not scared of anything, so why would you assume I was afraid? I am not scared of flying, I just don't know how. You happy now? You know my stupid secret. I don't know how to fly. I never learned. Okay? Got that? You happy now? You better not tell anyone, because, if you do, I swear on my Grandfather's grave that I will make you pay. No one is supposed to know, got that? You don't EVER tell ANYONE! Not even the Marauders, or whatever you call yourselves.
NEVER TELL ANYONE, GOT THAT?
Lily
Lily read over the letter and noticed that she over reacted just a bit. She ripped it up and got a new piece of parchment.
Potter,
I'm not afraid of flying. On the contrary, I would love to fly, I just don't know how. I was sick that day in First Year when they taught us how to fly, remember? Well, maybe you don't, actually. It was a rather long time ago.
Anyway, I'm not going to play because I refuse to make a fool of myself.
Lily
Lily tied the letter to the owl's leg and sent him along. Now maybe she would leave him alone.
Lily flower,
Oh, man. I completely forgot that you missed that lesson! That doesn't matter, though; you're never too old to learn! I'll teach you.
Lily choked on her own spit. Potter was going to teach her to fly? He'd probably kill her!
Stop choking; you know I'm good at flying.
How did he know she was choking? Lily looked around, scared.
No, I'm not in the room with you, so stop looking around.
Lily squeaked in fear. How did he know what she was doing?
And stop squeaking, it sounds funny.
Lily's mouth fell open in shock. Did he really know her that well?
Lily, I've been in love with you for four years, of course I know you that well. And close your mouth.
Lily was getting seriously scared, but she closed her mouth, just deciding to read the rest of the letter.
That's better.
Anyway, you know I'm good at flying and I've helped you tutor those kids before, remember?
Yes, that time when he wasn't supposed to be there! He had proved himself to be a very good teacher, though.
You do remember, don't you? It made you really mad, but I was just trying to help, I swear.
I'm getting off topic. I'll teach you how to fly and you'll be a pro by tryouts, okay? Come over my house tomorrow morning, 10 o'clock. Sirius, Peter and Remus might come over at some time, too, so they might be able to help out.
Remus was going to be there? Lily grinned. She would get to see Remus again before the school year!
Alright, I'll see you tomorrow.
James
There was another note in there with his address in it. Lily stared at the letter for awhile before making up her mind.
James,
Alright, I'll be there. See you tomorrow,
Lily
She sent the letter off with the owl and then went to lie on her bed. She was going to need some sleep if she was going to be spending all morning with James tomorrow.