Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I am not JK Rowling.
~1~
By noon that Sunday morning, Lily found herself drowning in the last weekend's worth of homework before the Christmas break. She didn't even have time to think of the Christmas Ball that was fast approaching.
"Need some help Evans?"
"Not from you."
The last thing Lily wanted at this point was for James Potter to come around and distract her. She was only just finishing her first roll of parchment for her Potions assignment on the Draught of Peace, not having even started on her Charms or Defence Against the Dark Arts essays due.
"Come on, I've been getting better. You have to admit it."
"Maybe," Lily sighed, "but it doesn't mean I'll say yes. Don't even bother asking."
"What does he have that I don't, anyway?"
Lily rolled her eyes. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to get him to shut up until the O.W.L.'s were over. She had gone through this conversation with James at least once a week since they had met, and she was lucky if it was only once a week. Then again, it was her fault for doing her homework in the common room, but Mary and the other girls were too busy rambling on about the Ball in their dormitories for her to get any work done there.
"I'm not going through this with you Potter."
"At least let me help you with your homework then? I don't need my future girlfriend dying under the weight of all these textbooks."
As much as Lily hated to admit it, having James there to help her get through the piles upon piles of work she had left was actually quite nice. She knew he was only doing it so that she would go out with him, but she was actually beginning to like this side of him. No, she thought, this is still James Potter. He still did all those things you refuse him for.
"So..." he said, looking up from her Charms textbook, "how are you and Severus doing?"
Lily couldn't find an answer for a few minutes. He probably assumed she was ignoring him, but the truth was she didn't know quite how to respond, especially since this was probably the first time she had ever heard him call Severus by his real name.
"It's complicated." She said finally, quickly regretting saying anything.
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
"It's none of your business anyway Potter! You always act like you've done nothing wrong in your life either."
She had realized that she had just given James ammunition for attack on Severus. Whenever he got any hint of tension between the two, an attack always followed. She felt guilty doing so. But then again, she thought, he hasn't been acting like a friend lately. Maybe he deserves it. She shook her head slightly, feeling even guiltier for thinking he deserved something like that. She couldn't help but wonder if the stress was getting to her.
"Lily, I'm just trying to protect you."
"Well don't." She started to cool down again. "And don't go near him either."
"I won't if you don't want me to."
She narrowed her eyes at him, thinking Remus might have given him some sort of potion giving him some sort of common sense.
"I know that if I do," he continued, "then you'll never give me a chance."
Lily sighed. Potter always had a motive for doing things like this, that being the very reason most times.
Their conversation was interrupted by a light tapping on the window, a noise which could only come from an owl. Stepping carefully over the scattered parchment and textbooks, Lily made her way over to the window. Owls weren't supposed to bring letters to the common room or the dormitories of the students unless of emergency, but Lily automatically recognized the owl as Severus'. The scruffy owl looked exhausted from its journey, as it usually had. Severus didn't exactly have much money to go towards a pet, so this is what he had ended up with.
Lily unfolded the letter, making sure James wasn't reading over her shoulder.
Lily,
I was wondering what time the dance starts on Friday. I'll have to meet you there; I've got some things I have to do first.
S
Knowing there were still four days of classes before the Ball, Lily couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't have just asked her himself. She was really beginning to get tired of his little game. She decided to not answer back, instead going back to finishing her homework with Potter, a choice she never thought she'd be making.
~End of Chapter~
Thanks as always for reading. Reviews are always welcome.
A short chapter but the next will most likely be longer, and will probably be the last.
Authors Note: I couldn't find the first time James asked Lily out, so he may or may not have started asking in their first year. Also, it doesn't say anywhere that Severus ever owned an owl, but for this fic he will :)
