So this took a bit longer to write than I expected. Sorry guys, but this weeks tech week which means that I'm almost done with this job and then can focus on writing again! I'll try my hardest to get the next chapter out sooner though! Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 7
James' eyes fluttered to stay open as day three rolled around. He and Lily had begun to take sleeping shifts throughout the days so that at least one of them would be awake incase anything happened. Of course even when it was their shift, they barely slept due to the intensity of the game. James couldn't help but smile as Lily slept curled up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Simon was asleep with his head against her legs. Barty had left for the night, clearly not showing any interest in the match anymore now that Lily wouldn't acknowledge him. Of course James didn't mind because aside from Simon interrupting on occasion, they were actually able to talk. It may have been primarily about Quidditch, but it was still the most talking they had done in years.
"Valmia Morgan is diving! The Snitch has been sighted!" He quickly looked up from Lily at the game to see the Harpies seeker dashing toward the ground with the Irish seeker close behind. Not taking his gaze off the seekers, James began violently shaking Lily's shoulder. "What? Ow James!" She quickly grabbed his arm attempting to stop the shaking. "Look!" He pointed down and watched as her eyes lit up. "Go Francis!" She screamed jumping up, knocking Simon to the floor.
No one would have known she was afraid of heights now. She was jumping around the near the edge of the platform with her face pressed against the barrier, trying to see further down near the floor of the pitch. "Go you Bloody Bastard! Go!" She screamed causing James to laugh. As the snitch changed directions, and sped up, past the scoreboard, horror spread over Lily's face as she read the score. Harpies 360, Irish 190. The realization that even if the Irish caught the snitch, they were still going to lose passed through her mind. And then it hit her. If the Irish lost, she lost the bet to Potter. As she glanced over at James, she felt horror spread through her as the crooked smile grew across his face. "Ready to lose Evans?"
"Callahan Scores! 10 more to Kestrals! 200 to 360!" Lily glanced back up to see Francis Sweeney by Valmia Morgan's side as they sped after the snitch. "Not just yet Potter!" She smiled as out of the corner of her eye she could see one of the Kestral chasers flying down the field past the beaters. Sweeney was speeding past Morgan now and closing in on the snitch.
"O'Connell passes to Callahan! He makes a shot! 10 points Kestrals!" Lily smirked over at James to see shock spread across his face. She was right, they weren't giving up just yet. "Come on Morgan!" He screamed smashing his hand on the barrier. They had both completely ignored the stares of the Ministry employees around them as they watched O'Connell launch the Quaffle past the keeper's hands. "220 to 360!"
They could win, she glanced back to see Francis reaching out for the snitch and even though she wanted to scream, her body was in so much shock that nothing would come out. However, horror quickly spread across her face as a bludger dashed in out of nowhere hitting the side of Sweeney's broom and spinning him down out of control toward the ground. "Gwen Morgan, helping her sister, knocks Sweeney to the ground!"
"Go Valmia!" James screamed as she sped forward after the snitch, but suddenly it was below her. Shock spread across both Lily and James face when, without warning, Valmia flipped on her broom and was hanging upside down. "Valmia's Sloth Grip Rolling for the Snitch! I don't believe it folks!" She hung there following the Snitch with her eyes, never breaking eye contact and suddenly, she took her hands of the broom and wrapped them both firmly around the winged golden ball.
She hung there for a moment as the crowds of people cheered and her teammates flew toward her as her broom lowered her to the ground.
James and Lily stood silent for a moment and then looked up at each other. A smile spread across both their faces. Suddenly, James stumbled backwards as Lily jumped into his arms embracing him. "This was absolutely incredible!" She laughed pulling him closer. James felt his face burning red and glanced down to see Simon sitting on the floor glaring up at him. "Well I'm glad you enjoyed it." He laughed squeezing her tighter. "Thank you." She whispered into his ear and let go backing away to watch the pitch down below where the teams were shaking hands.
X
The screams of the Harpy fans filled the camp ground as fireworks began to explode in the air. Even though her team had lost, Lily couldn't help but smile and join in the celebration. The large bonfire in the center of the camp was surrounded by music and laughter. Someone had enchanted the fire to spurt green sparks, which the children danced about, trying to catch.
Lily had managed to find a log to sit on beside the fire where she had a clear view of the group of people dancing. As she glanced around the crowd of dancers, she couldn't help but laugh when she caught sight of James dancing with a little girl. The smile on the girls face showed she was having the time of her life. But the thing that really surprised her was that James was smiling and having just as much fun.
She couldn't believe it, but then again, maybe she could. From what she had seen the past week, he wasn't the same brat she had grown up with at school the past five years. Right in front of her, here he was dancing around with a little girl making her whole day and he was enjoying it! As if he knew she was looking, he glanced up from the girl and locked eyes with Lily. But instead of his usual cocky grin, his smile was actually sincere. Before she knew it though, the same smile appeared across her face. Maybe being friends with James Potter was possible after all.
Even though it was what he wanted, James couldn't help but feel surprised that she was smiling back. They had spent a lot of time together that week, but he never thought that just one on one time together would change so much. As the song finished and Grace smiled up at James, he quickly hugged her and made his way over to Lily. But to his disappointment, Barty Crouch beat him and was pulling her up to dance.
Lily couldn't help but smile as James hugged the girl and began walking towards her. But the smile quickly faded as Barty stepped in front of her. "Been watching the dancing pretty intently. Want to give it a try?" He offered her his hand, which she didn't seem to notice because her eyes had been locked with James. "Lily?" She quickly glanced up at Barty, seeing him reaching down to her. "Sorry. I missed that. What did you say?"
"Dance with me Ginger!" Lily felt her stomach drop as he grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her up. "Barty I really don't dance!" She objected as he pulled her past James causing a smirk to grow on his face. He made his way to Lily's old spot and turned to watch as Crouch pulled her close to him. A knot formed in his stomach as he watched her smile up at him with a bright red face. He knew from the past that was how she looked at guys she liked and wished for the day she'd look at him that way. But he knew if he wanted anything with Lily, he had to make their friendship work first. If Barty came into the picture, James knew that if he and Lily were truly meant to be together, then it wouldn't last. So for now he would have to hold in his jealousy and frustration. Otherwise there was no hope for him.
"So why did you come with Potter?" Barty laughed pulling Lily closer to him, making her slightly uncomfortable. It was then that she questioned it herself. Why did she come with James? Sure it was the Quidditch World Cup, but it was also James. Before that dinner, she hated him and wanted nothing to do with him. But now here she was, sharing a tent, joking around and actually having fun with James Potter. They were friends. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, they had reached that level.
"It's the Quidditch World Cup! Why wouldn't I go when a friend offers me a free ticket?" She laughed glancing up smiling at him, knowing her face was red. "I mean I was kidding when I said you were dating, but since when are you guys friends? Last I remember you two had that blowout by the lake and ignored each other." Lily froze glancing away from him. "How do you know about that?" She mumbled feeling his shoulders shrug under her hands. "That was some of the biggest news around Hogwarts this year!" She looked up at him, confusion reading clearly on her face. "Why have I never seen you there before?" Barty shrugged again frowning down at her. "Not sure. Could be I'm a Ravenclaw. Could be that I'm a year older." She quickly nodded, trying to see if she could remember ever seeing him around. Nothing could come to mind though. "Right. Well we decided this summer that we would give being friends a try." She could feel the smile growing on her face as she mentioned their friendship. She was actually happy with the idea. As the song came to an end, Lily tried to step away but Barty's grip tightened around her waist. Her body stiffened as he began to lean down but she relaxed when his face was beside her ear. "See you back at school Ginger." He whispered, stepping back and kissing her hand before walking away. She stood there frozen for a moment, not sure how to react. She wasn't sure what had just happened. A random seventh year that she had never met before this week and it seemed he was hitting on her. But that wasn't possible for her. Lily had only had one guy ever show an interest in her and that relationship with Amos Diggory only lasted a month before he cheated on her.
A smile appeared on her face though as she thought about what James did when he found out. Lily had come down to breakfast the next morning to find a storm cloud pouring over Amos' head that flashed "Cheater" in lightning every few seconds. As the thought of James came to mind, she glanced around to notice he was nowhere in sight. She made her way through the campgrounds, searching her surroundings for him, but couldn't find anything.
As she made it to the tent, she noticed a light sneaking out from under the fabric doorway and slipped inside. Looking into the bedroom she noticed that his bag was opened and things were out on his bed, which hadn't been the case when they had left. Her nerves tensed for a moment but relaxed when she heard a familiar laugh from inside the lounge of the tent. She peered in to find James staring down at a book that she recognized. "Are you reading what I think you are?" She laughed glancing and the blood red cover of the book. "Muggle horror books make me laugh. They don't know anything about fear." He chuckled glancing down at the cover. She sat on the couch next to him and looked over at the cover as well. "What's that one about?" He handed it over to her. "Some girl has powers and uses it on the people that bully her." He laughed shaking his head at the stupidity of it all. "Probably a witch who never got her letter." Lily nodded realizing that probably could have been the case if the book wasn't fiction.
"So when are you going to use your winnings?" Lily asked glancing up at James who from the look on his face, had completely forgotten about the bet. "When you're least expecting it." A smirk appeared on his face as he took the book back and began to find his page in the book once more. "Well I hope for your sake it's a good one. Otherwise it's a waste of the only dare you'll ever have over me." She smirked back, pushing herself up from the couch. James was taken aback by the mischievous look in her eyes. The shocked look on his face stayed as Lily began to walk out of the lounge. "Goodnight James." She smiled to herself. "Goodnight Lily." He mumbled as he comprehended the fact that she had started calling him James. A smile quickly spread across his face as she was out of sight. He had done it. James Potter had finally become friends with Lily Evans.
