If there was one thing I had always known about James Potter, it's that whenever he had to take his mind off of things, he would grab his broomstick and his snitch and head out to the Quidditch pitch… no matter the weather. I had seen him do this in rain, strong winds, extreme heat and unbearable cold.
It was decent weather this Sunday afternoon. Sunny, a slight breeze, perfect.
I had been watching James from his window for about an hour now. His window had a perfect view of the Quidditch pitch.
Seriously.
That man lived and breathed Quidditch. The first match wasn't even until mid-October.
Dedication.
Only one of the many things I loved about James.
How could I have not been with this man long before now?
Why had I waited this long?
Today was the day. I knew it. I was going to tell him.
My heart had been beating faster than usual for this past hour. Just seeing a small figure of James had my nerves on a marathon run.
If that wasn't love, then what is?
No, we are not condoning the fact that seeing a tiny James and going nuts about it is love.
Right.
I had come into James' room earlier, searching for him. I had wanted to discuss this Order of the Phoenix thing in more depth. Then, my hopes were that discussion would lead to a different discussion, somewhere along the lines of us… and being together, and how we were both so passionately in love with each other that it hurt…
But no. It looked as if I would have to take Sirius' advice.
"You know what you should do…"
Why did I let Sirius plant this idea into my head? Why?
But at the same time, it calmed all of my previous worries about James not believing me.
If I did what I was supposed to do… there was no way he wouldn't believe me.
Kisses have that effect on most blokes.
I returned my gaze back to James. I followed his motions as he dove in a particular direction.
His pursuit of the snitch reminded me of something more close to home.
His pursuit of me all these years.
He was a Chaser, after all. Not a Seeker. Why did he even bother chasing a snitch?
Maybe because it symbolizes you. Spending so much time searching for and pursuing someone… only to win big when that someone is finally attained…
He had been persistent in the beginning. Asking me out at least 20 times a day.
Sixth year… nothing. I suppose being told that if he ever asked me again, I would send an army of rabid Chihuahuas after his hamburger encased balls… would make him stop.
Except… cheeky wanker had asked me how, exactly, I would get hamburger on his balls.
The rabid dogs would do it for me.
Because I didn't have balls to do it myself.
That was for sure and for certain, because I couldn't even tell him how I felt yet.
Merlin, grow a pair, Lily.
WELL FINE, PICKLES!
I stood up, looked out the window one more time, and retreated out of James' room.
Exiting the portrait hole this time was one of the slowest events in recorded history. Snails could have run laps around it.
You see, while crawling into the small tunnel leading to the portrait itself, I had begun to shake violently.
I was actually going to do this.
Are you sure you don't want to just tell him?
No. Not effective enough.
You are going to kiss him. On the mouth.
I had stopped, my head touching the portrait, on my hands and knees.
"Are you going to exit, or just dig your head into my arse all day, Head Girl?"
Oh, dig my head in your arse, for sure. Much better than what I was forcing myself to do.
"I very much appreciate your arse." I answered the portrait.
"You have a multitude of issues, young lady."
As if I didn't already know that.
I would be obliged to enlighten the portrait about my current issue. But whatever.
"I'm leaving."
The portrait swung open, and I crawled out. The portrait shut quickly, the woman smoothing her skirts and glaring at me.
"I have been violated."
"Oh shut the bloody hell up or I'll tell Sir Cadogan you have an unyielding crush on him."
The portrait gasped.
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, but I would."
"We will not speak of this ever again."
"Noted."
We both nodded, and I turned on my heel and began my journey to the Quidditch pitch.
I was such a coward.
I had made it to the Quidditch pitch and James had not yet noticed me.
This could be because I was trying my best to hide behind one of the hoops.
Or the bloke was just so engrossed in his activity that he wouldn't notice me if I had a glowing sign pointing to my whereabouts.
I was a fan of the latter excuse.
I peeked behind the pole and up into the air, my eyes following James' every move. Dreading… and hoping that he would notice me soon.
He won't notice you behind a pole, Lily.
Only too true.
I strode out behind the pole and walked to the middle of the Quidditch pitch. Now there was no reason for him not to notice me.
I once again looked up to watch him.
The wind blew his raven locks back. His T-shirt rippled as he tore through the air.
The sun glinted off of his perfectly tanned body.
I checked my mouth to see if I was drooling again.
James + Quidditch = uncontrollable salvating.
I watched as James dove towards the hoop I had just been hiding behind.
A little late, you bugger.
He extended a muscular arm and I watched as his fist wrapped around a small golden object.
He held it up in the air and whooped, then checked his watch.
After stuffing the snitch into his pocket, he began to descend to the ground by the hoop.
When he hit the ground, he looked around a bit.
That's when he noticed me.
"Lily?" He called out.
I took a deep breath and began jogging over to him.
James ruffled his hair and put his broomstick over his shoulder.
I was about 10 feet away.
"How long have you been out here, Lils?"
When I didn't answer, he tilted his head in confusion.
I reached him, swung my arms around his neck and brought my lips to his for a chaste kiss.
James stumbled back a little.
Five seconds had passed, and he still hadn't responded. His arms hadn't even wrapped around me.
I slowly broke off the kiss and opened my eyes, staring into his, which were about ten times bigger than normal they were opened so wide. His mouth was slightly ajar. He dropped his broomstick.
I felt like a moron. I was aware of myself turning bright red.
I bit my lip and tucked some hair behind my ear. I was still uncomfortably close to James who was staring down at me incredulously.
I licked my lips. I couldn't look at him. My eyes started to sting with tears.
"I… I'm sorry, James. I shouldn't have… I…" I whispered, but was unable to finish my sentence.
Because at that moment, James wrapped his strong arms around my waist and closed all the space between us and brought his lips down onto mine. I instantly responded.
We were devouring each other's mouths, and when his tongue asked for entrance, I wasted no time in allowing him in, eagerly slipping my tongue into his mouth. My arms wrapped around his neck and I began to fiddle with the hair at the nape of his neck. He groaned. He brought one of his hands up from my waist and brought it behind my head, pressing it closer to his. I felt his lips curl up in a smile, and at the same time, my mouth had decided to smile as well.
I don't know how long we stood there snogging the living daylights out of each other. But eventually we surfaced, staring at each other, grinning like idiots and trying to catch our breaths. It was James that broke the silence.
"Go out with me, Evans?"
"You've asked that enough, James. Now it's my turn." Putting on my best James impression, I ruffled my hair and lowered my voice saying, "Go out with me, Potter?" I pretended to push glasses up my nose.
James sniggered, but then composed himself.
"I can think of nothing I would like more." He responded softly, stroking my cheek. He cupped my face and brought me to his. We came together again, but James pulled away quickly.
"Wait… Did I seriously come across like that? Blimey, I'm a git! I should-"
I put my finger on his lips. He gave it a gossamer kiss, and smirked.
"Shut up, James." And then we were kissing like it was the last few moments we had together. Even though deep down, we both knew we had so many more moments to come.
Hello lovies!
This would be the last chapter of How to Fall in Love With an Arrogant Toe Rag!
Thank you to everyone who stuck with me and were adamant readers.
Also, I very much appreciate the reviews. Thank you to those who consistently reviewed. Like any other author, I love to hear that my work is appreciated.
I'm still trying to get over the fact that this is it! My story is done!
However, I might post an epilogue I wrote for this. It's up to you readers, though, if you want that to happen. Some people might like the way the story ended just now, and some readers may want an expansion. My epilogue is bloody adorable, and a lot of snogging and fluff ensues, but again, it's up to you.
Thanks again to my wonderful readers! You were my backbone!
Much Love!
Heracyn
aka LiLy-saLvatore-cuLLen
