For the Hogwarts Forum
Writing Club, Showtime, "Cabinet Battle #1" (Would you like to join us?")
Roald Dahl Event, Plucky fellas (James Potter)
Word Count: 448
"Evans!" James calls with Lily walks into the Three Broomsticks. "Would you like to join us?"
Before she can answer, Remus climbs to his feet. "Join him," he corrects, to James' surprise. "Sirius, Peter, and I have a thing…"
"A thing?" Peter asks, just as confused as James feels.
Sirius elbows their friend sharply, clearing his throat. His eyes narrow, and James picks up on what they're trying to do. "Yes, Pete. A thing," he hisses. "Remember?"
It takes Peter a moment longer than it probably should. His eyes widen, and he nods. "Right! That thing! Wow, I can't believe I forgot that thing!" he says with a little too much enthusiasm as he and Sirius join Remus.
"Not very subtle, are they?" Lily laughs, sitting down across from James.
James chuckles, shaking his head. For a moment, he completely forgets how to talk.
He's spent so many years flirting with her to no avail. His blatant advances have always failed him, and now that she's willingly in his company, he doesn't have a clue how to proceed. With nothing else to do, he turns and asks Rosmerta for a butterbeer for Lily.
Thankfully, she breaks the silence. "You've changed," Lily notes. "I'd even say you've grown up a little bit."
James smiles at that. Maybe he has. He's always had such a big head, and it had only made Lily despise him. "Maybe a little," he agrees.
Rosmerta brings the butterbeer, and James pays her. He watches as Lily sips her drink, the butterbeer leaving a bit of foam over her top lip. "Nice mustache," he teases.
The most beautiful shade of pink creeps into her cheeks as she grabs a napkin and quickly wipes the foam away. Just looking at her makes his insides turn to jelly.
In the early days of his pursuit, he hadn't wanted Lily out of love. He'd convinced himself that his intentions were pure, but it had been nothing but lust. He had viewed her as some prize to be won.
Now, he realizes that he has, in fact, grown up. She is a human being, a beautiful woman. He had been a fool to chase her so aggressively, and he vows to himself that he will spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her somehow.
"Do you want to go to Honeydukes?" he asks as she drains the last of her butterbeer.
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"Been doing that for years, actually. Thanks for noticing," he snorts.
Lily reaches out, taking his hand gently in hers. "Then I hope you'll think I was worth waiting for."
James grins because he already does.