Lily was making her way towards her first lesson on Monday morning. They had gotten to school last Wednesday and this would be their first proper week. Her first lesson was a double period of transfiguration with Professor Mcgonagall. She was leaving the common room when a frazzled Potter burst through the portrait. His bag hanging off one shoulder and his top button undone. He walked quickly past Lily and Marlene heading towards his dorm. But for some reason his appearance thoroughly angered Lily although she couldn't quite say why. She'd later say it was because he still hadn't properly apologised after ramming her on the train.
"Watch out Mar." She said loudly, "wouldn't get in the way of Potter, he'll have no qualms shoving you into a wall." Potter stopped at the foot of his stairs. He was internally telling himself to ignore her, he was trying to be her friend this year and getting into a verbal spar was not going to help that. But then again if she was still angry with him she'd have to get it out of her system some time. The part of his brain advocating this train of thought was currently winning his internal struggle. There was always something so appealing and almost... fun about their little tiffs. Lily Evans' witty comebacks and the way her green eyes glittered with the mischievous streak James knew was in there somewhere drew him in like a moth to a flame. He spun around, hiding a grin.
"Still bitter about that Evans?" He asked raising an eyebrow. Lily crossed her arms whilst Marlene looked on with a puzzled expression.
"Oh no, I'm not bitter Potter. Just wary, wouldn't want you to punch me in the face either like you did Se- Snape." James frowned and moved towards her, he was actually starting to get angry now.
"I didn't just punch him for no good reason Evans." He said coldly. "As you evidently always assume the worst about me, I'll say this for the record." He was now so close she could smell his cologne, a rather attractive smell reminiscent of forests and the outdoors with a dash of lavender. It was actually quite- Dammit Lily. She mentally slapped herself. Not the time. She refocused her attention on the voice of the nice smelling teen in question.
"Just before I got on the train my mother was told she had to aid the aurors in a raid. Now I don't know about you but knowing your mother, who is by no means youthful, is about to leave on a mission that could get her hurt or killed put me in a pretty shit mood. Especially after seeing her almost killed by the very people she was going to fight at the World Cup. I was in a state on the train so me and Remus went to get some food to take my mind off it. I then ran into Snape. He was with his friends who make no secret of the fact they support Voldemort and his fucking stupid ideals. It was four against two and they informed me that my mother was heading into an ambush and might die." Lily was listening in stunned silence but Potter wasn't done yet.
"This pissed me off even more so yes I punched him in the face. I couldn't have really gone for my wand as they'd have been on us in seconds. That element of surprise meant me and Remus could hold our own while we set the prefects on them. I then ran off to send an owl to my father alerting him that my mum might be headed for a trap. I ran into you accidentally and wasn't really in a state of mind to politely apologise. I'm sorry if I hurt you Evans but was under the impression that a girl like you wouldn't be put out of commission by an accidental push." He then turned back around to head up the stairs. "Don't be so quick to judge Evans, it could do you a world of good." He had a foot on the stairs before speaking again, this time without turning. "And I'm sorry you lost your best friend last year and for the part I had to play in it. But Severus Snape is no saint." He was halfway up the stairs before Lily found her voice again.
"Potter!" She called. He stopped. "Your mum, is she okay?"
"She's fine." He replied shortly, his voice marginally softer. Marlene then dragged her out of the common room, they were now cutting getting to transfiguration very fine indeed. Once they were outside Marlene started speaking.
"What the hell was that?"
"What?" Lily asked.
"Oh don't give me that Lily Evans! You just started a fight with Potter which then somehow turned to him apologising and you inquiring about his mother's health!" Lily tugged on her braid awkwardly. "Why did you start on him like that? He's left you well enough alone since we got back."
"I don't know why I did it!" An exasperated Lily said, "I just saw him and it made me angry, I don't know why!"
"Oh Lord." Marlene said. "You don't... I don't know. Like miss his propositions do you?" She asked worriedly.
"Oh god no!" Replied Lily. "I don't miss his attention. I just... ugh I'm such a bitch aren't I? He was right, it seems like I just judge him all the time."
"Don't worry about it. He's no saint either." Consoled Marlene, she linked their arms as they turned into the transfiguration classroom. "I'm sure Mcgonagall will give you plenty else to think about. And who knows? Maybe this will be the year the great Potter-Evans rivalry turns into a blossoming friendship hmm?" Marlene finished with a wink. They made their way to their seats and both girls were stunned to see a comfortable James Potter leaning back on his chair as he talked to Frank Longbottom. They glanced at each other but quickly made their way to their seats before they could get shouted at. Lily paid barely any attention to the Professor as she talked about how their next few weeks would be spent learning some foundation theory and wandwork that would be essential for NEWTs before she would split them into pairs to work on a project that would take place over the following year and make up a part of their final grade. Lily was too busy contemplating her judgemental tendencies and how in the bloody hell Potter had managed to beat them to this class.
26th September 1976 The Friday dawned bright and sunny, with the last of the summer rays falling onto the grounds of Hogwarts. Lily was walking to transfiguration, her last class of the week with Brendan Weathers. The seventh year Ravenclaw Lily had ran into on the platform, although he did hang out with Marlene's boyfriend he seemed to be less of an ass than him. Lily had ancient runes before transfiguration and Brendan had Arithmancy, held in the classroom opposite Lily's. He had taken up walking her to transfiguration each Friday. They got on pretty well and he would always carry her bag to which Lily had no complaints. They arrived at Mcgonagall's classroom and he paused before handing her bag back.
"I'll only give you your bag back if you come sit with me at dinner tonight." Lily gave a small smile as she reached for her bag but he pulled it away from her. He tutted, a smirk pulling at his lips. "I'll only give it back to you if you answer." Lily grinned.
"Maybe. There's your answer." She reached for her bag again but he lifted it out of her reach.
"I meant to say. If you agree." Lily pulled a face and lightly slapped his chest.
"If you come to the Gryffindor table we have a deal." He smiled and gave her bag back.
"Deal. I'll see you at dinner then." Then before she could react he had leant down and given her a quick peck on the cheek, close to her mouth but not quite there and turned away, smirking. Cheeky bastard, thought a blushing Lily as she entered the classroom pondering what had just happened. She did like Brendan, she wasn't sure if she liked him like that but it would be easy to. He was good looking, clever and although he has a tendency to talk a lot he was fun to be around, he did have terrible friends though... she was still pondering this when a messy haired James Potter sat on her desk. She looked at him, arching an eyebrow.
"So you and Weathers huh?" He asked conversationally. "Are you going out with him?" Lily rolled her eyes.
"I don't see how that is any of your business Potter." She said curtly, crossing her arms. If this was going to be a repeat of fifth year with Owen Mcartney she intended to nip it in the bud early. Potter had actually threatened Owen into breaking up with her. He held up his hands in surrender.
"Easy Red. It was just a question."
"Don't call me that." She scowled. Potter smirked.
"What? Lily flower?"
"No-"
"Lilykins?"
"No-"
"Lilium?"
"Potter-"
"Lilium candidum?"
A reluctant smile was playing at the corners of her lips. "No!" Potter showed no intention of stopping.
"Lilium longiflorum?"
"How do you even know these scientific names?" She asked hiding her amusement at his ridiculousness.
"Herbaceous flowering plant?" Potter said, fighting a grin. This one finally caused Lily to crack and she let out a snort, rolling her eyes again. A pleased James was internally doing a happy dance but he managed to rein in his happiness at making her laugh even as he silently vowed to try and make her laugh as much as possible. Her snort was too entertaining not to.
"Mr Potter, to your seat please." Came Mcgonagall's commanding tone. Potter rose from her desk.
"Just be careful ok?" He said his smile fading. "He's a bit of an asshole." Lily sighed, getting annoyed. Did Potter even know Brendan? Well. She thought. Takes one to bloody know one doesn't it? She accidentally muttered this loud enough for Potter to hear as he made his way to his seat, a few tables behind her. She heard him sigh softly and felt his gaze on the back of her head. Black mumbled something to him which she didn't hear but she didn't turn around. Focusing on the professor instead. This would be their last lesson covering the basic theory for this year before they started on that project she had mentioned at the start of the year.
It was almost the end of the lesson when the Gryffindor head of house finally began talking to them about this supposed project.
"As you all know." She began, "there are two NEWT transfiguration classes. You will be put into a pair- which has already been decided." She added as people looked to their friends. There was a collective sigh from the class. "You may be paired with someone in this class or the other class. This project is designed to be a synoptic task aiming to draw together your knowledge from the last five years as well as the content you will learn this year. It is also aiming to promote relationships within your year group." She steepled her hands, looking each student in the eye.
"A value which is sorely needed in this day and age. It will promote blossoming friendships and hopefully mitigate rivalries." Lily was almost sure she looked at her and Potter as she said this. "I expect everyone to work hard and contribute evenly. I will know if someone is shirking their work. We will be going over a different topic every week and you will be expected to, with your partner, do some extra research around the topic, make a comprehensive set of notes, answer questions on the topic and produce a summarising essay which I shall be marking. Starting with this" She waved her wand and an essay title appeared on the blackboard. The class groaned and immediately started asking questions. Mcgonagall silenced them with a look.
"This is an important part of your course and I expect you to excel, it will help both your exam technique and your grasp of the knowledge. I will not be going easy on you." She eyed the class once more, daring someone to object. When no one did she gave a tight smile and said. "Right, now for your partners." This perked the class up and they looked around at their peers warily, wondering who they might get partnered with.
James grinned as Remus was partnered with Nancy 'o Connor, a 6th year claw that James knew Remus was sweet on. He smirked at the werewolf who was sat in front of him as he blushed and whispered to him.
"Alright sweet cheeks. Calm down. Wouldn't want the blood vessels in your face to pop." Remus flicked him off behind his chair, causing James to disguise his outburst of laughter as a hasty cough. Mcgonagall continued reading out the partners. Alice was partnered with Frank a pairing that caused both to blush. "Is this some matchmaking ploy Minnie's come up with?" James muttered to Sirius who grinned devilishly.
"I dunno mate, but I can't wait to see who I'm partnered with." Owen Mcartney was then paired with Winston Mathers of Hufflepuff. A rivalry which had ensued the year before after they had both asked the same girl to Hogsmeade. In the end she had actually gone with a boy in the year above but Winston and Owen hadn't forgiven each other. James and Sirius sniggered as that pairing was called out.
"No matchmaking then." Sirius said sorrowfully.
"I hope not." James grinned back, "can you imagine them as a couple?" Sirius laughed again and Mcgonagall shot them a sharp look. Peter was partnered with Slytherin beauty Miranda Tollwood, he gulped and looked pleadingly at his friends who only shrugged at him. A thought suddenly struck James and he turned to Sirius scowling. "What if she puts me with Sniv- Snape?" He asked in a harsh whisper. Sirius shook his head.
"Minnie knows that if any of us get Snivellus it will only end in disaster." It was then that the professor called out that Marlene would be partnered with Snape. The witch in question tilted her head back and stifled a groan.
"Unlucky Mar." Sirius whispered to her sympathetically. She turned to them.
"This is going to be the worst year ever." She complained quietly. She looked questioningly at James' dark frown.
"You're a muggleborn." He said leaning forward to her.
"Well deduced Sherlock." She said sarcastically before waving off Sirius' confusion at the muggle reference. "Doesn't matter." She muttered.
"I'm just saying." James continued, "that you know the company he keeps. If he tries anything let us know. Or better yet, get Minnie on the case." Marlene smiled slightly at his detective reference James' wink letting her know he had understood her earlier reference, before she turned back around. James' returned his attention to Mcgonagall. She announced that Sirius would be paired with David Rivers, the pretty Diana Rivers' twin brother. Sirius sighed at this stating he'd rather have the sister. James was looking around, his name hadn't been called yet. He quickly ran through the names that had been said, taking a mental inventory of who was left. His eyes then caught on to the pretty redhead in front of him who had evidently done the same as her head suddenly fell forward onto her desk followed by a muffled long suffering groan moments before Mcgonagall read out that yes. James Potter and Lily Evans would indeed be partners. The bell signalling the end of the lesson rang and a twinge in James' chest left him unsure of whether he should be amused or offended by her reaction. From his left, Sirius knocked him in the arm.
"You two will have fun." He said teasingly. "This years the year. Your er- relationship, for lack of a better word, will either flourish or take a nose dive to hell." His eyes twinkled at James' discomfort as Sirius packed up his bags.
"Shut up Padfoot." James grumbled, still in his seat. He was watching Lily who seemed to have told her friends to go on without her. James sighed wistfully, she was probably going to ask to change partners. He stood up and gathered his things.
"You go on mate, I'll catch you guys up in the common room alright?" Sirius sighed and went to leave, a glance in Evan's direction showing that he understood why James was staying behind.
"Don't make too big a deal out of it ok?" He said, having obviously drawn the same conclusion James had- that Evans was going to ask for a different partner. "It's just a stupid project." James nodded and managed a grin. Sirius left with Remus, dragging a confused Peter by the arm. It was now only James, Evans and Mcgonagall in the classroom. James sat on his desk, observing Evans as she waited patiently for the professor to turn.
Lily had a few questions she wanted to ask McGonagall about the project. For one, how much time was she required to spend with Potter. She wasn't his biggest fan and of course it was just her luck, that they got partnered together. Lily was convinced the Head of Gryffindor had been targeting her and Potter when talking about how this project was meant to overcome rivalries. However he was exceptional at transfiguration so hopefully they would be able to do well. McGonagall finally turned around, surprised there was still a student in the room.
"Miss Evans, may I help you?" She asked, looking briefly past Lily.
"I just have a few questions about the project." Lily started but she was stopped by a raised hand from the stern witch.
"I shall be with you momentarily. I just need to retrieve something from my office." She turned and disappeared into her office, leaving no room for objection. Lily sighed and then whirled around at a noise behind her. It was Potter, sliding off a desk. She clutched her heart.
"Bloody hell Potter." She grumbled. He raised his hands, smiling slightly.
"Didn't mean to startle you." She put her hands to her sides and was about to ask him what he was doing when he beat her to it.
"You're changing partners I assume." He said calmly, running his hand through his hair. Lily was shocked. When she didn't answer he caught her eyes, a strange expression on his face.
"Why would I do that?" She asked honestly. Potter laughed slightly, crossing his arms.
"Maybe because you can't stand me?" Lily frowned, "you hate my guts remember?" He said quietly. "I'm an arrogant, spoiled, bullying toerag."
"I never said you were spoiled." Lily muttered, looking at her feet. Potter laughed.
"Sorry that must've been someone else." Lily met his eyes, a smile tugging at her lips.
"It's not that I can't stand you." She said. "I just don't understand you. You confuse me."
James frowned. "How?"
Lily sighed. "I don't know ok? You just do. But I wasn't going to switch partners. I mean you're one of the best in the year at transfiguration... but anyway, maybe it's time we put this 'rivalry'," she made air quotes with her hands. "In the past, you apologised at the start of the year and..." she trailed off and took a deep breath as though she was preparing for a daunting task. "I'll admit I may have been too harsh on you in the past. So... sorry." James beamed, willing to overlook the fact that she didn't look him in the eye when she said this. This was his chance, his chance to gain her friendship and show her he wasn't such a dick all the time. He could be friends with Lily Evans.
"Well in that case." He stated, moving forward and holding his hand out for a handshake.
"If it's a clean slate the lady wants, a clean slate she shall get. Hi, I'm James." He said, grinning lopsidedly at her. Lily rolled her eyes at his use of his first name but played along, even doing a mock curtsy, causing him to laugh. She grasped his hand, it was warm and calloused on hers.
"Lily. Pleased to meet you." James withdrew his hand and scratched his chin, pretending to be thinking.
"Just Lily?" He asked teasingly, "not Lilium? Or herbaceous flowering plant?" Lily shook her head. It was strange hearing him call her by her first name.
"Just Lily." She affirmed.
"Alright just Lily. Or shall I say Partner." He said with a conspiratorial wink. "When shall we meet to do the first of Minnie's many essays?" Lily was surprised he was so willing to actually start the work but took it in her stride.
"How about after lunch tomorrow in the library?" James nodded quickly.
"It's a-" he faltered, he had been about to say date but thought it might be too soon. "Plan." He finished safely. Lily rolled her eyes, catching his slip.
"I'll see you then, then." He said as he left the classroom. He was in the doorway when he was stopped by a call.
"James?" He paused, and had to hide his grin at hearing her call him by his first name. This was an important milestone. He turned, savouring internally how nice she made his name sound.
"I reserve the right to call you Potter." She said with a grin. James rolled his eyes smiling too.
"Whatever you say Partner." He shot back, firing off a quick salute before leaving the classroom. This was a start he thought to himself. This was definitely a start.
*********
"I've definitely forgotten something." James said patting himself down in the doorway of their dorm. It was Saturday the 27th and James had arranged Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts to take place from 12.30 over lunch in the hopes that those wanting to get on the team would be staggered instead of an abundance of people wanting to try out at once. James had put the notice up the first week back wanting to make an early start on training. There were only two positions on the starting team. A keeper to replace Henry Wood who had just graduated and a chaser to replace Mandy Bell who had graduated alongside him. James was confident that Andrew McGil would replace Wood but wanted to carry out tryouts anyway seeing as the majority of the team were in his year so Gryffindor needed a good reserve team in preparation. It was midday and him and Sirius were heading down to the pitch to set up. Sirius sighed and turned around to face him, his broom in one hand and a basket he had transfigured from a quill in the other containing a packed lunch for himself and James.
"Broom?" He asked starting a list for James to mentally check. James nodded. "Boots? Gloves? Whistle? Keys for the equipment shed? Parchment and quill?" James nodded an affirmative to each, frowning at the niggling feeling in the back of his mind? He shrugged and followed Sirius out of the door. "Dignity?" Sirius asked cheekily. James shoved him from behind, grabbing his robes before he could trip down the stairs. "Prongs!" He exclaimed at the near miss, "be careful! I've got the sandwiches!" James rolled his eyes.
"Just keep walking flea bag." Sirius snickered.
It was a clear, warm day and James soaked in the September sun. He was wearing a maroon long sleeve Quidditch training jersey with his name and number on the back and had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He wore no robes as it was warm and only tryouts but had on his padded Quidditch trousers with red and gold stripes down the side. Sirius had gone for robes insisting that it was because it was chilly but James really knew that it was because he thought he looked good in them. The two boys had agreed that Sirius would help run the tryouts and join in with the beater drills as it was only fair on the other hopefuls. However both knew that Sirius and Dorcas were exceptional beaters and would automatically make the team unless something unexpected happened. James landed in front of the first group of people that had gathered, sliding smoothly off his broom while it was still moving and striding towards them. There were about 25 people there including Marlene and Dorcas, James grinned at them. Marlene reciprocated and Dorcas attempted a sort of grimace.
"Ok." He announced running a hand through his hair as he realised that this was only the first group who had wanted to get it out of the way before lunch. He surveyed the group.
"Seekers, go over there." James said pointing to his right. A small group of students moved to the designated spot. "People who were in either the starting or the reserve team come over here." He motioned to somewhere off to his left. "First years, stand there." A group of scared looking firsties stood in front of him. "aaand Hufflepuffs come over here." This caught out a small group of giggling boys. James cocked his eyebrows at them whilst the rest of the Gryffindors laughed, they blushed at their mistake. James laughed and shook his head. "Firsties and Hufflepuffs you can save yourself the trouble of trying out and make your way back inside." They groaned simultaneously and Sirius put his hands on his hips mock threateningly. A third year Hufflepuff James knew quite well- Jamie Redgrave bounded towards him, he was the younger brother of Owen, the head boy.
"Aw Potter." He teased, "why you gotta ruin our fun." James ruffled his hair, grinning.
"Don't you and your friends have better things to do?" Jamie batted his hand away.
"You're just scared you're gonna lose." James gently pushed his head away.
"Wrong crowd Jamie boy." He said, beckoning to the Gryffindors surrounding them, he leaned closer. "also, you'd only beat Gryffindor in your dreams." The team shouted and stamped their feet in approval. Jamie grinned good naturedly. "Beat it squirt." The imposters made their way back to the castle, joking all the way. James turned to the rest of those wanting to try out now free of first years or members of other houses.
"Right." He said authoritatively. "Lets get this party started." He smoothly mounted his broom and rocketed into the air.
A long while later and James was starting to lose his will to live. The tryouts were just so hectic and a whole load of them just couldn't fly. He ran an agitated hand through his hair and then had to quickly dive to catch an over excited first year who had just tipped over the railing of the stands. After depositing the 11 year old safely back on the ground he beckoned Sirius over.
"Is this working?" He asked his co-captain worriedly. "I feel like this isn't working."
"James, you're doing fine, don't worry." James looked at his watch.
"We've been at this for like two hours already and there's too many potentially good players."
"We'll just make an extra team." Sirius replied, trying to calm him down.
"What, so we have three teams? That's never gonna work."
"Ok, ok." Sirus said. "How about we run through the last ones once more and then eliminate them from there, get them to do loads of different drills, test their versatility, how they work together. Stuff like that." James looked at the clock once more, before sighing and running another hand through his hair wearily. Another 30 minutes or so passed and James and Sirius had narrowed it down to their replacements for the starting team and a potential reserve team with a few final players needing placed. James was starting to flag, but trying not to show it, he was just stifling a yawn while he stretched, his butt was starting to cramp. His eyes landed on a patch of flowers by the quidditch pitch and he smiled slightly when he spotted a lily among the flowers. Suddenly he started and almost slipped off his broom. Shit! He had meant to meet Lily to start their transfiguration project after lunch. Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap. He rushed towards Sirius, it was three o clock now. Lily had just said after lunch, she hadn't specified a time, maybe he could get away with it? Goddamit just when he'd been starting to gain her trust.
"Sirius!" He near shouted. The raven haired boy whirled around at his name. "I was meant to meet Lily to start our project! Can you take it from here and we can review the team afterwards. You know which ones I vote for. I trust you mate." He rushed all this out in a panic and Sirius had to hold back a grin.
"Yeah of course, you go for your date." James flicked him off as he zoomed towards the castle. "Break a leg Prongs!"
"Shut up!" James shouted back, a stream of expletives flowing from his mouth.
Lily crossed her arms and sighed. There was no sign of James, she glanced at her watch. It was three o clock. She had told James to meet her in the library, granted she hadn't actually sorted a specific time but after lunch meant like two at the latest, right? She went to pack up her books before stopping herself. She groaned, why was she so reluctant to leave? She knew the answer, she had hoped that Potter had grown up a bit over the summer, clearly she was wrong. She irritably grabbed her books and stuffed them in her bag. There was a commotion by the library entrance, the doors swung open and she could hear a muffled shout.
"- no flying in the corridors!" There was a yelp and a thud and then suddenly a frazzled and sweaty James Potter appeared in front of her pulling his broom to a sharp stop and dismounting surprisingly smoothly.
"Ev- Lilly, I am so sorry! There were Quidditch tryouts and I lost track of time and-" James stopped himself, catching his breath and forcing himself to sit down. He held up his hands.
"You know what? It was completely my fault, I should have remembered and I understand if you want to bugger off and make me do it myself." He clenched his eyes shut while he awaited Lily's verdict. Lily was stunned, to be honest she was expecting him to make some flirty excuse and say something along the lines of how little he cared about the project. Potter opened one eye cautiously when she didn't say anything and Lily wanted to laugh at his expression which was surprisingly cute. She almost punched herself in the face, cute? Where did that come from? She shook it off and calmly started opening her bag and setting her books back on the table, she still hadn't said anything. A bead of sweat made its way down James' back as she set her ink up. He slowly opened his other eye.
"Are⦠are we good? You don't wanna kill me?" He asked. Lily regarded him and crossed her legs.
"Okay, so I'll admit we didn't set a clear time and to be honest I wasn't sure if you were going to show at all." James suppressed a wince at that and tried not to let himself be distracted by the fact that her skirt had ridden up slightly at her movement revealing more of her slim legs. "So let's just let it slide and get on with it." James let out a pent up breath and relaxed, this was good, this was better than he expected.
"Ok." He said smiling slightly. "Just give us a sec." He stood and went to the window, muttering a spell as he opened it. Lily cocked an eyebrow and he grinned awkwardly at her. "Any minute now." He said under his breath. Lily drummed her fingers on the desk, what was he doing? She sighed.
"Potter-" she started.
"Aha!" He interrupted her. "Here we go." Lily narrowed her eyes, flying through the air towards him at the window was his school bag. He caught it and smiled hopefully at her. She sighed again, watching him as he hurriedly began unloading his transfiguration book.
"Are you ready now?" She asked shortly. He nodded running a hand through his hair which was even wilder than usual due to tryouts and his rushed flight through the castle. "Ok so-"
"Shit." He swore, interrupting her again.
"Potter!" Lily said exasperatedly, his eyes were widening at something behind Lily and he flicked his wand at his broomstick which he had propped against the table promptly turning it invisible.
"Mr Potter." Came a stern voice from behind Lily.
"Madam Pince!" Potter exclaimed charmingly. "How are you?" Madam Pince narrowed her beady eyes and glared sternly at the messy haired teen. She wasn't actually that old but she had the kind of face that made her look about twice her age.
"I have received reports of you flying your broom through the library!" She said, affronted.
"What?" James said, surprise filling his face. Lily watched him disbelievingly, the boy was a gifted actor that was for sure. "Flying?" James spread his arms wide. "Me and what broom?" He asked as if he was actually concerned. The librarian looked around suspiciously as though she as only just realising that there was no evidence against her culprit.
"Several people have told me it was you Mr Potter." James shrugged hopelessly. "You are in Quidditch uniform."
"Well I was at Quidditch practice earlier madam. But even I know that this hallowed hall of knowledge." He gestured expansively around the library. "Is no place for a broomstick!" Lily suppressed a smile at his exaggeration. Madam Pince was still looking at him disbelievingly. "I'm afraid you'll have to resume your search elsewhere but if I see a hooligan on a broom, you will be the first person I will inform." She narrowed her eyes again. Potter ran a hand through his hair and smiled at her once more. "Also, can I just tell you that I love how you reorganised the magical theory section Madam Pince. It's really so much better. It was absolute chaos before. And that three point filing system? Genius." Pince blushed at his praise, took another look around and then returned to her desk without another word. He relaxed visibly, leaning back in his chair.
"Phew." He breathed, smiling mischievously at Lily who was still staring at him in shock.
"Did you honestly just flirt your way out of trouble? With the librarian?" Potter smirked at her and shrugged. "And I'm not even going to ask how you managed to pull off a non verbal disillusionment charm."
"Desperate times Lilykins." Lily laughed and shook her head, too much in shock to tell him off for that stupid nickname.
"Lets just get started shall we?" She asked. Potter saluted.
"Yes ma'am." The two began to brainstorm on what their project and their essay would involve and how it would work. Lily was finding it easier to not jump down his throat when he made a stupid joke and James would do an internal happy dance whenever he made her smile or laugh and together, well together they actually made a damn good team.
A/N: And so the attempt of Lily and James at being friends begins. I personally think it's pretty unlikely that in 7th year they just randomly start dating, I reckon they both changed and they became friends before anything more serious happened. Let me know what you think happened. :)
