James wondered if he should change his way to impress Evans. After spending a lot of time thinking, James came to a conclusion. He should woo Evans in a different way. Something that showed the sincerity of his feelings.
So, here he was, writing poetry for her. It was McGonagall's class. But a sudden inspiration has struck James. He tore out a parchment and began scribbling.
"What rhymes with Green? Apart from scream?" whispered James, from the corner of his eyes he looked at Peter.
"James –" squeaked Peter, shaking his head. He was looking straight ahead. The horror stuck look on Peter's face was comical.
A crease formed between James's eyes. He considered Peter's suggestion, looking at his poem. "Green and James? Do you reckon cream goes with the theme?" he continued asking.
Out of blue, there was a wrinkled hand resting on his desk. James's eyes followed the hand and his eyes landed on McGonagall's face. "I reckon you pay attention to the class Mister Potter," said McGonagall, her lips pressed in a straight line. Looking at the parchment under her hand, she turned around, as she said, "And no it doesn't."
James grinned, before replying, "Thanks Professor."
Once the class was over, James and his friends made their way to the library. While they were completing their homework, James's focus was elsewhere. Evans was sitting five desks away from him, with her friends. If he could get it to her now, it would be brilliant.
"Merlin it's done!" exclaimed James, holding up the parchment. He looked at his poetry proudly. He didn't want to brag, but he reckoned he had done a great job.
"James don't tell me you're going to send her that," faltered Remus, pointing at the parchment in James's hand with his quill.
"Why not? Girls like romantic gestures," asked James, shrugging. Once his friends read his poem, they'd know what a good job James had done.
"Listen mate –" started Remus, letting out a loud sigh.
"Listen to this," interrupted James, he cleared his throat. "Your eyes are beautiful and Green. Every time I look at them, I want to scream. You are as sweet as cream, go out with me Evans please?"
James's grin disappeared when Sirius crinkled his nose and squinted his eyes, "Merlin's bloody – what in the world is that?"
"Poetry," whispered James, pushing his lower lip out in a pout. He thought he had done a good enough job.
Remus pursed his lips and shook his head, "The murder of poetry more like."
"Look I am doing my best here, who can write even four lines?" muttered James, folding the parchment neatly. "Don't judge."
"Are you really going to give her this?" asked Sirius in disbelief.
"Look, the point is not the good poetry. I want to make her laugh, and if she finds it hilarious, she might say yes," said James, his fingers working to turn the parchment into a rose.
"I hope you're joking," squeaked Peter, his head in his hands.
James ignored his friends, as he continued speaking, "Also, I reckon Professor didn't want me to write poetry in her class, because cream goes well."
Remus scoffed, "Well spotted mate."
James turned around, and frowned when he spotted Evans packing her bag. "She is leaving," said James, holding the parchment rose in his hand.
"Oi Evans!" called out James, earning a glare from everyone sitting close by. A Ravenclaw student asked James to keep his voice down.
"I think she didn't hear me," mumbled James, as he picked up his bag, "I'll be back."
Sirius accompanied James on his little adventure. Thankfully, James was able to catch up with Evans in the corridor. He had a grin playing on his lips as he handed her the parchment rose.
Evans eyed him suspiciously, without moving a muscle. James handed the parchment to Evans. And waited for her to read it.
She opened the parchment and her eyes scanned it. Her nose scrunched up and she glared at James, "What in the bloody hell is this?"
"Do you like it?" asked James, but his confidence was decreasing with the way Evans was reacting. "Is your answer yes?"
"Is this a new way you've found to bully me?" asked Evans, holding the paper up. She scrunched it up in a ball.
"Why would I bully you?!" cried James, his heart dropping to his stomach. He was sincere with his feelings.
"That's what you always do. Because you are an annoying toerag," spat Evans, handing James his parchment back.
"Hey! That's not a nice thing to say. Especially after I wrote you a poem," argued James, crossing his hands in front of his chest.
Evans rolled her eyes, and James could've sworn she said something like, "You're pathetic." Before she dashed away with her friends.
The boys sat in the Defense against the dark arts class. They were writing an essay on Ghouls. After completing his essay, James went back to writing another poem. By now, James must've sent Evans at least 12 poems, but she hadn't responded to any!
"What are you writing?" whispered Sirius, tipping his chair. He looked at James's parchment from the corner of his eyes.
'Roses are red
Lilies are white
Will you snog me tonight?'
"Another one?" scoffed Sirius, rolling his eyes.
James folded the parchment and tapped it with his wand. The parchment turned into a small bird, and flew over to Evans's desk.
James waited for Evans to open the parchment. But rather, she pulled out her wand. After being sure no one was looking, she pointed her wand at the parchment. It was engulfed in fire, and turned into ashes.
"She burnt it," gasped James, his jaw hitting the floor.
Sirius chuckled, patting James on the back as he spoke, "Good thing she did that before reading it."
After the class, Evans caught up with James. He wasn't sure what she was going to do. Her unreadable expression made things even worse. But seeing as she didn't look angry, James reckoned he wasn't in trouble.
"You're desperate for my answer, aren't you?" asked Evans in a honeyed voice. James blinked his eyes, was he dreaming? He nodded his head fervently. His heart leaped in his chest.
Pulling out her wand, Evans smiled, "Well, here it is." She pointed her wand at James's head and said, "Engorgio Skullus!"
James could feel his head expanding and grow heavier, his glasses fell off his face. He tried to stay up on his feet, but his head was growing heavier. Evans smiled as she spoke, "Now your head is the perfect size."
Sirius doubled over with laughter, he wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye, "Evans you're wonderful!"
"Do you want a hex for yourself?" asked Evans, glaring at Sirius. Holding her head up high, she walked away.
James kept looking for owls to arrive during breakfast. When he wasn't looking for the owls, his eyes looked over at Evans. She had been ignoring his messages for weeks now. He wanted to apologize for his bad poetry, but she wouldn't talk to him!
"What are you waiting for?" asked Sirius, following James's gaze.
"Evans has been ignoring my messages for weeks now," started James, turning to look at Sirius. "So, I planned something."
When the owls arrived at last, James straightened up in his seat. His smile grew when he spotted Evans's owl.
"What have you done now?" asked Peter, looking at James in horror.
"Wait it's here!" exclaimed James, giving his friends an enigmatic smile.
"Did you send her a howler?!" bellowed Remus, slapping his forehead. Sirius and Peter groaned, as the howler landed in front of Evans. Everyone around her looked at her astonishment.
James smirked, folding her arms in front of his chest, "She can't ignore a howler."
The Great Hall grew silent as James's voice from the howler echoed. "LILY EVANS –" Evans sat in her spot frozen, "YOU HAVE BEEN IGNORING MY MESSAGES FOR WEEKS NOW. NO MORE POETRY."
"Bloody merlin!" cried Remus, covering his face with his hands.
"ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT I FANCY YOU! WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?" the howler tore itself to pieces. For a moment, no one in the Great Hall moved. Then as if on cue, everyone roared out laughing.
Evans's flushed face was a sight to behold. Her eyes averted to the table. James saw her clench her fists, and she seemed to blink back her tears. It was then that James knew his idea had backfired.
"She is so angry," noted Peter. James couldn't take his eyes off Evans. The last thing he wanted was to make her angry.
When the laughter didn't die down, Evans sprang up from her seat. Without looking back, she sprinted out of the Great Hall.
"I recommend you stick with McGonagall today. If she finds you alone, she'll murder you," advised Sirius, giving James a sympathetic smile.
Ignoring the advice of his best friend, James stood up and followed Evans. Maybe he could clear up the misunderstanding.
He stopped dead in his tracks. Evans was standing near the Grand staircase. There were a dozen paper birds flying near her. She looked like a force to be reckoned with. Her green eyes were cold and angry and she didn't waste a moment to say, "Oppugno!"
James yelped and covered his face, but the birds kept pecking every inch of flesh they could find. They clawed at him until James was on the floor.
James was licking his wounds during History of Magic. Apparently, it was very amusing for students. At least the torture of poetry had come to an end. But by now everyone had the general idea of James's poetry.
"Not writing poetry anymore, Potter?" asked Professor Binns, making the students laugh.
From the corner of his eyes, James watched Evans shift in her seat uncomfortably. Shaking his head, James said, "No, professor. I realised it wasn't my cup of tea."
"At last!" exclaimed Sirius, throwing his hands in the air. James grinned, rolling his eyes at his friend.
"As promised, the student with highest grade on the assignment, I'd give them something," said Professor Binns. James had almost forgotten about it. Straightening up in his seat, James waited for Professor Binns to speak again. The old teacher's eyes stayed on James as he spoke, "Mister Potter."
"James?" gasped most of the students. James puffed out his chest with pride, rumpling up his hair. He savoured every bit of attention he was getting. He couldn't put his smirk away.
"Do you collect Chocolate Frog Cards?" asked Professor Binns, gliding towards James's desk.
"Yes sir," nodded James, with a smile.
"Do you have Circe?"
"Circe?!" gasped the students. James's mouth hung open, as he shook his head. It was a rare card. James remembered spending most of his pocket money to collect these cards. But he has never gotten Circe.
Professor Binns handed James the Chocolate Frog Card. James's eyes grew wide in astonishment, as he gasped, "Thank you, Professor."
Circe moved around in the card. James couldn't believe his eyes or his luck for that matter.
"Let me look at it!" squeaked Peter, tapping James on his shoulder. Passing the card over his shoulder, James handed it to Peter.
"Wow!" James heard Peter gasp.
Looking over his shoulder, James beamed, "I know, right?"
After getting comfortable with their animagi form, Sirius came up with an idea. Although James didn't mind the idea, Remus was less thrilled about jumping on that bandwagon. "Why do we need nicknames?" asked Remus.
"Because it's fun," replied Sirius, as he worked on the map, they had been working on for months now. It covered everything in Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Sirius called it their greatest achievement already!
When Remus's face scrunched up in disgust, Sirius spoke again, "I've one for him." He pointed his quill at Remus and said, "Moody."
As if James had a Eureka moment! His face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. "Wait – that might be it," exclaimed James, clapping his hand together.
Remus's jaw hit the floor as he muttered, "I'm not responding to Moody."
"No, a better version of it," said James, shaking his head.
"What is it?" asked Sirius, his eyes glistening with mischief and excitement.
"Moony?"
"How original James!" scoffed Sirius, rolling his eyes. He pushed his hair out of his face and went back to drawing.
James narrowed his eyes at Sirius and mumbled, "It's better than Moody."
But at the end, it was Remus's decision. James looked at him hopefully and asked, "Do you like Moony?"
Remus chuckled, giving James a shrug. That was the first nickname they came up with. It amazed James how Remus was able to accept the humour in his situation. Especially when James presented it like that in a light hearted manner.
James began rummaging his brain for dog names for Sirius. Remus joined in on it too. Adding some muggle dog names to the list. Sirius looked baffled, "You can't call me dog names!"
As a payback, Sirius shouted most preposterous nicknames for James. He shouted them during classes, Quidditch practice, even in corridors! He earned glares from James and the remark "That's horrible Sirius!" for every nickname he uttered.
Or it was Peter's disappointment on being called rodent names, "No, I don't want to be called that."
After wasting a whole bunch of parchment with nicknames, they came up with four substantial ones. "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs."
Of course, Sirius didn't stop there. He wanted to call them something collectively. After suffering the embarrassment of being called foursome and other such nicknames, Remus and James took the matters into their own hands.
That was the conception of their collective nickname. The one which they used to sign their map later on – "Marauders."
James and Sirius were walking back from their class. Divination had to be the most boring class. Had it not been for Sirius, James would have drowned himself in the tea leaves. As if it wasn't torture enough, Evans and Snivellus were together in that class.
"Oi look," pointed Sirius. He jerked his head ahead and James followed his gaze.
Even though Snivellus was walking, he was scribbling something in a book. The cover was black, with golden design. James had seen it in his hands more times than he could remember. "Why does he always have that book in his hand?" spoke James from between his teeth. Looking at Snivellus always ruined James's mood.
"Do you reckon he has the mark?" Sirius question back.
James scoffed, feeling irritated. "If not, he's going to get it soon," replied James in a matter-of-fact voice.
"What does Evans see in him?" questioned Sirius, draping his arm over James's shoulder.
James huffed, and turned his attention towards Sirius. "If it were up to me, I'd show her his real face."
"Let's go to the library, Remus must be waiting," said Sirius, pulling James along with him.
As soon as James sat down with his friends, he caught sight of Evans.
"Is Evans sitting alone?"
"Yes, why?" asked Peter, putting his quill down. He looked over his shoulder, where Evans was sitting.
"Let me go talk to her," beamed James, springing out of his seat at once.
"You have lost your mind if you're still going to do that," mumbled Remus, without looking up from his parchment.
Walking up to Evans was not difficult. Especially not since James had been doing it for almost the whole year. Not getting flushed in front of her, or getting her to speak to him was a challenge. Right now, he wasn't doing a good enough job.
"Hello Evans," greeted James, his hands in the pocket of his trouser. He couldn't help but smile when she was around.
"Sod off Potter," muttered Evans, without looking up from her parchment. James chuckled, pulling the chair beside her. That's when her eyes met James's, making his heart skip a beat. "Why are you sitting here?"
"The seat is not taken, is it?" asked James, cocking his head. When Evans didn't reply, he sat down. "What are you doing?"
"Are you blind?" asked Evans, turning back to writing whatever it was that she was writing.
James looked at her parchment from the corner of his eyes. She was working on her Transfiguration homework. "Do you need help?"
"Get away from me before I hex you," warned Evans from between her teeth.
James's smile disappeared. "Can we not have one proper conversation?" asked James, throwing his hands in the air.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to waste my time."
Evans packed up her bag, and dashed out hurriedly. James sighed, shaking his head. He too got up and made his way back to his friends.
"Did she leave?" asked Sirius, looking up from his parchment.
James shrugged, taking his seat next to Remus. "She'll come around," replied James, with a grin.
"Mate why are you even wasting your time?" scoffed Sirius, rolling his eyes.
James's eyes turned to the door where Evans had disappeared. "I'm not."
James was returning in the evening from his Quidditch practice. The sun was already behind the mountains. Most students were inside because of the cold weather. The breeze sent a shiver down James's spine.
"I told you, didn't I?" there was the voice again. The voice he hated. And the empty threats Snivellus gave, "Stay away from Lily."
"And who are you to tell me that?" asked James, turning around. Snivellus's face alone made James angry. He clenched his fists, and his knuckles turned white.
Snivellus's mean black eyes were filled with rage. "I've been keeping an eye on you. You keep asking her out." It was a statement. One that James didn't deny.
A smirk appeared on James's lips, as he asked "Are you threatened Snivellus?" Chuckling, James shook his head. "You shouldn't be," said James in a soft voice. "You don't stand a chance."
As if on cue, Snivellus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards James. "Levicorpus!" A flash of light … and James was hanging upside down in the air. As if an invisible hook had hoisted him up by his ankles. A mean smile appeared on Snivellus's lips, that matched his eyes. He must've had the time of his life, as he watched James struggle.
James could feel his face flushed. He quickly pulled out his wand. 'Flipendo' said James inside his head. There was a loud bang, and Snivellus flew back. Slammed into the tree, it took a minute for Snivellus to get back on his feet. When he did, James noticed a bruise on the side of his face. The side that had collided with the tree, and a thin line of scarlet liquid made appearance on his hand.
James already sneering with anger, was dropped on the ground. He scrambled on his feet at once. Setting his eyes on Snivellus, James felt like exploding. He had no time to dwell on his feelings.
"Stupefy!" Snivellus's voice was strained with hatred.
"Protego!" James protected himself. Smirking as he watched Snivellus's face turn red with anger.
There was hardly any time for James to gloat. Before he knew, Snivellus had his wand pointed at him again. James decided he wasn't going to give him the upper hand.
But James needed to buy himself some time. Because the look on Snivellus's face told him, that Snivellus wasn't playing anymore. 'Impedimenta!' said James in his head… there was a flash of light…
But it was hardly useful, for Snivellus had already uttered his spell, "Sectumsempra!"
In hindsight, maybe James had used a useful spell. Because if the result of Snivellus slowed down was this – James dreaded the full effect. James felt a piercing pain on his leg. His knees buckled and he landed face first on the ground.
It felt like someone had cut his leg off, and Snivellus might as well have! Because blood oozed out of James's leg faster than he had ever seen. A whimper escaped from between James's lips, as he turned around, lying on his back.
He caught a glimpse of Snivellus's robes disappear into the darkness.
It was hard for James to stand up, let alone drag himself back to the common room. The pain throbbed in his leg, as if someone was pulling his bones and flesh out. The huge slash looked grotesque, covering his trousers with blood.
It took everything in him to not fall on the floor as soon as he reached the common room. He should've gone to the infirmary. But he needed to find his friends first. He winced as he sat down on the couch.
Not many students were present in the common room. But those who were, threw odd looks in James's direction. Perhaps he had done a better job at holding himself up than he gave himself credit for.
"James!" jumped Peter, when James threw himself down beside him.
At first, Sirius looked at him in bewilderment. Then, he caught sight of the raw wound and sprang up. "What happened?" yelped Sirius, sitting near James's feet to examine his wound.
Remus pushed James's hand away from the wound, to get a better look of it. That made Peter whimper.
"Snivellus –" started James. He bit his lower lip, feeling the sharp ache coming back. "He used spells I've never heard of – " he breathed, shaking his head.
Remus's head whipped in James's direction, his eyes glaring, "You'll bleed to death; we need to take you to the infirmary!"
"What will we tell Madam Pomfrey?" asked James. He had seen Sirius heal wounds; he could do it again.
"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT?!" bellowed Sirius, his jaw hitting the floor.
The portrait hole opened again, but James didn't pay heed to who came in. Until a familiar voice yelled his name "POTTER!"
The boys turned their head towards Evans at once. She marched towards James, her jaw clenched and brows lowered. Her ragged breath showed she was beside herself. Her voice drew everyone's attention, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE AN ARROGANT, BULLYING TOERAG, BUT YOU'RE WORSE THAN THAT!"
James straightened up; his brows furrowed. He tried to understand the cause of her anger. Ransacking his brain, he couldn't come up with anything substantial. So, he waited for her to speak again. And she did.
"HOW CAN YOU DO THAT TO A PERSON? WHAT HAS HE EVER DONE TO YOU?" spat Evans, there was a flare of anger on her face. It made James grit his teeth. He didn't want to tell her what Snivellus had done.
Evans continued glaring at him – no it was worse than a glare. The bitterness in her voice was unmatched. "ARE YOU EVEN HUMAN? YOU THINK THIS IS OKAY, BUT IT ISN'T!"
It shouldn't have broken James's heart. But it did. As if grounded to the finest dust. There wasn't just the metaphoric pain. Rather, James felt actual pain in his chest, where his heart should be. He stayed frozen in his spot.
But Evans wasn't done yet, she still had a warning for James, "YOU'RE PATHETIC. ONE DAY YOU'LL REALISE WHAT A GIT YOU WERE. IF YOU EVER TRY TO ATTEMPT SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN, I'LL MAKE SURE YOU ARE EXPELLED. IF YOU SOMEHOW MANAGE TO EVADE THAT, I'LL MAKE SURE YOU PAY FOR IT."
Turning on the balls of her feet, she dashed away. There was a lump at the back of James's throat. Did Evans actually thought of him as what she said? Did she overlook Snivellus's flaws? And what about James's good side? He surely had some.
"HOW DARE SHE?!" yelled Sirius, on his feet at once. He was throwing daggers at Evans. Lips curled back; his teeth bare.
"Let it be Padfoot," James managed to choke out. He slumped back against the couch. The last thing James wanted was his best friend to get mixed up in this.
"LET IT BE?" asked Sirius, his angry eyes looking at James now. "SHE THINKS SHE CAN MARCH UP HERE AND SAY ANYTHING SHE WANTS."
Shaking his head, James breathed, "Don't."
But Sirius wasn't the one to listen. He stomped across the common room, as he said, "SOMEONE NEEDS TO TEACH HER SOME MANNERS."
"SIRIUS!" bellowed James, trying to catch a hold of him. But his legs didn't cooperate. His knees buckled and he was glad that there was a couch to catch him. He screwed his eyes shut as the pain overwhelmed his senses. Tears appeared at the corner of his eyes.
Remus and Peter tried to keep James glued to the couch. His ears were already on the conversation going on near the portrait hole. James took a deep breath, to subdue his pain.
"EVANS!" he heard Sirius shout on top of his lungs. James had never heard Sirius as angry.
"WHAT?!" retorted Evans in a similar tone. There were audible gasps and mumbles from students sitting in the common room.
James didn't turn around. He didn't want to witness his best friend fighting the girl he liked. Sirius now spoke from between his teeth, "Do you think we don't say anything to you because we're scared of you? Think again Evans."
"Potter hexed Severus," stated Lily in a matter-of-fact voice.
"James gave Snivellus what he deserved," started Sirius. He sneered before continuing, "Might I add, after he used a deadly hex on James?"
"What?" Evan's voice was timid now. It sounded full of doubts. "Severus didn't –"
"YES, HE DID!" Sirius's voice made James jump. He didn't have the energy to interfere. It wasn't because of his injury. He reckoned it had something to do with his feelings. "DID THE BLOODY LEG ESCAPE YOUR NOTICE BECAUSE OF SNIVELLUS'S SMALL BRUSIES?" There was silence in the room. James wondered if Sirius was done, but he wasn't. "Had it been up to me, that greasy git would have ended up with more than that."
James waited for Evans to retort. But James supposed Sirius didn't give her a chance. He continued speaking, "Remember Evans, the only reason we don't say anything to you is because we respect James and to some extent you."
Sirius stomped back. He was gritting his teeth so hard, James wondered if his teeth were okay. James gave Sirius a smile, but his lower lip trembled. He wanted to tell Sirius that he was okay. But Sirius's face remained stoic.
"Let's get you to the infirmary now," instructed Sirius. As if on cue, Remus helped James up. He put James's arm over his shoulder, giving James an apologetical smile.
"Padfoot –" started James, he felt his throat tighten.
Sirius raised his brows, clenching his jaw, he said, "Shut up." He draped James's other arm over his shoulder, dragging him with Remus's help. Glaring at Evans, Sirius spoke from between his teeth, "Move."
James kept his eyes on the ground, but he was sure Evans moved out of the way.