SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1

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James's POV

Coy, defiant, and an utter enigma. A tease. Capricious and mysterious. Beautiful, sexy, foxy. Strong willed. Amazing. Perplexing. Elicit. Enticing.

Or, more simply; Lily Evans.

The list could go on and on; I'd have no trouble coming up with a dictionary of words for that girl. Let's just say she has that effect on me. When I'm not around her, suddenly a whole world of words is at my fingertips.

You see, because when I am around her, my voice catches in my throat.

Infatuation. Crush. Obsession. Attraction. Desire. Want, need, frustration. Passion.

All words to describe the kind of feelings I have when I'm around her. Got the point yet? I haven't told you my favourite, yet. It's a nice big one.

Lecherousness.

I admit it. I'm a horny bastard. But I can't help it.

I have been incredibly smitten with Lily Evans since I was fourteen years old, except back then it was in an innocent, admiring way. That was three years ago. Over time, not much has changed. Except maybe for the fact that I now like her in a not so innocent, admiring way and Lily is more than ever determined not to go out with me.

Looking back, I can understand why. I used to be a complete jerk. Egotistic. Self-centered. Conceited. Arrogant. Incorrigible. But what the girl of my dreams failed to see was that I wasn't like that anymore.

Let me tell you a bit about Lily Evans.

For starters, she's a seventh year Gryffindor, like me. She's also the most gorgeous thing you could ever lay eyes on. Her hair is ruby red and her eyes are emerald green. Not two stones you'd normally put together but on her, they're amazing. And I can assure you, she's definitely not my usual type. Nearly all of my girlfriends have been blonde and blue eyed. But ever since Lily, she's the only type. 

Her body is incredibly long, thin and deliciously curvy. Willowy. Rangy. Personally I prefer willowy; it's a graceful word. Her skin is pale, especially when framed by her hair, and is no doubt incredibly soft to touch. Her lips are the perfect shade of pink, and I love the way she always obliviously pulls them into a pout that is as sexy as hell.

The school uniform just doesn't do her justice. Not that there's anything wrong about her in it; she looks stunning no matter what she wears. But just for once I'd like to see her out of it, wearing in something more low cut... something a little more close fitting... something a little more sheer... something that shows of more of her creamy legs...

I make an attempt to pull myself together before I reach the Head's compartment.

Yes, amazingly, I am Head Boy. Believe me, it was as much of a surprise for me as it is for you.

It's start of the year. Everyone's coming back from their summer holidays. I'm looking everywhere, longing for just one glance of her before I have to retreat. No such luck. Sighing, I slide open the door.

And nearly die of shock.

Shock, or happiness. Because sitting there, legs stretched out on the seat, robes open and skirt slightly hitched, was Lily Evans.

She had grown even more incredibly gorgeous over the summer, if that was possible. I struggled to keep my hormones in check.

'Hello,' I said, leaning against the door frame. She looked up from the book she was reading.

'Potter,' was all she said.

'So... er, you're Head Girl?'

Stupid question. Why else would she be here? Nice one, Potter.

She gave me a look that said just that.

'Nope. I just thought I'd hang here for a little because it looked like fun.'

'And is it?'

'Terribly,' she replied dryly, shifting a little. Her skirt slipped up a little further, and I battled to keep my gaze from wandering.

'Can I sit down?' I asked.

'Sure,' she said, eyes on her book as she swung her legs around. I sat down next to her.

Her initial reaction to my entrance had struck me as odd. Everyone else had laughed when they had found out I was Head Boy. However, I knew by now that Lily Evans was completely unfathomable and any attempt to question her would result in an argument. I sighed.

'What?' she asked, closing her book and putting it in her lap.

'Huh?'

'You sighed,' she said, rolling her stunning green eyes. I almost swooned. Girlish of me, I know. But I had no control of my body when I was around her.

'Oh. Yeah. Don't worry,' I said, crossing my legs in an attempt to hide the new bulge in my trousers.

This was going to be a long year.

Lily's POV

Never, in my whole life, have I come across a boy that is as utterly baffling as James Potter. How is it possible for one human being to be so riling, so arrogant, yet so charming and... likable... all at once?

There was once a time when the mere mention of his name irritated me to no end, but though I loathe to admit it, I have noticed that he has rapidly changed into a completely different, almost bearable, person. It's almost impossible to believe that he was the same annoying fifteen year old that used to strut around the school as if he owned it, hexing people for fun. But then again, there are times that make me doubt whether he ever really changed at all.

James is famous. The whole school worships the ground he walks on. Not because he's the hottest guy in Hogwarts or anything - Sirius Black has that title with no competition; he wins the crown hands down. Then again, James isn't bad looking. There's something indefinable about him... he has a boyish, playful, almost wolfish aura about him. Then there's the way his messy black hair always falls just above his eyes. His eyes. His big, warm hazel eyes. I swear, if there's one weakness of mine that I have towards James Potter, its his eyes. He gives the most melting puppy looks you could ever see. It would be almost too easy to give in if it wasn't for that ever-present twinkle, reminding you just how mischievous he really is.

One of the things that is both incredibly amusing and vexing about James is the fact that he flirts blatantly with me and expects me to fall in a heap at his feet. I've never been like that and I never will be. I would have gone out with him long ago if only he'd realise that his damn cockiness is something I just can't stand. I must admit he's deflated quite a bit since fifth year, but there's an intense dislike that's been there for so long, and its hard to break old habits. They die hard.

I wasn't extremely surprised to see James Potter walk into the Head's compartment. He was top of our year, and although he had never been a Prefect (most likely because he had been an insufferable jerk the year they had picked them) he was someone that most people in the school would listen to.

I'm not a slag. But I'm not the token good little Christian prude. I'm a virgin, but I've had my fair share of boyfriends and kisses and make out sessions on the Common Room couches. All with James Potter glaring at me the whole time, mind you. The look on his face everytime a guy asks me out... whoa.

Anyway, back to the point - don't think that I'm a slut or anything. But it was an opportunity I couldn't miss. I was lying spread out on a seat with my skirt far higher up than it usually was and the boy that had been lusting after me for nearly two years had just walked in. It was intensely cruel and licentious, I know, but James brought out a completely different side of me and I couldn't help but tease him. So I stayed in that position.

'Hello,' he said casually.

'Potter,' I replied, biting my lip. This was our usual greeting routine; he'd try and be nice and I'd pretty much throw it back in his face by being completely toneless.

'So... er, you're Head Girl?'

I almost laughed. James was always so sure of himself, and totally intelligent, but I always seemed to have some weird effect on his brain.

'Nope. I just thought I'd hang here for a little because it looked like fun.'

'And is it?'

'Terribly,' I answered. I moved a bit, deliberately letting my skirt rise another inch or so. James was struggling to keep his eyes on my face, I knew.

He sat down, we had a short exchange, and then he said nothing, which I must say was a first. After awhile it began to bug me incredibly, and I threw my book down for the second time.

'Since we're both Heads and all, I think... I think we need to get on more... and you know, get to know each other,' I said slowly.

James wasn't looking at me.

'I have no problem with getting on with you,' he sighed.

'You know perfectly well why I never liked you, Potter, and if you don't, then you're not as smart as I thought you were.'

'You think I'm smart?' James asked me wonderingly, still staring ahead rather than at me.

'I can see this is not going to work,' I said shortly, standing. Suddenly, James's hand wrapped around my wrist.

'I'm sorry,' he said quietly, pulling me back. I let him, even when he tugged me down to his level. 'Let me start. I'm James Potter, and I'm seventeen years old. I go to Hogwarts. I'm very much in love with Lily Evans, but she hates my guts.'

I just looked back into his eyes for a moment, which were blazing so strongly with emotion that I had to swallow.

'My name's Lily Evans. I'm sixteen years old, I go to Hogwarts, and I don't hate you,' I said calmly.

I hadn't noticed that James was slowly leaning in. But seconds later his lips were on mine. I pushed him away angrily.

'You see James, I don't hate you, but it's things like that which stop me from liking you! I am not your play thing. You can't just kiss me when you feel like it, OK? Just back off.'

Cheeks burning, I picked up my book and stormed out of the compartment.

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