The Interview
James cleared his throat awkwardly. He could not, for the life of him, think of something intelligent to say. And he didn't care to think about the reason why.
"Good game, huh?" His voice came out strangely husky, as he cleared his throat again.
"Yeah. So what was the best part of the game for you?"
A simple enough question, but the answer floating around in the deep recesses of his mind, at least the parts that were still working, was thoroughly inappropriate.
Meeting you at the end.
Thank God, he had caught himself before he'd blurted that out. He was aware of the abrupt silence as Lily watched him with those clear green eyes.
"Catching the Snitch, of course," he choked out the obvious, and lamest answer, he thought, just glad for the words to fill the silence. He had never been tongue-tied around a girl before. And his heart had never hammered away so hard, he thought it was going to burst from his chest.
Remus looked slightly puzzled, while Sirius, Sirius couldn't have grinned more widely, not with that infuriating wicked gleam in his golden-brown eyes. Whether by accident or design, James wasn't sure, the two boys lagged behind a little, giving James a little privacy with Lily.
"Catching the Snitch?" Lily nodded thoughtfully.
So she didn't think he was lame. Or at least, if she did, she was keeping her disdain well-hidden. This time, the butterflies in his stomach eased a bit, as he couldn't help but smile at the tiny crease between Lily's brows, and what lovely arched brows they were, he thought.
"Yup, catching it wins the team a hundred and fifty points. I'm the Seeker, it's my job to catch it to end the game."
Lily looked up from her parchment, grateful for that extra bit of pertinent information. Neil had given her no more a short fifteen-minute tutorial on the basics of Quidditch before the game, and with the noise and cheers going round the crowded stadium, Lily's knowledge of Quidditch was sadly limited to "red Quaffle, golden Snitch".
"What do you think caused Gryffindor to emerge victorious?" Lily chewed on her quill.
"Teamwork's Gryffindor's game. We look out for one another, instead of each playing our own game. It's something we've been working on during training."
Finally, an answer that was somewhat coherent, and not painfully obvious, James thought with a silent sigh of relief.
"We knew we had to win this game by at least a hundred points to challenge seriously for the Quidditch Cup, so let this first match be an indication of Gryffindor's intentions this season."
There, that ought to be enough for her article.
"Right, thanks." Lily flashed a quick smile, as she rolled the bit of parchment up deftly, all set to leave.
"Wait, we're having a party in the common room- want to join us?" James asked in what he hoped was a casual tone.
"We managed to get Butterbeer and even Fire Whisky from Three Broomsticks, just don't ask us how." James gave her his most charming smile, as he ran his hand throught his hair.
"Oh." A flicker of indecision crossed Lily's lovely features, as her heart skittered a bit. So she wasn't immune to the infamous Potter smile, this slow lopsided curving of one side of his mouth that sent girls into swooning fits.
"Um, I don't think I can. I've got to finish the story for tomorrow's paper."
"Yes, right." James felt a sharp prick of disappointment. He was not used to rejection from the fairer sex.
They nodded at each other awkwardly, and Lily turned and walked away, her strides long and brisk, her red hair swinging gracefully as she moved.
"Some other time then." A quiet sigh, addressed to no one in particular. James kept his eyes on her, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts, until she disappeared into the Gryffindor Tower.