Contradiction

Lily left for breakfast that day with Herra at the Gryffindor table. They sat idly talking about their first week until Sandra came and sat opposite them.

"Hey Sandra, how's your first week going?" asked Herra, as Sandra placed her bag down

"It's going great, I really like Hogwarts," answered Sandra.

Herra nodded and at that moment James Potter and Remus Lupin walked to the Gryffindor table. James sat next to Sandra and Remus next to James.

Lily noticed that Remus was looking much better, his face had regained its usual tint, and his general appearance was no longer so dull and dead.

"Sorry about walking out so rashly on you two earlier" said Remus sheepishly, after he had seated himself.

Lily and Herra both disregarded the apology and smiled.

"Hi, James," said Sandra, smiling at James who smiled in turn.

"Are you going to Quidditch tryouts tonight?" he asked.

Lily frowned, she didn't think Sandra was the type of girl to play Quidditch and was rather startled when she replied.

"Yeah, I can't wait to try out for Chaser, but my broom is currently in ruins... so I don't think I'll make much of an impression if I fly on one of the school ones," replied Sandra with a small frown.

"Yeah, it wouldn't make much of an impression riding one of those antiques. You can ride mine if you like though, it's an Astra Two Thousand," he smiled smugly at the mention of his top of the range broomstick.

"Wow, really James? That would be great!" shrieked Sandra, beaming.

Lily silently snorted. It was typical for James to act friendly around a pretty girl, this was partly one of the reasons why she would always refuse to go out with him, she didn't want to be another one of his short period girlfriends. Most girls would jump at the chance to go out with James Potter, captain of the Quidditch team, a mischief-maker and at the peak of popularity. James, along with Sirius Black, were both considered heartthrobs. He had had previous girlfriends, but not ones that lasted for long. He also didn't seem to share the same kind of appreciation with them as he did with Lily. He never gave other girls nicknames like 'Sweet Lily', he never annoyed the living hell out of other girls, and he never constantly bragged and boasted around other girls.... no, that was specially reserved for Lily Evans.

What was James doing? Why did he always act so different around Lily? So arrogant and conceited, as if he always had to impress her. But with other girls he was sweet and generous, sure he was a bit arrogant around them, but that was a trait he constantly withstood. Lily didn't understand James.... not that she wanted to, of course. But she didn't understand how he would act so kind to other girls and then dump them after a period of a week or so. And why did he consist in being extra haughty and puckish around Lily, as if he was the greatest gift to mankind? Maybe if James didn't act so arrogant, Lily would maybe, just maybe consider going out with him... but that was a thought too farfetched to ever materialise. Lily didn't want someone arrogant and bigheaded, heck no, she wanted someone kind, gentle and loving... in short, the complete opposite of James Potter.

"Hey, Lil's?" asked Herra's, breaking Lily's tangled thoughts.

"Sorry," replied Lily quietly, pushing her abandoned plate of toast and scrambled eggs away from her.

"Thanks again James, I'll meet you later for practice," said Sandra, rising from her seat and kissing James on the cheek.

"No problem, Sandra," James replied hazily, smiling in a somewhat stupor as she left the Gryffindor table.

"You do know you have duty tonight, don't you?" asked Lily, once James had steered his head away from Sandra's direction.

"Oh, yeah... I should be back by then anyway." Lily flashed James a cynical glance, "c'mon, Lily. I'm the captain, I have to be there for the tryouts,"

Lily shrugged, "Whatever Potter, just remember that you have responsibilities- however hard that may be."

-x-

Lily spent the remainder of the day basking around the Hogwarts grounds with Herra, before finishing off their pieces off homework that had to be completed. When the vestiges of the sun slowly descended away, the orangey-red sky sunk into an entrancing deep midnight blue.

Lily had been monitoring the Hogwarts corridors for quite some time now, and as usual, all was silent except for the rattling of the wind outside. As Lily had expected, James was nowhere to be seen. And as the minutes marked away, she grew tedious of thinking he was coming and decided to cast her mind upon different things.

However, that was until there was the distant sound of footsteps clapping against the solid ground. Approaching Lily was a rather grubby looking James Potter. His Gryffindor Quidditch robes were sprayed with mud, and his left cheek was stained with a line of dirt, just stopping short by the curve of his chin.

"Don't tell me Potter, you were at tryouts?" asked Lily, pursing her lips into a frown.

"Yes, and since you asked, I am still appointed captain and head of the team," replied James instantly, with clear smugness intended.

He was late again, but had nevertheless made it, as did his recurring bragging.

"Y'know, Potter, if you spent half your time doing your duty as you do being pompous, you would actually be very responsible," retorted Lily.

James's smug smirk quickly deteriorated into a frown. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, with slight annoyance.

"It means, Potter, that sometimes you are so arrogant, it's surprising you can walk through the entrance door carrying that awfully enormous head!" spat Lily. "And if you're going to be late, just don't bother coming at all."

"And that wouldn't bother you at all, would it Evans? You try to get away from me as much as possible," countered James stiffly.

Lily was rather taken aback by James' reply. He had never reacted so strong with that type of approach towards her.

"And you still don't know why I try to get away from you," she said incredulously.

"Then please, enlighten me. I want to know why I am considered a constant prat to only you," there was a taut tone to James' voice.

Lily halted, overtaken by James' reaction, but then with no hesitance decided to continue.

"Fine. It's because of the way you are. Sometimes you're so full of yourself, that it's the best thing to do," she said calmly.

James only watched Lily, as if he was incapable of any further words. His face was no longer contorted into annoyance, irritation or anger, but instead it was frail and dense.

"And that's what you think of me?" he asked, in what seemed pained serenity.

Relentless of his somewhat crestfallen posture, Lily nodded.

"Yes, it is," she said.

For a moment, James looked like he was about to run, perhaps even rage, but no. He just stood, still and rigid.

The eleven o'clock chimes echoed through the corridor, breaking the awkward silence that was now aligning between her and James. She took once last quick glance at James and silently left.

-x-

A/N: Yes, I finally updated. I have been very busy lately with school work and things.
Thanks for reading!