Never Got Along

By: neen

author note

Please read this before reading the story! The info might help you out a lot…and takes about one minute!

Set in 5th year as you might notice. It's the beginning of Lily's hate for him

My own character: Penelope Walker. She is a Gryffindor, who is also in 5th year and is basically Lily's best friend.

Yes, James has recently asked Lily out before this opening scene (the 1st time as well) and Lily refused him and gave a reason of studies being more important. Then Lily notices his personality and attitude and greatly hates it.

Chapter Four

Just his luck. Lily was sitting peacefully by the roaring fire in the Common Room, absorbed in reading a large volume. A strand of her wonderful red hair had escaped and James longed to tuck it behind her ear. James took a tiny step towards her. The floorboard betrayed him. It let out a rather loud creak. James inwardly groaned. Luck wasn't on his side anymore.

Lily was startled and pried her eyes from her book to look at what caused the noise. Her eyes met with James Potter's.

"You! Get away from me, Potter! I don't want to see you," Lily shouted angrily, this morning's incident replaying in her mind. Because of it, she was too embarrassed to go to Hogsmeade and meet Amos.

"Lily. Forgive me, I was being a total git. I need you to know that I'm truly sorry. You have my solemn word that I will never embarrass you again. I'll also let you do whatever you want to me as payback. Will you forgive me, Lily?" James closed his eyes, silently praying for a 'yes' from Lily.

Lily just sat there a minute, completely taken aback. She was stunned that James Potter had apologized!

Then after a moment, "Anything, Potter?"

"Yes, yes, anything you want!" James said eagerly.

"Are you sure now? I don't want to you do something you might regret later on…" Lily asked, her eyes dancing wildly with mischief.

"Yes, of course, Lily. You can change me into an ugly toad or something if I don't agree," James said desperately.

"All right. And as for the getting back, I want you to do whatever I tell you to do from now on," Lily gave a grin.

James's ecstatic grin faded and turned into a frown. He hadn't been expecting that. James told himself that he could take up anything Lily wanted, but definitely not all the time. "Now, Lily, be serious, that's being unfair. You can't have possibly meant that!"

"I did, Potter," Lily smiled menacingly.

James gulped. Most unlike him. "All right, whatever you say."

"For starters, apologize to Snape," Lily said calmly, fidgeting as she fought back from openly laughing.

"Do what!" James yelled. "Snivellus! You must be joking! You know I hate the bloody git!"

Lily just brandished her wand dangerously. "Maybe a huge wart on your forehead would do you some good in your decision."

"Fine," James sighed, defeated.

Lily looked somewhat surprised at James's answer. She did not expect him to agree so soon and look so...weak.

"How was your Hogsmeade trip?" Lily asked acidly, trying to stop her conscious from telling her that she felt guilty. She couldn't believe he did that to her and had had fun with his friends at Hogsmeade without a worry in the world. There was a flash of rage inside of her.

"Actually," James said coolly, "I was here with my friends all day, trying to think of what to say to you. Good day, Lily." He turned and left her alone, making her feel quite stupid for yet again rushing to conclusions on him. She thought she had him figured out as another stupid prat trying to ruin her life. She was so wrong. He always surprised her. James had that effect on her.

"Stupid git," Lily muttered. In frustration, she slammed her book that she was enjoying shut. There was no use concentrating on reading when that arse was on her mind.

The next morning at breakfast, the headmaster, Dumbledore, stood up to announce news.

"Fifth years! I know we should have gone through the Heads and Prefects, but the professors and I have decided to give you a treat—a ball to help relieve stress of your O.W.L. year. Only 5th years are invited, but other grades may come as dates of the invited 5th years. This ball will take place in one week on Sunday, October 2nd," Dumbledore said with a smile.

There was immediately a rush of excited whispers.

Lily just sat there, looking extremely glum, since she knew that Amos would never ask her to the dance.

There was a light tap on her shoulder. "Could it be Amos?" Lily thought happily and turned her head.

It was James Potter. Sirius was behind him, looking oddly innocent.

"I apologized. He didn't take it too well," James said in a low voice. His cheek had a bleeding gash on it.

"Did you hex him back?" Lily demanded.

"Er—no. Well, not really," James said uncomfortably.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"Well, I didn't hex him. Pad—Sirius couldn't help it though," James said sheepishly as Sirius began whistling rather loudly.

Lily sighed. "Oh well. At least you tried."

"Anything else you want me to do?" James asked, bracing himself for the worst.

"Um, no, not at the moment. I'll think of something later," Lily said in a tired tone. She was disappointed that James wasn't Amos.

"Er—Lily. Would you—ah, let's see, wouldyouliketogototheballwithme?" James said rather fast. (yes, I know, horrible—taking out of GoF, sorry!)

"Come again?" Lily asked, even though she heard.

"Would you like to go with the ball to me?" James asked nervously, mixing words up.

Lily noticed and laughed. She caught herself in the middle of it. Her expression soon darkened. "Well, it's not like Amos is going to ask me, now is he?"

James ducked his head down.

"Well...well, no," Lily said quite simply after thinking 'hard' and left the table.

James stared after her, clearly disappointed.

Sirius came up from behind him and clamped a hand on James's shoulder and sighed, " 'At least you tried,' mate."

author's note

I hope you all are happy—two chapters in a day! Yes, a record, I know. I'm going to be a bit busy the next two days, so expect a chapter later in the week. Thanks!

yes, yes, I know, everyone's going to scream at me for making Lily say no…but I think that their relationship should be stronger before Lily actually agrees to go with James. Who knows? But maybe a dance…? Hmm…ideas appreciated! Read and review! Thanks so much!

Much love,

neen

reviewers:

: phantom radio : I'm so glad you came back! You put this story down to be alerted? You put this down in your favs? I'm touched! tear

Haha, actually I was running out of ideas, so I decided that Sirius would be a bit witty. Hope I succeeded! Yeah, I think Remus is the most sensible of all of them…haha, agreed. But I still think Sirius is the sexiest! Hell, all of them (minus Peter..ugh!) are sexy!