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 Five

Lily groaned. A group of girls were sitting in the Common Room, looking at various fashion magazines and cooing over what they were going to wear to the ball.

"—I think red's your color—"

"—Oh no, definitely not red! You must be joking! Turquoise, I think—"

"—I think my gown's going to be a venus cut, with lots of jewels—"

"—No, frills and laces are fashionable at the moment—"

"—Yes, yes, jewels are too old-fashioned—"

Lily sniffed. The ball was still two days away. She had heard enough of it and since she didn't have a date, she wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

"It's your fault you don't have a date! James asked you, very nicely, might I add, and you refused!" Penelope snapped as Lily began to complain about the woes of being dateless.

"Who would want to go with Potter?" Lily retorted back. She had come to Penelope for support, not to be chided at.

Penelope flipped through a fashion magazine, trying to choose her own style and sighed impatiently, "Over half the school's girls, in case you haven't noticed. It's not like he looks like a mutant or something."

Lily ignored her comments and said rather childishly, "Hmpth. I don't really care. We can go there dateless then."

Penelope turned pink, keeping her head low. "You can go dateless," she muttered.

"What? You got a date?" Lily looked surprised.

"What? So someone can't fancy me? Is that what you're saying?" Penelope asked, glowering.

"No, no, Penny, you took me wrong. I meant that I was just surprised that someone asked you," Lily said quickly and immediately smacked herself mentally. She had said the wrong words again.

"Are you saying that I'm ugly or something? People shouldn't like me?" Penelope was almost in tears.

"No, it's just that—erm—you haven't really told me of anyone fancying you lately," Lily said, feeling quite small.

"Well, someone does! At least I have a date!" Penelope glared at her before swiping her fashion magazine and storming out into the Common Room.

Lily sighed. Things couldn't get any worse.

She plopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Penelope was right, of course. She could have gotten a date, but she refused. She had been hoping that Amos Diggory might ask her, but Potter ruined it. Yes, it all went back to James Potter. He made her not have a date. He made her fight with her best friend. He ruined her life. Lily pushed away the thought that even without Potter's prodding, Amos wouldn't have asked her, considering that he was going out with a gorgeous Ravenclaw. Lily sighed again. Her temper cooled down. Okay, so maybe it wasn't completely Potter's fault.

Lily went downstairs to apologize to Penelope.

"Pen? I'm sorry," Lily said softly after she dragged her out of the circle of fashion.

Penelope just sat there, a frown still on her face. It twitched slightly. It finally broke into a smile.

"It's okay, Lil. I know I'm not a boy magnet, so I don't really blame you for acting that way," Penelope said.

"So, who's this date?" Lily grinned.

Penelope dropped her voice down to a minimum. She muttered something that Lily could not make out.

"Who?" Lily asked.

"Remus," Penelope whispered.

"That's wonderful! So, are you two…?" Lily prompted.

Penelope blushed. "Yes. We are."

"So, have you picked out a dress style or anything?" Lily asked, pretending to care.

"No, not really. What do you think my colors are?" Penelope asked.

"Brown hair, brown eyes—a true brunette. I think that you should definitely go with red. A really pretty bold red too. I think I saw something you might like at a Hogsmeade shop. It's a good thing we have a trip tomorrow. I'll take you to the shop and we can try on some gowns," Lily planned.

"Yes, that will be good. Now, Lily, I think that you should go with...well, you shouldn't go with blue, I guess. But maybe a green to bring out your eyes? Your eyes are so pretty, Lily. You're so lucky!" Penelope sighed.

"But we need to get you a date first. How about that cute Bones guy? He's in Hufflepuff. I had to work with him in Potions once, and he's not bad. What about that Maloney Ravenclaw 6th year?" Penelope ticked off names for Lily to consider.

Lily smiled, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. How come her friend had a date and she didn't? How come her friend had a boyfriend and she didn't? She wasn't that bad-looking, now was she? Lily just remembered something.

Maybe he didn't have a date.

Maybe…?

author's note:

hmm…yes, yes, I know I should reveal who the person is…horrible of me, but I'm sure you all can figure it out. It's not a new character, by the way. I usually leave off at a cliffie, because sometimes I want some time to think if I really want this or that to happen...on more than one occasion I have changed my mind, therefore changing sometimes the entire plot line. Sorry, I just felt that you all wonderful readers and reviewers should deserve a good reason for suffering the agony of cliffies. I still love you all to death!

yes, i know that this might seem as a really boring chapter, but there are people out there who enjoy this (i think) so it's up...don't worry, a next chapter will be up soon for people who do not enjoy reading fashion descriptions, etc..!

anyways, as always, please read and review! Give suggestions or new story plots! I'm itching to write another L+J love (doesn't need to be love/hate) story, because I'm not sure how long this story will last…I'm sure there's quite more to write, but I want to have another story in mind. Any ideas? Please feel free to tell me! Thanks.

No reviews? I'm hurt.

But over 150 views! Thanks, you guys.

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