Word Count: 385
"Am I dreaming?"
Lily bites back a groan and tries to focus on her chocolate-dipped raspberry and coconut ice cream cone. James Potter is just an unfortunate inconvenience. She doesn't have to entertain him.
Seemingly oblivious to the fact that she's blatantly ignoring him, James sits in the seat beside her at the counter. "Chocolate and marshmallow sundae, please," he says, placing his money on the counter. "Extra cherries."
Florean Fortescue nods. "The usual," he chuckles before setting about making the sweet treat.
James returns his attention to Lily. Lily stares pointedly at her cone. If she ignores him, maybe he'll go away.
"Tell me, Evans, what are the chances that you and I would both happen to be in this ice cream parlor today?"
"Since it looks like half the school is getting their shopping done today," she says, "I would guess pretty likely."
She hates herself for talking to him. As soon as the answer has left her lips, she waits for the fallout. James will assume she's interested in having a conversation, and nothing she says will convince him otherwise.
"I dunno, Evans," he says. "Diagon Alley is an awfully big place. If you ask me, we were destined to run into each other."
"Or, more likely, you followed me around and decided this would be the best spot."
"You wound me."
Lily frowns. He doesn't seem to be trying to go out of his way to annoy her. That's new.
"What will it take for you to let me buy you lunch?" he asks. "Not today, since you've undoubtedly ruined it with ice cream. Tomorrow?"
What's with this change? She isn't used to seeing him soft like this. Where is his arrogance, and why is he looking at her like that? She wishes he would stop. It makes her want to give in.
"I'm busy tomorrow," she says. "How about Wednesday?"
James grins, and the arrogance is back in his handsome features. "Splendid! Wednesday is perfect. I promise you won't regret."
He jumps from his seat, clapping victoriously as Florean brings his sundae. "She said yes!"
Lily watches, fighting back a smile. Maybe, at the very least, it will help James get this silly crush out of his system. Deep down, though, she has a feeling that Wednesday will change everything.