The Problem with Pretty

By LittleMissRedShoes

(A/N: As this chapter developed, I found myself delving into some themes that were a lot deeper than I originally intended. So, I have made the decision to change this story from a T rating as it was originally posted to and M. What started as an idea for a one-shot turned itself into a two shot and now it's going to be four chapters plus and epilogue at least! Oh well. Hope you enjoy!)

Lily stormed out of the Library. All she wanted was a little peace and quiet while she studied for Potions. She was in her NEWT year for goodness sakes! You would think that by now that her fellow students would have gotten the message that she was here to study, not to flirt with boys!

In that moment, she decided that she hated all men, boys, and everything in between. There were a few names in particular that came at the very top of that list.

Hovering somewhere around third place was Avery, a tall, stocky Slytherin with a nasty temper when he didn't get his way which, where Lily was concerned was always. He could assure her that 'all he wanted was a little kiss' as often as he pleased, but the answer was always a resounding 'No.' Frankly, Lily would rather snog the Giant Squid than him!

Firmly in second place was none other than Severus Snape, Lily's former best friend until what would be referred to only as The Incident, by Lily at least. Several of her fellow students had admitted to believing that she and Severus were 'a thing' prior to The Incident. While this was never actually the case, this along with a few 'accidents' that always seemed to occur to the boys that were bothering her, had given her a degree of protection from unwanted male attention. That is until a single word that was now tied for the worst word ever in Lily's mind, destroyed a friendship forever. He had tried to mend their friendship, but her trust had been broken forever. It still broke her heart a little to tell him 'No.'

Then, at the very top of the list by a country mile was none other than James Potter, a boy who clearly had absolutely no comprehension of the word 'No.'

She despised everything about that boy from the way that he was constantly messing with his hair, purposefully making it more and more unruly as the day progressed until it was entirely standing up on end, to the way that wherever she went, he was always just there. No matter where she went within the castle and grounds, he was waiting for her, usually accompanied by his gang of 'Marauder' friends, flashing his stupid dopey grin that made all of the other girls in the school swoon.

Why couldn't he just find one of them to fixate on? In the six and a half years that she had the misfortune of knowing James Potter, he had not so much as glanced at another witch. Lily might admire his persistence and dedication if it wasn't so bloody annoying!

Every day he would tail her like a little lost puppy, offering to carry her book to her classes for her, telling her how pretty she looked (Ugh!), and asking her a thousand and one meaningless questions about her life, her family, her hobbies and interests, just so that she would have to talk to him. She had tried everything she could think of to get him to leave her alone. Ignoring him didn't work, neither did humouring him which she did in the hopes that he would get bored and find someone else to chase. Asking him outright to leave her alone didn't work either.

She had even tried speaking to the headmaster. He had been no help at all, telling her that he couldn't punish a student for trying to be friendly with her, and that unless he was physically inappropriate with her, there was nothing he could do. She had tried to argue with him that it was harassment. His advances were completely unfounded and unwanted. His response to this angered her more than anything had in her entire life.

"A pretty girl like you should enjoy the attention of a nice lad like Mr Potter. I, personally, think that you would make a lovely couple."

She never went back to Dumbledore with her problems again.

Lily contemplated returning to the Gryffindor common room, but she was just as likely to be harassed by some fifth years with a death wish there as she apparently was in the Library. She decided instead to find and empty classroom where she could finish her potions essay in peace.

She wandered through corridors searching for a classroom that was far enough off the beaten track that nobody would accidently stumble upon her hiding place. She had just decided on a little used classroom on the third floor when she turned a corner and ran into something very solid.

She looked up into the predatory eyes of Avery. 'No!' she thought, kicking herself for being so far away from where anyone might come across them in time to rescue her from this Slytherin that she usually so diligently avoided.

Before she could even process what was happening, she was pinned against the wall, one of his hands on either side of her, effectively trapping her. He wasn't quite touching her, but he was entirely too close for comfort. She could feel his body heat radiating from his skin from this distance, and feel his breath on her face as he looked down at her.

"Fancy meeting you here, Evans." He quipped.

"A-Avery" Lily responded, her slight stutter betraying the fear that she was desperately trying to conceal. She was very aware that her wand was concealed in her school satchel which now lay on the ground beside her foot, having slipped from her shoulder as she was knocked into the wall.

"Tell me, Princess, what are you doing out in this part of the castle all by yourself?" He asked. One of his hands picked up a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail and now hung beside her cheek. He played with the strand gently, twirling it between his fingers.

"I was just going to find an empty classroom to study in." She kept her eyes cast downwards, afraid that if she met his gaze, she would lose what remained of her composure.

"A pretty little thing like you should be out socialising on a Saturday afternoon, not all alone studying." Before she could argue that she liked studying, he continued. "If you were my girl, Evans, you'd never have to work another day again. I'd take care of you."

"But I'm not your girl." Lily whispered quietly, doubting that she had managed to get across the air of defiance that she had been aiming for in that statement.

"Not yet." Was his response. Lily could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

His lips descended upon hers. They were forceful and wet. She remained frozen and unresponsive, eyes tightly closed as he pressed himself against her. He cupped her face in his hands, tilting her face up towards him for access. He swiped his tongue against her lip, trying desperately to get a response. But none came.

He broke away suddenly. Lily flinched as his fist slammed into the wall beside her head.

"Dammit Evans!" he cried.

She couldn't help it. A single tear escaped her still closed eyes and made its path down her cheek. He must have spotted it because she felt his hand come up to her face and wipe it away.

"I'm sorry, Princess." He whispered.

A gentle kiss was pressed against her forehead, and then he was gone.

Lily stood completely still for a full minute, praying that he wouldn't come back. When he didn't she sank down the wall and sat with her knees pressed up against her chest. "No." She whispered, but it was too little, too late. She allowed the tears to fall.