Chapter 2
The next morning, Lily sat in her usual desk in Professor Flitwick's class, absentmindedly staring out the window. The cotton-like clouds were begging her to jump aboard her broomstick and play with them. Flitwick noticed that the class would rather chat about their summers than pay attention, so he allowed them to start on their essays in class. Lily began to pull out a quill and parchment when James slid into the occupied seat next to her. Distracted by the squeal her friend Ella gave, Lily looked up. Her eyes were instantly locked into his. "Potter." She stated coldly.
"Evans, I don't see why you refuse me." Potter began.
"Well I do."
"Care to inform me?" He inquired.
"Where do I begin? You bully people just for the heck of it –"
"Snivellus doesn't count as a reason, Lily."
"Evans to you. Your lack of respect for authority, your arrogance –"
"Lily Flower, now that's not fair. I couldn't be a Marauder if I kept curfew."
"Evans," she corrected, "Just stop making excuses and accept it. I don't like you. Never have, never will." She tried to ignore the fleeting look of hurt in his eyes as she said this.
"You stop making excuses! Accept it! One day you'll run out of these flimsy 'reasons' and accept that we're made for each other Lily!" James practically shouted. With that he stormed over to Sirius, pouting.
"So, Prongs mate, what do you think my chances are with the blonde, Johnson?" Sirius said in reference to Lily's best mate Ella. James gave him a look that clearly said, 'Now is not the time. We should be focusing on me.' "Ok Prongsie, I get it. So for the millionth time Evans rejected you?"
"Yes." James replied sullenly.
"Maybe it's time you move on. A bunch of the girls at this school would go out with you in a heartbeat." Peter interrupted shyly.
"But I don't want them! I want the girl that makes my heart throb!" James said. Every word dripped with despair. Sirius turned his head to wink suggestively at Ella.
"James, maybe you ought to give her some space. Not bug her about dating you for a while." James slid down dejectedly in the desk, hands covering his face. Sirius strutted over to Ella.
"Johnson?" He asked cautiously.
"Yes?" she replied, "You can call me Ella if you like."
"Ok then, Ella," he couldn't help it, he flashed a fantastic grin, "I was wondering, if you um… er… like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" He said the end with his usual self confidence.
"Like, on a date?"
"No, no, no. No." She gave him a curious look as he said this. "Well actually, yes. Like a date."
"Well, sure." She said repressing a giggle. She put a hand over her mouth silently hoping she wouldn't snort like she always did. Black strutted merrily over to his friends.
"Don't even start, Padfoot." Remus said with a silencing glare.