Disclaimer: I don't own HP. Never will. Never have. And also any parts in bold are from Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix
James couldn't help staring at Lily the entire train ride. She was so beautiful, perfect defined features, red hair and green eyes, and a fiery spirit. She looked over at him and he quickly looked away, staring at the compartment door. Once he was sure that Lily wasn't staring at him, he chanced a glance over his shoulder and sure enough she was staring out of the window again.
His mind drifted back to the first time he saw Lily.
. . . .
It was his first day at Hogwarts; bright and sunny as if to welcome the occasion. He had made friends with Sirius on Platform nine and three quarters that morning. James had readied his trolley and was about to push through when a boy plowed into him. He had greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and a menacing scowl.
James managed to regain his balance and faced his newly found best mate. "Well Sirius, I'm not surprised he ran into me; his hair's like a greasy black curtain." Sirius gave a bark like laugh and James chuckled heartily along with him.
It had felt good to laugh but he regretted it as soon as a musical voice called out "Sev! Wait up!"
He whirled around and his eyes fixed on a gorgeous red haired girl sprinting toward the boy who had just plowed him over.
She looked at James then back at the boy. "Come on, Sev, let's get on the train. I simply can't wait!"
James had had a crush on her instantly and pushed past "Sev" , elbowing him in the stomach. He held out his hand. "I'm James Potter, this is Sirius. Who're you?"
The girl hadn't taken his hand and instead said coolly "I'm sorry, James, but I don't believe in love at first sight," she retorted and took the boy's hand. "Come on Sev, let's hurry."
The greasy boy had nodded. "Come on, Lily," he agreed and they ran through the brick wall, James still staring stupidly after them.
Lily. Lily. Lily.
In their third year, Lily Evans was at the top of Potions and was rather popular by now. James chanced every moment to talk with her, during class periods, running into her at the Three Broomsticks. Then something marvelous happened. He became Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. A surge of pride filled him. Now Lily would see him as more than an arrogant brat.
She and that kid (he had learned was Severus Snape) weren't as close as they usually were but still best friends.
When he won his first match, he stepped on his broom, heart full of pride.
But when he turned to Lily, she was wearing an expression of disgust and marched away. Things seemed hopeless.
In their fifth year, James realized that what he felt for Lily wasn't just a crush. It was love. He got up the courage to go up to her and ask her out. He hadn't expected her to agree instantly but he figured that she would at least have valued his bravery to do so. James was wrong. Lily instead shouted "How dare you, Potter!" and hurried to Charms.
James began to pull larger pranks and jinx Severus more often just to get Lily's attention or to make her laugh. It didn't work; only turned her against him even more.
She and Severus were still friends until one spirit crashing day.
It was almost the end of the year; James had asked Lily out at least seven times and she had either yelled at him or stiffly refused. Once she even tried to punch him in the face. It was lucky that he was quick or he would have been humiliated.
O.W.L exams had just ended and he, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were sitting next to a tree deep in thought. "Look who it is Sirius. Snivellus. Perfect."
We had stood up, used a spell to levitivate and flip him upside down. Lily had walked over and shouted "Leave him alone!"
I quickly responded "I will if you go out with me, Evans."
"How dare you?" she fumed. "I will never go out with you Potter, you arrogant toerag!"
Snape had suddenly interrupted. "I don't need your help you filthy little Mudblood!"
Lily had blinked and said coolly "Fine, Snivellus."
James had immediately roared "Apologize to Evans!"
But instead of warming up to him, Lily had said that he was no better than Snape. He felt as if his heart had broken in two. He hadn't asked her out since.
. . . .
"Oh my gosh, James!" Lily suddenly cried out. "The meeting! Quickly!"
James suddenly remembered that he was Head Boy and she Head Girl. They raced to the Prefect compartment. But it was empty.
He smirked. "Lily, I must say-" Then his mouth dropped open. "You called me James."
Horrified Lily quickly mumbled something, then turned to the door but James pulled her back.
"Please don't, Lily! Sirius will tease me for days for being early for the meeting!" That wasn't really the real reason he wanted to stay here. He just wanted to be alone with her.
She hesitantly stepped back and sat down, arms folded.
"Fine," she huffed. "Fine."