***A/N: I started this story a LONG time ago! Wow. Anyway, apparently when I started it, I gave James a sister. I know that James never had any siblings, but since she's already in the story, she will stay. She probably won't be in much of the story, but I guess she's there. Cool. Well, here we go then!
Just because the ski lodge was one of my favorite places, did not mean that I was very good at skiing. In fact, I wasn't very good at all. It was something Petunia loved to rub in my face relentlessly.
So with less enthusiasm than my mother would have liked, I strapped on my winter clothes so the mountain air wouldn't turn me into an icicle.
My lack of excitement was not only because of the skiing, however. The presence of James Potter was still hanging on my mind. I could just see him after our encounter, laughing maniacally in his room, twisting his hands together as he plotted to make this vacation the worst one in the history books. I shivered just thinking about it.
"Lily? Are you ready?" My mother rapped on the door lightly, though I could hear the impatience underlying in her voice. I was taking too long. Quickly sliding my foot into the other boot, I hopped out into the snowy landscape.
It really was surreal to see so much snow in July, but that didn't stop the smile that formed on my lips. Christmas music began to chime in my head at the sight of it.
Petunia, besides the fact that she had been gushing about her boyfriend yesterday, was already flirting with a boy in line for the ski lift. She flipped her hair, batting her eyelashes as they sat down on the bench before mine. I just about threw up.
In my opinion, riding the ski lift was better than the actual skiing part. It gives the best view of the whole resort. It looks like a painting; the sun peaking over the mountains, with the lodge tucked into the corner, and the snow covered trees surrounding it. Tiny skiers shoot down over the glistening snow. It's breathtaking.
I spread my arms out, welcoming the serenity of all of it. A jolt went up my leg, and my smile turned into a look of horror as I glanced down. My left ski was falling to the ground below. A yelp broke from my throat as the ski began its journey down the hill, opposite of where I was going.
"No! Come back!" I scrambled in a panic, the bench beginning to swing beneath me.
"What on earth are you doing?" Petunia and the flirty boy gave me the strangest looks as she shouted at me. I must be quite a sight. I can just hear the people not so far below me: "Who is that odd girl? Does she think she can ski with only one ski? That's preposterous!" And they would chortle haughtily as they got onto their benches.
My own bench begins to swing a little too dangerously for my liking, and Petunia is squawking above all of the chaos. My hand moves to grip the arm of the bench, but I miss it. Trying to overcompensate, I push my hand further to grip it again. It's as if the wind was waiting for this moment. It seems to take a hold of my wrist and tug me down, causing me to tumble to the snowy ground.
I faintly hear my sister scream as the ground rushes at me. My fright is caught somewhere between my lungs and my stomach.
At the most opportune moment, just as I am about to make contact with the ground, a skier rushes down the slope, breaking my fall. I half expected the two of us to create one of those snowballs that cartoons always portray as we rolled down the hill, our limbs getting caught in each other's equipment.
We skid to a messy stop, and I finally dare to open my eyes. My traitorous ski is lying only inches away.
I glare at it. If it had a mouth, it would be grinning maliciously at me right now.
A moan reminds me of the person I am currently tied in a knot with. "I am so sorry!" I squeak as I scramble to get off of my victim.
"It's fine, just watch yourself next time."
Damn. I don't even need to look, but my eyes find those brown orbs anyway, now behind his Quidditch goggles instead of his usual spectacles.
Why did it have to be you? "Of all people to fall on," I sigh, not even trying to hide my exasperation.
James smirks, though it is partially hidden by his scarf. "It must be fate."
I purposely punch him in the chest as I stand up, hobbling over to my ski.
"Seriously though, are you alright? That was quite the tumble." His eyes hold a sincere concern for me that I really don't want to see there. I don't want James Potter to worry about me like that. "Let me take you to the infirmary." He moves to come closer, but I step back immediately.
"I'm fine." I say too quickly, staring at my gloved hands. I can feel his eyes one me still.
"I highly doubt that." James reaches a hand out for me again.
"I don't care whether you believe me or not!" I hold my ski to him as if it is a sword. I can tell be his expression that he is starting to think me insane. Maybe if he believes it enough, he will leave me alone. But as he said before, I highly doubt that.
He dodges my swing of the ski, and lunges for me, scooping me up in his arms.
"Put me down, Potter! I'm fine!"
But the insolent boy just kept up his pace, ignoring every strange look he got as I slapped him anywhere I could reach.