"Come on Lily," Alice begged. "Please come to the quidditch game,"
At this point Becca was practically pulling Lily out the door.
"Well maybe if this one," Lily said to Alice, referring to Becca, "would let me go then I might consider it on my own free will!"
Lily was dragged out onto the quidditch fields until she promised she wouldn't run back to the castle and was then able to walk on her own.
"So what's this I hear about you and Black then?" Alice asked, sparking both Becca and Lily's attention.
"About who and Black?" Lily asked curiously.
"About this one," Alice said, "And her rumors of dark corners with our Mr. Sirius Black."
"Do you believe all the gossip you hear in the halls?" Becca scoffed.
"No," Alice replied. "Just what I hear about you…because it's usually true."
The three of them laughed, Becca hoping the subject had changed, but Alice cut in again.
"So…care to share with us then?"
"I do not." Becca said with a smile.
"Come on now," Lily said. "Don't keep us in the dark. Where you have so clearly been,"
Becca playfully shoved Lily, not able to hid the grin on her face. "It's just an infatuation, leave it at that."
"We most certainly will not!" Alice said.
By this point they were almost at their spot in the stands. Lily surveyed the area and saw that not too far away, but not directly near them, was Sirius black himself with the rest of James' motley crew: Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.
Lily was fond of Remus but didn't care much for the rest of the Marauders.
"Well there's your infatuation now," Lily said, inconspicuously pointing.
Becca turned her head, her raven hair whipping around with her. She spotted Sirius who gave a coy grin. Becca simply batted her eyelashes and turned back around.
Becca sighed, turning to her friends. "I will admit…he is a very good infatuation."
"I am going to pretend not to know what that means." Alice said.
"Oh please," Becca said. "Get your minds out of the gutters…well, not too far out."
The girls giggled and found their seats. The game went on for a while and Lily had a hard time getting into it. She liked quidditch but it took a lot for her to get deeply involved in any kind of sport. She let her mind wander until it was suddenly disrupted and snapped back into reality.
James crashed into the stands right in front of Lily. She sat there for a moment, stunned, and watched as James tried to pick himself up. Before she knew it she was rushing over to him.
"James! James are you alright?" Lily asked frantically.
"Ouch." Was all James replied.
"Oh that looks like it hurt! Potter has crashed into the Gryffindor stands while Slytherin's seeker is catching up with the snitch…"
Lily listened to the voice on the loudspeaker, while checking to see if James was alright. A whole crowd had formed around them but for some reason they seemed to fade into the background.
"Those slimy gits…" James said, trying to get up but cringing a little in pain.
Lily furrowed her brow and grabbed both of James' hands.
"On your feet Potter!" She said, feeling extremely out of her own character.
James let Lily pull him up, helping a little himself, and he stared curiously into her eyes.
He's been talking about this bloody game for ages. He deserves the chance to at least try to win it…
"You've been talking about this bloody game for ages," Lily said to him. "Now go out and win it." She pulled her hands away from his; her face remained stern.
James surprised her by grinning widely, similar to the smile he gave her on the first day of seventh year, but for some reason this time she didn't feel remotely disgusted.
He messed up the back of his hair and was on his broomstick within seconds. "Thanks Evans," He said about to zoom off but quickly stopped himself. "Uh, I mean Lily,"
James flew back off into the game and Gryffindor was immediately winning again. The crowd cheered and Lily stood there dumbfounded.
What the bloody hell has gotten into me? When in the world did I stop hating James Potter?
"Well it's about time," Becca said to Lily.
Lily looked at her confused, wondering for a moment if Becca had read her thoughts.
"What?" Lily asked.
"It's about time you started to like Potter," Becca clarified. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"And by like," Alice popped in, "She means as friends, of course, right Becca? Come on Lily let's sit back down."
"Well maybe that's what you meant…" Becca said.
The three girls sat back down and the commotion was done with. Lily watched the game intently. For the first time Lily could remember she paid close attention to the game, namely on her teams star seeker.
James was a very skilled player and it was no wonder why Gryffindor had won so many times. For the first time in a long time Lily was at the edge of her seat watching and waiting to see how the game would end. She joined in with her friend's excitement and nearly jumped in the air when she saw James take a dive for the snitch, coming up triumphantly with golden ball in hand.
The crowds went wild and Lily loved being a part of it. All of the Gryffindors were rushing down to the field, including Alice and Becca. Lily was feeling inspired today and simply asked herself: Why not?
Lily had fallen a little behind her friends and soon bumped into Remus. Sirius pushed in front of them, presumably to find Becca.
"Hello there Lily! Enjoy the game?" Remus asked.
Why is Remus friends with the rest of the Marauders? He is nice and normal, unlike the rest of them…
"I did actually," Lily said smiling. "How about yourself?"
"Excellent game," Remus said. "Except Prongs, I mean James, had a nasty spill."
"Oh, oh yes," Lily said.
"Was he alright? I noticed you over by, um, by where he crashed." Remus asked.
"He seemed alright," Lily said, trying not to show disgust, as she was accustomed to.
"Good," Remus said, trying to render their now awkward conversation. "Well he got us the win after all! He must be feeling better…speaking of which, there he is now."
Lily saw James approaching from a ways in front of her and she was hoping to be able to dodge out of his vision, but it seemed impossible, she was sure James had already spotted them
Remus waved at his friend and Lily wished that at that moment she were anywhere but there.
James came up to her, took her hand, and placed a kiss on it. "That win was thanks to you Miss Evans." He said; Lily was utterly befuddled. "Come on Moony!"
"See you later Lily," Remus said.
Lily stood there, looking down at her hand, and Alice and Becca made their way over to her.
"What the heck was that all about?" Becca asked.
"I don't know," Lily said. "I don't know…"
The three girls sat in the Gryffindor common room in a corner by the fireplace. The rest of the room was busy in celebratory commotion.
"So how is everything going with Frank?" Lily asked Alice.
Alice smiled shyly. "Everything's going great."
Becca grinned, "Who ever knew Longbottom would be able to capture this one's heart,"
Alice blushed slightly and changed the subject. "So what was with you and James today?"
Lily's smile stopped short. "What do you mean?"
"You definitely had a moment today." Alice explained.
"We did not." Lily denied.
"More than one if I recall." Becca said.
The two girls stared at Lily.
"And what sort of response are you looking for?" She asked bluntly.
"Oh come on Lily," Alice said, "James is really trying; you can even admit that,"
"Fine," Lily said. "I'll admit that his head has slightly deflated, but only slightly."
"And anyone with eyes and a brain could have seen the sparks flying today," Becca said.
"Now that I will not admit to, no way." Lily said.
There was a fire lit behind Becca's eyes, and Alice knew she had to calm her down. "Well Becca, we both know that Lily will come around, so let's just wait for her to realize that for herself."
Becca gave in. "Sure, whatever." She said standing up. "Well I'll see you two later,"
"And where are you going?" Lily asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Nowhere." Becca replied.
"Give us a status report on the broom closet's interior when you're done," Alice said.
A pillow was respectively chucked at her.
Lily walked down the hallway towards her room contemplating the day's earlier events.
I hate to admit it but Potter has changed. He seems to be trying harder every day, but at the same time not trying at all. He doesn't try to catch my attention as much anymore but that is catching my attention. Maybe he really is…
Lily's thoughts stopped short when she walked into the next hallway to see Severus Snape flying across the corridor, his pants flying off him on the way.
In the opposite direction of which Snape was flying was the one person she knew it was but hoped it wasn't: James Potter.
"Unbelievable."
I take back every good thought I had of Potter today.
"Lily…"
"Unbelievable." Lily scoffed, turning on her heels, and heading back to the heads common room. She knew James could follow her but she didn't know where else to go. She hastily opened the door and hurried towards her room.
James burst into the room, Lily only wished she had been in her room and locked the door before he arrived.
"Lily please, I wouldn't have done it if he hadn't…"
"Oh do enlighten me!" Lily said. "What has Severus done that has so deeply wounded you that you had to go and humiliate him in font of everyone…again!"
"He…"
"What James, what?" Lily practically yelled.
"He called you a mudblood." James said. Lily could tell he wanted to shout at her but was holding himself back.
Lily's breath caught in her throat but she slowly let it out when she saw James looking at her concernedly; she couldn't let him know how much it hurt her to hear that.
"I couldn't just let him get away with that!" James said. "He has no right to say that to anyone, let alone you…"
"You aren't the one who should be standing up for me at others expense." Lily said. "I don't need you protecting me."
"You're wrong about that." James said. And for the first time that Lily remembered he walked away from her.
-------------------
James looked out on the quidditch field and turned back around to face his team.
"Alright team, those slimey snakes are going to get exactly what they deserve!"
There were cheers coming from his teammates.
"Now let's get out there and show them the meaning of victory!"
They heard the announcement come on.
"...versus Gryffindor!"
The team burst out on their broomsticks erupting cheering from the stands.
The game was heated, both teams constantly scoring points. James had his sights set on one thing: the snitch.
He was getting closer and closer. The golden orb was almost within his grasp and as he reached for it some force hit him and hit him hard.
Slytherin's seeker came up on his left and careened into him, pushing him twirling towards the stands. With what James would consider a hard crash, he collided with the stands. Thank goodness it was his own team's section or he might have been kicked off the stands completely.
He wasn't in too much pain, but it was pain enough. He just had to focus on getting upright again. There is no way that bloody snake is going to get the snitch. Come on James, get up, just get up.
James hadn't realized he crashed into the stands right in front of Lily.
"James! James are you alright?" He heard Lily ask him. She was for some reason rushing over to help him.
"Ouch." Was all James could muster as a reply.
"Oh that looks like it hurt! Potter has crashed into the Gryffindor stands while Slytherin's seeker is catching up with the snitch…"
James listened to the loudspeaker and cringed. He was almost too disoriented to notice Lily checking to see if he was alright. A whole crowd had formed around them but in his eyes they seemed to fade into the background.
"Those slimy gits…" he said, trying to get up, unable to help from cringing a little in pain.
Without warning Lily grabbed both of his hands. What the bloody hell is she doing…
"On your feet Potter!" She said. James was surprised at how out of character she sounded; he wasn't sure what to make of it.
James let Lily pull him up, helping a little himself, and he stared curiously into her eyes.
Why is she helping me? She can't seriously care, can she? Not unless miracles actually do happen…
"You've been talking about this bloody game for ages," She said to him. "Now go out and win it." James was reluctant when she pulled her hands away from his; he also noticed that her face hadn't changed an inch.
It was like a wave of realization and James couldn't help but grinning widely. She wanted to help me. She really wanted to make sure I was alright.
James grabbed his broomstick, messed up the back of his hair, and was on his broom within seconds. "Thanks Evans," He said. He was about to zoom off when something didn't feel right. He stopped and turned around, "Uh, I mean Lily,"
James flew back off to the game with a new sense of determination. He was going to win this game. And this time it wasn't to impress Lily…it was to thank her.
It wasn't too much later into the game that James caught back up with the snitch and made more than just a leap of fate.
On the ground with golden snitch in hand his whole team surrounded him in fervent cheers. He was congratulated over and over again, and although the cheers didn't die down, he was able to make his was out of the crowd.
His friends always came down onto the field to meet him: win or loss.
He spotted Remus across the field waving to him, and to James' pleasant surprise Lily was walking with him.
Without thinking and completely on impulse James rushed over to them, walked up to Lily, took her hand, and placed a kiss on it. "That win was thanks to you Miss Evans." He said; he could tell that Lily was baffled. "Come on Moony!"
"See you later Lily," Remus said. When they were far enough away from Lily Remus turned to James. "What was that for?"
"Couldn't help myself," he replied.
"That wasn't exactly laying low like you were trying to." Remus said.
"She likes me Moony, I can tell." James said. "I knew it. I knew it."
"You just won a game…don't let it get to your head," Remus advised.
Ah Moony. He's always trying to give me advice, he's so sensible, but he doesn't know the feeling you get when you look into someone's eyes and just know.
James and Remus saw Sirius running over towards them.
"I am the love master," he said, slightly out of breath. "She's meeting me again…tonight…broom closet…that's what I'm talking about mates," Sirius ended with a wink.
"Congrats mate," James said, amused.
"Thanks Prongs," Sirius said. "Oh, and congrats to you! Nasty spill before, but Lils seemed to have gotten you back on your feet," Sirius said with another wink. "And excellent dive at the end. Oh bugger! I forgot the fireworks!" Sirius turned around. "Come on Pete, hurry up!"
Peter came running up next to them, huffing and puffing, stopping to catch his breath. "Just…one…minute…"
"No minutes Wormy, we've got to get those fireworks set up to celebrate our victory!" Sirius cheered. "You two come along in a few to set them off with us. I know you have your victory rounds Prongs."
Peter messed up the fireworks. But they did manage to get one to go off.
After many congratulations and celebrations James decided to finally take a break and head back to the heads room. On his way he couldn't help but think about Lily. He tried not to because he had to focus on not focusing on her…but that task was nearly fruitless. I wonder if she is going to act weird when she sees me…
James was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts when he bumped into someone and his smile slowly faded
"Pardon me for ruining your happy mood. What, are you fantasizing about your never will be mudblood girlfriend?"
James' look turned lethal and before he could stop himself he whipped out his wand and Snape was flying across the corridor.
James didn't mean for it to happen, but wasn't necessarily upset at the fact, as Snape was flying down the corridor his trousers were somehow separated from him.
"That's what you get Snively." James seethed.
"Unbelievable."
Oh god. James thought, turning around. Lily.
"Lily…"
"Unbelievable." Lily scoffed, turning on her heels, and heading back to the heads common room, thankfully, the one place James could actually follow.
James burst into the room, wanting to catch Lily before she locked the door to her room.
"Lily please, I wouldn't have done it if he hadn't…"
"Oh do enlighten me!" Lily said. "What has Severus done that has so deeply wounded you that you had to go and humiliate him in font of everyone…again!"
"He…"
"What James, what?" Lily practically yelled.
"He called you a mudblood." James said wanting to shout at her. He didn't want to upset her but he had to explain himself.
He saw Lily's face go stark. Her breath seemed to be stuck in her throat and all James wanted to do was take back what he said and did but he knew he couldn't.
"I couldn't just let him get away with that!" James tried to explain. "He has no right to say that to anyone, let alone you…"
"You aren't the one who should be standing up for me at others expense." Lily said. "I don't need you protecting me."
That was James' personal sting to the heart.
"You're wrong about that." James said. And for the first time in his memory he walked away from her.
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Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it! I'll have the next chapter up asap!
