Changing Room

Fifth year - continued from previous chapter

James opened the door to find his Quidditch kit hurled at him.

"You're late," said Sirius. "Everyone's already dressed; they made me stay behind to tell you that we'll all be outside, alright? Be quick, or the captain'll have your head on a platter!"

"But we have twenty minutes before the match starts!" exclaimed James. "I'm not late."

Sirius shrugged. "Don't hex the messenger."

"Fine, alright," said James. "Tell them I'll be quick."

Sirius left, shutting the door behind him, his broomstick resting on his left shoulder. James rolled his eyes once he was gone. Gryffindor – although Sirius was not included in this – took Quidditch much too seriously sometimes. They were against Ravenclaw today, which meant that they could relax. Ravenclaw easily had the worst team.

He dumped his things on one of the benches, and took off his tie, throwing it over a hook. He was halfway through peeling off his shirt when the door burst open once more.

"I'm nearly done, I'm nearly done!" said James impatiently.

He threw his shirt down on the bench, and looked up to see Lily Evans staring back at him, her cheeks a deep red.

"I'm sorry – I thought – another changing room – didn't mean to," she stammered, lost for words. "I… well, I… thought this was Ravenclaw's."

"Ravenclaw's?" repeated James in surprise. The shock of seeing her in his changing room with him half-naked struck him.

"I wanted to wish Nathaniel good luck," she mumbled. "So I'll just leave..."

"Nathaniel?" blurted James. "Wait. Do you mean… Stebbins?"

"Well, yes," confessed Lily. "I'm not taking sides or anything, it's just that I–"

"So how bad was the date?" said James, forcing a smile.

"He's a nice person!" said Lily defensively. "Not that you would know nice if it hit you on the head."

"I'm nice," said James.

"Yes, very," said Lily sarcastically.

James shrugged, acting casual. "Don't know why you're going out with him anyway."

She glared at him. "And why is that?"

"He bites his nails," said James feebly.

"Does not!"

"Then he puts them in his shoes."

"As if. Don't make me jinx you."

"Ha! I'd like to see you try!"

He drew out his wand at the same time as she drew out hers. There they remained for a long, tense moment, both their wands directed at one another. Then the silence broke.

"Steleus!" shouted Lily.

James used the Shield Charm; it erupted from the end of his wand and her hex ricocheted away, crashing into one of the benches.

"A sneezing hex?" laughed James. "Really, Evans? You could've been a bit more creative."

"I, unlike you, don't like hurting people," said Lily. "Although for you, I might make an exception."

"You just don't want to hurt me because you–"

"If you say it's because I fancy you, I will blast you into that wall over there," threatened Lily.

"Fancy me," finished James. "Now are you really going to blast me into that wall? And right before our Ravenclaw game?"

Lily scowled. "Fine, fine. I'll let you go so you can play. But mark my words, Potter, the next time I see you…"

"I'll go flying through a wall," laughed James. "All right, I get it."

She glowered at him. "You're a prat, Potter."

"Oh, don't be like that," grinned James.

"I hate you," she said.

"Now, hate's a strong word," he said.

"I hope Nate hits the Bludger so hard at you that you fall fifty feet," said Lily. "I hope you make a fool of yourself."

"It's Nate now, is it?" said James.

She let out a groan of exasperation and turned to leave.

"Someday I'll marry you, Lily Evans!" James called as she walked towards the Ravenclaw changing room. "You're wasting your time on that idiot Stebbins!"