THC, practice round, Slytherin, Divination.

[Trope] Mutual Pining

Word count: 644

Betas: 2D, Lily

Lily's eyes were locked on the brown-haired boy carelessly flailing around the edge of the Black Lake. Many times, she thought he was going to fall in, which kept distracting her. She could just imagine his white shirt sticking to his bare chest beneath and his tie hanging heaving.

"Lily?"

Quickly, Lily diverted her eyes to her best friend, Marlene. "Yes?"

The other girl laughed and shook her head. "Distracted?"

"What? No. He's just being annoying," she said, rolling her eyes as she looked down at the book before her. They were here revising for their charms test.

"Who?"

"Hmm?"

"Sirius?"

Lily looked at her, momentarily confused, and turned her gaze to the four boys; she hadn't even noticed that James was accompanied by his friends.

"Of course not," Marlene said, her voice teasing. "I suppose it must be James."

A scoff left Lily so quickly that she almost choked. "Don't be ridiculous."

When Marlene didn't respond, Lily looked at her and rolled her eyes.

"You're way too interested in boys, Marlene."

"I'm not the one still on the first chapter, Lily."

Lily looked down at her book. That was putting it lightly; she was still on the first page.

Lily had taken her time to consider all her options when joining the fight against the rising evil; however, James hadn't. He and his friends were members the second they turned old enough.

In her opinion, seeing someone selflessly join that sort of organisation made them a hero. Many were too afraid to admit that something was happening in the Wizarding World.

She looked up at him just in time to see Peter push Sirius into James, causing the two boys to fall in. Unintentionally, she forced herself onto her knees to see them in the water.

"Sirius and I have a date."

"What?"

Lily spun around so quickly that she landed back on her bottom and stared at Marlene. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Marlene bit her lip. "And I have a favour to ask."

Open-mouthed and surprised, Lily glanced over at Sirius, who happened to be dunking James back under the water, and couldn't think of a response.

It didn't matter; Marlene still asked. "Sirius hasn't got the best reputation, you know, with his family and all… Would you come with me?"

"Like a third wheel?" Lily asked, finding her voice.

"Like on a double date."

Lily gazed directly at her. "Are you trying to set me up with James again?"

Marlene shook her head. "You can choose Peter or Remus if you want. But I've never been alone with Sirius, not really. And with everything happening…"

Lily stopped her with a hand gesture. James had asked her out countless times before, and she always thought of a valid and good reason to say no. Those reasons had dwindled lately. And while she was still adamant that she would not date him, she was curious about this new version of him.

While James hadn't directly asked her out recently, he was clearly pinning over her. He hadn't dated anyone else. It was only last week that he had given her a rose.

Technically… it wouldn't even be a date. She would be supporting a friend.

"Fine, I'll double date with you."

"Remus?" Marlene offered.

Lily pulled a face. "No, James. I don't want it to be confused as a friend hangout for you."

Marlene screeched in joy and hugged Lily. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Sure, but I'm doing this for you!"

"Thank you!" Marlene stood up. "I'll start getting ready!"

Looking up at her. "When's the date?"

"Tonight."

Lily groaned. It was already 3 p.m., meaning she wouldn't have much more time to study this evening. Reluctantly, she stood up and gathered her things. While her expression looked annoyed, she was actually pretty excited to go on the date.