James Potter was the perfect man.
He was a hardworker. He manages to stay close to top of the class despite his focus on quidditch, which he’s also very good at, and being a prefect.
He’s kind. His pranks never go too far. Nobody ever gets hurt. Hallways flooded? Sure. Slytherins mysteriously coming to breakfast with bright pink hair? A classic. But he would never hurt anyone.
He’s handsome too. Lily is intensely aware of how handsome he is. His tan skin and bright eyes make her knees week. He’s always smiling. A bright, happy smile. He has one dimple. Lily vows to never admit how cute he is.
But he doesn’t like her.
She doesn’t know why he insists on continuing this joke of asking her out.
It’s not like Lily thinks she’s unattractive. She isn’t insecure. Plenty of guys ask her out. But when he’s confessing his feelings in the front of the common room like it’s nothing, it feels so similar to his pranks.
The laughter.
The smirks and eye rolls.
There is absolutely no way he’s being genuine.
She repeats that to herself as she walks along side him.
He has a soft smile on his face and his arms are swinging by his side like a child on the way to ice cream.
As a prefect, she often gets paired with him to make sure no troublemakers are lurking around the school after hours.
He suddenly stops walking and gives her a smile. She recognizes his expression, its the one he gives her every time he asks her out. The only thing thats different is that they’re alone, which makes her confused. What is a prank with no audience?
“Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?” he asks. This time, she almost swears she hears shyness. From James Potter? Impossible.
She rolls her eyes, as she usually does.
“This is getting old, James”
He almost looks disappointed for a moment before a confused expression overcomes his face.
“What’s getting old? Hogsmeade? We could do something else.” He says, almost desperate.
“Why are you asking me right now? There’s nobody here to laugh.” She says more snappy. This is getting exhausting.
He gives her shortlived bewildered expression but gives her a shy smile and looks down at his feet, his messy hair falling over his face.
“Why would I need an audience..?” He sounds normal, if not a little disappointed from her shooting him down again.
“What good is a prank if nobody is here to witness it? I reckon people are tired of this old joke anyhow. I suppose it’s time to retire it.” She begins speaking with an agitated tone but it soon becomes somewhat dejected towards the end.
The man’s head snaps up and he gawks at her with a hysterical expression.
“Prank?? Joke? Lily, I’m not-“
She cuts off his panicked sentence with a sigh and a forced smile.
“It’s fine, you don’t have to explain. Let’s just continue our rounds.” She begins to continue walking when James reaches out and puts a gentle hand on her arm.
She looks back at him and he’s wearing a hesitant and nervous expression.
“Do.. Do you think I’m joking? About liking you??” His voice is quiet and he studies her face.
“Uh, I mean.. Yeah, obviously?” His eyes widen and he gives her a shocked and sad expression. He opens his mouth to speak but he cant find the words so he gives her a desperate look.
“I’m not- I wouldnt do that. I’m being serious, I’ve always been serious. I’ve liked you since first year. I had no idea you thought I was joking.. I’m so, so sorry… I- I dont even know what to say..” He rushes out. He brings a hand to his head and begins playing with his hair to try and resolve some anxiety he’s feeling. She meets his now watery eyes before he looks down at his shoes. Before she can respond, he continues.
“I didn’t mean to give you that impression.. Please believe me. I really, really like you.” He looks back up and gives her a sad smile.
She looks at his guilty face and instantly feels like shit. This whole time? He liked her even after her rejecting him?
“Fuck. I’m sorry. This whole time, I was so desmissive. I dont even know what to say..” She replies after a moment.
He gives her a sad chuckle before responding. “Seriously, don’t apologize.. This is my fault.” He gives her a shy smile.
“I fancied you. Like a lot. But I thought that you felt as if the idea of actually liking me was a joke or something..” She says this in hopes it makes him feel better, since his eyes are still watery. It has the opposite effect. He struggles to find words to express himself. His sad smile falters when she refers to liking him in past tense but his whole face changes to surprise when she finishes talking.
“You are literally the most beautiful girl, ever. You’re smart.. and kind.. and so funny. I just.. I L- I like you so much it hurts sometimes. My friends are tired of me talking about you. About your hair, or eyes… or whatever clever insult you threw my way.. I even um” he hesitates and blushes “I told my parents about you. After first year.” They’re both blushing intensely at the end of his rant.
She feels dazed and hardly registers the hand cupping her face.
She feels soft warmth on her lips. … he’s kissing her. James Potter is kissing her.
Its a soft, chaste kiss and he pulls back quickly, before she can even begin returning the kiss. He brings a hand to his lips and stutters out an apology. “Shit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize I was-“
He gets cut off by Lily smashing their lips together. He kisses back instantly, moving closer to her and putting one hand on her face, the other on her head. It’s filled with emotions, pent up from years of mutual pining. He presses forward, desperately trying to be closer until they hit a wall. He pulls back quickly. “Are you okay?! Is this okay? Am I dreaming?”
She looks at him, bright red lips and a easy smile on her face. “Please, keep kissing me”
He immediately obliges, slotting their lips together. Her body feels tingly, like she’s being electrocuted in the best way. They press against each other, desperately wanting to be closer. She puts a hand under his shirt and he surges impossibly closer. One hand still on her head, he feels his fingers subconsciously move through her hair. His other hand finds itself in the small of her back as he beings kissing her jaw and neck. She brings a hand to his hair as he kisses a sensitive area on her neck. She makes small sounds at his lips on her neck.
After a few moments he pulls back with wide eyes and a concerningly warm face as a hand drops to cover a noticable tent in his pants. “S-Sorry, this is probably.. weird. You’re just.. wow. I- Fuck.. I’m like, madly in love with you.”
Her eyes widen and her face breaks into a bright smile. “Thats.. Thats great, because I’m like, madly in love with you too” she mimics his phrasing and they smile at each other.
Suddenly, they footsteps coming down the corridor. The both look quickly, and they see a very concerned group of marauders. When they see the obvious scene, (red faces, messy hair and clothes, and red lips) they turn to eachother and grin wildly.
“He’s done it!!” Sirius says and he turns towards Remus and offers a high-five.
“Definitely took long enough.” Remus replies after high fiving Sirus.
“Here we were, wondering why the hell you were still out..” Peter grumbles. “They pulled me out of bed, thought you were gonna be lying here close to death or something..”
James snaps out of his daze. “Wait, what time is it?”
Sirius grins at James and Lily. “It’s way after curfew, that’s all I know. How long have you two been making out”
Lily rolls her eyes at Sirius and looks at James, while putting a gentle hand on his arm. “We should probably head back to the dorms, yeah? Before Filch shows up”
He nods and smiles at her.
“Absolutely no hankey pankey when we get back. You two kids will do that on your own time” Sirius says, ruining the moment with an impression that sounds a bit like if McGonagall swallowed a frog.