Never Got Along
By: neen
author note
Please read this before reading the story! The info might help you out a lot…and takes about one minute!
Set in 5th year as you might notice. It's the beginning of Lily's hate for him
My own character: Penelope Walker. She is a Gryffindor, who is also in 5th year and is basically Lily's best friend.
Yes, James has recently asked Lily out before this opening scene (the 1st time as well) and Lily refused him and gave a reason of studies being more important. Then Lily notices his personality and attitude and greatly hates it.
New character: Celeste Provolone (she is half-veela, like Fleur) – she won't wreck Lily and James's relationship, don't worry…
Chapter Thirteen
"Dear Diary,
I DESPISE THAT STUPID, UGLY FRENCH GIRL. Even if she's not really that ugly. She is the most annoying git I've ever met—even worse than how James was last year. The old James would be extremely tolerable next to Celery. I really hope that James doesn't fall for her. That would stink more than flobberworms. I hope he can tell that she's half-veela or something—stupid, flirty, pretty creatures. I've looked it up and as long as they get angry, the charm wears off, which is why I enjoy infuriating her in front of James—otherwise, James might have fallen for her. Ugh. I hope that she gets some feathers stuck up in her arse or something—I know that's mean, but I really do like James. Anyways…so today James and I were over at Honeydukes and I was enjoying our peaceful date before someone (hmm…) interrupted it! The nerve of her! I was very close to hexing her so-called pretty face off. But I didn't want to make James mad at me or anything. Speaking of which, I've become friends with him. Sorry I haven't written in this for the longest time. I've been…preoccupied, let's say. Penelope's right. I think I am starting to fall for James."
James eyes nearly popped out. He quickly went to the bottom of the entry and saw Lily's flourish of a signature and knew that it was definitely Lily Evans.
"Merlin," James breathed out, not daring to believe it. He reread the entry over and over again, a small smile absently sitting on his face. He then suddenly recalled that Lily had said something about him on a date with her when Celeste came earlier that day. He laid back, grinning. His head contacted with something soft and it let out a muffled noise.
James sat up quickly and brushed away the covers. His owl, it seemed, was back.
He gave it a gentle stroke, rearranging the feathers that had stuck up and took the piece of mauve parchment that was his mum's favorite.
He opened it rather slowly. He hesitated before reading it, dreading the answer.
"Dear Jamesie,
Your letter surprised me greatly. Though Madeline Provolone is not one to lie, I have not agreed to any of this arranged marriage business. As you said, I also believe that you should go find your own wife. I'm sure Celeste is a wonderful candidate—she seems charming, but I have no idea where you heard this nonsense. And I, for one, am ashamed of you, James! You know your dear old mum wouldn't do anything like this!
Your father is doing fine. It seems Lord Voldemort (the Dark Lord) that your father and I have briefly mentioned in your presence, is gaining power steadily and quickly. Your father has been very busy lately, mostly because of this. James, be careful, even at Hogwarts. I know Dumbledore's there now—better than that Dippet—Dippet's a wonderful person, of course, but I'd say that Voldemort sole feared person is Dumbledore. Make sure you are careful, understand? Well, your father's finally arrived, and I need to ask the house-elves to cook something special. Have a good day, dear.
Love,
Mum"
James sighed with relief. Celeste wasn't going to be married to him. Thank Merlin. On top of that, Lily liked him. Things were good.
Tomorrow, he would explain everything to everyone.
He slept rather comfortably that night, dreaming.
o.O.o.O.o
"Morning!" James said cheerfully.
"Morn," Sirius mumbled, not so perky in the morning as James nearly dragged him to breakfast.
"Oh come on, Paddy, Moony's already there!" James sighed impatiently and kicked Sirius in the shins.
"Ow! Damn, Prongs! I'm your friend, you know someone that you will have an everlasting connection with. Merlin," Sirius muttered.
"I have good news that I need to confront our dear Celeste with," James explained and continued dragging Sirius.
James sat down quickly beside Celeste as soon as he saw that Lily had arrived and was picking at her food absently, shooting furious glances at Celeste while Penelope was whispering in her ear, no doubt trying to calm her down. Lily stabbed at her biscuit.
"Celeste," James greeted loudly.
"M'dear James, 'ow are you zis morning?" Celeste asked warmly, batting her long eyelashes that curled naturally.
"I owled my mum about our arranged marriage and guess what I found out?" James said, still good-naturedly.
"What? You owled your muzzer? What ever for?" Celeste managed to ask, getting rather anxious, picking at her biscuit.
"My mum said that your mother lied. We do not have an arranged marriage because my mum didn't agree to anything," James now said, any trace of a smile wiped entirely off.
"Really? I have no idea what zis lie you are talking about, James. Eat," Celeste said sharply, her anger starting to flare.
James stood up. "Provolone. We do not have an arranged marriage!"
"Oui! We do, James! Like I said before, my muzzer would not lie to me!" Celeste cried out heatedly, she too standing up.
"Believe it! She did!" James shouted.
"But—but you like me, do you not, James?" Celeste asked desperately.
James looked at her in the eye. "No, Provolone, I don't." He coolly departed the table.
Celeste slumped down to her seat. Her hair seemed to droop and her eyes lost the usual sparkle. She thought guiltily about the letter that her mother had sent her two days ago and took it out, reading it again. (pretend that the letter is in French, because even though I'm taking French, I have no idea how to say some of the stuff…sorry!)
"Celeste,
I hope you have captured Monsieur Potter's heart. If you have, well done, I shall ask Madame Potter if she will arrange a marriage between the two of you. Think of the fame, wealth, and your handsome husband you would get!
If you have not, quickly come back to Beauxbatons. I have not truly mentioned the arranged marriage idea to Madame Potter yet, like I told you before. I only said that to bring you confidence. However, I'm sure my charming daughter has used her veela skills well, have you not? Please write a quick reply.
Lovingly,
Mother"
Celeste sighed. "It seems zat James has not fallen for me. I am defeated."
That night, Celeste sneaked out of the castle and quickly departed on the flying horse-drawn carriage her mother had sent to her after owling her mum about the situation.
She had left for good. (YAAAY!)
The next morning, many people noticed her absence, including Lily.
"Good," Lily sniffed as she sat down with Penelope for breakfast.
Penelope nudged her, "Let's go sit with them, shall we?"
Lily sighed. "All right."
Lily sat down next to James, who smiled at her. Lily turned slightly pink.
"So, where did the Celery girl go?" Lily asked casually, trying not to show that she cared much.
"She left me a letter and told me that there really wasn't an arranged marriage between the two of us and that she went back to Beauxbatons," James said, shrugging as he buttered two biscuits. He handed one to Lily. "Want one?"
Lily took it and gave him a smile. "Thanks."
James grinned.
o.O.o.O.o
It was the end of the day and the two were in their History of Magic classes, getting bored to death. The humidity of the room were causing Lily's eyes to droop slightly. Suddenly a wad of paper hovered near her head. She snatched it out of the air, praying that Professor Binns did not notice.
She opened it up. It was from James.
"Hi."
She wrote back. "Hi. We're in class right now! What if Binns catches us?"
James grinned as soon as he saw the reply. He scrawled out something and it hovered back. James winked at her.
"Binns can't see it, only you and I can. All he sees is our wands moving slightly, but that's all right. How are you?"
"That's really difficult to do! I'm impressed. I'm good, what about you?"
"Just dandy. If I recall correctly, you told Celeste that you were on a date with me yesterday at Hogsmeade. Do you confirm?"
Lily flushed. She hadn't meant to let that slip. "Yes. Friendly of course."
"Whoever heard of a friendly date?"
"Well, I started it, so there."
"Nice, Lily. So how about a non-friendly date?"
Lily's heart nearly stopped. She had just admitted to herself that she started to like him, but this was too quick. "I don't know."
"Okay. I'll be here waiting."
"It might be a while, James."
"It's all right. Part of the fun."
"Fine. Yes, I will."
"Really? Excellent. Tomorrow, meet me by that mirror on the fourth floor at 7."
"Some date. Checking ourselves in the mirror or an evening stroll, I suppose?"
"You'll see."
Lily smiled to herself as she pocketed the note, making sure that James did not see her do so.
o.O.o.O.o
Lily looked around impatiently. James had better not have stood her up. She tapped her foot. She twirled around, glancing at herself in the mirror. Suddenly, the mirror swung open by an invisible force.
Lily gasped. James's head was floating in the air in front of a tunnel. "Hi, Lily!"
Lily was still spluttering in disbelief before James grabbed her hand gently and tugged her inside, behind the mirror.
"What—where are we?" Lily asked, looking around as James whispered, "Lumos," beside her.
"In a tunnel that's going straight to Honeyduke's," James said simply.
"How—how did you find this?" Lily looked around, amazed.
"Not me, but Padfoot—Sirius—it's amazing, isn't it?" James said, grinning as the two crawled through the entrance.
"But aren't we breaking the rules?" Lily asked.
"Which is why I brought this," James said and held up his Invisibility Cloak.
"You have one of those?" she asked, clearly deeply impressed.
"Come on."
"Aren't we being too bold?" Lily asked as they marched into the Honeyduke's Shop, buying Sugar Quills and slabs of chocolate.
"Ah, don't worry, Lily. They need business—they're only too happy to have customers," James assured her and the two ate their chocolate, chattering happily.
The two then strolled around Hogsmeade, hand-in-hand, enjoying the beautiful sight and the fact that they were together.
James finally got Lily's heart.
Author's Note:
Yep. That's the end…because I seriously have no more inspiration or ideas for this…unless you guys give me some! Please? No sequel for this, sorry—I've made up my mind. But if you guys want me to write another story, feel free to ask in your review!
I have a new story up called The Room of Requirement if you guys want any more of my stories…and if you haven't checked out Ways to Ask Out Miss Lily Evans, please do so, because the last chapter will be up soon and I will be writing a sequel for that story on James's deflation! Thanks.
Reviewers:
: phantom radio : it's all right! Thanks for coming back…I was worried a bit! Thought you suddenly started hating this story or something…
: Prongsie4028 : Yay! Someone noticed, thank you, thank you! Yes, I do try to post up a chapter because I know that readers are eager for the next…so I try to post one each day or around every two days..hehe, I just love your long and funny reviews..
: James'sSnitchBoxersLover : Yeah, James is a bit slow, isn't he? Hehe
: 1880 : Thanks!
: cherokeegirl47 : I know exactly what you mean…I used to be one as well before I started writing myself…now I know…thanks for reviewing! I'm honored.
: cher816 : Thanks for reading my stories!
Thanks to 1880, cherokeegirl47, hypersquash17, penname2004 for adding this to their favorites and 1880 for adding this to your alert list! Sorry to anyone else I might have left off or will leave off because this story is done! Thank you for being such wonderful reviewers and readers!