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Boredom etched my face as Slughorn yammered about some potion I’m sure I’d already mastered. Glancing out the window I felt the comforting late spring sun warming the side of my face, a nice contrast to the recent gloomyness. Don’t get me wrong, potions are one of the most fascinating and intricate things out there, Slughorn just tends to dwell on things a little longer than necessary and frankly I don’t have the patience for it right now. I’ve got more important things to think about, I’ve got other classes, defense against dark arts, potions I’ve yet to familiarise myself with and…Lily. I just can’t seem to get that beautiful red hair out of my mind, those bright green eyes, her clever smile that livens up every room.
Suddenly I was snapped out of my thoughts when everyone around me began packing up their stuff and I followed suit. Grabbing my books, I headed for the door, having no desire to spend any more time with these foul mouthed, crude, egotists. However just as I’d entered into the hallway I heard my name, seemingly sung in that oh so heavenly voice. Turning my head I was met with the sight of my best friend Lily, in all her glory. We stepped into sync as we continued down the hall. Merlin, I can’t take my eyes off of her, there's something so mesmerising about the way she smiles when she talks, the way she looks at me, that deer in headlights look. The epitome of perfection.
“Hey, weren’t just gonna leave me behind, were you?” She asked, tone laced with playful accusation.
“Didn’t know you wanted me to wait” I shrugged in defense.
“Course I wanted you to” She said with a roll of her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh as if it’d been the most obvious thing in the world. “Anyhow, where are you headed now?”
“Our tree, thought I’d take advantage of the good weather” I say, though its not completely true. The weather? I couldn’t care less if it were pouring but its friday meaning the guys’ll be rowdy and noisy, I’d prefer the peace and quiet of nature.
“You say you’ll enjoy the weather but I bet you’ll have your nose buried in that book, won’t you?” Lily remarked, referring to my potions book, the one I carried with me everywhere and scribbled in furiously after mastering a new potion. She was observant and right as always.
“Maybe” I hummed, hands in my pockets as they were getting clammy. I couldn’t help but be nervous around her, always was, though I tried my best to conceal it.
“Well, just don’t stay glued to it the whole time” She quipped, earning a confused expression and a head tilt from me.
“How do you mean?” The whole time, what? I don’t recall having plans to hangout or her mentioning anything of the sort and believe me, I’d know.
“I’ve got nothing better to do” she gave a dismissive shrug. “That’s alright with you, isn’t it?” she seemed to reconsider the spontaneity, a flicker of disappointment on her face at the thought that I did not wish to spend time with her.
“Always” I responded with a partial smile.
As we left the building and walked through to the courtyard, the sunlight fell on her face, hair made up of shiny waves that looked almost like silk. I wished to reach out and touch it, glide my hand through it, but surely that’d be met with a weird look and I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. Reaching the top of the hill, we sat down against the tree of which marked our first interaction, our tree. I opened up my book, the worn leather soft against my calloused hands as I flipped through the pages. My usually greasy dark hair fell in front of my face as I began writing margins, perfecting the potions wizards had been too lazy to write accurate instructions for. Lily had been urging me to take better care of my hair, said I was wasting its potential and so I did. It was much nicer to have smooth clean hair.
I glanced at Lily who seemed to be gazing out at the black lake in the distance, lost in thought or bored. With a sigh I closed the book, turning my full attention to the redhead beside me.
“Something on your mind?” The question floated in the air for a moment before her eyes met mine.
“Just..thinking” She responded vaguely, those green gems piercing, making it difficult to keep my dark ones fixed on her.
“About what?” I pressed, curious as to what had her pretty little mind so engrossed in thought. She seemed to struggle with how to say it which was unusual for her, she typically didn’t hesitate to speak her mind. Breaking eye contact she peered up at the branches of our tree before speaking.
“Have you ever..fancied someone?” The question caught me off guard and I felt my mouth opening and closing, unable to find an answer as I tried to comprehend why she would be asking. Surely she couldn’t know I liked her, right? And…no, she’d never feel that way about me, would she?
“Suppose I have, you?” I finally manage to mutter, suddenly very interested in our conversation, hoping she’ll say yes, praying she’ll say that it's me.
“Yes, there is someone” She smiled, that gorgeous, lovestruck smile as she bit her lip. She hid her face in her hands, something she only ever did when flustered. Was this because of me? I didn’t want to get ahead of myself but in the back of my mind I really hoped it was.
“Really? Who?” I tried not to sound too excited, but rather, curiously interested. I couldn’t help but smile with her, I loved the way she looked as blush covered her cheeks though it was a rare occurrence.
“A boy..” She started but seemed almost too flustered to speak. We usually didn’t go into subjects of romance or crushes, not usually my cup of tea unless it revolved around her.
“Yes?” I urged her to continue.
“A boy with the most perfect hair, he’s so smart and talented” She described, barely able to look in my direction and I couldn’t help but think she must be talking about me, I’m that boy. “He makes me feel like..Merlin, like I’m the only girl in the world” She laughed softly, a nervous sound that made my heart flutter in my chest.
Before I even had the chance to think through my actions, I’d leaned in, hand on her cheek, lips capturing hers in a soft and tender kiss. Fireworks were going off in my mind and I felt like my head was spinning. But..then I felt her hand on my chest as she recoiled, pushing me back. I stared at her for a moment, maybe I’d jumped the gun?
“I like you too” I said as a sort of explanation for my actions but was met with a look of disgust as she wiped her mouth.
“What?” her eyebrows furrowed and she quickly stood up. “I like..James” she admitted quietly, clarifying the boy she was talking about was in fact not me. I was stuck for words, that prick? She likes that ignorant, asshole?
“How could you like James?” My tone was that of one filled with jealousy but she just grabbed her stuff and left without another word, upset at me for kissing her.
I let out a heavy sigh, left feeling stupid. I was such a fool to think she’d ever like a nobody like me but did she have to like that selfish bastard? He didn’t deserve Lily, she was too good for him, too good for me. If anything she deserved a prince. I really screwed things up didn’t I?