Happily Never After

Chapter One- And So It Begins

James Potter and Lily Evans never got along. From the moment they first met, Lily despised the way he acted, and everything he stood for, and James loved her. He could never stop thinking about her. For seven years, he tried to make her his girlfriend, but she never gave in. For seven years, he showed off, sweet talked her, and did everything he could to get her attention. He got her attention, but not in the way he wanted. Every time he did something crazy to attract her, she just became more and more repulsed..

Finally, in their seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his determination paid off, and she gave in to going on a date with him.

Most girls would have loved the chance to date James Potter. He was the star of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and extremely handsome in a quirky way. His raven hair was always messy, and his deep brown eyes made you melt when he looked at you through his wire-rimmed glasses.

Lily was a natural beauty with flowing, bright red hair, and beautiful, piercing green eyes.

James had known from the moment he looked into those eyes that he loved her. Lily felt the same way, but knew she could never admit to loving someone like that. She was always destined to be a prefect, with top grades, and a 'no-nonsense' attitude. She could never be in love with someone who did not care for his grades, and had a blatant disrespect for rules.

But, fate said otherwise. It was true love.

James' best friends, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew always knew that one day, Lily and James would get together, and sure enough, one beautiful fall day, seventh year, they did.

The four Marauders were lying on the bank of the lake, under a tree, chatting excitedly about the next full moon, when Sirius spotted Lily emerging from the castle.

"Look who it is, mate," he said, nudging James in the ribs.

"Ouch! What was that f-" he stopped abruptly when he saw Lily, laughing and smiling. His hand shot to his messy black hair, and he took a deep breath.

"Go get her," said Sirius. James shot him a nasty look as he stood up, and smoothed out his trousers. He slowly began to move towards her, as though it was difficult to move.

"Wow, Potter. This is a record. What's it been? A whole, entire week without hexing someone. What's the matter with you?" said Lily, her voice dripping with sarcasm. James smiled, and shook his head. He honestly did not know what to say.

"What's this? James Potter at a loss for words? I think I might have a heart attack," she said.

"I'm sorry," James blurted out. Lily's smile faded from her pretty face.. She was completely taken aback by James' outburst.

"Sorry for what?" she asked, extremely confused.

"For being such a jerk; for being such a showoff; for hexing everyone I can; for just...everything," he explained.

Lily nodded her head.

"I want to take you out," he continued. "On a date. Next weekend is the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. I want you to go with me."

Lily thought for a moment. If she agreed, it would go against everything she worked for...or against. It would also be something she's wanted for a long time. If she declined, she would keep her reputation, but lose something she'd wanted for a long time.

No. I can't. It's James Potter. I'm Lily Evans. They don't mix!

Yes, I can. He's so handsome, and obviously completely madly in love with me. Yes! Yes! Yes!....No! No! No!

"Yes," she stated without warning.

"Yes?" James repeated. Lily slowly nodded her head.

"Yes, I'll go to Hogsmeade with you, James. But, only if you promise not to hex anyone, or do anything stupid," she demanded. James laughed and nodded his head.

"Yes, no, of course not. No-no-no, uh, h-hexing anyone. Um, Okay. This is good. This is cool. I'll see you later," he said.

He gave her a peck on the cheek, and ran back to his friends, leaving Lily pondering what the hell had just happened.

I have a date with James Potter. I, Lily Evans, am going on a date with James Potter. What has this world come to?...

And so it begins...

Chapter Two- James' Dream Come True

The morning of the Hogsmeade visit, James waited impatiently at the entrance. Sirius, Remus, and Peter all stood behind him, possibly even more impatient than James.

"If she doesn't come soon, mate, I'm leaving," said Sirius, tapping his foot. Almost as if on cue, James spotted Lily walking towards him, looking as beautiful as ever.

"Morning, Evans," said Sirius. Remus nodded to her, as did Peter.

"Good morning," she replied. James cautiously took her hand, which surprised her momentarily, but she recovered, and welcomed the gesture.

"We'll see you two later," said Remus, walking away with Sirius and Peter. Sirius turned back and winked at James, before heading off in the other direction.

"I must admit, I was thoroughly surprised when you agreed to go out with me," said James. Lily smiled, and nodded her head.

"So was I," she replied. James laughed. They walked the rest of the way in silence.

"Where do you want to go first?" he asked as they arrived in the village.. They stopped where they were, and looked around. Lily shook her head.

"I don't know. Where do you want to go?" She asked. James shook his head. He spotted the Three Broomsticks pub, and decided upon that.

"Let's go get a butter beer," he said, leading her towards the pub. Hogwarts students stared at them as they passed, some girls gawking at James, others giving Lily jealous looks, some just completely surprised by the unusual couple.

"Go get a table, and I'll get the drinks," said James, entering the pub. Lily nodded, and walked over to a table in the far corner; James to the bar.

"What can I get you, dear?" said the barmaid.

"Two butter beers, please," said James. The barmaid nodded, and handed him two bottles. James laid the money on the bar, and looked around for Lily. He spotted her in the back, and began walking towards her. Someone bumped into him, and he turned to see who it was.

Severus Snape.

"Watch it, Snivellus," said James, walking away. Snape shot him a nasty look, and kept walking.

"Sorry 'bout that, love," said James, sitting down at the table. Lily smiled and took the bottle that James was handing her.

"You look beautiful," he said, watching her closely. Lily smiled, and began to blush. She pushed a lock of flaming red hair out of her face, and giggled.

"I know," she said. James laughed at her comment. He looked over to the door, and groaned, seeing the Marauders enter the pub. He turned back to Lily, and smiled.

"So, what made you agree to go out with me?" he asked. She sighed, and shook her head.

"I don't really know...to be honest. I couldn't really tell you. You've just been different lately, and I just...saw you in a whole different light, that's all," she replied.

"Well, thank you, love. That was my goal: to get you to notice me. This is a dream come true for me. Really, it is. Seven years I've waited for you to come around and stop hating me-"

"I never hated you," she said, interrupting him.

"Really? Because, I remember hearing a couple years ago, right after the O.W.L.S, I do believe, 'I wouldn't go out with you if it were between you and the giant squid.' You also called me...um...'an arrogant, bullying toerag.' Yea, I do believe that was it," said James. Lily laughed, and shook her head.

"That was because you walked around cursing everyone you could, acting like an arrogant jerk, which, by the way, is a huge turn-off for most girls," said Lily.

James sat there in silence, watching Lily as she drank her butter beer. Once she set the bottle down, she looked up, and realized he was watching her.

"What?" she asked.

James smiled. He then leaned over the small table, and caught her lips with his, in a short, sweet, chaste kiss. He pulled away, and looked into her eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said. Lily smiled, and shook her head. She put her hand on his cheek.

"Do it again," she replied. James didn't need to be told twice. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, this time, more passionately.

Once they pulled apart, James laughed. "Now this really is a dream come true."

They spent the rest of the day, laughing, holding hands, and kissing, much to the surprise of her friends. Everyone watched as the couple passed, most of them envious of Lily.

They walked right by the Marauders without even noticing them. James kissed her sweetly as they walked, causing her to giggle. Sirius took notice immediately.

"Finally, Prince Charming got the girl. And now, they will live happily ever after..." he announced.

And so it continues....