Not Your Average Quidditch Fan

The next day, at two o'clock, Lily was in her room getting ready. "Isn't it great, Lils!" Arabella squealed from her post on Lily's bed, "You have a date with James Potter!"

"Bella, how many times must I remind you that it is not a date. He's just going to show me some Quidditch moves. That's it."

"Oh sure he is. I saw the way he looked at you, when he thought no one else could see," Arabella said, with an air of expertise.

"Oh come off it, Bella. He's a famous Quidditch player, why would he ever be interested in me?" Lily asked.

"Because you're a smart, talented, sweet, pretty girl, that's why," Arabella retorted.

"Right," Lily replied, "Now will you leave so I can change?"

"Of course, but only after your outfit has been Bella-certified."

Sighing, Lily reached into the closet and took out a pair of denim shorts, a green t-shirt, and a green robe.

"You're wearing that to see James Potter?" Arabella asked in disbelief.

"Bella, I'm going to play Quidditch. What else would I wear?"

Giving in, Arabella shrugged her shoulders, "I guess you're right. I'll let you change now." With that, she got up and left the room.

By herself again, Lily had time to collect her whirling thoughts. What's with you? It's just a little Quidditch practice. That's all. But what if Arabella's right. Could he be interested in me? Once she had changed, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. After a final inspection in the mirror, she grabbed her broom and walked to the living room. With a quick goodbye to Arabella, she threw some Floo Powder into the fireplace, said "To Potter's Corner," and stepped into the emerald green flames.

Moments later, she stumbled out into a large, lavishly furnished room, rubbing the soot out of her eyes. "Nice place," she remarked to no one in particular.

"Glad you like it," a voice said. Lily whirled around to see James Potter leaning against the doorframe, grinning. "Now would you like a tour before we start?"

"Nope," Lily replied, "But thanks. Just show me where the Quidditch pitch is and I'll be in heaven."

Chuckling, James grabbed his broom from the corner and motioned her to follow him. Once they reached the Quidditch pitch, Lily gasped. "You are so lucky. I would love to have my own private pitch to practice in and not have to worry about muggles seeing me practice."

"Well, feel free to use mine whenever you need to," James offered.

"You'd do that for me? When you only met me yesterday?" Lily asked, astonished. "You know, James Potter, you're quite different what I expected."

James blushed slightly, "Thanks, I think. You're pretty different yourself, Lily Evans. I never expected you to be this... normal."

Lily laughed. "I get it now. I wondered why you were so standoffish last night. I'll bet you thought I was going to be some rabid teenage fan, who would pester you the whole evening with annoying questions, and just hang on you all night. Am I right?"

Grinning sheepishly, he nodded. "Yeah. Sorry."

"You've nothing to apoligize for," Lily assured him. "I don't blame you at all. And I'll admit that I thought you would be some stuck-up sports star who was way too big for his britches."

Laughing, James replied, "Touché." He stuck out his hand. "So, are we friends?"

"But of course," Lily answered, shaking his hand vigorously.

"Now, Miss Evans, shall we play some Quidditch?"

"Why certainly, Mr. Potter. That's what we're here for, is it not?"

"Off we go then," he said, as he mounted his broom. Lily mounted hers, and they both kicked off, soaring into the air. They flew around a while, doing flips and zooming back and forth. Then James pulled to a stop beside her. "Are you ready to learn some serious Quiddich moves?"

"I was born ready!" Lily said.

"We shall see," he said, shaking his finger playfully at her. She stuck out her tongue at him. "Now then," he continued, "First off is the Porksoff Ploy. To make it work really well, you have to know just the right moment to drop the Quaffle. If you drop it too early, then the other Chaser will have time to steal it. And, of course, if you drop it too late, he'll have time to take it from you. Do you follow me so far."

Lily nodded, and he said, "All right, then why don't I demonstrate it for you now, and you can try it after that?"

"Ok," Lily said, and moved into position underneath him. Holding the Quaffle, he zoomed up and then dropped it to her. "That was awesome!" she said.

"Thanks, now it's your turn." He handed the Quaffle to her and then hovered underneath her.

Taking a deep breath, she shifted the Quaffle back and forth in her hands. Why does it matter so much if you do it right for him? He's here to teach you, not to judge you. Get a grip, Lily. Setting her teeth, she darted upward, then, at the last second, dropped the Quaffle to James. He caught it with ease, and flew up to her. "Good job! I think you've got that one down. Let's try some more, shall we?"

Grinning delightedly, she nodded. "How about that quick little move you used a lot to dart around the other Chasers. I've never seen anyone do that before."

"Ah, well that's a secret move I came up with myself. But I'd be glad to show it to you," he replied. For the next three hours, Lily and James flew around the Quidditch pitch, having the time of their lives.

Then, Lily's stomach rumbled. "Oh my gosh, it's dinner time already?" she said, as she flew back to the ground and stepped off her broom.

"Time flies when you're having fun," James said, landing beside her. "But do you really have to go so soon? I thought you might stay for dinner..."

"Oh, I'd love to James, but I'm supposed to make dinner for Arabella. Letting her anywhere near a kitchen is suicide," Lily said.

"That's not a problem. Have her come too," James assured her, "In fact, one of my friend's, Sirius Black, is coming over. Arabella should meet him; I have a feeling they'd get along really well."

Lily laughed, and replied, "It's settled then. Give me thirty minutes, and I'll be back with Arabella."

"See you then," James said.

Precisely thirty minutes later, Arabella and Lily apparated into James' living room. He was lounging on the couch waiting for them, looking stunning in a black button-down shirt and slacks. He had tried to tame his hair, but it still stuck up every which way. With that adorable little tuft of hair flopped over his forehead, Lily thought to herself, Woah, did you just call him adorable? What's wrong with you? But you gotta admit, he does look pretty good.

While Lily contemplated the finer aspects of James' hair, he was busy studying her. That green sweater looks gorgeous on her, and her hair is so... soft. Wonder what she did with it. Ok, that's the second time you've pondered about Lily Evans' hair. You've gotta stop this, James. Mentally shaking himself, he stood up. "Welcome back, Lily. You look great! You too, Arabella," he said, not taking his eyes off of Lily.

Noting the direction of his eyes, Arabella smiled to herself and replied, "Ditto, Potter."

Lily blushed slightly, It's only a compliment, and he was just being polite, and murmured, "Thanks. Your hair looks nice."

Chuckling, Sirius pushed him off, "Let me breath, Jamsie. Now-"

Lily broke out laughing, "Jamsie? Did you just call him Jamsie?!" Sirius nodded mischievously, and Lily laughed even harder.

"Ahem!" came a voice from somewhere down below. Arabella stood up, fuming. Putting both hands on Sirius' shoulders, she whirled him around and yelled, "Excuse me? You just knocked me over a few moments ago. The least you could do is help me up."

A roguish light gleamed in his black eyes. He stepped closer to her and replied smoothly, "Well, madam, I usually don't usually move quite this fast, but for a little beauty like you I suppose I could make an exception."

Smirking, Arabella retorted, "And what makes you think I'm interested?"

Sirius struck a pose and ran his fingers through his shoulder length black hair. "How could you possibly resist this?" he demanded.

"Like this," Arabella replied, and walked out of the room, hips swaying, head held high.

Lily choked back her laughter at the bewildered look on Sirius' face. James patted Sirius and the back, "Better luck next time, old boy."

Sirius brightened up immediately, "So, it's hard to get, is it? Watch out, little lady, Black is back and better than ever." With that, he strode out the door after Arabella.

"I suppose we'd better follow them," James said, "Didn't I tell you they'd like each other?"

"Right you were," Lily answered, "This is gonna be one heck of an evening."

"Well, mademoiselle, shall we dine?" James asked gallantly, offering her his arm.

She slipped her hand through his elbow and replied, "We shall, sirrah."