Chapter Two: The Benefits of Being Deliciously Loathed
By Natali
-Lily's POV-
"Piss off, Potter. You wish you had this pig," I whispered as our teacher entered the room. "And don't look at me."
"Don't look at me then."
"Mr. Potter, Miss Evans? Are you done working out your social lives? Or should I give you a minute?" McGonagall asked from the front of the classroom. A bunch of snickers ran throughout the room.
"We're finished, Professor," I replied, my face growing red, wishing her a slow and painful death.
"Thank you. Like I was saying, today we'll be studying..." I stopped listening to her. James had just
written a note to me.
Happy? You got us into trouble!
"You prick," I snapped, "I didn't do a thing. You're the one who spoke to me." I crumpled
the note, wishing it was his head-or something else that's somewhat round and would hurt a lot, for the sole reason
of causing him intense pain.
"You're the one who overreacted about the paper for Defense Against the Dark Arts," he whispered back. "I had your paper in my room."
"Then where the bloody hell is it then?" I asked, daring to dream that I could still turn it in.
"Oh, I got rid of it after you did mine in," he grinned. "So there."
"You idiotic, self-absorbed, conceited, arrogant, mother-fucking son of a bitch," I whispered. "I cannot believe you did that!"
Chloe turned around in her seat and looked at us. "Shut up or you're going to get into trouble."
"I hate you, Potter," I snarled.
"Lucky for you, the feeling's mutual," he said back.
"Potter! Evans! Detention tonight! Report to my class at eight this evening," McGonagall called from the front.
I glared at him, wishing I could just murder him and get it over with. I hate him so much.
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-James' POV-
"I've got to go," I told Sheryl. She was the lucky girl whose throat I got to stick my tongue down today.
"Why?" she frowned, her hand going to my crotch. "I thought the fun was just getting started."
I will seriously hurt Evans. "Some bitch landed me with detention," I sighed.
"Don't go," she whimpered. "I wanted you to come up to my room with me."
Talk about tempting.
"Sorry, I don't want to get double detention." …Or would it be worth it?
Lately, I've been thinking about how completely entertaining it'll be whenever I finally settle down. Wonder if that will ever happen?
But I did eventually disentangle myself from her, with a promise to continue what we'd started later to boot.
I made my way through the castle, bumping into Evans in the corridor before the Transfiguration classroom. This could only get better… Well, why count your chickens before they hatch? Maybe we'll actually end up getting along quite well together and becoming life long best friends and give a toast at each other's weddings…
"I cannot believe you landed us detention," she told me, starting the ensuing argument.
So much for that plan. Scratch that life long friends thing. Anyway, fighting is much more fun.
"You're the one that was talking out loud. Should've written on the damn paper," I retorted.
"Shouldn't have written me a note in the first place, eh?" she said. "I told you to leave me alone."
"Don't talk to me," I snapped. "Let's just get this detention over with. You know, the one that
you landed us."
"I hate you, do you know that?" she snapped at me, stopping. "Can't you ever take the blame for something that is all your fault? Or are you always innocent? Innocent Potter, oh, let's give him a fucking bottle so that Mummy and Daddy can pay his way through school!"
"Leave my parents out of this, Evans," I bit out. "And as for taking the blame for something, this is not my fault. If anything, we're both at fault. But I guess you're a hypocrite when you say that I can't stand to take the blame for something."
She narrowed her eyes. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You can never take the blame either."
"Because it's not my bloody fault! All you ever think about is you. You don't care that you play girls and use them and hurt them. You don't care that you hurt people over and over again. Because to you, life is only a game where you can step all over people just because you think they're not as good as you."
Had it been any other time, I would have laughed at the simply hilarious shade of red Lily's face was. Of course, this was hardly the time or place… And it irked me that she thought I didn't care about other people's feelings.
"Why do you hate me? I haven't done anything to you. Before you could actually have a conversation with me and
now you can't stand the sight of me. Why?" I asked.
-Not that I care; I couldn't give a shit if she liked or hated me. Only… Well, Evans is Evans, isn't she?
She's a pretty, fiery redhead that will bite your head off as soon as she gets the chance. I set out trying to be
nice, I do. I think she does too. But we just bump heads and it's fireworks. No way to explain it, it's just
something you have to accept…
"Because for everything that you've done, everything you've said, I still cannot for the life of me
figure out what still makes you so attractive, Potter," she said through gritted teeth. "Even though we
can't spend more than two minutes without arguing or making some body part another color or smaller or
bigger, there is just something about you that keeps me coming back. And I hate it. Therefore, I must hate you."
She looked up at me. "And also, you have… You have what I want so badly. And I just hate you."
"That's fucked up reasoning," I said as she turned and headed for McGonagall's office. We must be at least ten minutes late. She'll be furious, I'm sure. "I don't know why you judged me."
"Because you did it first," she replied, not turning around.
I frowned, trying to remember when I did. Honestly, the girl knows how to hold grudges, doesn't she? And why the bloody hell does she remember when I "judged" her, but I have absolutely no recollection of such an event. In fact, I don't actually remember noticing Evans until somewhere in Third Year. Shrugging, I gave up and headed into the Transfiguration classroom.
"You're late," McGonagall said.
"I swear you're a big bitch," I muttered, sitting down and mentally giving my professor the finger for putting me here with Evans.
"What was that, Mr. Potter?"
"I've got a big itch."
"Humph, I highly doubt it, Potter. If I knew you didn't mean it, I'd triply your detention."
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-Lily's POV-
I gathered up my things as I finished writing my lines, hurrying to get out of there before Potter could follow. I managed to do so, but he caught up with me. Damn him.
"Lily, wait."
"It's Evans. Only my friends call me Lily," I said indifferently. I was dead tired. Not to mention I canceled this date I had with this very cute Hufflepuff guy with a supposedly big wand… and I'm not talking of the wooden sort.
"Just give me a chance," he begged. "I'm a good guy. I've been thinking about this for the past few hours. And I truly have thought about it, and I don't remember ever judging you."
"And why should I give you a chance?" I asked, wishing that we would just come up to our dorms. I really wanted to get rid of him. How could he not get that I didn't want to hear it? How thick-skulled could you be for that hint to just bounce off?
"Because I'm willing to give you one," he replied, stopping me dead in my tracks. He did not just say what I think he said…
"Excuse me?" I asked. "You're willing to give me a chance? I haven't done anything."
He looked at me. "Really?"
You know how you feel sometimes when you want to say no but you know you have to say yes? Feeling that way right now… Alright, but I'd just like to make one clear thing clear: He started it!
"Ok, I have, but only because you've done something to me first," I admitted, which was true. Sort of.
"Sure about that?" he asked. "What about last week when you set my hair on fire for no reason?"
Oh that! That had been just a hilarious event that will forever bring tears to my eyes, I'll be laughing so hard. His beloved hair, all aflame and crap...! It's just too good! I must say, I was quite upset because he looked exceptionally delicious that day-he hadn't shaved in about three days and had that sexy rugged look…
"Oh," I said offhandedly. "Well..." Truth was I really couldn't think of an excuse-besides the obvious one: my own amusement. "Fire is such a nice addition to your gorgeous hair, though."
"Yeah, that's what I thought," he smirked. "So then? Will you at least try to be civil with me?"
I hate it when I'm wrong.
"Whatever," I sighed, looking him in the eyes. "You seem to think that I actually care about what you think." But I can't avoid fate. I can't avoid the way he's been looking at me lately. Not so much that he likes me, but that he really wants to get to know me. That he doesn't really mean the things he does-at least not entirely. I suppose I feel the same. It's more of a game-who can get to the other first? How far do you have to go to be hexed so bad you're sent to the hospital wing (it's happened a handful of times)?
And his eyes. That's the worse. One moment they're angry and glaring, the next warm and kind. Comforting, strong, caring… loving. And I hate that I see that when I look into his eyes. I hate that I could get to know him, and that I know that. I hate that we could be one of the best things to happen to the world.
But I love that there's someone who can possibly understand me.
His gaze turned hard. "You care, Evans. More than you'd like to, but you do. I know because I feel the same way. I'm trying to fix what we've had between us for so long. I'm not asking for best mates or anything-Lord knows I'm not looking for that. I'm just tired of fighting with you. A little. I'm still looking forward to the occasional argument. I think it's just part of life now."
My shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'm not promising anything. If you piss me off, things will go back to what they were."
"Lucky for you, I'm not asking for the world."
Silence. An awkward one. When was the last time I had an awkward silence with a guy? I must've been fourteen or so, out on my first date! I hate James Potter, and these emotions he brings out in me!
"I-I've got to go," I stuttered. "Bye." I turned and practically ran up to my dorm room.
I'm not sure that I'm ready for this. I'm not sure I'm ready to be "civil" with him. I
don't think I want this to happen…
I used to like him. But I think that's not too hard to believe. He judged me the moment he first set eyes on me during the second week in First Year. His eyes read: stupid, useless Mudblood. He never said it, and he would never, ever call me a Mudblood-to my face or otherwise-but I could see it. I could see that Miss Lily Evans wasn't pretty enough, slutty enough, or witch enough for the likes of one of the wizarding world's oldest families.
Panting, I got into the bathroom I shared with my roomies and splashed cold water on my face. It just couldn't be.
All this time, certain circumstances have kept us apart. But a couple things are inevitable. For me, it's remaining
a virgin until I die (which is the way it's looking right now…) and the other is getting together with James
Potter, ex-arch enemy and future… something. Not quite sure what it is now. Whether I get together with Potter
as a friend or as more, who knows? But it's just going to happen.
Does it make sense? Sometimes you just know something's going to happen… As I said, it's inevitable.
Do you believe in love at first sight? No, well neither do I. But then… There's always different kinds of "sight". No more. I don't want to think about this… This is avoidance of a problem if there was ever an example.
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-James' POV-
I watched her head to her room, wondering slightly. It'd be hot, I think, if we could date. We'd probably break up more times than anything, but I bet the makeup sex would be worth it.
I'm not a man-whore, as much as many people think anyway. Sure, there's always a couple girls on my arms, but I don't sleep with all of them. I've probably only had five partners throughout my entire sexual life (one of the major differences between Sirius and I).
And yeah, the slutty girls are fun for now, but in a real relationship?
I suppose that's one of the reasons I admire Evans (yes, I do admire her. She's a mastermind): she doesn't just get on her back for no reason.
Mind you, a lot of blokes will gloat about it in the boys' bathroom or in the dormitories, but I hardly ever believe them. From all I can tell, she might be a virgin (though I doubt it. If she is, what of waste of those lovely long legs…). She's not ashamed of doing what she thinks she should do.
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-Lily's POV-
I lay in bed, glaring up at the ceiling. I hate James Potter. I don't. But I feel like thinking it, so I'll think it.
I think he means it, that he wants to be friends. God knows I'll be able to turn in a few more homeworks. And there's a few things in Transfiguration that I'm having trouble with, and as much as it'd hurt my pride, there's no one better to ask. McGonagall is annoyed with me for not getting it.
I tossed and turned for a few minutes, but sat up soon. I'm not the type of person who can lay in bed for hours doing nothing. I've always got to be doing something.
I leaned over to my night table, snatching the books I was reading off of it. I'll head down to the common room, and maybe if I see a House Elf I can ask for cookies…
It's eerily silent so late at night in Hogwarts. There's the occasional noise of ghosts or funky magical creatures in the attics above, but for the most part it's a deathly quiet. What's more, it feels like you're breaking some sort of law by making noise.
This was my reason for tiptoeing down the stairs, even though I doubt anyone could hear me if I'd walked normally…
I sat down in the armchair, preparing myself for a long night. I hated these insomniac nights. It happens when I'm stressed. And what could be more stressful than Potter?
I sighed and allowed myself to get sucked into the world of fancy dresses, nightly balls, and handsome men sneaking in through windows to make love to their beloved.
There you have it, my guilty pleasure-romance novels.
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-James' POV-
I jumped out of bed after a couple hours or so of not being able to sleep, fed up with it all. Peter's snores were getting on my last bloody nerve. Nasty little git. And me, being the manly man that I am, still growing and all that, decided to sneak down to the kitchens for the blueberry pie the Elves had made last night for dinner.
I spotted Evans lounging in an armchair, one leg tossed casually over its side. She looked… sexy, really. In a very comfortable way.
"Mind if I join you, Evans?" I asked, switching my destination.
She jumped about five feet in the air. "Oh bloody hell, you scared the life out of me."
"Sorry," I mumbled, sitting down on the couch. Lily was staring into the flames of the fire, a blank look on her face. "Are you ok?"
She snapped out of her trance. "Yeah," she whispered. "I'm just sort of not in the mood to sleep."
"Er, particular reason?" I asked.
"Not really," she shrugged. "Long week. Wish that I could eat something."
"Why didn't you just say so?" James grinned. "I have a whole stash in my room." Not that delicious blueberry pie, but a stash all the same.
A few minutes later, we were pigging out on "a bunch of fattening, pimple-inducing foods", to quote her,
and comfortably silent.
"Well, I've got a problem of sorts, and I think that you're just the guy to help me solve it." She took a deep breath before continuing. "You see, there's this… situation I have. And there's not really anyone to talk to… Not really."
"Not even your friends? I would've thought they'd love a bit of gossip to spread around the school," I chuckled.
She gave me a look. "Why do you think I can't tell them? I'd rather not have the entire sodding school know. It's not so much that they do it on purpose, they just have naturally big mouths that never seem to keep secrets! And of course, it'd be interpreted the wrong way-just like our new `friendship' will get people to think we're dating or crazy. Maybe both."
"You can always talk to me," I offered. "I can't promise that I'll give you good advice, but
I'll try my best." Yeah, I'm not sure that she'd want me giving her advice… I don't make the
wisest choices sometimes.
"Er, no. Sorry, I just don't feel comfortable. Nothing personal," she said.
Yeah, I believe that about as much as I believe in Santa Claus.
"I think that you should just tell Ariana and Chloe. I mean, it can't be that bad. For instance, it's not like you're crushing on me." I laughed.
She chuckled. "Yeah, that would be kind of funny. It's not that I like someone. It's… hard to explain. I'm just too young for all this-the stress is taking its toll. I'm too young for sleepless nights."
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-Lily's POV-
"You need a hug?" he teased.
The way Hogwarts students tease is not like the regular teasing. When we tease, we get right nice and personal. So, he gave hug, I accepted hug, we didn't pull away from our hug. That is the Hogwarts students' way.
Hey, if I get nothing better out of this, maybe I could at least experience the wonderful Potter "gifts". I'm always hearing about his fantastic sex. Might as well, right?
And he kissed me. Very softly, and very quickly.
Like I said… Might as well. But not tonight. Baby steps, Lily, baby steps.
I was overwhelmed with sudden fatigue, and the temperature was just right in the room (for once. I have this queer little thing where I'm always either too hot or too cold). I'd finished the book (and the sexy man had saved the damsel in distress and made wild, hot, passionate love to her all over the city), and I felt satisfied (who doesn't like cupcakes?).
"James," I whispered, briefly brushing my lips over his. "I'm going to sleep now."
"All right." He let me go so that I could stand up. What a complete moron. Stupid, stupid boy!
"Silly," I said in a throaty voice. "I meant with you." I gave him a slight grin, which he returned, and gestured with my finger for him to come closer. I cuddled up to him and promptly fell asleep.
As I said: that's the Hogwarts students' way.
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-James' POV-
That kiss-however short it might have been-was simply incredible. All she had to do now was just say the words-just a few!-and we could be more than "friends". I've always been partial to friends with benefits myself…
I grinned, laying my head back against the cushion. I might as well rest my eyes a bit. It was going to be a long, painful night.
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-Lily's POV, Three Hours Later…-
I woke up, snuggling down into whoever's arm I was on.
"'Morning, beautiful," I heard a deep, groggy voice whisper next to my ear.
Already this was starting out to be a simply delightful morning. I'd slept with an extremely cozy guy. Let me assure you, that's a pretty bloody awesome way to wake up. It would have to take an out-of-this-world, worse-than-ever-before fight with Potter to get me into a bad mood.
Oh, bloody fuck.
Potter. I looked up into his face through sleepy eyes. Oh, that's right. Hmm… So much for that. Well, that fortune teller did warn me.
"Good morning," I smiled back. "What time is it?"
"About five or so." He shifted a little to get more comfortable and brought me closer to him. "You know, you look wicked gorgeous in the morning, just after you wake up."
"Really?" I asked, sliding my hand under his shirt. What was it exactly that the fortune teller had told me? What was it that I was supposed to beware of? I ran my hand over his ripped abdomen. I felt the muscles ripple at the contact. I felt extreme pleasure at that.
"Yes… Your hair is all messed up and your eyes have this dazed look. Very enticing," he purred in my ear.
"More enticing than Nina?" I asked. Yes, I was purposely trying to set him up. Damn it, what had that
fortune teller told me?
"Twice as enticing as Nina. You're much more fun-especially when you're angry."
I grinned and circled his belly button with my thumb. I wouldn't mind doing a few things to this body,
all sculpted and probably tanned from many shirtless trips on his broom.
"You know that I'm going to kiss you now, right?" he questioned, kissing my nose. "I think I'm going to like this friendship of ours, Lily."
"Only my friends call me Lily."
"Then what am I?"
"A friend with benefits." We both laughed softly as our lips met.
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-James's POV-
Oh, dear God. And there is a God in heaven. What does this girl do, massage her mouth or something? Does she practice kissing with her mates when no one is around (what a nice thought)? She has the softest mouth that I've ever had the pleasure of kissing in my life. And a good kisser; almost as good as myself.
She can claim to loathe me as much as she liked-if this is what loathing is, I want to be loathed by every chit on earth! It was delicious, frankly…
"What the hell did that woman say?" she muttered.
What?
"Huh?" I asked stupidly.
"Oh, just talking to myself. Do continue."
I was about to do as she asked-after all, I'm here to please-when just about one of the worst things happened.
"Lily? Are you down here?"
Ariana Basseur, the biggest thorn in my ass as of this moment! Lily and I are finally starting to do what I've wanted to do for awhile-shag her silly. And she has to interrupt!
"Shit," Lily sighed. "Stay here. I'm… not ready to tell her just yet." She pushed me down
and jumped off the couch we were on. "Yeah, Ari?"
"Just checking where you were. Noticed your bed was empty. Is someone there with you?" Ari asked. I could hear her start to come closer to my "hiding spot". And what did Lily mean by she "wasn't ready to tell her just yet"? It's not as if we're engaged.
God forbid.
"No," Lily said quickly. Really, what was the big deal? "I'll be up in a minute. I just fell asleep on the couch, is all."
She would what?! I thought we were just getting started!
"Alright," Ari said warily. "Don't forget we're gonna go shopping for my mum's birthday present." I could hear her begin to head up the stairs muttering, "What do you get a 52 year-old woman, anyhow?"
Once Lily was sure that her best mate was safely upstairs, she knelt down next to me. In the firelight, I could see her blush crimson.
That's just cute.
"Look, about that, I'm sorry. I just don't want them to find out like that. I'm going to sit my mates down and have a nice, long chat about…well, I don't know really. Your kisses perhaps, and how much I like them."
"You do?" I asked, kissing her. "I've only kissed you a few times. How would you know?"
"I have a knack for these things. Anyway, you're my new friend with benefits-I'm forced to like everything you do to me." She stood and was about to take a step forward when I tugged her arm and brought her down to the couch next to me.
"Do you have to go? We're building up our friendly relationship here."
She nodded. "Yes. Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" she whispered, brushing my hair away from my eyes-not that it did much. My hair was always all over the place, though I kind of like it.
"I don't think so," I shrugged. "What'd you have in mind?"
"Nothing," she smiled. "You haven't told me where and what yet." She stood after kissing my eyebrow softly. "Sleep tight, Potter. And go up to bed. You'll be warmer."
"I'd be warmer with you!" I called after her, watching her up the stairs.
"Too bad, huh?" she laughed.
My eyes followed her swaying hips up the stairs until it disappeared. Who is just the slyest devil? And then, of course, I remembered a certain little something.
But it's not bad.
Not at all…
Only some dead mouse that Sirius was going to put in Lily's bed, because he was part of the pranks I did to her. Seeing as I am-or was, maybe-going to get some action pretty soon, I would think it to my best advantage to stop this from happening.
"Oh, fuck," I groaned. "This can't get any worse."
"Eeek!"
I cringed. And things were going so well too…
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A/N: Thanks to everyone that reviewed! Until next Saturday then!
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