James tried to concentrate on Slughorn's voice as the professor went on and on about whatever potion they were going to start working on during next week. He was really doing his best to absorb his words, but an extremely flirty pair beside him was making this task nearly impossible. He knew this was just for show since Sirius wanted to make Marlene jealous and Y/N kindly agreed to help him out, but all of this was still bothering him for some reason. Maybe it was because he knew Sirius way too well to know for sure he was enjoying this situation a little too much. Maybe it was because he cared about Y/N enough to bother if Sirius was going to end up hurting her somehow. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Merlin, would you two stop? It's getting annoying," he hissed at Y/N and Sirius, whom had been all giggly and touchy for the entire class.
"Does it bother you to see a happy couple in love, Prongs?" Sirius teased, barely suppressing a laugh.
"I'm just trying to pay attention to class," he mumbled annoyed, his fists clenching slightly.
"Don't be mean to him, Sirius!" Y/N bumped her fist on his arm. "He's bitter because Lily is still turning him down despite his best efforts," Y/N looked at James sympathetically as if saying she was sorry for him.
James sighed heavily at the mention of Lily's name. Sure, it did annoy him that she was still rejecting his attempts of woo her, but, if he was being quite frank, it didn't bother or frustrate him like it used to. If anything, it just... he didn't even know anymore. Why he was still chasing her. Why he was still trying to get her to go out with him. It was seeming more and more pointless lately. He wasn't sure if he was still pinning after her for a purpose or solely for the challenge.
"Earth to James!" Y/N waved her hand in front of James' eyes. "You there?"
James tilted his head a little so his best friend's face could enter his visual field. Her y/h/c hair was loose in a messy way that suited her perfectly, matching harmonically her hypnotic y/e/c eyes. She had a natural confidence that seemed to radiate from her body and wrap every single soul in the room. She was truly effortlessly magnetic. James started feeling flustered suddenly, unbeknownst to why.
"You alright there, mate?" Sirius asked with a brow lifted, staring at him.
"Never better, Pads!" James shot a cocky grin his way, brushing off the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
James fell unusually quiet for the short rest of the class, his mind flickering between Y/N and Sirius and Lily. Everything just seemed so... out of place right now. He didn't even notice Slughorn dismissing the class until Y/N tapped gently on his shoulder.
"Are you coming, Jamesy?" She asked, Sirius wrapping her against his chest. "Everyone else is already gone."
"Sure..." James mumbled, still a little airy. His eyes wandered from Sirius' tight grip around Y/N to her hand gently holding his wrist as her thumb caressed his skin lightly.
"Hurry up, Prongs! We can't be late for lunch, I have a special surprise for my love here," Sirius lifted Y/N's chin gently whilst staring devilishly into her eyes.
James once again felt the same unsettling feeling he did before in the pit of his stomach when he noticed a subtle pink tone brushing through Y/N's cheeks for a split second as she stared dumbfounded at Sirius.
"You two realize Marlene isn't even here anymore to witness your annoying flirt, don't you?" James asked his friends grumpily.
"Would you lighten up for Merlin's sake, Prongs? Love is never annoying!" Sirius winked at him.
