Baby, Just Say Yes || Jily & Scorily || ✔️

They Fight For Who They Love

James Potter I

Professor McGonagall walked into her office to see a certain raven-haired boy scrubbing to floor clean. The boy was most likely sent to clean every tile on the floor.

She sighed and said, "Pray tell me, Mr. Potter, why are you in detention this time?"

James looked up from the ground and muttered something non-intelligible.

"I'm sorry?" McGonagall asked as she sat at her desk.

"These people were making fun of werewolves." James put the scrub down and played with his hair. "I couldn't just let them get away with it."

McGonagall paused for a second, remembering one of James's closest friends, Remus, and his unfortunate predicament. She took out a tin and opened it. "Have a biscuit, Mr. Potter."

James stood up from polishing the cabinet and sat down on the other side of her desk. He cautiously reached for the cookie, not sure if it was a trap or not.

"There are plenty of ways to deal with people like that, Mr. Potter, but violence is never the answer."

"Then why is there war?" James shot back.

"Do you think war is a good idea?" McGonagall countered.

James nibbled on his cookie and thought about his answer. "No, I don't think war is good." McGonagall smiled thinking she won him over, but James continued, "But I think war is necessary. Like the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin. I don't like it. But I can't sit around while they insult muggleborns and call werewolves horrible monsters in front of—" he caught himself before he revealed anything, not realizing that McGonagall knew Remus's secret, "In front of people. It's not like people ask to get bitten. It's a curse."

"Do you think all Slytherins are evil?"

"No, but there sure are a lot of them that are."

"Do you think all Gryffindors are good?"

"I've never met a Gryffindor I didn't like," James stated.

McGonagall leaned back in her chair while James grabbed another cookie, "You are right when you say war is necessary. But that does not mean you should go out of your way to seek out a—"

"I wasn't!" James protested indignantly, "They came after me!"

"Let me finish, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said firmly, "Your views on war and good and evil are very mature for a second year, but you still have a long way to go and much more to learn. Now, I'm dismissing you of your duties. You're free to go, if you'd like."

James's face lit up with joy. "Really?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter. Just try not to get into any more fights."

"No promises, Professor," James grinned.

McGonagall tried to hide her smile, "I can only dream. Now run along."

Before James was fully out the door, McGonagall called, "And Mr. Potter?" James turned to look at her while she spoke, "Try to control your obsession with a certain red-head named Lily."

"I don't know what you're talking about," James badly lied. After McGonagall raised her eyebrows, he sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Is it that obvious?"

"You only ask her out twice a day every day."

"If she said yes, then I wouldn't have to."

"Have you ever tried being yourself? I'm sure she would like that side of you better than the grand gestures you do to impress her," the head of house advised wisely.