The Better Chaser; James Potter

Chapter 1- Diagon Alley

I sat in the Leaky Cauldron nursing my butterbeer waiting for Lily to arrive, as we had agreed to meet there at 11 o'clock. It was just a few minutes pass before I spotted a blur of red hair rush into the pub. 

"Sorry, Sorry, I know I'm late," she rolled her eyes at my smirk

"Its alright, you actually arrived earlier than I expected," I teased

"Oh shut it," She huffed before sitting down, but I could see a faint smile forming on her face

I passed her the butterbeer I ordered for her to which she smiled gratefully and took a sip. She smiled contently before asking,

"So, what's new with you?"

"Oh the usual," I responded nonchalantly, "Parents are arseholes nothing new really- Oh wait," you smiled as you dug for your bag for a badge and took it out, "Made prefect this year, I assume you did too, c'mon show it,"

Lily smiled and took out her badge as well, 

"Can't believe we're already in fifth, and prefects at that too," she said

"I know right, who is Gryffindor prefect with you?" I asked curiously

"Remus," She smiled

I made a quick mental note that I should transfigure both our badges, as they were made of silver, and Remus' as well. 

"Oh lucky you," I replied jealous, "I'm stuck with Severus"

With the mention of Severus Lily's smile faltered. At the end of last year Severus called Lily a mudblood, the worst thing you could call a muggleborn or any wizard for that matter, and was an outright git all term. Lily claimed she lost a friend, but I think he finally showed his true colors. 

"Oi-," I snapped my fingers in her face, "Don't even think of worrying your pretty little mind over that greasy git," I said and winked at her. Which earned a giggle in return. Satisfied that I cheered her up I asked her back, 

"What about you, anything new happened over the summer?"

"Umm- well..." She drifted off. I eyed her suspiciously. 

"Promise you won't get mad," she asked.

"You know me Lil, can't promise, but I'll try my best," I replied. Satisfied with my answer, she continued.

"Well um-" she cleared her throat, "Well y'know our friends- friend group right- like Severus, Jason, Leo, Harper, Hudson, and Miriam" she spoke slowly. I recognized the names of some of Lily and I's closest friends. Severus and Leo and I were Slytherins, whilst Jason and Miriam were Gryffindors, Harper was a Ravenclaw, and Hudson was a Hufflepuff. Together our friend group was made up of people from all houses and all blood-types. Lily was the only muggleborn, Severus and Harper were half-bloods, and the rest of us were purebloods. 

"Yeah," I matched her slow tone and said questioningly

"Well- basically, they all wrote to me this summer claiming that well-,"

"Oi, Evans, spit it out," I said

"They told me they couldn't be my friend anymore, that they don't want to hang out with me, or be seen with me, the whole bloody lot of them, I can't believe it, all because of the war and that I am a muggleborn, they don't want to associate with the likes of me, they said," she rambled angrily.

"Bloody bastards" I whispered under my breath waiting for Lily to calm down. But she heard what I said and then continued,

"I was honestly confused when your owl came trying to meet up, thought you were messing with me-" she was interrupted by a loud noise that came from me slamming my butterbeer mug on the table.