Over the Edge [ Lupin x Evans ]

Chapter 16: Theoretically about love

James, Sirius, and Peter stood by one of Hogwarts' northern walls, enjoying the sunny autumn day.

"Peter, do you want one?" Black asked indifferently, grabbing a Muggle cigarette from the pack. Peter turned around slightly startled and quickly replied:

"No way! I don't smoke."

James laughed loudly, but when Sirius offered him the pack, he shook his head too.

"Look out for any professors," Padfoot growled, irritated that no one wanted to join him. He quickly lit the cigarette with a lighter and took a drag. Despite being not quite sixteen years old, he had been smoking for over a year. He had started to annoy his parents, but the Muggle habit soon became second nature to him, and sometimes the wizard snuck away to have a smoke in secret.

The sun's rays beautifully illuminated the school grounds and the surface of the lake, which they had a perfect view of. Suddenly, they noticed Lily Evans walking along a distant path.

"Prongs," Peter whispered, nodding his head in that direction.

Sirius watched with amusement as his friend straightened his white collar, adjusted his tie, and ruffled his hair in his characteristic way. Then, sending his friends a sly smile, he made his way toward the unsuspecting redhead.

"Go for it!" Black called out, exhaling a puff of smoke.

James walked toward the Gryffindor girl, who was absorbed in a book. Potions — James noted and quickly rolled his eyes theatrically. As usual, she was studying... Despite that, a smile played on his lips because he loved how smart, intelligent, and well-read she was. She was perfect.

Potter cleared his throat loudly and said cheerfully, walking up behind her:

"Hello, Lily," he smiled.

The girl stopped in her tracks, turning around in surprise. She nearly bumped her head into the Gryffindor's chest. James chuckled softly, grabbing her elbows to prevent her from falling, just like the book that had slipped from her hands. When Lily regained her balance, she gave him a suspicious look. The wizard bent down and, with his signature grin, handed her the potions textbook.

"What do you want, Potter?" Lily asked flatly, pulling the book from his fingers. She quickly stepped back to a safe distance, eyeing him warily. After a moment, she started glancing around, confused. "Is this some kind of joke? You're trying to prank me, right?"

"Don't look at me like that, Evans," he laughed. "We're not trying to prank you. I'm alone, as you can see." He spread his arms. "I just wanted to say hello and ask how you're doing, how you're feeling."

Lily raised an eyebrow and looked at him sceptically.

"Interesting. From what I know, James Potter doesn't have such selfless impulses," she muttered under her breath, then turned on her heel to walk away.

"Wait!" he called out, quickly matching her pace. They walked along the lake's edge. "So, how's everything? How's it going?"

"It's fine, thank you," she mumbled, her eyes fixed on another chapter of her book. She pretended the persistent Gryffindor wasn't following her.

"Listen, I was thinking... maybe you'd want to..."

She slammed the book shut loudly and turned to face him, cutting him off abruptly:

"I do not want anything to do with you. When are you going to get it?" she snapped.

"I just want to get you!" he called out cheerfully, trying to pull her into his arms.