A Siriusly Good Prank (Marauders/Jily/Wolfstar)

4-Just Kiss Already

Day seven of the Prank-Off, and Sirius was winning, one hundred and seven points to ninety-nine.

"I've got to pull off two amazing pranks in a row to get ahead," James pleaded. "Help me. Please. You are smarter than I'll ever be. You could help me win this entire thing with your brains—"

"The thing is, James Potter, I don't care about this stupid Prank-Off," Lily said sternly.

"But don't you care about me?"

A boy with untamed black hair and a long hooked nose walked by just then, brushing James's shoulder in the hallway on his way past.

"Oi, Snivellus!" James shouted. "Watch where you're going or you'll be dripping grease all over the hallway floors."

"Shut your mouth, you heathen," Severus snarled.

James whipped out his wand at the exact time Severus did. 

"Expelliarmus!"

"Tarantallegra!"

Severus's wand was blasted out of his hand, and James easily deflected the jinx.

"Potter!" Lily shouted.

"Lily," Severus said, scrambling to his feet. "Lily, wait...can we talk?"

"Let's go," James said, linking an arm through Lily's and pulling her away. "He's not worth it, Evans, he isn't."

Lily let out a shaky breath. "James..."

They walked outside. James directed them to a bench and sat down next to her, facing her with serious hazel eyes.

"You are smart, and beautiful, and talented," he said. "Severus Snape insulted you horribly, and he is not worth your time. You should be around people who care about you. People who won't call you awful things, or look down to you when they should be looking up to you."

Lily shook her head. "Are you saying this because it's Ask Out Lily Evans Week?"

"I'm not doing that this year," James said.

Lily looked up, her eyes meeting his. "What? Why not?"

"It's not like you're going to say yes," James said. "I can always hope, but I'm done asking. I care about you, okay? Whether you go out with me or not."

"Thanks."

James nodded.

"But I'm still not going out with you."

James shrugged. "Let me know when you change your mind."

Lily snorted. "Come on. Let's get to class."

............

Sirius was shocked when James and Lily walked into Transfiguration together, talking quietly. Peter shot Sirius a smug look from where he sat with Marlene McKinnon.

Remus glanced at James and Lily, who slid into a pair seats near the front with no objection from Lily. "We're all going to be out ten Galleons," he predicted. "I may try to back out of the bet."

"That's against code, Moony," Sirius said. "Not that I'd want to back out. I think he's going to mess up."

On the other side of the room, Lily laughed quietly.  James grinned, never taking his eyes off her face.

"Do you really?" Remus shifted his weight as McGonagall faced the front of the room.

"Potter, Evans, I trust I don't need to remind you that this is a N.E.W.T. class," she said coldly. Lily flushed and sat up straight, ignoring James.

"Take out your wands. We're going to continue where we left off today, by picking a spell to use on your partner and attempting it until you've mastered it."

"Okay," Sirius said, when the room was abuzz with chatter. "You're going to try to shorten my hair again, I assume?"

Remus shrugged. "I guess. I mean, unless you don't want me to."

"I trust you." Sirius stood up. "You're the best wizard in our year."

Remus shook his head. "Lily's better than me."

"I said wizard, not witch," Sirius grinned. "No, really, Moony. I trust you not to leave me bald or something equally terrible."

"I cannot say the same about you," Remus said, digging through his bag for his wand.

"Oh? You don't trust me?"

Remus looked up, and their eyes locked.

"I didn't say that."

Sirius quirked a smile. "Good."

"Oi!" James yelled across the room. "Just kiss already!"

"Detention," McGonagall started furiously, but Sirius laughed.

"James," Lily scolded, but James turned his bright smile on her and she just shook her head ruefully.

"Why don't you guys kiss already?" Sirius shouted back.

McGonagall threw her hands up and stalked away. "Another word, Mr. Black, and it'll be detention for you, too. Separate detentions," she added, as Sirius opened his mouth again. He closed it, looking disappointed.

James sighed and picked up his wand, then dropped it with a yell. The wand had transformed into a rubber chicken that squawked loudly as it landed on the floor. Sirius let out a roar of laughter, and wove between the desks to high-five Lily.

"You did this?" James asked, incredulous, as Sirius returned to his seat to get yelled at by McGonagall.

"I did," Lily answered, not looking up, fiddling with her wand. 

James lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her, lifting her up in a hug. 

"James! Put me down, James Potter."

James set her on the floor, shaking with laughter. "Lily, you are the most stubborn—" He broke off, shaking his head.

"What?" Lily asked softly. 

James grinned. "You are truly an amazing person, Lily Evans."

Across the room, Remus glanced at Sirius. "Still think he's going to mess up?"