INSTEAD, james potter [1]

Chapter Seventeen

The realm of romance was still a pretty new thing to Lyra. She had never had a boyfriend, and had only been asked out a couple of times. She had never accepted it. The only times she had ever snogged someone, she had been drunk and had regretted it in the morning. Both times.

That's why Valentine's day sort of sucked for her. It was a reminder that she was inexperienced, alone and completely and utterly single. Maybe she was a bit bitter, because she didn't feel like any boys liked her as a person, but only as a possible snog. 

Thankfully, she had Rabastan. She still didn't want to admit that she fancied him, but in the very least, she had gained a good friend. He had offered to be her platonic Valentine for the day, and had rejected the girls who asked him just to make sure she didn't feel alone. 

Lyra wanted to scream in the face of everyone who had believed Rabastan would end up being an awful friend to her. He had given up the chance to get a snog or two during the day just to make sure she felt alright.

They were sitting together in the Great Hall, under all the decorations of hearts and fake cherubs, talking to each other. As usual, four boys at the Gryffindor table didn't quite enjoy the sight. 

It only got worse when Rabastan charmed a rose to appear in his hand. He smiled sweetly as he gave it to her. She seemed deeply touched, and leaned into give him a dramatic kiss on the cheek with an overdone mwah.

Sirius heard people whispering about the two all around him. They were talking about the idea of Lyra and Rabastan being together, an actual couple, even if Bellatrix and Rodolphus already were married. The thought of it made him want to barf.

"I hate this," he grumbled, stabbing the food on his plate as he glared at the platonic pair, hoping they truly were platonic. "I hate that she's a Slytherin. She should have been in Gryffindor with us."

Remus agreed. "Hear, hear, Padfoot."

Sirius rested his chin in his hands. "If she'd just become a Gryffindor then I wouldn't have to watch her mack all over Lestrange of all people. I don't like feeling this protective of her but having her just far enough away to not be able to do anything."

James was uncharacteristically quiet, staring into the air. His mates suddenly realized this, and Peter elbowed him to force him out of his trance. "Oi, Wormtail. Stop."

"What are you thinking about?" Peter asked, his mouth stuffed with greasy bacon. Everyone cringed at his inability to eat with his mouth closed, but it was part of his charm, they supposed. 

"I'm thinking..." the Potter boy smiled to himself as he looked at Lyra, who was happily enjoying her breakfast with her friends at the Slytherin table. "I'm going to go all out for Valentine's Day. She's never going to forget this day for as long as she may live."

"You're looking too deep into your snog," warned Remus, always the voice of reason. James didn't respond, ignoring him.

Sirius noticed his silence and turned to him, a mean glare on his face, annoyed at the idea of James supposedly fancying Lyra of all people. "Yeah, and soon you'll be looking too deep into my fist." 

"Don't listen to them, Prongs!" Peter encouraged, patting James's shoulder friendly, trying to make him feel better. "Go for it! I mean, she's really pretty. Probably the prettiest girl at Hogwarts."

He cringed as both Sirius and Remus sent him incredulous glares, wondering what was going through his head. James, on the other hand, started smirking. "You know what, Wormtail? You just gave me a brilliant idea."

Grinning brightly, Peter perked up. "You're welcome, James!"

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Potions class was filled with students who paid less attention than usual to Professor Slughorn's lecture. Most people sat and either giggled with their Valentine's or about their Valentine's. Lyra was no exception.