Why Should I?

Summary: After a completely embarrassing night, Lily flees from Hogwarts and the hurtful jeers from her classmates. Four years later, she's back and she's hunting for the man who stepped all over her torn heart: James Potter.

Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter or any of its relating characters.

THIRD YEAR - CHRISTMAS BALL

The music was hypnotizing. Couples filled the dance floor for the last dance of the night. Fingers laced, noses almost touching, with sweet endearments being whispered in their partner's ear, the night truly did seem perfect for these young teens in love. The girls glimmered in their floating dress robes, hair all styled and twisted, features accented by touches (or so they liked to think) of rouge and charcoal. The gentlemen, on the other hand, were all dolled up in handsome robes, trying hard to look dashing and impressive.

There was, however, a peculiar twosome dancing. An overly plump girl - acceptable in looks, however not what society would call a beauty - in the muscular arms of a devilishly enticing boy. Her mousy hair flared with all shades of red and amber, while her eyes shone with a striking hue of green that rivaled the deep olive color of her robes. He, on the other hand, was beautiful. It seemed odd calling a boy in his third year beautiful or any boy really, but it did work nicely. With hair in jet black and pools of caramel as eyes, no wonder they found it amusing that he was with a girl quite his opposite.

Clumsily, she swayed to the beat of the music, trodding on the poor boy's toes every now and then.

"Oh, I'm sorry, James!" She said, looking up at him.

"It's fine, Lily. Just don't do it again." He replied through gritted teeth. Weight was once again put on his bruising feet, and he cringed. Lily mumbled another shy apology. A look of sheer aggravation overtook his face but he quickly removed it. He couldn't blow this...

"Um, James?" Lily's small voice called. He forced himself to look down, using his utmost hardest to imagine that the girl was somewhat pretty. "Thank you for asking me to the ball. I've had a lovely time, really, I have. Thank you so much for giving me a chance." It was soft, almost so much so that he could barely hear. He would've much rathered if he didn't but, hell, who really cared? The ball was almost over, and so was this torture. He glanced to the corner, trying desperately to search for something. Spotting it quickly, a smile of relief graced his face.

"You're welcome, Lily. I've had a lovely time, as well." James' face lowered and Lily found herself rapidly gaining the complexion of a ripe tomato. His breath tickled her lips, and she was not surprised when her breathing itself had hitched. Closer and closer he was now, fantasies crossing her mind. James Potter, the very boy she had fancied since first year, was about to kiss her! Her first real kiss...

Her eyelids drooped and she puckered her lips. Any second now...

A loud gasp echoed through the grand hall, everyone turning their gazes towards the goop-covered Lily. She was on her knees now, all around her a pool of sickening slime. A look of hurt surprise was clear upon the side of her face that was not under the disgusting substance. She looked around, hoping to find one friend who would help her. Instead, they all laughed. Cruelly, they giggled and pointed, but no one as loud and heartily as James himself.

"J-James?" Her bottom lip quivered.

She looked on as another dashing lad took his place beside James and roared with laughter. "James, mate, you've done it! Where's that git, Diggory? I believe he owes us ten galleons!"

Slapping a rough hand against his best mate's back, James gave a mock pointed look. "Us? Sirius, Sirius, I believe that it was I who managed to pull this prank! Therefore, the money is more than mine!"

"Ah, but, Jamesie," His eyebrows wriggled quirkily at the mention of his mate's nickname. "Who had convinced you to go along with it? If not for I, the great and powerful Sirius Black," He puffed his chest out as if he, himself, were the King of the World," none of this would've ever happened. Hence, the money is ours."

They continued to debate, a weary Remus Lupin standing behind them, shaking his head and crossing his arms. He looked past them and sent Lily an awfully sorry gaze, as if to say, "I'm sorry the blokes I happen to be great mates with did this to you".

Pushing past the increasing crowd, Remus strongly spoke out, "Enough." All the while, Lily took the chance to flee from the amused eyes of her fellow students. Two other girls, taking heed of Remus' earlier actions, wrestled their way among the elegantly dressed others and yelled for her.

"Oh dear, Lily!" One called out. They ran quickly, hoping to catch up with their embarrassed friend. However, one took a second or two to give the delighted James a vengeful glare.

"You truly are a heartless bastard, Potter." She whispered in a deathly tone.

"I love you, too, Lee!" He hooted as a response. The throng of scholars trailing him snickered.

With a flick of her hair, she radiated one final scowl and went off to find her friend. She struggled at first, bunching the fabric of her outfit in her fists, paling her knuckles.

"Give Meyers a kiss for me!" Sirius cried at her disappearing form. He then turned his direction to James, "That was brilliant, mate! She actually bought it! And to believe they call her the cleverest witch of our year, ha! Ah, there's Diggory! Time to extract our pay," He ushered them all (careful not to slip on the foul-smelling slime) to the disgruntled Amos Diggory, who vigorously searched his robes for any extra change.

Remus stayed where he was, regardless of the others. He stared sorrowfully at his two best friends, then to the opened doors to the grand hall. The abashed face of Lily appeared in his head, and he dropped his eyes in shame.

I'm so sorry, Lily.

The next day had to be James Orvall Potter's best day in all his pranking years. The moment he stepped into the each of his classes, they stood and applauded. He gloated, of course, not stopping even when the professor of the subject had stepped into the room. He enjoyed it immensely, taking in every bat of a pretty girl's eyes, or the adoring praises from the fellows.

Sirius and Peter (who, for reasons that the other three could not prod out of him, did not show up at last night's ball) allowed their friend to shine in the light, although receiving a compliment or two every now and then.

By midday, James was positively elbow deep in ego. Nevertheless, his devoted clan of worshippers did not become the least bit sparse.

Now clearly frustrated, Remus slammed his goblet against the wooden table. "James, enough. It was funny, yes, but now you're taking it too far."

Startled, he responded lightly, "Moony, come on! That-"

"No, you come on, James!" He did not use his nickname, which would have made the scene much less serious. "Did you even take a second to realize that Lily didn't appear in any of our classes?" At this, they all gazed about, his fan club and all, trying to spot even the slightest bit of the said girl's scarlet hair.

They did not see her. Nor would they see her for the next few years.