Ways to Say "No"

A Collection of Fragments and One Shots

James Potter is persistent in his efforts to date Lily Evans. Here are some of his attempts, and of course, her refusals. A collection of fragments and one shots.

One

Lily rubbed her temples, urging the dull ache to go away. She was in divination, which she wasn't even sure why she continued to take in her sixth year. Well, she did know. It was like a free period.

All that incense, though, was really getting to her. She glanced at her watch and groaned. There was still half an hour left before class was over. They were gazing into crystal balls again, much to her dismay. The last thing she wanted to do with her aching head was to stare into a glowing, hazy ball.

She sat in her seat and waited for the professor to announce the new partners. After a particularly disruptive class the week before, no doubt the fault of James Potter and company, the professor felt that it was necessary for the well being of everyone's inner eye, for the class to be rearranged. Tapping her foot impatiently and rubbing her temples, Lily silently urged the professor to just get on with it already.

"When I call your name, grab a crystal ball and a table with your new partner. Understood?" A collection of groans and nods answered her question, and she continued on. "Everyone up! Line up in the front of the room."

Lily grabbed her bag, a little more roughly than was probably necessary, and stood next to Marlene, her previous partner. Part of her hoped that since they were both relatively well behaved in that class, that the professor might take pity on them and allow them to stay together.

"Lily Evans," Lily snapped to attention at the sound of her name. "And…James Potter."

Lily held in a groan and rolled her eyes at Marlene as if to say, "Well, here we go." Grabbing a crystal ball of the shelf, along with a stand, she made her way over the table that James had selected over by the window. As she sat down, she noticed that he had opened it a crack, much to her relief.

"Thanks," she muttered, placing the ball on the stand with a small thump. "These fumes are killing me."

James nodded and gave her a small smile. "Well, Miss Evans, shall I give it a go first?"

Lily shrugged. "If you insist."

James cleared his throat and then got down eye level with the crystal ball. He had a look of pure and utter concentration on his face as he gazed at the hazy smoke swirling around. His eyes lit up suddenly, and Lily leaned forward in her seat, wondering what exactly it was that he had seen.

"I see buildings…one in particular is standing out of the fog."

"What kind of buildings, Potter?" Lily asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"I don't know. It's coming clearer though. Oh! It's the Three Broomsticks!" James ignored her snort and rolled eyes, and continued on. "You're walking in the doors, alone."

Lily leaned back in her seat, positive that he was pulling her leg. She could see the gleam he got in his eyes when he was about to do something ridiculous.

"I'm alone, am I? Did your inner eye kill off all of my friends?" She asked, jokingly.

"Oh, hang on. You're walking up to someone. A handsome someone, I might add." James said, grinning at her from his position down near the table, gazing into the crystal ball. "I think it's a date, Evans."

"Oh, I have a date in my future. I should hope so. I don't plan on being a spinster, after all." Lily said, shaking her head. "Good job, Potter."

"Well, Evans. You're lucky because that date in your future is with none other than me."

Lily stared blankly across the table where James sat, leaning back in his seat with his arms folded smugly across his chest. He smirked back at her and she simply shook her head.

"Ok, Potter. My turn," she said, not bothering to further acknowledge his proclamation.

Lily, mocking James' previous actions, got down by the crystal ball. She looked into it and, with a small gasp said, "Oh James. I see something."

"Oh, really?" James asked, confidence radiating through him. "Do you see our date, too?"

"No…I see something…well. It's big…and fat.." Lily said, she scratched her head and then sat up with a sigh. She shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, James. I see a big fat NO in your future."

James threw his head back in laughter, and Lily couldn't help but join in. "You're a piece of work, Evans."

A/N: Whenever I have trouble writing, I will write little scenes that have nothing to do with anything that I'm writing in the hopes to get things going. I was looking for a document for work the other day on my flash drive and I couldn't find it in all of the bits and pieces that I write and never do anything with. So, here is my solution. Enjoy:)