Love Against All Odds // Jeverus

Chapter 3

"So?" James was surprised by his sudden voice "Are you going to tell me why you're being nice out of the blue?"

He initiated a conversation! He initiated a conversation first! Those were James' first two thoughts. Until he realized what he had just said. How is he going to answer that? It took a moment for him to respond.

"Well.." He cleared his throat "I just...wanted to say that I'm sorry for how I treated you. I know I was a jerk, a big one at that, and I regret it now. I want to start fresh and try to be better." James spoke sincerely, hoping that Severus would believe him.

He watched as Severus' eyes widened and his pink lips gaped. Wait, i shouldn't be thinking about kissing him-James!

Severus didn't know what to say. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions wash over him. Part of him was still angry and resentful towards James for all the torment he had endured over the years. He couldn't just forgive and forget so easily.

But at the same time, he was surprised by James' genuine apology. He had never heard him speak so sincerely before.

And that frightened him. He didn't know what he should do-wether to believe him or not.

He looked at him, examining his brown-colored eyes while James did the same. And there it was, the earnestness and hope in his eyes. Severus could feel his heartbeat in his throat as his hands turned cold.

"Give me some time" He muttered "I'm sure you understand why?"

James nods fervently "Take all the time you need, Severus. I'll wait, no matter how long it takes"

That just slipped out of his mouth, and he had no control over it. A bunch of obscenities entered his mind as his cheeks warmed, making him turn away from Severus.

Unbeknownst to him, Severus' own cheeks tinted pink as well, so he looked straight to the lake instead.

"If i didn't know any better, i'd think you were being romantic with me" Severus teased.

James laughed, although it wasn't confident or genuine "What if i was? Would you like it?" He nervously asked the question

Severus raised an eyebrow as he looked back at him "You're full of shit, you know?"

"I'm sorry, i'm sorry" He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. All he wanted right now was to grab a rock and hit his head to lose conscious and wake up with amnesia.

Severus rolled his eyes as silence fell between them again. James couldn't help but mind the silence, wondering if it was wrong for him to say that until he looked at him. There was a tiny smile on his lips. It was barely noticeable, but it was there, and James was the one who caused it. His cheeks burned again.

"It's getting late, i should go" Severus stood up and dusted himself off. James followed his actions, flustered.

"Yeah, well, i'll walk you to the dungeons" He said, Severus was surprised at the offer but didn't make any effort to show it.

"I'm capable of walking to the dorms alone, Potter" He huffed and walked ahead.

James hurriedly grabbed his wand and map before trailing behind him "..Just to be safe, i have the map so we can avoid Filch or any professors"

Severus thought he was just being nice, so what's the point of arguing? He actually appreciated the gesture, even if he didn't want to admit it openly.

As they walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, Severus couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in James' presence, a feeling he hadn't expect coming from his former bully.

There was something more. It had been brewing for a while and Severus had no idea, but when he did, he refused to acknowledge it.

"Do they know?" He asked apprehensively.

James glanced at Severus, his expression softening. He knew exactly who Severus was referring to-his friends.

"Not yet" He responded hesitantly "Although I've talked to them about leaving you alone."

Severus nodded, and just like that, the conversation ended. James was always the typical extroverted guy, getting along with everyone, but with Severus, it was different. The fact that Severus was the one who starts a topic and never him was new. He hoped that when everything was finally loose, he could be himself.

When they reached in front of the Slytherin dorm, they both stopped. Severus awkwardly looked at the door and then at James, who already had his eyes on him.

"..Thank you for walking me here" That came out forced, just because he hates expressing gratitude openly to someone.

"Severus" James began, itching to hold his hand but stopped himself-it's too early for that "I..I just want to let you know that i'm serious about what i said earlier" Severus watched him carefully "I'm going to show you and tell you that i'm willing to change"

Severus felt his heart skipped a beat, he almost smiled at hearing his words and the passion behind them.

"Well..um" James awkwardly shuffle his feet "Thank you for giving me a chance, Severus"

The smile on James' face was big, and Severus felt his stomach fluttering. Even if he had seen James smile a few times, it was never directed at him. The feeling was wonderful-he had never really got someone to smile genuinely at him except for his mom and Lily.

In a soft voice, he said "I'll see you around, Potter" Then, without waiting for his reply, he hurriedly turned around and entered the dorms.

James stood there for a while, his heart beating fast in his chest. After a moment, another bright smile broke out on his face, and he skipped through the hallways.

He couldn't believe everything that had just happened. Now he felt like God's favorite.
He replayed their conversation in his mind, savoring their first moment together.

He was going to make everything right. No matter how it takes.

On the other hand, Severus couldn't sleep. He laid in bed, thoughts consumed by James Potter.

Severus sighed, running a hand through his tangled hair as he stared up at the canopy of his bed. He knew he had made a decision to give James a chance. Yet, there was a nagging voice in the back of his mind telling him not to trust him, reminding him of what James had done to him in the past years

But it was in the past, and he's changed. He was no idiot, he could tell that he was genuine. It was what Severus had always wanted, but he never expected it to come true.

The feelings he had buried deep in his mind for him slowly came to the surface. The image of him with gentle eyes and a soft smile made his heart swoon.

He like James Potter, that much was confirmed. And he's fucking dead.