James looked up in surprise when a note landed on his desk. It hadn't come from a Marauder and no-one else passed notes to him in class. He unfolded it and immediately recognised Lily Evans' neat handwriting.
Stop staring at me you git.
James frowned. He hadn't been staring. Admittedly, it was hardly a rare occurrence but this time his focus had been firmly on the Amortentia he was brewing, rather than the redhead. He glanced around the room, and saw Snape glaring at him. James scowled right back. The Slytherin sneered and turned away, looking at Lily. James smirked. The slimy git had been trying to get back in her good books all term.
Wrong person. Snivelly's the one staring.
But I'm touched you thought of me, Flower. Does this mean you're finally admitting how much you love me?
Lily tore open the note as her potion simmered. Her brow wrinkled. It was possible he was telling the truth. Over the years, she'd gotten used to having Potter stare at her, and this felt . . . different. Which was why she sent the note. It was making her uncomfortable. If it was Severus staring at her, then she would just have to ignore him. He had made his choice and now he had to live with it.
I apologise for the false accusation.
Don't worry Potter, I shall endeavour to restrain myself from leaping over the desk a little while longer.
James grinned. Last year he would've been hexed for daring to suggest she liked him. He was making progress, now that he'd made asking her out a weekly thing instead of every time he saw her. He caught Snape looking at him again. James winked and scribbled a quick reply to Lily.
It's a futile effort. You obviously smell me in the fumes, you little minx.
Your snake doesn't seem to like me writing to you, by the way.
Lily snickered. James had matured a bit over the summer, and he was surprisingly good company when he wasn't asking her out every five minutes. But really, calling her a minx? What planet was that idiot on now?
She glanced up and accidentally caught Sev's eye. He was glaring at the note she held in her hands. She scowled at him and turned back to her cauldron. It was almost done. Lily stirred it absently and then tried to think of a witty reply to James' note.
You little minx? Really, Potter?
I don't own him, you know.If I owned anyone who stared at me you would've
Of course he doesn't like it. He hates your guts as much as you hate his. Now shut up and let me work in peace.
James snorted with laughter, causing Lily to turn around and smile at him. It was a great smile. All white teeth and crinkled eyes and that little dimple in her cheek. Too soon, she had turned back to her work and started clearing up. He grinned. She was definitely a minx.