Disclaimer...these aren't my characters, i'm not claiming originatilty. Please nobody sue me.

The rose garden

James was sitting in a large armchair in the common room, trying not to stare at her. Her being Lily Evans, a girl who was rapidly becoming far too interesting. But like it or not, he couldn't keep his eyes off her.

James' friend Sirius occupied the chair opposite his own, both were prime seats, in front of the roaring Gryffindor fire. Conveniently, Lily was sitting in the window-seat directly behind Sirius' chair. James had the perfect vantage point, and was making good use of it. He believed himself to be the very height of subtlety.

"Dammit James!" An annoyed voice broke his reverie. Sirius sounded frustrated. As usual.

"You haven't been listening to a word I've said"

James quickly diverted his dark brown eyes back to his friends face. It looked less than amused.

"Sorry Sirius, what were you saying?"

"I was saying, when are you going to schedule the next quid ditch practise, because I've got double detention with Mcgonogal and I was hoping you could…tell me what you are looking at!"

James' eyes had returned to the window seat. He tried to think of a quick answer, but failed miserably.

"I, was er…..I'm…'

"Well, thanks for filling me in so eloquently James" Shot Sirius, sarcastically. "I guess I'll just I'll just have to find out for myself".

He quickly reversed his direction, kneeling on the chair backwards, arms crossed over the top, and surveyed the room with his black eyes.

"Stop it Sirius! Sit down!" hissed James, sinking lower into his chair. But Sirius was in a playful mood.

"Well, well, Prongs. What have you been looking at? What has caught you bespectacled little eye today?"

A groan issued from behind his chair. James was un-eager for attention for once.

"Could it be that you were admiring the art work in our lovely common room? Guessed Sirius. He pointed to a picture of a medieval damsel trapped in a tower. She smiled back at him coyly and waved a handkerchief in their direction.

"No? No. You aren't an art lover are you? Well perhaps it is the ever divine Guinevere Jones who you've been staring at? He was gesturing towards a very pretty Gryffindor fifth year from Wales. She had Raven black hair, and when she looked up and smiled at Sirius, shaking her head and laughing, because she'd heard his comment, her bright blue eyes shone with mischief.

Sirius winked at her, then turned to James. "Not your type? She may be mine though!"

He looked back at her once more. "Hmmm, perhaps I'll take her to the ball2. James rolled his eyes. No doubt if Sirius asked her she would say yes. His friend had cauldrons of confidence, not to mention good looks. Sirius went on.

"Ah. Mr Potter my good friend. I think I have found you out. You wouldn't have been admiring Lily Evans per chance?" As he said her name, he raised his voice loud enough for her to hear, and indeed she did.

"What was that Sirius? Did you want me for something?"

"Not me" He replied. "Maybe someone I know though".

Lily got up and walked towards the fireplace. "What do you mean Sirius?" She asked curiously.

As she came within the sphere of firelight, her hair glowed a deeper red than its normal auburn, and her green eyes shone wickedly. James caught his breath. With a slow smile, she leaned, one elbow resting on the side of Sirius's chair, and awaited an answer.

James was mesmerised. He was also alarmed at how fast he was falling for this girl. He kept his cool however. It wouldn't do to panic in front of Sirius anyway…..he'd never hear the end of it.

"Hello Evans" he said in a slightly mocking tone. "You going to come watch me play Quidditch on Friday?"

God! Where had that come from? For some unknown reason he always acted obnoxiously whenever he spoke to Lily. Surprisingly though, this time she didn't give him a scathing look, call him something insulting with lots of syllables and storm off.

"Well of course I'll be there. I wouldn't dream of missing a Gryffindor - Slytherin match"

This was said neutrally, but James was aware of the danger. Sirius just looked on in amusement.

Lily was as sharp as an arrow. She could be being honest, but she could be laying a trap. She wasn't normally so cordial with James. The pinnacle of this had been the incident with Snape of course. It still made James uncomfortable to recall it. Lily had shown him up in front of a lot of people. He hadn't liked it, but he hadn't like her thinking of him badly more, Since then he had tried to be less big-headed. It wasn't easy. Cautiously, so as to avoid all traps and snares, James continue.

"Great, we need all the support we can get. It wont be an easy match.

Lily's eyes widened briefly. She looked slightly surprised at his sincerity. She must have been expecting a sarcastic reply. She quickly recovered however, her emerald eyes narrowing slyly

"Well, that's what I thought James" She went on in a light voice "After all, your game has been a little off lately"

Touché thought James, as Sirius erupted with laughter.

She grinned and returned to the window seat.

"Oh James, you two are meant to be together! And you have been slow recently you know"

James threw a cushion at his friend, who deflected it with a wave of his wand.

"Hmph…..don't be ridiculous Sirius" James muttered, blowing his black hair out of his eyes.

Secretly though, Sirius couldn't have said anything to please him more. James had just made up his own mind on the issue. They both thought the same thing.

Sirius started discussing Quidditch and detention again but James's eyes glanced back to Lily once more. She was looking right back at him. Quickly, both pairs of eyes were averted.

James smiled to himself, then turned back to Sirius and Quidditch.