James Potter glanced around the Great Hall as all the students left breakfast, as he did every morning. Looking for her. Masses of black robes passed him as he stood there, searching. All of the sudden, someone bumped into him from behind.
"Could you move, Potter? Some of us are trying to get to class, you know," snapped a girl with long, flowing red hair.
"Morning, Lily," he said, giving her his signature cocky grin. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?"
"For the most part," she said, glaring at him. "Near the end, though, this guy was pestering me."
"Who?" James asked, running his hand through his already messy black hair, making it even more unruly. "I'll prank him if it makes you feel better."
They were still standing in the same place as people filed out of the great hall around them.
"I think you might know him," Lily said pleasantly. James was surprised at the sudden change in the tone of her voice. "He's in Gryffindor, in my year. He's got black hair and is really annoying."
"Oh, Sirius? He was pestering you? He's really not that bad, but I'll tell him to lay off if you want."
"You're even thicker than I thought, Potter," said Lily, raising her eyebrows. She turned and left the Great Hall, leaving James standing there, the only person in the room.
James' eyes followed her as she walked, red hair swinging. He should have seen that coming.