Glimpses, Grins and Realisations
The first time Lily Evans realised she may possibly have feelings for James Potter, she was sitting in a quiet corner of the courtyard, immersed in her latest edition of the International Charms Journal and doing her best to avoid attracting attention; a difficult feat considering her distinct shade of auburn hair and startlingly green eyes that captivated anyone who would look closely at them.
That and the fact she was Hogwarts esteemed Head Girl and "the apple of the eye" of one James Potter, Head Boy, Gryffindor Quidditich Team Captain and Marauder Extraordinaire, who had on numerous occasions in the past publicly declared his intention of "settling down with thee, O fiery maiden!", the love of his life.
However, on this warm October day Lily had finally found solace in the quiet corner, tucked away from the more crowded part of the courtyard.
She had gotten to the part where the writer, Elbert Hybermas, had explained the finer points of Charms Theory and how it followed the same principle as certain Transfiguration techniques when a loud laugh shattered the peace and quiet and consequently Lily's attention.
On the opposite side of the courtyard sat the Marauders, perched on the edges of the fountain and appeared to be messing around with one another. The scene wasn't unusual in the least; however, Lily found herself oddly transfixed at the boys in front of her. There sat James Potter in the centre (always the centre) hair messy as ever, cheeks flushed and eyes bright with mischief and delight behind his crooked glasses.
He seemed to be taking the ribbing from his friends in his stride and was laughing merrily at something Remus said while Sirius and Peter high-fived each other and cackled around him.
Lily openly stared at the boy so wonderfully in his element, without the inhibitions or the responsibilities of being Head Boy and the burden of people's expectations.
He seemed like a regular teenage boy then, without the fear of the war (or the weight of his past, a small voice in her head reminded her) just a boy happy and enjoying with his mates.
James looked over at her then, as if he had heard her inner voice or perhaps merely felt her eyes on him and their eyes met. His eyes weren't just bright, Lily concluded distractedly, they were alight with joy and unadulterated emotion that she couldn't quite comprehend and as they locked on to hers his mouth that was laughing moments ago transformed into a small smile, so different from his usual grins and smirks.
Something in his face softened and he nodded at her in a polite gesture. Her breath hitched at the motion and oddly, Lily found herself wishing for the exaggerated winks, roguish smirks and flirtatious comments he frequently sent her way months ago, anything but this distant politeness.
But then with a pat on the back from Remus, James had turned away from her once again and proceeded to push Sirius into the fountain with Remus' help and run away laughing madly while mussing up his sooty hair.
Shaking her head, Lily turned her own attention back to her reading but for some inexplicable reason found a small smile gracing her lips, a smile that would become an almost permanent feature on her face in the near future after each run-in with the messy-haired, bright-eyed bespectacled Marauder.
A/N I am obviously not the rich and famous J.K Rowling. If I were, James and Lily would still be alive for one.
P.S Reviews are strongly encouraged.