Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. As usual. Enjoy .

The portrait hole swung open with a bang, revealing none other than Lily Evans, looking disheveled, as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She hadn't seen him yet; that much was clear. Without a word, she crossed the room and settled herself into her usual armchair, staring into the fire with an expression of utmost serenity plastered across her face. Red hair glistened with the tiny bits of ice she hadn't yet bothered to brush out. Green eyes blinked, half-closed, yet still unable to completely ignore the world beyond. Cheeks flushed from the heat of the fire. Outside, snowflakes flitted about romantically, each one more beautiful than the last. She smiled at the empty space. It was probably the first time James had ever truly seen her smile. He decided he liked it. It was official: she had and always would be sheer perfection.

"Hey, Evans?"

She turned, startled at the intrusion, though still unable to wipe the curious smile off her face.

He opened his mouth to say something, probably to ask her out again, as he did nearly every time he caught her alone (and even when he did not), but she silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"James, just – for once – don't spoil it, okay?"

James could only stare.

It was not just that she had called him James, instead of the usual "Potter," spoken with disgust.

It was not even that she remained sitting there even after he had made his presence known, head swiveled in his direction, rather than jumping up and stomping away in a huff, muttering about how it was impossible to enjoy a moment alone with "that bloody Potter kid" around.

No.

It was simply that, for the first time since the exact moment he met her, exactly six years, 24 days, 3 hours, and 16 seconds ago, Lily Evans had smiled at him.