AN: I've never bothered to find out when James' birthday actually is – however having his 'coming of age' on a Hogwarts Quidditch Grand Final day seemed appropriate to me. Enjoy…

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Heart of Gold

Sparkling Eyes

'Potter – Happy Birthday!'

'Why thank you Gooney!' James rose to politely shake the Ravenclaw's Quidditch team captain.

The action alone sent the Hall into icy silence as the two Quidditch clad captains swapped niceties. Until, inevitably, they were no longer nice.

'I did wrap you a present, but Professor Hall said that the Bludger belonged in the ball kit.'

James laughed. He knew that Gooney was playing with him. 'Seriously, as Black here, enjoy the favourable statistics while it lasts.'

'Good luck, Potter. I hope Jemma doesn't club you too hard.'

'Good luck, Gooney. Break a leg. Really.'

George Gooney gave him a good-natured grin before he turned to sit at his own table.

Once everyone realised James and George weren't going to start a pre-match brawl, the noise in the Hall returned to its normal state, only pausing to watch the Ravenclaws were leaving for the match early.

The Gryffindor team watched them warily and then looked to James to see his reaction, but he just gave them all a warning look and shook his head. 'Following shows that we're nervous, we need not to play into their hands.'

They all nodded their approval as the whispered message passed on down the table. Everyone tried their best to relax, tensions were all high.

James felt nervous, but at the same time, he had a great calm. If they won, then great, but if they lost, they would be able to go down honourably. At least it would be to Ravenclaw and not Slytherin.

Besides, it was his coming of age birthday. And if he let the match get to him, then it would be a decidedly miserable memory. There was no need to down a wonderful occasion, and ruin his special day.

He was feeling quite sprited from the wonderful gifts he'd received that morning already, particularly the broomstick from his parents. The handful of tickets to the Quidditch Grand Final in the holidays was also a rare treat from his Grandparents.

However, he had forgotten all that when he was met with the sight of Lily Evans grinning at him as he had entered the hall, flanked by his team mates. Even if she had rolled her eyes after he had ruffled up his hair, her eyes had still sparkled with good humour.

Wanting another glimpse of the mischievous glint in Lily's eye, James looked to the other end of the table where she normally sat, but she wasn't there. He frowned slightly, but then he jumped in surprise at a sudden soft touch at his shoulder.

'Evans?' James' eyes found Lily's emerald ones a few mere inches away, the sparkle quite prominent.

'Potter.' She said, cordially before her tone became one of demanding. 'Close your eyes.'

'P-pardon?'

'Close your eyes, please.' It wasn't a question.

James raised a single brow quizzically.

Lily mimicked his expression teasingly in response.

'I'm curious, Evans, and also quite afraid – what are you going to do with me?'

'That's for me to know, and you to find out. Close your eyes.' Lily touched his eyelids so he closed them, his expression becoming one of apprehension.

He felt the touch of cool but light metal on his neck before a brush from her fingers at the nape of his neck and her warm breath on his cheek. James felt his whole being filled with sudden warmth from her touch.

He involuntarily shivered from the thrill of it. 'Since when do you give me birthday presents?'

'Because I feel like it.'

James brows disappeared behind his hair that had fallen over his face.

Lily could have laughed at his expression. 'You can open your eyes.'

James warily opened them, still looking at Lily like she was about to stop luring him in and curse him into next week.

She gave him a satisfied smile and leant over to whisper in his ear, making sure her lips pushed lightly over his ear lobe. 'Happy Birthday.'

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How James Potter got to the Quidditch Ground and into the change rooms from the Great Hall, not even he was sure how. He never remembered walking, and from all the incredulous looks he was getting he must have skipped.

He didn't care though; Lily had kissed him, and he wasn't ever planning on washing his ear again.

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AN: The day's not over yet, it's merely the beginning! Tune in later to find out about the Quidditch match – and what did Lily put around James neck? Now I'm not going to add anymore unless I get some feedback, I suggest you make like James Potter and skip right on over to review.

If I was JKR I would do a prequel series (James Potter and the …), a sequel series (Albus Potter and the …) and a Hermione POV analysis on how to save the world from poverty and protection against Twilight/Edward Cullen tweenage fans stupidity.