Agitated

James slid into his seat in Charms with a large grin on his face. He couldn't help himself. It was just too perfect.

One row ahead and three seats across, Lily was already seated and arranging her things in order. (He couldn't help but notice her either. His eyes just automatically flicked towards her these days).

Sirius, Remus and Peter entered the classroom a few moments later. All three glanced at James's hair then his beaming visage and scowled fiercely. Ah. Sweet, sweet satisfaction.

"Good morning class!" Professor Flitwick squeaked from behind his desk. "I'll just be talking roll now."

As he went down his list, more and more people began to notice James. Most kids were snickering under their breath, and a few were leaning forward, eagerly awaiting Professor Flitwick's expression when he noticed.

James felt Lily's eyes on him, which only broadened his grin. But he didn't look her way. He too was awaiting the professor's reaction.

"James Potter?"

"Here!" James called loudly, proudly even.

"Where—oh!" Professor Flitwick was so surprised he nearly toppled off his stack of books that allowed him to see over his desk. "Erm, ahem. Yes. There you are indeed Mr. Potter. With new hair. Alright."

And that was the end of that. James supposed Professor Flitwick had seen such strange behavior over the years that he didn't question much anymore. (A pity, really). James's classmates followed their Professor's lead on not commenting on his hair, and the rest of class passed smoothly.

James swaggered down the hall when class let out, feeling ridiculously pleased with himself. Somebody fell into step beside him.

"Hullo Potter," Lily said casually. As if she walked beside him every day.

But today was no ordinary day. And James was loving every second of it.

"Evans," he said with an easy grin. "What can I do for you?"

"Your hair. It's blue."

"That it is," James affirmed cheerfully. "Excellent observation."

Lily looked at him carefully, evidently waiting for some sort of explanation. When James did not give her one, she looked down and silently continued on beside him.

James could sense her growing tense. She began playing with the ends of her hair, rubbing her hands together and shooting him glances every minute or so. It was highly amusing.

Eventually, she caved. "Mind telling me why?" she blurted.

"Sirius pranked me. He figured he would ruin my favorite feature. Unfortunately, he often forgets that he's the one obsessed with his hair, not me," James explained, tucking his hands in his pockets to add to his nonchalance.

Lily stared at him for the longest time as she pondered over his words.

And then, suddenly, randomly, (madly) she began to laugh.

She laughed so hard that she had to stop moving and put a hand on James's shoulder to support herself. By the end of it, there were tears streaming down her face.

"Oh dear. Oh Merlin. That's good. I like that," she wheezed in between her laughter.

James smiled along with her, but he wasn't quite sure why she was laughing so hard. It wasn't even that funny.

Eventually, Lily managed to calm down enough to pat him on the shoulder and say, "Well thanks for explaining James. See you later."

He wasn't exactly sure what just happened, but he figured it was a good thing.

Of course, eventually James did figure out what happened.

Sirius was evil. (As was Lily. And the rest of Hogwarts for that matter).

He didn't realize his hair had been turned invisible until nearly five hours later.