It was time for James's first Quidditch game of the year, against Slytherin. He was nervous because, as you might remember, Annabelle was the Slytherin seeker, and the only Hogwarts seeker better than Annabelle was Harry Potter himself. This was upsetting to James, as he wanted to be compared to his father, not a Malfoy. (The Gryffindor team used James to spy on the Slytherin team by squeezing information out of Charlotte.)

James sat in the locker room, with his head in his hands, thinking. There's something about the prospect of trying to beat your crush at something that puts a general gloominess on the whole situation.

Emma Wood walked over to James. "Hey Potter," she said briskly, "Get changed, the game is going to start soon. Are you feeling under the weather?"

James knew that Emma was asking out of courtesy; he was sure that Emma would make him play even if he was on his deathbed. He hoped not.

"No, I just have a lot to think about."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Well you can think about your problems later, I- I mean we- have a game to win!"

James stood up and changed into his scarlet and gold Quidditch robes. As they walked to the pitch, Melanie ran up to him. "James! I just wanted to wish you good luck. Not that you'll need it!"

Wait, was Melanie... blushing? Never mind that, James thought.

"Thanks, Mel," James answered. He grinned at her, running his hands through his hair. Melanie giggled, twirling a lock of hair around her finger girlishly.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a chain. On the end was a golden snitch charm, and Melanie gave it to James.

"I saw it in Diagon Alley and I thought you'd like it," she said, turning an even deeper shade of crimson.

James's smile broadened. He fastened the chain around his neck and tucked it under his robes. "You're the best, Mel," he told his friend, playfully punching her shoulder.

Emma was waving him over towards the rest of the team.

"I have to go, Mel, talk to you after the game," James said. "You'll be at the after-party, right?" Melanie nodded.

"'Kay, bye James!"

She waved at him and ran off, rejoining the rest of the Gryffindor girls in the stands. They began whispering and giggling.

From the Slytherin section of te stands, Charlotte Goyle glared menacingly at Melanie, who smiled. She blew James a kiss. James was confused. What was happening? And why did Annabelle look like she wanted to murder Melanie?

Emma swatted him on the back of the head. "Keep your head in the game, Potter!" she yelled.

James nodded. It was game time, and he had a game to win.

Annabelle fumed. Why was Melanie acting so...not Melanie? Why was James responding so positively? And why did Annabelle even care at all? If Melanie liked James, the that was her business. Besides, Annabelle and James were now enemies. That's all. Right. He was a creep, taking photos of her like that.

Charlotte was also giving Melanie the evil-witch-eye-of-death.

But as Annabelle mounted her broom, she pushed those thoughts from her head. For the moment. The Quidditch game was beginning.

Screeeeeech!

Madam Hooch blew her whistle. The game was over, and the Gryffindor's had won. As the Slytherins sulked off, the Gryffindors clapped each other on the back and hugged. They heard a banging.

Melanie was thundering down the bleachers, a huge smile on her face.

She ran over to James, and kissed him, full on the mouth. His initial shock was forgotten as he kissed her back.

James didn't notice Annabelle Malfoy, tears brimming in her eyes, slowly make her way to the locker room.

All thoughts of anyone but Melanie left his head, including Fred, who was clapping and making cat-calls (until Annabelle used a silencing charm on him).

Why was she jealous of her best friend, snogging James in front of the whole school? Why did she care if they liked each other? It was no business of Annabelle's. She didn't understand the new feelings she had been experiencing around James, or the way her heart skipped beats, or she got flustered. Her! Flustered! Annabelle Malfoy did not get flustered, ever! She wasn't Melanie. (This thought made Annabelle angrier, because if she was Melanie she would be snogging James senseless right now. Just wait until she got to her dormitory, she would think of the fastest way to hex James Potter.

Back in her dormitory, Annabelle sobbed into her pillow. So much for plans about hexing James. Then it clicked. Annabelle hadn't noticed it before, and it wasn't until she saw James and Melanie kiss that she really understood it.

She, Annabelle Malfoy, was in love with James Sirius Potter.