James loved fall. There was something so enticing about the crisp morning air, the fog still clinging to the land, tinged a soft gold from the emerging sun. Goose bumps spring up his arms as he walks across the Quidditch pitch, broomstick held firmly in one hand. These are the weekend mornings he lives for.
He mounts his broom, shooting off towards the sky, the brisk air gliding through his hair, his lungs savoring its cleanness. Unbeknownst to him, a certain red-head sits in the stands, bundled against the chill. She watches him with awe, the way he seems to perfectly weightless and alive. As if he's simply a part of the sky.
His shouts of exultation resonate through the still silence. He swoops and dives, as effortless as breathing. His lips turn up into a smile, untainted by sarcasm, lighting his features with his clear passion.
When finally he lands, he lays back on the grass, the cool dewy grass helping to slow his hurtling heart. Soft footsteps walk to his side and someone lays down next to him.
"You're almost like poetry in motion when you fly." James looks over and his stomach jumps when he sees it's Lily. He quickly rumples his already windswept hair before answering.
"You were watching the whole time?"
"Yeah." Her cheeks flush a pretty pink, and James can't help but think she looks beautiful, "But I was already out here, watching the sun rise." She adds hastily.
Normally, this is when James would say something witty that would make Lily slap him, but he finds he doesn't want to ruin the comfortable silence between them.
After several moments, Lily rolled onto her side to look at James.
"What's it feel like?" She asks eagerly.
"What?"
"Flying."
"It feels… amazing." James squints up at the sky, trying to put into words the exhilarating feeling. "And free. It doesn't matter what's going on in my life. When I'm up there, it's just me and the broom and the sky. There's nothing else like it."
"I wish I could fly." Lily sighs, looking wistfully at his broomstick laying on his other side.
"I can teach you."
"Really?" She beams.
"Sure. C'mon. Get on behind me."
James pulls himself up, getting on his broom. Two small arms tentatively wind around his middle. It seems unreal that Lily Evans is actually allowing this to happen.
"Are you sure about this?" He cranes his neck to look back at her. She looks torn between laughing and crying.
"I've never been more sure about anything." Her voice is surprisingly steady. She looks up into his eyes, and for a moment, James wonders if they're still talking about flying.
"Hold tight." He whispers, feeling her arms tighten around him before he kicks off, into the dazzling morning sky.
A/N: Aw, I like this one a lot. Probably because this reminds me of fall mornings when I would have soccer games and there would still be mist on the fields. Man, I miss that. Oh, and this takes place at Hogwarts, right before they become a couple. Well, please review!