Lily gingerly sat down on the couch, head pounding. Around her, the Quidditch victory party raged hard as ever, with flashing lights, sweaty bodies jumping up and down together, and lots and lots of drinks. The Gryffindor common room was filled to the brim with Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs, all celebrating Gryffindor's win against Slytherin. She could've sworn she saw a few Slytherins there as well.

She had briefly wondered whether the first game of the season was worth such a big party, but quickly dismissed that thought after realizing she'd have to contend with James and Sirius. As it was, she couldn't get a word in edgewise after the game had ended; they were so excited. Not that she had wanted to talk to those two gits anyway.

"Already off to a brilliant bloody start!" Sirius had come off the field with his arm slung around his best friend's neck, both of them sweaty and grinning. Lily, Remus, and Peter hurried over from where they had sat in the stands. Remus ran ahead to clap them both on the back.

"Nice job, mates!" Peter flashed them a thumbs up with both hands, and their grins grew wider. God, how much bigger could their heads get?

"Yeah?" James wiped his brow. "Did you see that last goal?"

"How could we miss it?" Peter exclaimed.

"You wouldn't have made it if I hadn't hit that beater out of the way!" Sirius put in.

"Oh, come on! I had it!"

"Would've knocked you right out!" Sirius sang, ducking as James tried to swat at him.

"Nuh uh!"

"Really I'm just surprised you've gone this long without noticing Lily's here," Remus snickered, almost to himself, but everyone heard it. Sirius and Peter busted out laughing, and Lily turned a lovely shade of pink. James, ever confident, raised his eyebrows, but there was definitely a deep red blush creeping up out of his collar.

"I noticed," he said simply, flicking his eyes over to look at Lily finally, looking up over his glasses. A bead of sweat slid down his temple, and his dark hair hung over his brow. Lily pressed her lips together and looked away, not able to muster a disgusted look. "Just figured she'd come down to talk to Marlene instead."

His friends gaped at him, but Lily straightened herself up and brushed her long hair over her shoulder. "That's right. Where is that girl?"

"I saw her run off as soon as the game ended," Remus answered. "No clue where she is now."

"Soo, party time?" Sirius butted in.

"Hell yeah!" James cheered, clearly over his momentary embarrassment.

"Now wait a second—" Lily started, but Sirius cut her off.

"Oh, come on Lily! We beat Slytherin! Aren't you happy?" They started walking back towards the castle.

"Well of course, but—"

"First game of the season! Starting off strong!" James exclaimed.

"Okay, but—"

"WEEEE ARE THE CHAMPIONSSS!" Sirius crowed at the top of his lungs.

"How does he know that song?" Lily heard Remus mutter. "Bloody pureblood."

"James!" she yelled. "I am Head Girl! You are Head Boy! Remember?"

"That's why we should be involved to make sure it goes smoothly!" James countered, eyes bright. Lily rolled her eyes and stamped her foot.

"You are hopeless." And with that, the decision was made. Not that she was upset about it. She was always up for a good party.

Now, she laid back against the cushions, which were squished and lumpy after years of use, their golden tassels a bit bedraggled-looking. She stared up at the ceiling, willing her head to stop hurting, but the colorful lights continued to assault her corneas, so she closed her eyes.

After a few minutes, she felt the couch sink down on her left. She cracked an eye open so see Remus lift his cup to her in greeting. She closed her eye again, smiling.

"Hey, Remus. How's the party?"

"Exhausting. But that's James and Sirius for ya," Remus replied. "It's been a rough war with these Slytherins; we deserve this."

"I'll drink to that," Lily said. She squeezed her eyes shut even tighter and pressed her knuckles into her temples. "Ooh, no maybe I won't." She leaned forward over her knees, clutching her head.

Sirius plopped down in the middle of the couch between Remus and Lily, causing it to sag even more.

"Tad too many, eh there Lils?" Sirius patted her back.

"Please don't call me that," she straightened up, forcing Sirius' hand back to his lap. He remained unfazed.

"Oi, Moony, you drunk too?"

"Who here isn't?" Remus took a swig of firewhiskey from his cup. Sirius laughed.

"Good answer."

Lily vaguely listened to their conversation as she leaned back again, looking around the room. Her eyes landed on James, who looked like he was having the time of his life. Lily couldn't help but notice the way he radiated confidence. It was horribly annoying, but bloody hell, Lily couldn't tear her eyes away. She had noticed that about herself lately, and hated it. What happened to the feisty girl that didn't tolerate a single word from Potter? His cockiness used to drive her mad.

But there was something different about him. He remained as sure of himself as ever, but he had matured. He no longer hexed Severus every time they crossed paths, and got into less trouble than he used to. And he had opened up his softer side a bit too. Lily could finally see past the arrogance and realized how kind of a person he was. For heaven's sake, he took in Sirius, the rebel from a Death Eater family, Remus Lupin, who, by anyone's standards, was a certified weirdo, and Peter, who lacked all the confidence held by both James and Sirius. And Lily knew he loved them with all his heart. His heart, which was the biggest and most caring Lily had ever seen in a person.

She groaned and closed her eyes again, trying to work her way through her thoughts. What is wrong with me? James is still annoying. Arrogant git thinks he can get away with anything.

Yeah, but it's pretty damn attractive, anther voice in her head whistled. NO! It's annoying, and stupid, and—and… Lily desperately tried to think of things to hate about him. Why is it so hard to hate him now?

Right then, James himself plonked himself right down in between Sirius and Lily, swinging his arms onto the back of the couch. There had hardly been any room between her and Sirius to begin with, so she was squeezed to the corner of the couch with no chance of escaping. Lily's eyes bugged out, and she leaned away, unsure of what to do. She felt completely dwarfed by the large boy sitting nearly on top of her. Normally James was a bit more respectful, but Lily excused it, since he was probably drunk.

"Alright, lads?" he grinned stupidly. Yep, definitely drunk.

"Finally, Potter! Haven't seen you this whole bloody party!" Sirius slapped him on the back.

"Been busy socializing with my fans," he called back importantly, having to raise his voice over the noise.

Lily pressed her lips together, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure if they had ever been so close; he had always at least kept a respective distance. Now, she couldn't ignore their thighs pressing together, her shoulder squished up against his side. She felt his ribs on her arm, his chest heaving in and out as he breathed. He was sweaty and hot, but smelled good. Like the Quidditch pitch: freshly cut grass, pine sap, rain. Very manly. Lily's heart thudded faster, threatening to beat right out of her chest.

She also couldn't ignore the fluttering in her stomach. No, not just fluttering, jolting. She thought it might just be her getting ready to be sick, but a quick glance at James' handsome profile told her that wasn't the case. Merlin, this can't be happening. But it was. She couldn't deny it any longer. Lily Evans fancied James Potter.

Lily cringed at the thought. How had he finally gotten her to fall for him? After all these years? They had all thought it was fruitless, silly, of him to pursue the same girl for so long after being rejected so many times. Apparently not.

Okay, so I fancy him. What do I do now? She looked around the room, and finally spotted Mary. Barely able to move her arms, Lily twisted her wrist so she could grab her wand and flick a quick wordless spell over to Mary, just to get her attention. The spark Lily sent across the room zapped Mary's bare arm, and she yelped, looking furious. Her face softened when her eyes landed on Lily, and then her eyes grew wide when she saw the predicament her friend was in.

Lily saw her giggle. HELP ME, she mouthed as discreetly as she could. Being inconspicuous didn't matter much anyway; James was deeply engaged in a debate with Sirius.

What do you want me to do? Mary mouthed back, still laughing.

Anything! Lily pleaded. Mary guffawed loud enough for Lily to hear it across the room. She was glad she could provide such entertainment for her friend. Finally, Mary composed herself and started making her way over to the couch, pushing past throngs of dancing people and stumbling over random objects on the floor. She burst out of the crowd into the area by the fireplace with the furniture, looking flushed.

"Hey, Mary," Remus was the first to greet her.

"Hiya Remus! How's the party?" she stood in the center of the rug, and Lily couldn't understand how she stand so casually and not look awkward at all.

"Great!" Remus raised his cup. Mary nodded, satisfied.

"Brilliant. Now James—" she turned to the dark-haired boy seated majestically on the right side of the couch.

"How may I be of service, your highness?" he drawled. Mary rolled her eyes in disgust.

"Oh god, please spare me. I just need Lily for a moment, do you mind?" Mary reached out an arm to Lily, who promptly took it and tried to hoist herself out of the seat. She was still stuck, so she pushed with her own hand while Mary pulled.

"Oh, I'm sorry Lily! I didn't realize!" James looked genuinely embarrassed as he attempted to scoot away so Lily could get up.

"S'fine," she mumbled, finally pushing herself out of the space. She and James both seemed to realize at the same time that she had placed her hand on James' thigh to push herself up, and had kept it there as she steadied herself on her feet. James stared at it, then looked up at her, eyes wide. Lily snatched her hand away quickly, face burning. She met James' eyes, which were bright and hopeful and such a beautiful deep brown…

"Lily?" he asked, a strange tone in his voice. Lily straightened her skirt and flicked her hair over her shoulder, trying for a casual look.

"See you around, James!" she said quickly, turning around and promptly crashing into Mary as she tried to make her escape. With both of them already a little tipsy, along with Lily's apparent inability to do anything competently when James was around, they end up in a heap on the floor. Raucous laughter erupted from behind them, and Lily looked at Mary, horrified. Mary doubled over, unable to contain her own laughter at the stupidity of poor Lily's situation. To make matters worse, when the redhead looked up, there stood good ole James, holding out a hesitant hand to help her up.

My hero, Lily thought grimly as she took his hand and straightened up. As soon as she straightened all the way up, her vision got spotty and her head spun. She wobbled, and James gripped her arms to hold her upright.

"You alright there, Evans?" he asked. She could practically hear the smirk in his voice. She blinked a couple times and her vision cleared, and she found herself face to face with James. Now that she'd admitted to herself to liking him, she could finally appreciate just how bloody handsome he was. Her thoughts focused for long enough to realize she couldn't very well just stand there and look at him, as beautiful as he was.

"Yeah," she croaked, an octave higher than normal. She felt completely useless; her brain had short-circuited at his touch.

He let go of her shoulders quickly and backed away a few steps, his eyes flicking up and down briefly. She suddenly felt self-conscious about everything. "You should go get some rest," he said abruptly, and she nodded.

"Yeah, I'm alright too, in case anyone cared," Mary grumbled behind Lily, clutching her elbow as she hoisted herself up. Lily stifled a laugh and quickly turned around, shoving Mary back into the crowd where they could disappear.

They wove their way through the crowd, finally making it to the stairway up to their dorm.

"Lily!" Mary shrieked. "What was that?!" Lily put her face in her hands.

"Ugh, god, I don't know," she mumbled. Mary thumped her lightly on the back of the head, still laughing.

"Don't tell me you've finally fallen for him," she chuckled.

"Okay, I won't." Lily trudged up the stairs to their dorm room.

"And to think!" Mary trilled from behind her as she followed her up. "All it took was five years of groveling!"

"He never groveled, Mary," Lily said in exasperation. "He's always been very respectful." Mary caught up to her and was able to look her in the face, both eyebrows raised and sporting a huge grin.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Mary cackled, flouncing up the stairs and disappearing in their room, leaving a groaning Lily standing in the stairwell, completely and utterly conflicted.