When Lily first met James, he was wet. They had been crossing the lake, coming to Hogwarts for the first time, and it was pouring rain. James had gotten soaked, splashing in puddles and things. Well, now Lily was wet. Figuratively, of course. James had just smiled at her. He had looked at her, and smiled, his eyes lighting up, bright and eager, and Lily had just melted. She was now a puddle at his feet. Lily was actually ashamed of being a James puddle. She knew it was useless. James Potter would never like her; he probably was chasing after one of the prettier, more popular girls. And Lily couldn't tell anyone that she liked James. Not anyone, even her best friend Shaylyn. All her friends thought James Potter was a "Stupid, obnoxious, full-of-himself little asshole" They liked to voice this opinion a little too loud as James and his fan club of admiring girls walked past. Lily's friends were great friends, though, and they wouldn't be mad at her or anything fro liking him. They'd just say "How can you like that perverted, unintelligent jerk?" They'd say she was too good for him. James probably thought he was too good for Lily. He hated all her friends, shouldn't he hate her too? But Lily kept hoping that James might like her. Maybe. Besides, thought Lily, what's the harm in hoping? There's no danger in dreaming. If I can't actually have James, I might as well have him in my dreams. Last night, she had been thinking of James, a favorite topic of hers. She'd made a list of the things she liked about him

What I Like About James Potter

-the way he laughs -the way he taps his quill on the desk when he's bored -he plays quidditch and is the star of the team -the way he smiles with his friends -the ways his forehead wrinkles up when he's concentrating -the way he stands up for his friends -the way he apologizes when he's done something wrong

"Oh Lily, shut up. You're being such a ditz. Soon you're going to begin writing "Mrs. Lily Potter" all over your notebooks," Lily thought after making this list, "Actually, now that I think about it, Lily Potter doesn't sound so bad. Lily Potter. Lily Potter. I like it."

"Hi Lily," said James. Lily looked once more into his smiling face. Now she had one more thing to add to her list.

What I Like About James Potter

-the way he smiles at me