A/N: My first attempt at a Lily/James ficlet.

Disclaimer: I do not own the character, J.K. Rowling does.

It was the first game of the season, Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. The yellow and black badgers were highly favored to win the match, but the lion supporters never stopped having the uttermost pride in their team. Jane Jordan, a Gryffindor 6th year, was announcing the game.

"AND FOR THE GRRRRYFFINDOR TEAM! BELL, BLACK, FINNIGAN, JOHNSON, WOOD, SPINNET annnnd POTTER!"

"You've got to admit, Lily, James does look pretty good in those scarlet robes," snidely remarked Susan Dormer, as she admired Brian Bell.

"Oh come on, Sue. It's not like I fancy him or anything," Lily retorted, but concentrated on finding his number, 31.

The new flying teacher, Madame Hooch, flew onto the field, threw up the quaffle, and released the snitch.

"Look at him go!" Sue laughed.

"What's so funny?" Lily asked, blushing, but keeping her eye on him.

And who wouldn't want to look at him? James Potter, a 7th year Gryffindor. Heady Boy. Always made the Honor Roll, and Captain of the Quidditch Team. What wasn't to love?

"But no," Lily kept reassuring herself, "he's not worth falling for. No commitment whatsoever."

She watched as he gracefully sped past the defending hoops.

"No sense of reality."

James quickly avoided two oncoming chasers and a bludger, without so much as a scratch on him.

"Not an ounce of respect for anyone but himself."

"AND BLACK SHOOTS...HE SCORES!" Jane proudly broadcasted, Gryffindor leading 40-10. James high-fived Sirius, a congratulatory smirk on his face.

"Lack of attention."

He flew near the Gryffindor stands as Paul Bell had managed to give Hufflepuff a 70-point deficit to overcome. James did a loop of appreciation, much to the entertainment of the red and gold crowd.

"Unable to be serious in situations."

He stopped, and searched intensely for the prized golden ball. The sweat was dripping down his face; his body glistened in the afternoon sun.

"...A strong build..."

James swerved out of the way of another dangerous bludger. But this time, it was only a near miss.

"Great reflexes...a nice tan...and unruly hair is always the style..."

Lily closed her eyes with a secretive smile, imagining his-

"LILY, DID YOU SEE THAT SAVE!" Susan cheered, proud for her sweet keeper.

"No, sorry," she shook her head, sighing. She looked back up at the pitch and he was gone. "Drat, where was I? Wait, no, not drat, good. I don't want to see that foul, dark-haired, sweaty, athletic beast with his warm brown eyes and that sexy-"

"STOP IT, LILY." She shouted aloud.

"What are you talking about??" Sue questioned, quizzical. "Are you feeling alright, Lil?"

"Er, I...uh...nothing. Oh, look! You just missed a brilliant block by Brian! Pity..."

Sue pouted, disappointed in herself for missing one of Brian's dazzling saves. She went back to concentrating on the match, completely forgetting about Lily's little outburst. Lily smirked, laughing in her friend's 'horrid' plight.

"How can someone be so obsessed over a guy...he's just another person, I mean you have to look after yourself in life..."

She gazed up at number 31, holding her breath with a slight smile.

"Maybe...there's more to it, to him, then meets the eye," she thought.

He came up from a dive, near the Hufflepuff stands, and looked around. He saw too late the bludger coming right for him, knocking him off his broom.

The whole crowd gasped as James free fell in the air. Lily disbelievingly got to her feet.

"James, NO!" she cried, fruitlessly, as she could only watch him fall to the ground. Some of her classmates looked back at her, but most were too stunned by the frightful scene.

"Lily, sit down, there's nothing you can do," Sue said, grabbing the back of her robes. "It sucks, doesn't it?"

"What does...?" asked Lily, but her main focus was on the field. Where James now laid. The medical team rushed out onto the grounds. Madame Hooch signaled for all the players to dismount their brooms.

"Seeing someone you love get hurt," Sue softly replied.

Lily opened her mouth to detest, to deny, but couldn't. She leaned her head against Sue's shoulder, tears welling in her eyes. Sue rubbed Lily's back, comforting her. Lily wiped her tears away and bit her lip.

"But why?" Lily murmured. Her voice was nearly inaudible. She brushed the hair out of her eyes with a worried sigh.

................

James woke up in the Hospital Wing.

"Not here again," he laughed, rubbing his head.

"Nice fall you took there, Potter. Thanks for participating in today's match and all," commented Black, who was stifling a laugh. Remus rolled his eyes.

"You okay there, Prongs?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. It's not like a 40-foot drop ever killed anyone before," James sarcastically stated.

"Shouldn't you be more careful? Maybe that would keep your Hospital Wing visits down to a minimal three times a week. Bet Lily would like that," suggested Remus with a smirk.

"Oh, sod off," voiced James, his face slightly red.

"Speak of the devil..." Sirius whispered, "come on, Moony, let's let Mr. Drama Queen have a little alone time with code name: Flower"

"Sirius, you don't even make sense anymore!" James called after him.

"Good luck, loverboy," Remus winked, faking a purr. The two marauders sniggered their way out of the room. Sirius pretended to tip a non-existent hat to Lily. "Hullo there, lil' lady."

"Get away from me, Black," Lily scowled, her cheeks quite pink.

"Whoa there, Evans! Someone sure is sour today," drawled Sirius.

James sent him a glare, shutting him up. Black rolled his eyes with a smile, mouthing 'have fun'! But James put "having fun" last on his list of what's going to happen.

"I don't need another lecture..." James thought, sighing. He looked at her hurry towards him, "Yet she's so cute when she's angry." He smiled at her, pitifully.

"Oh, James," she said, swallowing hard as he stared her down.

"I know, I know. 'You could have gotten yourself killed out there! You need to be more careful, James Potter! Why do I even bother talking sometimes, it's not like you ever listen,'" imitated James, with Lily's high-pitched voice.

She couldn't help but laugh. "You know I wasn't going to yell at you! Do I really sound like that?" she said, blushing.

"Well, not all the time," said James. He sat up in bed, thankful. "Glad you came."

"Yeah, well. I'm just here as a representative for the common room, they're concerned and send their condolences," Lily lied.

"How sweet." He laughed, shaking his head.

"You feeling alright?" she asked, even though he seemed perfectly fine, as usual.

"I'm fine now," he smiled, taking hold of her hand. "Can I ask you a question?"

She bit her lip and ran her fingers nervously through her hair. "You just did."

He rolled his eyes, softly stroking her hand. James slightly smirked watching her squirm.

"Calm down, you-"Lily raised an eyebrow, daring him to go on. He stopped himself from commenting. He swallowed, with a smile.

"You know," he diverted, saving himself, "I really do listen to you. Even though you probably think I don't and I know my actions really don't show it."

"That's not a question," she laughed, "but thank you, that's very sweet of you."

"Then, Lily, will you be m-mine?" he stuttered. And James never stuttered. He could have kicked himself, but Lily couldn't be happier.

"He's human after all," she thought, her breath caught in her throat.

"Yes," she smiled, beaming, "o-of course."

She gave him a hug, "Thank God you're alright."

He grinned back, "Thank God you're here."

A/N: I know, a romantic fic ending without any kissing! What is this world coming to? I might make a second chapter if I get good reviews wink wink But seriously, if it's a good story, I have an idea that is not going to "drag anything out" ::malicious glint in eye:: As always, thanks for reading, and please r/r!