Halloween was coming near, and in just 2 days, everyone in Hogwarts would be dressed up as a muggle, a fairy, an ogre, or even a used broom salesman. The atmosphere could not be more, in James's oppinion, frustrating. There were giggling girls every corner he turned. They were either giggling because they'd just been asked out, or giggling because they were waiting to be asked out, or giggling because the person they were waiting to be asked out by almost asked them out, or that person didn't have a date yet. Even the concept of asking a girl out was confusing.

"What do you reckon Sirius?" James asked as they sat down in the Great Hall for Breakfast that day.

"I think I'll take Gretchen." He smiled.

"What happened to Hannah?" James asked.

"Oh Hannah? She's old news. I dumped her for Marleen."

"So what happened to Marleen?"

"She talks too much, so I figured I'd ask Gretchen. She hardly ever talks right?"

"Sirius...she's a mute." James laughed a little at Sirius's ignorance. Sirius laughed too.

"Oh...well...then I think I'll ask Kate."

"Good choice."

"And you? I see lots of girls have been interested in you Prongs, the quidditch star."

"Um...well..." James was about to answer when the mail came in. An old looking barn owl dropped a small envelope in front of him.

"What is it?" Sirius asked while eating his bread.

"Nothing...just a letter from mum." James lied because it was addressed to "My Dear James" and didn't want Sirius teasing him of the fact he had recieved a love letter.

"Oh that's great. When you reply, tell her again how thankful I am of her and Mr. Potter letting me stay at their lovely home, and I hope her ankle gets better." When Sirius was 16, he ran away from home and the Potters took him in as a second son.

"Right...I'm full, so I think I'll go take a walk."

He went outside so that he could read the letter in peace. The letter, written in very neat and girly handwriting, went like this:

Dearest James,

There are so many things that I'd like to say to you, but can't in one letter. Ever since I saw you in the first year for the very first time, I knew there was something special about you, and that you were the one for me. What I'm trying to say is that I love you. I have always loved you but hid my true feelings afraid of being hurt. Now I realize that you are not that kind of person anymore, and that you would never hurt me. I want to know how you feel about me. Meet me by the lake under the old oak tree right after the Halloween ball. I'll be the one with the book in case there happens to be more than just one girl there that night. If you don't show up, then I'll know how you really feel.

Love,

A friend who wants more than just friendship.

It was Lily, of course. It couldn't be anyone other than Lily. James felt so happy after the letter, that for the rest of the day, he sat under the oak tree and thought about what he would say to her.

Lily was walking up the stairs to the dormitory when the same old barn owl landed next to her with a letter similar to the one that James had gotten, only shorter. She opened it immediatly and read it to Ruth, who was already in their room.

"Dear Lily,

How can I express all that I want to express in just one letter? I can't so I have to tell you in person. I need to let you know my true feelings, and I need to know yours. Meet my by the lake under the old oak tree after the Ball on Halloween.

Love

your secret admirer."

"Who do you think it is?" Lily asked Ruth. "Don't say James."

"Who else do you think it is?"

"I dunno. Maybe it's someone you wouldn't expect. After all they signed 'secret' admirer."

"Maybe..." Ruth said, knowing that Lily knew it was really James. "Well I suggest bringing some sort of weapon, not an obvious weapon, but a weapon in case he's someone ugly, like Greasy-Haired Sam."

"Good idea." Lily decided she would bring A Midsummer Night's Dream, her favorite Muggle book.