Summary: It all started with a simple love letter, for James Potter, from a lovely admirer. Love letters led to friendships; friendships led to confusion; and finally confusion, slowly led to love. With just three meaningful words, it brought joy to young Potter's heart: Love, An Admirer.

Disclaimer: Anything familiar isn't mine, and unfortunately belongs to the oh-so-brilliant JK Rowling, whom I salute to. Creations of mine are : Piper Valentine, Fiona Caldwell, Jemima Richards, Emily Hart, Dennis Front, Walter Reese, Winston Reese, Marie Lodge, Yvonne West, Gerald Wills, Kurt Randall, Isabelle Frall, the Fairy and the Portrait Holder Society.

Love, An Admirer
Chapter 4: Eavesdroppers

September had come and gone, and the whole school was called to gather in the Great Hall for a special assembly. Everyone began having ants in their pants and was talking excitedly during dinner, as this was the time Professor Dumbledore was going to announce the year's Halloween Ball theme. It was somewhat unusual this time around as the headmaster would usually only round up the Sixth and Seventh Years, but everyone was included this time. The girls, especially, were giggling and restless, going from table to table asking each other's opinions on this year's theme.

Professor McGonagall clinked her glass, and everyone quieted down. Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and began, 'Good evening, everyone. As you all are expecting, I will be announcing the theme of this year's Halloween Ball.'

The anticipation heightened, and the students were on the edge of their seats, perking their ears to listen intently. The Hogwarts' Halloween Ball was held annually and was the only time students were allowed to dress up and dance the night away. It was also the school event that every one looked forward to, as if this was amiss, the only other time students had the opportunity to experience a ball would be during inter-school competitions which were held to honour the guests from neighbouring schools like Nostradamus Witch Academy and Beauxbatons.

'But, this year, it's going to be very different,' Professor Dumbledore continued. The aged wizard chuckled at the look of horror on everyone's face - especially the sixth year's as it was going to be their official first year of being able to attend a ball, without being asked by an senior. 'This year's Head Boy and Head Girl, Jerry Blake and Roberta Wilson -' They both stood up, smiling. 'have decided to cancel this year's Halloween Ball.' Gasps filled the hall. A few girls from Hufflepuff even came close to fainting.

'Now, now, don't worry. You didn't allow me to end my sentence. Instead of having our annual Halloween Ball, they have decided to have a Yule Ball that will take place on the 25th of December. I know that most of you would prefer to return home to celebrate Christmas with your families, but I do hope that you'd stay and celebrate your Christmas with us, at the ball.

'But since it's our very first Christmas Ball, students in their Fifth Year and above, instead of their normal Sixth, are allowed to attend the ball,' Yelps of joy from Fifth Years were heard, but disappointed cries came from the First, Second, Third and Fourth Years. 'Only the third and fourth years are allowed to attend it if they are invited. Right then, you may now resume to your respective dormitories. Thank you for your attention.'

Prefects began leading students back and persistently tried to shush them. The atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions – some sad that they weren't going to have a Halloween Ball, but most excited they were going to have their first Christmas Ball.

Suddenly, Professor Dumbledore stood up again and said, 'Oh, and before I forget, since this year's Head Prefects are ever so generous, we're going to have a Halloween Feast which will take place on the 30th October evening as a compensation for the Halloween Ball annulment, and this time, it is open to all students. Thank you.'

As the Great Hall erupted in applause and cheer, Lily Evans was daydreaming - about a certain jet-black haired boy with warm chocolate orbs that was capable of making girls melt. There she was in a garden wearing a long white dress (no, she wasn't getting married), walking and singing with bluebirds. How corny and cheesy can daydreams get?

There she was, her long wavy auburn hair falling on to her back, her white pale face with pink cheeks. Suddenly, from the middle of nowhere the infamous James Potter appears with the cheeky grin of his plastered on his face. He began to sing, 'Lily, would you go with me to the ball?'

It was as if she was in a musical.

Just as she was about to open her mouth and shout her approval and snog him as if her life depended on it, she stirs and in front of her isn't the pair of chocolate brown eyes she was melting into, but instead, purple ones – Jemima.

Waving her hand continuously over Lily's unfazed eyes, she shouted, 'He-llo! Lily Evans! Lily Evans!' Knowing that she was going to have to resort to drastic measures to awake Lily from her daydream she smiled coyly and whispered, 'Lily, James Potter is half naked, dancing on the Gryffindor Table!'

'What?' Immediately Lily looked up, and to her dismay saw nothing. Instead, she blushed.

'So it is true.' Jemima whistled.

'What? What's true, Jem?' Lily said, trying to act innocent, tucking a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ears. It was a known fact that Lily wasn't exactly the world's greatest actress.

Jemima rolled her eyes. 'Oh, come on Lily. I've known you since we were eleven and here you are keeping secrets from me. Why didn't you ever tell me you fancied James Potter?' Jemima's eyes softened a little.

Lily thanked the heavens that the Marauders were in detention. 'You're crapping, Jem. You know that?' Lily giggled nervously, a little too high-pitched. Jemima gave her the You're-the-one-crapping-and-why-didn't-you-tell-me-earlier? look. Deciding that she could never keep anything fom Jemima, Lily finally gave up and confessed, 'Does it show that much?'

'It doesn't Lily, believe me, it doesn't. I just know these things, you know? So why haven't you told me? I mean, you told me you fancied Amos in Third Year,' Jemima said smirking.

Lily clamped Jemima's mouth shut. 'Shhh! He can hear, you know!' Lily couldn't help but blush. 'That was different, Jem. I was 13, for crying out loud! I was just a silly naïve schoolgirl back then.'

'You still are, Lily!'

Lily hit Jemima playfully. 'You better not tell anyone, Jem. Except Fiona, of course.'

'I won't, Lily. Don't be such a worrywart. Like I said, we've known each other since our first year here,' Wanting to squeeze out the juice details from Lily's fantasy, Jemima persisted, 'How long have you fancied him, Lily?'

'Fancied who?' a deep voice inquired behind them with a note of amusement in the tone.

Lily and Jemima turned around and came face to face with James Potter and the rest of the Marauders. Just as Lily was about to scream bloody murder, Jemima foresaw it and quickly clamped her mouth with her hand. Visibly relaxing, Jemima loosened her grip and removed her hand slowly, giving time for Lily to calm down.

'Oh, hello James! Sirius, Remus, Peter,' Lily chirped. Feeling James' eyes bore into her soul as if waiting for her answer, she squeaked, 'Oh, someone...' Lily giggled nervously, twirling a few strands of hair. Seeing this, she released the strands and turned a shade of red. She only twirled her when she was nervous and only Jemima and Fiona knew it. The Marauders glanced at her awkwardly and shrugged. The four of them dispersed – each looking for a student to ask about the informative assembly they had missed.

'So, Lily, how long have you liked him?' Jemima asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

'Two years.' Lily said quietly.

'Holy whiskers! I wish I was like that,' Jemima sighed dreamily. 'Hey, since you're working with James in Charms,' She winked at Lily, 'he must have told you all about the mysterious letter he received.'

Again, Lily blushed and replied quietly, 'Yes.' She paused for a while. She turned left and right, making sure James and Co were as far as possible, and that none of James' three F's - friends, foes or fans - were nowhere near. She whispered, 'It's me.'

Jemima's eyes widened and suddenly, she was grinning from ear to ear. 'Get OUT!' Jemima laughed so hard that Lily had to smack her to keep her from attracting everyone's attention. 'So that was why you were away for sooo long the day before Charms... So, when are you going to tell him?'

Lily looked at her softly and said, 'I'm never going to, Jemima. The day I tell him,' Lily laughed hoarsely, 'is the day I'm crowned the Queen of England!'

Jemima's eyes softened again and said, 'Lily, what's the use of writing him an "anonymous love letter",' she lectured, gesturing the inverted commas, 'if you're never going to tell him.' Again, she went into her dreamy voice. 'That's what anonymous LOVE letters are all about. First, you proclaim your undying love -' Lily snorted. 'to him with words without leaving a single trace of evidence... Then, the hero reads it and falls in love with the writer, not knowing she's under his own nose... The girl falls even more madly in love with him. And then -'

'Oh for Merlin's sake, Jemima, write a book, will you? "Writing Anonymous Love Letters For Dummies". Would be a best seller, don't you think?' Lily asked sarcastically. 'If I tell him, he'll probably just laugh at me, and if worst comes to worst, he'll even tell everyone!'

'Then how do you expect him to like you Lily, if you don't tell him you like him?'

Lily smiled faintly and said, 'I believe in fate, Jem. If James and I are meant to be, then we'll get together, somehow. But, if we aren't, then what's the point?'

Without another word, Lily left the table to go to the Girls' Dorm to avoid further interrogation. Taking a detour, Lily walked past a row of empty classrooms. Lily heard faint voices, and followed the trail, feelng even more curious than ever. As she reached her destined destination, Lily couldn't help but overhear a rather amusing conversation.

'What do you mean – you think it's Carissa - Carissa Andrews?' said a voice, which sounded very familiar - Sirius.

'I don't know, Padfoot,' That was undoubtedly James Potter's voice – something Lily could recognize a mile away. 'I mean, I caught her eye a few times. She's very pretty if you ask me. She's also the top student in Ravenclaw. I really hope she is the one who wrote the letter. I mean, I've had a crush on her since 5th Year!'

With that piece of information, it struck a blow to Lily's heart. Cursing inwardly for planting false hopes, she had finally come to her senses that someone like James would never even think about having feelings for a wallflower, like Lily.

And I had been so stupid to think that he'd actually like someone like me, Lily thought bitterly. How blind have I been? It's bloody obvious he likes her... She is the top student in Ravenclaw, one of the prettiest too, and a very nice girl. I can't bring myself to hate her... Heck, even the Slytherins' don't have a reason to hate her. She's nice to everyone... Including me.

Lily walked off rather solemnly, not realizing that someone was watching her eavesdropping, all along. As soon as she was out of earshot, her on-looker crept away quietly, too, whispering, 'Lily likes James.'

Thanks to: aharrypotter1fan, MaggieDB, Skye007lex, Jess the Great(the next chapter will be dedicated to u, coz it's gonna be a james pov! Thanks for the idea!), Rini aaaaand Lina Shay (LoL... I know! I made them up... it's kinda nice making up these stuff, don't u think? Oh n thanks for adding me to ur fave list!)!