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.

Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to Jess the Great, who requested a chapter in James' point of view. Enjoy, hun:)

Love, An Admirer
Chapter 5: My Angelic Phantom

(James' POV)

It's been a month or so since I first received the letter; may it be confession, declaration, love note – whatever. I'm trying to be as uncliché as possible – though it is practically impossible when one talks about love – but the letter has definitely changed my life in so many ways.

For one, I never knew someone who liked me this much existed. I, for one, am well aware of the scatter of girls that follow me at any possible chance and there is no doubt to the reason they do – my devilish good looks. There's no point denying it – I've inherited the Potter charm and I'll be damned if I hadn't used it over the years. I'm not bragging or anything, but who else has received cupcakes smothered in love potion on their birthday not from one girl, but ten?

'Dumbledore called an assembly, Prongs. Such a pity Filch had to dismiss us early,' Sirius said sarcastically, placing a hand over his heart rather mockingly. Remus and Peter snickered behind him.

Ah, yes – we were serving detention with Filch when the school owl arrived in his office, calling all students to the Great Hall. We were scrubbing school trophies – ironic, isn't it, considering the fact that most of the trophies have my name engraved on it – as a punishment for flooding the bathrooms yesterday evening.

But anyway, this girl, whoever she is, she liked me for who I am... And I'm going to find her. However, the little cynical voice in my head whispers that she may just be a con artist who just happens to be gifted in writing and is only after my pot of gold. I, however, refuse to believe that someone like herself – she made it perfectly clear that she was of the opposite sex – is capable of fraud as I had felt so much emotion in the letter.

Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm loaded. Well, more specifically, my parents, but that's another story.

Apart from the angelic phantom (ah, what is an admirer without a dubbed nickname?), I made a new friend – Lily Evans. Flitwick had partnered us together for a Charms project. We hit it off instantly (or so I'd like to think) and it still puzzles me how we hardly crossed each other's path, considering that we are both sixth year Gryffindors. Lily was amusing and made me laugh. She had her quirks, and I found them interesting.

No doubt she's pretty, too.

I thought about this on the way to the special assembly Dumbledore called for, from detention with Filch. But just as I was about to ask Ernie what had happened, I couldn't help but overhear a conversation between Lily Evans and Jemima Richards.

Jemima was whining and asking Lily, 'I won't, Lily. Don't be such a worrywart. Like I said, we've known each other since our first year here.' Pause. 'How long have you fancied him, Lily?'

So there was a bloke in Lily's life, after all. Rather curiously, I raised an eyebrow and crept behind them, 'Fancied who?'

Their heads whipped around abruptly and Lily's eyes widened. Suddenly, Jemima clamped Lily's mouth with her hand as if Lily was suppressing a scream. Lily calmed down and said cooly, 'Hi James. Sirius, Remus, Peter.'

She was definitely trying to run away from the question so my eyes never left her. Realising I wasn't going to say anything until she replied my question, she continued.

'Oh someone...' Lily said, giggling nervously and twirling a few strands of hair. And then, she suddenly loosened her grasp.

Girls can be odd, don't you agree?

I just looked at her quizzically and walked away, looking for someone who could fill me in on the announcement. I finally found Mundungus, but while he was explaining the cancellation of the Halloween Ball, I couldn't help but divert my attention to something else, I swore I saw Carissa Andrews, - the girl I had an on/off crush on since 5th Year - a prefect and top student in Ravenclaw, all round nice girl, staring at me. She blushed and quickly turned away, when I caught her eye. Quite attractive too, if I say so myself.

Suddenly, it all clicked.

She could be the Admirer.

She could be the one who wrote the letter.

She could be the ONE.

Rather instinctively, I yanked Sirius away from the group of girls he was being surrounded with and dragged him into an empty classroom. And before you could even say 'Fizzing whizzbees!' I began pouring out everything about the Carissa theory.

Sirius was leaning against a chair and said, 'What do you mean – you think it's Carissa - Carissa Andrews?''

'I don't know, Padfoot! I mean, I caught her eye in the hall just now... She's pretty, and even the top student in Ravenclaw! I really hope she's the one who wrote the letter. I mean, I've had a crush on her since 5th Year!' I practically shouted.

Suddenly, I could have sworn I heard the sound of footsteps dying away. I popped my head out of the classroom, but no one was there.

Creepy.

Sirius heaved a sigh and said, 'Well then, Prongs. What are you going to do? I mean, for all we know, she might not be the one. And you may just make a fool out of yourself by suddenly telling her you love her letter. How now, brown cow?'

I looked at him strangely.

'Sorry,' Sirius mumbled, feeling the nape of his neck. 'Been using a lot of muggle phrases, lately,' he said, shuffling his feet.

I cleared my throat and replied, 'Anyway, I've got no bloody idea...' I leaned against the wall, and then straightened up immediately, soon after. 'I know! I'll ask her to that,' I snapped my fingers trying to recall the ball that Mundungus Fletcher, a friend of mine mentioned after I came back from detention.

'Christmas Ball?' Sirius offered.

'Yes! That Christmas Ball... In fact, 'll ask her now!' I was about to leave the classroom, when Sirius pulled me by the collar.

'Hold it, Jamesie. You're forgetting something. Dumbledore just announced the Christmas Ball today. What date is it, James?'

'It's the 20th October.' I replied matter-of-factly.

'Exactly, and what is the date of the Christmas Ball, my dear friend?'

'25th December.'

'Wonderful, Sherlock!' And upon my second strange look, he immediately muttered, 'Right, right, too many muggle references... But anyway, that's like two months away! Wouldn't it be obvious, then, that you like her?'

'Well... Kinda. But then... When am I going to ask her to the ball?' I whined.

Sirius smirked and just said, 'Next week, or two weeks from now. You've got to keep it cool, my boy!'

The project dateline was edging closer and closer, thus I called an emergency meeting with Lily at the library. Professor Flitwick threatened to owl my mamma if I didn't score an A (now this wouldn't be a problem, if only I hadn't been feeding her stories about how I hand in my work on time, etc.)

I greeted her, but she was too busy scribbling something on a piece of paper. She finally looked up when I waved my hands in front of her face. Oddly, Lily smiled sadly today, and said softly, 'Hi James. How come you're suddenly so,' Lily swallowed. 'cheerful?'

I dragged a chair and sat across Lily, not being able to contain the excitement.

'I think I know who she is.' I beamed at Lily as if I won a million galleons.

I was expecting a burst of applause, or at least something to indicate how happy she felt for me, but instead, all that could go through my mind was: Why does she look so sad? I wondered with curiosity, amidst the joy I felt.

I brushed it off and continued, 'So anyway, I thought it might be,' I looked side by side, making sure no one was listening, and whispered, 'Carissa Andrews.'

I looked at her with full confidence, waiting for her response, but I could have sworn I saw her eyes watering. And then suddenly, she brightened up and remarked cheerfully (I think), 'That's wonderful, James! So are you going to ask her to the ball?'

I cleared my throat and said sheepishly, 'Well, I wanted to - I mean I'm going to - I mean I wanted to earlier, but Sirius said it might be showing too much.'

'Showing what too much?'

'The crush I have on her...'

I don't know why... But I felt uneasy telling her.

'Oh, that's good then! She might be the one who wrote the letter, and you like her! Isn't that wonderful?'

Is it just me, or is everything... too smooth?

'Umm... Yah, I guess.' I simply grinned like an idiot.

'Anyway,' she cleared her throat. 'I think we better get started.'

'Right, right. Okay. You were saying...'

Two weeks passed; two bloody weeks! A number of girls asked me to the ball, and I was kind of surprised. I mean each and every one of them who asked never seemed to fit in the description of being "the one". Heck, even a few Slytherins' asked me. I felt kind of bad turning them down, though. Slytherin or no Slytherin, they're still girls. Merlin, I'm sounding like my mother who told me off for not accepting the first person who asked me to the Halloween Ball last year.

And yet, as the days passed, Lily seemed to look even paler. I'm still wondering why...

Anyway, I've made up my mind to ask Carissa to the Christmas Ball. Heck, my palms are already sweating!

Finally, after breakfast, I caught up with Carissa - and her friends.

'Uh, Carissa?' I croaked, tapping on her shoulder.

Immediately, Carissa, and five other heads turned around to look at me.

'Um, can I talk to you - ' I gulped. 'alone?'

It was nerve-wrecking!

However, I swear I saw a blush creep on her cheeks. (My head isn't not inflating, she really was!) She turned to her friend and said, 'I'll catch up with you later, guys.'

All of them giggled and nodded and left. I reddened in embarrassment. Geez, what does a lad have to do for compassion here?

'Um, Carissa... Are you - I mean. Would you -'

And before I could even complete my sentence, the bell went off signaling the end of breakfast.

Oh, sod it!

'Oh, I'm so sorry, James. I'm going to be late for class. Um, do you if we talk after lunch?'

'Oh, sure. Sure. I don't mind at all.'

Yeah, right. Just when it was the perfect chance for me to ask her to the ball, the bloody bell rang.

I muttered curses under my breath and left for Transfiguration, hoping my luck would be better there.

Finally, after waiting for what seemed like centuries, lunch came and went. There it was again, my sweaty palms.

Get a grip on yourself, Potter!

But the truth is, I can't...

I slowly walked to the Ravenclaw table. Counting each step I took, I avoided her gaze. Finally, when I reached the spot where she sat, I took a deep breath and tapped her shoulder. She turned around, and everything was in slow motion. The way her hair swished when she turned her head... It sounds corny, but I swear, that was what I really saw! I was too mesmerized, that she had to call my name a few times to wake me from my dream. I apologised sheepishly and began stammering again. I hardly do that, actually, come to think of it, I never do that. Boy, lucky Padfoot wasn't here or he'll use this as blackmail for ages...

Suddenly, as I was about to ask her, I saw Padfoot crouching behind the closest pillar to the Ravenclaw table. He was giving me a thumbs up sign.

Speak of the devil.

So I cleared my throat, wanting to sound as natural as possible. 'Um, Carissa... I was wondering, if no one has asked you to the ball yet... would you like to be my date?'

As I saw the expression on her face, it was a mixture of excitement AND sadness. Merlin, that's a definite no.

Well are you happy now, Potter? Mr Calm & Cool has officially lost his marbles. In front of the prettiest girl, no less.

I winced, as she began to answer.

She bit her lip before answering my question. 'Oh, I'm so sorry, James. Kurt asked me this morning,' A blow to the head, definitely. 'But, I wouldn't mind sharing a dance with you on that night. I mean, Kurt even asked my permission if he could dance with other girls on that night. We both agreed that we wouldn't mind,' She grinned the enchanting grin of hers. 'I'm really sorry, James.'

Damn that Randall! I was on friendly terms with him, but still - DAMN HIM! I should be thankful that she didn't mind sharing a dance with me. Oh well, there was always next year, right?

Who am I kidding?

For all I know, Carissa might fall helplessly for him, and then he will too, and they become a couple, and then she will definitely be off- limits to anyone who wants to ask her to a date for ANY ball.

Calm down, Potter. You're loosing it.

I simply smiled and managed in my most hopeful voice, 'It's okay. But you promise you'll save a dance for me?'

'Of course, James. See you later. I've got to go. Bye!'

She waved the delicate hands of hers and left.

I leaned against the wall, and sighed dejectedly. Looks like I'm open. Not knowing who else to ask, I turned to look at the Gryffindor Table, and found Lily reading all by herself. I squinted my eyes to catch a glimpse of the title – Pride & Prejudice.

I smiled. Ahh... It was a very famous Muggle love story written by a witch in disguise. I do pay attention in class, you know, especially Muggle Studies. I might even be able to use a fellytone in the not too distant future!

But, Lily... She looked kind of cute too - reading it I mean - the way her eyebrows creased...

Oh, put a sock in it, James. She's your friend.

Hmm... I wonder if she wouldn't mind going to the ball with me if she still doesn't have a date. We could go as friends, right? I sighed, and dragged my feet to the Gryffindor table. I really wouldn't be surprised if she already had a date.

I mean, who wouldn't want to ask a pretty lass such as herself to the ball?

Thanks to: SweetSinger, Buffy Anne Summers, AmiAmiNSusu, Lil-Brat888, Interested Reader, Tess, jujubee, MaggieDB, zebragurl, lina shay, Tyyon, LilyEvans and SOOGIE.