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 has a number of POV transitions – so look out for the James'/Lily's POV tags! Ta.

Love, An Admirer
Chapter 6: Bittersweet Symphony

(Lily's POV)

I sighed softly, turning the pages of my tattered copy of "Pride & Prejudice". Quite frankly, I wasn't reading – I was far from it. My eyes were fixated on a paragraph but nothing seemed to be going in. Despite the crush I had on Mr Darcy for a long period, my thoughts couldn't help but return to a particular boy... Stupid Potter. I shouldn't have written that stupid letter... I shook my head in disgust at how foolish I have been, to even think that James would ever take a second look at me. My eyes were watery, and I knew what was to come all too well.

Brushing the tears that were falling, I stood up from my seat and headed rather quickly to the oak doors. I needed to go somewhere - somewhere private. On my way I bumped into someone and I heard a voice shouting my name – and it unfortunately belonged to the last person I had in mind on seeing.

James Potter.

I pushed him away, and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't care to stop and look at his adorable face, his warm chocolate eyes that I could drown into... Faster and faster, I ran... That mop of hair he has which made him even more adorable... That boyish grin of his that could lit up any room... The twinkling eyes of his that was always full of mischief...

I was going mental.

I finally reached my destination – Merlin knows where - and burst into tears. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. The tears were streaming down my face and I didn't care that it made me look like a prune. Just this morning, I bumped into Lucius and Severus, two seventh year Slytherins. They were horrible... Oh, so horrible. They pelted such horrible names at me, but who am I to blame? I am the bookworm Mudblood after all.

And then after that, I heard a group of Hufflepuff girls - Chantelle Richards, Josephine Ling, Roberta Manders - talking about someone in the girl's lavatory.

They were known as Hogwarts' very own bi- Hmm... How can I put it in a not so offensive term? Not very nice people who like to talk bad about nearly everyone. And it just so happened that on this very day, when I happen to be there at that very moment, they chose me to ridicule...

'Did you hear? That Evan's girl, she's got the highest in Charms - again. I swear, it's as if she bribes the teachers!'

'BRIBE the teachers? Are you joking! If she had any enough money to even bribe teachers, she would have at least bought some decent robes!'

'I know what you mean! And those hideous red curls! It doesn't suit her at all! And she has such a flat chest! I mean, come on. It's passable for a thirteen year old, but she's sixteen for Merlin's sake! And she's too skinny for her own good...'

'I really agree with you, Chantelle! It's as if she doesn't even have enough money to buy food!'

'Of course,' someone said snootily. 'What do you think I am? Now, if you want...'

Lily this. Lily that. Lily's too thin. Lily's too poor. Lily's too flat. They were insulting me as if it was a hobby. Those words really did hurt my feelings. But, it wasn't as if it was the first time I'm hearing this. In fact, it was probably the third or fourth. I was used to their tauntings - but on this specific day, it was unbearable. Today marked the second anniversary of my father's death. Just two years ago, he died in a car crash on the way home from work. He was rushing home to see me, as I fell sick and had chickenpox. I had insisted Professor Dumbledore on letting me go home, and he being the kind man he was, let me.

Father heard of my illness and was rushing home to see me, and that was when a stupid inconsiderate foolish drunk driver crashed into him. Petunia blamed me for his death and gave me an even colder shoulder. I never stopped crying for a week and kept telling my mother that it was my fault. Mother kept insisting it wasn't, and kept soothing me, but I knew it was true.

I began to sob uncontrollably. And to make matters worse, I remembered the whole James-Love-Letter incident... I am nothing compared to Carissa... I was so stupid to even think of it. I should have never written it. I should have never even fallen for James Potter...

(James' POV)

I was about to reach out to Lily, when suddenly, she stood up and began running out of the hall. She bumped into me at first, and I hollered, 'Lily!' but she didn't stop. Her eyes were watering as she pushed me away and it worried me. I rushed to the Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory to get the Marauders' Map that was lying on Sirius' bed and grabbed my Invisibility Cloak, just in case I ran into Filch or Mrs Norris.

I softly muttered, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,' and tapped my wand on the parchment.

Finally, I saw the dot that was labeled 'L. Evans' It was located near the block with many empty classrooms that hasn't been used for a very long time. I put on my Invisibility Cloak, and with a swish, I left the Gryffindor Tower. I rushed to wherever Lily was. As I was nearing the corner, I heard muffled sobs and took off my cloak, and crept slowly, and there I saw her, crouching in the corner, sobbing.

Quietly, I called her name. 'Lily?'

She looked up, and I saw her red tear-stained cheeks. She managed to croak out, 'James!' Instantly, she began wiping her tears dry. 'I - I - It isn't what it looks like! I just -'

I cupped her face with my hands, and said, 'What do you mean it isn't what it looks like? Lily, I can tell from fifty miles away that you've been crying.' I crouched down, to level with her. 'Now tell me, what's the matter, Lily flower?'

She began explaining to me everything. Snape and Malfoy... The Bimbo Squad... The death anniversary... And finally, she told me, the final reason - the bloke.

(Lily's POV)

'...and then to make matters worse, two years ago, on this very day...' I sobbed. 'My - my father... He passed away...' I finished quietly.

I began to lose control all over again. To who, was I telling this all to, you ask? James Potter.

He pulled me in for a hug, while murmuring, 'I'm sorry...' and hot tears began trickling down my face.

Just an hour ago, James caught me red-handed crying, and comforted me. Then later, he forced out the information out of me - and I was glad, I guess that he was there to comfort me.

'Now tell me, Lily, is that all that has been bothering you?' He looked at me with those warm chocolate brown eyes of his.

At the back of my mind, my inner voice was bugging me to tell him about my "bloke" problem... The other voice was telling me not to tell... Yet, the other one was telling me to tell him, and to just leave the name out of it.

My tears dried up, but I still felt sad.

Hesitating, I finally told him.

'There's ... There's this chap, James...'

James' eyes widened, 'He didn't hurt you, did he?'

'No, no... I... He... Oh, this is stupid, James. It'll sound weird, telling a boy a girl's love life problems...' She blushed.

James smiled warmly at me. 'Lily... You should be thankful Professor Flitwick paired us up. If not, I would have never made friends with someone like you. You know, you've become one of my close friends, even in such short period of time.'

I forced a smile while wincing whenever he mentioned the word "friend".

'So, tell me...'

'I... It's just that... I've had a crush on him since 4th year... And I have always wanted to tell him how I feel... And I did...'

'And he turned you down?'

'Well... He did... Sort of... I mean, I told him, but I didn't tell him directly. I mean, he knows that I like him, but what he doesn't know is that I like him.'

He looked at me quizzically.

I looked directly into his face and continued. 'He knows someone likes him, but what he doesn't know, is that I'm the one who likes him... And I know who he likes, and its definitely, not me...'

Part of me, just a small part of me, began hoping for him to realise the tiny hint I was dropping.

'Ohh... Something like me, right?'

I swallowed, and said, 'Well, you can put it that way...'

I guess that James was oblivious as a rock, as he hadn't the faintest idea I was referring to himself. Honestly, James, how can you be so thick?

'I mean I don't blame him or anything... I mean look at me! Chantelle was right... Why would he even consider looking at me? I'm nothing compared to his crush... Sometimes James, I wonder, why do I even try?'

James looked at me like I grew two extra heads and said, 'You actually believe what the Bimbo Squad said?' I couldn't help but stifle a giggle.

Suddenly, James went all serious. 'Silly Lily, what they said was nonsense. Remember that you're beautiful, no matter what they say. Words can't bring you down. You got that?'

I nodded my head.

'Good.' James kissed me on the forehead and my insides nearly melted. 'Now, if I'm not mistaken, it's been nearly an hour since lunch ended. And if I'm not mistaken too, we have probably missed DADA. Well... Thank goodness Professor Heather doesn't really care about our attendance... Come on, then, Lily. We'd better go back to the Common Room, or Sirius will report us missing to Professor McGonagall.'

James slowly helped me up, and walked me back to the Common Room. I followed behind him closely, too surprised to say anything. Has James Potter really been comforting me, or am I hallucinating?

The Portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and just as I was about to head to the Girls' Dormitory, James tugged me softly by the hand and asked, 'Lily, I know this is not exactly the best time to ask you, but if you don't mind, would you accompany me to the ball? Uh I mean, it's okay if you already have a date...'

I smiled warmly at him, for the first time today. I was definitely his second choice, but I was thankful he even considered me. Slowly and steadily, I answered and looked at him straight in the eye.

'Yes, James. I'd love to.'

Author's Note: The underlined text above is a line from Christina Aguilera's Beautiful. It's a lovely song, and I suggest all of you to go download it. :D

Thanks to: axania chic, maryam, jujubee, Katherin Bell, MaggieDB, Lina Shay, Kiely34, Tess, Mia Toretto, Nana, The Infallible Teller and SOOGIE.