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 7: Sketching A Mystery

(Lily's POV)

Taking in the breathtaking view of the Great Lake, I carefully sat on the bank of the lake and made myself comfortable. I opened the flap of my bag and took out my sketchbook and began drawing the beautiful scenery of the sunrise. It was my hidden talent – if you may call it that. It was definitely something I never really talked about, and kept all to myself. I sighed dreamily as I shaded the sunrays with my fingertips. I'm usually found here almost every week, ready to catch the sunrise, or to just clear my mind. I set aside my sketchbook and rested my head on the dew-soaked grass. What a beautiful Sunday morning – the perfect day to be out. It was definitely looking much brighter than yesterday.

Yesterday...

(FLASHBACK)

James looked at me with those intense eyes of his and said, 'But remember, Lily. You're beautiful, no matter what they say. Words can't bring you down. You got that?'

I nodded and James kissed me lightly on the forehead and my insides practically melted.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

Just the sheer flashback sent shivers down my spine, but inside I melted. The mere thought of James Potter cupping my face was enough to keep me smiling for the next few days. Carissa Andrews must be really lucky to be the love of James' life. Someone who's so sweet... Intelligent. Funny! Caring, considerate, handsome...

And the list goes on.

I can ramble on and on about James, without caring less of what's happening around the world. No guy has ever had the ability to do that to me. Not even my previous so-called crush, Amos Diggory. I laughed at the thought. Sure, I had fancied him. But it was merely a schoolgirl crush. James was truly the only person I had ever liked...

Not knowing what I was doing, my fingers found its way to the pencil and I found myself scribbling 'LE + JP' all over my sketchbook. As soon as I realised what I was doing, I laughed dryly at my foolishness. To think that someday these wonderful letters would be engraved on a tree trunk, in Lovers' Lane Park in a shape of a heart

Quickly, I took out my wand and muttered a spell, and everything disappeared. It was, once more, just a clean sheet of paper.

(James' POV)

Snore.

I grabbed the other end of the pillow to cover my ears from the deafening sound.

Snore. Grunt. Snore.

It was even louder.

I instantly sprang up, and looked around the dormitory. Of course, who else but Sirius Black had the ability to snore louder and louder with each passing second with the help of a few grunting special effects? Never in my life have I had the desire to just murder my best friend there and then. My ears picked up a rustling sound, and I turned my head to find Dennis Front and Walter Reese propped against the doorframe. They both rubbed their eyes groggily and mumbled, 'We could hear him from our dorm.'

'I know what you mean. I'm surprised Remus and Peter managed to sleep through it,' I muttered.

Walter smiled slowly and said, 'Why don't we just close his mouth?'

Dennis shook his head and said, 'No, the snores will just start coming out from his nose.'

'Why don't we close his mouth, and his nose?' I suggested stupidly.

Dennis looked at me and said, 'I think that's called murder.'

I cracked a grin and was about to use the Body-Binding spell on him, but restrained myself, as I thought how useless it would prove to be. I'm the type of person who could never go back to sleep once I had woken up. I muttered goodbyes to them both and lazily dragged my feet to the bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth.

I smiled wistfully at the sight of the glorious sunrise. Maybe it'd be a wonderful day to just fly around the Hogwarts Grounds, since there'll be no one to bother me. I glared at the sleeping form of my beloved friend, Padfoot. Changing into robes, I grabbed my Shooting Star 1000 and tucked my wand behind my sleeves.

Carefully, I opened the window in the Boys' Dormitory, and kicked off as quietly as I could and flew around the Hogwarts' Grounds. The soft cool breeze brushed against my face, and I felt fresh. I scanned the grounds to see if there were any other students out this early, and something, or someone caught my eye by the Lake.

I squinted my eyes, and saw a figure with long red hair and twinkling emerald eyes, lying on the grass. Her eyes were so green, that you could have noticed them from a mile away.

I smiled.

Who else, with long red hair and vivid emerald eyes, do I know?

I landed as quietly as I could behind her.

Tiptoeing ever so softly, I yelled 'Boo!' and blocked her vision with my enormous head. She screamed, and after what seemed like ages, threw her head back in laughter recognizing the menace that was me.

'James! You scared the daylights out of me!' She caught her breath. 'I thought you were some sort of manticore, or beast.'

I simply laughed whole-heartedly and plopped beside her.

She looked at me curiously and said, 'So what are you doing out here, this early on a Sunday morning?'

'I can say the same for you.'

She blushed and said, 'Well, I usually do - to catch the sunrise.' She hugged her legs - she was in a sitting position now. 'Too bad you missed it - it was beautiful.' She gazed at the horizon dreamily.

'Oh, I didn't alright. I got a perfect view form the dorm. One big oaf by the name of Sirius snored so loud that I couldn't help but want to strangle the life out of him. That's why I came. I don't usually fly around this early.'

'Ooh... The last time I ever flown was in First Year. After that horrible incident, I don't think I'd ever have the guts to go back on the broom.' She shivered.

Seconds passed.

In that miniscule frame of time, vivid images from yesterday's events flashed in my mind and my eyes immediately softened, and I looked at her. 'Lily, are you feeling better now?'

She looked at me, and gave me a hopeful smile, 'Yes, I guess. I never really got a chance to thank you, properly. Thanks.'

'No problem, I'm always there for a friend in need.' I flashed my 100-watt smile at her.

I thought I saw her wince, but I brushed it off.

I looked around, when I noticed a book. On the cover, it was written in loopy cursive writing, "Lily Evans". The writing looked awfully familiar... but I brushed it aside. I mean, don't all girls' handwriting look the same?

'Do you mind if I open it?'

She was too mesmerized by the scenery and simply shook her head.

I flipped the cover, and I saw a beautiful drawing of the Quidditch Pitch. Oh wait... it was a sketch! It was even a drawing of a game.

I flipped to the next page, and it was another sketch - but this time, it was of a view of a starlit sky... at night - a view from the Astronomy Tower. I studied at it with eyes filled with admiration. It was beautiful. I never knew she could draw like this.

I flipped the pages; it was more sketches of views from Hogwarts. I finally came to her most recent sketch of the sunrise. She captured the beauty really well I almost thought it was a photograph.

I suppose she bewitched it, as the pictures moved. For example; in the sketch of the sunrise, you could see the water ripples on the lake. Also, you could see the players she sketched moving about, passing the Quaffle to each other. And the stars she drew in the sketch of the view from the Astronomy Tower really twinkled.

I looked at her and whispered, 'Did you really draw – all of this?'

She looked back at me, 'Huh, oh what?'

'This.' I showed her the sketchbook.

'Oh...' She blushed. She tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. 'It's nothing,' she said softly.

'Nothing! This is incredible, Lily! You'd make a wonderful artist!'

'It's just a hobby. But, thanks,' she said sheepishly.

I just smiled at her. 'Hey Lily, are we still on for the ball?'

'Oh, of course James. That is, unless someone else already asked you?'

'No, no. Just to make sure.' I gave her a reassuring smile.

I saw Lily looking at her watch and she said, 'Oh, it's already late. I guess we ought to leave.'

I stood up, grabbed my broomstick, and she carried her sketchbook, and we went to the Gryffindor Tower, to return our belongings. We parted, to go up to our dorms. To my utter most surprise, however, those three were still asleep.

I smiled and took out my wand. I muttered a spell, and instantly, the three beds turned over, and they all fell out with a loud thud.

Sirius' eyes flew open and shouted, 'WHERE'S THE FIRE!'

Remus and Peter simply rubbed their sleepy eyes and massaged their shoulders.

'What didcha do that for?' Peter said, scratching his head.

Sirius, who finally realized what he said, turned red and scratched his back. He mutterd nervously, 'Yeah, what didcha do that for?'

'I was trying to wake you three up, that's what I've been trying to do!' I yelled.

'Well Prongs, haven't you ever heard of the phrase, "shaking the person so that he'll wake up"?' said the ever wise Remus.

'Hmm...' I was in deep thought, and grinned. 'Nope.'

'Whatever, chap. I'm going to the loo.' The three stooges went to the bathroom, and I just shook my head, heading for the Great Hall.

As I reached the Gryffindor Table, I sat down at my usual seat, and was about to shove a spoonful of porridge into my mouth, when I noticed the goddess.

Carissa Andrews.

Again, I was in slow-mo mode, and oh how she laughed... Damn, she's beautiful!

She caught my eye, and waved her delicate hand.

I waved back, in pure bliss. Not giving two sickles about the fact that a spider had just fallen into my bowl, I continued scooping the porridge and stuffed myself silly, not taking my eyes off her.

(Lily's POV)

Clearly, I had lost my appetite. I played with my porridge, creating whirlpools in the bowl. Scooping up a lump, and dumping it again, I began to disgust myself and shuddered. Pushing the bowl aside, I helped myself to a glass of pumpkin juice. I looked around the Great Hall, feeling very mundane. That was when I noticed Carissa Andrews smiling, and waving at someone. I followed the direction she was looking at, and it was James. He was grinning back at her like a lovesick fool, and it made me feel sick to the stomach.

Carissa was on friendly terms with me, and it's no surprise why James fell for her. She's sweet, kind, pretty, smart - everything a guy wanted in a girl. But as they always say, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

Oh sod it! I've tried forgetting James for so many months, and yet, I still think about him. Why, oh why, did I have to fall for him, of all people?

That, my friends, still remains a mystery to me.

Author's Note: The underlined text above was borrowed from an old Home Improvement episode.

Thanks to: Riposte, The One and Only Amazing Typo, aharrypotter1fan, Nautica7mk, ClairPotter, MaggieDB, Jess the Great, Interested Reader, Amber, thegirlwholived, meeeeeeeee, Isabel, Lina Shay, Rini, blahblah and GuardGirl.