Pairing: Lily/James

Genre: Romance/Humor (some)

Summary: In which year after year, James finds himself musing over a certain redhead. And blames it on her.

Timeline: Years 1-7, no spoilers. Totally made up.

Feedback: Yes, please.


0o0

In first year, he didn't know her name. It didn't stop him from sending her Exploding Tulips on Valentine's Day.

She was convinced he was mad for playing a mean-spirited prank on her.

He bought them because they were red, just like her hair.

0o0

In second year, he found out that she loved pumpkin tarts above all other sweets. When he got close enough to her during classes, she smelled of cinnamon.

Pretty soon, he found himself addicted to pumpkin tarts quite hopelessly.

Of course, if there was ever a shortage at dinner, he always let her have the last one. On those times, she pretended to be too full to finish one all by herself.

His friends laughed when he couldn't keep the smile off his face for the rest of the night.

0o0

In third year, he was startled by how green her eyes were when he used a charm to spell out her name in fluffy clouds before a Quidditch match against Hufflepuff.

She immediately looked away and stubbornly stared at her shoes instead. He did, however, notice the slight smile on her face but was unable to catch the blush on her cheeks.

Gryffindor won the match.

0o0

In fourth year, he meant to ask her to the Winter Ball.

She came down with the flu instead. As he walked her to the hospital wing, she dazedly expressed her wish to be at the dance. She said he was good at leading.

And then later denied it.

What she couldn't deny was that he had spent the rest of the night in the hospital wing keeping her company instead.

0o0

In fifth year, he made sure to sit behind her in Charms.

It was easier to send her notes that way. And to prevent any other silly love notes (the ones that weren't his) to make it to her.

He reasoned that although his letters were just as barmy as anyone else's, they had been solely for her eyes only for the past two years, something her other so-called admirers could not attest to as vehemently as he.

0o0

In sixth year, he wondered if she'd ever slipped him an Amorentia potion.

He couldn't recall a time since he'd been at Hogwarts that he hadn't been smitten with anyone else. And then he realized that they had been eleven when he'd first met her and that was too young to make such a complex (not to mention illegal) brew.

He blamed it on the pumpkin tarts. And that blasted cinnamon.

Clearly, it was her fault.

0o0

In seventh year, he proved that his powers of observation were useful. In regards to her, that is.

It took him six years of effort, and she finally consented to going with him to Hogsmeade. And not just once, but several times throughout the term.

It was not a date, she informed him.

His silly grin said otherwise.

For once, she couldn't argue with him.