The Christmas decorations at Hogwarts never ceased to amaze students no matter what year they were in but it was particularly exciting for the first years as traditionally, one first year would be chosen to place the star on top of the tallest tree in the Great Hall at a special dinner.
"James! James, stand up!" Remus hissed on the evening that the chosen first year was handed the star, "You're supposed to be watching!"
"Don't see why," James grumbled as he got up reluctantly, "Dumbledore will have just picked some goody two shoes to do it. Probably a Ravenclaw."
It wasn't a Ravenclaw. It was Lily Evans.
James rolled his eyes as he watched the small red head make her way to the Staff Table, her red plaits swinging out behind her.
She was just so perfect, couldn't put a foot wrong in class. As soon as he realised she seemed to know Snivellus, he hadn't said more than two words to her. Not worth his time.
He watched as she accepted the star from McGonagall and made her way towards the tree. He noticed her hands were trembling slightly as she muttered the spell to raise the star to the top of the tree. He joined in with the applause from the rest of the room, half heartedly putting his hands together.
And then she turned round to face the room, beaming.
It was though a firework had erupted in James' head. He looked at the girl in front of him, Lily Evans, shining, her smile lighting up the room and everything seemed to fall into place.
He could feel his heart beginning to pound as she brushed past him to return to her seat and he kept his eyes focused on the star. How had he not noticed how bright it was, how bright she was?
"Of course it was Evans. Stupid tradition." Sirius nudged James and winked but the other boy didn't respond. He stood, transfixed, staring at the glowing star on the tree.
"What's the matter with him? Why is he still stood up?"
"He looks ill. James, sit down."
"James! You moron, sit down!"
The Maurauders would say later on that James was too young to be in love, but he'd known from the night with the Christmas tree.