James made his way down to the Quidditch pitch with his broom slung over his shoulder. He was meeting Sirius and Lupin for a quick game before dinner. Peter had failed a piece of homework and was having a catch up session with Professor McGonagall. James was almost there when he saw a lone red headed figure sat by the lake. Without his command his feet started a new course towards the lake, not that he would command them to stop. As he drew close, he slipped behind a tree so he could watch her without being seen. Lily was sat with her feet dipping into the shallow water and a book in her hands. Her head was slightly bent causing her long hair to fall across her shoulder and obscure most of her face from James's view. James wondered why she was reading outside when everyone else was inside sheltering from the cold winter weather.

It was times like this that he really wished she would speak to him. He enjoyed the way her cheeks flushed and her razor sharp wit emerged when they argued, but he would have really liked to know what made her tick. Most people thought he chased Lily because she was the only girl that had ever said no to him or was ever likely to for that matter. However, that was wrong. James genuinely wanted to be with Lily. To him she was the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts, no matter what everyone said about Narcissa Malfoy. Lily was by far the most intelligent person in their year and she was extremely witty. In short, James found himself captivated whenever she spoke. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone, but he guessed his friends had guessed.

Thinking of his friends then, he left the beautiful girl to her reading and made his way towards the Quidditch pitch.

"Better late than never Prongs!" Sirius's voice reached James' ears before he saw his best friend.

He looked up to see Sirius' shaggy black hair framed face peering at him over the side of his broom. Lupin hung in the air on his own broom just behind him. James cocked an eyebrow and kicked off from the ground.

"My most humble apologies Lord Black, please spare my life!" James shied away from Sirius and clutched his chest dramatically.

The sound of the three boys raucous laughter drifted across the silent grounds as they flew off to take their positions.

After a full hour of gruelling competition it was once again asserted that James was by far the best player out of the three of them. The three friends were covered in mud and looked more dishevelled than they usually did. They began making their way back towards the castle to wash up before meeting Peter at dinner.

"Hey, Moony do you ever think you're gonna learn how to fly for an hour without falling off your broom?" Sirius asked while James guffawed.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to stay on my broom when you launch yourself at me to get the bloody quaffle, have you seen yourself lately? Nobody could stay on their broom with that hitting them at speed."

This earned Lupin a well aimed kick to the shins and a smack on the back of the head. By now James was almost doubled over with laughter.

"Dunno what your laughing at Prongs, what was all that arm waving about?"

"I was falling! It was to regain my balance!"

"Yeah whatever" Sirius snorted and pushed James roughly.

Just then they passed the tree James had hidden behind earlier and all three boys noticed the shock of red hair that was clearly visible near the water's edge. Sirius grinned and looked pointedly at James.

"Oi Evans!"

Lily turned her head quickly to look at them. Her book fell to the floor next to her, the pages fluttering in the cold breeze.

"What are you doing out in the cold when there is a perfectly cosy and warm castle mere yards away?" James inquired hoping to sate his earlier curiosity, but to no avail.

"I don't see how that is any of your business Potter," she spat at him and began to replace her shoes.

"I was just been friendly Evans."

"No, you were just being nosey!"

"Fine we'll leave you out her to freeze to death," Sirius interjected a smile playing on his full lips.

"That would be preferable to you sticking around and killing me with your stupid immaturity," Lily shot back picking up her book and beginning to walk towards the castle.

"No need to be like that Lily, we were just worried, that's all" James smiled at her retreating back as her hair swished in her haste.

"I don't need you worrying about me Potter," Lily shouted over her shoulder.

At dinner Lily sat quietly while Alice told her about how she and Frank had spent the day. She thought back to earlier by the lake. All she had wanted was some peace. She should have realised that in a school where James Potter resided she would never find it. She enjoyed sitting outside in this weather, it was fresh and cleared her mind. She had been beginning to get a little cold, but wanted to finish her chapter before coming back to the castle, that was until Potter and his cronies had found her. Why couldn't they have just walked past and let her be? She would never understand those boys. Actually, she could understand Remus most of the time; he wasn't as loud as Potter and Black. She had been paired with him in Transfiguration and realised he was a nice boy, he just had annoying friends.

Lily didn't want to admit to herself that when she had turned around she was struck by how gorgeous Potter was. His hair plastered to his face with sweat and mud and his Quidditch robes fitting perfectly to his sculpted form, she couldn't tear her eyes away. He had to spoil it and open his mouth. Every word he had said sent anger raging through her body and she couldn't believe how one person could be so unbelievably infuriating.

Presently, she cooed with Alice over how sweet it had been for Frank to buy her a scarf for the coming season. Alice looked happy; a contented smile gracing her round features. Frank walked into the Great Hall then and she fell silent. He came to sit opposite the two girls and smiled sweetly at Alice to which she blushed furiously and continued eating her meat pie. Lily grinned. She loved seeing her best friend so happy.

"So, what have you done today Lily?" Alice looked up from her meal a slight blush still colouring her checks.

"I finished my homework this morning and then sat by the lake and read this afternoon," Lily answered.

Alice was about to speak when James Potter dropped onto the bench next to her and his friends sat with Frank opposite them.

"What do you want, Potter?"

"Nothing from you Evans, Sirius here just wanted to consult with Alice on their Transfiguration project."

Sirius smiled smugly at Lily, whilst Alice's cutlery clattered to her plate.

"Really? Now?" Alice looked confused, "I'm eating."

"I can see that Alice." Sirius said laughing, "I need to eat as well, I was thinking after dinner."

Frank turned to look at Sirius a frown soiling his sweet face.

"Don't worry Longbottom, it's strictly business."

"Okay, I will meet you in the library after dinner," Alice said smiling at Frank.

Sirius nodded and then stood up with the others.

"Oh and by the way, Evans, will you-"

"Potter, don't even utter the words!" Lily said and threw her fork at him, "I will never go out with you."

"You will Evans, someday," James turned and walked away, a grin on his handsome face.

Thanks to: Jiang Qing and SkyeW for reviewing :D

SkyeW: I read a lot of fics where the American spelling of words is used, so I am glad someone else finds it weird. : )