It was a cold day in December that Lily Evans walked to the Quidditch Pitch. She was never one to have any acclamation to watch the matches; it was cold, the seats were hard, and she found the Library much more inviting. However, for some reason on that below freezing day, Lily found herself and her best friend, Severus Snape, walking to the Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor game. She could blame the fact that her closest friend in Gryffindor, Marlene Mckinnon, was on the team this year, but she knew down in her heart of hearts it was because of him.

"Evans!" The familiar call of her surname set jolts of electricity through her bones. She found herself biting back a grin in expectation of a battle of wits. Ones she looked forward to on a regular basis-very unhealthy, that.

"Potter," She greeted, forcing her unamused tone.

"Why don't you ever go to Quidditch games?" He plopped himself on the couch next to her, rumpling her papers and knocking a book off.

"Why would I?" She scrunched her nose up in distaste.

"Because they're fun,"

"They're loud and cold."

"Have you ever been to a game?" He crossed his arms, and she hesitated.

"In First Year," She ducked her head to avoid the blush that was spreading its way across her face. No way in hell would James Potter need to know that she was blushing; his head was large enough!

"There you are then!" He sighed, running a hand absently through his hair. "I wasn't on the team in First Year!"

"Oh that explains it." She said dryly.

"One game, this weekend," He held his finger up. "Then you can pass judgment."

Lily hesitated again. Did she really want to make Potter a deal? Was it worth it? In the end, she decided one game couldn't hurt. She'd bring Sev along as well, to keep perspective. "Fine, one game, and it's not a date!"

"Never said it was, Evans,"

So she'd come to the game because James was playing. No, ugh, she meant Potter. Potter was captain this year, and Potter was playing. No, fine, James. It was Fifth Year, and she didn't really hate him as much as she let on, so why not call him James in her head? She could even admit that she fancied him a little. Only a little though, and it was purely a physical attraction thing. He was the biggest prat in the school, save for Sirius Black. She often found herself thinking that if he'd deflated his head just a little, she may agree to go out with him. It wasn't likely, and the thought often made her guilty. Though, it wasn't like anyone could read her mind. Except maybe a Legilimen, but she didn't know any of those.

"Lily, are you even listening to what I'm saying?" The voice of her best friend cut through her thoughts. Severus was staring at her with slight distaste, almost like he knew what she was thinking.

"No sorry," She flushed, hoping he'd dismiss it as the cold. "Could you say it again?"

"Why are we going to a Quidditch game?" He narrowed his eyes.

She sighed, audibly. This, she'd told him more than once. "Marlene is playing and I want to see her."

"You're lying."

"Can we just find seats?" Lily avoided his gaze once they'd reached the top of the spectator section. She looked around, eyes searching for an empty space, or Gryffindor friends. She'd just managed to locate Mary MacDonald and her boyfriend, Reginald Cattermole, before Severus grabbed her arm, and pulled her up towards the back of the stands. Not protesting, she moved with him.

In the area he'd chosen sat only Hufflepuffs Lily didn't know. She was sure they didn't know her either, and that irked her to no end. Obviously Sev had picked the one spot where no one would recognize them, and he wouldn't have to explain himself to his little Slytherin buddies. She frowned, staring pointedly at the Pitch, and waiting for the game to begin.

"You're angry." He observed.

"Gee, Sev, what tipped you off?" She snapped.

"You're here for him." He pointedly ignored her sarcasm.

"I'm here for my friend." She knew he could see straight through her purposeful vagueness. Over the course of her Fifth Year, she'd begun a tentative sort of yelling-friendship with James. She wasn't all too sure why, and she knew it would blow up in her face, but she couldn't help herself. There was just something about the stupid prat.

"I'm your friend, Lily." He sounded so wounded, she had to turn and look. He wasn't looking at her though, he was staring forward. She narrowed her eyes, dissecting what he'd said. Lily was very aware of his feelings for her; he wasn't as mystically hard to read as he thought, but she never brought it up because it would embarrass him. She considered him; he wasn't exactly unattractive, though his nose was a little off-putting at first. He had a nice sort of smile when he did smile. If he washed his hair a little more...but this was Sev. This was her friend, she was thinking about. He was into the Dark Arts, though he tried to hide it. And she couldn't-wouldn't-dare to think about someone who followed that passion. That man, Voldemort, whom Severus seemed to think, was brilliant. No. This was Severus.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the announcement that the game would begin. She felt the excitement in the crowd rising with her own, and she couldn't help but get to her feet with the rest. As they announced Gryffindor, Lily's eyes found him immediately.

As is tradition, the players do a lap around the stands, and as James flew past her, Lily shouted for him. It felt different to be cheering with her classmates, and she soon forgot the thoughts she'd had about Sev as the game roared on. The whole time, she was animatedly jumping to her feet, booing, clapping, and chanting with everyone. It was as much fun as he'd promised, and briefly, for a second, she wondered what else was more fun than she'd originally thought. Quidditch certainly, but her mind drifted to dating. Dating James Potter. Hmm.

"I'm leaving." Severus announced suddenly. He pushed past Lily, and moved down the steps.

"Sev, wait!"

"No, Lily," He turned to give her one of the most scathing looks she'd ever received from the quite Slytherin. "I'm going by myself. Finish your game. Go Gryffindor." She could taste the malice in those couple of words. Instead of returning to the seat she'd occupied the whole time, Lily moved to wear she'd seen Mary earlier, spending the remainder of the game with the spritely Gryffindor.

Gryffindor won 290 to 140 after four grueling hours of cheering. Lily could barely speak, but she managed to scream along with everyone else, rushing down to the Pitch to congratulate the team. She found Marlene right away, hugging her and congratulating her. Lily was so amped on the whole experience; she hugged Sirius, kissed the female, Seventh Year, seeker on the cheek, high-fived Hestia, and practically tackled the keeper.

Without her knowing, of course, her eyes had been wandering, searching for that familiar ever-messy black hair. When Lily spotted him, there was no way she could stop herself. He came out of the locker room, broom over shoulder, Quidditch uniform still on, but obviously showered by the state of his hair. He looked absolutely perfect, and it was the first time-but not that last-that she would think so.

"James!" She smiled up at the taller boy. Even at fifteen, he nearly towered over her, a whole head higher. She subconsciously pocketed the idea that he could very easily rest his head on the top of hers.

"Lily, you came!" She watched as his already happy exterior shined brighter. Barely noticing the use of each other's first names, they both had a moment of calm smiling at each other.

"Of course I came, you prat." She moved without thinking, wrapping her arms around his middle and hugging him. "Congratulations on the game!"

He smiled down at her, not hesitating in the slightest to respond to the hug. "After party in the Commons, you coming?"

"I suppose..." She sighed, pulling away. He laughed, shoving her with his shoulder in the playful way she'd grown accustomed.

The Gryffindors made their way back up to the castle, cheering and shouting still. The near empty hallways echoed with the loud voices, and Lily, for the first time, found herself smiling and enjoying the noise. Maybe it was easy to hate something you didn't understand or weren't a part of. Maybe she'd have to rethink a lot of things.

"You were right, you know." She said, as James and she began to trail behind the group as they reached the portrait hole.

"About,"

"A lot of things,"

"Such as,"

"Persistent aren't we?"

"The word you're looking for is thorough."

"Stubborn, too,"

"Evans," James warned.

"Potter," Lily shot back in a playful tone she would later blame the post-game-high for.

"Throw me a bone, just this once?" He gave her an earnest, hopeful little smile. God, it's like he knew just how to pull her strings. Without thinking, for the hundredth time that day, Lily sidled herself up closer to James. She placed her hands on either side of his face.

"Pay attention because I'm only doing this once. Ever." With that, she pulled his face down to meet hers. In typical Lily style, she paused before pressing her lips to his. It was their first kiss, and it seemed she was having a lot of firsts that day. She tried really hard not to think about how easily their lips fell into a rhythm, or how as James pulled her closer, their bodies seemed to fit perfectly. It was nearly impossible not to think about how his hair felt as she ran her fingers through it. Wait, her hands were in his hair? When had they done that? No, hold on, only one hand was in his hair; the other was...gripping his shirt collar. Of course it was. Where were his hands? A quick inventory of her body revealed that A) she was pressed against a wall she did not remember being there in the beginning, B) James had both of his hands resting on her lower back (and she liked them there!), C) there was now tongue action and it was glorious, and D) she had let this go on too far for too long. She broke away, well, as much as she could with a wall behind her. James kept his face within inches of hers, though.

"That," Lily began, breathless. "Is your Christmas, birthday, and Easter present."

"I can't wait 'til next year." He muttered, swooping back in for more, but Lily ducked out from his hold. She smiled at him, if only for a moment, before scoffing.

Next year, indeed.

A/N- Pretty please give me a review? I love reading them!

I apologize for the slight ooc-ness of Lily and James, especially towards the end. I just really wanted them to kiss, okay?