The Gryffindor Quidditch team was more dedicated than ever to win this year's cup, both because of their unfair loss last year and also because it was James' final year at Hogwarts-everyone knew and acknowledged his huge contribution to their house's victories, and they wanted to give James a good farewell.

In the first match of the season, Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw in January, Gryffindor won a thrilling match. When Gryffindor was only 10 points ahead, 70-60, the Seekers streaked across the field and John Creevey caught it narrowly.

The winning team descended together, shouting and hugging. Soon the Gryffindors in the spectators swarmed around them; all of them were wearing woollen clothes and mufflers because it was chilly day and there was still snow on the ground.

"Where's Lily?" asked James, as Alice came to shake his hand.

"Here," said Lily, from behind James. "Well done, captain!"

Grinning, James turned around to face her. Immediately he felt that something was wrong with her. Lily's smile was clearly a little strained.

"What's wrong, Lily?"

"What? Nothing's wrong!" said Lily

"Congrats, James, congrats!" yelled a first year girl, Tessie Fayne, in James' ear.

James turned around to thank her, and in that time Lily had disappeared.

As usual, they had a party in the common room. But though they were all in high spirits, James couldn't help wondering where Lily was. Marlene had said that she was not in the dorm.

After some time, James excused himself and slipped out of the common room.

--------------------

It was dark outside the castle, and it was beginning to snow. James wandered around aimlessly.

Then, quite suddenly, near the Quidditch pitch, he spotted a flash of dark red. He ran towards it.

"Lily?"

Lily turned around. "Oh, it's you, James."

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the party?"

"Why aren't you in the patry?"

"Well...I came to look for you. You seemed a little down earlier, so I thought...mind telling me what's the matter?"

Lily couldn't help noticing how concerned James sounded.

"I had a letter from my sister today."

"And?"

"She said she's getting married...and I could come if I had to, but if I try to be a-freak-she'll send me back-"

Lily looked close to tears. James didn't know what to say.

"She said she has already arranged for her bridesmaid...and we used to talk about her wedding when we were younger-and I was always supposed to be her bridesmaid..." sobbed Lily.

"Lily...don't cry..." said James helplessly. He saw that Lily was shivering.

Hesitatingly and fearfully, James put his arm around her shoulders. It was as if Lily had been waiting for that sign-she fell into James' arms and sobbed stormily on his shoulder. Feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable, James patted her on the back, trying to comfort her, till she stopped crying and pulled back.

Lily was staring at her feet. James nervously messed his hair.

Lily looked up and realized that she no longer found this habit of his annoying, she found it endearing.

Green eyes stared into hazel.

The next moment, James' eyes widened in shock as Lily leaned forward and...kissed him.

For once in his life, James Potter was completely, utterly speechless. And by the time he had found his tongue again, Lily Evans had disappeared into the darkness.

--------------------

In a daze, James returned to the common room, where the party was still going on. Lily was not there.

"What's bitten you?" asked Sirius. "Why d'you look like you've seen a ghost?"

Immediately James felt that it had been a hallucination, a ghost. But it had seemed so real...

"I'll go up now," said James, going towards the dorm.

Remus caught him near the door.

"Did you-did something happen with Lily?"

"How did you know?" asked James, shocked.

"Well, it's clear from your face. Was it good or bad?"

"Good." There was no hesitation there.

"Ok, go to sleep now, you look all dizzy."

"Good night, Moony."

--------------------

The very next day was Wednesday. James and Lily avoided each other all through classes and mealtimes, but it was quite impossible during patrolling.

As they met at the portrait hole, both of them found it hard to meet the other's eyes.

They walked in silence for the first few minutes.

Then Lily said, "Did you mind what happened yesterday?"

"Lily," said James awkwardly. "You're seeing Amos Diggory."

"No, not really," said Lily, though it seemed as if she was convincing herself. "I just went with him to Hogsmeade once."

"Er-" said James, not knowing what to say.

"Besides, I don't even like him that much. Not-not compared to you, James."

"Oh," said James. "Oh-thanks..."

Lily glanced at his face and saw that it was completely red. Her own nervousness vanished.

"James-" Lily took both his hands. "Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah-yes, sure..." said James, his heart thumping hard.

"I love you."

James felt the world spin around him.

"I-I-" he stammered. "I mean...really?"

"Yes, really, idiot," said Lily, beginning to smile.

"I love you too, Lils. But you already knew that, right?"

"I had my suspicions." Lily flung her arms around James. James hugged her back, still feeling as if he was in some sort of a complex dream.

"You're not dreaming," assured Lily.

"How d'you know I was-"

"I know you," said Lily simply.

"I-I love you, Lily. God, I can't believe my luck."

"Not luck, James."

Both of them smiled, staring at each other.

A bond of a lifetime was formed.