It was the Quidditch match that made everything change.

You had always known James P. His loud laughs, his swagger, his ever-present charm. He was always the center of attention, always surrounded by people, always looking at everyone with that playful, teasing glint in his eyes. But this time... it was different.

During the game, your eyes kept drifting to him. Not because of his usual antics, but because of the way he kept looking at you. You caught his eye after a particularly wild maneuver, and there it was—a smile, not just the usual smug grin, but something softer, more sincere. And then, when he was flying high, he winked.

It should’ve been nothing. You had seen him smile at everyone before. Seen him flirt with half of Gryffindor House. But something in that wink made your heart skip, and suddenly, nothing felt the same.

Later that night, the castle was quiet as you made your way back to your dorm. You were still trying to shake the odd flutter in your stomach from the game, but as you turned a corner, there he was. James P, leaning casually against the stone wall.

—“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said, voice low but steady.

You swallowed, confused.

—"What are you talking about?"

His smile was teasing but there was something more intense behind it.

—“You didn’t look at me the same way you look at everyone else. I saw it.”

He stepped closer, his eyes locked on yours, his expression serious for the first time you could remember.

—“I know what I’m doing, and I know you know it too.”