James is not sure whether he's starting to get carried away (against his will) and possibly being delusional, but lately things between him and Lily have been brilliant.

He's even been able to bear Sirius and Perdita's constant not-really-a-break-up fights (which are loud and obnoxious, and very, very frequent as of late) knowing he could talk to Lily about it if he didn't feel like doing so with Remus or Peter or Cliona.

So when Lily comes into Potions class that afternoon, seeming a little distant, he's rather confused.

He goes back to his work, just for a moment, then unable to help himself, he looks up and leans in.

"Hey — Evans, are you all right?"