Introduction

Hello readers! I would like to say that all of this belongs to J.K. Rowling. I would also like to point out that I am trying as best as I can to match events that have gone on during that time in wizarding history to my story. Please forgive any errors I make in the story and please review!

Thank you all and enjoy!

Chapter Hogwarts Express

James potter was a confident boy. Or maybe boy was the wrong word, James Potter was a confident teenager- adolescent-young man, they are really interchangeable. But, he was not always like that. What got him up to his league in popularity and confidence is the fact that there really is no league for James Potter because his league is utterly impossible for all to reach except for maybe his three close friends. Sirius Black, a disowned but very attractive young man, was his best friend and the second most sought after guy in their 6th year, Remus Lupin, equally attractive but much more quiet, was a roaring academic success, and Peter Pettigrew was just as quiet as Remus and almost as cute except in a somewhat boyish way.

You know that guy in school that is everyone's favorite person? A guy's guy and a girl's guy all in one? Well James potter is that guy- on crack.

James had just passed through the barrier to platform 9 ¾ and, as he looked around, memories flooded back to him of his first time seeing the Hogwarts express with its billowing clouds of steam shrouded around the platform and its gleaming red coat of paint. It was a symbol of his first ever trip to Hogwarts, a symbol of the first time he ever laid eyes on Lily Evans and the first time he ever laid eyes on Severus Snape- the greasy git who had a dangerous obsession for the dark arts. But Lily, Lily had the gift of enticing him with her vibrant red curls, her bright green eyes and fiery character. Ever since he had seen her he knew she had to be his. But, of course, he couldn't wait forever and other girls came along and were able to distract him for a while… but never long enough. And as he proceeded forward on the platform he searched for that brilliant spot of red among the many heads crowded on the station but, he didn't search for long as she walked right out in front of him. Come on just look over here! He thought, and she did just that.

()()()

As she looked around the platform the familiar smell of owl droppings and old luggage filled her nose. She walked down the platform with both of her parents- who never ceased to be amazed by the magic around them- to look for her friend Marlene. When she felt that her parents were no longer following her she turned and just as she did she met the smart eyes of James potter. Ugh. She thought as he flashed a smirk that could piss only her off. She turned to stalk off but nearly ran into a frazzled looking blonde.

"Marls!" she exclaimed, "You need to watch where you are going!"

"Sorry, sorry! I was just in such a hurry, and i need to get away from my step mom!" she let out in a huff.

"What for?" asked Lily.

"Well, all this summer she has been trying to get me on a blind date with her friend's nephew, and now she wants me to visit his house over winter break! Can you believe her?"

"Well, actually I can. I mean it's not like she hasn't done something like this before and you have to admit, she is pretty good at trying to get you out of the house."

"Yeah well, not this year, I haven't had any time with my father and I'm going to make sure that I do," stated Marlene.

"Alright. Hey have you seen Emmy at all yet?" asked Lily.

"No, but she wrote to me saying that her grandparents were going to take her straight to Hogwarts so we won't be seeing her on the express"

"Oh okay, that's too bad"

"Haha you can say that again. Here comes the love struck Sirius hoping to find his girl"

The two girls watched as Sirius weaved his way through people across the platform to get to them, With James Potter following closely behind.

"Crap!" yelled Lily"do you think her already saw me or do I have enough time to hide?"

As she attempted to hide behind Marlene, James and Sirius approached them.

"Hello ladies, how has your summer been?" asked James.

"Fine" answered Lily

"Great!" said Marlene as she moved in to give each a hug. Lily glared at her. "What? If you're not going to get a move on him why can't I?" Said Marlene as Lily dragged her away.

"Because, you'll be fraternizing with the enemy! That's why!"

"The enemy? If anyone is making an enemy it's you Lily" she said with a smirk.

"Ugh. You very well know that he is the biggest prat in school and you want to flirt with him?"

"Duh. I mean I am a girl and in case you haven't noticed he has every other girl in Hogwarts swooning over him. It's not my fault you're the oddball" stated Marlene.

"Whatever" Lily muttered.

They boarded the train and looked for their usual compartment at the back of the train near the prefects carriage. Each dragged their suitcase into the small room and slid them under the seats. As they each took their seats the compartment door burst open.

"Alice!" they both yelled.

"finally!" sighed Marlene, "where have you been all my life?"

"oh nowhere…just out with Frank Longbottom…"

"what?" they said together again. "why didn't you write us or something? This is big! I mean, wow." Finished Lily.

"Well we kind of wanted to lay low for a bit, well actually he did. I asked if I could at least tell you guys" she said, motioning to them,"but he thought it was best to wait until the end of break. Plus it gave us a bit of time to get to know each other."

"Wow," repeated Lily "well, when did this all happen? And how? Give us all the details."

And that was how the three girls train ride went, as Alice launched into a detailed story of when they both realized they liked each other, to their first date, and then their first kiss. Several hours passed and topics changed to school work and vacations and catching up with each other's lives.

()()()

James had just found the compartment they were going to sit in when he accidently bumped into a skinny dark haired boy.

"Oops! Sorry!" said James but smirked when he realized who it was.

"Actually, I take that back. You should probably watch where you're going Snivellus." Severus turned.

"watch it Potter, before I wipe that stupid grin off your face!" he growled

"that sounds like a threat snivellus! You sure you can carry through or are you gonna run to your death eater pals for help?"

Snape growled and pulled out his wand but James was already there.

"You sure you want to do that?" snarled James, his wand was pointed at Severus' throat.

"Try me" he answered.

"James!" yelled Remus. Who was now quickly approaching "What in the name of Merlin are you doing?"

"Can't you see? I'm about to teach Snivellus here a lesson!" he said as he looked over at Remus.

"What the..." said a bewildered James. Severus was already a step ahead. As he took advantage of James lapse in concentration he managed to say "Aww. Ickle Remus couldn't get mum to come with him so he had to get a souvenir?"

"hey!" yelled James but Severus was already getting into his compartment. James turned to look at his friend who still didn't understand what was going on.

"come on Remus. We need to get you a mirror and a wet towel" he said, motioning to Remus' forehead.

"what are you talking about?"

"Just look," Replied James, handing him a mirror.

"Oh great" sighed Remus, observing the bright red lipstick on his forehead "I keep telling her not to do that!"

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone" assured James as he and Remus sat down in their compartment.

"Aww. Does wittle Wemus love his mummykins?" said Sirius as he walked through the compartment door with Peter.

"But he will" muttered Remus.

"will what?" asked Peter but a look of comprehension dawned on his face when he saw Remus and before anyone could answer he fell into a fit of laughter.

"Okay it really isn't that funny" said Remus.

"Yeah-it- is" he replied between gasps of laughter

"Shut up" he answered.

()()()

Several hours later the Hogwarts express rolled to a stop at Hogsmeade Station. James and his friends quickly climbed into one of the school carriages to avoid the pouring rain. They just began to take off their coats when a gaggle of girls got into the carriage to avoid the rain as well.

"Argh! Ladies, Ladies, please!" exclaimed Sirius "I know you can't get enough of me but I really don't think there is enough room in here for all of us! Unless… one of you wants to sit on my lap?"

One of the girls looked up, recognizing his voice.

"Oh great" said Alice seeing James and Sirius right across from her with identical grins on their faces. "let's get out of here before thing one and thing two try anything." Alice shared the same opinion about the two ring leaders as Lily did just not quite as strongly.

Lily murmured her agreement and they began to get out of the carriage when James finally spoke up.

"hey wait!"

"what?" replied an irritated Lilly "I'm not going to sit on your lap!"

"you don't have to! Just please stay?"

"even if I wanted to, where would I sit?"

"umm"

"exactly. Bye." She waved behind her as she walked back out into the rain, Alice following her. Marlene muttered a quick apology and followed them out.

"Good try mate." Said Sirius as he clapped him on the back.

"Maybe next" time added Remus.

"Eh whatever." He said as he tried to nonchalantly ruffle his hair. This is going to be a long year he thought.