(A/N: In the past, I've attempted to write fanfiction rather unsuccessfully. Now that I have the complete cannon and a new sense of direction, I believe this to be the story in which I will complete! If you guys want me to continue, please review and tell me what you think - I'm pretty self-conscious about my work and occasionally doubt my abilities as a writer so reassurance is always appreciated (as is constructive criticism!!) Anyways, hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!!)

Disclaimer: However much I'd love to claim Harry Potter as a work of my own genius, I must admit that I am not that brilliant. JK Rowling is the true owner of Harry Potter and is a lovely woman for letting me abuse her characters the way I do:)

Chapter One: Revelations

All of the excitement Lily Evans had had about becoming Head Girl had been drained as she stared at the messy, raven haired boy standing across from her. If someone would have told her two years ago that James Potter would be Head Boy and she would be his partner, she'd have a laugh right in their face, thinking the idea to be completely insane. But now as she stood before the impressive figure of James Potter, she was all but shocked.

She and James had had a love/hate relationship since the moment they met six years ago on the Hogwarts Express. Love/hate in the sense that he loved her and she hated him, or at least that's what she wanted him to think. She fell in love with the look of him that September, his crooked grin, his wind blown hair; the only thing holding her back was the way he ran his mouth. His arrogance had irritated her beyond anything she had ever experienced. The way he mocked others and was so openly cruel to the only friend she had, made her despise the mere thought of him.

However, there was always one thing she hated more than James Potter, and that was the fact that she really didn't hate him at all. He had begun to grow on her. As he grew she noticed changes to his temperament, and although his arrogance never faltered, she could tell he had become much more mature. He finally had the brain to back his beauty and Lily couldn't help but see him in a new light. Quirks that used to drive her mad began to make her smile, the way he ruffled his hair, his obsession with Quidditch and his insistence in pursuing her, all of these things and more. Everything about him made her smile; which now, standing here, with him in the Head's compartment, made her stomach churn. She was nervous about working in such close quarters with him, unsure of what would become of them after spending endless amounts of time together. The battle raging between her head and heart confused her, mostly because there was no real battle at all. Her heart was happy and her head agreed; this never happened, especially when it came to James Potter.

And before James Potter, Severus was the only wizard she knew. He was the one that introduced her to magic and so it was, they became fast friends, best friends. When he revealed to her that she was a witch, she didn't believe him, not fully, not until that letter came. The letter addressed to "Lillian Evans, Number 4, Privet Drive, the First Bedroom on the Left, Surrey" was delivered directly to her via owl. This moment changed everything Lily ever knew about her life and herself. When she received it, she ran straight to Severus, who was beyond ecstatic that she'd be joining him at Hogwarts. She and her parents went with him to Diagon Alley and it was with him that she bought her first magical item: her wand. She and Severus had a special bond, a bond so strong he was sure the two of them would be together forever. But Lily thought differently; although she never questioned that they'd be best friends forever she couldn't help but notice Severus had always wanted more. He wanted something she could never give him, her love not as a best friend, but as a girlfriend.

They stayed close throughout the years; they knew everything about each other, but he slipped. He had done something he swore he would never do. He called her a mudblood and with a slip-of-the-tongue, their friendship was over. She was too blinded by the memory of the honest, loving boy she grew up with to realize what he had become. He associated with people she knew to be pure evil, performed magic too wicked for her to understand and aspired to be something she despised. It was hard getting over Severus, she may never be fully over him, but at that moment, she knew that their friendship could no longer continue as it had in the past, he was too deep in with the wrong crowd.

And looking now at James Potter, she knew that he would never be the evil that Severus had become; he had a pure heart, a heart that allowed him to love not only others, but himself as well – something Severus could never do. If things were different, if Severus had picked her over his "death eater" friends, she might never have had these thoughts, she might be back in their compartment, with Severus, joking now about how horrid the upcoming year was going to be with Potter as her co-Head. But things aren't different. Things are how they are because that is how they are supposed to be. She and Severus weren't supposed to be; they were too different now. They were fighting on different sides of the war, literally and figuratively. She and James…well,

"Evans, what a pleasant surprise," He spoke, looking her up and down, "Let me just say, summer has done wonderful things for your…womanly figure."

"Piss off, Potter, you are simply ghastly." Lily spat, half-heartedly. She crossed her arms, preventing him to look at her "womanly figure." She and James had been cordial to one another in the past, so long as he wasn't hexing people for the fun of it. She would even go so far as to say he was a close friend. After losing Severus in fifth year, he was the one that was there for her. When she was up late crying in the Gryffindor common room, he would be the one to come and console her. When her course work was struggling because she couldn't concentrate, he was always there to help. But most of all, when she just needed someone to talk to, he would listen.

She was beginning to forget why she despised him so when she was around Severus; she supposed that without the pressure to keep confirming their friendship, she lacked a reason to bad mouth James. She had detested him when she was around Severus; Severus hated James with the same passion he reserved for the Dark Arts, a passion that was almost disturbing. But James had been there for her when she lost Severus, and he wasn't judgmental or cruel. She supposed those "love-at-first-sight" feelings always allowed for her to come back to him, as did his charisma, his intelligence, and his tight Quidditch body. She had once hated him for liking her, she had also hated him for hating Severus, but most of all, she had hated him for being everything she wanted.

"Oh, I like 'em feisty." He replied, taking a step towards her, causing her to instinctively take one back. "Oh, come off it, Evans, you know I only tease with love." He held out his hand for her, she crossed her arms tighter.

'Merlin's beard…he sounds just like Sirius.' Lily thought, remembering back to a time when they shared separate, but equally irritating, personalities.

"You're not going to get much work done with your arms all tied up in a knot, now are you?" He flashed her his cockiest grin, inviting her to take his hand again. She caved; smiling slightly, she took his hand, "Ah, so she has a heart after all." He paused, "well, congratulations Miss Evans, I'm honored to have you as my partner." He bowed, kissed her hand, and shot her a wink.

"So chivalrous," She cooed sardonically, sitting down across from him.

"I do my best to please the ladies," He said arrogantly, crossing his legs and resting them on the seat beside her, "you, Ms. Evans, have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen."

"Thanks..." Lily said, awkwardly, looking down. James seemed embarrassed about what he had said changing the subject not so smoothly.

"So…Heads," He began.

"That'd be us." She replied, with a nervous grin, not exactly used to being considered Head Girl quite yet.

"I hear we get Head dormitories all to ourselves, with our own common room, study and lavatory; I have a feeling we're going to becoming awfully close this year, Evans."

"I'm not sleeping, showering, nor any other 'i-n-g' verb…ing, with you, Potter…so don't get your hopes up."

"It would sound as if you're the one fancying an i-n-g verb," James grinned, "with me; I said nothing of the sort. But, I mean, if you're really that eager Lily-flower you could have spoken up ages ago…"

"It was a preemptive strike, Potter, not a proposition." She narrowed her eyes.

"Whatever you say, Lils, I still think you fancy a shag."

"In your dreams, Mr. Potter…"

"If you only knew, Ms. Evans," He grinned; something about his smile made Lily's stomach do a flip flop.

"I'm perfectly content in my ignorance, Potter, thanks," she threw him a faux sincere smile, "and although I'd love to sit and chat about all the wonderful things you do to me in your unconscious, the Prefects will be here any moment and we should probably take a look at these," she indicated the two large binders labeled Head Girl and Boy, "so we know what to do."

Any trace of the conversation they had been having disappeared as they began to sift through the list of required duties of the Heads. "Take a look at number seven," James said, placing a finger towards the middle of the page, reading aloud "The Head boy and girl are required to uphold the honor of the position by performing at top marks during their duration of Headship; failure to receive an "A" or better in any subject may result in a suspension or removal of power. Talk about rough." He concluded.

Lily, suddenly feeling uneasy of her new responsibilities, closed her binder rather matter-of-factly, "perhaps we should go over these later tonight? I don't fancy having to resign on the first day."

James nodded in agreement, tossing his binder aside, "let's just take it slow."

Moments later, the Prefects filed into the head compartment, making the situation as real as possible. Lily and James stood, and he took her hand reassuringly. They recognized a few of them, Marlene McKinnon's younger sister Mariella, donned Ravenclaw robes and her Prefects badge, Fabien Prewett, a Hufflepuff, waved at her politely, eager to begin, the two Gryffindor Prefects, Colin Wood and Dorcas Meadows, were both potential members of Gryffindor's Quidditch team and were ecstatic to see James, the captain, as Head boy. Lily's grin faded as the two Slytherin Prefects sulked into the compartment, she wasn't familiar with either of them, but the cold draft that followed let her guess what they aspired to be.

"Alright," Lily began, "if you could all take a seat, preferably with your partner, we can begin." James grinned encouragingly at her, squeezing her hand lightly before letting go.

When everyone was seated accordingly, he spoke up, "as some of you know, my name is James Potter and this is—"

"Lily Evans," she supplied.

"—and we're your Head boy and girl," he finished.

"Now if there are no questions," she looked around, "we can begin."

The meeting went well, with the exception of a crude comment here and there, which could be expected with someone like Lily, who had history with a well-known Slytherin and James, who had a history with just about everyone. They were both popular in their own way; Lily was the fiery red-head, the sweetest, and cleverest witch in her year and had a temper that could raise the damned and James, he was the epitome of popular, he was everything girls wanted and everything guys wanted to be, he had a good head on his shoulders, physically and mentally. The two of them made up a strong team.

"Thank Merlin that's over," Lily said resting her head absentmindedly on James's shoulder.

"Yea, now we can relax," he sighed, resting his head atop hers, and putting his feet up on the seat across from them "Lils?" he asked after a few moments of silence, "are we friends?"

Lily was taken aback by this question, of course they were friends; there was no doubt about it in her mind. True she had hated him for the majority of their friendship but now he was one of the best friends she had, "Of course, James, why would you have to ask?"

"Just making sure," he replied, taking her hand in his, "can friends do this?"

Lily paused for a moment, this wasn't the first time he had held her hand, "I suppose so, if it's appropriate," she replied, wondering what he was getting at.

"What about, what about this," he wrapped his other arm around her, his vacant hand messing her hair.

"James?" she's warned, "What are you playing at?"

"Mere curiosity," he replied, "you see my other friends don't let me do things like this so I was just wondering if we, you know, had a special friendship." Lily stayed silent; she really didn't know how to respond to this. She had never thought of anything she had shared with James as special but looking back on the past couple of years, she supposed it was.

She had spent countless hours in Gryffindor tower late at night, letting him hold her as she talked about Severus or Petunia; she never went to anyone else, not Mickey or Lena, nor Remus, not anyone she had considered a better friend at the time, only James. She told him things about herself that she never told a soul and he acted less than surprised to learn them. He made her think about things, things like this, things she would never think about if he hadn't prompted her to. But she couldn't tell him that, could she? Could she tell James that yes, their friendship was special, that she cherished it, that she looked forward to getting to know him better, to know him like he knew her. She had denied it for so long, denied him for so long, what would hurt to let him know that she valued his friendship. Everything, she thought, everything would change if he knew, but would it be a bad change? If things changed between them, if they became closer, could that be bad? No. She thought solidly.

"Yes," she stated plainly after a long moment, "yes, I think it's very special." He didn't respond, his hand still playing with her heap of vibrant red hair. "Do you think it's special, James?" she asked, wondering if she had just made a fool of herself.

"Of course, I always have," he replied, pulling her close to him, "I was just waiting for you to figure it out." He gave her a little shake, causing her to laugh.

"You know, I can't remember why I loathed you so much," she smiled.

"Well I am the most amazing, most handsome, most intellectual James Potter, what's there not to hate?" he mocked his arrogance.

"Ahh, thanks for reminding me," she laughed, she loved that he was able to joke about himself.

"Oh and I forgot to ask, will you go out with me?" he was barely able to finish the sentence; they were both laughing so hard.

"You were so persistent!" she laughed.

"I was an idiot," he chuckled, clenching his side, "I can't believe I thought that strategy would work, no wonder Padfoot hit me so much."

"It was a little bit cute," she lied.

"Bollocks, I was an 'arrogant little toe rag' if I remember correctly," they laughed, "you should know that I did take you up on your suggestion—"

"What suggestion?" she asked, still giggling softly.

"—you know, the one about Giant Squid," she laughed, "and it was all fun and games until she tried to eat me." They were both in hysterics, reminiscing on how much they used to fight.

"This is going to be a fun year," Lily smiled.

"Yea, I wouldn't have picked another girl to work with," James replied.

"Me either," she started, "you are so lucky to have me as your partner."

"Looks like the tables have turned, Ms. Evans, now who's the arrogant toe rag?"

"Now James, I am hardly a toe rag," she joked.

"Well if you were, 'toe rag' would no longer be an insult" he was smiling.

"You don't get a compliment like that every day, now do you?" she grinned.

"Well, with me as your partner Ican guaranty a compliment of the same caliber everyday," he said matter-of-factly.

"I'll do my best to appreciate them," she pushed him slightly, smiling up at him. She stared into his hazel eyes, why had she never done that before? Maybe it's because you spent most of your time hating him, she thought. She didn't regret it though, the friendship they have now would be much less meaningful had it not be born in controversy. She admired his determination; suddenly realizing what could have happened if he had given up on her sooner, she spoke "thank you," she said instinctively

"For what?" he asked, confused.

"For not giving up on me," she replied.

"How could I? You're perfect," he said without thinking. Lily was speechless. He had given her tons of compliments before but she had usually shrugged them off as insincere, but there was a tone in James's voice that lacked any hint of sarcasm; it was just honest.

"Thanks," she cocked her head to the side, "although I'm far from it."

"Not to you maybe, but to me, you've always been," he wrapped an arm around her, smiling genuinely to himself.

"Well thank you Mr. Potter, I'll try not to let you down," she nuzzled into his chest, feeling more at ease here than she had anywhere else.

"You couldn't if you tried, Ms. Evans," he chuckled, knowing how highly he esteemed her.

"Do you think we'll be good Heads?" she asked suddenly, looking up towards him.

As he gazed into her brilliant green eyes, he saw the genuine concern reflected in their vibrant irises, "the best, Lily-flower," he smile

A/N: Did you like it? Let me know!! R&R and I'll love you forever:)