ATTENTION ALL READERS!

It has been quite a while since I have updated anything on here, and although I am sure that I owe each of you an apology, I can only offer one mass one: I'm sorry.

This is something I've been working on for a while, and I have six chapters completed and ready to be uploaded for you all. Parts of it are stereotypical, and then parts of it are NOT canon. Don't hate for me for either of those things, and consider yourself warned.

This fic is told in alternating chapters varying from Lily's POV to James' POV. As of chapter 6, no one else takes the viewpoint, but I have no idea whether or not that will change.

I intend to update weekly, which gives me at least six weeks to write the next chapter... I sincerely hope I don't get as busy as I have been so that I can get that done for you.

If you notice any errors, please let me know, although if it is an issue with the story that you have, I ask that you please be kind and consider that I'm working on this, my first novel, 2units at university, 2 part-time jobs, a boyfriend and having some form of life as well. So you know... not everything will be amazing. This is kind of my stress relief.

I will attempt to reply to every review. You have my word on that until further notice.

My other story "What REALLY happened" is discontinued until further notice. I cannot for the life of me remember where I was going with it. Sorry for any avid fans out there... but it was only 3 chapters. This fic is better in my opinion anyway. :P

Ok, and on that note... I am finally going to stop talking to you all and let you have a read!

Enjoy getting your James fic. I know I do :)

Thanks guys,

-Nashi217

An Office Rumor: A James and Lily Fanfic

Chapter One: Lily

A small 'ding' interrupted the thoughts of a young red-head as she tried in vain to calm her thudding heart. The doors in front of her opened and another person entered the elevator with her before they were off again. People exited and entered at various stages but the young woman barely noticed. Her hands were clammy, and her breathing was shallow.

In short, Lily Evans was nervous.

Finally the 'ding' that announced her exit arrived, and Lily stepped out into the hallway whilst the eerie announcement in the lift declared that they were in the "Department of Magical Law Enforcement". Lily was followed by a man in an extremely dark green cloak who turned a corner and hurried away, muttering various spells under his breath before she was left alone again. He had taken no notice of her at all. She gulped as she heard the lift doors closing behind her and she took in her surroundings. She'd been to the ministry of magic a few times before, but every department was different, and this department was no exception.

Lily Evans was studying to be an Auror, and as part of her study, an optional one year's worth of practical training in an approved institution was allowed. She was completing her final year of theory study by owl now, because she had been accepted into the ministry to work with some of the finest witches and wizards around, including the legendary Alastor Moody, under whom she would be working directly.

Today was her first day, and despite three years of training, she felt unbelievably unprepared.

Taking a deep breath and reminding herself that she was being silly and that she had to get a move on or she would be late; she began to walk down the hall. She inquisitively read every sign and every name tag, before stopping outside one titled: "Alastor Moody: Head Auror".

Gulping and breathing in deeply, she knocked three times and then stood back waiting anxiously, having no idea what to expect.

What happened was even further from what she expected.

The door opened violently, and she found herself staring at a wand tip that was pointed directly between her eyes. She gasped in shock and went to take a step backwards before a voice boomed in her direction.

"WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" a deep, gravelly voice demanded, the occupant of which staring sternly at the trembling red-head before him.

"Uh…"

"SPEAK UP!!"

Lily gulped, and then composed herself as easily as she could.

"Are you Mr. Moody? Be- because I have an appointment with him this morning." She asked, not quite sure what to make of this strange man.

"Appointment?" a fleeting look of understanding passed across the man's face, scarred from many battles, and his electric blue, glass eye spun madly whilst he considered this information. He then proceeded to merely bark, "Evans?"

Lily sighed and inwardly smiled in relief. "Yes, that's me. I'm Lily Evans."

Moody seemed to consider her for a moment longer before stepping aside to let her in. She walked into his office carefully and studied it with intense curiosity. Were they real dark detectors?

He seemed to have followed her gaze because he gruffly told her that they were, and began a simple explanation of each one. Lily tried not to smile; she already knew all of this. She'd known it since first year training, but at least Mad-Eye wasn't so scary when he was teaching. After his explanations, he regarded her sternly for a moment before opening his mouth to speak again.

"Miss Evans, firstly, welcome to the ministry. Secondly, I have to inform you that this is a strictly confidential department and anything that you see or hear must remain in your own knowledge only. I will require you to make a vow of secrecy; you don't have a problem with that I hope?" Lily shook her head. Even if she should feel inclined to tell anyone, there was no one to tell. Moody considered her before continuing.

"We maintain constant vigilance around here, and I do not want any problems. You have an excellent reference from Dumbledore, but I'm not so easily swayed, and you should know that I will be watching you very closely over the next few weeks."

There was yet another a pause in which the hardened Auror regarded her cautiously. He seemed to be studying her in every single way, and Lily felt decidedly uncomfortable again. His abrupt nature was not at all something that she was used to, and she knew it would be quite a while before she would become accustomed this man. Moody eventually continued,

"I suppose it is time to show you where we all work. You should know that you'll be training under my most active Aurors, under the title of 'junior'. You'll be working on a rotating schedule. They all report to me directly, although they have supervising members of the Law Enforcement Squad who take part in some of our more active raids, who are there for guidance and assistance when and if needed." He began as he crossed the room to the door, and held it open for Lily, who felt as if this was all happening far too quickly.

"None of the members of this team are to be underestimated. They've all completed their training and are formidable witches and wizards. " He added as an afterthought with a sideways glance.

"We have an open office plan because of the nature of our work Evans, as it requires us to often speak to each other about whatever project we're working on. There are only a few of us that have our own offices, obviously myself included, but you'll find that most people, regardless of their position, prefer to be around everyone else, getting in on the action. However, there are separate alcoves and small libraries where anyone can go to gain clarity on aspects of their missions, which you are welcome to of course, but let your supervising officer know where you are at all times. Constant vigilance, you know."

They had reached a large wooden door at the end of the department's hallway, that had no label on it at all, and Lily's brain already felt as though it would explode from all the information she'd been given. She looked towards Moody and wondered at him. He was as scarred and hard as an old tree, and he was definitely frightening, but he was a matter of curiosity more than anything else for Lily.

She faced the door as Moody pointed his wand at it and muttered some enchantments. Lily wondered to herself about the people that she was about to meet, and she felt herself growing nervous again. She'd made a few friends at training school, but hadn't been all that social, choosing to focus on her studies instead, and she hoped that she would get the chance to meet people here.

The door swung open and revealed a large room with many cubicles and desks, fireplaces for floo travel at every second desk joint, and a large table in the center of the room with a huge map of Britain laid across it. A small globe also rested there. A pin board had also been erected and it was littered with photographs of witches and wizards alike that Lily assumed were suspected Death Eaters, the main group of people that the entire Department were hunting for.

Moody walked her around the desks, explaining and introducing Lily to the team, all of whom seemed very nice. They barely had the chance to look up at her and say a brief hello before returning to their work, but the tired (yet strong) smiles she received were somewhat of a comfort.

A tentative smile had just started to appear on Lily's own face when Moody announced quite suddenly, "Oh Evans, here is the head of this particular team. Do not hesitate to contact him should you need help. James, this is Lily Evans."

Lily's heart stopped and got caught in her throat as she looked up and saw who it was that Moody was indicating.

He stood there smirking that smirk and tousling up his already, and always scruffy hair.

Lily gulped.

It can't be him. Not him. Anyone but him, she thought to herself whilst grimacing.

Anyone but James Potter.

A/N: I know this one is short but they will get longer. Hope you enjoyed!