Flashback -

"I'm James Potter. Who're you?"

"Lily Evans. Nice to meet you, James. Are you just starting Hogwarts, too?" Said the pretty redhead sitting in an otherwise empty compartment staring up at a hazel-eyed, black-haired boy in the doorway.

"Yup. Why else would I be on the Hogwarts Express, Evans?" The boy shot back grinning at the girl.

"You might have been in second or third year. You're tall, you know." Lily said defensively. She did not want to look like a stupid muggleborn. From the looks all the purebloods gave her, it was not a good thing.

"Oh. You like taller men, Evans?"

"Er, whatever. Listen up James, are you a muggleborn or halfblood?" Lily asked hopefully. Maybe he would sit with her and she wouldn't have to look like an idiot on her first day.

"Nope. Pureblood. Don't be turned off, though. Not all of us are jerks." He flashed her a dazzling smile and Lily rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Are you sure about that, James?"

"Yes!" He answered, slightly angry at her comment about his possible jerkness. "What are you? Muggleborn?"

"Yes. But don't you mean 'mudblood'? Lily was startled when James dropped his books in horror. She knew it was a bad name, but maybe she didn't know just how bad it was.

"W-who called you that?" He questioned in a voice that shook with anger. Her brow creased in thought. She has pretty eyes, James thought.

"I don't remember. He was blond and didn't look very friendly." Lily met James' eyes and saw the look of protection there. "Look… Potter, I don't need a guide, or a bodyguard or – or anything from you. Got it?"

"Hard to get, Evans? I like that." A smile crept into James' handsome features. He was really doing a good job of getting on her nerves.

"Ahh, get out! Leave me alone, Potter!" And she slammed the door in his face.

- End Flashback

"Ahh, get out! Leave me alone, Potter!" Lily Evans shouted at the tall, handsome 6th year Gryffindor seeker. He just smiled playfully at her anger.

"Hard to get, Evans?" He asked mischievously. "Hmmm. That has a familiar ring to it. Do you know where from, Evans?"

"Oh, for goodness sakes, Potter, I yell it at you everyday!" She answered in an exasperated tone. James ran a hand through his hair which was unruly and never laid flat, making look like he'd just come off his Nimbus 1001. It was his most prized possession. His broomstick. He flashed Lily his famous half-smile guaranteed to make any girl kiss his shoes. Funny enough, though, it seemed to have no affect what so ever on the only girl he wanted: Lily Evans.

"Oh, come off it. Evans. You know, I'd bet a dozen galleons that if you stopped screeching how much you hate me, you might actually like me!" He said winking at a fifth year blonde who squealed and blushed. Lily rolled her eyes at this.

"Potter, you can have any girl you want. Why do you insist in pestering me?"

"Because… because I… like you? I don't know why I like you, Lilykins, I just do. Will you go out with me?"

"Yeah right, Potter. Good evening"

Lily turned on her heel and walked back to the Gryffindor common room, all the way from the Astronomy Tower on the top floor. James ran to catch up with her and caught her hand in his. When she tried to pull away he gave her a pleading look. Oh no, this wasn't good. Somehow, she wasn't sure how, it felt good to have Potter want her. Probably only because he's the most popular guy at Hogwarts, she thought forcefully to herself.

"Oh please, Evans? I promise I won't call you Lilykins or ask you out at all tomorrow." He pleaded giving her his best impression of 'Puppy Eyes', which was really quite amusing.

"Fine, Potter! But you'll tell no one!" She said resolutely. He squeezed her hand looking quite content… until he heard her last words. Then he gave her 'Puppy Eyes' again, forcing her to laugh. "Oh, alright! Only the Marauders, though."

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" He exclaimed in excitement. As they were walking, he tried to slip his hand around her waist, but she felt him and slapped his hand away.

"Ah, Lily! Come on! I do like you, no joke. Why don't you like me?"

"In the name of Merlin, Potter! I tell you this constantly! It's because you're arrogant, self-centered, hypocritical, and pig-headed! Now good night, Potter," She said loudly. It seemed they had reached the Portrait Hole.

Lily stepped one foot in, but was pulled back by James. He pulled her close and smiled down at her.

"Potter, let go of me."

"Mmm" He groaned in delight at Lily's closeness. Lily was not delighted, though.

"Potter, let go!"

"Fine." He gave up. Maybe he gave up. Probably not. "But first…"

He swooped down and kissed her forehead. When he let go he looked happy. No, he hadn't given up.

"Good night, Lily" He whispered and then he was gone.