Lily had never really fit in anywhere. In the muggle world, she had been shut out from the other children because she could do weird things that they couldn't do and were scared of, and in the wizarding world, she didn't grow up as a witch or have a magical family member so wasn't classed as an actual witch by many students. No, Lily Evans had never really fit in anywhere, she never really had many friends and she didn't really have much of a family that knew about her. However, she didn't mind not fitting in; it made her more unique, the friends she did have were amazing and the best anyone could ask for and the family that did know about her loved her anyway and that was enough for her. Whilst her life might not be as great as other peoples, it was great for her and she wouldn't change it a bit.

In a few minutes, Lily would be on the Hogwarts Express to her beloved school to start her sixth year. She might have met up with her friends Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald, Alice Prewett and Dorcas Meadows, but that didn't mean she wouldn't squeal and gush when she saw them. Just like how when she finally sat in the typical compartment on the train that her and her friends always sat in, she wouldn't try and familiarise herself with the walls and seats, just like every year. Just like how when she eventually saw Potter and the other Marauders, she would scowl and try her best to ignore Sirius obviously point her out to James as she passed. However, this year she realised that she had to try and keep her promise to Remus. That was new. And probably hard. Over the holidays, Lily had been in regular contact with her favourite Marauder through letters and during that, he had somehow made her promise to try and make friends with James...

Lily knew that Remus was probably right. James had matured, it wasn't his fault that her best friend had insulted her with the worst name she could think of, it was Severu- no, Snape's. James had stopped attacking people in the corridors for no reason, he had stopped doing ridiculously stupid things to get her attention and he had actually stopped being annoying to the point of 'I will kill him'. She had to admit to herself that she had thought to make an effort this year, even before Remus made her promise.

As she reached the magical barrier through to Platform 9 ¾, Lily dragged herself back to reality rather her thoughts. Making sure no muggles noticed her disappear, Lily slipped back in to the magical world and took a deep breath. She was home. Where she actually belonged and could be herself. Straining to stretch herself far enough upward so she could see over the crowd for her friends, Lily started to make her way forward and accidentally bumped in to a tall middle aged woman. Apologising profusely, Lily watched as the woman turned slowly until she faced the redhead. Instantly, Lily noticed the eyes. They were hazel, just like James'. And the elderly man next to her had the same messy black, though greying, hair as the Marauder. Lily's heart slowed.

"I'm so very, very sorry, ma'am. I wasn't looking where I was go. Are you alright? Can I help you in anyway?" Lily fussed, setting her bag down on the floor and hugging herself to stop herself from shaking.

"I'm quite alright, dear, please do stop apologising. Are you, by any chance, Lily Evans?", the woman asked curiously.

"Umm, yes I am"

"Oh good, I've been waiting years to meet you. I'm Sally Potter and this here is my husband, Charlus. Our son hasn't stopped talking about you since he came home for Christmas in first year! You're just as beautiful as he said and you have such gor-" Mrs Potter introduced her self before being cut off by a embarassed voice.

"Mum? What are you doing? Who are you talking to?", James asked as her neared the group, unable to see the redhead as she was hiding herself behind Sally.

"Oh, we're just saying hello to your friend, Lily. She's so amazingly nice, isn't she James?" Mr Potter finally spoke up.

Stunned James, walked closer so he was able to see Lily. Suddenly, James dodged around his parents and whispered to Lily urgently, "I'm so sorry Lil, I didn't mean for you to ever find out. Just ignore them, you'll be fine, I swear", looking down at the girl with pleading and giant eyes.

"It's fine James. I love your parents already. They're fantastic, honestly, and they've only said good things, I swear" Lily whispered back. She had remembered her promise to Remus and instinctively said his first name, visibly causing him to catch a glint in his eyes. Not something of victory, but more of surprise.

Five or ten minutes passed as the group of four chatted easily, Lily all the time aware of how friendly she had acted without even meaning to. Maybe she really did want to be friends with him. After all she was good friends with Remus, on pretty good terms with Sirius and Peter hardly spoke to her but she thought of him as someone she liked. As she thought, her mouth went on autopilot as it usually did when she was talking to parents of friends, until she was suddenly jolted out of James shaking her shoulder.

"We have to go now, Lil, the trains going to leave in a minute"

"OK then. It was nice meeting you, Sally, Charlus. I look forward to seeing you again!" Lily said goodbye and shook their hands politely before being swept up into a hug by the couple. Laughing James hugged his parents and dragged Lily, holding her luggage, to the train.

"Thanks for, um, pretending you were my mate. You know, just then. I appreciate it because I know you hate me but that was awesome what you did. My parents don't know much about what goes on between us just what I tell them ab-",

"James, shut up"

"Huh, sorry", his head dropped embarassed.

Noticing what it must've sounded like, Lily hopped on to the step for the train and turned to face him, "No, I don't mean it like shut up because I hate you. I mean shut up as in you've got it all wrong. I wasn't lying to impress your parents or save your skin. I was doing it because they're nice people and over the summer... I thought it would be a good idea to try and be your friend. I also promised Remus I would try. So yeah, it was more for me to know my, hopefully, new friends parents and to show you I'm not really the bitch I act towards you" Lily blurted.

James fell silent. The look he was giving Lily was like he just watched his favourite Quidditch team won the Quidditch World Cup when they were at the bottom of the tables before. It was full of hope, surprise, elation and confusion.

Half smiling in awkwardness, Lily turned and gestured for him to get on the train before walking along the hallway to find her friends.

"Wait. Are you serious? You actually want to be my friend? Is this some sort of joke because I don't think you'd be that low..." James finally gasped out.

"You're right it's all a joke... Merlin, James I'm not kidding! I genuinely want to be your friend. I know its random and you probably don't want to risk it but, hey, I want to be friends so I guess its up to you now?", her emerald green eyes were hopeful staring up at the boy towering over her. James stayed still for a minute, obviously thinking everything over. He smirked.

"Hey Lily Evans, I'm James Potter, do you want to be my friend?"

"Hi James Potter, I would love to be you friend".

The two smiled shyly at each other, shook hands to confirm it mockingly and continued searching for their friends. Every compartment was full, that they passed, until they neared the back of the train where it was less crowded. Eventually, the duo found their friends. Only they were all in the same compartment. All eight of them were crammed into the tiny space, with a few people nearly on each others laps.

Exchanging confused looks, Lily and James entered the compartment and were greeted by a stunned silence, incredulous stares and a smug grin from Remus who winked at Lily who instantly blushed.

"What's going on here then?" Marlene and Sirius both accused at the same time, in perfect synchronization. They then both glared at each other before smirking and resuming their stare at the two.

Soon enough, James and Lily, with a little help from Remus, had explained what had happened over the summer and on the platform outside. The audience nodded and grinned accordingly until the duo tried to sit down and ended up on the floor because there was no space. More time was spent trying to think of a way to make the space bigger so they could fit the 10 teenagers comfortably until Peter chirped out about an expanding charm which worked perfectly. The rest of the three hour train ride was spent catching up, exchanging holiday gossip and playing Exploding Snap. This was the most fun that Lily had had all summer and she was even more elated to be going back to Hogwarts. This year might result in war in the Wizarding World, might result in even more stress and worry and maybe even in more arguments than last year. But at least she had her friends that would stick with her through everything. This would be the year she got her friends and people understood who she was for her personality rather than her blood status. Maybe this year was going to be better than the last one.