All reviews will be welcomed and constructive criticismwould be a great!

This is my first story so help will be much appreciated.

Enjoy!

Lily was sat alone in the Gryffindor common room, her red locks hung loosely down her shoulders and her green feather quill, held tightly in her hand, was rushing hurriedly across a piece of parchment. The big plush armchairs hugged her closely, welcoming her back to her other home after 9 long weeks away. She loved her real home, her parents and, despite what her older sister thought, Petunia. Lily had thoroughly enjoyed the break from school work and loved the lazy weeks spent with her family but it just didn't compare to Hogwarts. The pure magic of it, her friends, the grounds, even the classes and homework meant a lot to Lily. She lifted the nib off the parchment for a quick moment before scrawling a few more words and signing off her letter, placing a few kisses after her name. Her parents worried constantly about their youngest daughter and had made her promise she'd write more often than last year. She placed the letter on the small table in front of her, laying her quill gently on top before relaxing back into the chair and sighing contently. Her luminescent green eyes fixed themselves on the unlit fireplace and studied the logs of wood, waiting to be devoured by the fierce flames.

Everyone else had gone to bed quite early, tired from the journey and preparing for their first classes tomorrow. Her eyes were heavy and she stifled a yawn but didn't head up the stairs yet. There was something so serene about the empty common room, usually filled with raucous laughter, that soothed her. She closed her eyes and leant back, her hair blending with the Gryffindor-coloured chairs.

This year was going to be very different. This year she wouldn't have Sev and even though she knew she had to do what she did, she still missed the easiness of their friendship. Severus Snape had been her best friend since she was 9 years old and she had grown to care for him deeply, despite them being in different houses. She didn't mind that his hair was a bit greasy or that his face was usually in a permanent scowl or even that he was disliked by her entire house. But she couldnt stand his newfound passion for the Dark Arts. Her eyes had glanced over at him during the feast but she quickly looked away, feeling his lingering stare piercing her. She had severed all ties with him. She sighed but still kept her eyes shut, desperately clinging to a few more moments of peace before her inevitably hectic day tomorrow.

"Whatcha doing Evans?" A familiar suave voice asked from behind her. She sprang to her feet, taken by surprise and she felt a rush of anger pass through her. Of course. She knew who it was without even turning around. That voice had pestered her since she was a First Year. That voice, heavy with arrogance, was the one that bullied innocent people. It was the voice she dreaded above all others.

"What do you want?" She spat out, spinning around and facing him. James Potter. The most popular boy in school, a quarter of the oh so popular Marauders, beloved by all, even the teachers. She despised him. Every particle in her body shook with rage. She was tired and nostalgic and homesick. Couldn't he just leave her alone? He leant against the archway of the steps, blocking the way to the dormitories, holding himself with a casual grace. His brown locks in a fashionable mess looking as if he just stepped off his broom. He lifted a blue pyjama clad arm to mess his hair up even more as Lily's eyes fixed on his. Those hazel eyes stared right back at her and his mouth fixed itself into that smirk she knew too well.

"Why so angry Evans? I'm just being the kind, concerned person I always am." He couldn't stop himself from grinning and raised an eyebrow with his question.

"Shut up Potter. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed." She picked up her things and waited for him to move aside. He gave her that stare, the one she hated, the one where his entire focus was on her.

"Not so fast" He whispered slowly, casually reaching an arm out and blocking her way. "Did I tell you you look beautiful tonight Evans? I missed you."

"Oh really?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes. He wanted to start this now? Lily sighed. James Potter was the most stubborn boy she had ever met. It made matters about a million times worse that he had a huge crush on her. Everyone knew it. Everyone knew about James Potter's many unsuccessful attempts to try and get her to like him. She was positive even the teachers knew. It made her hate him even more. "Did I tell you that I didnt? I didnt think about you or any of your stupid friends at all this summer. Just let me through Potter."

"Come on Lils, I know you dream about me all the time, you don't have to deny it." He winked and stepped aside. She held in her anger and marched up the stairs, holding her things to her chest. So it had began. Another year of constant clashing and flirting and rejection. Lily had given up hope that he would ever grow up and that he would be stuck as an arrogant toerag for the rest of his miserable life.

"Sweet dreams Evans."

A little preface for you all. What did you think?

Scribble a review for me please?

~HeartByTheOcean xoxo