Chapter 1

Another day, is going by

I'm thing about you all the time

"Can you just shut up already, James?" Sirius was lying across the bed, rereading the missive delivered by owl to his best mate not more than an hour ago. "We understand that this gives you the perfect opportunity to spend more time with Evans and to try to convince her that you aren't the toerag she thinks you are, but there's a much bigger deal at hand."

"What could be more important than Lily Evans?" James was sitting at his desk, broom and open servicing kit forgotten for the moment.

"We need to need to figure out what kind of plants Dumbledore's been smoking to make you Head Boy, and where we can get some."

Dodging the quill James chucked his way, and falling off the bed in the process, Sirius laughed loudly, drawing an annoyed look from the other young man in the room.

"Dumbledore has his reasons, I'm sure." Said Remus, placing his book aside as he obviously wouldn't be able to read in peace anytime soon. "He isn't required to pass everything by us first."

Sirius snorted. "Dumbledore's gone off his rocker this time and you know it."

"Whether he has or not, we should plan a trip to Diagon Alley soon to get new school things."

"Yeah, James. There's a new Cleansweep in." Sirius started bouncing excitedly in his new seat on the floor.

"Ok. I'll go see if my parents can take us in on Saturday. Sound good?" As the other two nodded, James stood, stretching. "Maybe Wormtail will be able to make it too."

"Yeah." Sirius had crawled under the bed and was sniffing everything, his animagus traits escaping his control again. "We haven't seen little Wormy all summer."

While Sirius crawled around, James caught Remus' eye, signaling for him to follow him out into the hall.

"What's wrong, James?"

"Just wanted to see if you were ok with this? You deserve the position more. I'll turn Dumbledore down." Remus just punched him in the shoulder.

"James, you idiot. Even if I had wanted to be Head Boy, which I don't, I couldn't." Remus placed a hand on James' shoulder, but looked down. "Head Boy duties include being on call for emergencies at all times of the year. With my furry little problem, I can't fulfil those requirements."

"But Remus…"

"But nothing, James. You'll make a great Head Boy."

"Thanks mate."

But you're out there

And I'm here waiting

"Lilly! I've found them!"

James shot around to see a bright flash of red hair pass the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Looking out through the mob of bodies, James saw the object of his affection for the past few years, Lily Evans. She was headed towards a large group of girls from their year, but despite the smile she showed outwardly, James could tell something was wrong. The red of her hair was duller, she was thinner, and her make-up couldn't quite cover up hide the redness of her eyes or the dark shadows underneath. As he watched, Lilly wrapped her arms tighter around herself, as if to prevent herself from falling apart.

"She lost her family this summer." Remus had come up behind James. "Her parents died in a car accident, and her sister kicked her out. She's been living in a small apartment with what little inheritance she received."

James rounded on him. "How do you know that?"

Remus sighed, how James wouldn't let go otherwise. "I have tea with her every Friday, and sheeting v still makes that potion of hers for me every month."

"We need to do something." Said James, turning back to the window. "She's much to good for that."

"Potter! You put me down this instant!" Evans was thrown over James' shoulder, her wand in his pocket, and kicking and hitting everything she could reach; which was limited to his shoulders and back. But after years of being hit by bludgers, be barely felt it.

As he carried her out to his muggle rental car, Remus and Sirius walked through her two-room apartment, packing everything into magically conjured boxes, which they shrunk down and placed in their pockets.

James placed her in the backseat and closed the door before she could escape, having already charmed the door to only open for another marauder. He moved around to the other side and slipped into the driver's seat. Sirius rode shotgun while Remus slid in next to the now fuming redhead.

"Will someone PLEASE explain to me where you're taking me?" Lily was now sitting back with her arms and legs crossed.

James turned off onto the highway, heading out of the city. "We're taking you to my house. We have plenty of room. I'm not taking no for an answer."

"But what about your parents?"

Remus chuckled, relieved that it looked like he was going to remain uninjured. "They've already practically adopted Sirius and I. you wouldn't make too much of a difference. James' mom has been complaining about the amount there being too much testosterone around the house anyway."

"Don't worry Evans, your virtue is safe." Sirius ducked the swing Remus aimed at the back of his head. "You're staying on the opposite side of the house from us.

Lilly still looked uneasy. "I still don't think…"

"You're not staying in that piece of crap apartment, Lilly." James snapped. "Just let us help you for once and say 'thank you'".

Lilly huffed, but didn't say a word. James sighed. My Lilly. He thought as he turned into his driveway. So stubborn.

I've been working on this story for a while. I wanted to have it finished before I started publishing it so I wouldn't lose focus partway though. There's going to be about 10 chapters, 9 plus a epilogue. Everything but the epilogue is written and now it's just a matter of typing it up.

I'm going to update on Tuesdays unless reviews show that there is enough interest to change to updating twice a week. So it's all up to you guys.

And for those waiting on my "Artemis and Kitty" story, I have chapters written, but I haven't gotten around to typing them up yet. And honestly, I have no idea where that one is going anymore anyway.