Hi Potterheads!

Here is a new story written by me. Don't forget, I am not a native English speaker and I am sorry if I have grammar mistakes.

Enjoy the story!

Lilies for Lily

Chapter 1

It was 1st September and a new year at Hogwarts began for the Marauders. It was their 4th year there and without doubt, the old Castle was their favourite place in the world. They were still in the Hogwarts Express on their way to the Magic School. James and Sirius were staying on a seat and Remus and Peter were staying across them. The Trolley witch has just left their compartment.

"Moony, have you any Chocolate frog?" Sirius asked.

"Yes. I have."

"Give me one of them."

"But you have already eaten six, Padfoot!" Peter commented.

"Prongs, give me one chocolate frog, please! You didn't eat any of them."

"You actually didn't eat any sweet." Remus added.

"And you don't seem to be very talkative. What happened, mate?" Sirius asked a bit concerned.

James was silent all day. He was thinking about one thing. Only one thing. He loved to joke together with his friends and laugh with them, but this time, he wasn't in the right mood. A single thought haunted him all summer. And now, it became grave because he didn't even want to eat sweets. He looked at the other Marauders and finally explained:

"All summer I thought about something."

"What? If you are concerned about how many pranks we can make this year to Snivellus, then you don't have any reason to worry." Sirius said amused.

James smiled a bit.

"No, it's about Evans. I really like her, but she hates me."

"Prongs...do you want to start again that conversation about girls?" Remus asked looking at his friend. "Last year you said the same thing."

"Last year I didn't care so much about this, Moony!"

The three Marauders looked focused on him. Their friend had a problem that was very important for him. Outside it started to rain and the train was near Hogwarts. The four friend changed in their Gryffindor robes.

"I just don't understand why she likes to spend time with that Snivellus. I am a better choice. He is so..."

"Prongs, you know that Lily isn't an ordinary girl. She cares much more about good traits and friendship and kindness and things like that."

"Sirius is right." Peter approved.

"Do you know why she doesn't like you?"

"Because I make pranks and she hates pranks."

James thought a bit. He and Lily don't share any interest. Yes, they both had good marks(her marks were greater), but she wasn't very funny. Maybe the fact that she was clever and serious all the time made him like her...and of course, the fact that she always ignores him.

"I know Moony, but this is me. I like to make pranks and laugh."

"Prongs. I think she doesn't like you because you are always making pranks to Snivellus. If you stop making pran..."

"Stop Moony!"Sirius interrupted him. "You can't tell him to stop making pranks to Sniv. This is the funniest thing."

"Prongs, do you think that it really deserves such a great cost?" Wormtail added.

"I don't know, friends. I'll think about this."

The Express arrived at the Hogsmead station. The Marauders entered in a carriage and it brought them to Hogwarts. The castle was full of lights. Lily and Severus arrived in front of the Castle's exterior gate and entered. There were many students around them.

"I really missed this place."Severus said.

"Me too. It's so magical! I just love it." Lily added smiling and looking at the shining castle. "This is going to be a very nice year, I am sure!"

"Maybe, if Potter and his gang will stop being such jerks."

Lily knew that the Marauders were mean with Severus. He was her best friend and hated to see him bullied by the other students, especially James and Sirius. She had no idea why the Marauders always wanted to bully Severus. He was really nice and smart, a bit introverted, cause she was his only friend, but there was no reason for the boys to be mean with him.

"I won't let them do anything to you, Sev." She assured him

"They don't deserve your attention."

"And nor yours. But, you know...Remus is really nice..."

"Nice? Someone nice wouldn't follow Potter."

The two friends entered the castle. Severus made his way to the Slytherins table and Lily went to the Griffindors table and sat there, between her friends Mia and Mira and strted to chat. On the other side of them, the Marauders had just sat down.

"What should I say?"James whispered to Sirius.

"Say hello and compliment her. Girls like this kind of things, don't they? "

James stared at Lily and said:

"Hello Lily! Your hair is beautiful." She didn't hear him cause she was still talking and didn't pay attention. James cleared his throat loudly and Lily looked at him a bit annoyed.

"Hi Evans! Your face is beautiful."

She looked at him strangely...she didn't know if that was a compliment or James was just joking.

"Sorry?" She asked.

"I mean...your hair is very orange..."

"What are you trying to do?"

"I just wanted to compliment you..."

She didn't expect that from James. He had never complimented anyone. Why should he start all of a sudden to be kind?

"Err...Thank you."

"This is a nice evening, isn't it?" James asked trying to chat with Lily.

"Yes. It seems nice."She was still shocked that she was having an ordinary talk with James. "What are your favourite classes?"

"Well, I like DADA, Care for magical creatures, and err...Potions."

"Potions? But you always seem to be sleeping in Potions. And when you don't sleep, you blow up something."

"Yes, but you like Potions and I think that this year I will like Potions too."

"Ok..."

The Sorting Ceremony was over and after Dumbledore's speech, the food appeared on the tables. The Great Hall became silent while the hungry students were eating the delicious food prepared by the House Elves. After the meal, Lily made her way to her dormitory, while the Marauders followed her example. While they were walking on the corridor, James asked Sirius:

"How was my conversation with Lily?"

"Well, it was strange the part with beautiful face and orange hair...anyway you should have said ginger hair, but I think it was a good start."

"Padfoot, how come that you know so many things about girls?"

"Prongs, I have to witness you that I have a girlfriend." Sirius said and blushed.

"WHAT?!" James shouted. All the students were staring at them."Why didn't you tell me that? Who's the lucky girl?"

"Her name is Jane Johnson."

"You mean the one tall and slim with long light brown hair? The best chaser in the Gryffindor Quidditch team? Good choice, Padfoot."

The Marauders changed in their pyjamas and laid on their beds. The day was full of events and they were very tired. When his mates nearly fell asleep, James spoke loudly:

"I decided."

"What?" Remus murmured.

"I was sleeping."Sirius added."What happened?"

"I decided that I will stop making pranks to Snivellus...

"Prongs?! Have you got fever? Are you cursed?"Sirius asked shocked.

"It sounds weird, but this is a good decision." Remus said.

"I agree too." Peter added.

"Really, Padfoot, if she observes that I am kind with Snivy, then she will like me, don't you think?"

Sirius thought about it for a moment and gave James a disapproving look. He wasn't sure yet if it was the best option, but it made sense. He was sure that it couldn't be easy even for James and concluded to affirm James's idea.

"And anyway Padfoot, there many students that we can prank."

"Well, yes. I think your right."

James couldn't fall asleep because he was still thinking about his plan. He really wanted Lily to like him. Bored by the silent of the dormitory, he got up and opened his wooden chest. He took from there a piece of parchment and his wand. He whispered "Lumos" and then said quietly:

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

On the parchment some words appeared: "Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP" James remembered how last year, he and his friends created that map. They could see all the corridors and the stairs of Hogwarts, and more important they were able to see where every person in the castle is. Last year, they managed every month to get out of the castle in order to take Remus in a secret place where he would be able to transform in his werewolf form. The secret place was an old "haunted" Shack in Hogsmead. They were able to get there by entering a tunnel under the Whompping Willow.

James looked on the map. The professors were sleeping in their dormitories. He saw Filch on one corridor and something that shocked him: Lily on the corridor next to Filch's one. But it was over the curfew...what was Evans doing there? She was always obsessed with rules and things like that. A single thing was certain, if James doesn't save her, Filch will observe her on the corridor and will tell McGonagall about her nocturne trip. James put the map in his pocket and opened again the wooden chest. From there he took a silver cloak, his Invisibility Cloak. He put it on himself and whispered „Lumos" with the wand under the cloak.

The boy got out from the Gryffindor's common room without waking up the Fat Lady and made his way to the third floor where he had seen Lily. He climbed some stairs and reached on the same corridor as Filch. He was going to the same corridor where was Lily as James had expected. Without thinking, the boy turned left on the next corridor and saw the ginger haired girl. It seemed like she was looking for something. James threw a part of his cloak over Lily in the moment when Filch entered in their way. Lily wanted to shout but James covered her mouth and whispered:

"It's me: James. Be quiet."

She looked a bit scared in his eyes and approved, but saw Filch and murmured:

"Filch is going to see us...wait, why isn't he looking at us?"

"We are under my Invisibility Cloak. We have to move to another corridor cause Filch is still able to hear us." James responded again. They went straight ahead on a right corridor and reached at the Gryffindor's tower. James wanted to enter in the Common Room but Lily stopped him and pointed to the Portrait of the Fat Lady and said worried:

"She will tell tomorrow to the teachers that we are outside...and about it, how did you find me? How did you know that Filch was going to see me?"

James hesitated. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea to tell Lily about the map. A part of him was sure that he could trust her and she won't tell to the teachers about the secret map, but another part of him was aware of the fact that she will follow the rules and will divulgate his secret. Finally, he decided that he could trust her and took the piece of parchment out of the pocket. He said:

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Lily looked strange at him and wandered if James has gotten mad because it was so late, but she became curious and approached James when she saw the letters that appeared on the parchment.

"What is the Marauder's Map? Is it a map made by you and your friends?"

She knew that James and his friend formed a well known group of prankers that was called „The Marauders".

"Yeah." He answered and showed Lily the map. "On this map you can see every place from Hogwarts, every secret passage and every person from the castle. But promise me that you won't tell anyone about this."

"I promise." She answered seriously. "So you found me looking on this map..." "Exactly. My turn to ask you something: what were you doing outside your dorm past curfew? Weren't you obsessed with the rules?"

Lily blushed and felt ashamed, but answered:

"Before going to dorms, Severus lost his cat, Raven-"

"He named a cat, raven?" James said and started to laugh. Lily gave him a concerned look and James murmured:

"Continue the story."

"He named the cat Raven because its fur it's black. And I said that I can help him to find the cat. It wasn't past curfew yet. While I was looking for Raven on the third floor, he went to the ground floor to search for it." Lily paused and her face became concerned. She took the map from James's hands and added: "James? You know what that means? Severus is still outside his dorm." She looked on the map. Unfortunately she saw his friend moving on the ground floor. In the Great hall, on the same level another point was moving. It was Mrs Norris, Filch's cat.

"She is going to see him. James, let's save him!"

"I'm, not going to save Snivellus!"

"Please..."

"We can't hide all three under my cloak and I am not going to risk myself for Snivellus."

Lily was a bit annoyed because James was so grumpy and said:

"Then give me your cloak. I am going to help my friend."

James didn't like how she said "my friend" and added:

"No. It's too dangerous for you. You are the perfect student. If Filch catches you then you will have problems."

"It's ok. I understand. You are scared." Lily added.

"I am not scared!" James wanted to show Lily how brave he was and said:

"Fine, I'll save your...friend. The way is free. Go to the Quidditch Pitch. I am going to the Ground Floor."

"To the Quidditch field? Why?"

"We don't have enough time for explaining. Just go there. Trust me."

Lily nodded unsure and made her way outside the castle. She wasn't really sure why she has started to trust James. He was such a bully and annoying student...what if he decided to change? What if, this year he had a new personality? That would probably mean that the all The Marauders have to change. That's not so probably.

James continued to run down the stairs wearing his cloak, he checked the map one last time before reaching on the ground floor. Snivellus was still there and Mrs Norris was moving trying to get out from the Great hall to the corridor where Severus was. James moved quickly and thought: 'Gosh...I am going to help Snivellus...I will never tell this to my friends. If Sirius finds out about this, he'll think that the aliens have stolen my brain'.

He saw Severus. His wand was light up and he was looking for his cat. It is hard to find a black cat in the darkness. James went in front of the black haired boy and put out his cloak. Severus jumped backwards and waved his wand:

"Stupe-" He tried to knock James down, but he said:

"Easy, Snivellus! I am here to save your arse and you barely knocked me down!"

"Potter? What the hell are you doing here?! I don't need you, I can find my cat without your help."

James rolled his eyes and explained:

"Look, I really don't want to help you to find that bird-cat or whatever it is. The only reason I am here is that Evans told me to take you to from here. And if you don't listen to what I am saying, then... Mrs Norris will see you. She is there." James ended his speech and pointed to the Great Hall's entrance.

"Lily told you to save me?"

"Yeah, I saved her too from Filch and she was so happy that she kissed me."

Severus looked at James with a disappointed look but then answered confidently:

"Yeah, sure. Lily kissed you and I am a princess. You're lying more than you're breathing so shut up and LEAVE ME ALONE!" Severus ended up his phrase yelling. When James wanted to answer, they heard a "meow". James took his cloak and threw it on them both. Severus was panicked because that Potter has thrown a strange thing on him so he said:

"What are you trying to do? And what is this stupid thing?"

James whispered:

"That's an Invisibility Cloak. And if you dare to tell to the teachers about it, then you'll be in danger Snivellus!"

"I don't care about you're cloak. And that was not Mrs Norris. My raven is meowing this way."

"First: A raven doesn't meow. Second: You really know how you're cat meowing?"

Severus didn't care about what James was saying he held his cat and his under the cloak.

"Let's take you both to the Slytherins' dungeons."

"The Slytherins are not sleeping in dungeons, Potter!"

James and Severus made their way to the Slytherins' dormitories. Suddenly, Severus asked:

"How did you find me?"

"That's not your business."

They finally reached to the destination. James put out the cloak and said:

"Now go away with your cat, Lily promised me that she'll kiss me again if I help you to don't be caught on the corridors looking for your bird-cat."

"Why would I want to stay with you anymore, Potter?" He entered in the Slytherins' common room. He didn't want to believe that Lily really kissed James, but it was possible. James put on his cloak still thinking about what he had done. He helped Snivellus...just because Lily asked him. He'd do anything for the ginger haired girl. He reached outside the Hogwarts and went to the Quidditch field. He met Lily there.

"You Ok, Evans?"

"Did you help Severus?"

"Yeah...and he found his bird-cat."

Lily giggled and asked:

"Can you tell me what are we doing here?"

James remembered the plan and explained:

"I am going to take you to your room without letting the Fat Lady seeing us."

James went to a cupboard near the Quidditch field and opened it. he took from there a broom and showed it to Lily.

"What do you think? We will fly on this to the window of my dormitory. One of the Marauders will open the window for us and then we will be in and you'll be able to go to your dormitory."

"I am surprised. Your plan is clever and it can work."

"You said that I am clever?"

"No. I said your plan is clever."

Lily rolled her eyes and took some rocks from the ground. James threw her a questioning look and Lily explained:

"We will throw the rocks in the window, so your friend will hear us and will open the window."

"Nice idea."

They climbed on the broom and flew to the Marauders' dormitory's window. James was in front of her and Lily was behind him. She didn't like flying on a broom so when she barely fell off she threw her arms around James's neck and he said:

"A hug? Thanks'. I always knew that you feel something for me."

Lily blushed and said:

"I will never feel anything for you, James! And it wasn't a hug! I barely fell, so I had to cling over something!"

James didn't continued and finally they reached to the window. Lily started to throw rocks. Sirius woke up dizzy and looked strange at the window. Would be that a good idea to open the window? Sirius decided to do so and opened it. He barely fell off the bed when saw James and Lily on the same broom. They entered and Sirius said shocked:

"What the hell is happening?"

"You're dreaming, Padfoot. Go back to sleep. "

"Prongs, Lily Evans is in our bedroom! That's awesome."

"Yeah, and she's going to leave. Sleep, Padfoot!"

Lily looked at James.

"Good night, James. Thanks' for helping me!"

"'Night, Evans! See you tomorrow!"

When Lily left Sirius was already sleeping again. James was tired too so he fell asleep very fast.