A/N: This is the result of a rabid plot bunny that overtook me while contemplating my much-much-much-darker fic, Reap the Bitter Fruit. Weirdly enough for me, this is primarily het! Siri/Remy slash though. Whew! wipes forehead in relief
Major points to anyone who knows where Lily's owl's name came from. :-)
Disclaimer: I'm always forgetting these! I don't own Harry Potter or anything related. I do own Mrs. Boot and Rimbaldi, but not their names.


James frowned when he entered the prefects' meeting. It was the last one of his sixth year, and next time they met, either he would be Head Boy, or the title and the position would have gone to that Slytherin, Snape.


Despite the fact that Severus was a good friend, Lily was hoping that the Gryffindor prefect, Potter, would be Head Boy. If Severus were to be chosen Head Boy, then she herself couldn't be Head Girl. And she, Lily Evans, deserved to be Head Girl.


I'll have to vote for the Evans girl for Head Girl, James mused. That way, Snape can't be Head Boy. It wasn't common knowledge, but the prefects generally chose the Head Boy and Head Girl – only rarely did the faculty overrule their judgement.


Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw prefects went first to cast their votes, then Gryffindor. Lily was leading by far when it came to Head Girl, but Head Boy was close – very close. Lily didn't know it, but it was her vote that secured James Potter's selection – and, indirectly, her own as Head Girl.


It was only ten minutes later when Dumbledore reentered the room. The official letters will be sent next week, but let me unofficially congratulate Ms. Lily Evans and Mr. James Potter. Lily was exultant, and was pleased that Severus still congratulated her. James, meanwhile, merely sat there, shocked, a large grin plastered on his face. What a coup! James Potter, Prongs, Marauder, and unregistered Animagus, was Head Boy. The irony was not lost on him.

Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, if you would remain. The rest of you are dismissed.

James took a deep breath. Slytherin or no, he would be working closely with her, and it wouldn't do to be fighting. He was practical if nothing else. James stood and walked across the room, extending his hand. James. I hope we can work together pleasantly.

Lily paused, considering. She didn't fancy fighting all year, even if he was a Gryffindor. She took his hand. Lily. I think that's possible. An idea occurred to her. Would you like to meet over the summer?

James grinned. Sure. Actually, would you like some butterbeer after we talk with Dumbledore? After all, he thought, he could make sure she didn't discover how to work the mirror, and she was cute, despite her status as a Slytherin.

Uh, how?

James smiled, a mysterious hint to it. You'll see. I'm a Marauder, after all. So is that a yes?

Er, yes. It's a yes.

Dumbledore turned to them then. Oh, good. Yes. You're talking. We don't often have a Gryffindor and a Slytherin in the Head positions, and with the world the way it is right now, it is doubly important that you not only work together, but also get along.

James grinned at Lily. I think we can handle that, he said smoothly. Oh, bloody hell, was I just flirting with her?!?


Was he just flirting with me?!?


I... see, Dumbledore answered faintly. Are those two flirting?!? Well. I'll be sending you more detailed instructions and information over the summer. Good day.

Lily faced off with James outside the room. So how exactly are we having Butterbeer?

Patience, m'lady. A Marauder never reveals ALL his secrets. Follow me. James led the way to the mirror on the fourth floor. Close your eyes and cover your ears, he instructed. Lily rolled her eyes but complied. James tapped the mirror twice, paused, then three more times in rapid succession. The mirror seemed to thin, and James pulled Lily through in a rapid movement. She gasped but scrambled after him, down the passageway.

The pair spoke the words simultaneously, then laughed. Where are we?

Secret passage to Hogsmeade. James shrugged. I hope Moony and Padfoot aren't here... he muttered under his breath.

Lily's hearing was sharp, however, and she heard him. Moony and Padfoot? Oh, wait, you four all have nicknames, don't you? Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. You must be Prongs, I can't see you as Wormtail. Who's who of the other three?

James glared.

Oh right, a Marauder never reveals all his secrets, she mocked. You revealed some though, and I suppose I should tell a few of mine before I expect anymore, right? Okay. She paused. I'm Muggleborn.

What?!? But you're a Slytherin!

Lily snorted. So? They know; the exterior of Slytherin is nothing like the interior – that's part of what makes us Slytherin.

James merely gaped, and they walked in silence through the passageway. Finally, he spoke. We'll come up in a broomshed behind the Three Broomsticks. We'll just slip out of the alley and into the street, and then head in. Lily nodded.

After they were seated, cold butterbeers in front of them, James raised his bottle. Here's to the Head Boy and Girl of the Class of 1978. Lily smiled as their bottles clinked. So. Muggle-born, eh? Where's home?

James raised an eyebrow. Oh, okay, fine, Surrey. I live with my older sister Petunia and her nasty husband Vernon. They're the worst sort of Muggles.

Your parents?

Had the stupidity to get themselves killed in a car crash two years ago.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. Lily shrugged. What about you?

James grimaced. Godric's Hollow with Sirius for two weeks this summer, until I'm 17 and can get my own flat. Voldemort killed my parents back in third year, he explained matter of factly to her questioning glance. He paused. Surely you're 17, I'm one of the younger ones in our year; why don't you leave your sisters' house?

My parents didn't leave me enough money to pay for a flat all year while I'm at Hogwarts, not to mention most available flats are too big – two and even three bedrooms.

Write me over the summer, though; perhaps we could share a place. To her surprised look, he explained, Your expression says plenty about your sister. Anything to keep someone from that. Lily nodded.

Soon after, Lily glanced at her watch. Cripes, we'd better get back. I have exams to revise for still. James chuckled and stood.

Revise? What's that? A Marauder never revises! Lily snorted back a laugh, earning her a baleful glance from James.






James entered the common room and was immediately pounced on by the remaining Marauders. Prongs! Did you get it? Sirius exclaimed loudly.

Shh! You know I'm not supposed to say.



But, yeah! James grinned as his friends gave him high-fives.

So where've you been? Meeting can't have lasted all that long, Remus asked.

James ran a hand through his hair, considering how much to tell them. The Head Girl and I thought we should talk a bit.

Oooh, Prongsie, teased Sirius. Getting lucky?

James rolled his eyes. Dumbledore says its important for us to get along well, all things considered.

All things considered? James, it isn't... Moony trailed off.

It is, confirmed James, nodding. So you can see why it's so important.

demanded Peter.

Lily Evans, James explained.

Oooh, she's hot, James, Sirius said.

The others all gave him odd looks. What? I may not go for that kind of thing, but I have to keep an eye out for Prongs, don't I? What kind of best friend would I be otherwise?

If that's all, then, said a mollified Remus as he pulled his boyfriend into his lap.

James smiled. You two are positively sugary, you know that?

The pair sent mock glares his way, and James merely smiled. Now, what are we going to pull at the End of Term Feast?




Meanwhile, Lily made her way back to her common room, and her best friend. Hello, Severus. Figure out that transfiguration yet?

he admitted with a sigh. What kept you so long?

Lily said, confused. Severus was her best friend, but he hated the Marauders, though he never said why, only that the Headmaster had sworn him to secrecy. Dumbledore wanted Potter and I to talk some. You and I both know how important it is that he and I get along at this particular time. Lily was the only person that knew, besides Dumbledore and Severus himself, that Severus was only posing as a Death Eater, but was actually a spy for the Light. Voldemort had unilaterally marked all Slytherin males in fifth year and up during the first part of their sixth year. Luckily, he was sexist, so Lily hadn't had to make the difficult decision to do what was right as Severus had. They had always been close, and their shared distaste for the infamous Dark wizard had brought them even closer together. she began, changing the subject, what do you think of Potter? By himself, I mean?

Severus frowned. He's actually the most decent of that fearsome foursome. Although not the cutest, he noted clinically. It was well-known to Lily that Severus' preferences ran strongly to the masculine, although he had despaired of finding a companion within the walls of Hogwarts. I don't know. I can't imagine it will be enjoyable for you to work with him, but I dare say it wouldn't be as insufferable as working with that damnable Sirius Black. Lily sighed. She had actually found the brief excursion to Hogsmeade pleasant, and he had offered to share a place with her for the summer – no one had been that kind to her previously, even within Slytherin – although, to be fair, what Slytherin was able to make any offer similar to it – and he barely knew her. James Potter was a puzzle, Lily decided, and one she intended to put together to get the full picture.



The rest of the term flew by for both James and Lily, and little, if anything, had appeared to change between them, aside from the fact that they now acknowledged one another's presence in class or when passing in the halls. Just a simple or but yet... there was something underlying it, and James didn't know what it was. He intended to find out.




James had been to six different flats that morning alone, and it was the fourth morning he had been out looking. He figured he had exhausted all magical areas in a good sized radius around Godric's Hollow. There was one more on the list, and then he was going to start looking in Hogsmeade. They were all nice enough places, he supposed, but they were either too small or too big, or too expensive, or had a nasty ghoul that wouldn't leave, or some other small problem. The advantage to living in Hogsmeade, he supposed, was that he could actually go home' during the school year. He allowed the fluffy little witch that was his realtor to take him to the last apartment, and he looked around cursorily before turning it down as well. I'd like to try looking in Hogsmeade. Shall we meet in the Three Broomsticks tomorrow? The plump witch nodded her agreement and Disapparated even as James used a nearby fireplace to return to the Black's home.

Any luck, Prongs? Sirius was sitting in the kitchen eating his lunch when James popped through, glad to be done with the Floo Network for another day.

he grumbled. I'm going to go look in Hogsmeade tomorrow. My birthday's in three days, and not that I don't love you and your family, Padfoot, but I have an awful lot of things in storage that I need to get out.

Sirius nodded. Understood. Why don't we go fly a bit this afternoon, take your mind off things? The perfect place may be waiting for you in Hogsmeade, you never know!

James nodded his agreement, grabbing a few slices of ham and rolling them up before cramming them into his mouth as he raced Sirius up the stairs to claim their brooms.



The next morning, James reluctantly submitted himself to the tender mercies of Floo and landed in a disgraceful heap in the middle of the Three Broomsticks. James Potter! Kindly get off my clean floor! Madam Rosmerta was smiling as she chastised the boy, who was one of her favorites, despite (or perhaps because of) the mischief he and his friends liked to cause.

Sorry, ma'am. He was polite, too. Has an Eleanor Boot enquired after me?

No, James, she hasn't. What are you doing in Hogsmeade when school's out?

Apartment hunting. My birthday's two days from now and I have to remove my parents' things from storage.

Madam Rosmerta nodded understandingly. Boot, did you say? Wasn't her youngest boy Head Boy up at the school?

James squinted, frowning. Maybe my first or second year, I don't remember. Why?

I heard he was getting married in a few months, so that could explain why she's running late.

James shrugged. Maybe so. Oh, look, there she is, he pointed out as Mrs. Boot stepped inside, the door shutting behind her with a bang.

Mr. Potter! So glad you're here. I just found out about a little apartment that opened up. It's a little oddly designed, but I think it might just be the perfect size, and it's just down that side street by Honeydukes.

James perked up. What could be wrong with living near the candy store? Lead the way, then, Mrs. Boot. He turned to Madam Rosmerta. I'll see you later then. Hope business is good today.

Thank you, dear. Good luck apartment hunting! James waved and then scrambled to catch up to Mrs. Boot, who walked a good deal faster than James would have thought possible. She was describing the apartment.

It's got two bedrooms, like you said, and a bathroom in between the two, plus a little library, a sitting room, and a nice kitchen. No ghouls. It is rather unusual in that you enter through the bedrooms, so there are two doors. Not to worry, there is a little entrance way in each room, but it's an odd design to be sure. Best of all, though, is the price. Only 55 Galleons a month; most apartments here in Hogsmeade proper of this size are twice that cost. She stopped chattering to unlock the door. James noted that it was on the second floor, and behind the building was a small clearing where he could practise flying. Mrs. Boot led him around the apartment, which was nicely appointed and came with some furnishings.

I'll take it, he said firmly. I'll be 'round to your office in Diagon Alley tomorrow to sign the papers, and I'll move in the day after. Al'right?

Mrs. Boot was beaming. Must be a commission in it for her, James mused. Oh yes, excellent, she agreed, smiling. So pleased you found a place. I'll see you tomorrow then.



Lily Evans was miserable. She had been home for under two weeks, but they felt like two years, at least. Her older sister locked up her school things at the beginning of the summer, not caring that Lily had schoolwork due at the end of her vacation. The only thing that Lily had were the instructions and information that Headmaster Dumbledore had sent to her about the Head Girl position. She spent most days re-reading the information and longing for time to speed up. She had forgotten James Potter's offer to share a flat with her completely, until an unfamiliar owl flew threw her window.

What's this, hmm? I don't know you, do I? Well, c'mere, let me take the letter. There. Now, go on, get some water and a treat or two. Rimbaldi won't mind. The owl hooted and flew silently across the room as Lily unfolded the letter and read it, shock coming to her face.


Hi Lily.

Bet you thought I'd forget my offer, didn't you? Not going to get rid of James Potter that easily. I found a flat in Hogmeade that is oddly designed, yet perfect for our purposes – you enter through the bedrooms, of which there are two. Your share of the rent, for the summer, is 20 Galleons per month, plus half of food and other household expenses. Don't worry about furniture and things; it's half-furnished and I have all these... things... from my parents that I have to remove from storage in two days anyways.

So. I'm signing the papers in Diagon Alley tomorrow and then I'm coming to find you and pick you up after dark. We'll take the Knight Bus back the Leaky Cauldron and you can stay there one night before we move in the next morning.

James Potter

P.S. I think, all things considered, it'd be best not to tell anyone else who we're rooming with, don't you? I don't even want to picture Sirius' face, much less your best friend's.


Lily had to smile. Yes, Severus would be appalled to learn that she was going to share a flat with James Potter. Lily checked the date; James had sent the letter the day before, which meant he would be there that evening. Lily frowned. She had retained her wand, but had not wanted to cause a fuss by using her magic, even though she technically could. She would just have to wait until James arrived to finish her packing, she decided as she went down to dinner, her wand slipped discreetly into her jeans pocket.

It was only eight o'clock when Lily heard the doorbell ringing downstairs. Heart pounding at the audacity of what she was about to do, Lily picked up the pile of things she wanted to keep from her room' in Petunia's house and headed downstairs. She heard her brother-in-law, Vernon, opening the front door. Yes? What do you want?

You must be Vernon. I'm James Potter. Nice to meet you. Oh, yes, I'm here to see Lily, if that's alright?

Lily was unlocking the cupboard and stowing the last of her things inside.

Lily? Are you one of those freaks too?

Lily cast a shrinking charm on the trunk and slipped it into her pocket.

Ah, as a matter of fact – Lily came into the hallway then. Lily! There you are. Ready to go?

Of course. She smiled sweetly at her brother-in-law and sister, hoping she never had to see or deal with them ever again. I'm leaving, so you won't have to deal with me or anything having to do with me ever again. Good-bye. With that, she was on the front stoop, the door closed behind her, laughing madly. James was looking her oddly.

Where's your things?

I shrunk them, so they're in my pocket.

James felt rather stupid, a trait he was afraid of passing on to his offspring. Well, let's get going. He walked to the street and stuck out his wand. Moments later, a large bus appeared. Leaky Cauldron, please. James stepped on board and paid for both of them, pulling Lily after him.

Lily finally spoke.

Why what?

Why offer to share a flat with me? Go to all this trouble?

James grinned. Just because I'm a Marauder doesn't mean I'm all bad. And, despite all appearances to the contrary, I know that House rivalry isn't all it appears to be, necessarily. C'mon, Peter's one of the least brave people I've ever met, and he's in Gryffindor.

Lily squirmed uncomfortably. Yes, but... I'm Slytherin. And we're associated with You-Know-Who, and your parents... her voice trailed off. She didn't want to cause any pain.

Eh, sometimes you have to put trust in someone before they give you a reason to. Besides, I've seen your forearms. No Dark Mark. He smiled. Ah, we're here. I already arranged with Tom for your room. He handed her a key. Room 14, I think. I'd better Floo back to Sirius with some fabulous excuse. See you in the morning.

With that, Lily found herself alone, walking up the stairs to a small room, where she promptly fell asleep. For his part, James Potter reappeared in the kitchen of the Blacks', and said only that he had had to make some arrangements for moving the next day.