Not lucky enough to own Harry Potter - I think we all know that James Potter and Lily Evans belong to the genius known as JK Rowling...

B R E W I N G U P D I S A S T E R

A Lily and James Tale

Chapter 1:

Prologue

or

In Which Lily…

Goes Against her Better Judgment

…oo0oo…

"I don't know, Sev," I said doubtfully, flipping through my copy of Advanced Potion-Making. "I just don't think that it's any of our business. And try crushing that, would you? You're going to impale someone."

My friend paused, pressing down on the sulfurous been pod with the side of his dagger, and taking a moment to watch the juices leak out before making a hastily scrawled note in his own book. "Lily, I am serious; something is going on with those Marauders. They're up to no good!"

"They're always up to no good," I mumbled, but took the chance to look at the group in question; James Potter and Sirius Black were proudly grinning at their smoking, spitting cauldron while Remus Lupin, my fellow Prefect, tried to minimize the damage Peter Pettigrew had brought to their own creation.

"There'll be a full moon in a few days," Severus muttered darkly, adding the bean juice as I stirred, "Want to bet Lupin's grandmother will suddenly fall ill again?"

"Stop!" I hissed angrily. "You are becoming obsessed with this! Remus is a good person - not like Potter or even Black. Can't you just leave him alone?"

I could tell he was about to make an angry retort of his own, but was cut off as the Professor reached our table.

"Oho!" Horace Slughorn beamed at me. "What's this, Evans?"

"We're almost finished, sir," I said, trying to smile. "Just the last ingredient-"

"Very good! And did you - is that a clockwise stir you're adding? How very curious… although it does seem to be helping…"

"It was Severus' idea."

Slughorn patted my table partner on the back with a beefy hand, making Sev's weak frame buckle forward. "A lovely addition, my boy. You two always produce quite excellent work while together."

He smiled at us vaguely, peered once more into the cauldron, then moved on to critique Potter's Draught of Living Death Disaster.

"Good job, Lily." I turned from a smiling Severus to meet the gaze of David Felch, the attractive, fair-haired Ravenclaw sitting behind me. "You're very talented with this potion stuff."

His white teeth disarmed me; when had David ever spoken a word in my direction, much less to pay a compliment? I had only fancied him for the past four years… "Thanks," I managed, playing with the red hair that had fallen into my eyes. "That's very kind of you to say."

He nodded politely and struck up conversation with his partner. I hastily turned back to face my bubbling Draught, hoping that no one else could see my burning cheeks.

As if by coincidence, the potions book I had been flipping through with disinterest had fallen open to a page I hadn't seen before. Gracing the top of the yellowing paper in an old-fashioned, loopy font read "Love Potions…"

I slammed my book shut just as Slughorn returned to the front of the room.

"Yes, yes, well done, everyone! Time is up, but I have the pleasure of reporting that two of your classmates have made a successful potion-"

There were groans from all around the room. I sank lower in my chair, feeling the familiar heat in my face as I blushed. Everyone in our year had a pretty good idea who the best potions students were. Slughorn never shut up about us.

"Severus Snape and Lily Evans!" The Professor nodded in our direction encouragingly, prompting a round of dim applause, and I put on an approximation of a smile. "You both have the honor of receiving one bottle of Felix Felicis, which, as I'm sure you all know if you completed last night's essay, is liquid luck…"

I stared at the vial of golden liquid that was now sitting in my palm.

Huh.

…oo0oo…

"So what are you going to do with it, Lily? It's gotta be very valuable…"

"Could I, er, borrow a drop for my Transfiguration test tomorrow? Just a bit, it wouldn't be cheating-"

"You are so lucky!"

"How much do you want for it?"

I slipped the tiny bottle back into the pocket of my robes, suddenly worried about its safety. I had good reason to be when I saw the four pairs of eyes keep a close watch on my actions. "Sorry. It isn't for sale."

I was sitting in the Common Room, surrounded by my roommates: Mary Macdonald, Emma Vale, Alice Prewett and Isabelle Griffin. I loved them all dearly, but Felix Felicis was just a little too good to part with.

"We understand," Mary smiled at me, then elbowed a wistful Izzy in the ribs. "Don't we? Lily earned the prize, fair and square. We wouldn't be good friends if we took it from her."

"Right," Emma agreed firmly. "Lily gets to use it how she pleases. I'm going down to dinner. You lot coming?"

"I'll be down in a second," I replied hesitantly, staring at the fireplace. "Save me a seat, would you?"

"Of course. Come on, Isabelle, we're leaving."

They all left the room except for Alice, who smiled at me warmly. "Congratulations, Lily! I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you. I feel like I don't deserve all the attention, though. Every student should get a reward…"

"Maybe, but if that were true, it wouldn't be as special." She sat beside me, and her expression was so honest, it was difficult not to take her words to heart. "Lily, if anyone deserves a little extra luck, you're the sole person who comes to mind. You are constantly helping others - I think you deserve to be a bit selfish."

She squeezed my arm and left through the portrait hole, probably meaning how I introduced her to her longtime boyfriend, Frank Longbottom. Admittedly, they were perfect together…

At the word perfect, my mind automatically drifted to David again. I had wanted him for so long… and maybe I did deserve to be a little selfish… he had finally noticed me. But was it enough? Would he eventually grow to love me back on his own?

You'd need luck, my mind whispered. You'd need luck, and a whole lot of help…

Love Potions for the Desperate at Heart.

I grabbed the book from my bag, and, after making sure no one was watching, quickly flipped to page 77.

So many different recipes caught my eye. I saw instructions for the infamous Amortentia, but quickly ruled that out because it was too powerful. If I was going to do this - and the Prefect part of me still couldn't believe that I was - it would have to be mild. Just enough for a crush, so that David could come to the rest on his own.

And then, just when I had almost convinced myself to give up, I found it.

Quereramor: coming from the Spanish verb querer (to want) and noun amor (love), this love potion was originally created in Spain several centuries ago. The result influences the drinker to constantly dream of the man or woman who brewed it, enabling a subconscious desire and longing. Within two-five days, the drinker will acknowledge their affections and act upon them. Quereramor (care-rare-a-more) is the easiest of all known love potions to make…

I swallowed. Hard.

…oo0oo…

AN: So? What did you think? This is just the prologue, and all the real action starts in the next chapter. Should have that up by tomorrow, if I'm lucky. If you had the time, I would appreciate a review, but if not… thanks for reading! :)