Disclaimer: I own nothing, and thanks to JK Rowling for inventing the wonderful world of Harry Potter.

A/N: The first of hopefully many chapter's of my new creation, Testing Times. It may seem James/Lily at first, but don't worry, Sirius is going to be in the picture! Enjoy (:

Chapter One ~ The Fall

Everyone always thought James Potter and Lily Evans were destined to be together. They were opposites – and they say opposites attract.

He was a joker.

She was more serious.

He was a 'bully'.

She was friendly.

Quidditch came first.

Studying was the key to good grades.

Then there was Sirius Black – good looking, smart and bold. James' right hand man, his most loyal companion. They endured good and bad together, but nothing more testing than their seventh year at Hogwarts, where their friendship was strained because of one person. Lily Evans.

Platform nine-and-three-quarters was, as usual, over-crowded. Sobbing parents bid their young one's a good first year at Hogwarts, or put on a brave face and wished their child a good year. Lily stood on the edge of the platform, holding onto a carriage door, her parent's wishing her a happy return. They were so proud of her, the daughter of two muggles' being chosen to go to magic school. Every year the pride swelled inside them, and a smile lit their faces. But Petunia, Lily's older sister, had her face set firmly in a scowl, praying that she could get out of this freak-place and go back home, where 'normal' people were.

"Bye, Tuney," Lily whispered, hoping her sister wouldn't cause a scene. If only Petunia could accept the fact that she was witch, life would be so much simpler. But Tuney liked to twist the strings and be awkward.

Petunia turned towards her sister, her face still as hard as stone. "Don't call me that!" she snapped, her eye's tight. "I'm glad you're leaving again – going back to where you belong, a school for freaks," The last word was a hiss.

Lily flinched, as though her sister had hit her. It was silly; she should be used to it by now. But they used to be so close, until magic and Hogwarts tore them apart. She blinked back her tears and smiled at her parents.

"I'll see you at Christmas, probably,"

And before her parent's could answer, Lily cast them one last fleeting smile and hurried onto the train, searching each compartment for her friends. Poking her head around a compartment door, she spotted Chelsea Marson, a fellow Gryffindor and a good friend, and a smile spread across Lily's face.

Chelsea Marson was small and rather chubby, with a round face that was always smiling. She, like Lily, was a muggle born and usually at the receiving end of the Slytherin's anti-muggle-born pranks. But Chelsea and Lily had been good friend's since first year, when Chelsea arrived over a month late due to her mother passing away and the strain it had put on her family, and Lily had taken her under her wing and helped her catch up but study sessions – which Chelsea seemed to dread, but pretended they were the reason for her existence, just to please Lily.

Though Chelsea Marson was always smiling, there was sadness behind her eyes. And no matter what Lily said or did, that sadness would not disappear. As the person that Chelsea had saved her heart for since second year, never gave her the time of day, or even a glance.

But Lily Evan's smile was short lived, and soon turned hard, and she saw who Chelsea was sitting with. Trust her; Chelsea was always trying to catch his attention. Two of the Marauders' were in the same compartment as Chelsea, and James Potter had an extremely large, cocky smile on his face.

"Alright, Evans?"

Lily scowled at him, but smiled at Sirius, who returned it with a wink. "You joining us then? Two guys and two girls..." he inhaled and tutted. "The things we could get up to!"

"Chelsea, let's move. Remus and Peter will be here soon, and we're taking up space,"

Chelsea opened her mouth to argue, and then shut it again. It was useless; Lily couldn't stand being around James since... since the incident. She got up, casting a regretful eye around her.

"Evans, Evans, it's a joke!" Sirius laughed, but his eyes were sincere.

Lily looked at Sirius, sighing. "Don't take offence, I just want to sit with my friends,"

She turned her back and, with Chelsea close behind, left the compartment, with two pairs of confused eyes staring after them.

Sirius Black had been good friends with James Potter since they'd met on the train to Hogwarts six years earlier, and both had the desire to be in Gryffindor. For all Sirius knows, if he'd have wandered on a carriage more and not talked to James, he might have ended up in Slytherin, and followed his family's tradition. Sirius had insisted he was different from his family – he didn't agree with all their "pureblood fanatics".

James Potter liked Sirius for many reasons – he was easy to talk to, up for causing trouble no matter what the risks, and a bit of a hit with the ladies. Sirius' good looks fitted well with James, as he was rather pleasing to the eye as well. Where ever they walked, the girls would whisper and giggle, but not approach. For if they asked a Marauder and got rejected, it'd be round the school in hours.

And at moments like this, Sirius was glad to have James as a friend, as the look on his face when Lily walked out was priceless. His mouth was open, his eyes wide.

"You dick, James! Give up while you're ahead!" Sirius laughed, flicking his hair out of his face.

James scowled at Sirius. "She can't deny the chemistry for much longer, did you feel the vibes?"

Sirius shook his head – James wouldn't give up. He was determined to date Lily, even if she didn't want to date him.

"Where the hell have Moony and Wormtail lost themselves?" James muttered, peeking out the compartment door. "We got plans to discuss!"

Sirius grinned. "What you got in mind, then?"

James rubbed his hands together and winked. "Just wait and see, Padfoot!"

"Why on Earth would you do that to me Chelsea? Of all the people to sit with, you choose James freaking Potter and Sirius Black!" Lily huffed, sitting down in another compartment, with people that were not part of the Marauders, much to her delight.

"I-I don't know Lily, I was just hoping he'd notice me if you were there... I should've thought, I forgot about the... the thing..." Chelsea trailed off, and then diverted her attention to window, watching the fields flash by.

Alice Sharper, another of Lily's friends, cast Chelsea a wary look. "You didn't try and make her sit with Potter did you?"

Chelsea flushed red. "I... I forgot."

Alice shook her head and glanced at Lily. "Lily, it happened ages ago. Maybe you should just forget it, or forgive him."

Lily inhaled sharply, and then stared at Alice. Forgive Potter... It seemed impossible.

"He was trying to get your attention," Chelsea agreed. "He did fancy you after all!"

"And humiliated me in the process. I can't forgive him. He never even apologised for doing it, just done his stupid cocky smile and winked!" she shuddered, and then sighed. "Let's talk about something other than that grimy git. How was your summer?"

And while Chelsea and Alice nattered away, Lily pondered the thought of forgiving James Potter. It was a new year, and maybe he'd matured a bit more. The idea of Potter being mature was laughable. She though back to sixth year at the Leaving Feast, when Sirius had told her that she'd have a surprise or two next year. It seemed strange Sirius telling her about something that seemed so far away at the time, but she was beginning to get the jist of what he was implying.

And it all started with James Potter.

A/N: Okay, chapter one finished! You're all probably thinking "THIS IS JAMES/LILY! WE WANT SIRIUS/LILY!" But do not fear; all will be revealed over the next few chapters! So what was the incident that caused Lily to dislike James so much? Which one of the Marauders has Chelsea Marson saved her heart for?

And reviews are like cupcakes! :3