Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to JK Rowling!

And So It Begins

From the very moment Lily Evans stepped into Hogwarts, she had never intended to be a prefect, never thought that she'd surpass all her peers and become Head Girl, and never in her life believed that she'd be the most favored student of such a queer professor as Slughorn. Things had piled one after another, and before Lily knew it, she had built herself an unalterable image.

But she had never wanted to be such a goody-two-shoes. She hated the jealousy that was directed at her, the attention she received from one particularly annoying James Potter, and her overall image of being incapable of doing wrong.

Lily, despite common belief, wanted a fairytale. She wanted the candlelight dinner, the romantic stroll under the moonlight, and most important of all, the kiss-to-end-all-kisses. And there was one person who could give her all this: her very own Prince Charming.

But she had never gotten any of it. Instead, she was laden with everything she had not wanted.

And there was no one who knew of this, except for one girl by name of Jamie Potter. And of course, when Lily had told all this to her best friend, who was coincidentally the twin sister of the person Lily hated the most in the world, she had burst out laughing and had said that Lily was out of her mind.

But Lily wasn't out of her mind. She had just accidentally set up a different image from the person she actually was because she wanted to prove that she was just as capable as the purebloods in the school.

And now it was already her seventh year, her last year before she would go off to become either an Auror or Healer, jobs that would leave no room for further fantasies.

Lily stared morosely at the drumstick on her plate, half hoping that if she took a bit out of it, it would turn into the Prince of Turkey before her eyes.

"Lily, are you daydreaming about your chicken leg again?"

Lily snapped out of her stupor and scowled when she noticed that the chicken leg remained as meat-like as before. "There's no reason to get rid of a perfectly good fantasy."

Jamie snorted and gulped down her pumpkin juice. She slammed the goblet onto the table. "I find myself in disagreement with you."

"What's wrong with daydreaming?"

"Nothing." Jamie jabbed her fork in front of Lily's face. "But when you start fantasizing that your chicken is going to turn into Prince Charming, you have to admit that you have some serious mental issues."

"Well it's not my fault that the boys in our school aren't charming enough!"

The Gryffindor table fell silent.

Lily flushed a deep scarlet when she realized that she had accidentally been a bit too vocal about her thoughts.

There was a clatter as an indignant fork hit a plate, and a second later, Sirius Black jumped out of his seat. "How you wound me, Evans!" he cried, placing a hand dramatically on his chest. "Do you not consider me handsome or charming enough?"

Lily seriously contemplated crawling under the table.

Jamie glanced at Lily, and seeing that she was too embarrassed to reply, stood up and shouted, "I'm glad you finally see the truth, Black! I'm proud of you!"

Sirius' jaw dropped and he reached out and smacked James on the head. "Look at that! Just look at that!" He jabbed his finger viciously at Jamie. "Your sister has betrayed us!"

Remus rubbed his temples tiredly. "Padfoot, will you kindly shut up? You're giving me a migraine."

But, like predicted, Sirius completely ignored his friend and let out a loud war cry that startled many innocent onlookers in the Great Hall. "We have a traitor in the midst! A traitor!" And then he promptly transfigured his goblet into a stake and pointed it at Jamie, who was scowling rather fiercely. "Hands up, fiend! This stake has no eyes!"

Lily dropped her hands from her face in exasperation. Jamie, on the other hand, looked like she was about to commit murder. She snarled and marched towards James, who had slumped in his seat in an attempt to hide.

"Get up," Jamie demanded, pulling James out of his seat by the collar of his robes. He stumbled as she shoved him towards Sirius, who was still howling like a barbarian. "Why are you letting him bash me like this? Stand up for your sister, for Merlin's sake!"

All students in the Great Hall were now watching with rapt attention. Lily could hardly believe her eyes. How did one simple question lead to such a big commotion? And honestly, it was over nothing at all.

James looked pained and exasperated at the same time. Sirius narrowed his eyes and dropped his voice to a menacing hiss. "I see how it is," he said silkily. "Betraying your best mate when the time comes, right?"

"Well actually," James began, but Jamie cut him off.

"Of course he'd stand on my side, Black," she said snidely. "He's my brother in case you've forgotten."

Sirius crossed his arms with the stake still in his hand. "Well, Potter, your brother just happens to be my best mate."

"But he's still my brother."

"And my best mate."

"Family comes before friends."

"I believe it's the other way around, girl."

James licked his lips. "You know, even though I really appreciate the fact that you guys are fighting over me, I really don't think…"

"Shut up!" Sirius shouted, at the exact same time Jamie said, "You never think anyway."

James' mouth fell open. "I'll have you two know that I'm extremely offended and…"

Jamie brushed him off with a dismissive wave. "Oh save your dramatics."

Remus suddenly let out a loud sigh and he stood up slowly, as if it was an extremely tasking thing to do. "I think I have an apology to make," he said, addressing the entire student body. "I'm afraid it's my fault this time."

Everyone stared at him.

"I just finished telling Sirius about a new Muggle novel I read, and I'm afraid he's pretty much obsessed with it now." He gestured towards Sirius, who was still brandishing his stake rather dangerously. "He's just trying to reenact a scene. It's nothing to worry about."

James snorted on the side.

Peter leaned over and whispered something to him, and the two started snickering rather sinisterly a moment later.

That seemed to break the tense silence that had formed between Jamie and Sirius. Jamie rounded on James, whose eyes widened when he saw her dangerous expression.

"Why do you always have to play the middleman?" she protested.

James shrugged helplessly. "You're my sister and Padfoot's my best mate. I can't exactly choose between you two."

Sirius scoffed, but he returned the stake to its original form nevertheless. "That's just your excuse for not wanting to help me."

Jamie crossed her arms. "Don't tell me you're trying to be noble now," she said, addressing James.

He grinned and ran a hand through his hair in that typically cocky way of his. Lily couldn't help but roll her eyes when she saw that signature gesture. It was just so him.

"The girls love me," he said brightly. "What can I say?"

Lily nearly gagged. Jamie shook her head shamefully at James and then stalked back to Lily. She was practically fuming when she slid back into her seat.

"I can't believe I'm related to him," she muttered.

Lily laughed and patted her friend sympathetically. "It's okay. At least you're saner than he is."

Jamie rested her chin on her hand morosely. "I suppose." She suddenly let out a huff of annoyance and turned to Lily with a rather incredulous look. "And I still can't believe that Sirius made such a big deal out of your comment. Seriously."

"Well he's always been the dramatic one." Lily fiddled with her golden fork. "And even through all that, I still don't have my prince charming." She shot Jamie a look. "Maybe you're right. I should just give up."

Jamie raised an eyebrow. "You're finally seeing the light?"

"You did say that…"

"There are no decent guys in Gryffindor," she cut in, nodding fervently. "Ravenclaws are too snobby, Hufflepuffs are such pushovers, and Slytherins are just plain nasty."

Lily blew out a sigh. "Is it that hard to find a gentleman these days? One who would just be there for you when you need him, care about you, cherish you for who you are…" She stopped short, noticing that her friend was no longer paying attention to her. Instead, Jamie had a faraway look in her eyes, as if she was thinking hard about something.

"Um… Jamie?"

Jamie suddenly snapped out of her trance. "Merlin Lily," she breathed. "I think I have the perfect idea!"

Lily was skeptical. "Idea? You have a brilliant idea? Jamie, your ideas always end up disastrous one way or another."

Jamie scowled, but she didn't seem as annoyed by the comment as she normally would've been. "It's different this time!" She crammed the last bit of mashed potatoes into her mouth, grabbed an apple, and jumped out of her seat. "See you in class!"

Lily watched in surprise as Jamie ran towards James, pulled him out of his seat while he was still attempting to fork a piece of filet mignon into his mouth, and shot out of the Great Hall with him in tow.

Jamie's great idea involved James?

Hell was about to break loose.

Jamie smirked in triumph as she shoved her protesting brother against the wall. She would not be deprived of such an ingenious idea. She only wondered why she hadn't thought of it sooner.

James groaned in exasperation. "What is it now?"

She shook a finger in front of his face. "One more word of complaint and even Dad won't be able to save you."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Are you and Mum going to lock me in the basement and starve me to death like you threatened to do last time?" He smirked, amused by the memory. "Don't you remember what happened afterwards? Who was the one who ended up begging me to let her out of the basement?"

Jamie very nearly punched him. "Can't you just shut up and listen?"

He tilted his head skeptically. "Are you sure we're related? Even I'm not as violent as you are and I'm a guy!"

She eyed him, unimpressed. "What about all the things you did to Snape?"

James snorted. "He deserved it."

"It's not like you don't." When he opened his mouth again, Jamie pointed her wand at his nose. "I'm going to magically silence you if you don't listen up, and I swear I'll do it."

"Okay, okay, Ms. Potter. Fire away."

Jamie nodded and sheathed her wand. "It's about Lily." She watched in amusement as her brother's eyes lit up immediately. "You see, she's always wanted some things ever since First Year, but she's never gotten them. And truthfully, she's going a little crazy now."

James looked incredulous. "Why didn't her parents buy it for her?" He threw his hands up. "Bloody hell, why didn't you just say so? I'll just give her the key to my Gringotts' account! She can have anything then."

Jamie scowled when he started to leave and yanked him back. "No, you bloody idiot. What Lily wants can't be bought."

He blinked, deflating slightly. "Oh."

"She wants her very own Prince Charming," she said. James' brows knitted. "She wants the classic candlelight dinner, the romantic stroll under the moonlight, and most important of all, the breathtaking kiss-to-end-all-kisses."

James was looking very surprised by the end of that. Jamie smirked. Just how well did her brother really know Lily? He had memorized her schedule, her likes and dislikes, and recorded all the insults she had thrown at him so he could turn them into pickup lines the next time he saw her. And he thought he knew her.

"Are you serious?" James looked dubious. "Lily Evans? Wanting that kind of stuff?"

Jamie narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with that?"

"Well…nothing, but Lily?" He shook his head. "I don't believe it. She doesn't seem like the type."

"Yes James, she doesn't seem like the type. But I've been her friend for six years. I would know."

He nodded slowly. "All right. And you told me this because…"

"I want to make her fairytale come true," Jamie said promptly.

James looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened in comprehension and a large smile spread across his face. He looked triumphant. "All right then! We've got ourselves a plan." He was enthralled by the idea. "And we'll just divide up the work. Peter can go on a stroll with Lily and Sirius can handle the candlelight dinner. We'll put Remus as Prince Charming because he gets along with Lily the best, and I'll just give her the kiss-to-end-all-kisses!"

Jamie was so flabbergasted that she could barely think straight. Divide up the work? Who was insane enough to do something as ridiculous as that?

James was still talking, oblivious of Jamie's rising annoyance. "Technically, Remus is supposed to be the one kissing Lily since he's Prince Charming, but I think I'd be the better kisser and Lily will have a night that she'll never… Ow!" He cut off, mid-rant, a hand on his head where he had just been cruelly bashed. "Why the hell did you just hit me?"

"Because you were being stupid."

He was scandalized. "What?"

Jamie rolled her eyes. "How thick can you get? This isn't something you can accomplish with teamwork. Lily only wants one Prince Charming, not four!"

"But…"

"I want you to give all that to her."

James was so surprised that he jumped and smacked his head against the wall. "Damn," he muttered. His eyes were wide when he finally focused on her again. "What did you just say?"

Jamie smiled. "I said, I want you to be Lily's Prince Charming."

He looked startled. He glanced around furtively, and after noticing that they were the only ones in the corridor, he spun around and nearly crashed into the wall again. He was stumped. Jamie was really asking him to be Lily's Prince Charming?

"But…" he stuttered, still unable to fully grasp the idea. "You've always told me to stay away from her. You…"

Jamie blew out an exasperated sigh. "You were being a prat to her, James. Of course I told you to leave her alone."

He ran a hand through his hair. "Jamie, do you realize that I'm not exactly good boyfriend material?"

She raised her eyebrows. Was her brother actually being humble? She was slightly surprised that he wasn't jumping with glee at the prospect of taking Lily out on a date.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I won't make a good Prince Charming." James shifted his eyes. "Lily will be disappointed. I don't want to spoil something that she's wanted for so long."

Jamie rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I have good judgment, brother."

James lifted an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

She smirked and playfully punched him on the shoulder. "I've always had the better brain and you know it. If I say you'll do fine, you'll do fine."

James snorted and rolled his eyes, but he suddenly seemed extremely pleased. Jamie had to admit that James' infatuation towards Lily was quite adorable. She had never seen him so pleased with anything other than Quidditch, and she suddenly found herself hoping that Lily would be more open-minded to James' advances after this.

"So when do I start?" he asked, bringing Jamie out of her thoughts.

"Tomorrow. Do you still remember everything she likes?"

He smirked. "Of course. Lily's my specialty."

She nodded. "Good. I expect to see some results."

"Consider it done." And then he suddenly wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. Jamie was so shocked that she was frozen. While she and James were close, they hardly hugged unless it was something as serious as the sky collapsing. The last time she had even held his hand was when he had fallen off his broom during a Quidditch match and remained unconscious for a week.

"Um…James?"

"I'm so happy," he murmured. He pulled away and smirked. "I always knew placing my sister by Lily's side was a good idea."

Jamie narrowed her eyes. "Oh you…"

"James and some girl, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

The siblings froze.

"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage."

It was Sirius. Jamie felt her eyes twitch. She whirled around furiously and glared at the Marauder, who stopped mid-rhyme and gaped.

"Oh shit," he muttered.

"Yeah." She nodded, cracking her knuckles. "Oh shit is right."

"Padfoot?" James said.

Sirius glanced at his best mate. "Yeah?"

"Run."

And he did, with Jamie hot on his tail.

Author's Note: Welcome to the beginning of my new short story :) It's five chapters long and is mostly all humor, just something fun for the summertime. Please review on your way out. Thank you! Next chapter will be up soon. See you then!

xox KRS