Disclaimer: All characters in this story you recognise belongs to J.K.Rowling. The plot however, is mine.

A/N: This is my first Lily James fanfic so please please review...All questions, comments and constructive criticism is welcome. Also, if you have any suggestions for my story, please tell me through your review as your feedback is of the utmost importance. And now...

Starlightbubbles proudly presents...

Chapter 1- Memories

It was a perfect spring morning. The sun shone lustrously over the already warm earth. Birds were testing their vocal chords high up in the trees while bees danced their way around the aromatic flowers that had just begun to bloom.

In number four, Privet Drive, six-year old Lily Evans hopped out of bed and took a few minutes to admire the beautiful weather before skipping over to her wardrobe to pick out her outfit of the day. It was then that she remembered what her mother had told her elder sister, Petunia, and her yesterday.

"One of my very close friends, from far away, is coming to stay with us for a week or two. Mrs Potter will arrive with her son, James Potter, tomorrow morning and it'd be great if you two could make them welcome. Lily, James will be the same age as you...see if you two can become good friends," mother winked at Lily before leaving.

Remembering, mum's request to be nice to the visitors, Lily pulled out her favourite set of clothes. It was a cream blouse with shimmering red laces matched with a vibrant red skirt. Lily had received it on her fifth birthday from her aunt and it was the set you'd be sure to see Lily in on every special occasion.

After carefully tying her auburn hair into two neat piggy-tails, Lily made her way downstairs to the dining room. The room was filled with the wonderful smell of buttermilk. Mother had always had her own special recipe for making pancakes. Lily knew her grumbling tummy was soon to be satisfied, very satisfied.

"'Morning mummy and daddy! Oh and Petunia. Mummy! The pancakes smell great!"

Petunia merely glared at Lily before concentrating back on fixing her nails.

"Good morning sweetheart, lovely clothes you've got on there. Come and have a seat here, our guests should be here any minute," said Lily's father from behind the morning newspaper.

As if Lily's father had the ability to predict the future, the door rang immediately after his comment.

Petunia went and answered the door.

A lady slightly taller than Lily's mother with beautiful brown locks of hair and a man slightly balding but nevertheless looking kindly looking stood smiling curtly in the doorway. In between the two was a boy around the same height as Lily. He had messy, unruly brown hair which stuck out in every possible direction and matching hazel eyes. The eyes were deep, the type anyone could melt in but his face was slightly pale. On his nose bridged a pair of circular spectacles. The boy too, smiled alongside his parents.

Suddenly, Lily was confident that she could become close friends with 'James' without even needing to try hard. She could already see them playing together; giggling, laughing, running around...

Her train of thoughts was interrupted when her mother spoke up.

"Lily and Petunia, this is Mr, Mrs Potter and their son James. Now what do we do when we have visitors??" Lily's mother asked expectedly.

Lily, being the good and polite girl she was, bounced up to the newly- arrived.

"Good morning Mr and Mrs Potter. I'm Lily and this is my sister Petunia," said Lily gesturing towards Petunia.

"Oh, so this is Lily, you're so gorgeous sweetie. You can call me Rochelle and my husband Andrew," said Mrs Potter kneeling down whilst looking kindly into Lily's eyes.

Lily's blushed but nevertheless appreciated the compliment. Looking over in the direction of Petunia, Lily saw that her sister was looking sulky.

Lily spent most of the day chatting with James and showing him around the house. James was a quiet boy. He was shy at first but gradually began to feel comfortable after Lily's welcoming words.

"...so yeah...I normally just have to put up with Petunia. She's not that bad once you get to know her. Although she's a bit cold on the outside, she has warm inside...I believe that one day Petunia's warmth from within will melt the ice around her. But anyways, other times I just help out with the chores, read, play piano, go shopping, see movies and yeah...What about you? What do you do everyday? Do you have any brothers or sisters?" asked Lily.

"Na... I'm the only child. It can get really boring sometimes. Sometimes I wished I had an older brother or sister like you. Even if it meant we fight from time to time...Um...at home...there are no chores and I suppose my favourite thing to do at home is play Quidditch..." said James beaming at the word Quidditch.

"Quidditch? What's that? Is it a game or new toy that hasn't been released here yet?" implied Lily innocently.

"Quidditch is a game which you play in the air. There are seekers, beaters and chasers. It's a very fun game. I'll show you how to play it sometime and then we can play it together," recited James.

Before Lily could ask how you could fly in midair, dinner was announced.

The days flied pass with Lily and James playing side by side. Lily had taken great liking towards James and it was obvious that James felt the same way for Lily. It was barely a week before they were like old mates who happened to be staying over at his friends' for the holidays.

One morning, Lily's mum announced that she would be taking the Potters to a very famous beach on the coast of England (a/n: Harry Potter is set in England, isn't it?). Even though Lily never really appreciated the beach much as she had been going there every so often with her family since she could remember, she was surprised when she felt the urge to go along and build sand castles and splash around in the water with James. However, mother suggested that Lily should stay home that day as she had a mild fever and her mother believed that going to the beach and catching a cold would only make it worse.

Although disappointed, Lily listened to her mother and had no choice but to stay home, being the good girl she was. Next minute though, just as she had made her mind to stay at home, James spoke up.

"Mrs Evans, if Lily's not going, I'm not going either. I will stay home and keep Lily's company. Imagine Lily already being sick and having to stay home all by herself with nobody caring for her. I'll be happy to stay...we'll have fun...You can go with mum and dad and I hope you all have a wonderful time," said James with a look of concern on his face.

"No James...you go... I'll be able to look after myself...you're only here for a week and a bit...you should have some fun while you're here..." replied Lily quickly although deep inside, she was so moved by the thoughtfulness and caring attitude of James towards her.

"No Lily, I'll stay...I'll have just as much fun here. I've already made up my mind. I'm staying no matter what," James said determinedly.

Before Lily could say anything, Mrs Evans spoke.

"That was really nice of you James but as you're only here for a few days, I would like to take you around and see the beautiful places here. I'd like you to have some fun, not that I'm saying you're not going to have fun with Lily at home, after all you are here for a holiday. Lily, you'll come as well..." decided Lily's mum.

And thus, Lily found herself, along with her mother, James and his family on the car ride to the beach. The ride was long but smooth. They passed many beautiful types of scenery along the way; elegant mountain ranges, beautiful lakes and swamps...

"Look at those swans in that lake Lily!" exclaimed James as they a sparkling blue lake.

"I wish I was as pretty as them," said Lily in deep thought.

"You already are," was James' simple reply.

Finally, after an almost two hour drive, they arrived at the beach.

"Wow! This must be the greatest beach there is on earth!" yelled James jumping up and down.

Lily smiled at the sudden immaturity of James. It was nevertheless quite cute. She had never seen him get so excited.

"Mum! I wanna go for a swim!! Can I?" asked James pleadingly as if he wasn't meant to.

"James...don't you remember..."

"Come on, Rochelle, let the kids have some fun...it's the perfect weather and after all, why come to the beach when you're not going to swim?" Lily's mum cut in before Rochelle could finish what she was going to say.

James obviously took that as a 'yes' and bounced off to where Lily was standing.

"Come on Lily, let's go!!!" said James excitedly whilst pulling Lily with him.

Lily however seemed reluctant.

James soon noticed Lily's expression and immediately the smile on his face turned into a face full of worry.

"What's wrong Lily? Are you feeling alright?" asked James worried.

"I'm fine...it's just...it's just...just..." Lily seemed to have trouble getting the words out.

"It's just what?" asked James quietly.

"Idunnohowtoswim," Lily blurted out as her face turned bright red.

"Pardon?" asked a very confused James.

"I don't know how to swim! There...now you know...you must think I'm this stupid little girl who doesn't even know how to swim," said Lily staring down at her feet.

James however started laughing. "Lily, it doesn't matter...how can a person just be judged by whether or not they can swim? We're friends and that's all I know. Come on now...I'll teach you."

"You don't mind that I can't swim? You will teach me?" asked Lily uncertainly.

James didn't answer. Instead, Lily found herself being dragged by James into the water. First, they just splashed around as James said Lily should first get used to and like the water. Next James showed Lily how to swim and taught her to blow bubbles. At first, Lily choked on some water but after a bit more practise, Lily was able to hold her head under the water for over a minute.

Gradually, Lily found that she was no longer afraid of the water. They began running around in the shallow water and every so often, James did a trick in the water. Lily was having more fun than she could ever remember before.

And then, quite suddenly James began gasping for air. At first, Lily thought it was a joke but then she realised that James was beginning to become paler and paler.

"James, are you alright?" asked Lily although she already knew the answer.

"Hurry......Lily......go......get......mum............," said James trying very hard to get the words out of his mouth.

Without a second thought, knowing that James was in trouble, Lily placed his arm over her shoulder and began dragging him onto the beaches and towards their parents. It was a fair distance between the water and where Lily's mum was sitting with Rochelle and Andrew.

James was heavier and therefore very difficult for Lily to support. Especially under the flaming sun, Lily felt as if she was going to faint.

"No Lily...keep going...James is in trouble. You mustn't give up...walk faster...you'll get on now...faster...faster...faster," Lily encouraged herself.

Her feet dragged along in the blistering sand and she heard her feet moaning. For a minute that contained an eternity, Lily thought that she wasn't going to get there in time to save James but then, to her surprise, she found herself facing James' parents. The last thing she saw before everything turned black was the look of horror on Rochelle's face.