Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot. I can never write anything as brilliant as J.K Rowling.

Chapter 1: That's What Best Friends Are For

Once upon a time- no, wait. This isn't a fairytale, this is the story of Lily and James, and trust me, this is no fairytale with fairy godmothers and talking mice, but if you like happy endings, you might want to start reading:

"EVANS!" Sirius Black yelled as he came down the stairs that led to the boys' dormitories in the Gryffindor Common Room. As he came into the room, he was greeted with great bursts of laughter and giggles.

"Black! Keep your pants on, what?" I asked, innocently, trying very hard not to laugh. My ingeniously funny prank had turned out amazing... as always. I had perfectly managed to turn Black's hair hot pink and stand on end at the same time. I just hoped that Black wouldn't run to the professors. I didn't want to get my Head Girl badge taken away; I had just gotten back to Hogwarts!

I had just come into the common room to see Gwenog Jones, otherwise known as Gen, my best friend. It had been very sad to say goodbye to her more-than-comfy bed in the almost-flawless Head Dorms. The only flaw in there was Potter. James Potter. I don't know what everyone sees in him. Honestly, what do people see in a guy that has glasses, and a breathtaking smile, and flawless skin, and a perfectly muscular and toned body, and- wait! I did not just think that. Oh, god. Lily, what's gotten into you, you loathe James Potter! Yes, yes I did loathe James Potter. And I would not walk around having those thoughts about him.

"Hey, Padfoot, Lily flower!" said a familiar voice. I turned around. Oh, god. Perfect timing. James Potter.

"Oh... um, hi, Jam- Potter" Had I almost just said his first name? Lily, what has gotten into you? One second you're calling him and his godly features gorgeous and now you're calling him by his name? Merlin!

"Shut up, Prongs! Can't you see that me and Evans are talking? God, a person can't have a decent conversation without you butting in!" Black yelled. I had never seen him in this mood. Oh yeah, my prank! I forgot. Whoops.

"Hey, Black. Repeat everything you just said. I kinda tuned out. I got bored." Lily said. James turned to her and grinned. His perfect teeth shone even in the dim lights in the common room. Lily swooned as she grinned back. She wasn't sure if the grin reached her eyes or not, she was too enchanted by those gorgeously warm eyes. Uh-oh. Did she just think that? Bloody hell. She was worried. What was happening to her? She turned back to Sirius. He was talking; she hadn't been paying attention.

"Sorry, I lost track again, what did you say?" Lily asked, embarrassed. Then something hit her on the head. That something turned out to be Black's heavy arm.

"OW, I said I was sorry!" I screeched. For the next fifteen minutes, I was chased around the common room by Black. Finally, James-no, Potter caught up with Black and stopped him. I stopped and caught my breath. There was a stitch in my side and my breath was coming out raggedly.

"Hey, Potter," He turned to look at me. "Thanks."

"No problem, Lily. You're a damn good runner. Hey, um... can you tell me the reverse spell for you prank?" He asked. I blushed at his compliment and ducked my head down, so he wouldn't see. Then I realized what his question meant.

"Oh, yeah it's: Reddecomashoc successit. It's kind of hard to remember, I'll write it down if you want." I looked up at him, hoping that my face was back to normal. He was wearing a startled look.

"What?" I asked.

"Well, er, you're being nice to me, you do know who I am, right? I'm Potter, James Potter, and I'm quite sure that you hate me, especially because I'm 'so annoying' as you stated last year when I told you that you looked like a beautiful flower." He finished his monologue with a grin.

"Well, do you not like me being nice to you, Potter?" I asked him, a foolish grin on my face.

"No, no. I love it. Really. Thank you for being so nice to me this morning, Lily flower. I appreciate it." He laughed. "Please continue."

"Well, as I recall, I asked you if you wanted me to write down the spell for you." I asked him, again.

"Oh. No thanks, it was Reddecomashoc successit, right?" He asked, thinking. I was impressed.

"Wow, Potter. I'm impressed. I never knew you could think." I said.

"Is it really that surprising? I mean, I can think when I want to," He said. "Anyway, Lily flower, Sirius is waiting, I should be back in the Head Dorms," He checked his watch. "in about two hours, okay?"

"Yeah, fine. Bye." I said. Wow, Lily. You were nice to Potter. Well, he has matured quite a bit. And he looks a bit mature-er than before, doesn't he? He looked a bit tired, I wonder why. James Potter is never tired. Whatever. Lily, go see Justin.

I went up to the owlery and called my owl, Annabelle down. "Hello, gorgeous! I missed you. Will you deliver a letter to Justin for me? Hold on." I pulled out an blank piece of parchment, a quill and a small ink bottle from my robes and started writing to Justin Adamson, my current guy (he had been since January 7th, sixth year):

Dear Justin,

Hey, I miss you. Meet me in the Head Dorms at 6:30 pm? The password is "Pear Drops" (Dumbledore made it up; surprise, surprise). I didn't see you during the train ride. Where were you? How was your summer? I have so much more to ask you.

Love you,

Lily

I tied the letter to Annabelle's leg, and let her fly to the Ravenclaw dormitories. They weren't far, I knew, and I knew the password. The problem was that most of the girls in there hated me for being Justin's 'girl'. And, yes it was because Justin was tied with James for most gorgeous, smart, and popular guy at Hogwarts. Jenna, a fellow Gryffindor and I were tied for the most gorgeous, smart and popular girls at Hogwarts. I don't know why I was one of them, I never see anything special when I look in a mirror; all I see is a pale girl with fiery red hair that clashes with almost everything I wear, and when I wear green, I look like a bloody Christmas ornament. Sure, I got top marks and all, and everyone knew me because of that, but I never knew that people thought that much of me until the List came out.

The List decided the top fifty people that were the most popular, best-looking and smartest at Hogwarts. No one knew who made it, but it was a ingeniously terrific idea. The only problem was that it made many, many people feel bad about themselves; but the List only lists 7th years, so if you're not in the 7th year, you have nothing to worry about until then.

I was in front of the portrait of Periwinkle, the first fairy. "Pear Drops." I said. Periwinkle winked and opened the door. I stepped into the Head Dormitories and just stood there for a while, admiring the luscious room. Since both Head Boy and Girl were from Gryffindor, the room was decorated red and gold (red walls and floors and gold furniture). There was a grand staircase in the middle of the opposite wall leading upstairs, into the same hallway, where the bedrooms were located, on opposite ends of the hallway, and in the middle of the hallway was a gorgeous bathroom. The left wall, had a miniature copy of the grand staircase which led to a balcony, which was covered with red curtains at the moment. On the right side there was a gold fireplace and plush, gold sofas in front of it. There was a gold side-table beside the sofas and there were golden beanbag chairs here and there around the room. There was also a gold clock above the fireplace. Oh, bloody hell. It's 6:20. Go get ready, you fool!

I ran upstairs to my golden-painted room. I opened my red double-doored wardrobe with a body-sized mirror on the inside of one of the doors. I pulled out my new navy blue skirt, hot pink half-sleeved shirt, navy blue short jacket and hot pink flats. Yes, I was that color-coordinated. I quickly pulled them on and grabbed my brush. I brushed through my straight hair once, and threw my brush back on my dresser.

I quickly made my round bed and closed the hangings around it. I turned the lights off, and ran downstairs. 6:29. Phew, Lily made it! The clock struck 6:30, and Justin came inside.

"Hey, I missed you," He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "How are you?"

"Great, you?" I asked.

"Amazing, because I just saw you." He grinned at tapped my nose twice. He grabbed my hand and led me over to the sofas. We just sat for a while in front of the fire, holding hands, my head on his shoulder. This was the thing I loved about Justin. We could just sit there for hours, and not say anything, but understand everything. We didn't need words.

I decided to break the silence. "So, how do you like being a new Prefect?" I asked. Justin hadn't gotten the duty at Prefect in fifth year, and now, a one of the prefects dropped out to move to Durmstrang, so he got the job.

"It's great, Lily, that bathroom, it is amazing!" he said, awed.

"Yeah, Justin, I know, been there, done that," I said.

"So, who's Head Boy?" He asked. Uh-oh. I wished he hadn't asked that. Since the list had come out and been pinned on the walls, Justin and James had been fighting for the first position.

"Uh... James Potter." I crossed the fingers of my free hand.

"Oh." he said, a look of jealousy passing over his face. Okay, not as bad as I thought it would be. I thought it would have been way, way worse.

"Did you hear about Gwenog Jones and Amos Diggory?" Justin asked, grinning.

"WHAT? Amos? From Hufflepuff? No, She never told me. I didn't even see her on the train. I wondered where she was. So, what about them? Are they going out?" I asked eagerly.

"Yeah, they're dating. Isn't that disgusting?" We both laughed.

"Well... I'm happy for her, but really? Amos Diggory? Ew!" I squirmed.

Justin's watch started beeping. "Oh, shoot. I have to go now." Justin said. He flipped his blond hair out of his deep, penetrating blue eyes.

"Aw, fine. Hmph." I said. I hated to see him leave.

"I love you." he said. His was leaning into me. Uh-oh. Closer... closer... closer...

"James" I murmured.

What did you just say, Lily? Oh, you bloody idiot!

"What?" Justin moved back. Uh-oh.

"Nothing, nothing. I didn't say anything." I blushed. Oh, really now! Why do you always blush at the wrong times?

"I know perfectly well what you said, Evans. Taken a liking to him, have you? Listen, just because he's Head Boy with you, doesn't mean you go snogging him in broom closets! That badge on his chest was supposed to be MINE!" He wasn't smiling his charming, dimpled smile anymore. There was some color rising in his cheeks. Bloody hell. And he had used my last name. Bad. Bad, bad, bad. Lily, you buffoon!

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I swear, I-" I was cut off by his harsh voice.

"Oh, I know what you meant. Do the words 'I love you' mean nothing to you, Evans? I can't believe I wasted 8 months and 6 days with a person like you!

"No, Justin, I-I love you!" I cried. There were tears in my eyes now.

"I know better than to trust a person like you, Evans." he said, aggressively. What had gotten into him? Had he always been such a jerk?

"You know what, Justin? I don't care. Honestly, I don't know how I've gotten through eight months with a jerk like you. With you, everything always has to go your way. I mean, what is your issue? Maybe that's why Dumbledore didn't choose you as Head Boy. You're so ignorant! And who said anything about snogging him in broom closets? So, don't go telling me what to do, Justin! I can handle myself, I'm seventeen and a mature adult, and you're not my mother!" I yelled.

"Lily Evans, we're over. Goodbye." He stuck his tongue out and swiftly walked out of the room. I had the sudden urge to laugh. Did he really just say that? did he really just stick his tongue out? What type of a seventeen-year-old does that?

Then, it struck me. He wasn't coming back. He was gone, forever. Justin Adamson, my life. Tears welled up in my eyes, and fell down my face, one by one.

I was lying on my round bed, wearing my PJ's and a tank top. Naturally, as any other girl would be doing, I was crying. I probably looked so terrible. Lily, why are you being so self-conscious? No one's going to come here anytime soon. James will be here in an hour. Cry all you want. I wanted Gen to be here, I wanted her to keep on blabbering about quidditch and boys and I wouldn't even mind her talking about Amos Diggory right now. Anything to numb the pain.

I heard the portrait click open and closed again. "Lily?" James yelled into the empty room. Merlin's soggy left boot. I heard light footsteps on the stairs. He'd probably heard me crying. Bloody hell; I forgot to lock the door. I tried to sit up and look sane, but I knew it wasn't possible; no one that had been crying a second ago could sit up and look knob on my door was turning. It was as if it was turning in slow motion. Finally, the door opened, and there stood James, looking as gorgeous as ever.

"Lily, is everything okay? I heard you crying." James asked, a look of concern plastered onto his face.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything, so I just shook my head. James came over and sat down beside me. He gently put his hand up to my face and pushed my chin up. "What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

"Ju-Justin, Justin A-Adams-hic-on" And I burst into a fresh round of tears. I slumped down on James' shoulder, and he started tracing circles on my back.

"Aaah. Lily- Hey, listen. Don't let him get to you. I know Justin Adamson, and I have known him for a very, very long time. I knew him from before we came to Hogwarts. We were best friends. He really got to me one day, and said something about my Mom, and I lost it. I know what it's like with him. Just- just don't let him get to you," James said in a soothing voice. "Hey, do you want me to call someone? Gen?" He asked.

I nodded. "That- that would be great, thanks. A lot. I-I really mean it. You're a great person, James." I said.

James just sat there, an awed expression on his face.

"What?" I asked, wondering what I had just said.

"You... er, you called me by my first name: James!" He said.

"Is that okay? Because, really, if you don't want me to, than, that's fine with me..." I said. I like the way his name rolled off my tongue, though. James, James, James, James, oh, I loved that name. But then again, it was why I was in such a terrible mood right now.

"No, no, no. I like you calling me by my first names. D'you, d'you think that we can stay on a first-name basis?" he asked, a plea in his voice. He scratched the back of his neck and ruffled his hair, making it messier than it already was.

I smiled. "Only if you stop doing that thing you do with your hair, then yes. I think that staying on a first-name basis is a very good idea."

He grinned. "Sure!" he said, ruffling his hair and stopping in the middle. "Right, no doing that. Got it. 'Kay, I'm gonna run upstairs and get Gen. Is that okay, or do you want me to send a patronus?" he asked.

"Er... I would rather have you send a patronus. It's more convenient." I said.

"Oh, and how's that?" he asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

"It reaches a place faster than any human can. Did you know that?" I asked, showing off my brilliance.

"It does? Blimey, I never knew that," He said. Then, he pulled out his wand, and sent a patronus to Gen. "Now, that's that. Do you need anything? Anything at all?" He asked.

"No, I'm fine, thanks. You can do whatever you want, now, Gen will be coming soon." I said. As he got up to leave, I found it necessary to say 'thanks' once more. After all, he had done so much for me. "Hey, James?" He turned around. "Thanks." I said.

"Hey, no problem. If you ever need anything, or if anyone bothers you, just call me, okay? I'll be there." He said, in a brotherly manner.

"And you can also count on me for being there for you if anything happens. Just send a patronus if you need anything." I said, feeling the need pay him back for whatever he had done for me. He left the room, and shut the door quietly behind him. James was a sweet guy, I don't know how I had never noticed that. Before I knew it, I was asleep

When I woke up the next morning, I was in a terrible mood. I couldn't even pretend to be happy, and normally, I'm a great actor. But today was just different. I just lied down on my bed, and didn't even bother checking the time. I wasn't going to go to classes today. I was exhausted, even though I didn't remember doing anything that would get me this tired. I fell asleep again. And I had the weirdest dream ever; It was like I was watching a movie about myself. I was standing in my kitchen, and another one of me was there. And I was watching my own conversations:

"Lily, how's James?" Mom asked.

"What? Mom, How do you know James?" I asked.

"Oh, he's amazing... as usual." the other Me said.

Oh, I get it. Am I supposed to be watching the other Me and Mom converse? Well that might be interesting, considering how the conversation was going right now. And how does Mom know James? Is this, like, the future? This is weird...

"Great! Is he coming over for dinner tonight?" Mom asked.

"No, Mom, it's the first day back. What would you say if I went to James' house for dinner tonight?" the other Me asked.

"Oh, well that's too bad, I was hoping you's go!" Mom joked.

"Mom! That's not fair." the other Me said, turning away from Mom and crossing her arms over her chest.

"Okay, okay, I was just joking. Will you go get the groceries, honey?" Mom asked, handing over a list to the other Me.

"Fine. I'll be back in an hour." The other Me said.

"Okay Hun, be safe, and remember to handle the car carefully, I just got it repaired for the second time!" Mom warned. But the other Me was already out the door. Thinking it would be more interesting than watching Mom make dinner, I followed the other Me. She got into her car, and drove to the nearest superstore. There, she got out of her gorgeous car and put the key in her white Chanel bag. As she opened it, I saw the contents of her bag glittering in the hot London sun. There was a light breeze in the otherwise warm weather. She walked in the superstore and got everything on the list. Then she went over to the no, it couldn't be. Not him. Not again. It was David Long. My ex before Hogwarts.

"Oh, Hi Lily!" he grinned the charming smile that I had believed for 2 years.

"Hi, David." the other Me said, stiffly. The other Me put the groceries on the conveyor belt and took out her credit card. As she was giving David the card, I noticed the ring on her ring finger. No. I was married?

"You're married?" David asked.

"No, just engaged." the other Me replied, punching in her pin number.

"At the age of eighteen? To who?" David asked eagerly. David had always been gossipy. I'd never heard of a guy that gossiped, until he came. He was also a liar. Trust me, it's not a good combination. I know, I went out with him for 2 years, and he always used to convince me that nothing was wrong with his smile, and in the end, I found out that he was cheating on me. With my best friend! My BEST FRIEND! Her name was Alicia. We grew distant as I found out. Now, she was the gorgeous heart-throb at Stanford University, but whatever,

"James Potter." the other Me replied. WHAT? I was going to be engaged to James Potter? Then, David started tickling me. It was odd. One second, he had been trying to gossip with me and the next, he was tickling me.

"Stop it!" I said through giggles.

"LILY! Wake UP!" Gwenog yelled in my ear.

"What?" I said groggily.

"GET UP OFF YOUR FAT ARSE, AND TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!" Gen said angrily.

"Fine, fine, and my bum is not fat." I said as I walked to the bathroom.

"Shut up, Lily," she replied. "So, you gonna tell me what happened?" she asked. It was very rare that Gen gossiped. But I guess she really wanted to know what happened. I mean, Justin and I were, like, the golden couple for the last 8 months.

I locked the bathroom door behind me and looked at myself. I looked pale. Paler than usual. I looked skinnier too. Well, I guess that was good. I thought I was fat. But no one else thought I was. I don't know how. You know, being a girl, I'd have to say that every girl just calls themselves fat because they want to be called skinny, for reassurance. I grabbed my toothbrush, and brushed my teeth. Then, I splashed water over my face three times, and put moisturizer on. After rubbing, I walked into my room, looking forward to the painstakingly sad conversation that was about to take place.

"So, tell me everything." Gen said. I told her about my letter, and how Justin and I met in the Head Dorms, and about what I said (she gasped when I mentioned me saying "James" when he was about to kiss me. She said exactly what I was thinking, "Lily, you fool!") and about the fight and about him sticking his tongue out and leaving. A laugh issued at that place. I loved how Gen was so easy to talk to.

"You know, I feel like I just took off a heavy bag. I'm kinda happy that I let him go." I said.

"Ooooh, Lily, since when are you so deep? 'Taking off a heavy bag'?" Gen said, bewildered. Then, we both laughed.

"Hey, Gen. Thanks." I said, admiring Gen, and how she was so strong and amazing.

"No problem, Lily, that's what best friends are for." She said, smiling brilliantly.

"So, Gen. Tell me about Amos..." I said, getting into my gossiping mode too.

"Oh, Lily, what do you want me to tell you? He's just a very amazing and talented person. I don't care about looks. I care about what the person's actually like. It just struck me that it took me such a long time to figure him out. And when I did, I saw him for what he really was. An amazing person. I'm sorry you made a mistake with Justin. Hun, looks don't matter. See, now you know what Justin really is. A handsome, but terrible person that doesn't deserve to be part of the human race." Gen said. Wow... That was deep coming out of Gen.

The whole night, we sat on my bed with some pumpkin pasties, talking about everything: Amos Diggory, our summers, Quidditch, the List... Then again, that's what best friends are for. Best friends have a way to speak without words. With clothes the new are best; with friends the old are best. I loved Gen.

Author's Note:

This is my first fan-fic, tell me how I'm doing! If you have any suggestions, corrections, advice, or anything you want to say (except for hater comments), then just write it, or send me a message!

Okay, so there you go, the first chapter. It's short, I know, but I don't like such long chapters. They seem to go on forever. Okay, so guys... Review, review, review! Any suggestions? The next chapter will certainly be longer and if you don't review, it won't be up anytime soon!

Have Fun,

Ash