Lily Evans, Alice Tomas, Marlene Johnson, and Dorcas Meadows sat in a red train compartment on the Hogwarts Express, laughing and talking merrily. Lily, personally, had never been so excited in her life. Not only was she a seventh year (finally), gorgeous, and popular, but she was the Head Girl. Lily had almost begun to hyperventilate with shock when she received the owl from Headmaster Dumbledore. She had always wanted to be Head Girl; she knew she was more than capable of handling the position, so to finally have the position was almost too much to hold in.

Now Lily popped a chocolate frog into his mouth as Alice did the perfect imitation of the last Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She wondered who it would be this year with a sigh. Why the professors couldn't stop getting married, going insane, dying, and quitting was beyond her in every aspect.

"Will you get us out of detentions if other prefects try to issue them?" Dorcas asked Lily, who simply laughed.

"Honestly, I don't think prefects are allowed to give detentions anymore," she admitted.

"They always keep changing that rule," Alice complained, pulling out her wand and making all the candy wrappers disappear. "The same way they always change their mind about annual balls."

"It's either the Christmas Ball, the Spring Masquerade Ball, or no formal dance whatsoever," Marlene said as she shook her head, clear amber eyes flashing in annoyance. "You think they'd be able to make up their minds by now."

"I hope we have a ball, though," Dorcas told no one in particular.

"I hope it's the Spring Masquerade Ball," Lily said hopefully. "It's always the best."

"Guessing who is who practically is half the fun," Alice added excitedly, her hip-length deep brown hair cascading onto the red cushion seats of the train compartment.

"I agree," said Marlene, smiling. "It's always more fun, and we get a Christmas party every year anyways."

"Though we can't expect it to stay that way for long," Lily remarked. Marlene and Dorcas smiled wryly as Alice snorted. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the girls' compartment. Alice's chocolate eyes brightened when a tall, good-looking boy with light brown hair and fair skin entered in to stand amongst them. He wore a Tornados jumper and sweatpants and was smiling at the seated girls.

"I was just wondering if you had seen my girlfriend anywhere around the place," he asked, his grey eyes flashing playfully at Alice. "You might know her, gorgeous hair, beautiful eyes, nice arse-"

"Frank!" Alice cried in both shock and amusement, jumping out of her seat to throw her arms around her boyfriend's neck. Lily smiled as Frank laughed and kissed Alice's head.

"How are you all?" Frank asked, turning to the other three.

"Perfect, now that we're back at Hogwarts," Marlene told him cheerily.

"Quite well, considering I spent the summer with Petunia," Lily replied.

"By the way, congratulations on making Head Girl," Frank told the short redhead, nodding to the golden Head Girl badge on the front of her robes, pinned next to the Gryffindor coat of arms. "Alice told me about it."

"Thanks," Lily replied, blushing with flattery. "I've wanted to be Head Girl for so long now; it's almost a little strange."

"We all know you're an overachiever," Marlene quipped teasingly.

"Care to take a walk with me?" Frank asked Alice, the smallest hint of a smile in his voice. Alice simply grinned, and the couple walked out of the compartment.

"Have a nice shag!" Dorcas called jovially after them. Lily laughed as she heard what sounded like "I'm not shagging him!" echo from the corridor.

"They're so cute," Marlene sighed happily, drawing a snort from Dorcas.

"Only you would sigh like that over a couple," the blonde said, shaking her head in what was obviously pity. Lily flashed a grin at Dorcas.

"At least Marlene has a boyfriend. You've never had a boyfriend," she pointed out.

"Neither have you, Lily-flower," an all too familiar voice retorted. Lily turned towards the door of the compartment to see a handsome seventh year boy leaning against the frame of the doorway. He was tall for his age, exactly six feet two inches tall, built muscularly. His quidditch had certainly paid off, muscles gently bulging as he crossed his arms over his toned chest. Quidditch had also tanned his fair skin from practicing in the sun for long hours. His strong jaw was accented by large lips, currently curved upwards in a boyishly charming grin. His bright hazel eyes were framed by thin, rectangular, black-rimmed glasses that fit his angular face well. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt saying "I'm not as think as you drunk I am."

"Of course, you and I could change that right now," the attractive boy continued, his grin widening substantially.

"James Potter!" Lily snapped, her bright emerald eyes narrowing dangerously. "What are you doing here?"

"Simply admiring your beauty, my love," he replied, causing Marlene and Dorcas to giggle girlishly.

"Can't you admire from a distance?" Lily wanted to know moodily. Suddenly, she heard a voice call out from the corridor, "Alright Prongs?" A good-looking black haired and dark-eyed boy appeared from around James. He grinned crookedly when his eyes fell on Lily. "Ah, of course it's the Flower."

"Sirius, when will you mad boys stop calling me that?" she sighed, her tone gentler than before; as much as she hated James, she like the other three Marauders to an extent. James's hazel eyes crackled with mirth. "Well, if you'd like to go back to Foxy, I'd be more than-"

"I do not want the lot of you to call me Foxy!" Lily interrupted as Sirius sat down between Marlene and Dorcas, smirking at both James and Lily.

"Alright, Flower," James responded. A tall, lanky boy with sandy hair stopped in the doorway of the compartment. His thin mouth pulled upwards into an exasperated smile when he saw the obviously upset redhead glaring at James.

"What did he do this time?" the boy asked. Lily's eyes brightened when she saw the boy.

"Remus!" she cried, jumping up and throwing her arms around him. Of all the Marauders, Remus was the only one she had liked since first year, the sensible one of the group. Had Lily been looking, she would have seen James's furious expression as Remus laughed and hugged her back, releasing her quickly at James's deathly glare.

"How was summer?" he wanted to know as they all sat down. Lily made sure she sat as far away from James as possible, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

"Nice, actually. Mum and Dad bought me new clothes since this is our last year. Can you believe it? Our last year!" she said with excitement.

"It's a bit sad, in a way. After all, we'll be leaving this year," Marlene pointed out.

"That's true, but we'll keep in touch," Remus responded.

"Definitely," Sirius agreed. "But for now, it's better to focus on the nicer aspects of being top of our year. Like the fact that we can drink alcohol legally at the banquets and dances now!"

"And that we can be on the grounds now until eight instead of six," Dorcas added excitedly as Lily gave a sharp sigh. Of course Sirius would mention the alcohol.

"Speaking of curfews, I heard the new curfew to be in our common rooms is half past nine," Remus said.

"That's true. They've cut back on the curfew time this year. They also said there would be a ball this year, but they didn't say which one," Lily explained.

"Hope it's the Masquerade Ball," James said. "There's a Christmas dance anyways every year, so a Christmas Ball would be kind of pointless." Lily was a bit surprised that he felt the same way, but brushed it off when his gaze turned towards her and he winked suggestively. She glared even more dangerously than before, and crossed her arms to stare out the window.

At least I'm Head Girl this year, she thought. I can give him detentions when he gets on my nerves. And the best part is that he won't be able to do anything about it now that prefects can't issue detentions! Ha!

XXXXXXXX

"Good evening, and welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Headmaster Dumbledore announced to the students seated in the Great Hall. "There are a few announcements to be made. I'm afraid we've changed the rules around yet again, and I apologize on behalf of the entire faculty here at Hogwarts."

At least he apologizes, Lily thought to herself.

"First of all, there will be the Spring Masquerade Ball this year for sixth and seventh years only. If you are below your sixth year, you may only attend if asked by a sixth or seventh year. Secondly, the curfew time to be back in your common room is not ten o'clock anymore, but half past nine." A few groans went up in the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables.

"But you will be pleased to know that prefects are not allowed to issue detentions any longer, and that the right is reserved only to staff members and the Heads. This reminds me, I have yet to recognize our Heads for this year. Our Head Girl for this year is Miss Lily Evans." As Lily stood up, the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff tables erupted in deafening cheers and applaud, causing the redhead to cringe and laugh at the same time. She saw Dumbledore smiling down at her approvingly, and she felt a surge of pride rise in her stomach; the kind headmaster had become like a grandfather to her over the years, always taking a special interest in her and her well-being.

"And our Head Boy this year, I am very excited to announce, is Mr. James Potter." As James stood up, the hall was drowned in enthusiastic screams and clapping. Lily, however, was speechless. James was Head Boy? James Potter who was the biggest prankster in the school and beat up a first year boy two years ago and pushed a third year girl into the lake (What other James Potter, you idiot! Lily told herself)? He was Head Boy? He was Head Boy!

"Thank you for your support of our Heads. You may both sit down now," Dumbledore announced, and the two Gryffindors obeyed. "Now, I won't keep you waiting any longer, so out with the food, and let the feast begin." The food appeared on the four tables, and everyone began eating heartily.

"Alice, did you know that James was Head Boy?" Lily asked as she, Alice, Marlene, and Dorcas ate together.

"Of course! Everyone knew he was," Alice replied. Dorcas's eyes widened suddenly.

"Don't tell me you didn't know that," she said incredulously.

"I didn't know! It didn't say in the letter!" Lily replied defensively. Marlene raised her eyebrows.

"Lily, you spent more than an hour in a train compartment with James, had a minor argument with him during that time, and you didn't know he was Head Boy?" Marlene inquired.

"That's what it would seem like I'm saying," Lily retorted, indignance rising in her chest. What on earth did James do to deserve the position of Head Boy? Hadn't Dumbledore seen the horrible things James had done over the years? The way James had treated Severus, whom had been Lily former best friend, his arrogance and conceit, the fact that he hexed almost anyone who annoyed him? Did that all mean nothing?

"Oh my God!" Lily cried. "I have to carry out Head duties with him! What will I do? Alice, what will I do? I can't stand him!"

"Calm down," Alice ordered firmly. "You'll handle it professionally and will at least make an attempt at being kind because you make too many assumptions about James. He's not the arrogant toerag he used to be."

"He really is nice once you give him a chance. You know how much I hated the lot of them, but once I tried them they were the sweetest things you'd ever wish for," Dorcas added.

"But I-I-what will I do?" Lily asked desperately. How would she be able to get anything done with James Potter? He wouldn't take their duties seriously.

"By doing what most people do: trying to be nice and pleasant," Alice replied simply. "You really just need to loosen up to him. James is the only person you are inexcusably rude to."

"Just be nice to him, and you'll find him to be a good person. Besides if he wasn't a good person would he have let Sirius live in his house after Sirius ran away?" Marlene asked. Lily would not deny it; what James had done was completely loyal and kind-hearted, and it was one of the only things she admired about James.

"I won't deny the fact that what he did was very nice, but still, he always picks on the students in the third year and downwards, and he always used to pester Severus," she pointed out. Alice rolled her eyes as she took a sip of water.

"We're trying to help you, woman. Accept our help," she told Lily, who sighed. What a way to start off the year.

XXXXXXXX

"Did you see the look on her face when you stood up?" Sirius laughed. "She looked like she'd just been slapped!"

"Give her a break," Peter mumbled, shoving a treacle tart into his mouth. James couldn't help but agree with Sirius, though. The look on Lily's face was classic, as if she really had been slapped. James glanced down the table in the Great Hall to glance over at Lily. She was looking slightly dejectedly at her best friend Alice. She then said something, and the three girls around her laughed, Lily herself only wearing a small smile.

James had expected her to be upset about him making Head Boy. After all, he had been a bit of a prick in the past, especially towards Severus Snape. Severus Snape.

James's blood boiled at the very thought of the greasy-haired boy who Lily had been so close to. It made James want to hurt him sometimes to remember the way they used to laugh with each other, or hug each other when parting for classes. Oh God, what James would have done to kill him! He was relieved that they weren't friends anymore, for friendship could have turned into something more…

He tore his thoughts away from Severus and simply concentrated on Lily. She was actually laughing now. She was so beautiful with her pale ivory skin, plump lips, thick dark-red hair that fell to the middle of her back. And her eyes.

James had never seen eyes as lovely as Lily's. Those gorgeous, almond-shaped, emerald eyes that blazed with a kind of vigor that no other woman's seemed to possess. They were amazing, the way they narrowed when they fell on him, the way they darkened when she blushed, the way they sparkled when she laughed…

"Oi, Prongs!" Sirius shouted, causing James to spill his pumpkin juice all over his robes.

"Bloody hell! What's up with you?" he demanded in annoyance as her muttered a charm that left his robes clean.

"Shouldn't we be asking that to you? I called your name twice," Sirius told him, scowling at his best friend.

"He was probably ogling Lily again," Remus commented indifferently, taking a bite out of a roll. Peter looked down at Lily, and shoved another tart into his mouth.

"Honestly, mate, don't you ever stop thinking about her?" Sirius asked. James cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Do you really need me to answer that question?" he wanted to know. The other boy simply grinned.

"No," was the short reply. James didn't mind the pestering he got from Sirius about Lily. He loved her, and he was prepared to take any kind of scorn or ridicule to make her his. Fear had been eating at his insides during the summer about Lily. This was the last year at Hogwarts, meaning the last year to try and make Lily love him. What if he couldn't? What if after seven years he still couldn't get her to see the James who wasn't an arrogant bullying toerag? What would he do?

James choked on his juice, spitting out on Peter's face on the opposite side of the table as his lungs seemed to block out all air, his vision blurring for a second.

"What the ruddy hell!" Peter shouted, wiping the drink off his face.

"What's eating you?" Sirius demanded, scowling once more in annoyance at James, who shook his head.

"I'm fine, really," he lied, flashing a sheepish grin at his three friends. The other three boys exchanged glances before they turned back to their food.

Of course I'm not fine! James shouted inwardly. He knew he couldn't live without Lily in his life. He wouldn't live in a world without Lily. It simply wasn't possible.

I have this year, he told himself. I still have about 300 days to make her love me. Just one day at a time.