I do not own Harry Potter. I simply write pathetic stories about character's from Harry Potter.

Note to readers: In this chapter their not in Spain. That's the next chapter. The main story is that Lily, Alice, James, Sirius, and everyone else from that time period are a year out of Hogwarts and looking for work. Lily, who is trying to be a journalist, can not find a job that let's her write what she wants. Her first story for the prophet is "Is Cleo the Cat the Reincarnation of Cleopatra?" She is offered a job in Spain from an old classmate, Federico Fitz Gilbert. He claims that he wants to give the true storiesbut spends most of his time trying to seduce Lily. The plot becomes weirder when James shows up.

One year out of Hogwarts, and Lily Evans did not have a lot to show for it. She worked for the daily prophet, a wizarding news paper. When she decided to go into journalism she saw herself writing the important stories, the ones that needed to be heard. She did not see herself running around getting coffee for all of her male bosses. Alice, her best friend in the whole world, was not able to make any difference in the world. She had to stay home and take care of her father. Lily didn't think she would be able to stay home and watch over that man.

Mr. Thornton had never been the kindest man. Alice's mother had been the only thing he loved. When she died giving birth to Alice, she left three children and a husband unable to face reality. After his two sons were killed Mr. Thornton started drinking. Alice, being the sweet natured thing she was, put her dreams on hold and took care of her father. Alice didn't have many visitors. Lily was working at the paper and Frank was in Auror Training. James's broomstick business was taking off. He didn't make a lot of money but as he always told Lily,

"I have enough to support myself from my parents!"

The only time any of them saw each other was every Saturday Night at the local tavern. The Frog's eyes was the meeting place of many young people back then. The Leaking Cauldron was for older people and the Hog's Head was a bit to rough for most of them. On the 24th of March James and Sirius were the first there. In fact both were the first there always. Sirius, who was unemployed, waited every week for Saturday night. Sirius always had to be doing something. He had to be having an affair or getting drunk with his friends all the time. James closed shop early on Saturday so Sirius didn't wait alone.

"I can't take it anymore James! Sitting at home all day, God dammed it; the only thing I've done in six months is work on my bike. It's not even close to flying yet!"

James laughed, "Weren't you just working on that bombshell? What was her name again? Stacy, Pam, Sue, or wait it was Windsong! I remember now, she thought she was a reincarnated priestess and that it was her duty to please you sexually"

Sirius sighed, "James, James, James, how many times do I have to tell you? It doesn't matter if their crazy! All that matters is the sex and how large their.."

"Hi guys! What's up?"

Alice had just joined their table. She looked tried but she seemed excited to have the chance to have fun tonight. Sirius then changed the conversation to his bike. Sirius never talked about sex or anything crude in front of Alice. Around anyone else he could be a little of a pervert but not around Alice. He would only be crude around Lily as a joke. Sirius could actually be a gentleman to the ladies he felt were his family. As Sirius and Alice talked, James watched the door. He watched for her long red hair and beautiful green eyes but instead saw Peter, Remus, and Frank enter the bar. When the three newcomers approached the table all the guys exchanged hand shakes and pats on the back. Frank and Alice greeted with a small, sweet kiss. Alice noticed Franks hand and gasped.

"Frank what happened?"

His hand was bandaged and there was a small scratch on his forehead. Frank shrugged it off.

"You remember that idiot Patrick Puffery, The guys who's daddy got him this far. Well, we were partnered together for this test raid and he forgot to back me up. When he finally remembered to cast a stunning spell it hit me. He has no business being in a line of work where people's lives are at stake!"

Alice nodded in agreement and the guys started talking about the newest newspaper article. More deaths and more people kidnapped. James shook his head. Some many deaths and so many families destroyed. Howard Thikle, an old friend of his father and Dumbledore, had been found in his house murdered last week. His house had been torn apart and all the papers in his desk were taken away.

James turned again to the door and watched as his girlfriend entered the bar. She was the same girl he fell in love with when he was eleven. She had gown a lot in the last year. She seemed to fit in everywhere. She had transformed from the young school girl to a strong woman. Her hair was longer and fell in her face as she entered the bar. She brushed it out of her eyes and James was blown away. Her eyes always had this affect on him. She smiled when she saw him looking at her and headed to the group.

She pushed through the crowned bar, gaining many stares and a few whistles. When James saw an old man stare at her butt he was ready to attack but remembered that he was growing up and that starting a fight because some guy was looking at Lily would not prove that he was ready to be a husband.

At the age of nineteen James was ready to marry Lily. He was ready at twelve actually. He hadn't told her of his plans yet but he saw himself making brooms and Lily writing her books as ten children ran around the Potter Estate. Maybe it was a little early too but James had already named all ten of their messy, red haired children: Charles, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and James Jr. were the boys. The girls would be Sarah, Caitlin, Dorea, Cassidy, Deirdre, and then Lily Jr. Wait that's twelve. Hey, maybe they'd have twelve.

When Lily reached James they kissed. It was long but it had been two weeks. Last week Lily couldn't come because she had to proof read a story for the press. Alice and the others jumped up to hug her. They were like family. Each one was needed or they couldn't live.

The night went by fast and the by midnight all were a little drunk, Alice worst of all. Frank took Alice by the arm, told the others goodnight, and took her home. Peter couldn't walk straight so Remus took him back to his mother's house to sleep it off. Sirius had left hours ago with an older, married woman.

James and Lily tried to stay as long as possible because neither knew when they would see each other again. At closing time James walked Lily back to her flat in muggle London.

"James, I get to write a column for the Monday times. Can you believe it? My first story."

James smiled at her excitement and then asked,

"What's it about then my hard headed Journalist?"

Lily's spirits sank, "Only about this old woman who thinks her cat is the reincarnated self of Cleopatra but it's a start."

James laughed, "I'll have to cut it out and start a collection, The Works of the Soon to be Famous Journalist Lily Evans. So, your busy tomorrow?"

"Afraid so, I am to have to tea with Cleo Kitty at nine and then I have to get back to the office to write and submit. Why"

"I was going to have everyone over for lunch. My mother had this traditional Sunday Lunch with friends and family and I thought I'd start it again."

"Give me a rain check and I'll be there next week."

They had reached Lily's apartment by then and both entered the front room. It was a small flat, normal for one's first apartment. There was a large kitchen slash living room. Off of the kitchen was a small bedroom that the bed could just fit in. Through the bedroom was the bathroom. James knew his way around the flat and headed for the kitchen to get a glass of Orange Juice.

"Mind if I use the restroom before I head home?"

"Sure help yourself."

Lily sat on the sofa and started reading "East of Eden." She was tried and wanted to get to bed but part of her didn't want James to leave. When James came out of the bedroom he found Lily asleep on the sofa.

He sighed but decided that it was easier to leave without having to look into her eyes. He picked her up and carried her to bed. He made sure that she had enough blankets and then kissed her forehead.

"Night Sweet Lily"

He closed the door of her room and with a pop headed home to his parent's house. Even though his parents had been dead for five he still didn't see the house as his. He didn't change anything about it. He still slept in his boyhood room and never touched the papers in his father's desk. His mother's gardens were still tended by the many Potter house elves.

He never went into the nursery. His mother had decorated it when she found out she was pregnant with him. His mother and father had given up hope of ever having children when James came along. The moment Dorea Potter found out she was pregnant she raced to this room and painted it blue. Though her nine months she added a lot to the bright room. She painted clouds on the ceiling and birds and snitches flying through the sky.

The last time James entered the room was the day that they died. They died together and that made James happy. They had loved each other all their lives and it made it easier knowing they were together. That night James had walked around the now empty house. All his life there had been laughter in the hallways but now it was quiet.

In his father's study there was nothing. He remembered his father bent over the desk, smiling at him and explaining what he was doing. When James reached the Nursery it was morning. The morning light had hit his small crib and he had a flashback. He saw his mother standing over him smiling and laughing.

She kept saying his name. Over and over again, "James, James, James my son." He didn't know if it was really a memory or rather what he wished. He broke down and cried. After that day James decided to stay out of the two rooms where he thought of his parents. He thought it would be easier that way. Boy, was he wrong!

I knew it was very short but the next chapter really starts the story. Please tell me what you think because I know I need to work on my writing and I know that this chapter was a little rushed.

-Aine Darcy