Seeing Through Different Eyes.

Chapter 1: The Dare

Some stories begin with Once Upon A Time or Faraway Lands, but not this one. In fact, this story begins with a young girl. A young girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. She had deep, dazzling emerald eyes and smooth, porcelain skin. She had a small, cute nose and full, red lips. In all, she was a beauty. And although she didn't seem to notice, everyone else did, particularly one boy, by the name of James Potter.

She sat in a plush, red armchair in front of the roaring Gryffindor fire, reading a thick book, titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Around her, groups of Gryffindor's sat in contentment, enjoying their freedom that only a weekend can provide. Chatter was a constant sound within the room, but was quickly silenced when:

"LILY!" A deep, excited voice called from the dormitory staircases.

The girl in the armchair stopped reading and looked up. "What do you want Potter?" She asked.

James Potter ignored her and ruffled his black, messy hair in a would-be sexy manner, however, Lily found it annoying and proved he was stuck-up. He strolled over to her and perched himself on the arm of the chair. "Fancy seeing you here, Evans. I was just coming down to hang out with my mates, but now I see you're here, I think I will stay with you. Is that alright?"

Lily scowled. "It's not." She said coldly.

Again, she was ignored. "Great! So, what were you doing before I came down?" James chirped.

"Reading." Lily returned. "Something I want to go back too if you don't mind."

"Oh, not at all. Go ahead." James settled himself into a more comfortable position on the arm.

Lily shrugged and continued reading. Slowly, the chatter in the Common Room began again, and everyone showed relief that the two hadn't fought, yet.

After a few minutes, James was quickly bored. "So, Evans, what are you reading?"

Lily held up the cover of the book, so he could see, before going back to reading.

"Ahh, I've read that one." James yawned.

"Your point is?" Lily frowned and looked at him.

"Well, considering as we share a like for similar books, I was thinking, maybe you wanted to go out sometime? I mean, only if you're interested. We could go to Hogsmeade and grab a butterbeer or something."

Lily gaped at him."What? Potter, I don't even like you. The only feelings I have for you is utter contempt and hate."

James grimaced, "Not my fault. But just listen. We could go out. You're so beautiful and smart and witty, and I'm well, me. We'd be the best couple Hogwarts has ever seen!"

Lily rose from her seat, glaring down at James. "You are a git. You think you are perfect and don't stop to realise that maybe, just maybe, the all-wonderful handsome James Potter is nothing more than an idiot with an oversized ego! How many girls have you used those lines on? How many girls have you called beautiful so you can get what you want?" By this point, Lily's face matched her hair and her expression was one of pure anger. "And how many times do you have to ask me out before you get the point, that maybe I don't like you, and maybe I think you are not what everyone else believes! I see through your facade! I know you are not the smart, handsome boy with everything in the world! You are a selfish, egotistical prat and I am not interested! I will never go out with you! Do you understand?"

Lily visibly deflated after her rant, but was still breathing heavily. James looked taken aback. "So I guess thats a no?" He asked.

Lily screamed, "WHAT ELSE WOULD IT BE!" before storming out of the Portrait Hole.

James sighed and ruffled his hair. "You can come out now." He said tiredly. A laugh was heard then three boys and a girl emerged from their hiding places around the room. "Don't laugh. I know it didn't go well."

Remus sighed. He stood between the two other boys, with sandy brown hair and intelligent eyes. "You should give her a break. I don't think Lily appreciates you throwing yourself on her everyone time you see her."

Sirius, a tall, handsome boy with black hair and deep grey eyes smirked. "Maybe that'd work better. Just show her what you have to offer, if you know what I mean." James rolled his eyes at this and Remus sighed again. However, Peter, a small chubby boy with watery eyes squeaked. Sirius grinned. "Something wrong Peter?"

Peter shook his head profusely. "N..n..no Sirius. Of course not."

Remus smiled. "You're scaring him Sirius. You know Wormtail here doesn't like sexual innuendos. It makes him uncomfortable."

Sirius grinned wickedly. "All the more reason to bring them up. Besides, why should't I share my experiences in an amusing manner? Everyone loves it."

This was the first time that the girl spoke. "Sirius! I know I don't want to hear it! I already know you've gotten with half the girls at school. I don't want to know any more!" She had fiery red hair that reached her shoulders and cheerful blue eyes. Her facial features were the same as Lily's, although her lips were thinner and she smiled more often than her sister.

"You sure of that, Rose?" Sirius asked sweetly, his eyebrows waggling. Rose pretended to vomit, and the boys laughed.

Then, it was back to business. James straightened his silver-rimmed glasses and looked over at Rose. "Rose? I wanna know your opinion. I mean, being Lily's twin has to count for something. I really want her to consider me."

Rose sighed. "You'd think I would, but honestly, I don't know how to make Lily notice you in that kinda way. If you were any other guy, I would, but no. You are a completely different case. I don't think even Lily knows what to make of you." She smiled. "But, who's to say its impossible. Who knows, maybe one day Lily will see reason."

James smiled in return. "Thanks Rosie, you always know how to make me feel better."

Sirius chuckled. "And on that note, I'd like to bring to attention a rather important topic. We need to talk pranks. Who will be our next target? When will we strike? How will we strike?"

Rose clapped her hands together in excitement. "I know, the Slytherins! We haven't hit them in a while!" Remus shook his head, no.

James had the next idea. "What if we get Lily with our next prank?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "And you wonder why she doesn't like you." He muttered.

"Hey I heard that!" James said indignantly. "Well, okay. Maybe not Lily. Padfoot?" He gestured at Sirius.

Sirius cleared his throat. "We hit the Great Hall, tonight. In the morning, chaos will break loose!"

James grinned. "Brilliant! What will we do though?" He frowned in thought. "Wallpaper it in Gryffindor colours?"

Remus shook his head. "Done."

"Aw Moony! What if we wanna do it again?" James moaned.

"No. We only do our pranks once. Just cause you're feeling lazy..."

James cut him off. "I am not lazy! How dare you say that?"

Rose took this as an opening for a quick getaway. Once the boys got into an argument, however insignificant, they could keep it up for hours. Amusing, yes, annoying, also. "Well, as nice as it would be to stay and chat, I'd better find Lily and see how she's feeling."

Sirius perked up. "Can I come? It'd be fun. You, me and Lils."

She shook her head. "No Padfoot. You know you're going to get in the way. Plus, Lily is going to be angry, so you probably don't want to be there."

Sirius sighed. "Okay. I'll just stick around with these idiots. No biggie."

Rose laughed. "If that's you trying to pull guilt, you're pretty bad. I gotta go, see you around Sirius."

He pouted and turned back to his arguing friends. Rose smiled and began to creep away. The last thing she heard as she left the Common Room was James, sounding wounded, "I am not lazy Moony, so stop trying to say I am. I got better abs then most of the guys here, especially you."

Rose meandered through the corridors, taking her time as she walked. Lily could be anywhere, but Rose knew better. She was in the library, probably venting to her books. Rose shuddered. Although they were twins in looks and attitude, they each had a different personality and different likes and dislikes.

Obviously, Lily loved books and was obsessed with her grades, whereas Rose was more laid-back and was more interested in hanging out with her friends and the fun things that that entailed. This was probably why Rose was best friends with the Marauders, the coolest group of boys in the school, and Lily only had one best friend, who was distinctly bookish, much like her. Thats not to say that Lily and Rose could not get on, in fact, they were the closest pair of twins the school had ever seen, as Professor Mcgonagall had affectionately pointed out.

They could empathize with one another and could often sense when the other was upset, angry or in danger. They were rarely separated at home, and united against their disliked older sister, Petunia. Lily had a wicked sense of humour that she rarely displayed, instead opting to be quieter, whereas Rose was opposite. They fitted and complemented each another like a puzzle, despite their differences.

Rose entered the library and perused the aisles in search of Lily. She found her sister in the back of the library, sitting on the floor with her best friend, May. May was a tiny thing, with long, wispy blonde hair and interesting greeny-blue eyes. She had a round face that was accentuated by rosy red cheeks. She was very serious about most things, and very shy with people she is not comfortable with. Lily was the only one to see her when she let loose and came out of her shell.

When Rose found Lily, she was sitting on the floor with her legs brought up to her chest, with May's comforting arm around her shoulders. Lily looked very spaced out, and seemed to be in deep thought. Rose dismissed this, it was probably some philosophical thing that May had said. May was looking quite relaxed, but also worried for her friend. Her face showed the most emotion that Rose had ever seen on it. However, the second May saw her, her face became slightly more guarded, and she nudged Lily's side.

"Lils? Rose is here. I'll be in the dorms if you need me." May told Lily before getting to her feet and quietly walking away.

Lily rose her head and flashed a brief smile in Rose's direction, before patting the ground beside her. "Come here Rosie. I guess you want to talk, huh?"

Rose nodded and took her seat next to her sister. "So, I heard that James asked you out again this afternoon." Lily sneered. Rose hurried on. "Did you want to talk about it?"

Lily began to redden, and looked as if she was building up to an outburst. "I just don't get it Rosie. I told him I'm not interested. How thick is he? And be honest, I don't want you sticking up for him just cause he's your friend."

Rose sighed. They always talked about James like this. She didn't get it. James was a lovely boy who was completely infatuated with Lily. Everyone could see it, except her. Everyone thought they would be adorable as a couple, except her. Rose suspected that Lily had feelings for James, but didn't know how to react to them, so she maintained the norm, acting with hate towards him. Emotions were a complex thing. But Rose didn't say any of these things. She didn't want her twin to be angry at her. Instead she began, "Lils, I understand you are not interested, but you need to be a bit softer on him. Maybe you shouldn't yell at him. And, yes, maybe James sometimes has issues with understanding certain concepts, but he is by no means thick or stupid. Judging his marks, I'd say he's pretty bloody smart." This was of course, true. Lily topped most of her subjects, those she didn't were topped by none other than James Potter. Rose came in second place for plenty of subjects, but she wasn't interested in academics as Lily was.

Lily scowled at Rose. "Don't pick his side. I realise he is smart, unfortunately, he beats me in Transfiguration." Lily's eyebrows were looking demented with the angry angle they were held at. "And as for being softer on him, I don't think you understand. You don't have a stupid boy following you around, asking you out every five seconds. I want it to stop. But of course, you don't understand, do you? No, cause you would rather stand by Potter than me, your own sister." Lily was angry.

Rose scowled. "How dare you accuse me of taking sides! I have to look after James after you have turned him down, so I reckon I have a pretty bloody good idea of what is happening! You don't understand me!"

The redhead temper was ignited in both of the girls. They were both incredibly red faced, with angry expressions and were breathing heavily.

"I did not accuse you! You did it all yourself!"

"Oh yeah? Says you! I'm not the one who breaks James' heart every time he so much as looks at you!"

That shut Lily up. "I...I...do? He doesn't care for me, right? I thought it was just a sick joke...but..." Lily looked lost for words.

"Oops, didn't mean to spill that one," Rose thought, her eyes still on Lily, "I hope James doesn't kill me."

"Well, who knows? He acts like he cares. Why wouldn't he?" Rose said.

Lily still looked flabbergasted. Her previously red face quickly turned deathly white. "But...he can't care. I don't care, right? What if he's lying to you?"

Rose looked thoughtful. "He might be lying, but why would he? He's amongst friends. There would be no reason to talk about you every waking second, unless he cared."

"What!" Lily looked shocked.

"Double oops" Rose thought glumly. She said, "Umm...you didn't hear that from me."

Lily looked like she was almost back to normal. She giggled at Rose's uncomfortable words. "Are we friends again?" Rose nodded to this. "Good. I hate fighting. But sometimes, I just wish you could understand."

Rose smiled. "Right back at you sister. We need to understand each other better on this matter. We can't keep fighting."

The sisters both became silent, as they were thinking. Rose suddenly lit up. "I have an idea Lils!"

Lily looked at her. "What is it?" She asked eagerly. However, Rose was hesitant. "Well, get on with it!"

"I'm not sure if you'd like it."

"I don't care! Just tell me!"

Rose sighed. "Fine. I thought that we could swap places, considering we look similar, and pretend to be each other, for like, a week or something. Then, I would know what it feels like to be followed around by James, and you'd know what it feels like to hang with the Marauders and listen to James' lovestruck ramblings. That way, we can understand what the other is going through. You get me?"

Lily nodded. "It'd work, but you have shorter hair, and a different eye colour!"

Rose grinned. "Nothing a bit of magic can't fix." Both girls chuckled.

"Wait. This won't work. I can't hang with them for a whole week. Especially not with Potter there."

"Lily." Rose said exasperatedly. "Grow up."

"I can't be with...with...HIM." Lily cried, her hands in the air.

"Fine. You've left me no choice." Rose spoke menacingly.

"Whatever do you mean?" Lily was genuinely confused.

"I, Rose Gina Evans, dare you, Lily Marie Evans, to pretend to be me for a week. Likewise, I will pretend to be you. Comprende?" Rose looked smug, Lily looked like a deer caught in headlights. She was stubborn, but found it impossible to turn down a dare. It was one of the few things that Lily Evans was not capable of, which was why Rose loved using them.

Lily scowled at Rose. "I hate you."

AN: So pretty much, that's the first chapter. Please R & R so I know what to fix/change. I've never done anything like this, so the whole fanfiction thing is new to me. I mean, I read it, I've just never posted anything. So yeah, I'd love a few reviews so I know if its worthwhile.

~Hannah