"UGLY!! It is just ugly!"

"Petunia, there are uglier things"

"Yeah Vernon" Lily chuckled under her breath.

"What did you say?" A shrill Petunia turned to look at her younger sister. "Mother, she is determined to ruin everything for me!"

"No im not! You're determined to ruin everything yourself."

"Did you hear that mum?"

"Yes, I heard that, Lily go choose a pin for your hair, and Petunia lets pick out another gown…"

This kind of argument was popular in the Evan's household. Ever since Lily had received her Hogwarts letter the relationship between with her sister had decayed. Before then it had all been pretty normal between them, they had the odd fight over the norm, who's doll was the best and who's idea it had been to create that game. But now they were bitter and plain nasty.

"Mother I have to meet Vernon in twenty minutes" Petunia fingered lacy dresses as she continued to whine. Her horsy face wearing a gross look of disgust. The angled horsy face was a noticeable family characteristic, Petunia's was perhaps sharper than the rests, and she accentuated it with a look of distaste which she often sported.

"Well go then, Lily and I will pick out the material for her dress." Mrs Evans was a pleasant woman. Proud of both her daughters, she was a pleasantly plump lady who stood at 5'2 with auburn her that she delicately pinned to frame her prominent facial features. Petunia kissed her mothers cheek, ignored Lily, thanked the shop owner and then left. The bell on the door clanging behind her.

"Well that was quite successful" Lily laughed as she joined her mother at the desk, where her mother had begun scanning a book of material samples.
"One day she will accept you for who you are," Lily's mother put an arm round her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. "I want to wear pink" Lily pointed to a silky material. "Pretty in pink" her mother smiled and beckoned the shop assistant, who made notes on the material choice and continued to fuss over the duo until they were content and left.

"Im sorry that im leaving early" Lily embraced her mother for the third time, "I just really think I should be at this ball, being Head Girl and all." Mrs Evans dabbed her eyes as she had to once again say farewell to her daughter at Kings Cross Station. Gripping her trolley, Lily took a confident walk towards the wall dividing platforms 9 and 10. Her mother watched as her daughter faded into the red brick work, escaping her world and entering an enchanting one of her very own.

Lily bustled through the wall onto a practically empty platform. It was the last Friday of the October half term and not very many people had gone home for the short holidays. Lily didn't normally, but her sister had gotten married on the previous Tuesday, and she had to be there. The day had been pleasant enough, predictably boring, with Vernon's vulgar family degrading the reception. His sister Margery made a particular spectacle of herself complaining at the top of her voice about the food served, and a cousin of his, around the same age as Lily tried to stick his sloppy tongue down her throat. That was a moment she wouldn't easily forget.

Three hours had passed and Lily had completed two of the homeworks set for the holidays, a herbology assignment and a charms report. She despised leaving things so late, but since she'd returned home she had been occupied with wedding "duties", her dress fitting, the wedding rehearsel, a depressing hen night and then the final deed. Why Petunia had married a dull fat man was beyond Lily's imagination. She hoped it was for love, and not for the wealth he promised to one day score through his drill business.

Out of the window Lily watched as the scenery buzzed past, endless muddy green fields suggested that they were nearing the end of the journey and Lily began packing away her books and papers into her leather satchel. At this point she'd have normally begun changing into her robes, but it was still the holidays so she could wear her everyday muggle clothing. The weather outside was rotten, rain and gusts were making amock of the tree's and anything else brave enough to stand in its force. Wishing she'd worn something warmer Lily pulled on her black cardigan, she wanted to look semi-nice when she returned back to the castle, so she'd made a bit of an effort wearing a short thirties style tea dress, in a pretty floral print, with a black caridgan, black tights and purple pumps - it certainly wasn't suitable for the weather condition, but heck, she was a witch, she'd use a drying charm when she was back in the castle. Her hair was pulled back as usual, her mother had insisted she had it styled before the wedding and she wore a new fringe, she wasn't a fan of it thinking it accentuated her horsy face so hastely had tried brushing it to the side.

The train slowed down to a hault, jurking as it finally stopped. Taking her bag she left her compartment and clambered onto the station platform. She looked for the other students who'd travelled with her that, and as Head girl felt it her responsibility to gather them together. As she was about to take charge and do this a hand reached for her shoulder, turning to her left she saw a drenched Head boy smiling at her.

"James Potter, what are you doing down here?" She asked, secretly glad that he were the first to great her from the train.

"Dumbledore asked me to make sure you all got to the castle saftely" He grinned down at her, blushing slightly at her appearance. He certainly approved of the new hair, it made her look older, but in a sexy way. Not like a granny. He left her side and went to gather the new students. Slightly agape Lily followed his lead to the carriages pulled by the magical Thestrals. She'd never seen anyone die, therefore she couldn't see the creatures, but in the fifth year she read about them and was intrigued. Climbing into the carriage, she saw it was already occupied by a second year Hufflepuff. "Hello" she smiled friendly to the girl. The girl politely responded but didn't make eye contact; Lily didn't try to push the conversation any further and happily hummed to herself.

The door was thrown opened and a happy James hopped in. Flushed and wet from the weather, Lily certainly thought the look was working for him, she was reminded of a time she'd kissed his cheek after a Quidditch game. She felt a blush creep to her cheeks as plonked down closely beside her, their thighs touching. "Good wedding?" He asked cheerily.
"Awful" Lily responded and he laughed. A hearty genuine laugh that erupted from the pit of his stomach. How she loved it when he laughed like that.
"That good eh? Oh well, nice seeing your mother I expect".
"Yes it was lovely" she responded. James Potter was an odd character in her life. For years he irritated her, constantly harassing her and hexing students in a ploy to get her attention. It all of course backfired and she loathed him for years. But last year he changed, mellowed out, took the time to get to know her. Then of course this year, he was Head boy, and they had become closer, sharing a living space meant they saw each other at their worst, and he still maintained affection for her - and now, she believed she could return his love. A few moments of silence passed, she felt comfortable being silent with him though, they didn't need to constantly talk to appreciate each others company.

"Have you had a good week?" Lily asked as the carriage drew to the end of its journey, stopping in front of the castle doors.
"Its been alright" James answered clambering out of the carriage and offering a hand to first Lily, and then the second year who'd been trapped with them. "Except you left me with the final preparations for this blasted ball!"
Lily laughed "James we owled everyday".
Pouting he began the assent to their dormitory, "It's not the same as having you here actually doing everything though Lils".
She blushed a shocking scarlet clashing revoltingly with her hair and nervously laughed, "Im sure it will all be perfect"

Until they'd been parted Lily didn't realise how much she had actually begun relying on James. Back at home the mornings weren't the same without a bicker with him over the bathroom, over what time they should be up by, and what time they should finish patrolling. In some ways she felt like they were married, without the intimacy and sex obviously. They did share the odd intimate moment however. Once she'd been back an hour or two and freshened up Lily left her empty dorm and went to the Gryffindor common room to see her friends. James had walked her to their room, given her a quick hug told her he'd missed her then ran off to see his friends.

Approaching the portrait of the Fat Lady, Lily politely greeted her then announced the password "pumpkin" before entering the tunnel which led to the beloved Gryffindor common room. Decorated in red and gold, Lily embraced the comforting smell of cinnamon which erupted her senses as she entered the gorgeous space. Friendly faces turned towards her, and a squeal sounded from the sofa in front of the large roaring fire. "LILY" a dark haired girl ran towards her, flinging her arms around her neck, "Alice" Lily fondly hugged the girl back. "How are you? I didn't realise you were back, are you excited about the ball tomorrow?" Her friend quickly asked in such a high pitched voice only dogs would understand what she was actually saying. From the opposite side of the room Sirius Black scratched his ear and looked up. Lily followed the girl to the seat by the fire and answered all the questions. Alice Williams had been her best friend since their first year. Alice had curly brown hair; she was tubby and 5'5. Lily fell in love with her the moment they met, Alice had one of those faces you couldn't resist loving, it was rounded and simply adorable with large blue eyes and a button nose, and a wide mouth, Lily would never audibly admit it, but her friend reminded her a little of a frog. At the sofa Lily greeted Frank Longbottom, Alice's boyfriend and Natalie Bates another one of their friends. Sitting on the rug beside the fire she began chatting with her friends, talking about the wedding and gossiping over dresses for the following days Halloween ball.

James watched Lily as she entered the common room, and wished he was able to run up to her and squeeze her as Alice had. He was sitting on the opposite side of the room, huddled around a small table watching his best friends Sirius and Remus play a game of wizard chest. The weather outside was still blustery and vile; therefore the room was crowded with students with nothing else better to do. Anticipation clinched them all, and the prospects of the party tomorrow night had set an atmosphere amongst the entire student body, everyone was excited. None more than the Marauders who'd planned a booze up in the Head's common room after the formal ball had ended. It had been Sirius's idea, and even Remus thought it was a good one, so who was James to oppose. He knew that Lily wouldn't be best pleased, but only Gryffindor's and a select few from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were invited so it would be in control.

"Mate, stop drooling over her and go talk to her" Sirius Black unexpectedly turned from his game and ordered his mate.
"Yeah James" Remus butted in, "its obvious Lily likes you back, you should really just got inflict yourself on her until she gives in."
There would normally have been a fourth member of the gang, who'd have included something else incorrigible about now, but unfortunately Peter Pettigrew had returned home for the holidays, his Aunt Gretel had passed away and his mother had insisted he comfort her through the trying time.
"Alright alright…" James stood and brushed himself down. His right hand went straight to his hair, which he ruffled roughly and he crossed the room, entering dangerous territory.

"…so im standing there and he just leans in towards me and…" noticing James's presence she stopped her story. "Yes James?" Lily sweetly asked, trying to hide her embarrassment at his sudden appearance with annoyance.
"Just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful Lils." Well she hadn't expected that one.
"Thanks" she replied emotionlessly and then turned away, continuing her account of her gruesome encounter with Vernon's cousin to an eager Natalie.

A bit put out James turned quickly on his heel and returned to his friends. "Im a fool" he muttered, placing his head in his hands and shaking it.
"Nah mate, classic "I want you" put down that" Sirius patted his back, "Natalie does it to me all the time, and I told you what happened with her the other night". He leant his head back on his arms, stretched out his legs and winked.
Remus looked up from the chess set, "although it pains me to say it, Sirius is right" a proud smirk appeared on Black's face, "wait until the dance tomorrow and sweep her off her feet." James grunted in reply, feeling foolish.

As Lily's friends shuddered over her story of Vernon's cousin and his slobbering advances her mind was elsewhere. He'd called her beautiful, Potter told her that she looked beautiful, and he was sincere. Overwhelmed she sat back, leant against the leg of the sofa the others were snuggled on. Content and happy. It was good to be home.

Wow. You got this far! This is my first fanfic. So please, don't be evil about it, hehe. I'd really appreciate any reviews. Tommorow I will post up the next chapter. Even if nobody else is enjoying it, I certainly am.