A/N This is basically a typical LJ fic: plenty of marauders, quips and jokes, but there's war/angst and all that too. It's my first stab at a proper story so give it a read – you might like! And if you do read it pleaaase review because I love to get them!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise. It's all J.K's.

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"2 minutes to, James, you'd better board!" Mrs Potter chirped away, "Now mind you don't forget to write, dear, we want to hear everything!"

"Yes, Mum," James replied whilst dragging his trunk over to the Head's carriage, and hoisting it onto the luggage rack. He made his way back over to his Mother to say farewell. She looked him up and down, and proceeded to rake her hands through his jet black and forever-messy hair.

"Will it ever lie flat?" She asked exasperatedly.

"No, Mum. You know it won't," he responded dully.

"I know, I know, but you're Head Boy now! You ought to look smart!" She straightened the gleaming badge on his chest and beamed at him in pride.

"Your Dad and I are ever so proud of you, you know."

"I know, Mum."

Out of the corner of his eye, James noticed a certain redheaded beauty making her way over to the Head's carriage. Mrs Potter followed his gaze, and smiled at him knowingly.

"Bear in mind James we want to hear everything," she repeated, eyeing Lily as she came nearer. "She is as beautiful as you always said," And with that she kissed him on the cheek, winked, and disapparated with a crack, leaving James smiling to himself.

"Lily? Lily?" Mrs Evans called from somewhere down the platform.

"Coming, Mum!"

Lily walked straight past James, barely acknowledging his presence and lugged her trunk onto the train; with great difficulty. He moved in to help but she blocked his way, and with that she walked back over to say goodbye to her parents.

James sighed as he watched her retreating figure. Seeing her again had brought on the usual symptoms; heart palpitations, sweaty palms and he absolutely couldn't swallow. As he took a seat on the train, he contemplated in misery what it actually might take for her to spend any time getting to know him. She had always judged and ridiculed him, but what had he really ever done to deserve it? Okay, so there had been the occasional prank...the occasional display of his rather robust ego...but what were a few mistakes here and there? Just at that moment she herself waltzed into the carriage and parked herself by the window, barely batting an eyelid at the raven haired boy sitting before her.

"Hi Evans," James said.

"Potter," she greeted with a nod, looking over at last.

She then did a double-take.

"Potter, I know you're slightly mentally challenged but this is the Head's carriage. You Potter, should be at the back, with Black and Pettigrew. Where's Remus?" She craned her neck as if expecting for him to jump out from underneath the seats.

"Ah Evans, your charm never ceases to amaze," He replied lazily, "It seems as fateful cock up and dire chance would have it, I have in fact been made Head Boy,"

And he tapped his badge.

Lily sneered, "You? Potter…this is an authority figure; and you're the biggest trouble maker Hogwarts has ever seen." Yet there was his badge, clear as day.

James grinned, "Why thank you Evans, I do try."

Lily simply rolled her eyes and stared out of the window, thinking; Brilliant. Me and Potter; for an entire journey. Just shoot me now…She then saw her Mum and Dad waving goodbye. She waved back.

James noticed there was another girl standing by Mr and Mrs Evans. He knew Lily had a sister, but if he'd had to choose this girl out of a crowd he would never have known they were related. Where Lily's face was kind, soft and gentle, her sister's was taut, defined and, well, snobby. He saw Lily smile and wave, and in return her sister rolled her eyes, laughing bitterly and stalked off. He saw Lily's face tighten...he saw her hurt expression.

"Is that your sister?" he ventured.

Lily seemed surprised he had been watching her, and turned to him with teary eyes, which she hastened to wipe dry.

"Yes," she said shortly.

"Why did she…" he asked pathetically.

But Lily knew what he meant. She considered him for a moment, and then said.

"She doesn't like the…the magic. She thinks it's unnatural…she thinks I'm a…a freak," she managed.

James was a little shocked. He had never imagined what it must be like not to live with Wizards. It must be as though your life is divided into two, he thought to himself.

"What about your Mum and Dad?" he asked; hardly believing his own daring.

"What about them?"

"What do they think of magic and Hogwarts and everything?"

For a second, he thought she was going to answer him, but then;

"Potter why are we suddenly to interested in my life? Did I say I wanted to share it all with you? Why is it any of your business?" she snapped.

James was stung, and Lily didn't even care. Why is he acting as though we're friends? Arrogant arsehole.

"…sorry…" he mumbled.

Lily didn't answer, but continued to look outside as the train moved out of the station and the countryside began to take its place; houses rolling into hills.

James cursed himself. You pushed it too far, Prongs. Stupid...stupid arse. He never knew how to deal with Lily Evans. Sometimes she was friendly, sometimes she was tolerant, and sometimes she was rude, bossy and hostile. But what he did know was that this year he would finally win her over, simply because he had to. Remus, Sirius and Peter all believed it to be a…obsession. They thought it was infatuation, but James believed truly in his heart of hearts that they were meant for each other. She was the single most important thing in his life, and had been ever since they first met. Well, that and Quidditch he added as an afterthought, giving a soft chuckle. They sat in silence, for what felt like an eternity. James fought with himself not to look at her for the next hour or so, but every now and then he stole a glance. He loved her hair…he watched the light from outside dance over the surface of it. Sometimes she turned to him if she caught him looking, and he stared into her beautiful emerald eyes, before shaking himself and turning away.

Lily found this increasingly irritating, and after she'd bought a substantial amount of sweets from the trolley, she stood up, telling James she was going to see her friends further down the train. He managed a grunt in reply, and after she had left, let out a sigh of relief. Blimey that was intense…two hours of total silence…why does she never want to talk to me?

A handsome boy with shaggy dark hair and a malicious grin looked up from his game of exploding snap to see his best friend collapse beside him, his face crumpled.

"Prongs! Had enough of Miss Lily have we? Did you get anywhere, mate?"

James shook his head. A frown seemed now permanently etched into his features.

"James you can't expect miracles to happen! You've got to give it time," Remus consoled. Lupin was a fair haired boy, with a cheeky smile but a kind countenance.

"But she won't even give me a chance Moony. I don't know what to do," James admitted.

"You mean the famous Potter charm has failed?" Sirius mocked.

"Shut up Padfoot. If I wanted my parade rained on I would just step outside," he countered, indicating to the window where the rain was now coming thick and fast.

"Touchy! Looks as though someone's parade was rained on long ago." But seeing the hurt and frustration in James' face, he added "Look Prongs, we all think Lily likes you. She'll never admit it, and she may not even realise it, but think; why would she make such an effort to be...well…nasty? If you don't care about someone, you just blank them. That's what I do when a girl gets to clingy, see? Gets the message across!"

Peter and Remus sighed exasperatedly.

"What?" Sirius asked innocently through a mouthful of chocolate frog.

"You know, Sirius may not have a way with words, but there is an element of truth in what he's saying," Remus said, "She has always made an extra effort to be awful to you, James."

"Wow, I'm so glad I have been singled out. What on honour," he replied sardonically.

Lupin continued, ignoring the interruption. "I mean, anything she ever uses against you; for example arrogance, false charm, all the women…well, on that front Sirius is exactly the same, but she never talks to him like that!"

"Moony what do you mean all the women? There's one woman. Her name is Evans…she is the woman."

"And think, there are times when she can be...civil, to you. It's as if she sometimes lets her guard down, and then reminds herself she has to hate you," Remus continued.

"So what you're really saying is she's a stubborn wench? Also, I must add, you're comparing Sirius to me? Please, Moony! I suppose he's sexier in an obvious way…still I think I'm the most desirable of us all," James declared.

"Prongs, that is exactly why Evans has a problem with you. You can't keep talking that way if you want her to see you as you really are," Sirius told him.

"Agreed," Peter added. "To be frank, you're not God's gift to women James, and if you want Lily to see that she's the one that matters to you you should stop putting yourself in the centre of attention whenever any female is present! You need her to see that you think she's special."

"Well this lecture is all very enlightening, thanks guys. But here's the thing: YOU'VE TOLD ME THIS TWENTY TIMES BEFORE!" he roared.

"And yet you still haven't changed, Prongs," Sirius said softly.

James considered this. He's right…I hate when he's right.

"Well, why should I change for a girl? This is how I am!"

"No, it isn't. Its only one part of you and it's not how you really are. I've seen the best and the worst of you and I know that you're a good person through and through."

"Wow Padfoot I didn't realise you had the mental capacity for thoughts like that." Sirius grinned sheepishly, and a hint of colour flushed his cheeks. "But listen, what's a bit of harmless flirting here and there? It doesn't make me a bad person!"

"Well Prongsie, the female mind works in mysterious ways," Sirius replied. "To Evans apparently it does."

"Look, James. Do you love Lily?" Lupin asked.

"I…" All eyes were on him. "I…I don't know. It's not an infatuation or an obsession like you all think."

"That's not what I asked," Remus pushed.

James turned his mind back to when he first saw her. She was trudging along platform 9 and 3/4s, trunks, owl and family bringing up the rear. He remembered how her hair was swishing behind her, how her eyes were ablaze with the excitement and determination at the prospect of what lay ahead. He remembered when he first spoke to her, when he had first seen her smile, when he first heard her laugh, when she had been sorted into Gryffindor, when she had been the first to levitate her feather in charms, when he had first watched her eat (she could eat for England) when he watched her cheer him on when he played Quidditch (well, it was the whole team but he liked to kid himself), and when she had first turned him down…

He snapped back to reality, and answered with an immediate;

"Yes. Always have…always will."

"Well then, we need to figure this out right now," Lupin replied determinedly. Sirius and Peter nodded in agreement.

"Right, what's the plan?"

"I think we need to begin with the basics. We need to attempt to understand…" Lupin shuddered, "We need to understand…girls."

"Excuse me, we? Since when did I need help with my women?" Sirius demanded.

"Sirius have you ever had a girl for longer than a week?"

"Did I say I wanted to? Variety is the spice of life, my friend."

Lupin rolled his eyes, and said to the group, "Okay; here's phase one of the plan..."

---

A few carriages down, two girls were listening wide eyed to Lily's news.

"Potter?" Lizzy asked blankly, "Potter's Head Boy?"

"Yep," Lily replied.

"How? I mean…how?" Emma asked, bewildered.

"No idea. But I mean I've always had faith in Dumbledore, I assume he had his reasons?" Lily answered questioningly.

"Maybe…" Emma ventured, "Maybe he thinks James has changed…"

Lily snapped her head up at the use of Potter's first name, and the change in her friend's tone.

"I hope you don't mean he's improving?" she demanded.

"Well…" Emma began, but Lizzy interrupted;

"Lils he spoke to us at the end of last year. I think he might really like you…maybe you should… give him a chance?"

"Yes I've heard this all before. Potter likes me, bla bla bla…what makes you think he's changed? What makes you so sure he's any better than he always was? I'm sure it's all just a trick, and I am not going to fall for it. Potter's not capable of deep feelings," Lily brutally replied.

"Don't you think you're being a little unfair, Lils?" Emma replied hesitantly, "What would make you think he doesn't like you? He's chased you since first year, and has never quit even though you've been…less than pleased by his attentions! He's never been out with other girls; he's never stopped liking you, Lily. Yes, he flirts and yes he enjoys being at the centre of things. But that's how he is, and you must know it's only an act. I think he's really quite charming...and even caring."

"Lily I even think he might…well, love you," Lizzy put in.

This caught Lily's attention, and her eyes widened by a fraction. But she quickly caught herself.

"Don't be ridiculous," She scoffed, "Players only love you when they're playing."

"Would you just give him a chance already?" Emma pleaded.

"Woah, woah, woah! Is this an intervention or something? I hate to disappoint the Potter fan club but there is no way on this earth that I will ever give in to him! It sounds to me like you want to be Mrs James Potter, Em!"

"No way!" argued Emma, affronted. "He's no Prince Lil's we know that. I'm just saying you like him and you refuse to admit it! You can be so stubborn somtimes!" But through her frustration there was a twinkle of admiration and fondness in Emma's eyes; and Lily noticed it, and softened.

"Em, it's not about my pride. I just don't like Potter, and never will. I don't see the appeal and I'm not about to be another one on his list. He may have won you guys over, but he'll never win me," she said resolutely.

Emma turned to Lizzy and shook her head. They both sighed and lay back; admitting defeat. For now. Though Emma couldn't resist adding;

"Well; you two are heads together now! That means close quarters all year...who knows what could happen?" she grinned as she stared out of the window, determinedly avoiding her friend's icy glare.

A/N Thanks for reading! Please review :)