Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and not me…

This story will be told from varying points of view. The character who is narrating will always be made clear at the beginning of each chapter.

Chapter One: This will be Our Year or

James's good day gets ruined by energetic Potion Stirring.

James's point of view.

You gave me faith to go on,
Now we're there,
And we've only just begun.
This will be our year,
Took a long time to come

Ok Go..

In the middle of Transfiguration class it's a wonder how far your mind can wander. I looked around at my fellow sixth years surveying them on the first week back.

Julie Belle sat in front of Remus. She was playing with her light brown hair as her honey colored eyes did their best to stay focused on McGonagall. It was not a secret that Transfiguration was not Julie's best subject. She sat straight in her chair though, seemingly determined to at least look like she was paying attention. Her posture added to her already extremely tall height. She was the tallest out of all her friends. I watched Remus scrawled notes on the lecture. I also noticed that Julie kept distracting Remus with the slightest things. She moved her head and he had to change the way he was sitting. It took a great amount of self control not to laugh. Believe me, Remus is not the kind of person to get distracted from his studies easily.

Lily Evans, my dream girl, sat in her seat next to Julie. The two had been best friends since day one of Hogwarts. Unlike Julie, Lily has fiery red hair and emerald green eyes; the most entrancing eyes, in Hogwarts. Lily was watching the professor intently waiting for instruction. She was determined to beat me at this class even if she would never admit it to my face. She had always tried to be the best at everything she did. That's one of the things that just absolutely fascinates me about her. The amount of concentration and determination that she has is just amazing. Lily is also so bloody stubborn. Over the course of our Hogwarts career I have asked Lily Marie Evans out exactly 237 times. Honest to god, that's the exact number. And she has refused every single attempt.

Emily Laurence was in front of Julie. She has long, waist length strawberry blonde hair that Peter is often mesmerized by. Her violet eyes were transfixed on McGonagall as she absentmindedly took notes. Emily usually thinks before she speaks, unlike many teenagers. That was the thing with Emily, she seemed to have everything under control…even when no one else had any idea what was going on. Emily always knew what to do. Peter was sitting next to Emily watching her hair in fascination. Something about her transfixed him. Peter really needed to pay attention in this class. It seemed to be impossible for him to pay attention in any class.

Caroline Bailey was behind Julie. She had her head on her desk and she was sleeping , her long blonde hair cascaded down her back as her hazel eyes stayed glued shut. She couldn't focus on more than one thing at once. Right now that thing is definitely not transfiguration. Sometimes she was just too much. But I have to give her credit; to this day she is the only girl in Hogwarts history to have dumped my best friend, Sirius Black.

I glanced at the girl in-between Caroline and I, Kristen Shepherd. She had long curly black hair and sky blue eyes. She was looking intently at the professor but she was not taking in a word. Kristen was a bright and bubbly girl who had a lot of energy. She has such a huge personality for someone who is only 5'2. Caroline and Kristen were seemingly appropriate best friends. Sirius was behind Kristen playing with her hair. It was highly amusing to watch the two. Kristen was completely unaware and Sirius looked like a baby with candy.

My friends are very special people. Seriously, they are. I've known all of them since first year. I met Sirius on the train going to Hogwarts; we shared a compartment. I met Remus at the Gryffindor table. And Peter, well I met Peter when he was being hexed by some Slytherin…but that's another story entirely. My friend Remus, he's a werewolf! And I've known since third year. And that doesn't mean anything! He is totally normal…he just has a furry little problem. Well, after finding out me, Sirius, and Peter became animagi so we could be with him when he has to transform. It's pretty fun. I'm a deer, Sirius is a dog, and Peter is a rat…don't ask.

I've known Lily and her friends for a while too. The first time I laid eyes on Lily I knew she was someone special. We were standing in a huddle; we scared little first years, waiting to be sorted. Lily stuck out because of her bright red hair. I knew right when I spotted those fiery locks that Lily and I were going to have something special. I met Julie and Emily while I was stalking, er following, er watching Lily. I stumbled upon Kristen when she was hiding in the boy's bathroom. Snape was stalking her. Caroline and Kristen are rarely apart so naturally I got to know Caroline as well.

McGonagall just asked some question. I should probably answer seeing as this is the only class I am doing better than any one else in. Too bad I was totally zoned out and therefore have absolutely no idea what the answer is. Lily knows though. I can tell by the expression on her face. The fact that her hand shot up into the air faster than the speed of light gave it away too. McGonagall just picked on Peter. Lily is disappointed. She is smiling but I can tell she is upset that she didn't give the answer. I know Lily like the back of my hand…or is it the front? I never understood that saying anyway.

"James?" came the voice of none other than Lily Evans. Is she talking to me? How did I miss that? And why is she talking to me, using my first name, in the middle of class?

"Yeah?" I half asked half answered. You can't blame me. I was thinking about Lily as always, and therefore have no idea what is going on. It's not the best feeling in the world.

"The bell just rang and you're the only one left in your seat," Lily informed me. I looked around and she was right. Everyone else had left the room. Sirius is probably getting a kick out of leaving me here right now. Bloody Brilliant. McGonagall is standing in the front of the room watching me with a confused expression on her face. So that was why Lily called me James instead of Potter, the arrogant ass or bullying toe rag. It all makes sense now.

"True," I said collecting my books. Maybe I could make it look like I wanted to be the only one here, "Besides yourself." Oh yeah! I got her there. Lily was still seated as well. Lily just looked at me blankly.

"Oh I guess you're right," she said her cheeks reddening. She looks so cute when she's embarrassed. "I just um thought that you might want to uh know that um." Lily could barely get her words out. And that was when Professor McGonagall intervened completely ruining my first civil conversation with Lily Evans in ages.

"Class is over and I would appreciate it if you both gathered your belongings and left my room," our Professor said like the strict woman she was. Lily and I hastily grabbed our books and sprinted out of possibly one of the most awkward situations of our lives. For some reason as soon as we were out of the Transfiguration classroom Lily broke down into giggles. She leaned on the wall for support she was laughing before. I couldn't help but join in her laughter. There was something about Lily's laugh that just made me want to laugh with her. And the two of us laughed our brains out leaning against the wall.

"Sorry," Lily managed to spit out between laughs, "I don't even know why I'm laughing. It wasn't even that funny."

"Me either," I lied. I was laughing because she was laughing…but Lily didn't need to know that. She was better off thinking I was absolutely insane just like her.

"We should probably go to Potions," Lily suggested straightening up.

"That would be smart," I said. Congratulations captain obvious. Duh going to class would be smart. I mentally smacked myself. What a stupid thing to say to the prettiest girl at Hogwarts. However, despite my stupid statement Lily smiled and actually walked to Potions class with me. Lily Evans walked with me! James Potter the bullying toe rag and arrogant ass. Unfortunately, on the way to Potions we ran into Sirius and Snape. The two didn't exactly get along very well. When it came to choosing sides I always chose the side of my best mate. This was something about me that seemed to constantly irritate Lily. She absolutely hated that I hexed Snape for the sake of it. But she was too good, to pure to understand our predicament.

As we got closer I could tell the two were in a fight. Judging by what I could hear they were only using words but who knew what could happen when Sirius and Snape got into a fight. It seemed as if Sirius was going to be the bigger person and walk away. But after Sirius turned his back for nearly a second he spun back around and socked Snape in the jaw. That had to hurt. I glanced at Lily who looked horrified. I felt bad for her. Snape was quick to retaliate. The Slytherin pulled out his wand but Sirius hit it away. I take no responsibility for what happened next. I don't know how or why but something came over me. I walked up to the bickering boys and stepped between the two.

"Guys quit it. This is stupid. Just pick up your wands and go into class." I seemed to be saying. I don't know how. Usually I would have jumped Snape and beat the crap out of him. In the end the strangest part wasn't my intervening but the fact that they actually listened to me. Snape bent down and picked up his wand. He then walked away from the three of us. Sirius mumbled something that I couldn't hear but he didn't go after Snape. I chanced a glance at Lily. She was just smiling at me in this strange way that I have never seen her smile before.

"Let's go to class James," she suggested. Sirius raised an eyebrow at me. Last time he checked Lily Evans hated my guts and never called me James. I just shrugged my shoulders back at him. Honestly I had no idea why Lily had this sudden change of heart but I certainly wasn't complaining. The three of us walked into Potions class right before the bell. It was our last class of the day and I thought that maybe today would be the day that on my 238th try Lily might finally accept my offer to go out with her.

Sitting on my stool in the cold dungeons I barely heard a word of the lesson. All I could do was watch Lily as she scribbled notes down. Occasionally she would stare out the window. Even perfect students like Lily daydreamed a little during class. Maybe, just maybe, she was thinking about me. Ok so maybe I'm a dreamer but hey you never know. I should have been paying attention in class. The next thing I knew Slughorn was telling us to get working on our potions. Dammit I didn't even know what I was supposed to be brewing.

I stopped whacking myself in the head to see my best female friend Kristen smiling at me. Like she knew something I didn't…which is very likely. She pointed at the blackboard positioned at the front of the room. The Draught of the Living Dead was written in big bold letters. Under it in smaller writing was the phrase to be brewed by memory. Ok I was officially screwed. There was no way I was going to be able to brew this potion from memory. No way in hell. Kristen was still smiling at me. Of course, she was a genius at Potions. Somehow she knew every ingredient to every potion we had ever been taught. Well good for her.

"What!" I mouthed at her. She was still smiling at me and I was starting to get frazzled. She just shook her head and walked to the store cupboards. I got up frustrated and followed her. We stood in line side by side waiting to get our ingredients out. I felt her hand in my pocket. What on earth was she doing?! It wasn't until she had collected her ingredients and left did I look to see what she left in pocket. It was a crumpled up piece of parchment. I quietly unfolded it to see a list of all the ingredients and steps to brew the Draught of the Living Dead written in her tiny neat handwriting. I collected the proper ingredients and returned to my stool. I was saved!

"I love you!" I mouthed across to the room to her. Kristen just shook her head and went back to her potion. Now that I had the steps down I let my guard loose. I was stirring too frantically and completely by accident I knocked my cauldron over on to Snape's head spilling the potion every where.

"Nooooo," I groaned. My day had been going perfect only to get ruined by energetic potion stirring!

"Potter!" roared a very angry Snape. Shit everyone began to look at us! Lily was still obliviously stirring her potion. I tried using Jedi Mind Control. Lily do not look at me and Snape! I repeat do not look at me and Snape! I thought desperately trying to send her mind messages.

"You so did that on purpose!" Snape continued. Jedi Mind Control should only be attempted by professionals. A. It doesn't work and B. It can give you a nasty head ache. Lily looked up and her eyes grew wide upon seeing a sopping Snape with my cauldron on his head. Oh well, I knew today was too good to last.

"What on earth is going on here?" asked Professor Slughorn hurrying over. I was immediately distracted by his pot belly. Would it really kill him to go on a diet?

"Potter threw his potion on me!" Snape shouted accusingly jabbing his long spindly finger at me. Ok that was a major exaggeration. I knocked the cauldron over while using energetic stirring techniques. Stirring and throwing are two completely different things. I tried using Jedi Mind Control on the professor. It wasn't me! It's not my fault!

"James I am very disappointed in you. Five points from Gryffindor and a detention with me tonight I think." Ok so Jedi Mind Control officially sucks. The way I see it I have two options. Option A. Yell at Snape for being a lying bastard and tell Slughorn that it wasn't my fault and I didn't do it on purpose. Option B. Just say nothing and go to the stupid detention. Maybe I'll actually beat Sirius this year. Option A is slightly more appealing to a teenage boy like me but Option B is clearly the more mature option. I'm going out on a whim here; today Lily thinks I'm mature. Option B it is.

I hung my head and stayed quiet. Slughorn seemed satisfied and walked away. I looked back up at Lily who was shaking her head at me. On the way out of the room she said in a clearly pissed off tone, "Well done Potter." Well there goes attempt number 238.

Later that night after coming back to the common room from an awfully boring detention I found it was deserted with the exception of Kristen. That was ok for me though because Kristen can tell when I just want to not talk about anything. She was in a silent mood tonight too. Apparently Remus had taken Peter to the library in a desperate attempt to get some studying done. Sirius was probably off snogging some nameless girl and Lily was still in hospital wing. During dinner she had a mental breakdown due to stress…also known as James Bryan Potter, me.

Maybe it was finally time to move on. Leave poor Lily alone and let her be happy without me. People always say if you really care about someone you can let them go. And whoever these people are SUCK because they are taking over my mind with their stupid sayings. Sirius always tells me that there are plenty of other bubbles in the cauldron. One particularly pretty bubble happened to be sitting right in next to me in a plush red armchair. Kristen has always been there for me when I needed to talk to someone about anything the guys just didn't understand. Maybe it was her way of trying to tell me something. Maybe it wasn't. But whenever the guys listed Lily alternatives Kris was always at the top of the list. Peter had always said we would make a cute couple.

I turned my head to observe her better. Her curly black hair was down today. Her electric blue eyes were gazing into the fire completely unaware of her surroundings. She was a lot different from Lily. Lily's red hair was a fiery mess and usually wavy and untamed but still attractive. Kristen always managed to tame her long black locks. While Lily's eyes were a distinct emerald green that you could get lost in Kristen's eyes were almost fierce. Kristen was usually a bundle of energy but she seemed drained at the moment. Lily was usually calm and had random spurts of energy.

"James you're going to stare a hole through my head," she said laughing. Ok so maybe she wasn't completely unaware of her surroundings. In a split second decision I leaned in and kissed her. I felt Kristen begin to kiss me back before she leapt away in shock.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" she demanded looking at me very confused.

"I dunno. People always said we'd make a good couple. Just testing the theory," I replied attempting to explain my impulsive decision. I stood up in front of her feeling suddenly very confident in what I was doing.

"And what did you conclude?" Kristen asked grinning a little.

"Well, you weren't expecting something like that so naturally you were in a considerable amount of shock," I deduced playing along with her. That was the thing with me and Kristen we could feed of each other extremely well.

"You don't go around kissing people randomly," Kristen told me sounding highly amused.

"So you didn't feel anything?" I asked curiously. She didn't seem to know what to say so I kept talking. "Let's try that again then." We kissed again and this time it was slightly more intense. Making out with Kristen came surprisingly natural. She was one hell of a kisser but I didn't feel the chemistry. That didn't stop me from being slightly disappointed when we broke apart though.

"Nothing," we said at the same time. We both began laughing nervously. I was starting to think this was a bad idea. I needed something to rectify my decision.

"One more time, just for the heck of it?" I asked grinning. This would probably be the only time I would get to make out with Kristen Shepherd. This job was usually saved for whatever poor, admiring bloke she felt like being with that week. Just as we began to heat up the portrait hole opened and in walked Lily. This was probably not good for her sanity. All she said was "Oh." before she ran up the stairs that lead to the girl's dorm. We broke apart still on the same verdict of nothing.

"Hey it was worth a shot. I'm trying to find my bubble here," I sighed in defeat. Attempt one at leaving Lily alone: failed.

"Bubble?" Kristen asked trying not to laugh. I could tell she was trying not to laugh.

"Long story," I said knowing that eventually I would wind up explaining it to her anyway.

"Alright well I'm turning in. Good night!" Kristen said. After that sentence I could tell things weren't going to be awkward between us. We were too good of friends for awkward silences. I kissed her on the cheek, one more time for the heck of it. I was feeling reckless tonight. She laughed after I pulled away. Kristen was always in a good mood it took a lot to depress that girl and believe me I've seen it happen.

"James I'm not your bubble. Part of your ingredients but not your bubble." She said leaving the common room. I sighed falling back onto the couch. Kristen was right of course. When it came to knowing me she was always right. Damn her and her potiony smartness. I just had to pick potions analogy.

(A/N please review! I would love you forever! And believe me the story gets really good honest!)