A/N: This story is disclaimed and all that stuff. Please don't hate it.

Chapter One

"I will beat her," I said determinedly to my best friend, Sirius Black. "I will get that Felix Felicis Potion!"

Sirius let out a barkish laugh and rolled his eyes, "Sure you will, Prongs. You keep thinking that."

Everyone knew that the 6th and 7th year NEWT potions students would get a chance to get the treasured Felix Felicis Potion as a reward if they made the best potion on the first day. They knew this, as everyone knew that Lily Evans was most likely to get it - since she had been Sluhorns's favorite since the very 1st day in 1st year when he caught her trying out some new magic in front of her friends on the train.

My thoughts drifted away from me as we walked nearer to the Potions' classroom down in the dungeons. "Hey Prongs, Moony" Sirius said looking at us both (Peter had not made it into NEWT Potions), "we need to start planning our next big prank. That one on Aubrey last year was funny, but seeing that this is our last year, I think we need to step it up a bit."

I looked down at my shoes. This is what I had been afraid of. Ever since Remus spent a whole month during the summer teaching me how not to be a prat (or "How To Be a Good Little Boy To Impress Evans" as Padfoot called it) I had resigned to the fact that I would not be pranking anyone this year. "Actually Padfoot, I don't think we should do any pranks this year - I mean, I am Head Boy. Dumbledore is relying on me to set an example." Remus looked at me proudly, but Sirius scowled.

"Figures," he muttered. " I knew those lessons were a bad idea."

We casually walked into the classroom, and I resisted the urge to ruffle my hair as I glanced upon the Head Girl- Lily Evans. She had snagged a seat in the clump of four nearest to the front and was now chatting amiably with Professor Slughorn. There was no one sitting next to her.

"Remus!" I hissed at him. "Lily's sitting alone!"

Thankfully for me, Remus knew that I was asking him whether it would be okay for us to sit next to her. "Go for it," Remus said back.

I practically ran over to where she was sitting, and, after waiting for a lull in their conversation, asked very politely, "Do you mind if I sit here, Lily?"

I could tell that she very well did mind, but she wasn't going to say so, at least not in front of Professor Slughorn. "Sure, Po-James."

If Professor Slughorn hadn't been watching, I probably would've done a jig of joy, but, being the new, changed James, I just sat down and began conversation with Professor Slughorn and Lily. "So, Professor Slughorn, how was your summer?"

"Oh, just marvelous!" he exclaimed, beaming at me. "Newt, (Newt Scamander, you know!) invited me down to his lab to see how his Magizoology was going! It was simply smashing!"

Lily seemed to eat it up, "Newt Scamander? The Newt Scamander?"

"The very same. He seemed to be doing very well. It wouldn't surprise me if he soon made a breakthrough!"

"How exciting!" Lily breathed. I didn't really think so, but I nodded my agreement when she turned to look at me.

Professor Slughorn just then seemed to look around the class and notice everyone was there. "Oh! Hello class!"

Sirius snickered from where he sat across from me and next to Remus. Lily glared at him.

"Today we will be brewing the simple yet useful Pepper-up Potion. Does anyone know who invented it?"

Lily's hand shot up before everyone else's. Slughorn nodded at her, "Lily?"

"Glover Hipworth, sir."

"Exactly! Take 5 points for Gryffindor." Lily smiled as Slughorn continued, "Today the first person to successfully brew this potion will get their own 12 hours worth of Felix Felicis," we all looked over to the cauldron that was now full of a bright gold substance, "If I remember correctly, Miss Evans won it last year. Let's see who will win it this year," Slughorn looked around the class. I sat up straighter. "Everyone have their copy of Advanced Potion Making out? Good. You may begin."

I quickly got out the ingredients needed and followed the directions in my book. My dad had helped me a little when I explained to him what I wanted to use the potion that I would win for, so my instructions were a little different from the book's.

I was pleased to note that mine looked exactly like Lily's when we both stopped to let ours simmer for 10 minutes, but at this rate, we were going to tie, and I knew that Slughorn would choose Lily over me.

20 minutes later, I looked over to see that Lily was a step behind me. I grinned and, (after putting in the last ingredient and stirring exactly 14 times clockwise) raised my hand and said, "Professor, I'm done!"

Professor Slughorn walked over from where he was standing at his desk, looked into my cauldron and grinned. "We have a winner!"

I grinned the whole rest of the class period as Slughorn let the rest of the class finish for class credit. Lily had finished right after I had, and, to my pleasure, actually congratulated me afterwards! "Congratulations, Potter," she said. "You earned it."

"I was surprised," I replied, "I had only been trying to keep up with you, which was hard enough. You're brilliant, Lily."

She blushed and began to say something back when Slughorn, (who had been standing near us) interrupted, "That's right! You have a dab hand in Potions, my dear! Are you sure you're a Gryffindor?"

"Are you saying that Gryffindors are bad in potions, Professor Slughorn?" she replied wittily.

"No, no. Just that you should've been in my house!"

"Ah, well," she looked remorseful, "I'm afraid I wanted my rooms to be warm."

Slughorn laughed and went over to check on one of the Ravenclaws' potions.

"I'm glad you're in Gryffindor, Lily," I whispered. She turned around, her face a little red.

"I am too, Potter," she sighed.

And before I could reply, Slughorn called, "Class over!" and Lily hurried off without a word. I went up to the front of the classroom to collect my prize. Then, I went to join Remus and Sirius who, I found out, had been laughing at me. No matter, Saturday would bring my luckiest day yet.