Prologue

The Potters were a very rich wizarding family, having a past which went on for generations and generations. They were known to have opposed every Dark Lord that rose. The present Potters had but one son who went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was sorted into Gryffindor, like every Potter had been.

The Evans family was a much respected Muggle family. They had two daughters – the older one unknowingly neglected by her parents and her younger one who was liked and loved by all. The younger girl also went to Hogwarts, being a Muggle-born witch, sorted into Gryffindor, thus meeting for the first time the heir of the Potter fortune.

Thus started The Great Story of Lily and James Potter.

Chapter 1

When you like someone and that person doesn't even know that you exist, it pains. What if that same someone knew you and doesn't like you more than just a friend? Or worse, hated you with every fibre of their being? That is the worst place to be. Experiencing the pain of refusal, knowing that the sole reason is who you are.

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James Potter, a Casanova at seventeen, sat across his best friend, also a Casanova, going by the name of Sirius Black, on his bed in his room at Potter Manor. Remus Lupin, the sensitive, organised and responsible one of the group, sat next to short, fat and dumb Peter Pettigrew on a sofa in the same room. They were collectively known as the MARAUDERS, pain of all the Slytherins who went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

'Hey, why don't we do something exciting tonight?' asked James.

'You mean prowling around in the night with a werewolf who could kill you is not exciting?' Remus asked incredulously.

'Aw, come on Moony, we don't mind!' Sirius said.

Yesterday had been a full moon and the boys had used the Potters' basement for their activities. Remus was a little more uncontrollable that night, and had almost stepped into the main house. He still had the guilty feel that he could've killed someone.

'And f-f-full moon was yesterday, and we have to wait another month for full moon.' said the smallest of them all, Peter (A/N: Oh, how I hate him!!!)

James flashed him his award-winning smile which made Peter jump. 'See?'

'Hey, James, how about a summer in New York, doesn't your hot cousin Lila live there?' Sirius asked.

'Yeah...' James said thoughtfully. 'Peter?'

'I'm ready for it!' exclaimed the rat.

'Moony?' Sirius directed. Remus frowned thoughtfully. If he didn't go, his friends won't go. The decision remained in his hands. Finally, he accepted defeat.

'Okay, if you're all so excited...'

James smiled. 'Moony, you can't say no to exploring a new passage, how can you say no to exploring a whole new city in a whole new country??'

Remus groaned, wishing he had been a little more sensible in choosing friends.

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Lily Evans opened one emerald eye to look first at her clock, which read 8:15, and then at her mother, who stood, tapping her foot at the end of Lily's bed.

'Mum...' Lily's mouth was already open with grumbles.

'Lily dear, just get ready soon, we have plans for the summer and we would like to discuss them with you and then we can go to the club.' her mum said. Both tall and slim with red hair, Lily and her mother looked like mirror images. Except for the eyes...which were her father's.

As her mother exited the room, Lily sat up in her bed. She picked up a towel and walked to the bathroom to take a quick shower and to brush her teeth.

Lily's room was a feast for human eyes, with books stacked neatly in an organized manner – according to subject and year. Her friends, all of whom had come over yesterday with their parents to Lily's birthday party (1), couldn't understand the point in this tidiness.

Inside the bathroom, she squinted hat her reflection and grimaced. Not a pretty sight at this time of the day, she thought. If Potter saw me in this attire he would forget that he even pursued me. Unknowingly, as Lily brushed her teeth, the thought of the handsome Quidditch captain brought a smile to her features.

Half an hour later, she went down to the kitchen, where her father, a tall, friendly man, and her mother were seated around a table. Bracing herself for what was going to come next, Lily took a seat.

'Mum, you wanted to talk?' Lily asked, addressing her mother, who sat across from lily next to her husband.

'Yes, dear. We plan on visiting Petunia and Vernon, so we'll be away for almost your entire summer.' Mrs. Evans answered.

Lily sighed. Her older sister, Petunia, had gotten married to Vernon Dursley, a big oaf of a man the size of a whale, who worked at Grunnings, a firm which made drills. (2)

'You will be going to your cousin Michael's house in New York, with Nikki, Kristy and Alice.' Mrs. Evans continued.

'You will be leaving tomorrow.' Mr. Evans stated. Lily nodded and went ahead to eat her bacon. This could be a peaceful vacation, she thought.

But unfortunately, the vacation was going to be far from normal. Just wait and see.

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A/N: Hey all; how was that for a first chapter? A few clarifications:

Lily's birthday is January 30th as stated in Deathly Hallows, but her parents hold a party every summer as she goes to a boarding school.

Petunia and Vernon live in Ireland, for now, with Vernon's parents. They will move to Privet Drive later.

I want to know what you think about this, and the only way is to review. See that cute tiny little blue-grayish button down there? Give it a little push...

JAMES1257