A/N

This is my take on James and Lily's 7th year. I hope to update about twice a week with chapters of varying length. Please read and tell me what you think, good or bad!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

James Potter was nervous. Not that he would ever admit it to anyone else.

"Oye mate, hurry up we're already late and your mum is pissed". Sirius warned him while munching on a particularly crunchy piece of toast.

"Just give me another minute."

"Nope, our second home awaits us my friend and it's time to go", Sirius began flinging pillows at James to get him up.

James dragged himself out his comfy bed for the last time that summer. His stomach turned at the thought of what he had to face that day. Lily Evans, the girl he had unsuccessfully chased for the better portion of two years, was now Head Girl. Not surprising. However, James' shocking Head Boy appointment meant the two of them would be spending plenty of time together this year. Normally this would be great news and a cause for a Marauder celebration, but apparently Lily had been spending most of her time this summer in London with a certain Ravenclaw.

James wanted to hate Stephen Fletcher, he really did. He stole the girl that everyone thought would eventually give in to the Potter charm. He was somehow accepted and admired by Lily, who wouldn't give James the time of day. All of this made James' blood boil but he couldn't deny that Fletcher was a good guy. He watched from the sidelines long enough, and when it appeared that James would never succeed, politely asked Lily to join him in Hogsmeade one weekend. The guy had never said anything wrong to James or the Maruaders and was at least a way better option for Lily than someone like Snivellus. Besides, back in the fourth year his older brother Dung snuck James his first ever firewhiskey.

"JAMES!" Ann Potter screeched from the kitchen

"Bloody Hell", he moaned, slowly trudging down the spiral staircase with his trunk floating behind him, "Im coming Mum, don't worry"

This was the first boyfriend that Evans had ever had. Throughout all her rejections, James rationalized that at least she didnt fancy another bloke. As long as Lily was on the market, he reckoned he still had a chance. But now that chance was ruined, and Fletcher beat him, fair and square.

Dejected, James sat down and quickly stuffed himself with eggs while his father, Harold Potter, read the Daily Prophet.

"Now James, are you prepared for your meeting on the train?"

"Yes Dad, we went over this last night", James' parents were thrilled with his Head Boy appointment and were eager for him to live up to Dumbledore's expectations.

"Oh yes im sure Prongsie will be a good little boy this year and keep those pesky Marauders in line" snickered Sirius.

James just shook his head, already thinking of his more pressing issue, far greater than his Lily problems.

At the end of last term Sirius played his vicious prank on Snape, almost resulting in Snivellus' death and Remus' exposure as a werewolf. James barely stopped Snape as he reached the end of the tunnel, but there were still reprecussions. Sirius received detention for the rest of the term, not that this was anything new.

Remus was absolutely livid. Peter and James were both pissed for a few days, but Peter quickly got over it and James could never seem to stay mad at his best mate for long. But Remus was a different story. Sirius had messed with his life, his entire future! No one had ever seen him like this before. Sirius begged and pleaded for his forgiveness but Remus could not let it go. The school year ended with the two former best friends still on bad terms.

James kept in contact with Remus throughout the summer with letters coming in every few days. But Remus refused to talk about Sirius and wouldn't even come visit on nights when Peter would stay over at the Potter Mansion with James and Sirius.

Today was a big day for the Marauders as the two would finally be forced to speak to each other. Sirius seemed to think that Remus would be more forgiving now that some time had passed, but James knew better. Moony and Padfoot may never be the same.

After finishing his breakfast and saying goodbye to his Dad ("Don't give Minerva any trouble this term!") he apparated to King's Cross along with Sirius and his mum.

Arriving in the station his mum began to tear up as usual

"I'm going to miss you boys, please write at least once a week! James, do your best as Head Boy, I know you'll make us proud"

"You know I will Mum" James replied while kissing her on the cheek goodbye

He began searching for Moony and Wormtail as he heard his mum promising to send Sirius some extra treacle tarts next week (James swore he's her favorite son sometimes).

"Prongs!" Peter practically tackled him from behind in his excitement.

"Hey Pete, how have you been mate?"

"Not bad, finally ditched my mum. She kept bugging me about finishing NEWTs so I can get a half-decent job at the Ministry next year. I don't even want to be in the Ministry, but she says its the most respected job a Pettigrew could have" said the smaller boy "So what's our plan for the feast?"

"Plan?" James had been only half listening as he caught a glimpse of Lily's flowing auburn hair as she boarded the train.

"Our opening prank! Its tradition!"

Each year the Marauders came up with more elaborate and devious pranks for the Opening Feast that always kept the faculty and students on their toes. Last year they turned all of the Slytherin table's robes into Gryffindor red and gold. Everyone knew who pulled these pranks but the boys were smooth enough to leave no proof.

"Bugger, Peter I'm Head Boy, I can't be pulling off stunts like that already. Evans will have my head!"

"Yeah I guess your right, Remus probably won't even help if Sirius is involved anyway", moped Peter.

"Hey let's find Moony he's probably on the train already", suggested James.

With Sirius nowhere in sight, the two friends picked up their trunks and boarded the Hogwarts Express, with James giving one last wave to his Mum. They went straight to the back of the train, to the very last compartment where the Marauders always met. They found that Sirius and Remus were already seated on opposite sides of the compartment, staring idly out the window in dead silence.

"Er hey mates, How's it going Moony", Peter tried

Remus brightened at the sight of his two trusted friends, while Sirius looked relieved that he finally had some allies in the room. James chose his seat next to Remus and quickly engaged him in conversation about his Head duties, while Peter and Sirius debated which of the secret passages they wanted to hit first upon their arrival.

"So Prongs, are you ready to work with Evans?" Remus questioned, grinning.

"Yeah, I mean I'm gonna try to do what I can, but she already thinks me a complete idiot and she's furious that she got stuck with me."

After finding out who her Head Boy partner was to be, Evans had sent a scathing letter to James about the responsibilities he was going to have and how it's time to "stop acting like a bloody child". She also stressed that under no uncertain terms was he to make any moves on her or ask her out, especially in front of the prefects.

"She'll come around mate", said Remus, "I reckon this is the year she finally let's you take her out"

"Take her out? replied James, "I'll be lucky if she even looks at me, besides you know she's with Fletcher now. I think it's time for me to give up on Evans."

"Good" Remus said bluntly "Now she'll finally get to know you".

"Get to know me? We have been living in the same tower for 6 years now".

"Yeah but think about it, when has Lily ever gotten to know the real James? All she sees is the arrogant Quidditch star who likes to show off and flirt with any girl in sight"

Sirius butted in "Hey for the record I love the arrogant quidditch star"

Remus shot a glaring look at him "Shut it, prat. What i'm saying James is that this is your shot. Now that she has a boyfriend she can see what you're really like when you aren't showing off and asking her out"

"Im not buying it Moony, but hey i think we have to get to the Prefect's meeting now. We'll see you guys later".

James and Remus exited the compartment, leaving Peter and Sirius to another spirited debate over which 7th year Hufflepuff witch has the nicest arse.

As they made their way up towards the front of the train James tried for the hundredth time to get Moony to forgive Sirius.

"Come on mate, you gotta let it go, he knows he made a mistake. Can't we just go back to normal? Its awkward between us all now"

"No James, for the last time. He doesn't get it. I have made it through 6 years here with only you three knowing about me and he almost ruined it all just to get back at Snape for hexing you."

"You know how he is, he can't control himself sometimes."

"That isn't a good enough excuse. I told you James I can be civil toward him but it's not going back to the way things were"

James sighed in frustration, and entered the prefect's compartment.

The compartment was completely empty except for Lily Evans who just so happened to be snogging her new boyfriend goodbye.

"Oh..sorry I didnt umm see you guys, you're here early" stuttered Evans, clearly flustered and mad at herself being caught looking unprofessional.

Fletcher gave the Gryffindor boys a cordial headnod and a nervous laugh as he exited the room.

"Don't mind us Evans, we'll just sit here and wait to get our work done while you shove your tongue down Fletcher's mouth" James commented smugly.

"Shut it, git." said Evans through pursed lips. "It's good to see you though Remus how was your summer?"

"Great, it was good to get a break from school work but I'm happy to be back"

"Me too, so what NEWTs are you taking?"

James drifted off as he already knew what classes Remus was taking, and because he was cursing himself for getting off to the wrong foot with Lily.

For some reason she always got along great with all of his friends. Her and Remus were probably the two hardest workers in the grade and could always talk to each other about their work. She had a soft spot for Peter, as she frequently helped him with his Charms and Potions. But the strangest relationship was hers and Sirius'.

James and Sirius were regarded around the school as an unstoppable duo. They were inseparable, basically to the point of brothers now that Sirius had lived with the Potters for the past two summers. So naturally, around school if you were friends with James you were probably friendly with Sirius as well.

Of course, Lily Evans was the ultimate exception. Ever since third year, her and Sirius had got along marvelously. She loved his goofy humor and the arrogance she saw in James, she found playful and wholesome in Sirius. He was always there for a good laugh and she loved that about him.

Sirius on the other hand, considered Lily one of the only people outside of the Marauders that he could trust. When he was younger he used to occasionally become very sad and depressed when his family was treating him particularly cruel. Lily could identify with this because of her strained relationship with her sister, Petunia. James, Peter, and Remus all felt bad for Sirius, but they all had families who loved them and cared for them. In those times, Lily was Sirius' most important confidant.

James used to get jealous of their closeness, but Sirius knew his place. He called Lily "Prongs' girl" and she was probably the only girl who he was smart enough to never try to charm, Lily was too good for those games.

Prefects began filing in slowly until you could barely move inside the tight compartment. Among the Slytherins was Severus Snape, James nemesis, and Lily's former best friend. James and Lily took their place at the front.

"Just let me do the talking and don't say anything stupid", Lily ordered in a hushed tone that only James could hear.

"It's great to see all of you again this year. My name is Lily Evans and I am Head Girl", she said brightly to the group, "and this is James Potter, Head Boy" she managed to say with a cheery fake smile.

Neither of these two students needed any introduction. James was the best quidditch player the school had seen in years and the Marauders were notorious for their antics. Lily, was also quite well known. She was impossible to miss. One of the most stunning girls in the school, James was not the only wizard who couldn't resist her gorgeous auburn hair, dazzling green eyes, and soft, creamy, skin.

Their fueds were also famous around the school. They must have looked ridiculous in front of the Prefects with smiling faces, pretending to be the best of friends.

"We have alot we want to get done this year and we know that you guys are going to do your best to make this year great", Lily continued. "James and I will have the rounds schedule posted by the end of this week so if there are any conflicts please let us know."

"First time she has ever called me James in public", the Head Boy noted mentally.

Lily continued for a few more minutes explaining the basic guidelines, which were really only important for the new fifth year prefects. James also paid attention, since he was the first student to be promoted to Head Boy without being a prefect in about 20 years according to McGonnagall.

James couldn't help but admire how the students looked up to Lily. Granted most of the boys were probably just oggling at one of the best looking girls in the school. But the female students truely respected Lily and hung on her every word.

Lily finished her speech and told them they could return to their friends.

"Wait, I want to say something" James interrupted.

"I know you all think I'm not going to take this year seriously and everything will be a big joke, but Dumbledore gave me this job and I plan on doing it right."

Most people were still smirking and the boys were all waiting for James to bust out a joke. But he had clearly gotten Lily's attention, her face looked mildly surprised.

"Lily and I want everyone to have a fun year, but we won't let people walk over us. Let it be known that if you cross us, you will be punished. We are all leaders in here and every young student will be looking to you for direction."

He had everyone's full attention now. Who was this James Potter? Where's the trademark smile? Where's the hair ruffling?

"This is a time of unity. You all know what is going on outside of these walls. Like it or not, a war is starting and as soon as we leave here we will all be apart of it one way or another. I don't know about you guys, but I want to fight. I want to protect my friends and their families from these monsters. It all starts here. All four houses need to stick together. If we are united, we are stronger. And the stronger we are here, the stronger we will be out there"

The Hogwarts Prefects stood in shock. No one had ever seen James this fierce, even on the Quidditch Pitch. Very few people were publicly addressing the recent uprising of the dark wizard known as Voldemort and here is this 17 year old preaching about fighting and unity. Reports of Muggleborn tortures and killings rarely appeared in the Daily Prophet, but word spreads fast. People were scared, and feared speaking out against these tragedies. James' parents didnt tell him much, but he knew that his Dad frequently sent letters to Dumbledore about Muggleborn protection.

The room was frozen for what seemed like an eternity, before Snape snarled, "Thanks for the pep talk Potter, but can we go?"

"Yes everybody can leave and I look forward to working with you all in the future" James announced.

As the students filtered out Lily noted "Not bad Potter, maybe you won't embarrass Gryffindor as bad as I thought this year" she teased, with a strange glimmer in her eye that James couldn't quite pinpoint.

"Hold it Snape", James grabbed his enemy's arm as he tried to slither out of the room with the others.

When everyone else was gone James closed to door. "Muffiliato" James secured the room so no one outside could eavesdrop.

"What do you want Potter? No need to gloat over getting Head Boy, I always knew your parents would pay off Dumbledore and I didnt even want the stupid job".

James knew Snape craved the Head Boy position and yearned for the power and the chance to work with Lily, but chose to ignore the jab.

"Listen I know you found out about Remus last year in the Shrieking Shack. I need to know that you won't be spreading that info amongst your Slytherin cronies".

"Don't worry Potter your buddy Dumbledore swore me to secrecy last year"

"I know what you said to Dumbledore but I need to hear it for myself. Remus is completely harmless. He wouldnt hurt anybody and you know it. Keep your mouth shut and I can make this year alot easier for you."

"Easier for me?" Snape pushed past James to get to the door.

"How about you worry about yourself Potter, Blood traitors are in just as much trouble as Mudbloods and halfbreeds in the eyes of the Dark Lord."

A/N

So there is my first chapter of Fanfiction ever written! I have a general idea of where I want this story to go but I am definitely open to suggestions. I know there wasn't much Lily/James in this chapter but their relationship will take time to build and I want to write as much as I can about the Marauders as a group because they are equally important to the story. Please review, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.