Two Twisted Teens

Chapter 1- The Beginning of the Rest of My Life

September 1st, 1976—Hogwarts train, 11:27 AM

I can only suppose that the thought of witches and wizards is a fantasy concept for muggles, until they grow up and are told that such a place where these magical creatures are said to dwell, does not, in fact, exist. Well, I'm living proof that said people are complete idiots.

Hogwarts is my home—my other half, so to speak. It has been my school for the past four years, and I do love my mother more than life itself because she's always been there for me and always supports and loves me no matter what I do, but Hogwarts is a break from home life—a break that everyone needs every once in a while.

Now, it's my fifth year there and I can honestly say that I will miss the freedom and comfort Hogwarts brings when I graduate in only two years. As I have just turned fifteen, I can truly say that this is the beginning of the rest of my life. At fifteen, my life is finally beginning.

I suppose you wonder who I am. Let's see… My name is James Potter. I have unruly black hair, brown eyes and I'm about 5'11". But, that's just general information. That's not who I am. As for who I really am, I eat like a Hippogriff, I'm obsessively focused on Quidditch, and I live for pranks, but how can anyone possibly get to know one person, even if they spend a lifetime with them?

As for complicity, don't count on it with me. I mostly say what I mean and I don't talk much. For some reason, my friends and I, (who have come to be know as the Marauders, as in "You'll pay for this you blasted Marauders!") have been very blessed with popularity and good looks, and if you've seen how Hogwarts fawns over us, you know I'm not being cocky.

My three best friends are Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. Sirius and I have known each other since we were born. His parents and my parents were somewhat good friends back in Hogwarts and then they had a little 'fall out' that I know for a fact they both refuse to talk about. Sirius and I have never ceased being friends, though, and he practically lives at my house during summers, anything to get away from his family. Let's just say his home life isn't the greatest, but whose really is?

Remus I met first year and we took a liking to each other immediately. Sirius wasn't so open to inviting him into our slowly forming group, but he got used to the idea, and now Remus is a part of us as much as our group's title is. Remus is the quietest of us all, but a little heart breaker, that one is. He's the brains behind all our pranks, but never likes to take credit for anything. However, credit is where credit's due.

Peter is somewhat of a 'groupie,' if you want to put it that way. He's simply a fan, wallowing in our popularity, wanting what we have. That's how it all started, at least, until one day in second year I struck up a curious conversation with him and things have never been the same since. He's a part of us now, and though he doesn't seem to have the fan club Remus, Sirius, and I have, he is as much a part of the Marauders as any of us. Although, we tend to take advantage of his presence. Peter is a really good guy, though. I would trust him with my life and have on many pranks-gone-wrong.

I'm on the train to Hogwarts right this moment, and it's full of boring normality. Remus was appointed prefect, Sirius is talking about how he finally bedded that girl Christine, or something like that, and dumped her, and Peter had received his first kiss. Me? Nothing exceptional happened for me that summer. I lost my glasses, got a tan, and toned up a bit—nothing out of the ordinary.

It's like a Marauder meeting in our compartment, full of which pranks we'll be playing on which people.

I guess it's time to put on our robes as we're nearing the castle.

9:34 PM—Common Room

It started to rain as we entered the school. All the students sat at their respective tables, dripping with that sticky, annoying wetness. All I want to do now is take a bath in the big prefect bathroom. Remus will tell me the password later.

So, the Sorting Hat's brim opened and it started to sing. But, I don't ever pay attention. I scanned the table, finding familiar faces and I was greeted with smiles and suggestive winks all around. Don't worry, this is normal behaviour.

I couldn't help feeling the slightest bit sorry for the not-yet-sorted first years. I remember how terrifying it is to stand up in front of the entire school, hoping to Merlin that you'll fit in with your house. But, still, I didn't pay attention. It's a little too mind-numbing for me to handle.

"This has got to be the dullest thing I have ever seen," I whispered to Sirius and he noded in agreement.

I pretended to be completely focused on the sorting and I suppose I was pretty convincing because as I tore my eyes away from the students, I caught the eye of none other than Lily Evans, whose eyes widened in fear at being caught glancing at me. She totally wants me.

For some reason, Lily shot me a dirty look and refused to look at me the entire evening. But, I noticed the prefect badge pinned on her robes and the disappointment across her face every time she looked upon it. She's never been into that 'model student' behaviour. Why, or rather, how the hell did she make prefect?

Though, Remus is also prefect and this could be my big chance to get to know her and make a move on her because she's so into me. I ran a hand through my hair, making it perfect, like I'd just finished a game of Quidditch. All the girls love that.

Dumbledore's speeches are always fairly interesting and sprinkled with a few jokes so I decided to listen in.

"I would like to extend a welcome to those who are coming back for another year. Welcome back! To our first years, I would like say welcome! I hope that you enjoy Hogwarts as much as I feel the rest of them have. I would also like to notify and remind our students, that the Forbidden Forest is, in fact, forbidden. Those who do not wish to die will please refrain from going near it. There is also a list of magical items put up on our caretaker, Mr. Filch's office door that will not be permitted. Anyone interested is welcome to look, and I encourage that greatly. Mr. Filch has made it very evident that he will not put up with any of that nonsense this year." Dumbledore winked and it was obvious that Dumbledore found this entertaining. I managed a smile at his odd humour. "Now, without further delay, let the feast begin!"

I greedily filled my plate, taking seconds and then thirds. Sirius and I, we can eat for ten people.

After the feast, I came into the common room, my thoughts full of taking advantage of Lily Evans, not because I fancy her, but because I've never had one of her kind before and I'll try anything once.

And, yes, I mean that suggestively.

September 2nd, 1976—Arithmancy, 3:26 PM

Arithmancy is so my new favourite class. This is too perfect to be real! Life loves me. It's always so nice to me. I always get what I want.

I guess I should start with last night…

Remus had prefect duties last night and, lucky for me, Lily was partnered with him to roam corridors. I honestly love the irony of it all. I didn't have Remus say anything about me to her, at least not yet. I have to plan my moves carefully because Lily Evans is not a girl who plays by the rules.

Oh, I suppose I should describle what the girl I'm so keen on taking advantage of looks like. Let's just say, Lily is stunning.

With long bright red (and I don't mean orange-red, or even that pretty colour of brown-red. I mean full on red as a fire hydrant—a muggle thing that shoots water over everyone) hair and long bangs, Lily is definitely something you wouldn't miss. As if her hair doesn't make her amazing enough, she has the most beautiful emerald eyes and she wears an obsessive amount of black make-up around her eyes. Yeah, she's one of those. She's somewhat intelligent, but not brilliant, and she's kind of a mess, but she is one hundred percent unique, hangs out with Slytherins, and loves black.

Lily isn't popular because she is… who she is and looks how she does. Who would have ever thought that rich, popular James Potter would want to take advantage of muggle-born, "gothic" (a muggle term I picked up. It means someone who wears a lot of black and likes dark things of that kind) Lily Evans?

It's not even that I fancy her or anything. She is pretty, I'll give her that, but she's totally not my type. I go for drop-dead gorgeous, rich, popular girls, not girls like Lily. I've just never had someone like her and I guess my curiosity and hormones get the best of me.

At breakfast, Sirius and I got into a talk about Lily. Don't ask me how she came up, she just did. Let's just say I made the mistake of telling Sirius about my not-so-PG 13 dream I had about Lily last night. He laughed and made fun of me. Great, that's just what I need. I don't want the whole school to know! It's not as if I have much control over my dreams and if I did, I certainly wouldn't be wasting them on Lily Evans, of all people. I have more attractive things to occupy my dreams. I also have more attractive things to occupy my… never mind.

So, as Sirius was laughing at me and as I'm sure I was turning an interesting shade of a particularly bright red, you'll never believe who walks into the Great Hall. Of course it's Lily. Who else would it be?

Lily sat down, giving Sirius and me a particularly nasty look and I suddenly felt insulted. She's an outcast; I'm popular. She hangs out with Slytherins, for Merlin's sake! She can't be accepted by the Gryffindors because of that, but she does have friends in both Slytherin and Gryffindor. I wonder how she does that. I always have thought that she was meant to be in Slytherin. I can guarantee you that no one disagrees with that.

I watched Lily; she always has fascinated me. She pushed her plate away from her and walked back out of the Great Hall. I suddenly felt terrible and I don't know why.

"Sod off," I told Sirius, his laugh suddenly annoying me to the point of murder. I rubbed my eyes, grabbed a book I had brought to breakfast and I stood, startling the rest of the Marauders. "Grab my schedule for me, will you? I've got to go do something."

"Prongs, class starts in, like, a half hour!" Peter said. I smiled at his concern and had to bite back a laugh.

"Don't worry; I'll be back in time. I'll meet you guys in front of the Great Hall doors before our first class." With that, I left, Peter still calling out to me. Sometimes, you just have to get away. Sometimes you just have to be alone. And sometimes you just have to fly.

On the roof of the Astronomy Tower, I sat, thinking, which is something that I do that even surprises me. I'm not the most intelligent, everyone tells me. With my broom in safe reaching distance, I finally took a deep breath, relaxed, and allowed myself to think of Lily.

It sounds bad to say that Sirius and I made a bet about her, so I'll just say that we put money on how long it takes me to bed her. That sounds even worse, doesn't it? Well, maybe it'll sound better if I tell the whole story.

Last night, I had informed Sirius of my curiosity and wanting to 'get with' Lily since: A) I have never been with anyone like her before. B) She's pretty attractive and I'm getting bored of my routine flings. And C) She's so mysterious and forbidding, but there's something about her that makes me want to know her, makes me want to talk to her, makes me want to have some kind of relationship with her, even if it's just a friendship.

So, Sirius took this as a challenge and he bet me 50 galleons that I couldn't bed her by the end of sixth year. Unfortunately, Sirius knows that I love a challenge and that I love the thrill of a bet. So, I took the bet.

Now, I realize what a mistake it is to bet on a person, but it's too late to back down and I don't really want to. Now I have an excuse to get close to her. Now I have an excuse to know her.

Lily is impossible, though. I know for a fact that she doesn't open up to anyone except that Slytherin girl she's friends with. Lily is rude, sarcastic, and a pretty big bitch most times, but I really do think that there's another side of her and if I could just get to know that side, maybe I could…

I could what? I don't even know what I'm talking about. I have to plan carefully, I have to throw back insults as quick as she does, and most of all, I have to make a move. Or else, there's no hope for me and my 50 galleons.

After I got sick of the roof, I flew down and headed inside. There was still a while until classes started and I didn't want to be early, so I headed to the library with my Quidditch magazine.

After I'd been in the library a while, Lily came strolling in. She carefully picked out a book and I watched her from the corner of my eye scope the room for an empty seat. I just happened to be sitting at the only available table.

"You know, there's a seat right here. The only seat in the room," I said, not even looking up from my magazine.

"And why would I want to sit next to you?" She replied.

"Because it's better than standing. I don't bite, really. I promise."

"No thanks. I wouldn't want to be infected with conceit," she replied. What a stuck up bitch. Where has she been? I'm the most popular guy in school!

"Don't worry, you have no need to be conceited," I replied quickly. I always have been proud at my quickness and expertise at comebacks.

"Like you have a need to be conceited? With your stupid hair and ugly glasses, you think you're so cool. It's ridiculous, really. Because you're not all that. I don't see why anyone would want you anyway."

Okay, she got me there. This bitch is going down!

"Hi, are you new? Have you seen the girls who worship the ground I walk on? And you think someone would want someone like you?"

Score; I totally won that one. Lily couldn't say anything. She just stood there, mouth open, staring at me. I know she hated that I never looked at her the whole time I insulted her. I ran a hand through my hair, smirked, and looked at Lily only seconds before her hand came in contact with my cheek. That certainly wiped the smirk right off my face. Okay, so she wants to play hard to get. I'm game.

Lily walked out of the library, head held high, trying to look all triumphant and mighty. I just smirked at the library and said:

"Merlin, she's crazy about me."

It worked—no one thought something out of the ordinary happened. Girls are always crazy about me so no one thinks otherwise of Lily and I.

I rubbed my cheek where Lily slapped me. How does she know how to hit me right where she knows it'll sting and be red the entire day? She's just skilled at that, I guess. She's an expert at hurting people.

A little later, I walked out of the library, trying as hard as I can to hide the red mark on my cheek from the rest of my friends. I can't have them knowing I got hit by a girl and the mark is still there.

"Bloody hell, Prongs! What happened to your face!" I heard and knew that it was no use trying to hide it.

"You know how it is with the girls," I said and I think they buy it… for now. Sirius smirked and slapped me on the back, Remus shook his head at me, and Peter seemed to be proud of me. Yeah, okay.

We settled into our first class and Sirius had already started to fall asleep, not five minutes into it. I smiled weakly, but couldn't help noticing how depressed Lily looked. She didn't look this way when I was talking to her in the library. I wonder if it's me that made her this way.

Oh, no, she sent miserable glances to her Gryffindor friends. Okay, good; it's not me that did this do her.

The first day of classes is always the worst. Not only is it excruciating trying to pry yourself from your bed, but you have to sit in freezing classes, bored out of your mind, on desks that are next to impossible to sleep on. Somehow, though, Sirius always finds a way to sleep like a rock. I never really understood that muggle phrase. Rocks don't sleep—they're not alive. Unless they're charmed, but they would have to be charmed into something else that isn't a rock, and muggles can't charm anything.

I'm so confused.

Anyway, I somehow made it to my last class, looking forward to its end. I can't wait to enjoy the rest of the day. Maybe I'll practice Quidditch for tryouts that are going to be held in a few days. I've got to be the best if I want to keep my Keeper position.

So, I walked into Double Arithmancy with Ravenclaws and I'm still feeling pretty good about this day. I didn't fall asleep in any of my classes, which is a miracle, but also, none of my friends take Arithmancy. I'm beyond glad about this. Arithmancy is my favourite class and I'm glad for the break from my friends; I'm glad for the break from being James Potter—Head Marauder. In Arithmancy, I can be just me. I can focus on the class and my studies, without worrying about having to pull pranks every few moments. In Arithmancy, I can be the me no one else sees. I can breathe.

I was fairly early for class, so I took a seat in the last row at an empty table and I pulled out my Arithmancy book, beginning to read up on what we'll be learning this year.

The bell signaling the start of class rang and I closed my book. The professor walked in, all smiles. I couldn't help sneering. Today isn't that good to be that happy.

"Miss Evans, take a seat by Mr. Potter."

I froze. First of all, I didn't even know Lily takes Arithmancy, though, if I were smarter, I would have realized that. Second of all, Lily Evans is sitting next to me. I started to freak out.

Not only is Lily's appearance that of a bad ass girl's, but she also happens to be a bitch and bad ass and she doesn't take anything from anyone. I'm not scared of her—she's a girl. It's just that she makes me nervous. Also, Lily is my project for the year, if you will. She's my experiment. I don't want to have to focus on her in Arithmancy. Arithmancy is mine. It's where I can be me, and I can't be the real me around Lily. I can't let go and breathe around her, especially because around her, I have to be James Potter—Head Marauder.

I somehow, without my knowledge or approval, make a mental note to annoy the crap out of Lily so that she'll drop Arithmancy. It's mine. How dare she take my class? Plus, it's pretty fun to get Lily mad. I have to remember to control myself, though. I don't know what she's capable of, but she's best friends with Slytherins and I know that means she has to at least have a hell of a right hook. Plus, Slytherins gang up on one person, and Lily is as good as a Slytherin—she's accepted and loved by the Slytherins. Once you're in with the Slytherins, they'll do anything for you. And I mean anything. They'd kill themselves for you. That's how loyal they are.

Lily Evans is not someone to mess with.

Lily Evans is not someone whose 'shit-list' you want to be on.

I saw Lily roll her eyes and I bit back the sarcastic comment I feel dying to burst out of my mouth. She took as long as she can to sit down and moved her seat as far away from me as possible. In a way, I felt hurt. Girls would kill to be in her position! Who the hell is she to despise me? Who is she not to like me? Who is she not to want to be around me?

Lily Evans is not like other girls.

Lily Evans is some messed up form of unique.

Lily Evans is unique gone wrong.

I sneered at Lily, and then I found my lips curling into a smirk at the situation. Lily has to sit next to me. These are our seats for the entire year. This is how it's going to be the whole year. This is an easy way for me to get to know Lily. This is a good way for me to get close to Lily. Being the real me that I am in Arithmancy, I can use it to my advantage. I can be the me that no one else sees, make her think she's special, and make her believe I love her for who she really is as well—thus, this is a good way for me to get in Lily's pants.

This is going to be good.

I watched Lily closely, examining and trying to read her. She's so unpredictable and indecipherable that I would never be able to tell what's swirling around her head. She took a deep breath with her eyes closed and opened her eyes again.

It would be a lie to say that I'm not in love with her eyes. They are the most beautiful pair of eyes I have ever seen and they seem to glow with the make-up she wears around her eyes. I could get lost in her eyes far too easily…

"I was late to class and there are no other seats, as you can see. I don't want to hear a word about it. Don't speak to me, don't touch me, don't even look at me and we will get along perfectly this year," she said, not looking at me. The smile was wiped right off my face. I turned away from her.

Our professor begins to speak, but I'm not listening. All I can think about is Lily Evans and how I want to win the bet with Sirius. I can't have him hold it over my head that I can't bed any girl I want, contrary to my belief.

Damn; how am I going to do this? I have to be tricky. I have to be quick and intelligent. I have to stay on my toes.

But, most importantly, I have to be the best damn liar that Lily Evans has ever seen.

A lie is always better than the truth, I always say.

A/N- Review and I'll keep writing! Reviews make me write faster!

xDreamerx