(A/n: I DON'T own any of these characters. ANY of them for the whole story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, my HERO!)

Lasting Love

CHAPTER 1. Best Friends and First dates

Lily Evans was gorgeous. She had beautiful curly auburn hair that fell to her elbows. She had piercing green eyes that sparkled. She had many freckles splatter across her nose and cheeks. She was so short and petite that if she didn't have such a full chest she could be mistaken for a third year. She was intelligent, vibrant, and loving. She didn't have any close friends besides the Marauders, just acquaintances. Boys stared at her and girls envied her. She was the only girl James Potter was ever attracted to. This year, to many girls dismay, Lily and James started dating. This was a surprise to all. They would bicker so often and openly that when the day came when Lily became James's girlfriend, many thought the sun would come crashing down and the world would end.

James Potter (Prongs) was a tall boy with messy ebony hair and a charming smile. He wore thick glasses over his hazel eyes. He was also quite muscular due to his Quidditch playing. Most girls fawned over the handsome, trouble-making boy but Lily was the only girl for James. The Marauders, as they called themselves, were Hogwarts' own celebrities. They were handsome and charming and intelligent. They dated the prettiest girls and hexed anyone who bothered them. They were confident and funny and sneaky. Girls loved them; most teachers were found of them; Boys looked up to them. They were cool.

Remus Lupin (Moony) and Sirius Black (Padfoot) were the other handsome Marauders. Sirius was just shorter than James but not too short. He had scruffy dark hair that fell elegantly to his just above his shoulders. He had high cheekbones and olive skin without imperfection. He had light gray eyes that laughed as he did. He had a bright wide smile that captured a girl's heart. Remus Lupin was as tall as Black. He had dark brown hair that was neatly parted to the side. He had light brown eyes and a crooked smile. He was not as handsome as Sirius or James but still better looking than most 7th years. He was kind and cared about rules and other feelings. Along with James, Sirius, and Remus was Peter but in the seventh year his time with Slytherins increased and time with Marauders. (A/N: I hate Wormtail with a burning hate so he's not going to be in my story! Sorry!)

Running late to class was not an option for Lily. She was Head Girl and had to set a good example. Dashing through the hallways desperate to get to potions on time Lily wasn't looking where she was going. Turning a corner she ran hard into someone causing the muscular figure to drop his or her books and Lily to topple over backwards.

"Oi! Watch where you're…" yelled James turning around, "Oh! Lily! I'm sorry. Let me help you." He said bending down helping her gather her things that flew everywhere when she fell.

"James, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention. I over slept and I was running trying to get here on time! Oh I'm such a klutz!" She whined. Tears were in her eyes from being embarrassed, frantic, and stressed. She stayed up late perfecting an essay for her transfiguration class. She was "merely passing" with an E and felt extra attention to this essay could help raise the grade. Also, N.E.W.T.S were in a few weeks and Lily had been on edge for the past month. James heart broke seeing the tears.

"Love, you couldn't be a klutz if you tried." He said before gently kissing her on the forehead. She gave a weak smile and he helped her to her feet. She wrapped her arms around his torso and cried in to his chest as he held her in a tight hug with his arms around her shoulders so no one could see her tears. He was the best friend she had ever had. She felt so blessed to have found a best friend and boyfriend in the same person. He understood her and she understood him.

Minutes later, Lily took a deep breath to calm herself and pulled away from the embrace. He took her face in his hands and wiped her tears with his thumbs.

"Oh Flower it hurts me so much to see you so sad." James said pulling her face to his for a kiss. When surrounding girls saw this they rolled their eyes and turned away trying hard to control their jealousy.

"Oi mate! No one wants to see that." A male voice barked from behind Lily. She turned to see Sirius with a big grin on his face. "What has got you so worked up this morning, Lily Billy?" Lily grinned at the silly nickname Sirius had made up for her in the fourth year. Of course, in the fourth year when Lily heard it she would hex him.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." She said smiling. Sirius could make anyone smile anytime.
"You sure. Because me and Prongs..."
"Prongs and I," she interrupted.
"…We'll kill who ever upset you. Just say the word…"

"Really. I'm fine. Let's go in before Slughorn gets here." She said taking James by the hand and leading him into the classroom and to the desk the shared. James sat down watching Lily as she leaned against the desk flipping through a book, her back to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling a giggling Lily into his lap. He began to tickle her stomach and sides while Lily was howling with laughter. This amused the room for a good while as people turned to watch.

"James!" She now had tears rolling down her cheeks for the second time today. "Stop! Stop! Please! JAMES! Please!" She laughed so hard no one understood what she had just said.

"Mr. Potter! Ms. Evans! That's enough!" Came a voice from the front of the room. James jumped at the noise causing Lily to fall of James's lap.
"Sorry sir. We were just… um…" James started.
"That's okay but class has started now. I expect better from Head Girl and Head Boy." Said Professor Slughorn with a tiny smile on his face. He turned to the board and started writing directions and explaining the potion they would be brewing that day. Lily collected her self and stared to take notes, listening carefully to what was being said. James on the other hand could not bring himself to pay attention to Slughorn. Instead, he paid attention to Lily. She was so perfect. He remembered there first date.

It was towards the end of 6th year and Lily had finally agreed to go on a date with him. He was SO nervous. He attempted to make his hair lay flat but after many years of ruffling it to make it look messy actually made it messy. He wore his nicest kaki pants and a blue cotton button up shirt. He checked himself for imperfections in front of the mirror for a long time before Sirius tour him away. He waited and waited for what seemed like hours before Lily graced the entire common room with her presents. Her long hair was free from its usual messy ponytail and hung down her back with a simple yellow headband keeping her bangs from her face. She had little to no makeup on but still breath taking. She had a white sweater that buttoned under her bust revealing a light pink shirt under. She hand a pretty floral skirt with yellow and light blue flowers on it. She was gorgeous. She dressed so simply yet she looked better than anyone who was putting on makeup would hope to look like. She flushed when she saw James.

They left the common room and went to the kitchens. There, Lily found the house elves had set up a lavish dinner for two. There was soft music playing in the background and candles everywhere. James took her hand and led her to the table. They ate and talked the whole night, both surprised with how comfortable they were with each other. If Lily hadn't pointed out that it was after-hours they would have talked and laughed all night. When they got back to the common room Lily wasn't ready to say goodbye.
"I had so much fun James. Thank you." She said, blushing.
"Thank YOU, Lily." He said kissing her on the cheek. She smiled.
"Goodnight." She squeaked before racing up the stairs to her dorm. When she was safe inside she squealed and giggles touching the spot where James kissed her.
Back in the common room, James, very proud of himself, sat on the chair and grinned for good hour recalling the night. In the morning when the Marauders found him, he was still in the chair with a smile still plastered to his face.
That summer, Lily spent the summer with James and the Marauders at The Potter Manor. They fell deeply in love and spent everyday and night together. James and Lily officially became a couple over the summer and had become inseparable. They never fought. They had arguments but they usually lasted minutes. They were perfect together and everyone knew it.