AN: I am currently in the process of rewriting Why Him for several reasons I don't think I even have to last. I started writing this story when I was pretty young and my love for it hasn't changed since then. It will be different since I have a plot developed now so hopefully it doesn't disappoint. I apologize and hopefully it will be worth the long wait.

Lily coughed as the Hogwarts Express pulled up near the platform. The burnt coal was normally her least favorite smell, but today was a good day. It was her final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the heavy item in her pocket only added to her happiness. The prospect of returning to her real home made every step seem lighter and the summer warmth even better. Nothing could ruin her mood since this was the happiest she had felt in weeks. Her summer hadn't gone well as her sister tormented her relentlessly out of irrational fear of the "freak". She ended up staying with her friend Megan Rogers in Italy in her parent's summer home. Megan smiled warmly at her as they dragged their trunks along. Megan was one of those girls who everyone seemed to love. Since she spent the summer in Italy she had golden kissed skin that complimented her light blond hair and sapphire eye that could see through anyone, not that she needed to. Lily had light skin, despite her tireless efforts to tan up a little, and beautiful red hair she had in a messy bun accompanied by mesmerizing emerald eyes. Megan blushed and tugged on Lily's jumper excitedly.

"Lily there he is."

Lily smiled and spun around set to look for her other friend. Lily's eyes narrowed as she saw what her friend was so excited about.

"Oh."

Megan swat her away looking back over. "What do you mean oh," she mimicked.

Her eyes brightened and she had a very rare smile on her face.

Lily crossed her arms and blew a stray piece of hair from face as Megan went over to the Marauders. Lily didn't even have to look over and she felt annoyed that she hadn't noticed them before. There was mixed laughter and a loud explosion. With that Lily pulled out her Head Girl badge and pinned it on her jumper, before boarding the train. She found an empty compartment and put her things above and felt something jab her in the side. Whirling about, Lily's wand was out in an instant and Betty yelped.

"Easy Lily!"

Lily's eyes shot daggers as she slowly lowered her wand. "I told you not to do that."

Betty's hazel eyes shone mysteriously and she spoke in a low tone. "But it is so fun." With a crack, she apparated away.

Lily growled and sunk into the bench. "I hope you get expelled."

Betty's real name was Elizabeth McKinnon and she was every bit as beautiful as the rest of the girls. She had long dark curly hair that fell down her back with freckles on her olive skin. The problem was she was too much like Sirius Black.
Megan giggled as she entered with an enchanted daisy in her hair. Lily easily recognized the complexity of the charm that gave such a potent alluring smell. She smiled knowingly as Megan grabbed both of her hands. "Remus Lupin is everything I want in a man."

Lily chuckled and withdrew her hands slowly. "I happen to not bother with searching for a man."

Megan huffed cutely. "With both Amos Diggory and James Potter chasing after you, it must be so hard."

Lily rolled her eyes and Betty reappeared with her arms full of snacks. "Be careful dearest Lily let those beautiful eyes get stuck in the back of your head," she chanted as she bit into a chocolate frog.

Megan giggled as Lily swatted Betty with a book. "James Potter is,"

"An arrogant bullying toerag," recited both Megan and Betty.

"Yeah we know," said Betty.

"We have heard," chimed Megan as she and Betty put their arms around her.

"And yet we have told you," Betty warned. "One day you will fall in love with him."

Megan paused and smiled sadly. "And if you aren't careful, he might love someone else…"

Betty giggled. "No way."

Megan looked at her seriously. "I saw him talking to Elle Greenbury on the Platform."

Betty waved her hand dismissively. "He didn't see Lily yet. Just you wait."

Lily jumped up. "I have a meeting to run."

Megan's eyes widened. "Wait I forgot to tell you something!"

Betty reached over and covered her mouth. "Have fun, Lily," she said smiling sweetly.

Lily raised a brow, but left the room as soon as she heard a shout about Megan biting Betty.

The train was really quite remarkable considering the speeds it reached and how stable it always was. It had to be for the witch selling things from the trolley. Today was a rare exception. As Lily descended down the corridor the train jerked forward causing the so not graceful Miss Evans to go flying down the hall. A strong pair of arms caught her before she hit the floor. "Why is it that you always fall into my arms?" chuckled a deep voice.

Lily looked up and glared at Sirius. "It wasn't on purpose," she exclaimed as she pushed him back.

Sirius winked at her. "Don't worry I won't tell James." He sized her up and his eyes lingered on her badge. "Congratulations Lilyflower."

Lily softened and smiled slightly. "I can't wait to give you detention for a month."

Sirius covered his heart. "I'm wounded, but…" he leaned forward. "If you serve it with me then maybe."

Lily flushed and stepped back. "You are intolerable."

Sirius winked again. "Don't worry doll, I wouldn't hurt James by telling him you threw yourself at me. Say, do you know where Liz is?"

She chuckled thinking about the last time someone called Betty that. "Hiding from you."

He chuckled. "Fair enough. The hunt is always more fun anyway. Have a very. Very. Very. Nice meeting."

Pushing past him into the Head's compartment, she stopped. The meeting had already started and none other than James Potter was leading it. His hazel eyes pierced into hers and he chuckled. "The Head Girl has finally decided to grace us with her presence," he drawled slowly, causing giggles from the girls and mostly irritated glances from the boys. "And," he continued. "She hasn't even changed from her street clothes," he tsked.

Lily opened her mouth to shoot back a remark, but stopped and walked to the front where he was standing. She felt short and undermined as he smiled from his six foot three height down at her. Lily smiled nervously at some of the returning prefects, except for one.

James cleared his throat. "We have already gone over Patrol schedules."

Lily nodded and looked at them. "Professor Dumbledore has urged us to take the patrols seriously this year. Something big is happening that he will reveal tonight at the opening feast."

The prefects nodded silently. Lily looked at the list. "There will be a ball this year that we will need to plan so I will need volunteers to help organize it and other than that, you all know what is expected of you tonight."

The Slytherins glared at her with daggers as she spoke, but James's cold expression towards them kept their mouths shut. James smiled when she was done and dismissed them. Severus tried to linger, but saw that James was standing firm in place, making no move to move. He too left and James set to follow. "Potter. A word. Now," Lily growled as she grabbed his arm.

James raised a brow and looked at her. "No Lily I did not steal the badge. No Lily I think Remus should have gotten it. No Lily I am sorry to say I will be taking this serious. Did I cover most of them?" He spoke in an amused tone as his eyes sparkled mischievously.

She frowned and let go of his arm. "Why-why didn't you tell me?"

James chuckled coldly. "It isn't exactly like we are pen pals Lily.

Lily frowned and she looked at him more carefully. "You look good," she mumbled looking away. He really did look good. She had never noticed how defined his jaw was and how his messy hair just begged for her to run her hand through it.

James frowned and he gently placed the back of his hand against her forehead. Lily's breath caught at the contact. "What are you doing?" she whispered.

His lips curled upward. "Well, you've been nice to me a whole ten minutes. I'm wondering if you are sick."

Lily slapped his hand away and his laughter filled the compartment. "Just when I thought you grew up. "

He smiled and tucked a stray hair back behind her ear. "I always thought I did. Somehow around you I just lose all of my control." He stepped back and learned over to whisper. "I'll see you later Evans."

Lily flushed red and shivered as his breath tickled her neck. "I'll see you at the feast James." She spun around and left the compartment quickly.

James placed his hands in his robes and walked to the compartment he had shared with his friends for years. It was then he noticed she called him James.

Lily ran back to her compartment and found it deserted. She sat down and blinked. James Potter was acting civil towards her. He had a whole opportunity to curse or make fun of Severus, but chose not to. She couldn't describe the emotion bubbling up inside her. Was it respect? She shook her head and her head snapped up to the door sliding opening. Severus awkwardly stood there and he stepped it slowly, closing the door behind him.

"Can I talk to you?"

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. "Do I even have a choice," she mumbled.

"No," he admitted as he sat across from her. "Lily. You know I'm sorry and I would do anything to make it up to you."

Lily spoke sweetly. "There isn't anything you can do Snape, but if you'll excuse me I'm very busy."

She moved to get up and his hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist. "Something big is happening this year. It is dangerous, especially for you."

A pain shot through her arm and she tried to grab his hand. "Let go of me!" she glared.

Severus held her and looked directly in her eyes. "I'm warning you now. I'm the only one who can protect you LIly, you'll see this very soon. And when you do, you'll be begging for my help." He promptly released her and left the compartment, letting the door slam behind him. She watched him go and moved to lock the door and shut the blinds as she went to change into her school robes.

"First years to the boats!"

Lily sighed and she learned against the light post watching everyone walk off to the carriages. James walked up next to her. "The train is clear."

Lily only nodded as she sadly looked at the grey creatures pulling the carriages. She slowly walked forward and stroked the Thestral's head. James frowned and he placed a hand on her shoulder. Lily closed her eyes. "You can see them too," she whispered.

She didn't have to look behind her to know what he nodded. Lily smiled quickly. "Let's get back yes?"

James only nodded and followed her in the carriage. He sat across from her and his eyes begged her to tell him, but he said nothing. Suddenly the carriage door opened and Sirius jumped in with Remus. "Are we interrupting?"

James spoke first with a controlled smile. "Not at all." Sirius grinned and sat with him while Remus smiled sheepishly at Lily. "Good summer?" Lily smiled and moved to speak. "Yeah, I…"

Sirius kicked his feet up on her lap. "She lived in Italy with Meg."

There was a flash of something unidentifiable in James's eyes, but he spoke softly. "Sounds very fun."

Lily nodded while Sirius described how he went to a different beach every day and he talked about his new broom on the way up to the castle. Remus spoke eagerly about some new books he got from a library in Egypt as the group walked up the stairs. James and Sirius both saw Minerva McGonagall and a smirk mirrored on both of their faces. Lily shook her head and quickly went to join Megan and Betty at the table.

Betty punched her in the shoulder. "Where did you go?" she hissed. "You missed the sorting."

"Thank God," she mumbled as Megan laughed. "A huge group of slimy Slytherins this year. Those awful Death Eaters will be pleased."

Lily frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well most of the first years sorted were put into Slytherin so I can only assume."

"Watch your tongue," hissed Betty. "We can't talk about that."

Megan glared, but her face softened. "Oh look." She pointed with a dazed look in her eyes.

The four Marauders were no where to be found. Lily heard a whistling and she covered her eyes. Betty blinked. "What are you doing?"

"Wait."

Megan followed her lead and covered her eyes. Betty laughed. "You two dunces look so ridiculous," she taunted. Her last few words were drowned out by a lone explosion. The hall became silent as the firework slowly faded. McGonagall stood up with an angry face as the candles floating in the air quickly transformed into buckets of a neon green liquid that proceeded to dump themselves over every Slytherin, including Slughorn. The Ravenclaws roared in laughter, until the buckets filled with a blue liquid that poured over them and dumped matching feathers. The Hufflepuffs then figured they weren't any safer and moved to run, only to meet the same fate. Only the Gryffindors remained clean and their laughter continued to build. Betty was in tears laughing and even Lily couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Bellatrix's face as she whipped out her wand angrily. Sirius's laughter soon joined the table as he, Peter, Remus, and James seem to appear out of thin air. Lily shot James a knowing look and when her eyes met his, he smirked raising a single finger to his lips. A dark purple streak of light left Dumbledore's wand and the ceiling returned to normal. His eyes twinkled in amusement. "A fine demonstration of magic don't you think Minerva?"

McGonagall glared. "It was just spectacular, Sir." Dumbledore smiled and cleared away the mess with a flick of his wand. "Now that we have had something to start this feast on a lighter note, I must ask that you all pay close attention to the words I have to say now. The Ministry has been working tirelessly to bring back one of the oldest and most noble traditions of Wizards. I'm pleased to announce that this year Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be hosting the 1977 Triwizard Tournament that had been postponed since 1792," he exclaimed.

Many cheers and claps came from the crowd. Sirius grinned and roared in excitement. Lily frowned and she tugged on Betty's robe. "The what?"

Betty grinned. "The Triwizard Tournament. It's this huge event where three schools compete and one school sends a champion to complete different tasks."

Sirius leaned in and wrapped his shoulders around Betty. "And I will be the champion."

She glared and punched his shoulder. "Not if I can help it."

Dumbledore raised his hands and the hall quieted down. "Eternal Glory. That is what awaits our champion. Please join me in Welcoming our friends from the Durmstrang Institute and their Headmaster, Demetri Goetz."

The Great Hall doors opened and lines of boys in a dark uniform entered. They entered marching and stomping down the hall in the neat rows. Remus blinked and he hit James. James only looked as Peter bit his nails. "That's Milan Krum."

Milan was a tall boy with looks that mirrored James, only having a bigger build. He walked in with the aged man. Many girls giggled and stared at him, making Lily cross her arms. Milan stopped as he walked next to Lily. The hall froze as he lifted her hand and kissed it. "But he who dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose. And I am not afraid of thorns," he said in a heavy accent.

Lily's face stained a dark purple as she felt hundreds of eyes on her. A crash near her brought her back as James's goblet shattered. Lily snatched her hand back and Milan chuckled in response walking again. She turned and grabbed James's hand and muttered a spell as he continued to glare daggers at the boy. At the same time, another boy had the same reaction.

Megan blinked. "Who is that?"

Sirius gasped and grabbed her shoulders. "That there is the best seeker in the world!" His voice echoed in the hall and he quickly sat down, a dark red staining his cheeks. Betty snicked as Goetz and Dumbledore hugged before he pointed to an area of seating for the students.

Dumbledore smiled. "Now, let us welcome The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Headmistress Madame Maxine!" Boys entered in neat blue robes with khaki colored pants. Many of them were blond and again one boy stood closest to the Headmistress. Dumbledore smiled and led them to another seating area.

"Now we have Bernard Crouch from the Ministry who wishes to address you all."

A pale sickly man coughed into a rag before clearing his throat. "We at the Ministry have worked to provide you better games. Taking into consideration what happened at the last games, only men at the ages of seventeen are allowed to enter."

Betty glared and started booing along with many other girls, however their cries were drowned by the laughter and cheering of the boys.

Dumbledore stood and quickly. "Silence!" he bellowed and the hall was still. His wand was lazily flicked and a large goblet appeared. "The Goblet of Fire will be lit until a week from today. If you wish to enter, write your name and only your name on a piece of parchment and place it in the fire. Know this. If you are chosen to compete, you must compete. The second piece of news. I must ask that the sixth and seventh years please stay behind. Fifth year prefects will lead their houses to their dormitories. With that, enjoy."

Megan frowned. "I wonder what he could possibly say to us," she wondered out loud.

Lily started piling food on her plate feeling eyes on her. "No idea," she mumbled.

Betty smirked. "So Lily dear, why did Krum kiss you?"

"Probably to get me killed by his fangirl," she snapped.

James angrily cut a piece of chicken. "I don't like him."

Sirius chuckled, sipping his pumpkin juice. "I'm sure he won't like you either Jimmy. It seems like there are many people after the Rose."

Lily flung a roll at his head. "Shut it or I will take points away!"

Remus snorted. "For what?"

Peter looked uncomfortable. "You-You can't j-just take points," he mumbled into his pastry.

Sirius knocked him upside the head. "She can't do anything you dolce." He smiled at Lily. "Besides, you share power with a Marauder."

James raised an elegant brow. "Chill with that," he said returning to his food.

Sirius gasped and placed his hand over his heart. "Prongs, what happened to you this summer? Last year you would have easily awarded Gryffindor sixty points by now."

Remus rolled his eyes. "Because you would have already have lost them."

Lily smiled to herself as an argument between Remus and Sirius broke out. It was really great to be home.

After the feast the prefects led the other students away and the sixth and seventh years settled closer to Dumbledore and a very large short man.

Dumbledore's face seemed blank for a moment and he spoke in a very grave tone. "Children, something very serious is happening that directly affects you. The Ministry of Magic has sent Mr. Umbridge to speak to you about it in further detail, but know that your professors and I are fully committed to helping you in any ways possible. With that the teachers started filing out, each one giving the students a very sympathetic look.

Lily's blood froze and the hall seemed to notice the grim mood and the lights dimmed considerably. Mr. Umbridge was an obese man whose enormous belly moved beneath his suit as he wobbled forward. He removed large spectacles and a long roll of parchment.

"To the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, because of recent events," he hesitated and spoke again after clearing his throat "the Ministry has placed a law due to low populations in the magic community. It is the Marriage Act of 19777 that requires that ALL Wizards ages sixteen and above be married."

Angry cries filled the hall. Megan's eyes widened in horror and she held Betty's hand. Lily pales as a large pain filled her stomach.

Umbridge glared and stomped his heavy foot. "Silence!" he bellowed.

The hall quieted, the glares from the students did not.

Mr. Umbridge cleared his throat. "As I was saying, there is a limited time space in which you can marry. After that there are certain obligations that have to be filled."

A young Hufflepuff girl raised her hand. "Sir, what obligations?"

A nasty smile curled on Umbridge's toad like face. "Why, children of course."

The hall was absolutely at this point. Umbridge waved his wand and large booklets distributed themselves amongst the students.

"We have taken many measures to assure that you children won't be completely miserable so I suggest you read up on the rules and requirements of the law fully. The general overview is this: Men can pick their spouse if they are pure blooded and many families have already put in requests. Everyone is selected a partner based on a complex algorithm and if you are a pure blooded MALE, you may repeal the choice. If you are a Half-Blood or Mudblood, then I'm afraid you have absolutely no say in where you go. Adultery is punishable by fines and I suggest that the boys pick many anti-adultery vows to keep their woman submissive."

A sickly white color appeared on Lily's knuckles as she clenched them harder at his rhetoric.

"Pigheaded man," she mumbled.

Betty scoffed. "This is stupid. I'm probably going to get stuck with a Ravenclaw. And what is up with all that sexism?"

Megan sighed. "I'll get stuck with someone who hates me…" Megan has a history of being bullied at Hogwarts, until she met Lily and Betty.

Lily said nothing, dread filling her slowly as she ignored the rest of Umbridge's speech.

Betty looked at her. "Better than your wand being snapped," she said thoughtfully.

Megan held her wand tightly. "Yeah. I won't go back."

Dumbledore stood up and letters whisked through the air to each of the 6th and 7th years. Lily, Megan and Betty all held their letters carefully. "These letters contain your respective partner."

Betty rolled her eyes. "Why are we so scared of these letters? On the count of three we open them. One…Two…Three." Her voice shook slightly as her bravery wavered slightly.

They all tore into their letters at once.

Tears flowed down Lily's eyes gently. This letter contained her faith in the Wizard world. It had been such a lovely day. Her family had basically disowned her. But it still was a lovely day. She was penniless. But somehow it didn't matter. What if she got a Slytherin? Would her wand being snapped be better? It could be she reasoned to herself.

Dear Miss Evans,

The Ministry of Magic has passed a new law as a result of recent events. The Marriage Act of 1977 was passed with a 767 vote to 10. All wizards and witches of the age sixteen and older are to be married to their matched partner within one to three months of the arrival of this letter or face his or her wand being snapped and permanent banishment from the Wizarding World. You have been matched with James Potter. If he wishes to appeal a Ministry Official will contact you with a new assignment.

Best Regards,

Dorian Umbridge

Head of Ministry Marriage Department

She couldn't breath.

"Lily?"

She stood up clutching the letter to her chest, careful to not make eye contact with him. The room was spinning around her and it felt like someone jinxed her legs to feel like jelly. She started to fall before strong arms caught her. As the room started to fade, a voice whispered to her.

"I've got you Lily."

And it sounded like a promise.

More things are going on this time so let me know if it absolutely disgusts you.