Perfection

(Disclaimer- Harry Potter is not mine. I am only humbly using the fantastic characters created by the glorious J.K. Rowling.)

"Hometown Homecoming Queen…"

It felt good to be back. I looked across the cabin at Sirius and Remus who were arguing over a chess game.

"Sirius! What did you do with my queen? She was just next to your knight and don't even tell me your rook took her out."

"Well you were so busy talking to Morgan I figured I do your next move for you and you moved into the way of my rook."

"Sirius, put it back it was."

"Hey, the rules we made in the second year says that if another player is distracted by a pretty girl from more than five minutes during the game, the opponent can make the players move."

Morgan blushed slightly but not enough to be noticed by those not paying attention.

"Yes but back then we thought girls had cooties."

James let out a bark of laughter from beside me. He was my best friend in the world. We had just spent the last week of summer together; the last three days included Sirius as well. I had met the boys and Morgan in first years. I got along with pretty much everyone in the school but they were my favorite people to hang out with.

I let the sound of the arguing fade into fuzz as I began to think. The prefects meeting was over and Remus and I had finished our rounds but something had stuck with me. I greeted everyone in the hall as usual and introduced myself to all the new students. As I was passing the 7th year Slytherin car I saw Snape sitting with them solemnly. I waved into the car and received nods of recognition from all but Snape. Despite the fact that I'm muggle-born, the Slytherins give me a bit of respect due to the fact that one day in first year; I just decided to sit with them at lunch. I ended having a great conversation about flying lessons with Bellatrix Black, a fourth year at the time. I ended up chatting with her at random intervals. At one point she found out I was muggle-born. Well… we didn't talk much after but she did go out of her way to make sure no one was mean to me. She was a leader. Probably still is.

Snape had always been very solitary. His favorite pass time was using the spare classroom for potion and spell experimentation. I'd partnered with him for potions a few times and we held fairly enthusiastic conversation about various concoctions. He takes great notes. I was banking on him letting me study them to prepare for O.W.L.s. It was so strange to see him going out of his way to be social. Also, it was strange that he didn't acknowledge me. I had always thought he had a crush on me and that we were having a growing friendship developing. I didn't want to encourage his interest in me but I didn't want to lose his friendship by all means. He was the only one that I could really speak to about potions without feeling like a complete nerd.

I have a lot of people like that. Morgan and I will do makeovers all day long; My roommates and I can talk about fashion 'til all hours of the night; James and I can talk about quidditch until we pass out; Remus and I can debate chess technique all night long; Sirius and I can discuss food until we get so hungry that we conjure a 7 coarse meal and eat for the next hour; Peter and I talk about the meaning of life a lot… I know that's unexpected but we talk a lot about deep stuff. I don't share much but I'm always up to listening. He's not as stupid as some people thing he is.

Peter… he's a strange one. He's such a bright boy but he doesn't use his head. He would get great grades if he studied with Remus and I instead of following James and Sirius at all hours of the night. Those lucky boys had photographic memories. I always hate them for that.

I've missed this so much. Hogwarts always felt like home to me and my peers, my neighbors. I guess I was popular… ok I was popular. I walked down a hall and always said hi to everyone I passed ranging from teachers to first years. I prided myself on my likeability.

"Lils?" I was drawn out of my daze. James was looking at me with concern. Slowly the noises in the cabin began to fill me once more.

"Yes?" I turned my eyes to meet James's hazel orbs. I had looked into those eyes a lot over the years. His right eye had four flecks of gold while the left one had seven in it. It made him always look like he was winking with mischief.

"You seem out of it today."

"You know me James, I get like that sometime. I don't usually get time to think to myself."

"Yeah, you're too busy being perfect for everyone else. How much do I have to tell you to take a break Lils?"

I gave him a smirk. "About as many times I've had to tell you to not call me Lils."

We both laughed at the inside joke. We both knew I loved it when he called me Lils but we had agreed that he was the only one allowed to call me that. Other people started calling me Lils so James and I pretend that I hate it. He always calls me his Lils in private. It's slightly over possessive and slightly childish but I enjoy it. We were fifteen; nick-names are just a part of growing up.

James cast his arm out behind me and pulled me to him. "You tired from the late night last night?"

"Slightly," I responded honestly. "I'm not used to the marauder life-style like you and Sirius are."

"You want to take a nap? I'm sure you're going to do a few prefect-like things when we get to the school."

"Probably," I said snuggling closer. "Are you surprised that Remus made prefect over you?" I asked quietly. I knew James and I knew his parents. I just didn't know whose expectations were higher. James was almost as hard on himself as me.

"Naw, of all the Gryffindor fifth years, he has the least detentions. Remus deserves it anyway and I was planning on breaking too many rules this year to be enforcing any. Don't want to be a hypocrite now do I?" The two laughed together. "Maybe I'll get head boy if I work for it but this year will be focused on fun. Sirius and I were planning lots of fun pranks over the summer when you were on vacation to visit your grandmother."

"You're bright James. Don't forget that. Now I am going to take your advice about a nap and use your shoulder if you don't mind."

He smiled down at my head on his shoulder. "No, I don't mind at all Lils. Sweet dreams hun."

"Wake me if I'm needed ok?"

"Sure Princess." And with that I drifted off into slumber thinking about Snape, prefect duties, and how good James smelt today.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this small fic I've started. I was inspired by what I think was a Spinnercaster's comment (sorry i don't know exactly who) who asked how Lily could have been so perfect and then accused her of using a charm to do it. Now I don't think she used a charm but why did everyone love Lily so much. I'm going to try to explain this in Perfection. I also hope to show that noone is perfect and those who have to try to be perfect have it even rougher.

Do not fear, my other fics are coming back. I wanted to give my readers something to hold you over until I can get over my Lily's curse writers block. I really hope you enjoy this. I have the next two chapters written so their shouldn't be more than a two week wait for the next chapter. The chapters are shorter and I have a more clear idea of where this story is going.

Also, for something to look forward to, I have a Hermione fic coming up soon and another L/J fic that will have NICE BIG LONG chapters. I have chapter one done and am half way through chapter two of my L/J fic and the Hermione one has the first chapter done. I also plan to write a Remus/ Tonks fic soon since I've fallen in love with the pairing. If you know any really good R/T fics let me know. I'm looking for a bit more information. It will be more riske of a fic with sexual content while this one will be much more held back with only possible language but probably not.

I love you all!

3 Melissa

ps. REVIEW PLEASE!!! Let me know what you think since it's new.

pss. Tell me if I use any inappropriate Americanisms at any point in this fic.