Chapter 1…HEAD-BUTT

The dining hall was brimming with the new and the old faces. It had been six years since they first set foot on the Hogwarts' soil. This year was their last and they hoped to make the most out of it. Lily hoped to keep up her reputation and do great things within these grounds whereas James was pressed upon getting Lily to be his girl and of course keeping up with the marauder adventures and making them more and more adventurous.

The students were making a lot of noise, just then Dumbledore's voice interrupted, "I welcome all the new faces to Hogwarts and hope that the older ones become a little more sincere," his gaze settled on the marauders for a fraction of a second and then he continued," we are proud to announce that this year Hogwarts is hosting the 'HAWKS…Highly Advanced Wizard Knock-outs'. This is an inter-year competition. Each team will consist of two members. The eliminations will take place at the end of this month. The team wining this cup will go down in the history of Hogwarts as the most daring and the most talented team of the school. But mind you that this challenge is not for the weak hearted so we have decided an age limit of fifteen years and above."

There were a lot of protests from the younger ones but Dumbledore continued," I request Ms. Lily Evans and Mr. James Potter to meet me in my office after dinner and in the meanwhile, tuck in," he said with a small smile appearing on his lips.

"So why do you think headmaster has called us both?" Lily asked Alice, her best friend.

"Dunno… Hmmm….. Is there any chance that he might be interested in making the two of you call a truce? It will be a good move considering the ruckus you two create to outdo the other when it comes to pranks," she said with a smile.

"I and Potter call a truce!! You must be dreaming Alice." said Lily

"Or maybe he is the new Head Boy. Just the perfect company for you." she chuckled looking at Lily's exasperated face.

"Oh please don't wish me such an evil. Oh! I am late." She looked at her watch and ran.

"Hey so you gotta chance to be with her on the first day of school. Good for you mate." said Sirius to James pushing his silky hair back in style.

He used to do this a lot as it made the other gender gasp for breath. He was a really handsome guy and used his God gift to full capacity.

"I know." said James with a smile while staring at the redhead.

"Thinking of a prank on her already."

"prank… oh yeah.. prank...just the perfect one to knock her off the very first day," he said with a smile not quite reaching his eyes.

"You don't fancy her do you?" asked Sirius with his eyebrows raised.

"Oh no. Cmon. Me and Evans…that rules-are-meant-for-our-own-good-Potter Evans..You must be dreaming."

Lupin looked up but didn't say anything.

"She is just the perfect one to play pranks on. No one gets more irritated than her." James laughed as he said this, "Anyways she doesn't like me. In fact she hates me to be more precise." he added.

"Then why do you keep asking her out?" asked Sirius. This time Lupin paid attention.

"Well.. she is the hottest witch in our year. There's no denying that fact. Plus she is the only one who has ever turned me down." He said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Cmon, you are a Marauder and we are the coolest people in school. She will come around. She can't be stuck with that arseface Ralph for long. He is just not her type."

"…"

"Trust me."

James wanted to trust him but Sirius logic was never to be paid attention to.

James bade good bye to his friends and headed for the Headmaster's office.

"Password" asked the portrait.

"Acid Pops" came a familiar voice from behind. James turned and saw Lily holding a notebook in her hand looking very flushed, her cheeks matching her hair colour. She had been running.

"Hey Evans I was wondering if you..."

"No. I am not interested and will never be." Lily cut him off before he could finish.

"So that's a no then" muttered James.

The gargoyle flew open and they entered.

"Good evening you two. I hope the summer went well for both of you." smiled Dumbledore.

They nodded in approval.

"Well I hope you already know that the two of you are the Head Boy and the Head Girl."

Lily looked flabbergasted whereas James had his Christmas come early.

Dumbledore noticed the reactions and continued. "Well now you know."

Lily looked at James with utter shock and James glanced at her not believing his luck. His inner soul sending thousands of thank you's to the headmaster.

Dumbledore seemed to notice this and said," I hope you both know your duties as Heads but there is one thing I would like to tell you. Behave. Mr. Potter now that you are the Head Boy I expect some decent behavior from you and Ms. Evans, take care of him. Good night and all the best."

They both left the room.

Suddenly James cried, "Hey Evans wanna go for… "

"How many times do I have to say NO Potter" shouted Lily.

"Relax I was just asking for the rounds as Heads. What did you think??..." he chuckled looking at her embarrassed face.

"Oh yeah... I forgot. Let's go."

James asked her out fifteen times during that one hour of rounds. Lily just could not believe her bad luck. She did not even look at him throughout their rounds. She was angry was to say the very least.

This year was supposed to be different but not this way where she had to spend the nights ( just one hour though… still it was bad) with the shit face Potter asking her out every ten seconds. Life could not have been worse, she thought.

James entered the Gryffindor common room clearly very happy with himself. He had spent one full hour with her that too at night. And this was not for just one day. It was going to happen every night. If God was there he was definitely on his side.

He informed his Marauder fellows of his fortune and then left for his Head dorm.

He told the password- Faith- and entered the common room. He was left speechless.

It was nothing like he had ever seen before which was a lot to say for he was a pureblood. The walls were draped in red and golden, Gryffindor colors. The little fairy lights had the whole room filled with mystic golden light. The night sky was mesmerizing as he looked through the enchanted ceiling.

He glanced at the sofa and saw a dark figure. It was Lily. He moved up to her and saw her sleeping peacefully with a book in her hand.

He could not help but admire the way she was lying on the sofa with her head slightly off the headrest and red curls placed softly on her cheek making her look like a cute angel.

He stood there for a while and then left for his room not disturbing her. When the door clicked, Lily opened her eyes. She was not sleeping and was aware of Potter's presence a while ago. She couldn't help believing that Potter left without saying anything to her, not that she missed it.. but still.. it wasn't very Potter-like, or without playing a prank while she was sleeping, she must be very very vulnerable at that time or without even asking her out. Strange.

She stopped thinking about these and went to her room. She was up for a lot tomorrow.