(A/N: Disclaimer: I own only the basic plot, all characters in this chapter and their names belong to J.K. Rowling)

James quietly watched his girlfriend play with her hair as she read a book by the fire. Lily hadn't heard the portrait hole open, so she continued to read, undisturbed by her boyfriend's entrance. It wasn't until James eased himself onto the couch cushion next to her that she realized she was not alone. After a split second of shock, Lily leaned up to kiss James on the cheek. It was their usual greeting in public. (They were in the Gryffindor common room, rather than Head's common room, so there were quite a few people about.) James glanced down at the book he had interrupted Lily from reading, and saw that it was actually one of her Muggle books from home. His mind flashed back to the first time he had seen it.

Lily glanced up from her book in puzzlement. There, outside her second story window was her new boyfriend, James. He was sitting on his broom, begging with his eyes to be allowed in. Lily got up, fully intending to open her window, when James landed, and suddenly appeared in her room. Lily whirled around in shock, laughing at the look of pure excitement on his face.

"I see you got past Padfoot long enough to come see me." It was Christmas holidays, so Sirius was staying at James' house for the break. Lily was smiling when James walked towards her, kissing her lightly on the lips. The book Lily had been reading dropped out of her hands and onto the hardwood floor, causing her mother to call up to her, and Petunia to walk in on them.

"Lily! Mother!!!" Petunia's shocked voice jarred Lily and James back to reality, quickly breaking them apart, just as both of the Evans parents walked in.

James quickly tried to cover up for Lily, while Lily directed a death glare at her sister. With one phrase, she silenced the hubbub of excuses. As everyone stared in amazement, Lily repeated what she said.

"I hate you." was all Lily had uttered. The low, fierce whisper was directed at Petunia, and although the words had often come from the latter's mouth, Lily had never said them to her. The tension had been there since Lily had hung out with Snape as a kid, but never had that phrase passed from her lips to her sister's ears. "I hate you, Petunia. By the way, mum, dad, this is James. James, my parents." Lily finished with a wave of her hand in the direction of her parents and James.

Lily and James stood up, getting ready to go to their own common room, when two of the Marauders walked in. Sirius and Remus made a beeline for James and Lily, quickly explaining that Peter had gotten caught, they had to have an MM that night, in the ROR at midnight. At that, they went up to the dorms, leaving Lily and James standing there, James with a look of exasperation and annoyance, Lily with an utterly confused look covering her features.