Phantom of Hogwarts

Summary: Lily and James knew each other as children; they were the best of friends since toddler hood. Put into a summer drama program when they were children it helped them with a stronger friendship. Then Lily had to move to a different city, James thought he would never see her again. Surprise! She came to Hogwarts, and since their first year, both have been rivals. Now in the 7th and final year, the muggle studies program decides to put on the play Phantom of the Opera. Out of an old habit, Lily and James audition for the play and are in for one heck of a ride. R&R

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Prologue

"Hi Lily! Lily? What's wrong?" A little boy with unruly jet-black hair and hazel eyes approached his best friend, his smile faltering at the sight of her tears. He was startled as the green-eyed girl threw her arms around his neck and was silently crying. Without really thinking, he hugged her back and started whispering words of comfort.

"Shh. Lily, why are you crying? What ever it is that's bothering you, it will be alright."

"No it won't James." Taking a small breath and closing her green eyes, "I'm moving away."

The eight year old stood rooted to his spot in shock. Maybe he had heard her wrong.

"You're…you're joking, right?" He would not and could not believe it. Lily's tears started up again and James rushed to her side pulling her into another hug not knowing what else to do. Finally coming to terms with what was happening, he managed to ask, "When are you…when are you leaving?"

"After the play."

"What? But the play is in two days!" his grip tightened.

"I know." She tightened her grip as well.

Just then both of their mothers were calling in their children for dinner. Giving a sigh both reluctantly released the other from the hug and went inside their respective houses.

After the summer play that the drama program put on every year, the next day a moving truck could be found outside of the Evans household. The little red headed girl was sitting on the front porch with her chin resting on the palm of her hands, a pout visible on her face. Lost in thought, the eight-year-old girl didn't notice the raven-haired boy approach her with his hands in his pocket.

"Hey." James said while still in denial of the fact that his only muggle (girl) friend was leaving.

"Hey." Lily replied in a small voice. James sat down beside her. Both not knowing what to say just remained silent. Finally after maybe a minute or so, James spoke.

"You did brilliant yesterday. Like you always do with every character, every summer."

"Thanks, you did brilliant too. Like you always do. I thought you did really well when you hit the target. You made a good Robin Hood."

James blushed a little at her compliment and replied, "Well, you made a good Maid Marian."

Both fell into a comfortable silence again. This time Lily broke into a silent fit of giggles making her friend smile and ask what was so funny.

"Oh, nothing really." Lily said still giggling, "I was just remembering how you almost tripped and fell when you were bowing to King Richard."

"Oh really?" he said grinning, "I seem to remember you loosing your balance when you were supposed to kiss the winners cheek." This time it was Lily's turn to blush. James finally took his hands out of his pocket, holding a small velvet box. "Lily, here. I got this for you." He said as he held out the present to her.

Lily looked at it, then at James. Not knowing what to say, she accepted his present. She was a little confused as to why he was giving her something when it wasn't even her birthday. James stared at her nervously and stashed his hands inside his pockets once more. When Lily opened it her eyes widened in surprise. Inside was a golden locket with a small emerald stone in the center and engraved above the stone in calligraphy were the initials L.E. She then took it out of the box to examine it.

"James…I…it's beautiful, thank you."

James grinned. "You're welcome. I was hoping you would like it, but you should open it and see what's inside." Lily looked at him curiously and then pride open the locket with ease. Inside was a small picture of Lily and James in their Robin Hood costumes, both hugging the other with a huge smiles on their faces. Lily smiled as she read what was engraved on the other half on the inside of the locket. Friends-Forever-No-Matter-What.

"Thank you." She said once more. The green-eyed girl struggled a little with the clasp when she tried to put on her necklace.

"Here I'll help you." James said. Lily held up her hair as James beamed when he clasped the locket around her neck. "C'mon Potter it's now or never!" he thought. "Lily?"

"Yes James?"

"Um…will you…. will you close your eyes?" He said biting his lip. She looked at him for a moment before complying with his request. After waving a hand in front of his best friend's face to make sure that her eyes were indeed shut, he leaned in closer towards her feeling more apprehensive than when he gave her the locket. He only hoped that she wouldn't hate him for what he was about to do.

He was less than an inch away before Lily accidentally leaned in the rest of the way meaning to rest her chin on her hands. What she didn't expect was to feel James lips on hers. She automatically opened her eyes in shock as did James and both were blushing furiously. They both pulled away faster than you could say "Merlin." At the same time both of them were apologizing profusely.

"Sorry! Please don't hate/be mad at me!"
Both blushed harder if that were possible and had averted their eyes to the ground.

"You don't hate me do you?" James asked extremely nervous. Lily looked a little shocked at the question.

"Of course not! James, you're my best friend! Of course I don't hate you!"

He felt an immense amount of relief. She didn't hate him!

"James? You're not mad at me? Are you?" Lily asked feeling nervous and shy.

"No! I couldn't be mad at you! Not ever! Lils, you're my best friend too."

The both of them smiled at each other feeling happier than they did moments ago. As they both stood up, they were sanding closer to each other without noticing. Slowly they started leaning in towards the other, both felt as if they were in a trance as they kept eye contact. Then their eyes fluttered shut. Lily's arms were wrapped around James neck and his arms were wrapped protectively around her waist. Neither friend noticed both Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Potter watching their eight-year-old children share their first kiss. When James and Lily pulled apart after what seemed an eternity, they just hugged, staying silent not ever wanting to let go of the other.

Both mothers were now in the Evans kitchen talking about what they had just seen. "I don't know Jessica," Mrs. Evans began with a sigh, "now the move just seems harder. Lily and James have known each other since they were four years old."

"Plus, they've been in that drama program together since they were five, and since they enjoyed it so much, that only deepened their friendship. Of course that's a very good thing Lisa, but it only makes it harder for them to say good bye." Said Mrs. Potter.

"Well, they can always write to each other or talk on the phone I suppose." Said Mrs. Evans.

"Maybe we can even arrange for them to have some play dates?" suggested Mrs. Potter.

"Maybe, that sounds like a brilliant idea." Looking at her wristwatch, Mrs. Evans reluctantly went to the kitchen window to call her youngest daughter inside. Mrs. Potter bade her final good-bye and told James to be back inside the house in five minutes. Green met hazel for what they thought would be the last time.

Three years later however, the two were reunited again at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Only this time when they re-introduced themselves, things got off to quite an interesting start. Instead of being the good friends that they once were, they were now rivals. After six years of being at Hogwarts, not much had changed between Lily and James. They would be starting their seventh and final year at school. With a mischievous raven-haired boy as the Head Boy of Hogwarts and a green-eyed girl with quite a temper as Head Girl, things would be anything but dull.

AN: So, Like? No like? Read and Review, any constructive criticism is welcomed 

Blackheart09