A/N: Chapter one! Please read and reply so I know I have readers!
Disclaimer: Everything and everyone in the Harry Potter Universe is not owned by me, except for Rebecca Bensons (I made her up.) Please give all credit to J.K. Rowling, and how about we make this the disclaimer for the rest of story, yeah?
Chapter 1 – In Your Dreams
LILY P.O.V.
A small, satisfied smile tickled at my lips as I breathed in the familiar smells of the Hogwarts Express. The fumes and sights were always so comforting when summer ended, and it was finally time to go back to my real home. Petunia and her new boyfriend Vernon had really gotten on my nerves this summer, so that's why most of my summer was spent locked up in my bedroom, reading Hogwarts: A History or my favorite muggle book Tuck Everlasting, hoping that maybe Petunia would just marry the bloke and move in with him soon so I could eat dinner with my mom and dad for once.
My heart gave a not-so-gentle squeeze, and I inhaled sharply. Where had I gone wrong? Why couldn't Petunia just accept who I was so we could become friends like we were before? It wasn't my fault I was a witch and she wasn't, and she just need to get over it.
But I shook my head – this wasn't the time or place to be thinking about something upset me. I was going home and would be seeing my best friends soon. The smile returned, even brighter, when I thought of my two best friends, Alice Longrie and Rebecca Bensons. Of course, I had other friends at Hogwarts, but Alice and Rebecca had been the first I ever made. I would never forget the day because A) it had been one of the happiest days of my life (receiving the Hogwarts letter was in first place) and B) it had been one of the worst days of my life; happiest because I had met Alice and Rebecca that day, the day the best friendship had begun, and worst because I had the most arrogant, annoying prat that day, the day all hopes of peace were burned - the day I met James William Potter.
Flashback
"Evans, Lily!"
My heart pounded fast when I heard my name leave Professor McGonagall's mouth, and, gulping, I made my way up the staircase to sit on the stool.
I closed my eyes, not able to stare back at everyone's curious faces without hyperventilating, as the hat was placed carefully onto my red hair. Nothing happened at first, but then a small voice appeared, whispering its thoughts.
"Hmm… Interesting, very interesting. You are loyal, like a Hufflepuff, but indeed, that is not the right spot for you. You are quick-witted and smart – Ravenclaw would do you good – but, alas, that is not the place for you either… You are as cunning as Slytherin, but definitely would not make it there. Thus, leaving the only choice…"
"GRYFFINDOR!!!"
I gave a sigh of relief and jumped off the stool, hurrying towards the cheering Gryffindor table. I saw a few familiar faces, one of which I knew I already disgusted – Sirius Black. He was the only decent Black, but he was still a nuisance and he was friends with a small, messy haired boy in our year whom I had not gotten the name for yet. Sirius was waving me towards him, thinking that I would sit with him. Ha! As if!
I gave him a dirty look and flounced over to first year girls, who, luckily, were sitting far away from him. "Do you think I could sit here?" I asked timidly, playing with the ends of my hair nervously.
They both nodded enthusiastically, and I took a seat beside them.
"So what's your name?" one of them asked me, whispering as to not draw attention to herself from McGonagall, who was calling up the rest of the students.
"Lily Evans," I said.
"Cool! I love that name." She smiled. "I'm Alice Longrie, and this" she indicated the girl on my other side. "is Rebecca Bensons." I smiled, urging her to continue talking because I had no interest in talking or watching the ceremony. She got the message clearly, and continued. "So, what's one fact about you? It helps me to know these things because I have trouble remembering new people, so if I know something important about you I'll remember you more easily."
I giggled at this funny piece of news, but answered the question anyways. "Well, I'm muggle. That should help," I laughed, jokingly.
"Really? Me too!" Rebecca had turned back to us, and joined the conversation. I nodded warmly at her, overjoyed at the prospect of making new friends.
"Ooo, look at that cutie! He better be a Gryffindor!" Alice breathed, staring at a messy dark haired boy with glasses. I went quiet beside her, fury bubbling inside me. This was the same boy who had made fun of Severus and I on the train, along with Sirius. Focusing all my energy on him, I hoped willing him into Ravenclaw would work.
I watched him walk up to the stool and sit down, his face too smug for my liking. It was as if the boy thought he just knew everything! Well, news flash for him – he doesn't.
Barely five seconds had passed before the hat hollered the house. "GRYFFINDOR!!!" My stomach dropped, feeling like it would fall out of my butt. Was I really going to have to spend the next seven years of school dealing with that prat? What was this hat thinking, sending him to Gryffindor? It was like sending him to his death sentence!
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"Ahem," someone coughed from behind me while I sat next to Alice and Rebecca enjoying the feast after the ceremony. I turned around in my seat, wondering who had come over to talk to me. My interest quickly vanished when I saw who stood behind me – the messy haired boy.
"Yes?" I muttered darkly, not able to contain a steady voice.
"You see," he started, the smug smile on his face again. "I noticed that you were a muggle, and"
I shot him a deathly glare. "Really? Is that a problem?"
I watched with satisfaction as some of his confidence drained his face. "No! No, no, I was just think that since you don't know this world as well, that I could, you know, help you around." He winked suggestively, and I thought for sure I would puke right then and there.
"Actually, I'm quite fine on my own, thank you. So if you'll excuse me, I would like to finish my dinner in peace, without you ruining it for me!" I smiled half-heartedly, and swung back around.
But he didn't leave. "Well, I could at least know your name?"
"Uh, no?" I said, not moving a fraction towards him.
"She's Lily Evans!" I heard Alice blurt out from beside me. Sending a quick scowl her way, I turned back to the boy, who was now smiling gratefully at Alice.
"Nice, I'm James Potter by the way," he said, holding a hand out to me. When I didn't take it automatically, he pulled it back automatically, taking it through his hair. "Anyways, if you need anything, Evans, you know where to find me." Sending one last wink my way, he strutted back to his seat where he sat with Sirius Black and another boy who looked sick from his overwhelming paleness.
"Looks like you've got yourself a crush, Miss Evans!" Rebecca chorused while Alice laughed at my dumbstruck face.
End Flashback
Oh, and how true Becca had been, but if only we had figured out how deep this crush went for James then maybe I could've found a way to scare him away. Now, even in sixth year, he was still trying to make a move on me. Something's just don't change.
Straining my neck, I looked around the platform for Rebecca's dirty blonde hair or Alice's shiny black hair in the crowds. Luckily for me, it didn't take long.
"LILY!" I heard someone scream from within the crowd of students and parents, and out of nowhere two girls slammed into me. "Lily! I'm so glad to see you! I've missed you so much!" they both squealed, wasting no time to get to the hugging part.
"Hey, guys," I gasped, prying their arms off of me. "Missed you too."
"Well, come on! We have to find a good compartment before they're all gone!" Alice said, dragging both Becca and me behind her as she ran with her trolley towards the train.
On the train, we looked inside each compartment, hoping our favorite would be empty by the time we got to it. It was the same compartment we always sat in every year since the beginning of second year. But it wasn't as easy as claiming it your territory, as some might think – annually we must get on the train early enough to stake our temporary claim on it. This plan was foolproof and had not once failed us.
So, of course it came as a shock to me when we reached our compartment and Alice whipped around, plain horror etched across her face.
"Um, how about we sit somewhere else this year, girls?" she said awkwardly, blocking both Becca and I's path. "I mean, it would be nice for a change, you know?"
I eyed her curiously. "Why? What's wrong with our compartment?"
"N-nothing! Nothing. At. All. Just in the mood for a change, that's all!"
"Oh, come off it, Alice. We know something's up! Just tell us already!" Becca rolled her eyes, trying to push past Alice's outstretched arms.
With Becca distracting Alice's other arm, I decided to push past. Ignoring her protests, I opened the compartment door and froze.
"Ah, perfect! Now the train ride is complete!" James smiled playfully, wiggling his eyebrows and patting on the seat beside him.
"I warned you!" I heard Alice's soft whisper from behind, but ignored it as I glared at James.
"Come one, guys, let's find a different compartment," I muttered, turning to leave.
"Oh, please, Lils," Becca said, rolling her eyes that were sparkling with excitement and glee. "Don't let them kick us out of our compartment! We can sit here if we want!" And with that she plopped herself down in the empty seat across from Sirius, sending him a quick, flirty smile before looking expectantly at Alice and I. Yes, my friend was a huge flirt when it came to boys, but I love her all the same.
Alice shrugged and sat down beside Remus, glancing anxiously between James and I. I groaned inwardly, and dragged myself to the only empty seat – the seat next to Potter. I put as much space between us as possible, but made sure not to sit too close to Peter, the odd boy that had somehow managed to become a part of the Marauders group in first year.
"So, my sweet Lily-flower, how was your summer?" James whispered when the others talked animatedly between each other about their summers.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, jumping when I realized just how close his face was to mine. My eyes darted to his lips. They looked soft and perfect, and when I looked at the rest of his face, I found myself using the same words to describe him. His cheeks were slightly flushed, but whenever I talked to him, they were so that didn't come as any surprise to me. But what really stood out were his eyes – they were hazel, but not the normal hazel I always see. His were different, with a ring of dark green around the edge, and tints of blue and yellow here and there splashed across the brown. It was unique and breath-taking. And as hard as I tried to push the feeling away, I felt a warm feeling of trust stir in me as I stared into them.
Never the less, I still glared at him, still angry that he'd had the nerve to steal the compartment. "It was just fine until you came along," I practically hissed. I watched sadness flicker across his face, but then it was gone to be replaced by a smirk and I wondered if the sadness I'd seen had actually been there before.
"Oh, silly Evans," he laughed, his breath warm on my cheek. I blushed furiously, unable to breathe. "If only you knew how much your words hurt me."
I whipped my head to look him directly in the eye, the same feeling of trust and safety spreading throughout my body, and looked to see if there was any trace of sarcasm on his face. But there was none, pure sincerity. "If it hurts you so much then leave," I whispered angrily, still scowling.
"Sorry, love – no can do. You're stuck with me forever." Then he turned away, smiling, to join in on everyone else's conversation.
I just stared at him, angry and happy at the same time at his words. Understanding already why I would be angry at him for saying that, I decided to try and understand the possibility of actually being happy that I would be stuck with him for life. Why in the world would this please me? I hated his guts! I should be outraged at the thought of actually having to deal with him for a lifetime. I should be slapping him in the face for even thinking for a moment that he would ever be around me after we graduated from school. But no – instead I was almost happy at the thought. Every day, waking up knowing he would be there with me, to comfort me when I'm upset or to protect me when we're in danger. He was the one I saw in all of those moments-
Whoa! Whoa, whoa! Stop, Lily, stop! You hate him remember? You should only be imagining anyone other than Potter being with you in ten years. Don't let him trick you like that! He only wants in your pants – that's all.
Silently, I agreed with the voice in the back of my head. Of course – what was wrong with me, thinking I could ever be with James Potter? If I ever gave him the chance, he would only try to get in my pants then turn around and boast to the whole of Hogwarts. No, I would never give him a chance to do that to me. Sighing, I turned away from him, and began talking to Alice about our summers.
JAMES P.O.V.
The train ride was very uneventful, other than the few times that I caught Lily looking at me from over shoulder. Each time my stomach would do a somersault, but before I could say something to her, she would catch me staring back and look away, her cheeks blushing like crazy. I smiled smugly to myself. Maybe this would be the year I finally got the girl…
Instantly, I internally slapped myself. I couldn't waste my time getting my hopes up, no matter how much I wanted those looks she gave me to be stares of longing for me. She was a dangerous woman, she was, and I had to play my cards carefully as to make sure I didn't do something stupid.
"Oi, James, you coming?" Sirius's voice roused me from my reverie, and I looked around. Everyone was gone, including Lily, and Sirius was waiting for me at the door.
I nodded, and hurried out with him, elated at the thought of being at Hogwarts once again. The feast was so close, and I couldn't help but smile idiotically while I imagined what food I would be eating thirty minutes from now.
"Sirius!" Rebecca Bensons' voice carried over the heads of the other students, and automatically Sirius' head snapped up. "You and Potter are sharing a carriage with us, so get your arses over here!"
I watched a smile develop on his face, and laughed. His emotions were always so obvious.
Once in the carriage, I looked around for a seat, smiling when, once again, the only open seat was next to Lily. She looked downright pissed, but I just grinned at her and took a seat next to her. Wrapping one arm around her shoulders, I whispered in her ear, "Just can't get enough of me, can you, Evans?"
She pushed me away, slapping my arm with as much force as she could, leaving a red mark on my arm. Still, I continued to smile like an idiot, but didn't try to wrap an arm around her again. Though, much to my amusement, she kept glancing at me every so often from the corner of her eye. Maybe I was making some progress?
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"And with that, you may leave to your beds, as I imagine many of you are tired!" Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall, as he smiled warmly down at the students.
Screeches and talking exploded all over from students scooting out their stools and chatting with their friends. I scanned the hall quickly for Lily and her friends, making sure they were leaving also, and when I saw the flaming red hair, I smiled satisfied and followed Remus, Sirius, and Peter out of the hall and to our dorm.
"So, Padfoot," I said jokingly as we sat in our dorm. "You and Rebecca sure did seem cozy in the carriage earlier."
His face reddened, either with embarrassment or anger – or both. "She was cold, so I gave her my coat and scooted closer! It was nothing, seriously!" he cried. "And anyway, you and Evans sure seem to be getting along great." He smirked.
This time, my cheeks burned. "Hey, I actually think I'm making progress. She hasn't tried to insult me once tonight - which is odd, because I actually made physical contact with her earlier and all she did was slap my arm…" Subconsciously, my hand moved to the afflicted arm, and rubbed it. It still stung, but I've gotten worse from her.
"You're both idiots…" Remus muttered from where he laid on his bed.
"Ah, Remus, you know you're just insanely jealous of our amazing lady skills." Sirius wiggled his eyebrows, and I burst out laughing because, one, he couldn't ever stay with one girl for long without cheating on them and them finding out, and I had been chasing after the one girl who hated my guts for the past six years. In other words, our 'lady skills' were like that of a ten year old.
Remus just rolled his eyes, and turned out the lights next to his bed. In seconds, Sirius and I could hear his snores, along with Peter's, who had been out since we got to our dorm.
"So, Prongs, what's your genius plan to get Evans this year?" Sirius yawned, and I shot him and glare.
"I don't need a plan, Padfoot," I said. "I can just wing it."
He snorted. "Riiigghht, and then you're just magically going to make her love you? Seriously, man, what's the plan?"
I sighed irritably. This guy had absolutely no faith in me. "You don't think I can get her," I said in disbelief.
"Not without a plan you can't," he muttered from across the room. "You can't think like a human being when you're around her, so how are you ever going to be able to 'wing it'?"
I gaped. "That's not true! My thoughts are perfectly human when I'm near her, I just can't manage to speak normally."
"My point exactly."
I glared at the ceiling while silence passed between us. How could he question my abilities like that? Of course I could wing it with her! Merlin, I'm James frigin' Potter!
"I'll tell you what." Sirius sat up, and looked at me. "If you can wing it with absolutely no planning and actually get her by the end of the year then I will cut five inches of my hair (I smiled ear to ear at this – Sirius' hair was his most prized possession, and he never let scissors near it unless they were professional scissors; at least I know he's actually taking my dilemma seriously) but if you can't then you shave your head."
I gaped at him. He really did have no faith in me. "You're a bloody git, but you have a deal. I'll prove to you that I can get Evans and before you know it, we'll be together and your hair will be as short as mine."
He smirked, lying back down. "In your dreams, Prongs."
"Sorry, but Evans is already occupying them, so I guess it'll just have to become a reality," I joked, and laughed quietly when I heard him gasp. This year was definitely going to be interesting.
