Author's Note: I keep finding old stories that I wrote and never published (mostly because they just aren't good enough). But I've cleaned this one up a bit and I've decided to put it up, even though it still sucks. It is just a random Lily/James story--really not much plot to it. I might continue writing it if I get enough reviews. The title sucks too, because I'd never had a title for it.

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, never will.

Everything Changes

Chapter One

Summer holidays hold some of my best memories. You see, every July 24th my whole family gets together for the annual 'Evans Family Reunion'. I get to spend time with all my family, my cousins, aunts, and uncles. It's great. Although, I've always hated the phrase 'extended family'. To me, my cousins are my brothers and sisters and my aunts and uncle are like my second parents. Anyway, that isn't my point. My point is that...oh, what was my point? Let me start over. We all know parents can sometimes be the most embarrassing creatures upon the face of the earth, right? Right. So I love my family, but family or not, there are just some things I really don't want them to discuss around me or about me, for that matter. That is where James Potter comes in. James and I attend school together and up until the end of last year we weren't...well, lets just say we weren't on very friendly terms. But James changed enough to the point where I could tolerate being in the same room with him for more then ten minutes. You might say we became friends. We had started writing each other over the summer. So this is where my story begins, my family reunion, July 24th.

It started out as a normal summer day. Bright, warm, perfect conditions for a barbecue (family tradition you have to understand). The family was at my house, as usual. I was just about to help the younger children fill up the kiddy pool when I heard someone shout. I turned around to find my Aunt Rose swatting what looked like a bird. She had a spatula in her hand and was waving it frantically. The bird, upon closer inspection, turned out to be an owl, with a piece of parchment tied to its leg.

"No!" I cried as Aunt Rose took another swat at it. Apparently she thought it was trying to grab a piece of chicken from the barbecue. Everyone turned to me as I jogged up to Aunt Rose. I think they thought I was insane. You see, not all of my family knew about my being...special.

"What do you mean 'no', child? The bloody bird is trying to steal our food!" she called. Aunt Rose knew about me, but I don't think she knew that owls are the standard for wizarding communication.

"Isn't that James's owl?" my father called. I sighed. Petunia, my sister, sniffed indignantly. She really hated anything magic.

"James?" several relatives called at once. "Who is James?" I ignored them and tried to persuade Nimbus, James's owl, to stay still long enough to let me grab the parchment from his leg (which I noticed looked hurt. I suppose that was because of Aunt Rose's spatula).

"James is one of Lily's school friends." my mother explained. It would have been fine if she had left it there, but no, she had to go on "Wonderful boy, excellent manners. Quiet good looking as well." She said, winking at me.

"Some of Lily's friends use owls to carry little notes," My father explained, to try and calm some of my unknowing relatives. "Sort of like homing pigeons."

"What does it say, Lily?" asked Jane, one of Aunt Rose's daughter's who was around my age. I finished untying the parchment from Nimbus's leg. He flew off to my open bedroom window. Obviously, James wanted an answer.

"I don't know yet," I said, slightly annoyed. I opened the parchment and began to read. It annoyed me that a few of my aunts and uncle were looking at me expectantly. Didn't they know post was private?

Dear Lily,

That's cool about your whole family reunion. It sounds like you have a wonderful family, the way your talk about them. Your parents are very cool, and I only met them that one time, so I can imagine what your whole family is like. I've got a pretty big family myself so anytime the Potter's get together it is usually a rather interesting occasion. Think Gryffindor Common Room after a victorious Quidditch match.

Right now I'm bored half out of my mind...and very lonely. Sirius moved out last week so the place is slightly quieter. And I have much less to do. But I have found there are things to do besides blowing things up, thus I'm writing to you. You must write back in disgustingly long detail on what happened at your family reunion because there is only so much I can find to do before I go insane. Your letters are a true comfort, I assure you. Also, don't forget to write when you get your book list. Maybe we can meet up at Diagon Alley. Well, I had better go. Mum is making me clean my room because Sirius is coming over for dinner tomorrow. Like he gives a care if my room is clean or not. Anyway, I'll talk to you soon, I hope.

Best Wishes,

James Potter

"Well?" said my mother. You see, my family doesn't really keep things from each other, thus all the drooling relatives waiting for a turn to read my private letter.

"Just the usual, Mum." I said, trying to hide the blushing I was doing from the way my father was looking at me. It was one of those I'm-losing-my-baby looks.

"Go on, read a bit to us, Lily," Uncle Aaron, my father's brother, prompted. I sighed. 'How embarrassing.'

"Dear Lily--" I began but my Aunt Tiffany interrupted me.

"How long have you known this boy?" she asked. I sighed again.

"Six years." I answered and went back to reading. I don't think I had ever been more embarrassed in my life. Well, aside from the whole Snape thing fifth year.

"Dear Lily," I went on. "Uh...duh duh duh, sounds like you have a wonderful family duh duh duh, your parents are cool. Etc. etc.… I've got pretty big family myself... I'm bored half out of my mind and very lonely. Sirius moved out last week and the place is much quieter… em... you must write back in disgustingly long detail on what happened at your family reunion, because there is only so much I can find to do before I go insane. Your letters are a true comfort... er... Best Wishes, James Potter" I finished it as soon as I could. Did I mention anything about embarrassment?

"See, very polite boy." My mother commented.

"I don't know," my Granddad Evans said, yawning. "I think it was rather to well written. Like he was afraid to say something wrong. Not very personal for someone you have known for six years, Lily."

"Well, we haven't been friends for all six years, Granddad." I said, closing the letter and heading for the back door. "Now if you'll excuse me for a few moments, I need to write that disgustingly long reply before Nimbus gets to anxious." I slipped inside the house, ran upstairs to my bedroom and sat down at my desk where Nimbus was sitting, waiting for me. He hopped over to me as I sat down. On closer inspection, I saw that one of his feet was bent. I tried to touch it, but Nimbus bit me. It looked broken. How was I to tell James that my Aunt had broken his owl's leg? Only one way to do it, I thought. Quill in hand, I proceeded to make my 'very long reply.'

James,

Nimbus decided to bring your letter to me personally...though he was sidetracked. I'm afraid I won't be able to tell you much about my family reunion, seeing as I feel to guilty to talk about myself at the moment. Nimbus came to me while I was in the middle of said reunion. My Muggle family reunion. You know, with half of my relatives not knowing what I am. Well, my Aunt Rose thought poor Nimbus was trying to steal the food...so she whacked him. (After which time my family made me read your letter aloud. Ugh!) I think his leg is broken, so I won't dare send him home in such condition. I'll send my owl instead. I think you should probably come get Nimbus yourself. I don't know where your house is, and I'm still rather unsure of apparating, even though I passed my exam. I'm so sorry about Nimbus! I'd fix his leg myself, but I'm not good at bone mending charms, seeing as we haven't really covered them yet. I'm so sorry. I really am. I've enclosed some directions if you want to come and pick him up. Again, I'm sorry. Please don't hold it against my Aunt Rose...she is my favorite aunt...well, I suppose I should get Nimbus settled if he is going to be spending the night in Heather's cage. I'll be seeing you.

Sincerely,

Lily Evans

I tied to letter to Heather, my own owl, and begged her to hurry with it. I felt really bad about poor Nimbus. I carried him, careful of his leg, to Heather's cage and refilled the water dish. I then hurried back outside where my family was waiting. Let's just say the rest of my time was spent answering questions and wishing that for once my family wasn't spending the night. I really didn't want them to interrogate James, should he come any time soon.

-&-

I was up early the next morning, hoping that if James showed up it would be in the morning when most everyone was still asleep. I hadn't told my family that James might be dropping by in fear they would watch for him. Eventually people started waking up and my mother asked me to help her and my aunts with breakfast. I was in the middle of turning the bacon when I heard the doorbell ring. I hurriedly told my mother that I would get it, but by the time I reached the kitchen door and opened it, my Granddad Evans had already opened the front door.

"May I help you, young man?" said Granddad. I waited for a reply, not sure if it really was James, seeing as Granddad was blocking the person from view.

"Em, yes. Is Lily Evans at home?" yes, unmistakably James Potter. Only he sounded kind of nervous.

"And whom may I say is calling?" Granddad growled. Granddad really isn't a morning person, nor does he like the idea of me being old enough for guys to start 'calling on me'.

"James Potter, sir." James's voice called. Granddad stiffened at this news. James was starting to sound very nervous, so I decided to save the poor boy.

"James," I said, coming up from behind my Granddad. I smiled warmly at him, a smile he returned looking relieved.

"Lily!" he said, grinning broadly now. "I got your owl." My Granddad moved aside, and James entered.

"James, this is my Grandfather, Jacob Evans. Granddad, meet James Potter, the owner of that lovely owl you saw yesterday." My Granddad nodded and shook James hand.

"Who was at the door, Granddad?" Mother immerged from the kitchen, drying her hand on a towel.

"James," She exclaimed happily, stepping forward and shaking James's hand. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello Mrs. Evans," James said, smiling at my mum. James had met my parents in June when they had come to pick me up at the end of term.

"I was just here to get my owl." James answered, looking sideways at me. I frowned. In all the commotion, I had forgotten why James was here in the first place.

"Your owl?" Mum asked, looking confused. "But I thought Lily had already sent it back with her letter."

"Well it seems Nimbus was hurt when he tried to deliver James's letter Mum...Aunt Rose you know...has a good arm and all..." I said, rather awkwardly. "I'm so sorry, James." I said. James laughed slightly.

"No worries, Lily. I was looking for a reason to come see you anyway," said James with a cheeky smile. My Granddad huffed and left for the kitchen. My mum took this as her cue to find something to do.

"I think I hear you Aunt Katherine," she said, hastily exiting the room. I sighed.

"Come on," I said, motioning James towards the stairs. "Let's go get your owl."

James and I climbed the stairs quietly, trying not to wake anyone who might still be sleeping.

"I didn't realize it was so early." James said as we reached my bedroom door. "I've been up for hours, so I didn't think anything of—" but he was cut off as he looked around my room. It was most definitely unlike the rest of the house. I had a large Gryffindor banner over my window and several Quidditch posters on my walls, pictures of years 1 through 6 of my Hogwarts days plastered on the wall above my bed. I saw him smile approvingly.

"Nice." he said, as he spotted my Puddlemere United poster. I laughed. We were interrupted by an excited hooting, coming from the corner of my room. Nimbus was flapping his wings inside Heather's cage.

"Hey Nimbus!" James called affectionately (which only made me feel worse about the whole situation). As soon as James had opened the cage, Nimbus flew onto his shoulder, nibbling at his ear. James inspected the leg, while I stood to the side, biting my nails. It was one time I felt very bad about yelling at him so often...

James took out his wand, muttered a spell, inspected Nimbus' leg, went to my window and instructed his owl to go on home. He then turned to me with a smile.

"There," He said, looking at my anxious expression. "No harm done." I smiled faintly at him. Just then my mother stuck her head into the room.

"Lily, breakfast is ready." she then turned to James "Will you be staying, James?"

"Oh no ma'am, I couldn't possibly. You have all your family here." Said James.

"Oh nonsense. You're more than welcome," said Mum.

"Well...if you're sure..." was James reply. He turned to see what my opinion on the matter was. I sighed. What else could I do?

"Set another plate, Mum." I said. James smiled warmly.

"Now you're going to regret that you agreed to stay," I said, as soon as my mother had disappeared. James rose an eyebrow.

"My family is going to ask you all sorts of questions..." I sighed.

And indeed they did. As soon as the family had sat down in the over crowded dining room (thirty-five people is way too many) and started to eat, they each hit him with about 20 questions each. James hardly had enough time to chew before swallowing. I chuckled, sitting across from him, and he gave me an evil glare.

"So, where do you live, Potter?" Granddad asked James. James swallowed politely.

"Well, that is a matter of opinion sir." James began. "When I'm not living at the boarding school in Scotland, I'm either living with my parents in Dorcestershire, or with my friend Sirius in his flat he just got..."

"Or on the Quidditch pitch," I muttered so only he could hear. He laughed but was interrupted by another question.

"Sirius? I've heard that name before. Who is this Sirius?" said Uncle Aaron. I sighed. This was going to be a long meal.

"Sirius is my best friend. We've been friends since our first year at school, but he's more like a brother then a friend. The brother I never had." James answered.

"You're an only child then?" Aunt Ellen asked. She had been looking at my facial expressions throughout the whole conversation and it was getting a bit unnerving.

"Yes ma'am," said James, taking a bite of toast, chewing quickly before another question was shot at him. Luckily there was silence for a few moments.

"And how long," said Aunt Rose "Have you and Lily been friends?" At this question James scrunched up his face in concentration. I couldn't help but giggle a little watching.

"About three months and one week," James answered at last. I was trying to hide my face in my orange juice glass as James looked at me, noticing my blush and the awkwardness of the situation.

"But-" Said Jane "Lily said she's known you for six years!" James nodded

"Yes, known me...but I was a prat for about five and a half of those six years and I would rather not think about them. Most of the memories involve a certain red-head with a nasty temper and very loud voice box."

Oh, low. Several of my family members laughed at this and nodded.

"Humph!" I exclaimed. James smiled cheekily and winked. Something I wish he hadn't done because apparently my cousin Jane caught this. Honestly, Jane can be an awfully lot like Petunia at times (who had spent the night at a friends house, thank Merlin). She started sniggering uncontrollably in a very annoying fashion. This was about the time when everyone started their own conversations with the people next to them. James seemed rather relieved by this. I could tell he was starving.

"Don't choke now, Potter." I said, trying to suppress a smile. James looked up from his toast and gave me another cheeky smile.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't deprive you of my charm." he said. I rolled my eyes.

"Changed, my foot. You're about as changed as the Chudley Cannons ever will be." I said taking a delicate sip of my orange juice. I could see his horrified expression and it almost make me choke.

"Ugh! That's low!" he protested. "Come on. The Cannons are terrible!"

"My point."

"As long as we are comparing each other to Quidditch teams, I think I'll have a go." Said James, eyeing me wryly.

"Oh, I'm the Falmouth Falcons am I? Dangerous, brutal and cruel?" I asked feeling slightly offended. James didn't answer for some time. He was chewing slowly, looking bemused. He swallowed and answered softly.

"No, you seem more like the Montrose Magpies type..."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked. "I'm loud?"

"No," James answered. "You're good. Very good. But you've got you're faults too. You're real. That is why everybody loves you."

"Who is everybody?" I asked skeptically. I knew James had had a crush on me a while back. Frankly, the fact didn't freak me out half so much as it used to.

"Everybody," said James, lamely. I laughed.

"And by the by..." I said, "That was one lame pick up line." James blushed a bit and my father, who happened to be sitting right next to me, coughed. Obviously a few people had heard what I just said. Perfect. My family was always getting the wrong idea. I decided I had had enough breakfast and embarrassment.

"Hey, James, ever seen a record player?" I asked. James looked up, interested. I knew he was slightly fascinated with Muggle technology.

"That Muggle thing that plays music?" James asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, Remus's Mum owns one. Only the round things she has have weird songs on them." James replied. I realized that this conversation might sound odd to some of my family.

"I've got some cooler records. Wanna come see mine?" I asked. James nodded, relieved that we would be leaving the table, I'm sure.

"Daddy," I asked, "May we be excused?" My father nodded and James and I practically sprinted out of the dining room.

"Thank you!" James said, when we had entered my room, flopping down onto my bed.

"I told you, Potter. I warned you." I said. James's eyebrows furrowed.

"Potter? Potter? My, my, Lily. I thought you knew my first name by now." James tutted and I rolled my eyes.

"Force of habit, Jimmy." I said, crawling under my bed in search of some missing records. The next thing I knew, a pair of arms had seized me around my middle. I was then trying to slap them away, but it was kind of hard, considering that I was laughing so hard.

"Stop, stop!" I called, slapping at James, who had somehow found out I was ticklish.

"I can't believe he told you!" James was saying, but it was really hard for me to hear him between my own shrieks of laughter.

"I'm sorry, I sorry!" I called. "Never again! No, Jimmy! Jimmy, Jimmy! Aaah, James! Not the knees!" The relentless moron was stupid enough to touch my knees. My most ticklish spot. The idiot.

"He promised! He told you!" James just kept talking. "Oh!" he exclaimed after a moment. "Does that tickle?" Oooh, I would have hit him, had I the strength. But just at the moment he stopped my bedroom door burst open.

"Lily!" Several people exclaimed at once. I suppose we must have been a sight, James and I. Me sprawled out on the floor, holding my stomach and breathing hard, and James, just kneeling there dumbly, face red.

"What--?" My father, the one who opened the door, asked. I sat up quickly, trying not to look guilty of anything.

"I...I..." was all James could manage.

"I called him Jimmy," I said, like I had done something truly wrong. My father, Grandfather and Uncle Aaron looked at me, confused.

"He promised he would never tell," James was now muttering. I giggled.

"My knees are terribly ticklish," I stated. I realized that they must be very confused by now, but there wasn't much else I could say.

"And what does that have to do with the screaming we heard all the way downstairs?" Granddad asked. I took a death breath and explained.

"Sirius promised he wouldn't tell anyone that James's mother calls him Jimmy. Sirius told me. It slipped... And I'm ticklish..."I finished, lamely. Everyone looked a little less confused. A little being the key word. Just then a tapping sound interrupted us, coming from my bedroom window.

"Hogwarts letter!" I said, opening the window. Two owls entered, one dropping a letter at my feet and another at James'. I picked mine up and opened it quickly, dimly aware that my father, grandfather and uncle where still watching. I read the usual reminder of the start of term.

"Oh," I heard James say beside me. "McGonagall's assigned a really good book this year."

I quickly read through the book list and was just putting the parchment back in its envelope when I noticed another piece of parchment tucked inside. I quickly drew it out. Just about that time I heard James gasp beside me.

"Head Girl!" I cried, just as James yelled "Head Boy!". My head shot up.

"Head Boy?" I asked incredulously. James nodded, looking pale, and handed me the badge he was holding.

"Dumbledore made you Head Boy?" James nodded again.

"Head Girl?" my father asked from the doorway. "You've been made Head Girl?"

"Yes!" I called, handing him my own badge and beaming with pride. James gave a whoop.

"Congrats, Lil!" he said, smiling at me. I laughed.

"Congratulations to you too, James." I took my self by surprise and hugged him, which he returned.

"Oh thank Merlin it's you and not Snape!" I called. James laughed at this. Then it hit me.

"I'm Head Girl! You're Head Boy! We are Head Girl and Boy!" I cried, jumping up and down.

"Vi!" my father called down stairs to my mother. My mother's face soon appeared outside the door.

"What?" she asked, looking curiously at James and myself who were beaming.

"Lily's gone and made Head Girl!" Said Dad, holding up the letter he held in his hands as proof. My mother made a triumphant sort of cry and pulled me into a hug.

"We knew you could do it, Lily dear," she told me. I smiled, blushing and trying to look modest. I honestly had thought that my friend Emily would get Head Girl.

"Thanks, Mum." I said.

"Ah-and James here made Head Boy." said, to my surprise as well as James's, my Granddad. Obviously he was beginning to approve of James.

"Well that is wonderful, James," said Mum. James nodded politely.

"Your parents should be very proud," my father added.

"Thank you sir--" James said but cut off suddenly. "My parents!"

"What?" I asked, noting the look of panic on his face.

"What time is it?" He asked, sounding anxious.

"Almost ten." I said. "Why?"

"I left the my house early this morning" said James "Without a note or anything and my parents tend to get...a little paranoid."

"You better get back then," I suggested. James nodded.

"Hey" Said James "Er—you want to—em come over to my house for dinner? I'm sure my parents would love to have you and er...I think Sirius is coming over too..." I paled, I'm sure. James had stopped asking me out ages ago, but this, I told myself, was much worse then asking me to Hogsmeade. Not only did he ask me to dinner, but he also asked me to his home and to meet his parents. I think he was just trying to comfort me with the whole Sirius coming over thing...or if not me, my parents and granddad, whom he had just basically, not technically, not really, I'm not positive--but anyway, he had sort of asked me out in front of them!

"Well," I replied slowly, glancing at my parents pleading for help. Obviously they got the wrong idea.

"I don't know if I can..." I continued, looking at my parents, who were smiling. "Family and—"

"Oh, it's all right with us, Lily dear," my mother just had to say. She looked over at my father for support. He nodded and looked at my granddad, who grunted and left the room. I tried to stifle a laugh.

"Er..." I said after no one said anything.

"Right!" James said, standing straight and blushing. "Uh, so how about I tellopone you when I get home and I can ask my mum what time dinner is going to be ready? Maybe Remus could come over as well."

"You have a telephone?" I asked, surprised. James was Pureblood, what did he need with a telephone? James blushed slightly at his mispronunciation of the word telephone.

"Yeah well," said James "Remus has one, his Mum being Muggleborn and all and so I asked my parents if we could get one and now my Mum uses it all the time to talk to her friends that she convinced to get telephones." I laughed. And grabbed a piece of paper.

"Here is my number." I said, writing it down and handing the paper to him. He looked up at my parents with a smile, pocketing the paper as he did so.

"Thanks so much for breakfast, Mrs. Evans." he said. I sighed.

"James, hurry up before you're mum calls the Aurors," I said, trying not to laugh. He nodded, said a hurried good bye and apparated then and there. I stood there a moment, saying nothing, just noticing the very odd way my parents were looking at me. My Dad was half embracing my Mum, who was half smiling, half-frowning. Oh no, I thought, the 'my baby is growing up' talk. Honestly, James was just a friend.

"Our baby is growing up," my Mum said, predictably. I rolled my eyes.

"You're the ones who encouraged me to accept in the first place," I pointed out. "I wouldn't have otherwise."

"James is a good boy," Said my father, leading my Mum towards the door. I sighed. There was no winning with them. I closed the door behind them and fell back onto my bed and closed my eyes.

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