All I knew this morning when I woke
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago
Is green eyes and freckles in your smile
In the back of my mind making me feel right

I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now

-everything has changed, by Taylor Swift.

On the 31st of August, a girl with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes looked out of the window of her second story room. The sky was still a beautiful blue, the grass a healthy green, the daisies still blossomed and bloomed, but something was different.

Not physically, but mentally.

Lily Evans, proud studious attendant of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had discovered something over the summer before sixth year.

She liked Potter.

Potter, that insufferable, annoying, irritating, aggravating, irking, frustrating, infuriating, egotistical, proud, stubborn, prank-obsessed boy with the I'm holier-then-thou attitude who had angered her to no end last year.

But why had she allowed it?

She had simply ignored the less drastic bits, and laughed now and then.

If she really hated Potter, he'd be long gone.

Many countries away.

Or planets.

Or- well, he'd be far away if she'd really hated him. Or maybe not, he had always bugged her with his insistent proclaims of "I love you!".

Or maybe that was simply a joke.

Ugh, poor Lily was doomed.

Could she tell him?

Would she tell him?

No. She would wait until he gave his annual- scratch that, daily- declaration of "Will you go out with me?".

Simple.

Or something could go terribly wrong, on the not-so-optimistic side.

On the more likely side, so to say.

Dear Marlene,

You remember how James Potter always irritated me at school with his announcements of devotion.

I know you do! It was impossible to forget!

Well, I think I've decided to give in, and give him a chance. 'Cos, (don't tell him, he really doesn't need another ego inflate!) I think I like him too.

Really, that's all I was going to write, but owls these days are expensive!

Do you think he was joking all the times he asked me out, I mean, he might only be fooling around?

He does that a lot.

Fooling yes, but he always makes me confused.

Always!

I'm scared that agreeing to go out with him will only give him a reason to laugh (not that he needs a reason!).

Any advice for me, Marlene?

I hope to Merlin that you do!

(Also, Toony has been annoying me SOO much! Save me, please!)

Write back soon-

Lily.

Lily absolutely hated Owling prices, and the small irked frown on her face showed it.

She patted the owl from inside her room, glad it had flown around the neighborhood, and somewhat pleased it hadn't hooted for money yet. Also hoping that he would find the correct place, she said aloud, making clear pronunciation and sharp clarity: "Polydon Street, the house with the pink door."

She was prepared to seal her envelope, and give it to the bird in the hopes it didn't expect payment, but things did not go the way she planned.

"Hoot hoot!"

"Ouch!" She cried, dropping the two galleons she'd been holding -just in case- down towards the grass below her. The blooming owl had bit her! HARD!

She added grumpily a warning at the bottom of the letter: Careful, the bird's crazy!

When she looked up, she blanched; a little white cat with curious big blue eyes was inspecting the dropped coins, he swiped at one, causing it to get increasingly closer to the gutter.

"Tulip, no!" She shrieked.

It was too late, the playful cat had gleefully pushed one of her coins down the gutter.

"At least I still have one galleon left." She sighed. "You silly cat!" She called down.

The cat looked up, hissed, picked up her last galleon in his mouth, and trotted off towards the nearby large clutter of bushes, before reappearing again. Without her money.

"Ugh." Moaned Lily, glaring after the cat. It had never seemed to like her anyways.

Unhappily, Lily grudgingly began letting her hands and fingers run amuck in her purse, desperately searching for another two galleons.

So to say, the owl was unimpressed.

"Oh bugger off would you," Lily grumbled, before remembering what her last animal-related insult resulted in, she apologized immediately. "Sorry."

But the owl seemed to be getting more and more impatient, and bit her finger again, this time drawing blood.

"Yeek!" She groaned in pain. "Screw you, owl."

She began sucking the finger he'd bitten, which, unfortunately just happened to be her thumb.

"Why me?" She complained, sucking harder on her red thumb.

"HA HA HA HA HA!" OK, it didn't sound exactly like that, well more like this: "Mwah ha ha ha!".

Evil, I know.

Lily looked up in frustration to see her elder sister, Petunia, watching her in cruel amusement. "Aw, is duh ickle baby hurt? Do I need to call Mummy Wummy?"

"Sweetness doesn't suit you, Toony." Lily said, removing her thumb from her mouth in embarrassment. "You should go back to bitter and jealous."

"JEALOUS?" Shrieked Petunia.

"Yes, ashamed I've figured out why you're so angry now a days." Lily smirked a very James-like smirk. Oh, good Lord, he's rubbing off on me!

"You little..." Petunia hissed furiously.

"-Miracle, wonder, epitome of brilliance?" Said Lily, smiling. "I know, I know. No need to remind me, right?"

"Ugh!" Petunia let a small squeaking noise of pure ire out.

Lily felt a little bad, although she hadn't meant to upset her sister. "I'm-" Her apology was cut of by Petunia's ranting.

"Stupid, annoying, bratty, spoiled, the epitome of a goody goody and a betrayer." Said Petunia smugly.

Lily felt complete rage building up inside of her. "And when," she growled. "Have I ever betrayed anyone?"

Petunia's eyes lost some of their mirth from teasing her. "You betrayed me for that greasy haired Snape boy." She said quietly.

"Oh Toony..."

"But you betrayed him, too! He's been trying to talk to you all summer, but you just ignore him! He's given up now, though, the smart freak!"

"Oh my God! Just leave him out of-" But Petunia left the room, a satisfied, pompous smile on her ugly face for winding up Lily.

"Oh, Merlin." Murmured Lily unhappily. She started attaching the letter the nipping owl, but she didn't notice since Toony hadn't closed the door, Tulip the thief of a cat had sneaked in.

She had just finished doing the straps to hold the letter up, when Tulip leaped onto the window sill and began swiping at the owl as he had at her money earlier.

"Tulip, no!" She yelled, feeling that vexing feeling of déjà vu.

The owl she had cursed earlier now had her full sympathy as he screeched at the unpleasant surprise, and he made an impromptu take off, and flew away.

Leaving Lily, an evil cat, a face full of snowy white feathers and a nagging worry.

Is one boy worth so much?

No. Right?

"TWEET! TWEET!" Was a bird being tortured, or something? Wondered Lily, getting up from her awkward position and placing down Cinderella: a witches version. She saw the snowy white owl who'd bitten her had returned, with a letter and a parcel.

"Oh goody, I need something to cheer me up." She grinned.

Dear Lily,

O.M.G I knew you had to fall for him someday!

I can see the ickle babies with his black hair and devilishly good-looking face, but with your pretty eyes.

The one thing I hate is that your names mix into: Lames. James plus Lily: Lames.

Like, wah?

But it's better then you and Snape, that would make Silly. No, really! Severus (ew) plus Lily equals: Silly.

Double x wah?

Wait!

Spot of inspiration: Jily.

You heard me. Jily.

Oh. My. Good. God. Leverus, Snape and Lily is Leverus. (That rhymes with the Irish word for toilet, Leithreas! It's a sign! You and Snape's relationship equals a toilet!)

My advice: stay calm, and wait for him to ask you out like he always does, then say "I'll think about it", that 'll shock him!

Knock 'im dead girl,

Marlene.

PS. Your bird gave me a ticket for a free band-aid.

Lily smiled, and folded the letter into the envelope, and then she opened the small red box with a darker red pretty ribbon that came with it.

There was a beautiful, heart-shaped silver locket wrapped white tissue.

Wait, it gets better, thought Lily, grinning. It opens!

Inside was a magical picture of Lily smiling at the camera, and then like a muggle video recorder, James pops up and gives the peace sign behind her, causing the picture Lily to race after him, a smouldering glare on her face.

In fancy italics, there read: Lames, not Silly, Forever.

Marlene, you doof. Thought Lily fondly. You make it sound like we're gonna get married some time soon!

Dear Marlene,

I find your sense of humor not very flattering. Who says I'm gonna marry Potter? It's probably just a school girl crush.

I love the locket, albeit the text is unnecessary. (Bleuch, "Silly"?)

I'm sorry, the bird bit me too. Rotten thing, though I'm rather pleased it found you. Tulip, a spoiled cat who lives with me, attacked it. So it must be a very determined bird to bother to go find you. That, or rather noble, since I payed so much to send it!

How would you like to go to Diagon alley with me, and maybe you could invite Debbie, since I don't know her address. I mean, I haven't talked to Debbie for a while so please excuse me for being so impolite. I've found her amazing ever since she stood up for us in front of McGonnagal because Potter and his lot framed us for his dung-bomb prank.

Back to the subject of Diagon alley, maybe this Saturday?

Answer soon-

Lily.

Lily,

See you there! Called Dee. Florean Fortescue's, 2:30.
- Marlene.

Lily beamed, opened her door and called out: "Mom! I'm going out this Saturday!"

She was still beaming five days later adjusting her purple robes, ignoring every one of Petunia Evans' taunts.

"Bet they won't show up, cos, like seriously, who'd want to go anywhere with you and-"

"Hush up, Toony." Said Lily dismissively. "I'm going now, so have some manners, say goodbye and wish me luck on my travels and a safe journey."

"Ditto, I'm seeing Vernon today."

"The pig of a man? Ew." Lily was not exaggerating, Vernon Dursley was a grotesque boy, a year older then Toony herself.

"You hush up now, Lily. Vernon's perfectly nice, and just since no boy's ever liked you and that it's unlikely one ever will, doesn't mean you must be jealous."

Lily blinked. "Thanks." She muttered, a bit sadly. It had nearly brought to life her fears about James.

Petunia opened her mouth, and her eyes earned a guilty glint, but no words left her gawping mouth. Lily got up, muttering something about a cap, while Petunia stared at the spot Lily had just left. "I'm sorry." She said quietly, and left abruptly up to her room to prepare for her and Vernon's date.

After two hours on a train to London, Lily felt a little drowsy.

"Do need any help, Miss?" Asked a lady walking by with a dog on a lead, it seemed she had noticed Lily's troubled face. "Are you lost?"

"No, I'm fine, thank you." Said Lily. She sighed, it was a pity that the nice woman was a muggle.

"Alright then, dear" She leaned forwards. "The leaky cauldron is that-a-way." She whispered in Lily's ear, pointing forward, then she disappeared.

Lily smiled a little. The dog lead dropped onto the ground, unoccupied.

Theatrical exit, for disapparating.

Giggling, Lily shouldered her bag and departed in the direction the lady had pointed in. Straight up.

She walked, scratch that, shoved her way through crowds of people until she reached the Leaky cauldron.

She stared at the wall next to it. That was the entrance, but how do you open it again?

Ah yes, tap the right brick.

So Lily began tapping random orange bricks with her wand in the hope she'd be fortunate and pick the right one, and soon. She didn't see the shadow behidn her.

1st one, 2nd one, 3rd one... 20th one, 21st one, 23nd one, 23rd one... 55th one... (Her hand had begun to hurt by now.)

"Fifty five times, well, go on, hit the next innocent brick." Said a deep voice most girls Lily knew thought of as attractive. She personally thought it chafe. "Brick abuser."

Sighing, she turned around. A handsome, black hair, dark grey eyed, and vilely grinning boy glanced at her in his exasperating way that made most girls faint. "OK, Black, why don't you do the honors?"

Sirius Black smirked. "But of course, my dear lady. If it really is that difficult..." He smacked the fifty sixth brick, the next one Lily was going to hit. The twit.

Such a face-palm moment, Lily, such a face palm moment.

Lily scowled as Black lazily stepped back as the wall began to open like a door.

"Ta da." He said, walking through with a smug look on his face.

"Ugh." Complained Lily, following him, but purposely walking five steps behind him, giving off the look of 'I don't know him!'.

As usual, Lily found herself gazing up in awe at all the amazing buildings. There was; the museum of stake deaths, a hideously painted red house with recorded screams coming from inside; The coffee shack, with it's welcoming beige walls, toffee colored doors and pretty sign with a witches cap and a cup of tea; Zonkos, easily recognized with it's gigantic sign, bright blue walls, and window full of treats and tricks; Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour with it's beautiful friendly light yellow coloring and outdoor seating; Flourish & Blotts; Gringotts Wizarding Bank; Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions; The Magical Menagerie; Ollivanders; Potage's Cauldron Shop; Quality Quidditch Supplies; Slug and Jiggers Apothecary; and Gambol and Japes joke store.

Lily loved the place.

So, with a look of simple delight, she readjusted her shoulder bag and took out her map.

"This way to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour." She said under her breath, taking a sharp right. Then another right, and forward, then left and... "Where next?"

She looked up, if only to see the ice-cream parlour standing proud and mighty above her. "Oh."

Pleased, Lily made her way slowly but surely to the top of the queue, where she greeted Mr. Florean. "Hello, could I get a ice-cream float?"

"But of course," said he, smiling. "With or without sauce?" She nodded a 'with'. He waved his wand and gave her the complete float.

Lily thanked him and joyously took the bowl, and laughed as the vanilla ice-cream began to float in mid-air.

Muggles had no idea what they were missing with their ice cream floats.

She accidentally bumped lightly into the next person in the line, and opened her mouth to say sorry, when she saw who it was. "Debbie! Hi!"

Debbie Lovegood, sister of Xenophilius Lovegood, nodded at her, smiling. "Exploding toffee, please, two scoops." She told Mr. Florean.

"Looks nice," commented Lily as they walked back to the table.

"It is." Agreed Debbie. "Wanna try some?"

Lily nodded, and Debbie dumped some exploding toffee onto her near empty bowl.

"Thanks!" She said, taking a spoonful.

And then, for some reason, Debbie started to count. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six," Merlin, was it just her, or was the ice-cream expanding in her mouth? "Five, four, three," eek! "TWO, ONE!"

Lily made a large squeaking noise as the small piece of "exploding toffee ice cream", well, exploded in her mouth. She felt the heat go to her face.

Debbie laughed. "Don't worry, it happens to everyone who eats it. It has the enlarging hex on it. Look," she gestured at all the other red faced people giggling and chortling around the cafe.

Lily leaned over across the table. "Debbie, I've got some news."

"What?" Debbie asked excitedly.

"I think... I think I like James Potter back, now."

Debbie's eyes went wide, and then she squealed. "Really, oh this is great! Lames forever!"

Lily rolled her eyes, but there was a tint of glee in them. "Marlene told you that, right?"

Debbie opened her mouth to answer- probably with a giggle and a yes- when someone plopped down into the seat next to them.

It was Marlene. She was slumped into the chair and her own face wasn't very red, so she mustn't have eaten much of the exploding toffee ice cream in front of her.

"What's wrong?" Asked Debbie in concern.

Marlene sighed. "You know how you said you might agree to go out with James?" Cue Debbie's beam. "Well, I'm afraid it ain't happening today, or any time soon."

Lily nearly let her face fall. "Why not?"

Marlene gave her a small look of pity. "'Cause I heard it from Dorcas, who heard it from Debbie's brother, who heard it from Molly Weasley, who saw it."

"Er.. I'll probably regret this, but what is 'it'?" Said Debbie.

"Molly saw James and this git-girl called Malorie kissing, and apparently, James Potter now has a girlfriend."

Debbie paled, but all Lily could feel was her jaw falling to the floor.

"Good Merlin."

A/N: Let it be known that I have not copied the letter idea, I simply needed the friends to make contact, and since witches don't have phones, I had to get them to owl each-other.

Thank you for reading :D. I love if I could get some reviews... faster updates, eh?