Chapter One

Tap. Tap tap. Tap tap tap.

I groaned and burrowed farther into my pillow, determined to block out the unpleasant world around me, noises and all.

TAP TAP TAP.

I opened one eye to look for the source of the noise when a small, fluffy black owl swooped in and banged against my window again. I removed myself from my haven of warm comfort and stumbled towards the window, tripping over a potions textbook and almost falling on my face.

Regaining my balance, I cursed my messy room as I shoved the window open and snatched the owl from the air. I wriggled the roll of parchment off his leg and set it on the desk. He hooted sweetly and hopped over to the water dish and owl treats I had set out for my own owl, Agrippa, who was off delivering a letter to my best friend.

"Bloody owl post," I grumbled, slamming the window behind the owl as he took off again. I picked my way across my room and wriggled beneath my blankets again, forgetting the letter, trying to regain my blissful state of sleep.

"Lilllyyy!"

Noooooo.

The universe does not want me to sleep. My last week of summer vacation, too.

"Lily!" My mother knocked hard on my door. "We have a dress fitting at eleven!" The door swung open and her eyes widened. "You're still in bed? We have to leave in ten minutes. Petunia's going to have a fit."

Petunia's fits were a frequent occurrence, but still awful to behold, so I quickly pushed my covers back and hopped up. "I'm up," I said quickly. "Five minutes, I'll be downstairs."

My mother ground the heel of her palm into her forehead. "Don't tell Petunia," she said, rolling her eyes, "but at the moment I'm wishing she and Vernon would just elope."

I sniggered.

She glared at me. "So help me, when you get married-"

"No worries, Mum, I haven't even got a boyfriend," I replied, shutting the door in her laughing face and sprinting to my dresser. I scrambled into some ratty denim shorts and a t-shirt, dragged a brush through my long, bright red hair, and seized my wand. After some contemplation, I slid it under my shirt into the waistband of my shorts. Muggle clothing provided less handy wand storage opportunities than wizard robes.

I entered the kitchen to find my older sister, Petunia, nearly hyperventilating.

"Mum! She's going to make us late! She always ruins everything, if she wasn't my sister she wouldn't have been a bridesmaid, the freak."

I bit my lip. Even though Petunia had expressed blatant dislike for me and my "freakishness" for years, her words still carried a slight sting. This was the first summer I could use magic outside of Hogwarts, and my "mad-stick-waving" had made her even more irritated with me.

"Look at her!" she shrilled, noticing my entrance. "Lily, you look like a ragamuffin. We're going somewhere nice. And leave your magic stick at home."

"It's a dress fitting, Pet, I won't have my clothes on half the time," I snapped, picking up a banana and ignoring her jab at my wand.

"Girls," My mother sounded wearied and stern. "Stop. Petunia, be more gracious towards Lily. Lily, Petunia is stressed, don't incite her."

We both fell into an irritated silence-frigid, tense, and decidedly uncomfortable.

At last, we reached the dress shop. Petunia's three other bridesmaids, her friends from school, met us there. Their mindless chatter relieved the silence without requiring any speech on my part, happily. I tuned out their conversation and wondered vaguely if I should attempt to find a date to the wedding.

The bridesmaid's dresses were pale orange-"creamy mandrain", according to the sales assistant. The color looked rather strange with my bright green eyes and dark red hair. I didn't really care. It was Pet's wedding, I certainly wasn't aiming to impress.

After nearly three hours of torturous conversation-"So, Lily, do you have a boyfriend? Or are all the boys at your school for the gifted nerds?"-and giggles, sharp pins poking me, and various comments on my "interesting" hair and eyes, I was ready to avada kedavra the lot of them.

When we pulled into our driveway, I could have cried with relief. I could only stand so much time in Petunia's company. I retreated to my room to tidy it a bit and shove a few odds and ends into my school trunk. I left for Hogwarts in less than a week-September first was so gloriously close.

Unfortunately, I would be back for Petunia's wedding in mid-September. But I was trying not to think about that.

I bent to pick up a shiny badge that fell off my desk and smiled widely to myself. Head Girl. Head Girl! I reveled in my self-congratulations a moment longer, wondering briefly who the Head Boy was. Probably Remus, or perhaps the Ravenclaw prefect...I shrugged it off and picked up a quill and a few scraps of parchment off my desk to toss in my trunk. My eyes caught the letter from this morning. I fingered the parchment curiously; the handwriting wasn't Marlene's or Alice's-I wondered who was writing to me. I unfolded it.

Lily,

There are a few things I need to discuss with

you. I hate to intrude, but it's rather important. I'll

drop by your house at 4. Reply if that won't

work.

James Potter

Blunt. Brief. I frowned down at the words. James and I had a rather tumultuous history, but towards the end of sixth year he had definitely gained a new maturity and we had parted on civil terms. Friendly, even, but we certainly weren't close enough to warrant "dropping by". I glanced and the clock and gaped for a second-4:05. James Potter was going to appear in my front yard at any moment. How did he even get my address?

As I hurried downstairs, I heard a dull roar. Was that a...motorbike? I peered out the front window and stared at the sight. James was parked across the street, astride a large black motorbike, staring directly at my house. He hopped off and sauntered towards my front porch.

I sprung to the door and opened it. He was caught in a rather comical position, fist poised to knock and a surprised look on his face. I frowned up at him.

"Er...Hi," he said awkwardly, his hand moving to his hair. Before it reached the messy black mop, he dropped it abruptly.

The whole picture was rather amusing-James had always been cocky, never lacking in confidence, but now he looked almost...nervous?

"Hey," I said. "Uh, come in?"

He stepped inside, hands in the pockets of his...jeans?

"You're wearing muggle clothes?" I asked in confusion. Oops. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"Oh," he said, looking rather surprised, "Well...you live in muggle London. I couldn't really come prancing about in wizard robes. And Sirius' bike is easier to ride in...pants."

"Ah." I peered around him to glimpse the motorbike again. "Isn't that...dangerous?"

He grinned. "I'm a marauder. I play Quidditch on flying broomsticks over fifty feet in the air. It's charmed, anyway. I won't get hurt. And since when is Lily Evans so concerned for my welfare?" he teased.

"Just curious," I said, pursing my lips. "Tea?" I inquired politely, leading him into the living room. I curled up in my favorite chair and he took a seat on the couch.

"No, thanks," he answered. "Well," he began uncertainly, "I suppose your wondering why I'm here."

"The thought did cross my, mind, yes," I replied dryly.

He leaned back and sighed, ruffling his hair desperately. "I'm not sure how to say this."

I rolled my eyes. "Open your mouth, say the words." Really, who kidnapped the James Potter I knew?

He blinked nervously at me. "I'm a bit afraid of your reaction."

This cannot be good.

He squeezed his eyes shut. "Imheadboy."

"What?" Oh Merlin, please let me have heard him wrong. Why on earth would Professor Dumbledore make Potter Head Boy? He may have matured, but surely that didn't make up for his years of horrible behavior. He wasn't even a prefect.

He evaluated my expression cautiously, obviously wondering if I was planning on pulling out my wand and hexing him. He had been on the receiving end of my hexes, and it hadn't been pretty. Needless to say, he always deserved it.

"How'd you know I was Head Girl?" Of all my questions, this was the one that decided to pop out of my mouth.

He looked surprised at my mild reaction. "Er, my letter mentioned it."

I frowned. Why hadn't I been told Potter was Head Boy? James, I reminded myself. We're not enemies anymore, civil acquaintances use their given names.

"Look, I know it's unexpected," James mumbled. "I mean, Dumbledore must have a really odd, twisted sense of humour. I just wanted to tell you, so you wouldn't be so shocked when school starts...I know I don't deserve it, but I'm going to do my best to try and earn that right, to deserve it, I mean; it should have been Moony-Remus, I mean-or one of the prefects, but, uh,-"

"No," I cut him off, "I think Dumbledore had the right idea. A bit unorthodox, but brilliant, really." Oh, Merlin. Where were these words coming from? Certainly not my mouth, nor my brain. "I mean, you're a natural leader, and the students need a leader in times like these-not just a goody two shoes who will hand out detention to kids snogging in broom closets after curfew. The students respect you, you may have to prove you're serious, but they look up to you. I think...Dumbledore wasn't as crazy as some people might think." I trailed off, wondering just where that little speech had sprouted from. I felt my cheeks redden in embarrassment.

James was gaping openly at me. "Thanks," he finally managed. After a moment he pulled himself together and added hesitantly, "That's not all, though."

I raised one eyebrow inquiringly, trying to recover from my speech.

"I know Alice graduated last year.-and Marlene's moved to France-and I didn't know if you'd gotten your things from Diagon Alley yet. It's not much fun to go alone, and I'm meeting Sirius and the others there tomorrow morning..." he trailed off uncertainly, then continued: "You're welcome to meet us there. I mean, I suppose we'll be seeing a lot of each other this year, so it would be nice if you could stand my company. Friends, even?"

I frowned slightly and irritation welled up. Was he suggesting I had no friends? I squelched my anger; he was simply trying to be nice. Besides, it was the truth. I didn't really have any close friends this year. I was well liked by most everyone at Hogwarts, barring the Slytherins, of course, but had only become close with a few people. Severus Snape, my childhood best friend, but we had drifted apart until he made the final break in fifth year. I had been close to Marlene McKinnon, a girl in my year and house, ever since first year, when our beds were next to each other, but her father had a new job at the French Ministry of Magic, and she was finishing her education at Beauxbatons. Alice Livingstone-a year my senior, also a Gryffindor, and last year's head girl, was entering auror training with her fiance, Frank Longbottom. Alice was like the older sister that, thanks to Petunia, I never had.

James interrupted my train of thoughts with, "Meet you in the Leaky Cauldron at half eleven?"

Why not, I thought. After all, I have to learn to get along properly with him, spend more time with him. "Sure," I answered finally.

James nodded. "All right, then. Good seeing you." He stood and I followed him to the door.

"James..." I began, my curiosity overcoming my desire to be polite, "why didn't you just write and tell me?"

"Oh," he ruffled his hair uncomfortably. "I didn't really have anything to do today...and I wanted to try out Sirius' new motorbike." His face brightened. "It flies," he added excitedly.

I laughed. Of course Sirius Black would own a flying motorbike.

"Want to ride it?"

Was not expecting that. "Uh...I can't drive one of those!"

He chuckled deeply. "I meant with me. It fits two people, you know."

"Oh!" I flushed red. Oh, why the bloody hell not? "Sure! Just let me get my jacket and tell my mum I'm going out."

As I rushed downstairs, struggling into my jacket, I wondered what on earth was wrong with me today. First, I had a completely friendly conversation with James Potter. Sure, we had been civil towards the end of last year, but our "relationship" hadn't actually involved conversation. Second, I was okay with the fact he was Head Boy. Third, I just agreed to ride with him on a flying motorbike. I was behaving as though he had confunded me. Oh well. This was my last summer before I had to embrace the real world and responsibilities of adulthood. Might as well live a little.

"I'm going out, Mum!" I shouted into the kitchen, already halfway out the door.

"Be back in time for dinner!" she yelled back. "Vernon's coming over."

I groaned as I crossed the street, muttering under my breath about nasty men and my nasty sister. James was astride the bike already, looking suave and casual. It was rather amusing. I clambered up behind him and realized that I was going to have to hold on to his...waist.

"Hold on tight," he advised, confirming my suspicions. I placed my hands loosely on either side of his waist. "Tighter, Lily." I could hear his eye-roll in his voice. "This flies, remember?" I gripped tighter. He revved the engine and took off.

Into the air. "James!" I hissed. "This is a muggle neighborhood! Muggle motorbikes don't...fly."

"I know that," he said indignantly. "I've taken Muggle Studies! This has an invisibility thing..."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"So." Suddenly, I found myself laughing. "I don't think we can carry on a normal conversation," I finally managed. "We've never had much practice. Either I was snipping at you, or yelling at you, or hexing you, or ignoring you...or you were asking me out." Oops. I hadn't meant to bring up that potentially awkward subject.

"Well," he answered easily, "how's this for a start: how was your summer vacation, Lily Evans?"

"Terrible," I grumbled. "My older sister is getting married in September and I've been in the middle of all the wedding plans. She doesn't like me, and I don't like her fiance."

And just like that, any awkwardness dissolved.. James, I discovered, was easy to talk to and actually seemed nice.

Well.

We touched down and puttered to a stop in front of my house a while later. I hopped off, thanking James for the ride and promising to meet him the next day. He dismounted too, obviously meaning to walk me to the door.

Since when was James Potter a gentleman?

No sooner had I set foot on my front porch than the door swung open and my frazzled looking mother revealed herself. "Lily! I need you to set the table, Vernon's going to be over any minute, the pasta sauce isn't coming together properly and Petunia wants to tell him about your magic tonight!"

I stared at her. "She hasn't told him yet?" So the man has no idea what he's marrying into. Lovely. And if he's anything like Pet...

My mother seemed to register James' presence for the first time. "Who's this, Lily?" she prompted.

"Er..." I trailed off helplessly. Thank goodness for James' sudden manners.

He stepped up and offered his hand to my mother. "James Potter, ma'am. Mrs. Evans, I presume?"

Good lord. The man sounded like he had stepped straight out of Pride and Prejudice. I stared at him as though he was a new and rather strange species of animal.

My mother sent me a disapproving look at my failure to introduce him. "Yes, please call me Rose." Her face brightened suddenly. Oh no. "You're welcome to stay for dinner."

James looked rather surprised. "I couldn't impose."

My mother's facade, or what was left of it, crumbled. She looked rather mad, as though she might start ripping out her hair in a moment. "Please stay," she practically begged. "My son-in-law-to-be is coming to dinner and he's absolutely dreadful." She shot me a look. "And Lily might behave better with a friend over."

"Mum!" I protested, flushing red. "I behave just fine!"

"You're staying," she said to James, who nodded mutely. "Table settings," she said to me, then walked back into the kitchen.

"Well," I said weakly. "Help me set the table?"

Me, my life, and everyone in my life has gone raving mad. Lovely.