Title: The Tides of Change

Chapter One: Beware of the Red Smoke

Summery: James and Lily travel to the future and meet a sixth year Harry.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I wish I did, because Dumbledore wouldn't be- well never mind. Harry Potter just would be slightly- erm- different.

-.-.-.-.-

"Potter! Damn you! That was my charms homework, and it was due tomorrow!"

James Potter leaned back in his chair, across the table from Lily Evans, placed in the center of the Gryffindor common room. He had "accidentally" flicked his wand and "happened" to knock a full bottle of ink on her essay.

"Yeah…I can fix it…" James replied sheepishly.

Lily put a mock-thoughtful expression on her face.

"Lets see… "Yeah, I can fix it if you'll just go out with me."

Shrugging, James mutter, "It was worth a shot…"

Glaring, Lily stood up.

"Go find your fan club…or those minions. I've got to get some ingredients for a potion…let's see, why do I have extra potions homework- oh yes, SOMEONE thought it would be funny to throw a firework into my cauldron?"

James scowled, and muttered, "They're the Marauders. And I'll head out with you. I've got nothing better to do."

Must he always follow me? It's kind of pathetic, how he has a huge fan club and only will chase after me for a prank…I can't wait for him to fall for someone, so I can do my homework in peace.

"Fine. But try anything, and I'll tear you to pieces."

-.-.-.-.-

Twenty minutes later, James and Lily were climbing around the cauldrons in the dungeons, trying to reach the student supply closet near the front.

At the front, they spotted a potion boiling, with red mist floating out of it. Lily, the potion's expert of the two, was stumped entirely. But even without knowledge of what this did, she knew enough about the wizarding world to take precaution.

"Ouch! Lily, that was my foot!"

James flew forward, and landed in the mist beside the cauldron, and Lily landed on top of him.

"Ah…you did like me all along- or else you just like laying on top of random boys, but I doubt that, 'cause McGonagall like you."

"James! Get off me!"

"Unless I'm much mistaken, you're on top of me- and mind you, don't move, this is a very comfortable position."

The smoke cleared, and it was still as dark and gloomy in the dungeons as ever…but something was different. Lily gasped.

"James, all the cauldrons are empty and the calendar-"

James, not understanding, looked up.

"1996," he read aloud.

How the hell…? James thought.

Just then, Snape walked in.