Disclaimer: I do not own anything, J.K. Rowling does.

CHAPTER TWO:

I felt as nervous as hell and I'm pretty sure my hand was sweating clasped between James' hand. He still hadn't let go as we strolled through the muggle streets to the visitor's booth of the Ministry, and I didn't mind in the slightest. Soon I had grown accustomed to the warmth coming from our hands and easily forgot the previous awkwardness I had with the whole situation. It just seemed natural and normal to be holding hands with James, although that's what it was, just holding hands. It could be taken as a completely romantic gesture or something you do with platonic friends. And in this instance, I didn't know which one James was going for…although I would be in denial to deny that I didn't want it to be the first one.

My footsteps echoed through muggle London, and I walked with James in complete content and giddiness. Out of the corner of my eye, he seemed to have a quiet smile on his lips and seemed to be as happy as I was then. I was too busy staring at him that I didn't notice the telephone pole right in front of me. This was unfortunate because as I took another look at James next to me, I tripped over one of the cobblestones and rammed my head right into the pole.

Smack! Right into the pole my head went and before I groaned and closed my eyes I heard James shout my name in panic.

Realizing after a minute of dull pain that I was laying on the wet, dank ground, I got up with another groan of pain and nausea. I fell down again, but this time James caught be me easily in his arms before gently lowering me down. Now that the pain was gone I couldn't help but duck my head in embarrassment. What kind of girl rams into a pole because she was too busy staring at a bloke she knows she has not shot with? That's right! No one except Lily Evans. She's so hopelessly in love she can't even walk straight.

Peering down and ducking my head, while blushing like crazy, I heard James call my name through my stupor. His gentle yet demanding voice coaxed me to open my eyes.

Hazel eyes stared at me worriedly and stared right back at them. He seemed really worried about me even though I probably would've laughed if he had done the same. And as I realized that, I was incredibly thankful that he hadn't bursted out laughing at my heightened stupidity.

"You alright? You took quite a fall there. Anything hurt?" James asked, peering at me worriedly. Awww, he's so sweet.

"Not really, just my pride." I said dryly.

He chuckled as he lent me a hand and lifted me off the cold ground. I laughed a little too. There's a point where you have to let the embarrassment go and laugh at yourself a little.

Dusting me off quickly, we headed off again into the streets toward the abandoned telephone booth that leads to the visitor's entrance to the Ministry. Abruptly I felt a hand brush off something on my arse.

Surprised I gave a little jerk and looked behind me to see James shifting his feet awkwardly. He cleared his throat and muttered: "Uh…There was some dust there. And I figured you didn't want to go to your trial with dust there so…"

I eyed him strangely but nodded nonetheless.

"I'm sure you had a different reason except wanting to touch this hot piece of arse." And with that, I punctuated my thought by wiggling my bum a little. It's not often you actually see James Potter embarrassed and I wanted to prolong the experience the best that I could. And it was working.

He mumbled something and lowered his head to hide the blush overwhelming his handsome face. With a shrug he turned away but I continued to observe him for a moment. Even though I could stare at him for what could possibly an eternity, I didn't want to be considered more of a stalker than I already am so I turned away and continued walking. Now that my mind was effectively free of James, kind of, I felt the familiar tingle of nervousness creep into me.

What if I'm proven guilty? What if my wand's snapped? What happens then? Will I live out my days a sad depressed old lady constantly bitter that I could never finish my magical education so much so that I become the neighbourhood's crazy cat lady? When I officially gain two stones will James run off with some skank from Surrey because I can't appeal to him anymore?

Sadly, out of all of those possibilities, James leaving me sounds the worst, even though we aren't even together in the first place. Wistful sigh.

Finally, after that rather humiliating work here for both of us, we reached the telephone booth. With a sigh of relief, I climbed into the telephone booth and waited for James to squeeze in. I was all too aware of the close proximity I was to a warm teenage boy, and found it quite hard to think straight. Not just that but the scent wafting from him is intoxicating.

"Um…right." James blinked a couple of times and muttered. He reached behind me for the receiver and I was once again struck with a wave of what seemed to be Old Spice. I nearly fainted this time, but in a good way…if that makes sense.

"Okay…six…two…four…four…and another two." James mumbled to himself and we waited patiently for the dial to go back to its original place. After it did, immediately after a cool and dignified woman's voice sounded clearly.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your business and name." The voice said plainly.

James held the receiver to his ear and talked into it. "Uh…James Potter here to escort Lily Evans to a ministry disciplinary hearing."

"Thank you. Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes." Two badges slid out of the metal chute and James took them out and gave mine to me.

It said: "Lily Evans, ministry disciplinary hearing." I peeked over at James' and his said the same except with escort added.

"Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium." The woman's voice sounded. As we traveled lower into the ground, I was strongly reminded of a muggle elevator. Except those don't usually leave you squeezed next to a gorgeous bloke, not that I'm complaining, of course.

After a couple moments of total darkness, the telephone booth sprang open and gave way to the main hall. Having never been here, my mouth gaped open and my eyes marveled over the magnificent space. For such a corrupt form of government, the Ministry certainly knew how to decorate.

I heard quiet chuckling beside me and turned to James who obviously was not as in awe as I was.

"Wow." I exclaimed. "This place is freaking amazing. Jesus, I wanna live here!" I continued to proclaim as I walked out of the booth and into the place. James continued chuckling as I stared with wide eyes. Clicking my heels over the dark wooden floors quietly so that I didn't scuff the floor, I stared and stared.

I had stepped into a very long and large hall with dark wooden floors. The high ceiling was embezzled with interchanging golden symbols. On the sides of the walls were high fireplaces which every few seconds glowed green and a witch or wizard would emerge from the flames. Down the hall was a huge fountain gloriously spilling water from the sculpture and held the figures of a wizard, a centaur, goblin, and house-elf. Quite magnificent except for the fact that the last three figures were looking dotingly up at the witch, as though she was of greater value than them themselves. Sometimes the Wizarding world can be a bunch of bigoted idiots. Pops of apparition sounded all over the hall and we walked on. I couldn't help but dip my hand into the fountain when I passed it. I've done that every time I came across a fountain since I was a child. James looked at me quite weirdly but I didn't pay any mind. Seeing the glint of Wizarding money on the bottom I quickly dug up a muggle quid from my skirt's pocket.

Desperately wishing, 'not guilty! Not guilty!' I tossed the coin into the fountain and raced after James who had walked ahead of me.

Finally we turned a corner and came to a golden gate proclaimed as security. A hyper security guard waved us over excitedly. He scanned me with a golden rod and waved for my wand. Hesitantly, I handed over my wand paranoid that they would snap it somehow. After he slipped my wand into a strange instrument which produced a slip of paper. The guard read it proudly out loud.

"Willow, 10 ¼ inches, been in use for six years. Correct?" I nodded and he passed me my wand back. He did the same for James and we set off to the lifts. When we reached it, James set us off to the second floor and I anxiously shifted until we reached the correct place.

Stepping out of the lift, I continued to marvel at the how clean it is. There was not a speck of dust anywhere in the second floor that contained the Department of Law Enforcement. Black granite tiles reflected across the floor, and the offices and mini-departments, if you will, that grace the walls formed in a circle. The middle of the circle had layers of cubicles for what seemed to store the less ambitious and important people. The assistants, interns, etc.

Seeing as I was a little dazed, James took me by the hand and led me to the place where the hearing would take place. He led me to the opposite end to an office that was obviously bigger than the others. I assumed this to be the Head office, or James' dad's office. All of a sudden, I was nervous. Not just about the hearing but meeting James' dad. Who knows what he'll think of me? First impressions are everything and by the way things are going, I really hope I might see him again. What if he hates me so much that he calls me guilty? Calm down, Lily. If he's anything like James he'll like me.

James and I stepped into a large office. Sleek and elegant with dark colors and tailored finishes, this office was completely professional. Except for the dozens of papers strewn all over the mahogany 1800's desk. And bent over that desk was a man with the unmistakable replica of the messy crow's nest of James' hair bar a couple of grey hairs. Completely at ease, James let go of my hand and hopped over the back of chair and grabbed a ball of rubber bands off the desk, tossing it into the air carelessly.

"Hello, father." James said suavely...at least in my opinion. His father, who had been consumed in his paperwork that he didn't notice James and I yet, jumped in surprise and looked up quickly. He sighed in relief when he saw who it was.

"Dear Merlin, James! Trying to kill your father?" James' father sighed. James just chuckled.

His father was almost the exact replica of James. He had the same hair, the same mischievous glint in his eyes, and I had no doubts that he had even more similarities that I hadn't seen yet. And sure enough, once he properly started talking, he did.

James tried to look innocent. "Now, why would I do that, dearest papa?" From the look on his face, James was very good actor. But his father didn't seem to be convinced.

"Mmhmmm. Right." He said sarcastically. Finally, he seemed to look behind James and straight at me.

"Well who is this beautiful woman?" I smiled at the obvious compliment, and saw at the corner of my eye James frown. That's kind of confusing. Although I suppose I wouldn't want to see my mother hit on one of my guy friends.

Before I was shifting awkwardly when they were conversing but now I stepped forward eagerly, happy to make a good first impression.

"Lily Evans, pleased to meet you Mr. Potter." I smiled brightly and shook the hand that he stuck out. Dear god, I might as well have curtsied.

"And you, Ms Evans. Call me Charles, no need for this Mr. Potter nonsense. I must say your name is quite familiar." Oh god, he remembers me from hearing papers, or some shit like that! Oh, Merlin, great first impression, Lily! I couldn't help but think desperately.

"My! Is this the enchanting redhead I hear about constantly at home? Lily, you do not know how much I know about you. And I mean that in the totally non-stalking way." Oh my god! Does that mean what I think it means? Is James talking about me at home? By the glare Charles was getting, and the blush adorning my James' cheeks, my assumption is its true! There may be hope yet!

To the outside observer, I was as cool as a cat and wasn't hysterically shrieking in my head. "Is that so, James?" I questioned him lightly, turning my head toward him, smirking slightly.

"Yeah...Sirius is really obsessed with you. Just can't stop talking. No matter how many times he gets smacked in the head he just keeps on blathering. I mean not that there isn't enough to talk about. There is plenty...this would be the time to shut up, James." He muttered the last part but I think all of us still heard it. I smirked a little, again, at James' attempt to save himself from humiliation.

I laughed, he is just so adorable. "Sure." I said with a little wiggle of my eyebrows. He blushed and looked away again.

Charles clapped his hands. "Right. Well I suppose you're here for your hearing." I nodded anxiously and he motioned for me to take a seat. I was so nervous that I didn't see James quietly slip out.

Charles looked at me skeptically over his desk and his blue eyes narrowed somewhat. 'That's it. I'm a goner.' I thought dejectedly.

Obviously seeing my downcast eyes, he smiled and chuckled. "Okay, well let's get started. Wait here. I need to get my assistant, we need another witness." He said cheerfully. That got me a feeling a little better. A little.

While I stared at the desk in front of me dismally, Charles and a dark haired witch entered the office. Peering up at them in misery, I was sure I was done for. But they just smiled cheerfully back.

"Ready?" Charles asked his assistant who nodded back. And then it began.

"Disciplinary hearing of August 30th into offenses committed under the International Statue of Secrecy by Lily Marie Evans resident of number 8 of Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Interrogators: Charles Mark Potter, Head of the Department of Law Enforcement." He said in a business voice with his assistant scribbling away next to him.

"Now, Ms. Evans, if you could give an account of what happened on the morning of August the second, 1977?" I nodded and for the next thirty minutes told my side of what happened. I explained everything, the donkey, becoming invisible, the fight, everything. I couldn't risk being expelled for leaving something out.

After Charles had a calculating look and announced. "Those in favor of clearing the charged of all charges?" He and his assistant raised their hands and I giggled a little.

"Those in favor of conviction." They left their hands down and I smiled hugely.

"Well, Lily Evans, you are now cleared of all charges. Personally, I don't see the need to have these when all you did was lose control a bit. But what's done is done. I see James is pretty anxious to know the result." Curious, I looked over to where he was looking and saw James restlessly pacing in front of his father's office. Kind of like this morning on my front lawn. And just like four hours ago, I stopped to admire James and my eyes glazed over. He really is a dream, and he seems to be really worried if the way he's running his hands through his hair constantly is what I think it is.

Wanting desperately to relieve his stress, I walked briskly out of the office and opened the glass doors before stopping in front of the still James. With a huge smile, I stopped in front of James who was looking at me inquisitively. I nodded, smile intact. James took that to mean I got off and grinned in relief before picking me up gently and spinning me around in glee. I giggled and shrieked but anyone could tell I was enjoying every minute of it.

He lowered me onto the ground gently, and we stared at each other with dazed smiles. This would've been the perfect cliché moment, staring into each other's eyes, slowly lowering down...

"Lily, dear! James, darling! I thought I would be seeing you!" James and I stepped apart with an awkward air and turned to see Sirius Black running up to us. If there was ever a person who could ruin a moment it's Sirius Black.

Running toward us and waving his hands in the air energetically in the air, I rolled my eyes. He's like an overly energetic puppy at all times. Mid-eye roll, I saw him come up to James and practically jump on him to give him a hug.

"Ja-aa-mess! I was sooo worried! I hadn't seen you in four hours and I started panicking! Where were you? Where were you when I needed you? Where? Wheerree?" Sirius sobbed dramatically in James' arms before dissolving into sobs with James awkwardly patting him on the back. I stared at them bemusedly, a little amused at Sirius' antics.

"And Lily. So good to see you!" Sirius exclaimed before picking me up and twirling me around like James had done a mere few minutes ago. Although this time I wasn't enjoying it as much.

After Sirius put back onto the ground he placed his hands on my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek with a big "muah!" Next to me James was fiercely glaring at Sirius. I felt a little satisfied at that.

Sirius sighed. "Well it's great to see you guys! I take it you were cleared, milady?" He picked up my hand and kissed it.

I yanked my hand back and eyed him weirdly. "Are you always hitting on someone?" I asked incredulously. James looked like he wanted to take Sirius' intestines and screw them into a can of Spam so that Sirius will never have the ability to live normally ever again. Kind of homicidal isn't he?

Sirius shrugged. "There's always a lovely lady around to flirt on. It's quite a condition. And as for my question you never answered it." He smirked with arrogance. If he didn't have the ego the size of a large quaffle, I might actually consider going out with him. It's a shame he does.

"Yes, she did get cleared." James sounded tersely from beside me. He was still glaring slightly at Sirius, who just looked calmly back at him. It seemed like they were having a silent conversation, by the eyebrow lifting and furrowing, and the slightly tilted heads. Whatever they were doing, Sirius seemed to win if the arrogant grin was anything.

Still grinning insanely, Sirius threw his arms around both our shoulders dramatically. "Well! I say we do some celebrating for this special occasion! How 'bout we go...exploring!" He said the last word with quiet amazement and I felt myself nodding in approval. Sirius had a way of convincing you to do things you wouldn't before, besides it seems intriguing. But James wasn't so convinced.

He started to protest but Sirius turned his head to look at him and they had another telepathic argument which Sirius won...again.

So off we went exploring deep through the Ministry of Magic, possibly illegally. But the adventure turned out to be quite fun…and then horrifying, but I'll get to that.

The first room we entered was filled with cats. Cats which immediately hissed and attempted to launch themselves onto Sirius which, by default, launched themselves at us since Sirius was cowering behind us in fear. Twelve minutes later, all three of us exited the expansive room with numerous bruises and permanent glares directed at Sirius, who had a huge grin on his face. Jesus, he just got practically mauled by dozens of cats and he still looks like he found the cure to cancer. Bloody git.

We both glared at him again but he just exclaimed "Our first adventure! You'll remember this for years to come!" I glared at him harder. Bloody git.

The next room we came across was filled with what seems to be tons of flying keys. And, once again, they all stopped and made a sharp dive straight toward Sirius. What is up with him? If I wasn't trying so hard to stay alive I would've strangled Black right then. And by the look on James' face, he was thinking the same.

Twenty minutes later, we finally collapsed outside the door and Sirius clung to me, dramatically sobbing just like mere hours ago. After a few minutes of wallowing and licking his wounds, Black bounded up as hyper as ever. Dear Merlin, he must be on happy pills.

After a few moments of pleading and puppy dog eyes, which he does extremely well, we reluctantly went on the move again for more adventure. Well, at least, 2/3 of us went reluctantly, the other 1/3 was cooing, singing, and laughing about god knows what.

And here's where it becomes horrifying. The next room we entered had a huge door that looked ominous as hell. Of course, Sirius bounced right up to it and opened it. At first the only thing any of us could see was…nothing. Complete darkness.

Intrigued, I cast a lumos and peered around the room with the two twats behind me. My eyes widening considerably, I reached out to all the objects in wonder. The giant room was filled ceiling to floor with, what could be, very rare artifacts. Although the ministry is pretty dumb to leave plenty of valuable items in plain sight like that. Breathing in the dusky air, I pondered that this room probably hadn't been stepped into for a while. Cautiously touching some of the scrolls and vases, I continued to walk out, dully hearing the pounding of the guy's footsteps behind me. Sirius hadn't seemed to smash into anything yet so I dismally hoped that he wouldn't ram into something and get us caught somehow. I wouldn't put it past him.

I picked up an ancient looking vase, and flinched as I saw a dim light strike my eye. At first I thought it can come from someone's wand but as I thought more I realized it had a strange red glint to it. And so I investigated.

I turned to my right and noticed a pile of vases that had the same colour. Cautiously walking over, but feeling power drawing me to it, I looked around me in the darkness. When I reached the pile the colour slowly started to fade to an orange and before it disappeared I dug my hands in and tried to find the source. And I did.

The vase was an elegant black and the shape of an hourglass. With two handles on the side, it looked particularly chic and would be in style if it weren't for the runes and cracks along the bottom. Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned and saw Sirius coming up behind me with a dazed expression. It seems he felt drawn just as I had. When he reached me, he beckoned for me to give it to him but I was reluctant and protective so I kept one hand on it while he took the other.

At first nothing seemed to happen. But we weren't fooled. With a sudden burst of light that emanated the entire room, the vase turned red and burned our hands so thoroughly we dropped the vase which bounced off the floor. Sirius and I shared a look of bewilderment before we promptly passed out.

When I awoke, I dismally recalled the earlier episode with dread. Something bad had happened. And so it did. As I picked myself up, I wondered briefly how hard it seemed to do just that but I passed it off as just sudden exhaustion.

But as I rose to a standing position, I started panicking. Why did it suddenly seem like I had gained four stones? My answer was discovered when I looked at my surroundings and saw the body of…myself? Confused and in more than a little bit of denial, I looked down at the body and saw…long, shiny, black hair, and a sculpted body? Oh, dear lord.

And with that last thought, I screamed. I screamed so bloody loud, I was sure I wouldn't be able to talk after. And kept on screaming because the scream that was coming out wasn't feminine. No, not at all. It was manly and kind of bordered on hysterically.

Still screaming, I saw my body rustle and rise annoyingly.

"Bloody Jesus. Could you shut up? Someone's got a headache here and I need to keep my sanity intact. Thank you." And that summed it up. I had switched bodies with Sirius Black.

He seemed to realize that at the same time that I did and widened his eyes in horror before looking down. A smirk arrived and he was about to touch my ladies when James came up behind me, gasping for air.

"Are you guys alright? What happened?" He said worriedly and ran to me before offering my body a hand up. Sirius took it with a smirk and I immediately realised by the look in his, my, eyes (I'm never going to get used to that) that he's going to do something bad soon. Or I could just be paranoid…no, he's definitely up to something.

And I can't let that happen, especially if he's in my body. My life is over.

"James, can I talk to Lily for a minute? We'll be right back." I said rigidly and tried to look apologetic when James seemed suspicious. I practically dragged Sirius over to a dark corner and glared at him.

"What did you do?" I whispered fiercely, glaring at him at the same time which is a little weird since I have to glare down…

Sirius was unperturbed. "What do you mean me? I didn't anything. And I seem to think this is an incredibly wonderful thing. Look at me, I've got boobs!" And with that, he put his hands up and cupped them joyously. I resisted the urge to smack him…and failed.

I slapped him across the hands and he put his hands down with a begrudged face.

"Look, here's what's gonna happen. For the next three days we're gonna have to say like this until we get to Hogwarts and talk to Dumbledore. He can fix us. But until then, here's some ground rules. You will NEVER touch ANYTHING on my body EVER AGAIN! Okay? Good. Second rule, if you're gonna be me, you have to act like me. So, polite, snarky, sarcastic, whatever. Just don't be your normal self. Please, don't be your normal self. I'm gonna look like I have bipolar. Any questions?" I said tapping my foot impatiently.

Sirius just looked at me. "Okay. I get it. But…here are my rules. One: I don't care if you touch me; god knows I'm gorgeous everywhere so I wouldn't blame you if you were tempted." I threw him a disgusted look. He just smiled.

"Two: You're gonna have to act like me. So, pompous, arrogant, hyper, dramatic, heterosexual; I don't wanna see you staring at or flirting with James in my body, alright? Good."

I looked downcast at that one, that's going to be hard, its natural instinct to flirt with him, and he's just so adorable. I can't resist, but I have to for at least three days.

"Okay. Deal." I stuck my hand out. And we shook.

And with that we both stepped out of the shadows, to see James pacing again. I smiled.

"There you guys are. Well, I think we should go. Who knows what other weird stuff can happen here? Come on, Lily. I'll bring you back to your place." I grabbed Sirius' arm when he walked forward excitedly.

"Oh no you don't. I'm not leaving you alone with my parents and sister. You'll probably hit on them." I whispered into his ear.

"You know, I'm sure Lily would love to come stay with us for the next three days. Right, Lily?" I elbowed Sirius to make him nod, and he did so wearyingly.

"Okay…Then let's go to my place." James said, eyeing me suspiciously. I just smiled brightly back.

And so we set off to the Potter's house for the next three days. And what an interesting three days they will be.

A/N: Kind of boring, but I hope it got better at the end.

Next chapter: The Potter's house, Hogwarts, and Dumbledore.