A/N: Since life is good and I was feeling kind and excited to get this story started (and my best friend told me to) I decided to upload the second chapter. I won't always be updating this fast though... so don't expect daily updates lol

Disclaimer: These characters are Jk Rowling's, I only make them do what my imagination says they should. Dangerous shenanigans, that is.

Enjoy chapter 2! :)

"Maybe You Should Leave"

(and the sleep deprived situation)

On the day of her birthday, Lily was pleased (most definitely not; in fact, she was in the worst of mood by the time she got down to the living room) to be woken up, not by a cake or a birthday song, but by a piercing scream that shattered any dream she could have been having. Not that she would know, she never remembered her dreams.

Her sleep deprived brain –because surely it was very sleep deprived, or that's what she liked to tell herself, at least –considered getting up and checking on her family's safety, because surely some things were more important than sleep. But, as sleep deprived as it was, the silence that filled the room was enough to make a small smile spread on her face and her eyes to flutter closed in delight.

It was short-lived, however, as her mother's voice rang throughout the house. "Get out of my house!"

And then, as Lily's sleep deprived ears (she was sleep deprived as a whole, thank you very much) strained to hear without having to move from the comfort of her bed, she caught a sleepy, gruffer voice: "I can explain…"

That was enough to make her eyes snap open and her whole body roll instinctively out of bed. Of course, Lily Evans had to fall on the carpeted floor, as it was tradition, apparently. With a groan, she picked her wand off her nightstand and rushed –her back aching painfully from the fall –down the stairs, taking two at a time.

The scene as she entered the room –although slightly comical, in her humble opinion –was also alarming. A redhead woman –her mother –was holding a lamp over her head, as if it was enough to take on Voldemort himself. A taller, skinnier figure –Petunia, her sister –stood in a corner, a pink umbrella pointed in front of her as if it was a wand (not that she would admit to such freaky actions).

As for the comical bit, Lily's eyes widened as she saw her mother's red and white stripped pajamas and matching robe, because not only did it clash horribly with her hair, but did said hair greatly resemble a bird's nest. Of course, there was also the fact that her sister appeared to have been in the middle of her morning routine, for her bony face was covered in some green… thing. A mask?

But, Lily took great pleasure (really, this time) in the scared animal that was James Potter. In that moment, she really did wish she had a camera, although it went against all her prefect principles. His hair was messy (not really a new development) from sleep, and frankly, he looked as though he had just been run over by a truck and, miraculously surviving, had dealt with a particularly unfriendly werewolf, and had therefore resulted with serious mental scars.

Yes, this was enough to make anyone want to run and get a camera, for James Potter looked bloody frightened.

"Lily…" he said, sounding very much relieved (again, much to her pleasure).

Lily, in her haste, found that she had two options: playing it cool, or giving a rather elaborate explanation to James' appearance. Playing it cool seemed like a rather nice option, in her sleep deprived mind of course.

"Oh, hullo James," she said offhandedly, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as she made her way to the kitchen.

"James? James Potter?" she heard her mother ask behind her, making her stop in her tracks. Please, she thought miserably, please don't let her say it… "Oh, how enormously delightful," she said, and Lily turned hesitantly just in time to see the older woman pull an awfully confused James into a warm hug. She knew what was coming: "I've heard so much about you! I didn't think we'd be meeting you so soon, seeing how stubborn my daughter—"

"Mum," Lily groaned, exasperated. Apparently, 'he's so annoying, mum,' and 'I wish he'd get himself expelled already,' weren't enough summer tales to make a hateful impression on her mother.

"Oh, dear," said the redhead, rushing over to her daughter and pulling her into an equally warm embrace. "Happy Birthday, mi flor," she whispered, and Lily smiled warmly at her. Her mum turned to James again, "You can stay with us as long as you like, dear. Now, what would you like for breakfast? Oh my, I hadn't planned things to go like this but…"

Lily rolled her eyes as her mother trailed off into the kitchen, already pulling her hair into a tight bun. She shuffled awkwardly; her sister was glaring at her from where she stood and James was staring at her, a crooked grin on his stupid face. Just then, her mother took it upon her to emerge from the kitchen and question James on his breakfast habits, so she quickly walked towards her sister.

"Tuney…" she started, but was cut off quickly. Not that she was expecting otherwise.

"We don't need this, Lily," she spat, and Lily recoiled slightly at her tone. Petunia let the umbrella fall to the floor with a thump, and while she still had the face mask on, she managed to look quite threatening. "Mum and I don't need this, do you understand?"

Lily was well aware that her mum had gone back to the kitchen, distracted as ever, and James was hovering at the doorway, undoubtedly eavesdropping, for he was a marauder after all. "You don't need this?" she let out a mirthless laugh. "Of course you don't. Well, mum and I don't need any of this," she signaled between the both of them, "either."

"Well isn't that just grand for you," Petunia said, narrowing her eyes. "Whatever the perfect Lily Evans wants is what the perfect Lily Evans gets—"

"Oh please—"

"It's true!" she continued, ruthless as ever, not caring that James was clearly overhearing every single word they said. "You haven't been here for her since—"

"That's not true and you know it," Lily spat, her temper flaring dangerously. She wasn't in the mood to discuss this now, much less knowing he could hear everything.

Petunia scoffed. "You know what? Forget it. The last thing we need in this family is for you to put on another one of your little freak shows," she said, glaring at her sister venomously. "And I'm not eating with your freak friends either. Have a nice birthday," she added with a deadly sweet smile and stomped up the stairs, her door slamming a second later.

Lily stomped her foot childishly, thinking that is was a better outlet than screaming and throwing a vase after her sister. She whirled around, only to find James staring at her awkwardly.

"What are you standing there for?" she snapped, setting her hands on her hips, very much resembling her mother.

James looked confused –if not a bit scared – as he opened his mouth to ask something. Apparently, he thought better of it (wise choice, Potter) and closed it. A cheeky grin took over his features as he gave her a once-over. "Nice pajamas."

"Oh, shove it, Potter," she muttered, pushing past him into the kitchen.

Lily had come to the conclusion that her mother was crazy and that James Potter was a charming prat.

Those weren't exactly new realizations, now that she thought about it, but it seemed a good occasion to reestablish the facts.

She sighed, setting her elbows on the table and resting her face in her hands, decidedly ignoring James' and her mum's conversation. There was only so much she could take of her mum smiling as though she had never met anyone so wonderful and James charming his way through breakfast. She remembered why she had offered up the couch in the first place, but him getting home safe really didn't seem important know. She should have just let him fly home; scathed or unscathed.

A small voice in her head told her she was being mean and unreasonable, and she had to agree. It wasn't such a big deal; she was just having a delightful birthday breakfast with James bloody Potter and Petunia was mad at her and surely she had run off to cry on Vernon's huge—

"Lily, you're making it snow."

Dammit.

"Oh, magic!"

"Mum, honestly."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for lunch, dear?"

No mum, he doesn't. Just let it go already.

"I shouldn't…"

No, you shouldn't, Potter.

"…My mum will be wondering where I am."

She sure will. And Sirius, don't forget Sirius.

"Such a pity. Next time—"

There will be no next time.

"—you should stay for supper. I have a roasted chicken recipe I've been dying to try and I'm sure you would like it. Isn't that right, Lily?"

No mother.

All eyes were on her now, and she shoved her uncharacteristically dark (today wasn't turning out to be a great day) thoughts as deep into her brain as she could. She smiled sweetly at the pair, "Oh yes, I bet he'd love it."

Her mother didn't seem to notice the sarcasm, but it didn't slip past James, as he frowned at her. She gave an uncommitted shrug and turned towards her mum, who was too distracted smiling at them as though they were puppies. "Mum, I'll just er… walk Pott –James out so he can, you know, fly away and whatnot."

Her mum nodded and rushed them out the door with one last hug to James, some crazy whisper in his ear, and one last reminder that she'd be expecting him soon for dinner.

Once they were out, fairly hidden by some trees so no one saw him take off, Lily whirled around to glare at him. "Honestly, Potter."

James' eyes widened and he looked around, as if looking for a reason as to why he was being attacked. "Um, what did I do now?"

"Was it necessary to positively charm your way into mum's soft heart?"

He grinned at that. "I reckon I'll be around a lot this summer."

Lily's glare intensified. This day was not going as she had planned. "You shouldn't even be here," she snapped.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You were the one who asked me to stay," he reminded her. She opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off. "Besides, you said we were friends now."

She looked at him disbelievingly. "That was before I knew you'd be such a prat."

He gave her a look. "You're not even trying. What have I done that's so annoying, Evans?"

Back to surnames, she thought bitterly. Although to keep it fair, she had been calling him 'Potter' all day. And, much to her horror, she had no logical answer to that question. He hadn't done much to annoy her… in fact, he was being rather nice today. She looked down at the grass under her bare feet, digging her toes into the dirt. "Well…" she started, looking up at him. He had a victorious smirk on his face. "You're presence is just straight out annoying."

"Why thank you, Evans. I do try," he said sarcastically. His hair was messy and his sleeves were rolled up, very much like last night. She had placed a couple of freshening spells on his clothes and he had taken a (very long) shower, so he didn't look as disgruntled. He stared at her, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I should get going."

He started to mount his broom. "Yes, you should," she said awkwardly, taking a step back.

He gave a short nod, ruffling his hair. She looked at him expectantly. "Right," he said, kicking off and hovering above ground. "See you tonight."

"Bye, Potter," she said, giving him a half smile. "Make sure muggles don't see you, you wouldn't want— Wait, tonight?"

But he only grinned and flew off, his laugh carrying through the hot air.

A/N: Not my favorite chapter, but it had to be done. Any guesses as to what might happen? (I bet you know)

As I said before, reviews are like PB&J sandwiched, which I now have the ingredients to make.

Leave any feedback you have in the reviews then :D (again, PB&J sandwiches...)

-Nicky