A/N: Oh my goodness, so this is my third chapter in the last 24 hours. I keep trying to check things off on my to do list, but I can't seem to stop thinking about this story! I'm just so excited for this! Also, sorry for the last chapter! It was REALLY long, but I just couldn't find a good stopping point... so yeah. Fair warning, this story will use some language, especially from James' perspective. You know how guys are. There will also possibly be some...adult situations at times (nothing graphic, I assure you). Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: Ay, yo. These ain't my characters. Seriously. All rights go to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 3

(James)

She talked to him.

She talked to him.

Bloody hell, she actually talked to him!

James had thought about the first time he saw Lily Evans for the first time in sixth year a lot. He had pictured a lot of angry glares. He had pictured a large dispute. He had even pictured her actually slapping him. But never had he pictured her having an actual conversation with him. A cordial conversation, no less.

What the fuck just happened? he thought as he walked away from her to board the train. Surely she simply didn't want to cause a scene. Snap out of it, Potter. She still hates you.

James felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach at that thought.

It's time to get over her. From this day forward, you, James Alexander Potter, will be done with that spiteful redhead.

"Oi! Prongs!" a familiar voice sounded behind him.

He turned to see a tall, broad shouldered young man walking towards him. His longer, dark hair fell into his eyes, and his grey eyes glinted mischievously.

"Alright there, Padfoot?" James asked, smiling. "How're the Gits of Grimmauld Place treating you?"

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Like a right load of shit, I suppose," he said bitterly. His voice changed to a mockingly snobby tone. "How are things at the notorious Potter Manor?"

"Adequate," he said, before dropping his voice. "Have you seen the paper this morning?"

Sirius nodded grimly.

"Dad reckons the Ministry can't do much about it until they find out who's really behind it," James continued. "He's told me he thinks they—Dumbledore especially—have suspicions, but no real evidence. What does your lot have to say about it?"

"First off, not my lot," he scowled. "And they think this Voldemort bloke has the right way of thinking. Makes me sick to call them family, if you want my opinion."

James gave him a sympathetic grimace.

"You heard much from Moony this summer?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, he stopped by about a week ago," James replied. "Mum nearly had a conniption when she saw how pale and thin he was. The bastard passed it off as 'studying too hard.'"

Sirius roared with laughter.

"That was really the best he could do? It seems as though we've taught him nothing, Prongs," Sirius joked through waves of sniggering. "I'm almost ashamed!"

"Hello, Prongs, Padfoot," a voice said.

"Oi!" James exclaimed. "If it isn't the bloody bookworm himself!"

"Having a laugh at my expense, were you?" Remus said with a chuckle and a smirk.

"Oh, come off it," Sirius laughed. "You're the one who can't think of a decent cover story."

"In my defense, I was rather hungry," Remus retorted, "and she had chocolate cake."

The two Marauders rolled their eyes. A realization dawned on James.

"Either of you two seen Wormtail?"

As if on cue, the three boys heard a rather large crash, followed by a loud, "Damn! My bad!"

James sighed.

"And so it begins," he mumbled. "Come on, you lot. Let's go help dear old Wormy."


(Lily)

Lily boarded the train with a numbness of which she was not she was not sure of the origin. James Potter positively frazzled her. Why did she have to go yelling at him last year. She strongly disliked the bloke, and she didn't especially care to have that feeling disrupted by feeling sorry for him.

Let it go, she thought. He probably already has.

A second thought came to mind. If James Potter was over her outburst, then why had the hurt still shown so clearly on his face? But if she was still upset with her, why did he help her with her luggage?

She didn't know. She didn't know much of anything, except that she was getting a headache from thinking about it.

"LILY!"

A girl's squeal snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Mary!" Lily cried out.

Mary Macdonald nearly tackled Lily as she wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Oh my goodness! I missed you so much! Why didn't you write me? How was the wedding? Did you hear about Alice and Frank? Have you been reading the papers? What is going—"

"WOAH!" Lily exclaimed, laughing. "Mary. Calm down. How about we find a compartment first, and then you can ask me all of that. Only, more slowly and, well, one at a time."

Mary nodded, smiling. Mary was a sixth year that had befriended Lily in their first year. She was a Muggleborn, like Lily, and often received the same grief from the Slytherins as the redhead. She was a pretty girl, with blonde curly hair that fell just past her shoulders and big blue eyes. Mary was more of an introvert, but she was a kind, energetic, and charismatic when you finally got to know her.

The girls chatted as they made their way to a nearby empty compartment.

"Has Marlene arrived yet?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Mary answered, giggling coyly, "she's with her new boyfriend."

Lily gasped.

"What? Who?"

"John McKinnon," the blonde replied. "They started dating in mid-July. Oh, Lily, you should see them. They are so precious. The way he looks at her—you'd think she invented the air he breathes or something."

"I'm so happy for her," Lily said, smiling. "Do you think they'll last?"

"I'll be shocked if they don't."

A small jolt shook the train as it began to leave the station.

"So," Mary began, "why didn't you write me?"

"I'm so sorry, Mar. Things got crazy with vacation and the wedding—"

"Ooooh! Yes, tell me about the wedding!"

Lily's sister, Petunia, had gotten married over the summer to a man named Vernon Dursley. Lily didn't exactly like Vernon. He was pompous, and constantly waving his job at a drill company in everyone's faces. Petunia seemed happy, so Lily tolerated him at family outings, and did her very best to be polite.

"It was alright," Lily replied. "Petunia looked beautiful. She nearly ruined her makeup when she had a panic attack because the flowers were the 'wrong shade of periwinkle,' but we fixed it, and she looked perfect."

Mary snickered and said, "That's fantastic."

"Oh! I've nearly forgotten. What were you saying about Frank and Alice earlier?"

Frank Longbottom and Alice Green had been dating for a year and a half. Everyone knew that they belonged together, they were merely waiting for the engagement announcement.

"They broke up."

Lily, who was in the middle of reaching for a book from her bag, froze.

"WHAT? WHEN? WHY?"

"I don't know why. Alice owled me a few days ago. She said they had gotten into a massive fight and they broke it off. She wouldn't say what it was about. Oh, Lily, it was awful. There were watermarks all over the ink where you could see she had been crying. Marlene says she's been practically inconsolable."

"Oh, no," Lily said. "They were brilliant together."

"I know."

The girls sat in silence for a few moments as Lily pondered the news.

Just goes to show you that even the best relationships can go awry, she thought.

A thought formed in Lily's mind.

"Mary!" she exclaimed, startling her friend. "What time is it?"

She looked down at her watch.

"Erm—11:12?"

"Shit!" Lily cried. "I was supposed to be in the prefect's cabin almost 15 minutes ago! Sorry Mar, I have to go!"

She rushed out of the compartment and down the narrow corridor of the train. She nearly trampled the trolley, and yelled an apology over her shoulder to the disgruntled woman pushing it.

At last, she reached the cabin, but when she went to open the door, wouldn't budge.

"Well would you look what we have here," a voice drawled. "If it isn't Miss Lily Evans?"

She knew that voice. She sighed and turned around. There she saw one Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and—wouldn't you know it—James Potter.

A/N: BOOM! Three chapters in 24 hours! Okay, so I know there isn't much James/Lily action here, but be patient! I promise I'll get to the meat of the story soon. Thanks so much for reading! Please review! Even if it's only a few words, just let me know how I'm doing!