Disclaimer: I own none of the characters you recognize. Everything recognizable belongs to J. K. Rowling.

Previous Chapter: "Don't worry, it's not. My least favorite person in the world would be this new 'Dark Lord'."

"Hmm. Well he's definitely my least favorite person. Second would have to go to Snivellus though." James said lightening the somber mood.

What happened next, neither one of them expected.

Chapter 4

Friends First

Lily laughed at James' silliness of making such a joke. Suddenly she was quite aware of how close he was to her. Everything seemed so quiet, and all either one could see was each other.

Lost in her brilliantly emerald green eyes James leaned in closer to Lily. At the same time Lily brought her head closer to James and they were both enveloped in a sweet kiss. After a minute, Lily realized what she had done and pulled herself away.

"Potter," she said, snapping back to reality. "We can't do this."

"Why not?" He asked.

"I just can't do it. It's not the right time."

"Not the right time? Well when's the right time Lily?" James asked.

"Not now. I'm not ready. We're not ready."

"We're not ready? Really? Because I think I'm ready for this."

"Maybe you think you are, but believe me. We're not. I'm not at least."

"We need to be better friend first. I'm not saying that this will never happen. I'm just saying not yet. I want us to have a solid foundation first."

"Friends first?"

"I've never done that before."

"And how long have your relationships lasted? Any longer than two months?" His blank face confirmed her philosophy."Exactly My point."

"Okay, fine. I'm going to be the best friend you've ever had Lily Evans."

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Lily joked, trying to lighten the now serious mood.

"It's a vow." He said seriously.

"Okay, well goodnight then James."

"Goodnight Lily-Flower."


That night Lily didn't get any sleep at all. She spent the whole 3 hours tossing in her bed. Why didn't she just let James continue to kiss her? It had felt so good. She liked him didn't she? Well what was stopping her? She decided that it was because she wasn't ready to have a serious relationship with a bloke until she was sure he was a good choice. Why waste time on a lost cause? James needed to prove to her that he was ready for a serious relationship too. She just needed time.

James lay awake the entire night too. The same questions paraded through his head as they did Lily's. Why did she stop? She's not ready? What's that supposed to mean? Did he go too fast for her, was that what she meant? Friends first. Well, he supposed that he could do that. Being friends was better than enemies, which was even worse than nothing. At least he was making an improvement.

Morning came too quickly for the castle, particularly for James and Lily, for they hadn't had a wink of sleep. Both James and Lily were the last of their dorms to drag themselves down the stairs after making sure everything was packed. Without looking, Lily practically walked straight into James turning as she went to exit the common room.

"Wotcher Lily-Flower." James said in a raspy voice.

"Opps. Sorry." Lily replied with a yawn and proceeded to walk slowly down the stairs.

"Wait, before we go down to breakfast we need to do a charm." Lily said pulling out her wand and pointing it first at herself and then at James.

Seconds later, their tiredness was gone, and neither looked like they hadn't slept.

"Is that how you always look great?" James asked incredibly.

"Erm, yeah I guess." Lily replied blushing.

"What spell is that? I've never heard of it." James inquired.

"Actually, I don't know it's name. I learned it a couple years ago when I was reading a charms book. It's quiet a handy charm – it's been a lifesaver really." Lily said.

"Well, I guess I know who to go to next time I spend all night studying or writing a paper."

"James Potter studies? No way." Lily said jokingly.

"Actually I do," James answered. "I just don't advertise it, and I generally do it when I'm not in public. It's not good for my image you know."

"And here I've been all these years being infuriated with how you never study and still got top grades. I thought it was all natural and was very vexed that you didn't use your talents." Lily said incredibly.

"The things you learn as a friend." James said smiling. "Would you care for some breakfast Miss Evans?"


Breakfast was a noisy affair, as it was the last meal for the castle together until next year, and summer was a long time for students who lived far away. James and Lily were among the last to enter the Great Hall. The walked briskly down the room, and slid into their usual seats next to their friends.

"What did you two do last night, eh?" Sirius said waggling his eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

"Nothing remotely relevant to what you're implying Sirius." Lily said laughing.

"What's so funny?" Sirius asked indignantly.

"You look like you have caterpillars crawling on your forehead." Emma answered for Lily, joining her laughter.

"She's right mate. Those things are wild looking." James said smiling.

"You're all pricks." Sirius said with a smile. "But stop changing the subject, what did you and Miss Evans do last night?"

"We talked Sirius, not that it's any of your business anyways." Lily answered.

"Well that's good," Remus said, "Especially since your both in two pieces."

"What did you two talk about?" Emma asked clearly wondering if it was about the dreams.

Lily sent her what she hoped was a meaningful glance and said, "we decided to be friends. It's been childish of us to be so petty."

"So you're not going to yell at each other anymore?" Peter said hopefully.

"I didn't say that" Lily said with a grin.


On the train ride home the six Gryffindors sat together in a compartment. The train had only departed ten minutes previously and already the boys were discussing whether or not they should use the last of their pranking supplies on Snape. Meanwhile Lily was rummaging through her bag looking for the Daily Prophet and Emma was reading a novel her mother had sent her this morning for the ride home.

"You know, I had really hoped that you lot would have grown out of pranking by now." Lily said with a sigh, still rummaging.

"There's a problem with that though Lily," Sirius replied, "We don't ever want to grow up."

"Right, I'd much rather live in Neverland than grow up." James said.

Lily sat up, triumphantly brandishing the Daily Prophet. Turning to James she said "You know what Neverland is?"

"I did take muggle studies for two years Lily, and contrary to what you believe I actually am quite brilliant." James said.

"Modest too." Lily added.

"What's that?" Sirius asked. "You tell me that all the time. What is it?"

"Something you don't possess an ounce of Sirius." Remus said with a grin.

"Oh my." Lily said, her smiling fading as she read the front page of the Prophet.

"What is it?" James asked.

"There were three attacks last night." Lily said.

"Attacks?" Peter said dumbly.

"Yes. Two on Muggle-born families, and one a muggle that is involved in the muggle government."

"Who?" Emma asked putting down her book.

"Well do you remember John O'Brien? He graduated two years ago from Ravenclaw. His family… This dark lord and his followers killed O'Brien, his wife, and their four-month-old daughter last night. It says that O'Brien worked for the Ministry." Lily said sadly.

"Who was the other family?" Remus asked.

"I don't recognize this name – Susan Oliver and her husband Arthur. Both worked at St. Mungo's… But they were both murdered in their sleep last night." Lily said with a shudder. "And the muggle family? Well they were neighbors to the Olivers, and when they saw the followers outside they called for the coppers… That was their big mistake I guess. Trying to help."

"Things are starting to change." James said.

"Yeah, I guess Dumbledore wasn't kidding when he said there are dark days coming." Emma said.

"Are you okay Sirius?" Lily asked.

"Err, yeah." Sirius said shaking his head to rid himself of whatever demons were tormenting him.

"Lily," James said softly.

"Yes?"

"Promise me something?"

"What is it?"

"Promise me you'll be careful this summer." He said sincerely.

"I – I promise." She said.

"I mean it." James said.