Lily sleepily walked into the great hall, spotting Marlene chatting with Dorcas at the Gryffindor table.
She dropped into the space beside Marlene and groaned, crossing her arms over the table and putting her head down.
"Lils, you okay?" Dorcas asked in concern.
"No." Lily's muffled voice came from between her arms, she then looked up, "I saw Slughorn complaining to McGonagall about how the Slytherin common room had suddenly turned Gryffindor maroon and gold." She said, sighing, "I'm gonna be in trouble."
"The prank's all what people are talking about since morning." Marlene laughed, "the Marauders never fail to amuse.. and good luck for that."
"Lovely day, isn't it, Evans?" James said, sitting opposite to her. Sirius slid in beside him, followed by Peter. Remus walked around the table and sat beside Lily.
"Brilliant." Lily scoffed, "you four—" she pointed at them all, "are getting detention today."
"But I didn't even participate!" Peter exclaimed, Lily rolled her eyes.
"He's right, Lily." Remus added, reaching for a toast.
"Fine." She grumbled. "You're all off it, except Potter."
James paused, "but what about Sirius?! He's the mastermind behind this! I just lent my cloak! I didn't actually do anything!" A piece of egg dropped back onto his plate from the fork. Lily glared at him, faltering him. "This can't be good." He said, picking it back up and eating it.
"Oh come on, James. Chill." Sirius grinned, "it was just an innocent joke, Evans won't kill you. In fact, she'll probably snog you."
Lily looked at Sirius in horror as James chuckled, "right you are, Sirius. But she can be very scary when she wants to."
Lily chuckled, "in your dreams am I snogging you, Potter."
Marlene then decided to join in the conversation, "Sirius, do you always wear that tie on your head?" She pointed at the red and gold tie wrapped there.
"Yes." He stated, downing a glass of pumpkin juice. "Minnie loves it."
Marlene shook her head, laughing.
Lily got up, "Potter, it's almost time for potions, you coming?"
James nodded, finishing his glass of juice and got up, they both exited the great hall together.
"And we've got muggle studies." Remus pointed, looking at Sirius. Then Peter, "and you, divination."
Sirius rolled his eyes.
\/\/\/\/\
Severus Snape watched as the Gryffindors slowly entered the potions classroom, his greasy hair curtaining his pale face.
His heart jolted as he saw the fiery red hair of Lily Evans among the crowd.
Lily sat on the right side of the room, and began unpacking her things. She noticed that the Slytherins were giving the Gryffindors extremely dirty looks as they came.
"They look pissed." James smirked with triumph, sitting beside Lily.
"Obviously. How would you feel if the Gryffindor common room turned green and silver?"
James shuddered, "I can't even imagine such a thing."
Lily rolled her eyes, "why are you sitting with me? Don't you usually sit with Frank?"
"Because I want to." He grinned, "and he wanted to sit with his girlfriend."
Lily turned in her seat, seeing Frank and Alice sitting together, laughing at something.
Lily's eyes then met with Severus, who quickly looked away. She scowled, clenching her jaw. "I don't need help from filthy little mudbloods like her!" His voice echoed in her head.
Severus, who had to do a double take when he saw Lily sitting with Potter, busied himself with his potions kit, trying hard not to hex Potter so that he would get the hell away from her.
Back at James and Lily's workplace, Lily was trying to read her potions book but James kept poking her.
"What?!" She said, annoyed.
"Nothing, just wanted to say you look pretty."
"You are so annoying!" She gave him a small scowl, just as Slughorn entered.
"Good morning class. You will be brewing draught of peace for Madam Pomfrey today, you are paired with the person sitting next to you. The ingredients and instructions can be found on page twenty-four of your books." He stated, sitting down in his chair.
Lily sighed, now she was partnered up with James too. She pulled out the book, opening it to said page.
"I'll go get the ingredients." James offered, Lily waved it off as if to say 'okay'.
\/\/\/\/\
"Fuck!" James hissed, as the knife slipped from the Valerian root and cut his finger. Bright red blood immediately leaked, drops falling on the table as he examined the cut.
Lily glanced at him, trying to ignore it but failing to do so. "Let me see your hand." She grabbed it gently, taking out her wand and performing a quick healing spell.
"Thanks, Evans." He smiled, Lily cleared her throat, "you're welcome." She said, putting on a professional tone. James stared at her, both then let out a light chuckle. She noticed she was still holding his hand, hastily letting it go, wanting to turn away before he could see her red cheeks. James caught her wrist, pulling on it to pull her closer as he gave her a swift kiss on the cheek. Lily gaped at him, but he just winked and resumed his cutting.
Lily watched the side of his face as he worked, smiling to herself. This adorable idiot, she thought. Then she furrowed her brows. Adorable idiot? Really Lily?
"Evans, the potion's about to boil over." James said, snapping her out of her daze. She then quickly grabbed the ladle, and stirred as he added the ingredients.
The potion turned a soft lavender purple colour. "It looks okay." James looked at the picture in the book.
"Are you both done?" Slughorn asked, slowly walking over to their place.
"Yes."
"Oh! It looks perfect! Outstanding the both of you! If only I had you in my house..." Slughorn smiled at Lily.
Lily smirked, "no offence, Professor, but I'd rather be a squib."
James heard someone mutter 'filthy mudblood' which made him snap his head towards the person. It was Avery, Slytherin of course.
"Yes, I'm that too." Lily gestured towards where the sound came, smiling cheekily. Slughorn frowned, "I am sorry, Miss Evans."
"I'm used to it, Professor." She sighed, gathering her things. Slughorn smiled apologetically, "I would appreciate if you all, as my students, would stop using that offensive term!" He said sternly to the Slytherins, all of them rolling their eyes.
"Are you coming?" Lily asked James in a soft voice. He snapped his head back to her from Avery, his jaw clenched. "Yeah." He stood up slowly, following after Lily. He then sneakily pointed his wand at Avery, shooting a non verbal tongue-tying jinx and quickly slipping out.
All he heard was a splutter as he closed the door. Lily turned around, "what was that?" She asked.
"Nothing, darling." He smirked, putting his hand on the small of her back and leading her ahead.
"I am not your darling." She rolled her eyes. James whistled as if not listening. He then glanced at his watch.
"Ah, we've got thirty minutes to spare." He put an arm around Lily's shoulders. She didn't protest, rather, leaned into him. He looked at her surprised, but didn't say anything.
"What do you suggest we do? I'm free the next lesson." Lily said.
"You actually want to spend time with me?" James gawked at her, "Evans, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Potter." Lily rolled her eyes.
"... okay. I'm free too, the Quidditch pitch is empty for the day, lets race." He grinned. "Try outs are next week, I've seen you fly, Evans. You'll make an excellent chaser."
"I'll try out." She replied before thinking.
"Brilliant!" James squeezed her shoulder, kissing her temple. "Can't wait to see you play."
Lily blushed, thankful for the hair framing her face. Oh God, I think I'm dangerously close to having a major crush on him.. she mentally sighed.
\/\/\/\/\
"Evans!" James shouted, throwing the quaffle in her direction. Lily caught it with ease.
He flew towards her, "I'll play keeper, let's test your goal scoring skills." He smirked.
"You're on!" Lily grinned.
James flew towards the three rings, Lily flew laps around the pitch, flying in different patterns as if she was avoiding bludgers. She then threw the quaffle with full force, nearly missing James' head as she scored the goal.
Lily cheered, he smiled at her. "I was distracted."
"Oh yeah? By what?"
"You. How pleasing it is to watch you play." He bit his lip. Lily widened her eyes, seeing him adjust himself on the broom.
"James!" She giggled, her hands finding her mouth.
He blushed, "And.. I can't fly like this! It's too uncomfortable."
Lily burst into fits of laughter, as James dived for the ground. She wobbled on her broom, following her after him.
Lily finally stopped laughing.
"I'll see you later in transfiguration." He let out an embarrassed chuckle. Although his 'problem' was concealed by his robes, Lily knowing was enough to embarrass him.
Lily felt herself blush furiously as he turned around.
\/\/\/\/\
"Professor, can you tell us what the Order of the Phoenix is?" Remus asked as the transfiguration lesson came to an end. Only James, Sirius, Peter, Lily and him had stayed behind.
"Where have you come across that, Mr. Lupin?" McGonagall asked sternly.
"I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but I heard you and Professor Dumbledore discussing it when I came to his office."
McGonagall thought for a moment, "the order of the Phoenix is a group started by Dumbledore, the members participate in fighting against You-know-who's death eaters and You-know-who himself."
"Are you a member?" James asked, interested.
"Yes." She stated.
"Can students join too?" Sirius piped up.
"Absolutely not. Not those who aren't of age anyway. It's too risky and dangerous." McGonagall said sharply.
"I'd like to join." Sirius said.
"Me too." Lily and James said at the same time. They glanced at each other, James blushed and so did Lily.
"No! You all are too young!" McGonagall looked horrified.
"Come on, Minnie. We'll all be of age this year!" Sirius exclaimed. "I'm already of it!"
Remus nodded, "Professor, we'd like to help in dark times like this! We want to see Voldemort dead!"
Peter kept silent during all of this, contemplating if he wanted to join in or not.
"Remus is right, Professor. If we can't help in defeating evil, what use are we?" Lily interjected.
McGonagall pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'll discuss with Albus about this. Do not speak of the order to anyone else." She said quietly.
\/\/\/\/\