"You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.
But I look around me and I see it isn't so.
Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs.
And what's wrong with that?
I'd like to know, cause here I go again" Silly Love Songs, by Paul McCartney.

A Fresh Beginning

Lily was pouring herself a nice bowl of cereal when Petunia shrieked from the living room. Lily put the cereal box down angrily and shouted, "If it's another spider, Petunia, I swear I'm going to murder you!"

Petunia's angry voice shouted back, "It's another one of those freak owls actually. It won't stop pecking at the window!"
Lily sighed, "Then open the window!" She stomped into the living room, and Petunia was still staring at the window, fear slightly visible on her face.

Lily felt her anger bubble up, but she smothered it before it could burst. Anger would only cause more fights, which Lily did not need this early in the morning. She calmly opened the window, "They're only owls, Petunia. They don't want to hurt you."

But Petunia only huffed in response and stalked out of the room.

Lily rolled her eyes and untied the owl's letter. She'd been expecting the Hogwarts owl, and the envelope felt significantly heavier than she remembered.

She opened the letter and dumped the contents onto the coffee table. A prefect badge fell to the table in a clunk, but that was no surprise. She'd been a prefect the year prior.

Three letters fell from onto the table. The first she opened was the supplies, like always. The second letter congratulated her on her prefect position as a sixth year, and the third ominously sat unopened.

It has to be it, Lily thought to herself as she reached to pick up the letter.

She unfolded carefully, as not to ruin it and scanned it quickly. She sighed in relief and scanned it again.

It was her OWL results. She received an Outstanding in Charms, Astronomy, Potions, Ancient Runes, History of Magic, Defense against the Dark Arts and Arthimancy. In Transfiguration and Herbology, she received Excellent.

She could live with those grades. Transfiguration was also the most difficult subject for her, and in Herbology, Alice was her partner, so Lily was free to daydream in that class.

Speaking of daydreams…

.:.

James Potter half lying, half hanging off his bed in the morning hours. His mouth was wide open, and his face was smushed into the pillow.

A large, black dog padded quietly into his room, unnoticed by James. The black dog seemed to smile for a moment, and nudged the sleeping figure with a wet (and probably cold) nose.

James flinched and fell off the bed but did not wake.

The dog seemed to roll his eyes and began to lick James's face frantically.

James started laughing and swatted the dog away, "That tickles! Hehe, stop it, Lily!"

Where the dog stood seconds before, Sirius Black now stood, and he was laughing heartily.

"Lily? Merlin, Prongs! You even dream about her?"

James sat up in alarm, "Why am I sitting on the floor? Why is my face wet? Why are you laughing?"

Sirius laughed harder in response, and James shoved his glasses onto his face.

"What's going on, Padfoot? I swear, if you peed on my face again-," James said, wiping off his face.

Sirius wiped the tears from eyes and cut James off, "Mate, I was licking your face as a dog, and you told Evans to stop it."

The tips of James's ears turned faintly pink, "Shove off."

Sirius held his hands up in surrender, "Secret's safe with me."

James rubbed his eyes sleepily, "Speaking of secrets, do you remember the muggle boy that was Lily's neighbor who was kidnapped?"

Sirius spoke slowly, "Yeah…"

"Fun fact: did you know Lily and the guy were dating?"

Sirius's eyebrows scrunched together, "No, I didn't. Why didn't Lily tell us, and how do you know?"

James shrugged, irritated, "Merlin, I don't understand birds these days. Mary let it slip to Remus accidently. I don't why she didn't tell us. Maybe she didn't trust us…"

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Probably something more along the lines of not hurting your feelings, mate." James opened his mouth, most likely to deny said feelings, but Sirius cut him off, "Don't deny it. I see all your scribbles of hearts with little L.E.'s. I've got something that'll cheer you up though, mate."

With that, Sirius dashed out of the room for a few seconds and reappeared with an envelope in his hand.

"What's that?" James asked apprehensively.

"A letter from the muggle minister, inviting us to a nice tea Friday afternoon," Sirius said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "It's your Hogwarts letter, you twat."

"Padfoot, it's already open," James said, glaring at his best friend.

"You were asleep, and I was bored! What's that muggle phrase? The early bird gets hit two stones?" Sirius shook his head. "No, that's not it."

"Padfoot, I got O's in almost everything! Except Potions, History of Magic and Muggle Studies," James's voice trailed off sheepishly.

Sirius waved his hand dismissively, "Owls, smowls. Look at the next letter!"

James opened the next letter and sighed, "Requirements for Sixth Year Students: Standard Book of Spells: Year Six-."

Sirius snatched the letter from James, "Next one."

James muttered something incoherent and probably offensive to Sirius's ego, but nonetheless, he took out the last letter in the envelope. As his eyes scanned the letter, his grin grew larger and larger.

He looked at Sirius with an incredulous look.

Sirius smiled as he replied, "I know, mate. It's going to be our year."

.:.

Lily stood on the pedestal in Madam Malkin's as the little witch scurried about, taking measurements.

She grew just over an inch in the last year, and her school uniform was just too short. Not to mention she wanted to stay out of her house for as long as possible. September first was just a week away, and it couldn't come faster.

Frank Longbottom walked and yelled over his shoulder, "I'm sure I can do this without messing up, mother!"

Lily heard a shrill voice answer, but Frank just rolled his eyes. Once he entered the shop, he saw Lily.

"I'll be with you in a moment, Mr. Longbottom," Madam Malkin said, still measuring Lily.

"No problem," Frank said, flashing a smile to Lily. "How've you been, Evans?"

Lily smiled back at him, "Pretty good. September can't come fast enough though. How about you?"

Frank shrugged, "Fine, and I can't agree with you more. My mother has been driving me insane."

Madam Malkin disappeared for a moment and return with carefully wrapped packages. Lily exchanged her coins for the packages as she stepped down from the pedestal.

"I've got to still go to a couple more stores, so I'll be seeing you," Lily said after thanking Madam Malkin.

"It was lovely seeing you, Lily. See you in a week!" Frank said brightly as he stepped on the pedestal himself.

Lily left happily carrying her packages. She headed towards Eeylops to buy Harvey some more owl treats. Before she entered however, she peered in the window to see Sirius Black looking into the owl cages. She sighed and pushed the door open.

"Lily Evans, what a lovely surprise!" he exclaimed as Lily entered.

"Sirius Black, what are you doing here?" she said, mimicking his tone.

"Debating whether or not to get an owl. What do you think of the name Beaky?"

Lily stared at him, "It sounds like a toddler's name for its stuffed owl."

Sirius clutched his heart, "Ouch, Evans. You really know how to bruise someone's confidence."

"You confidence could use some bruising," she muttered under her breath.

Sirius ignored her comment, "So, word on the block is you had a summer fling, Evans."
Lily narrowed her eyes, "Who told you?"

Sirius dismissed the question with a wave of his hand, "A little bird told me. I just wanted to know why you've kept your friends in the dark."
Lily placed her hands on her hips and glared at Sirius, "My friends know, Black. As much as you believe you're my friend, you are not."

Sirius smiled at her fondly, "You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart." Lily kept her glare on his. "One more question though, honey pie. Why do I distinctly remember you telling us you and the muggle were just friends? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Why do you have to be such a prick, Black?" Lily growled, but when he just stared at her expectantly, she continued, "I don't really have a reason why. You Marauders have ruined almost every- what no, it's actually been every relationship I ever had the change of having at Hogwarts, and even though I knew you couldn't ruin this, I still didn't want to tell." She added on softly, "And I didn't want to hurt James's feelings. He's been a better person recently."

Sirius's eyebrows rose significantly. Lily felt a little victorious. I just shocked Sirius Black, Lily smirked internally. After a moment, Sirius asked, a little hopefully, "So do you've have a crush on James now?"

Lily laughed, "Godric, no. I said he's a better person, but he's still not a good person. I can tolerate being friends for now."

"But not a better friend than me, right?" Sirius said, raising an eyebrow. Lily rolled her eyes and walked towards the owl treats. Sirius thought for a moment before asking, "So what would make him a better person?"

Lily shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe stop hexing people. Having a heart would help too. Not to even mention Snape."

Sirius laughed, "I'll pass the message on, but he really does have a heart, y'know." He stared at her intensely.

Lily brushed the look off and shrugged again, "It's not my problem, really. I'm not the delusional one in love here."

Sirius barked out another laugh, "You're rich, Evans. I think I'll keep you around."

Lily rolled her eyes, "Thanks, Black."

Sirius left the store, chuckling and repeating delusional.

Lily felt herself smile. Sirius Black was slightly insane, yes. But, he was a good person, deep, deep, deep down.

.:.

Lily stood at Platform Nine and Three Quarters and smiled to herself. She had said good-bye to her parents in the car beforehand, and she still had twenty minutes before the train even left.

Deciding to get a good compartment, she rolled her luggage over to place it in the train. As she was lifting it, she saw a pair of hands grab the other end and effortlessly lifted it into the train.

She turned around to see the owner of said hands to see it was Remus Lupin.

"Oh, thank you, Remus!" Lily authentically thanked him.

Remus smiled, a little tiredly, "No problem, Lily. How was the rest of your summer?"
Lily shrugged, "Pretty uneventful. How was yours?"

Before Remus could respond, a voice yelled out, "Moony!"

Lily located the voice as James Potter, who was walking over, waving excitedly. The sun caught something pinned onto his chest, and Lily's jaw dropped.

He had a badge on his chest. That wasn't possible. He couldn't be a prefect this year. Not a chance.

James gracefully loped over to where Remus and Lily were.

"Hullo, Evans. Didn't see you there," he said, messing up his hair.

When James got closer, she read his badge. It was gold, with a scarlet crest of Gryffindor, but it read Quidditch Captain. Lily nearly sighed in relief.

"Hi, Potter," Lily said.

"How's your summer been going?" he asked, switching his weight to his other leg.

"I was actually just asking Remus about that," Lily said, looking at Remus.

Remus didn't make eye contact with Lily, "You don't really want to hear about my summer. How've been Prongs?"

Lily looked like she wanted to protest, but James cut her off, "I can't tell you the number of times I was rudely awoken by Sirius because he was bored. He licked my face like a week ago."

"He licked your face?" Lily said incredulously. James and Remus began laughing like lunatics, and Lily just stood there, not quite getting it all.

James managed to talk through laughter, "He gets creative in ways he wakes people up."

"Speak of the devil…" Remus said, now he contained his laughter.

Sirius Black appeared at James's elbow a second later, "Moony! How I've missed you! And Evans! Have you proclaimed your love for me yet?"

Lily rose her eyebrows at him, "Yes, Black. You cut me off midsentence.

Sirius smiled in a way most girls would fall to their feet, but something caught Lily's eye. Severus Snape walked onto the platform and saw Lily and her company. He looked very sour indeed, and suddenly, Lily's vision was obscured as Sirius embraced her in a hug.

"What the bloody hell, Black?" Lily said into his shirt.

"Shush, no words, Lily-pie. You'll ruin the moment," he whispered very quietly.

Lily rolled her eyes even though no one could see them, "Can you let go now?"

Sirius only squeezed her tighter.

"Merlin, Black! I can barely breathe!" Lily stammered.

Sirius let go and smiled at her. He turned around to find a couple of fifth-year Hufflepuff giggling and pointing at him before hopping on the train, giggling some more.

Sirius followed them, but before hopping on he smiled at the group and flashed them thumbs up.

.:.

Alice, Marlene, Mary, Dorcas and Lily were sitting in a compartment hours later, catching up their summers (as if they didn't write enough).

Sirius appeared at the doorway of the compartment and walked in.

The group greeted him, as he happily said, "Hey ladies! How were all your summers?"

And before anyone even replied to his question, he glanced at his imaginary watch and exclaimed, "My, would you look at the time? I must be leaving!" And he left.

"He's slightly insane," Lily said, watching Sirius walk away.

Mary laughed, "Yeah, he didn't even have a watch- Oh my Godric! Did you smell that?" Mary plugged her nose.

The other girls sniffed the air for a moment before all plugging their noses too.

"Did he drop a dungbomb?" Dorcas asked, still holding her nose clamped.

Marlene looked at the ground, "No, I think he just farted and left."

.:.

"Welcome, students! New and old alike! I know your mouths must be watering thinking about the Hogwarts food you've missed terribly, but I do have some announcements," Dumbledore said, standing up at the teachers' table.

"I know some houses have some, ah, differences," he said, eyeing the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. The tables glared at each other in response. "But we must forget these differences to remain strong. The situation outside of Hogwarts is getting more and more grave, and to remain strong, we must stay unified. That is all. Enjoy your food!" He raised his arms, and food appeared magically. The first years gasped, shocked at the food, while all the other years dug in.

"Wha d'you guys shink 'bout wha Dumbledoo' jus' said?" James said, shoving his mouth.

"He's got a point, but I don't think anyone is going to do anything. Gryffindors and Slytherins just aren't meant to be alliances," Marlene said. "And don't talk with food in your mouth. It's quite disgusting."

James turned to Lily, "Hey, Evans, want some seafood?"

"No thanks, there's salmon over there if you'd like," she said confused.

James stuck his tongue out, full of chewed food, and Lily made a face at him before shutting his mouth for him.

"Ouch, Evans!" he exclaimed, holding his jaw. "You made me bite my tongue! Kiss it to make it feel better?"

"Shove off, prat," Lily said, but she couldn't hide her grin.

Severus Snape could be seen from the Slytherin table, stabbing a piece of steak repeatedly.

.:.

Lily finished unpacking her trunk and jumped onto her bed, sighing. As much as she loved home and her parents, she was happy to be back at the castle.

"Are you finally done unpacking?" Mary asked, her head sticking out of the bathroom.

"Yeah, why?" Lily said, content laying in her bed.

"Everyone's meeting down in the common room," she said, tying her hair up into a ponytail.

"What for?" Lily asked, still not wanting to get up.

"Oi, Evans!" a voice came from downstairs, "and McDonald. Get down here!"

Mary shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure Sirius is drunk."

Lily laughed, "We better head down there before he tries to climb up the stairs again."

Mary laughed too, "Good idea."

The two girls headed down the stairs, and Sirius roared, "I'm going to come get you if you're not down here in five seconds!"

"We're right here, you impatient git," Lily said, getting to the bottom of the stairs.

Sirius had a smile plastered onto his face, "There you are! We've been missing you! Well, only Prongs has been missing you, Evans."

James's ear tips turned pink, "Shove off, Padfoot."

As Lily got closer to Sirius, she could smell the alcohol on his breath. "Merlin, Black, how much have you been drinking?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sirius said, but his credibility ended when he hiccupped at the end of his sentence.

"Sure you didn't, buddy," Lily said, clapping him on the back before sitting by a comfy armchair by the fire.

"So, Evans, how's your sister treating you?" James asked as he took the chair across from her.

Lily shrugged, "She called me a freak about five times before I left and refused to drop me off at King's Cross. Nothing different than the past years."

"She called you a freak?" James asked.

"Yeah, but it's not really-," Lily started, but James cut her off.

"But Lily…" James said seriously, "You are a freak." When Lily looked like she was about to start screaming at him, he quickly added, "Freaking awesome!"

The fire in her eyes that danced dangerously seconds prior died down, instead they rolled, and she smacked him in arm playfully.

James sighed and put his arm around Lily, and as she was struggling, he said, "It's going to be a good year, Evans."

I'm a busy person, so please don't shoot me. I made this chapter longer for you all.

Thanks to: uhhhwellll, CatchEmAllEe, Rue-is-4evr, I-Siriusly-Love-Black, dementorskiss xoxo, Loslote and Shivv. I love all of you, and a special shout-out to pinkdude64, for being the bestest beta ever!