Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

~Lily~ Becoming of Age

Today was Lily's birthday. She was turning 17 years old. In the Muggle World she'd be getting her driver's licence, but in the Wizarding World everything changes. She becomes an adult, she can use magic freely, she can apparate. And Lily was so excited. She threw her bed curtains open and smiled at the sunlight shining through the windows. Her owl flew right up and Lily opened it to let her in. She took the letter from the owl's leg.

My dearest Lilyflower,

Happy Birthday sweetheart! We miss you so much. I hope school is going well. Keep up your marks and you'll be on track for Head Girl! I hope we'll see you for Easter holidays. We spoke with Petunia and I know she already sent you a letter about her engagement, but she said that she would be thrilled if you could make it to her wedding. It isn't mandatory, of course, but it wouldn't hurt to bring a date to the wedding as long as he could blend in as a non-magical person. And I know we'd all love to see your 'friend' James again. See you soon!

Love, Mum and Dad

P.S. We couldn't figure out how to get your owl to bring your gift so we will just give it to you over Easter!

Lily grinned as she read it, although she doubted Petunia was actually thrilled, the idea of it still made her smile. And of course her parents thought James was more than a friend. Even if it wasn't true it made her chuckle.

"Happy Birthday Lily!" Marlene shouted as she walked into the dormitory. Lily hugged her best friend with excitement. Her other dormmates groggily woke up from Marlene's shouts.

"Thanks Marls," she said, "Where were you last night?" Marlene grinned mischievously and Lily gaped at her.

"Never mind that! Let's go down to breakfast," Marlene deflected the question.

"In a minute, I've still got to get changed," Lily pointed out, "As do you, seeing as you are still in the same clothes as last night." Marlene slapped her arm playfully.

"Keep up the cheeky comments and I'll return your gift," she threatened.

"Sorry, you bring it out in me," Lily joked. Marlene grinned.

The five girls walked down to the Great Hall together. Mary was slightly grumpy from being woken up in such a manner, but that all disappeared when she saw her boyfriend.

"Reg!" Mary shouted. He turned around and welcomed her hug with open arms. Lily didn't know what Mary saw in Reginold. He was always too quiet and too bland. Don't misunderstand her, Reginold Cattermole is a nice enough guy but Lily just didn't see the appeal.

"Hullo Mary," he replied. The pair intertwined hands and walked ahead with Reginald's friend rather than with the girls. Marlene looked over to Lily rolling her eyes.

"Never mind them, let's get inside before Sirius eats all the Treacle Tarts," Marlene said.

"Treacle Tarts? It's breakfast," Lily said with a laugh. The girls went inside to see the entire hall decked out in Muggle birthday decorations. There were balloons floating where the candles usually were, streamers in red and gold lined all the walls and tables, and a never ending supply of confetti rained down from the ceiling. And most noticeably, there was a large banner hanging above the Professors that read: Happy Birthday Tigerlily!

"No way," she said under her breath. Lily could feel all eyes on her, standing in the doorway. Sirius stood on the table and began conducting the Happy Birthday Song. Lily laughed and made her way over to the table. She slid in next to James and she couldn't stop laughing.

"I cannot believe you guys!" Lily said.

"You better believe it. Took us all night," Peter muttered bitterly.

"Cheer up Pete," Remus told him.

"Happy Birthday Lily," James said sweetly. Lily leaned over and gave him a hug.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear.

"Oi! I want a hug," Sirius complained. Lily turned to Sirius who was sitting on the other side of her and gave him a big hug too.

"This is brilliant. Slightly embarrassing, but utterly brilliant," Lily said.

"Glad you like it, because there is more to come," Sirius said with a wink.

"Lovely," she said. Lily began to pile food onto her plate, but then every head turned to the entrance. Lily looked and saw about ten house elves carrying gifts and a large cake.

"That's all for me?" she said with wonder.

"No it's for Nearly Headless Nick," James said as the ghost came up behind him.

"That's Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington to you Potter," the ghost said angrily.

"Sorry Sir Nicholas," James amended, giving him a mock salute. The house elves placed all of her gifts onto the table and the cake went to the side.

"Open mine first!" Sirius shouted gleefully. He passed her his gift, that was wrapped in old Daily Prophets. She tore the paper off to reveal a framed photograph. It was her and James together at the New Year's Ball. She felt her heart swell and she gave Sirius another hug. He scratched out a note on the back of the frame that read:

Dearest Tigerlily,
Happy Birthday. This is so you realize how much you are in love with Prongs.

Your handsomest friend,

Sirius

P.S. I call Best Man at the wedding

"I love it," she said to him, still giggling about his note.

"What is it?" the others asked. She showed her friends the wizard photograph.

"And Sirius, just to clarify, you are not my handsomest friend. If anything that title would be awarded to Remus." Lily reached over and squeezed Remus' hand.

"Hey!" Sirius and James yell together. Remus smirked at the two boys playfully.

"Would you like to open mine," Remus offered. It was larger than Sirius' and in a boxy shape. She tore the wrapping paper, the proper wrapping paper. There were two books: An Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms and Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes. Lily almost shrieked with excitement.

"How did you find this one?" Lily asked, holding up the second book, "I've been trying to get a hold of one for months."

"My father is friends with a bookshop owner," Remus said shrugging.

"Thank you so much. I love it," she told him. He smiled wide and Lily was so happy, but Sirius was still pouting a bit across the table.

"Open mine!" Marlene insisted. She handed Lily a package.

"Thanks Marls," Lily said inspecting her new Luxury Phoenix Feather Quill. She had been meaning to get a new quill and this would last for ages.

"Not a problem. Y'know how you were saying how Muggle pens are better because the ink is already in it?" Marlene asked. Lily nodded, "Well I charmed it so it is like a Muggle pen."

"Amazing!" Lily said squeezing her friend's hand. Emmeline and Dorcas got her a box of sweets from Honeydukes and Peter got her Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans (in hopes to convince her of their brilliance). She had thought that that was all of them, but James pulled a long thin package from his robes. He wordlessly handed Lily the package and Lily gratefully took it. She opened the box to see a necklace. A thin golden chain with an emerald in the center. Lily thought it was the most beautiful thing and she hugged her friend passionately. She blinked tears from her eyes and thanked him over and over again.

"You shouldn't have," she said under her breath. He took the necklace from her hands and for a moment she thought he was taking it back from her. But he brushed her hair to the side and clasped it around her neck.

"I wanted to," he assured her. She wanted to burst into tears, but she held it together. In the corner of her eye, Lily spotted Dumbledore and Professor McGonagoll beaming at the two of them.

"Everyone is looking at you," Marlene whispered. Lily looked around the Great Hall and spotted all her classmates staring at her. She saw Severus squint at her and James. She realized she was still holding his arms and she quickly dropped them.

"Fancy getting out of here?" James asked, whispering as well. The whole room seemed too quiet, so Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Marlene all exited together. Once they were out of view, Lily turned to her friends.

"I cannot believe you guys just did that," Lily said grinning as she shook her head.

"It's not every day that a witch turns seventeen," James said.

"Did Professor McGonagoll give you a hard time about it?" Lily wondered.

"Nah, just pursed lips, but I think that was to hide her smile," Sirius joked. James tugged on her sleeve and pulled her behind the group. He had a light smile and hair that was slightly less messy than usual.

"Hi," she said. His arm was still resting on her arm.

"How d'you like your birthday so far?" he asked sounding nervous.

"Just downright splendid," she said cheerily, "I've never had anything like it."

"That isn't completely true..." he said laughing.

"What? Oh... I forgot about that," she said laughing too, "What year was that?"

"Fourth."

"Right, but to be fair that birthday celebration that you set up was slightly less extravagant. And fewer people saw it, seeing as it was in the Common Room," Lily said remembering.

"Good thing too. I wouldn't have wanted too many people to see me just my arse whooped by the birthday girl," James said.

"It wasn't like I dueled you or anything, just said some... choice words to you. Something regarding your arrogance," Lily recalled.

"Said? More like yelled, but we are- thankfully- past that. So how did you like your gifts?" he asked.

"They were all lovely. Especially yours," she said fondly. His face brightened.

"Really? I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure..." he rambled.

"James don't be daft, of course I love it. It's sweet and beautiful and probably more expensive than I needed," Lily said. She wondered how many Galleons that necklace costed. Way more than your average birthday gift should. But she knew that James would never be deterred from buying people expensive things. If anything he'd be offended if she told him he didn't need to.

"Well there's a bit of a bonus that comes with the necklace," James mentioned, "That's why I pulled you back."

"A bonus?"

"Well if you ever need me then you just hold down on the emerald. I have a matching one," he showed her. It was identical to her necklace. "so when you press it mine will have a burning sensation."

"That's incredible," she told him, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I'm just glad you like it," James said with a warm grin. He slung his arm around her and walked her to class.

~James~ New Friends and Pipe Dreams

The months passed and went. His friendship with Lily flourished. James and Lily did end up going on the Hogsmeade trip together and they had a smashing time. No love confessions or Firewhiskey smuggling to ruin it. Sirius and Marlene broke up then got back together then broke up again. They're both incredibly miserable. And they are trying equally hard to prove they are over each other. Emmeline and Remus were doing alright. Thankfully she was as clueless as ever about Remus' whereabouts on the full moons. Peter hadn't corrected his 4th year Hufflepuff girlfriend on his name, so she still calls him Pierre. James and Sirius had got into multiple detentions again for duelling a group of bigoted Slytherins. Sirius suspected that Regulus was going to be recruited as a Death Eater. And James was doing his best to figure out how to blend in at a Muggle wedding. He had talked to the Muggle Studies professor and it helped a bit, but he still didn't know how to act. And Madam Pince was no help at all. How can the library not have a single book about Muggle wedding!? James was frustrated. He wanted everything to go perfectly. Even though Lily and him were not dating, he still wanted Lily's parents to like him. James had met them, just not like this. He hoped that one day it would be Lily and his wedding that they'd be going to. A pipe dream.

"Hullo Prongs," Peter said as he entered Three Broomsticks with Joanne Brocklehurst on his arm. James loved seeing Peter with his girlfriend. And he absolutely loved hyping Pete up when she was around.

"Wormtail!" James said excitedly, "Just the man I was looking for!"

"Really!? Me?" he said walking over to his table.

"Who else?" James told him, "Hey Joanne."

"Hey James," she said fluttering her eyelashes.

"Now Pe- I mean Wormy. I was having a spot of trouble with my Herbology essay and I was wondering if you could help me real quick," James lied.

"Erm..."

"Sure he can. He's so modest, but Professor Sprout was just telling me how talented he is in Herbology," Joanne said. Peter blushed heavily and James smiled at them both.

"I'm not bad," Peter admitted. James knew Herbology was Peter's best class by far.

"So how would you describe the juices secreted by the Venomous Tentacula?"

"Oh well the- er- juices are venomous, 'course, but not lethal. It's colourless and odourless. If someone swallows it then they'll have a burning sensation and their skin'll turn purple as a result," Peter said getting more confidant the more he spoke. He looked to James expectantly.

"Thanks," James said, "Now I'll leave you two to your date. Sorry to bother you, I just needed Wormtail's help."

"Oh you weren't a bother at all, James," Joanne promised. "Pierre is just so smart."

"Very smart indeed," James agreed, "How about I buy the two of you a round, yeah?"

"You don't have to-" Peter told him.

"It's no big deal. I'll be right back," James replied. He walked over to the bar and waved over Madam Rosmerta, "Nice to see you."

"As you James, but I really can't be giving you any Firewhiskey. Not while the whole school is here," Madam Rosmerta told him. She gestured to the bar that was bustling with underage students.

"Don't worry about it. I just need two Butterbeers," James said with a chuckle. She knew him too well.

"Got a date?" she asked as she got the drinks.

"Nope. They're for Pete and his girlfriend," James said, "I'm just buying them." He put 4 sickles on the counter.

"Where's Sirius?" she asked.

"Moping back in the Common Room. He just got chucked by his girlfriend," James informed her. He understood her curiosity seeing as James never came to Three Broomsticks alone.

"Poor bloke," Madam Rosmerta told him, "Didn't realize Sirius was one to date."

"I doubt he will after this," James said, "Although I'm sure he'd be willing to make an exception for you."

"I'm sure he would," she said with a laugh. "I know I said I wouldn't give you any today, but I'd hate knowing that Sirius was upset." She handed him a bottle of firewhiskey. James quickly transfigured it into a water bottle for secrecy.

"Thanks Rosmerta," James said with a wave. James charmingly grinned and brought the drinks back to Peter and Joanne.

"For you," he said placing the drinks on the table.

"Thanks James," Joanne said.

"No problem. But I should get going. I'll see you later Wormy," James said, packing his stuff back up.

"Bye Prongs," Peter said waving goodbye. James waved back and walked out of the shop. The snow had melted, leaving the ground slushy. He figured that he should head back to the castle soon, seeing as he was alone and didn't need to be here for any reason to be there.

A flash of long dark red hair caught his eye. Lily was leaving Gladrags clothing shop. And beside her was a boy with black hair that fell below his ears. Is it Sirius? Or Snape? Anyone but Snape. The student's head turned back, giving James a glimpse of their face. It was Cardoroc Dearborn, a 6th year Ravenclaw. A pang of jealousy shot through him. James instinctually wanted to follow them, but he realized that Lily wouldn't like that very much. So James decided to head in the other direction before curiosity took over. Then he saw Remus exiting Madam Puddifoot's with Emmeline Vance.

"Oi Prongs!" Remus yelled from across the way.

"Hey Moony," James said, "Hey Emmeline. How's your date?"

"Good," Remus told him. He smiled lovingly at Emmeline, "Great actually. You heading back to the castle?"

"Yeah, but I think I'm going to head into Honeydukes first," James said with a smirk. Remus knew James was talking about the secret passage.

"Lovely. Um- well make sure you are accounted for. Otherwise Filch'll have a fit," Remus warned. Emmeline looked at the two boys, unsure why they were saying the things they said.

"I'm not stupid Moony. I've been here before, haven't I?" James told him with a laugh. James wasn't stupid enough to come by carriage then return unaccounted for. He came through the secret passage and will return by secret passage.

"Alright then. See you at dinner!" Remus said taking Emmeline by the hand. James said goodbye and smiled at Remus finally opening up to a girl. It isn't like Remus hasn't dated, but when he did in the past it never lasted more than a month. He couldn't risk the girl getting suspicious. James walked into the candy shop, which was relatively empty. James went into an empty row and threw his invisibility cloak around him. He walked to the cellar and entered the passage.

"Oi Sirius!" James shouted as he entered the dorm, "Have I got a surprise for you!"

"What?" Sirius snapped, resembling his Animagus form very much in that moment.

"Settle down mate. Rosmerta gave us some Firewhiskey," James said, "She figured you could use some fun."

"You told her!?" Sirius demanded.

"Bloody hell Padfoot, the whole school knows," James said, "Besides, you've never let a girl bother you this much."

"Well I've never been chucked before, have I?" he said, "And this is Marlene, not a random snog."

"Go talk to her if you're this upset," James suggested, "I mean if you like her this much..."

"What do you want me to do? Beg her? No, that'd be pathetic," Sirius said falling back onto his bed. James hated seeing his friend so upset. And he hated that the one who made him so upset was his other friend.

"Fine, but you better quit moping soon," James said tossing Sirius the firewhiskey. James stalked out of the room and decided to go find Marlene. He needed to know what happened between them. James went back into the Common Room. He hoped that Marlene might be there, but she wasn't.

"Hey James!" a first year called out. James smiled at the boy.

"James, James! Check this out!" another boy said loudly. He had dark messy hair not unsimilar to his own. The boy waved his wand and charmed a nearby girl's hair neon green. The girl shrieked when she saw it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," James warned, "or your green haired friend here will end up giving you much worse than that."

"Sorry Eileen," the boy said changing the Eileen's hair back to normal. Eileen glared at the boy before gratefully and begrudgingly nodding her head in thanks to James, who grinned at them.

"Hullo James," a second year girl giggled, "Are you gonna crush Slytherin next week at the match?"

"'Course," James responded before making it over to a half empty couch. He sat there watching all of the younger Gryffindors. Some were working on homework in little groups. Some were showing off their newfound magical skills. Some snogged in secluded corners, but James didn't watch those. But he knew that the majority of these people looked up to and admired him. And during most of his time here, he was a bit of a prat. He needed to change.

"Hi," James said to a little girl sitting beside him. She couldn't have been older than eleven. She had her black hair up in pigtails and clutched her Hogwarts: a History book to her chest. She seemed startled that James was speaking to her.

"Um hi," she said.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Hestia Jones," the girl said.

"James Potter. It's nice to meet you Hestia," James said with a broad and charming smile. He stuck his hand out to shake hers. She met his hand with her own.

"I'd say nice to meet you too, but I already know who you are," Hestia said with rosy cheeks.

"Do you?"

"Yes, you're James Potter. Quidditch star, top of his class, and a Marauder. You despise Slytherins and love breaking rules," she said sounding more comfortable.

"Well I suppose some of those are true, but I promise there is a lot more to me than that," James told her. "But tell me about you."

"I'm a first year. I do decently in my classes except Transfiguration and Charms," she said, "I have a cat named Millicent and I enjoy watching Quidditch." She spoke in a way that made James think that she had so much thoughts in her head that they all sort of tumbled out at once when she spoke.

"What position are you?" he asked.

"I've never actually played before, but Chaser always seemed cool. My parents never allowed me to play," Hestia said.

"I could teach you if you'd like. I'm a Chaser myself," James offered. The girl looked unsure. "It'll be fun, I promise. You've had flying lessons I assume?"

"Yeah," Hestia said, "but I don't own a broom and first years aren't allowed to have a broom in Hogwarts." She pointed to the book in her hands.

"You said it before: I'm a Marauder," James said grinning, "If you'd like I could get you a broom and teach you how to play."

"You'd do that for me?" she asked, "You hardly know me."

"I told you before, there is a lot more to me than you know," James said feeling happy, "What do you say?"

"Alright," Hestia agreed.

"Lovely. Now, d'you need any help with your homework?" James asked.

"Well there is this bit in Transfiguration that I don't fully get," the first year explained. She rummaged in her satchel to grab an unfinished essay out. "Why is it easier to transfigure something living to something not living rather than the opposite?"

"Okay. Take a mouse to a matchbox for example. The mouse has a soul and the matchbox doesn't, so all you are doing is suppressing the soul and changing the shape. The soul of the mouse is still in the matchbox, just not being expressed. But if you were transfiguring my glasses for example," James said taking his glasses off, "into a rabbit, then you would need to create a soul. Although the soul is only temporary, is still needs to be there. Lapifors." His glasses changed into a small light brown rabbit. Hestia giggled as it hopped around.

"That's amazing!" Hestia exclaimed. James turned the energetic rabbit back into his glasses.

"Keep practicing the mouse to a matchbox and I'm sure you'll get it. Just remember that all you have to do is suppress the soul," James said. He saw Marlene and Lily enter the Common Room. "I have to go, but I'll see you around Hestia."

"Bye James," she said not looking up from practicing Transfiguration. James dashed over to the two girls.

"James? What were you doing with Hestia?" Lily asked, giving him a curious look.

"You know Hestia?" James said. Lily nodded.

"I tutor her sometimes, mostly in Charms. Occasionally in Transfiguration, which is not my best though," Lily told him.

"She's great. I've just met her now," James recalled, "I'm gonna teach her how to play Quidditch. She fancies being a Chaser, y'know. And I gave her some help with Transfiguration." Lily gave him a weird look, he couldn't tell what it meant. Usually when she stared at him it was more of a glare, but this was different. He wasn't sure how, but it was.

"What? What are you staring at?" James asked. Lily let out a small laugh.

"Just you. That was sweet of you to befriend a first year. Quite refreshing," Lily said making James grin.

"Well all you lot were out today with your dates, so I was rather lonely. I had to make some new friends," James then joked, "So I'm sorry Evans, Hestia has officially replaced you." Lily laughed and smacked his arm.

"Sirius was out on a date?" Marlene asked, suddenly pale.

"No, he's balled up in the dormitory, moping about," James told Sirius' ex. Her face brightened significantly at his words. "Happy, are you?"

"No I just-" Marlene began to say.

"Happy that he is downright miserable. This is the third time, McKinnon. Give the poor bloke's heart a rest," James spat out. He knew he wasn't being fair to her, but it pained him to see Sirius hurting.

"You don't understand," she said at last.

"Then tell me what happened or leave Sirius alone," James said harshly.

"Fine it's because that git never gives me any attention! He always complains about how bored he is. And all he cares about is a snog when I need someone I can talk to. I just can't take it!" Marlene said threatening tears.

"Then tell him that! Because the way he sees it is you broke up with him twice for no apparent reason. The first time I get it, but now..." James said, "You were his first real relationship. He doesn't know how it works. He needs you to be there for him as much as you need him."

"This is hard on me too, y'know. And I still have to deal with my mum being- being dead. Maybe I just can't handle a relationship right now," Marlene yelled. The whole Common Room got quiet.

"And that's fine. He would understand that, McKinnon. But you have to at least explain it to him. You can't just chuck him and not tell him why," James shouted back.

"You are a jerk, James Potter," Marlene said.

"Am I?" he replied bitterly, "You're the one who is happy that he's hurting. You're the one who is toying with his heart." She ran up the stairs to her dormitory, not looking back. Lily stood next to him in shock, staring at where Marlene just was.

"I should go to her," Lily said quietly. James nodded. "I'll see you later."

"Bye," he said to her. The Common Room went back to being loud again. Leaving James feeling more out of place than ever.