Chapter 2: Marauders

James steered clear of Lily for the next few days, something Lily was deeply grateful for. The final O.W.L.s, were finishing, and Lily found herself with far too much free time on her hands. Of course, her friends were sympathetic enough, but didn't quite understand why she had been friends with Severus in the first place. Mary was most sympathetic in this regard, always being the kindest. Lily knew she had a

Unfortunately, her luck ran short after a week of peace. She was walking along the Entrance Hall, leading to the grounds, hoping to find Marlene McKinnon there. She had agreed to help her to study for history of magic, their final O.W.L.

Behind her, she heard an all too familiar voice call, "EVANS!" Lily sighed, and kept walking as if she couldn't hear the voice, but she knew it was no use. "Where are you off to?" James called. Lily chanced a glance over her shoulder, and saw James approaching steadily. Behind him, James' friends stood watching the scene with amusement. A short, pudgy boy with stringy blond hair was panting to keep up with James, who he Idolized. Peter lacked much talent, and it was a surprise to all that he was included in this coolest gang called the "Marauders". James' best friend, Sirius Black, a tall, handsome boy with wavy black hair was sniggering at a joke Remus Lupin had made. Remus was the most likeable of the four marauders, and very studious, and Lily thought she might've have been friends with him, if he were not surrounded by the others. Talented as they were, Lily despised them for their arrogance.

"What do you want?" asked Lily coldly, knowing she could no long keep up the façade of deafness.

"Where are you going?" responded James, ignoring Lily's question.

Lily was starting to get irritated, "To find Marlene,"

"Why?"

"Because she's my best friend! Got a problem with that?" Lily said angrily

"Why are you being so hostile?" asked James calmly, now striding alongside her. Peter and the others had fallen behind. His calm was infuriating, especially after causing the recent catastrophe.

"How can you still be like this, after what you did?" Lily growled in a low, angry whisper. Irrational anger was now coursing through her. James froze mid-step, his grin fading. If Lily wasn't a prefect, she would have hit him. Instead, she used the energy to propelled her forward away from James.

Before she had moved a foot however, James had grabbed her arm. The sensation sent shivers up into her shoulder. She jerked it away. "I said I was sorry," He said in the same fierce whisper.

Lily paused, and the beginnings of shame began to creep up her spine. "I-, I know. I know it wasn't your fault." She mumbled, blushing slightly.

They continued walking, an awkward silence filling the air. A few meters behind them, Sirius was whispering incoherently to Remus who was chuckling softly.

"Looking for Marlene, are you?" asked James finally.

"Yeah," she muttered, "She said we could work on History of Magic together." James usual grin returned to his face. "Sirius was looking for Marlene too." Lily groaned. A few weeks ago, Marlene had decided that she was Sirius' boyfriend, and they were repulsive whenever they were together.

They had almost reached the grounds when, Lily heard a shout from behind her, turning around, she saw Marlene running towards her, arms raised over her head. Marlene was a very pretty girl, with golden blonde curls and pale blue eyes. She was tall and slender, and got herself a lot of attention, mainly from boys.

"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you." she called. Then, noticing the company she burst into a fit of giggles. "Finally?" she asked looking over at Sirius, Remus, and Peter. Remus shook his head laughing, while Peter, always the slow one, looked puzzled.

Marlene sighed, "One of these days, Lily." Lily attempted a derisive snort, but it came out more of a gag. All of her friends thought she was crazy not to go out James, and persisted constantly that eventually she would fall for him, something Lily had had to endure for many years. Of course, she knew the only reason James kept asking her was that she had always hated him, and she was a challenge. Lily seriously doubted he would stay interested in her after one date.

"Let's go Marlene," sniggered Sirius, who had evidently caught her embarrassing moment. As it always did, embarrassment was transforming into hot headed anger.

"I promised Lily I'd help her with History of Mag-"

"Go." growled Lily, glaring at Marlene. Trying not to look too relieved, Marlene, ran off with Sirius at her heels, and Remus and Peter not a foot behind.

Fuming, she turned on James, "Well?"

"Well, what?" He inquired tilting his head to the side and smirking.

"Well why don't you GO!" Lily seethed on.

"Trust me I have no intention of staying with Ken and Barbie," snorted James, "And I'm not afraid of you Lily." He added smiling.

"How do you know who Ken and Barbie are?" asked Lily, preferring not to address his second point.

James shrugged, "Bought some muggle books for muggle studies research." He did not seem intent on letting his second point shine through, so Lily decided it safe to ignore it completely.

"I could help you with your history of magic," James said, grinning.

Lily's eyes narrowed, "You're pushing your luck."

"Alright," James grinned, raising his hands in surrender and backing up. He turned his back on her, walking back up the Entrance Hall.

Lily stood staring across at James. As he was about to round the corner, she called: "Potter!"

"Yeah?"

"Don't mess with me until the end of term, or I might never speak to you again."

James grinned, "See you around, Evans." Shaking her head, Lily went the opposite way, deciding that between James and Marlene, she would probably never get a minute of study time in before the end of the year.

There's gonna be a lot more of the marauders and other characters in the future, so stick around. How was it? Let me know with a REVEIW. Also, remember to Follow + Fav if you liked so you don't miss the next one. :)