AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, here we are.

My first fanfic! This chapter is, hopefully, the start of something big. Now, I believe credit is due.

DISCLAIMER: No matter how so deeply I wish I owned Harry Potter (imagine the money!), I don't. Everything belongs to J.K Rowling.

THE BEGINNING AND THE END (OR SO HE HOPED) OF THE INFATUATION

The beginning of James and Lily's love story is not to be the confused with the beginning of his infatuation, for he was, to be put plainly, obsessed with the girl years before she began to regard him in any other way than insufferable and big-headed. In truth, the infatuation never really ended, but died down, at least for some time.

(A Dream)

James Potter was fourteen. He was lanky, loud and bespectacled. He sat between fifteen-year-old Sirius Black (also lanky and loud) and fourteen-year-old Peter Pettigrew (porky and loud, rather than lanky and loud) on a three-person sofa in the Gryffindor Common Room. Some few minutes prior they had taken a considerably large step in their journey towards becoming Animagi. It was some point after eleven o'clock on a quiet November morning. Outside, snow had not quite yet began to fall, but the entire grounds were just in a constant state of wet.

'We have to keep these in our mouths for a month?' Peter complained, prodding the mandrake leaf in his mouth with his tongue in distaste. It was rubbery, and rather small, but still undoubtedly irritating.

'Yes.' Sirius spoke before James could, his face uncharacteristically unhappy. 'Be careful to not swallow it, as well, Pete. Or you'll have to start again.'

Eyes wide, Peter immediately stopped moving his tongue and tried not to cringe at the uncomfortable feeling in his mouth. 'It's all for Remus's sake.' He muttered, most-likely to himself. He turned to the other two, making his voice clearer but not quite loud enough for anyone else to hear, 'Did you see all the new scratches on his arms this morning? I think last night was a bad one.'

'Every night is a bad one.' Sirius's mood was unpleasant, either at Peter's obliviousness or at the prospect of keeping a mandrake leaf in his mouth until Christmas. James and Peter nodded in silent agreement.

'Can't wait to be there with him.' Peter muttered. Sirius nodded, while James remembered something. He turned to Peter.

'You also need to work on your patronus.' The mandrake leaf migrated to the side of his mouth when he spoke, and James stubbornly kept talking, despite it's annoying presence by his inner cheek. 'Sirius and I have already got ours Corporeal, but you still need more practice. We'll help you.'

'Cheers.' Peter looked at James gratefully.

'Mines magnificent.' Sirius's interjected as his mouth twitched into a awe-struck grin at the thought, as Peter sighed irritably — he was having much more trouble with his animagus than the other two had. 'I've always liked dogs.'

At that moment, Marlene McKinnon appeared in front of them, a glum-looking Lily Evans trailing behind her. Grinning in greeting at the boys, Marlene placed herself in an armchair opposite. Lily hovered, reluctanct to sit in such close proximity to her male housemates. 'I hate dogs.' Marlene wrinkled her nose. 'Some have fleas.' Her and Lily gave the boys befuddled looks when they burst into fits of laughter, Sirius not included.

'Words hurt, McKinnon.' Sirius told the brunette ruefully. She rolled her eyes, smiling in confusion.

'No matter how much your character shows some resemblance to that of a chihuahua — annoying, dim, and trainless no matter how hard you try — you're not a dog, Black. A git, perhaps, but not a dog.' Lily sighed impatiently at her friend, suspecting that they were going to stay long. Marlene ignored her unvoiced complaints.

James could have sworn he heard Sirius speak out the corner of his mouth, in a barely audible whisper, that was so quiet that even Peter probably didn't hear, 'Not yet, anyway.' Much louder and wiggling his eyebrows, he spoke again, as James let out a snort. 'A devilishly handsome git, though.' Marlene placed a finger to her chin as though in thought as she squinted her eyes to examine the young wizard.

'Give yourself a few years.' She teased.

Giving another pained sigh and obviously uncomfortable with standing up, Lily took a seat down on the rug next to Marlene's armchair, directly in front of James.

'Morning, Evans.' James chirped down at her, cheerful. His hand twitched upwards to run through his hair. The feeling of the leaf in his mouth was somewhat easier to ignore when the pretty red-head was in his presence. As it had for the past year of so, James's heart leapt when he saw her. It was something he couldn't control or explain, not that he minded, whatsoever.

'Potter.' She said, her tone civil, curt.

'Sleep alright?' He asked her, hoping that it didn't sound like an odd question to ask someone. Sirius's snort was confirmation that it definitely did.

'No.' Lily scowled at him, and the grin broadened on James's face, the reason, to her, irritatingly unknown. 'I was up all night, worried sick about Severus in the hospital wing!' James did not regret asking her whatsoever, watching her green eyes darken in anger. She was very pretty when she was angry, he mused. Or even mildly annoyed, for that matter. Perhaps that was why he tormented her slimy friend and liked to wind her up so much. 'Someone hexed him in the hallway yesterday and he grew another arm!' She exclaimed, her cheeks pink in vexation.

Marlene looked warily between Lily and James, more than accustomed to their common one-sided bickering. James only grinned, staring at her like some oblivious idiot, while Sirius and Peter looked on innocently (the former's expression being far more believable). The extra arm had, of course, been James's idea and his wand had been the one to cast the spell, so it was him who spoke up.

'Who could that have been?' James wondered, he shook his head slightly, to hide his uncontrollable grin. Lily caught sight of his face and jumped up abruptly, her suspicions proven correct.

'A word, Potter?'

Sirius wolf-whistled as the pair made for the portrait hole, earning him a snicker from Peter and a glare from Marlene. It was very quiet outside the portrait, James noted. Nothing there but a gleeful him, a fuming Lily and a befuddled Fat Lady.

'So we're yelling privately, now?' James asked her, running a hand through his uncontrollable hair. 'That's a little disappointing. I quite liked performing in front of the Great Hall.'

'Shut up.' His mouth shut like a trap. 'I know that you hexed Severus.' She accused as she took a step away from him, their close proximity making her uncomfortable. Her face wasn't as pink as James had seen it before, but it was getting there. He fidgeted in anticipation.

'Where is the proof of these accusations, Evans?' He raised a questioning eyebrow, cheeky as always. He took a small step towards her, which was a brave move, considering that he was now in slapping reach. She'd never smacked him before, of course, but there was a first time for everything. Every time she got angry with him, she seemed to be getting closer and closer.

'You pig-headed pratt!' She raised her voice and stomped her foot, quite like an angry toddler would have done when deprived of sweets. His smile only widened, much to her deep irritation. 'You're always such a git to him, why can't you just leave him alone?'

'That's a very simple question with a very simple answer.' James leaned against The Fat Lady, ignoring her loud complaints. Lily, it seemed, didn't take notice to them, either. 'He's the git, in this situation. I reckon he had it coming. I'd consider myself more of a... what was the word? Oh, yes, a hero. A second Christ, if you will.'

His answer, however unreasonable and unfair it was, had its desired affect. Lily's face matched her hair in colour, and her eyes were wild and alive with enthusiasm. She was more angry and beautiful then James had ever seen her. She opened her mouth to yell at him, and James found himself not listening, the grin on his face now somewhat lazy. He merely watched her carefully, cementing her image in his mind. He was taller than her, but not by much — something that was sure to change as they both grew (before he knew it, he'd be towering over her) — and her usually-neat shoulder-length hair was messy as she ran her hands through it in rage. He liked to think it was a trait she's picked up from him.

It felt as though, to James, that her beseeching lasted only a few wonderful seconds, though it actually lasted almost two minutes. The seconds passed, and he gazed meaningfully into an oblivious (and very angry) Lily's eyes.

They danced and sparkled in passion, and James would have rather loved to dive into the pools of deep emerald. In her anger, she advanced on him, but he was too dazed to cower, as anyone would if Lily Evans was screaming herself hoarse and approaching you. They were now so close that James's cheeks gathered instinctive heat, but he took no notice of this nor their closeness, as he continued to stare.

It was then and there that James Potter unashamedly realised that he rather fancied Lily Evans. He watched her count something off on her small fingers animatedly, probably things he done to her beloved Slytherin, and he realised that someway, somehow, he was going to win her affection. He didn't care if it took him months, or even years. In their close proximity, James caught a divine whiff of something Iike peppermint, and would have been quite happy drown in that smell.

Lily showed every sign of intending to reprimand him further. She paused to take a deep breath and in that time James snapped out of it. He inturrepted her, only now remembering the mandrake leaf in his mouth as he began to talk, pushing himself off The Fat Lady. 'Hey, Evans?'

Lily eyes widened further (if that was possible) as she became suddenly aware of the small distance between their chests. James now noticed this, too. One small step closer and he'd most likely be able to see down her shirt. Frowning, James shook the dirty thought from his mind, and even took a step back in guilt. Lily stared at him for all of ten seconds, her eyes darting sideways towards the silently gaping Fat Lady. 'What, Potter?'

The mischievous, characteristic and admittedly obnoxious grin returned to James's lips. Sure of himself, he got down on one knee and took Lily's smaller left hand in his own two larger ones. The red-head looked simply too shocked to protest or snatch her hand away. It was only a matter of seconds until she would be withdrawn from her trance, and so James seized the moment:

'Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?'

James Potter woke with a start and immediately groaned. Groggily, he opened his eyes. His bedroom was dark and blurry. Familiar, yet unfamiliar all the same. It was strange, going several months sleeping in a room with five other boys to suddenly just... not. He scrunched his eyes, closing them tight, and opened them again, determined to shake the fourth-year memory from his mind. Of all the memories to dream about, he mused, staring up at the beam of his four-poster, it had to be one of the most embarrassing.

There was a light tap at James's window, but the owner of said glass didn't notice. The memory was cemented in his mind like glue, and he continued to stare upwards, reliving...

'What?' Lily gaped as she wriggled her hand free, all the colour drained from her face, and she now looked like a ghost. James, staring up at her, marvelled at how she could be beautiful either way.

'Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?' He asked again, making his voice louder and clearer. He still smiled. On his right, the Fat Lady gasped.

'Can you please be serious for five bloody minutes?' Lily pleaded, more exasperated than furious, some colour returning to her face. 'Stop taking the mickey.'

'I'm not.' James told her, getting up off his knee and standing up to look at her properly. 'Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?'

'Um...' Lily looked positively alarmed. '... No.' She had replied after a long silence. Wordlessly, and with a confused look upon her face, she turned. 'Bowtruckle.' At the mention of the password, The apprehensive-looking Fat Lady swung open to admit her, leaving James standing outside in the cold corridor.

'Better luck next time, Love.' The Fat Lady told James soothingly, but he still looked gleeful and hopeful, 'Try not to hex her friends, I reckon.'

Of course, he hadn't listened. James Potter never listened.

Lily's angry, pretty face jumped into James's mind, and he was smiling so widely that he was sure all of his teeth were on display. Lily Evans gave him a strange, intoxicating rush. He wondered how on Earth he'd failed to acknowledge that before. 'Bowtruckle.'

Sixteen-year-old James glowered, still staring upwards. 'Idiot.' He muttered aloud to his younger self, his face still burning. There was a second tap against his window, but still he didn't notice. 'Should've given up then.' Certainly would have saved him some emotional damage. He might've given up then, had it been a puny crush, but no, fourteen-year-old James Potter had been head over heels in love with the girl who wanted nothing to do with him. If there was anything that he'd learned in his lengthy time chasing her, it was that Lily Evans was unattainable. An uncatchable Snitch. Out of his league. Too good for him.

It hurt. James wasn't going to lie to himself. It wasn't an enjoyable feeling, being heartbroken (He swore to never, ever repeat that sentence aloud to anyone as it formed in his brain, how feminine), but he supposed it was for the best. He'd asked her out, what, over a hundred times, surely?

Constant kicks when your down.

The last one had been the worst. A serious ego deflate.

"...you make me SICK..."

James groaned again, grimacing. He needed to get her out of his head. He'd sworn he was going to put a stop to this fancying lark. Why had he kept running back?

James's thoughts slipped back once again to almost two years prior...

'Fun time?' Sirius asked of James dryly when he placed himself in Marlene's previously vacated seat.

'She yelled at me, a bit.' James admitted conversationally, mirth etched upon his face. He wondered whether or not he was going to stop smiling, not that it bothered him in the slightest.

'We know.' Peter's tone was cheerful. 'Heard her screaming from in here. You're aware she called you a "stuck-up pillock", right? What even is a pillock?'

'Fuck if I know.' James snorted.

'Then it went quiet.' Sirius continued, amused. 'We'd thought she'd maybe stormed off and you'd chased her but then she came back in two minutes later, and just ran straight up to her dormitory. McKinnon followed,' he added, explaining the absence of the brown-haired girl.

'It went silent 'cause I asked her Hogsmeade.' James's grin grew uncontrollably wider to the point of painful.

'You did what?' Peter exclaimed while Sirius just roared with loud laughter. People were starting to stare. James only shrugged, chuckling: Sirius's howls were contagious.

A knowing Sirius leaned forward and shook James's shoulders in excitement, his suspicions of his mate fancying the red-head confirmed. Not bothering to keep his voice down, he grinned. 'I take it she said no?'

'Absolutely.' James was unfazed.

'Keep trying, eh, Potter?'

'Should've given up then.' James repeated to himself, before he sat up in his bed and yawned. Any feeling of tiredness escaped him, despite the hour. Blindly, he extended his arm to his right and felt around on the surface of his bedside table in search for his glasses. Once the bloody things were on his face, he extracted his wand from somewhere underneath his pillows. 'Lumos.'

The clock across the room read four in the morning. Annoyed at his sudden conciousness and terribly hungry, he slid out of bed. His stomach rumbled loudly, and vaguely, he wondered if there was any leftover —

The window just to his left shattered. Shards of glass showered all over him, and, wildly, he spun around, readying his wand and nearly falling out the hole where the glass had once been. Panic shot through his body, turning it rigid. Utterly confused and glass in his hair, James peered out of his window, and was greeted by a loud, barking laugh. His first, relieving thought was that nothing bad had happened (other the easily-fixable broken window), and he lowered his wand. Then, he became suddenly aware of what had actually happened.

Sirius Black was streched out on the grass several metres below, a defeated look etched upon his handsome features. The laughter had been fleeting.

He'd run away from home.

(Cokesworth)

'Where's Petunia?' Lily enquired of Aurora Evans as she sat down alongside her for breakfast.

'She went on a train to London to see Vernon last night.' Her mother looked up to greet her, her strawberry blonde hair in a knot atop of her head. 'Orange juice or tea, darling?'

'Juice. I can get it.'

Lily got up from her place at the table and skirted around it in pursuit of the fridge. The house was almost empty, and Lily felt a wave of sorrow (the second that hour) wash over her. The next day, the mover's truck would be here, and Lily's childhood home would be no more than a memory. 'I'm really going to miss this house, Mum.'

'Me too.' Aurora admitted, stirring her tea absently as she, too, looked around the kitchen in nostalgia. 'But you must admit, it's a boring town.'

Lily scowled. 'It's got character.'

'It's got a dirty river and three-hundred people.' Aurora corrected. 'And everything will be so much easier in Brixton, anyway. Closer to London, easier trips to Diagon Alley. Doesn't a friend of yours live in London?'

'Two, actually. Mary and Dorcas both do. Remember? Mary's the tiny one and Dorcas is the dark one.'

'Of course I remember them. They were here almost every day of the week last summer. I love Dorcas's colour.' Aurora nodded. 'She's half-Jamaican, did you say? Does she live with her parents?'

'No, with her Aunt.' Lily sighed impatiently, returning to the table, a glass of orange juice in hand. 'I already told you, Mum. They died last Christmas. Her sister, too.'

All signs of cheerfulness slipped from Aurora's face. She frowned, and she suddenly looked a decade older. 'That's right. I'm sorry, darling. I forgot. Oh, how dreadful.'

Lily shrugged. 'It's okay. Just don't mention them when you see her next week.'

'Of course. Lily?'

'Yeah?'

'You never told me how they passed away.'

Lily eyes widened as she choked on her juice. While she coughed and sputtered, she considered her reply:

They were murdered by Voldemort. Or rather, his followers.

Who? Just some lunatic that wants everyone like me dead. No need to worry.

Oh, yeah. Must've forgot to mention, the Wizarding World is at war. You'll still let me to go Hogwarts, though, even if I'm muggleborn and unsafe, right?

Lily frowned and shook her head. 'They were in a car crash.'

Aurora nodded in understanding. 'Roads were icy or something, were they?' Lily nodded solemnly. 'Oh, and so close to Christmas! Poor Dorcas! She must spend Christmas with us this year.'

Lily sighed in guilt. She hated lying to her mother. But Dorcas would definitely understand. They sat in silence for a while, Lily guiltily munching her toast and Aurora looking thoughtful. After a minute or two, her mother broke the silence:

'Severus came round yesterday.'

For the second time, Lily choked on her juice. Aurora watched in amazement as her daughter stood up and attempted to cough up her lungs. 'Why?' Lily croaked after a few seconds of hacking.

'He wanted to see you. I told him you were busy.'

Lily was almost too surprised to cough. Almost. When her second hacking fit ended, she gave her mother a grateful look. 'Thank-you, Mum.'

Aurora waved her hand in dismissal. 'You will tell me what happened to you two soon, right?'

Lily sat down at the table again, frowning. A second tsunami of guilt was beginning to wash over her. 'Mum...'

'In your own time.' Aurora said quickly. 'You've got the whole summer...'

'Okay.' Was all Lily said in response. Aurora looked satisfied, but when her mother redirected her attention, Lily knew that she could never tell her mother, and sadness overcame her. How she missed Severus so very much. If he hadn't called her that word, he'd probably be eating breakfast with them at that very moment, and later they'd sprawl out on the kitchen floor listening to Lily's favourite music and brew different harmless potions for Aurora to try...

The phone rang, it's loud noise bringing Lily's train of thought to a stop. 'I'll get it.' She volunteered, and jumped out of her seat again. 'Hello?'

'Hello!' A girlish voice gushed. 'Is that Lily?'

'Yeah, it is. Petunia, I don't think I've ever heard you sound so cheerful.'

'I'm the happiest I think I'll ever be.' Petunia practically squealed, and Lily had to hold the phone some short distance from her ear. However, a smile grew on her own lips, too; Petunia's happiness was infectious. 'Oh, Lily! I couldn't wait to tell you in person! I have to get it out now!'

'That's great, Tuney. What is it?'

'Get Mum. She should be the first to know, too!'

'I'm here.' Announced Aurora, and her and Lily held their heads together with the phone in between.

'So, What's got you so happy, Petunia?'

'Well,' Began Petunia, 'I was on a date with Vernon last night —' Lily rolled her eyes, but she still grinned, '— and we had dinner at this lovely Italian restaurant — we must all go there together one day; me, you, Mum, and Vernon — and then we went for a stroll around London at night-time. It was gorgeous, Lily. So romantic. And — well... one thing led to another, and... I'm engaged!'

Lily dropped the phone.

(Potter Manor)

The bright sun rose slowly through the now magically-repaired bedroom window, casting the two boys on the bed, an empty bottle of firewhiskey between them, in warm yellow sunlight. Having just recounted the story of his great departure (But that was a story for another time), Sirius dozed, and James was left to ponder. The alcohol had not hit him, and he doubted that it was going to. His mind whirred.

Had it always been so different — so hard, in fact — for Sirius? His whole time in knowing him, the unmeetable and unrealistic expectations of the house of Black had just seemed like stories, but he knew they weren't. He supposed that Sirius was to blame for this, always skimming over stories of his family in a light-hearted, easy going manor. It was stupid of him to think that Sirius couldn't share the same beleifs as his family without consequences. James felt like a stuck-up, spoilt brat. His mind shifted to those beliefs, of how Muggle-hunting should be a sport, or how Muggleborns should be eradicated from the Wizarding community.

James's train of thought stopped so he could fathom just how twisted that really was, and he allowed his blood to boil. He thought back to a national census that had taken place the year before, where forty-three percent of The Wizarding World's population stated that they believed Muggleborns shouldn't be allowed to attend Hogwarts, and he suddenly felt ignorant and arrogant for skimming over the article at breakfast on chilly morning, reading over Remus's shoulder, and thought no more of it. But, he mused, that was an alarming amount of people, and the fact scared him, though he, himself, was not in question. His head ached as he thought back almost two weeks prior, to that fateful day by the tree at the lake, and words that emanated from Severus Snape's enraged mouth.

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

The face of Lily Evans swam before him once again that night. James rolled the word around in his mouth, and hesitated before saying it, as though it was some form of terrrible blasphemy. Which it was, in a way, he reminded himself. 'Mudblood.' He quoted quietly, the word echoing around the silent bedroom. The word was unnatural and uncomfortable upon his tongue. Sirius twitched in his sleep, but James took no notice to him whatsoever. The face of Lily Evans flashed with hurt and anguish, and she blinked in pain (As she had the day Snape had called her that). James sat up immediately, swaying.

He opened the door to his bathroom and entered, flicking on the light switch. 'Pureblood.' He said, looking at his tanned reflection in the mirror (Perhaps the alcohol had some affect). Lily Evans flashed before him again, pale and peaky-looking looking as he'd seen her the few days after the day by the tree. 'I'm no better than you.' James muttered to her image, but her face remained hurt. 'Any Muggleborn, for that matter. You're better, in fact.' He was unsure whether or not that he was even speaking out loud, but he knew those words to be truthful. Lily Evans was almost everything he was not: Kind, fair, lovely to students who she didn't even know... Passionate about the things she believed in. This, James supposed, was one of their few similarities. Lily Evans was animated, lively, and never had trouble standing up for herself... and others, too. Another difference, James noted. She was lovely, and he... he was just a prick.

He hexed students who mildly annoyed annoyed him, tripped them as they ran past in the corridor, laughed at their expense, just because he could. He was a bully. He thought back to his dream, but this time, he remembered some of the things that she'd shouted at him outside of the Common Room those two years ago.

"You're the biggest arsehole I've ever met!"

...

"I can't stand you! You're an insufferable, bullying git!"

...

"Seriously, James Potter, what is your problem?"

What was his problem? Why did he do those things and say those things to people?

Because he could.

For the first-time in the past fortnight, he didn't try to force Lily Evans from his mind, but she left of her own accord. Sirius Black took her place, and he was pictured in a corridor, hexing a mouthy third year, a mischievous grin upon his chiselled face (This was less of a vision and more of a memory) and James frowned. Admittedly, Sirius was a git, too, only he didn't receive reprimanding letters from his parents, he received nothing. No restraint, no guidance. Nothing.

Lily returned, and she was beautifully angry, much angrier than he'd ever seen her. It was another memory, recent and fresh and painful, and this time audible. James's ears pounded with her yells.

"...walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can — I'm surprised your broomstick can even get off the ground with your fat head on it. You make me SICK!"

James's mind whirred and he remained there, gripping the sink in fruitless attempts to steady his dizziness. Lily's words repeated over and over, and images of impulsive and reckless things that he and Sirius had done with no regard to the rules whatsoever appeared before him in tormenting flashes.

"...hexing anyone who annoys you..."

James pointed his wand, and third-year Robbie Slouth was lifted off his feet. He hung by his ankle, red-faced and shouting, at the other end of a deserted corridor.

"... just because you can..."

Sirius flicked his wand, and fourth-year Gilderoy Lockhart was dropped into the Black Lake. He emerged a few seconds later, sputtering swears. With a cry of 'Wash out your mouth!', Sirius flicked his wand again and pink soap bubbles appeared at the swimming Lockhart's mouth, before he was lifted and dropped into the water once more.

"I'm surprised your broomstick can even get off the ground with your fat head on it..."

'Oi, Evans!'

'I'm not in the mood, Potter.' Lily didn't even look at him. She continued to stare out of one of the windows of the Three Broomsticks.

'It'll be quick.'

'For the last bloody time, you're not taking me to Hogsmeade.'

'It seems that we're already here.' James grinned, sliding into the seat opposite her.

'No.' She glared at him. 'I'm here with Jacob Clearwater, and you're in his seat.'

'You sure this Jacob character isn't made up? I don't see him anywhere.'

'He's getting me a Butterbeer.' Lily looked across the booth at James in dislike. 'Go away, Potter.'

'In a minute. Are you, by any chance, attracted to ruminant artiodactyl mammals?'

Lily narrowed her eyes at him. 'What?'

'Deers? Reindeers? Elks?'

'Fuck off.'

'But we're on a date.'

'We are not.' Lily's cheeks were starting to pinken. James felt excitement surge through him. 'Leave, now.'

Jacob Clearwater appeared at their table, clutching two cold Butterbeers. He stared stiffly at his now occupied seat, but said nothing to the grinning James. Lily exchanged dark glances with her date. 'Thank-you, Jacob. It's lucky that you got the bottles instead of the glasses — Want to go for a walk with them, instead?'

They departed, and James was left, fuming, at the table. It shouldn't have been Jacob Clearwater...

The scene changed.

'Anteocalatia!' James and Sirius yelled in synchronisation, their wands pointed down the half-packed corridor. At the yell, Jacob Clearwater wheeled around, only to be met by two jets of orange light. If the loud incantations hadn't attracted everyone in the corridor's attention, the loud "Oof!" Sound that Jacob Clearwater made when they collided with his stomach sure had.

Everyone watched, some curiously, some with with alarmed looks on their faces as Jacob began to sprout huge, thick antlers upon his head. His face screwed up in anguish as he felt the protruding spikes. James and Sirius only grinned as they turned to casually continue their journey to the Common Room.

"... you make me SICK!"

To James, it was all suddenly too loud. Lily's words repeated again and again, playing like a broken record in his ears, and more and more images flashed before him. His and Sirius's laughter joined Lily's words to echo throughout James's head.

'Enough!' He shouted.

It all came to a stop. His yell echoed around the no longer spinning bathroom and undoubtedly into his bedroom, too. His body gave him no physical warning whatsoever that he was going to be sick, but he was thankful that the sink was in such close proximity.

He vomited maybe two or three times, before straightening up and wiping his mouth. Sure, dickheads like Avery and Snape and their entire lot deserved it... But other people who'd done nothing... No, that wasn't right.

James surveyed himself in the mirror — still slightly lanky, bespectacled and loud — and took a deep breath.

'It's time,' he declared to his reflection, 'To grow up.'

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is significantly shorter than the ones I have in store for you. But let me know via review how long you like them, wont you? For reference, this one is 5.6K.

Don't forget to leave a review about everything else, as well. I'm always open to suggestions about what you want to happen.

Sincerely,

Nina