Sorry everyone… the school has been killing me, and hockey season for me is back up… I've been wanting to get this up for a while, but once again, writer's block came down on me when I actually had time, so yeah…. well let's see if I still got the magic.

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James Potter was still trying to wash out all the ketchup from his hair.  He didn't forget what had happened just a few hours back when he and the rest of the Marauders were at the mall with their families.

"It'll be a good experience for you… blah blah blah.." said James imitating his parents. "Well it bloody is now… I mine as well just pull a Lily and turn into a redhead already."

After a few more minutes, James finally gave up on his hair and decided to go downstairs.  As soon as he opened the door, he jumped back in fright, because Sirius was standing right in front of him.

"Sirius, you dolt!! What are you doing?"

"I came to hang out… what are you doing here?"

"I live here."

"Oh yeah."

"Well you can at least knock."

"Dude, I just got here.  I didn't have time to knock before you and your ketchup-filled brain decided to open the door.  I was gonna whack you with my knuckles."

"Whatever, let's go visit the house-elves and see what they got to eat."

"Sounds good to me."

Sirius and James ran down the stairs, only to be scolded by Mrs. Potter.  Sirius was always over at the Potter's house, so James' parents treated Sirius like they were a part of his family, so that would mean he would get yelled at just as much as James would.  Sirius ended up staying for the night, and as always, they didn't go to sleep right away.  They stayed up well into the night, talking and snickering about anything and everything.

"Remember our prank, Sirius?  Boy, that was classic."

"Yup… I believe we have made a name for ourselves, Jamesie Boy."

"Don't call me that! I hate that."

"Oh, sorry, I guess that name's only reserved for our dear little Lily."

"Sod off, you git.  Lily is still going to get it."

"Whatever James, it's only a matter of time before you two will actually realize what you have with each other."

"What?!?!"

"It's magic.  You and Lily are destined to be….

"Enemies.  Pure enemies."

"You know James, I'm tired of you always bickering about Lily.  It's 'Lily this' and 'Lily that'.  'I hate Lily.' 'Lily hates me.'  Just admit that you like her already! 

"But I don't…"

"I know!! James… I just said I'm tired of it.  I'm also literally tired, so I 'm going to go to sleep now."

"Whatever, Sirius.  I'mma stay up."

"Ok… stay up and think of your beautiful flower."

"I knew you were gonna say that."

"I knew you knew I was gonna say that."

"Shut up and go to sleep, Sirius."

"Alrighty!"

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The weeks were passing rather quickly, and Lily was starting to feel a little Hogwarts-sick.  She missed the school and everything about it.  She missed her friends, her classes, the Great Hall.  She just wanted it to be September 1st already so that she could go to her new home.  Lily loved being with her parents, but she has grown to love her stay at Hogwarts in only one year, and she desperately wanted to go back.

Just a couple of weeks before September 1st, an owl flew by bearing Lily's letter and the supplies she needed to buy.  She was excited and wanted to go right away, but her parents said they had work to do so they would go tomorrow.  She read over her supplies one more time, and found that she had almost all the accessories she needed to bring.  All she needed was her new second year books.  She stayed the rest of the night, reading Hogwarts, A History.

Tomorrow came, and Lily and her parents were off to Diagon Alley.  When they reached the pub, the bartender Tom smiled and welcomed the three to his pub and went to the back with the Evans'

"Miss Evans…"

"Please, call me Lily."

"Ok Lily, you want me to teach you how to open the passage to Diagon Alley?  Just in case I'm too busy at the Leaky Cauldron and you come back, you'd know what to do."

"Sure, thanks a lot Mr. Tom!!!"

"Please, call me Tom."

Lily giggled. "Ok Tom."

Tom took a piece of parchment and scribbled instructions for Lily.  Then with Lily, they both read it aloud while Tom guided Lily's wand to the correct bricks.  As soon as the last brick was touched, Diagon Aley was in clear view, and Lily glowed with happiness.

"Thank you Tom!! I'll be sure to keep this parchment just in case."

"No problem, Lily, anytime you have any questions, just come see me."

"Sure thing. Thanks again!!!" shouted Lily as she walked off with her parents into the Aley. 

Tom smiled to himself, while someone grabbed a drink from the counter.

"Tom, that girl sure is something, isn't she.  I could feel the room light up when she walked in."

"You got that right.  She's the only person I've ever showed how to open the passage.  Hope it comes to use one day."

As Lily and her parents were going around looking for her 2nd year supplies, Lily saw many familiar faces that were walking around.  In Flourish and Blotts, she ran into Penny, Carly, and their parents.  Since they lived near each other, both became the very best of friends.  Still, they would never compare their friendship with Lily and Jade's.

Lily also ran into Jade near Quality Quidditch supplies.  Jade was currently buying herself a new broom, because she wanted to try out for the quidditch team this year.  Jade and her family decided to tag along with Lily's, and together they spent the rest of the day buying their supplies, and talking about the upcoming year.

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James and Sirius spent the rest of the summer training for quidditch, and thinking of their new pranks.  When they went to Diagon Alley to pick up their supplies, they met up with the rest of the Marauders, and they gallivanted all around Diagon Alley having a good time.  James and Sirius stocked up with their materials for practical jokes at Zonko's.  Later on in the day, the Marauders were sitting at the ice cream parlor when James caught his eye on someone.

"Hey… is-is that….."

"James, you're stuttering….

"So? Why's that wrong?"

"James!! You never stutter!"

"Shut up Sirius, I always stutter."

"Actually, mate, you don't.  Perhaps it's because of a certain liking for something.. or should I say SOMEONE."

"Remus, you have no idea what you're talking about.  Usually, you do.  But this time, no.  I think you're the one with the problems, not mine" James smirked

Remus laughed.  "Whatever you say, o fearless leader."

"Leader?"

"Yeah James." said Peter.  "While you were busy staring at Lily….

"I WAS NOT STARING AT LILY!"

"Anyway, while you were busy NOT staring at Lily, we three named you our leader."
"Wait, why me?  I'm no leader."

"James, you have everything there is to be a leader.  You're smart, you like challenges, and you're trustworthy." said Remus.

"Well thanks guys, but I'm not any better than the rest of you lot."

"We know that James.  Cause you suck at getting girls." said Sirius.

They all laughed knowing all was well

When James got home that night, he was certainly feeling a little good about himself.  He was named the leader of the Marauders by his best friends.  He still didn't understand why, but in his heart he knew he was the right one for the job.  He thanked them profusely on the ride home earlier, and before he went to sleep, he smiled to himself.  However, it wasn't his leadership role that was making him smile. 

"Lily's a lot different…." he said to himself.  Then his conscious gave way.

She's more beautiful now.

"Hey!! Get out of there! I don't need you telling me anything right now."

Oh shut up, you stupid boy.  I'm your conscience, and I know way more about you than you yourself.

"Man, why you always have to be so mean for?  You always say things I don't want to hear."

It's my job.  Now go to sleep.

"See?? Why you little…. ah nevermind.  I will."

Hehehehe I have a perfect dream for you…………..

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Well how'd you like that?!?!?! The dream will be revealed next time I have time.  Hopefully it won't be a month long before I update right? Haha I'm very sorry everyone who still reads this story.  I'll try and be better.  Well I'm outies. Peace.