Upon their arrival at Hogwarts, James went in to tell Lily that they had
arrived. She was at the end of the chapter she was reading and therefore
finished quickly before putting in a bookmark. He walked out and brought
Lily to the boats, and, watching Vanessa take the fourth space in the boat
with Sirius, Remus, and Peter, James stayed with Lily.
"Sorry, their boat's full," said James, sitting next to Lily. They were followed onto the boat by two familiar boys.
"Hello Severus, Lucius," said Lily, managing a smile. James was confused.
"Hey, you talk to them yet you won't talk to me?" James asked, hurt.
"They don't stalk me like you do! Get out of my boat NOW!" she said, but James wouldn't move. He only saw her face for a minute before being pushed into the watery depths beneath the boats.
Everyone crowded around, and even Lily looked worried. However, a minute later, James popped back up, apparently pushed back into the boat by the giant squid. He looked around and heard lots of clapping, even some from Lily herself. She gave a gorgeous smile before they kept heading for shore.
As they got out of the boat, James finally had gotten some information out of Lily. She was indeed Vanessa's best friend, and a Muggleborn witch. She had a sister Petunia who seemed to hate her as well, and she was more into guy things than girl things. Makeup and hair weren't her priorities, reading and school were. He nodded in agreement as she told him this, and she flashed him yet another smile. She actually seemed to be enjoying herself.
Sooner than he had wished it was time for the Sorting. Going by everything she had told him, she seemed like the type for a Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor as he expected to be placed in. He didn't want to separate from her though for some reason.
Professor McGonagall led the first years through the castle and down the middle of the Great Hall. As she explained what was about to be done to them, many let out sighs of relief. It was common behavior from Hogwarts students to lie and tell incoming first years that the Sorting Ceremony was difficult.
It was then that the Sorting began. Professor McGonagall called each student up alphebetically.
"Abbott, Arthur!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Arthur hurried over to the Hufflepuff table, crossing his fingers.
"Andres, Amanda!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
At this, James noticed, Arthur smiled, and upon Amanda's arrival at the table he understood why—they were best friends.
"Black, Narcissa!"
Sirius' cousin went up to the Hat, bravely yet with a stubborn look on her face.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted after much time. Narcissa, looking relieved, walked over to the Slytherin table just in time before McGonagall called out the next name.
"Black, Sirius!"
Sirius walked up to the hat, almost pleading it to not put him in Slytherin.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius walked to the Gryffindor table happily, saving five more seats by him. The hat continued sorting people then, without many more additions to Gryffindor or Slytherin.
"Bones, Terry!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Bonzer, Amelia!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boot, Matt!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Brahurst, Daphne!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Buson, Bellatrix!"
Sirius' other cousin walked up to the Hat, and the second it touched her head, it shouted out--
"SLYTHERIN!"
Bellatrix gave Sirius a disbelieving 'traitor' look and walked over by Narcissa.
"Candry, Linda!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
There was lots of applause from the Gryffindor table at this, for no one had been added to them recently.
"Caxry, Carly!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Chang, Mang!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Chong, Minnie!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Crabbe, Michael!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Evans, Lily!"
James stared at Lily longingly as she sat on the stool. The hat sat on her head for at least a minute and a half before calling out where she would be.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
James breathed a sigh of relief and watched Lily walk over to the Gryffindor table. Sirius opened up one of the seats he was saving and let Lily sit there. She was opposite Sirius and over a seat.
"Gandry, Ingrid!"
One of the twin Gandry sisters walked up to find out where she'd be.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Gandry, Patricia!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"They must be bloody different," said James to Remus.
"Goyle, Gregory!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Hanker, Amanda!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Langrod, Gretchen!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Longbottom, Frank!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A short stubby boy that looked like a boy version of Lily (a brain) walked over to the Gryffindor table. Sirius, not having saved a seat for him, showed him where to sit. James gave a silent chuckle before the sorting continued.
"Longwood, Alice!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Lupin, Remus!"
Remus walked up to the stool. It muttered something like 'full moon' in his ear, but that was all James heard before the hat shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!" At that, Remus walked over to the table and took the seat on the right of Lily, leaving only the space across from Sirius open.
"Macmillen, Ernie!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Macnair, Scott!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Malfoy, Lucius!"
Lucius walked up to the stool, and as soon as the hat saw him it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" Lucius blushed a bit at the hat's knowledge of who he was before he even put it on but shoook it off.
"Mondra, Jessica!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Pandra, Hannah!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Parkinson, Parker!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Patil, Peng!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Pensird, Petunia!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Perks, Smit!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
James looked at Peter. He never really liked him, he was more of just Remus' friend than his own. However, it was a huge shocker when the hat shouted out "GRYFFINDOR!" James watched Peter walk over to Sirius and the saved seats, taking the one across from Remus. James knew who was next.
"Potter, James!"
James stumbled forward, hoping no one noticed his fear. If he didn't make Gryffindor--
"GRYFFINDOR!"
He was saved. He nearly ran to the Gryffindor table, taking the seat next to Lily, who looked at him, smiled, and pulled back out her book.
"Prewitt, Vanessa!"
Vanessa walked forward, and James saw Sirius cross his fingers. It was a relief when the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, and allowed Vanessa to take the seat opposite Lily, between Peter and Sirius.
"Smith, Danielle!"
The next girl was beautiful, and her last name was frightening. Even though Smith was a common last name, the current Minister of Magic was Michael Smith, and that could be Danielle's father. James still thought Lily was prettier, but Lily looked at the girl, stunned. James and Remus both leaned to Lily at the same time, but Remus reached her first, and James heard what he told her. "Don't worry, you're prettier than anyone." Lily looked at him and gave him the largest smile she could manage and James backed away. He had wanted to tell Lily the same thing, but Remus had told her first. James looked at the hat just in time before it sorted Danielle.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Danielle ran over and took a seat by James. The girl smirked at Lily, kissing James on the cheek, and whispering in his ear, "Hey hot stuff."
James looked at Lily, whose nose had just popped up to watch the next person sorted.
"Snape, Severus!"
James made one last prayer—"Please keep him away from Lily."
"SLYTHERIN!"
No one was happier than James at this pronouncement. Snape walked over to the Slytherin table, slipping on the way.
"Turpin, John!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Wood, Frank!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Xendra, Jeniffer!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Being the last person sorted, McGonagall walked over to the empty seat behind the teachers' table and hit her glass to get silence.
"Professor Dumbledore," she said, as the man, who was clearly over one hundred years of age, stood up and waved to everyone.
"Welcome, welcome, to yet another year at Hogwarts. This is my first year trying the position of Headmaster, as Professor Dippit passed away last year. In honor of his death, we are having a Halloween Ball, one of the touches he always wanted to continue. However, this is only open to couples. Guys also ask the girls, not girls asking the guys."
At this, James looked at Lily, and then looked at Remus, Snape, and even Peter. They all were staring at Lily.
Sirius must have noticed this, as he said, "If looks could kill, poor Lily would be dead by now, with all those pairs of eyes on her." Lily blushed a bit and then went back to looking at Dumbledore.
"Let us now enjoy our magnificent feast!"
As they began to eat, James couldn't stop looking at Lily. He resolved to himself that he would be nice to her no matter what.
That night, a new Gryffindor prefect told them the password.
"The new password is Totalum Nearmun. When you want to get into the common room, just come up to this portrait and say those words and the portrait will open. Like so. Totalum Nearmun"
James watched the portrait open to reveal a red and gold room, with winding stairs on all sides.
"Boys dorms are upstairs on this far stairway to the left, girls, the same on your right. All your belongings should be there already."
James nodded, as did all the new Gryffindor students. When he got upstairs in his dorm, he saw his stuff all on his new four-poster bed, and immediately got to work hanging it up. Soon after James was joined by Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Frank Longbottom, the other new Gryffindor first years. After he completed his work for the night, James fell down and fell asleep.
The following day, James awoke and walked down the stairs to see the five new Gryffindor first year girls already sitting there. He was immediately confronted by Danielle, who seemed to have taken a liking to him. Patricia, one of the Gandry sisters, also seemed to have taken a liking to a Gryffindor—Sirius. James walked back up to his dorm, telling the boys that the girls were already up and ready for their first class, which began in five minutes.
Sirius and Remus got immediately out of bed, used the spell they had taught themselves to get changed in a second into their robes, and ran down the stairs. However, the girls were gone. As Sirius, Remus, and James began walking, they were soon joined by Peter and Frank, who were trailing behind. Peter caught up to his friends, who appeared to have caught up to Lily and Vanessa. Lily was in between James and Remus, and Vanessa was between Remus and Sirius. Peter walked next to Sirius and they arrived at Transfiguration just in time.
"I am Professor McGonagall, and today we shall begin with easy transfiguration, so please open your books to page five. I am aware that one of you students has already done human transfiguration," the class looked at Lily, "but we will not begin that until your late third year or your fourth year here. I must congratulate Miss Evans here first however, for already learning human transfiguration."
Everyone clapped for Lily, who once again was blushing. But no one was blushing more than Snape, who, of course, had been the target of the transfiguration.
"Today we will be learning how to turn paperclips into matchboxes," said Professor McGonagall. "The first two students done will not have to do the homework. Everyone repeat after me—Patchclox!"
"Patchclox!" said each student.
They then all picked up their wands and tried the spell.
"Patchclox!" said James, wand pointed at the paperclip. The paperclip immediately turned into a matchbox, and then he realized he was the second one done—Lily also was done, her matchbox being bigger and more detailed.
"We have our winners. Everyone else practice the spell, I need to talk to Miss Evans and Mr. Potter," said McGonagall, as she stepped outside the room with them.
Once they got outside the door, Professor McGonagall shut the door behind them.
"I do not know how you two got the spell mastered so quickly, however you two are both very talented in this field. Miss Evans, I had expected you to, as you have already done a human transfiguration. What do you think the students' homework should be tonight?" asked McGonagall, and James and Lily both shook their heads.
"You two stay out here and think of their homework, I have to continue teaching, since only two other students have mastered the spell as we were out here," said McGonagall.
"Let me guess who—Sirius and Remus?" asked James, and McGonagall nodded.
"Yes, how did you know that Potter?" she asked, but got no response. "Well, I'd best be back to class. Come in when you have the homework planned for the other students."
As McGonagall left James and Lily to their lonesome outside the classroom, inside a dark, enclosed area, James blushed. He doubted Lily saw this though, as it was dark enough to hide his embarrassment. He had been locked in a room with the person he most wanted to be with but now couldn't speak to her.
Lily spoke first. "Alright, since you know I don't exactly appreciate dark, enclosed spaces, let's just come up with their homework and that'll be it."
James had trouble holding his tounge and what he had been thinking slipped out.
"I wouldn't want to be in here with anyone besides you, Lily."
At this, Lily kicked open the door with power he didn't even know she had. She was just about to walk out when James continued.
"I'm sorry Lily! Please come back in, we'll just come up with the poor students' homework then?"
She looked at him, and with the light outside he figured she had probably seen that he wasn't lying.
"Well, what do you suggest, Mr. Potter?" she asked, closing the door once more.
"I don't know. Should we just conjure paperclips all over and they have to find ten of them and transfigure them into matchboxes tonight then bring them in tomorrow?"
"Good idea. Let's go, I want to get back to my book," said Lily, opening the door once more.
"What book?" James asked.
He didn't want to seem like a busybody, but he had to know. He wanted to find out about Lily and why she had this particular hatred of love.
"Look. I don't feel old enough for a relationship. Stop trying to get me into the same small area as yourself so you think you can have me to yourself!" she said, leaving once more.
"I'm sorry, Lil," he said quietly as Lily stopped.
"What for?" she asked him. Going by the tears that were now running down her face, he knew why she hated relationships and love.
"Your parents are divorced, aren't they?"
Lily looked at him with pleading eyes. "Yes, they are. But please show some respect and keep your mouth shut. I have to go," said Lily, walking out of the door.
There's more than just a divorce there, thought James. There's something else she isn't telling me.
James also walked out of the box, beaten. He had wanted more time alone with Lily. Little did he know he was going to get that chance in his next class.
After Transfiguration, Sirius caught up with James.
"What happened in that box, pal?" Sirius asked. "You look like something horrible happened!"
"I had my chance, and I passed it up. I want to ask her to the ball," James said, and Sirius laughed.
"You know, for a first year, you already are into girls way too much," he said, laughing. "Come on, time for Potions. Fun fun."
Upon their arrival at Potions, he saw a maze in front of him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Guys to the left, girls to the right. Find your way out of the maze to a seat in the room. You will not know who your partner is until they too reach a seat. Don't look for your friends, as you won't be able to reach anyone once you take a seat, then the maze will fall once everyone is here for today," boomed the voice above James. As it turned out, and James figured it out right away, the teacher was attempting to split up friends. As James and Sirius walked in, they found seats quickly. Once the maze fell,they saw who their partners were to be. James was next to Lily, Sirius was next to Vanessa, Remus was by Danielle, and Peter was by one of the Slytherin girls. Even if the class is bloody boring, thought James, at least I am next to Lily for it.
The Professor then came out of the shadows and introduced himself. "I am Professor Camdren," he said. "Today we will learn how to make a Wiggenweld Potion."
As class went by, the teacher made some new changes. Since Lily didn't talk to James, however, they weren't split up in the first round of his new changes. Sirius was now beside Narcissa, his cousin. Remus was now next to Carly Caxry, and Peter was currently getting moved, and Camdren put him next to Vanessa. Danielle began talking to her new partner, and, thinking that she knew him, he split up the to, taking James and moving him next to Danielle, and Lily next to Snape. Danielle now refused to talk however, not wanting to be split up from James, her obvious crush.
James, however, knew her plan. He talked to her uncontrollably before he was moved once more. He was moved, however, not to Lily, as he wished, but now was next to Patricia. That seemed to be all the switching that was to occur—until a Memory Charm was placed upon Professor Camdren and he forgot who was next to who. He told the kids to go back to their seats they were told at the beginning of the class, so James was once again next to Lily.
After James and Lily had accurately made the potion, Lily buried her nose into her book once more.
Up in the dormitory that night, the boys talked about their first day at classes—and who they wanted to go to the ball with.
"Lily," replied James, Remus, and Peter simultaneously. They looked at each other.
"WHAT?" James literally screamed. James, using the spell Lily had taught him earlier in Potions (Petrificus Totalus!) used the full-body bind on Remus and Peter, then left to find Lily. She was sitting in the common room, talking to the other ladies. James, instead of interrupting their conversation, listened intently to them.
"Who do you want to ask you to the ball?" asked Vanessa as an interest topic.
"JAMES POTTER OF COURSE!" Danielle said loudly. James didn't like this—he didn't even remotely like Danielle. However, the girls had continued with the conversation as though this wasn't new information.
"I want Peter to ask me," said Linda calmly. James was shocked at this—the girls never liked Peter.
"Why?" asked Vanessa.
"Well, I know he's the only one that would think of asking me. It's clear who the five boys like, you're just too blind to see it," said Linda in response.
"Then who likes me?" asked Vanessa. That's obvious, he always sits by you, thought James.
"Sirius Black," said Linda, cool and collected. Vanessa flushed. "That's bloody awesome! I like him too, so that'd be great," said Vanessa, smiling now.
"What about you Patricia?" asked Danielle. Patricia shrugged. "Well, I'd like Sirius Black, but since he seems to like Vanessa over there, I don't know," she responded.
"Lily, who do you want to ask you?" Vanessa asked. Lily looked at her with darts in her eyes.
"I don't want to go to this-this ball thing-with anyone! But, since you all are going to go with someone, I guess I'd say yes to Remus, he's a great guy, and possibly- JAMES POTTER!" she screamed. She noticed him standing there.
"JAMES POTTER, YOU ARE DEAD!" screamed Lily, and James ran up to the boys' dorms.
"How much did you hear before she found you?" asked Sirius.
"Ask Vanessa, man. I know you like her. Remus, you go ahead and ask Lily, she said she would say yes to you and then she saw me or felt my presence or something I guess, since she didn't finish her sentence. Peter, Linda said that she'd say yeah to you," said James dejectedly, sitting on his bed.
"What about Danielle?"
"She likes me, clearly, a lot. I don't like her one bloody bit though!" said James loudly, and then saw Sirius, Remus, and Peter had all left. Ten minutes later, they arrived back up in the dorm, smiles on their faces.
"They said yes I guess?" asked James, and they all nodded. He then fell down upon his pillow and fell asleep.
Sooner than expected, it was Halloween night. The night of the ball. The night of truth, for some. The night of hell, for others.
When everyone walked into the Great Hall (where the dance was being held) everyone looked gorgeous. Lily was by far the most beautiful girl there. Even Danielle, who had gotten James to say yes by reminding him that unless he went with her he wouldn't have a date. When he walked through the doors, it was impossible not to spot Lily. She was sitting down at a table, across from Remus. Danielle tugged on James' collar, however, and took him out to the dance floor, before he could even see Lily's face.
Later that night, James walked over towards Lily, hoping to steal one dance. However, she was nowhere to be found. Nor was Remus. James walked outside to find Lily leading Remus to the Whomping Willow tree. Confused, James walked back into the Great Hall, and a good thing too. Lily, after leading Remus to the tree, walked back into the Great Hall, and didn't see James standing right inside the door. At least, James hoped she didn't. As soon as she sat down, she picked up her things and acted as if she was leaving. However, James walked over and grasped her shoulder.
"Hey Lil," he said, smiling broadly at her.
She blushed a bit as he took her hand and brought her onto the dance floor. A slow song came on, so James began to dance with Lily. However, a minute in, Danielle grabbed James' arm and took him to herself. Not a minute later, once James had broken free of Danielle's grip, he spotted Lily dancing with a certain greasy-haired idiot...
"Snape?" he asked quietly, walking over to Lily and her dance partner. "Sorry, but I had been dancing with Miss Beautiful here, until we got rudely interrupted."
"We're taking this outside," said Snape. "Alone," he added, and Lily walked away, looking back at James and Snape almost longingly. James followed Snape outside, where Snape pulled out his wand, asking James if he knew how to duel.
"Of course I do," he said, taking his own wand out from beneath his dress robes. But Snape was too quick. The next thing he remembered, he was waking up in the Hospital Wing, two hours later.
"Where am I?" he asked the nearest person, who happened to be Lily.
"Something happened. You and Severus were both found outside, Severus holding you in his arms as if he thought you were dead," Lily explained. "You're in the hospital wing. What happened?"
"I don't remember. You cared enough to come?"
"I needed to escape Danielle," she said, but Danielle came stomping up anyway.
"You—little-BOY STEALER! You knew James was mine! You little WITCH!"
"I don't take that as an insult, being that that is what I am," said Lily, but there was a loud SMACK!
The sound opened James' eyes. Lily was lying on the floor, clutching her face. "Danielle, did you just smack Lily?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, a huge grin on her face. "Yes you do! Why did you inflict pain upon her?"
"She started it! She's a player, she was with Remus, then you, then Snape! Yet you still are on her side!" exclaimed Danielle. Lily stood up, a visible red hand mark upon her face. She sat down on the chair beside James as James put his hand on her face. Danielle then took out her wand, Levitated Lily out of the room, and then dropped her out the window.
Danielle ran out of the room, blowing a kiss to James upon her departure. A minute later, Lily was brought up to the Hospital wing. James suddenly felt perfectly fine, so he sat next to Lily. When the nurse showed up, she muttered a few words under her breath, and Lily woke up. James hadn't realized it, but his hands were in Lily's the whole time she was lying there.
"James Potter, why are you holding my hands?" she asked him, and he withdrew his hands immediately.
"Sorry," he muttered, blushing.
Surprisingly, Lily also blushed. James smiled at this. She had been blocked from view, so, since he was the only one there, he figured this was the perfect time. He leaned in towards her, but she pushed him away.
"For Christ's sake, we are 11 years old, and yet you still are already trying to kiss me! James, you are a great guy, but you're too young to already want to get kissed. Anyway, I feel fine, Madam Pomfrey works wonders. Want to head back to Gryffindor tower?" she asked. James nodded, but couldn't help feeling upset. He had been so close...
It was one o'clock in the morning by the time they got back into Gryffindor tower. As they bid each other goodnight, James kissed Lily's cheek. "It's friendly, that's all," said James, and Lily smiled. "Good night."
The next month and a half passed so quickly no one even noticed it had passed. The only sign of the changing was the snow covering the grounds of Hogwarts. As soon as the fourth term of the year started, flying lessons would begin for Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Remus hadn't been around lately. Whenever anyone mentioned the moon he had been hiding or cowering, as if he was hiding something from everyone. James finally put all the pieces of the puzzle together and confronted Remus.
"Remus, are you a werewolf?"
Remus looked at him strangely.
"How did you—I mean, what would give you that idea?"
"Everything. The way you act, your fears. Don't worry, it's still your secret. Only us Marauders know!"
"Sure, a secret is very safe within you and Sirius! But yes, I am a werewolf. Go ahead, laugh, abandon me. I'm used to it."
"Remus, old pal, of course not! Don't think your...er...condition will stop us from being your friends!"
"I thought for a minute there that Lily had told you," said Remus quietly.
"Lily knows?"
"You know at the ball, how you suddenly couldn't find either one of us?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, she took me out to where I hide during my transformations. She swore to me she wouldn't tell anyone. She's been the only girl to ever stick by me even with my condition."
"She's great at that."
"At what?"
"Everything," said James, breathless. Sirius and Peter woke up later to realize something.
"It's December 24!"
"Yeah, genius! Tomorrow is Christmas! Frank went home, that's why he's not here."
"Oh," said Peter, feeling stupid.
"I still haven't bought something for Lily," they all said simultaneously.
"Well, it's not easy to buy something for her. All she loves is books, school, and art!" said Peter.
"Yeah, but still...anyone feel up to a Hogsmeade trip?"
"Sure," said James, getting his stuff.
The following day, the crew woke up to a house-elf poking them.
"Miss Vanessa Prewitt would like to wish Sirius Black a Happy Christmas," said the house-elf before disappearing.
James, Sirius, and Remus got out of bed and walked down the stairs. Lily and Vanessa were sitting there.
"PRESENTS!" exclaimed Sirius, diving for the gifts under the tree. Since the four boys, Lily, and Vanessa were the only six in Gryffindor to have stayed behind, they had the common room to themselves.
James grabbed the first gift—from his mum and dad. It was a Silver Arrow, the newest and fastest broomstick. Underneath it was a cloak.
Lily gasped at the sight of the cloak. "THAT'S AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK!" she shouted. She grabbed it out of James' hands then wrapped it around herself. James couldn't find her...until the Christmas tree suddenly sunk and glowed. Lily's arm, wand in hand, was pointing at it. James knew the cloak would be useful.
Lily then made herself visible, grabbing the gift on the top of her pile. It was James' present to her.
James watched her intently as she opened the complete set of Stephen King novels. He knew she loved it by the look on her face.
"Thanks," she managed, then went through each book, noticing that they were thicker than normal. Each one had a 'bookmark' in them. Except it wasn't a normal bookmark. They were pieces of jewlery. EXPENSIVE jewlery.
"James, why did you spend so much money on me?" she asked, and James put his cloak over himself.
"You're worth every penny of it," he whispered in her ear under the cloak, then put the cloak over her too. They walked out of the common room and into the girls' dorms. James leaned in towards Lily, ever so slightly...
She turned away again.
"I told you James, I'm not old enough for this! We're only eleven years old!" she said, but he wouldn't take that for an answer. He tried again. This time, he went a bit faster. But this time, he kissed air. Lily had gotten out from under the cloak and walked back into the common room.
James, upset with himself, walked back into the common room as well. He went through the presents and found Lily's gift to him. Unwrapping it, he found two books. Hogwarts, a History and The Guide To Love in the Magical Community. James saw a note on top of them.
James, you need to read up on history. Young romances never have worked and never will. I won't expose myself to such rubbish at eleven years of age. Later on in life, maybe you'll finally grow up and see that. Read these books. I know you lost your copy of Hogwarts, a History, so that's why I got you that. The other one just read. You'll see where I'm coming from.
Lily
James couldn't help but feel lost. He looked around and saw no one else in the common room. Seeing that it was already nine o'clock and time for breakfast, he went down to the Great Hall.
After they all were fed and watered, James and his friends all went back to the common room to continue opening gifts. Lily and Vanessa came too. James, who had opened the rest of his presents already, just watched Lily.
From Snape, she got a sketchbook with new drawing pencils and a rhinestone necklace.
From Remus, she got a werewolf statue with a letter reading 'thanks'. It was smiling at the moment, but once Remus frowned, so did the statue.
From Sirius, she got yet another book. The Complete Guide to Countercurses of Common Hexes.
"Is this supposed to be a warning?" asked Lily, and Sirius nodded.
"With Snape and us, you never know," said Sirius, smiling.
James, tired of seeing how many boys had sent Lily gifts, went up to the boys' dorms. It was now that he decided that if the only way to get Lily's attention was going to be by playing pranks, he would do that. He was willing to do anything if it meant he would be with Lily. He didn't know why he felt that way, but he did.
Finally, to James liking, the Flying Lessons began. James, Lily, and Sirius all understood on their first tries, and were told to try out for the house Quidditch teams the following year. That year, Quidditch had been cancelled due to Dippit's death.
"What's Quidditch?" asked Lily, honestly confused.
"I'll explain up in the common room," said James, then the three went up to the Gryffindor Common Room. James launched immediately into a long explanation of what Quidditch was, how it was played, and what positions there were. He even had memorized the fouls.
After flying practice, the time went fast. Classes were easy for everyone except Peter, who was still not understanding the lesson from the first day of Transfiguration.
Easter Break approached. Only James and Lily were staying, as everyone else had families that wanted them home. It was then that James found out about Lily's family life.
Being that it was only her and James, they really got to know each other over the Easter holidays. On the final day, James brought up family life, and explained his own.
"Well, my parents are both Aurors, or Dark Wizard catchers. They are some of the best too, so we have a lot of money. What about you?"
"I really don't want to talk about it," said Lily, turning her head.
"I never thanked you for keeping Remus' secret," said James suddenly. "So thanks."
"No problem. It's not my secret to tell."
"Lily, I wouldn't tell anyone! Please?"
He looked at her with the puppy-dog eyes and she finally gave in. She had to explain through tears though.
"My parents divorced when I was two years old. They both are seeing other people and supposedly like me more than my Muggle sister, Petunia. Petunia prettymuch lives at her boyfriend's house, and I get stuck going back between the two homes every other day. My parents are both Muggles too."
James immediately understood why Lily never talked about her home life. It sucked.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"It's not your fault," said Lily.
"I know, but I still can be sorry, can't I?" he asked.
"You have no reason to be sorry," said Lily, standing up. James held her down.
"I won't tell anyone," said James, then let Lily go.
A week later, everyone was back. There was to be an end-of-term non-formal dance. James refused to go to this dance though, and only he knew why. Lily wasn't going, she found it stupid.
Once everyone had left, James waited. Suddenly, Lily showed up, coming down the stairs.
"Why didn't you go with Danielle?" she asked him.
"I don't want to go with anyone except you," he said, blushing.
"I don't want to make you miss this, James. If you want to go then I guess I'll go. Come on," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the Great Hall.
Lucius knew that Snape liked Lily. That was probably why Lucius cursed James.
James had been sitting there, talking to Lily after having danced with her. He suddenly felt like talking about Narcissa, so he babbled on and on about how pretty she was and how much prettier she was than Lily. Lily let go of James and head to the Gryffindor Common Room. As soon as he had let go of her, the curse that had been put upon James wore off, and he left.
He went up and opened the door to the common room to see Lily sitting on the couches. He crept in under the Invisibility Cloak and listened to Lily, writing in her diary.
I wish I didn't look like this! School matters to me, not boys! I couldn't have even danced with Potter or Snape if Remus, the sensible one of the guys after me, hadn't been off in the Whomping Willow on the night of the Halloween Ball. Potter seems to like me even more every day, and it's beginning to creep me out. Severus is sweet but dangerous with a capital D. I don't have time for a love life right now, I'm too into my schooling and am only 11 years old! Why won't the guys just leave me alone?!
I have to go get some sleep. Night.
Lily
James stepped back. He then crept up the stairs to the boys' dorms and fell asleep directly after resolving not to creep Lily out anymore.
The following day was the trip home from Hogwarts. James, upon arrival at the train station, couldn't help but see that two students had disappeared...
"Sorry, their boat's full," said James, sitting next to Lily. They were followed onto the boat by two familiar boys.
"Hello Severus, Lucius," said Lily, managing a smile. James was confused.
"Hey, you talk to them yet you won't talk to me?" James asked, hurt.
"They don't stalk me like you do! Get out of my boat NOW!" she said, but James wouldn't move. He only saw her face for a minute before being pushed into the watery depths beneath the boats.
Everyone crowded around, and even Lily looked worried. However, a minute later, James popped back up, apparently pushed back into the boat by the giant squid. He looked around and heard lots of clapping, even some from Lily herself. She gave a gorgeous smile before they kept heading for shore.
As they got out of the boat, James finally had gotten some information out of Lily. She was indeed Vanessa's best friend, and a Muggleborn witch. She had a sister Petunia who seemed to hate her as well, and she was more into guy things than girl things. Makeup and hair weren't her priorities, reading and school were. He nodded in agreement as she told him this, and she flashed him yet another smile. She actually seemed to be enjoying herself.
Sooner than he had wished it was time for the Sorting. Going by everything she had told him, she seemed like the type for a Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor as he expected to be placed in. He didn't want to separate from her though for some reason.
Professor McGonagall led the first years through the castle and down the middle of the Great Hall. As she explained what was about to be done to them, many let out sighs of relief. It was common behavior from Hogwarts students to lie and tell incoming first years that the Sorting Ceremony was difficult.
It was then that the Sorting began. Professor McGonagall called each student up alphebetically.
"Abbott, Arthur!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Arthur hurried over to the Hufflepuff table, crossing his fingers.
"Andres, Amanda!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
At this, James noticed, Arthur smiled, and upon Amanda's arrival at the table he understood why—they were best friends.
"Black, Narcissa!"
Sirius' cousin went up to the Hat, bravely yet with a stubborn look on her face.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted after much time. Narcissa, looking relieved, walked over to the Slytherin table just in time before McGonagall called out the next name.
"Black, Sirius!"
Sirius walked up to the hat, almost pleading it to not put him in Slytherin.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sirius walked to the Gryffindor table happily, saving five more seats by him. The hat continued sorting people then, without many more additions to Gryffindor or Slytherin.
"Bones, Terry!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Bonzer, Amelia!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Boot, Matt!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Brahurst, Daphne!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Buson, Bellatrix!"
Sirius' other cousin walked up to the Hat, and the second it touched her head, it shouted out--
"SLYTHERIN!"
Bellatrix gave Sirius a disbelieving 'traitor' look and walked over by Narcissa.
"Candry, Linda!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
There was lots of applause from the Gryffindor table at this, for no one had been added to them recently.
"Caxry, Carly!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Chang, Mang!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Chong, Minnie!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Crabbe, Michael!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Evans, Lily!"
James stared at Lily longingly as she sat on the stool. The hat sat on her head for at least a minute and a half before calling out where she would be.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
James breathed a sigh of relief and watched Lily walk over to the Gryffindor table. Sirius opened up one of the seats he was saving and let Lily sit there. She was opposite Sirius and over a seat.
"Gandry, Ingrid!"
One of the twin Gandry sisters walked up to find out where she'd be.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Gandry, Patricia!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"They must be bloody different," said James to Remus.
"Goyle, Gregory!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Hanker, Amanda!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Langrod, Gretchen!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Longbottom, Frank!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A short stubby boy that looked like a boy version of Lily (a brain) walked over to the Gryffindor table. Sirius, not having saved a seat for him, showed him where to sit. James gave a silent chuckle before the sorting continued.
"Longwood, Alice!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Lupin, Remus!"
Remus walked up to the stool. It muttered something like 'full moon' in his ear, but that was all James heard before the hat shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!" At that, Remus walked over to the table and took the seat on the right of Lily, leaving only the space across from Sirius open.
"Macmillen, Ernie!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Macnair, Scott!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Malfoy, Lucius!"
Lucius walked up to the stool, and as soon as the hat saw him it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" Lucius blushed a bit at the hat's knowledge of who he was before he even put it on but shoook it off.
"Mondra, Jessica!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Pandra, Hannah!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Parkinson, Parker!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Patil, Peng!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Pensird, Petunia!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Perks, Smit!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Pettigrew, Peter!"
James looked at Peter. He never really liked him, he was more of just Remus' friend than his own. However, it was a huge shocker when the hat shouted out "GRYFFINDOR!" James watched Peter walk over to Sirius and the saved seats, taking the one across from Remus. James knew who was next.
"Potter, James!"
James stumbled forward, hoping no one noticed his fear. If he didn't make Gryffindor--
"GRYFFINDOR!"
He was saved. He nearly ran to the Gryffindor table, taking the seat next to Lily, who looked at him, smiled, and pulled back out her book.
"Prewitt, Vanessa!"
Vanessa walked forward, and James saw Sirius cross his fingers. It was a relief when the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Sirius smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, and allowed Vanessa to take the seat opposite Lily, between Peter and Sirius.
"Smith, Danielle!"
The next girl was beautiful, and her last name was frightening. Even though Smith was a common last name, the current Minister of Magic was Michael Smith, and that could be Danielle's father. James still thought Lily was prettier, but Lily looked at the girl, stunned. James and Remus both leaned to Lily at the same time, but Remus reached her first, and James heard what he told her. "Don't worry, you're prettier than anyone." Lily looked at him and gave him the largest smile she could manage and James backed away. He had wanted to tell Lily the same thing, but Remus had told her first. James looked at the hat just in time before it sorted Danielle.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Danielle ran over and took a seat by James. The girl smirked at Lily, kissing James on the cheek, and whispering in his ear, "Hey hot stuff."
James looked at Lily, whose nose had just popped up to watch the next person sorted.
"Snape, Severus!"
James made one last prayer—"Please keep him away from Lily."
"SLYTHERIN!"
No one was happier than James at this pronouncement. Snape walked over to the Slytherin table, slipping on the way.
"Turpin, John!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Wood, Frank!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Xendra, Jeniffer!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Being the last person sorted, McGonagall walked over to the empty seat behind the teachers' table and hit her glass to get silence.
"Professor Dumbledore," she said, as the man, who was clearly over one hundred years of age, stood up and waved to everyone.
"Welcome, welcome, to yet another year at Hogwarts. This is my first year trying the position of Headmaster, as Professor Dippit passed away last year. In honor of his death, we are having a Halloween Ball, one of the touches he always wanted to continue. However, this is only open to couples. Guys also ask the girls, not girls asking the guys."
At this, James looked at Lily, and then looked at Remus, Snape, and even Peter. They all were staring at Lily.
Sirius must have noticed this, as he said, "If looks could kill, poor Lily would be dead by now, with all those pairs of eyes on her." Lily blushed a bit and then went back to looking at Dumbledore.
"Let us now enjoy our magnificent feast!"
As they began to eat, James couldn't stop looking at Lily. He resolved to himself that he would be nice to her no matter what.
That night, a new Gryffindor prefect told them the password.
"The new password is Totalum Nearmun. When you want to get into the common room, just come up to this portrait and say those words and the portrait will open. Like so. Totalum Nearmun"
James watched the portrait open to reveal a red and gold room, with winding stairs on all sides.
"Boys dorms are upstairs on this far stairway to the left, girls, the same on your right. All your belongings should be there already."
James nodded, as did all the new Gryffindor students. When he got upstairs in his dorm, he saw his stuff all on his new four-poster bed, and immediately got to work hanging it up. Soon after James was joined by Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Frank Longbottom, the other new Gryffindor first years. After he completed his work for the night, James fell down and fell asleep.
The following day, James awoke and walked down the stairs to see the five new Gryffindor first year girls already sitting there. He was immediately confronted by Danielle, who seemed to have taken a liking to him. Patricia, one of the Gandry sisters, also seemed to have taken a liking to a Gryffindor—Sirius. James walked back up to his dorm, telling the boys that the girls were already up and ready for their first class, which began in five minutes.
Sirius and Remus got immediately out of bed, used the spell they had taught themselves to get changed in a second into their robes, and ran down the stairs. However, the girls were gone. As Sirius, Remus, and James began walking, they were soon joined by Peter and Frank, who were trailing behind. Peter caught up to his friends, who appeared to have caught up to Lily and Vanessa. Lily was in between James and Remus, and Vanessa was between Remus and Sirius. Peter walked next to Sirius and they arrived at Transfiguration just in time.
"I am Professor McGonagall, and today we shall begin with easy transfiguration, so please open your books to page five. I am aware that one of you students has already done human transfiguration," the class looked at Lily, "but we will not begin that until your late third year or your fourth year here. I must congratulate Miss Evans here first however, for already learning human transfiguration."
Everyone clapped for Lily, who once again was blushing. But no one was blushing more than Snape, who, of course, had been the target of the transfiguration.
"Today we will be learning how to turn paperclips into matchboxes," said Professor McGonagall. "The first two students done will not have to do the homework. Everyone repeat after me—Patchclox!"
"Patchclox!" said each student.
They then all picked up their wands and tried the spell.
"Patchclox!" said James, wand pointed at the paperclip. The paperclip immediately turned into a matchbox, and then he realized he was the second one done—Lily also was done, her matchbox being bigger and more detailed.
"We have our winners. Everyone else practice the spell, I need to talk to Miss Evans and Mr. Potter," said McGonagall, as she stepped outside the room with them.
Once they got outside the door, Professor McGonagall shut the door behind them.
"I do not know how you two got the spell mastered so quickly, however you two are both very talented in this field. Miss Evans, I had expected you to, as you have already done a human transfiguration. What do you think the students' homework should be tonight?" asked McGonagall, and James and Lily both shook their heads.
"You two stay out here and think of their homework, I have to continue teaching, since only two other students have mastered the spell as we were out here," said McGonagall.
"Let me guess who—Sirius and Remus?" asked James, and McGonagall nodded.
"Yes, how did you know that Potter?" she asked, but got no response. "Well, I'd best be back to class. Come in when you have the homework planned for the other students."
As McGonagall left James and Lily to their lonesome outside the classroom, inside a dark, enclosed area, James blushed. He doubted Lily saw this though, as it was dark enough to hide his embarrassment. He had been locked in a room with the person he most wanted to be with but now couldn't speak to her.
Lily spoke first. "Alright, since you know I don't exactly appreciate dark, enclosed spaces, let's just come up with their homework and that'll be it."
James had trouble holding his tounge and what he had been thinking slipped out.
"I wouldn't want to be in here with anyone besides you, Lily."
At this, Lily kicked open the door with power he didn't even know she had. She was just about to walk out when James continued.
"I'm sorry Lily! Please come back in, we'll just come up with the poor students' homework then?"
She looked at him, and with the light outside he figured she had probably seen that he wasn't lying.
"Well, what do you suggest, Mr. Potter?" she asked, closing the door once more.
"I don't know. Should we just conjure paperclips all over and they have to find ten of them and transfigure them into matchboxes tonight then bring them in tomorrow?"
"Good idea. Let's go, I want to get back to my book," said Lily, opening the door once more.
"What book?" James asked.
He didn't want to seem like a busybody, but he had to know. He wanted to find out about Lily and why she had this particular hatred of love.
"Look. I don't feel old enough for a relationship. Stop trying to get me into the same small area as yourself so you think you can have me to yourself!" she said, leaving once more.
"I'm sorry, Lil," he said quietly as Lily stopped.
"What for?" she asked him. Going by the tears that were now running down her face, he knew why she hated relationships and love.
"Your parents are divorced, aren't they?"
Lily looked at him with pleading eyes. "Yes, they are. But please show some respect and keep your mouth shut. I have to go," said Lily, walking out of the door.
There's more than just a divorce there, thought James. There's something else she isn't telling me.
James also walked out of the box, beaten. He had wanted more time alone with Lily. Little did he know he was going to get that chance in his next class.
After Transfiguration, Sirius caught up with James.
"What happened in that box, pal?" Sirius asked. "You look like something horrible happened!"
"I had my chance, and I passed it up. I want to ask her to the ball," James said, and Sirius laughed.
"You know, for a first year, you already are into girls way too much," he said, laughing. "Come on, time for Potions. Fun fun."
Upon their arrival at Potions, he saw a maze in front of him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Guys to the left, girls to the right. Find your way out of the maze to a seat in the room. You will not know who your partner is until they too reach a seat. Don't look for your friends, as you won't be able to reach anyone once you take a seat, then the maze will fall once everyone is here for today," boomed the voice above James. As it turned out, and James figured it out right away, the teacher was attempting to split up friends. As James and Sirius walked in, they found seats quickly. Once the maze fell,they saw who their partners were to be. James was next to Lily, Sirius was next to Vanessa, Remus was by Danielle, and Peter was by one of the Slytherin girls. Even if the class is bloody boring, thought James, at least I am next to Lily for it.
The Professor then came out of the shadows and introduced himself. "I am Professor Camdren," he said. "Today we will learn how to make a Wiggenweld Potion."
As class went by, the teacher made some new changes. Since Lily didn't talk to James, however, they weren't split up in the first round of his new changes. Sirius was now beside Narcissa, his cousin. Remus was now next to Carly Caxry, and Peter was currently getting moved, and Camdren put him next to Vanessa. Danielle began talking to her new partner, and, thinking that she knew him, he split up the to, taking James and moving him next to Danielle, and Lily next to Snape. Danielle now refused to talk however, not wanting to be split up from James, her obvious crush.
James, however, knew her plan. He talked to her uncontrollably before he was moved once more. He was moved, however, not to Lily, as he wished, but now was next to Patricia. That seemed to be all the switching that was to occur—until a Memory Charm was placed upon Professor Camdren and he forgot who was next to who. He told the kids to go back to their seats they were told at the beginning of the class, so James was once again next to Lily.
After James and Lily had accurately made the potion, Lily buried her nose into her book once more.
Up in the dormitory that night, the boys talked about their first day at classes—and who they wanted to go to the ball with.
"Lily," replied James, Remus, and Peter simultaneously. They looked at each other.
"WHAT?" James literally screamed. James, using the spell Lily had taught him earlier in Potions (Petrificus Totalus!) used the full-body bind on Remus and Peter, then left to find Lily. She was sitting in the common room, talking to the other ladies. James, instead of interrupting their conversation, listened intently to them.
"Who do you want to ask you to the ball?" asked Vanessa as an interest topic.
"JAMES POTTER OF COURSE!" Danielle said loudly. James didn't like this—he didn't even remotely like Danielle. However, the girls had continued with the conversation as though this wasn't new information.
"I want Peter to ask me," said Linda calmly. James was shocked at this—the girls never liked Peter.
"Why?" asked Vanessa.
"Well, I know he's the only one that would think of asking me. It's clear who the five boys like, you're just too blind to see it," said Linda in response.
"Then who likes me?" asked Vanessa. That's obvious, he always sits by you, thought James.
"Sirius Black," said Linda, cool and collected. Vanessa flushed. "That's bloody awesome! I like him too, so that'd be great," said Vanessa, smiling now.
"What about you Patricia?" asked Danielle. Patricia shrugged. "Well, I'd like Sirius Black, but since he seems to like Vanessa over there, I don't know," she responded.
"Lily, who do you want to ask you?" Vanessa asked. Lily looked at her with darts in her eyes.
"I don't want to go to this-this ball thing-with anyone! But, since you all are going to go with someone, I guess I'd say yes to Remus, he's a great guy, and possibly- JAMES POTTER!" she screamed. She noticed him standing there.
"JAMES POTTER, YOU ARE DEAD!" screamed Lily, and James ran up to the boys' dorms.
"How much did you hear before she found you?" asked Sirius.
"Ask Vanessa, man. I know you like her. Remus, you go ahead and ask Lily, she said she would say yes to you and then she saw me or felt my presence or something I guess, since she didn't finish her sentence. Peter, Linda said that she'd say yeah to you," said James dejectedly, sitting on his bed.
"What about Danielle?"
"She likes me, clearly, a lot. I don't like her one bloody bit though!" said James loudly, and then saw Sirius, Remus, and Peter had all left. Ten minutes later, they arrived back up in the dorm, smiles on their faces.
"They said yes I guess?" asked James, and they all nodded. He then fell down upon his pillow and fell asleep.
Sooner than expected, it was Halloween night. The night of the ball. The night of truth, for some. The night of hell, for others.
When everyone walked into the Great Hall (where the dance was being held) everyone looked gorgeous. Lily was by far the most beautiful girl there. Even Danielle, who had gotten James to say yes by reminding him that unless he went with her he wouldn't have a date. When he walked through the doors, it was impossible not to spot Lily. She was sitting down at a table, across from Remus. Danielle tugged on James' collar, however, and took him out to the dance floor, before he could even see Lily's face.
Later that night, James walked over towards Lily, hoping to steal one dance. However, she was nowhere to be found. Nor was Remus. James walked outside to find Lily leading Remus to the Whomping Willow tree. Confused, James walked back into the Great Hall, and a good thing too. Lily, after leading Remus to the tree, walked back into the Great Hall, and didn't see James standing right inside the door. At least, James hoped she didn't. As soon as she sat down, she picked up her things and acted as if she was leaving. However, James walked over and grasped her shoulder.
"Hey Lil," he said, smiling broadly at her.
She blushed a bit as he took her hand and brought her onto the dance floor. A slow song came on, so James began to dance with Lily. However, a minute in, Danielle grabbed James' arm and took him to herself. Not a minute later, once James had broken free of Danielle's grip, he spotted Lily dancing with a certain greasy-haired idiot...
"Snape?" he asked quietly, walking over to Lily and her dance partner. "Sorry, but I had been dancing with Miss Beautiful here, until we got rudely interrupted."
"We're taking this outside," said Snape. "Alone," he added, and Lily walked away, looking back at James and Snape almost longingly. James followed Snape outside, where Snape pulled out his wand, asking James if he knew how to duel.
"Of course I do," he said, taking his own wand out from beneath his dress robes. But Snape was too quick. The next thing he remembered, he was waking up in the Hospital Wing, two hours later.
"Where am I?" he asked the nearest person, who happened to be Lily.
"Something happened. You and Severus were both found outside, Severus holding you in his arms as if he thought you were dead," Lily explained. "You're in the hospital wing. What happened?"
"I don't remember. You cared enough to come?"
"I needed to escape Danielle," she said, but Danielle came stomping up anyway.
"You—little-BOY STEALER! You knew James was mine! You little WITCH!"
"I don't take that as an insult, being that that is what I am," said Lily, but there was a loud SMACK!
The sound opened James' eyes. Lily was lying on the floor, clutching her face. "Danielle, did you just smack Lily?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, a huge grin on her face. "Yes you do! Why did you inflict pain upon her?"
"She started it! She's a player, she was with Remus, then you, then Snape! Yet you still are on her side!" exclaimed Danielle. Lily stood up, a visible red hand mark upon her face. She sat down on the chair beside James as James put his hand on her face. Danielle then took out her wand, Levitated Lily out of the room, and then dropped her out the window.
Danielle ran out of the room, blowing a kiss to James upon her departure. A minute later, Lily was brought up to the Hospital wing. James suddenly felt perfectly fine, so he sat next to Lily. When the nurse showed up, she muttered a few words under her breath, and Lily woke up. James hadn't realized it, but his hands were in Lily's the whole time she was lying there.
"James Potter, why are you holding my hands?" she asked him, and he withdrew his hands immediately.
"Sorry," he muttered, blushing.
Surprisingly, Lily also blushed. James smiled at this. She had been blocked from view, so, since he was the only one there, he figured this was the perfect time. He leaned in towards her, but she pushed him away.
"For Christ's sake, we are 11 years old, and yet you still are already trying to kiss me! James, you are a great guy, but you're too young to already want to get kissed. Anyway, I feel fine, Madam Pomfrey works wonders. Want to head back to Gryffindor tower?" she asked. James nodded, but couldn't help feeling upset. He had been so close...
It was one o'clock in the morning by the time they got back into Gryffindor tower. As they bid each other goodnight, James kissed Lily's cheek. "It's friendly, that's all," said James, and Lily smiled. "Good night."
The next month and a half passed so quickly no one even noticed it had passed. The only sign of the changing was the snow covering the grounds of Hogwarts. As soon as the fourth term of the year started, flying lessons would begin for Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Remus hadn't been around lately. Whenever anyone mentioned the moon he had been hiding or cowering, as if he was hiding something from everyone. James finally put all the pieces of the puzzle together and confronted Remus.
"Remus, are you a werewolf?"
Remus looked at him strangely.
"How did you—I mean, what would give you that idea?"
"Everything. The way you act, your fears. Don't worry, it's still your secret. Only us Marauders know!"
"Sure, a secret is very safe within you and Sirius! But yes, I am a werewolf. Go ahead, laugh, abandon me. I'm used to it."
"Remus, old pal, of course not! Don't think your...er...condition will stop us from being your friends!"
"I thought for a minute there that Lily had told you," said Remus quietly.
"Lily knows?"
"You know at the ball, how you suddenly couldn't find either one of us?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, she took me out to where I hide during my transformations. She swore to me she wouldn't tell anyone. She's been the only girl to ever stick by me even with my condition."
"She's great at that."
"At what?"
"Everything," said James, breathless. Sirius and Peter woke up later to realize something.
"It's December 24!"
"Yeah, genius! Tomorrow is Christmas! Frank went home, that's why he's not here."
"Oh," said Peter, feeling stupid.
"I still haven't bought something for Lily," they all said simultaneously.
"Well, it's not easy to buy something for her. All she loves is books, school, and art!" said Peter.
"Yeah, but still...anyone feel up to a Hogsmeade trip?"
"Sure," said James, getting his stuff.
The following day, the crew woke up to a house-elf poking them.
"Miss Vanessa Prewitt would like to wish Sirius Black a Happy Christmas," said the house-elf before disappearing.
James, Sirius, and Remus got out of bed and walked down the stairs. Lily and Vanessa were sitting there.
"PRESENTS!" exclaimed Sirius, diving for the gifts under the tree. Since the four boys, Lily, and Vanessa were the only six in Gryffindor to have stayed behind, they had the common room to themselves.
James grabbed the first gift—from his mum and dad. It was a Silver Arrow, the newest and fastest broomstick. Underneath it was a cloak.
Lily gasped at the sight of the cloak. "THAT'S AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK!" she shouted. She grabbed it out of James' hands then wrapped it around herself. James couldn't find her...until the Christmas tree suddenly sunk and glowed. Lily's arm, wand in hand, was pointing at it. James knew the cloak would be useful.
Lily then made herself visible, grabbing the gift on the top of her pile. It was James' present to her.
James watched her intently as she opened the complete set of Stephen King novels. He knew she loved it by the look on her face.
"Thanks," she managed, then went through each book, noticing that they were thicker than normal. Each one had a 'bookmark' in them. Except it wasn't a normal bookmark. They were pieces of jewlery. EXPENSIVE jewlery.
"James, why did you spend so much money on me?" she asked, and James put his cloak over himself.
"You're worth every penny of it," he whispered in her ear under the cloak, then put the cloak over her too. They walked out of the common room and into the girls' dorms. James leaned in towards Lily, ever so slightly...
She turned away again.
"I told you James, I'm not old enough for this! We're only eleven years old!" she said, but he wouldn't take that for an answer. He tried again. This time, he went a bit faster. But this time, he kissed air. Lily had gotten out from under the cloak and walked back into the common room.
James, upset with himself, walked back into the common room as well. He went through the presents and found Lily's gift to him. Unwrapping it, he found two books. Hogwarts, a History and The Guide To Love in the Magical Community. James saw a note on top of them.
James, you need to read up on history. Young romances never have worked and never will. I won't expose myself to such rubbish at eleven years of age. Later on in life, maybe you'll finally grow up and see that. Read these books. I know you lost your copy of Hogwarts, a History, so that's why I got you that. The other one just read. You'll see where I'm coming from.
Lily
James couldn't help but feel lost. He looked around and saw no one else in the common room. Seeing that it was already nine o'clock and time for breakfast, he went down to the Great Hall.
After they all were fed and watered, James and his friends all went back to the common room to continue opening gifts. Lily and Vanessa came too. James, who had opened the rest of his presents already, just watched Lily.
From Snape, she got a sketchbook with new drawing pencils and a rhinestone necklace.
From Remus, she got a werewolf statue with a letter reading 'thanks'. It was smiling at the moment, but once Remus frowned, so did the statue.
From Sirius, she got yet another book. The Complete Guide to Countercurses of Common Hexes.
"Is this supposed to be a warning?" asked Lily, and Sirius nodded.
"With Snape and us, you never know," said Sirius, smiling.
James, tired of seeing how many boys had sent Lily gifts, went up to the boys' dorms. It was now that he decided that if the only way to get Lily's attention was going to be by playing pranks, he would do that. He was willing to do anything if it meant he would be with Lily. He didn't know why he felt that way, but he did.
Finally, to James liking, the Flying Lessons began. James, Lily, and Sirius all understood on their first tries, and were told to try out for the house Quidditch teams the following year. That year, Quidditch had been cancelled due to Dippit's death.
"What's Quidditch?" asked Lily, honestly confused.
"I'll explain up in the common room," said James, then the three went up to the Gryffindor Common Room. James launched immediately into a long explanation of what Quidditch was, how it was played, and what positions there were. He even had memorized the fouls.
After flying practice, the time went fast. Classes were easy for everyone except Peter, who was still not understanding the lesson from the first day of Transfiguration.
Easter Break approached. Only James and Lily were staying, as everyone else had families that wanted them home. It was then that James found out about Lily's family life.
Being that it was only her and James, they really got to know each other over the Easter holidays. On the final day, James brought up family life, and explained his own.
"Well, my parents are both Aurors, or Dark Wizard catchers. They are some of the best too, so we have a lot of money. What about you?"
"I really don't want to talk about it," said Lily, turning her head.
"I never thanked you for keeping Remus' secret," said James suddenly. "So thanks."
"No problem. It's not my secret to tell."
"Lily, I wouldn't tell anyone! Please?"
He looked at her with the puppy-dog eyes and she finally gave in. She had to explain through tears though.
"My parents divorced when I was two years old. They both are seeing other people and supposedly like me more than my Muggle sister, Petunia. Petunia prettymuch lives at her boyfriend's house, and I get stuck going back between the two homes every other day. My parents are both Muggles too."
James immediately understood why Lily never talked about her home life. It sucked.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"It's not your fault," said Lily.
"I know, but I still can be sorry, can't I?" he asked.
"You have no reason to be sorry," said Lily, standing up. James held her down.
"I won't tell anyone," said James, then let Lily go.
A week later, everyone was back. There was to be an end-of-term non-formal dance. James refused to go to this dance though, and only he knew why. Lily wasn't going, she found it stupid.
Once everyone had left, James waited. Suddenly, Lily showed up, coming down the stairs.
"Why didn't you go with Danielle?" she asked him.
"I don't want to go with anyone except you," he said, blushing.
"I don't want to make you miss this, James. If you want to go then I guess I'll go. Come on," she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the Great Hall.
Lucius knew that Snape liked Lily. That was probably why Lucius cursed James.
James had been sitting there, talking to Lily after having danced with her. He suddenly felt like talking about Narcissa, so he babbled on and on about how pretty she was and how much prettier she was than Lily. Lily let go of James and head to the Gryffindor Common Room. As soon as he had let go of her, the curse that had been put upon James wore off, and he left.
He went up and opened the door to the common room to see Lily sitting on the couches. He crept in under the Invisibility Cloak and listened to Lily, writing in her diary.
I wish I didn't look like this! School matters to me, not boys! I couldn't have even danced with Potter or Snape if Remus, the sensible one of the guys after me, hadn't been off in the Whomping Willow on the night of the Halloween Ball. Potter seems to like me even more every day, and it's beginning to creep me out. Severus is sweet but dangerous with a capital D. I don't have time for a love life right now, I'm too into my schooling and am only 11 years old! Why won't the guys just leave me alone?!
I have to go get some sleep. Night.
Lily
James stepped back. He then crept up the stairs to the boys' dorms and fell asleep directly after resolving not to creep Lily out anymore.
The following day was the trip home from Hogwarts. James, upon arrival at the train station, couldn't help but see that two students had disappeared...