Summary: James and Lily Potter are shadows of Harry's past. Mere echoes. Everyone's favorite characters that aren't really there. But once, they were so full of life and love that it's hard to believe they're gone.  James and Lily have their own story to tell. Discover the true roots of Harry Potter. Go back…to The Beginning.

Disclaimer: I do not own or have any exclusive rights to the Harry Potter world, its characters or its charm. I do however, have a deep love for them…and have chosen to express that love in this story. Hope you enjoy.

The Beginning

By Rebecca

Home

As the trunks and pets were unloaded into charmed wagons and pulleys to begin their annual travel up to the dormitories, the students were ushered toward the enchanted carriages. First years went last. Second years went sixth and so on, so the Seventh years took their rightful place in the lead. At the end of term the previous year, a rumor had circulated that first years would be forced to ride dragons across the haunted lake that separated the station from Hogwarts Castle…at least that's what it had mutated into by the time it went through the Marauders. Much to the first years' delight, they traveled in style, just like everyone else, lead by the giant jolly groundskeeper, Hagrid. James, Sirius, Remus and Lupin crammed into one carriage and began chattering rapidly.

                "James, just give us a hint!" Lupin pleaded.

                "Just tell me the target is Malfoy," Sirius repeated his previous and most desperate wish. Lucius Malfoy was a prefect from Slytherin House, unofficially the darkest of all houses where most bullies and elitists resided. Hated and feared by most underclassmen even as early as their 4th year, Malfoy had a reputation for causing trouble for innocent young Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws and then conveniently leaving behind no evidence to link him to the crime. In fact, just two years prior, he and his chum, Severus Snape had cursed poor Peter, and left him hanging from the Quidditch hoop in the middle of February. He wasn't up there long, but it was long enough for James's fury to rise. He'd snuck into the Slytherin common room the very next night and waited until Malfoy and Snape returned. He slipped a combination confuscious and sleeping potion into each of their bedside water glasses, staying just long enough to make sure they drank it. The next morning, both Snape and Malfoy ran into Professor McGonagall's classroom 20 minutes late…each sporting the latest in lady's fashions for reasons they themselves have yet to figure out. James was found out immediately of course…the potion was traced to his wand. It was then he and Sirius formed the Marauders, perfecting the art of practical jokes for generations to come. In a way, they owed Malfoy a debt for indirectly creating them…but this didn't alter his status as their number one target.

                "I can't believe you're not letting us in on this," Lupin complained.

                "Look gents. We've already got loads planned for this year, ask you well know. Believe me, there's still plenty to do. But this one has got to be me…ok? Trust me. I want you three to laugh just as hard as the rest of 'em will." With that he gave the signature James Potter wink and the conversation was over.

                "Fair enough," Sirius leaned back and crossed his arms, "Even if it's not Malfoy, I can get him myself just as easily.

                "Exactly," James concurred. The group continued to chat and before they knew it, they had reached the school. James looked up at the seemingly endless castle before him, towering into the night sky, momentarily forgetting everything he had left to do. A shiver ran down his spine as he sighed. Even after seven years, nothing quite prepared him for seeing Hogwarts after the summer holidays. He never let on to the Marauders about this. It would ruin his charming, unattached image…but they probably all felt the same way anyway. He gazed at the thousands of lit candles, illuminating the masterful sight through gigantic stained and cut glass windows. He was finally—

Home. Lily thought as her carriage came to a stop. Amos squeezed her hand as she breathed a sigh of relief. She was finally…home.

                Lily, Amos and Moira, all members of different houses had parted ways long ago and joined the single file lines that would spill into their house tables. The students marched into the great hall and took their places, waiting patiently for Professor McGonagall to introduce the first years for their sorting hat ceremony. At the start of every year, first years must be sorted into one of the four houses. Lily still remembered the day she was sorted into Gryffindor. One look at the assembly before her and all she could remember thinking was not Slytherin, not Slytherin…Anything but Slytherin! The magical hat granted her wish and screamed Gryffindor as one fourth of the hall erupted in cheers… that seemed so long ago.

                The first years finally sorted and the feast begun, Lily sat down and began to eat, chatting away with some of the timid new students who had just joined Gryffindor. She glanced a ways down the table at the rest of her house and paused at the sight of three boys, hunched over their meals, deep in conversation. Two of them, her intruders from earlier that day, accompanied by Remus Lupin, the unofficial Gryffindor curse…he always seemed to be sick, causing massive point loss on some days in class. She was about to look away when she realized that one very vital piece of that puzzle was missing…a piece she could definitely do without. Her number one rival…James Potter.

                Lily could hardly stand James, which was odd because rivalries were traditionally reserved between the houses…not within them. There wasn't any blind hatred there, but James just happened to be Hogwarts' best at everything. Charms, summons, potions, even herbology and especially transfiguration. Always one mark ahead of her in every single class. But this wouldn't even bother her if the boy actually worked at it! Lily, having found out in the most shocking way that she was a witch (having spent most of her life as a mere unaware muggle) labored for long hours striving to catch up and prove herself a competent magician. To James, things just came naturally…so naturally that he found plenty of time in-between his study of the arts to play tricks on everyone from Severus Snape to Professor McGonagall! But she would show him. At the end of the feast, Professor Dumbledore would name the year's head Girl and Boy, leaders of the prefects and students in charge of organizing school activities and trips to Hogs Meade. Last year, Lily had finally perfected her own spells and improved her marks well over James who was late to Flitwick's class just one too many times. She was sure to be named…and finally pass up James Potter.

                Just as she was beginning to think James had maybe dropped out in the last year, he appeared. Robe slightly disheveled and crazy black hair flying every which way as usual, the resident Gryffindor hunk finally arrived and took his place by the Marauders, ignoring the stares and awes radiating from nearly every fourth year witch. Lily rolled her eyes.

                "Everything set?" Remus asked, leaning over Peter who was devouring a chicken leg. "You know…for whatever you're planning to do?"

                James adjusted his cap and straightened his tie. "Yup…all ready." He snickered, imagining the look on their faces as Hogwarts Headmaster Professor Dumbledore rose and tapped his golden spoon to his goblet. "May I have your attention?" he called, a charming wave of his hand as the feast disappeared and was replaced by a banquet of deserts. "It is time to announce who will be this year's head girl and head boy."

                James rubbed his palms together, absently listening to Dumbledore as he checked the back of the hall and then his watch and then the hall, then the watch…

                "As you know," the professor continued, "Head girl and boy are chosen by the faculty from the seventh year class as the students who consistently demonstrate high marks, a clear understanding and master of the magical arts, resourcefulness, talent, creativity…and a decided sense of leadership."

                Any minute now, James thought, not really caring who was head boy or girl this year as his knees started to bounce.

                "It is my pleasure to introduce to you, your new head girl and boy," Dumbledore grinned as the hall took a deep breath, "Lily Evans and James Potter!"

                James's head shot up to the front of the hall as the Gryffindor table erupted in applause. Stunned into complete silence as his peers around him shook his hand and slapped him on the back, he looked to Sirius and Remus across the table, doubling over with laughter. Another group, further up the table were surrounding Lily Evans, who was glaring over in his direction…but he didn't notice. James looked at his watch once more and sighed, "Oh bloody hell."

                At that moment, the whole hall was startled by a severe screeching radiating from the hallway. They were coming, and there was nothing James could do about it now. He turned, along with the rest of the students and waited as 100 owls came barreling through the great doors and circled overhead in a masterful work of choreography, swooping and diving above the students, who seemed to think it was just a bit of light entertainment until the owls, as if controlled by a puppeteer's string, converged over the Slytherin table—and dumped several size six cauldron's worth of green bubtober goo directly on top of the seventh year Slytherins…Malfoy and Snape right in the middle.

                "Eeeaaaaaaaaah!" Malfoy shrieked like a girl as they sprang from their chairs and ran from the owl brigade. The hall erupted in laughter and cheers as several Slytherins, dripping and sloshed with green goo followed close behind. Soon after, the owls left, and James sat staring at the dessert in front of him.

                "Masterful plan mate!" Peter whispered as Sirius kicked him under the table, trying desperately to contain his laughter. James managed to raise his eyes to the front of the hall as the excitement subsided and glanced at the teachers. McGonagall was glaring at him…Flitwick, hovering next to her. He looked to Dumbledore who simply sighed as he finished in a loud boisterous voice, "Prefects, lead your houses to the dormitories. And I will speak with the new head boy and girl in my chambers."