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

Dreams and Indecision

Lily tried to scream, but no sound could escape from within. This was surely it. The spider would consume her this time. She braced herself against the cold howling wind and shut her eyes. And then she heard it. A grunt and a gallop behind her. Lily turned, just in time to see him ride past her, mounted atop the white stag...It was James. He extended his hand.

She reached as he pulled her up in front of him. "It's ok, Lily," he whispered in her ear. "I won't let him hurt you."

Lily cried out in shock as she literally sprung awake, sweating and panting just as she had that awful night. The connection between the stag and James no longer a mere suggestion. He was in the dreams now...as if he'd always been. She shook her head violently and she reached for the wash basin, splashing cold water on her face.

She wasn't quite desperate enough to visit Madame Rosmerta and have her palms read and tea leaves analyzed…but she couldn't help draw the connection…and she couldn't make the dreams stop. Her best chance was to ignore them…and spend more guilty lunches and picnics with Amos.

- - - - - - - - --- - - -

The next few days went pretty much the same as the night before. Lily went to classes, ate lunch with Amos and Moira, did her homework in the library and met James in the common room at dusk. They had learned to relax around each other once more, carefully planning every detail about the ball. And save for a few complaints whenever Lily shot down a ridiculous idea of his, James was actually beginning to enjoy the whole head boy concept. Lily sure had a knack for designing and charming decorations. And James definitely had wicked taste in music. This could be a fun evening after all…even without pranks. They announced their decisions to the prefects who in turn relayed various rules and regulations to their houses.

The second trip to Hogs Meade was coming soon and Lily couldn't wait to get away from Hogwarts, having missed the last trip completely. She and Moira were going shopping for dress robes and Amos would be meeting them at the three broomsticks…when he was finished ordering his brand new Omega 2000 for the upcoming Ravenclaw/Slytherin game.

James was also looking forward to a day and night without Lily Evans clouding his senses. He was getting entirely too attached to the green-eyed beauty. He needed a day with his Marauders…and a night of severe mischief. Lupin was ill again.

- - - - - - - - - ---- -

"It was hysterical! I'm sitting there, hiding, trying not to get in trouble, and he's sitting there playing exploding snap!"

"With the Hogwarts kitchen elves?" Moira laughed.

"Exactly! Can you even imagine?"

Moira smiled. She'd never seen her friend so loose and carefree. Lily still had an Arithmancy report due next week and she was sitting in a carriage, headed for Hogs Meade. Moira of course, knew exactly who had affected this change, but she didn't dare bring it up.

"So what's in store for tonight? And tell me you've been hanging out with…the rest of the gang?" she added hopefully.

Lily grinned, "Meaning Sirius Black?" Moira blushed. "Occasionally. And nothing, to answer your first question. He said he was busy tonight." Lily struggled to hide her disappointment, but Moira wasn't fooled. She had spent the past week torn between the uneasiness she felt around him…and how comfortable she was at the same time. And of course, underlying it all were the lunches and dates with Amos that were growing more and more…obligatory.

"Well I'm glad," Moira patted her knee. "We haven't spent the day together in quite a while."

The carriage stopped as Lily offered her arm and Moira hitched on. "I couldn't agree more, Moira my dear. Shall we?"

"We shall!" she joined in the mockery and headed down the street.

Hogs Meade was truly beautiful in mid-November. It was a might chilly out, but the reds oranges and yellows in the trees radiated a warmth down on the stone walkways between dozens of happy shops. Lily sighed, looking up at those trees and thought fondly and quite suddenly of her parents. Her father had always said her hair was like the Autumn…how much she still missed them both. Taken from her tragically the previous winter after their car swerved on the city streets of London, Lily usually tried to stop herself from wondering why they'd been taken away from her…it was one of the few reasons she really believed she loved Amos. A twinge of guilt pinched her stomach as she thought of that day in the library. He'd been right there, studying at the next table, when the owl came through the window and she completely broke down. He'd not only saved her from enduring the shock alone, he'd given her an escape…a reason to keep going. Hope that she wouldn't be made to return to Petunia when school was through. A smile touched her lips, as Moira chattered on about the ball and the holidays, and she thought of Amos Diggory's kindness. His heart. His—

"Lily!"

The girl jumped back in surprise as she nearly walked right into a tall crazy-haired athlete, armfuls of packages, jugs and bags mounded into his big hands. He peered over the top of his cargo and laughed. "James!" she said.

James crouched down and set his purchases on the ground as Lily noticed he wasn't alone. Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black flanked him, equally weighted down with massive quantities of boxes and bags.

Lily could almost feel Moira shrink behind her as Sirius grinned, "Afternoon ladies!"

"What's all of this?" Lily's hands came to her hips.

Peter stepped forward, "Can you believe they're closing the Prop Shop? After only a month?"

"Making way for some store called Zonko's," Sirius added.

Lily raised an eyebrow still looking at James who shrugged and said, "There was a sale."

She smirked and shook her head, "Just as long as this-"

"Doesn't end up at the ball, I know," he held his hands up in mock surrender.

Sirius set his own stuff down and clasped his hands down on James' shoulders. "You've got our boy here pretty tamed this year, Evans. What's your secret?"

She shrugged, "No secret. James and I made a deal didn't we?"

James nodded, "Yeah and wait till you see what she did to your broom, Padfoot!"

"I didn't do a thing!"

"Why do you…" a squeak came from behind Lily. Moira turned bright red, realizing that curiosity had got the better of her. "Sorry, I was just wondering…why they call you Padfoot?" she finished, clearing her throat.

Lily smiled, clasping her wrist as she nudged her forward, "I'm sorry, Peter, Sirius. You know my friend Moira right?"

"Course!" Peter playfully punched her arm.

"Our honorary Gryffindor," Sirius smiled, "but uh…unfortunately I'm afraid I can't answer that." He winked at the black-haired witch who was beginning to feel smaller and smaller.

"Don't take it personally, Moira. They won't tell me either." Lily looked at her friend who was busy fidgeting. She had to hand it to Sirius. In the 6 years she'd known Moira, he was the only one who could render her silent! She decided it was time to go.

"Well we're off!" Lily grabbed her friend's hand and turned.

"Aww, can't we come?" James pouted.

"Sure! You can help us pick out dress robes for the ball."

Peter stuck out his tongue as Sirius chuckled. "Ick. Well then, you ladies have fun," James backed away and sped off with the Marauders.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Moira let out a massive sigh, as if she'd been holding her breath the entire time. "Oh Lily. Thank you!"

Lily laughed, "For forcing you to make contact? Or for retreating just now?"

Moira paused for a moment and then answered, "Um…both I suspect." She added in a whisper, "He recognized me!"

She smiled again, "Come on. Shopping time."

Moira, sullen again, looked behind her as the image of Sirius and his friends started to fade. "Oh what does it matter? It isn't as if I have a date or anything."

Lily froze in midstep and gaped at her friend. "You told me you were going with Oscar! Your Hufflepuff keeper?"

But her friend looked down, "I thought so too. But his brother is visiting for the holidays, so he decided to go home instead."

"Oh luv, why didn't you tell me?!"

She merely shrugged, "I just found out two days ago…and I didn't want to ruin your good mood, Lil. You've been so happy lately."

Lily lowered her eyes and didn't answer. Here she'd been walking and thinking of Amos. James shows up…and good-bye Diggory. Moira, reading her mind, touched her arm, "It's ok to admit it, Lily. He's a good guy."

Lily looked up, "Admit what?"

"That you've…" she checked herself, "enjoyed spending time with James."

She gulped. She wanted so much to tell Moira what had been boiling up inside of her. But she thought the better of it and changed the subject, "Well, let's worry about me another day, hmm? And from now on," she playfully shoved, "you tell me things when they happen!"

Moira laughed, "Ok ok."

"All right. We need to get us some dresses, and you a date!"

She rolled her eyes and joked, "Well, I'm fine going alone…But you're welcome to ask Sirius for me!"

Lily just smiled wickedly…she fully intended to.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

James fought the urge to look back at the red-head bouncing towards the dress shops. So much for "looking forward to a day without Lily Evans." He'd nearly considered skipping along to help them shop…course he'd never hear the end of it from Sirius.

"You know, Prongs," Peter said, "this ball thing is getting close and none of us even have dates yet."

James huffed, "Well go ask Moira already. You've been drooling all over her."

Sirius half-chuckled, half-glared, "Oh don't do that to the poor girl, James. No offense, Wormtail." Peter just sneered.

"Well, I'm just goin' alone," James said, quietly.

"What?" Sirius snapped, "You've got girls falling all over you, Potter!"

But he shrugged.

"Yeah, and don't you have to open the dance?"

Again, a shrug. Sirius had a fairly good idea why, but James Potter was going stag to his 7th year winter ball? The irony of that particular statement notwithstanding, Sirius Black decided that something needed to be done.