Dragongurl4- Hey you!  When are you going to start posting, huh?! ~_^

SexxySiriusBlackChick5- Thanks a lot!  I really appreciate it!

moonlightgirl*ChoChang- Hey you!  Nikki got into Gryffindor because she told the Sorting Hat she didn't want to be in Slytherin, just like Harry.  She wants to be with James, of course!  And I suppose she didn't want James to think less of her, being in Slytherin.  Of course Sirius doesn't care which house a girl is in.  Thanks for reviewing!

BlackLupin- I'm sorry!  I didn't mean for it to be unrealistic or anything… well, I guess people can go a little crazy when they get too envious or something… sorry about the whole Caitlin thing, but you know Sirius- he doesn't linger on a girl for more than one week (except for Caitlin) and she scared him so he ran away from his fear.  (And he's in Gryffindor?!?!  I thought he was supposed to be the brave one!)

The Dementor()- Thanks for reviewing!

To Be Young Again

Chapter 18: Guys- Old and New

Lily Evans stepped off the train.  She had gotten Caitlin's telephone number (Caitlin was also Muggle-born) and promised to call her as soon as she could.

            "I will, Cait!  Bye!" she waved as Caitlin left with her parents, chatting animatedly.

            "Hey, Bella, keep an eye on Jane for me, okay?" Lily winked.  "She just doesn't seem herself, that's all."

            "I will." Arabella smiled.  Jane lived down the street from her in a strictly Wizarding neighborhood.  "Take care, Lils."

            "Alright.  See ya!"

Lily spotted her parents and Petunia, who was scowling.  Her parents' faces were glowing and they were smiling, welcoming their youngest daughter with open arms.

            "Mum!  Dad!" Lily ran to them and dropped her luggage, engulfed in her mother's embrace.  Her father ruffled her hair.

            "Hey, Tiger Lily," he said.  Lily hugged the life out of him, too.  But one thing was out of place.  Petunia stood next to the hugging family, arms crossed.  Thankfully no one was beginning to stare.  Lily turned to her older sister.

            "Hello, Petunia," Lily said stiffly.  "Good to see you."

            "Mind you, I wouldn't have come if they hadn't dragged me along," Petunia hissed, jerking her head toward Mark and Claire Evans.  Her mother and father didn't hear.  They were too busy looking at all the… different people and surroundings.

            "So this is the Wizarding World," said Mark Evans.  "Amazing."

            "Come, dear, let's go home," Claire suggested to her husband.  "I'm sure Lily's dying to be back home again, aren't you, sweetheart?" she looked at Lily.

Lily nodded.  She climbed into the car with her parents after throwing her suitcase into the trunk.

            "Petunia, let's go," Lily told her sister.  Petunia remained where she was.  She would never take orders from someone younger than her, especially if that person was a freak like her sister.

            "Petunia Michelle Evans, get in the car," her father ordered.  Grumbling, Petunia climbed into the car and shut the door.

*

As they pulled into the Evans mansion driveway, Lily noticed a blue pickup trick parked in it.

            "Mother," she asked, pointing, "Who does that truck belong to?"

Petunia smiled for the first time that day.  "You'll see," she said smugly.  Before the car had even stopped, Petunia opened the door and jumped out.  She fumbled for a key in her purse, and unlocked the great doors.  Lily mimicked her and jumped out as soon as her father hit the brakes.

            "Vernon, I'm home!" Petunia called.  Vernon? Lily thought. 

            "Petunia!" a big, beefy man with a rather large mustache appeared out of the hallway.  He kissed Petunia.  Oh gosh, Lily thought.  I think I'm going to be sick.

            "Petunia, have you introduced Lily?" Claire asked, much like… well, like a mother.

            "This is Lily.  This is Vernon," Petunia mumbled, bored.

Claire glared at her firstborn.  "Lily, dear, this is Vernon Dursley.  Petunia's boyfriend.  I trust you will make his stay welcome," she told her younger child. 

            "Of course, Mother," Lily said with sincerity.  (A/N: Okay, maybe I should explain something.  Lily doesn't hate Petunia.  Not as much as Petunia hates Lily, anyway.  Petunia is jealous; Lily isn't.  Lily looks up to Petunia, so naturally she'd want to help her big sister and make her boyfriend's stay comfy and whatnot.)

            "And Vernon, this is Lily Marie, my youngest daughter."

            "Pleasure to meet you, Lily Marie," said Vernon, holding out his beefy hand.

Lily took it, but let go quickly.  She didn't like this man; and she didn't know why.  Well, other than the fact that his palms were sweating profusely.  There was something about him… she knew she could never let him know about her being a witch… not that Petunia would ever tell, anyway.  Lily knew she was too ashamed.

            "Don't call me Lily Marie," Lily said fiercely.  "No one does, except my parents, and they only use my middle name if I let them."

Vernon, to Lily's surprise, chuckled.  At Hogwarts, if she ever almost-threatened someone like that, they'd be stammering and walking away, because Lily was known at her unique school for her fiery temper.  And, of course, she was a prefect.  Perhaps the reason Vernon thought she was a joke was because of her height.  Lily was a bit short, but there were definitely many people shorter than her.  She was more small than short; quite petite.

            "Of course, Lily," Vernon said, amused.  "I won't use your middle name."

            "Thank you," Lily said, trying to act dignified.

            "Lily, darling, I'll help you unpack.  Petunia, you come too," Claire commanded her daughters.

The three climbed the long unmerciful stairs.  Lily threw open her bedroom door.  It was not as she remembered it.  Her queen canopy bed was neatly made.  There was a vase of lilies on her desk and nothing else.  No clutter of papers on her desk.  No heaps of clothes on her floor or her bed.  Truth be told, Lily was a bit of a slob.  Petunia was the neat, quiet and refined one.

(A/N: Let me explain something else.  You're probably wondering why Lily lives in a mansion.  Yes, she's poor in the Wizarding World, but in the Muggle world she's rich.)

            "Like it?" Claire asked.

            "It's not… me," Lily replied.  But it soon will be she thought.

Claire began unpacking Lily's suitcase.

            "Mum," Lily said.  "I can do it myself."

Claire dropped her clothes.  "Of course, dear," she said, and sat down in one of the chairs in Lily's room.  Petunia sat in the swivel one by her desk.

            "Lily," Claire started.  "I want to ask you something."

            "Yes?"

            "Did you meet anyone at- um… at school this year?"

            "Excuse me?"

            "Do you have a boyfriend, dimwit," Petunia said, rolling her eyes.

            "Oh!  No, of course not."

            "There's no 'of course' about it, Lily," Claire said.  "You're really pretty; someone's bound to notice."

            "Why do you want to know?" Lily asked coldly.  "Mother?" she added, trying to sound respectful.

Claire didn't notice.  "Just wondering, pumpkin." She brightened.  "Remember that boy who used to live down the street?" she asked.  "Your best friend?"

            "Luke Walker?" Lily asked, her eyes misting over at the memories. (A/N: Thanks to slytherin_nette for the last names Walker and Pellerine!)

            "Yes, him.  He's in town for a month with his mother and sister."

            "What was his sister's name?" Lily asked.  "Annabel, wasn't it?" 

            "It was," her mother agreed.

            "Can we please change the subject?" Petunia whined.

            "Anyway, he'll stop by sometime.  Don't ask me when.  Probably tomorrow; they just landed this morning and have to unpack and all." Claire looked at her watch.  "Oops, got to run, girls.  Your father and I have a party to go to and I've got to get ready." With a quick wave of her hand, he scurried out the door.

*Meanwhile, downstairs in the living room*

            "Sir," Vernon said, "I have nothing but good intentions for your daughter."

            "I know," Mark said.

            "Sir," Vernon started.

            "Vernon, my boy, call me Mark.  None of this 'sir' stuff."

Vernon cleared his throat.  "Right- Mark- you've known me for a year now.  I love your daughter.  More than anything.  So tomorrow night- if I may have your permission- I would like to ask for her hand."

Mark clapped Vernon on the shoulder.  "Son, you have my approval.  You've always been like a son to Claire and me.  Don't worry; I know Petunia will accept."

            "Come on, dear," Claire sang.  They left, Mark planning to tell Claire all about Vernon's proposal.

*

After her shower, Lily changed into jeans and a white tank top.  She set her hair into a loose bun, with curls that had escaped hanging from the knot of hair.

*Ding dong*

            "Petunia, will you get that?" Lily called.

            "No," came the reply.

            "Vernon?  You downstairs?"

            "He left," Petunia responded.

Lily heaved a sigh.  She went downstairs and opened the door to reveal a boy about seventeen.  He had blond hair, sexy blue eyes and his skin was flawless.  He's hot, Lily thought. 

            "Can I help you?" Lily asked.  He spread his arms as if presenting himself.

            "Happy birthday, Lily Marie," he said softly in a deep voice.  Lily noticed his American accent.

            "Um… not to be rude, but who the hell are you?  And my birthday's not for another week," Lily pointed out, a bit mad about his using her middle name.

The boy put on a sad puppy dog face.

            "You don't recognize me, Lilykins?"

Maybe it's James doing a Glamour or using a Polyjuice potion, Lily thought.  He's the only one who calls me 'Lilykins'.

            "James?" she asked.

            "There's already a guy?  Aw, Lils, I'm hurt."

            "Who are you?"  Lily demanded.

            "Luke.  Luke Walker."

A smile lit up Lily's pretty face.  "LUKE!" she cried.  She threw her arms around him and hugged the life out of him.

            "I can't believe it's really you!" she cried.  "Come in!"

            "Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to grab coffee or something," Luke said.  "I haven't seen you in years!"

            "Sure!  Petunia," she called up the stairs.  "I'm going out!"

            "Whatever," Petunia grumbled back.

Lily walked out the door with Luke and around the corner to the coffee shop.

            "Luke, where've you been all this time?" Lily asked.

            "America.  California, to be more specific."

            "Wow," Lily said.  "I've always wanted to go there."

            "Yeah," Luke said as they entered the coffee shop.  "What do you want?"

            "Huh?  Oh, just… a caramel frappacino."  (A/N: My favorite!)

            "One caramel, one brownie," Luke said, placing the money on the counter.

            "Don't bother," Lily protested.  "I'll pay for it."

            "Don't be silly," Luke countered.

            "Luke…" Lily started again, but Luke fixed her up with one of his glares.  She shut up.

As they sat drinking their coffee and talking, Lily asked, "Why'd you have to leave?  I missed you, Luke.  You were my best friend."

            "Were?" Luke asked.  "Or still am?"

Lily shifted uncomfortably.

            "Well… I don't know.  I made new friends at Hog- at my school.  And you never wrote me.  What were you doing in America?"

            "Oh.  Acting."

            "What?  In movies?"

            "Well, yeah."

            "Wow!  And you never told me?"

            "I'm sorry, Lily.  I was busy."

Lily turned away defiantly and crossed her arms.  "That's no excuse."

            "Lily…" Luke began.  He touched her arm.  Lily looked at him.  She melted under his intense gaze.  "I'm sorry," he said softly.  "Will you forgive me?"

Lily nodded.  "Of course.  I didn't really mean it."

Luke placed his hand over Lily's.  "So where have you been going to school?"

Lily removed her hand from under his.  "Hog- you wouldn't know."

            "Hogwarts?" Luke asked with a knowing smile.

            "Wh-How did you know?"

            "I went to a Wizarding school in America."

            "Oh."

            "You know Jane Pellerine?"

            "Yeah.  What about her?"

            "Nothing."

There was an awkward silence.

            "Lily?"

Despite the coffee, Lily was falling asleep.  On Luke's shoulder.

            "Hm?"

"Will you go out with me sometime?"

Lily sat up with a jerk.  "What?  Luke, we're best friends.  I don't want to ruin that relationship with a different one."

Luke looked crestfallen.  His passionate blue eyes were filled with hurt.

            "I'm sorry," he whispered.

It was too much for Lily.  "No… Luke, I'll go out with you.  I want to."

Luke flashed Lily his dazzling smile.  She smiled back, then happened to look out the window.  Instantly she regretted it.

James Potter, with his nose pressed against the glass, was staring at Luke and Lily, his face twisted into a snarl.  James barged into the coffee shop.

            "Evans, what is this?" he demanded.

            "Why should you care, Potter?"  Lily yelled back.  "You and I are over!  We never were… anything!  This is my business, not yours!  So just leave me alone!"

Luke watched Lily his with eyebrows raised, impressed.  "Fiery," he remarked.  Lily shut him up with a glare.

            "Why are you with… him?" James asked, nodding at Luke.

            "Hey, buddy…" Luke stood up quickly and pulled out his wand.  Lily pushed him back into his seat.

            "Because, Potter, he's twice the man you'll ever be.  Now get out of my sight."

James Potter left, heartbroken.  Only Lily could see it.

I'm sorry, James! Lily found herself thinking.

*

The next morning, Lily was awakened by the doorbell.  She groaned.

            "Petunia…" she began her plea.  Surprisingly, Petunia answered it.

Why are all our maids and butler off? Lily wondered.  It would make life easier if they were here.

            "It's for you," Petunia called.  "Some guy."

Luke!  Lily thought.  She put on a little makeup, just to make her appearance worth presenting, and, still in her pajamas, answered the door with a smile on her face.  Her smile faltered when she saw who was standing on the other side of her front door.

            "Oh, it's you," Lily said to James. 

            "Please," he said, "try to contain your enthusiasm.  I know you're excited to see me, but don't jump on top of me, please."

            "What do you want, Potter?"

James held his hands up as if surrendering.  "I promise not to get violent," he said with a trace of a smile.  "I just want to ask you a couple things about that guy you were with."

            "Who, Luke?"

            "If that's his name.  Aren't you going to invite me in, Evans?"

            "Whatever." James stepped inside.

            "Okay… first of all, what wizarding school does he go to?"

            "How do you know he goes to one?" Lily challenged. 

            "He had a wand," James pointed out bluntly.

            "Oh, yeah.  Well, I don't know what school he goes to," Lily remarked.  "Some wizarding school in America.  California.  He didn't tell me what the name was."

            "I see."

            "Yeah.  What is this anyway?  21 questions?"

            "Evans, don't start with me.  I just wanted to get some information about him, because… he seemed familiar."

            "Quite the Einstein and Sherlock Holmes, aren't you?"

            "Huh?"

Lily sighed.  "Never mind."  She looked at James.  Can you- leave now?" she pointed a finger towards the open door.

James eyes grew soft so they now looked like melted chocolate.  "Lily," he began, touching her hair.

Lily slapped his hand away.  "Potter," she began, putting a lot of emphasis on the boy's last name, "You told me you'd leave me alone.  You promised.  Now leave."

            "But Lily," James tried again, desperate, "can't we be… friends?"

            "Oh, no, you don't, James Potter.  I know what your friendship leads to," the redhead said fiercely.  She propelled him out the door.

*

Lily lay on her bed, her head hanging upside-down over the edge.  She picked up her phone and dialed Caitlin's number.

            "Hello?" a male voice answered.

            "Hi, um, is Caitlin there?"

            "Depends.  Who is this?"

            "Uh, Lily Evans."

            "Lily Evans?  Sorry, don't know anyone by that name.  Bye."

Lily thought he was going to hang up on her (and he was) when she heard a voice she recognized.

            "Jake!... Hello?  Lily?" Caitlin asked breathlessly.

            "Caitlin!  Hi!"

            "Sorry, that was my brother who answered the phone.  He's sort of… a brother."

Lily: "I can imagine."


Caitlin: "Yeah.  So, what's up?"

Lily: "I met a guy."

Caitlin: "Lily!  Tell me about him."

Lily: "He was my best friend when we were younger, but then he went to America for years and never wrote me, but now he's back and all's forgiven!"

Caitlin: "What's his name?"

Lily: "Luke Walker."

Caitlin: "Lily, I don't like the sound of this Luke guy.  What was he doing in America all this time?"

Lily: "He didn't tell me in detail.  All he said was 'going to school and'- get this- he was acting!  In movies!"

Caitlin: "I still don't like him… can you come over tomorrow?  You know, just a girls' day.  Katherine, Jane, Arabella, and Amanda will be here.  After I invite them.  If they say yes."

Lily: "Yeah, I think so.  We don't have anything planned."

Caitlin: "I'm glad."

Lily: "So, how're things with ol' Mr. Black goin'?  Have you spoken to him?"

Caitlin: "How can I?  I can't call him, I don't know where he lives…"

Lily: "So owl him!"

Caitlin: "I don't have Ruby anymore.  My parents took her away for the summer.  They don't like owls in the house."

Lily: "I'm sorry."

Caitlin: "I can't believe that arrogant jerk had the guts to do that to me!  It's not fair!  What did I do?" she started bawling.

Lily: "Ssh, ssh… it's okay.  It's his loss, not yours.  He lose a beautiful, wonderful girl.  What did you lose?  Nothing."

Caitlin: she sniffed.  "You really think so?"

Lily: "Of course.  Who's he with now?"

Caitlin: "Snyder.  That little-"

Lily: "Vylette Snyder?" she asked incredulously.  "And I thought he was a playboy going for pretty faces.  What he sees in Snyder, I don't know, but it definitely isn't beauty.  Why, I flinch every time I see her face."

Caitlin: she laughed.  "Thanks, Lily."

Lily: "No problem.  What are friends for?"

Caitlin: "Oh, Lily, I've got to go.  I'll see you tomorrow."

Lily: "Bye."

There was a click, and Lily hung up her phone.

She was completely confused.  What didn't Caitlin like about Luke?  I didn't even get to describe him.  Caitlin's never been the one to make quick judgments.

I know James is smitten with me, but I don't know what to do about it.  He keeps intruding on my personal life, and I don't know what else to tell him besides 'Shut up and leave.'

Why 'did' Luke ask me if I knew Jane and then let the subject drop?  Maybe it has something to do with Caitlin disapproving… but how would Caitlin know that Luke asked me about Jane?

Lily came up with an idea.  She decided to make a pros and cons list.  She took out a piece of paper and a pen.

James Potter

Pros: Handsome, charming, rich, cares about me, fierce, stubborn

Cons: Self-centered, annoying prat, ego-maniac, don't know him that well

Lily took out another sheet of paper.

Luke Walker

Pros: Handsome, charming, known him since I was three, cares about me, PERFECT!

Cons: didn't write to me for years, suspicious questioning about Jane (how does he know her?)

            "Lily!"

Lily's thoughts were interrupted by the calling of her name.

            "What?"  She got up and left her room, her destination being her sister's room to see what the fuss was about.  She didn't notice the two figures outside her window.

*

As soon as she left the room, James Potter opened Lily Evans' window and stumbled in.  Fortunately, Lily was at Petunia's room on the other side on the mansion and didn't hear the small crash and thud.  Sirius was right behind him.

James noticed something on Lily's desk.  Two pieces of paper, and he could see his name on one.  He grabbed two more pieces of paper from the surface of Lily's desk, and muttered a spell.  The blank pieces of paper immediately looked identical to the ones lying innocently on the desk.

            "Whoa, Prongs, what are you doing?  I am so behind," Sirius remarked to himself.

            "The Copycat spell," James whispered.  "Let's get out of here."

They climbed back through the window and out onto the tree just as Lily came back to her room.

            "What dress she should wear?"  Lily was muttering to herself.  "Honestly…"

James Potter and Sirius Black jumped from the tree to the ground, Sirius in his Animagus form and James in his.

            "Do you think transforming will be counted as magic?"  Sirius asked.

            "Nah… who cares?"  James was studying the pros and cons lists.

            "Ja-ames," Sirius whined, much like a child, "let's go.  And we're going to your house.  I don't care what you say, you're not going to talk me into going back to my house.  Frankly, I don't live there anymore."

            "Sure, Padfoot," James said.  "I certainly don't mind your company, and my parents adore you."

            "I just can't go back…"

            "I know, Sirius.  Don't worry about it."

*

The candles were lit, dinner was served, and everyone was seated at the Evans' dining table. 

            "Petunia," Vernon said softly, "I love you.  I want to be with you forever.  I know we haven't known each other for too long, but… a year's a year, isn't it?"

            "Yes," Petunia said slowly.  "I love you too.  What are you trying to say, Vernon?"

Vernon went down on one knee and pulled out a little box from inside his pocket.  He opened it and there sat a ring with a large diamond on it.

            "Petunia Evans," he said, "will you marry me?"

Petunia's face broke into a smile, which Lily had rarely seen before.  "Yes, Vernon, yes, I will!"  she cried, and flung herself into his arms and squeezed him tightly.

Lily was happy for her sister and wondered when that day would come for her.

*

            "Padfoot, this can't be right," James said.  "I have more pros than that Luke guy, but she wrote 'PERFECT' about him!  How is that possible?"

Sirius sighed.  This wasn't the first time James had acted stupid.  And it wasn't even acting.  "James," he said, "for top in the year, you sure are stupid."

            "What's that supposed to mean?"

            "Luke's her boyfriend, you're not."

            "And… that makes him perfect?" James was still confused.

            "No, no one's perfect.  Lily just views him that way."

            "Oh."  Lily, will I ever be perfect to you?

A/N: Sorry if the last bit was a little 'rushed', but I made it up off the top of my head just so I could update today.  How much do I love you guys? ^_~

I'm also sorry if this chapter is a little disappointing… I'll try to make the next one better.

Oh, and I'm taking a short (key word: SHORT) break from this story.  I'm going to get chapter 9 down to HTF so you'll be happy, and then I'll return to this.  Usually I already have in mind what I want in the next chapter when I write one, but this time I'm blank.  So a break will give me more time to brainstorm for chapter 19.

Anyone guessed who the spy is yet?

Ignore the typos and spelling/grammar/punctuation errors in this chapter- I'm tired and my eyes hurt from staring at the screen for two and a half hours and this chapter is too long for me to re-read it. 

Until later,

~*OutofAzkaban*~