LEGACY

By Lady Radcliffe

Summary: In a kingdom where blood is still everything, Lily Evans, the very first female advisor, will rise to the top and catch the attention of the very handsome, and very good kisser, James Potter. Slight AU.

Disclaimer: Owning Harry Potter is a bit beyond my grasp at the moment. Unless someone would like to lend me millions and millions of dollars to buy it off of J.K. Rowling?

A/N: Italics are thoughts or used for emphasis on a word. Also, James, Remus, Sirius and Peter were home-schooled, and did not attend Hogwarts like Lily. Their rich families preferred giving them private tutors, I suppose. lol Otherwise, Lily would have met James at some point probably and formed an opinion of him because they were in the same year and house. Sorry I forgot to mention that! Kudos to s.halliwell24 for telling me!

Chapter Two

Having settled into palace life and attending advisory meetings regularly, Lily found it was all to her liking. Her opinions were always considered carefully and scrutinized, just like everyone else's. Her words were valued and Dumbledore even paid her a very nice compliment. "You really are very helpful to us, dear. We would never have thought of such a solution by ourselves."

She was treated as an equal. No one leered at her body. They viewed at her as a colleague. Her thoughts were not picked on with an alarming ferocity because she was female - they were picked on because they were so unique. Her status of a simple muggleborn was forgotten here as well. They did not care if she came from a family of muggles, so long as she kept providing them with interesting new ideas.

Time flew by quickly before Lily felt that she was accepted by all in the kingdom, though very grudgingly by some. There were no more snide remarks about her now, at least to her face, and one little girl from Hogwarts had even written her the sweetest letter, which read, "I am very glad that there is finally a female advisor. Perhaps one day, I shall join you there, in that meeting room, and I shall have the honor of sitting by you." She had felt like displaying that letter for all to see that day.
In August, preparations for the Harvest Ball, held annually at the end of the month, came into full swing. A few select advisors were in charge of organizing everything. Accommodations had to be made for the king of France who was arriving with his most esteemed advisors, friends and daughter. Apparently, she was a real beauty who had received many offers for marriage, but her father had never deemed those men worthy enough. Despite her high status, it was rumored that she was a huge flirt and not just with the men of her station. More than one servant had been fired when discovered in the princess's chambers. Still, there were quite a few men willing to put up with the risk of torrid affairs for a chance to be next in line for the throne.
On the night of the Harvest Ball, James and Co. busied themselves in their rooms, trying to look their best. They had put on their new robes, supposedly made by a new and upcoming designer. When they were ready, they departed to the hall.

Together, the four men walked towards the golden doors, waiting for their names to be called. Once "Announcing King James Tristan Potter, and Generals Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew," was heard, they walked in nonchalantly as if there weren't hundreds of faces around them bowing and curtseying. Immediately they spotted the visiting king and his lovely daughter.

Words did not put justice to her beauty. She had long lustrous hair that was raven black, sometimes blue from the bright light the flaming scones were giving off. Her lips were dark red and shaped like a cupid's bow. They were pouty, as if she were used to getting her way. Her complexion was unblemished and she was dressed in elaborate robes made of silk in a dark forest green color. Simple diamonds glittered at her neck and on her ears. Her nose was slightly upturned, as though she perpetually snubbed those below her. Those dark glittering eyes immediately locked into James's. Smiling coquettishly, she batted her eyelashes before looking towards the ground, the perfect picture of a shy, virtuous maiden. James sighed inwardly, before going over to ask her to dance.

He was not in the mood for another woman to use all of her charms on him, trying to convince him that she was worth a whirlwind of blossoming roses, fancy meals and breathless kisses. Just yesterday, he had to break it off with a pretty little daughter of a duke. Sirius had pointed out that she was starting to follow him around whenever he wasn't in a meeting and was probably going to plant herself in his rooms if he didn't propose soon. The scandal that would follow would definitely last for months and heeding his friend's advice, he promptly, but gently, mentioned that he didn't think it was going to work out.

The poor girl burst into tears and had to be escorted out by a few maids, one of which glared rather violently at him. The rest of the day had been spent arranging flowers to be sent to her home, along with notes filled with apologies. Most girls didn't have such startling reactions to the breakup, but he'd rather not risk it with another king's daughter, especially since their kingdoms' relationships were already rocky.

As James was trying to enjoy a dance with the flirtatious princess, Lily remained in her room, still toying with her appearance. At last, it was time to come out of mourning and trash those dark robes that made her appear all too peaky. Dressed in shimmering lavender, Lily felt like she was finally embracing her girlish side.

They were the nicest robes she had ever worn, with the silky texture caressing her skin. The neckline dipped precariously down her chest, revealing more than she would have preferred. A dark amethyst pendent hung on a chain around her neck, a lovely present from Dumbledore to welcome her to the palace. Part of her hair had been let loose, the blood red locks tumbling and curling down her back. Her face had been left untouched but she still managed to look magnificent.

Once Lily had seen her reflection in the mirror, her mind reeled. This... This lovely creature couldn't be her. Oh no. Definitely not. For once in her life, Lily couldn't help but think she looked almost pretty - so unlike the serious girl she had been. She hoped the change wouldn't be too much, too sudden. No one, much less herself, had ever seen her dressed so. Around the palace, she dressed daily in plain, but elegant, robes and spent little time fussing over her appearance. This was her first ball at the palace as her parents were only muggles. First impressions were everything tonight, since some people would still love to see the first female, and muggleborn, advisor fall flat on her face.

Bracing herself, Lily glided out of her rooms, ready to face what she liked to call "the pack of wolves" waiting by grand entrance.

James was rather preoccupied when the words, "Announcing Advisor and Lady Lily Evans," were said. He was dancing and trying his best to appear interested in the princess's words and not have to listen at the same time when he noticed that there was a lull in the lively chatter surrounding them. Noticing everyone's heads turned towards the Entrance Hall, he quickly swiveled his head in that direction as well. What he saw shocked him.

There stood Lily Evans. Despite her indifferent air, her eyes showed that she was rather amused by all the people openly staring at her. James was in awe of her, all thoughts of avoiding women disappearing from his mind. Never before had he seen Lily Evans look so attractive. In robes that displayed a fine figure and with her locks free from their usual confines, Lily actually looked as though she didn't live and breathe politics in a stuffy boardroom. It was odd how she had just decided to give way to a more open self for the night. He really hoped that she just hadn't gotten into the punch bowlbefore the ball.

Once the song ended, James muttered a short, but polite, good-bye as he determinedly walked toward Lily who had been joined by Remus, Sirius and Peter. She was laughing merrily at something witty Sirius said when he approached. Slowly bowing to her, keeping eye contact, James held out a hand and asked, "Would you care to dance, my lady?"

She hesitated a bit before delicately taking his extended hand and stepping into the crowd of dancers. Their feet gliding on the marble floor to a slow sarabande, James flashed a winning smile and began the small talk. They chatted and smiled and chuckled a bit over each other's responses.

As the song ended, she was suddenly whisked away in Sirius's arms with a laugh for a spirited gavotte. He resolved to find her later, but for now, he felt like having a quick drink and sitting on the sidelines, thinking about the little vixen who was dancing the night away.

"It's a lovely night, isn't it, milady?" a calm voice remarked.

Lily jumped a little before composing herself and curtseying. How did anyone find me? I was careful when I snuck out into the garden! "Your Highness, I didn't see you there."

"That's perfectly fine. I hope your first ball was pleasurable. They do tend to become a bit much though, don't they?" he inquired.

"I suppose so. I've never seen so many eyes staring at me before. It got a bit irritating, to say the least."

"Ah," he smiled. "Now you know what it's like, being scrutinized by the public eye all the time. Not quite the frolic in the meadows it would seem, is it?"

She laughed at his metaphor, trying to imagine the king frolicking in the fields, with his advisors, man servants and the occasional love struck maid trailing after him. "I've never heard of anyone using such a comparison, Your Highness, but yes, you're quite right."

"But you really can't blame them, my dear. After all, I doubt, they've seen anyone as pretty as you before." All of this was said as he slowly moved closer to Lily, snaking an arm around her waist.

A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. Surely the king wasn't trying to flirt with her? Little Lily Evans, a nobody in the hierarchy of the pure blood obsessed wizarding world? "Your Highness, just what are you trying to say?" she asked, ever the picture of an innocent, naïve little girl.

He had noticed the grin she was trying to suppress and replied with an equally light tone. "Well I'd think it'd be rather obvious, seeing how bright you are." With that, he pulled her against him and placed a warm hand on her cheek.

In the fleeting seconds before his divine lips landed on hers, Lily's only thought was, Oh my lord, I'm about to be kissed by James Potter.

Mmm... Now this is what kissing should be... Lily had to admit that the hordes of heartbroken women she knew were right. James Potter was a fabulous kisser.

It was exhilarating kissing James Potter, the man who was supposed to be a Casanova, who swept every girl he met off her feet. He kissed like he meant it, meant every caress that sent a shiver down her spine. His arms were tightening around her waist now, holding her prisoner in this world full of delightful sensations. Of their own accord, her hands reached up to cup his face and pull it down closer to her own. She never wanted to let go of his lips. He tasted so sweet, a little bit of wine and cherries and made her think of soft candlelight dinners.

How long they stayed like that, Lily was never quite sure of, but when they pulled apart, breathless, her mind spun too quickly to completely understand the situation. She was still trying to cling to this borrowed heaven, made up only of her and James.

A/N: Tons of thanks to my first couple of reviwers! You guys rock! lol

Bloodstained YinYang: You were the first reviewer I ever had and I hope it makes you feel good that you made my day! (Or night, whichever you prefer lol) Thanks for the compliments and I know that it is a bit stereotypical, but it's hard to create something completely different when you've been influenced by reading so many others' stories. I tried my hardest to make this story mine as you might see when the conflict of my story appears. I tried to say that James was unaware that he was such a heartbreaker, but I suppose I didn't make it clear enough. I'm not sure I can include more blood though lol. I hope you keep reading and the poem on your profile is so cute and good! Did you write it yourself?

s.halliwell24: When I saw your pen name, I thought of Charmed right away! I used to watch that show, but I often find myself glued to the computer on Sunday nights when it's on lol Thanks for reading and I hope I didn't confuse you by forgetting that little detail about their schooling. The explanation is in the author's note at the top if you missed it. Please keep reading :-)

Leigh A. Sumpter: I can't wait to read Chap. 14 of your story! And yes, I do read an uncanny amount of romance books. lol When I'm on fanfiction or fictionpress, all I read is romance. I suppose I don't look much like a huge romantic, but I am. I even have a couple of teen romances hidden in my bookcase lol. I'm so giddy that I have reviews that I'm using such crazy vocabulary. lol Oh, God lol Thanks for helping this story get off the ground!

Hazardous: I thought your pen name sounded familiar and then I realized I was reading your fic, Miss United Kingdom. I'm thrilled to hear from you that my story is original. I think that was one of my goals in writing this story. I promise to keep reading your fic and adding a review, if you do the same! lol :-D

DestinyCalls: I'm glad that you think my beginning was far from bland and boring! I had actually started out with a completely different plot and ended up changing it and the beginning at least three times!

PadfootsPaws, Kayoda, Gabriela, pinkraindrop21, and Carla: Don't worry, you guys, I will keep writing and I will update quite regularly, since I have written out the entire story already. I'm very glad you all like my story so much :-) Keep reading! Thanks