Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Anything that is not familiar is mine.

Life passes quickly. Everyone goes through the same things as others. Everyone.

First, our parents raise us, hoping against hope that we will turn out to be fine, honorable human beings in this world.

We grow up. We face trials and tribulations just like anyone else. We make friends, wondering how close you will be to one another in twenty years. If you're lucky, you find a group of friends that touch your heart so deeply, it alters your views on life.

We fall in love. To the foolish, Love is a category of indifference. To the wise, Love is Life. Everyone in passed years has fallen in love with one person. Their special someone. When that happens, you feel like you're actually the reason this world was made…so you could meet your other half. You feel like everyone should be celebrating for your fortune and luck, for you have found the meaning of life!

…of course, in reality, life isn't like your dreams. People are too interested in their own good fortune and luck to give yours so much as a passing glance. You falling in love isn't too significant, right? After all, everyone falls in love…

I'm here to tell you that those who believed the last paragraph up above were sorely mistaken. There are so many flaws in that paragraph, that no one should find any humor whatsoever in it. No matter how ordinary it may seem, each and every occurrence of Love is precious and unique.

One occurrence in particular stands out greatly. This story of falling in love is magnificent. Through tough obstacles, against the odds, two very exceptional people manage to find love and hold onto it as though it were their reason for being. And that newfound love will turn out to be the very thing that helps save thousands of lives.

Through the next assortment of chapters, follow along as the tale of James Potter and Lily Evans, with the always faithful Marauders as well, unfolds into an epic saga of breathtaking proportions. Brace yourselves, this is going to be a long ride.

It was a peaceful morning in mid-July. The sun had barely shown off its lovely potential, yet the day was radiant. The birds were singing lovely tunes in the large apple trees grown on either side of Maple St. This particular street was the picture perfect image of old television series. The milkman was whistling an old melody whilst people walked out of their houses into their cars, dressed sharply in suits and dresses, ready to start the day off at work.

If you concentrated hard enough, you could just breathe in the faint smell of pancakes and eggs and fresh squeezed orange juice, coming from more than a few kitchens. A perfect world, you might say.

Well, at least it was perfect for two little six year olds that were currently playing tag on one of the said houses' front lawns. If you were familiar with this neighborhood, you would think nothing of it. It was as normal to see the two outside all day long everyday just as you would see a rainbow after a rain shower.

Ever since the Evans moved into the house 3 years ago, Lily Evans (a sweet, fragile, redheaded child with bright green eyes and the palest skin you've ever seen) and James Potter (a short, skinny little boy with intelligent brown eyes holding a mischievous glint in them and messy, unkempt, jet-black hair) have been the best of friends. You would never see one without the other. Two peas in a pod, if you will.

Currently, in the house of the lawn the two little ones were playing on, two women, Mrs. Rose Evans and Mrs. Anastasia Potter, sat talking and sipping tea. They, too, were very good friends since the family moved in. Normally, they would have pleasant conversations. Today was not the case, though.

"Oh dear. When?" Rose asked, worry and disappointment evident in her voice.

"Two weeks." Anastasia sighed, "Unfortunately, we won't be coming back for quite some time. Harold's business, it seems, needs him as soon as possible for Lord knows how long." She got up, and looked out the window, watching as her son laughingly tapped little Lily on the shoulder, excitedly crying out, 'You're it!' She swallowed sadly, "This will change their lives greatly, I'm sure."

"Yes, it will." agreed Rose, from her seat. "It is such a shame. Have you told James yet?"

"No, not yet. Harold and I plan to tonight at dinner. Then we'll let James tell Lily." she said, sitting back in her chair. She looked over at Rose, "Unless you'd like to be the one to tell her."

"Oh, no," Rose shook her head, "I think she'll take it better if James tells her. They've always been so close, you know."

Two weeks later

Lily and James were hidden away in the secluded tree house in the backyard of the Evans' residence. Lily's father had built it for them a year ago. It had always been their haven, a place where they felt safe and free.

James' eleven year old sister, Melanie, was over at her best friend's house saying goodbye, and Lily's older sister, Petunia, was upstairs in her room listening to music, quite loudly. Lily's father was at work (he said his goodbyes before he left), and Lily's mom was outside in the Potter's driveway saying goodbye to James' mother and father.

"James. I don't want you to go" Lily said, tears starting to fall down her cheeks. James looked at her, hopelessly. He wanted desperately to comfort her; he had always been so protective of her.

It started back when they were four, the time a bully named Severus Snape moved in across the street. He remembered that day so clearly. They had both been outside; Lily was sitting on the porch in the shade watching James play in the mud that had been formed by last night rain storm. Suddenly, a greasy looking kid that appeared to be about their age came up to Lily and started picking on her. Lily had been near tears when James saw all of this of course and walked angrily up to the jerk. He pushed him roughly, making Snape trip over his own leg and fall to the cement. Snape had cried like a baby and ran back to his house. Since then, angry glares were often thrown their way whenever they crossed paths with the unpleasant lad.

Now, 2 years later, James was completely clueless. He couldn't knock down some bully and make Lily feel better. This was out of his control.

He sighed sadly, "I know. I don't want to go either. I wish my dad wasn't an auror." As soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he could have taken it back. He mentally kicked himself.

Lily looked up at him, confused, "What's an auror?"

Brain working fast, James said the first thing to come into his mind, straining to keep his voice calm. "Uhh... no, I said author. I wish he wasn't an author." Luckily, it worked.

Lily nodded and said in a whisper, "Oh, so that's what your daddy does."

They sat and solemnly talk to each other until James heard his mother calling him. "Alright, mom, I'll be right down," he turned back to Lily and hugged her tightly.

"James, please don't go. You're my bestest friend." she tried, desperately, gripping him all the tighter.

"I know. You're my bestest friend too, Flower." he said, using her nickname. "But I have to go. Don't worry. We can always write to each other. And who knows, maybe one day, I'll be back."

"(Sniff) ok James. Bye" she whispered the last word

"Bye."

And Lily watched as her best friend drove away with his family from his driveway. Drove away from Maple Street. Drove away from their city, their country....drove away from his best friend.