Lily Evans sighed deeply, trying valiantly to ignore her whining sister Petunia as her parents unloaded her suitcases from the car trunk.

'' Can't you just bid the freak farewell already so we can leave? '' she hissed, poking her emaciated face out through the open car window. Lily rolled her eyes heavenward as her parents, once again, admonished Petunia for her harsh words.

'' Seriously, it's ok. I've learned to tune out her ramblings,'' Lily commented, heaving her last case from the boot of the battered Fiat.

'' We'll miss you so much, Lily…'' began Lily's mother tearfully, hugging her hard.

'' Uh…mum…you're choking me…'' she wheezed, trying to detach herself from her. Lily hated goodbyes. She preferred to say ' see ya later '. But, every year, without fail, her fervent mother managed to upset her with her teary words. Not this year, though. Lily planned to ditch the squealing pig she had as a sorry excuse for a sister and, of course, her parents, in the parking lot so she could board the Hogwarts Express with emotional ease.

'' Later, Tommy girl. Would you go already so we can finally have some peace? '' Lily's dad grinned, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Lily grinned back. Her fathet's unique way of saying goodbye may have sounded weird to passersby but Lily knew he was only joking and that, in his heart of hearts, he would miss her terribly.

'' Yeah, yeah. Look, I've gotta go. Later, people,'' Lily said quickly, squeezing her father's hand, before pushing her cart of suitcases in fron of her, in the direction of the train station entrance.

As Lily's tiny form dwindled out of sight among the pulsing crowds, Petunia Evans sighed with satisfaction. She didn't know how long it would take her capricious sister to realise what she had done, but, when she did…well, she wouldn't be so sickeningly happy ever again….

XXX

'' I need a lift to King's Cross. You know, since I'm going back to Hogwarts today. Is that ok? '' James said tiredly, closing his eyes briefly so he wouldn't see his father's reaction.

'' Damn right it's ok. Do you think we want to listen to your pitiful snivelling anylonger? Good riddance to you, boy. And what's this about a lift? Jean-Pere will drive you,'' he snarled, barely looking up from his papers as he pored over them at the voluminous desk.

'' He called in sick today. I suppose Maria could drive me but…''

'' Maria? The maid? '' the forbidding man laughed sharply. '' I don't think so. I'll drive you myself. At least then I'll be able to see you off,''

James nodded and left his father's private study, thinking hard. To others, it may have seemed like Mr. Potter actually wanted to say goodbye to his son from his last words, but James knew better. He simply wished to see the back of him as he boarded the train. Ever since…the incident earlier that summer, James' previously caring father had changed. He had become cold, selfish and shallow, completely disinterested in anyone but himself. At first, James had been emotionally damaged from his father's swift personality switch…from the vindictive, degrading comments he made…but after two solid moths of enduring it, he'd learned to ignore it. To close himself off. That way, the sharp sting of his father's words didn't hurt so much…not as much as the violence anyway. But that was another story. Anyway, it had only occurred once or twice, after he'd been drinking. Mrs. Potter had promised James faithfully that if it happened again, she would seek anger management counselling for her husband. So far, that step had not been taken. Hopefully, it would stay that way. And once James reached Hogwarts, he was going to put all this behind him and concentrate fully on school. He had vowed not to give his family problems a second thought. He would stick to that resolution.

XXX

'' Lily! Oh, it's so great to see you, girl. You're looking fabulous, as always! '' shouted Julie Markson eneregetically, bounding up to Lily and flinging her arms around her neck joyfully. Lily sagged under the weight of the vivacious blonde girl, smiling nonetheless.

'' Yeah, I missed ya too Juls. Did you get my gift? ''

Julie's eyes lit up as she pulled away and she grinned.

'' Oh, yeah. Thanks so much, it was just what I was looking for. I could totally identify with Bridge's problems. She is like my muggle twin – we lead twin lives. Seriously, some of what happened to her actually happened to me in real life,''

Lily shook her head fondly. She had sent Julie a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary over the summer as a remedy to serious blues. Julie had broken up with her boyfriend of six months at the end of fifth year when she found out he had cheated on her with a Slytherin slut. Apparently, it had done the trick.

'' I mean, all the emotional fuckwittage got me thinking. Why do men even exist? It's not like we need them or anything…oh, look it's Potter,'' she added slyly, studying the handsome sixth year as he entered the station rather dismally.

'' Wonder what he's so down about? Maybe I could cheer him up…''

Lily curled her lip in disgust, then laughed as the full meaning of Julie's words hit her.

'' Oh, Juls. So we don't need men…but we can use them, is that it? ''

'' Of course! '' the bubbly girl replied enthusiastically.

'' Well, I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. ''

Julie raised a sceptical eyebrow.

'' Really, Lily. You say you hate him but could you really resist that beautiful face? And that irresistable body…mmm. Yum. You know, '' she added thoughfully. '' I'd say if you were put to the test, you might actually begin to like the cunning Master Potter,''

Lily snorted in derision.

'' Oh, please. Dream on. Maybe if his head actually deflated and he stopped cursing people for the fun of it, I'd actually consider being friends with him but I would NEVER go out with him. Ever,'' she said firmly, nodding resolutely.

'' Oh, why? '' Julie pouted. '' You must admit he's fabulous looking. So boyishly cute! ''

Lily rolled her eyes.

'' Yeah, right,'' she bit back sarcastically.

But, when she let her eyes settle on his lonely form in the crowds, Lily had to admit there was a certain attractiveness…her eyes widened.

I did not just think that!

She nodded.

No. No matter what anyone said, guys like James Potter did not change. And neither would her feelings for him. He was despicable. Funny, sometimes, but annoying and condescending the rest. This year would be no different to the last. How very wrong she was.