James Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express with his heart lighter than it had been in months. Hogwarts would let him forget about all the turmoil at home. Finally, he'd be able to relax, with his friends. James' mouth quirked into an engaging smile at the thought of Sirius, Remus and Peter. They'd have some laugh this year. The Marauders had big plans for their sixth year in Hogwarts. It was only towards the end of last year that they had eventually managed to become Animagus, and the experiences were still new and exhilarating. Hell, even just thinking about roaming Hogsmeade at night in animal form, or discovering more hidden secrets in the Forbidden Forest, excited a fire deep in his blood.

And then there was Lily. The girl of his dreams. Literally. He'd thought about her all summer and was convinced he'd finally fallen head over heels in love with the fiery redhead. He'd finally sunk. And this year he planned to do the same to her. This year, he would make Lily Evans love him.

XXX

Lily was walking down the train corridor to the bathroom when she heard it. Her name. Someone in the compartment next to her was discussing her. Grimly pursing her lips, Lily paused and stood behind the door, pressed against the wall, so she could hear better.

'' Look, dude, just get over her. She's not worth it. You've never even really spoken to her. It's not like you know what she's like when she's just being normal. The two of you just rub the wrong way…all you ever do is scream the heads off eachother. Frankly, it's quite annoying. She doesn't like you. Deal with it, Prongs,''

It was the voice of Sirius Black. Lily heard someone groan with frustration, before another voice broke into the conversation. Remus Lupin.

'' I think half the reason you like her so…intensely….is due to the friction between you two,'' he sounded like he was merely musing, but James began to splutter indignantly and Remus obviously decided to pursue his thoughts further.

'' The feelings you have for each other are so passionate, like. You worship her, Prongs, but you love seeing her riled up and you seem to go out of your way to do just that. And she reacts so so soooo strongly toward you…sometimes I wonder if she does like you a little bit at least. She seems so hot-tempered and irrational around you but all of the Slytherins could chuck a bomb at her and she wouldn't bat an eyelid. Maybe there is more to it than meets the eye…''

Lily stifled a cry of outrage. Yeah, right. The reason she reacted strongly to Potter was because she detested him, not because she harboured some stupid little crush on him, like Lupin was suggesting. And yet….Lily quickly banished that ridiculous thought, focusing on the rest of the conversation.

'' Man, I hope so. '' came James' hopeful voice once again.

'' That's a load of bull, Moony,'' interrupted Sirius. '' She can't stand him,''

'' Thanks for the vote of confidence, mate,'' James remarked sarcastically.

'' But, realistically, Prongs, she detests every single one of your greatest traits. Cleverness, talent…''

'' No, she doesn't dislike him cos he's good at Quidditch and smart and all that. She dislikes him cos he's arrogant about it all,'' contradicted Remus patiently, as though explaining the mechanics of multiplication to a three year old.

'' Yeah, but that's just the way he is. Why change just cos you fancy some girl? There are loads more out there, dude,''

'' I don't just fancy her, Padfoot. I…'' there was an audible gulp and then a lot of frantic whispering. Lily dismissed it. It probably wasn't important.

'' DUDE! '' roared Sirius, clearly bewildered.

'' Get a grip, Padfoot,'' muttered Remus angrily. '' It was pretty obvious already. James has been mad about her since…since the first time he ever saw her! And even though she has shown no interest in him whatsoever, his feelings have sustained for SIX years. This was all pretty clear. ''

'' Yeah,'' murmured James hurriedly. '' But what do I do? ''

There was a long pause. Then more angry muttering as Sirius interrupted yet again.

'' But how, Prongs? It's not like you know her or anything,''

'' Yeah, I do,'' countered James. '' I know loads about her. I know that her favourite colour is brown, cos she loves chocolate. I know that she hates her red hair and that her most hated film ever is 'Garfield, the Movie' cos the cat creeps her out. I know that her favourite animal is a lion and that she twirls her hair when she's bored and bites her nails when she nervous. I know that she has a sister called Petunia who hates magic and that they really don't get along. I know that she hates pink and is addicted to crunching caterpillar sweets, especially. Hell, I know that her dad's a cook and her mum's a mechanic. I know that her full name is Lilian but she hates it cos it sounds pompous. She also hates being called Lil and even plays golf in the muggle world. She's got a handicap of 7, which is unbelievably good, and she has a great voice but she never sings in public cos she gets stage fright. Her favourite bands are Blink 182 and Good Charlotte and she loves Eminem ever since his ' Cleanin' out my Closet ' song. She's also not actually English, but Irish, and her family are from Cork, in Ireland. Her favourite song at the moment is by an Irish rapper and it's known as the ' Bouncer ' song and Eminem's ' Just Lose It ' is a close second. She hates cooking but she's really good at it and she also hates – ''

'' Ok, dude, we get the picture. You're a crazy stalker who has boundary issues,'' Sirius remarked, but, strangely, he sounded amused.

Lily didn' t wait to hear anymore. She hurried down the train and, upon reaching the bathroom, promptly locked herself into it. This was weird. James Potter knew a lot about her. Too much. She had always thought he had just asked her out on a whim and when she turned him down, had vowed to try and get the one girl who ever refused him. Just to prove that James Potter really was irristible. But, from the eerie conversation she had just heard, she wasn't so sure. Maybe he did have actual feelings for her….

Lily shook her head. That didn't matter. Even if he did, what difference would it make to her? She loathed him, dreaded his presence. Well, maybe loathe was a strong word but all she knew for sure was that he irritated and frustrated her no end. And his blatant disregard for the feelings of others sickened her. No, Potter was a poor excuse for a wizard. And she would never stoop so low as to actually go out with him. Even if he was attractive…Lily almost choked immediately after that strange thought entered her head. No, she had to avoid him at all costs. Maybe if she ignored him this year, he would get over her and move on…maybe.

XXX

Lily almost screamed when, so immersed in her own thoughts, she bumped into the person opposite her and, upon looking up, realised it was Potter.

'' Evans,'' he greeted warmly, inclining his head. The sight of her made his insides just melt…

'' Potter,'' she responded coldly, trying to shove past him. He blocked her.

'' So, um, I was wondering can I ask you something? ''

For once he sounded hesitant…even shy?

Lily rolled her eyes.

'' The answer is no, again, Potter,''

He shook his head.

'' No, it's not that…''

Curious, Lily let her guard fall ever so slightly.

'' What, then? '' she asked impatiently.

'' Um…well, I know I've been a jerk in the past but I'm sorry about all that,'' he started anxiously, talking rather quickly, as though this was a chore he was eager to finish. '' But…um…I was wondering if, maybe, this year, we could put our differences aside and call a truce? You know, be friends? ''

Lily considered for a moment. It would be nice to end all the angst between them… but knowing Potter this was probably just a ruse to eventually get her to go out with him. Hadn't she just promised herself to avoid him? It would be kinder really…and besides she could hardly tolerate him as a friend…

'' No, I'm sorry, Potter, but I don't think so. ''

He looked utterly flabbergasted for a moment.

'' What? Why? ''

'' Why? Why? '' Lily repeated, feeling her temper rise. '' Why? I'll tell you why, Potter. Cos I despise you in every form. I cannot stand the sight of you. You make me absolutely sick. I hate you! I hate you! Can't you get it into your thick skull that I don't even remotely like you and never will! Can you? Can you? ''

He stared at her, then his expression hardened.

'' Yeah,'' he said shortly. '' I get you,''

'' Good. '' Lily breathed. '' Now get out of my sight. And never come near me again,''

And with that she whirled around and stomped down the train, James staring after her like a lost little boy.