Disclaimer: I have no rights to the Harry Potter franchise. I'm merely borrowing her characters and their personalities for my (and your) personal enjoyment.

A/N: This is my first Lily/James fic, so bear with me. Actually, bear with the characters because sometimes they don't like to cooperate with me. Have fun!

Chapter 3: Time for Visions and Revisions

Arms propped on the windowsill, Lily gazed at the full luminous moon that hung languidly in the speckled sky. It was the night before her return to Hogwarts and she sorely missed the freedom of the wizarding world. She now sat with her two best friends, chattering amongst themselves and content to be going 'home.'

"I'm sorry we couldn't sleep over at my house. But you know how difficult Petunia can be. If it wasn't for Mum and Father, she'd wring my neck if she saw a spellbook lying around. Trying to impress her new beau Vernon, I imagine…"

Alice giggled, "What kind of a name is Vernon?"

Lily shrugged, "Apparently the name one gives a self-righteous prat who is the epitome of 'normal'. How about you? How's everything with Remus?"

Lily and Danae smiled while Alice blushed timidly. "We planned to go to Diagon Alley but he's not feeling well, so he promised a Hogsmeade date. We've been sending owls back and forth. He finally told me he fancied me in his last letter. He's really shy, you know."

Danae turned to Lily, interest peaked, "And how about you? We've matched Remus and Alice but you're a mystery. Half of the boys at Hogwarts would wrestle a troll to take you to Hogsmeade with them. And then there's your most faithful follower. Why don't you give James a break?"

She hesitated, 'Well, after the biggest row we've ever had, I thought you'd know. James Potter is self-absorbed and has absolutely no human compassion. I won't deny the fact that he is good-looking--"

Danae snorted, "Only good-looking?"

Lily conceded, "Ok, he's VERY attractive but when I see him hexing people and acting like he's has a right to break rules, it outweighs that dashing form."

Danae raised her eyebrow in suspicion, "And if he changed?"

ooo

"Then he'd be perfect…and I wouldn't mind being his girlfriend," Andromeda concluded, looking at James who sat distraught and crumpled on the grass.

"I swear James, Sirius's plan was perfect. You better have a great explanation for what just happened."

James started out weakly, "Well, Snape came after me and hexed me. I was only protecting myself."

"Did you do something to him?"

"Last year, after our O.W.L.'s"

She sighed, "Technically, it was your fault but you hadn't made a conscious effort before to be good. So I'll cut you slack. Try not to do it again or avoid Severus completely. He likes to sit in the outskirts of Lucius's group. Lucius talks to my parents. It could also mean bad news for me, too."

James helped her up and started walking towards the castle, arm around her shoulder. "I'll make a conscious effort."

"And you'll apologize to Lily."

"What?"

She looked up at him, 'You'll apologize because that's the gentlemanly thing to do. Do you think you should?"

"Yeah, but what do I say?" He had never apologized to Lily before and frankly, he didn't look forward to it at all.

"You need to completely honest. Sound like you mean it. Heck, you need to feel like you mean it. This'll set you on good terms because you'll need to be a bloody good friend to her before you can even think of asking her out."

When they stopped, they were in front of the Fat Lady's portrait. Andromeda stood, uncertain of whether to walk in with him. "I need to go the library. There's a book on the Densuageo spell that I need for McGonagall's essay."

James looked slightly disappointed then brightened up. "Oh, I have that one, it's in my dormitory. I'll get it for you. Hold on," He faced the Fat Lady, "Cockroach Cluster"

They walked into the common room together. While James ran to get his book, Andromeda looked around. Pairs and groups were gathered, doing their work. Lily, Danae and Alice were sitting at a table next to the fireplace. She ran her fingers through her hair, slightly nervous. For what reason, she didn't know. After a couple seconds, James came out, book and parchment in hand.

"Here's the book and my essay. McGonagall's corrections are on there so you won't make all the stupid mistakes I did. Have fun."

He drew nearer to her, unsure of what to do. They were in public. After checking to see if anyone was looking, he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and watched her go. After the portrait closed, he walked briskly over to Lily with a determined face.

"Lily, can I, er, talk to you? It's important." The words flew out of his mouth. Why should I be nervous, he thought.

She paused, looking at him tentatively. He was nervous. In her six years of knowing him, she had never seen him act nervous. "Sure, grab a chair."

James didn't want to apologize in front of her friends. But again, he was at her mercy. Sitting down, he looked around then started talking.

"I just want to say I'm sorry. You know how Snape is and, well, he just got to me. I lose my temper far too much and it's wrong. I also lashed out at you for doing the right thing. I apologize profusely for that; I should have never attacked you in that way. I just want us to be on good terms and that means you need an apology. I'm truly sorry, please forgive me."

Suddenly feeling self-conscious, he rose and dismissed himself. Climbing up the flight of stairs, he looked one last time at Lily and sighed. Good night, love.

ooo

Lily had watched them as soon as they entered the common room. He certainly seemed adjusted to his new lifestyle. They seemed easy going around each other. Andromeda certainly was pretty. He obviously liked her because he wasn't arrogant around her. He was also rather boyish in his actions, especially when he kissed her.

Why was she thinking this, she thought. In some secret part of her, did she miss having him adore her? That was probably it. After all, such a handsome person falling for her was definitely flattering, even one as self-absorbed as James Potter. The scary thing was he was changing, just like Danae said. He'd apologized to her. He would rather be hexed by Snape than apologize to anyone.

Thinking back, what she'd admitted to Danae and Alice probably got the better of her. She'd never thought of him in that way before, and so naturally, her emotions were acting up. Why should she annoyed, or even jealous? She wasn't jealous, of course but it did hurt coming from James.

Taking up her quill again, she resumed her writing on the Great Wizard Inquisition in the middle ages. Looking slightly affected, she continued late until the night. Her friends, after finishing their work, had dismissed themselves to the dorms. Alice and Danae smiled at one another, thinly disguising the worry. They both knew Lily needed James as he needed her; it was obvious in their first year. Right when everything seemed to come together, James had made it harder.

ooo

The next morning, Lily woke up to sound of students bustling around the common room. She felt fingers brushing her hair away, "Lily, do you need help? Were you here all night?" The deep, roguish voice…

"I'm a perfectly capable, independent witch who just happened to nod off for a couple of seconds! Merlin, Potter I don't need you to look out for me! Or even better, don't look at all! If you'll excuse me, I'm late and I have to meet someone soon."

She gathered her books and dashed up the staircase, hastily getting ready for her next class. She lied to him, but it made her feel better to see him standing dumbfounded as she left.

The day went rather sourly for the both of them. Potions with the Slytherins was almost intolerable. Severus Snape had, of course, finished first and ambled up to Professor Balsam's desk with a smug look, glaring at James and Sirius' poor attempt to brew a Voice-Changing Potion.

James was occupied in flicking doxies into Malfoy's cauldron while Sirius was working his eye magic on a shy Gryffindor girl. When class was over Professor Balsam asked them to sample their potion, knowing full well that it was inadequately done. They ended up unable to speak for the rest of the day. Malfoy was worse off though, he ended coughing up bits of doxy, turning his tongue green.

ooo

Lily had purposely avoided the cloisters all day after Potions and cursed herself for walking by during lunch. James had conjured up a picnic basket for Andromeda and they sat under a weeping willow, laughing merrily at some unknown thing. She was reading to him from a book while he lay on his back and looked at her face. Jerk, she thought.

Care of Magical Creatures went well for Lily. Professor Kettleburn had introduced nifflers in their lesson. He went on to explain that trained nifflers are mainly used by wealthy wizards to find treasure. However, in the wild they are attracted to underground metal which they use to help warm their offspring. After taking notes, they were allowed a niffler to a group. Lily, Danae and Alice looked warily at their surroundings, wondering where to start.

"Lily! Your group can work over here. There's more shade here than where you're standing." Amos said pleasantly. She was about to refuse him when she noticed he looked slightly hopeful. Wondering what that meant, she assented.

Lily, Danae and Alice settled next to the clump of trees Amos stood by. Releasing their niffler, it sniffed morosely until it reached a rock and stopped. With great gusto, it started digging madly. After a couple minutes, the niffler started squeaking loudly, pawing at something in the hole. It had found something and couldn't get to it. Danae and Alice returned the niffler to Kettleburn, eagerness surmounting. Looking around suspiciously, Lily lifted the box and opened the clasp. The girls gasped delightedly.

In the tin box was a dainty necklace. Pulling it out, they admired the tiny, gleaming ruby and the delicate silver chain it sat upon. Scrawled in boyish writing, a note in the box was addressed to Lily:

Lil,

A jewel for the Jewel of Gryffindor.

Your friend, Amos Diggory, Jr.

Her eyes flickered towards Amos, who ambled over to her. "I have to confess, I asked Kettleburn what we were studying next. That's how I knew." He paused, looking slightly embarrassed. "Do you want to go Hogsmeade with me?"

Lily stood flustered. "Well, um, I think, yes. Yes, I will." She smoothed her hair. "Yes." He laughed and gave her a hug, "Ok, so we're going. We'll talk later about it. I need to thank Kettleburn for this and you know he's not the most cooperative teacher I know…"

James seethed with inner anger. Damn the bastard, he thought. I'll take care of you later.

ooo

Dinner in the Great Hall was a different matter. Everyone sat merrily, eating and talking their hearts content. Peter had torn himself from his girlfriend long enough to have time with his friends. They all greeted James when he walked in and sat with the Marauders.

"Oy! Prongs has returned. How's my dear cousin, eh mate? Is she giving you grief? Dull? Loathsome? I see you can't stand her…" Sirius winked impishly at him.

"Ah, Padfoot, methinks she's only annoying for you…She's a brick when it comes to it, and she's very smart and she can hold her own in an argument, which makes her anything but dull." He grinned at his friends.

Remus chuckled, "I must say though, Prongs, you make a handsome couple. Who ever knew she'd pick a git like you. She's gorgeous, that one—"

For that, Remus received a jab in the side from Alice, who looked at him with twinkling amusement. "Although I'd say, she has nothing on my Alice…But still, she'd charm the socks off anyone, I imagine…"

'Thanks Moony, I'd say the same for you. You're a lucky guy. And Alice, watch out for Remus, he's pathetically romantic… his loving is fatal! I almost got myself killed while watching you guys snog, I thought I'd gag to death at the sight..." James said, clutching his heart dramatically.

Sirius and Peter snickered at Remus, who grew pink to look at them. He changed the subject, "Danae, how's our favorite Muggle Graham Finnigan?"

"Graham is splendid, Remus. His uncle Seamus named him his heir and it'll be our third anniversary next week. He said he had something planned for me. And yes, I will invite all of you to our wedding. When are you getting married Sirius?"

Sirius choked on his food, "Excuse me?" He was wide-eyed, pale faced and squirmed in his seat. Everyone laughed. Lily held back her laughter, "Um, Sirius we were only joking, we know you're a confirmed bachelor."

Sirius eased in his seat, "Well, I'm not a confirmed bachelor but I'll make you a deal. When you two finally get married, then I'll seriously consider marriage. Heck, I'll even be your best man. But my chances of getting married are—"

"Very good," James concluded, smiling at Lily.

She blushed as he leaned in, cupped her cheek and kissed her. His lips were smooth as they glided over hers sensuously. The Marauders cheered at their table.

Then Lily woke up.

Just a note: Everything will be explained in the next chapter. You'll see more Andromeda as well. Also, expect things to heat up. After all, it isn't rated R for nothing…