Traditional Friends.

Traditions, fights and laughter.

Lily crept, quiet as a mouse, up the trellis and through the window.

"Damn" She cussed quietly as she hit her head on the window frame. Every year. I do that every year. She spied her target sleeping soundly under the covers of his nice, warm, bed. As always. She tiptoed towards him and bent down low, next to his ear. She let out a long, low whistle.

James' eyes shot open in a flash. "September first," he whispered eagerly. He shot up in bed. "September first." He grinned putting on his glasses.

"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Lily shouted jumping on his bed. "WAKE UP!"

"I'm up." He smiled. "Must you do that every year?" He rubbed his head.

"Tis tradition, my dear boy. If I did not uphold tradition I would be shot." She recited with her hand over her heart.

"Tradition ay?" He got a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well…I guess you know what comes next?" She narrowed her eyes.

"No. No. No. We're skipping that part this year."

"Uh uh. Tis tradition. If I did not up hold tradition I would be shot." He put his hand over his heart. Lily backed away slowly. He leapt out of bed and caught her.

"NO!" She shrieked waking the inhabitants of the Potter house. By the shriek they knew what was happening.

"September first." Mr Potter grumbled. "9.14 exactly." He sat up.

"I tell you, it always is. You owe me 5 galleons." Mrs Potter smiled. They knew what was coming next.

"AHH!" Lily screeched. "NO!"

"Resistance is futile." James smirked.

"No Jamsie, stop! I'll do anything. I'll pack your trunk?" She asked nervously.

"Packed it last night." He scooped her up in his arms.

"I'll make your breakfast." She pleaded.

"Nope, you know the rules. September 1st, we eat at my house." He made way to the door.

"I'll…I'll flash you! You don't want that!"

"Too bad."

"NO!" She screamed holding the doorframe. "NO!"

"Every year." James muttered. He turned her on his side and made his way down the stairs while she was kicking and screaming. His parents were downstairs watching the two smiling.

"James! James! I've been your friend and neighbour since we were 5. Don't do this old buddy, old pal."

"Nice try." He took her out the door and headed out the back.

"James you used to run around my house naked. Remember that? You don't want that to get out do you?" She made a last minute attempt.

"I was a young boy! And you tell everyone that when you first meet them. You say 'This is James Potter, he used to run around my house naked' and I don't appreciate it." He pushed through the gate. Towards the pool. Lily's eyes widened when she saw it.

"James. I'm already ready. I don't want to change again."

"Lily, you're in your pyjamas."

"Damn." She muttered. She kicked even harder than before. "PUT ME DOWN!"

"As you wish." He smirked.

"AHHHHH!" She hit the cold water with a splash. She broke the surface and glared at him.

"Now, Lils. Tis tradition." He mocked her.

"Tradition my ass." She mumbled.

He helped her out and she shot him an evil look before putting on a perky face. She turned to walk away. James raised an eyebrow. It was unlike Lily to give up without a fight. Suddenly she snapped around and let out a war cry before tackling him into the pool.

"Got you." She grinned. It was his turn to glare. He stuck his tongue out and she returned the gesture.

"Ok, time to shower stinky." She smiled. "I'll be back in half an hour." She pulled herself out of the pool and traipsed across the lawn.

Lily walked into her house soaking.

"James again?" Her mother asked grinning.

"James again."

later

They had their September 1st eating contest. James isn't, by half a pancake. Lily was getting better every year. They were ready to head to Kings cross. Another problem unfolded when the two were getting into the Potters car.

"Shotgun." Lily called.

"NO WAY! You were in the front last year." James complained.

"That's because I called shotgun."

"It's my family car."

"That's right I'm a guest. I get frontsies."

"You're not a guest. You come with us every year." James pouted.

"That's because you love me so much." She smirked.

"NOT!" James gagged at his best friend. Lily stuck her tongue out.

"Fine. Race you." She took off.

"CHEATER!" He called after her. He set off and caught up to her right before she reached the car.

"I'm in the front." He said opening the door.

"No me." She slid in the seat."

"Get out." He pulled her arm.

"No."

"Yes."

"Nuh uh."

"Yes uh." He pulled her out and they stood fighting each other to get into the front seat.

Mrs Potter rolled her eyes at the scene. Every year. They fight every year over the front seat. They're just so cute. I wonder when they'll realise. She saw Lily kick James in the shin and she shook her head. A while yet. She walked to the car. "Ok you two stop fighting, you're in sixth year now, time to grow up. James let Lily in the front. She's the guest."

"But mum, she was in the front last year."

"James Potter, get in the back seat now."

"Fine." Lily shot him a smirk that distinctly said 'I won' causing him to scowl. The incident was soon forgotten as it happened every year. That's just what these best friends are do.

Kings cross

"Ouch." Lily cried as James pushed her to the side.

"Me first." He said smugly, grabbing his trolley.

"No me." She pushed him back causing his trolley to hit a lady. Lily whistled innocently as James apologised profusely.

"You were in the front! I get to go through the barrier first."

"No, that's not the rules."

"Yes it is."

"I know. I'll race you there."

"Ok. Be careful of your trolley, on the count of three."

"1…2…" Lily shot off. "3!" She called.

"You cheated again." James yelled catching up to her. The two were running so fast people had to dive out of the way to stop from being squashed by their trolleys.

James hit her trolley causing her to crash into a pole and fall. She sat on the ground in tears clutching her ankle. James looked back and rushed to help her.

"Lily! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry." He helped her up.

"Sucker." She called as sprung to her feet and ran ahead with her things.

"Damn." He cussed.

Lily made it to the barrier and was about to enter when she felt a tug on her clothes. She looked around and saw a little girl. She had dark brown hair and blue eyes, she looked like a first year.

"Excuse me." The girl said as James caught up and stood by Lily.

"Yes?" Lily asked politely.

"Um…" She looked nervous.

"Don't be scared." James assured her. "Lily's not as scary as she looks." Lily shot him a dirty look.

"Er…I'm Jazminta. I don't know how to get to the Hogwarts express." She said with tears in her eyes.

"Hi Jazminta, I'm James Potter and this is Lily Evans, don't cry." James introduced them.

"Are you friends?" Jazminta asked shyly.

"Yes we are. I've known James since I was five. He used to run around my house naked." Lily smirked at James. Must she introduce me to everyone like that?

"Look, you just run straight between platforms nine and ten. I'll show you." James shot Lily a smirk letting her know he won that round and disappeared through the barrier. Jazminta followed, then Lily.

"Cheater." Lily said as they boarded the train.

"You cheated first and I wasn't cheating. There's no rule that says I can't use a little girl to help me win."

"Well, I got to sit in the front so there." She smirked. "Let's go find our friends." She started walking down the aisle.

"Where are you going?" James asked.

"To find our friends, idiot."

"They'll be this way." He tugged her hand.

"No they won't. They'll be at this end of the train." She pulled his hand the other way.

"No they won't. That end is dumb."

"No, you're end is dumb."

"Not! They'll be down here." He pulled her along.

"No they won't." She stamped her foot.

"Will too."

"Will not."

"Will too."

"Will not."

"Will-" He was cut off as Lily let go of her trunk and leapt on him, pinning him to the ground.

"Now, are you going to listen?" She asked smirking.

"Get off me. You weigh heaps, I can't breathe." He complained pushing her off and standing up.

"Are you saying I'm fat?" She said narrowing her eyes.

"Well…I'm not saying that, but you did eat most of the pancakes this morning." He was just playing with her. Lily was anything but fat. Being on the quidditch team helped that.

"I did not! You ate most of them."

"I'm a growing man." Lily scoffed.

"More like…boy."

"Take that back. I'm a MAN!" He hit his chest.

"You're sixteen. You're a boy."

"I am not! I shave, LOOK!" He stuck out his chin.

"You're puny! And I know for a fact you only shave because every other male your age does. You don't even need too."

"I do too! And I am not puny. Feel these muscles." He said pointing to his arms. A few first years that weren't used to seeing the two bicker scattered away at the weird scene. Lily and James didn't notice their friends come out to watch in amusement.

"That's not muscle…that's flab." She squeezed his arm.

"Well I never…" He said indignantly. "Are you saying I'm fat!" He cried.

"Well, I'm not one to point out flaws." James gaped. Lily was lying also. James was one fine male, toned from quidditch.

"What! I am not fat! You are!"

"I am not! I'm a chaser like you and our captain doesn't let fat people be chasers!"

"You're fatter than me!" James smirked.

"I am not! You're fatter!" Their friends were laughing in the background, still unnoticed.

"Why do they always fight?" Abby asked.

"I don't know…but I love the 'who's fatter' fights. They're both sticks."

"Honestly, I've never met two better friends, but they fight over stupid things." Remus sighed turning back to the pair.

"FATTY! FATTY! FATTY!" Lily was yelling with her hands over her ears.

"I'm surprised you can fit in this aisle, being so fat and all."

Lily gaped. "Well…the only thing fatter than you is your ego!" She retorted.

"Shut up…fatso." He hissed.

SMACK! Lily punched him in the eye.

Sirius howled with laughter.

"Wormtail, get the potion." Remus sighed. "Not again."

"OH JAMES I'M SO SORRY!" She yelped him up and hugged him.

"It's alright, I'm sorry for calling you fat."

"Me too, you're not fat. Also, sorry for punching you…again." He hugged her tightly.

"It's ok, I was out of line."

"No, it was my fault."

"Let's go find our friends and get you some potion to help your eye."

They saw Peter holding the potion just behind them and their other friends looking at them weirdly. They followed them into a

compartment and sat down. Lily was holding James' hand for comfort.

"How do you do that?" Sirius asked.

"What?" They said together.

"You always fight…then suddenly you're best of friends. If anyone else punched James they'd be dead."

"James loves me." Lily said casually.

"It never ceases to amaze me. Nothing could tear you two apart. Best friends forever I suppose?"

"You betcha." They said together.

"Oh Jamsie?" A sickeningly sweet female voice called. Lily let go of James' hand as the door slid open. James' latest Poptart. Lily and Abby had come up with the name Poptart for James' and Sirius' flavour-of-the-week. They're quick and easy, plus they were always so perky and fresh, just like out of the toaster.

James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were the top guys of the school. The Marauders, as they call themselves. All the girls wanted them and all the guys wanted to be them, though there were a few exceptions to both.

James was a chaser on the Gryffindor quidditch team. He had messy raven hair and gorgeous hazel eyes behind gold rimmed glasses. He had a great build and tanned skin. He had excellent grades and a prankster attitude, unless someone messed with his friends. Especially Lily. Lily had been his friends since forever and everyone knew if you mess with her you mess with the dragon himself. It simply wasn't done. James could be extremely intimidating.

Sirius Black, a mighty fine specimen. He had graceful dark hair that fell a little longer than most guys and icy blue-grey eyes. He was a beater on the house team and could get quite violent. He had an attitude to match James except a little more on the immature side. He was a ladies man, through and through. Although Lily and James had decided that he would be a good match for Abby so they were working on a plan to get the two together. Sirius got good grades without as much effort as the average student.

Remus Lupin, resident werewolf. He was a mysterious fellow. He had a pale form due to his lycanthropy, sandy brown hair and amber eyes. He was the 'sensible' Marauder and knew where to draw the line. He was quite the knowledgeable romantic and didn't go through girls like tissues. He was a Gryffindor prefect and had great grades.

Peter Pettigrew. Though not as handsome as the rest, he had his good qualities. He was good at potions and that came in well with the pranks. He added that little bit extra to the group that was needed. Peter was a good decoy also. He was considerably shorter with watery blue eyes and blonde hair. With help from his friends he was able to maintain a healthy grade.

Along with the marauders there were two other girls who hung out with the group. Lily Evans and Abby Welsh.

Lily Evans. Ah, to bottle perfection. She was what some would call perfect, though she was no where near. She had outstanding grades which helped her to get Prefect and great looks. She had a creamy complexion with a few faint freckles and beautiful long red hair that tumbled down her shoulders in waves. However, the most stunning of her features was her luminous, emerald eyes. Some would say the window to her soul. Others would say the portal to her heart. In any case they were entrancing and showed you all her emotions. She was highly sought after but had hardly and boyfriends because of you hurt her you would most likely end up limbless, courtesy of James Potter. Her biggest flaw was her temper. She had a shorter fuse than a goldfish has a memory.

Abby Welsh was an average student. She had good grades and good looks. She was witty and harsh to most. She had dark hair and deep blue eyes against warm skin. She was a little on the short side though most would say petite would fit her figure perfectly. Sirius especially liked to tease her about her height. Actually, Sirius liked to tease her about anything. All the more reason to set the two up, in Lily and James' eyes.

Back to the current Poptart standing in the doorway. She went by the name of Ann, though the friends didn't bother remember because she wouldn't be around for long. She was like any other air headed bimbo-ditz who latched her self to the Marauders, trying to fool herself into thinking he was 'the one' and not seeing obvious heartbreak coming her way.

Ann waltzed in and flung herself in James' lap kissing him passionately before shooting Lily a glare. It was true most girls were threatened by Lily Evans. They knew there would be day when James woke up and saw he was head over heels for her, so they made sure they were continuously around to stop that.

The group gagged seeing her throw herself at him like that but it was nothing new.

"So Lils, how were your holidays?" Sirius asked ignoring the display beside Lily.

"Fine. Although, living beside this dolt," She nodded towards James, "has its downsides."

"Did you do your traditional wakeup call this morning?" Abby asked smiling.

"Sure did. 'Tis tradition. If I did not uphold tradition I would be shot." She spoke with her hand over her heart.

"He pushed you into the pool didn't he?" Remus said shaking his head.

"What? It's tradition!" James interrupted. He had escaped from the clutches of Ann who was currently pouting on his lap.

"Don't worry guys. I got him back this year."

"You tricked me."

"Alls fair in love and war." She smirked. Their friends watched the two with knowing smirks. They saw the two were perfect for each other. They were just waiting for them to open their eyes and see it.

"Oh, what day is it?" James asked.

"Tuesday."

"Ok. Ann we need to talk…let's go outside." James led her away.

"It's that time again, isn't it?" Abby asked when they had gone.

"Yip." Lily answered.

"So Lils…" Sirius decided to speed up the process being the impatient git he was. "Er…you know James?"

"Yes." She said slowly. The other two rolled their eyes at Sirius' method of getting answers.

"What do you think of him?"

"Well, he is my best friend."

"Oh, so you don't think of him in a…romantic sense?" Everyone waited in silence. Lily was honestly shocked. Why would they think that?

"Sirius…Are you crazy? He's been my best friend since I was five. He ran around my house naked when he was little."

"Well at least you know what you're getting." He wiggled his eyes brows at her.

"You're serious? You think I like James?"

"Well…You got a whole lot better looking over the summer and so did he. You've grown up since you were five. You never know." Lily burst into laughter. The now single James Potter walked through the door to see her laughing hard and clutching the seats.

"What?" He said confused.

"They gasp think gasp I like, like you." She said before she burst into laughter again.

"Are you serious?" He asked before bursting into laughter himself. The two were in stitches for a few more minutes. They quickly changed before they reached Hogwarts.