Step 3- Stop With the Flashbacks!

Dedicated to the awesome HMS MARAUDERS! WOOHOOO- we rock! Okay that was weird- but I just had an after-piano-ceremonial-spring's-finally –here-though -it's –still- cold Blizzard and you know what caffeine does to me…

A/N- Hiya guys- Oh yah I'm updating now! I know have a new idea about where I'm gonna take this story and remember there are like 3 other major story lines I gotta put in! But don't fear I'm in it for the long haul- and pray tell me you are too- by reading and reviewing! I'm always open for suggestions of course- but I do know where I'm going- so I'm going to post this and hopefully be ably to type more later tonight…. (explanations, notes, and replies at the end like usual!)

"Potter!"

"What Evans?" James replied in an annoyed singsong voice.

"You idiot- you trashed our dormitory!"

"Are you accusing me of something Evans? I feel hurt…"

"Shut up!"

"How do you know it's me?"

"It was you and your little cronies Potter."

"Huh? And do you have any PROOF of that?"

"Yes!"

"What would that be?"

"Well, umm let me see… you left bloody posters everywhere that read 'I love James Potter'… 'Sirius Black Rox my Sox'… 'James Potter is hot!'"

"Gosh Lily I didn't know you felt that way!" Lily blushed while interested first years started to turn and watch the fighting match. "I mean I'm no strangers from the ladies…you guys probably put them there yourselves…"

"Shut up!"

"Broken recorder!"

"Whatever! Why would we trash our own dormitory with our clothes Potter?"

"Untidy Evans?"

"And throw streamers and paint everywhere…"

"Up late partying…?"

"Clean it up!"

"How would I be able to get up the stairs?"

"I can't!"

"Why? I know cleaning isn't fun but…"

"You bloody idiot- you left a charm on it!"

"Ah… not such a genius are we now?"

Lily was tossing and turning during the night, Afterwards the two walked back to Hogwarts silently, both avoiding the other slightly, but it wasn't exactly awkward… not really. She smiled to herself- "This is so weird…" It seemed unlikely that this was nothing but a dream, she kept reminding herself of those six years… sure- he changed, but no one could change that much…

"Oi Evans!"

"What Potter?"

"You told McGonagall?"

"About what?"

"The Slytherins!"

"Uh- yes! Potter you where really hurting them! You and your big head was way over board!"

"They deserved it!"

"Pray tell why? Did they shadow over some of you sun light?"

"No! It's that they… I CAN'T TELL YOU!"

"And why not?"

"I already told you- I can't tell you!"

"You're a real jerk Potter!" Lily yelled as she stormed away- not believing a single human being could be so self-conceded.

Quietly under his breath James muttered something not intended for Lily to hear, "Because they where saying things about you."

Lily's heart sank- 'crap' she thought.

"What'd McGonagall give you?"

"What- oh yah detention- two weeks."

"I don't need you to defend me Potter! I don't need you of all people to do that- you're just as bad honestly!"

"I would never ever call you…"

"Whatever! It doesn't matter- I'm not a damsel in distress and you are sure as heck no knight!"

"FINE! I'm sorry that I can't sit and watch while some of my enemies say some unspeakable things to a girl I really like! Maybe one day you'll be lucky and meet I guy who could be able to!"

And… it wasn't like it was a long kiss or anything- it was one of those quick innocent ones! It probably meant nothing to James at all! Heck- he was way more… well you know…. then Lily probably ever would be. And now he finally knew he could get any girl in school and forget about her! GOOD RIDENCE! The only problem was- that she kinda liked him, just a tiny, intsy bit now too…

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

James couldn't sleep at all, not even if he tried. He finally got a feeling- for real this time- that Lily probably liked him back. Oh- and it felt pretty good. He wondered when he first felt this way about Lily- the way that he wanted to spend his whole life beside her- it was hard enough to figure out why.

He liked her really since his first year- only not in the same way, he started asking her out since the end of his fourth year, and it was a habit through out his fifth- but, he guessed it really hit him in his sixth year how much she meant to him- everyday, only she never realized why and it wasn't a joke or a silly crush- but honestly why?

He was sitting in a compartment with three other boys- all promising companions- hopefully they would end up in the same house. They where in a deep discussion about Quiditch when a pretty girl- same year- walked in. She had curly red hair and remarkable green eyes- like he had never seen before.

"Hi, um, my name's Lily Evans. Are you first years as well? I'm a bit lost, do you think I could join you guys, just for now?"

"Remus Lupin. And that's err Sirius Black, and um, Peter Pettigrew and James Potter. And sure-"

"Are you a Muggle born?"

"Huh? What's a mug-"?

"A yah- you are." James replied.

"Sorry?"

"No need to- I should do that."

"Why?"

"Well if you have to know- I'm so very sorry about your teeth!" he replied holding out a mirror for her to see.
And sure enough he should be sorry- very sorry not only that he just turned her teeth the same bright green as her eyes- but also this kept her far away form him, especially when he wanted her the most.

But the thing was he never did that to be mean or anything relatively similar to that- it was just how he happened to be. After that they where officially divided into separate groups of friends- it might have been different…

"Oi- Lily Flower!"

"Shut it now Potter! Leave me alone!"

"Whsies love?"

"Well I don't think anyone would blame me- I honestly don't think too many people enjoy their stuff being turned magenta!"

"Magenta is a nice color!"

"What do you want now Potter?"

"Evans- why don't you just go out with me?"

"Of course I will Potter-as soon as pigs-"

James sent a stuffed pig around her head- levitating it with a wand.

"Your something else Potter! Haven't your parents ever taught you the meaning of no?"

"An interjection used to indicate a negative response in order to refuse, deny, or disagree with something?"

She groaned loudly and muttered something about the giant squid and last.

"You gotta admit Evans- I'm persistent."

But this kiss changed everything- he didn't know what it meant to her, but now he couldn't change his train of thought… She had the ability to do that before- but he managed to mix it into his everyday life- but what about now! He felt that now it was much more then a crush… How did she feel? She wasn't exactly the type top go around kissing random guys… She only had a couple of boyfriends (mostly because of James though- who would want to but into "Potter territory?")

It killed him inside to think about how he acted in his previous years- maybe if he was different- she'd have treated him differently and she would be with him for real. He wasn't really like that- but he was only a teenager, he had the right to goof off! Why was he worried about his future now… Oh gosh- now he really couldn't sleep. He grabbed a robe and passed a loudly snoring Sirius and walked down stairs to sit by the fire and regain his thoughts.

You could imagine his surprise when he saw the back of a messy redheaded pulled into a hasty ponytail sitting by the fire with a book open- where her eyes weren't looking.

"Hello Lily Flower."

Lily jumped, and saw James and sat down again, "Oh- hi James- isn't it kinda late?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing love?" He said- gosh that smile, Lilly groaned.

"Well yah- I just couldn't sleep."

"Why ever not?"

"Don't know."

"Really, because from experience I know you usually do."

"Fine, James can we talk?"

"About…?"

"Umm. You know. Just one thing… gosh this is awkward- let's forget about it- wanna help me study for our potions quiz?" she asked earnestly holding a heavy book towards him.

"No Lily, I really do want to talk about that!"

"I'm sorry James."

"WHAT?"

"I know- I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Don't you know?"

"No- please inform me."

"I didn't mean to, it just happened and… can we still be friends?"

James was utterly confused- this was not at all logical.

"I don't want to be friends."

Lily bit her lip.

"I want to be more."

"I don't think we can be."

"Why not?"

"I can't forget James."

" I told you- I only teased you because I like you! And besides- I've 'deflated' my head! I swear I've tried hard to!"

"Don't change for me James- that's to nice! Only can we know each other better first? We've been enemies for so long- umm… I want to actually know James Potter, and then maybe, eventually…"

"It'll be hard to be friends with you Lily, it really will be."

"Just for a while James- please?"

"Fine Lily Flower- but you may change your mind?"

"Of course- hopefully, you said it your self- you're supposedly a good friend."

"I don't know- it'll be different."

"A novel concept! But please James- remember- you still owe me a favor!"

"OF COURSE I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND LILY!" he laughed, " I was just pulling your leg- you don't need to use that as the favor I owe you! Now hand over the book! You know Friday the thirteenth isn't so bad…"

She smiled and quickly hugged him and put the book in his hands and they sat across one another for the next twenty minutes in pure bliss asking mindless questions and making fun about the professors. Until Lily interrupted,

"James can I ask you about a real favor?"

"Whatever you want Lily Flower- I can give you a couple of suggestions…"

"Oh shut it! I was only wondering- could you help me and get Frank and Alice together somehow?"

James couldn't get it- even if he lived a hundred years he would never understand women…

Lucy- I am sooo happy you like her! YAY- I feel really happy that you like my story! Thank you so much for the review! I hope you like this one too…

Mae-Gene- You've been so awesome about reviewing- I know I can't update until you give me a review! Thanks for the review! I know Mrs. Potter was a bit different- but hey mediocrity is boring… THANK YOU!

Cylobaby- I can always expect a review from you too! How cool is that? Anyways thanks for the review- it was so nice- and please keep reading too! THANKS ONCE AGAIN!

The Generals- Ahhhh…. my dear Generals- do remember girls it's rated pg- but you right it could be a little more descriptive(?)… uh huh, yah that's it. Remember it's just beginning! And the count-down begins! 11 days! YAY! (remember what I said about the blizzard…)

A/N- More then anything I wish I could end it last chapter and say and they lived happily ever after… but uh yah- they didn't, and I really need something to tie into my other ideas- weird I know! Oh well! I really want to use some sections from some of my favorite songs as a little intro thing- but sadly they are mostly (actually all) about couples who are like not together anymore- you know the deal Yellowcard and 3 Doors Down found happiness to boring for a violin solo… okay random babbling- but I could always make them argue sooner so I can use them! (Booing from the HMS Marauders). Anywasies I thought things where moving slightly too fast- but never fear- they'll be together soon enough… ONLY REVIEW PEOPLE- tell me if you like it (ideas etc.), hate yellow card, or whatever- anything honestly! READ AND REVIEW! They make my day- whenever it says "you've got mail"- I jump up and down hoping it's a review! Come one people I know you want to… I would post the next chapter today if I could if only you guys reviewed- hey it may come tomorrow! Remember it's only "October" (for now)… Oh by the way "" stand for dates in Hogwarts' time- so if it's "Christmas" in like July- forgive me (hopefully we'll get their a whole lot sooner! Oh and the dates for the flashbacks don't really matter but I'm guessing about 3rd, 6th, 1st, and um… 5th.

Like Always,

TajM