Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the brilliant J.K. Rowling!

"This Is the Year"

Lily's last week of vacation at Allie's house can only be described as perfect. Lily wouldn't trade it in for the world. Spending a whole week with two of the most important people in her life was more than anything to cover up for the dreadful beginning of the summer.

The alarm rang the next morning at exactly eight. Allie groggily peaked her head above the covers, pressed the off button, and groaned.

"Who set the clock so early?" she groaned, "It's too early to be awake."

Lily waved off the question and continued to leave her eyes shut. Alice on the other hand sat up on bed and rubbed her eyes, trying to wake herself, but failing desperately.

"Why are we awake so early again?" Allie asked no one in particular.

"Hogwarts," Alice answered.

Allie's eyes widened up immediately. Alice looked at her. Than together they ran for the bathroom door like their life depended on it. The two of them got stuck in the door way trying to get pass one another.

"I got here first, Alice!" Allie exclaimed.

"No, I did!" Alice argued. They struggled some more.

"Not fair," Allie whined, "I get the shower first you take to long."

"Allie, you're the one that takes too long!" retorted Alice.

"Oh yeah!" Allie replied as she stopped struggling to get into the shower.

Alice at once used to her advantage of Allie's temporary oblivion, pushed Allie out of the way, and shut the bathroom door in her face. Before Allie could do anything Alice had clicked the door shut and Allie was force to complain while Alice took a nice, refreshing shower.

Allie groaned and whined outside the door. She banged on the bathroom door hoping Alice would open up, no luck.

"Now I'll never be able to get ready in time!" she cried. "Lily, are you listening?"

"Lily?"

A groan came from underneath the green covers. Allie went over and untangled the cover to discover Lily still quite asleep. Allie laughed. She shook Lily, nothing. She pulled on her blanket, nothing. Finally, Allie went to the last resort, tickling.

"Ahhhh!" Lily screamed jumping out of her bed, "Stop, please!"

Allie laughed at Lily. Lily rubbed at her eyes.

"I'm so tired!" Lily complained, but Allie wasn't listening. Allie was now at the bathroom door listening to Alice take her time while humming. Allie banged on the door.

"Alice, hurry up!"

The door opened and Alice came out in her towel. Her brown hair was wet and she smelled of strawberries.

"I'm out," Alice said.

Allie didn't wait to reply. She quickly rushed in to the bathroom for her turn.

"Morning, Lils," Alice greeted.

Lily stifled a yawned and mumbled a morning. Alice looked through her clothes looking for something decent to wear for the beginning of her last year at Hogwarts.

"Can you believe this is our last year?" Alice asked Lily.

Lily looked at her than answered with a sad, "No, it seems so surreal."

"It seems just like yesterday that we were just standing there on line waiting to be sorted."

"I know," Alice said. "I wished this wasn't our last."

Lily nodded. Alice went back to find an outfit and Lily tried to wake up a little bit more.

"That shower was nice!" Allie exclaimed coming out of the shower.

"Lily, you're turn."

Lily got up from her bed and tiredly walked into the shower. She closed the door, quickly undressed, and stepped into the shower. She turned on the water and gasped when the cold water touched her skin. However, she quickly got use to it and took a refreshing shower.

By the time Lily got out of the shower Alice and Allie were downstairs eating breakfast. Lily quickly got dressed and dried her hair. She walked down the stairs, greeted Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom and Frank.

At half to eleven the girls helped washed the dishes, bid goodbye, and rushed upstairs to get their things. Lily and Allie got ready to apparate, but Alice just stood there looking at them.

"How am I supposed to get there?" Alice asked them frowning.

Lily and Allie looked at each other.

"You wouldn't mind side-apparation would you?" Lily asked.

"No," Alice said.

Lily stretched out her hand. Alice grabbed hold of it and the next thing she knew she was standing on Platform 9¾.

Allie and Alice grabbed their trunks and rolled it forward, but Lily stood there soaking in the site and people. This was really the last time she'll ever take the Hogwarts' train to, well, Hogwarts. Lily's eyes darted from one end of the platform to the other passing first year students, friends catching up with each other, a guy leaning against a wall…

Lily eyes flew back to the guy she just passes. She couldn't believe. It was James Potter. She didn't even recognize him at first. James grew a couple more inches, he was more built, and he wasn't causing any mayhem. Lily stood there gaping at him. Lily didn't know how she knew, but she knew somehow James had changed, more mature in a way.

James felt eyes on him and scanned the crowd; finally, he laid eyes on his long time infatuation Lily Evans. She was staring at him and inwardly James smiled. He had caught her attention. Lily looked at him looking at her and James smiled a small smile at her. It was a smile that wasn't haughty or anything, but all sincere. Lily looked at him puzzled before Allie came along and pulled her along.

James knew it! He knew it the moment Lily stopped and stared at him that this was his year. The year he was, finally, going to win the girl of his dreams. James had the urged to run his hand through his already messy, black hair, but he stopped himself remember what Lily thought about it.

You think it's so cool playing with the snitch and running your fingers through your head. I'm surprised you could even fly with that oversized, egoistical head on your broom!

James snapped out of his flashback and starred at the train. This was really the last year.

"Prongs, you okay?" Sirius asked tapping James on the shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine," James answered.

James pulled his trunk along and walked on to the train. This was the year.

A/N: Hoped you liked this chapter. Please review!