Chapter One,

The Note and The Guest

"Guess who's Head Girl mum!" cried Lily Evans as she waltzed into the kitchen, waving a scarlet badge. Mrs. Evans stopped peeling the potatoes sitting on the counter and embraced her daughter.

Lily's sister Petunia muttered, "Showoff." as she slammed shut the cabinet door leading to the pantry.

Lily glared at her. "You are just jealous because-"

"Lily, Petty…please try to get along." sighed Mrs. Evans, returning to her potatoes.

Huffing, Petunia stalked out of the kitchen muttering something that sounded like, "Bloody hell, this place is going to the dogs…"

Lily shrugged. She left too, skipping lightly up the stairs. "Mum, I'm going to pack. I ordered all my books and stuff this time…we won't have to go to Diagon Ally"

"All right dear." answered Mrs. Evans.

As Lily began sorting through her books, a slip of parchment fell out.

Hmm thought Lily. That's odd. She turned it over, and read the green lettered message.

"From every smile you show to the world, a flower blooms in color. For every tear that falls from your cheek, a shower of rain comes crashing. Catch the moments as they fly…a friend"

Lily gazed perplexed at the note, and jumped as Petunia called through the door,

"Mum says dinner is ready Lily dearest."

Lily glared at the door. "Coming Petty my sweet." She yelled back, her voice dripping with venom.

"Oh, and the Jenkins are over for dinner, so you have to be normal." added Petunia and Lily heard her sister tramp down the stairs.

Leaving the packing for after dinner, Lily hurried down to the sound of a doorbell.

DING DONG!

"I'll get it mum!" she called, and opened it.

"Hello Lily dear," said Mrs. Jenkins. Her husband Matthew stood next to her, while her son, Jacob was standing with another boy with black hair.

"I hope you don't mind that Jacob brought a friend." She added, as the boy stepped forward.

"Oh, of course not! I'll tell mum to put another-another-"she stepped back startled at the boy's face.

"Yes?" prompted Mrs. Jenkins

"Another place setting." she finished

Mrs. Evans came to the door. "Lily? Are you going to make our neighbors stand out in the walkway for dinner? Ah, I see Jacob brought a friend."

"Hello Mrs. Evans; Lily." said the boy. "James Potter at your service."

"Come in, come in." ushered Mrs. Evans. "Charles should by home any second…"

She hurried and put another place setting at the table. Lily glared at James who smiled innocently back.

Great. Just great. I get to have dinner with that prat. she thought to herself.

All through the meal, little conversation was made. Lily kept shooting venomous looks at James, who smiled sweetly. Petunia glared at Lily and Jacob, and Mrs. Evans tried in vain to keep a conversation going. All in all, the meal was,

"-complete disaster." moaned Mrs. Evans that night after they left. "Honestly, a chance to make ourselves friendly and…" she sighed, and threw the last of the silverware into the dishwasher.

"It's alright mum. I'm sure everything will work out fine." assured Lily, and left to finish packing, still puzzling over the note and James.

Maybe one of the storekeepers put it in the book thought Lily that night. I like that last part…Catch the moments as they fly…

Still thinking of the mysterious letter, she drifted off into sleep.