CHAPTER ONE: Train Ride

God save me. What a prat. Lily could not believe she had to live through a whole new year at school with James following her around. She watched him as he walked down the platform towards her. James was followed closely by his usual friends, Remus, Sirius, and Peter. The group called themselves the "Marauders," famous for their pranks on the less fortunate. What a stupid little name. Lily was amazed that they hadn't been expelled with all of the stupid and cruel things they were constantly pulling.

She was more than amazed though, that James had been elected Head Boy. What a joke. The most amazing thing of all was that they expected her to be Head Girl alongside with him. An even bigger joke, but a very mean one. He was gesticulating with his hands as he talked; his friends all seemed to be listening closely. They all laughed suddenly, except Remus who just smiled. As she watched them she admitted to herself it was undeniable that some of them had good looks.

Sirius had smooth black hair that fell over his dark gray eyes in an elegant sort of way. Lily had always thought he was horribly repulsive though, so had never spent any of her time fancying him. Remus seemed the most her type out of all of them. He seemed to be the nicest, smartest, and had his own share of looks as well. Why didn't they make him Head boy? Lily wondered. Peter, well he was just there to balance things out, although that sounded mean. He didn't have much that was special about him to speak of.

James was not her type, in looks, and especially in personality. She hated his stupid messy hair, and the way he always made it stick up in the back. She hated his ugly glasses; they were always crooked, just like his clothes. She hated James Potter with every ounce in her body.

James on the other hand, practically obsessed over her. His pages were filled with his and her initials intertwined, or doodles of them together, often to the displeasure of his professors. He had thought she was beautiful the second he laid eyes on her, oddly enough, at age eleven. He had been pursuing her ever since. If she had been counting, Lily would have known she had turned him down fifty-seven times since James had first met her. He was relentless though. He really thinks that I'll fancy him someday. Fat chance.

"Hello, Evans," James said casually when he finally reached her on the platform. She had certainly expected this. He was always trying to talk to her, although he made it rather impossible for himself by acting so pompous.

"So nice to see you," she replied acidly. He was the last person she wanted to talk to, and yet already doomed to do so during the train ride. Another downfall to him being Head Boy. They were made to share a train compartment, and living quarters. And a bathroom, oh no, I hadn't even thought of that!

"Thanks for the warm greeting," he said sarcastically, "partner," he added, now beaming.

"Oh please don't even remind me," Lily said, "you're the absolute last person I would want as a 'partner'."

"You know Prongsie, if you want a warm greeting, you might want to call her by her first name," Sirius added, "you know, might help with the whole 'friendly' thing…"

Lily suddenly realized how odd it was he called her by her last name. If he wanted to date her, it might be awkward that he was constantly calling her "Evans." She really preferred he didn't call her "Lily" though, she certainly didn't feel 'friendly' towards him.

"…Sod that though, I'm all for it if you feel it necessary to keep her distanced, good plan that is,"

"Shut it, Padfoot," James said, although his eyes glittered happily through all his messy hair. "Anyway, I was saying before I was interrupted," he coughed loudly, "Lily, darling" he shot a glance at Sirius, while Lily groaned and covered her eyes, "I was thinking we should make our way to our private compartments about now."

"We are not making our way to our compartments, I can get there myself," Lily shot back. "Plus I haven't seen any of my friends yet, and I wish to say hello to them before being imprisoned with you for a few hours," Lily finished. She turned quickly on her heel and headed off to find her friends.

"Bugger, and I thought I was supposed to be the mean one…" James muttered as she walked off.

"I heard that!" They heard Lily call, as she shot an angry glare over her shoulder. James smiled stupidly.

Lily searched over the heads of the crowd for her friends as she fumed. The fact that James could be so very pompous was baffling to her. He talked to her as if she was already his. Calling her darling, how annoying. She had told him in no uncertain terms how much she despised him on many occasions. He was always being so mean to people just because he thought they weren't good enough.

He was constantly badgering and hexing Snape at every chance he got. She certainly didn't think Snape was Prince Charming, but he already had plenty of punishment for being mean. He didn't have any friends… that certainly was enough penalty enough for his discourtesy.

Lily spotted a head full of honey brown curls and smiled. "Claire," she called out. The head turned to reveal light brown eyes and a smile.

"Lily! Hi, how are you?" she said while embracing one of her closest friends, "I missed you."

"Same here. My summer was fine," Lily answered, "I just had an unfortunate run-in with Potter though. I suddenly realized my pleasant but somewhat boring summer is turning into an infuriating and sleepless school year."

"Oh, yeah, I heard about your misfortune. Potter as Head-boy won't be so bad though. Just ignore him, and only approach him when called on for Head's duty. I do feel for you though,"

"It'll be bad having James Potter as Head Boy. You'll see," Lily uttered darkly. She felt her good mood of seeing her friend evaporate like a puddle in drought season. The thought of James as her co-Head was infuriating.

"Uh-oh, looks like somebody's caught a bad case of James-itus, and so soon in the year. Pity," she heard a friendly voice say from behind her. She spun around to see her good friend Phoebe standing with all her baggage on the platform. "Hey Lils. Nice to see you," Phoebe said holding her arms out for a hug.

"Hey there," Lily said accepting the offered hug.

"So James is really Head-boy, eh? What is the world coming to?" Phoebe said with an over-exaggerated sigh.

"How long were you listening to our conversation?" Lily asked jokingly.

"Not like it was a long conversation or anything," Phoebe pointed out.

"True,"

"I wonder where Kyrié is… maybe on the train?"

"Doubtful, probably more likely late. She's never really been known to hurry to get to school if you know what I mean," Claire said, rejoining the conversation.

"Also true," Lily agreed. "Should we wait for her? Or board the train?" she wondered out loud.

"Let's just get on the train, my trunk is looking like it's about ready to burst," Phoebe decided.

"Alright," Lily and Claire agreed simultaneously.

At that moment the train whistle blew. It was finally time for her to meet her destiny in the Head's compartment. More likely that I'll meet my doom, she thought gloomily. She wouldn't know until later that it really was her destiny that she was going to confront.

"There's the whistle," Remus commented.

"Yes indeed… are you off to meet your Lady Love then, James?" Sirius joked.

"Hey, I wouldn't call it love really. More of an infatuation, I'd say. But yes, I am off to meet her, and hopefully snog her senseless." James said, embodying in one sentence everything Lily hated.

"Right then. Have a good snog," Sirius said, deciding that snog was a better word than day, that was what James was planning, after all.

"I'll make sure to, you all have a good time too," James said. "See you at school," he added as an after-thought, even though they of course would all be seeing each other once at Hogworts.

He began wandering to the front of the train where his compartment was, and where he hoped to locate Lily. He was pleased to find that Lily was already sitting on the seat, reading, and paying no attention to him. This gave him time to arrange himself. He casually leaned against the doorframe, propped up on one elbow.

"Hello my dearest Lily-Flower," he said, attempting to be suave.

"I'm never going to be your Lily-Flower. Or anyone's. I hate that nick-name," she replied coldly, while not looking up from her book.

James read the title; it was called Kissed by an Angel, and looked like some muggle trash romance novel. The cover did nothing to dispel his theory. It pictured a blonde teenager being kissed by a brunette male-angel. The entire background for this corny moment was pink lace.

"Ugh," he gagged involuntarily. He despised mushy, corny, or sappy novels about love. They repulsed him. He hated how unrealistic they were. Love wasn't always beautiful, or satisfyingly X-rated, as many of these novels were. Something about Lily thinking that love was this false really upset him.

"Why do you even bother reading that trash?"

"How would you even know? Have you read this book? Highly doubtful in my opinion," she scoffed while finally looking up from her paperback.

"Thank God I didn't read that book, is all I have to say. I'd probably spew my lunch,"

"Just because you don't have a romantic bone in your body doesn't mean the rest of us can't enjoy people loving others," she spat. "Then again, I wouldn't expect a person like you to know anything about love or kindness,"

"Shut your mouth!" he practically yelled, "how is it that you say I can't imagine loving somebody, when you are the one who refuses to go on a date with me? I'd say I'm far more in love with you than you will ever be with anyone!"

She went momentarily white, immediately recomposing herself. "You don't love me. Nor will you ever, because I will never give you the chance."

James wanted desperately to disagree with her, but hadn't he just a few moments ago told his friends he didn't love Lily? Why had he implied to her that he did?

"I'm sure as hell going to try," he said, his anger vanished.

Lily softened somewhat, but she refused to herself to let James have the last word. "You will never succeed."

He slumped onto the seat opposite of her, letting his head hang down, loose on the end of his neck. He sighed deeply. "I think by now you know my knowledge of the fact that you think that will never slow me down. Ever." He said, peering up on the last word at her over his glasses through his overly long fringe. For once he looked solemn.

"Sure, but that doesn't mean you'll win. I am not, and never will be, yours. Do not think that I feel sorry for you right now. Believe me, I just don't like you enough to feel bad for you," she replied with a tone that almost said she liked making him feel worthless.

"Don't worry. I don't feel bad, therefor, do not need you to feel bad for me, nor would I want you to in the event of my sadness. That will never come to pass though, because I know that someday you'll be mine. It keeps me elated at all times of day," he said smiling, quickly regaining his very large self-esteem.

"Whatever Potter. You may think that, but some day I'm sure you'll come to the realization that you were wrong. Unless by some miracle, you stop being so stuck up, self-centered, or mean, I will never even like you. Sorry," she began peering out the window with great interest, apparently trying to avoid another row.

Although she insisted on James never getting in the last snarky comment, she really didn't enjoy fighting. He really was the only person that managed to get her so angry. Lucius Malfoy was surely a snobby pureblooded twit, but it's just that that's all he was, a twit. His comments didn't really bother her as much, although they were rude and mean, but he just wasn't as bad. She certainly had dislike for Malfoy, but not the loathing she had for James.

James also began to look out the window. As the hills and farmlands passed by, he began to ponder why he had said he was in love with Lily. He probably just wanted to prove he wasn't completely hopeless when it came to being romantic. How was he ever supposed to get Lily on a date if she didn't think he could be romantic? That was probably it. Without thinking, he had just said that to get her to believe he wasn't all about pestering Snivelus. Although he did certainly take pleasure in doing that.

For a long time they both thought of each other, and many other things. Eventually the snack trolley came by their compartment. James rattled about in his pockets until he finally produces a few silver sickles. He bought a few chocolate frogs, two sugar quills, a small package of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, and three pumpkin pasties. The large amount of candy sat on the seat next to him, organized into their separate candy types, in nice neat piles.

When the woman with the trolley asked if Lily wanted any, she immediately began rummaging in her pockets for a few knuts while mentioning it would only be a moment, only to find she had left her money in her trunk. "Bugger," she swore softly, then more loudly apologized, "Sorry, I forgot my money in my trunk."

After the cart was safely on its way, while the trolley-woman grumbled about time wasters, James offered some of his goodies to Lily. She eyed the heaps of candy suspiciously, but her mouth watered. She loved sugar quills more than any other food in the world.

After her long self-debate she finally answered, "fine. I'll take a sugar quill... Please," she added as an after thought. Must not stoop to his level of rudeness.

Although she found James to be constantly rude, she reminded herself she had to show him that she was on a higher level than him. If she began to be as rude as James, then what was her excuse for not going on a date with him?

James had been hoping Lily would for once allow herself to accept a favor from him. Because she accepted the candy she one: admit she did not think he would drug her, two: get herself used to thinking James was generous, and three: without knowing, concede to him her favorite type of candy. He might find this piece of information useful in the future, Note to self: Lily…Candy…Sugar quills.

"I'll have one too then," James said more to the sugar quill than to Lily, as he picked it up and looked at it like there was nothing else in the world for him. "These are my very favorite candies. Ever," James again told the quill.

"Mine too," Lily said. Then she realized that she had just agreed with James on something. They both seemed to realize this at the same moment and looked up at each other. Each looked equally surprised at what she had just done.

Unlike in Lily's romance novels, she did not suddenly realize that she could fall into his hazel eyes like deep pools and drown in their beauty. She felt revolted that they had almost just shared a moment and looked away grimacing.

"Umm, then, why did you only buy two? And so many of the other types of candy?" Lily quickly said, breaking off the moment.

James had almost forgotten they had ever been talking about sugar quills. Ironically, James, being the one believed romance novels were full of trash, had indeed been thinking about how beautiful Lily's green eyes were. As green as the ocean, even greener really, he had been thinking when she suddenly looked away.

It took James a moment to answer her question. "Well, because you can't have too much of something you like, or, I suppose you stop liking it. Right?" James answered solemnly, although not very eloquently.

I suppose that makes sense. That is the second time James has been serious during this train ride. It must be a record, Lily thought to herself, but then something occurred to her, that didn't at all fit with what James was saying.

"If you can't have too much of something you like, then why can't you ever leave me alone?" In any other case, this would have seemed like a really self-centered thing to say, but when it came to Lily and James, this statement was a completely normal thing to ask.

"Lily, I still don't have you, therefor, this statement completely doesn't apply,"

"Well, I'd say you have altogether too much of me as it is. I at least certainly have enough of you. Might I also, yet again, point out you will never have me,"

"Well, like I said, it's only a matter of time until your only occupation in the world is snogging me. Maybe after a while of that I'll be tired of you,"

"I can't even believe somebody could be so oblivious. I will never snog you, muchless make it my only occupation in the entire world. Don't you think that in maybe in some alternate universe where I actually would go out with you, I would have other ambitions of my own? And you're just so inconsiderate! How could you possibly have the cruelty to make girls fall in love with you, and then decide that you're tired of them! Wait, I know how you could be that mean… you are after all JAMES POTTER! Only you could ever have possibly made me this mad with ONE SINGLE SENTENCE!" Lily raged. She had started her statement at a normal tone, but as her anger had escalated, she found herself standing up, fist in air, shouting. She suddenly felt embarrassed about her reaction and sat down. She glowered at James through her fringe anyway.

"Well I have a few comments about what you just said. Number one: if we were in a alternative universe, therefor opposite universe, in which you dated me, yes, you would care about only me and our snog sessions," he paused here for his theory to sink in. "Two, you have brought me to a realization, and for that I thank you," he again paused, believing that if she saw how grateful a person he could be, she would stop glowering. She glowered further, annoyed that she gave him any assistance in his Quest to Annoy. He plowed ahead, "this realization is that, yes, I have made girls tremble in my awesome wake, hang on my every word, shiver at my every touch, bat their eyelashes at my every passing—"

"I already know you're full of yourself, get on with it already!"

"Fine. Ruin the fun. I was getting to it. As I was saying, they adore me, only to have all their hearts broken because I get tired of them as soon as I have them. But it's different with you. I think, maybe, that I'll never get tired of you Lils. I'm not saying I'm in love with you here, so bear with me," he said, trying to avoid another awkward moment surrounding the word love, "but I more than like you.

"With those other girls, they're cute, but that's it, although cuteness is a requirement. Anyway, I stop enjoying them after too much, because I get tired of them. Like with sugar quills. I can't have too many, or they'll no longer provide any entertainment. I don't like them enough to never get tired of them. With you Evans, I like you too much to just stop liking you any more, to get bored. You will never bore me," James finally ended.

Lily looked stunned. That was definitely the nicest thing he had ever said to her, even though his big head kept interrupting at irregular intervals. Lily stopped glowering, although she had no idea what to say.

"Mmph," she finally decided was the best she could do vocally at the moment. And yet she simply couldn't let him get away with saying something nice to her. He was never ever nice, there had to be some loophole in what he had said…

James took her non-snarky reply, and completion of glowering to mean she accepted what he said. He was very pleased with himself for expressing his beliefs towards her without starting another argument. Progress and success in one go. You are the man James, ooh yeah, was what he was smugly thinking when Lily suddenly piped up.

"Well that's all very nice. I just have one thing to ask though. Do you really see me as something that would 'entertain' you? I would simply 'never bore you'? That's gentlemanly of you to say so, Potter," she said in a mock polite tone.

Oh great, she's taking it all wrong. As always. "No, you're overreacting, I was—"

"Overreacting? That's funny, it seems to me when a person says that I am different because I never bore, and that I'm not like a sugar quill because I will also never stop entertaining, that they intend for me to entertain them. Smooth Potter. Never mind about intellect, wit, or God forbid Love, it's all about you not being bored,"

"Merlin! You cannot simply accept the fact that I am not a total jerk, and can actually try to be nice on occasion! I was trying to say that you will never bore me because you have intellect, you will always entertain me because you have a sense of humor and wit,it's all because I LOVE you! It has everything to do with those things! How shallow do you really…" James trailed off after realizing for the second time in one train ride, he had said he loved her.

Just few hours before he had said he wasn't in love. He looked at Lily who was also looking back at him. Could he really love her? Everybody knew that he was obsessed with her… but love? He really had no reason to love her. All they ever did was fight. She was beautiful and smart, but he really barely knew her for everything he was always saying. Why would he keep saying he loved her though if he didn't?

"Maybe James Potter, maybe you really meant what you said. I wouldn't exactly place a huge bet on your truthfulness though. I just want you to know that, yes, I do think you're shallow and, no, I do not think you love me," Lily replied without any expression in her voice or face.

"I don't know either," James said truthfully while staring out the window.

"I'm going to go change into my robes. Then I'm going to go to my friends compartment to say 'hello' to them, and maybe patrol the hallway. I'll probably not be back," Lily explained as if to a two-year-old, while sliding open the compartment door. She exited, and true to her word did not return.

"Uuuugghhhh…" James groaned. Lily Evans must have been the most complicated girl in the world. She was very much like a gift basket of complexity. Not only did you get the difficult girl, but your very own perplex feelings were thrown in for no extra charge.

"Mmmmbllaaa…" he muttered nonsensically, as he began thumping his head against the windowpane. I don't know what to do. Change my personality? Be courteous? Switch my hair? Contac lenses? He thought desperately, more studying? No, he thought firmly and stopped bumping his head on the window, I will not give my free time up for studying just to impress her. I like free time, maybe even more than Lily. James was maybe the laziest person in the whole world, with the smallest work ethic. Looks aside (and his outrageously hilarious sense of humor), even he was surprised at being elected Head Boy.

He returned to his thoughts of Lily as he stared out the window. The view was now getting dark, but he could still make out the outlines of dark blue mountains, encrusted with dark green forest. The last wisps of pale orange light were slowly disappearing out of sight, sinking lower than even the deepest valley floor. He soon abandoned hope of seeing anything interesting as the whole world was finally engulfed in veiled light from the sliver of the moon.

He shut the curtains of the compartment and quickly changed into his robes. James pocketed the rest of his candy, most of it uneaten. His row with Lily had been quite occupying; normally he would have already finished all his sweets. All he could think about was Lily.

He realized the train was finally slowing to a halt. He saw at a distance the great castle looming above the grounds of Hogworts. His heart beat with anxiety and excitement. This year was his last, and would probably be his busiest. With his new duties as Head Boy, N.E.W.T.s, quiddich, and his pursuit of Lily on a whole new level, he imagined this year to be frantic. He also envisioned it being a lot of fun too though. Despite his work load, he would still have his friends, he was graduating, and, of course, he was sharing living quarters with Lily. Not too shabby.

The train came to a complete stop, and he heard the conductor's voice telling them that they had reached Hogsmede Station, and that they should be ready to disembark from the train soon, their baggage was to be brought to their dorms.

James got off the crimson colored train onto the platform, already filled with people. He spotted his friends climbing from a car into the crowd.

"Hey! You guys!" he called and headed after them.

:AUTHOR'S NOTES:

One: Review. Please. Two: If you have any criticisms, corrections, whatever… please do tell me. I want to become better. But please, no flames. Not appreciated. Three: If you have any stories you are working on, and ever want to tell me… please do! I love to read anything, and am always looking for stuff to read. Okay… hope you enjoyed it!

:REFERENCES:

One: Kissed by an Angel is a real book written by Elizabeth Chandler.

Yes I do confess to reading it. Yes, the cover is exactly how I described it. And yes, it is ridiculously addictive, I could not put it down. I do not blame Lily for reading it. And lastly, yes, it does have quotes such as : she found herself falling into his dark brown eyes and drowning in them. If I ever write anything as sappy as this, e-slap me, please. In such cases as these, I'll accept flames.