Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.

Sins of Angels: This is Lily and James in their sixth year, a prequel to "Joyful Sadness". Please review and let me know if I made a huge mistake or if I'm doing okay with the story. It'll be greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

Chapter 1 – Just Another Fight

James walked up to the platform, grinning. He was going to get her. This would be the year they fall in love. He could feel it was close.

After all, it had shaped up to be a lucky summer. Sirius had moved in, Peter had finally gotten all his summer work done before the ride to Hogwarts, and Remus seemed to be really happy.

What could go wrong?

The answer to that question popped up instantly in all her beauty as Lily Evans passed through the barrier and emerged on the platform. She forced her trolley to turn with what seemed like great difficulty, and set off towards the nearest door on the train. James ran up to her just as she was getting ready to lift her trunk.

"So, Evans, had a good summer?" he asked in what he hoped was a casual way. He could feel his skin burning as she turned her pretty, enchanting eyes on him. She realized who it was and went back down to her luggage, lifting the cage with her owl first and setting it next to the door. After a while, James felt compelled to say something. "Are you going to answer me?" he asked stupidly, then kicked himself mentally for it. However, Lily straightened up and looked at him again, sweeping her fiery red hair out of her eyes.

"Sure, Potter. If you promise to go away afterwards."

James couldn't help himself. "Go away? And deny you the honor of my presence?"

Lily snorted disgustedly at him as she maneuvered her trunk off of the trolley. "Honor? You're another year older, Potter, yet your brain just doesn't seem to age. Scientists would have a field day if they ever managed to get past all that ego and pry open your head."

"Scientismsts? What are those?" James said, frowning. Lily ignored him as she carefully dragged her trunk up the steps.

"Shut up and leave me alone, Potter. I'd rather not deal with you first thing in the morning, you know?"

James frowned. This wasn't how it's supposed to go! "Let me help you with that," he said, grabbing a handle of her trunk. Lily's head shot up.

"No!" she said menacingly. James let go.

"Why not?"

"Because the day I need your help, Potter, is the day that pigs fly!"

James made a show of looking out the window. "You know, that bird looks really heavy."

Lily glared at him. "Shut up," she said sharply. "Look, why don't we just cut this short, shall we? Go on, ask me to go out with you."

James turned to her, looking hurt. "Why, Evans, do you really think that's why I came to talk to you today?"

Lily faltered. Her words died in her mouth as she wondered if he took what she said by the lake last year to heart. He grinned. "You know, for a very brief moment there, I actually thought you might have improved," she said, sighing.

As she pulled her trunk into a compartment, James walked in and lazily sat down, putting his hands behind his head. "Lily Evans, what about me do you want me to improve on?" he asked, first seriously, and then his signature devilish grin came on his face. Lily frowned at him sitting there, in her compartment, acting like he's the best thing to happen to the world since the wheel.

"Start with removing that horrible grin, Potter," she said distractedly, trying to get herself situated. To her amazement, he stopped grinning. He continued on in a tone she'd never heard before.

"Evans, can I ask you something?" he said so sadly that Lily found herself nodding before she realized it. "Why do you treat me like this? You always see the best in everyone and anything; always notice the beauty in their faults. Why do you seem so blind to the good things I do?"

"Because," she began, trying to think of what she would say. She'd never seen him like this, never this sad or, or broken. She knew he liked her-everyone knew he liked her. But still, there was just something holding her back.

But he doesn't like me. He just likes the chase, the fact that I'm the one who keeps him on his toes. I'm like a damn puzzle to him, one he just wants to solve, parade around for a while, and then throw out for the next puzzle.

So, instead of saying about how she did notice that he had nice things about him and that she just wished he wouldn't act like such a git around her, she settled for a usual, expected response. "Because I have yet to see anything good in your, Potter."

This did not receive the reaction she was hoping for. Instead of him laughing it off, or walking out, or even shouting, he just leaned back and exhaled deeply. He then leaned forward and asked the one thing she hoped he wouldn't. "So you can't find anything good about me at all? I'm an all around bastard git, is that it?"

Lily could only nod slightly. Outside the whistle blew as a warning. "What about your trunk, Potter?" she asked, in the hope that he would leave.

"Sirius has it with him," James said, shrugging. "You're avoiding my question," he reminded her, unnecessarily.

"Look, what did you expect? Whenever you notice me within a mile of you, you ruffle your stupid hair and go find something you think is cool to do with your friends. And that thing usually end up to be laughter only at someone else's expense, never your own."

"Never my own, Evans? I think you've made a fair fool out of me quite a few times, don't you?" James said angrily. This wasn't supposed to go like this! They weren't supposed to start yelling at each other again and leave fuming! But it was too late. Her pretty green eyes flashed the slightest amount of anger, only noticeable if you were looking.

Those eyes. They had captivated him, ever since he first saw her. She had been dragging what looked like her parents and a little boy James could only assume was her brother all over Diagon Alley before their first year. He and Sirius had been coming out of the Quidditch supply store when she had glued herself to the window and pointed at the Cleansweep, muttering about it being a real flying broom and how witches, like her, could use it. Sirius had laughed until they got to the ice cream shop, but James had something else in mind. Even at eleven, he felt a sudden desire to become friends with this strange girl, who had flaming red hair and emerald eyes. Years later, her eyes were just as beautiful, her hair just as fierce, and his desire to be friends with her just as desperate.

Her voice brought him back. "Me? I've made a fool of you, Potter? How? Pray tell, I'll need to do it again."

"Like by the lake last year!"

Lily scoffed. "Oh, please, I didn't make a fool out of you! You did it all by yourself! All I did was say the truth, and if it's foolish then the problem isn't with me, it's with you!"

"So I've got problems now?"

"Yes! Problems! Lots of them!"

James stood up in anger. "Well, I think I've had just about enough of this! I'll be taking my problems and leaving, thank you!"

"Fine by me!" Lily yelled and sat down, taking a book out of her bag. James went out and slammed the door as he closed it.

And so it ended, just another fight between her and the infamous Potter. With any luck he'd keep away until the end of the trip, at least.

She jumped up and remembered her Prefect duties, then bustled out of the compartment. Five minutes later, it was invaded by four boys, one of which also left for the same place as Lily. The one with black hair that stuck up at odd angles sat down in the seat she had just left and ran gentle fingers down the front of a book, warmed by the recent touch. He then shoved it in a bag that didn't belong to him and sat back, joining the conversation.