Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that you recognize. I guess I own the plot.

Chapter Four

On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, Lily's woke quite happily before the events of the other day hit her, reminding her about her deal with James. She groaned and dug her face into her pillow as though trying to smother herself. It didn't really work though, seeing as though she wasn't really trying to kill herself, and instead forced herself to get out of bed.

She took extra time fixing her socks perfectly, tying her hair extra tight and applying each pimple in a perfect spot, hoping that perhaps if she went as slowly as possible she'd miss the whole trip. But she managed to only annoy her roommates.

Lily finally emerged out of the bathroom and made her way down to the Great Hall, sliding into a seat and grabbing some toast. She could feel the stare's of the students on her and the jealous glares burning holes through her head. The news that Lily Evans had finally agreed to accompany James Potter had spread through the school in a matter of hours. Lily tried her best to ignore them and continue her breakfast like nothing had happened.

When she finished, she followed a group of fourth years down into the Entrance Hall. As she descended the marble staircase, she heard James shout, "Lily!", and turned to see him walking over.

"Hi," he smiled as he came to a stop in front of her.

"'Lo," said Lily.

"So shall we go?" asked James, nodding his head the queue of students waiting to be checked of by Filch.

She nodded and they joined the line. Minutes later after Filch crossed their names off the list and gave James a practically nasty scowl, they where walking down the path toward Hogsmeade. They entered the village and James stopped not knowing where to go first.

"Well, let's get this over with," grumbled Lily, dragging him over to the nearest store, Honeydukes. It was horribly crowded but they managed to fight their way through, grabbing the sweets they wanted before quickly paying. Next they went into Zonko's where they (James) spent quite a while, looking at all the new products and James had bought three large bags bursting with stink pellets, dung bombs, hiccupping sweets, fanged frisbee's and more none of which Lily knew even existed.

"How in the hell do you think you'll manage to use all of that," She'd exclaimed as they'd left Zonko's. But upon seeing James's mischievous grin added quickly, "Never mind."

They visited Gladrags Wizardwear, where Lily bought a pair of socks that sung loudly when needed to be washed for her Dad, who's birthday was coming up, and James said he needed to buy some quills so they headed into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Where Lily ended up purchasing a bottle of ink that changed colors depending upon your mood.

"You want to go to the Three Broom Sticks?" asked Lily, shivering from gust of wind that had just came. As October was approaching fast the whether had became chiller lately, winder.

"Yeah, let's go," said James.

They walked down the street into the packed Three Broomsticks.

"I'll get the table, yeah?" said Lily, looking around.

"Alright, and I'll get the drinks," said James. "What d'you want?"

"Just some tea thanks," said Lily.

James nodded and walked to the bar. Lily turned and started to work her way through the tables, spotting an unoccupied one by the window, she hurried over and dropped her bags into one of the chairs. She climbed into a stool and directed her gaze out of the window but immediately wished she hadn't; Sirius and a girl where sitting on a bench snogging happily. Lily made a noise of disgust and turned her head away just as James came over.

"Here," he said, holding out her mug of tea.

She grabbed it saying a quiet, "Thanks."

James nodded and sat down, both falling silent again. Lily stared at the table, drumming her fingers to the song currently playing one a wizard radio one of students had brought along.

"Nice song," she commented. "Wonder who sings it."

"Screaming Banshee's," said James. "I went to see them last holiday."

"Wicked," smiled Lily. "I went to see a muggle concert once with my sister."

Well, she was more like forced into coming, corrected Lily inwardly.

"You have a sister?" said James.

"Yeah, Petunia, she's two years older than me," said Lily. "She's getting married this spring actually."

"That's nice," said James. She grunted. "Sorry, it is not?"

"Me and Petunia don't get one so well," said Lily in an off hand-ish voice, shrugging.

"Oh," said James, looking surprised. "Why not?"

"She's not really that keen about magic," said Lily. She held back a snort, that was putting it mildly. Petunia absolutely detested it.

"Oh," repeated James. "Well, your parents are okay with it, right?"

"Very much so," grinned Lily. "Dad's fascinated by it. He loves wizards. Always tries to get me to do magic at home. And mom's likes it too. They're really proud."

"Well, that's good," said James.

"Yeah. How 'bout your parents?" asked Lily. "What they do? You have any siblings?"

She saw a look another look of surprise on his face but it was quickly gone as he answered.

"My Mum and Dad are nice," he said. "They're Auror's. My parents had me late, so I don't have any siblings, but I reckon I was handful on my own. And Sirius is around loads, so he's like a brother."

Lily took a sip of her tea, nodding.

"So what're you going to do after school? Going become an Auror as well?"

"Yes," said James. "But not because my parents are Aurors. I really want to help fight against Vol - sorry, You-Know-Who."

"No it's fine you can call him Voldemort," said Lily.

James stared at her taken aback.

"I mean, it's just a name right?" she said uncertainly.

"Yeah, right," said James. "It's just people always become nervous when I say his name. But how about you? What're youdoing after school? Going to become a Professor?"

The last part was muttered but Lily caught it.

"No," said Lily rather coldly. "I'm thinking of being a Healer. Maybe transfer into an Auror later. I haven't decided yet."

"Really?" said James, the words tumbling out before the could stop himself. "The great Lily Evans undecided about something, I thought you would've had it all planned out by the end of first year."

"You really can't help yourself can you, Potter?" snapped Lily.

"Look Lily, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," said James, quickly. "I meant more of jokingly but it came out wrong."

"That happens to you a lot doesn't it," retorted Lily, rising form her chair.

"Please, Lily, I'm sorry," begged James, grabbing her wrist. "Please, give me one more chance?"

"Why are you trying so hard to be my friend, Potter?" asked Lily softly, but determined. "You never tried before, why now?"

James stayed silent for a few minutes before answering slowly.

"Because I judged you before I got to know you, and it reminded me of Sirius," he said. "People are always assuming he's just like his parents because he's a Black, but he's not. He's so far from it, and I figured if I gave him a chance, why not you too?"

Lily stared at him in slight shock, that wasn't what she was expecting at all, and even he looked surprised himself.

"Oh," said Lily, akwardly. "Um - well, thanks?"

"Yeah," nodded James in the same fashion. "Erm - so, what's your favorite class?"

They continued to talk, asking simple questions like: favorite sweet, favorite color, favorite Professor, and hobbies. It was still a bit uncomfortable even as they walked back to the castle an hour later, though both felt they knew a little more about each other now.

"Now you've spent some time with me," said James. "You reckon we could be friends?"

"Sure," said Lily, nodding.

James grinned, and gave a quick one-armed hug. Lily in turn gave him a small smile.

They walked up the rest of the path, up stone steps, and into the Entrance Hall.

"Well, I - um - I've got to run to the library, so I'll see you at dinner?" asked Lily, turning toward him.

"Okay, see you then," said James.

Lily started to walk away but suddenly turned around and called, "James? Thanks for taking me to Hogsmeade. It was nice."

xxx

"So, how was it, mate?" asked Sirius as soon as James sat down by him, Remus and Peter in the common room.

"It was okay," admitted James. "I mean a bit boring-"

"Because there was no snogging," snorted Remus.

"'Xactly. And kept telling me everything I bought in Zonko's was banned," said James.

"But that's the point," said Sirius.

"Yeah, but you know, it's Evans," said James. "And we went to the Three Broomsticks and talked for a while. We got into a small row but nothing horrible, it was just a bit awkward after that. And then we finished our drinks and walked back and she said we could be friends. Then she ran off to the library.

Sirius snorted, "Merlin, she can't even lay off doing work for a few hours, can she."

James shrugged, repeating, "It's Evans."

"Right, well," said Sirius. "Now, that your mates, try and keep her away from me, eh? I don't need my reputation ruined as well."

Remus shot Sirius a disapproving look, which he didn't seem to notice.

"Sure," shrugged James. "Just pretend you've got to meet up with Virginia or whoever - and, speaking of Ms. Carol, how'd the date go?"

Sirius grinned, "Well unlike yours their was snogging and good snogging too. But we looked around the shops for a while. Did you see those new Zonko's products? Genius, they are. I was thinking we could take some Filibuster's Fireworks and. . . ."

xxx

James and the other Marauders sat down at breakfast the next morning, and had started eating when a sleepy looking Lily walked through the doors. She saw James and waved. James grudgingly waved back a tight smile on his face.

The students around them started to mumble to each other.

"Did you see James and Evans yesterday?" whispered a girl nearby.

"Thought I'd die form a heart attack," replied her friend. "I thought it was just a silly rumor they where going together."

He felt the tips of his ears warm in embarrassment.

Lily however didn't seem to mind or hadn't been paying attention, because she didn't blush but simply sat down next to him, with a sleepy, "Morning."

"'Lo," said James.

"Morning Lily," smiled Remus.

Sirius nodded stiffly and said, "Well, I'm going to go and join Virginia for some breakfast."

"Didn't you just finish eating?" asked Lily, looking at his plat that had some crumbs, eggs, and ketchup (for his sausage's) remains.

"It was an appetizer," shrugged Sirius.

"Ahh, of course."

"Hey, Lily did you finish that book I lent you?" asked Remus suddenly.

"Nearly," grinned Lily. "I'm at the last chapter, it really interesting."

"See you, mate," muttered Sirius to James, and quickly ran from the table to the Ravenclaw one.

James glanced at Remus and Lily who where now in deep conversation about the book. He rolled his eyes and glanced at Sirius who was sitting next to Virginia Carol. Sirius was winking and chatting up the girl next to him, while Virginia was talking to her friend, completely oblivious. James sighed and speared a sausage moodily, trying to block out Remus and Lily's babble.

xxx

The whispers followed James and Lily around everywhere. Girls stood in packs discussing all they knew about James, and all they had guessed about Lily. While boys laughed and snickered when they saw him and Lily together. James had spent the whole day with a red face and was thoroughly glad when the day ended, and he could clamber in his warm bed. He closed his eyes and smiled into his pillow, relishing in the peace and quiet - but no later than two minutes later, loud snores where coming from Sirius's bed and even louder ones floated from Peter's. James groaned and buried his head into his pillow, tugging his blanket over his head.

Author's Note:

AvidReader: Wow, thank you so much. I know it's cliché but I could never find one of these stories that I really liked, so I decided to make my own. Thanks for the review. :)

And thanks to everyone else also, and any silent readers I might have.

Reviews are always very muchly appreciated. So, please review. -smile-

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