This is my first ever fanfic! Please review, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about the story! I hope you enjoy!

Lily is starting to realize that James Potter isn't as terrible as she thought he was. Is it possible he is actually *gasp* a good guy? What happens when she starts falling for him? Lily and James enter their final year at Hogwarts with a trepid friendship. Can it blossom into a whirlwind romance? Or will Lily's pride cause them to crash and burn?

Chapter 1: The Truce

Lily had been at Hogwarts for less than twelve hours, and her sixth year was already off to a less than stellar start.

It started with her sister dropping her off at King's Cross, where they proceeded to have a row right outside platform 93/4 in front of several of her classmates. Then she ran into Severus while leaving the feast. He was surrounded by several of his "Death Eater" pals, who taunted her and called her a "Mudblood." The next morning, she overslept, was late for breakfast, and didn't have time for her usual six cups of coffee before class. This meant she had to start her first N.E.W.T. semester tired, hungry, caffeine-deprived, and pissed off.

All of that led her to right now. James Potter was currently running down the corridor, trying to catch her before lunch.

"Evans! Oi, Evans!" he yelled. Lily was doing her best to avoid him, and so far, it had worked out stellar. She managed to avoid him on the train, at the feast, in the Common Room, and during class. Thinking about it now, she thought it highly suspicious she hadn't run into him. This time last year, he had already asked her out twice. Perhaps this was some sort of ruse that was culminating to this very scene playing out in front of her right now.

"Go away, Potter!" she yelled over her shoulder. Unfortunately for Lily, Potter's legs were much longer than hers, and before long, he had caught up to her.

"Evans," James said, right behind her now and gently tugging her shoulder.

"What?!" She yelled while turning around to face him.

He hesitated for a moment. He had forgotten just how terrifying Lily's rage could be. "Can I speak to you for a moment. In private?"

This was new. Usually, he just declared his love and admiration for in front of the whole student body. The larger the crowd, the better.

Slightly intrigued by what he wanted, she agreed. He motioned for her to follow him to a less populated area. Fuck is he going to murder me? Lily wondered.

He turned to face her but continued to look at his feet. Yup, he's definitely planning to murder me.

"Well, out with it Potter," she demanded.

Finally, he looked at her. She had never seen the look that was currently on his face. Usually, he had a stupid, arrogant smirk that made her want to slap him. Right now, he looked so…. humble. James Potter looked humble, slightly ashamed even. What the fuck is happening right now? Lily was frustrated.

"I owe you an apology, Evans," he started. "For what happened at the end of last year."

Of course, he was referring to the infamous lake incident that happened right after their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. examination. Potter and his "Mauraders" picked a fight with Severus. Lily tried to intervene and was absolutely humiliated when Severus called her a "Mudblood." She then snapped at Potter; Lily still cringes when she thinks about some of the things she said to him.

Severus and Lily were no longer friends. As for her and Potter, well, apparently something was going to happen right now.

"You are apologizing to me?" Lily questioned.

"Yes," James took a deep breath before he continued. "Everything you said about me was right. I did a lot of thinking this summer, and I realized what a complete and total twat I have been to you and almost everyone in this school, including Snape. I can't defend what I did, and I can't change it. But I am owning up to my mistakes, taking responsibility, and I am trying to be better."

"You practiced that a lot, didn't you?" Lily asked with a slight smirk on her lips.

"About a hundred times," James laughed.

She eyed him suspiciously. "Are you fucking with me right now? Because I swear to Merlin if you're fucking with me—"

"Lily, I am not fucking with you," the use of her first name led her to believe he was serious. "I swear on Dumbledore's fabulous beard that I, James Potter, am 100% serious about this."

Lily laughed at that. "Okay, I accept your apology. And thank you, I really appreciate that. But honestly, what pissed me off the most was that you thought you had to defend me. You of all people should know that I am more than capable of defending my own damn honor."

He sighed. "I know. And you're right. I have been on the receiving end of too many of your hexes to be able to disagree with you. Is it lame if I say my parents raised me to be a gentleman, and I was just trying to live up to their expectations?"

Lily laughed. "Yes, a little."

"Thought so. It sounded lame in my head, too," James replied.

"Just promise me you won't underestimate me again. My hubris can't promise I won't lash out again if you do," Lily leveled with him.

"I have never, and will never underestimate you, Lily," James said earnestly.

"Good. Now it's my turn," Lily took a deep breath. "I owe you an apology, too. I said some very spiteful things that day that were not completely justifiable or fair to you. I was angry and humiliated by someone I used to call a friend. I took my anger out on you mostly because you were there, and sometimes you just make it so damn easy."

James laughed at that.

"But, the person I was really angry with, and who actually deserved my sharp tongue, wasn't you. It was…. him," she couldn't bring herself to say Snape's name. "So, I hope you can accept my apology."

James was quiet for a moment. "Well, I can't say I expected this, and while I don't think you owe me an apology, I accept."

"Good."

"Can we call a truce?" James asked.

"Are we at war?" Lily replied.

"No, at least I hope not anymore."

Lily contemplated for a moment. "Alright, a truce." She held out her hand.

James grabbed her hand shook, affirming their truce official. They started to walk towards the Great Hall for lunch.

"I think we handled that quite maturely," James said, clearly proud of himself.

Lily laughed. "I think pointing out that it was mature somewhat negates the maturity of the act."

"Well, I, for one, am glad we can put it behind us and be friends," James said with a laugh.

"Me, too," Lily replied.

James stopped her right outside the Great Hall. "Can I say, as your friend, I am so sorry about your mum."

Lily's mother had passed away at the start of summer. She was hit by a drunk driver while driving home from work. Lily had already lost her father several years ago to cancer, and losing her mother so suddenly and unexpectedly, was devasting. At least she had had time with her father to say goodbye. Her mother was just gone.

She smiled sadly at James. "Thank you."

He didn't know what else to say, so he simply nodded and led them into the Great Hall for lunch.

It was November, and Gryffindor had just beaten Ravenclaw in the first Quidditch match of the season. The Gryffindor's celebrated the only way they know how, with a party in the Common Room. Lily had long ago given up trying to figure out where the Mauraders got all the food and bootlegged Firewhiskey that had become staples at these types of events. She just tried to roll with the punches with them at this point.

Her truce with James seemed to have extended to the other Mauraders. She had always got on well with Remus, her fellow prefect. They shared a mutual appreciation of respecting the rules and meticulous study habits. But now she was on a more friendly page with Sirius and Peter as well. She was surprised to find she actually enjoyed their company as opposed to being utterly abhorrent of it.

Lily was refilling her cup of Firewhiskey when she saw James. He was listening as a pair of fourth year girls were foaming at the mouth for him. They were telling some ridiculous story and waving their hands around a lot. Lily was surprised to find James looked rather uncomfortable in the situation. Especially compared to Sirius, who was absolutely eating up the attention he was currently getting from several girls. However, Lily was more surprised about the pit of rage that was slowly building in her stomach. Was she jealous? No, Lily thought, I am not jealous.

"Watch out, Lily, your green monster is showing," Marlene said, coming up to Lily.

Damn her, why must she always be able to read me so well? Lily thought.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lily said.

"Cut the shit, Lily," Marlene replied. "You're obviously jealous of Potter's Fanclub."

"Don't be ridiculous," Lily chastised. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Because you fancy him," Marlene said with a simple shrug to her shoulders.

Lily started coughing up her Firewhishkey, which was not pleasant. She had a burning sensation in her nose, and it took her several minutes to recover.

"What?" Lily asked when she could finally speak again. "I do not fancy James Potter. We are just friends."

"Prove it," Marlene challenged.

"Fine." Lily, not one to turn down a challenge or be wrong, marched determinedly over to where the fourth years were harassing James.

"Alright, Potter?" Lily said while standing behind him.

James whipped around with a huge smile on his face. "Lily!"

"Great match, Potter. You didn't look half bad out there, Captain," Lily said with a smirk. This was James's second year as Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Something he droned on and on about during fifth year but hadn't really talked about during this school year. Lily added this to her mental list of Things That Have Changed About James Potter. She as pleasantly surprised to see that list growing day by day.

"Thanks! We had a bit of a rough start, but that was bound to happen given it's the first match, and we have all been out of training for months," James had blocked the adoring fourth years entirely out of the conversation. Lily could tell by the pouts on their faces and the glare she was receiving that they were not happy. Lily was thrilled.

"Well, you looked good to me," Lily realized what she had implied by the blush that was appearing on James's face. "I mean not you as in you, I meant you as in the team. Not that you don't look good because you do. At Quidditch. You look good at Quidditch."

Lily was cringing by the time she was finished rambling. James just had a big smile on his face and looked like Christmas had come over. Thankfully, he didn't press the issue. Another thing to add to the list, Lily thought. If Lily had dared to say something like that last year, he wouldn't have hesitated to take the mickey out of her for days.

"Thanks, Lily." He smiled at her while continuing to blush.

"Oi, Prongs!" Lily and James turned to see Sirius calling him from across the room while holding two shot glasses. Apparently, it was time for another team victory shot, which Sirius claims is critical for team bonding.

"Duty calls," James said with a grin. "I'm glad you could be there today. We'll talk later?"

"Yeah, of course," Lily assured him. "Go, do your thing, Captain."

James gave her one more grin before bounding over the Sirius. She watched him walk away and slap Sirius hard on the shoulder.

Lily laughed at Sirius's expression. She turned around and was face to face with Marlene, who was wearing an annoyingly smug expression.

"Yeah, you fancy him," Marlene stated. "I predict you two will be dating by this time next year."