Author's Note

Just to let everyone know I made a few chronology mistakes when writing this story. (Thanks to NANLIT for catching one of them)The first being that I initially did make Lily and James 15 at the start of term when I had meant for them to already be sixteen (I did write them as sixteen later on so that didn't take too much correcting). The second being I had forgotten to include the whole Severus-discovers-Remus-is-a-werewolf-thing when I initially outlined and wrote the majority of this story. I'm in the process of fixing that mistake and am trying to do my best to fit it into my story line but hopefully it will all work out in the end!
Cheers

Valkyrie3

Chapter 2 Back to School

Lily stood on the platform searching the crowd for her friends. So far it seemed she was the only sixth year Gryffindor girl to show up in their usual meeting spot. Suddenly she was slammed into on her right side and she went toppling to the ground along with none other than Dorcas Meadows.

"Lily!" Dorcas cried gladly still lying on top of her friend. "Oh my gosh I missed you so much. How was your summer?"

Lily laughed and hugged her friend tightly. Dorcas was usually the energy in their group and with her long chestnut brown hair and big blue eyes she definitely stood out.

"It was great. A little different than usual, but great," She answered. "Now will you let me up off the concrete?"

Dorcas blushed slightly.

"Oh right. Sorry I forgot I tackled you there." She chuckled jumping to her feet and extending her hand to help her friend up.

No sooner had Lily regained her footing than two more figures, one blonde and one black haired, came rushing at them and suddenly she and Dorcas were on the ground again, this time with Marlene and Alice lying atop them.

"Hey guys. We missed you tons. Did you have a good holliday?" Alice chirped cheerfully.

"Yes did you? Ours was wonderful. We've so much to tell you. Is something wrong? You both look a bit winded."

Lily and Dorcas burst out laughing uncontrollably.

"Well would you look at that," A voice drawled comically, "a dog pile. Mind if I join you ladies?"

Lily craned her neck to see around Alice's head to where Sirius Black was standing with Remus Lupin. Both boys were classically handsome, Sirius more so but it was there in Remus none the less and they made a stunning picture standing together and watching the girls.

"No Black you can't join." Marlene chuckled happily. "It's girls only." She stared at Sirius for a second and then added. "You know on second thought I've always had my suspicions about you. Perhaps you qualify afterall."

"Oooh. I'm hurt McKinnon. Really I am." Sirius said holding his hand to his heart but ruining the entire effect by smiling.

"Um could you by any chance let me up now Alice?" Lily questioned. "Not that I don't appreciate the love but this is the second time I've gotten acquainted with the floor of the train station today and lovely as it is I don't plan on spending any more time down here."
"Right-O Lily dearest of course I'll let you up." Alice exclaimed jumping quickly to her feet and then helping yank Lily up as well.

"So Evans, do you um, need any help with your trunk there?" Sirius asked looking strangely as if he were grimacing in pain.

"Um… no that's okay Black. You don't really look like you're feeling up to it." Lily said eyeing his pained expression with curiosity.

"Alright then if you can manage...argh!...um what I meant to say is, it would be my pleasure…ouch.. I mean I wouldn't mind at all lugging that big heavy trunk all the way to.. OW!!…blast it James! If you want me to say something specific, why don't you just whisper it in my ear or something? I can't stand it when you pinch me like that!" Sirius said finally turning about huffily to reveal an irritated looking James standing behind him.

An uncharacteristic smile rose to Lily's face at the sight of James staring his best friend down as if he wanted to throttle him. He was wearing a black shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair was as much a disaster as she had ever seen it as if he were running his hands through it more than usual and the glasses he wore were dark frames that looked new.

"Look boys," Dorcas began, "we don't need your assistance. I'm sure we'll manage all on our own. So go ahead and be on your merry wa…"

"Actually," Lily broke in, her eyes still on the wordless exchange happening between James and Sirius. "I wouldn't mind some help at all. It is rather heavy though."

James eyes suddenly landed on hers.

It was exactly then that a sudden whooshing feeling came over her, as if her insides were trying to escape her middle. She wondered if maybe she had been just as nervous to see him again as he had been to see her. She frowned slightly trying to ignore the tingling in her limbs.

James couldn't quiet the butterflies in his stomach. She had had that affect on him since sometime around third year. It was then that he had realized he might more than just like her. And since then the feeling had continued to grow until he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he loved her.

It didn't help that she looked as beautiful as ever. Her long red hair was left loose down her back and the layers in it framed her face and shoulders in a sexy way. She was wearing tight blue jeans and a white button down elbow-length sleeved shirt with a camisole underneath. But the thing that always pulled him in no matter how hard he tried not to get caught up in her was her out of this world, stunning green eyes. They were the most amazing thing he had ever seen and he couldn't help but stare a little as he answered her.

"It's no trouble Lily." He said using her first name in front of her for the first time in a long time. "We'll just take it to the luggage car."

She nodded in agreement and then asked Alice and Marlene which compartment they were in. When she didn't receive and answer, Lily looked to her two friends questioningly. They along with Dorcas were just staring at her with their mouths open.

"You all look like fish out of water." Lily said worriedly. "Are you okay?"

Alice was the first to recover and she immediately rushed to Lily's side and slapped her hand to her forehead saying,

"Do you think maybe she has a fever? She didn't feel that warm a minute ago."

"Ouch Alice! What on earth?" Lily complained.

"Maybe she ate something bad." Dorcas suggested coming over and grabbing Lily's wrist to check her pulse. "Lily did you have any food that tasted off or perhaps try something you've never had before? Or Merlin forbid, did you eat anything Black gave you?"

"What no I…"

"She could be under some sort of curse and not know it." Marlene broke in looking Lily over worriedly. "Or maybe she.."

"For Gryffindor's sake! What on earth is the matter with you lot?!" Lily exclaimed breaking free of her friends and staring at them as if they'd lost their minds. "I'm perfectly fine. I've not eaten anything bad, or been cursed or contracted a fever or illness of any sort! Now can we please just get onto the train before it leaves without us?"

"But Lils," Alice said strangely. "You just accepted Potter and Black's help getting your things onto the train."

Lily sighed and looked over to where James and Sirius were lifting her trunk and following after Remus with big smiles on their faces.

"Look I'll explain everything on the train okay. Let's just get to our compartment."

Her friends reluctantly nodded and grabbing up their bags full of their school robes they marched along until they found the compartment they had been sharing together for the last five years as, Alice was always a ridiculously early arrival to the train station and therefore able to always secure it for them.

"Wow," Lily smiled fondly. "I can't believe this is our sixth year at Hogwarts."

"Alright missy no changing of the subject at hand," Marlene insisted. "We want to know what on earth has gotten into you. I mean you not only let the Marauders help you but you actually looked like you were being nice to them."

Lily sat down in her usual seat by the window and sighed again.

"Look, things have sort of changed between Ja...Potter and I for the time being. We are, well that is to say he wrote me over the summer and explained that he is going to try and correct his behavior. Not in a completely book-wormish total turn around kind of way, just in that he is going to try and be less arrogant and horrible toward others."

Alice, Dorcas and Marlene looked at her with shock.

"You mean you actually believed him with this?" Dorcas quipped.

"Well yes. I mean he wrote me a …uh, a few times over the summer and we agreed that if he is serious about it that maybe he and I can learn to be friends this year. He said he didn't want to finish off school with things the way they were between us last year and the year before. And personally I'm sort of sick of fighting and arguing with him okay? Besides you lot are always telling me that I should give them all, not just Remus, a chance. So I'm finally doing it." Lily explained.

"But Lils are you sure you can tolerate Potter? I mean you two aren't exactly the type to sit down and have tea with each other you know?" Marlene hedged.

"I know but.."

"And it doesn't help that James Potter has been in love with you practically since the moment he clapped eyes on you. I mean are you sure you can just be friends with a guy like that?" Dorcas added.

"What do you mean a guy like that?"

"Oh you know," Alice added. "The type of guy who cares about you enough to change the things within himself that you dislike about him. The type of guy who hasn't ever given another girl at Hogwarts the time of day, despite the fact that he is an over six feet tall well muscled, tanned, toned, athletic, incredibly gorgeous specimen of a guy and could have practically whatever girl he wanted. The type of guy who hasn't given two shits about the fact that girls throw themselves at him because the only girl he has eyes for is you. The type of guy who.."

"Okay Alice.. I think she gets it." Dorcas broke in.

"Sorry it's just. If I could instill even half that amount of devotion in a guy I would jump at the chance to be with him. I just don't know how Lily is going to handle just being friends with him."

Lily rubbed her temples feeling overwhelmed.

"Look you guys, I know it is going to be weird at first but I can't go back on my word. I told him that if he was willing to seriously consider changing I would be open to being friends with him. We still have to see if he can come through with it all and then…well let's just take this one step at a time. I mean you are asking me to think about James Potter in a way that is far beyond friends when right now I'm just starting to consider becoming that with him. So let's please just hit the brakes and slow down a little bit. Friends first and then…like a year from now… you guys can start in on all the weird teasing and emotional junk about him being crazy about me and what a wonderful guy he is okay?" Lily pleaded feeling overwhelmed.

Surprisingly her friends nodded.

"Okay." Alice said. "We'll just see how it goes."

"Thanks."

There was a moment of silence before Dorcas suddenly exclaimed.

"Do you know what this means?! It means we actually get to spend time with the Marauders as friends!"

Lily laughed knowing her friend had wanted to get to know Remus for a while.

"Don't sound so over the moon about it Dor." Marlene chuckled. "I mean afterall Lily might go back to screaming at Potter tomorrow in potions."

Alice frowned.

"How do you know we'll have potions tomorrow?"

"Oh please when have we ever not had potions with the Slytherins on the first day back?" Marlene groaned.

Lily smiled and looked out the window saying softly.

"Who knows, maybe this year will be different."

She wasn't aware of her friends exchanging mischievous grins at one another as she looked away.

************

"So without any more wise words from me, please tuck in."

Lily smiled as she ate her first meal back at Hogwarts. It was delicious as usual and such a far cry from her mother's cooking that she at with extreme vigor. As kind and wonderful as Rose Evans was she definitely wasn't great in the kitchen.

"So how about it? Do you think we can do them this year?" Alice wondered.

"I'm really not sure Al." Lily hedged. "I mean I know you've done a lot of research on the place and it seems up to par. But that sort of thing is permanent...or at least mostly so. I've heard they are a bugger to have removed."

"Come on it will be great fun. We can do it for Marlene's sixteenth birthday!" Alice begged, scowling at a small second year who attempted to reach for the same roll that she was.

"But what if my parents find out?" Dorcas added. "I mean my dad is great but he would literally curse me six ways from Sunday."

"You guys no one is going to find out." Alice huffed tearing off a piece of the roll she had won. "I mean if you don't want it seen just get it in a place no one will see it when you have your clothes on."

Lily frowned. "But that means I'd have to take my clothes off…"

"Um, hey."

Lily turned around to see James standing behind her blushing slightly and looking nervous. His hands were in his pockets and he was biting his lower lip. His hair was still as messy as it had been at the platform that morning.

"Hi." She said in a friendly manner. "Did you need something?"

He smiled and crouched down so that he was talking to her near her level but in a less conspicuous manner.

"I just wanted to tell you that the Marauders sort of have a prank planned for dinner tonight. It's nothing harmful or embarrassing it's just for fun okay?" He explained.

Lily sensed he was looking for her approval. She looked down the table to where Sirius sat looking irritated and making whipping motions with his hand at Remus who was shaking his head at him and looking as if he were trying to talk some sense into him.

"What's the matter with Sirius?" She asked pointing at him.

James sighed.

"He's annoyed that I'm coming down here to make sure this is okay with you. He says I'm whipped over a girl that…well never mind what he says. Don't worry about him. I just didn't want you to get upset about this after all the progress I've made so far."

Lily nodded looking thoughtful.

"So no one will be hurt by this?" James shook his head no.

"No hospital wing visits?" No again.

"No one will be overly embarrassed and afraid to show their face for a week?" Also a no.

"And it won't cause too much of a disturbance?" James shrugged.

Lily smiled, at least he was being truthful.

"Okay."

James looked at her in shock.

"Really? You're okay with this?"

She nodded.

"Great. Well I'll see you around then." He said taking off and heading back to where his friends sat.

"So?" Sirius asked in a melancholy voice, once James had settled in next to him again.

"She said it's cool with her." He answered.

Sirius spit his pumpkin juice out spattering his friends, who were oddly enough used to it.

"Get out of Hogsmeade! No way!" He coughed.

"Yup. It's fine with her as long as no one gets hurt and sent to the hospital wing or is traumatically embarrassed by it."

"I can't believe it!" Sirius exclaimed leaning his head on his hand, his elbow landing spectacularly into his mashed potatoes.

"Well it's true." James chuckled. "So you'd better be ready to go in a few minutes."

"Oh Prongsie my boy. I'm always ready. You know that." Sirius chanted.

"Remember the time we were supposed to play that prank on Filch and you fell asleep in the broom cupboard leaving me and Remus high and dry to serve detention without you because we got caught since you never casted the charm you were supposed to?"

"Or the time in third year when you were flirting with Mara Cantmen when you were supposed to swoop in and rescue Pete after he cursed those seventh year Slytherins." Remus added.

"Or the time in fourth when…"

"Alright so I'm not always ready. But the majority of the time I'm square right?" Sirius said morosely.

"Ya Padfoot, the majority of the time we couldn't do this stuff without you." James assured him with a giant grin and a roll of his eyes.

"You lot are the most unappreciative sort of friends a bloke could have." Sirius muttered crossing his arms over his chest before turning to Peter with a scowl. "Did you have to smear your potatoes all over me again?"

***

It was near the end of the feast when suddenly every jug of pumpkin juice began to spout fireworks. A few startled first years were heard letting out shrieks of surprise. The fireworks were varying colors depending on the house tables and the students watched in wonder as they gradually made their way higher and higher toward the enchanted ceiling until it was bursting with color.

Then suddenly in the midst of the crazy explosions words began to form until the sky read,

The Marauders (and your ever-faithful jugs of pumpkin juice) welcome you back to another year at Hogwarts! We can't wait to better make your acquaintance…

Lily smiled and watched as the pumpkin juice jugs continued to spit varying colors of fireworks. Her eyes shot to the head table a second later where all the teachers, except Binns of course, were smiling or at least looking mildly amused.

Well she supposed if the Marauders had to pull pranks at least they had a little style.

"How great!" Alice exclaimed. "I mean this is probably one of their most harmless pranks yet and look how much everyone liked it."

"I'm just amazed that Lily is enjoying it as well." Dorcas chuckled.

Lily just smiled and turned her attention back to her dessert. So far James Potter was headed in the right direction with her.