Disclaimer: Everything recognizable isn't mine

Author's Note: I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get this out, I know I promised it a few weeks ago. I have an explanation in the end A/N if you really want to know. Thanks for bearing with me, you guys are TOTALLY AWESOME! (I am so disappointed no one has figured that out yet...I expected more of you guys.)

Time passed, and all first years, including Miss Evans herself, began to wonder just why Lily Evans was in Gryffindore. This was not because they doubted her bravery, although she had yet to be in a situation which required it, but because she was so intelligent. Lily was not a slacker, but she didn't need to try as hard as some other young wizards to keep up. This was simply because magic came naturally to the red hair girl, even though she was a muggleborn. Not only did she keep up with all of her classes, but she was on top of each and every one of them, beating out even the Ravenclaws for the coveted positions. Lily's work in every class was exemplary, but she was a potions prodigy. Professor Slughorn had never seen such talent, and accordingly inducted her into the 'Slug Club' on the third day of classes after witnessing her brew the most impressive Forgetfulness Potion he had ever seen (he refused to admit this, but the young girl could already give him a run for his money as a first year).

Halloween was rapidly approaching, and with Halloween came the All Hallows Eve Ball. James Potter was fully aware of this, and took notice to the way Slimeball Severus looked at Lily during potions. And transfiguration. And charms. And defense against the dark arts. And during meal times in the Great Hall. 'Man, that kid is a creep!' James couldn't help but think to himself. Of course, he was being quite hypocritical, as he did the exact same thing. The more he saw Severus, the more he hated him. James hated the way 'Sevy', as Lily called him, and the green-eyed girl studied together for hours upon hours for potions, as if either of them needed help. Snape was the only person who could compete with Evans in the subject, and James knew he was just trying to spend as much time as possible with her. This lead to James' unnatural hatred of the greasy haired boy. Anyone who was an enemy of James Potter was an enemy of the rest of his group who he had deemed 'The Marauders'. So, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew also inflicted merciless taunting and bullying upon the boy. James was determined to take Lily Evans to the Ball with him, whether or not she wanted to go with him was a matter of business that never occurred to him.

October 18 was the day. James Potter had made up his mind, he was finally going to ask the red headed girl of his dreams to the All Hallows Eve Ball. He and the rest of the Marauders came up with the plan after observing Lily for a few days ( in a totally discreet, non-creepy way...according to James, of course...). They discovered that she liked to spend her free period,which was conveniently right after lunch, at the same time as James', in the library catching up on homework. James would slip into the library and hide in the restricted section until Lily was settle into her favorite work station, at which point he would conjure two dozen black roses (because red seemed too cliche, and Sirius had advised him that Miss Evans would probably be put off by the way they clashed with her hair.) and sweep Lily off her feet in a romantic display of affection that ensured she would be too dazzled to say 'no' when James asked her to be his date. Meanwhile, Remus, Sirius, and Peter would be waiting outside the Library door to keep others out, especially Snape, and, if necessary, to keep Lily in.

The day finally arrived, and James was far too nervous to eat lunch. At first, his friends were worried as it was VERY much unlike him to miss an opportunity to eat, but were assuaged by the fact that James wrapped some food up to eat after the plan, which had been dubbed " Operation: Snag James a Hottie So We Don't Need To Listen To Him Moan About Her Every Night In His Sleep Anymore" by the ever clever Sirius, was carried out. As soon as Peter finished (sloppily) eating his lunch, the Marauders headed out to the library to get in position for the ambush. Unfortunately, the quickest route from the Great Hall to their destination was blocked off, because some prankster Sixth Years decided to spill Exploding fluid all over a group of second years. Not surprisingly, their clothes exploded and Filtch was only beginning to clean up the mess. The Marauders took a detour, and James did not fail to express just how he felt about the situation, using the most explicit words the eleven year old could muster.

By the time the Marauders made it to the Library, they were panting and out of breath. James went inside and snuck around the back of the shelves to get in position, while his friends waited with baited breath outside. He was disappointed to see he and Lily weren't alone in the room, but decided to go ahead with the plan anyway. He crept down the isle of books and conjured the roses, palms sweating. He finally found Lily, and his heart began to race even faster. James was so fixated on the task at hand that he didn't even notice Slimeball Severus sitting at the same table until he leaned over and kissed Lily. On the lips.

All James could see was flashing multicolored lights. He was literally blinded with fury. Marching in the direction of (what he hoped was) where the 'couple' was sitting, James forgot about his wand, his magic, the fact he could curse Snape into the next millennium if he so desired. He simply dragged his enemy off of his chair by the collar of his shirt, and proceeded to mercilessly beat the shit out of him.

All his green-eyed girl could do was watch in horror.

A/N: MWAHAHAHA! Cliffie! I couldn't resist. So, family drama: my dad got deployed to Iraq. For those of you who want to, any prayers for his safe return would be greatly appreciated 3