This is my new story, Songbird, inspired by listening to the song of the same title by Fleetwood Mac. It does make beautiful listening, and hopefully this story will provide beautiful reading. Though I wouldn't be so sure myself. I've been wanting to write a James and Lily fanfiction for two years now. But I never had the inspiration to spur me onwards.

Please read, review, let me know how I'm going. I have holidays right now and I'm very keen to keep writing, so please keep checking!

Always, Eleanor x

Sunshine was streaming through the high windows on to the bent heads, which shone chestnut and copper and gold in the bright light. A large wooden sign hung in mid air, with no physical means of support, bearing the words DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS - ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL. The sign did not seem to alarm any of the teenagers in the room, on the contrary, their focus was drawn to a large booklet on their respective tables. A tiny man with a white cotton-ball beard and frizzy hair stood atop a pile of large ancient volumes with unrecognisable script on the spine.

'Five more minutes!' Many students jumped at the sound of his squeaky voice, which penetrated the previous silence like the crack of a whip. Instantly, the sound of hurried quills scratching parchment filled the air, the hopes for last minute scrapes at their exam. One boy, however, did not seem particularly startled at this, and instead, dropped his quill into the inkwell and leaned back into his chair, stretching, pushing his glasses up his long nose and moving a long slender arm back to ruffle his shock of already messy raven hair. Yawning, he glanced at Professor Flitwick and then turned around to grin at another boy sitting four seats behind him. Lounging in his chair at complete ease, tilting it back onto two legs and dark hair falling into his eyes with a sort of casual elegance was the second. Three seats behind him was the third. A rather pale, peaky looking boy, with sandy coloured hair, still completely absorbed by his exam, scratching his chin with the end of his quill and frowning slightly as he considered the question. Across the aisle from him was the fourth, a small, mousy-haired boy chewing his fingernails. He stared at his paper anxiously, scuffing the ground with his feet and casually glancing at his neighbour's paper for help.

These four boys, different though they were, were the foundation of the Marauders. The dictionary definition of a marauder will probably give you such words as; raider, plunderer, looter, bandit, or if you're into the more archaic version of description, then see buccaneer for more information. Because I myself as the narrator do things very differently, I prefer a backward order... The fourth mentioned is one Peter Pettigrew, a blundering Gryffindor with watery eyes very much resembling that, ironically enough, of a rat. The third, was one Remus Lupin, easily the most sensible of the quartet, studious, reserved and a Gryffindor too, with one giant secret he would do anything to protect. The second to be mentioned was Sirius Black, the very bright, troublemaking, first Gryffindor in his family of Slytherins, who put his charming appearance to good use. Now finally, we come to James Potter. The first of the quartet to be introduced, who, an exceptionally bright, talented, charming and athletic young man, was at this point in time, scribbling on the corner of his parchment the initials "L.E."

The "L.E" in question happened to be sitting second from the front of the Great Hall, head bent as if in prayer, with long wavy drapes of copper hair shielding her face from view. Her quill was moving from side to side at such a speed one would be mistaken for thinking their vision were blurring over.

'Quills down, please!' squeaked Professor Flitwick, and with a non-verbal use of Accio! and a large sweeping motion over all the students, their papers zoomed from their desks into a neat pile matching Flitwick's height exactly. A collective sigh washed over the Great Hall as the final of all tribulations had been lifted off their shoulders. Lily Evans, second from the front, lifted her head, and, eyes closed, used a small, delicate hand to push back her long copper hair, brushing it over her head and letting it stream down her back. A small smile played about her lips as she opened her almond shaped eyes. Emeralds have been shamed when it comes to Lily Evans' eyes, and not only because of beauty and colour, but because of character and emotion. Evans herself believed that everything a person feels is shown through their eyes, and took pride in her own ability to identify these emotions. James, Remus, Sirius and Peter had already bolted for the large wooden doors, James and Sirius, the tallest of the four, reached the doors first and squeezed through the crowds of other students to escape first, Remus right behind them adjusting his bag, and Peter, tripping slightly, slipped through just as the doors closed. The muffled sound of whooping and cheering met Lily's ears as she walked gracefully down the length of the Great Hall, smile sliding off her face, and rolling her eyes at the sound, knowing to whom those voices belonged to.

Upon exiting the coolness and emptiness of the Great Hall, Lily proceeded around the corner towards the large archway opening out to the school grounds. Light was streaming in and Lily was momentarily blinded stepping onto the grass, raising a hand over her almond eyes to shield her from the sun. It seemed as if the weather reflected the students' emotions; happy, carefree and warm. The end of exams brought upon this essence of invigoration, and Evans could not help but wish the sun too had eyes, so that she could read exactly what it was thinking. Glancing around, Lily spotted her closest friends from various houses sitting together on the yellowing grass. Evans was always into inter-house communications and whatnot. Celeste Ward, Hufflepuff, was lying on the grass, shoulder length wavy black hair half hidden by the daisies surrounding her face. Lily could only tell it was her from her pale skin that made her hair and features stand out. Celeste had striking blue eyes, which, much to Lily's delight, were very open and feeling. She was petite, not just short, but small in general, and even though she was the eldest of all of Lily's friends, many people treated her as though she was younger because of her height and happy demeanour. Beside Celeste sat Aurelia, a little pink from the constant sun, with bronze eyes and matching long straight hair nearing her waist. She was considered one of the beauties of Lily's fifth year, with her classic features, small upturned rosy lips, stunning wide smile and willowy grace in which she presented herself. Aurelia was a Gryffindor with Lily, and had been friends since their first night in Hogwarts. Both girls sat listening as another spoke as if in raptures. Vivian Noel was a Ravenclaw, bright, vivacious, and with a feisty, confident manner. Her long brown hair had small curls in it, which twisted their way down her back and framed her heart shaped face. Her hazel eyes were bright and alive with happiness as she told her story, and upon noticing Lily walking towards them, jumped up and ran the next two metres, throwing her arms around Lily and squeezing. She was a very affectionate child.

'Lily! Oh lovely Lily it's over! No more exams! We are free, Lils, FREE!' Her tinkling laugh brightened Lily's smile as Vivian twirled her around and pulled her over to rejoin Celeste and Aurelia.

'You've always been too enthusiastic Viv,' Aurelia stated with a grin, pulling the pair down to sit with them in the grass.

'I can't help it! That was easily the best exam I have ever sat! I could hardly sit in my chair from wanting to scream with excitement!' Vivian laughed.

Aurelia joined in and began deep conversation about the questions she guessed and whether she thought the markers would give her marks for creativity over accuracy.
'That question on Animagi, really got me, you know, the question about the names of the most successful Animagus' alive today. All I could think of was Professor McGonagall so I made up some random people like Elderic the Ugly and Filius the Floozy..."

Celeste sat next to Lily, giving her an apologetic smile and started fussing over her, 'Are you sure you're alright? I was afraid Viv was going to squeeze you until your head popped off,' Celeste shook her head. Lily just shrugged as if to say 'My head's still on so it's fine!'

'How did you find the exam Lil?' She inquired with a small smile.

'It was really good, actually! Though I did end up rushing a lot at the end...' she trailed off and stared behind her friends' face, distracted. Celeste, frowning, turned to follow Lily's gaze, and instantly groaned when she found what she was staring at.

Aurelia instantly knew what was going to happen and stopped her conversation with Vivian, looking stricken.

'Lil, don't you dare go over there, it'll just create more damage trust me!'

But Lily, shaking her head with growing anger, got up and began rushing over to the other side of the grounds.

By the lake and underneath a tree, were the Marauders. Remus was reading, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration, Sirius was leaning on the tree, staring up at the groups of girls sitting around basking in the sun, and James was entertaining Peter, releasing and catching a golden snitch he had stolen. Every time James caught it, Peter would laugh and squirm about, clapping his hands excitedly.

'Prongs you better stop that before Wormtail wets himself,' Sirius laughed.

'If it's bothering you,' James shrugged and began laughing at the look on Peters' face.

'James, I'm bored!' Sirius whined, sounding like a four year old child.

Remus raised his eyebrows, glancing for the first time at the pair of them, as if weighing up what exactly they might do. Remus' long legs were spread out tiredly, as if he was constantly exhausted, and his prefect badge shone from the light streaming through the branches of the tree.

James stared out at Lily who had just been hugged, or in some matter of the word, attacked by Vivian Noel. Her copper hair swished, whipping around her neck as she was spun around, a laugh emitting from her mouth which James could not hear, and her head thrown back in delight. His frown increased wondering why Evans never looked like that with him. It was very troubling for the fifteen year old.

'Ah, excellent. Snivellus.'