A:N/ HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (almost). I'd just like to tell you that I am extremely thankful for the time you put into reading and reviewing my story- it truly means a lot to me- you guys are a gift from God! I'm so thankful for everything fanfiction has give me- self esteem, confidence, and something to do. Thank you for being a part of my life, I love you all.
Thank you especially to theabominablepen, I apologize once again for being so freaking late.
I really hope you enjoy this- If you do- tell me! If you don't...tell me what I should add to make it better!
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Disclaimer- I am incredibly thankful for everything I have- unfortunately I do not have the ability to be J.K Rowling. Shucks.
Lily absentmindedly twirled her wand between her fingers, as she stared out the window which had been conveniently been placed on the opposite side of the door.
She was currently sitting in the Head's Compartment , a coveted place that, had she done what she had planned that summer, she never would have seen.
Lily had always been well aware of the danger her being a witch posed to her family. After all, Petunia was only too willing to remind her. Muggles were constantly in danger. The uprising of Lord Voldemort and his followers threatened her family especially, because they were conscious of magic's existence yet couldn't utilize it leaving them with too much knowledge and not enough protection. Lily also happened to be one of the brightest witches of her age- which made a rather large target as well as her family. This summer she decided that enough was enough. If being a witch could get her family killed then magic wasn't worth learning.
For two whole weeks she hadn't so much as touched her wand- much to her sister's joy. Those two weeks had been the most difficult for Lily. She had forgotten some of the simplest things muggles did every day without the help of magic. Every task was a challenge for her and every obstacle which normally she could easily fix became catastrophic.
Magic withdrawal made her moody and irritated. She snapped at anyone who talked to her and she had constant headaches.
Basically she had PMS for two full weeks.
It would have been longer to, if her mother and father hadn't insisted she stop being a 'daft fool' and continue using magic. They wouldn't hear of her decision to discontinue her schooling at Hogwarts, they even refused to let her do the simplest things without magic for the rest of the summer.
Looking back, Lily realized that even if she had continued her "Magic Fast" her parents would still have died and by default Petunia would still blame her.
Lily's reverie was broken when she heard the glass sliding door open and close. Lily smiled and turned, fully expecting to see Remus Lupin smiling back at her.
Or not.
Instead of Remus, Lily was greeted with the smirking face of James Potter.
The smile quickly slid off her face.
"What is it that you want Potter?" she said testily, crossing her arms. She had Heads business and she needed Remus to help her.
Potter smiled cautiously and ruffled his hair- just the way Lily hated, making Lily's hands clench into fists.
"I thought it was rather obvious Evans, are you having an off day, you're usually right about everything"
Lily fumed as he casually lay back in a chair and threw his legs over the polished mahogany table top.
Lily counted to ten to keep herself from blowing a fuse.
"I assume you're here for one of two things either to deliver a message from Remus or just to piss me off"
James chuckled.
Lily closed her eyes.
"Dear, dear you really off today- zero out of two, that's just disappointing"
Lily stood up angrily.
"Look Potter, if you aren't here for a useful reason then get the hell out of my compartment" she hissed.
James stood up and leaned closer to her.
"Don't you mean our compartment darling?" he said, clearly ecstatic.
Lily opened her mouth to retort with a "in your dreams" or a "no, no go way you git" but she choked on her words when she saw the gold badge gleaming on James' chest.
No. she thought. This cannot be happening. It took all of Lily's willpower to keep herself from fainting.
She had just assumed that Dumbledore would pick Remus- despite his…issues. And if not him, then at least that idiot hufflepuff Diggory who she could tell what to do and boss around.
But instead he chose Potter. As in James Potter. The biggest prankster Hogwarts had ever seen and the holder of the record for most detentions ever earned both titles he claimed proudly.
This was what Dumbledore had given her to work with.
He was bonkers.
Lily sat down heavily in her recently vacated chair.
"No, no, no…stole from…no he wouldn't let him…imperius…no … drunk?" Lily muttered incoherently.
James looked at her with worry.
"Flower, are you all right? I promise Dumbledore doesn't get drunk…well unless certain people are involved and…"
Lily cut him off.
"Please. Stop. Talking." She said menacingly. "I am trying to rap my head around the fact that one of the greatest wizards of all time has finally lost his marbles"
James' eyebrows scrunched together and he lowered himself slowly into his chair.
"I can…I can tell him it won't work and that we should assign a new Head Boy" he said quietly.
Lily looked up, shocked. James Potter offering to remove himself from a position of power? That was a first. She was tempted to agree with his idea, but a thought hit her. What if Dumbledore thought she was the one being uncooperative? What if he replaced her? What if this was a test?!
Lily shook her head violently.
"It-it doesn't have to come to that" she stammered.
James' head lifted and a beautiful smile lit up his face. Lily almost smiled back.
Almost.
"As long as you follow three rules" she said sternly. James nodded vigorously, so like a young child Lily barely contained her laughter.
"One, you will under no circumstances, ever abuse your powers as Head Boy." James continued nodded his head.
Would if fall off? Lily wondered. That would solve a lot of her problems.
"Two, you will not hex, bully, or prank anyone in the hallway or anywhere else"
James' face fell.
"But Lilyyyyyy" he whined. "Pranking is what we're famous for"
Lily rolled her eyes- because that was just such a wonderful think to be known for.
James sighed.
"Look Lily these are rather dark times" he said switching to serious tone.
Lily picked at her nails.
"Pranking gets people to laugh and smile, it brings the school together. Especially with all the ministry owls that fly in nowadays"
Lily was startled. Truthfully, she did find some of the Marauders pranks- the harmless ones of course- rather funny. And they did bring laughter and light to the school. He was right.
Wow. That didn't' happen very often.
They were indeed in dark times- she knew all too well what a ministry owl meant and she knew all too well how hard it was to laugh after receiving one.
"Fine. But the other two still stand- and your pranks can't hurt anyone" she said reluctantly.
James cheered and clapped his hands gleefully.
"Evans how I love thee!" he said jokingly.
For some unknown reason- Lily blushed.
"I wouldn't go that far yet- I haven't told you the third rule"
James quieted, but the smile didn't leave his face.
"You may not ask me to date you, go on a date with you, or go anywhere that is not necessary or friendly unless you are prepared for extreme pain"
Lily noticed that his smile became slightly pained but he nodded.
"Does-does this mean I get to call you Lily…and we're er…friends?" He asked hesitantly.
Lily studied him.
His brows were knit with worry…worry over what? Maybe her answer. Weird. James Potter was cocky, not worrisome…that was new. And his hands were folded demurely, obviously twitching- attempting to reach his hair, but he was repressing the urge. He also seemed to be physically repressing the urge to be cocky- she'd noticed that throughout their conversation.
Because he knows I hate that. She realized.
Her focus lifted to his face. His beautiful hazel eyes filled with fear of her response, hidden by glasses that were surprisingly sexy- at least on him. His hair was longer and his body had filled out lately as well- gone was the scrawny first year she'd sworn to hate. In his place was an undeniably gorgeous man.
Even she couldn't deny that he was fit.
Lily quickly put an end to those thoughts. Those were not thoughts Lily Marie Evans should be having.
Lily looked up suddenly and remembered that he was still waiting for her answer.
"Do you promise to not be an arrogant git worthy only as lunch for the giant squid?" She asked, hoping to lighten his evident fear of rejection.
James nodded and smiled.
"I swear I've changed Lily- honest." He said passionately.
Lily caught herself staring into his beautiful hazel eyes before quickly pulling herself away from them.
"Well then Pot- James we have head's business to accomplish"
