A/N: First things first, Anon who said they found it "truly unbelievable that James, Lily and Sirius could all produce a full Patronus on their first time trying it."

In my defence, I say: Marlene could also produce a corporeal Patronus (you missed that out) and also that the happier the memory, the more talented the witch/wizard, the older they are (more experience) the more chance they have of doing it right first time. Not to mention the difference being soul mates and having a great amount of love in your life makes to the power of your magic. Not to say that Harry Potter not being able to do it first time shows that he is a weak wizard, because he is a powerful wizard, but everyone is different. So surely some people will pick it up easily and others won't ever be able to?

In retrospect, it is unlikely and a little unbelievable. You do have to be careful when writing for a mythical universe that you make the unbelievable as plausible as possible. This is my first Fanfiction story so I will make mistakes and that was one of them but I will get better. I appreciate you taking the time to review. So thank you.

Obviously, I do not own the Harry Potter universe, all credit to J K Rowling.

Sorry this is so long. Enjoy!

Oh and there is some Jily action in this chapter - again nothing overly graphic. I will warn you when it occurs.

By the way, I put in these warnings for my younger sister. She's not much younger than me, she just doesn't particularly enjoy reading what I refer to as 'Jily action'.

LILY'S P.O.V

THE ANIMA CHARM

THREE DAYS BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

"No seriously though! I'm really worried about who I'll be paired with," Alice says.

"Whom. With whom I will be paired with," I correct her.

"Help me! It's the grammar police!" Alice says. I roll my eyes.

"It's not my fault you can't speak properly."

"Anyway," Alice glares at me mock-angrily, "with whom do you think I'll be paired with?"

"I don't know, Alice," Mar says, "the Anima Charm is quite sexist and traditional as it pairs people up using blood status, wealth and intelligence. I've been reading –"

"You? Reading?" Alice's eyes pop out at Mar.

"What are you trying to say?" Mar demands.

"Nothing, nothing," Alice mutters.

"Anyway, I've been reading up on Mr Valcon and he's seriously sexist. His Marriage Law states that the man owns the woman and everything the woman owns. We have no rights whatsoever."

"So if the guy domestically abuses you, you can't do anything about it?" I ask, shocked.

"No! If the guy you're married to doesn't like something you do, he technically has the right to abuse you."

"That's awful. What about same-sex marriages? I've heard a few rumours about it. Seeing as it's legal to be gay as of '67."

"The law is designed to increase the population. Sadly, same-sex couples can't reproduce so the law excludes the idea of sexuality."

"So if you're homosexual you're stuck in a heterosexual marriage?" Alice asks in complete consternation.

"Yeah," Mar sighs, "besides, Hogwarts is in Scotland and in Scotland it's still illegal to be gay." (It becomes legal to be gay in Scotland in the year 1981 – a very important year in Wizarding history and for all LGB people and general society. Go equality!)

"Life's a load of shit," Alice laments.

"Chin up, it could be worse. I don't know how, but it could be," I say. (That's a quote from Winnie the Pooh, by the way. I can't take credit.)

"Still. We have a sexist Minister and we're in the depths of a war and we're still not allowed to fight."

"I agree with you there," I say, "I'm getting fidgety sitting in school when I could be hexing Death Eaters."

"Do you think you'd ever kill a Death Eater?" Alice asks.

"I don't know. On the one hand, I would because they killed my parents but on the other hand I wouldn't kill them. The death of my parents made me realise what a terrible thing it is to take someone's life away from them."

"Yeah, but this is war. In war, morals and ethics don't apply."

"That's not true," I reason, "yes, in a life threatening situation I'd kill them but otherwise it's just murder."

"I'd kill a Death Eater. They're killing all those children and innocent Muggles for no other reason than Blood Status. Who's avenging them? Who's protecting their honour?"

"War is one of the most terrible things you can inflict on the human race," I'm surprised to find myself quoting Dumbledore. "Why would you want to impose more pain?"

"Pah. They're heartless bastards. The lot of 'em," Alice dismisses.

I exhale, it's hard to make Alice see straight when she's in this mood. Mar and I call it her Vampire mood - when she rejects the idea that humans have feelings and just wants murder and blood. It's usually when she's either tired or really fed up with life which is most likely down to hormones.

SEVERUS' P.O.V

"…and I told him that I loved him and he –he didn't –he didn't… he didn't say it back, Severus!" Narcissa paces up and down the common room.

Narcissa and Lucius have been going through a shaky patch at the minute. A trivial problem to me. I have more pressing matters to deal with - like finding something to offer the Dark Lord and how to protect Lily until I find that something.

"Oh… that's appalling…" I say as she looks at me intently, waiting for a response.

"I know! And then just a few hours ago, I was talking about the wedding and he just said 'yeah, whatever, listen I need to sort something out'. Can you believe that?"

"No, it's abysmal."

Narcissa then warbles on about all the conversations she's had with Lucius which may convey some hidden intentions. Merlin, I wish she'd shut up and get into perspective. Who cares about what Lucius says? No, I care about Lily's life and the rest of the Wizarding world.

"…what if he doesn't love me anymore?" that's when I snap back to what she's saying. She breaks down into sobs.

"Oh Narcissa…" I put my arm around her as she sits down.

Despite the fact that I find her boy problems irritating and a nuisance, I hate seeing her upset. She's the closest thing I have to family.

"I know it's silly. I mean we're getting married! He must love me but then again… if he didn't marry me for love, our marriage would probably be arranged anyway. Bella and Lestrange have been engaged since Bella was eight and I think it'll work out for them. Everything works out for Bella."

"That's not true. Her hair isn't working out for her at the moment and she doesn't even care about love and marriage and all that stuff. The stuff you care about is often hard to get, you have to work for it which is why you care about it so much."

"I suppose you're right."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You know you're like a brother to me, Severus."

"I know and you're the sister I never had."

"It's nice isn't it?"

"What is?"

"Having a family."

"I presume so."

"It is," she insists, "complete unconditional love and support."

"It is nice," I say at last.

I remember the family Narcissa wants to have: Draco and Cassiopeia. I feel a surge of protectiveness. How could I forget? It's not just Lily and Narcissa I'm protecting. It's Narcissa's dream and happiness which is also important to me.

JAMES' P.O.V

THE DAY OF THE ANIMA CHARM

We all file into the hall. I catch Lily's eye from across the hall, she smiles at me nervously. I grin back. Padfoot's grouchy because he had to get up earlier than usual.

"What right have they got, pulling us out of bed at this un-Merlin-ly hour?"

"You should go to sleep earlier then," Moony counters.

"That's not possible! I have a girlfriend, Moony."

"So does Prongs."

"Yeah and Prongs doesn't have a sex life," Padfoot smirks.

"Shut up," I mumble.

"No, I'm curious Prongs. What do you do with Evans?"

"That's none of your business, Padfoot."

"Aw come on, we tell each other everything."

"We're not girls."

"So? Do girls have dibs on telling each other everything? Who decided that was girly thing, anyway? If I want to talk to my fellow Marauders then I vote I should be able to. Freedom of speech and all. Besides, Prongs, if Evans caught you being sexist –"

"Just shut the fuck up, Padfoot."

"All right, all right, message understood. You don't want to talk about it."

What do I do with Evans? As if that's any of his business at all. Not that there's anything much to hide. We just snog and occasionally end up naked. Nothing more. She usually stops before we get too far and I don't want to push her. If it takes time, it takes time and love isn't all about sex. Lily and I are quite intimate – we talk loads and tell each other everything. Merlin, now I'm being hypocritical. Besides, if I did push her well… it would suck to go back to the way things were in fourth, fifth and sixth year. We have an understanding of one another, whether that's the whole soul mate thing or maybe we both just really like talking. We also like reading which helps because I've dated some girls who have no interest in anything but sex. Actually, the one topic Lily doesn't like discussing -other than Snivellus- are my ex-girlfriends.

"Welcome students! I hope you've all done some reading on the Anima Charm and Marriage Law. If not, never mind, I will go through everything now. The Anima Charm will be cast on your arm; the magic will travel to your soul where all the information we need will be stored. We will pair so that the Purebloods are spread out among the Muggle-borns, we will pair people up according to intelligence and your family's wealth and title. Hopefully this will lead to your child being brought up in a respected and safe environment. Please stay in the hall until 12 o'clock. You will get your pairs back over the Christmas holidays. Have a good day."

The Minister of Magic walks away from the podium and a couple of dozen Ministry officials come around to cast the charm. This is going to take ages. I look for Lily but I can't find her.

"You know last night, McKinnon and I –"

"Let me stop you right there, Padfoot," Moony says, "I really don't want to know."

"What I was going to say," Padfoot whispers to me and Wormtail, "is that we did it in the broom cupboard on the third floor so if you heard noises…"

"Disgusting, Padfoot."

"Hey! Are you afraid of sex of something?"

"No, I just don't need to know. Anyway, a broom cupboard?"

"Well yeah, where else can we do it?"

"The dormitory?"

"Nah, you guys are always there and Moony doesn't appreciate sex in the dorms. Being a prefect and all," Padfoot frowns at Moony who rolls his eyes. "You're so lucky having your own Common Room and dorm, Prongs."

"Seriously, a broom cupboard? It's not…"

"What?"

"It's not very romantic."

"McKinnon and I don't do romance."

"What do you do then?" Wormtail asks stupidly.

"Sex, duh. Were you even listening Wormtail?"

"Yeah," Wormtail says idiotically.

"You know when they were handing out brains, I think Wormtail got lost on his way there," Padfoot shakes his head disbelievingly.

"Or he did get there, but lost his brain the minute he touched it," I suggest.

"Guys," Moony says, disapprovingly.

"What?" Padfoot and I both demand in unison.

"You've got to stop picking on Wormtail."

"Why? It's not our fault he can't stick up for himself."

"No, but we're supposed to be friends. Even closer, right? We're the Marauders! And Wormtail is one of us too."

"We'll try to include him next time, mother," Padfoot says, mimicking a girlish tone.

"You're such a twat," Moony says.

"I know," Padfoot says briskly, "why is this taking so long? I could have slept longer!"

"You're a lazy git," Wormtail pipes up.

"I must be so tired, I'm hallucinating. 'Cause I just heard Wormtail say something which wasn't brain-dead," Padfoot says.

"You're not hallucinating, I said something witty."

"I wouldn't go as far as witty but… sure."

I remember the last time Wormtail came up with something vaguely intelligent – which was a long time ago. Merlin bless Wormtail. If he wasn't there, we wouldn't have half the fun and light-hearted conversations we do. He makes any situation less serious.

A witch comes over and casts the charm over my arm, I feel an out-of-body experience as the magic runs through my veins. It's sort of cold but nice. Then the witch moves on.

HEAD BOY AND GIRL'S COMMON ROOM

"Thank you, by the way," Lily says.

"For what exactly?"

"Agreeing to come with me to meet Tuney and Vernon."

"It's nothing; it would be criminal to make you go by yourself."

"Still, they're both a handful. Vernon especially. He'll probably try and provoke you but try not to retaliate. I am a little annoyed with Tuney because she always wanted to go to university and study Physics but Vernon wants her to get a low-paid job at most or preferably stay at home and be a housewife. I said that was out of order. Tuney always wanted to have a career and a decent job and do her own thing but she can't stand up to Vernon. He's been telling her things, making her a lot more judgemental and snobbish. I just don't know what to do. Tuney deserves so much better but she just doesn't want to hear it. Vernon's her whole world; she's become so dependent on him."

"Then the best you can do is to support her. If she's not listening to what you're saying and her mind is set, then the only thing you can do is help her if it goes wrong."

"Yeah but isn't it my duty to make sure she isn't in that situation in the first place?"

"You're her sister, not her guardian."

"I suppose," she sighs, "I just feel so useless. If she gets hurt in this relationship, I'll never forgive myself."

"You need to stop worrying about other people. Do something you want to do for a change."

"That would be nice," she says thoughtfully, "I've been running around being sociable and helping people with their problems all day. Thanks for listening by the way."

"Anytime."

Jily action commencing. You have been warned, it's mostly just talk of the sex, though.

She gets up from where she's sitting next to me on the sofa. I frown a little. Why has she moved? She then turns to face me and sits down again, straddling my waist. We've never done this before. She's so close to me. We've never been this physically close before.

"W-what?" I splutter.

"Sh! I can see you over-thinking this! I'm doing what I want. If you want me to stop…"

"No!"

She kisses me on the lips. We kiss harder, I take her shirt off and she takes mine off. She starts taking off her bra before I have a chance to admire her. I take off my trousers, she takes off hers'. Then we're both naked and kissing hard. I shift her to the side so her back is on the sofa and I'm on top of her. Our hands are roaming each other's bodies. Every time one of us finds a spot which the other really likes, we respond by moaning.

She pushes up from underneath me and pushes me so that she's on top of me. She sits up so she's straddling my waist again. The burning passion and desire is almost too much to handle but we haven't really talked about sex. We should really talk about it beforehand.

"What do you want?" she asks me, sincerely.

"Merlin, Lily you know what I want. It's more of a case of what you want."

"What does that mean? Are you calling me prude?" she looks at me accusatorially.

"No. It's just, you've always stopped us before we get too far and I thought –"

"Yeah well I've been thinking about it a lot and I don't want to do it just because some law says we have to. I want to do it on my own terms."

"And what exactly is 'it'?" I tease her.

"You know what," she blushes, "sex."

"If you're going to get embarrassed by just saying 'sex' then are you sure you're ready to actually do it?"

"Yes."

"Right," I say, slightly taken aback. Of course I'd thought about it but I'd never actually thought about it happening for real.

"Is that all you can say? 'Right'?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Something sweet? What do you normally say to girls when they agree to have sex with you?"

"What makes you think they agree to have sex with me and not the other way 'round?"

"Ugh, come on really? Do even remember how you were one or two years ago?"

"Okay, you got me. But we normally don't talk. She says yes then we just get to it."

"I take it you're life has lacked romance until now then?"

"To be honest, I never noticed it until now."

"What are you saying?"

"I. Love. You."

"And I love you too, soul mate."

"Did you just say 'soul mate'?"

"Yeah, Mar and Alice kind of persuaded me."

"Looks like I was right."

"Yeah, it does."

Lily shifts and every cell in my body burns. Her breath hitches. She stands up.

"So… how do we do this?"

"What did you say earlier? Because this time you're over-thinking things. Just relax, do what feels right."

She pulls a face. "And if I do it wrong?"

"Who's ever heard of Lily Evans doing something wrong?"