The night had been a difficult one for Lily, she gad felt comfortable when James was with her and then her rest of friends had explained that everything was alright. But now laying on her bed wide awake, she thought of the day when she has first met Severus, how her life has changed since then, she was introduced to a different world . Peunia was there for her first but than when Lily got into Hogwarts, Petunia distanced herself from was her only friend when she entered the Hogwarts express. for the first time.

James was still in the common room , wide awake, he has told Serious that he will come up later. James has thought deeply about his actions when he had sat beside Lily today, seeing the pain in which she was, she had hid it the moment they had entered the castle but the pain was still there, the same pain James has noticed on the first day they had met on Hogwarts express.

Snape was out in a broom cupboard sitting alone, he doesn't want to go back to the Slytherin common room. Snape had forgotten that Lily and others were there when Potter has put him down showing mercy, he was angry at Potter and had said those words in anger. He has tried to beg Lily for forgiveness but she hasn't forgiven him, first she broke the friendship with him for his involvement in dark arts, but he had thought that he could still get their friendship back when they will return for summer but now when he has said that word, that seems impossible. He remembered the first day on the Hogwarts express when Snape has learned the word "MUDBLOOD".

Flashback-

SEPTEMBER 1st, 1976.

Lily's father put her things on the train, but couldn't take it further as parents cant enter the train.
"Don't worry father I will take it from here." said Lily, her eyes red.

"I am sorry for Tuney dear, she is just sad now but she loves you Lils" said Richard Evans looking at Rose(her mother) who was talking to Tuney. Lily nodded.

"Now, Lily we will write you okay? Your Professor has informed that any letter sent via post addressed to 'Hogwarts' will reach to you. And you can send us your letter through school Owls, your friend Alice Prewett will look after you don't worry. Lily had met Alice on her visit to Diagon Ally but she couldn't talk to her much.

Lily's father kissed her and Lily began moving, finally she found an empty compartment near the end of train, she tried to lift her trunk up but could hardly raise one end.

"Want a hand?" Lily looked turned to see a boy with untidy black hair almost of the same height as her. He was looking happy and has a gentle smile, there was an owl behind him. Lily nodded and together they put Lily's trunk at right place,

"Can I sit in here?" asked then the boy, Lily nodded, than he started to put his own but was not able to so Lily helped him put his trunk inside.

"Thanks," they both said.

"I am James Potter" said the boy putting his hand forward.
"Lily Evans" Lily shook his hand.

James then opened the window, two people started talking to him, both were quite old.
"Sorry, dear Ben has important work otherwise he would have come too." said the man.
"It's okay dad."

Lily's parents came too and wished Lily, Prtunia however was still not looking at Lily. The train whistled and started moving.
Lily waved to her parents, then when they disappeared from sight, she got sad and started crying.
James looked at her confusedly, "Sorry, but you can visit you parents soon for Christmas, Iam also sad for leaving my parents." Lily didn't said anything. "First year?" he asked Lily nodded. "Me too." He saw there was a pain in her eyes. Before James could say any more the compartment opened. a boy entered.

"Can I sit here?" he asked, James looked at Lily who was looking out of window, then nodded. James began talking to the boy, after 10 minutes the door slid opened again a greasy haired boy entered the compartment.

James heard as they both talk but didn't paid them much attention until he heard, 'You'd be better in Slytherin', he has known how bad the wizards in slytherin are. "Slytherin? Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" he asked Sirius.
"My whole family had been in slytherin,"
"Blimey, and I thought you seemed all right!"
"Maybe I will break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?"
James lifted an invisible sword, "Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart! Like my dad."
Lily hadn't heard about other houses name, Sev has just told her that there are four houses but all he talked about was Slytherin. Lily heard Snape making a disparaging noise.
"Got a problem with that?"
"No," said Sev, though his sneer said otherwise. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy...". Lily had known that Severus wasn't good at other people feelings and has thus insulted James, before she could stop Sev, the other boy made a comment and the two began laughing, not wanting anything bad on her first day she got out the compartment and moved to the next one.

"You shouldn't have said that, that's bad." said Lily to Severus, who looked down "And is Gryffindor other house? How is it?"

"It's not for us, we will be in Slytherin." said Severus, and started talking about other things, after 10 minutes a blond boy entered the compartment.

"There you are Severus Snape, your mother said to look after you, come sit with us, I will introduce you to others." said the boy.
"Come Lily, he is Lucius Malfoy relative of my mother and a prefect."said Snape with a smile.
"Who is this, Snape? I haven't heard that name before," asked Lucius.
"Lily Evans, my friend, she is a muggleborn," replied Snape.
Malfoy looked at her with dislike, "She can't come with us, our compartment is not for her. Now, come Snape."
Snape shot Lily an apologetic look and left her, Lily was alone now, her trunk in the next compartment.
"Don't involve with Mudbloods" Lucius said to Snape,

Lily has questions about other houses, about Gryffindor. She stood and reached back to her compartment where one girl was sitting with the two boys. Lily entered and took her place.

"Hello I am Marlene Mckinnon," said the girl, Lily smiled and replied.

"Do you all know about houses? I only know about Slytherin," asked Lily to others.

Marlene told her about all the houses, though he told about Slytherin through gritted teeth. "They have the darkest and most evil wizards in their house, the darkest wizard of all time is from Slytherin"
"Is he still alive?" asked Lily.
"Yes, my parents say that he wants Wizarding dominance over muggles, he is bad, he thinks that muggleborns are bad, and all the Slytherins think the same," James replied.
"I am muggleborn" said Lily.
"Don't worry Dumbledore will be there, he was in Gryffindor, and they say that every dark wizard fears him, Dumbledore is very kind and powerful, he will protect everyone and defeat that dark wizard." said James.

Snape hadn't told her this, Lily had read about Dumbledore in her books, and has seen as a hero, know she know that he was from Gryffindor, and all this talk Lily too wanted to be in Gryffindor. Snape didn't return but Lily was happy to find Marlene as her friend.

Sitting on the sorting table with the hat over her head she thought of going to Gryffindor and was happy to be sorted there and was hoping Severus would be sorted in Gryffindor too but it didn't happen. She saw Sirius sitting there, Sirius has made a joke about her red hair in the boat and received a hit from Marlene. Lily was joined by Marlene on the Gryffindor table and another girl Mary.

End of flashback-

James played the past 5 years in his mind, saw the mistakes he made, he had bullied some people, he has crossed lines in showing off, Lily was right he was arrogant and a bully. But now he had to change, be a nicer person.

He has just read the prophet having missed it in the morning.

ANOTHER DEATH EATERS ATTACK, HEAD AUROR INJURED
Last night the Auror Department received a news regarding Death Eaters attack in Southampton, many aurors had gone their to fight led by Head Auror Alastor Moody, the aurors caught 3 death eaters while killing 2.
Alastor Moody was severely injured in the attack and has lost a leg. Mr. and Mrs. Potter who were also present at the spot brought back Alastor Moody immediately back to St. Mungo's.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter had denied giving anymore information to prophet aside from the fact that no more Aurors are injured.

Dark time are coming, this is the time that James grow and start taking responsibility.
He sent a letter instantly to his uncle about his parents. He was waiting for him to appear in the fireplace. After 30 minutes Ben's head appeared in the fireplace.

He was looking tired but worried, James jumped in front of him.

"You should be asleep, James, tomorrow is your exam" said Ben.

"How are mum and dad?" asked James.

"They both are healthy, and uninjured, shaken though." replied Ben.

"And Moody?"

"Well he is not that well having lost a leg but is out of danger."

"And are you okay? You look tired."

" I am fine, just there's a panic here at department, so extra workload." said Ben.

"Where are you? And where are Mum and dad."

" I am at ministry, and your mum and dad are at home resting, I met them 3 hours ago. They have taken a day off."

"Okay."

"I would love to talk more James, but it's late at night, tomorrow is your exam and also I am quite busy here, I have said them I have to go to loo as an excuse to talk to you." grinned Ben.

"Sorry," said James

"Good night and all the best for tomorrow." With that, his head disappeared.

James sat there for few minutes thinking about Moody and then left to rest.

The news regarding Snape, James and Lily had reached to entire school. That's why when the marauders and valkyried arrived in the great hall for breakfast before their Transfiguration exam, everyone was quite shocked that Lily and James were with them and all of them were sitting together, though both James and Lily had dark patches under eyes and were not talking much.

Another boy with dark patches under his eyes was watching them. Snape was quite happy to see that Lily wasn't talking to Potter nor he to Lily, they both hardly even spoke to even their friends.

Lily's transfiguration went well and if she was lucky she had hoped that she might even get an 'O'. The question was regarding Inanimatus Conjurus spell, Lily smiled as she remembered James explaining her this topic, and the practicals were on vanishing spells. After transfiguration they all had returned to common room to study History,their last exam. Lily hasn't talk to anyone much since last night, courtesy previous noon events and then exams.

History of magic exam didnt went well for Lily, she had able to write most answers but was not entirely satisfied with them. She wanted the exam to be over soon so that she could relax these last two days.

Finally, the examiner collected the papers , Lily collected her things and joined Mary and Marlene, walking out of the hall.

Snape saw as Lily moved out and sat at the edge of the lake, ther legs in water, he himself sat at a place near bush where he could have a clear view of Lily. The two girls were talking while Lily just sat there listening to both and nodding time to time.
Soon a boy with untidy hair joined them and said something that brought a smile to Lily's face. Snape watched as three other boys came near them.

Sirius pushed James into the water, and they all began laughing. James came out of the water and started chasing Sirius until he had thrown Sirius into the water. One by one all the boys were in the lake, and they started swimming and playing. Snape watched with anger as James approached Lily and held out his hand for her to come in the water saying something that made Lily laugh, the two girls pushed Lily in before joining the lake themselves. Has Lily forgiven James Potter? Was she now talking to that arrogant toerag? Were they friends now? Lily has forgiven Potter but not him, why?

Snape watched as Lily played and laughed, throwing water at Potter, who was laughing at throwing water back at her. Potter who had provoked him in saying that word was now with Lily. Has Potter planned all this?

Snape wanted revenge. He wanted more power. And he knew the way.

Lily was packing her trunk, this summer was going to be horrible, in previous summers at least Snape was there, but now she doesn't;t want to see him, and avoiding him will be quite hard, she hoped that he would go to anywhere else like last summer. And her other comfort place will also not be fully there.

The Marauders were planning for the end of term feast they had approached the valkyries for help.

"Come on it will be fun," said Sirius.

"No we have other things to do." retorted Marlene.

"Like?" asked Remus.

"Like relaxing." replied Marls.

"You will be more relaxing after you will help us in this prank." pointed Peter.

"Yeah it's worth the effort." said Sirius.

"Okay I am in."Marlene said giving in.

"Will it be legal and safe?" asked Mar.

"Of course, it will be," assured Remus.

"Very well then I am in," said Mary happily.

"Lily ?" asked Remus.

"Do I have a choice?" asked Lily.

"No" grinned Sirus.

"Prongs what are you doing buried in the book even after the exams?" asked Peter.

"You gave the idea but someone needs to do the research so that we can pull off the prank," replied James.

James noticed that Lily was looking more gloomier since their time at Black Lake, he wanted to ask her, but thought some privacy and fun prank might help her, but now he cant ignore it much. While others talked about planning, Lily distant herself, sitting by the window and gazing at the sky, thinking that this might be the best chance to talk with her otherwise they will separated till September, he pulled a chair and sat beside her. Lily looked up at him and gave him a half smile.

"What's wrong Lily?" he said in a low voice.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Whom are you lying to?" said James.

"To you," she replied and then took out a parchment and gave him. "This came after the end of our History exam."

James opened and read it.

Dear Lily,
I hope that your exams went well, and I know that you surely would have done your best. I wanted to write you earlier but I didn't want to interrupt your preparations, though your father said to wait till you arrive to tell you the news I know that you will want to know this as soon as possible.
Lily, Aunt Charlotte's cancer has deteriorated, and she is admitted to the hospital, the doctors have said as of now she is in stable condition but day by day her situation is worsening.
We can visit her on our way back home from King's Cross when you return.
You are my strong girl!
Looking forward to meeting you soon.
Love,
Mum

"Is cancer harmful?" asked James before he could stop himself. Lily nodded. " I am sorry Lily, hope she gets better," James added not knowing what to say.

"Thanks, she is already quite old, and used to say always that she is tired up with it," Lily said. "And she always curses god to take her or when she will meet him she will give him a nice lecture," Lily laughed slightly.

"So, did she lives with you?" ask James

"No, she is our neighbor, I knew her since the day I was born, she was a nurse herself in the military. She mostly lives alone in her home as his son works has to work in different state, she has become like a family to us. I used to spend my time mostly with her." Lily explained.

"Oh."

"Yes, and now it's gonna be the worst summer, without her and now if Snape will be there this year and I have to face him it will become worse." groaned Lily.

"Oh, I forgot that he lives near your house, sorry for that," James said patting on her back.

" The thought that we are no longer friends hurts and the thought of things he does makes me angry," said Lily. James didn't know what to say.

"Hey Prongsie, have you searched the magic required? We need to start the preparation now," said Sirius. James placed his hand on Lily's shoulder and gently squeezed it and moved to Sirius and others, who were all oblivious to the two except Marlene.

The end-of-the-term feast started, after Dumbledore's speech. Hufflepuff won the House Cup, and Gryffindor was in second place thanks to quidditch.

Mid-way through the feast the enchanted roof of The Great Hall rumbled with thunder and lightning, red clouds covered the night sky then it started raining, but not with water droplets but various small funny and beautiful things, the rain on Hufflepuff's included golden notes with words 'House Cup Winners', while Gryffindor's included notes with 'Quidditch Winners', the rain over Slytherins included many disgusting things and notes with insults. The rain over staff table included 'Thank You' notes.

A song played along with the rain 'The Hippy Hippy Shakes' which made the entire great hall to laugh and move their bodies along the rhythm except for Sirius who jumped on the table to cheer everyone and dance.

The rain ended when the song ended, and the words appeared in the sky:

"HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER

"By The Marauders and the Valkyries"

Dumbledore clapped and the others followed, but soon everyone broke into laughter as stinking dung fell over some of the Slytherins.

"Oops! my mistake, I might have done a mistake," said Sirius to Dumbledore and Minnie who were looking at them. "It was quite a hard magic."

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