Hey!

My first Harry Potter fic. I've become re-obsessed with the Harry Potter fandom and recently obsessed with the Jily and Dramione pairing. I have a dramione fic in the making too but this one just sort of came out of nowhere. This fic will start out light and will get a little darker. It is me after all. This chapter is a little shorter than what I plan to post but I wanted to get it out there. Finally, I know I'll butcher any UK slang so I'm just going to stick with what I know. Sorry if that's in anyway offensive to you guys. If it's really a problem, let me know and I'll try but bear with me. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear feedback! Enjoy your week!

much love

bbs

"Why?"

Peter Pettigrew tried subtly to place a hand over his barely contained grin, pleased to be part of the action but relieved not to be the object of the deputy headmistress' fury. Seemingly oblivious to their potential premature deaths, James Potter and Sirius Black sat casually in their seats, arms draped over the back and only one step away from placing their feet on Professor McGonagall's desk.

"Why what, Professor?"

Later, the Marauders would recall McGonagall's face turning a brilliant shade of Gryffindor red.

"Why in the world, Mr. Potter, did you and Mr. Black try to jump off the Hogwart's Express?"

Sirius moved to the edge of his seat, his eyes flashing,

"To achieve something no one has ever achieved before."

"Valiant effort if I may say."

Sirius flashed a winning smile at his friend and punched him in the shoulder, feigning embarrassment

"Stop it, James. You're making me blush."

In order to keep from murdering the two boys, she turned her attention to the fourth young man sitting low in his seat and looking far too exhausted for being seventeen. He stared up at the ceiling shaking his head,

"Mr. Lupin, please tell me that as Head Boy, you had nothing to do with this."

Remus Lupin sighed,

"Fortunately I was left out of this one."

"Thank Merlin for small mercies. You may leave and please stop by the hospital wing before joining Miss Evans in the Great Hall."

He stood up from his chair and the three remaining boys hid their concern has he limped out the door. Their friend's exit seemed to sober the group. The deputy headmistress cleared her throat

"50 points from Gryffindor for the both of you and detention every Friday evening until I say so."

The two boys looked like they had expected nothing less, standing up from their chairs. They wiped the invisible lint from their clothes and McGonagall resisted the urge to roll her eyes. They would force her into an early retirement. She was sure of it.

A sly smile spread across James' face but before he could speak, she interrupted

"I need you out of my office."

"Right.

…

Back in the Gryffindor common room, a group of first year girls stood around Lily Evans, asking nervous questions about life at Hogwarts. The fire roared brilliantly casting a golden glow on the Head Girl's face and wild red hair. They sipped on their hot chocolates and wrapped in blankets, enamored with the older girl as she patiently answered their questions and told them funny stories, her green eyes flashing. She even included Potter and his friends' antics which earned a laugh from both the younger and older students in the room. After having to deal with Potter and Black's latest adventure on the train, she practically begged for bed, but when the first years approached her with teary eyes and quivering chins, she was hooked

One more story after the intended last story, Lily found herself yawning and looked at the time. She grimaced when she saw how late is was. First night as Head Girl and she was already encouraging all-nighters.

Oops.

"Alright, alright. It's time for bed."

"But Lily!"

"Don't 'but Lily' me! I'll see you all in the morning and I can answer any questions before your first class then, alright?"

When she saw the tears threatening to return, her heart ached. She was a softie and it would be her downfall.

Smiling softly, she knelt and wiped the tears from the face of a particularly distraught girl who clutched her stuffed lion tightly before speaking to the group,

"As Gryffindors, we are always ready for adventure and I promise you, Hogwarts is the best one yet."

They watched her with their eyes shining and Lily stood up,

"And that adventure starts with putting on your pajamas. Off to bed!"

Each of them hugged her and said goodnight, running up the stairs and into their respective dorms. After telling the prefects to check in on them in a few minutes, Lily sighed with relief, grabbing her bag from off the ground and exiting through the portrait.

"A lioness protecting her cubs. I truly felt like I was watching a nature documentary, Evans."

Lily jumped and James stood off to the side of the corridor, laughing at her surprise. She cursed, running a hand through her red hair and shoot him a glare

"Oh shut the hell up, Potter. At least I didn't get my ass handed to me by the trolley witch."

This only made him laugh harder and even she had to crack a smile,

"I'm pretty sure Sirius shit himself when she came after us."

When she threw her head back, laughing, James watched her with an aching heart. Merlin, she was beautiful. He couldn't help the image of him reaching out and kissing her, but he sure as hell wouldn't act on it. The risk of her putting him out of commission for his last Quidditch season was too high. Lily stopped laughing, mischief gleaming in her eyes. The urge to kiss her hit him again

"So what do the four of you have planned for tonight?"

He raised an eyebrow at her,

"And how do you know we have something planned?"

She rolled her eyes,

"Oh please. It's our last first night at Hogwarts. Where's the party?"

His face stretched into a wide grin and pulled the bottle of Firewhiskey from behind his back

"Partying on the first night of being Head Girl? What would Dumbledore say?"

Smirking, Lily approached him and he felt his smile falter. Her face inches from his, he tried not to look at her lips. She felt smug watching his eyes widen in surprise

"I believed he'd say 'Please teach those boys how to drink for me, Miss Evans. Merlin knows they're all lightweights.'''

The grin on his face returned and Lily decided she liked this James Potter.

"Quidditch pitch in half an hour."

"See you then, Potter."

As he watched her leave, James knew he could never tell her that hidden under the invisibility cloak, he watched her the whole time, captivated by her facial expressions and the way her hair glowed in the fire light.

The guys hadn't planned on it being a bonfire but he suddenly felt inspired

Forty-five minutes later, Lily walked through the tall grass leading an already drunk Marlene McKinnon and a too-sober Alice Dearborne. The latter turned her head in every direction of every noise and shadow accompanied by a "what was that?" "did you hear that?". Lily smirked, unperturbed by the sights and sounds around the old castle.

"Constant vigilance, Alice. You'll make a terrific Auror."

"Oh shove it, Lily. The grounds are fucking creepy at night."

Marlene stumbled over her feet and Lily looped an arm with her, the Quidditch pitch finally in view.

"Where's Severus, Lily?"

She smirked

"I'm sorry to say that Hogwarts' biggest party animal won't be attending this evening"

In truth, she had practically begged him to come with her but he gave her a definite "no" as soon as the word "Potter" came out of her mouth. She couldn't blame him, however. James and his friends were complete assholes to him. It was also for this reason that she felt guilty going to a party hosted by his tormentors. Severus insisted she went though, shooing her away with Marley and Alice as he read through a potions books.

They walked through the women's locker room and the scene opened up to a bonfire surround by at least twenty Gryffindors, ten Ravenclaws, seven Hufflepuffs, and even a few Slytherins. They talked in groups, holding cups and bottles while music played over an enchanted speaker. The three girls joined Frank Longbottom and three other Gryffindors. Lily took a sip of her drink and watched as Sirius Black stood on a chair gesturing wildly while James Potter doubled over with laughter. She must've stared too long because Sirius caught her,

"Evans! Where is your lap dog?"

The group laughed and Lily scowled,

"I'm surprised you could see with your head so far up Potter's ass."

The group laughed again and Sirius seemed unbothered, smiling widely while James spoke up, feigning insult

"Hey my head is just as far up his!"

"Aww mate you sure know how to make a guy feel special."

"I'm just trying to get you in bed."

"It's working."

The group erupted into laughter again and James locked eyes with Lily, his wide smile crinkling his eyes. She shook her head and turned her back on them. On one side, a Ravenclaw boy named Owen whispered something in Marley's ear and she clung to his shirt while she laughed. On her other side, Alice and Frank talked quietly and Lily turned away when she saw him tuck a tendril behind Alice's ear and lean in for a kiss. She turned towards the fire, the animals of each house dancing in the flames.

Suddenly her eyes caught her Co-Head sitting on the other side of the spectacle. His arms rested on his knees as he toyed with an empty bottle in one hand, his tired eyes watching his friends dance wildly. She grabbed another bottle and walked over, sitting next to him. She handed him a bottle

"Some role models we are."

He smiled and grabbed the bottle from her.

"We can start over tomorrow."

They tapped their bottles in agreement, sitting in comfortable silence as they drank. Lily had always quite liked Remus Lupin. Unlike James and Sirius, he didn't actively seek out trouble, nor did he encourage it like Peter. She tried not to wonder at the scars on his gentle face or worry at his obvious exhaustion, but, although she'd never admit it, she was annoyingly curious. Perhaps nosey.

"How was your summer, Lupin?"

He paused for a moment and Lily wondered if the mysterious Remus Lupin would divulge one of his secrets. Instead, he looked back at his friends meaningfully.

"It's good to be back."

Sirius howled and James joined in, followed by Peter. Finally, to Lily's surprise, Remus joined in. He nudged her with a smile. She'd blame it on the alcohol or perhaps a moment of madness the next day, but she threw her head back and howled too."

"Pass me the coffee as quietly as you can."

Lily pushed the pot across the table, towards Marley who rested her head on the table, her eyes squeezed shut

"Now please pour me a cup and gently hold it up to my mouth…"

Alice reached over the blonde's cup and grabbed the pot, filling her own mug

"Honestly Marley have some dignity."

"Alice, your voice can stop anytime now."

Lily snorted and looked back at her Potions book, biting into a piece of toast. She had it first period with Severus and wished she would've just read last night.

Last night.

She smiled. No she wouldn't trade that memory for the world. She owed Potter for telling her about it even if she did have to pry it out of him.

"Morning!"

Sirius plopped down next to her, reaching over her book and bumping into her arm to grab a large chocolate muffin. James sat across from her and winked before smothering jam on a piece of toast. Remus sat next to James, cracking open his potions book while Peter stuffed two pastries in his mouth and greeted the group before sitting down.

James poured his coffee,

"Was last night as good for you ladies as it was for us?"

"We wish it would've lasted longer," Lily took a sip of her coffee, still staring at her book, "Although I'm sure you're used to hearing that."

Sirius roared with laughter and slapped her on the back, earning irritated looks from the hungover students of Hogwarts. She smirked when she saw James nearly spit out his coffee. Remus smiled down at his book and shook his head.

She turned around when she felt a tug at her robe. Six first years stood behind her with wide eyes,

"Lily, where is Intro to Transfiguration?"

"Will you help me tie my tie?"

"I've already lost my wand."

"I think…I may have eaten my ingredients for potions today."

"Are there wolves in the forest? We heard howling last night…"

The last question earned another round of laughter and the younger students turned bright red. Lily shot her friends a look and turned back to the growing crowd of first years. A million questions hit her at once and she felt the panic settling in. She heard James stand up behind her, figuring he would duck out of the situation. She didn't blame him one bit.

"Listen up! If you have no idea where you're going, raise your hand!"

About three fourths of the crowd raised their hands while Lily turned to see James Potter standing on the bench. He winked at her again and she blinked in confusion

"Alright then get prepared for the best tour of your life, courtesy of me, the James Potter and my good friend, Sirius Black."

"Oi, mate! I didn't-"

"We might miss our first class but it's a sacrifice we are willing to make."

Sirius hopped on the bench,

"Get ready for the thrill of unnecessary moving stairwells and classrooms with no windows! Tour leaves now."

The first years looked at Lily for affirmation and she nodded. They followed the two boys out, laughing at their absurdity. Lily found herself smiling as she helped the remaining few with their ties before they ran out to join the tour. Peter frowned and looked to Remus

"Hey, how come we never got a tour?"