AN/ Okay guys, I'm not JK Rowling, so don't get your hopes up! I don't own Lily and James or anything that you recognise! You should know that, but i'M just saying it so I don't get sued for two cents or somehting, cause that's realyl all I have...

Summary:Lily Evans's impossibly long list of changes James Potter would have to go through in order for Lily Evans to date him; a list started by Lily evans the first nightat Hogwarts, the name itself isself-explanitory. But when James starts actually changing, will Lily really date him? Or will she think of more things that he'll have to change in order for her to date him because she's afraid of getting hurt?...It's LEJP if you hadn't guessed.

First chapter dedicated to Aznchic2009, my favorite beta who never lets me down and will start beta-ing in the next chapter, well, probably. I betaed this one myself, so nobody has ever read it before!

And, without further ado: ENJOY!

Lily's List,Chapter 1: To Write a List!

1. To Write a List

Lily Evans smoothed down her plaid school skirt and adjusted her tie as the Hogwarts Express came to a halt. Then she turned to see if her new friend, Alice Prewett, was ready to go. Alice smiled a slightly strained smile and nodded.

Lily decided that it was her duty to keep her new friend's mind off the looming uncertainty of what would happen at the school the first night there. Lily glanced over to make sure her trunk was shut and smiled reassuringly at Alice.

Anyone who knows the backgrounds of these two girls may find this last statement strange. And, for any person other than the ever confident Lily Evans, it was. You see, the girls were on their way to their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The train, the Hogwarts express, had taken them into the little village of Hogsmeade somewhere in United Kingdom.

Now, you are probably wondering why the fact that Lily is assuring Alice is strange. Well, in order to grasp that notion we must first take a look at the individuals themselves.

Lily Marie Evans was a little tall for her age. She had the smile of an angel and the temper of a typical red-head. Her eyes could dazzle almost anyone in the world; they were almond shaped and the most beautiful shade of green imaginable. Her parents were Muggles, non-magic people, and she had never even heard of Hogwarts before a little over a month ago. Even so, Lily Evans was the one reassuring her friend that everything was going to be all right.

Alice Anastasia Prewett was a blonde beauty. Her liquid blue eyes were always smiling and there was frequently a smile on her face that lit up the room. Alice was the daughter of the famous Dark Wizard catchers (Aurors) the Prewetts. Her two older brothers, Gideon and Fabian, were also Aurors, the best of their time. Alice had known about Hogwarts since her birth. She was very excited when Gideon and then Fabian had gone to Hogwarts and come home to tell her all about it. But Alice was the kind of person that tended to worry about unknown things. And, along with her knowledge of Hogwarts, also came the knowledge of Lord Voldemort, the most feared Dark Wizard of the time, of any time really. Alice had told Lily all about him, but Lily hadn't yet seen first hand the destruction Lord Voldemort caused every day.

"What's the first thing you want to do as a witch?" Lily asked Alice as she pulled her unmanageable, auburn hair into a ponytail.

"I don't know," Alice said, forgetting for the time being the arrival at the school and opening the compartment to climb off the train.

"Come on," Lily urged, "You must have some idea."

"Well," admitted Alice practically, "I always thought I'd like to learn to duel, you never know when some good dueling abilities will save your life. What about you, Lily?"

"That's no fair," Lily commented laughing, "I was thinking of taming my hair or something."

"Well," Alice replied, "I have the perfect thing for you. It tames unruly curls. I think it would work wonders on your hair."

The two girls had completely forgotten about the arrival at the school and climbed off the train talking excitedly about things that eleven-year-old girls frequently talked about. I shan't bore you with the details.

"Look Severus, it's a pretty Mudblood," a platinum blonde boy drawled.

The boy who had spoken appeared to be in at least the third year and had a sneer on his face. He was accompanied by a first-year, who was a rather disgusting looking boy. The second boy, Severus, had dark greasy hair and a long, hooked nose. He gave the girls a look of pure disgust.

"We shouldn't bother with them, Lucius. They're not worth our precious time," Severus replied with a sneer on his greasy face.

At the word 'Mudblood' Alice had gasped and turned very pale. She froze where she was, right near the entrance to the train and Lily attempted to more her, completely ignoring the boys.

"No, no, Severus, pretty girls are always worth our time," Lucius replied with a malicious grin on his face, "You must be a first-year. Am I correct?"

"Bugger off, Malfoy," a voice said from behind Lily and Alice, "You too Snape."

Lily turned to face a boy, slightly shorter than she was with the dorkiest glasses she had ever seen. His messy jet black hair stood up in all directions and he was twirling his wand in a bored sort of manner.

"I think I was talking to the Mudblood here," Lucius Malfoy replied.

"Keep your large head out of it," Severus warned.

"Bugger off," the boy said sternly as he stopped twirling his wand, "And I don't want to hear you ever call her, or anyone else, that filthy word again."

"What are you going to do about it?" Severus Snape asked maliciously.

"Leave it, Severus, we will deal with him later. We would attract too much attention here," Lucius commanded as he took the greasy boy by the arm and stalked off.

"Are you okay?" the messy haired boy asked, eying Alice with concern.

"I'm fine, and Alice will be okay, she's only gone into some sort of shock," Lily replied.

Alice gained the color in her cheeks rather rapidly, "They called you a, a…"

"Mudblood?" Lily supplied.

"Yes, that," Alice said flustered.

"I noticed," Lily replied, "They wouldn't go away either."

"James Potter," the messy haired boy said as he stuck out his hand. He obviously had expected some sort of reaction from Lily when he gave his name. He got no such reaction from Lily but did receive a small gasp from Alice.

"Lily Evans," Lily replied, shaking his hand.

"I don't see how they knew that you were Muggle born," James commented, amazed.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, confused.

"That filthy word they called you, Mudblood," James explained, "It's the worst thing a Witch or Wizard can call a Muggle born."

"How did you know I was Muggle born?" Lily asked suspiciously.

"You didn't react at all when I told you my name," James replied, "Most people in the Wizarding world have heard of the Potter family, my parents are both top Aurors in the ministry."

"Oh," Lily said.

"I didn't get your name," James said as he turned to Alice.

"Alice Prewett."

"Are you Gideon and Fabian's sister? They work closely with my parents."

"Yes," Alice replied proudly, "They told me about you. I think they mentioned something about a party…"

James made a strangled sort of sound and immediately went rather pale.

"Oh, erm, yes, I think they have been to some of my parents dinner parties," James said in a strained sort of voice. He was spared the embarrassment of Lily's asking what Gideon and Fabian had said about the party by the arrival of two other rather good looking boys.

"There you are," the black haired one said, "We've been looking all over for you James. Why'd you run off…? Oh, hello," he had just noticed Lily and Alice standing there.

"Remus Lupin," the second boy said as he offered his hand.

"Lily Evans."

"Alice Prewett."

The girls each shook his hand and then turned to the other boy.

"And you are?" Lily prompted.

"Oh, right," the other boy had been staring open-mouthed at the two girls, "Sirius Black."

Lily shook his hand but Alice eyed it carefully.

"Shake his hand Alice," Lily hissed, "He's not going to bite."

"No, but Remus here, OW!" Sirius yelped as James kicked him soundly in the shins, "That was uncalled for!"

James raised his eyebrows and turned to Alice, "Don't worry about Sirius being a Black. He despises anything to do with his family's history, right Sirius?"

Sirius stopped hopping around in pain and nodded his affirmative before resuming his hopping.

"Ow, ow, ow, James, you kick hard!" Sirius protested.

"Oh grow up you big baby," James teased, "Wait a second, where's that other guy, Peter?"

"Yes Peter, well he tried to follow you, but he," Remus then whispered something to James.

"He got his robes stuck on the train?" James asked in disbelief, and quite loudly too, "and he's ripped them completely into shreds?"

Remus Lupin nodded solemnly. Lily started to laugh and Alice shot her a look that clearly said, 'you're being awful, at least pretend you're sympathetic.'

"Rather sad, isn't it?" Sirius asked, finally stopping his hopping around in pain.

"Yes, but I'd better go help him. Since you guys didn't manage to free him, I guess I'll have to do it," James replied as he strutted off, reminding Lily of a constipated chicken.

"So, what do you think of James Potter?" Alice asked, "Gideon and Fabian say he's always playing pranks at his parents' dinner parties."

"I think he's rather arrogant," Lily replied, frowning, "He reminds me of the rich kids at my old school. They knew exactly how to make you feel poor and stupid without coming out and bragging all the time. Subtle hints, you know?"

Alice smiled, "Well, maybe he has the right to be arrogant."

"Yes, but did you see how he kept running his hand through his hair and those are probably the dorkiest glasses I have ever seen! And he expects everyone to know who he is!" Lily insisted.

Alice just smiled and shook her head. The two girls watched the boys disappear out of sight and then the thought occurred to them that they had no idea where to go.

"Firs' years, over here!" A booming voice called.

Lily and Alice started over in that direction but stopped as soon as the caught sight of the owner of the voice. He was a tall man, easily twice as tall as the tallest student and he was built proportionate to his height. A thick mass of hair and beard cover most of his face other than his small black eyes, which twinkled kindly.

"That's Hagrid," the Head Boy, a Gryffindor named Andrew Weasley (Arthur Weasley's younger brother) said, "Go on, he won't hurt you. The first years go across the lake to get to the school."

And with that Andrew Weasley gave the two girls a slight push and they started over to the huge man. He grinned at them and motioned for them to go on past him and down the path behind him. They started down the path and soon came to the edge of a lake where a whole fleet of boats were stationed. Lily looked over at Alice questioningly. Alice shrugged in response and they joined the rest of the wide-eyed first-years beside the boats.

"Go 'ead and get in," Hagrid said in his booming voice, "I'll jest look 'round fer any stragglers and be back."

The first years clambered into boats. Lily spotted Severus Snape getting into a boat near the one she and Alice were about to climb into and pointed him out to Alice. The two friends hurried to the other end of the boat dock. The only boat with enough room for both girls was the one holding James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter. Peter looked like he had gotten into a fight with a blender and lost. His robes were ripped down the front and hung in tattered clumps near the feet.

"Oy, Evans, Prewett," James called, "Over here!"

Lily clambered into the boat and sat down in the empty seat farthest in which happened to be next to James. Alice followed her and sat down, eying the boat skeptically.

"They're magic," Lily muttered to her, "I can feel it."

Alice looked a little more reassured but still worried that the boats weren't water tight. They did appear to be made from some warped wood and looked ready to fall apart. Lily noticed that there were no oars.

"Brilliant," she told Alice, "We're not going to have to row at all."

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

But before Lily could answer the booming voice of Hagrid spoke, "Go 'head, climb 'n with 'em. They got more room 'n anyone else."

Lily looked up to see a boy with dirty blonde hair climb into the boat. He grinned shyly at Alice and offered her his hand.

"Frank Longbottom," he said as Alice shook his hand shyly.

Alice didn't reply but instead blushed. Lily realized it was time to rescue her friend.

"I'm Lily Evans, and this is Alice Prewett," Lily said as she gestured to Alice, "She's a little nervous about this whole thing."

"Really? I am too," Frank said and he and Alice started talking amicably.

Lily grinned triumphantly and turned to listen to find out what the others were talking about.

"The Harpies had better get training if they want to make the Quidditch playoffs in a couple of years," Sirius said to James.

"They haven't got a chance," James argued, "They'd have to beat the Wasps by at least 300 points in order to stay in their class."

"Not if the Budgies beat the Wasps," Sirius argued.

Remus was looking out into the lake and Peter was looking at James and Sirius like they were gods. Lily rolled her eyes. Then she noticed something on the horizon. She smacked James in the back of the head.

"Look," she said pointing.

James grumbled something about girls and their tendency to hit for no reason at all while rubbing the back of his head and looked to see where Lily was pointing. Ahead of them rose a huge grandly lit castle on a cliff. It had hundreds of turrets and several huge towers. Every single window in the entire place appeared to be lit as if by magic, which, Lily reminded herself, they probably were. The boats appeared to be heading towards a solid cliff upon which the castle was perched.

"That place is huge!" Sirius exclaimed, his eyes glinting mischievously.

"How did you think all those students were going to fit inside it otherwise?" Lily asked.

"Um, that thought didn't actually occur to me," Sirius admitted.

"Alice," Lily exclaimed as she shook her friend's arm, "Look!"

Alice let out an amazed gasp at the sight of Hogwarts. The group was so enthralled by the castle that they didn't notice the gaping cave that they were about to enter.

"DUCK!" bellowed Hagrid from the rear boat.

Lily ducked and pulled James down with her, which was a good thing because he hadn't bothered to duck at all.

"Good idea Evans, we can kiss down here," James told her, smirking.

Lily smacked him across the face with a resounding SMACK.

"Not even in your dreams Potter," Lily retorted as she clambered out of the boat which had come to a stop and yanked Alice with her along the jetty while James nursed his red cheek.

Hagrid bustled around ignoring the confused students and tying all of the boats together. He then climbed in the front one and they started to move away. The students watched him go, most of them in varied stages of hysteria.

"For God's sake," Lily muttered as she pushed her way through the crowd, "You'd think that someone had gotten blown up."

"Lily, what do we do?" Alice demanded. She too was nearing hysteria. "We'll all die here!"

Lily lightly smacked Alice, who immediately regained her senses.

"Everyone, calm down!" Lily shouted at the top of her lungs. Everyone immediately went silent thinking that a teacher had come. "Follow me!"

The crowd of hysterical students followed Lily up the stairs, most of them unaware that she wasn't a teacher or an older student since they couldn't see her due to the other students in front of them. Lily and Alice came to a door and stopped. Lily tried the door and it was locked.

"She's not a teacher!" Snape bellowed from the front of the crowd, "She's just a stupid Mudblood!"

This statement caught James' attention and he struggled to the front of the crowd, followed closely by Sirius, Remus and Peter. Lily ignored Snape and the growing unease of the students behind her.

"We're all going to die down here, and it's all the Mudblood's fault!" Snape called again.

"Shut up, Snape!" James Potter said threateningly.

"What are you going to do about it?" Snape spat, "It's St. Potter, the Mudblood's friend; I'm shaking in my boots!"

"I'm warning you," James said, shaking with suppressed rage.

"I'm warning both of you!" Lily bellowed as she whirled around, "I've figured out how to get through this door. Now all of you calm down! You're being hysterical for no reason!"

Snape pushed his way to the back of the crowd to get away from James and Alice hurried up beside Lily.

"What are you doing?" Alice asked.

"I'm going to unlock the door," Lily said matter-of-factly.

"Have you ever done magic before?" Alice asked doubtfully.

"No, but don't worry." Lily pulled out her wand, waved it and said, "Alohomora."

The door clicked loudly and Lily yanked it open to find a very surprised, stern looking lady on the other side. The lady quickly hid her surprise and peered around at the students sternly.

"Thank you Miss…"

"Evans," Lily supplied, "Lily Evans."

"Yes, thank you Miss Evans for taking control of the situation. I am Professor McGonagall, for those of you who do not already know me. I am the Transfiguration teacher. If you'd be so kind as to follow me," and with that Professor McGonagall turned and led the students out through the door and down the hall. She opened a door in a large Entrance Hall and motioned for the students to go ahead in.

"What happened to your robes?" She asked Peter as he went by.

"I-I-I g-got s-stuck on the t-train, P-p-professor," Peter stammered.

Professor McGonagall sighed and gestured for him to go ahead into the Great Hall with everyone else. He hurried to catch up with James, Sirius and Remus but tripped over his robes and knocked down Snape. Snape sneered at him and Peter scampered off looking very much like a startled rodent.

"Where were you?" James hissed as Peter sprinted up to them.

"McGonagall," Peter gasped, "Then fell on Snape, ran up here."

"Never mind," James replied, not bothering to sort out Peter's jumbled statement, "What house do you want Sirius?"

"Anything but Slytherin," Sirius replied, "how about you?"

"Pretty much the same," James thought for a second, "I think I want Gryffindor though."

"I'm hoping for Gryffindor or Ravenclaw," Remus joined in the conversation, "I'd leave if I was put in Slytherin."

The other boys all agreed that if they were put in Slytherin they would leave the school by the next morning.

"I'll probably end up in Hufflepuff," Peter groaned, "Then Mum'll be disappointed 'cause I let down the family name of Pettigrew."

Up ahead of the boys, at the very front of the line of first-years, were Lily and Alice. Lily was staring in amazement at the ceiling which was bewitched to mirror the sky outside and Alice was scanning the tables, trying to figure out which belonged to each house.

"I'm positive that's the Slytherin table," Alice whispered to Lily, "That must be the Gryffindors. Over there is the Hufflepuff table and that leaves this one as the Ravenclaw table."

"It looks exactly like the sky," Lily whispered to Alice, "And all of the floating candles look amazing!"

"Students, may I have your attention please!" Professor McGonagall called from the dais where the staff table stood.

The hall instantly went silent as the students stopped talking. Every face in the place, with the possible exception of the Slytherins, turned to face Professor McGonagall expectantly. McGonagall had placed a four-legged stool in the center of the dais and an old, ratty looking hat sat on top of the stool.

"Thank you," Professor McGonagall continued, "Without further ado, I present to you the Hogwarts Sorting Hat!"

The hat on the stool started to move. A seam that resembled a mouth opened and the hat started to sing.

From all of you,

This promising bunch,

Will come many kinds of people

It's impossible to tell,

What to expect,

But this I can tell you!

Among you lie

The lowest of the low

Traitors, and

Murderers

But you also hold,

The best of the best,

Aurors,

Unspeakables,

Professors, and

Ministry Officials

It is you, who will find,

That at a certain time

The Dark Lord shall be defeated

All you must do,

Is study and learn,

And do the absolutely,

Positively,

Best that you ca-a-a-a-a-a-a-an!

And with that the hat fell silent. The Hall broke into wild applause and whistling was heard from several students. Others commented to their friends that the hat's singing got better every year.

"And now I will call you up in alphabetical order. When your name is called, come up here and sit on the stool. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and it will do the rest."

The first-years looked around at each other, all asking the same questions with their eyes, 'what's it going to do?' Lily looked unconcerned and James simply stared at her in awe.

"Aren't you worried?" Alice hissed as the first name was called.

"Not really," Lily replied, "They won't hurt us, so I'm not worried."

"But," stammered Alice, "But what if you get put in Slytherin?"

Lily shrugged as if unconcerned and watched as Sirius Black was called up to be sorted. He was sorted into Gryffindor and he heaved a huge sigh of relief as he walked over to the madly cheering table. Several girls hugged him in 'the excitement of the moment.'

A few minutes later Lily's name was called and she walked up to the dais eagerly.

Hmmm, said the hat, the voice echoing inside Lily's head, you are smart, loyal and brave, and you also have great ambition. You would fit well into any of the houses.

Then don't put me in Slytherin, Lily replied, if I fit anywhere then don't put me there.

Are you absolutely sure? You would do well in Slytherin

DON'T PUT ME IN SLYTHERIN!

Very well, better be GRYFFINDOR!

The last part was roared by the hat out to the entire school and Lily took the hat off and handed it to Professor McGonagall before hurrying over to the cheering table. Lily grinned at Alice reassuringly. Alice looked rather green but tried to smile back. Lily sat down near Sirius who hugged her and managed to get on her other side and away from the girls while doing so. He then spent the next few minutes trying to hide behind her. He dragged her down to the very end of the table and ran around to the other side.

"They won't stop hugging me!" Sirius hissed, "I tried pinching one, but she only giggled and said, 'Sirius, you're so feisty!' Hide me Evans!"

Lily laughed and tried to calm the frazzled Sirius as Remus Lupin was sorted into Gryffindor as well. Remus sat next to Sirius and glanced at Lily for explanation as to why his friend was hyperventilating. Lily nodded to the girls who were still looking for Sirius and a look of comprehension dawned on Remus' face. The two turned away from Sirius to watch the rest of the Sorting. Frank Longbottom had been sorted into Gryffindor as well and he sat beside Remus.

"Pettigrew, Peter!"

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared after about five minutes.

Peter came scurrying over to the Gryffindor table and sat on Sirius' other side. He looked relieved.

"I was beginning to wonder if it would ever sort me!" He squeaked.

"Potter, James!"

The hat sat on James' head for barely half a minute before "GRYFFINDOR!" rang through the hall. The Gryffindor students cheered wildly and James slipped into the seat next to Lily.

"All right, Evans?" Potter asked.

"I'm perfectly fine, but I don't think poor Black over there will ever be the same," Lily replied as she nodded to the still panicked looking Sirius who had just noticed the girls inching closer.

James laughed and Alice slipped into the seat beside Lily and across from Frank. Lily hugged her friend and watched the rest of the Sorting silently. Marlene McKinnon, Emmeline Vance and Dorcas Meadows were all sorted into Gryffindor as well. Thankfully Severus Snape was sorted into Slytherin, where Lily had been fairly sure he'd end up all along.

"And that concludes our sorting," Professor McGonagall announced as a very unpleasant looking man took the hat and stool off of the dais.

Then an old, wise looking man stood up. Lily looked him over carefully. He wore a deep purple robe embroidered with silver stars and moons and a matching hat. His hair and beard were waist length and his nose was long and crooked. He surveyed the students over his half moon spectacles.

"Students and teachers," the curious old man started, "For those of you who do not know, I am Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster of this school. Now, there is a time and place for everything. Now would be a great time and place for a speech, but I, for one, am hungry."

At this statement the Hall was filled with choruses of 'hear, hear' and 'cheers'.

"So, after warning you that you shouldn't venture into the Forbidden Forest, due to the fact that it is, in fact, still forbidden, and introducing you quickly to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Amelia Knightstown," here Dumbledore paused while the clapping died down, "I say the three best words anyone can say when you are hungry enough to eat a dragon. 'Let us feast'!"

Dumbledore waved his arms and the shiny gold plates instantly filled with food and the goblets with pumpkin juice. The students eagerly dug in. After everyone had eaten absolutely as much dinner as they could, the food disappeared and was replaced with dessert items. Lily helped herself to some cake and listened to the others talk about their families.

"My parents are both magical," Marlene McKinnon was saying, "I think my name has been down for Hogwarts since I was born. And I've known James for ages."

"Mum was a witch, but she didn't tell dad that until after they were married. She waited until she was in labor with me to tell him. She was like, 'no, honey, we're going to St. Mungo's to have the baby delivered'. He wasn't too thrilled at first but now he's more excited than I am," Dorcas Meadows told her story.

"What about you Lily?" Emmeline Vance asked.

"I'm Muggle born," Lily said, "It was a shock when we found out. It wasn't totally an unthought-of idea, I mean I had been doing strange things my entire life, but it was still a shock. I think my sister's dead set on coming here next year."

"I thought you said she thinks you're a freak," Alice said, confused.

"That's just because she's jealous. I can always tell with Petunia," Lily replied, "When she means 'you're a freak' her eyes really show it."

Everyone laughed as Lily did an imitation of Petunia's eyes bugging out. James started choking on a hunk of cake and Lily hammered him on the back.

"If you wouldn't eat so fast you wouldn't have that problem," Lily commented, "And I think that Black just shouldn't eat in public. That's disgusting."

Marlene eyed Sirius with obvious disgust at his eating habits. He was shoveling food into his mouth as if he had just come out of a seventeen year famine. James laughed again as Sirius missed his mouth and food spilled down the front of his robes.

"What about your family, James?" Alice asked, "I know your parents are Aurors and all, but you have to have a couple strange family members."

"Other than him you mean," Lily added teasingly.

James grabbed his heart dramatically, "Ouch, that hurt Evans. But you are right. My family has more nuts in it than Sirius's does, no offence or anything."

"None taken, I even admit they're all nuts," Sirius replied, somehow managing to talk perfectly clearly even though his mouth was still stuffed with food.

"I have this uncle who thinks he's the Minister of Magic and that the coat rack in our foyer is his deceased wife, Maggie. He just stands there and pleads with her to come back home whenever he visits. It's actually quite sad.

"My dead aunt, Maggie, was even stranger. She'd always make predictions about my death. It really freaked me out when I was little but then I got used to it. Once she told me that I'd die trying to protect my wife and son from Voldemort. She went on and on and on about it until finally she went silent for a minute before predicting her own death perfectly. She had it down to the very second.

"Their son, Igor, is a real nutcase if I've ever seen one. He pretends to be a hunchback and sits out on the porch of his dad's house trying to scare the kids in the neighborhood. One time he tried to chuck me at a squirrel that was scampering across 'his yard'. I broke my wrist on the landing, but other than that it wasn't so bad.

"Then there's mum's side of the family," James was about to keep on going and going when Lily did the unthinkable.

Lily Evans leaned in and kissed James Potter. And, from that moment on, James Potter was madly in love with Lily Evans. Just like that; sure he had liked her since he had first set eyes on her, but now he was absolutely, positively, deeply and madly in love with Lily Marie Evans. And Lily Marie Evans was in love with James Orion Potter too, although she wouldn't admit it, not even to herself.

Lily broke away quickly and James just stared at her in astonishment. Everyone went quiet.

"Why'd you do that?" Sirius asked slowly.

"It was the only way I could think of to shut him up," Lily answered, shrugging as she went back to eating her cake.

"Evans," James asked softly, "Will you go out with me?"

"I'd rather curl-up in the corner and die," Lily replied.

James looked slightly upset for a moment and then shrugged and grabbed another piece of cake and started to eat. Lily rolled her eyes and turned to talk to Alice, who was playing with the food on her plate nervously. Lily looked at Alice and realized that Alice was blushing. She thought for a second and then something dawned on her.

"Alice," Lily hissed, "Do you like Frank Longbottom?"

"Oh, yes," Alice hissed back, "Am I that obvious?"

"No," Lily replied absently, "No you're not."

Soon the feast was over and the students were instructed to follow the Prefects, or in the case of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw the Head Boy and Girl, to their respective Common Rooms. The first-year Gryffindors all got up and followed Andrew Weasley to up many flights of stairs and to a portrait of a fat lady.

"Merlin's Beard," Andrew Weasley said, loudly and clearly and the portrait swung open.

"Everyone come in!" He called and climbed through the hole and into what Lily assumed was the Gryffindor Common Room.

Lily got to the Portrait Hole and boosted Alice up because she couldn't manage to scramble through. James was all set to help Lily up but she climbed through on her own just to show him that she could. Then she followed Alice to the couches in front of the fire and the two friends collapsed on top of one.

"Okay guys, listen up. They guys dormitories are up the stairs on the right and the girls the same on the left. Don't stay up too late, classes start tomorrow. Good night," Andrew Weasley announced before going up to his dormitory, "and the password into the Common Room is 'Merlin's Beard'."

"Who thought of that one?" James asked as he flopped down on one of the chairs on the other side of the Common Room from Lily and Alice, "You'd think it was obvious."

"No," Sirius said, "I would have gone with 'password'."

"That," Remus replied, raising his eyebrows, "Is why you'll never be Head Boy or a Prefect."

"So, should we plan our welcome prank now or just spontaneously in the morning?" James asked his friends.

"Now!" Peter exclaimed, jumping up and down.

Lily snorted in laughter from across the room and called, "Don't wet yourself!"

Peter turned very red and stopped bouncing as the others laughed. Lily and Alice got up from the couch and slowly walked up the stairs to their dormitory.

"Lily?" James called.

"NO!" Lily shouted back.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," James muttered.

"Yes, you can!" Lily bellowed.

"Tough break mate," Sirius said, "Let's get plotting!"

And so the four friends started to plan their welcome to Hogwarts prank. Well, more James and Sirius planned, Remus said that was far to elaborate for their magical skill and Peter ooh-ed and ah-ed at everything that was said.

Meanwhile, up in the girls' dorms, Lily and Alice were making the list that would change history. Okay, it probably wouldn't, but one can't help exaggerating.

"Lily, what would James have to do to get you to go out with him?" Alice asked conversationally as they got into their pajamas.

"Um, get his head shrunk," Lily replied, "Honestly, I don't know how he can walk properly with that inflated ego of his. You'd think he'd topple over from the weight."

"Well, I'll make a deal with you," Alice suggested, "A sort of bet, if you will."

Lily raised her eyebrows to show that she was listening.

"You make a list of all the things that James would have to change in order for you to go out with him. If he successfully changes each and every quality then you have to go on one date with him."

"Only on one condition," Lily said seriously, "I can add any changes at any time I want to with your permission. Deal?"

"Deal," Alice replied and they two girls shook hands on it.

"So," Lily started as she pulled quill and parchment out of her trunk, "This is the start of the list:

Lily Evans's impossibly long list of changes James Potter would have to go through in order for Lily Evans to date him

(More commonly referred to as 'Lily's list')

Lose the glasses, they make him look dumber than he already does

Make a top grade in the class

Talk about something other than Quidditch

Actually grow taller than Lily

And, most importantly, stop being a FILTY, IRROGANT, IMPOSSIBLE, ANNOYING, FILTHY, ROTTEN, TOERAG and DEFLATE HIS GALATIC SIZED EGO

I, Lily Evans, claim the right to adapt any of the changes on Lily Evans's impossibly long list of changes James Potter would have to go through in order for Lily Evans to date him at any time or to add to the list at any time with the approval of my best friend, Alice Prewett.

"That last one will always be the last one on the list," Lily explained as she enchanted the paper to check itself off automatically.

"Pin it up right here by the bed Lily," Alice suggested as the two girls surveyed the list, "Now I'll be able to see when things get checked off of it."

"Who's to say anything will actually get checked off?" Lily teased.

"I'd say it's inevitable," Alice replied sleepily, "Night Lily."

"Night Alice," Lily replied.

Lily Evans laid awake thinking about her day, James Potter, and how much he frustrated her until she finally fell asleep.

night I wonder,

wonder will you hold my hand, will you speak of love
will the stars be shining in the skies above
will it be all that I've been dreaming of
For so long
Holding on

our first kiss won't be the last our love's to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have wait
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when it's here you know I'm gonna say
lay it on my lips

will it taste like candy will it be that sweet
will our hearts be racing to a heavenly beat
will the moment sweep me off my feet
and draw me under, under
will I tremble , tremble will I beg for more
will it be like anything I've never felt before
will we be down for a little more
one thing I, I know for sure

our first kiss won't be the last our loves to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have to wait
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when its here you know I'm gonna say
lay it on my lips
our first kiss won't be the last our love's to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have to wait
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when it's here you know I'm gonna say
lay it on my lips

I can picture it all inside my head just how it's going to be, but a girl can
only dream so much now she wants to make it real, make it real

break it down

our first kiss won't be the last our loves to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have to wait (wait for me)
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when its here you know I'm gonna say (you know I'm gonna say)
our first kiss won't be the last our loves to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have to wait
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when its here you know I'm gonna say (gonna say now)
ooh!
our first kiss won't be the last our loves to deep to end that fast
and good things come to those who have to wait
I believe it's only time
that keeps us from the thing divine
and when its here you know I'm gonna say
lay it on my lips

(KACI's Our First Kiss)

AN/ Okay guys, what did you think? There's going to be a song at the end of every chapter that sort of sums up the most important things. Well, that's the plan anyways. I hope you liked it! And please tell me if you think the chapter is too long, because I can divide the later ones up into smaller chunks if you'd like!

Love From,

MotherCrumpet

P.S. Did you think that Lily is too much of a Mary-Sue? If you do then be sure to tell me so I can fix it! Oh, and also let me know if it seems too cliche! Or if anything seems wrong really...

PLEASE CLICK THE BLUISH-GRAY BUTTON ANDREVIEW!