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-Here's a short little sneak preview!-

Prologue

The sun shone brightly, peeking through the semi-closed curtains in one of the compartments of the Hogwarts Express. The Hogwarts Express was a train that ran from Kings Cross Station in London to Hogwarts Castle, school for the magically gifted. The train was packed with excited people, laughing and talking pleasantly—none more intently than the four boys huddled in this very compartment.

"You really think you're that great Prongs?" a handsome black haired boy asked his friend. The raven-colored hair boy only smirked, while his hypnotizing hazel eyes filled with mirth.

Remus Lupin, the third member of the party, closed his book abruptly and interrupted, "Not every girl in this school will swoon at you feet James." He stood up, sweeping piles of empty candy boxes off his lap, and put his book in his bag stored above him.

James scoffed unbelievingly, "Yeah right."

"I agree with Moony, James. Not every girl adores you…", the black haired boy stated, "Just about ninety-nine percent of them."

"You're not really helping Padfoot," grunted Remus, pushing the book that was reluctant to enter the bag.

"Really Sirius. Name ONE girl who wouldn't go out with me."

A long pause ensued and just as James was about to claim victory, the fourth boy murmured, "Lily Evans wouldn't."

"Who?" Sirius questioned as he couldn't quite hear what Peter had said.

"Lily Evans," Remus clarified with a smile on his face, "the only girl in this school who wouldn't give you the time of day."

The smile on James' face dropped immediately at the mention of that name and that didn't go unnoticed by his three best friends. It was impossible not to be affected though. He had been chasing her for almost 2 years and she was on the verge of hating him. Regaining his dignity, he quickly amended, "Guys, I'm over her. So there's ONE girl in this school that won't go out with me, big deal. You couldn't name anyone else anyways."

Upon silencing his friends, he proclaimed his self victory. "See!"

"Does it matter Prongs? The only thing that really matters is you can't get any girl you want because you can't get her." Sirius said reasonably.

"What are you saying Padfoot? I can get her, I just don't want to anymore. I've had enough of it."

"That's a lie and you know it. I bet you can't get her, I mean…you couldn't in the past—what?—5 years?"

"Two years," James clarified while glaring at the others. " And I bet I can," James claimed, before he even realized what he was saying.
"Prove it. I'll give you until the day after valentine's, and within these 6 months, you have to make Lily agree to be your girlfriend," challenged Sirius.

"On her own will," added Remus quickly, seeing James' smirk.

Oh I'm in for it, thought James. He couldn't admit defeat though, so instead he accepted the challenge, "How much do I get?"

"10 Galleons."

"Make it twenty," urged James, rubbing his hands together.

"You're digging your own grave buddy. 20 it is."

"Oh, it's on."

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"Lily!" somebody from within the crowd cried..

"Jodie!" squealed the red haired, green eyed girl, "I missed you so much."

"I'll bet. I missed you too. How was the horse-faced girl you call sister?" joked Jodie with a tint of seriousness in her voice.

Lily responded in exasperation, "She's not that bad Jodie. She got engaged this summer so she was too happy to bother me. He's a great man for her, I'm honestly really happy for her. He's…he's...he's great." Catching her friend's unbelieving look, she added, "Really! It doesn't matter anyways, how was your summer in Paris? I am so jealous."

If all she could say about this 'perfect' guy was that he was great, he probably was even worse than Snivellus. At least she calls him smart sometimes, thought Jodie sadly"Stop trying to change the topic Lils. Petty-poo would never leave you alone."

Lily shook her head. "What does it matter? I'm back now," she smiled. "And after this year, she'll be moving out anyways."

"Doesn't it bother you?"

Lily sighed.

"You know it bothers me. But, you just got to live with the inevitable sometimes."

"Petunia is definitely the inevitable," commented Jodie, pulling a disgusted face.

Lily laughed. "It's really more like this," she replied, pulling her own version of her sister. "Tell me about your trip."

"Let's go find Alice and Beth first. I really don't want to repeat the same story twice."

"Like you'd get tired of it. You'd be describing Paaaarrriiisssss Jo. Pariisss!" her friend scoffed while following her. "I have to go to the head's compartment first though, so you better save that story 'till I come back!"

"See you Head girl!"

"Shut up!" laughed Lily. "I'll see you around."

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"That's it. Dumbledore has officially gone mad," Lily exclaimed with a sigh while she plopped down on the only empty seat left, conveniently beside her handsome but incredibly annoying, cocky and egotistical enemy named James Potter.
James' only reply was to give her a cheeky grin – one that would make any girl's heart flutter. Lily's heart was no different. She silently cursed her heart for betraying her, but thanked that James didn't seem to sense his effect on her. I'd never live it down, Lily thought, and plus, it doesn't mean I like him…I'm not that shall-

Her partner's voice cut her thoughts off, "Good to see you too Lilyflower."

"Lily!" she responded automatically in a tired voice, "I hate Lilyflower Potter, and you know it."

"Oh I know," he paused, then continued teasingly, "Lilyflower."

Lily sighed yet again, not bothering to retort; this is clearly going to be a long year. With that thought in mind, Lily waited for the prefects of each house to arrive. The tension in the room was unbelievable and both parties were thankful when the first prefect from Ravenclaw entered. Once all 8 members crammed into the compartments, the meeting began and surprisingly, James hadn't acted like a total prat, admitted a reluctant Lily.

Would it be too much to ask for him to stay this way throughout the year? she begged silently.

Lily squirmed in her seat as she felt the meeting come to a close. It was stuffy in the small room, and she was sitting way to close to James for her liking.

At that thought, she shifted ever so slightly the other way.

Upon feeling movement from his right, James turned to find Lily discreetly distance herself from him.

He put on an amused smile.

Lily, unfortunately, caught the smile and fought the urge to wipe it right off his arrogant face. No need to cause a seen in front of all the prefects.

Instead, she smiled a sickly sweet smile back.

Oh yes, she thought miserably, this is going to be a long year.