Hello, everyone… I am so sorry for the long wait!!! I really don't have that good of an excuse. I'm sorry though! If you have stuck through with the story thank you so much!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter… if you don't know that by now go out and read the books- it will not only educate you in the fact that I make no money whatsoever from this but I assure you it is ten times a better use of your time than reading my fanfic.

6. ***** Introduction

Lily usually sat in the front row in all of her classes, but today she was debating on whether or not to walk to the back. She had walked in, early as per usual, and started walking to her seat, only to find that she was not the only one in the room. She stopped quietly in the middle of the row and glanced back at the boy sitting not far from where she stood.

The boy sat still, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. The universal position of ease, but the boy was anything but at ease. Despite his relaxed position his back was ridged, almost stiff. Before she could look further into it, however, he opened his eyes seeking her out immediately. He caught her eye for only a moment before flashing a quick smile her way, and turning to look out the window.

Lily hesitated for only a moment more before finally making up her mind to go and talk to him. She walked up behind him and cleared her throat, none too quietly, before timidly introducing herself. "Hi, I'm Lily Evans."

Slowly, almost reluctantly, the boy turned his attention back to her. Meeting her eyes once more he muttered a quick hello. "I'm Harry… Harry Pothier."

"Well, I see you're in Gryffindor." She muttered awkwardly as Harry nodded. "So where are you from, anyway?"

"I'm from England. Well, my parents were at any rate. I grew up here too, until I turned 11. Then I got shipped off to a school of wizardry in the United States." Harry responded easily, making up the story never was the problem. The problem was always sticking to that story.

"Oh I didn't know there were any schools there." Lily responded good-naturedly. "Well, I mean magical schools, obviously I knew they had schools there…" Lily rambled embarrassed.

But Harry just chuckled lightly. "Yeah it was a pretty small school; Salem Academy for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Very private. They definitely liked their secrecy, as do most wizarding schools."

Harry seriously hoped he had said enough to not excite her, and to cover his tracks if she went looking for information. It seemed to have done the trick, as her face cleared up; into the first real bright smile he had gotten from her.

But just as she was about to say something else four boys rushed into the classroom, practically tackling each other in their rush to sit down beside the new kid.

Both Lily and Harry did a double-take, as Sirius won, sliding into the seat next to Harry; James, then Peter and Remus slid into the row respectively. Sirius and James both beamed up at Harry mischievously, while Peter just looked curious, and Remus sent an almost sympathetic look towards him.

Unwillingly, Harry's eyes immediately travelled back up to Lily, as he desperately attempted to gauge his soon-to-be-mother's reaction to her future-husband.

Needless to say Lily was appalled and slightly shocked that four, or rather two, seventeen-year-old boys could behave so immaturely. After all, Peter and Remus were clearly just along for whatever ride it was James and Sirius decided they'd be on this time.

"Hel-lo, Harry!" Sirius called out in his charming, but all-too innocent voice.

"Hey Sirius." Harry murmured back unenthusiastically, shooting a quick glance at Sirius and James before returning his attention to back to Lily's rapidly reddening face. However, whether it was red from anger, disgust, or embarrassment Harry really couldn't tell.

James smirked arrogantly, noticing Lily for the first time. "Oh, I'm sorry were you going to sit here?"

Lily didn't respond, instead she turned her attention back to Harry. "Well, I guess I will see you around. If you need anything at all let me know."

"Yeah, definitely, thanks, a lot." Harry responded politely, before Lily turned on her heel and walked away.

"You can always sit on my lap, Lily! I'd be more than willing to accommodate you!" James screamed after her.

Harry raised an eyebrow in pure disbelief but said nothing.

"Too bad, mate." Sirius called clapping James on the back as Lily continued to walk away. Peter was nodding vigorously at Sirius' words and Remus merely rolled his eyes catching James' eye for a quick second. But that second was all it took to get him back and smiling again.

"So, Harry… are you going to release this charm anytime soon?" James' voice was forced casual.

Harry merely laughed as just then Professor McGonagall swept into the room, clearing her throat and calling the class' attention.

"Good morning class. Since today is your first day back, we will be working on reviewing…"

Since Harry already knew most of what she was rambling on about he simply leaned back in his chair, relaxing – or trying to at any rate. Harry still couldn't quite shake the feeling of anxiety; his dead parents and their friends (most of whom were dead as well) were sitting beside him completely unaware of who he really was.

It just wasn't normal. But then again, when was anything ever normal in Harry Potter's life?

"Okay, now I want you all to try and transfigure these cups into frogs." Professor McGonagall's voice penetrated through Harry's thoughts, immediately snapping him back to attention.

Chancing a look around him at the Marauders, Harry noticed their varying stances and wondered briefly how they all got along so well. Beside him, Sirius was staring dully over McGonagall's head, clearly not listening to a word she was saying, whereas James was staring unfalteringly at Lily who was studiously taking notes. Peter was listening eagerly to Professor McGonagall, but had a confused expression on his face, and Remus was sitting straight upright, practically mirroring Lily, listening intently to every word McGonagall said, and taking adamant notes, all the while nodding absent-minded having clearly already understood the lesson before the class even started.

*****

As the class took out their wands to start practicing the spell McGonagall had assigned, chatter broke out all around the room. The Marauders, almost as one, ignored their previous positions and turned around to look directly at Harry. Harry took one look at their curious faces and inhaled deeply before the questions started being thrown at him from four different directions.

A/N: Please, please, please review! =)