A/n- so this is my edited and better version of my previous story. It will have some of the same things as Darkness Within, but I will be changing a lot of thing. I have grown as a writer since I first posted this story back in 2008. I'm just hoping that everyone enjoys the revised story better than the original. Some of the names have been changed to fit better with the time period they were born in. Sorry for the confusion.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter. It respectively belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling.

Other news: The summary has been changed from the previous one. Even though I left the original story posted, I have changed the summary. Its original summary is as followed: All is well and good, when James lives next door to Lily. That was until she was 10, he moved, breaking every promise he made. Now her life became a living hell and there is only one person who can save her. Hopefully he learns in time. J/L S/oc R/oc

Third Person POV

A mother walked with a girl of about seven, with electrifying green eyes that were a striking contrast to the brilliant red locks that hid them. Her mother had her wrist in a tight hold, painfully pulling her along. No matter how much the girl pulled and struggled, the woman wouldn't stop. Her father walked behind them, loosely holding the wrist of an older girl. The other child bore no resemblance to the young redhead, with her straight sunshine hair and crystal eyes like the mother.

By one glance in the child's startling eyes, one could tell that the girl didn't want to go anywhere with her parents. "You're in so much trouble when we get home," her father fiercely spat in the girl's ear when no soul was giving them a second glance. Those words made the girl stiffen quickly. Her arm went limp in her mother's grasp and she walked along willingly.

Hours later, the girl made it to the place she called home. It was a beautiful, two story blue house, with spacious backyard and perfectly manicured front lawn. Once in the living room, away from the worried looks, her parents yelled and screamed in her face. It never mattered how used to it the seven year old was, it never got easier. The taunts and the screams never seemed to faze her, but once alone in her small bedroom, tears would flow freely.

When she was finally dismissed from the yells, grounded for the next week, she hurried to her room. She sat down on the end of her bed, tears falling quietly, wondering why her parents hated her. After a while, she looked out her window, glancing at the road. It was the only view her bedroom had, but during winter, the snow was a sight to see. There was no snow, seeming as it was in the middle of a blazing hot summer. She wiped away her tears and smiled slightly. The house for sale across the road, a two story green house, had finally been filled with people.

As she studied the family from her second story window, she became even more excited. The family wasn't too big, with two parents and three kids running around the lawn. Moving specialist carried everything into the house, allowing the father to chase the children around the yard. Even from her window, she could hear the roar of laughter emitted from the children that was loud as motorcycles. Suddenly, she felt jealously overwhelm her body. All she wanted was parents who loved her and a sister who wouldn't just stand there during their "lectures". Was that too much to ask for?

After staring at the new neighbors with her arms crossed, she found it would be rude if she didn't introduce herself. She slipped out of her bedroom, silently, and entered the bathroom to make sure that the tears her parents caused weren't present. Deciding that they weren't visible, she crept downstairs. Her parents were praising her faultless older sister in the living room. Her footsteps were quiet as she slipped out the back door and to the other side of the street.

The mother was the first to notice the petite, young girl rapidly approaching their new residence. She wasn't that old, but her strawberry blonde hair had streaks of gray throughout and her bright gray eyes appeared to be tired. She was sitting on the steps with a hand lying on her swollen stomach, watching her husband chase their three children around the yard.

"Samuel," she called softly to the group. The man, a coal headed man with sparkling hazel eyes, looked up at the woman on the steps. She nodded towards where the young kid was advancing toward them. "It looks like we have a guest, darling."

The father, Samuel, ran a hand through his messy hair and smiled. The children stopped and stood quietly behind their father. This wasn't their first time in a new neighborhood, but it still unnerved them when the locals approached them. The young girl stood a few steps in front of the father, smiling brightly. "Hello," Samuel said first. The three children poked their heads out from around their father's legs, trying to get a good look at the new redhead.

"Hi," she replied, softly. "You're the people who bought the house?" she asked, glancing up at the green house. It looked identical to hers from the front. The windows looked into the front living room. The door that hung open as the movers carried more furniture into the house showed the staircase that led to the second story.

"Yes. Where are your parents?" the women asked, joining Samuel, who put his arm around her waist.

"Inside," the girl pointed towards her house across the street. "I saw other kids. There haven't been new kids in the neighborhood in a while," she looked up, since the parents towered over her.

"Well, this is Madelynn," the women pointed towards the oldest girl. Her raven hair was pulled back in a hairband and her hazel eyes were still sparkling with laughter. "Susan," she pulled the younger girl from behind Samuel. Susan inherited her mother's strawberry blonde hair and her father's hazel eyes. "And this is," she broke off.

The boy came willingly from behind his father's leg, sticking his hand out. "I'm James, after my grandfather of course," he smiled. He was his father's son, with wild coal hair and bright hazel eyes.

Lily grabbed his hand and shook, "I'm Lily, like the flower."

"Nice to meet you, Lily," his mother nodded. "Would you like some juice?" she asked softly, sending the three kids inside for lunch. Lily nodded and James pulled her inside, towards the kitchen.

It was the same floor plan as her own house, she found out after drinking her juice. James had given her the tour, showing her which rooms were whose. Unlike her house, the basement had been finished and added three bedrooms and a bathroom to the already three bedrooms and two bathrooms home. Madelynn and Susan had claimed two of the three bedrooms downstairs, while James had taken the furthest bedroom upstairs.

Petunia's bedroom, she thought. At the thought of her family, she remembered that she was grounded to her bedroom. If she wasn't back soon, she would get in more trouble then she already was in. As she was returning home, James' mum reminded her that she was allowed over anytime she wished.

A/n- I added A LOT more detail then last time, switched a few things, and added some other things. Now you know James' father's name, and that his mum is pregnant already, and what his house looks like. I did change how she met them and Susan and Madelynn's appearance. I hope that it is better than before.