Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the places, characters or items mentioned. They all belong to J.K Rowling.

Chapter 1: The Sign up

"Hogwarts, this year will take part an even event in which will greatly enhance the education, that will hopefully lead our sixth year students closer to their future outside of Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore began, grasping the full attention of hall without effort. "We are trialling an opportunity for sixth year students to work in the career place that they most desire, to fully aid their decisions in which NEWTs. they shall take next year."

Professor McGonagall arose, joining the rosy faced headmaster on the stand. "If all sixth years can please make an orderly line near the entrance of the hall to sign up." Almost at once, the hall buzzed with noise, as sixth years from each house pushed and pulled in order to have their names signed first, ignoring any attempt of control in an almost barbaric fashion.

However I, Lily Evans wasn't a girl to push, or pull another student out of line, in fact I found it rather unnecessary thank you very much. I got up, scowling at the trailing snake-like line that had formed.

"Honestly Lily, this line lasts Godric knows how long...can't we just...skip?" Marlene McKinnon, one of my best friends whined. This was a common habit of hers; she had never learned the concept of patience.

"No. It's rude to push in front." I said, trying to ignore the fact that even after a few minutes in line we were still at the back.

"But Lily, they're doing it, so why can't we?" I rolled my eyes, following the direction in which Marlene was pointing, realising why we were still very much at the back of the line.

"Potter." I growled, my fists clenching. Yes, James Potter himself followed by his little gang of what I would probably guess as the future 'Zonko's' of the country were directing themselves right to the front, and even more alarming was the fact that the majority of sixth year were treating them as royalty, actually letting it happen. I stormed to the front of the line, dragging a very smug Marline with me, determined to restore order. "Excuse me, but what do you think you are doing?" I asked, hands on hips. Potter and Black laughed, both being handed a quill then scrawling their names down on one of the pieces of paper. "Well?"

"Saving time dear Evans." Potter replied, casually throwing the quill to an un-expecting Peter Pettigrew whom fell flat on his back attempting to catch it.

"Do you mind? There are other people been waiting here longer than you have, so please head to the back of the line." I pointed to the spot in which myself and Marlene had previously stood.

"Nah, rather not Evans. You see, we have a master plan in the midst of being built, and this is merely taking the time away that we so desperately need." Black answered, passing his quill to a Ravenclaw girl, whom he chose to wink at.

"Hey!" Remus Lupin, the more decent of their gang nudged Black. "I kind of needed that quill."

Black shrugged. "Sorry man, the lady needed it more."

I clapped my hands, attempting to get them all to focus. "Go to the back." I ordered again.

"Were done now, you can have our space" Potter answered, also winking at me, acting as if he was doing a good deed.

"That's not the point. It's the principle."

"Principle or not Lily, we are having that space." Marline yelled excitedly, ignoring me and writing her name down. "Here, I've written your name down as well, Auror office right?"

I blinked. Had anybody any conscience?

"So, I see you chose the auror office Evans. See yourself fighting evil do you?" Potter joked. "Evans, evil slayer!" Both Black and himself chose to do super hero poses, getting cheers from bored students at the back of the line, admittedly where the both of them should be.

"Potter, I'm serious."

"No dear, that would be identity theft. I'm Sirius." Black said, wagging his little finger at me, pretending to look disappointed. Respectively, I responded by standing on his toe.

"Well Evans, just to let you know we both signed up too."

"And me!" Pettigrew added, jumping up and down like a Cornish pixie.

"Only if you have the grades." I replied, folding my arms. "It depends on your current grades and your predicted grades for NEWTs"

"That's right, Miss Evans."

I turned around, my shoulders relaxing as finally some order was to be put into the situation.

"Minnie!" Black sang, holding out his arms. "Loved your speech. Full of class."

"Thank you Mr Black, but being as you loved my speech so much, I should wonder why all four of you have forgotten it so quickly." Professor McGonagall scolded, her voice stopping the chaos of the line that was slowly decreasing in size. "My orders were specifically to form an orderly line; meaning no cutting and certainly no harming of one another."

"Well, we didn't harm anyone-and if you are talking about Wormtail then that doesn't count." Potter nodded, leaning against the wall.

"May I also inform you that the auror office only takes a handful of students, due to the circumstances." She added. We all knew what she meant; there were very hushed rumours of an army being gathered together by You-Know-who, but they were only rumours. I was sure of it.

"We can give it a shot professor, but I suspect the auror office cannot refuse our charm, and athletic ability." Silently (although I would never admit it) I was glad of Black's mood-lifting abilities.

Professor McGonagall surveyed our faces, placing her elegant hands together with a somewhat glowing smirk.

"The auror office will select a few students from each house in Hogwarts that could possibly have the makings for training as an auror. The reason there is such a low amount of students is because-"

"-Because it's incredibly difficult to become an auror." Potter finished forcing me to catch the rather enflamed look in his eye but he dodged eye contact, making me wonder what was behind it.

"That's right Mr Potter." She paused to quickly tell off the not-so-patiently-waiting group of Slytherin Sixth years. "We as teachers shall give the records and recommendations to the auror office, and they shall choose. However, if you don't get your choice there is always openings at Hogwarts." The boys and Marlene groaned. I had to admit, the opportunity to adventure the jobs in the wizarding world did sound much more exciting than spending the whole two weeks in a familiar place where students would hurtle chocolate frogs at you with no respect. But that didn't mean I wasn't willing to try as a last resort.

"When do we find out?" Marlene asked, her concentration beginning to drift away from the conversation. McGonagall checked her watch.

"If all goes according to plan...tomorrow morning at breakfast." With this, she nodded us a good day, and shank into her animagas form, scurrying off down the corridors, spitting at Pettigrew who accidently trod on her tail.

"She always brings sunshine to the room." Black smiled.

"As much fun as this has been, we are leaving now." I curtly nodded grabbing Marlene by the arm, not really wanting to spend my time in the presence of Potter & co much longer.

"Was Minnie's speech not the highlight of your afternoon Evans? Or was that part played by yours truly?" Potter shouted after me, as I hastily tried to leave before Potter hit on me again, but of course I was failing miserably.

"Her name is Professor McGonagall, and no, the only reason we stayed was to listen to what was to happen. Do not flatter yourself." I muttered loud enough for him to hear.

"Ah Evans, do not deny the love! Besides, from what I can bet is that the auror office will put us together, just you wait." He shouted, Black cheering him on.

"In your dreams Potter."

How was I to know then, that during the nerve racking breakfast, not being able to eat a single bite, (Mostly due to nerves, but Black and Pettigrew played a huge part by disgusting me with their eating habits) with sixth years drumming their fingers nervously on the wooden table while the rest of the school went about their usual business that what Potter had said would reign true.

Suddenly, a single feather floated from the ceiling, landing on the bare stone floor, which was shortly followed by the squawking and flapping of wings, and before I knew it my post had arrived.

"Shall I open it?" I asked Alice Prewett who was cradling hers opposite me, jigging with excitement.

"Go for it Lily."

I ripped open the paper carefully, frightened of what I might see. Turning over the page there were a horde of numbers, and in-between sat my name in bold letters: Lily Evans and below sat a few more codes, date of birth and finally sat the answer I had been waiting for. Auror office. Instantly, my face lit up like a Christmas tree, looking up to see a mixture of some confused, delighted and downright grumpy faces among the crowd of sixth year Gryffindors.

"Marlene? Good or bad?" I asked, turning to my left unable to read her face as her long, slightly faded brown curls were covering her face.

"Ok..Not what I wanted, but I'm fine with what I got." She showed her paper in which had to decode it to figure that she had been declined from the auror office placement, but had acquired a place as a 'Trainee Healer'. I smiled at her, patting her shoulder. I knew she was slightly disappointed, but I was glad to see that she seemed happy to even have a placement outside of Hogwarts. It so happens that a loud squeak was to be heard moments later down the table from Pettigrew whom had unfortunately been placed none other than in the Hogwarts grounds. I recall that Marlene felt much happier about her placement after this.

"How about you Alice? That is, if you don't mind sharing?"

Alice was grinning, her rosy cheeks plumper than usual as she read her paper over and over again.

"It says I got into the auror office...it does say that, doesn't it Lily? I mean I read it so many times but I am still doubtful..." She passed the paper over to me and now I was beginning to get used to reading the style of paper I was able to quickly find Alice's placement, and she was right. Auror Office it was.

"Don't doubt yourself Alice, you got in! Well done!" I congratulated. "At least there is someone who I like working with me."

Of course, my delight was to be short lived, and positively murdered by a certain raven haired, speckled Quidditch playing Gryffindor.

"Not so fast Evans. I think you'll find that you aren't working with Prewett...and trust me, not everyone you like is working with you."

Rolling my eyes, I turned in my seat to find that Potter had that permanently arrogant grin plastered across his lips, acting as if he knew something I clearly didn't.

"What? What are you talking about?" This seemed to amuse him further, but didn't stop him from scooting on to the seat and shoving his own paper into my face while doing the ridiculous hair ruffle he was content on doing every few minutes.

"Poor, dear innocent Evans, it seems you have been mislead by the notorious small print at the bottom, in which states your working partner for the placement." He pointed to the small print. The small print in which I wanted to burn.

"This-this can't be right..." I stuttered reading the print over and over, just as Alice had done. I grabbed Potters piece of paper that he was waving in front of me heading straight to the bottom of the page to find the same small print that sent clouds over my previously sunny morning.

"Alice, check it for me, please say it isn't true." I begged, crossing my fingers in hope that it would go away. Alice squinted, quickly reading the font before smirking.

"I'm sorry Lily, but it is."

'"Why yes. It. Is. I'll be seeing you...partner." Potter laughed, high-fiving Black and Lupin and ruffling the black hair that I so desperately wanted to chop off. So it was true then, I had to spend three whole weeks observing Auror work with that? Him. Why him? Of all of the people I had to be paired with, they choose him.

Author note: I hope you liked it and it will get much more exciting as the story goes on, I promise.