My first chapter to my first multichaptered story! Hope you enjoy it:)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the idea.

'So, girls, what do you think this 'project' McGonagall was going on about during dinner is?' Marlene McKinnon, one of my roommates and best friends said to us as we were getting ready in the dorm.

'I don't know, but she seemed pretty enthusiastic about it which is never a good sign!' Alice Prewett, another of my best friends and roommates replied. 'It's probably some extra credit essay or something stupid like that,' she said thoughtfully.

'Nah I reckon it's some plot for house unity or something, you know what she's like,' I joined in the conversation, pulling my shoes and socks on and then waiting for the other two to finish getting ready so we could hurry up and move already.

'I guess we'll find out in a bit!' Marlene smiled, before jumping off her bed and pulling Alice and I out of the dorm. Laughing, we stepped into the common room and made our way to breakfast, all lost in thought. Alice was probably thinking about Frank, her boyfriend. Marlene would be thinking about the project or Sirius Black, the guy she'd recently been crushing on.

Before we go any further, I should explain about Black and his gang. They love to make my life hell, even though others insist they're only having fun, themselves included. Remus Lupin is alright I suppose, and is probably the most mature one of the group. Black is a womanizer and has no respect at all for girls. Peter Pettigrew is kind of the tagger on, but for some reason he's out of Hogwarts of the next month. That leaves one Marauder (yes, they call themselves the Marauders) left.

James Potter.

The bane of my existence.

James Potter lives to annoy the hell out of me. He, like Sirius, is quite a womanizer but not to the extents that Sirius is. Unlike Sirius, he has his eye on one girl who he insists. Unfortunately for me, that girl is, well, me.

Told you it was unfortunate.

By the time I'd finished this train of thoughts we'd arrived at the Great Hall and were greeted by Mary MacDonald. I mean, it wasn't really a greeting. We had sat down and she immediately said, 'Oh isn't he absolutely gorgeous?!' It didn't take three guesses to figure out she was talking about Remus Lupin. What is wrong with my friends?! Between Marlene crushing on Black and Mary on Remus, me and Alice are the only sane ones. Imagine if either of us liked Potter, or, Merlin forbid, Pettigrew! I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

'Lily? Lily, are you alright?' Alice said next to me, 'You look a little, erm, pale?'

'Nah I'm fine, just thought of a slightly…scarring… mental image. I'm fine!' I replied, pushing the thought of dating Pettigrew out of my head. It wasn't that I had anything against the guy but he's always seemed a little suspicious to me, and not going to lie, he was slightly annoying with the way he acted like he was in love with the other three.

'If you say so…' Alice obviously wasn't convinced, but she dropped the topic. Marlene and Mary were in some deep discussion about how dreamy the Marauders were or something of the like. I caught flashes of the conversation, 'amazing chest,' 'gotta love Quidditch,' 'Have you seen the way he looks when his hair is whipped around?! Like a God!' Sighing, I grabbed a piece of toast and lost myself in my thoughts once again. Sadly I was interrupted by a voice above me.

'So, Evans, wanna go out with me yet?' That voice could only belong to one James Potter.

'In your dreams, Potter, now if you'll excuse me, Transfiguration starts in ten minutes and I'd like to get to the classroom,' I will admit, I was slightly rude just then as I pushed past him. And as I looked back at him, I'd say I even saw some emotion cross his face. Hurt? Anger? No, I'm probably imagining it, if anything it was embarrassment at being rejected yet again. You'd think he'd learn I thought with a sigh, I wish he'd learn.

I got to the classroom and waited outside, counted to ten and sure enough Alice, Marlene and Mary came hurtling around the corner. We did this every day, because they never seemed to notice that I'd left and I knew, after living with them for nearly seven years, that I wouldn't be able to get a word in in their conversation. I usually just left, and then a few seconds later they'd be right beside me again. It's some form of exercise for them, I suppose.

When we were all together again, we walked in and sat down in our regular spaces. It was kind of near the front, yet near the back, but not directly in the middle, if you understand? After a couple more minutes of a mixture of talking and comfortable silence, the entire class was finally present and McGonagall came in.

'Good morning class,' she began, 'If you remember, then you'll know that yesterday I told you that we have devised a project for you all. It will take approximately three months to complete, but once you have finished it will count for up to a third of your overall mark in your N.E.W.T.S. This project will mean you will have to be paired up, but your pairs will be within your houses. Any questions so far?

'

'I have one, Minnie, what is the project?' Black called from the back of class.

'I'm getting to that part, Black, and my name is Professor McGonagall, thank you very much. The project will be a family-based one. You will be raising a child in a home, from birth to 15 years of age. They will age 5 years a month and it is your responsibility to look after them in any way you feel is correct. You may ask for advice from parents, teachers, or get it from books. While you do not have to be romantically involved with the partner we have chosen for you, it would do both yourselves and the child well if you at least attempted to remain civil over the course of the three months. Any more questions before I read out the list of pairs?'

'What will we do about classes?' A random seventh year Hufflepuff called out.

'Your classes will mainly revolve around spells and potions that will help you look after the child. For example, in Potions you will be learning how to brew medicines and the like. Any more?'

There was silence.

'Very well. Once you have all been paired up, please find your partner and wait until I am able to come over and give you your house address. The town will be in one of the wings of Hogwarts that has been cleared for this purpose.' With that, she began calling out names in her Scottish accent. I zoned out slightly, but stayed tuned in just enough to hear Marlene be paired with Sirius, Mary with Remus and Alice with Frank. Hah isn't that strange, that the girls got paired up with the one they like. Just then, I heard my name being called. I looked around the class and saw that a majority of students were already paired up, and that Gryffindor house only had one male left.

Wait.

Oh no.

Please, let this be a bad dream.

'Lily Evans, you will be working with James Potter.'

AN: So there you have it! Let me know if you liked it, please, and constructive criticism is always welcome:)