Author's note: Okay, so this will be my latest Lily/James story. I haven't written about them in... oh I dunno, a few years. I can only hope it's better than my last ones.

About the story: Lily and James dated (secretly) in fourth year, but he was pushy and possessive (not to mention paranoid and perverted). Lily couldn't take it anymore and dumped him. Now, in their last year, they are made Head Boy and Girl (like in most stories) and they are forced to speak to each other. She realised that he has changed. But can she forgive him and maybe move on with that cute boy in Ravenclaw? Or will she end up falling for him all over again? Ooh, the drama!

The first chapters are like a prologue, telling you the background story between the two, instead of having those flashbacks all throughout the story (although I will add some of those just for the fun of it).

Now, if you don't like this story, it's fine. Just go back to the pages full of other wonderful stories that you can read. I don't own anything really, except for my twisted mind.

ENJOY!

4th year

Christmas break had just ended, and the students were grumbling back to school. No one wanted to go back to waking up early, going to class, and having to do homework; on the other hand, they did get to see their friends again, have snow ball fights, and gossip about whose Aunt Matilda had turned their Uncle Freddy into a toad.

Lily Evans was glad to come back after her awkward holiday with her parents and sister. She would no longer have to lie to her neighbours about her "advanced" school, and make up what she actually learnt. It didn't matter though anymore. In her eyes, she was home.

It didn't take her long to find her friends, Alice and Mary, who were already in a compartment on the train. When Lily entered, the two girls rushed over, giving the red-head a hug. They chatted about their holidays as they exchanged gifts.

Suddenly, a large boom echoed outside in the hall, and the tree girls felt the need to check it out. They poked their heads out of the door, as were many of their schoolmates.

Peter Pettigrew stood near a compartment, his face full of black powder, his hair standing straight up. It looked like a bomb had exploded in his hands; Lily guessed that it was a dungbomb because a very foul aroma began wafting through the halls.

She could hear the deep laughter of boys in the compartment that Peter was standing in front of. She knew right away who was in that compartment, and who was laughing.

It was the Marauders, a group of boys who caused trouble, and liked girls. A lot.

"Poor Peter," Mary exclaimed. "He's always the one who gets the worst of things."

Suddenly, the door of the boys' compartment opened, and out stepped James Potter. He ushered Peter in, and glanced around. The three girls weren't fast enough to enter their compartment, for the black-haired boy saw them and rushed over.

"Hey ladies, how would you like to come to our compartment? We've fixed it up so that it doesn't stink. What do you say?"

If the girls had been any other girl, they would have jumped at the chance; but they weren't and they declined.

"Oh come on… please? We'll even treat you to some chocolate frogs," James said, trying to bribe the girls.

"Give us a minute to think about it," Alice said, closing the door on the boy. "I think we should go."

"But-"

"Lily, I know you don't want to, but it couldn't hurt you to be nice to them for like, a minute, right? Plus, it's not like we're going to go snog them or anything. I just want to know what it's like inside the Marauder's cabin. We're going to be the talk of the school!" Alice's gray eyes were shining and Lily didn't want to be the one extinguishing them.

"Fine," Lily said, giving in at her friend's pleas, but still showing her annoyance. "You so owe me later."

"I'll get you your favourite chocolate chip mint ice cream from the kitchens, okay?" Alice promised, her blue eyes shining brightly. "Right Mary?"

Mary smiled. "Of course. But if you're not behaving Lily, there will be less and less ice cream."

"I sometimes hate you lot, you know that?"

"Of course you do dear, but let's go now." Alice opened the door, and James was grinning sheepishly.
"Show us the way!"

James brought the trio to their compartment, let them in first, then shut the door.

Lily glanced around the room, noting the differences between the four friends, and wondering how in the world they ever became so close.

She sat down next to the window, glancing at the winter wonderland outside, trying to find the castle off at the distance, but she knew they were too far for that. James sat in front of her, watching her every move.

"It's so nice out there," she said. "I wish I could lie there and watch the snow fall."

"I know," James replied, adjusting his glasses. "I can't wait to be able to walk the grounds at school and just… clear my head."

Lily nodded. "I love winter. It's so peaceful and calm, but it can turn around and be wild and stormy. But it is always so beautiful"

"A little like you," James said. "But that's okay, because someone has to shake things up a bit."

A blush crept over her freckled face. "I do not know what you are talking about."

"Lily, you love winter because you are like winter. Sometimes, you are calm and peaceful, and sometimes you're wild and stormy, but you're always so beautiful."

Her blush became more pronounced and she was shocked that he was being so intimate when there were many other people around her. They didn't seem to notice a thing though.

The rest of the train ride was done with Lily looking out the window, trying to ignore the fact that James was staring at her the whole time.

That night, in the Great Hall, as they ate their food, Lily could feel his eyes on hers. She didn't even have to look up to know that James Potter was staring at her. The few times that she did look up though, their eyes caught and a blush traveled over her cheeks.

Alice and Mary gave each other knowing glancing whenever their friend turned red, but questioned her nonetheless of why she was blushing.

"Nothing," replied the red-head. She did not look back in James Potter's direction again all night.

"Hey Lily," James said, catching up to the green-eyed girl. "How are you?"

Lily looked around her, making sure no other Lily was near her that could cause confusion. "Are you talking to me?"

"Well, I am next to your right now and there are no other Lily's around, so yeah, I am talking to you."

"I am fine. You?"

"Fine." He glanced at me for a moment before adding, "I never noticed how green your eyes are. They are like, intensely green."

Lily dropped her books, she was so surprised. "What?"

James swooped down to pick them up just as she did the same. They brushed hands as they picked up the same book. James gave it to her and she blushed.

"You're very pretty when you blush," James said, which made her blush even more.

"Stop it!" she muttered.

"Stop telling you you're pretty?" he asked, looking confused. "But you are, so why wouldn't I tell you that?"

"I don't know why, just because okay?"

"Are you ashamed of your beauty?"

"No. I just don't feel very beautiful, so why should I believe someone else finds me pretty."

"Because you are!"

"Okay well thank you then. I will be off, because I have to get some books I forgot in my room." And with that, Lily walked as fast as she could towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Lily, James keeps staring at you. Is there something you would like to tell us?" Alice asked, noticing the raven-haired boy look at the red-head for the umpteenth time.

"No. There is nothing to tell."

"The how come he's looking at you now?"

"He just enjoys looking in my direction I guess."

"He likes you, you know."

"And I'm the Queen."

"All hail her majesty."

"Alice, just knock it off please?"

"Fine, fine, but can I at least ask him if he likes you because he is coming this way."

"No! Alice, I will kill you if you say a word!"

"Oye, James! Come over here for a moment!"

A big smile grew over James Potter's lips as he made his way over to the two girls. Lily groaned and Alice smirked. "Yes ladies? Anything I can do for you?"

"You can leave us alone," muttered Lily.

"Now, now, luv, I'm hurt by your words. But it was Alice who beckoned me, so is there something you would like?" he asked, turning from the red-head to her friend.

Alice just laughed and Lily couldn't comprehend why Alice was not blushing as Lily would have been. "James, unfortunately, you're just not my type of bloke." The boy in question raised his eyebrow, questioningly. "But, I did bring you over here to speak to you on behalf of my red-headed friend here who is too shy to say anything."

Lily felt her face heat up, and when James combed his hand through his messy hair to try and push the strands from his eyes, she swore she turned a new shade of red. "Alice, seriously, I will kill you if you keep talking."

"Now Lily, that is not the way to speak to your friend. Alice, please continue. You've got my attention."

Lily continued to shoot daggers with her eyes towards her friend as she spoke. "Well, I noticed you've been looking at Lily a lot. Is there something you'd like to ask her?"

"Well, I was going to ask if she would like to join me in Hogsmead, but by the color her lovely face is turning, I can assume even without asking her, that she wants to."

Lily suddenly got up. "If you are asking me out, you'll have to do better than that. And don't you dare use my friends' questions as an excuse to ask me out." Her face was still burning, but now, because of anger, not embarrassment. She stomped away, out of the room and into the corridor.

A walk, she decided, was what she needed to calm herself down. Nothing better than a walk around the grounds to clear one's head.

Lily made her way down to the grounds and began the familiar path around the school. The fresh air cleared her thoughts, even if it nipped her nose a bit. She wasn't able to make it half way down the path before she heard footsteps behind her.

"Lily, please wait."

The red-head turned around and saw that James Potter was following her. His face was red from the cold and puffs of breath shone, but he was still good-looking.

Lily could have kicked herself for thinking that, but she decided that it was not the time to do so.

"Hullo James. Lovely afternoon is it not?"

"If you call freezing your backside lovely, then yes it is."

Lily laughed. "And here I thought you liked winter."

"I like the snow," James corrected, "not the cold that comes with it."

"You can't have one without the other."

"I know," James replied, smiling softly at the red-head. "How about we go inside and have some hot chocolate? I'll ask the elves to put in extra marshmallows."

Lily raised her eyebrow, and a twinge of a smile appeared on her face. He knew her well it seemed, but she wasn't ready to give up. "Well, usually, I get my hot chocolate with extra marshmallows after I've taken my walk. Why break tradition? But if you want to go inside because it's too cold for you, be my guest."

James shivered and looked back longingly towards the school. "It's not too bad once you get used to it," the raven-haired boy finally said. "I guess I could toughen it out."

"That's the spirit!" Lily said, turning back towards her path. A full blown grin shown on her lips, because she knew she won. He wasn't going to get her that easily.

Not even with extra marshmallows.

Author's note: This is only the first part of year 4. Depending on how much information I can put in, I might have two more describing their relationship in year 4 which led to Lily's hatred. It'll all depend on the reviews as to how quickly I update. So click on that wonderful little button on the bottom of the page and write me a little something. Suggestions are always nice, as are praises. Thanks in advance!