Oxygen

The girl was talented, she knew it, her family knew it, all of Gryffindor House knew it, and actually, the whole population of Hogwarts knew it. Including the professors. The thing is, she wasn't cocky about it. She didn't brag or boast, or make fun of anyone that wasn't as good as her. The thing is, she couldn't find her inspiration. And, that girl's name was Lily Evans.

Lily had always loved music, especially the guitar, and her sister, Petunia, was always quite jealous.

On the evening before she was going to return to Hogwarts, for her sixth year, she was thinking of James, one of her best friends. They had met at King's Cross Station in their first year, when she was running through the barrier to get to Platform 9¾ when James, Remus, and Sirius were racing to get there first, but none of the three boys saw her until it was too late. Before any of them knew it, they were sprawled on the ground, laughing. Yes, I know, a weird way to become friends but what can I say?

The previous year, Lily and her dorm-mates had started a band, called The Enchanters. Lily was lead vocals and lead guitarist. Her friend, Charlotte, was back-up vocals, and her other friend Meredith, was the base guitarist. They were actually pretty good. They had landed a few gigs at The Three Broomsticks, probably out of the kindness of Madam Rosemerta's heart. Madam Rosemerta had graduted Hogwarts the two years before and opened up a little pub in Hogsmeade. Even though they were in different years, Lily and her were very close.

Lily sat on her bed, trying to think of a good song to write. She racked her brain, but nothing came out. She even thought of her best friend James, who she had had a crush on since the middle of last year. She hated this, because it made her feel all giddy around him. It was awkward.

An hour later, she had written down one word at the top of the paper. OXYGEN is what it said. 'Could be a title...' she thought as she made one final round around her room, making sure she had everything. Then, packing her most prized possession, her CF Martin guitar into its case and putting it right beside her trunk.

The next day, she bid goodbye to her parents at King's Cross, and ran through the barrier to Platform 9¾. She immediately saw Sirius, James, and Remus (Sorry, not Peter, I think you all know why...) huddled around a single piece of parchment. She approached them and heard Sirius said, "Mischief managed! That's perfect! Good thinking Remus!"

"Are you working on that map again?" she teased.

"Lils! How've you been?" James asked, pulling her into a hug. Lily smiled to herself as she hugged him back.

James looked over Lily's head to see Sirius and Remus pretending to swoon. 'Damn the,' he thought. 'I had to go and tell them that I like Lily, didn't I?'

After a good while later, they all boarded the train. They meat up with Charlotte and Meredith and they all shared a compartment. In the middle of the journey, Lily broke out her guitar, and tried to make up a song. Nothing.

When they got to Hogwarts, and after the feast, they all went upstairs to their dormitories.

Then, it came to Lily. She scrambled around for parchment, a quill, and ink, and immediately started scribbling down words.

The next day, during break, she started working on chords for the songs. She got it done, and it was perfect. She presented the song to the rest of The Enchanters and they loved it. "How did you come up with these lyrics? These are amazing!" Meredith commented, looking them over.

"Yeah Lily!" agreed Charlotte.

"Want to play it tomorrow night? In the Gryffindor Common Room?" Lily asked.

"Yeah! That would be wicked!" they agreed.

"How did you come up with these lyrics?" Charlotte asked.

"What was your inspiration?" Meredith teased.

Lily blushed and murmured, "James," under her breath.

"Oh my gosh! You know what we should do?" Charlotte asked. She didn't even bother to wait for an answer before she continued, "We...well, you should actually sing it to James!"

"No!" Lily said immediately.

"Let's sing it and see if he gets the clue!" Meredith said.

Lily smiled. Ever since the end of last year, there have been rumors going around that James liked Lily but she never knew if they were true. Now, she could see if they were.

The next night, in the Gryffindor Common Room, about nine o'clock, Lily was feeling very nervous as she started setting up the equipment. "Lily!" James called, waving along with Sirius and Remus.

"Hey!" she said, jumping down from the stage that her, Meredith, and Charlotte had set up earlier that day.

"Nervous?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, it's your first big show," Remus added.

"Don't remind me," Lily smiled nervously.

"Lily! Come on! Everything's ready!" Meredith waved.

"K!" she said, waving goodbye to the three boys and heading up the stage.

"Give it up for The Enchanters!" Leroy Jordan announced.

There was a round of applause as Lily, Meredith, and Charlotte ran up on stage. They struck up a tune and Lily started singing: