Rain on a Cloudless Day

Rain on a Cloudless Day

Updated: 9-26-03

By: V_ballchick_03

"The latest book, Don't Walk Behind Me, by Sara McLain was released yesterday. It has already sold out in all stores except at Flourish and Blotts. You have one hour to place your name once in the raffle to get one of the last twelve books out there. Tickets are one Galleon each or six for five Galleons. It beings, now!" The announcer from the bookstore told the excited crowd.

The doors of Flourish and Blotts opened and there was a mad rush inside the store to enter into the raffle.

"I can't believe these people," Lily told her best friend Jocelyn. "It's not like there will be any copies later. I've already read it though!" She pulled Don't Walk Behind Me out from her bag and flashed it to her best friend, gasping in jealousy.

"Lily! Where did you get it? That book has been on back order for six months now before it even came out," Jocelyn said in shock as she looked at the book.

"Well, Mum is on the editor's list so she get every book free the day before it's released. The funny thing is that Mum doesn't even know the author but I got an extra copy," Lily said and looked over to her brightened face. "For my best friend."

Jocelyn jumped up and down in happiness. She grabbed hedheaded friend to hug her and said, "Lily, I love you! Tell me, what happens. Do they live this time? I mean, in her book the girls don't even make it halfway. I cried the whole second part of the last book."

"Well, you'll have to read it. I was very surprised at the end of the book. I tell you, it's not what you expect."

'She is so gullible,' Lily thought. 'They all expect me to make everyone die in the beginning then they discover the mystery afterwards. I gave them a change and it worked out much better this time.'

"Look whose coming!" Jocelyn squealed as she looked into the nearest mirror to flatten her hair. "It's James and his gorgeous friends!"

Lily looked over to see James Potter and his best friends Sirius Black and Remus Lupin walk into Flourish and Blotts. Jocelyn pretended to preoccupy herself with a book; not realizing it was upside down, as they came over.

"So, Evans. Have you entered your name in the raffle, hoping to get a chance this time at getting the book?" James asked Lily with a smug look on his face.

"No, Potter. I don't need to put my life in danger for a stupid book. Actually, I already have it," Lily told him coldly.

"What?" Sirius asked. "That's impossible!"

"It's signed too," Lily bragged to them as their jaws dropped.

"You have to let us see it then!" James told her but realized she wasn't going to. "Come on, Evens, please. I promise that I'll be nice on the Hogwarts Express."

Lily saw James wink over to Sirius, trying to be discreet.

"How did you get it signed?" Remus asked.

"Mum's on the editor list. I read it two days ago, quiet a good read if I may say so," Lily gloated. 'I'm going to prove I'm better than that good for nothing chauvinistic jock,' Lily thought to herself.

"You are so lucky. She is the best teen mystery novelist. I bet she is really rich!" Sirius commented.

"Jocelyn, we need to get our new robes. I can't wait until we graduate, no more Marauders! Only five years left of Hogwarts," Lily said as she pulled Jocelyn away from Sirius, whom she was flirting with intensely. "Can't you ever leave guys alone? All you do is flirt. I guess that's why I like you so much, Joss."

She gave a smile and we walked into the robe shop to look though the dress robes. Lily found an emerald green dress robe with gold swirling through it.

"Jocelyn, I have to have them for the dance next year! Mum told Dumbledore I am not allowed to go to the dance this year. She always tells me how proud she is of my being top in the class but she always tries to control my life," Lily said.

"You still have to get it though. I'm sure your Mum would approve," Jocelyn said with a smile.

"I know she would," Lily said as she admired the dress on her. "You know the black leather skirt you picked out for me."

"Yeah, I love that skirt. What did she do to it?" Lily walked out of the dressing room and modeled it for Jocelyn. "That is really cute!"

Lily walked back into the dressing room and began to change out of the dress robe.

"She cut off several inches and made it into a mini skirt. Could you see me in a mini skirt? She always wants me to be a girly girl, I hate it," Lily said as they stood in line to pay for the dresses.

"She does that to all your skirts," Jocelyn told her.

"She does but I lengthen them when I get to Hogwarts. Could you imagine me, prancing around like a prat in a little skirt?" Lily told Jocelyn, who was clearly laughing at the image. "Well, we are done here, let's get lunch."

As they walked to get lunch Lily groaned, "Oh no, I still have to do the rest of my extra homework. Did you know that I love school?"

"Oh, really? I never knew that. When did you fall in love with your new charms book?" she said laughing.

"Very funny," Lily said and rolled her eyes. "I owled Sapp for Diniviation and Crupt for Charms, asking for more work. I am going to have the highest grades in school. Even higher than that jerk-off and his goons."

*

Three days later, Lily recieved a payment of 2,750 Galleons for the first shipment of her books. There were making more copies as they spoke.

"Miss. Evans, I need you to sign the agreement to make more copies of your book. I understand that no one knows anything of your pen name."

"I do have a right to privacy. Palette, I'm only thirteen for Gods sake! I really don't want everyone at Hogwarts following me around, asking for my signature," Lily told Palette as she signed the parchment instating to make an extra 2,000 more of her books. "Oh, I want to add the Potter family to my editors list." Palette gave Lily a strange look but made note of it in her book she was carrying. "They are a very prominent wizarding family, give them one of the signed copies."

"Okay, thank you Miss. Evans," Palette said. "I'll owl you if we need anything else."

"Alright, I have to start getting ready for school," Lily told her. "I should have my next book done by July, I think. I just have to find the title and get started."

"Bye, Miss. Evans. Have fun at school!" Palette called as I walked out of her office.

I headed to my doctor's appointment; I had to have an ee to go to her office twice in a year. I went for my usual check up then headed home to finish packing for Hogwarts. I was leaving in the morning and I had to get all my things in my trunk.

"Lily dear, I need you talk to you about Beauxbatons. I know you are top in your year and we are very proud of you, but we want you to be able to see your opportunities," Mrs. Evans told her daughter.

"Mum, call me for dinner. I'll be packing," Lily yelled as she headed up the stairs.

"Please, just think about going to Beauxbatons. It would be a great experience for you and much more challenging then Hogwarts will ever be. You could find real potential at a school like Beauxbatons," Mrs. Evans said as Lily ran to her room to finish packing.

Lily got to her room and owled Jocelyn right away.

Hey Joss,

I am now finally ready for school. Did you find out why Emily and Elizabeth couldn't come to Diagon Alley? I am worried; I owled them but I never recieved their reply. I hope their Mum isn't going to transfer them to Beauxbatons. My Mum is thinking about doing the same for me. She wants me to go to an all girls' school to get some styling sense, experience and to learn how to be a woman instead of a tomboy. I would go there for the rest of my education! I hope that doesn't happen. I have to go to dinner, Mum's calling.

See you soon,

Lily

*

Lily awoke the next morning and head off to King's Cross. She boarded the train with no Mers in sight.

"Well, look who's here," Lily turned around to see James. "So, Evans. Do you think you are special now? I also recieved a signed copy of the book from Sara McLain. She personally put my family on the editor's list too."

"Big deal," Lily told him. "She probably did it only because your grandfather is the Minister, dork."

"Shut it! Well, I need to go find my friends. Excuse me!" James said, pushing Lily into the wall.

Lily clenched her fists into balls and repeatily thought, 'I will not kill him; I will not kill him.'

The train ride to Hogwarts wasn't too exciting. The Marauders hexed Snape and Malfoy, their mortal Slytherin enemies and everyone was talking about SaLain.

Lily stepped out of her compartment to hear a few Hufflepuff girls whispering, "Did you hear that she signed Lily and James' copies? They were added to the editor's list!"

Lily shook her head as the rumors continued to build up. By the time they were there, Lily ended up being Sara McLain's daughter, who was going to give Lily all her money if she married James.

"Idiots," Lily muttered as a first year told her what she heard.

*

School had started and Lily was ahead of everyone in her class, including James. She was the best in every subject but James was making it up to Lily by playing pranks on her.

Everyday she put up with his childish antics. She would usually write about them in her journal to deal with the anger. She had developed the ability to write when she was six. She written her first three book by the age of nine but started publishing them when she turned ten. She was now on her sixth published book.

She wanted to write a book every year in her pen name but once she turned eighteen, she would write novels in her own name. That was her dream. Finally, receiving credit for all her hard work.

*

Lily was working on her seventh book when Christmas arrived. Her Mum decided to look for a house in Paris. Mrs. Evans was planning to use her Gringott's money that she thought Lily had won in a contest. She had recieved over 100,000 Galleons.

Mrs. Evans wanted Lily to have a big house once she was graduated from Hogwarts. Finally, at Christ she took Lily's entire family to look at her house. Lily was still stuck at Hogwarts because her family wanted to make the house a surprise for her.

"I hate Mum, I really do," Lily fumed around the dormitory.

"Calm down. She isn't going to make you move there and go to Beauxbatons, I promise!" Jocelyn explained, not wanting to lose her best friend.

"Yeah, she can't. We would miss you too much if you left," Emily told her.

"I would never allow it! We will kidnap you before you move!" Elizabeth said with a large smile on her face.

"You don't understand; she is making me go! She already told Dumbledore and I'm never going to see this place again. She told him that I would finish school theret; Lily said angrily with tears in her eyes. "I'm so screwed."

"Who screwed you, Evans?" James asked.

"Bite me, Potter! I'm having a crisis over here and you can only joke about it," Lily yelled.

"Well, sorry if I interrupted your pity party!" James yelled back.

"The only thing I will not miss about this place is him !"

'Maybe not,' Lily thought, turning to see where he had went. No one noticed the smile on her face as she thought about how his eyes sparkled with excitement when he was playing a prank.

*

School passed almost too quickly. When Christmas morning arrived, Emily pounded on Lily.

"Wake up, sleepy head!" Emily said with a smile.

"I'm up, I'm up," Lily groaned, sitting up and seeing the mound of presents at the end of her bed; she opened the note on the very top. Lily sat and watched the girls open theirs with tears silently rolling down her cheeks.

"Lily, are you okay?" Jocelyn asked me.

"No!" Lily threw the note down and ran outside to the lake in her nightgown.

"I..." Lily started.

"I promise no jokes right now, okay?" Lily nodded and ended up telling him the entire story.

After twenty minutes, James looked at Lily with serious eyes. Lily felt trapped in his soft hazel eyes as they kept getting closer and closer to each other. In what seemed like ages to Lily, their lips met. It was pure electricity. She never knew he could kiss like that.

Lily lost all train of thought when he wrapped his arms around her waist. She snaked her arms around his neck and began to play with his unruly hair. Lily unwillingly pulled away, needing to catch her breath for a moment. She started staking with cold after leaving the warof his arms; He felt her shiver in the cold air.

"Take my cloak, you will get sick if you don't," James said as he put his oversized cloak onto Lily. "I really wish you could stay. Who am I going to pick on when you leave?"

"You and your silly pranks! I swear, James Potter, if you do anything to my friends I will personally come back her and kick you little hind end!"

"Okay, I'll be nice to them," James said as she started into Lily's eyes. "Now, you need to get back inside. I'm sure everyone is worried about you."

Lily gave James a quick peck on the cheek and ran into Hogwarts, freezing, as James still sat outside. He smiled, thinking about what just happened and decided to head back inside too.

*

Once the holidays were over, everyone was back to his or her normal schedule. Lily didn't have much time to complain about moving because of all the work that she had to do. She had to take extra lessons to catch up with Beauxbatons. She had French lessons with Dumbledore, three days a week and fashion lessons with Professor Embellir, the muggle studies teacher, four days a week. She had no extra time for anything.

By Easter, Lily was exhauster but fished writing her book. She could hold a decent conversation in French but had problems with her spelling. She ended up working on French five days a week; to be sure she was advanced. All of the classes were in both French and English at Beauxbatons. You were expected to be able to understand both languages to graduate.

The end of the year exams finally came. Lily had been dreading her final weeks at Hogwarts. "Lily, we will see each other soon. I'm sure you can visit us during the holidays. I'm going to miss you!" Her friends all said.

Every night was the same. They would end up crying instead of studying. Fortunate for Lily, she recieved top marks in all her classes, beating James by a total of.28 points.

On the last night of school, the Gryffindor house held a party for Lily. "To Lily, who is leaving Hogwarts after this year. We will all miss you, even those of us who take you for granted, *cough* Potter. So, let's make this a night she won't forget!" Amos Diggory announced.

The party slowly turned into a hip-hop dance party. At first, Lily only danced with her friends but then bumped into James as a slow song started. "Would you like to dance with me?" James asked, offering his hand to her.

Lily accepted and James pulled her close to him. She didn't think what to think. He was being a perfect gentleman only when he knew she would be gone in a few house. As the slow song blended into a fast paced song, Lily began to bump and grind with James. Things began to turn hot and heavy. Lily woke up on the couch with her top on the floor and James' arm wrapped around her. She slowly sat up, trying not to wake him.

James felt her shifting and opened his eyes to tell her, "Where do you think you are going? I was perfectly comfortable!"

"I'm sure as much as you would like to stay like that, I believe that McGonagall would not be happy to see my topless in the Common Room!" Lily began to reach for her shirt but as soon as my fingers touched it, James let her go and Lily toppled onto the floor.

"James Alexander Potter, that was not funny!" Lily rolled over and pulled her shirt on. "I have to finish packing."

Lily stood up only to be pulled onto his lap. "Now, what wasn't funny? From what I understand, you were happy to do anything that I deemed funny!" James joked as he kissed her deeply. "Now you have permission to finish packing, my dear!"

*

The train right went too fast. Lily cried and promised to everyone that she would write, except the Slytherins. She took her last look at Hogwarts Express as she left the platform.

"Lily, wait!" James cried before Lily went over to her parents. "Here, I want to give you this before you left. Don't open it until you are alone, it's something special I have kept since I met you."

James kissed Lily on the cheek and handed her a package before her Mum grabbed her wrist. Mrs. Evans ushered Lily off before she could say her last good byes.

"Now, Lily, you have to grow up! It's not as if you are leaving the wizarding world. I'm only giving you a broader knowledge of what you life can be! I want you to become a young lady and I will be taking this," Mrs. Evans told Lily as she snatched the package from her arm that James gave her. "Just to keep from you what's his face."

Mrs. Evans banned her from writing to her friends. She even locked up Willy, her own and had already moved the entire family to Paris. Lily knew she would hate Paris. Mrs. Evans was stricter then ever on Lily. She even hired a tutor to perfect her French, which was flawless.

"I hate it here! Why do I have to move, while all of my friends get to stay at Hogwarts and be happy? You ruined everything! I loved him but you ruined it!" Lily cried herself to sleep trying to remember everything about James, but would it be enough?

*

The day finally came for Lily to go to Beauxbatons. She fit in perfectly. Every girl there was nice to her when she came. The usually asked her about the boys at Hogwarts and if she liked one. "I did like one," Lily would say shyly.

At Beauxbatons she became much more involved. Everyday they had a fashion class, nutrition, and French along with all the normal classike at Hogwarts. Lily was very advanced in French, as was every girl. They would have competitions on who could spell all of the French vocabulary. Lily won six times in a row, breaking several records.

After six months, the girls convinced her to dye my red hair to blonde and wear blue contacts, changing my dark green ones. She became like every other girl there but missed Hogwarts and James.

Lily thought about James often, wishing her mother hadn't had the Governess place a homing spell over her owl. Every time she tried to write to her friends, she was scolded and forced to help a younger helpless student.

'It's hopeless,' Lily thought, as she desperately wanted to write to her friends and to James.

*

Every Friday, they would hamakeover day in their Fashion class and every girl there was on a diet. They didn't have sweets or candy and there was absolutely no prank playing or getting dirty. If you were caught doing such horrendous activities, such as playing in the mud or eating sweets, you would have an extra less on self-hygienics. Lily only had that class once, by accident. She would never inflict such gruesome pain on herself for the rest of her life.

Lily began to fret less over her old friends but kept the memories of James as close as she could. She had snuck several picture of him to school. By her fifth year, Lily had become very popular. She began to take part in every school activity possible, including the Miss Christmas Pageant. She was runner up for the pageant, losing to La Chef, the school president. The school was so different from Hogwarts but in many ways, better. She was able to learn how to look fabulous and master her charm, something she would never learn at Hogwarts.

After two years, Lily had placed a spell on her voice to have a French accent, being assimilated into their crazy ideas. Mrs. Evans was very pleased to see her mature. She completed one book a year just to keep her writings going. Every the girls at Beauxbatons loved Sarah McLain.

"Li-lee, 'ave you read ze latezt book by Zara McLain?" Married asked, after she recieved the book from her Mum on her birthday.

Lily smiled and shook her head, "No, but don't tell moi, I vant to read it 'or moiself. Don't spoilt it 'or anyone. I zink zis dezervez a peak at Jamez, don't you zink? Let'z go, I'll get zome of ze ozer girlz and ve'll have a party!"

Her Mum had written Lily for a copy of the book so she agreed to send it a week early. While she as there, she gave several signed copies away saying she was a family friend. She didn't get to meet with Paulette but they kept in touch via owl.

Every summer, one her Lily's friends would hold a part and it was her turn. She spent half the year planning for everything. From food to makeover, she had it all taken care of. She would hold the best one and that would make her even more successful.

"I 'ave to be La Chef, Maria! Moi Mum vould kill moi. I juzt 'ope she underzandz!"

Two weeks until school started, Lily recieved another letter but it was from Hogwarts. "Mum, zer iz a lettaire from 'Ogwartz! It iz addrezzed to vous," Lily said, handing Mrs. Evans the letter.

"Oh my," she whispered, "Dumbledore wants you to return to Hogwarts for your final year. I think this would be a good opportunity to use the skills you have learned."

"But Mum, I do not vant to go to 'Ogwartz. I love Beauxbatons! It iz bettaire zan 'Ogwartz!"

"You would be Head Girl if you went," Mrs. Evans told Lily.

"I don't care. I vill not go. I do not know anyvone zere!" Lily said, raising her voice.

"Lily, calm down. You would have your old friends there. You are going and that is an order," Mrs. Evans told Lily as her face dropped. "I will write to Dumbledore immediately, telling him the news and your headmistress."

Lily wrote letter to her friends, informing them of the horrible news. She told them that she would see James and send them pictures of other handsome boys at Hogwarts.

Lily forced her Mum to make Dumbledore let her use a different name. She didn't want to return as Lily; that was the old her. She would be Sophia D'Argent; the new her that was too good for any of the self centered, egotistical people there.

*

Lily arrived to Hogwarts Express alone. She had to use the Knight Bus to get to King Cross and felt like a complete wreck. Her hair was frizzing and she needed to redo her make up. However, she still attracted atton from boys; that was all that matter.

Lily delicately pushed her trunk through the barrier, afraid she would break one of her newly manicured nails. She pinned her Head Girl badge on and tried to find a handsome boy to help her load her trunk.

Lily did her best lost look and it worked. "Hello," a male voice said from behind her.

"Oh, I am zorry. Vaz I in vous vay?"

"No, I was wondering if you needed some help. You look lost," he told her.

"Oh zank vous. Moi name iz Sophia D'Argent. I tranzferred from Beauxbatons. In addition, I am 'ead Girl. I vaz very zurprized ven Dumbledore made moi Head Girl," Lily said, speaking quickly.

"I would be too, Sophia. Well, I'm Head Boy," he told her. "My name is James Potter."

'Wow, he is gorgeous. Is it really him?' Lily thought as her jaw dropped.

"Vere do I go to zit on de train?"

"You can sit with me and a few friends in the Head compartment, if you want to. They really aren't suppose to sit up there but they are my best friends."

"I vould love to meet zem. Vill vous zow me de vay?" Lily asked.

"I would be glad to," James said, grabbing her trunk and led her up to thd compartment as the train took off. "Gentlemen, please meet Sophia D'Ar... How do you say it?"

"D'Argent, D'Ar-Hen," Lily told them with a smile. "Sophia D'Argent."

"Yes, well Sophia, this is Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and the one you need to know is Peter Pettigrew. He is never around unless we are doing a prank," James told her.

"'Oh 'orrid! Vous actually do prankz 'here? At Beauxbatons, ve vould be punished," Lily said to them.

"Really?" Sirius asked her.

"Yez, it iz an 'orrible punishment too," Lily said. "Taking an extra clazz iz not fun at all."

"Well, we are punished but it's only a detention. I don't think you will have any problems, well maybe with the Slytherins."

" 'Oo are zey?" Lily asked him, trying to act dumbfounded. She could tell it was working, they had no idea it was really Lily Evans.

"A rotten house. Don't worry, you are too perfect for them," Sirius flirted.

'I know, I was in Gryffindor for three years, you prat!' Lily thought.

"Zank vous, Ziriuz, vous are too zweet."

"Hey, Padfoot, back off. I'm Head Boy here," James announced to them.

"Zorry, Jamez, you are much more 'andzome. Doz zat make up for it?" Lily asked, batting her eyes.

*

When they arrived at Hogwarts, Lily linked onto James' arm so she would not get lost, as if she would but she had to keep her cover. James gave her a quick tour thought the Entrance Hall, pointing to every class. She was immediately ushered into Professor McGonagall's office.

"Miss. Ev - I mean D'Argent, you will return to Gryffindor. I'm sure you understand the responsibility of being Head Girl and I hope you do not expect to keep this masquerade up the entire year. This is rubbish, I think, but I had no say. You may return to the Sorting Ceremony."

Lily followed behind her and sat herself between James and Sirius. "Did I mizz anyzing?&quo

"No, but the prefects and Head Boy and Girl are about to be announced," Sirius whispered to Lily.

Lily sighed as Dumbledore said, "Now, this years Head Boy is James Potter from Gryffindor. Head Girl, whom is a new student sorted into Gryffindor, is Sophia D'Argent."

Lily stood up and waved, giving her best charming smile and repeated the phrase in her mind while doing the actions, 'Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, touch your heart and blow a kiss.'

Dumbledore sat down and waved his hands as an enormous amount of food appeared on the table, mostly being fatty meats and sweets.

"Iz zis all de 'ave to eat, Remuz?" Lily asked as she looked at the food in disgust.

"There's nothing wrong with any of the food. Why?" Peter said as Lily made a face at him.

"I cannot eat zo much fat. It iz un'ealzy (unhealthy)! I vill become too obeize!"

"Then you will have to talk to the elves tomorrow. How about just having fruit tonight then?" James suggested.

"If vous vill 'elp me find ze vay to de elves," Lily told him.

"Would you like me to help you around tomorrow?" James asked as Sirius hit him. "Sorry, us."

"I vould love it!"

"I love it. It iz moi favorite book."

"It was Lily's too. I mean, she read it while she was here," James said sadly and looked to the ground. "Did you know Lily at Beauxbatons?"

"Of course I did. Ze was," Lily said but cut herself off. "Do you mizz 'er?"

"Yeah, I really do. I guess I had to get over her but I can't. I am just waiting for a chance to see her again," James said and turned a shade of pink. "I can't believe I just told you that. I haven't even told Padfoot that I missed heot;

"I guez I just remind vous of 'er," Lily told him. "'Ave vous ever tried to write 'er?"

"Yeah but her Mum got the letters and sent me a howler. I haven't had the courage to write her again. You know what? I'm going to write her right now!" James said happily and ran up the stairs.

"Okay, tell 'er I zaid 'ello!" Lily walked to her room and waited for the owl he was sending her.

"Why did I just give 'im the idea to write moi?" Lily asked herself.

"So, it's true then." Jocelyn asked standing behind Lily.

"Vat?" Lily asked nervously.

"You really are Lily!" Jocelyn said.

"Vat? 'Ow did you, I mean, why do vous zay zat?"

"Why did you tell us? I was your best friend and you never wrote to me! I thought you hated us!" Jocelyn said angrily.

"I tried but moi Mum 'ad told moi owl to give all of moi lettairez to 'er. I zought vous 'ated moi for leaving!" Lily said, as an owl tapped at the window and Lily let it in.

"He wrote to you, Lily, I mean Sophia."

"No, 'e wrote to Lily but ze iz me. Zo, yez, 'e wrote to moi, zinking Lily iz in Paris."

"I'm telling him the truth now, it isn't fair to him," Jocelyn told her.

"No, pleaze! Vait until Christmaz. I am going to come back from ze 'oliday az Lily and stay. Pleaze?"

"Whatever," She said angrily and walked over to her bed. Lily wrote back to James, telling him she would visit during Christmas then went to sleep.

*

The next few weeks, Lily wrote several letters to James. She told him she would visit Hogwarts on Christmas. Christmas was only a week away but wasn't coming fast enough. Jocelyn hadn'ken to Lily since the ball. No one knew why she was mad at her but Lily told everyone it was her fault.

"Only 168 hours until Lily comes! That is, 10080 minutes or, 604800 seconds! I miss her so much and there is so much to tell her," James said.

Jocelyn would storm out of the room every time he talked about Lily but he thought she was jealous. He decided to confront her before she left for the holidays.

"Hey, Joss. Why are you so mad when I talk about Lily?" James asked her.

"Oh, you'll find out on Christmas. Just asked her about she and Sophia went lately and where she was this first semester; then you will understand!" Jocelyn stormed out to the train and Lily joined her in the compartment.

"Whatou want?" Jocelyn snapped.

"I wanted to zank vous for keeping your word. I was afraid to come back to 'Ogwartz az Lily zo I had permizzion to come back az Sophia," Lily explained. "I changed moi lookz in fourth year, not just for 'Ogwarts. I want to make up ever zing, zat iz why I am going to do diz now! Finite Incantium!"

Lily's blonde hair melted into red, curly hair. She pulled out her contacts, making her eyes return to green. Lily smiled as Jocelyn gasped.

"So, it was true! I thought you were lying to get James to like you. I mean as Sophia, not Lily. I-I am so lost."

Lily explained everything on the way home except for Lily's extra job as an author. Jocelyn was mad at Lily for lying to everything but she was glad to have the real Lily back. Mrs. Evans was surprised to see Lily's old look back but was happy Lily accepted herself as a lady, not a tomboy.

Lily decided to write a book about what she did. No one would know it was her, Lily, but she hoped Jocelyn would pick up the clues and figure it out. Lily titled it, Out of Hiding. She finished it within a week and sent it to Paulette.

Paulette wrote back the next said and said it would be printed in two days but she need to sign the release for 2,000 copies, immediately. Lily had to find a way to get there but managed to tell Mrs. Evans she needed to go to the dentist.

One she got to Paulette's office, she told her to write the inscription to Jocelyn. Paulette told her the book was shipped overnight all over Europe to be sold three days before Christmas. Lily hoped Jocelyn would know it was her.

*

Lily walked to the mailbox the next day and received the Editor's List package.

"Mum, she wrote another one! It wasn't supposed to come out until summer!" Lily said excited.

"What is it?" Mrs. Evans asked as I walked into the sitting room.

"Sara McLain wrote another book called, Out of Hiding. Can I read it first?" Lily asked.

"I must make sure it is appropriate," Mrs. Evans told Lily as she snatched the book and pushed Lily out of the room.

Seven hours later, Mrs. Evans immerged with tears in her eyes and said, "This is her best book yet. It was so wonderful."

She handed the book to Lily and walked out of the room. Lily immediately sent the book off to Jocelyn.

Hey Jocelyn,

I got the book. Read it! Mum said it's the best so far. I'll let you read it before me this time. Hurry, I really want to read it.

Love,

Lily

Lily owled the book and Jocelyn replied with one word, "Thanks!"

*

Lily went into muggle shops and saw many people reading her book. She was owled twice by James; once to Sophia and once to Lily, saying her read the book and she should read it too.

Christmas arrived and Lily rushed to open all her gifts. She told her Mum she was going to visit a sick friend and that she would be back later.

Lily let her curly red hair down and wore a white halter dress there.

"You look awfully nice to just be going to see a sick friend," Mrs. Evans told Lily.

"I'm going to have Christmas dinner with them and I wanted to look nice," Lily said and took her gift for James with her.

She Flooed to Hogwarts at noon. She knew he would be in the Great Hall then so she went to his dorm. She lay the present on his trunk then closed his bed curtains around her as she sat on his bed.

After twenty minutes, Lily had fallen asleep waiting for him. James came back in and thought Lily still hadn't come to visit him. He was hurting inside that she wouldn't come visit him but pretended like he was fine with it.

While he was getting ready for bed, he found Lily's gift on his trunk.

"What is this?" James asked.

"What's what?" Sirius and Remus asked from behind.

"There is a gift on my trunk but I've already opened all my gifts." James opened the gift to find a picture of James and Lily silver frame. It was from third year one night when they were being civil to each other because of a dare and Jocelyn took a picture to cherish the moment.

"She is gorgeous," Sirius commented.

"I had forgotten," Remus said, agreeing.

"So did I," James whispered. He pulled the curtains back and dropped the picture.

"James, why in the hell did you- " Sirius was about to scold him about dropping the picture.

"Give me your camera, Padfoot!" Sirius handed Remus the camera and took a picture.

"What?" Lily asked and asked up from the flash. "James!"

Lily jumped up and hugged him. James was too stunned to move.

"Lily? I thought-" James said but was cut off.

"Sorry, I fell asleep," Lily told them. "I missed you all."

Lily gave them all hugs and took James by the hand, leading him down to the Common Room. Sirius and Remus followed closely behind.

"I have to tell you a secret," Lily said.

"I have questions to ask you first," James said sternly.

'Jocelyn,' Lily thought.

"Where did you and Sophia go lately and where were you first semester?" James asked.

"Well that is what I was going to tell you. Will you promise not to be mad at me if I tell you the truth?" Lily said.

"As long as it isn't you posing as a different student but you would never do anything like that. So, tell me!" James said, looking happy to see Lily.

"I need Jocelyn," She said and ran to the fireplace to floo over to Jocelyn's house. Lily grabbed her wrist and floo-ed back to Gryffindor Tower in less than a minute.

"Okay, now I can do it. I will need your help, Jocelyn. You know the truth," Lily said.

"What does Jocelyn have to do with any of this? You're not telling me that you actually did." James asked Lily, stunned.

"James," Jocelyn said. "Calm down. You want to hear the whole story first. Lily, I need to ask you about that book you sent me too, so after this we are going to have a talk!"

Lily told him about moving and how her Mum kept her from writing to anyone. She also told him about Beauxbatons up until seventh year.

"Then, I came to visit you! That's it, all done!" Lily said and got up.

"Lily Marie Evans, tell him the truth!" Jocelyn said and grabbed her arm.

"If I do, he will hate me."

"Please, I am sitting right here!" James said.

"Tell him about Sophia. Tell him!" Jocelyn demanded.

"It's okay, you can tell me," James said with a small smile.

"Sophia is never coming back. I am returning in her place," Jocelyn gave Lily a glare. "Not yet, Jocelyn! I'm not ready to accept it myself! I need to talk to Dumbledore."

Lily ran out of the Common Room leaving three very confused boys and an upset Jocelyn. She ran up to Dumbledore's office to see him sitting, writing something.

"Miss. Evans?" Dumbledore asked confused as he looked at Lily's red hair. "I thought you were suppose to be Sophia at Hogwarts."

"I am returning as Lily Evans in Sophia's place. I will be Head Girl as Lily Evans."

Lily floo-ed home after her short talk with Dumbledore, still never telling James the truth. She was worried how he would react to the truth. Lily went up to her room and cried herself to sleep. She spent the rest of the holidays dreading going back to Hogwarts. The break ended and Lily returned to Kings Cross.

Once everyone on the train had seen Lily, rumors began to fly. Some people said Lily was kicked out of Beauxbatons and have to return to Hogwarts. Lily shook her head and found Jocelythe train.

"May I talk to you?" Lily asked her, shyly.

"Sure, Sophia. I mean, Sara McLain, no wait, Lily Evans! How many people can you be at once?" Jocelyn asked angrily.

"I have always been Lily and you know that. I just lied to everyone. I have had the hardest time trying to fix everything but it keeps getting worse," Lily told her truthfully. "How did you know I was Sara McLain?"

"The book. Not only the inscription but also the whole story! Your ingenious plan, I presume."

"Please, don't tell them my pen name. It was only until my next birthday and then I will write as Lily Evans. I couldn't reveal my name as a minor so I had to come up with a pen name. It was only for authobooks, I swear!" Lily told her. "So, what happened after I left?"

Jocelyn looked at her, "I had to leave. James tried to curse me into telling him the truth but Sirius and Remus held him back. He is expecting he truth when he sees you."

They sat in silence the rest of the train ride to school. Dumbledore met Lily at the station and informed her about the current events and she would still be Head Girl. They night at dinner, he would make the announcement.

As Lily walked down the halls, everyone seemed glad to see her. She had kept her style fashion but it needed a color changed. She began to wear more black and green to accent her hair and eyes.

"So, Lily, which do you like better? Hogwarts or Beauxbatons?" Elizabeth asked.

"Depends. There are guys at Hogwarts but Beauxbatons was all about style. You were allowed to go shopping everyday and borrow everyone's clothes. We had so much fun at parties," Lily told her. She was popular the day she returned expect wasn't acknowledged by four people: James, Sirius, Remus and Jocelyn.

"I bet the taught you how to deceive everyone there," Jocelyn commented quietly.

"Jocelyn, I'm going to do it but I need to prepare myself. I'm sorry if I'm not perfect enough but I tried; I couldn't," Lily told her. "I will do it before we leave school, I swear to you."

"I've heard that before. Let's go. I don't want to hear anything else from Miss. Perfect." James gave Lily a sorrowful look as he turned and walked away.

"So, who is going to be the first guys you fate here at Hogwarts?" Bertha Jorkins asked Lily.

"I don't date. I'm waiting until I'm ready to marry to date," Lily told Bertha. "I want to save my love for the one who truly deserves it."

Lily walked to dinner with Emily and Elizabeth and Emily finally asked, "Why is Jocelyn do angry at you?"

"I broke a promise to her when I left and I'm going to try it fix it before we leave," Lily told her. "So, are you ready for a makeover tonight?"

"Yeah!" They both agreed excitedly.

Lily ate a small dinner, having lost her appetite. The three of them both went back up to Gryffindor Tower and started on their makeovers.

"Okay, nails first! I learned a charm to make nails grow. It's a lifesaver when you break one!" Lily told Emily. "Plurat Disacol!"

Emily's nails grew a quarter of an inch. Lily watched her look happy at her longer nails, "Wow! Okay, I want to do your now, Liz."

Now, for hair. I have a book that had 2,002 different hairstyles. Oh, I love this one," Lily said, pointing to a picture. "Amistalis Florus!"

Lily's hair swept up and spun small locks of hair until they coiled up. It would stay until she ended the charm.

Just then, Jocelyn walked in and said, "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your beauty session. I guess you have to be perfect to take Sophia's place!"

"Jocelyn, be nice! Lily has been gone for a long time," Emily commented.

"Yeah, she's helping us. Why don't you come join us? It will be fun," Elizabeth said, inviting Jocelyn over.

"I would rather have a detention than to spend the rest of the night with that liar!" Jocelyn screamed and slammed the door.

Lily sighed and thought how badly she felt not telling James the truth.

*

Two weeks later, Lily gained her composure and called a meeting with her friends in the Charms classroom.

"I'm doing it tonight, Jocelyn. I have a meeting with James, Sirius, Remus, Emily, Elizabeth and you. They have all agreed to come but you are the only person left. I swear, I will tell the truth."

"Yeah, like you did last time." Jocelyn asked, hotly.

"I will tell everything. Just give me one more chance, please?" Lily pleaded with her friend.

"When?"

"Right after dinner. Please, don't be late," Lily said and as she clambered out of the portrait hole when she ran into someone.

"O, I'm sorry! Are you okay?" Lily looked up from the ground and saw James holding out his hand to help her. She accepted and dusted off her rob

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lily told him. "So..."

"So?" James questioned.

"How have you been?" Lily asked.

"Good," He told her. "What happened on Christmas?"

"I will tell you tonight. Please, make sure Jocelyn comes. I have to make it up to her," Lily said and walked away.

She was feeling sick to her stomach and couldn't eat. She threw up several times before dinner, dreading telling her story to them. After dinner, aen on them headed to the Charm's classroom and Lily sat on Sapp's desk as the rest of them rat around her.

Lily sighed and started telling them exactly what happened, "It started when my Mum decided to I was going to Beauxbatons. She forced me to move to Paris and I was sent there. During that summer, the headmistress tutored me in French and put a charm on my own so, I couldn't contact anyone from Hogwarts; that's why your letters returned.

"Then, school started. I was punished every time I tried to write you guys a letter. Then, I just gave up. I started to love school and had fun with all my new friends. There were no pranks, no fights, we all got along. My friend convinced me to dye my hair blonde and wear blue contacts. I became like every other girl at Beauxbatons. I fit in great with all of them.

"My Mum was happy that I was now a young lady who was going to be in charge of the entire school. So, end of my sixth year, I was to become La Chef, president of the student body. Then, I recieved a letter from Dumbledore requesting that I returned to Hogwarts as Head Girl,"

"Mum told me I was going, I had no say in the matter. I owled Dumbledore and told him I didn't want to be known as Lily Evans." Lily stopped and felt tears roll down her face.

"She came as Sophia," Jocelyn said calmly and pulled a sobbing Lily into her arms. "I found out when James started to owl Lily and she admitted it to me; I promised not to tell anyone. That's why I was so angry whenever you mentioned Lily, James. She was right here, in front of your face but you never noticed. I told her she had to tell all you, but she had no one to back her up."

Jocelyn squeezed Lily as she cried harder, "I knew she wanted to tell us when I first found out but she was trapped under a mountain of lies and I was only making it worse. I forced her to reveal herself. If you are mad at her then be bad at me too," Jocelyn finished and started at James who was turning red. "Let's go, Lily."

As they walked out of the Charms room Lily cried to Jocelyn, "Thank you. I couldn't do it! I tried, but I just couldn't!"

Jocelyn nodded as they came to Gryffindor Tower. Jocelyn sat Lily on the couch by the fire and laid Lily's head in her lap. She stroked Lily's head as she cried and finally fell asleep.

Meanwhile, the other five stayed in the Charm's classroom. They all sat in silence until Remus broke it. "Wow, I never expected anything like that," He said to himself.

"I swear I'm going to kill that girl. How could she?" James whispered until his breath but was cut off.

"James, sit down!" Sirius bellowed and pushed him into the chair.

"Do you know what she put herself through to do this?" Emily said, scolding him. "She was willing to ruin out friendships and trust just to tell us the truth. If you don't forgive her like all of us are, then you have never deserved to be her friend!"

Emily and Elizabeth walked out of the classroom to the Common Room to find Lily lying in Jocelyn's lap with a tear stained face but she was clearly asleep. Remus and Sirius had to carry James back to their dorm to keep him from yelling at Lily.

James muttered, "She will pay!"

*

The next morning after Lily's confession, she went to breakfast and sat there, staring at her food. "Hey, Lily, come on. You're not in the depths of despair just because James is mad at you, unless..." Jocelyn cut herself off, looking at Lily with wide eyes.

"She loves him!" Emily finished.

"No, I don't!" Lily said.

"She speaks! It's a miracle," Elizabeth joked.

"We are going to make this up to you. We all wanted to say that we want to be your friend. What you did was wrong but we all make mistakes. We are going to help you through this whole thing. Curse anyone who stands in our way!"

"What that means, is that we will even curse your love, James!" Jocelyn said with laughter.

*

Sirius and Remus spent the rest of the year keeping James away from Lily. Lily had tried several times to tell him she was very sorry but he would only walk away with his fists clenched in anger.

Lily passed her N.E.W.T's with ease and tied James for top marks. School finally ended and Lily was shocked. It took her a month to write a short speech. She wasn't ready to leave Hogwarts.

Graduation came, James and her had to give speeches. He would go first, Lily hoping he would be civil when he handed her a red rose, a Gryffindor tradition. "Today, we take a new step. Our paths are now where we chose to go. I have gained and lost friends throughout the years and I have learned that friendship is the only way to live happily. Every one of us will make a mistake in our lives, we will regret not taking a risk and hoping that the best will come of it. I know that not of us will return here in five years but I hope that we will never forget the memories that we made.

"I need to make an apology to someone here before I disappear into the world. y, I am truly sorry for the way I have treated you since you told us the truth. I was wrong and I only hope you could forgive me for being a stubborn git. Good luck to you all."

Lily walked up to him with tears in her eyes as. James handed her the rose and kissed her on the cheek. "I forgive you," Lily whispered into his ear then walked up to the stage and looked at the hundreds of people sitting below her.

"As the muggles would say, this is a Kodak moment. I have spent three years at Hogwarts because I was transferred to Beauxbatons. I loved everyone moment at both schools but Hogwarts taught me more in one year then Beauxbatons could ever teach me. At Hogwarts, I learned trust and loyalty. I know that I may never see any of you again, but we must stay united to stand against evil. Every year, students like us learn as adults, but not us. We not only leave as adults but as friends. This should not be our last good bye but our first hello. We hopefully will spend out lives reminiscing over our pasts and I want to wish all of you a wonderful life."

Lily walked off the stage and the crowd began to clap. They handed out diplomas as everyone walked across the stage and finished rather quickly. Lily's parents found her, hugger tightly and Lily took them to meet her friends.

"Mum, Dad, this is James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Jocelyn Moor and Emily and Elizabeth Mathers, my best friends. I want them, as well as you, to know that I am not moving to Paris with you. I have decided to stay in London to pursue a career in writing," Lily told her now fuming parents and smiling as well as shocked friends.

"What?" Mrs. Evans shrieked. "You don't write. You have always hated reading and writing! I spent months trying to get you to write stories when you were younger, now you suddenly pick up an idea that you are what...like Sara McLain, an expert author who has been writing for years?"

Jocelyn and Lily burst out laughing, "Sorry! I already have a contract to write a book; they like my ideas. Moreover, Mum, I want to be exactly like Sara McLain. She is my idol!" Everyone else was completely lost in Jocelyn and Lily's laughter but brushed it off.

*

Lily left the next morning on the train with her friends. "Joss, do you think we will ever come back here?"

"No, probably not. Since we only have a five year reunion here!" Jocelyn said with a smile and rolled her eyes.

"I meant other than that. I would love to come back and teach Charms!" Lily said happily.

"Well, if things don't work out for you like Sara McLain, then you could always try!" Jocelyn said as they both started laughing.

"So, my love, what's this about Sara McLain?" James asked, giving Lily a hug.

"I'm not your love and it's an inside joke. You weren't there to understand."

"What? Next are you going to tell me that you are Sara McLain?" James asked with a silly grin on his face.

"You wish! It would be nice to be her for a day, though!" Lily said. Everyone got off Hogwarts Express and gave each other hugs, knowing that they are all her friends and she smiled.

*

Lily hailed a taxi after separating from her friends and went to find an apartment. She scoped six out and hoped to find one she liked. She told the agents she would contact them in a week and then headed off to the Potter's mansion where all seven of them were going to spend the week.

*

As a group, they went to tour the four buildings. They all were located in the most extravagant areas in the wizarding world. "These are expensive, Lily. Where are you going to get the money to pay for them?" Jocelyn asked concerned.

"I have some money saved up plus I recieved a bonus for signing the contract," Lily told them and looked over at James. "Are you okay, James?"

"Yep!" James said, clearly having other plans running through his mind.

Lily talked to all the agents the next day and they told her every apartment was taken. Sheback to the Potter's mansion and moped around for a while, "How is that possible?"

"I don't know but you can stay here for as long as you want," James said excited.

"Thanks but I really want to get out on own. I appreciate it though."

*

After three months of being turned down by 32 apartment agents, Lily was infuriated and thought, 'There has to be something or someone who is sabotaging my attempts to move out...'

Then it hit her it was... "James Alexander Potter! Get down here now!" Lily screamed as she apparated to his house.

"You called." He asked, trying to act innocent.

"How dare you! You, of all people! I just wanted to live on my own, to prove myself but you keep ruining every attempt I make! I'm going to strangle you if you don't let me be!"

"I admit it, I did it, but it was with good reason!" James told her.

"Right," Lily said sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

"Lily, I don't want you to move. I want you stay with me!" James said with emotion in his voice and suddenly got quite. "I love you."

Lily stood there shocked. She turned and ran out of his house. She ran until she got to a little lake about halmile from his house. She sat in a tree branch and wanted to scream but refrained from it.

"Lily?" James called after her. He climbed up the tree and sat next to her.

"Why me?" Lily whispered. "Six months ago, you were going to kill me, and now you are in love with me? It doesn't make sense, James."

"Let me explain," James told her.

"James, I can't- " Lily started and got furious. "I don't love you!"

'Liar,' Lily's heart screamed at her. She almost died when she looked into James' sad eyes and wanted to say she was lying, again, but couldn't.

"I have to go." Lily apparated to the first agent she met.

"Oh, hello, Miss. Evans," The agent smiled to Lily. "What can I do for you today?"

"Did a James Potter tell you not to give me the apartment I wanted?" Lily asked.

"Yes, he did," The agent said, looking confused. "How did you know?"

"He told me to come tell you, I will be buy the house in Salem Massachusetts instead of renting an apartment. I can give you the entire payment tomorrow to make thinks go as quickly as possible."

"Oh, wow. Okay, let me pull the paperwork." Lily smiledhe agent as she did this.

Lily signed the contract and then went to Gringott's to place the payment order. She was furious with herself and wanted to get as far away from everyone as possible. She even called Fandard's Wizarding Furnishings so she would be settled in once she got there.

The next morning, Lily gathered her things from James' house and apparated to Paris to grab a few things and then apparated to in new home. She wanted to go to her home, where she would spend a long time trying to forget the pain she had inflicted on everyone.