Rain on a Cloudless Day

"It just means she is more special than I could ever imagine," Jordan said as he put his arms around a smiling Lily. They were leaning in to kiss each other as they heard a loud 'BANG!'

"James Alexander Potter, Sirius Ray Black, Remus Jay Lupin, and Peter Arnold Pettigrew! I swear I'm going to kill you!" Lily screamed as fireworks exploded all over the Great Hall.

"Lily, after all these years, I expected you to love us even more than you did here at Hogwarts," Sirius said, trying to use his charm on her. After spending so much time with him, Lily knew what he was up to.

"Back off. I was hoping to forget all of the stupid things that all of us dud here," Lily said as she gazed over at James.

She went speechless. Looking at him brought back so many memories.

"Give me a hug, Sirius. I've missed you guy," Lily said as she softened up to him. "How had your life been since last I saw you?"

"I still live with these gits," Sirius told her with a large smile. "Life has been great. I've missed you a lot."

"Why haven't you visited us?" James asked sharply. "We use to be friends, you know?"

"If you would like to know, I have been busy writing and making plans for next summer," Lily said sternly.

"What's happening next summer?" Sirius asked.

"I'm getting married," Lily told them as she linked her arms with Jordan. "This is Jordan, my fiancé. Jordan, this is Sirius, Remus, Peter, and James."

"Oh, congratulations," Sirius said shocked. "Where did you go to school?"

"He is a Muggle, actually," Lily said.

The four just stared at him.

"Lily, we need to head home. I promised Alexis that we would go to her seventh birthday party tonight," Jordan said.

"Why don't you just go? I want to stay a while long," Lily said to him. "I'll be there in an hour."

Lily sent Jordan back home by Floo powder.

"Lily?" Sirius asked. "Why are you marring a Muggle?"

"I love him, Sirius. He is a wonderful person. Plus, he doesn't try to control my every move. I needed someone who will give me freedom," Lily said, trying to convince them that she was happy, but they still didn't believe her.

"Let's dance," James said angrily and grabbed Lily's hands. He pulled her into the middle of the floor away from the others and put his arms around her waist. He said, "Are you trying to rub it in my face?"

"What are you talking about?" Lily asked as they slow danced. She could feel James's grip becoming tighter around her.

"Every time you talk about him, you give me a look," James said. "Do you think I'm over you?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about, James," Lily said as she looked into his eyes. Her thoughts melted away and she knew he still loved her.

"Tel me you don't love me, Lily," James whispered into her ears. "Just say it and I will let you go."

"I- I can't," Lily said as she began to cry. James pulled her closer to him and wiped away her tears. "I have to go, James. I may still love you, but I can't break Jordan's heart. I love him!" Lily looked into James's eyes, full of pain. "He was there when I needed him and he will always be there."

Lily pulled away and Apparated home, leaving James in the middle of the dance floor.

"Jordan, darling?" Lily called out. "Are you here?"

Lily walked farther into the house. She noticed the front door had been broken in. She became fearful and said, "Hello? Is anyone here?"

She walked into Jordan's room and screamed. "No! Please, God, No!"

Lily was in a frantic state of mind and could only think of one place to go. She Apparated back to the reunion and ran over to James and Sirius.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked the frantic Lily.

"Jordan, he's . . ." Lily said as she fainted into James' arms.

"Lily? Come on, wake up! I know you can hear me. Please, just wake up," Lily heard a faint voice say. She rolled over and snuggled into the warm body lying next to her, realizing it was all a dream. "Lily? Please, let me see your beautiful eyes."

Lily smiled and her eyes fluttered open to see James.

"Why am I here?" Lily asked as she looked around.

"You've been asleep for four days," James said.

"Please, don't tell me it's true!" Lily said as tears welled up in her eyes. "It's all just a dream!"

"Its okay, Lily. You're safe. I will never let him hurt you again," James said as he pulled her close. "Please, don't cry. You can't change the page." James paused and said quietly, "You've missed the funeral. His parents said that you need to move on with your life." Lily cried out even more. "Please, don't crying Lily." She cried even harder, not wanting to accept the truth.

James picked her up as she continued to cry. He carried her to the bathroom to a tub full of water.

"I will throw you in the tub, clothes and all, if you don't clean yourself up now!" James said. All Lily did was continue to cry. "All right. It was your decision!"

James dumped her into the ice cold bathwater and Lily screamed, "All right! Let me take a bath then!"

James left her and let her take a bath.

'I'm not going to dwell on Jordan. Well, maybe a little,' Lily thought.

She got out of the bathtub and head back to bed. She never wanted to be able to face the bitter truth of reality.

She noticed James left her in her room she had five years ago. It had been almost three weeks, hardly ever leaving her room. She finally left her room and went downstairs. She had barely eaten a thing and looked like hell.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence!" Sirius said as he gave Lily a hug. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm moving on," Lily said.

"If you have, then we are sending you with Bella. She is going to give you a new look," Sirius said.

He opened the back door and a woman stepped in.

"Bella, this is Lily Evans. I'm sure you have read her books. Lily, this is Bella. She is the editor of Teen Witch Magazine and it taking you today. I have to go to work now," Sirius said and kept jabbering on, but Lily didn't want to hear the rest.

She watched an owl drop off a letter onto her lap. It was from Dumbledore. She opened it and read the letter. Dumbledore was offering her to teach Charms for a year since Professor Crupt retired. It was the best news she had for a long time.

"Lily, are you ready?"

Lily spent the entire day with Bella getting a complete makeover. She showed her some of the newest styling charms and noticed Lily was gazing out the window. "Lily?"

"Yes?" Lily said, absent minded.

"Do you still like James?" Bella asked.

"Yes. He is just one of those guys you can't get over," Lily told her.

"Do you love him?" Bella asked as she flipped through a book of hair charms.

"I thought you would hate him for the rest of your life because of what he did," Bella said, astonished.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked as she raised her head from her hand.

"You didn't hear?" Bella asked.

"No, tell me," Lily said.

"Well, after you had left, he found Paulette. He had her sign a contract that she would publish every book of yours, good or bad. He bought several thousand copies and sent them to Hogwarts every time one came out," Bella said as Lily's face grew red. "It was so cute, too. He began to donate to orphanages in your name. I mean, he is basically the reason you are famous. He is and was obsessed."

'Why does he always have to be in control? It's not like he is in love!' Lily thought.

"Lily, I'm going to cut your hair. Don't worry! I have been wanting to do this for a long time!" Bella said, making Lily lose her train of thought.

"Have you ever done it before?" Lily asked.

"Not Muggle style, but I can always fix it if it looks horrible. I promise, you will love it."

Bella began to wash her hair. Lily had forgotten how good it felt when someone washed her hair. After drying and brushing it out, Bella started to snip away the ends. Lily felt her hair become lighter.

"I'm going to magically straighten it. You will have to re-charm it every month, but it works like a charm!" Bella said, laughing at her own pun.

Lily turned around and looked in the mirror. Her hair was in a shoulder-length bob and was layered. Bella had curled the ends out, too.

"Wow," Lily said as she stared into the mirror, amazed.

"Thanks," Bella said with a smile. "I didn't think it would look that great but it looks perfect on you. How about I show you how to fix your make up?"

Three hours later, Bella had Lily looking absolutely gorgeous. Bella had used charms to tan her skin from its sickly pale color from being locked in her room for a few weeks.

"Well Lily, I think I should go. It was great spending time with you," Bella told Lily.

"Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow?" Lily asked, hoping that she could get to know Bella better.

"Sounds wonderful. Is around 7 fine with you?" Bella asked as she picked up her purse.

"That would be perfect. Thank you so much."

Lily Apparated and the owled Dumbledore to ask about teaching Charms. An hour later, she had received his reply, saying he needed to see her and then, Lily began to clean everything up.

She was in a frenzy and began to clean the entire house, even though James had house-elves to help him with that. She went up to the guys' rooms. She started cleaning Sirius's room with a flick of her wand, not wanting to even enter to find something she didn't want to see. She went to James's room and was surprised that his room was absolutely spotless.

Lily smiled, as she walked over to James's dresser to find pictures all over it. She moved closer to them and picked the first one, which was a picture of them together before Lily left for the U.S. She looked at some more of them pictures, mainly of herself.

Lily walked over to his desk and picked up the book on it. "A Once and Future King! Hey, this is my copy," Lily said to herself as she opened the cover to see her signature.

"I was surprised you never noticed it was missing," someone said from behind Lily.

Lily dropped the book out of shock and turned around. "James!"

"You look gorgeous," he said to her and she blushed. "How is your next book coming along?"

"It isn't. I quit writing," Lily said as she looked down. "I'm not going to keep up either series any more. It's too much."

"Series?" James asked dumbfounded." I thought you only had one."

"You probably don't remember this, but the day of graduation, Joss and I laughed every time you mention Sara McLain," Lily told him.

"Yeah, I never understood what was so funny about that," James said.

"I'm Sara McLain. I began writing book when I was nine and I was too young to use my own name. I created a penname for myself- Sara McLain," Lily looked up to see James's confused face. "I used the name every time I wrote a story. She portrayed my personality, well, the one that I wanted."

"You mean to say, every book that I own, that was written and sighed by Sara McLain, was actually you?" James asked.

"Yes," Lily said softly. "It took the inscription to Joss for her to figure out that it was one of my, her, books."

James nodded and asked, "What are you doing in my room?"

"I became obsessed with cleaning the entire house today. I was going to do your room, but I was sidetracked by your pictures and my book!" Lily said with a smile.

"There are only one hundred and thirteen picture with you in them. It took me a month to find all of them, but it was worth it," James said as he took Lily's hand.

Lily looked him in the eye, questioning his actions. She saw all the pain she had caused him and left horrible.

Lily backed away from James immediately. "I need to go. I have a meeting with Dumbledore in twenty minutes. I'll be back around 5 PM," Lily said and she ran out the door. She ran down the stairs and bumped into James.

"Running away, are we?" he asked as he helped Lily up.

"Maybe," Lily said sheepishly.

"Would you mine if I joined you to see Dumbledore? I need to speak with him about an important issue," James said.

"No, I wouldn't mind," Lily lied.

They Floo-ed to Dumbledore's office.

"Miss. Evans and Mr. Potter. I wasn't expecting both of you," Dumbledore said as he walked down the stairs from his telescope.

"I suppose we both have business that we needed to take care of," James said, taking the only seat in front of Dumbledore's desk. Lily sat on his lap since there wasn't anywhere else to sit.

She leaned back and saw a smile cross Dumbledore's face. "Miss. Evans, have you given any thought to my proposal?"

"I have. I will accept the job," Lily said with a smile. James squeezed her hand and she saw a puzzled look on his face.

"What job would that be?" James asked.

"Well, Dumbledore offered me the Charms position here at Hogwarts," Lily said smiling at him. "I was the top in our class, after all!"

"When were you going to tell me?" he asked trying to look hurt.

"James! Guess what? I'm going to be teaching Charms at Hogwarts!" Lily said sarcastically.

"Then, that's settled. I don't have to find a replacement for Professor Crupt anymore. We need to plan a few things first," Dumbledore said. "One is the issue of where you will be staying. I prefer if you stay at the Potter's for your first year of teaching. I do not want to keep you away and become too stressed. Also, I will need to see a lesson plan in the next few weeks, since term is starting in a month."

"I can't wait!" Lily was about ready to jump for joy until James interrupted.

"Professor, I also need to speak with you," James said.

"Sorry Mr. Potter. What can I help you with?"

"Lily," James said looking over at her. "Could you give us a few moments of privacy?"

"Sure, I'll just go visit the kitchen," Lily told him, almost running out of the room.

Once Lily was out of the room, James said, "Professor, I don't agree with Lily teaching here. She has just gotten over her fiancé's death and now she is going to accept this huge responsibility of becoming a teacher. She is brilliant, yes, but I don't think she could handle the stress. What about the Order? I mean, if the prophecy is true, she will need to be protected."

"Mr. Potter, I understand your concerns for Miss. Evans, but she is capable of making her own decisions. You have my permission to help her for the first half of the term," Dumbledore told James. "If she needs it, that is. You may assist her but only with her permission. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," James said with a smile. "Also, have you heard from Remus lately? I know you two have been keeping a correspondence through his transformation."

"I haven't heard from him in a few weeks." James face dropped until Dumbledore told him, "I am not very concerned. He is an adult, just like you and just like Lily."

James nodded and said, "We had better get going. I have to convince her to let me help and that may take a while. Thanks again, Professor."

James ran out of Dumbledore's office and walked around to find Lily. He went to the kitchen but she wasn't there. Next place he thought of was the library. There, he found her thumbing through an Advanced Charms book.

"James," Lily said with a smile that brightened the dim room. "I didn't think you would be done by now," Lily said as she put the book back on the shelf. "Are you ready?"

"I am," James said as he pulled Lily through the fire to his house. "Let's eat."

"You and your stomach, James Potter," Lily said as she shook her head. "Is that all you worry about? Food?"

"No, I worry about other things like you, my job, food, Quidditch, and you," he said, looking Lily straight in the eyes.

Lily was glued to where she stood. She was trapped in his chocolate brown eyes. They showed his excitement and love. She didn't notice him moving closer to her. Just as Lily looked up at him he lightly kissed her lips.

She felt his arm around her waist pull her closer to him. She purred as he began to rub the small of her back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and played with his hair. She felt his tongue brush across her lips until they were interrupted.

"Excuse me!" Sirius said, clearing his throat. "Get a room!"

"How about his?" Lily asked mischievously, pulling away from James.

"No way! No one is allowed to violate my room!" he cried.

"Oh really? Have you looked in your room lately? I think something is different about it," Lily said as she gave him a hug.

"What did you do?" He ran up the stairs as quickly as possible to his room.

"So," James said, trailing off.

"So what?" Lily asked.

"Will you -uh- fix dinner?" he asked nervously placing his hands in his pockets.

"I can't cook," Lily said. "I failed five food classes when I went to Muggle schools."

"Five? How can you fail five food classes?" James asked.

"When you keep getting frustrated and things blow up in your teacher's face, you fail. It wasn't my fault my Crème Brule exploded and killed her fish," Lily said innocently.

"How... Never mind. I don't even want to know," James said shaking his head. "Okay, so where are we going to eat? Or how about that dance?"

"I know! Let's go to Lafitte Boulevard,&uot; Lily said with a sly smile.

"How did you know?" James asked in disbelief.

"When you receive an owl confirming your reservations, I have to be a little suspicious," Lily said as she picked up a letter from under his book. "It also doesn't help when you try and hide things from me."

"You are too good for me," he said, pulling Lily closer.

"No! Lily Potter! I'm going to hurt you!" Came a scream from upstairs. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Does he always have to interrupt us?"

BOOM BOOM

"Is Sirius running?" James questioned.

"I'm in trouble!" Lily said as she hid behind James. "Save me!"

"Lily, I'm going to have to hurt you now. You can't hide behind James, that's not fair!" Sirius said as she tried to pull Lily away from James. "James, move!"

"My name is not 'Lily Potter', it is Lily Evans... E-V-A-N-S! Got it?"

"Not for long," Sirius whispered to James. Lily saw James face turn red.

"What did you say to him?" Lily asked with her hands on her hips.

"Oh, nothing. I was just telling him how beautiful you looked tonight," Sirius said with a smile.

"Right and you are the world's smartest human being," Lily said, sarcasm oozing from her lips.

"Really?"

"No," Lily replied only to antagonize him.

"How about you go get ready while I plan everything else," James suggested, trying to keep Lily out of the room. Lily protested and finally, James threw her over his shoulder and carried her up to her room.

"Let me see, I want you to wear..." James began to skim through her closet and noticed a bag on the closet floor. "What's in the bag?"

James grabbed it and Lily yelled, "Nothing!" She tried to snatch it away from him, but it was too tall.

"What is this?" he asked, pulling out a long, sexy nightgown. It was sheer silver with a cape of the same material. Lily had never worn it before, even though she bought it several years prior. "What did you get this for?"

"My wedding night. I bought it before I had even met Jordan. I thought I was in love with someone, but then I realized how wrong I was. May I have it back?" Lily said as she blushed.

"I think you should wear it tonight," James said, holding it up to himself. "Don't you think?"

"No, you can go now!" Lily said as she tried to grab the nightgown from him.

"Okay, I'm leaving," he said, taking the nightgown with him. "I'll just hold onto this for you!"

"Keep it. It's not like you are even going to see me wear it!" Lily said, pushing James out the door.

"Don't count on it," James whispered to Lily's closed door.

Thirty minutes later, Lily was finally ready. She walked down the stairs and saw James waiting for her.

James walked quickly over to Lily and held her hand, kissing it sweetly. "You look gorgeous." He looked at her silver, silk halter dress that had high slits along the side with matching silver gloves that went past her elbows.

James escorted Lily to a limo that took them to the five star restaurant.

"Welcome. May I have your name, sir?" asked the host.

"Potter. James Potter," he said smoothly.

The host led them to a booth near the back of the restaurant and handed them a menu.

"May I ask what you will have to drink?"

"We would like a bottle of your finest Champaign. Chilled, please," James said, acting rich and snobby.

"James" Is there a reason for all of this formality?" Lily asked as she looked around the lavish restaurant.

"I'm trying to keep my mind from wandering. I don't think they would approve of what is going through my mind right now," he said as he smiled at Lily. He moved closer and kissed her gloved hand.

They ate a lovely dinner. After an hour or so, couples began to move towards the dance floor, swaying to the mellow music.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked, whispering in Lily's ear. She was paying more attention to the sensation of his breath on her neck than what he was saying.

"Hmm...?" Lily asked, not hearing his question.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, moving closer as Lily snuggled into his chest.

"No, I'm perfectly happy right here," she told him.

"How about a dance?" James asked.

"I think this is just fine," Lily said, wrapping her arms around him.

James nodded and said, "Now that I think about it, staying here sounds good."

After a few moments of silence, Lily asked, "James, did you ever think we would be together?"

James sighed. "I always have. Did you ever wonder why I always teased you when we were in school? I never knew how to act around you, so I pushed you away."

"Would you like that dance?" Lily asked, getting up. She tried to pull James from the booth, but he wouldn't move. "Come on, lazy butt. Get up!"

Lily gave up and walked over to the other side of the table and sat down by herself.

"Is someone pouting?" James joked. He moved over to her side and out of the outside where she couldn't escape. "Lily, I love you."

Lily just stared at him. She knew he did but she wasn't quite sure she could tell him yet.

"I don't want you to say anything. I know you think I'm crazy, but I have been bursting to tell you," he told her in a truly serious tone.

"I'm not feeling too well. Can we go home?" Lily asked looking away from him.

James got up and led her out the door into the alley behind the restaurant to apparate. Once they got home, Lily went straight to her room and laid on her bed. She needed some space from him, but this time, she would not run away.

As planned for her new job at Hogwarts, she noticed that James received several owls from the Ministry than normal. He even received howlers from one of his coworkers for 'slacking off on an important job just to take an extended vacation'. Lily continued to ignore the questions that grew in the back of her mind.

The last day of her vacation arrive. She had to go to several days of meetings at the school and would be putting the final touches on her classroom. The meeting flew by and before she knew it, the students were arriving in throngs from the train. She smiled as she sat at the High Table, seated next to Hagrid at the end of the table.

The feast was amazing but Lily was more excited to start teaching. She had an evil surprise for all her students. She returned to James's house and could not sleep because of her anticipation. As she paced the living room, she heard raised voices from upstairs.

"Prongs, you need to learn to stop! Every time you do this, she runs away!"

"I can't help it! This is what Dumbledore requested of me and I'm going to follow orders. If you are having problems with it, tell Dumbledore. He is the head of the Order and she is the one who is in charge of all of us."

"Fine. Just leave me out of this. I won't be there next time you have a broken heart. Go and take you 'extended vacation'! See if you best friend really cares. Good night."

Lily sat on the couch wondering why they were yelling. She knew part of it had to do with her but she didn't understand the part about the Order or Dumbledore's orders. She laid down on the couch, slowly drifting off to sleep.

No sooner had she fallen asleep when James came down and noticed her sleeping. "Lily, what are doing down here?"

Lily opened one eye and rolled her. She did not want to talk, just sleep.

"You can sleep with me tonight. I know you're excited." James picked her up and carried her to his room. She awoke when he set her down.

"What am I doing here?" she asked as he pulled the covers up over her.

"You need to sleep but not on the couch. Moreover, Sirius is next to your room throwing a fit. You'd never get any sleep," James told her. "You'll be sleeping here and I'll be in your room. Good night." James kissed her forehead and closed the door gently behind him.

Lily could hear the shouts from Sirius's room but she tried to concentrate on sleeping. She finally drowned out the shouting voices and focused on the scent James left on the sheets. His fresh soap and sweat combined helped lull her to sleep. She slept better that night than she had since Jordan's death.

The next morning, James was shaking her to get up.

"Lily, you have to get up. You have you first day of teaching today! Come on, sweetheart. I'm not playing games with you, Lily Evans. Please honey, get up." He tried but she continued to ignore his constant attempts. Finally, he laid down next to her and pulled her close.

He began to nuzzle her neck and nibble at her ear. She moved closer to him not wanting him to stop. He began to kill my throat and started a line up to her lips. He gently kissed her lips, urging a reaction out of her. She finally responded and kissed him deeply.

After a few moments, he pulled away. "Now that you are wide awake, you need to get ready," he said, seeming satisfied with completing his task.

"You just had to ruin the fun, didn't you?" Lily asked as she rolled back over to fall asleep.

"Lily, you need to get ready for school. Remember, it's your first day of teaching," he said as she tried to pry her from the bed, but she was rooted to the spot.

"Yeah, I heard. It's not like I have to be there in five minutes, I still have an hour until breakfast. Plus, there were these two guys yelling last night that disrupted my sleep. I wonder who that was," Lily jested.

"Fine, ten more minutes. Then, I'm floating you out of bed and into a cold bath. None of this playing around in the morning," James said sternly.

"So I guess you don't enjoy this 'playing around'? I guess I'll have to find some other guy who is willing," Lily teased.

"I like it all right, but if this 'playing' doesn't get me anywhere, what's the use? I suppose you could get use to this, but then what am I going to do when you become dependent on such actions?"

"Well I guess you'll have to wait and see. But for me, I'm going to take a shower, and no, I don't need any help." Lily could read the anticipation in his face. "Sorry, but you'll just have to wait."

After Lily showered and dressed, she grabbed her bags and took the Portkey to school. Every morning she would take the key at the same time so she didn't get dirty by Floo Powder.

She arrived in her office fifteen minutes before breakfast and settled into her room. She placed all the papers she would be needing on the classroom desk and walk downstairs to eat.

She sat in her new seat, next to Hagrid, and watched as students made their way down to their own tables. Most were anxious to start, while others merely yawned and dozed off onto their plates.

Lily left after finishing her breakfast and headed down to her room. She saw several lost first years trying to find their way to class. She knew some of them would be in her class, but she gave what help they needed.

The first bell rang, signaling students to start to head to their classes and Lily froze. Suddenly, it was hard for her to swallow. She was getting nervous until she heard James's voice from behind her, "Don't worry, I'll be here for you."

"James! What are you doing here?" She was confused. "Why aren't you at work? I thought you were an Auror, not a teacher." She paused and remembered as she thought aloud, "Oh, you are on vacation. Shouldn't you be relaxing at home?"

"Dumbledore told me to help you first term, so this is my vacation. I'll just be sitting in the back of your classes, making sure everyone minds themselves," he said with his well known twinkle in his eyes.

"Oh no; you don't! I know you too well. I'm sure you are having that prankster-ish urge again and you will not be in my room. I'm sure some of the other teachers would love to see you again, but this classroom is off limits to Marauders."

"I would have to disagree otherwise, Miss Evans," Dumbledore spoke from the doorway. "You see my dear; Mr. Potter is here on my orders. I specifically asked him to assist you and I'm sure he is very willing to help. I'm surprised that you are insisting that he leaves when I could make you job here dependent on Mr. Potter's attendance. If Mr. Potter is not allowed in your classroom while you are teaching, Miss Evans, then you shall no longer have a job teaching here at Hogwarts."

"You have got to be kidding me," Lily mumbled. "This is not fair!" She looked at the two men, knowing you had no other choice. "Fine, but may I ask one request, sir?"

"Of course," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"If Mr. Potter disrupts my class, am I allowed to punish him like a normal student and send him out of the room?"

"I believe that is fair," Dumbledore said, nodding. "What do you think, James?"

"No! What happened to me being in the room thing?"

"Yes, then I must agree that you are allowed to punish him. I suppose the only punishment available for him would be detentions. I'm sure that you, Mr. Potter, would love to add to your record," Dumbledore told him. "Everything is settled then. Now, I believe you have a class waiting, Miss Evans. Good luck on your first day.

Dumbledore left, allowing the third years to enter.

"James, sit in the back corner as far away from my desk as possible. I can't believe you didn't tell me you'd be here!" Lily said, "Ugh. Another bloody brilliant plan of James Potter.

"Lily, honey, this is one of the best things that has happened to you. Now, I believe this seat here in the front has my name on it." James smiled and sat in the first row right in front of Lily's desk.

"All right. Now class, as I am just learning your names, I will require a seating chart for the first quarter. This is merely so that I can learn who everyone is. Until then, you will sit in alphabetical order. Now please take your seats, starting with Albright... You will be sitting next to the infamous James Potter, who has returned to Hogwarts to brush up on his charms skills."

The class whispered as they heard the name of the famous Marauder.

"I have enough charm as it is, my love!" James said as Lily turned red from his remark. She seated the rest of the class and began her lesson.

"Now, as I do not know where you left off last year, I will starting with a test to see how far behind or ahead your class is. This test will not effect your grade, but will determine what we do this year," Lily said and she noticed James's raised hand. "Yes, Mr. Potter?"

"Well, Lily dead, I do not believe it is fair to give students a test on their first day. I believe that we need to introduce everyone and get to know each other."

Lily knew what he was doing. He was trying to make her look like a fool.

'Two can play at this game, James,' she thought.

"Ah, I see. Now how many of you would like to follow Mr. Potter's suggestion?" The entire class raised their hands. "Okay, let's make a deal. If Mr. Potter is able to produce a replica image of the desk, without using the Profis Replicus charm, we may have a free day. If he does not, then we will start the test. Sounds like a deal to me, so who agrees?"

"That's not fair, sweetheart. How do the students know if there really is this other charm?" James asked.

"If you do not perform the spell, I will do it after your chance, so go ahead. Charm my socks off," Lily said with a smirk. She could see the pressure building. He had no idea how to do it. "James, you have five minutes, then do your magic."

Lily watched him wrack his brain for the spell. She couldn't believe he didn't remember it. It was simple; she had used it on him before.

"Time is up. Do you know it?"

"You see, I remember you using it in our second year, but other than that, I have no clue. You win sorry guys."

This class groaned with disappointment.

"Intelservia!" Lily had a duplicate of her desk right in front of James. "Now James, you can have your own desk in the back of the room."

Lily moved the desk in the back as he slowly meandered to it. He put his feet on it then he tried to sleep, but with the commotion of the student, he didn't have much luck.

Lily handed the exam out and gave thirty minutes to complete it. There were essays, multiple choice and fill in the black. The hardest part would be the actual practice they had to do once they finished. Each student had to perform one spell that was on the exam, but it was her choice in which one.

By the end of the day, Lily was exhausted not only from the students, but from James's attempts to sabotage her class.

"James, are you ready to go home yet? Please stop playing with the Bogart!" Lily watched him destroy it and turn around with a gloomy expression.

"Don't you want to stay for dinner?" he asked, using his puppy-dog eyes.

"Maybe another night. I'm dead tired and I need to sleep. Please, can we just go home? Maybe tomorrow I'll let you help demonstrate how to do the spells," Lily said sweetly, trying to coax him to followed her lead.

"Really?" He looked surprised.

"Yes, really, but only if we can go home now." He smiled and gave Lily a hug.

"Let's go home," he said as he pulled out the Portkey and arrived back in his bedroom. "What a coincidence! I never thought we would end up her after a long day of work," he joked.

"Totally not funny! I'm going to bed. Good night," Lily said as she kissed him on the cheek and walked towards the door.

"It's locked," he said as Lily tried to turn the doorknob. "Sirius did it this morning. I guess he doesn't want to see me for a while," James told her sheepishly. "Only he can undo it.... It's a great spell that we Marauders created, but I guess it really can get annoying. You are staying here tonight, I take it."

Lily knew he had Anti-apparating charms on his room, considering Lily cast some of them herself. She was stuck. "I need some clothes to sleep in, James," Lily told him, knowing her would give her a pair of boxers and shirt.

He threw both at Lily and walked into his bathroom, leaving her in the bedroom by herself. She quickly changed and laid out her clothes so they did not wrinkle. She laid down on his bed and drifted into a light sleep. She could hear him moving about the room, turning off lights and putting things away. When she felt the mattress dip, she moved closer to him, seeking warmth in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and whispered something she could not understand before she fell asleep.

The next morning, she awoke alone. She could hear the shower going and James singing a new song with the radio. She went to find her clothes from the night before, yet they were put away somewhere else. She began to search the closets.

She went through James's four closets before she found on with some of her clothes in it. Not exactly her clothes, but clothes that would fit her. Some were a bit sleazy, as she could tell James and Sirius picked them out, and some were very elegant.

She decided to try something a bit different from the plain black rove she wore the day before. She wore a silver rove that sparkled in the light. She set it out on the dresser while she waited for the shower.

She went and sat on the windowsill that overlooked the gardens. She could see the lake and the willow tree on a far hill. The sun was beginning to rise and the view was perfect. The first beam of sunlight nearly blinded her as she watched the gardens be exposed to the rising sun.

Suddenly, she felt something cold against her neck. James had placed a necklace around her neck. She placed her fingers on the charm and looked at him. He held up a mirror for her to see. It was a silver lily with an emerald center; it was beautiful.

Lily gasped and gave him a hug, "Thank you! What is this for, though?"

"For being beautiful." James kissed her cheek and walked over to his closet.

"You didn't have to get me anything I have everything that I need right here," Lily said walking up behind him. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his back. He was perfect and she never wanted him to change. She knew he was hurt that his best friend was angry at him and asked him, "Is everything going to be all right?"

She felt him tense. He didn't think she knew. "No, not right now. He thinks I'm too protective over you. I think it's also that he will be alone at work for awhile. He usually doesn't get along with anyone else. I just hope he'll be in one piece when he talks to me again," he said with his voice cracking.

"Everything will be okay. If not, I'll personally kick his butt back to the doghouse!" Lily knew she would get a smile out of that one. James began laughing and turned around to hug her.

"This weekend, we are going out. I don't know where, but we are going. Maybe we will miss a day of school." Lily tried to protest but he placed a finger over her lips. "Remember I don't go to school with you, you don't teach." She bit him as James cried out, "Ouch!"

"Serves you right. I'm taking a shower and then we will leave. I need to get out the feathers and pills for class today. Now, if you will excuse me."

Lily marched into the bathroom and finished getting ready. They were ahead of schedule when she was finished. She needed the extra time to prepare for her class.

They arrive in her office and James decided to meander the hallways. "No pranks or you'll get a detention, buster," Lily threatened as he left.

Her work was done but she was late for breakfast. She decided to run down and try to get a decent meal before her long day. As she reached the Great Hall, Dumbledore started making a speech. He eyed Lily as she entered, taking a seat before he began.

"As many of you know, a former student is help our Charms teacher. Mr. Potter and I have decided to create a dueling club that will last only the first semester. Tomorrow night, the first meeting will commence. The attending teachers will be Mr. Potter, Professor Fielding, Professor Almost and Professor Evans. The meeting will begin precisely after dinner her in the Great Hall."

She gave James a nasty look down at the Gryffindor table. He was speaking to a few seventh year that remember them. They were only first year then but they remember just about everything about this, including the drama.

'Those were the days when I was young and naive. I want to forget them,' Lily thought to herself.

She got up and left for her class. She wanted to give them a special surprise and needed all the time along she could get. With James around, she was having problems concentrating. Her mind drifted to her wake up call as she sat her desk, reorganizing papers.

She suddenly snapped back to reality when someone entered her room. She couldn't see anyone but knew who they were it. It had to be James. He was either using a charm or his cloak. She sat down at her desk and pulled out a well-used parchment.

"I solemnly sweat I'm up to no good." Lily watched the map come to life. "Missing anything, James?" Lily asked as his bubbled appeared directly behind her own.

"Where did you get that? I had wondered where it went." He pulled off his cloak and sat on the desk. "So, why are you hiding?"

"Me? Hiding? Okay, I was planning a surprise but you interrupted me and now my students won't be happy if you ruined everything. Maybe I'll jus tell them that you provoked me to give them a two-foot-long essay on their second day back. Hmm... What would be the subject? How about 'Why is an invisibility charm better than an invisibility cloak?' I'm sure you could give them hints since you have had experience with both," Lily told him. "Now either leave or be cruel to my students. You can return when the bell rings."

He got up slowly and walked out of her office. She took a deep breath and began her dirty work.

Today she was having seventh years. For their test, they were having a practical exam where they would need to remember basic charms to complete a series of obstacles. She made sure that the students knew how to use simple charms along with more advanced to pass this test. The most important would be a self-invisibility charm, one of the few advanced charms that were on the N.E.W.T.s every year.

Her Double Charms class began to enter and they saw that there was nothing written on the board. Lily began the class by telling them their objective. Of course, she would have James demonstrate for the entire class how important memorizing charms was.

She took the class down into another large classroom. She had James perform several charms in the room as an example, but only two out of the ten her used were in the course. She sent James through into the next room for the trial.

There were two exits, one that would allow students who completely the course through, and the other would retrieve the failures. The students had a ten minute time limit. James was through the course in six minutes. Lily was surprised.

"How many times did you cheat?" she asked him as he came out with his cloak in his pocket.

"Only twice, but I'm sure these students don't have the same resources I do. Who's first?" James asked as he looked around the room at the somewhat frightened seventh years. "It's not that bad until you get to the troll!"

As the students made their way through, only a handful made it to the finish.

"Alright, now that I know that you all need more practice, we will begin with reviewing your first six years. However, for tonight I'll let you off with one simple assignment. Write me a list of one hundred charms you have learned that you did not use in the course today. You are dismissed early today. Have fun!" Lily said as the noisy crowd exited the room quickly, leaving James and Lily alone in silence.

"Did you have fun today?" Lily asked as she picked up her notebook.

"I did. When I went through... Some of those spells were hard. Like freezing and melting charms! It took me a while and then I had to remember the fire repellant spell. That one took a bit longer but I made it through quickly past the huge bug and the light wall. You were brilliant!" James kissed Lily on the cheek. "Now, let's go get a snack before your next class."

James dragged Lily down to the kitchen so he could feed his bottomless-pit-for-a-stomach. The rest of the day was merely uneventful. They went home as soon as school was finished. Lily couldn't sleep like she wanted to since she had to return later for the dueling club.

"Lily, you have to come! Dumbledore appointed you a supervising teacher. I know you'll obey his orders," James pleaded as Lily tried to class.

She rolled over and gave him her evil eye. James pulled her up off the couch and activated the Portkey. They arrived just as the students were entering the Great Hall.

"Welcome to the Dueler's Guild. I need everyone to write down their name, house and year. Then, we may begin." Soon the paper was given back to James with everyone on it. "We will start with demonstration between the professors. Lily," Lily cleared her throat, "I mean, Professor Evans and I will display proper dueling techniques. Now, if any of the teachers hear about any dueling outside of this club, even one rumor, the club will be cancelled."

"Okay, first you bow, then take your place," James continued as Lily racked her brain for charms that he wouldn't know. She found the perfect one. She was positive he had never seen it before. "On three. One... Two... Three! Ortulmos! "

James threw a seasickness hex at Lily. Fortunately, she jumped out of the way in time.

"Sportulus! " Lily yelled as James looked confused and then fell to the floor.

All of the students were dead silent. Suddenly, James began to twitch and roll. Soon he was spinning on the stage. His feet merely rotated around an invisible axis. The students began to laugh and point at him.

"Wingardium Leviosa! " James floated off the table into the air.

"Are you finished yet, Lily?" he asked from the ceiling.

"Not until you call me by my proper name, Mr. Potter. Until then, you will our circulating fan. Now, students, please pair up." Lily continued the meeting, ignoring James. He was too stubborn to apologize so he stayed up there until everyone else had left.

"Now James, do you want to come down or do you prefer to stay up there forever?" Lily asked with a smile.

"Fine, Professor Evans," James said. "I apologize.

"And?" Lily asked.

"And I promise not to disrespect you in front of your students ever again!"

" Sulutrops! " Lily said. "There darling, now can you recover from the dizziness? Here, hold onto my arm."

James could hardly stand in one spot. Lily let out a small laugh and she activated the Portkey to arrive at his house.