Hi everyone! So this is my very first fanfic, and as much as I am super excited about it, I would love to hear opinions and how I can approve! I just love the older characters like James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, and even Severus so much, that I wanted to write about them! I haven't decided if Heart of Gryffindor is going to be split up into different books or just one very large book, but right now I'm focusing on James and Lilly's first year at Hogwarts. I really hope you enjoy it and please please please review! Thank you so much!

Chapter One: The Hogwarts Train

"You are brave."

James Potter repeated the mantra to himself over and over again. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, letting the words seep in. He reached up and tried to flatten out the mess of dark hair. No matter how hard he tried, it never wanted to lay right, and like countless times before, he eventually gave up.

"You are brave." Nothing in the world mattered than getting sorted into Gryffindor. It was hands down the best house at Hogwarts. His dad and all the Potters before him had been brave enough to be sorted into Gryffindor, and now it was his turn. He had received his letter a month ago, and they had gone to Diagon Alley for all the supplies, and the day had finally arrived for him to aboard Hogwarts Express.

"James! My son, where in Merlin are you?" He heard his father in the hallway a mere second before he came crashing through the bathroom door. "There you are! I say, what is taking you so long?"

James looked back at the mirror, not saying anything. Finally, he let out a deep breath. "What if I don't get sorted into Gryffindor?"

He laughed. "Nonsense! Why would you think such things?" He continued laughing until he realized his eleven-year-old son was actually serious. "Of course, you'll get into Gryffindor!"

"But what if I don't?"

"Then you'll make an excellent addition to any house," his mother said from the doorway. She smiled. "But you have nothing to worry about, dear."

"Your mother's right, James. It's not like you're going to get sorted into Slytherin. You're too brave for those lowlifes. And you're a Potter!" He received a look from his wife, but he ignored it. "Now, come on! We have a train to catch!"

"And don't forget to write us at least once a month to let us know how everything's going." His mother said once they were past the barrier and onto Platform 9 ¾. She was hugging him so tight he could smell her peppermint and tye soap. "And if you need us to go to Gringotts."

"Alright Mum." He gently tugged himself away from her. "I have to go." His dad gave him a quick clap on the back before he left them behind before etching closer to the train. He took in a deep breath and entered.

How am I going to find a seat in this place? He thought, walking past several compartments filled with either giggling third years or snogging seventh years. He started to get agitated, and debated on jinxing the whole train, but considering how he was a first year student that had not even arrived at Hogwarts and didn't know even how to begin a proper spell and his wand was packed away somewhere in his suitcase, James dismissed the thought with slight hesitation before opening one of the last compartments.

It was empty. Well, all except a slender first year with black hair who was looking out the window. The boy looked up as soon as he entered. The intensity in his blue eyes caused James to gulp. "Is… is anyone sitting here?"

"No."

James sat down across from him. He looked out the window and back at the boy, who was still staring at him. "What?"

A large grin grew on his face. "You have lipstick on your chin."

"No I don't."

He shrugged and reached into his bag. He pulled out a small handheld mirror and offered it to James. "See for yourself, mate."

James held the mirror up to his face. "Bullocks, Mum!" He groaned loudly, vigorously wiping the red lip stick until it dissolved into a light shade of pink and then nothing.

The boy laughed. "Your mum gave you a little kissy-wissy before her big boy went off to the big school?"

"Oh shut it!" he yelled half-heartedly, trying not to laugh too hard. "Are you a first year too?"

He nodded. "I'm Sirius, Sirius Black."

The name seemed somewhat familiar, but in those days, they always did, so James ignored it. "And I'm James Potter."

"What if they don't like me?" Lily Evans asked. Her eyes kept fluttering to the commotion around them, trying to take it all in. She stared up at Hogwarts Express in all its glory. She couldn't believe she was going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was excited, but another part of her couldn't shake off her sister's comments when she was denied her letter.

"Don't listen to Petunia," her dad said beside her. He glanced at his oldest daughter, who was too busy roaming about trying to find ways to sneak onto the train. "She's just upset she's not getting to go." His eyes gestured towards the steps to the train in front of them. She just stared, not moving. He sighed softy. "Lily, they're going to love you. You can make friends with anyone. Now go, you don't want to be late."

As if she needed any other reminders, the train's whistle blew. Lily said goodbye to her family and climbed onto Hogwarts Express. Chaos erupted as soon as she got on. Everyone was moving around quickly, ducking into compartments. Old friends were reuniting and new friends chatted away. Jinxed airplanes flew past them, and Lily ducked. She looked around for her friend. Not finding him anywhere, she ushered forward, checking compartment after compartment until finally she found one in the very back. It only had two boys in it, probably first years like them, and they paid no attention as she sat down.

Lily faced the window, staring at the platform rushing past as they took off and gained speed. She looked up when her friend entered, dressed in the long black robes they were required to buy on the supplies list. His knobby knees lightly grazed hers before she turned back to the window. You think I want to be a freak? FREAK! Her sister's words continued to burn her mind. They had been close when they were younger, but ever since Lily found out she was a witch, and especially about Hogwarts, Petunia was hard to get along with. A tear ran down her cheek.

"Lily?" her best friend said slowly. The way he dragged out his sentences made everyone believe he was older, wiser almost. He had been her best friend since they were seven, and though he was moody at times, he never let her down.

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it, Severus. "

"And why not?"

Another tear. "Tuney h-hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore."

"So what?"

She glared at him. "So, she's my sister!"

"But she's only a-" He paused. "But we're going! Going to Hogwarts!" Lilly nodded and gave him a slight smile. His grin grew because of it. "And wouldn't it be great if we were sorted into the same house? You better be in Slytherin."

"Slytherin?" one of the boys spoke. He had dark hair like Severus's, but it stuck up in all different directions. He shot the boy sitting next to him a look. "I think I'd rather leave than get Slytherin, wouldn't you?"

"My whole family has been Slytherin," the other boy said.

"Blimey! And I thought you were alright!"

The boy grinned. "Maybe I'll break the break tradition. Where are you heading if you've got the chance?"

The boy with unruly hair unsheathed an invisible sword. "Gryffindor, 'where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my Dad." Severus snorted, and the boy turned. "You got a problem with that?"

"No," said Severus slowly, "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy…"

"Where are you going to go, considering how you're neither?" said the other boy, and they both roared with laughter.

Lilly couldn't believe they were being so mean. She had dealt with her fair share of bullies, but she never thought she would meet such mean and arrogant people in her life. "Come on, Severus, let's go find another compartment."

They both got up to leave. And if it wasn't enough, just as the door closed, one of the boys yelled out, "See ya' later, Snivellus!"

Severus gave her a hallow look. "Don't listen to them," she said, "Besides, when we're sorted into the same house, we probably will never have to really see them again."

Thank you so so much for reading and I hope you enjoy it! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! Thanks!