The Start of Something New

DISCLAIMER – WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. WE ONLY OWN THIS STORYLINE

CHAPTER 1

"Hurry up Lily! We're going to miss the train at this rate. Who are you looking at anyway?" Nicole flicked her blonde hair out of her eyes to try and see what her best friend was so intently staring at.

"Me? I'm … not looking at anything. Come on Nikki," Lily said, brought back down to earth and blushing so fiercely that her face matched the colour of her vivid red hair. Nikki looked confused but shrugged it off as they heaved their trunks away.

The two girls bustled their way onto the Hogwarts Express, calling out to some of their friends along the way. After two minutes of searching they found an empty compartment.

"So good to be back," Lily said, looking out of the window at the rest of the laughing young witches and wizards.

"Go on then. Who is it?" Nikki asked, grinning at her friend. Lily looked decidedly in the opposite direction, put on a straight face and turned back.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said firmly.

"Yes you do. You like someone. I can see it in your big green eyes."

"Hey they're not that big!"

"I know. But they are filled with luuurrrve and I want to know who it is!"

"There's nobody!"

"It's not me is it?"

"Nikki!" Lily giggled, punching her friend playfully.

"Fine. But I just wish you'd tell me," she said, looking more serious. "We've been best friends since we were little First-year midgets. You know you can tell me."

Lily sighed heavily. "Oh alright then. I might as well. It's -"

But she stopped short as four fellow Seventh-years walked into the compartment.

"What're you lot talking about?" one boy said. He was pushing his messy black hair back unnecessarily as Nikki eyed him unfavourably.

"Nothing James," she said, with a look of pure distaste.

"They're talking about boys!" said another boy.

"Yeah Remus. They're after you!" said the best-looking of the group. He grinned at his friend who looked mildly discomforted.

"Don't think so Sirius, I want Peter!" Nikki said, playing along. Peter, a small plump boy standing behind the other three, quivered even more than normal and tried to sneak out of the compartment, unsuccessfully.

"Chill Wormtail," James said, holding him back. "Evans, looks like we're Head Boy and Girl together this year," he said smiling in an uncharacteristically mature way.

"Don't I know it," Lily answered rolling her eyes and looking away.

"Come on Prongs, Wormtail wants to go find the food cart. What a surprise," Sirius said, and the four left after James turned round and gave Lily another big smile. Nikki turned to Lily as if to say something and then stopped, stunned.

"Whoa! Lily you've gone bright red!"

"No I haven't!" she insisted, although she could feel her cheeks heating up.

"Oh!" Nikki said, with a look of dawning comprehension spreading across her pale face. "You fancy Sirius!"

"No I don't," she replied in a small voice, looking away.

"He's pretty fit you know, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Well, I'll take you're word for it that it isn't him, but it can't be Peter, or Remus – oh my God – you fancy James Potter!" Nikki squealed with a look of horror on her face.

"I do not!" Lily attempted to deny it.

"Yeah you do you've blushed even more! Check your mirror!"

Lily fished in her bag for a small mirror. Opening it up she shrieked.

"It's true!"

"Well didn't you know you fancied him you fool," Nikki said, laughing at her friend's sudden dumbness.

"But this makes it real. Oh my god I fancy James Potter!" she said, holding her head in her hands.

"I know. What's happened to you? Ew, ew, ew! But Lil. What're you going to do about it?"