Change is Possible

Change is possible...

Lily Evans sat on her the windowsill of her dormitory window, staring out across the grounds of Hogwarts. She was watching the rain pouring down heavily outside, churning the dust into mud and making the lake fill up. Although she watched the rain, Lily was too engrossed in her thoughts to have paid attention if an elephant had crossed the grounds. It was another Saturday. As usual on a Saturday, the other girls who shared her dorm were downstairs in the common room, flirting with the boys in their year. Lily amused herself with thoughts about the two flirty blonds Lola and Andrea, fluttering their eyelashes and fluffing their hair while watching James Potter and Sirius Black, giggling stupidly at everything they did without a brain cell in their heads. (Author's note: before you say anything, this is not to infer that all blondes are dumb, it's just that these two are dumb). Lastly the picture of the smiley and gentle Rachel came into her head. Out of all the girls in her dorm, Rachel was the only one who ever had any time for Lily; she had taken the time to get to know her, and knew what she was really like. Lola and Andrea were always so obsessed with their appearance that they didn't even seem to notice Lily existed.

Lily had always liked Rachel, she saw the graceful brunette in her mind, smiling and encouraging, with those lovely kind blue eyes. The only other person with whom she spent anytime was Remus Lupin, a good-natured boy who was also in Gryffindor with light-brown hair and a very kind nature, although Lily had seen his mischevious side a few times and was rather alarmed at some of the things Lupin got up to with his friends James and Sirius. (Sorry, no Peter in this story, he bugs me too much). As Lily thought about the tall, good-looking James Potter and his best friend the dark brown haired, blue-eyes Sirius black with a really muscular body she kept hearing Andrea and Lola saying. At the thought of James and Sirius, Lily just became frightened, and preferred to just keep out of their way, not liking the rowdy pranksters.

Lily was a quiet girl who preferred reading and spending time quietly with herself, although Rachel often tried to involve her, Lily just shook her head and walked away, although being grateful for Rachel's efforts. Lily thought herself personally quite plain and unpretty, not really being bothered about putting on makeup, or dressing to impress some boy. Lily preferred to dress modestly and not be outrageous in anything. However, Rachel herself had often thought how pretty Lily was, if only she would sometimes remove the glasses which she had actually admitted to her that she didn't need any more. Under her glasses, Lily had some beautiful emerald green eyes, which only Rachel had seen once, and which Lily was not keen to reveal. Her long dark-red hair was actually glossy and sleek, but because Lily never wore it out of its long plait, which she always wore down her back, no one saw how gorgeous it was. Lily's figure was gorgeous, but because she always wore modest clothing and would never show any flesh, no one had the chance to see this.

Lily was brought out of her thoughts by the sudden sound of a crash and screaming from the common room, she looked around and the door immediately shot open and Lola came in crying her eyes out, swiftly followed by Andrea. Lola's carefully done hair was all messy and covered with cream. Lily made a hasty retreat from the dormitory and made her way down to the common room, taking a book with her and deciding it would be quieter and safer down there.

As she entered the common room, Lily saw James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus all rolling about on the floor laughing. Lily took a corner seat and tried to make herself as unobtrusive as possible. Serena Black, Sirius's sister, then walked up to him and said,

"Sirius Black, I don't believe you, that poor girl's devoted to you, and all you can do is cover her hair with cream!" Sirius tried hard to calm himself from laughing before saying,

"I only meant it as a joke Serena, don't take it so seriously." Serena gave him a glare before heading for the portrait hole with her friends, muttering about 'immature younger brothers'. Sirius whispered something to James and Remus, which made them start laughing all over again.

After a while, Sirius and James walked up the boys' dormitories staircase and Remus was left on his own. He scanned the common room before heading over towards Lily. He tapped her on the shoulder, making her turn around and look at him, startled.

"Remus!" she exclaimed, putting the book down.

"Hi Lily," Remus replied, "I just thought I haven't talked to you in a while, and I was just wondering how are you?" Lily blushed slightly and turned to look into his kind brown eyes,

"I'm alright," she replied, "not too bad, how about you?"

"I'm fine," Remus replied, sitting down in a chair near her, "I noticed though, you never seem to be with the other girls in your year, why don't you come down and hang out with us for a while?"

"Oh no," Lily replied shaking her head, "I couldn't do that, I'm too quiet." Remus looked at Lily for a while, she was so shy and frightened of people that were loud, she was a very quiet girl and yet she was so different to James and Sirius. But he liked her a lot and liked spending time with her.

Lily sighed, and kicked off her trainers, before lifting her feet on to the armchair and hugging her knees close to her stomach, staring down at the floor. Without thinking, Remus leaned over and began to lift her glasses away from her eyes,

"Remus!" Lily exclaimed, "What are you..."

"Wait," Remus said, continuing to lift the glasses, "I want to see your eyes without them." Lily held back although she was dreading what he would say.

Remus gently lifted off her glasses and was suddenly caught by her eyes. They were bright green, but not just any green, they were bright and dazzling, as bright as emeralds.

"Lily..." he began, completely awed. Lily looked away hurriedly and blushed deeply, "you have the loveliest eyes!" Lily didn't make eye contact with him and sighed gently.

"What does that matter?" she answered, still not making eye contact, "people go on looks and personality, I have none of either. Thanks for your compliment Remus, but it really doesn't mean anything if I have green eyes." Lily got up and walked away, leaving behind an intrigued Remus. However, he had no more time to dwell on what he had just seen, because at that moment, James and Sirius walked up and sat down.

"Who was that Moony?" James asked with interest as he watched Lily walking out of the portrait hole.

"Lily Evans," Remus replied, "she's really shy, but really clever. I also just discovered that beneath those glasses she has the most amazing eyes." James and Sirius raised their eyebrows at each other, before Sirius asked,

"What's so amazing about them?"

"They're just incredibly green, like emeralds, they also sparkled like the jewel, I was completely awed by them." James looked at Remus with interest while Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Remus, d'you like Lily in that way?" James asked. Remus snapped out of the dreamy look he had fallen into and replied,

"No, definitely not, we're just friends, I was just startled by her eyes, that's all." Sirius suddenly had that expression on his face, which meant he was thinking of a prank, Remus saw the looked and suddenly fixed him with an angry glare,

"Remus, don't do anything to her, please, she's so shy...and she avoids you guys because you're too loud for her." Sirius suddenly burst out laughing,

"We're 'too loud' for her?" he exclaimed, "that's the first time I've heard that about me, I'm 'too loud'!" he let off a chortle and was soon silenced by a look from James.

"She's just so shy isn't she?" he said, to no one in particular. "I'd prefer that to those bimbos Lola and Andrea, always tagging around after us and giggling hysterically anytime we talk to them."

"Oh come on Prongs!" Sirius exclaimed, "Those two would fall down at your feet and beg to be stepped on!" James laughed, put Remus just looked back at him pensively. "What?" Sirius exclaimed when he saw the look.

"Come on Padfoot!" Remus replied, "those girls fancy the boxers off you, if you asked on of them out I think they'd die of amazement!" James laughed but Sirius looked thoughtful,

"Maybe I should try it..." he mused. James and Remus laughed.

* * * * *

Lily Evans was sitting watching the giant squid lazily sunning itself in the bright spring afternoon. She had done all her homework for the weekend and because everyone else had done nothing but complain or pester her to help them, she decided to escape and come for a walk, as it was such a nice day. She sighed gently and hugged her legs, enjoying the sunny weather, but deep in her own thoughts. She didn't even notice James Potter coming out of the castle and walking across the grounds towards her. She jumped nearly a foot in the air when he tapped her shoulder.

"Sorry to disturb you," he said, grinning apologetically at Lily as she struggled to regain her composure.

"That's fine," Lily replied hastily, a little flustered at just how cute James Potter's smile was, before hurriedly turning her eyes away.

"But I saw you leave the common room and I sort of followed you," James carried on, sitting sheepishly down next to her, "I was just wondering if you were alright, you left in quite a hurry after Lola had a go at you for not helping her with her herbology essay and I..."

"I'm fine, really," Lily, replied, "I just wanted to get out as it was such a nice day." James nodded, looking around at the sunlit grounds, he stretched back saying,

"Yeah, it's beautiful, the grounds are lovely." He lay back with his hands behind his head, leaving Lily to her thoughts.

After a while, Lily heard a light snore erupt from his lips, she turned around to face him, smiling gently. He looked so serene and peaceful when he was asleep, she also realised how tanned and good-looking his face was. His unruly black hair fell messily about his head, and gave him a rather cute look Lily thought. A piece of the unruly black hair fell across his face and without realising it, Lily reached out and brushed it aside so that she could see his face clearer. When she realised what she'd done she blushed deeply, even though he kept on sleeping. Next moment, Lily was lying closer, and gently rubbed the back of her hand along his tanned skin, it was so soft and he was so good-looking! Suddenly, James opened his eyes, and Lily jumped back, embarrassment flooded to her face as she realised how close she'd been. James gazed at her with soft brown eyes. Lily saw no anger or alarm in them, just that gentle warmth. As is under some impulse, James reached out, and touched Lily's pale cheek, lightly brushing it with his hand.

Lily didn't know what to do, without realising it; she smiled. James returned the smile with that wonderful cute grin, and moved a bit closer.

"That felt...nice," he said after a while. Lily smiled shyly back, and before she realised it, James had removed her glasses, and was staring deep into her bright green eyes." You have the most beautiful eyes." Lily blushed, and suddenly moved away. She suddenly felt a longing to be far away from there, to have her nose in a book, or to be wandering on her own, it couldn't be possible that James Potter liked her. James Potter? The most cute and popular boy in school?? It just wasn't possible. Quite suddenly, Lily jumped up, he was joking with her, this had to be a big joke, something he and Sirius had cooked up, yeah, she could just see it, him and Sirius laughing about it just an hour later. She ran away, as fast as she could, wanting to get away from the guy who used woman, who was always joking, who didn't care for anyone but himself.

James was pleasantly staring into Lily's beautiful eyes, when suddenly she had jumped up and was sprinting at top speed across the grass towards the castle.

"What? Lily? What are you doing?" James exclaimed, before jumping up and hurriedly chasing after her. He chased her across the grass, completely shocked about what had made her do it, and also at how quick she was. He put on another burst of speed before jumping and catching her around the waist, pulling her to the ground.

"Let me go!" Lily screamed, squirming in his grasp, her hair had fallen out of its plait, and her long, sleek dark red hair was loosely flowing on her shoulders. James gasped in awe; she was so beautiful without that restraining plait, and with her glasses off, which Lily hurriedly rammed back on her eyes.

"Lily? What's wrong?" James asked, keeping a firm hold of her.

"It's just a joke!" she exclaimed.

"What?" James asked, very confused.

"You pretending to like me!" Lily exclaimed, "all of this, it's just another joke so you and Sirius can laugh later, oh James Potter proved he'd done it again when he made the nerdiest girl in school actually believe that he loved her." James released Lily, and grabbed her hands, he looked at her, deep into her beautiful eyes and said,

"Lily, look into my eyes, and tell me that I don't love you." Lily forced herself to look into his eyes, just to prove that she saw mockery and laughter so that he'd just leave her alone to continue her life as a loner. She looked into his brown eyes and was shocked; there was no cruel mockery in those eyes, no spiteful laughter at her expense. There was just...warmth...a peculiar warmth, filled with kindness, and Lily made sure she wasn't kidding herself...love. He really did love her, unless he could make his eyes be filled with love and compassion, but as Lily gazed into his eyes, it seemed so real, so gentle and yet strong, that she wasn't sure it was possible to pretend to show those feelings. She swallowed gently in disbelief. He really meant it! He wasn't joking...he loved her. Her. Lily Evans, the nerdiest, plainest girl in school.

Lily's face broke into a smile. James smiled back, his eyes filled with love and respect for her. It didn't seem real. It felt like a dream. Without realising it, Lily and James both subconsciously leaned close and their lips touched gently. It was barely a peck on the lips, but to Lily, it was what she had thought impossible. As James looked at Lily, he saw the delight so evident in her eyes and couldn't help but smile. He stood up and offered Lily his hand, she took it gently and James pulled her up with a bit of a jerk, causing her to land in his arms. They both laughed, and Lily stayed there, gazing into those warm brown eyes filled with such a gentle and yet compassionate love. Lily felt she might begin to cry at her sudden realisation that she really did belong, and that she wasn't just a nobody at school.

James gently slid her glasses off her eyes, and carefully putting them in a pocket, and staring deep into her eyes.

"Do you really need these?" he asked frankly.

"No," Lily admitted, "but it was just easier to wear them and add to my nerdish appearance." James laughed and pulled her close, hugging her and smiling down at her suddenly very pretty face.

"You know something?" he said.

"What?" she asked in reply.

"You're so pretty when you don't wear you glasses and wear you hair loose. Why don't you do it more often?" Lily shrugged.

"Dunno, I'm just nervous I guess, I just grew used to keeping them on and keeping up the nerdy appearance."

"Will you keep up this new appearance for me?" Lily looked deep into James' warm brown eyes, and suddenly smiled. Before she realised it, they were kissing. At first, rather gently, but then when they realised how good it felt; it became more passionate and deeper. Time had no meaning anymore. When they eventually pulled away, all James could say was, "wow, you're incredible Lily Evans!" He kissed her again, and this time, Lily returned it with great affection.

* * * * *

As Lily and James walked back into the common room, holding hands, both with silly goofy grins on their faces; all Lola and Andrea could do was gawp and stare. Rachel looked surprised at first, but then her expression turned to one of delight. Remus looked surprised, but them smiled, and Sirius smiled insanely before whistling. Lily abruptly blushed deeply and let go of James' hand. James just smiled back at her and slipped his arm around her waist. Lily looked at him, a bit confused at first, but then smiling happily at him, and kissing him lightly on the cheek. They walked over to the others from their year and sat down on two spare armchairs.

Rachel smiled gently at Lily and squeezed her hand in encouragement, beaming happily at her. Lola and Andrea looked both confused one moment and devastated the next.

"How on Earth did you get James?!" Lola exclaimed out loud, "You're plain, boring and a nerd!"

"You shut up, Lola," James retaliated, looking furious, "don't say that sort of thing about my girl-friend." Lily gazed at James, still unable to believe that he loved her and was defending her against the two blond bimbos. Out of pure delight, she reached over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. James, obviously pleased, pulled her on to his lap, and put his hands around her waist, making Lily giggle. At the sight of this, Sirius pretended to vomit and pulled a face of disgust, saying,

"Yuck! Get a room you two!" In answer to this, all the fifth years burst out laughing apart from Lola and Andrea, who were now both death-staring Lily, who wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention, too happy to care about what they thought.

* * * * *