Disclaimer: As always, all that is Harry Potter belongs to the great JKR. I simply am venturing a plot preceding the first book by some twenty years or so…
Chapter 1 - A First
Sirius, despite his name, was rarely serious and even less likely to stay out of trouble. If you were one of the wide eyed first years on the train that day, you might imagine he could make it to Hogwarts before wreaking havoc on the student population. Any witch or wizard second year and above would laugh at such a ridiculous notion. Everyone, however, from the smallest first year to the ancient lady pushing the trolley of treats was soon to be shocked by the target of Sirius' first act of mayhem of his seventh year. For his target would mark a first for the Marauders.
Near the engine of the Hogwarts express was a compartment with a comfortable over stuffed bench in front of which sat a long, low table. On the table were two packets of parchment along with a tray of biscuits, a bowl of fruit, a jug of pumpkin juice, and two goblets. In lilting letters, 'Head Boy' was written on one packet of parchment while the other was addressed to 'Head Girl.'
The two students, for whom these parchments were intended, could be found further down the train finishing conversations with their friends.
The Head Girl was clustered with two other seventh years.
"So do you know who the Head Boy is?" one asked.
"No, the letter that came with the badge didn't say," replied the Head Girl.
"I bet it is that hot Ravenclaw. Isn't his name Josh?" the first asked.
"Which one, the one with blond hair or the curly brown haired one?" asked the third girl in the compartment.
"Doesn't matter, Anna, they're both cute!" giggled the first.
"Come on Val, there's more important things than how hot a guy is," admonished the Head Girl.
"Yeah, Val, it helps if they're good kissers," Anna giggled back.
"You two are hopeless!" the Head Girl threw her arms up in frustration.
"Well, Lily, what are you waiting for? Go find out who he is!" Anna shooed at Lily.
"And then come back to tell us all the relevant details," Val instructed. "Like level of cuteness, availability, plans for the first Hogsmeade weekend."
"Oh for Merlin's sake," sighed Lily as she shut the door behind her and began to move towards the Head's Compartment.
Meanwhile, in the cabin in the last car of the train were four young gentlemen. Like the three ladies they were also contemplating their mate's coworker for the year.
"Prongs, she's probably some lost cause of a do-gooder," the small, pudgy one complained.
"Now, Wormtail, that is not very kind. Of course she'll be responsible, she's the Head Girl," the soft spoken one replied.
"Moony, they made James here Head Boy. This is clearly a sign that Dumbledore has finally lost his last marble, Making a Marauder Head Boy is like giving us the keys to the castle and letting us loose!"
"Not that we need keys, Padfoot. I think we manage to do just fine without assistance from Dumbledore. Well, I think I am going to go find out who she is. Try to behave yourself until I return boys," and with that the Head Boy began his lengthy trek all the way to the front of the Hogwarts Express.
Lily had taken a seat on the bench, enjoying the plush fabric and extra cushions. Deciding to wait to read the letter for her until the arrival of the Head Boy, she enjoyed the passing countryside through the large picture window as she buried herself in the cushions.
While she was thinking about the coming year, someone in the last car had far less innocent thoughts. The popular, self-proclaimed gift to women everywhere, happened to also be the most devious of the Marauders. And this young miscreant, as the Head Girl was wont to call him, knew something no one else on the train knew – the name of both the Head Girl and the Head Boy. Given that bit of crucial information, he was able to deduce that when said Head Boy entered the Head's cabin havoc would ensue. And he intended to fully enjoy that moment.
"Mates, I'm off to find some sustenance. Want anything?" Sirius asked as he headed out the cabin. Luckily the other two were already deeply involved in a game of Wizarding Chess so they barely acknowledged Sirius' departure. Thus our instigator made his way up the train keeping far enough behind James to avoid notice.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, though he'd be loathe to admit he was nervous, James opened the door to the head's compartment. In the first instant since they met on the same train first year, James and Lily found each other dwelling in a moment of speechlessness. This, unfortunately for the rest of the population of the Hogwarts Express, lasted only a moment.
"I should've known it would be you!"
"How could it be you!?!" They simultaneously exclaimed. Alas, dear reader, I regret to inform you that due to an unfortunate incident on that fateful first ride on the Hogwarts Express and six years of subsequent teasing, pranking, arguments and the occasional public spectacle, Lily Evans and James Potter did not get along well. Actually, that was putting it mildly; they were infamous for their rivalry. But I digress.
Sirius had positioned himself near enough to hear the two seventeen year-olds. He grinned in anticipation.
Anticipation was not the word that Lily was thinking, but always the responsible one, she pushed her personal thoughts to the side as she suggested, "Well, why don't we read these letters?"
"Ummm…sure," was James' intelligent response. Lily sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Prongs, mate, you need help. I can't go another year with you going on and on about Lily. She needs to either fall madly in love with you or kill you right off. What you need is time." Sirius thought to himself and pondered how to give this boy who was closer to him than a brother what he most needed. "That's it!"
"Did you hear some thing?" Lily asked looking up from her letter.
"Hmmm?"
"Oh, never mind," she dismissed the noise and James.
"That was close," muttered Sirius. He continued muttering for several minutes while his wand followed along in his hand. His work completed and knowing he'd hear nothing else, he sauntered off back down the train in search of food or an attractive girl, either would suit.