The train rumbled slowly into the station under the dark, moonless sky. As she stepped off the train, Lily Evans looked harried and anxious, but still beautiful, James Potter thought. He reveled at the way her bright red hair, rivaled only by Arthur Weasleys, flowed like water in the light breeze. Her voice tinkled across the platform as she greeted Hagrid. Suddenly, James noticed that Lily was looking right at him. Well, the death glare would be more accurate. For a moment, he was so overjoyed that she was looking at him, even in loathing, that he forgot why he had followed her to be first off the train in the first place. Oh, right. He was Head Boy now, and perfect Lily Evans was his fellow Head Girl. What a blessing in disguise. As he stepped onto the platform, a smirk lit up his face, and Lily couldn't help but silently admit to herself that James Potter, whatever his arrogance, was pretty damn good looking. The way his hair stuck up everywhere was somewhat endearing, and his eyes were kind, though always teasing. Of course, she would never admit that out loud, except maybe to her best friend, Alice. She shook that thought from her head, and spoke quickly as James drew level with her.

"Ok Potter, I know you don't want to be here anymore than I do –"

"But darling Lily," James cut across her in a would-be seductive voice, "I want to be here with you very much."

His smirk grew into a cocky grin, and Lily had to stop herself from grinding her teeth in annoyance. Keep calm Lily, just keep your cool. She thought to herself, eyes shut in concentration. When she opened them again, it was to see James still smirking at her, knowing that she was ready to pop.

Deciding to quit with the formalities, Lily spat,

"Let's just get this over with."

As she turned away, James's face fell visibly. Was she never going to like him? Possibly he could have been too forward, but she really did seem to hate him more than ever before. His summer resolve of finally becoming the man Lily Evans wanted began to fade away.

When the rest of the students started exiting the train, Remus and Sirius saw the best friend's crestfallen stature, and, looking at each other significantly, hurried over. James, hearing their approach said,

"She loathes me. She truly hates me, with every cell of her being. I don't know what to do."

"I'm sure it's not like that." Remus said comfortingly.

"Ah, well, there's lots of other pretty girls, mate." Sirius replied bracingly. Remus shot him a dirty look. James turned to face them, not meeting their eyes.

"Be reasonable James. It's the first night back, and my guess is your first comment wasn't all that mature." Remus consoled, stepping on Sirius' foot to stop him from making another insensitive remark. Sirius winced, and shut his mouth.

James, now blushing slightly, nodded his head. He really had screwed it up, hadn't he? All he's ever wanted since 4th year was to be the One for Lily. But he had failed miserably, and now she would probably never even give him a chance.

"James, look at me."

He looked up at Sirius's sharp tone. Apparently he had finally decided to be helpful.

"Pull yourself together! This right here is not the leader of the Marauders who never gives up on anything. You're not a weak boy who gives up at rejection. You're Prongs! Our leader! So what if she hates you tonight? Who knows, she may love you tomorrow, girls are so unpredictable that way. So buck up and get her! Haha, did you notice my pun? Buck up? Prongs?" Snorting, Sirius trialed off. Lupin took over again.

"Look, James, sleep on it, let her cool off, and try again tomorrow. I still think you can be a man for her, so don't make me bet you on it."

James, who never failed to win a bet, no matter how much cheating ensued, grinned at this. With a start, he heard his name called from across the station.

"Potter! Get over here and help me!" Lily yelled angrily.

Head Boy duties. He'd forgotten. As he said good- bye to Remus and Sirius, his heart was a little bit lighter. Maybe he hadn't completely failed after all.

"You could try starting now!" Remus called after him, and he decided that that was exactly what he was going to do.

As James strutted over, Lily thought he looked different. It took her a minute to pinpoint the change. His face was more relaxed, and his walk wasn't as arrogant. He looked kinder. James noticed her confused expression, and was about to make a smart remark when he bit his tongue. No, James. No more of that. Instead, he asked,

"What can I do to help?"

Lily's shock was even more apparent at his genuine tone. Then she eyed him suspiciously.

"What are you up to, Potter?"

"Nothing. I swear I'm just trying to do my job."

For reasons she couldn't fathom, Lily believed him. He really did want to try and help. But then another thought entered her mind.

"You're just doing this to try and get me to go out with you, right? Sirius made you a bet, didn't he?" she accused.

James, blushing ever so slightly in the darkness, replied,

"Sirius didn't bet me anything."

Lily noticed how he avoided the first part of her question, but was distracted by a little second year girl you was tugging on her sleeve, looking nervous to be so close to a seventh year.

"Um, excuse me Miss? How do the second years get to the castle? We took the boats last year, but somebody told me it was only for first years and we're confused…."

She motioned to a group of twelve-year-olds behind her, all looking lost and nervous, and sticking close to one another. Lily threw a dirty look at James, silently blaming him for causing her to lose track of everything they were supposed to be doing. Then she faced the girl, crouching down so they were at eye level.

"I'm so sorry; I should have told you that before. You guys are going to take the carriages over there-" Lily pointed to where the other students were flocking, "And ride up to the castle." Her voice was kind and reassuring, and the girl looked relieved.

"Thank you!" She said, and then ran off to tell her friends.

James looked at Lily in awe. He always knew that that she was kind, but he'd never seen her interact with kids like that, in almost a motherly fashion. Lily straightened up, and caught sight of James' expression.

"What is with you tonight? Actually, don't answer that."

James had no intention of answering the question, but didn't bother to tell her that.

"Let's just get going. We need to make sure everybody gets a carriage up to the school, and then check the train for forgotten luggage. After that, we send a message to Professor McGonagall, and take the Head carriage up to school."

Feeling slightly nonplussed, James nodded uncertainly and followed Lily's lead, directing new students towards Hagrid and everybody else to the gates. Lily took one half of the train, and James took the other half, checking each compartment for lost items, or a student had fallen asleep. Once they were done, the train steaming away into the night, Lily raiser her wand, and, without muttering a single syllable, sent a messenger patronus up to the castle. She caught James staring at her again.

"Well don't look so gob smacked." Lily called lightly, as she started for the last carriage. "We learned how to do that last year."

"I know." James said hurriedly, catching up with her brisk pace. "But not a lot of people were able to do it."

"I practiced over the summer. Drove Petunia crazy, mind you. For fun, I sent one through her window. I'm pretty sure the whole street heard her scream."

Her silhouette shook a little as she chuckled in the darkness. Marveling at how sweet her laugh was, James suddenly realized that she had just told him something very personal. Apparently, she realized it too, for Lily's face had turned as bright as her hair. They clambered inside in silence, and as the horseless carriage started for the school, Lily stayed quiet, looking out the window and not speaking till they reached the oak front doors.