The fire roared in its cage, the only light in the dark room. The fireplace was adorned with various pictures; mostly the two of us, but some of him with his family or friends. The rocking chair was pushed back into the corner of the room, right against the wall. And the bed stood in the middle of always. We were curled up and intertwined under the heavy dark brown covers and white linen sheet. His arm was around my waist and the other hand was used to hold mine.

I lifted my head, and put my lips right against his ear. 'I'm leaving tomorrow you know,' I whispered, his curly gold locks scratching my lips.

'I know,' he muttered back, trailing his hand up and down my spine. 'I wish you didn't have to, but I know.'

'Will you come see me off?' I asked.

He kissed me lightly. 'Of course I will. Now go to sleep love, you've got a big day ahead.'

I snuggled down into the crook of his shoulder. 'Goodnight Jessie.'

''Night love.'

I woke up in the same position, with my head firmly placed on his shoulder. Jessie was still asleep and snoring slightly, with his cheek pressed against the top of my head. The fire that was going last night was out, and now the light was emitting from the window, with its blinds slightly opened. I knew I'd have to get up soon, but I didn't want to move.

'Jessie,' I whispered, poking him in the ribs. He didn't move, only grumbled a little in his sleep. 'Jessie, wake up.' Still, nothing happened, he only rolled over. 'Jessie!' I whined, poking him again. 'Get up!'

I waited in anticipation, but he still wouldn't move. I rolled my eyes, 'Fine I'm going to go shower.' I told his sleeping form. 'Not that you care,' I muttered, making for the bathroom.

I walked into Jessie's cramped bathroom. The walls were painted a bright orange that made me squint, especially at this time of day. The sink's counter and the shower were crowded with bottles and products, but I could hardly complain since half the things were mine. I stripped off the oversized v-neck tee that was really Jessie's and not mine and my knickers before jumping into the shower and turning on the water as hot as it would go.

As quickly as I could, I washed myself with soap, scrubbed my scalp with shampoo and lathered my locks with conditioner. After rinsing it all out, I clambered out of the shower and wrapped myself in a baby blue towel. I dragged a brush through my hair and looked around the small room. Cursing myself for not grabbing my wand, I pushed my way out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, where I found Jessie's sleeping form missing.

I took Jessie's oak wand off his bedside table and used it to dry my hair. It fell in a curtain around my head – loose waves that feel just below my bra strap. I clipped my bangs out of the way and dropped my towel on the floor, looking around in drawers for something respectable to wear. I ended up in faded jeans and a blue tank, mostly because it was the only clean thing of mine I could find. Taking Jessie's wand, because I still couldn't find my own, I went out of the bedroom and down the stairs to find Jessie.

Jessie was already out of school – just graduated from Golden Coast's School of Magic, he moved to England to stay with some family and began to work in a small bookshop in Diagon Alley, which is where we met. When I first saw the attractive eighteen year old staring at me from behind a bookshelf, I felt a tad flattered. After about ten minutes though, it began to get creepy. I was in the midst of considering calling security on him when he tapped me on the shoulder, introduced himself and admitted he had been trying to work up the courage to talk to me ever since I walked in the store.

That was exactly a year ago, and look where we were now. Jessie had just taken up a job in editing for a certain, rather popular magazine called "Quidditch Plus" and I was going into my final year at Hogwarts as Head Girl. My parents, who were both extremely supportive of my relationship with Jessie, did freak out a little when I told them I was moving in with him. However, after a long talk and an assurance that any, um… late night activities were both safe and mutually consensual, they grudgingly helped me move in with Jessie.

'Good morning Lily!' Jessie called when I got into the kitchen. I gave him a light peck on the cheek and settled myself on top of the counter while he cooked. 'Are you ready to go back for your last year?'

'Mmm, no,' I answered. 'Not really. But now or never, right?'

'Right,' he agreed, flipping bacon. 'Are you all packed?'

'No,' I answered, twirling his wand in my hands.

Even though his back was facing me, I could practically see him roll his eyes. 'Didn't you do this last year too?' he asked.

I giggled. 'Yeah and then I forgot my wand and my parents had to send it to me. Speaking of which, I think you've got the wrong wand there.'

'Oh yeah,' he took his wand back from me and held mine out to me, with a stern expression on his face. 'Now, don't lose this, love.'

I laughed, taking my wand back. 'I won't, I swear.' He made a slightly disbelieving noise but said nothing.

'Bye dear,' my mum said, tears in her eyes. 'Be good and don't get into too much trouble. Do you have your wand?'

'Yes, mum,' I rolled my eyes. 'Don't worry, I'll behave! I love you.'

'I love you too sweetheart,' she patted my cheek. 'Now have a good year! Don't forget to write!' she gave me a hug, a kiss on the cheek and then left to leave me and Jessie to say goodbye.

'Can't believe she thinks I would forget my wand again,' I rolled my eyes.

Jessie laughed. 'You probably would have without me. You all set?'

'Yup, I'm ready to go,' I gave him the thumbs up. 'I'll miss you.'

'You too,' he pulled me into a hug and I buried my face in his chest. '3 months until Christmas break though.'

I laughed through the tears forming in my eyes. 'I'm counting down the days already.'

He broke away for a second, and looked me in the eyes. 'I love you,' he said.

'I love you too,' I told him sincerely.

Jessie kissed me quickly. 'Have a good year.'

'I will,' I promised. I gave him one more hug before taking my trunk and heading to the train.

'Wait! Lily!' I heard him call. I turned, and saw him jogging to catch up to me. 'I know this is probably a bad time, especially with you going now, but I have to just ask you something.' I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. He shoved his hands deep in his jeans' pockets. 'And I love you and all, but I have to ask… will you marry me?' he pulled a ring out of his pocket and looked at me hopefully.

I was staring him straight on into those hazel eyes, my mouth speechless and my mind screaming at me to say something already. Finally, I managed to choke out a, 'Yes!'

Jessie wrapped his arms around my waist and I locked mine around his neck. I hardly ever cried, but tears were swimming in my eyes right now. I wiped them away and regrettably pulled away. Jessie slipped the ring onto my finger.

'Get going now Evans, or you'll miss your train,' he muttered, pushing a lock of hair behind my ear.

I nodded and picked up my trunk again. 'Jessie?'

'Yeah?'

'Three more months to Christmas break.'

When I walked onto the train I was in a slight daze. Sitting down in the middle of an empty compartment, I slipped the ring off my finger and onto a gold chain with a heart locket on it that Jessie gave me on my last birthday. I slipped the chain underneath my shirt.

I sat by myself for a while, until the compartment door slid open. I turned, just to see a messy head a black hair. Potter ran his hand through it, ruffling it even further.

'Oh, sorry Evans, I didn't realize you were in here, I'll just,' he made a motion to leave, but I stopped him before he could. I was in such a good mood by this point, I was even happy to see Potter.

'No, its fine, take I seat. I'm just waiting for Alice and Mary,' I motioned to all the empty seats, and he sat down slowly in the one across from me, looking unsure. 'How was your summer?' I asked.

He looked a little surprised that I was being polite to him. 'It was alright…' he trailed off for a moment. 'How was yours?'

'Good,' I answered with a grin. 'It was good.'

'That's… good.'

We sat in silence for a little longer. Potter seemed awkward, but my mind wasn't on him. My mind was somewhere off in a small little flat that I liked to call home.

'Oh, erm, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything…' the compartment door slid open to show a boy with slightly messy dirty blonde hair and bright golden eyes. Remus eyed us unsurely, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the compartment.

'Don't be silly Remus,' I rolled my eyes and sat him down. 'How was your summer?'

Remus and I talked for a bit before he turned to Potter. While they talked I sat there looking out the window, awkwardly having nothing to contribute to the conversation. I pursed my lips and stared out the window, hoping Mary and Alice would come soon, at least before Black and Pettigrew came to join us. I didn't want to be sitting alone with all four Marauders.

'Hey, have you guys seen – oh, Lily. Well, never mind,' I turned to see my two best friends, Alice Prewet and Mary MacDonald, standing in the doorway, looking slightly confused but otherwise happy to see me.

'Hi guys,' I jumped up out of my seat and ran towards them, enveloping them both in a huge bear hug. 'Hey, uh, shouldn't we go… to the Prefect's meeting?' I searched around for something to suggest – even though I knew the prefect meeting didn't start for another half hour, I needed somewhere to go alone with my two best friends, so that I could tell them my exciting news.

'But,' Mary looked confused. 'It doesn't start for another half hour! And Alice isn't even a Prefect!'

'Yeah,' Alice joked. 'You're already Head Girl Lils, you don't need to keep sucking up for the position.'

I shoved Alice's arm playfully. 'Fine, then… why don't you come help me look for … Dorcas?' I suggested.

Dorcas was a sweet Hufflepuff girl that we weren't particularly close with, but still friends with. Dorcas was one of those girls who got along with everyone and anyone, no matter what.

'Dorcas,' Alice looked confused. 'Why?'

I waved my hand. 'Oh, I just needed to ask her a question about… well, come on now!' I grabbed them both by their elbows and pulled them out of the compartment with me. I turned just in time to see Potter and Lupin exchanging confused looks in the compartment.

Once we were out of earshot of anyone (we were in the bathrooms) I let go of Mary and Alice's arms. Before I could speak though, Alice jumped up.

'Guess what Lils?' she asked, her eyes sparkling. 'Frank proposed!' she flashed a sparkly ring lying on her left hand.

I threw my arms around her neck. 'Oh my gosh Alice, that's fantastic!' I stepped back, my eyes glowing. 'But guess what?' I pulled my ring out from under my shirt. 'Jessie proposed too!'

Mary and Alice jumped on me, squealing and screaming, 'Bloody hell Lils!' and 'This is awesome!' and 'We're going to be married!' We jumped up and down in an awkward group hug, our grins taking up our entire faces. Mary couldn't stop giggling, Alice was in tears and I was floating on clouds. This was officially the best return to Hogwarts yet.

Alice stepped back, her face shinning with tears. She sniffed and tried to wipe her tears away. 'Well, you two better go get off to your Prefect meeting.'

'Yeah, we should,' I leaned down and wiped some more tears off Alice's cheeks. 'C'mon Mary,' Mary grabbed my hand and squeezed it, still grinning at us.

'See you after the meeting Alice,' Mary called, waving to the emotional girl we were leaving behind us.

'Wow,' Mary said shaking her head as we walked down the length of the train. 'Married. You two are going to be married.'

I giggled slightly. 'I know,' I shook my head too. 'It's crazy right?'

Mary nodded, and opened her mouth to say something but never got the chance. As we passed a compartment, the door swung open and out walked the admittedly gorgeous but completely over-rated teenage wizard, Sirius Black. The two of us have never got along very well. Actually, that's an understatement. Maybe we don't have as many fights, yelling matches and duels in the hallways as Potter and I do, but I hate him more than I hate Potter. And he definitely feels the same way.

So of course when he comes out of the compartment I'm walking past it. And of course, we walk straight in to each other. And of course, we bump foreheads and are left staring straight at each other in the cramped hallway.

'Woah Black, did you shrink over the summer?' I asked, noticing he didn't seem as tall as he did before.

He snorted at me. 'Maybe you just grew,' he pointed out in an uh-duh voice.

'Oh,' I say. 'Yeah, that could explain it.'

Black rolled his eyes. 'I thought you were supposed to be smart.'

'And I thought you were supposed to be an asshole,' I snapped. 'Oh, wait, you are.'

Shoving him out of my way, I continued my way down the corridor with Mary to the prefect compartment. She was walking a couple of feet behind me, trying to keep up with my long strides.

'Wait up Lils,' I slowed down and let Mary step in front of me. She straightened my robes, pinned my head girl badge to them, smoothed out my white blouse and skirt, and ran her fingers through my hair.

'Go get 'em girl,' Mary winked and sauntered into the compartment in front of me. I rolled my eyes and followed her, trying to look confident. I stood the way my sister taught me to when we were still pretty close – shoulders back, head held high, placing one foot in front of the other and swinging my hips ever so slightly.

I didn't even falter when I saw Potter standing at the front of the room, talking to Lupin, with a Head Boy badge pinned to his shirt and his hair even messier than usual, making me think that he's probably been running his hand through it a lot.

I kept walking, my step faltering slightly, lowered my head just a little bit and shot a look at Mary, whose eyes were wide and her shoulders shaking slightly with the laughter she was holding in. I stuck my tongue out at her and joined Potter and Lupin at the front of the compartment.

'Congratulations Lily,' Remus smiled at me before leaving me and Potter, casting a warning look over his shoulder. Potter and I looked at each other for a moment before he cleared his throat.

'Well, um, good job Evans. We all knew you'd get it.'

I could feel the bowl of anger inside of me ready to spill over. How the bloody hell did Potter get it? He's never even been a Prefect! He doesn't follow the rules – hell, I doubt he knows the rules! I worked for this since I got to Hogwarts, and Potter just gets it handed to him?

I force the lid down on my bowl of emotions, controlling myself from letting them all out. 'Uh, yeah, thanks. Congratulations on Head Boy.'

He nods. 'Aren't we supposed to make a speech or something…?'

'Yes, we just have to wait until all the Prefects get here,' I point out and gestured to the half empty room.

We wait for the room to fill up in complete silence. I take note of all the seventh year prefects in my mind, and some of the six year prefects that I know.

Gryffindor seventh year prefects are obviously Remus and Mary. The two sit at the back of the compartment, away from the other prefects, talking quietly. Remus and Mary are two of the same – both are smart, quiet and kind. The two of them are friends, but not particularly close in any way.

The Ravenclaw prefects are Katelyn Gates and Tommy Gavelli. Katelyn and I have been friends since second year, when we were paired up for Transfiguration and nearly blew up the school together. Katelyn is loud, but not obnoxious; funny, but knows when to be serious; smart, but likes to have fun and the perfect wing-woman.

I didn't know much about Tommy, even though he had been a prefect as long as I had. I knew he was a Beater on the Gryffindor team, he was almost the top of his class and he was undeniably gorgeous, but so not my type. Plus, I don't think you're allowed to have a "type" that isn't your fiancé when you're engaged.

The Hufflepuff prefects for seventh year are Talia Jones and Taylor Long. The two of them are best friends, practically inseparable since birth. Yet, they are complete opposites. Talia is the quiet girl; shy, nervous and without many friends even though she's the sweetest person in the world. Taylor is loud, rambunctious and although he's nice to everyone, it's sometimes hard to tell whether he's being sincere or not.

I know one of the Hufflepuff six year prefects. Her name is Melody. She's short, thin and angular, with light blonde hair, pale skin, light freckles dusting her cheeks and astonishing blue eyes that are the first thing you notice when you look at her. They jump out of her face and across the room; wide and electric. I remember her because last year, every time it was full moon and Remus couldn't patrol with me, Lucy always offered to step in and patrol with me for him. I got to know the young Hufflepuff; sweet, funny but a bit odd.

Lastly, there's the Slytherin Prefects for seventh year. Rose Williams and Severus Snape. Rose Williams is the type of girl you can take one look at and know you shouldn't cross. She's just a couple inches shorter than me, she has long, straight black hair and these beautiful, but scary eyes that look dark brown when you first see them, but then you begin to wonder if they're really not brown, but purple or dark red.

And I'm sure you've heard enough about Severus Snape to last you a life time, so I won't bore you with the details.

But he's looking a bit worse than usual. He's grown an inch or two over the summer, but he's lost weight and his eyes are bloodshot. His hair is pushed away from his face, leaving his thin face clear. Our eyes lock for a second, but I look away quickly.

I clear my throat and everyone looks to the front of the room. I stand up, and give a small wave. 'Hey there everyone,' I say in my perfect Irish accent. 'Nobody's missing then? Alright, let's get this meeting started,' I clap my hands and give Potter a pointed look. He quickly gets to his feet and runs his hand through his hair.

'Right, well, first off you probably all know who we are, but just in case you don't… I'm Lily Evans, and this is James Potter. We'll be having another meeting later this week so today we'll just go over your basic duties and then you can go patrol the hallways.'

I quickly skim over the rules prefects have to know and what they're entitled to do and what they're not. I then inform them of how patrols are going to work and what to do in specific circumstances. Then I send them off to patrol the corridors in the train.

Slowly, one by one, everyone leaves to compartment. I'm waiting for everyone to leave, and only Potter, Remus, Mary and Melody are still here. Melody comes up to me, smiling slightly. She snakes her arms around my neck, and puts her mouth near my ear.

'Good job Lily,' she whispers in my ear.

'Thanks Mel,' I smile. 'Now get going, you're supposed to be doing rounds at the front of the train!'

'See you Evans,' she waved. 'Let me know if you ever need anyone to step in for you.'

'What does she mean?' Remus asked when she left.

'Hmm? Oh, she used to do rounds for you during the full moon when you couldn't so I didn't have to do them alone. Anyway, I'm going to go find Alice. Coming Mary?' I asked.

'Yeah, of course,' she fell into step beside me. 'Hey, Lily?'

'Yes?'

'I really do think you've gotten taller over the summer.' Mary told me.

'Crap.'