It had been a long and hot summer but it was now over and Lily Evans was on her way back to school. Yet Lily was no ordinary girl, Lily was a witch and she was about to embark on her sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had just completed her O.W.L.'s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and had done very well. Lily had been debating all summer what subjects she was going to take for her N.E.W.T's (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). She was thinking about becoming an auror but she knew that was a tough career to get into. She searched the train for someone that she knew. She had got to the final compartment when she heard a male voice call her back.

"Lily! Hey Evans!"

Lily knew that voice. She heaved a large sigh before turning around. Standing in the doorway of one of the compartments she had just passed was James Potter.

James was in the same year and house as Lily and was the star of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He also had a massive ego. Lily had always tried to avoid talking to James but on this occasion, it seemed rude to ignore him, especially as there was no one else to sit with.

"Hi James. How are you?" replied Lily in the sweetest voice she could muster.

"I'm fine thanks. Wanna join us?"

No! No! No!

"Yeah that would be nice thanks."

Lily knew immediately knew who the 'us' were: James and his little crew that consisted of him, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Out of the four of them, Remus was the only person Lily spoke to out of choice and it was Remus who Lily headed for when she entered the compartment.

"Hi Remus, how are you?"

"I'm fine thanks Lily" replied Remus as he got up to hug her in welcome. Lily hugged him back and kissed him on the cheek.

When Lily took her seat next to Remus she looked around the compartment at the other people in there. James was looking shocked at the friendly exchange between her and Remus but Lily didn't care. James was not accustomed to having the limelight taken away from him. If it helped to deflate that oversized ego of his, then Lily was pleased he had seen it. The other two in the compartment reacted differently from James and each other. Sirius smirked and winked at Remus while Peter's eyes darted nervously from James and then back to Lily and Remus.

"So, did you all have a good summer?" asked Lily, desperate to break the silence.

"Oh yeah it was great!" replied Sirius sarcastically, his face full of hatred. "Got to spend six weeks with the parents from Hell!"

"I was only asking Sirius, there's no need to jump all over me!" retorted Lily angrily.

It was well known to people in Gryffindor that Sirius did not get along with his family. Most people stayed clear of the subject of family whenever Sirius was around.

"Sorry Evans, but you know how I feel about going home for the holidays."

"Don't call me Evans, you know I don't like it!"

Sirius's expression changed to his trademark smirk again

"I know!" he grinned.

Lily smiled despite herself and turned her attention back towards Remus.

"You look awful Remus!"

"Thanks" cried Remus, pretending to sound hurt

"You know what I mean" replied Lily

"Well…it's been a rough few days" said Remus

"Hmmm" muttered Lily, knowingly.

There had always been an unspoken understanding between Lily and Remus. It was not common knowledge that Remus was a werewolf. In fact, Lily doubted whether anyone other then the people in this compartment knew. Remus had never told Lily he was a werewolf, nor had anyone else for that matter. However, Lily was a clever girl and had soon figured out Remus's secret for herself. This made the bond between Lily and Remus very special. She had never told anyone Remus's secret but somehow both of them knew that the other knew. This was enough to cement their friendship. James, Sirius and Peter on the other hand, Lily was not so sure about.

Lily had never warmed to James although he seemed to be fond of her. Last year, James had repeatedly asked Lily out, only for her to refuse every time. Lily couldn't help but be flattered that one of the most popular boys at school liked her but she could never see the attraction; he was not what you would call good looking. James was slim, average height with very untidy black hair that he would run his hands through, to make it look like he had just stepped off his broom. He was an excellent Quidditch player, no doubt about that but he knew it. He paraded himself around the school like he was God's gift to the world and Lily truly believed that he revelled in his own hype.

Sirius on the other hand was a different matter. He too was one of the most popular boys at Hogwarts. He and James were best friends and quite the double act. Lily had taken quite a liking to Sirius without really knowing why. Actually that was a lie. Lily knew exactly why she liked Sirius. He was tall with short black hair that occasionally fell into his eyes. He had a good physic considering he ate like a pig and his pale grey eyes always had a flirtatious glint to them. In short, Sirius Black was extremely good looking. Not only was he good looking, but he and James were two of the cleverest people in their year. Lily never let on that she thought Sirius was good looking (he knew that himself, without being told) and made sure that she treated him the same as anyone else. Lily never understood those girls who giggled and whispered every time he and James walked by. She found them quite pathetic.

Lily's eyes travelled from James and Sirius and rested on Peter. Peter was an odd one. Lily did not know him very well and never knew what to make of what she did know. He was a short, chubby boy with small black eyes and a pointed nose. He always seemed nervous and followed James and Sirius around like those giggling girls Lily detested so much. Lily felt sorry for him as he was, well, quite frankly pathetic.

"So how was your summer then?" James asked, once he had recovered from his initial shock.

"Oh you know the usual. Went to the south of France for a few weeks with my family. That was the highlight of my holiday really!"

"Oh! Why's that? Do I smell a holiday romance?" teased Sirius looking quickly over at James before turning his attention back to Lily.

"That Sirius Black, is none of your business!" retorted Lily, smirking herself

"Ok, Ok!" said Sirius, grinning and holding up his hands in mock surrender, seemingly unaware of James glaring at him.

"Have you thought about what you're going to take for your N.E.W.T'S? said Remus changing the subject quickly.

"Sort of" replied Lily "I've been thinking about becoming an auror, so I would have to take Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts at least. What about you? You were always quite good at Defence Against the Dark Arts weren't you?"

"Quite good!!! He's a genius at it!" cried Peter

Sirius, James and Remus laughed, both at Peter's sudden exclamation and at Lily's shocked expression.

"Well, I don't know that genius is quite the word, but I do enjoy it" smiled Remus

"So would you think about becoming an auror then?" asked Lily

"No, I don't think the Ministry would accept me onto the program"

"Of course, yeah, sorry" mumbled Lily, embarrassed at her thoughtlessness.

"I was thinking about, maybe, going into teaching but nothings set in stone yet. I'll just see how these two years go first" grinned Remus.

"These are gonna be the best years of our school life. We are gonna rule the School!" Said Sirius, as he lay on his side, his elbow on the seat, propping up his head with his hand.

"Making yourself comfortable there are you Sirius?" remarked Lily

"I'd be even more comfortable if you came and sat with me" said Sirius, patting the seat next to him, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Lily considered him for a second before replying "I'm perfectly content here next to Remus actually" and with that she shifted herself closer to Remus before snaking her arm through his. Sirius seemed a little put out but laughed all the same.

The rest of the journey to Hogwarts continued without much excitement. It was only when they arrived at Hogwarts and Lily found some of her own friends, that she realised she had actually enjoyed the journey. Maybe Sirius and his mates weren't so bad after all.

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