A/N: It's been a long time. I want to continue my story but as I was rereading everything I just had to make changes and corrections. I'll be updating all the chapters and then hopefully continuing the story! Thanks for reading and reviewing! The reviews always remind me that this story is still here and being read, and that I should continue!

CHAPTER 1 – The Return to Hogwarts

She slowly stepped out of her cab and onto the busy side of Kings Cross Station and heaved her very large trunk onto a nearby cart. Lily Evans' sixth year of Hogwarts was about to begin and she could not be more eager. She tied her long scarlet hair into a messy knot while searching for friends on the platform. There it was. Platform nine and platform ten, she would be somewhere between the two. Three quarters to be exact. She launched her small frame forward, pushing the heavy cart toward, and finally through, the barrier.

I'll never get used to this, she thought to herself as she stumbled through to the other side. Finally standing up straight and peering around at the large group of witches, wizards and parents she spotted a friend. Not far was Lily's closest friend, Amelia Paddock. She was giving her mother and father the usual goodbye hugs as Lily slowly pulled her things toward the tall brown haired girl.

"I'll see you during the break mum, no worries." She reassured a very protective, round faced mother.

Amelia was at least a full three inches taller than her mother and almost just as tall as her father. She looked a lot like a stretched out version of her mother, her father had always been very proud that she had gotten at least something from his side. She gave them both one final hug before noticing Lily and smiling brightly.

"Lily! It's been too long! Are you ready to go?" Amelia assisted Lily with putting away her luggage.

"Now wait Amelia. You make sure you write at the very least, once a week. Things are not so bright these days and we must know that you are safe. I'll also be checking in on emergency alerts near Hogwarts at the ministry so if I ask you to do something I need you to follow my instructions. Is that clear?" A worried Mr. Paddock questioned.

"'Course dad but Hogwarts is just as safe as anywhere else." Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Alright. Off you go, then." Mr. Paddock waved her off but turned to his daughter's redheaded friend, "Lily, mind your steps. The occurrences of misfortune for witches and wizards of your birth is increasing everyday."

"I understand Mr. Paddock. Nothing I haven't come up against at Hogwarts already, I'll be alright." Lily followed Amelia onto the train while waving goodbye.

"Think it'll be any worse than before?" Amelia asked absentmindedly while searching for an open compartment.

"Can't be. Its really only the Slytherins who make trouble. They would never dare step too far out of line with Dumbledore around" Lily pointed to the same compartment they occupied every year on the Hogwarts Express, "Being a prefect doesn't hurt as well. Maybe keep some of them in their place. Better be off to the meeting then."

Amelia heaved the door open. Braxton Hirst and William Crestwell were seated comfortably across from one another, catching up. The two were childhood friends from before they were born. Braxton gave a friendly wave to the two girls.

"Braxton, William," Amelia nodded a hello to both.

"Oy! Lily! Got a message for you." Braxton smiled after reaching her and handing her the small, folded up parchment, "Got one as well myself. Another Slugghorn lunch. Right across from the prefect compartment actually. Say you're coming."

Braxton and Lily had spent many of the parties hosted by their Potions professor discussing different ways to slip away unnoticed or miss future meetings. Braxton, who was one of Gryffindor's chasers, had it much easier than Lily. Although, she had a sneaking suspicion he secretly loved the attention and connections that came along with being a member of the 'slug club.'

"I have a prefect meeting but I suppose I could drop by for a bit. He'll bother me until the next one if I don't at least show up." Lily shrugged.

"That's the spirit!" Braxton lightly clapped her back cheerfully, "we'll catch up then."

Lily pocketed the invite without as much as a glance and made her way to the front of the train. She reached the compartment and took a seat next to the other sixth year prefect, Remus Lupin. It was not until recently that Lily and Remus had even held a full conversation together. He spent most of his time with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. Though the three were significantly gifted, they abused their talents in ways Lily did not approve. At the end of their fifth year Lily and Remus were assigned patrolling duty together and found that they had a fair amount in common. Lily was surprised that he spent so much time with the troublemakers and often shared in their 'accomplishments.'

"Had a good summer?" Remus smiled politely.

"As good as can be expected. I hope yours was well." Lily said.

With no elaboration Remus dropped the subject knowing enough about the feud between her and her sister to leave it alone. He noticed a couple glares focused on Lily and him coming across from them. There sat Marcus Malfoy with his nose in the air and a distracted looking Severus Snape next to him. As the Ravenclaw Head Boy and Slytherin Head Girl stood to welcome and explain changes and extra protection and protocol that the school had underwent Remus watched the two carefully. Each year Snape looked greasier and more sallow faced than the last. He assumed it had something to do with the loss of his best friend and the lengths he went with the Dark Arts. Lily and Snape were good friends up to fourth year. Things got a little rocky when Snape was spending time with Malfoy, Mulciber and their gang. He fell further and further into the Dark Arts. Lily did not like the way it was affecting him and by fifth year they were no longer on speaking terms.

"That's about it. Make sure if you have questions to come to us or your head of house. We'll contact you for the next meeting on Hogwarts safety precautions. Cheers."

The Head boy dismissed them only twenty minutes later. Lily and Remus stood up quickly to get out of the compartment first.

"Going to the lunch?" Remus questioned her, making small talk.

"For a moment. I've really got other things to do. You know something I never understood Remus? Why you never come to them." Lily commented looking him in the face.s

"Er…that'd be because I don't get invited. I know just what I hear from James." Remus shrugged looking down.

"Is that so? I would think…well you're just…one of the most talented in our year. It doesn't make much sense. I haven't seen Potter at one for almost a year now." Lily responded awkwardly.

"Well he's had quidditch and he's got captain this year to worry about and to be honest I think they bore him." Remus smiled toothily, "Speaking of, I'm off to find him and the others."

"Of course. I should be going as well. See you in class Remus." Lily turned away and headed just a few compartments over as slowly as she could.

She opened the door and heads turned her way as she entered. Being the center of attention she blushed a bit and muttered apologies for being late and took a seat next to Braxton. Slugghorn greeted her merrily making comments about her exceptional magical skills and responsibilities. He then moved on to tell a story of a wizard he grew up with who became the headmaster of Durmstrang.

"What did I miss?" Lily joked sarcastically.

"Loads. You'll be tested on it all as well. I think the most interesting development is scowling at me from the corner," He chuckled pointing across the compartment.

There sat James Potter leisurely staring down Braxton. Of course the two had known each other they were teammates after all. Braxton and James could be considered friends, if you ever saw James with anyone other than a marauder. Lily was surprised to see the scowl on his face.

"What did you do to Potter?"

"Accidentally got him pulled into Sluggy's lunch party," Braxton gave James a feminine wave which cause him to shrug irritably.

"He'll get over it. I'll understand if you leave me for him. You gotta keep your captain happy and knowing Potter, it is not an easy task," Lily scowled at James.

"Are you kidding? Who else would I talk to at old Sluggy's get togethers? Besides, he'd never taken it out on me on the pitch."

"I suppose Potter's wrath is better than Slugghorn's meetings alone in boredom." Lily whispered while smiling smugly, enjoying Potter's irritation a little too much.

After being guilted into staying for longer Professor Slugghorn stood up briskly as the train began to slow right before its halt; "Oho look at that, the time has escaped me. You've only but a few minutes. Hurry along and change. Don't miss the carriages."

Lily rushed to change and find Amelia. She hopped off the train and stood before a magically drawn carriage. Feelings of excitement rushed through her; she was back for another year at Hogwarts. It felt like she was returning home.

"Lily! There you are." Amelia pulled Lily toward a carriage, "knew you'd get caught up with Sluggy, same as last year. Alice Prewett is saving us a carriage."

Lily stepped into the carriage sitting next to Gryffindor seventh year prefect Frank Longbottom and across from Alice. Amelia sat next to Alice and smiled at Frank.

"Frank, you might know Alice. She's a seventh year as well." Amelia introduced the two.

"I've seen you around," Frank smiled and shook her hand, "pleasure, Alice."

"Pleased to meet you as well Frank." Alice chattered for a good while until Amelia stopped her, pointing at the castle before them.

"This year'll be great. I just know it."

Once the carriages stopped in front of the enormous castle, students filed in quickly, eager for their dinner. Lily and Amelia took their seats close to the sorting hat as the first years entered the Great Hall. The stars twinkled on the ceiling and Lily and Amelia began chatting happily. The Great Hall was filled with talking until the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stood. Silence filled the hall and the sorting hat began to sing:

I sort you into houses

Because that is what I'm for

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told, I have warned you…

Let the sorting now begin.

Lily and Amelia, and frankly almost no one else, paid attention to the sorting of the students after listening to the sorting hat's song. There were mutters and whispers about the meaning of the hat. Not too far away Lily could hear four boys whispering specifically.

"That hat has gone barking mad," Peter grinned.

"My dad says the sorting hat will give warning when it feels those at the school are in particular danger. He said to listen carefully this year." James Potter said seriously before looking more relaxed, "I'm not too bothered. It's Hogwarts and even if something could happen here, why would anyone want to attack a bunch of students?"

"Prongs I know you have a lot of faith in Hogwarts but the students all have parents you know. Parents that may be useful or may be fighting against these attackers." Remus hissed, "I know myself what can happen."

"Right." James ran his hand nervously through his already tousled hair.

Sirius sat quietly staring up at the sorting hat before saying, "I don't think we have much to worry about here though. It's mostly what's going on outside the castle. You know what I'd like to do? Join up with the group out there to fight it off. I heard Dumbledore–"

Remus shushed Sirius as the first years were all seated, the food appeared and Dumbledore stood again. He cleared his throat looking out at the sea of students.

"We have heard some great advice from our most wise sorting hat. I suggest we follow them. It does not do to be fighting inside this castle when there is so much outside of it. I do ask that you all follow the new rules posted in every common room. Make sure to be in those common rooms every night by eight o'clock. These are times when sneaking around the grounds is strictly forbidden and could result in much trouble. The precautions we are taking are merely for your safety and just that; a precaution. I suggest you each look over the rules or speak with a prefect if you have any questions. Now dig in and get some sleep for your lessons tomorrow!"