Say hello to my new fiction! I told myself I'd give this a break, especially as seeing how I have difficulties keeping up with my stories anyways. But I hope you all like this! OH! And next FRIDAY! OHMYROWLING! IT'S SO BLOODY CLOSE! The end of an era. It doesn't help that I'm listening to Wrock right now. Oh. And I accidently took this on like something of a novel that I would write, so...sorry it's so long! Haha!

DISCLAIMER: I only own the plot and the few characters I've made up. Enjoy...

I looked around my room, scanning it one last time to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. When I saw nothing, I slipped my wand into my jacket pocket and walked out of my room, shutting the door quietly behind me. Down the hall, behind the closed white door, I heard music.

Frowning, I trudged to the door and knocked.

The music stopped and then the door opened.

Petunia's face immediately slid into a scowl as she saw it was me.

"What?" she asked unkindly.

"I just wanted to say goodbye," I replied, fighting to keep my face impassive.

Petunia stared at me for a moment before snorting and slamming the door in my face.

"See over the holidays!" I shouted, forcing cheerfulness. I was met with silence.

Sighing sadly, I made my way downstairs where Mum and Dad were standing, beaming, as always, as I reached them at the door.

"Oh, Lily! You'll have a great term!" Dad said as he kissed me on my forehead.

"Thanks, Dad," I replied.

Mum was still beaming then turned to Dad.

"I'll be back soon," she said before pecking him goodbye.

"See you, Dad," I said, hugging him tightly.

"Have a good term," he whispered. "Love you."

"Love you too," I replied.

Mum left first and, just as I was about to walk out, I turned around and shouted, "LOVE YOU, PETUNIA!"

There was a thud and I chuckled bitterly.

"Oh, same as ever," I said as Dad followed us outside.

"She'll come round," he said encouragingly.

"She's had seven years to do that, Dad," I pointed out as he opened the car door for me. I slid into the seat the same time as Mum. "Nothing will change."

Dad shrugged.

"See you."

"See you," I replied.

The drive to King's Cross was a short affair, as always, and, before I knew it, I was staring at the scarlet steam engine, students milling around on its platform.

Even though I still had fifteen minutes to spare, I bade Mum farewell and found an empty compartment towards the front of the train so I didn't have far to go when I had to greet the new Prefects and the Head Boy.

Sinking into the seat, I heard the compartment door open followed by a loud squeal.

A girl with dark, short, spiky hair launched herself on me, wrapping her arms tightly around my shoulders.

"Lily!" she squealed! "I missed you!"
"Hi, Alice," I laughed.

Alice released me and plopped down on the seat across from me, beaming.

"Guess who's got a boyfriend," she sang.

"Who?" I asked.

"Me!" she squealed.

I laughed.

"Frank and I met up this July and we've been going together ever since," she said happily. "Oh, Lily!"

"I can tell you're happy," I replied, smiling, happy for my best friend.

She nodded. "Oh, I am! I just wish you had a boyfriend, someone as good as Frank."

"I'm not even-" I began, but the compartment door opening again cut me off.

"Oh, if she'd just give in to Potter's begging, I'm sure she'd have had a boyfriend years ago," Marlene said, letting the door shut behind her while she embraced me.

"I won't give in to Potter, Marlene," I said severely. "That's not happening."

"So you say now," she said airily. "I believe it will happen."

"You've said this since the fourth year, when his pleading began," I pointed out.

She shrugged. "It'll happen."

I nodded once, smiling.

"So, I see you got the Head Girl position," Alice said, pointing at the badge on my robes.

I looked down and nodded.

"Not a surprise," Marlene said with a shrug. "Brightest witch of the year. Probably of the whole school. I knew you were a shoe-in."

"I wonder who the Head Boy is," Alice said thoughtfully.

"C'mon!" I laughed. "It's probably Remus!"

Marlene and Alice agreed.

We caught up with each other and, not too long after, I had to go to the Prefects compartment.

After biding Alice and Marlene farewell, I made my way through the crowded corridors to the first compartment and opened the door to see eight fifteen year olds talking nervously amongst themselves. Well, the Hufflepuff's, Ravenclaw's, and Gryffindor's talked to one another while the Slytherin's sat stoically at the far end of the compartment.

I frowned.

House unity was so difficult when no one made an effort, I thought, frowning, hands on my hips.

The Gryffindor Prefect spotted me at that moment and stood up, shouting my name.

"I knew you'd get that!" she cried happily as she pointed at the Head Girl badge.

I smiled back at her and took the proffered seat beside her as she moved over.

"Thanks," I said. "Have you seen the Head Boy?"

She shook her head.

"I dunno who he is though," she said. "I reckon it must be either Remus or someone else."

I nodded. "Everyone thinks it must be Remus," I said with a laugh.

"It's 'cause he's so bloody brilliant," the Hufflepuff boy said with a shrug. "He always gets either O's or E's in class. Like you."

I blushed.

"I don't know why you weren't put in Ravenclaw," the Ravenclaw girl said. "You're terribly smart, you know."

"Thanks," I said awkwardly.

After that, we introduced ourselves.

The Gryffindor Prefects were Amanda Brown and Ted Tonks; the Hufflepuff Prefects were Amelia Bones and Brady Jones; the Ravenclaw Prefects were Rachel Hart and Curtis Smith; the Slytherin Prefects were Andromeda Black and Regulas Black.

Half an hour after meeting all the new Prefects, the compartment door slid open once more in walked none other than James Potter.

My face automatically slid into a scowl as he walked up to us.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" I demanded as he plopped down next to Ted Tonks, who beamed.

"Why, I'm Head Boy, Evans," Potter said with a gleeful looked in his hazel eyes.

"There's no way-" I began, but I stopped short when I saw the Head Boy badge gleaming on his chest. My jaw dropped and Potter chuckled.

"No need to be so surprised, Evans," he said, amused. He turned to the others and said, "So, has Evan's filled you in on what you have to do?"

"No," Amelia said, staring at James in awe. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"We were waiting for you, James," I said in a clipped voice.

"Damn," James said lightly, lounging in the seat. "I was hoping to come in then go."

"Feel free," I said, motioning to the door. "But I'll tell McGonagall if you leave. You won't shirk you're duties as Head Boy, Potter."

Potter put on an offended look. "Me? Shirk my duties? Evans, you don't trust me?"

"Of course I don't," I snapped.

The Prefects were watching our arguing like a fascinating tennis match, their heads going back and forth.

"Now, first off, when Dumbledore dismisses us for bed," I said, "you're to take all the first years to the dorm. It's a very simple task, really. And the password is aequa felicitate. After that, McGonagall will give you jobs, mostly patrolling the corridors every once and awhile. That doesn't happen often, though. That's usually the Head Boy and Girl's job along with the teachers. You are also expected to be on your best behaviour. It would not due to look irresponsible when you're a Prefect. Now, any questions?" I asked.

Everyone shook their heads and I turned to the Slytherin's in the corner.

"Do you understand?" I asked them.

Andromeda nodded while Regulas gave me a stony look.

I nodded and said, "You're dismissed. Go have fun before school starts."

The Prefects all jumped up and bolted out of the compartment.

I took my time and, unfortunately, so did Potter.

"So, Evans," he said casually as I speeded up.

"What, Potter?" I asked.

"Want to go to the first Hogsmeade trip this term?" he asked, putting his hand on the compartment door, making my opportunity to escape now impossible.

I sighed.

"Will you ever give up, Potter?" I asked him, my voice sounding more like a plea than a demand.

He beamed as his hazel eyes lit up.

"Nope."

"Out of my way," I sighed.

When he didn't move, I drew out my wand and said, "If you don't get out of my way, I will hex you to America. Now move."

Potter threw his hands up in surrender and backed away, but he was still smiling.

"Not a very good role model for the Prefects, Evans," he said, his eyes, not on me, but on something behind me.

"There's no one even in here," I said as I turned to confirm it. But I was wrong.

Andromeda Black still sat in her seat. She wasn't watching us, but she was staring out at the passing landscape of fields.

I turned to scold Potter, but he was already gone.

Sighing, I went to leave when Andromeda spoke.

"Boys are funny creatures, aren't they?" she said quietly.

Her voice was softer than I expected and nothing like her sister, Bellatrix's had been.

"No, I suppose not," I said, forcing myself to get over my shock of a Black talking to me.

"Tell me, how is my cousin?" she asked. She still wasn't looking at me.

"Erm, fine, I suppose," I said awkwardly. "He and I don't really talk much. You'd have to ask Potter – James," I said hastily, correcting myself.

"Why do you call him Potter?" she asked. She finally looked at me, her brown eyes curious.

She had a beautiful face, a face very similar to Bellatrix's, but I could see the difference. Andromeda's feature's were softer and fuller. Her lips were red and her skin pale and clear. She had thin eyebrows and thick eyelashes that framed honey colored eyes.

She saw my scrutiny and laughed softly.

"I know," she said. "Not exactly you're usual Black, am I?"

I shrugged.

"I know a decent Black," I said, walking slowly over to her.

"Yes, and, sadly, he was disowned by his family last year," Andromeda said. Her face was sad as she looked at me.

"What? Sirius was disowned?" I asked, surprised.

She nodded. "Yes. He and his parents had a row and he left. I reckon he went to live with his uncle. He was disowned too."

I shook my head.

"That's madness!"

"That's my family," Andromeda said.

She stood and walked to the door. Before she left, she turned around and said, "Not all of us are bad, you know. Sirius came out just fine."

"I know," I replied softly.

She had just opened the door when I said, "And so will you."

She turned back, her face surprised, before she smiled then left.

Sighing, I looked out at the passing scenery before going back to my compartment where Alice and Marlene were entertaining Frank and his friend, Terence Bobbin.

Without a word, I made my way over to my still-vacant seat, and plopped down, ignoring the loud chattering that filled the compartment.

A headache was forming right behind my left eye and I desperately wanted some peace and quiet.

"Lily, you okay?" Alice asked, which immediately stopped all conversation.

I nodded, offering a forced smile.

"I just have a headache."

"So who's the Head Boy?" Marlene asked, lounging in her seat. "Remus?"

I shook my head, disgust filling my features once more.

"It isn't Snape, is it?" Alice demanded.

I shook my head fiercely as a buried longing rose once more for my old friend.

"No," I replied.

"Well, then, who is it?" Marlene and Alice demanded together.

Grimacing, I said, "Potter."
There was a moment of shocked silence until Marlene busted out laughing.

"You've got to be joking!" she laughed. Alice laughed nervously, but watched me carefully. "Potter…he can't be Head Boy? Surely there's a mistake!"

I shook my head. "No, I assure you…it's Potter."

"What was Dumbledore thinking?" Frank asked as Terence shook his head.

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure his mind's going if he chose Potter as Head Boy," Marlene said, disgusted.

Before anyone could reply, there was a soft knock on the compartment door and then it opened.

"Anything off the trolley?" asked the lady who always came around with sweets.

Frank and Terence launched themselves to the trolley where they proceeded to load up on sweets while Marlene stood behind them. Only Alice remained with me.

She was watching me worriedly.

"Are you sure you're okay, Lily?" she asked me.

I shook my head.
"No, I'm not," I replied wearily. "Not only can I not stand Potter as it is, but now I have to actually be stuck with him for hours while we patrol corridors. Oh, this headache's turning into a migraine," I added with a groan.

Alice looked at me sympathetically before getting herself food as well. She sat back down in front of me and handed me a Chocolate Frog.

"Alice, I'm really in no mood for sweets right now," I said, ignoring the Frog she held out.

"Trust me, chocolate fixes everything," she said seriously.

With a sigh, I took the Frog, ripped it open, and took a bit of it. almost immediately, I felt better.

"Thanks, Alice," I said gratefully.

"Don't thank me," she said with a shrug. "Thank Remus. He's the one who gave me a Chocolate Frog last year when I had a headache. He was right, wasn't he?"

I nodded.

"I'll have to thank him for that," I said with a laugh.

The sky gradually darkened and the lamps on the train cut on. Before we knew it, the train was slowing down then stopping all together.

"Can you believe this is our last year at Hogwarts," Marlene said as we shoved our way through the crowds outside.

"Marlene, if you mention another word that it's our last year," I said over the head of a few first years, "I will hex you."

Marlene merely laughed as we stepped out onto the damp platform and made our way to the carriages.

"You will still love me," she laughed, "no matter what."

I rolled my eyes as we clambered into the carriages.

"Yes, yes," I replied, bumping her shoulder with mine. "No matter what."

"What about me?" Alice demanded, pouting.

"We love you too, Alice!" Marlene cried as she threw her arms around Alice. I joined in and we sat there, embracing one another, laughing happily, as the carriage pulled us towards Hogwarts.

"I just hope this year goes slow," Alice said quietly.

"So do I," I said.

"And I hope You-Know-Who Vanishes forever," Marlene said darkly.

"Marlene!" I cried, looking around.

Even though no one else was around, I looked at her, terrified a Death Eater would pop up.

"Look, we all know he's not going anywhere," she said in a serious voice. "He's too strong."

"Marlene," Alice said in a warning voice.

"No, he is!" she said.

I frowned.

"But that doesn't mean I won't still join up those fighting him," she said, jutting her chin out.

I smiled at my old friend.

"We'll join them after this year, won't we?" I asked her.

She nodded and so did Alice.

We were all nervous, though we knew we would join those fighting You-Know-Who. We didn't want him to win and we wanted to make life safe for those who were innocent.

"We'll defeat him," Alice said quietly.

I smiled at her as Hogwarts loomed overhead, its lights lighting the way to the oak front doors.

Please review! I love them so much!

-TheTragedyIs13-