Chapter 1.
1st September. King's Cross Station.
After saying a teary goodbye to her loving parents, Lily Evans was ready to begin her seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Petunia had decided to stay at home on that day and wished Lily a stony goodbye just as they were leaving. Lily was determined to not let that bother her on her first day back at Hogwarts so pushed it out of her mind and instead craned her neck to see if she could spot one of her friends on the platform. Not seeing the mousy hair of Alice Fortescue or the blond locks of Marlene McKinnon, she decided it would be best to board the train herself. Just as she was about to lift her trunk onto the train, it was hoisted out of her hands in a blur and a second later she heard it land in the train corridor with a thud. Looking round her, Lily saw two familiar heads, both with black hair.
"Potter. Black." She sighed. The summer really was over.
"Nice to see you too Evans, have a nice summer?" returned James Potter.
"It was very pleasant not being bothered by you everyday" said Lily.
"That's hardly the way to treat your ever loyal butlers now is it Evans!" remarked Sirius Black, James' counterpart. "Wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the new Head Girl now would we!"
"Thank you for the help Black, although I could have easily done it by myself" said Lily curtly to Sirius. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to find my friends – if you see Remus please tell him to meet me at the Prefects compartment".
Lily boarded the train and headed off before she could hear Sirius mutter to James "too bad Prongs, maybe she's into Moony now".
James jokingly shoved his best mate and followed him onto the train. He pondered to himself about the ever growing question of Lily Evans. He had always liked her, despite the stubbornness, and had always secretly admired her goodness. During their fifth year at Hogwarts he had begun to constantly ask her out; his attempts had always been shot down with fired responses, yet this did not bother James as he knew that one day Evans would admit her true feelings for him. However, during their sixth year he had thought a bit about honing his approach as what had started out as a joke had turned into true feelings for the red-head. Of course he would never admit this, although he knew that Sirius might have guessed, but a powerful urge to defend Lily had overcome him, especially after the recent rise of dark magic that was happening around them.
"C'mon Prongs, stop day dreaming about Evans!" shouted Sirius which bolted James back into reality.
James followed Sirius down the train to come across a group of Slytherin fifth years who were trying to claim a compartment for themselves and trying to oust someone who resembled-
"Wormtail!" shouted James in a cheery fashion.
This made the Slytherin group look behind them and scowl at the two Gryffindors. Instantly recognising the prestige of the two Marauders, the Slytherins began to slunk away, murmuring "blood-traitors" under their breath. But this did not bother James or Sirius who were soon relaxing and catching up with their friend in the compartment. Initially stories of the summer were passed round, which mainly involved Peter laughing and gawping as his two friends told the adventures they had partaken in during their time at the Potter estate.
Checking his watch as the train whistled and began to pull out of the station, James addressed Sirius and Peter.
"I have something to tell you both, but I want to wait for Moony first. Any idea where he might be?" said James.
As if waiting for his cue, Remus then appeared looking slightly thinner and more tired than usual. He was of course greeted with cheers from his fellow Marauders, which he returned with a weary smile.
"Prongs, Padfood, Wormtail, good to see you all. I just wanted to check in before I head off to the Prefects compartment. Has anyone seen Lily?" asked Remus.
"Why yes I have" replied James "but wait Moony, I'm coming with you".
Remus looked confused for a second but then let out a groan "James you can't show up at the Prefects compartment just to see Lily, you'll embarrass her and it will make her hate you even more!".
James smirked at his friend before clearing his throat and saying "well on the contrary Moony, I think you'll find that this year my place in the Prefects compartment is deserved thank you".
His friends all looked confused. Smiling at all of them, James removed from his robe a large scarlet badge with the letters "HB" written on them. Sirius let out a chortle.
"Prongs mate, where did you get that? I was meaning to ask who the new Head Boy is, how come you stole it from him so easily without letting me in on it?" said Sirius, faking disappointment.
"Well Padfoot, it seems Dumbledore has finally gone off his rocker a bit, because you are looking at the new Head Boy" replied James, puffing his chest out.
Peter let out a gasp. Sirius and Remus both had their mouths wide open before Remus said "how on earth did this happen?".
"Honestly Moony, I'm not quite sure what Dumbledore was thinking, but hey the badge arrived at my house and was addressed to me. I was just waiting to tell you all so I could see your shocked reactions!" said James.
Secretly he was rather confused himself and had done a double take when he first received the badge. He knew he wasn't deserving of this, Remus definitely, but not him. He had made his mother swear not to tell anyone, this included Sirius. Remus had taken James' badge and was shaking his head in disbelief.
"Right then Moony, shall we go?" smiled James.
Remus, who was still surprised, nodded his head and the two set off. Meanwhile, Lily was in a nearby compartment catching up with Alice and Marlene all about their summers. Marlene had spent most of hers shadowing her father at the Ministry of Magic, whereas Alice had gone away with her parents to look at plants. Both had congratulated Lily on her appointment as Head Girl, but neither were surprised as it was something Lily was undoubtedly destined to be since day one of Hogwarts.
"Any idea who the new Head Boy is Lils?" asked Marlene.
Lily shrugged and replied "I guess I'll find out soon. Would be nice if its Remus, but I also don't mind the other Prefects from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Just as long as it's not … anyone from Slytherin, then I'll be happy". This made her slightly deflate inside, as everyone in the compartment was aware of who Lily was referring to. She knew she had to run into Severus, or Snivellus as he was widely known, at some point but she hoped it wouldn't be soon.
Saying goodbye to her friends, Lily exited the compartment and headed off in the direction of the Prefects compartment. She was just wondering who the new Head Boy could be when she felt a shiver. She looked up to see her old friend, now acquaintance Severus facing her, accompanied by some Slytherins. The group glowered at her, except Snape who was fidgeting. After a long pause, one of the Slytherins called out to her.
"Oh look Snape, its your mudblood friend. Fancy seeing what real wizards do Evans?".
Lily knew she could have hexed him then and there in a flash, but she ignored her impulse and instead looked directly at Snape, who avoided her gaze. As Lily was just about to open her mouth, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Lily! What's keeping you-" James stopped speaking as he saw who the red-head was facing. Him and Snape locked eyes.
"It's fine Potter. You can leave this to me" replied Lily, not taking her eyes off Snape.
A different Slytherin piped up this time. "Potter, defending the mudblood are we? Your choice to not stick up for our race and mixing with these muggles."
Lily looked over at James, who she half expected to hex the Slytherin. Instead he was almost shaking with fury, there was an anger unlike anything Lily had seen in his eyes. His consequent actions then puzzled Lily greatly. Instead of hexing the whole group of Slytherins and humiliating Snape, James replied in gritted teeth.
"Be careful what you say, Slytherin. Evans is a far better dueller than all of us, she would take you out in seconds".
Lily was extremely surprised. Whilst she was talented in duelling, she was sure James was much better than her as he seemed to have a natural ability of being good at everything. The Slytherin gang soon cleared off, with Snape at the rear, glaring at James. Once they had gone, Lily noticed Remus, who still had James' bagde, was standing next to James and went over to hug him.
"Remus! Oh I knew you'd get it!" squealed Lily, seeing his badge and hugging him.
"Good to see you too Lily! But actually it's not -" replied Remus, patting her on the arm. He looked over at James who was surveying the train corridor, no doubt for more Slytherins. "Prongs, you coming?" asked Remus.
Lily let out a low laugh to be met with the serious faces of both James and Remus.
"Evans seriously be careful around those creatures. I have no doubt that you can take them down by yourself, but you'll need back up in the future!" James sounded almost angry.
Lily looked even more surprised, then gestured to Remus, who gestured to James.
"Potter, I appreciate that but I don't need your help. Now run along to the rest of your gang, Remus we are going to be late!" said Lily.
"Lily, James is actually coming with us" Remus replied, looking apologetic.
"I don't understand" replied Lily.
She watched in disbelief as Remus, who was holding the 'Head Boy' badge, passed it back to James, who went red.
"No! It can't be – what? I don't – no – but Dumbledore – Remus you're the Prefect!" words seemed to stumble out of Lily's mouth as she looked at the 'Head Boy' badge, which was now pinned to James' chest.
"Look Evans, I know it is a surprise, believe me I couldn't quite believe it. But Dumbledore has clearly made this mistake for a reason. I understand you are probably not happy with his decision, as you'll have to patrol with me and not perfect little Moony, but it is the way it is." James seemed almost embarrassed, as he knew that he wasn't truly deserving of this honour.
"Potter, I swear, if this is some kind of trick to get me to go out with you!" Lily was nearly shouting now.
James grinned at her. "Evans really, if I still wanted to go out with you trust me, this is not the way I would do it. I don't exactly cherish the thought of having to patrol the school, or having to stop hexing people. And now I have to be the one who busts the parties! Believe me, this is not something I've been dreaming about since coming to Hogwarts."
Lily opened her mouth to protest but James carried on speaking.
"Look, Evans, ultimately Dumbledore chose me for this role and surely his decision deserves to be respected. I don't know why he chose me, but he did. He may be old, but Dumbledore is no fool and I intend to honour his decision as best I can. Whilst I'm not sure if I can promise to fulfil every role perfectly, unlike you" he winked, "I will try my best."
Lily did not look convinced.
"Trust me Evans. I am not going to mess this one up."
By this point even Remus was smiling, as he realised that perhaps James had finally grown up and matured. Lily however was not thoroughly convinced as she narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips at him.
"You swear on Merlin's beard this isn't another ploy to ask me out?" she said.
"I swear on all of Merlin, not just his beard, that I have no intention of asking you out again Evans. That James is one of the past" he replied.
Remus checked his watch and chimed in "look I hate to interrupt the beginning of what I am sure will be a great partnership, but we are late".
Lily gasped. It would not bode well if she and James were late for their first Heads meeting. She set off down the corridor, with the two boys in hot pursuit behind her. She wondered if James had really meant it when he said he would not be asking her out again. On the one had, this was immensely relieving as she wouldn't have to endure the constant embarrassment. But in a way, she had grown used to his attempts. They had been mostly toned down in their sixth year, and actually the Marauders had become more like friends to Lily, following the disaster that ended her friendship with Severus.
When they reached the Prefects compartment, James opened the door and gestured to Lily, saying "ladies first". Lily returned his smile and entered the compartment.
Just as James was about to enter, Remus pulled him back.
"Prongs, are you seriously not going to ask out Lily again?" Remus inquired.
James gave no reply, instead just winked at him.