Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

The character Celine belongs to me. The character Chloe belongs to my friend.

This story is a prequel to my other story "Hogwarts Revisited".

Enjoy! 3

Lily Evans always claimed the window seat. Ever since her first year train ride she swore she'd always have it. Her friends knew this all too well as she'd always scurry to an empty compartment with much vigor. But this year half of the race to the coveted compartment wasn't only for that window seat, it was to hide from someone. This someone, whom she loathingly referred to as "Potter", had the habit of searching through the compartments for her, followed by his three "gang members". There was "Black", who came in a close second on her hatred scale who always followed Potter around like a overly boisterous lap dog, though in her opinion this "dog" needed to be fixed. Always close behind was Remus, who she referred to on a first name basis because he actually was an individually functioning being, unlike the others. Always lagging behind them was Peter, the worshiper. He was a nice boy but definitely chose the wrong crowd.

Finally she made it into an empty compartment and slid inside, taking her seat by the window and savoring her victory.

"Another victorious year, Lily?" Chloe smiled, sitting across from her.

Lily quickly shut the door, "Yes but not yet. Potterwatch hasn't passed over yet."

Chloe giggled, if Lily could hide from him the whole train ride she'd be very impressed. As the years passed it only seemed to fuel his determination to date Lily more.

After a few minutes Lily seemed to finally relax.

"So how was your summer, Chloe?"

"It was nice. Yours?"

"It was relaxing. Though I'm glad to be starting fifth year. I heard it's tough though."

"Yes, but I'm sure you'll do great," Chloe smiled.

Lily smiled. She did love Hogwarts. She wasn't going to let some boy ruin it for her.

"Where is she?" James whined, walking down the hall between the compartments.

"Hiding from you, mate," Sirius teased.

"I'm sure she's around here somewhere," encouraged Remus, knowing James might start pouting.

"She always has the window seat," James mused aloud as he searched, causing Sirius and Remus to exchange looks. Sometimes James needed to keep his obsessive ramblings to himself.

Suddenly he stopped and grinned as he saw the familiar dark red hair.

Sirius followed his gaze and rolled his eyes. He'd never understand how James could just settle on one girl, especially one who despised him. Maybe James was a masochist?

Lily glanced out the compartment window into the hall and froze, green eyes locked on brown.

She had to react quickly; she had nowhere to run so she did the next best thing, she ducked her head out of view.

James's grin faded as he looked confused and Sirius burst out into laughter.

Chloe looked down at Lily confused, "Lily? What is it?"

"I've been spotted," she whispered. Why she was hiding when he obviously saw her she wasn't sure. Truthfully she felt pretty stupid. Perhaps Potter had the memory of a goldfish and would forget he even saw her.

No such luck. James Potter slid open the compartment door and smiled down at Lily.

"Hey Lils," he smirked.

Lily cringed. He had thought up another nickname. Is that all he did during the summer?

She straightened herself up and tried to compose herself.

"Potter."

"How was your summer?" he slid down next to her, leaving little space between them.

"It was fine," she scooted more towards the window. She paused before continuing, she needed to be polite, "Yours?"

"It was fun," he smiled.

Lily sighed and looked out the window. Maybe she could forget that Potter was right there. Unfortunately not; she could see his reflection watching her.

"Quit that," she frowned.

"Quit what?" he grinned.

"Staring. It's rude, Potter."

"I just can't help it, Evans," he began, "You're so-"

"Don't want to hear it," she cut in.

James chuckled, "Y-"

"Hush."

James sighed and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up more. He wouldn't give up so easily. He was James Potter after all.

Remus had a bad habit; the others always teased him about it. Whenever he saw something he was fond of, whether that is a good book or a piece of chocolate cake, he would stare. It wasn't really noticeable, he'd just get a specific look and he'd zone out. Needless to say it wasn't the cake or book that was making him stare this time. It was Chloe.

Chloe smiled to him, a tiny embarrassed blush forming on her cheeks. She knew she should be helping Lily but she was distracted.

"Hi Remus." She would never admit it but he was one of the reasons she looked forward to going back to Hogwarts.

Peter had been assigned to the job of breaking Remus from these stare moments, not wanting Remus to be put in an embarrassing situation. As soon as the zoned out look passed over Remus, Peter quickly elbowed him in the side, causing a swift snap back to reality.

"Hi Chloe, have a nice summer?" Remus smiled; now back to normal functionality.

"I did. And yourself?"

"It was nice," he replied, sitting down next to her. He actually preferred school though. He had missed his friends.

Sirius and Peter exchanged looks before taking their seats. Sirius just stared out into the hall looking for future ex-girlfriends. Peter tried to chat with him but Sirius just replied boredly. He wasn't much for train rides in the first place.