The end of summer was inevitable. As the sun gleamed through the windows of the Potter house, James began to stir, his eyes were half open and his hair uncontrollably tosseled. He sat up and looked around his room, his Quidditch poster's were plastered on the walls, his school books were stashed into a far corner of his bedroom and he refused to touch them until it was completely necessary.
James was a smart boy, he was the last of the Potter line, his parents who were old even by wizarding standards had slightly pampered him. He wasn't spoiled, he amused them, and was never taught the importance of "roughing" it. Mrs Potter had been an editor for the Daily Prophet when she was younger, and Mr Potter had been an Auror for the Ministry of Magic.
Mrs Potter was a delicate woman, very kind, very fragile, she spoke softly and laughed often with her son. She and her husband had always wanted a child and though in there early years it seemed impossible they were blessed with James much later.
Mr Potter was an intimidating man, yet he was very approachable. James found it easy to discuss matters of importance with his father and felt and extreme amount of both respect and loyalty to his father. Though the Potter's were Pure-bloods the family never boasted to be better than anyone else by blood line. However Mr Potter's years in the Ministry had made him very weary of the Dark Arts, and was very stern with James about them, and his prejudice for them were passed to his son.
"James! What are you going to do sleep past lunch? Sirius is here and waiting!" yelled Mrs Potter
James slowly rolled out of bed, he pulled out some clothes, put on his glasses and tossled his hair then proceeded downstairs.
"Good Lord Prongs, certainly took you long enough" Sirius smirked.
"Now are you sure you boys dont want to stay here for lunch?"
"No mom, we'll be fine, dont worry about us, we are headed off to Three Broomsticks. We'll be back later" James said looking slightly guilty
"Oh, alright" she said quietly
"I love you, ill see you tonight mom" and with that James left the house,
"whats up with you my dear boy!" Sirius said wondering where this melancholy had come from
"Dad's sick, my parents have suddenly realized they are getting older. With all that is going on with this Voldemort guy taking over my parents are just getting a little bit more attached."
"This Voldemort guy, can't be much worse than Grinewald, and surely Dumbledore will vanquish him before too long" Sirius said trying to reassure his friend "besides this is our final year at Hogwarts and I refuse to let my best friend mope around this year wondering when a certain red head will finally return his affections"
At this James finally smiled "I have decided Padfoot, that this year will be different, I will be Lily Evans' boyfriend before graduation"
"Prongsy, how do you plan on pulling that one off?" Sirius jested
"Thats my business, but my parents wont be around much longer, and I want them to see me married, and I want that girl to be Lily Evans, mark my word"
"Well Prongs I do not mean to offend, but how about you try to get her to stay in the same room with you without singing your shortcomings and then MAYBE she will be your girlfriend"
They walked into Three Broomsticks, and walked over to the bar.
"Well if it isn't my two favorite Gryffindors" Madame Rosmerta smiled, "What can I get for you today boys?"
"Your mere presence is enough to satisfy Madame" Sirius said smirking,
"However" added James "2 butterbeers would be fantastic"
"Coming right up"
"Sirius you can be downright embarrassing sometimes,"
"Well at least I'm not drawing snitches all over my notebooks with L.E written in the middle, I mean really Prongsy sometimes you act like a real wanker" James face turned slightly red and he looked away, "Oh come on James, dont get all dark and brooding again"
"Agh, have you heard from Remus and Peter lately? I havent heard from Peter and Remus has only owled a few times"
"Nah" said Sirius "Remus wrote a few weeks ago asking when we were getting together before we go to Kings Cross, and I wrote Peter last week, maybe its because I'm lonely but I was beginning to get kind of worried about that little berk"
It was then that a group of girls walked in, giggling about something or another, but making enough commotion to draw attention to themselves. The boys turned around, sure enough it was a group of 6th and 7th year Hogwarts girls, and to James' surprise they were accompanied by Lily.
It wasnt that Lily wasn't popular, but her friendships didnt usually include those of giggling girls, however among the girls was Hannah Stewart a strange but quiet girl whose parents were unfathomably wealthy which always put her among the elite, and she was Lily's best friend.
"Well Prongsy it looks like your fiance has just walked in, shall I go congratulate her?" Sirius jested
"No, I intend not to acknowledge the girls until we leave"
The girls crowded around a table in the back of the bar, they all had stories from the summer to tell,
"We went on vacation to Egypt to see the Pyramids, and discover the "wonders" of the ancient wizards" said one tall 7th year
"Well my family stayed at home, my parents wanted to be sure I had no reason to not do my home-" Cecilia Menkins interrupted
"Did anyone else notice two of those attractive boys sitting by the bar?"
The girls turned and looked to see James and Sirius talking to Rosmerta laughing and side arming each other.
"Well Lily doesn't think much of them, that much is certain" Hannah piped up,
"Yah, Lily why is that?"
"Well aside from being arrogant blokes, they both prance around shouting jinxes just because they can. Besides that since our third year Potter has taken to asking me out at every opportunity and that bugger doesn't even know me, its damn offensive"
"I dunno," Hannah smiled "I always thought it was kinda sweet"
"Well ladies," a voice came from behind from none other than Sirius Black, "James and I were leaving and we wished to bid you farewell" he said bowing his head slightly, the girls were always charmed by his simple way of making them all feel beautiful.
"How was your summers?" asked Cecilia
"Lovely, I didnt see my family at all, and I spent the rest of the time with James"
"I stayed at my house and waited for Sirius to arrive, how was your summer Lily?"
The girls all turned and smiled at Lily,
"It was pleasant, quiet," she said reluctantly acting as though she couldn't care one way or another.
"Well then," said Sirius, seeking an opportunity to leave "James and I are off then, we'll see you at Kings Cross in next week!"
As they walked away James looked slightly pleased with himself,
"Not a single biting word! It may have been only 4 words, but it was as she said "pleasant""
When James arrived home he received another pleasant surprise an owl from Minerva McGonagall.
Dear Mr Potter,
It is my pleasure to inform you, that your fellow students have elected you to be Head Boy, and Miss Lily Evans to be Head Girl. I cannot tell you how pleased I am you both came from Gryffindor. Please arrive at Kings Cross ready to board on the Prefects cart, and you and Miss Evans can begin your meeting.
Congratulations!
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Head Mistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry