Chapter 1
"Are you sure we're meant to run through that wall?" Petunia spat at her sister, her eyes filling with a burning anger.
Lily rolled her eyes and sighed. Although it was now Lily's 7th and final year, Petunia had only ever accompanied her parents at Kings Cross to see Lily off to Hogwarts in Lily's first year, and Lily was glad that she hadn't considered it again until her very last year."Yes Tuna, how many times? We walk through the wall. There isn't a door, or a secret button you press; you just walk through it."
Petunia hissed. "I told you not call me that!" She threw her head back, sticking her nose high in the air, and refused to look again at Lily.
Lily's father kissed his daughter goodbye and waited with Petunia, whilst Lily and her mother slipped through the wall, appearing on the other side. The time was coming up to five to eleven, so a buzz of people began to gather around the carriage doors, attempting to push past each other to get on. Lily bid farewell to her mother, and boarded the train with the crowd, making her way towards the front of the train to take on her new responsibility of being Head Girl.
Mr and Mrs Evans were thrilled to hear the news, so much so that they and Lily went out to celebrate with a meal, leaving a stubborn Petunia at home to sulk again. Lily, however, was not so happy with the arrangement, the moment she found out who was Head Boy. 'What was Dumbledore thinking?' She'd ask herself again and again over the summer holiday, finding herself shaking her head. 'Of all people, he chose the infamous Potter?' James, no doubt, was probably beaming at the idea of being able to pester Lily more often than ever, having had Dumbledore hand her to him on a plate.
Breathing in deeply, Lily slid open the front booth's door, and sat next to a prefect from the 5th year, and as far away from Potter, who was already smirking like an idiot.
"Hey Evans, it's rather convenient that we're Head Boy and Girl, don't you think?" James flashed his grin, and ruffled his hair.
Lily was right; he was swimming in glee knowing that they had to spend duty together. Using all her might not to kill him there and then, Lily bit her tongue. "I don't know what you're talking about."
James opened his mouth to explain, but Professor McGonagall interrupted him by walking in and shutting the door.
She cleared her throat, informing the rest to hush, and began. "As you are well aware, you are this year's Prefects and Head Boy and Girl." She rested her eyes on James and Lily, before smirking a little at the arrangement. "You've all been given your badges, which you must wear at all times." She then moved her attention to the 8 prefects, and went through their duties.
Lily gazed out of the window, waiting until it was her turn to listen. Watching the trees blur pass, and the dull grey sky relaxed her a bit. It was nice to know she was going back to Hogwarts; somewhere where she was accepted for being herself, rather than being called a 'freak of nature' by Tuney.
Feeling a nudge at her foot, Lily broke her focus from the outside world. James sat there, grinning at her. "Lils, earth to Lils? McGonagall's trying to tell us something important."
"Uh, yeah, sorry. What?" Lily blinked twice, regaining her focus to the compartment.
The professor shook her head. "Evans, pay attention!" James smirked, and mouthed 'yeah Evans!' which McGonagall missed. "You and Potter have many responsibilities. If you can't pay attention to some simple instructions, we've picked the wrong person."
"Sorry, professor." A Slytherin girl sniggered at her apology, making Potter stare at her with a loathing.
McGonagall sighed. "You prefects can go; you don't need to hear anything else." When no one moved, she flapped her arms at them and rolled her eyes. "Go on, off you go!" She waited until the remaining students had left, and let out a huff. "Right, Potter, Evans. You're allowed in most of the teacher and private rooms, including the new prefect and Head Boy and Girl Bathroom on the 3rd floor. Your duties are similar to the prefect's; you make sure students keep to the rules, and you punish them if they don't. And no, Potter, that doesn't mean you're allowed to hang them upside down by their ankle!" James snorted. "You can add or take away house points; however it has to be a decent reason, not just because someone was looking at you funny." She narrowed her eyes at James again, and he raised his hands defensively.
Lily nodded. She knew most of these points were aimed at James, but it wouldn't hurt to listen and show an interest anyway.
Professor McGonagall continued: "We expect you to attend some staff meetings. You're allowed to input in what goes on at the school, including rules and regulations as long as they're not too farfetched. Understand?" The Head Boy and Girl nodded. "Alright, that's all for now. You are expected to be at our first meeting on the 5th. A time will be arranged..."
James moaned. "But professor, that's Saturday; Quidditch starts the first Saturday back."
She arched an eyebrow at him. "Potter, you will attend this meeting! Can't you get someone else to cover it for you? No, you will get someone else. That's an order." James huffed, and slumped back. "We'll send a note to you when the time will be, and I advise you to bring a quill and parchment. You may leave."
Lily smiled politely at the professor, before sliding out of her seat and slipping through the door. She pushed past students hanging outside and began to scan the train for any sign of Izzie, a Hufflepuff whom Lily got on well with.
Cocking her head around a door window, she caught the eye of Severus Snape. At first he didn't seem to notice her, until another Slytherin pointed at Lily, and muttered "Got yourself a fan, Snape" and barked a laugh. Sev looked at Lily apologetically, but she couldn't care less if he was sorry: that wouldn't change what he did to her. Storming off, Lily was glad no one else was on the corridors as she half-ran down to the bottom carriage which was usually empty. Keeping her eyes to the floor, she yanked open and strutted in to a chorus of gasps. Remus, Sirius, Peter, and James sat there, whatever they were talking about turned into an awkward silence, and their eyes were now fixed to Lily.