After another hiatus, I have returned. I am attempting to revamp LIW...Cami and Cynthia are now Marlene and Dorcas respectively. I hope you enjoy this one.

I am not JK Rowling. All characters that you recognize belong to Queen Rowling. All others are made-ups (which I am going to try and keep to a minimum

There was a chill in the air that September morning. Autumn seemed to be on its way much earlier than anticipated. It was one of the last few days of summer in London and King's Cross Station was just slightly more occupied than usual. However, on the first of every September this was the norm. The students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were hurrying to Platform 9 ¾ to catch the Hogwarts Express. From there, it would push through the many landscapes of England and eventually to their home for the next ten months.

The year was 1976 and Lily Evans was about to start her sixth year at Hogwarts. Her long, deep copper tresses were cascading down in loose curls that hung down to her waist, but pulled away from her face with a simple russet colored headband. She should feel excited to start a new school year, but she didn't. All she really wanted was to see her friends.

She was alone in the Prefects carriage, and had her forehead pressed against the window, watching parents and children hugging and saying their goodbyes. It hurt a bit, really. Even though she was very much independent, she had hoped she'd get a proper send off. Her own mother had dropped her off early and left in a hurry so she could meet with a lawyer in London. Petunia hated her more now, if that was even possible. She would never be able to forget that heart-wrenching moment:

"I'm so sorry. Mr. Evans did not make it. The damage to his heart was too great...he's gone." The Doctor did look truly sincere in his apology, and that made it too real for her. This had to be a nightmare...this couldn't be real.

Lily, shocked and confused, looked at her mum and Petunia, hoping to find a contradicting truth on one of their faces. Elaine, her mother, looked like she had been hit by a stunning spell and was clutching her chest. Petunia on the other hand had daggers in her eyes and they were directed at Lily. She didn't have to guess at what her sister was thinking and it was confirmed an hour later in a deserted hospital room. "This is all your fault! You could have saved him!" She shrieked.

"Petunia, there is nothing I could have done! I don't know that kind of mag-" Lily was stopped short when her sister's hand slapped across her face. Clutching her cheek, she looked reproachfully at her sister, tears welling in her eyes.

"DON'T!" Petunia had tears in her eyes as well, but they were angry tears, and her face was turning bright red. "I will NEVER forgive you for this!"

Lily jumped at the sound of the compartment door sliding open.

"Sorry, Lily," Remus Lupin greeted her with a warm smile. He sat across from her, holding a book in his hands. Lily gave him a feeble smile.

"Hi, Remus. How was your holiday?" Conversation would hopefully distract her thoughts. She found when she talked or kept busy, it prevented her mind from wandering.

"It was fairly quiet, but I have no complaints." Remus shrugged indifferently. "Yours?"

Lily knew she should have seen that one worded question coming. In a lame attempt to steer the conversation in another direction she asked, "Do you know who the new Head Boy and Girl are this year?"

"I heard a rumor on the platform that Frank Longbottom and Alice Graves were chosen." Remus nodded, clearly showing his approval, if they did in fact receive the coveted badges.

Lily actually felt herself smile, which felt refreshing. "I heard that too. I hope it is them."

They were soon joined by the fifth and sixth year prefects from each house. Lily could feel the engine of the train rumbling and sure enough, the train lurched forward and the platform was slowly moving away. When Frank and Alice entered the compartment, Lily grinned. "I knew it!" The Head Boy and Girl both had somewhat embarrassed smiles on their faces, but still looked pleased with themselves and with each other.

"Well..." Frank started. "Shall we get this show on the road?"

"That's all we have for you today. Remember, Prefects meetings are the first Tuesday of every month." Alice stood up an hour later and clasped her hands together rather excitedly. "You're free to go."

Lily stood and watched as the others left. She felt Remus put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back. "What's going on, Lily?"

She faked a smile and shook her head. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."

Remus looked at her disbelievingly. "Lily, you said all of two words during the entire meeting and spent most of it staring out of the window."

Lily blinked. She was promised herself that she wouldn't be so obvious, but it looked like she had failed. After starring at Remus for a moment, she bowed her head and sat back down. "My dad died over the summer."

"Oh...I'm so sorry."

He did look it. One thing Lily knew that she could count on Remus for was that he was the most sincere person she knew. She smiled slightly. "thank you. I've started to move on, but it's my sisters attitude towards me that is bothering me the most."

Remus sat back down and leaned his elbows up on his knees. "Your sister...she is not fond of you being a witch, right?"

Lily nodded slowly. "It's ironic how she hates the fact that I'm a witch but blames me for not being able to use magic to save him."

"But you're not a Healer."

"She doesn't understand that or care. In her eyes...I killed my father." She buried her face in her hands and sighed heavily.

Remus straightened up, furrowing his eyebrows. "It's rather unfair for her to think that." Lily nodded again but was noticing a fresh, new scar across his cheek. Detecting Lily's gaze, Remus turned his face away.

"Remus..." Lily was remembering the accusations Severus had made against him. She was just about to ask him where all his scars came from, but she decided against it; she had a feeling that she wouldn't get a straight answer if she asked. If Severus' suspicions held any merit, she wouldn't blame Remus for being secretive. "I better go look for Marlene and Dorcas." She smiled at him, hoping that he would realize that if he needed someone to confide in, she could be that person.

Remus nodded. "Enjoy the rest of the journey, Lily."

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