"Padfoot?" The young messy-haired boy frowned up at the ceiling, calling softly to his friend. The friend in question was young Sirius Black, laying in the bed across the room. He was staying at his best friend's manor for Christmas break, unable to deny the request that he do so. Sirius, or Padfoot's, home life was not the coziest and he was treated better whenever he stayed with the Potters.

James Potter, the boy who had spoken, sighed before his friend answered. "Do you think she'll ever be with me?"

"Who?" Sirius laughed, his messy curls falling away from his face. Though James could not see it, his companion rolled his eyes. "Evans?"

"Yeah!" Though James was a mere thirteen years old, he had his heart set on a young red-haired beauty. Lily Evans, the smartest witch of their they were in the Gryffndor House at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry along with their other friends. There was only one problem.

"She hates you, mate," Padfoot couldn't help but feel like he was kicking a puppy as the words left his mouth. How must it feel to be hated by the one you loved? Sirius doubted he would ever know. Despite the rejection, James kept persevering which Sirius had to admire.

"I know, I know! But...that could change!" He gestured wildly to the ceiling, "We're only thirteen for Merlin's sake! We have our whole lives ahead of us!" The young boy's head was full of imagination, and not all of it was innocent. James was a thirteen year old boy, after all.

"Exactly! Prongs, you're thirteen! You could stop 'loving' her," he gestured quotes to the ceiling as well, "next year!"

James sighed, resting his hands on his chest. "I'm never going to stop loving Lily Evans...not even after the day I die. We'll have lived a long happy life together, with three kids! And a home by the ocean!"

Sirius laughed, used to his friend's denial by now. "Just as long as I'm Godfather."

"Moony will be too," James sighed.

The door to the room opened, revealing James's older mother. "Boys, go to bed! You've both got a big day tomorrow, get some sleep." She shut the door with feaux glares to both of them and both boys rolled over and closed their eyes.

"Night Padfoot."

"Goodnight Prongs."
_

The day was hot and sticky, unusual this time of year. I wiped my bangs away from my sweaty forehead, hauling my trunk towards the train. I was determined to get there before my parents had a chance to make it through. It was ridiculous, yes, but I couldn't help it. I was sixteen going on seventeen, and I'd been a model daughter all of my teenage years. Until now.

"Lily! Lily Irene Evans!" I shuddered as I heard my mother using my full name. My middle name was a source of pain for me, though I dearly loved the grandmother for whom I was named after. She died when I was five, but I still visited her grave from time to time. Anyways, I was gunning for the train to my escape full-throttle when I knocked into a very large barrier.

Stunned, a tiny squeak escaped my mouth as I stumbled backwards. The barrier turned out to be a person, who turned out to be the last person I wanted to see at the moment.

"'Ello, Evans," Potter winked, grabbing my forearm to steady me. I couldn't hold in my groan as he seemed to slide into his usual 'charming' routine. "You should be more careful; you could hurt yourself."

It was the heat of the moment, and I was still trying to escape my parents, so I didn't have the time for our usual hindrances. "James, please get out of the way I need to-"

Alas, I had not been quick enough. I felt my father's hand before I heard his voice. "Lily Evans, don't you ever pull that stunt again! You're sixteen years old, not two! I…" For just about two seconds I felt relief that Potter was actually in my vicinity, but it quickly turned to regret when I realized Dad had not only noticed James, but had zeroed in on his hand. Which was still around my arm. I felt my uncontrollable blush creeping its way into my cheeks.

"Who are you?" I liked to think of my dad as scary, what with his weathered face and orange scruff. If I had been Potter, I'd have turned and run the other way. But no, the fool just stood there, staring at my dad like he was in a daze.

Finally he blinked and answered in a thoughtful voice. "I'm James." He cleared his throat, "James Potter, sir."

"I see." My dad was on the police force, and had a way of intimidating people with a single look. The same look he just happened to be giving Potter right now. My mother, on the other hand, seemed to have forgotten about my wrongdoings and was staring at James thoughtfully, twirling her blonde hair between her fingertips. I wanted to hide my face in my hands and stay that way for the rest of eternity.

"Is there a reason you're holding my daughter?" I could practically hear the unnecessary testostorone bubbling.

"She ah, she bumped into me. I was…helping her." Potter's eyes flickered to me and I had to use all my power not to roll my eyes. It took a lot.

I decided to clean up this train wreck and get the show on the road. I brushed Potter's hand off of mine just as his partners in crime showed up. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin sprinted to their friend's side, causing my dad's eyes to widen.

"Er, sorry to bother you sir, we just-" Remus, ever the gentleman, was trying to be polite. But I didn't have time to be polite and the train's warning whistle gave me the perfect excuse. "Mum, Dad, we have to go. I really am sorry for what I did, but she'll get over it! I love you, okay? We don't wanna be late."

I turned to Sirius, who was now standing closest to my trunk. "Help me with my bags, B- Sirius?" The little shit grinned and gave a half bow, "Sure thing, Picalily."

I noticed my dad and Potter tense, but brushed it off and put my hands on Remus and Potter's backs, pushing them towards the train. "Okay, let's go, go, go. Bye dad, mom; love you guys!"

Sirius seemed to be wilting under the weight of my trunk and I grinned as I sped the three of them away. "Too heavy for you, Black?"

"No way." He gritted his teeth, "What the fuck do you keep in here? Bricks?"

I noticed Potter staring at me, so I stared right back with a raised eyebrow. "Is there a problem, Mr. Potter?"

"Why are you talking to us?" He blurted, and I watched as his cheeks lightly colored. Potter ran a hand through his messy onyx hair, eyes darting away. He seemed…different this year. Something had changed, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I had to get away from my parents," I shrugged, deciding on the truth. "I didn't mean to run into you, but you distracted my parents so…" I had to pretty much choke the words out, "Thanks, James." I blinked, realizing I'd said his first name again. I usually only reserved that for our full-blown arguments. He noticed it too.

"Well…I suppose you're welcome. After all, who wouldn't want to be saved by the infamous James Potter?" He grinned cockily, and I rolled my eyes as his usual attitude washed over him.

"Infamous is a bad thing to be," I commented, before taking my trunk from Sirius. I lifted it onto the steps of the train, glancing behind me. "I'm sad to say I won't be seeing much of you all since I'll be living in the Head quarters. Farewell, lads."

"What? But you will be seeing us? Or at least me…seeing as I'm a Head this year too." I almost laughed, but I turned to face Potter in the corridor.

"Nice try, Potter."

"It's true! Didn't they tell you? I was too irresistible to pass up for the job!" I rolled my eyes and opened the door to an empty compartment.

"Yeah right. McGonagall would rather die than make you a Head!" With that I turned and slid the door closed.

"I resent that!" He called through the door, and I heard Sirius laugh.

"And I resent you! Goodbye now!" I slid into my seat, listening as I heard the three of them walk away, Remus and Black laughing at Potter. I sighed as I stared out the window, watching the scenery slowly speed up. At least my seventh year had started with a bang.