Chapter 2
Sixth Year
Lily swung her red hair back behind her shoulder and peered out nervously at the platform. The sixth time she had done this, and she was still nervous. She sighed as she scanned the crowd for her friends who appeared to be missing in action.
She turned to her parents one last time and gave them a goodbye kiss and hug. She moved towards Petunia and two girls locked eyes. Then Petunia snorted and turned away. Their parents looked on worriedly, but Lily only offered a tired, slightly sad smile before saying goodbye and watching them walk out of King's Cross Station.
Turning her head towards the platform, she ran through the brick wall into Platform 9 ¾. It was exactly how she remembered. The scarlet steam engine shining off to the side of the platform, the crowds of people saying goodbyes and hellos, and the hub bub and confusion all around her. She smiled for real, the first time in months, and stepped forwards. Almost immediately she was assailed by a blonde, slightly plump-faced girl.
"LILY!" the girl shrieked as she flung herself onto Lily for a huge hug. Lily dropped her trunk and hugged the girl back.
"ALICE!" she yelled back, laughing as they drew apart. Alice eyed her curiously then said, "So… is this the year?" She bounced with excitement.
"I think so," Lily smiled as Alice jumped up and down with excitement.
"You know," said Alice seriously. "After four years, I think he might really ike you."
"I hope so," Lily answered a bit nervously. Butterflies exploded in her stomach as the subject of their conversation turned her way. James Potter grinned at Lily from across the platform, turned back to his friends for a moment, and then sauntered her way.
Lily could feel her heart pounding in her throat. She felt sure everyone within a mile radius could hear its frantic beating but James seemed completely oblivious to it. Alice stared with wide-eyed wonder off to the side.
"Hey Evans."
"H-hi Potter," Lily blushed as she stuttered.
"So, want to go out with me?" James gave her his trademark grin, the one she found so adorable and swept his hair back from his forehead as he looked at her expectantly, seemingly sure of her answer. Little did he know, he was about to get the shock of his life.
"Sure," Lily replied, her stomach tying itself up in knots. "How 'bout the first Hogsmeade weekend?
James looked at her, shocked, then broke into a grin. "Yeah, great! Catch you later, Evans!"
Lily watched as he walked back to his friends and told them the good news. As they slapped his back and whistled loudly, she blushed to the roots of her fiery red hair. Alice came up beside her, staring at the boys as well. She gave a low whistle then said in awe, "Wow…."
All of a sudden, Marlene McKinnon, Lily's other friend, raced up and gave Lily a huge hug. "Lily? Lily? LILY?" she yelled as Lily spaced out.
"Huh? What?" Lily spotted Marlene. "Oh, hi Marlene. What's up?"
"What's up? What's up?" Marlene practically screamed in her ear. "What's up is that I just saw you say yes to James bloody Potter!"
"Oh, yeah, that."
"Details, girl! Details!" Marlene yelled excitedly, stopping only to give the still shocked Alice a quick hug.
"C'mon," said Lily, dragging her trunk towards the train. "I'll tell you all about it when we've found a compartment."
