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Lily took a deep breath as she looked around the bustling Platform 9 ¾. All around her friends were embracing excitedly after not seeing each other all summer, and families were having tearful goodbyes. She ducked her head and pushed her way through the crowd to get to the train. Lily had always been a quiet and shy girl (at least around those that didn't know her), and thus didn't have many friends to speak of. She was friendly with the girls in her dorm, but had always felt separate from the tight-knit group they had formed without her over the years.

She sighed in relief when she was finally able to board the train, dragging her dog behind her. She hoped that she had arrived early enough to secure a compartment without having to awkwardly ask a group if she could sit with them. Luckily, there was an empty compartment at the back of the train. She sank into the seat, relieved, and rested her head tiredly against the window. A yawn escaped her, and soon her famous emerald eyes were fluttering shut.

Back on the Platform every eye turned to look, either in envy or lust, as the most popular foursome in school arrived. The Marauders always knew how to make an entrance, and every girl sighed when James reached his hand up to ruffle his hair with a slight smirk on his perfect, chiseled face. Next to him, looking haughtily bored, Sirius Black surveyed the scene lazily with his steely eyes. He was inhumanly handsome and he knew it, rolling his eyes as one girl looked as if she was going to pass out when they passed. Remus Lupin, followed his friends, his hands shoved in his pockets, and looking tired as per usual. Peter stumbled along behind, his shorter legs struggling to keep up with his friends, as they approached the train.

Girls giggled and sighed as they passed, but the boys paid them no mind as they climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express. There were pranks to be planned, and time spent apart to catch up on. Everyone knew not to bother the infamous boys on the first train ride of the year. It was a sacred time, and the last person to intrude had been thoroughly hexed.

The boys made their way to their usual compartment at the back of the train, bantering and shoving each other all the way. Sirius slid open the door, only to stop short at the sight of the small girl curled up fast asleep against the window.

The rest of the boys smiles were wiped off their faces at the sight of someone in their personal compartment. Peter broke the silence.

"Let's just wake her up and tell her to shove off." He grumbled. Before anyone could stop him, he was reaching over to roughly shake her awake. However, before his hand even touched her, a loud snarl sliced through the air, and Peter suddenly squeaked and leapt backwards as a large dog snapped at his hand, with its hackles raised.

"Oh hey Bear", Remus said, reaching his hand out gently to stroke the top of the protective dog's head. "Sorry boy didn't see you there". Bear allowed the prefect to pet his head gently, and seemed to calm a little at the familiar presence.

"Damned dog almost took my hand off" Peter mumbled grumpily, as he cast a slightly fearful look at Bear.

"I wouldn't try to wake her again if I were you Wormtail", Sirius chuckled clapping the smaller boy on the shoulders as they all filed into the compartment.

"What we're just going to let her stay here?" Peter exclaimed in confusion.

"The poor girl looks exhausted; besides she's out cold". Remus said in defense of his fellow prefect that he had come to look at as a friendly acquaintance.

Peter looked at the other two boys beseechingly, but only Sirius was paying attention. He just shrugged.

James was staring at Lily, with an unreadable expression on his face. He watched as Bear settled in front of her, still watching Peter suspiciously in case he tried to touch his master again.

She was a pretty little thing, he thought slightly dazedly, as the sun filtering through the window lit up her fiery hair, and caused her long eyelashes to throw shadows across her delicate fair face. Even in her sleep she looked tense and pale, and he wondered absently if she was cold.

"Prongs? PRONGS" James shook himself out of the strange path his thoughts were going down and looked around to see his friends bemused looks.

"When you're done checking out Evans, maybe we can get started on our Welcome Feast prank" Sirius said wryly. Peter snorted next to him. James felt his face flush but just as he opened his mouth to hotly deny this, the train jolted and started off. They were on their way.

About an hour later, the boys had finalized their plans for the prank, and James and Sirius were playing a particularly violent game of Exploding Snap, while Remus read a book. Peter had backed out after his eyebrows were singed off for a third time, and instead took to cheering his friends on.

Lily had shifted in her sleep, and as James glanced at her, he noticed her eyebrows knit together and a frown cross her sleeping face. She looked like she was having a nightmare. He wasn't the only one who noticed, and he was dimly aware of Bear sitting up and watching his owner attentively. He whined lowly, and bumped his nose against her face. As James watched, her thick lashes fluttered open to reveal the most beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen. He quickly averted his gaze as she sat up slowly, trying to orient herself.

Lily opened her eyes fully, and felt her mouth go dry at the sight of the Kings of the school looking at her. Shit! Shit shit shit. How the hell did she manage to forget that this was the Marauder compartment?! She felt her face flush and instantly looked down at the ground, unsure of what to do or say. Luckily Remus spoke first.

"Hey Lily, how was your summer?" He inquired politely. She looked over at him and inwardly smiled appreciatively. Remus had always been kind to her, and she had grown to enjoy his company on patrols over the past year.

"It was great" She lied easily. "Yours?"

They continued their small talk for a few minutes until Lily excused herself. They were quickly approaching Hogwarts and she had yet to change into her robes. When she reached the bathroom she leaned against the door for a few moments trying to calm herself. How could she have been so stupid to not notice she was in the Marauder's compartment?! She was surprised they hadn't woken her and demanded that she leave, or worse, hexed her. She surreptitiously checked her reflection in the mirror to make sure they hadn't turned her purple. Satisfied that she was indeed curse-free, she threw on her robes just in time to feel the train slowing down.

Lily splashed some cold water on her face. "You've got this" she thought to herself as she grasped the door knob. She took a deep breath, grabbed Bear's leash and followed the flow of students off the train.

I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! Please please please leave a review with any suggestions or comments. I love to hear from you guys! It may also encourage me to update sooner! All my love, Lucie