Rule #1: You Can't Teach An Old Stag New Tricks
Lillian Evans inhaled the magically infused air of Platform 9 3/4. She had just barely survived her sister's wedding planning during the summer. The redhead really didn't see the appeal of Vernon Dursely. He was hugely obese and exceedingly boring in conversation with the temper of a Hungarian Horntail. Not that she was allowed to say such things, because the man detested fanciful things like magic or dragons.
She shook her head to clear it of silk shoes, muggle beauty products, and voluminous petticoats. This was where she belonged. With her kind.
"LILY!" she heard squealed across the platform.
The girl didn't have to look before she was tackled to know that her attackers were her three very enthusiastic dorm mates and best friends. "Good Merlin! Get off!" Lily laughed.
"Sorry," Porsche Montego apologized breathlessly. "It's just we didn't get to see you at all this summer."
Porsche Montego was the Muggle Ambassador to Spain's daughter. When her father realized that his daughter was magical he also became the Ministry of Magic's Muggle Liaison.
Porsche had all the romantic sensuality of her Spanish heritage. Her thick, dark hair draped over her shoulders in smooth waves, kissing her tan skin. Her eyes were a light brown that had called many-a-boy to the Sixth Year siren...only to have their hopes dashed by the fact she was betrothed to an older Spanish wizard. In fact, her summer was spent with her fiance, meeting him for the first time. She was a Gryffindor full of fiery personality and a fluid talent for Transfiguration.
"I know," Lily grunted as she was pulled to her feet by Evangeline Potter.
Evangeline Potter was James Potter's little sister, but she was a year ahead of her peers and therefore roomed with Lily and the other Sixth Years.
She was the splitting image of her brother, except her eyes. She had her mother's sapphire blue eyes. SHe was charismatic and charming, but used these qualities productively...unlike her brother who used them for evil. Her unruly raven hair was cut in a bob this year, accenting her mischievous smile.
"Ev! What happened to your long hair?" Lily asked playing with one of the dark locks.
"James hexed it to be permanently purple. We tried a hair growing tonic everyday after, but it wouldn't grow fast enough...so Mum chopped it off."
"Tell me you got him back?"
"Glued his hand to his arse," the younger smirked. "His shoulders are still sore for being stuck like that for two weeks. Sirius got a kick out of it."
Lily snorted, turning to her third friend. "And how was your summer, Delia?"
"Brilliant," she breathed dreamily. "You will never guess who I'm going out with."
"Take a wild guess Lils. And I mean bottom of the barrel wild?" Porsche drawled.
Lily furrowed her brow at a complete loss. "Who?"
"Peter Pettigrew," Porsche and Evangeline sighed in boredom.
"Yes...and he's so kind and gentle and gracious..."
"Kill me now. She hasn't stopped since we got here," Evangeline groaned.
Lily laughed in disbelief. Of all the Marauders...she's over the moon about Peter?
Cordelia Sanders was a bubbly, flirtatious blond. If you didn't know her well you'd think she was off in space half of the time. She had a highly active imagination, but in truth, she was wickedly clever and witty. She was top of the class in Charms and second to Snape in Potions. Her long, straight blonde hair fell passed her shoulder and her pale blue eyes always had a teasing twinkle in them.
Together the four girls ruled Gryffindor Tower as the female counterparts to the Marauders, breaking one heart at a time. The Marauders had dubbed them the Untouchables for the pure reason that their own charms were wasted on the four...except for apparently Peter's.
The four chatted excitedly as the pushed their carts of luggage towards the Express to be loaded. As Lily went to lift her trunk, Sirius stuck his head out of the window in front of her.
"Well, hello there Tiger Lily," he smiled teasingly.
Sirius Black was one of Lily's favorite people what he lacked in common sense and good judgement, he mad up for in passion, loyalty and good looks. She hadn't always liked him, but it took one partnership for their Family Planning class for Lily to realize there was more to the rogue casanova than sexual liaisons and vindictive pranks pulled on a certain Slytherin. He was sweet and considerate in his own twisted way...if only he would realize he was gay...
"Hello Snuffles," she teased warmly.
"On behalf of the Marauders Four I would like to invite you and your lovely dorm mates to ride in our compartment today," he announce in a dramatic way.
"You think your best mate can control his, no doubt well rehearsed, coercions on my sexuality to him self?" she drawled.
"Only if you can keep your wand stowed at all times. And that gorgeous temper of yours packed in as well...You can sit next to me!"
Lily rolled her green eyes, chuckling. "Somebody's gotta keep you from verbally embarrassing Peter in front of his girlfriend," she sighed.
"He's seeing someone? Who?" Sirius asked in disbelief.
"Delia," she grinned, relishing the look of complete shock on the boy's face.
"Sweet Morgana, Wormtail's got game after all. Excuse me I have to confirm this astounding allegation."
Lily snorted. The other girls went to find room in the compartment. Lily went to lift her trunk again but the handle broke and the heavy thing fell, twisting her wrist in its descent. She watched to strong arms lift the troublesome luggage and hoist it into the luggage rack under the train. Lily looked up to thank her hero and lost her breath for a second.
It was James the-bane-of-her-existence Potter. And as if it were even possible, he'd got taller and...hotter over the summer. She never denied the Quidditch Captain as unattractive. It was his personality that made her want to crawl out of her skin and rip every hair out of her own head in aggravation. Ever since Third Year when his hormones suddenly kicked into overdrive he'd asked her out every Friday without fail...and yet he'd dated almost every girl in their year and above. For some one who supposedly loved her beyond understanding, he had a funny way of showing it. PLUS, he was a bully that ruthlessly targeted Severus Snape on a regular basis. The sexual tension between the two would have to be endured until the boy grew out of his cocky arrogant ways of thinking.
"Potter," she said softly. "Thank you." She kneaded her wrist to alleviate the pain.
James smirked and stepped closer. "You're hurt. Here allow me." He cast a healing charm, rubbing his thumb over her wrist.
Lily gazed up at him and almost believed he had changed over the summer. That was until he yanked her forward and stole a kiss. Lily squeaked, pushed him away and then slapped him across the face. "James Potter you are such an arrogant son of a bitch! What gave you the idea I even wanted you to-to molest me in such a way?"
James laughed. "You had the look in you pretty little eyes."
"What kind of narcotic are you on? I did not give you 'the look,' whatever that is!"
"Yes you did Lily," he boasted. "You had the 'No James, please don't stop, don't leave me' look. It's Friday, Beautiful, surely you knew it was coming. Speaking of which, since we shared that moment, would you like to go out this weekend?"
Lily stared at him with arms crossed and eyelids lowered in annoyance. "I would marry Lucius Malfoy and subject myself to a life of sexual slavery at his pasty hands before I ever consented to your deluded fantasy you call reality," she growled.
James blinked, hurt flickering in his hazel eyes for a moment. "Suit yourself," he played off the offense. "By the way you are delicious when you get mad like that." He strolled off leisurely.
Lily exhaled, massaging her temples. She started at the voice of Remus Lupin.
"Well that was a record. You two didn't even make it onto the train," he drawled. "I was going to help my friend out and say that James had really turned around this summer, but clearly that point is moot."
Lily chuckled, hugging him tightly. "Remus, I missed you."
"You to Lily," he grinned. "You know, you really don't have to be so vindictive on Prongs. He does love you," Remus sighed.
"How many girls did he snog this summer, Remmy? He always says he loves me but then he goes and entertains other girls."
Remus gazed at her. One day he would have the foresight to not step in the middle of the soap opera that was Lily and James. Today was not that day. "None," he lied.
Lily blinked in surprise. "Really? Oh..."
Remus exhaled. "At any rate I've brought you a gift." He unwrapped the bundle of robes he was cradling. A cautious, little kitten's head poked out. "My aunt's cat had a litter three weeks ago. I thought you'd like one."
Lily grinned taking the grey tabby into her arms. Remus was a really good friend. How he managed to tolerate James and Sirius was a miracle in the redhead's eyes. He was the calm, quiet one of the quartet. He and Lily frequently studied together.
"Thank you," she smiled linking arms with him as they boarded the train.
When they got to the compartment, Remus cleared his throat. "Oh Prongs may I have a word?"
The Seeker stood with a confused expression and slid the door shut one he was out in the hall. Remus suddenly smacked him upside the head. "Oi! What the hell was that for Moony?"
"You are an idiot," Remus drawled. "Do you really want her?"
"Yes! But-"
"No! No buts! If you want to catch her attention you'll have to one, leave her alone and two..." he punched him the stomach. "Keep it in your pants. You get it?"
"Yeah..." James struggled for air. "Got it. Understand perfectly now...Moony why didn't you just tell me that this summer?"
Remus stared at him in disbelief. "Prongs...the Creator gave you two ears so that you could hear twice as much as you speak...I told you this five times this summer! You really should start listening to Moony if you want to win Lily Evans over!"
"Hey are you two snogging or something, get in here," Sirius interrupted, poking his head out. "Prongs are you okay?"
"Remus punched me!" James pouted.
Sirius turned his grey eyes to the werewolf. "He kissed Lily without permission."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "You deserve it."
Remus laughed as he went to take a seat. "Whatever happened to 'bros before hoes?'" James whined as he entered the compartment.
