AN: HEY! I'm back! I know it has been months since i last wrote... and if you were waiting for the next chapter i'm really sorry for the seriously long delay, but i couldn't help it! So Enjoy the chapter and thanks for reading!

'Look!'

'Where?'

'Right there!'

'What am I looking at?'

'Oh don't be silly Lily!' laughed Rachel, directing Lily's head to look straight at James.

'Oh very funny Rach' Lily said sarcastically 'I just love looking at James.'

Unfortunately for Lily, Sirius was passing just behind her when she said this and Sirius, being the prankster and annoying person that he was, bounded up to James and told him. James turned around and looked at Lily for a second, then turned back and sat down at the Gryffindor table. Then, much to Lily's annoyance, Simone and Rachel made her sit across from him.

'He really doesn't look so good.' Lily whispered in Simone's ear. 'Was it really that bad? What you told me and Rachel…'

'I heard it third hand Lily… the real experience was bound to be ten times worse.' Simone replied, her voice growing fainter with every word.

Dumbledore stood up and the hall fell silent. Everyone was looking at him, except Lily and James, he was too busy examining his plate, while Lily was too busy examining him. And as Lily watched, a single tear dripped off the tip of his nose and fell soundlessly onto his plate.

'Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts,' Dumbledore began 'would the new first year students please come forward to be sorted!'. The great oak doors leading to the entrance hall opened and a bunch of scared looking first years wandered up to the high table and lined up in front of the old sorting hat. Everyone watched closely, as a rip near the brim of the hat twitched and the sorting hat began its song for the year.

'Over a thousand years ago,

When Hogwarts first was built,

The four founders made a pact,

To teach those that they wilt.

Gryffindor took the brave ones,

That were prized above the rest,

And Ravenclaw, the intelligent,

Took those of the cleverest.

Slytherin took the students,

Of cunning and great ambition,

While Hufflepuff took those,

Who were worthy of admission.

Though while alive they did divide,

And go their separate ways,

Though it's best to be united,

Like the founders in those days.

So slip me on your empty head,

And be true to your heart,

For now I am to sort you,

And hope your friendships will not part.'

The hall broke into applause and many of the students exchanged glances. The sorting hat had never said anything like that before.

Lily was still looking at James who had finally looked up and was cheering with the other Gryffindors as new students joined their house. He looked so different to how he looked last year. So full of life, making pranks, constantly asking Lily out, playing Quidditch. Lily understood why James was so different, but she could have never imagined this.

'Lily.. OI! Lily!' Simone whispered, poking Lily in the ribs to get her attention.

'Ouch! Cut your nails Simone, honestly!'

'Ok, ok, sorry.'

'What did you poke me for?'

'To ask you why you were staring at James!'

'What? I wasn't staring at him!'

Simone met Lily's eyes with a quizzical look. 'Oh?'

'Alright, maybe I was!' Lily whispered 'But it doesn't mean anything!'

'Sure it doesn't' A nosey Rachel added.

Lily rolled her eyes and began piling the newly appeared food onto her plate for the start of term feast. She began eating and had her fork half way up to her mouth when she looked up at James again, she was surprised to note that he wasn't eating. Sirius on James's left however, was eating like he normally does, messily and quickly. Lily watched as James sighed and hunched over his plate.

'Potter, Evans,' Professor McGonagall interrupted the train of Lily's thoughts.

'Professor, good evening.' James said politely, looking up at her from his hunched position.

'Good evening Potter, would you and Miss Evans please go to Dumbledore's office in fifteen minutes? I realise that you have not quite finished eating, or even started…' she added, glancing down at James's plate with a sad look. 'but you will have the opportunity to make up for that after you meet with Dumbledore.'

'Certainly Professor,' Lily said, meeting McGonagall's face with a smile.

'Good. And you'll need the password to get in.' McGonagall added, handing James a piece of parchment and walking off.

'Lily? Are you ready to go?' James asked, standing up.

'Oh, sure… James.'

Rachel nudged Simone in the side and pointed to Lily's expression. 'Do you think she likes him yet?' Rachel asked as Lily followed James out of the Great Hall.

'No, it's too early for her to like him, just give it a few weeks.' Simone replied.

'James, wait' Lily said, speeding up to catch up with the quick stepped James, who stopped abruptly and made Lily collide with his shoulder and stumble backwards.

'Lily! I'm sorry, are you alright?' James asked, turning around quickly to face her.

'Yes, I'm fine…' Lily said, looking down at her feet. 'I was just wondering if… well umm,'

'If what?' James asked, folding his arms defensively.

'If umm, you could tell me the password?'

'Sure, here.' James said, thrusting the piece of parchment at Lily.

Lily took the parchment and read the password sugar quill and looked back up at James who was staring at Lily with an almost longing look in his eyes.

'C'mon, we've got to get up to Dumbledore's office.'

The two continued their walk to the Gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office and James said the password. They stood on the revolving staircase which wound its way up to the office door.

'Won't Dumbledore still be at the feast though?' Lily asked as James raised his fist to knock on the door.

'Actually, he's right behind you.' Dumbledore said, stepping past them and opening the door himself while the other two followed him inside.

'Please take a seat.' Dumbledore said and seated himself behind his desk, folding his fingers together.

James and Lily sat down and waited for Dumbledore to begin.

'As you both should know,' Dumbledore began. 'The position of Head Boy and Girl is a highly complex post. And if you two weren't the brightest students in your year and able to keep up with your homework, then I would have never given you this opportunity. I say this just so you know how much work you will need to be doing in addition to your regular studies.'

'Yes sir.' Lily said, to show that she understood him.

'Here is a list, of all the tasks you will need to be completing for me before the third week of term. Now I realise that there are quite a few of them, but the school needs to stay on top of these things.'

James read the list aloud and Lily listened intently.

'Sir, do we really have to do all those tasks?' Lily questioned.

'Certainly! Unless you'd rather give up your post as Head Girl.'

'No! Uh, no sir, thankyou.' Lily stammered.

'Yes, well I think you two would like to continue your meal. If you journey to the fourth floor corridor you will find a painting of a rather chatty horse. If you give him the password Phoenix then you shall be able to get into your new common room.'

'New common room, Sir?'

'Yes James. You and Miss Evans will be sharing a special common room for the Head Boy and Girl. Now off to bed!'

'Night Professor.' Lily said.

She and James made their way down to the fourth floor and along the gloomy corridor. They stopped next to a painting of a horse that was fast asleep.

'Excuse me?' Lily asked, tapping the frame of the painting.

The horse woke up suddenly and started talking rapidly. They caught very few words that he said, but they were sure that he was talking about them being disrespectful to his sleeping needs.

'Phoenix' James said, stepping in front of the painting.

The painting swung forward to reveal a door handle which James turned and pushed the door open. He held the door open for Lily to pass through first and then James followed her inside and shut the door behind them.