"So what happened when you were in the Heads Compartment? I heard Potter did something surprising?" Asked Marlene as I plonked into my usual seat in the Great Hall. I glanced around to see if the Marauders were seated yet, and when I confirmed they weren't, I leaned in.

"So, we were supposed to do introductions. The Head Boy and Girl always just give a little blurb about themselves at the start of the meeting, nothing special. James said he wanted to take care of both of ours, and he had that look on his face." I said. My friends all shared a look of their own amongst themselves.

"What was that?" I demanded.

"Nothing, keep going," Emma encouraged.

"Anyways he had the look he always has when he's about to stir up trouble, so naturally I was a little apprehensive about letting him take control, but he is head boy now, and so I had to trust him. He made me hide with him in the hallway outside of the compartment while all of the prefects filed in, and then when they did he cast a spell to close all the curtains and made it super dark, and suddenly there were red and white and blue and yellow lights flying all around and some weird music!" I was talking fast, because I knew that even though they weren't here yet, the marauders wouldn't be far behind me. I was barely noticing the girls' widened eyes.

"Over-the-top much?" Marlene snorted. Mary flicked her head and gestured for me to go on.

"He held his wand to his throat and in this deep, booming voice he goes 'Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for all summer! Get on your feet and put your hands together! This year's Head Girl is Top in her year, 5 feet 4 inches of fury, and is from Jolly Old England! Please Welcome, Lily Evans!' And then he shoved me into the room, and everyone was yelling and cheering and I was so overwhelmed and he went and did the same thing for himself! Honestly if he wasn't such a good Quidditch Caption I think he would have commentator in the bag," I concluded, taking a large bite of a honey bun that was in front of me.

"I'll be sure to mention that last little bit to Prongsie," Sirius remarked, falling into a seat just one away from me. I choked on the bun and had to spit it into a napkin.

"Tell me what?" Asked a tired voice. James glanced at the table and then took the seat between Sirius and I.

"Nothing!" I said a little too quickly, as my face was still red and my throat was still sore from choking.

"You sure about that?" James teased, rubbing my back and handing me a goblet of water. I drank hastily from the goblet, trying to get myself under control.

"C'mon Evans, is it so bad that he knows?" Sirius asked, giving me a pleading look.

"I don't see what the big deal is. People don't get told things other people say about them all the time," I defended. James looked up in surprise.

"You said something about me?" He inquired. I turned back to my food, face flushed. I was embarrassed beyond belief.

You know, what you said about James wasn't bad so why does it matter?

I never say not bad things about him though. I don't want him to think I fancy him.

That is one of the most messed up, self centered things I've ever heard. Why would he assume a compliment equates to you liking him?

Because he does that stupid thing where he asks me out all the time and never even MEANS it. If I were to show him any sort of affirmation that I liked him, he would hold it over me for the rest of the year.

Once I admitted that fear to myself, I felt my heart stop, and then slowly start up again. I didn't want there to be issues like that between us this year. I know, it might seem like an overreaction, but I honestly didn't want to him to ruin the slow friendship we were tentatively forming. If I were to give him ammunition to taunt me with, I was sure it would all be over.

"Please stop asking," I requested quietly. I had hoped I didn't sound as weak to the others as I did to myself, but -as Snape used to say- all dreams have to be crushed sometime.

"Are you okay?" He asked, putting his arm around my body and using his other hand to hold my face. I jumped back, his touch searing my skin. If only that were enough to deter him. Instead, it seemed to worry him even more.

"You okay, Lil?" He asked again, refraining from touching me this time. I opened my mouth to respond, but was cut off by the doors being flung open, and Mcgonagall ushering in 40ish frightened first years.

I turned to face front, relieved at the distraction, but I was immediately less relieved when the sorting hat began it's song.

'The times are changing students

And it's time you choose your part

You can make or break this war

If only you follow your heart

The ambitious, proud and driven

Work for whoever they believe will win

Not all are bad, not all are good

That's the house of Slytherin

They work for love and friendship
The humble students, kind and tough,

They won't betray, and they won't stray

So lies the code of Hufflepuff

The witty, intelligent and cunning,

Those whose brains inspire awe

Work for those who are right

And live in Ravenclaw

If you aren't yet named,

If you haven't been claimed,

Now is not the time to roar.

Our brave, heroic and full of might

Those honest few won't shun the fight

And they belong in Gryffindor

Four houses all separate in name

All combine to distribute blame

Be wary, be warned, don't be used

It is dangerous to accuse, even more so to be accused.

So now I leave you

This night soon done

You shall continue

And even have fun!

Whispers erupted as soon as the Hat finished it's song. I felt a sense of dread fill me, washing away whatever worries I held before about James.

I knew what it was saying. I felt like I was going to throw up.

"What was that all about?" Sirius asked nonchalantly, stuffing his face with another piece of ham.

"I think it was pretty bloody obvious what it was talking about!" I hissed back. "How can you even sit there, stuffing your face, and not be worried about what it means? About our school, and our future?"

"Calm down, Lilykins, I've got a whole year for you to yell at me. At least wait until we've left the Great Hall, would you?" Sirius joked, talking with his mouth full of food. I opened my mouth to retort back when someone else responded first.

"You are being a bit insensitive, mate. I reckon you didn't meant to be, but it was a serious song this time, and you are pretending like it was just usual," James scolded his friend. I turned to James with my jaw practically on the floor. None of the 7th years at our table paid attention to the sorting, as this outburst of authority was completely unexpected.

"Are you feeling alright?" I asked James incredulously. He looked back at me surprised.

"You didn't think I had it in me, did you? I can tell Sirius off when he's being a prick. It's part of my responsibility as his best mate," James teased, but I could see the hurt in his eyes. It was buried under his humor, but it was there, and I had put it there.

"I didn't doubt you could, I just wasn't expecting it. I was about to give him a long lecture about respecting people's emotions and noticing the world around him, but I guess your way works too," I winked. James choked on his pumpkin juice, and I turned back around to face the front for dumbledore's speech, dusting my hands off. I heard Remus and Peter laughing, while Sirius was complaining about the juice that had landed on him, and James was still coughing.

"Nice!" Marlene whispered to me, nudging me and offering me a high five. I slapped her hand and grinned at her in celebration of my small victory.

If I couldn't be rude to James this year, I could shock him all I wanted. It seemed that being bold and slightly flirtatious did just the trick.

"Welcome Student's. Before I get into things less interesting, I should make a few announcements whilst I still hold your attention. Mr. Filch has asked me to inform you that the Forbidden forest is, as usual, forbidden unless accompanied by a teacher or staff member. All students seen launching dung bombs will be put into immediate detention.

"Our Head Students this year are James Potter and Lily Evans. This year there will be a slight change, and Head Students will be able to deduct and add points as they see fit to each house, as well as hand out detentions." At this, James and I exchanged a glance. Mine was panic filled, but his eyes were gleaming mischievously and I knew he was thinking about all he could do with his new power.

"As I'm sure you are aware, there is a world full of dangerous and prejudice people. I don't want to insult you intelligence, because I am sure you know, however I feel impressed to inform you all the the dark wizard Voldemort is gaining power. This is the time to trust your friends. Don't let paranoia dissuade you from continuing friendships that have had long and beautiful fruits. If you do see any suspicious behavior, report it directly to the Heads or Staff members.

"Let's not dwell on the sad, for our most important weapon is our optimism. Enjoy the rest of your feast, and let's make this year a great one," Dumbledore concluded with a good-natured smile at the silent hall.

"Well he's not very optimistic, now is he?" Marlene snorted, breaking the silence at the Gryffindor table. I reached over and smacked her arm.

"Ooo, watch out McKinnon. Evans can dock points or put you in detention now," Sirius warned teasingly.

"Oi, would you leave us alone about our responsibilities?" James begged, flicking a bit of mashed potato at his mate. I hid a chuckle behind my hand as Sirius stood up in a huff.

"If you can't handle me at my best, you don't deserve to see me at my worst!" Sirius cried, flipping his hair and crawling under the table so he was now sitting adjacent to James and next to Remus.

"If you can't get the saying right, you don't deserve to use it," Remus concluded sadly. Sirius gasped.

"Not you too! I fear by the end of the evening all of you will be against me," He cried dramatically clasping a hand to his chest. I wasn't even hiding my smile now, and Marlene was openly giggling.

"Maybe you deserve it," Peter suggested slyly. Sirius pretended to faint, resting his head on Remus's shoulder.

At this point I couldn't help myself, and I threw my head back laughing.

James POV

I watched her with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was thrilled to see her laughing. Her smile alone sent me into a coma, her laugh was a killing curse. I wanted to see her laughing for the rest of her life.

On the other hand, I wanted to be the one that kept her laughing the rest of her life.

I noticed how she avoided telling me what she told the guys about me, and I wanted to know. I was wounded that she felt she couldn't share, because that probably meant that she had said something horrible.

She was unfailingly kind, and I knew if she chose not to share something, chances are, it's not good. In fact, her kindness was just one of many things I admired about her. Lily's ability to be kind to everyone regardless of their opinion of her was not only impressive, it was unique. I had never met anyone else who shared her capacity for compassion and generosity.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a swift kick to the shins, from Remus.

'Alright?' He mouthed, a look of knowing concern on his face. I just nodded sadly, and then glanced back at Lily, who was chatting away happily with her friends.

I wanted to listen, mostly just so I could feel like a part of her life, but she wasn't ready for that level yet. I had to stick to the plan.

"James," Lily whispered my name quickly, grabbing my arm. My brain immediately went to imagining her whispering my name in a far more private setting before I realized how uncharacteristic of her that would be and started panicking, thinking of every possible thing I could have done wrong but I was drawing a blank. I hadn't said anything that could have made her so mad at me. Yet.

"What?" I asked, taking the opportunity to rest my hand over hers.

"Dumbledore is coming over here," She said, not noticing that I had now removed her hand from my shoulder and was holding it in my lap contently.

"Hm, that can't be good," I mused, only half paying attention. Then the full force of what she was saying hit me. "Bloody- Lily, I swear I haven't done anything wrong yet!"

She giggled a little at my outburst, and then lightly tugged her hand back, using it to tuck her hair behind her ear.

"Well I guess we're about to find out," She tsked, looking up as the Professor stopped in front of us.

"James, Lily, Might I have a word with the two of you in my office before you head off to bed? Does 20 minutes give you enough time to eat?" He asked politely. I shot him a grin.

"Yessir! We'll be up there in no time Profé!" I saluted him, then watched as the old man chuckled, and I felt Lily's eyes turn to look at me with curiosity.

"In that case, the password is Television," He sent a wink Lily's way, and her magical laugh tinkled through the air like bells as he walked away.

"What's so funny about the word Television?" I demanded, making a mental note to add it to the list of things Lily enjoys. I needed a list of good joked just in case I ever took her on a date.

"Nothing really, I suppose. It's a muggle contraption. It just seemed a silly password," She brushed it aside like it was nothing. "You really don't pay attention in Muggle Studies, do you?"

"I actually do really well in that class, thank you very much. We just don't cover a wide variety of things. Mostly we just talk about Government and History. Impractical if you ask me," I blabbed. She threw a smile my way and I couldn't hold back the smile from my face.

"By the way, how do you manage to make the teachers laugh?" She asked subtly. I could feel there were intentions behind her asking, but I put them aside for the moment.

"To be honest I'm not sure. I don't really know what comes out of my mouth half the time," I admitted sheepishly.

"That," She started, "would explain loads."

I couldn't help but put my arm around her (platonically enough) and laugh loudly. I noticed that a few students further down at our table turned to look at what I was laughing at, but that didn't bother me. Lily was here. She was here, and she wasn't yelling at me.

After a while of eating and chatting with Lily about whatever could come up with to keep her attention engaged, I decided I should probably bring up the time.

"We have about five minutes to get to Dumbledore' Office…" I noted cautiously, waiting for the reaction I knew I would get.

"JAMES WHATEVER YOUR MIDDLE NAME IS POTTER! You take me to that meeting and you take me there now. You know we can't be late! You were supposed to remind me when we had 10 minutes. We could lose our Headship for this! Oh the things I would do to you if we were alone!" She all but screamed. At the last sentence Sirius snorted, and Lily directed the full force of her fury onto him.

"WHAT!" She demanded, hand on her hips. I stood up while she wasn't focused on me and took a few precautionary steps back.

"It's just your last sentence. Could have been misinterpreted as something a little more… dirty," He trailed off as Lily tried to disintegrate him with her eyes.

"Come on, Lil. It's time to go to the meeting," I stepped in, saving my mate. He sent me a look of gratitude and I rolled my eyes, dragging a still-irritated Lily along with me.

"I can't believe the nerve of him, the complete lack of respect for authority, I ought to deduct points just for him saying that" She fumed behind me. "The foul, vile, disgusting-" I pulled her with me behind a suit of armor.

"What are you doing?" She asked suspiciously. I sighed deeply, and then looked into her eyes.

"I know he said something he shouldn't have, but that's my best mate you're insulting right now. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve a part of it but don't you think he probably doesn't deserve all the aggression you are currently talking about him with?" I reasoned with her. Lily was unfailingly kind unless provoked. If she couldn't get along with my mates, there couldn't be hope for a future with the two of us.

Lily looked slightly shell-shocked as she absorbed what I was saying.

"You know, I reckon that was one of the most sensible things I've ever heard you say," She admitted. I offered her a shy smile and rubbed my neck.

"You reckon?" I asked, hope practically gushing out of me. Lily has complimented me a total of 9 times in all our 6+ years

"Yeah," She paused and looked at me thoughtfully, "Yeah I do."

I couldn't help the grin that blossomed onto my face at her words, and she let her walls down far enough to grin genuinely back at me.

"That means a lot," I assured her, noticing all at once how close we were to each other.

"Does it? I'm glad," Lily giggled, before her eyes grew wide.

"We are so going to be late! We have 3 minutes to get there!" I nodded once, and then grabbed her arm.

"Follow me! I know a shortcut," I promised, tugging her along the secret passage behind the suit of armor. Despite us never going up a flight of stairs, we were suddenly on the 5th floor outside of Dumbledore's office.

"How did we get here so quickly?" Lily asked excitedly.

"Marauder secret. Don't ask too many questions, Love," I teased, chucking her chin gently. She blushed and looked away and neither of us noticed what I had called her.

"Television." The Gargoyles sprung apart and together we climbed the steps to the headmaster's office.

We hadn't even knocked on the door when we heard our greeting.

"Come in," Dumbledore's voice rang out pleasantly.

"Hi Professor!" Lily greeted brightly, flouncing into the room like she and Dumbledore had regular teas. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if that were true, as I have biweekly chats with McGonagall.

"Good Evening, Lily, James. Take a seat please," He gestured to the two seats in front of his desk and we wasted no time in taking our seats.

"I first wanted to thank the two of you in person for agreeing to be Heads this year," Dumbledore smiled, shooting me a look that dared me to argue. I didn't.

"I also wanted to express again the extreme responsibility you will be taking on this year. It is rare that two students from the same house are chosen for Headship, but the two of you were the obvious choice," He grinned at us again, and I saw Lily's cheeks flush adorably at the compliment.

"I know it is no secret to either of you that this is a dangerous time in our society. No doubt you've both been keeping up on the news. In fact, your appointment as heads has almost as much to do with the going ons outside of school as the going ons inside." OK, he officially lost me, and from the look of things, he had lost Lily as well.

"The two of you are not only responsible," Lily snorted and glanced at me, "-but you care deeply about the welfare of your fellow students. There are few things that are more important than education, but I am confident the two of you know exactly what they are and how to prioritize them. Voldemort is gaining power. He understands that to truly take over he will need the support of the young and easily swayed. I believe he is going to use Hogwarts as a recruiting round."

"And you want us to do what exactly?" I asked, confused.

"I would just like you to keep a particular eye out for those students who you feel may be susceptible to the… charms… of the dark arts. Report to me when you see anything suspicious. Spread positivity and kindness. The most powerful protection we have is friendship. I know the two of you have a history of not getting along-" Dumbledore trailed off and Lily and I had the decency to look ashamed.

"We're sorry professor," I said, looking at him earnestly.

"I know you are. And I know that you will be working hard to fix that this year. I don't need to remind the two of you that as Heads you will have your own dormitories and I hope that living together will help foster a friendship between the two of you. I will also expect the two of you to complete all of your rounds together unless absolutely necessary," Dumbledore told us. I was nodding along, but distracted.

Lily and I would be living together.

Merlin help me.

"I also want you to keep an eye out for students who you believe are as upstanding and trustworthy as the two of you, and give me a list of their names as well," Dumbledore instructed us.

"That all sounds reasonable," Lily spoke finally.

"Well I'm certainly glad you think so," The Professor smiled, standing up. "Now, I think the two of you should probably head down to your dorms for the night. If you should so desire to stop by the Gryffindor commons first, tell Sirius that he needs to abandon his plan." With a wink, the old man walked away, leaving both Lily and myself highly confused.

"Fancy a visit to the Gryffindor common room before we head off to the wing of solitude?" I joked, poking Lily and jarring her out of her rather deeps thoughts.

"Oh, yes. I must admit… I am curious as to what Sirius is planning. Obviously something stupid though," Lily laughed lightly, standing up and walking out with me.

"How long do you want to stay in the old commons for? I'd rather not walk all the way to our Head dorms by myself with everything that's been going on," I confessed.

Lie.

I couldn't care less about my own safety, I just didn't want Lily walking back alone, after curfew, with no protection.

"Maybe an hour or two? I was planning on posting the list of rules, chatting with the girls, and taking a walk with Remus," She informed me.

My heart felt a slight prick of jealousy at the fact she was going for a walk with my friend and not me, before I realized that currently she was on a walk with me so I had no room for complaints.

"That's what i was thinking. Just come and let me know when you're ready to leave," I grinned at her when we arrived outside the portrait of the fat lady.

"Hello!" Lily greeted her brightly.

"Hello my dear! So glad to see you back, and with that shiney badge! Very impressive," The Fat Lady winked.

"Thank you! We're just going to go chat with our friends a bit before we head off to bed," Lil's chirped.

"Well in that case… Password?"

"Merlin's Beard," I proclaimed loudly, and the portrait swung open.

"JAMES!" Was the first thing I heard when my head made it through the portrait hole.

"Padfoot?" I asked, looking around for him. I saw him at a desk in the back corner, and sent an apologetic look at Lily.

"Mate, get your fat arse over here. I've got the best idea for a start of term prank!" Sirius informed me giddily. I looked at Lily and saw the fear in her eyes and we both walked quickly over to Sirius.

"Padfoot, we've just been to see Dumbledore-"

"Really? Brilliant. I've always liked the man. Anyway-"

"Sirius!" Lily tried, grabbing his arm.

"Since when am I not 'Black'?" He asked, pausing his lightning fast talking.

"Since I decided I wanted your attention. Would you please just listen?" Lily begged.

"Fine, fine. What's got your knickers in a bunch?" He rolled his eyes.

"Dumbledore said to tell you, not to go through with your plan," I said, before Lily could. She gave me an irritated look, as I'm sure she wanted to be the one to crush my friends spirits, but I knew he was going to lash out and only a few people could handle Sirius being mad at them.

"He WHAT?" Sirius exploded, looking confused and angry.

"He seemed to know about some plan of yours, and he said to not do it," I said. Anger and confusion cleared from his eyes as he glanced between Lily and I, who were closer than I think we'd ever been in public. Her shoulder was almost touching my chest. Then, funnily enough, he laughed.

"What are you going on about?" Remus asked, joining us.

"Dumbledore told us to tell Sirius to stop planning something, and now he's lost it," I explained. Remus's eyes widened in understanding just as a grin broke out on his face.

"Doesn't miss a thing does he?" Remus asked, chuckling.

"I do, apparently," Lily muttered under her breath, and I chuckled.

"That was rather clever, Evans," I complimented slyly.

"Why thank you, Potter." Suddenly Sirius snorted.

"I see why he told me to abandon the plan then. Guess it's not needed," He commented to Remus.

"Funny guy, Dumbledore," Remus merely stated.

"Anyways, do you want to hear the prank idea?" Sirius asked. I looked at him in irritation.

"Well if Dumbledore bloody well knows about it-" I started. Sirius cut me off quickly.

"He wasn't talking about this plan. Trust me. I know which one he was talking about, and I guess I'll listen to what he has to say about it. For now," Sirius answered evasively.

"Okay…" Lily trailed off, before looping her arm through Remus's and grinning brightly up at him.

"Fancy a walk?" He asked, amused. She laughed and pulled him along behind her.

"Actually I just wanted to find better company than that lot," She threw me a friendly glance over her shoulder and then her and Remus were out the door.

"Ouch, That's gotta hurt," Sirius hissed, clasping a hand on my shoulder.

"What?" I asked, shaking myself out of my Lily induced coma.

"Seeing her walk off with one of your best mates? I'd be mortally wounded if I were you," Sirius sympathised. I just grinned at him.

"She's worth it," I shrugged, plopping into a seat besides him and looking over his notes about how to best pull off our first prank of the year.