Author's Note: Already have the next chapter up! This one's in Lily's point of view!

Chapter 2: Lily's Thoughts

I glanced around, my eyes searching the crowd. One of my friends had to be around here somewhere. Then I spotted a very familiar face. Light pink cheeks, full lips, light brown hair, sunny chocolate eyes, and a round, pretty face.

"Alice!" I squealed.

I ran to hug her as hard as I could. I really missed Alice. She was the sweetest, most understanding girl I knew.

"Hey Lily!" she laughed, hugging me back.

When she released me Alice looked around. "Have you seen Kira or Faith?"

"Right here!" I'd recognize that holler anywhere.

"Kira!" I hugged her just as hard as I'd hugged Alice.

Kira was the one I could always count on to stand up for me. She was fiercely protective and loyal to her friends. She also spoke her mind so I spoke to her when I wanted a brutally honest opinion. Kira was hilarious too. She could always make me laugh.

"Hey girls!"

"Faith!" I let go of Kira to tackle to blond.

Faith was a boy encyclopedia. If any of us had guy problems we went to her. She sympathized with every crush and was never shocked at any guy I liked. I could say I was madly in love with James Potter and she'd just nod and smile. Not that I'd ever say that.

James Potter annoyed me. He'd gotten a little better last year. That meant he'd stopped hexing people for the fun of it. He was still constantly in detention, pulling pranks nonstop, and an arrogant, conceited, show-off. Because James was so full of himself he was convinced that deep down I fancied him.

Let's get one thing straight. I do not fancy James Potter. Of course my stubborn refusal to like him wasn't helped by the fact that he was extremely good looking. He had mischievous hazel eyes, perfectly arranged features, and sexy messy black hair. And don't even get me started on that muscular chest… but I didn't think he was smoking hot because I liked him. It was just a common fact all girls knew the moment they laid eyes on his perfection.

"Earth to Lily, you're hugging the life out of me," Faith sighed. "And it's hard to breathe."

"Oops, sorry." I released her. "Let's go find a compartment."

We boarded the train, chatting about our summers. I opened the door to a compartment about halfway down the train. To my surprise it was full, and with none other than the infamous Marauders. Ah, must get out of her before James started badgering me to go out with him again.

"Sorry, we didn't know anyone else was in here," I said hastily.

I quickly turned to leave. Kira grabbed my shoulder. Great, she probably wanted to stay and flirt with Peter. Ew. Peter was nice enough but he was such a… tag along. I didn't get why strong, independent Kira like the scrawny boy who worshiped the ground his three friends walked on.

"Can we sit here?" Kira asked sweetly.

"Yes!" James looked like he was going to jump out of his seat and hug me.

I glared at Kira. She gave me a 'do-it-or-die' look. I got that look from her a lot. She wouldn't do this to me would she? She wouldn't shut me up in the same compartment as James-I'm-obsessed-with –Lily-Evans-Potter for the sake of her weird, inconceivable crush right? Wrong.

"Fine," I growled giving in, something I rarely did to anyone but her.

I quickly sat between Remus and Sirius so that I was nowhere near James. He didn't look very happy about that. Well too bad for him.

Kira started up a conversation with Peter at once. Faith leaned towards Sirius. I was stuck with Remus Lupin. That wasn't too bad. Remus was a nice guy, and the most tolerable Marauder by far. We'd been prefects together in fifth year. He was sweet, funny, kinda cute, and I had a bit of a secret crush on him.

"So how was your summer?" I asked the boy.

"Uneventful. Yours?" he replied.

"Interesting. Petunia has a new boyfriend named Vernon…" I launched into a crazy story about my attempt to scare the poor muggle boy away. By the time I had finished the story we were both laughing so hard we were almost crying. I clung to Remus to keep from falling out of my seat. Remus finally quieted down and glanced around. He leaned towards me, his lips at my ear.

"Look, I might as well ask you while I've got you here… you should go out with James. He really does like you. I'm sorry, I know it's a terrible time to bring this up but James is one of my best mates. He's done so much for me and I feel like I should return the favor," he whispered.

Aw, he was so nice, trying to talk up James in front of me. With anyone else I might have been angry. With Remus it was… cute. He was so loyal to his friends!

"You're so sweet Remus." I smiled at him.

"So you'll do it?" he asked hopefully.

Did he really think I'd go out with his arrogant friend? Never in a million years! Still, he looked so adorable, like a begging puppy dog.

"You are sweet, and adorable too, but no. I'm sorry. It was nice of you to ask though," I told him.

I leaned forward impulsively and swiftly kissed his cheek. It felt like the right thing to do. His cheeks burned red and he stared at me, surprised. Was he blushing out of anger, embarrassment, or because he liked the kiss?

"Sorry," I muttered.

"It's … ok," he stuttered.

I put both of my hands on his shoulders and leaned in close to him so that the others couldn't hear.

"Look Remus, I don't like James. Some people just aren't meant to be. I like you though…"

"Lily don't say that," he quickly shushed me. "I can't… I want to… I mean you're so… but James. I have to think about James. He's crazy about you and there's no way I could steal you from him."

I sighed. "I knew you'd say something like that. Still, it was worth a try."

" I really am sorry Lily."

"It's all right," I shrugged. Then I took a stab at casual conversation. "So how's your mum?"