Chapter 3 - As usual I don't own anything.

'Potter?'

'Yes'

'James Potter?'

'Yeah'

'Seriously, James Potter?'

'That's what I said'

'James 'we-are-not-worthy' Potter?'

'YES!'

'Whoa' Marlene sighed as she twirled her hair around her wand thoughtfully.

'How? Why?'

'Believe me, I have no idea'.

After patrolling the Hogwarts Express for the remainder of the journey, Lily had finally caught up with Marlene in the Great Hall after the Sorting.

'But he's so, he's just so…'

'I know'. The very idea of James Potter, one of the biggest pranksters in the school, in a position of power with the ability to influence so many students…what had Dumbledore been thinking?

Before Lily had a chance to ponder this further, the headmaster himself got to his feet and raised his arms for silence. The buzz of the Great Hall died away.

'It is my great pleasure to welcome you to another year at Hogwarts…'

I mean surely there must have been better candidates, Remus for one…

'I hope that your summers were enjoyable and that you return to us well rested and prepared for the year ahead…'

Dumbledore must have had his reasons, surely, I mean it's not as though the boy isn't intelligent…

'…and before we begin tonight's feast I must ask you…'

and of course he is a little better than the average quidditch player…

'…out of bounds as ever…'

plus he has the infuriating knack of wrapping teachers around his little finger…

'…commencing one week from today. Now I think that your rumbling stomachs have suffered for long enough…'

not totally unattractive…

'Tuck in.'

Lily was surprised as the golden plates around her filled with delicious food. She had been deep in thought. She was even more surprised to find that Dumbledore had stopped talking and she could not remember a word he had said. Since when did she not pay attention? Forget that, since when did she not pay attention because of Potter?

Shaking herself mentally, Lily reached across the table and began helping herself to roast potatoes.

'You Ok, Lils? You're awfully quiet.'

Close as they were, Lily would rather play exploding snap with the whomping willow than tell Marlene what she had just been thinking.

Putting on her best smile she answered:

'Never better. Just glad to be back'.

Xxx

'And then you should have seen her face!' chortled James as Sirius and Remus roared with laughter.

'Ahem'. James turned to find a less-than-impressed Lily glaring at him, arms folded.

'Lily pad! So nice to see you, looking lovely as always!'

'Sirius' she acknowledged him 'Still as slippery as ever'.

'Ah you know you love it really,' he winked, returning to his pudding. The corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

'So Evans, how can we help you?' asked James, his hand automatically reaching for his hair. He couldn't help but admire her tall, slender figure as she drew herself to her full height and uncrossed her arms.

'I just came to give you a copy of the prefect rota and to tell you that the password to the Head's common room is-' she lowered her voice as Sirius tilted his head in their direction, '-Bezoar'.

James' fingers brushed her hand as he took the schedule from her and pretended to examine it.

'Thank you very much Miss Evans'. She returned his smile briefly and began to turn away.

'Wait!' he called 'Er, do you want the last piece of treacle tart? I know it's your favourite.'

A look of surprise flittered across her face as she accepted with a murmur of thanks.

'See you around then Evans'

'Yeah, see you Potter'.

He watched as she walked between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables to rejoin Marlene.

'I know it's your favourite?' mimicked Sirius, his face alight with mischief.

'What? It is…'

'Prongs, you may as well have stood up and serenaded her with a few verses of Celestina Warbeck!'

James snorted and then turned his attention to Remus.

'Was it really that obvious?'

Remus smiled at him kindly.

'I'm sure she appreciated the-'

'Oh come and stir my cauldron…'

'-the thought' Remus shouted to be heard over Sirius' booming voice, 'I'm sure she appreciated the thought'.

'I mean, I know what she thinks,' James muttered, 'I just wanted to show her that I'm not a total-'

'Boil you up some hot, strong love…'

'Enough!' James shouted, shoving a jam tart into Sirius' open mouth, enjoying himself a little too much as he spluttered.

'Guess I deserved that,' Sirius grinned, brushing the crumbs off his robes.

Hush descended on the Great Hall once more as Dumbledore dismissed them.

James strode over to where Lily was gathering together first years.

'Ready to go?'

She nodded and they made their way into the well lit Entrance Hall, the first years scurrying behind them to keep up.

Sirius, Remus and Peter overtook them on the staircase.

The sound of Sirius whistling 'A cauldron full of hot, strong love' was unmistakable.

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