Chapter Three: Truth or Dare

Creeping along in the baggage compartment of the Hogwarts Express, Lily tried to find the Marauders' baggage. She had been looking for ten minutes and she still hadn't found their bags.

She swore. This shouldn't take so long! She really would miss the meeting if she didn't hurry up.

Her toe hit something hard. She swore again… by this time she was in a really grumpy mood. But then she inspected the hard object she had hit her toe against. It was Peter's suitcase. If his was here, all the rest of the marauder's suitcases had to be somewhere near.

Sure enough, she found them quickly, and inserted some dangerous items into the trunks.

On all their clothes (including their underwear), she put itching powder that would make their skin break out with terrible boils, and in their shampoo, she put pink dye that was colorless, odorless, and altogether undetectable, that is, until their hair turned pink.

Then she turned and left.

Ten minutes later, a breathless and disheveled Lily burst into the Head's Carriage. To her embarrassment, all the prefects were assembled.

"Finally decided to join us Evans? Or did I keep you away?" James joked

"Oh shut up Potter" she said, and blushed.

"Now let's get down to business. The passwords are…" James explained

Lily regarded him. He seemed so much more… mature. He was accepting responsibly, and she had to admit, she liked this new James. Hold on a sec. Whoa. Stop. Rewind. Freeze. I did not say I liked James and I did not just call him James…acckkk! I just did it again! Called him James again I mean.

"Any thing to add love?" James' voice broke through her reverie.

Lily glared at him "Yes, actually. Now pay close attention. Patrols are—Potter, stop staring—a night a week for each set of prefects…" Lily explained.

Now James was checking her out. She noticed this, but decided to leave it alone

The meeting was over; the prefects filed out.

And two very emotionally stressed people went to find their friends.

Lily arrived in a carriage that was collapsing with laughter. Haylee was going on and on about something. "Oh, James! I just love arrogant prats like you! Will you be my one eternal love? Will you—"

Alice, trying to tell Haylee that Lily was at the door finally went up and put a hand over her mouth.

Haylee tried to continue, but couldn't, and Lily walked in totally unaware of what was happening around her. Only when Lily sat down and looked around did Alice take her hand off Haylee's mouth.

Just then the door to the compartment burst open to reveal four of the most popular boys at school- the Marauders.

"Can we sit here?" asked a handsome, boy about six foot with black hair falling into his face and storm-gray eyes "Everywhere else is full"

"What ever love" said Alanna, batting her eyelashes at him

"So what do you guys want to do?" asked Alice

"I know two games" said Haylee "Truth or dare and—"

Alanna started s ing. There was obviously some kind of story behind it.

"All right. Let's play that" Sirius said

"Okay… love, truth or dare?" Alanna asked, addressing Sirius

"Umm… dare"

Alanna grinned evilly

"I dare you, Sirius, to turn your robes hot pink and leave them like that for the entire week!" Alanna said triumphantly

Sirius turned bright red, but, he did as he was dared. Every one laughed very hard, and Lily couldn't help but thinking So, now his robes will go with his hair…ha! all the girls that he tries to impress will think he's gone crazy.

"Truth or Dare, Haylee?" Remus asked

"Dare, I guess" Haylee said

"Ok. I dare you to write a love note to Severus Snape." Remus said "Signed anonymously, of course." he hastily added as she began to write.

"Truth or Dare, Lilkins?" Sirius asked

"Dare" she answered promptly- she didn't want to be thought of as a coward.

Sirius cackled wickedly, "I dare you to French kiss James Potter"

Lily's face drained of color.

Merlin's beard, thought Lily. This is going to be hard. She chanced a look at James. He was looking as though he had just been handed a million galleons. Her face flamed.

Go on she thought you know you want to. "Umm…James". She took a deep breath and looked into James's hazel eyes. She was calmed instantly, and she leaned in and felt his warm lips against hers. He shivered a bit as she slipped her tongue in, obviously not believing it was real. Though she wished she would not feel anything when she kissed him, she silently thought that it was the greatest kiss ever. Every one in the compartment began to cheer, and this made her cheeks burn even more. She quickly pulled away from James, who looked like he was fighting the urge to jump for joy. She bit her lip and wrung her hands.

"Wow." James said, amazed.

"Yeah." Lily breathed.