Chapter 3. Train Ride Surprises

Disclaimer: Even though this should be pretty obvious I am not JK Rowling, nor do I own Harry Potter so anything you recognize from JKR's amazing series belongs to her, not me.

James ran straight at the border between Platforms 9 and 10, his hands holding his trolley lightly. He blinked and was through the barrier, onto a Platform filled with people in robes, standing and talking across from a scarlet red steam engine.

"We all here?" James's father asked, looking over his son and friends. "Good. Now everyone get together for a picture."

"Dad!" James whined.

"Sorry James, you know your mother. Come on, it'll only take a second." Mr. Potter said.

Sirius put his arms over James and Remus's shoulders and James put his arm over Peter's. They all smiled as Harold Potter took the picture.

"There we go." He said. "You guys should get going, I don't want you to miss the train."

"See you at Christmas Dad." James said hugging his father. Sirius, Remus, and Peter all said there goodbyes too and, after James promised to write, they all jumped onto the train. They walked down the corridor, waving to familiar faces until they found an empty compartment.

"When's the trolley lady gonna get here?" Sirius whined.

"The train hasn't even started yet." Remus said.

Just then the Hogwarts Express lurched forward. Platform 9 3/4 disappeared behind them and Sirius turned to Remus with a smirk.

"Doesn't matter, the trolley lady won't come for another hour." Remus said a smirk now growing on his face.

"You think this is funny Remus?" Sirius yelled dramatically.

"Yes, I actually find it quite amusing now that you mention it." Remus said with a chuckle. James too started smiling.

"Well when I die of hunger I'll be the one laughing!" Sirius shot back.

"How could you though? You'd be dead." Peter asked, slightly confused. James and Remus roared with laughter. James felt tears growing in his eyes and wiped them away as he laughed almost uncontrollably.

After a few minutes their laughter died down. Sirius acted indignant but James could tell he was fighting a smile.

"Sirius?"

James and his friends turned and faced the compartment door. James saw a boy greatly resembling Sirius the first time they met. He had dark, longish hair. He had stormy grey eyes but they were different than Sirius's. They were more fearful, less confident than Sirius, but James knew that this must be Regulus Black; Sirius's brother.

"Reg?" Sirius asked, surprised.

"Do you mind if I sit with you guys?" Regulus asked, shuffling his feet. Sirius's eyebrows rose in surprise. He shot a quick look at James, then Remus and Peter. James gave a slight nod and a shrug.

"Sure, come in." Sirius said. Regulus walked in and an awkward silence fell over the compartment, replacing the previously happy atmosphere. After a couple of minutes of this Regulus said sarcastically, "Well this isn't awkward at all."

James laughed. "You've got wit, I like that. James Potter if you didn't already know."

James's acceptance of the boy seemed to trigger Remus and Peter to introduce themselves as well. This ended the awkwardness for the train ride. Regulus was similar to Sirius, only more reserved and he seemed nervous, almost as if by being with them he was breaking some sort rule and someone would jump out and punish him at any moment.

"Anything from the trolley dears?" the trolley lady asked sweetly. James and Sirius shot up like lightning and ran to her, pulling out their money bags.

James grabbed a pack of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, some Pumpkin Pasties, and some Chocolate Frogs.

"Remus, d'ya want anything?" James asked, turning to Remus who was the only one left in their compartment.

"No it's fine." he replied.

"What do you want Remus, and don't tell me nothing cause we both know that's a lie." James asked.

Remus sighed. "You know me too well, James. Anything chocolate would be good. But nothing too much." Remus replied. James knew that Remus didn't like people buying everything for him, just because he didn't have as much money, so James only bought him a Chocolate Cauldrons and a couple Chocolate Frogs.

He was just returning to the compartment when he saw a flash of scarlet hair. She hadn't noticed him and was right in front of him. He slowly tiptoed forward until he was on her left. James reached his arm around and tapped her right shoulder. She turned her head quickly in that direction before turning to him and saying, "Potter, I should've known."

"So I'm Potter again, I thought we were on a first name basis." James said remembering her saying something similar at Flourish and Bolt's.

"Sorry," Lily said.

"It's fine, though should I be calling you Evans now?" James asked, leaning against the wall between two compartment doors.

"Whatever floats your boat Potter." Lily said. "I gotta go now, see you around."

"See you." James replied, walking back to his compartment.

"How'd it go?" Remus asked as James handed him his chocolate.

"Dunno, we didn't really talk." James said shrugging as he sat down.

"Sorry mate, it's probably because me an Snivellus's fight." Sirius said apologetically.

"It's alright mate." James said. "Anyone up for a game of chess?" James asked, reaching into his trunk and pulling out his set.

"I'll play you." Remus said putting his book away. "It's the least I can do since you bought me that chocolate."

"What so you're only playing with me because I gave you chocolate?" James said putting his hand to his heart with mock indignation.

"Yes, I only hang out with you for chocolate, it's the reason I started hanging out with you anyway." Remus said smirking. "Pawn to e4." he added.

"Well." James said pretending to be affronted before adding, "Knight to f6."

Their game continued for almost an hour before ending with James's surprising defeat. James had been one move from Checkmate when Remus, in moving his king from danger, trapped James's King.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" James yelled dramatically, getting to his knees. "You cheated!" James accused pointing a finger at Remus.

"Nope, you just didn't realize where my bishop was." Remus said with a smirk. "Maybe you're losing your touch."

"Hmph." James said. "I'm gonna go find Evans." And with that he exited their compartment.

James walked down the corridor, looking into the compartments through the window until he saw the familiar red haired girl in a compartment with three others which James knew to be Alice Dearborn, Mary Macdonald, and Marlene McKinnon.

James slid the compartment door open. "Hello ladies." he said leaning on the doorframe. "Would you mind if I sit here for a couple minutes?" he asked. "I have food." he added holding out what was left of his snacks.

"Sure."

"Yeah."

"Come on in."

Lily's friends beckoned him and he walked in, sitting in an empty seat.

"So how was your summer Dearborn?" James asked turning to the girl to his right.

Alice opened her mouth to respond when the compartment door opened again. The boy standing in the doorway had dark, greasy hair and was wearing Hogwarts robes with a Slytherin emblem; Severus Snape. He looked like he was about to say something when he noticed James. His face turned to a scowl.

"Potter." he said venomously

"Snivellus." James said calmly in reply.

"What's he doing here?" Snape asked, looking to Lily.

"I'm sitting with Lily and her friends, I think that's pretty clear." James said leaning back in his chair to show Snape that he wasn't going anywhere.

"You little-" Snape started pulling out his wand.

"What's that Snivelly, taking me on without your gang?" James taunted pulling out his wand too. "Didn't think you had the guts."

"Stop! Both of you!" Lily shouted, jumping in between the two.

"Whatever." Snape said, turning on his heel and stalking off.

James stood up. "I should go." he said walking out of the compartment. "Sorry." he said looking directly at Lily before closing the door and returning to his own compartment.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait but here it is, Chapter 3! I hope you like it and if you do (or you don't) you should review and tell me what you think. I don't think it's my best but, hopefully, the next few will be better.