Chapter Nine:

The TARDIS landed and The Doctor threw the door open. He stepped out, quickly followed by Lily and Jack.

"The Leaky Cauldron," Jack read the sign. Lily lead the way around back to the small, walled courtyard.

"Um, Lily," The Doctor said, pulling out his screwdriver. "It appears to be a dead end." He quickly ran over the walls with his sonic. Lily laughed.

"Step aside boys," she said. Lily counted the bricks from the trash can and tapped the right ones. Suddenly, the magnificent archway appeared. The Doctor and Jack looked at each other stunned. Lily looked back at them. "Well come on!" The two men quickly followed her through the arch and into the hidden street. "Now the first thing I'm gonna need are some new robes."

For the next hour, The Doctor and Jack followed Lily from store to store, carrying her bags and books. They had just finished and were on their way back to the entrance, headed for the TARDIS. A voice called out over the crowd noise.

"Oi, Evans!" A boy's voice rang out. Lily stopped dead in her tracks.

"Not again," she mumbled under her breath. The Doctor looked back to see two boys about Lily's age coming towards them. He assumed one was the dreaded Potter. Jack followed his gaze then leaned down closer to Lily.

"Need me to take care of it?" He asked. The Doctor eyed him quickly.

"Jack, behave!" The Doctor snapped. Lily shook her head.

"Just keep walking!" She instructed. The three quickened their pace but the boys ran to catch up with them, cutting them off.

"How's my Lily-flower doing on this fine day?" The boy with longer black hair asked Lily with a smile. Lily scoffed.

"I was doing just fine until you two came up!" She snapped.

"You wound me, Lily-flower," he replied, a smirk playing at his lips.

"How many times do I have to tell you, DON'T call me that!" Lily nearly yelled. The boy that had been standing by quietly eyed The Doctor who took an instinctive step closer to Lily. The boy felt the rage burning in his cheeks.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm The Doctor," he answered, sticking his hand out. "You must be Potter!" The boy looked down at The Doctor's hand and shoved his own into his pockets.

"James. Only my friends call me Potter," the boy said, winking at Lily. He looked The Doctor up and down carefully. "Nice bowtie," James laughed. The Doctor reached up and straightened his favorite accessory.

"Bowties are cool!" He said back. James raised his eyebrows skeptically.

"Right," he said, turning his attention to Jack. "And what about you?"

"Captain Jack Harkness," Jack introduced himself. James eyed him carefully.

"Captain of what? A professional quidditch team?" James said, elbowing the other boy and laughing.

"What?" Jack asked. He shook his head and turned to the other boy. "And who might you be?"

"Sirius Black," he answered. Jack smiled.

"Nice to meet you Sirius Black," Jack said. The Doctor groaned.

"Captain!" He snapped. Jack looked at him then crossed his arms, a mock pout on his face. James ignored all this.

"Getting your supplies Evans?" James asked.

"No, Potter! I'm taking a leisurely stroll through a meadow!" She snapped back. The Doctor tried not laugh. James shot him a quick look.

"Have you heard who got Head Boy yet?" James asked. Lily smirked.

"Hopefully Remus!" She said. James rolled his eyes.

"No, it's not Moony! Try yours truly!" He announced, a big cocky smile spreading across his face.

"You're kidding me!" Lily said, gob smacked.

"You know who got Head Girl, Lily-flower?" Sirius asked.

"Sadly, I do," she replied.

"Rumor has it you were gonna get it, Evans," James said, smiling even wider, if that was at all possible.

"Yes Potter! I got it!" Lily said, exasperated. James laughed.

"Great! Looks like we'll be working together then. Even sharing a dorm! How about we talk about it over ice cream? Hmm? Florean's?" James asked as he took one of Lily's hands. She quickly jerked it away. The Doctor cut his eyes at Jack who nodded back.

"Ice cream sounds great!" Jack announced, companionably putting his arms around James and Sirius' shoulders. "Let's go! Lead the way Sirius!" All five, a little reluctantly, walked together to the ice cream parlor.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Not many reviews on the last one...sadness :( Review please!