A/N: I do not own Harry Potter.
Thank you to Jack Mason Potter once again for beta reading my story. You make it a lot better, and I really appreciate your hard work.
I would like to recommend "Days Go By," which is by Jack. It is a very well-written Lily/James story and I think you would enjoy it.
Thank you for all the reviews. They make me happy(:
I lugged my suitcase out to the Hogsmeade train station. The morning was sunny, despite the cold weather, which increased the overall happy feeling of the students heading home. Almost every person in my year was leaving the school, so the platform was busy.
"Hey James," said Sirius, nudging me in my ribs suddenly, a smirk on his face. "How are you and Evans doing?"
I didn't tell him what happened last night. After all, he had been preoccupied with Wormtail, whose eyebrows were currently being sorted out by Madam Pomfrey back at Hogwarts. It turned out that eyebrows could only be Transfigured a certain amount of times before the damage became permanent.
"You know- just friends," I said, shrugging.
Sirius raised his eyebrows questioningly, but didn't say anything. I could tell he didn't believe me though. He had known me too long and too well to believe that I had just given up on Lily, but I hadn't had any public interaction with her that would seem anything more than friendly since Hogsmeade. We were more comfortable with each other, which was a lot better than the chasing game I played with her last year.
Sirius and I climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express, which was letting of thick steam. It was only minutes before it left the station.
"Is Remus in the prefects' carriage?" I asked when we had found an empty compartment.
"Yeah, but he'll be back here in a few hours."
The train lurched forward, and slowly we gained speed. I pressed my face to the window to catch one last view of the castle before it disappeared around the bend.
Sirius and I fell into conversation, laughing and joking. The casualness of it all was so relieving- after all the Quidditch worries, homework stress and Lily, it had been a busy term. The hours flew by, and I had a good time.
Before long, Remus arrived, having completed his prefect duties.
"Hey guys, we have an hour left until we reach platform 9 ¾," Moony said, closing the door behind him. Sirius groaned loudly.
"I am absolutely starving," he complained. "I know James's mum will have made something fantastic, but I need something to eat now."
"I just saw the food cart making its way down here- yes, here she comes."
Remus was right, and the familiar witch that pushed the trolley appeared in doorway.
"Anything to eat my dears?" she asked sweetly.
Padfoot and I immediately pulled out handfuls of gold. The licorice wands and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans were just too much to ignore.
"I'll take two of everything," I said, putting the coins into the witch's hands. Padfoot got the same thing I did.
While Sirius picked out the sweets, I spotted a familiar ginger head a few compartments down. Lily was laughing with her friends, tossing her hair every once in a while. I watched her for a few moments, a faint smile on my face.
"Come on mate, who are you looking at…? I thought you were just friends," said Sirius, peering into Lily's compartment. "Here, take your stuff."
He shoved a large amount of sweets into my arms. We quickly divided up them with Moony and had a good time eating through the food.
"Ugh, my stomach hurts," said Sirius a little while later. I had to agree with him; it felt like I had eaten the whole Hogwarts Feast.
"Mine too," voiced Remus, massaging his abdomen. "Thank goodness we are fifteen minutes away from the platform."
Being the end of the train ride, we had to change into our Muggle clothes and get our luggage off the racks. Carefully, I removed my cage from beside the suitcases. Inside was my owl, Wasdin. Usually he screeched like a Howler, so it was a relief that he was asleep, head tucked beneath his wing.
The train began to slow down, and before long, the platform came into view. I was beyond excited to go home to my family, with Sirius coming along and two weeks off, it promised to be a great break.
As quickly as I could, I exited the train and scanned the crowds for the familiar black hair that was just like mine…
"Mum," I said quietly as I approached her. She was waiting with my dad on the other side of the barrier.
I dropped my luggage that was holding to embrace her. It felt good to be in her arms again, even if I would never admit it.
"James," she said, her voice muffled in my shoulder. "Even though you've left six years in a row, it still doesn't get any easier."
We broke apart and she gave me a watery smile, patting my cheek.
"And here is Sirius! Yes, I do believe you've gotten more handsome…"
Sirius grinned and gave my mum a hug. She began talking to him as I turned to my father.
"Hi dad," I said awkwardly. I gave him a quick hug and handshake.
"Good term son?" he asked, ruffling my hair as he always did. Everyone always told me I took after my father, with our hazel eyes and black hair, not to mention our shared passions for Quidditch and a good prank. The only resemblance I had with my mother was our smiles. We had the exact same slightly crooked grin.
"Yeah," I responded. "You'll never guess who played Seeker for us in our match right before we left."
"Who?" he asked, smiling as he picked up Waslin's cage. Quidditch was always an easy subject to talk about between us.
"Lily Evans," I said enthusiastically. My dad knew my feelings towards Lily, and I had often gone to him for advice in my earlier years. Now, I usually kept these things secret.
"Really?" he asked innocently, but I could see the mischief in his eyes. "Is she the same pretty red-headed girl you keep tripping yourself over?"
Last year when I had seen Lily on the platform, I had convinced her to come meet my family. However, she wasn't pleased when I told them we were dating. I remember the burning look of distaste she gave me before stalking off
The year before that, I had tried to carry Lily's stuff to her trolley for her. She was pleasantly surprised until I had asked her to give me a kiss for my exertions. Sirius had dared me to, and being the young hot-head I was, I readily agreed. That scenario ended with a sharp kick to the knee.
"Really?" I groaned, looking at my dad.
Sirius however, was howling with laughter. I punched him hard in the shoulder to get him to shut up.
"I know James takes after you," said my mother disdainfully, "but that doesn't mean you have to act his age."
My dad but his arm around my mum's shoulders and kissed the top if her head lightly. I smiled, watching their playful banter. They always joked around together like that, which made it hard for me to imagine a marriage any more perfect than theirs.
"I set up a Portkey on a deserted hill not far from here," said my mum. "It won't take long to reach and it's a nice day for a walk."
The four of us discussed term and Quidditch as we made our way to the Portkey. My mum, of course, wanted to know how classes went and how I was doing with that "lovely, sweet girl" I had been infatuated with for what seemed forever. So Sirius being Sirius, launched into a long-winded story about how Lily and I had been dancing around each other all term, and ended with me throwing my broom at her feet and pledging my undying love for her.
"Are you serious?" asked my father, trying to contain his grin.
"No," I said, rolling my eyes. Next to me, my father burst out laughing. Sirius looked mildly pleased with himself.
"I have a surprise for you boys," my mother said, interrupting our conversation. She looked expectantly at us for an inquiry and when none came, she huffed impatiently.
"Well, I cooked a few mince pies for you boys. I know how you love them, and I figured you would want to play a few rounds of Quidditch before we eat dinner."
"Excellent!" said Sirius enthusiastically. "I love your pies, Mrs. Potter!"
My mum smiled widely and patted his shoulder. "You're a dear," she said fondly. "Anyway, we are having some family over for a week or so. They are quite excited to play the big Quidditch captain in a game."
Every year when I got back from Hogwarts, my family would have an annual Quidditch match. It was always good fun, and it should be even better now that Sirius was there. I knew my cousins would love him, and my female cousins would adore him.
"Here we are," announced my father. On top of the grassy slope was a glowing silver tea kettle. "All right, on the count of three, grab hold of it. One, two, three."
I felt an uncomfortable jerking around my navel, but it was over in a second. When I stood up again, I saw the familiar open fields surrounding my house, and the forests beyond. The house was light up, and I could already see my family around the table. I breathed in a deep breath, taking in the sweet winter air.
I'm home.