"Head girl?" Alice couldn't take her eyes off Lily's shiny badge. "I wish I could be head girl," she sighed, rather wistfully.
"I really want to know who the Head boy is!" Lily said, thoughtfully. "I hope it's someone nice."
They had just gotten on the train and were looking through the compartments in search of Lizzie.
"Oh look, there she is," Alice said, pointing out of the last window. Lizzie was locked in an embrace with Sarah on the platform. Bobby and James were deep in conversation just next to them.
"Lizzie," Alice called, leaning out of the window, "come and meet head girl Lily."
"Lily?" Liz asked with a strange smile. "That's a good one. I'll be right there."
"Go darling," Sarah told her, when Alice had closed the window again. "And have a good year."
"You'll look after yourself and Bobby won't you?" Liz asked worriedly. "This year we'll try to come home for Christmas, I promise."
Sarah laughed. "And miss Sirius and all the fun at Hogwarts? Go, and stop worrying," she told Lizzie, patting her head, "we'll be fine."
"Come here," Bobby told her, as James went up to hug his mother. "You'll be careful, right?" Bobby wasn't as good a liar as Sarah, and the concern was visible on his face. "I would never forgive me myself if anything had to happen." He lowered his voice to a whisper and bent his head forward, "If they had to infiltrate Hogwarts, you and Remus just go to the Shrieking Shack with the others, and stay there until we come for you. They won't find you there."
Lily's eyes widened for a second. "You know?" she whispered.
Bobby smiled. "James is my son, so I would have expected him to do something as reckless as becoming an Animagus. But he came and told me everything as soon as the got his Head boy badge. Apparently he wants to start the year with a clean slate."
Lizzie laughed, and hugged her uncle. "There's only one like you in the world, which is a great pity."
"You're going to be late. Hurry." Sirius said sullenly. He had walked past them and climbed on the train without a word. Apparently, he was still being tormented by the fact that he was no longer Hogwarts' greatest troublemaker.
"Bye sweetheart," Sarah said, hugging Lizzie one last time. "I love you both," she told her two children, and James and Lizzie waved back at her.
"I have to find the head girl and patrol the train," James said apologetically when they found the Marauders' compartment.
"Traitor," Sirius mumbled, only half-jokingly. Lizzie shook her head and sat down next to him, placing her head on his chest. He automatically drew out his hand to embrace her, and smiled the first real smile of the day.
"Loser," James said, making his departure.
"I wonder how he'll take it," Lizzie said thoughtfully when he had had left.
"Take what?" Remus said, lifting his eyes from his book with a smile. They all seemed to be in high-spirits after the holidays.
"He's about to find out Lily's been made Head girl.
James walked into his new common room and sighed. Lily was sitting down on the sofa reading a book, and trying sternly to ignore the strange feeling that entered her chest when he entered the room.
"I've finished my patrol," he told her softly, but received no reply. Lily's face was a shade redder than it had been five minutes before.
"Well then, good night." he told her, and walked to his room. Whilst he was washing his teeth, he looked at his reflection in the mirror sadly and thought to himself, "It's going be to a long year!"
"Come, quickly." Lily ran up to Lizzie and Alice and, grabbing each by the elbow, started to drag them in the direction of the third floor.
"Lily, slow down," Alice cried. But Lily didn't slow down till they got to an empty classroom.
"Lily, what's wrong?" Lizzie asked, concerned, as her friends tried to catch their breaths.
"I just can't stand it anymore," Lily said, looking towards the floor.
"Did James do anything?" Alice asked, knowing the shock Lily had when she got to know who the head boy was going to be.
Lily shook her head. She looked as though she would burst into tears. "He's always so polite. No more taunts, no more flirting, no more comments, nothing. He's a perfect gentleman." she looked up to her friends with a sad face. "I can't take it anymore." She buried her face in her hands.
Lizzie crossed her arms and looked at her rather sternly. "And why does it bother you now?"
"I don't know, "Lily shrugged miserably, "I just don't know anything anymore."
Alice smiled knowingly at Lizzie, whose mouth too started to curve.
"There, there, Lily. It's all right." Alice said, hugging the redhead.
"He's been carrying Rose Semidan's books everyday for the last week; I think she's his new one now." she said sadly, with shining eyes.
"Lily, look at me," Lizzie was standing in front of her friend with her hands on her lips. "Lily," she said slowly, as though she were addressing a child, "did it ever occur to you that you might be in love with him?"
"Of course I am!" Lily said forcefully, face turning bright red, "I just never thought I'd lose him. I don't know how that happened."
Alice burst out laughing. "So you've been acting like a pain all these years because you love him."
Lily put on an offended face and nodded lightly.
"You sure have a funny way of showing people you love them." Lizzie said, unable to control her grin.
"What am I going to do?" Lily said, looking stricken.
"Hmm, maybe you should tell him!"
Dear Sarah,
James and I seriously want to come home for Christmas, so we were thinking of catching the train on the 21st just after classes end. We'll be home by early morning on the 22nd, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing you again. I've been missing your world-famous turkey and it's high time I tasted it again.
We'll see you very very soon. Take care of yourselves!
With love,
Lizzie (and James)
"James, I'm worried," Lizzie said when her cousin entered the library. She was sitting at a table with Sirius and Remus, supposedly to study for her o.w.l.s. In reality, they were playing a game of Gobstones unbeknownst to Madame Pince.
James looked exhausted. "What's wrong, little one?" he asked her teasingly, noting her dark face.
"I sent an owl to Sarah over two weeks ago and she didn't reply. I'm getting worried now."
James frowned. "If something had happened, they would tell us. Dumbledore, McGonagall too. They'd tell us. Let's wait to the end of the week and if we don't hear from them by then we'll speak to someone about it." He rose to his feet again.
"Where are you going?" Remus asked.
"Teacher's meeting in the staff room. I'm supposed to be there as the student representative." James said, with distaste.
"Lovely." Sirius said, shaking his head.
"Lily will be there too then. It won't be such a waste of time." Remus teased softly.
James blushed lightly, and shrugged. "I'd best be off. I'll see you for dinner, OK?" Turning to Lizzie he said softly, "Don't worry. I'm sure they're all right." He didn't sound too sure himself.
"It is absolutely scandalous. I refuse to have my classes in dark, smelly classrooms. I will not take this anymore." Defence against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Athlan, by far the most stupid and most handsome teacher in the Hogwarts staffroom was complaining with vigour.
"I think we have more pressing issues than the state of the classrooms you teach in, David." Professor Filtwick was squeaking, slightly annoyed.
"I demand a raise." Professor Binns cried suddenly, waking up from his sleep, completely oblivious to the discussion that was going on.
"Can we have some order here?" Professor McGonagall was saying loudly. "The Headmaster does not want this kind of teacher meeting to take place anymore. We need some order!"
Lily sighed. Suddenly, a piece of parchment was shoved on the desk in front of her.
A blast isn't it? It was James' writing. He was looking in front of him at the commotion the teachers were causing, but he was smiling.
Lily got out her quill and started to write. A series of notes followed throughout the remainder of the long and very pointless three hour meeting.
Thank heavens they only have one meeting like this every year. I don't think I could take it.
Ah yes, but then Athlan wouldn't be able to voice his concerns and that would be a tragedy. How can he teach in a class where there isn't the right light to make all the girls swoon? Tragedy really.
You're just jealous, James. He really is rather handsome you know.
No, I don't know. I'm a bloody guy in case you hadn't noticed. Do you think there's something going on between Dumbledore and McGonagall. Sirius seems to think so.
If they catch us writing this and take this paper they'll take away our badges, do you know that?
And your point is?
I actually always thought Filtwick had a soft spot for her really.
Haha. You should tell Padfoot. He'd be very interested.
Say, why do you call him Padfoot and Remus Moony?
Why do I call you Lilykins? Do I need a reason for everything?
You don't call me Lilykins anymore. You haven't in a long time.
I was under the impression that you didn't like it so I stopped. I don't want to bother you.
You know, I wish you hadn't.
Hadn't what?
Stopped. Calling me Lilykins, teasing me, everything. I really miss it.
At this point James' heart missed a beat, but he appeared to be calm as he picked up his quill and bent down to write again.
So if I had to ask you on a date again, would you say yes?
You'd have to ask me first.
Lily, do you want to go out on a date with me tonight?
Yes, James, I very much would.
"Potter, are you listening?" McGonagall's voice interrupted. "I have asked you twice for your views already. Do you have any?"
And with a burning red face, James hurried to answer the Professor's question.
He never showed up for dinner that evening, and neither did Lily.
My dearest Lizzie,
I'm sorry for taking so long to reply but we've been away on some business and the owls didn't get through. We're not going to be home this Christmas since Dumbledore needs us elsewhere, and I do believe it is best for you to stay at Hogwarts this year. You'll be safer there than in any other place, and Dumbledore knows exactly what needs to be done to protect you all.
Bobby and I would very much like to see you again before we leave, so would you be able to meet us at Hogsmeade next time you are allowed to visit? Please let me know and we will make all the necessary arrangements. The barman at the Hog's Head is an old friend of ours and we can meet there without worries.
Let me know my darling, and always be on the look out.
Give my dear head boy a big hug.
With love,
Aunt Sarah
The barman at the Hog's Head was busy cleaning his already clean classes. "Third room on the left," before Lizzie had the chance to ask him for directions. James followed her.
"There you are. You're late," Bobby told them, opening the door. The room was dimly lit, and Lizzie walked forward to hug her aunt.
"I'm so happy to see you both," Sarah said, hugging her girl tightly. "I'm so sorry about missing Christmas."
They stayed in that room for a long time, drinking the butterbeer the barman had left in the room, and sharing the latest news that had emerged from the outside world.
When it came to say goodbye, Lizzie had a sudden sense of foreboding. She felt as though something big would happen till the next time she saw her aunt and uncle again, and the thought did not console her at all.
"Please be careful," Lizzie told Bobby, when she bent to hug him. "You're always telling us to be careful but we really need you to be careful too."
"And if you need anything, you have to tell us, dad, please." James urged, backing up his cousin immediately. "We want to help, both of us."
Sarah looked at them sadly. "I'm afraid this war is making young people age early. I want you both to be as young as you can for as long as you can."
Lizzie smiled at her. "You're wishing for impossible things then, Sarah. It's not good for your health." she teased.
They had left the Hog's Head and had reached the path where Lizzie and James would turn left to head to school.
"By the way," Sarah stopped them, as they started to make their way back, "what was the big news that Lizzie told me you had to tell me yourself, James? I had almost forgotten."
James grinned at them. "Well, it's actually that I'm dating someone, mum. Seriously, I mean."
"Oh dear, that's lovely." Sarah said excitedly, no doubt already dreaming of wedding bells and grandchildren. "Who is it dear? Is she a nice girl?"
"She certainly is," James said with a beam. "It's Lily Evans."