CHAPTER 51 – Back to Hogwarts

"Bloody wonderful," Peter mumbled sarcastically.

He was seated next to Sirius and across from Remus and James. He leaned against the window of the compartment, feeling the chill of the frosty, outside air. This was his reply when asked how his holiday had gone. In truth, his parents spent most of the time bickering and comparing Peter to his older brother. Peter did not like to even hear his older sibling's name. He was never good enough, powerful enough, or important enough. At least, he was back with the Marauders again.

"Cant have been as bad as Prongs'," Sirius chuckled, "I knew you were thick but-"

James tossed his pumpkin pasty at his best friend, "What was I supposed to do? Tell Charlotte to forget about our date because I found someone better?"

"Lily, you mean?" Remus' question wasn't so much of a question.

"Of course Lily. The git has been infatuated for ages," Sirius smirked, "but that's not even the worst part."

"Prongs…" Remus' tone grew curious but cautious.

"It wasn't…I didn't…it was the New Year! It's not like I asked for her to plant one on me," James growled, fighting the itch to touch his lips, "and I have not been infatuated. Lily's just more interesting. More of a challenge."

"Finch snogged you, right at midnight," Sirius leaned back against the seat, "challenge? Wonder what Lily would think of that."

"Prongs, you're a lucky bloke," Peter envied.

"How do you figure?" he snapped with bitterness.

"I'd number Lily and…Finch among the best looking birds at Hogwarts. I think it's impressive you've managed to snog them both within a week," he replied proudly.

"Only I impress Wormtail with misdeeds. You better set things straight Prongs, you're jinxing the Marauders. Figuratively," Sirius stated matter-of-factly.

"I don't envy you," Remus whispered, "but you've gotten yourself into this mess. Have you spoken to her since Christmas?"

"Er…sort of. I sent her a letter after New Years. I said we needed to talk but I couldn't exactly explain over parchment," James groaned.

"One letter? You kiss Lily and then send her a letter a week later? You should have –"

James cut Remus off, "I know I should have…gone to see her or something. I just didn't know what to say, I was procrastinating."

"You're scared, you are mate," Sirius laughed.

"I'm not scared!"

"Did you ever think that maybe Lily would find out before you had a chance to explain? It's going to look a lot worse of you, if she does," Remus sighed.

"I…" realization hit James' fine features, causing his face to fall.

"Since when does Prongs think?" Sirius barked, Peter laughing along.

James looked up, "she didn't exactly reply to my letter."

"Good thing you don't have a Head meeting," Sirius continued laughing, James swung his leg at him, "watch it."

"You don't need it," James motioned to his leg.

Sirius glared at James for the quidditch jab, he was still sore about not being able to play. He turned his attention to Peter, fully prepared to ignore James the rest of the way. A part of James felt bad but another felt oddly satisfied. His frustration over the situation was maddening. Just when he thought things couldn't be better, they had to crash fiercely. At least, the dramatic side of him felt this way. There was no chance he was about to show how truly upsetting the thought of being so close to have it jerked away by his own hand was. He tried to push the panic welling up inside, away.

It took a lot of self control not to jump out of his seat and rush through the train in search of Lily. Now that he thought of it, it was more than likely that she had some idea of what happened on New Years. She didn't reply to his letter. Whatever she did or did not know meant that regardless, she was angry with him. An angry Lily was not something to trifle with. He rehearsed in his mind all the different ways he could tell her. He decided the complete truth was the best option. He'd have to lay it all out and hope she'd be willing to over look it. A frustrating thought came to his mind.

"Besides, we aren't together that way. She has no right…" he didn't even try to finish his sentence.

"Right or no, girls will be girls," Peter mentioned wisely.

"I don't think you were completely innocent here Prongs. Not only have you got Lily's feelings to consider, but you've also got to think about Finch. In case you haven't noticed, she fancies you quite a bit," Remus said even more wisely.

James hung his head in near defeat. Never in his life had he been so nervous. He decided the easiest way would be to approach Charlotte first. He raised his head again and stood. He had to speak with her before he could speak with Lily. The sooner he could talk to Lily, the better.

Lily leaned forward in her seat, her elbows propped up on her knees in contemplation. She had just finished telling Amelia and Alice about the events in detail. Until then, Amelia was not able to get the whole story from her best friend. While she was concerned for Lily, she was dying to hear about the events that transpired. By the look on Lily's face it was obvious that things had not gone smoothly and she had a sneaking suspicion as to the possibilities. Before any of the girls could say a word the compartment door slid open slowly and then closed behind a cheery and familiar face.

"Hello," she said but as soon as she noticed the aura of the compartment, "continue."

"I didn't reply to his letter. He hadn't even tried to contact me since the kiss. What am I supposed to think after that?" she raised her hands in frustration.

"We've finally seen the day where Lily acts like a girl," Alice chuckled.

Lily only stared at Alice, unsure what to make of the comment. Amelia nudged Lily, "we all know you don't do so well with emotions. If you ask me, it's a whole lot better than being a weepy teenage girl."

"Weepy, huh?" Alice snapped, "I've seen you explode in several different ways over several different boys."

Amelia only shrugged in response, "Listen Lily, I should tell you something. I feel a little torn about it but you are my best friend so I'm just going to say it. I went to the Ministry New Years Ball with my parents-"

"Lovely. We were all wondering about that," Alice shot at her, annoyed.

Amelia shrugged again, knowing Alice was just having a rough day, "The Potters always go, and James and Sirius too. I saw James dancing with Charlotte Finch. I think it was a date and I'd expect that it was a date. Did he say anything to you?"

Lily shook her head, a weight dropped into her stomach. All the reasoning in the world wasn't going to make the picture of James and Charlotte dancing romantically disappear from her mind. Except maybe the thought of what most couples do on the stroke of midnight. The thought sent fire through her heart but she relaxed herself. She would not make assumptions.

"He might have an explanation," Marlene spoke up.

"An explanation he should have given her by now. I haven't even seen his face around," Alice growled.

"I can't say I'm happy with James but I suppose I should give him a chance to say something," Lily changed the subject, "Alice, how was your holiday with Frank?"

"Oh just daffodils and roses, except for his wretch of a mother. She doesn't say it but I can see it in her eyes. She stares at me with complete disdain. I'm not good enough for her only boy and I never will be."

"It doesn't matter what she thinks. Frank loves you and his opinion is the only thing that matters. To him, he's not good enough for you. He told me once," Lily supplied

"Really?" Alice's eyes perked up.

"Er…Lily," Marlene muttered, pointing to the compartment door.

Outside stood Charlotte Finch, peering in through the window. She looked an awful mess, her eyes were red, her face was blotchy and her hair was a bit disheveled. She looked a bit scary. Lily was sure this had to do with James and she wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with the girl. She grabbed her wand and slid open the compartment door.

"Can I help you, Finch?"

"I'd like to speak with you, privately."

Before Lily had a chance to say anything, the blonde whirled around and into the hallway. It was fairly empty but had Lily known what Charlotte was going to say she would have suggested an empty compartment. She closed her compartment door and turned to Charlotte. She waited expectantly as the girl searched for words.

"What potion did you use?" she asked.

"I…I don't quite…what?" Lily felt very lost.

"Was it amortentia?" She said more aggressively, "James and I were doing just fine and then suddenly... You've done something to him."

"Are you accusing me of illegal magic?" Lily glared.

"James is mine. We've been together for awhile now and then you just sweep in and take him away. He just broke it off with me, for you," tears began to well up in her eyes.

"I was never aware you two were together," Lily said with a straight face.

Charlotte burst into tears, her whole body shaking. Lily felt very uncomfortable but also a little like she should pat the poor girl on the back. She stood still, watching the girl and feeling a variety of things. A small sense of satisfaction rushed through her; it seemed as if James had picked her over Charlotte. Then there was anger, at herself and at James. She shouldn't be feeling happy about Charlotte's pain no matter how annoying she was. James should have told her he was seeing Charlotte. He had deliberately kissed Lily, made a move on her. What did it mean to him? From his lack of communication and disregard for loyalty it seemed to be unimportant. Almost like he had finally snogged Lily Evans and that was all he needed. A tiny part of herself nagged the back of her mind, whispering that she knew James better. She ignored this, letting her emotions run free.

If she hadn't been so preoccupied she would have notice Charlotte raising her wand at her. She intended to jinx Lily but just as the words left her mouth, quick as a flash Lily reacted. She shielded herself from the curse and watched Charlotte stomp away. She looked like a little kid who didn't get what they wanted for Christmas. Deciding to take pity on Charlotte she chose not to take away points. Still stunned, she walked back into the compartment.

"Now that's a look I don't see very often," Amelia chuckled at Lily's confused expression.

"What was all that?" Alice inquired.

"Finch is under the impression that I magicked James to like me. I guess he broke off whatever they had. She tried to hex me," Lily said, standing still and still surprised.

Amelia jumped out of her seat and looked down the hall of the train, "She'll get what's coming to her."

Satisfied that Amelia wasn't going to hunt Finch down, Lily sat. Truly, she had never dealt with such emotional turmoil since she gave into her feelings for James. It didn't amount to her part with Severus but then, she was able to shut off those feelings much easier. James Potter was with Charlotte Finch when he kissed her and that was unforgivable.

"Lily? Are you alright?" Marlene asked quietly.

"Alice was right, I'm acting like a girl," she sighed, trying to gather herself.

"If Charlotte was here, you can bet James will follow," Marlene offered.

"I'm not sure what to say to him. Should I be angry? I feel angry and disappointed. He isn't what I thought."

"No one is perfect," Marlene said smartly.

Lily nodded at Marlene, realizing that there had to be reason accompanied with her emotions. She would be completely rationale about the whole thing. She'd tell James they could be friends and work together on their Head duties but nothing more. Lost in her thoughts she almost didn't notice the sudden halt of the Hogwarts Express. It was sudden, causing Alice and Marlene to launch from their seat toward Amelia and Lily. The two girls ducked as the compartment shook. Lily grabbed Amelia's wrist as the other girls untangled themselves.

"We're not even half way," Lily recognized from the time on Amelia's watch.

"Guess that's what the Head Girl is for," Amelia grunted, pushing Marlene off her legs.

"Right, I hope I don't run into the Head Boy," she opened the compartment door just as several others did the same, "stay in here and if anyone pass, tell them to do the same."

She gripped her wand and pushed through the outpouring of students. She placed her wand to her throat, causing her voice to resonate loudly.

"Students please stay in compartments. Prefects patrol the train and keep order. I'll speak with the engineer."

Rolling her eyes at the students who shouted questions at her she continued on. The prefects pushed the students back to their compartments, telling them to account for their group. A small fear nagged at the back of Lily's mind. This had never happened before and she was sure there were numerous enchantments on the train. She walked swiftly until she reached the very front of the train. She first knocked politely on the full, black door. When no answer came, she shoved her wand in her pocket and proceeded to tug on the handle. Nothing. Perplexed, Lily pulled out her wand. There was no reason for the door to be locked. She swished her wand and a click sounded. She pulled on the door again, it was heavy, and she had to put all her weight into it. When she looked inside the spacious front cabin, it was empty. A window was blasted away from the inside. The engineer had left them!

There were only a few explanations for why he might have fled and none of them were good. Her mind reeled trying to figure out a plan. As much as she didn't like it, she needed James. Taking a couple deep breaths she gathered her courage and strode through the train. On her way she ushered the students out, forcing them to the back of the train. If we're all together, it'll be easier to keep them safe.

"Go, quickly, to the back of the train. Fit as many into the compartments at the back as possible. Stick together. Older students, look out for younger students. Hurry up!"

"What's going on?" A third year squeaked with fear.

The train creaked and shuddered, as if it was being rammed by dozens of elephants. Glass exploded from some recently unoccupied compartments near the front. That's when Lily knew they were all in serious danger.


I am SO sorry its taken so long! Life has run away with me. Anyway, its probably not what you expected but its just what came to my mind.

THANK YOU: Haley Renee, IAMSOAP, found and lost, Sarahrules336, XritaskeeterhatersX, MoonyProngsPadfootLily, Sunstrike97, KenzieAlyssa, Mordanyes, OnTheBrightSide96, AnnieSometimes, Mad Ink, emilyswain, Graci-and-Cheri, love'storead220 (I told you the next chapter wouldnt be up until this weekend but your review got me going and so here it is, earlier than expected!)

***I'm giving reviewers from now on little glimpses into the next chapters.***

Read, review, and return! :-)