A/N: In keeping with the title of this story, lets' go back in time...

Chapter 35

September 4th, 1977

It was Sunday night – the first Sunday since they had returned to Hogwarts, and James had just started settling into his role as Head Boy.

Truth be told, the position hadn't involved much more than backing up Lily Evans, writing out notes during meetings while Lily Evans spoke, and staring at Lily Evans in awe as she basked in the role she was obviously born to fill.

Needless to say, it was a fun job so far.

At dinner, a note had appeared on his empty plate requesting his presence in the entrance hall after the meal, and so, after shaking off his entourage of Marauders, he had made his way to the front entrance of the school to await his fate.

A minute after his arrival, Lily Evans had turned up, eyes still alight from her conversation at dinner. In that moment, James had cursed his newfound resolution not to ask Evans out at all this year in a show of faith that he had matured. Still though, Evans' smile didn't so much as falter as she laid eyes on him, though the giddiness did recede to a more manageable level. James counted that as a win.

There wasn't enough time for more than a greeting before the doors opened and Professor Kettleburn appeared, with a smile, and a 'come with me', leading them out onto the grounds.

That was how James found himself walking beside Lily Evans as they followed the somewhat eccentric Care of Magical Creatures professor.

"…if you ask me. Of course, that would require an entire re-write of the current legal system, not to mention a complete change-over of the Wizengamot and the Ministry, including an overhaul of the accepted literature on the subject. Nevertheless…"

James' eyes were wide in alarm as the magizoologist chattered away. Glancing over at Lily, he was relieved to find that even she looked slightly confused. Feeling his gaze on her, Lily turned to meet his eye.

Pulling a face, James gestured to the professor, shrugging in silent communication. Incredibly, Lily grinned at him, twirling with her finger next to her temple. Seeming to realise what she had done – though James wasn't quite sure what that was – she slapped a hand over her mouth in shock, cheeks dusted a light red colour as she muffled a giggle, her eyes darting to Professor Kettleburn and back to James.

James chuckled at her reaction, and she hit his arm admonishingly with her free hand.

Realising that the professor had disappeared, James stopped and Lily followed suit, looking around the dark in confusion.

"Aha! Here it is!"

The sudden voice made the two seventh years jump, as Professor Kettleburn emerged from a door James hadn't noticed before, hidden in the side of the building and obscured partially by ivy. Stepping closer, intrigued, James studied the heretofore undiscovered part of the castle. As a purveyor of mischief and a keen mapmaker, undiscovered rooms were of much interest to him.

"Fairly impressive Charms work, if I do say so myself." Professor Kettleburn chuckled, watching James study the doorway. The Head Boy reached out to touch the doorframe, eyes going wide as it disappeared the moment he touched the wood.

Turning back around with a grin, James asked, "How'd you manage to get it to do that?" Without awaiting an answer, he ploughed on, his eyes glistening as he considered the options, "Surely an inverted disillusionment charm could do it, but then how would you get it to remain seen for a select few? You'd need some sort of…token for approved individuals to carry, maybe? But if someone else saw you open it, surely they could undo the charm…?"

James turned to the Head Girl and pulled up short at the…fond? look on her face.

Seeming to realise James was staring at her, Lily shook herself out of it, telling herself that no, she had not just been staring at James Potter in admiration, even if he was kind of cute when he talked academically…

Looking between the two Head students in amusement, Silvanus Kettleburn cleared his throat, startling them out of their little…staring match. Concealing a grin, Silvanus spoke up, "As I was saying, as Head Boy and Girl, you will be expected to take on a few responsibilities which require access to some of the less…student friendly locations, shall we say."

At this, James' face turned eager, and Lily straightened, features becoming determined. Silvanus internally nodded, instantly seeing why Professor Dumbledore had chosen these particular students for Head Boy and Girl. The two of them would even each other out, ensuring that the tasks got done, while also appealing to the wider student body.

A wise choice by a wise man.

It could also have had something to do with the bet Albus had going with Minerva as to when/if the two would finally get together.

…Maybe.

With a chuckle, he went on, "To do such, you will each be requiring one of these." He lifted up his hand, displaying the set of keys dangling from his forefinger. Both student's eyes instantly darted to them. With a flick of his wrist, Silvanus tossed them into the air and caught them in his fist, withdrawing the second pair from his pocket as the students remained transfixed on his dominant hand.

He may have practiced a little sleight of hand over the summer break, but who were they to know?

Turning to James, Silvanus smiled, "You were quite right, Mr Potter, in saying one would need a token to access the storeroom. These," He shook his fist with the keys in it, "would be that token."

"Wicked." James breathed, eyes wide in wonder, reaching out for the keys.

Lily scoffed, "Classy, Potter." Her eyes betrayed her though, soft and sparkling as she regarded the keys with interest.

Silvanus raised an eyebrow, "Well then, here ya go." With that, he tossed a set of the keys to each of them, watching as they fumbled to catch them, "That'll let you do what you have to do. Now, I'm heading off to check on Oscar, so you two get yourselves back up to the castle, alright? Alright."

With one final nod, Silvanus Kettleburn turned and walked off in the direction of the stables.

Alone, James glanced at Lily. The girl was studying the keys with narrowed eyes, turning them over in her hands as they clinked together.

"So…" James began, watching Lily sideways. She looked up at his voice, and James was suddenly assaulted by bright green, questioning eyes. He coughed, clearing his throat which had suddenly gone dry, before asking, "Who do you reckon Oscar is?"

Lily's eyes darted toward where Professor Kettleburn had disappeared before landing back on James. Her nose scrunched as she considered, "Honestly? I have no clue."

James shook his head in amusement, "Me neither."

A/N: Sorry, the POV jumps around a bit in the middle there. Dunno how to fix it, but I wanted to get all of that in so I didn't even try.

Silvanus Kettleburn...a character I haven't written before, and don't really plan on writing again. But anyway. I had fun. I also can't seem to go very long without these little a/n's but idc. I like rambling into the void, especially when the void talks back (:

(you should also totally go check out my ao3, wizardoface, not that i'm self-advertising or anything...i just don't want to put my avengers stuff on ff. call it ocd)