The one where Lily goes back to Hogwarts
James couldn't believe that the day after next he would be on the train to Hogwarts, ready to start another year of learning. The summer had passed so fast. Sirius, Lily and himself lay on the golden sand on the edge of the water, soaking up the rays, oblivious to the notions of premature ages and sun cancer. What did he need to know about premature aging?
He and Lily had told his mother about the time travel. Surprisingly, she took it well. Lily told her all about her friends in the future, especially about Hermione. Annabel was fascinated by the idea that she had past lives and asked Lily to find out if there was a way for Hermione to take over Annabel's body for a period of time. With a promise of thorough research, James' mother had let the topic go an they moved on to worse subjects. Marriage.
Lily wasn't forcing him to consider it. James admitted that he liked to fancy himself in a dashing robe, her in a beautiful white dress somewhat similar to the one he had given her for Christmas, marrying in front of a certified wizard. His mother on the other hand was convinced that Lily was the one for him, in spite of their age. Annabel and Robert had fallen in love at the green age of fourteen.
Lily yawned and stretched, brushing her hand against his cheek. James used his quick reflexes and caught her hand. He pinned her down with his body and playfully snapped at her. Lily giggled, trying to "escape".
'Get a room, you two.' Sirius muttered.
'Already had one.' James said, to Lily's mortification.
'James you dog.' He laughed.
'No, no, my friend. You are the dog.' James grinned and rolled off Lily and drew lazy circles on her stomach.
They were quiet, lulled into peacefulness by the soft lapping of the water, moved by the soft wind. Lily suddenly sat up. 'I'll be right back.' She promised, turning into a phoenix and flying into the sky. It was several moments before Sirius and James had any idea what she was doing. Lily had spotted a pure white owl flying high in the blue sky and decided to go and see if it was their Hogwarts letters.
Indeed, they were, as they found out as Lily and the bird landed on the beach softly. She brushed the dried sand off her legs and untied the letters from the leg of the patient owl. Lily handed them to them, ripping into hers expectantly.
The whoop of joy could be heard several towns over, they were sure.
'What, pray tell, are you so excited about?' James asked mildly.
'I'm,' she drew herself up; in spite of the fact she stood before them in a bikini. 'Head Girl.'
'You're joking-'
'Get out!'
Both boys were shocked. 'You've only been there for a couple of months!' Sirius said. He was happy for her, no doubt about it, but it was astonishing to find out their partner in crime was now a goody-goody.
'I guess Dumbledore likes the cut of your jib.' James said, grinning. 'Sirius, now we have someone on the inside. We'll get away with murder now!'
Lily rolled her eyes and watched them open their envelopes. James stared at his Head Boy badge with a mixture of shock, amusement and outrage. 'How dare they label me a Head Boy...' they distinctly heard him say.
'Your reputation will never be the same.' Sirius moaned. 'But hey, think of all those nightly patrols down darkened corridors...all those couples just waiting to be interrupted.' He stopped to laugh evilly. 'I'll lend you my Gloves if you lend me your badge. I hear girls like a man in uniform.'
'Oh, shut up, Sirius.' Lily said, pinning her badge on to her bikini top.
'I'd better go tell my mum then, eh?' James said, taking Lily by the hand to walk back to the house. Sirius followed, still laughing.
************
Lily sat on the bed, clean and holding a cup of tea with something a little bit stronger added for good measure. Remus sat in a chair near the bed, a cup similar to hers in his own hand. They looked at each other, trying to discover if it was real or just an illusion.
'I owe you an explanation,' Lily said, placing her cup on his nightstand and folding her hands in her lap so they wouldn't shake.
'I believe one may be in order. I'm having a hard time recovering from the shock that you aren't dead.' His voice was dryer than he wanted. He took a large sip of tea.
'Remus, I never told you about my life prior to Hogwarts, did I?'
'You mentioned something about a tutor and jealous sisters and that's about it.' He ran a hand through his hair, feeling nervous around her.
'My name is Ginny Weasley. I believe I went missing three years ago.' She hoped that her Time Turner had been correct. Otherwise, the whole future might be out of order.
'You are?' His eyes widened and he gulped. 'All this time I've been in love with Ginny Weasley, a student of mine?'
'No, you fell in love with Lily Evans, a name Dumbledore gave me to stop my parents finding out. I'm sorry I deceived you, Remus.'
'Apology accepted, Lily...I mean Ginny.' He felt like he couldn't take anymore shocks.
'I didn't die that night when Voldemort attacked Godric Hollow.' Her voice changed. It sounded strained. 'I've just returned from that night, Remus. Oh my god. I can still see him, leaning over the crib with Harry in it.' Her tears poured down her cheeks. She made no move to wipe them away, so he leant over and brushed them off with his thumb. 'Thank you.' Several moments passed before she was able to speak again. 'A future version of myself came to me. She told me that she was going to take my place and die for Harry because he needs our protection against Voldemort in the future. It was so strange hearing the name after so long whispering "You-know-who".
'I changed into a phoenix and I wish I could have saved James, but I couldn't. He was so stubborn. I watched Voldemort come and tell my future self to stand aside. Oh gods, it was horrible. The curse came and I had to leave because otherwise Sirius would see me and I would change the course of future. I took the Time Turner and came here. Remus, is it ok if I stay?'
He nodded and let her fall into his arms again. They could have stayed like that for years, but there was a sharp knock at the door. Ginny sat back on the bed, looking at Remus with her big green eyes. 'I'll be back in a moment.' He told her.
She inclined her head in understanding. Remus walked to the front door and remembered his agreement for breakfast with Harry and Sirius. He opened the door and greeted them.
'Hello, Remus. Nice to see you again.' Harry said, smiling.
'Gods man, don't you get any sleep?' Sirius grinned, slapping Remus on his shoulder.
'Not when I have old friends to visit.' His tone was light.
'Really? Who?' Sirius wasn't really paying attention, more interested in smelling the air for the faintest hint of breakfast.
'Lily Potter.'
************
'Well, well, well, if it isn't Potter and Potter.'
Severus' grinned maliciously at James and Lily. They sat together, again, on the Hogwarts express, again. Their shining badges mocked him; he had coveted the Head Boy position since his first year. To have it stolen from under his nose at the last moment because Dumbledore had shown favoritism, was a terrible blow to Severus.
'I hope you had a lovely summer too, Snape.' Lily said mildly.
'Oh, I did. Peter was very interesting. He told me quite a bit about you.'
'I did not.' Pete said. 'I did not, James.'
'I believe you, Wormtail. Snape, go away. I can take away house points now.' James fiddled with his badge until it sat right.
'You'll never be able to get rid of me, James. I'll be with you until the bitter end.' He grinned again and walked out, his robes swishing.
Sirius and Remus barged through the door, their faces red. 'We just caught-,' Sirius began, panting heavily.
'---just caught Elizabeth---,'
'---Hufflepuff keeper---,'
'Oh, calm down, you two!' Lily exclaimed.
They sat down and took deep breaths. 'We just caught Elizabeth, you know that chick that's going out with Snape?' Sirius asked, a grin cracking his face.
'Yeah, the crazy one.' James confirmed.
'Anyway. We saw her and the dead ugly Hufflepuff keeper making out like there is no tomorrow. We thought you were in that compartment and instead it was those two.' Remus laughed, still a tad breathless.
'Twenty minutes into the new school year and already you are causing gossip.' James rolled his eyes. 'I don't know what do to with you!'
'Oh, you know you love it.' Sirius grinned and pulled out his diary again. 'Today I saw Lily and James hugging. Oh my stars, I was so shocked. I wonder when they will make me their best man? Best regards, Sirius.' He looked up. 'Did I just say that out loud? I beg your pardon.'
'Sirius,' at Lily's voice, he looked up. 'You're real subtle.' She rolled her eyes and went back to James' embrace, not used to the way he could make her feel when she was in his arms.
The train ride to Hogwarts took no time at all.
Author's Notes: OK, what did you think? Love it, hate it? R E V I E W pleeeeeease