Wednesday September 1, 1977.

"For the first time ever, I had friends – three great friends.."

James Potter was standing on the crowded platform 9 ¾, waiting for the Hogwarts Express to leave. He was standing on his toes, looking for that one person…

"Hi James!", a voice suddenly said in his ear. It was Sirius Black, his best friend.

"O hi, Sirius" he replied, still looking around him. The train was leaving any minute now.

"Yes, I had a great holiday, thanks for asking, I'm doing great. France was beautiful, how nice you're interested in that. James, what are you doing??" Sirius wanted to know.

"I? I'm doing nothing, honest!"

"No, sure. But you're not telling me you're turning red because Remus and Peter are coming this way! C´mon, let's get on the train or it's leaving without us. You must give a good example, you're a Headboy now!"

"Yeah, yeah, coming Sirius!" After one last look James Potter got on the train, still searching for that girl with red hair and green eyes he started to like last year…

Sirius, Remus and Peter already found some places. James took place near a window, next to Sirius, who was talking with Remus about his holiday in France. Remus said he went to Rumania with his parents and his brother. "It was really great. Rumania is fantastic, with high mountains and a really old vampire tradition. The wizards there really believe in vampires, or at least they pretend they do!"

Peter Pettigrew, a shy and little boy, was staring out of the window. He had nothing to tell, because he always stayed at home during holidays. His father died long ago and his mother was poor, they had no money to go somewhere. James felt sorry for him, and always avoided to talk about money or things like that when Peter was near.

"To bad they're not so good at recognising werewolves, Lupin. That would have rid us from you forever!" a cold voice said. It was Severus Snape, a boy in their year, luckily not from their house. He was sorted in Slitherin. Snape was almost at war with them because some stupid trick Sirius wanted to play on him. On that occasion, Snape discovered Remus was a werewolf, and although he had promised professor Dumbledore, Hogwarts headmaster, he wouldn't tell anybody, he couldn't resist mentioning it when there was nobody else around.

"Too bad you weren't in Rumania. The people there would recognise a dirty, slimy rat like you as a vampire in no time!" James said angrily. "Shut up, Potter! Keep on going like this and you will end up in a lot of trouble I'm afraid. The great Headboy Potter, who excels at Quidditch!"

"Snape, shut up or be gone. Your choice." James was getting really angry now. Stupid Snape! Always telling how much he hated James Potter. Okay, he was smart, and okay, he was good at Quidditch (James was chaser in Gryffindors team) but was that a reason to hate him?

Snape turned around and finally left. James sat down again and looked at Remus Lupin, his other best friend. Remus had been bitten by a werewolf long ago. As a result of that, he was a werewolf too. People avoided him because they were afraid of him, and he was actually not accepted to Hogwarts. But Dumbledore allowed him to come, taking a few precautions. Remus had told James and Sirius they were the first friends he ever had. They had even learned, together with Peter, how to become Animagi, so they could change into animals. Now they haunted the Hogwarts grounds every month and had lots of fun. But it was still a very hard issue for Remus and he had still not accepted it fully.

"Hey, I hate to admit it, but Snape´s right. What if you changed into a werewolf somewhere in Rumania?" Sirius wanted to know. "Oh, that's easy. We just waited ´till after the full moon, then we left for three weeks and returned about 2 days before the next full moon", Remus said.

"Oh, c´mon Remus. Just one year and we'll never have to see that Snape again. He's truly the last person from school I ever want to meet again!" Sirius said. "Seeing him on school is worse enough".

The train was slowing down. Everybody got up and changed into their black Hogwarts-robes. "Nice badge, James! Pity I'm not a Headboy. It would make my mom really happy. But I think that's not gonna happen.." Peter said in a soft voice. "It would make her so happy to see I finally reached something." "Oh, who knows, maybe you'll get the Order of Merlin someday!" Sirius joked. As Peter turned away to get his trunk, James pulled Sirius´ arm. "Sirius, that's not funny", he said softly. "You know Peter isn't very good at school. Stop teasing him, okay?"

"Hm, oh well, if you say so…"

The train stopped and they got their trunks out. They could see Hagrid standing at the other side of the platform. "Is it an illusion or is Hagrid growing every summer-holiday?" Sirius wanted to know. "I think there's something wrong with your eyes. Maybe you need glasses." James replied teasingly. "Sure, I need glasses! I believe the great Headboy Potter has lost his brains. You better give that badge to me!"

"Sure Sirius, in your dreams. You don't think I…"He suddenly stopped talking. There she was! 10 feet away from him, talking to a friend. Far away he heard Sirius and Remus laugh. Sirius waved his hand before his face. "James? James? Are you awake? Hello? It's time to leave! Do you know that girl?" he asked Remus.

"Who?"

"That girl, I believe" Sirius pointed. "That girl with the red hair, right James?"

James nodded vaguely, still staring.

"Well", Remus said, "I believe her name is Lily Evans. She's in Gryffindor too, she smart and Headgirl. That's all I know. Oh, she's from a Muggle-family."

"Right. Well, let's get on or we'll be late. Coming, James?"

James nodded again and started to walk. Lily Evans…