Chapter 1

Lily stepped into the Hogwarts Express to attend her seventh year at the school of witchcraft and wizardry. She waved at three familiar figures in the distance. "James, Sirius, Remus! Over here!"

The three waved back and beckoned Lily to enter the compartment. Peter and two other girls were waiting inside. The first girl with long black hair and blue eyes stood up to greet Lily. "Oh, there you are. I wondered whether or not you would show up."

"Of course she'd show up, Melanie," the other girl said, smiling, "I mean, she won't step down as Head Girl you know."

Peter gasped, "You're Head Girl?"

"And why not?" Remus asked, "She's by far the most intelligent being in Hogwarts, let alone this whole world."

Lily laughed. "Really, Remus, must you exaggerate so much?"

Sirius and James looked at each other and grinned. They went down on their knees and started to grovel at Lily's feet. "Oh, your most respected Head Girl. Please allow us to kiss your robes as a sign of friendship and peace."

Everyone broke out in laughter except Lily, who frowned. "James Potter and Sirius Black! When will you guys ever grow up?"

"Why, when one of us has been named Head Boy," Sirius retorted, still smiling, "Eh, James?"

James Potter laughed nervously, "Um…er…"

Remus cocked his head. "What is it, James?"

Lily laughed, "Oh, I know! He was named Head Boy!"

"WHAT?!" Everyone cried out, except for the Head Boy and Girl. James was turning red.

Sirius slapped his best friend in the back. "Way to go, Prongs! Head Seeker and now Head Boy! How good is that?!"

Melanie grinned. "Hey, Sirius, does that mean you have to grow up now?"

"Well, see here," James protested, "He didn't know what he was talking about."

The girl with short blonde hair took out her wand and pointed it at James. "Now, now, James Potter, you may be Head Boy, but I could still beat you with a wand. Let me see, oh yes, aren't you supposed to denounce all your trickery and pranks for this year?"

"Aw, Sarah," Peter spoke up, "You make us do that every year, and they never listen to you. Why should this year be any different?"

Sarah shook her head. "Well, for one thing, it's our last year, and we want to make a good impression…"

Melanie and Lily looked at each other then at Sarah. Lily spoke up, "But, Sarah, you would be the last person to say such things."

"Yes, if I recall it correctly," Remus said thoughtfully, "You were the one who played tricks on the teachers and got as many detentions as Black and Potter."

Glaring at Remus, Sarah continued, "And another thing, there will be something special going on, so most of us won't have the time to play pranks on anyone."

Everyone looked at Sarah. Sirius scowled, "How do you know all this?"

"It helps when her father works for the Ministry of Magic," Melanie muttered under her breath.

James opened their compartment and poked his head out. After a few seconds, he closed the door and faced everyone, brown eyes sparkling with mischief. The Marauders knew what he was thinking about when his handsome face shone like that.

Sirius also grinned mischievously. "So, what'll it be this time? Warts? Purple skin? Extra appendages?"

"Hey, you two," Lily spoke up, "Is it Snape again? Come on, stop picking on him. Remember last year?"

Remus paled and agreed with Lily. "Yeah, maybe you shouldn't pull a prank on him just now."

Sarah snorted, "Why shouldn't we? He bloody well deserves it."

"And you're the one who wanted to make a good impression," Melanie scolded.

Lily sighed. Yes, she was glad to be back in the company of her friends. Her summer was as horrible as ever, with Petunia spoiling each and every day of the witch's summer vacation. Once again she sighed. Sirius and James were talking about the next girl they were going to date this week.

"Hey, maybe they might have a new transfer student for us to date," Sirius said, hopefully.

James laughed. "Why? Are you already tired of the whole female population in Hogwarts?"

Sirius shook his head, seeing that Melanie was watching him intently. "No, it's not that, James. Eh…that's because we need to find you a soul mate…yeah, that's it."

"Poor Melanie," Sarah whispered to Lily, "If you ask me, I don't know how she's got Sirius tied down, do you?"

The Head Girl smiled. When Melanie told them that she was dating Sirius, everyone in Hogwarts wondered how the silent, thoughtful, rich girl could catch the attention of an outgoing, independent, and dashing Sirius Black. Sure, Melanie was gorgeous, but she wasn't something that Sirius would go ga-ga over. On the other hand, Sarah was more like Sirius' type, since she was as beautiful as her cousin and twice as bad. Surprisingly, though, Sarah and Remus became an item, even though she found out that he was a werewolf. That probably won her over, for she loved wolves to begin with.

Since James, Lily, and Peter were the only singles without a partner, Melanie and Sarah used to joke with Lily that she should pair up with the handsome James Potter. Lily laughed at the thought. "That's ridiculous. He's my friend, but I wouldn't be able to stand a guy like him as a boyfriend," she said, on one of those times.

Lily was jolted out of her reverie when she felt the signs of the train slowing down. The Hogwarts Express finally stopped, hinting that they were already at their school. The Marauders leaped out of their compartment and sprinted towards the entrance, trying to see who could get there first.