One Week

Disclaimer: Only the plot and outside characters belong to me.

Chapter 2: How You Doin'?

Dedication: This story is dedicated to my brother, because even though he isn't allowed to read any of my fanfiction until he reads the books, he lets me ramble on for hours about my theories and opinions about Harry Potter.

          The next day dawned bright and early, as Remus and Lily woke at eight o'clock to pack, get ready, eat breakfast, and drive to Kings Cross in order to reach at 10:45. Lily stumbled to the shower first, much to Remus's disappointment.  While Lily got dressed, Remus went downstairs to eat.  They both finished around the same time and switched places.  At ten o'clock, however, Remus was nearly done packing while Lily had barely begun.  She through clothes in her bag as quickly as possible.  They were mostly Muggle clothes, though she added dress robes "just in case" and the casual green robes she got for her birthday.  As an afterthought, she put Remus's in, too. 

          Though they were set to leave at ten after ten, it was ten twenty as Lily finished.  She raced downstairs, threw on her shoes and sprinted out of the house to the car, where the rest of the family was waiting.  Lily worried anxiously, praying they wouldn't miss the train.  She whimpered at every red light until Remus reminded her that the train wouldn't leave without them, since that would make the whole trip useless. 

          They reached King's Cross at 10:55.  Lily and Remus jumped out of the car, yelling goodbyes over their shoulder as they sprinted through the station. They nearly ran into a porter who yelled at them long after they left him.  They didn't slow down to lean into the platform, but instead ran straight through it.   They reached the train, noting it was considerably smaller than usual.  In fact, it had only three cars.  There was the car for the conductor, and a car for them to sit in.  The third car was for their luggage, which consisted of six small trunks and four pets.  They tossed their luggage into the back compartment and stepped into the train.  Lily reached first, and Remus only had one foot on the train when it started to move. 

          He nearly fell into Lily, who stepped on his foot.  "Ow," he said. 

          "Sorry."

          "Yeah, right." Remus pushed open the compartment door on the left side and found the boys waiting for him. 

          "Finally!" Sirius called.

          "Hey, Lily.  How you doin'?" James called in a "suave" voice. 

          "Sod off, Potter," Lily snapped.  

          "Aw, you know you love me," James said, giving her a grin. 

          "Yeah, James, I sure do.  How did you know?" Lily said sarcastically.  "Do you know where my friends are?"

          "Across the hall," Sirius answered.  Lily smiled at him, and he grinned back. 

          A now-familiar feeling tugged at James's stomach.  It was the same jealousy that he had felt every time someone flirted with, talked to, or even smiled at Lily and got a good response back.  He had been getting it since the beginning of fifth year, though it took him until just before the O.W.L.s to realize it.  Afterwards, most of his flirting attempts were concentrated on her, and Lily began to hate him for it. 

          At this same time, Remus felt something he hadn't felt before.  Anger at Sirius for smiling at Lily.  Anger at Lily for smiling back.  He didn't like this.  Sirius could (and it now seemed like he would) date Lily.  And he would dump her, as he did to all the others.  And Lily's hear would be broken.  Like all the others.  Lily waved and left the room. 

          "Sirius," Remus said in a low voice.  "Don't do this."

          "Do what?"

          "Flirt with Lily.  Don't do it." Remus was looking at his hands.

          "I wasn't!" Sirius tried to defend himself. 

          "I'm serious.  Don't." 

          An awkward silence followed.  "So… it sucks that Wormtail couldn't be here," James said, trying to break the silence. 

          "Yeah, but his mom's not an Auror so he didn't really have a reason to come," Sirius pointed out. 

          "Still, life's more fun when there are four Marauders at Hogwarts." 

          Meanwhile, in the girls' compartment, Lily, Carrie, and Riana were chattering away.  Or rather, Lily and Riana were talking.  Carrie was being quiet.  She didn't talk as much as Lily or Riana, but she always had something to the conversation.  "Carrie? You okay?" Lily asked, concerned. 

          "I'm fine.  I was just thinking," Carrie explained. 

          "Oh.  What about?" Riana said. 

          "Remus."

          "Oooh!" Lily and Riana said together. 

          "Not like that.  Remus goes somewhere for three days every single month." Carrie was obviously disturbed by this. 

          "Yeah, he's in the hospital wing…so?" Riana said, unperturbed. 

          "That's what he says," Carrie said suspiciously.  "One time, I went in there to ask if I could borrow a book, and he wasn't there." 

          Both Riana and Carrie turned to Lily.  "What?" she said, trying, and failing, to play dumb.

          "You're his sister.  You must know where he is," Carrie said. 

          "He was probably in the loo or something when you came.  Why are you worrying so much about it, anyway?" Lily asked.   

          "No reason.  It's just odd, that's all." 

          "It's so weird to be going to Hogwarts in the middle of July," Riana said. 

          "Yeah and there won't be any Slytherins!" Carrie agreed. 

          "I'll tell you what's weirdest.  Wearing Muggle clothes," Lily added. 

          "You only brought Muggle clothes?" Carrie asked. 

          "Well, I brought my green ones and my dress robe.  I didn't think we'd need other ones," Lily said.

          "If you do, it doesn't matter.  You're of age now.  You can transfigure them if you need to," Riana suggested. 

          "Good point." 

          Rain started to fall gently on the windows.  Lily looked outside.  "I hope it will storm.  I love thunder."

          Riana shook her head vigorously.  "Not me.  I hate it.  It's so loud and…loud."

          "We'll be in Hogwarts before then, though.  We'll sit in front of the fire, eat brownies, and throw stuff at James and Sirius," Lily suggested. 

          Riana giggled.  "Ah, the good ol' days of Hogwarts.  I can't believe this is our last year." 

          "I know.  This time next year, we'll be in Wizarding colleges," Carrie said. 

          "Who cares about that?" Lily argued.  "I'm more scared of the N.E.W.Ts we have to take.   I heard Megan Thompson got so freaked out in her Transfiguration practical exam that she fainted and didn't wake up until a week after school let out."

          "That was six years ago Lily.  Why are you worrying so much? You're top of the class!" Riana tried to calm her friend down.

          "A lot can change in a year," Lily disputed. 

          "If you're going to be a pessimist, I can't do a thing to stop you." Riana gave up. 

          "That's right, you can't.  Change of subject, please," Lily said. 

          "Um…James Potter," Carrie suggested.

          "What?" Lily said. 

          "Oh, com on, Lily.  Everyone and their owl know he loves you.  So what do you think?" Riana asked. 

          "I think you need to shut up," Lily snapped. 

          "Harsh!"

          "But true.  Sirius Black," Lily said.

          "What?"

          "New change of subject," Lily answered.

          "Oh, what about him?" Riana asked, confused. 

          "Oh, come on.  Everyone and their owl know you love him," Lily said.

          "Not funny, Lily.  And I don't," Riana argued.

          "Come on, Riana.  You can tell us if you like him," Carrie said. 

          "Yeah, we won't tell anyone," Lily agreed. 

          "But I don't like him.  Can we drop it? Please?" Riana looked really upset, and Carrie and Lily began to feel really bad. 

          "Sure.  Sorry, Riana," Lily said. 

          "It's fine." 

          "Let's go see what the guys are up to," Carrie suggested. 

          Lily made a face.  "Potter?"

          "Yes, Potter.  Come on, it'll be fun!" Riana said.

          "Nothing is fun when James Potter is around," Lily snapped. 

          "Just do it," Carrie instructed. 

          "Fine, fine.  But you guy totally owe me," Lily said. 

          "Yeah, yeah, yeah. We're you're slaves, blah-blah-blah," Riana muttered. 

          They stayed in the guys compartment until the end of their train ride, talking, joking, and playing exploding snap.  The rain had picked up and was a downpour by the time they reached Hogwarts. 

          "Great," Riana muttered.  "I just love getting my hair ruined."

          Remus tossed his cloak at her.  "I'll share with Lily."

          "Thanks," Riana said.

          "You will?" Lily asked. 

          "Yes, I will."

          "Whatever." They all dashed to the horseless carriage waiting for them.  They reached school and found they were suddenly ravenous.  However, first they had to me with Dumbledore. 

          "Hello, Professor.  Thanks for letting us stay with you," Lily said.

          "Not at all, my dear.  It's no trouble to me.  As I'm sure you expected, you'll be staying in the Gryffindor common room.  Your things have already been brought there.  Now, I'm quite sure you're hungry, so let us eat." 

          The six students looked around for a table to eat at, but could find none.  "Um, Professor, there's no table," James said, saying what everyone was thinking. 

          "You'll be eating with me," Dumbledore explained. 

          "At the head table?" Remus's eyes practically bugged out of his head. 

          "Sure, Remus.  You better get used to it, too.  You'll need it when you're a professor yourself."  James grinned at his studious friend.   

          Remus shook his head, laughing to himself. "Professor Lupin.  Maybe I'll teach James Jr." 

          The six teens felt uncomfortable eating with their Professor and talked little, only answering Dumbledore's questions about school, their families, and friends.  However, as soon as they left his presence, they kids began talking a mile a minute. 

The author would like to thank:

Fredngeorgegirl: Thanks! I love Fred and George cause they are the Marauders of Harry's time!

Cataclysmic: There will be fistfights, snogs, and nudity.  Still sound interesting?

Elvencherry07: I will…if I can.  It could take a while for me to think of good ones.

CrystalBlue: Thanks and I will!

Freakyfroggurl22: I will and it should get a lot more… interesting.  See cataclysmic's shout out for more deatails.

Princess Emily: Thanks! I got this out as fast as I could!

Love-end-with-hope: Thanks so much!  I love you name! 

I need help!  There is (hopefully) going to be a truth or dare chapter, and I need your help think of good ones.  I'm desperate.