Start of Year Glory

Lily boarded the train and walked to the front where she knew she would find Dumbledore and whoever the new Head Boy was.

"Good morning Headmaster," said Lily when she got to the front of the train.

"Good morning Ms. Evans, we'll begin when the Head Boy arrives," replied Dumbledore cordially.

Lily nodded numbly, she had been in a state of depression since the beginning of the summer, and since the attack on Diagon Alley, it had only gotten worse. *I hope the Head Boy isn't that Diggory kid from Ravenclaw.*

Just then James came bursting through the doors gasping, "I'm so *gasp* sorry *gasp* that I'm *gasp* late."

"Quite alright Mr. Potter," said Dumbledore smiling. "Now, there are several matters to address; to begin. . ." He went on to explain their duties, and he added several things that he told them were strictly under confidence since he was under orders from the Ministry not to disclose them. "That will be all, I look forward to watching our school blossom under your guidance." Then, he left them alone.

"Well, it's going to be quite a year," said James trying to get Lily to smile.

"Yeah," said Lily, snuggling closer to him. *Maybe now I can forget everything, start over.*

James wrapped his arms around Lily and they fell asleep.

~**********~

They were awoken by a loud crash and someone yelling outside their compartment door.

"Guys let me in! She's trying to tickle me to death," said a voice that sounded oddly like Sirius, *giggle*.

James got up, stretched, and opened the door to find Sirius lying on the floor, laughing his eyes out, Teri on top of him tickling him mercilessly, Remus and Peter standing behind them laughing almost as hard as Sirius.

James started to chuckle when Lily woke up, "Hey guys," she said sleepily.

James turned around, "Hey sleepy-head; how are you feeling?"

"Okay," said Lily, she took one glance at Sirius and started to laugh, "do you guys want to come inside?"

They accepted and the last half hour of their last ride together to Hogwarts became one they would never forget; their happiest moment, the crowning glory.
~***********~
When they got to the Great Hall, the new students were sorted, and Dumbledore stood up to make his new-school-year speech, "It is a new year, your brains are probably quite empty; but there are several matters that I wish to address. First, though against the wishes of the Ministry, I feel it necessary to tell you that there is a growing threat, his name is Voldemort. He is very dangerous, and our number is already suffering casualties from his existence. In one way or another we have all been affected my his reign, and I warn you all to be careful.

I warn you all to stay away from the Forest, but if you should venture into it's depths I request that you go with someone you know can assist you should you ever be in need of help." The last part he directed at the Marauders, Lily and Teri.

"On a happier note I'm pleased announce this year's Head Boy and Head Girl, James Potter and Lily Evans. That is all." Lily and James stood to a great deal of clapping.

They sat down and everyone began to talk and eat, it was a happy time, and quite noisy; but not as noisy as in years past, the threat of Voldemort, now in the open weighed heavily on everyone's mind.

~**********~

When dinner was over Lily and James followed Professor McGonagall to the Head Students' private room.

"This is your private room, the password is 'twinkling fairy', if you wish there are two rooms that could be opened for you if you wish to leave your current dorms," said McGonagall.

"Thank you Professor," said Lily. Professor McGonagall told them how to open the extra rooms, and when she was done Lily and James went back to Lily's room, then, to the Gryffindor common room.

~**********~

"Hey guys," said James, "what did we miss?"

"Nothing," said Remus, "Peter just left to meet his girlfriend, and Padfoot and Wings snogged for like, an hour before the two of you came to save me. I almost barfed all over the two of them."

"We weren't that bad Moony," said Sirius. "Besides, we only kissed for ten minutes, if it was even that."

Lily groaned, "Guys do we have to argue this now, we have pranks to plan. . ."

The five of them planned their prank and got ready to put it into action.

~**********~

Three days later they all (Peter, Remus Sirius, Teri, Lily, and James) went down to the kitchens took some food, and added some clear potion to what was left; telling the house elves that they wanted to try some new flavorings that they had been working on.

That night at dinner they watched as everyone around them ate their food and started to turn into different colored animals. The trick of it was, they didn't change back for a full ten minutes, all the while the six (includes Peter) of them ran around taking pictures of the rest of the school.

When they did turn back there was a loud crack, and a firework exploded in the air forming the letters "MWWPPF" (Moony, Wormtail, Wings, Padfoot, Prongs, and Foxy).

They all received ten detentions, and a very stern "I would have thought better of you being Head Boy/Girl/Seventh Years".

But all in all, it was a good start to the year, and when all was said and done, everyone was still laughing.