Hey people! I thought that now would be a good time to post again. It's funny: I never really realized why authors here always beg for reviews, but I finally understand. Sure, it's great to hear what people think about your story, but really, it's just nice to know that people are actually looking at your story! Because I don't even know if people are reading it! AH! But since I got…*cough* one review, I thought I would update—even if it's just for that one person's reading pleasure. (Thanks, by the way, Cheri111! That was really sweet of you to review and I appreciate it!) So even if you don't have anything to say about the story itself, I would LOVE it if you could write something… anything, really. Just tell me how your day went, what you had for breakfast (I had an omelet) and I love knock-knock jokes! Anyway, enough blabbering! On with the story!

Chapter 2

Hogwarts Express

   After another week of shopping in Diagon Alley, it was time to return to Hogwarts. Even though she was going back to school, Lily was very excited. She missed the enchanted halls and the trick staircases; the magical ceiling in the Grand Hall, and the cozy Gryffindor common room; the festive Halloweens and the snowcapped Christmases; she couldn't wait to arrive.

Mr. and Mrs. Figg dropped the girls off at Kings Cross Station where the school train would depart from. They got two carts and piled their school trunks on them. Adrienne meowed angrily as Lily pushed her cart quickly towards platforms nine and ten.

The Hogwarts Express left from platform nine-and-three-quarters, but it wasn't difficult to get there. All you had to do was walk through the barriers between platforms nine and ten. So Lily and Belle leaned against the cold, stone barrier, and slid straight through.

The large, scarlet Hogwarts train loomed up before them. They excitedly dumped their things in a compartment, and then reappeared on the platform to track down some of their other friends.

They passed their friend Amos Diggory who was in the seventh year, whose parents were badgering him about his owl, which was twittering madly.

Then they saw James Potter again. His parents were hugging him and his mother was sobbing. Lily couldn't help but overhear some of the things they were saying.

"Oh, James! We'll miss you! And we're so proud!" his mother moaned.

"Mum!" He groaned as his mother hugged him again.

"Oh, James, life at home will be rather quiet without you around… we'll miss you, son." His father said proudly, clapping James on the shoulder.

Lily couldn't help but wish her parents would say things like that. How could James act like he hated it? She would give anything to be loved like that.

The only time she could ever remember her parents saying they were proud was when she first received her Hogwarts letter. They had given her a silver locket that day, and she wore always. Petunia had always gotten the glory since she was born first. It just wasn't fair.

"Lil, there's Madison!" Belle said, jerking Lily out of her thoughts. Belle pointed to their friend, Madison. She had shoulder length blonde hair, and warm green eyes like Lily's. Madison rushed over to Belle and Lily.

"Lily! Belle!" Their friend Madison Gregory called. "It's so good to see you!"

"Madison! We missed you in Diagon Alley." Lily said, hugging her friend tightly.

"Yeah, sorry I missed that. But you know my parents…" Madison shrugged. "Here they come now… brace yourself…"

"Ah! Ms. Evans and Ms. Figg. It's too bad we didn't see you this summer." Mr. Gregory replied dully.

"But we simply had to stay that extra week in America. Such a lovely country, you know." Mrs. Gregory sighed. "Well, my dear, we will see you at Christmas, hm? Ta ta!"

"Goodbye mummy! I love you!" Madison said. "Toodles, daddy!" She replied, kissing her parents. Lily always felt that Madison never was very genuine. When her parents were out of earshot, she continued.

"Boring old fools, aren't they?" She sighed.

"I think your trip sounded great. Someday, I'm going to travel the world…" Lily sighed. "Just like the two of you… but I'll go further than France and America."

"You and your imagination, Lil." Madison sighed. "But, my God! Have you seen Sirius Black? He's grown some over the summer, he has."

"Black?" Lily replied, giving a meaningful look to Belle. "Please."

"Suit yourself. He's got quite a little fan club now… look." She said, pointing towards Reamus, Sirius, and James. There were at least seven girls flocking around them, giggling and playing with their hair.

"And look at Peter!" Belle laughed. Peter Petigrew was standing off to the side a little, surveying the scene with disgust and jealousy.

"I don't really know why they let him hang around them, do you?" Lily asked.

"Just because he gets them out of trouble." Madison laughed. "I hear they've decided to call themselves the Marauders now."

"The Marauders? They decided that more than two years ago, you prat!" Belle said, laughing at Madison.

"Yes, but now it's official." Madison defended. "My father says we've got a new Headmaster this year. Do you know who he is?"

"I think its Albus Dumbledore." Lily replied. "I read it in the Daily Prophet." She said, recalling the article in the wizard newspaper.

"Dumbledore? I hear he's very intelligent!" Belle replied.

"Who cares? I hope he's not as loony as the last one." Madison said coolly.

"You mean Professor Dippet?"

"Yeah. He was crazy." Madison said. "We'd better get on the train. Did you find us seats?"

"Yeah." Lily said. She led the way through the train towards the back. But when they arrived in their compartment, they found two Slytherins sitting there.

"Can we help you?" One with blonde hair plastered to his head replied.

"Er… this is our compartment. See the bags?" Belle said, pointing to their things.

"So sorry. I'm Lucius Malfoy, by the way. Slytherin, sixth year." He said. "And this is my good friend Siverus Snape. Also Slytherin."

"Pleasure. Could you leave?" Belle snapped.

"Only if you tell us who you are." Siverus said softly, but coldly.

"Belle Figg, Madison Gregory, and Lily Evans. Now get your butts out. We haven't seen each other all summer and have quite a bit of catching up to do… so scoot!" Belle snapped. Lily and Madison both knew you did not make Belle say the same thing more than three times, or you were in trouble.

"Belle Figg… wait, you aren't Arabella Figg are you? My God! Siverus, this is the one I was telling you about! Her father works for the Ministry… the Muggle Protection Department!" Lucius laughed.

"Shut the hell up and get out of our car." Belle snapped. "And I swear, if you ever call me Arabella, you will be in so much pain-"

"Is there a problem here?"

Lily spun around to see James, Remus, Peter and Sirius standing in the hallway, looking at Lucius and Siverus.

"James, it's the two slime balls." Remus replied, nodding towards Lucius and Siverus. "You ladies don't want to go talking to them." He said to Belle.

"We can handle this ourselves, thanks." Belle snapped. "Get your fat asses out of our car before I hex you." She said hotly to Lucius.

"Manners, manners, Arabella." Lucius said. But he picked up his bag and left the compartment with Siverus on his heels.

"Woman after my own heart, there boys." Sirius replied, watching Belle with interest. But then Belle rounded on him.

"And you too!" She shouted. "OUT!"

"Jesus! Cool your jets!" Sirius sighed. And as they left, Lily heard Sirius say "Get out!" followed by laughter. Lily sighed.

"Boys." Belle muttered. "Fat lot of greasy fools."

The train clacked along the track, zooming past the countryside and forest. Lily, Madison, and Belle talked and laughed as they sped closer and closer towards the school. Rain began to patter on the windows and the further they went the heavier it fell.

When the train pulled into the Hogsmeade station, the rain was pouring down from the sky in ice-cold buckets. Lily reluctantly left the train and dashed to the horse-less buggies that would take them to the school. She hopped inside, and Madison slammed the door.

"Whew! It's really comin' down!" She replied, glancing out the window at the lightning that forked across the sky. She patted her hair nervously.

"Your hair looks fine, Madison." Lily replied. "Don't worry about it."

"I'm not." Madison said. "You just never know…"

Their buggy pulled up to Hogwarts School. The school looked bright and cheery, even in this horrible weather. The hundreds of windows were glittering, suggesting that fires were crackling merrily inside. Lily, Madison and Belle leaped out of the coach and scampered through the heavy double doors. They were soaking wet, even after only being outside a few seconds.

Just after them, the Marauders came strolling inside proudly. Lily rolled her eyes as a group of girls- their grades ranging- towards them. One girl rudely pushed passed Madison to get to Sirius' side.

"What can we say? We are SO God's gift to women!" Sirius laughed.

"Oh, Sirius!" A blonde girl giggled, slapping his hand playfully. "You're so silly!"

Lily and her friends left this disturbing scene and walked into the Grand Hall, wringing water out of their hair. Lily pulled her Hogwarts robe closer to her, trying to keep warm. But the moment she stepped into the Hall, her breath was taken away.

The four house tables were covered in deep purple cloths, and candles were flickering above them, floating in midair. The teachers' table had a huge banner behind it, bearing the Hogwarts crest: a lion, a raven, a snake, and a badger surrounding a large H. The enchanted ceiling that mirrored the real sky was stormy and clouded.

Lily led Madison and Belle to the Gryffindor table, and went to sit in a chair. But suddenly, the chair was zapped out from beneath her and she fell flat to the floor. She looked up angrily, and saw James and his posse.

He was smiling and laughing, and his wand twirling in his fingers. Lily knew he had made the chair disappear. She glared at him, and pulled the chair back under her. Madison was stifling laughter.

"You'd better not be laughing." Lily snapped quietly.

"I… I'm not." Madison replied, forcing a frown. "It wasn't funny at all."

"Hey, aren't they announcing the school Prefects tonight?" Belle asked.

"Yeah… I wonder if I'll make it?" Lily replied. Being a Prefect was the second highest honor at Hogwarts. A boy and a girl from each house were chosen to represent their house in all school functions and they were expected to be role models for all students.

When all the people were seated at their tables, the new first years entered the room looking fearful. Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher, led them to the head table and placed a three-legged stool and a shabby hat before the crowd. McGonagall was a strict woman, with brown hair pulled tightly into a bun at the base of her neck. She wore long emerald robes and a large hat. She was the head of the Gryffindor house, but showed them no mercy whatsoever.

"When I call your name, put on the hat, and walk to your new House table." She said. "Adervy, Harold." She replied and Harold Adervy approached the stool, quivering slightly.

Then, a tear by the brim of the hat opened wide and shouted "HUFFLEPUFF!" And Harold walked to his table.

Lily turned to Belle as "Charlotte Barney" became a "RAVENCLAW!"

"Who do you think will make Prefect?" She asked nervously.

"Don't worry about it! You're top of our class, you're sure to make it." Belle assured as "Frank Dutch" became a "GRYFFINDOR!" Lily applauded mildly as Frank came to sit at their table.

When the sorting finished with "Katie Weatherby" becoming a "SLYTHERIN!" Lily sat up tall in her chair, awaiting the announcement of Prefects.

"Hello students!" A tall man with a long silver beard and a crooked nose replied. "My name is Albus Dumbldore… but I think the school officials would prefer you called me Professor Dumbldore. I am the new headmaster here, seeing as Professor Dippet resigned last year. But I am pleased to take over his place and I hope I can fill his shoes. Now what you've all be waiting for: the announcement of this year's Prefects."

He waited a moment before continuing. Lily prayed silently. Maybe her parents would find this worthy of praise.

"For Hufflepuff: Jonathan Lionel and Cindy Ashonal." Dumbledore replied. Hufflepuff exploded with applause and Jonathan and Cindy walked up to the teacher's table to get their badges. They sat down at a special table for the Prefects that was set up for that one night.

"For Slytherin: Lucius Malfoy and Haley Parkinson." Slytherin clapped as their representatives accepted their badges happily and they too took seats at the table.

"For Ravenclaw: Brad Marcus and Stephanie Brooke." Their table cheered and whooped. Lily held her breath and Dumbledore smiled.

"Gryffindor: James Potter and Lily Evans!" Lily let out a huge sigh of relief, and she stood up to get her badge. She heard her table shouting and clapping. The muraders were screaming out James' name over and over in support.

James nearly snorted with laughter when he saw who "Lily Evans" was. Lily assumed he was reliving the joke with her chair.

"Thank you, Professor." Lily said as McGonagall pinned the badge onto Lily's uniform.

"Now I expect you two to be the essence of goodness this year… do you understand? James!" She said quickly in an undertone. James turned to look at her after waving to a Gryffindor.

"Yeah… okay." He said in understanding. Lily rolled her eyes. Why was he picked? He didn't care either way. Lily took her place at the table next to him. She thanked God that this was only for this one night; she wouldn't be able to stand eating by him every night.

"Congratulations! And now… we feast!" Dumbledore shouted and food sprouted up on the table.

Every kind of food imaginable was there: pudding, chicken, beef, steak, pastries, rolls, pea soup, pasta, sauces, jellies, fruits, vegetables, and ice cold pumpkin juice were only a few of the options.

"I'm starving!" James replied. Lily wasn't sure if he was talking to himself, or her, but she didn't respond. She did, however, pile the delicious food on her plate.

When that course was finished, dessert sprung up. Cakes and ice cream, cookies, candy, and every kind of pie you could think of. Lily sampled the fudge cake and fell in love with it.

When dinner was done, the plate's crumbs and stains disappeared, and they were sparkling gold again. Dumbledore motioned for the Prefects to come over.

"Speak to your Head of House for your password, then lead the first years to your house." He instructed.

Lily and James led the fed first years through the halls, up stairs, around corners, and up to the seventh floor. When they reached the Fat Lady portrait, Lily spoke the password, and it swung open.

"All right, everyone gather around." Lily said. "Okay, up the stairs to your left is the boys' dormitories, and the girls' is the same on your right. It is absolutely prohibited for people of the opposite gender to enter the others' dormitory-"

"Yeah, boys. So don't get any ideas!" James scolded. A few students chuckled.

"Anyway…" Lily said, throwing James a meaningful look. "You can find maps of the school by the door, and you are never allowed to go into the Forbidden Forest on grounds."

"Unless you want to die a painful death, of course." James interrupted. More kids laughed.

"So, go off to bed, I guess. James and I are here to answer any of your questions if you have them. Good luck at Hogwarts!" Lily said. As the students filtered away, she rounded on James.

"Look, you may think this is just another way to get noticed, but I for one, take this very seriously. I've worked hard to get here. So don't think that being the Gryffindor Seeker will help you now." She snapped.

"Ouch." James replied. "You're not the only one who worked hard last year, you know. I've worked my ass off to get this far. I plan on being Head Boy. My parents don't expect anything less than a star athlete, grade A, son. I've given that to them so far, and no little geeky, flame-headed, wanna-be is going to stop me now."

He turned quickly and hopped up the boys' dormitory steps. Lily glared after him. Wanna-be? Geeky? Flame-headed? Lily Evans? First the chair prank, now this. If he thought he could escape this time, he was dreaming.