I was the first person in the prefect's cabin, and for a few glorious minutes I thought that perhaps Potter just wouldn't show up. The Heads were supposed to be in the prefect cabin before the train departed, and though I could distinctly hear the sound of the wheels slowly beginning to churn, and see my parents standing with the rest of the families waving their children good-bye as the train pulled out of the station, there was no sign of the infamous Potter.

"'Praps Vanessa was wrong," I murmured, waving sullenly at my parents as they slowly shrank from view. They had been very upset about seeing their youngest daughter off to her final year of school, and though they tried to hide it, were very disappointed that Petunia had elected not to come. I couldn't blame her – who wouldn't want to spend more time with Vernon? Apparently he had an interview with some company called Grunnings, and Petunia was most insistent that she be around to wish him good luck.

"Lily, love," a voice that would have been suave had belonged to the most immature and infuriating person on the planet purred, drawing my attention to the face of James Potter as he leaned against the doorframe, already dressed in his robes with the Head Boy badge pinned to his chest. It would have looked better if the pin was going through his chest, but perhaps I was being too harsh.

"Potter," I replied, my attention once again on the window and the scenery flying by.

"Oh, don't pretend you're not surprised to see me. You thought I wouldn't show, of course. But you'll find that I'm a great deal more mature than I once was." I could feel him sink onto the seat beside me, and I could practically hear the smirk he surely wore. "I don't suppose you would have noticed that, though."

"Sadly, no," I shot back, startling him; he probably didn't expect me to answer. I usually kept to the policy that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. But the unexpected treat of having him as Head Boy brought out the unpleasant side of me. "I just noticed how much of a prat you still are." Alright, not the best insult in the world, but I'm not usually one to try to offend people.

"Ouch, Evans. That really hurts; almost as much as it must have hurt you to learn that I was Head Boy."

I didn't get a chance to tell him how right he was, as the timid-looking fifth and sixth year prefects began to stream into the cabin, all looking as surprised as I would have been to find Potter and myself sitting side by side.

"Please, take my seat," I urged a sixth year Ravenclaw girl, standing to count the heads of the students assembled before me. Potter too stood, but not before smiling at the girl, sending her into a small fit of giggles.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Potter exclaimed in his best Dumbledore impression, beaming at the prefects. I quickly counted to make sure they were all here – twelve bodies, all donning a gleaming, silver prefect badge. Four prefects per each house, and three houses. Plus Potter and I made fourteen. Everyone was there and accounted for.

I smiled sweetly, stepping in front of James. "Yes, welcome to another year. I'm Lily Evans, and this is James Potter, and we're your Head Girl and Head Boy. Now, if you all would allow me a few minutes, I will delegate each of the assignments and you may return to your friends."

Potter and I called the names of each of the students, handing them a sheaf of parchment and a small handshake before nodding them to the door. Potter, I noticed, was adding more flourish than was absolutely necessary. And why did he think it appropriate to wink at the girls when they came to collect their assignment from him?

I decided to stay for the remainder of the train ride in the prefect's cabin, looking over my new set books. All the others had left, off either to complete their assignments, or to rejoin their friends and procrastinate for as long as possible. Potter too had taken off as soon as I ended the meeting. Didn't even bother staying long enough to answer any questions the others may have had. The fact that they didn't have any questions wasn't important.

"Hello, Lily."

I looked up from my book, a rather dry selection about medieval muggles, and saw Sirius Black leaning against the doorframe, one jean-clad ankle crossed over the other. His grey sweater was a bit too tight for my taste, but produced the wearer's desired effect in accentuating the chest and arm muscles carefully sculpted after hours on the Quidditch pitch.

"Hullo, Sirius."

His composure remained cool and somewhat distant as he folded his arms against his chest, flexing his biceps. Bloody showoff. Still very fit, though. "I have a favour to ask of you."

"Do you?" I returned my gaze to the book, finding it rather more difficult to pay attention. I certainly didn't feel any attraction to Sirius, but come on. He was one fine looking bloke. Even though he had a horrible personality. Must remember the horrible personality.

"It's a small thing, nothing too big. If you could just do it for me ... as a pal."

I raised an eyebrow. I didn't know we were pals. "What is it Sirius?"

He sighed, prolonging the moment before he would have to speak. "Be nice to James. More than nice. Just look past his idiotic antics, and try to be his friend. He's actually not that bad a person."

"Did he ask you to ask me that?" I looked up at Sirius, wondering what in the name of all that is magical he really wanted from me. Surely he didn't actually want me to befriend that ... boy.

"No," Sirius replied, avoiding my gaze. "I'm just concerned for the well-being of a good mate of mine." He shrugged, pushing himself away from the doorframe. I had to remind myself to not stare at him. "And so far as I know, that's not a crime."

I rolled my eyes, more to tear my gaze away from his body than to repute what he had said. "Fine, I'll try. But I can't promise any more than that."

"I didn't ask you to." He spread his hands in a supplicating manner, backing through the door. "Just try really hard."

I thought of a really good insult about two minutes after he had gone. Bugger.