Nooo! My head was screaming. How could that irresponsible jerk become Head Boy!?
The door opened again and the prefects walked in before I could say anything. I had to calm myself down, I had to tell the prefects what to do. I took a deep breath and was about to stand up when James started talking.
"Ok everyone, I'm not going to make a big speech or anything, I just want to say welcome back and congrats on becoming prefects. I'm James Potter and this is Lily Evans," he said as he took my hand and pulled me off the seat. "We're Head Boy and Girl this year. I know you want to get back to your friends so I'll make this short— on the train you'll have to patrol from time to time. Then there's a short meeting after dinner tonight in the Transfiguration classroom. Ok, you guys can leave, that's pretty much it. Oh, just don't abuse your privileges, ok?" he said as the prefects walked out.
I was stunned, speechless, amazed. He had actually acted mature and he even told them not to abuse their privileges!
"So how was your summer?" he asked once we were seated and the prefects gone.
"Was this the real James Potter? Was he actually trying to have a real conversation with me?
"It was good, but I'm happy to be back," I said. "How was yours?"
"Oh," he looked caught off guard. "It was... ok." Something about the way he said it told me it wasn't ok, but far from it. I decided not to press the issue. I heard the trolley roll past again.
"Are you hungry?" James asked.
"Umm... yeah, a little." He got up and went outside. He came back with an armful of treats.
"You can have however many you want," he said.
"Thanks," was all I could say.
We spent the whole time just talking. I never realized before how easy it was to talk to him. That was probably because I had never had a real conversation with him before. I also noticed how funny he was. Looking back, I realize the whole train ride I had a smile on my face. All because of James.
It was dark outside and I knew we were almost there. I was amazed at how fast the time flew by. The door opened and bounding in came Bath and my other best friend, Annabel.
"Lily! Where have you been? You won't believe what— Oh! Hey James!" Beth said.
Annabel was looking between me and James. Her first expression of question suddenly changed to that of understanding. She then smiled.
"What?" I asked Annabel.
"Nothing..." she replied. "So how was your summer?"
The train came to a stop. I was about to reply when Beth grabbed both me and Annabel by the arm and started dragging us toward the door.
"Bye Lily. I guess I'll see you tonight," James said.
"Bye," I said. "And thank you." I said a lot quieter. It was that moment that my eyes met his. I knew in that instant James had really changed.
We actually got a carriage by ourselves.
"So..." Beth said.
"So what?" I questioned.
"You just spent eight hours in the same compartment as James without killing him. How do you feel?"
"Yeah, so? He actually... changed." I said.
Beth smiled. "So did he ask you out?"
That's when it him me. I just spent eight hours alone with the James Potter and had actually had a good time. And the amazing part of it was, not once did he ask me out.
"Well did he?"
"No."
"It's a miracle."
"Yeah, yeah it is..."
"He's definitely changed," Beth said.
"Yeah," For the better.
I noticed Annabel hadn't said anything the whole ride, but she'd been looking very pleased with herself ever since we got off the train.