A/N: I forgot to add one of these in the last chapter, but just incase you didn't realize it, the introductory paragraph was a flashback to the Marauder's train ride in their first year. This chapter is set in the present (of the story). I haven't completely decided yet, but there will most likely be alternating flashbacks just to keep the story interesting. Yeah. The end. Enjoy.

The Sorting had just come to a close, and the Marauders' applauded the newest additions to their house for what would be the last time. One more round of exams and then it was out into the real world for James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and the rest of the Hogwarts seventh years. James was ready. Well, almost ready. There were a few more things he had to require in his remaining year of school, but then he would be ready to hit the road and go make something of himself. Financially, James could very well buy every item Zonko's Joke Shop, sit around all day in his drawing room, and still not have to worry about work for many years to come. However, this was not the way James wanted to live. He was never one to lie around idly and watch the clouds roll by.

Professor Dumbledore was now standing up, the room consequently falling silent. He gave the school a warm smile and spread his arms wide. For a long time he didn't say anything at all. Then it came. Just what James had been waiting the entire night for. He hadn't told anyone (apart from Sirius) about his little surprise, for he found that the element of surprise proved to be quite amusing when used effectively. It had taken every part of him not to run down the hallway of the train and scream his joyous news into every compartment. In retrospect, James still wasn't quite sure how he had managed.

"My dear students," Dumbledore started, his voice old but strong, "welcome or welcome back once again to Hogwarts. I do wish that you take the Sorting Hat's song into consideration… Evil things are happening among us, and it is imperative that we stand together in these darkened times and do what is right. We need to show bravery, good-heartedness, intelligence, and cunning—" he respectively nodded his head to each House table "—and I believe that this would be an excellent time to introduce this year's new Head Boy and Girl, two people whom I respect very much and whom I believe possess all of these noble qualities."

The Great Hall fell dead silent, even more than it usually did when Dumbledore gave one of his speeches, and everyone was either staring directly at the Headmaster, or looking around the room to see where everyone else was looking. A small group of girls seated around Lily Evans were positively beaming, barely able to contain themselves from clapping and whooping. James knew it was going to be her. He had known it from the moment he had first heard her answer a question (in lengthy detail) in Potions class. The girl was positively brilliant. He supposed the rest of the seventh year wouldn't be surprised about it, either. Lily's brilliance was no secret.

No, the question on everyone's mind was: who was Head Boy? As far as the masses were concerned, there was no clear-cut winner. Sure there was smart this and generous that, but there was not one boy who stood out among the rest. However, James Potter knew the answer to that question. And James Potter wore a smug grin on his face. However, people would not consider this behavior strange for James Potter because it was the same grin he wore half of the time anyway.

James sat in a wonder, imagining the Headmaster announcing his name to the school. And then, of course, he inevitably did:

"I'd like to announce," Dumbledore beamed, "James Potter and Lily Evans as this year's Head Boy and Girl. I hope you shall wish them luck in their future endeavors. I expect great things from the two of them… We would once again like to remind you all that the forest is off-limits…"

James soaked in the applause that had filled the Hall for the brief period of time, grinning at his three best friends who sat beside him. Then, he turned to Lily, waiting to see her reaction. Once she met his eager eyes, a look of despair fell on her face and she hid her face in her hands while many of the girls surrounding her gave comforting pats on the back. Well, it was not much more than James could have hoped for, but it did not change the fact of the matter: Lily Evans was Head Girl to his Boy. That meant they would be seeing a lot more of each other—whether Lily wanted to or not. She would under no condition give up the prestigious title. After a few moments of self-mourning she looked up at him again and he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Lily looked as if she were about to cry.

"I don't know what she's so sad about," James said, shrugging Lily's behavior off. "This is going to be the best year ever…"

"For you," Remus added pointedly.

"No, no, no, my friend," James smiled. "It'll be her best year, too. She just might not know it yet, but I'll make her see reason."

"Good luck, mate," whispered a tall and handsome-looking Sirius Black. He gave his best friend a wry smile. "You're going to need it."

"Never mind that," James muttered back, holding his head up high. "All I need is pure talent."

The three others laughed generously, for with James one could never tell if his overly self-absorbed comments were serious or not. The Marauders had decided that no matter the answer, it didn't really matter to them, for James was always accepting of a good laugh at his behavior. More than anything, he enjoyed it.

"Oh, I understand," answered Sirius, passing the roast over to Remus. He paused for a second. "And where do you suppose you are going to get that?"

After the feast, it was always customary for the Head Boy and Girl to meet with the Headmaster, and James did so with enthusiasm. As he passed Lily's seat, he offered his arm, but she pushed him away and helped herself quickly out of the Hall. James followed faithfully behind, oblivious to the fact that Lily had completely blown him off, or, perhaps, in spite of it.

Both students knew where Dumbledore's office was, Lily having been a prefect and James having been in trouble half the time. They waited in awkward silence for the Headmaster's arrival next to the statue which concealed the staircase which would take them to his office.

"Have a nice summer?" James asked conversationally, swaying back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"Yes," Lily answered shortly.

"Oh, that's good," he said airily. "Get my letters?"

"Yes," she replied with clenched teeth. "All twelve of them. Seriously, Potter, don't you have anything better to occupy yourself with?"

James opened his mouth to reply, but Lily cut him off—

"What was that in Dumbledore's speech?" she cried desperately, throwing her hands up in the air. She turned to James. " 'Wish them luck in their future endeavors'? What are people going to think? What are they going to say? I mean… I'm Head Girl. And—and you, you're Head Boy. Think of the rumors!"

Lily frowned miserably and folded her arms against her chest. James still stood there, silently rocking back and forth, the only sound in the corridor being muffled footsteps from below.

"You're absolutely right," James said quietly.

"What?"

"You're right—about the rumors. As far as I can see there's only one thing we can do," he said solemnly, trying with all of his might not to break out into laughter. "You're going to have to go out with me. There's no other way. We'd quash all of those nasty rumors then, we would."

"You can't be serious," Lily answered bluntly, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Oh, but I am," he said jovially, sparing no detail in telling Lily how they would valiantly leave no rumor untouched in such tremendous shows of bravery such as holding hands in between classes and eating spaghetti from each others' forks, but he was sure they could substitute spoons if she preferred. Such courage would make Dumbledore honor the day in which he chose James Potter and Lily Evans to stand side by side in their respective roles as Head Boy and Girl.

Lily scowled and started shouting the names of sweets angrily at the statue in front of her. Dumbledore always came up with childlike passwords such as "Lemon Drop" or "Chocolate Pasty". However, she was out of luck; the Headmaster must have come up with a new favorite food to appease his sweet tooth.

"Don't you see?" James laughed openly. "It's genius! Hell, you could write a book about it!"

The fiery redhead continued to randomly shout out the names of various culinary delights and began to pound furiously on the head of the stone gargoyle. James just propped a hand against the wall to steady himself and continued to tell Lily of his fool-proof plan, while she answered that she wouldn't go out with him until Squibs could fly and Muggles could turn quills into knives, which she would then continue to use to strategically throw at various parts of his body. When Professor Dumbledore showed up ten minutes later and apologized for his tardiness, he refrained from asking any questions about the curious shouts he had heard from down the hall.